News around the world - 500 Beiträge pro Seite (Seite 50)

[Popeye82]

Energio - Drilling update No.XXIII -Agbaja Iron Ore Exploration Project, Company has now released the results from 528 RC drill holes; Agbaja has an "exploration target" of 1.000.000.000 -2.000.000.000 tonnes of iron ore @a minimum of 30% iron, with rock chip samples within the project area returning grades of up to 55% iron; intends to issue a maiden JORC resource in September ´12 - Sep 14, 2012
www.energio.net.au/IRM/Company/ShowPage.aspx/PDFs/1380-28532…
www.energio.net.au/IRM/Company/ShowPage.aspx/PDFs/1379-28134…
www.energio.net.au/IRM/Company/ShowPage.aspx/PDFs/1339-92243…

[Popeye82]

The Artemis Project Top 50 "Unveils ´12’s Most Promising Water Tech Start-Ups"; jury voted 212 Resources, ENBALA Power Networks, NanoH2O, New Sky Energy +Saltworks Technologies as the “Top 5”. Atlantis Technologies, MINT, New Sky Energy, Saltworks Technologies +TaKaDu were named the “Most Promising” technologies of ´12. The judges chose 212 Resources, Aqua-Pure Ventures, HTI, Marrone Bio Innovations +NanoH2O as “Early Leaders” among the 19 companies generating revenues >US$5.000.000.“The Artemis Top 50 "serves as a lightening rod for start-ups that will change water management ",” stated Laura Shenkar, Top 50 Chair.; jury included experts from corporations such as Intel, Archer Daniels Midland, IBM, Ecolab +Syngenta as well as McKinsey, CH2M Hill, Carollo Engineers +Singapore’s Public Utilities Board - TAP, SAN FRANCISCO - Sep 13, 2012

- 2012 Artemis Top 50:

- 212 Resources
- ABS Materials
- AbTech Industries
- Altela
- American Micro Detection Systems(AMDS)
- APG-Neuros
- Aqua-Pure Ventures
- Aquacue
- Aqwise
- Asxban Technologies
- Atlantis Technologies
- Baleen Filters
- BCR Environmental Corporation
- BiAqua
- Bilexys
- BioGill
- BioIonix
- Cambrian Innovation
- Clean TeQ
- Curapipe System
- Derceto
- Desalitech
- Ecosphere Technologies
- Emefcy
- ENBALA Power Networks
- Enviro Voraxial Technology
- Falcon Waterfree Technologies
- Hydration Technology Innovations(HTI)
- HydroPoint Data Systems
- Lucent Wastewater Solutions
- MAR Systems
- Marrone Bio Innovations
- Membrane Instruments +Technologies(MINT)
- NanoH2O
- New Sky Energy
- Optiqua Technologies
- Ostara Nutrient Recovery Technologies
- Pasteurization Technology Group
- PAX Water Technologies
- PureSense
- Rentricity
- Saltworks Technologies
- SCFi Group
- Syrinix
- TACount
- TaKaDu
- The Water Initiative
- Tusaar Corporation
- WaterSmart Software
- WaterTectonics ...-
http://artemistop50.com/dev/wp-content/uploads/2011/01/TOP-5…

[Popeye82]

Gunson Resources - POSCO, one of the world's largest steel producers, to Invest in the Coburn Zircon Project; Coburn is "one of only a few advanced mineral sands projects in the world." It is "strategically located, with regional infrastructure nearby including a major highway, natural gas pipeline +port, with the project 250 kilometres north of Geraldton, an established mineral sand port with available capacity"; project "will be the 2nd largest zircon producer of the only three mines in the world that have a completed Definitive Feasibility Study +are fully permitted for construction", behind Grande Cote in Senegal; Coburn has an estimated net present value(8%) of $223.700.000 +an internal rate of return of 28.3%, on a pre-tax +pre-financing basis; "Not only has Gunson secured financing for Coburn through the POSCO deal, it has also executed an offtake agreement with the world’s largest pigment producer, DuPont, for its proposed share of chloride ilmenite production from the project over a five year period", Discussions with other potential offtake partners for the higher titanium dioxide mineral products +zircon are "well advanced" - Aug 13, 2012
www.gunson.com.au/files/reports/POSCO%20to%20invest%20in%20t…

[Popeye82]

Xi Jinping resurfaces through state media - CER - Sep 14, 2012
www.chinaeconomicreview.com/node/62227

"A state-owned Chinese paper attributed comments on the death of an ex-Communist party official to prospective president Xi Jinping, who has been out of the public eye for 10 days, Reuters reported.

Xi and other senior officials "expressed their grief and heartfelt sympathies through various means to the relatives of Huang Rong," Communist Party mouthpiece Guangxi Daily reported Wednesday night. An official explanation has yet to be given for Xi's more than one-week absence, during which he missed appointments with high-ranking dignitaries. Questions on Xi’s absence were put again to Foreign Ministry spokesman Hong Lei Thursday, who responded, "I have already answered this question many times." Commentators' opinions vary on the significance of Xi’s absence. Tokyo based economist Xiao Minjie said he would only start drawing conclusions if Xi fails to appear at China’s national day celebrations on October 1. "

[Popeye82]

Gold mining industry telling 1/2-baked cost story –Nick Holland; The gold mining industry was shooting itself in the foot -by telling only 1/2 of the real cost story, Gold Fields CEO Nick Holland has told the Denver Gold Forum. Operating costs were increasing while yields were declining +total expenditure had grown in line with the gold price, Holland said in a 30-slide presentation - MW, JOHANNESBURG - Sep 13, 2012

- M. Creamer -
www.miningweekly.com/article/gold-mining-industry-telling-ha…
www.goldfields.co.za/presentations/2012/092012_denver_gold_f…

[Popeye82]

Fortescue in trading halt, over debt concerns - MW, PERTH - Sep 14, 2012

- E. Swanepoel -
www.miningweekly.com/article/fortescue-in-trading-halt-over-…

[Popeye82]

Queensland "urged to lift uranium ban" - MW, Perth - Sep 14, 2012

- E. Swanepoel -
www.miningweekly.com/article/queensland-urged-to-lift-uraniu…

"The Queensland Resources Council (QRC) and the Australian Uranium Association (AUA) on Friday reiterated calls for the Queensland government to rethink a ban on uranium mining in the state.


In an editorial released to its members, QRC CEO Michael Roche said that lifting the ban on uranium exploration and mining in Queensland would contribute to greater prosperity, cut greenhouse-gas emissions, support the state’s economic development and enhance its reputation as an investment destination.

“Developing Queensland’s uranium deposits will create new jobs, support new businesses and help to consolidate the state’s reputation as a leading mining investment destination,” the editorial read.

“The Queensland government has the chance to build an effective legislative and regulatory framework, better for the experience of other states and territories, to grow a safe and responsible uranium mining industry and a new royalty revenue stream.”

Roche noted that it would be in the interest of all Queenslanders for the state government to demonstrate a testing environmental assessment and approvals process, adding that it would be in the industry’s interest to prove it could meet and exceed high expectations.

“Industry and government will be able to point to high standards of environmental and radiation protection. They will also be able to point to consistent, firm support for uranium mining and exports on both sides of federal politics,” Roche added.

The QRC and AUA’s calls echoed those made earlier this year by federal Resources Minister Martin Ferguson, who said that the state hosted an estimated 37 000 t of yellowcake. "

[Popeye82]

Japan tourism, trade to suffer, in island row - CER/BBSep 14, 2012
www.chinaeconomicreview.com/node/62226

"Japan's trade with China could take a hit as a dispute over islands in the East China Sea intensifies, according to multiple sources. The Japan National Tourism Agency predicts that Chinese tourists to Japan could drop by 20%, with some Chinese tour operators already cancelling trips, Bloomberg reported.

Chinese travel agencies have signified a willingness to sacrifice commercial interest in order to express anger with Japan, which recently announced it bought the islands, known as Diaoyu in Chinese and Senkaku in Japanese, from a private Japanese owner. Nissan Motor Company Ltd (7201.TYO) also said the row has affected business, Reuters reported. China is Japan's largest trading partner, with bilateral trade between the two countries hitting US$345 billion last year, up 14.3% from the year before. "

[Popeye82]

Global demand for alumina "expected to soar" –report - MW, TORONTO - Sep 13, 2012

- H. Lazenby -
www.miningweekly.com/article/global-demand-for-alumina-expec…

"The global demand for high-quality aluminium trioxide or high-quality alumina (HPA) is expected to soar by a yearly compounded growth rate of 52% over three years to 2015, a report said on Thursday.

HPA project developer Orbite Aluminae had commissioned consulting firm Secor to undertake a study to establish the market potential of HPA and Orbite's potential competitive advantages, the results of which were released on Thursday.


The study found that the HPA market was expected to increase from 2 030 t in 2009, to 25 350 t by 2015, driven higher mainly by the increasing demand for light-emitting diode (LED) lighting and other high-technology applications.

"Global demand for high-purity alumina is quickly exceeding the available supply. Orbite should help address this deficit, which is critical to a range of industries, and is well positioned to be a strategic alternative to the Asian producers who've largely dominated and controlled the market,” Orbite CEO Richard Boudreault said.

HPA is used mainly as a high-performance substrate in electronic applications, and its markets were expected to grow at double-digit rates through the next decade. A purity level of at least 99.99%, up to 99.9999% purity, defines HPA.

HPA is the product of a number of steps to purify smelter-grade alumina, which accounts for about 90% of the alumina market.

Traditionally, HPA was extracted through the Bayer process, which relied on dissolving minerals from bauxite with caustic soda and then chemically isolating the alumina, leaving behind toxic red mud. However, Orbite had developed a new process that uses hydrochloric acid leaching and that recovers all of the elements of bauxite, leaving behind no toxic residue.

The report found that most HPA suppliers were located in Asia, with China holding a dominant position. Japanese firm Sumitomo in 2009 held a 40% market share. However, the market was expected to fragment, with Sumitomo’s market share declining to 25% by 2015, as Orbite ramped up production and positioned itself as a significant alternative alumina producer.

The report also found that Orbite’s facility, currently under construction in Cap-Chat, Quebec, might yet turn out to be a key competitive asset against Chinese competitors.

Orbite was expected to benefit from the lower cost of energy and reagents, with limited cost pressures from labour and maintenance, while the HPA plant would be environmentally friendly. Orbite's technology would allow for the extraction of alumina from a wide range of source materials such as argillite, bauxite, and fly ash at significantly lower costs.

The company on Thursday said it expected to start producing 99.999% pure HPA early in 2013, when construction of its HPA plant was expected to be complete.

But, Boudreault added that the company was already working on improving the quality of alumina it would produce to 99.9999%, which would enable it to capture a premium for its HPA products.

Orbite's clay deposits in the Gaspe region of Quebec would be the primary source material for the production of 99.999% pure alumina.

Alumina traded at about $317/t in Australia earlier this week.

The company on Thursday was one of the most traded stocks on the TSX, its shares climbing by 15.48% to C$2.76 apiece.


Edited by: Creamer Media Reporter "

[Popeye82]

Zhejiang plans $1.370.000.000 bond sale - CER/WSJ - Sep 14, 2012
www.chinaeconomicreview.com/node/62231

"The Zhejiang government will auction RMB8.7 billion (US$1.37 billion) in bonds on September 21, making it the third provincial-level government to sell bonds this year after Shanghai and Guangdong, The Wall Street Journal reported.

Zhejiang said Tuesday it will sell bonds in two tranches, RMB4.35 billion in five-year paper and RMB4.35 in seven-year paper. The Ministry of Finance has sold bonds on behalf of local governments for the last two years. In late 2011, however, Beijing launched a trial program giving the more-developed regions of Guangdong, Shanghai, Shenzen and Zhejiang province the right to issue bonds independently. Beijing has allowed RMB250 billion in local government bonds to be sold this year, up from the RMB200 billion each year for the past three years. "

[Popeye82]

Chile weighing Asian, local lithium concession bids; Six companies are in the running to pocket a lithium mining concession in Chile, which produces ~40% of global supply of the metal, which is used in hybrid vehicles +computer +smartphone batteries, the Mining Ministry said on Friday. Posco Consortium, made up of Posco, Mitsui & Co , Daewoo International +miner Li Energy Spa; +Chilean miners NX UNO de Peine +SQM are competing for a concession; The concession "could boost global lithium supply by ~15% ", Deputy Mining Minister Pablo Wagner said during a press conference, to present the bids - MW/Reuters, SANTIAGO - Sep 14, 2012
www.miningweekly.com/article/chile-weighing-asian-local-lith…

[Popeye82]

MBAC Fertilizer - Reports "Robust" Preliminary Economic Assessment, For Araxá Rare Earth Oxide/Niobium/Phosphate Deposit - Sep 13, 2012

HL:

+ The PEA is based on the current mineral resource estimate for the Araxá Project contained in the amended +restated technical report filed on August 31, ´12, comprising a combined measured +indicated mineral resource of 6.340.000 Tonnes @5.01% TREO +an inferred mineral resource of 21.940.000 Tonnes @3.99% TREO.

+ Production is "expected to commence" in Q1 ´16, @120.000 tonnes/year of initial feedstock.

+ Estimated initial production of 8.750 tonnes/anno of "individual REO"(PhaseI), doubling capacity to 17.500 tonnes/anno of REO, after 5 years.

+ Estimated production of 740 tonnes/anno of niobium oxide as a by-product in the 1st five years, growing to 1.832 tonnes/anno, during PhaseIII.

+ Mine life of 40 years, with "significant resource expansion potential."

+ Capital costs of US$406.050.000 estimated for PhaseI, with an additional US$214.480.000 estimated for the expansion required, after the 5th year of operation.

+ "Conservative basket pricing" of US$29.19/kilogram relative to current rare earth prices.

+ Estimated operating cash costs of US$10.50/kilogram of REO in PhaseI, US$9.60/kilogram in PhaseII +US$12.20/kilogram in PhaseIII,(includes a 5% contingency).

+ A "robust" after tax NPV of US$967.000.000(@a discount rate of 10%) +an IRR of 30%. ...
http://mbacfert.com/publicfiles/newsevents/Araxa%20Proj%20PE…

[Popeye82]

What's coming up over the next few months?; Mining Conferences +Events, Recent +Upcoming Floats +IPO's - Sep12
www.vision6.com.au/download/files/37174/1769728/Article%2013…

[Popeye82]

West African Iron Ore - WAI Signs Binding Letter of Intent, for a $30.000.000 Finance Facility +Offtake Agreement, with Strategic Partner China International Fund; Amongst other activities, CIF are in infrastructure development, where in particular it has participated in the rehabilitation +development of new and existing transport infrastructure in nearby Angola such as the New Luanda International Airport, which is envisioned to become a major airport hub for West Africa. CIF has rehabilitated almost 3.600 kilometers of railway +constructed 3 logistics bases in Angola occupying 925.000 m2 "thereby developing the logistical backbone to support its infrastructure +industrial implementation +development programs throughout Africa." These industrial parks comprise cement +brick production plants, sand +stone quarries, as well as production of industrial materials such as steel sheets +plastic pipes; facilitates the Company’s timely completion of its maiden NI43-101 Resource Report on the Wondima prospect, targeted for Q4 ´12, the ongoing exploration efforts, +longer-term production objectives; In the definitive agreement, CIF +WAI will enter into an off-take agreement with respect to 50% of iron ore production from the Forécariah Tenement for a term of five(5) years; parties have agreed that the purchase price of the iron ore shall be 95% of the market price, based on the prevailing international price @that time, In addition, CIF +WAI will define the related conditions that will allow WAI to finance its mine development; G. Duport: "We are pleased to welcome CIF as a strategic partner. CIF’s involvement "is a strong gesture of "confidence" in our management team +the quality of our assets." Among other activities +investments in Guinea, CIF has a significant ownership position in Guinea Development Corporation(GDC), which owns the mineral licenses on the neighbouring properties. With "its extensive +committed presence in Guinea CIF’s local knowledge will be of "significant benefit" to our Forécariah project." As well, once our project undergoes a feasibility study, CIF's established transport +port facilities "will provide our project "tremendous" logistical benefits to export our iron ore." This new partnership combined with the full support of the Guinean Government "strategically positions our project on a fast track, not only for the benefit of our stakeholders, but for the benefit of the local community’s economic development +job creation" " - Sep 4, 2012
http://westafricanironore.com/wp-content/themes/waitheme/pdf…

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US tax ruling threatens commodity mutual funds: Kemp; Commodity prices "could come under severe pressure if the US Internal Revenue Service(IRS) decides to revoke previous rulings that have allowed mutual funds to pour >$50.000.000.000 into commodity derivatives through subsidiaries in the Cayman Islands +structured notes while remaining exempt from corporate income tax." "The controlled foreign corporations are corporate fictions, offshore shams, paper exercises whose sole purpose is to make an end run around the legal restrictions on commodity investments by mutual funds ," chairperson Carl Levin complained @a hearing of the Senate Permanent Subcommittee on Investigations in January - MW/Reuters, LONDON - Sep 14, 2012
www.miningweekly.com/article/us-tax-ruling-threatens-commodi…

"Commodity prices could come under severe pressure if the US Internal Revenue Service (IRS) decides to revoke previous rulings that have allowed mutual funds to pour over $50-billion into commodity derivatives through subsidiaries in the Cayman Islands and structured notes while remaining exempt from corporate income tax.

"The controlled foreign corporations are corporate fictions, offshore shams, paper exercises whose sole purpose is to make an end run around the legal restrictions on commodity investments by mutual funds," chairperson Carl Levin complained at a hearing of the Senate Permanent Subcommittee on Investigations in January.

Mutual funds have made commodity investing accessible to a much wider range of investors, not just the rich individuals able to participate in hedge funds.


Unlike hedge funds, however, there are strict limits on the assets mutual funds can own while preserving their exemption from corporate income tax.

Until 2006, those restrictions were generally thought to prohibit mutual funds from generating more than 10% of their income from commodities and other alternative investments.

But without any change in the law, fund operators have secured a series of special rulings from the IRS allowing them to sidestep the restrictions, obtaining up to 100% of their income from commodities by setting up subsidiaries in the Caymans as controlled foreign corporations, or structuring the investment as a fixed-income instrument (bond) where the amount of principal repaid is linked to an index of one or more commodities.

On this surprisingly thin legal basis, the mutual fund industry has built a major new asset class since 2006. Now it's under attack, as critics in Congress question whether the IRS has gone too far in allowing mutual funds to circumvent the restrictions that would otherwise prevent them from launching specialist commodity funds.


PRIVATE LETTER RULINGS

Between 2006 and 2011, the IRS issued 72 private letter rulings (PLRs) to mutual funds confirming that commodity investments via offshore subsidiaries or structured notes would enable them to keep their status as regulated investment companies (RICs) and receive a corporate tax exemption.

A PLR is a written determination issued to a taxpayer by the IRS in response to a written inquiry. It interprets tax law and applies it to the taxpayer's specific set of facts. A taxpayer may rely on a PLR when dealing with the IRS provided it has stated the circumstances fully and correctly. But it is not meant to create a precedent for others.

In exceptional circumstances, PLRs can be revoked (sometimes retroactively) if the IRS finds it has made an error or if there is a change in the law.

By the end of 2011, the 40 largest commodity-related mutual funds had amassed over $50-billion in assets based on these PLRs.

But in July 2011, worried about the profusion of PLRs, and the continued refusal of Congress to give mutual funds clear statutory authority for commodity investing, the IRS called a time-out. It told the industry it would not respond to any more requests for PLRs until it can determine the legal position properly and provide more general guidance.

The moratorium has left at least 28 PLR requests in the queue unanswered. Two more funds are reported to have pressed ahead without securing a PLR, defying the IRS.


MAXIMUM UNCERTAINTY

Relying on PLRs to give the green light to commodity mutual funds, and the IRS's decision to stop issuing new ones, has put a cloud over the whole sector.

Without the tax exemption, mutual funds would have to restructure or liquidate their holdings. They "would (have to) use some other structure. They would make another investment. They would go into another business" IRS commissioner Douglas Shulman told the subcommittee on investigations on January 26.

"I know of (only) one circumstance in all of mutual funds where a mutual fund decided to be taxable, so it is very rare for a mutual fund to pay taxes."

If the IRS determines its earlier rulings were wrong, and revokes the existing PLRs, commodity-focused mutual funds would have to find another way to structure their investments, scale back their holdings to below the 10% income limit, or exit the sector altogether.

The resulting liquidation would put tremendous pressure on commodity prices and reverse much of the build up of speculative money in commodity markets over the past decade - which is precisely what some opponents of the PLRs want. Chairperson Levin is a leading critic of the impact investment flows have had on food and fuel prices.

On the other hand, if the IRS eventually determines income from commodity investments via offshore subsidiaries and structured notes is qualifying income after all, it could see another large in-rush of funds into the sector.

In addition to the pending applications, many other mutual funds could be launched if the IRS issues a generally applicable ruling that everyone can rely on rather than forcing each fund to seek its own PLR.

Either way, the IRS decision could transform the landscape for retail commodity investors, and have a major impact on commodity prices.


A TORTURED HISTORY

In return for their exemption from corporate income tax, congress stipulated that recognised investment companies, which is the formal tax law term for mutual funds, must derive at least 90% of their income from dividends, interest, payments with respect to securities loans and gains from the sale or other disposition of stock or securities.

The restrictive list of possible investments was included in the original law granting tax breaks to mutual funds in 1936 and confirmed when Congress revisited the issue in 1954. It is now Section 851(b)(2) of the tax code (26 USC 851(b)(2)).

In 1986, Congress broadened the list of permitted investments as part of a comprehensive overhaul of the tax code to include gains from "foreign currencies, or other income (including but not limited to gains from options or futures contracts) derived with respect to its business of investing in such stock, securities or currencies".

But it was thought that congress had specifically excluded gains from commodities. The law itself remained silent on the matter. In a letter to congressman Ronnie Flippo, however, one of the sponsors of the 1986 mutual fund amendment, the US Treasury stated its unequivocal opposition.

"We would generally not treat as qualifying income gains from trading in commodities, even if the purpose of that trading is to hedge a related stock investment," the treasury wrote.

Treasury opposition appeared to become a part of the legislative record. One of the senate sponsors of the amendment specifically stated it "enjoys the support of the treasury" and that its purpose was "to permit the mutual fund industry to make better use of income from stock options, futures contracts and options on stock indices, options and futures on foreign currencies, and foreign currency transactions."

And there the position appeared to rest.


OPENING THE FLOOD GATES

In response to enquiries from the industry, the IRS published a general revenue ruling in January 2006 stating unambiguously:

"A derivative contract with respect to a commodity index is not a security for the purposes of section 851(b)(2). Under the facts above, income from such a contract is not qualifying income for the purposes of section 851(b)(2) because the income from the contract is not derived with respect to the business of investing in stocks, securities or currencies." (Revenue Ruling 2006-1, January 9, 2006).

But over the next six months, under pressure from the industry, the IRS wavered. In June 2006, the IRS issued another general ruling which "clarified" that the previous ruling:

It "was not intended to preclude a conclusion that income from certain instruments (such as structured notes) that create a commodity exposure for the holder is qualifying income under Section 851(b)(2)" (Rev Ruling 2006-31, June 19, 2006).

The June revenue ruling triggered an avalanche of requests for private revenue letters confirming commodity investments could count as qualifying income. The first PLR was issued on July 14 and two more were issued before the end of the year.

Eight more PLRs went out in 2007. Six followed in 2008. Then 12 went out in 2009, 22 in 2010 and 21 in 2011, before the IRS brought the curtain down.

Thirty-five PLRs confirmed a mutual fund could invest through a controlled foreign corporation; 18 confirmed it could get exposure through a structured note; and 19 confirmed the fund could use both techniques, according to an analysis by Senate staff.

But there must still have been some doubt about the legal status of these investments because in 2010, the House of Representatives and Senate considered the Recognised Investment Company Modernisation Act.

The bill was explicitly endorsed by the Investment Company Institute, which lobbies on behalf of the mutual fund industry, as a means to "modernise the tax laws that govern mutual funds." The Institute noted "these laws have not been updated in any meaningful or comprehensive way since 1986."

Section 201 of the modernisation bill would have amended Section 851(b)(2) to change the reference from currencies to commodities (a more general term).

The bill was passed by the house, and then by the senate. But senators made one change: striking section 201 in an amendment offered by senator Jeff Bingaman.

Significantly, when offered an opportunity to give mutual funds explicit authority to invest in commodities, congress refused.

It is that legislative history which appears to have given the IRS reason to reconsider its earlier rulings. Tax officials could no longer be sure (if they ever really were) that congress intended Section 851(b)(2) qualifying investment income to include revenues from commodities, or that the courts would read the tax statute in this way.


IT'S NOT OUR PROBLEM

At the hearing in January, Levin pressed the IRS commissioner on why the tax department took such a relaxed view of mutual funds setting up subsidiaries in the Caymans and transforming commodity derivative investments into debt-like structured notes to enable them to make investments that would not otherwise be allowed.

"We have learned that these offshore shell corporations, these wholly owned subsidiaries established by mutual funds, are in every case wholly owned Cayman Island corporations. They are shells. There are no physical offices, no employees of their own, no independent operations. The mutual fund's US employees run their commodities portfolios from their US offices," the chairman explained.

"One mutual fund told us that all of the commodity investment decisions come from their Rockville, Maryland office."

"All of the profits and losses by their offshore shells are returned to the mutual funds that own them here in the United States. No income is kept offshore, no tax is evaded."

Levin went on to press the revenue commissioner if tax was being avoided, even if it not being evaded. Why was the IRS not aggressively trying to clamp down on these offshore corporations and their structured notes, the senator asked repeatedly.

The answer appeared to be that the IRS did not think it was its problem. Tax is not being evaded. And it is only being avoided if the mutual funds would have invested in commodities without the tax perk.

The IRS argued that without the exemption the mutual funds would not invest in commodities and would find another asset class they could invest in without paying corporate income tax instead. In that sense no tax that would otherwise be due was being lost because there would have been no activity to tax in any event.

"(The IRS) has been very aggressive attacking sham corporations that are trying to use the (tax) code in ways that are not permissible to lower taxes in the United States. We typically raise this doctrine for structures designed to lower tax, such as phony losses, inflated bases, and that is where we have gone to court," Shulman said.

But because the mutual funds were not avoiding tax in the ordinary sense, and because all their income is taxed once it is distributed to individual investors, the IRS was not worried about the clever tax structuring of offshore corporations and notes.

Shulman insisted that it is not the function of the IRS to police the law on permissible commodity investments.

Levin shot back: "They want to have their cake, which is investing in commodities, and eat it too, by not paying what the tax would be if they did that directly in the United States."


COMMODITIES AT THE CROSSROADS

All this leaves both the mutual fund industry and the IRS in something of a quandary.

"Tax law clearly permits mutual funds to invest indirectly in commodities through controlled foreign corporations or commodity linked notes," according to the Investment Company Institute. "Moreover, no congressional policy prohibits fund investment directly or indirectly in commodities."

The Institute's full response to the subcommittee has been posted on its website:

But it seems to overstate the case. Congress has never explicitly allowed heavily regulated mutual funds to derive more than a small fraction of their income from commodities.

When congress was given the opportunity to give them explicit permission, it refused. So it must be doubtful whether the legislative history can really be read in a way that suggests lawmakers thought they were giving mutual funds the right to invest more than 10% in commodities.

At the same time, commodity investing is popular, and millions of ordinary Americans have chosen to get exposure to commodity prices through mutual funds. It is not clear the IRS could simply revoke the PLRs and risk shutting down the whole industry.

"Everyday investors increasingly want commodities in their portfolios, and are looking to buy them in record amounts," in part because of concerns about inflation, Republican senator Tom Coburn explained at the hearing in January.

No wonder the IRS is treading carefully. However much the IRS does not want to get involved, though it may not have much choice. It may not be responsible for regulating commodity investment, but it does have an obligation to determine the tax treatment of commodity-related mutual funds.

Opponents of commodity investment will continue to point out the lack of an explicit legislative mandate for all this activity. An enormous industry has built up on a very thin legal foundation, and now it's starting to sway dangerously in the wind.


Edited by: Creamer Media Reporter "

[Popeye82]

Officials face tough industrial, inflation figures for August CER/WSJ - Sep 10, 2012
www.chinaeconomicreview.com/node/62199

"China's economic data showed continued slow growth in industrial output coupled with possible increases in inflation in August, presenting a greater challenge for officials seeking to stimulate the economy, The Wall Street Journal reported.

Annual growth in value-added industrial output slowed to 8.9% in August from 9.2% in July, while the Consumer Price Index rose 2% year-on-year compared to a 1.8% rise in July. Beijing will need to balance any stimulus boost with the risk of asset bubbles and heightened inflation, which is projected to climb due to food prices. President Hu Jintao acknowledged China's hurting industrial figures at the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation CEO Summit in Vladivostok, Russia on Saturday, Bloomberg reported. "Economic growth is facing notable downward pressure, some small and medium enterprises are facing a hard time, and exporters are facing more difficulties," Hu told leaders at the meeting."

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China offers $2.200.000.000 subsidy, for energy efficient appliances - CER/Reuters/Xinhua - Sep 10, 2012
www.chinaeconomicreview.com/node/62203

"China will offer subsidies worth US$2.2 billion to buyers of energy-efficient electronics and appliances over the next year in a bid to use consumer demand to revive slumping economic growth, Reuters reported, citing Xinhua news agency.

The program will cover purchases of energy-efficient desktop computers, air-conditioners, fans, water pumps, compressors and transformers and is expected to raise the market share of the energy-saving products to more than 40%. A smaller subsidy program in place since 2009 has boosted sales of energy efficient products by over RMB600 billion (US94.68 billion) and saved 28 billion kilowatt hours of electricity each year. The announcement came on the heels of Beijing's pledge to stimulate the economy by financing 60 infrastructure projects worth more than US$150 billion. "

[Popeye82]

Alibaba predicts e-commerce transactions to triple - CER/WSJ - Sep 10, 2012
www.chinaeconomicreview.com/node/62200

"Alibaba Group, China’s largest e-commerce site, said Saturday that transactions hosted by its main shopping websites will likely triple to RMB3 trillion (US$473 billion) over the next five to seven years, The Wall Street Journal reported.

Shopping sites Taobao and Tmall are expected to host RMB1 trillion in transactions this year, more than double the RMB400 billion posted in 2010. Alibaba accounts for about 85% of China’s online shopping market. Online retail sales in China are projected to triple to more than US$360 billion by 2015 as the country’s retail market continues to expand despite a slowdown in the overall economic growth. Of 16 million parcels being delivered in China each day, more than 10 million are items purchased off Taobao and Tmall, Zeng Ming, Alibaba's chief strategy officer, said at a media briefing. “E-commerce is one of few bright spots in China’s economy now.” "

[Popeye82]

Castle Minerals - Drilling Double's Strike Length, of Kambale Graphite Deposit; M. Ivey: "These results have doubled the known strike of the graphite horizon +the zone still remains open. It "is now clear that the Kambale resource will be materially increased as exploration continues"" - Sep 17, 2012
www.castleminerals.com.au/downloads/announcements/cdt_201209…

[Popeye82]

Reunion Gold - Reports Further Drilling Results, From its Matthews Ridge Manganese Project; initial resource estimate +a technical report compliant with Canadian National Instrument 43-101 expected in the 2nd half of ´12 - Sep 17, 2012
www.reuniongold.com/i/pdf/news/120917_RGD_PR_v2_%283%29-maps…

[Popeye82]

Cap-Ex Ventures - Intersects 235 Metres of 29% Iron; F. Laurin: "We are "extremely pleased" with this most recent set of assay results "as they continue to confirm the grades +thicknesses we identified in our 1st set of assay results, as well as the results from our preliminary drilling last year." The consistent grades identified in the assay results received to date, along with the consistently substantial thicknesses of iron mineralization encountered "continue to support our confidence in the "incredible" potential of Block 103" "; NI 43-101-compliant resource estimate expected by the end of ´12 - Sep 12, 2012
www.cap-ex.ca/news/2012-news-releases/128-cap-ex-intersects-…

[Popeye82]

Anti-Japan protests continue, over island dispute - CER/NYT - Sep 17, 2012
www.chinaeconomicreview.com/node/62240

"Anti-Japanese demonstrations intensified on Saturday and Sunday, with violence and property destruction reported in several Chinese cities, according to The New York Times.

The protests, ignited by a dispute over several islands in the East China Sea, took place in over 50 cities, including Beijing, Shanghai and Guangzhou. In some instances, protesters targeted Japanese manufacturers. A Toyota (TM.NYSE, 7203.TYO) dealer was looted and a Panasonic (PC.NYSE, 6752.TYO) factory was set alight in Qingdao, according to social media sources. People’s Daily, the mouthpiece of the Chinese government, said the motivations of the protestors were understandable. “No one would fail to understand the compatriots’ hatred and fights when the country is provoked; because a people that has no guts and courage is doomed to be bullied, and a country that always hides low and bides its time will always come under attack." Some Chinese media publications supported peaceful protests. The islands are known as Senkaku in Japanese and Diaoyu in Chinese. "

[Popeye82]

Holland: ‘We’re not making that much money’ - mmx - Sep 13, 2012

- A. Janse van Vuuren -
www.miningmx.com/news/gold_and_silver/Holland-Were-not-makin…

"THE gold industry is starting to recognise that investment cannot be sustained while returns remain low, according to Gold Fields CEO Nick Holland.


Holland, delivering a presentation at the Denver Gold Forum on Wednesday, elaborated on the company’s recently announced strategic review of its operations, motivated as an effort to chase margin over volumes.

He said that there has been a sector-wide realisation that growth cannot be chased for the sake of growth alone , adding this approach was the cause of gold equities’ lacklustre performance compared to the gold price over the last decade.

“Back in 2003, when the ETF was launched, we were hoping to get around 500 tonnes of demand into ETF, and, in fact, today we’re sitting at around 2,500 tonnes,” Holland said.

“We ask ourselves, what has happened to the gold industry over the same period of time? Well, unfortunately it has not been as rosy. Gold stocks have in fact languished.”

Holland said part of the problem was that despite the industry’s intentions to grow, production among the world’s top eight producers has declined by 2% per year over the last six years, while operating costs have increased by 12% per annum on average. At the same time, grade has declined by around 5% over the same period.

When capital expenditure was added to the cost mix, Holland said that the total rise in costs has exactly matched the rise in the gold price (21% per year since 2006).

“The real picture is that we don’t really make that much money, so we don’t kid the investors,” said Holland. “We don’t kid the sales side; they also understand all this stuff.

“The people we’re really kidding are the governments around the world who think that they can tax us a lot more and communities who think that we should be paying a lot more than we are.”

He said another problem facing gold equities was the fact that forecasters continuously under-estimate their gold price predictions. Some long-term estimates of a gold price of around $1,300 per ounce was already on par with the existing all-in costs averages of the same amount.

“If the analyst’s forecasts are correct, we don’t have an industry going forward,” Holland said. “That is I think really hurting the perceptions of generalist funds that are coming into the gold industry and looking to get exposure. It frightens them away and a lot of them end up buying the ETF.

“What we’ve got to do as executives in the industry is to give you the returns that we should have given you over the last ten years and we haven’t given you .”

Holland said that change was already starting to happen as players like Barrick and Newmont were starting to re-evaluate capital projects.

“I think it is going to end up in a situation where there is going to be a much more sobering view as to what future gold production is going to be ,” he said. “And possibly what we should consider is that gold production may be reasonably flat for the industry – which will still be an improvement on where we’ve been – and we can open up the margin to investors.

“It doesn’t mean that we stop growth, but we’ve got to be very careful about chasing growth for growth’s sake. We have to chase growth that really has fundamental value.”

Holland said the major players would have to look at every single asset in their portfolios and make sure that projects give real returns with reasonable paybacks, while also reporting and highlighting the all inclusive cost of doing business.

Decent dividends would also draw more investors into the sector, Holland said. “Let’s make sure that we can give people a reasonable annuity out of our existing operations.

“We’ve put our stall out by saying that we’re going to pay 25% to 35% dividends out of existing assets. That is going to encourage investors to come into the industry.” "

[Popeye82]

CCB on hunt, for European bank - CER/FT - Sep 17, 2012
www.chinaeconomicreview.com/node/62239

"China’s state-owned China Construction Bank(CCB; 601939.SH) plans to spend up to US$15.800.000.000 on the acquisition of a bank located in the UK, Germany or France, Financial Times reported the bank’s chairman Wang Hongzhang as saying.

“Some of the banks in Europe have been put up for sale,” Wang said. “Now we are looking for the right choice.” He declined to name a specific European bank. CCB, which is the 2nd largest in China by assets, intends to acquire an entire bank, or a 30 -50% share in a bigger group with an international reach, Wang said. The bank's previous chairman, Guo Shuqing said last year that price would not be the determining factor when considering the acquisition of a foreign bank: “Just looking @the prices, it might seem a good deal. But it would not necessarily suit our development strategy.” "

[Popeye82]

Joule - Audi ink partnership, as Joule "heads for scale with (unsubsidized, all-in cost)$1.28/gallon advanced fuels" - Sep 17, 2012
www.jouleunlimited.com/news/2012/joule-partners-audi-acceler…
www.biofuelsdigest.com/bdigest/2012/09/17/audi-joule-ink-par…

[Popeye82]

Nuinsco Resources - Announces 43-101 Mineral Resource Estimate, @CBay's Corner Bay Copper Deposit in Quebec: 1.559.000 Tonnes @~3.38% Cu, ~0.30g/t Au &~7.35g/t Ag M/I/I - Sep 17, 2012
http://cnrp.marketwire.com/cnrp_files/20120917-NWI917.pdf

[Popeye82]

Redefine corporate success to include generation of social value -Busa - MW - Sep 7, 2012
www.miningweekly.com/article/redefine-corporate-success-to-i…

"Organised business has signalled the need to “redefine” corporate success in South Africa in line with the concept of “shared value”, whereby profits would be optimised rather than maximised to ensure a reconnection between business accomplishment and social development and inclusion.

Addressing the seventeenth National Economic Development and Labour Council (Nedlac) summit, in Ekurhuleni, on Friday, Business Unity of South Africa (Busa) president Jabu Mabuza said that this shared-value vision was premised on improved integration between the creation of economic and social value.

To achieve this, companies would need to develop a far deeper understanding of community needs and challenges. “Business must reconnect company success with social development,” Mabuza argued at a gathering overshadowed by the recent tragic events at Marikana, in the North West province.

“At a very basic level, the competitiveness of a company and the health of the communities around it are closely intertwined. Business needs a successful community and a successful community needs business.”

In his address on behalf of organised labour, Congress of South African Trade Unions (Cosatu) general secretary Zwelinzima Vavi asserted the recent events near the Lonmin operation also highlighted the need for greater urgency in addressing inequality – a "ticking bomb" that became an "exploded bomb" at Marikana.

The poor and marginalised were saying, "wake up and do something about our situation", Vavi averred.

Mabuza, Vavi and Deputy President Kgalema Motlanthe, who also addressed the meeting, reaffirmed the commitment of government business, labour and organised community groups to using social dialogue as a tool to finding solutions to the current breakdown in social cohesion, which was the result of poverty, unemployment and inequality.

But all stakeholders also called for Nedlac, which some felt had run its course and should be closed, to become a more effective platform for such dialogue.

Motlanthe lamented a declining quality of participation in Nedlac structures, some of which had been reduced to a "talk shop", owing to the fact that some social partners were sending junior representatives, who had no mandate, or authority to take decisions.

Business and government expressed a desire for the forging of a new “social compact”, based on a common vision and supported by pragmatic short- and long-term action plans.

Taking his lead from the recently published National Development Plan 2030, which was earlier officially endorsed by Cabinet, Motlanthe said that, despite low trust levels and the problems of representivity, a “social contract could contribute to providing the political, economic and social conditions for long-run development”.

“We should strive to find a common vision to take us forward. Now is the time to begin laying the basis for a social contract for our labour relations and our labour market that will contribute to achieving a more equitable and inclusive form of economic growth,” he added.


Edited by: Creamer Media Reporter "

[Popeye82]

East Energy Resources - 1.740.000.000 Tonne Thermal Coal JORC Resource - Sep 17, 2012
www.stocknessmonster.com/news-item?S=EER&E=ASX&N=604222

[Popeye82]

MOD Resources - Initial 40% of NZ's Biggest Undeveloped Gold Project Secured; existing 1.024.000 Oz resource @Sams Creek "is all contained within an 800m section of the Main Zone prospect, which represents <15% of the known
6km strike length of the Sams Creek dyke, which hosts the gold mineralisation" - Sep 17, 2012
www.modresources.com.au/images/stories/ASXAnnouncements/2012…

[Popeye82]

Community focus "could differentiate Australian investors in Africa" - MW, PERTH - Aug 29, 2012

- E. Swanepoel -
www.miningweekly.com/article/community-engagement-could-diff…

"Advisory firm Deloitte has encouraged Australian mining companies to involve themselves more in the communities in which they operate, if they wished to compete with other nations for African resources.


“China has significant government backing going into Africa, and while Australia has its own government backing, the level of interaction is different. Where Australian companies can differentiate themselves is to not just look at mining, but also at social and infrastructure development,” said Deloitte partner Jacques van Rhyn.

Speaking to Mining Weekly Online on the sidelines of the Africa Downunder conference, in Perth, Van Rhyn noted that Australian miners had a good reputation in African countries for providing training and employment opportunities.

“Australian companies have the know-how on exploration, they have the know-how on getting projects to feasibility, and if they continue with that and engage the local communities and governments, then I think that will differentiate us in the future.”

Looking at investment opportunities in Africa, Van Rhyn noted that East Africa, specifically Mozambique, Kenya and Tanzania have emerged as the front-runners in recent history, with significant oil and gas investment taking place in the region.

“Just as West Africa has been the darling for foreign investment into African gold, so we are seeing Mozambique, Kenya, Tanzania, and in fact the whole eastern rim, becoming an investment destination for oil and gas,” Van Rhyn added.

Despite the largely untapped resources found on the continent, the region still had significant obstacles to investment, including a lack of infrastructure, some political instability and a volatile commodity market, which made raising capital difficult.

As far as infrastructure was concerned, Van Rhyn noted that African governments were fully aware of the situation and were moving to rectify the situation.

“I think the governments realise that to unlock the wealth that is there, they need to develop transport corridors. Since they don’t have enough money to go at it alone, it has to be done through private-public partnerships.”

Regarding political instability on the continent, Van Rhyn said that the situation had changed dramatically over the past ten years, with Deloitte research indicating that the region was experiencing significant political stability.

“There are still some areas where there are risks, and political instability is still an issue to consider in Africa. But I think the perception has changed. More companies are willing to go into Africa, and more explorers, especially Australian explorers are now understanding Africa and are willing to take a chance on the continent.”

However, Van Rhyn noted that the difficulty with raising capital would likely affect the economic viability of several resources projects.

“I foresee that marginal projects will net get off the ground. But if you have a good project, a good tenement and good grades, those projects will still get off the ground. But it would not be the number that we have seen in the last three or four years,” he warned "

[Popeye82]

USA verdonnern Autobauer zum Spritsparen; Amerikanische Neuwagen dürfen ab dem Jahr ´25 nur noch halb so viel Sprit verbrauchen wie heute. Präsident Barack Obama zurrte am Dienstag ein Regelwerk fest, nach dem Autos mit durchschnittlich 4,3 Litern/100 Kilometer auskommen müssen. Im vergangenen Jahr hatte der Verbrauch auf den US-Highways nach Angaben des Verkehrsministeriums bei 8,6 Litern gelegen - KA, WASHINGTON - Aug 29, 2012
www.klimaktiv.de/article107_13673.html

[Popeye82]

Australien steigt ´15 in europäischen CO2-Handel ein; Australien will in drei Jahren in den europäischen CO2-Handel einsteigen. Australische Firmen können ab ´15 europäische Emissionszertifkate kaufen, in umgekehrter Richtung ist der Handel ab ´18 möglich, Regierung in Canberra gibt dafür ihren Plan auf, 15 australische Dollar(12,50 Euro) als Mindestpreis für die Zertifikate festzuschreiben. Dagegen hatten Unternehmer bereits protestiert. In der EU liegt der Preis für Zertifikate bei sieben bis acht Euro - KA, SYDNEY - Aug 28, 2012
www.klimaktiv.de/article102_13669.html

[Popeye82]

US-Institut: Eisfläche am Nordpol so klein wie noch nie - KA, NEW YORK/BOULDER - Aug 28, 2012
www.klimaktiv.de/article138_13670.html

"Das Eis um den Nordpol herum ist auf ein Rekord-Minimum geschrumpft. Und die neuen Ergebnisse lassen die Hoffnung bei deutschen Forschern sinken, dass das «ewige Eis» überhaupt noch zu retten ist. Mit einer Fläche von 4,10 Millionen Quadratkilometern habe es den niedrigsten Stand seit Beginn der Satellitenmessungen 1979 erreicht, teilte das Schnee- und Eisdatenzentrum der USA (NSIDC) am Montag in Boulder im Bundesstaat Colorado mit. Diese Daten seien am Sonntag erhoben worden. Da die wärmere Jahreszeit in der Region noch bis zu drei Wochen anhalte, könne das Eis weiter schmelzen.

«Im Kontext dessen, was in den vergangenen Jahren und seit Beginn der Satellitenmessungen passiert ist, zeigen diese Daten, dass die Eisfläche sich fundamental verändert», sagte NSIDC-Wissenschaftler Walt Meier laut Mitteilung. «Die Arktis war früher von vielschichtigem Eis, oder Eis, das mehrere Jahre lang bestehenblieb, dominiert. Jetzt wird es mehr zu einer saisonalen Eisfläche, und große Teile werden im Sommer verschwinden.»

Eisforscher vom Hamburger KlimaCampus, einem Netzwerk der Universität Hamburg, hatten bereits Anfang August vermutet, dass die Eisbedeckung der Arktis eine Minimalausdehnung von 4,1 Millionen Quadratkilometern erreichen oder sogar noch unterschreiten könnte.

Die Ursache dafür liege nicht in einem bestimmten Wettermuster, sondern sei eine langfristige Entwicklung, meinte der Meereis-Physiker vom Alfred-Wegener-Institut in Bremerhaven, Rüdiger Gerdes. «Das Eis ist dünner geworden und dadurch wird es anfälliger.» Schuld daran sei ein starker Temperaturanstieg im Bereich des Nordatlantiks und des Nordpolarmeers. Dort lassen jedoch nicht allein die Treibhausgase die Temperaturen steigen. Auch eine natürliche periodische Entwicklung trägt ihren Teil dazu bei: «Jetzt sind wir in einer warmen Phase.» Diese Perioden umfassten 60 bis 70 Jahre.

Besondere Wetter-Ereignisse, die die starke Eisschmelze erklären könnten, habe es in diesem Jahr jedoch nicht gegeben, sagte der NSIDC-Direktor Mark Serreze. «Das Eis ist so dünn und schwach, dass es gar nicht mehr darauf ankommt, wie stark der Wind bläst.»

Es ist wie ein Teufelskreis: Dort wo - durch warme Lufttemperaturen - kein Eis ist, wärmt sich der Ozean auf. «Der absorbiert praktisch die Sonneneinstrahlung, erwärmt sich und wenn das Eis mit diesem aufgeheiztem Ozean in Kontakt kommt, dann schmilzt es natürlich sehr stark», sagte Gerdes.

Ob das Eis auch in Zukunft weiter so rasant schmelzen werde, könne man nur anhand von Modellrechnungen schätzen. Doch auch wenn es im Zuge der natürlichen Oszillation eigentlich wieder kälter werde müsste, werde wohl langfristig der Treibhausgaseffekt gewinnen und den Temperaturanstieg bestimmen, meinte Gerdes. «Dann ist mit dem Verschwinden des Eises im Nordpolarmeer zu rechnen. Auch wenn wir den Treibhausgasausstoß sofort stoppen würden, würde sich das Klima weiter erwärmen. Damit müssen wir leben.»

Der Kieler Klimaforscher Mojib Latif äußerte am Dienstag im MDR 1 Radio Sachsen noch ein Fünkchen Hoffnung: «Ich gehe davon aus, dass der Prozess noch zu stoppen wäre. Zwar nicht sofort. Aber wenn man wirklich Ernst machen würde mit dem Klimaschutz, dann könnte man wahrscheinlich verhindern, dass die Arktis irgendwann im Sommer komplett eisfrei wäre.» Derzeit würden aber die USA und China ein solches Abkommen blockieren.

Den bisherigen Rekord hatten die Forscher im September 2007 gemessen. Damals lag die Größe der Eisfläche bei 4,17 Millionen Quadratkilometern. Teile des Arktiseises schmelzen jedes Jahr in den wärmeren Monaten und frieren in den kälteren Monaten wieder zu. Die Größe der Gesamtfläche verändert sich von Jahr zu Jahr allein schon wegen unterschiedlicher Wetterbedingungen. Seit Beginn der Messungen 1979 sei die Gesamtfläche aber insgesamt «dramatisch zurückgegangen», teilte das NSIDC mit. Das sei vor allem dem globalen Klimawandel zuzuschreiben.


Von Christina Horsten und Sophia Weimer, dpa / zü "

[Popeye82]

VCD-Umweltliste: Deutsches Erdgas-Auto top, +viele japanische Hybride - KA, BERLIN - Aug 24, 2012
www.klimaktiv.de/article270_13656.html

"Umweltfreundlich spart auch Sprit: Angesichts steigender Benzinpreise haben deutsche Autohersteller nach Ansicht des Verkehrsclubs Deutschland (VCD) weiter Nachholbedarf. Zwar steht erstmals seit neun Jahren mit einem Erdgasauto von VW (eco up!) ein deutsches Fahrzeug der Spitze des VCD-Umweltrankings, aber ansonsten dominieren die sparsamen Hybride japanischer Herkunft. «Niedrige Kraftstoffverbräuche sind das beste Mittel gegen weiter steigende Spritpreise», betonte Gerd Lottensiepen, verkehrspolitischer Sprecher des VCD, am Mittwoch in Berlin. «Die deutsche Autoindustrie sollte endlich ihren Widerstand gegen zielführende CO2-Werte aufgeben.»

Bild: Pixelio/Paul-Georg MeisterIn drei Jahren müssen Neuwagen den EU-Durchschnittsgrenzwert von 130 Gramm Kohlendioxid-Ausstoß pro Kilometer erfüllen. Für 2020 sind 95 Gramm avisiert. Von den 400 Autos, die der VCD für die aktuelle Umweltliste checkte, lagen 30 Fahrzeuge unterhalb dieser Grenze. Platz eins in der Kategorie Klimabester teilen sich VW eco up! und Toyota Yaris - beide stoßen nur 79 Gramm CO2 pro Kilometer aus und bleiben damit unter dem Grenzwert von 80 Gramm, den der VCD für 2020 fordert.

Nach wie vor setzten die deutschen Autohersteller zu wenig Innovationen in der Breite ihrer Flotten um, kritisierte der VCD. «Allein ein effizientes Auto für das Schaufenster zu entwickeln, reicht nicht aus.» Während die japanische Konkurrenz die Hybridtechnik bereits in allen Klassen anbiete, käme der ergänzende Elektromotor bei deutschen Autos nur in der Luxusklasse zum Einsatz - um dort die hohen Spritverbräuche zu senken.

Auf Platz zwei und drei der aktuellen Umweltliste landeten die Sieger der Vorjahre, die Hybride Lexus CT 200h und Toyota Prius Hybrid. Bei den Familienautos lag der Toyota Prius Hybrid, bei den Siebensitzern der Prius+ Hybrid an der Spitze.


Weitere Informationen: www.vcd.org "

[Popeye82]

Ende Gelände: Für den Rest des Jahres lebt die Menschheit 'auf Pump'; Heute ist Welterschöpfungstag. Das heißt: schon jetzt haben wir die gesamten Ressourcen ausgenutzt, die unser Planet innerhalb eines Jahres regenerieren kann - KA/WWF/GFN, BERLIN - Aug 22, 2012
www.klimaktiv.de/article102_13647.html
www.wwf.de/2012/august/die-welt-ist-nicht-genug/bl/1/listid/…
www.wwf.de/fileadmin/fm-wwf/Publikationen-PDF/WWF_LPR_2012.p…

"Am heutigen Mittwoch ist Welterschöpfungstag. Damit hat die Menschheit die natürlichen Ressourcen (wie Holz, landwirtschaftliche Früchte, Fische und CO2-Speicherung in der Biosphäre) des gesamten Jahres bereits in weniger als neun Monaten verbraucht. Das ergeben Berechnungen zum Ökologischen Fußabdruck des Global Footprint Networks, an dem auch der WWF beteiligt ist.

Besonders besorgniserregend ist laut WWF, dass die begrenzten Ressourcen durch den weiter wachsenden Konsum und die steigende Weltbevölkerung immer schneller verbraucht werden. Der Welterschöpfungstag rückt im Kalender kontinuierlich weiter nach vorne – mit verheerenden Folgen: „Artensterben, Klimawandel, Wassermangel und der Kollaps der Fischbestände führen uns deutlich vor Augen, dass der Planet aus den Fugen geraten ist. Schon heute zeigt sich, welche katastrophalen Folgen unser Konsum auf Kredit hat“, so Christoph Heinrich, Geschäftsleiter Naturschutz des WWF Deutschland. Im Moment beanspruche die Menschheit bereits so viele Ressourcen, dass eineinhalb Erden notwendig wären, um diese nachhaltig bereitzustellen.

