News around the world - 500 Beiträge pro Seite (Seite 47)

[Popeye82]

IronStone Resources - SRK Reports 2nd NI 43-101 resource for Rambling Creek-North Whitemud River: 643.392.000t @~33.4% Fe, 0.2% V2O5 +SiO2, Al2O3 +P2O5 of Compliant Resource I/I - Nov 25, 2011
www.ironstoneresources.com/company-news/2011/11/25/srk-repor…

[Popeye82]

Cap-Ex Ventures - to Appoint Francois Laurin, ex Chief Financial Officer of Consolidated Thompson Iron Mines, as President +CEO; In addition, Brian Penney, worked for the Iron Ore Company of Canada("IOC" ), a Rio Tinto subsidiary, for >15 years, has agreed to join the Board of Directors +serve as the Chairman of the Operations Committee of the Board, Announces Board Changes +Agreement With Forbes &Manhattan, Company will become a member of the Forbes &Manhattan Group of Companies - Dec 19, 2011
www.marketwire.com/press-release/cap-ex-ventures-appoint-fra…

[Popeye82]

Hana Mining - Infill Drilling Encounters More Consistent High-Grade Copper-Silver Mineralization Along the South Limb of the Banana Zone; expects to release updated resource estimate in the 2nd quarter of ´12 - Dec 19, 2011
www.marketwire.com/press-release/hana-mining-ltd-infill-dril…

[Popeye82]

VMS Ventures - Reed Copper Project Mine Construction Decision Made; HudBay Minerals Inc.(TSX:HBM)(NYSE:HBM)("HudBay") has informed the Company that the HudBay Board of Directors has approved the necessary capital expenditures required to begin construction of the Reed Copper project. VMS owns 30% of the Reed Copper project joint venture, which is operated by HudBay +is located 120 km from Flin Flon, Manitoba. According to HudBay, 1st production is expected by late ´13, HudBay approves a $71.000.000 capital investment - Dec 19, 2011

+ daily ore production of ~1.300 tonnes @Reed is expected by late ´13, subject to receipt of required permits.

+ Average expected production grades of 3.78% copper, 0.45 g/t gold +5.77 g/t silver.

+ Assumed metal recoveries in HudBay's Flin Flon Concentrator of 94% copper, 58% gold +62% silver.

+ Average production in concentrate of ~17.000 tonnes/year of copper metal.

+ Total operating costs estimated to average ~$91/tonne milled($67/tonne mining, $16/tonne milling +$8/tonne administration) over a five year mine life.

+ Sustaining capital expenditures are expected to total ~$55.000.000 over the five year mine life.

+ PEA base-case pre-tax NPV(8%) of $64.900.000 assuming average weighted metal prices of US$2.78 lb Cu, US$1,059 oz Au, US$24.14 oz Ag +USD/CDN$ exchange rate of $0.92 over the five year mine life. All dollar values are Canadian(CDN$) unless specified ...
www.marketwire.com/press-release/vms-ventures-inc-reed-coppe…

[Popeye82]

Tigray Resources - Drills 73.8 Metres of 3.8% Copper, 1.3 Grams/Tonne Gold +14 Grams/Tonne Silver, Confirms Copper-Gold VMS Discovery @Harvest Project in Ethiopia - Dec 20, 2011
http://news.tigray.ca/press-releases/tigray-drills-73-8-metr…
http://media3.marketwire.com/docs/TIG_drill_collar_location_…


Tigray Announces Acquisition of the 795 Square Kilometre Harvest North Properties in Ethiopia, immediately adjacent north +west of Tigray's existing Harvest project - Dec 19, 2011
http://news.tigray.ca/press-releases/tigray-announces-acquis…

[Popeye82]

China tests 500 km/h super high-speed train - FY/Reuters, BEIJING - Dec 26, 2011
http://finance.yahoo.com/news/china-tests-500-km-h-060158636…

[Popeye82]

Web gambling gets boost from Obama administration ; cleared the way for states to legalize Internet poker +certain other online betting in a switch that may help them reap billions in tax revenue +spur web-based gambling; Until now, the department held that online gambling in all forms was illegal under the Wire Act of ´61, which bars wagers via telecommunications that cross state lines or international borders, The new interpretation, by the department's Office of Legal Counsel, said the Wire Act applies only to bets on a "sporting event or contest," not to a state's use of the Internet to sell lottery tickets to adults within its borders or abroad - FY/Reuters, WASHINGTON - Dec 25, 2011

- Jim Wolf +Nicola Leske -
http://finance.yahoo.com/news/gambling-gets-boost-obama-admi…

[Popeye82]

Investor Uncertainty @6-Year High: Survey - FY/CNBC - Dec 22, 2011
http://finance.yahoo.com/news/investor-uncertainty-6-high-su…

[Popeye82]

Anconia Resources - Announces Land Claim Option Agreement; Property covers a strike length of 16 km of highly prospective sulphide bearing volcanogenic massive sulphide(VMS) stratigraphy. A whole rock geochemical survey of the Property has identified two areas situated along this strike length that maintain major element alteration +anomalous minor element(Zn, Pb, Ag +Cu) concentrations characteristically associated with VMS deposits +more specifically with being proximal to a source vent within a VMS genetic model. These two areas are referred to as the Relf Zone +the Nakina Zone, Of the two areas of interest the most extensive +detailed exploration has been carried out over the Relf Zone. Assays grab samples taken from outcrop @the Relf Zone yields "Average 5 grab samples" of 9.95% Zn, 0.66% Pb, 0.33% Cu, 6.17Oz/t Ag +0.52g/t Au +"Average "x" samples" of 13.00% Zn, 1.20% Pb, 0.26% Cu +11.46g/t Ag , @the Relf Zone surface detailed rock sampling +shallow(8 drill holes KAR-01 to KAR-08 all <200m vertical depth) +deep(2 holes SB-07-01 +SB-08-02 maximum 620m vertical depth) diamond drilling has been carried out. This exploration has determined that the Relf Zone is actually comprised of two separate zones, the Relf North +the Relf South Zones, brief synopsis of these zones is: Relf South Zone: Stratiform Massive Sulphides(Zn, Pb, Ag, Cu) Within the Relf South Zone a "Mineralized Sequence" has been defined that is ~120m in true thickness, has a strike length of @least 500m +a down dip extension of @least 400m. Within this "Mineralized Sequence" 5 distinct +stratigraphically controlled horizons of anomalous base metal mineralization have been identified, Stockwork/Vent(Cu): Also within the Relf South Zone the deep drilling(SB-07-01 619m, SB-08-02 688m) intersected a zone of Cu mineralization within the footwall stratigraphy immediately below the "Mineralized Sequence", Relf North Zone: Stratiform Massive Sulphides(Zn, Pb, Ag +Cu): The Relf North Zone has been determined to be a hanging deposit whose source of economic mineralization +major element alteration is the same source which formed the mineralization noted within the Relf South Zone - Dec 21, 2011
www.marketwire.com/press-release/anconia-announces-land-clai…

[Popeye82]

Latin Resources - Option to Acquire Adjoining Concessions, @Mariela; Agreement will provide PLR with sufficient time to evaluate the DylanIII +IV concessions, +to delineate any potential mineral resources ahead of the option expiry date in February ´15, C. Gale: "Latin is very pleased to be able to secure the Dylan concessions as the exploration work to date indicates that these concessions hold an extension to the significant geophysical anomaly encountered on Mariela. By securing these concessions we believe that we will have the whole anomaly within our title +are very excited with the prospectivity of the combined concessions" - Nov 30, 2011

+ Option to acquire DylanIII +IV Concessions.

+ The Dylan concessions are immediately adjacent to the Company’s Mariela Iron Copper Gold target opportunity.

+ DylanIII +IV contain an extension of the significant geophysical anomaly encountered @Mariela.

+ Mariela +Dylan are located in a region with significant potential for Iron, Gold +Copper mineralization. ...
http://stocknessmonster.com/news-item?S=LRS&E=ASX&N=569325



Significant Chinese firm to spend "up to" A$52.000.000 to acquire "up to" 16.8% stake in Latin Resources +earn "up to" 70% of Mariela +Dylan concessions; C. Gale: "the capital raising will result in the introduction of a new long-term cornerstone investor, further strengthening the Company’s share register as it continues to rapidly advance the Guadalupito Iron Mineral Sands Project +its other highly prospective assets in the established Ilo mining district. Attracting a cornerstone investor that is as reputable +experienced as Junefield is a major achievement +a key milestone in the advancement of our Peruvian assets. The premium paid over the current share price is an indication of the value in which our new investor Junefield places on Latin Resources. We are delighted to welcome Junefield as a strong partner in the development of the highly prospective Mariela +Dylan concessions, +look forward to taking the project into production +unlock the value for our shareholders. Junefield’s strong +well resourced team of experienced in-country exploration staff will be invaluable during the exploration of the Mariela Project +will enable exploration to progress @an accelerated pace. I would like to thank Mr Zhou, Chairman of Junefield, for the extremely positive +professional way in which he conducted negotiations leading to this cornerstone investment +earn in agreement. We expect our partnership will continue to develop as Latin Resources works towards the development of a world class strategic metals business in Peru " - Nov 30, 2011

+ Placement of up to 30.000.000 shares in two tranches to Hong Kong based company Junefield High Value Metals Limited @A$0.28/share to raise A$8.400.000, representing a 51% premium to the last traded price.

+ Junefield backed Total Genius Iron Mining SAC signs Earn in Option Agreement up to 70% on Mariela +newly optioned Dylan concessions, by funding all activities up to completion of Bankable Feasibility Study or to a total cost of A$35.000.000.

+ Funds raised via the Placement will be utilised to accelerate the current exploration +drilling campaign @the Company’s flagship Peruvian project, the Guadalupito Iron Mineral Sands Project, where a maiden JORC resource is expected to be released in Q1, ´12.

+ Funds will also be used to fast-track exploration activity on the Company’s 110.000 hectares of granted tenements in the highly prospective Ilo district of southern Peru. The southern Peruvian coastal zone is home to some of South America’s largest mining projects, including Phelps Dodge’s Cerro Verde copper mine, Southern Copper Cuajone +Quellaveco copper mines along with the major iron mine @Marcona owned by Shougang +the US$745.000.000 Mina Justa copper project, recently acquired by Glencore ...
http://stocknessmonster.com/news-item?S=LRS&E=ASX&N=569331



Reports Initial 119.000.000 t JORC Resource @the Guadalupito Mineral Sands Project, in Peru; C. Gale: "It is very pleasing to announce our initial JORC resource @Guadalupito, which provides our ‘Proof of Concept’ +validates our exploration model. We have only drilled 68 holes of a 1,500 drillhole program, on 682 hectares out of >16,000 hectares of concessions, which displays the enormous upside potential of the Guadalupito project as we continue to drill over the coming months. The planned milestones achieved by Latin Resources this year are testimony to the great work carried out by our exceptional team both in Peru +Perth" - Dec 21, 2011

+ The Inferred resource above the water table is 38.000.000 t @8.9% HM. This equates to an average 15.3% HM in the -1mm+52μm “Sand” fraction(representing an average of 63.5% of total sample mass)

+ The Inferred resource below the water table is 81.000.000 t @4.1% HM. This equates to an average 5.3% HM of the -1mm+52μm “Sand” fraction(representing an average of 84.4% of total sample mass),

+ A total JORC compliant Inferred Mineral Resource estimate of 119.000.000 t @5.7% total heavy mineral(HM) content, between the surface +~15 m depth.

+ It should be noted that not all the reported heavy mineral content is necessarily valuable heavy minerals, but ongoing work may confirm significant content of magnetite, zircon, ilmenite +other ferro-titanium minerals, goethite, hematite, andalusite, titanite(sphene) +garnet minerals. In addition, samples used in the resource estimate also contain possibly recoverable gold content, particularly in the fine faction(-53μm). The Guadalupito sediments contain gold that has been exploited in the past by artisanal miners +its occurrence +recovery is being evaluated

+ initial resource estimate, geological model, +results of planned mineral separation work will now be used by Ausenco +Snowden Mining Industry Consultants to assist in completing the mining +processing scoping study already underway; In line with mining scenarios being scoped the Guadalupito resource has been split by Snowden’s Mining Industry Consultants(Snowden) into that above the water table(possible dry mining potential), from that below(possible dredging potential).

+ “Proof of Concept” Inferred Mineral Resource estimate has been carried out over an initial 682 ha area within the overall concession area of 16,437 ha. Latin Resources’ Guadalupito concessions cover a 45 km long mineralised shoreline system that extends up to 4 km inland. The announced resource estimate covers only ~6 km of that strike length to a width of only just over 1 km.

+ The resource estimation incorporates samples from 68 sonic drill holes(avg. 22 m deep), 326 pits(1 m deep) +30 cased shaft excavations(up to 4 m deep).

+ The mineral resource estimate by Snowden is consistent with Latin’s geological concept of mineralised sands occurring within both an upper gravel/conglomerate horizon +an underlying sand unit, along the 45 km of mineralised beach sediments.

+ Latin is well funded for further exploration of the large-scale Guadalupito project, which to date has shown continuous heavy mineralisation from surface up to 20 m +/- depth. ...
http://stocknessmonster.com/news-item?S=LRS&E=ASX&N=572148

[Popeye82]

Vorsicht vor explosiven Krapfen ; Zeitung in Chile muss wegen falschen Rezepts Entschädigung zahlen; Wer sich treu an das Rezept gehalten habe, habe eine Explosion nicht vermeiden KÖNNEN , hieß es in der Urteilsbegründung - W - Dec 27, 2011
http://web.de/magazine/essen-geniessen/essen/14414096-zeitun…

[Popeye82]

Select needles Way into Tanzania - RR - Dec 20, 2011
www.resourcesroadhouse.com.au/_blog/Resources_Roadhouse/post…
http://stocknessmonster.com/news-item?S=SLT&E=ASX&N=571951

"THE BOURSE WHISPERER: Oddly-named Select Vaccines has signed a binding Heads of Agreement with Mauritius-based explorer Indigo Metals to acquire 100 per cent of the issued capital of two wholly owned Mauritian entities +their subsidiaries.

Select will acquire 100 per cent of the issued capital of Panama Resources +Shira Resources +their two Tanzanian subsidiaries, IBIS Resources +WTF Resources.

According to Select Vaccines the combined entities own ~5.412 square kilometres of prospective +potentially large-scale coal +uranium projects located in the United Republic of Tanzania, East Africa.

The combined landholding consists of thirty-two prospecting licenses, of which 16 have been granted, with the remaining 16 currently under application.



- General overview map of the Indigo Metals licences(in red) in relation to historically known coal occurrences +four competitor company’s licences. Source: Select Vaccines company announcement -


Although it may not sound like a resources-focused enterprise Select Vaccines claims an experienced board with African coal experience, including Gary Seabrooke +Mark Titchener who were involved with the acquisition +early development of the Riversdale Mining coal discoveries in Tete, Mozambique.

Through the acquisitions the company will acquire four Tanzanian projects.

The 1st is the 142.5sqkm Mhuhkuru project, located in the Ruvuma region of the Songea district, 90 kilometres South West of Songea in Southern Tanzania.

The land holding is situated ~25km south of the Mhukuru Coalfield in the far west portion of the SW Selous Basin.

The Rukwa Basin project is located in the Sumbawanga Region, Rukwa District of SW Tanzania, ~35km North East of Sumbawanga town +20km West of Lake Rukwa.

The project covers a massive surface area of 2.189sqkm in relatively unexplored terrain.

The Ruhuhu project is located 90km North West of the town of Songea, in the Ruhuhu basin.

The project covers a total area of 307sqkm in the Ruhuhu Basin, which Select said is known to contain eleven coalfields.

Selects said the Ruhuhu Basin is the largest Karoo Supergroup basin in SW Tanzania +covers a total area of 2200sqkm.

The Selous project covers an area of 2,774sqkm over greenfields terrain.

Select said much of this terrain is thought to be composed of the prospective Karoo stratigraphy covered by a thin veneer of younger Cainozoic sediments.

All four projects are located in a region that hosts significant other projects. "

[Popeye82]

Condor Metals - Takeover to acquire advanced, high potential, Peru gold-silver-copper project - Dec 28, 2011

+ Condor to make friendly, off-market, takeover bid for Inca Minerals, an unlisted public company with advanced Peruvian Gold-Silver-Copper projects

+ The assets are close to +in a similar geological setting to Chinalco’s world-class Toromocho deposit

+ Drilling results to date include(see Fig 5)

- CH002 101m @1.19g/t Au, 16.1g/t Ag, 0.1% Cu
- CH003 101.3m @1.23g/t Au, 35.9g/t Ag, 0.16% Cu
- CH004 116m @1.43g/t Au 24.6g/t Ag, 0.23% Cu


+ Near established mining infrastructure including Nyrstar’s Coricancha’s mining operations

+ Expanded company will have multi-faceted targets

+ New Board will have substantial technical +corporate expertise ...
http://stocknessmonster.com/news-item?S=CNK&E=ASX&N=572862

[Popeye82]

Energio: Two years ago the company decided to literally ditch the toys +are now an emerging Iron ore explorer in the resource rich Nigeria; The company has entered into agreements to acquire a package of prospective exploration licences covering iron ore prospects in the Kogi State, Nigeria. The Kogi State is an iron ore rich region in Nigeria that is yet to be fully explored, targets 1.000.000.000 -2.000.000.000 tonnes @minimum 30% Fe - AI, Cover Story - Dec11
www.australianinvestor.com.au/magazine.aspx?id=3628
http://stocknessmonster.com/news-item?S=EIO&E=ASX&N=569407

"The company is now seeking to raise AUD$2.250.000 to continue their comprehensive exploration program focused on the area of the Agbaja Plateau with the intent of identifying +defining a JORC resource by 30 June ´12.

Besides drilling, sampling +assaying ~20,000m, the Company will also take bulk samples for metallurgical testing +will complete a scoping study to determine a potential resource development plan.

In an interview with Mr. Nathan Taylor, Non Executive Director +Mr. Don Carroll, Non Executive Director they provided an update of their current explorations.

Drilling has already commenced +according to Don Carroll they are “Between 30 to 40% through the drilling programme”. The company has appointed independent consultants to do the JORC verification, “they’ll be over there in mid-January to do an appraisal of the drilling programme” he said.

Both believe that they will have completed their maiden JORC resource in the 2nd quarter of next year.

The infrastructure is all there as Don Carroll explained, “There is a heavy haul railway that extends ~300 kilometres from the mining area to a river port. There’s a Nigerian Government steel plant right in the middle of that country built with Soviet aid money some time ago when it was all fashionable and +railway line has been relatively unused although it has been used to haul iron ore from a Nigerian operated mine. The line is the same gauge as the Hammersley Iron track in Western Australia”.

There are also sealed roads +highways connections to the national power grid, a 414 megawatt gas fired power station(within 50km of the project) +abundant water which may assist in expediting project development.

The board is small but holds vast experience as Don Carroll explained, “It’s not a big board but I think it’s a very good board. We’ve got Ian Burston who has proven experience in the iron ore business”. Ian Burston has more than 30 years of top level experience in both Western Australia +international iron ore mining and export. He has held executive management +Board positions with some of Western Australia’s largest +most successful mining operations. Don Carroll added that, “my own background is in iron ore +other minerals both as a mining engineer +then later on marketing +selling those products in Asia +in Europe”. There is also Mr Kevin Joseph, a Non Executive Director who has extensive experience in Nigeria +the West African region, being a 17 year resident of Nigeria, he gives the company invaluable in-country relationships.

The company is on track with a good balance sheet that will enable them to complete their JORC as Nathan Taylor explained “In terms of the balance sheet, the balance sheet post the deal will look like ~8 -9.000.000 dollars cash @bank +that will be enough to get us through to our maiden resource.” "

[Popeye82]

US Treasury: China is NOT a currency manipulator - CER/Reuters - Dec 28, 2011
http://r20.rs6.net/content/

"The US Treasury said China does not meet the criteria to be labeled as a currency manipulator in a semi-annual report the agency issued Tuesday, stating instead that renminbi appreciation has been "insufficient," Reuters reported.

"Treasury will closely monitor the pace of appreciation and press for policy changes that yield greater exchange rate flexibility, a level playing field and a sustained shift to domestic demand-led growth," the report said. The decision not to label China as a currency manipulator comes in spite of increased pressure from the Obama administration on China to allow the renminbi to appreciate and rising rhetoric from lawmakers that China is gaining an unfair advantage. The value of the renminbi against the dollar has risen 4% this year, but the Peterson Institute for International Economics estimates the currency is still undervalued by 24% . "

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[Popeye82]

China debuts Beidou as rival to US GPS - CER/WSJ - Dec 28, 2011
http://r20.rs6.net/content/

"China’s homegrown satellite navigation system is now operational, The Wall Street Journal reported.

The move gives the Chinese military an alternative to the US Global Positioning System(GPS) +an opportunity to track foreign ships in regions of conflict. The Beidou Navigation Satellite System now offers initial positioning, navigation +timing services to China +its surrounding areas, announced Ran Chengqi, a spokesman for the system. China had so far launched 10 satellites for the Beidou system +plans to send a further six into orbit in ´12. The additional hardware will enhance the system's accuracy +extend its service to cover most of the Asia Pacific region. Russia owns Glonass, the only other operational global system beyond GPS. Mr. Ran said Beidou was used by >100,000 clients in China +is compatible with the world's other major navigation systems. "

[Popeye82]

Uranium mining moratorium lifted on Labrador Inuit lands - U3O8.biz - Dec 21, 2011

- Dave Brown -
www.u3o8.biz/s/MarketCommentary.asp?ReportID=498015&_Type=Ma…

"Last week, the Nunatsiavut Assembly lifted a moratorium on uranium mining on Labrador Inuit land following a three year term. The bill was passed in April 2008 due to environmental concerns on the effects of uranium mining, including accumulated low-level tailings emissions. The amendment to the Labrador Inuit Lands Act was reviewed in mid-September, and the decision to lift the ban was made unanimously.

However, the amendment is not expected to be in effect before a Nunatsiavut Environmental Protection Act, scheduled for March 2012, is in place.


Exploration interest fell sharply

The news was welcomed by the mining industry which could benefit from the renewed ability for uranium exploration in the Canadian province. Uranium exploration in Newfoundland and Labrador declined 93 percent during the moratorium, from approximately $58.1 million three years ago to $4.2 million last year. Within a broader Canadian context uranium exploration budgets were also reduced over the same period of time; however, only by approximately 53 percent as a national weighted average. According to the most recent Fraser Institute's annual survey of mining and exploration companies, Newfoundland and Labrador fell from ninth to twenty fifth position in the world in the category of "Current mineral potential assuming current regulations and land use restrictions," since the uranium mining suspension was set in place.

Among the projects active in the region are Paladin Energy (TSX:PDN,ASX:PDN) via its wholly owned subsidiary Aurora Energy. Aurora originally identified a significant uranium deposit in 2006. The company halted exploration work in Labrador after the moratorium was put into effect. It will be planning an exploration program for the mid-2012, assuming no additional limitations from federal or provincial governments. Infill and extension drilling of the Michelin mineralization is expected to start in the third quarter of 2012. Last June, the company estimated that its Michelin project could generate as many as 700 construction jobs over three years. The existing mine plan could employ 400 individuals and operate for 17 years of mining and milling. Paladin indicated in its press release that it expects this to become "a highly attractive asset with significant uranium resources in a region available for potential development in what is expected will become the second most important uranium province in Canada and considered to be of worldwide significance." Five of the company's six uranium deposits in the Central Mineral Belt fall within the Labrador Inuit lands.


Investment opportunity for junior exploration companies

Some junior exploration companies may seek renewed investment interest following the news developments. As retail investors may be looking for interesting uranium junior exploration opportunities, there has also been a demonstrated appetite among senior companies in competition for the Athabasca regional Roughrider deposit over the last few months. A competitive environment is often favorable to careful investors with a keen eye for value, patience and risk threshold.


The following companies are performing uranium exploration in Newfoundland and Labrador:

- Bayswater Uranium Corporation (TSXV:BYU)
- KirrinResources (TSXV:KYM)
- Altius Minerals (TSX:ALS)
- Commander Resources Ltd. (TSXV:CMD)
- Crosshair Energy Corp (TSX:CXX)
- Virginia Energy Resources (TSXV:VAE)
- Waseco Resources Inc. (TSXV:WRI)
- Silver Spruce Resources Inc. (TSXV:SSE)
- Ucore Rare Metals(TSXV:UCU)
- Belmont Resources Inc. (TSXV:BEA)
- International Montoro Resources Inc. (TSXV:IMT)
- Cornerstone Capital Resources Inc. (TSXV:CGP)
- Delta Uranium Inc. (TSXUR) and
- JNR Resources (TSXV:JNN) "

[Popeye82]

Virginia Energy Resources - Coles Hill Project to Generate $5.000.000.000 in Net Economic Revenue to Virginia Firms, Says State-Commissioned Study - Nov 30, 2011
www.marketwire.com/press-release/coles-hill-project-generate…


Virginia Energy Resources Inc.: National Academy of Sciences Study on Uranium Mining to Be Released Monday, December 19, ´11; primary purpose of the study is to assist the Commonwealth of Virginia in determining whether uranium mining +milling could be undertaken in a manner that protects the environment +the health of its citizens. The NAS committee that wrote the report assessed the physical +social context in which uranium mining +processing might occur; domestic +global uranium markets; technical options +best practices for the industry; +potential impacts on public health, worker safety, +the environment. It also reviewed the state +federal regulatory framework for uranium mining; Walter Coles Jr.: "We have always welcomed the opportunity for independent scientists to provide credible information about the development of a uranium industry in Virginia. We expect that this study by the National Academy of Sciences will serve as part of the foundation of work which will provide Virginia with sufficient information to confidently bring uranium mining legislation +permitting framework into being" - Dec 16, 2011
www.marketwire.com/press-release/virginia-energy-resources-i…


National Academy of Sciences Provides 'Road Map' for Safe Uranium Production @Coles Hill, Virginia, concludes that by employing best practices that have been in place in the uranium producing districts of Canada +the United States for the past twenty years will provide sufficient mitigation of environmental +health concerns in Virginia; The report, in particular, provides the road map for how Virginia can design a regulatory structure to provide oversight for safe uranium mining. The recommendations rely heavily on the track record of modern uranium mining operations in Canada +the United States, which have been proven successful @managing many of the environmental +health risks associated with the industry. The report singles out the impact of lined, below-grade tailings disposal +improvement of underground ventilation as having a significant impact on preserving water quality +worker safety. "We fully intend to implement these state-of-the-art practices @Coles Hill," commented Coles, The NAS study recommends that Virginia's regulatory program embrace the stringent ALARA (as low as reasonably achievable ) standard for impacts on public health +the environment. The report suggests that adopting such a standard would allow the state's regulations to be continuously updated +improved to reflect the most advanced practices available. In addition to this broad recommendation, there are six specific suggestions made by the study committee; The NAS report acknowledges that after the moratorium is lifted it will take a number of years before the Coles Hill project could receive all the necessary permits to begin operating. This proposed timeline in the NAS study is not a set-back for the project but well within the normal time-frames for a mining project of this nature. "Our company is confident that this lengthy timeframe will allow the General Assembly, state +federal agencies +community residents to thoroughly examine every aspect of this issue +make sure that regulations are in place +best practices are fully adopted to protect the health +well-being of our community," said Coles Hill Project Manager, Patrick Wales; study findings were presented to the Uranium Mining Subcommittee of the Virginia Coal +Energy Commission by the study committee's chair, Dr. Paul Locke, Director of the Public Health Program +Department of Environmental Health Sciences @the Johns Hopkins University Bloomberg School of Public Health - Dec 19, 2011
www.marketwire.com/press-release/national-academy-sciences-p…
http://media3.marketwire.com/docs/VAE1219.pdf

[Popeye82]

Arianne Resources - Pleased with Public Involvement, in Lac a Paul Mining Project - Dec 19, 2011
www.marketwire.com/press-release/arianne-pleased-with-public…

[Popeye82]

Oceanic Iron Ore - Announces Assay Results of 36.3% Fe Over 60 Metres +30.5% Fe Over 133 Metres @Hopes Advance +Provides Project Update +$2.000.000 Financing; Resource estimate update expected in late Q1 ´12 - Dec , 2011
http://media3.marketwire.com/docs/feo1.pdf

[Popeye82]

Be it Ever so Humble...????; Speak with any mining company executive +they will tell you one of the more difficult aspects, besides attracting prospective employees to work for them, is actually KEEPING them - RR - Dec 14, 2011
www.resourcesroadhouse.com.au/_blog/Resources_Roadhouse/post…

"Working on a mine site is hard, dirty work , which is more often than not carried out in the most remote locations.

Fly In Fly Out employees work rosters that require leaving their ‘real’ homes behind for days, sometimes weeks, on end.

Speak with any mining company executive and they will tell you one of the more difficult aspects, besides attracting prospective employees to work for them, is actually keeping them.

This has resulted in the demise of the camp dongas as mining companies now focus on creating village communities which provide a ‘home away from home’ for their workers.



- Modern mining camps are "more than a place to sleep" -


The village services provided by resources companies is having a great influence on how people decide where they are going to work and who they are going to work for. The design and layout of any village must ensure that all the facilities are readily accessible and focused on creating a community.

The camp is no longer just place you go when you knock off from your shift because you’re not at home.

For the FIFO worker it is more than a workplace, it is the place they also live.

Not everybody has wireless access to the internet in their home but while they are ‘living’ on a remote work site it is an expectation that it will be available as part of their package as is Foxtel, gymnasiums and in larger villages, theatres and swimming pools.

A new column has now been squeezed on the expenditure balance sheet of mining companies when they begin to look at the construction phase of their operation.

Alongside plant and equipment, accommodation looms largely as an integral part of any Feasibility Study.

Mining camps, as they used to be called, are now mining villages, specifically designed with the worker in mind in order to meet their expectations and needs.

“It is essential that the design process for remote villages now focuses on the aesthetics and the overall environment and the real needs of the staff.” Credo Group managing director Tim Brady told The Roadhouse.

“We work with our clients to provide a village infrastructure and a community lifestyle which will contribute to our clients and their contractors’ productivity and ongoing retention.

The Credo Group provides an end to end solution working with mining companies from the initial stages of selecting a site through to the design, construction and finally the delivery of village services including catering housekeeping, recreation, transport, waste management and building maintenance.

Credo assists companies to meet environmental, financial and operational requirements resulting in a facility that is exclusive for their use on their site.

“Organisation’s needs change throughout a project lifecycle and we also need to be flexible as they move from exploration through to construction and production.” Brady explained.

“However the key element at all times is people and it is essential that we work with our clients in creating an attractive home away from home for their current and future employees."

[Popeye82]

Dart Energy - Creates Europe`s Leading Unconventional Gas Business; N. Davies: "The agreement to acquire Greenpark’s unconventional gas assets in the U.K. +Europe is the next significant step in realising Dart’s European aspirations, +allows us to now definitively say that we have created one of Europe’s leading unconventional gas businesses, less than a year after 1st entering the market. We acquired Composite Energy in February ´11, +we followed that quickly with Europe’s 1st significant CBM reserve certifications, a major portfolio resource upgrade which included identifying substantial shale prospects on two licences, an excellent 1st Gas Sales Agreement, +new licence additions in Poland+Belgium. We then commenced drilling operations across the portfolio +are seeking to rapidly progress our flagship European project, PEDL133 in Scotland, to commercial development. In the last 2 weeks, we have substantially enhanced these solid foundations: we have consolidated BG’s CBM position in the U.K. with ours; we have delineated a joint shale work program on PEDL 133 with BG; we have secured an option over two prospective shale licences in Germany from BG; +we have agreed heads of terms with BG for another UK Gas Sales Agreement. And now, through acquiring Greenpark’s assets, we have added multiple licences in the U.K., many of which are contiguous to existing Dart licences, thus affording the ability to build projects of scale in a number of regional “clusters”. Greenpark also brings with it a substantial certified 2C resource +booked 3P reserves; an option over prospective licences in Poland +Spain; +a 2nd project in our European portfolio(Canonbie) which, similar to PEDL133, is @a relatively advanced stage such that we can apply our skill to driving it forward rapidly towards commercialisation. Dart is now a substantial unconventional gas company. We have an enviable asset base in a number of the World’s leading markets, where there is high gas demand +attractive prices, +where our assets are mostly close to existing infrastructure. Our European CBM business +within it our international shale business are a strong complement to our Australian +Asian businesses, +bring us one step closer to achieving our corporate vision: to be the leading independent global unconventional gas business " - Dec 28, 2011

Dart’s activity globally now consists of thee substantial regional business, each with significant acreage, scale of operations +near-term production potential:

Dart Australia - seven CBM assets covering 23.598 km2 in New South Wales, with a core strategic focus on seeking to expand the Australian business both geographically +into other unconventional areas;

Dart Asia - eight assets covering 7.580 km2 in aggregate, focussed on Dart’s CBM business in China, India +Indonesia, with a strong pipeline of business development opportunities in place

Dart Europe: 41 assets / 8 regional “clusters”, covering 6.017 km2 in aggregate, focussed on Dart’s CBM business in the U.K. +continental Europe. As noted, this now includes a potentially substantial shale gas acreage position, +Dart intends to further build on this opportunity. Dart also currently has five additional licences in Europe under option, +will be considering these in the coming months. ...
http://stocknessmonster.com/news-item?S=DTE&E=ASX&N=238673

[Popeye82]

Aziana - High Grade Bauxite -Manantenina Project; believes Manantenina could be the largest undeveloped bauxite field in the Indian Ocean region ; now plans for a topographic survey +in-fill sampling as required to be able to define a maiden JORC resource in ´12; "Aims for" 300.000.000 tonnes Bauxite JORC in ´12 ; licenses lie just 5 -20km inland from the Indian Ocean +have river access, >90% of the licensed area is rolling savannah grassland - Nov 22, 2011

Soavary Permit

+ 52/57 exploration shafts intercepted high quality Bauxite

+ The typical Bauxite thickness is 5.6m

+ 288/355 samples returned assays >25% available alumina(Avl Al2O3) with an average 38.0% Avl Al2O3 +3.3% reactive silica(Rx SiO2)

+ The best intersection is 9.3m @53.2 available alumina +1.90% reactive silica

+ Assay results are expected soon from an additional 334 exploration shafts + >2.200 more samples

+ Exploration continues on the rest of the license are


Esama Permit

+ 57/68 exploration shafts Intercepted high quality Bauxite

+ The typical thickness is 5.6m

+ 321/405 samples returned assays >25% available alumina with an average 35.3% available alumina +2.2% reactive silica

+ The best intersection is 9m @44.1% available alumina +1.98% reactive silica


General

+ Aziana recognizes High Quality Bauxite based on the dominant Gibbsite mineralogy +low reactice silica grades in its samples

+ Bauxite with a high ratio of available alumina/reactive silica as found by Aziana, is in high demand by alumina refineries

+ Pending assay results are expected to demonstrate much more extensive High Quality Bauxite on Aziana´s licenses ...
www.aziana.com.au/news/20111122HighGradeBauxite.pdf
www.aziana.com.au/news/AzianaPresentationDec2011.pdf

[Popeye82]

Chinese industry to grow by 11% in ´12 - CER/Reuters - Dec 27, 2011
http://r20.rs6.net/content/

"China's industrial output growth is expected to slow to 11% in ´12, down from 13.9% in ´11, Reuters reported.

Miao Wei, minister of Industry +Information Technology, said development in ´12 "would not be optimistic" due to the uncertain global economy. Monthly output growth has fallen in the past six months from a high of 15.1% in June. Miao said China would reduce industrial energy consumption by 5% in ´12, +reduce water consumption by 7%. The country will also focus on consolidating key industries: "We will launch implementation plans for mergers +acquisitions in sectors like steel, automobiles +cement." The measure of China's industrial output includes enterprises with an annual revenue of US$3.16 million. The latest five-year plan targets annual GDP growth of 7% over five years, with industrial output growth of 10%. "

[Popeye82]

US warns Iran against closing key oil passage - FY/AP, TEHERAN - Dec 28, 2011

- Ali Akbar Dareini -
http://finance.yahoo.com/news/us-warns-iran-against-closing-…

[Popeye82]

´11: Year in Review; In February ´11, the food price crisis drives 44.000.000 people into poverty. May ´11: A new study found that by ´25, six major emerging economies –China, India, Brazil, Indonesia, South Korea +Russia – will account for >half of global growth - WB - Dec 28, 2011
wwwr.worldbank.org/yearinreview?cid=ISG_E_WBWeeklyUpdate_NL

[Popeye82]

KBL Mining - Cooperation Agreement with Major Chinese Group, a subsidiary of Guangdong Guangxin Holding Co. Ltd(GGH). GGH, a government-owned enterprise, the largest foreign trade group in Guangdong Province, Southern China - Dec 29, 2011

+ A$80.000.000 payment by GMR for a 25% Joint Venture interest in Mineral Hill

+ GMR to purchase all of KBL’s 75% share of Mineral Hill copper concentrates @a 25% discount to prevailing LME prices

+ Placement to GMR of a 15% fully diluted shareholding in KBL @25% premium to the pre-announcement 6 month VWAP

+ Company(75%) +Henan Yuguang Gold +Lead Co. Ltd(HYG&L) (25%,) own the Sorby Hills Silver-Lead-Zinc deposit in Western Australia, which is one of the world’s largest near surface undeveloped silver-lead deposits , close to port infrastructure +a short distance from Asian markets. The Company wholly owns the Mineral Hill Mine located in central New South Wales. Current production of 250.000tpa of ore @Mineral Hill is forecast to increase to 400.000tpa with the introduction of gold +silver dore production from Pearse open cut from mid-´12. Initial planned production @Sorby Hills will be 400.000 to 600.000tpa from ´13. ...
http://stocknessmonster.com/news-item?S=KBL&E=ASX&N=572943

[Popeye82]

Scandinavian Resources - Kiruna Iron -Wide Iron Intercepts; drills up to 242m @24.9% Fe; Amanda Arrowsmith: "It is pleasing to report that multiple, wide zones of low grade iron mineralisation have been intercepted in the recent drilling @Altavaara. Our drilling +assaying during ´11 has confirmed a close correlation between the magnetic susceptibility of the mineralisation +the final XRF iron assay results. For this reason we are comfortable providing an estimate of the expected average iron grades for Altavaara based on the magnetic susceptibility measurements we have taken from the Altavaara core. We aim to release an updated JORC Exploration Target for Altavaara in January ´12" - Dec 29, 2011

+ 12 diamond drill holes completed @Altavaara for 2.694m

+ Very wide, low grade iron mineralisation intercepted1

+ Altavaara expands options for the Kiruna Hub, represents an opportunity to develop a central processing hub for a number of increasingly prospective iron ore occurrences; the majority of which are located within 40km of Europe’s largest iron ore mine +associated infrastructure

+ Altavaara located 15km south of Kiruna, 10km from rail +650m from major road that lead to ports in Lulea, Sweden +Narvik, Norway ...
http://stocknessmonster.com/news-item?S=SCR&E=ASX&N=572944

[Popeye82]

Energy Focus - LED Products Used to Relight USS Chafee, the 1st Navy Ship to Receive a Complete LED Lighting Upgrade; According to a recent Naval Sea Systems Command(NAVSEA) press release "The new fixtures have a minimum 50.000-hour lifespan compared to the 1.000-hour incandescent globes +7.500-hour fluorescents. The ship is expected to save >$50.000/year using the new lights ... Savings are expected to >$100.000/ship/year when the scope is expanded to include the T12 fluorescent fixtures ... In early ´12, USS Preble(DDG 88) is expected to receive the same fixtures, as well as LED bulb replacements for the ship's two-foot fluorescent fixtures, which are the most common lighting on DDG 51 class ships", J. Kaveski: "Energy Focus is delighted to provide the Navy its breakthrough IntelliTube LED lighting products for a complete lighting retrofit for the USS Chafee +USS Preble as we begin the process to provide advanced LED lighting aboard the whole range of combatant +amphibious ships over the next several years as part of the Navy's maritime energy strategy" - Dec 22, 2011
http://finance.yahoo.com/news/Photo-Release-Energy-Focus-pz-…
www.globenewswire.com/newsroom/prs/?pkgid=11298
www.navsea.navy.mil/Newswire2011/08DEC11-02.aspx

[Popeye82]

QFII approvals rise to combat China's capital outflow - CER/Reuters - Dec 30, 2011
http://r20.rs6.net/content/

"Chinese regulators have accelerated the pace of approvals for foreign institutions to invest in mainland markets, granting nearly US$1 billion in quotas under the Qualified Foreign Institutional Investor (QFII) program since October, Reuters reported.

The approvals are a reversal on a six-month quota freeze, and the fast approvals may be to counteract the net capital outflows recorded in October and November. "Typically when the yuan faces pressure to appreciate, regulators slow or suspend quota approvals," said Howhow Zhang, a Shanghai-based consultant with Z-Ben Advisors. "I think now, because there is a capital outflow, approvals are being accelerated." Regulators granted US$200 million in quotas in October, US$250 million in November and US$500 million in December. Quotas have been the lowest this year since 2007, mostly due to the freeze. "

[Popeye82]

China plans to land man on moon - CER/FT - Dec 30, 2011
http://r20.rs6.net/content/

"China is taking steps to send an astronaut to the moon, according to a government white paper published on Thursday, the Financial Times reported.

The paper is the first time a manned space mission has been stated concretely as a goal, saying that China will "conduct studies on the preliminary plan for a human lunar landing." The paper lays out a five year plan to develop new satellites, speed up efforts to build a space station, launch unmanned lunar probes and make other breakthroughs in human space flight. Chinese experts say that a manned lunar mission will not be possible until after 2020. A US astronaut was the last person to set foot on the moon in 1972; in 2003, China sent its first "taikonaut" into space. The white paper states that China is exploring space for peaceful purposes only and could deflect criticism that China has not been transparent about its space program. "

[Popeye82]

Q3 iQ Report; Every One is unique - Iradesso - Dec 31, 2011

- B. Mills -


- Falling Flakes

Snowflakes +oil +gas stocks behave differently in that snowflakes only fall while oil +gas stocks are also supposed to go up. That didn't happen in the 3rd quarter of ´11. Almost every single oil +gas player lost ground during the quarter. Fortunately, the sector managed to trim its losses over the following two months. In the 3rd quarter, the median intermediate lost 22 percent while the median junior lost 24 percent. In the five months following the start of Q3, the intermediates had a median return, including dividends, of -10 percent. Over the same five-month period, the juniors returned -16 percent. It's stormy out there.


Sliding Values

The median enterprise value of Western Canada's junior +intermediate oil +gas companies slid in the 3rd quarter of ´11, in line with the slumping share prices.

Adding together a company's market capitalization with its net debt gives us the total value attributed to the company, called the enterprise value. When we compare these enterprise values to production levels, we see a wide range of valuations. Companies with strong valuations are better able to access capital or use equity to complete deals that are accretive to shareholders.

For the intermediates, the median enterprise value of $74.958/boe, in the 3rd quarter of ´11 compares with the median enterprise value of $72.751/boe in the 2nd quarter of ´11 +$70.968/boe in the 3rd quarter of ´10. The valuations in the latest quarter range from $14.338/boe to $184.073/boe.

For the juniors, the median enterprise value in the 3rd quarter of ´11 fell to $59.912/boe compared with the median enterprise value of $74.834/boe in the 2nd quarter of ´11 +$59.692 in the 3rd quarter of ´10. The range in the latest quarter is from $19.229/boe to $244.464/boe.


Production/Share Inches Up

The stock market malaise faced by Canada's oil +gas companies did not reflect their operational performance in the 3rd quarter of ´11. The oil +gas sector managed to achieve something in the 3rd quarter that they don't achieve very often. Not only did they increase their overall production, which is common, they increased their production/share, which is rare.

From the 2nd quarter to the 3rd quarter of ´11, the intermediates showed a median increase of 5.0 percent in overall production +4.0 percent in production/share. The juniors performed almost as well, with the median overall production increasing 4.2 percent while production/share increased 1.9 percent.

By comparison, the intermediates showed a median drop of 2.9 percent in production/share from Q1 to Q2 ´11. The juniors fared worse, with the median production/share dropping 5.3 percent from Q1 to Q2 ´11.


Gas pains

We've seen signs that Western Canada's junior oil +gas companies are trying to decrease their dependence on natural gas since natural gas prices are depressed relative to oil prices, but the average junior +intermediate company is still producing more natural gas than oil. The median junior had a natural gas weighting of 55.6 percent in Q2 ´11 compared with an almost identical 55.5 percent in Q3 ´11 while the median intermediate natural gas weighting was 65.0 percent in Q3 ´11 compared with 67.9 percent in the previous quarter. ...-
http://iq.bmir.com/iq/iQ-Mag-Q3-2011-FORWEB.pdf

[Popeye82]

The Year of the Deal: Top 10 mining M &A in ´11 - M.com - Dec 30, 2011

- Andrew Topf -
www.mining.com/2011/12/30/the-year-of-the-deal-top-10-mining…

[Popeye82]

Northern Iron - Closes Initial Public Offering - Aug 25, 2011
www.northernironcorp.com/news/1314285679




Northern Iron Corp. Intersects 143 Metres of Iron Mineralization, Grading 31.84% Fe2O3 +146.2 Metres, Grading 30.21% Including 12 Metres @47.57% Fe2O3, on the Karas Property - Sep 6, 2011
www.northernironcorp.com/news/1315344294


Northern Iron Releases Three Additional Drill Hole Assays on Karas Property Intersecting 125 Metres of Magnetite Mineralization Grading 30.52 % Fe2O3 +12 Metres Grading 46.17% Fe2O3 - Sep 12, 2011
www.northernironcorp.com/news/1315823507
www.northernironcorp.com/sites/default/files/section1.pdf


Northern Iron Corp. Releases Assay Results For 3rd Set Of Three Drill Holes On The Karas Property; holes intersect 285.04 metres of Magnetite mineralization grading 24.32% Fe2O3 +210.5 metres of Magnetite mineralization grading 27.28% Fe2O3 - Sep 20, 2011
www.northernironcorp.com/news/1316487541


Northern Iron Corp. Releases Assay Results For The 4th Set Of Three Drillholes On The Karas Property; Drills 214.55 Metres of Magnetite Mineralization Grading 29.9% Fe2O3, 154.9m grading 29.69% Fe +199m grading 29.63% Fe - Oct 4, 2011
www.northernironcorp.com/news/1317755422


Northern Iron engages Roscoe Postle Associates Inc. as resource calculation consultants for the Karas property - Oct 12, 2011
www.northernironcorp.com/news/1318437000


Northern Iron Corp. drilling defines zone of ~425 metres(true thickness ) magnetite mineralization on Karas property; Basil Botha: "The 425 metre magnetite mineralization, which is still open @depth, is an exciting result. The property continues to exhibit great potential with excellent infrastructure in place. The drill grid of ~70 metres between holes could provide us with the necessary data to determine a measured, indicated +inferred resource on the Karas property by the end of ´11" - Oct 18, 2011

+ Intersection of 354.97 Metres of 31.13% Fe2O3 on Hole KA-11-14

+ Intersection of 138.17 metres 33.40 % Fe2O3 on Hole KA-11-13

+ Intersection of 71 Metres @40.00 % Fe2O3 Included on Hole KA-11-13 ...
www.northernironcorp.com/news/1318957263


Northern Iron Corp. extends zone with 443 metres @32.43% Fe2O3 magnetite mineralization open @depth on the Karas property; B. Botha: "The intersection is just short of half a kilometre of magnetite mineralization +still open @depth, which is an excellent result +stands out as one of the best drill holes to date. The tightly folded banded iron formation on the Karas property demonstrates a continuous formation from surface to depth with a magnetic signature of 800 metres by 500 metres @surface" - Nov 9, 2011
www.northernironcorp.com/news/1320894348



Northern Iron Corp. provides 1st annual exploration +operations summary; B. Botha: "We are extremely pleased with the progress the Company has made toward qualifying +quantifying our estimated mineral resources, +ultimately in establishing Northern Iron as a North American supplier of premium concentrated raw material for use by domestic +Asian foundries hungry for supply of near pure forms of DRI(direct reduced iron). Though we have been on the ground on our properties for just eight months, we are on-track to achieving both our near term exploration +strategic partnership goals, +our mid-term goal of addressing the global shortfall of DRI. We look forward to a highly successful new year" - Dec 12, 2011
www.northernironcorp.com/news/1323676800


Northern Iron Corp. Acquires Five Contiguous Mineral Claims, adjacent East +South of the Past Producing Griffith Mine, Red Lake, Ontario +Announces Stock Options Grant - Dec 21, 2011
www.northernironcorp.com/news/1324454400

[Popeye82]

Mines +Money - ACP - Dec 5, 2011

- Coverage

Adamus Resources, African Iron, Alexander Mining, Ampella Mining, Anglesey Mining, Archipela Resources, Aureus Mining, Ausgold, Avalon Minerals, Aviva Corporation, Avocet Mining, Azumah Resources, Bassari Resources, Centamin Egypt, Chalice Gold Mines, China Africa Resources Plc, Condor Resources Plc, Gold One International, Hambledon Mining, Hummingbird Resources, Mandalay Resources, Mwana Africa Plc, Northland Resources, Nyota Minerals, Richland Resources, Sylvania Platinum, Tiger Resources, Toledo Mining, Universal Resources Plc, Uranium Resources Plc, Vatukoula Gold Mines, ZincOx Resources Plc ...-
http://easimail.ppr.com.au/download/files/12414/1520031/Ambr…

[Popeye82]

Manganese company emerges from the sands - AM - Sep11
www.asiaminer.com/magazine/images/stories/pdf/TAM-Sept-Oct-1…
http://brackenmining.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2011/11/3rd-a…

"A NEW Queensland-based mining company has emerged to take advantage of the multibillion dollar international manganese market. Bracken International Mining(BIM) has secured the operating licences for six high-grade manganese mines in the West Timor province of Indonesia with combined reserves in excess of 300.000.000 tonnes .


BIM’s executive chairman Luke Bracken says the company has moved up the mining ranks from owner-operator of one of the largest sand mines in New South Wales(NSW) to a serious player in the world manganese market. “Our 1st year revenues will be generated from selling lump ore direct to steel makers in China through existing relationships with our New York trading partners.

“We have also negotiated a government licence to build +operate our own smelter near our mines which will eventually allow our company to process the lump ore into highgrade end products able to service the steel industry
worldwide. Manganese is the 4th most used metal in terms of tonnage, being ranked behind iron, aluminum +copper, +is an extremely valuable commodity with world demand depending directly on the needs of the steel industry. It is used in a number of applications that improves the properties of the alloys +compounds used in a range of consumer products such as batteries or aluminum beverage cans, so the ongoing potential is enormous.”

BIM was founded by Luke Bracken who for the past eight years has been the owner +operational CEO of Broken Head Quarry(BHQ), the largest sand mining operation in northern NSW. He established BIM after a successful real estate career which included the transformation of a 44.000 square metre parcel of land into a transport-oriented development mixed use precinct site worth $1.000.000.000 in Brisbane +the development of the 12 level Points North building on the Queensland Sunshine Coast. BIM will run its mines through its mine management company Redstar Mining.

Luke Bracken says BIM’s vision is to become a major force in the world supply of manganese , developing ore production into refined end use products.

The company recently secured a EUR 200.000.000 funding package through Chinese based Zigong Commercial Equity Partners Fund SP. The funding structure is a three year facility that will support BIM once it completes its listing on the Frankfurt Stock Exchange in the coming months +is the 1st funding deal Zigong has facilitated for an Australian company. "

[Popeye82]

Strong Chinese interest in TTR iron sands - AM - Nov/Dec11
www.asiaminer.com/magazine/images/stories/pdf/TAM-NOV-DEC-11…

"CHINESE steel mills are showing strong interest in vanadium-titano magnetite(VTM) to be produced from the iron sands deposits of Trans Tasman Resources(TTR) off the west coast of New Zealand’s North Island. The company has secured offtake agreements +MOUs to annually supply 7.000.000 tonnes to China, +is confident of securing further contracts through ongoing negotiations.


TTR’s CEO +managing director Paul Berend was asked to give a presentation @the ´11 China Iron &Steel Association(CISA) conference in Qingdao, the 2nd time he has done so. “This enabled me to showcase the project +outline the size, volume, cost base +the benefits that Chinese steel mills can derive from using this material, with an emphasis on the potential reduction in costs.

“We have had a very positive reception +a lot of the mill operators we are talking to have shown a willingness to adapt their steel-making processes . The economic benefits are clear but it does require new technology +process control, which seem to be available.

“There’s interest in using the ores as a blend of up to 10%, which makes up about twothirds of the total volume, +the rest is for those who will build dedicated blast furnaces for titano-magnetite. The latter is likely to be the part of the business that will grow very quickly.”

Paul Berend says the marketing push has been very successful in terms of finding customers +in getting the message across. “We have a very strong endorsement from CISA where the chairman said ‘we know about these ores +with these sorts of volumes as well as the scale of the resource, this could make a real difference for the Chinese steel industry’ .”

TTR’s product is a high quality VTM concentrate which is still an uncommon feed for steel-making, however there are a number of very successful blast furnace-based steel operations which operate with VTM feeds +which derive substantial revenues from the vanadium +titanium by products. Most existing steel mills can easily replicate partially, or completely, these low-cost steelmaking operations – provided they can secure VTM concentrate supplies.

TTR holds a prospecting licence over 9.633sqkm of iron-rich seabed. These areas are typically shallow(20 -70 metres) +amenable to dredging. TTR targets a JORC compliant resource equivalent to 4.000.000.000 tonnes @60% iron in weight +the initial JORC resource is equivalent to 200.000.000 tonnes of concentrate. It plans to be in full production @10.000.000 tonnes annually in quarter 4 of ´14.

Paul Berend says in terms of operations, TTR is drilling +plans to double its JORC resource to 400.000.000 tonnes by the end of this year +double it again by the middle of ´12. “We also expect to complete our engineering pre-feasibility studies by the end of the year but the key modules have been finished +it looks like being a very low cost, basic operation .

“On the ground in New Zealand our environmental work is progressing as planned. We have two baseline studies completed which have been positive in that they have identified no show stoppers in terms of environmental sustainability. We are deploying a lot of effort in field work to prove empirically the sustainability of the operation.” "

[Popeye82]

World-1st trial of in situ gold process - AM - Nov/Dec11
www.asiaminer.com/magazine/images/stories/pdf/TAM-NOV-DEC-11…

"A NEW, environmentally-friendly process developed by Australia’s CSIRO, to extract gold without mining , is to be field tested for the 1st time with a South Australian gold deposit chosen as the test site. The breakthrough insitu process, which may reduce the need for conventional, expensive open-cut mining techniques, is being taken forward through a collaboration agreement between the CSIRO +Minotaur Exploration.


A 15-month program of field trials to confirm the process concept will take place @Minotaur’s Tunkillia gold deposit in the Gawler Craton, south of Tarcoola. It is specifically designed to treat oxide gold occurrences, as distinct from sulphide, or ‘primary’, gold systems.

Minotaur’s managing director Andrew Woskett says, “The process has the potential to revolutionize the way we normally mine near surface weathered(or oxide) gold deposits , while @the same time delivering potential massive cost savings for the owners of oxide gold resources.”

The full trial program @Tunkillia +associated exploration is expected to cost ~Aus$3.000.000, +is intended to lead to proof-of-concept for the in-situ gold extraction process. Successful demonstration of the process @the field scale could open up the potential for any similar oxide gold deposits to be brought into production @low capital +operating costs, compared to traditional mining +processing methods.
The in-situ gold extraction process has been developed through intensive laboratory work by the CSIRO, with support from Minotaur +several other research project participants. Tunkillia oxide samples performed particularly well under CSIRO laboratory conditions testing the in-situ extraction process. Minotaur has elected to solely drive +fund the next development step for the process, the field trials, which, if successful, will position the company for its inaugural commercial application @Tunkillia.

The process involves installation of a conventional groundwater recovery bore field +injection of an appropriate solution(lixiviant) into the host rock. The lixiviant dissolves the gold in the rock +the gold in solution travels through the rock mass to be recovered, to surface, via nearby extraction wells, as ‘pregnant’ solution. This differs markedly from conventional heap leach gold operations which require the ore to be mined, crushed +stockpiled on surface(as heaps) prior to irrigation with a cyanide solution.

The CSIRO has developed a non-cyanide solution that, when injected into the host rock, is expected to cause minimal alteration to groundwater chemistry. The field trials will focus on determining key objectives: the transmission characteristics of the lixiviant through the host ore body; groundwater modification; gold recovery rates +; economic feasibility of the in-situ gold recovery process. A range of environmentally acceptable lixiviants has been trialled in the laboratory by CSIRO, with promising results. Groundwater @the Tunkillia test site is restricted in distribution, is highly saline +is not fit for human or stock consumption. The tests are expected to demonstrate no material detrimental impact on the quality of the groundwater.

Significantly, the process negates the need for traditional reliance on cyanide in solution to liberate gold from ore, thereby minimising hazardous material consumption +potential site contamination. It obviates the need for prestripping, drill +blast, open-cut mining, crushing +grinding circuits, cyanide leach systems, waste dumps +tailings dams ."

[Popeye82]

International Resource Journal - Dec11

Cover Features

+ IRJ’s great tales of innovation in ´11

+ IRJ Onsite, Brunch with VALE -Vale Institute of Technology(ITV)

+ SENER +the Gemasolar CSP project

+ Austpac Resources &revolutionary minerals technology


News in Review

+ Oil &gas


Oil +Gas

+ Simba Energy talks uncovering coveted oil +gas opportunities, building a real frontier portfolio

+ Project drilling +workover services specialists Estrella International Energy Services are in it for the long haul in South America

+ Canadian Oil Recovery &Remediation Enterprises Ltd.(CORRE) on being a CORRE component in MENA oil opportunities

+ Sky Hunter is the brains behind cutting edge moves in generating oil +gas exploration data


Mining

+ Aviva Corporation talks golden opportunities in West Kenya, masses of coal potential in Botswana +more

+ A top grade Eritrean gold play emerges from Chalice gold mines

+ Phoenix Gold is riding the gold bull run with highly attractive projects

+ The Resource Channel Director Jody Elliot talks to Barrick about growing in Australia-Pacific

+ African Minerals is on the way to becoming West Africa’s largest iron ore exporter

+ Sahara Mining +a game-changing new steel mill for Mali

+ Desmond Equipment talks humble beginnings +tooling up pan-African mining

+ SA Lime &Gypsum on becoming South Africa’s biggest agri lime company

+ Uranium S.A. reveals one of South Australia’s most exciting uranium discoveries in recent history

+ Advancing west U.S. uranium projects with Energy Ventures

+ Still got it –updates from the Yukon grapevine

+ Northquest +the Pistol Bay gold project

+ Reed Resources An emerging gold producer backed by three standout multi-commodity projects

+ The hunt is on, as Jindalee Resources scouts top projects for its shareholders in ´12


Renewable

+ The launch of A*STAR’s Experimental Power Grid Centre means more than a new landmark project for Singapore

+ Fundy Tidal on making waves in Nova Scotia

+ CBJ Clean 15 –Insights from The Carbon Disclosure Project


Events

+ Events calendar ...
www.internationalresourcejournal.com/E-MAG/2011/Dec/file.pdf

[Popeye82]

Prophecy Coal - Obtains Credit Facilities Totaling $7.000.000, To Advance Chandgana Project - Dec 30, 2011
www.prophecycoal.com/news_2011_dec30_prophecy_enters_loan_fa…

[Popeye82]

Coziron Resources executes agreements to acquire three major resource projects - AI - 3-Jan-2012
www.australianinvestor.com.au/news.asp?id=42271
http://stocknessmonster.com/news-item?S=CZR&E=ASX&N=573095

"Coziron is have announced that it has entered into agreements to acquire three separate projects in Western Australia, for a total consideration of 500 million shares at a deemed value of A$15M, together with an ongoing free carried interest for the vendors of 15% through untilconclusion of any Bankable Feasibility Study on each of the three projects. The company has said that these will provide Coziron with a significant presence in two of Western Australia’s most prolific mineral fields, being the Hamersley Basin of the Pilbara, and the Archaen Gullewa Greenstone Belt of the Midwest region. These two projects are supplemented by a significant holding in the highly prospective but underexplored Earaheedy Basin in the Yilgarn craton 120 km northeast of Wiluna.

The acquisition of the projects will be subject to shareholder approval, which is anticipated to be put to shareholders during February 2012.

Coziron Chairman, Mr Adam Sierakowski, said today that:
“It is rare that the opportunity to acquire project footprints of this quality is presented to a company. We believe the suite of projects have enormous exploration potential given the location of the projects are in some cases immediately adjacent to some of the world’s largest resource groups and operating mines .” "

[Popeye82]

Mining Summary - LC - Jan 3, 2011
http://minesite.com/media/pub/var/release_downloadable_file/…

[Popeye82]

mPhase Technologies - Refines New Automotive +Marine Product With Major European Automotive Manufacturer; Company to Demonstrate Product in Q1 ´12 - Jan 3, 2011
http://finance.yahoo.com/news/mPhase-Refines-New-Automotive-…

[Popeye82]

Alexium International Group - Signs US Air Force(AFRL) Cooperative Research +Development Agreement, Expands Collaboration for Military +Commercial Applications; collaboration is a joint effort that will explore RST technology on a variety of materials, integrate nanoparticles developed by the Air Force in various RST treatment applications, +demonstrate a commercially feasible +scalable production process, outcome of this activity is anticipated to result in greater soldier protection from chemical +biological threats +improved materials used in military +commercial applications - Jan 3, 2012
http://stocknessmonster.com/news-item?S=AJX&E=ASX&N=573110

[Popeye82]

Golden Phoenix Minerals - Receives Initial NI 43-101 Inferred Gold Resource Estimate From SRK Consulting(U.S.) for Santa Rosa Gold Mine, Panama: 669.000 Oz Gold +2.137.000 Oz Silver - Jan 3, 2012
http://finance.yahoo.com/news/Golden-Phoenix-Receives-iw-297…

[Popeye82]

Bondi Mining - Acquisition of Mineral Sands Deposits; Dr. R. Valenta: "The Toliara Sands Project is a mineral sands project with modest capital expenditure requirements +significant projected revenue, which can be rapidly brought into production taking advantage of the strong prices for heavy minerals. Our entry point into the Project is such that our shareholders will have an excellent opportunity to realise value +to gain exposure to a commodity which is universally considered to have an
excellent price outlook" - Aug 29, 2011

+ Bondi acquires World Titanium Resources Ltd.

+ Development-stage mineral sands deposits acquired in Madagascar

+ Large, high-grade JORC resource(710.000.000 tonnes @6.3% Total Heavy Minerals(THM)), relatively rich in zircon, with exploration upside

+ There is considered to be scope for an overall exploration target1 of 1.200.000.000 to 1.400.000.000 tonnes of sand @an average grade of 4 to 5% Total Heavy Minerals(“THM”)

+ In addition to the Ranobe deposit, WTR has a clear pipeline of earlier stage mineral sands projects which provide potential for the combined group to grow into a larger +economically more substantial producer over time. The additional targets2 are described in TableII, +together make a target of 4.300.000.000 to 4.700.000.000 tonnes @2.5% to 4.1% THM. The targets are based on reconnaissance drilling +associated exploration studies.

+ Bondi shareholders acquire asset @a valuation with potential for positive valuation re-rating

+ Little /no overburden +low slimes.

+ Strongly positive scoping economics based on higher-grade starter resource, potential to expand project with favourable economics

+ Existing accessible infrastructure +port

+ Positive price outlook for mineral sands

+ Madagascar a growing destination for minerals development -currently the target of >$6.000.000.000 in large mineral project investment(Rio Tinto; Sherritt; Cline)

+ Bondi to merge with World Titanium Resources(WTR) (by way of a Scheme of Arrangement) offering 3.5 shares(following a 4 for 1 consolidation) for each WTR share

+ Transaction has the support of the board +major shareholders of WTR.

+ Jean-Raymond Boulle, through Boulle Titanium Ltd(part of the Boulle Mining Group), is WTR's largest shareholder with ~30% of WTR’s outstanding shares +has indicated his intention to vote in favour of the Scheme.

