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S&P/TSX Composite Index up 87 Points Mid-Morning Wednesday: Utilities, Miners Are Top Performers

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The S&P/TSX Composite Index, which was up 130 points in earlier trade, pared some of its gains and rose 87 points mid-morning Wednesday.

Sectors were mixed, with shares in utilities and miners rising nearly 1%. Precious metals and copper commodity prices were all higher on last look.

The energy sector was the weakest performer, shedding 1.6% as crude oil prices ease after the US energy secretary said in an interview with CNBC that the Saudi oil pipeline that had been damaged in a drone attack earlier this week would be repaired in "days."

In other news, the European Union has invited Canada to become its first "associate" member. The invitation was extended by European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen.

The total value of building permits issued in Canada fell CA$2.6 billion (-17.3%) to CA$12.2 billion, Statistics Canada reported on Wednesday. The non-residential sector led the decline.

What else is happening in Mining & Metals?

Mining & Metals

RFA Financial Maintains Quarterly Dividend at CA$0.33 Per Share

RFA Financial (RFA.TO) declared a quarterly dividend at CA$0.33 per share for the quarter ending Sept. 30, the company said Tuesday afternoon.The dividend is payable on Oct. 15, to shareholders of record on Sept. 30.RFA Financial shares closed down CA$0.09 at CA$26.28 on the Toronto Stock Exchange.

$RFA.TO
Mining & Metals

Goldquest Mining Appoints Dennis Kwong as CFO

GoldQuest Mining (GQC.V) said Tuesday it appointed Dennis Kwong as chief financial officer, effective Sept. 15.Kwong has experience in mining finance, capital markets, mergers and acquisitions, project financing and corporate development.

$GQC.V
Mining & Metals

Avalon Advanced Materials' Nechalacho Project Included in Canada Investment Summit Prospectus

Avalon Advanced Materials (AVL.TO) said Tuesday its Nechalacho Rare Earths Project in the Northwest Territories was selected for inclusion in the Canada Investment Summit Prospectus.The project will also be showcased by the Government of the Northwest Territories as a strategic critical-minerals development opportunityThe company said the project has been explored in the past "including a historical 2013 Definitive Feasibility Study, extensive drilling and supporting technical studies". It is preparing a Preliminary Economic Assessment for the property.The summit's prospectus features 167 investment opportunities across Canada, including 63 projects in the minerals and metals sector.

$AVL.TO