Ein ähnliches Bild zeichnet der aktuelle „Living Planet Report 2012“ des WWF. Die Studie zum Zustand der Erde wird alle zwei Jahre veröffentlicht und misst die Veränderungen der weltweiten Biodiversität und des menschlichen Konsums. Hiernach verdrängt der Mensch in immer stärkerem Maße Pflanzen und Tiere. So beschreibt der „Living Planet Index“ einen deutlichen Rückgang bei der Artenvielfalt. Die Bestandszahlen ausgewählter Tierarten gingen seit 1970 im Schnitt um 30 Prozent zurück. In tropischen Regionen beträgt der Rückgang sogar durchschnittlich 60 Prozent.

Die Verantwortung für die Übernutzung des Planeten tragen laut WWF vor allem die reichen Länder. „Die bittere Ironie ist, dass die ärmeren Länder am wenigsten für die Übernutzung des Planeten können, gleichzeitig aber am stärksten unter den Folgen leiden“, sagt Christoph Heinrich vom WWF. „Doch die Natur kümmert sich nicht um Ländergrenzen. Auch in den gemäßigten Breiten werden wir immer stärker von Naturkatastrophen heimgesucht. Wir sitzen im selben Boot und müssen uns der Herausforderung stellen.“

Um den Bedrohungen zu begegnen fordert der WWF, den Anteil nachhaltiger erneuerbarer Energien bis 2030 global auf mindestens 40 Prozent zu steigern. Weitere Forderungen sind ein besserer Schutz der Ökosysteme, ein Stopp der Waldvernichtung, eine umweltfreundlichere Produktionsweise und veränderte Konsumgewohnheiten. Die Treibhausgasemissionen müssten bis 2050 um mindestens 80 Prozent reduziert werden, nur so lasse sich der Klimawandel begrenzen.


Quelle: WWF "

[Popeye82]

Africa's richest copper producer "makes case for diverse resource investment"; Copper rich Zambia "has called on the world’s resource investment powerhouses to drive an expansion of the country’s mineral riches into a far more diversified mineral extraction +processing sector" rather than its historic renown, as Africa’s largest red metal producer - RR, PERTH - Aug 30, 2012
www.resourcesroadhouse.com.au/_blog/Resources_Roadhouse/post…

[Popeye82]

Solvista Gold - Drills 149.7 metres @2.10 g/t Gold Equivalent, Confirms a New Porphyry Gold-Copper Discovery @El Retén in the Middle Cauca Belt, Colombia - Sep 17, 2012

HL:

+ Drill hole CAD-1201 intersected 149.7 m @2.10 g/t gold equivalent(AuEq), including 49.0 m @4.04 g/t AuEq, starting @a downhole depth of 5.0 m;

+ Drill hole CAD-1202 intersected 185.6 m @1.68 g/t AuEq, including 31.90m @3.97 g/t AuEq, starting @a downhole depth of 11.6 m;

+ Surface geochemical anomaly @El Retén measures up to 370m by 330m;

+ El Retén is the southernmost target along the three kilometre strike length of the Caramanta porphyry cluster. ...
www.solvistagold.com/news/2012/september17/

[Popeye82]

MacDonald Mines Exploration - VMS Discovery "Leads Exploration Program to Larger Target" +Provides Exploration Summary; "believes that targeting a vanadium deposit between 40.000.000 60.000.000 tonnes with a grade range of 0.6% -1.0% V2O5 is "obtainable" on the property", +"that the development of a road to the Ring of Fire "would be" the impetus to further develop this vanadium mineralization" - Sep 12, 2012
http://macdonaldmines.com/news/2012/122-macdonald-mines-vms-…

[Popeye82]

Newstrike Capital - Intersects 174.48 Meter @5.45 G/T Au, @The Ana Paula Project - Sep 12, 2012
www.newstrikecapital.com/investors/news-releases/index.php?&…

[Popeye82]

Galway Resources - Releases Maiden California Resource Estimate: 1.090.000 Ounces @~5.44g/t Au +Ag +Cu I/I - Sep 12, 2012
www.galwayresources.com/i/pdf/120906NR.pdf

[Popeye82]

Largo Resources - announces substantial increase to its mineral resource estimate, for the Maracas Vanadium project to 52.460.000 Tonnes @~0.96% V2O5 M/I/I, One of the world's largest AND highest grade vanadium deposits; A. Campbell: "We have been very successful in our recent objective @Maracas to define additional Inferred resources through drilling highly prospective areas on the Maracas property in close proximity to the existing resources @the Gulçari "A" deposit. The satellite deposits which extend north for eight kilometres remain open along strike +@depth "so there is excellent potential for further expansion of the resource." Largo controls 40 kilometres of the highly prospective belt +has only tested by drilling for eight kilometres. Recent exploration including ground magnetic survey, geological mapping +prospecting south of the Gulçari "A" deposit has identified @least 10 additional showings of massive magnetite which remain untested", M. Brennan: "We are "extremely pleased" with the results of the updated Resource Estimate +"believe that it will provide significant upside potential to the economics, @Maracas." The results of a Technical Report released last week(see press release dated Sept 13, ´12) "explore a base case production scenario which does not include the production of additional resources." With this substantial increase in the resource, Largo "intends to "investigate" the near term potential to increase production capacity which we believe will further improve the economics of the project." It "is important to note that in anticipation of the potential for additional resources @Maracas, Largo has ordered key production equipment with expanded capacities to minimize future capex expenditures for an increased production scenario" " - Sep 17, 2012

+ Gulçari "A" resource update: Measured +Indicated Resource of 24.600.000 tonnes, containing 272.900 tonnes V2O5 +additional Inferred resource of 2.600.000 tonnes, containing 19.800 tonnes V2O5

+ Five new satellite deposits delineated -with total Inferred resources of 27.800.000 tonnes, containing 232.100 tonnes V2O5

+ Increased resource "enables Largo to "investigate" expanded production scenario" ...
http://largo2012.q4web.com/Investors/Press-Releases/Press-Re…

[Popeye82]

Rathdowney Resources - Significant Zinc-Lead Resources, @Rathdowney's Olza Project: 21.200.000 Tonnes @5.88% Zn +1.54% Pb I; J. Barry: "This is an "outstanding initial result" for Project Olza +Rathdowney. These mineral resources "occur in what is effectively a brownfield setting linked by rail to nearby third-party mine infrastructure, which "provides a solid platform to move forward +consider scoping studies"." In addition, this resource, although substantial, covers only a relatively minor part of the major mineralizing system on the Olza property. The prospects "offered by now applying new exploration technology +concepts to the rest of the large property that has been explored by much lower drilling density are compelling." Large prospective areas outside the new resource footprint have either not been drilled or were drilled @inadequate densities for such deposits. The Rathdowney team is engaged in plans to further advance the project" - Sep 11, 2012
http://rathdowneyresources.com/rdr/NewsReleases.asp?ReportID…

[Popeye82]

Condor Gold Plc - Resource Update in Nicaragua -to 2.375.000 Oz gold @4.6g/t +Ag I/I - Sep 18, 2012

+ CIM compliant, Mineral Resource of 2.375.000 oz gold @4.6 g/t, increase by 46% +exceeds year end target, of 2.000.000 oz gold

+ Reporting of initial open pit Mineral Resource of 954.000 oz gold @3.6g/t gold

+ Underground Mineral Resource of 1.418.000 oz gold @5.5g/t gold

+ Indicated Mineral Resource 751.000 oz gold, increases 285%

+ Maiden silver Mineral Resource of 2.280.000 oz silver @6.5g/t silver.

+ 2.410.000 oz gold equivalent(adding the gold +silver Mineral Resources) ...
www.condorgold.com/admin/LatestNews/Docs/Condor_RNS_La_India…

[Popeye82]

Glory days are over: BHP; BHP Billiton has put a freeze on executive salaries +warned that recent highs in some parts of the mining sector are unlikely to be repeated - MA - Sep 18, 2012

- A. Duffy -
www.miningaustralia.com.au/news/glory-days-are-over-bhp?utm_…

[Popeye82]

Arctic megamine gets enviro greenlight - MA - Sep 18, 2012

- C. Latimer -
www.miningaustralia.com.au/news/arctic-megamine-gets-enviro-…

[Popeye82]

Rio cutting more coal jobs, in wake of royalty rise; Rio Tinto has announced it will slash more jobs across its coal mines in Queensland as the state raises its royalty rates - MA - Sep 18, 2012

- C. Latimer -
www.miningaustralia.com.au/news/rio-cutting-more-coal-jobs-i…

[Popeye82]

Island angst hurts Japanese companies - CER/FT/WSJ - Sep 18, 2012
www.chinaeconomicreview.com/node/62254

"Continuing anti-Japanese protests have forced Japanese companies to shut down operations in parts of China, Financial Times reported.

The protests, fueled by Japan’s controversial nationalization of contested islands in the East China Sea, continued on Monday following a weekend of violence and property destruction. Many Japanese outfits suspended operations to ensure employee safety. Japanese clothier Fast Retailing (9983.TYO, FR7.FRA) closed branches of its Uniqlo store in Beijing, while Japanese electronics company Canon (CAJ.NYSE, 7751.TYO) suspended production in a number of factories. Nationalist fervor is also denting Japanese car sales in China, The Wall Street Journal reported. Toyota (TM.NYSE, 7203.TYO), Nissan (7201.TYO) and Honda (HMC.NYSE, 7267.TYO) have each suffered a reduction in unit sales this year. China sales made up 11%, 17% and 20% of the three companies' total sales in 2011, respectively. "

[Popeye82]

Beijing retaliates, against US trade complaint - CER/Reuters - Sep 18, 2012
www.chinaeconomicreview.com/node/62256

"China has fired back with a complaint of its own in response to US President Barack Obama recently filed WTO case on Chinese subsidies to auto makers, Reuters reported.

In the second complaint in a matter of months to the World Trade Organization, the US claimed Monday that American jobs were at stake due to the subsidies, alleged to be more than US$1 billion between 2009 and 2011. Beijing immediately followed suit with a counter-complaint concerning US duties placed on about 30 products including steel, tires, magnets, chemicals, kitchen appliances, wood flooring and wind towers, the WTO said in a statement. The US Congress voted in March to impose duties on subsidized Chinese and Vietnamese goods in a bid to protect US jobs. China’s Commerce Ministry spokesman Shen Danyang said in a statement that China hoped the US would revise the complaint, calling the move a "mistaken policy." "

[Popeye82]

Chinese yuan begins futures trading - CER/Caixin/CL - Sep 18, 2012
www.chinaeconomicreview.com/node/62255

"Traders on the Hong Kong Stock Exchange can buy deliverable offshore futures denominated in renminbi for the first time, Caixin reported.

The introduction of the derivative goes further in offering renminbi instruments other than equities, Hong Kong Exchanges and Clearing market operator Charles Li said. Other exchange operators will also look to launch renminbe derivatives. CME Group, the largest US futures exchange operator, said deliverable futures in renminbe would be available in Chicago by the end of the year. Hong Kong is expected to continue to lead market expansion in renminbe-denominated trading tools. Futures sales were the fourth renminbe-dominated financial product cleared for trading since 2007, following dim sum bonds, real estate bonds and exchange-traded funds. "

[Popeye82]

US presidential campaigns hits, on China trade complaint - CER/WSJ - Sep 18, 2012
www.chinaeconomicreview.com/node/62252

"Subsidies to Chinese auto makers have become a flashpoint for verbal sparring as US presidential candidates campaign through the country's industrial heartland, The Wall Street Journal reported.

Speaking in Ohio on Monday, President Barack Obama announced his administration's complaint to the WTO on what he called unfair trade practices. He claimed the subsidies do direct harm to US manufacturers. "It is not right. It is against the rules. And we will not let it stand," he said. Republican challenger Mitt Romney has campaigned for weeks against Obama's stance on China. The president has done "too little, too late," Romney said, while also accusing China of cheating in the auto market. China’s trade practices are a leading cause of concern for US labor unions. The issue has become a central theme as the two candidates battle for votes from the industrial Midwest. "

[Popeye82]

Huakan International Mining - Updated Mineral Resource Doubles Indicated Tonnes, on Main Zone +Adds Yellowjacket Zone, @the J&L Property -to 9.691.000 Tonnes @~4.70g/t Au, ~57g/t Ag, ~2.08% Pb +~3.72% Zn M/I/I - Sep 18, 2012
www.huakanmining.com/nr-20120918-1.html

[Popeye82]

Base-metals producers "expected to focus on cost control, productivity"; Ratings agency Fitch Ratings on Monday said it expected base-metals producers to focus on cost control and productivity, rather than volume growth or expansion over the next 12 to 18 months, as demand growth slowed. In a new report published on Monday, that detailed the firm’s expectations for the copper, aluminium, nickel +zinc markets +profitability for producers thereof, Fitch said China's demand continued to dominate the market, +efforts to curb property speculation +inflation had resulted in slowing industrial production +metals demand - MW, TORONTO - Sep 18, 2012

- H. Lazenby -
www.miningweekly.com/article/base-metals-producers-expected-…

[Popeye82]

South Sudan mining law to kick-start exploration - MW/Reuters, JUBA - Sep 18, 2012
www.miningweekly.com/article/south-sudan-mining-law-to-kick-…

[Popeye82]

Australian mining cost report a ‘wake-up call’ –MCA - MW/MCA/PJP, PERTH - Sep 17, 2012

- E. Swanepoel -
www.miningweekly.com/article/australian-mining-cost-report-a…
www.minerals.org.au/file_upload/files/presentations/mca_oppo…

"The Minerals Council of Australia (MCA) on Monday warned that Australia’s attractiveness as a resources destination was slipping owing to a combination of rising costs, declining productivity and a deteriorating sovereign risk reputation.

Releasing a report by Port Jackson Partners, which gauged the extent of Australia’s “cost crisis” and the policies needed to regain the country’s position as top supplier of minerals, the MCA noted that with commodity prices having fallen from peak levels, complacency and backsliding on economic reform posed a real threat to the minerals sector and to the wider economy.

“Over recent years, the MCA has been warning of the structural deficits in our economy that have been masked by historically high terms of trade. As the value drivers of the mining boom shift from price-led to volume-led growth, Australia is increasingly vulnerable to competition from resource-rich emerging economies,” the industry body said.

The report found that within the highly competitive markets of thermal coal, coking coal, copper and nickel, more than half of Australia’s mines had costs above global averages.

The country has also lost its operating advantage for iron-ore, in all but well-established Pilbara projects, the report stated.

“Increased labour, energy and transport costs have all played a part. Labour costs, the primary driver of minerals industry costs structures, are growing much more quickly than the national average. They are now amongst the highest in the world ,” the report found.

Rising capital costs also meant that projects were less competitive, with Australian iron-ore projects some 30% more expensive than the global average, with thermal coal projects averaging 66% higher than the global average.

“Australia’s projects have become less attractive just as new, strong rivals have begun emerging. Previously untapped resources in the developing world are rapidly coming on stream. These new competitors are strengthened by improved policy settings, new technologies and new sources of capital,” the report said.

The MCA said that the Port Jackson Partners’ report was a wake-up call for those who thought that Australia’s mining and minerals processing sector was so resilient it would thrive regardless of the prevailing economic and policy climate.

“It is the most detailed panorama yet painted of the burgeoning cost environment in Australia, our deteriorating reputation as a place to do business and the threat this poses to our ability to capture market share and future investment,” said MCA CEO Mitchell Hooke.

He noted that Australia was losing global market share to rapidly emerging resource-rich economies. Added to that, a policy focus on the redistributive rather than the productive side of the economy has been pivotal to undermining our competitiveness and attractiveness to investment.

Hooke said that the prize for getting the framework for minerals resource development right was immense, but warned that it would take hard work from both industry and government to secure the economic opportunity that was currently at risk. "

[Popeye82]

Antwort auf Beitrag Nr.: 43.618.021 von Popeye82 am 18.09.12 19:31:14

Rio Tinto warns of Australian mining competitiveness problem - MW, PERTH - Sep 18, 2012

- E. Swanepoel -
www.miningweekly.com/article/rio-tinto-warns-of-australian-m…

"Diversified miner Rio Tinto’s Australian MD, David Peever, has warned that the country’s resources sector needed to become more competitive if it wanted further capital investment.


Speaking at a resources conference in Canberra, Peever noted that rapidly rising costs in Australia were seriously undermining the industry’s ability to deliver new projects, while keeping existing ones cash flow positive.

“Let’s be very clear, Australia now has serious competitors across a number of commodities where we previously held an edge. We have new competitors, and we have better competitors.

“We compete not only for market share, but for scarce capital,” Peever said.

He told delegates that investment capital was highly mobile and dependent on a range of factors, but would eventually settle where the risk-reward equation was most favourable.

“Right now, the case for major new investment in the Australian resources sector is getting increasingly hard to make even within companies like mine with long histories in and an ongoing commitment to this country.”

Peever noted that apart from the expansion of existing mines in the Pilbara, getting final investment approval for projects in Australia was becoming “very, very tough indeed”.

He said that it was necessary for Australia to recognise that it had a productivity and competitiveness problem, and added that myths surrounding the industry needed to be dispensed of.

“With the rest of the world getting its act together, Australia’s market share actually fell in most commodities between 2000 and 2010,” Peever said.

“With all the rhetoric around the resources boom, the two-speed economy and the like, its perhaps understandable that this disturbing trend would have gone unrecognised by many. But unfortunately it’s true and should sound alarm bells .”

Peever suggested that Australia’s policy responses to the changing economic conditions and the demand/supply scenario in the resources sector could create or destroy an economic gain of more than 5% of the nation’s gross domestic product in the next 30 years.

“That is the scale of the opportunity we have in front of us as a nation,” he said.

“If we can maintain our current market shares, something we have failed to do over the last decade, Australia could grow minerals revenues by 65% from today’s levels by 2031, in a sector where revenue has already doubled since 2006.”

Peever added that there was no disputing the benefits of maintaining or even increasing Australia’s market share in the resources sector, which would create income growth, increased exports and investment, job creation, tax revenues and massive flow-ons to support industries in the supply chain.

“If we act to fix the problems, then the resources sector will continue to deliver tremendous benefits for a very long time,” he noted.


Edited by: Mariaan Webb "

[Popeye82]

Nautilus Minerals - Defines 410.000.000 MWT @1.2% Ni, 0.24% Co, 1.1% Cu +26.9% Mn Inferred Mineral Resource(i) - Sep 18, 2012
www.nautilusminerals.com/s/Media-NewsReleases.asp?ReportID=5…

[Popeye82]

Colossus Minerals - &Sandstorm Agree, to a US$75.000.000 Long-Term Precious Metal Sale Transaction; C. Mancuso: "This transaction "is an endorsement of the quality +potential of Serra Pelada +the emergence of Colossus as a high-grade near-term gold producer." The transaction "provides a favourable, non-dilutive source of funding +the necessary capital to ensure the successful completion of construction." Development of Serra Pelada remains on schedule +we look forward to having Sandstorm as a partner as we advance the Serra Pelada project towards initial production in mid-´13", N. Watson: "This transaction represents Sandstorm's largest investment to date. Sandstorm "is proud to become a partner with Colossus, a quality high-grade near-term producer, in completing the construction of Serra Pelada." Colossus "has assembled an excellent operations team +has placed itself in a strong position to produce in ´13" - Sep 19, 2012
www.colossusminerals.com/English/Investors/News-Releases/New…

[Popeye82]

Black Iron - Shymanivske Project Measured +Indicated Resource Grows 73%, With Revised NI 43-101 Mineral Resource Estimate -to 834.100.000 Tonnes @~31.3% Fe M/I/I; G. Mover: "We are "extremely pleased" with this revised resource estimate for the Shymanivske property. The completion of the definition drill program has resulted in a substantial increase in the Measured +Indicated mineral resource estimate, while continuing to confirm consistent grades. The revised Measured +Indicated resource numbers "clearly validate the assumptions management has made to date for the Project", +will be used to form the basis for the Feasibility Study that is expected to be completed in the 4th quarter of this year. We "believe further upside exists in the mineral resource @Shymanivske +will test this theory in the future with an exploration drill program on the northern area of the land package." @this stage, however, "the priority remains to complete the Feasibility Study +develop the asset "for 1st production towards the end of ´15" " " - Sep 19, 2012
www.blackiron.com/News/Press-Release-Details/2012/Black-Iron…

[Popeye82]

Century Iron Mines - Provides an Update on Its Drilling Results, for Its Rainy Lake Taconite Prospect(Full Moon); strike length of the taconite zone has now increased to 10 km over a width up to 2.8 km +a vertical thickness up to 340 meters. The zone "remains open along strike to the north." The entire area has now been drilled on a 500m by 400m pattern. The "unusual thicknesses" of the iron formation are caused by thrust faulting resulting in the staking of different sections of iron formation on top of each other; drilling is expected to be completed within the next 2 weeks. An initial 43-101 compliant resource calculation based on results to date is expected to be completed this fall. An update resource calculation will follow once all results have been received. A preliminary Economic Assessment is "planned to begin" in the 1st quarter of ´13; S. Chim: "We are "very pleased" with these results "which consistently demonstrate the unusually thicker +slightly higher grade characteristics of the Full Moon Prospect as a taconite project." The extended strike length of >10 km now covered by our current program is "likely to provide "very substantial" resource tonnage, "support" for a world class taconite operation ." We are "excited to see how each step of our program brings the Company closer to achieving our "vision"." Our Full Moon taconite project is "also enhanced by our DSO development commencing with Joyce Lake, in terms of common infrastructure development +operational cash flow" " - Sep 19, 2012

HL:

+ Drill hole RL12-0103 intersected 277.8 metres of taconite iron mineralization grading 28.77% Total Iron(FeT),

+ Drill hole RL12-0804 intersected 230.4 metres of taconite iron mineralization grading 29.82% FeT.

+ All holes are drilled @ -90° dip, +the drill core shows that the taconite mineralization is relatively flat-bedding(0-10° bedding), therefore the core lengths are close to being the true thickness of the iron mineralization. ...
www.centuryiron.com/sites/default/files/fer-09192012-en.pdf

[Popeye82]

Pilot Gold - Reports 5.94 g/t Gold, 12.6 g/t Silver +0.53% Copper Over 137.1 Metres, @TV Tower; M. Lennox-King: "We are "thrilled with the fact that this is the highest gram x metre gold interval ever drilled by our team on any of our projects over the years." These 1st holes drilled by Pilot Gold "reinforce TV Tower as the premier exploration project in northwest Turkey" " - Sep 19, 2012
www.pilotgold.com/sites/default/files/news_pdfs/PilotGoldnew…
www.pilotgold.com/sites/default/files/TVTowerDrillMap1217.pd…
www.pilotgold.com/sites/default/files/TVTowerDrillResults121…

[Popeye82]

Great Western Exploration - BIR - Sep 19, 2012

+ JV agreement with Kazakhstan’s state owned mining company

+ GTE to earn 50% by funding exploration to completion of BFS

+ Extensive historical exploration by the Soviets results "highlight the prospectivity of the area"

+ "Exploration target" of between 750.000 +2.000.000 tonnes of contained copper @an average grade of ~1.10% Cu -Based on 8/120 prospects

+ Extensive copper mineralisation @numerous locations

+ "Possible early development of a heap leach operation"

+ Additional prospective Australian projects provide diversification ...
www.breakawayresearch.com/breakaway_research_great_western_e…


More high grade copper outcropping, @Spasskaya; J. Luckett: "These are "more solid " results from Spasskaya "+it is obvious to all of us @the company the potential of this project +just what a "rare opportunity" it represents." The fact is that the JV has 12.500km2 area + >120 prospects where surface copper mineralisation has been reported +so far of the five of those we have visited all of them have exhibited "significant widths of high grade copper mineralisation, @the surface." We are continuing field work with more high priority prospects to visit during September. We need to get as much geological information as possible, including sampling the historical trenching, @our main prospects before drilling starts so this is our priority @the moment. Typically drilling @these latitudes is predominately carried out during the winter months when rig access becomes much easier because the ground is frozen, drilling is most problematic in early spring when the ice +snow is melting which creates very boggy conditions restricting vehicle access to many parts of the project. The summer field season is the optimal time to get geological mapping, geochemical +geophysical surveys completed so that drill targets can be identified for drilling during winter. The only time drilling in winter becomes difficult is when the temperature gets below minus 40o Celsius which is the temperature normal diesel freezes , however drilling can continue if arctic diesel is available. @Karaganda January is typically the coldest month of the year with average lowest temperature of minus 19o Celsius, temperatures in January do routinely >minus 40o Celsius but only for short periods, much the same as it >plus 40o Celsius in Perth or Sydney in January" - Sep 4, 2012

+ More high grade copper with grades up to 41.5% @surface confirmed, @Spasskaya during August

+ Field XRF analysis of trench samples collected @historical trenches @the Burnak1 +Burnak2 prospects are as follows:

Burnak1 trench results:

Trench Width Average - Copper - Grade Maximum - Copper Grade

1 12m 7.22%1 14.80%
2 12m 2.17%1 7.10%
3 12m 8.98%1 18.90%
4 12m 7.23%1 20.90%


Burnak 2 trench results

Trench Width Average - Copper - Grade Maximum - Copper Grade

1 4m 21.15%1 41.50%
2 4m 7.80%1 13.20%
3 6m 23.60%1 34.40% ...
www.greatwesternexploration.com.au/images/pdf/4Septemeber201…

[Popeye82]

Uranium Equities - PhosEnergy Demonstration Plant Successfully Extracts Uranium, from Fertilizer Streams; "Another key step towards commercialisation of "ground-breaking technology" "; B. Jones: "The successful operation of the Demonstration Plant is "a major milestone in the commercialisation of the PhosEnergy Process." The next step is an Engineering Study "to better define CAPEX +OPEX +allow "a robust business case" to be built for uranium recovery from phosphate fertiliser streams." Accessing by-product uranium production using the PhosEnergy Process "provides an "opportunity" which is low-cost, long-life +short lead time "compared to the current pipeline of uranium projects worldwide" " - Sep 19, 2012

+ PhosEnergy Process Demonstration Plant performs well on multiple phosphate streams

+ High uranium recoveries(>90 per cent) consistently achieved during steady state operations

+ Operations confirm operating cost "assumptions"

+ Engineering study planned to, commence in December Quarter ...
http://investor.uel.com.au/irm/Company/ShowPage.aspx/PDFs/12…

[Popeye82]

More QLD coal closures to come; New Hope managing director Robert Neale has joined Federal Resources Minister Martin Ferguson in warning there might be more closures to come in Queensland's coal industry - MA - Sep 19, 2012

- A. Duffy -
www.miningaustralia.com.au/news/more-qld-coal-closures-to-co…

[Popeye82]

Algae.Tec - &Lufthansa sign Collaboration Agreement, to Build Biofuel Production Facility in Europe; have signed a Collaboration Agreement for the construction of a large-scale algae to aviation biofuels production facility. The site will be in Europe adjacent to an industrial CO2 source. Lufthansa will arrange 100% funding for the project. Algae.Tec will receive licence fees +profits from the Project, which will be managed by Algae.Tec. As part of the Agreement, Lufthansa commits to a long-term offtake agreement of @least 50% of the crude oil produced, @an agreed price. The agreement "forms the base for a long-term cooperation between Algae.Tec +Lufthansa for the industrial production of crude algae suitable for conversion into aviation kerosene +conventional diesel fuels"; oil produced by the Project "shall fulfill @all times the EU Renewable Energy Directive(“EU-RED”) +shall be certified according to ISCC –Standard" - Sep 19, 2012
http://algaetec.com.au/news-room/press-releases/algae-tec-an…

[Popeye82]

TW Holdings - to Purchase Basay Iron Sand Project, in Philippines - Sep 19, 2012
www.stocknessmonster.com/news-item?S=TWH&E=ASX&N=604531

[Popeye82]

Millrock Resources - Acquires Stellar Copper-Gold Project, Central Alaska; a historical resource of 1.244.000 tons grading 6.03 grams/tonne gold +2.69 % copper has been reported by prior explorers(UNC Teton Exploration +Drilling Inc., ´82) - Sep 19, 2012
www.millrockresources.com/news/millrock_acquires_stellar_cop…

[Popeye82]

Condor Blanco Mines - signs Chile iron ore +copper off-take MOUs - AI - Sep 10, 2012
www.theaustralianinvestor.com.au/news.asp?id=43205
www.condormines.com/sites/default/files/120920%20-%20Chile%2…

"Condor Blanco Mines Limited has executed non-binding Memoranda of Understanding(MOU ) for near term iron ore +longer term copper off take agreements, with Changes Investment Guarantee(China) Company +Jiangxi Hongyang Copper Company Ltd(CIG &JCC).

While the key terms of the MOUs are confidential, Condor has agreed on immediate pricing arrangements for the sale of Condor’s iron ore from the Chile-based Marianas iron tailings project.

The terms will be further discussed +finalised into binding Heads of Agreement after due diligence by both parties. It is expected that both HOA will be formalised by the end of the calendar year.

Condor Blanco is targeting production from December ´12 of an upgraded iron ore product from the Marianas project. Sales are then expected from February ´13. The MOU is an important step in progressing commercial arrangements for production to commence.

Condor is also in discussions with CIG &JCC about development of Condor’s other Chilean assets, which have substantial mineral potential. These assets are seeing accelerated development now that winter in Chile is over.

Further, Condor is planning the 2nd phase drilling program, @its flagship gold/silver epithermal project @Carachapampa after the success of the 1st phase of drilling.

“Condor is pleased with the Marianas MOU as sales of production from this project will provide cash flow +help finance Condor’s pursuit to develop its world class exploration assets,” said managing director Mr Glen Darby.

“Most Condor investors will welcome this announcement +also understand that Condor is in exploration territory where it is looking for very substantial resources. Marianas will underpin this endeavour.

“We look forward to updating the market on progress on all of the assets.” He said. "

[Popeye82]

Lexam VG Gold - Increases Gold Resources -to 1.860.640 Ounces @3.70g/t Au M/I/I - Sep 20, 2012
www.lexamvggold.com/pressreleases/2012/20120920_lex_ba.pdf

[Popeye82]

Silver Bear Resources - Expands Resource -to 61.400.000 Ounces @~421g/t Ag I/I, Only 5.500 Meters of Drilling Delineates This New Inferred Resource; M. Trevisiol: "We have only drilled ~5.500 meters on this prospect +have identified a substantial near surface resource, which is open along strike to the north +south(see figureII). Also, we "believe there is a "high potential" that most of the silver from this prospect can be mined using open pit methods." This new resource represents an addition to the resources used to calculate the project economics in our Preliminary Economic Assessment("PEA") released last year in which the mine life was 8.4 years" - Sep 20, 2012
www.silverbearresources.com/News/Press-Releases/Press-Releas…

[Popeye82]

EnWave - Signs Collaboration Agreement, with 2nd Pharmaceutical Company; Dr. T. Durance: "Our Collaborator is "on the verge of "potentially" making a major breakthrough in the global pharmaceutical industry ". "IF REV can successfully contribute to their proprietary process, EnWave will be positioned well to benefit from their "potential" success." This collaboration "will also provide the opportunity to get the REV method FDA exposure +possible approval" " - Sep 20, 2012
www.enwave.net/media/092012-enwave_signs__agreement_with_sec…

[Popeye82]

Nemaska Lithium - Initiates Talks, With Lithium Buyers - Sep 20, 2012
http://nemaskaexploration.mwnewsroom.com/press-releases/nema…

[Popeye82]

Canadian Orebodies - Confirms Presence of Magnetite +Increases Land Position, on Belcher Islands; G. McKinnon: "Canadian Orebodies is "thrilled" with the progress of this drill program to date. We have intersected both magnetite +hematite dominant mineralization over very long strike lengths, in two new areas thus far. The success of this program to date combined with the identification +acquisition of three new target areas "reinforces management's "belief" that the Belcher Islands "could represent a new iron ore district in Canada " " " - Sep 20, 2012

HL:

+ Confirmation of magnetite trend, on Haig West;

+ Acquired three "highly prospective" targets, increasing Company's land position by 57%;

+ Intersected iron mineralization 17 kilometers north, of Haig Inlet Deposit; +

+ Drilling to upgrade existing Haig South mineral resource category. ...
www.canadianorebodies.com/s/NewsReleases.asp?ReportID=548832

[Popeye82]

Xmet - to purchase Clifton Star’s Duquesne Mine property, consolidating the Duquesne District’s 1.588.000 oz @~6g/t Au I/I - Sep 20, 2012
http://xmet.ca/english/news/Xmet_NR_2012-11_Final_EN.pdf

[Popeye82]

BHP dumps plans for another 3 coal mines - MA - Sep 20, 2012

- A. Duffy -
www.miningaustralia.com.au/news/bhp-dumps-plans-for-another-…

[Popeye82]

Investors view Australia as too complex, costly –survey; New research by global law firm Baker & McKenzie has suggested that resource investors in Australia were more pessimistic about the future of the industry than their counterparts in other jurisdictions. A recently launched survey found that ~75% of Australian resources executives surveyed felt that investing in the mining sector had become more complicated +costly owing to factors such as increasing regulatory +environmental obligations, complex +uncertain project development requirements +the rising costs of mine development +operation - MW, PERTH - Sep 19, 2012

- E. Swanepoel -
www.miningweekly.com/article/investors-view-australia-as-too…

[Popeye82]

'Jobs bloodbath' in mining –NUM - MW, MIRAND - Sep 20, 2012

- Sapa -
www.miningweekly.com/article/jobs-bloodbath-in-mining-2012-0…

[Popeye82]

International Coal - secures "significant" project, in Bowen Basin - Sep 20, 2012

+ ICX signs Terms Sheet with Coal Face Resources Pty Ltd, to acquire a 20% interest in 3 highly prospective priority applications +a further competing application, in the Southern Bowen Basin ,

+ All projects are "prospective" for high quality thermal coal +semi-soft coking coal,

+ An "exploration target" of 800.000.000 –1.700.000.000 tonnes has been established

+ The Consuelo Project tenements are located within 10 –20 kms from Xstrata’s highly successful +expanding open pit mine, @Rolleston –one of the lowest cost operating open pit mines in Australia(1),

+ The project tenements are within 20 -30 kms of the existing Blackwater rail system, that currently services Gladstone +other ports

+ ICX to spend $6.000.000 over the future 3 years to increase their interest in all tenements to 71%

+ Geology "indicates" a very high quality raw coal output of 5.900 –6.210 - kCal/kg raw(ad) with potential products displaying high energy(6.400 to 6.618 kCal/kg) washed with yields ~80%

+ Projects are surrounded by high quality projects +existing mines

+ Acquisition +JV set to provide significant expansion +growth to ICX’s assets ...
http://clients2.weblink.com.au/clients/intercoal/article.asp…

[Popeye82]

Syrah Resources - Balama West High Grade Zone Extended by Drilling, Including 186m @16.7% Total Graphitic Carbon(TGC) +0.46% V2O5; Resource estimates for both, Balama West +Balama East, are expected by the end of ´12 - Sep 20, 2012
www.stocknessmonster.com/news-item?S=SYR&E=ASX&N=379185

[Popeye82]

Segue Resources - Emang Manganese Project Resource Upgrade -to 16.520.000 tonnes @24.81% Mn +20.58% Fe I - Sep 20, 2012
www.segueresources.com/fileadmin/docs/asx/SEG_Resource_Upgra…

[Popeye82]

Strike Energy - Cooper Basin Resource Upgrade; D. Wrench: "The sheer size of the resource "gives our company "unrivalled " leverage to successful economic recovery of unconventional resources from the Cooper Basin" +is a pleasing result from the 1st significant unconventional exploration activity in the Southern Flank of the Cooper Basin. While we still have much work to do to prove the commerciality of Strike’s prospective resource, "our next goal is to demonstrate that the coals within Strike’s permit areas are capable of flowing hydrocarbons to the surface." This milestone "will be another important step towards the successful commercialisation of this massive resource" " - Sep 20, 2012

+ Strike Energy has upgraded its’ Cooper Basin "prospective resource estimate" by 136% -to 14.3 Tcf of gas(net to Strike)

+ Flow testing +evaluation program planned for ´13 ...
www.strikeenergy.com.au/images/stories/pdf/20120919%20-%20Co…

[Popeye82]

Energio - VS - Sep 17, 2012
www.energio.net.au/IRM/Company/ShowPage.aspx/PDFs/1383-54443…

[Popeye82]

African Eagle Resources Plc - Dutwa Project - Resource Upgrade -to 107.000.000 tonnes @0.92% Ni +0.028% Co I/I - Sep 21, 2012
www.africaneagle.co.uk/news-article.asp?nid=1642555.xml&xml=…

[Popeye82]

Apple "Poised to Sell 10.000.000 IPhones", in Record Debut; “We’ve never seen anything like this before,” said Andrew McAfee, principal research scientist @Massachusetts Institute of Technology’s Center for Digital Business. “It used to be that with tech products the nerds got them, obsessed about them, +talked about them, +the cool kids wanted no part of that conversation. -That’s just not true anymore ” - BB - Sep 21, 2012

- Adam Satariano, Ryan Faughnder +Joseph de Weck -
www.bloomberg.com/news/2012-09-20/apple-poised-to-sell-10-mi…

[Popeye82]

Pan American Fertilizer - Announces Signing Of Arrangement Agreement, to acquire 100% of the issued +outstanding common shares of Pacific Potash - Sep 21, 2012
http://pafertilizer.com/investor_info/news_releases/index.ph…

[Popeye82]

Macphersons Resources - Longest High Grade Silver Intersection, @Nimbus, "up to" 28m @900g/t Ag in NBRC216 from 200m depth, Includes 17.0m @1.434g/t Silver, plus 26.3% Zinc, plus 4.7% Lead - Sep 19, 2012
www.mrpresources.com.au/downloads/announcements/mrp_20120919…

[Popeye82]

Wildcat Silver - further increases Hermosa mineral resource -to 314.582.000 Ounces @~35.91g/t Silver, ~4.379.000.000 Ib Zn @0.80% Zn, ~16.038.234.000 Ib Mn @2.93% Mn +Au +Cu M/I/I; D. Taylor: "The drill program completed earlier this year has resulted in the global Hermosa mineral resource increasing once again +is now approximately 2.5 times larger than the previous ´10 resource used in the prior preliminary economic assessment. We are also pleased that we were able to upgrade a significant portion of the resource into the measured category, which comprises >40% of the total resource. We are currently focused on incorporating this resource into a revised preliminary economic assessment which we plan to complete by the end of this quarter" - Aug 9, 2012
www.wildcatsilver.com/Theme/Wildcat/files/doc_downloads/08%2…

[Popeye82]

County Coal - Option Acquired Over Additional Coal, @Shell Creek - Jul 23, 2012

+ Option secured over 1.420 acres of additional coal adjacent to County Coal’s project area, @Shell Creek

+ Acquisition will increase the Company’s total coal bearing land @Shell Creek by 130% -to 2.230 acres

+ Some initial geological +geophysical data over the additional acreage comes with the option

+ Represents an "Exploration Target" of an additional 300.000.000 to 500.000.000 tonnes ...
www.asx.net.au/asxpdf/20120723/pdf/427jwdqztltsys.pdf

[Popeye82]

HSBC survey shows waning manufacturing activity - CER/WSJ - Sep 21, 2012
www.chinaeconomicreview.com/node/62296

"An HSBC (HBC:NYSE, 0005:HKG, HSBA:LON) preliminary survey showed further contraction for Chinese manufacturing in September, The Wall Street Journal reported.

The survey, a gauge of nationwide manufacturing activity, rose slightly from 47.6 in August to 47.8 in September. A threshold of 50 for the HSBC China Manufacturing Purchased Managers Index indicates an expanding manufacturing sector. September would be China�s 11th straight month of contraction. The reduced activity has negatively affected markets in the region, with the Shanghai Composite down 1.1% Wednesday morning. The Australian dollar fell against the US dollar and Chinese bonds rose on expectations that Beijing will cut interest rates. The HSBC figure follows lackluster August growth in which imports fell 2.6% and exports climbed 2.7%. "

[Popeye82]

Car dealers close, amid sales slowdown - CER/Caixin - Sep 21, 2012
www.chinaeconomicreview.com/node/62295

"China's car sales are slowing in step with lower economic growth, Caixin reported.

Restrictions on car ownership and the end of government policy that supported the sector also contributed to flagging sales numbers this year. Inventory at 400 of Chinese car dealerships increased an average of 22.24% in the year through June, according to research by the state-associated All-China Federation of Industry & Commerce. Many dealerships in Beijing and Shanghai have closed. “Guangqi Honda Automobile … lost money on its whole range of models last year,” Chi Yifeng, the president of Beijing Beichen Yayuncun Car Trade Market, said. The marked slowdown in car purchases this year comes after government stimulus money to the industry stopped late last year. Congestion regulations that restrict car ownership in cities including Beijing and Guangzhou, which started late 2010, have compounded dealers' difficulties. "

[Popeye82]

NMDC eyes coal assets in Mozambique +Russia; India’s largest iron-ore miner NMDC Limited has started negotiations to acquire a stake in coking coal assets in Mozambique +Russia. Sol Mineracao Mozambique had an estimated coking coal reserve of 500.000.000 tons while the Russian reserves it was interested in were estimated @50.000.000 tons - MW, KOLKATA - Sep 20, 2012

- Ajoy K Das -
www.miningweekly.com/article/nmdc-eyes-coal-assets-in-mozamb…

[Popeye82]

Canada opposition chief has 'grave concerns' on Nexen deal; The leader of Canada's biggest opposition party voiced "grave concerns" on Thursday about a $15.100.000.000 takeover offer by China's CNOOC for oil +gas producer Nexen, questioning how it would be in the country's interest to sell strategic assets to foreign state-owned firms. "We're very concerned about the potential sale of a strategic Canadian asset, not only to a foreign enterprise, but one that is wholly controlled by a foreign government that doesn't follow the same market rules as Canada ," said New Democratic Party leader Thomas Mulcair - MW/Reuters, OTTAWA - Sep 20, 2012
www.miningweekly.com/article/canada-opposition-chief-has-gra…

[Popeye82]

Ghana delays windfall tax - MR.com/Reuters, ACCRA - Sep 13, 2012
www.miningreview.com/node/21354
http://in.reuters.com/article/2012/09/11/ghana-mining-tax-id…

"The government of Ghana has delayed implementing a windfall tax on mining profits while it considers whether to scrap the proposed levy, according to the head of the country's mining regulator.

Reuters reports that the West African nation, the continent's second-largest source of gold, proposed the 10% windfall tax on mining companies' profits in its 2012 budget as part of measures to boost income to state coffers.

The government also raised the corporate tax rate on miners from 25 to 35% for this year.

“There are areas we need to look at carefully to decide whether the windfall tax is the best way to go. It's a complex tax and we are still weighing the options,” Ben Aryee, chief executive of the Minerals Commission told Reuters.

The International Monetary Fund last year recommended that Ghana, which is also the world's number 2 cocoa grower and an oil producer, consider raising taxes or introducing new ones to increase revenues.

The Ghana Mine Workers Union had called for a windfall tax in addition to raising the country's stake in mining projects to enable the economy to benefit from the soaring gold prices. The Chamber of Mines has publicly opposed the windfall tax, however, saying miners are already overburdened with high operational costs particular to the region.

Mining companies welcomed the re-evaluation of the tax "

[Popeye82]

George Soros’ fund invests in CleanStar Mozambique project - MH/WSJ - Sep 21, 2012
www.macauhub.com.mo/en/2012/09/21/george-soros-fund-invests-…

"The Soros Economic Development Fund, owned by US billionaire George Soros, as invested US$6 million in CleanStar Mozambique, a partnership that produces low-cost ethanol stoves, The Wall Street Journal reported.

With this investment the Soros fund acquires a 19 percent stake in the US$20 million project, the US newspaper said.

The CleanStar Mozambique partnership, made up of Danish company Novozymes and US company CleanStar Ventures, and later joined by US company ICM, aims to replace coal with ethanol produced from cassava as cooking fuel to be used in appropriate ovens.

Several companies and institutions have so far invested in the project, such as the Danish Fund for Industrialisation of Developing Countries, which provided 3 million euros, and Bank of America Corp, which bought an option at an undisclosed price to buy and sell United Nations certified carbon credits each representing one ton of carbon dioxide. (macauhub) "

[Popeye82]

Mozambique warns mining +gas companies - MR.com/Reuters, MAPUTO - Sep 19, 2012
www.miningreview.com/node/21385
http://af.reuters.com/article/investingNews/idAFJOE88H02L201…

"Mining and gas companies operating in Mozambique will face fines and may lose their operating licences if they do not relocate communities in a manner that protects their social and economic interests.

Mozambique, home to some of the world's largest untapped coal reserves, could fine companies up to US$172,500, Reuters quoted provincial director for the minerals and energy Manuel Sitole as saying. “The people affected by resettlements have the right to an equal or improved living situation,” Sitole told a coal conference here.

Mozambique passed a law in August to prevent global mineral companies from unjust resettlements. Violent protests earlier this year against previous resettlements had threatened to derail investment in the booming economy.

According to the new rules, companies need to prove that their resettlement areas provide the necessary infrastructure and give people proper and sufficient space to pursue economic activities such as farming.

Although society has welcomed the tighter policies, critics wonder if the government will manage to enforce the rules, with staffing in government ranks largely inadequate.

The former Portuguese colony, which emerged from civil war two decades ago, has attracted billions of dollars in foreign investment from firms looking to tap into its coal reserves and vast natural gas deposits along its Indian Ocean coastline. But critics say the riches have not made their way to the country's poor.

In January, some 700 families resettled by Brazil's Vale took to the streets near the company's Moatize mine, protesting against the lack of access to water, electricity and agricultural land at their new resettlement area. "

[Popeye82]

Zimbabwe won’t lift chrome-ore export ban - MR.com/BB, HARARE - Sep 14, 2012
www.miningreview.com/node/21370
www.bloomberg.com/news/2012-09-12/zimbabwe-probably-won-t-co…

"The government of Zimbabwe probably won’t consider lifting an export ban on chrome, which means that domestic producers are being encouraged to process the metal locally, says mines minister Obert Mpofu.

Bloomberg News reports that the southern African nation stopped shipments of chrome in April 2011 to boost domestic processing capacity. In May this year, Mpofu said the country might consider lifting the restriction.

“I don’t think we will even consider lifting the ban on chrome exports,” he told a mining conference here. “We can only encourage development of refineries and smelters. It is not a good strategy to allow raw exports of anything.”

Zimbabwe, along with South Africa, holds about 90% of the world’s chromite reserves and resources, according to the U.S. Geological Survey. Zimbabwe has three large-scale ferrochrome miners, including Zimbabwe Alloys and Zimasco, owned by China’s Sinosteel Corp. The country already has three smelters that can process 1.5Mt of chrome annually, according to the Mines Ministry. "

[Popeye82]

ASIA Miner - Jul/Aug12
www.asiaminer.com/magazine/images/stories/pdf/TAM_Jul-Aug201…

[Popeye82]

Indonesia seeks 10% royalties from miners with long-term contracts; Indonesia wants miners with long-term contracts to hike export royalty payments to 10% in renegotiated deals, a deputy minister said on Friday, from as little as 1% now, as the country looks to boost revenue from its resources. The mining sector contributes 12% to the gross domestic product of Indonesia, Southeast Asia's largest economy +a favourite of emerging market investors - MW/Reuters, JAKARTA - Sep 21, 2012
www.miningweekly.com/article/indonesia-seeks-10-royalties-fr…

[Popeye82]

EU suspends trade case on eve of summit - CER/FT - Sep 20, 2012
www.chinaeconomicreview.com/node/62279

"The EU stalled a controversial trade case against two Chinese telecommunication companies on the eve of what is expected to be Premier Wen Jiabao's final official visit to Europe, Financial Times reported.

Although the delay on the trade dumping dispute was announced just one day before the leadership summit, the EU Trade Commission maintained the move was unrelated to Wen's visit. The case would need stronger evidence before it could proceed, Karel De Gucht, EU trade commissioner, told officials. In a meeting in late May, however, De Gucht’s office told EU diplomats it had compiled “very solid evidence" against Chinese telecom firms Huawei (002502:SHE) and ZTE Corp (0763:HKG, 000063:SHE). The companies, two of the biggest telecom device makers in the world, are accused of receiving non-competitive loans and subsidies from Chinese banks. Ericsson (ERIC-B:STO), Siemens-Nokia and Alcatel-Lucent (ALU:NYSE), three major European telecom equipment companies with interests in China, have declined to participate in the case. "

[Popeye82]

Gloomy outlook, for ´12 exports, official says - CER/WSJ - Sep 20, 2012
www.chinaeconomicreview.com/node/62275

"A ministry of commerce official Wednesday said weak demand would further hurt Chinese exports, setting a gloomy tone for the remainder of the year, The Wall Street Journal reported.

Exports are “continuing on a downward trend," ministry spokesman Shen Danyang said at a routine news briefing. He cited weak EU and global economies and rising export costs as major factors in the slowdown. The ministry also reported waning FDI figures for August. Year-on-year direct investment from abroad fell to US$7.58 billion from US$8.33 billion. Japanese FDI grew by 17%, a notable figure compared to investment from the EU and US, which climbed by 4.1% and 2.9%, respectively. China pledged to accelerate tax rebates and promote export and import growth last week following the release of another set of disappointing economic data. The ministry will release more information on the measures in October, Shen Danyang said. "

[Popeye82]

China opens up shale rights bidding - CER/Caixin - Sep 20, 2012
www.chinaeconomicreview.com/node/62277

"Foreign firms are eyeing reduced regulation and potentially bigger returns on oil operations in China, Caixin reported.

The Chinese government this month said that it would allow private companies and joint-venture firms to bid for shale gas exploration rights in China. During the next round of public bidding, prospective shale explorers will have a chance to bid on 20 shale gas blocks covering a total of 20,000 square km in provinces such as Guizhou, Hunan and Hubei. The announcement means that foreign firms with joint ventures in China will see greater returns on their investment. Previous regulation put the burden of exploration, development and production costs on foreign firms. The costs will now be split between joint ventures. Royal Dutch Shell (RDS.A. NYSE, RDS.B, NYSE, RDSA.LON, RDSB.LON, RDSA.AMS) is seeking a joint venture with a Chinese oil company, according to an anonymous source from the company. "

[Popeye82]

Orko Silver - Announces a Significant Upgraded Resource, @the La Preciosa Silver Project in Durango, Mexico -to 248.000.000 SilverEquiv. Ounces @~102g/t SilverEquiv. I/I; A "Superpit" is now being considered as the preferred mining method - Sep 20, 2012
www.orkosilver.com/s/NewsReleases.asp?ReportID=548902&_Type=…

[Popeye82]

Pura Vida Energy NL - Mazagan permit "estimated to contain 7.000.000.000/5.300.000.000 Net barrels" - Sep 21, 2012

+ Leading independent advisory group DeGolyer +MacNaughton(“D&M”) has prepared an updated independent estimate of the resource potential of the Mazagan permit which incorporates the new data from the reprocessing of the 3D seismic.

+ D&M has provided estimates for 13 oil prospects in the Mazagan permit as follows:

- total "mean prospective resources" of 7.000.000.000 barrels -5.300.000.000 barrels net to Pura Vida’s 75% interest in the permit(up from 2.400.000.000 barrels net on previous estimate)

- significantly, the chance of success across prospects has also increased -ranging from 19% to 34%.


+ These estimates include 3 new prospects -Tafraoute, Amtoudi East +Amtoudi West. These prospects add 2.100.000.000 barrels to the "prospective resource" +each have a 32% chance of success.

+ Pura Vida’s giant Toubkal prospect has been attributed a "mean resource potential" of 1.500.000.000 barrels("high estimate" of 3.100.000.000 barrels) +given a 31% chance of success. ...
www.puravidaenergy.com.au/news_pdf/210912__ASX_Announcement_…
www.puravidaenergy.com.au/news_pdf/Pura_Vida_Prospective_Fin…

[Popeye82]

Tethys Petroleum - Tajikistan Resource Upgrade -to 27.500.000.000 BOE; Dr D. Robson: "This hugely significant increase in our estimated resources in Tajikistan "transforms our prospective resource base." I "believe that these unrisked mean prospective resources are significantly greater than the estimated remaining reserves +unrisked resources in the UK North Sea(1) ." Geological +geophysical work undertaken "has shown that Tethys is operating in a world class basin "with enormous +untapped potential." " The deep prospects being pursued in Tajikistan "have ''super-giant'' potential +any exploration success "will be transformational for the Company"." These additional seismic data will help to identify the location of the 1st deep, sub-salt well drilled in Tajikistan targeting extremely large "prospective resources" " - Jul 19, 2012

+ "Gross unrisked mean recoverable prospective resources" of 27.500.000.000 barrels of oil equivalent(BOE), consisting of:

- "Gross unrisked mean recoverable prospective resources" of 114 trillion cubic feet(TCF) of gas
- "Gross unrisked mean recoverable prospective resources" of 8.500.000.000 barrels(Bbbls), of oil +condensate


+ Upgrade due to seismic data, gravity data acquisition +interpretation +well data ...
www.tethyspetroleum.com/tethys/newscontent.action?articleId=…



Tethys Petroleum Limited: Operations Update; begins drilling new well in Kazakhstan; starts seismic in Tajikistan; Report for the firm's Kazakhstan assets has estimated "gross unrisked recoverable mean oil resources" of 1.230.000.000 barrels, Dyna prospect has 128.000.000 barrels "gross mean unrisked recoverable prospective resources" Sep 10, 2012
www.tethyspetroleum.com/tethys/newscontent.action?articleId=…
http://watch.bnn.ca/commodities/september-2012/commodities-s…

[Popeye82]

Mahdia Gold’s Omai project "one to watch, as development progresses" - PAI - Sep 7, 2012

- D. Sterescu -
www.proactiveinvestors.com/companies/news/34448/mahdia-golds…

"Mahdia Gold’s(CNSX:MGD) claim to fame is its Omai asset in Guyana, a project that is seen to be more advanced than those typically held by junior explorers that have just listed on the public market.

