News around the world - 500 Beiträge pro Seite (Seite 48)

[Popeye82]

Legend Mining -&POSCO sign MOU, to negotiate +agree an exploration joint venture in relation to Legend’s Ngovayang iron ore project in Cameroon; Mark Wilson: "to attract a partner of POSCO’s international standing is a huge vote of confidence in the potential of the Ngovayang project +we look forward to working closely with POSCO over the coming months to finalise an exploration joint venture agreement. After a review of numerous iron ore projects in the region, POSCO was primarily attracted to Legend's Ngovayang project due to it's attractive infrastructure. Most juniors that are involved with major projects, the big question is how are they going to fund the capital costs, +when you have a partner like POSCO that question very quickly disappears into the vapour. POSCO’s given a tick to the sovereign risk of Cameroon, a big tick to our project. The proximity to the coast +the existing infrastructure +the quality of the magnetite that we’ve previously disclosed to the market are all the sort of things that have attracted POSCO to the project"; One of the major drawcards for POSCO was Ngovoyang’s proximity to infrastructure, including road, rail, port +airports, Under the agreement, the two companies will examine ways for Legend to use Sundance’s proposed infrastructure +rail +port haulage - Feb 16, 2012
http://stocknessmonster.com/news-item?S=LEG&E=ASX&N=578284
www.proactiveinvestors.com.au/companies/news/25377/legend-mi…

[Popeye82]

Energio - Drilling update No.IV - Agbaja Iron Ore Exploration Project, continuous results are now being received +released to the market from the 200 vertically drilled Reverse Circulation(RC) drill holes completed to date of the planned 20.000 metres of drilling for resource definition; Dr Ian Burston: "these results continue to be very 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"; Drilling continues @planned rates +the Company remains on target to finalise the drilling +sampling program within the 2nd quarter of ´12 - Feb 15, 2012

+ Company receives results of the 4th batch of assay results.

+ Analytical results from the 4th batch of 9 drill hole samples remain @higher than the initial expected range. ...
www.energio.net.au/IRM/Company/ShowPage.aspx/PDFs/1262-52512…

[Popeye82]

Helio Resource - Announces Updated Mineral Resource Estimate @SMP Gold Project, Tanzania: Measured +Indicated Ounces increase 104% to 1.020.000 ounces @1.32g/t Au @a 0.5g/t Au Cut off, while Inferred Resource decreased 11% to 240.000 ounces @1.05g/t Au - Feb 14, 2012
www.helioresource.com/i/pdf/2012-02-14_NR.pdf
www.helioresource.com/i/maps/2012-02-14_NRM1.pdf

[Popeye82]

DynaResource - Announces Mineral Resource Estimate: Tres Amigos of 892.534 tonnes with an average grade of 4.46 g/t Au +Ag, Pb, Cu +Zn, totaling 127.921 Oz. Au; +@San Pablo of 1.307.509 tonnes with an average grade of 6.52 g/t ++Ag, Pb, Cu +Zn totaling 274.171 Oz. Au. The estimate also includes an Inferred Resource of 3.953.143 tonnes in aggregate for the four vein systems, with an average grade of 5.83 g/t +Ag, Pb, Cu +Zn totaling 740.911 Oz. Au; 1.000.000 Oz. Gold produced in the early 1900’s from a series of underground workings. 471.000 Oz. is reported produced from the La Purisima Area of SJG, @an average grade of 66.7 g/t ; +215.000 Oz. is reported produced from the La Prieta Area of SJG @an average grade of 27.6 g/t ; Company formed DynaMexico in March ´00 specifically for the purpose of acquiring +consolidating the SJG District; +it completed the consolidation of the entire SJG District(~15 sq. km. @that time) in ´03. During the period ´03 -´06, DynaMexico conducted Pilot Production operations @the San Pablo area of SJG, reporting production results of: 18.250 Oz. Gold produced; 42.000 tons mill feed; average feed grades of ~15 -20 g/t Gold; +, average production costs of < $175 / Oz. In September ´06 , the Company entered into an Earn In / Option Agreement with Goldgroup, which provided that Goldgroup contribute $18.000.000 USD in funding to DynaMexico for exploration/development expenditures @SJG, in exchange for 50% of the outstanding shares of DynaMexico - Feb , 2012
http://finance.yahoo.com/news/dynaresource-announces-mineral…

[Popeye82]

Talk, but little action, to break U.S. grip on World Bank job; Emerging markets talked up their desire to break Washington's hold on the top World Bank job on Thursday after Robert Zoellick announced he would step down, yet they showed little inclination to band together to force change - FY/Reuters - Feb 16, 2012

- Emily Kaiser -
http://finance.yahoo.com/news/world-banks-zoellick-step-down…

[Popeye82]

Moody's warns "may downgrade" 17 global banks, securities firms, may cut the credit ratings of 17 global +114 European financial institutions in another sign the impact of the euro zone government debt crisis is spreading throughout the global financial system - FY/Reuters - Feb 16, 2012

- Ian Chua +Soyoung Kim -
http://finance.yahoo.com/news/moodys-may-downgrade-17-banks-…

[Popeye82]

Highlands Pacific - Resource Upgrade Koki Ekwai: Contained metal now @12.800.000 t copper +20.000.000 Oz gold ‐or 80.000.000 Oz gold equivalent ; 1st resource for Ekwai deposit +updated resource for Koki deposit, Six deposits with total resources in excess 2.700.000.000 t of ore
- Feb 16, 2012
www.highlandspacific.com/pdf/Resource-Update-Koki-Ekwai16021…

[Popeye82]

Grange Resources - Southdown Magnetite Project Resouces Hit One Billion Tonnes -75% increase to 1.221.000.000 tonnes @34.1% Fe M/I/I - Feb 16, 2012
www.grangeresources.com.au/clients/grange/downloads/item141/…

[Popeye82]

Uranex - Songea Coal Project Assays +Target Update; Songea Coal Project covers a total area of 2.606km2 in the southern part of the Karoo age Ruhuhu Basin, in south-west Tanzania. The Songea Coal Project covers the
Lumecha Coalfield which has been identified from historical survey reports +interpreted to cover an area of some 250 -300km2 . An 8 hole program that was completed for the ´11 field season, included 7 RC holes +1 Diamond hole, resulted in a "potentially significant new coal discovery"; Significantly, a recent US$3.000.000.000 agreement between the Tanzania Government +China’s Sichuan Hongda will see the development +mining of the adjacent Mchuchuma Coalfield, coalfields are nearby to a planned infrastructure build project including rail, road, power +port for domestic +export markets - Feb 16, 2012

+ Diamond core samples from the Lumecha Coalfield, within our 100% owned Songea Coal Project in Southern Tanzania, have arrived @a dedicated coal laboratory in Newcastle, Australia, with results expected in late February ´12.

+ A density geophysical tool is being mobilised to the Lumecha Coalfield to probe 4 RC holes +one Diamond hole drilled over the 37km2 area of interest, to confirm coal seam interval +to provide a basis for a conceptual exploration target.

+ Regional coal targeting desktop review has commenced incorporating the new drilling data +available regional geology, geophysical +remotely sensed data sets, to identify additional coal targets outside the Lumecha Coalfield ...
www.uranex.com.au/Portals/9/asx2012%28pdf%29/12-02-16%20Song…

[Popeye82]

Blackline GPS - Forges Relationship with New Canadian B2B Distributor; J. Walters: "It has been quite some time since we have seen this level of innovation towards integration of existing technologies to provide improved solutions to existing problems . We have entered into this relationship with Blackline because of their insight, integrity +level of commitment as a whole, both to the customer +to Procon. This agreement allows us to closely integrate Procon with Blackline to the benefit of the Canadian marketplace"; G. Rude: "Procon's respected sales team provides national coverage, with an efficient reach, to a broad base of industrial customers. Their customers are ideal candidates for our worker safety monitoring solutions, providing instant, critical safety awareness to personnel when a worker safety incident occurs" - Feb 16, 2012
www.marketwire.com/press-release/blackline-forges-relationsh…

[Popeye82]

Alderon Iron Ore - Continues to Receive Positive Drill Results; drills "up to" 315.0m @30.5% Fe, Ex True width; Resource Upgrade expected in Q3 ´12, in Preparation for Feasibility Study - Feb 16, 2012
www.marketwire.com/press-release/alderon-continues-receive-p…
www.alderonironore.com/projects/kami/

[Popeye82]

Energizer Resources - Intersects 118.6 m of Graphite in Drill Core Grading 6.24% C, +106 m @7.11% C, in Trench Sampling; Energizer’s ´11 PhaseI +PhaseII exploration programs were designed to delineate new graphitic trends in southern Madagascar, +to empirically test them in preparation for a resource delineation program planned for the spring of ´12. The analytical results received to date, cover only 1/5th of surficial grab samples, 1/4 of diamond drill core +roughly 2/3ds of trench samples sent for graphitic carbon analysis, but are of a sufficient tenor for the Company to believe they validate the potential of delineating a flake graphite camp in southern Madagascar; After all graphite analyses are received, Company geoscientists will determine which of the 17 graphitic zones identified on the Green Giant +JV properties warrant further drilling in the spring of ´12, with the intention of delineating a NI 43-101 compliant indicated graphite resource by Q3. In order to facilitate an accelerated exploration timeline, the Company has submitted samples to multiple laboratories for metallurgical analysis, +will endeavour to expedite the metallurgical process throughout its exploration programs - Feb 16, 2012

Green Giant Property

+ Drill core intersection of 6.24% C over 118.6 metres

+ Empirical confirmation that graphite mineralization extends to surface through trenching

+ Trench assay results ranging as high as 19.06% C, with intersections up to 7.11% over 106 metres


JV Property

+ Identification of shear hosted disseminated to massive graphite mineralization >330 metres in length, +open along strike

+ Grab sample assays to 71.94% C

+ Identification of graphite flakes to 6 mm through mineralogic analysis ...
www.energizerresources.com/component/content/article/150-201…
www.energizerresources.com/images/stories/properties/egz_pre…

[Popeye82]

Salazar Resources - Extends El Demo Deposit 100m East +Intercepts 10.3m of 6.02% Cu, 0.862g/t Au, 17.32g/t Ag, 0.04% Pb +0.42% Zn - Feb 3, 2012
http://finance.yahoo.com/news/Salazar-Extends-El-Demo-ccn-10…
http://media3.marketwire.com/docs/s27m2.pdf

[Popeye82]

Chariot Oil &Gas - Completion of Seismic in Central Blocks; completed the 3.500km² 3D seismic acquisition programme across its Central Blocks(2312 A +B +Northern halves of 2412 A +B) offshore Namibia. The operation, carried out in conjunction with Petroleum Geo-Services("PGS"), was acquired by the Ramform Viking using the latest GeoStreamer™ technology, The survey targeted an area in the north east section of the licence that contains 11 leads with a combined prospective resource potential of 3.972.000.000 barrels of oil. Processing +interpretation of the data collected has commenced +we look forward to being able to report the results in the 2nd half of this year; Paul Welch: "This 3D seismic survey is the largest undertaken by Chariot to date +, due to the Geostreamer™ technology, has provided excellent quality data despite difficult weather conditions @times. The Central Blocks are the least mature of our portfolio +we look forward to receiving the processed information, which will enable us to identify further targets to include in our long term drilling campaign" - Feb 8, 2012
www.iii.co.uk/investment/detail?code=cotn:CHAR.L&display=new…

[Popeye82]

New Millennium Iron - Updates on the Progress of Its Direct Shipping Ore Project +TSMC's Plan to Start Production by the End of ´12 - Feb 8, 2012
www.marketwire.com/press-release/new-millennium-updates-on-p…



New Millennium Iron Corp. Announces Start of ´12 Drilling Program, @Its Perault Lake +Howells Lake Properties; Dean Journeaux: "We are excited to follow up on our demonstration last year of the potential for a 90 km long mineralized zone spanning from KéMag to Perault Lake. We already believe we are Canada's largest holder of NI 43-101 compliant iron ore resources +we now have the opportunity to expand our resource base to perhaps become one of the largest holders in the world . In addition to advancing our existing projects to production we are aggressively working to fully realize the strategic potential of our vast mineralized holdings. Given the favourable global iron ore conditions, particularly the continuing booming demand from Asia, we want to be in a position to consider development of another large taconite project" - Feb 16, 2012
www.marketwire.com/press-release/new-millennium-iron-corp-an…

[Popeye82]

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

[Popeye82]

Venture Minerals - MOU`s signed for Direct Shipping Ore Off-Take; Following last year’s successful maiden resource +scoping study @the Livingstone DSO Project +the recent signing of an MOU with TasRail, the Company has now completed a major step in the process towards securing off-take following the signing of MOU’s with several major commodity trading houses. The non-binding MOU’s are the result of months of discussion with interested parties following the Company’s successful DSO discovery in August last year; Hamish Halliday: "We are very pleased with the quality of potential partners that our DSO Project has attracted. Livingstone is of particular interest to buyers because of the quality of ore +the ease with which it can be brought into production due to the exceptional infrastructure surrounding our project. The agreements see Venture achieve another very important milestone as we seek to fast track the Company to production"; In addition to our DSO Project the Company is on schedule to complete the Bankable Feasibility Study on Venture’s flagship Mt Lindsay Tin/Tungsten Deposit in the 1st 1/2 of this year - Feb 15, 2012

+ Venture’s DSO Project has attracted the interest of tier one commodity traders +vertically integrated iron ore companies.

+ Interest from multiple parties validates the quality of product from the Company’s DSO Project.

+ Execution of the MOU’s sees Venture maintain its fast track to production. ...
www.ventureminerals.com.au/documents/VMS0273DSOProjectfasttr…

[Popeye82]

Small Cap Overview &2012 Watchlist - Canaccord - Dec 21, 2012

+ We provide an overview of the small cap mining sector +our year-end list of exploration/development/mining companies "that we believe could provide aboveaverage speculative potential in ´12" .

+ It’s difficult to keep a positive demeanour in a junior mining market that has performed so poorly over the last year. While we expected periods of market volatility in ´11, the unrelenting, high risk aversion led to few opportunities in the sector. While we remain cautious in our outlook for ´12, our experience tells us a contrarian approach to investing in junior mining can offer investors the best opportunities for upside potential in the current market. We continue to stress that risk-tolerant investors should consider accumulating equity positions during corrective market phases(now) +take profits in upturn rallies.

+ While macro economic/political issues in Europe, the US, +China are key to market stability or instability moving forward, we remain cautiously optimistic given the underlying conditions important to the mining sector. Low interest rates, above-average metal prices, well funded junior programs, +M&A potential driven by balance sheet strength of the major mining companies are positive underlying factors supporting the junior mining sector. A shift in market sentiment should open the opportunity for a junior mining rebound.

+ Companies on our ´12 Watch List have been selected based on a wide variety of criteria, including capable company management, ´12 work programs, project potential, +leverage to metal price movement(ideally, upward leverage ). Our primary goal is to identify companies that offer above-average opportunity based on successful project advancement/development potential in ´12. Although our list considers balance sheet strength in these difficult times, our primary focus is to identify companies that provide above-average opportunity "should the junior sector find life in ´12".

+ The Junior Mining Weekly will resume publication the week of 09 January ´12.



Content

´11 Overview, ´12 outlook

- Key Junior mining sector drivers


Research universe

+ 2011 Watch List performance
+ 2012 Watch List company profiles

- Abzu Gold Ltd.
- Armistice Resources Corp.
- Balmoral Resources Ltd.
- Castle Peak Mining Ltd.
- CB Gold Inc.
- Chalice Gold Mines Ltd.
- Columbus Gold Corp.
- CuOro Resources Corp.
- Duran Ventures Inc.
- Esperanza Resources
- Ethos Capital Corp.
- Freegold Ventures Ltd.
- Global Minerals Ltd.
- Happy Creek Minerals Ltd.
- Marathon Gold Corp.
- Pachamama Resources Inc.
- Panoro Minerals Ltd.
- Pilot Gold Inc.
- PNG Gold Corp.
- Rugby Mining Ltd.
- Tembo Gold Corp.
- Tigray Resources Inc.


APPENDIX

Gold in situ
Silver in situ
Copper in situ
Uranium in situ

Ink Research

Junior Mining Weekly Index previous 12 months ...
www.castlepeakmining.com/i/pdf/Jr-Mining-Weekly_12212011_201…

[Popeye82]

E-Zigarette in Gesicht explodiert ; Mann verliert alle Zähne +einen Teil seiner Zunge - DF/AS - Feb 16, 2012
http://web.de/magazine/gesundheit/krankheiten/14760732-e-zig…

[Popeye82]

Neptune Technologies &Bioresources - Premium Krill Oil, NKO® Enters the Mass Market with Jamieson Laboratories, the Largest Brand in Canada; Jillian Mariani: "‘We are thrilled to introduce Jamieson Omega-3 Super Krill to the market. In accordance with the Jamieson brand, our Krill product contains 100% Neptune Krill Oil(NKO®), the only clinically proven krill oil with recognised Health Canada claims +specific health benefits. We are extremely confident that this new Jamieson product will benefit Canadian consumers who need to improve their cholesterol profile or alleviate a joint pain condition. We have been watching krill as an ingredient for several years, +are bringing it to market @the right time +with the right partner", Michel Chartrand: "This is a major achievement for Neptune; Jamieson is the number one distributor in Canada with an overwhelming presence in the Canadian mass-market. This new partnership represents a significant milestone in Neptune global growth strategy", Frank Lucchetta: "After reviewing various options offered to us from competitive brands it was clear that Neptune Krill Oil was a superior product , surpassing others in all our judging criteria, making it easier to add NKO® to the Jamieson product portfolio" - Feb 15, 2012
www.neptunebiotech.com/corporate/press-releases/370-neptune-…

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Excelsior Mining - Welcomes Two Leading Arizona Citizens to Board of Directors; Mr. Kolbe is a veteran Republican member of the US House of Representatives for Arizona's 8th congressional district, having retired after serving 11 terms from ´85 to ´07. Excelsior's Gunnison Copper Project is located in Arizona's 8th congressional district. During his tenure as congressman, Mr. Kolbe served as chair of the Subcommittee on Foreign Operations, Export Financing +Related Programs of the House Appropriations Committee. He was also instrumental in the drafting +passage of the North American Free Trade Agreement(NAFTA) . After retiring from office, President Barack Obama appointed Mr. Kolbe to the Advisory Committee for Trade Policy +Negotiations in September of ´10. Currently Mr. Kolbe is a fellow @the German Marshall Fund, as well as a consultant for McLarty Associates, a strategic advisory +advocacy firm, offering high-level strategic consultancy services to a broad spectrum to U.S. +multinational companies; Mr. Lynn recently retired from his position as Vice President +Chief Customer Officer @both UniSource Energy Corporation +Tucson Electric Power Company(TEP). Mr. Lynn joined UniSource Energy +TEP in ´00. Prior to that, he spent sixteen years as CEO +owner-partner @Nordensson Lynn & Associates, Inc., one of Arizona's leading marketing +communications firms based in Tucson. Active in his community, Mr. Lynn currently serves as Chairman of the Arizona Early Childhood Development +Health Board, as well as Chairman of the University of Arizona College of Social +Behavioral Sciences Advisory Board; M. Morabito: "I am extremely pleased to be able to welcome two long-time Arizona residents of the calibre of Jim +Steve to the Excelsior board. The breadth of their combined experience, spanning both government +the private sector, will be invaluable as we work to advance the Gunnison Copper Project to production" - Feb 16, 2012
www.marketwire.com/press-release/excelsior-welcomes-two-lead…

[Popeye82]

IC Potash - Appoints Senior Vice President of Business Development, responsibilities @the Company will include strategic planning, formulating +negotiating joint-venture +Sulphate of Potash Distribution agreements, establishing +negotiating commercial relationships +coordinating with regulators +other stakeholder groups - Feb 16, 2012
http://finance.yahoo.com/news/IC-Potash-Appoints-Senior-cnw-…

[Popeye82]

Christian Wulff tritt zurück, Gestern hatte die Staatsanwaltschaft Hannover die Aufhebung von Wulffs Immunität beim Bundestag beantragt, um strafrechtliche Ermittlungen einleiten zu können. Es wäre das 1ste Mal gewesen, dass gegen einen Bundespräsidenten ermittelt wird. Mit seinem Rücktritt kommt Wulff einer Entscheidung des Bundestags zuvor; Nach Horst Köhler ist Wulff das 2te Staatsoberhaupt, das innerhalb von <als zwei Jahren sein Amt niederlegt - W/SAL/TAB - Feb 17, 2012
http://web.de/magazine/nachrichten/deutschland/14767600-bund…

[Popeye82]

Zecotek Photonics - Presents 3D Display Technology to Sony Delegation, @Canadian Technology Showcase; Technology Showcase was organized by Foreign Affairs +International Trade Canada to highlight Canadian technologies for visiting senior executives from Sony Corp. of Japan - Feb 15, 2012
http://ca.finance.yahoo.com/news/zecotek-presents-3d-display…

[Popeye82]

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

[Popeye82]

Mining Insight, Indaba Special ´12 - EIR - Feb 3, 2012

- Welcome to our special Indaba edition of Edison Insight, with profiles on our mining companies +a sector focus piece by Charles Gibson.

In the last year, our mining coverage has increased dramatically . The team is led by Charles Gibson, who is supported by a team of seven other analysts. Today the team covers 66 companies, 62 of which are corporate clients of Edison. Our clients range from well-established FTSE 100 companies to junior explorers on AIM. Our approach is global +we write on companies on several different exchanges, including the TSX, ASX +JSE. Over the last year our research has been read by >3.500 unique institutional investors.

Edison Investment Research is a leading international investment research company. It has won industry recognition, with awards both in Europe +internationally. The team of 80 includes >50 analysts supported by a department of supervisory analysts, editors +assistants. Edison writes on >350 companies across every sector +works directly with corporates, fund managers, investment banks, brokers +other advisers. Edison’s research is read by institutional investors, alternative funds +wealth managers in >100 countries. Edison, founded in ´03, has offices in London +Sydney +is authorised +regulated by the Financial Services Authority.

We welcome any comments/suggestions our readers may have.

Neil Shah
Director of Research


Sector focus: Mining

"Interesting" times

No sooner had ´12 begun than it started to exhibit all of the characteristics that are likely to drive metals +mining equities’ markets this year. Almost immediately, concerns were raised about the health +creditworthiness of the European economy as leaders prepared for yet another summit to ‘save’ the euro. @the same time, glimmers of light were visible from the US economy but, as always, markets were looking fretfully @China for any signs that the engine of global growth may be misfiring .

Worryingly, the most recent leading indicator for China +the United States continues to imply a slowdown in economic activity around long-term trends, albeit with only marginal declines compared to recently. In Brazil, France, Germany, India, Italy, the UK +the euro area, by contrast, the leading indicators continue to point strongly to economic activity falling below the long-term trend.

In all, we see six major factors +forces that we believe will affect markets in ´12. On the upside are the prospects for money printing in Europe +additional potential quantitative easing in the US; the continuation of a negative real interest rate environment in the US; +inflationary concerns. On the downside are concerns that China will falter; that the European periphery will enter a deflationary spiral; +that a debt overhang will continue to exert downward pressure on developed nations’ economies. These considerations may be seen as economics as usual; however, @least recently, four additional jokers in the pack may be: Iranian sabre rattling in the Straits of Hormuz; a US presidential election; an unresolved Arab spring(especially in Syria); +the smoothness of the succession in North Korea. Add the potential for an unexpected climactic(eg, El Niño) or financial(eg, a major financial sector bankruptcy) event +investors could be forgiven for thinking that perhaps the Mayans knew something that we don’t .

So, how should investors position themselves? Unless these global issues are resolved, industrial metals +commodities appear vulnerable. That is not to say they will go down, but they are vulnerable to any slowdown in global GDP. The same is true of precious metals, but where industrial metals are uniquely exposed to world industrial output, precious metals continue to offer an insurance policy against the prospect of either a political or an economic disaster. Should it not come about, then few would resent a refundable insurance premium. If the worst happens in either domain, then a well-judged investment could prove to be worth its weight in, well……gold.



Companies mentioned

Zanaga Iron Ore Company, South American Silver Corp, Minera IRL, Aureus Mining, Frontline Gold, Yukon-Nevada Gold, Afferro Mining, Central Asia Metals, Universal Coal, Caledonia Mining, Regency Mines, Wits Gold, Cluff Gold, Gunson Resources, African Barrick Gold, Gemfields, Avnel Gold Mining, Pan African Resources, Amur Minerals Corporation, Continental Coal, Sumatra Copper & Gold, African Eagle Resources, Kopy Goldfields, Bellzone Mining, Arian Silver, Alkane Resources, Baobab Resources, Ariana Resources, Allied Gold Mining, Sirius Minerals, Goldplat, Red Rock Resources, Bezant Resources, All Star Minerals, Anglesey Mining, Aurizon Mines, Eastern Platinum, Gold One, Petropavlovsk, Ferrexpo, Coal of Africa, Aquarius Platinum, Oracle Coalfields, Nkwe Platinum, Hambledon Mining, MDM Engineering Group, EMED Mining ...-
www.edisoninvestmentresearch.co.uk/research/sector-commentar…

[Popeye82]

ONE OFF THE WOOD: The Roadhouse was paid a visit this week by Resource Channel director +Human Resources guru Jody Elliott to tell us the latest regarding her resources employment foucused website - RR - Feb 15, 2012
www.resourcesroadhouse.com.au/_blog/Resources_Roadhouse/post…

[Popeye82]

Africa still offers investment opportunity Deloitte; While the African continent was still offering exploration +merger +acquisition opportunities for resources investors, the lack of infrastructure +skills, as well as the price volatility in the market were providing obstacles to investment, advisory firm Deloitte said on Thursday. Reporting on an Insomnia Index undertaken @this year’s Investing in African Mining Indaba, in Cape Town, Deloitte noted that resource investors still felt that Africa presented a huge opportunity for mines, with exploration topping the opportunities lists - MW, PERTH - Feb 16, 2012

- E. Swanepoel -
www.miningweekly.com/article/africa-still-offers-investment-…

[Popeye82]

Australian exploration spend up 32%, iron-ore makes up lion’s share - MW, PERTH - Feb 17, 2012

- E. Swanepoel -
www.miningweekly.com/article/australian-exploration-spend-up…
www.ga.gov.au/image_cache/GA20390.pdf

"Exploration expenditure in mineral-rich Australia rose 32% to A$2.950.000.000 in ´10/´11 , with iron-ore exploration accounting for most of the spend, data showed this week.


