S&P/ASX 200 (INDEXASX:XJO) has gained 0.64% to 6,786 by about 1.55 pm with the index hitting a fresh 11-month high of 6788 earlier this morning.

All sectors have gained with the technology sector rising the most with a 2.3% gain. Afterpay (ASX:APT) surged to a new record high of $142.30 earlier today.

BHP iron ore production rises

BHP Group (ASX:BHP) was 1.43% higher after reporting its numbers for the first half of FY2021.

The miner’s iron ore production was 6% higher at 128.4 million tonnes (Mt) with record production achieved at its WA operations.

FY2021 guidance for iron has also increased to between 245 and 255 Mt as a result of the restart of Samarco in Brazil.

BHP’s coal, copper and petroleum production are down compared to the corresponding half a year ago.

Top gainers

Today’s top gainers on the ASX include Archer Materials Ltd (ASX:AXE) (+27.88%), Core Lithium Ltd (ASX:CXO) (+16.28%), Northern Minerals Ltd (ASX:NTU) (+23.26%), Piedmont Lithium Ltd (ASX:PLL) (+14.95%), Strategic Elements Ltd (ASX:SOR) (+25.00%), Galileo Mining Ltd (ASX:GAL) (+27.27%) and RPM Automotive Group Ltd (ASX:RPM) (+20.51%).

Proactive news headlines:

RPM Automotive Group gears up for big 2021 after ground-breaking December quarter

RPM Automotive Group Ltd (ASX:RPM) has forecast a full-year revenue increase of 44 per cent for 2021 following a hugely successful December quarter.

Venture Minerals raises $10 million to fully fund Riley Iron Ore Project and pave the way for first shipment

Venture Minerals Ltd (ASX:VMS) has received firm commitments from sophisticated, professional and institutional investors to raise A$10 million, fully funding the development of the Riley Iron Ore in northwest Tasmania and paving the way for the first iron ore shipment next quarter.

Aeris Resources intersects more high-grade copper at Constellation deposit

Aeris Resources Ltd (ASX:AIS) has intersected further high-grade copper mineralisation at Constellation deposit within its 100%-owned Tritton tenement package in Central West New South Wales.

Orthocell receives nearly A$2.4 million in R&D tax incentive refund from Australian Government

Orthocell Ltd (ASX:OCC) has received a research and development (R&D) tax incentive refund of A$2,394,397 for the financial year 2019/2020 from the Australian Government.

Archer Materials higher on hitting commercial milestone with first patent from Japan for 12CQ quantum computing chip

Archer Materials Ltd’s (ASX:AXE) (OTCMKTS:ARRXF) (FRA:38A) 12CQ quantum computing chip technology has achieved a major commercial milestone with the grant of a Japanese patent, the first granted patent protecting the 12CQ chip.

Lithium Australia shareholders fully pay for 6.8 million LITCF shares raising another $340,850

Lithium Australia NL (ASX:LIT) (FRA:3MW) shareholders have paid the balance of A$340,850 for a total of more than 6.83 million LITCF partly paid ordinary shares in the company, the latest in a series of similar transactions since mid-December 2020.

Theta Gold Mines moves into bullion management with initial A$700,000 investment in Bullion Asset Management of Singapore

Theta Gold Mines Ltd (ASX:TGM) (OTCQB:TGMGF) has invested A$700,000 in Bullion Asset Management Services Pte Ltd (BAM), a Singapore-based technology company focused on financing, tokenisation of physical gold bullion and precious metals trading.

Fenix Resources continues to progress Iron Ridge Iron Ore Project with first shipment set for early

February Fenix Resources Limited (ASX:FEX) made significant progress in the December quarter on development of the Iron Ridge Iron Ore Project in WA’s Mid-West, with production underway and the first shipment of about 60,000 tonnes of combined lump and fines product scheduled for early February.

PolarX targets year-round newsflow following acquisition of Humboldt Range Gold-Silver Project

PolarX Ltd (ASX:PXX) (FRA:PX0) is hoping to provide shareholders with year-round newsflow in the near future, following the acquisition of the Humboldt Range Gold-Silver Project in Nevada.

Moho Resources kicks off maiden reverse circulation drilling program at Crossroads Gold-Silver prospect

Moho Resources Ltd (ASX:MOH) has commenced its maiden reverse circulation (RC) drilling program at Crossroads Gold-Silver Prospect, part of its Burracoppin Gold Project, within E70/4688, which is subject to a 70:30 joint venture with IGO Ltd (ASX:IGO) (OTCMKTS:IPGDF) (FRA:IDZ).