The company acquired the rights to redevelop its flagship Omai Mine in Guyana with the receipt of a large scale, 7.240 acre prospecting license.

Previously, the property was commercially developed by Cambior, which held 70 per cent, +Golden Star Resources(TSE:GSC), which held the remainder, from the issuance of a mining license in ´95.

A total of 3.700.000 ounces of gold was produced by ´06 through two open pits, with annual output coming in as high as 354.000 ounces.

Mahdia says that historical production of 2.350.000 ounces came from an open pit, known as the Fennel pit, which produced an average recovered grade of 1.5 grams/tonne(g/t), to a depth of 250 metres.

A 2nd open pit, known as Wenot, produced 1.420.000 ounces. Significant portions of the Wenot mineral system were never explored, however, with the company claiming there are still some high grade mineralized zones that "remain undeveloped +open for expansion."

According to Mahdia, the two pits that produced 3.700.000 ounces of gold represent only ~five per cent of the entire 7.240 acre license area.

A ´06 technical report by IAMGOLD(TSE:IMG)(NYSE:IAG) on just the Fennel underground deposit, identified 1.400.000 ounces, @2.8 g/t. A year later, a memo by that company found a remaining underground resource estimate, which referred to an indicated +inferred 2.800.000 ounces of gold.

Cambior had begun dewatering the Fennel pit in preparation for drilling the deposit @depth "in hopes of finding higher grade lenses below the barren dyke."

“We "believe a NI 43-101 resource statement by the end of the year will show @least 4.000.000 ounces of gold in the two main pits +surrounding area",” says president +director, David Bending, a professional geologist who has been active in mining +exploration in the Guyana Shield, since ´85.

Guyana has a geological profile that contains greenstone belts which are similar to those found in Ghana, West Africa +Timmins, Ontario.

The Guyana Shield, a 2.200.000.000 year old Precambrian geological formation, is the least explored of the world’s Archaean +Proterozoic terrains.

Mahdia is now working on verifying previous drilling, with a program of ~12.500 metres of diamond drilling, beginning early this year.

Using three rigs, the work will include hydrogeological evaluation, but will be primarily focused on confirming results from the Wenot mineralized western zone, as well as Wenot’s eastern +deep zones, +the Fennell deep zone targets.

The gold miner "sees the combination of the “well-defined targets +the upside potential within the Omai license area” "to be in the range of millions of ounces", based on historical data provided by the previous operator."

The company says about 5 kilometres of the Wenot mineralized gold trend within the license area was not explored due to transported cover, but still represents “major upside potential”.

Previous drilling @Wenot West yielded drill results of 4.71 g/t gold over 21 metres.

Mahdia "is "forecasting" initial open pit production from the Wenot trend, +progression through underground development in the Wenot trend +Fennel, with production rates of 10.000 tonnes/day +the option for expansion, as satellite targets are developed."

During the drilling program, the company will also update the assay database, +resample previously drilled core to prepare for an updated preliminary economic assessment +qualified resource updates.

These milestones are projected for sometime this month.

The project also boasts extensive infrastructure, +a significant stockpile of mineralized rocks left on surface by previous operator Cambior. In a ´99 filing, the Cambior recorded the stockpile as 248.000 ounces of gold @0.85 g/t. By the mine’s closure in ´06, this stockpile had grown +Mahdia says "it is now looking @this opportunity for a "possible" fast-track to production."

Most of the stockpile was never mined because it was <1.6 g/t average grade at the time, when gold was @an average of $350/ounce.

Aside from its main Omai asset, Mahdia also holds the Tiger River property in Guyana, consisting of 9 medium-scale permits near the Omai gold mine, +the White Creek project, consisting of 24 medium-scale permits near Port Kaituma, in the northwest.

The latter property was previously under a joint venture between Newmont Mining(NYSE:NEM) +Stratagold.

The Toronto-based junior company, which is listed on the smaller Canadian National Stock Exchange +was lately trading at 29 cents, is gearing up for a listing on the TSX Venture Exchange in the near future. Its stock has jumped >7 per cent in the last month.


Profile

Mahdia Gold gets its name from a popular resource rich mining town located in central Guyana. Historically the central Guyanese region was made popular by the Omai gold mine. This mine produced ~4.000.000 ounces of gold from two open pits. Having Widentified the potential of this region, Mahdia Gold Corp. has acquired three compelling gold bearing concessions, namely, Omai, Tiger River +White Creek.W

The company's Wvision is to be an aggregator of world class gold properties in the country of Guyana.W This vision includes maximizing shareholder value +Mahdia Gold Corp. Wbeing the "premier" destination for investors looking to invest in the precious commodity known as gold ". "

[Popeye82]

Billionaire Friedland back in fray, with IPO for Africa projects - MW/Reuters, LONDON - Sep 12, 2012
www.miningweekly.com/article/billionaire-friedland-back-in-f…
www.proactiveinvestors.com/companies/news/34635/friedlands-i…
www.goldinvest.de/index.php/ivanplats-will-mit-ipo-hunderte-…

"Robert Friedland, one of the mining industry's most successful and colourful entrepreneurs, has begun the long-awaited process of selling shares in his new venture Ivanplats, hoping to raise cash to develop copper, zinc and platinum deposits in Africa.

Chicago-born billionaire Friedland is known in the industry for his showmanship, flamboyance and occasionally abrasive manner, almost as much as for his formidable talent in spotting the potential of some of the industry's biggest deposits , from the Voisey's Bay nickel deposit in north Canada to Mongolia's Oyu Tolgoi copper and gold deposit, one of the world's largest.

In a prospectus filed to regulators this week, paving the way for a Toronto listing, Ivanplats did not give details on the exact timing or size of the share sale, which was estimated last year by sources familiar with the deal at up to $1-billion.

One source familiar with the current sale, however, said on Wednesday a pre-initial public offering (IPO) bond issue in March and the sale of a stake in one of its projects last year meant Ivanplats was now seeking to raise a more modest amount of at least $250-million to $300-million.

"If the market is receptive and appreciative, they could do more," the source said, adding the company could then follow long-held plans and move on to a dual listing in London, giving it another opportunity to top up its investment funds.

Ivanplats' main assets include Kamoa, a high-grade copper deposit in the Democratic Republic of Congo; Kipushi, a zinc and copper mine also in Congo; and the giant Platreef platinum, gold, nickel and copper project in South Africa, which Friedland has said "could transform the beleaguered platinum industry ."

Platreef, in the northern limb of the Bushveld complex which accounts for about 70% of the world's platinum output, is 10%-owned by a consortium led by Japan's Itochu. Itochu bought an 8% stake last year in a deal "implying a value for Platreef of around $3.5 billion."

Having stepped down earlier this year from the helm of Ivanhoe Mines -- now Rio Tinto-controlled Turquoise Hill and the company behind Oyu Tolgoi -- Friedland had been expected to turn his attention to his African project.

But uncertain markets had left the timing less than clear for the former Sanskrit student's next target.

"Robert has clearly made a name for himself. He doesn't need to wait for the market to turn in a cohesive way ," a second source familiar with the listing said.

"These are world-class assets."


TRACK RECORD

A Canadian preliminary filing would normally mean a company would begin talking to investors within weeks. A sale of the shares then usually follows, meaning shares in Ivanplats could be sold as soon as October in one of Canada's most significant 2012 debuts, despite turbulent commodity and equity markets.

Global IPO proceeds slid 46% in the first six months of 2012 as, faced with unpredictable markets buffeted by euro zone debt woes and concerns about global economic growth, many companies put their listing plans on hold.

"(Friedland's) critics always said he was good at promoting. Ivanhoe Mines shows he is not just good at talking," the first source said. "He has a good track record."

Ivanplats' copper assets are likely to attract the attention of mining investors. Kamoa has indicated resources that would place it among the highest-grade copper deposits in the industry -- and Friedland's team of geologists and managers have cut their teeth in challenging projects including Oyu Tolgoi.

Risks enumerated by Ivanplats itself, though, include Congo's troubled profile and the impact of woes in South Africa's platinum sector, hit by labour unrest including deadly protests last month.

Ivanplats' filings showed most of the proceeds would be used for investment in Kamoa and Kipushi, but also to pay money owed to Congo veteran Dan Gertler, a highly influential but also controversial figure, from whom Friedland purchased Kipushi.

Gertler, a businessman linked to other miners operating in Congo including Glencore and ENRC, has received $45-million for his majority stake in Kipushi and is owed at least a further $100-million.

Ivanplats, a Vancouver-based company set up in 1993, made a net loss of almost $126-million last year.

Ivanplats' filing showed that while Friedland did not take home a salary for his role as company chairman, he received more than $6-million in options and bonuses last year.

Bookrunners for the sale are BMO Nesbitt Burns, Macquarie Capital Markets, Morgan Stanley Canada and RBC Dominion Securities.

The banks could receive a fee of as much as 5.5% of the funds raised from the offering, according to the prospectus.


Edited by: Reuters "

[Popeye82]

Lincoln Minerals - Scoping Study Completed, for Eyre Peninsula Graphite; Geological resource details were compiled by LML from historic data based on exploration by Pancontinental Mining in the early-mid ´80s. An Inferred Resource of 880.000 tonnes @11.5% graphitic carbon was identified but the EM survey has identified extensive anomalies associated with graphite mineralisation; Based on preliminary imagery from that survey, the Kookaburra Gully prospect is located on the northeastern end of a 4.5 kilometre long EM anomaly "which defines a "conceptual exploration target"(**) of ~7.400.000 to 19.800.000 tonnes of graphite mineralized rock averaging ~7 -15% graphitic carbon(TGC). Total "exploration targets" in the Kookaburra Gully-Koppio EM survey area(TableIII) are 14.200.000 to 42.600.000 tonnes @estimated averaged grades in the range 7 -15% TGC" - Sep 19, 2012
www.lincolnminerals.com.au/pdfs/2012-09-19-0033452012-09-19_…

[Popeye82]

Ivanhoe Australia - Kulthor Resource Update -to 12.800.000 tonnes @~1.5% Cu &~1.0g/t Au M/I/I - Sep 19, 2012
www.ivanhoeaustralia.com/i/pdf/IVA0078MR-Kulthor_resource_up…

[Popeye82]

Beijing won't appeal WTO credit card ruling - CER/Reuters - Sep 3, 2012
www.chinaeconomicreview.com/node/62088

"China decided not to appeal a WTO ruling that Beijing unfairly blocked US credit card companies including Mastercard (MA.NYSE) and Visa (V.NYSE) from its market to protect state-owned China UnionPay, Reuters reported.

Beijing now has 30 days to outline the measures it will take to comply with the July 16 WTO ruling, potentially opening up the lucrative mainland market where more than US$1 trillion in electronic payment card transactions are processed each year. In a statement on Friday, US Trade Representative Ron Kirk welcomed China's decision not to appeal the ruling and said as many as 6,000 jobs could be created from increased access to China's electronic payments market. According to a separate report, German Chancellor Angela Merkel told Chinese officials on Friday that Germany did not want to start a trade war with Beijing over solar exports to Europe, but that Beijing would need to make concessions if it wanted to prevent EU action. "

[Popeye82]

Taiwan to begin RMB trade settlements - CER/FT - Sep 3, 2012
www.chinaeconomicreview.com/node/62092

"Beijing and Taipei signed an agreement on Friday to allow Taiwan banks to settle transactions in renminbi, the latest step toward making the yuan a global currency, Financial Times reported.

In a memorandum of understanding, the two parties agreed that Taiwan will become the second major center for settling RMB transactions after Hong Kong. "We're not talking about getting a lot of business in one day… but the opportunity we see is actually quite huge," said Jerry Yang, a banking analyst with Daiwa. ANZ economist Raymond Yeung said trade settlement between the island and the mainland could reach US$12 billion a year, considering how fast some other markets have begun using the renminbi in trade. China is Taiwan’s largest trade partner with total two-way trade for the first half reaching US$59.5 billion, according to Taiwanese government statistics. In addition to Taiwan and Hong Kong, Singapore and London have also been vying to become hubs for offshore yuan. "

[Popeye82]

West Melville Metals - Geophysics Identifies Parallel Mineralized Bodies, @Isortoq; Land Positioned Increased; Dr. R. Moore: "This "is an exciting development in the evolution of the Isortoq Project." The identification of a parallel mineralized body significantly increases the "tonnage potential" @the Isortoq Project. In addition, we are pleased to have been granted the additional Exploration Licence by the Bureau of Minerals +Petroleum, Greenland(BMP). This land is strategically located immediately adjacent to +on strike with the mineralized bodies" - Sep 24, 2012

HL:

+ Parallel mineralized body identified; Ground magnetic surveys "suggest that mineralization occurs in @least two distinct +separate, parallel bodies ~900 metres apart." Previous airborne geophysical coverage over only a fraction of the area interpreted the troctolite to be one single body with a short fault off-set; The ´12 ground geophysical surveys "concluded the "potential" for multiple , parallel or en-echelon mineralized bodies +that the strike lengths "could" be significantly greater than previously anticipated." Geoscientific data collected in ´12 "now leads the Company to "believe" there is the "potential" to expand the previous size estimates of Isortoq." The Company immediately applied to the BMP for an exploration license covering 109 km2 of "on trend", yet unexplored ground. The exploration license has now been granted

+ Geophysics "implies significant potential to increase tonnage"

+ Strike length of Isortoq trend expanded -to 16.3 kilometres

+ 134 line kilometres of ground geophysics

+ 109 square kilometres of additional exploration license granted ...
www.westmelville.com/news/index.php?&content_id=46
www.westmelville.com/projects/isortoq-project/technical/

[Popeye82]

Sumatra Copper &Gold - Tembang Expansion "Significantly Improves Project Economics", increases scale of operation - Sep 24, 2012
www.sumatracoppergold.com/?doaction=return&emailid=F5D91E9E-…

[Popeye82]

Kivalliq Energy - Completes $20.000.000 Exploration Program; >38.000 Metres Drilled +Four New Zones Discovered, updated NI 43-101 mineral resource expected by the end of Q1, ´13 - Sep 24, 2012
www.kivalliqenergy.com/news/index.php?&content_id=195

[Popeye82]

US auditors tentatively gain observer access to China - CER/Reuters - Sep 24, 2012
www.chinaeconomicreview.com/node/62309

"Chinese and US authorities tentatively agreed to allow US observers increased access to Chinese auditors, an area of dispute in recent years as foreigners are typically shut out of the process, Reuters reported.

Lewis Ferguson, a board member of US watchdog Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (PCAOB), released a statement saying that PCAOB inspectors will watch as Chinese officials examine audit firms' quality control. It will be a "trust-building exercise" as the US Securities and Exchange Commission and the PCAOB seek broader rights to obtain documents from Chinese companies in their investigations, the statement said. The PCAOB has been trying to gain access in China in response to a growing number of scandals at US-listed Chinese companies since 2010. China argues that any foreign regulation raises sovereignty concerns, despite the fact that such regulation is a condition of listing in the US. "

[Popeye82]

Survey indicates wider economic pessimism - CER/BB - Sep 24, 2012
www.chinaeconomicreview.com/node/62311

"Chinese manufacturers and retailers reported slower growth and said they were more pessimistic in the third quarter, according to the China Beige Book survey, Bloomberg reported.

The survey, conducted by US-based CBB International of more than 2,000 Chinese corporate executives and bankers, found that the number of manufacturers reporting revenue growth declined 20 percentage points to 43%. Retailers reporting higher sales fell by 10 percentage points to 58 percent. Outlook for higher growth in the next six months fell by double digits across both segments, with two thirds of retailers expecting higher sales and 53% of manufacturers expecting higher revenue. Overall, 20% of companies reported they cut jobs in the third quarter, an increase of 7%. However, the survey does show an upturn in the property market and stronger growth in inland areas. "

[Popeye82]

Panel appointed, to drive platinum labour debate - Mmx - Sep 20, 2012

- D. McKay +André J. van Vuuren -
www.miningmx.com/news/platinum_group_metals/Panel-appointed-…

"THE Chamber of Mines of SA (CoM) has appointed a panel to drive discussion on how the country’s platinum industry can transform labour relations, including shifting to a system of centralised wage bargaining.


The panel consists of Meshack Ravuku, a senior figure at the Commission for Conciliation, Mediation and Arbitration (CCMA), International Labour Organisation technical consultant Charles Nupen, and lawyer and now conflict resolution specialist Peter Harris.

An industry source said that the panel will also look at wage structures and the mining industry’s response to the socio-economic issues that provided an important underpin to the civic disorder that have characterised the platinum industry strikes this year.

Roger Baxter, who heads strategy and economics at the CoM, said that he could neither confirm nor deny the appointment of the panel.

Speaking to the press on Thursday, Lonmin acting CEO Simon Scott said the company welcomed the opening of a conversation on centralised bargaining.

The company's workers returned to work in high numbers following a settlement earlier this week to end a six-week unprotected strike.

"The strike was the second unprotected strike embarked upon by workers in the industry this year," Scott said. "Government, unions and mining companies need to work together to ensure that bargaining arrangements are adhered to by all parties." "

[Popeye82]

China +Venezuela partner on Venezuelas largest gold mine - CER/WSJ - Sep 24, 2012
www.chinaeconomicreview.com/node/62310

"State-run China International Trust & Investment inked a deal with Venezuelan state officials Friday to develop Las Cristinas, Venezuela's largest gold mine, The Wall Street Journal reported.

The deal covers the building, engineering and processing of gold from the mine, which is estimated to contain 17 million ounces of the metal, in addition to some copper deposits. The amount of money involved in the deal was not disclosed. A separate agreement was also signed for the production of a map of South American mineral deposits. Venezuela's president Hugo Chavez said following a meeting with Chinese officials that the two countries agreed to cooperate more extensively in oil ventures. The two countries have recently stepped-up their trade exchanges, with the Venezuelan government using oil shipments, among other things, to pay for more than US$36 billion in Chinese loans. "

[Popeye82]

Paragon Minerals - Canadian Zinc Acquires Paragon - Sep 24, 2012
www.canadianzinc.com/images/Docs/News_Releases/CZN-PGR%20Pre…

[Popeye82]

Panoro Minerals - Cotabambas Project Resource Estimate Shows Increase -to 404.100.000 tonnes @0.42% Cu, 0.23g/t Au +2.84g/t Ag, for 3.750.000.000 lb Copper, 3.000.000 Oz Gold +36.900.000 Oz Silver I, With "Excellent Potential For Continued Growth" - Sep 11, 2012
www.panoro.com/s/NewsReleases.asp?ReportID=547584&_Type=News…

[Popeye82]

Roughneck ´12, Oils: E&P Sector Book - IS - Sep 12, 2012

- Companies mentioned

Afren, Africa Oil, Cairn, Chariot Oil +Gas, Circle Oil*, Coastal Energy, Enquest, Faroe Petroleum, Genel Energy, Gulf Keystone, Heritage Oil, Ophir Energy, Premier Oil, Salamander Energy, Tullow Oil ...-
http://oilbarrel.com/media/pub/var/release_downloadable_file…

[Popeye82]

"Minerals processing perfection": Down to the grain; A collaboration between BASF +the CSIRO is working towards greater coal recoveries - MA - Sep 25, 2012

- C. Latimer -
www.miningaustralia.com.au/features/minerals-processing-perf…

[Popeye82]

Wealth shrinks, for China's richest - CER/FT/Hurun - Sep 25, 2012
www.chinaeconomicreview.com/node/62329
www.hurun.net/usen/NewsShow.aspx?nid=349

"The number of super-rich in China has fallen over the past year, with fewer US dollar-denominated billionaires for the first time in seven years, Financial Times reported.

In the Hurun Rich List's annual report released Monday, the number of billionaires fell from 271 to 251. During the past year, 37 out of the 1,000 richest saw a 50% drop in their wealth. Half of the 1,000 saw a fall in their wealth, and overall average wealth fell 9% to US$860 million. While the figures appear poor, Hurun Report Chairman and Chief Researcher Rupert Hoogewerf said that "entrepreneurs are still up 40% on two years ago and almost 10 times 10 years ago ." In 2006, there were only 15 billionaires in China. At the top of the rich list stands Zong Qinhou of Wahaha, a beverage company, with wealth of US$12.6 billion. "

[Popeye82]

Chinese patrol escalates East China Sea tensions - CER/Reduters/BB - Sep 25, 2012
www.chinaeconomicreview.com/node/62328

"Four Chinese vessels steered into waters surrounding a group of East China Sea islands at the center of a territorial row with Japan on Monday, drawing official protests from Tokyo, Reuters reported.

Two Chinese civilian surveillance vessels were carrying out a "rights defense" patrol close to the Senkaku islands, known as the Diaoyu in Chinese, and two fishing agency vessels also entered the area, China's state-run Xinhua News Agency said. After Japan issued an official protest, all vessels moved farther from the islands by the afternoon, according to the Japanese Coast Guard. Possibly further escalating tensions, a group of 100 fishing vessels and 10 coast guard vessels from Taiwan - which also claims the islands - are moving toward the area. A Chinese boycott on Japan is diverting tourists to South Korea for China's weeklong National Day holiday, Bloomberg reported. "

[Popeye82]

Baobab Resources Plc - Tete Project, Drilling Update - Sep 25, 2012
www.baobabresources.com/files/BAO_AIMRelease_20120925.PDF

[Popeye82]

Foxconn workers' brawl forces plant shutdown - CER/TG - Sep 25, 2012
www.chinaeconomicreview.com/node/62327

"A riot involving up to 2,000 workers led consumer electronics maker Foxconn (also known as Hon Hai; 2317.TPE) to shut down a factory in northern China on Sunday, The Guardian reported.

The fight lasted four hours, leaving 40 people hospitalized for treatment, the company said. Police detained several workers. The Taiyuan plant employs about 79,000 workers, and it is unclear how long the shutdown will last. Foxconn spokesman Louis Woo said the violence started in the workers' dormitory facilities. Photos of smashed glass, riot police and crowds of workers were uploaded to social media sites but were later removed. Foxconn employs more than 1 million workers in the mainland and is the world's largest contract maker of electronic goods, with customers such as Apple (AAPL.NASDAQ). The company has seen violence at its factories before, and there was a brief strike at the Taiyuan plant in March. "

[Popeye82]

"Mining boom is dead": Government ; Resources Minister Martin Ferguson says the mining boom is over, following BHP Billiton's plunge in profits +decision to shelve plans for the Olympic Dam expansion - MA - Aug 23, 2012

- A. Duffy -
www.miningaustralia.com.au/news/mining-boom-is-dead-governme…

[Popeye82]

Alpha Coal idles 8 US mines, to retrench 1.200 workers; North American coal producer Alpha Natural Resources on Tuesday temporarily idled eight coal mines in Virginia, West Virginia +Pennsylvania, impacting ~1.200 jobs. The company said it was reshaping its mine operations to reduce the production footprint, as demand for thermal coal continued to decline, as thermal power stations switched to cheaper natural gas - MW, TORONTO - Sep 18, 2012

- H. Lazenby -
www.miningweekly.com/article/alpha-coal-idles-eight-us-mines…

[Popeye82]

Most Controversial Mining Companies 2011 - MIQ/RR - Mar12

- In order of ranking, the 10 Most Controversial Mining Companies of 2011 were:

1. Alpha Natural Resources
2. Newmont Mining Corp
3. Glencore International
4. BHP Billiton
5. Freeport-McMoRan Copper & Gold
6. Rio Tinto
7. Compania de Minas Buenaventura
7. Barrick Gold (equal ranking)
9. Anglo American
9 Vedanta Resources (equal ranking) ...-
www.miningiq.com/downloadSecureContent.cfm?ID=998

[Popeye82]

Metals Economics Group Pipeline Activity Index, Sep ´12; Drilling +initial resources "help keep Pipeline Activity Index steady" - MEC, HALIFAX - Sep 20, 2012
www.metalseconomics.com/sites/default/files/uploads/PDFs/meg…

[Popeye82]

RBA Review - AI/RBA - Sep 25, 2012
www.theaustralianinvestor.com.au/news.asp?id=43229
www.rba.gov.au/publications/fsr/2012/sep/pdf/0912.pdf

"The Reserve Bank has warned that Australia could be exposed to "vulnerabilities" in Asia sparked by fallout from Europe's unresolved debt crisis.


In its latest Financial Stability Review, the RBA has signalled that a slowing in the United States and China caused by "a disorderly resolution" of the Europe crisis put Asia's banking system at risk.

"Vulnerabilities may have built up during recent credit expansions which could be revealed in the event of a significant decline in asset prices or economic activity," the RBA said.

"As some banking systems in Asia are now quite large, there is a greater chance that problems in them could have adverse international spillovers." But the RBA says Asian banking systems have been so far "largely resilient" to the Europe crisis because of their domestic focus.

The bi-annual review confirms that the Europe crisis remains the single biggest risk to the global economy despite recent intervention by the European Central Bank to buy unlimited bonds from struggling economies.

"Along with the weaker near-term outlook for global growth, the euro area problems will continue to pose heightened risks to global financial stability in the year ahead," the RBA warns.

Despite the global outlook, the RBA says the Australian banking system remains "in a relatively strong position" and that it is underpinned by "robust financial, regulatory, supervisory and crisis management frameworks".

The review also notes the pressures on wholesale fund markets have eased and that banks have restored good market access to international markets over the past six months.

But once again, the central bank is urging caution.

"While the Australian banks have little direct asset exposure to the most troubled euro area economies, they remain exposed to swings in global financial market sentiment associated with the problems in Europe," it said.

While bad and doubtful debt charges have fallen since the peak of the global financial crisis, the review says banks are now challenged by high funding costs, lower credit growth and slower growth in profit.

The RBA says that while the competitive pressures have not yet spurred "inappropriate risk taking", it is concerned about lower lending standards last seen in the lead-up to the financial crisis. "

[Popeye82]

Century Iron Mines - Announces Initial Mineral Resource Statement: 1.723.000.000 Tonnes @31.25% Fe Inferred, for Hayot Iron Deposit - Sep 25, 2012
www.centuryiron.com/sites/default/files/fer-09252012-en.pdf

[Popeye82]

PBoC injects record $46.000.000.000, before holiday - CER/BB - Sep 26, 2012
www.chinaeconomicreview.com/node/62344

"The People's Bank of China injected US$46 billion into the banking system using reverse repurchase agreements to meet the demand for cash in the lead up to the mainland's weeklong October holiday, Bloomberg reported, citing traders.

The cash injection is the highest ever recorded in China by Bloomberg, which began tracking the figures in 2004. The PBoC added the cash to the financial system through US$30 billion of 28-day reverse repurchase agreements and US$16 billion of 14-day contracts. The seven-day repo rate, a measure of funding availability, rose 0.19% to 4.7% as of 4:30 p.m. Tuesday in Shanghai, according to data collected by the National Interbank Funding Center. "Record amounts of reverse repos are to meet the surge in cash demand before the quarter-end and the holidays," said Liu Junyu, a China Merchants Bank (600036.SH, 3968.HKG) bond analyst. "

[Popeye82]

China faces new solar trade complaint - CER/BB - Sep 26, 2012
www.chinaeconomicreview.com/node/62346

"EU ProSun, a subsidiary of Germany's Solarworld AG (SWV.FRA), filed an anti-subsidy complaint against Chinese solar makers at the European Commission in Brussels on Tuesday, the second case that the company has filed demanding tariffs, Bloomberg reported.

The group's president Milan Nitzschke, stated in an email that Chinese subsidies are "leading to overcapacities and ruinous price competition." Since 2010, state-owned China Development Bank has extended US$43.2 billion in credit to 12 Chinese solar companies in what EU ProSun claim is "nearly unlimited state-owned bank financing." Chinese solar makers have previously denied the claims. On September 6th, the commission began investigating another case initiated by ProSun on whether Chinese companies were dumping solar products in the EU. The complaint filed in July is the biggest of its kind in Europe, covering US$27 billion. "

[Popeye82]

China launches 1st aircraft carrier, amid islands dispute - CER/Reuters - Sep 26, 2012
www.chinaeconomicreview.com/node/62343

"China's first aircraft carrier entered service on Tuesday, in what appears to be a show of force in the East China Sea dispute with Japan, Reuters reported.

The carrier, refitted from a ship bought from Ukraine, is unlikely to have much of an operational impact on China's navy, analysts say, but will be used for training and testing, in preparation for the likely launch in 2015 of China's first domestically built carrier. Premier Wen Jiabao was reported to have described the event as, "enhancing national defensive power and the country's overall strength." Taiwan, which also claims the islands, further raised tensions in the East China Sea on Tuesday when Japanese Coast Guard boats fired water cannons at 40 fishing boats and 12 coast guard vessels from Taiwan that entered the area. China, Taiwan and Japan each claim the same group of islands in the sea, known as the Diaoyu in Chinese and Senkaku in Japanese. "

[Popeye82]

Strategie 2030 -Afrika - HWWI/BB - Sep12
www.hwwi.org/fileadmin/hwwi/Publikationen/Partnerpublikation…

[Popeye82]

Australian Bauxite - Three State-Significant Projects -Study Results +Development Update - Sep 26, 2012
www.australianbauxite.com.au/site_folders/241/ABZ%2027%20Sep…

[Popeye82]

China stocks plummet, to 2009 levels - CER/BB - Sep 27, 2012
www.chinaeconomicreview.com/node/62358

"The Shanghai Composite Index fell below 2,000 points for the first time since 2009, as the economic downturn weighs on stocks, Bloomberg reported.

The benchmark fell 1.2% to 2,004.17 on Wednesday at the market close, with the figure dipping briefly to 1,999.48 just before trading ended. Trading volume for the day was down 35% from the daily average since January, with only five billion shares were exchanged Wednesday within the index. This quarter, the index is down 9.9%, placing it among the poorest performing global markets. The Shanghai index is valued at an average of 9.3-times estimated earnings -compared to an average of 18-times since 2006 , according to Bloomberg data. "The market has no confidence in China's old growth model of investment and exports any more," said Chief Investment Officer Wang Zheng at Jingxi Investment Management. "

[Popeye82]

Centaurus Metals - to Drill G100 Iron Target; New Greendfields Exploration Target 15km North of Jambreiro Iron Ore Project Comprises Large Magnetic Anomaly, with +30km of Strike in "Similar Geological Setting"; upcoming drilling, comprising an initial 2.500 metres of Reverse Circulation(RC) drilling, follows a recent mapping program +completion of a detailed ground magnetic survey in August. This survey "has confirmed the strength +scale of the large regional aeromagnetic signature, @the G100 Project," which "is a conceptual iron formation target in the form of a closed fold"; Extensive geological mapping over the G100 Project has not so far identified any significant outcrops of iron formation, although there are vast occurrences of soils with hematite(possibly martite) +magnetite occurrences that have been identified with the magnetic anomalies +the topographical highs of the project area, To put this in context, the south-eastern limb of the Tigre Deposit at Jambreiro was originally covered by native vegetation +a plus 2 metre thick layer of organic soils overlaying the mineralisation, which prior to clearing was not identified in the mapping as an area of near-surface mineralisation - Sep 27, 2012
www.centaurus.com.au/images/pdf/2012.09.27%20asx%20announcem…

[Popeye82]

International Petroleum - Oil +gas reserves +prospective resources report - Sep 25, 2012
http://easimail.ppr.com.au/download/files/12414/1782905/2012…

[Popeye82]

XCeed Resources- Update on Bankfontein Project, +Project Financing of Moabsvelden - Sep 27, 2012
www.xceedresources.com.au/irm/Company/ShowPage.aspx/PDFs/119…

[Popeye82]

Tanzania launches online mining cadastre portal - MW, JOHANNESBURG - Sep 27, 2012

- Megan Wait -
www.miningweekly.com/article/tanzania-launches-online-mining…

"Tanzania has launched a public and online mining cadastre portal to strengthen the government's capacity to manage the mineral sector.

The portal, which has been developed by information technology company Spatial Dimension, formed part of the World Bank supported Sustainable Management of Mineral Resources project (SMMRP).

“An online portal is the first step towards providing both local and international investors with an efficient mechanism to interact with the Ministry on a fair and transparent basis,” said Bill Feast, the MD of Spatial Dimension, which developed the cloud-based FlexiCadastre portal used in Tanzania.

“Many clients are now asking Spatial Dimension to include ‘self-service’ functionality into the portal while they wait for mining law and regulation updates to allow for a fully transactional system where all applications, payments, renewals and returns would be conducted online,” he added.

The portal site hosts some 67 000 mineral licences. The Tanzanian Ministry of Energy and Mines is undertaking a full audit of all licences and asked stake holders to engage with them should any data related issue be found.


Edited by: Mariaan Webb "

[Popeye82]

Avanco Resources - Target Copper Resource Exceeded -Resource Upgrade to 52.110.000 tonnes @1.27% Copper +0.32g/t Gold - Sep 27, 2012

+ JORC Reported Mineral Resource Inventory for Stage I +II has increased to: 52.110.000 t @1.27% Copper +0.32g/t Gold, for 661.000 tonnes of contained Copper +527.000oz of Gold

+ This equates to a Copper Equivalent2 of 773.000 tonnes of contained Copper @an average grade of 1.48% Copper Equivalent2, far exceeding the programme target.

+ Stage II East grade is up by 10% +tonnes have increased by 50%, with mineralisation both thickening +remaining open, @depth.

+ Continued +substantial resource growth @StageII is expected.

+ True Widths of ore grade mineralisation reach & >40m in new deep drilling in the East, "which bodes well for the application of larger scale underground mining techniques."

+ 49.05m @1.60% Copper, 0.36g/t Gold from 522.00m APBD-12-16
Incl. 18.70m @2.35% Copper, 0.93g/t Gold, from 561.45m

+ 54.00m @1.29% Copper, 0.32g/t Gold from 445.00m APBD-12-15
Incl. 24.70m @2.00% Copper, 0.51g/t Gold, from 461.00m

+ New intersection ABPD-12-18 is double the typical grades observed previously in the West, "indicating potential that this zone "could" develop @depth similarly to the high grade East":

+ 24.00m @1.50% Copper, 0.50g/t Gold from 172.40m APBD-12-18
Incl. 9.80m @2.41% Copper, 0.80g/t Gold, from 182.70m

+ Avanco’s StageII exploration "continues to be "highly" successful", " "indicating" that Pedra Branca(acquired 100% from Xstrata Copper) "may be" much bigger than anticipated"

+ Drilling has commenced @the Conceicao Nickel-PGM project, located in southern Carajas. ...
http://avancoresources.com/pdfs/TargetCopperResourceExceeded…

[Popeye82]

Passport Potash - Announces Mineral Resource Update -to 952.140.000 Tonnes @~13.56% KCI M/I/I; J. Bleak: "This is a great report "+truly shows the potential of the potash resource in the Holbrook Basin." The updated resource estimate still covers only 37% of our properties. We are excited about moving this project forward. We have done a lot of exploration work to define this resource +will continue our exploration program based on the advice of our potash experts. We remain as committed to this project as we were when we began exploration in ´09" - Sep 27, 2012
www.marketwire.com/press-release/passport-potash-announces-m…

[Popeye82]

Japanese car makers cut further - CER/BB - Sep 27, 2012
www.chinaeconomicreview.com/node/62360

"Japanese car manufacturers announced they will further reduce mainland production and indicated that cuts may grow more severe as anti-Japanese sentiment rises in China and demand flags, Bloomberg reported.

Nissan Motor (7201.TYO) will stop production in China starting today, three days ahead of their previous plans, until October 8 on falling demand, the company said. Toyota Motor (TM.NYSE, 7203.TYO, TYT.LON, TOM.FRA) said Wednesday that it will halt production at its Guangzhou and Tianjin factories starting Thursday and at its Sichuan factory on Saturday, with all to resume October 8. Output for Nissan, Toyota and Honda Motor (HMC.NYSE, 7267.TY0) fell in August compared to the same period a year ago. Officials at Japanese car makers indicated output is likely to decline further in September. The Chinese will purchase more German cars than Japanese cars for the first time in seven years, according to China's Passenger Car Association. "

[Popeye82]

Little interest in North Korea special economic zones - CER/Reuters - Sep 27, 2012
www.chinaeconomicreview.com/node/62359

"Chinese and North Korean officials pitched mainland businesses on investing in North Korea's two special economic zones but failed to draw much interest at an event in Beijing on Wednesday, Reuters reported.

The joint development zones are located in Rason, in eastern North Korea, and Hwanggumphyong in the country's west. "If there's a problem with the environment, there's no way people are going to commit money," said Li Guilian, chairwoman of Dalian-based clothing company Dayang Trands, at the event. The presentation highlighted the attractions of the zones, including low taxes and visa free access. The zones are part of North Korean leader Kim Jong-Un's pledge to make the country prosperous after a lean 17 years under his father. North Korea, facing tough international sanctions in response to its nuclear program, relies on China for funding and many basic supplies. "

[Popeye82]

IC Potash - News Sun - Sep 27, 2012

- Levi Hill -
http://app.efcg.net/uploads/advisory/ICP_News_Sun_Article_9-…

[Popeye82]

Orocobre - Toyota Tsusho Announces Positive Investment Decision, for Olaroz Lithium Project - Sep 27, 2012

+ Toyota Tsusho Corporation(TTC) announces positive investment decision for Olaroz

+ Mizuho Corporate Bank +JOGMEC to provide project financing, with a debt to total capital ratio of ~70%, an increase from the 60% previously indicated by Orocobre

+ Additionally the release indicated an expected production rate of 17.500 t/anno of lithium carbonate, an increase from 16.400 t/a in the Feasibility Study, which Orocobre confirms. As previously advised(Orocobre Announcement 27 June ´12), the final project ownership will be Orocobre 66.5%, TTC 25% +JEMSE 8.5%

+ Orocobre also advises that the agreements with TTC are @an advanced stage +should be completed within two weeks @which point Orocobre will be in a position to provide comprehensive details of the arrangements with TTC, structure of the debt package +an overall project update ...
www.orocobre.com.au/PDF/27Sept2012_TTC%20Announcement.pdf

[Popeye82]

Chaarat Gold "on course "on budget, for Tulkubash start-up next year" - PAIUK - Sep 27, 2012

- Jamie Ashcroft -
www.proactiveinvestors.co.uk/companies/news/48507/chaarat-go…
www.chaarat.com/files/CGH_Half_Year_Results_to_30_June_2012_…

"Chaarat Gold (LON:CGH) told investors it is continuing to make steady progress towards production.

It is on course and on budget to achieve this in the second half of next year, the company said.

In this morning’s interim results the gold mine developer highlighted a number of important milestones that it achieved during the first six months of 2012.

It was awarded a mining licence for the Tulkubash open pit project (which will provide the initial production) and the allocation of land for the development of the Charaat deposit was also completed.

Importantly Charaat highlights that the legal and tax regimes in the Kyrgyz Republic have been simplified and clarified for the mining industry.

"Your company continues to make steady progress towards production, earth is being moved, roads developed, orders placed and permits approved,” said chief executive Dekel Golan.

“The replacement of one coalition government with a new one was seamless for the industry.

“Difficulties must always be expected in a young democracy such as the Kyrgyz Republic but these are small both in comparison with many other emerging mining jurisdictions and the outstanding potential of the Chaarat deposit.

“All in all Chaarat believes that building the project and establishing long term relationships with the various local stakeholders is progressing well and on target for production in the second half of 2013.”

The company also emphasised today the potential for the project to grow significantly in the future.

“In terms of size, colloquially, the deposit is clearly an elephant and whilst I am not sure if we hold its tail or an ear we are far from having exposed its belly," Golan added.

Charaat ended the period with US$52.6 million in cash.


Profile

Chaarat Gold is an exploration and development company operating in the Kyrgyz Republic. The Company’s main activity is the development of the Kiziltash and Tulkubash projects situated within the Middle Tien Shan Mountains of Kyrgyzstan, which form part of the Tien Shan gold belt. The Company has delineated a JORC compliant mineral resource of 4.406Moz at a grade of 4.20g/t gold across both projects. Chaarat's key objective is to become a low cost gold producer; with initial production from the Tulkubash project, targeting annual production of over 200,000 ounces per annum as the Kiziltash project comes on stream. "

[Popeye82]

Offiziell: Hamilton ersetzt Schumacher bei Mercedes - W - Sep 28, 2012
http://web.de/magazine/sport/formel1/16329348-offiziell-hami…

[Popeye82]

Energio - Maiden 487.700.000 Tonnes @42.7% Fe JORC Resource I - Sep 28, 2012

+ Maiden JORC compliant mineral resource @Agbaja Project of 488.000.000 tonnes with an in-situ iron grade of 42.7% classified as Inferred.

+ The resource estimate represents only:

- 13.9km2 or ~15% of the prospective areas within Exploration Licences 12124 *8886, which are collectively known as the Agbaja Project, +

- ~9.2% of the Company’s 151km2 landholding prospective for channel iron deposits.


+ 1st ever JORC iron ore resource reported for the Republic of Nigeria.

+ Resource update scheduled to be released in June ´13, with improved geological confidence expected to result in the majority of the resource reclassified as Indicated.

+ The Company currently has one multipurpose drill rig located @the Agbaja Project +following the end of the wet season, which is now expected to be mid-November, this rig will return to resource definition drilling, followed by step out drilling to the south. The step out program will enable the Company to determine a JORC "Exploration Target" for the Agbaja Project, "providing an "indication" of the significant potential of the Agbaja plateau."

+ Metallurgical testwork on ~300m of PQ diamond core to commence with the objective of beneficiating the in-situ iron grade to >58% Fe.

+ Maiden JORC resource enables the commencement of project development studies, as inputs to a pre-feasibility study.

+ The Agbaja Project is a shallow, flat-lying channel iron deposit(“CID”) "uniquely positioned" with its proximity to existing, underutilised rail, +port infrastructure. It typically comprises iron bearing nodules(ooids, 1 -2mm +pisoids, 2 -9mm) in an iron rich matrix. Iron mineralisation occurs
predominantly as goethite, maghematite +limonite ...
http://eio.live.irmau.com/IRM/Company/ShowPage.aspx/PDFs/139…
www.miningweekly.com/article/energio-declares-maiden-resourc…

[Popeye82]

TNR Gold - Extends Mineralized Zones @Shotgun, with 209m of 1.02 g/t Gold - Sep 27, 2012
www.tnrgoldcorp.com/s/NewsReleases.asp?ReportID=549856

[Popeye82]

NioGold Mining/Aurizon Mines - Announces An Updated Mineral Resource Estimate For Niogold's Marban Deposit -to 1.404.000 Ounces @~1.67g/t Au M/I/I - Sep 7, 2012
www.niogold.com/news/2012/september07/

[Popeye82]

Atacama Pacific Gold - Reports Resources Increase -to 4.477.000 Ounces @~0.49g/t Gold M/I/I, " one of the largest oxide gold deposits in the world not owned by a gold producer" - Sep 25, 2012
www.atacamapacific.com/investors/pdf/news-120925.pdf

[Popeye82]

Plata Latina Minerals - drilling discovers 3.181 g/t silver +13.28 g/t gold over 10.95 metres - Mar 5, 2012
www.plminerals.com/Theme/PlataLatina/files/News%20Releases/0…


Additional Plata Latina Drilling Discovers 2.040 g/t Silver +15.40 g/t Gold over 2.77 Metres - Jun 5, 2012
www.plminerals.com/Theme/PlataLatina/files/News%20Releases/0…


Additional Plata Latina drilling discovers 4.091 g/t silver +14.24 g/t gold over 5.95 metres - Aug 9, 2012
www.plminerals.com/Theme/PlataLatina/files/News%20Releases/0…


Additional Plata Latina Drilling Indicates Multiple-Vein System @Naranjillo, including 633 g/t silver +5.41 g/t gold over 1.88 metres - Sep 27, 2012
www.plminerals.com/Theme/PlataLatina/files/News%20Releases/0…

[Popeye82]

‘It’s time to fix rail’ business leader tell Ottawa; A group of CEOs +other senior executives from major resource sectors such as forestry, fertilizers, mining +agriculture had converged in Ottawa earlier this week to deliver a strong message –that now was the time to address inefficient +inadequate rail freight service. The business leaders, all members of the Coalition of Rail Shippers(CRS), which represents 18 industry associations that supporting ~2.000.000 jobs &~80% of the revenue of Canadian National +Canadian Pacific railways, brought their message directly to Ministers, groups of MPs +key officials from Transport, Industry, Natural Resources, Agriculture, the Canadian Transportation Agency +the Prime Minister's Office - MW, TORONTO - Sep 28, 2012

- H. Lazenby -
www.miningweekly.com/article/its-time-to-fix-rail-business-l…

[Popeye82]

OUT AND ABOUT: China’s appetite for iron ore may have waned recently, however "the new items on the Dragon’s menu look like being bauxite, copper, +zinc" - RR - Sep 28, 2012
www.resourcesroadhouse.com.au/_blog/Resources_Roadhouse/post…

"China’s appetite for iron ore may have waned recently, however the new items on the Dragon’s menu look like being bauxite, copper, and zinc.

Everyone knows China has a huge appetite for commodities, that part of any resources-related story is not new.

However, its tastes appear to be changing and the magnitude of the resulting demand and the corresponding need to import material is going to determine what mines, outside of China, are developed.

“That’s what I mean by ‘Right Sizing’ for the market,” CRU Strategies senior consultant Katherine Wright told the RIU Melbourne Resources RoundUp this week.

“The concept obviously matters if you are an investor because if you want to know what projects are economically viable, particularly in this tough economic climate.

“And, obviously it matters if you are a miner because you want to know if the market can support your project.”


BAUXITE

China has aims to be self-sufficient in aluminium and in order to achieve this has been building more and more smelting and refining capacity.

CRU’s latest consumption forecast, indicates China only has enough bauxite reserves to last seven years.

“Obviously it is not going to go down to zero [reserves] as more resources are turned into reserves,” Wright explained.

“There will be some more bauxite, but I think China is going to need to find bauxite elsewhere in the world.

“The Chinese government has enhanced its exploration programs domestically in recent years, but the country still needs to import large quantities of bauxite.”

China currently imports most of its bauxite form Indonesia, while the world market is essentially fed by the Atlantic and Pacific Basins, much like iron ore used to be.

However, the Indonesian government recently through a spanner amongst the pigeons by announcing its intention to ban bauxite exports from 2014.

This has already had an impact on things with exports from Indonesia restricted in May / June of this year having a knock-on effect that caused some alumina refineries in China to cut back on production.

The next obstacle for the Chinese to negotiate is obviously how quickly the country can source bauxite and from which other countries will it do so.

Possible resources are emerging from Asia; or they could tap the newest kid on the bauxite export block of Fiji.

The demand could also prompt projects in Australia to get up and running more quickly; to ramp up to production more quickly resulting in more export from Australia.

“CRU believes the countries that are most likely to support China’s bauxite needs are those in the Pacific Basin,” Wright said.

“For the time being Indonesia will continue being the main supplier, but Australia will be this swing supplier in the market, which means it is the price-setting producer.”


COPPER

Wright told the conference audience that CRU forecasts more than 90 per cent of the new smelting capacity to be built out to 2017, will occur in China.

The country holds similar self-sufficiency plans for copper as it does for aluminium, which has created a much greater need for imports of concentrates.

“It should be noted in this case that China does actually import significant quantities of scrap and refined copper,” Wright said.

“Looking out further, for a few years, China has a very large concentrate supply gap and it is finding it very hard to close this gap because there is more competition in this market.”

The majority of China’s copper concentrate imports still come from the traditional markets of Chile and Peru in South America.

However, in recent years their share of the total has declined as China’s appetite for copper concentrates has grown, which has seen the number of suppliers and of countries involved in this market increase in kind.

While China has an equity stake in a number of copper projects throughout the world, it seems that stake is in less projects than may have been the case five or six years ago.

Many of the country’s domestic copper mines are small and high cost with costs continually on the rise , which makes it more economic for China to import copper concentrates than to produce them domestically .

“China will continue to get copper concentrates from the South American countries, but countries in North America and Africa will have to supply China with copper concentrates otherwise it won’t be able to feed the smelting appetite of the country,” Wright said.


ZINC

The fundamental global and the Chinese zinc markets have been in deficit for a number of years.

Chinese companies have been investing in zinc projects all along the value chain, however its smelter capacity is still forecast to outpace that of mine production.

Globally we are about to witness around 15 mines scale down production as they move towards closure over the next few years.

This has created an expectation that, within China, a lot of domestic zinc mines will be developed.

“Many zinc smelters in China do want to become integrated and the way to do this is to buy domestic mines,” Wright explained.

“These mines aren’t particularly low cost but the Chinese seem to be okay with that.

“They would rather build these higher cost mines than to deal with the bureaucracy of going outside China to develop projects .

“Outside of China, what we expect to happen is for the larger Chinese companies – those that produce more than 50,000 tonnes per year – to buy out projects that are being developed by junior miners in other countries like Australia, Canada, and in Africa as well.”

The emerging issue for companies with potential zinc mines is that for these projects to be built the zinc price needs to be about 50 per cent higher than what it is now.

“Demand is going to increase going forward over the next couple of years, but the price isn’t going to kick back overnight , which means these projects aren’t going to be financed for a number of years ,” Wright said.

“Even though we can see the gap coming and everyone knows it is coming, the projects aren’t going to get financed .

“For those producers, or junior miners, that have zinc products have the cash to hold on for the next couple of years, there is going to be a bonanza, we expect, in the zinc market.

“Demand will go up and prices will, correspondingly, go up as well.” "

[Popeye82]

Amex Resources - Bankable Feasibility Study Completed - Jul 2, 2012

"Key findings of the BFS include":

+ Low Operating Cost of US$25.97/tonne of Magnetite Product

+ Pre-Tax Net Present Value of US$387.000.000(8%)

+ Pre-Tax Internal Rate of Return 56%

+ Positive Cash Flow Year 1

+ Direct Capital Costs of US$63.000.000

+ Simple Dredging Operation, Chemical-Free Magnetic Separation, Transport of
Concentrate by Barge to Nearby Port Site for Export

+ Marketing of Product Well Advanced -Expressions of Intent Received

+ Construction @Port Commenced, Concentrate Production "Planned" Q4 ´13 ...
www.stocknessmonster.com/news-item?S=AXZ&E=ASX&N=595043



Offtake Confirmation, for MBA Delta Ironsand Project; The 1st, with one of China’s major steel mills, is for two-thirds of the project’s initial annual production of 750.000 tonnes of ironsand concentrate. The 2nd is for an additional 120.000t/anno. Amex’s Executive Director of Marketing Mr Yibo Qiu is in "advanced negotiations" with other steel mills +further MOU’s are "anticipated to be completed shortly". Pricing negotiations have been based on the formula derived in the BFS, linked to the 62% Fe CIOPI China domestic spot price with appropriate discounts +credits for variation in iron +vanadium content - Aug 9, 2012
http://clients2.weblink.com.au/clients/amexresources/article…

[Popeye82]

Champion Iron Mines - Signs a Provisional Agreement with Northfield Metals, to Finance Exploration +Development of the ClusterIII Fermont Properties - Sep 28, 2012
www.marketwire.com/press-release/champion-iron-mines-signs-p…

[Popeye82]

Chinese industrial profits decline, for fifth month - CER/BB - Sep 28, 2012
www.chinaeconomicreview.com/node/62377

"Chinese industrial companies' profits fell for the fifth consecutive month in August, indicating that the economic downturn is set to continue, Bloomberg reported.

Net profit dropped 6.2% this month compared to last year, a larger decline than the 3.1% average over the first eight months of the year, the National Bureau of Statistics said Thursday. The rate of decline has accelerated in recent months from a 5.4% drop in July and a 1.7% decline in June. Sales rose 10.2% in the first eight months of the year to US$9.1 trillion. The bureau's figures are based on a survey of 41 industries. Figures indicate China is heading toward its weakest annual expansion in 22 years. The data follows the People's Bank of China injection of record funds into the banking system this week, among other efforts to stimulate the economy. "

[Popeye82]

Ai Weiwei loses $2.400.000 tax appeal - CER/AP - Sep 28, 2012
www.chinaeconomicreview.com/node/62376

"Artist and activist Ai Weiwei lost his appeal against a US$2.4 million fine for back taxes, a measure interpreted as retaliation for his political activism, The Associated Press reported.