Some A$655.000.000 was spent on exploring for iron-ore, one of Australia’s largest minerals earners, in the year ended June –an increase of some 27%.

Companies bumped up exploration spend for coal by 62% to A$520.000.000 in the world’s leading coal-exporting country, data from Geosciences Australia has shown.

Some A$652.000.000 – 13% more than the previous year – was spent on searching for gold.

Expenditure on base metals exploration, such as copper rose 60% to A$323.000.000, while nickel +cobalt exploration spend increased by 33% to A$271.000.000. Lead, zinc +silver exploration was up by 46% to A$76.000.000.

Uranium exploration expenditure increased 27% to A$214.000.000 in the year.

However, less was spent searching for diamonds, with expenditure falling 14% to A$9.000.000. Mineral sands exploration decreased by 8% to A$26.000.000.

Geosciences Australia reported that an increase in exploration spend was seen across all states +territories, except Victoria, which recorded a reduction of some 31%, down to A$58.000.000 over ´10/´11.

Iron-ore-rich Western Australia’s exploration spend increased by 28% to A$1.590.000.000, while exploration expenditure in coal-rich Queensland increased 52% to A$664.000.000.

South Australian exploration spend was up by 52% to A$225.000.000, the Northern Territory was up by 31% to A$195.000.000, New South Wales increased by 17% to A$153.000.000 +Tasmanian exploration jumped some 80%, to A$37.000.000.

Data also suggested that exploration spending increases were recorded over both near-mine +greenfield areas, with brownfield exploration up by 39% to A$1.910.000.000, +greenfield exploration rising by 22%, to A$1.030.000.000. "

[Popeye82]

Mesa Exploration - Files NI 43-101 Technical Report on the Bounty Potash Project; In the report Mr. Durgin stated: "From his review of the available data, it is apparent to the author that there is a substantial potash resource present @the Bounty Project. As shown by the drilling, sampling +mapping done by Quintana Petroleum, the US Geological Survey +the Utah Department of Natural Resources in the area, the geologic +hydrologic setting is directly analogous to that @the Intrepid Potash operation in the Bonneville Salt Flats 25 miles to the south. The size of the drainage basin is somewhat smaller, but dissolved solid(KCl, NaCl, MgCl2) contents of the brine are quite similar. The completion of the drilling program, both confirming the Nackowski results +closing the drillhole spacing, should lead Mesa to the point where a new resource estimation can be completed in a NI-43-101 compliant manner. Assuming positive results, this will lead to preliminary engineering studies for the design of a system of drainage ditches, evaporation ponds +processing facilities"; project is 15 air miles north of Intrepid Potash's Wendover operation, a potash mine which is chemically +physically analogous to the deposit @the Bounty project. The Wendover mine has been in production for 75 years utilizing a system of potash brine collection ditches +solar evaporation ponds, with potash +salt being processed in a simple flotation mill. The Wendover mine has annual production of 100.000 tons of potash +200.000 tons of magnesium chloride, grossing ~$60.000.000/year; Positive Features of Surface Potash Brine Operations are: Low capital expenditure, Low operating costs, Inexpensive to explore, Simple milling process, Simple permitting, Long mine life, The Bounty project consists of 90 square miles of potash prospecting permit applications from the Bureau of Land Management(BLM) +14 square miles of Potash Leases from the State of Utah; report recommended an exploration program of @least forty auger holes to be drilled to the base of the shallow aquifer. Drilling will infill +verify the historic sampling +map brine aquifer depth, thickness, lithology +potash content. Additionally a minimum of four reverse circulation drill holes will be drilled to 500 feet to test for deeper brine aquifers typically found in the region. The budget for this program is $118.000 +Mesa is currently working on securing drill permits - Feb 16, 2012
www.marketwire.com/press-release/mesa-exploration-files-ni-4…

[Popeye82]

Blackgold International Holdings - Updated JORC Code Compliant Resources +Reserves - Feb 7, 2012

+ Combined JORC Code Compliant Probable Reserves of 46.200.000 t +Proven Reserves of 79.400.000 t for a total of 125.600.000 t.

+ Combined JORC Code Compliant Inferred Resources of 41.900.000 t ...
http://stocknessmonster.com/news-item?S=BGG&E=ASX&N=577276


Blackgold acquires logistics business - Feb 15, 2012

+ Blackgold acquires a barge transport business operating along the Yangtze River, China

+ Fleet consists of 9 hollow hull barges transporting predominately coal, iron ore +sand

+ Purchase price of RMB 155.000.000 less certain deductions, payable in instalments by the later of 31 December ´12 +7 days after determining the deductions

+ integrated business model will allow Blackgold to reduce its cost of sales +enhance its profit margin, +also meet its customers’ demand in a timely +cost-efficient manner by providing a whole supply chain solution

+ "Independent expert considers the acquisition fair +reasonable" ...
http://stocknessmonster.com/news-item?S=BGG&E=ASX&N=578097

[Popeye82]

Coalworks - 743.000.000 t Maiden JORC Inferred Coal Resource, @Ferndale - Feb 17, 2012

+ Resource underscores Coalworks’ confidence in Ferndale as a high quality, strategic project

+ 443.000.000 tonnes Inferred JORC(´04) Resource identified within the Newcastle Coal Measures @depths amenable to open cut mining

+ 300.000.000 tonnes Inferred JORC(´04) Resource identified within the Wittingham Coal Measures with Underground Mining potential.

+ Based on completion +interpretation of 40 exploration drill holes during StagesI -III of drilling

+ Announcement continues strong progress made by Coalworks in its strategy to build an independent Australian coal producer ...
http://stocknessmonster.com/news-item?S=CWK&E=ASX&N=667300

[Popeye82]

PLUS Review, Half-yearly review - EIR - Feb 17, 2012

- Welcome to the latest edition of the PLUS review. Working in partnership with the PLUS Stock Exchange(PLUS-SX), this review enhances the visibility of PLUS growth companies +is published every six months. Our analysts have assessed the 50 companies profiled in this review, aiming to provide investors with a snapshot of each company’s activities, strategy +trends within the industries they operate in. Our analysts have relied on consensus earnings estimates, where available, but have reflected feedback received by companies on historic +forecast numbers. All Star Minerals, Oracle Coalfields +Quercus are under full Edison coverage +the forecasts
are those of the analyst.

More information about PLUS-SX +the companies on the exchange can be found on its website, www.plussx.com.

We welcome any comments/suggestions our readers may have. If you have any questions or queries, please contact us on [phone] or via [e-mail].

Neil Shah
Director of Research
Edison Investment Research



Now into its 3rd year, the PLUS review forms a cornerstone of our ongoing commitment to raise the visibility +profile of our PLUS growth companies. We are delighted to be working with Edison Investment Research on this review dedicated to companies on the PLUS Stock Exchange.

I would welcome the opportunity to speak to you regarding the PLUS Stock Exchange +the companies on our market. If you have any questions or you wish to know more about PLUS, please contact me on [phone] or email [e-mail].

Vivienne Cassley
PLUS Markets Group



Companies mentioned

Ace Liberty & Stone plc, Adnams plc, AH Medical Properties plc, Anturion Ltd, ANS Group Plc, Arrowpoint Technologies plc, Arsenal Holdings plc, Aspartus Resources plc, Ascot Mining plc, Bioventix plc, Captive Audience Display Solutions plc, Chapel Down Group plc, Chemistry Communications Group plc, Cretan Group plc, Datum International Ltd, DHAIS plc, dotDigital Group plc, Eden Research plc, Essenden plc, Evergreen Oil plc, Ezybonds (UK) plc, FreshTL plc, Good Energy Group plc, Green Chemicals plc, GSC Property Holdings plc, HR GO plc, Hydro Hotel, IMC Exploration Group plc, Eastbourne, plc, Keycom plc, Metroelectric plc, MiLOC Group Ltd, Newbury Racecourse plc, Oracle Coalfields plc, Pegasus Helicopter Group plc, Phoenician Corporation IV Ltd, Phoenician Corporation IV Ltd, Pulse Group plc, Quercus Publishing plc, RAK Real Estate Ltd, Rangers Football Club plc, Sansui Holding Ltd, Sansui Holding Ltd, Shepherd Neame Ltd, Shoprite Group plc, Silver Mines Ltd, Sovereign Mines of Africa Plc, Sprue Aegis plc, Sunrise Biotech Holding Ltd, Teknomining plc, Thwaites (Daniel) plc, U.S. Oil and Gas plc, Wessex Exploration plc, Western Selection plc, Woodspeen Training plc, Zeta Compliance Group plc ...-
www.edisoninvestmentresearch.co.uk/research/sector/research

[Popeye82]

Madagascar Oil - Significant Upgrade to Tsimiroro Resources: Netherland, Sewell & Associates Inc.(NSAI) has revised its resource estimate in respect of the Tsimiroro field in view of the data acquired by Madagascar Oil's 24 well drilling campaign undertaken in the 2nd half of ´10. The best estimate for Contingent Original-Oil-in-Place(OOIP) has increased from 965.000.000 barrels for the Tsimiroro field to a new Best Estimate of 1.700.000.000 barrels; In advance of the submission to the Company of the full report, which is expected in Q4 ´11, NSAI has provided an initial report of their findings. It is significant to note that the new Contingent OOIP Low Estimate exceeds the previous Best Estimate by 15%. The Best Estimate figure of 1.688.000.000 barrels represents an increase of 75% +exceeds the total of the former Contingent +Prospective cases combined; Laurie Hunter: "We are delighted to report these new resource estimates, which further demonstrate the enormous potential of Tsimiroro. What we are seeing is the new Best Estimate scenario exceeding the previous High Estimates, whilst the updated High Estimate provides an indication of just how large a prospect Tsimiroro could be. It is also worth noting that by applying the 70% steam flood recovery factor estimated by NSAI in its ´10 Competent Person's Report to the new Best Estimate Contingent OOIP volume, the recoverable Contingent Resource volume would >1.100.000.000 barrels. Therefore, not only does today's news begin to highlight the true value of our acreage, "the updated numbers firmly endorses the potential scale of the project". Having overcome the challenges experienced earlier this year with the Tsimiroro PSC +the steam flood pilot expected to achieve initial production next year, we are upbeat about the future "+our role in helping the country of Madagascar achieve its 1st commercial oil production" " - Sep 12, 2011
www.madagascaroil.com/image/project/1320849880.pdf

[Popeye82]

Aldridge Minerals - Announces $11.200.000 PP by ANT Holding Anonim, a Strategic Turkish Investor; M. Caron: "Aldridge is excited to obtain both the funding +a strategic Turkish partner. The Private Placement ensures the Company will have the resources to complete the Yenipazar feasibility study in ´12. ANT's management team has the government, banking +vendor relationships required for efficient project development in Turkey. Obtaining funding @a significant premium above the market price in tight capital markets "is a testament to the quality of the Yenipazar project +the capabilities of Aldridge's management team +exploration prospects" ", Fatih Berk: "The Yenipazar project has great potential to quickly become a significant mining operation contributing to the economic development of Turkey. The size +terms of our investment are clear indications of our commitment to work with Aldridge's management +Board to develop +enhance the Company's valuable mining properties" - Feb 8, 2012
http://finance.yahoo.com/news/Aldridge-Announces-11-2-cnw-97…



Aldridge Minerals Discovers Additional Mineralization, @Yenipazar; drills "up to" 33 metres @2.02 g/t Au, 81.1 g/t Ag, 0.78% Cu, 2.49% Pb +4.5% Zn +36 metres @1.22 g/t Au, 47.4 g/t Ag, 0.31% Cu, 1.11% Pb +1.67% Zn; In total, the nine holes(drilled @angles ranging from 50° -70°) intersected 157 metres of mineralization with a weighted average grade of 1.00 g/t Au, 38.5 g/t Ag, 0.33% Cu, 1.07% Pb +1.96% Zn, which corresponds approximately to the Yenipazar deposit average grades with the exception of zinc which is significantly higher then the mine life average zinc grade of 1.43% as reported in the Preliminary Economic Assessment(see Aldridge news release of February 3rd, ´11 on SEDAR). Average cumulative thickness/hole is 17.4 metres; holes were all located outside of the known mineralization +they all yielded mineralized intersections that will contribute to an increase in total resources @Yenipazar. These holes will be included in an updated resource estimate to be announced later this year; Dr. Martin Oczlon: "We are more than pleased to receive such results from a campaign which was not designed for exploration , but for rock mechanics. The fact that mineralization with ~deposit average grades was encountered in significant thickness in ALL of these holes shows that the Yenipazar deposit is far from being thoroughly explored +has additional potential in virtually all directions +@depth. This is corroborated by the recent discovery of further mineralized outcrops up to 1.7 kilometres north of the known orebody. The immediate area for deposit enlargement within the current pit design is the central-eastern margin where holes YPG-05 +YPD-50 indicate a strong potential to increase the Yenipazar resource" - Feb 15, 2012
http://finance.yahoo.com/news/Aldridge-Minerals-Discovers-cn…

[Popeye82]

Italy police seize $6.000.000.000.000 of fake U.S. T-bonds , The operation, co-ordinated by prosecutors from the southern Italian city of Potenza, was carried out by Italian +Swiss authorities after a year-long investigation, an Italian police source said. The fake securities, >1/3 of U.S. national debt , were seized in January from a Swiss trust company where they were held in three large trunks; The Swiss Federal Prosecutor's office said Zurich state prosecutors had worked on the investigation @the request of the Italian prosecutor. The Swiss handed over their findings in July of last year; In ´09, Italian financial police seized $742.000.000.000 of fake U.S. bearer bonds in the northern Italian town of Chiasso, near the Swiss border - FY/Reuters, POTENZA - Feb 17, 2012
http://finance.yahoo.com/news/italy-police-seize-6-trillion-…

[Popeye82]

Talon Metals - Reports the outstanding results from ´11 drilling campaign @the Trairão Iron Project, Brazil; Based on results of the outstanding drill holes for the ´11 drilling campaign, management anticipates updating the mineral resource estimate for the weathered rock mineralization, +is contemplating an initial estimate of resources in the fresh rock. The initial metallurgical test work is now continuing +the results are expected to be reported by the end of March ´12 - Feb 17, 2012
http://talonmetals.com/news/nr_2012/index.php?&content_id=20…
http://talonmetals.com/_resources/Trairao_RC_Drill_Intersect…

[Popeye82]

PBoC governor reiterates euro zone commitment - CER/Reuters - Feb 16, 2012
www.chinaeconomicreview.com/node/54949

"China's central bank governor said Wednesday that the country will continue investing in euro zone government debt and remains confident in the euro, though he called on Europeans to produce more attractive investment products for China , Reuters reported.

"We also hope that the euro zone and EU can innovate their mechanisms to offer new products that are more helpful for Sino-Europe cooperation," said Zhou Xiaochuan, the governor of the People's Bank of China. Zhou's comments largely reiterated China's established stance, including Wen Jiabao's committment to maintain China's reserves exposure, but his remarks still helped to push the euro higher in trading Wednesday. China has repeatedly emphasized its committment to the euro zone, but it made no concrete public commitments for new funding during German Chancellor Angela Merkel's visit to Beijing earlier this month. "

[Popeye82]

China's defense spending to double by ´15, says think tank - CER/WSJ - Feb 16, 2012
www.chinaeconomicreview.com/node/54948

"China’s defense spending will double by 2015, when it will make up over half the Asia-Pacific total, The Wall Street Journal reported, citing a report from IHS Jane’s, a security think tank.

China’s defense budget officially increased 12.7% to US$91.5 billion last year, but experts say the true figure may be much higher. IHS Jane’s reckons the actual amount to be around US$119.8 billion, and forecasts 18.75% annual growth until 2015. Other Asia-Pacific nations, such as Vietnam and Indonesia, are also predicted to increase military spending by more than investment, while India and Japan are more likely to focus on their ailing economies. “China’s investment will race ahead at an eye watering 18.75%, leaving Japan and India far behind,” said Paul Burton, a senior principal analyst at HIS Jane’s Defence Budgets. "

[Popeye82]

China signs $4.300.000.000 soybean deal with US - CER/BB - Feb 16, 2012
www.chinaeconomicreview.com/node/54944

"China agreed to import 8.62 million metric tons of soybean oilseed from US suppliers, a pledge valued at around US$4.3 billion, Bloomberg reported.

The deal, which was signed during a trip by Chinese Vice President Xi Jinping to the state of Iowa, includes such companies as Archer Daniels Midland (ADM.NYSE), Bunge (BG.NYSE), Cargill and CHS (CHSCP.Nasdaq). China is the world’s largest soybean consumer, purchasing 20.6 million metric tons of the crop from US suppliers last year, making up 60% of the total shipped abroad. The USDA said that China will likely increase its total purchases by 62% over the next 10 years. Agriculture is particularly important to Iowa; 17% of the state’s work force is employed in the sector, which contributes to 27% of its GDP. "

[Popeye82]

New Zealand to reconsider Chinese farm purchases - CER/WSJ - Feb 16, 2012
www.chinaeconomicreview.com/node/54947

"New Zealand's High Court ordered the government to reconsider a Chinese company's purchase of 16 farms, highlighting growing concerns over Chinese ownership of land in the agriculturally dependent nation, The Wall Street Journal reported.

The Crafar Farmers Independent Purchase Group, a group of farmers and Maori trusts that had offered $171.5 million New Zealand dollars (US$143.5 million) for the farms, sought to block the sale of the dairy and drystock farms to Shanghai Pengxin Group's Milk New Zealand Holdings unit. Pengxin won the bid after offering to invest more than NZ$200 to buy the properties and upgrade the farms. Under New Zealand law, overseas investments in farm land are contingent on government approval and permitted only if the acquisition benefits the country. New Zealanders have become increasingly worried about land sales to foreign parties as higher agricultural prices and tightening credit make it difficult for local farmers to buy land. "

[Popeye82]

Moving Towards Initial Resource Calculation, West African Iron Ore(WAI, TSXV) - WGSR - Feb 16, 2012
http://vanguardsolutions.ca/i/pdf/12-02-16%20WAI%20Winston%2…

"Recent drilling campaign finds high grade iron ore +additional highly prospective targets.

Iron ore has been getting a buzz in the media recently based on forecasted high demand from the Chinese. Junior iron ore exploration companies that can prove up compliant resources are commanding high market cap valuations. Stock investors should be looking @companies building resources in this sector which have close proximity to transportation facilities, Getting the ore to the market efficiently is key.

According to Morgan Stanley, Chinese infrastructure spending will reach $1.000.000.000.000 this year +keep growing to $1.800.000.000.000 by ´17. Currently ~60% of Chinese demand is met by imports where BHP Billiton, Rio Tinto +Xstrata are the world's top producers.

Beijing has indicated they want to secure their iron ore sources themselves by investing in mining projects like those found in West Africa where they have established some deals already. The Chinese government has stated they have a goal of being self sufficient in iron ore by ´15 . If that's true, they'll have to go on a serious buying spree to secure resources +I think WAI has a number of key advantages which the Chinese will like: A high potential property, good location to infrastructure +transportation, +a management team with roots in China.


Forécariah iron ore project

West African Iron Ore's lead play is the Forécariah iron ore project in Guinea, where the company has been actively drilling with the goal of a 43-101 resource estimate completed by the end of Q4 ´12.

The Forécariah property is a massive series of exploration permits totaling 1.468 sq. km. Historical geological data suggests four separate areas where the key elements magnetite quartzite +magnetite schist are found in thicknesses ranging from 30 to 400 meters +mineralized strike lengths of 3 to 11 kilometers. In March ´10 Sky Alliance did a 9.464 line airborne survey of a series of target zones with the largest showing a 1.500 meter width over a strike length of >16 kilometers.

SRK Consulting has been hired to provide a compliant 43-101 resource report on the project. Initially WAI management was expecting to prove up 750.000.000 tonnes in short order. Based on historical data, SRK is "theorizing" that the iron ore deposit "could be" a massive 5.000.000.000 tonnes or more spread over 10 target areas, +that the mineralization could extend to 200 meters from the surface.

Of course this conceptual target can only be proven out by drilling . To that end, last April WAI initiated a 15.000 meter PhaseI drilling program. The drilling was initially hampered by rain but by October WAI announced that they got their 1st indication of high grade mineralization @the Sambalama target where hole SAM 3 had an outstanding return of 14.2 M of 70.53% Fe. The high grade results initiated an aggressive Reverse Circulation drill program along a 9.000 meter strike @Sambalama.

In early November ´11, the results of the 1st six RC holes again showed high grade intersects with two of the holes SAMRC 001 & 008 having grades +chemistry suggesting that the ore could be shipped with minimal processing, called Direct Shipping Ore or DSO. Later in November more results showed substantial intersections of near surface +sub-surface, high-grade iron ore mineralization. Three more RC holes, SAMRC 012,013 & 018 were identified as DSO. Another hole SAMRC 011 had high grade mineralization from the surface to 120 meters grading 28% Fe.

Sambalama has turned out to be a major discovery area +the results will be incorporated into the company’s 1st 43-101 resource estimate. Sambalama is but one/ten targets identified that cover a combined 45 km strike over the Forécariah permit.

Sambalama’s proximity to a planned rail line +being just 40 km from the proposed deep sea port make its location very attractive for potential joint venture partners or outright buyers. Of course you have to have a good deposit. So far it’s looking like a fantastic deposit. Not only has the mineralization been high grade iron ore but the high grade DSO is making Forécariah’s value potentially much greater.

Just a couple of weeks ago on January 23rd WAI reported more high grade intersections +a summary of results from a new total of 19 RC holes. Mineralization has been found from the surface to as deep as 120 meters with an average mineralized interval of 46.63 meters.

As of January 23 WAI completed 2.168 M of diamond drilling +4.506 M of RC drilling on the Sambalama target with a further 1.923 M diamond drill holes on the Kalyadi target. This month 5.000 M of diamond drilling will continue on these two targets. The company’s 1st resource estimate is expected before the year end.

In other more recent news, two new exploration targets have been identified. The Wondima target was found along the northern extension of the Sambalama/Kalyadi magnetic anomaly +consists of several zones in excess of 50 square kms.

A 2nd new target is called Kantinbanga which appears to have a strike length of ~2 kms by a width of @least 500 m.


Well Located near Infrastructure

For any buyer or joint venture partner who is looking to acquire an iron ore project, especially in West Africa, a major concern is having the transportation infrastructure in place to get the ore from the mine to a port for shipping.

The Forécariah property is just 90 kms east of the capital city of Conakry +has good road access. From the map below, the property is outlined in white. Rio Tinto is currently developing a mine in Guinea with a proposed rail line which crosses over the Forécariah project. Company president Guy Duport "hypothesized" that WAI could perhaps utilize that rail line which would be a huge coup for the company. Alternatively, their close location to the shore provides the opportunity for a conveyor belt system to be used to transport the ore to a deep water port.

The Samabalama project is located just 40km from the proposed deep-sea port recently announced by the Guinean government. This means the operating costs would be lower than other projects in West Africa thus enhancing the value of the property.

Another rail line is proposed for the Bellzone Mining Kalia joint venture with China. The Chinese are fully funding the construction of the rail system and port facilities as part of their acquisition. As stated by Bellzone, this construction will be “multi-user infrastructure required to support the export of iron ore from the Kalia Mine Project +other projects that will be developed in the area.”

The majority of the 75 kms railway runs directly through WAI’s Forécariah permit. Again, a deal with the Chinese to piggy back their rail +port facilities are ideas which Duport is considering. This is where his language +Asian business presence comes into play.

As another sign of serious Chinese involvement in Guinea, the Chinese have been approached by the Guinean government to help build a 135 MW hydro power plant within the Forécariah region.


Management

The likely joint venture partner or buyer of WAI will be Chinese. This is where the expertise of WAI’s CEO, Guy Duport, comes into play. As I stated in my earlier report, “Guy is a rather unique individual having a Masters degree in European commercial law, is a member of the Society for Mining Metallurgy +Exploration in Colorado, has consulting offices in Hong Kong +Beijing where he is fluent in Chinese, +has close political ties with the leaders in Guinea . You would be hard pressed to find a more perfect man to run an up +coming iron ore company in Guinea where the ultimate buyers are likely Chinese.”

As a private investor, I’m always interested in who some of the larger institutional investors are. This is usually a sign of financing security +a confirmation for me that I’m not the only one who likes a particular deal. Some of the biggest names in exploration mining +financing also like this project . Some of the pro investors involved with this deal read like the who’s who of the exploration mining business .

Robert Friedland is an investor in this company and is also the founder, Executive Chairman and CEO of Ivanhoe Mines. Ivanhoe Mines is developing giant copper-gold +coal reserves in Mongolia. Forbes has estimated his personal fortune to be ~$2.000.000.000 which he made from various mining projects around the world which also includes the famous Diamond Fields nickel discovery @Voisey’s Bay. That was our 1st big winner back in ´95 when that penny stock took a strong run up to $130 dollars/share.

Mr. Sam Magid is another shareholder, one of the co-founders of Salman Partners in ´94, +currently the principal +controlling shareholder of Peninsula Merchant Syndications Corp., a private merchant bank.

Mining financier Frank Giustra also holds a significant position. He is the former head of Yorkton Securities +went on to create Endeavour Financial which helped create many of the success stories we have followed, the most notable being the penny stock Wheaton River which morphed into to Goldcorp.

Paul Matysek is the Chairman of WAI. Mr. Matysek always seems to be in the right place @the right time . He is a true visionary in predicting the next hot sector of the commodities market . Matysek foresaw the uranium run up, +merged Energy Metals Corporation with a major uranium producer in a deal valued @>$1.800.000.000 early in ´07. He also created one of the 1st public potash companies which we all cashed in on when his Potash One stock was bought out for $4.50/share last November. Now he’s bringing his Midas touch to WAI .


Conclusion

The speculative value of WAI shares today is 13 cents. SRK is "theorizing" that the iron ore deposit here could be a massive 2.900.000.000 to 5.100.000.000 tonnes. As investors "we are speculating that if SRK Consulting is even half right about their theoretical model then we could be sitting on a huge capital gain over the next couple of years".