+ $3.000.000 to be raised by way of a prospectus enabling re-compliance with ASX listing rules

+ Non-African assets to be spun out into a separate company. ...
http://stocknessmonster.com/news-item?S=BOM&E=ASX&N=184276



Bondi Mining - Mineral Deposits: Equity position in World Titanium Resources - Jan 4, 2012
http://stocknessmonster.com/news-item?S=MDL&E=ASX&N=367690
http://stocknessmonster.com/news-item?S=BOM&E=ASX&N=185560

[Popeye82]

Mining Top ´12, PartI - CR - Jan 3, 2012
www.caesarsreport.com/freereports/CaesarsReport_MiningTop25_…

[Popeye82]

Following Creative Funding, Klondex Mines Publishes A Resource Update +Progresses Towards Initial Bulk Sampling - MS - Jan 3, 2012

- By Ryan Jackson -
http://minesite.com/news/following-creative-funding-klondex-…

"In ´11, Klondex Mines was able to capitalize on clever financial engineering early in the year to fund ambitious exploration @its flagship Fire Creek gold property in Nevada. The clever bit of financing was a US$20.000.000 gold loan that carries a 9 per cent coupon but can be repaid in bullion @a 20 per cent discount to spot. This hedge originally was designed to provide a measure of protection in a weak market +ended up giving the company exposure to the upside of a skyrocketing gold price @a time when the equity prices of gold companies were lagging far behind the underlying commodity. More recently, Klondex has been successful in raising C$21.000.000 in equity financing to fund ongoing exploration +development. In ´11, Klondex was able to: secure a water permit, begin underground workings, install tailings ponds, +conduct drilling from both surface +underground locations. The company is all set to begin production, on a bulk sampling scale, in the 1st quarter of ´12.


The Fire Creek property is Klondex’s flagship property +is located in the heart of Northern Nevada gold country. Fire Creek has the benefit of being readily accessible via federal +state roads with close access to the electrical power grid. The property consists of 11.208 acres of land 100 per cent owned by Klondex. Though the property was originally thought to be a large scale low grade deposit, conducive to open pit mining, exploration in the late ´80s determined that there is a higher-grade epithermal deposit @depth. This is the deposit, dubbed the Main Zone, which Klondex has focused on for its exploration program. So far, the company has been able to prove up a NI 43-101 indicated resource of 1.650.000 ounces of gold +an additional 460.000 ounces of gold in the inferred category, @a cut-off grade of 4 grams/tonne. The latest resource estimate, published in September ´11, provided an increased resource @Fire Creek. Though @1st glance the number of ounces did not increase dramatically, the company`s previous resource included silver credits +used gold equivalent ounces where as the new one excludes silver. Any silver credits @the refinery will be a bonus to cash flow. All this was done in a very cost effective manner, total exploration costs were ~US$28.200.000 through June 30, ´11. This puts Klondex's finding costs for its substantial NI 43-101 resource @~US$17.14/ounce; impressive especially @today’s gold price.

Klondex’s ´11 drilling program, which began July 1st, was designed to test known targets as well as new targets identified by induced polarization testing. In November, the company announced that 5.165 metres of core +5.499 metres of reverse circulation drilling had been completed in 20 holes. So far assay results for 12/20 holes have been reported, +they have been encouraging. The highest gold content to date was encountered this year, including one assay showing 0.298 ounces/tonne gold over a true width of 53.6 feet. Company Chief Executive Blane Wilson commented, “This is the 1st time we have attempted to test the resource @depth. In these twelve holes, seven had values >0.03 oz/ton gold +our team encountered nine gold intercepts >0.29 oz/ton.” More testing is currently underway using a directional drill rig to test feeder faults below the main area of identified mineralization.

In addition to exploration, mine development is underway @Fire Creek. Two lined water drainage ponds +the lined waste rock repository were built last quarter in anticipation of small scale production to begin in ´12. Klondex has also completed the two ground water monitoring wells that are required under the conditions of its water permit. The development of underground workings started in April ´11 when the company began work on a 1.113 meter decline that will enable underground in-fill exploration drilling +bulk sampling. By going underground, Klondex will substantially shorten the length of drill holes, reducing both the cost +time required for exploration activity. So far, the company has completed 537 metres of underground workings +379 metres of the planned 1.113 metre decline. In-fill drilling from underground stations began in mid-September +three holes are now complete for a total of 608 meters.

In the 1st quarter of ´12, Klondex is planning to begin bulk sampling from material extracted from its new underground workings. Fire Creek currently is permitted as a “Small Scale Facility” allowing the company to bulk sample +process up to 120,000 short tons of mineralized material, limited to 36,500 short tons/year, over a period of up to 5 years. The plan is to target blocks of mineralization that have assayed @average grades of @least one ounce of gold/ton. These grades create a very attractive opportunity for the company to begin generating cash flow. Management believes that this cash flow could make an important contribution to funding the ongoing operations of the company, including further exploration +the pursuit of full-scale mining permits.

On the 20th of December, ´11 Klondex announced the appointment of Dean T. “Ted” Wilton as Vice President, Exploration who will direct all exploration @the Fire Creek property. Ted Wilton has >40 years of exploration experience, including 25 years focused on gold exploration during which he helped discover seven ore deposits with >16.000.000 ounces of gold that were developed into mines in northern Nevada +in the Eastern Goldfields region of Western Australia. Blane Wilson, commented, “His substantial knowledge +experience developing Nevada gold properties make him ideally suited to direct our exploration efforts.”

In ´11, Klondex conducted a successful exploration program @Fire Creek +has proven that management is able to raise capital during a time when shoelace budgets are the norm. Early this year, with money in the treasury +a new hot shot leading the exploration program, we can expect the remaining assay results from ´11 drilling as well as the start of gold production @Fire Creek. Klondex has big plans for ´12 +Minesite will be standing by bring you news from Fire Creek. "

[Popeye82]

Wavefront Technology Solutions - Completes Intellectual Property Acquisition, of Midland, Texas Based Vortech Inc.; Acquisition brings to Wavefront technology +qualified people who have developed a successful presence in an important market with an active customer base. Vortech has been in operation since ´97 as an oil field service provider, operating primarily in Texas +California. Vortech offers rental of down-hole pulsating jet tools used for cleaning up well bore damage, stimulation of production or injection wells, +improving the drilling rate of penetration of drill bits; Acquisition provides complementary pulsating technology +associated intellectual property patents. Vortech's tools produce significantly higher frequency fluid pressure waves than Powerwave devices. Powerwave devices are designed to improve distribution +achieve deep penetration of fluid into the reservoir, while Vortech's devices have marginal control over fluid distribution in the reservoir +are better suited to remove near wellbore impediments +improve drilling operations. The two approaches broaden Wavefront's fluid injection technology portfolio +capabilities; B. Davidson: "We are very pleased to have completed the strategic acquisition of Vortech's proven suite of technology +the addition of Rex Dodd +his team to Wavefront. Vortech's fluid pulsing tools will further cement Wavefront's position as leaders in differentiated fluid flow approaches for well stimulation +flooding applications to maximize oil recovery. We will continue to evaluate companies +technologies that supplement Wavefront's business model +we will always be prudent +disciplined before we invest", Rex Dodd: "Wavefront is establishing a global network of distributors to serve the growing market for cost-effective solutions to increase oil recovery. With Vortech added to the equation, Wavefront can provide pulsating technology from drilling all the way through completion +production. We are glad to be part of the Wavefront team, +to be building leading edge production +drilling solutions together with pulsating technologies" - Jan 3, 2012
www.marketwire.com/press-release/wavefront-completes-intelle…

[Popeye82]

Greece May Support Potential EU Ban on Iranian Oil - IBT - Jan 4, 2011

- by Palash R. Ghosh -
http://uk.ibtimes.com/articles/275970/20120104/greece-iran-o…

[Popeye82]

New Energy Technologies - Appoints Business Partnering +Scientific Experts to Advance Technology Able to Generate Electricity on See-Through Glass; Both Drs. Hammond +Harris previously tenured @the United States Department of Energy’s National Renewable Energy Laboratory(NREL), one of the world’s most respected +advanced solar-photovoltaic research institutions . NREL +New Energy have been working through a Cooperative Research +Development Agreement to advance the Company’s SolarWindow™ technology, capable of generating electricity on see-through glass; John A. Conklin: "I’m honored to welcome Dr. Harris +Dr. Hammond to our team. Dr. Hammond brings a special blend of organic chemistry +photovoltaic device fabrication experience important to advancing our SolarWindow™ technology towards commercial production. As a Nuclear Physicist, Patent Agent, +Licensing Executive who’s successfully partnered new technologies with Fortune 5 corporations, Dr. Harris has the depth of technical insight +business expertise that we very much look forward to leveraging" - Jan 3, 2012
http://finance.yahoo.com/news/New-Energy-Appoints-Business-b…

[Popeye82]

Mining Summary - LC - Jan 4, 2011
http://minesite.com/media/pub/var/release_downloadable_file/…

[Popeye82]

No 2nd bailout, no euro, says Greece - AI - 4-Jan-2012
www.australianinvestor.com.au/news.asp?id=42275

"Greece's government has warned that the debt-crippled country will have to ditch the euro if it fails to finalise a second, 130 billion euros ($A165 billion) international bailout.


Spokesman Pantelis Kapsis says negotiations in the next three or four months with international debt monitors will "determine everything", including whether Greece escapes a disastrous bankruptcy.

Greece is being kept afloat by a first, 110 billion euro international bailout agreed in May 2010, after investors shocked by the country's huge budget deficit and debt mountain demanded sky-high interest rates to continue buying Greek bonds.

An additional bailout was agreed in October, when it became clear that the first batch of funds would not suffice, but that deal has yet to be finalised.

Sorting out the details of the bailout, which also foresees a 100 billion euro writedown of Greece's privately held debt, is the main task of the coalition government headed by former central banker Lucas Papademos, whose short mandate is expected to expire in early April. "

[Popeye82]

Eastern Iron - Option to purchase Nowa Nowa Iron Project - Oct 13, 2011

+ Eastern Iron secures option to purchase 100% of the Nowa Nowa Iron Project located in eastern Victoria.

+ Nowa Nowa is ideally located close to infrastructure +is a high grade iron deposit.

+ Previous drilling undertaken by the Victorian Government.

+ Occurrences of iron ore in the Nowa Nowa district have been known since 1876, however, it was not until 1955, that the Victorian Mines department carried out a program of test drilling. Most drilling was centred on the largest of the magnetic targets, the Five Mile Deposit, with 27 cored drill holes completed. Massive magnetite with lesser hematite occurs @30 -50m depth below tertiary sands +Devonian volcanic rocks. These appear to have formed mantos 40 -80m in thickness associated with lesser coarse pyrite within altered sediments +are possibly skarns related to nearby, as yet unidentified intrusives. Other nearby magnetic targets including the Seven Mile, Six Mile +Three Mile deposits have received some exploratory drilling but not to the same extent as the Five Mile deposit. Nevertheless these are also potential sources of additional resource +will be explored further

+ Drill holes from the Victorian Departmental drilling @the Five Mile deposit were assayed for iron content +DH14 as depicted on the section below provides a typical section through the mineralisation:

- 82.28m @56.9% Fe, 13.1% SiO2% +1.3% Al2O3


+ Eastern Iron to assess historical drilling data to define a resource estimate; Initially Eastern Iron will focus on recompiling the existing drill +assay data in order to recalculate a resource for the drilled areas in accordance with the JORC guidelines. The Company will also examine the
possibility of using samples from the existing drill core to conduct some preliminary metallurgical testwork to determine the type +potential value of an iron product from these deposits

+ Eastern Iron is investigating the potential for development of a magnetite processing operation based on magnetite deposits it holds under permit in Central Queensland. The Company is also in joint venture with 3ESteel to investigate the potential for developing large low cost low grade iron deposits in western NSW

+ Company’s objective @Nowa Nowa is to investigate the potential to develop a low capital cost operation producing a high grade iron ore which could be easily +cheaply beneficiated to a coarse, possibly lump, +65% Fe product for export. Integral to such a development is the transport +logistics
chain +the Company will be investigating transport options as a priority ...
http://stocknessmonster.com/news-item?S=EFE&E=ASX&N=652581
http://stocknessmonster.com/news-item?S=EFE&E=ASX&N=657934

[Popeye82]

Strateco Resources - Resource @the Matoush Uranium Project Rises Significantly: 19.220.000 pounds @0.43% U3O8 I/I; planning a 15.000-metre drilling program for ´12, including some 11.000 metres of definition drilling aimed @outlining the indicated resource within the boundaries of the new inferred resource zones; G. Hébert: "The signature of an agreement on communication +information with the Cree Nation of Mistissini +the substantial increase in the Matoush project resource +its potential for growth will facilitate discussions between Strateco +its future strategic partners for the financing of the next stages of the project. The Otish Mountains area in Quebec has strong uranium potential, +is on its way to becoming a world class mining camp; the Matoush project, an exceptional uranium project, is proof of this" - Jan 4, 2011
www.marketwire.com/press-release/strateco-resources-inc-reso…

[Popeye82]

Kinross Gold - reaches "agreement in principle" with Ecuadorian government on Fruta del Norte exploitation contract ; A number of additional steps are required to conclude a final +binding agreement, including: completion +approval of the project feasibility study by Kinross; change in project status from economic evaluation to exploitation in accordance with Ecuadorian law; +, following the completion of negotiations, entering into definitive exploitation +investment protection agreements in a form satisfactory to the parties; Tye Burt: "This agreement represents an important milestone in the development of FDN. Key objectives are to develop the mineral resources @FDN in a socially responsible manner +to work closely with the government +local communities to establish FDN as a flagship mining project in Ecuador"; Company is experiencing industry-wide escalation on FDN project costs, +both capital +operating costs for the project are expected to be ~25 -30% higher than estimates included in the project pre-feasibility study - Dec 5, 2011
www.kinross.com/media/223734/fdnagreementrelease.pdf

[Popeye82]

Molycorp ties more product into purchase agreements; Rare earths miner Molycorp said on Tuesday it has signed offtake agreements for 58% of its phase-one production @the Mountain Pass mine. The company has also allocated one-5th of the 19.050 1st-phase output to produce its trademark Xsorbx water treatment products, with an additional 6% of phase-one production in final-stage discussions with potential customers - MW, TORONTO - Jan 3, 2012

- M. Hill -
www.miningweekly.com/article/molycorp-ties-more-product-into…
http://us1.campaign-archive1.com/?u=a9e8676e87fad805702b9856…

[Popeye82]

Cameco builds 2nd shaft to reach Cigar Lake mine; Canada's top uranium producer Cameco Corp said it has constructed a 2nd shaft to reach the main mine workings @its Cigar Lake uranium mining project in northern Saskatchewan. This will provide for increased ventilation of the underground workings as well as additional means of entering +exiting the mine, the company said in a statement - MW/Reuters - Jan 4, 2011
www.miningweekly.com/article/cameco-builds-second-shaft-to-r…

[Popeye82]

Blue Sky Uranium - Partners with AREVA, to Advance Exploration in Argentina - Jan 4, 2012
www.blueskyuranium.com/s/NewsReleases.asp?ReportID=499285&_T…

[Popeye82]

Southern Pacific Resource - Increases its STP-McKay 2P Reserves by 30% to 234.000.000 Barrels +Net Present Value by 55% to $1.700.000.000; filing of this application permitted GLJ Petroleum Consultants Ltd., the Company's independent reserves evaluator, to prepare Proven plus Probable production forecasts using the combined PhaseI +PhaseII design capacity of 36.000 bbl/d. PhaseI of Southern Pacific's STP-McKay Thermal Project, a 12.000 bbl/d steam assisted gravity drainage("SAGD") project located 45 km northwest of Fort McMurray, was approved in October ´10 +is in the final stages of construction; B. Lutes: "This report confirms the significant value in our assets @McKay. Our goal is to unlock the potential in order to turn this reserve value into cash flow as quickly as possible. We are excited to be one of the only SAGD projects expected to commence production in ´12" - Jan 4, 2012
www.marketwire.com/press-release/southern-pacific-increases-…

[Popeye82]

Moon contains rich deposits of titanium , BHP in M &A talks ; Mark Robinson from Arizona State University +Brett Denevi from John Hopkins University, who were expanding on previous studies, used spectrum analysis to determine the chemical composition of the lunar surface using images taken by the Lunar Reconnaissance Orbiter +Hubble Telescope, They found that lunar mares, dark basilic plains caused by ancient volcanic eruptions, have titanium abundances ranging from one to 10%; Used as an alloy, titanium is prized for its ability to provide metals with corrosion resistance +has a high strength-to-weight ratio, The moon contains lots of interesting resources, including an unlimited power source. Setting up a mining operation on the moon , however, is the rub; M. Robinson: “We still don’t really understand why we find much higher abundances of titanium on the Moon compared to similar types of rocks on Earth. What the lunar titanium-richness does tell us is that the interior of the Moon had less oxygen when it was formed, knowledge that geochemists value for understanding the evolution of the Moon” - M.com - Dec 16, 2011

- M. Allan McCrae -
www.mining.com/2011/10/07/moon-contains-rich-deposits-of-tit…
www.mining.com/2010/01/01/mining-the-moon-is-closer-than-eve…

[Popeye82]

China aims to triple coalbed gas output by ´15 - MW/Reuters - Jan 4, 2011
www.miningweekly.com/article/china-aims-to-triple-coalbed-ga…

"China aims to produce 30 billion cubic metres of coalbed methane gas in ´15, >triple the about 9 bcm produced in ´10, the National Development +Reform Commission said as part of a five-year plan for the industry.


The target, specific to the unconventional gas industry, is higher than an earlier 21 bcm goal reported by the China Energy News last month as part of the five-year plan for energy science +technology.

Of the output target, 16 bcm will be produced in ground development projects +14 bcm will be pumped from coal mine projects.

The Ministry of land +Resources has issued licenses to coalbed gas developers that do not carry the right to extract coal.

Coalminers often pump coalbed gas into the air before extracting coal. About 30% of such gas was utilised in ´10.

China aims to find 1 trillion cubic metres of proven geological reserves of coal seam gas by ´15, up from current proven deposits of 273.4 bcm, according to the five-year plan for coal seam gas development +utilisation. "

[Popeye82]

Giant Vale ship completes maiden journey to China ; The 1st of Vale's giant dry bulk vessels to arrive in China has completed delivery of its iron ore cargo, shipping data showed on Tuesday, a key step forward in the Brazilian miner's plan to cut shipping costs to its biggest market. Reuters Freightviews +independent shipping data confirmed the 388.000-tonne vessel, Berge Everest, had departed China's Port of Dalian over the weekend for Singapore, where it will likely refuel for its journey back to Brazil - MW/Reuters, LONDON - Dec 21, 2011
www.miningweekly.com/article/first-ore-shipped-from-kumbas-k…

[Popeye82]

Military prepares for rebel attacks on mining firms in The Philippines - ABS-CBNN, MANILA - Jan 4, 2012
www.abs-cbnnews.com/nation/regions/01/04/12/military-prepare…

[Popeye82]

Portex Minerals - updated the resource estimates for LAGOA SALGADA, Portugal - Jan 4, 2012

+ Indicated Resource of 2.900.000 tonnes @3.40% zinc, 2.94% lead, 0.34% copper, 54.72 grams/tonne silver +0.82 grams/tonne gold +7.18% ZnEQ.

+ Inferred Resource of 1.600.000 tonnes @1.80% zinc, 2.50% lead, 0.35% copper, 51 grams/tonne silver +0.78 grams/tonne gold +5.54 ZnEQ.

+ In addition, Tetra Tech stated that the drilling completed to date indicates that the mineralization @the southern +eastern portions of the deposit are open +recommends that these areas be targeted for further investigation to determine the continuity of the massive sulphides, mineralized stockwork volcanics +gossan cap that make up the deposit ...
www.infomine.com/index/pr/PB145800.PDF

[Popeye82]

Mining Summary - LC - Jan 5, 2011
http://minesite.com/media/pub/var/release_downloadable_file/…

[Popeye82]

Iron ore fall raises doubts on Australia mine tax plan; Australia's politically charged mining profits tax could raise less of the initial A$11.000.000.000 Prime Minister Julia Gillard is promising if iron ore prices return to November levels, accountants BDO warned in a senate submission. Mega-miners Xstrata, BHP Billiton +Rio Tinto , last year agreed with Gillard to pay the Minerals Resource Rent Tax only if the tax was cut to 30 percent from 40 percent +limited to profits from iron ore +coal mining - MW/Reuters - Jan 4, 2012
www.miningweekly.com/article/iron-ore-fall-raises-doubts-on-…

[Popeye82]

Rare Element Resources - Reports 38 Percent Increase of M +I Rare-Earth Mineral Resources, @Bear Lodge; interim resource estimate of the M +I categories of Bull Hill was provided for inclusion in current Preliminary Feasibility Study. However, it includes <1/2 of new assay results from holes drilled in ´11, resources estimate will be updated again by the end of the 2nd quarter of ´12, utilizing all of the ´11 drill holes; Prefeasibility Study scheduled for completion in Q1 ´12 - Jan 4, 2012

+ High-grade Measured +Indicated(M +I ) mineral resource of 6.800.000 tons @3.75% REO

+ Additional high-grade Inferred mineral resource of 24.200.000 tons @2.74% REO including 17.700.000 tons @3.10% REO(@2% cutoff grade)

+ All of the M +I resource +16.500.000 tons of the Inferred resources -near-surface oxide +oxide-carbonate mineralization

+ Significant potential for further expansion of all deposits ...
www.rareelementresources.com/s/NewsReleases.asp?ReportID=499…

[Popeye82]

Rio Alto Mining - Increases Mineral Resources @La Arena; oxide mineral resource remains open to the north-west +@depth, Company intends to further explore the oxide mineralization with an RC drill program during ´12; Drilling in the sulphide resource completed by the Previous Owners prior to ´06 was to an average depth of 450 meters. During the past 6 months, Rio Alto has drilled 12 DD holes to a depth of 800 meters +has received assay results for 5 of these deep DD holes, which are incorporated in the updated sulphide mineral resource estimate. A total of 40 RC holes drilled in the gap zone between the Calaorco oxide resource +the La Arena sulphide mineral resource +an additional 22 RC holes drilled in sulphides were also incorporated in the updated sulphide mineral resource estimate; sulphide mineral resource is open @depth +in all directions. In addition to completing the sulphide feasibility study drill program, the Company intends to begin testing the extension of the sulphide mineralization during ´12 - Jan 5, 2012

Oxide Mineral Resource(0.1 g/t gold cut-off)

+ 100.700.000 tonnes grading 0.46 g/t gold in the measured +indicated categories containing 1.484.000 ounces of gold representing an increase of 434.000 gold ounces(41.33%) from the oxide mineral resource estimate in the July ´10 Report.

+ 10.400.000 tonnes grading 0.27 g/t gold in the inferred category containing 90.000 ounces of gold representing an increase of 33.000 gold ounces(57.89%) from the oxide mineral resource estimate in the July ´10 Report.


Sulphide Mineral Resource(0.18% copper equivalent cut-off)

+ 312.700.000 tonnes grading 0.29% copper/tonne +0.24 g/t gold in the indicated category containing 2.000.000.000 pounds of copper +2.422.000 ounces of gold representing an increase of 285.000.000 pounds of copper(16.55%) +490.000 gold ounces(25.36%) from the sulphide mineral resource estimate in the July ´10 Report.

+ 319.700.000 tonnes grading 0.30% copper/tonne +0.20 g/t gold in the inferred category containing 2.100.000.000 pounds of copper +2.075.000 ounces of gold representing an increase of 963.000.000 pounds of copper(82.24%) +859.000 gold ounces(70.64%) from the sulphide mineral resource estimate in the July ´10 Report. ...
www.marketwire.com/press-release/rio-alto-increases-mineral-…
http://media3.marketwire.com/docs/Resource_Update_Graphics.p…

[Popeye82]

Rekordthunfisch versteigert; Japan: Für das 269-Kilo-Tier wurde 1/2 Million Euro geboten - DPA, TOKIO - Jan 5, 2012
http://web.de/magazine/essen-geniessen/essen/14460256-thunfi…

[Popeye82]

Filesharing ist jetzt Religion ; In Schweden gilt eine Kopierergruppe nun als Glaubensgemeinschaft - W - Jan 5, 2012
http://web.de/magazine/digitale-welt/internet/14461564-schwe…

[Popeye82]

Western Wind Energy - Takes Delivery of US $12.000.000 of Solar Panels, with a leading international, multi-billion dollar photo voltaic panel manufacturer, +Secures US Cash Grant; Jeff Ciachurski: "this is a monumental accomplishment to secure the cash grant before the expiry date +together with the Puerto Rican ITC, add another $109.000.000 of direct cash benefit to the Western Wind shareholders. Together with the previous $100.000.000 received +/or about to be received from Kingman +Windstar respectively, this brings the aggregate amount of cash grants, tax credits, +tax shield benefits totaling >a 1/2 a billion $$s. It will only be a matter of time before Bay Street analysts realize the full value of Western Wind Energy. This is another gold medal performance by the Western Wind team, to close off ´11. Western Wind Energy wishes all of its stakeholders a happy, healthy +prosperous ´12" - Dec 29, 2011
http://finance.yahoo.com/news/Western-Wind-Takes-Delivery-cn…

[Popeye82]

Lomiko Metals - Signs Agreement for Property in Quebec to Explore for Lithium-Ion Battery Grade, High Purity, Large Crystallite Flake Graphite; property was originally staked +explored by Graphicor Resources Inc.("Graphicor" ) in the summer of ´89 based on the results of a regional helicopter-borne EM survey; Southwestern Quebec is host to some of the most favourable geological terrain for graphite exploration in Canada +is known for hosting graphite resources, including the Lac Des Iles mine operated by Timcal. Lac des Iles is the largest of two Canadian graphite producers. It has been in production for >twenty years +produces graphite products of various sizes +purities; Graphicor completed reconnaissance mapping +prospecting as well as ground geophysics +a 26 hole diamond drill program totalling 1.625 metres. The work identified several conductive trends in the central portion of the property +@least three, relatively flat lying graphitic beds. Three surface samples were collected +analyzed returning results of 14.16% Cgf, 18.06% Cgf +20.35% Cgf. 23/26 drill holes intersected graphite concentrations with a highlight of 8.07% Cgf over 28.60 metres in hole Q90-9. The highest individual assay was reported in hole Q90-10 reporting 15.48% Cgf over 0.50 metres; Graphicor geologists commented that the results of the initial drill program were extremely encouraging +recommended additional detailed drilling to properly understand +evaluate the potential of the property; Company cautions that it has NOT had the chance to verify the quality +accuracy of the historic sampling +drilling results reported in this news release which predate the introduction of NI 43-101 +cautions readers NOT to rely upon them - Jan 5, 2012
http://finance.yahoo.com/news/Lomiko-Signs-Agreement-iw-3473…

[Popeye82]

Intertainment Media - Ortsbo Announces Strategic Relationship with Variety, world's leading publication for business entertainment news - Jan 4, 2012
http://finance.yahoo.com/news/Intertainment-Ortsbo-ccn-40853…

[Popeye82]

Brixton Metals - Intersects 95m of 904 g/t AgEq, from surface, Including 9.25m of 3.646 g/t AgEq(2.984 g/t Ag, 3.04 g/t Au +11.7% Pb) ; G. R. Thompson: "We are extremely pleased to have discovered substantial near surface, high-grade mineralization @the largely untested Oban Breccia Zone, which is located in the heart of a 6 km mineralized corridor. Hole 60 significantly increases the potential of the property. This high-grade zone remains open @depth +on the eastern strike extensions. We believe that the Thorn project, subject to further drilling, has the potential to host a high unit value polymetallic mineral deposit" - Jan 5, 2011
http://finance.yahoo.com/news/Brixton-Metals-Intersects-95m-…

[Popeye82]

Asia Now Resources - Reports 1st NI43-101 Resource Estimate, for its Beiya Gold-Silver-Polymetallic Project; Dr. Noel White: "This historic initial resource estimate is robust +abundantly suggests the larger opportunity @Beiya since it is based on only a fraction of the total mineralized area. There is significant potential for large skarn +porphyry systems for gold, silver +base metals over the whole area. We are continuing our aggressive exploration program +will be commencing a pre-liminary economic assessment study in ´12" - Dec 8, 2011

+ Qinghe block contains an indicated resource of 12.000.000 tonnes @1.11 g/t gold, 45.0 g/t silver +2.98% lead

+ additional inferred resource of 10.600.000 tonnes, @0.76 g/t Au, 44.8 g/t Ag +2.85% Pb, @a net smelter return(NSR) cut-off of US$50/tonne

+ main zone @Qinghe remains open to the north, +is adjacent to, +north of the open-pit Beiya Gold Mine that produces 200.000 ounces of gold/anno

+ drilling program was carried out within an area of 2.8 square kilometres, ~2.5% of the mineralized +anomalous area (108 square kilometres) identified from soil sampling +ground magnetic survey over the initial exploration area of 586 square kilometres. The Company believes the area has potential to host significant gold, silver +base metal resource, +is drilling tests on other targeted blocks of the Beiya project ...
http://finance.yahoo.com/news/Asia-Now-Reports-First-NI43-cc…

[Popeye82]

Mining Summary - LC - Jan 6, 2012
http://minesite.com/media/pub/var/release_downloadable_file/…

[Popeye82]

Areva eyes stake in uranium enricher Urenco –paper; French nuclear group Areva is eyeing a stake in UK-based uranium enrichment company Urenco, a Dutch paper reported on Thursday, citing people familiar with the matter - MW/Reuters - Jan 5, 2012
www.miningweekly.com/article/areva-eyes-stake-in-uranium-enr…

[Popeye82]

China, Nigeria to invest $2.550.000.000 in 15 biorefinery projects - BD - Jan 2, 2012

- J. Lane -
http://biofuelsdigest.com/bdigest/2012/01/02/profiles-in-sca…

[Popeye82]

´11 —The Year in Algae - AIM - Dec 13, 2011
www.algaeindustrymagazine.com/2011-the-year-in-algae/

[Popeye82]

Genomatica - Wins Most Innovative Product award, from regarded world's most successful regional program linking inventors +entrepreneurs with the resources they need for success - Dec 9, 2011
www.connect.org/programs/most-innovative-products-award/doc/…

[Popeye82]

World Health Energy Holdings, Inc announced an LOI with Indian transport company Prime Inc to develop a 250-acre algal biodiesel facility in either Tamil Nadu or Karnataka. Project budget is said to reach $100.000.000, has several Letters of Intent +Memorandums of Understanding to build +operate algae biodiesel projects - BD - Jan 2, 2012

- J. Lane -
http://biofuelsdigest.com/bdigest/2012/01/02/prime-when-sign…
http://finance.yahoo.com/news/Algae-Biodiesel-Company-World-…

[Popeye82]

In Bulgaria, the Parliament approved a law establishing the equivalent of a $0.10 tax on the use of plastic shopping bags as of October 1, ´12, +will increase to $0.23 in ´12, to $0.30 in ´13, +again to $0.37 by ´14 ; Cereplast notes on their website that this tax for all intents +purposes bans such plastic bags - BD - Jan 2, 2012

- J. Lane -
http://biofuelsdigest.com/bdigest/2012/01/02/bulgaria-taxes-…

[Popeye82]

In Hawaii, BioTork annoucned that it has converted unmarketable Hawaiian papayas to fatty acids that can be refined into green fuels . This result is a 1st milestone in a developmental research project conducted in collaboration with the US Dept of Agriculture Pacific Basin Agricultural Research Center(USDA-PBARC) +Rivertop Solutions - BD - Jan 2, 2012

- J. Lane -
http://biofuelsdigest.com/bdigest/2012/01/02/biotork-breakth…

"In Hawaii, BioTork annoucned that it has converted unmarketable Hawaiian papayas to fatty acids that can be refined into green fuels. This result is a first milestone in a developmental research project conducted in collaboration with the US Dept of Agriculture Pacific Basin Agricultural Research Center (USDA-PBARC) and Rivertop Solutions.

The objective of the project is to assess the capacity of BioTork’s proprietary technology to convert agricultural by-products into fatty acids, and its implications for the Hawaiian agriculture and military markets. BioTork successfully developed strains of microorganisms, algae and mushrooms, which can eat papaya culls and convert the sugars in that waste stream into high value oil suitable for the production of advanced drop in green diesel and jet fuel.

First laboratory results show that BioTork and PBARC have the capacity to turn an economic liability for Hawaiian papaya farmers into a high value co-product while addressing at the same time the need for domestic production of renewable non-petroleum-based biofuel. PBARC is taking the process a step further by conducting tests to use the meal (de-oiled algae and mushroom) as a high protein feed for fish. Tests are scheduled to start in 2012. "

[Popeye82]

Philippines shutting down hundreds of mines due to major landslide - M.com - Jan 6, 2012

- Cecilia Jamasmie -
www.mining.com/2012/01/06/philippines-shutting-down-hundreds…

[Popeye82]

EPA says metals mining still largest U.S. toxic releases generator; Despite U.S. hardrock mining's efforts to limit pollution, naturally occurring substances in minerals +metals still deliver a serious blow to its overall ranking in EPA's TRI data - MW/EPA, RENO - Jan 6, 2012

- Dorothy Kosich -
www.mineweb.com/mineweb/view/mineweb/en/page72068?oid=142618…
www.epa.gov/tri/tridata/tri10/nationalanalysis/briefingslide…
www.epa.gov/tri/tridata/tri10/nationalanalysis/overview/2010…

"Toxic Releases Inventory (TRI) data released by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Thursday again named U.S. metals mining the largest contributor of toxic chemicals released into the environment in 2010.


The National Mining Association contends nearly 85% to 99% of the substances reported by mining operations for the TRI inventory occur naturally in the local rock and soil.

The EPA's 2010 TRI data showed that 3.93 billion pounds of toxic chemicals were released into the environment, a 16% increase from 2009. "The increase is mainly due to changes in the metal mining sector, which typically involves large facilities handling large volumes of material," the agency said. "In this sector, even a small change in the chemical composition of the ore being mined-which EPA understands is one of the reasons for the increase in total report releases-may lead to big changes in the amount of toxic chemicals reported nationally."

The metal mining sector reported 1,622.6 million pounds of on-site and off-site disposal or other releases, as well as 1,775.1 million pounds of production-related waste managed in 2010. This represented 41% of the total disposal or other releases generated in the nation in 2010.

Metals mining also had the fourth largest total production-release waste managed in 2010, a 38% increase over 2009. The portion of the metal mining sector covered by TRI includes facilities mining for copper, lead, zinc, silver, gold and several other metals.

Lead and lead compounds accounted for the vast majority (98%) of the disposal or other releases of persistent, bioaccumulative, and toxic (PBT) chemicals, reflecting the widespread use of lead and lead compounds in industrial processes and products. PBT chemicals include lead and lead compounds; mercury and mercury compounds; dioxin and dioxin-like compounds; and PCBs.

EPA also asserted the overall trends in the disposal or other releases of mercury and mercury compounds is driven by metal mines, which accounted for 97% of the on-site land disposal of mercury. Coal-burning power plants are the largest source of mercury emissions to the air.

U.S. metal mining also reported more than 72% of the on-site land disposal reported in 2010 for all industries, according to the EPA.

TRI data showed a 161% increase overall in total releases from 2009 to 2010 in Nevada for a total of 294 million pounds. Metal mining comprised 98% of Nevada releases.

The top five Nevada facilities in terms of EPA's overall TRI in 2010 were (1) Newmont Mining Copper Canyon in Battle Mountain 208,127,221 pounds in total releases; (2) Newmont Mining Twin Creeks Mine in Golconda, 169,175,460 pounds; (3) Barrick Goldstrike Mines in Elko, 29,261,541 pounds; (4) Cortez Gold Mines in Crescent Valley, 24,308,733 pounds; and (5) Newmont Mining Carlin South Area in Carlin, 16,357,404 pounds.


NMA RESPONSE

In a statement released Thursday, the National Mining Association said, "TRI is a weight-based report covering nearly 650 chemicals and substances and is not intended to evaluate risk. Health, safety and environmental protection at mining operations and community-related impacts are governed by other local, state and federal requirements."

"Mining operations continue to represent a minor percentage of the total releases to air and surface waters covered in the TRI reports," said NMA. "This has been a consistent feature of mining's reports over the 13 years mining operations have been included in TRI."

"Nearly all-85 to 99 percent (by volume)-of the substances reported by mining operations occur naturally in local rock and soil and remain in low concentrations in the large amount of material handled and managed at specifically designed on-site facilities permitted and regulated by state and federal laws," NMA added. "Moreover, the level of natural mineralization in the ore bodies mined also greatly influenced the volume of materials reported by mining." "

[Popeye82]

SilverCrest Mines - Announces Initial Resources, @La Joya Property; +100.000.000 Ounces Silver Equivalent(i): 57.900.000 tonnes @28 g/t silver, 0.18 g/t gold +0.21% Cu, ~51.300.000 ounces of silver, 333.400 ounces of gold +270.300.000 pounds of copper I within PhaseI area; Drilling to date has been relatively widespread in the PhaseI area which is ~1 kilometre by 500 metres. As a result initial resource estimates are considered by the Company to cover only a portion of the overall potential within PhaseI area, Main Mineralized Trend which includes PhaseI +II drilling areas has an overall length of 2.5 kilometres +an average minimum width of 500 metres; PhaseII currently underway - Jan 5, 2012
http://finance.yahoo.com/news/SilverCrest-Announces-Initial-…
http://media3.marketwire.com/docs/756516_La_Joya_Map%20Jan5-…

[Popeye82]

Potash Mining in Kazakhstan - PIN - Sep 29, 2011

- Leia Toovey -
http://potashinvestingnews.com/3887-potash-mining-in-kazakhs…

"In ´11, it became more apparent than ever how urgent it is to find, +develop new potash reserves. During the year, grain prices, buoyed by dwindling stockpiles, rallied to record highs. In fact, current stockpiles of many grains are so razor thin that industry experts claim that it will take a few seasons of “near perfect” yields before inventories will return to comfortable levels. The bull-run for grains has directly resulted in a heightened demand for fertilizers, including potash.

Grains analysts +fertilizer suppliers have already voiced their opinion that the current trend is not one-time phenomena, but rather a sign of things to come. The pressure to maximize grain output from shrinking land is growing in concert with the increase in wealth of the emerging economies. As the wealth of these nations rises, so does their demand for a protein-rich diet; a protein-rich diet requires more agricultural output/acre of arable land.

There is now, more than ever, an immediate need to increase global potash output. Moreover, the potash supply chain has been critiqued as a “monopoly” due to the fact that the majority of the essential crop nutrient is extracted from only a handful of countries. As a result, interest in finding new potash reserves is piquing around the globe, including in Kazakhstan. Kazakhstan has long been known to contain potash reserves; however, no mine has been developed. Preliminary estimates suggest that the country, which is favorably located in close proximity to the Asian markets, may hold >6.600.000.000 tonnes of potash reserves to make it one of the world’s top producers. Unfortunately, the details concerning the potash deposits in Kazakhstan are limited due to the fact that the country used to be under Soviet rule. In fact, Kazakhstan was the last of the Soviet republics to declare independence, which it did on December 16, ´91. In addition to the limited information, the long Soviet rule can also explain why such valuable deposits were previously passed over.

Kazakhstan hosts potash in the form of sylvinite, carnallite-sylvinite +polyhalite. Sylvinite is an economically significant source of potash, as it characteristically contains high grades of potash. Therefore, despite the grades of the deposits in Kazakhstan being unknown, that they are partly made up of sylvinite suggests that they will be high grade. Furthermore, Another fact that supports the potential of the deposits in Kazakhstan is the fact that he potash deposits in Kazakhstan are shallow enough that there is a possibility that conventional mining methods may be used.

Kazakhstan has attracted the interest of a few miners. Fortis Mining +Satimola Ltd are currently exploring in the area. According to Fortis mining, they have already received US$219.000.000 from Chinese institutional investor Opsun Holdings +Yubang Industry Development of China, in addition to funds from private Chinese investors. China has already voiced its interest in securing more potash supplies, +Kazakhstan is in a prime position to benefit from this, due to the fact that potash can easily be transported from Kazakhstan, to China via rail, saving the country money on shipping potash from North America, from whom it currently purchases most of its potash.


Explorers in Kazakhstan

Fortis Mining(ASX:FMJ) is working on two potash deposits in west Kazakhstan, the Chelkarskaya(Chelkar) +Zhiliyanskoe (Zhilyan), which, according to archived Soviet Union data, have an exploration target range of 6.500.000.000 –6.600.000.000 tonnes of potassium. The Chelkar potash deposit is located in the Terektinsski western region of the Republic of Kazakhstan, 98 km south of Uralsk. The potash horizons is the Chelkar contain potash mineralization in the form of sylvinite, carnallite-sylvinite +polyhalite. They are located ~300 –700 meters below the surface. The Zhilyanskoe is located in the north western region of Kazakhstan, +is 8 km south east of the city of Aktobe. This location is very strategic ; Aktobe is a regional capital with significant infrastructure, including railway +road networks connecting Asia +Europe. @the Zhilyan, potash mineralization has been identified over an area 0.5 to 2 km wide +up to 5.000 meters in length, with mineralization occurring between 430 meters +700 meters below the surface. Mineralization is in the form of sylvite, polyhalite +carnallite-sylvinite +sylvinite.

Satimola Ltd. is a closely held Kazakh potash exploration company, +therefore there is not a lot of information available on the company. The latest news brief was released last year, when the company said it would look into an IPO in the following year(which is not the current year) +list in the 2nd quarter of ´11, however, according to research on Google finance, the company has yet to list. Satimola is Satimola’s deposit is located in western Kazakhstan, about 3.000 kilometers from the Chinese border. The Satimola property was extensively explored by the former Soviet Union starting in the late-´60s +continuing through the late-´80s; however, the Soviets were more interested in borate than potash. In ´06, Saltimola contracted AAI to conduct a Preliminary Assessment for commercial mining of their potash deposit located in Kazakhstan, +in ´08, Satimola initiated a new exploration program to better define the potash deposit. Drilling of the deposit has so far uncovered a resource of >8.500.000.000 tonnes of potash, @a 10 percent potash cut-off grade. Satimola is targeting an initial annual output of 700.000 tonnes/year, +hopes to expand to 6.000.000 metric-tonnes/year operation, according to CEO Jaime Troncoso. "

[Popeye82]

Trevali Mining - started production, @Halfmile mine, Canada - Jan 6, 2012
www.trevaliresources.com/i/pdf/2012-01-06_NR.pdf

[Popeye82]

Japan looking @taking control of nuclear power: report; Japan's government is considering taking control of the nation's nuclear power plants away from private utilities, in a bid to improve accountability of the industry, the Yomiuri newspaper reported on Friday - IA/Reuters/Yomiuri - Jan 7, 2012
www.intellasia.net/news/articles/japan/111353171.shtml

[Popeye82]

China considers new ‘super ministry’ for energy in ´13 - HDN/Reuters, BEIJING - Jan 7, 2012
www.hurriyetdailynews.com/china-considers-new-super-ministry…

[Popeye82]

Microbix Biosystems -&Zydus Cadila, group's subsidiary in the US is ranked 12th amongst the top generic companies in the US. 51.000.000 prescriptions are dispensed with Zydus generics in the US/anno. The company is among the top 3 players in the US market for 9/10 products marketed , reach agreement to market Urokinase, a critical care therapy in North America; estimated market size for Urokinase use in the U.S. alone is expected to touch $400.000.000 by ´20 between three indications: pulmonary embolism, catheter clearance +catheter prophylaxis. The same active pharmaceutical ingredient can be used in new +even larger indications in oncology +ophthalmology; W. J. Gastle: "Microbix has been the champion of Urokinase +we are committed to returning this life saving therapy to physicians +patients. We have been investing to rebuild this franchise including manufacturing infrastructure, raw materials, +technical expertise, in addition to acquiring the approved NDA's for both Canada +the US markets. With Zydus, we now have a strong commercial partner to help us realize our objective. The immediate impact will include the financial support +regulatory expertise that Zydus will bring to implementing the business plan for re-launching the drug. Zydus has very experienced regulatory staff that will assist Microbix in guiding the file through the FDA +Health Canada", Pankaj Patel: "We have been investing in novel technologies, particularly in the area of biotechnology +have also been exploring partnerships to bring critical care therapies to the marketplace. Microbix' Urokinase strengthens our critical care portfolio +enhances our ability to globalize our capabilities", Dr. Ken Ouriel: "Urokinase was our workhorse agent for dissolving clots within arteries +veins until it became unavailable. Physicians felt very comfortable with its margin of safety +would welcome its long-overdue return to the marketplace"; In the last two years Microbix reported that the discussions on Urokinase have been underway with various potential industry partners. The terms of the agreement between both the companies requires Zydus to provide the funding needed to re-launch the drug in the US +Canada, including an initial commitment, plus milestone based payments. Microbix will also receive a milestone payment upon reaching a certain sales target +will be guaranteed a margin plus earn a royalty fee based on sales. Zydus will receive an option on the rights to all future indications including in the areas of oncology +ophthalmology, In October ´11 Microbix received approval for a Base Shelf Prospectus to help fund its product development pipeline including Urokinase. The consummation of this agreement will reduce the need for funds to be raised and, consequently, the Prospectus will be amended to reflect Zydus' funding for Urokinase - Jan 6, 2012
http://finance.yahoo.com/news/Microbix-Zydus-Cadila-reach-cn…

[Popeye82]

India Eyes Mozambique, Russia Coal Mines for $300.000.000; Indian steelmakers have been actively perusing the world for possible overseas coal mine acquisitions to address domestic supply shortage, Experts +analysts had long argued setting up a local coal mine in India takes long to operate. It would have been just as easy for India to acquire coal especially since it is actually sitting atop 10 per cent of where the world's coal reserves are located , ~worth 267.000.000.000 tonnes . But most of Indian coal reserves lie in forest areas +cannot be mined due to environmental concerns - IBT - Jan 6, 2012

- E. Tanquintic-Misa -
http://uk.ibtimes.com/articles/277368/20120106/india-eyes-mo…

[Popeye82]

U.S. President Barack Obama to Business Executives: Bring Jobs Home ; B.O.: "We'll hear from business leaders who are bringing jobs back home +see how we can help other businesses follow their lead"; White House sees an " "increasing trend of companies" deciding to "insource" jobs +invest in U.S.-based plants +factories" , according to a White House official. It wants to encourage more businesses to follow that trend, the official said; emphasis on keeping U.S. jobs @home is in line with a populist economic message championed by Obama that could play well with union workers, whose support the Democratic president will need to win re-election in November, issue resonates strongly in Midwest industrial states such as Ohio +Michigan that have been hard hit, not only by the ´07 -´09 economic crisis but also by years of shrinkage in the manufacturing-jobs sector. Many of those states are battlegrounds that are vital to Obama's re-election hopes, Republicans vying to challenge Obama in November, including front-runner Mitt Romney, have hammered him over his economic stewardship. They contend that his regulatory policies, including new rules for Wall Street +the overhaul of the health-care system, have discouraged investment. They also say his fiscal stimulus measures have not succeeded in bringing down high unemployment; White House forum on "Insourcing American Jobs" will be held on Wednesday. Executives from >a dozen companies will attend, including padlock maker Master Lock Co., furniture maker Lincolnton Furniture Co., software application developer GalaxE Solutions Inc. +chemicals company DuPont - IBT - Jan 7, 2012

- Caren Bohan +Jeff Mason -
http://uk.ibtimes.com/articles/278086/20120107/u-s-president…

[Popeye82]

Mining Top25, PartII - CR - Jan 7, 2012
www.caesarsreport.com/freereports/CaesarsReport_MiningTop25_…

[Popeye82]

Cardero publishes finalised PEA for BC coal project; Cardero Resource Corp. said late on Thursday a preliminary study of its Carbon Creek coal project in northeast British Columbia gave the asset a post-tax $752.000.000 net present value @an 8% discount rate, preliminary economic assessment(PEA) set its internal rate of return @29.3%, using a base-case of $185/t metallurgical coal price; According to Cardero, there have been >$4.000.000.000 in acquisitions in the last 18 months in the areas surrounding Carbon Creek, aims to complete a feasibility study on Carbon Creek by the end of the year - MW, TORONTO - Jan 6, 2012
www.miningweekly.com/article/cardero-publishes-finalised-pea…

[Popeye82]

Fortune Minerals - Mount Klappan project integral to Canadian role in coal market - Jan 6, 2012
www.fortuneminerals.com/Theme/Fortune/files/FortuneMinerals.…

[Popeye82]

China Telecom plant Einstieg in Europa; Vor den Olympischen Spielen will der Mobilfunkkonzern aus dem Reich der Mitte in den britischen Markt einsteigen. Auch für Deutschland, Frankreich +den USA soll das Unternehmen Ambitionen haben; ist eigenen Angaben nach der erste chinesische Telekomanbieter, der als sogenannter virtueller Netzbetreiber – +damit ganz ohne eigene Infrastruktur – in einen ausländischen Mobilfunkmarkt expandiert - HB/Reuters - Jan 8, 2012

- K. Slodczyk -
www.handelsblatt.com/unternehmen/it-medien/china-telecom-pla…

[Popeye82]

Riverstone Resources - Announces Significant Increase of Gold Mineralization, @Karma Project: increase of 42% for global mineral inventory; Dwayne L. Melrose: "We are extremely pleased with the material increase of Indicated resources @Karma. This will provide a solid base for going forward with engineering +economic studies in ´12 to establish Karma as one of the premier gold projects in West Africa . There is also significant potential to continue to increase the gold resource. We have completed 25.229 metres of drilling that are not included in the resource estimate +are presently drilling with five rigs" - Jan 9, 2012

+ Global Mineral Inventory(inside +outside of Whittle pit shells) consists of indicated gold mineralization totaling 1.773.000 ounces of gold in 54.100.000 t @an average grade of 1.02 g/t Au +inferred gold mineralization totaling 959.000 ounces of gold in 37.400.000 t @an average grade of 0.8 g/t Au.

+ A significant portion of the gold resources are @shallows depth(<200 metres vertical depth) +>80% of the global mineral inventory is contained with the five Whittle pit shells

+ Total Indicated gold resources within five Whittle pits are 1.634.000 ounces of gold in 47.340.000 t @an average grade of 1.07 g/t Au.

+ Total Inferred gold resources within five Whittle pits are 566.000 ounces of gold in 18.930.000 t @an average grade of 0.93 g/t Au.

+ 74% of the resources within the Whittle pit shells are classified as Indicated gold resources.

+ Mineralization remains open @depth +along strike in @least one direction for all deposits.

+ This resource will be used as the basis for proceeding with a Preliminary Economic Assessment(PEA) commencing in Q1, ´12. ...
www.marketwire.com/press-release/riverstone-announces-signif…
www.riverstoneresources.com/i/maps/120107-120105KarmaResLSec…

[Popeye82]

Merkel Tells Greece to Hasten Debt Deal; German Chancellor Angela Merkel warned Greece on Monday it would not be possible to give further aid without rapid progress on its 2nd rescue package - FY/Reuters, BERLIN - Jan 9, 2012

- S. Brown &N. Barkin -
http://finance.yahoo.com/news/merkel-sarkozy-seek-growth-job…

[Popeye82]

Tamerlane Ventures - Options Indian Mountain Lake Volcanogenic Massive Sulphide Belt; Massive sulphide mineralization was discovered @the Indian Mountain Lake property in the BB Lake area in ´48. The property is accessible by float plane +can be readily accessed by winter road or by barge via the Great Slave Lake. Hollinger Gold Mines drilled the BB Lake deposit +calculated a non-compliant NI 43-101 historical resource(i) of 924.000 tons @10.3% Zn, 0.85% Pb ~110g/t Ag in ´52; Indian Mountain Minerals acquired the property in ´65, continued with drilling +geophysical surveys +staking, +leased the property ´74. The Kennedy Lake ´Kennedy Lake West zones were discovered +drilled during this period +non-compliant NI 43-101 historical resources(i) of 43.000 tons @7.3% Zn, 1.1% Pb + ~128g/t Ag for Kennedy Lake, +612.000 tons of 1.12% Cu for Kennedy Lake West were calculated; The BB Lake deposit was optioned to EGO Resources in ´79 +extensive exploration work was conducted on the property including 10.600 meters of diamond drilling. As a result of this drilling, a new global non-compliant NI 43-101 historic resource(i) was calculated on the BB Lake Property of ~3.000.000 tons @10% combined zinc +lead, ~128g/t silver + ~0.64g/t gold ; Project "Expected to Provide Significant Synergies" With the Company's Pine Point Operation +Gives the Company Precious Metals Exposure - Jan 9, 2012
http://finance.yahoo.com/news/Tamerlane-Options-Indian-ccn-2…

[Popeye82]

Twenty (Mineral Explorers &Developers) to Watch in ´12 - PIF - Dec 21, 2011
http://gallery.mailchimp.com/678d24424c73f625942553f25/files…

[Popeye82]

Mining Summary - LC - Jan 10, 2012
http://minesite.com/media/pub/var/release_downloadable_file/…

[Popeye82]

Horizonte Minerals Plc - Araguaia Resource Update; J. Martin: "This is excellent news for the Company +we are delighted that our target tonnage has been achieved with this new resource estimate @Araguaia. We have converted 39% of the resource to the Indicated category +demonstrated the existence of higher grade zones which are vital for early mine life economics, as shown by the current Indicated Resource of 24.200.000 t grading 1.6% Ni using a 1.2% cut-off. We believe that the updated resource places Araguaia in the upper quartile of developing global nickel assets in terms of size +grade. Further drilling is planned to convert additional material into the Measured +Indicated Resource categories once the Company has completed the PEA, its next milestone, which will give a range of project economics. We have a strong cash position +project development team, as well as support from a major mining partner which will enable us to drive the Araguaia project forward, significantly adding to the value of the Company. This is therefore a great start to ´12 for Horizonte" - Jan 10, 2012

+ Indicated Resource of 39.300.000 tonnes grading 1.39% nickel(‘Ni’) using 0.95% Ni cut-off

+ Inferred Resource of 60.900.000 tonnes averaging 1.22% Ni using 0.95% Ni cut-off

+ High grade zones defined in the Indicated category @a 1.20% Ni cut-off grade total 24.200.000 tonnes averaging 1.6% Ni -important for the economics of early mine production

+ Work on the Preliminary Economic Assessment(‘PEA’) on target for delivery mid H1 ´12

+ Initial metallurgical test work results due Q1 ´12 to determine ore characteristics

+ Asset located in recognised producing Ni region with established infrastructure ...
http://horizonteminerals.com/news/2012-01-10_araguaia_resour…

[Popeye82]

Advanced Explorations - Receives Update on $5 Million Convertible Debenture Financing through XinXing Pipes Group; XDIP has advised AEI that it proposes to establish a specific purpose, wholly-owned Hong Kong based subsidiary for purposes of completing the Financing transaction. In a press release dated January 7th, ´12, XDIP indicated that the Hong Kong company will serve as a platform for the successful completion of the Financing +will also help facilitate the development of the Roche Bay Iron Project. The formation of this subsidiary is necessary to obtain required Chinese government consents +approvals, +XDIP is confident in securing same in a timely manner. In addition, the proposed change is subject to the receipt of any required stock exchange +corporate approvals in Canada. AEI is currently seeking such approvals; J. Gingerich: "We are very pleased with the demonstrated commitment of XDIP to complete the Convertible Debenture financing as quickly as possible +appreciate the efforts of our Partner in resolving this bottleneck. This approach appears to be the best solution for ensuring a timely closure of the Financing +will also help in facilitating our future development plans. In the meantime, AEI will continue to move forward with the Feasibility Study +work with XDIP on moving the Roche Bay Project toward production" - Jan 10, 2012
www.marketwire.com/press-release/advanced-explorations-recei…

[Popeye82]

Black Iron - Retains WorleyParsons to Complete Shymanivske Feasibility Study; Work Will Begin Immediately +Is Anticipated to Conclude in the 4th Quarter of ´12; M. Simpson: "This is an important milestone for Black Iron as we move into the final stage of project evaluation +preparation before we formally commence construction, @Shymanivske. WorleyParsons' comprehensive capacity +broad experience in all aspects of project development from engineering to, procurement, logistics, contracts administration, safety, risk +construction management, will be invaluable to successfully developing the Project. Further, the company has substantial experience working in the CIS having undertaken development work in the past" - Jan 10, 2012
www.marketwire.com/press-release/black-iron-retains-worleypa…

[Popeye82]

Alderon Iron Ore - Commences Final Drill Program Before Feasibility Study; Tayfun Eldem: "We are excited to get our ´12 program underway +be back drilling on North Rose. Our ´11 program was extremely successful +we are looking forward to building on that success as we work to upgrade our resource in advance of completing the Feasibility Study in Q3. The final phase of drilling represents another major milestone in driving Kami through the development stage into production" - Jan 10, 2012
www.marketwire.com/press-release/alderon-commences-final-dri…
www.alderonmining.com/projects/kami/

[Popeye82]

Mining Summary - LC - Jan 11, 2012
http://minesite.com/media/pub/var/release_downloadable_file/…

[Popeye82]

Kivalliq Energy - High Grade Assays Received From ´11 Exploration Drilling @Angilak; Priority Targets Confirmed for ´12 Campaign; zones, discovered through drilling in ´10 +´11, are all located within a 3.0 kilometre radius of the high grade Lac Cinquante uranium deposit, within the 225.000 acre Angilak Property in Nunavut, Canada; J. Ward: "These results demonstrate our success @identifying a growing number of mineralized targets near the resource area. The encouraging values from exploration drilling have verified our targeting techniques on previously untested conductive trends parallel to Lac Cinquante main zone" - Jan 10, 2012

+ 0.62% U3O8, 1.6 g/t Ag, 0.01% Cu, over 0.7 metres in 11-523-001(Pulse)
+ 0.44% U3O8, 12.8 g/t Ag, 0.59% Cu, over 2.3 metres in 11-523-002(Pulse)
+ 0.21% U3O8, 7.5 g/t Ag, 0.03% Cu, over 3.4 metres in 11-523-002(Pulse)
+ 0.43% U3O8, 16.3 g/t Ag, 0.27% Cu, over 7.6 meters in 11-BZ-020(Blaze)
+ 0.90% U3O8, 17.0 g/t Ag, 0.25% Cu, over 2.1 meters in 11-BZ-021(Blaze)
+ 0.49% U3O8, 12.3 g/t Ag, 0.03% Cu, over 1.5 meters in 11-BZ3-001(Spark)

*Down hole intercepts ...
www.marketwire.com/press-release/kivalliq-energy-corporation…

[Popeye82]

Woulfe Mining - Announces Resource Update for its 100% Owned Muguk Gold Mine: 520.000 tonnes @11g/t gold for ~178.000 Oz Au I, A silver grade could not be included in the resource statement due to the lack of sample data; Muguk gold-silver mineralisation is hosted within a series of parallel, steeply dipping quartz veins that extend discontinuously for 400 -2.000 metres along strike +to a known depth of 800 metres. The average width of the veins is typically <1 metre, although the veins pinch +swell +can be up to 2 metres in width in places. The Three Brothers Vein +the No.2 Vein are the most significant mineralised structures in the goldfield(refer to release dated 30 August ´11), however there are a number of other veins including Baksan, Geumyong, +Nos 1 +7-11 Veins which have been partly explored +developed, In ´94, Korea Resources Corporation("Kores") completed a resource update on Muguk, resulting in a total resource estimate of 1.418.980 tonnes grading 13.5g/t gold +72.8g/t silver , +containing 615.956 ounces of gold +3.321,599 ounces of silver, based on a 10g/t gold cut-off grade. The mine operated for a further three years after this estimate was undertaken; has commissioned AMC to undertake a scoping study which is scheduled to be completed by early ´12. The study will be based on cut +fill mining of the Three Brothers Vein @a rate of 150.000 tonnes/annum, producing ~34.000 ounces of gold/annum assuming a mining grade of 7.5g/t gold +a metallurgical recovery of 93%; Woulfe is considering several options with regards to surface access rights +negotiations are underway with a number of parties. Woulfe anticipates that a decision will be made in conjunction with financing arrangements. Specifically, listing of the gold assets on an appropriate exchange is being considered to fund property acquisition +evaluation expenditure - Jan 10, 2012
www.marketwire.com/press-release/woulfe-mining-announces-res…

[Popeye82]

Goldcorp to boost output by two-3rds by ´16; Goldcorp, the 3rd-biggest North American gold producer, said on Monday it would lift output around 3% in ´12 to 2.600.000 ounces, +a further 67% compared with ´11’s production by ´16 to 4.200.000 ounces. The company also said its board approved the construction of the $3.900.000.000 El Morro copper-gold project in Chile - MW, TORONTO - Jan 9, 2012

- M. Hill -
www.miningweekly.com/article/goldcorp-to-boost-output-by-two…

[Popeye82]

OSC alleges two Baffinland buyers flaunted securities laws ; The Ontario Securities Commission(OSC) has accused former Baffinland Iron Mines consultant Jowdat Waheed +business partner Bruce Walter of using insider information to mount a hostile bid for the company in ´10 . According to the regulator, Waheed acquired material inside information both during his time as a consultant to the company in the 1st half of ´10, as well as after, which he allegedly used to make a bid for the then TSX-listed firm with Walter in September that year - MW, TORONTO - Jan 10, 2012

- M. Hill -
www.miningweekly.com/article/osc-alleges-two-baffinland-buye…

[Popeye82]

Allana Potash - Announces $20.000.000 Bought Deal; net proceeds from the Offering will be used for completion of a definitive feasibility study on the Company's Dallol Potash Project +for working capital +general corporate purposes - Jan 10, 2012
www.marketwire.com/press-release/allana-potash-announces-20-…

[Popeye82]

Excelsior Mining - Gunnison Project to Have Significant Positive Economic Impact on Arizona; S. Twyerould: "As this Economic Impact Study indicates, the robust financial outcomes of the Gunnison Project's PEA show significant benefit to local +state communities, not just in job creation but overall wealth creation. We are very happy with the outcome +look forward to moving the project forward" - Jan 11, 2012

Highlights of the Gunnison Copper Project EIS include:

+ Creation of an average of 704 jobs annually state-wide
- 131 direct, on-site jobs; 573 in-direct or "secondary" jobs


+ US$2.350.000.000 added to Arizona's Gross State Product

+ US$214.000.000 in additional State revenue generated directly from the project

Note: the numbers +dollar values quoted above are all based on Excelsior building its own acid plant +span the entire 28 year life of the project ...
www.marketwire.com/press-release/excelsior-mining-corp-gunni…

[Popeye82]

Barisan Gold - Announces Initial Abong Resource: 8.500.000 tonnes of 1.49g/t gold +10.7g/t silver, containing 405.000 ounces gold +2.900.000 ounces silver; Near-term focus @Abong will concentrate on growing the initial resource. Drilling conducted by EAMC as well as field exploration conducted both by EAMC +Barisan Gold have identified zones of potential extension to the current resource. To the northwest of the current resource, in the Bintang area, previous drilling has not closed off the deposit as the most northerly holes have all encountered mineralization. This is also the area of the resource where the highest grades have been returned. Barisan Gold has identified mineralized outcrops 2km north of the northernmost drill hole that returned assays of gold. To the northeast of the current resource, adjacent to the Bintang area, aeromagnetic surveys +filed exploration have identified a potential parallel system to Abong. Mineralized outcrops have been identified @surface 1.2km to the east of the eastern boundary of the resource pit shell; Abong deposit is located within the Barisan I Izin Usaha Pertambangan("IUP") owned by PT Linge Mineral Resources("PTLMR"). PTLMR is 80% directly owned by Barisan Gold, who is also the sole operator of the project +responsible for funding 100% of the expenses of the project until completion of a feasibility study. The Abong deposit is located within Production Forest as per the classifications of the Ministry of Forestry of the Republic of Indonesia("MoF"). Production Forest is one of the lowest levels of forest designations in Indonesia +carries no open-pit mining restrictions like in some other forest designation areas. Furthermore, all the prospective areas @Abong lie outside Primary Forest as per the classifications of the MoF with relations to the current two-year forestry moratorium - Jan 9, 2012
www.marketwire.com/press-release/barisan-gold-announces-init…
www.barisangold.com/i/maps/BAR1040_Barisan_Gold_Corp_Graph_U…
www.barisangold.com/s/Abong.asp

[Popeye82]

Save The World Air - Dr. Rongjia Tao to Speak @International Scientific Conference About STWA's Licensed Technologies; will deliver his findings, "Controlling the Viscosity of Liquid Suspensions with Electrorheology +Magnetorheology," @the 13th International Conference on Electrorheological Fluids +Magnetorheological Suspension @Gazi University in Ankara, Turkey on July 2nd through 6th, ´12. The conference will bring together leading scientists +engineers from around world to explore state-of-the art multidisciplinary technology ; Dr. T.: "The recent successful field test of this technology on pipelines @the Rocky Mountain Oilfield Test Center of the U.S. Department of Energy indicates that this technology will have huge application in many important areas. I look forward to presenting our validated breakthrough technology to an international audience of engineers +scientists", C. Bond Kyte: "Engineers +scientists are on the frontlines of technology , inventing +seeking out solutions that industry needs . We believe that highlighting our technology in front of this global audience will build further interest for licensing +distribution of our products in new geographic markets. Having just signed a Letter of Intent with a distributor in China, we are looking to form similar agreements with the right partners in other global markets" - Jan 11, 2012
http://finance.yahoo.com/news/Dr-Rongjia-Tao-Speak-iw-127982…
www.ermr2012.gazi.edu.tr
http://stwa.com/STWA/whitepapers/AOT_NEW_PIPELINE_EFFICIENCY…

[Popeye82]

Nanostart AG - Beteiligung MagForce AG unterschreibt Letter of Intent mit Delrus, eines der größten +führenden Vertriebsunternehmen für medizinische Produkte in Russland - Dec 14, 2012

+ Einführung der NanoTherm® Therapie in Russland geplant

+ Finanzielle +fachliche Unterstützung für Zulassung in Russland

+ Erster Schritt zur Internationalisierung der NanoTherm® Therapie ...
www.nanostart.de/index.php/de/pr-archiv-2011/591-nanostart-b…



Nanostart-Beteiligung ItN Nanovation AG: Nanokeramische Beschichtung besteht Praxistest bei weltgrößtem Aluminiumproduzenten RUSAL (~10% world production share) ; Nanocomp MetCast ist eine von ItN eigens für Gießereien entwickelte innovative Nanobeschichtung. Sie verlängert die Lebensdauer von Gussformen +sorgt für längere Wartungsintervalle bei Gussmaschinen, wodurch der Gussprozess effizienter +kostengünstiger wird; Zurzeit prüfen Fachkräfte von ItN Nanovation AG +RUSAL eine Einführung von Nanocomp MetCast in großem Maßstab bei der Aluminiumhütte RUSAL - Dec 21, 2011
www.nanostart.de/index.php/de/pr-archiv-2011/596-nanostart-b…

[Popeye82]

Centaurus Metals - Embarks on Next Stage of Iron Ore Export Strategy with Maiden Drilling Program @Serra Da Lontra, 7,500m of Diamond +RC Drilling Planned –2 rigs on site; should deliver 1st assay results by early March with the entire drill program expected to be completed by the end of April, has an Exploration Target of 30.000.000 -50.000.000 t of itabirite mineralisation grading between 35 -45%1, current drilling program is designed to underpin a maiden JORC resource estimate for Serra da Lontra by May this year; D. Gordon: "We are really excited about the potential @Serra da Lontra as our exploration team has generated some excellent drill targets on the Senna +Fittipaldi Prospects. Between these two prospects we have identified >2.3 kilometres of itabirite outcrop, with the ground magnetic survey results suggesting that there is potential for a further kilometre of strike. There are two diamond rigs currently on site with an RC rig mobilising @the end of the month. We should have the 1st assay results by early March +the exploration team is working towards establishing a maiden JORC Resource @Serra da Lontra by May. With the port of Ilhéus being just 140 kilometres away by sealed highway, the Serra da Lontra Project offers excellent logistics for development of a 1.000.000 -2.000.000 t/a export project for Centaurus from the state of Bahia" - Jan 11, 2012
http://stocknessmonster.com/news-item?S=CTM&E=ASX&N=573768

[Popeye82]

Mbowenis, South Africa’s former Reserve Bank Governor +Labour Minister, also currently chairperson of gold major AngloGold Ashanti +packaging company Nampak, as well as being international adviser to investment bank Goldman Sachs, to acquire 20% stake in Tivani iron-ore project, Ferrox CEO D. McAdam described the Tivani project as one of the most significant deposits of its kind ; To date, Ferrox has confirmed 470.000.000 tons of measured, indicated +inferred resources. Significant additional resources under its control are currently being evaluated, together with possible iron-ore beneficiation to pig iron or steel in Limpopo, plus the value-adding production of titanium +vanadium. Ferrox plans to raise $150.000.000 over the next 12 months for additional working capital to start iron-ore production @Tivani, +for drilling programmes to firm up its additional resource base. Run-of-mine production of 10.000.000 tons of iron-ore/year is envisaged from Tivani, starting within the next 24 months +ramping up to full production over 36 to 48 months. @full production, 2.500.000 tons/year of iron concentrate will be generated for beneficiation within South Africa or for export. If smelted, an estimated 1.500.000 tons of pig iron or steel would be produced, in addition to titanium dioxide slag +vanadium pentoxide. The production of 500.000 t/y to 800.000 t/y of ilmenite is also being evaluated - MW, JOHANNESBURG - Jan 11, 2012

- M. Creamer -
www.miningweekly.com/article/mbowenis-to-acquire-20-iron-ore…

[Popeye82]

Malawi, Brazil's Vale ink $1.000.000.000 rail line deal; Malawi has signed a $1.000.000.000 deal with Brazil's Vale for the construction +rehabilitation of a rail line that will transport 18.000.000 ton of coal from Mozambique, government officials said on Wednesday. Vale Logistics, a subsidiary of mining giant Vale, will build a new 138.5 km(86 mile) line from Chikhwawa in the south, to meet an existing line @Balaka. It will also rehabilitate 98.6 km of the existing link between Nkaya to Nayuchi; railway will have yearly haulage of @least 5.000.000 tons of general Malawian cargo. Distances can be cut in transporting Mozambican coal by taking cargo through neighbouring Malawi. Mozambique has some of the world's largest untapped coal reserves; Sidick Mia: "It's expected that Malawi will be saving in excess of $120.000.000/year in transportation costs +this has an overall effect of reducing the transport costs of goods to +from Malawi by about 40% " - MW/Reuters, LILONGWE - Jan 11, 2012
www.miningweekly.com/article/malawi-brazils-vale-ink-1bn-rai…

[Popeye82]

Riversdale eyes new coal prospects, Australian IPO - MW/Reuters, SYNDNEY - Jan 10, 2012
www.miningweekly.com/article/riversdale-eyes-new-coal-prospe…

"The key architects in last year's $4.000.000.000 buyout of African coal miner Riversdale Mining by Rio Tinto plan to offer shares in a new coal venture focused on North America in Australia.