The fine was levied last year following his release from detention, when he had been held in a broad crackdown on dissent. Ai's appeal accused the tax bureau of violating laws in handling witnesses, collecting evidence and gathering company accounts. The Beijing No. 2 People's Intermediate Court denied the appeal for the second and final time. Ai said that for such a fast growing country, China "still has the most barbaric and backward legal system," adding that authorities denied him basic rights, failed to follow basic procedures and still have not returned his passport to him. Ai already paid a guarantee on his US$2.4 million fine, which will now be collected by the bureau, in part through money donated through wire transfers and cash stuffed in an envelope, tied to fruit or otherwise thrown into his yard. "

[Popeye82]

Alphamin Resources - intersects high grade Tin, Silver, Zinc +Lead, with Diamond Drilling @its Bisie TIN Project, Democratic Republic of the Congo - Sep 17, 2012

+ Results received for 1st four holes, @Bisie

+ Mineralisation within 2 discrete zones:

- an upper silver, zinc, lead zone

- deeper tin, copper, rare earth element zone



+ Significant results include:

- 25.85m @2.26% Sn including 5.8m @8.55% Sn

- 12m @3.15% Sn including 3m @6.14% Sn

- 19m @197g/t Ag

- 17.8m @14.11% Zn including 13m @18.08% Zn

- 14.75m @10.82% Pb



+ Tin zone better developed in northern target area(Gecomines)

+ Silver, zinc, lead zone better developed in the southern target area(Golgotha)

+ Four additional holes completed. Results pending

+ Mineralisation "potentially over 1.500m, open to north, south +@depth"

+ Soil sampling commenced along the 9km ridge, which hosts Bisie ...
http://alphaminresources.com/alphamin-intersects-high-grade-…

[Popeye82]

Shabangu launches new Wits mining research institute - MW, JOHANNESBURG - Sep 27, 2012

- M. Creamer -
www.miningweekly.com/article/witsshabangu-2012-09-27

"South Africa could look forward to a new era of modern mining, Mineral Resources Minister Susan Shabangu said in her keynote address at the launch of the University of the Witwatersrand’s Wits Mining Research Institute (WMRI) on Thursday.

The Minister said that the vibrant research and development that the WMRI promised to provide was essential for the transformation and sustainable development of the South African mining industry.

“It is indeed an historic day for the development of the mining sector ,” she said after an address in which interim WMRI director Professor Nielen van der Merwe expressed the hope that the WMRI would reverse the recent decline in South Africa’s mining research output.

Van der Merwe said that South Africans needed to conduct more African mining research because of their deep and intimate understanding of the societies and the cultures of Africa.

“Africa is renowned for its extraordinary mineral wealth, yet the last two decades have seen limited research in mining, minerals and exploration,” Van der Merwe said.

He cited as a key specific challenge the extraction of gold in narrow reefs at depths hostile to human survival, and the identification and exploitation of resources in remote and sensitive environments.

While pessimists were quick to point out that South Africa’s remaining gold resources were too deep and difficult to mine, the challenge was to figure out how South Africa was going to do so safely and economically.

Platinum mining would also extend to greater depth and coal mining would be conducted in new areas.

“Research is what we need,” Van der Merwe commented to Mining Weekly Online.

The different aspects of the full mining cycle needed to be investigated holistically.

“We do need to change how we operate,” Van der Merwe said, adding that WMRI was setting out to advance the sustainability of the mining sector and affected societies.

That would be done through conducting research and developing high-level skills in several key areas, including new methods of mining and exploration, policy changes, health and safety, environmental impact, sustainability and the impact on communities.

The WMRI intended working with the public and private sectors, and others, to find creative, lasting solutions to South Africa’s mining problems, at the same time equipping young researchers with the necessary skills to continue doing so into the future.

It would serve as Africa’s leading multidisciplinary research in all technical, social and economic aspects of mining and aims to help a key part of the South African economy to reach its potential.

“Importantly, the institute will provide independent evidence-based advice to industry and government. It will undertake valuable contract research and development, develop skills and expertise, and increase South Africa’s capacity for mining research and development,” Van der Merwe told Mining Weekly Online.

Wits Vice-Chancellor and principal Professor Loyiso Nongxa said that the university had identified mining research as one of the challenges of the twenty-first century and believed that the WMRI would be a magnet for global talent.

This year marks the ninetieth anniversary of the university’s founding in 1922.


Edited by: Creamer Media Reporter "

[Popeye82]

ANC paper "recommends more "muscular State mining company" " - MW/ANC, JOHANNESBURG - Sep 27, 2012

- Sapa -
www.miningweekly.com/article/anc-paper-recommends-more-muscu…
www.anc.org.za/docs/reps/2012/simssummaryz.pdf
www.anc.org.za/docs/reps/2012/simsreport.pdf

"The African National Congress (ANC) favours State intervention in the minerals sector, with a focus on beneficiation, according to recommendations from its national policy conference.

"Commissions agreed that State intervention, with a focus on beneficiation for industrialisation, is urgently required in the minerals sector," the ANC said.

The recommendations came out of the party's policy conference in June and will be considered at its national conference in Mangaung in December.

"At the forefront of this intervention should be the strengthening of the recently created state mining company, by consolidating state mining assets into a single institution," the ANC said.

"This state mining company will expand or contract depending on the balance of evidence, including by partnering with the private sector in strategic mining ventures."

This was the outcome of a debate on the ANC's discussion document – 'Maximising the developmental impact of the people's mineral assets: state intervention in the minerals sector' – known as Sims.

Sims is based on an extensive study commissioned by the ANC to find out how best to leverage South Africa's mineral wealth to grow the economy and create more jobs.

The study found that nationalisation of mineral assets was not affordable, as it would cost just over R1-trillion to acquire a 100% stake in all listed and nonlisted mining companies.

The ANC said there was broad consensus at the policy conference that the minerals belonged to all South Africans through "State custodianship".

"Exploitation of minerals must optimise the developmental impact, especially job creation, across the economy," the party said.

It called for a greater degree of beneficiation, or transforming minerals into a higher-value product, which can either be consumed locally or exported.

The Sims report suggested introducing state control through the introduction of a 50% resource rent tax, or a super tax, which would kick in only when an investor had made a reasonable return, so as not to deter investors.

The ANC recommendations do not mention a percentage, but state that the "state must capture an equitable share of mineral resource rents and deploy them in the interests of long-term economic growth, development and transformation".

It also recommended that the state develop strategies to identify and manage strategic minerals in the national interest.

"Instruments to support beneficiation and competitive pricing of these strategic resources include the use of targeted export taxes."

The ANC said other issues raised in the Sims report could be dealt with by the party's national executive committee.


Edited by: Sapa "

[Popeye82]

Doray sets out plans, to raise A$43.000.000 - MW, PERTH - Sep 28, 2012

- E. Swanepoel -
www.miningweekly.com/article/doray-sets-out-plans-to-raise-a…

"Gold developer Doray Minerals on Friday said it had received firm commitments from institutional investors to raise A$30.8-million through a share placement.

The ASX-listed company would place some 41-million fully paid ordinary shares to institutional investors, at 75c a share.

Doray also announced a fully underwritten one-for-five non-renounceable rights issue to existing eligible shareholders to raise a further A$12.2-million, at an offer price of 75c a share.

MD Allan Kelly said that following the completion of the placement and entitlement offer, the company would be fully funded for all budgeted construction, mining, exploration and corporate expenses prior to starting old production at its Andy Well project.

The capital raising would also cover the first payment for the purchase of a 20% interest in the project from Murchison Resources, and provide the company with working capital.

“Following the completion of this capital raising, and with the recently announced project finance deal, the company believes it will be fully funded for all construction and operating costs relating to the Andy Well gold project, prior to the anticipated start of production in mid-2013,” said Kelly.

He noted that the company would also have sufficient working capital for corporate expenses, and to continue its proposed exploration programmes over the next 12 months.

“Since the discovery of the high-grade Wilber Lode gold deposit soon after listing in early 2010, we have been working towards bringing the project into production as quickly as possible,” said Kelly.

“Our team has successfully met the various development milestones along the way on time and within budget. This capital raising is the final component in regards to bringing the Andy Well gold project into production.”

Doray recently finalised a A$55-million project debt facility from the Commonwealth Bank of Australia, making its first draw-down earlier this month.

The Andy Well mine could deliver some 256 000 oz of gold over a 3.7-year life-of-mine, averaging around 74 000 oz/y. Mining would be conducted though a combination of openpit and underground methods from a total resource of 733 000 t, grading 10.6 g/t gold.


Edited by: Mariaan Webb "

[Popeye82]

Congo's Gecamines "plans" to treble copper output, by '15 - MW, LUSAKA - Sep 27, 2012

- Megan Wait -
www.miningweekly.com/article/congos-gecamines-plans-to-trebl…

"Congolese state mining company Gecamines plans to invest $631.000.000 to raise its annual copper output to 100.000 t by ´15, from the 35.000 t expected this year, its chief executive told a mining conference in Zambia on Thursday.

Ahmed Kalej Nkand also said $270.000.000 of the financing would be borrowed from the Development Bank of Southern Africa.

He added Gecamines planned to become a limited liability company to attract private investment.

Once one of Africa's largest copper producers, Gecamines been hit by over two decades of decline, as production dwindled +debts mounted to an estimated $1.500.000.000.


Edited by: Mariaan Webb "

[Popeye82]

More mining companies commit to human rights policies –Oxfam - MW/Oxfam, JOHANNESBURG - Sep 27, 2012
www.miningweekly.com/article/more-mining-companies-commit-to…

"New research by international relief and development organisation Oxfam America has found that oil and mining companies are increasing their stated commitments to human rights, including, in some cases, adopting policies in favour of securing community approval prior to projects moving forward.

The research reviewed the public policies of 28 oil and mining companies. Five of the companies surveyed, namely Inmet, Newmont, Talisman Energy, Rio Tinto and Xstrata with total market cap of $180.58-billion, have made explicit public commitments to Free Prior Informed Consent (FPIC), a number which has more than doubled since a 2009 Oxfam America report.

Another eight companies, including Anglo American, BP and Repsol have made somewhat qualified or indirect commitments to FPIC, which requires communities to be informed about oil, gas and mining projects in a timely manner and given the opportunity to approve or reject a project prior to the commencement of operations.

“Too often, communities have no say in the decision of whether to extract resources from their backyards and receive little information about these projects,” said Oxfam America president Raymond Offenheiser.

“With more than half of the world’s poorest people living in countries rich in natural resources, the increasing trend of companies incorporating human rights in their policies is encouraging.”

The report also found that almost two-thirds of the companies surveyed have incorporated the concept of community consent, or less strong concepts such as community support or social licence, in their policies regarding development activities, either directly or indirectly through their commitments to other standards.

Some companies that only referenced consultation or community engagement in 2009 now have policies more aligned with community support or social licence principles, including ExxonMobil, Total, Shell and Barrick Gold.

“With intensified conflicts over land, water and mineral rights, business as usual is simply not going to cut it,” said Offenheiser.

“Companies need to work with communities to ensure they have a meaningful voice in the decision-making process and that projects are designed in ways that respect human rights.”

Oxfam said the change within companies in the last three years was likely owing to the intensification of controversies and conflicts surrounding oil and gas and mining projects, coupled with new international lending standards set by the World Bank’s private sector lending arm – the International Finance Corporation.

The World Bank group’s commitment to the extractive industries sector has averaged $910-million a year over the last five financial years.

“In order for oil and mining companies to survive in the coming decades , they need to transform themselves from primarily resource extractors to development partners. Companies that fail to implement the policies will be at a competitive disadvantage," said Offenheiser.


Edited by: Mariaan Webb "

[Popeye82]

Antwort auf Beitrag Nr.: 43.662.799 von Popeye82 am 01.10.12 00:37:25

Extreme weather, extreme prices: The costs of feeding a warming world - Oxfam - Sep12

- Climate change is making extreme weather – like droughts, floods and heat waves – much more likely. As the 2012 drought in the US shows, extreme weather means extreme food prices. Our failure to slash greenhouse gas emissions presents a future of greater food price volatility, with severe consequences for the precarious lives and livelihoods of people in poverty.

This briefing draws on new research which models the impact of extreme weather on the prices of key international staple crops in 2030. It suggests that existing research, which considers the gradual effects of climate change but does not take account of extreme weather, is significantly underestimating the potential implications of climate change for food prices. This research shows how extreme weather events in a single year could bring about price spikes of comparable magnitude to two decades of long-run price rises. It signals the urgent need for a full stress-testing of the global food system in a warming world.


FOOD PRICES IN A CHANGING CLIMATE

Increased hunger is likely to be one of climate change’s most savage impacts on humanity. Greenhouse gas emissions are driving temperature increases, shifting rainfall patterns, and making extreme weather events more likely – like the 2012 drought in the US Midwest – with devastating consequences for agricultural production. Against a backdrop of rising populations and changing diets which will see global food production struggle to keep pace with increasing demand, the food security outlook in a future of unchecked climate change is bleak.

The impact of climate change on food production can already be seen, and will worsen as climate change gathers pace.1 First, slow-onset changes in mean temperatures and precipitation patterns are putting downward pressure on average global yields.2 Added to this are crop losses resulting from more frequent and intense extreme weather events.3


‘Without action at the global level to address climate change, we will see farmers across Africa – and in many other parts of the world, including in America – forced to leave their land. The result will be mass migration, growing food shortages, loss of social cohesion and even political instability.’

- Kofi Annan, Former UN Secretary-General -


Research to date has focused almost exclusively on the first impact, modelling the extent of long-run average price rises in the absence of price volatility caused by extreme weather. This tells only half the story, but the assessments are nevertheless alarming. Oxfam-commissioned research suggests that the average price of staple foods such as maize could more than double in the next 20 years compared with 2010 trend prices – with up to half of the increase due to changes in average temperatures and rainfall patterns.4

More frequent and extreme weather events will compound things further, creating shortages, destabilizing markets, and precipitating food price spikes which will be felt on top of the projected structural price rises.

As 2012’s US drought, the most severe in over half a century shows, weather-related shocks, especially in major crop exporting countries, can drive up prices precipitously in the short term. They can also trigger responses among producer and consumer countries, such as an export ban in the case of the Russian drought in 2010, which escalate prices further. The strain that price spikes have put on the global food system in recent years has aggravated political instability and social strife in many parts of the world.5

Such weather and food price extremes could become the new ‘normal’. More research is needed to ‘stress-test’ the global food system: to identify its vulnerabilities and the policy options to increase resilience in a warming world, particularly for the world’s poorest consumers and food producers. The research presented in this paper is a first step.


Extreme weather and climate change

In March 2012 a special report on extreme weather by the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change warned of ‘unprecedented extreme weather and climate events’ in the future.6

The future may already be here. Many parts of the world have seen new records set in the past year alone:

+ July 2012 was the USA’s hottest month on record, contributing to the warmest 12-month period in the country since records began.

+ The UK experienced the heaviest ever rainfall from April to June 2012, and in 2011, the highest ever maximum temperature in October and the warmest November in 100 years.

+ In July 2012, China experienced the heaviest ever recorded rainfall to hit Beijing in a 14-hour period.

+ June 2012 was the 328th consecutive month with a global temperature above the 20th century average.


Extreme weather has always occurred due to natural variability, but scientists are now able to quantify the extent to which such extreme events have been made more likely by man-made climate change. Recent studies have shown, for example, how global warming more than doubled the chances of the 2003 European heat wave, and made the 2011 Texas drought 20 times more likely. Not all extreme weather events can be attributed to climate change in this way, but pumping emissions into the atmosphere is loading the climate dice and increasing the probability of extreme weather.7 ...-
www.oxfam.de/sites/www.oxfam.de/files/finalenglishreport.pdf

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Mining industry "increasingly seeking water solutions" - MW, JOHANNESBURG - Sep 27, 2012

- Natasha Odendaahl -
www.miningweekly.com/article/mining-industry-increasingly-se…

"The global mining water and wastewater sector was expected to grow as the focus on sustainable water solutions within the mining industry increased, a recent report by Frost & Sullivan found.


In its ‘CEO 360 Degree Perspective of the Global Mining Water and Wastewater Treatment Market’ report, the firm said that continuing investments into improving water treatment levels, resource recovery and desalination capacities were expected to push the sector’s revenue from $2.29-billion in 2011, to $3.60-billion by 2016.

The water-intensive mining industry, which was often required to adapt to the water scarcity or water quality of the host region, was increasingly seeking advanced water and wastewater treatment technologies and innovative business models to mitigate rising water stress.

Stricter environmental regulations, climate change and weather conditions also increased water-related challenges in many metals- and mineral-rich regions.

“Critical water shortage is already an issue in many areas where natural resources are abundant, making it imperative for mining companies to consider either water trading or water recovery and reuse technologies,” explained Frost & Sullivan research analyst Paulina Szyplinska.

However, she cautioned that, while the global mining industry maintained operational efficiencies and cost optimisation as it increased production, sustainable solutions for water use should be incorporated into mining business decisions, and not be seen as an add-on cost. “It has to be highlighted that increased water consumption may impact global water resources far beyond the operable life of the mine.”


Edited by: Mariaan Webb "

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NASA takes asteroid mining serious ; funds viability study ; Only five months after Google’s billionaire co-founders +filmmaker James Cameron officially launched their asteroid mining focused Planetary Resources company, the U.S. National Aeronautics +Space Administration(NASA) is funding a study to evaluate how viable the endeavour really is - M.com - Sep 28, 2012

- Cecilia Jamaslie -
www.mining.com/nasa-takes-asteroid-mining-serious-funds-viab…

"Only five months after Google’s billionaire co-founders and filmmaker James Cameron officially launched their asteroid mining focused Planetary Resources company, the U.S. National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) is funding a study to evaluate how viable the endeavour really is.


According to Universe Today, space architect Marc Cohen will lead the research project, with the help of two trajectory and robotics specialists and a mineral economist.

Their jointed proposal, says NASA, will look at the fundamentals of some major questions facing the asteroid mining industry, such as the most suitable kinds of spacecraft needed, as well as the technology and business model required for a space mining project.

The team will design a mission, using a robotic miner that would launch from one of the Earth-Moon Lagrange Points (EMLP) and intercept a near Earth asteroid, mine its resources on site, and then return to the EMLP to eventually ship the mined materials to Earth.

By designing a mission, the study may be able to determine whether there is a business case for asteroid mining, but Cohen himself is sceptical of finding a positive answer to that question.

Asteroids are rich in valuable minerals. An M-type asteroid, the third most common type, just one km diameter could contain more than two billion tons of iron ore and nickel. And, notes the company, they are not very far away.



- Artist concept of the Robotic Asteroid Prospector by Marc Cohen et al. -


In February this year, the heads of the world's five largest space agencies gathered in Canada to discuss interplanetary mining, particularly the viability of mining the Moon.

Several countries, including China, have already expressed an interest in mining the moon's resources and a number of prototype machines already exist.

However, the question of who owns asteroids and other celestial bodies remains unanswered. "

[Popeye82]

China, Japan hold 'tense' talks, over islands - CER/TG - Sep 27, 2012
www.chinaeconomicreview.com/node/62362

"Chinese and Japanese foreign ministers held a meeting to discuss the contentious dispute over a group of islands in the East China Sea, with neither showing any signs of backing down, The Guardian reported.

Japan's minister, Koichira Gembo, said that the discussions held on the sidelines of the UN were "tense" and urged China to exercise restraint, according to Japanese media. His Chinese counterpart, Yang Jieshi, argued that the Diaoyu islands, known as the Senkaku in Japanese, have been "sacred territory since ancient times," Chinese media reported. Japanese Prime Minister Yoshihiko Noda additionally spoke to the UN General Assembly about the disputes, stating, "Any attempt to realize one's claim through force or intimidation goes against the wisdom of humanity and should never be accepted." Tensions have escalated in recent weeks following Japan's decision to buy the uninhabited islands from their private owner, sparking anti-Japanese protests across China. "

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Guangzhou stops sales, of high-end homes - CER/WSJ - Sep 27, 2012
www.chinaeconomicreview.com/node/62361

"The city of Guangzhou has stopped the sales of some luxury homes, in an attempt to curb price rises that could mislead potential buyers and sellers, according to the city's housing bureau, The Wall Street Journal reported.

The Municipal Land Resources and Housing Administrative Bureau said on its microblog that high-end residential sales were raising average prices and required "phased" property controls in response. The bureau did not say how long the new limit would persist. Average prices of newly built homes rose in August by 0.37% from July to US$2,425 a square meter, continuing a four-month rise, according to China Real Estate Index System. Since May, the property market has been warming in a number of Chinese cities, when the government adjusted policies to promote first-time home purchases. "

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Solitario Exploration &Royalty - Continued Drilling Success, on its Bongará High-Grade Zinc Project, Peru; drills "up to" 7.9 meters @24.6% zinc, 2.7% lead +30.5 g/t silver - Oct 1, 2012
www.solitarioxr.com/news/100112.pdf
www.solitarioxr.com/art/Bongara100112.pdf

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Senomyx - Receives Generally Recognized as Safe(GRAS) Determination, for New S9632 Flavor Ingredient; K. Snyder: "S9632 provides Senomyx with an important new commercial "opportunity". The rising consumer focus on health +wellness has increased the demand for foods +beverages with reduced calories. S9632 "is a solution for manufacturers "seeking to create new offerings that meet this need", but retain the taste consumers enjoy" " - Oct 1, 2012

+ S9632 is a new flavor ingredient with modifying properties that restores the taste profile in products that have reduced sucrose

+ GRAS status allows S9632 to be used in a broad range of products in the U.S. +elsewhere ...
http://phx.corporate-ir.net/phoenix.zhtml?c=127189&p=irol-ne…

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Continental Gold - Announces an Updated Mineral Resource Estimate for the Buritica Project, Colombia -to 5.400.000 Ounces @~10.1g/t Gold, 212.300.000 Ib @~0.5% Zn +18.800.000 Ounces @~34g/t Silver M/I/I - Oct 1, 2012
www.continentalgold.com/_resources/news/nr_2012_10_01.pdf

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"Wunder von Medinah" : Kaymer sichert Europa den Ryder Cup; Deutschlands Golfstar Martin Kaymer hat das Wunder von Medinah perfekt gemacht +mit dem Team Europa erneut den Ryder Cup gewonnen, nach 6:10-Rückstand - Dpa, MEDINAH/ILLINOIS - Oct 1, 2012
http://web.de/magazine/sport/sportmix/16343834-wunder-medina…

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Oromin Explorations - Increases Resources -to 4.741.000 Ounces @~1.59g/t Gold I/I, @the OJVG Gold Project - Oct 1, 2012
www.oromin.com/s/NewsReleases.asp?ReportID=550654

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Central Petroleum - &Santos in Joint Venture, up to $150.000.000 - Oct 2, 2012
www.centralpetroleum.com.au/files/downloads/asx_ann_ctp_sto_…

[Popeye82]

African Energy resources - 3.000.000.000 to 6.000.000.000 tonnes Coal "Exploration Target", @New Sese West PL - Oct 2, 2012

+ Prospecting Licence PL197/2007 Sese West has been renewed for a further two years with the addition of coal to the list of approved minerals for prospecting.

+ PL197/2007 is to the immediate south of the Company’s 2.500.000.000 tonne Sese Coal deposit.

+ Previous drilling on PL197/2007 encountered coal in six holes distributed throughout the tenement. This coal "is interpreted to be the down‐dip continuation of the Sese deposit."

+ "On the basis of these coal intersections +knowledge of the coal @Sese", an Exploration Target* of 3.000.000.000 to 6.000.000.000 tonnes of thermal coal has been on PL197/2007.

+ A programme of resource delineation drilling for an inferred resource will commence as soon as drill site preparations have been completed. ...
www.stocknessmonster.com/news-item?S=AFR&E=ASX&N=606399

[Popeye82]

Google überholt Microsoft beim Börsenwert - W:O/DPA, NEW YORK - Oct 1, 2012
www.wallstreet-online.de/nachricht/5014024-google-ueberholt-…

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Eurasian Minerals - Reports Drill Results of 18.0 Meters Averaging 13.83% Lead, 4.68% Zinc +110.0 g/t Silver, for the Balya Royalty Property in Turkey - Oct 2, 2012
www.eurasianminerals.com/i/pdf/2012-10-02_NR.pdf

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Wealth Minerals - Confirms " "Potential" for Bulk-Tonnage Silver, @Valsequillo Project", Mexico; Silver-bearing polymetallic vein systems +deeply buried porphyry-style mineralization are the two " "potential" exploration targets". The exploration to date has already identified two prominent mineralized corridors with silver-bearing polymetallic veins in outcrop +in artisanal workings, of which, the Western Corridor is the most promising to date; discovery of additional veins +silicified fault zones now outlines a priority target area measuring 900 metres long *1.000 metres wide. Sampling of artisanal workings(29 samples) returned encouraging grades "peaking" @494 g/t silver, 1.07 g/t gold, 11.9% zinc, 4.09% lead +9.47% copper, with averages of 63.4 g/t silver, 0.11 g/t gold, 0.89% zinc, 0.62% lead +1.03% copper - Oct 2, 2012
www.wealthminerals.com/s/NewsReleases.asp?ReportID=550823&_T…

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Chile deputy Mining minister resigns, after lithium debacle - MW/Reuters, SANTIAGO - Oct 2, 2012
www.miningweekly.com/article/chile-deputy-mining-minister-re…

"Chile's deputy mining minister Pablo Wagner resigned on Tuesday, a day after the lithium concession tender he led was revoked in a messy setback.


It was not immediately clear who would replace him, though mining policy in the world's leading copper producer Chile is not seen changing as a consequence.

The ministry on Monday invalidated a decision allowing local firm and world No 1 lithium producer SQM to develop a new lithium concession after a rival bidder challenged the terms of the deal.

Part of public opinion, unions and the opposition in Chile had decried the tender, accusing the government of surrendering a valuable resource to private hands.

Critics had also blasted the ministry for awarding the concession to SQM, whose chairperson is ex-dictator Augusto Pinochet's former son-in-law and whose CEO is the brother of Mining Minister Hernan de Solminihac .

The minister did not participate in the development of the lithium contracts to avoid a conflict of interest, however.


Edited by: Creamer Media Reporter "

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Monument Mining lifts profit, revenue - MW, TORONTO - Oct 2, 2012

- H. Lazenby -
www.miningweekly.com/article/monument-mining-lifts-profit-re…

"Malaysia-focused Monument Mining, one of the world’s lowest-cost gold producers , on Tuesday said net profit for the financial year ended June 30 rose by 83.8% as a result of derivative gains.

Net income attributable to shareholders of the TSX-V-listed company that operates the Selinsing mine, in Malaysia’s Pahang state, was $59.6-million or 33c a share, compared with $32.4-million or 19c a share in a year earlier.


Monument’s revenue was 9% higher at $61.7-million, the result of a higher average realized gold price of $1 671/oz, compared with $1 400/oz the company received for its product a year earlier. The increased revenue, however, was slightly offset by less gold sold, owing to timing.

The company produced 44 585 oz of gold during the financial year, flat when compared with the previous year, and below expectations of 55 000 oz for the full year. Monument sold 36 938 oz of gold during the period.

The cash cost of producing an ounce of gold had increased by 26.44% to $306, up from $242/oz a year earlier, mainly owing to an increase in processing costs from the newly built detox-plant, interruptions caused by the Phase 3-plant expansion and sulphide materials being milled during the fourth quarter.

The Vancouver-based company had completed a $1.7-million Stage 2 tailings storage facility (TSF) expansion in December and a $8.7-million Phase 3 expansion of the Selinsing mine plant in June.

This had increased the company’s production capacity from 400 000 t/y to about one-million tons a year and the TSF storage capacity from 6.4-million tons to 11-million tons. The increased TSF storage capacity would support ten years of tailings discharge from the newly expanded plant, which was placed into commercial operation on August 16.

"Fiscal 2012 was a year of expansion and diversification as we move towards building a mid-tier mineral resource company with our expanded property portfolio. Our skilled management team is now focusing on developing the Mengapur project, continuing to explore Buffalo Reef and Selinsing to increase NI 43-101-compliant reserves resources and commencing mining at Buffalo Reef, resulting in company growth and aimed at an increased market capitalisation,” CEO Robert Baldock said.

The company’s Toronto-listed stock traded 5.68% higher at 47 Canadian cents a share on Tuesday afternoon. The company had a market capitalisation of C$97.26-million.


Edited by: Creamer Media Reporter "

[Popeye82]

GE Announces $63.000.000 in New Orders, for "Breakthrough Battery"; P. Logan: "Durathon batteries "help solve key challenges for customers in emerging markets, where power outages +cycle disruption are prevalent", +in developed markets where batteries currently take up large spaces in cramped urban centers. The technology "is unique because it can function in a variety of extreme conditions +store as much energy as lead-acid batteries twice its size while lasting "up to" 10 times as long" " - DF/BW, SCHENECTADY - Sep 19, 2012

New GE Start-up Shows Immediate Return on Investment in Telecom Market

+ 10 new telecom customer orders in seven countries during 1st few weeks of GE Energy Storage operations

+ Durathon battery "estimated to reduce diesel fuel consumption by "up to" 40 percent"

+ New customers "to save tens of millions of dollars over lifetime of batteries" ...
www.dailyfinance.com/2012/09/19/ge-announces-63-million-in-n…

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Altura Mining - 89% Increase in Mineral Resource Estimate @Altura Lithium project to 25.157.265 tonnes @1.23% Li2O I/I, "confirms status as world class deposit" - Oct 3, 2012

+ Upgraded JORC Mineral Resource Estimate @Pilgangoora Lithium project of 25.200.000 tonnes @1.23% Li2O representing an 89% increase over the previous estimate with slightly higher grade, "one of the world’s largest high grade deposits"

+ The Mineral Resource estimate of 310.000 tonnes of contained lithium oxide

+ "Forecast Exploration Target" of 18.000.000 -25.000.000 tonnes @1.3 to 1.6% Li2O(see ASX release on 8 August ´11) has been achieved with minor reduction in the lithium oxide grade declared in the exploration target

+ "Potential" to increase the Mineral Resource estimate +lithium grade in the tenement, by drilling areas of pegmatite outcrops that have been identified +sampled but not yet drilled

+ Altura Lithium project "ranks highly in terms of resource size +grade" +has the added advantage of ease of accessibility, to infrastructure +port facilities

+ Altura will focus on completion +evaluation of all necessary mining +costing studies in early ´13 to place it in a position to proceed with the mining development. In order to underpin the mining development the Company will also be actively engaging interested end users +customers to purchase lithium oxide concentrate produced from Pilgangoora. In early ´13 +upon completion of all mining +costing studies Altura "is aiming to be in a position to make a decision to proceed to mine." ...
www.stocknessmonster.com/news-item?S=AJM&E=ASX&N=606566

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Southern Legacy Minerals - Reports Inferred Resource of 5.900.000.000 lbs @0.9% CuEq in Initial NI 43-101 Compliant Resource Estimate, @AntaKori Project in Cajamarca, Northern Peru; contained in an area of 650m *350m, open in all directions, " "potential" strike length of 3.000m" - Jul 3, 2012
www.slminerals.com/_resources/news/20120703.pdf
www.slminerals.com/_resources/presentations/SLM_Presentation…

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Ferrex Plc - Indicated Resource Nayega Manganese Project Togo; D. Reeves: "I am pleased to report the 1st Indicated Resource for the company on our Nayega manganese deposit in Togo. The Indicated Resource is "an essential stepping stone on the path to completion of the definitive feasibility study, that is currently underway" " - Sep 18, 2012

+ Indicated Resource of 7.300.000 tonnes @14.7% manganese(‘Mn’), a 16% increase in tonnage, 4% increase in grade +21% increase in contained Mn tonnes from the initial Inferred Resource

+ Ore easily beneficiable via low cost process of screening +gravity concentration

+ Resource estimated on results of 153 pits dug on 100m centres along east-west lines spaced 100m apart

+ Deposit is amenable to development as a shallow open pit operation with no waste stripping required

+ Definitive feasibility study on track to be completed Q1 ´13

+ Nayega has access to good infrastructure -direct road access to the regionally important deep water port of Lome 600km to the south of the deposit ...
www.ferrexplc.com/documents/IndicatedResourceNayega18.09.12.…

[Popeye82]

West Melville Metals - Completes ´12 Exploration Program, @the Fraser Bay Project, Nunavut - Oct 3, 2012
www.westmelville.com/news/index.php?&content_id=47

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MAG Silver - Reports Initial Mineral Resource Estimate @Cinco de Mayo: 12.450.000 Tonnes @132 g/t Ag, 0.24 g/t Au, 2.86% Pb +6.47% Zn , for 52.700.000 Ounces Ag, ~93.000 Ounces Au, 785.000.000 Ib Pb +1.777.000.000 Ib Zn I; D. MacInnis: "We are pleased, but not surprised, to see a significant resource begin to materialize at the Bridge Zone/Jose Manto. Combined with Juanicipio, Cinco de Mayo now gives MAG two significant high grade assets. Although we are still in the early stages, Cinco de Mayo is showing very strong potential for an increase to a substantial size. We expect to follow our exploration model +link the Bridge Zone/Jose Manto to the new Pegaso Zone discovery @depth. The 61 metre thick massive sulphide intercept in Pegaso Zone discovery hole CM-12 431,(Press Release July 18, ´12) "strongly indicates that there is "abundant potential" for a much larger resource, to emerge @depth" " - Oct 3, 2012
www.magsilver.com/s/NewsReleases.asp?ReportID=550945

[Popeye82]

El Niño Ventures - announces a 45.4 metre drill intersection assaying 8.49% Zinc, 4.58% Lead +152.2 gpt Silver, @the Murray Brook Deposit, New Brunswick; updated NI43‐101 mineral resource estimation slated for completion in the last quarter of ´12 - Oct 3, 2012

+ 8.49% zinc, 0.18% copper, 4.58% lead, 0.59 gpt gold and 152.2 gpt silver over 45.4 metres in drill hole MB‐2012‐138

- Including 13.7% zinc, 0.20% copper, 9.60% lead, 1.10 gpt gold +269.7 gpt silver over 11.0 metres


+ 2.82% zinc, 0.65% copper, 1.78% lead, 1.57 gpt gold +63.9 gpt silver over 11.6 metres in drill hole MB‐2012‐144

+ Metallurgical test results to be available in fourth quarter of ´12

+ An updated NI43‐101 mineral resource estimation is slated for completion in the last quarter of ´12

+ Votorantim Metals Canada Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of Votorantim Metais which is Brazil's 2nd largest mining company, provided further option to ELN to purchase an additional 15% in the project for a combined total of 50%. ...
www.elninoventures.com/i/pdf/100212ELN.pdf

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Gunpoint Exploration - Buys El Escorpion Silver Project, From Chesapeake Gold Corp.; property is a 900 hectare concession located 85 kilometers by paved road southeast of Guatemala City. Escorpion is situated 7 kilometers southwest +along trend of Tahoe Resources Inc.’s world class Escobal deposit which, has a NI 43-101 compliant indicated mineral resource of 367.000.000 ounces of silver grading 422 g/t, plus 37.000.000 ounces of silver grading 254 g/t in the inferred category. Mineralization @Escobal is associated with steeply dipping +northeast-southwest trending intermediate sulfidation epithermal silver rich quartz veins with significant values in gold, lead +zinc, Escobal land package completely surrounds the Escorpion project; Dr. E. M. Baker: "Being on the doorstep of Tahoe’s Escobal deposit, an advanced stage silver deposit with estimated production of >20.000.000 ounces of silver/year for over ten years, the Escorpion project "represents a "tremendous" exploration opportunity for Gunpoint" as it has three untested zones of outcropping epithermal silver mineralization ready for drill testing in ´12. While upgrading the existing resource @our Talapoosa gold project in Nevada continues to be a priority for Gunpoint, the Escorpion project "will provide Gunpoint with an opportunity to rapidly advance exploration in one of the most prolific exploration districts for silver globally " " - Jun 20, 2012
www.gunpointexploration.com/_resources/news/nr_2012_06_20.pd…
www.gunpointexploration.com/_resources/presentations/corpora…

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Wildcat Silver - updated PEA >doubles expected annual silver production, to 15.500.000 ounces in 1st five years - Oct 1, 2012

+ Average annual silver production of 15.500.000 ounces(1st five years), with years one +two producing 23.400.000 +19.800.000 ounces, respectively.

+ Mine life of 16 years

+ Base case* - After-tax NPV(5%) of $658.000.000, after-tax IRR of 31.9%, +payback of 1.7 years

+ Spot case* - After-tax NPV(5%) of $1.0500.000.000, after-tax IRR of 43.4% +payback of 1.4 years

+ Average cash costs of $8.29/ounce, net of gold +minor copper by-product credits(1st five years)

+ Average throughput of 14.920 tonnes/day(tpd), or 5.440.000 tonnes/annum(tpa)

+ Initial capital expenditures of $627.000.000(includes 25% contingency, of $96.000.000)

* Base case assumes a silver price of $28.75/oz, gold price of $1.525 +a copper price of $3.50/lb. Spot case assumes a silver price of $34.60, gold price of $1.773 +copper price of $3.73. NPV = Net Present Value; IRR = Internal Rate of Return. ...
www.wildcatsilver.com/Theme/Wildcat/files/doc_news/10%2001%2…
www.wildcatsilver.com/Theme/Wildcat/files/doc_presentations/…

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Neue Verträge für Euroländer?; Zur Stärkung der Eurozone denken die EU-Spitzen über individuelle Reformverträge zwischen Brüssel +den 17 Mitgliedstaaten nach - DPA, BRÜSSEL - Oct 3, 2012
http://web.de/magazine/finanzen/euro-krise/16360428-eu-spitz…

"Damit könnte die Wirtschafts- und Finanzpolitik im gemeinsamen Währungsgebiet besser funktionieren, heißt es in einem internen Vorbereitungspapier für den EU-Gipfel am 18. und 19. Oktober in Brüssel. Im Rahmen der laufenden Budget- und Finanzkontrolle müssen sich die Euroländer bereits zu konkreten Zielen verpflichten - die angedachten Verträge gibt es aber bisher nicht.

Eine Spitzengruppe von EU-Vertretern, darunter Gipfelchef Herman Van Rompuy, erarbeitet für den Gipfel einen Zwischenbericht für den Umbau der Wirtschafts- und Währungsunion. Die Reform ist nötig, da die Schuldenkrise Mitgliedsländer wie Griechenland an den Rand des Abgrunds führte. Der Gipfel im Dezember soll dann den endgültigen Bericht verabschieden, an dem auch EU-Kommissionspräsident José Manuel Barroso oder Eurogruppenchef Jean-Claude Juncker mitarbeiten.

Zu den Überlegungen, für die es noch keinen präzisen Fahrplan gibt, gehört auch ein gemeinsamer Haushalt für die Eurozone. Van Rompuy hatte diese Idee im September in dem Raum gestellt, um ein Werkzeug in der Hand zu haben zur Bekämpfung von Finanzschocks in einzelnen Mitgliedstaaten.

Der Belgier hatte auch eine "begrenzte Begebung gemeinsamer Anleihen" zur Sprache gebracht. In dem vorbereiteten Gipfelpapier ist davon allerdings explizit keine Rede. Berlin gehört zu den entschiedenen Gegnern gemeinsamer Euro-Anleihen, den sogenannten Eurobonds.

Bei dem Spitzentreffen der Staats- und Regierungschefs zeichnet sich Streit bei der aktuellen Krisenbekämpfung ab. Barroso pocht auf die im Juni auf Spitzenebene vereinbarte Möglichkeit, Banken künftig direkt Finanzspritzen aus dem Rettungsfonds ESM zu geben. Voraussetzung dafür ist die Schaffung einer zentralen Bankenaufsicht, bei der allerdings vor allem Berlin auf die Bremse tritt.

"Das wurde beschlossen, ich war bei dem Treffen dabei. Ich erinnere mich gut, nicht nur an die Erklärung, sondern auch an den Geist", sagte der Portugiese mit Blick auf den Gipfel vom 28. und 29. Juni. Die EU-Kommission und eine ganze Reihe von Mitgliedstaaten interpretieren den Gipfelbeschluss so, bei der Gesetzgebung für die Bankenaufsicht Tempo zu machen und sie noch im laufenden Jahr abzuschließen. "

[Popeye82]

Padbury Mining - JORC Upgraded Resource @Peak Hill Iron Project -to 925.000.000t grading 27.22% Fe I/I - Oct 4, 2012
www.stocknessmonster.com/news-item?S=PDY&E=ASX&N=606813

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Apollo Minerals - Maiden 200.000.000 -300.000.000 tonnes Exploration Target Kango North Iron Project, Gabon - Oct 4, 2012

+ A large Exploration Target1 ranging between 200.000.000 -300.000.000 t grading 30 -45% Fe has been estimated for the south-eastern portion of Apollo’s Kango North Project in Gabon, central Africa.

+ DTR test work produced very high-grade iron concentrates averaging 69.7% Fe, with high mass recovery averaging 49%. Potential to produce very high quality iron products @relatively moderate cost.

+ Eight bodies indicative of iron mineralisation have been modelled over a cumulative strike length of ~8km.

+ Five further potential iron bodies identified but not yet investigated or included in the initial exploration target.

+ Vast majority of mineralisation modelled is expected to outcrop or be located close to surface.

+ Potential identified for both near-surface DSO +high-grade mineralisation throughout some of the bodies.

+ Strong potassium anomaly identified coincident with known gold occurrences on Apollo’s tenement. ...
www.apollominerals.com/images/apollomi---oogai.pdf

[Popeye82]

Discovery Metals - Indicative, non-binding proposal for all DML shares, for A$1.70/share - Oct 4, 2012
www.discoverymetals.com/IRM/Company/ShowPage.aspx/PDFs/1804-…

[Popeye82]

Image Resources NL - Boonanarring Development Plans "Boosted" - Oct 4, 2012

+ Results " "support" Image’s strategy of bringing Boonanarring into production early" to take advantage of high grades +excellent local infrastructure.

+ New drilling confirms major northern extension to the Boonanarring heavy mineral(HM) deposit, resulting in an additional JORC Indicated Resource of 7.400.000t @7% HM, containing 530.000t of HM @a 2.5% HM cut-off.

+ The average Zircon content of this new JORC Indicated Resource has increased from the conservative estimate of 11% of HM, which was used in the analysis work carried out in May +June this year, to 17.4% of HM.

+ Geological analysis shows two strandlines(see Figures 5a +5b). The eastern strandline contains continuous zones of high Zircon grades. @a cut-off grade of 2.5%HM, the eastern strandline contains an Indicated Resource of 3.800.000t @9.5% HM with 21.1% of the HM being Zircon. This eastern strandline "represents a very attractive initial mining target."

+ This discovery brings the currently defined Boonanarring total Resources to 10.500.000t @7.0% HM containing 740.000t of HM @a 2.5% HM cut-off(see Table 4 for full details of the combined Measured +Indicated Resources).

+ This currently defined Resources extend over a strike length of 4.6km in Blocks B +D. Drilling has recently been completed in the 3.3km strike length of the intervening Block C. While assay results are not yet available, the combination of magnetometer results +visual estimates from the drill samples "provides a high degree of confidence that similar grades of mineralisation are continuous through Block C."

+ The potential for further extensions to the mineralisation into Blocks A, E +F are to be fully drill tested in the future. ...
www.imageres.com.au/announcements/IMA%2020121004%20Boonanarr…

[Popeye82]

WPG Resources - Giffen Well Initial resource estimate: 688.850.000 tonnes @30.91% Fe I/I - Oct 4, 2012
www.westernplainsresources.com.au/announcements/Latest/2012-…

[Popeye82]

Romney goes on offensive, in 1st debate with Obama; Mitt Romney battled back in his uphill drive to oust President Barack Obama on Wednesday with an aggressive debate performance that put his campaign on a more positive footing after weeks of stumbles +knocked Obama off-stride - Reuters, DENVER - Oct 4, 2012

- Steve Holland +John Whitesides -
www.reuters.com/article/2012/10/04/us-usa-campaign-idUSBRE88…

[Popeye82]

"Langfristiges Szenario für Schwellenländerwährungen" - AGI - Sep12

- Hans-Jörg Naumer, Dennis Nacken, Stefan Scheurer -
www.allianzglobalinvestors.de/web/download?file=PortfolioPra…

[Popeye82]

International Resource Journal, VIV, IX - Oct12
www.internationalresourcejournal.com/E-MAG/2012/Oct/file.pdf

[Popeye82]

Xtek - Armour Technology "to be evaluated", by US Department of Defense - Oct 4, 2012
www.stocknessmonster.com/news-item?S=XTE&E=ASX&N=379979

[Popeye82]

Wildcat strikes spread -to more mines; The series of wildcat miners' strikes in South Africa has spread to the iron ore sector +hit another gold company in an escalation of the labour unrest that is testing President Jacob Zuma's leadership - MR/F24 - Oct 4, 2012
www.miningreview.com/node/21440

[Popeye82]

SA Credit Rating cut, in the face of mining strikes; South Africa’s credit rating has been cut by Moody’s Investors Service because of the government’s inability to deal with economic +political challenges amid the worst mining violence since the end of apartheid - MR/F24 - Oct 4, 2012
www.miningreview.com/node/21430

[Popeye82]

EastCoal - Wash Plant Construction Complete - Oct 4, 2012
www.eastcoal.ca/s/NewsReleases.asp?ReportID=551424&_Type=New…

[Popeye82]

Cancana Resources - Announces 36% Increase To Claim Package; All claims sampled +researched to date have resulted in Manganese occurrences showing @surface +in vein structures. General assay results to date have shown grading between 48% to 52% Manganese; A. Male: "The addition of this claim +the substantial increase to the Company’s claim package "goes a long way to establishing Cancana as "potentially" a "pre-eminent" producer of Manganese Lump Ore in the region as we transition from exploration to production." We will continue to seek additional claims that will increase this claim package, complete research +exploration +then refine the economically viable claims for ultimate production +sales of Manganese Lump Ore" - Sep 19, 2012
www.cancanacorp.com/news/cancananewssept1912.pdf



Cancana Announces Commencement Of Initial Work, To Establish NI 43-101 Report On It's Manganese Claims; It is anticipated that the basis of the NI 43-101 Report will be used to establish the initial area for commencement of trial mining. The Company intends to commence trial mining as soon as possible with the final approval of a Guia or Trial Mining Permit. The research being completed under the NI 43-101 Report "will be a valuable contribution to trial mining, as it will have effectively acted as an exploration program in its commencement stages"; To date, Cancana has completed internal research that demonstrates Manganese grading of between 48% to 52%. This has been established with >150 pits being dug as well as extensive trenching. >50 samples of Manganese have been assayed for the Company directly +Cancana’s technical team has reviewed >200 assay results from other operations in the area all showing the same grades - Oct 3, 2012
www.cancanacorp.com/news/cancananewsoct312.pdf

[Popeye82]

The China Analyst: China´s Reform @a Crossroads, A knowledge tool by the Beijing Axis for executives with a China agenda - BA - Oct12

- Kobus van der Wath, Daniel Galvez, Alex Yin -

- China's hand-picked next generation of leaders will be tasked with solving deep-rooted problems formed during China's 30 years of socio-economic development. A growing(+increasingly visible ) disconnect between top wage earners +the working class, frustrated factory owners, +a rapidly-ageing population are just some of the key issues facing modern China.

Beijing needs to rebalance its economy away from excessive reliance on investment towards a more domestic consumption driven growth model. Beijing will only be able to accomplish this feat through targeted market-oriented reforms such as deepening reforms in the land, labour +financial markets. In the meantime, the vested interests of China's powerful SOEs, who have long enjoyed preferential government policies in an effort to breed global champions, will remain a major hurdle in pushing long-awaited reforms.

China is still on track to become the world's largest economy sometime during the new leadership's 10-year tenure. If China's policymakers fail to push much-needed reforms, foreign investors will look to other markets +marginalised sections of the population will grow even more restless. However, if China can stay on course -while battling increasingly visible signs of strain- it will herald yet another chapter in China's unrivalled growth story.

In the October ´12 edition of The China Analyst, we gauge China's progress in implementing these market-oriented reforms +highlight the opportunities that companies need to be aware of as China enters a new, more sustainable growth phase.


This edition includes the following lead articles:

- China's Economy: Heading for a Firm Landing?
- China's SOEs: Stalled Reforms or Agents of Change?
- FOCAC 2012: Sino-African Partnership Gains Momentum


A new Commodities section focusing on China's role in global commodities trade is included to complement other regular sections such as: Procurement, where we take a closer look into China's rising labour costs; Strategy, where we explore China's role in Africa's development as an investor and major trading partner; Investment, where we analyse China's overseas resource investments; BRIICS, a macro economic comparison of the world's six major emerging economies; and four Regional Focus sections with analyses of the latest China-related trade and investment activities in Africa, Australia, Latin America and Russia.

I trust our readers will enjoy this edition of The China Analyst and will be able to draw meaningful insights from its pages.

You have my best,

Kobus van der Wath
Founder & Group Managing Director
[e-mail]


Features

- China’s Economy: Heading for a Firm Landing?
- China’s SOEs: Stalled Reforms or Agents of Change?
- FOCAC ´12: Sino-African Partnership Gains Momentum


Commodities

- China’s Ferrochrome Production: Altering the Global Balance


Procurement

- China’s Rising Wages +its Impact on Cost Competitiveness


Investment

- China Capital: Inbound/Outbound FDI &Overseas Resource Investment


Strategy

- Mapping China in Africa’s Growth Story
- Africa Means Business: Opportunities in Frontier Markets


Regions

- Regional Overview: BRIICS
- Regional Focus: CHINA-AFRICA
- Regional Focus: CHINA-AUSTRALIA
- Regional Focus: CHINA-LATIN AMERICA
- Regional Focus: CHINA-RUSSIA


The Beijing Axis

- The Beijing Axis News -May -September ´12 ...-
www.thebeijingaxis.com/tca/download

[Popeye82]

World Risk Survey 2012 - RS - Oct12
www.hannansreward.com/reports/120933-1210-Resstck-World-Risk…

[Popeye82]

More nickel mines may close: WA Government; Nickel exploration is expected to drop further in the year ahead +if prices keep falling then "more mines may close," according to WA Mines Minister Norman Moore - MA - Oct 5, 2012

- A. Duffy -
www.miningaustralia.com.au/news/more-nickel-mines-may-close-…

[Popeye82]

NuEnergy Gas - Results of Independent Resource Certification: 7.8 Trillion Cubic Feet(TCF) "Gas-in-Place" - Sep 10, 2012
www.nuenergygas.com/files/3913/4742/4936/NGY_NSAI_Resource_E…

[Popeye82]

Colt Resources - Updated NI 43-101 Resource Estimate, for Colts 100% Tabuaço Tungsten Project, Northern Portugal -to 2.090.000 tonnes @~0.57% WO3 I/I, "one of the highest grade, undeveloped tungsten deposits in Europe" - Oct 5, 2012
www.coltresources.com/sites/default/files/news_releases_en/c…

[Popeye82]

Empire Mining - Nevlje Project in Serbia Hosts Intense Magnetic Anomaly, Southeast of Recent Major Discovery by Reservoir Minerals Inc. ; geophysical surveys undertaken @its 100% owned Nevlje Project in Serbia "have identified "what is believed" to be "the most intense magnetic anomaly in Serbia" " - Oct 2, 2012
www.empireminingcorp.com/s/NewsReleases.asp?ReportID=550766&…

[Popeye82]

IAMGOLD - reports 274% increase in Indicated Resource, @Côté Gold -to 8.220.000 Ounces @~0.86g/t Au I/I - Oct 5, 2012
www.iamgold.com/English/News/News-Releases/News-Release-Deta…

[Popeye82]

Synodon - Signs Suncor Energy to realSens™ Services Contract, contract covers all the natural gas +liquid hydrocarbon pipelines operated by Suncor between Edmonton +their Northern Alberta oil sands production fields; A. Banica: "As was announced earlier, Synodon has "successfully demonstrated the ability of the realSens™ technology to detect both liquid +gaseous hydrocarbon emissions." This contract represents the 1st commercial use of realSens™ to conduct a leak survey on an oil pipeline "+illustrates the oil industry's move towards acceptance of this new capability"; flights are scheduled to be completed in the next 30 days - Oct 4, 2012
www.synodon.com/documents/news_releases/2012-10-04%20-%20Syn…

[Popeye82]

Namibian Copper NL - Further significant resource upgrade, @Ongombo -to 10.460.000t @1.59% Cu, 0.32g/t Au +8g/t Ag M/I/I, further "exploration target" of >10.000.000t @1.7% Cu has been identified - Oct 5, 2012

+ Mineral resources at Ongombo in Namibia have been significantly upgraded.

+ The upgrade follows the remodeling of new data provided by the re-sampling of historical drillcore undertaken in May ´12 +not previously included in the model.

