The FTSE Small Caps index is up 0.6 percent in early deals on thefirst session of 2013, lagging much bigger gains by the blue chips andthe mid caps, which jump 1.5 percent and 1.4 percent respectively. Lamprell jumps 15 percent after the oil services firm says it hasreceived the necessary waivers from its lenders with respect to its existingdebt facilities, with the working capital position of the company havingimproved significantly in recent months and it ended the year with a net cashposition in the region of $100 million. Lamprell also says it was recently awarded a further North Sea relatedproject valued at approximately $40 million. [ID: nRSB5920Ua] Afferro Mining gains 3 percent, extending Monday's 13 percentadvance, as International Mining and Infrastructure Corp. (IMIC) confirms it has made an initial bid approach. Afferro said on Monday IMIC wouldbe prepared to offer up to 140 pence a share for the group. [ID: nRSB6254Ua] Afferro also said on Monday that it is currently under exclusivityobligations with one other party which precludes it from engaging in discussionswith IMIC until January 13. The Daily Telegraph said on Tuesday that tradersbelieve the current exclusive talks are likely to be with a "major" miningcompany willing to pay 150 pence a share for Afferro. Reuters messaging rm://jon.hopkins.thomsonreuters.com@reuters.net