Privately-held Riversdale Resources, headed by former Riversdale Mining executives Michael O'Keeffe +Steve Mallyon, this week beat out Usibelli Coal Mine, Alaska Mining +Energy Co +Arctic Coal with a $3.000.000 bid for exploration rights over the nearly 10.000-acre Chickaloon coal deposit in Alaska's Mat-Su Valley.

O'Keeffe told reporters Chickaloon contained high-quality, bituminous coal prized by steelmakers +would act as the centrepiece for the initial public offering, which is planned in "about a year to 18 months".

In the meantime, Riversdale was looking to acquire a working coal mine in North America, to provide cash to help fund preliminary work on the Alaskan project, according to O'Keeffe.

Rio paid A$16.50/share for Riversdale Mining in ´11 to secure its hard coking coal projects in Mozambique, which could eventually supply as much as 1/10 of the global market .

Since selling out to Rio, O'Keeffe +Mallyon had been scouring North America for new projects , eventually targeting the Chickaloon prospect because of the ease in shipping to high-demand markets of Asia, according to O'Keeffe.

"We like the met[metallurgical] coal story over other steelmaking materials," O'Keeffe said.

"We believe there's plenty of iron-ore around, but met coal is harder to find +therefore more valuable," he said.

Riversdale Resources will need to secure an exploration permit from Alaska's Department of Natural Resources in order to evaluate the geology +determine if any of the coal resources can be mined, according to the Alaska Mental Health Trust Authority, which holds the land.

Proceeds from the auction will be used to fund programs +services for trust beneficiaries, including people with mental illness +chronic alcoholism, it said.

Riversdale Resources will also pay the trust $4/acre/year in rent, adjusted every five years, plus 5% of income from any coal mined there, according to the trust. "

[Popeye82]

Indian government earmarks 146 coal blocks for State entity; India’s Coal Ministry was set to allocate some 146 coal blocks with an estimated aggregate reserve of 60.000.000.000 tons of coal, to Coal India Limited(CIL) - MW, KOLKATA - Jan 11, 2012

- Ajoy K Das -
www.miningweekly.com/article/indian-government-earmarks-146-…

"India’s Coal Ministry was set to allocate some 146 coal blocks with an estimated aggregate reserve of 60-billion tons of coal, to Coal India Limited (CIL).


The allocation would be completed ahead of a scheduled auction of a further 30 blocks, which would take place within the next three months. The auction would be aimed at private miners and user industries.

CIL, which is majority owned by the government, would be accorded priority status to enable the miner to maintain its monopoly position in the industry, which accounts for close to 80% of domestic coal supplies, with its production of 452-million tons.

The Ministry has decided that the 30 blocks to be auctioned would be earmarked, with a number of blocks set aside for use by specific sectors, including power, cement or steel.

“It may also be a possibility that some of the 30 blocks may go to CIL by default if competitive bids from private sector companies were not found favorable in terms of bid amounts quoted, mining plan or investments,” a Ministry official said.

“While framing the auction norms, past records too have been kept in mind. Out of the 198 blocks allocated for development and use by private companies, only 25 have been operationalised, producing just 40-million tons of coal mined,” the official added.

The allocation of the additional 146 blocks would enable CIL to achieve production levels of 556-million tons by the end of 2017, as envisaged in the twelfth Five Year Plan, beginning in April 2012.

However, much like the private companies who have been unable to develop and operationalise captive coal blocks, CIL has not been able to incrementally grow its production levels either, owing to the Forest and Environment Ministry’s classification of mining projects in forest areas into `Go’ and `No-go’ areas.

This classification meant that around 30% of the allocated areas, which cover nine coal fields across the country, could not be taken up for development. According to the Ministry of Coal’s estimates, the loss of production as a result of this classification would be around 619-million tons.

Issues relating to rehabilitation and resettlement of local population, land acquisition and compensation and equipment shortages have also held up new mine development.

The government would have to protect the interests of CIL through preferential allotment of new coal blocks, or risk the company losing its status as the world’s largest coal miner, Ministry officials said.

However, preferential allotment of blocks ahead of auctions has raised the hackles of private investors.

“In a liberalised and competitive economic environment, the government should allocate all natural resources through competitive bidding and ensure a level field for private and government companies without preferential treatment,” an official in a private independent power producer said.

The Geological Survey of India found that, as of April 2011, Indian coal reserves were estimated at 33.47-billion tons of coking coal and 252.4-billion tons of thermal coal. However, imports of coal during March/April 2011/12 were forecast at 117-million tons and were expected to rise to over 200-million tons by 2017.


Edited by: Esmarie Swanepoel "

[Popeye82]

Monto Minerals - Baal Gammon Resource Update - Jan 12, 2012

+ Revised Baal Gammon Resource of 2.800.000 t @1% Cu, 40g/t Ag, 0.2% Sn +39g/t In

+ Larger than anticipated high grade zone identified within the Baal Gammon Resource –829.000 t @2.5% Cu, 96g/t Ag, 0.4% Sn +96g/t In

+ Current production focussed on high grade zone ...
http://stocknessmonster.com/news-item?S=MOO&E=ASX&N=573882

[Popeye82]

Centrex Metals - Resource Update for Greenpatch -Eyre Peninsula - Jan 12, 2012

+ Additional 54.800.000 t Mineral Resource established @the Greenpatch prospect

+ Total Eyre Iron Mineral Resources now at 668.400.000 t between Fusion, Carrow +Greenpatch

+ Further additions expected as Exploration Targets are drilled out ...
http://stocknessmonster.com/news-item?S=CXM&E=ASX&N=186587

[Popeye82]

Nautilus Minerals - Signs Contract for Eastern Pacific Exploration; TOML has been granted ~75.000 km2 of prime exploration territory, boosts Total to ~600.000 square kms of highly prospective exploration acreage +tenements under application in the western Pacific; in PNG, the Solomon Islands, Fiji, Vanuatu +Tonga, as well as in international waters in the eastern Pacific, The licence is for an initial period of 15 years; contract, signed during workshops in Kingston, Jamaica, gives TOML exclusive rights to conduct exploration activities in the Clarion Clipperton Zone, midway between Hawaii +Mexico, which holds major deposits of polymetallic nodules. These nodules are rich in copper, nickel, manganese +cobalt +are found @depths between 4500 +6000 metres, formal grant of the exploration licence confirms TOML as one of the first private sector companies to be granted exploration territory in international waters ; S. Rogers: "This historic decision by the ISA demonstrates that we are entering a new stage in the development of the seafloor resources industry . With our 1st project, Solwara 1 in the Bismarck Sea, moving steadily towards production we will continue to work closely with the ISA +scientific community to develop this emerging industry as an important source of mineral resources for the future" - Jan 11, 2012
www.marketwire.com/press-release/nautilus-signs-contract-for…
www.nautilusminerals.com/i/pdf/TOMLJuly2011.pdf
www.nautilusminerals.com/s/Media-NewsReleases.asp?ReportID=4…

[Popeye82]

Kleinstes Wirbeltier der Welt ; Forscher finden in Papua-Neuguinea einen Acht-Millimeter-Frosch - DPA/Reuters/Plos ONE, BANGKOK - Jan 12, 2012
http://web.de/magazine/wissen/tiere/14504414-8-millimeter-fr…

[Popeye82]

Kivalliq Energy - ´11 Prospecting Results Demonstrate Polymetallic Potential, @Angilak, 273 prospecting samples were collected in priority areas across the property with highlights +a summary of results disclosed herein; J. Ward: "The number of new, high-grade mineral showings identified by Kivalliq's prospecting team in ´11 highlight the polymetallic nature of mineralization on the Angilak Property. The ´11 prospecting program has increased our confidence in the district scale potential of Angilak, +has provided us with excellent drill targets for ´12" - Jan 12, 2012

´11 Prospecting Program Highlights

+ 273 rock samples collected, with 10%(27 samples) >1% U3O8, along with multiple samples containing significantly anomalous silver(Ag), copper(Cu), +(Pb)lead values

+ "BIF" Zone -High-grade U-Cu-Mo-Ag veins sampled along a 3 km shear zone +geophysical trend

+ "AG" Showing -21.600 g/t Ag(626.4 oz/ton) assay from a native silver occurrence discovered in subcrop

+ "Taluaq" -New claims staked to secure a prominent 2 km by 10 km ovoid magnetic feature with initial samples showing polymetallic potential

+ VGR mineralized geophysical trend was extended to 4 km in strike length


Highlights from Assays

- 20.00% U3O8, 107.0 g/t Ag, 12.70% Cu, 5.02% Pb -(Sample 1828) Force
- 23.80% U3O8, 114.0 g/t Ag, 0.81% Cu, 5.90% Pb, 0.58% Mo -(Sample 1839) BIF Zone
- 16.00% U3O8, 321.0 g/t Ag, 5.38% Pb, 0.76% Mo -(Sample 1860) BIF Zone
- 30.30% U3O8, 163.0 g/t Ag, 5.16% Cu, 22.90% Pb -(Sample 1983) BIF Zone
- 21,600 g/t Ag; 301.0 g/t Ag, 1.16% Cu -(Samples 1801 +1802) AG Showing ...
www.marketwire.com/press-release/kivalliq-energy-corporation…
http://kivalliqenergy.com/projects/angilak/

[Popeye82]

U3O8 - Reports Excellent Metallurgical Recoveries of 97% for Uranium, 97% for Phosphate, 79% for Vanadium +Other Metals in the Berlin Project, Colombia; Proven Technology is Key to the Extraction of Commodities, @Berlin; Dr. R. S.: "These metallurgical recoveries are outstanding +exceed our expectations. We've achieved a breakthrough in extracting the diverse mix of commodities in the Berlin Project. Furthermore, these results are representative of the whole area drilled to date -sample material having been selected from ~25% of the bore holes completed in the ´10 resource drilling program. In addition, we are continuing with various beneficiation tests that are showing potential to further reduce conceptual processing costs. With these excellent recoveries +a maiden National Instrument 43-101("NI 43-101") resource estimate due out shortly, U3O8 Corp. is demonstrating the potentially high value of the Berlin Project" - Jan 12, 2012
www.marketwire.com/press-release/u3o8-corp-reports-excellent…
http://media3.marketwire.com/docs/uweTable1.pdf
http://media3.marketwire.com/docs/uweformula12.pdf
http://media3.marketwire.com/docs/u308Fig1.pdf
http://media3.marketwire.com/docs/uwebproject12.JPG
http://media3.marketwire.com/docs/uwebdrill12.JPG

[Popeye82]

Alderon Iron Ore - Announces Strategic Investment by Liberty Metals +Mining Holdings, LLC, for an aggregate purchase price of ~C$40.000.000 @C$2.67/Share; intends to use net proceeds primarily to fund drilling program +feasibility study for Alderon's main asset, Kami iron ore project(the "Kami Project" ), to secure long-lead equipment +for general +administrative expenses - Jan 12, 2012
www.marketwire.com/press-release/alderon-announces-strategic…

[Popeye82]

Tsunami-Trümmer erreichen USA; Trümmerteppich aus Japan ist ZEHN* größer als die Schweiz - W - Jan 12, 2012
http://web.de/magazine/nachrichten/panorama/14509096.html#.A…

[Popeye82]

Fortune Minerals - announces NICO Mini-Pilot Plant Results; latest test in ´11 further optimizes the NICO process metallurgy flow sheet by verifying that bismuth process residue can be blended with cobalt concentrate prior to acid pressure leach in the autoclave. This eliminates one/two gold circuits @the Company's proposed Saskatchewan Metals Processing Plant("SMPP") near Saskatoon to reduce project capital +also results in improved recoveries for both gold +cobalt from what had been previously projected - Jan 12, 2012

+ Simplified process flow sheet with only one cyanide circuit for gold recovery;

+ Project capital +operating costs for gold processing are reduced;

+ Ølife of mine gold recovery increases from 73% to 76%;

+ Cobalt recovery increases from 83% to 84%;

+ Pressure acid leach processing prior to gold recovery mitigates risk of recovery losses from ores containing gold-bismuth-tellurium alloys that can otherwise be refractory. ...
www.fortuneminerals.com/News/Press-Releases/Press-Release-De…

[Popeye82]

Kasbah Resources - strikes 38 metres @1.63% tin, @Achmmach in Morocco, Gap Zone is a significant Exploration Target which could link the Meknes/Fez +Eastern Zones’ tin mineralisation previously defined by the ´10 Resource model - Jan 11, 2012
http://stocknessmonster.com/news-item?S=KAS&E=ASX&N=573806
www.proactiveinvestors.com.au/companies/news/24033/kasbah-re…

[Popeye82]

Castle Resources - Releases Final ´11 Assay Results for Granduc Copper Project; drills "up to" 18m @1.98& Cu, 0.24g/t Au, 14.38g/t Ag +16.97% Fe; Mr. M. Sylvestre: "This final batch of Granduc assay results once again confirms the continuity of copper mineralization over a 1.2 km strike length. The overall success of the program continues to reinforce the potential resource upside of the Granduc. With all ´11 drill results completed, Castle is now focused on completing an updated NI 43-101 resource estimate, currently being compiled by SKR Consulting(Vancouver), to be released later this month" - Jan 12, 2012

+ Final Assays Confirm ´11 Granduc Drill Program a Major Success

+ New NI 43-101 Resource Estimate Due End of January ...
www.marketwire.com/press-release/castle-resources-releases-f…

[Popeye82]

Verde Potash Plc - Cerrado Verde Inferred Resource Estimation Expanded 100% -to 2.680.000.000 Tonnes @8.8% K2O; drilling program defined sub-horizontal potash mineralization from surface to a maximum depth of 85m, rendering the resource amenable to open pit mining; Cristiano Veloso: "Given the enormity of the Cerrado Verde inferred resource, the project should be able to support large scale production of multiple potash products. Brazil's K2O consumption is ~4.000.000 tonnes/anno. By comparison, the new resource represents ~250.000.000 tonnes of K2O " - Jan 10, 2012
www.verdepotash.com/Investors/media-centre/news-releases/new…

[Popeye82]

Josephine Mining - Announces Assay Results for the Turner Gold Project; drills "up to" 80.0 feet @4.00g/t Au, 8.18g/t Ag, 0.90% Cu +1.84% Zn; R. L. Russell: "The ´11 drill program focused on further delineation of main ore zones +data collection for further metallurgical +geotechnical testing analysis. We are very pleased with the results +with the added confidence in the quality of the resource that the drill program has provided for the Turner Project"; In addition, JMC is pleased to announce that assay results from diamond drill hole TAB-60, previously excluded from the diamond drill database used to develop the Turner Gold Preliminary Economic Assessment(PEA ), will be included in the 1Q´12 PEA update - Jan 11, 2012
www.josephinemining.com/en/news/news2012/news20120111.pdf
http://media3.marketwire.com/docs/j111.pdf

[Popeye82]

Talon Metals - Announces Drilling Results on Target AreaVIII, @the Trairão Iron Project, Brazil - Jan 12, 2012
www.talonmetals.com/news/index.php?&content_id=198

[Popeye82]

Stevia Corp. - Enters Into Key Research Agreement With National Institute in Vietnam - Nov 29, 2011
www.stevia.co/news/news_releases/2011/11/stevia-corp.-enters…



Stevia Corp. Commences Farm Management Sector Growth With 2nd Partner Agreement; Under the terms of the agreement, Stevia Corp. will supply stevia seedlings +additional input products +services utilizing the G-Farm* system +Stevia Corp. will also have rights to off-take the non-stevia crops produced by inter/multi-cropping as part of the G-Farm system. This agreement provides the 2nd major customer to employ farm management services +technologies provided by Stevia Corp. - Dec 7, 2011
www.stevia.co/news/news_releases/2011/12/stevia-corp.-commen…



Stevia Corp. Enters Into 2nd Major Advanced Research Agreement in Vietnam; ASINCV is a non-profit scientific institute that operates under the direct administration of the Vietnam Academy of Agricultural Sciences +is responsible for the research activities in the field of agricultural sciences +technologies in terms of crops, farming +extension systems to motivate the socio-economic development of Northern Central Vietnam; George Blankenbaker: "We are very pleased by this arrangement with ASINCV +SV Group, as they are very supportive of our stevia activities +share a common goal to make stevia a major economic contributor for the agricultural industry in Vietnam. It is difficult to quantify the value of having such local support @all levels working to achieve economic success for a new high yield crop in Vietnam" - Dec 13, 2011
www.stevia.co/news/news_releases/2011/12/stevia-corp.-enters…



Stevia Corp. Advises That Vietnam Gov't Supported Projects Are On-Track for ´12 Completion; In order to effectively demonstrate the economic opportunities represented by stevia cultivation, the National Government of Vietnam is providing financial support for the development of 50 Ha of stevia cultivation. Additionally, the Bac Giang provincial government is also supporting a further 20 Ha of stevia cultivation. Both projects are currently on track for completion in ´12, Stevia Corp.'s local grower partner, Stevia Ventures Corporation("SVC" ) of Hanoi, is managing both projects in conjunction with the appropriate government entities +local community farmers. The Vietnam government is supporting the projects with financial subsidies to the farmers to help introduce stevia as a new crop +provide an incentive for these farmers to trial Stevia +demonstrate it as an economically viable alternative crop; George Blankenbaker: "Having government support for our efforts to commercialize stevia is a huge benefit providing credibility to the local farmer communities +affirms our decision to begin efforts in Vietnam. The government +institutes @all levels have been supportive +understand the potential economic viability of stevia +this has resulted in a strong resolve to spur the commercial development +create a major economic stimulus for the rural communities" - Jan 11, 2012
www.stevia.co/news/news_releases/2012/01/stevia-corp.-advise…

[Popeye82]

Mountain Lake Resources - Commences 40.000 Metre Drill Program, @the Valentine Lake Gold Joint Venture in Central Newfoundland; Property has a 30 km strike length with the J. Frank Zone +Leprechaun Gold Deposit situated @the southwestern end of a gold-bearing mineralized corridor that extends for @least 17 km in a northeasterly strike - Jan 12, 2012

Valentine Lake Project is a 50/50 JV between Marathon Gold Corp. +Mountain Lake Resources Inc. Marathon is the operator of the Project, +the Partners are jointly funding a work budget of $11.500.000 in ´12 that will include:

+ 40.000 meters of drilling to further define +expand the gold resource in the Leprechaun Deposit area;

+ additional technical studies including further metallurgical work, environmental work +a geotechnical study;

+ systematic exploration focusing on identifying new gold targets outside of the Leprechaun Gold Deposit, with an emphasis on the J. Frank +the Sprite Zones; +

+ all the work will lead to a Preliminary Economic Assessment study planned for the end of ´12. ...
http://finance.yahoo.com/news/Mountain-Lake-Commences-40-bw-…

[Popeye82]

Energy intensive users prepared to reduce demand; Power utility Eskom’s biggest industrial customers, mainly mining +manufacturing companies, on Tuesday indicated that they would scale down demand to prevent rolling blackouts if the country’s electricity situation deteriorated . Eskom this week cautioned that it was operating @an extremely low reserve margin. Spokesperson Hilary Joffe told Mining Weekly Online that the reduced operational margin was the result of up to 13% of the utility’s capacity being out of service, owing to planned maintenance being undertaken - MW, JOHANNESBURG - Jan 10, 2012

- H. Lazenby -
www.miningweekly.com/article/energy-intensive-users-prepared…

[Popeye82]

Zambia plans to double mining contribution to GDP; Zambia plans to double the contribution of the mining sector to its gross domestic product to 20% to enable the country to get more benefits from its main natural resource, mines minister Wylbur Simuusa said on Tuesday. Copper mining is Zambia's economic lifeblood +a key employer in the southern African country of 13.000.000 people - MW/Reuters, LUSAKA - Jan 12, 2012
www.miningweekly.com/article/zambia-plans-to-double-mining-c…

[Popeye82]

Wits Gold - announces increase in indicated resources of gold +uranium, @their "shallow" DBM Project: Indicated Resource on the Beatrix, Kalkoenkrans, B +Leader Reefs has increased by 27% to 41.800.000 t @5.5g/t Au(7.500.000 Oz), with Inferred Resources commensurately decreasing by 19% to 19.500.000 t @5.4g/t Au(3.400.000 Oz) when compared with February ´11 estimate, boosts Overall Resources to >155.000.000 Oz gold +>265.000.000 Ibs U3O8 , 5th largest global gold resource - Jan 10, 2012

+ Indicated gold Resource increases by 27% to 7.500.000 Oz

+ High-grade zone of the Indicated Resource increases by 50% to 3.600.000 Oz @an average grade of 8.1 g/t

+ Shallow mineralisation in multiple reefs may allow for safer +more efficient mechanised mining methods

+ Indicated Resource for uranium by-product increases by 35% to 8.200.000 lbs

+ Independent pre-feasibility study on track for completion in May ´12 ...
www.witsgold.com/investors-and-media/company-announcements/2…

[Popeye82]

"Canadian Analysts’ ´12 Best Picks" - RJ - Jan 9, 2012

- Foreword

Dear Valued Clients,

We are pleased to present our Raymond James Ltd. Canadian Analysts’ ´12 Best Picks.

The Raymond James Canadian research team is proud of our stock picking record with the annual best picks list delivering a simple Øholding period return of 18.5% over the past 9 years outpacing the S&P/TSX small cap index by 7.5% on the same basis(see ExhibitI). With the pronounced market volatility amid macro uncertainty, the results for the 2nd half of ´11 were, however, less encouraging. From July 22, ´11 to January 3, ´12 the average holding period return was -23.4% compared -14.9% for the S&P/TSX Small Cap Index. However, as the list is not intended to be a model portfolio necessarily held to maturity, we highlight the “high water” return potential of the individual stocks over the period. Selling each security @its high point for the period "would have produced" an Øhigh water return of 5.7% vs. the Small Cap Index with a 0% return. On this basis, all 8 stocks on the list outperformed the relevant benchmark with returns ranging from 1.0% for Alliance Grain Traders Inc. to 30.2% for Yamana Gold Inc.(see ExhibitII).

Our analysts have provided a fresh list of 10 stocks for ´12. 1 of the stocks remains unchanged although investment highlights have been refreshed to address developments over the past 6 months(see ExhibitIII for details on the changes to the list). These stocks represent a current snapshot of our analysts’ best ideas; however, we continue to encourage investors to focus on risk adjusted returns +appropriate asset allocation while investing over the long term.

With appreciation,

Daryl Swetlishoff
Head of Research(Canada)


Coverage

- Alamos Gold Inc.(AGI-TSX)
- Bird Construction Inc.(BDT-TSX)
- Domtar(UFS-NYSE | UFS-TSX)
- Eldorado Gold Corp.(EGO-NYSE | ELD-TSX)
- Fortress Paper(FTP-TSX)
- Legacy Oil &Gas Inc.(LEG-TSX)
- Lumina Copper Corp.(LCC-TSXV)
- Methanex(MEOH-NASDAQ | MX-TSX)
- Secure Energy Services Inc.(SES-TSX)
- Shoppers Drug Mart(SC-TSX)


Best Picks’ Historical Performance

Best Picks S&P/TSX / List SmallCap Index

´03 11.6% 35.9%
´04 19.0% 4.1%
´05 33.2% 11.6%
´06 15.4% 7.8%
´07 13.9% -3.5%
´08 -59.6% -55.4%
´09 145.2% 86.7%
´10 22.0% 23.3%
´11 -34.1% -11.8%

Average 18.5% / 11.0% ...-
www.andrewjohns.ca/sites/default/files/CAD%20Best%20Picks%20…

[Popeye82]

Mozambique gears up to become coking coal hub - MW/Reuters, MAPUTO - Nov 21, 2011
www.miningweekly.com/article/mozambique-gears-up-to-become-c…

"Mozambique is the scene of a global coal rush but the former Portuguese colony's vast reserves will be exploited @a snail's pace as it struggles to rebuild ports, roads +railways.

"The coal resource is huge. On a five to seven year horizon Mozambique should become a pretty significant exporter," said Andrey Litvin, an analyst @Edison Investment Research.


Mozambique's geography +geology are promising. Lying on Africa's southeast coast, it is in a prime position to ship coal to hungry +growing Asian markets such as India +China.

Its northwestern Tete province is believed to hold one of the world's largest untapped coal reserves that producers compare with Australia's coal-rich Bowen basin.

Some $3.000.000.000 have been injected into Mozambique in the last five years alone, an IMF report showed, +analysts predict that is likely to multiply as the war-scarred country goes out of its way to attract foreign investment.

The government has steered away from the resource nationalism that is cropping up across Africa, with Zambia +Ghana moving to extract more taxes or royalties from miners +Zimbabwe forcing them to surrender majority stakes.

"That's the reason everyone is there +getting excited about Mozambique . One of the main incentives is the fact that the government is so open," said Xavier Prevost, a senior independent coal analyst.

Mozambique is seen as a low-cost producer +has not been plagued by the steep hikes in wages +electricity that have hit neighbour South Africa.

But the strong metical, up almost 20% this year against the dollar, could pressure mining margins as costs are mostly paid in the local currency while coal is priced in the US dollar.


Poor Infrastructure

While both thermal +coking coal have been found in Mozambique, it is metallurgical coal – a key steelmaking ingredient – that holds the biggest allure for investors given high prices on the back of limited available global supply.

But infrastructure remains a concern as companies gear up to bring their projects into production, yet face limited capacity on the rail line linking the Tete province with ports.

Upgrades on the rail line are ongoing, yet it will take years until they materialise on a big enough scale to meet demand from the likes of Vale, Rio Tinto +others setting up in Tete.

@the same time Mozambique is keen to have the private sector pitch in or even lead construction ventures, which could accelerate projects over the next two to five years.

"Nobody expects the government to build all that infrastructure because they don't have the money, although the government is likely to take a stake in any venture or infrastructure company," said Litvin.

This is in stark contrast to South Africa, another major coal exporter, where the state holds a monopoly on all rail infrastructure +is reluctant to get the private sector help foot the bill to speed up much-needed expansions.

Some companies in South Africa already export part of their product through Mozambique's southern Maputo port where they can get allocation not available @South Africa's own Richards Bay Coal Terminal +which is closer to their mines in Witbank.

This coincides with big investments to improve performance, turnaround times +efficiencies on the Maputo Corridor, a trade route linking South Africa with Mozambique.

Despite the vast deposits of coal +other minerals, Mozambique's mining sector accounts for >5% of the country's gross domestic product. That is bound to change. "

[Popeye82]

Adriana Resources - Announces Sucessful Closing of Joint Venture Agreement With WISCO, one of the "Big Three" Chinese state-owned integrated iron +steel companies; Pursuant to the JV Agreement, WISCO has funded an aggregate of CDN$91.633.611 of which CDN$51.633.611 was paid directly to Adriana +the remaining CDN$40.000.000 was injected into a joint venture company, Lac Otelnuk Mining Ltd.("LOM" ). Adriana has transferred its interest in the Lac Otelnuk Project into LOM. WISCO has acquired a 60% interest in LOM while Adriana holds the remaining 40% interest. WISCO has agreed to use commercial best efforts to assist LOM to obtain project financing for 70% of the development +construction costs for the Lac Otelnuk Project, the size +scope of which will be determined by a bankable Feasibility Study. Under the terms of the JV Agreement, WISCO "may provide "dilution protection" to Adriana" by providing funding assistance of up to a maximum of CDN$200.000.000 for a term of up to 12 months in the event that Adriana has difficulty in funding its share of any cash call prior to the achievement of commercial production. Adriana +WISCO have agreed to purchase from LOM all the production from the Lac Otelnuk Project @fair market value in proportion to their respective equity interests. Mr. Palmiere has been appointed as the CEO of LOM +Adriana has the right to appoint 2/5 directors of LOM. LOM will reimburse Adriana for certain expenditures incurred on the Lac Otelnuk Project since January 17, ´11, the date Adriana +WISCO entered into the original Framework Agreement. A finder's fee in the amount of CDN$6.763.361 will be paid by Adriana in full satisfaction of the previously disclosed agreement with an arm's length 3rd party - Jan 12, 2012
www.marketwire.com/press-release/adriana-announces-sucessful…

[Popeye82]

India permits NMDC to resume supplies to Japan, S Korea; The Indian government has permitted the country’s largest iron-ore miner NMDC Limited to resume negotiations for long-term agreements with steel mills in Japan +South Korea, as well as to commit to iron-ore exports @least until ´14. The Indian steel ministry has been opposing exports by NMDC on the grounds of conserving the resource for domestic industry. However, foreign secretary Ranjan Mathai intervened, demanding that NMDC send a delegation to Japan +South Korea to start talks on supply agreements in interest of India’s bilateral relations , with the two countries - MW, KOLKATA - Jan 9, 2012

- Ajoy K Das -
www.miningweekly.com/article/indian-government-permits-nmdc-…

[Popeye82]

Avion "aims for 500.000 oz/y" gold output by ´16 - MW, TORONTO - Jan 12, 2012
www.miningweekly.com/article/avion-aims-for-500-000-ozy-gold…

[Popeye82]

Obama to ban uranium mining around Grand Canyon - MW/Reuters - Jan 9, 2012
www.miningweekly.com/article/obama-to-ban-uranium-mining-aro…

"The Obama administration is set to ban new uranium mining claims around the Grand Canyon for the next 20 years, a move hailed by conservation groups as a key to the president's environmental legacy .


The decision, expected to be announced by Interior Secretary Ken Salazar on Monday, would put some one 1.000.000 acres of public lands outside Grand Canyon National Park off limits to all hard-rock mining for two decades, the longest moratorium allowed by law . Existing mining operations would continue.

The National Mining Association, an industry group, expressed disappointment, but stopped short of announcing an immediate challenge to the decision.

Uranium claims on public land near the national park have risen in line with soaring prices for this mineral, from <1.000 claims/year in ´05 to >8.000 in ´09 , though annual claims have declined slightly since then, according to figures from the Bureau of Land Management.

"One of the things President (Barack) Obama's going to be remembered for is protecting the Grand Canyon," said Jane Danowitz of the Pew Environment Group, a non-profit organization that has pushed for the mining moratorium.

"Despite considerable pushback from the industry +even some in Congress, he didn't punt +he didn't blink +he went +issued the longest moratorium that he could under his executive authority," Danowitz said in a telephone interview.

The Pew group, the League of Conservation Voters +the Center for American Progress applauded the decision as protecting the Colorado River watershed, which supplies drinking water for 25.000.000 people.

The main health risk from uranium mining is water contamination.

Grand Canyon tourism generates $687.000.000/anno revenue, according to the Outdoor Industry Association, +creates >12.000 full-time jobs, the University of Northern Arizona said in a ´05 study.

"Do you want mining in the vicinity of a tourist destination that's visited by 5.000.000 people/year?" Danowitz said. "No, I think is the answer."

Carol Raulston, a spokeswoman for the National Mining Association, took issue with the decision +said the Interior Department's own analysis did not show environmental concerns with mining beyond the boundaries of the national park.

Raulston said the association was disappointed in the decision, +said no decision has been made on whether to challenge it. Any challenge would have to be made within 90 days of Salazar's announcement. "

[Popeye82]

Kenai Resources - announced new drilling results for SAO CHICO / TAPAJOS, Brazil; previously announced exploration target of 424.000 -1.060.000 gold ounces @12 -15 gram/tonne in the Sao Chico area(56/1.436 Ha of the whole exploration licence) remains - Jan 12, 2012
www.infomine.com/index/pr/PB147726.PDF

[Popeye82]

Russia’s Mechel completes rail link to huge coking coal deposit, one of the world's largest; Some 70 contractors were involved in the construction work in "difficult climatic +geological conditions," Mechel said, adding that the line includes 76 bridges - Platts, SINGAPORE - Jan 11, 2012
www.platts.com/RSSFeedDetailedNews/RSSFeed/Coal/7014444
www.mechel.com/news/article.wbp?article-id=12E42C9A-6287-459…

[Popeye82]

MBAC Fertilizer - Reports NI 43-101 Resource Estimate for World Class Araxá Rare Earth Oxide/Niobium/Phosphate Deposit; inferred mineral resource estimate is based on 35 diamond drill holes for 3.485 metres, 68 auger holes for 381 metres +43 pits for 436 metres; Antenor Silva: "This resource estimate places Araxá as one of the highest grade REO deposits in the world. The monazite mineral found @the property is one of the typical sources of rare earths +should gives us confidence that the material should be able to be processed into the various REO concentrates. We are currently undertaking metallurgical tests to confirm the ability to produce the REO concentrates. The deposit is situated in the fertilizer cluster of Brazil in Minas Gerais State which has excellent infrastructure. We continue to see great interest from companies looking for off-take agreements not only for the rare earth elements but for the niobium as well. It is important to remember that the rare earth niobium deposit is sitting above what we believe to be a very significant phosphate deposit. Our next milestone is to complete a preliminary economic assessment for the rare earth oxides which is expected in the 1st quarter of ´12"; Araxá REO is also the host rock to the Brazilian Company Companhia Brasileira de Metalurgia e Mineração's("CBMM") massive niobium mine which currently supplies ~85% of the world's niobium/year, Historical exploration from the Araxá Project has led to the discovery of significant REO, phosphate +niobium mineralization. Phosphate occurrences in the carbonatite were 1st discovered in the early ´50's +the tenement areas optioned to MBAC have been explored over the past 50 years by DNPM/Geosol, IPR, CBMM, Rhône-Poulenc +Extramil(including a joint venture partner -CIF); REO mineralization remains open in all directions - Dec 6, 2011

+ The inferred mineral resource estimate comprises 2.700.000 tonnes with an average total REO("TREO" ) content of 8.39%(using a 6% TREO cut-off) +an average of 1.4% Nb2O5 +9.9% P2O5

+ Heavy rare earth oxides("HREO" ) represent 2.22% of the TREO based on the recent MBAC assays.

+ These grades place the Araxá deposit as one of the highest grade REO deposits in the world.

+ mineral resource estimate is focussed on an area of 480m by 240m which hosts the majority of the 40m spaced drilling. Other wide spaced drilling has not been included as the 200m spacing is too wide to allow sufficient geological confidence. The majority of sample data was completed in mineralization @between 10m to 50m in depth although there are limited diamond holes >40m vertical depth +as such the footwall limit to the mineralization is poorly defined. All mineralization is contained within saprolitic material +has been interpolated as a single mineralized horizontal domain

+ An additional exploration target has been defined by existing wide spaced diamond drill holes consisting of between 28.000.000 tonnes +34.000.000 tonnes @between 4% TREO +6% TREO. ...
www.mbacfert.com/publicfiles/newsevents/Araxa%20Inf%20Res%20…



IFC Increases Loan Commitment by US$25.000.000 Through Syndication Program, bringing aggregate IFC project financing facility to US$65.000.000; A. S.: "We are very pleased to have the support of a global commercial bank such as WestLB on the Itafós Arraias SSP Project. The Company now has all of the capital requirements to fully fund the Itafòs Arraias SSP Project. The project is proceeding as planned with an expected start up scheduled for Q4 ´12" - Dec 29, 2011
www.mbacfert.com/publicfiles/newsevents/IFC%20Increases%20Lo…

[Popeye82]

Rambler Metals &Mining - Signs Commercial Off‐take Agreement with Transamine For the Sale of Copper Concentrates from the Ming Mine, agreement will see the sale of 85.000 tonnes of copper concentrate from the Ming Mine to Transamine over an initial six year period - Jan 9, 2012
http://ramblermines.com/files/2012-01-09%20-%20RMM%20Off%20T…

[Popeye82]

Desperate search for 10.000 mining jobs in WA Goldfields; analysis comes amid new figures from the Bureau of Statistics showing while job creation across Australia was falling, the shortage in Western Australia +Queensland was still acute, According to the Kalgoorlie Miner Pit Crew Consulting’s analysis of the Goldfields-Esperance region indicated there were 61 projects underway +a further 28 likely to begin this year; Goldfields-Esperance Workforce Development Alliance president Ron Mosby told the Kalgoorlie Miner the projects meant there would be about 10.000 job vacancies in the area in ´12, He said demand for workers was tough +in direct competition with WA’s booming northwest +Pilbara regions; In Victoria there were 3.9 unemployed people for every available job, with NSW close behind @3.8, In WA there were just 1.5 unemployed people/every vacancy - MA/ABS - Jan 12, 2012

- By Andrew Duffy -
www.miningaustralia.com.au/news/desperate-search-for-10000-j…
www.abs.gov.au/ausstats/abs@.nsf/mf/6354.0?OpenDocument

[Popeye82]

"Cleantech Investment Totals Strong in ´11"; The preliminary 4Q +FY ´11 results for clean technology venture investments around the globe "suggested that the future is still bright for cleantech" after a somewhat turbulent year. Total VC investments in cleantech totaled $8.990.000.000 for the entire, a robust 13% increase from ´10. The 4Q total also finished strong @$2.060.000.000, capping a 2nd half shadowed by Solyndra et al’s downfall +economic uncertainties around the globe - CT - Jan 5, 2012

- Hans Chen -
http://blog.cleantech.com/cleantech-investments/cleantech-in…

[Popeye82]

Codexis launches new low-cost sugar technology -I Love You, You're Perfect, Now SCAAALE ; Codexis, Mascoma show that low-cost sugar is the key, as biofuels moves from R &D into industrial era with two key moves - BD - Dec 12, 2011

- J. Lane -
http://biofuelsdigest.com/bdigest/2011/12/12/i-love-you-your…
http://ir.codexis.com/phoenix.zhtml?c=208899&p=irol-newsArti…

[Popeye82]

Breakaway Research covers, Goldminex Resources Ltd, Highly prospective exploration portfolio backed by global mining giant; Goldminex Resources Limited(ASX: GMX) is an exploration company with a large +highly prospective tenement package. A recently signed JV with Vale will fund US$20.000.000 of exploration expenditure over the next four years for a 51% interest in selected tenements. A 4.000m drilling program is underway focused on identifying large scale copper +gold porphyry deposits. Additional opportunities exist on 100% owned GMX tenements +retained mineral rights for nickel +PGM´s +small gold deposits - BIR - Jan 9, 2012
www.vision6.com.au/download/files/37174/1550023/Article%201%…

[Popeye82]

What's coming up post Christmas -AGM's, Events &IPO's - BIR - Jan 8, 2012
www.vision6.com.au/download/files/37174/1550021/Article%208_…

[Popeye82]

Whiting Equipment Canada Inc. awarded major contract from Vale, for significant expansion of World Potash Production Capacity; Once operational the plant will increase world production of potash by 5-percent - M.com - Jan 3, 2012
www.mining.com/2012/01/03/whiting-equipment-canada-inc-award…

[Popeye82]

Ironbark Zinc - Resource Upgrade: ´12 Global resource estimate of 131.100.000 t @4.5% zinc +lead for 13.100.000.000 pounds of zinc +lead, ´12 "Medium grade resource estimate" of 73.000.000 t @5.7% zinc +lead; A target resource of 165.000.000 t to 190.000.000 t @5.7% to 6.5% zinc +lead(ASX release January ´10) highlights the significant upside potential of this world class asset, target resource may be updated following the ´12 resource upgrade - Jan 9, 2012
http://stocknessmonster.com/news-item?S=IBG&E=ASX&N=573531

[Popeye82]

Mining Summary - LC - Jan 12, 2012
http://minesite.com/media/pub/var/release_downloadable_file/…

[Popeye82]

US imposes sanctions on Chinese supplier over Iran - CER/Reuters - Jan 13, 2012
http://r20.rs6.net/content/

"The US imposed sanctions Thursday on China's state-run Zhuhai Zhenrong Corp, Iran's largest supplier of petroleum products, in an effort to pressure Iran to rein in its nuclear program, Reuters reported.

The sanctions, which were also imposed on Kuo Oil Pte Ltd of Singapore and FAL Oil Company of the United Arab Emirates, bar the companies from receiving US export licenses, US Export Import Bank financing or loans over US$10 million from US financial institutions, the State Department said. The announcement came after US Treasury Secretary Timothy Geithner unsuccessfully pressed China on US demands to help curb Iran's oil revenues during a trip to Beijing this week. Analysts said the move was unlikely to significantly affect Zhenrong, which does not have much US exposure, but that it served as a warning for other state-run oil giants such as China National Petroleum Corp (CNPC), China Petroleum and Chemical Corp (Sinopec Corp; SNP.NYSE, 600028.SH, 0386.HKG) and China National Offshore Oil Corp, which have invested billions of dollars in the US energy sector. "

[Popeye82]

China car sales slow as US bounces back - CER/FT - Jan 13, 2012
http://r20.rs6.net/content/

"Car sales in China grew by ooooonly 2.5% last year as the government removed stimulus measures, while the US emerged to become the world's fastest-growing car market , the Financial Times reported.

Car and light truck sales in the US grew by 10%, but sales of 12.8 million units were still far below the 18.5 million sold in China. Analysts believe the slowdown in China sales was largely due to the withdrawal of tax incentives introduced in 2008; auto sales in China grew by 46% in 2009 and 32% in 2010. Foreign carmakers did better than average, with General Motors (GM.NYSE) posting a 8.3% rise, and Ford (F.NYSE) a 7% increase. Analysts believe the auto market will rebound this year, though likely not to 2009 and 2010 levels. "Continued growth of the urban middle class, along with continued investment in China’s transportation infrastructure, will continue to fuel demand growth for the foreseeable future," said Bill Russo, head of Synergistics auto consultancy. "

[Popeye82]

China slides behind US in clean energy investment - CER/FT - Jan 13, 2012
http://r20.rs6.net/content/

"The US overtook China as the leading investor on clean technology in 2011 for the first time since 2008 , the Financial Times reported.

A report by Bloomberg New Energy Finance credited president Barack Obama's subsidy program for the surge of investment in renewable energy, biofuels and energy efficiency. However, analysts believe the US could fall into second place again in 2012, as two key subsidy programs are set to expire. Subsidies are necessary in the clean energy industry to incentivize technology development to lower costs, and make wind and solar power prices competitive with fossil fuels. Global investment in clean energy grew 5% in 2011 to US$260 billion. Investment in the US increased 33% to US$55.9 billion, while China was largely unchanged at US$47.4 billion. "

[Popeye82]

Banking regulator moves to reduce financial risk - CER/WSJ - Jan 13, 2012
http://r20.rs6.net/content/

"China's banking regulator has made another move the reduce risk in financial markets while at the same time providing more leeway in bank loans to local governments, The Wall Street Journal reported.

The China Banking Regulatory Commission (CBRC) on Thursday said it will no longer allow trust companies to sell investment products backed by commercial paper. The products allowed banks which held the commercial paper to move it off their balance sheets, and so increase lending activity. Analysts say that the total amount of these products remains low, and the CBRC is acting preemptively. A report issued by Standard and Poor's said regulators are likely to allow postponing the recognition of losses on some loans to local governments. "In the short term, extending the debt maturities to facilitate payments would...avoid a surge in nonperforming loans," the report said. "But it is also likely to undermine investors' confidence for some time to come...and highlight the CBRC's lack of independence from the government." The National Audit Office estimated in 2011 that local government debt stood at US$1.7 trillion. "

[Popeye82]

Lincoln Minerals - New Exploration Licence expands Iron Ore Holdings; Dr. J. P.: "The new exploration license enhances Lincoln’s long-term focus on iron ore exploration targets on Eyre Peninsula. While Iron Road’s Murphy South +Boo Loo deposits are relatively low grade @an average grade of 16.2% Fe, Iron Road has demonstrated through prefeasibility test work that a high quality concentrate grading 67% iron may be produced using a coarse grind size of -106μm. Lincoln Minerals looks forward to undertaking detailed aeromagnetic surveys +analysis @Nantuma in the near future to prioritise exploration targets for drill testing later in ´12. With the prospects of a potential new bulk minerals port @Port Spencer, only 120km to the southeast of Nantuma, Eyre Peninsula is shaping up to be a revitalised +substantial modern era iron ore mining district for the future +Lincoln Minerals is keen to be an integral contributor to that new resource profile in the region" - Jan 11, 2012

+ NEW iron ore tenement

+ 510 sq km area

+ Potential iron ore Exploration Target(**) of 700.000.000 to 1.800.000.000 tonnes @Ø14% to 20% Fe

+ Granted for an initial period of 2 years

+ Immediately adjacent to Iron Road Limited’s Murphy South, Boo Loo, Warramboo +Kopi iron projects

+ Occurs within relatively coarse-grained magnetite gneiss of possible Archaean age

+ Within 20km of existing railway line +major roads ...
http://stocknessmonster.com/news-item?S=LML&E=ASX&N=186574

[Popeye82]

Mining Top25 ´12, all - CR - Jan 13, 2012
www.caesarsreport.com/freereports/CaesarsReport_MiningTop25_…

[Popeye82]

Matsa Resources - Binding Terms Sheet Signed for Farm-in +Development of Matsa’s Dundas Iron Ore Project; Paul Poli: "The terms sheet with Haina is an important milestone in the Company's on-going commitment to develop its Dundas Iron Ore Project for shareholder benefit. We are only interested in partnering with potential investors with capacity to develop our projects +this agreement with Haina provides a range of development options to fast track Dundas Iron Ore into production. The agreement with Haina provides Matsa with the means to develop our Dundas Iron Ore Project. The information that can be gathered with the feasibility will also substantially assist Matsa in developing the Norseman Gold Magnetite by-product project. As always, all discussions with potential investors are aimed @getting the best possible outcome for our shareholders , +Haina agrees with Matsa that the Dundas Iron Ore Project has significant upside potential with the opportunity to generate strong cash flows. Despite the turmoil on international +local markets +knock on effects to commodity prices we remain confident that demand for iron ore will continue to be high" - Dec 13, 2011

+ Development milestone for immediate commencement of exploration +feasibility work @Dundas Iron Ore Project


Key agreement features:

+ Haina to take a placement of 4.000.000 shares @a minimum of 26 cents in Matsa, with the 1st tranche of $286.000 already received.

+ 90 day Due Diligence period to commence immediately in which the Formal Agreement is to be finalised.

+ Haina to pay $1.950.000 to Matsa upon successful completion of stageII of the proposed evaluation study which is to commence within 90 days.

+ Range of flexible development options, including Haina to spend $7.000.000 on exploration +evaluation costs within 18 months of Formal Agreement, or transfer $7.000.000 to Matsa for exploration +evaluation purposes to earn 60% of the project. Matsa will manage the evaluation study @all times.

+ Haina to fund +complete an ~$20.000.000 Feasibility Study within 2 years after completion of the evaluation study to increase its interest to 76%.

+ Haina to fund up to commencement of production to earn a maximum of 80% in the project, with Matsa’s share being free carried


About Dundas Iron Ore Project

Matsa's Dundas Iron Ore Project tenements contain typical Western Australian banded iron formation(BIF ), which has an exploration target*1 of between 350.000.000 to 700.000.000 tonnes of magnetite resource.

Drilling +Davis Tube Recovery(DTR ) results have shown significant zones in these BIF units that can produce magnetite concentrates containing high Fe(<69%) +low silica(<8% SiO2).

Matsa is committed to further drilling +exploration to target these BIF units +define a JORC-compliant resource.


Significant key benefits of the project are:

- Access to extensive existing infrastructure;
- Esperance Port only 170km by rail;
- Only 3km from heavy haulage railway line;
- Highway runs through the project;
- Existing gas pipeline through the project. ...
http://stocknessmonster.com/news-item?S=MAT&E=ASX&N=571120

[Popeye82]

Batero Gold - Releases Final Drill Results, From 55.755 Metre Drill Program; drills "up to" 280.52 metres @0.61 g/t gold +0.12% Cu, 312.00 metres @0.48 g/t gold +0.07% Cu, 185.00 metres @0.55 g/t gold +0.11% Cu, 234.00 metres @0.50 g/t gold +0.08% Cu, 255.00 metres @0.40 g/t gold +0.12% Cu +137.00 metres @0.64 g/t gold +0.09% Cu, before releasing initial NI 43-101 resource estimate later this month; Batero's aggressive ´11 diamond drill program rapidly advanced the Batero-Quinchia project +established a regionally extensive series of gold-copper mineralized zones that appear to be part of a larger gold-copper mineralized system. The extent of this system has yet to be established +will be a focus of future exploration. The Company is looking forward to the 1st resource estimate for the Batero-Quinchia project expected later this month +is preparing for its next phase of development, Company continues to evaluate all data received from the ´11 exploration diamond drill program to finalize a follow-up development drill program to both expand the initial resource base expected to be determined shortly +upgrade such expected defined mineral resources to higher categories of resources +to mineral reserves - Jan 13, 2012

HL from 55.755 metre program:

+ Completion of 55.755 meter drill program on time +on budget.

+ A well delineated area of gold +copper mineralization @or near surface, expanding the overall footprint of the La Cumbre porphyry >600 metres in a northwest -southeast direction +>400 metres in a northeast-southwest direction.

+ Extending mineralization to a depth of 756 metres @La Cumbre porphyry that remains open @depth +in several directions.

+ The Dos Quebradas gold-copper system extended to the south through the El Centro zone ~950 metres +remaining open to the north.

+ Discovery of the La Lenguita porphyry +near surface high grade gold epithermal mineralization @the El Centro zone.

+ Continuity of mineralization along an ~2 km strike length from the Dos Quebradas porphyry through the El Centro zone to the La Cumbre porphyry.

+ Structurally controlled epithermal gold mineralization discovered along the Amarilla Structural Corridor located adjacent east of La Cumbre porphyry +also overprinting the porphyry systems @La Cumbre +El Centro


High priority ´12 exploration +development programs include:

+ Define the size +extents of the near surface, high grade epithermal gold mineralization in +adjacent to the Amarilla Structural Corridor, which is contiguous to +overprints the eastern boundary of La Cumbre porphyry.

+ Determine the presence +extent of a gold-rich oxidation horizon overlying a potential epithermal centre in the eastern part of El Centro which is supported by gold-in-soils anomalies + ´11 scout drilling.

+ Define La Cumbre porphyry near +@surface higher grade oxide zone footprint -remains open.

+ Development drill program @La Cumbre porphyry, +the El Centro +Dos Quebradas gold-copper porphyry systems.

+ Preliminary Economic Assessment(PEA ).

+ Prospecting crews will cover the remaining concession block area to define targets for ´12-´13 scout drilling; >50% of the block remains unexplored. ...
www.marketwire.com/press-release/batero-gold-releases-final-…
http://media3.marketwire.com/docs/758341FIG1.pdf
http://media3.marketwire.com/docs/758341FIG2.pdf
http://media3.marketwire.com/docs/758341FIG3.pdf

[Popeye82]

OriginOil - &Department of Energy to Develop Direct Conversion of Algae into Renewable Crude Oil for Existing Oil Refineries, Company partners with Idaho National Laboratory to enable algae growers to enter the global crude oil market; R. Eckelberry: "We believe this is a major breakthrough for OriginOil &a major step forward for the algae industry . We already lead the industry with our chemical-free, low-energy, continuous high-flow harvesting system. From there it's a natural step to helping algae growers make a direct crude oil replacement right on site, giving them direct access to the existing world market for transportation fuels, including jet fuel. That's an instant upgrade from what is now a niche market, to the immediate 86.000.000 barrel/day global crude oil market"; OriginOil's planned Biocrude System™ will integrate its own harvesting system with state-of-the-art biomass processing technology being developed under the recently-announced research agreement with INL, to convert raw algae into barrels of renewable crude oil, This much cleaner replacement for conventional petroleum will be designed to be compatible with conventional petroleum refineries . Renewable algae crude could also be blended with other biomass sources to improve their performance ; Dr. Deborah T. Newby: "We are excited to work with OriginOil on its Biocrude System &leverage its algae processing expertise &technology. Algae is a high energy biomass &can function as a force multiplier to blend in other biomass waste such as from forestry &agriculture into a uniform renewable crude oil substitute. This may well support the U.S. military's strategic fuels diversification program " - Jan 13, 2012
http://finance.yahoo.com/news/OriginOil-Department-Energy-bw…
www.originoil.com/company-news/originoil-announces-new-resea…

[Popeye82]

S&P stuft NEUN Euroländer ab - DPA, LONDON - Jan 13, 2012
http://web.de/magazine/finanzen/euro-krise/14518488-s-p-stuf…

[Popeye82]

Der kleinste Speicher der Welt ; Magnetspeicher erreicht Speicherdichte der menschlichen DNA ; Speicherdichte sei damit ~100* höher als auf bislang üblichen Festplatten, teilte die Max-Planck-Gesellschaft(MPG) mit; "Angesichts der Miniaturisierung der Elektronik wollten wir wissen, ob man diese Entwicklung bis an die Grenze einzelner Atome weitertreiben kann", sagte Sebastian Loth, Mitarbeiter der Max-Planck-Gesellschaft beim Hamburger Forschungszentrum CFEL(Center for Free-Electron Laser Science); Superspeicher lässt sich jedoch nur unter besonderen Umständen bauen: Stabil ist er derzeit nur bei Temperaturen von minus 268 Grad - DPA/CFEL/MPG, WASHINGTON/HAMBURG - Jan 13, 2012
http://web.de/magazine/digitale-welt/computer/14518332-forsc…

[Popeye82]

BofA told Fed it could sell branches in emergency: source - FY/Reuters - Jan 13, 2012

- Rick Rothacker -
http://finance.yahoo.com/news/bofa-told-fed-could-sell-23300…

[Popeye82]

Mining Summary - LC - Jan 13, 2012
http://minesite.com/media/pub/var/release_downloadable_file/…

[Popeye82]

TNR Gold - Offers to Settle Los Azules Litigation With Minera Andes for US$125.000.000; considered to represent one of the largest undeveloped copper projects in the world - Jan 13, 2012
www.marketwire.com/press-release/tnr-gold-offers-to-settle-l…

[Popeye82]

Waffen unterm Hammer -Bonnie &Clydes Maschinenpistole soll versteigert werden - DPA, NEW YORK - Jan 14, 2012
http://web.de/magazine/lifestyle/leben/14522880-bonnie-und-c…

[Popeye82]

China outbound deals to grow double digits in ´12 -PwC - MW/Reuters, SHANGHAI - Jan 13, 2012
www.miningweekly.com/article/china-outbound-deals-to-grow-do…

"China's overseas acquisitions, which reached a record in ´11, will continue double-digit growth this year as increasingly sophisticated Chinese buyers seek bargains amid the global downturn , said consultancy PriceaterhouseCoopers(PwC).

China's outbound investments have grown steadily in the aftermath of the ´07 -´08 global financial crisis, with most deals targeting resource-rich regions, but there has been a surge of Chinese interest since last year in Europe in the industrial +consumer sectors, a trend that PwC said would likely continue.


"The eurozone debt crisis has definitely created opportunities for Chinese companies, giving them easier access to the European market," Gabriel Wong, head of PwC China Corporate Finance told Reuters in an interview. "I believe it's just a start."

Europe emerged as a key destination for Chinese acquisitions in ´11, with the number of deals in the region surging 76% to 44%, many in the industrial ´consumer sectors, according to Thomson Reuters data.

Last year also saw record China outbound activity, with the number of deals up 10% @207 with combined value rising 12% to $42.900.000.000. Some high profile deals announced last year include China's Investment Corp's(CIC) $4.200.000.000 investment in French utility GDF Suez SA +Yanzhou Coal Mining Co Ltd's $2.050.000.000 bid for Australia's Gloucester Coal Ltd.

"The numbers suggest the appetite for deals among investors in China is stronger than ever ," said PwC China Transaction Services Partner Roger Liu. "As China's economy moves into a new phase, mergers +acquisitions(M&As ) are emerging as a key enabler of consolidation, growth, market positioning +the acquisition of strategic assets +expertise."

In another sign of increased interest in overseas acquisitions, PwC's Wong said he had closed four China outbound deals in the past 12 months +still had about a dozen deals in the pipeline.

"Chinese companies are taking advantage of the current crisis to acquire technologies to improve their competitiveness -- something that cannot be done overnight through organic growth alone," he said.

Wong warned, however, that there would be risks in overseas acquisitions, as many European companies had complicated financial structures , +many deals encountered cultural conflicts during the integration phase.

"The key really is to maximize synergy, +that's the beauty of overseas acquisitions," he said.

Another risk is that some foreign companies would be unwilling to transfer technologies or brands to Chinese companies .

For example, the planned purchase of Swedish car maker Saab by China's Pangda Automobile Trade Co Ltd was aborted after General Motors Co blocked the deal. "

[Popeye82]

BHP won't sell potash via Canada's Canpotex: report; BHP Billiton won't sell potash from its proposed mine @Jansen, Saskatchewan, through the Canpotex marketing agency, a newspaper in the Western Canadian province reported on Friday, The Anglo-Australian miner is developing what would be the world's biggest mine of the crop nutrient potash, producing 8.000.000 tonnes/anno, Potash Corp of Saskatchewan, Mosaic +Agrium make off-shore potash sales from their Saskatchewan mines through Canpotex, which the three miners jointly own. But BHP, one of several multinational companies planning new potash mines in Saskatchewan, said it will sell its potash independently, according to a story in the Regina Leader-Post, "We will market(potash) through our marketing arm," the newspaper quoted Tim Cutt, president of diamond +specialty products for BHP, as saying; BHP's plan to bypass Canpotex is not surprising, since it voiced similar plans during its failed takeover attempt of Potash Corp in ´10, Those plans alarmed the Saskatchewan government, because it collects royalties from potash mining that are calculated in part based on prices of the nutrient, BHP plans to make a final decision on developing the Jansen mine this year, with 1st production set for ´15 - MW/Reuters/RL, WINNIPEG - Jan 13, 2012
www.miningweekly.com/article/bhp-wont-sell-potash-via-canada…

[Popeye82]

Raumsonde stürzt auf die Erde; Russischer Flugkörper soll in der Nähe von Chile landen - DPA, MOSKAU - Jan 14, 2012
http://web.de/magazine/wissen/weltraum/14523186-absturz-von-…

[Popeye82]

Air France muss 146.000 € Entschädigung zahlen -Abflussreiniger statt Kaffee? - W - Jan 14, 1012
http://web.de/magazine/reise/reisetipps/14522514-vergifteter…

[Popeye82]

Does Metminco Have The Largest Copper Deposit In Latin America Not In The Hands Of A Major? - MS - Jan 9, 2012

- Sally White -
http://minesite.com/news/does-metminco-have-the-largest-copp…

[Popeye82]

The 10 Most Hated Companies in America - FY/24/7 WSt - Jan 13, 2012

- Douglas A. McIntyre -
http://finance.yahoo.com/news/the-10-most-hated-companies-in…

[Popeye82]

Merkel vows faster eurozone reform after S&P downgrades - FY/Reuters, BRUSSELS/BERLIN - Jan 14, 2012

- Robin Emmott +Brian Rohan -
http://finance.yahoo.com/news/merkel-vows-faster-eurozone-re…

"European leaders promised on Saturday to speed up plans to strengthen spending rules and get a permanent bailout fund up and running as soon as possible, a day after U.S. agency S&P cut the ratings of several euro zone countries' creditworthiness.