+ @the 0.6% Cu cut-off the reclassified JORC compliant resource now includes an inferred resource of 3.750.000 tonnes @1.70% Cu, 9g/t Ag +0.32g/t Au, +a measured +indicated resource of 6.710.000 tonnes @1.52% Cu +8g/t Ag, for a total 10.460.000t @1.59% Cu +8g/t Ag.

+ A further exploration target of >10.000.000t @1.7% Cu has been identified.

+ NCO will now proceed to a Scoping Study to evaluate the economics of developing Ongombo as a moderate-grade, stand alone operation producing copper gold silver concentrates. ...
www.stocknessmonster.com/news-item?S=NCO&E=ASX&N=606935

[Popeye82]

Blackwood Corporation - JORC "Exploration Target", @South Pentland Project: 2nd project expands South Pentland by >50% -to 3.600.000.000 –5.000.000.000 tonnes thermal coal JORC "Exploration Target"; now has a combined total of 5.000.000.000 -6.900.000.000 tC of JORC "Exploration Target" tonnes from its Projects - Oct 8, 2012
www.bwdcorp.com.au/images/pdfs/2012oct8_JORC_ET_South_Pentla…

[Popeye82]

Hong Kong measures slow to curb housing prices - CER/SCMP - Oct 8, 2012
www.chinaeconomicreview.com/node/62393

"Government measures to dampen Hong Kong's overheated housing market have been slow to take effect, and prices could continue to rise, South China Morning Post reported.

The Centa-City Index, a measure of housing price changes in the secondary market, hit record levels on Friday . This follows a sharp increase in the price of second-hand "home ownership scheme" apartments. The increases comes despite the introduction of numerous measures to cool prices, including the sale of 9,000 new private-sector properties and two subsidized housing schemes aimed at the middle class. In July, the government unveiled a policy to allow the purchase of 5,000 second-hand apartments at favorable prices. Hong Kong Chief Executive Leung Chun-ying has drawn criticism for the slow pace of reform during his first 100 days in office. "I'd be dishonest if I told Hong Kong the government had a quick fix ... if we didn't do what we did in the last three months, the situation would be far worse," Leung said in an interview with the Post last week. Housing prices will stay high and may rise until the new policies take effect, industry commentators say. "

[Popeye82]

Japan sees Chinese tourism plummet - CER/FT - Oct 8, 2012
www.chinaeconomicreview.com/node/62394

"Chinese guests have cancelled 70% of bookings at a Japanese resort long popular with mainland tourists, Financial Times reported.

Although the figures from the Kowakien resort near Mount Fuji are anecdotal, a sharp drop in Chinese tourists to Japan have been attributed to tensions over disputed islands in the East China Sea. Japanese visas issued to Chinese visitors fell 15% from 129,900 to 109,700 between July and August, when Japan nationalized three of the islands, known in Chinese as Diaoyu and in Japanese as Senkaku. More than 60,000 plane tickets have been cancelled, according to two of Japan's largest airlines, Japan Airlines (9201.TYO, JAL.FRA) and All Nippon Airways (9202.TYO, ANA.LON, ANCA.FRA). Japan's minister of land and transport said the dispute will make the country's goal of attracting 9 million foreign tourist difficult to meet. The Japan National Tourism Organization said between April and June, Chinese tourists spent an average of US$2,250 in the country's shopping centers. Chinese are thought to spend three times as much as local Japanese shoppers. "

[Popeye82]

China's luxury market shows weak growth - CER/WSJ - Oct 8, 2012
www.chinaeconomicreview.com/node/62396

"Signs are emerging that China's once skyrocketing demand for luxury goods is slowing, The Wall Street Journal reported.

Last month, Burberry (BRBY.LON, BB2.FRA) issued a profit warning due to slower-than-expected sales in China. The CEO of a distribution arm for diamond miner De Beers expected company sales growth from China to fall to 10%, down from 20% last year. LVMH Moet Hennessy Louis Vuitton (MC.EPA) also posted its weakest quarterly growth since 2009. Demand for the most expensive luxury products, however, appears unaffected by the slowdown in the Chinese economy. Sunseeker International, British yacht makers, reported last month an 18% rise in annual profits. China analyst Paul French said the days of easy luxury marketing in China were over . "The idea that you can just show up, show a luxury brand and make a sale is in the past," he said. "

[Popeye82]

Eurotin - Announces Initial Mineral Resource Estimate: 17.785.408 tonnes @~0.29% Sn I/I; known Oropesa tin deposits are not yet fully explored +remain open to the west +the east along strike. In addition, the defined mineralized domains are interpreted to be displaced @depth by faulting. The locations of the down dip extensions of the mineralization are currently unknown, +Significant Recent Drill Results, From Oropesa; P. Miller: "Now that we have our initial resource, we have passed a significant milestone on our way to building a viable tin mining operation, @Oropesa. Also, the world is already in a situation of modest supply deficit for tin +"we are "probably2 just 3-4 years away from the time when global mined tin production is widely predicted to contract by some 20%". According to ITRI(International Tin Research Institute), this will be the result of further declines in Indonesian output *the closure of San Rafael, the world's largest tin mine. This "bodes well for the future price of tin, concurrent with the anticipated development of Oropesa, as it is currently foreseen" " - Oct 9, 2012
http://app.quotemedia.com/quotetools/newsStoryPopup.go?story…

[Popeye82]

World Bank slashes China growth forecast - CER/FT/WB - Oct 9, 2012
www.chinaeconomicreview.com/node/62411
www.worldbank.org/content/dam/Worldbank/document/EAP-Data-Mo…

"The World Bank on Monday lowered its projected 2012 growth rate for China from 8.2% to 7.7%, Financial Times reported.

"China's slowdown this year has been significant, and some fear it could still accelerate ," a World Bank report on Asian economies stated. The world's second biggest economy will remain weak, with little chance of a major stimulus package, the report said. In 2011, China's GDP grew 9.3% year on year. The rest of the region, heavily dependent on China's success, has also struggled. The bank cut its estimated growth for East Asia and the Pacific to 7.2%, a full percentage point below a May forecast. Jim Yong Kim, President of the World Bank group said the region's share in the global economy has tripled -from 6% to 18%, during the past 20 years . "

[Popeye82]

Huawei fights US investigation outcome - CER/WSJ/Caixin - Oct 9, 2012
www.chinaeconomicreview.com/node/62413

"China's Huawei Technologies (002502.SHE) fought back Monday against a US congressional report that accused the telecommunications giant of violating US laws and potentially spying on Americans , The Wall Street Journal reported.

Huawei has launched a global campaign to counter the report, which it called "little more than an exercise in China-bashing ". Huawei, as well as ZTE (000063.SHE, 0762.HKG), another Chinese telecom company under investigation in the US, have aimed to expand into developed markets. The accusations could potentially prompt further investigation and taint public perception of the companies, two of the world's biggest makers of telecom devices. Huawei's chief spokesman in Washington William Plummer described the company as a punching bag for Americans wary of China . Meanwhile, the company has also denied any plans to list in the US, partly due to its complicated shareholding structure, Caixin reported. "

[Popeye82]

China's housing prices "rise, but controlled" - CER/WSJ/CREIS - Oct 9, 2012
www.chinaeconomicreview.com/node/62412

"Housing prices in 100 Chinese cities rose less in September than in August, indicating government attempts to dampen the market have taken effect, The Wall Street Journal reported, citing a survey released Monday by research agency China Real Estate Index System.

The data comes amid recent evidence of market strength. The average cost of housing in September was US$1,384 per square meter, a 0.17% increase from August. Prices rose by 0.24% between July and June. Compared to last year, the average cost of housing fell for the fourth month in a row, down 1.4% from US$1411.78 in September 2011. Prices were up in 60 cities last month, down in 38 and unchanged in two, compared to August. Beijing has initiated numerous strategies over the last two years to control what many have called an overheating market. "

[Popeye82]

Stratex International Plc - Improved Inlice Project Economics, Confirmed by Independent Review - Oct 9, 2012

HL:

+ Independent review of Inlice project completed by UK engineering consultancy firm GBM Minerals Engineering Consultants Limited('GBM')

+ Processing rate increased -from 1.000 to 2.000 tpd -equates to a two-year mine life compared to previous four years targeted

+ Project economics significantly improved:

- All equity, post-tax IRR substantially increased -to 178%, based on US$1.397/Oz gold

- Net present value increased -US$17.500.0000(10% discounted)


+ Potential for extension of resource, to include non-oxide resources ...
www.stratexinternational.com/media/30676/2012_no.28%20Improv…

[Popeye82]

Senomyx - Announces Approval of its Savory Flavors +S2383 Flavor Ingredient, In the European Union - Oct 9, 2012
http://phx.corporate-ir.net/phoenix.zhtml?c=127189&p=irol-ne…

[Popeye82]

Pan Global Resources - Reports its Best Borate Intersect to Date, in Serbia - Oct 10, 2012
www.panglobalresources.com/_resources/news/nr_2012_10_10c.pd…

[Popeye82]

Atico Mining - Reports 41 meters of 6.49% Cu, 17.57 g/t Au +13.26 g/t Ag, @El Roble project, in Colombia - Jul 19, 2012
www.aticomining.com/i/pdf/news/20120719_atico-reports-41-met…

[Popeye82]

MOD Resources - Delivers Maiden Resource, from Kalahari Copper Belt: 9.500.000 tonnes @0.91% Cu +18.4g/t Ag/1.14% CuEquiv., I/I; Corner K resource has an interpreted strike length of ~5km, MOD is continuing its exploration drilling programs on the Kalahari Copper Belt "with a focus on the ~80km of "prospective" copper-silver horizons identified through geophysical surveys +structural analysis"; sediment hosted mineralisation being discovered throughout the Kalahari Copper Belt "is similar in style to the prolific Central African Copper Belt", which extends throughout Zambia +into the Democratic Republic of Congo - Sep 24, 2012
www.modresources.com.au/images/stories/ASXAnnouncements/2012…

[Popeye82]

PBoC injects US$41.140.000.000, into money markets - CER/WSJ - Oct 10, 2012
www.chinaeconomicreview.com/node/62429

"China's central bank injected money into the banking system for the second time in two weeks, sparking Shanghai stock-market rallies and signaling to investors the government's determination to stimulate the economy, The Wall Street Journal reported.

The People's Bank of China used reverse repurchase agreements to inject US$42.14 billion into the market Tuesday, adding to the US$38.38 billion injected since late June. The Shanghai Composite Index rose 2% to 2115.23 making it Asia's biggest gainer. Until now, authorities have avoided more powerful fiscal and monetary measures. The latest liquidity injection was the second biggest of its kind in China . Tamer measures in recent months have been attributed to uncertainty over the leadership handover, but with that date fast approaching more serious actions are expected. "

[Popeye82]

African Gold Book - PCF Securities - Aug12
www.ltresources.com.au/upload/documents/investor_relations/b…

[Popeye82]

Three Chinese firms face blocked US entry - CER/Caixin/USHIC - Oct 10, 2012
www.chinaeconomicreview.com/node/62427
http://intelligence.house.gov/sites/intelligence.house.gov/f…

"National security issues in the US are increasing the number of Chinese companies stumbling under government scrutiny, Caixin reported.

Chinese telecom equipment makers Huawei (002502.SH) and ZTE (000063.SH, 0763.HKG), together with Chinese-owned wind turbine producer Ralls Corp, have faced US government hostility on attempts to expand in the US market. The telecoms companies, two of the world's biggest, could threaten national security, the US House Intelligence Committee said in a report published this week. The report called on the Committee on Foreign Investment in the United States (CFIUS) to block acquisitions, takeovers, or mergers involving Huawei and ZTE. "US government systems, particularly sensitive systems, should not include Huawei or ZTE equipment, including component parts," the committee said in the report. Both companies denied they pose a threat. US president Barack Obama recently barred Ralls, owned by Chinese heavy equipment manufacturer Sany Group, from erecting four wind farms in Oregon. Obama considered the work a treat to national security due to the proposed farm's proximity to a military installation. "

[Popeye82]

Intrepid Mines - Significant Copper +Gold Upgrade for Tumpangpitu Porphyry Copper-Gold Resource -to 1.900.000.000 tonnes @0.45% copper, 0.45g/t gold +90ppm Mo, for 19.000.000.000 pounds copper, 28.000.000 ounces gold +400.000.000 pounds molybdenum I, @a 0.2% copper cut-off -but still no access - Oct 9, 2012
http://cnrp.marketwire.com/cnrp_files/20121009-iaucnrp109.pd…
www.miningweekly.com/article/upgrade-for-tujuh-bukit-but-sti…

[Popeye82]

Union urges BC Minister -not to allow Chinese mining; The United Steelworkers(USW) union in Canada on Tuesday petitioned British Columbia’ Jobs, Tourism +Skills Training Minister Pat Bell to forego plans to allow Chinese firms to operate coal mines in the province, The union said in a statement it had sought assurances from Bell +premier Christy Clark that the province would not give the green light to plans by Chinese mining companies to operate two new coal mines in north-east British Columbia; "We've thoroughly reviewed the health +safety record of China's coal mining industry +to put it simply: their record is damning . In ´11 alone, 1.973 workers died in coal mine accidents in China," USW director for western Canada Stephen Hunt said ... “Accidents happen on an almost weekly basis +range from cave-ins, explosions, gas leaks, equipment malfunctions, floods +other horrible, but preventable disasters,” the union said - MW, TORONTO - Oct 9, 2012

- H. Lazenby -
www.miningweekly.com/article/steelworkers-union-urges-bc-min…

[Popeye82]

Talga Gold - Significant Increase in Resources, of Swedish Iron Deposits - Oct 10, 2012

+ Upgraded JORC Indicated +Inferred Mineral Resource @Masugnsbyn project of 87.200.000 tonnes @29.9% iron as magnetite(“Femag”), representing a 98% size increase from previous estimate.

+ Additional JORC compliant "Exploration Target"1 of 61.000.000 -145.000.000 tonnes @29-37% Femag estimated to 100m depth, @Vittangi project.

+ Historic drill intercepts including 235m @35.9% Femag +124m @43.4% Femag, "highlight potential of Vittangi project."

+ Drilling has commenced @Masugnsbyn, to provide new samples for metallurgical testing +concentrate development.

+ Infrastructure-rich District "Gathers Momentum" ...
www.stocknessmonster.com/news-item?S=TLG&E=ASX&N=607568

[Popeye82]

Auf die australischen Rohstoffkonzerne um BHP +Rio kommen höhere Kosten zu, Die Regierung des australischen Bundeslands Queensland will Explorationsgenehmigungen zukünftig versteigern - RW/EMFIS, MELBOURNE - Oct 10, 2012
www.rohstoff-welt.de/news/artikel.php?sid=39821#Auf-die-aust…

"Die Regierung des australischen Bundeslands Queensland will Explorationsgenehmigungen zukünftig versteigern. Das könnte teuer werden für die Interessenten.

Wie lokale Medien mitteilten, habe das lokale Ministerium für Bergbau und Rohstoffe eine Veränderung der Vergabepraxis verkündet. Demnach beabsichtige die Behörde, kommende Vergaben von Lizenzen und Genehmigungen an einen Auktionsprozeß zu knüpfen. Mit diesem Vorgehen würde die Bevölkerung von Queensland den größten Profit aus den Bodenschätzen des Landesteils ziehen können. Grundlage für das erste Gebot bei jeder Versteigerung sollen demnach jeweils Werteinschätzungen von Fachleuten sein. Von bisher bestehenden Verpflichtungen der explorenden Firmen werde damit nicht abgerückt. Diese würden allesamt weiter Bestand haben. Die neue Regelung würde bereits bei der nächsten Vergaberunde gelten.


Kritiker sehen nur die reichen Konzerne zum Zuge kommen

Wie weiter mitgeteilt wurde, hätten sich bereits auch ablehnende Stimmen gemeldet. So werde die Struktur der australischen Bergbaugemeinschaft als gefährdet angesehen . Kleinere Bergbaufirmen würden bei dem Procedere bei den guten ertragreichen Arealen kaum noch Chancen haben, mit Rohstoffriesen wie BHP Billiton und Rio Tinto konkurrieren zu können . Ganz zu schweigen von interessierten chinesischen Unternehmen. "

[Popeye82]

Singapore to host 1st RMB-denominated IPO - CER/WSJ - Oct 10, 2012
www.chinaeconomicreview.com/node/62425

"Singaporean property trust Dynasty REIT plans to float the city-state's first renminbi-denominated IPO, The Wall Street Journal reported, citing sources close to the deal.

The trust, funded by Hong Kong billionaire Li Kashing and sponsored by ARA Asset Management (D1R.SGX), will look to raise US$800 million from the IPO. Dynasty hopes to sell more than one billion units. The offering will take subscriptions for its shares this week and could submit its initial prospectus to the Monetary Authority of Singapore as early as next Tuesday. Property manager ARA, which is part owned by Li, plans to add three Chinese commercial properties into Dynasty's portfolio. The properties are located in Shanghai, Nanjing and Dalian. ARA chose to denominate the IPO in renminbi because its properties are located in China. It also considered the currency to have long-term appreciation value. "

[Popeye82]

Gold: Osisko kauft in Mexiko riesige Explorationsflächen - EMFIS/RW, MEXICO CITY - Oct 10, 2012
www.rohstoff-welt.de/news/artikel.php?sid=39819#Gold-Osisko-…
www.osisko.com/en/press/2012/10/09/716/osisko-acquires-groun…

[Popeye82]

Paramount Mining - Significantly Increases Gunung Rosa Resource Base -to 2.467.000 tonnes @5.50g/t Au, ~12.9g/t Ag, ~0.33% Cu, ~0.53% Pb +~1.78% Zn I; Exploration continues on the main vein system, "which remains open along strike +to depth" +on additional untested parallel veins nearby - Oct 9, 2012
www.paramountmining.com/docs/121009%20pcp%20asx%20inferred%2…

[Popeye82]

CBM Asia Development - Signs Kuala Kapuas I PSC in South Kalimantan, Indonesia; A. T. Charuk: "We have commenced planning the ´13 exploration drilling program. The award of Kuala KapuasI increases our overall awarded acreage but also sees the company enter the Barito Basin, which is dominated by ExxonMobil +BP. The Barito Basin has an "estimated original gas in place estimate" of ~102 TCF1. We "hope to add to our Barito Basin acreage in the near future, through the PSC bid process +joint ventures" " - Oct 10, 2012
www.marketwire.com/press-release/cbm-asia-signs-kuala-kapuas…

[Popeye82]

Nanoco Group - Follow-on Lighting Agreement, with one of the world's largest lighting companies - Oct 5, 2012
www.nanocotechnologies.com/content/InvestorRelations/RNSNews…

[Popeye82]

Helix Resources - Signs $19.500.000 MoU, with Mitsubishi - Oct 9, 2012
www.helix.net.au/aurora/assets/user_content/File/121009Joshu…

[Popeye82]

US raises tariffs, on Chinese solar cells - CER/FT - Oct 11, 2012
www.chinaeconomicreview.com/node/62441

"The US government has imposed higher anti-subsidy tariffs on solar cells imported from China, Financial Times reported. The US commerce department said Wednesday that it would raise tariffs as high as 15.97%, a significant jump from the maximum 4.73% preliminary duties announced in March.

The department did not change or reduce anti-dumping duties from the original rates released in May. In response, China has said it will launch an investigation into alleged US dumping of polysilicon, the material used in the construction of cells. The case follows a series of trade disputes between the two countries. US President Barack Obama opened a WTO case over Chinese subsidies for car parts in September. China lodged a complaint with the WTO on US law the same day. "

[Popeye82]

Canada to exclude Huawei, from government projects - CER/SCMP - Oct 11, 2012
www.chinaeconomicreview.com/node/62443

"The Canadian government said it will bar Chinese technology firm Huawei (002502.SH) from taking part in large government communications projects due to security concerns, South China Morning Post reported. The government used an exemption that enables it to exclude parties for national security purposes without contravening international trade obligations.

Canada considers Huawei too great of a security risk to assist in building a network used for secure government calls, emails and data. Huawei has protested the decision, saying that the exemption can only be invoked against foreign companies. "Huawei is fully incorporated in Canada, and operates as a subsidiary Canadian company. This alone effectively enables us to bid on any potential procurement opportunities," Scott Sykes, vice-president of Huawei, said. The company has won large network supply deals in the past and has worked with domestic operators Telus (TU.NYSE, T.TSE, T.A.TSE, BC2N.FRA, BC2.FRA) and Bell Canada. A US congressional committee labeled the company a threat to national security earlier this week. "

[Popeye82]

Lenovo overtakes Hewlett-Packard, as top PC maker - CER/BB - Oct 11, 2012
www.chinaeconomicreview.com/node/62445

"China's Lenovo (0992.HKG, LHL.FRA) has overtaken Hewlett-Packard (HPQ.NYSE, HWP.FRA) as the world's largest personal-computer maker, Bloomberg reported. The company's accounted for 15.7% of shipments last quarter, ahead of the former No. 1 at 15.5%.

The figures come from market research firm Gartner (IT.NYSE, GGRA.FRA), while IDC (IDC.NYSE) still tracked Hewlett-Packard as the top producer. The 73-year-old US company had held the lead since 2006 but was hard hit by the US economic slump, as well as a shift from PC to mobile devices such as tablets. Brent Bracelin, an analyst at Pacific Crest Securities put Lenovo's gains down to quickly growing markets in developing countries. "Lenovo has been a beneficiary because of some of the acquisitions it's made and its relatively high exposure to emerging markets, which are outperforming developed markets." Global PC shipments fell to 87.5 million last quarter, down 8.3% according to Gartner. The previous decade consistently experienced double-digit growth in the market. "

[Popeye82]

SA outlook deteriorating rapidly –Marcus; South Africa's economic outlook is deteriorating rapidly, with unrest in the mining sector +national transport strikes likely to lead to job losses, central bank governor Gill Marcus said on Wednesday. Speaking to economics students in Grahamstown in the Eastern Cape province, Marcus also warned that the country faced a loss of confidence, underlined by a sharp fall in the currency - MW/Reuters - Oct 10, 2012
www.miningweekly.com/article/sa-outlook-deteriorating-rapidl…

[Popeye82]

A$300.000.000.000 worth of mining investments under threat; Some A$300.000.000.000 of resource investment in Australia "could be lost between ´13 +´20, financial services provider ANZ has warned". In a report released over the weekend, ANZ noted that while most 1st-generation resource projects would be built in Australia, several projects plotted out on drawing boards would not come to fruition in the foreseeable future, The report "suggested that of the 950 projects currently identified as under way, up to 2-3rds would likely not proceed as insufficient capital +labour made it difficult to complete these projects"; Capital expenditure between ´13 +´20 "was expected to fall -from the planned A$759.000.000.000 to A$450.000.000.000, said ANZ", while the required construction +operational labour along the supply chain would drop -from 310.000 roles to 160.000 roles, The report "warned that the project pipelines in New South Wales, South Australia, Tasmania +the Northern Territory were most under threat, while projects in Western Australia +Queensland were "thought to be more robust" " - MW, PERTH - Oct 8, 2012

- E. Swanepoel -
www.miningweekly.com/article/a300bn-worth-of-mining-investme…

[Popeye82]

Korab Resources - JORC Gold Inventory Increases -to 2.041.000 Ounces @1.7g/t Au, deposit open @depth +long strike - Oct 8, 2012
www.stocknessmonster.com/news-item?S=KOR&E=ASX&N=607123

[Popeye82]

China to spend big, on public transport - CER/Reuters - Oct 11, 2012
www.chinaeconomicreview.com/node/62444

"Beijing will increase spending on urban trasport in a bid to relieve traffic congestion and air pollution in cities, Reuters reported. China's State Council has announced a number of infrastructure spending plans and tax breaks, although few details on the source of the funding were offered.

"The urban public transport system can no longer satisfy people's demand and lags behind economic and social development," the council said in a statement. Companies involved in the construction and operation will be offered preferential prices on power and fuel along wth tax cuts. The government will also channel private sector funds to invest in urban transportation systems, a means recently employed to increase liquidity. "

[Popeye82]

Coal Report - RW - Oct12
www.fortuneminerals.com/files/doc_articles/RW%2010-10%20Fort…

[Popeye82]

Nighthawk Gold - Drills Subvertical Hole @Colomac, Intersecting 203.4 Metres of 2.49 g/t Gold, Including 25.75 Metres of 7.78 g/t Gold; Confirms High Grade Core within Zone 3.5 - Oct 10, 2012
www.nighthawkgold.com/nighthawk-drills-subvertical-hole-at-c…

[Popeye82]

GoldQuest Mining - Expands Mineralization Footprint @Romero, Dominican Republic; Includes Mineralization of 231.6 Metres Grading 2.04 g/t Gold(Uncut) +0.30% Copper - Oct 11, 2012
www.goldquestcorp.com/index.php/news/2012-news/177-goldquest…

[Popeye82]

2012 Global Hunger Index; The challenge of hunger: Ensuring sustainable food security under land, water +energy stresses - IFPRI/WHI/CGIAR/CW, BONN/WASHINGTON, DC/DUBLIN - Oct12

- Grebmer, Klaus; Ringler, Claudia; Rosegrant, Mark W.; Olofinbiyi, Tolulope; Wiesmann, Doris; Fritschel, Heidi; Badiane, Ousmane; Torero, Maximo; Yohannes, Yisehac; Thompson, Jennifer; von Oppeln, Constanze; Rahall, Joseph -

- The 2012 GHI report focuses particularly on the issue of how to ensure sustainable food security under conditions of water, land, and energy stress. Demographic changes, rising incomes and associated consumption patterns, and climate change, alongside persistent poverty and inadequate policies and institutions, are all placing serious pressure on natural resources.

In this report, IFPRI describes the evidence on land, water, and energy scarcity in developing countries and offers two visions of a future global food system—an unsustainable scenario in which current trends in resource use continue, and a sustainable scenario in which access to food, modern energy, and clean water improves significantly and ecosystem degradation is halted or reversed. Concern Worldwide and Welthungerhilfe provide on-the-ground perspectives on the issues of land tenure and title as well as the impacts of scarce land, water, and energy on poor people in Sierra Leone and Tanzania and describe the work of their organizations in helping to alleviate these impacts. ...-
www.ifpri.org/sites/default/files/publications/ghi12.pdf

[Popeye82]

World's largest copper mine, goes underground - MA/SFC - Oct 12, 2012

- C. Latimer -
www.miningaustralia.com.au/news/world-s-largest-copper-mine-…

"Chile's Chuquicamata mine, the world's largest open cut copper mine, will moving underground.

It comes after close to a century of operation, according to the San Franciso Chronicle.

The mine has now reportedly become too larger and too deep to continue with the open cut style of mining, as dump truck now have to drive 11 kilometres just to the reach the surface , all the while hauling lower grade ores.

Predictions have put the end of the mine life by 2019.

Now miner Codelco is trying to combat this forecast by converting the operation from an open cut into an underground.

This mirrors fellow Australian copper mine Ernest Henry, which has already transformed from a massive open cut into an underground operation.

The move by miner owner Xstrata has breathed another 12 years of life into its Ernest Henry Mining operation near Cloncurry, which has now successfully transitioned from open cut last year into an underground mine and is now on track to reach full production levels.

According to Coldeco, Chuquicamata still has the ability to produce around 308 000 tonns of copper annually.

It has already started digging more than 1000 kilometres, sinking US3.8 billion into the development.

The mine will also replace its trucks with an in-pit crushing and conveying system.

Mining has been known to take place at the site in one form or another since 550AD.

It is the second deepest mine in the world, after Bingham Canyon, in the U.S. "

[Popeye82]

Alara Resources - JORC Resource Upgrade for Khnaiguiyah Zinc-Copper Project -to 25.330.000 tonnes @4.03% Zn +0.16% Cu M/I +6.670.000 tonnes @0.69% Cu M/I, from the copper only domains; DFS remains on schedule for completion in December ´12 quarter - Oct 12, 2012
www.alararesources.com/sites/default/files/20121012%20AUQ%20…

[Popeye82]

Land-transfer revenues jump in Sept - CER/Caixin - Oct 12, 2012
www.chinaeconomicreview.com/node/62463

"Land-transfer revenues in ten major cities grew 49% last month from August, Caixin reported, citing E-House China R&D Institute. The US$7.7 billion intake represented the highest growth of the year.

Transferring lease rights to developers is a major revenue source for local governments, and the September figures suggest the market has warmed. In 2010, Beijing enacted housing curbs to cool the overheating market but local governments have recently increased the supply of land. Last month, nearly 13,000 hectares of land was put on the market in 300 cities, according to the China Index Academy. Beijing took in about US$4 billion from land sales in September, more than the total of the first eight months of the year. The drop in sales through August prompted local governments to implement sales-triggering policies. "

[Popeye82]

China's banks resist lending-rate cuts - CER/BB - Oct 12, 2012
www.chinaeconomicreview.com/node/62460

"China's top four banks are resisting government instructions to decrease lending rates in an attempt to maintain profitability during an economic downturn, Bloomberg reported, citing anonymous officials at each of the lenders. The banks are apportioning discounts to favored corporate clients at 10% of the interbank rate.

In July, the central bank allowed lenders to provide loans at 30% below the benchmark rates. These discounts have not been adopted by the banks in an effort to avoid the spiraling loan defaults that materialized after the post 2008 stimulus packages. However, maintaining high interest rates may dilute government efforts to stimulate the economy. The National Development and Reform Commission had approved roughly US$111.52 billion in infrastructure construction by the end of August, the 21st Century Business Herald reported Thursday. "

[Popeye82]

Canada extends review, for China oil deal - CER/WSJ - Oct 12, 2012
www.chinaeconomicreview.com/node/62462

"CNOOC's (CEO.NYSE, 0883.HKG) US$15.1 billion takeover of Nexen (NXY.NYSE) suffered a setback Thursday when the Canadian government extended a review of the deal by 30 days, The Wall Street Journal reported. Another extension could follow.

Canada’s foreign-investment law says that approval of the acquisition by China's state-owned CNOOC depends on whether the deal results in a net benefit to the Canadian economy. The government initially takes a 45-day review period before commonly extending the process. Canada's industry minister Christian Paradis said in a written statement that the required time would be taken to conduct a "thorough and careful review." Neither company commented on the extension. Canadian politicians remain undecided on the role of China's state-owned enterprises in Canada, particularly on the sensitive issue of natural resources. "

[Popeye82]

China boosts railway spending, by US$3.200.000.000 - CER/Reuters - Oct 12, 2012
www.chinaeconomicreview.com/node/62465

"The Ministry of Railways has raised its planned US$97.170.000.000 railway investment by 3.3%, the 3rd increase this year for ´12 spending, Reuters reported. The US$3.200.000.000 increase comes as China struggles to buoy growth, with several fast-tracked infrastructure projects.

The government recently approved what could be worth >US$111.500.000.000, on 25 rail projects. This increased investment follows an IMF cut to China's growth forecast -from 8% to 7.8%. Beijing also said it would increase spending +offer tax breaks to quicken developments in public transport systems. China's rail investment slowed greatly in ´11, after a fatal high-speed train wreck. "

[Popeye82]

Potash West NL - Initial JORC Resources @Dandaragan Trough: 244.000.000 Tonnes @3.0% K20 +1.6% P2O5; P. McManus: "This Wis a significant milestone in Potash Wests’ progress towards unlocking the value in the Dandaragan Trough Greensands. The JORC resource is open to the north, east +south +constrained only by the amount of completed drilling, Figure 4. Our geological modelling +results "lead us to believe that the Molecap becomes shallower +thickens to the south", which will be the target of follow-up drilling. The quoted resource "is within a small section of the Dinner Hill area, which, in turn, is one of several prospective areas within the whole Dandaragan Trough", as announced in our ASX release of 3 April ´12. We "are very confident that further drilling will increase this resource, +identify further resources within the Dandaragan Trough. Operating cost +revenue estimates, to be generated as part of the scoping study, "will allow us to consider the economics of treating the Poison Hill material, which contains lower potassium values". We look forward to completing the scoping study this year +"moving quickly into the next stages of project evaluation" " - Oct 11, 2012

+ Resources extend over 9 square kilometres(limited by drilling), representing only 20% of the area of the Dinner Hill prospect.

+ The Dinner Hill Prospect is only one of several(1/10) prospective regions, the Company has identified within the Dandaragan Trough

+ Molecap Greensand estimated to contain 122.000.000t @4.6% K20 +1.8% P2O5

+ Total resources of 244.000.000t grading 3.0% K20 +1.6% P2O5

+ Mineralisation commences near surface

+ Almost all of the resources in the Indicated category

+ Drilling planned to extend the known resources, to the south +east. ...
www.potashwest.com.au/UserFiles/11102012.pdf

[Popeye82]

Gold Fields output falls, says strikes could lead to ‘major restructuring’; JSE- &NYSE-listed Gold Fields warned on Friday that the ongoing unlawful strike action in South Africa could lead to “major restructuring ” -in the gold-mining industry . The gold miner, which would on Monday provide an update on the strike situation, said the industrial action @its KDC +Beatrix mines, as well as a fire @the YaRona shaft had negatively impacted on its production during the quarter - MW, JOHANNESBURGG - Oct 12, 2012
www.miningweekly.com/article/gold-fields-sees-lower-output-s…

[Popeye82]

Eastmain Resources - Reports Updated NI 43-101 Mineral Resource Estimate, For Eau Claire Gold Deposit: 11.270.000 tonnes @~5.11g/t, for 1.843.000 Ounces Au M/I/I - Oct 11, 2012
www.eastmain.com/news/NR%202012-08%20Clearwater%20Project%20…
www.eastmain.com/pres/Corporate%20Presentation%20Oct%202012_…

[Popeye82]

Russia "may quadruple coal output"; Russia may grow its current coal production levels by five times by 2030, dwarfing Australian production rates, which have begun slowing down - MA - Oct 15, 2012

- C. Latimer -
www.miningaustralia.com.au/news/russia-may-quadruple-coal-ou…

[Popeye82]

Broken Hill miners to be payed by performance; A pay by performance model has been agreed upon @Perilya's silver, lead +zinc mine, @Broken Hill; Unions have agreed to accept the new pay model which will see 15% of a miners’ pay based on productivity expectations +safety. Miners will also receive a pay rise over several years, A similar pay structure was rejected by a union vote back in May, but CFMEU Broken Hill president Greg Brae says this time, miners understood the agreement which is why they voted yes, the ABC reported - MA/ABC - Oct 12, 2012

- V. Validakis -
www.miningaustralia.com.au/news/broken-hill-miners-to-be-pay…

[Popeye82]

NGEx Resources - Announces Initial Mineral Resource Estimate: 2.129.000.000 tonnes @~0.40% Copper, ~0.17g/t Gold +Silver/~0.51% CopperEquivalent, for 18.750.000.000 pound Copper, 11.350.000 Ounces Gold +94.850.000 Ounces Silver M/I/I, +Metallurgical Testwork Results for Los Helados Project, Chile +Conference Call; W. Wodzicki: "The initial resource estimate +"encouraging" metallurgical results "confirm the "tremendous" potential of the Los Helados Deposit." The resource adds to the already significant copper-gold resource base on the Company's land package which includes the nearby Josemaria deposit. The results for the 1st stage of metallurgical testwork "indicate that production of commercial concentrates from Los Helados mineralization using standard flotation concentration methods should be straightforward." We are very pleased with progress @Los Helados, which has gone from a grass roots project to the resource stage in a little more than four years. The deposit is open in several directions, we "believe that there is excellent potential to add to the current resource" +we plan to test this potential over the next six months with an aggressive exploration drilling program. We are very excited about today's results +in particular what they mean in terms of the bigger picture which includes the Company's Josemaria +Filo del Sol projects. Taken together "we feel that these projects offer our investors exposure to an emerging deposit cluster that continues to deliver outstanding exploration results "+has the potential to rank among the most significant in this prolific copper-gold belt." " Access +infrastructure near Los Helados is excellent, in part due to the development of the nearby Caserones copper project by Pan Pacific Copper who are the Company's 40% partner in Los Helados +"we believe that this enhances the "eventual" development potential of Los Helados" " - Oct 15, 2012
http://cnrp.marketwire.com/cnrp_files/20121014-1015ngq.pdf

[Popeye82]

Antwort auf Beitrag Nr.: 43.702.259 von Popeye82 am 11.10.12 14:11:42

Some damage already permanent, Holland; Some of the damage caused by the spate of strikes across the mining industry is already permanent, warning that job losses were inevitable even if the current impasse with labour was brought to an end soon, "warns" Gold Fields CEO Nick Holland - mmx - Oct 12, 2012

- Andre Janse van Vuuren -
www.miningmx.com/page/news/gold_and_silver/1426414-Some-dama…

[Popeye82]

China inflation nears two-year low - CER/BB/NBoS - Oct 15, 2012
www.chinaeconomicreview.com/node/62480

"China's inflation in September neared its slowest pace in two years, Bloomberg reported, citing the National Bureau of Statistics. Consumer prices rose 1.9% last month compared to a year earlier.

Producer prices hit a three-year low, demonstrating the continued weakness of the economy, in spite of a 9.9% jump in exports in September that surpassed analyst expectations. The central bank has used money-market operations as a primary tool to boost growth, pumping some US$80 billion into the market during September and October, while holding off on interest-rate cuts since July in the face of increased property prices. The government is targeting about 4% annual inflation in 2012. Beijing aims to hit 7.5% economic growth this year, down from 9.3% last year. "

[Popeye82]

China exports, money supply beat expectations - CER/WSJ - Oct 15, 2012
www.chinaeconomicreview.com/node/62479

"Chinese exports grew and money supply expanded in September, beating consensus expectations to close out the third quarter, The Wall Street Journal reported. China's trade surplus grew as exports rose to a monthly record of US$186.4 billion, a 9.9% gain on the previous year, and imports increased 2.4%.

China's M2 money supply measure also jumped 14.8% year-on-year at the end of September. The positive news comes in advance of third-quarter GDP growth figures, scheduled to be released Thursday, which economists expect to show the slowest growth in more than three years. Citigroup (C.NYSE, 8710.TYO) economist Ding Shuang questioned how sustainable current trade growth is, saying "it remains to be seen whether import and export growth can remain at these levels." Economists only expected 5% export growth and 2% import growth for the month, according to a Wall Street Journal survey. "

[Popeye82]

EBRD funds 1st privately owned copper mine in Mongolia, its largest investment in Mongolia to date - EBRD - Oct 9, 2012

- S. Pyrkalo -
www.ebrd.com/pages/news/press/2012/121009.shtml

[Popeye82]

Passport Potash - Signs Letter of Intent, with Hopi Indian Tribe; The inclusion of the private properties owned by the Hopi tribe in the PEA will necessitate delaying the release of the PEA for 60 to 90 days to allow ERCOSPLAN to incorporate the Hopi data - Oct 15, 2012
www.passportpotash.com/news-2012/97-loi-with-hopi.html

[Popeye82]

Prodigy Gold - Argonaut Gold +Prodigy Agree, to Friendly Business Combination - Oct 15, 2012

"Highlights of the Combined Entity":

+ Current production from two mines in Mexico +a strong pipeline of two developments projects in Canada +Mexico, representing a diversified asset portfolio in two premier jurisdictions for mine development +operation

+ If both development projects are advanced to production, Argonaut Gold is expected to enter the ranks of the intermediate producers +fulfill its stated goal of 300.000 -500.000 ounces of gold production/year

+ In excess of 12.000.000 ounces of measured +indicated gold resource including 1.200.000 ounces of proven +probable gold reserve(fully broken out by category +property as described below)

+ Strong balance sheet with no debt

+ Current +projected future cash flow generation " "expected" to self-fund future development , mitigating future financing risk"

+ Strong management team +experienced Board of Directors with proven development +operating track record ...
www.prodigygold.com/_resources/news/nr_2012_10_15.pdf

[Popeye82]

China, Japan agree to talks, on dispute - CER/BB - Oct 15, 2012
www.chinaeconomicreview.com/node/62482

"China and Japan will enter into formal talks with the aim of easing tensions in a territorial dispute in the East China Sea, Bloomberg reported. Japan's foreign ministry said late last week that vice ministers from both countries would meet to discuss the dispute over the Senkaku islands, known as the Diaoyu in China, but did not specify a date.

Japanese president Yoshihiko Noda also struck a more conciliatory tone in an interview last week. "These are the second- and third-largest economies in the world and our interdependence is deepening," he said. "If our ties cool, particularly economic ones, then it isn’t a question of one or the other country suffering. Both countries lose out." Japan's purchase of the islands, also claimed by China, from their private Japanese owner last month has sparked widespread hostility against Japan in the mainland, hurting trade in autos, tourism and other sectors. "

[Popeye82]

Mining GDP contribution triples in Latin America; share of Latin America’s mining activities as a percentage of its gross domestic product(GDP) has grown significantly in the past decade. “Mining has gained relevance in virtually all of the Latin America economies since the commodities super cycle started to emerge in the early ´00s,” a leading expert on Latin American economies +head of research, @Bulltick Capital Markets Alberto Bernal said. “This sector of the economy accounts for the bettering of the regional fiscal accounts, +for the increased capacity of the region to consume, since foreign exchange rates have appreciated thanks to the higher commodity prices.” Mining accounted for 4.3% of Latin America’s GDP in ´01. Last year that number rose to 6.1%, according to the United Nations Economic Commission for Latin America +the Caribbean(ECLAC). In value terms, mining activity >tripled -from $90.100.000.000 to $305.800.000.000 last year, according to ECLAC. "If this trend continues, based on the realization of various projects in the pipeline, the figure will top $400.000.000.000/year by ´20", representing an unprecedented 12.5 per cent contribution to Latin America’s GDP by the mining sector, according to a recent report by the Centre for Social Responsibility in Mining @Queensland University’s Sustainable Minerals Institute. The countries that have seen the strongest growth include Chile, Colombia +Bolivia. In Chile mining has gone from 5.2% of GDP in ´01 to 15.2% last year. Colombia saw mining grow from 4.9% to 11% in the same period, while Bolivia saw mining jump from 6.3% to 15.5%. Mexico saw mining grow from 6.1% to 9.9% in the past decade. Brazil, Latin America’s largest economy, has also seen strong growth, although mining remains a small part of its economy. Mining accounted for 3.5% of its GDP last year, nearly three times more than the ´01 level of 1.3% - MW, SANTA DOMINGO - Oct 11, 2012

- J. Bamrud -
www.miningweekly.com/article/mining-gdp-contribution-triples…

[Popeye82]

Sennen Resources - Enters Into Letter of Intent Over Monument Potash Solution Mining Project, Utah, USA; located in San Juan County in south-east Utah, +south-west Colorado, USA, an area with established mining activities +excellent infrastructure, including oil, gas, power +rail links, as well as being close to one of the world''s largest agricultural markets. Monument is 70 miles south-east of the Cane Creek potash(solution +solar evaporation) mine operated by Intrepid Potash Inc.; Resource estimates from geophysical logs from previous oil +gas wells have been proven to be accurate in determining salt +potash bed thickness +K2O content in these types of flat lying sequences. Based on 7 wells immediately surrounding Monument, a technical report prepared in October ´10 by Mr O. Jay Gatten of North American Exploration Inc.(the "Gatten Report") states that …"A large in-place potash resource can be inferred based on the interpretation of geophysical logs from nearby oil +gas wells +stratigraphic correlations"….+that…"An in-place resource of 3.100.000.000 tonnes of sylvinite "could" be present within the….. prospecting permit application area on Federal Lands."; In order to upgrade or verify the ''historical estimate'' as a current mineral resource, a confirmatory drill program will be required. A NI 43-101 Technical Report by Sears, Barry +Associates dated February 12th ´12 recommends the drilling of three wells. The initial drill program will focus on the Cedar Point +Six Shooter prospects in Utah, +on the Dove Creek prospect in Colorado. The cost of this recommended drill program, other seismic +well log acquisition, environmental permitting +technical reporting required to generate a NI 43-101/JORC compliant resource, is estimated to be ~$8.000.000 with additional technical work required to take the project to pre-feasibility level engineering - Oct 15, 2012
www.sennenresources.com/s/NewsReleases.asp?ReportID=552423&_…

[Popeye82]

Talga Gold - Spectacular Graphite Grades in Maiden Swedish Drill Program, intercepts include 85.1m @22.1% graphite(“Cg”) including 33.8m @30.5% Cg(Hole NUS12018) +59.8m @26.4% Cg, including 29.1m @31.0% Cg(Hole NUS12012) - Oct 16, 2012
http://talgagold.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/10/20121016Nuna…

[Popeye82]

Gold Fields warns it may fire 15 000 striking workers - MW, JOHANEESBURG - Oct 17, 2012

- N. Odendaahl -
www.miningweekly.com/article/gold-fields-warns-it-may-fire-1…

[Popeye82]

African governments warned against squeezing quick returns - MR, KINSHASA - Oct 17, 2012
www.miningreview.com/node/21553
www.randgoldresources.com/randgold/content/en/randgold/randg…

"Randgold Resources chief executive Mark Bristow has warned African governments that they risk damage to their economies by trying to squeeze quick returns from the mining companies in their countries.


Speaking at the DRC’s Mining and Energy Indaba, Bristow said current moves in a number of African countries to amend mining codes on terms less favourable to the mining companies were dangerously short-sighted, as they did not take into account the increased risk this might present to the long-term sustainability of the resources industry and its ability to contribute to job creation and economic development.

Bristow noted that when the Kibali gold mine poured its first gold, scheduled for the end of next year, it would rank as one of the largest gold mines in Africa and would be an economic boom to the whole of the DRC.

“To achieve that, we need the support of all our stakeholders in the DRC, including the government, as well as of our international investors,” he said.

“Over a projected lifetime of 16 years, it is anticipated that more than 50% of the net pre-tax value generated by the project will be distributed to the State in the form of taxes, royalties and dividends. The DRC will in fact receive more than the other shareholders who are financing 100% of the project. This figure does not reflect the jobs it will create or the money it will spend with local businesses.

“What’s important to note is that the estimates from our feasibility study are based on the DRC’s current mining code and fiscal parameters. Any drastic changes to these will have a negative impact on costs, profits and even the life of the mine,” Bristow pointed out.

He said that increasing the tax burden on those who had taken the risk of investing in the DRC would not only damage the country’s fledgling mining industry, it would also discourage future investors from developing new operations which would make profits, pay taxes and provide employment. “I need hardly tell you how damaging that would be to the growth of the DRC and its economy,” he added. "

[Popeye82]

China GDP growth slows, to 7.4% - CER/BB - Oct 18, 2012
www.chinaeconomicreview.com/node/62532

"China's GDP growth slipped to 7.4% year-over-year in the third quarter, the seventh consecutive quarter of declining growth, Bloomberg reported. The growth figure was slightly below 7.6% growth in the second quarter but matched economist expectations, according to a Bloomberg survey of 43 economists.

However, the pace of retail sales, industrial production and fixed-asset investment growth each increased in September, signs that the economy may be rebounding. Industrial production growth rose to 9.2% from 8.9% in August, while retail sales increased to 14.2%. Growth in fixed-asset investment, excluding rural households, improved to 20.5%. Hong Kong-based Barclays economist Chang Jian said those improvements make it less likely for the government to further cut interest rates or inject liquidity into the market. "Economic growth is stabilizing on the back of the more accommodative monetary conditions and the increasing infrastructure investment," he said. "

[Popeye82]

Orocobre signs JV, to develop Argentine project - MW, PERTH - Oct 17 2012

- E. Swanepoel -
www.miningweekly.com/article/orocobre-signs-jv-to-develop-ar…
www.orocobre.com.au/PDF/ASX_17Oct12_Orocobre%20Signs%20Agree…

"Dual-listed Orocobre has signed a joint venture (JV) agreement with Toyota Tsusho Corporation (TTC) to finance and build its flagship Olaroz lithium project, in Argentina.

Under the terms of the JV agreement, Orocobre and TTC would contribute project equity of around $82.8-million, equating to around 30% of the maximum project funding if an existing project financing facility was fully drawn.


TTC’s contributions to the equity investment would be in the form of equity subscriptions into the Singaporean JV holding company. The company’s investment would be around $55-million, taking into account financing support arrangements to be provided by TTC to Orocobre prior to the completion of construction.

The ASX- and TSX-listed Orocobre’s total funding requirement would be $8-million net of the $16-million reimbursement on allowable expenditure since the feasibility study.

Following the implementation of the JV agreement, Orocobre would hold a 66.5% shareholding in the Olaroz project, with TTC holding a 25% intererest and Argentine government mining investment company Jujuy Energia y Mineria Sociedad del Estado holding the remaining 8.5%.

“This JV represents the culmination of over two-and-a-half years of close collaboration with our valued partners TTC,” said Orocobre’s CEO and MD Richard Seville.

“Together, we have faced a number of challenges before reaching this important milestone, but in the end, we have come to a point where we are ready to build the Olaroz lithium project,” he added.

Seville noted that with construction set to start within two weeks, production at Olaroz was set for early in 2014, with full design capacity reached by 2015.

“Because of our innovative approach to process engineering and excellent brine chemistry, we expect operating costs at the designed 17 500 t/y output to be less than $2 000/t, excluding credits for potash or boron chemicals. These operating costs place the project at the bottom quartile of the world’s producers,” he added.

Edited by: Creamer Media Reporter "

[Popeye82]

Mongolia eyes US Peabody to develop giant coalmine - MW/Reuters, ULAN BATOR - Oct 16, 2012
www.miningweekly.com/article/mongolia-eyes-us-peabody-to-dev…

[Popeye82]

Renminbi hits record high, on central bank fixing - CER/WSJ - Oct 17, 2012
www.chinaeconomicreview.com/node/62514

"China's currency strengthened to a new record high of 6.2460 per dollar around 8:30 GMT Tuesday, slightly below its closing price of 6.2707 in Monday and the lowest since China unpegged yuan from the US currency in 2005, The Wall Street Journal reported. This came after the People’s Bank of China set its daily dollar-yuan fixing rate to 6.3106, following sharply lower rate guidance in the previous three sessions.

The currency was also boosted by strength in the euro, which rose to 1.3001 per dollar from 1.2950 on Monday after US retail sales showed an unexpected increase of 1.1% in September. The yuan has risen 0.5% against the dollar since the start of 2012. "The yuan will likely consolidate between 6.2600 and 6.2900 in the near term," predicted one Shanghai-based trader with a local bank. "

[Popeye82]

Royal Resources - Maiden Iron Resource, @Iron Peak: 315.700.000 tonnes @21.1 % Fe I, for a new Global Resource of 2.500.000.000 Tonnes @21.7 % Fe; M. Flis: "The final resource update for the Razorback Ridge area concludes our resource definition work, in support of the pFS. The total resource for the area "greatly exceeds the estimate Royal had calculated prior to drilling" +"bodes well for the exploration target potential, for the rest of our exploration licences" " - Oct 17, 2012

[Popeye82]

Chinese navy seen, near Japanese waters - CER/WSJ - Oct 17, 2012
www.chinaeconomicreview.com/node/62515

"Chinese naval vessels were seen closing in on Japanese waters near a southern island of Japan's, amid a territorial dispute that has greatly damaged diplomatic relations between the two countries, The Wall Street Journal reported. A Japanese defense ministry official said that seven Chinese navy ships were spotted 49 kilometers from Japanese island Yonaguni and approximately 200 kilometers from the disputed Diaoyu/Senakaku islands.

Chinese navy ships have continued to legally pass through Japanese waters and areas they have been warned not to by the Japanese government. The Japanese defense ministry said it had no information on the incident. "It could have been that they were avoiding a typhoon," an official said. "Sometimes China announces afterwards that they were carrying out a military exercise, other times we receive no explanations." "

[Popeye82]

CNPC breaks ground; on cross-country gas pipeline - CER/Reuters - Oct 17, 2012
www.chinaeconomicreview.com/node/62511

"China National Petroleum, China's largest oil producer and the parent of PetroChina (PTR.NYSE, 601857.SH, 0857.HKG), began construction Tuesday on a cross-country gas pipeline that will span more than 5,000 kilometers and cost an estimated US$19.93 billion, Reuters reported.

