The TSX ended the trading week on a high note, posting gains of 150.17 points on Friday to close at 11,975.14, while the TSX Venture moved 16.09 points higher to 1,557.93.

The metals and mining sector shone on Friday, gaining 3.8%, while energy climbed 1.54%. The price of gold also moved higher, up $2.10 to $1,135.20 an ounce

Also in the news, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reported that the U.S. economy shed 36,000 jobs in February, and the unemployment rate held at 9.7 percent,

On the TSX, shares of West Energy (TSX: T-WTL) jumped 18.1% to $5.02, after the company and Daylight Resources Trust announced that they have entered into an arrangement agreement for Daylight to acquire West. The transaction is valued at $570 million.

Tim Hortons (TSX: T-THI) gained 2.5% to $32.73 after the company announced its strategic growth catalysts and financial outlook on Friday, saying that it plans to open 900 new locations in North America between 2010 and 2013.

Meanwhile, General Moly (TSX: T-GMO) surged 53.9% to $4.11 after the company announced a significant investment and strategic relationship with Hanlong (USA) Mining Investment Inc., a wholly-owned subsidiary of Sichuan Hanlong Group (Hanlong), that is anticipated to provide full project funding for the company's 80% owned Mt. Hope project. General Moly also reported its fourth quarter results on Friday, including a net loss of $2.2 million or a loss of three cents per share, compared to a loss of $2.6 million or a loss of four cents per share for the same quarter last year.

On the Venture, shares of Vault Minerals (TSX: V-VMI) climbed 13 cents to end the day at 45.5 cents, after the company and Queenston Mining announced that they have entered into an agreement to amalgamate, creating the largest property holdings in the Kirkland Lake gold camp. Under terms of the amalgamation, Vault shareholders will receive one Queenston common share for every 10 Vault common shares.

Also, oil & gas exploration and production company Forest Gate Energy (TSX V-FGE) reported that it has mobilized a rig at its discovery well on its Crescent Junction property near Green River, Utah, for production testing of four shallow oil zones. Shares of the company moved nine cents higher to 67 cents.

In other moves, Madalena Ventures (TSX: V-MVN) climbed five cents to 28 cents, Resverlogix (TSX: T-RVX) gained 33.8% to $6.02, and Grande Cache Coal Corporation (TSX: T-GCE) was up 11% to $7.50.