Sirius Minerals: Dates for your diary

Sirius Minerals machine-gunned shareholders with information in 2016 as, one by one, all the right people gave its North Yorkshire polyhalite project the green light. It also completed Stage One financing late last year. We heard nothing more since before Christmas - just some boring stuff on share options - but now management has given us some big dates for the calendar in 2017.

"Going forward the company will provide general development and construction updates to the market on a quarterly basis," the firm said Thursday.

As well as updates on key project milestones as they occur, it promises updates in the weeks beginning 27 March, 26 June, 25 September and 8 January 2018. There'll also be regular updates to presentations on the website and social media.

This is crucial, as it understands the need for newsflow to keep the City interested in the business. At times like this, when the digging begins, things can go quiet. That's when share prices drift.

"A number of works required to deliver the project have already begun and more are due to commence shortly," we're told. "These are all in-line with the project schedule."

With detailed engineering, design and commercial work underway across the project, Sirius will begin highway works on 30 January, improving junctions on roads to the site and the surrounding area. It'll finish up on 7 April.

Another drilling rig will also turn up at the end of February to provide more detailed information ahead of the shaft sinking. Currently, the full site preparation phase remains on schedule to begin in the second quarter of this year.

"We highlight the reduction in risk as Sirius moves though the normal phases of mine development and construction towards first production and the generation of cash flow," writes Paul Smith, an analyst at joint house broker WH Ireland.

"We rate the shares with a 'buy' recommendation and 60p share price target."

This article is for information and discussion purposes only and does not form a recommendation to invest or otherwise. The value of an investment may fall. The investments referred to in this article may not be suitable for all investors, and if in doubt, an investor should seek advice from a qualified investment adviser.