The pipeline, the third of its type, stretches from the northwestern border of Xinjiang to Fujian province in the southeast and will have a capacity to transport 30 billion cubic meters (bcm) of gas per year, adding to the two current West-East pipelines with capacity of 18bcm and 30bcm. The project is aimed at boosting gas imports from central Asia and is due to be completed around 2015. China plans to secure around 30% of its natural gas consumption from imports this year, up from 5.85% in 2007, according to Liu Tienan, the head of China's National Energy Administration. "

[Popeye82]

Guildford Coal/Tiaro Coal - White Mountain JORC Increase -to 623.000.000 tonnes I - Oct 17, 2012
www.guildfordcoal.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2012/10/GUF-ASX-…

[Popeye82]

Haranga Resources - Drill Results +New Discovery; Two New Magnetic Targets Discovered, Exploration Target Increased -to 250.000.000 –400.000.000 tonnes, based solely on the four original targets ; JORC upgrade expected April ´13 - Oct 17, 2012
www.haranga.com/pdfs/DrillResultsAndNewDiscoveryAnnouncement…

[Popeye82]

Catalyst Copper - Announces Updated Resource, for La Verde Copper Project -to 745.807.000 tonnes @~0.39% Cu, ~0.031g/t Au +~2.1g/t Ag M/I/I, for 6.409.000.000 pound Copper, 696.000 Ounces Gold +52.700.000 Ounces Silver, La Verde consists of two proximal deposits referred to as East Hill +West Hill. The deposits "are amenable to low-cost open-pit mining methods +are located in an area of excellent infrastructure: rail, power, water +highways all cross the property"; A Preliminary Economic Assessment(PEA) of La Verde incorporating all work to date is currently being prepared by AMC Mining Consultants(Canada) Ltd. +is expected to be completed this month; Catalyst has now completed >30.000 meters of drilling, >200 kilometers of geophysics(IP). La Verde property is subject to an option agreement with a Mexican subsidiary of Teck Resources Limited(Teck) whereby Catalyst's 100% Mexican subsidiary, Minera Hill 29, may earn a 60% interest in La Verde, by making US$10.000.000 in exploration expenditures(including 30.000 meters of drilling +200 kilometers of IP) by December 31, ´12. Upon Catalyst earning a 60% interest, Teck has the option to increase its interest to 60%, by incurring aggregate expenditures equal to two times the amount spent by Catalyst. Should Teck fail to exercise its option to earn a 60% interest, Catalyst can acquire a 100% interest in La Verde, by paying to Teck US$20.000.000, property is subject to an underlying 0.5% NSR; T. Hodson: "Catalyst is "very pleased" with the updated resources, @La Verde. The numbers continue to grow +there is "still room" for expansion. With this resource update we can now complete our initial economic assessment of La Verde" - Oct 16, 2012
www.catalystcopper.com/sites/default/files/Catalyst%20Copper…

[Popeye82]

Germany's push to end nuclear power comes, with a hefty utility bill; Germany has long been anti-nuclear energy, +plans to transition away from nuclear power +towards renewable energy sources enjoy broad support. But the shift comes @a cost : soaring utility bills for citizens - US.net - Oct 15, 2012
www.uranium-stocks.net/home/germanys-push-to-end-nuclear-pow…

[Popeye82]

Mantle Mining - Reports Maiden JORC Resource: 1.600.000.000 tonnes Inferred Brown Coal Resource, from ~20m to 140m below surface; Mantle recently announced an exploration Joint Venture Agreement(JVA) with Exergen Pty Ltd. Exergen has developed a "breakthrough" brown coal dewatering technology called Continuous Hydro-Thermal Dewatering(CHTD) "+"intends" developing a $50.000.000 demonstration project to prove CHTD @commercial scale." Under the terms of the JVA, Exergen will now assume project management responsibility; T. Bourne: "This "is an important step forward in our "aspiration" to develop the Exergen CHTD technology which will increase the value of lignite resources while @the same time significantly reducing the environmental impact of lignites" " - Aug 15, 2012
www.stocknessmonster.com/news-item?S=MNM&E=ASX&N=600223

[Popeye82]

Century Iron Mines - Announces 1st Phase Mineral Resource Statement -of 15.954.000.000 Tonnes @~30.2% Fe, for Rainy Lake Iron Deposit; "has "the potential" to be one of the world's largest iron deposits discovered in a number of years ", Mineral Resource model will be updated by the end of the year - Oct 22, 2012
www.centuryiron.com/sites/default/files/fer-10222012-en.pdf

[Popeye82]

Prospect Global Resources - &Sichuan Chemical Sign $2.000.000.000+, 10-Year Purchase +Sale Agreement, for Potash; "believed to be the largest-ever purchase +sale contract -in price +volume- for a potash mine under development in the United States . It is "also believed to be one of the largest potash export contracts in U.S. history" - Oct 22, 2012
http://ir.prospectgri.com/phoenix.zhtml?c=236928&p=irol-news…

[Popeye82]

Centaurus Metals - Key Environmental Licence Issued, for Jambreiro Project - Oct 23, 2012
www.centaurus.com.au/images/pdf/2012%2010%2023%20asx%20annou…

[Popeye82]

Functional Technologies - Signs Agreement with Leading Global Yeast Producer, Production of Acrylamide-Preventing Yeast to Commence; H. Louie: "This agreement, which follows the earlier letter of commitment between the parties, is "a "significant step" towards "validating" the effectiveness +utility of the Company's innovative +proprietary acrylamide-preventing yeasts @an industrial +commercial level." We are pleased "to continue to solidify our relationship with this industry leader in yeast technologies +production, +expand the opportunities associated with our proprietary yeast technologies." Obtaining access to the production of our products @a high standard of quality assurance @scale, will allow us to move through pilot scale production runs with our trial partners/customers allowing the product to be fully adopted into their product mix." The news that we are collaborating with a global leader in yeast production for this stage of product testing allows the global food producers with which we are running trials +product integration the comfort that their future needs on any scale in any region can more readily be met from a production capacity requirement" - Oct 22, 2012
www.functionaltechcorp.com/i/pdf/NR-Oct21.pdf

[Popeye82]

Gold Fields fires 8.500 workers - Reuters, JOHANNESBURG - Oct 23, 2012

- Olivia Kumwenda +Sherilee Lakmidas -


+ Gold Fields sacks 8.500 illegal strikers

+ Harmony tells miners to report for work Thursday

+ Harmony says strike cost it 13.000 ounces in lost production

+ AngloGold Ashanti ultimatum ends Wednesday ...
http://af.reuters.com/article/metalsNews/idAFL5E8LN23X201210…

[Popeye82]

Mozambique to auction 12 new oil blocks, @least 3/12 blocks would be in the Rovuma basin ‒a region in which US company Anadarko Petroleum +Italy’s ENI have so far found 130 trillion cubic feet of natural gas - MR/MNA/Reuters, NEW DELHI - Oct 19, 2012
www.miningreview.com/node/21567

[Popeye82]

Acer Energy - increases Flax reserves, by 280% -to 88.500.000 barrels of "in-place oil(2C) equivalent resources" - Oct 22, 2012
www.acerenergy.com.au/CompanyReports/Articles/PDFs/Major%20R…

[Popeye82]

Orocobre - Maiden Resource, @Cauchari Lithium-Potash Project - Oct 22, 2012

HL:

+ An inferred resource has been estimated containing ~470.000 tonnes lithium carbonate equivalent +1.600.000 tonnes of potash. Cauchari lies ~20km south of the proposed Olaroz processing plant.

+ The maiden resource is based on five diamond holes in Orocobre’s eastern Cauchari properties +is only to an average depth of 170m in the northern resource area +50m in the southern resource area.

+ Lithium +potassium mineralization was encountered to the base of drilling @249m in hole CAU001D. An adjacent property owner, Lithium Americas Corp(TSX:LAC), drilled to 450m depth +"therefore future Orocobre drilling is "likely" to substantially increase the maiden resource."

+ An exploration target of between 200.000 +2.600.000 tonnes of lithium carbonate equivalent +500.000 +9.200.000 tonnes of potash has been estimated beneath the maiden resource based on a range of porosity +grade possibilities to between 220m +350m depth.

+ Whilst lower grade than Olaroz, the brine chemistry is "similar" to that @Olaroz, with an attractive low Mg/Li ratio(2.8) +high K/Li ratio(10). Initial evaluation of the process route " "suggests" the brine could be processed in an expanded Olaroz plant." ...
www.orocobre.com.au/PDF/22Oct12_Cauchari.pdf

[Popeye82]

Indians near US$2.000.000.000 mine purchase, in West Africa - MR/BB, NEW DELHI - Oct 19, 2012
www.miningreview.com/node/21570
www.bloomberg.com/news/2012-10-19/jindal-steel-close-to-buyi…

"Jindal Steel & Power Ltd. (JSP) ‒ India’s second-biggest steelmaker by value ‒ is approaching an iron ore mine acquisition in West Africa for at least US$2 billion as it seeks raw material to feed its factories at home and in Oman.


Bloomberg News reports that the investment will secure deposits of at least 1 billion metric tonnes and include building a transport line, according to executive director Manish Kharbanda, who did not identify the seller. The New Delhi-based company has looked exhaustively for reserves in Sierra Leone, Ghana, Mauritania, Sudan, Gabon and Liberia, he said.

Jindal Steel & Power Ltd., controlled by billionaire lawmaker Naveen Jindal, terminated a US$2.1 billion contract with the Bolivian government in July to develop the El Mutun iron ore mines following a dispute.

Jindal Steel, which plans to more than quadruple capacity by spending as much as US$6.5 billion in the next two years, is looking to secure raw material sources following curbs on iron ore mining at home.

“As long as Jindal Steel doesn’t go overboard with the price it pays, the overseas acquisitions should serve it well,” said Chirag Shah, an analyst at Barclays Plc in Mumbai, who has an overweight rating for the stock. “There are risks in west Africa ‒ one has to be wise enough not to commit a lot of money upfront.”

“We’re in advanced stages of talks, Kharbanda said, without giving details. “The lesson we learnt from Bolivia is to not put all our eggs in one basket.”

Jindal Steel already operates coal mines in South Africa and Mozambique and recently acquired Canada’s CIC Energy Corp., which is developing a coal mine in Botswana. "

[Popeye82]

Brazil's Vale says Q3 profit fell 66%, to $1.670.000.000 - MW/Reuters, RIO DE Janeiro - Oct 25, 2012
www.miningweekly.com/article/brazils-vale-says-q3-profit-fel…

[Popeye82]

Fancamp Exploration - Announces 1st Assay Results, From the Lac Lamelee Iron Project Diamond Drilling Program; Best Assay Interval of 302 Metres Grading 28.08% Fe(T)(40.07% Fe2O3) in Drill Hole LS-12-06; drill programs of ´11 +the current program were designed to calculate resources to vertical depths of 350 metres, however two holes were drilled to vertical depths of 600 -650 metres " "indicating" that the target iron formation extends to @least those depths", Based on these "early encouraging results" Fancamp expanded its drilling program from 10.000 metres to 12.500 metres as the Company completes its 2nd phase of the program with the objective of establishing the highest quality National Instrument("NI") 43-101 compliant Mineral Resources. The entire program is expected to be completed in Nov ´12 with the completion of the Mineral Resources estimates due for early ´13 - Oct 22, 2012
www.marketwire.com/press-release/fancamp-announces-first-ass…

[Popeye82]

Jupiter Mines - Mt Ida Magnetite Resource Increases, 132% -to 1.232.000.000 tonnes @29.79% Fe I/I - Sep 5, 2012
www.jupitermines.com/images/jupiter---xaepa.pdf

[Popeye82]

Stratos Resources - to acquire majority interest(60%) in Billiton Island Tin Project, which "has historically produced 1 -2% of global Tin production" - Oct 26, 2012
www.asx.com.au/asxpdf/20121026/pdf/429pg0jz6dm4td.pdf

[Popeye82]

Antwort auf Beitrag Nr.: 43.740.200 von Popeye82 am 23.10.12 08:50:04

Prospect Global Resources - Apollo, one of the world's largest private equity firm, +Prospect Global Enter into an Exclusivity Arrangement, for a $100.000.000 Investment - Oct 26, 2012
http://ir.prospectgri.com/phoenix.zhtml?c=236928&p=irol-news…

[Popeye82]

Atico Mining - Reports 18.5 Meters of 10.3% Cu +2.1 g/t Au, @El Roble Mine, Colombia - Nov 1, 2012
www.aticomining.com/i/pdf/news/2012-11-01_NRb.pdf

[Popeye82]

Buxton Resources - Airborne VTEM Survey Identifies "Strong Conductors", @Yalbra Graphite Project - Nov 1, 2012

HL:

+ Preliminary EM data has been received for the Yalbra Graphite Project

+ "Highly conductive response" over the exploration target area, of 8.000.000 –12.000.000 Tonnes @7 –11% C*

+ New, large conductors, with >6km total strike length identified

+ Further modelling of the EM data will define drill targets for ´13 programs ...
www.buxtonresources.com.au/index.php?option=com_content&task…

[Popeye82]

Indian coal, iron-ore imports from SA "set to rise" - MW, KOLKATA - Oct 30, 2012

- Ajoy K Das -
www.miningweekly.com/article/indian-coal-iron-ore-imports-fr…

"South Africa has emerged as a key supplier of coal and iron-ore to India, which is increasingly relying on imports to meet its domestic demand.

According to government forecasts, India’s coal imports would hit the 100-million-tons mark by the end of March next year, with 20-million tons to be sourced from South African mines.

India mainly imports coal from Indonesia, Australia, South Africa and the US, but an official in the Coal Ministry said South Africa had emerged as the preferred supplier in recent months, owing to its liberal trading regime and competitive export prices.

“However, the industrial unrest in the South African mining sector could be a threat to India’s coal import plans from that country. Reports suggest that industrial unrest was worse in mining sectors other than coal. We can only hope that a contagion effect is prevented since from an Indian perspective disruptions in coal supplies from South Africa would have a negative impact on our supplies and cost of energy,” the official said.

An economist associated with India’s Steel Ministry commented that the projected imports from South Africa were a reflection of “deep structural flaws” in the development of India’s natural resources, pointing out that the country had coal reserves of 100-billion tons and iron-ore reserves of 28-billion tons.

“While it was true that rising demand for natural resource was indicative of economic growth, the sudden raw material shortage was also a result of the absence of strategic planning for strategic minerals to support manufacturing and infrastructure growth,” he added.

Coal shortages resulted from production growth failing to match rising demand, while iron-ore shortages were aggravated by a fall in absolute tonnage of production.

According to government projections, iron-ore supplies from domestic mines would fall short of the estimated demand of 160-million tons by 40-million to 50-million tons in the current year.

Indian iron-ore production has been steadily falling in the wake of investigations into widespread illegal mining, leading to a ban on mining operations in the two key producing provinces of Goa and Karnataka and a stringent clampdown on production in Orissa. In 2011, iron-ore production was 208-million tons, down 5% over the previous year.

Between April and September 2012, private steel mills were forced to import 600 000 t of iron-ore, over half of which was sourced from South African mines. For example, Indian steel producer, Essar Steel has appointed JSE-listed Kumba Iron Ore as its iron-ore supplier and was reported to be negotiating with Assmang as an additional ore supplier.

With uncertainty persisting over the resumption of operations of iron-ore mines in Karnataka, one of the top-producing provinces normally contributing 40-million tons a year, domestic steel mills would continue to face a shortage of raw material, pushing up iron-ore imports in 2013, to March 31, to four-million tons, half of which was sourced from South Africa, according to a government official. "

[Popeye82]

DRC seeks bigger stake, in mine projects; Democratic Republic of Congo(DRC) will seek to raise its stake in new mining projects to 35% in a revised mining code, up from 5% now, the country's top mining official said on Tuesday. The DRC is among a slew of minerals-rich countries across Africa seeking to raise state shares in lucrative resource contracts, in "a trend that could deter international investors." "We've proposed [a government stake] of 35% when an exploration permit is transformed into an exploitation permit. Its currently 5%," Mines Minister Martin Kabwelulu told Reuters by text message. The DRC, which holds rich deposits of copper, tin, cobalt +gold, is reviewing its ten-year old mining laws after the government said it wanted to increase receipts from the sector. The new law is expected early next year. Kabwelulu said the revisions "could also include" a proposal to boost royalties on some minerals +would be submitted to industry players for feedback - MW/Reuters, DUKAVU - Oct 30, 2012
www.miningweekly.com/article/drc-seeks-bigger-stake-in-mine-…

[Popeye82]

Energizer Resources - Receives Final Drill Results for Molo Deposit, NI 43-101 resource estimate expected by the end of Nov - Nov 1, 2012
www.energizerresources.com/component/content/article/150-201…

[Popeye82]

Strateco Resources - Matoush Project: Best Drill Result for ´12 2.62% U3O8 Over 15.0 Metres, Including 5.71% U3O8 Over 6.6 Metres - Nov 1, 2012
www.stratecoinc.com/data/pdf/Communiques2012/ENGCommuniqursu…

[Popeye82]

Rinehart loses appeal, on iron-ore assets; Australia's richest woman, Gina Rinehart, has lost a court appeal to reclaim a 25% stake in the Rhodes Ridge iron-ore deposit in Western Australia, from rival miner Wright Prospecting - MW/Reuters, PERTH - Oct 30, 2012
www.miningweekly.com/article/australias-rinehart-loses-appea…

"Australia's richest woman Gina Rinehart has lost a court appeal to reclaim a 25% stake in the Rhodes Ridge iron-ore deposit in Western Australia from rival miner Wright Prospecting.

The Supreme Court of Western Australia dismissed an appeal from Rinehart's Hancock Prospecting on Tuesday, court documents showed, leaving Wright Prospecting with 50% of the Rhodes iron-ore asset and joint venture partner Rio Tinto the other half.

The ruling upholds an earlier decision backing Wright's claims to 50% of the Rhodes asset.

"The company is pleased that today's ruling upholds those rights +the original judgment," a spokesman for Wright Prospecting said in an emailed statement.

Hancock Prospecting did not immediately respond to a request for comment on the decision.

The battle over the Rhodes Ridge deposit is just one of several legal skirmishes between Hancock Prospecting +Wright Prospecting, owned by Rinehart's late business partner.

Rinehart's father Lang Hancock and Peter Wright discovered vast tracks of iron-ore in the Pilbara in the ´50s +owned tenements jointly through a partnership known as Hanwright. With both men no longer alive, ownership fights have raged between the prospectors' descendants for years.

Last month, Wright Propecting sued Rinehart over the Hope Downs tenements, which Hancock is developing in a 50:50 joint venture with Rio Tinto.

Hancock is currently trying to secure funding to develop Roy Hill, another iron ore asset. That project is facing delays due to tumbling iron ore prices +a bitter family feud.

Rinehart, whose fortune was estimated by Forbes @~$18.000.000.000 earlier this year, is also fighting three of her adult children , over control of a $4.000.000.000 family trust "

[Popeye82]

Centamin to appeal, against Egyptian ruling; North African focused mineral exploration, development +mining company Centamin is to appeal against an Egyptian court ruling that has declared invalid its rights to operate the Sukari mine, its main asset in the North African country - MR/Reuters Africa, CAIRO - Nov 1, 2012
www.miningreview.com/node/21605

[Popeye82]

AngloGold says Tanzania law changes worry investors; Tanzania "should stick to existing agreements in the fast-growing mining sector or investors will lose confidence", the company which owns the country's biggest gold mine, said on Saturday. Major international miners are still in talks with the government two years after it passed mining legislation that included a rise in royalties on gold exports to 4% of gross value from 3% of netback value. The law also required mining companies to pay the government 0.3% of their annual turnover, up from the previous requirement of a maximum $200.000/year. AngloGold Ashanti told Reuters it expected the Dodoma government to respect its mineral development agreement, which it said was a legal contract signed before the new mining legislation was put in place ... "What's key is that the goal posts are stable because otherwise investors will need to factor that into their investments. I think any investor would be concerned about that, we are no different." East Africa's 2nd biggest economy argues it is not seeing the fruits of soaring commodity prices, in particular gold. It "plans" to increase the mining sector's contribution to the economy -to 10% of GDP by ´25, from 3.3% last year - MW/Reuters, ARUSHA - Oct 29, 2012
www.miningweekly.com/article/anglogold-says-tanzania-law-cha…

[Popeye82]

Capacity of Sena railroad "may be increased"; Mozambican state rail +port company Portos e Caminhos de Ferro de Moçambique(CFM) is studying the possibility of increasing the capacity of the Sena railroad to 20.000.000t/anno +allowing trains with up to 84 trucks to travel along its length. Macauhub News Agency reports that these developments "would be a major benefit for the country in terms of providing much-needed capacity to transport rapidly growing coal supplies to the coast for export" - MR/MNA/Noticias, MAPUTO - Oct 30, 2012
www.miningreview.com/node/21596

[Popeye82]

SA cuts growth forecast; The government of South Africa has cut its growth forecast and predicted a wider budget deficit, citing as the main reasons fallout from the worst mining strikes since apartheid and a lack of infrastructure investment. Reuters reports, however, that finance minister Pravin Gordhan sought to allay fears of a meltdown in Africa's biggest economy, telling Parliament here that the country remained on a firmer footing than most of the developed world, +dismissing downgrades by Moody's +S&P as “inappropriate”. ... But a combative Gordhan stressed that Pretoria "would not deviate from its current spending plans +vowed to keep total debt @a peak of 39% of GDP by ´15/16." Comparing debt levels he said: “Just for the sceptics among us ‒39%. Not the 90% of European countries or the 200% of Japan or the 120% of Italy. Thirty-nine percent,” Gordhan told parliament - MR/Reuters, CAPE TOWN - Oct 26, 2012
www.miningreview.com/node/21586

[Popeye82]

New Ivory Coast tax threatens Randgold expansion; The new windfall tax imposed on gold profits by the Ivory Coast government "could hamper plans by international miner Randgold Resources to branch out from its Tongon mine +launch new projects in the West African country." Reuters reports that in September the Ivory Coast government adopted a 19% tax on gold profits, seeking to capitalise on current high gold prices to help fund reconstruction following a decade-long political crisis. Mining companies were quick to criticise the move, however, claiming they were not consulted beforehand. The government has said that while the tax is not negotiable, the rate could still be changed - MR/Reuters, ABIDJAN - Nov 1, 2012
www.miningreview.com/node/21606

[Popeye82]

Endocoal - Recommended cash offer from Chinese group U&D Mining Industry(Australia) Pty Ltd, of 0.38 A$/Share, for takeover by scheme of arrangement - Oct 29, 2012
www.stocknessmonster.com/news-item?S=EOC&E=ASX&N=702939

[Popeye82]

Mawson Resources - Grab Samples Up To 2.817g/T Gold, @Rajapalot, Finland; Micheal R. Hudson: "The 2nd round of prospecting results from Rajapalot "demonstrate the scale, prospectivity +extremely high-grade nature of the Rompas-Rajapalot area." Nevertheless, "of greater interest is the context of this new discovery with the larger Rompas-Rajapalot project area." @this very early stage of exploration, we "now have "indications" of a mineral system that has deposited high-grade gold within an area approaching 10km by 10km ." This is "very significant on a global scale." The Company has prioritized prospecting within the Rajapalot area +many geochemical samples remain to be returned. Both airborne +ground geophysical surveys will be undertaken during Q1 ´13 with the aim to firm up drill targets that can be tested during Q1/Q2 ´13" - Oct 29, 2012

Highlights from this work include:

+ Prospecting grab samples taken from outcrop returned 2.817g/t gold, 2.196g/t gold, 1.245g/t gold, 933g/t gold, 151g/t gold +135.5g/t gold, amongst 36 new grab samples (Table 2);

+ 52 samples from the Rajapalot prospect to date average 152.8g/t gold +range from 0.001g/t to 2.817g/t gold(TablesI +II)...
www.mawsonresources.com/s/NewsReleases.asp?ReportID=555312&_…

[Popeye82]

Brazilian student sells her virginity, for $780.000 online - TT - Nov 1, 2012
www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/southamerica/brazil/96323…

[Popeye82]

HaloSource - "Delivers "Groundbreaking" HaloPure® Technology to the Global Consumer Drinking Water Market", New Agreement with Tupperware Brands Corporation - Oct 30, 2012
http://ir.halosource.com/news-item?item=1207201490275258

[Popeye82]

Central Petroleum - &Total, one of the six "Supermajor" oil companies in the world, announce Strategic Alliance, for Exploration in Southern Georgina Basin - Nov 6, 2012
www.stocknessmonster.com/news-item?S=CTP&E=ASX&N=612643

[Popeye82]

Woulfe Mining - Sangdong Project NPV(8) Increases 34% -to US$535.200.000, taking IRR from 46.0% to 65.6%, Reducing the mining cost will have a significant impact on mine cut-off grade which will be expected to increase the resource base; Tetra Tech is working on updating the mineral resource, to include the last five months of drilling - Nov 6, 2012
www.woulfemining.com/s/NewsReleases.asp?ReportID=556285&_Typ…

[Popeye82]

Talga Gold - 110% Increase in Nunasvaara Graphite Resource -to 7.600.000 tonnes @24.4% graphitic carbon(“Cg”) I/I, one of the highest grade & largest amounts of contained graphite defined by JORC or NI43-101 codes anywhere in the world; Graphite has been identified over 15km of strike with ~8% of this strike length drill tested to date; increased status &size of the resource will be utilised in preliminary economic studies, due to commence in
December - Nov 11, 2012
http://talgagold.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/11/20121108NewR…

[Popeye82]

Sintana Energy - Announces VMM-37 Farmout Agreement, with Exxonmobil - Nov 12, 2012
www.sintanaenergy.com/news/index.php?pr=2012_11_12

[Popeye82]

Woulfe Mining - Acquires Land, for Development of Sangdong Processing Plant - Nov 7, 2012
www.woulfemining.com/s/NewsReleases.asp?ReportID=556479&_Typ…

[Popeye82]

Kivalliq Energy - Completes $20.000.000 Exploration Program; >38.000 Metres Drilled +Four New Zones Discovered - Sep 24, 2012
http://kivalliqenergy.com/news/2012/index.php?&content_id=19…


Assays Confirm 10th Uranium Discovery in the Lac 50 Trend; Three Metres of 0.85% U3O8 Drilled, @New Hot Zone - Nov 6, 2012
http://kivalliqenergy.com/news/2012/index.php?&content_id=20…

[Popeye82]

Fancamp Exploration - Releases 2nd Assay Results From the Lac Lamelee South Iron Project Diamond Drilling Program, Best assay interval of 292.5 metres grading 33.9% F(T)(48.5% Fe2O3) in drill hole LS-12-09; ´12 Drilling program completed -totaling 12.607 metres in 40 holes; Total metres drilled on the project to date is 18.220 metres, in 57 holes; J. Lafleur: "The 18.220 meters in drilling @the Lac Lamêlée South Iron Project has "demonstrated the "significant upside potential" of the Iron mineralization, located a few kilometers west of Arcelor Mittal’s Fire Lake Mine operation +Champion Iron Mines Fire Lake North feasibility-stage project." All this exploration work @an all in cost of ~$200/meter drilled. While we are awaiting for the remaining Iron assays results, we are constructing the 3-D model of the iron mineralization. PJL Géo-Conseil of Ste-Thérèse(Quebec) has been hired as the independent contractor for the upcoming mineral resources estimates +accompanying technical report on the mineral resources, scheduled for completion in Q1-´13" - Nov 6, 2012
www.fancampexplorationltd.ca/images/NR/2012/11062012NR.pdf

[Popeye82]

Altius Minerals - "Expands Project Generation Exploration Business", to Chile - Nov 6, 2012
http://altiusminerals.com/press-releases/view/264

[Popeye82]

Brixton Metals - Receives Thorn PhaseII Drilling Results, drills "up to" 150.50m of 165.30g/t Ag, 1.37g/t Au, 0.92% Pb +1.25% Zn/314.59g/t AgEq, Including 73.7 Metres of 284.2g/t Silver, 1.49g/t Gold, 1.31% Lead, 1.78% Zinc +0.12% Copper/466.28g/t AgEq - Nov 5, 2012
http://brixtonmetals.com/brixton-expands-the-oban-breccia-zo…

[Popeye82]

Energizer Resources - Receives Final Drill Results, For Molo Deposit; drills "up to" 261m @6.35%, 184.35m @6.60% , 200m @5.83%, 304.5m @5.71%, 278m @6.36%, 219m @7.02%, 246m @6.55% +246metres @8.19% C; "continues to expect" to outline a "potential deposit size" of 80.000.000 -120.000.000 tonnes with an average grade of between 5 -8% carbon(C)*; This data is now with Caracle Creek International Consulting Inc.(Caracle Creek) of Johannesburg, South Africa, who will author a NI 43-101 resource for the deposit. Energizer expects the NI 43-101 resource estimate by the end of November; DRA Mineral Projects will incorporate the NI 43-101 graphite resource statement into the Preliminary Economic Assessment Report(PEA) it is authouring for the Molo deposit. Energizer is targeting year-end for the receipt of the PEA study; C. Scherba: "It was in December ´11 that we identified graphite as a "potential ‘mineral of interest’" on the Green Giant property. Within one year of this time , the Company is now poised to release a NI 43-101 resource statement identifying what "looks to be" the largest known graphite deposit in the world. The release of this study, followed shortly thereafter with the release of the PEA report, " "should" establish Energizer as a significant player in the graphite space +provide the catalyst for the Company to evolve from mineral exploration into resource development" " - Nov 5, 2012
www.energizerresources.com/component/content/article/150-201…

[Popeye82]

Tethys Petroleum - MOU signed with an IOC, to acquire interest in Tajikistan PSC; 25-year Bokhtar PSC was signed in ´08 +covers a total area of ~35.000 sq. km in the Afghan Tajik portion of the prolific Amu Darya basin west of the Pamir mountains. The area included in the PSC is in the south-western part of Tajikistan +is a large, "highly prospective" region which has existing oil +gas discoveries but which has seen limited exploration to date. An independent Resource Report(dated June 30, ´12) "estimates Gross unrisked mean recoverable resources" of 27.500.000.000 barrels of oil equivalent, consisting of 114 trillion cubic feet of gas +8.500.000.000 barrels of oil; Based on the terms contained in the MOU, the parties will now negotiate a farmout agreement +a joint operating agreement, which are "planned" to be executed in the near future, whereupon the farmee +all commercial terms will be disclosed. The farmout is subject to final agreement on the commercial +legal issues, finalisation of due diligence +Tajik governmental approval. A period of exclusivity has been granted to the farmee, during the negotiations - Oct 26, 2012
www.tethyspetroleum.com/tethys/newscontent.action?articleId=…

[Popeye82]

Atico Mining - reports 18.5 meters of 10.3% Cu +2.1 g/t Au, @El Roble Mine, Colombia - Nov 1, 2012
www.aticomining.com/i/pdf/news/2012-11-01_NRb.pdf

[Popeye82]

Fission Energy - Drills 16.5m Grading 1.07% U3O8, Including 1.5m of 8.24% U3O8, @J Zone - Oct 16, 2012
www.fission-energy.com/s/newsreleases.asp?ReportID=552522


Fission Expands High Grade Boulder Field -by 2.35km , @PLS: Assays Pending - Oct 25, 2012
www.fission-energy.com/s/newsreleases.asp?ReportID=553912


Discovery Hole Hits "Off-Scale" Near Surface, @PLS - Nov 11, 2012
www.fission-energy.com/s/newsreleases.asp?ReportID=556156


Step-out Drilling hits More "Off-Scale" Radioactivity, @PLS - Nov 12, 2012
www.fission-energy.com/s/newsreleases.asp?ReportID=557083

[Popeye82]

Constantine Metal Resources - Signs Letter Agreement with Dowa Metals +Mining, operator of world class recycling +smelting operations +the largest zinc smelter in Japan, on the Palmer VMS Project, Southeast Alaska; Option for Dowa to Earn 49%, by Spending $22.000.000 - Nov 5, 2012
www.constantinemetals.com/_resources/nr/nr_2012_11_05.pdf

[Popeye82]

World Titanium Resources - NPV of Ranobe Mine Increased 21%, to US$310.000.000, Updated advice confirmed that a 21% corporate tax rate +no dividend withholding tax will apply to the Ranobe Mine Project under Madagascar’s Large Investment in Mining Legislation. The revised tax rates have been incorporated into the project economic model; B. Griffin: "The Definitive Engineering Study previously "confirmed the long life, high grade, low capital +high operating margin value proposition of the billion-dollar ‘starter pit’, @Ranobe." The starter pit is just 17% of the 959.000.000 tonne Ranobe Mineral Resource, +with the capacity of the export facilities able to support >3times the starter pit production rate "the Project can be expanded cost effectively into a larger +truly world class mineral sands operation." The company "is progressing the financing of the initial development capital "with the focus on minimising dilution of existing shareholders" " " - Nov 5, 2012

+ NPV10 increased 21%, to US310.000.000;

+ IRR increased, to 29%;

+ Average annual after tax flow increased 17%, to US$55.000.000

+ Life of Mine free cash flow(post-tax real) increased 13%, to US$1.165.000.000

+ Payback period shortened, to 2.7 years ...
www.worldtitaniumresources.com/files/wtr_news_121105.pdf?utm…

[Popeye82]

Petrel Resources Plc - Technical Update on Irish Atlantic Margin Prospects +Participation in the Atlantic Ireland ´12 Conference, Dublin - Nov 12, 2012

HL:

+ Detailed modeling has outlined a one billion barrel "potential" on Quad 35; part of our 11/4 Licencing Option.

+ Targets are accessible with one well(i.e. vertically stacked targets) having been mapped @several levels.

+ Petrel has mapped closure @its Quad 45 prospects against a major boundary fault +outlined a number of vertically stacked targets. ...
http://online.hemscottir.com/ir/pet/ir.jsp?page=news-item&it…

[Popeye82]

Syrah Resources - 700.000.000 -900.000.000 tonnes initial "Exploration Target," @Balama Graphite +Vanadium Deposit - Nov 13, 2012

HL:

+ Initial "exploration targets*" estimated @Balama are:

- Balama East - 300.000.000 -400.000.000 tonnes estimated @11% TGC(Total Graphitic Carbon) +0.3% V2O5

- Balama West - 400.000.000 -500.000.000 tonnes @10% TGC +0.2% V2O5.


+ These estimates are based on 23 drill holes +11 trenches. Within these zones are multiple high to very high grade zones "estimated" @tens of millions of tonnes, averaging between 15% to >20% TGC.

+ Very wide zones(up to 175m) of high grade vanadium(from 0.48% to 0.68% V2O5) recorded, which are comparable in tenor to the largest operating vanadium deposit in the world(Rhovan –Xstrata).

+ The majority of the Balama Graphite +Vanadium deposit is still undrilled. The Scoping Study "is looking @"a 100 year mine life.

+ Exceptional 1st drill results returned from Balama East. Best entire drill hole intersections include:

- BMDD0021 - 218.4m @12.3% TGC +0.39% V2O5, from 0m to 218.4m(end of hole)

- BMDD0022 - 290.4m @13.8% TGC +0.41% V2O5, from 0m to 290.4m(end of hole)

- BMDD0023 - 302.6m @13.7% TGC +0.38% V2O5, from 0m to 302.6m(end of hole).


+ Balama East cross section shows that high grade zones outcrop @surface in Trench 8 which recorded a zone of 180m @17.8% TGC +0.25% V2O5.

+ Very coarse(up to 6mm) flake graphite was identified in the “Sushi Zone” @Balama East over good widths. In general, Balama East is visually coarser grained than Balama West.

+ The maiden Balama West JORC resource is scheduled for completion late this quarter +the 1st Balama East JORC resource in Q1 ´13. ...
www.syrahresources.com.au/20121113%20BALAMA%20RESOURCE%20TAR…

[Popeye82]

Providence Resources P.l.c. - Drombeg "could yield" 872.000.000 barrels of oil(P50) - Nov 7, 2012
www.providenceresources.com/uploads/drombeginversionvolumesu…
www.proactiveinvestors.co.uk/companies/news/50219/providence…

[Popeye82]

Global Assessment of Agricultural R&D Spending; New report shows investments rising, but poorest countries lag behind - ASTI/GFAR/IFPRI - Oct12

- Nienke Beintema, Gert-Jan Stads, Keith Fuglie, +Paul Heisey -

- Overall, global agricultural R&D spending in the public +private sectors steadily increased between ´00 +´08. As further proof of positive development, most of this growth was driven by developing countries, since growth in high-income countries stalled. But, spending growth in developing countries was largely driven by positive trends in a number of larger, more advanced middle-income countries—such as China +India—masking negative trends in numerous smaller, poorer, +more technologically challenged countries. Countries in this last group are often highly vulnerable to severe volatility in funding, +hence in spending, which impedes the continuity +ultimately the viability of their research programs. Many R&D agencies in this group lack the necessary human, operating, +infrastructural resources to successfully develop, adapt, +disseminate science +technology innovations.

Agricultural R&D stakeholders, including policymakers, donors, R&D managers, +international development groups, need reliable +up-to-date information on the status +direction of spending +human resource capacity levels. The complex interaction of new global challenges, including the recent food +financial crises +the effects of climate change, highlights the need for a continuous updating of key agricultural R&D indicators. ASTI’s role in this area is widely recognized +was discussed in the recent G8 +G20 reports. Through its widespread network of national, regional, +international partners, ASTI continues to monitor agricultural R&D spending levels worldwide +serves as an important implementer of the GCARD monitoring process—assuming ongoing international support is provided. ...-
www.ifpri.org/sites/default/files/publications/astiglobalass…

[Popeye82]

Europa Oil &Gas - Update on Irish prospects - Nov 6, 2012

HL:

+ Europa "believes the South Porcupine Basin has the "potential" to host a new hydrocarbon province" +is "encouraged" by the results of the initial prospect evaluation

+ "Indicative resources" @Mullen range from 66.000.000(P90) up to "potentially" 1.100.000.000(P10) barrels of oil

+ P50 resources @Mullen are estimated @318.000.000 barrels of oil +are supported on seismic data by an amplitude shut-off @a constant depth

+ 1st pass seismic reprocessing over the Mullen prospect has been completed +reprocessing over Kiernan is on-going

+ Europa is seeking a joint venture partner to undertake further technical work to de-risk the Mullen +Kiernan prospects +mature them to drillable status

+ The Company is presenting the Mullen prospect @the Atlantic Ireland ´12 Conference in Dublin on 12 November ´12 ...
www.europaoil.com/documents/IAMUpdate051112.pdf

[Popeye82]

Aziana - Maiden Inferred Resource, Manantenina Bauxite Project: 10.090.000 tonnes @34.1% Available Alumina(AvAl2O3) I +2.3% Reactive Silica(RxSiO2), which covers 6.25km2, one of three areas identified as "highly prospective" for bauxite within the company’s total license holding of 218.75km2; Company "believes" the "Exploration Target" within its tenements is for 100.000.000 –150.000.000 tonnes @33 -38% AvAl2O3 with AvAl2O3/RxSiO2 ratio’s of 13 –16 - Oct 29, 2012
www.aziana.com.au/news/20121029Esama.pdf

[Popeye82]

EMED Mining - Arranges a US$50.000.000 Funding Package, with Cornerstone Customer - Nov 14, 2012
www.emed-mining.com/news/announcements/emed-arranges-us50-mi…

[Popeye82]

Cominco Resources - Successful Scoping Study, for Hinda Phosphate Project, Congo Brazzaville; R. Smith: "The results of the Scoping Study "underscore the strong economic parameters of the Hinda Project which "when" in production will propel Cominco into the top10 phosphate producers globally +bring "significant benefits" to Congo Brazzaville." The JORC compliant Mineral Resource of 454.000.000 tonnes @11.5% P2O5 represents one of the largest undeveloped, economic phosphate deposits in the world, +" "would" support a mine life in excess of 30 years producing 4.000.000 t/anno of beneficiated phosphate rock concentrate." With the support of our shareholders we have been able to commit to extensive work toward the Prefeasibility Study, +fast track completion, for H1 ´13" - Nov 14, 2012

+ "Economic +technical merit of a World-Class, TierI mine confirmed"

+ Mining, Beneficiation *Export of 4.000.000 t/anno 32% Phosrock concentrate

- Capex of $616.000.000
- 2-year payback of capital
- Internal Rate of Return 40% ungeared, after tax
- NPV @12% of US$1.030.000.000 ungeared, after tax
- "Environmentally sustainable"
- Cash Cost of $35.64/t -lowest quartile of industry costs
- Long term sales price $135/tonne
- Top10 Global Producer
- Mine Life +30 years


+ 2nd Stage to include a 2.000.000 t/anno fertiliser plant

- Capex US$1.860.000.000
- IRR 25.4% ungeared, after tax
- NPV @12% US$1.860.000.000, ungeared, after tax


+ "Strong benefits" to Congolese people

+ Board approves commencement of Pre- Feasibility Study ...
www.comincoresources.com/images/uploads/Cominco_Announcement…

[Popeye82]

Nutzen +Grenzen von Risikomodellen - UI/IfS - Nov12

- P. Bertram, D. Rösch, P. Sibbertsen -

- Risikomanagement basiert auf einer gelungenen Symbiose von Mensch +Maschine. Ohne finanzmathematische Modelle +Computer ist ein strukturiertes Risikomanagement nicht möglich. Nicht erst seit der Finanzkrise sind diese Modelle in die Kritik geraten. Die Kritik an den methodischen Schwachstellen der Modelle muss ernst genommen werden. Denn der Umgang mit den Risiken ist nur so gut, wie die Modelle in der Lage sind, die Wirklichkeit abzubilden. Hier gibt es Nachholbedarf. ( ) Man sollte diese Modelle nicht in die Abstellkammer des Risikomanagements schieben, sondern sie so weiterentwickeln, dass sie in der Lage sind, künftig schneller auf Marktveränderungen zu reagieren. Dies gilt für Szenarioanalysen genauso wie für dahinterliegende Kennziffern wie zum Beispiel den Value-@-Risk.

Die diesjährige Risikomanagementstudie von Union Investment, die von Professor D. Rösch, Professor P. Sibbertsen +P. Bertram von der Leibniz Universität Hannover erstellt wurde, untersucht daher den Nutzen +die Grenzen von Risikomodellen.

Darüber hinaus muss der Faktor Mensch in den Fokus gerückt werden. Denn die Kunst der guten Risikosteuerung besteht darin, den Prozess der Ergebnisgewinnung zu kennen +aus ihm die richtigen Schlüsse zu ziehen. Dazu bedarf es eines selbständig denkenden Portfoliomanagers , der Entscheidungen nicht modellgläubig an den Computer delegiert, sondern eigenständig trifft. Wichtig ist das Wissen um die Wirkungsweise der angewandten Modelle, um ihre blinden Flecken +grundsätzlichen Annahmen +Parameter. Um diese Herausforderungen meistern zu können, braucht es neben einer erstklassigen Ausbildung +einer analytischen Denkweise viel Erfahrung sowie eine auf Eigenverantwortung ausgerichtete Unternehmens- +Risikomanagementkultur. ...

A. Schindler -
http://institutional.union-investment.de/docme/fonds/themen/…

[Popeye82]

Gold Bullion Development - Provides Mineral Resource Estimate Update For Granada: 2.638.000 @1.06g/t Au M/I/I - Nov 15, 2012
http://finance.yahoo.com/news/gold-bullion-provides-mineral-…

[Popeye82]

Black Iron - Releases Feasibility Study, Showing 45.9% IRR, 2.2 Year Payback +U.S. $3.500.000.000 NPV8, for Shymanivske Project - Nov 15, 2012
www.blackiron.com/News/Press-Release-Details/2012/Black-Iron…

[Popeye82]

Eurozone rutscht in die Rezession - FTD - Nov 15, 2012
www.ftd.de/politik/deutschland/:konjunktur-euro-zone-rutscht…

[Popeye82]

Silver Range Resources - Announces Initial Resource Estimate +Excellent Metallurgical Results from Keg Deposit, Silver Range Project, Yukon: 38.700.000 ounces silver @30.3g/t, 675.000.000 pounds zinc @0.77%, 228.000.000 pounds lead @0.26%, 131.000.000 pounds copper @0.15% +Tin &Indium I - Nov 20, 2012
www.silverrangeresources.com/s/NewsReleases.asp?ReportID=558…

[Popeye82]

Wolf Minerals - receives revised credit approval, for GBP 75.000.000, for one of the largest undeveloped tungsten +tin resources in the western world - Nov 19, 2012
http://wlf.live.irmau.com/IRM/Company/ShowPage.aspx/PDFs/118…

[Popeye82]

Glen Eagle Resources - Increases Resources, on Authier -to 7.959.000 tonnes @0.97% Li2O M/I/I - Nov 19, 2012
http://finance.yahoo.com/news/glen-eagle-increases-77-measur…

[Popeye82]

EnWave - 3rd Tier1 Collaborator "Enters into "Market Evaluation", Following Successful R+D Phase"; Dr. T. Durance: "The "momentum with our Tier1 collaborators continues to build." After a very positive internal evaluation, a 3rd collaborator will be testing nutraDRIED™ products amongst their "target market". Our REV dehydration technology is providing some of the largest food companies in the world with "the opportunity to commercialize a diverse group of unique, innovative products" " - Nov 16, 2012
www.enwave.net/media/enwave_announces_a_3rd_market_evaluatio…

[Popeye82]

QRS Capital - Signs "Letter of Intent for Option" to Acquire Aurum Copper Project, in Chile; located 12km from Teck Resources Ltd.'s 1.104.000.000 t @0.41% El Relincho copper-molybdenum deposit. There had been extensive small scale high-grade copper mining throughout the property historically +modern exploration over the past 50 years including geological mapping, soils geochemistry, surface trenching +a Induced Polarization(IP) survey which delineated an open-ended northeast anomaly ~150 -400 m wide +2.2 km long. A number of historic non-N1 43-101 resources have been calculated with estimates as high as 20.000.000 t of 1% Cu oxide, @surface, around one of the main anomalies - Nov 1, 2012
www.marketwire.com/press-release/qrs-signs-letter-of-intent-…

[Popeye82]

Golden Reign Resources - Outlines High-Grade Initial Resource, @San Albino Mine Area, Nicaragua: 900.000 AuEq ounces @~7.54g/t AuEq M/I/I; An "Exploration Target" beyond the resource estimate(along strike +down dip) has been identified with an estimated ~562.000 -~1.562.000 AuEq ounces @6 -10g/t gold equivalent; Target is conceptual in nature , there has been insufficient exploration to define a mineral resource, +it is uncertain if further exploration will result in discovery of a mineral resource - Nov 20, 2012
www.goldenreignresources.com/i/pdf/NR-12-22-SAM-Initial-Reso…

[Popeye82]

Boxstall Universum macht dicht; Der einst größte Boxstall Europas muss Insolvenz anmelden - DPA, HAMBURG - Nov 20, 2012
http://web.de/magazine/sport/sportmix/16687856-groesster-box…

[Popeye82]

Vale wins environmental permit for Brazil rail expansion, which, known as EFC, carries nearly 10% of the world's sea-borne iron-ore exports - MW/Reuters, SAO PAULO - Nov 16, 2012

[Popeye82]

Sirius Minerals Plc - Inferred Mineral Resource Estimate increased -to 2.200.000.000 tonnes @82.4% Polyhalite(24% K2SO4), within an area representing 5% of the project area - Nov 9, 2012
www.siriusminerals.com/images/stories/announcement-pdf/infer…

[Popeye82]

Latin Resources - Guadalupito Global CET increased -to 4.480.000.000 tonnes @6.1% HM; C. Gale: "We are "continually impressed " by Guadalupito, as its potential has grown beyond our early expectations: Latin’s 1st conceptual exploration target of 1.000.000.000 tonnes was released in March ´11 +was quickly doubled by May ´11 , based on evidence from Latin’s 1st drill holes. Then in July ´12, Snowden supported Latin’s conceptual target by extrapolating our 1st JORC inferred resource as far as the overall system’s geological limits, were then understood. Now, with these results from our recent exploration drilling, our geologists have been able to reinterpret the extents of the system, claim additional mineral rights, +finally increase our conceptual exploration target a further 2/3rds beyond that estimated by Snowden . As our geologists had expected, all the infill holes @Los Conchales have returned intersections of continuous high grade HM, from surface to significant depth. Using these results we look forward to publishing our next JORC compliant inferred resource in Q1 ´13 for Los Conchales, "which we "expect" will increase the company’s inferred resource base @Guadalupito considerably" " - Nov 21, 2012

+ A revised "Conceptual Exploration Target"(CET) of 4.480.000.000 tonnes @6.1% HM[1] has been estimated for the Guadalupito Project based on a new geological interpretation, taking into account new regional drilling +sampling results +other exploration data, compiled across the project area to date.

+ Target estimate exclusive of JORC inferred resources, of 393.000.000t @4.5% HM already estimated by Snowden +reported(7 August ´12).

+ High grade results received from 4 regional exploration holes drilled along 7 kilometers of strike extension north of the Los Conchales deposit "support the Target estimate."

+ Exceptional results from a further 23 drill holes @Los Conchales received +to be included in a JORC inferred resource estimate expected Q1 ´13. Latin reported a "conceptual exploration target" of 690.000.000t @6.8% HM for the Los Conchales deposit on 26 July ´12[2], which is included within the global Target. ...
www.asx.com.au/asxpdf/20121121/pdf/42bbqjh96jmbl7.pdf

[Popeye82]

China "looks to tax cut, for domestic iron ore producers", to enable them to compete with Australian +global miners ; Local iron ore producers have "struggled to remain profitable amid lower prices." Consolidation of iron ore producers has been a "notable factor" in China, to cull unprofitable producers; It "is understood the current tax rate could be cut by 50% , from current rate of 25%"; Domestic iron ore miners have been burdened by high production costs +have failed to compete with Australian miners, including Rio Tinto(ASX: RIO) +BHP Billiton(ASX:BHP). This has forced Chinese steelmakers to rely heavily on imported ore - PAIUK - Nov 21, 2012
www.proactiveinvestors.com.au/companies/news/36154/china-loo…

[Popeye82]

Unconventional oil +gas "continues to make waves, in Australia": PartI - PAI - Nov 8, 2012

- Bevis Yeo -
www.proactiveinvestors.com.au/companies/news/35562/unconvent…


PartII - PAI - Nov 15, 2012

- Bevis Yeo -
www.proactiveinvestors.com.au/companies/news/35563/unconvent…

[Popeye82]

YTC Resources - A$158.000.000 Financing with Glencore, one of the world’s leading integrated producers +marketers of commodities, for Hera +Nymagee Projects - Nov 23, 2012
http://ytcresources.com/i/documents/5/8/1171833.pdf

[Popeye82]

Royal Resources - Red Dragon Venture Exceeds 3.000.000.000 Tonnes; M. Flis: "This is the final increase in resources for the "foreseeable future". With two areas now exceeding 1.000.000.000 t, each, Royal "has sufficient resources to pursue two independent projects." Our flagship project, the Razorback Premium Iron Project, is currently the subject of an almost completed pre-Feasibility Study. The Ironback Project "will add depth +"optionality" to Royal’s holdings in the area." I congratulate our geological team "in delivering one of the largest magnetite resources in Australia" " - Nov 21, 2012

+ Ironback Hill Prospect Inferred Resource upgraded -to 1.187.000.000 tonnes @23.2% Fe, JORC-compliant

+ Royal now has an inventory in excess of 3.000.000.000 tonnes @21.8% Fe in its Red Dragon Venture

+ The Red Dragon Venture represents the 2nd largest magnetite resource in Australia

+ Total Resources exceeding 30% Fe is 618.000.000 tonnes, @30.2% Fe ...
www.royalresources.com.au/documents/121121%20Red%20Dragon%20…

[Popeye82]

Cleveland Mining Company - Gold Production Begins, @Premier - Nov 22, 2012
http://clevelandmining.com.au/_content/documents/514.pdf

[Popeye82]

Vanoil - Agrees Non-Binding Terms, To Acquire Avana - Nov 22, 2012

"HL"

+ Non-binding heads of terms agreed, for the Acquisition in a cash-free-debt-free share transaction

+ "If completed", will deliver a 10% interest in Kenya offshore block L9, with its partners Ophir +FAR Limited +a 25% interest in Seychelles AreasA +B, with its partner Afren plc. In August ´12, Afren's management noted that the " "estimated" gross recoverable mean unrisked prospective resources" on AreasA +B are 2.800.000.000 boe, +that drilling is due to commence in Q4 ´13.