In a conference call with reporters and analysts after downgrading nine of the euro zone's 17 countries, Standard & Poor's said it saw continued risks from the debt crisis that has overshadowed Europe for the past two years and said the single currency area was heading towards recession.

It also warned that France, which suffered a downgrade to AA+ from the top-notch AAA, was at risk of further cuts if a recession further inflates its debt and budget deficit.

"The policy response at the European level has in our view not kept up with the rising challenges in the euro zone," S&P credit analyst Moritz Kraemer said on the call, forecasting a 40 percent chance of euro zone gross domestic product contracting by up to 1.5 percent in 2012.

The downgrades were delivered hours after talks between private bond holders and the Greek government aimed at restructuring Greece's vast debts broke down, pushing Athens closer to default, an event that would tarnish euro zone unity and pose a contagion threat which could engulf the bloc.

In Germany - whose top AAA rating survived unscathed - Chancellor Angela Merkel said the downgrades underlined why a so-called 'fiscal compact' must be signed by member states quickly, and the next bailout mechanism, known as the ESM, should be funded soon.

"We are now challenged to implement the fiscal compact even quicker ... and to do it resolutely, not to try to soften it," she said at a meeting of her conservative Christian Democrats (CDU) in the northern city of Kiel.

"We will also work particularly to implement the permanent stability mechanism, the ESM, so soon as possible -- this is important regarding investor trust," she added.

European Central Bank policymaker Joerg Asmussen warned that Europe's drive to tighten fiscal rules was being softened, considering the latest draft of the agreement a "substantial watering down" of budgetary discipline because it would allow extra spending in extraordinary circumstances, the Financial Times Deutschland reported.

Leaders including Merkel have urged countries to tighten their belts with higher taxes and deep spending cuts to rein in massive budget deficits. But that has heightened market concern about their ability to grow their way back to health, pushing borrowing costs even higher for heavily indebted governments.

S&P said it was not working on the assumption of a euro zone break up, although it blamed its leaders for focusing too much on cutting debts and not sufficiently on competititveness.

"We think that the diagnosis of policymakers regarding the crisis is only partially recognising the origin of the crisis," said Kraemer, mentioning the focus on budget austerity.

"The proper diagnosis would have to give more weight to the rising imbalances in the euro zone in terms of the external funding positions, current account positions, much of it is based in diverging trends of competitiveness," he said.


WAKE-UP CALL

Austria, which was downgraded one notch from AAA, called S&P's decision a wake-up call for the country to cut debt and deficits, and for Europe to move more quickly on reforms.

"The downgrade is bad news for Austria but it should wake everyone up when such a thing happens," Finance Minister Maria Fekter said. "Now everyone recognises that this ... is a matter of debt and deficits, not primarily of the economy."

The ratings decision hit some countries harder than others, with France, Austria, Malta, Slovakia and Slovenia suffering single-notch downgrades, but Italy, Portugal, Spain and Cyprus falling two notches. Portugal's debt is now rated junk.

ECB policymaker Ewald Nowotny, an Austrian, said Italy in particular would now face problems given large refinancing needs this year in that country and its banks.

Asked in an interview broadcast by Austrian radio if Italy - now rated at the same BBB+ level as Kazakhstan - was "problem child number one," Nowotny agreed.

"In a certain sense, yes, because we know this year Italy has a very significant refinancing need. Italian banks also need refinancing," he said.

"In normal times this is all possible, in very nervous and difficult times it can be a problem and in my view this sharp downgrade of Italy is probably one of the most difficult and problematic aspects of this sweeping blow from the ratings agency."


NO TORPEDO

Long-standing frustration with ratings agencies echoed across Europe after the S&P decision. While Germany and France downplayed the decision and called it expected, Spain's finance minister was more alarmed.

"The downgrade is far too broad, it effects too many countries, it effects the very credibility of the euro," Treasury Minister Cristobal Montoro said on the radio.

"It's important that the European institutions understand that it's time to do everything possible to build and reinforce the euro," said Montoro, whose highly indebted country has the highest unemployment level in the euro zone.

Meanwhile, in a move to circumvent their influence, Germany's Merkel backed a proposal to reduce the reliance of institutional investors on ratings agencies, which some of her allies say are politically driven.

The idea would be to introduce legislation to allow institutional investors to evaluate risk themselves and make decisions independent from the U.S.-based agencies.

"I think it is very useful to look at this and see where if necessary we can make changes to legislation," Merkel said at her party meeting.

European leaders are set to meet at a summit on January 30 to discuss how to boost growth and jobs, and Merkel's words on Saturday suggest she will also be looking for faster progress on tighter common fiscal rules.

But now, policymakers at the meeting may have bigger fish to fry. The downgrades threaten the top rating of Europe's current bailout fund -- the European Financial Stability Facility -- as contributors France and Austria are no longer rated AAA.

A downgrade of the EFSF could increase its borrowing costs, reducing its ability to protect the currency bloc's weaker members. S&P said it would deliver its view on the impact to the EFSF from the sovereign downgrades "shortly."


(Writing by Brian Rohan and Robin Emmott; additional reporting by Nigel Davies in Madrid, Adrian Croft in London, Michael Shields in Vienna, Luke Baker and Robin Emmott in Brussels; editing by Mike Peacock) "

[Popeye82]

China's Wen presses Saudi Arabia for oil, gas access - FY/Reuters, BEIJING - Jan 14, 2012

- Chris Buckley -
http://finance.yahoo.com/news/chinas-wen-presses-saudi-arabi…

"Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao pressed Saudi Arabia to open its huge oil and gas resources to expanded Chinese investment, media reports said on Sunday against a backdrop of growing tension over Iran and worries over its crude exports to the Asian power.


The Saudi kingdom is China's biggest source of imported oil, and securing energy security was high on Wen's agenda in Riyadh, in part reflecting concerns about how nuclear tensions and sanctions could unsettle ties with Iran.

"China and Saudi Arabia are both in important stages of development, and there are broad prospects for enhancing cooperation," Wen on Saturday told Prince Nayef, who is a senior member of the Saudi government, according to Xinhua.

"Both sides must strive together to expand trade and cooperation, upstream and downstream, in crude oil and natural gas," said Wen, referring to access to extracting oil and gas and then processing the them.

The Xinhua report made no mention of any discussion of Iran, whose oil exports to China face pressure from new U.S. sanctions. The U.S. sanctions threat is a particular worry for China, the biggest buyer of Iranian oil. Only Saudi Arabia and Angola sell it more crude.

"Beijing is concerned with the potential response to Iranian bellicose statements and with the spike in oil prices that would ensue from greater turmoil in Syria and Iran," Michal Meidan, an analyst in London with the Eurasia Group who studies Chinese energy investment and policy, said in an emailed research note.

Late on Saturday, the Chinese Foreign Ministry denounced U.S. punishment of China's state-run Zhuhai Zhenrong Corp.

On Thursday, the Obama administration invoked U.S. law to sanction Zhuhai Zhenrong Corp, which it said was Iran's largest supplier of refined petroleum products.

"Imposing sanctions on a Chinese company based on a domestic (U.S.) law is totally unreasonable, and does not conform to the spirit or content of U.N. Security Council resolutions about the Iran nuclear issue," the Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Liu Weimin said in a statement issued on the ministry's website (www.mfa.gov.cn).

"China expresses its strong dissatisfaction and adamant opposition," said Liu.

The Obama administration said its sanctions against the Chinese company and two other firms are part of a broadening effort to target Iran's energy sector and press Tehran to curb in its nuclear ambitions, which Western governments say appear aimed at developing the means to make atomic weapons.

Iran says its nuclear activities are legitimate and entirely for peaceful ends.

China cut oil imports from Iran in January and February in a commercial dispute over contract terms, and has been looking for alternative supplies.

Yet China is unlikely to dramatically boost crude imports from Saudi Arabia, even with the Iranian worries, said Meidan, the analyst with the Eurasia Group.

"In the likely event that Iran will offer discounted oil, Chinese traders will buy more Iranian barrels and could consequently reduce their Saudi imports," she said.

"Wen will therefore need to convey both commercial and diplomatic realities to Saudi Arabia, China's number one source of crude imports, and ensure that bilateral ties remain on steady footing."


MORE TRADE TOO, PLEASE

Wen also said his government wants "strong and reputable" Chinese companies to invest in Saudi Arabia's ports, railways and infrastructure, the Chinese Xinhua news agency reported.

China and Saudi Arabia should keep deepening cooperation "in the face of changeable and complicated regional and international trends," he said, according to Xinhua.

Crown Prince Nayef is King Abdullah's half brother and became heir to the throne in October. The Xinhua report paraphrased the prince as saying that Saudi Arabia is willing to expand cooperation in energy and infrastructure.

China is already Saudi Arabia's biggest customer and the kingdom is keen to diversify its economic ties.

On Saturday, the state-run Saudi oil giant Aramco and Chinese companies finalized an initial agreement signed last year to develop a 400,000 barrel per day (bpd) refinery in Yanbu, on the kingdom's Red Sea coast.

Aramco will hold a 62.5 percent stake in the joint venture formed to develop Yanbu Aramco Sinopec Refining Co (YASREF), and Sinopec will own the rest.

In the first 11 months of 2011, top supplier Saudi Arabia shipped 45.5 million tons of crude to China, a rise of 12.9 percent over the same period in 2010, according to Chinese customs data. Angola and Iran were China's second and third biggest suppliers.

Wen is also scheduled to visit the United Arab Emirates and Qatar.


(Reporting by Chris Buckley, Editing by Jonathan Thatcher) "

[Popeye82]

Mining Summary - LC - Jan 16, 2012
http://minesite.com/media/pub/var/release_downloadable_file/…

[Popeye82]

Scandinavian Resources - Kiruna Iron - Altavaara Exploration Target Increase; Adds Overal Exploration Target to ~350.000.000 -539.000.000t @31 -38% Fe; Amanda Arrowsmith: "The Altavaara Prospect is shaping up to be a significant deposit within the Kiruna Hub; measurements from the 13 diamond drill holes we’ve completed have increased the JORC Exploration Target to 55.000.000 -60.000.000 t @26 -29% Fe, up from the previously reported 10.000.000 -20.000.000 t @23 -30% Fe. This is the exciting part; the potential to significantly increase the tonnage within the Kiruna Hub is being proven by drilling the historical government iron occurrences which have until now been overlooked" - Jan 16, 2012

+ JORC Exploration Target1 increased to 55.000.000 -60.000.000 t @26 -29% Fe

+ Altavaara characterised by wide, low grade iron mineralised
intercepts2:

- 148m @29% Fe from 34m(ALT11011)
- 134m @29% Fe from 9m(ALT11013)
- 115m @27% Fe from 15m(ALT11012)


+ Kiruna Hub continues to grow ...
http://stocknessmonster.com/news-item?S=SCR&E=ASX&N=574124

[Popeye82]

Beaufield Resources - Reports High-Grade Iron Results From Schefferville; assayed samples consist of rock samples taken across identified iron formations +across airborne gravity anomalies which were confirmed by ground gravity surveys. These are believed to have a possible DSO(Direct Shipping Ore)+/or taconite iron source, In total, Beaufield has interpreted 20 gravity anomalies that cover an aggregate(total) strike length of 15 kilometres. Sampled locations are spread over the whole property where outcrop was observed. A few samples were taken in old trenches excavated by the Iron Ore Company of Canada in ´50s +´60s, Of a total of 1433 grab +chip samples, 24%(343 samples) were >45% Fe2O3(Iron oxide) +a total of 27 samples were >75% Fe2O3. The highest value(91.73% Fe2O3) was located in the southern portion of the property near an all weather road, +only 8 kilometres from the town of Schefferville. To cover possible extensions, Beaufield has staked an additional 26 claims in the area; drill program with a budget of $1.500.000 is planned for Summer ´12 +preparation has begun, holdings are centrally located within the Schefferville Iron district, having common boundaries with Tata Steel, New Millennium Iron Corp, Century Iron Mines +Labrador Iron Mines. Tata +Labrador are developing DSO deposits within 3 kilometres of their boundary with Beaufield - Jan 16, 2012
www.marketwire.com/press-release/beaufield-reports-high-grad…

[Popeye82]

Fission Energy - Announces Preliminary NI 43-101 Resource Estimate at J Zone Uranium Deposit, 60/40 JV: 7.367.000 lbs. based on 168.000 tonnes @1.99% U3O8 I +1.511.000 lbs. based on 150.000 tonnes @0.46% U3O8 I, In addition, the Company reports that the previously announced $7.300.000, three rig, 25.000m drill program designed to expand the J Zone resource, further evaluate other mineralized discoveries, +test new targets has commenced, total of 69 drill holes are planned, primary goal will be to build on the J Zone's mineral resource estimate, where 47 infill- +step-out drill holes will target the deposit's high grade unconformity mineralization, in addition to the basement mineralization found in the western part of the J-Zone. The gap between the J Zone Deposit +the Summit Zone to the west will also be drill tested - Jan 16, 2012

Significant characteristics +details of the J Zone preliminary resource estimate

+ ~83% of the mineral resource has been classified as an Indicated resource, demonstrating the high level of confidence in the data analysed.

+ Metallurgical extraction is high with 96.1% to 98.5% U3O8 recovery.

+ Almost all mineralization is within the basement rocks proximal to sandstone-basement unconformity. Unconformity mineralization overlaps basement mineralization in the western part of the deposit delineated to date. Average vertical depth to the unconformity is ~200m.

+ Low values for toxic elements such as arsenic +selenium compares favourably with Hathor's Roughrider Uranium Deposit, located immediately to the east.

+ This resource estimate does not include mineralization from the highly prospective Summit Zone, located 1.532 m to the west of the deposit. ...
www.marketwire.com/press-release/fission-energy-announces-pr…
www.fission-energy.com/s/WaterburyLake.asp

[Popeye82]

Rockgate Capital - Updates Mineral Resource Estimate for Falea Uranium-Silver-Copper Project, Mali: 18.652.000 pounds @ 0.11% U3O8, 17.553.000 ounces @68g/t silver +36.498.000 pounds @0.207% copper contained in 8.005.000 tonnes M +I +7.086.000 pounds @0.10% U3O8, 5.064.000 ounces @50g/t silver +15.620.000 pounds @0.226% copper I contained in 3.132.000 tonnes; ´12 drill program will focus on three areas outside the current Resource areas, namely Kania-East Zone, NE Plateau +Bodi - Jan 16, 2012
www.marketwire.com/press-release/rockgate-updates-mineral-re…

[Popeye82]

Colossus Minerals - Acquires Cutia Property, ~thirteen kilometres to the southeast of its 75% owned Serra Pelada Gold-Platinum-Palladium Project; C. Mancuso: "The relationship we've built with COOMIGASP +the community has led to opportunities to partner with other groups in order to expand our regional footprint around Serra Pelada. The Cutia Property, although grassroots in nature, exhibits promising geological potential. As we continue to develop Serra Pelada +come closer to commercial production in ´13, we feel that now is the time to begin building a pipeline of promising properties around Serra Pelada in order to leverage the investment in infrastructure +personnel we have made @our flagship property" - Jan 16, 2012
www.marketwire.com/press-release/colossus-minerals-acquires-…
http://sixtyminutes.ninemsn.com.au/stories/contributors/2998…

[Popeye82]

S &P downgrades euro zone's EFSF bailout fund - FY/Reuters, BRUSSELS - Jan 17, 2012

- Luke Baker -
http://finance.yahoo.com/news/p-downgrades-euro-zones-efsf-2…

"Rating agency Standard & Poor's cut its credit rating of the European Financial Stability Facility, the euro zone's rescue fund, by one notch to AA+ on Monday, three days after it cut the ratings of France and Austria by the same margin.

In a statement, S&P said the decision was all but inevitable following the cuts to the creditworthiness of France and Austria, which were two of the EFSF's guarantors.

"We consider that credit enhancements that would offset what we view as the now-reduced creditworthiness of the EFSF's guarantors and securities backing the EFSF's issues are currently not in place," the agency said in a statement.

"We have therefore lowered to AA+ the issuer credit rating of the EFSF, as well as the issue ratings on its long-term debt securities.

The EFSF was set up by the 17 governments that share the European single currency in May 2010 and has so far been used to provide emergency loans to Ireland and Portugal. It is also expected to contribute to a second bailout of Greece.

The fund has an effective lending capacity of 440 billion euros, which depends on guarantees, mainly from the euro zone's AAA countries, only four of which now remain: Germany, Luxembourg, Finland and the Netherlands.

In a statement, the EFSF said the downgrade would not affect its lending capacity, and emphasized that its short-term rating remained at S&P's top level.

"The downgrade to 'AA+' by only one credit agency will not reduce EFSF's lending capacity of 440 billion euros," the fund's chief executive, Klaus Regling, said.

"EFSF has sufficient means to fulfill its commitments under current and potential future adjustment programs until the ESM becomes operational in July 2012," he added.

The ESM - the European Stability Mechanism - is a permanent rescue fund that is expected to have an effective capacity of 500 billion euros, based on paid-in capital of 80 billion euros and callable capital of 620 billion euros.

However, details about the structure of the ESM have still not been agreed among all euro zone member states. The original plan was to introduce it in July 2013, but that was brought forward by a year. Now euro zone policymakers are working hard to ensure the ESM can come into effect in just six months time.


S&P COULD REASSESS ITS MOVE

EU leaders will meet for a summit in Brussels on January 30 when they are expected to discuss jobs and growth as well as issues such as the permanent rescue fund and how to go about tackling the threat of a debt default by Greece.

In the long-term, and particularly if Moody's and Fitch, the two other major ratings agencies, decide to cut the EFSF's rating as well, it may be impossible for the fund to sustain its effective capacity unless it just accepts that it will issue bonds at a lower credit rating, and pay more to do so.

The alternative would be to ask Germany, Finland, the Netherlands and Luxembourg to increase their total guarantees to the fund to get its credit rating back up to AAA. It's very unlikely the countries would agree to such a move.

However, S&P said that if the EFSF could find ways of providing credit enhancements, it could reassess its move.

"We understand that EFSF member states may currently be exploring credit-enhancement options," it said.

"If the EFSF adopts credit enhancements that in our view are sufficient to offset its now-reduced creditworthiness, in particular if we see that once again the EFSF's long-term obligations are fully supported by guarantees from EFSF member-guarantors rated 'AAA' or by securities rated 'AAA', we would likely raise the EFSF's long-term ratings to 'AAA'."

Jean-Claude Juncker, the chairman of the Eurogroup, which represents the 17 euro zone countries, said the implications of S&P's decision would be discussed, probably when finance ministers next meet on January 23.

"We take note and will examine the consequences of the decision announced by Standard & Poor's to downgrade the credit rating," he said in a statement.

"EFSF continues to be assigned the best possible credit rating by Moody's (Aaa) and Fitch (AAA), underlining its solidity. Neither rating agency has indicated any rating action for EFSF in the immediate future."


(Reporting by Luke Baker and Julien Toyer) "

[Popeye82]

El Nino Ventures - Continues to Intersect High Grade Zinc, Lead +Silver Over Broad Intercepts @the Murray Brook Deposit, in the Bathurst Mining Camp; resource calculation slated for 1st quarter of ´12 - Jan 16, 2012

+ Significant drill results; including:

- 5.45% zinc, 1.81% lead, 0.51 gpt gold +65.7 gpt silver over 103.1 metres in MB-2011-39

- 4.65% zinc, 1.71% lead, 0.36 gpt gold +56.5 gpt silver over 100.5 metres in MB-2011-48

- 3.85% zinc, 1.40% lead, 0.63 gpt gold +56.1 gpt silver over 146.0 metres in MB-2011-49


+ NI43-101 resource calculation slated for 1st quarter of ´12

+ The deposit remains open +there is good potential to increase grade with additional denser drilling

+ $2.500.000 budgeted in ´12 for drilling measured resources @the Murray Brook deposit

+ $500.000 for exploration of the Murray Brook Property

+ Preliminary metallurgical studies slated for ´12 ...
www.elninoventures.com/i/pdf/011612ELN.pdf

[Popeye82]

Volta Resources - Extends Gold Mineralization Farther North At Its Kiaka Gold Project In Burkina Faso, drills up to 195.32m @1.25g/t Gold; upcoming resource estimate will complement pre-feasibility study, expected to be completed by the end of Q1/12 - Jan 16, 2012
http://finance.yahoo.com/news/Volta-Extends-Gold-cnw-3579841…

[Popeye82]

Antwort auf Beitrag Nr.: 42.600.254 von Popeye82 am 16.01.12 16:32:29

Scandinavian Resources - Kiruna Iron Project JORC Resource Update; A. Arrowsmith: "The pleasing aspect of our progress is that the Exploration Targets are being converted into Mineral Resources +the Exploration Targets are increasing ; we expect this trend will continue . Importantly the preliminary metallurgical test work also shows that the iron mineralisation can be beneficiated to create a high quality concentrate" - Jan 17, 2012

+ 473.000.000 t @40% Fe Resource

+ global JORC Exploration Target for the Kiruna Iron Project has also been updated to: 203.000.000 -273.000.000 t @32 -40% Fe

+ JORC Exploration Targets converted to JORC Inferred Resources

+ JORC Exploration Targets increased

+ Metallurgy test work indicates a premium quality concentrate can be produced from the resources

+ Successful exploration, joint venture +acquisition strategy firmly entrenches Kiruna Iron AB in the world class Kiruna Iron District ...
http://stocknessmonster.com/news-item?S=SCR&E=ASX&N=574216

[Popeye82]

Mining Summary - LC - Jan 17, 2012
http://minesite.com/media/pub/var/release_downloadable_file/…

[Popeye82]

Advanced Explorations - Reports 1/2Billion Tonnes in Indicated Category for C-Zone, @Its Roche Bay Iron Project; J. Gingerich: "AEI succeeded in its objective to upgrade the majority of the Inferred resources from the C-Zone into the Indicated category as a basis for sufficient modeling in the feasibility study. Furthermore, the Company has increased its entire NI 43-101 resource base to >1.000.000.000 tonnes on the Melville Peninsula with its recent inferred resource estimate on the Tuktu Project of 465.000.000 tonnes(see news releases dated November 28, ´11 +January 13, ´11), +today's announcement of 501.000.000 tonnes of Indicated +66.000.000 tonnes of Inferred resources @the Roche Bay Iron Project. >80% of the region's banded iron formation remains untested, +we are excited about the future potential of increasing the resource base. We are very pleased to have been able to include the A/B Zone Inferred resource in our Roche Bay resource update. Despite limited historical information, we were able to use two recent drill holes along with a number of historical holes to convert a small portion of the historical A/B Zone resource into an NI 43-101 compliant inferred resource" - Jan 17, 2012

+ The resource estimate now includes 501.000.000 tonnes in the Indicated category averaging 26.35% total iron(25.67% magnetic iron) @a 20% iron cut-off grade.

+ A further 66.000.000 tonnes averaging 26.37% total iron(25.72% magnetic iron) @a 20% iron cut-off remains in the Inferred category.

+ In comparison to the previous resource estimate(as press released April 06, ´11) the Indicated resource has increased by ~55%. ...
www.marketwire.com/press-release/advanced-explorations-inc-r…

[Popeye82]

Kivalliq Energy - Lac Cinquante Resource Increases by 92% -to 27.130.000lbs @0.69% U3O8 plus 16.3g/t silver, 0.16% molybdenum +0.25% copper; Jim Paterson: "This represents a 92% increase in the Lac Cinquante resource which clearly reflects the growth potential of this deposit +the increasing value of this project. Lac Cinquante is one the largest undeveloped +highest grade uranium resources in Canada, outside of the Athabasca Basin, +contains significant quantities of silver, molybdenum +copper. The value that is added with these other metals, in addition to the rate of new discoveries +success @the Angilak Property, are contributing factors to the potential economics of this project as a whole"; Lac Cinquante remains open along strike to the east, west +@depth, demonstrating potential to increase the size of the resource of this deposit, Due to its close proximity to Lac Cinquante +the geological similarities noted, "Pulse" represents a high priority drill target for the upcoming ´12 exploration campaign, ´11 drill results on exploration targets demonstrate the potential to identify additional mineralized zones near the resource area, +verify the success of the Company's targeting techniques on previously untested conductive trends parallel to the Lac Cinquante; Lac Cinquante deposit is considered to be an early stage therefore LITTLE is known about its potential minebility or metallurgical characteristics - Jan 17, 2012
www.marketwire.com/press-release/kivalliq-energy-corporation…
http://kivalliqenergy.com/projects/angilak/program_images/

[Popeye82]

EnWave - Announces Successful quantaREV™ Scale-up; technological principles of the scaled-up engine will now be used to design +construct a 2nd generation quantaREV™ machine capable of producing up to 500 kilograms of dried product/hour. This machine is expected to be completed before the end of ´12 +"could potentially be used commercially by a current or future partner"; T. Durance: "This significant technological milestone will allow us the opportunity to achieve throughput levels suitable for large scale processing of high quality food ingredients +snacks, as well as chemical +industrial applications. We are now one step closer to wide spread commercialization of REV technology" - Jan 16, 2012
www.marketwire.com/press-release/enwave-announces-successful…

[Popeye82]

Project to Empower Citizen Cartographers; An agreement between the World Bank, Google, +others will expand the use of crowdsourced mapping platforms worldwide - WB/IHT - Jan 13, 2012

- C. Anstey -
http://web.worldbank.org/WBSITE/EXTERNAL/NEWS/0,,contentMDK:…

"From cave drawings to navigational charts to GPS, people have created and used maps to help them define, order and navigate their worlds. Four hundred years ago, in the Age of Exploration, it was cartographers, often working alone, who used the stars, mathematics and early attempts to represent longitude to map the New World. Today, in the Age of Participation, it’s crowds, not scholars, who are charting their own New World.


A combination of the old art of mapping with the relatively new art of crowdsourcing — the open calls for action via the Web — offers the potential to open up a new path for the developing world: helping citizens map their own country’s facilities and thereby have a greater say in charting the future.

Citizen cartographers can be a powerful force. In the aftermath of the Haiti earthquake, rescue workers used real-time data uploads on Open Street Map, via text and cellphone messages, to help create up-to-date maps of Haiti and find the injured. Engineers from around the globe gathered “virtually” to assess the damage.

Last October, the World Bank and its partners staged the first ever global “water hackathon,” with volunteer tech experts in London devising a system to allow Tanzanians to report water problems through SMS messages, and tech experts in Lagos devising new applications for reporting broken pipes.

Or take Dar es Salaam, where the local authorities engaged students to map roads, drains and streetlights in anticipation of an urban upgrading project, not only generating transparent planning data but also providing a platform for community consultation and a space for dialogue on development between citizens and leaders.

It’s a simple but harsh reality that most developing countries don’t have basic local data about where schools or hospitals are located. A recent mapping study of 100 health facilities and schools in Kenya found that only 25 percent of the clinics and 20 percent of the schools matched official data. Nearly 75 percent of locations needed to be updated.

Lack of knowledge of social infrastructure like schools and hospitals makes it more costly when natural disasters strike, setting back recovery efforts, sometimes by months. And lack of data, in general, makes it harder — both in government and in the community — to argue for improved services or increased funding.

The answer? A good start would be scaling up the use of modern mapping technology with crowdsourcing. It’s just this potential that’s been the driving force behind a new partnership between the World Bank and Google. Under the agreement, the bank and its development partners — developing country governments and U.N. agencies — will be able to access Google Map Maker’s global mapping platform, allowing the collection, viewing, search and free access to data of geoinformation in over 150 countries and 60 languages.

Simply put, it means that up-to-date maps of social infrastructure used by nearly a billion people around the globe can be created using crowdsourcing tools, partnering with volunteer mappers using GPS enabled phones and other devices.

Success will hinge on using local expertise to break new ground — finding an active community of passionate citizen cartographers from civil society organizations, local governments, public service providers and universities who can plug in the data that makes its way to publicly available online maps.

Where once charts were vital to guide mariners to safe harbors, today's interactive maps can guide development to the places it is needed most. Crowdsourced mapping platforms can serve as a foundation allowing citizens not just to map but to give feedback on the reach and quality of the services in their community. And that information can be used to improve service delivery, fight corruption and track resources. Citizen cartographers, yes, but also citizen monitors, citizen evaluators, citizen-driven development.

Development agencies can also benefit. At the World Bank, we’ve mapped 2,500 projects in more than 30,000 locations in our partner countries. Building on this success, the World Bank, Britain, Sweden, Spain, the Netherlands, Estonia and Finland have endorsed an Open Aid Partnership that will map development projects of all partners for better local development coordination. Adding citizen feedback can be a valuable addition to the bank’s quest to ensure development dollars are well spent.

In the 17th century, imperial cartographers had an advantage over local communities. They could see the big picture. In the 21st century, the tables have turned: Local communities can make the biggest on the ground difference. Crowdsourced citizen cartographers can help make it happen.


Caroline Anstey is a managing director of the World Bank. "

[Popeye82]

Transit Adds to China's Low-Carbon Future; In China, new projects are promoting public transport, walking +biking in cities - WB - Jan 12, 2012
www.worldbank.org/en/news/2012/01/12/green-transport-helps-b…

[Popeye82]

Global Organizations to Expand Cooperation on Green Growth for Development, Mexico City meeting points to further, deeper knowledge-sharing, policy push - WB/UNEP/OECD/GGGI, MEXICO CITY - Jan 11, 2012
http://web.worldbank.org/WBSITE/EXTERNAL/NEWS/0,,contentMDK:…

"Governments looking to design +implement green growth policies +move towards a green economy now have a new source of information +assistance. Four leading global organizations today signed a Memorandum of Understanding to create the Green Growth Knowledge Platform, a cutting edge global initiative that will identify +address major knowledge gaps in green growth theory +practice. The agreement was signed by the Global Green Growth Institute, the Organisation for Economic Co-operation +Development, the United Nations Environment Programme, +the World Bank.


“This MoU marks the formal launch of essential international cooperation on testing, exploring, +refining policies +actions on green growth for practical implementation in both developed +developing countries,” said Richard Samans, Executive Director of the Global Green Growth Institute.

The coming decade will offer major opportunities for synergy between environmental +economic sustainability. For example, developing countries can factor “green” into their new investments in infrastructure +can further develop agriculture +other natural resources to improve livelihoods, create jobs, +reduce poverty.

“Governments seeking to re-ignite growth after the crisis ,” said OECD Secretary-General Angel Gurría, “should harness innovation, investment, +entrepreneurship to drive the shift to greener economies. We must intensify our efforts to move towards green growth to preserve natural capital +reduce pollution. It will be essential to avoid path dependency by breaking old habits of consumption +investing in new technology +infrastructure. The Green Growth Knowledge Platform will be key for facilitating collaboration among our four institutions, to provide governments with the best possible tools to achieve this goal.”

The Green Growth Knowledge Platform will improve local, national, +global economic policy-making around the world by providing rigorous +relevant analysis of the various synergies +tradeoffs between the economy +the environment. It will complement other efforts by emphasizing policy instruments that yield local environmental co-benefits while stimulating growth, providing a compelling set of incentives for governments.

Sylvie Lemmet, Director of UNEP's Division of Technology, Industry +Economics, said, "The Platform offers new opportunities to push the envelope on how a green economy transition can generate jobs +income, while producing positive impacts on the environment +setting a new threshold for enhanced global cooperation towards accelerating +scaling up sustainable development."

The MoU signing took place on the eve of the inaugural Green Growth Knowledge Platform conference. The conference, with >120 leading scholars +practitioners, has been organized in partnership with Mexico to:

+ take stock of the current understanding of the economics of green growth;

+ engage researchers +practitioners in an ongoing dialogue to increase understanding of how green growth approaches can be applied in the field;

+ identify knowledge gaps +establish priorities for knowledge-building work +implementation; +

+ launch follow-on efforts.


“This conference is taking an important step in convening a community of experts +practitioners to develop a shared, evidence-based vision of the contributions greener growth can make to sustainable development,” said Rachel Kyte, Vice President for Sustainable Development @the World Bank. “By joining forces +sharing data, we can equip policy makers everywhere with better tools to manage the choices +trade-offs that greener +more inclusive growth may entail.”

The MoU signing +conference are the 1st steps toward the Green Growth Knowledge Platform’s efforts to shape the global knowledge agenda for green growth. Moving forward, the Platform will organize new research programs around a handful of priority themes to be identified later this week, as well as cultivate a dynamic global community of green growth researchers +practitioners.


Contacts:

In Washington(World Bank): Roger Morier, [phone]; [e-mail];

In Paris(OECD): Nathalie Girouard, [phone], [e-mail];

In Paris(UNEP): Moira O’Brien-Malone, [phone], [e-mail]

In Seoul(GGGI): Michael Sullivan, [phone], [e-mail]


For more information: www.greengrowthknowledge.org "

[Popeye82]

Temex Resources - Announces Substantial Increase in the Gold Resource Estimate for Juby Main Zone; I. Campbell: "This important increase in resources demonstrates the significant potential to increase the size of the deposit. Significant upside exists to add to our resource base on the gold zones identified to date plus several nearby high priority gold exploration targets. It is our intention to continue expanding the deposit by diamond drilling +immediately embark on preliminary metallurgical work +environmental baseline studies, the results of which will be incorporated into a preliminary economic assessment. The Juby Project is one of our core assets -it is easily accessible by road +is situated in the center of a world class mining area" - Jan 16, 2012

+ Indicated resource is 934.645 ounces gold grading 1.30 g/t @0.40 g/t cut-off

+ Inferred resource is 905.621 ounces gold grading 1.00 g/t @0.40 g/t cut-off

+ Known strike length of 2.8 kilometres; deposit remains open for expansion @depth +along strike ...
www.temexcorp.com/s/NewsReleases.asp?ReportID=501892&_Type=N…

[Popeye82]

Digital Energy Journal - Jan12

+ Digital technology and offshore safety

+ Reducing industry complexity

+ Oracle's Exadata -moving data faster

+ Making data management exciting to managers

+ Understanding use of bandwidth ...
http://c183554.r54.cf1.rackcdn.com/dej34web.pdf

[Popeye82]

Century Iron Mines - Confirms New Taconite Iron Discovery With Large Tonnage Potential : Drill hole RL-11-0401 intersected 318.2 metres of taconite iron mineralization from 5.4 m depth grading 29.5% Total Iron(FeT), drill hole RL-11-0004 intersected 272.4 metres of taconite iron mineralization from 13.0 m depth grading 30.4% FeT, +drill hole RL-11-0402 intersected 264.8 metres of taconite iron mineralization from 10.4 m depth grading 31.0% FeT, new discovery zone, now named the Full Moon Prospect(or "Full Moon"), has been tested by 31 diamond drill holes over a strike length of 6.5 km, +a horizontal width of up to 2.8 km. The iron formation dips to the east @a shallow 5° to 10° angle. The vertical thickness of the new zone increases to the east from 50 metres to 340 meters remains open along strike, "would" transalate into 2.275.000.000 -15.470.000.000(Ex True width) @XX% Fe "Tonnage Potential" , assuming 2.5t/m3 sg; Sandy Chim: "We are excited about this new discovery of the Full Moon @the Sunny Lake Project, which has tremendous tonnage potential for a taconite iron deposit. So far, from over 6.000 meters of drilling which gives us a good understanding of the initial 5 sections covering some 7 kilometers of strike. The grades +the geometry are looking very good. The usual Sokoman Iron Formation known in the Labrador Trough iron ore camp has a thickness of 80 to 120 meters. However, Full Moon demonstrates so far two to three times of this normal thickness making its potential value higher. This discovery crystallizes our strategy of positioning ourselves toward becoming a large iron ore producer for the insatiable China market with the commitment of capital, technical expertise +market by our strategic partners, WISCO +Minmetals. These results validate the Company's current direction of its exploration programs along this strategy. Taconite has been mined in North America for a number of decades. Its constancy of ore characteristics on a very large scale has been an important source of iron supply for the US steel market for many years. The finer grain size of taconite requires <energy cost of grinding, compared with other coarser grain iron ores, for making iron ore pellets which have been a growing segment of the global seaborne iron ore market with a 25% to 40% premium over the price of concentrates. With the proximity to Schefferville +the existing operating infrastructure, Full Moon Project has the potential to be one of the 1st taconite projects in operation" - Jan 17, 2012
www.marketwire.com/press-release/century-iron-mines-corporat…

[Popeye82]

AngloPlat to test fuel-cell powered mine loco March/April; Platinum miner Anglo American Platinum(AngloPlat) expects to put a fuel-cell powered mine locomotive through its paces in the 1st half of this year. The locomotive will initially be tested on surface @AngloPlat’s Dishaba mine, which is situated in the Limpopo province. “Hopefully by March/April, we’ll have a loco on surface that will be fuel-cell based,” Anglo Platinum market development +research head Anthea Bath tells Mining Weekly Online in a video interview - MW, JOHANNESBURG - Jan 16, 2012

- M. Creamer -
www.miningweekly.com/article/angloplat-to-test-fuel-cell-pow…

[Popeye82]

Gold miners see price peak @$2.000/Oz in ´12 –survey - MW, JOHANNESBURG - Jan 16, 2012

- Natasha Odendaal -
www.miningweekly.com/article/rising-gold-prices-acquisitions…
www.pwc.com/en_CA/ca/mining/publications/gold-price-survey-2…

"Mining companies expect the price of gold to continue to increase this year, with firms surveyed by PricewaterhouseCoopers(PwC) expecting the precious metal to peak @$2.000/Oz this year.


In its latest ‘Gold Price Report’, PwC said that 80% of mining companies expect higher gold prices in ´12, with only 6% anticipating a decline.

Predictions from executives surveyed hovered @the $2.000/Oz mark, with the highest prediction @$2.500/Oz +the lowest @$1.350/Oz.

Gold, which topped $1.900/Oz last year, traded @$1.640/Oz on Monday.

The PwC report also found that the mining companies were struggling to reap the full benefits of a high gold price .

>half of the respondents said the price of gold was positively impacting on their stock price, but that the impact was less than what they had expected.

Up until December 15, gold had risen 11% but gold stocks with the S&P/TSX Global Gold Index had declined 10.6%.

PwC global mining leader Tim Goldsmith explained that one main driver behind the disparity between the price of gold +gold stocks was that investors were able to invest directly in gold mining companies, or get exposure to the sector, through exchanged traded funds.

The disparity is having an impact on how executives planned to spend their increased cash flow, Goldsmith added. He said 27% made payments to dividends in ´11, which is an increase from only 9% in ´10 .

More companies were also expected to spend their cash on acquisitions in ´12.

“We expect gold companies will continue to explore ways to allow investors to get the benefit from the high prices. Gold-linked dividends are only one option; companies could get more creative with their dividend strategies,” he added.

PwC stated that acquisitions remained on the minds of gold mining executives with 29% of those surveyed expecting to spend their cash on acquisitions in ´12 - up from 19% in ´11. ~40% of companies were planning to replace reserves through acquisitions.

"With the volatility we are seeing in the market, not least of which includes the recent downturn in the gold price, those companies sitting on deep pools of cash +with an appetite for acquisition, are in the driver's seat.

"They are ready +able to swoop on smaller explorers who are more vulnerable to market fluctuations +have difficulty raising capital," commented Goldsmith.

>500 gold acquisitions valued @~$11.200.000.000 were completed during ´11 compared with the 483 acquisitions with a value of $18.200.000.000 in ´10. @November ´11, the volume of acquisitions had increased 12.6%, while the value decreased 38.4% compared to the same period in ´10.

The ‘Gold Price Report’ assessed gold companies globally, with companies surveyed representing 26.500.000.000 ounces of gold mined in ´11, +37.750.000 ounces to be mined in ´12.


Edited by: Mariaan Webb "

[Popeye82]

POSCO says to buy $1.600.000.000 stake for 15% in Roy Hill Holdings, developer of a world-class iron ore mine, targets 55.000.000 t/anno hematite iron ore - MW/Reuters, SEOUL - Jan 17, 2012
www.miningweekly.com/article/posco-says-to-buy-16bn-stake-in…

[Popeye82]

Jr Oil &Gas -Revisiting the Viking in Saskatchewan; Industry Report - RJ - Dec 5, 2011

- Luc Mageau, Matthew Stevenson -

- The ongoing development of the Saskatchewan Viking play has already been through a series of evolutions +even today it looks much more mature than a year ago. That said there is still room for improvement before it is fully optimized. In this report we have looked @each area of Saskatchewan that is being drilled for Viking oil, +analyzed the results from the >600 horizontal wells drilled. Incorporating this new data we have decided to re-visit our assumptions +update investors on the landscape of the play as it stands today.

Despite the criticisms faced by the Viking in Saskatchewan surrounding IP rates, there is one trump card that the play holds –an exceptionally large amount of oil to be recovered. The areal extent of the play throughout Saskatchewan alone is >100 townships, or >3.600 square miles. That equates to ~2.5x the State of Rhode Island or 1.5x the state of Delaware. With industry experts putting average estimates of oil in place of 3.000.000 -4.000.000 Barrel/section, this would place OOIP for the play at 11.000.000.000 -15.000.000.000 Barrel or potentially >1.000.000.000 barrels of oil still recoverable on primary production alone. With this much oil @stake we have no doubts about the ultimate development of the play, however, getting there will understandably take time. ...-
http://aj.gatewell.com/sites/default/files/u17/Energy_201112…

[Popeye82]

Oxford Catalysts Group Plc - Commercial Order, order is for a full scale FT unit(with a nominal capacity of over 25 b/d), to be delivered within two months. It will be installed +operated @one of the company’s existing facilities during the 1st part of ´12. The company intends to aggressively pursue production of synthetic oil through medium scale modular facilities located @their sites internationally. The operation of this initial FT unit will provide detailed engineering parameters for the 1st such synthetic fuels plant, the design of which is due to begin in the 1st half of the year; Group’s 4th sale of FT reactors +catalyst, following separate orders for units by SGC Energia, SGPS, S.A. in December ´10 +April ´11, +by a Fortune 500 company in July ´11; R. Lipski: "We’re pleased to have made another commercial sale –every unit that is operational in the field gets us closer to mass adoption. We’re enthusiastic about the prospect of developing business with this company +of becoming a central part of their synthetic fuels strategy" - Jan 9, 2012
www.oxfordcatalysts.com/financial/fa/ocgfa20120109.php

[Popeye82]

Quantum Rare Earth Developments - Announces Contract for Updated Resource Estimate on Elk Creek Niobium Deposit, updated Technical Report will combine results of historic re-sampling of drill core produced by Molycorp Inc, together with more recent drill results; anticipated that the NI 43-101 compliant resource estimate +Technical Report will be completed during the 1st quarter of ´12 - Jan 17, 2012
www.marketwire.com/press-release/quantum-announces-contract-…

[Popeye82]

Tertiary Minerals Plc - Lassedalen - Mineral Resource Estimate; P. Cheetham: "We are very pleased to announce this significant increase to the Company's JORC classified Mineral Resource base. The definition of a robust maiden Mineral Resource @Lassedalen gives Tertiary a firm basis to progress scoping +feasibility studies for this, the Company's 2nd European fluorspar project, +further supports our ambition to become a major supplier of fluorspar in Europe" - Jan 18, 2012

+ Company's total JORC Mineral Resources increased by 34% to 3.800.000 tonnes contained Fluorite(CaF2) across its two fluorspar projects(Storuman, Sweden +Lassedalen).

+ Resource Estimate cut-off grade based on mine-gate fluorspar price of US$350/tonne fluorspar -some US$200 below current prices.

+ Lassedalen fluorspar deposit remains open to expansion @depth +along strike. ...
http://uk.finance.yahoo.com/news/tertiary-minerals-lassedale…

[Popeye82]

Amex Resources - RDG: Engenium awarded BFS contract; project is located in the northwest of Fiji’s main island of Viti Levu +comprises magnetite rich ironsands. The tenement covers >120km2, +includes the inter-tidal delta @the mouth of the Ba River extending ~4 kilometres out to sea. In undertaking the BFS, Engenium will deliver the engineering design of the processing plant +related infrastructure including transport, storage +shipping of the concentrate; Wayne Peel: "We are very excited to be working with the Amex team on this project. Amex is looking to take this project into production quickly with construction targeted to start in ´12. We will be working closely with the Amex team to fast track this project, +get Fiji’s 1st iron ore mine into production"; study is expected to be completed by the end of March ´12 - Jan 3, 2012
http://stocknessmonster.com/news-item?S=RDG&E=ASX&N=573163
www.amex.net.au/images/pdf/mba.pdf

[Popeye82]

U3O8 - Confirms Significant NI 43-101 Compliant Uranium, Phosphate &Vanadium Resources on the Berlin Project, Colombia; Dr. Richard Spencer: "U3O8 Corp. is pleased to report an initial NI 43-101 resource of such significant size for a suite of commodities that our recently announced metallurgical tests prove can be efficiently extracted from the mineralized rock. Our resource drilling has shown that the mineralized unit @Berlin is remarkably continuous over the southernmost 3km of the project. Our path forward is simple: we intend to continue drilling with two rigs -one aimed @exploration drilling to test the additional 7.5km of strike to the north of the resource area that has never been drilled, but where our trenching has encountered similar mineralization. The 2nd rig will focus on expanding the Berlin resource. In addition, we plan to commence a scoping study in ´12" - Jan 18, 2012

At a cut-off grade of 0.04% U3O8, the uranium resource is:

- Indicated Resource: 1.500.000 pounds("mlb") U3O8(600.000 tonnes @a grade of 0.11% U3O8); +

- Inferred Resource: 19.900.000lb U3O8(8.100.000 tonnes @a grade of 0.11% U3O8).


Contained in the same mineralized layer as the uranium resource, are resources of:

- Phosphate - Inferred Resource: 800.000 tonnes(8.700.000 tonnes @a grade of 9.3% P2O5); +

- Vanadium - Inferred Resource: 97.000.000 lb V2O5(8.700.000 tonnes @a grade of 0.50% V2O5). ...
www.marketwire.com/press-release/u3o8-corp-confirms-signific…
http://media3.marketwire.com/docs/uwe0118fig1.pdf

[Popeye82]

Namibian Copper NL - Ongombo Project -Maiden JORC Resource - Jan 17, 2012

+ Maiden JORC compliant inferred resource of 7.250.000 tonnes @1.7%Cu +8g/t Ag for 123.250t copper(270.000.000 lbs) +>1.800.000 ozs silver.

+ Although the resource estimate does not include gold, the weighted average gold grade of 0.32g/t for seven reported Goldfields holes +the two holes drilled by NCO implies good exploration potential for gold.

+ Four individual target areas identified for drilling including:

- 2.600m strike length of down-plunge extension of the Ost Shoot @TargetI
- 5.800m strike length of down-plunge extension of the Central Shoot @TargetII
- 1.000m strike length of up-dip extension of the Ost Shoot @TargetIII
- 800m strike length of up-dip continuity between Central Shoot +East/Ost Shoot @TargetIV.


+ Coffey mineral resource estimation indicates the Ongombo resource has a similar style of mineralisation, +similar copper +silver grades to those presently being mined @the neighbouring Otjihase mine.

+ Drilling +geophysical programs planned with a view to extending the resource significantly. Geophysical program commencing mid-February +drilling program commencing April. ...
http://stocknessmonster.com/news-item?S=NCO&E=ASX&N=574253



NGEx Signs Agreement With Namibian Copper on Eritrean Base Metal Projects, whereby Namibian Copper NL("Namibian Copper" ) will acquire Sanu Resources, Inc. ("Sanu" ), a wholly owned indirect subsidiary - Jan 17, 2012
www.marketwire.com/press-release/ngex-signs-agreement-with-n…

[Popeye82]

Glen Eagle Resources - Major Phosphate System Discovered, @Lac Lisette; As previously reported in a press release dated May 31, ´11, the airborne survey had detected 2 large magnetic anomalies defined by a high mag over a 12 km strike length. The high mag also indicated that the average width of the anomalies is ~750 meters wide. The drill program tested these large magnetic anomalies over a 2.5 km strike length by 250 meters in width, drills 2.36 -4.22% P2O5 - Jan 17, 2012
www.marketwire.com/press-release/glen-eagle-resources-major-…
www.gleneagleresources.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/03/champ-…
http://file.marketwire.com/release/gl0117.pdf

[Popeye82]

Contract changes could put Indonesian mining industry on the rocks - JG - Jan 17, 2012

- W. Forrest -
www.thejakartaglobe.com/commentary/contract-changes-could-pu…

"Stability in international business is based on many factors but one of the strongest is the sanctity of contracts.

For at least a generation, Indonesia’s mining industry has been characterized by a highly stable contract of work that helped bring steady royalties and tax revenues to the people of Indonesia as well as provide a secure basis for substantial foreign and domestic investment.

Recent statements from the Ministry of Mines again raises an issue that has lingered in Indonesia since the end of the New Order government: Should these contracts be altered in light of the new era and evolving changes to the legal environment, and are the splits in revenue “fair?”

In order to understand this you have to know that Article 23 of Indonesia’s Constitution mandates that all resources below the ground be for the “benefit of the Indonesian people. The article acts as the basis of mandatory contracts between both government and privately owned mining entities with the state.

These benefits are distributed via a negotiated contract that fixes royalty and tax payments as well as other obligations. 2001 changes to Indonesia’s laws on the distribution of revenue from mining activities, a 2003 decree on royalty fees and the 2009 revision to the Mining Law have created uncertainties that have slowed new investment in exploration.

The uncertainty comes not only from inherent conflicts between the new rules and the existing legacy contracts but also from statements from government officials on how the new rules will be implemented.

While it is the prerogative of any party to attempt to renegotiate a contract, such actions, unless otherwise stipulated, must be by the consent of both parties. If one party wants to stick to existing terms they must have the right do so.

It would not be in Indonesia’s interest to unilaterally impose new rules retroactively on existing contracts. Such a change would threaten future investment but there is now concern that current efforts to gain better terms from existing contracts in the face of market changes (higher commodity prices) represents a step in that direction.

Regarding the government’s attempt to renegotiate contracts, the director general of mining, Thamrin Sihite, recently told a legislative hearing that “60 percent of the mining companies have agreed,” that only Newmont and Freeport had not, and that “what’s important is that the renegotiation should be for the best interest of the country.”

Not withstanding the imprecision in Thamrin’s math (there would have to be only five mining companies in total for his figures to be correct), the definition of “best interests” is highly subjective. In fact it could easily be argued that renegotiating creates harmful contract uncertainty that could blight a key sector of the economy.

We expect and hope other voices within the government will stand behind the sanctity of contracts. This will provide the greatest benefit to the people of Indonesia.


Wayne Forrest is president of the American Indonesian Chamber of Commerce, a bilateral organization based in New York. "

[Popeye82]

Cuervo Resources - has reached a three year agreement with the community of Misanapata to carry out advanced exploration activities on their lands. Misanapata’s lands cover >80% of the BobI anomaly in Peru; one of the Company’s two, 1.000.000.000 tonnes iron ore targets, outlined by geophysical exploration - Jan 17, 2012
www.infomine.com/index/pr/PB148836.PDF

[Popeye82]

Cedar Mountain Exploration - entered into an option agreement to earn 100% interest in the Graphite Creek project, Canada; project is an ~1:375 hectare property on the Seward Peninsula of Alaska, 65 kilometres north of Nome. Graphite Creek is characterized by an immense scale , large-flake high-grade graphite deposit with mineralization exposed @surface primarily hosted by a garnet biotite quartz schist interval that contains coarse, crystalline flake graphite in disseminations +high-grade graphite segregations +lenses. Mineralization is continuous over 5 kilometres of strike length with an thickness of ~100 metres +is exposed over dip lengths of 100 to 200 metres. The project indicates that it has the potential for >200.000.000 tonnes grading several percent or >graphite, property is 3 kilometres away from intertidal waters @Windy Cove, ~20 kilometres away from road systems, +3 kilometres from an airstrip; C. Chebry: "“The Graphite Creek project is an ideal fit with our goal of identifying, acquiring, +exploring large cale projects that have the potential to add significant shareholder value. Cedar Mountain’s early stage work completed in ´11 corroborates with historical exploration results increasing our level of confidence that Graphite Creek will become a significant graphite deposit. Cedar Mountain plans to aggressively advance the project in ´12 with an exploration program including sampling, mapping, conductivity surveys, +diamond drilling. The Company aims to have a resource within the next two years" - Jan 17, 2012
www.infomine.com/index/pr/PB148763.PDF

[Popeye82]

Cyclone Power Technologies - Selected to Present its Technology @Department of Energy Technology Summit; invitation-only technology showcase is sponsored by the U.S. Department of Energy(DOE) +the Advanced Research Projects Agency –Energy(ARPA-E), a new agency within the DOE designed to invest in breakthrough technologies that "would forever change our world +the ways we use, produce, +store energy " ; Keynote speakers include Energy Secretary Steven Chu, Microsoft Chairman Bill Gates, FedEX Chairman Fred Smith, +former WalMart CEO Lee Scott; Christopher Nelson: "Being invited to present our technology amidst some of the most influential +forward-thinking government +corporate leaders in the field of energy is a huge honor for Cyclone. We thank ARPA-E for including us in this important event, +look forward to informing attendees on the dynamics of our breakthrough engine technology +its potential in the market" - Jan 18, 2012
http://finance.yahoo.com/news/Cyclone-Power-Technologies-bw-…
www.energyinnovationsummit.com

[Popeye82]

Voyager Resources - Exceptional Discoveries Continue, @KM; result along with previously announced intersections from Cughur +Gaans Discoveries sees Voyager Resources continuing to drill some of the best copper mineralisation reported in Mongolia, external to the Giant Oyu Tolgoi Copper Deposit; has been deduced that a porphyry stock or cluster of porphyry stocks, exists @the KM Copper Project which act as feeders to these shallow hydrothermal breccias. Voyager recently commenced a separate drill programme aimed @identifying the porphyry stock or stocks; has placed an Exploration Target* of between 50.000.000 +150.000.000 tonnes @between 0.8 +1.5% copper on the hydrothermal breccias @the KM Copper Project, does not include the larger Copper Porphyry Stock targets - Jan 18, 2012
www.stocknessmonster.com/news-item?S=VOR&E=ASX&N=574326

[Popeye82]

Iran's Uranium Enrichment Program; Earlier this year the United Nations' nuclear regulator, the International Atomic Energy Agency(IAEA ) confirmed that uranium enrichment has begun @a nuclear facility in northern Iran. The Fordo uranium enrichment plant is located in a heavily defended bunker sunk into a mountain southwest of Tehran in Qom province +is reported to be capable of producing 20% enriched uranium - U3O8.biz - Jan 18, 2012

- D. Brown -
www.u3o8.biz/s/MarketCommentary.asp?ReportID=502483&_Type=Ma…

[Popeye82]

IFPRI to Lead Two New CGIAR Research Programs; IFPRI is leading two major CGIAR Research Programs (CRPs):

- Policies, Institutions +Markets to Strengthen Food Security +Incomes for the Rural Poor(CRP2)

- Agriculture for Improved Nutrition +Health(CRP4)

These programs will bring together researchers from across the CGIAR centers to address some of the most pressing problems facing the global food system - IFPRI/CGIAR - Jan 9, 2012
www.ifpri.org/sites/default/files/crp2proposal_final_oct05_2…
www.ifpri.org/sites/default/files/crp4proposal_final_oct06_2…
www.ifpri.org/blog/ifpri-lead-two-new-cgiar-research-program…
www.youtube.com/watch?v=pFy2wDzi02k&feature=youtu.be
www.youtube.com/watch?v=78Y7BQqAtJM&feature=youtu.be

[Popeye82]

Was the global food crisis really a crisis?; Simulations versus self-reporting - IFPRI - Jan12

- Have rising food prices hurt the poor, or helped them? So far, all answers to this question are based on simulation analyses by the World Bank, the Food +Agriculture Organization of the United Nations(FAO), +the US Department of Agriculture(USDA). These simulation studies almost invariably suggest that the rise in international food prices in ´07 –´08 substantially raised the number of poor or hungry people by anywhere from 60.000.000 to 160.000.000 people. But given the inherent limitations of simulation-based analysis, it is important to also examine survey-based evidence.

This brief reports new findings from a study that uses the only survey-based estimates of global food insecurity trends, based on a self-reported indicator from the Gallup World Poll(GWP). In several respects, the results contradict simulation-based estimates. For example, in a sample representing the majority of the developing world population, self-reported food insecurity decreased during the crisis, not increased. Many large Asian countries were relatively well protected by limited food inflation +strong economic growth. However, similar to many simulation analyses, the self-reported results also show that food insecurity rose in most of Africa +Latin America. Since self-reported indicators also suffer from limitations, it is important to interpret these results carefully. Overall, international institutions must make a greater effort to improve food insecurity measurement, especially when gauging the impact of major economic shocks ...-
www.ifpri.org/sites/default/files/publications/rb17.pdf
www.ifpri.org/publication/was-global-food-crisis-really-cris…

[Popeye82]

State of Land +Water Resources; IFPRI researchers contribute to FAO report, 'The State of the World's Land +Water Resources for Food +Agriculture'(SOLAW ) - IFPRI/FAO - Dec 13, 2012

- Without land +water resources, agriculture cannot survive. But in a world facing increased scarcity of both, farmers—especially those in the developing world—are increasingly hard-pressed to feed the hungry.

To assess the scope of this pressing problem, the FAO recently launched an authoritative study of the global status of land +water resources. The State of Land +Water Resources(SOLAW) is the newest contribution to the FAO’s State of the World report series. Its main findings provide insight into the availability of land suitable for agriculture, the current state of land degradation, +the institutions in place for managing land +water scarcity.

IFPRI researchers contributed 2/19 book´s Thematic Reports, which provide insight into a specific area. Ruth Meinzen-Dick +Claudia Ringler, together with Hans Binswanger-Mkhize, contributed Policies, rights, +institutions for sustainable management of land +water resources. Ringler, Ephraim Nkonya, +Nicola Cenacchi submitted International cooperation for sustainable land +water management. Together, these reports provide an overview of the policies +institutions necessary to support sustainable land +water management ...-
http://typo3.fao.org/fileadmin/templates/solaw/files/themati…
www.ifpri.org/blog/state-land-and-water-resources?utm_source…
www.fao.org/nr/solaw/solaw-home/en/?utm_source=New+At+IFPRI&…

[Popeye82]

Mining Summary - LC - Jan 18, 2012
http://minesite.com/media/pub/var/release_downloadable_file/…

[Popeye82]

Alexium International Group - Rolls Out Fire Retardant(FR) Nylon Treatments, Achieves Key Technical Milestones for Revolutionary Nylon Products - Jan 19, 2012
http://stocknessmonster.com/news-item?S=AJX&E=ASX&N=574514

[Popeye82]

Apollo Minerals - Drilling Commences, @Commonwealth Hill Iron Project; Mr Dominic Tisdell: "We are delighted drilling has commenced @Commonwealth Hill where we have the potential to identify significant quantities of iron ore that could be transported on existing infrastructure to world markets. This marks the start of Apollo’s 1st drilling campaign in a new +emerging mining province in South Australia. In a period of <four months since receiving approval to access the site for exploration from the Commonwealth, we have made significant progress in our goal of defining +developing an important iron project"; magnetite-bearing rocks @Apollo’s Mt Oscar Project outcrop over an oval shaped area measuring some 5km by 2km. The iron rich horizons are strike-continuous for up to 5.5km +are locally up to 160m thick with an average interpreted thickness in excess of 60m; results from drilling programme will feed directly into a Scoping Study to evaluate the potential for rapid development of a start-up project based on the opportunity to access existing rail +port infrastructure - Jan 19, 2012
http://stocknessmonster.com/news-item?S=AON&E=ASX&N=664168

[Popeye82]

Northern Iron - recommences drill program on Karas property after the holiday break; results will assist the team +Roscoe Postle Associates in better delineating the mineralized area towards a measured +indicated NI 43-101 compliant mineral resource estimate - Jan 9, 2012
http://finance.yahoo.com/news/Northern-Iron-Corp-cnw-1562507…



Northern Iron Corp. drill results continue defining magnetite mineralization on The Karas Property, drills "up to" 370m @32.95% Fe2O3; 10.000 metre drill program has been extended due to the results encountered to date +is being completed to define a mineral resource on the property by Q1 ´12; Basil Botha: "These results continue to indicate that the Karas property is an extensive tightly folded banded iron formation +each new hole increases our confidence in the extent of the mineralized zone both in size +depth" - Jan 17, 2012
http://finance.yahoo.com/news/Northern-Iron-Corp-drill-cnw-3…

[Popeye82]

Mining Summary - LC - Jan 19, 2012
http://minesite.com/media/pub/var/release_downloadable_file/…

[Popeye82]

Sabre Resources - More High Grade Vanadium +Base Metals, @Kaskara - Jan 19, 2012

+ 22 m @1.81% V2O5, 4.16% Pb, 1.77% Zn +0.26% Cu(4.80% CuEQ*), in underground channel sampling 45 m below surface, including:

- 5m @5.44% V2O5, 12.25% Pb, 5.07% Zn +0.62% Cu(14.16% CuEQ)


+ High grade vanadium, lead, zinc +copper continuity now confirmed to 67 m below surface

- New results are located 15 m directly below previously reported workings where 13 m @2.87% V2O5, 7.43% Pb, 2.89% Zn +0.42% Cu was intercepted.


+ Mineralisation thickens with, +is open @, depth.

+ Intercepts on two levels are positioned directly above the main IP anomaly, which is the target for Cu-rich mineralisation.

+ Results from channel sampling will be combined with detailed underground mine surveying to generate accurate 3D models of the underground workings +to create mineralisation wireframes. These 3D models will be utilised to plan the next phase of drilling @Kaskara.