Here’s an example of the upside. Champion Minerals(CHM, TSX) has drill proven 2.200.000.000 tonnes of iron ore with production slated for ´15. Their current market cap is $154.000.000 @a share price of $1.75. Going by the success that CHM has had in the market, if WAI can prove up an equal resource I estimate their share price would approach $1 given their present share structure.

It all comes down to drilling success. So far it’s looking good. There’s a lot more drilling to do before we have proof but that’s why the stock is trading @13 cents. Certainly the access to rail +the close proximity to port are big selling features for a joint venture partner. So is the high grade +Direct Shipping Ore they have found so far. Certainly the management team is top shelf.

Over the coming months, if the drilling proves WAI has an economic deposit, the possibility of a buyout by the Chinese would be realistic. Some analysts are forecasting that the Chinese will invest $25.000.000.000 over the next five years to secure their iron ore needs with most of that being spent in West Africa. Since the Chinese have already invested heavily into Guinea it makes sense that WAI would be a company they want given they continue to prove up their resources.

Canaccord Genuity of Vancouver is helping WAI identify strategic partners in China by talking with a number of iron ore producers, consumers +investment funds in China. Guy Duport stated that “The keen interest expressed by a number of potential strategic partners with which we have consulted, gives us confidence that our future financing plans are achievable without imposing an undue burden or dilution upon our balance sheet +shareholders.”

If you haven’t done so already, put WAI on your radar screen. "

[Popeye82]

Chevron’s innovation secrets ; $200.000.000.000+ oil giant Chevron works in an ultra-competitive market -where every good idea is worth it's weight in black gold. But how do you get to those good ideas? +how do you make them work in real life? That's the job of Chevron's innovation specialist, Jack Anderson, +this week he shares his proven, practical secrets exclusively on MeetTheBoss TV - MTB.TV - Feb 17, 2012
www.meettheboss.tv/Broadcast/Innovation/475/Making-Innovatio…

[Popeye82]

Kinross, Ecuador bump heads over mine investment deal; Canada’s Kinross Gold is squaring up for tough negotiations with the Ecuador government, as the company seeks to get a sweeter tax +royalties deal for the mine it hopes to build there than the one it initially agreed to in December. CEO Tye Burt told investors on a Thursday conference call that the company simply won’t go ahead with the $1.200.000.000-plus FDN project unless Quito agrees to fewer economic benefits from the operation - MW, TORONTO - Feb 16, 2012

- M. Hill -
www.miningweekly.com/article/kinross-shares-up-as-miner-pare…

[Popeye82]

Romney attacks Obama on China policy - CER/Reuters - Feb 17, 2012
www.chinaeconomicreview.com/node/54951

"US Republican presidential hopeful Mitt Romney and President Barack Obama traded barbs on China, indicating that the topic might become a central piece of the 2012 campaign, Reuters reported.

Romney, the current frontunner in the Republican presidential primary contest, said in a Wall Street Journal opinion piece that the Obama administration was “almost begging” Beijing to buy US debt, and called the current visit by Chinese Vice President Xi Jinping “empty pomp and ceremony.” Romney also accused the president of shying away from making human rights an issue in the Sino-American relationship. The Obama campaign responded by accusing Romney of flip-flopping, saying that the former governor had previously criticized the Obama administration’s enforcement of trade laws against China. The timing of the back-and-forth during Xi’s visit is unusual: “I just can’t recall there being such a targeted attack on a president’s China policy during a leader’s visit,” said Bonnie Glaser, a China expert at the Center for Strategic and International Studies. "

[Popeye82]

Hedge fund GMO warns on China real estate bubble - CER/Reuters - Feb 17, 2012
www.chinaeconomicreview.com/node/54954

"China's housing market is experiencing the "mother" of all bubbles , which will drag down everything from Australian mining firms to European luxury good makers when it pops , Reuters reported, quoting a prediction by Boston-based hedge fund Grantham, Mayo, Van Otterloo & Co. GMO, which oversees US$97.000.000.000 in assets, is betting that shares of Chinese real-estate developers, construction companies +cement products will decline, said Peter Chiappinelli, a portfolio strategist for asset allocation @the fund.

GMO is also betting against Australian mining companies, German carmaker BMW(BMW.FRA, ETR) +British luxury handbag maker Burberry Group(BRBY.LON), all of which are "very exposed" to a China slowdown, he said. Lisa Emsbo-Mattingly, the director of research in the global asset allocation division of Fidelity Asset Management, said it is "very difficult" to have an optimistic view on China because the housing price drop will affect banks as the euro zone debt crisis undermines Chinese exports. "All bubbles pop eventually ," Chiappinelli said. "

[Popeye82]

Yahoo +Alibaba negotiations break down over Taobao - CER/Reuters - Feb 17, 2012
www.chinaeconomicreview.com/node/54952

"A proposed US$17 billion asset swap between Yahoo! (YHOO.Nasdaq), Alibaba Group (listed subsidiary Alibaba.com; 1688.HKG) and Japan’s Softbank (9984.TYO) fell apart Tuesday due to disagreements about how to value Taobao, Reuters reported.

Taobao dominates the online consumer-to-consumer retail market, and has performed well over the past months. According to insiders, the unexpectedly high growth of Taobao caused Yahoo to reconsider the preliminary agreement with Alibaba it had signed in December over how to value the assets. “In the period we have been in discussion with them, Taobao has performed well,” said one source close to the situation. Other analysts reckon that the stillborn deal might have been a negotiating tactic by one of the parties involved. News of the delay caused Yahoo’s share price to tumble 4.7% on Tuesday. The framework agreement concluded by all three parties in December is complex, and could allow Yahoo to avoid paying billions of dollars in taxes after divesting its stakes in Alibaba and Yahoo Japan (owned by Softbank). "

[Popeye82]

Apple pulls iPad from unauthorized sites - CER/WSJ - Feb 17, 2012
www.chinaeconomicreview.com/node/54953

"Apple Inc(AAPL.NASDAQ) has pulled its iPad 2 tablet from the websites of some unauthorized merchants in China, including Amazon.com Inc's(AMZN.NASDAQ) Chinese site +Jingdong's 360buy.com, The Wall Street Journal reported.

People with knowledge of the matter said the removal was not related to Apple's long-running dispute over the iPad trademark in China with Shenzhen-based Proview International Holdings (0334.HKG). That conflict intensified Tuesday, when Proview announced that it had filed a request with China's customs bureau to block the import +export of iPads. Proview earlier this month filed a complaint with a Shanghai court, alleging that its earlier deal with Apple, in which it sold Apple domestic rights for the "iPad" trademark, included only some cities , not the entire China market. Proview's requests are still pending; if the court chooses to rule in favor of Proview, however, that could be a serious problem for Apple, "potentially preventing it from selling tablets it produces in China around the world ." "

[Popeye82]

China wants say in next World Bank head - CER/FT - Feb 17, 2012
www.chinaeconomicreview.com/node/54955

"China has said the next head of the World Bank should be chosen on merit, suggesting a break to the tradition of appointing an American to the post though it did not propose a specific candidate, the Financial Times reported.

Robert Zoellick announced Wednesday he would step down as president of the bank in June, the end of his five-year term. Current speculation for a successor has focused on US Secretary of State Hilary Clinton +Harvard professor +former treasury secretary Larry Summers. “China hopes that the next president of the World Bank will be selected based on the principle of merit in an open +fair competition,” said Liu Weimin, foreign ministry spokesman. Beijing took the same position last year when the International Monetary Fund, which is traditionally led by a European, was looking for a new head, through China eventually supported current chief Christine Lagarde. High-profile Chinese candidates for the bank position could include Justin Lin, chief economist @the World Bank, +Zhu Min, a deputy director @the IMF. "

[Popeye82]

Perseus posts interim profit; In its final six months as a pure exploration company, ASX- +TSX-listed Perseus Mining has reported a net profit after tax of $134.680.000 for the period ending December. Gold production for the ´12 calendar year was expected to reach between 220.000 +240.000 oz as the company started production from its Edikan gold mine, in Ghana - MW, PERTH - Feb 17, 2012

- E. Swanepol -
www.miningweekly.com/article/perseus-posts-interim-profit-20…

[Popeye82]

Vale moves to spot ore pricing, sees ship solution; Vale, the world's largest iron ore producer, said on Thursday it is selling 80% of its ore using spot prices, nearly completing a historic shift to market-based pricing for the principal raw material used in steel. The new system was prompted by Chinese steelmakers, Vale's largest client group, who wanted to benefit more quickly from falling iron ore prices. Iron ore averaged $141.80/tonne in the 4th quarter, 11% less than a year earlier +20% less than the previous quarter - MW, RIO DE JANEIRO - Feb 17, 2012
www.miningweekly.com/article/vale-moves-to-spot-ore-pricing-…

[Popeye82]

Ethiopian Potash - More Positive Drill Results on Danakil Project, Ethiopia; Company has drilled over 6.500 metres in 26 holes; the holes are located in the southwest corner of the property +along the western edge of the Basin covering an area measuring 10 kilometres by 4 kilometres; David Wahl: "Our assays continue to confirm that on the western side of our property we are drilling the shallowest +highest grade holes in the basin. The stratigraphic holes which did not intersect potash were the ones designed to define the basin edge of the mineralization, which is now clear, +gives the Company excellent guidance on the precise continuity of the system, +a strong ability to predict exactly where we will continue to find the sylvite layer. We expect to have numerous additional assays to report over the balance of the month +have ten holes left to complete the program on this side of the property. Following that we look forward to releasing a robust updated resource report based on all of the work done to date" - Feb 17, 2012
www.marketwire.com/press-release/ethiopian-potash-corp-more-…
www.ethiopianpotash.com/map2.htm

[Popeye82]

Quantum Rare Earth Developments - CEO Interviewed by GTX-TV: Development Work Continues to Advance Elk Creek Niobium Project; CEO said the next milestone for Quantum following receipt of the current metallurgical testing +updated 43-101 resource calculation will be an economic assessment report. He expressed confidence that these reports would confirm the potential of the Elk Creek Niobium deposit. These reports are part of the normal procedures necessary to establish an economically viable operation @Elk Creek, which has the potential to provide hundreds of jobs both direct +indirect, as well as a sought after domestic supply of the strategic metal niobium - Feb 17, 2012
www.marketwire.com/press-release/quantum-ceo-interviewed-gtx…
www.youtube.com/glxwire

[Popeye82]

Wall St commodity talent wars : Return of the merchants; When it comes to hiring top commodity traders, what goes around comes around. Wall Street, after years of poaching the best +brightest from specialized commodity firms, is losing the war to keep the essential traders who know how to arbitrage copper or store crude. After financial reforms sounded the death knell for the excessive use of bank money to trade markets two years ago, banks such as Goldman Sachs +Morgan Stanley had resigned themselves to watching their proprietary trading rainmakers flee to hedge funds with few limits on risk or compensation - MW/Reuters, NEW YORK - Feb 14, 2012
www.miningweekly.com/article/wall-st-commodity-talent-wars-r…

[Popeye82]

Yellowhead Mining - Updates Mineral Resource Estimate For Harper Creek Project -M +I tonnage increases 53% +Contained Copper 47% to 815.000.000 tonnes @0.29% copper +Au +Ag, containing 5.260.000.000 pounds +80.169.000 t @0.30 Cu +Au +Ag, containing 530.000.000 pounds Copper Inferred; Ian Smith: "This resource update confirms our belief that the Harper Creek deposit holds significant potential for expansion. Geophysical targets +geochemical anomalies together with outcropping sulphides indicate that the deposit remains open along strike for some 4km to the east, as well as down dip to the north +@depth. We plan to continue step out drilling to expand the existing resource +to identify new deposits within our mineral tenures. We have also observed that closing up the drill spacing yields an improvement in grade for copper, gold +silver in the Measured category over the PEA results. We believe that Harper Creek is one of the largest independent copper development projects in Canada, capable of producing a large, long-term supply of clean concentrates, with exceptional infrastructure +a favourable political climate. The planned production rate of 25.550.000 t/year milled "would currently make" Harper Creek Canada's 2nd largest open pit copper mine " - Feb 16, 2012
www.yellowheadmining.com/i/pdf/02-16-2012-NR.pdf

[Popeye82]

Strike Graphite - Acquires Wagon Graphite Project in Quebec; Property consists of three separate claim blocks totaling ~3.000 hectares situated within the vicinity(~15 km east) of Timcal's Lac des Iles Graphite Mine, 150 km northwest of Montreal. 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, The Wagon Property was originally explored by Graphicor Resources Inc.("Graphicor") in ´89 based on the results of a helicopter-borne EM survey. Ground exploration followed in ´90; Strike plans to mount an aggressive exploration campaign on the property commencing with a complete compilation of historic geologic work followed by surface mapping, prospecting, mineral testing +processing, +follow-up diamond drilling - Feb 16, 2012
http://finance.yahoo.com/news/Strike-Graphite-Corp-Acquires-…

[Popeye82]

China raises mining taxes on iron, tin, other minerals-paper - MW/REUTERS, SHANGHAI - Feb 17, 2012
www.miningweekly.com/article/china-raises-mining-taxes-on-ir…

"China has raised a resource tax on iron, tin, molybdenum, magnesium, talc, +oron in a move aimed @conserving resources +curbing pollution, an official newspaper said.


The tax rate for iron ore has been raised to 80% from 60%, while taxes for tin ore has been lifted to 12 -20 yuan/ton from 0.6-1 yuan/ton, with the specific rate depending on grade, the Shanghai Securities News reported.

The changes are effective as of February 1 this year.

In November ´11, China expanded a regional resource tax reform plan to the entire country. That reform included new taxes on rare earths, coking coal, +natural gas as well as a change in the tax on crude oil from a volume-based to sales-based levy.

Revenues from China's resource tax totalled 60.000.000.000 yuan($9.520.000.000) in ´11, up 43% over ´10, the paper reported.

A document that "appeared to be an official government announcement" of the tax changes was widely available on the Internet on Friday morning, but had not been published on the websites of State Administration of Taxation or the Ministry of Finance, the two agencies that reportedly issued it. "

[Popeye82]

Silver Bull Resources - Intersects 51.8g/t Silver Over 109.4 Meters To Further Extend The New "Centenario" Discovery @The Sierra Mojada Project, Coahuila, Mexico; Tim Barry: "We are extremely pleased with the continued positive results coming from the Centenario Zone which highlights the potential of Sierra Mojada as a large low grade silver deposit similar in style to Coeur d'Alene Mines Corporation Rochester mine. Following on from the $10.500.000 financing we completed in December ´11, we are well positioned to continue drilling out the Centenario Zone as well as the extension to the Shallow Silver Zone in the west. In addition to focusing on increasing the silver resource, our exploration program in ´12 will also focus on better defining the very significant zinc mineralization we also see @Sierra Mojada" - Jan 11, 2012
www.silverbullresources.com/i/pdf/NR/NR_12-01.pdf



Silver Bull Intersects 9.81% Zinc Over 46.4 Meters +100g/T Silver Over 43 Meters on the "Shallow Silver Zone" @the Sierra Mojada Project, Coahuila, Mexico; Currently contains a NI43-101 compliant resource @a 15g/t cutoff grade of 47.300.000 Oz of silver in the "indicated" category +13.800.000 Oz of silver in the "inferred" category. The mineralized body averages between 30m -90m thick, is up to 200m wide +has an average grade of just over 50g/t silver. Mineralization remains open in the east, west, south +northerly directions. ~60% of the current 3.2 kilometer mineralized body is @or near surface before dipping @~10 degrees to the east; The 3rd in a series of NI43-101 resource updates is anticipated to be prepared by SRK Consulting(Canada) Inc. "SRK" in Q2 of ´12. All available data up to February 28, ´12 will be given to SRK for inclusion in the report. Given the drilling results to date it is anticipated that SRK's next report will show a substantial increase in the silver resource @Sierra Mojada, as well as including a resource for the significant zinc mineralization seen on the project - Feb 1, 2012
www.silverbullresources.com/i/pdf/NR/NR01Feb12.pdf



Silver Bull Intersects 19.9% Zinc Over 10.85 Meters +144 G/T Silver Over 31 Meters On The "Shallow Silver Zone" @The Sierra Mojada Project, Coahuila, Mexico; Tim Barry: "We are "extremely pleased" with the continued positive results coming from the Shallow Silver Zone. This particular batch of drilling focuses mainly on the margins of the known ore body +confirms silver mineralization retains significant thickness @the edges +remains open in all directions. We are also highly encouraged by the thick high grade zinc intercepts we are also intercepting towards the eastern end of the Shallow Silver Zone +look forward to publishing a resource update on both the silver +zinc in the 2nd quarter of ´12" - Feb 14, 2012
www.silverbullresources.com/i/pdf/NR/20120214nr.pdf

[Popeye82]

Klondex Mines - Intersects 30.9 g/t Gold Over 4.9 meters, Including 109.3 g/t Gold Over 1.2 Meters, Extending Main Zone East @its Fire Creek Project in Nevada; Reports Final 21 Drill Holes of ´11 Surface Exploration Program; Blane Wilson: "Despite a late start on July 1st, our exploration team made substantial progress in ´11 in what was the largest-ever surface exploration program conducted by Klondex. We are very encouraged by the program’s overall results, with a combination of high-grade intercepts, new vein discoveries +gold bearing shears that warrant follow-up drilling. We are finalizing plans for our ´12 surface drilling program which is expected to >15.000 meters (49.000 feet) of drilling +will be underway in April. Our underground in-fill +definition drilling program is also making excellent headway. We hope to have initial results from this program soon. Underground drilling provides the opportunity for tighter drill spacing to better establish continuity of our mineralized zones @a much lower cost than drilling from surface. It is also more accurate +cost effective given its closer proximity to the targets. Since inception in September through January we have drilled 22 underground core holes totaling 5.430 meters(17.815 feet). We expect to >20.000 meters(65,000 feet) of underground drilling in ´12. In addition, we are making solid progress with our underground development program. To date we have completed a total advance of 594 meters(1.949 feet), including 436 meters (1.430 feet) of the main decline. This leaves us with ~300 meters(980 feet) of decline to complete before we are able to initiate our bulk sample program. We expect to begin extracting the bulk sample by the end of June. Given our strong financial position +the unprecedented level of exploration +development activity planned for Fire Creek this year, "we are very optimistic about our prospects to create greater value for Klondex shareholders" " - Feb 14, 2012
www.klondexmines.com/index.php/news/216-admin
www.klondexmines.com/images/pdf/KDX%20Merriman%202-1-12.pdf

[Popeye82]

Volta Resources - Reports New High-Grade Gold Discovery @its Kiaka Gold Project Within 700 Meters of Current 3.000.000 Ounce Plus M &I Gold Resource; Intersects 25.0m @9.22g/t Gold +19.0m @ 5.53g/t Gold; Volta Resources is currently finalizing an updated NI 43-101 Compliant Resource for Kiaka. These Kiaka South results will not be included as the program is ongoing. Consequently they will not be used in the Pre-Feasibility Study currently being finalized by WardropTetra-Tech. However they will definitely be an important component in the "ultimate Feasibility Study"; Kevin Bullock: "These are remarkable results that reveal another dimension of the growing Kiaka project. Most impressive is that these high grade results are near surface, near existing resources, +that the mineralization remains open @depth. The close proximity of this new discovery to the existing deposit means that any significant mineralization will become part of the mine planning. Kiaka already hosts a robust resource but now we have the tantalilzing potential of adding a high grade component that could have a powerful impact on the mine's economics. We are going to very aggressively explore this new discovery" - Feb 14, 2012
www.voltaresources.com/i/pdf/140212VTRPRFinal.pdf
http://stream1.newswire.ca/media/2012/02/14/20120214_C4090_D…
http://stream1.newswire.ca/media/2012/02/14/20120214_C4090_D…



Volta Resources significantly increases holdings around Kiaka, along the Markoye Fault Corridor, in permit exchange agreement with Randgold; Increases Kiaka Area Holdings by >800% -from 184km2 to 1.661km2; new Permits are all located in close proximity to Volta Resources' flagship Kiaka Gold Project, where the Company has already outlined NI 43-101 compliant resources of 90.290.000 tonnes @1.04 g/t Au for 3.018.000 ounces in the Measured +Indicated categories +38.520.000 tonnes @1.00 g/t Au for 1.260.000 ounces in the Inferred category(Please see VTR press release dated June 29, ´11). The properties share the same prospective geological characteristics , being located within or close to the Markoye Fault Corridor, which also hosts Iamgold's Essakane Mine(6.100.000 ounces), High River Gold's Taparko Mine(1.700.000 ounces) +Orezone's Bombore Project(3.500.000 ounces). The new properties straddle northeast trending Birimian greenstone belts that have been impacted by extensive shearing along the Markoye Fault; K. Bullock: "The acquisition of these new properties consolidates a very significant position for Volta Resources along one of the most prospective gold bearing structures in Burkina Faso . We are "confident that insights gained @Kiaka Central, where we have already identified a robust resource, along with the recently announced high grade intersections @Kiaka South, will enhance our chances for further exploration success". Regional exploration undertaken by Randgold has identified several targets on the ground +we have already planned follow up work to bring some of them to drill ready stage by the next field season" - Feb 15, 2012
www.voltaresources.com/i/pdf/2012-02-15_NRb.pdf
http://stream1.newswire.ca/media/2012/02/15/20120215_C4620_D…

[Popeye82]

Northern Dynasty sees consortium of majors developing Pebble as permitting approaches; The massive, +equally controversial , Pebble project in Alaska will most likely be developed by a consortium of major mining firms, a spokesperson for Northern Dynasty, the 50% owner, said this week. The TSX-listed company, which has Rio Tinto as a near-19% stake, has been keeping potential investors up to speed with its progress “so that if there is a move by any company to take over Northern Dynasty, it would be a competitive situation”, Sean Magee said in an interview - MW, TORONTO - Feb 18, 2012

- M. Hill -
www.miningweekly.com/article/northern-dynasty-sees-consortiu…

[Popeye82]

Aziana - Manantenina Bauxite Project Update - Jan 30, 2012

Soavary Permit

+ Aziana continues to rapidly advance its Manantenina Bauxite Project.

+ Exploration work has now confirmed high quality, stratiform bauxite over 13.4km2(15.6km2 tested) on our Soavary license.

+ Previously reported exploration work on our Esama license are has already confirmed the presence of widerspread high quality bauxite over an area of 4.1km2(4.7km2 tested).

+ Given that <15% of the Manantenina licese area has so far been sampled and assayed, we expect the scale of the bauxite deposit to enlarge with further work.

+ The ratio of available alumina to reactive silica(Avl Al2O3/Rx SiO2), averaging 38 so far(1433 samples assayed).

+ The Soavary bauxite grade averages 40.0% Avl Al2O3 and 2.5% Rx SiO2 , based on 1.217 samples(1.433 samples assayed) .

+ The best Soavary license intersections are:

- 10.9m @51.8% Avl Al2O3 +0.5% Rx SiO2(MTP 249)
- 9.6m @51.7% Avl Al2O3 +0.9% Rx SiO2(MTP 215)
- 10.5m @49.2% Avl Al2O3 +0.9% Rx SiO2(MTP 204)


+ Mineralogy studies @a UK laboratory confirm that Gibbsite is the predominant alumina mineral present.

+ Aziana Remains on Track to Generate a Maiden JORC Complaint Resource in Q2 of ´12.

(Assay values are based on >25% Avl Al2O3 cut off, >0.2mm bauxite grain size fraction).


General

+ Aziana Limited("Aziana" ASX: AZK) is a Madagascar focused explorer with a number of high quality prospective gold +bauxite tenements. Aziana has been active in Madagascar for 6 years. Aziana is now receiving a steady flow of results from the evaluation of it Manantenina Bauxite Project. Aziana is pleased to announce that the area of demonstrated bauxite mineralisation on its licenses is expanding as anticipated.

+ Located in southern Madagascar(Figure 1.) "we believe the Manantenina project is one of the largest undeveloped bauxite field in the Indian Ocean Region" . Aziana owns 7 exploration licenses in the Manantenina field. The Aziana licenses lie just 5 -20km inland from the Indian Ocean +have river access. >90% of the licensed area is rolling Savannah grassland. ...
http://stocknessmonster.com/news-item?S=AZK&E=ASX&N=575474

[Popeye82]

Commodity &Aisle Guide; PDAC ´12 - RI - Feb12

Content

--> by Exhibitor
--> by Commodity
--> by Aisle
--> by Investment Criteria


+ Award Winning Forecaster: BMO Chief Economist Dr. Sherry Cooper

+ Precious Metals Expert: CPM Group Founder Jeffrey Christian


Inside

+ Hot Stocks. Hot CEOs ; 17 CEOs announce plans

+ Commodity Calls; Global Gurus share insights


&maaany more ...
http://s1.instantflipbook.com/flipbooks/1529028380/files/inc…

[Popeye82]

Obama wants cheaper pennies +nickels; As long as the standing Administration supports a stronger –meaning weaker dollar, those pesky little pennies +nickels will only get more expensive to produce. Eventually, Gresham’s law will release its citizen from shackles of expensive coins +paper notes to the freedom of the great cashless society provided by credit. After that, visionary citizens +fund managers will be allowed to melt their nickel hoards @a substantial profit - CNNM, NEW YORK - Feb 15, 2012

- Chris Isidore -
http://money.cnn.com/2012/02/15/news/economy/pennies_nickels…

"The U.S. Mint is facing a problem — especially during these penny-pinching times. It turns out it costs more to make pennies and nickels than the coins are worth.

And because of that, the Obama administration this week asked Congress for permission to change the mix of metal that goes to make pennies and nickels, an expensive recipe that has remained unchanged for more than 30 years.

To be precise, it cost 2.4 cents to make one penny in 2011 and about 11.2 cents for each nickel .

Given the number of coins that the mint produces — 4.3 billion pennies and 914 million nickels last year alone, those costs add up pretty quickly: a little more than $100 million for each coin.

But even though Treasury has been studying new metals since 2010, it has yet to come up with a workable mix that would definitely be cheaper, and it has no details yet as to what metals should be used or how much it would save to do so.