+ " "Supports" Vanoil's vision, of becoming an emerging leader in East African oil +gas exploration"

+ Brings geological +geopolitical diversification to the existing onshore Vanoil portfolio

+ Increases, "@completion", Vanoil's "net recoverable mean unrisked prospective resources" -from 927.000.000 to well >2.000.000.000 boe

+ Accelerates Vanoil's exploration program, with two 3D seismic surveys +@least four drilling events, scheduled for ´13 alone ...
www.vanoil.ca/s/NewsReleases.asp?ReportID=558736&_Type=News-…

[Popeye82]

Celamin Holdings NL - Maiden JORC Resource: 37.000.000 tonnes @21.0% P2O5 I, for 1/7 prospects contained within the Chaketma Phosphate Project, Tunisia - Nov 9, 2012
www.celaminnl.com.au/pdfs/2012-11-08-223248Maiden_JORC_Resou…

[Popeye82]

Midwinter Resources NL - Takes Phosphate Ground, in Australia +South Africa - Nov 20, 2012
http://easimail.ppr.com.au/download/files/12414/1821983/2012…

[Popeye82]

Temex Resources - Completes "Major Land Consolidation", Juby Gold Project, Ontario, increases its ownership in the area by >10-fold; Big Dome +Hydro Creek gold zones are located 4 +5 kilometres directly on strike along the TSZ west of the Juby Main Zone NI 43-101 gold resources which are 935.000 ounces of gold grading 1.30 g/t, in the Indicated category +906.000 ounces of gold grading 1.00 g/t, in the Inferred category - Nov 23, 2012
www.temexcorp.com/i/pdf/nr/2012-11-23_NR.pdf

[Popeye82]

AgriMarine Holdings - Signs Purchase +Licensing Agreement, with Norwegian Group - Nov 20, 2012
http://agrimarine.com/news/agrimarine-signs-purchase-and-lic…

[Popeye82]

Beaufield Resources - Intersects 147 Metres of 34% Iron in Schefferville, " "Presence" of enriched iron identified over a 42 km trend" - Nov 20, 2012
www.beaufield.com/investors/press-releases/details.aspx?id=8…
http://media3.marketwire.com/docs/bfd1119.pdf

[Popeye82]

Gowest Gold - Increases Gold Resources -to 1.482.400 Oz. @~4.44g/t I/I, @Frankfield East, North Timmins Gold Project, "Remains Open @Depth +Along Strike" - Nov 20, 2012
www.gowestgold.com/downloads/Gowest%20Resource%20Update%20no…

[Popeye82]

Rox Resources - BIR - Nov12

"KP"

+ Large Mt Fisher gold +nickel project located on "underexplored greenstone belt"

+ Myrtle zinc-lead JV with Teck provides free carried exploration to augment existing JORC Resource of 43.600.000t @5.04% Zn+Pb

+ Teena has "exploration target" of 100.000.000 -200.000.000 t @10 -12% Zn+Pb

+ ‘Ore grade’ phosphate identified, along 30km of strike @Marqua

+ Bonya rock chips assay up to 30.7% Cu, 34.1g/t Ag +0.52g/t Au

+ SPP to provide funds, to advance "prospective" Mt Fisher +Bonya ...
http://easimail.ppr.com.au/download/files/12414/1818391/Brea…

[Popeye82]

Orsu Metals - Signs "Non-Binding Term Sheet", With RK Mine Finance, for "Up to" US$25.000.000; Dr S. V. Kurzin: "Signing of the terms with RK Mine Finance is "another significant step towards the Company's "goal" of starting construction, @ Karchiga." "If completed", the RK Mine Finance debt offering, when added to the funds from the sale of Talas to Gold Fields +the "potential proceeds" from the $90.000.000 senior debt facility, in respect of which Barclays +UniCredit have been appointed to arrange, completes the pre-production finance package required to achieve this" - Nov 19, 2012

I. Provision of sub-ordinated secured debt finance facilities of up to $25.000.000 for the Company's Karchiga Project in Kazakhstan, comprising a $15.000.000 sub-ordinated loan +a sub-ordinated standby facility, of up to $10.000.000, +

II. An off-take agreement for 100% of any future annual production of copper concentrate @the Karchiga Project, for the life of the mine. ...
www.orsumetals.com/uploads/osuorsusignsnon-bindingtermsheetw…

[Popeye82]

Anglo declares capex blow out, @Minas Rio - Mmx - Nov 13, 2012

- D. McKay -
www.miningmx.com/page/news/markets/1460394-Anglo-declares-ca…

[Popeye82]

Podcast with David Harquail, President &CEO, Franco-Nevada, about Royalty +Stream Financing - Mines &Money - Nov12
www.minesandmoney.com/london/podcast-with-david-harquail-pre…
www.vision6.com.au/download/files/37174/1817918/Article%207%…

[Popeye82]

Aureus Mining - Announces Offering to Raise Approximately US$80.000.000, for the Development of the New Liberty Gold Project - Nov 1, 2012
http://aureus-mining.com/operational-update

[Popeye82]

BHP gets extension, on Olympic Dam deadline - MW, PERTH - Nov 13, 2012

- E. Swanepoel -
www.miningweekly.com/article/bhp-gets-extension-on-olympic-d…

[Popeye82]

West Australia sees Oakajee port project delayed 2-3 years - MW/Reuters, PERTH - Nov 13, 2012
www.miningweekly.com/article/west-australia-sees-oakajee-por…

[Popeye82]

New R200.000.000 platinum, iron-ore, vanadium explorer lists on JSE - MW/CMR, JOHANNESBURG - Nov 23, 2012

- M. Creamer -
www.miningweekly.com/article/new-r200m-platinum-iron-ore-van…

" A new platinum, iron-ore and vanadium exploration company has listed on the Johannesburg Stock Exchange.

The R200-million-market-valued Sable Platinum, headed by CEO James Allan, has reverse listed into the JSE’s New Corpcapital (JSE: NCA) cash shell and has begun trading on the platinum and precious metals sector of the JSE’s main board.

Allan conceded in a Mining Weekly Online video interview that the company was listing at “a very tough time” from an "outward appearances" perspective, but it was being done in the belief that the platinum market had bottomed and that it was now “on the up”.

“We’ve got platinum on surface on one of our properties near Xstrata’s Eland Platinum mine and at one other property near Northam Platinum we’ve intersected platinum at 2 070 m, which is deep, but the grades are fantastic, four-and-a-quarter-metre-thick reef and 10 g a ton,” Allan said.

The grade of the shallow reef was slightly more than 2 g/t and high in nickel content, which added another 2 g/t-equivalent.

Vanadium and iron-ore were also present on four properties, one of which – Syferfontein – was subject to litigation, however.

The quickest route to cash flow was poised to be the iron-ore, provided the necessary licensing could be obtained.

“We think the company has good prospects on the platinum side and also additional value that will come from the magnetite and vanadium,” Allan told Mining Weekly Online.

When Sable approached Flagship Asset Management for capital in September last year, its chairperson Winston Floquet suggested that the company reversed into its 38%-held listed NCA.

The cash shell provided Sable with a spread of shareholders and cash to help Sable develop its five project areas, all of which are situated on the western limb of the Bushveld Igneous Complex, where the platinum/palladium ratio is generally 2:1.

The projects include the Abrina, Bank, Syferfontein, Doornpoort and Klipfontein – a joint venture with TX-listed Platinum Group Metals – projects and platinum has been intersected at Abrina and Klipfontein.

The Competent Persons Report on Sable Platinum showed a target resource of between 42-million ounces and 70-million ounces of platinum, palladium, rhodium and gold.

Allan, a mining engineer who has been involved in the mining and financial services sectors for 29 years, said the exploration company would be developed to the best value for shareholders.

“If that means selling it at some stage, then we shall do so. That will be a decision for the shareholders, but the idea is to start mines,” he added.

The exploration phase was likely to persist for another two years to the point of bankable feasibility study.

While developing a platinum mine from that point could take another five to seven years, openpit exploitation of the near-surface vanadium and iron-ore prospects could be considerably quicker.

Leading members of the executive include technical director René Hochreiter, who was formerly Nedbank’s top-rated platinum analyst, legal director David Levithan and financial director Marietjie van Tonder.

The nonexecutive team includes chairperson Tom Wixley, Neil Lazarus, Charles Mostert, Tertius de Villiers and Botha Schabort.

New Corpcapital had, in effect, ceased to carry on any business and had some 110c a share net asset value, with its assets being principally cash or cash equivalents.

Sable Platinum is the holding company of Sable Platinum Mining Pty and Roan Platinum Pty, the main activities of which are exploration and related activities such as the economic evaluation of the deposits and assessing the viability of mine construction.


Edited by: Creamer Media Reporter "

[Popeye82]

"Yps" kommt jetzt DOPPELT so oft - SOK - Nov 26, 2012
http://web.de/magazine/lifestyle/leben/16730002-yps-hefte-gr…

[Popeye82]

Kivalliq Energy - Final Drill Results Received from the Lac 50 Trend, Including High-Grade Uranium Assays from J4 Zone; 2.42% U3O8, 0.25% Cu +137.4 g/t Ag Over 3.8 m, 2.86% U3O8 +29.2 g/t Ag Over 1.5 m +0.3% U3O8 +10.1 g/t Ag Over 24.1 m, Drilling @J4 intersected uranium over a strike length of 800 metres +; to a vertical depth of 383 metres, the deepest uranium intercept on the Angilak Property to date; revised resource estimate scheduled for early ´13 - Nov 26, 2012
www.kivalliqenergy.com/news/index.php?&content_id=206
http://kivalliqenergy.com/projects/angilak/program_images/
www.corebox.net/properties/angilak

[Popeye82]

Deutsche Bank faces Libor questions, from German lawmakers - FY/Reuters, FRANKFURT - Nov 28, 2012
http://finance.yahoo.com/news/deutsche-bank-faces-libor-ques…

[Popeye82]

Brixton Metals - Drills Best Intercept to Date, @Oban: 310m of 105.82 g/t Ag, 0.71 g/t Au, 1.76% Zn, 0.03% Cu +0.90% Pb//223 g/t AgEq, Including 123m of 190.68 g/t Ag, 1.19 g/t Au, 3.25% Zn, 0.06% Cu +1.74% Pb/402 g/t AgEq - Nov 26, 2012
http://brixtonmetals.com/brixton-metals-drills-best-intercep…

[Popeye82]

South Sudan parliament passes mining bill; South Sudan's parliament has passed a mining bill "which it hopes will open up the largely unexplored territory to investors +diversify its heavily oil-dependent economy", a senior lawmaker said on Friday. Officials say firms from China, Australia, the US, South Africa +other African countries plan to apply for licences in the new country, which seceded from Sudan in ´11; Apart from gold, South Sudan, a country with few paved roads, "has also potential deposits of" diamond, chromite, copper, uranium, manganese +a belt of iron-ore, experts say - MW/Reuters, JUBA - Sep 23, 2012
www.miningweekly.com/article/south-sudan-parliament-passes-m…

[Popeye82]

Mozambique to limit State, local mining stakes for now; Mozambique does not plan to seek overly high State +local participation in mining, beyond current totals of 5% to 20%, "to keep attracting vital investment", the head of the State-owned mining company said. While some southern African politicians have campaigned to nationalise mines or demanded that 51% stakes in companies be given to local black people, as in Zimbabwe, Antonio Manhica said his government "would seek to balance the interests of the country with those of investors." "In each of the projects, we have 5% to 20%... we don't expect to see much change in that," the CEO of the Empresa Mocambicana de Exploracao Mineira(EMEM) told Reuters - MW/Reuters, MAPÜUTO - Nov 23, 2012
www.miningweekly.com/article/mozambique-to-limit-state-local…

[Popeye82]

Fancamp Exploration - Issues 4th Set of Assay Results, From the Lac Lamelee South Iron Project Diamond Drilling Program; Best assay interval of 333.2 metres grading 29.1% Fe(T)(41.7% Fe2O3) in drill hole LS-12-23; MRE slated for completion in Q1-´13 - Nov 22, 2012
www.fancampexplorationltd.ca/images/NR/2012/11222012NR.pdf

[Popeye82]

Leyshon Resources - ZJS5 Well, @TD; "Multiple "Potential" Gas Pay Zones", initial results have "indicated" that about 56.4 metres pay intervals have been encountered - Nov 28, 2012
http://leyshonresources.com/upload/documents/Investor/Releas…

[Popeye82]

Baobab Resources Plc - Joint Venture for Changara Project - Nov 28, 2012
www.baobabresources.com/files/BAO_AIMRelease20121128Changara…

[Popeye82]

Western Potash - Sustainable Recycled Water Source Secured, for Milestone Potash Project - Nov 27, 2012
www.westernpotash.com/news/sustainable-recycled-water-source…

[Popeye82]

China's industrial profits up, in October - CER/WSJ - Nov 27, 2012
www.chinaeconomicreview.com/node/62970

"Profit levels @major Chinese industrial companies increased 20.5% year-on-year in October -to US$80.330.000.000(RMB500.100.000.000), The Wall Street Journal reported, citing official statistics released today.

The figures show an acceleration in growth, when compared to a year-on-year increase of 7.8% in September. Industrial profit rose 0.5% in the 1st ten months of this year. Large industrial firms made a total profit of US$640.200.000.000 in the January to October period. In the same 10-month period, private firms posted profits of US$200.000.000.000, up 17% year-on-year, while profits @government controlled or owned companies dropped 9.2% year-on-year -to US$180.000.000.000. The figures relate to firms with a yearly income of @least US$3.210.000. The October results "add to other indicators "signaling a rebound in China's economy." " "

[Popeye82]

China to further subsidize green vehicles - CER/CAIXIN - Nov 27, 2012
www.chinaeconomicreview.com/node/62967

"The Chinese government will set aside US$161-321 million each year to subsidize development of the new-energy vehicle market and research into related technology, Caixin reported, citing an official.

Since 2009, more than 20,000 environmentally friendly cars have entered the market under Beijing's encouragement, and a supply chain for such vehicles has been established, said Zheng Xiaosong, assistant minister of finance.

The government is set to continue to promote the use of hybrid buses, having proven to be stable, consume less energy and produce lower greenhouse gas emission, Zheng said. Green buses have already hit roadways in 25 medium and large cities including Shanghai, Beijing and Chongqing. In April, the State Council approved plans promoting the auto industry to build 500,000 new-energy cars by 2015. "

[Popeye82]

Tertiary Minerals Plc - MB Project Review Defines Fluorspar Deposit with "World Class "Potential" " - Nov 29, 2012
www.tertiaryminerals.com/uploads/Tertiary%20Minerals%20RNS%2…

[Popeye82]

Pan Global Resources - Outlines Borate Mineralisation Over 6km2 in the Valjevo Licence, Serbia - Nov 27, 2012
www.panglobalresources.com/_resources/news/nr_2012_11_27.pdf

[Popeye82]

Avala Resources - Announces Initial Resource Estimate for Korkan, Part of the Timok Gold Project, Serbia: 1.000.000 @1.5g/t Au I; combined inferred resource for Korkan +Bigar Hill has been estimated @2.300.000 ounces @1.6g/t gold, Timok Gold Project comprises several targets including Bigar Hill, Korkan +Kraku Pester. The Korkan resource estimate is the 2nd/3 scheduled resource estimates, with Kraku Pester to follow, revised resource estimates planned for completion in Q2 ´13 - Nov 5, 2012
www.avalaresources.com/i/pdf/2012-11-05_AVZ_PR_Korkan_Res-Es…

[Popeye82]

Rio to cut billions in spending - MA - Nov 29, 2012

- A. Duffy -
www.miningaustralia.com.au/news/rio-to-cut-billions-in-spend…

[Popeye82]

New rail lines "could kill iron ore price" : UBS - MA - Nov 29, 2012

- A. Duffy -
www.miningaustralia.com.au/news/new-rail-lines-could-kill-ir…

[Popeye82]

Palästina wird anerkannt; Mehrheit in UN-Vollversammlung ist für Aufwertung zum "Beobachterstaat" - DPA, NEW YORK - Nov 29, 2012
http://web.de/magazine/nachrichten/ausland/16749926-palaesti…

[Popeye82]

Prospect Global Resources - &Apollo, one of the leading private equity investors in the mining industry +one of the largest alternative investment management firms in the world, Sign Commitment, for $100.000.000 Investment - Nov 29, 2012
http://ir.prospectgri.com/phoenix.zhtml?c=236928&p=irol-news…

[Popeye82]

Energizer Resources/Malagasy Minerals - Reports 43-101 Mineral Resource Estimate for its Green Giant, Madagascar, Graphite Property: 124.380.000 Tonnes @~6.33% C I/I, one of the worlds largest graphite resources - Dec 3, 2012
www.energizerresources.com/component/content/article/150-201…

[Popeye82]

Vale cuts new spending, by $5.100.000.000; Brazilian mining giant Vale has cut estimated ´13 spending by $5.100.000.000 +reshuffled its plans, to focus on the iron ore sector - MA - Dec 4, 2012

- A. Duffy -
www.miningaustralia.com.au/news/vale-cuts-new-spending-by-$5…

[Popeye82]

PNG mining tax review "causes concern"; Papua New Guinea's Government is "trying to dampen miners' fears ahead of its mining tax review", with concerns it could look @greater nationalisation - MA - Dec 4, 2012

- C. Latimer -
www.miningaustralia.com.au/news/png-mining-tax-review-causes…

[Popeye82]

Global warming "guides BHP investments"; BHP Billiton says the risk of climate change +wild weather influenced its decision to upgrade port developments, @Hay Point in Queensland; M. Randolph said the decision to replace a jetty @Hay Point was made after cyclone Yasi hit north Queensland, in ´11. “If cyclone Yasi had hit Hay Point, we would have lost that facility,” he said. “So it is a recognition that as these cyclones become more severe, we need to have facilities that are more able to withstand them.” - MA/FR - Dec 4, 2012

- A. Duffy -
www.miningaustralia.com.au/news/global-warming-guides-bhp-in…

[Popeye82]

Havilah Resources - Grants Prospect Confirmed as a "Significant New Iron Ore Discovery", Maiden Resource Estimate -of 304.000.000 Tonnes @24% Fe I; Dr B. Johnson: "Grants "will be a very attractive mining proposition, owing to the fact that the deposit starts @surface +extends up to 180m depth in a single solid mass of essentially flat lying iron ore, with no overburden +minimal internal waste." The material "appears to be mineralogically similar to Maldorky, hence it is "expected" that the same comparatively simple metallurgical processing methods would apply". Standing on top of the Grants deposit, one can see +hear the trains, moving down the Transcontinental railway line, "which makes Grants "somewhat unique", as new iron ore discovery" ” - Dec 4, 2012

"HL"

+ An Inferred Resource of 304.000.000 tonnes of 24% Fe(applying an 18% Fe cut-off grade).

+ Contains >100.000.000 tonnes of premium grade product(>60% Fe), with very low levels of impurity elements, assuming a yield factor of 33%.

+ "Ideal open pit geometry" –a homogeneous keel shaped mass of iron ore up to 180m thick covering approximately 130 Ha, with minimal internal waste +almost no overburden.

+ "Favourable" logistics -only 8 km from railway line, near to power +gas +1 hour from Broken Hill ...
www.havilah-resources.com.au/pdf/121205_Grants_Resources.pdf

[Popeye82]

African Consolidated Resources Plc - Preliminary Economic Assessment; "confirms "early indications" " of a high grade open pit, able to produce @a rate of 50.000 tonnes/month('ktpm') +a mined grade of 4.6 grams/tonne('g/t') by applying a mining cut-off of 2.0 g/t, derived from a resource grade of 5.1 g/t. @this cut-off grade the open pit will produce an estimated 720.000 gold ounces over a life of mine of 10 years. Applying a 1.0 g/t cut-off @the same production rate, the open pit will yield 850.000 gold ounces, for a life of mine of 16 years. The project will require an estimated investment in the order of US$60.000.000, which in turn will yield an NPV10% of ~US$300.000.000(IRR 128%) +a payback anticipated within 18 months, applying a 2.0 g/t cut-off. The gold price assumed is US$/oz 1.500, whilst an estimated operating cost of ~US$/oz. 450 is applied. PEA considered 26 scaled options, ranging from 25.000t/m to 100.000t/m production. This options' analysis "has provided management an "early perspective" on the scalability of the operation, with a view to maximising shareholders' returns." The 50.000t/m option has been selected @this time, on the basis of its operating sustainability +capital efficiency, PEA is considered to have a confidence level of (+/-)30%, Company is continuing the feasibility study +is targeting completion , in Q2 ´13 - Dec 04, 2012
www.acrplc.com/Investors/News/2012/Preliminary%20Economic%20…

[uprock]

Hi Popeye,

mal kurz auf diesem Weg Meldung von mir.
Ich kann nämlich im Moment BM's zwar empfangen, aber - technisch bedingt - keine senden.

Wollt mich melden wegen Dem angedeuteten, möglichen "Angebot" aus Deiner letzten BM: das klingt interessant, lässt sich drüber reden.

Lass mich wissen, wenn es was neues dazu gibt.
Natürlich nicht hier, sondern ausschliesslich per BM!!

Grüsse

[Popeye82]

Bushveld Minerals - P-Q Zone Resource Update, Additional resource of 107.000.000 tonnes added, through drilling of the P-Q Zone of the Bushveld Iron Ore Project -to 740.000.000 Tonnes @~31% Fe/~45% Fe2O3, ~0.06% P2O5, ~9.5% TiO2% +~0.18% V2O5% I/I, update of MML mineral resource statement is expected in the 1st quarter of ´13; F. Mojapelo: "This update is an important milestone towards our objective to prove up a resource in excess of 1.000.000.000 tonnes, in line with the commitments we made when the Company was admitted to AIM, in March ´12. Importantly, the majority of the additional resource that we have reported is in the Indicated category, defined from surface along strike extension. Furthermore, the resource upgrade does not come from deeper resources, but adds to a potentially open-castable resource" - Dec 5, 2012
ww1.investorrelations.co.uk/feed/custom/bushveld/regulatoryn…

[Popeye82]

Fission Energy - Intersects 12.5m @2.49% U3O8, With Assays to 11.1% U3O8, @PLS - Dec 5, 2012
www.fission-energy.com/s/newsreleases.asp?ReportID=560296

[Popeye82]

Kivalliq Energy - Assays from Nine Iron Trend Confirm Another New Uranium Discovery; Kivalliq Acquires 87.438 Acres, Through Staking @Angilak - Dec 3, 2012
www.kivalliqenergy.com/news/index.php?&content_id=209

[Popeye82]

Northern Gold - Enters Into Option Agreement, to Acquire Harker-Holloway Gold Property +Grants Stock Options - Nov 30, 2012
www.northerngold.ca/pressreleases/Nov302012-Final.pdf

[Popeye82]

Rockgate Capital - Increases Mineral Resources, @Falea Uranium-Silver-Copper Project, Mali -to 45.270.000 Ibs @~0.073% U3O8, 36.850.000 Ounces @~42g/t Ag +155.410.000 Ib @~0.23% Cu M/I/I - Dec 4, 2012
www.rockgatecapital.com/i/pdf/News/2012-12-04_NR.pdf

[Popeye82]

Dave Brubeck ist tot - Dec 5, 2012
http://web.de/magazine/unterhaltung/musik/16796346-us-jazzle…

[Popeye82]

Pilot Gold - Reports 193 g/t Gold, 9.8 g/t silver +0.46% copper Over 12.0 Metres, @TV Tower, Turkey - Dec 3, 2012
www.pilotgold.com/sites/default/files/news_pdfs/PilotGoldnew…
http://media3.marketwire.com/docs/plg-DrillResults1226.pdf
http://media3.marketwire.com/docs/plg-TV-Tower-DM_1226.pdf
http://media3.marketwire.com/docs/plg123_VG.jpg

[Popeye82]

CASS: Chinese economy to grow 8.2% in ´13 - CER/Reuters/CASS - Dec 6, 2012
www.chinaeconomicreview.com/node/63090

"China's economy is likely to expand 8.2% in 2013, up from expected rate of 7.7% this year, as a result of government's pro-growth policies, Reuters reported, citing a "blue book" report by the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences, a government think-tank.

The report urged Beijing to increase the budget deficit "appropriately" and slash taxes that restrict economic efficiency next year. It also warned that global uncertainty could still pose a major risk for China. As the premier state-backed academic and policy research center, the think tank is often viewed as closely reflecting central government thinking. Its recommendations dovetail with stated goals of China's new leadership, including allowing more market-determined pricing of resources and expanding VAT reforms. The think tank said it is "cautiously optimistic on the outlook for 2013." "

[Popeye82]

SA’s ANC "may increase mining taxes"; South Africa’s ruling African National Congress(ANC) intends to ignore advice from the leading ratings companies +call for an increase in mining taxes, says Enoch Godongwana, the party’s economic policy head - MR/BB - Dec12
www.miningreview.com/node/21754

[Popeye82]

Three Zimbabwe miners to lose licences; Three major Zimbabwean mining companies are set to have their operating licences revoked after blatantly refusing to comply with the country’s indigenisation regulations - MR/SM, HARARE - Dec 5, 2012
www.miningreview.com/node/21744

[Popeye82]

Gold Fields to spin off SA mines; Gold Fields Limited -the 4th-biggest producer of the precious metal- is to spin off part of its South African business, as a wave of strikes +above-inflation pay gains add to costs +curb output for mining companies in the country - MR/BB, JOHANNESBURG - Nov 30, 2012
www.miningreview.com/node/21735
www.bloomberg.com/news/2012-11-29/gold-fields-proposes-spinn…

"Gold Fields Limited ‒ the fourth-biggest producer of the precious metal ‒ is to spin off part of its South African business as a wave of strikes and above-inflation pay gains add to costs and curb output for mining companies in the country.

“Sibanye Gold Limited will trade in Johannesburg and New York and include the Kloof-Driefontein Complex, Africa’s largest gold operation, and the Beatrix mines,” Gold Fields revealed in a statement here. The company will keep South Deep, its second-biggest facility, and its mines in Peru, Ghana and Australia, reports Bloomberg News.

Gold Fields is partly reacting to rolling wildcat strikes that began in South Africa’s platinum industry, before spreading to gold, iron-ore, coal and diamond mining. About 29,000 Gold Fields workers walked out in the past two months, winning pay gains that added to rising power costs and capital spending.

“If anything, the strike has accentuated the need for a different focus so that we can stop a decline in production and increase in costs,” CEO Nick Holland said. “This is something we’ve been thinking about for some time.”

Gold Fields has won approval from the South African Reserve Bank for the spinoff and is waiting for the Johannesburg Stock Exchange, where Sibanye will begin trading in February, he said.

Gold Fields gained 5.7% to R108.60 by the close ‒ the most since 19 September last year. The stock is still down 15% since the end of 2006, while spot gold prices have almost tripled.
“We’ve seen a gold price that’s gone way beyond our wildest dreams in the last five or six years, and yet our equities are stuck in the mud, not just Gold Fields,” Holland told investors on a call. “If that continues into the future, then this industry will be in for a massive shakeup.”

“AngloGold Ashanti Limited, the third-biggest producer of the metal, retains the option of splitting off its South African operations,” CEO Mark Cutifani said last week. “Nothing has changed,” Alan Fine, an AngloGold spokesman, said today by phone. “He’s been consistent in that message.”

About a third of AngloGold’s metal comes from South Africa, where it employs about 35,000 people. The company’s stock rose by the most in three weeks, gaining 3.9% to R275.

Labour unrest this year will lower economic growth in the country and cut exports by more than US$1.4 billion, the National Treasury says. Mining, contributing 6 percent of the economy and employing almost half a million people, will take a year to recover from job losses after the strikes, Finance Minister Pravin Gordhan said Nov. 26.

The newly created Sibanye will be the largest gold-mining company in South Africa and be headed by Neal Froneman, who is resigning as CEO of Gold One International Limited, according to Gold Fields. "

[Popeye82]

Wolf Minerals - achieves US$82.000.000 funding package, for Hemerdon - Dec 6, 2012
http://wlf.live.irmau.com/irm/Company/ShowPage.aspx/PDFs/119…

[Popeye82]

Bassari Resources - Resource Upgrade -to 1.000.000 Ounces @2.6 g/t Gold I/I - Makabingui Gold Project - Dec 4, 2012
www.bassari.com.au/bassari/skillsEDIT/clientuploads/88/04121…

[Popeye82]

Archer Exploration - Campoona Graphite Maiden JORC Resource: 2.527.000 Tonnes grading 12.3% TGC M/I/I - Dec 6, 2012

+ Maiden JORC Resource @Campoona of 2.572.000 tonnes grading 12.3% TGC with 310.800 tonnes of contained graphite @a lower cut‐off grade of 5%TGC.

+ Scoping Study activities underway including environmental baseline studies.

+ Significant progress on defining the optimum processing flow sheet for the extraction of high value graphite product has been achieved. Results to date demonstrate >98%TGC concentrates are reproducible with excellent recoveries.

+ PhaseII Resource drilling @Central Campoona is scheduled to start February ´13.

+ 80% of the Campoona strike is undrilled. Resource Extension drilling north +south of Campoona Shaft +Central Campoona is planned to commence in April ´13, to define likely Exploration Target for the combined Campoona graphite deposit.

+ Regional drilling targeting multiple EM conductors near Campoona is planned for April ´13. ...
www.archerexploration.com.au/assets/pdfs/121206_GraphiteReso…

[Popeye82]

Fission Energy - Increases 43-101 Resource, @J Zone on Its Waterbury Lake Project -to 13.031.000 Ibs @~1.39% U3O8 I/I - Dec 6, 2012
www.fission-energy.com/s/newsreleases.asp?ReportID=560446

[Popeye82]

Ernst &Young -Bergbaufirmen werden sich ´13 auf Kostenkontrolle +Effizienz konzentrieren - GI/E &Y - Dec 4, 2012

- B. Junker -
www.goldinvest.de/index.php/rolle-spielen-ernst-young-bergba…

"Laut einer Analyse der Experten von Ernst & Young werden Bergbaufirmen sich im kommenden Jahr weiterhin darauf konzentrieren, ihre Kosten in Schach zu halten und ihre Projekte effizienter zu entwickeln. Das stehe im krassen Gegensatz zum Vorjahr als im Minensektor die Produktionssteigerung höchste Priorität genossen habe.


In ihrem Ausblick auf 2013 erklären die Experten, dass sich der Ausblick für den Sektor zwar aufgehellt habe, die hohe Volatilität, die auf Grund der Unsicherheiten um die Lage der Weltwirtschaft entstanden sei, aber zusammen mit den steigenden Kosten ein für die Bergbaugesellschaften ganz anderes Arbeitsumfeld geschaffen habe.

Die Volatilität habe dazu geführt, dass der Großteil der Aktionäre nun verstärkt das Risiko scheue und diese die Minenfirmen unter Druck setzen würden, geplante Projekte effizienter zu entwickeln und vorhandenes Kapital nicht für neue Projekte oder Investitionen einzusetzen, so Ernst & Young. Wie die Experten weiter ausführten, müsse man zwar den Wünschen der Aktionäre folgen, aber es sei schwierig langfristige Wachstumspläne zu erfüllen, wenn man nicht investieren und reinvestieren könne.

Viele Unternehmen würden ihren Aktionären zeigen wollen, dass sie deren Bedenken verstanden haben, doch würden die internen Analysen der Firmen zeigen, dass sie eine Reihe von Projekten in den Büchern haben, die selbst unter den aktuellen Bedingungen zusätzliche Werte schaffen könnten. Sollten die Bergbaufirmen aber nicht nachweisen können, dass dieser Wert kurzfristig zu realisieren sei, würden die Planungen auf Eis gelegt.

Da weniger Kapital für Wachstum freigegeben werde, würden sich Minengesellschaften, die Geld für ihre Wachstum benötigen in Zukunft verstärkt darauf konzentrieren, nicht zum Kerngeschäft gehörenden oder weniger gut laufende Projekte abzustoßen, um so Kapital für Investitionen frei zu machen, so Ernst & Young.

Da viele größere, diversifizierte Bergbaufirmen bei der Verwendung neuen Kapitals zur Senkung der Kosten auf bestehenden Minen eingeschränkt seien, so die Experten, seien diese Minen für potenzielle Käufer, die solchen Einschränkungen nicht unterliegen, wertvoller.

In der Branche werde erwartet, dass Branchengiganten wie BHP Billiton (WKN 908101) oder Rio Tinto (WKN 852147) nächstes Jahr weitere nicht zum Kerngeschäft gehörende Assets abstoßen. Beide Konzerne würden derzeit ihre Portfolios angesichts niedrigerer Rohstoffpreise und steigender Kosten überprüfen. "

[Popeye82]

Messi bricht Gerd Müllers Torrekord; Der Argentinier macht sich einmal mehr unsterblich, Mehr Tore in einem Jahr als Lionel Messi hat noch KEINER geschossen, Mit den Treffern 85 +86 in diesem Jahr verbesserte Messi die Bestmarke des einstigen Torjägers von Bayern München von 85 Pflichtspieltoren, aus dem Kalenderjahr ´72 - W/DPA, BARCELONA - Dec 9, 2012
http://web.de/magazine/sport/fussball/international/16820756…

[Popeye82]

Südafrikas Goldproduktion bricht um 45,7% ein - W:O/GI - Dec 11, 2012

- B. Junker -
www.wallstreet-online.de/nachricht/5065683-abschwung-beschle…

[Popeye82]

Castle Resources - Reports New Granduc Resource Estimate, With a Significant Increase in Tonnage +Copper Grade -to 55.950.000 Tonnes @~1.44% Cu, ~0.18g/t Au +~11.1g/t Ag M/I/I; Preliminary Economic Assessment set to release in Q1 of ´13 - Dec 12, 2012
www.marketwire.com/press-release/castle-resources-reports-ne…
http://media3.marketwire.com/docs/841169_map.pdf

[Popeye82]

Beaufield Resources - Reports High Grade Cu-Zn-Ag-Au Tortigny Resource Estimate: 845.000 tonnes grading 2.01% Copper, 4.29% Zinc, 55.29 g/t Silver +0.39 g/t Gold M/I - Nov 28, 2012
www.beaufield.com/investors/press-releases/details.aspx?id=9…
http://media3.marketwire.com/docs/BFD_Figure1.pdf
http://media3.marketwire.com/docs/BFD_Figure2.pdf

[Popeye82]

Minemakers - A$25.000.000 Received, for Sale of Namibian Assets - Dec 12, 2012
www.minemakers.com.au/downloads/121212SaleofNamibianAssets.p…

[Popeye82]

Govt unveils 'radical' "plan" , to reshape SA coal; >1/2 of South Africa's domestic thermal coal supply to Eskom -2.100.000.000 tonnes- can be secured by black-owned companies, says Government - Mmx - Dec 10, 2012

- D. MacKay -
www.miningmx.com/page/news/energy/1483974-Govt-unveils-radic…

"SOUTH Africa's domestic coal mining sector was set to undergo a radical, "game-changing" restructuring, according to the South African government which added that “urgent steps” were needed to secure up to 2.1 billion tonnes (Bt) of thermal coal supplies for Eskom, the state-owned utility company.

Billed as a "game-changing" initiative by Eskom, public enterprises minister, Malusi Gigaba, said today the private sector, apprised of government’s plans last week, was “generally supportive” of the initiative in which Eskom would “radically transform” its procurement strategy to include new, black-owned miners.

Eskom estimated that between now and 2040, it would require 4Bt of coal of which 1.97bt had been contracted, but a further 2.1Bt was still to be secured. Of this, Eskom believed some 1.3Bt could be provided by new, black-owned companies.

“We have no option for any back-up plan to secure future coal. We have to make sure new mines open and that more than the majority of them are by black-owned companies,” said Brian Dames, CEO of Eskom.

Capital for the new investment would be drawn from a mining fund expressly founded for new mining companies, as well as the consolidation of existing junior coal mining companies.

Other initiatives included establishing an inland terminal – or coal pantry – to provide a platform for beneficiation of coals, encouraging new mining companies to engage in coal trading activities, and efforts by Eskom to use its purchasing power to lift black-ownership of existing companies to 50% plus 1% from the current legislated target of 26% under the Minerals and Petroleum Resources Development Act (MPRDA).

Currently, 61% of coal bought by Eskom was procured from eight mines which belong to the likes of Anglo American, BHP Billiton Energy South Africa, Xstrata and Exxaro Resources, the only major black-owned coal mining company listed on the JSE.

“From 2018, the shortfall is significant and allows a window for development, including the Limpopo and Waterberg coalfields. It is important to start the planning process now,” said Dames.

Commenting on the establishment of a fund, that would have the support of the Industrial Development Corporation (IDC), the Development Bank of Southern Africa (DBSA), among other funding agencies under government’s control, Dames said: “We would like to see its start as soon as possible so we can start implementation.”

Private sector participation was welcomed, said Gigaba: “The development fund won’t rely on DFIs [development funding institutions], but it will welcome private sector participation”. Of the more than 5,000 coal miners addressed about the plan earlier today, which Gigaba said were receptive to the restructuring plan, there were a number of small private equity firms.

The initiative ultimately falls under the aegis of the Presidential Infrastructure Coordinating Commission (PICC), the future of which was captured in the Infrastructure Development Bill, gazetted in parliament on December 6. In terms of the PICC, some R845bn was be invested in infrastructural projects – through Infrastructure Strategy Projects, known as ‘Sips’ – in three years, and some R4 trillion over 15 years.


PRIVATE SECTOR

Calls for private sector involvement in Eskom and government's plans comes at a difficult time for existing coal producers.

Earlier this month, Dames said in parliament that he was seeking a "national pact" to control coal price inflation while Gigaba told Miningmx on December 5 that he would support the notion of declaring South Africa’s coal resources a strategic asset at the African National Congress’ (ANC’s) elective conference in Mangaung.

These comments have been interpreted by the market as anti-investment developments, and that South Africa's coal sector is ex-growth.

Dames said in an interview today that the proposed pact on coal price inflation, and any other measures to apply export duties on coal should be viewed through the lens of Eskom's Multi-Year Price Determination (MYPD3) application which asked for an increase in electricity tariffs of 16% a year from 2013 to 2018, assuming coal price inflation did not exceed 10%.

"The national pact relates to the performance of the cost plus mines but in 2018 we recognise that we will have to cater for a much higher coal cost," Dames said.

Dames added that to help finance the new generation of mines, Eskom would replicate its cost plus model whereby miners are able to lock in a margin above the cost of production. "

[Popeye82]

Rick Rule -The Enemy is Between Your Ears - YT - Nov 29, 2011
www.youtube.com/watch?v=WPoz8oc8UUs

[Popeye82]

Cyclone Power Technologies - to Form Joint Venture, with Manufacturing Partner, Precision CNC - Dec 12, 2012
www.cyclonepower.com/press/12-12-12.pdf

[Popeye82]

Eagle Star Minerals - Expands Bomfim Claims Along Phosphate Belt, Based on Positive Drill +Pit Sampling Results - Dec 11, 2012
http://eaglestarminerals.com/2012/12/11/eagle-star-expands-b…


Eagle Star Minerals Concludes Detailed Mapping, @Canabrava, Doubles Mineralized Strike -to 30 Kilometers, with an average thickness of 7 meters bearing thin to no overburden; In general, the exposure of phosphate mineralization occurs in two forms: I) over hillsides +2) over plateaus. The mineralized package exhibits no overburden on the hillsides while in the plateau areas it is "likely to have" either no or a very thin(< 5 meters) overburden that preserves the mineralized package(up to 10 meters) from erosion; Similar phosphate mineralized packages have also been observed @CB-2 +CB-3 but these areas have yet to be mapped in detail, +Claims New Areas; Dr Campos: "The "potential for a "very significant resource", based on the 1:50.000 scale detailed mapping recently completed here @CB-1 is "very clear"." For this reason, our main objective going forward will be to develop the process that " "will" enable turning this opportunity into an operating phosphate mine." Since this project is "uniquely" located in Piaui -a state with dire need of a local supply of fertilizers to feed its fast growing agricultural sector, we "are "certain" that Canabrava "could" become one of the most important phosphate projects to be developed in Brasil" " - Dec 12, 2012
www.marketwire.com/press-release/eagle-star-minerals-conclud…
http://media3.marketwire.com/docs/EGE1212.pdf

[Popeye82]

Strateco Resources - "Significant" Increase of 58% in the Indicated Resource, @the Matoush Uranium Project -to 12.329.000 Pound @0.954% U3O8 I +16.440.000 Pound @0.442% U3O8 I - Dec 7, 2012
www.stratecoinc.com/data/pdf/Communiques2012/ENGCommuniqures…

[Popeye82]

Lithium Americas - Receives Final Decree, Approving the Development of Its Cauchari-Olaroz Lithium Project, the world's 3rd largest lithium brine resource +"one of the lowest lithium carbonate operating costs in the world"; Dr. Waldo P.: "Lithium Americas is "very proud of advancing the Cauchari-Olaroz project from discovery +exploration, through development, to fully permitted, in just short of 4 years." We "continue to receive an enormous level of support from multiple constituencies in Argentina." We "have worked "extremely" hard to garner this support", which has served to accelerate the permitting +development of Cauchari-Olaroz, as well as further de-risk the project. With the permitting process concluded, "our next milestone is securing project financing +off take agreements, which "will" allow us to initiate project construction, in ´13" " - Dec 12, 2012
www.lithiumamericas.com/2012/12/lithium-americas-receives-fi…

[Popeye82]

Atico Mining - Drills 88.7 Meters of 5.4% Cu, 2.5 g/t Au +10.89g/t Ag, @El Roble Mine, Colombia - Dec 10, 2012
www.aticomining.com/i/pdf/news/2012-12-10_NR.pdf

[Popeye82]

Reservoir Minerals - Announces Further Drilling Results From Timok Cu-Au Project, "Including" 100 Metres Grading 4.31% CuEq +204 Metres Grading 1.63% CuEq - Dec 10, 2012
www.reservoirminerals.com/News/News-Release-Details/2012/Res…

[Popeye82]

Graphite One Resources - Maiden Inferred Resource -of 164.500.000 tonnes @4.61% Graphite, 3 km from tide water; "believed to be" the largest reported Flake Graphite Deposit in the world , +"Potential Resources" of 235.000.000 -492.000.000 tonnes @4.2 -7.9% Graphite ; deposit remains open along strike to both the east +west, +down dip. The drilling program +resource estimate confirm that near surface graphite mineralization exists in an area that is now over 2.2 kilometer in length. The deposit exists along the north dip slope of the Kigluaik Mountains +the graphite bearing rocks along North 61 degrees dip @~58 degrees to the north with good continuity between holes. The graphitic mineralization is outcropping on the hill side +a very low waste to ore ratio "envisaged", considering an "open cut surface "potential" operation" - Dec 3, 2012
www.graphiteoneresources.com/_resources/news/20121203.pdf

[Popeye82]

Uranium Miners "Grapple with Environmental Roadblocks in the United States"; The Uranium Working Group(UWG), commissioned by Republican Governor Bob McDonnell to study the creation of a potential policy +regulatory framework for uranium mining in the state of Virginia, has submitted its findings in a 125-page report to the state's Coal +Energy Commission. The year-long study --- conducted by staff from Virginia's Department of Health, Department of Environmental Quality +Department of Mines, Minerals +Energy --- follows years of aggressive lobbying by Virginia Uranium, which holds the Coles Hill uranium deposit located in Pittsylvania County, Virginia, The largest-known untapped uranium deposit in the United States +one of the largest in the world - U3O8.biz - Dec 10, 2012

- M. Pistilli -
www.u3o8.biz/s/MarketCommentary.asp?ReportID=560803&_Type=Ma…

"The Uranium Working Group (UWG), commissioned by Republican Governor Bob McDonnell to study the creation of a potential policy and regulatory framework for uranium mining in the state of Virginia, has submitted its findings in a 125-page report to the state's Coal and Energy Commission. The year-long study --- conducted by staff from Virginia's Department of Health, Department of Environmental Quality and Department of Mines, Minerals and Energy --- follows years of aggressive lobbying by Virginia Uranium, which holds the Coles Hill uranium deposit located in Pittsylvania County, Virginia.

Coles Hill, first discovered in 1978, reportedly contains measured resources of 3,260 tonnes of U3O8 and indicated resources of 42,800t U308. The largest-known untapped uranium deposit in the United States and one of the largest in the world, Coles Hill has an estimated worth of $10 billion and holds enough uranium to power all the nation's nuclear plants for nearly two years.

Virginia banned uranium mining in 1982, but an exploration permit on the Coles Hill property was granted to Virginia Uranium in 2007. Since then, the company has been actively pushing legislators to lift the ban, donating more than $150,000 to political campaigns in the state last year. The company has also retained five influential lobbying and public-relations firms.

The UWG report doesn't advocate for or against uranium mining in the state of Virginia; rather, it examines the long-term storage of radioactive ore and the regulatory structure necessary to manage uranium mining. It also looks at the air and water monitoring that would be necessary to protect the environment and public health. The UWG recommends permitting and licensing fees as well as a possible tax on mining companies to pay for regulation costs.


Economic benefits vs. safety concerns

Advocates for overturning the ban point to a recent study by the George Mason Center for Regional Analysis --- financed by Virginia Uranium --- which concluded that lifting the moratorium would generate more than $1 million in revenue for Pittsylvania County. Supporters also claim that allowing uranium mining would create economic opportunities for the region's unemployed, and would provide the state with enough uranium to meet its nuclear energy needs for 75 years.

Those who want to keep the moratorium in place include the Virginia Farm Bureau Federation, the Southern Environmental Law Center and two nearby municipal groups. These organizations have voiced concerns about the potential health and environmental risks posed by milling waste, which they fear could flow downstream into neighboring areas and contaminate drinking water.

Addressing these concerns, the UWG's report calls for state regulation of uranium milling "by developing and fully staffing a program that is compatible with the [Nuclear Regulatory Commission's] regulatory requirements, which would require a significant dedication of resources."

Virginia Uranium has said it plans to store tailings in below-grade containment units, but opposition groups have raised concerns that a hurricane --- common in Virginia's wet climate --- could potentially force radioactive tailings into streams. However, Robert J. Bodnar, a Virginia Tech geochemistry professor, has said those fears are overblown, adding that the chance of that happening is about one in 10 million.


Next steps forward

The Virginia General Assembly will begin debating whether or not to lift the ban next month as the 2013 session begins. "The overriding consideration is whether uranium mining and milling can be conducted with a high degree of public safety, and whether suitable assurances can be given that the air, water, health, and well-being of the citizens will be protected," stated McDonnell.

McDonnell has said he will meet with the public and representatives from environmental groups before making a decision. "I understand this issue is critically important to many Virginians, and that it raises appropriate concern among many in the vicinity of Coles Hill and beyond. I believe it is crucially important that all voices be heard in the decision-making process ahead."


Other mining operations "facing environmental pushback"

Other state and local governments in the United States are grappling with similar safety concerns surrounding uranium mining. In South Dakota, federal and state agencies are deciding whether or not to give the go ahead to Powertech Uranium's (TSX:PWE) proposed Dewey-Burdock project, for which a NI 43-101 compliant report identified 6,684,285 pounds of indicated resources and 4,525,500 pounds of inferred resources contained in 2,820,998 tons averaging 0.198 percent U3O8 using a 0.5 grams per tonne cut off.

The project has faced opposition from Native Americans and environmental groups and is now awaiting approval for three state permits --- the state Department of Environment and Natural Resources will hold public hearings this spring --- and a final decision from the Nuclear Regulatory Commission, which is expected in June of next year. The federal Environmental Protection Agency is also considering the Canadian company's application for permits related to injecting water underground as part of the mining process.

In Colorado, Energy Fuels' (TSX:EFR) planned uranium mill in Montrose County has met with opposition from an environmental group that feels the existing regulations are neither adequate nor properly enforced, making uranium mining a threat to public health and the environment. The Colorado Department of Health and Environment granted the company a radioactive materials license last year. According to recent reports, the Grand Junction Area Chamber of Commerce is in favor of the Pinon Ridge uranium mill's construction as it would create nearly 1,000 jobs and boost the area's economy.

"We are a regional center and if the communities and counties around us have good paying jobs, we know that those folks are going to come to our area, they're going to shop and use our medical facilities," Diane Schwenke, CEO of the Chamber, told KKCO 11 News. "From our standpoint, it just makes good economic sense to support it." "

[Popeye82]

‘Five years’ warning for South Africa’s ailing gold sector; the gold industry in South Africa "will no longer EXIST in five years if conditions stay the same" , executives @Gold Fields warned on Monday, after lowering their production forecast for this year, by 200.000oz, due to wildcat strikes, a fire +operational problems - BDL - Nov 27, 2012

- A. Seccombe -
www.bdlive.co.za/business/mining/2012/11/27/five-years-warni…

[Popeye82]

Mozambique coal boom caught UN off guard; The emergence of Mozambique's Tete province as the epicentre of coking coal exploration had left the local economy short, said the UN which acknowledged it had been caught off guard - Mmx - Nov 22, 2012

- D. MacKay -
www.miningmx.com/page/news/energy/1469634-Mozambique-coal-bo…

[Popeye82]

Wavefront Technology Solutions - Largest Colombian Oil Producer, +one of the 25 largest petroleum companies in the world, to Apply Powerwave - Dec 6, 2012
www.onthewavefront.com/htm/investors/press-releases/2013/201…

[Popeye82]

"Project slippage "a global phenomena" " : Accenture - Mmx/Accenture - Oct 10, 2012

- D. MacKay -
www.miningmx.com/page/news/energy/1421275-Project-slippage-a…
https://newsroom.accenture.com/news/mining-and-metals-compan…

"<than 1/3rd of the world’s large capital projects in the energy +utilities sector had delivered to within 25% of approved budgets, +even <had built their projects on time.

This is the eye-opening finding of an independent study conducted by consulting group Accenture, which interviewed key executives about their capital project delivery in countries as disparate as Brazil, Greece, Hong Kong +Denmark.


John Downie, senior partner in Accenture’s London office, speaking @a round-table seminar conducted by Finweek +Accenture, said on October 9 that Eskom’s project budget +scheduling challenges were "not unusual".

“In reality , you’re not alone ,” said Downie. “A surprisingly small group are getting it right .”

Eskom has been criticised for failing to deliver its Medupi project on time. According to the Free Market Foundation, which was quoted in an article by Business Times, Eskom in ´07 budgeted R52.000.000.000 for a 4.500MW power station, with the 1st unit to be commissioned in mid-´11. Medupi is expected to cost R91.000.000.000, with 1st production in late ´13. Another power station, Kusile, was "1st expected" to be operational in ´16. This has been rescheduled -to March ´19.

According to Accenture’s research, which embraced projects in upstream distribution networks, pipelines, refining +nuclear industries, only 30% of respondents delivered to within 25% of the approved budget of their projects, between November ´11 +February ´12.

Only 15% had delivered to within 25% of the approved schedule for the projects, while 31% of survey respondents were able to deliver reliable production capability.

Downie added that executives " "tended" to be optimistic about their projects, when completing the survey ".

Downie estimated there had been $5.000.000.000.000 of wasted money in implementation of capital projects, over the period of the study . "

[Popeye82]

Sudan "eyes Africa's No.3 gold spot", to produce 50 t; Sudan "expects to produce around 50 t of gold this year, earning $2.500.000.000, its Mining Minister said, as the country seeks to offset the loss of most oil reserves, when South Sudan became independent last year. Sudan is boosting production of gold +other minerals to gain new sources of State income +of foreign currency needed to fund imports. Output of 50 t " "could potentially" make it Africa's 3rd-largest gold miner, behind South Africa +Ghana, +push it into the top15 producers globally - MW/Reuters, KHARTOUM - Nov 27, 2012
www.miningweekly.com/article/sudan-eyes-africas-number-three…

" Sudan expects to produce around 50 t of gold this year, earning $2.5-billion, its Mining Minister said, as the country seeks to offset the loss of most oil reserves when South Sudan became independent last year.

Sudan is boosting production of gold and other minerals to gain new sources of State income and of foreign currency needed to fund imports. Output of 50 t could potentially make it Africa's third-largest gold miner behind South Africa and Ghana, and push it into the top 15 producers globally.

Mining Minister Kamal Abdellatif also said production at a joint project with Saudi Arabia to tap gold, silver and copper reserves in the Red Sea between the two countries would probably start in 2014.

Inside Sudan, the government has already licensed more than 85 companies to explore for gold in more than 120 locations, Abdellatif told an Arab mining conference in Khartoum on Tuesday.

Seven firms had reached the production stage so far and the number would double by the end of the year, he added.

"Till yesterday we reached 41 t of gold," Abdellatif told reporters on the conference sidelines. He said that in 2013, gold production would be similar to this year's projected level of around 50 t.

In 2011, Sudan earned around $1.5-billion from the export of 33.7 t.

Oil used to be the main source for the budget, bringing in around $5-billion a year, until South Sudan gained independence in July 2011, taking with it three quarters of oil production although Khartoum still controls the export routes to the coast.

Unlike oil, most of the known gold reserves at the time of the Arab African country's division were in the north and, while there are gold deposits in the south, there is little data.

Sudan's gold output is small compared with players such as South Africa as Western firms have long neglected the country due to US sanctions and deposits tend to be in remote places.

But with high gold prices more companies are coming. Egyptian tycoon Naguib Sawiris this year bought Canada's La Mancha Resources, which together with the government runs Sudan's biggest gold mine, Ariab Mining.

It is currently investing to tap deeper deposits after reserves closer to the surface have been exhausted, which explains why Sudan expects output only to stay flat next year.

Sudan also would produce around 50 000 t of chrome this year, Abdellatif said.


VERY RICH

On the Red Sea project with Saudi Arabia, now in the exploration stage, he said initial output of 3 t to 4 t of gold a year was possible.

"It's very rich. The deposit is more than 150, 160 t of gold and more than one-million tons of copper," he said.

Saudi Arabian Petroleum and Mining Minister Ali al-Naimi, who attended the conference, confirmed the cooperation. "It has already started," he said, declining to give forecasts.

Saudi firm Manafa International is the main investor in the project, for which it has formed a joint venture with Canadian company Diamond Fields International. Special drill ships will be required to extract the minerals thought to be 2 000 m below sea level.

The government has given conflicting data on Sudan's gold production which is hard to verify as much comes from half a million artisan seekers, part of whose output is smuggled abroad. Analysts have dismissed forecasts of 70 t output for 2011 made by the previous Mining Minister Abdelgabi Gailani Ahmed.

The central bank has tried to end smuggling of gold to major markets such as Dubai by buying up gold from local traders, even above market prices, according to industry sources. "

[Popeye82]

China eyes scrapping annual term coal contracts -sources - MW/Reuters, SHANGHAI - Nov 27, 2012
www.miningweekly.com/article/china-eyes-scrapping-annual-ter…

"China's top economic planning agency has submitted a plan to scrap an annual coal contract system requiring suppliers to sell certain quantities to power companies at preferential prices, industry sources said on Tuesday.


The move heralds a big step towards liberalisation of the thermal coal market in China, the world's biggest buyer of the fuel, and could trigger an increase in imports since domestic prices would no longer be kept artificially low.