+ Kaskara has the potential to be a major high-grade polymetallic deposit. ...
http://stocknessmonster.com/news-item?S=SBR&E=ASX&N=574526

[Popeye82]

The Pick Magazine, "Australias leading Investor focused Publication" - Dec 20, 2011

Topics

+ Commodities Forecast -Energy Market Surpluses emerge in ´12


+ Naracoota Resources -Naracoota brings modern thinking to exciting WA exploration project

+ Tangiers Petroleum -Tangiers Petroleum has world class prospects within its “giant” family

+ Latin Resources -Latin Resources secures $52.000.000 deal to develop Mariela Project +Acquires Dylan concessions

+ BC Iron -is getting it done in the Pilbara

+ Potash West NL -Potash West continues to grow its world class position

+ International Petroleum -International Petroleum ready to turn on the oil taps in Russia

+ Rialto Energy -Rialto sets its sights on a slice of hot West African action

+ Black Mountain -Black Mountain ready to bring life back to historic US mines

+ East Coast Minerals -East Coast eyes Austrian Lithium riches


+ Australian Resources Boom -Australia’s resource sector continues to ride out the economic storms ...
www.the-pick.com.au/download.php

[Popeye82]

Rialto Energy - secures US$20.000.000 investment from IFC, private sector lending arm of World Bank Group - Jan 16, 2012
http://stocknessmonster.com/news-item?S=RIA&E=ASX&N=574102

[Popeye82]

Cap-Ex Ventures - Announces New Drill Results that Increase Size of the "Greenbush Zone"; Mr. Francois Laurin: "These results are quite encouraging +the Company is looking forward to proceeding with its aggressive ´12 drilling program with an objective of identifying +communicating an initial mineral resource estimate" - Jan 18, 2012

Highlights from the eight new drill assay results, located within the southwest area of the Greenbush Zone, include:

+ DDH103-40 intersecting 156.0 metres @30.8% total Fe from 16.8 metres

+ DDH103-30 intersecting 164.8 metres @29.4% total Fe from 9.4 metres

+ DDH103-29 intersecting 138.6 metres @30.1% total Fe from 2.1 metres

(Refer to TableI attached, for all the new results) ...
www.marketwire.com/press-release/cap-ex-announces-new-drill-…

[Popeye82]

Energizer Resources - Discovers Potential Flake Graphite Camp; Preliminary Assays Include 61.4 Metre Intercept @7.46% Carbon - Jan 19, 2012

+ Identification of multiple flake graphite zones on Green Giant property

+ Drill core assay results ranging as high as 21.0% C

+ All Drill Holes intersected graphite with the most significant being FOND-01 which intersected 7.46% C over 61.46m

+ Grab sample assays ranging up to 21.3% C


Phase II Exploration - Green Giant +Malagasy JV Property

+ Identification of multiple graphitic trends on JV property

+ The 21 km vanadium trend found on the Green Giant property has now been increased by an additional 30 km on the JV property

+ Molo zone identified on the JV property, which features structurally 'thickened' graphite zones ...
www.marketwire.com/press-release/energizer-resources-discove…

[Popeye82]

Centaurus Metals - Candonga Trenching Results; confirmed the presence of high-grade itabirite mineralisation @surface in various locations over a strike length of ~1.6km from trenching @its Candonga Iron Ore Project, located 40km from its flagship Jambreiro Project in Minas Gerais, south-east Brazil, results have enhanced the potential of the Candonga Project as a future source of ore feed for Centaurus’ planned iron ore operation at Jambreiro, This potential remains subject to further metallurgical test work to be undertaken as part of the ongoing beneficiation test work program for Jambreiro, as the mineralogy of the Candonga mineralisation appears to be different to that of Jambreiro, being of considerably higher in-situ Fe grade +mineral species. The trenching work has significantly enhanced the definition of drill targets for the next round of exploration +drilling @Candonga. The RC rig which is currently completing in-fill drilling @Jambreiro will be moved to the Candonga Project once the drilling program is complete; The holes in the initial program intersected iron enriched intervals of friable mineralisation @surface before becoming more compact @depth. @surface, medium to coarse grained hematite +goethite are the primary iron minerals with both being substituted by magnetite @depth. Early observation +metallurgical characterisation work indicates that this mineralisation has properties which appear highly complementary in a physical +mineral species sense to the Jambreiro concentrate product, providing further market flexibility +appeal to Centaurus´ domestic product range - Jan 19, 2012

highlights of the trenching assay results including:

- 88.0 metres @55.8% Fe, 4.2% Al2O3 +0.03% P in trench CDG-TR-11-006
- 42.0 metres @52.2% Fe, 4.5% Al2O3 +0.04% P in trench CDG-TR-11-004
- 36.0 metres @46.6% Fe, 4.0% Al2O3 +0.08% P in trench CDG-TR-11-001
- 30.0 metres @57.6% Fe, 4.0% Al2O3 +0.03% P in trench CDG-TR-11-002 ...
http://stocknessmonster.com/news-item?S=CTM&E=ASX&N=574501

[Popeye82]

AsiaBaseMetals - Enters Into Definitive Agreement to Acquire Majority Interest in Laos Potash Project; a World Bank report dated November, ´06 stated the following with respect to Laos: "Potash Rock Salt -As with gypsum, potash rock salt occurs in the evaporite of the Upper Cretaceous, +its distribution is confirmed to be large in Vientiane +Savannakhet provinces. Potash salt deposits in Vientiane +Savannakhet sedimentary basins are large in Laos. Thickness of the deposit in Savannakhet province was confirmed to be 70 -85m @drill holes(DGM-INTERGEO, ´05). The resource of potash salt "may be as high as" 50.000.000.000 tonnes "(Reference: The World Bank Trust Fund: #030670 -Final Report for Economic Geology FR-2, Sector Plan for Sustainable Development of the Mining Sector in the Lao PDR -Section 4.5.3, dated November ´06.); Raj Chowdhry: "We are pleased to have entered into a definitive agreement for the acquisition by the Company of an indirect 90% interest in the Vientiane Potash Property in Laos. Since Potash is one of the key components of fertilizer, +with China, India +Indonesia representing three of the largest markets for agricultural products in the world, +located on the doorstep of Laos, Management believes that the Vientiane Potash Project represents a world class opportunity " - Jan 19, 2012
www.marketwire.com/press-release/asiabasemetals-enters-into-…

[Popeye82]

Saturn Minerals - Signs Memorandum of Understanding for Coal Supply Agreement; will retain an exclusive right to supply a minimum of 7.000.000 tons of sub-bituminous coal(or the equivalent energy content from other types of coal)/anno to the Coal Partner's project by way of production, acquisition or joint venture, for a minimum period of 25 years - Jan 18, 2012
www.marketwire.com/press-release/saturn-minerals-inc-signs-m…

[Popeye82]

Tintina Resources - Reports High Grade Drill Results from the Strawberry East Target Area of the Black Butte Copper Project, drills "up to" 42.34 meters grading 2.12% Copper(Cu), 0.11% Cobalt(Co) +11.9 g/tonne Silver(Ag) +43.75 meters grading 1.83% Cu, 0.10% Co +18.7 g/tonne Ag; Enough information is now available to begin a resource model for the LMZ, +work is ongoing towards calculating an Inferred Resource estimate; Jerry Zieg: "We are very pleased with the drill results from the Strawberry East Target Area +expect that when the resource estimate for the LMZ is completed, we will have surpassed our objective of 1.000.000.000 pounds of contained copper @the Black Butte Project. We expect to complete a resource estimate for the LMZ in the 1st half of ´12"; In addition, on January 12, ´12, the Company has re-started infill drilling on the Johnny Lee Lower Zone with two drill rigs currently on site. The purpose of this drilling is to gain enough additional data to upgrade the Inferred Resource estimate for the Johnny Lee Lower Zone from an Inferred to an Indicated Resource. The in-fill drilling on the Johnny Lee Lower Zone is targeted for completion on April 1, ´12 - Jan 19, 2012
http://finance.yahoo.com/news/Tintina-Reports-High-Grade-iw-…
http://media3.marketwire.com/docs/tintina.pdf

[Popeye82]

Lithium One - Completes Resource Drilling, @the Sal de Vida Lithium +Potash Project, Argentina, grades are ~10% higher than those of the NI 43-101 resource; updated NI 43-101 resource statement to be announced shortly - Jan 19, 2012
www.marketwire.com/press-release/lithium-one-completes-resou…

[Popeye82]

Tigers Realm Coal - completes acquisition of Amaam North; currently holds a 40% interest in the Amaam tenement +can earn up to 80% through the conversion of the exploration license to an exploration +exploitation license +completion of a bankable feasibility study. The Amaam deposit comprises an Inferred Resource1 of 294.000.000 t coking coal +an additional exploration target2 of 220.000.000 -345.000.000 t, central part of the Amaam deposit is located 30km from a proposed deep water port site on the Bering Sea coast; M. Grant: "This acquisition substantially increases our footprint in the emerging coal province in Chukotka. Based on our current understanding of the deposit, we believe that Amaam North has the potential to significantly increase the scale of our coking coal resources in the region"; In the 1st half of ´12 TIG will conduct field reconnaissance +preliminary coal quality analysis to confirm the geological interpretation of the deposit in order to short-list target areas for drilling with the intention of delineating an initial JORC compliant resource - Jan 19, 2012

+ New 478km2 tenement increases total land holding in highly prospective Bering Coal Basin to 709km2

+ The Amaam North +Amaam deposits are located within separate structural blocks of the Bering Coal Basin. The Bering Coal Basin covers an area of ~7.500km2 +extends from north of Beringovsky(Nargornaya mine) to the southern coast line. The primary coal host sequence @Amaam North +Amaam is the Middle Chukchi Formation of Palaeogene age.

+ The coal formation @Amaam North is synclinal in structure with longitudinal +cross cutting faults, moderate dips @the margins, flatter dips along the axis. Mapping of the deposit has identified multiple coal exposures, 30 of which are >2m true seam thickness. Based on outcrop sampling, cumulative coal thicknesses are expected to be similar to Amaam.

+ Available information indicates the coal @North Amaam is a high volatile A bituminous coal based on the ASTM classification standard. TIG considers Amaam North to be prospective for high volatile semi soft to semi hard coking coal. BHP Billiton held an exploration license for the Amaam North deposit from December ´06 to December ´09. During this time, BHPB is believed to have undertaken field mapping +a limited(four holes) drill program. BHPB relinquished the license in December ´09.

+ Amaam North tenement located 30km from Amaam tenement +40km from existing Beringovsky port

+ The acquisition of the Amaam North tenement significantly increases the scale of TIG’s activities +potential resource endowment in Chukotka. With the increasing focus on far eastern Russia, TIG has initiated a strategic review of its project portfolio "to ensure that resources are allocated in a manner which will maximise shareholder value". Results of the strategic review are expected to be released to market in Q1 ´12. ...
http://stocknessmonster.com/news-item?S=TIG&E=ASX&N=368115

[Popeye82]

I-Minerals - Files 43-101 Report Covering Preliminary Economic Assessment Study of its Bovill Kaolin Halloysite Quartz +K-Spar Project in Latah County, Idaho USA - Jan 19, 2012

+ US$155.000.000 million After Tax NPV

+ 29% IRR

+ Total Life of Mine Capital costs $64.800.000

+ Inferred Mineral Resource of 38.400.000 short tons is based upon a cut-off grade of 20% clay +represents the largest deposits of high quality feldspar, quartz, kaolin +halloysite in the Western United States

+ 50+ year mine life with 0.26:1 strip ratio

+ 3 year estimated payback ...
http://finance.yahoo.com/news/I-Minerals-Files-43-101-prnews…
http://finance.yahoo.com/news/-minerals-Announces-Positive-c…

[Popeye82]

Kivalliq Energy - Strengthens Operational Team; Dale Wallster Joins Board of Directors; Wallster was president +founder of Roughrider Uranium Corp., a company acquired by Hathor Exploration Limited in ´06 for its 1.000.000 acres of strategically located uranium properties in the Athabasca Basin. Dale +his team are widely credited in the mineral exploration sector for the discovery of the Hathor's Roughrider deposit - Jan 19, 2012
www.marketwire.com/press-release/kivalliq-strengthens-operat…

[Popeye82]

Mining Summary - LC - Jan 20, 2012
http://minesite.com/media/pub/var/release_downloadable_file/…

[Popeye82]

Former Prime Minister shares leadership SECRETS ; We asked one of the world's longest-serving leaders for his single biggest leadership lesson -&THIS is what he said - MTBTV - Jan 19, 2012
www.meettheboss.tv/Broadcast/Leadership/313/Always-Question-…

[Popeye82]

Catalyst Copper - announces a 71% resource increase for La Verde copper porphyry: ~4.680.000.000 Ibs @0.41% Cu, 796.000 Oz @0.047g/t Au +38.100.000 Oz @2.3g/t Ag M/I/I, plans to use the updated resource to prepare a Preliminary Economic Assessment(PEA) for La Verde - Jan 20, 2012
http://finance.yahoo.com/news/Catalyst-Copper-announces-71-c…

[Popeye82]

Sprott bearish on base metals, positive on gold, oil; Prominent Canadian fund manager Eric Sprott said on Wednesday he was bearish on cyclical commodities such as industrial metals because of the economic slowdown, though he remained positive on gold +crude oil. Sprott, a long-time gold bull who last week filed to launch a platinum +palladium product allowing investors to redeem the physical metals, said he expects that business to grow in the wake of MF Global's collapse - MW/Reuters - Jan 19, 2012
www.miningweekly.com/article/sprott-bearish-on-base-metals-p…

"Prominent Canadian fund manager Eric Sprott said this week he was bearish on cyclical commodities such as industrial metals because of the economic slowdown, though he remained positive on gold and crude oil.

Sprott, a long-time gold bull who last week filed to launch a platinum and palladium product allowing investors to redeem the physical metals, said he expects that business to grow in the wake of MF Global's collapse.

"I am not bullish on cyclical commodities such as iron ore, coal, steel, lead and zinc because I am worried about this economic contraction that everybody is talking about," Sprott told Reuters in a phone interview from his Toronto office.

He expects gold to hit a record above $2 000/oz this year, with silver also rallying to an all-time high at more than $50/oz. On Wednesday, gold traded at $1 660/oz and silver at $30.50.

Sprott, whose parent company Sprott Inc manages around C$9-billion in assets, has been bearish on cyclical commodities since the 2008 global economic crisis, and has maintained the gold and silver forecasts throughout last year.

"I think there is more upside to the gold-mining stocks. Last year, the stocks were absolutely crushed when the price of gold went down. But when gold goes back up, the stocks will provide a better return."

Bullion lost 10% in December and briefly entered a bear market, as it struggled to regain its safe-haven appeal even though investors questioned the viability of the euro.

Year to date, spot gold was up 6 percent, largely tracking equity markets' gains. It posted a 10% gain in 2011 that sealed its 11th consecutive year of gains.

Sprott cited strong physical gold demand, indicated by encouraging imports by China and Turkey late last year.

In addition, he was positive on the outlook of the energy market because of relatively inelastic demand and depleting output.

"It's getting tougher and more expensive all the time to produce energy. I think that's a pretty good foundation for the oil prices hanging in there."


SELL SHARES, REDEEM METAL

On Friday, Sprott filed regulatory papers for a planned launch of a physical platinum and palladium trust initially worth $115-million on the New York Stock Exchange and the Toronto Stock Exchange. The firm already runs two physical gold and silver trusts.

Investors in Sprott's funds have the option to redeem physical metals, something that not all ETFs offer.

"A lot of people thought they owned gold and silver before MF Global went bankrupt. And all of a sudden they found out that they didn't own anything at all," he said.

"We like people who own the units to know that they have the ability of getting the physical gold and silver."

Sprott said investors rarely redeem physical metals, but that could change if economic conditions worsen.

"In certain circumstances, we could see a lot of redemption. I am talking about financial meltdown circumstances. So, hypothetically it could happen," he said. "

[Popeye82]

DTI mulling special economic zone for platinum - MW, JOHANNESBURG - Jan 19, 2012

- M. Creamer -
www.miningweekly.com/article/lionel-october-2012-01-17

"South Africa's Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) is giving serious consideration to the creation of a Special Economic Zone (SEZ) for platinum development.


DTI director-general Lionel October tells Mining Weekly Online that a DTI team is working with the participants to determine the economic viability of establishing a central platinum hub with satellites to allow for locational flexibility.

“Some of the provinces and our local companies have been working on moving into the commercialisation of fuel-cell technology, so definitely this could be one area that we designate an SEZ,” says October (see also attached video).

The South African government is hoping its new SEZs Bill and policy will create the framework for the development of new industrial nodes outside of the traditional industrial heartlands.

Platinum has been identified as one of South Africa’s strategic minerals as the overwhelming bulk of the world’s deposits are in South Africa and neighbouring Zimbabwe.

“There have been major developments in terms of diversifying the sources of demand for platinum, especially in the general area of energy and fuel cells,” October tells Mining Weekly Online.

Anglo American CEO Cynthia Carroll told the United Nations climate change convention’s seventeenth Conference of the Parties (COP 17) in a forceful speech in Durban that the window of opportunity was “wide open” for South Africa to create “hundreds of thousands of new jobs" and simultaneously obtain a source of clean "zero-emission electricity” by developing fuel cells in this country.

Anglo American, through the JSE-listed Anglo American Platinum (Amplats), is the world’s largest producer of platinum, which is used as a catalyst in fuel cells.

“With platinum at its heart, a fuel-cell industry would support South Africa’s drive for jobs,” Carroll added.

Amplats market development and research head Anthea Bath told Mining Weekly Online on Monday that the company intended putting a fuel-cell powered mine locomotive through its paces at the Dishaba platinum mine, in Limpopo province, in March/April.

The purpose of the demonstration would be to show that fuel-cell powered locomotives provided superior efficiency and productivity and offered underground transport that had zero emission.

Last year Amplats unveiled a pioneering clean-energy fuel-cell power plant that reforms coal-bed methane gas into hydrogen to produce both electricity and heat, at 83% efficiency.

Fuel cells are currently seen as being poised to play an imminent role in both vehicle and stationary applications worldwide.

Their use provides a significant platinum extraction opportunity for the mining industry as well as a local manufacturing, installation, maintenance and job-creating opportunities for South Africa as a whole.

A relatively moderate niche penetration of the fuel cells into the huge global energy market is calculated to be able to drive substantial platinum demand.

October makes the point that South Africa’s SEZs must be designed to offer quality infrastructure, and that the incentives that go with them must be seen as "top-ups" rather than their central theme.

“Investors must be able to see a complete long-term business opportunity in the zones and that’s why quality infrastructure is critical,” says October.

Beneficiation is now firmly on the national agenda and the DTI is studying innovative ways of attracting a bigger part of the platinum industry to South Africa.

Simultaneously, manufacturers the world over are wanting to base their production closer to their sources of raw material supply in order to lower their carbon footprints.

“If we get the first mover, we'll get the agglomeration ,” October comments to Mining Weekly Online.

Leading automotive companies have been investing in fuel cells to a point where these engines of the future have emerged from the research-and-development phase into the commercialisation and industrialisation phases.

“We’re at a nexus point that, if we do the right thing now, we can take fuel cells to a slightly higher level,” adds October.

A prime location is being sought for the creation of a kind of ‘Platinum Valley’ that emulates the great Silicon Valley success of the US.

Some public transport abroad is already fuel-cell driven, as are a growing number of forklift trucks.

South Africa’s Department of Mineral Resources (DMR) has identified platinum as a candidate for value-chain development, backing up disparate research work for decades by the likes of platinum promoter Johnson Matthey.

The DMR says that alternative forms of energy, such as platinum-group metals (PGMs) fuel cells, present an opportunity for South Africa to become a prominent player in global manufacturing and distribution of fuel-cell components.

A platinum-using catalytic converter company, which currently does the bulk of its manufacture in Japan, says that a 10% price preference as part of the beneficiation strategy will be sufficient to attract it to set up a manufacturing facility in South Africa.

In August last year, Amplats, through the first investment of its Platinum Group Metals Development Fund (PGMD Fund), and US-based Altergy Systems announced that it would be partnering South Africa’s Department of the Science and Technology (DST) to establish a new company, Clean Energy Incorporated, to market and distribute fuel cells in South Africa, followed by the local manufacture of fuel cells for the sub-Saharan African market by 2013.

Both the DST, through the Technology Innovation Agency, and the PGMD Fund, pledged to invest in the transaction and, along with Altergy, each receive equity in Clean Energy, which would obtain its PGMs for fuel-cell manufacturing at market-related prices.

Fuel cells use mainly hydrogen, but also ammonia or liquid petroleum gas, to generate electricity, with water the byproduct.

Amplats CEO Neville Nicolau makes the point that market development is required to ensure the use of platinum for the life of the company’s mines.

Fuel cells can be used in a wide range of applications. Besides their use to drive vehicles, the scope to use stationary fuel cells for power generation is wide, particularly in far-flung off-grid locations.

The telecommunications sector will be one of Clean Energy’s first target markets, with fuel cells able to generate power, or backup power, for cellphone towers.

Small fuel cells power cellphones and potentially miners’ caplamps, or they can consist of bigger systems to power buildings.

Amplats demonstrated a 150 kW zero-emission fuel cell close to the COP 17 conference venue to highlight platinum’s green credentials and its role in lowering carbon emission.

Altergy chairperson Terry Carlone has made the point that fuel cells can be produced in large volumes and at low cost, using a high degree of automation.

Science and Technology Minister Naledi Pandor has stated that the local manufacture of fuel cells is in line with the government’s National Hydrogen and Fuel Cells Research, Development and Innovation Strategy, the ultimate goal of which is to supply 25% of the world catalyst demand by 2020.


Edited by: Creamer Media Reporter "

[Popeye82]

View of a private Investor; Resources industry observer Susie Boeckmann takes a look @the companies +people that have impressed her over the past year - RR - Jan 19, 2012
www.resourcesroadhouse.com.au/_blog/Resources_Roadhouse/post…

[Popeye82]

Australia may have RESOURCES but it doesn´t have enough RESOURCES ; The resources Australia has in the ground are plentiful but the human resources to develop the operations to dig them up are sparse in comparison - RR - Jan 19, 2012
www.resourcesroadhouse.com.au/_blog/Resources_Roadhouse/post…

[Popeye82]

Segue ready to make next move; Segue Resources has received results from a recent drilling program carried out @the company’s Emang manganese project in South Africa - RR, THE DRILL SERGEANT - Jan 19, 2012
www.resourcesroadhouse.com.au/_blog/Resources_Roadhouse/post…

[Popeye82]

Energio - Encouraging intersections from initial drilling results; In October ´11 Company commenced a 20.000m resource definition drilling program @Agbaja Iron Ore Exploration Project(“Drill Program”) with the objective of defining a maiden JORC resource. The Drill Program is currently ahead of schedule with 200/800 holes completed, which is focused on testing the grade +extent of the Agbaja Iron Ore Exploration Project, 1st batch of results have confirmed thickness +grade of the oolitic
mineralization with grades consistently within the expected range of 48% -53% Fe(with reference to Al Maynard +Associates’ analysis of the ´52 drilling completed by earlier explorers); Dr Ian Burston: "these initial results are very encouraging as they appear to be homogeneous +are supportive of the significant exploration target we believe exists @the Agbaja Iron Ore Exploration Project. It further supports our earlier thinking that the Agbaja Iron Ore Exploration Project strata comprises ~10m of overburden followed by 20 to 30 metres of ore bearing sandstone material . The coming months will see Energio complete the full analysis of the drill samples, conduct metallurgical testing to determine optimal ways of processing the material +whilst also finalising an infrastructure study examining the most efficient production +export solutions", drill program will recommence early next week +company reaffirms it expects to complete the drilling program in Q2 ´12, more results are expected over the coming weeks which the Company will update to the market - Jan 19, 2012

+ XRF analysis received for the 1st batch of samples from 4 holes of the ´11 drill program @Agbaja Iron Ore Exploration Project

+ Results are in line with the expected range of 48 -53% Fe

+ Independent, global mining consultant, Coffey International has been engaged +has commenced work to prepare a maiden JORC resource estimate ...
http://stocknessmonster.com/news-item?S=EIO&E=ASX&N=574512

[Popeye82]

Dragon Energy - Pilbara Iron Project -Positive Scoping Study Results; Gang Xu: "The Scoping Study confirms that our flagship Pilbara Iron Project has an extremely robust business case with the potential to deliver significant long term economic benefits to our shareholders. Our current major RC drilling programmes @Rocklea +Nameless are progressing well. We expect full results for the Rocklea drilling programme +new JORC estimates to be available @the end of this Quarter. We will stick to our objective of achieving our 1st shipment in ´13 +have already commenced a number of long lead project approval items including environmental surveys, mining lease applications +port access negotiations. ´12 is the Chinese year of the Dragon. We look forward to ´12 being an exceptionally rewarding year for Dragon Energy +our shareholders" - Jan 20, 2012

+ Scoping Study considers 2 development scenarios of Dragon’s Pilbara Iron Project:

- Case 1: Rocklea Project -2.000.000t/a output
- Case 2: Rocklea +Nameless Projects -10.000.000t/a output


+ Confirms the technical +financial viability of both development cases

+ Open cut mining with a low strip ratio +overall low mining costs

+ Mining +transportation costs for Case 1 indicate FOB OPEX of $45.82/tonne +CFR(north China) OPEX of $64.89/tonne

+ Mining +transportation costs for Case 2 indicate FOB OPEX of $33.59/tonne +CFR(north china) OPEX of $50.15/tonne

+ Case 1 presents a NPV(10) of $344.800.000 with a 31% IRR

+ Case 2 presents a NPV(10) of $2.490.000.000 with a 64% IRR

+ No significant approval impediment to project development ...
http://stocknessmonster.com/news-item?S=DLE&E=ASX&N=574590

[Popeye82]

Virginia Governor Directs the State Regulatory Agencies to Develop Draft Uranium Mining Regulations in ´12 - Jan 20, 2012
www.marketwire.com/press-release/virginia-governor-directs-s…

[Popeye82]

IC Potash - Commences Program to Confirm Chemistry of Processing Water; S. Himmel: "Based on our studies, the Capitan Reef provides more than sufficient water resources to supply our Ochoa Sulphate of Potash("SOP") Project. Given the brackish nature of this water, ICP will not be required to acquire a water rights permit. This greatly reduces the time required to permit the use of this water resource. The Capitan Reef is abundant, suitable for our production, +is currently un-utilized" - Jan 19, 2012
http://finance.yahoo.com/news/IC-Potash-Commences-Program-cn…

[Popeye82]

Mining Summary - LC - Jan 23, 2012
http://minesite.com/media/pub/var/release_downloadable_file/…

[Popeye82]

Lydian International - Reports Resource Update of 3.200.000 Ounces Gold +13.000.000 Ounces Silver in Combined Indicated +Inferred Categories, @Its Amulsar Project in Armenia; Tim Coughlin: "This is clearly another significant step in resource development @Amulsar but it is not the end of the story. Despite 90.000 meters of drilling the resource remains open in all directions. Add to that the largely untested potential @newly identified prospect areas such as Orontes which is about a kilometer away from the resource shell towards the southwest +this coming ´12 drill season should provide further excitement" - Jan 23, 2012
www.marketwire.com/press-release/lydian-reports-resource-upd…

[Popeye82]

Blackline GPS - Wins Minnesota Department of Corrections Contract, As part of a state wide Minnesota DOC safetyimprovement initiative, the adoption of the Loner GPS product will provide real-time safety monitoring for their Intensive Supervised Release(ISR) agents. In the event of a safety incident, Loner GPS identifies the agent in need of assistance +maps their precise location within a monitoring center for emergency response; Victor Wancheba: "It is a priority for the department to protect our corrections agents +mitigate risks to their physical harm. In evaluating the proposals to accomplish this task we were seeking a solution that provides us with a product that is both easy to use +provides reliable real-time agent safety monitoring", Cody Slater: "Blackline's Loner GPS device is one component of our integrated approach to monitoring of worker safety that includes real-time mobile alerting, a hosted web application, mapping of worker locations +web services. Our end-to-end technology ownership enables us to meet the safety monitoring needs of law enforcement +correctional officers" - Jan 23, 2012
www.marketwire.com/press-release/blackline-wins-minnesota-de…

[Popeye82]

Marifil Mines - Acquiring High Grade Potash Deposit, Five Drill Holes Contain 42% to 45% KCl; K-5 claims are bordered on the east by Vale's claims which host the +2.000.000.000 tonne Potasio Rio Colorado potash deposit +bordered on the north by claims owned by K+S Group(a giant German fertilizer corporation) +which host the large El Porton potash deposit. The K-5 prospect is possibly an extension of the El Porton deposit, Marifil geologists have identified significant sylvite(KCl) intervals in drill logs from 27 holes drilled for oil. Eight additional drill logs are still being analyzed. Potash mineralization has been identified in up to 7 separate horizons. Most of these horizons range in depth from about 1.000 to 1.100 meters but significant potash has been identified as deep as 1.500 meters, potash horizons occur in a large north-striking anticlinal or monoclinal fold. Mineralization occurs over a width of 5 kilometers +a strike length of about 20 kilometers ; Mr. John Hite: "This acquisition may be a real game changer for Marifil +is one we worked for nearly one year to acquire. We have identified multiple high grade sylvite(KCl) horizons with mineable thicknesses over an area of 80 to 100 square kilometers . These horizons should be extremely amenable to solution mining. By adding the K-5 we have become the 2nd largest potash claim owner in the Neuquen Basin. Marifil is actively seeking a partner to develop our K-2, K-3, +K-4 properties. K-5 is a stellar addition to this portfolio" - Jan 23, 2012
www.marifilmines.com/s/NewsReleases.asp?ReportID=503282&_Typ…

[Popeye82]

Sino Gas upgrade in resource evaluation - AI - 23-Jan-2012
www.australianinvestor.com.au/news.asp?id=42341
http://stocknessmonster.com/news-item?S=SEH&E=ASX&N=574769

"Sino Gas & Energy Holdings Ltd has announced that it has achieved a significant upgrade in the independent resource evaluation +asset valuation on its Linxing +Sanjiaobei projects. This upgrade is based on full analysis of the drilling, seismic +testing program conducted in ´11 +updated development modeling reflecting the improved market conditions for gas in China.

Key results of the independent evaluation by leading oil +gas industry advisors RISC, under SPE PRMS, include1:

+ Sino Gas’s share of project NPV in developing the mid case Contingent +Prospective resources has increased 96% to US$2.300.000.000(February ´11: US$1.200.000.000);

+ Expected monetary value(EMV or risked NPV) increasing 178% to US$1.800.000.000(February ´11: US$664.000.000);

+ 2C(100%) Contingent Resources up 79% to 1.8 Tcf(February ´11: 1.0 Tcf);

+ Mid case(100%) Prospective Resources up 21% to 1.9 Tcf(February ´11: 1.5 Tcf); +

+ Mid Case GIIP(Gas Initially in Place)(100%) up 21% to 11.9 Tcf(February ´11: 9.9 Tcf).


Sino Gas Executive Chairman, Gavin Harper, said that the significant upgrades reported today means that Sino Gas can confidently implement our strategy to move towards development of the gas from each project during ´12.

“There is a robust market demand for our gas as China continues the move from coal to cleaner energy.

The successful ´11 exploration program supports our drive to bring both Linxing +Sanjiaobei gas to market.

As we move into ´12, together with our Chinese partners, will continue the process towards securing development approvals +further defining the resource potential through additional wells, seismic +testing programs. We also intend to expand the Company’s Pilots during ´12.”

“Sino Gas has explored ~45% of the area of each PSC. The RISC evaluation of the Company’s extensive ´11 seismic, well testing +well drilling program together with the consistent geological properties of the assessed area has led to much of the current reserve +resource upgrade.

The significant increase in project value has been driven by the increased resource base, refinements to the Company’s development models +robust gas prices in China. The 178% increase in project risked value has arisen as Sino Gas continues to de-risk the development potential of the projects.

The ongoing work program in ´12 is expected to produce additional information on currently unexplored acreage on each block, as well as refining our understanding of the areas already assessed in this latest evaluation by RISC.” "

[Popeye82]

Ethiopian Potash - Announces Results for Hole 9 +Update, Company will continue to release complete assays for each hole as they become available, +anticipates having assay results for holes 10 -20 between Feb 1 +Feb 15; Mr. Wahl: "I am very impressed with the continuity of grade +thickness of the sylvite member we are seeing in our assay results. Drilling is going very well +we have two rigs operating 24/7; each drill is averaging >60 metres/day" - Jan 23, 2012
www.marketwire.com/press-release/ethiopian-potash-announces-…
http://media3.marketwire.com/docs/eth0123.pdf

[Popeye82]

Junior golds' valuation table updated: Stockhouse Ticker Trax3 - SH/TT - Jan 20, 2012

- D. Deadlock -
www.stockhouse.com/Columnists/2012/Jan/20/Junior-golds-valua…




Comparative Chart of Junior Gold Companies -Sorted by EV/Risked Reserves




Comparative Chart of Junior Gold Companies -Sorted by Net Debt(Cash)




Comparative Chart of Junior Gold Companies -Sorted by Total Gold Ounces




Comparative Chart of Junior Gold Companies -Sorted by Name

[Popeye82]

Champion Minerals - Encounters Further Significantly Long Intersections of High-Grade Iron Formation @the Oil Can Project, Adjacent to Its Fire Lake North Project, Fermont, Quebec; drills up to 328.8 Metres Grading 31.4% Total Iron, 472.2 Metres Grading 28.0% Total Iron, 573.0 Metres Grading 26.6% Total Iron +311.4 Metres Grading 27.6% Total Iron; Tom Larsen: "The Oil Can Project continues to impress us with the continuity of iron grade +width across each of the three large mineralized zones. The project is being fast-tracked with baseline studies initiated +a Mineral Resource Estimate planned for completion in Q1 ´12. Additionally, Champion remains focused on developing its Fire Lake North Project +we are continuing with the Feasibility Program's definition +geo-technical drilling that commenced in December ´11. Champion's National Instrument 43-101 compliant iron ore resources, which currently >2.200.000.000 tonnes, are expected to increase dramatically in the coming months when the Mineral Resource Estimates for the Oil Can +Moire Lake Projects are published"; Nineteen drill holes, comprising 8.435 total metres, were completed between August 5th +December 11th, ´11 @Oil Can. Based on this, the Company expects to deliver a National Instrument("NI" ) 43-101 Mineral Resource Estimate for Oil Can in Q1 ´12, Champion completed a total of 47.235 metres through drill programs @the Oil Can, Fire Lake North, Moire Lake, O'Keefe-Purdy, Midway *Bellechasse Projects in ´11 by utilizing up to nine drill rigs. The Company also expects to deliver a NI 43-101 Mineral Resource Estimate for the Moire Lake Project in Q1-´12 - Jan 23, 2012
www.marketwire.com/press-release/champion-minerals-encounter…

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Avonlea Minerals - Exceptional High Grade Vanadium Intercepts - Abenab, Namibia; David Riekie: "To achieve both high grade intersections +broad zones of mineralisation, from our 1st pass drilling program is extremely encouraging +it would be fair to say, that our expectations were realised earlier than expected. Programs are also underway to evaluate our new nearer surface discovery +the strike extensions. Our objective is to assess the potential for a low CAPEX, near term mining operation @the previously operating Abenab mine, +utilise modern mining +processing technology to enhance the potential production profile. These positive early exploration results form a foundation for pursuing this near term objective, +we will continue to assess the data we have on hand to determine the targets for further exploration. We now have bulk samples with the laboratories to assess concentrate recoveries from simple crushing +gravity processes. The database of historical information comprising both exploration and mining reference material, now coupled with these recent +confirmatory exploration results, provides Avonlea with basis to develop a desktop study to consider the potential @Abenab" - Jan 23, 2012

+ Assays from maiden vanadium drilling program received:

- 32.3m @1.8% V2O5
- including 10.8m @4.0% V2O5
- 4.1m @3.8% V2O5


+ Broad zones of Vanadium rich mineralisation encountered

+ Underground grab sample 6.2% V2O5,(14.1%Pb +6.6% Zn)

+ Discovery of new zone of high grade, vanadium rich mineralisation near surface

+ Mineralisation remains open along strike +@depth

+ Significant extension of down dip vanadium mineralisation confirms potential

+ Desktop mining scoping study, including bulk sample processing, underway

+ Abenab mine operated between ´21 +´38 whereby ~1.800.000 t of ore was mined to produce 42.000.000 lbs(or ~102.000 tonnes) of concentrate @18.0% V2O5. Historical figures indicate that the Abenab vanadium ore concentrate was very consistent +characterised by its simple recovery +concentration attributes; achieving average grades of 18.0% V2O5, 13.4% Zn +42.4% Pb . Production was from open pit +underground operations that reached a depth of 215m from 11 levels ...
http://stocknessmonster.com/news-item?S=AVZ&E=ASX&N=574770

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Stonehenge Metals - Announces Vanadium Exploration Target, of 385.000.000 to 695.000.000 lbs V2O5 for the Daejon Project; Richard Henning: "The Daejon project "has the potential to be a significant global vanadium resource". South Korea is a major global steel producer +is committed to nuclear power generation; the development of the Daejon project has the potential to meet a substantial proportion of their domestic demand. The exploration target announced today reinforces the Company’s belief "in this potentially world-class uranium +vanadium project" , +as such, developing these economic domestic resources of uranium oxide +vanadium oxide will be of great strategic importance to South Korea +their security of supply in the coming years" - Jan 23, 2012

+ Reconnaissance surveying has confirmed vanadium mineralisation occurs over a strike length of 10 km across the Daejon project area.

+ Stonehenge has identified a number of high priority exploration drill targets across the Daejon project with vanadium grades in outcrop ranging up to 1.2% V2O5.

+ Sampling of the 340m long Chubu exploration adit has confirmed a large continuous mineralised zone containing vanadium @59m @0.32% V2O5 +33m @0.79% V2O5(including 9m @1.33%V2O5).

+ The current exploration work clearly indicates that the Daejon project is emerging with significant opportunities for both uranium +vanadium.

+ Stonehenge is currently working towards a maiden vanadium resource estimate. Based on vanadium assays from the Chubu exploration adit +reconnaissance surveying along strike, an Exploration Target1 of 70.000.000 -90.000.000 t @a grade of between 0.25% to 0.35% V2O5 for a contained 385.000.000 -695.000.000 lbs V2O5, is estimated to be within the Daejon project area ...
http://stocknessmonster.com/news-item?S=SHE&E=ASX&N=574899

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Nimrodel Resources - 2.000.000.000 Tonnes Exploration Target, @Takatokwane South; C. Mason: "The results from PhaseI drilling @Takatokwane South are extremely positive +indicate an extension of the coal horizons @Takatokwane. The PhaseII drilling program is currently being prepared +now that we have a better understanding of the entire sub basin our focus is twofold. 1stly adding to the overall Inferred Resource category through Takatokwane South; +2ndly, by targeting a portion of the overall resource for the Indicated Resource category" - Jan 24, 2012

+ Exploration target of 2.000.000.000 tonnes for Takatokwane South.

+ Results returned from 13/16 diamond core holes drilled

+ Coal horizons up to 21 metres thick

+ Seam 2 depth from surface commences @64 metres.

+ Calorific Value of the seams range 20 to 25 MJ/kg @1.60 SG Float

+ Nimrodel Resources released its maiden Inferred Resource of 4.200.000.000 Tonnes in November ´11 +since October have been drilling @the adjacent tenement, Takatokwane South. ...
http://stocknessmonster.com/news-item?S=NMR&E=ASX&N=574936

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Mining Summary - LC - Jan 24, 2012
http://minesite.com/media/pub/var/release_downloadable_file/…

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Woulfe Mining - Increases Indicated Resource by 2.75 Times, to Support the Initial 10 Years Mining, @Sangdong: 16.431.714 @0.45% WO3 +0.04% MoS2 +19.368.623 tonnes @0.44% WO3 + 0.05% MoS2 I/I; one of the world´s largest WO3 reources, important to note that this Resource represents mineralisation only within the Upper Section of the mine; Brian Wesson: "The drilling programs have been successful +produced a significant upgraded in the indicated resource. The proving up of >10 years of mining resources to accommodate the mining of 1.200.000 t/annum from above the valley floor(above 2 level) takes the project forward a large step as it provides sufficient ore for the feasibility. The feasibility study is running three months late due to the drilling +the metallurgical test work which was moved to China. Tungsten was mined +APT manufactured for many years by the previous mine owner Korea Tungsten. Woulfe is focused on reconfirming the recoveries +looking to optimise the flow sheet using new age Chinese technology that has been developed over the last 20 years as the world's largest APT supplier. Feasibility is due for release @the end of the quarter"; Woulfe are continuing to drill, explore +sample within the Upper Section of the old mine +plan to dewater down to -4 level in the near future to allow these efforts to be expanded. Definition +refinement of the Sangdong models will continue as more underground drilling is completed. This data will increase the sample density increasing the area meeting the criteria for the 'Indicated' category - Jan 24, 2012
www.marketwire.com/press-release/woulfe-mining-increases-ind…
www.nicolastreetcapital.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/01/Sangd…
www.nicolastreetcapital.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/01/Sangd…
www.nicolastreetcapital.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/01/Sangd…

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Alexium International Group - &Bruck Textiles Forge Path Ahead –Focus on Innovative &Environmentally Friendly Products, on several joint development projects +license negotiations for the Australasia region; While the product developments +negotiations are covering a broader spectrum of fabrics, Alexium +Bruck are already engaged in performance trials for ballistic fabrics treated with Alexium’s repellency treatment. Importantly, Alexium’s RST repellency treatments do not contain perfluorooctanoic acids(PFOAs ) or perfluorooctanesulfonic acids(PFOSs ), which are currently used by other traditional repellency treatments, +which are now being phased out by industry +regulators, for health reasons; Alexium’s repellency treatment, developed +applied to the Bruck ballistic fabrics, offers exceptional performance @"a very competitive price", while ensuring a completely PFO +PFOA-free solution; S. Susta: "We look forward to continuing to work with Bruck in order to finalize the commercial relationship +launching value-added +differentiated products. We appreciate the synergy between the two parties, the role each partner brings to the table, +the commitment each party is making to push new products into the market"; Alexium is working with Bruck on defined products as an exclusive licensee in the Australasia territory. Alexium is negotiating the terms of a final license agreement, including the delivery +commissioning of a production unit, technical +business milestone +royalty payments, Since ´70, Bruck has been the major supplier of Combat +Non Combat apparel fabrics for the Australian Defence Forces. Bruck is also a key supplier to Australia's leading work wear brands that operate @both retail +institutional level +is Australia’s largest fabric manufacturer - Jan 24, 2012
http://stocknessmonster.com/news-item?S=AJX&E=ASX&N=574958

[Popeye82]

Energio - Further encouraging intersections from drill results, continuous results are now being received +released to the market from the 200 drill holes completed to date of the planned 20.000 metres of drilling for resource definition @the Agbaja Iron Ore Exploration Project; Dr Ian Burston: "These results continue the positive pattern of the analysis of the 1st 4 holes with the grade +thickness of the ore body surpassing the board’s expectations. The grades from this batch of results remains @the upper end of our target range +interestingly the most recent drill intersections are on average ~three metres thicker in the main ore body when compared with the initial four drill hole results", With recommencement of drilling this week company remains on target to finalise drilling +sampling program within the 2nd quarter ´12 - Jan 24, 2012

+ Results confirm grades @the high end of the initial target range of 48% -53% Fe

+ Results further support presence of near surface Iron Ore

+ Grade +thickness of ore body surpass expectations

+ Thickness of intersections on average 3m thicker in main ore body than 1st results ...
http://stocknessmonster.com/news-item?S=EIO&E=ASX&N=574956

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Cockatoo Coal - Hume Project JORC Resources Increased by 288% -to 446.000.000 t, Company has a 30% interest in the Hume project(Auth 349) +is Manager of the project - Jan 24, 2012

+ Increase in all classifications of JORC compliant Resources in the Hume project(AUTH 349) by 331.000.000 tonnes, or 288% from 115.000.000 tonnes to 446.000.000 tonnes.

+ Indicated JORC Resources increased from nil to 204.900.000 tonnes.

+ Inferred JORC Resources increased by 126.000.000 tonnes or 110%, from a previously defined 115.000.000 tonnes to 241.000.000 tonnes.

+ In the Hume project, an airborne magnetic +gravimetric survey has been completed over the project area. The survey has delivered important geophysical data that will guide exploration activities.

+ Exploration drilling activities, comprising open, cored, +water monitoring drill holes have also continued. A large diameter(150mm) coring program has recently commenced +will provide samples for washability test work. ...
http://stocknessmonster.com/news-item?S=COK&E=ASX&N=664549

[Popeye82]

Namibian Copper NL - Acquires Major Copper Project - Jan 24, 2012

+ Agreement with NGEx Resources INC(NGEx) of Vancouver, Canada to acquire its wholly owned subsidiary Sanu Resources, Inc.(Sanu).

+ NCO will acquire all of the issued shares of Sanu for consideration of 50.000.000 ordinary shares of NCO(the “Shares”), +a further Contingent Payment of USD$7.500.000 to NGEX is due upon the commencement of commercial mining operations on the acquired projects, subject to shareholder approval.

+ Sanu holds the Mogoraib River Exploration Licence in Eritrea, which contains the Hambok copper-zinc project.

+ The Hambok project is a near surface resource containing a JORC compliant Mineral Resource Estimate including 550.000.000 pounds of copper +1.200.000.000 pounds of zinc.

+ The Hambok deposit is situated just 15km from Nevsun Resources’ recently opened Bisha mine which has produced 1st phase year-to-date production of 379.000 ounces of gold.

+ The land package included with the Transaction includes the Kerkebet River Exploration Licence, which has excellent exploration potential +contains a recent high-grade gold-rich discovery @the Aradaib prospect.

+ The Sanu exploration team is presently undertaking a 45 hole diamond drilling program for a total of 20.000m of infill drilling @Hambok.

+ The infill drilling +planned metallurgical work is aimed @bringing the project to a preliminary feasibility study status by ´13. ...
http://stocknessmonster.com/news-item?S=NCO&E=ASX&N=575039

[Popeye82]

Orocobre - Drilling Results from Cauchari Lithium-Potash Project; R. Seville: "The drilling @Cauchari has tested the company’s properties immediately south-east of the highest grade part of the brine body identified by Lithium Americas Corp. on its Cauchari project. Our drilling confirms that the brine body extends into the Orocobre properties, with high lithium grades present in the extensive halite units encountered in drilling. Results are encouraging with drill intersections of 244 m @548 mg/l Li in CAU001D(from 5- 249 m) +177 m @403 mg/l Li(9 -186 m) in CAU002D. The brine Mg/Li ratio is low, averaging between 2.6 +4.9 for the 1st 3 holes, while the SO4/Li ratio averages between 44 +177, increasing towards the south +east of the salar. The completion of the drilling program represents another milestone for the company. The assay results confirm the company’s previous expectations that Lithium Americas’ brine body extends into our Cauchari properties +that a resource can be developed @the project to support additional production @the planned Olaroz facilities twenty kilometres north. We look forward to completing the resource estimate, developing a plan to produce brines from our Cauchari asset +thereby increasing shareholder value" - Jan 25, 2012

+ Six drill holes completed @Orocobre’s Cauchari Lithium –Potash Project to depths up to 249 m.

+ Drilling intersected extensive halite units with variable porosity, interbedded with units of sand, silt +clay.

+ Results received from four holes including 244 m in CAU001D @548 mg/l Li(from 5 -249 m) +177 m @403 mg/l Li(9 -186 m) in CAU002D.

+ Lithium geochemistry is similar to the Olaroz project, with average Mg/Li ratios of 2.6 to 4.9 in the three holes for which these results have been received to date. The SO4/Li ratio is >than Olaroz, with values from 44 to 177 for these three drill holes.

+ Cauchari provides an additional source of lithium brine for Orocobre to expand production @its planned Olaroz facility given similarities in brine +the close proximity.

+ A resource estimate will commence when remaining geochemical +porosity data is received, with expected delivery in 2Q ´12. ...
http://stocknessmonster.com/news-item?S=ORE&E=ASX&N=239106
www.orocobre.com/Maps/Cauchari_Fig1_24Jan12.jpg
www.orocobre.com/Maps/Cauchari_Fig2_24Jan12.jpg
www.orocobre.com/Maps/Cauchari_Fig3_24Jan12.jpg

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Energizer Resources - Discovery of Graphite +Vanadium Leads to Agreement with Africa's Leading Mining Project Development Manager, DRA Mineral Projects, to Develop the Green Giant Project - Jan 25, 2012
www.marketwire.com/press-release/energizer-resources-discove…

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Cyclone Power Technologies - Brings on Business Development Veteran, Douglas Hutchinson, has been responsible for >$2.000.000.000 in sales +development projects, +Sets Goals for ´12 Corporate Expansion; goals include ramping-up engineering capabilities to complete another 20 to 30 prototype engines for sale to current +new customers, +commencing small-scale production of certain engine models. Mr. Hutchinson will be influential in assisting the Company in the securing +financing of a larger facility, completing alliances with new customers +manufacturers, +developing strategic plans to manage its projected growth; D. Hutchinson: "I’m pleased to be joining the Cyclone family. This unique engineering company already has the attention of major corporations that want to integrate Cyclone’s engine technology into their products. It’s a very exciting time for Cyclone +I believe I can be instrumental not only in securing their participation, but also, in building the foundation for Cyclone to become the billion dollar company that its technology warrants", C. Nelson: "Doug brings a plethora of business development experience to Cyclone, which we feel can really take us to a higher level in terms of strategic partners, customers +order flow. We are absolutely delighted to have him on board, +look forward to working with him to achieve our ´12 goals for expansion" - Jan 25, 2012
http://finance.yahoo.com/news/Cyclone-Power-Technologies-bw-…

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Passport Potash - Announces Drilling Update in Holbrook Basin, Company anticipates that initial resource estimate, which will include the drilling results from ´09 through ´11 as well as historical drilling, will be completed in Q1 ´12 as projected, data from new drilling program will not be included in the initial, but will be incorporated by Ercosplan in an updated resource estimate - Jan 25, 2012
www.marketwire.com/press-release/passport-potash-announces-d…

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India sets out on grand food safety plan ; Alarmed @the various adulteration surveys that have revealed potentially dangerous food safety issues, the Indian government has decided to go the whole way in ensuring food safety in the country - FNA - Jan 24, 2012

- Ankush Chibbber -
www.foodnavigator-asia.com/Policy/India-sets-out-on-grand-fo…

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Vietnam's seafood sector seeks cheer away from depressed Eurozone; Vietnam’s seafood sector is targeting African, latin American +other Asian markets to compensate for expected demand slides in slumping Eurozone economies - FNA - Jan 24, 2012

- Ankush Chibber -
www.foodnavigator-asia.com/Markets/Vietnam-s-seafood-sector-…

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Lithium One - Announces Upgrade in Resource Category, Total Tonnage +Grade, @Sal de Vida Lithium-Potash Brine Project, Argentina: ~7.233.000 tonnes of lithium carbonate("Li2CO3") equivalent + ~28.833.000 tonnes of potash("KCl") equivalent M/I/I, one of the largest and highest grade undeveloped lithium +potash brine deposits in the world; Paul Matysek: "We have achieved our goal of upgrading the Sal de Vida brine resource in grade +tonnage. This resource represents a >30% increase in the estimated total contained lithium +potash, along with an increase in grade of ~10%. Using very similar methodologies as in the inferred resource calculation last year, the team incorporated much more data, including >twice as many holes +effective porosity measurements, to upgrade the status of most of our resource to measured +indicated. These improvements in grade +tonnage should contribute to further improvements in the projected economics as we work toward our feasibility study in the 3rd quarter of this year" - Jan 25, 2012
www.marketwire.com/press-release/lithium-one-announces-upgra…
www.lithium1.com/s/NewsReleases.asp?ReportID=503664&_Type=Ne…

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AR ´12 - B+MGF - Jan 25, 2012

- Bill Gates -

- I am writing to share my 4th annual letter about the exciting work our foundation +its partners are doing. Over the last 50 years, the percentage of the population living in poverty has fallen from 40 percent to 15 percent, or just about 1.000.000.000 people. That's proof that modest investments in the poorest make a huge difference. However, tough economic times are making it difficult for countries to choose between foreign aid spending +domestic priorities, +many people believe that money spent on aid is wasted. My annual letter this year is an argument for making the choice to keep on helping extremely poor people build self-sufficiency.

Thank you for taking the time to read my letter. Please let me know what you think. I'd also appreciate if you would forward this out through your own social networks. I'm convinced that when people hear stories of the lives they've helped to improve, they want to do more, not less. So the more people we bring into this conversation the better.

Sincerely,

Bill Gates
Co-chair, Bill &Melinda Gates Foundation ...-
www.gatesfoundation.org/annual-letter/2012/Documents/2012-an…
www.gatesfoundation.org/annual-letter/2012/Pages/home-en.asp…

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C2ES Named @#1 Think Tank ´11; The Center for Climate +Energy Solutions is pleased to have been named the world's top environmental think tank in a global survey by the University of Pennsylvania. The ´11 Global Go-To Think Tank Rankings are based on a survey of >1.500 policymakers, scholars, journalists, think-tank executives +others worldwide - C2ES - Jan12
www.c2es.org/press-center/press-releases/worlds-top-environm…

[Popeye82]

EnWave - Chairman Wins Award of Excellence for Innovation, in Agriculture +Agri-Food - Jan 26, 2012
www.marketwire.com/press-release/enwave-chairman-wins-award-…

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Kilo Goldmines - Drill Results for Kilo/Rio Tinto DRC Iron Ore JV(25/75); drills "up to" 127.77m @62.72% Fe, from nearly surface; drill pattern was established to test the continuity of iron formations over a wide area centred on Mt. Asonga. The drill hole spacing varies from ~750m to 3.000m over a strike length of ~4.5 km + ~600m across strike. The four holes reported on were drilled vertically. Rio Tinto has advised that drilling will continue during ´12; A. van Hoeken: "We are pleased that geophysics +drilling indicate that Kilo's licenses continue to show potential to justify further systematic exploration +have the potential to host a high grade iron ore project. Mt Asonga is part of a significant structural feature, "which in combination with other areas, "could potentially host a major resource " " "; Further to the Company's press release dated November 28, ´11, Kilo has now been officially notified by the Afghanistan Ministry of Mines that the Company has been selected as the preferred bidder for concession block A of the Hajigak iron ore deposit located in central Afghanistan. The Company has been awarded the exclusive right to negotiate the mining rights for the concession block with the Afghan Ministry of Mines +negotiations are in progress - Jan 25, 2012

+ High-grade intercepts, including 73.5 meters("m" ) containing 66.6% Fe;

+ Mineralized high grade intercepts of ~30 -70m, with some interbanding with metasediments, occurring within wider intercepts that include interbands of lower grade(50 -60%) enriched itabirite;

+ Delterious content(phosphate, silica) is consistent with expectations, +;

+ Results to date indicate the explored area has the potential to host direct shipping iron ore("DSO") ...
www.marketwire.com/press-release/drill-results-for-kilo-rio-…

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´11 Weather Reaches New Extremes; In ´11, the U.S. experienced an unprecedented number of extreme weather events, with 12 disasters estimated to cost >$1.000.000.000 each. As Dan Huber writes, the extreme weather of ´11 serves as a reminder of our vulnerabilities +shows that rising greenhouse gas emissions come @a cost - C2ES - Jan12
www.c2es.org/science-impacts/extreme-weather?utm_source=Cent…

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Allana Potash - Liberty Metals &Mining +International Finance Corporation Exercise Participation Rights in Connection With $20.000.000 Bought Deal Financing, for Further Proceeds of Up to $5.400.000 Million; Abasov: "We are very pleased that both our strategic investors, LMM +IFC, are fully committed to support Allana. Their continuous support will be critical in further development of our potash project in Ethiopia as we are advancing the feasibility study" - Jan 26, 2012
www.marketwire.com/press-release/liberty-metals-mining-inter…

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Segue Resources - Exceptional Results from the Emang Manganese Project; S. Michael: "The assay results continue to highlight the potential of the Emang Manganese Project to contain a large scale, high quality manganese resource which is close to surface. The consistency of assays >20% Mn, +as high as 46.4% Mn, is extremely encouraging +will contribute to the estimation of a JORC-compliant maiden resource -due to be released by the end of January ´12" - Jan 19, 2012
http://stocknessmonster.com/news-item?S=SEG&E=ASX&N=574489

[Popeye82]

Mining Summary - LC - Jan 27, 2012
http://minesite.com/media/pub/var/release_downloadable_file/…

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Wavefront Technology Solutions - Starts Up Powerwave Installations With Petroleum Development Oman(PDO), the leading exploration +production company in the Sultanate of Oman producing ~70% of the country's crude oil production. PDO is owned by the Government of Oman, Royal Dutch Shell, Total +Partex; Brett Davidson: "PDO is the established leader in technology development +application for enhanced oil recovery in the region of Middle East North Africa(MENA). The Powerwave project with PDO represents one of the highest profile opportunities for Wavefront to date. All oil producers in the MENA region will be closely monitoring the project +its results. We are highly confident Powerwave will deliver the production results generated elsewhere +will open new opportunities with other clients in the MENA region" - Jan 26, 2012
www.marketwire.com/press-release/wavefront-technology-soluti…

[Popeye82]

Rockgate Capital - Commences 60.000-Metre Diamond Drill Program @Falea Uranium-Silver-Copper Project, Mali - Jan 26, 2012
www.marketwire.com/press-release/rockgate-commences-60000-me…
http://media3.marketwire.com/docs/rgt126i.pdf

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South Boulder Mines - Duketon JV(30/70) Rosie Deposit Initial Mineral Resource Estimate: 1.740.000 tonnes @1.7% nickel, 0.4% copper +1.9 grams/tonne platinum +palladium - Jan 25, 2012
http://stocknessmonster.com/news-item?S=IGO&E=ASX&N=575220

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Dalradian Resources - acquires >5% of "the aggregate landmass of Norway" - Jan 26, 2012
www.dalradian.com/Theme/Dalradian/files/doc_news/DNA_NR_2012…

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Churchill Mining Plc - Appeal to the Supreme Court of Indonesia, was launched to seek to overturn the decision by the Administrative Tribunal in Samarinda, East Kalimantan; Company will provide further updates on the progress of the appeal when available - Jan 23, 2012
www.churchillmining.com/library/file/CHL%20RNS%20Jan%202012%…

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Indonesia’s president orders mining permits review - Reuters, JAKARTA - Jan 13, 2012
http://af.reuters.com/article/commoditiesNews/idAFL3E8CD2T62…

"Indonesia's President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono has ordered a review of all mining permits issued by local governments in an attempt to improve transparency and accountability in the sector, the cabinet secretary office said on Friday.


The president set a December 2012 deadline for the energy ministry to complete the task, working with the domestic affairs ministry, the justice and human rights ministry and all local governments.

"President (Yudhoyono) has ... ordered improved monitoring of operations in the mining sector so that it is accountable," said a statement by the cabinet secretary's office. The order was signed Dec. 19 but only made public on Friday.

Indonesia contains some of the world's richest mineral deposits and the fast-growing mining sector contributes 11.2 percent to the country's gross domestic product. But ownership of natural resources is an increasingly sensitive political issue, especially foreign ownership.

"The government clearly regards foreign investors as having excessive influence, interests and rights in the local mining sector," said Jakarta-based lawyer Bill Sullivan, an expert on mining regulations in Indonesia.

The Indonesian energy and minerals ministry has been drafting a rule that would by 2014 require miners to carry out minimum processing on minerals before export.

Any regulation would be part of a mining and coal law introduced in 2009 that requires miners to process coal and minerals into higher-value products before exporting them, as Southeast Asia's largest economy seeks to boost revenue from the mining sector.

There are currently more than 100 unresolved disputes involving mine ownership or licences at the energy ministry, according to analyst estimates.

The primary motivation for the order is to ensure greater tax income from the sector and to battle illegal miners, said UBS analyst Andreas Bokkenheuser, who added the review has already started in the coal mining sector.

Indonesian coal mining association chairman Bob Kamandanu said that the review was necessary because many licensed miners are not exploring their working areas or reporting their findings. (Reporting by Olivia Rondonuwu and Michael Taylor; Writing by Reza Thaher; Editing by Matthew Bigg) "

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Legacy Iron Ore - Final StageII Drill Results @Mt Bevan Continue to Intersect Magnetite Body Over 10Km Strike - Jan 20, 2012

+ Final assay results received for the 5.000m PhaseII of RC drilling

+ Drilling has now consistently intersected the thick, shallowly dipping magnetite bearing BIF unit over a 10km strike

+ DTR testing again shows excellent weight recoveries +concentrate grades with low silica +negligible phosphorus +sulphur

+ Overall Exploration Target for magnetite of 1.500.000.000 -2.000.000.000 t grading 30% -40% Fe*

+ Modelling +calculation of JORC compliant Inferred Resource for whole Western BIF target by SRK Consulting underway, results expected end January

+ Outstanding metallurgical test work results highlight a relatively soft magnetite with low Bond Work Index, high weight recovery +coarse grind for premium concentrate, low power costs.

+ 7.000m PhaseIII Infill drilling to commence late February to convert part of JORC Inferred Resource to Indicated category. ...
http://stocknessmonster.com/news-item?S=LCY&E=ASX&N=574606



Legacy plans for expansion; Sharon Heng: "These funding arrangements are demonstrative of NMDC’s commitment to the success +long-term development of Legacy. With full support from NMDC, Legacy will be working hard to capture the significant opportunities +value for shareholders that these funding initiatives offer" - Jan 20, 2012

+ Legacy in advanced discussions for $200.000.000 line of credit to further fund mine development +future acquisitions.

+ Agreement with Springtree that raises finance through ongoing equity dilution has been terminated.

+ All new Australian projects proposed to be acquired +developed through Legacy


New Projects

The Legacy board has been mandated to acquire new assets, with Legacy +NMDC agreeing that the board wishes to outline how the ownership of new assets will be addressed, as agreed between NMDC +Legacy:

+ all new acquisitions(including projects currently under negotiation) will be executed through Legacy;

+ regardless of whether they are completed via a joint venture agreement, partial or full acquisition, or by any other means. ASX Announcement


Under the auspices of NMDC, due diligence is currently being initiated to finalise negotiations on the following projects:

+ Minemakers Limited’s Wonarah phosphate project

+ Atlas Mining Limited’s Ridley iron ore project



+ Upon successful completion of due diligence, both of these projects will be executed directly through Legacy. Legacy +NMDC are also actively pursuing the acquisition of other mineral assets, including Coking/Thermal Coal +Iron Ore with several projects undergoing review.

+ Legacy will continue to provide further updates on new projects to shareholders as negotiations progress. ...
http://stocknessmonster.com/news-item?S=LCY&E=ASX&N=575396

[Popeye82]

AXMIN - New Financial Institutions Join Debt Financing: signing of four debt Mandate Letters for US$85.000.000, subject to satisfactory technical, legal +environmental due diligence, execution of acceptable terms +documentation and obtaining final credit +board approvals; in addition to the Standard Bank's Mandate makes a total debt facility of US$185.000.000 for the purposes of partially funding the development of the Passendro Gold project in the Central African Republic - Jan 26, 2012
www.marketwire.com/press-release/axmin-new-financial-institu…

[Popeye82]

Potash West NL - Success in Producing Potash from WA Glauconite Deposits; Patrick McManus: "Our technical development program has identified a number of process options that we will further define in ´12. The prize of being able to economically extract potassium is so compelling that we will continue our investigation on a broad front. Our knowledge of glauconite processing has grown enormously, +now forms a valuable asset of the Company. We are on track to have a flowsheet defined by July to enable us to commence a scoping study in the 2nd half of ´12" he said. - Jan 23, 2012

+ Ongoing testwork confirms potential of a range of extraction technologies.

+ Two flowsheets produce laboratory quantities of commercial quality potash.

+ Company on target to define a flowsheet by mid-year ´12.

+ Scoping study to commence in the 2nd half of ´12. ...
http://stocknessmonster.com/news-item?S=PWN&E=ASX&N=574785


Intersects Plus 20m Glauconite Rich Greensands in Dandaragan; current drilling commences the investigation of the Cretaceous stratigraphy of the Dandaragan Trough where Potash West controls tenements covering an area of over 2.900km2. Sediments of the Coolyena Group, which host various glauconite rich units, are poorly exposed within the tenements. The aim of the current programme is to provide data on potassium grades, depth of weathering +information on stratigraphic relationships over a wide area of
the trough. The majority of drill holes in the current program penetrated significant thicknesses of Coolyena Group sediments consisting of fine to medium grained glauconitic sandstone, siltstone +claystone. Holes are located along minor roads within the tenements @locations of maximum elevation above sea level in order to maximise penetration of the Poison Hill Formation -the uppermost greensand unit of the Coolyena Group. Optimal locations are NOT always possible due the constraints of the road verge program +local topography; P. McManus: "These results indicate that our geological model is holding true +that the best target areas for glauconite are on the slopes of hills, where there is less laterite formation. From this work, +the assays to date, we have initially identified 2 areas, which meet our criteria +where we will return for further drilling. This will allow identification +resource drilling to commence in April ´12"; Assays for the remaining holes in the current program are expected to be available by the end of March - Jan 27, 2012

+ 41 drill holes for 3.235m completed in November - December ´11

+ Drilling confirms geological targeting strategy aimed @identifying near surface mineralisation

+ Fresh greensand logged from surface to 60m

+ 22m @4.12% K2O intersected in glauconite rich greensands ...
http://stocknessmonster.com/news-item?S=PWN&E=ASX&N=575296

[Popeye82]

Cameron: Deutschlands Exporte sind schuld an der Krise ; Der britische Premier David Cameron hat in Davos eine scharfe Attacke gegen Deutschland geritten. Er attackierte auch die Franzosen. Die Finanztransaktions-Steuer nannte er „ganz einfach Irrsinn“ - DMN - Jan 26, 2012
www.deutsche-mittelstands-nachrichten.de/2012/01/36986/

[Popeye82]

United States Investing in Small Modular Nuclear Reactors; Last Friday, the United States Department of Energy announced a new funding initiative for manufacturing small modular nuclear reactors in the US. The objective of the draft Funding Opportunity Announcement(FOA) is to permit agreements with private industry to share costs on the design +licensing of small modular nuclear reactors. The draft FOA is a working document soliciting input from industry to promote leading edge design certification, licensing +engineering - U3O8.biz - Jan 26, 2012

- D. Brown -
www.u3o8.biz/s/MarketCommentary.asp?ReportID=504070&_Type=Ma…
www.ne.doe.gov/newsroom/2012PRs/nePR012012.html

"Last Friday, the United States Department of Energy announced a new funding initiative for manufacturing small modular nuclear reactors in the US. The objective of the draft Funding Opportunity Announcement (FOA) is to permit agreements with private industry to share costs on the design and licensing of small modular nuclear reactors. The draft FOA is a working document soliciting input from industry to promote leading edge design certification, licensing and engineering.