Even if a cheaper metal can be used, it might not take the cost of a penny down to less than a penny.

Just the administrative cost of minting 4.3 billion pennies costs almost a half-cent per coin by itself, leaving precious little room to make a penny for less than a cent, no matter the raw material used.


Funny money? 11 local currencies

The raw material cost of the metals used in a current penny is only about 0.6 cents per coin, according to prices quoted on the London Metal Exchange, and a breakdown of a penny's composition from the mint. The mint paid 1.1 cents on average for the metal used in a penny in 2011, but that is the cost of ready-to-stamp blanks from the supplier, not raw material traded on commodity markets.

There have been times in recent years when a run-up in zinc and copper prices has taken the raw material value of a penny above one cent.

That's the case for a nickel today. Its more expensive metal mix means the raw materials in each are worth almost 6 cents per coin, based on current market prices. (States eye silver and gold currencies)

Despite popular belief, since 1982 pennies have only been copper plated, not copper through and through. Much less expensive zinc makes up 97.5% of the mass of a penny, the rest is a copper coating.

Nickels actually have much more copper in them -- 75% copper and 25% nickel, the same mix it has always had.

The mint did make steel pennies for one year -- in 1943 -- when copper was needed for the war effort. And steel might be a cheaper alternative this time. Steel is roughly one-quarter the price of zinc on the London Metal Exchange.

Treasury had already made a cost-saving move in December when it stopped making dollar coins.


Check commodity prices

With 1.4 billion surplus presidential dollar coins sitting in bank vaults waiting to be circulated, and American consumers showing little appetite to start using the coins, Treasury estimates the halt in production of the coins will save about $50 million a year.

Treasury spokesman Matt Anderson said Treasury has the authority to stop making the dollar coins on its own, but it can't change the mix of metals in pennies without permission.

As for the suggestion of some that the penny be abandoned altogether, Anderson said only "that is not a proposal we have put forward." "

[Popeye82]

Thousands of Peruvians walk 11days 870 kilometers to protest mine, has become known as The National March for Water +Life - M.com/TS; Peruvians in the northern region of Cajamarca are not giving up easily in their fight over Newmont Mining’s proposed Conga copper-gold mine, protesters say Conga will destroy the environment by transforming four high Andean lakes into reservoirs for mining operations - Feb 18, 2012

- A. Topf -
www.mining.com/2012/02/18/thousands-of-peruvians-walk-870k-t…

[Popeye82]

Mindoro Resources - Releases Pan de Azucar Exploration Target +Positive Metallurgical Results; says the exploration target @its Pan de Azucar(PDA) project has been drill-defined @between 8.000.000 +12.700.000 dry metric tonnes of 35 -40% sulphur, 0.4 -0.6% copper +0.5 to 0.7 grams/tonne gold - Feb 8, 2012
www.marketwire.com/press-release/mindoro-releases-pan-de-azu…
www.mindoro.com/i/pdf/Pan_de_Azucar-Feb-2012.pdf

[Popeye82]

ASIA Miner; Vol IX, I I - Jan/Feb12

- FEATURES

- Chinese Investment Abroad Chinese companies are increasingly investing in overseas projects in order to secure the resources needed to sustain the country’s growth. This special feature looks @a number of
resource projects that are benefiting from this investment.

- Education in Mining Education in the mining sector has been under-estimated, under-valued +underfunded for too long but it is one of the keys to the industry’s future success


LEADING DEVELOPMENTS

- Asian Intelligence The supply of power, increased paved road capacity +sourcing more reliable water have been named by the Government of Mongolia as the most pressing issues to be solved in ongoing development
of the South Gobi region

- Exploration Results of reconnaissance work by Kentor Gold over the Bashkol exploration licence area in the Kyrgyz Republic have exceeded expectations


AROUND THE REGION

- PNG Goldminex has started a drilling program @its Liamu porphyry project

- PNG Gold Anomaly has received a maiden resource estimate for its Nevera prospect

- Australia 1st ore has been processed @Hillgrove Resources’ Kanmantoo Copper Project

- Mongolia Erdene Resource Development is drilling @the Altan Nar gold project

- China Production @Eldorado Gold’s Eastern Dragon project has been delayed

- Indonesia Full production has started @Archipelago Resources’ Toka Tindung gold mine

- Thailand Coal importer +distributor Energy Earth acquires Indonesian coal mine

- Philippines Mining Group is acquiring 80% of the Comval project from Cadan Resources

- Central Asia Chaarat Gold Holdings is on track to begin production @the Tulkubash deposit

- India Astra Minerals has secured an iron ore trading licence for areas in Orissa state

- Malaysia Mission NewEnergy will build a waste material processing in East Malaysia

- Vietnam Chinese steel mills are showing strong interest in New Zealand’s iron sands

- Indonesia Olympus Pacific’s Phuoc Son mill is operating @its current daily design capacity


DEPARTMENTS

Advertisers’ Index
Calendar of Events
From the Editor
Product News
Subscription Form
Supplier News ...-
www.asiaminer.com/magazine/images/stories/pdf/TAM_JanFeb2012…

[Popeye82]

Baobab Resources plc - updated its drilling results for TETE / RUONI, located in Mozambique; B. James: "The RC results to date correlate particularly well with the Ruoni North resource block +are entirely in line with the Company's expectations. Baobab looks forward to presenting investors with the next round of drill results shortly, prior to the finalised Tenge resource during March" - Feb 16, 2012

+ The completed Tenge resource drilling programme has defined broad packages of mineralisation. Analytical results from eight reverse circulation(RC) drill holes have been returned with a further 15 drill holes currently undergoing analysis.

+ Significant drill intercepts, up to 83m in length, report an average head grade of 36% Fe with DTR concentrate grades reporting a weighted average of 59% Fe, 0.8% V2O5 +12% TiO2 @a mass recovery of 43%.

+ Coffey Mining is on schedule to complete the Tenge resource estimate by March ´12 which has the potential to add substantially to the current 324.000.000 t global inventory.

+ The project is located in the richly endowed Tete province of Mozambique. The province hosts some of the largest undeveloped coal reserves on the planet +, with estimates pointing towards the area producing up to 20% of the world's coking coal by ´15, is fast-tracking to become a mining +industrial hub of global significance . Immediately south of Baobab's tenure, +sharing the Company's licence boundaries, are c.15.000.000.000 t of coking +thermal coal resources being brought into production by two of the world's largest mining houses , Rio Tinto +Vale, along with premier steel producers, Tata Steel, Nippon Steel, Jindal Steel +Posco. Other operators in the area include AIM listed companies Beacon Hill Resources plc, Ncondezi Coal Company plc +Eurasian Natural Resources Corporation plc(ENRC) ...
www.infomine.com/index/pr/PB159064.PDF

[Popeye82]

Turbulent Year Ahead for Global Economy; In a new report, the World Bank downgrades its global growth forecast for ´12 to 2.5% +warns developing countries will be impacted - WB, WASHINGTON DC - Jan 18, 2012
http://siteresources.worldbank.org/INTPROSPECTS/Resources/33…

[Popeye82]

Can Europe "Adjust Its Growth Model"?; Report looks "@long-term growth in Europe "+identifies what needs to be done for future prosperity" " - WB - Feb12

- Indermit Gill, Martin Raiser -

- The report documents the impressive achievements of the European growth model over the last 50 years. Accounting for the stresses it is experiencing +assessing the longer-term challenges that Europe will face, the report then evaluates the six principal components of the model: Trade, Finance, Enterprise, Innovation, Labor +Government. It finds that the European growth model has been a powerful engine for economic convergence, helping developing countries in Europe catch up to their richer neighbors +become high-income economies. But recent changes in +outside Europe necessitate change. The report proposes the adjustments needed to make trade +finance work even better, to encourage enterprise +innovation in parts of Europe which have begun to lag, +address shortcomings in the functioning of labor markets +governments. The "changes proposed would restart the European convergence machine, make Europe's enterprises competitive, +help Europeans afford the highest standards of living in the world." ...-
http://web.worldbank.org/WBSITE/EXTERNAL/COUNTRIES/ECAEXT/0,…

[Popeye82]

Minotaur Exploration - Exploration Target Upgraded, for Mutooroo Magnetite Project - Feb 20, 2012

+ A new Exploration Target of 2.200.000.000 –4.200.000.000 tonnes @a Davis Tube mass recovery of 15% –18% has been estimated for the Mutooroo Magnetite Project in South Australia.

+ Concentrate with 70% Fe content produced from DTR samples.

+ This material is in addition to the Muster Dam Inferred Resource(reported November ´11) of 1.500.000.000 tonnes of magnetite @15.2% DTR. ...
http://stocknessmonster.com/news-item?S=MEP&E=ASX&N=187031

[Popeye82]

Obama increases export financing amid Chinese competition - CER/Reuters - Feb 20, 2012
www.chinaeconomicreview.com/node/54963

"US President Barack Obama pledged on Friday to increase funds available to US companies for export financing, Reuters reported.

Under the plan, the US Export-Import bank would match foreign financing subsidies that put US exporters at a disadvantage vis-a-vis foreign competitors. The White House said the US lags behind other major economies in providing export financing, including China, Brazil, Canada, Germany and India. The announcement was made as presidential hopeful Mitt Romney has attacked Obama for being weak on China, calling his policies "trade surrender." Trade with China has become a central issue in election rhetoric this week, as China's vice-president, and likely next premier, Xi Jinping ended a US visit."

[Popeye82]

China expands access for US films - CER/WSJ - Feb 20, 2012
www.chinaeconomicreview.com/node/54961

"China and the US reached an agreement Friday that would allow an additional 14 foreign movies to be shown in China each year, as long as they are played in the 3D or jumbo-sized IMAX (IMAX.NYSE) format, The Wall Street Journal reported, quoting a spokesman for the Motion Picture Association of America.

Studios whose movies play in China will also now collect roughly 25% of the box-office proceeds after costs, up from the current range of 13.5% to 17.5%, the spokesman said. In related news, DreamWorks Animation SKG (DWA.NASDAQ) announced that it struck a deal to set up a production studio in Shanghai as a joint venture with two Chinese media entities and the investment arm of the Shanghai government. The new venture, Oriental DreamWorks, will develop animated feature films, TV shows, consumer products and theme parks. It plans to release its first animated film by 2016 and two films per year by 2018. "

[Popeye82]

China cuts bank reserve rates - CER/WSJ - Feb 20, 2012
www.chinaeconomicreview.com/node/54957

"China's central bank cut the required reserve ratio, a metric which determines how much money the nation's banks must set aside, by 0.5 percentage points effective February 24, The Wall Street Journal reported.

The ratio for China's largest banks will fall to 20.5% after the reduction; smaller banks have lower, variable rates. Ma Xiaoping, an economist with HSBC, said that the move would release about RMB400 billion (US$63.5 billion) of funds into the economy. The cut may be a sign that China's financial authorities are prepared to ease monetary conditions in the event of a slowdown this year. Some analysts had predicted that a cut would not come until February's economic data was released, because the January data was distorted by the Lunar New Year holiday season. Bank of America predicted that the cut could help the country's equity markets extend their gains for a sixth consecutive week. "

[Popeye82]

Property price growth grinds to a halt in January - CER/BB - Feb 20, 2012
www.chinaeconomicreview.com/node/54958

"House prices in China in January posted their poorest results in at least a year, with none of the 70 cities surveyed by officials recording gains, Bloomberg reported.

Property prices in 47 of the cities declined, while the rest remained at their December levels. January marked the first time that none of the cities polled by the government have posted gains since Beijing changed its real estate metric in early 2011 to release prices for 70 cities, rather than a national average. Chinese officials have been clamping down on property price growth for the better part of two years through a series of restrictions on second- and third-home purchases, and higher down-payments and mortgage rates, among other measures. Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao reiterated the government's commitment to maintaining property restrictions on February 12. "The data wasn't a surprise as the government maintained its property policies, and home prices will continue to fall till at least the later half of the year," said Ting Lu, an economist at Bank of America. "

[Popeye82]

Sheffield Resources - 4.400.000.000 Tonne Maiden Resource, @McCalls HMS Project, MD said the mineral resource had "far exceeded expectations in terms of size +the contained tonnages of zircon +ilmenite"; Bruce McQuitty: "The key feature of the deposit is that it contains >40.000.000 tonnes of chloride grade ilmenite. As such it ranks as one of the largest accumulations of chloride grade ilmenite in the world. We regard McCalls as a strategic asset with potential to deliver a consistent long term supply of feedstock for chloride route or synthetic rutile processing. This sizable maiden Resource @McCalls, together with our large-scale zircon-rich Dampier project +a growing(HMS) resource base @Eneabba, firmly positions Sheffield as a fast-emerging +significant Australian mineral sands company" - Feb 20, 2012

+ Maiden Inferred Mineral Resource of 4.400.000.000 tonnes @1.2% heavy mineral

+ Mineral assemblage comprises 43.000.000 tonnes of high-TiO2 ilmenite +3.500.000 t of zircon

+ Potential for consistent, long-term supply of chloride-grade ilmenite to the pigment industry

+ Scoping study commenced, further drilling planned for Q2 ´12 ...
www.sheffieldresources.com.au/pdf/1202_20_4.4billiontonnemai…

[Popeye82]

Avanco Resources - Major Acquisition to Double Copper Gold Resources - Feb 20, 2012

+ On completion of the transaction2 Avanco’s Global Carajas Mineral Resource will double3 to:

32.540.000 t @1.23% Copper +0.37g/t Gold for 401.000t of contained Copper +389.000oz of Gold


+ The above includes a maiden JORC Mineral Resource4 for the Pedra Branca Deposit of:

14.770.000 t @1.30% Copper, 0.46g/t Gold +0.98g/t Silver for 192.000t of contained Copper, 218.000oz of Gold +465.000oz of Silver


+ Significant potential exists to increase the size of Pedra Branca as it remains open in all directions, drilling will start immediately2.

+ Pedra Branca is located south of the Company’s existing Rio Verde Copper Project offering potential synergies +economies for future mine developments.

+ acquisition comprises a ~172.000ha portfolio of twenty-eight exploration licenses +applications5 including the Pedra Branca Deposit6.

+ The portfolio is situated ~15km south of Vale(SA)’s giant Sossego Copper-Gold Mine(recently reported as hosting ~340.000.000 t @1% Copper +0.34g/t Gold). The land package is mostly contiguous farmland with good access +no environmental limitations. The area benefits from excellent infrastructure within a district experiencing substantial investment from Vale’s development of “Serra Sul”, soon to become one of the world’s largest iron ore mines7.

+ In consideration for the acquisition, Xstrata Copper will acquire a 15% interest in Avanco +become the Company’s largest shareholder +cornerstone investor. ...
www.avancoresources.com/pdfs/MajorAcquisitionToDoubleCopperG…

[Popeye82]

Zitat von Popeye82: Blackwood Corporation - announces Maiden 2.100.000.000 to 3.200.000.000 Tonnes Thermal Coal JORC Exploration Target, @South Pentland Project - Nov 21, 2011

HL:

+ JORC Exploration Target of 2.100.000.000 –3.200.000.000 Tonnes of Thermal Coal is constrained using strict production-­‐based criteria to seams with average thickness of >2m +basal seam depth of <600m.

+ Exploration activities fast tracked –PhaseI &II exploration programs completed two months ahead of schedule. Ten(10) new drill holes drilled +two(2) new seismic lines recorded.

+ Historical data captured, coded, validated +reinterpreted –>70 historical drill holes are used in the geological model +five(5) historical seismic lines used to aid interpretation +assessment.

+ Encouraging infrastructure solutions identified for the project –Project is adjacent to existing QR rail network, +<250km to coastal ports. MOU’s executed for QR +Port of Townsville.

+ Forward work programs –next Phase of South Pentland Project development is planned +scheduled to commence in Q1 ´12 with enlarged exploration efforts to explore a number of priority projects concurrently. ...
www.stocknessmonster.com/news-item?S=BWD&E=ASX&N=567448

JORC Exploration Target, @Chinchilla Project; Todd Harrington: "the re-­‐evaluation +geological modelling of the historic +new exploration data confirmed the Chinchilla Project as a 2nd JORC Exploration Target +new Priority Project for Blackwood shareholders. A large amount of historical data on the Chinchilla Project was found when collating historical data from the adjacent Surat Projects. Work on the Dalby +Taroom Project areas is ongoing. The historical data was in various formats +sources, but once collated +reinterpreted highlighted an enlarged opportunity to Blackwood. The substantial detail that is contained in the historical data +publicly available data from adjacent mine sites has given Blackwood a huge head‐start in identifying priority exploration opportunities. Blackwood strategy is to use +understand all historical data 1st +foremost on all its assets. This information contains many millions of dollars of value, +allows new exploration to be complimentary to the resource understanding +interpretation. New exploration can be very focused +cost effective when it utilises >580 holes of historical data, recoding, re-­‐correlating +modelling from 1st principles. The result is the discovery of shallow, prospective coal opportunities. The Chinchilla Project is another exciting prospect for Blackwood, +further shows the strength of Blackwood’s diverse +large portfolio. Within the Surat +Clarence Morton Basins, Blackwood is focused on developing a number of shallow open‐cut projects. Chinchilla is the 1st announcement in this regard. Blackwood has recently applied the same strategy on the Taroom Project. Together with the results of our current drill program(due early Q2 ´12), Blackwood will make further announcements on these adjacent portfolio opportunities" - Feb 20, 2012

+ JORC Exploration Target of 190.000.000 –240.000.000 Tonnes of thermal coal -Constrained using strict production-­‐based criteria to seams with an average thickness >0.25m +basal seam depth of <150m.

+ Historical data captured, coded, validated +reinterpreted – >580 historical drill holes are used in the geological model.

+ Encouraging infrastructure solutions identified – Project is adjacent to existing QR rail network, +300km to the Port of Brisbane. MOU’s recently executed with QR +Port of Brisbane.

+ Forward work programs –Follow-­‐up +confirmation drilling scheduled to commence in Q2 ´12. ...
www.bwdcorp.com.au/site/pdfs/2012feb20_BWD_Chinchilla_ET_FIN…

[Popeye82]

Geheimpakt beim "Bachelor" - W - Feb 20, 2012
http://web.de/magazine/tv/shows/14789070-anjas-und-sissis-ge…

[Popeye82]

Zimbabwe's new fees will cripple mines –industry; Zimbabwe's new mine licence fees +resource rentals will significantly raise the cost of mining +threaten the sector's viability, with as much as 60% of mining revenues going to the government, an industry body said on Monday. The southern African country hiked pre-exploration fees for most minerals by as much as 8.000% in January, with registration charges for platinum +diamond claims going up to $2.500.000 +$5.000.000, respectively, in a move it says is meant to curb the speculative holding of mine titles - Reuters, HARARE - Feb 20, 2012
www.miningweekly.com/article/zimbabwes-new-fees-will-cripple…

[Popeye82]

Shaw River Resources - 60% Jump in Otjo Manganese Resources to 10.700.000 t; MD said the resource increase +upgrade gives the Company huge confidence in proceeding with its plans to develop a new manganese mine @Otjo, with the upgrade boosting the resource past the key 10.000.000 tonne threshold, considered to be a significant milestone in the global manganese industry; Vincent Algar: "What is even more exciting is the fact that there is outstanding potential to further grow resources, +to do so rapidly by targeting immediate extensions to the existing deposits. Further resource drilling will commence in April this year. This drilling will be designed to boost resources in the short term to ~20.000.000 tonnes +, in the longer term, to convert the Exploration Target1 of 30.000.000 -50.000.000 t. The achievement of this target would further validate the world-class potential of the Otjo Project. Our Feasibility Studies which are ongoing +are being extended to the 3rd Quarter of calendar ´12 to investigate a larger operation, suggest that Otjo has the potential to enjoy lower mining costs, as most the deposits outcrop +the open pits will be relatively shallow. Additional drilling will further expand the Project resource inventory, while also improving our understanding its potential economics, whilst focusing on near-surface opportunities within 50 metres of the surface. With our resource update now complete, we are continuing our feasibility studies focused on infrastructure, beneficiation +developing +optimising a mine plan to develop this Project in the shortest possible timeframe" - Feb 21, 2012

+ 60% increase in manganese resources to 10.700.000 t @22.2% Mn @Otjo Project, Namibia

+ Includes maiden Indicated Resources of 3.800.000 t

+ Additional Inferred Resources totalling 3.900.000 t added @four new deposits

+ Provides confidence in Shaw River’s plans to progress towards mine development @Otjo

+ The Otjo resource is already comparable to some of the larger manganese deposits found globally. The favourable logistics of Otjo, including access to road +rail infrastructure, as well as port capacity @Walvis Bay in mining friendly Namibia(FigureI), puts Shaw River in an excellent position to progress its mine development plans.

+ Feasibility Study continuing currently targeting production of up to 500.000 t/anno of final product -study deadline extended to the 3rd Quarter of calendar ´12 contemplating a larger operation

+ Company focus on resource growth across all projects

+ Resource extension drilling program @Otjo commencing April ´12 targeting 20.000.000 t. Drilling will target 7.5km of known manganese outcrop +10 geophysical targets which have no current drilling

+ Project Exploration Target1 of 35.000.000 -50.000.000 t grading 23 -27% Mn

+ Historical Otjo production demonstrates ability to produce grades of 36 -42% Mn with low contaminants ...
www.shawriver.com.au/reports/SRR2012022160JumpinOtjoManganes…

[Popeye82]

Alara Resources - Maiden JORC Resource -Khnaiguiyah Zinc Copper Project: 26.400.000 t @3.9% Zinc +0.12% Copper(4.3% Zinc Equivalent) +7.000.000 t @0.8% Copper - Feb 21, 2012
www.alararesources.com/sites/default/files/20120221%20AUQ%20…

[Popeye82]

Metallica Minerals - NORNICO-Lucknow Sc-Ni-Co Resource Upgrade; Andrew Gillies: "The latest significant upgrade of our high-grade Lucknow scandium resource "is a further boost to the prospects of Metallica as an emerging world-leader +long-term supplier of scandium", which is increasing in demand as one of the 17 rare earth elements. Scandium is one of the most valuable rare earth elements with Scandium Oxide currently selling for >US$1.500/kilogram. There has already been strong customer interest +enquiry in our project +the Company "remains confident in our potential to establish long-term customers who require scandium for high performance +high value aluminium alloys, more efficient solid oxide fuel cells(SOFC’s) +scandium-bearing metal halide lighting". We look forward to the imminent start of detailed pilot scale test work @the SGS Lakefield Oretest laboratories in Perth, with the initial focus on production of scandium oxide for evaluation by potential off-take customers +/or joint venture participants" - Feb 21, 2012

+ Metallica completes exploration phase on NORNICO project, with focus now on permitting +feasibility studies for the proposed development of the North Queensland project

+ Major increase in the Lucknow projects Indicated +Measured Scandium Resource to 7.500.000 t @156g/t Sc(previously 3.3 Mt @176 g/t Sc) using 70 g/t Sc cut-off grade(COG) –see TableI

+ Shallow Resource, mostly @or near surface <20m(35m max depth)

+ Lucknow Scandium Resource dimensions - ~1.2 km in length by 350 m average width +20 m thickness -includes a well-defined high grade Indicated +Measured Resource of 4.030.000 t @204 g/t Sc,(using 130g/t Sc COG)

+ Boosts total NORNICO scandium resource(Lucknow +Kokomo) to 16.800.000 t @130 g/t Sc(using 70g/t Sc COG) containing ~3.250t scandium oxide(Sc2O3) –see TableIV

+ Increase in the Lucknow projects Indicated +Measured Ni-Co Resource estimate to 3.200.000 t @0.57% Ni, 0.19% Co +85 g/t Sc –see TableII

+ Lucknow Ni-Co +Sc resource incorporates data from 461 RC holes, predominantly drilled on a 40 m by 40 m drill pattern totalling 10.554 m

+ Previous resource statements for Lucknow reported scandium +nickel-cobalt resource on the basis of a joint venture agreement that is no longer relevant now Metallica own 100% of the mineral rights. A simpler reporting process is now applied for future development concentration on the definition of nickel-cobalt resource, some of which still contains high scandium. As a result some resources previously stated as scandium is now reported as nickel-cobalt resource . Metallica will revise all other NORNICO resources on a similar basis in the near future ...
www.metallicaminerals.com.au/sites/default/files/NORNICO_Luc…

[Popeye82]

Gindalbie Metals - Announces Maiden Resource: 1.500.000.000 Tonnes @27.15% Fe, for Lodestone Magnetite Project - Feb 21, 2012
http://stocknessmonster.com/news-item?S=GBG&E=ASX&N=578829

[Popeye82]

Charter Pacific Corporation - Positive Outcome of 1st Pass Assessment, confirms ~2.600.000.000 tonnes Iron Target; occurrence of Banded Iron Formations(BIF), as mapped by the British Geological Survey on their 1:200.000 scaled geological maps, has been verified +Charter Pacific geologists have identified several BIF occurrences NOT previously published on these geological maps. The ground magnetic survey completed in December +January suggests that additional iron ore horizons occur beneath the surface. Both the identification of previously unknown BIF units @surface +the possible occurrence of subsurface BIF has compelled Charter Pacific to continue exploration of Permit 792; SEMS Exploration is undertaking a 2nd round of fieldwork, commenced on Monday 20 February, comprising infill geophysics over selected sites within Permit 792 +structural mapping of outcropping iron ore. The 2nd round of field work will last for two months +is expected to produce a more detailed geological map of the 792 Permit as well as identifying drill targets to more thoroughly test the iron ore potential of this permit - Feb 21, 2012
www.charpac.com.au/?page_id=994

[Popeye82]

Castle Resources - Reports Major Increase in Mineral Resource, @the Granduc Copper Project; M. Silvestre: "This impressive update clearly demonstrates that the Granduc is now a major mineralized copper resource with significant exploration upside. In <18 months of exploration we have identified 1.300.000.000 pounds of copper primarily downdip beneath the historic mine workings. What is more impressive is that the highly consistent mineralized zones remains open @depth +on strike, suggesting that as we aggressively continue to drill there exists strong potential to demonstrate the latest Granduc resource is part of a much larger copper-rich system" - Feb 21, 2012

+ Indicated Resource: 10.400.000 Tonnes Grading 1.25% Cu Containing 286.000.000 Pounds of Copper, 47.000 Ounces of Gold +3.500.000 Ounces of Silver(C$40 NSR Cut-Off)

+ Inferred Resource: 36.600.000 Tonnes Grading 1.26% Cu Containing 1.013.000.000 Pounds of Copper, 155.000 Ounces of Gold +11.400.000 Ounces of Silver(C$40 NSR Cut-Off)

+ Exploration Potential Estimated to Contain an Additional 15.000.000 to 25.000.000 Tonnes Grading Between 1.2 to 1.5% Cu(C$40 NSR Cut-Off)

+ When compared to the ´10 Mineral Resource estimate which was reported @a 0.8% copper cut-off, the Mineral Resource estimate has increased from 3.800.000 t of Indicated +15.800.000 t of Inferred material to 8.900.000 t of Indicated +31.100.000 t of Inferred material. The average grade of the Indicated material has dropped from 1.59% Cu to 1.35% Cu, while the grade of the Inferred material remained essentially unchanged @1.34% Cu ...
www.marketwire.com/press-release/castle-resources-reports-ma…

[Popeye82]

China marks net capital inflow in January - CER/WSJ - Feb 21, 2012
www.chinaeconomicreview.com/node/54973

"China experienced net capital inflows in January for the first time in more than three months, a possible signal of rebounding investor confidence, The Wall Street Journal reported.