The move may also free up the electricity markets, where tariffs are set by the government.

The National Development and Reform Commission (NDRC) has submitted the plan to the State Council, China's cabinet, and approval is expected to come within weeks, said two trading sources who were briefed on the matter.

"They will need to approve it before we start the annual contract conference, which is normally held in early December," said a source at a trading firm under a state-owned coal group.

"The main aim is to open up the coal market and it is now a good time to do so because spot prices have fallen sharply and are converging with term prices."

Australia's Newcastle spot thermal coal index has fallen as much as 30% since the start of 2012 to a year-low of $81 a ton, largely due to weaker consumption by China as its economy slows down.


MARKET PRICES

Currently, coal-price contracts are signed every year at an annual meeting organised by the China Coal Association and the NDRC, whereby coal suppliers agree to sell certain quantities to power companies at prices set far below the market rates.

Term prices for 2012 were set at around 570 yuan per tonne, while spot coal prices were capped at 800 yuan.

The dual-price mechanism, which allows power companies to secure around half of their annual coal consumption at preferential rates, has caused headaches for suppliers and power stations alike in the past.

When spot coal prices were much higher than term rates, coal miners would either fail to supply the agreed volumes under the annual contract or send out poorer quality coal.

However, when spot prices tumbled this year and were briefly below the term rates, many power companies defaulted on their contracts, which caused miners to incur heavy losses as they also had take-or-pay contracts with the railway bureau for transport capacity.

Under the proposal, the NDRC will also stop allocating railway capacity to the coal sector, which means suppliers and power companies will need to negotiate with the railway bureau directly, the sources said.

The NDRC will continue to encourage miners to ink long-term contracts with power companies, the sources added, but will give sellers the freedom to adjust prices on a quarterly or half-yearly basis. "

[Popeye82]

Greenland "seeks to enable uranium production" - MW/CMR, TORONTO - Nov 27, 2012

- H. Lazenby -
www.miningweekly.com/article/greenland-looks-to-enable-urani…

"Greenland’s Parliament recently showed unanimous support from all political parties to fast-track an independent review to finalise the government-driven, multiyear phase of information gathering on uranium production and associated issues.


This review includes aspects that relate to Greenland's foreign policy, which is managed by Denmark. Danish Foreign Minister Villy Sovndal was in Greenland last Wednesday and said Denmark would support Greenland in pursuing uranium production, but noted that it was Denmark's responsibility to ensure that international conventions, such as nonproliferation, were respected.

Investigations were already under way in Denmark, led by the Foreign Affairs Ministry, into foreign policy protocols that would be required to facilitate uranium production in Greenland.

ASX-listed Greenland Minerals and Energy (GMEL) said the recent political developments in Greenland had a direct bearing on its Kvanefjeld rare-earth elements/uranium/zinc project in the country.

Uranium is expected to be a significant by-product of rare earths production from Kvanefjeld and by-product revenues are expected to provide Kvanefjeld with a highly competitive cost structure, which would give it a significant economic advantage over rare-earth-only operations.

“The development regarding uranium policy is, therefore, of major relevance to projected global rare-earth supply, with Greenland positioning to play a key role,” GMEL said on Tuesday.

The company said the information campaign undertaken by the Greenland government had already generated a solid knowledge base to evaluate and effectively manage potential uranium production in Greenland. In addition to a compilation and dissemination of technical information, government and key stakeholder representatives had undertaken visits to Canada to learn directly about the regulation and operation of uranium production, and the effective management of environmental and social impacts.

This latest political advancement follows a number of key licensing developments for the Kvanefjeld project over the last two years. In Greenland, uranium is regulated at the licence level, rather than under the Mining Act, and in late 2011, uranium was incorporated into GMEL's exploration licence for Kvanefjeld.

This effectively provided the company with the right to apply for exploitation rights within Greenland's broader mining regulatory framework.

“The show of support from all political parties highlights a coherent approach between GMEL and the Greenland government in advancing Kvanefjeld toward mine development,” the company said.

In December, GMEL would be joining a Greenland government delegation headed by Premier Kuupik Kleist on a visit to South Korea, organised through the Danish Embassy, as part of an ongoing engagement strategy with potential development partners.

Meanwhile, Mining Weekly Online recently reported business intelligence firm GlobalData which said that reserves of gold, diamonds, zinc, platinum, nickel, iron and rare-earth elements in Greenland have come within reach of geological land mapping technologies -as a result of receding ice .

Greenland’s Bureau of Minerals and Petroleum have awarded 150 exploration licences, compared with only a handful a decade ago. However, with the 57 000 Greenlanders still mulling opportunities that offer rewards but risk harming a pristine environment, not a single mining or oil project has yet got off the ground.


Edited by: Creamer Media Reporter "

[Popeye82]

Erin Ventures - Signs Letter of Intent, for Serbian Boron Property; "Due to the sensitive nature" of the boron industry, the parties "believe that it is not in the best interest of a future alliance to reveal the name the potential partner, @this point in time." Erin " "considers this prospective partner to be of "strategic importance", because of its ability +willingness to provide Erin with capital required to develop the mine, it has extensive boric acid production +marketing experience, +it has a well-established market share for boron products from Piskanja"; Specifically, this "potential" partner is "a multi-billion dollar/year importer/exporter of numerous minerals, as well as being well established +respected as one of the largest operators/distributers of boron products in their region"; Letter of Intent encompasses many parameters of the development +on-going operation of the Piskanja deposit, +" "envisions" long-term cooperation +assistance, in areas such as the financing of the mine development, establishment of a boric acid production facility in Serbia, global marketing +technical assistance, exclusive regional distribution rights, +a long-term boron purchase contract, for a significant portion of the projected mining capacity." The letter of intent is non-binding. Completion of a binding agreement is dependent on further negotiation +formalization - Dec 10, 2012
www.erinventures.com/media/nws_d.php?id=74

[Popeye82]

Wolf Minerals; "Poised to be the world’s next new tungsten mine, with a long-life, large-scale, low-cost operation" - BIR - Nov12

"KP":

+ Hemerdon currently hosts a JORC resource of 401.000.000 tonnes @0.13% WO3 +0.02% Sn, placing it as the 3rd largest(known) tungsten deposit in the world. Current mining reserves are 26.700.000 t @0.19% WO3 +0.03% Sn

+ Completed DFS confirms "robust" project economics

+ Proposed 3.000.000 t/anno operation, to produce ~350.000mtu p/a. of tungsten concentrate plus ~450t/a of tin

+ Low operating production costs forecast, @just US$105/mtu(after tin credits), versus the ´12 average APT price of US$400/mtu

+ "Robust" 9.25-year mine life, with " "significant" opportunity to extend"

+ £75.000.000 of required ~£129.000.000(A$200.000.000) secured, through senior debt

+ Off-take agreements for 80% of production "underlines confidence"

+ "1st mover advantage", as the "next major tungsten producer" ...
www.vision6.com.au/download/files/37174/1839094/Wolf%20Decem…

[Popeye82]

Rockcliff Resources - Reports Initial NI 43-101 Resource Estimate for T-1 Copper Deposit, Tower Property, Manitoba; 1.084.186 Tonnes @3.73% Copper, 1.05% Zinc, 17.28g/t Silver +0.55g/t Gold I +1.253.522 Tonnes @2.0% Copper, 1.02% Zinc, 9.78g/t Silver +0.27g/t Gold I, Deposit Remains Open in all Directions - Dec 6, 2012
www.rockcliffresources.com/news/pdf/121206.pdf

[Popeye82]

Cuesta "adds to Queensland portfolio, in A$18.200.000 deal" - MW/CMR, PERTH - Dec 12, 2012

- E. Swanepoel -
www.miningweekly.com/article/cuesta-adds-to-queensland-portf…
http://clients2.weblink.com.au/clients/cuestacoal/article.as…

" Coal developer Cuesta Coal has spent some A$18.2-million on a project which the company hoped would be a “company transforming” acquisition.

The ASX-listed Cuesta Coal has executed a share sale agreement to acquire Hannigan & Associates, which holds two exploration licences making up the Orion coal project, located adjacent to Cuesta’s West Bowen project, in Queensland.

Cuesta said on Wednesday that the Orion project wold be consolidated with the West Bowen project to create two openpit opportunities, with a coal-bearing strike length of around 20 km.

Targeting a run-of-mine production rate of four-million tons a year, over a minimum 20-year mine life, the project provided Cuesta with a significant development project some 14 km from existing infrastructure at the Blair Athol mine.

“This is a company-transforming transaction as it brings Cuesta a large opencut project close to existing rail infrastructure. Importantly, it transforms Cuesta from a coal explorer to a project developer, with a potentially significantly reduced timeframe and capital expenditure to first coal production,” said Cuesta MD Matthew Crawford.

He noted that by combining the two projects, Cuesta was creating a large coal project, which had the potential to contain over 200-million tons of coal.

Under the terms of the transaction, a A$5-million deposit would be payable in two tranches before December 21. This would be funded through existing cash reserves, said Crawford.

The balance of the A$13.2-million price tag was payable before the end of February next year.

“While we have the existing cash reserves and financial flexibility to fund the initial A$5-million deposit payment for the Orion coal project, we are in advanced discussions with our cornerstone investor and other parties regarding additional funding,” said Crawford.

He added that Cuesta was confident that it had the necessary funding support, as well as the option of vendor convertible notes, which gave the company added certainty.

“Cuesta is in a unique position to continue its transformation from a coal explorer to developer/producer in the three- to five-year timeframe it has set. We have a strong and cohesive partnership with our cornerstone investor, who has indicated they will continue to support our growth, both organically and through complementary acquisition,” Crawford said.

He also noted that the current market presented a number of “compelling” acquisition opportunities, and added that the company had the financial support to further add to its existing portfolio.

However, Crawford also said that Cuesta’s first priority was to complete the Orion acquisition and to add further value to the project through exploration in the short term.


Edited by: Creamer Media Reporter "

[Popeye82]

Australian mining dollars "take flight to the Americas"; The Americas, both north +south, have become the latest countries "to find increasing favour with Australian mineral explorers", which choose to spend their dollars overseas, rather than in their own backyard; According to the Association of Mining +Exploration Companies, 56% of funds raised by mining +exploration companies on the ASX are currently being spent overseas - TP - Dec12
www.vision6.com.au/download/files/37174/1839101/Article%2010…

[Popeye82]

Mining Conferences +floats, Recent +upcoming floats +IPO's - Dec12
www.vision6.com.au/download/files/37174/1839103/Article%2013…

[Popeye82]

Deutsche Bank co-CEO drawn into CO2 tax evasion probe; Deutsche Bank co-chief executive Juergen Fitschen was drawn into a widening tax evasion probe related to carbon trading @Germany's biggest lender on Wednesday, as hundreds of police +tax inspectors raided the bank's offices - PC/Reuters, FRANKFURT - Dec 12, 2012
www.pointcarbon.com/news/reutersnews/1.2098393

[Popeye82]

Mutiny Gold - Enters Into Project Development Funding Agreements, with Sandstorm Gold Ltd., a " "milestone" in bringing its Deflector Gold Copper project into production, in ´13" - Dec 6, 2012

"HL":

+ US$43.000.000(A$41.000.000) funding agreement, with Canadian Institution Sandstorm Gold Ltd , via a Metals Purchase Agreement(‘MPA’)

+ The Metals Purchase Agreement with Sandstorm Gold Ltd will fund a "significant" portion of the Deflector capital costs

+ Mutiny’s existing principal lender Credit Suisse, with an existing A$11.000.000 loan facility, supports the Sandstorm arrangements +is currently working collaboratively with Mutiny, on concluding the full project finance arrangements for the Deflector project.

+ Specifically, a project finance facility is being negotiated with Credit Suisse for ~A$50.000.000, whereby it would provide debt finance of A$25.000.000, with the remainder to be provided by a "leading Australian Bank".

+ Mutiny’s "planned finance platform", for funding Deflector into production "will" consist of a total of A$102.000.000 of funding, including:

- A$50.000.000 project finance facility, with Credit Suisse + 2nd lender;
- MPA with Sandstorm, totalling A$41.000.000(currently drawn to $6.000.000); +
- A$11.000.000, in plant leasing.


+ Currently Deflector Deposit, resources(table1) stand @729.000oz of Equivalent gold, including 591.000oz gold @6.4g/t, 27.000t of copper @0.9% +628.000oz silver @6.8g/t, with "significant" resource expansion targeted through ongoing, systematic exploration @Deflector. Mutiny has indentified 80 "anomalous targets" +identified an additional "Exploration Target" of 1.650.000 to 2.500.000 oz Au +40.000 to 80.000 tonnes of Copper, @similar grades. In October ´12 the Company successfully completed a Definitive Feasibility Study on the Deflector Deposit, showing "robust" economics ...
www.mutinygold.com.au/images/stories/121206_-_Mutiny_enters_…
www.mutinygold.com.au/images/stories/121204_-_Euro_Roadshow.…

[Popeye82]

Fortescue Metals Group - adds 2.000.000.000 t to its resource inventory, Iron Bridge resource increases to 5.205.000.000 tonnes @30.4% Fe - Dec 13, 2012
www.fmgl.com.au/UserDir/AsxAnnouncement/ASX%20Release%20-%20…

[Popeye82]

India "identifies 1st-generation mining site, in Indian Ocean basin" - MW, KOLKATA - Dec 13, 2012

- Ajoy K Daz -
www.miningweekly.com/article/india-identifies-first-generati…

"India has identified 7.860 km2 in the Central Indian Ocean Basin(CIOB) as a 1st-generation mine site, based on detailed survey +analysis, despite the fact that the extraction of metals from polymetallic nodules in the ocean bed has not yet been proven economically viable, India’s Science, Technology +Earth Sciences’ Minister S Jaipal Reddy said.

India’s polymetallic nodule programme was oriented towards the exploration +development of technologies to harness the nodules from the identified mining site in the CIOB +included four components, namely survey +exploration, environmental-impact assessment, mining technology development +metallurgical technology development, Reddy said.

The 75.000 km2 area comprising the CIOB had an " "estimated" polymetallic nodule resource "potential" " of 380.000.000 tons, containing 4.700.000 tons of nickel, 4.290.000 tons of copper, 550.000 tons of cobalt +92.590.000 tons of manganese, the Minister said.

Environmental studies for mining of the deep-sea polymetallic nodules have been conducted by India through remotely operable submersibles with the capability of operating @a water depth of 6.000 m, +have successfully operated @a depth of 5.289 m, "when assessing conditions in the CIOB".

Remotely operable in-situ soil testing equipment was also developed, for obtaining detailed geotechnical properties of the mining area @the CIOB +tested successfully, @5.462 m water depth.

A pilot plant with the capacity to processi 500 kg/d of nodules had been commissioned for the extraction of copper, nickel +cobalt @the plant of Hindustan Zinc, +a 2nd plant for processing 500 kg of nodules for production of ferrosilico-manganese ore had been commissioned, @a National Metallurgical Laboratory site, the Minister said.

The China Ocean Mineral Resources Research +Development Association was also engaged, in carrying out exploration activities in polymetallic deep-sea nodules.

India has expressed concern over China extending strategic +commercial interests in the Indian Ocean , through deep-sea mining on several occasions, +the latest response of establishing its own 1st-generation mining site in the CIOB was "aimed @countering these concerns".

In July this year, the Indian government made a statement before Parliament that “countries like China have taken to deep-sea mining with strategic purpose +they were maintaining their presence in high seas, undertaking deep-sea mining. India is keeping a constant watch +would take "all necessary measures", to "safeguard its own strategic +commercial interest in the region " ”.

India’s National Security Council has also been involved in the process, with the latter coming out with a policy paper advocating a more aggressive deep-sea mining programme, on the Indian Ocean bed. "

[Popeye82]

Strichcode-Erfinder gestorben - DPA, NEW YORK - Dec 14, 2012
http://web.de/magazine/finanzen/wirtschaft/16858358-vater-st…

[Popeye82]

Peabody halves capex, to combat weak coal prices - MW/Reuters - Dec 14, 2012
www.miningweekly.com/article/peabody-halves-capex-to-combat-…

[Popeye82]

Canaco Resources - Agrees to Acquire Shark Minerals, a privately held, British Columbia incorporated resource company engaged in the acquisition +exploration of mineral properties in East Africa, was founded +is managed by the former executives of Red Back Mining Inc, currently focused on exploring the Galat Sufur Project, a 20.020 square kilometre land package in northern Sudan near the border with Egypt that forms part of the Arabian-Nubian Shield; Spin-Out Its Tanzanian Assets +Make Changes to Board +Management - Dec 17, 2012
http://canaco.mwnewsroom.com/Files/9c/9c1e1c75-c34d-45c1-8ef…

[Popeye82]

Orko Silver - 1st Majestic Announces Friendly Acquisition - Dec 16, 2012
www.orkosilver.com/s/NewsReleases.asp?ReportID=562291&_Type=…

[Popeye82]

Northern Gold - to Acquire Victory Gold - Dec 12, 2012
www.northerngold.ca/pressreleases/Dec122012.pdf

[Popeye82]

Inmet Mining - Announces 27% Increase to Cobre Panama Copper Reserves, Mine Life Extends to 40 Years with ~26.000.000.000 Pounds Contained Copper - Dec 13, 2012
http://ir.inmetmining.com/Files/e3/e378bdbe-2b64-4026-b3ad-a…


1st Quantum Increases Inmet Offer, "Opportunity to Create Global Copper Leader " - Dec 16, 2012
www.first-quantum.com/Media-Centre/Press-Releases/Press-Rele…

[Popeye82]

Dundee Precious Metals - Contracts for Sale of Chelopech Pyrite Concentrate to Xiangguang Copper Co, for the sale of up to 200.000 tonnes/year of pyrite concentrate - Dec 5, 2012
www.dundeeprecious.com/English/news-and-events/news-releases…

[Popeye82]

Economic conference affirms committment, to reform - CER/WSJ/Xinhua - Dec 17, 2012
www.chinaeconomicreview.com/node/63196

"China's new leaders indicated at an annual conference for setting economic policy that their primary goal is to shift China's growth model toward domestic demand and away from exports and investment in state-owned enterprises, The Wall Street Journal reported, citing the state-run Xinhua News Agency.

In a statement released after the yearly Central Economic Work Conference, Beijing's leaders said they plan to increase imports and encourage further urbanization as a means to boost domestic consumption. Rural migrants will be encouraged to move to cities, where they have the potential to earn greater amounts than in their villages, giving them more disposal income to spend on consumer goods. Senior officials also made plans to maintain property controls, increase the availability of financing and lower financing costs. With investment, the focus will be to increase private spending rather than the public funding of infrastructure, the statement said. "

[Popeye82]

Frontier Rare Earths - Korea Resources Corporation completes acquisition of a 10% interest in Frontier Rare Earths' Zandkopsdrift project, along with an off-take right +obligation for 10% of Zandkopsdrift rare earth production, for C$23.800.000; Kores has an option to increase its participation in Zandkopsdrift from its current 10% interest up to a 50% or equal interest with Frontier in Zandkopsdrift, together with a pro-rata off-take right +obligation for up to 50% of production from Zandkopsdrift. The exercise of this option is conditional on Kores arranging project finance for the entire Zandkopsdrift development "on terms acceptable to Frontier in its absolute discretion", +on Kores committing to provide its pro rata share of funding for the portion of Zandkopsdrift development costs not covered by the project finance. Under the terms of the Strategic Agreement, Kores will also provide Frontier with technical +operating assistance for the design, construction +operation of the proposed Zandkopsdrift facilities. Frontier +Kores will also cooperate in relation to downstream opportunities in the area of rare earth metals, alloys +magnets - Dec 14, 2012
www.frontierrareearths.com/media-cover/press-releases-2012/7…

[Popeye82]

Spin-off fails to avert Gold Fields ‘junk’ rating ; Moody’s Investor Services has cut Gold Fields’ credit rating one notch to Ba1 from Baa3, dashing the South African group’s hopes that last week’s decision to spin off its South African mines into a separate firm called Sibanye Gold would make it appear less risky to international lenders - MR/BDL, JOHANNESBURG - Dec 10, 2012
www.miningreview.com/node/21765

"Moody’s Investor Services has cut Gold Fields’ credit rating one notch to Ba1 from Baa3, dashing the group’s hopes that last week’s decision to spin off its South African mines into a separate firm called Sibanye Gold would make it appear less risky to international lenders.

BDlive reports that on Moody’s scale, a bond with Ba1 credit rating is “judged to have speculative elements and a significant credit risk” — commonly called "junk".

Gold Fields CEO Nick Holland announced last week that the miner was unbundling the Kloof-Driefontein complex and Beatrix mines to focus on growing its international portfolio, and to ramp up production at South Deep to 700,000oz of gold by 2016.

“The downgrade reflects near-term deterioration of cash-flow metrics, as the unbundled, more mature assets contributed more positive free cash flow compared to the company’s South Deep mining project,” said Gianmarco Migliavacca, a senior analyst at Moody’s.

He added that the ratings agency had taken into account the positive aspects of the transaction such as a lower cost base that will contribute towards higher operating margins.

The Kloof-Driefontein complex and Beatrix were considered mature mines with a higher cost base, while Gold Fields’ remaining assets were considered “large ore-body assets”.

The assets were predominantly open-pit operations and would require a smaller labour force and have a lower cost base than the unbundled narrow-vein assets, which were deep-level mining operations that required mechanisation, Migliavacca said.

“By unbundling its South African portfolio, Gold Fields also reduced its exposure to risk factors such as productivity losses due to labour unrest, and higher-than-inflation wage and electricity price increases,” he added..

The ratings downgrade also took into consideration that Gold Fields’ guarantee of US$1billion ‒ which includes the assets held by Sibanye ‒ remains in place.

Last week, Barclays, Credit Suisse and JP Morgan underwrote a US$1.5 billion financing package to back Gold Fields’ unbundling of the Kloof-Driefontein complex and Beatrix.

Cash costs are expected to reduce to $780/oz from $879/oz, and Moody’s expects the margin on earnings before interest, tax, depreciation and amortisation to improve by about 500 basis points as a result of the unbundling, the agency said. "

[Popeye82]

China removes QFII caps, to boost capital markets - CER/BB - Dec 17, 2012
www.chinaeconomicreview.com/node/63194

"China has eliminated a US$1 billion ceiling on investments into its capital markets by overseas sovereign wealth funds, central banks and monetary authorities through the qualified foreign institutional investor (QFII) program, Bloomberg reported, citing a December 14 announcement by the State Administration of Foreign Exchange.

QFII participants can also gradually repatriate their principal and investment returns after a lock-up period ends, with monthly net remittances of no more than 20% of their total onshore assets by the end of the previous year, according to the revised regulation. Open-ended China funds can now remit funds on a weekly basis, compared with once per month previously. The revision is part of the Chinese government’s efforts to attract more long-term investors abroad, which will help improve market confidence, promote stable growth in capital markets and provide “robust” investment returns to domestic investors, the regulator said in May. "

[Popeye82]

Eagle Star Minerals - Continues to Intersect High-Grade Phosphate as It Further Extends Mineralized Zone, @the South Portion of Bomfim Hill(D1 Target) - Dec 18, 2012
http://finance.yahoo.com/news/eagle-star-continues-intersect…

[Popeye82]

Pitchblack Resources - Announces Acquisition of Australian Precious Metal-Enriched Base Metal Assets +Financing, ´12 Drilling Returned "Up to" 3.66 g/t Au, 448 g/t Ag +13.0% Pb+Zn, Over 46.2 m - Dec 17, 2012
www.marketwire.com/press-release/pitchblack-announces-acquis…
http://media3.marketwire.com/docs/Pitchblack-Resources.pdf

[Popeye82]

Belo Sun Mining - Increases Measured +Indicated Resources -to 4.100.000 Ounces of Gold, Plus Inferred Resources of 2.800.000 Ounces of Gold, @Its Volta Grande Gold Project, Brazil; H. Diniz: "This is another "outstanding" achievement by Belo Sun's exploration team. The results have expanded +upgraded the mineral resources @the Volta Grande Gold Deposit. Moreover, the deposits remain open for further expansion, "further "supporting" the concept that the Volta Grande deposits are part of an extensive mineralized system". We "have no doubt that "this will be one of the largest gold deposits discovered in Brazil" " " - Dec 18, 2012
www.belosun.com/News/News-Releases/News-Releases-Details/201…

[Popeye82]

Hummingbird Resources plc - US$15.000.000 royalty funding agreement - Dec 18, 2012
www.londonstockexchange.com/exchange/news/market-news/market…

[Popeye82]

Australian Bauxite - Majors express interest -Data Room established - Dec 21, 2012
www.australianbauxite.com.au/site_folders/241/ASX%20Data%20R…

[Popeye82]

CBM Asia Development - &ExxonMobil Sign Farm-in Joint Venture, in the Barito +Kutai Basins, Indonesia; S. Stevens: "The Barito Basin holds ~100 Tcf of "in-place1 CBM resources", based on "industry estimates". Deep coal deposits there are exceptionally thick, laterally continuous, gas-charged +have very simple structural conditions. Regional urban centers +the extensive coal mining industry "provide near term gas monetization "opportunities" ", while the coastal location near Banjarmasin +the Bontang LNG facility "offers access to north Asian markets." CBM Asia " "considers" the Barito Basin to be one of the world’s best undeveloped CBM basins." CBM Asia’s management +technical teams have developed excellent working relationships with ExxonMobil during the past several months. We " "believe" ExxonMobil +CBMA will combine technical +financial strength with efficient operations, to effectively develop these Barito +Kutai Basin CBM "opportunities"." The Barito Basin PSC’s farm-ins +the "potential" Kutai Basin PSCs will result in a material increase in our Indonesian acreage position +"potential recoverable resource". We now look forward to executing the operational phase of our strategy, while farming out interests in certain majority owned PSCs, to reduce our forward capex requirements" - Dec 21, 2012
www.cbmasia.ca/Press-Releases/113

[Popeye82]

Nationalisation off the table -Gigaba - MW - Dec 20, 2012
www.miningweekly.com/article/nationalisation-off-the-table--…

"The ANC's national conference has resolved that wholesale nationalisation is “off the table”, ANC economic transformation policy commission head Malusi Gigaba said on Thursday.

“The national conference has refused to be drawn into the word 'nationalisation',” he told reporters in Bloemfontein.

“National conference was eager we provide final clarity on the issue. The issue of nationalisation as we have discussed it over the last few months is off the table.”

However Gigaba said there would be “strategic nationalisation” where necessary.

“As is the case with all other economies, there may come a moment where a particular sector might need to be nationalised for a specific reason."

Commission head Enoch Godongwana said “scientific evidence” was needed to determine whether a sector needed to be nationalised.

“The state will increase state ownership in strategic sectors where deemed appropriate on the balance of evidence.”

He said delegates had resolved there needed to be effective use of state-owned enterprises. Transforming them would be a “key” factor in development.

“At the forefront of state intervention is the strength of the state mining company,” Godongwana said.

“The state must [also] capture an equitable share of mineral resources through the tax system. Conference resolved that there needed to be a review on strategic minerals."

It resolved that a review of mining companies was needed to determine whether they complied with the mining charter.

With regards to rural development and land reform, Godongwana said there were no “substantial changes” to the resolutions made at the ANC's policy conference earlier this year.

“Key to rural development and land reform is the issue of restitution, redistribution and development.”

Godongwana said conference delegates favoured the “just and equitable” clause in the Constitution to deal with land redistribution over the willing-buyer, willing-seller model.

“This issue is enshrined in the Constitution,” he said.

The Constitution makes provision for the expropriation of land with compensation. "

[Popeye82]

Australia "projecting 18 times more mining investment, than better-returning SA" - MW/CMR/D, JOHANNESBURG - Dec 6, 2012

- M. Creamer -
www.miningweekly.com/article/poor-returning-australia-projec…
www.deloitte.com/assets/Dcom-Canada/Local%20Assets/Documents…

"The projected investment in the Australian mining industry is 18 times higher than the projected investment in South Africa’s mining industry, which has a history of better returns.

Deloitte’s latest 'Tracking the Trends 2013' report shows the projected investment in Australia from 2012 to 2031 is $55-billion compared with $3-billion for South Africa in the same 19-year period.

At $4-billion, even the Dominican Republic is well ahead of the far-better-endowed South Africa, which is level pegging with Botswana, Mozambique and Colombia.

Argentina at $9-billion is projecting a three-times-higher investment over the next 19 years and Mongolia is double the level of South Africa.

Cadiz Corporate Solutions mining consultant Peter Major, who took part in a SAfm radio debate on Thursday hosted by AMLive anchor Xolani Gwala, said that while South Africa’s history of return on investment was great, the perceived future return was not. Other debate participants included African National Congress (ANC) economic transformation committee head Enoch Godongwana, Chamber of Mines VP and Anglo American South Africa executive director Khanyisile Kweyama, Webber Wentzel Africa mining head Peter Leon and Deloitte’s Africa mining leader Tony Zoghby.

Major told listeners that even though most of the investments that South African companies had made in Australia had resulted in “horrible losses”, with only about one company in five making a decent return on Australian investment, investors continued to perceive Australia as a safe, stable investment destination and South Africa as a risky, unstable one.

Investors also had a better perception of Brazil, the Deloitte study putting projected investment in Brazil mining at $30-billion, ten times more than South Africa's, despite Anglo American having lost billions of dollars on its iron-ore investment in Brazil and making billions of dollars on its iron-ore mine in South Africa.

Major pointed out further that De Beers had lost billions of dollars in Canada trying to find and mine diamonds but had made billions of dollars on its South African diamond mines.

South Africa, he added, had much better mineral deposits than Canada, the US and Brazil as well as comparable infrastructure and technology but that investment was ending up in better perceived places.

“It’s only on perception that South Africa is negative. Everything else here is much better than the rest of the world and we have to change perception,” Major said, pointing out that, “there’s more money in the world than there’s ever been and that money is chasing yield because it’s getting zero per cent in most of the Western world’s banks".

Leon reiterated that South Africa’s mining industry was suffering from regulatory instability and the threat of nationalisation, though receding, continued to linger, owing to the ANC’s State Intervention in the Minerals Sector (SIMS) document and the ANC’s June policy conference stand that strategic nationalisation could take place on the balance of evidence.

Godongwana emphasised that SIMS had specifically said that South Africa should not nationalise and he could not understand the ongoing contention that the door had been left open for possible nationalisation after South Africa’s 2014 general elections.

The ANC economic transformation committee head accused the mining companies themselves of giving misinformation to the investor community.

“If I had to address the investor community, I would tell them the correct story,” he added.

Major made the point that there was more to communicating than mere talk and convincing the investor community also required action.

Most South African politicians were saying better things than the governments of Australia and Brazil, but investors and mining companies needed action.

"And that’s where South Africa is falling apart. Our administration is not good and time equals money and our time is much longer than almost all our competitors,” he said.

Repeated reference was made to Anglo American CEO Cynthia Carroll’s call on the South African government to establish clear regulations, as mining companies had decades-long investment horizons and feared arbitrary and unpredictable regulatory change.

Kweyama said a stable regulatory regime was needed to enable investors to make decisions and anticipated that the political jostling of 2012 would not extend into 2013. She expected investor confidence to grow once the political environment stabilised.

Zoghby said that it was critical that mining companies had a regulatory framework on which they could rely in making their long-term investment decisions.

Major challenged the notion that South Africa was not getting investment because of its mining industry being so mature.

Investment in a mature mine was usually the safest investment that an investor could make because of the vast knowledge of the orebody and fund managers would choose a mature brownfield investment over a new greenfield investment 90% of the time.

Leon agreed "completely" with the proposal of the SIMS report that an independent minerals commission should be established for minerals regulation in South Africa, precisely because the administration of licences by the Department of Mineral Resources had been so haphazard.

Administrative inadequacy was among the reasons why South Africa kept falling further down the Fraser Institute rankings of mining jurisdictions.

The fact that the government could nationalise mining companies on the balance of evidence if re-elected in 2014 was not sending a good message to investors, as evidenced in the Deloitte report.

“We’re only 10% of Brazil, which says a great deal,” Leon added.

There was also a message in South African mining companies coming under pressure to separate their South African assets from their international assets.

Kweyama made it clear, as did Carroll earlier this week, that Anglo American had no intention of separating its South African assets from its international assets and believed the current structure of the group was “highly effective”.

“Splitting the company in two is not on Anglo American’s agenda,” Kweyama said,

Major saw the decision of Gold Fields to unbundle its mature Kloof Driefontein Complex (KDC) and Beatrix gold mines out of the company into a separate all-South-African-listed entity as being a positive move for investors and for South Africa, where 40% of the world's gold still resided.

Gold Fields was getting inefficient and investors did not know whether they were buying a South African company, a high-dividend-yielding company or a new greenfields exploration company, and, as a result, Gold Fields was saddled with a low rating.

Money used to fund Gold Fields international expansion could now go back into KDC and Beatrix, which had large reserves. "

[Popeye82]

Antwort auf Beitrag Nr.: 43.924.087 von Popeye82 am 13.12.12 14:20:13

Wolf Minerals - completes A$20.300.000 placement, for Hemerdon - Dec 21, 2012
http://wlf.live.irmau.com/IRM/Company/ShowPage.aspx/PDFs/119…

[Popeye82]

Antwort auf Beitrag Nr.: 43.924.087 von Popeye82 am 13.12.12 14:20:13

Mario Monti tritt zurück - DPA/Reuters, ROM - Dec 21, 2012
http://web.de/magazine/nachrichten/ausland/16901084-regierun…

[Popeye82]

Antwort auf Beitrag Nr.: 43.924.087 von Popeye82 am 13.12.12 14:20:13

Tethys Petroleum - Total, one of the largest integrated oil +gas companies in the worl, +CNODC/China National Oil +Gas Exploration +Development Corporation Farm-in, to Tethys' Tajikistan Assets - Dec 21, 2012
www.tethyspetroleum.com/tethys/newscontent.action?articleId=…
http://media3.marketwire.com/docs/TethysAssets.pdf
http://edge.media-server.com/m/p/dtv2zk3y/lan/en

[Popeye82]

Antwort auf Beitrag Nr.: 43.924.087 von Popeye82 am 13.12.12 14:20:13

"14 "best" stock picks for ´13", following companies "are ranked as ´13 "Best" Picks, by Canadian analysts @Raymond James" - SH - Dec 20/10, 2012

- US Picks

Altera Corporation, AmerisourceBergen Corp., Bed Bath & Beyond, Ctrip.com International, Ltd, Equinix, Jabil Circuit, Inc, Nuance Communications, Inc., Protective Life Corporation, Tractor Supply Co., Trinity Industries, Inc +Zions Bancorporation


Can Picks

Aecon Group(ARE-TSX), Alamos Gold Inc.(AGI-TSX), B2Gold Corp. (BTO-TSX), Black Diamond Group Ltd.(BDI-TSX), Cameco Corp.(CCO-TSX | CCJ-NYSE), Canfor Corp.(CFP-TSX), Canfor Pulp Products Inc.(CFX-TSX), Copper Mountain Mining(CUM-TSX), Endeavour Mining Corp.(EDV-TSX | EVR-ASX), HudBay Minerals, Inc.(HBM-TSX | HBM-NYSE), Open Text(OTEX-NASDAQ | OTC-TSX), Potash Corp. of Saskatchewan Inc.(POT-NYSE | POT-TSX), Savanna Energy Services(SVY-TSX), Shoppers Drug Mart(SC-TSX) ...-
www.stockhouse.com/opinion/movers-and-shakers/dec/19/13-hot-…
www.andrewjohns.ca/sites/default/files/BestPIcks2013Canada.p…
www.andrewjohns.ca/sites/default/files/BestPicks2013.pdf

[Popeye82]

Antwort auf Beitrag Nr.: 43.924.087 von Popeye82 am 13.12.12 14:20:13

Ausgold - Maiden JORC Resource, @Katanning -403.000/549.000 Ounces @1.21/0.9g/t Au M/I/I - Dec 19, 2012
www.ausgoldlimited.com/IRM/Company/ShowPage.aspx/PDFs/1336-4…

[Popeye82]

Manas Resources - Mining +Development License Issued, for Shambesai; Project is "a technically simple, low‐cost, high‐margin vat leach +heap leach operation", "projected" to process 3.200.000t of ore @2.8g/t gold, to recover 245.000 ounces of gold over 4 ½ years @life‐of‐mine cash costs(C1 Costs) of US$411/ounce of gold, capital costs to 1st production +gold pour are "estimated" to be US$32.600.000, with payback of this capital "estimated" to be within the 1st 10 months of operation, @a US$1.500 gold price, Life‐of‐mine capital costs are "estimated" to be US$37.000.000. The project "will" have an average annual throughput of >600.000 tonnes of ore/anno, producing on average 53.000 ounces of gold, over the 4½ year mine life, Manas is now accelerating negotiations in regard to debt financing options for the Shambesai Gold Project +"positive interest has already been received, from a number of "well‐credentialed" banks +mining finance institutions" - Dec 21, 2012
www.manasresources.com.au/aurora/assets/user_content/MSR-ASX…

[Popeye82]

Sheffield Resources - Large High Grade Maiden Resource, For Thunderbird Hms Deposit -of 1.370.000.000 tonnes @6.1 per cent heavy minerals(HM) I/I, mineralisation remains open in all directions; Thunderbird is 1/2 HMS occurrences, within Sheffield’s Dampier project, located on crown land on the Dampier Peninsula, about 60km west of the port @Derby, +25km north of the sealed Great Northern Hwy, joining Derby +Broome; B. McQuitty: "Thunderbird has a large tonnage, high grade resource, close to surface -these three qualities "position Thunderbird as a "globally significant" mineral sands deposit". To deliver such a large maiden resource, within 15 months of the grant of the tenement, is " a great achievement by our exploration team +an outstanding result for our shareholders." The next key milestone, expected in Q1 ´13, is results of metallurgical testwork, currently being performed on a six tonne bulk sample from Thunderbird. Results from this work will pave the way for Scoping Studies, to commence in Q2 ´13. Importantly, the mineralisation @Thunderbird remains open in all directions. Next year’s drilling campaign will target extensions to the deposit +provide an initial test of the Argo deposit, located 12 kilometres to the west" - Dec 18, 2012

KPs:

+ Mineral Resource for Thunderbird of 1.370.000.000 tonnes @6.1% heavy mineral(HM)(Indicated +Inferred), containing 5.700.000 tonnes zircon, 1.300.000t rutile, 3.600.000t leucoxene +24.000.000t ilmenite

+ Includes a higher grade component -of 517.000.000t @10.1% HM(Indicated +Inferred)

+ Thunderbird is "a globally significant discovery", "defining a new mineral sands province"

+ Metallurgical testwork(due Q1 ´13) to pave the way, for scoping studies, to commence in Q2 ´13 ...
www.sheffieldresources.com.au/pdf/121218_thunderbird_dec2012…

[Popeye82]

Rösler will Bahn verkaufen; Veräußerung von Staatsbetrieben soll Bundeshaushalt entlasten - DPA, BERLIN - Dec 25, 2012
http://web.de/magazine/finanzen/wirtschaft/16916502-roesler-…

[Popeye82]

Dragon Energy - RMR - Dec 18, 2012
www.rmresearch.com.au/wp-content/uploads/RMResearch-DLE-2012…

[Popeye82]

AXMIN - Notifies the CAR Government of a Force Majeure, Due to Ongoing Rebel Activities in Country - Dec 24, 2012
www.marketwire.com/press-release/axmin-notifies-car-governme…

[Popeye82]

US imposes duties, on Chinese wind towers - CER/Reuters - Dec 19, 2012
www.chinaeconomicreview.com/node/63216

"The US on Tuesday imposed steep anti-dumping duties on wind turbine towers made in China, Reuters reported. The US Commerce Department set final duties @44.99 -70.63% on utility-scale towers manufactured in China that it "considers to be priced unfairly low", after setting preliminary rates earlier in the year.

Additional countervailing duties, of 21.86 -34.81%, were set on the same products to counteract subsidies provided by the Chinese government. The department also imposed duties of 51.40 -58.49% on wind towers made in Vietnam. The duties are subject to the approval of a US trade panel, which will vote on the rates @the end of January. The announcement came as Chinese Vice Premier Wang Qishan leads a trade delegation to Washington, DC, for a meeting of the US-China Joint Commission on Commerce +Trade. "

[Popeye82]

Nicole giftet gegen Lena - DPA, ZWEIBRÜCKEN - Dec 26, 2012
http://web.de/magazine/unterhaltung/esc/16920196-nicole-gift…

[Popeye82]

Facebook testet 1$-Nachrichten - DPA/W:O, NEW YORK - Dec 21, 2012
www.wallstreet-online.de/nachricht/5072683-roundup-facebook-…

[Popeye82]

China names new Guangdong party chief - CER/Reuters - Dec 19, 2012
www.chinaeconomicreview.com/node/63220

"China named 49-year-old rising political star Hu Chunhua as the new party chief for Guangdong, the country’s richest and most liberal province, replacing reform-minded politician Wang Yang, Reuters reported.

Hu will have to manage challenges including rapid industrialization, rising social unrest and corruption in his new post in the southern export powerhouse. "It will be a very big jump for him," said a foreign diplomat in Guangzhou. Hu has worked briefly in Hebei province near Beijing, spent two decades in Tibet where he learned Tibetan and handled protests by ethnic Mongols successfully last year as party chief of Inner Mongolia. He is expected to be part of the “sixth generation” of senior leaders that will take power after current Communist Party chief Xi Jinping. Wang Jun will take over as party chief of Inner Mongolia. It is unknown where Wang Yang, the previous Guangdong party chief, will be moved. "

[Popeye82]

China will quicken hukou system reform - CER/WSJ - Dec 19, 2012
www.chinaeconomicreview.com/node/63218

"China's National Development and Reform Commission (NDRC) said Tuesday that it will quicken reform of the hukou or household-registration system to relax restrictions on the movement of the nation's rural population, The Wall Street Journal reported.

The NDRC, China's authoritative economic-planning body, said the government will "study and set policies to push forward with turning rural residents into urban residents in an orderly manner but without delay." The government will invest in sewage and heating infrastructure, among other improvements, to increase the quality of life for city dwellers. China's hukou regulations restrict those from rural areas who move to cities from gaining official urban residence status, preventing them from enjoying health care and public education. China's top leaders, particularly Li Keqiang, the likely future premier, have emphasized the importance of urbanization in fueling consumption and thus the economy. "

[Popeye82]

Affero Mining - Response to Press Speculation - Dec 31, 2012
www.afferro-mining.com/s/NewsReleases.asp?ReportID=563643&_T…

[Popeye82]

Petaquilla Minerals - Enters US$140.000.000 Loan Facility, from Red Kite - Dec 31, 2012
www.petaquilla.com/newsrelease.aspx?petaquilla=Petaquilla%20…

[Popeye82]

Fission Energy - Assay Results Confirm 54% of Boulders >10% U3O8, Highest assaying @40.0% - Jan 2, 2012
www.fission-energy.com/s/newsreleases.asp?ReportID=563877

[Popeye82]

Strike Resources - moves to 100% ownership, of AF, what "is recognised as one of the highest-quality, undeveloped magnetite iron ore projects globally" - Dec 31, 2012
www.strikeresources.com.au/files/20121231_Strike_moves_to_10…

[Popeye82]

Clinton in Prague, to lobby for Westinghouse nuclear bid - US.net - Dec 3, 2012
www.uranium-stocks.net/home/clinton-in-prague-to-lobby-for-w…

[Popeye82]

Lenovo "set to lead China's smartphone market" - CER/WSJ - Nov 30, 2012
www.chinaeconomicreview.com/node/63016

"Chinese PC manufacturer Lenovo's (0992.HKG, LHL.FRA, LHL1.FRA) third-quarter smartphone sales in China were 18 times higher than a year earlier, setting it up to be market leader by the end of 2012, The Wall Street Journal reported.

Lenovo's smartphone market share in China increased to 15%, from 1.7% last year. The figures make the Chinese company the second largest phone vendor, trailing Korean maker Samsung (005930.KRX.005935.KRX, BC94.LON) with 16.7%, but significantly ahead of Apple (AAPL.NASDAQ, APC.FRA) with 6.9%, according to market research firm Gartner. Lenovo's smartphone sales were double that of Apple in China. The Chinese firm will be the leading smartphone seller in China by year end, said Gartner. While Lenovo's smartphone business is not yet profitable, the company expects it to make a profit in China in six to nine months, said Yang Yuanqing, the firm's chief executive. "

[Popeye82]

US charges Chinese affiliates, of top five auditors - CER/NYT - Dec 4, 2012
www.chinaeconomicreview.com/node/63054

"The US Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) charged China-located affiliates of the big five US accounting firms with breaking securities laws by failing to provide documents from their audits of nine Chinese firms under scrutiny, The New York Times reported.

The accounting companies, Deloitte, Ernst & Young, KPMG, PricewaterhouseCoopers and BDO, claim that releasing the papers would violate Chinese law, the SEC said Monday. The accounting firms face possible sanctions including being forbidden from practicing before the SEC, which would mean that their audits of public companies would not satisfy US securities laws. The nine Chinese companies, which the agency did not name, have stocks listed in the US, making them subject to US securities laws. The SEC has already delisted the securities of nearly 50 reverse merger companies, many of them Chinese, and filed fraud cases against 40 foreign companies and executives. "

[Popeye82]

China's Wanda chases US construction, movie deals - CER/Reuters - Dec 4, 2012
www.chinaeconomicreview.com/node/63058

"Chinese cinema conglomerate Dalian Wanda Group is negotiating with Hollywood studios to jointly produce movies and angling for construction deals in large US cities, as the firm prepares to invest US$10 billion in North America over the next decade, Reuters reported.

Wang Jianlin, the founder of Dalian Wanda, said Monday that his group is negotiating with six leading Hollywood movie studios and will co-operate with three or four of them to finance and produce films. He also said his firm is in talks with the governments of Washington DC, New York and other US cities for the development of commercial properties, hotels and department stores, and that it is also looking into potential acquisitions of renowned US hotel chains. Wang characterized Chinese acquisitions of US companies as a form of "soft power." "

[Popeye82]

Canada green energy scheme broke trade rules -WTO - MW/Reuters, GENEVA - Dec 19, 2012
www.miningweekly.com/article/canada-green-energy-scheme-brok…

[Popeye82]

Canpotex +Sinofert Reach New Agreement, @price levels which reflect a US$70.00/tonne reduction, from the last contract price, established in March ´12 - FY, SASKATOON - Dec 31, 2012
http://finance.yahoo.com/news/canpotex-sinofert-reach-agreem…

[Popeye82]

China "clarifies maritime rules, for South China Sea" - CER/WSJ - Dec 5, 2012
www.chinaeconomicreview.com/node/63074

"A Chinese official provided details Tuesday on new regulations allowing police to check and expel foreign vessels entering areas of the disputed South China Sea, The Wall Street Journal reported.

The new rules cover only waters around islands which China has designated "baselines," said Wu Shichun, the director of the foreign affairs office of southern island Hainan. China's announced baselines include areas close to its mainland coast and the Paracel Islands, called the Xisha Islands by China, which are also claimed by Vietnam. The aim of the rules is to control Vietnamese fishing vessels in the seas near Yongxing Island in the Paracels, Wu said. The rules, revealed in state media last week, raised alarm among China's neighbors, as they appeared initially to apply to all waters in the South China Sea. Vietnam said the measures violated its sovereignty and that it was deploying patrols to protect its fishing vessels, a separate report said. "

[Popeye82]

Chinese bank "may be liable for wealth management defaults" - CER/Reuters - Dec 5, 2012
www.chinaeconomicreview.com/node/63069

"China's Huaxia Bank "may be held partly liable for non-performing wealth management instruments" that were sold by an employee without permission, Reuters reported, citing a bank official on Tuesday.

Police are currently investigating an employee @the bank's Jiading, Shanghai branch for selling Zhongding Wealth Investment Center products without authorization, the bank said Monday. The bank "may be held partly responsible by the police", but "it cannot be understood that the bank will pay for the default," a Shanghai regional representative told Reuters. It remains "unclear whether banks will be on the hook if more 3rd-party products default in the future, as this is the 1st high-profile incident". Wealth management products, which offer higher interest rates than traditional savings accounts, have proliferated in the last few years +some analysts "believe they "may" pose a threat to the banking system ." "

[Popeye82]

Klondex Mines - drills 496.7 g/t(14.5 oz/ton) Gold over 1.8 meters(6 feet), Extends Continuity of Main Zone A-Vein, @Klondex Mines’ Fire Creek Nevada Gold Project; Also Reinitiates Underground In-Fill Drilling Program - Jan 2, 2012
www.klondexmines.com/index.php/klondexnews/current/243-2013-…

[Popeye82]

IDC: Apple falls, in China's smartphone rankings - CER/Reuters - Dec 7, 2012
www.chinaeconomicreview.com/node/63106

"Apple's(AAPL.NYSE, APC.FRA) ranking in the Chinese smartphone market fell to 6th in the 3rd quarter from 4th the quarter before amid strong competition from Chinese brands, Reuters reported, citing research firm IDC on Thursday.

The US company's market share by volume was <10% in the 3rd quarter, even as China smartphone sales expanded, to hit a record high of >60.000.000 units, the IDC said. Apple's US stock price fell by > 6% the day before IDC released its report, erasing US$35.000.000.000 of value. The figure marks the largest one-day loss in four years. Apple Chief Executive Tim Cook said the company plans to transfer some manufacturing processes back to the US next year, according to a separate report. Cook said the firm will spend >US$100.000.000 on production plans, as it partners with unnamed companies, to manufacture most or all of the components in the US. "

[Popeye82]

China's big four banks lent less, in November - CER/SCMP/21stCBH - Dec 7, 2012
www.chinaeconomicreview.com/node/63110

"The four largest mainland Chinese banks made 23.6% fewer loans in November than in October, South China Morning Post reported, citing a report by 21st Century Business Herald.

Industrial and Commercial Bank of China (1398.HKG, 601398.SH), China Construction Bank (0939.HKG, 601939.SH), Bank of China (3988.HKG, 601988.SH) and Agricultural Bank of China (1288.HKG, 601288.SH) made US$26.97 billion (RMB168 billion) of loans in November -down from US$35.32 billion in October. Some commercial banks are restricting credit to certain weaker industries, such as steel trading, 21st Century's report said, citing an anonymous banker. However, lending from all Chinese banks will still meet the year's target of US$1.28 trillion. The fall in new loans is due to the nation's slowing economic growth and banks' lack of confidence in asset values. "

[Popeye82]

CNOOC-Nexen deal, approved - CER/WSJ - Dec 10, 2012
www.chinaeconomicreview.com/node/63125

"The Canadian government approved Chinese energy conglomerate CNOOC's(CEO.NYSE, 0883.HKG, NC2B.ETR, NC2A.ETR, NC2A.FRA) US$15.1 billion takeover bid for oil and gas company Nexen (NXY.NYSE, NXY.TSE, CXY.FRA) on Friday, following months of debate among the nation's politicians, The Wall Street Journal reported.

The takeover, which would be China's largest foreign acquisition, sparked a more in-depth government review due to its value and CNOOC's state-owned status. The transaction is considered to have overcome its biggest hurdle, although the deal is still subject to US and UK approval, as the company has significant assets in both countries. Canada's Industry Minister Christian Paradis said on Sunday the country won "significant undertakings" from CNOOC on matters of transparency and management. Following the approval, Prime Minister Stephen Harper said that Canada would not give over full control of its massive oil sands, which the deal gives CNOOC a minority stake in, to a foreign state-owned company in the future. "

[Popeye82]

China punishes Norway , via visa snub - CER/FT - Dec 10, 2012
www.chinaeconomicreview.com/node/63107

"China is offering tourists from every European country except Norway entry to Beijing without a visa, in the latest in a series of snubs since the Scandanavian country awarded Liu Xiaobo, an incarcerated Chinese dissident, the Nobel peace prize in 2010, Financial Times reported.

Beginning January 1, Beijing will allow citizens from 45 countries 72 hours of visa-free access to the capital during transit, it said Wednesday. Countries were excluded because their citizens or government are "of low quality" and "badly behaved," said Wang Qing, a senior official of the Beijing government, when asked why Norway was the only European nation without access. Separate reports said Guan Moye, the 2012 winner of the Nobel literature prize, declined to repeat the endorsement of freeing Liu from his 11-year jail sentence he had made at an October news conference. "

[Popeye82]

Survey shows wider income gap, in China - CER/BB/CHF - December 10, 2012
www.chinaeconomicreview.com/node/63126

"A measure of China's income inequality rose to a dangerously high level in 2010, showing that the wealth gap has widened and may triger protests, Bloomberg reported.

China's Gini coefficient rose to 0.61 up from 0.412 in 2000, when China last released an official figure, according to the Survey and Research Center for China Household Finance, which is backed in part by China's central bank. The coefficient, measured on a scale of 0 to 1, indicates that the spoils of strong economic growth were not equally distributed during the last decade. The figure compares with World Bank's estimate of 0.4248 as of 2005 and the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences measure of 0.54 in 2008. Analysts often look at the coefficient above 0.4 when judging the potential for unrest. "