Mitigating environmental and public safety threats

At approximately one-third the size of nuclear power plants currently operating in the US, small modular reactors can be advantageous in diversifying safety and environmental risks. Many larger nuclear power plants have active safety features that require human interaction to function properly. Small modular nuclear reactors are often designed to employ passive safety features engineered to work on physical laws. These inherent safety features often require fewer moveable parts to operate safely. Small modular nuclear reactors are also manufactured in factories and then transported to sites which reduce constraints on capital and construction times. Smaller sizes also improve the adaptability for utilities to scale for different electric grids and situations that would not otherwise demand large reactors.


Academic support for governmental energy policy initiative

The Energy Policy Institute at the University of Chicago published a report last December concluding that small modular reactors might be critical in future nuclear power generation in the United States. The report evaluated the economic feasibility of traditional large scale nuclear power reactors compared with smaller modular nuclear reactors with generating capacities of 600 megawatts or less.

According to a separate report it would cost an estimated $4,210 per kilowatt to build a new large scale reactor which is approximately $2,210 per kilowatt higher than an earlier estimate from 2004. This material change is primarily because of commodity price increases which now represent significant project cost inflation within seven years.


Opportunity for the nuclear industry to adapt to change

A large impediments for the nuclear power industry in the United States has been the extensive time and cost to build a nuclear plant and the expected delay until revenue generation was realized. Small modular nuclear reactors effectively underscore factory construction efficiency within a compressed timeframe. Small modular nuclear designs at an advanced stage of development in the United States include NuScale Power's 45 megawatt NuScale reactor, which is envisaged as being clustered in modules of 12 to form a power plant of around 540 megawatt, and Babcock & Wilcox's (NYSE:BWC)160 megawatt mPower.

Westinghouse has developed a small modular nuclear reactor with passive safety systems and reactor internals including fuel assemblies based closely on those in the AP1000. In December the Nuclear Regulatory Commission officially certified Westinghouse Electric's AP1000 standard nuclear reactor design.

Multiple reactor units already deployed in China

China's State Nuclear Power Technology Corporation recently announced its second Westinghouse AP1000 reactor under construction. Additional AP1000 units are under construction at each site, with third and fourth units planned.


Potential changes for uranium producers

The potential of greater flexibly and higher efficiencies will change the nuclear industry and could result in a more rapid and responsive deployment of uranium fuel. Utilities may not need to build inventory of uranium fuel supply. The result could mean an increase in smaller transacted volumes and relative increased frequency on uranium orders.

An increased demand for uranium will certainly be a positive catalyst for prices as the growing global demand and constrained supply becomes realized by the market. Eventually this could make additional uranium exploration and development projects much more interesting as underlying resources demonstrate highly compelling valuations. "

[Popeye82]

Fission Energy - Increases Waterbury Lake Winter ´12 Exploration Budget by 26% to $9.280.000 - Jan 26, 2012
www.marketwire.com/press-release/fission-increases-waterbury…

[Popeye82]

Indophil Mining NL - Tampakan Resource Estimate Upgrade: 2.940.000.000 tonnes @0.51% copper; estimated contained copper @Tampakan in total resources has risen to ~30.000.000.000 Ibs, while estimated contained gold has risen to 17.900.000 Oz, Indophil holds a 37.5% beneficial interest; CEO R. Laufmann said that even though the Tampakan deposit has already been acknowledged as world-class, the new information confirms its ranking as one of the most significant undeveloped copper-gold deposits in the world - Jan 27, 2012
http://stocknessmonster.com/news-item?S=IRN&E=ASX&N=368364

[Popeye82]

Cap-Ex Ventures - Drill Results Indicate Increase in Average Thickness of "Greenbush Zone"; Spread over a strike length in excess of 6 kilometres, it is important to note that all four drill holes ended in mineralization +consequently the mineralization is open @depth, drilling depth will be extended in the ´12 season to delineate the increase in average thickness of the magnetite mineralization, Company expects to soon receive additional ´11 drill assay results from Block 103's Greenbush Zone +Northwest Zone - Jan 26, 2012

four new drill assay results are located on the east limb of the Greenbush Zone:

+ DDH103-3 interval 204.2 metres @30.9% total Fe from 5.2 metres, open @depth

+ DDH103-18 interval 194.2 metres @29.9% total Fe from 3.0 metres, open @depth

+ DDH103-20 interval 128.0 metres @30.3% total Fe from 17.4 metres, open @depth

+ DDH103-34 interval 152.4 metres @30.1% total Fe from 29.6 metres, open @depth
(Refer to TableI attached, for all the new results)


Based on the currently available ´11 drill results +airborne geophysical programs, the Company has made the following interpretations regarding the Greenbush Zone:

+ The Greenbush Zone hosts strong magnetite mineralization that has been identified to cover an area of @least 20 square kilometres. This Zone features strong, coincident magnetic +gravimetric airborne anomalies, which show remarkable reliability as drilling targets. All 26 drill holes have encountered significant mineralization from 45 to 265 metres in thickness.

+ The average length of the core intercepts of magnetite mineralization encountered in the 26 holes drilled in the Greenbush Zone is 122 metres. This number is based on assays from 21 holes +the visual estimation of magnetite content in the remaining holes.

+ The average grade of the mineralization is 30.5% total Fe +the Davis Tube concentrate grades average 68.2% iron +4.7% silica.

+ The Company is using a Specific Gravity of 3.3, which is the same used for the surrounding magnetite deposits.

+ In most holes, mineralization starts near surface +is open in all directions. ...
www.marketwire.com/press-release/cap-ex-drill-results-indica…
http://media3.marketwire.com/docs/CEV126I.pdf

[Popeye82]

Pan American Silver - to Acquire Minefinders, +Create the Leading Geographically-Diversified Silver Producer - Jan 23, 2012
http://finance.yahoo.com/news/Pan-American-Acquire-iw-262614…

[Popeye82]

Beobachter verlassen Syrien; Arabische Liga bricht Zelte wegen zunehmender Gewalt ab - DPA, KAIRO/BEIRUT - Jan 28, 2012
http://web.de/magazine/nachrichten/ausland/14627300-arabisch…

[Popeye82]

SA task team to advise on mine closures; South Africa's chief mine inspector on Friday defended safety-related mine closures that have cut into production at the world's top platinum producer. tLonmin, the world's number three producer, lost 177.000 t production to safety stoppages in its 1st quarter, >eight times the level of a year earlier +threatening full-year targets. Anglo American's Anglo Platinum last week voiced its concern about closures for inspections - MW/Reuters, CAPE TOWN - Jan 27, 2012
www.miningweekly.com/article/sa-task-team-to-advise-on-mine-…

[Popeye82]

Rio may push for Oyu Tolgoi stake, Ivanhoe says; Global miner Rio Tinto may push for a change in ownership of the massive Oyu Tolgoi copper +gold mine in Mongolia, which is 2/3rds owned by Canada's Ivanhoe Mines, the Canadian miner said in a US filing. Ivanhoe said the Anglo-Australian miner also plans to replace some Ivanhoe senior managers +increase its representation on the board. Rio increased its stake in the Canadian miner to 51% earlier this week - MW/Reuters, MELBOURNE - Jan 27, 2012
www.miningweekly.com/article/rio-may-push-for-oyu-tolgoi-sta…

[Popeye82]

Fission could be next in line for uranium M&A, says president; Canadian Uranium junior Fission Enenrgy has signed confidentiality agreements with “ALL the major players” in the Athabasca basin, president +COO Ross McElroy told Mining Weekly Online on Friday - MW TORONTO - Jan 28, 2012

- Matthew Hill -
www.miningweekly.com/article/fission-could-be-next-in-line-f…

[Popeye82]

Tested: A Chemical Time Machine Makes Whiskey Taste Older, Faster; South Carolina inventor ages liquor overnight - PopSci - Jan 23, 2012

- P. Adams -
www.popsci.com/node/59285/?cmpid=enews012612&spPodID=020

[Popeye82]

World's Most Powerful X-Ray Laser Super-Heats Aluminum Foil to 3.600.000 Degrees, process took about a trillionth of a second; Creating +observing super-hot solid plasma could lead to a greater understanding of fusion processes - PopSci - Jan 25, 2012

- R. Boyle -
www.popsci.com/node/60153/?cmpid=enews012612&spPodID=020

[Popeye82]

Mining-heavy SA industry group issues carbon tax warning; An industry lobby group comprising large mining groups +mineral processing companies is cautioning against the proposed introduction of a carbon tax in South Africa until South Africa has fully charted its abatement potential +the costs implications of implementing its renewable-energy heavy power generation plans. The Industry Task Team on Climate Change(ITTCC), which includes such corporate heavyweights as Anglo American, AngloGold Ashanti, BHP Billiton, Exxaro, PPC, Rio Tinto +Xstrata, would also like government to make transparent the implicit price that has already been attributed to carbon emissions through the adoption of South Africa’s Integrate Resource Plan(IRP2010) on electricity, which was promulgated early last year - MW - Jan 23, 2012

- T. Creamer -
www.miningweekly.com/article/mining-heavy-sa-industry-group-…

[Popeye82]

Mali seeks bigger share in mines, lower taxes; Mali's is seeking to raise the state share in mining projects to 25% from 20% in a proposed revision to the West African gold producer's mining law, a senior official @the state regulator told Reuters on Monday. The revision would also trim taxes on mining income to 25% from 35%, the official from regulatory body National Directorate of Geology +Mines(DNGM ) said by telephone, asking not to be named - MW/Reuters, BAMAKO - Jan 23, 2012
www.miningweekly.com/article/mali-aims-to-up-state-share-in-…

[Popeye82]

Universal could be looking for strategic partner in SA; South Africa-focused coal developer Universal Coal on Monday reported that it could possibly start a search for a strategic investor to assist in developing its coking coal projects. The ASX-listed Universal said in a statement that it was expecting increased interest in its coal assets, +following a number of informal approaches +discussions from groups within the steel sector, the company was pondering the appointment of a specialist adviser to assist in securing a partner; aiming to become a midtier coal producer by ´15, as three of its thermal coal projects in Mpumalanga are set to start production in ´14, +the 1st two of its coking coal projects in Limpopo were expected to come on line in ´15, The developer pointed out that its Berenice-Cygnus coking coal project, which had a gross resource of some 1.300.000.000 tons, was already attracting investor interest; project is situated in the emerging Soutpansberg coalfield, near the Mozambique +Zimbabwe borders, +is located 30 km from a railway siding linked to both Maputo +Richards Bay ports - MW, PERTH - Jan 23, 2012

- E. Swanepoel -
www.miningweekly.com/article/universal-could-be-looking-for-…
http://stocknessmonster.com/news-item?S=UNV&E=ASX&N=574833

[Popeye82]

BHP wins approval for iron-ore port expansion plan; The Western Australian Environmental Protection Authority(EPA) on Monday approved the proposed multibillion-dollar outer harbour development @Port Hedland, which BHP Billiton wants to develop to grow its Pilbara iron-ore exports. The project, which would take about eight years to construct in four stages, would add 240.000.000 tons/year of capacity @Port Hedland , +would include rail +ore stockpile facilities, as well as a 4 km jetty, the EPA said in a statement; BHP plans to expand its Pilbara export capacity to 350.000.000 tons/year by ´20 +would ultimately target yearly exports of 450.000.000 tons, the miner indicated in an analyst site tour presentation in September; According to Rio Tinto estimates, "the world’s appetite for iron-ore would grow by 100.000.000 tons each year until ´20" - MW, PERTH - Jan 23, 2012

- Esmarie Swanepoel -
www.miningweekly.com/article/bhp-wins-approval-for-iron-ore-…

[Popeye82]

Tanzania gold explorers announce merger; companies said in a joint statement that the friendly merger would create a leading, independent Tanzanian gold exploration company "with an objective of becoming a 200.000 Oz/y producer, with a resource of some 2.000.000 ounces" - MW, PERTH - Jan 23, 2012

- E. Swanepoel -
www.miningweekly.com/article/tanzania-gold-explorers-announc…

[Popeye82]

Aluminium output cuts seen, less so nickel, zinc; Weak demand +price declines for metals in a lacklustre global economy will play a role in pushing aluminium makers to continue cutting production as well as encourage nickel +zinc producers to make cutbacks, albeit on a smaller scale. Aluminium producers, including Alcoa +Norsk Hydro, have cut global capacity by ~1.300.000 tons after high power costs, combined with the sharp declines in prices, left around 1-3rd of the industry in the red - MW/Reuters, LONDON - Jan 23, 2012
www.miningweekly.com/article/aluminium-output-cuts-seen-less…

[Popeye82]

China faiiils to divert iron-ore buys from Australia, Brazil; China diversified its spot iron ore buying away from India in ´11, largely in favour of South Africa, but failed to reduce its dependence on term purchases from top suppliers Australia +Brazil, customs data showed on Saturday. Chinese planners have said for several years that iron ore supplies from India +elsewhere could help break the dominance of the world's topIII iron ore miners, BHP Billiton +Rio Tinto of Australia +Brazil's Vale - MW/Reuters, BEIJING - Jan 23, 2012
www.miningweekly.com/article/china-fails-to-divert-iron-ore-…

"China diversified its spot iron ore buying away from India in ´11, largely in favour of South Africa, but failed to reduce its dependence on term purchases from top suppliers Australia +Brazil, customs data showed on Saturday.


Chinese planners have said for several years that iron ore supplies from India +elsewhere could help break the dominance of the world's topIII iron ore miners, BHP Billiton +Rio Tinto of Australia +Brazil's Vale.

But in ´11, China imported 64% of its iron ore from those two countries , unchanged from the year before . Meanwhile, iron ore purchases from India dropped by 24%, amid complaints about declining quality.

Purchases from South Africa rose 22%, helping to offset some of the missing Indian tonnage. India still remains No3, supplying twice what China gets from South Africa.

Overall iron ore purchases rose by 10.94 percent, as the Chinese steel industry continued to expand output in the face of slowing domestic economic growth.

China's diversification strategy has led it to seek iron ore from as far afield as Mauritania +Myanmar . That represents a "massive change" in the market, according to remarks on Monday China by Iron +Steel Association, which represents China's largest mills, vice-president Wang Xiaoqi.

This year, the top suppliers could become even more important to China if softer prices no longer allow marginal producers to cover their higher production costs.

"As long as Chinese demand for iron ore is high, we're going to see more countries selling iron ore into China. But ´12 could be very different because we're expecting a slowdown in iron ore consumption growth," said Mirae Asset Securites in Hongh Kong head of commodity research Henry Liu.

"In that case, these marginal producers will reduce their exports to China +the dominant players will get more market share ."

A total of 64 countries supplied iron ore to China in ´11 -up from 44 in ´10 .

The increase in "non-traditional sources" reflects tight supplies, strong demand +high prices, rather than an explicit strategy to ease dependence on Australia +Brazil, analysts said.

Shipments from many of the debutants, including Albania, Armenia, the United Kingdom, as well as Cambodia +Denmark, remained a negligible fraction of China's total import volume/year.

Imports from the 2nd tier of suppliers consisting of South Africa, Russia, Canada, Iran, Ukraine +Indonesia, reached a total of 104.850.000 tonnes, accounting for 15 percent of the total -up from 12% in ´10.

Iron ore prices are seen averaging $150/tonne in ´12, a mid-December Reuters poll showed, versus $168 in ´11. "

[Popeye82]

WA opposition leader changes uranium policy, but new projects still in doubt - MW, PERTH - Jan 24, 2012

- E. Swanepoel -
www.miningweekly.com/article/wa-opposition-leader-changes-ur…

[Popeye82]

Carbine Tungsten - Off-take Agreement with Mitsubishi, to purchase all of the concentrate produced @the Mount Carbine tailings retreatment project, over four to six years - Jan 24, 2012
http://stocknessmonster.com/news-item?S=CNQ&E=ASX&N=664558
www.miningweekly.com/article/mitsubishi-signs-up-for-queensl…

[Popeye82]

Mining Summary - LC - Jan 30, 2012
http://minesite.com/media/pub/var/release_downloadable_file/…

[Popeye82]

Greenpower Energy - 306.000.000 tonnes maiden coal JORC Resource - Jan 30, 2012
http://stocknessmonster.com/news-item?S=GPP&E=ASX&N=575649

[Popeye82]

Australian Bauxite - Thickest high-grade Bauxite Discovery to date, possibly one of the thickest in Australia; Ian Levy: "ABx +Marubeni Corporation are currently conducting a $1.500.000 pre feasibility study of the Goulburn Bauxite Project, +Taralga is one of the bauxite resource study areas that continues to surprise, especially around Mt Rae, west of Taralga" - Jan 30, 2012

+ 28 metres of continuous high-grade bauxite intersected in hole TG626 beneath 1 metre of clay near Mt Rae, Taralga NSW.

+ Hole TG626 ended in high grade direct shipping bauxite –deposit is still open @depth.

+ Nearby holes also encountered thick bauxite +ended in high grade bauxite.

+ district’s deposits contain thick zones of premium grade bauxite, with good potential for more discoveries. The recent discovery hole, TG626 remains open @depth and laterally.

+ All deposits are gibbsite-rich(trihydrate) bauxite withvery low levels of reactive silica clays +free of boehmite(monohydrate). All horizons can produce Direct Shipping or “DSO“ bauxite

+ More results are pending prior to concluding a resource estimation upgrade. ...
http://stocknessmonster.com/news-item?S=ABZ&E=ASX&N=664902

[Popeye82]

Stock Picks for ´12, I +II - MM - Jan12
www.miningmaven.com/k2/news/blog/miningmaven-common-sense-st…
www.miningmaven.com/k2/news/blog/2012-common-sense-stock-pic…

[Popeye82]

China cadmium spill threatens drinking water - CER/Reuters - Jan 30, 2012
http://r20.rs6.net/content/

"Cadmium runoff from a mining company has polluted two rivers in southern China, threatening the drinking water of millions of people, Reuters reported.

Officials warned 3.7 million people in the city of Liuzhou, Guangxi province, to avoid drinking water from nearby rivers after cancer-causing cadmium was first detected two weeks ago, triggered bouts of panic buying of bottled water. Local officials have opened four upstream dams to dilute the toxins and poured hundreds of tons of neutralizers into the river. Officials blamed the Guangxi Jinhe Mining company for the spill but did not clarify how much toxic waste had been released, or for how long. Liuzhou's environmental chief, Gan Jinglin, has said the rivers' water was safe for drinking according to national standards. However, the government has continued to look for alternative sources of water in the event the pollution spreads further. "

[Popeye82]

Solar stocks surge on expectations for higher demand - CER/BB - Jan 30, 2012
http://r20.rs6.net/content/

"US-listed stocks of Chinese solar companies rose after their executives said China may double installations this year to help offset a drop in demand that is rapidly consolidating the industry, Bloomberg reported.

China may install as much as five gigawatts (GW) of solar panels this year, compared with 2.2GW installed in 2011, executives said. Trina Solar (TSL.NYSE) gained 5.9% since January 18 to US$8.56, while LDK Solar (LDK.NYSE) rose 5.2% to US$4.89 and Suntech Power Holdings (STP.NYSE) gained 3.1% to US$3.34. The industry helped to drive the Bloomberg China-US 55 Index of the most traded Chinese companies up 1.4% to a four-month high of 103.99 on Friday. Europe, and Germany in particular, is the world's largest solar market but may reduce subsidies to the renewable energy sector this year. “This extra demand from China, from an overall industry standpoint, I think it still leaves the world in a relatively flat demand situation,” said Daniel Ries, an analyst at Collins Stewart LLC. "

[Popeye82]

FBI searches offices of Chinese reverse merger advisory - CER/BB - Jan 20, 2012
http://r20.rs6.net/content/

"The US Federal Bureau of Investigation has searched the offices of New York Global Group, a firm specializing in reverse mergers for Chinese firms looking to list on US stock exchanges, Bloomberg reported.

The company, which also has offices in Beijing, has advised clients such as CleanTech Innovations and Harbin Electric, the latter of which went private in December following accusations of fraud. An FBI spokesman said that he searches were conducted in relation to an ongoing investigation, though he declined to say more. Bejamin Wey, the firm’s founder and president, also declined to comment. Around 400 Chinese companies have listed in the US via reverse mergers, a technique in which a Chinese firm purchase the shares of a US shell company but remain publicly listed. The US Securities and Exchange Commission warned last June of potential “fraud and other abuses,” and introduced new standards in November for firms looking to list via reverse mergers. "

[Popeye82]

Western manufacturers see drop in Chinese demand - CER/FT - Jan 30, 2012
http://r20.rs6.net/content/

"Western industrial firms are seeing a pronounced slowdown in Chinese demand, particularly for capital goods such as earthmoving equipment and automation technology, the Financial Times reported.

Comments from many firms’ quarterly reports caution that the short-term outlook for sales to China has slowed considerably. German industrial giant Siemens (SI.NYSE, SI.DB) said last week that Chinese orders had fallen 16% in the company’s first fiscal quarter, though it hopes to return to growth in China by the fourth quarter. US equipment firm Caterpillar (CAT.NYSE) also reported that it had seen sales of new machines fall in China last year, while elevator maker United Technologies (UTX.NYSE) said demand in the fourth quarter fell to 7%, down from a yearly average of 20%. Many analysts say the effects of the slowdown in China’s property market may continue for some time. “China has no choice but to switch from an investment-driven to a consumption-driven economy,” wrote analysts at Societe Generale. “Infrastructure, construction and mining-related industries should see their growth rates wane accordingly.” "

[Popeye82]

Eurasian Minerals - Dedeman Reports Drill Results of 14.3 Meters Averaging 18.15% Lead, 9.14% Zinc +242.4 g/t Silver, for the Balya Royalty Property in Turkey - Jan 30, 2012
www.marketwire.com/press-release/emx-reports-drill-results-1…
http://media3.marketwire.com/docs/EMX_map.pdf

[Popeye82]

Mining Summary - LC - Jan 31, 2012
http://minesite.com/media/pub/var/release_downloadable_file/…

[Popeye82]

Cardero Resource - Receives 43-101 Resource Estimates for Longnose +TiTac Ferro-Titanium Deposits, Minnesota, USA - Jan 31, 2012

Longnose Deposit

+ Indicated Resource: 58.100.000 t @16.6% TiO2, 18.8% Fe2O3

+ Inferred Resource: 65.300.000 t @16.4% TiO2, 19.4% Fe2O3


TiTac Deposit

Inferred Resource: 45.100.000 t @15.0% TiO2, 14.74% Fe2O3 ...
www.marketwire.com/press-release/cardero-receives-43-101-res…

[Popeye82]

Zim threatens to seize mines, without compensation; Zimbabwean Youth Development, Indigenisation +Economic Empowerment Minister Saviour Kasukuwere says the government “will not pay anything” to the mining companies it intends to seize for failing to comply with the country's controversial indigenisation programme. Addressing a feedback meeting on the progress of the indigenisation programme +community share schemes in the southern gold mining town of Gwanda on Friday, Kasukuwere said the government has contingency plans to seize all foreign-owned mining companies, which have not complied with the indigenisation policy - MW, HARARE - Jan 30, 2012

- Oscar Nkala -
www.miningweekly.com/article/zim-threatens-to-seize-mines-wi…

[Popeye82]

Gigaba says power price review geared to protecting SA from shocks Video; South Africa’s electricity pricing policy(EPP) review which has been initiated by the Department of Energy(DoE), will interrogate ways to “protect” the economy from “pricing shocks”, but was unlikely to entail a “complete revision” of the policy, Public Enterprises Minister Malusi Gigaba said on Monday. Speaking @an Eskom briefing on the state of the system, Gigaba said officials from his department +those from the DoE were already involved in discussions on the new-look EPP, which "would seek to balance the sustainability of Eskom with the growth +development needs of the economy" - MW, JOHANNESBURG - Jan 30, 2012

- T. Creamer -
www.miningweekly.com/article/gigaba-says-power-price-review-…

[Popeye82]

NUM calls for technical audit as two more miners die; Two mineworkers died over the weekend @the Modikwa platinum mine –a joint venture between African Rainbow Minerals +Anglo American Platinum, the National Union of Mineworkers(NUM) said. The union expressed concern over the “ever-increasing” number of mine deaths - MW, JOHANNESBURG - Jan 30, 2012

- Idéle Esterhuizen -
www.miningweekly.com/article/num-calls-for-technical-audit-a…

[Popeye82]

NMDC fast-tracks $900.000.000 investments during ´12/13 - MW, KOLKATA - Jan 30, 2012

- Ajoy K Das -
www.miningweekly.com/article/nmdc-fast-tracks-900m-investmen…

"India’s largest iron-ore miner NMDC Limited has decided to fast-track investments worth $900-million during 2012/13 in an effort to better invest the company’s free cash reserves of almost $3.6-billion.

The investments would be aimed at increasing iron-ore mining and pelletisation capacities, as well as diversified projects to include coal mining, thermal power and the exploration of rock phosphate assets within India, and overseas.


A comprehensive investment plan has been drawn up by NMDC and a presentation would be made before officials of the Prime Minister’s Office (PMO) later this week.

The decision to speed up investment plans by dipping into the free reserves follows a directive from Prime Minister Manmohan Singh to all cash-rich government-owned companies not to sit on idle free reserves and bring forward project investments in order to bolster the sagging growth in gross domestic product.

“A report will be submitted to the PMO this week detailing our diversifications into related mineral exploitation and power generation apart from existing projects to increase iron-ore production,” NMDC chairperson and MD N K Nanda said.

“Diversification drive was also necessary because slow pace in award of new mines in our core area of iron-ore operations,” he added.

Though a detailed project-specific breakdown of the $900-million was not available, officials said that the company has earmarked investment of $200-million of the total investible corpus to increase iron-ore production by seven-million tons a year within the next two year. A corpus of about $50-million has been earmarked for the acquisition of rock phosphate assets in Australia and is scheduled to be completed within the current calendar year.

During 2011/12, NMDC initiated capital expenditure of $500.34-million to achieve a production target of 50-million tons, which included development of the Kumaraswami iron-ore reserves in the southern Indian province of Karnataka to extract seven-million tons a year.

This project had originally been conceived as a replacement for the company’s currently operational mine at neighboring Donimalai where reserves were nearing depletion.

The new investments would include a 1.2-million ton iron-ore pelletisation plant. This project has been conceived in anticipation of the Indian government announcing fiscal incentives, in the forthcoming Union Budget scheduled for mid-March, to increase iron-ore pelletisation capacities both at pitheads and integrated steel plants across the country by incentivising value addition of iron-ore and simultaneous discouragement of the export of iron-ore fines.

In the 2011 Budget, the government had also increased export duties on iron-ore to 20% from 15% resulting in a sharp drop of 30% in export shipments between April and November 2012.

The government estimated that fiscal incentives would facilitate the creation of new pellet plants. Of the total 220-million ton of ore mined in the country, current pellet capacity was only 18-million tons, NMDC officials said.

It was pointed out that few of the diversification projects planned by the company could have forward linkages to NMDC’s steelmaking facility currently under implementation in joint venture with Severstal, in Russia.

NMDC and Severstal were collaborating to construct a two-million-ton-a-year steel plant which would source coking coal from Severstal mines in Russia and iron-ore from NMDC mines in the first phase. The company’s fast-tracked $900-million strategic investment plan does not include the $5-billion investment that has been envisaged for the steel project. "

[Popeye82]

Tournigan Energy - Prefeasibility Study Indicates Kuriskova "Could be Among World’s Lowest Cost Uranium Producers" ; Dorian L.(Dusty) Nicol: "We are very pleased with these results. They demonstrate that the Kuriskova project has the potential to be among the lowest cost uranium producers in the world. The PFS not only illustrates the robust economics of the Kuriskova project but also the competitive advantages it has over other uranium projects as a result of its high-grade resource +relatively low operating cost estimates. Our next step is, working with our strategic partner Areva, to begin a Feasibility Study +Environmental Assessment Study that will continue to define project parameters to a higher degree of confidence +allow the permitting of the project to begin. The development of the Kuriskova uranium project could provide Slovakia with a secure source of uranium for ~30 years, @its current consumption rate "; Tournigan is planning an exploration program to continue testing multiple uranium exploration targets within the Kuriskova license area. Exploration success would likely add resources that could be accessed from the planned Kuriskova infrastructure. Tournigan will conduct further step-out exploration drilling where the high-grade mineralization is open along strike +@depth - Jan 30, 2012

+ Internal Rate of Return 30.8%; 1.9 year payback; $277.000.000 Net Present Value(NPV) @an 8% discount rate(Pre-Tax, base case US$68/lb U3O8, US$15/lb Mo);

+ 94% increase of Indicated Resource to 28.500.000 pounds of U3O8 since Tournigan’s June ´09 Preliminary Economic Assessment(“PEA”);

+ 92% uranium recovery in PFS, increased from 90% in the PEA;

+ 62% increase in the uranium grade to the process plant to 0.408% U3O8 in the PFS from 0.252% U3O8 in PEA;

+ 26% lower life of mine operating costs in the PFS compared to the PEA. The PFS estimates US$22.98/lb U3O8 life of mine operating costs +US$16.68/lb U3O8 during the 1st 4 years of production. These are net of a molybdenum credit of ~US$1.27/pound U3O8;

+ 1.5 year decrease of preproduction construction period in PFS to 3 years compared to 4.5 years in the PEA;

+ The project can be developed as an underground mine/processing facility with a very small surface footprint;

+ Kuriskova would utilize Best Available Technologies in the mining +processing operations. The uranium can be extracted using conventional alkaline(non-acid) processing; +

+ There are multiple exploration targets within the Kuriskova License area, with the potential to expand the resource base +extend project life. ...
http://finance.yahoo.com/news/Tournigan-Prefeasibility-bw-40…

[Popeye82]

Germany's Blueprint to Save the Eurozone; "No other country can lead Europe out of crisis +into revival," writes World Bank President Robert B. Zoellick in a Financial Times opinion piece - WB/FT - Jan 31, 2012

- R. B. Zoellick -
http://web.worldbank.org/WBSITE/EXTERNAL/NEWS/0,,contentMDK:…

[Popeye82]

VMS Minerals - DSO Project Fast Tracked -Signing of MOU with TasRail; Hamish Halliday: "The above transport solution is a major step forward for the Company as it seeks to fast track its DSO Project +deliver significant early cash flow. We are very pleased with the progress made over the past six months on both our DSO Project +our flagship Mt Lindsay Tin/Tungsten Project +anticipate a very exciting year ahead for the Company"; Following signing of a non-binding MOU Company will look to execute a formal agreement with TasRail consistent with the terms of the MOU over the coming months; In addition to fast tracking the Company’s DSO Project Venture is in the latter stages of completing a Bankable Feasibility Study on its flagship Mt Lindsay Tin/Tungsten Deposit, study is due for completion in the 1st 1/2 of this year - Jan 24, 2012

+ TasRail to provide Venture with a total transport solution for ~1.000.000 tonnes/annum of DSO from mine gate to ship loading.

+ TasRail is government owned +operates a vertically integrated freight rail system which includes the Melba Line located only 23km from Mt Lindsay(ref map).

+ The MOU also includes storage +loading facilities @both the rail head +the Port of Burnie.

+ With the transport solution now well underway the Company will look to advance off take discussions for its DSO. ...
http://stocknessmonster.com/news-item?S=VMS&E=ASX&N=574926

[Popeye82]

Mining Summary - LC - Feb 1, 2012
http://minesite.com/media/pub/var/release_downloadable_file/…

[Popeye82]

Hummingbird Resources Plc - Tuzon Resource Upgrade: 2.050.000 Oz @1.21g/t I, taking attributable global Resources to 3.700.000 Oz I/I; Dan Betts: "The significance of this maiden Resource discovery @Tuzon cannot be under estimated. It marks a seminal moment in the development of our Company. The Tuzon Resource is more than just a significant discovery because it has potential to be part of the same mine development as the Dugbe F deposit. The DugbeI Project now has a global Resource of 3.800.000 Oz. During ´11 we have added 3.000.000 Oz of gold @a discovery cost of $6/ounce. Tuzon itself is not yet drilled out, but the most exciting thing for me is that we have several other targets within the mineable radius of the DugbeI Project, which we are looking to drill imminently. Further afield along the shear zone we have many more. The potential of this region is really only just starting to be realised, as has been demonstrated by the speed of this discovery. We now have a tremendous opportunity not just to discover more gold in what we believe to be a virgin , multi-mine world class gold province , but to build Liberia’s 1st multi-million ounce Birimian gold mine . We are now setting up a dedicated evaluation team to drive the DugbeI Project forward to deliver this " - Feb 1, 2012

+ 2.050.000 Oz maiden Resource @100% Hummingbird Resources owned Tuzon prospect taking global Resources to 3.800.000 Oz gold(3.700.000 Oz attributable).

+ Resource open in several directions +drilling is ongoing @Tuzon to increase Resource.

+ Tuzon lies only 2.6km east from existing Dugbe F Resource +has potential to be developed as part of the DugbeI Project.

+ Deposit extends from surface in several closely stacked narrow zones leading to favourable mining conditions.

+ Deposit grade, geology +general mineralogy look to be consistent with Dugbe F simplifying project engineering.

+ Substantial scope for further resource growth in ´12 within the potentially mineable radius of the DugbeI Project.

+ Sackor, part of DugbeI Project area, trench programme includes results of 20m @1.16 g/t. Scout drill programme planned for this prospect after completion of Tuzon to continue building ounces in DugbeI Project area.

+ Strong cash position of US$20.000.000 @1st January ´12. ...
www.hummingbirdresources.co.uk/corporate-ir/news/tuzon-resou…
www.rns-pdf.londonstockexchange.com/rns/5287W_1-2012-1-31.pd…

[Popeye82]

Strathmore Minerals - Announces Strategic Investment by Korea Electric Power Corp. &Phased US $40.000.000 Joint Venture Development of the Gas Hills, Wyoming; whereby KEPCO will subscribe for common shares of Strathmore, with the proceeds to be used for the development of the Company's Gas Hills Uranium properties in Wyoming. In addition, the Agreement contains an off-take provision, whereby KEPCO has the right to purchase a portion of any future annual uranium production from Strathmore's properties, subject to pre-existing agreements. Future off-take uranium purchases shall be determined by KEPCO's equity ownership in Strathmore, As per the Agreement, Strathmore will issue, by way of a private placement, 14.586.182 common shares of Strathmore to KEPCO, @a price of C$0.55/share, for total gross proceeds of US$8.000.000. Upon completion of this financing, KEPCO will own ~13.9% of Strathmore. The proceeds will be used for a "PhaseI" exploration +development program of the Gas Hills Beaver Rim area and for ongoing permitting activities on the Company's nearby lower Gas Hills properties. On completion of PhaseI, KEPCO will have the right to participate in a "PhaseII" development program, allowing KEPCO to earn up to a 40% interest in the Gas Hills Properties, for an additional $32.000.000 in expenditures, over the subsequent three years - Feb 1, 2012
www.marketwire.com/press-release/retransmission-strathmore-a…

[Popeye82]

Century Iron Mines - Intersects 45 Metres of 62.67% Total Fe @Lac La Fer in Hole LLFP3-11-004 Which Ended in Mineralization @54 Metres - Feb 1, 2012
www.marketwire.com/press-release/century-iron-intersects-45-…

[Popeye82]

Mining Summary - LC - Feb 2, 2012
http://minesite.com/media/pub/var/release_downloadable_file/…

[Popeye82]

East Coast Minerals NL - New discovery @the Wolfsberg Lithium Project; boosts overall exploration target to 23.000.000 -32.000.000 tonnes @1.4 -1.6% Li2O; Mr Nigel Little: "The identification of the ZoneII Pegmatite +Spodumene mineralised boulders, significantly increases the potential size of the Wolfsberg Project +re-confirms the importance of this investment to the growth of ECM +our view of the significant strategic importance of the project to Europe " - Feb 2, 2012

+ Newly identified “ZoneII” exploration target of 15.000.000 -20.000.000 tonnes @1.4 -1.6% Li2O

+ Currently ZoneI has an inferred resource of 18.000.000 tonnes @1.6% Lithium Oxide, with an exploration target of 8.000.000 -12.000.000 tonnes @1.4 -1.6% Li2O, along strike +down dip extensions. With the inclusion of ZoneII the exploration target for the project @this stage is 23.000.000 -32.000.000 tonnes @1.4 -1.6% Li2O

+ Drilling of ZoneII is pending approval by the relevant authorities. ...
http://stocknessmonster.com/news-item?S=ECM&E=ASX&N=665598

[Popeye82]

African Energy Resources - Sese Indicated Resource Exceeds 2.500.000.000 tonnes, resource update expected in Q2 ´12 - Feb 2, 2012

+ Successful reclassification of >95% of the in-situ resource to the Indicated category.

+ The Lower Main Seam accounts for 61% of the total resource +contains coal which is suitable for washing to create an export quality product(up to 5.550 Kcal/kg).

+ The Upper Main Seam coal can be washed, or blended with the Lower Main Seam middlings to make a product which is suitable for use as power station fuel. Full Seam raw coal is also suitable as a power station fuel.

+ The coal occurs in one main seam which averages 14m thickness, is close to surface +which is expected to be amenable to low strip-ratio open pit mining.

+ The Measured Resource calculation for drilling completed in Blocks B +C is expected to be released in the 2nd Quarter ´12. ...
http://stocknessmonster.com/news-item?S=AFR&E=ASX&N=576750

[Popeye82]

Sheffield Resources - Large HMS Exploration Target, @Irwin, follows recently announced Mineral Resources @Sheffield‟s West Mine North, Ellengail +Yandanooka deposits, +an Exploration Target @Drummond Crossing - Feb 2, 2012

+ Exploration Target of 220.000.000 -340.000.000 tonnes @1.2% –1.6% HM @Irwin

+ Mineral assemblage testwork(QEMSCAN) indicates a high value mineral assemblage with 10.0% zircon +7.4% rutile

+ Large near-surface deposit with low slimes component -important attributes for potential dredge-mining ...
http://stocknessmonster.com/news-item?S=SFX&E=ASX&N=576766

[Popeye82]

Uranex - Mkuju Uranium Project Partner Update - Feb 1, 2012

+ Discussions are advancing with Chinese firms on possible joint development of the Mkuju Uranium Project in Southern Tanzania, 100% owned by the Company.

+ The Company has engaged with Chinese government, finance +nuclear sector leaders on possible joint development of the Mkuju Uranium Project as well as the pipeline of projects in Africa +Australia.

+ The Mkuju Uranium Project hosts 226km2 of prospective uranium targets including the Likuyu North Prospect where 2.6km2 have been drilled +from which data is being compiled into a Mineral Resource. ...
http://stocknessmonster.com/news-item?S=UNX&E=ASX&N=368624

[Popeye82]

Coal-dependent South Africa has no explicit coal policy –Prof; South Africa did not have an explicit coal policy despite its heavy dependence on the mineral, University of Cape Town Graduate School of Business’ Professor Anton Eberhard said on Wednesday. Eberhard, a member of the National Planning Commission(NPC), said the other anomaly was that there was also no export strategy for coal, despite the mineral contributing heavily to export earnings - MW, CAPE TOWN - Feb 1, 2012

- M. Creamer -
www.miningweekly.com/article/coal-dependent-south-africa-has…

[Popeye82]

BHP exits titanium, sells RBM stake to Rio - MW, PERTH - Feb 1, 2012

- E. Swanepoel -
www.miningweekly.com/article/bhp-exits-titanium-minerals-ind…

[Popeye82]

Xstrata confirmed that it was in discussions with commodities trader Glencore about a possible merger ; Newswire Bloomberg, which reported earlier on Thursday that the two companies were nearing an agreement - MW, JOHANNESBURG - Feb 2, 2012

- Natasha Odendaal -
www.miningweekly.com/article/xstrata-confirms-glencore-appro…

[Popeye82]

China says ready "to "defend" its rare earth policies", after WTO ruling - MW/Reuters - Feb 2, 2012
www.miningweekly.com/article/china-says-ready-to-defend-its-…

[Popeye82]

Centaurus Metals - Key Appointments Strengthen Brazilian Management Team; Before joining Centaurus, Mr Alexandro Avila de Moura was Chief Operating Officer +General Manager of Operations @MMX Mineracao, where he was responsible for managing two large scale Brazilian iron ore mines with a combined production rate of 9.500.000 t/anno, including a team of >700 employees +1.300 contractors . Of particular relevance to Centaurus, during this period he oversaw the study +statutory approvals phase for planned developments that will feed into the MMX Sudeste System, where production is planned to increase to 34.000.000 t/anno by ´16. Prior to that, he was the General Manager of the Chapada Copper Mine for Yamarna Gold Inc. +held a number of senior positions with the Brazilian mining giant Vale(CVRD) , including as Manager of the Plant of Manganese Alloys in Minas Gerais +GM of Support to Copper Operations; Mr Antonio Celso Pereira, a Business Development executive with >20 years of experience in sales +marketing with several leading multinational groups in Brazil as well as extensive Public Sector experience, has been appointed as the Company’s General Manager of Logistics, based in Salvador.
Mr Pereira was previously the Director for Commercial Operations +Business Development @the Bahia Public Port Authority(CODEBA) where he established key contacts +increased access to quality infrastructure +port services. This Port Authority has responsibility for the Port of Ilhéus, which is the proposed export port for Centaurus’ iron ore export strategy; Prior to that, he was Director for Commerce +Services Development with the key Bahia State Government Secretariat of Industry, Commerce +Mining +held a number of senior business development &marketing roles in the private sector, including senior executive positions with multinational companies including Coca-Cola Company +Claro America Movil Group. Mr Pereira’s main responsibilities will be gaining port access +establishing road transport arrangements with local government +authorities to support Centaurus’ iron ore export strategy; D. Gordon welcomed both appointments, saying the Company continued to demonstrate an ability to attract very high calibre individuals in Brazil with a strong depth of expertise across a range of areas including operations, production, environmental +community management +government relations: "Both men bring a significant depth of experience, a high level of competency +an extensive knowledge base +contact network in their respective areas. Mr Moura has been a high level operational executive @some of Brazil’s largest iron ore operations while Mr Pereira is a highly accomplished Business Development executive whose contact network within senior levels of Government will prove invaluable to Centaurus as we progress our export strategy @Serra da Lontra. I am delighted that we have been able to attract this calibre of executive to Centaurus to join our in-country management team +I look forward to the contribution that both will make as we move towards production" - Feb 2, 2012
http://stocknessmonster.com/news-item?S=CTM&E=ASX&N=576625

[Popeye82]

EMC Metals/Jervois Mining - Nyngan Project Conceptual Plan Submitted to NSW State Regulators in Australia - Jan 18, 2012
http://finance.yahoo.com/news/Nyngan-Project-Conceptual-bw-3…



EMC Receives Final Report on Pilot Plant Test-Work for Nyngan Scandium JV Project in NSW, Australia; EMC has previously publically indicated a target overall recovery for scandium of 80%. That overall recovery level was achieved in Nyngan’s saprolite material, but not in the limonite material, G. Putnam: "These pilot-scale metallurgical test results from Hazen confirm for us the previous collective work on the Nyngan resource, +provide the foundation for SNC-Lavalin to complete the detailed process design +economic validation for the Nyngan Scandium Project. We believe these results to be fully supportive to our JV project with our partner, Jervois Mining, +keep us on track to complete the SNC-Lavalin work on schedule", W. Duyvesteyn: "The work carried out by Hazen Research is gratifying in that it suggests good performance, on a large scale, from a series of standard processes. The complexity always lies in the detailed management of the processes, +we have now had a chance to understand the sensitivities +find some optimization, @a much larger scale than previous work allowed. There is more process refinement to pursue, +more to gain in our view, "but we now have a solid base from which to develop the project" " - Jan 19, 2012

+ Results of conventional contained sulfuric acid bake +water leach systems, @atmospheric pressure, demonstrated scandium recoveries averaging 75%,

+ Results of conventional solvent extraction(“SX”) on the pregnant leach solution, demonstrated scandium recoveries >99%,

+ Results on final stage precipitation of scandium oxide, focussed on highest combined purity +recovery, demonstrated scandium recoveries of 97.5%, @purity levels of 97.5% Sc2O3,

+ Overall recovery results were 70% to 80%, based on ore type(limonite or saprolite), +

+ All process assumptions were based on standard +accepted techniques for ore preparation, leaching, solvent extraction +final product preparation ...
http://finance.yahoo.com/news/EMC-Receives-Final-Report-bw-8…
www.usetdas.com/pr/emcmetalsgraphic01192012.jpg

[Popeye82]

Cancana Resources - Commencement of Pitting Exploration Program +Geotechnical Review; work will be in used to establish a National Instrument 43-101 Compliant Report, Grab samples +extractions have graded up to 64% Mn +averaged 52% Mn - Feb 1, 2012
www.marketwire.com/press-release/cancana-resources-corp-comm…

[Popeye82]

SemBioSys Genetics -&Tasly Pharmaceutical, one of China's largest pharmaceutical companies +China's 2nd producer of TCMs, which are derived from plants, Its sales force covers ~25.000 Chinese hospitals, retail pharmacies +direct to consumer markets with 1.500 representatives, Joint Venture Receives Chinese Government Approvals &Business License; targets Near/Mid/Long Term strategy - Feb 2, 2012
http://finance.yahoo.com/news/SemBioSys-Tasly-cnw-240052140.…

[Popeye82]

Gentor Resources -&Al Fairuz Mining announce further near-surface high grade sulphide intersections from the Mahab 4 VMS copper deposit in Oman; results include 24.04 metres @6.32% Cu, 0.49 g/t Au, 1.10% Zn +24.2 g/t Ag +56.85 metres @6.21% Cu, 0.22 g/t Au, 0.90% Zn +10.4 g/t Ag; From discovery of Mahab 4 in ´10, until mid-January ´12, Gentor has drilled 51 diamond drill holes for 6.179.73 metres @Mahab 4, Drill focus will now switch to Maqail South where Gentor discovered a 2nd massive sulphide deposit in ´10 +up until the end of ´11 has drilled 16 diamond holes for 1.692.58 metres; An active regional exploration +drilling programme will continue in the Block 5 +6 Oman tenements in ´12; Dr. P. Ruxton: "The infill evaluation drilling programme @Mahab 4 has enabled us to better define the irregular shape of this near-surface, high grade massive sulphide body +to construct a wire frame geological model in preparation for resource estimation. Further drilling will focus @Maqail South in combination with our continued regional exploration effort to expand our potential resource base in Oman" - Jan 31, 2012
www.gentorresources.com/i/pdf/2012-01-31_NR.pdf

[Popeye82]

Beacon Hill Resources Plc - Maiden JORC Mining Reserve -Minas Moatize; Justin Lewis: "The commercial value of the Minas Moatize Project is increasingly being confirmed. We have a Marketable Reserve of 23.450.000 tonnes of coal, of which >1/3 is coking coal, a proven end to end export solution as highlighted by the commencement of shipping in December ´11, near term coking coal production +the full results of the DFS due to be released later this quarter. With this in mind, we look forward to reporting our progress to our shareholders +the wider market during this highly active time for the Group" - Feb 2, 2012

+ Total Mineable Reserve of 42.650.000 tonnes with potential upside of a further 7.900.000 t. The Mineable Reserve represents the in situ portion of the Geological Resource that is economically mineable

+ Total Mineable Reserve includes a Marketable Reserve of 23.450.000 t, representing the saleable portion after mining +processing of the resource, of which @least 8.720.000 t is coking coal

+ Confirmation that Minas Moatize has a mine life of up to 14 years

+ Completion of Mine Plan, which forms a part of the Definitive Feasibility Study('DFS') has been finalised +supports the reporting of Coal Reserves in accordance with the JORC Code

+ The DFS, due for release later this quarter, continues to be based on a 4.000.000 tonne/annum run of mine operation producing in excess of 2.000.000 t/anno of saleable hard coking +thermal coal for the life of mine ...
www.bhrplc.com/News.aspx?ArticleId=19851642

[Popeye82]

Mining Summary - LC - Feb 3, 2012
http://minesite.com/media/pub/var/release_downloadable_file/…

[Popeye82]

Quantum Rare Earth Developments - Looks Forward to Results of USGS-Funded Study on Nebraska Rare Earths; P. Dickie said the company is extremely pleased that the U.S. Geological Survey(USGS) has included Quantum's Elk Creek, Nebraska rare earth elements(REE) site in a federally funded research project on mineral resources that are important to the economy, national security, +land-use decisions; P. Dickie: "USGS has stated that in addition to REEs @Elk Creek, the site may contain the largest niobium resource in the U.S.. It's an honor for Elk Creek to have been selected as the subject of 1/5 research grants from USGS under the ´12 USGS Mineral Resources External Research Program(MRERP)", Marcia McNutt: "Although the US is currently dependent on foreign imports for our supply of rare earths +other critical elements that are essential for the high tech industry, our nation is actually rich in deposits of these valuable minerals. The Mineral Research Grants help provide the basic research foundation to better develop our domestic resources +thus become less dependent on foreign imports"; University of Colorado, University of Nebraska to Examine Elk Creek Test Results, research is expected to yield data +information that will advance exploration +assessment models for similar REE deposits - Jan 31, 2012
www.marketwire.com/press-release/quantum-looks-forward-to-re…
www.usgs.gov/newsroom/article.asp?ID=3082

[Popeye82]

Biggest Holders of US Government Debt - FY/CNBC - Feb 3, 2012

- Paul Toscano -
http://finance.yahoo.com/news/biggest-holders-of-us-gov-t-de…

[Popeye82]

African Minerals arranges $868.000.000 to fund Tonkolili expansion - MW, JOHANNESBURG - Jan 31, 2012
www.miningweekly.com/article/african-minerals-arranges-868m-…

[Popeye82]

Merged Glencore, Xstrata would take aim @iron ore; $80.000.000.000 marriage of commodities trader Glencore +miner Xstrata could lead to a new round of takeovers in iron ore, creating a goliath eager to muscle its way onto one of mining's richest +most closely guarded industries; Glencore +Xstrata, which have yet to reach a deal, would together rank as the world's largest thermal coal exporter, the largest zinc producer +3rd-largest copper miner, but would remain all but non-existant in iron ore mining - MW/Reuters, SYDNEY - Feb 3, 2012
www.miningweekly.com/article/merged-glencore-xstrata-would-t…

[Popeye82]

IAMGOLD - declares rare earth inferred resource: 467.000.000 tonnes @1.65% TREO, adjacent to its Niobec niobium mine near Saguenay, Quebec, Canada, light rare earths making >95% of that; S. Letwin: "The location of this resource is very conducive to bringing these REEs to market in a timely +cost effective manner. In addition to its close proximity to our existing mine infrastructure @Niobec, the location provides access to a large skilled population, an established +very competitively priced hydro power source, +excellent shipping +distribution options given the existing road +rail infrastructure +close proximity to deep water ports with ocean access. These factors, together with the Company's strong balance sheet, development expertise +excellent community relations provide distinct speed-to-market advantage" - Feb 3, 2012
www.iamgold.com/Theme/IAmGold/files/pdf/NR%2004-12%20-%20REE…

[Popeye82]

Salazar Resources - Lundin Mining Acquires 15.4% Interest in Salazar Resources, >80% of the PP was taken-up by Lundin Mining; Silvercorp Metals Inc. maintain their @10.7% interest; Fredy Salazar: "Lundin Mining Corporation is world-renowned for their successes in identifying +advancing high quality mineral development projects through to production. We look forward to working with this experienced +highly regarded group. Salazar management believes that the new interest +investment by Lundin, as well as Silvercorp's continued investment +support is a testament to the quality +potential of the El Domo project" - Feb 3, 2012
http://finance.yahoo.com/news/Lundin-Mining-Acquires-15-4-cc…

[Popeye82]

Global miners tipped to hoard cash for deals, projects - MW/Reuters, MELBOURNE/LONDON - Feb 3, 2012
www.miningweekly.com/article/global-miners-tipped-to-hoard-c…

"Top global mining companies are set to report large, but modestly weaker, 1/2-year profits +indicate they are keeping their billions in cash to chase deals +develop massive projects instead of handing it to shareholders.


The July-December financial results for BHP Billiton, Rio Tinto, Anglo American +Xstrata, which will be released over the next two weeks, will reflect a decline from record highs for prices of iron ore, copper +coal, +soft aluminium +nickel markets.

Swiss-based Xstrata, being courted by its main shareholder, commodities trader Glencore to create an $80.000.000.000 mining giant, will steal the limelight, kicking off results on Tuesday.

That will provide the 1st opportunity for investors +analysts to query the potential deal, which may involve only a small premium.

"There's potential for a win-win situation here. The amount of synergies that would be released is significant," said John Robinson, chairman of Australia-listed Global Mining Investments, which has A$209.000.000 in assets +owns shares in both Glencore +Xstrata.

A deal would set a record for the mining industry in a year shaping up to be tough as growth slows in China, the world's biggest commodities consumer, Europe tackles its debt crisis +US growth stutters.

In that environment, investors expect miners to be more conservative than last year +retain more cash.

"My guess is that caution will probably be the order of the day. I wouldn't expect any major capital return initiatives," Robinson said.


SHARE BUYBACKS

BHP returned $10.000.000.000 to shareholders in ´11 through a share buyback +@the same time spent $20.000.000.000 on shale gas takeovers in the United States aaaaand mapped out $80.000.000.000 in spending on iron ore, coal, copper, potash +shale gas projects through ´15.

Rio Tinto is about to complete a $7.000.000.000 buyback while having flagged in November that it would consider further returns to shareholders.

However, it may hold back from returning more cash while it waits to pounce on Ivanhoe Mines for its massive Oyu Tolgoi copper +gold project in Mongolia +other smaller deals +fund $14.000.000.000 worth of projects for ´12.

"They are more likely to not do anything @this point in time, unless they get a whole lot more clarity on the (economic)outlook than they have @the moment," said analyst Tim Dudley @Collins Stewart in London.

Anglo American is sitting on a windfall from the $5.400.000.000 sale of a stake in its Chilean assets, but is likely to preserve its cash until the outcome of its spat with Codelco over stakes in copper-rich assets in Chile is clearer.

Analysts said the companies are likely to be flexible on their growth projects if the global economy turns down sharply in ´12, just as they battened down the hatches in ´09 @the height of the global financial crisis.

"I'm less worried than I was three months ago," said Tim Schroeders, a portfolio manager @Pengana Capital, which owns shares in BHP +Rio Tinto.

"But it's still going to prove a challenging environment in terms of sub-par growth, the ability to raise capital +the outlook for commodity prices," he said.


XSTRATA

Xstrata is expected to report a 3% fall in net profit to $2.800.000.000 for the 2nd half of ´11, according to Thomson Reuters I/B/E/S, with its earnings not as exposed to volatile iron ore prices as its peers.

It is unlikely to return cash to shareholders with the merger talks pending +given it has targeted spending $20.000.000.000 on projects over the next three years, with the bulk going into copper mines.

Analysts +investors will be watching for news of progress on its Koniambo ferronickel project in New Caledonia, due to be in a commissioning phase later this year +where estimated costs rose to $4.600.000.000.

"The risk is not to earnings estimates(we think Koniambo will contribute just 3% to ´13 EBITDA) but instead to management credibility," HSBC analysts said. Koniambo is seen as a test of Xstrata's ability to deliver large greenfield projects +its devolved management structure.


BHP BILLITON

BHP Billiton, the world's biggest miner, is forecast to report attributable profit of $10.000.000.000 for the December 1/2, down about 7% from a year earlier, hit by lower iron ore +copper prices, when it reports on February 8.

The company is going ahead with major expansion projects, including plans to spend $4.500.000.000 on developing shale gas in the US following its takeover of Petrohawk +acquisition of Chesapeake assets for $17.000.000.000 in ´11.

The move into shale gas has raised alarm among some investors as US natural gas prices have tumbled under a glut of shale gas production. BHP argues it is looking @a much longer time horizon for payback on its acquisitions.

"As an investor in BHP you'd have to be concerned about the significant amount of capital that has been invested in that new business," said Ben Lyons, who helps manage A$500.000.000 @ATI Asset Management.


RIO TINTO

World no.3 miner Rio Tinto, reporting on February 9, is tipped to show a 9% fall in 2nd-1/2 underlying earnings to $7.500.000.000 before one-offs.

It is considered the most likely to be able to go ahead with another buyback or a big dividend increase, after completing its $7.000.000.000 share buyback, as it flagged in November that it was looking carefully @how to reward investors.

However, analysts are expecting its results to be marred by hefty writedowns mostly from its aluminium business, stemming from its top-of-the-market $38.000.000.000 takeover of Alcan in ´07, plus a writedown on its diamonds arm.

UBS +Goldman Sachs estimate 2nd-1/2 writedowns could be around $5.000.000.000.

Rio Tinto is set to ditch an estimated $8.000.000.000 worth of aluminium assets, but has yet to outline whether it will seek trade buyers or float the assets as it frees up more capital for its thriving iron ore arm. Analysts say the aluminium business will post a 2nd-1/2 loss.


ANGLO-AMERICAN

Anglo American, reporting on February 17, is expected to post a 5% fall in operating profit to $5.170.000.000 for the 2nd half, according to Reuters calculations.

One of Anglo's units, Anglo Platinum, has already warned ´11 profit likely fell about 1/3, due to a black empowerment deal +also a high number of safety stoppages +higher costs for labour +electricity.

The 2nd-1/2 for diamond producer De Beers, which will be majority owned by Anglo once a deal to buy out the Oppenheimer family completes this year, is likely to have been marred by volatile markets +a decision to rein in output as a result.

De Beers reports on February 11.

Other than the complex legal battle with Codelco, Anglo's $5.750.000.000 Minas Rio iron ore project will be in focus, with the market scanning for evidence of fresh delays or cost overruns, following a 15% increase flagged in December.


Edited by: Reuters "

[Popeye82]

Kilo Goldmines outlines plans for Afghan iron-ore deposit - MW, TORONTO - Feb 2, 2012

- M. Hill -
www.miningweekly.com/article/kilo-goldmines-outliens-plans-f…

"Kilo Goldmines, which Afghanistan’s Ministry of Mines named as a preferred bidder to develop part of the massive Hajigak iron-ore deposit, could conclude talks with the government over a mining right for the project by mid-year, CEO Alex van Hoeken said.


The portion of the deposit that Kilo successfully bid for is known as Block A, and contains a historical – though not NI 43 101-compliant – resource of around 450-million tons grading at around 62%, he said in an interview on Wednesday.

The plan is to start drilling the property once the negotiations for a mining licence are complete, with a 100 000 m programme planned over two years, after which the consortium in which TSX-V-listed Kilo is involved will begin work on a feasibility study.

The Hajigak deposit is located in the mountainous Bamyan province, 130 km west of Kabul, and Russian and German geologists first discovered the iron-ore resources, conducting exploration in the 1960s and 1970s. The area is believed to hold a 1.8-billion ton resource, making it one of Asia’s largest.

Kilo first said in November that it had bid for part of the concessions, having a 20% interest in the consortium of financiers that submitted the bid in the Toronto-based company’s name.

Former Unilever overseas treasurer and group FD for the India and Pakistan David Buckle is leading the consortium and will be responsible for financing and managing the project, Kilo said in November. Buckle is also a Kilo shareholder.

Van Hoeken declined to name the other investors, saying only that they are “a team of professionals well-respected in the industry who want to be very low key at this moment”.

“They have a long history of working in India and Pakistan, so they know the region quite well,” he added, speaking to Mining Weekly Online over the phone from Zambia.

Indian consorita were named the preferred bidders for the other three blocks at Hajigak.

Kilo’s flagship asset is the Somituri gold project in the Orientale province in north-east Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), where it has an inferred mineral resource estimate of two-million ounces.

Some 40 km north of that, it has an iron-ore joint venture with diversified giant Rio Tinto, where it last week said drilling results continued to indicate the project had the potential for direct shipping ore, meaning it is of such high grade it does not need to be processed at a plant before being used to make steel.

Van Hoeken said the experience Kilo had gained working with Rio in the DRC meant that getting involved with Afghanistan iron-ore “wasn’t really that far out of our sphere”.

Asked why the company was looking to build mines in places such as the DRC and Afghanistan – the World Bank rates DRC one place lower than Venezuela and Afghanistan and only 11 places higher than Zimbabwe in its Ease of Doing Business rankings – he said that the DRC has a worse reputation than the reality of the situation.

“I have been in the Congo for over 12 years so I feel comfortable, we know how to operate here,” Van Hoeken said.

Why expose your shareholders to such risky destinations though?

“If a junior company wants to stand out they’ve got to go where nobody else goes. If you want to play it safe you put your money in the bank if you want to look for the higher returns, you go where you have the potential of finding something significant.”

This year, Kilo has seen its share price more than double to C$0.25 apiece. However, that is also less than half of the 12-month highs above C$0.21 it hit in February last year. "

[Popeye82]

Smartcool Systems - Alternative Energy Company in France Becomes New Smartcool Distributor - Dec 13, 2012
http://finance.yahoo.com/news/Alternative-Energy-Company-cnw…


Hilton Hotel Malta Improves Energy Efficiency with Smartcool - Feb 2, 2012
http://finance.yahoo.com/news/Hilton-Hotel-Malta-Improves-cn…

[Popeye82]

Macusani Yellowcake -&Southern Andes Announce Combination +Consolidation of Major Uranium District; P. Hooper: "By consolidating the land holdings in the Macusani uranium district, we are establishing ourselves as a highly prospective jurisdictional play in the growing Macusani district of Peru. Building upon our successful exploration efforts @Kihitian, ColibriII +III +Corachapi, the addition of Southern Andes will allow for a more widespread evaluation of the larger Macusani district, as well as targeted exploration along strike from our current projects. Over the medium to long-term, this transaction also provides us with the flexibility to consider other development scenarios within the district, including the construction of a larger production facility. We see this as a major step towards achieving our near term corporate objective of adding further NI 43-101 compliant uranium resources, +look forward "to continuing to create value for the combined shareholder base" ", N. Tintor: "The proposed transaction provides our shareholders with the opportunity to participate in the growth potential of the combined exploration assets in the Macusani district +to realize the value of Southern Andes' investment in Caracara. This transaction will create a significant uranium exploration company with the management team +balance sheet to realize the full potential of the newly combined project portfolio" - Feb 3, 2012

Transaction Rationale:

+ A combination of adjacent mineral property claims totalling >900 km2 in one of the largest , most highly prospective uranium districts in the world positioning Macusani as the dominant landholder in the region.

+ Macusani will increase its total land package in the district by 275%, including several areas directly adjacent +surrounding Macusani's current resource properties.

+ Provides Macusani with the flexibility to evaluate various development scenarios, including a significantly larger production facility than previously contemplated.

+ Southern Andes' recent discovery @Tupuramani located immediately adjacent to +on strike with Macusani's Colibri II +III property, which was subject to a Preliminary Economic Assessment in ´10.

+ A maiden resource @Macusani's Kihitian property is expected in Q1/´12, where preliminary results indicate that mineralized potential may continue to extend along strike onto Southern Andes' properties.

+ A strong pro forma balance sheet with a cash position of >CAD$13.000.000, fully financed to take the combined company through ´13 exploration +development programs.

+ Experienced management team +substantial in-country synergies.

+ An attractive South American growth platform that will continue to evaluate accretive merger +acquisition opportunities in the uranium sector.