The People’s Bank of China and financial institutions purchased RMB140.9 billion (US$22.4 billion) of foreign exchange in January, up from a net sale of RMB100.3 billion in December. Central bank purchases and sales are seen as a proxy measure for capital flows into and out of China, because foreign currency entering the country is usually sold on to the PBoC. “The rebound in January indicates that foreign capital is returning to China,” said Li Wei, an economist at Standard Chartered. The country marked three consecutive months of net capital outflows in late 2011, thanks to waning confidence in emerging markets, as well as investors and companies arbitraging the gap between the onshore and offshore values of the yuan. "

[Popeye82]

China +Russia "may change Syria stance" - CER/Reuters - Feb 21, 2012
www.chinaeconomicreview.com/node/54975

"China and Russia could change their stance on a UN Security Council resolution aimed at ending violence in Syria, Reuters reported, quoting the head of the Arab League.

"There are indications coming from China and to some extent from Russia that there may be a change in position," Arab League Secretary-General Nabil Elaraby said Monday. Earlier this month, the two permanent members of the Security Council blocked the resolution, which demanded the resignation of Syrian President Bashar al-Assad. Both countries also voted against a non-binding General Assembly resolution backing the plan this week. China has since sent envoys to the region, after criticism that the UNSC veto would lead to greater violence. General Assembly President Nasser Abdel Aziz implored the UNSC to act, saying, "We know there are difficulties in the Security Council but I think we cannot stay silent and have to exert the utmost pressure so that the (Syrian) government implements what was agreed upon, or make the Security Council look into the matter more seriously because it is dangerous and there are big violations."

[Popeye82]

Rogue Iron Ore - Intersects 150 Meters of 45% Total Iron; drilling expected to be completed in April +culminate with a NI 43-101 compliant resource estimate; S. De Jong: "Radio Hill's location +outstanding infrastructure along with our competitive share structure differentiate the Company from other North American iron ore projects. Our next step is to deliver a resource which will happen upon the completion of the current drill program. Results announced so far, including those tabulated in this release, have been primarily from drilling the southern fringe of the formation whereas drilling has now moved towards the center. We anticipate a consistent flow of results into the spring as we have been drilling steadily for the past seven months" - Feb 21, 2012

+ Other Highlights Include 100 Meters of 40% Total Iron(RH-11-13)

+ 6.400/10.000 Meter Program Completed -Additional Assays Pending

+ Project Infrastructure Includes CN Railway Mainline, Highway +Power ...
www.marketwire.com/press-release/rogue-iron-ore-intersects-1…
www.rogueiron.com/s/radio_hill.asp

[Popeye82]

Fission Energy - Three Step-Out Holes with "Off-Scale" Radioactivity Expand Central J Zone - Feb 21, 2012
www.marketwire.com/press-release/fission-energy-corp-three-s…

[Popeye82]

Mining Summary - LC- Feb 21, 2012
http://minesite.com/media/pub/var/release_downloadable_file/…

[Popeye82]

Mining commentator David Coffin dies - M.com - Feb 19, 2012
www.mining.com/2012/02/19/mining-commentator-david-coffin-di…

[Popeye82]

Teck taking another look at iron-ore?; The mystery C$324.000.000 Teck Resources said on Thursday it had invested into unnamed public companies during the 4th quarter caught the curiosity of analysts, but management of the diversified miner was mum over its intentions. All CEO Don Lindsay would say is that the company took advantage of tumbling share prices in the wake of the wobbles the eurzone crisis brought about, but some analysts believe the Vancouver-based firm "might be dusting off its iron-ore ambition" - MW, TOEONTO - Feb 9, 2012

- M. Hill -
www.miningweekly.com/article/teck-taking-another-look-at-iro…

[Popeye82]

Mining Summary - LC - Feb 22, 2012
http://minesite.com/media/pub/var/release_downloadable_file/…

[Popeye82]

Beacon Hill Resources Pl - Minas Moatize Coking Coal Project DFS - Feb 22, 2012

+ Definitive Feasibility Study('DFS') completed by independent consultants, TWP Australia Pty Ltd, demonstrates compelling economics for the Minas Moatize Coking Coal Project. Financial modelling, based on a 4.000.000 t/anno Run of Mine('ROM') operation producing on average 2.200.000 t/anno of saleable coking +thermal coal during mine life using a 13% discount rate, demonstrates:

- NPV13(pre-tax) US$662.000.000

- Internal Rate of Return('IRR') 79.5%

- Life of Mine 11.5 years


+ Total JORC Mineable Reserve of 42.650.000 t including a Marketable Reserve of 23.460.000 t, of which @least 8.720.000 t will be coking coal

+ An average life of mine operating cost of -US$58.5/t FOB Beira.

+ Total project capital estimate of US$166.000.000 inclusive of US$42.000.000 for EPCM, contingency +other indirect costs

+ Capital estimate reduces to US$18.000.000 utilising the Group's proposed Build, Own, Operate('BOO') model for key infrastructure items

+ Independent marketing study indicates Minas Moatize Hard Coking Coal will attract a long term price around Standard Hard Coking Coal benchmarks

+ Potential to improve economics of project +life of mine through further work ...
www.rns-pdf.londonstockexchange.com/rns/8514X_-2012-2-21.pdf

[Popeye82]

Strategic Natural Resources Plc - Resource Update; David Nel: "We are pleased to provide this brief insight into these promising results identifying an increase of ~33% in our resource calculation. The ~200.000.000 tonne coal resource we now estimate exists on only 8.500 hectares, which is <5% of our total 184.000 hectare rights area. Mr. Connan Hempel, our senior geologist, +his team have done a superb job drilling in arduous conditions. We are grateful to our highly qualified +committed geological +drilling team for the results they have been able to deliver in ´11" - Feb 22, 2012
www.iii.co.uk/investment/detail?code=cotn:SNRP.L&display=new…

[Popeye82]

Sunridge Gold - Announces New Higher Grade Resource for the Adi Nefas Deposit Asmara Project, Eritrea - Feb 22, 2012

+ Indicated resources in the primary zone are 1.800.000 tonnes averaging 10.05% zinc, 3.31 g/t gold, 1.78% copper +115g/t silver

+ Total contained metals in the Indicated categories @Adi Nefas are estimated as:

- 408.000.000 pounds of zinc
- 72.200.000 pounds of copper
- 196.000 ounces of gold
- 6.810.000 ounces of silver. ...
www.marketwire.com/press-release/sunridge-gold-announces-new…

[Popeye82]

Wavefront Technology Solutions - Leading Argentina Producer Pan American Energy Using Powerwave; Joins Pluspetrol as 2nd Argentinean Oil Producer To Use Powerwave To Tap Full Production Potential; B. Davidson: "Wavefront is very pleased to be adding PAE, the 2nd largest oil producer in Argentina , with additional operations in Chile to our growing list of clients. PAE is a company with a reputation for using the best available technologies in the industry. We are confident that Powerwave will bring significant benefit to PAE by increasing current production rates, and more importantly, maximizing ultimate oil recovery well beyond those currently estimated for the field" - Feb 22, 2012
www.marketwire.com/press-release/wavefront-technology-soluti…

[Popeye82]

Merc International Minerals - Announces Initial NI 43-101 Resource of 1.446.000 Ounces Gold I, @Colomac; D. Wiley: "We see this initial 1.446.000 ounce inferred gold resource as a significant starting position, +we believe that we will be able to expand +upgrade the resource over the coming months through our ´12 drilling program. The acquisition of the Colomac property materially changes the profile of Merc, +Colomac now represents the backbone of the Company's combined projects within our existing 234.000 acre property package" - Feb 22, 2012

+ Total Inferred Mineral Resources are estimated to be 42.650.000 tonnes with an average grade of 1.05 grams/tonne gold("g/t Au" ) for 1.446.000 oz Au;

+ Limited historical drilling discovered a high grade shoot below the main deposit tracing it to a depth of 1.000 metres. This shoot is not included in the current resource estimate. The potential for additional high-grade shoots exists over the Colomac Dyke's seven kilometre strike length; +

+ Colomac's tonnage +contained ounces are expected to increase due to the deposits' significant exploration prospects. Potential high grade shoots, if delineated, may lead to an increase the average grade. ...
http://finance.yahoo.com/news/Merc-Announces-Initial-NI-43-c…

[Popeye82]

Kivalliq Energy - Announces 35.000 Metres of Drilling for Angilak Property in ´12: J. Paterson: "Our ´12 exploration goals are clear: continue to expand the Lac Cinquante mineral resource along strike +to depth; drill targets on parallel conductors; +demonstrate potential for multiple uranium deposits elsewhere on the Angilak Property"; 1st phase of ´12 exploration commences with the mobilization of crews +equipment to the Nutaaq camp in March. Kivalliq is fully funded to drill from March to June with two diamond drill rigs +one RC rig starting in May, +to carry out ground geophysical surveys until break-up in June. The 2nd phase of the proposed exploration program @Angilak will begin in July, pending results +market conditions, +may include a 3rd diamond drill rig, continued RC drilling +geophysical, geological, geochemical +engineering surveys in the field - Feb 22, 2012
www.kivalliqenergy.com/news/index.php?&content_id=176

[Popeye82]

Blackline GPS - U.K. Panel Identifies Blackline's Flat Track as a Counter Terror +Specialty Security(CTSS) Awards finalist in the category of Surveillance, Data +Intelligence; awards recognize outstanding products, services, +solutions made to ensure we live in a safer world. The CTSS Awards are affiliated with the Counter Terror Expo, the premier global event for professionals tasked with ensuring a formidable +effective response to threats we face today; Cody Slater: "Feedback from surveillance professionals in Europe, the US, +Canada speaks to the value delivered by Flat Track's unique form-factor . Its ultra -thin design, slimmer +smaller than an iPad 2, provides opportunity for creative concealment such as laminated within cardboard packaging corrugations, hidden compartments, +within false bottoms of cases. Being shortlisted for the CTSS awards reinforces Flat Track`s value as a new, innovative solution to service the needs of surveillance professionals" - Feb 22, 2012
www.marketwire.com/press-release/uk-panel-identifies-blackli…

[Popeye82]

Australia PM battle looms after Foreign Minister Rudd quits, saying he could no longer work with Prime Minister Julia Gillard, igniting a new +bitter leadership crisis for the struggling minority government - MW/Reuters, CANBERRA - Feb 22, 2012
www.miningweekly.com/article/australian-foreign-minister-qui…

[Popeye82]

New Energy Technologies - &US Department of Energy’s National Renewable Energy Laboratory Fabricate Institute’s Largest-Ever Organic Photovoltaic Device; Dr. David S. Ginley: "The fabrication of a large-area see-through solar module of these dimensions is an important step in New Energy’s SolarWindow™ ongoing development. We believe that building integrated applications provide a promising avenue for OPV deployment +we are continuing to work with New Energy Technologies to further address scale-up, a key milestone toward developing a deployable technology"; W. Farris: "For >three decades, NREL researchers have worked to help companies move their renewable energy technologies closer to commercial product. It’s encouraging to contribute to breakthroughs such as today’s large-area solar photovoltaic array, an important step toward supporting New Energy Technologies’ SolarWindow™ "towards eventual commercial application" ", John A. Conklin: "Today’s achievement marks our SolarWindow’s ongoing progress in addressing an important hurdle to commercialization –scale-up. Our scientists, technical advisors, business team, +shareholders, whose patience +perseverance have contributed to this significant technical stride, can be proud of their Made-In-America accomplishment. In ´12, our focus is on aggressively advancing our SolarWindow™ technology towards commercialization with larger scale, high-speed manufacturing, higher voltage +bolstered power output, +greater transparency" - Feb 21, 2012
www.newenergytechnologiesinc.com/_webapp_4164050/New_Energy_…

[Popeye82]

Blackthorn Resources - Mumbwa Project -Best Copper Intersection To Date, 231m @4.5% copper from 201m vertical depth - Feb 23, 2012
http://stocknessmonster.com/news-item?S=BTR&E=ASX&N=579158

[Popeye82]

"Bachelor": Alles AUUUS mit Anja!! - W - Feb 23, 2012
http://web.de/magazine/tv/shows/14807238-alles-schon-wieder-…

[Popeye82]

Cleveland Mining Company - signs MOU to develop Brazilian iron ore project, Exploration drilling +geophysics confirm that the project has the potential to support a Resource of several 100.000.000 tonnes, which could, in turn, support the construction of a major iron ore mine. Exploration potential for >1.000.000.000 tonnes of mineralisation is also apparent within the project , based on the vendor’s exploration results; Resource is currently being re‐modelled by independent consultants to a JORC standard, whilst Cleveland finalises a Binding Option to Purchase Agreement with the vendors; Mendelawitz: "This stands to be the perfect project for Cleveland. We have one of the most capable iron ore Boards of any junior company +already have a team in Amapá state because we believe that it is a great place to build an iron ore mine. Iron mineralisation is abundant, there is under‐utilised port connected to the project areas by empty roads, +there is hydroelectricity available or under construction. Now what we need to do is determine the metallurgical properties of the ore to establish how much of it is suitable for sale @a price that supports the development of a large‐scale mining centre. If the Due Diligence for the new project confirms our belief, we will finalise the contract then launch directly into a Feasibility Study targeting production of 5.000.000 tonnes/anno" - Feb 23, 2012

+ 100km2 concession with iron‐ore mineralisation +potential for gold +other minerals

+ Significant exploration conducted, including diamond drilling, sampling, trenching +an airborne geophysical survey

+ Independent geologist’s report written with initial non‐JORC Resource of >300.000.000 tonnes @, or near, surface with an average iron content of 38.6% Fe(Fe2O3 of 55.2%)

+ Similar grade to iron ore mines in the region, including those of Anglo American & Cliffs Natural Resources +Zamin Ferrous

+ Significant exploration potential, with numerous targets already defined

+ Exploration data being independently remodelled to JORC standards by SRK

+ A Feasibility Study, based on an initial production rate of ~5.000.000 t/anno, is targeted to commence immediately after the data re‐modelling +execution of Binding Agreement

+ Located ~80 kilometres from Macapá, which has an open access port +a population of ~500.000

+ Capacity to tie in with Cleveland’s Porto Grande Iron Ore Project, through shared exploration, feasibility study, port +management

+ High voltage transmission lines that will run within ~20 kilometres commissioned for construction by the government

+ Experienced iron ore team

+ Funding expected from industry sources via the Company’s Hong Kong subsidiary to minimise dilution to shareholders ...
http://stocknessmonster.com/news-it.....DG&E=ASX&N=579171

[Popeye82]

African Petroleum - Significant Oil Discovery, @Narina-1 - Feb 21, 2012
www.africanpetroleum.com.au/IRM/Company/ShowPage.aspx/PDFs/1…

[Popeye82]

South African Finance Minister unveils incentive for emerging miners; Finance Minister Pravin Gordhan is establishing a venture capital incentive for junior mining companies to strengthen growth in the South African mining sector. The fund would, through the International Finance Corporation, make R24.600.000/year available to emerging +developing mining companies in an effort to promote small businesses in mining - MW, PRETORIA - Feb 22, 2012

- Natasha Odendaahl -
www.miningweekly.com/article/gordhan-unveils-incentive-for-e…

[Popeye82]

MetroCoal - Bundi ´12 Drilling Program Commenced - Feb 23, 2012

+ Two rigs are currently drilling in the 100% owned Bundi Project.

+ Key objectives are to identify a maiden Measured JORC resource for Bundi as well as increasing the Indicated resource.

+ EPC1609(which adjoins Bundi) granted to MetroCoal ...
http://stocknessmonster.com/news-item?S=MTE&E=ASX&N=239873

[Popeye82]

Energio - Drilling update No. 5 -Agbaja Iron Ore Exploration Project, Drilling continues @planned rates +the Company remains on target to finalise the drilling +sampling program within the 2nd quarter of ´12 - Feb 23, 2012

+ Company receives results of the 5th batch of assay results.

+ As the Company has previously announced, continuous results are now being received +released to the market from the 237 vertically drilled Reverse Circulation(RC) drill holes completed to date of the planned 20.000 metres of drilling for resource definition @the Agbaja Iron Ore Exploration Project. All drill holes planned for Agbaja will be vertical RC. The RC drilling program is now 36% completed.

+ Analytical results from the 5th batch of 10 drill hole samples remain @higher than the initial expected range. ...
http://stocknessmonster.com/news-item?S=EIO&E=ASX&N=579126

[Popeye82]

Excelsior Mining - M Partners Initiates Coverage - Feb 23, 2012
www.marketwire.com/press-release/m-partners-initiates-covera…

[Popeye82]

Can former UraMin team pull it off again with Congo potash?; While Elemental Minerals is sitting on what Northern Securities analyst Fadi Benjamin calls “the best potash project in Africa...hands down”, the biggest challenge facing the company is raising the $1.700.000.000 required to bring its Sintoukola deposit in the Republic of Congo(RoC) into production. The TSX- +ASX-listed company aims to complete a prefeasibility study on the asset by August, with a bankable feasibility study following hot on its heels in the first quarter of next year, "If all goes according to plan", the mine will start producing in ´15, ramping up to full capacity of nearly 2.000.000 tons of the crop nutrient yearly by ´17, CEO Iain Macpherson said - MW, TORONTO - Feb 23, 2012

- M. Hill -
www.miningweekly.com/article/can-former-uramin-team-pull-it-…

[Popeye82]

CAMAC Energy - Signs Heads of Agreement for Award of Three Exploration Blocks in Kenya, 10.913km2; Block 11A is in the Lotikipi rift basin adjacent to four blocks operated by Tullow Oil plc(LSE:TLW.L - News): Blocks 10A, 10BA, 10BB +13T. Tullow recently announced the spudding of the Ngamia-1 well on Block 10BB. The well "is testing a prospect similar to oil prospects in Tullow’s Lake Albert Rift Basin, where >1.000.000.000 barrels of contingent resources have been discovered". Block L1B is located in the Lamu Basin to the south of Blocks 3A +3B, both operated by Vanoil Energy Limited(TSX.V:VEL.V - News). Block L16 is also in the Lamu Basin adjacent in the east to Block L8 +in the south to Block L9, operated by Apache Corporation(NYSE: APA - News) +Ophir Energy plc (LSE: PHR), respectively; Dr. Kase Lawal: "We are exceptionally pleased to have the opportunity to be awarded three exploration blocks in Kenya. Not only is Kenya home to some of East Africa’s most prospective basins, but the awarded Blocks are adjacent to those owned by proven explorers Tullow, Apache +Ophir. Furthermore, with this agreement CAMAC Energy will enter East Africa on its preferred terms as operator with the ability to control the pace of exploration. Once again, as with our previous announcement on Gambia, we are continuing to validate our strategy of acquiring prime frontier exploration acreage throughout the continent" - Feb 21, 2012
http://finance.yahoo.com/news/CAMAC-Energy-Signs-Heads-bw-33…

[Popeye82]

Reunion Gold - Provides an Update on Exploration @Matthews Ridge; Drilling Confirms Vertical Continuity of Manganese Mineralization +New Discovery Expands Resource Potential; During December ´11 +January ´12, Reunion conducted a major geological data review, which defined the exploration program for ´12. Drilling resumed on February 1, ´12, using four diamond drill rigs +one reverse circulation drill. The Company's plan is to close the drill spacing between Hill V to Hill IX to 50 m centers in the 2nd quarter ´12 +complete a geological modeling +resource estimate by mid-year - Feb 23, 2012

+ Drilling program has confirmed the strike extent +vertical continuity of significant manganese mineralization in four target hills of the Matthews Ridge Project

+ Widespread mantle-type mineralization in the weathered profile confirms the supergene enrichment of host rocks, amenable to simple earth-moving extraction

+ Two new manganese occurrences with strike lengths of 300 to 400 m were discovered 2 km north of the former Matthews Ridge manganese mine area +initial trenching @the westernmost discovery occurrence indicates multiple manganese beds

+ Matthews Ridge Project is located in northwest Guyana, in +around the former Matthews Ridge +Pipiani mines, 260 km northwest of Georgetown, the capital city of Guyana. Manganese ore was mined from ´60 to ´68 by Union Carbide +exported via a railroad +a fluvial port. Mining was done on five/nine hills extending for 12 km +striking northeastern-southwestern(FigureI). The manganese-bearing sequence is known to have an overall strike extent of 40 km +remains largely unexplored.

+ Manganese mineralization is hosted by the Barama sedimentary sequence of Proterozoic age +consists of typical mantle +residual deposits formed as a result of oxidation +supergene enrichment under an equatorial climate. The mantle deposits are formed by manganese oxide minerals occurring along the crest of hills +are related to the weathered profile reaching 120 m below surface. Typical manganese minerals are cryptomelane, pyrolusite +psilomelane, forming bands of varying thickness. Easily extractable detrital material is developed along the slopes of hills +consists of loose manganese concretions as colluvium.

+ Company is also currently putting in access to the Pipiani area, where a historical(non NI 43-101 compliant) resource exists from the previous operator. Reunion intends to initiate a work program @Pipiani with the objective of confirming the existence of the resource in compliance with NI 43-101 +extend any resources identified ...
www.marketwire.com/press-release/reunion-gold-provides-updat…
http://media3.marketwire.com/docs/Map_Reunion_0223.pdf

[Popeye82]

African Potash - Agreement to acquire Potash Asset; Edward Marlow: "This acquisition represents our 1st transaction aimed @establishing African Potash as an exploration +development company focussed on potash assets in sub-Saharan Africa. The project which has been identified by SPM is located in a globally significant potash region, flanked by projects currently being developed by international mining companies, providing confidence that we have identified an investment target with considerable potential. With this highly prospective potash address, coupled with African Potash's highly experienced management team and Board, "I believe we have the necessary components to rapidly build value within the Company" " - Feb 3, 2012

+ African Potash has entered into an agreement to acquire the entire issued share capital of Patagonia Capital Limited('Patagonia'), a Mauritian company which holds a 70% interest in La Societe des Potasses et des Mines S.A.('SPM') ('the Proposed Acquisition'), a company incorporated in the Republic of Congo for the purpose of mineral exploration('the Proposed Acquisition')

+ The total maximum consideration payable for the acquisition of Patagonia is US$15.000.000 which will be satisfied(subject to the achievement of certain milestones by SPM) by the issue and allotment of up to US$12.000.000 worth of new ordinary shares in the Company +by the payment by the Company of up to US$3.000.000 in cash

+ SPM currently holds a 12 month authorisation to conduct prospecting for potash(+associated minerals) in the lake Dinga area of the Republic of Congo, a highly prospective potash region('the Project') +has applied to be granted a Permis de Recherche in respect of the same area

+ The Project is surrounded by numerous potash development projects including the Sintoukola Potash Project, owned by Elemental Minerals Limited +the Mengo Potash Project, owned by MagIndustries

+ The Project benefits from access to infrastructure +is <60km from the port of Pointe-Noire

+ Completion of the Proposed Acquisition is subject to(amongst other matters):

- SPM being granted a Permis de Recherche for potash +related minerals; +
- Shareholder approval in line with the investment strategy outlined in the Company's original Admission Document ...
www.africanpotash.com/News.aspx?ArticleId=19856669

[Popeye82]

I have a high grade, copper porphyry project in Arizona that needs a buyer. The property has 41.000.000 t grading @1.5% Cu +0.04% Mo - LD - Feb 7, 2012

- J. D. -
www.linkedin.com/groups/I-have-high-grade-copper-94416.S.937…

[Popeye82]

Mining Sector Morning Summary - LC - Feb 23, 2012
http://minesite.com/media/pub/var/release_downloadable_file/…

[Popeye82]

Alecto Minerals Plc - Significant Guinean Bauxite Acquisition, located in a highly prospective south west coastal region of Guinea which already has established infrastructure +producing bauxite operations; Damian Conboy: "This bauxite acquisition is "potentially transformational for Alecto" +provides us with the opportunity to develop a producing operation with significant tonnage +cash flow potential in the near to mid term. The deposit is near surface +high grade +contiguous to the 3.100.000 t/anno Kindia bauxite mine +importantly, its close proximity to established infrastructure, including roads +railways, provide access to the strategically significant port of Conakry. We will immediately commence the design of an exploration programme for ´12 focussed on identifying key high grade drill targets to define an initial resource +subsequently move into production. Significantly, our rapid development timeframe fits the government’s desire to attract investment +create wealth +we look forward to working closely with them, as we meet key exploration +development milestones over the coming months" - Feb 23, 2012

+ Highly prospective concession "with potential to host an in-situ bauxite resource of >500.000.000 tonnes" -90 day due diligence period prior to completing the acquisition

+ Quality of the bauxite resource +geography lend the project to near term production

+ Located immediately north +contiguous to the 3.100.000 tonne/annum Kindia Mine, which exports bauxite +provides feedstock for the Fria Alumina Refinery(See the attached map –Licence 223(Alecto) &Licence 3(Kindia))

+ Resources found in tabular deposits that cover the elevated plateaux(‘bowals’), one of which crosses the boundary of the producing Kindia Mine +is being mined

