Junior exploration roundup

Lima-headquartered Andresmin Gold (OTC BB: ADGD) has closed a private placement that raised US$500,000, the company said in a statement. The funds will be used for ongoing exploration and to finance property acquisitions. The placement consists of a two-year convertible debenture at 8% interest. The debenture is convertible into units which can be converted into one common share for US$0.80 and a warrant to purchase an additional share at US$1.25. Adresmin has 10 projects over 16,400ha, including the company's flagship Winicocha copper-gold project in southern Peru. Winicocha holds an inferred reserve of 1.4Moz of gold with grades ranging to 1.0% copper and 5g/t of gold. *** Mining engineer Flavio Lamberti has joined the Jacobina mining team as development project manager, Toronto-based Desert Sun Mining (TSX: DSM) said in a statement. Lamberti will handle internal feasibility studies on Desert Sun's projects in Brazil, including Morro de Vento, Serra de Corrego, the Morro do Vento extension and the Canavieiras mine. Previously, Lamberti was the project manager for Yamana Resources in Brazil and plant run engineer for Dow Brasil Nordeste. Desert Sun is currently evaluating the underground and open pit potential of the Morro do Vento project, with a decision expected in the second quarter of 2005, the company said. Desert Sun has total gold resources in Brazil of some 3.5Moz. *** The Toronto stock exchange will enact Vancouver-based junior Manhattan Minerals' name change to Mediterranean Minerals, the company said in a statement. Mediterranean Minerals begins trading on the exchange under the ticker symbol MED on February 23. The name change reflects the company's move to shift its emphasis from exploration and development of projects in Peru to acquiring and developing properties in Turkey and the Mediterranean Sea area. *** Calgary-based junior Braz Diamond Mining has begun trading on the over-the-counter bulletin board (OTC BB) under the ticker symbol BZDJ.PK, the company said in a statement. Braz Diamond has also hired investor relations firm Cervelle Group to develop a financial and media communications campaign in the US and Canada. Braz Diamond Mining and its Brazilian subsidiary, Braz Mining do Brasil, holds mineral exploration licenses on 182,000ha, including the Redondao Kimberlite in the northern Brazilian state of Piauí.