+ Enhanced market presence, capital markets exposure +trading liquidity. ...
www.marketwire.com/press-release/macusani-yellowcake-souther…
http://macyel.com/downloads/YEL-SUR-merger-overview.pdf

[Popeye82]

OriginOil - Algae Producer Aquaviridis +OriginOil Announce Joint Commercial Agreement; Development of dry-land aquaculture "could" transform desert farm economies of the American Southwest +Mexico; Aquaviridis has signed a commercial agreement with OriginOil to help develop the multi-phase algae production rollout @its Mexicali, Mexico site, a potential model for algae sites throughout the North American Free Trade Agreement(NAFTA) region, with a focus on desert areas of the American Southwest +Mexico; OriginOil will provide its expertise to help develop growth +harvesting solutions +implement appropriate OriginOil technologies. The facility will also serve as a test bed for OriginOil innovations; Thomas Byrne: "After evaluating OriginOil’s portfolio, our technical team felt that OriginOil had "some novel, scalable, +potentially game-changing technologies for algae harvesting +growth enhancement" . We are excited about the opportunity to work closely with them as a partner during our research +planning stage. Having the right partners +technologies is critical, as our expectation is to have this facility in revenue this year", Ken Reynolds: "The Mexicali Valley is a great place to develop an algae industry, given its climate +access to industry research +resources throughout North America. With the U.S. as a neighboring market for high value exports, Mexico is in an excellent position to take the lead in areas such as research +production of algae for nutritional products, animal feed, +oil for biofuels, which would create long-term regional economic growth +job production"; Aquaviridis is backed by private sector funding, with plans to immediately scale up from research +development to ten acres of pilot algae production by the middle of this year. Commercial scale production capacity is expected by the 2nd quarter of ´13. Aquaviridis selected the Mexicali Valley as a strategic location due to favorable growing conditions, strong local +governmental support, +available sources of carbon dioxide - Feb 3, 2012
http://finance.yahoo.com/news/Algae-Producer-Aquaviridis-bw-…

[Popeye82]

Syrien-Resolution geplatzt; Trotz Unruhen stimmen Russland +China gegen Entwurf - DPA, NEW YORK - Jan 4, 2012
http://web.de/magazine/nachrichten/ausland/14672212-russland…

[Popeye82]

CNPC, State Grid, CIC announce foreign investments - CER/WSJ - Feb 3, 2012
http://r20.rs6.net/content/

"PetroChina(PTR.NYSE, 601857.SH, 0857.HKG), a subsidiary of China National Petroleum Corp, announced that it would take a 20% stake in a Canadian natural +shale gas development owned by Royal Dutch Shell(RDS.NYSE, RDS.LSE), The Wall Street Journal reported, one of several recent acquisitions as Chinese state-owned companies take advantage of depressed valuations .

Neither firm disclosed terms of the agreement, but PetroChina said that by purchasing a stake in the Groundbirch site it hoped to gain shale gas experience from Shell. Separately, State Grid agreed to buy a 25% stake in REN-Redes Energeticas Nacionais SA(RENE.Euronext), a power +gas grid operator being sold by the Portuguese government as part of its European bailout agreement . China Investment Corp(CIC), the country’s sovereign wealth fund, also announced that it would purchase a minority stake in US asset manager EIG Global Energy Partners, which has ~US$9.500.000.000 in assets under management. While the size of the stake is undisclosed, EIG’s CEO said in an interview that CIC bought <10% of the firm. "

[Popeye82]

Further falls for rare earths prices, most juniors to disappear, says Lifton; Rare earths prices, which have plunged as users pursue alternatives and the broader economy stalls, are set for further drops, Technology Metals Research founding principal Jack Lifton said on Wednesday. While he does not see any further collapse in rare earths prices, in an interview with Mining Weekly Online he does predict clammed-up capital markets coupled with lower prices will kill off ~90% of the publicly listed rare earth juniors over the next two years or so - MW, TORONTO - Feb 2, 2012

- M. Hill -
www.miningweekly.com/article/further-falls-for-rare-earth-pr…

[Popeye82]

Molycorp says Chile's Molymet buys 13% of company for $390.000.000 - MW, TORONTO - Feb 1, 2012

- M. Hill -
www.miningweekly.com/article/molycorp-says-chiles-molymet-bu…
http://us1.campaign-archive2.com/?u=a9e8676e87fad805702b9856…

[Popeye82]

Sable Mining Africa - Expansion of Iron Ore Portfolio Following Permit Acquisition in Guinea, which is highly prospective for iron ore, is adjacent to the BHP Billiton/Newmont/Areva 600.000.000 tonne Nimba iron ore project, +close to the Ivory Coast +Liberian borders; A reconnaissance drilling/pitting programme is planned to confirm the thickness of the iron mineralisation +grade @depth with completion prior to the onset of the wet-season in May. Access roads to the plateaux will be completed in February ´12; A. Groves: "This is a fantastic addition to our iron ore portfolio, with early indications from reconnaissance work already highlighting the project's prospectivity. Taking into account its proximity to the Nimba project, the near surface nature of the ore body, the defined plateaux +the relative proximity to infrastructure, we believe this has the potential to add significant value to the Company going forward. Work continues @our Timbo, Bopolu +Kpo iron ore projects in Liberia which are also located on the highly prospective West African Shield in Liberia, +I look forward to updating the market in our progress on building a significant iron ore portfolio with high grade world class deposits" - Feb 2, 2012
www.sablemining.com/News/RNS/Expansion%20of%20Iron%20Ore%20P…

[Popeye82]

China regulator begins disclosing IPO applicants - CER/Reuters - Feb 3, 2012
http://r20.rs6.net/content/

"China Securities Regulatory Commission (CSRC) for the first time on Wednesday published a complete list of 515 Chinese companies that have filed for an IPO on Shanghai and Shenzhen markets by January 31, Reuters reported.

The move is being seen as an effort by Guo Shuqing, the newly-appointed chairman of the CSRC, to boost transparency in the financial system. The list shows that 295 firms are currently waiting to list on the Shanghai Stock Exchange or Shenzhen’s small and medium enterprises board, while another 220 companies plan to list on Shenzhen's Nasdaq-style ChiNext board. Among the applicants are state-owned China Postal Express & Logistics, China Grand Auto and 14 commercial banks. The IPO list, which will be updated weekly, does not reveal when the companies submitted the application or their fundraising targets. "

[Popeye82]

China mulls deeper involvement in EU rescue fund - CER/FT - Feb 3, 2012
http://r20.rs6.net/content/

"China is considering ways to get more involved in resolving the EU debt crisis through European rescue funds, Chinese premier Wen Jiabao said on Thursday following a meeting in Beijing with German chancellor Angela Merkel, the Financial Times reported.

China “is investigating and evaluating concrete ways in which it can, via the IMF, get more deeply involved in solving the European debt problem through [European Stability Mechanism/European Financial Stability Facility] channels,” Wen said. China's US$3.2 trillion in foreign exchange reserves is the largest in the world, and some have speculated that it could be used to supplement the US$329 billion left in the European Financial Stability Facility, the EU's bailout fund. Merkel also urged China to use its influence to press Iran on its nuclear program. Wen has said Beijing "adamantly opposes" Iran developing nuclear weapons yet maintains that China has a "normal commercial relationship" with the country. "

[Popeye82]

Kältewelle: Europa friert zu - W - Feb 4, 2012
http://web.de/magazine/nachrichten/bildergalerien/bilder/146…

[Popeye82]

IronClad Mining - Off Take Agreement Signed Off, four-year off-take agreement is with Hong Kong-based resources industry investment group, New Page Investments Limited is for up to 50% of annual iron ore production from the IronClad-Trafford Resources joint venture mine on South Australia’s Eyre Peninsula. The agreement secures all iron ore produced from the Wilcherry Hill mine for the 1st two years +follows a similar but separate off-take agreement signed last year with a Singaporean trading company. The latest agreement also secures 50% off-take of the ore for yearsIII +IV, Under the terms of the new agreement, New Page Investments must pay IronClad 95% of the agreed value of iron ore leaving via ship from our Lucky Bay port facility, within 30 days of that ship departing; IronClad’s Executive Chairman, Mr Ian Finch, said the Wilcherry Hill mine remained on track to commence maiden production in the current March quarter, Inaugural shipments of Direct Shipping Ore(DSO) for sale to Chinese steel mills are due to commence in the 2nd quarter of the ´12 calendar year - Feb 2, 2012
http://stocknessmonster.com/news-item?S=IFE&E=ASX&N=576748

[Popeye82]

ANC tight-lipped on nationalisation report; The ANC on Thursday declined to comment on reports that a study it commissioned discourages the nationalisation of mines . "We are not commenting on that report. The matter will be presented to the NEC(national executive committee) sometime during the meeting," party spokesperson Keith Khoza said on the sidelines of the five-day get-together of party officials in Pretoria; Business Day reported that the study, compiled by three economists, found nationalising mines would be unconstitutional. It concluded the government could not afford to buy stakes in mines. The study apparently recommended an upward revision of royalties +tax regimes, the newspaper reported. A separate report by the ANC's economic transformation committee, which also reportedly opposes nationalisation +calls for greater beneficiation, was expected to be discussed by the NEC. Khoza said all reports had been submitted +would be scrutinised @the meeting - EN, PRETORIA - Feb 2, 2012

- Sapa -
www.engineeringnews.co.za/article/anc-tight-lipped-on-nation…

[Popeye82]

Technology solution for maritime piracy scourge; British-based maritime services company Inchcape Shipping Services(ISS) +Singapore-based enterprise Vessel Protection Solutions(VPS) have unveiled a partnership to provide shipowners +operators with the means to protect their ships +crews from pirate attacks . The companies will be able to supply their clients with fully certified protection systems, designed to neutralise small arms – including assault rifles – +rocket-propelled grenade(RPG) fire ; “Piracy is one of the greatest challenges the industry faces,” highlights ISS Group CE Claus Hyldager. According to International Maritime Bureau statistics quoted by ISS, last year saw 35 vessels hijacked with 277 people taken hostage worldwide.(This figure probably excludes small fishing vessels +coastal craft, such as dhows.) “While best management practices provide useful guidelines +recommendations to combat pirate attacks, when it comes to ballistic protection, shipowners need real counsel on the kind of solutions to adopt,” says ISS VPS Hub project manager Graham Fee. “Time +again, we see bulletproof vests issued to crews without hard armour plates, +vessels using 8 mm mild steel to protect the bridge, internal doors +citadels, which do nothing against a round from an AK 47 ,” points out VPS sales director Edward Unwin. “Similarly, using double layers of standard mesh fencing to counter the threat of an RPG attack will actually increase the chance of a lethal explosion Budgets are tight given the current economic climate; however, there’s no point in just going for the cheapest material that may tick a compliance box but doesn’t work during an attack +invalidates insurance, ultimately costing more in the long term,” argues Fee. “Our focus is to provide solutions that save lives, are cost efficient +are proven by both military +civil agencies. While the legislative debate continues on how to best tackle the issue in relation to armed guards, it is vital that shipowners have access to the best equipment +on-board vessel +crew armour that provides appropriate protection right now.” asserts Hyldager - EN - Feb 3, 2012

- Keith Campbell -
www.engineeringnews.co.za/article/partnership-offers-protect…

[Popeye82]

Transnet can unlock 23.000.000 t/y from Waterberg coalfield; Transnet was to able unlock 23.000.000 tons of coal/year from South Africa’s emerging Waterberg coalfield, GM Divyesh Kalan said on Wednesday. Kalan told the IHS McCloskey South African Coal Exports Conference in Cape Town that the timeline for that unlocking of coal from the Waterberg was ´16/17; An additional estimated 15.000.000 tons of rail capacity would also be made available on the coal line to Richards Bay from ´14/15 as a result of diverting general freight through the new Swazi link that is to be built, Kalan said that the agreement to divert coal-line-using general freight had accelerated Transnet’s potential of going >91.000.000 tons/year that the private-sector-operated Richards Bay Coal Terminal is currently able to export. “With the Swazi link, we’re very confident that we can unlock 91.000.000 tons,” he commented - MW, CAPE TOWN - Feb 1, 2012

- M. Creamer -
www.engineeringnews.co.za/article/transnet-2012-02-01

[Popeye82]

Australia for Sale -Normally the title is a spam email from our national carrier Qantas but now it is all about our junior mining sector - RR - Feb 2, 2012

- Tony Locantro -
www.resourcesroadhouse.com.au/_blog/Resources_Roadhouse/post…

[Popeye82]

Mining Summary - LC - Feb 6, 2012
http://minesite.com/media/pub/var/release_downloadable_file/…

[Popeye82]

Sunridge Gold - Announces New Larger Resource for the Emba Derho Copper, Zinc, Gold Deposit, Asmara Project, Eritrea - Feb 6, 2012

+ Measured +Indicated resources are 70.000.000 tonnes. In addition there are 15.000.000 tonnes in the Inferred category.

+ Copper-rich zone: 49.800.000 tonnes @an average grade of 0.83% copper +0.93% zinc.

+ Zinc-rich zone: 16.800.000 tonnes @an average grade of 2.80% zinc +0.31 g/t gold.

+ Total contained metals in the Measured +Indicated categories are estimated as:

- 1.000.000.000 pounds of copper.
- 2.100.000.000 pounds of zinc.
- 506.000 ounces of gold.
- 18.600.000 ounces of silver. ...
www.marketwire.com/press-release/sunridge-gold-announces-new…

[Popeye82]

Wildcat Silver - announces substantial resource increase @Hermosa -Includes new silver-only zone: 101.416.000 tonnes @53.18g/t Ag, 3.55% Mn, 0.91% Zn, 0.04% Cu +0.55% Pb +83.612.000 tonnes @36.42g/t Ag, 2.38% Mn, 0.83% Zn, 0.03% Cu +0.56% Pb, for 269.900.000 Ounces Silver +Mn, Zn, Cu +Pb I/I; Chris Jones: "We have been successful in increasing the total silver resource today by >two times when compared to the previous ´10 resource @Hermosa, +by five times when compared to the initial resource in ´07. Further, through definition drilling we have significantly upgraded the quality of the resource. The new resource reflects a full 64% of the contained silver ounces in the indicated category, which is >than double the portion contained in the ´10 resource. While achieving this increase, our discovery cost/ounce of silver added in the ´12 resource was minimal @C$0.056/ounce"; To-date the Company has completed ~49.045 metres of a planned 51.850 metre drill program. This ´12 mineral resource estimate includes drill +assay data up to mid-September ´11, which accounts for only 54% of the planned drill program. Exploration on the Hermosa property continues with four drill rigs(two core, 2 RC) operating on site. Wildcat expects to provide a further update to the current mineral resource in order to incorporate all of the drilling later this year. The Company is on track to deliver an updated Preliminary Economic Assessment based on the current resource announced today in the 1st quarter of ´12 +expects to provide a further update based on the current drilling results later in ´12 - Feb 6, 2012
http://finance.yahoo.com/news/Wildcat-announces-substantial-…

[Popeye82]

Canadian Orebodies - Announces Initial NI 43-101 Iron Resource Estimate for Haig Inlet: 230.000.000 tonnes @35.17% iron +an additional 289.000.000 tonnes @35.47% I/I; In the summer of ´11, Canadian Orebodies completed 9.119.2 meters(64 holes) of drilling on the Haig Inlet Project. All 64 holes were focused on the hematite rich portions of the Kipalu Iron Formation, following up on the work previously carried out on Haig Inlet in the ´50's by Belcher Mining Corporation Ltd. In-pit mineral resources were delineated over an area of ~9 square kilometers +found to be flat lying. The mineralization extends to the north +south of the property, leaving potential for expansion through further drilling. Canadian Orebodies is particularly enthusiastic about the Haig Inlet Project because it is located adjacent to tidewater in Hudson Bay, which opens up the possibility for direct ocean shipping to global markets; G. McKinnon: "We are extremely excited about this initial resource estimate for Haig Inlet, which we believe represents a significant 1st step toward establishing the Belcher Islands as a new iron ore district in Canada. The ´11 drill campaign provided us with an excellent base to build upon as we look forward to the ´12 field season" - Feb 6, 2012
www.canadianorebodies.com/s/NewsReleases.asp?ReportID=505557

[Popeye82]

Atna Resources - Announces Significant Increase in Gold Resource, @Pinson: 4.677.400 tonnes @~12.75g/t for ~1.918.900 Oz Au M/I/I - Feb 6, 2012
http://finance.yahoo.com/news/atna-announces-significant-inc…

[Popeye82]

MBAC Fertilizer - Reports 28% increase in Resources, @the Itafós Arraias SSP Project: 75.800.000 tonnes @5.0% +12.300.000 tonnes @3.93% P2O5 M/I +I; Itafós Arraias Project is progressing in accordance with the scheduled timeline. The detailed engineering for the project is almost complete. All equipment on the critical path to construction has been acquired. The earthworks for the project concluded last year +civil construction has commenced @the site, beginning with the water dam. MBAC also has started hiring +training personnel for the day-to-day operation of the SSP plant, The detailed engineering has shown that the project capital costs have increased in the range of 8 -9% due to inflation, but are still in line with the expected accuracy of the feasibility study. The expected capital expenditures for the project are currently fully funded through project finance debt facilities secured by the Company +funds raised through equity financings completed to date. The current average selling price for SSP is currently >than 40% higher than that used in the feasibility study. MBAC expects construction of the project to be complete in Q4 ´12 +the commencement of SSP production in the same quarter - Jan 31, 2012
http://finance.yahoo.com/news/mbac-reports-28-increase-resou…

[Popeye82]

Imperial Metals - Red Chris Mineral Resource Tonnage Increased by 103%: Measured +Indicated Resource increased to 8.890.000.000 pounds copper, 12.900.000 ounces gold +44.610.000 Ounces Ag, while the Inferred Resource increased to 7.440.000.000 pounds copper, 11.350.000 ounces gold +47.040.000 Ounces Ag, Utilizing the CuEq cut-off makes a large difference @higher cut-offs with ~double the measured +indicated resource - Feb 2, 2012
http://finance.yahoo.com/news/imperial-metals-corporation-re…
http://media3.marketwire.com/docs/IMPTables22.pdf

[Popeye82]

New Energy Technologies - Adds Seasoned Glass Executive to Board of Advisors for Industry Outreach of Technology Able to Generate Electricity on See-Through Windows; P. Thompson developed Asahi Glass Company’s solar glass division, achieving >$200.000.000 in revenues +growing sales from zero @inception to commanding 70% market share in North America . As Vice President of Asahi’s Solar Business Unit, he’s credited with the development +commercial introduction of 11 new products in ´10 alone. Asahi Glass Company is a global glass leader reporting ~$16.000.000.000 in ´10 sales; In the plastics industry, Mr. Thompson worked to examine +improve product sales +marketing efforts @GE Plastics. Patrick identified the single largest sales opportunity in the company’s history, earning him the organization’s MVP award for Sales +Marketing. Of note, New Energy’s SolarWindow™ has been demonstrated to generate electricity on flexible plastics. Scientists anticipate that commercially developed electricity-generating flexible plastic could be deployed as tinted window film, which remains see-through while generating electrical power ; @Ciba Specialty Chemicals(now, BASF, one of the world’s largest chemical companies) Mr. Patrick J. Thompson worked with multinational companies, including Texas Instruments, Mitsubishi Semiconductor, Lockheed Martin +Harris Semiconductor on global applications, achieving an increase in total divisional sales by 39%, the highest of any division . Mr. Thompson worked with the company’s product development teams to formulate new products in order to improve processing methods +the usable lifetime of materials. Importantly, researchers developing New Energy’s SolarWindow™ technology anticipate the use of encapsulants to help maximize product life-cycle, an area of expertise particular to Patrick’s efforts @Ciba/BASF; John A. Conklin: "I’m pleased to welcome Patrick to the team as part of our proactive effort to introduce New Energy’s SolarWindow™ technology to industry. Patrick brings us valuable technical know-how in glass manufacturing processes +encapsulation technologies for increasing the lifetime of coatings. This kind of industrial experience is essential to applying our SolarWindow™ electricity-generating coatings to see-through commercial glass products +ensuring a commercially viable product lifecycle. Importantly, Patrick’s demonstrated record of business success @Fortune 100 companies is directly aligned with the industries we’re targeting for introduction of our SolarWindow™ -namely, solar, glass, plastics +specialty chemicals" - Feb 6, 2012
http://finance.yahoo.com/news/New-Energy-Adds-Seasoned-bw-44…

[Popeye82]

Allana Potash - Drilling Intersects Robust Potash +Provides Feasibility +Infrastructure Update; Abasov: "Allana continues to be encouraged by the continuity +strength of potash mineralization in the western portion of the property as exhibited by the results of Holes 29 +31. This area continues to yield high grade potash in the Sylvinite +Kainitite zones which management believes will allow Allana to upgrade mineral resources from Inferred to Measured +Indicated categories as well as add to the Inferred category. The relatively shallow +high grade nature of the Sylvinite Zone make this area ideal for solution mining with recovery through solar evaporation. Pilot studies for the Feasibility Study are well underway +Allana has made significant progress on road, port +rail infrastructure planning"; Highway construction by Ethiopian government contractors is actively proceeding to connect the project area with industrial quality, paved roads both to the Company's project development staging facilities in Mekele +to the southern highway access to ports in Djibouti. Discussions are progressing with government departments +private sector operators regarding expansions of existing port operations +development of new port +rail facilities that would be available with sufficient capacity to serve the project. The Company continues to expect that the infrastructure required to begin +ramp-up operations will be in place concurrently with or in advance of the Company's project construction period - Feb 6, 2012
www.marketwire.com/press-release/allana-potash-drilling-inte…

[Popeye82]

Estrella Gold - Announces Drill Program @Pampa Poroma Iron-Oxide Copper Gold Project, Peru, 2000 Meter Program Funded by Alliance Partner; Pampa Poroma property is located ~20 km northeast from the Marcona-Mina Justa Iron Oxide Copper Gold district which contains @least three major IOCG deposits. The Marcona +Mina Justa deposits each contain between 400.000.000 to 1.400.000.000 tonnes of iron-oxide-copper-gold resources - Feb 6, 2012
www.marketwire.com/press-release/estrella-gold-announces-dri…

[Popeye82]

Century Iron Mines - Appoints Senior Executive to Develop Iron Mines; H. Vallée comes to Century Iron from Cliffs Natural Resources, which acquired his previous employer, Consolidated Thompson, in ´11. Most recently, he has been responsible for expanding the Bloom Lake Mine by an additional 8.000.000 t/year of production. He is a graduate engineer of Université Laval with 28 years of experience in leading mining companies. Mr. Vallée is known for his superior abilities to bring projects on stream cost-effectively +efficiently through innovative process design +management, +through excellent stakeholder relations. As Senior Vice President, Operation +Logistics of Consolidated Thompson, Mr. Vallée was part of a small, hands-on management team which brought the 1st new Labrador Trough iron mine in 35 years into production in <five years from the 1st stage of permitting . He has substantial direct experience with mine +infrastructure development, +transportation +logistics solutions combining land, rail +shipping operations; Sandy Chim: "Hubert is a seasoned professional +the leader we need to fulfill our ambitious timetable to bring our ore to market, particularly to China, where our strategic partners have a growing need to supply their steel mills. He brings invaluable experience, knowledge +talents, from building to operating an iron mining company of world scale +world class . This will contribute greatly to realizing Century Iron's vision to be one of the largest +best iron ore company in Canada in a few years . With the largest iron ore land claim holdings in Canada +partnering with two Fortune Global 500 companies , WISCO +MinMetals, we are well positioned to do this", M. Aubut: "We are very pleased to be expanding our business under the leadership of an executive with deep experience in Quebec +in the Labrador Trough. Working with 1st Nations partners, Century Iron will be a major player in the Plan Nord +in the development of several projects in Quebec +Labrador-particularly Duncan Lake in the James Bay region +the Sunny Lake +Attikamagen projects in the Schefferville region. The development of our projects will revitalize +expand on existing infrastructure, with particularly positive effects on the town of Radisson +the City of Sept-Îles, which we see as a future global centre of excellence in the industry" - Feb 6, 2012
www.marketwire.com/press-release/century-iron-appoints-senio…

[Popeye82]

Glencore offers 8% premium to Xstrata to seal merger - MW/Reuters - Feb 6, 2012
www.miningweekly.com/article/glencore-offers-8-premium-to-xs…

"Commodities trader Glencore International is set to offer a bigger-than-expected premium to seal its proposed $88-billion merger with global miner Xstrata Plc, the Financial Times reported on Monday.


Under the terms of the all-share deal, likely to be unveiled on Tuesday, Xstrata shareholders are set to receive 2.8 shares in Glencore for each share held, the newspaper said in an unsourced report.

The ratio, which represents an 8% premium to Xstrata's share price before news of the merger talks surfaced, was higher than had been expected by most analysts or investors, the paper said.

The deal terms could still change, it said. Each Xstrata share was valued at 2.66 times a Glencore share based on Friday's close.

"Given the volatility in the share prices since the deal was announced, I wouldn't have thought an 8% premium would matter much," said John Robinson, chairman of Global Mining Investments (GMI), a fund managed by BlackRock with shares in both Glencore and Xstrata.

"The key thing is the synergy that's generated. If they get the deal done, it's worth it," he said.

Xstrata shares have risen almost 11% since the close on Wednesday, before news of the deal was first reported.

Analysts at Credit Suisse estimate the synergies at around $468-million, roughly 5% of combined 2012 net income, thanks to a better use of Glencore's marketing capabilities.

Xstrata, in which Glencore already has a 34% stake, announced last week it had been approached by the world's largest diversified commodities trader and was in talks over an all-share "merger of equals", a deal that would be the largest in the sector since Rio Tinto's takeover of Alcan in 2007.

While the two companies have held on-off talks over years, speculation over a tie-up accelerated with Glencore's bumper $10-billion listing last May, which handed Glasenberg the currency for deals. The listing also allowed the market to put a value on Glencore – a key demand among Xstrata shareholders.

Sources earlier told Reuters the two groups, which restarted discussions before Christmas, have reached a preliminary understanding on the structure of the combined group's top management.

Xstrata is expected to take a majority of seats on the board, and would keep its chairperson, City heavyweight John Bond, as well as its CE, Mick Davis, and its CFO, Trevor Reid.

Glencore CE Ivan Glasenberg, who will be the largest single shareholder in the combined mining and trading entity, is expected to hold a deputy position.

GMI's Robinson welcomed the prospect of Xstrata executives leading the merged group.

"Obviously they've done very well for shareholders over time. They're a very efficient management group," he said.

Xstrata has posted spectacular growth through deals, although it is now focused on organic or self-generated growth to boost production by 50% to 2014, with a project pipeline budget of $19.5-billion over the two years.

Glencore, a trader of metals, minerals and oil and which also has assets from mines to farmland, has said the motivation behind going public after almost four decades as a private company was to seize acquisition opportunities.

The merged entity is seen expanding into iron-ore, a key gap in the profile of the combined unit, which would rank as the world's largest thermal coal exporter, the largest zinc producer and third-largest copper miner.

Iron-ore offers opportunities for acquisitions as top miners BHP Billiton and Rio Tinto face competition regulatory hurdles due to their size and have their own plans to expand into other resources. "

[Popeye82]

Hana Mining - Announces Completion of Non-Brokered Financing +Investment by Strategic Shareholder; Cupric Canyon Capital LP("Cupric"), which is owned by its management +the Barclays Natural Resource Investments division of Barclays Capital, acquired 6.250.000 of the newly issued shares +now holds 10% of the Company's issued +outstanding shares. Cupric is focused on acquiring interests in undeveloped copper assets with a known resource +adding value to them by assisting in the advancement of the projects through the development process. The management of Cupric, all of whom are former senior executives with major mining companies including Phelps Dodge Corporation , has decades of experience in the exploration, development +operation of world-class copper assets ; M. Kreczmer: "This agreement is the culmination of many months of building a relationship between the Company +Cupric. Cupric's management team brings valuable experience in the development +operation of copper projects in North America, South America +Africa, most notably the world-class Tenke Fungurume copper-cobalt mine in the Democratic Republic of Congo. I look forward to working with the management of Cupric towards the development of the Ghanzi Project. With this financing in place we are able to proceed with our Cdn$18.000.000 budget for ´12. In addition to completing the PEA, we will submit the Feasibility Study to the Botswana Ministry of Minerals, Energy +Water Resources +will allocate Cdn$5.000.000 for a multiphase regional exploration campaign outside of the Banana Zone @Ghanzi. I also wish to acknowledge the other five long term shareholders who have participated in this placement", Dennis Bartlett/Cupric: "We are pleased to have an opportunity to participate in this private placement by Hana Mining. With this investment, we look forward to collaborating with Marek +his team in an effort to further advance the Ghanzi Project, which we believe is one of the most highly prospective undeveloped copper resources in the world today "; Proceeds from this placement will be used to complete both the Preliminary Economic Assessment +the Feasibility Study +to advance the regional exploration +development of the Ghanzi project +related working capital +general corporate purposes - Feb 6, 2012
www.marketwire.com/press-release/hana-announces-completion-n…

[Popeye82]

Forge Resources - Maiden JORC Resource Eucla West Project: 470.000.000 tonnes @4.6% HM - Feb 6, 2012
http://stocknessmonster.com/news-item?S=FRG&E=ASX&N=665856

[Popeye82]

Mining Summary - LC - Feb 7, 2012
http://minesite.com/media/pub/var/release_downloadable_file/…

[Popeye82]

Strata Oil - 517.000.000 Bbl Cadotte Project Draws Heightened Industry Interest; R. Daehms: "We have had very productive conversations with several potential partners, although we have rejected their proposals to date. Ultimately, our goal is to engage +structure a partnership that delivers maximum value to our shareholders for this billion dollar asset. We intend to continue advancing our industry relationships in Asia, to this end. With an estimated 188.000.000.000 bbls of oil in the Peace River region alone, market interest in the Alberta Carbonate Triangle potential to be a significant energy resource is peaking. @this stage in our development, it makes sense for Strata to seek a joint venture partner that can accelerate execution of our $250.000.000 capital five phase plan to develop our Cadotte holdings, which based on preliminary studies we believe has the potential to produce >56.000 bbls/day of oil with a high side estimated NPV of $1.900.000.000 USD" - Feb 7, 2012
www.marketwire.com/press-release/strata-oils-517-million-bbl…

[Popeye82]

Rio Tinto says mine automation benefits outweigh costs - MW/BAEc, PERTH - Feb 6, 2012

- E. Swanepoel -
www.miningweekly.com/article/rio-tinto-says-mine-automation-…
www.baeconomics.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2010/01/Mining-inn…

"Mining giant Rio Tinto on Monday reported that investment into new mining technology and innovation should sustain long-term competitiveness, while also providing broader economic benefits from a strong mining industry.

In a report commissioned by Rio Tinto, the miner noted that while the costs and challenges of automation in the mining sector were substantial, they were potentially far outweighed by the benefits that could be delivered .


“The ‘BAEconomics’ report highlights the increasingly complex challenges being faced by the mining industry . Our industry is facing maturing orebodies , fewer tier-one deposits , increasingly complex geographies and labour shortages and the report details how innovation in autonomous technologies can play an important role in addressing these challenges,” said Rio’s head of innovation, John McGagh.

He noted that the technologies currently being tested cemented Rio’s position in the field of mining innovation.

“In iron-ore, we are introducing automated trucks, blast-hole drill rigs, sorting machines and trains, all of which are capable of being controlled by our operations center in Perth, which already integrates our port, rail and mine logistics,” said McGagh.

He added that Rio’s research partnerships were also assisting in this endeavour, with the Rio Tinto Centre for Mine Automation, established at the University of Sydney, being one of five global research center links with universities .

“These research centers bring together the experience and know-how of our own technology and mining professionals with some of the best academic minds to achieve changes that are transforming the way mining, processing and energy are approached,” McGagh said.

Rio’s Mine of the Future programme has been running for the past four years, and was aimed at finding advanced ways to mine and extract minerals more efficiently, while reducing environmental impacts and improving safety "

[Popeye82]

Energio - Dilling update No. 3 - Agbaja Iron Ore Exploration Project; Ian Burston: "these results compared with the results to date are encouraging as they appear to be homogeneous. Also, over the next few months in addition to completing the analysis of drill samples, we will also be selecting samples for metallurgical testing to determine optimal ways of processing this material" - Feb 6, 2012

+ Company receives results of the 3rd batch of assay results

+ Grade +thickness of ore body consistent with previous results

+ Thickness of intersections on average 3m thicker in main ore body than 1st results

+ continuous results are now being received and released to the market from the 200 drill holes completed to date of the planned 20.000 metres of drilling for resource definition @the Agbaja Iron Ore Exploration Project. With the recommencement of drilling last week the company remains on target to finalise the drilling +sampling program within the 2nd quarter of ´12 ...
http://stocknessmonster.com/news-item?S=EIO&E=ASX&N=577150

[Popeye82]

Fancamp Exploration - Final Assay Results From the Magpie Project, drills up to 370.3m @43.28% FeT, 11.57% TiO2, 1.62% Cr2O3 +3307ppm V2O5, +24 other >200m intersections ; All holes presented were drilled on the #2 Deposit which has an historic +non NI 43-101 compliant resource of 912.474.000 tons of 43.10% Fe, 10.60% TiO2 +1.55% Cr. A total of 31 diamond drill holes(DDH's) were collared from Section 12 to Section 33 representing a strike length of 2.1 km. Core lengths for 60° E inclined holes are considered close to the true width, drill programme was conducted from mid-June to September ´11. It utilized two diamond drills with large core sizes(NQ +BTW); a total of 8.000 metres in 31 holes were completed. A semi-permanent camp for 12 men was established near the south end of the air-strip established by Stratmat in ´59 during their exhaustive sampling program. The equipment was mobilized from Havre St. Pierre by fixed wing to the air-strip; local moves were by helicopter. Core was logged +split on site. The half splits were flown by fixed wing to Havre St. Pierre +thence by truck to ALS Laboratories for assays, Geological logging +chemical assays show that the Magpie deposit is uniform in composition +mineralogy from the hanging wall to the foot wall, with only very minor dyking in the 1st +last ten metres of each intersection. The deposit forms a long ridge ~250 metres above the valley floor -amenable to low cost mining with negligible waste rock; Company has commissioned P&E Mining Consultants Inc. of Brampton Ontario to conduct modelling +calculation of the resources @Magpie based upon drilling results. Magpie was visited during the drill programme +the NI 43-101 resource estimate is expected shortly, mechanics of taking the Magpie to an IPO in the Spring are underway - Feb 7, 2012
www.marketwire.com/press-release/fancamp-exploration-ltd-fin…

[Popeye82]

Cap-Ex Ventures - Drill Results Indicate "Northwest Zone" Open to the North, South +West; Francois Laurin: "The latest drill holes continue to deliver quality results from our Block 103 property. We have designed an aggressive exploration program with the objective of issuing an initial mineral resource estimate by the end of ´12 +a preliminary economic assessment by the end of the 1st quarter of ´13" - Feb 7, 2012
www.marketwire.com/press-release/cap-ex-drill-results-indica…

[Popeye82]

Über 300 Kältetote in Europa - DPA, OFFENBACH/BOCHUM - Feb 7, 2012
http://web.de/magazine/nachrichten/panorama/14690876-klirren…

[Popeye82]

Russen zapfen Urzeitsee an; In einem 3.800 Meter tiefen Loch jagen Forscher bizarre Lebensformen; Russische Forscher haben nach jahrelanger Arbeit offenbar den Wostoksee unter dem Eispanzer der Antarktis angebohrt. Das gigantische Wasserreservoir hatte vermutlich seit Hunderttausenden Jahren keinen Kontakt zur Außenwelt -&"könnte" bizarre Lebensformen beherbergen - W - Feb 7, 2012

- C. Seidler -
http://web.de/magazine/wissen/mensch/14694288-russen-bohren-…

[Popeye82]

Freier Fall aus 36.000 Metern ; Österreicher will als erster Mensch Sprung aus dem All wagen , Im freien Fall will er die Schallmauer durchbrechen - W - Feb 7, 2012
http://web.de/magazine/wissen/weltraum/14695196.html

[Popeye82]

20 days for lapsed rights ideas as govt embarks on big exploration push; The mining industry has 20 days to offer ideas on lapsed +revoked mineral rights as the South African government embarks on a big new exploration push to catch up with the fall in South Africa’s share of global exploration . Mineral Resources Minister Susan Shabangu said @the official opening of the Mining Indaba on Tuesday that the Department of Mineral Resources(DME) had on Monday placed a Government Gazette notice inviting comments on the implementation of a new process of applying for lapsed or revoked prospecting +mineral rights - MW, CAPE TOWN - Feb 7, 2012

- M. Creamer -
www.miningweekly.com/article/susan-shabangu-2012-02-07

[Popeye82]

AgriMarine Holdings - Exports Pacific Salmon Eggs to China; has exported 1.500.000 million Pacific salmon ova to its 100% owned hatchery in Benxi, China. The ova came from genetic stocks that have been selected for their high growth performance +are federally-certified +pathogen-free. It is estimated that the potential value of these fish in China will be >$20.000.000 when they reach market size in ´13 +´14, In order to accommodate the Company's largest shipment to date of Canadian salmon ova, AgriMarine recently completed PhaseII of its plan to modernize its hatchery. With the installation of new Recirculating Aquaculture System(RAS) technology, the Company will be able to expand its smolt production capacity to 5.000.000/anno through greater efficiency in the use of its already impressive ground water resources. This modernization lays the groundwork for future increased salmon harvests +puts the Benxi hatchery on par with the latest hatchery technology anywhere in the world - Feb 7, 2012
www.marketwire.com/press-release/agrimarine-exports-pacific-…

[Popeye82]

Legacy Iron Ore - Mount Bevan JORC resource nearly tripled; Sharon Heng: "This significant JORC resource increase provides further confirmation of Mt Bevan as a genuinely premier magnetite orebody with outstanding potential for extremely attractive project financials which are further enhanced by NMDC’s confirmed support. We continue to move forwards to defining a commercially viable resource" - Feb 8, 2012

+ Major magnetite resource modelled +calculated by SRK Consulting

+ Significant increase to 1.600.000.000 tonne inferred resource @30.2% Fe(25% Fe cutoff)

+ 2.260.000.000 Billion tonne inferred resource @27.6% Fe(15% Fe cutoff)

+ Exploration Target of 1.500.000.000 –2.000.000.000 t @30 –40 % Fe* confirmed.

+ Drilling defines thick, shallowly dipping magnetite bearing BIF unit over a 10km strike

+ Drilling to conservative 300m depth, mineralisation remains open

+ Potential to significantly increase resource @depth +@other targets

+ Excellent metallurgical test results –predicted low energy costs

+ 7.000m PhaseIII Infill drilling to commence late February to convert part of JORC Inferred Resource to Indicated category. ...
http://stocknessmonster.com/news-item?S=LCY&E=ASX&N=577407

[Popeye82]

Mining Summary - LC - Feb 8, 2012
http://minesite.com/media/pub/var/release_downloadable_file/…

[Popeye82]

Peak Resources - Satisfaction Date agreed for Acquisition of Zari Exploration; release of the Ngualla maiden JORC compliant rare earth resource estimate for the Southern Rare Earth +South West Alluvial Zones expected before the end of the March ´12 quarter - Feb 8, 2012

+ Conditions of acquisition of Zari Exploration Ltd have been met +the
Satisfaction Date agreed upon.

+ On the 26th August ´11 Peak announced it had entered into a conditional agreement to acquire all the issued capital of Tanzanian Joint Venture partner Zari. This acquisition would give Peak 100% ownership of the Ngualla Rare Earth Project in Tanzania(Ngualla Project) +offer the Company a greater flexibility of options in taking the project forward for the benefit of current Peak shareholders. To date, Peak as operator +manager of the Ngualla Project has been earning 80% equity in the Ngualla Project.

+ Completion of the acquisition will be on or before 18 February. ...
http://stocknessmonster.com/news-item?S=PEK&E=ASX&N=577344

[Popeye82]

Own discovery trumps M&A – Randgold Resources; "Real value can only be created in the gold mining industry when own world-class deposits are discovered +developed", says Randgold Resources CEO Dr Mark Bristow - MW, CAPE TOWN - Feb 7, 2012

- M. Creamer -
www.miningweekly.com/article/randgold-2012-02-07

[Popeye82]

Chile to auction lithium mining contracts -report; Chile will auction contracts for the right to explore +produce lithium, as the world's top copper producer seeks to boost its output of the material used in hybrid vehicles, computer +smartphone batteries, local media said on Tuesday. Development of lithium, of which Chile holds 1/4 of world reserves, has been stunted by a constitutional ban on concessions, according to Chilean daily La Tercera. Companies are allowed to rent lithium-producing properties, but the mineral never belongs to the firm . Special contracts for lithium production, however, are legally permitted - MW/Reuters - Feb 8, 2012
www.miningweekly.com/article/chile-to-auction-lithium-mining…

[Popeye82]

Ivanplats says DRC copper project Africa’s largest ; “This is the project that we think will set the mark for the rebirth of the mining industry in the Congo ” he told delegates @the Investing in African Mining Indaba in Cape Town, Friedland said that the high-grade orebody discovery @Kamoa was 22 km long +up to 12 km wide, with the flat lying body coming to within 30 m of the surface . The size could increase further as drilling was still taking place. Friedland noted that the geology of the discovery was similar to the Polish Kupferschiefer mine ; Friedland said that while some people believed that the African copper belt in the DRC had reached its exploration maturity, Ivanplats chose in ´96 to stake an area west of the copper-rich Kolwazi district that had not previously been fully investigated, which led to the Kamoa discovery; With the application for a mining licence filed with the DRC government in November, Friedland said the intention was to start mining the area in a series of openpits but that ultimately an underground mine would be developed +include a smelter, Friedland said he believed that the discovery was significant +that it was “a mine whose life will be measured in generations as opposed to decades ”; “The in-situ resources that remain @Kipushi are some 28.000.000 tons of >20% zinc +close to 2% copper, lead, silver +germanium . However the existing resources are NOT very important to us. The reason we became fascinated with this deposit is the ‘big zinc’ +the existing mining infrastructure.”, Friedland said that $4.000.000 to $5.000.000 of capital investment would allow the company to mine the large untapped zinc discovery that has been identified @Kipushi, While the size of the deposit is still being determined Friedland believed it was the world’s highest-grade zinc body - MW, CAPE TOWN - Feb 8, 2012

- Jean McKenzie -
www.miningweekly.com/article/ivanhoe-says-drc-copper-project…

[Popeye82]

Glenstrata: Not just mining’s biggest ever deal, a new kind of resource giant ; “It would be a unique business model. Glencore provides the marketing +Xstrata the operational base. It could be a new model for the industry although it would be difficult to replicate by others. This is quite a unique circumstance ,” said one long-term industry observer - M.com - Feb 2, 2012
www.mining.com/2012/02/02/glenstrata-not-just-minings-bigges…

[Popeye82]

Antwort auf Beitrag Nr.: 42.721.271 von Popeye82 am 08.02.12 18:37:11

Friedland upbeat about SA platinum discovery; Speaking @the Investing in African Mining Indaba in Cape Town on Wednesday, Friedland would not be drawn on the size of the Platreef project, but said that the ore body was “very large” +has a “very high grade” . The ultimate scale of the project was still unknown +the company planned to develop it in stages, According to Friedland, the discovery of an underground flat reef @a depth of ~750 m completely changed the company’s perception of this project. The flat reef discovered had a mineralisation profile that included disseminated nickel/copper sulphides +a variety of platinum-group metals. Friedland said that in comparison to a typical Merensky reef, the Platreef project was 25 to 50 times thicker with higher-grade mineralisation. “Typically we are seeing a 25 to 35 m true thickness in this flat-lying body. As a consequence it can be mined by roman-pillar. It will be highly mechanised +the labour component/unit of the platinum produced will be very low compared to traditional underground mining.” “It is our intention to build this project into the lowest-cost , longest-life new source of platinum in the world . It’s my personal belief it will be a negative cost producer of platinum-group metals , that the base metal endowment is strong enough to cover >100% of the cash operating costs to produce platinum, palladium, gold +rhodium,” said Friedland; Ivanplats has reached an agreement with a Japanese consortium for the development of the Platreef project. The consortium is led by the Itochu Corporation +includes the Japanese Gas Corporation +Japanese Oil, Gas +Metals National Corporation, or Jogmec - MW, CAPE TOWN - Feb 8, 2012

- Jean McKenzie -
www.miningweekly.com/article/friedland-upbeat-about-sa-plati…

[Popeye82]

Antwort auf Beitrag Nr.: 42.721.271 von Popeye82 am 08.02.12 18:37:11

Northern Iron - tests mineralization under the Griffith mine pit; Intersection of 287.78 metres of 32.38% Fe2O3 on Hole GR-11-01 including 80.0 metres of 43.27% Fe2O3 +58m of 39.09% Fe2O3 - Feb 7, 2012
http://finance.yahoo.com/news/Northern-Iron-Corp-tests-cnw-3…

[Popeye82]

Oracle Mining - Appoints Doug Nicholson as Chief Operating Officer, will lead the Oracle Mining operations team in the re-start of the Oracle Ridge Copper Mine near Tucson, Arizona; Prior to joining Oracle Mining, Mr. Nicholson worked with NovaGold Resources Inc. +served as President of Donlin Gold LLC, a 50/50 joint venture between NovaGold +Barrick Gold Corp., assuming that role during nine years of service between ´02 +´11. @Kinross Gold from ´92 -´02, he was responsible for scoping, scheduling, developing mine plans +staffing for the Fort Knox Mine. He holds a BSc. in Mining Engineering from the University of Alaska, Fairbanks; P. Eagland: "Doug has an outstanding track record of achievements, he brings a wealth of experience in operations management +professional acumen to our company. He is an excellent addition to the Oracle Mining team +will play a key role in achieving our goal of re-starting the Oracle Ridge Copper Mine" - Feb 8, 2012
www.marketwire.com/press-release/oracle-mining-appoints-doug…

[Popeye82]

Beyond the Arab Awakening, Policies +investments for poverty reduction +food security; Beyond Arab Awakening Report on poverty reduction in the Arab world released @IFPRI / UN-ESCWA conference, "Food Secure Arab World" in Beirut, 6 -7 February ´12 - IFPRI/UN-ESCWA - Feb 8, 2012

- Clemens Breisinger, Olivier Al-Riffai, Perrihan Yu, Bingxin -

- This report aims to inform +stimulate the debate on key policy priorities for poverty reduction +food security in light of the Arab Awakening. Its findings are based on an innovative combination of datasets +rigorous economic analysis. Results suggest that poverty +income inequality in the Arab world are likely >than official numbers have long suggested. Given that poverty indicators seem to be misleading for many countries in the region, the report introduces a new welfare measure reflecting food insecurity risks @both national +household levels to classify Arab countries into five risk groups. Regression analyses further show that, unlike in the rest of the world, manufacturing- +service sector–led growth, rather than agriculture-led growth, is most pro-poor in Arab countries. In addition, high levels of public spending in the Arab world do not do as much to stimulate growth as in other world regions, particularly in the case of education.


Three key policy recommendations emerge from this report:

(1) improve data +capacity as the basis for evidence-based decisionmaking,

(2) foster growth that enhances food security @national +household levels, +

(3) significantly enhance the efficiency +retool the allocation of public spending.

More generally, the report argues that the region urgently needs national dialogues about societies’ joint vision +economic development strategies. Successful design +implementation of these strategies will require visionary leadership, sound laws +institutions, politicians who are accountable +listen to the voices of the people, +civil society that is patient +accepts the tenets of democracy. The Arab world is awake —it is time to move forward. ...-
www.ifpri.org/sites/default/files/publications/pr25.pdf
www.ifpri.org/pressrelease/urgent-policy-actions-needed-tack…
http://fsaw2012.ifpri.info/

[Popeye82]

Minotaur Exploration - Maiden Measured Resource For SA Kaolin Project - Feb 8, 2012

+ Maiden Measured resource for Minotaur’s 100% owned kaolin resource @Carey’s Well in South Australia.

+ Carey’s Well is one/several co-located kaolin deposits in EL 4575, near Poochera.

+ Infill drilling +processing has allowed most of the Carey’s Well “bright white” kaolin resource to be upgraded from Inferred to Measured status.

+ A Measured Resource of 16.300.000 tonnes of “bright white” kaolinised
granite is estimated using an ISO Brightness R457 cut-off of 75 for minus 45 micron kaolin product.

+ The 16.300.000 tonnes of in situ “bright white” kaolinised granite will yield 8.000.000 tonnes of minus 45 micron quality kaolin product. ...
http://stocknessmonster.com/news-item?S=MEP&E=ASX&N=186909

[Popeye82]

Eurasian Minerals +Bullion Monarch Mining Enter Into Merger Agreement; combined company will hold >145 properties on five continents - Feb 7, 2012
http://finance.yahoo.com/news/Eurasian-Minerals-Bullion-ccn-…

[Popeye82]

"Bottom Fishing Report"; The start of ´12 has been very good for most mining equities -but not all. This month we take a look @the bottom fish of the mining sector. Two of the stocks profiled actually have >Net Cash than market capitalization - MF - Feb 8, 2012
www.miningfeeds.com/2012/02/08/bottom-fishing-report-mining-…

[Popeye82]

Vena Resources - Partner Trafigura Invests US$7.000.000, to Move Azulcocha Zinc Mine to Production; Company with strong partnerships with four of the world's largest mining companies, is pleased to announce that it has enhanced its agreement with Trafigura Beheer B.V.("Trafigura"), a privately-held international commodity trader, to invest immediately in the Azulcocha project with the goal to increase the known resources/reserves +begin commercial mining +milling operations this quarter; Juan Vegarra: "Having a strong partner like Trafigura has made putting Azulcocha into production much more efficient +less risky to our shareholders. We expect to continue to enjoy a fruitful relationship with Trafigura as Azulcocha becomes fully operational later this month "+expect to grow organically from now on" " - Feb 8, 2012
www.marketwire.com/press-release/venas-partner-trafigura-inv…

[Popeye82]

Mining Summary - LC - Feb 9, 2012
http://minesite.com/media/pub/var/release_downloadable_file/…

[Popeye82]

Ramelius Resources (RMS) to acquire Vivien gold deposits - AI - 9-Feb-2012
www.australianinvestor.com.au/news.asp?id=42408
http://stocknessmonster.com/news-item?S=RMS&E=ASX&N=186913

"Ramelius Resources Limited have announce that it has signed a Letter of Intent to purchase the Vivien gold deposit from the Agnew Gold Mining Company a subsidiary of Gold Fields Limited, for A$10m cash and a production royalty. Ramelius will also enter into a toll milling agreement with Gold Fields for ore produced from the project.

The purchase of the project contemplated in the Letter of Intent is subject to completion of formal agreements and the consent of the relevant government authorities.

The Vivien gold deposit is located near the Agnew Gold Mine, west of the town of Leinster in Western Australia. The deposit is a high grade
vein style deposit and has an estimated Indicated Resource of 579,000 tonnes at 8.3 g/t Au for 154,000 ounces of gold.

After completion of the formal agreements and government consents, Ramelius intends to undertake a mining study for the project and to
complete further drilling intended to extend the orebody at depth and down plunge.

This acquisition, if completed, allows the Company to achieve its growth targets and objective of having multiple gold operations. In addition, the provision of toll milling by Gold Fields will reduce the capital and time frame required to develop the project, and allows the milling to be completed at a cost below that which could be achieved with a small standalone mill. "

[Popeye82]

Pacific Wildcat Resources - Diamond Drill Assay Results Confirm Lateral +Depth Extensions to High Grade Niobium +TREO Mineralisation @Mrima Hill; D. Townsend commented "This final set of diamond drill results confirms the significant depth +lateral potential of the Mrima Hill Niobium +Rare Earth deposit. As can be seen from the cross sections we have now shown the high grade Niobium mineralisation extends @depths substantially deeper than the initial Inferred Niobium resource which is limited to a depth of 30 metres. The drilling also indicates the TREO mineralisation extends to significant depths, supporting the potential for a considerable Rare Earth Oxide resource target. A 5.000 metre RC drill program has now commenced +this drilling has the objective of both extending the current Inferred Niobium Resource +to provide a maiden Rare Earth resource in the 3rd Quarter of ´12" - Feb 9, 2012

+ Rare Earth +Niobium mineralisation has now been shown to extend well >100m depth below surface +in many places remains open both laterally +@depth.

+ Shallow intercepts of High Grade Niobium mineralisation intersected including 6.48m @1.86% Nb2O5 from 11.8m +54.4m @1.27% Nb2O5 from 21.4m.

+ Wide zones of High Grade Niobium mineralisation @depth with 24.25m @1.03% Nb2O5 from 113.37m.

+ Wide High Grade Total Rare Earth Oxide("TREO") intercepts including 24.5m @8.92% TREO from 80.8m, 35.5m @6.03% TREO from 15.85m, 28.8m @5.63% TREO from 61.55m, 27.0m @7.23% TREO from 85.65m +43.95m @6.06% TREO from 21.4m;

+ Very High Grade TREO results include 6.1m @11.27% TREO from 87m, 4.0m @11.78% TREO from 104.15m +1.5m @15.71% TREO from 31.8m;

+ A Reverse Circulation("RC") rig is now on site @Mrima Hill +has commenced on a 5.000 metre drill program to target PAW's maiden Rare Earth Oxide resource. ...
www.marketwire.com/press-release/paw-diamond-drill-assay-res…

[Popeye82]

Australian Bauxite - ABZ Drill Update Taralga - Feb 9, 2012

+ Four follow-up holes have confirmed the unusually thick bauxite which exceed the 28 metres true thickness discovered @Mt Rae, Taralga NSW in December in hole TG626

+ A new record true thickness of 33 metres of continuous bauxite was intersected in hole TG680 located 45 metres from discovery hole TG626 -3rd "one of the possibly thickest bauxite intersections in Australia" in a row ; Most Australian bauxite deposits are <4 metres thick +some are less <2 metres thick

+ A near-record true thickness of 32 metres of continuous bauxite was also intersected in holes TG678 & TG679 located 15 & 22 metres from discovery hole TG626 respectively

+ Hole TG677 located 10 metres from discovery hole TG626 intersected 23 metres true thickness of bauxite –further deeper drilling is being planned in this thick zone

+ This thick bauxite zone was concealed beneath <1 metre of soil-clay

+ Areas of thick, good quality bauxite continue to be discovered across the Taralga -Mt Rae Areas. It is intended to upgrade the resource estimate for Taralga before the end of the current Pre Feasibility Study(“PFS”), which is scheduled to conclude @the end of March. Como Engineers of Perth have been appointed to coordinate cost estimations +prepare the PFS report. ...
http://stocknessmonster.com/news-item?S=ABZ&E=ASX&N=666263

[Popeye82]

Rio Verde Minerals - Reports High Grade Sylvinite of 25.0% KCl over 16.7m @the Sergipe Potash Project; Analysis of the down-hole geophysical logs has been concluded. The information derived from this analysis has been used to refine the location of the next drill hole @the Sergi Target, SED-002-12, to be located 2.69km west-southwest of SED-001-11. In addition, the borehole temperature, an important factor in determining conditions for an envisioned solution mining +recovery process, was estimated @57°C; S. Keith: "With the receipt of these assay results, we can confidently say that Rio Verde has confirmed the historical observation of potash on its properties, our primary objective for drilling this 1st hole. The excellent grades +potash thicknesses intersected represent an important step in the development of Rio Verde's Sergipe Potash Project. We are also pleased with the results from the down-hole geophysical interpretation; it has indicated favourable down-hole temperature +data, which has allowed us to improve our seismic data interpretation +increase our confidence in the placement of our 2nd drill hole. The relocation of the next drill platform has required us to apply for a new drilling permit, which we anticipate will be granted in the next few days, with rig mobilization to start immediately thereafter" - Feb 7, 2012
www.marketwire.com/press-release/rio-verde-minerals-reports-…
http://media3.marketwire.com/docs/SED-001-11_Core_Log_Sylvin…
www.marketwire.com/press-release/rio-verde-minerals-announce…

[Popeye82]

The Future of Fun ; State of Play: The World's Most Amazing Playgrounds Architecture +design firms are remaking the playground in ways you'd never expect - PopSci - Feb 9, 2012

- Geoff Manaugh -
www.popsci.com/node/59912/?cmpid=enews020912&spPodID=020

[Popeye82]

Petromanas Energy - announces Shell as JV Partner for Albanian assets, whereby Shell will farm into the Company's rights on onshore exploration Blocks 2 -3(the "Blocks" ) comprising ~852.000 acres onshore Albania. Under the terms of the Agreement, Shell will acquire a 50% participating interest in the Blocks in exchange for payments +carried costs up to US$50.300.000. Petromanas will continue to act as operator of the Blocks; G. McNamara: "We are very pleased to have Shell as a joint venture partner. They bring exceptional technical capabilities +substantial resources to our new relationship. We believe that partnering with a global leader like Shell provides a validation of the potential of our Albanian assets +the exploration work we have completed to date. Our ´12 drilling program remains unchanged +is moving ahead as planned from a position of enhanced strength +we expect the addition of a further seismic program to accelerate the exploration +development of the Blocks" - Feb 9, 2012
http://finance.yahoo.com/news/Petromanas-announces-Shell-JV-…

[Popeye82]

Assay labs race to boost capacity as exploration burgeons; Surging metals prices over the last two years have brought about a boom in exploration, putting pressure on drill rig suppliers +the mineral laboratories that test the core samples with companies having to wait >six months for assay results in certain cases. “January’s usually a bit of a lull, when everyone gets the house in order. That hasn’t happened this year, we’ve just been going flat out over Christmas ,” London, Ontario-based Accurassay president Rob Duncan said in an interview - MW, TORONTO - Feb 8, 2012

- M. Hill -
www.miningweekly.com/article/assay-labs-race-to-boost-capaci…

[Popeye82]

BHP profits slump, sees global slowdown; Global miner BHP Billiton has reported a 6% decline in attributable profit for the 1st half of ´12, with profit falling to $9.900.000.000, from $10.500.000.000 in the previous corresponding period. CEO Marius Kloppers said on Wednesday that the 1st 1/2 of the ´12 financial year posed challenges in terms of global economic growth reflecting the continued difficulties in Europe, +the slowing levels of activity in the high growth economies of China +India - MW, PERTH - Feb 8, 2012

- E. Swanepoel -
www.miningweekly.com/article/bhp-profits-slump-sees-global-s…

[Popeye82]

Mining Summary - LC - Feb 10, 2012
http://minesite.com/media/pub/var/release_downloadable_file/…

[Popeye82]

China may relaunch government bond futures after 17-year lull - CER/WSJ - Feb 10, 2012
www.chinaeconomicreview.com/node/54895

"China is preparing to reintroduce trading in government bond futures nearly 17 years after a trading scandal resulted in a ban on the financial derivatives instrument , The Wall Street Journal reported, quoting a person familiar with the matter.

The China Financial Futures Exchange recently issued a notice asking a select group of firms, including China International Futures Co and Yong An Futures Co, to begin technical preparations and training to participate in a trading simulation, the person said. The move appears to be part of the China Securities Regulatory Commission's plan to further open up the country's capital markets by rolling out more futures products under the leadership of new CSRC chairman Guo Shuqing. A spokesman at China Financial Futures Exchange declined to comment. Regulators banned government bond futures in 1995 after a major trading scandal trigged the market's collapse. "

[Popeye82]

China meets with Syrian opposition - CER/FT - Feb 10, 2012
www.chinaeconomicreview.com/node/54898

"A delegation from the opposition Syrian National Committee for Democratic Change met with China's deputy foreign minister Zhai Jun in Beijing on Thursday, just days after China's veto on support for action against the Syrian government at the UN, the Financial Times reported.

China this week vetoed a UN resolution condemning Syrian president Bashar-al-Assad, as security forces clashed with rebel groups. The veto led to criticism from the West and Arab world, recalling Beijing's attempt to negotiate with both sides during the Libyan conflict last year. Beijing argued that blocking the resolution was an effort to avoid the type of one-sided military intervention which occurred in Libya. “China’s veto does not mean the country is blindly giving support to the Syrian government,” the official Xinhua news agency said in an editorial. “The Syrian government has to speed up efforts to accommodate its people’s legitimate aspirations. Amid continuing violence, wide-ranging political and economic reform is the only solution to the 11-month crisis.” "

[Popeye82]

Cape ALumina - Bauxite Hills resource upgrade; G. Sherlock: "“We are working to bring our project into production by late ´14 when demand for bauxite in Asian markets is "expected to really pick up". Of particular importance is the fact that the Bauxite Hills BH1 deposit includes Low Monohydrate Bauxite, which we expect will attract a premium from those producers operating low temperature refineries" - Feb 10, 2012

+ Inferred resources @Bauxite Hills have doubled to 60.000.000 tonnes @51.6% Al2O3 +9.5% SiO2, 10.8% Fe2O3 +24.9% LOI of in-situ, export-grade bauxite.

+ Key features of the resources at Bauxite Hills are:

- Very close to coastal waters +international shipping routes;
- Average overburden <0.6m
- High alumina content; +
- Low mining +transport costs are expected.


+ Pre-Feasibility Study on the integrated Bauxite Hills mine +port project has commenced +will be completed by July ´12.

+ Detailed environmental studies for the Bauxite Hills project are underway +"community engagement" with Traditional Land Owners is ongoing. ...
http://stocknessmonster.com/news-item?S=CBX&E=ASX&N=239499

[Popeye82]

Pura Vida Energy targets West African oil, admitted to the ASX - PAI AU - Feb 10, 2012

- Bevis Yeo -
www.proactiveinvestors.com.au/companies/news/25162/pura-vida…

"Pura Vida Energy(ASX:PVD) has joined the ranks of oil +gas companies targeting the highly-prospective frontier region off Morocco with its billion-barrel potential Mazagan area located off Morocco.


The company closed a oversubscribed initial public offering of 20.000.000 shares priced @A$0.20 each to raise A$4.000.000 to fund exploration of Mazagan.

The company will hit the ASX boards at 1pm AEDT on Tuesday 14 February, with around 38.780.000 shares on issue.


Chasing elephants

The 10.900 square kilometre Mazagan area contains the Toubkal prospect, which has mean resources of 790.000.000 barrels of oil, that Pura Vida said "is comparable to the billion barrel Jubilee field" in Ghana –the largest oil discovery in West Africa in the past decade.

It is located close to the Cap Juby field +covered by 3.570 square kilometres of modern 3D seismic that has identified several leads +prospects supported by direct hydrocarbon indicators.

Activity in the region has also been picking up with Jubilee operator Kosmos Energy acquiring or farming into two nearby permits last year while fellow Australian Tangers Petroleum(ASX:TPT) holds the Tarfaya block to the south.

While Toubkal is the single largest prospect in Mazagan, the five other top-ranked prospects bring total mean resource in the permit up to 1.100.000.000 barrels of oil.

Pura Vida’s A$6.600.000 cash hoard(consisting of A$2.600.000 in cash +A$4.000.000 from the initial public offering) is enough to fund the initial two-year work program @Mazagan, repay shareholder loans +for working capital.

For the first two years, the company is required to invest just over A$3.600.000 to reprocess 3.000 square kilometres of 3D seismic +acquire 50 ocean bed drop cores +geological studies.

Looking ahead, Pura Vida will be required to drill @least one exploration well in the 2nd two-year exploration term +another two wells during the 3rd four-year term. All three wells have a minimum depth of 3.000 metres.

Pura Vida holds a 75% working interest in Mazagan.