+ Multiple bowals exist, which host bauxite deposits from surface to depths of between 8 +20 metres with highest quality @surface

+ Exploration programme being designed to identify high grade target areas

+ Strong government support, which is looking to increase output of Guinea’s mines +create employment

+ Existing infrastructure including railway lines +current expansion work @the port of Conakry is underway to provide additional capacity for stockpiling +exporting bauxite within production timeframe ...
www.alectoenergy.com/media/com_form2content/documents/c1/a11…

[Popeye82]

West Africa "has potential for top-five gold spot" ; West Africa has the potential to become one of the top five gold-producing regions in the world, according to Wood Mackenzie mining industry analyst Jonathan Leng. Numerous new gold-mining projects are being developed in West Africa, particularly in Ghana, Burkina Faso, Mali, Mauritania, Liberia +Sierra Leone, but none of them are big enough to threaten the top gold producer, China, he adds - MW, JOHANNESBURG - Feb 24, 2012

- Joanne Taylor -
www.miningweekly.com/article/west-africa-has-potential-for-t…

[Popeye82]

Billionaires Vie for Railway to $40.000.000.000 Coal Region; The race to open a $40.000.000.000 coal region in Australia is being led by billionaires Gina Rinehart +Clive Palmer . Victory depends on who wins approval to build a 500-kilometer(310-mile) railroad to the coast ; Rinehart, 58, Asia-Pacific’s richest individual, +Indian billionaire GV Krishna Reddy’s GVK Group are developing a $10.000.000.000 mine, rail +port project in the landlocked Galilee Basin in northern Queensland state. Adani Enterprises Ltd.(ADE), India’s biggest coal importer, has a competing $6.800.000.000 plan to build Australia’s largest coal mine in the same area - BB - Feb 24, 2012

- Elisabeth Behrmann -
www.bloomberg.com/news/2012-02-24/billionaires-vie-for-railw…

[Popeye82]

Energio - Investor presentation -exploring a world class project - Feb 27, 2012
www.energio.net.au/irm/Company/ShowPage.aspx/PDFs/1264-22634…

[Popeye82]

Technology options for CO2 capture - GCCSI - Jan 18, 2012
http://cdn.globalccsinstitute.com/sites/default/files/public…

[Popeye82]

Lachlan Star - 138% Increase in Indicated Mineral Resource to 1.720.000 Ounces of Gold Plus 36% Increase in Inferred Mineral Resource to 1.260.000 Ounces of Gold - Feb 27, 2012
http://stocknessmonster.com/news-item?S=LSA&E=ASX&N=579644

[Popeye82]

Ikwezi Mining - Granted Mining Right for Newcastle Project - Feb 27, 2012
http://stocknessmonster.com/news-item?S=IKW&E=ASX&N=579546

[Popeye82]

Mining Summary - LC - Feb 27, 2012
http://minesite.com/media/pub/var/release_downloadable_file/…

[Popeye82]

Buffett: Successor Is in the Dark Too; Warren Buffett resisted pressure Monday to identify his successor as CEO of Berkshire Hathaway, saying the person who has been chosen doesn't even know it himself; In a wide-ranging interview, Buffett also disclosed that he made one of his largest bets ever on Europe @the end of last year - FY/Reuters - Feb 27, 2012
http://finance.yahoo.com/news/buffett-says-sokol-investigati…

[Popeye82]

Batero Gold - Reports Initial NI 43-101 Resource Estimate, @its Batero-Quinchia Project - Feb 27, 2012

+ Indicated Mineral Resources comprising 248.500.000 tonnes grading 0.44 grams per tonne (g/t) gold, 1.54 g/t silver +0.08% copper for a total of 3.500.000 ounces gold, 12.300.000 ounces silver +438.000.000 pounds of copper

+ Inferred Mineral Resources comprising 242.400.000 tonnes grading 0.33 g/t gold, 1.8 g/t silver +0.06% copper for a total of 2.600.000 ounces gold, 14.000.000 ounces silver +320.000.000 pounds of copper

+ Mineral resources are constrained in a large two kilometre long by 600 metre wide Whittle pit shell showing significant mineralization continuity.

+ RPA reports that the exploration potential("targets") based on mineralization already intersected in the immediate vicinity of the resource, but not included in the current resource estimate, is in the range of 100.000.000 to 400.000.000 tonnes of mineralization averaging 0.25 to 0.45 g/t gold equating to ~1.500.000 to 3.500.000 ounces gold. The potential quantity +grade is conceptual in nature. There has been insufficient exploration to define a mineral resource. The Company is uncertain if further exploration will result in this target being delineated as a resource.

+ La Cumbre porphyry remains open along strike +will be drilled in ´12.

+ Copper +silver were not considered in the cut-off grade estimate.

+ Additional high priority exploration drill targets exist within the Whittle pit shell including high grade epithermal gold targets +unclassified gold mineralization.

+ RPA recognizes the presence of a potentially significant volume of oxidized gold mineralization within the resource area that may be amenable to a heap leach production scenario. Initial metallurgical test work on oxide mineralization returned up to 94% gold recovery.

+ Preliminary metallurgy test work @the project returned an average gold recovery of 80%.

+ Current drill hole spacing in parts of La Cumbre may be close enough to support Measured resources in future mineral resource estimates after the geological understanding +modelling work evolves. ...
www.marketwire.com/press-release/batero-gold-reports-initial…

[Popeye82]

Silver Predator - intersects 5.4 m of 1.008 g/t Silver, 22.27% Lead +3.88% Zinc @Rusty Project, Yukon - Feb 27, 2012
www.silverpredator.com/documents/SPD-NR12-02%202011-02027-Ru…

[Popeye82]

Malaga - Increases Its Resources by >140% +Its Reserves by 16%, @the Pasto Bueno Tungsten Mine - Feb 27, 2012

- Proven +probable reserves increase to 195.880 tonnes;

- Measured +Indicated resources increase by 104% to 814.096 tonnes;

- Inferred resources reach 4.200.000 tonnes ...
http://finance.yahoo.com/news/Malaga-Increases-Its-iw-307231…

[Popeye82]

ZYL - Targets Maputo for Export of Kangwane Anthracite - Jan 28, 2012
http://stocknessmonster.com/news-item?S=ZYL&E=ASX&N=579729

[Popeye82]

Mining Summary - LC - Feb 28, 2012
http://minesite.com/media/pub/var/release_downloadable_file/…

[Popeye82]

Volta Resources - Reports High-Grade Extension @Depth @its Kiaka Gold Project in Burkina Faso; Intersects up to 153.0m @1.57g/t Gold; Kevin Bullock: "These latest results again represent new milestones for Kiaka. When we 1st started developing the already significant Kiaka deposit, our goals were to expand the deposit deeper +to better delineate the higher grade zones. We have consistently met these goals +, in fact, have accelerated our rate of achievement" - Feb 28, 2012
http://tmx.quotemedia.com/article.php?newsid=48857467&qm_sym…

[Popeye82]

Gold Anomaly - Drill intercepts show potential for major mineral deposits; "Based on the number +apparent strike extent of mineralisation discovered in the initial exploration drilling @A2, a target of between 2.000.000 +10.000.000 tonnes of high‐value massive sulphide could be discovered @A2" - Feb 28, 2012
http://stocknessmonster.com/news-item?S=GOA&E=ASX&N=240036

[Popeye82]

Pacific Wildcat Resources - Results Confirm Regional Potential of the Mrima Hill Carbonatite Complex: Mrima Hill niobium +rare earth oxide rich carbonatite along with other surrounding alkaline intrusions, principally @Kiruku Hill +Jombo Hill, are components of a single very large(17km x9 km) alkaline igneous complex -the Dzombo Intrusive Complex. This conclusion is a result of a recently completed report prepared for PAW by a renowned rare earths consultant - Feb 28, 2012
www.pacificwildcat.com/_content/documents/441.pdf

[Popeye82]

Vedanta consolidation to create world's 7th largest natural resources company - M.com - Feb 25, 2012

- A. Topf -
www.mining.com/2012/02/25/vedanta-merger-to-create-worlds-7t…

[Popeye82]

GGG Resources Plc/Auzex Resources - Resource Update +Drilling Results - Feb 29, 2012

+ Results from the PhaseII infill drilling programme have produced a new JORC global resource estimate of 3.200.000 ounces of gold(102.800.000 t @0.96g/t Au) using a 0.5g/t Au cut off.

+ The total resource along the Bullabulling Trend has increased by 800.000 ounces of gold +the Indicated resource in the same area has increased by 1.400.000 ounces of gold.

+ The updated resource estimate does not include resources contained within the Gibraltar Pit or the Laterite Dumps @the Bullabulling Project which is currently being drilled.

+ The increase from 2.400.000 ounces(excluding Gibraltar +Laterite Dumps) to 3.200.000 ounces is primarily the result of new zones of mineralisation intersected particularly north of the Phoenix Pit.

+ The new estimate includes 2.100.000 ounces of Indicated resource along the Bullabulling Trend @a grade of 0.92 g/t Au.

+ The resource has yet to be optimised, but while tonnage has increased significantly, model grades @different cut-offs have also increased. The Directors expect that this, in combination with the newly delineated areas of mineralisation which should reduce the strip ratios, will have a positive effect in reducing operating cost estimates against those provided in the Scoping Study(see release 19 December ´11).

+ The new resource estimate will be used as the basis for establishing a maiden reserve for Bullabulling during the pre-feasibility study currently in progress.

+ The new resource estimate supports the Scoping Study scenario of an operation with an initial Life of Mine production of 2.000.000 to 2.500.000 Oz gold over a ten year mine life with potential to expand the current resource in the future.

+ The drilling results for the PhaseII drilling programme are set out @the end of this announcement ...
www.londonstockexchange.com/exchange/news/market-news/market…

[Popeye82]

Mining Summary - LC - Feb 29, 2012
http://minesite.com/media/pub/var/release_downloadable_file/…

[Popeye82]

Peak Resources - Maiden Resource, Ngualla Rare Earth Project; Richard Beazley: "What makes this discovery very attractive is the significant grades that make Ngualla stand apart from most rare earth deposits. Having these high tonnages +grades places Ngualla amongst the top rare earth resources outside of China. The time frame from discovery to resource has been outstanding particularly in consideration of the sheer size of the deposit that has been delineated into resource status. This resource puts Peak in a dominant position from which to develop the asset into an operating mine with its strengths defined to date by the significant tonnes +grade, very low thorium +uranium levels +outcropping bulk style geometry centred around a hill lending itself for very low strip ratios in mining. The next step in the development of Ngualla will be for a very busy year ahead for the Peak team. The ´12 drilling program will focus on infill drilling primarily in the Southern Rare Earth Zone to move more of the resource into Measured +Indicated categories to assist in mine planning +financial requirements. Drilling will also focus on testing the resource where it currently remains open to the north, south +with depth. Additionally, metallurgical test work will continue +further bulk material is scheduled to be supplied from additional diamond drilling to support the ongoing metallurgical program later in the year. Peak will also be moving forward with a scoping study to integrate the current defined maiden resource +metallurgical understanding with other key aspects such as marketing, logistics, supply +mining to assess the economic potential of numerous development pathways for the project over the coming year. "With the recent purchase of Zari behind us +100% ownership in the bag, the future for Peak is very exciting indeed" " - Feb 29, 2012

+ The Mineral Resource Estimates @1.0% lower grade cut-off for the combined Southern Rare Earth +South West Alluvial Zones is:

- 170.000.000 tonnes @2.24% REO*, for 3.800.000 tonnes of contained REO.


+ Using a 3.0% lower grade cut, the total resource includes a higher grade near surface zone of:

- 40 million tonnes @4.07% REO for 1.600.000 tonnes of contained REO.


+ The maiden resource combined with encouragement from early metallurgical test work +proposed new drilling will allow the Company to commence scoping studies next quarter.

+ This is a major milestone for Peak +takes the Company from an explorer to a developer. ...
http://stocknessmonster.com/news-item?S=PEK&E=ASX&N=579910

[Popeye82]

New Pacific Metals - enters into a Memorandum of Understanding to acquire a 75% interest in the Longmenchang Silver-Gold-Lead-Zinc Property in Youxi County, Fujian Province, China - Feb 28, 2012
www.newpacificmetals.com/_resources/news/nr_2012_02_28.pdf

[Popeye82]

Iron Ore, Brazil +Vale: This Junior Has All Three - PJ - Feb 29, 2012

- Chris Devauld -
www.prospectingjournal.com/iron-ore-brazil-vale-this-junior-…
www.hilltownresources.com/_resources/news/nr_2011_12_19.pdf
www.hilltownresources.com/_resources/presentations/HilltownR…

"ANALYSIS—ProspectingJournal.com—As Brazil powers through the global financial downturn, investors are eager to take advantage of its reputation as one of the world’s top iron ore producers. And of the country’s various geological hotspots, the renowned Iron Quadrilateral in the state of Minas Gerais is attracting an abundance of miners.

Among the juniors with strategic projects in the region, Hilltown Resources [HLT – CNSX] has emerged as a company with considerable potential. Having spent two years searching for the right project, Hilltown believes it has found the ideal mix with the recent JV production deal at Vale’s Capanema Iron Mine. “Basically, this deal is as risk-free as you can get in this business,” claims Kent Ausburn, President & COO. “We are smack-dab in the middle of the Quadrilateral. There is iron ore all over the place and we have a very strong local partner—who has extensive experience mining iron ore in Brazil and working with Vale.”




The almost “risk-free” factor that Ausburn mentions comes down to one simple point: Vale, the largest iron ore producer and exporter in the world, owns Capanema. Vale operated the mine from 1982 to 2003 in a joint venture with a Japanese consortium. During this time, the mine produced 190 million tonnes of ore at an approximate grade of 64% Fe.

Now, Hilltown is in the unique position to restart the mine with the help of a strong local partner, while selling the ore to Vale. HLT’s contract with Vale will be met through its 50-50 joint venture with Mineracao Siderurgia Socoimex Ltda (“Socoimex”). The partnership will divide a capital expenditure of US$52 million for the production of the mine between the two companies. Hilltown will contribute US$30 million for building a 4,000,000 tonne a year capacity crushing-classification plant and a 2-km long ground level conveyor belt to Vale’s nearby Timbopeba facility. Socoimex will arrange for US$22 million by underwriting third-party financing between the two companies, while handling all additional costs of mining equipment and sub-contractors—as well as operating the mine.

Socoimex has well-established ties to Vale and iron ore projects. The Company, privately held by the Bethonico family, has over sixty years of production and over 150 million tonnes of iron ore under its belt. The Company has recently expressed its desire to re-enter the iron ore sector after a ten-year hiatus and thus brings considerable ambition and forward-looking plans to the project




According to the production contract with Vale, the mine will extract at least 20 million tonnes of ore, at an average grade of 62% Fe, over 13 years. Three of these years will be used for the development and implementation of the mine. The remaining 10 years will be extraction.

The mine’s resource will also need to be made NI 43-101 compliant*; however, most of the difficult stages of this process have already been completed. As Ausburn points out, “Vale has already done the work. The grade and tonnage is pre-calculated, 6 pits are identified, and a mine plan has been developed.”

For shareholders, a huge factor will be the guaranteed price that Vale will pay for the ore. According to the agreement, Vale will purchase 95% of the ore from the mine, with a guaranteed minimum hedge of approximately US$58 per tonne, adjusted annually for inflation. Vale will also be paid a royalty of $32.88 per tonne. The remaining 5% of annual production (approximately 100,000 tonnes) may be sold to a third party at market prices. With a railway nearby and the possibility of rising ore prices, which now sit at about $140 per tonne, the 5% could give Hilltown a substantial boost to its profit.

The transportation of the ore will be fairly painless. Trucks will haul the crushed ore from Capanema for approximately 10km, after which it will be loaded onto a two-kilometre conveyor belt and taken to Vale’s large Timbopeba mine. “The logistics are very simple,” says Ausburn, “Capanema is next to Timbopeba, which is where the ore will go. Transporting the ore won’t be an issue.”




Vale may also increase the two-million tonne output from Capanema shortly after starting because it recently missed its iron contract by 30 million tonnes. With the planned Capanema plant and conveyor belt capable of processing and delivering 4 million tonnes per year, yet currently contracted to produce only 2 million, this offers considerable upside potential for Hillside.

And in addition to the 20 Mt of 62% Fe ore currently contracted for production, there is approximately 16 Mt of high grade (64% Fe) ore currently stockpiled on site that can potentially be added to the production contract.

But what about all the lower-grade Fe in the ground? Capanema’s remaining resource (Non NI 43-101) is approximately 1.16 billion tonnes of ore at an average grade of 51.9%. Almost 1 billion tonnes of lower grading ore presents an opportunity to extend the contract with Vale. Deposits that are lower than 62% Fe, as Ausburn points out, can either be concentrated up or blended with higher-grade ore. The Timbopeda mine can do this, which is a good thing for Vale as the mine “only has about 40 million tonnes of ore left,” says Ausburn. “Timbopeba will soon need more ore, the Capanema mine is in the perfect location to provide it, and we will own and operate the facilities to produce and deliver it.”

As Hilltown’s goal is to become a mid-tier producer, the Capanema mine is a solid fit for the Company’s opportunistic business model. This model, which focuses on acquiring small to medium-sized deposits, allows Hilltown to pursue projects that are too small for majors. The Iron Quadrilateral’s infrastructure is completely set up for iron ore mining, with Vale’s muscle providing a no-hassles hedge and nearby production facility. And Socoimex’s presence gives Hilltown the needed expertise to quickly put the Capanema mine into production, possibly 1 year ahead of schedule.

With Capanema underway, and the likelihood of incurring significant annual cash-flow within 2-3 years, there’s already talk of many other deposits that Hilltown can develop for Vale through a Socoimex partnership. Management is currently negotiating the sole acquisition of two Fe deposits in Brazil outside of the Vale deal, which will be self-explored and developed with potential future mine operations run by partner Socoimex. Thus, Hilltown is aiming for an ambitious growth strategy, seeking high-quality Fe ore ventures while advancing current projects. This approach coincides nicely with HLT’s plans to list on the TSX or TSXV in two years and get its first mine into production. Vale, Brazil, and guaranteed iron ore production—not bad for a junior currently trading under 20 cents.


*An independent qualified person (QP) has not done sufficient work to classify the historic resource stated herein as a current NI 43-101 compliant resource. Therefore, Hilltown is not treating the historical estimate as a current NI 43-101 compliant mineral resource, and the historical estimate should not be relied upon. Further, a NI 43-101 compliant feasibility study has not been completed and there is no certainty that the proposed operation will be economically viable. "

[Popeye82]

Scandinavian Resources - Hannans Reward -Proposal to Acquire Scandinavian Resources - Feb 29, 2012
http://stocknessmonster.com/news-item?S=SCR&E=ASX&N=580151

[Popeye82]

Ormonde Mining: "DFS for Barruecopardo tungsten project confirms ‘exceptional economics’ " - PAI - Feb 28, 2012

- Andre Lamberti -
www.proactiveinvestors.co.uk/companies/news/39505/ormonde-mi…

"Ormonde Mining (LON:ORM) said the results of the definitive feasibility study for the Barruecopardo tungsten project in Salamanca, Spain, have confirmed both its technical viability and exceptional economics.


Plant commissioning is planned to begin in the third quarter 2013 and will see Ormonde become a major European tungsten mining company.

The study is based upon an average 227,000 metric tonne units (mtu) of tungsten trioxide (WO3) production per year at a prudent base case ammonium paratungstate (APT) price of US$350/mtu, well below the current APT price of US$437/mtu.

APT is the intermediate tungsten product which is most used for tungsten pricing, quoted in metric tonne units. One mtu equals 10 kilogrammes.

The total JORC-compliant global mineral resource estimate stands at 27.4 million tonnes grading 0.26 per cent WO3, for a total of 7.1 million mtus of WO3, with 4.1 million mtus classified as measured and indicated resources.

The mining case is based on an optimised open pit shell containing measured and indicated resources of 8.71Mt grading 0.32 per cent WO3. This converts to a mining reserve of 8.69Mt grading 0.30 per cent WO3 for a total of 2.61 million mtus of WO3.

The feasibility study puts the mine life at nine years with maximum annual mine production of 1.1 million tonnes per annum (Mtpa) to produce an averaged 227,000 mtus per annum.

The average annual pre-tax net operating cash flows is estimated at €29 million at an APT price base case of US$350/mtu.

The pretax net present value at an 8 per cent discount rate at the APT base case is €120 million and an internal rate of return of 52 per cent.

The study puts the capital cost at €48.5 million and the cash operating costs over the life of the open pit mine of €99/mtu. The capital payback period is expected to be approximately 2 years at an APT price of US$350/mtu.

Ormonde managing director Kerr Anderson said: “The results of the independent feasibility study confirm both the technical viability and exceptional economics of this major tungsten project. We now move towards the development of the Barruecopardo tungsten mine as a low cost, strategic tungsten asset, transforming Ormonde into a major European tungsten mining company.

“The study provides the important detail required for due diligence as we seek to secure the most appropriate capital funding for the project. We will update shareholders as developments on this front progress," he added

Mining will be carried out by conventional open pit methods using local contractors, adopting traditional "drill and blast" mining with shovel and truck operations. The new pit will comprise extensions to the historic main pit excavation to the north and south and at depth. Full mine production of 1.1Mtpa will be achieved following a one year ramp up period.

Ormonde currently plans to further evaluate mineral resources below the open pit for subsequent exploitation by underground mining, with underground development planned to commence in the latter years of the open pit operation. The feasibility study has only considered the mining of the open pittable resource.

Having previously operated as a mine, the project benefits from significant infrastructure already being in place, including roads and power lines close to the site. Upgrades to several of these will be required and have been included in the capital costs.

Access to provincial, regional and International infrastructure is excellent, with good road and rail links to mainland Europe and various ports on the northern coast for overseas shipments.

Initial permitting documentation was submitted to the provincial government in January 2011. The final environmental impact assessment is expected to be presented within three months and this initiates the final stage of the permitting process.

The company will also now move to finalise its offtake and capital funding arrangements.


Profile

Ormonde Mining Plc is an AIM & ESM listed mineral resource company which is developing mining projects and carrying out exploration in Spain.


Ormonde's key activities:

The Barruecopardo Tungsten Project - Ormonde aims to develop a world class low cost mining operation at Barruecopardo to produce ~12% of non-Chinese annual global mine production from mid 2013;

The La Zarza Copper-Gold Project - Joint Venture with Antofagasta Minerals - a large “massive sulphide” deposit with significant copper, gold and zinc resources; exploration for an enlargement to the copper resource is being funded by Antofagasta.

Gold exploration in several highly prospective areas of western Spain. "

[Popeye82]

World Bank warns China on growth model - CER/WB/FT - Feb 28, 2012
www.chinaeconomicreview.com/node/55202

"A World Bank report released this week said China must implement broad economic and political reforms if it hopes to maintain growth levels of the past 30 years, the Financial Times reported.

“China has now reached a turning point in its development path,” said Robert Zoellick, World Bank president. “As China’s leaders know, the country’s current growth model is unsustainable.” The report warned of a "middle-income trap" if critical issues are not addressed, such as government interference in the economy, social inequality, weak rule of law and environmental pollution. The report projects the growth rate will decline to 5.9% by 2021 and 5% by 2026, even if Beijing implements steady reforms. However, postponing necessary changes “risks the possibility of an economic crisis in the future.” Recommendations included strengthening the fiscal system, promoting green growth, expanding social security and fostering innovation. The report was prepared in partnership with China's State Council Development Research Center. "

[Popeye82]

China's State Grid in talks to buy US wind assets - CER/Reuters - Feb 28, 2012
www.chinaeconomicreview.com/node/55199

"State Grid Corp of China has held talks with US power firm AES Corp (AES.NYSE) to buy a controlling stake in its US wind power business that analysts estimate could be worth around US$1.65 billion, Reuters reported, citing three sources.

Sources said the deal involved wind power capacity of around 1,100 megawatts (MW) that would give State Grid a roughly 80% stake in the wind power business, though it wasn't clear how much State Grid would pay for the assets or how the business would be structured after the sale. AES has wind power assets in Texas, California, Oregon, Minnesota, Iowa, West Virginia and Pennsylvania in the US, in addition to China and Europe. Any deal would be subject to both Chinese and US regulatory approval. "

[Popeye82]

China limits official cars to domestic brands - CER/WSJ - Feb 28, 2012
www.chinaeconomicreview.com/node/55204

"China plans to require government officials to strop purchasing foreign-branded cars in favor of local vehicles in an effort to boost the industry amid strong competition, The Wall Street Journal reported.

The Ministry of Industry and Information Technology posted a list last week of 412 approved vehicles for purchase, which included no foreign models. Currently, government officials are allowed to buy any domestically-produced brand. However, government auto purchases contribute less than 5% of China's total passenger-car demand, estimated at between US$11 billion and US$12.7 billion. Volkswagen (VOW.FRA) executives believe this measure is unlikely to have significant negative impact on China sales. The firm said on Monday that "the economic consequences of these new regulations are limited." The majority of Volkswagen's sales in China are with private costumers. "The amount of the so-called fleet sales with government vehicles has been at a lower single-digit percentage range for years." "

[Popeye82]

China strengthens energy efficiency targets - CER/WSJ - Feb 28, 2012
www.chinaeconomicreview.com/node/55203

"China has announced stricter energy consumption targets compared with 2011 for industries such as steel and textile manufacturing in a effort to reduce excess capacity and carbon emissions, The Wall Street Journal reported.

China is the world's largest emitter of greenhouse gasses, and analysts estimate it will miss targets set for 2011. Industries with high energy consumption must reduce their energy intensity by 20% from 2010 levels by 2015, up from the 16% target set last year. Industries highlighted by the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology include petrochemical producers, chemicals, machinery and textiles. Beijing aimed to reduce energy intensity by 3.5% in 2011, but that metric fell only 1.6% in the first three quarters of the year. The new targets will be costly for companies, but the government will likely provide support. "Particularly when it comes to state-owned companies, which are the main targets of these rules, the government will usually provide some ways to help them implement the requirements, such as credit lines to help these companies develop energy-efficient capacity," said Jim Lin of CRU Group consultancy. "

[Popeye82]

Ncondezi Coal "on the right track to success" - PAIUK - Feb 28, 2012

- Ian Lyall -
www.proactiveinvestors.co.uk/companies/news/39465/ncondezi-c…

"Signs of life are starting to return to the small-cap market after a rather volatile end to 2011.