Profile

Pura Vida Energy(ASX:PVD) holds the Mazagan Offshore Area off the Atlantic coast of Morocco +is looking to acquire other projects to build a diversified portfolio. "

[Popeye82]

Q&A: Coping Strategies for High Food Prices; Millions of people worldwide have been struggling to pay for basic food staples - WB - Feb 10, 2012
http://siteresources.worldbank.org/EXTPOVERTY/Images/336990-…
www.youtube.com/watch?v=sr6M2lRq7fA
http://siteresources.worldbank.org/EXTPOVERTY/Resources/3369…

[Popeye82]

Global Effort Against Tropical Diseases, Public-private partnership aims to eliminate or control 10 neglected tropical diseases by ´20; 13 pharmaceutical companies, the U.S., U.K. +U.A.E governments, the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, the World Bank +other global health organisations announced a new, coordinated push to accelerate progress toward eliminating or controlling 10 neglected tropical diseases(NTDs) by the end of the decade, Uniting efforts with NTD-endemic countries, partners pledged to bring a unique focus to defeating these diseases +to work together to improve the lives of the 1.400.000.000 people worldwide affected by NTDs, most of whom are among the world’s poorest - WB/DFID/USAID/WHO/DNDI - Jan 31, 2012
http://web.worldbank.org/WBSITE/EXTERNAL/NEWS/0,,contentMDK:…
http://whqlibdoc.who.int/hq/2012/WHO_HTM_NTD_2012.1_eng.pdf
http://whqlibdoc.who.int/publications/2010/9789241564090_eng…

[Popeye82]

Range Resources - Puntland Well has "Company +COUNTRY Changing Potential" - Feb 7, 2012
http://easimail.ppr.com.au/download/files/12414/1583520/PUNT…

[Popeye82]

Cashmere Iron - enters into agreement to secure access @expanded Esperance Port - Feb 2, 2012
http://easimail.ppr.com.au/download/files/12414/1578261/Medi…
www.cashmereiron.com/pdf/media%20statement_port_access_agree…

[Popeye82]

West Africa offers "good returns for right iron ore projects" , says broker - PAI - Feb 8, 2012

- Philip Whiterow -
www.proactiveinvestors.com.au/companies/news/25120/west-afri…

"West Africa will become an important source of iron ore over the next ten tears, says broker Fairfax, with attractive returns on projects once capital is secured. The broker has assessed some of the companies planning iron ore mines in the region and picked the ones it sees as having most potential.

Investor interest in the region sparked into life recently after African Iron (ASX:AKI) received a takeover bid from South African giant Exarro.

More corporate activity will underpin the value of iron projects in West Africa going forward, said Fairfax, though not all projects have the right pre-requisites to come to commercial production.

Be wary of large scale magnetite projects which are not close to transport infrastructure and do not have access to power, it said.

“The commercialisation of these projects will require significant capital and require the backing of partners with deep pockets” it added.

African Iron (ASX:AKI) is typical of a company that will do well said Fairfax and it was no surprise to the broker that it attracted the attention of a buyer.

“The project had all the criteria to achieve commercialisation – good quality deposit with DSO (direct shipping ore) which could be readily mined and transported.”

The company has a 120 million tonnes high grade hematite resource – 44 million tonnes of DSO with 77 million tonnes of upgradeable DSO.

African Iron’s target was a 5 Mtpa (million tonnes per annum) operation for a 10 year mine life based on 50 Mt DSO hematite resource and requiring a capex spend of US$300 million.

West African Minerals (LON:WAFM) is another early stage developer that Fairfax believes has potential through a very targeted strategy of finding tenements where there is DSO (haematite) potential.

It says the management team have already identified six permits in the Cameroon DSO with potential from aeromagnetic geophysical surveys.

Two of the key licences are located near the Cameroon coast and discovery here could enable relatively easy transportation. The company also hold five exploration licences in Sierra Leone.

Also in Sierra Leone, Fairfax likes Bellzone (LON:BZM) with its two projects at Forecariah and and London Mining (LON:LOND) at Marampa.

Bellzone’s projects both have potential for early cashflows from oxide product and sufficient cash as well as backing and investment by Chinese partners to help fund the required infrastructure.

London Mining’s Marampa project is a brown field magnetite project in Sierra Leone with total resource of 1 Mt with 30.9% iron content.

“Based just on a phase 1 production level of 5 mtpa, the NPV for Marampa only is $1.4 billion or £900 milion giving significant potential from the current level,” Fairfax said.

Afferro Mining (LON:AFF) has demonstrated a large predominantly magnetite resource at Nkout in Cameroon.

It announced a 41 per cent increase in resource to 2 billion tonnes of magnetite with 32.7 per cent iron and also the potential for 18.5mt of DSO grading 60.3 per cent Fe in November 2011.

Fairfax adds that the market has given little value to Afferro’s projects given the concerns on funding and the lack of clarity on infrastructure and strategic partnerships.

“Nkout is 30 km from a planned Sundance rail line but there is no clarity on the access to this line.”

Sundance Resources’ (ASX:SDL) Mbalam project in the Cameroon is a two stage development of 35 mtpa DSO for 10 years followed by 35 mtpa concentrate product for a further 15 years.

Hanlong, which has bid for Sundance, is expected to take the Mbalam project forward if the bid is successful, Fairfax said.

Australian–listed Equatorial Resources’ (ASX:EQX) main project is the Mayoko-Moussondji project, which is right next door to the African Iron ore deposit. Equatorial is targeting a resource of 50-100 Mt by June 2012.

“Equatorial does not yet have a resource but does have double the strike of African Iron right next door and early drill results from their Mayoko-Moussondji project are encouraging – intersections from first 5 holes showed potential for DSO at 60% Fe.”

Overall, Fairfax is bullish on the region and believes that even with the economic uncertainty caused by the eurozone’s woes, projects and companies in west Africa with projects likely to come to market could get re-rated in 2012. "

[Popeye82]

Century Iron Mines - Announces Duncan Lake Iron Ore Project PhaseII Drilling, Update, drills up to 297.5m @32.6% Fe; PhaseII 19.700 drill program has improved confidence in the continuity of magnetite dominant zones +has demonstrated ~strike extends 2.5 km in zoneIII, 1.0 km in zoneIV +1.0 km in zoneVI; Sandy Chim: "These results continue to show grade consistency with that of previous drilling. Our program has been on plan +I am pleased that we are moving toward a target updated NI43-101 resource estimate +PEA by ~mid-´12."

- Feb 10, 2012
www.marketwire.com/press-release/century-iron-mines-corporat…
http://media3.marketwire.com/docs/765219_map.pdf

[Popeye82]

Midwinter Resources NL - potential Mpaka high-quality, metallurgical coal project acquisition, in proximity to Midwinter’s existing iron exploration assets - Jan 23, 2012
http://stocknessmonster.com/news-item?S=MWN&E=ASX&N=575749


Mpaka Metallurgical Coal Project Swaziland Coal Exploration Target of 55.000.000 -85.000.000 t - Feb 9, 2012
http://stocknessmonster.com/news-item?S=MWN&E=ASX&N=577578

[Popeye82]

Miners have strong appetite for M&A -report; Healthy demand fundamentals, strong balance sheets +an appetite for growth will drive a step-up in mergers +acquisitions(M&A) in the global mining +metals sector in ´12, Ernst &Young(E&Y) global mining +metals transaction leader Lee Downham said on Monday. Commenting on the release of E&Y’s yearly global mining +metals sector transaction report, ‘Recognizing value in volatility ’, Downham said mining +metals companies were learning to live with uncertainty +were well positioned to seize opportunities - MW, JOHANNESBURG - Feb 6, 2012

- Henry Lazenby -
www.miningweekly.com/article/miners-have-strong-appetite-for…

[Popeye82]

S Africa's Zuma squashes mine nationalisation talk - MW/Reuters, JOHANNESBURG - Feb 10, 2012
www.miningweekly.com/article/mines-nationalisation-not-s-afr…

"President Jacob Zuma squashed more than two years of talk on Friday about the nationalisation of South Africa's massive mining sector, saying state control or ownership of the mines in the world's biggest platinum producer could not work.

Asked during a televised breakfast briefing if the government planned to nationalise mines, Zuma said emphatically: "We're very clear. It is not our policy. We've been saying this inside the country, outside the country. It cannot be."

"We have answered this question many times. We are very clear," he added. "Our policy is "mixed economy" ."


Coming at the end of a week in which two senior ministers dismissed nationalisation as unviable and the ruling ANC released a study describing it as an "unmitigated disaster", Zuma's comments lay to rest two years of debate that hit South Africa's image as an investor-friendly emerging market.

Radical elements within the African National Congress (ANC) are still likely to float an idea first raised by Youth League leader Julius Malema, especially as the party approaches major conferences in June and December.

However, Malema's suspension from the party at the end of last year for disciplinary offences and the growing ranks of declared and heavyweight opponents of nationalisation mean the idea is not going anywhere.

"You cannot ask for greater clarity," said political consultant Nic Borain. "If you look at the words the document uses, and you take what Zuma said today, I think we can put this issue to bed.

"Read altogether, this is the ANC very clearly saying 'Our task as government is to get the most out of these resources.' Nationalisation would be a catastrophe."


HIGHER TAXES

Even though the big threat has been removed, South Africa's mining sector - the fifth biggest in the world by value - faces the prospect of higher taxes and royalties as the government tries to squeeze out better returns for the country's 50-million people.

The ANC has always had a testy relationship with the mines, the economic backbone of the apartheid state, and affirmative action policies since the end of white-minority rule in 1994 have struggled to overturn that legacy.

The mining research released this week proposed a hefty 50% tax on profits once a "reasonable return" had been achieved, although it offset the impact with a promised reduction in mineral royalties.

Economists said hiking taxes for a sector that is also facing rising labour and power costs should not be undertaken lightly.

"We keep looking over our shoulder at the legacy issues, when the rest of the road ahead is full of pot holes," said Colen Garrow, an economist at investment firm Brait.

"Taxation has to be taken very sensitively because the industry locally is in recession."

The government is also in the process of building a state mining company to ensure cheap domestic supplies of minerals such as coal and iron ore that are essential to a developing economy. Some analysts believe this may yet evolve into significant state control of specific areas of mining.

"While I am convinced that general nationalisation is not on the cards, I don't believe targeted nationalisation is no longer a consideration," said Allan Reid, a director at law firm Cliffe Dekker Hofmeyer. "

[Popeye82]

African miners face soaring costs - MW/Reuters, CAPE TOWN - Feb 10, 2012
www.miningweekly.com/article/african-miners-face-soaring-cos…

"Labour demands in the south, power problems in the east and new tax burdens in the west: wherever you look in Africa, miners face "a perfect storm of soaring costs".


"There is no question that there are considerable cost pressures on all of us in the industry, whether it is electricity, labour, whether it is inflation, overall in every single country where we operate," said Cynthia Carroll, CEO of Anglo American.

In southern Africa, the pressures are literally springing from the soil as rising food prices hit working class budgets, fuelling union demands for double-digit wage hikes.

In South Africa, inflation was 6.1% in December but food inflation was 11.1%, straining the household budgets of lower-income workers and fuelling high wage demands by unions in the mining sector.

Analysts have said above-inflation wage hikes in South Africa's mining sector have not been matched by productivity gains from its uneducated and low-skilled labour force.

Wage pressures are also ratcheting up in other parts of the continent with heavily unionised work forces that face food price concerns.

Glencore's Mopani Copper Mines in Zambia agreed to a 17% raise with unions last week, almost triple the inflation rate. Konkola Copper Mines, part of London-listed Vedanta Resources, awarded a similar pay increase last month.

At the other end of the labour force, a lack of top skills in areas like engineering is also adding to salary bills.

"Because of the scarcity of skills people are just not able to (find what they need). First of all you are having to pay a lot more to get people to build your project, and in some cases you are simply not able to get the people you would ideally like to have," said Tom Butler, global head of mining for the IFC, the private sector financing arm of the World Bank.

"So if you are trying to build a project on time and on budget, but you are using people who maybe have not done it 10 times before, and you have delays, which increases the costs for investors," he said.

Costs are slamming miners on other commodity fronts.

High oil and fuel prices are a major concern in Africa, where unreliable sources of power mean many mines run on diesel.

"Our biggest cost concern is the price of fuel. We do not have enough electricity and most of the mines have to self generate. There are mines that are using up to six-, seven- or eight-million litres of diesel a month," said Emmanuel Jengo, executive secretary of Tanzania's Chamber of Minerals and Energy, told Reuters on the sidelines of a mining conference in Cape Town.


RESOURCE NATIONALISM

On top of all of this, a common complaint this week in Cape Town was the surge of resource nationalism across the continent, as governments aim to extract more revenue from an industry that has failed to translate mineral wealth into broad prosperity.

Africa's top copper producer Zambia may bring back a mining windfall tax if copper prices hit $10 000/t, the Zambian high commission in South Africa said on Thursday, quoting the minister of mines.

Zambia also recently doubled its copper royalty to 6% and the mines minister told Reuters earlier this week that government would audit all the country's mining houses as it attempts to claw back as much as $1-billion in back taxes it estimates it is owed

Ghana, Africa's second-largest gold mining state, plans to raise the corporate mining tax to 35% from 25% and introduce a 10% windfall tax as well to boost the state share of revenues.

South Africa's Gold Fields has said the added costs from this move mean it may have to pull the plug on projects that would have brought a $1-billion of investment to Ghana.

Ghana has also set up a committee to review stability investment agreements with mining houses.

And while South Africa has buried a drive to make nationalisation government policy, a study commissioned by the ruling African National Congress calls for what would effectively amount to a 50% super tax on earnings.

In general, Anglo American's Carroll said cost pressures on miners were in the double digits.

"I was with industry representatives in Davos and someone spoke of 10% to 15% (costs increase) per year," she said. "

[Popeye82]

Southern Arc Minerals - finds 17 new porphyry copper-gold targets, after study @West Lombok, has commenced drill testing +will continue evaluating these targets with detailed ground work; M. Andrews: "The prospectivity study has identified valid porphyry exploration targets on the West Lombok property based on conventional +contemporary wisdom on porphyry / lithocap models. Southern Arc has a two-pronged exploration strategy @West Lombok: to drill the >26-kilometer cumulative strike length of epithermal-gold mineralization identified on the property, while exploring for copper-gold porphyry systems related to the epithermal mineralization. While Southern Arc awaits receipt of its Ministry of Forestry permit, the Company will prioritize the porphyry targets to the southeast +northeast of the property that are located in areas without forestry designation" - Feb 9, 2012
www.southernarcminerals.com/_resources/news/nr_2012_02_09.pd…
www.proactiveinvestors.com.au/companies/news/25133/southern-…

[Popeye82]

Brasil-Jungstar Neymar erzielt Tor des Jahres , Ronaldinho glänzt mit einem Hattrick, aber den grossen Zauber versprüht Super-Star Neyma - OE24 - Jul 28, 2011
www.oe24.at/video/sport/videoArticle/Brasil-Jungstar-Neymar-…

[Popeye82]

Antwort auf Beitrag Nr.: 42.733.302 von Popeye82 am 10.02.12 16:10:37

Recognizing value in volatility; Mergers, acquisitions +capital raising in mining +metals; 2011 trends, ´12 outlook - E &Y - Feb12

- Lee Downham, Mike Elliott, Michael Lynch-Bell, Paul Murphy, Nicky Crabtree, Natasha Johns +Emily Colborne -


Content

- Executive summary
- Mergers & Acquisitions
- Capital raising
- Outlook


Country Analysis

- Frontier markets
- Australia
- Brazil
- Canada
- China
- India
- Indonesia
- Japan
- Russia
- South Africa
- United Kingdom
- United States


Commodity Analysis

- Aluminium
- Coal
- Copper
- Gold
- Iron ore
- Nickel
- Potash/Phosphate
- Silver, Lead, Zinc
- Steel
- Uranium ...
www.ey.com/Publication/vwLUAssets/Mergers_acquisitions_and_c…
www.ey.com/GL/en/Industries/Mining---Metals/Effective-mining…

[Popeye82]

Avanco Resources - Major Resource Upgrade for Rio Verde: 17.770.000 t @1.17% Copper +0.30g/t Gold for 209.000t Copper +171.000oz of Gold; Resource trebled - Feb 8, 2012
http://stocknessmonster.com/news-item?S=AVB&E=ASX&N=577385

[Popeye82]

Emu Nickel to acquire near production ready gold +antimony mine in New South Wales - PAI - Feb 8, 2012

- Angela Kean -
www.proactiveinvestors.com.au/companies/news/25030/emu-nicke…
http://stocknessmonster.com/news-item?S=EMU&E=ASX&N=577364

"Emu Nickel(ASX: EMU) has secured the rights to acquire the Hillgrove Gold +Antimony Mine in New South Wales, one of the largest Antimony projects ready to go into production by ´13 .


Hillgrove has sufficient reserves to support a nine year mine life with additional resources to extend that mine life by another seven years.

The project has a Resource of 6.300.000 tonnes @1.6% antimony +4.3 grams/tonne(g/t ) gold for 101.000 tonnes of antimony +870.000 ounces of gold.

Reserves comprise 2.200.000 tonnes @2.1% antimony +3.8g/t gold for 46.000 tonnes of antimony +270.000 ounces of gold.

Mine recommissioning is scheduled for the June quarter of ´13 with a projected steady state production targeted for the December quarter of ´13.

Earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation +amortisation are projected to be around A$40.000.000 million for the December quarter of ´14.

Hillgrove has a base case annual production of 4.500 tonnes of antimony +25.000 ounces of gold in concentrate.

Importantly, 50.000 tonnes of ore is already on the run of mine pad ready for commissioning +Emu will have immediate access to sufficient underground ore for the 1st 18 months of production.

The Hillgrove project, which covers 425 square kilometres, is located about 25 kilometres east of Armidale, a major regional town in New South Wales.

The historic Hillgrove mineral field has a rich history having produced 49.000 tonnes of antimony +720.000 ounces of gold.

Emu has allocated $4.000.000/annum to undertake near mine +regional exploration.

Recent drilling @Bayley Park +Conningdale has located new areas of mineralisation.

Highlights from Bayley Park include 1.9 metres @7.6% antimony +1.5g/t gold from 39.5 metres, while drilling @Conningdale intersected 37 metres @0.23g/t gold +4.2g/t silver from 35.8 metres.


Hillgrove Acquisition

Emu has agreed to acquire ANCOA NL by issuing shares in Emu in two tranches. Upon completion of the acquisition Emu will change its name to ANCOA +purchase the Hillgrove mine for $40.000.000.

The company will settle the mine acquisition with $10.000.000 in cash +the remaining $30.000.000 through a combination of cash, shares or convertible notes.

Emu plans to undertake a $60.000.000 million capital raising to secure sufficient funds to proceed with the acquisition.


Profile

Emu Nickel (ASX: EMU) is a nickel focused explorer with a portfolio of projects in Western Australia ranging from grassroots to advanced nickel sulphide projects. "

[Popeye82]

Strathmore Minerals - Completes Strategic Investment With KEPCO - Feb 10, 2012
www.marketwire.com/press-release/strathmore-completes-strate…

[Popeye82]

American Manganese - Artillery Peak Preliminary Feasibility Update; report is now scheduled for the later part of March ´12, as a significant amount of information from several independent commercial suppliers is being compiled for the report; results of the pilot plant study will be presented @the SME Annual Meeting held in Seattle, WA on February 20, ´12, Copies of the peer reviewed technical paper presented @last year's SME Meeting will also be distributed @this Annual Meeting in the Industrial Minerals Special Issue of the Minerals & Metallurgical Processing Journal, February, ´12, Interested parties are invited to attend - Feb 10, 2012
www.marketwire.com/press-release/american-manganese-inc-arti…

[Popeye82]

Experten sind für Rente mit 72; "Rentenalter sollte man mit Steigerung der Lebenserwartung abgleichen", Die Wochenarbeitszeit könnte aber sinken - W/SO - Feb 11, 2012

- F. Eder -
http://web.de/magazine/finanzen/geld/14723330-forscher-empfe…

"Rente mit 67? Lächerlich, findet Fredrik Reinfeldt. "Wir werden mit 30 Jahren nicht das arbeiten, was wir mit 70 tun", sagt der schwedische Premier. "Aber wenn wir den Standard bewahren wollen, den wir uns erwarten, müssen wir länger werktätig bleiben." In Schweden gilt bereits heute ein flexibles Rentenmodell, das Arbeitnehmer nicht zu einem fixen Zeitpunkt in den Ruhestand schickt. Zwischen 61 und 67 Jahren verabschieden sich die Schweden aus dem Beruf. Reinfeldt macht deutlich: Dabei bleibt es nicht.

Geht es nach der EU-Kommission, wird sich Europa daran bald ein Beispiel nehmen. Ein Sätzchen mit Sprengkraft haben die drei EU-Kommissare Laszlo Andor (Soziales), Michel Barnier (Binnenmarkt) und Olli Rehn (Wirtschaft) in die Pläne gepackt, die sie in der kommenden Woche vorstellen werden.

Die Kommission empfiehlt Europa, "das Rentenalter mit der Steigerung der Lebenserwartung abzugleichen" – quasi automatisch also, anstatt in hart umkämpften Reformen alle paar Jahre aufs Neue ein fixes Eintrittsalter festzulegen. So steht es in dem Entwurf der Kommission, der "Welt Online" vorliegt.

James Vaupel freut diese Nachricht. Der Direktor des Max-Planck-Instituts für demografische Forschung in Rostock, einer der profiliertesten Experten weltweit, ist selbst übers deutsche Rentenalter hinaus und hat darum gekämpft, länger bleiben zu dürfen. "Die Menschen müssen schlicht einen vernünftigen Teil ihrer Lebenszeit arbeiten", sagt er. Heute verbrächten die Europäer etwa die Hälfte ihres Lebens im Beruf, sagt er. "Für die Rentensysteme würde es schon reichen, dieses Verhältnis beizubehalten." Dafür aber wird Europa seinen Bürgern mehr zumuten müssen, als das Rentenalter ein paar Jahre anzuheben.

Vaupel rechnet vor: Die Lebenserwartung steige in Europa von Jahrzehnt zu Jahrzehnt um zwei bis drei Jahre. "2050 wird sie bei etwa zehn Jahren mehr liegen als heute", sagt er. "Etwas von dieser geschenkten Zeit werden wir auf die Arbeit verwenden müssen." Wie viel? "Fünf Jahre", sagt er. Hieße in Deutschland: nicht Rente mit 67, sondern mit 72. Vaupels Modell sieht vor, dass Menschen "mehr Lebensjahre, aber weniger Wochenstunden" arbeiten. "So haben sie in jungen Jahren mehr Zeit für die Familie, belasten aber im Alter nicht die Pensionskassen", sagt er.

Aber werden alle bis in die 70er arbeiten können? Der Demograf bringt Trost: "Die gesunde Lebenserwartung steigt ebenso rasch an. Wenn Menschen zehn Jahre länger leben, werden sie zehn Jahre später krank", sagt Vaupel. Statistiker wie er sehen kein Ende des Trends der steigenden Lebenserwartung. Sie rechnen damit, dass ein heute in Deutschland geborenes Kind eine 50-Prozent -Chance darauf habe, 100 Jahre alt zu werden. "

[Popeye82]

Ein Date mit der Frau als Strafe ; Gnade oder Höchststrafe? Mann in USA zu Rendezvous verknackt - W/Reuters - Feb 11, 2012
http://web.de/magazine/lifestyle/liebe/14716210.html

[Popeye82]

Zuma "promises 'global competitive' mining sector" - MW/Reuters, JOHANNESBURG - Feb 10, 2012
www.miningweekly.com/article/zuma-promises-competitive-minin…

"South African President Jacob Zuma on Thursday promised to keep the country's powerful mining sector "globally competitive", the latest comment from a senior government official to knock down the prospects of nationalising the mines.


In his annual State of the Nation address, Zuma also pledged a R300-billion, seven-year investment plan for state rail and ports firm Transnet to increase the shipping of iron ore and coal, whose exports have been hampered by logistical bottlenecks.

Unlike previous years, he gave no projections for the budget deficit or growth in Africa's largest economy.

Prior to the speech, editorials and comments on social media sites had called for bold plans to cure chronic unemployment and a broken education system, as well as act against growing corruption.

However, the speech lacked any major policy initiatives.

This week the Zuma administration has worked to squash the idea - pushed by radical elements in the ruling African National Congress (ANC) - of mine nationalisation in the world's largest platinum producer, with two cabinet members telling a global mining conference in Cape Town that it would not work.

A mining sector study submitted to the ANC leadership this month rejected nationalisation as an "unmitigated disaster". It proposed a 50% tax on mining profits as a way to help the poor better benefit from South Africa's mineral riches.

In last year's speech, Zuma laid out plans to spend billions of dollars to create jobs, but there has been little to show for the money, and official unemployment has refused to budge much below 25 percent.

Economists say reform of rigid labour laws and the cutting red tape strangling small businesses is crucial to invigorate growth that is likely to come in below 3% this year.

"We are tinkering in decimal points, whereas the substance of unemployment is not really being resolved at all," said Chris Hart, chief economist at Investment Solutions.

"This economy is not geared to creating jobs because the environment is too hostile for small business." "

[Popeye82]

Mongolia coal rail plans delayed on financing issues - MW/Reuters, ULAN BATOR - Feb 10, 2012
www.miningweekly.com/article/mongolia-coal-rail-plans-delaye…

"Mongolia's ambitious plan to build a railway network capable of delivering its surging coal output to foreign markets is likely to be delayed as a result of financing difficulties +bureaucratic deadlocks, government officials said on Friday.


Purevbaatar Luvsandavag, vice-chairman of the Mongolia Railway Authority, told Reuters on the sidelines of the Coal Mongolia conference in Ulan Bator that the government had not even raised the $50.000.000 required to fund a series of feasibility studies +project designs drawn up last year.

"We still don't have permission from the government to announce an open tender to build the railways, +in general there is still a deadlock when it comes to funding +building infrastructure," he said.

He said the government had sought funding for the projects through overseas equity markets, instead of the railway authority's preferred option involving public-private partnerships with investors from Japan +South Korea.

J. Bat-Erdene, state secretary @Mongolia's transportation ministry told the conference on Thursday that the government was planning to list 49 percent of state-owned Mongolian Railway Corp on the domestic stock exchange to raise funds for construction.

Mongolia is experiencing a mining boom that is expected to transform its tiny economy in the coming decade , but it has so far struggled to monetise its copious mineral reserves +needs to spend billions of dollars on developing a transportation network capable of reaching consumers .

The government is also wary of the geopolitical +economic risks of being overly dependent on its giant southern neighbour, China, even though it has a guaranteed market for copper +coking coal.

Mongolia exported 22.000.000 tonnes of coal in ´11, with virtually all of it delivered south to China @>$25/tonne lower than the international average .

It plans to build an extensive cross-country railway that would "eventually" connect its huge Tavan Tolgoi coal project in the south Gobi desert to the rail networks of Russia, giving it access to markets in Japan +South Korea, but critics have said the route is not economically feasible .

The government remains reluctant to give permission for Mongolian Mining Corp(MMC) to construct its own 267-km private railway into China, saying a pre-existing route into China would make it more difficult to attract financing for the route east into Russia.

An MMC official told Reuters the company was "still waiting" for the project to be approved.

Construction on the two routes - east into Russia +south into China - is expected to begin @the same time, but Baasanjav Enkhbaatar of the World Bank's mining infrastructure investment support project told the conference that neither project was likely to begin before ´17. "

[Popeye82]

China's interest in Extract Resources - U3O8.biz - Feb 12, 2012

- D. Brown -
www.u3o8.biz/s/MarketCommentary.asp?ReportID=506651&_Type=Ma…

[Popeye82]

Zambia to audit miners, believes up to $1.000.000.000 owed; Top African copper producer Zambia plans to audit all its mining houses in a bid to dig for back taxes of up to $1.000.000.000 it estimates it is owed, its mines minister said on Tuesday. Such a policy by the government of populist president Michael Sata would widen an initiative launched by the previous administration +comes against the backdrop of a surge of resource nationalism across Africa +Zambia's own doubling of copper royalties to 6% - MW/Reuters - Feb 7, 2012
www.miningweekly.com/article/zambia-to-audit-miners-believes…

[Popeye82]

New technology prototype ´14 –AngloGold; Gold major AngloGold Ashanti is taking firm technology steps to maintain South Africa as a leading gold mining country. The coherent three-step technology strategy aims @halving mining costs +making operations viable @depths >5.000m - MW, CAPE TOWN - Feb 7, 2012

- M. Creamer -
www.miningweekly.com/article/anglogold-2012-02-07

[Popeye82]

ARM to bring four new mines into production by ´14; Diversified miner African Rainbow Minerals(ARM) will bring four new mines into production by ´14, as it continues its strong growth trajectory. “We said in ´05 that we are going to double by ´10. We’ve achieved that. We’re growing aggressively which means we will double again by ´18/´19,” said CEO Andre Wilkens @the Investing in African Mining Indaba in Cape Town this week - MW, CAPE TOWN - Feb 7, 2012

- J. McKenzie -
www.miningweekly.com/article/arm-to-bring-four-new-mines-int…

[Popeye82]

Norilsk Nickel eyes SA platinum sector; Russia's Norilsk Nickel, the world's largest producer of nickel +palladium, is looking @platinum mine acquisitions in South Africa to boost its PGM output over the next decade, a senior official said on Tuesday. Norilsk Nickel is already in South Africa, which accounts for about 3/4s of the world's platinum output, where it has a 50/50 joint venture in Nkomati nickel mine with African Rainbow Minerals - MW/Reuters, CAPE TOWN - Feb 7, 2012
www.miningweekly.com/article/norilsk-nickel-eyes-sa-platinum…

[Popeye82]

Riverstone Resources - Completes Acquisition of 90% Interest in Goulagou +Other Burkina Faso Properties; Dwayne L. Melrose: "Acquisition of these Properties which are key to the Karma project +our future development plans represents a major milestone for Riverstone. The Goulagou permit alone contains in excess of 1.500.000 estimated ounces of gold resources. @an acquisition cost of ~$12/ounce this represents incredible value for our shareholders. The current working capital of $11.000.000 plus the additional 16.000.000 Roxgold Inc. common shares valued @$30.200.000 gives the Company a solid financial position going forward to further develop this flagship project" - Feb 1, 2012
www.marketwire.com/press-release/riverstone-completes-acquis…

[Popeye82]

Mining Sector Morning Summary - LC - Feb 13, 2012
http://minesite.com/media/pub/var/release_downloadable_file/…

[Popeye82]

Rogue Iron - Iron Ore Intersects 171 Meters of 42% Total Iron; Mineralization @Radio Hill comes to surface +the iron formation forms a hill rising ~200 feet above the surrounding terrain, an advantage in open pit mining; S. De Jong: "We continue to be pleased by the robust grades +widths early in the 1st phase of our drill program. These results have given us a good indication of the southern limit of the Radio Hill iron formation. We are now focusing on the central portion where iron mineralization is known to have been thickened by folding. This should have a positive impact on our results +suggests the potential for even greater widths. Given the infrastructure advantages we have with rail, power +a highway in the immediate vicinity these results are even more impressive +demonstrate the high potential of developing a strong project"; Results to date appear to be consistent with historical work +are now being incorporated with historical data to create an internal resource model, 43-101 compliant resource estimate expected in the spring - Feb 13, 2012

+ Other Highlights Include 164 Meters of 37.9% Total Iron(RH-11-06)

+ Central Portion of Iron Formation now Being Tested in PhaseII Drilling

+ 10.000 Meter Drill Program Underway -no Seasonal Drilling Contsraints on Project

+ Drilling Focused on Radio Hill Iron Formation -Property also Contains 12km long Nat River Iron Formation ...
www.marketwire.com/press-release/rogue-iron-ore-intersects-1…
http://media3.marketwire.com/docs/RadioHill_figs.pdf

[Popeye82]

Minemakers - Announces Proposal to Acquire UCL Resources - Feb 13, 2012
http://stocknessmonster.com/news-item?S=UCL&E=ASX&N=239534

[Popeye82]

Padbury Mining - Aurium Resources Merger Finalised - Feb 13, 2012
http://stocknessmonster.com/news-item?S=PDY&E=ASX&N=577878

[Popeye82]

Triple Plate Junction plc - updated its drilling results for WAU-MOROBE-KAINANTU(OTIBANDA), located in Papua New Guinea; Aeromagnetic images across Hides Creek show a doughnut shaped magnetic low roughly one km across open to the NE with three low order magnetic highs aligned in a NE orientation; B. Howell: "The size +shape of the system is comparable to the Panguna porphyry copper-gold-deposit deposit on Bougainville Island, PNG which during its 17 years of operation between ´72 +´89 was recognised in ´85 as the world's 4th largest copper mine"; Hides Creek prospect is one of @least eight porphyry systems that Newmont has identified +the 1st to be targeted for initial exploratory drilling, within the Morobe JV tenements, Drilling commenced @Gumots, the 2nd of several prospects, in January ´12 - Feb 10, 2012

[Popeye82]

Beijing tells banks to roll over local government debt - CER/FT - Feb 13, 2012
www.chinaeconomicreview.com/node/54925

"Beijing has instructed banks to begin rolling over the debt of local government borrowers, in some cases extending loans by as much as four years, the Financial Times reported.

Analysts have worried about a potential reckoning from the estimated RMB10.7 trillion (US$1.7 trillion) in debts which have accumulated with the country’s local governments since Beijing rolled out its stimulus plan in 2009. Over half of those loans are due to mature over the next three years, leading to worries about a wave of defaults and non-performing loans. Officials say they are waiting for the projects to become solvent. “From a longer-term perspective, the investment project launched during the financial crisis will have no problem generating a return,” said Fan Jianping, chief economist at the State Information Center, a government-linked think tank. “It is just that many have not yet been completed.” While China’s banking regulator initially insisted that all local government loans would be paid back on time, it has since backed off this stance. "

[Popeye82]

Critical Elements - Discovers New in Situ High Grade Grab Samples With Up to 12.63% TREO, 4.97% Niobium +62.900 ppm Molybdenum, 166 g/t Silver +181 ppm Tantalum Mineralization @Trident-Kin; program has greatly increased the known extent of the Trident Mountain syenite from 15 linear km to >25 km throughout the contiguous Trident +Kin Properties - Feb 13, 2012
www.marketwire.com/press-release/critical-elements-discovers…

[Popeye82]

Central Iron Ore - Increases Iron Ore Land Package by 250% - Jan 24, 2012
http://tmx.quotemedia.com/article.php?newsid=47768681&qm_sym…


Central Iron Ore Limited: Perinvale South Iron Ore Hub Exploration Target 510.000.000 t to 850.000.000 t @30% -43% Fe - Feb 10, 2012
http://tmx.quotemedia.com/article.php?newsid=48328267&qm_sym…

[Popeye82]

Canadian producer joins Global Geoscience(GSC) in Nevada - AI - 14-Feb-2012
www.australianinvestor.com.au/news.asp?id=42417
http://stocknessmonster.com/news-item?S=GSC&E=ASX&N=666741

"Global Geoscience Ltd have today announced it has entered into a binding agreement with Canadian gold producer, Osisko Mining Corporation (“Osisko”) (TSX: OSK), involving all five of Global’s Nevada gold projects.

The agreement represents Osisko’s maiden investment in an Australian company, and its entry into Nevada gold exploration. Under the terms of the agreement, Osisko – which has a market capitalisation of over C$4.5 billion - will fund all exploration on Global’s Nevada gold projects, and can earn an initial 45% interest in the projects by spending USD$8 million on exploration over a maximum of four years.


Global will manage and operate all of the projects during this phase. Once Osisko has earned a 45% interest, the Canadian company has the right to select projects it wishes to continue funding.

To increase its interest to 70% in any of the selected projects, Osisko must 100 per cent fund and complete a bankable feasibility study (BFS).

For any project not funded or selected by Osisko, Global will retain 100% of its original interest.
“The agreement with Osisko is a major development for the company,” Global Geoscience Managing Director, Mr Bernard Rowe, said today.

“Not only does it secure substantial funding for Global’s gold projects in Nevada, it is also an alliance with a highly successful, North American gold producer – one that owns and operates the largest open pit gold mine in Canada,” he said.

“Further, the agreement validates the successful targeting methods we have used to select these areas and the results we have achieved thus far as it was Osisko that initially approached Global about its interest in the projects.”

Mr Rowe said Osisko established new benchmarks for the industry with the development of its large Canadian Malartic gold mine in Quebec, which the company took from first drill hole to commercial production in six years.

“To have a company with that track record on board with our projects is a significant coup for Global and potential company-making move for us,” he said. "

[Popeye82]

AgriMarine Holdings - Signs Letter of Intent With Marine Harvest(Norway) -the world's largest farmed salmon producer , for a demonstration site using AgriMarine's core technology to increase salmon production capacity up to 1 kg. Under the terms of the proposed demonstration project, AgriMarine's solid-wall, floating closed containment tank would be tested and adapted for the production of salmon in Norway. A successful demonstration of the AgriMarine System may result in a Definitive Agreement with Marine Harvest in the near future; G. Spiten: "We are confident that the Letter of Intent is the 1st step in establishing a business relationship with Marine Harvest aimed @the commercialization of AgriMarine's technology for sustainable aquaculture in Norway. This new project follows previous announcements of two other projects in conjunction with Norwegian salmon companies that aim to demonstrate the economic benefits of the AgriMarine System over conventional net cage systems. Establishing a strategic relationship with a recognized industry major +receiving industry validation is a priority for AgriMarine's management. Marine Harvest is the world's largest farmed salmon producer +we are confident of the benefits that our system will bring to the industry", C. Lyngøy: "We look forward to working with AgriMarine to establish the 1st application of the AgriMarine System in Norway during the current production year. Our objective is to test AgriMarine's technology to support semi-contained postsmolt production of fish up to 1 kg" - Feb 14, 2012
www.marketwire.com/press-release/agrimarine-signs-letter-int…

[Popeye82]

County Coal - Resource upgrade - Feb 14, 2012

+ Total JORC Coal Resources increased by 39.000.000 t to 681.000.000 t.

+ JORC Measured Coal Resources increased by 69% to 526.000.000 t.

+ Geological +geophysical data purchased relating to 18 drill holes in the Shell Creek Project area have been incorporated into the Coal Resource estimates, upgrade is a result of the Company’s evaluation of geological +geophysical data obtained @the project area by Texaco in the 80’s +the additional coal resources @the project area acquired by the Company due to the recent exercise of its option over an additional 90 acres of property +coal rights @Shell Creek.

+ StageII drilling program for the Shell Creek Project is scheduled to commence in the March quarter.

+ Following completion of the Company’s StageII drilling program, washability studies will be conducted on the resource @Shell Creek to enable the Company to commence work on the necessary mine plan for the project later this year. The Miller Project Area already contains a JORC Measured Resource +accordingly the Company will shortly commence its mine plan for this project.
...
http://stocknessmonster.com/news-item?S=CCJ&E=ASX&N=666761

[Popeye82]

$12.000.000.000 Canadian potash mine could be delayed, says BHP - M.com - Feb 14, 2012

- A. Topf -
www.mining.com/2012/02/14/12-billion-canadian-potash-mine-co…

[Popeye82]

Obama's budget: Government still getting bigger ; Taking a pass on reining in government growth, President Barack Obama unveiled a record $3.800.000.000.000 election-year budget plan Monday, calling for stimulus-style spending on roads +schools +tax, includes some cuts, but government still growing - FY/AP, WASHINGTON - Feb 14, 2012

- Andrew Taylor -
http://finance.yahoo.com/news/obamas-budget-government-still…

[Popeye82]

Fortescue up 5% on report Teck buying shares; Shares in Australia's Fortescue Metal Group rose 5% on Monday on a report Canadian metals +coal miner Teck Resources may be building a stake in Australia's 3rd-largest iron ore producer. Talk of Teck positioning itself in Fortescue comes amid speculation that the proposed $90.000.000.000 marriage of Glencore +Xstrata may lead to a new force pushing into iron ore - MW/Reuters - Feb 13, 2012
www.miningweekly.com/article/fortescue-up-5-on-report-teck-b…

[Popeye82]

Ferrex Plc - Malelane +Nayega Project update; D. Reeves: "Resource delineation programmes @both our Malelane Iron Ore Project in South Africa +Nayega Manganese Project in Togo have returned impressive results +we are on track to deliver maiden resources @both projects in Q1 ´12 +Q2 ´12 respectively. @Malelane, in addition to high grade intersections such as 17.29m @59% Fe(61% CaFe), the recent drill programme has encountered unexpected high grade mineralisation @depth >500m away from the historically known high grade mineralisation, +highlights direct shipping ore(DSO) potential which we’ll further investigate through an additional drilling programme in Q2 ´12. I am also excited @the initial metallurgical test results which demonstrate the opportunity for significant capital +operating cost savings through the potential to pre-concentrate the ore to 55% CaFe via a crush or coarse grind. Savings should be achieved through lower power consumption +smaller plant requirements, +when combined with the proximity to existing transport infrastructure, both rail +port, improves the already compelling economic potential of this project. @Nayega pitting has confirmed the results of historic exploration +it is the Company’s belief that ore has the potential to be easily mined +upgraded via a low capex gravity plant. Importantly, this project also has the potential to supply significant early cash flow to the Company if the metallurgical testwork supports on-ground observations. With these developments in mind, we look forward to advancing both projects up the development curve with a target of completing the bankable feasibility on Nayega +the pre-feasibility study on Malelane by the end of ´12" - Feb 6, 2012

Malelane Iron Ore Project –South Africa

+ 1.731m drill programme +preliminary metallurgical testwork confirms potential for low capex iron-ore development @Malelane

+ Further high grade intercepts recorded down dip of historical workings: 17.29m @59% iron(‘Fe’) (60% CaFe*) +6m @62% Fe (67% CaFe), with additional high grade intercepts both east, 19m @56% Fe(61% CaFe) +west, 13m @56% Fe (61% CaFe) of the historical workings

+ Wide intervals of the main zone banded iron formation(‘BIF’) iron mineralisation intersected over a strike length of 900m of the 14km BIF package identified including 198m @48% CaFe +120m @47% CaFe

+ Maiden inferred resource on track for Q1 ´12, with further drilling planned to commence in Q2 ´12 aimed @both increasing the resource +upgrading to the Indicated category

+ Positive preliminary metallurgical testwork –very coarse grind size is optimal for preconcentration to 55% CaFe, which could significantly reduce capital +operating costs


Nayega Manganese –Togo

+ Systematic test pitting has been completed, depths excavated confirm historically reported widths of manganese(‘Mn’) mineralisation

+ Initial assay results average 14.4% Mn +peak @28% Mn, consistent with exploration target grades

+ Bulk metallurgical sample will be collected +shipped to a commercial laboratory for preliminary testwork

+ Maiden resource +preliminary metallurgical testwork targeted for Q2 ´12

+ Management believe Nayega ore has the potential to be easily mined +upgraded via a low capex gravity plant ...
www.ferrexplc.com/documents/MalelaneandNayegaProjectupdate06…


Leinster Tweed Prospecting Right Granted; D. Reeves: "We are delighted to have received this Prospecting Right over the Tweed Farm, which results in Ferrex controlling the entire Leinster sub basin. Exploration work has already been conducted across the Leinster Project by mining major Anglo American, which resulted in Coffey Mining defining an exploration target of 5.500.000 to 8.700.000 t @28.6% to 31.3% manganese. With this Prospecting Right now in place, we can fast track a drilling campaign designed to calculate a maiden JORC Code compliant resource on the project area in Q3 ´12 +in turn assess the Leinster Project’s economic potential.
Additionally our Malelane Iron ore project in South Africa +Nayega Manganese project in Togo recently reported impressive exploration results, +are both on track to deliver maiden resources in Q1 ´12 +Q2 ´12 respectively. In the 1st six months as a listed entity Ferrex has secured tenure on the Leinster project, completed the exploration required for a maiden resource @Malelane +added the Nayega manganese project to the portfolio. The Company plans to maintain this momentum through ´12, achieving key milestones, as we fast track all three projects up the development curve through to pre-feasibility status" - Feb 13, 2012

+ Ferrex currently has a 49% interest in the greater Leinster Project through its interest in Umbono Minerals Holdings(Proprietary) Limited –this will increase to 74% once Ministerial approval has been granted

+ Leinster Project covers the northernmost known erosional relict(‘the Leinster Manganiferous Basin’) of the Kalahari Manganese Field(‘KMF’). Aquila Resources Limited has a defined resource of 109.000.000 t @39% Mn @Gravenhage in the Avontuur Basin, another erosional remnant of the KMF located 20km south of the Leinster Project. Manganese mineralisation +host lithologies in the KMF are concealed beneath soft, generally semi-consolidated sediments of the Kalahari Formation. In the Leinster Basin, the Kalahari Formation cover is between 70 +150m thick. Anglo American explored the Leinster Basin from ´77 to ´88. Exploration included ground magnetic, gravity +Induced Polarisation surveys followed by diamond +percussion drilling programmes. A total of 51 boreholes were drilled, which led to the estimation of an ‘Indicated Resource’(non-JORC Code compliant) of 7.800.000 t @34.8% Mn. Using this information Coffey Mining calculated a JORC Code compliant exploration target of 5.500.000 to 8.700.000 t @28.6% to 31.3% Mn. The deposit lies @an average depth of 80m +the Company envisages the project being developed as a small underground operation with ore trucked or railed to port for the export market.

+ The Tweed Farm has been subject to significant previous exploration by Anglo American Corporation('Anglo American')

+ Fast-tracked exploration programme planned -airborne magnetic survey +a drilling campaign to twin historic drill holes +define a maiden JORC Code compliant resource Q3 ´12 ...
www.ferrexplc.com/documents/LeinsterTweedProspectingRightGra…

[Popeye82]

Kasbah Resources - Achmmach Drilling Update, Drilling continues with five rigs currently operational @Achmmach, Company remains on track to deliver a new resource estimate in March ´12 - Feb 13, 2012

+ Gap Zone 80m spaced drilling from 2.450mE to 2.770mE is almost complete.

+ Section 2.690mE is the 4th step out section into the Gap Zone +has extended tin mineralisation 320m east of the ´10 Meknes Resource.

AD120 returned:

- 11.2m @0.52% Sn from 357m;
- 5.4m @1.52% Sn from 388m; and
- 6.6m @0.98% Sn from 407m.

AD122 returned:

- 9m @1.25% Sn from 355m;
- 20m @0.34% Sn from 389m; and
- 5m @0.83% Sn from 467m.

AD125 returned:

- 29m @0.63% Sn from 211m
(Includes 6.6m @1.46% Sn from 225.2m);
- 25m @0.81% Sn from 253m
(Includes 6.6m @1.87% Sn from 262.7m); +
- 13.3m @0.48% Sn from 396.2m.


+ 1491 assay results from the 80m spaced drilling are pending

+ 40m spaced infill drilling between 2.450mE +2.770mE +within the ´10 Meknes Resource has commenced. ...
http://stocknessmonster.com/news-item?S=KAS&E=ASX&N=577798

[Popeye82]

Areva report on UraMin buy due on Tuesday -source; French nuclear group Areva's supervisory board will on Tuesday report the outcome of a study on its controversial $2.500.000.000 acquisition of Canadian mining company UraMin in ´07, a source close to the matter said. Areva in December asked three of its supervisory board members to conduct a review after the group wrote down nearly the entire value of UraMin's three Southern African mines as it proved "much harder than expected to extract uranium" - MW/Reuters, PARIS - Feb 13, 2012
www.miningweekly.com/article/areva-report-on-uramin-buy-due-…

[Popeye82]

Functional Technologies - Files GRAS Notification for Acrylamide-Preventing Yeast - Feb 8, 2012
http://finance.yahoo.com/news/Functional-Technologies-Files-…

[Popeye82]

Paragon Minerals - Reports Initial Resource Estimate on Lemarchant VMS Deposit; Michael Vande Guchte: "We are very pleased with this initial mineral resource estimate which compares very well against other VMS exploration +mining projects. The Lemarchant Deposit is a new precious metal-rich copper-lead-zinc massive sulphide resource with excellent potential for further expansion. The deposit is located in an area of excellent infrastructure with Teck Resources existing Duck Pond Mine located nearby", Paragon believes the Lemarchant Deposit warrants aggressive follow-up in ´12 - Jan 23, 2012

+ Indicated Mineral Resource of 1.240.000 tonnes grading 5.38% zinc, 0.58% copper, 1.19% lead, 1.01 g/t gold +59.17 g/t silver(15.40% ZnEQ) using a 7.5% zinc equivalent grade cut-off.

+ Inferred Mineral Resource of 1.340.000 tonnes grading 3.70% zinc, 0.41% copper, 0.86% lead, 1.00 g/t gold +50.41 g/t silver(11.97% ZnEQ) using a 7.5% zinc equivalent grade cut-off.

+ The deposit is defined to a vertical depth of 210 metres +remains open to depth +along strike.

+ Preliminary metallurgical results indicate positive metal recoveries. ...
www.paragonminerals.com/news/index.php?&content_id=151

[Popeye82]

Griechische Wirtschaft auch ´11 dramatisch geschrumpft; BIP schrumpf um 6.8%, YoY - WO/DPA, ATHEN - Feb 14, 2012
www.wallstreet-online.de/nachricht/4602586-euro-krise-griech…

"Die Wirtschaftsleistung des Schuldensünders Griechenland ist auch ´11 erneut massiv eingebrochen. Das Bruttoinlandsprodukt(BIP) ging um 6.8 Prozent im Vergleich zum Vorjahr zurück, wie die griechische Statistikbehörde(ELSTAT) am Dienstag in Athen mitteilte. Bereits ´10 war die Wirtschaft kräftig um 4.5 Prozent geschrumpft. Die neuen Daten kamen nur wenige Tage nachdem bekanntgeworden war, dass die Arbeitslosigkeit weiter gestiegen ist. Die Quote liegt bei 20.9 Prozent.


Die griechische Zentralbank war bis vor kurzem noch davon ausgegangen, dass die Wirtschaft des Landes ´11 um knapp vier Prozent schrumpfen werde. Ursache der rasanten Talfahrt ist nach übereinstimmender Einschätzung von Finanzexperten die Sparpolitik, die die griechische Wirtschaft abwürgt. Allein dieses Jahr muss Athen >3.000.000.000 Euro sparen.

Vergangene Woche hatte das Statistische Amt mitgeteilt, dass auch die Arbeitslosigkeit in Griechenland immer weiter steigt. Die Arbeitslosenquote betrug im November 20.9 Prozent und übertraf damit erstmals in der jüngeren Geschichte des Landes die psychologisch wichtige Grenze von einer Million Menschen. Insgesamt waren 1.029.587 Menschen ohne Job. Noch vor zwei Jahren lag die Quote im gleichen Monat bei 13.9 Prozent +im Oktober ´11 waren es 18.2 Prozent. "

[Popeye82]

Black Iron - Eavex Capital Initiates Research Analyst Coverage of Black Iron Inc., 8th independent investment bank to initiate coverage - Feb 14, 2012
www.blackiron.com/News/Press-Release-Details/2012/Eavex-Capi…

[Popeye82]

EmberClear - Signs a historic energy agreement with China's Huaneng Clean Energy Research Institute("HCERI"), @Washington, D.C. Ceremony, agreement, a technology license, enables EmberClear to develop a new low-emissions plant producing gasoline or diesel fuel from coal in the United States, project could create >1.000 jobs in the U.S. +obtaining a technology license achieves a required milestone for such a facility to be built, The plant is intended to generate gasoline or diesel transportation fuel for sale in the United States. The use of this new advanced thermal-chemistry technology allows the production of such fuels with lower emissions than traditional refineries using crude oil; United States Chamber of Commerce hosted officials from the Ministry of Commerce People's Republic of China +the U.S. Department of Commerce to witness the signing in Washington D.C.; Albert Lin: "The White House +the Chinese government both see the immense value of EmberClear's agreement with HCERI, not only in terms of the jobs it will help support, but more importantly, it is the cleaner energy we'll be able to provide to Americans in addition to the improved energy security. This partnership is a strong example of how American energy companies can work with Chinese partners to provide new lower emission energy solutions while simultaneously creating jobs here in America. The impressive track record of Chinese investment +technical achievement in this field has given rise to a surge of global demand for this type of clean energy technology from other countries, utilities +consumers "sensitive to climate change". The world is primed to take advantage of China's investments +deployments of technologies converting coal to all sorts of energy sources with far lower emissions. In particular, making electric power +gasoline. Both will create thousands of construction jobs +bring in billions of dollars to the region where our plant will operate for many years"; China +the U.S. have some of the world's largest coal reserves +"both governments are seeking energy independence solutions" - Feb 14, 2012
www.newswire.ca/en/story/920829/emberclear-signs-energy-agre…

[Popeye82]

Mining Summary - LC - Feb 14, 2012
http://minesite.com/media/pub/var/release_downloadable_file/…

[Popeye82]

Premier Wen: Economic 'fine-tuning' to begin in Q1 - CER/BB - Feb 13, 2012
www.chinaeconomicreview.com/node/54928

"Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao said the country should begin "fine-tuning" economic policies as early as the first quarter, in response to recent weak economic data, Bloomberg reported.

“We have to make a proper judgment as early as possible when things happen and take quick action,” Wen said in a speech last week to business leaders in Beijing. His remarks have fueled speculation that the government will take steps to ease policy in February or March, perhaps cutting the reserve ratio for banks, boosting lending and government spending, and lowering taxes. Wen also reiterated support for real-estate restrictions to ensure fairness and stability in the property market. In January, Chinese trade fell for the first time in two years and bank lending came in below estimates. Commerce Minister Chen Deming said foreign trade growth could be stabilized through easing funding pressures on companies, boosting fiscal policy support and exchange rate stability. "

[Popeye82]

Xi's Iowa visit may point to deeper agricultural ties - CER/Reuters - Feb 13, 2012
www.chinaeconomicreview.com/node/54929

"Chinese Vice President Xi Jinping will make a two-day stop in Iowa this week that may result in deeper agricultural ties between China +the US, Reuters reported.

Xi, the clear favorite to replace Hu Jintao as China's next president +Communist Party chief, plans to visit an Iowa soybean farm, attend a gala dinner with farm producers +attend the 1st-ever US-China agricultural symposium, after meeting with US President Barack Obama in Washington, DC. Farm exports now make up about 1/5th of American sales of goods to China. China bought US$20.000.000.000, or a total of 14%, of US agricultural exports last year, largely soybeans, corn +pork, of which Iowa is a major producer. Policy experts say increasing agricultural trade could be a stabilizing influence on US-Sino relations, which have been fraught with tension over tarriffs, market access +the Chinese currency. China is a huge importer of agricultural crops, as it accounts for 1/5th of the world's population but only 9% of its arable land . "

[Popeye82]

Beijing restricts bank fees - CER/WSJ - Feb 13, 2012
www.chinaeconomicreview.com/node/54926

"China's banking regulator issued new rules Friday to clamp down on excessive bank fees that have risen steadily in the past few years despite little improvement in customer service , The Wall Street Journal reported.

The China Banking Regulatory Commission will now require all fees to be set by banks' head offices rather than local branches +banks to give three months' notice before raising fees. Income from services such as for changing internet passwords +withdrawing money in other cities has made up an increasing proportion of bank revenue in the last few years, in some cases >50% of operating income for China's largest banks. Chinese banks have posted record-beating profits in recent quarters, yet their customer service lags far behind that of other countries. "China's front-line banking service is still one step behind the rest of the Asia-Pacific," said Kenny Lam, a partner with McKinsey & Co in Hong Kong. "

[Popeye82]

Obama pledges $26.000.000 for trade enforcement - CER/Reuters - Feb 14, 2012
www.chinaeconomicreview.com/node/54936

"US President Barack Obama, on the eve of a US visit by Chinese Vice President Xi Jinping, pledged US$26 million in new funding to better enforce existing international trade regulations by creating a new interagency trade enforcement center, Reuters reported.

The funding will be used to hire 50 to 60 new people and improve the coordination of US government responses to unfair foreign trade practices, White House economic advisor Gene Sperling said. The Commerce Department's International Trade Administration, which houses the Foreign Commercial Service and the Import Administration, will receive US$24 million of the funding, while another US$2 million will go to the US Trade Representative's Office. Xi, the frontrunner to lead China as president and communist party secretary after Hu Jintao steps down later this year, arrived in the US on Tuesday for talks with Obama and other senior officials. Since taking office, Obama's administration has filed five trade cases against China at the WTO. "

[Popeye82]

Chinese state CCTV America tries to woo US - CER/FT - Feb 14, 2012
www.chinaeconomicreview.com/node/54937

"China Central Television (CCTV), the national broadcaster, began airing US-produced programming from its studio in Washington this weekend, the Financial Times reported.

CCTV America has hired >60 staff, +is modeling its expansion on the English-language strategy of the pan-Arab news channel Al Jazeera. The Saturday premiere of "The Heat," a political talk show, focused on Chinese vice president Xi Jinping's visit to Iowa. CCTV has been expanding its foreign-language content since ´09, "but hopes that moving production to the US will improve standards +credibility". “The Chinese are a bit late to the game,” says Jim Laurie, a veteran broadcaster formerly with ABC News who has been advising CCTV since ´09, “But "they feel they can offer alternative perspective", +report underreported stories.” The broadcaster also hopes to expand into areas where the BBC has cut back, for example in Latin America. "

[Popeye82]

Dieses Unternehmen könnte CHINAS AUFSCHWUNG RETTEN! - "IR-Nachrichten"/W - Feb 15, 2012
www.wallstreet-online.de/nachricht/4605946-qrs-capital-corp-…

[Popeye82]

Mining Summary - LC - Feb 15, 2012
http://minesite.com/media/pub/var/release_downloadable_file/…

[Popeye82]

Fission Energy - New Ground Staked on South Flank of PLS Property, staked to cover possible south trending extensions of the large 5 km X 0.9 km wide high grade uranium boulder field discovered by the JV in June, ´11 - Feb 15, 2012
www.marketwire.com/press-release/fission-energy-corp-new-gro…

[Popeye82]

GTA Resources &Mining - Intersects 149.5 Metres Grading 3.21 g/t Gold(Uncapped) or 1.20 g/t Gold(Capped) on Northshore - Feb 14, 2012
http://finance.yahoo.com/news/GTA-Intersects-149-5-Metres-iw…

[Popeye82]

QRS Capital - Signs Letter of Intent for Option to Acquire Vista Hermosa Copper Project in Chile, preliminary results of prior drilling identified a historic resource estimate of 12.000.000 tons @1% Cu; J. Seaman: "We are very excited to move ahead with Vista Hermosa, the historic work provides an excellent foundation to build on +this underexplored property has tremendous exploration potential. We think that a systematic exploration program will be able to verify +expand on the historic resource +demonstrate the full potential of the property" - Feb 14, 2012
http://finance.yahoo.com/news/QRS-Capital-Corp-Signs-Letter-…

[Popeye82]

Save The World Air - Appoints New CFO Gregg Bigger as Company Enters Commercialization Phase; Cecil Bond Kyte: "We've asked Gregg to join us @a pivotal time. While we pursue ongoing product enhancement, development +testing for our AOT™ oil pipeline technology, we have reached another milestone as evidenced by the Letter of Intent we've signed in China +the growing interest AOT™ is receiving from around the world. As commercialization revenues become more identifiable, our strategic financing, budgeting, accounting +reporting needs have changed. Gregg brings to STWA the kind of expertise we want +value. We welcome him to the team", Gregg Bigger: "STWA has current commercialization opportunities with AOT™, as well as mid-term potential for multiple revenue streams through ELEKTRA™. This is a compelling opportunity for me to help shape the monetization +pricing model for AOT™ which has enormous impacts in the multi-billion dollar global oil pipeline market. Moreover, the implementation of AOT™ benefits +aligns with America's national security policies. I'm pleased to play a part in making it available in the United States +approved countries abroad" - Feb 9, 2012
http://finance.yahoo.com/news/STWA-Appoints-New-CFO-Gregg-iw…

[Popeye82]

Americas Petrogas - &ExxonMobil Case 1st Joint Exploration Well in Argentina; Vaca Muerta Shale Thickness 343 Metres(1.125 Feet) With Oil Shows - Feb 15, 2012
www.marketwire.com/press-release/americas-petrogas-exxonmobi…

[Popeye82]

China shale development lags behind targets - CER/Reuters - Feb 15, 2012
www.chinaeconomicreview.com/node/54943

"China continues to lag behind targets for the development of shale gas, a delay which is likely to benefit overseas suppliers including Exxon Mobile Corp(XOM.NYSE, XOMA.FRA) +Royal Dutch Shell Plc(RDS.NYSE, RSDA.LON), Reuters reported.

Shale gas output is on track to rise to 23 billion cubic meters in ´20, or only 29% of the government's 80 billion target, according to seven analysts surveyed by Bloomberg. China's efforts to develop shale gas, which now satisfies much of the US demand for energy, have been complicated by tougher geology +a lack of expertise in extraction. Chinese drillers have formed partnerships with foreign companies -for example, Shell's joint drilling with China National Petroleum Corporation -but have yet to produce shale gas commercially. China imported US$5.800.000.000 in liquefied natural gas imports in ´11 +will need to continue boosting purchases of LNG from providers such as Exxon, Chevron Corp(CVX.NYSE) +Woodside Petroleum(WPL.ASX) to meet demand, analysts said. "

[Popeye82]

Regulators vet mainland's first H-shares ETF - CER/BB - Feb 15, 2012
www.chinaeconomicreview.com/node/54942

"Chinese securities regulators are reviewing an application from E Fund Management Co, China's 3rd-largest asset management company, to launch the mainland's 1st exchange-traded fund tracking the Hong Kong-listed shares of Chinese companies, Bloomberg reported.

The fund, which will be linked to the Hang Seng China Enterprises Index, is expected to help bolster turnover, as a cooling economy +tightening money supply has brought stock trading in China to three-year lows . Plans to list Hong Kong ETFs had been submitted to the State Council +the China Securities Regulatory Commission before last month's Lunar New Year holiday, an anonymous source said. The director of Hang Seng Indexes Co, Vincent Kwan, said in August that the company also plans to introduce an ETF linked to the Hang Seng Index. "

[Popeye82]

US, China agree to talks on guidelines for export credit financing - CER/Reuters - Feb 15, 2012
www.chinaeconomicreview.com/node/54938

"The US +China agreed to open talks to establish regulations for Chinese export-credit financing, with the aim of concluding an agreement by ´14, Reuters reported.

The announcement came after US President Barack Obama met with China’s expected next president, Xi Jinping. The two countries aim to make “concrete progress towards a set of international guidelines on the provision of official export financing that... are consistent with international best practices,” the White House said in a statement. US businesses largely greeted news of the decision. “This is a welcome development, because China is not now under any export financing disciplines @all,” said Frank Vargo, vice president for international economic affairs @the National Association of Manufacturers. The US, EU nations, Australia, Canada, Japan +others already have restrictions on the use of government export credits. "

[Popeye82]

SARFT limits imported TV programming - CER/NYT - Feb 15, 2012
www.chinaeconomicreview.com/node/54939

"Chinese regulators banned all imported television programs during prime time +limited such shows to a 1/4 of channel programming each day, The New York Times reported .

China’s State Administration of Radio, Film +Television said that broadcasters which violate the rules will face fees, but not did detail the amount. Most of the 30 foreign shows approved last year by regulators were from Hong Kong, Taiwan +South Korea. One new rule, restricting foreign TV shows to 50 episodes, may be aimed @South Korean soap operas. State media said that the regulations are designed to create “a favorable environment for TV shows made by companies on the Chinese mainland .” The new regulation is only the latest move by the agency to curb popular forms of entertainment +reality TV programming, as well as cut down on advertising during prime time. "

[Popeye82]

Rio Verde Minerals - Announces Positive Agronomic Tests on Thermophosphate Produced from its Sapucaia Target, Fosfatar Phosphate Project; S. Keith: "The productivity level of our Fosfatar Thermophosphate is in line with our expectations based on previous data. The Fosfatar Project has high-grade aluminous phosphate, ranging from 18 -30% P205. We are pleased with the results as they show that our final product will compete well in the Brazilian market, taking full advantage of the country's favourable supply +demand dynamics. In the coming weeks, we will also be releasing a preliminary economic assessment(PEA) on the Fosfatar Phosphate Project. Assuming a favourable PEA +a positive construction decision by the board of directors, we expect to commence production in late ´12" - Feb 15, 2012
www.marketwire.com/press-release/rio-verde-minerals-announce…

[Popeye82]

EnWave - Named to the TSX Venture Top 50 for 3rd Consecutive Year ; John McNicol: "Over the past year, EnWave announced five additional world class collaborations , signed a 2nd commercial license +rose over CAD$12.000.000 in equity financing. This recognition confirms the significance of our business developments in ´11" - Feb 15, 2012
www.marketwire.com/press-release/enwave-named-to-the-tsx-ven…

[Popeye82]

Kaboko Mining - Appointment of African Investment +Resources Specialist, +Nelson Mandela's Stepson , as Non-Executive Director - Feb 13, 2012
http://stocknessmonster.com/news-item?S=KAB&E=ASX&N=577812