The recovery for some has been lethargic, while others have sprung into life quite dramatically.

The latter was the case for Ncondezi Coal (LON:NCCL) last month which surprised the market with a 25 per cent one-day rise in the share price.

The catalyst for the movement was the company’s announcement of the continuation of a greenfield rail and port study with Rio Tinto.

The company will receive a free-carry in a potential multi-billion dollar project to build a new rail and port corridor between the Tete region in Mozambique and the coast.

A rail route is an essential part of any project in developing regions such as Tete, so this was a major tick in the box for Ncondezi’s project of the same name.

The announcement also appeared to shine a spotlight on the potential of the company’s coal project. Its licence area is to the east of the Zambezi River and the JORC coal resource is currently classified at 1.7 billion tonnes.

The plan is to build an open pit that will initially produce two million tonnes of export quality thermal coal a year, rising eventually to a potential 10 million tonnes.

“The cornerstone (of the project) is an attractive export thermal coal, which we believe is of a lot of interest to the thermal coal consumers in Asia generally,” said Ncondezi chief executive Graham Mascall.

First production is slated for the final quarter of 2014, or early 2015, and the cost for initial production at the project is estimated to be in the order of US$300 million.

But before work gets underway, the group has to complete a definitive feasibility study, which will give it the springboard to raise the necessary finance.

In the meantime it has around $30 million in the bank, which means it is fully funded to the point at which it raises the necessary investment for Ncondezi.

The involvement of Rio Tinto reveals another facet of this investment in that it is focused on the up and coming coal region of the world.

It was Rio’s $4 billion takeover of Australia’s Riversdale last year, which really alerted the wider investing world to the potential of the Tete coal basin.

It's estimated that as much as US$20 billion is being invested in the region to build the mines and related transport infrastructure that will feed the power and steel hungry industrial nations of India and China.

And of course those two nations themselves are also heavily represented in Tete.

“Mozambique is a great country to do business in,” said Mascall. “It is politically stable, there is government support (for mining) and a good fiscal regime.”

“This is why we have seen some of the majors come in. Tete is going to be a big coal producing area in the near future.”

Last year the group drilled 300 new holes for a total of 52,000 metres in the area, which consists of six distinct blocks.

The last of these results is expected to be reported by the end of this month and will be incorporated in what is hoped to be a significant resource upgrade.

There may also be the potential to extract coking coal. However, the group doesn’t yet know whether it exists in economic quantities, or its exact quality.

“At the end of February we will go back and interrogate the 3D model to see whether we have a significant amount of coking coal, and whether it is high-quality coking coal or PCI,” said Mascall.

“Until we do that, it is impossible to say what the potential is.”

The company will also produce a significant quantity of lower quality coal, which is expected to have decent heat content.

It is considering potentially selling the coal “over the gate” to a local power plant and is working on these early plans with the state electricity company EDM.

At the same time it has been approached by a number of interested parties with a view to using this wash plant reject to produce syngas.

The DFS, due in the third quarter, allows the company to go out and raise finance. “I would be reasonably confident that with a combination of off-taker finance, possible new equity, mezzanine, convertible and project finance, it is possible to generate (the funds),” said Mascall.

The group’s 5 per cent shareholder Evergreen, a privately owned group which runs shipyards in China, has shown itself willing to get involved with a project like Ncondezi’s.

There is of course the chance that the company is taken out before it can usher the opencast into production, a point Mascall concedes.

“The honest response is we have the plans to go on with the financing and taking it into production and we are going to start talking to potential off-takers and partners,” he added.

“But if someone likes the look of us and the price is right, then it will be up to my shareholders to decide.

“We have to look at it sensibly with a view to taking it into production or bringing in a partner that could lead to all different things.”

However he proffers another proposition: “Equally there is the opportunity to use Ncondezi as a platform as a new southern African coal entity.

“We might look at stuff in Tanzania, Zimbabwe and we would look at stuff in Botswana.

“And why not if the opportunities are right, there could be significant backing to build this out into something that is far bigger than it is today."


Profile

Ncondezi Coal Company Ltd (and with its subsidiaries the “Ncondezi Group”) is an exploration and development company with four coal exploration and prospecting licences in the Tete Province of Mozambique. The Company holds prospecting and exploration licences over more than 73,160 ha in the Zambezi Basin, a geological environment considered to be one of the last undeveloped coal basins in the world. "

[Popeye82]

Trelawney Mining +Exploration - Announces Updated Resource of 5.900.000 Ounces Inferred +900.000 Ounces Indicated Gold for the Cote Lake Deposit - Feb 24, 2012
http://finance.yahoo.com/news/Trelawney-Announces-Updated-cc…

[Popeye82]

Energizer Resources - Intersects 41.5 m of Graphite in Drill Core Grading 7.01% C, +29 m @6.44% C in Trench Sampling - Feb 28, 2012
www.marketwire.com/press-release/energizer-resources-interse…
www.energizerresources.com/component/content/article/150-201…

[Popeye82]

Minemakers - Sandpiper Phosphate Project Resource Upgrade: 220.300.000 t @20.13% +1.607.000.000 t @18.9% P2O5 M/I - Feb 29, 2012
www.minemakers.com.au/documents/120229SandpiperProjectResour…

[Popeye82]

Fission Energy - Drill Rig Mobilized, @PLS High Grade Boulder Field Project - Feb 27, 2012
www.marketwire.com/press-release/fission-energy-corp-drill-r…

[Popeye82]

Rainy River Resources - Announces 5.720.000 Ounces of Gold in Measured +Indicated Resources +2.250.000 Ounces of Gold in Inferred Resources - Feb 24, 2012
www.marketwire.com/press-release/rainy-river-resources-annou…

[Popeye82]

Altynalmas Gold - Announces a Feasibility Mineral Reserve Estimate of 5.760.000 Ounces @8.06g/t Au, @the Kyzyl Gold Project in Kazakhstan; Indicated Gold Mineral Resources Increase by 18% to 7.350.000 Ounces @8.84g/t Au +1.450.000 Ounces @7.1g/t Au Inferred - Feb 27, 2012
www.marketwire.com/press-release/altynalmas-gold-announces-f…

[Popeye82]

Altius Minerals - Continues to Advance its Julienne Lake +Snelgrove Lake Iron Ore Projects in Labrador West, Seeking partner for Snelgrove Lake Drilling Program - Feb 27, 2012
www.marketwire.com/press-release/altius-continues-advance-it…
www.altiusminerals.com/julienne.php
www.altiusminerals.com/snelgrove.php

[Popeye82]

Mindax - Heads of Agreement signed with Sumitomo Corporation; one of the largest worldwide, diversified trading groups, proposes to form a strategic partnership to fast track feasibility +development of the DSO component of Mindax's Mt Forrest Iron Project - Mar 1, 2012
http://mindax.com.au/upload/documents/InvestorRelations/ASX/…

[Popeye82]

Mining Summray - LC - Mar 1, 2012
http://minesite.com/media/pub/var/release_downloadable_file/…

[Popeye82]

Woulfe Mining - International Metalworking(IMC) owned by Warren Buffet’s Berkshire Hathaway , one of the world’s largest tungsten end users , is to acquire a 25% interest in Woulfe’s currently 100% owned Sangdong tungsten project in South Korea, for C$35.000.000; Brian Wesson: "We are excited and honoured to have concluded our negotiations for the strategic alliance of the Company with IMC. We believe that working with one of the world's largest tungsten end users, which has operations in Korea as well as throughout the world, is extremely beneficial for Woulfe Mining Corp. and all of the Company's stake holders who have supported us over the last two years. The strategic arrangement brings funds immediately into Sangdong to allow the project to be advanced beyond design and begin development in the spring, by providing for an initial CDN$5.000.000 to be injected into the project immediately in the form of a loan. Subject to customary closing conditions, including the satisfactory conclusion of due diligence by IMC, the receipt of applicable regulatory approvals +other matters set forth in full in the relevant agreements, IMC will invest a further CDN$35.000.000 in equity to acquire 25% of Sangdong +will invest up to a further CDN$19.250.000 into a new Korean joint venture with the Company. The joint venture will design +build a tungsten APT manufacturing facility +will be owned jointly by Woulfe +IMC, 45% +55%, respectively. Subject to the terms of the relevant agreements, Woulfe will have the option to finance its 45% ownership of the APT joint venture through an up to CDN$15.750.000 loan, to be made available to Woulfe by IMC, which may be repaid in tungsten concentrate produced by Sangdong. Alternatively, Woulfe may inject equity directly into the new APT joint venture without taking any loan from IMC. A key component of the transaction is that IMC has agreed to purchase a guaranteed minimum quantity of 90% of the tungsten product produced by the entities. I expect the security of this arrangement to significantly support the Company's ability to secure additional financing for the tungsten project. The agreements with IMC also provide IMC the option to offer the Company additional financing in connection with the project" - Feb 28, 2012
www.woulfemining.com/s/NewsReleases.asp?ReportID=509691&_Typ…

[Popeye82]

IMX Resources - Snaefell Resource Increases By 184% -to 569.000.000 @27.1% Fe; Neil Meadows: "Snaefell has exceeded our expectations +is a significant +growing asset in our portfolio of iron ore projects. Its location, in close proximity to the Cairn Hill mine +existing transport infrastructure, makes Snaefell a key component of IMX’s South Australian magnetite growth strategy. The coarse grind size @which magnetite separation can be achieved is of particular significance to the value of this resource. We expect to commence the next phase of metallurgical drilling in the next quarter +to complete scoping +pit optimisation studies during ´12" - Mar 1, 2012

+ Snaefell Inferred Mineral Resource increased by 369.000.000 t to 569.000.000 t @27.1% Fe using an 18% Fe cut-off grade1, an increase of 184%;

+ Mineralisation over a 2.7km strike length remains open @depth +along strike;

+ Scoping +pit optimisation studies underway;

+ Coarse high grade magnetite product suitable for direct feed to sintering. ...
http://stocknessmonster.com/news-item?S=IXR&E=ASX&N=580342

[Popeye82]

Euro Unemployment Hits New High - FY/AP, LONDON - Mar 1, 2012

- Pan Pylas -
http://finance.yahoo.com/news/euro-unemployment-hits-high-ja…

[Popeye82]

Dart Energy’s Letter of Intent for new China CBM +Shale Gas PSCs - AI - 1-Mar-2012
www.australianinvestor.com.au/news.asp?id=42474
http://stocknessmonster.com/news-item?S=DTE&E=ASX&N=240165

"Dart Energy International Pte Ltd, the international operating arm of Dart Energy Limited, has entered into a Letter of Intent (“LOI”) with Henan CBM (“HCBM”) and Hong Kong Prosperous Clean Energy Company (“HPEC”). The LOI relates to the establishment of potential new foreign cooperation Production Sharing Contracts (“PSCs”) – up to four for coal bed methane at various blocks in Henan Province, China, and one for shale gas in Sichuan Province, China.

At the same time, Dart and HPEC have entered into a Memorandum of Understanding (“MOU”) setting out the key commercial terms for a collaboration between Dart and HPEC in relation to these potential PSCs and associated downstream activities.

HCBM is a Chinese state-owned enterprise and one of only four companies approved to enter into foreign co-operations PSCs for coal bed methane in China (the others being PetroChina, China United Coal Bed Methane, and Sinopec). HPEC is a substantial privately-owned company which primarily focuses on clean energy in Henan Province, including operation of LPG & CNG gas stations and other natural gas facilities.

Dart International Chief Executive Officer, Mr John McGoldrick, said:
"We are extremely pleased by this important development in our Chinese business, which gives us the opportunity to significantly expand our China activities, through ground-floor entry into potentially high prospect licences – for CBM and for shale – "we believe that a number of these could be multi-Tcf propositions" . In relation to shale gas, this would make Dart one of the first foreign participants in the rapidly
emerging Chinese shale gas industry, alongside some of the majors.

We believe that our global activity base and substantial specialist expertise, as well as the excellent work done and reputation built by our China team over the last several years has resulted in Dart International being the industry partner of choice for Henan CBM and Hong Kong Prosperous Clean Energy Company. We are honoured that these esteemed companies have selected Dart International for foreign cooperation, and we look forward to working closely with our new partners on unlocking the resource potential in these assets”. "

[Popeye82]

NEVADO Resources - Releases Farrell-Taylor Assay Results From the Q3-Q4/´11 Helicopter-Supported Diamond Drilling Campaign @the La Blache Iron-Titanium-Vanadium Project; next phase will be to complete, by the end of the 2nd quarter of ´12, a NI 43-101 mineral resource estimate of the entire massive +disseminated Iron, Titanium +Vanadium oxides mineralization - Mar 1, 2012

+ FT-11-01 intersected 108.6 metres of massive oxides grading 66.9% Fe2O3(46.8% FeT), 20.6% TiO2 +0.38% V2O5, included in a combined massive +disseminated oxides interval of 240 metres grading 44.4% Fe2O3(44.4% FeT), 13.3% TiO2 +0.22% V2O5

+ One additional hole, FT-11-02 intersected 75.3 metres of massive oxides grading 68.3% Fe2O3(47.8% FeT), 21.6% TiO2 +0.38% V2O5, included in a combined massive +disseminated oxides interval of 144 metres grading 49.3% Fe2O3(34.5% FeT), 15.1% TiO2 +0.25% V2O5 ...
www.marketwire.com/press-release/nevado-releases-farrell-tay…

[Popeye82]

Reform der Organspende in Deutschland; Durchbruch bei der Organspende-Regelung nach 15 Jahren Debatte : Jeder Erwachsene in Deutschland wird künftig regelmäßig per Brief aufgefordert, sich für oder gegen eine Organspende nach dem Tod zu entscheiden. Angesichts des drastischen Organmangels soll diese grundlegende Reform die geringe Zahl der Spender spürbar +schnell erhöhen - DPA, BERLIN - Mar 1, 2012
http://web.de/magazine/gesundheit/krankheiten/14867026-refor…

[Popeye82]

Matamec Explorations - Zeus Property Shows REE Potential -Outside the Kipawa Deposit; André Gauthier: "The summer ´11 campaign in the Surprise area is a great success story: we had some anomalies, we went , we saw , +we discovered! While our main focus will remain on fully developing the Kipawa deposit, the Surprise area, now including the Certitude showing, looks better +better every time we visit " - Mar 1, 2012
www.marketwire.com/press-release/matamecs-zeus-property-show…
http://file.marketwire.com/release/fig1_en.pdf

[Popeye82]

How Ecolab jumped 73 places on Fortune 500; Ecolab’s former CEO Al Schuman asked Doug Baker “why do you think you’re such hot sh*t? , 16 years later the answer is obvious. As CEO, Doug Baker has cemented Ecolab on the S&P 500, moved it up 73 places on the Fortune 500(growing 49% in ´10 to $6.100.000.000), +made it one of the world’s most ethical companies four years running - MTB.TV - Mar 1, 2012
www.meettheboss.tv/Broadcast/Governance/288/CEO-Lessons-Turn…

[Popeye82]

Solitario Exploration &Royalty - Reports Outstanding Drilling Results @Bongara High-Grade Zinc Project, Peru, drills "up to" 5.8 meters grading 36.61% zinc +lead(“Zn +Pb”) +53.48 gpt silver - Mar 1, 2012
www.solitarioxr.com/news/030112.pdf

[Popeye82]

Vena Resources - Confirms High-Grade Polymetallic Structures, @Azulcocha Mine - Mar 1, 2012
www.marketwire.com/press-release/vena-confirms-high-grade-po…
http://media3.marketwire.com/docs/vena31.jpg

[Popeye82]

Africa: "The Next Great Energy Growth Story" - ICA/IP - Feb 23, 2012

- A. Levitt -
www.icafrica.org/en/news/infrastructure-news/article/africa-…

"When it comes to emerging markets and energy production, powerhouses like Brazil and Russia tend to dominate portfolio holdings. Both nations have been blessed with a vast array of hydrocarbons and natural resources — Russia is the world’s leader in natural gas and Brazil’s deepwater salt-fields could be home to some of the richest concentrations of oil in recent history.

Equally rich — but less known — is the emerging oil story in Africa. The continent often is completely ignored by investors, but the tale brewing there could be exactly the catalyst needed to propel the region into superstar status.

Investors willing to bet on this relatively unknown growth story could reap significant profits in the long term.


Surging Reserve Growth

Years of corruption, infighting and violence have tainted perceptions of the continent. However, Africa’s rich abundance of natural resources is leading to its revival. Overall, the continent is becoming more politically stable, and resource dollars are beginning to find their way back into African infrastructure and telecommunications.

Historically, mineral resources and gold have powered Africa’s past, but the continent’s future will be driven by its new found oil reserves.

Nineteen countries within the region are now significant producers of petroleum. While nations like Nigeria, Libya and Algeria have been the major sources of reserves and production, new finds in Ghana, Kenya and Uganda are rewriting African history . Angola was inducted into the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) back in 2007, and Asian investment has pushed up production in Sudan rapidly. Since 1989, Africa’s proven oil reserves have increased by 116% — from nearly 59 billion barrels of oil equivalent (BOE) in 1989 to nearly 210 billion barrels today — and currently make up 13% of the world’s oil reserves.

Those reserves are continuing their steady climb upward. Taking a cue from American natural gas producers, new advances in drilling techniques are helping to push supplies higher. Analysts estimate that over the next 25 years, Africa will see supply growth gain an extra 2 million barrels per day annually, and by 2035, the continent will double its natural gas reserves to 15 trillion cubic feet.

Recent discoveries off the coasts of war-torn Liberia and Sierra Leone are helping underscore that resource growth. Energy analysts have postulated that these sites in West Africa "could even dwarf Brazil’s offshore potential" . Countries such as South Africa, Mozambique and Tanzania are working on new horizontal wells to tap trapped petroleum reserves. Kenya has undergone a “land grab” in recent years, as E&P firms have looked toward the politically stable nation and its oil-rich Somalian Plate. The region features geology very similar to the various shale formations dotting the U.S.’s Northeast.

Overall, the International Energy Agency predicts that more than 20% of the globe’s total oil production by 2035 will come from sources that had yet to be found — including those in Africa.


Getting in Touch With Your Inner Livingstone

Africa’s burgeoning energy industry has the potential to change the continent’s fortunes for the better. While it often is ignored, it won’t stay that way forever. For instance, my favorite integrated major oil firm, Royal Dutch Shell (NYSE:RDS.A, RDS.B), recently paid $1.6 billion to purchase Cove Energy to gain a foothold in Mozambique.

For investors looking to add a high-risk/high-reward energy play, adding a dose of African energy makes perfect sense.

A great starting place for investors is England’s Tullow Oil (PINK:TUWOY). Since 2007, the E&P firm has discovered approximately 4 billion barrels worth of oil across nations like Ghana and French Guiana, and recently set its sights on onshore East Africa. The firm has begun seismic testing in an underdeveloped area stretching between Kenya and Ethiopia. Tullow hopes to find 300 million barrels of oil within the region. Analysts estimate that their chances are pretty good, as test wells have come back with so-called “oil seeps.” The company also is steadily raising cash by unloading part of its Uganda discovery to France’s Total (NYSE:TOT) and China’s CNOOC (NYSE:CEO) for $2.9 billion.

Tullow isn’t necessarily cheap, currently trading at a forward P/E of around 33. But, that premium is justified as the firm is Africa’s top oil & gas explorer. Based on its last reported quarter, competitor Kosmos Energy (NYSE:KOS) isn’t even profitable yet. So far this year, shares of Tullow have gained about 9.5%. However, if the firm’s East African endeavors take hold, they could surge.

For those looking for a broader way into Africa’s riches, Anadarko Petroleum (NYSE:APC) could be a good bet. The firm has been shifting its focus from the Gulf of Mexico toward Africa and has been a major partner in a variety of big finds.

The aforementioned finds off of Liberia and Sierra Leone’s coasts were headed by Anadarko. The company also is huge in Mozambique, where it estimates recoverable natural gas reserves could top 30 Tcf. Shell’s purchase of Cove actually gives it an 8.5% stake in Anadarko’s Rovuma project, where the European oil major plans on building a liquefied natural gas export plant. Anadarko sees the purchase as huge win, as it now can export that field’s gas more easily.

For investors, Anadarko’s blend of mature, stable Gulf assets and high-growth African ones makes it a great balanced play on the continent’s future.


As of this writing, Aaron Levitt did not hold a position in any of the aforementioned securities. "

[Popeye82]

NSX Silver - files final prospectus for "spin-out" from NSGold - Mar 1, 2012
http://finance.yahoo.com/news/nsx-silver-inc-files-final-192…

[Popeye82]

Lexam VG Gold - Fuller Property Continues to Deliver Good Results -2.53 Grams Per Tonne Gold Over 122.7 Metres, property currently hosts a National Instrument 43-101 compliant resource estimate of 486.205 Ounces @~5.57g/t Au - Mar 1, 2012
www.marketwire.com/press-release/lexam-vg-gold-inc-fuller-pr…

[Popeye82]

Cashmere Iron - rapidly advancing towards ´14 iron ore mine start-up; Subject to the completion of all relevant studies, receipt of key environmental +governmental approvals +the expansion of the Esperance +Oakajee Port’s as planned Cashmere is targeting a production profile of 5.000.000 t/a Hematite DSO from Esperance +5.000.000 t/a Hematite BFO from Esperance +10.000.000 -20.000.000 t/a Magnetite from Oakajee; current JORC Resources have been identified from an area of 7.5 km portion of the BIF ridges within the Cashmere Downs Project area, There are a further 44.5 Km of ridges within the project area -representing <15% of the resource target area - Feb 27, 2012

+ Company’s project is @an advanced stage +has used independent consultants for all resource related work +project studies,

+ Significant project milestones +approvals already achieved include:

- JORC Compliant Measured & Indicated resource defined.
- Three Mining Leases granted.
- Miscellaneous Licence for water(covers 400 km2) approved +a further 300 km2 applied for.
- Native Title Future Act Agreement concluded.
- Heritage Survey completed.
- LevelII Environmental review completed(GHD, ´10).
- Project Definition Study completed(ProMet, ´10).
- Magnetite Scoping Study completed(ProMet, ´10).
- Infrastructure +Logistic Scoping Study(ProMet /Beyond Rail Solutions, ´10).
- Preliminary Feasibility Study on the BFO(ProMet ´11)
- Port Definitive Feasibility Study(Promet ´11)
- Preliminary Engineering +Design of StageI Hematite Upgrade Plant(Promet ´12)
- Capacity Reservation Deed entered into with Esperance Port.(´11)


+ Cashmere well advanced in discussions with potential joint venture partners, +

+ The Company evaluating an IPO, with Australia’s largest broker RBS Morgans engaged to assist in this regard. ...
http://easimail.ppr.com.au/download/files/12414/1607494/2012…

[Popeye82]

Minotaur Exploration - Exploration Target For Lake Purdilla Gypsum Deposit - Mar 2, 2012

+ An Exploration Target for the Lake Purdilla Gypsum Deposit of 50.000.000 -60.000.000 t @85 -90% gypsum +average thickness of 2.8 metre has been determined. Maximum overburden thickness is only 1.3 metres .

+ Lake Purdilla is South Australia’s largest undeveloped gypsum deposit , located in close proximity to the Company’s Poochera kaolin deposits.

+ Lake Purdilla Gypsum is crystalline in form, of high quality +suitable for use by the building materials industry(plasterboard +cement) +for agricultural applications(soil improver +conditioner). ...
www.minotaurexploration.com.au/images/stories/MinotaurASXrel…

[Popeye82]

Yellowhead Mining; The BTV Crews take you to the BC interior, to visit Yellowhead's massive copper project "that they believe could develop into one of the largest copper mines in Canada" - BTV - Feb 29, 2012
www.b-tv.com/features/watch-now.html?clip=YellowheadMiningFe…

[Popeye82]

Advanced Explorations - Announces Receipt of $5.000.000 Convertible Debenture Financing - Mar 2, 2012
www.marketwire.com/press-release/advanced-explorations-inc-a…

[Popeye82]

Mining Summary - LC - Mar 2, 2012
http://minesite.com/media/pub/var/release_downloadable_file/…

[Popeye82]

India Conference Confirms Commitment to Nuclear Future; A New Delhi conference last week reaffirmed India's commitment to nuclear energy. The country's new limited liability rules for resolving risk impediments for uranium producers +equipment suppliers in the case of a serious accident @an Indian nuclear power plant should see a positive outcome for uranium producers - U3O8.biz - Mar 1, 2012

- D. Brown -
www.u3o8.biz/s/MarketCommentary.asp?ReportID=510461&_Type=Ma…

"A New Delhi conference last week reaffirmed India's commitment to nuclear energy. The country's new limited liability rules for resolving risk impediments for uranium producers and equipment suppliers in the case of a serious accident at an Indian nuclear power plant should see a positive outcome for uranium producers.

Presently, as much as 50 percent of India's 1.2 billion citizens do not have access to electricity. A rapidly growing economy has placed a heavy demand on energy sources and electric power, but while reforms to improve efficiency and competitiveness in the power sector have been developing over several years, a continuing power access shortage is a major constriction for industrial capacity.

India only consumes the sixth-highest amount of electricity despite being the second most populous country in the world. As a comparison, this represents only 8.5 percent more electricity than Canada, which as a country consumed the seventh-largest amount of electricity in the world. On a per capita basis, the average Canadian consumes 32 times as much electricity as an Indian citizen.


A green environment

Introducing nuclear power on such a large scale represents a greener policy for India. Currently as much as 56 percent of the country's energy solution is reliant on coal burning operations. The growing expectation for energy demand and population forecasts give insight into the significant challenges posed for a country with a massive population and concern for secure, safe, and reliable sources of energy.

The objective for India is to supply as much as 25 percent of its electricity through nuclear power by 2050 . The country generates approximately 2.9 percent of its electricity from nuclear power, so future demand on global uranium and nuclear industry expertise will be considerable. A forecast from the International Energy Agency indicates that India will be adding between 600 and 1,200 GW of additional new power generation capacity to meet targets for 2050. The country expects to import light-water reactors in order to supplement a domestic three-stage fuel cycle that will eventually bring in thorium to complement current uranium-fuelled units.


Uranium mining implications

Australian Prime Minister Julia Gillard has made efforts to change the country's current policy, which does not permit uranium sales to India. As the policy change is still in its infancy, it will require a special safeguards framework and bilateral treaty to be developed between Australia and India. The arrangement will continue to evolve over time, and India will be sourcing supplies from other countries as the relationship progresses. Australia already produces approximately eleven percent of the world's supply of uranium, and reducing trade impediments with India should see increased interest in the country's uranium assets.

The increase in demand and the inevitable supply deficit should benefit major producers by increasing both uranium prices and interest in the broader uranium industry. With the value of underlying uranium deposits being recognized by the market, junior mining exploration companies will also benefit considerably. Major exploration budgets will increase, with interest and capital investment likely reflecting higher valuations for junior exploration companies and a growing appetite for merger and acquisition activity.


Domestic source

India is expecting to commission a new uranium mine and related processing plant in the very near future. The Mouldih mine could produce up to 500 tonnes of uranium ore per day. The ore will be processed at the Turamdih mill, which has the capacity to process 3,000 tonnes of uranium ore per day.

Recognizing the importance and opportunity of the emerging nuclear market, in the fall of 2009, uranium giant Cameco (TSX:CCO,NYSE:CCJ) established an office in India in order to build a presence within the country's nuclear community. "

[Popeye82]

Critical Strategic Metals - Mar 1, 2012

+ Japan +China "Continue Their Rare Earth Dance"

+ The Great Graphene Race

+ Focusing On The Future ...
www.criticalstrategicmetals.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/03/C…

[Popeye82]

Sundance Resources - Enters MOU with Core Mining, backed by Glencore, Severstal etc.; concerning the provision +use of future infrastructure facilities - Mar 1, 2012
http://stocknessmonster.com/news-item?S=SDL&E=ASX&N=580456

[Popeye82]

Korea, Australia Hold Talks on Energy Cooperation - MKE - Feb 27, 2012
www.mke.go.kr/language/eng/news/news_view.jsp?seq=1086&table…

[Popeye82]

Gunson Resources - Coburn Chloride Ilmenite Offtake with E.I. du Pont de Nemours +Company("DuPont”), owner of DuPont Titanium Technologies, the world’s largest manufacturer of titanium dioxide, +Financing - Mar 2, 2012
www.gunson.com.au/files/reports/Coburn%20Chloride%20Ilmenite…

[Popeye82]

Columbus Gold - Drilling Intersects 102 Meters of 1.97 gpt Gold @Columbus Gold's Paul Isnard Gold Project; Drilling Confirms Depth Extension of Gold Mineralization - Mar 2, 2012
www.marketwire.com/press-release/drilling-intersects-102-met…

[Popeye82]

Greenpeace launches anti-nuclear energy campaign - US.net/GP - Mar 1, 2012
www.greenpeace.org/international/Global/international/public…
www.uranium-stocks.net/home/greenpeace-launches-anti-nuclear…
www.greenpeace.org/international/Global/international/public…

"Environmental activist organisation Greenpeace has launched a campaign urging the government to abandon the move towards using nuclear energy in South Africa.

This comes on the heels of an announcement by Energy minister Dipuo Peters on Tuesday that the government will allocate more funds -- R300 billion-- towards nuclear power plant construction.

Also on Tuesday, Greenpeace released the 'Lessons from Fukushima'report, which states that the Japanese nuclear disaster of last year was a result of governmental and nuclear industry failures as opposed to a natural disaster.


The report identifies three areas in which Japan failed in dealing with nuclear crises.

"The key conclusion to be drawn from the report is that this human-made nuclear disaster could be repeated at any nuclear plant in the world," the organisation says in a statement.

Greenpeace International nuclear campaigner Rianne Teule says: "This report shows that nuclear energy is inherently unsafe, and that governments are quick to approve reactors, but remain ill-equipped to deal with problems and protect people from nuclear disasters.

"This has not changed since the Fukushima disaster and that is why millions of people continue to be exposed to nuclear risks."

The organisation says South Africa "needs to reassess its nuclear expansion plans", but says the government is showing little interest in learning from the Fukushima disaster.

Ferrial Adam, Greenpeace Africa campaigner, says: "They are barrelling ahead [with nuclear energy]. They're not listening. They're spending money in the wrong place."

The organisation will hold a panel discussion in Johannesburg tonight, where they will be discussing this issue in detail. The discussion is open to the public.

Adam says Greenpeace invited the National Nuclear Regulator of South Africa (NNR) and the Department of Energy to attend, but both declined.

About the panel discussion, Adam says: "This is just the start. We'll be watching to see where this goes. We'll be scrutinising [the nuclear energy issue].

"We demand more transparency and honesty from the government."

One of the criticisms from the 'Lessons from Fukushima' report is the fact the Japanese taxpayer is liable for losses caused by the nuclear meltdown. The fall out in Japan has cost an estimated 500 to 600 billion dollars according to Greenpeace.

Adam says clauses in South African law limit the liability nuclear power plants pay if a disaster occurs. If a disaster happens in South Africa "the ordinary citizen will be paying for a clean-up," says Adam.

The Greenpeace report also says one of the problems leading to the Fukushima disaster was that the Japanese nuclear regulator was to closely linked to proponents of the nuclear industry and the Japanese government and was not sufficiently independent. Adam argues the same could be said of the NNR.

In a Greenpeace report titled 'South Africa: Not another Fukushima', author David Fig writes: "The National Nuclear Regulator has - in its own annual reports - reported difficulty attracting and retaining experienced personnel to carry out its mandate and is underfunded, relying in licencing fees from the industry to make up its income as a result it can never be fully independent."

Adam says the lack of independence is concerning.

While the issue of nuclear energy has been talked about, debated and scrutinised in the media, Adam feels the public also needs to be more vocal about the issue.

"If it's always organisations raising objections, the government won't do much about it," she says. "But when you've got large numbers of people standing up and saying 'This is not right', then the government will have to sit up and listen."

Adam doesn't think the government has been open enough with the public and haven't informed the public sufficiently about nuclear power and its dangers.

She says the lessons learnt from Fukushima show that the secrecy around South Africa's nuclear energy plant Koeberg is concerning. She says that Greenpeace cannot find out what happened to 91 workers who were exposed to excess radiation in an accident at Koeberg in 2010 and that very little is known about what happens at Koeberg.

"It's been a year since the Fukushima disaster," says Adam. "But it's still not safe yet, children still can't go out and play in the streets. People were evacuated from their houses and are still not sure when they'll go back.

"If a country as advanced as Japan could have this happen to them, what about South Africa?" ... "

[Popeye82]

Pinestar Gold - Announces Option to Acquire Portfolio of 11 Australian Graphite Projects - Mar 1, 2012
http://finance.yahoo.com/news/pinestar-announces-option-acqu…
http://media3.marketwire.com/docs/301pns_figs.pdf

[Popeye82]

Talon Metals - Announces Substantial Increase to Mineral Resources @the Trairão Iron Project, Brazil, for Target Areas I to VI +VIII: ~1.400.000.000 tonnes @an average grade of ~34.27% Fe + ~1.200.000.000 t @an average grade of ~29.48% Fe I/I - Mar 2, 2012
http://talonmetals.com/news/index.php?&content_id=202

[Popeye82]

Tintina Resources - Intercepts 8.32% Copper(Cu), 0.04% Co, 7.8 g/tonne Silver(Ag) +0.28 g/tonne Gold(Au) Over 17.23 Meters @Black Butte Copper Montana, USA; Jerry Zieg: "We are very pleased to continue to report thick, high grade copper intersections from the Black Butte Copper project. In particular, the very high grades seen @the Johnny Lee Lower Zone are especially encouraging. Once all drill results are incorporated into updated resource estimates later this year, we expect to have achieved our corporate objective of defining in excess of a Billion pounds of contained copper metal"; upgraded resource estimate is expected to be completed by mid-´12 - Mar 1, 2012

Highlights of the ´12 in-fill drill program from the Johnny Lee Deposit -Lower Zone(JLD-LZ):

- Drill hole SC12-100 intersected 12.10 meters grading 8.54% Copper(Cu), 0.02% Cobalt(Co), 2.6 g/tonne Silver(Ag) +0.55 g/tonne Gold(Au)

- Drill hole SC12-101 intersected 14.80 meters grading 5.6% Copper(Cu), 0.03% Cobalt(Co), 2.5 g/tonne Silver(Ag) +0.27 g/tonne Gold(Au)

- Drill hole SC12-102 intersected 9.89 meters grading 7.9% Copper(Cu), 0.04% Cobalt(Co), 3.0 g/tonne Silver(Ag) +0.37 g/tonne Gold(Au)

- Drill hole SC12-103 intersected 2.65 meters grading 14.09% Copper(Cu), 0.01% Co, 2.7 g/tonne Silver(Ag) +0.69 g/tonne Gold(Au).

- Drill hole SC12-104 intersected 17.33 meters grading 8.32% Copper(Cu), 0.04% Co, 7.8 g/tonne Silver(Ag) +0.28 g/tonne Gold(Au) ...
www.marketwire.com/press-release/tintina-intercepts-832-cu-o…
http://media3.marketwire.com/docs/tau301_Fig1-5.pdf
www.visualcapitalist.com/portfolio/tintina-intercepts-8-32-c…

[Popeye82]

Save the World Air - Signs Five-Year Agreement With United States Department of Energy; In ´11, together with the United Stated Department of Energy's Rocky Mountain Oilfield Testing Center, STWA designed +retrofitted a purpose-built 4.5 mile underground oil pipeline testing facility in order to test the Company's Applied Oil Technology™(AOT™) under simulated real-world conditions. This pipeline testing facility is the proving grounds for the Company's new viscosity reduction technology. Recent testing conducted in October ´11 on the Company's AOT™ technology yielded pipeline operational efficiency improvements of >13%, marking a significant milestone achievement for the Company - Feb 29, 2012
http://finance.yahoo.com/news/stwa-signs-five-agreement-unit…

[Popeye82]

Trevali Mining - Glencore International to Acquire 7.8% of Trevali, Through an US$18.000.000 Private Placement; funds will be utilized to rapidly advance the Company's Santander Mine project in Peru +to provide working capital facilities for the new Halfmile Mine in New Brunswick that is presently under production ramp-up - Mar 1, 2012
www.trevali.com/i/pdf/TV-NR-12-07-Glencore-PP-March01-12.pdf

[Popeye82]

Pinetree Capital - Acquires Securities of Canada Coal Inc., an Arctic Coal company who now holds Canada’s largest historic undeveloped coal resource -estimated to be >54.000.000.000 tonnes, Recent assays of grabs samples show <1% sulphur(0.35%) + <10% ash(5% average) indicating the possibility that a washing plant will not be needed +could generate direct to ship product; company is currently private +is seeking partners to help develop its world class coal portfolio(If your company or country is interested in this opportunity please contact us to organize a conference call @ ([e-mail]) ) - Mar 2, 2012
www.marketwire.com/press-release/pinetree-capital-ltd-acquir…
www.wethinkcentral.com/canadacoal/docs/Weststar-43-101-Foshe…
www.wethinkcentral.com/canadacoal/docs/West-Hawk-43-101-Fosh…

[Popeye82]

MagneGas - Announces Major Customer in OneSteel Ltd., One of the World's Largest Steel Companies, to begin using MagneGas™ for Metal Working - Feb 27, 2012
http://ir.stockpr.com/magnegas/company-news/detail/923/magne…

[Popeye82]

Löwin bringt Töwen zur Welt; Extrem seltene Kreuzung: Tierbaby ist halb Löwe, halb Tiger - W - Mar 3, 2012
http://web.de/magazine/wissen/tiere/14873514-loewin-bringt-t…

[Popeye82]

Ölpest: BP zahlt 7,8 Milliarden; Das Unternehmen erspart sich damit wohl einen Mammutprozess - DPA, LONDON/WASHINGTON - Mar 3, 2012
http://web.de/magazine/finanzen/wirtschaft/14876908-nach-oel…

"Nach zähem Ringen außerhalb der Gerichte wird der Ölkonzern BP Privatleuten und Firmen 7,8 Milliarden US-Dollar an Entschädigungen für die Ölpest im Golf von Mexiko zahlen. Allein 2,3 Mrd Dollar gehen in die Fischereibranche.


Das ist das Ergebnis einer Übereinkunft mit einem Steuerkreis von über 100 000 Klägern, die gegen den Ölgiganten vor Gericht ziehen wollten, wie der Konzern am frühen Samstagmorgen in London mitteilte.

Die US-Regierung schließt ungeachtet der Einigung einen Prozess in eigener Sache nicht aus, denn eine Übereinkunft mit staatlichen Stellen steht noch aus. "Die Vereinigten Staaten sind darauf vorbereitet, die verantwortlichen Parteien für die entstandenen Schäden in der Golfregion zur Rechenschaft zu ziehen", zitierte die Zeitung "Times-Picayune" einen Sprecher des Justizministeriums. Die Klägergemeinschaft zeigt sich indes zufrieden über den Deal mit BP.

Die Zahlungen sollen aus einem Fonds in Höhe von 20 Mrd US-Dollar (15,16 Mrd Euro) geleistet werden, den BP eigens dafür eingerichtet hat. Der Konzern hat für die Folgen der Ölkatastrophe nach eigenen Angaben bereits vor der Einigung 22 Milliarden US-Dollar ausgegeben.

8,1 Mrd Dollar gingen an Privat- und Geschäftsleute. 14 Milliarden Dollar musste das Unternehmen für Aufräumarbeiten, Geräte und weitere Dinge im Zusammenhang mit dem Unglück zahlen. Insgesamt rechnet der Konzern mit Kosten von alles in allem 37,2 Mrd Dollar für die Folgen des Öl-Desasters. Es werde nicht erwartet, dass die Einigung zu einer Ausweitung der Gesamtkosten führen wird. BP werde aber seine Schätzungen anpassen, sobald weitere Informationen vorliegen. Das Unternehmen reduzierte seinen Reservepuffer innerhalb der Gesamtkalkulation von 5,5 auf 3,4 Mrd Dollar.

An diesem Montag sollte in New Orleans ein Mammutprozess von mehr als 100 000 Klägern gegen BP und andere Firmen beginnen. Der zuständige Richter Carl Barbier hat das Verfahren nach der Einigung zunächst verschoben. Die Einigung führe wohl dazu, dass sich die Voraussetzungen für den Prozess grundlegend ändern werden, teilte er mit. Der Start des Verfahrens mit Millionen von Dokumenten war ursprünglich bereits für den 26. Februar geplant gewesen. Die Parteien erreichten dann zunächst eine Verschiebung auf den 5. März. Ob es nun überhaupt zu einem Prozess kommen wird, war zunächst unklar. Zunächst ist er für 45 Tage ausgesetzt.

Richterin Sally Sushan habe sich mit den Prozessparteien - BP auf der einen, ein Steuerkreis für die Kläger auf der anderen Seite - getroffen. Dabei sei eine Einigung erzielt worden. Diese müsse nun vom Gericht geprüft und bestätigt werden. "Von Anfang an hat BP Anstrengungen unternommen, seine Verpflichtungen zu erfüllen", sagte der Vorstandschef des britischen Unternehmens, Bob Dudley.

"Wir haben jetzt fast zwei Jahre hart gearbeitet, um ihnen nachzukommen", betonte er. "Die vorgeschlagene Einigung bedeutet signifikante Fortschritte zur Lösung aller Probleme des Deepwater-Horizon-Unfalls", sagte Dudley. Sie trage auch zur wirtschaftlichen und ökologischen Wiederherstellung der Küste im Golf von Mexiko bei.

Die Klägergemeinschaft aus Privat- und Geschäftsleuten zeigte sich unterdessen zufrieden über die jetzt erzielte Übereinkunft. "Diese Einigung sorgt für Ausgleichszahlungen zugunsten Hunderttausender - auf transparente und schnelle Art und Weise und unter strikter Rechtsaufsicht", zitierte die "Times-Picayune" eine Erklärung.

Bei dem Unglück im April 2010 war im Golf von Mexiko die Ölplattform "Deepwater Horizon" explodiert. Elf Menschen starben. Zwischen vier und fünf Millionen Barrel (je 159 Liter) Öl liefen 87 Tage lang ins Meer, die Golfküste wurde über hunderte Kilometer verschmutzt. Die wichtige Fischerei- und Tourismusindustrie wurde empfindlich getroffen. Privatleute, Firmen, Kommunen, US-Bundesstaaten sowie die Zentralregierung in Washington reichten Klagen gegen den britischen Konzern und andere beteiligte Firmen ein. "

[Popeye82]

Putin wird wieder Präsident; Regierungschef wird zum dritten Mal wichtigstes Amt bekleiden; Präsident wurde das erste Mal gemäß geänderter Verfassung für sechs Jahre gewählt - DPA, MOSKAU - Mar 4, 2012
http://web.de/magazine/nachrichten/ausland/14883116-putin-ge…

[Popeye82]

SECHSUNDSECHZIG-Jährige bekommt Zwillinge; "Weltrekord" soll eine Inderin halten, die noch mit 70 ein Kind bekam - DPA, ZÜRICH - Mar 4, 2012
http://web.de/magazine/gesundheit/kind/14884566-66-jaehrige-…

[Popeye82]

Quickstep Holdings - Selected to Make Carbon Fibre C130J Wing Flaps; Philippe Odouard: "The award of this C-130J contract further demonstrates Quickstep’s ability to contest +win major aerospace manufacturing contracts +confirms our competitiveness on the international stage. It is good news for manufacturing in Australia demonstrating that we can keep manufacturing work in country through innovation +high-end capabilities. I would like to pay a particular tribute to the NSW government that supported us in developing the Bankstown facility which will become one of the most advanced in the world. This win could create 60+ new jobs @the Bankstown facility in NSW" - Mar 5, 2012

+ Quickstep has been selected by Lockheed Martin as the future sole source supplier for the C-130J composite wing flaps

+ 1st order for non-recurring activities is expected in Q2 ´12 with 1st delivery of parts expected to commence in ´14

+ Potential contract value estimated between $75.000.000 to $100.000.000 over 5 years

+ Order could create 60+ new jobs @advanced manufacturing facility @Bankstown Airport New South Wales ...
http://stocknessmonster.com/news-item?S=QHL&E=ASX&N=580714

[Popeye82]

Energio - Drilling update No. 6 -Agbaja Iron Ore Exploration Project; Dr Ian Burston: "these results continue to be very 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" - Mar 5, 2012

+ Company Receives results of the 6th batch of assay results.

+ Analytical results from the 6th batch of 14 drill hole samples remain @higher than the initial expected range.

+ As the Company has previously announced, continuous results are now being received +released to the market from the 237 vertically drilled Reverse Circulation(RC) drill holes completed to date of the planned 20.000 metres of drilling for resource definition @the Agbaja Iron Ore Exploration Project. All drill holes planned for Agbaja will be vertical RC.

+ RC drilling program is now 36% completed, continues @planned rates +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=580774

[Popeye82]

Modun Resources - to Acquire Large Pre-Production Coal Project South Gobi Coking Coal District, Mongolia +Undertakes Capital Raising; Tsagaan Tolgoi Project is located on an existing mining licence(expiring 2038) 95 kilometres north of the Chinese border, ~80 km south of Mongolia’s renowned 6.000.000.000 tonne coking coal project, Tavan Tolgoi, +100 km west of the existing paved road +planned rail link into China. Hunnu Coal’s flagship project Tsant Uul Project sits in the same geological unit 30 km to the north of Tsagaan Tolgoi; Mardon: "the acquisition of two large project areas in the world class South Gobi region is an exciting development for the future of Modun Resources. Modun now has a clear near term growth +development path +looks forward to becoming a coal producer. The combination of a pre-production asset with a defined resource, high quality thermal coal with potential for a coking coal product +clear resource extension potential so close to the Chinese market is a fantastic outcome for the shareholders of Modun. We look forward "to growing Modun into the premier Australian coal producer in Mongolia" ", Alexander Molyneux: "SouthGobi is pleased to take a major role in the development of Modun. This transaction allows SouthGobi to focus on further developing our Ovoot Khural basin holdings, including our flagship Ovoot Tolgoi Complex +the nearby Soumber Deposit, while retaining a continuing exposure to Tsagaan Tolgoi through our shareholding in Modun. We believe "that Modun is well placed to be able to bring Tsagaan Tolgoi into production in a timely manner" " - Mar 5, 2012

+ Acquisition of 100% of 10.500 Ha mining licence(Tsagaan Tolgoi) with an Exploration Target1 of 150.000.000 to 250.000.000 tonne(grading Qadb 5.300 kcal/kg to Qadb 6.500 kcal/kg) of high quality thermal coal +potential coking coal in the South Gobi Coking Coal District(subject to shareholder +regulatory approvals)

+ Acquisition of 100% of 26.700 Ha exploration licence(Ajlyn Talbai) in South Gobi Coking Coal District(subject to shareholder +regulatory approvals)

+ 45.400.000 tonne Coal Resource JORC-Compliant) already defined over <5% of Tsaagan Tolgoi mining licence area. Significant resource extension work is planned for ´12 drilling season

+ Planned Open Pit Coal Production on Tsaagan Tolgoi mining licence from December ´12

+ High Quality Thermal +Potential Coking Coal Resource in Upper Permian Tavan Tolgoi sedimentary unit

+ Close to existing +planned infrastructure +near Chinese border

+ The vendor, SouthGobi Resources Ltd.(TSX: SGQ, HK: 1878)(SouthGobi ) to join the Modun register as major shareholder +take a board seat(subject to minimum 14.9% shareholding)

+ Modun to raise $7.500.000 through a placement to institutional +sophisticated investors ...
http://stocknessmonster.com/news-item?S=MOU&E=ASX&N=580781

[Popeye82]

Tiaro Coal/Guildford Coal - Maiden Resource of 262.000.000 tonnes -White Mountain Project, was reported to have a potential Exploration Target of 40.000.000 to 815.000.000 tonnes of Galilee Basin thermal coal, Project is a potential early stage development opportunity in the north Galilee Basin +is well located to utilise existing rail +port capacity. The southeastern boundary of EPC1260 is ~15 kilometres from a potential rail siding @Pentland; Guildford exceeds 2.000.000.000 tonnes JORC Coal Resource Milestone - Mar 5, 2012
http://stocknessmonster.com/news-item?S=TCM&E=ASX&N=670053

[Popeye82]

Alexander Mining Plc - Patent Granted for Method for Ammoniacal Leaching: M. Rosser: "The grant of a patent in the DRC for a Method for Ammoniacal Leaching is excellent news given the major opportunity for the commercial use of our AmmLeach® technology in the country to process copper +cobalt oxide deposits. The new patent is core to our portfolio of patents +patent applications designed to protect the Company's development of unique intellectual property +inventions" - Mar 05, 2012
www.londonstockexchange.com/exchange/news/market-news/market…

[Popeye82]

Mining Summary - LC - Mar 5, 2012
http://minesite.com/media/pub/var/release_downloadable_file/…

[Popeye82]

Chaarat Gold Holdings - Resource Update, to 5.590.000 ounces Au - Mar 5, 2012
http://finance.yahoo.com/news/chaarat-gold-holdings-ltd-0703…

[Popeye82]

Wolf Minerals - receives credit approval, for £55.000.000 of project finance for Hemerdon Tungsten Project; Negotiations with potential off take partners to provide subordinated debt have advanced +this, along with the senior debt funding, will enable Wolf to minimise the equity component of the funding package required to put the Hemerdon project into production - Mar 5, 2012
http://stocknessmonster.com/news-item?S=WLF&E=ASX&N=580749

[Popeye82]

EMED Mining - Mandate of Goldman Sachs for $175.000.000 million finance, Negotiations with potential off take partners to provide subordinated debt have advanced and this, intended to be in the form of a copper pre-sale agreement +complements the recently announced capital +copper sale arrangements planned with Yanggu Xiangguang Copper Co. Ltd("XGC") - Mar 5, 2012

Highlights of mandate awarded to Goldman Sachs:

+ The parties have agreed indicative non-binding terms of the facility whereby the EMED Group would be provided with an up-front payment of up to US$175.000.000 +EMED Mining would deliver the equivalent value of copper to Goldman Sachs on a monthly basis over a seven year term in accordance with an agreed schedule. Based on current indicative pricing, such deliveries would represent ~15% of the planned Rio Tinto copper production(contained in concentrate) over the delivery period. The facility would allow the EMED Group to hedge higher proportions of production but it would have no obligation to do so.

+ The quantum of US$175.000.000 provides for previously reported project capital estimates supplemented by contingency provisions for the expanded land footprint agreed with the Andalucian Government, anticipated revisions in equipment specifications or prices, foreign exchange movements +working capital buffers. A detailed break-down will be updated +reported in due course when the conditions of regulatory permits are confirmed +detailed engineering +procurement can be finalised.

+ It is currently contemplated that the provision of any funding to the EMED Group would be subject to the satisfaction of certain conditions precedent including the grant of Administrative Standing from the Andalucían Government, satisfactory due diligence by Goldman Sachs +entry into definitive documentation. It is envisaged that the obligation of the EMED Group, including the delivery of the scheduled quantity of copper, will be secured by 1st-ranking charges +mortgages over the Rio Tinto Mine +the shares of certain subsidiaries of the Company together with a parent company guarantee.

+ The indicative terms which have been agreed are similar to those of traditional project financing facilities in such matters as security, conditions precedent for drawdown +pricing. However there is no current requirement for further equity capital or for hedging additional to that which covers the copper pre-sold to Goldman Sachs. Discussions continue between the Company +Goldman Sachs +further disclosure will be made following the entry into definitive documentation relating to the facility.


Other Highlights:

+ Triggering of land access. The Company has been provided limited rights of land occupation for preservation of public safety @the tailings management facility, but it awaits the grant of Administrative Standing in order to trigger the expropriation process which will secure land occupation for full operations.

+ Project approvals. The Company has informally resolved environmental +technical conditions with the regulators +has accordingly lodged the updated environmental management plans(Autorización Ambiental Unificada (Unified Environmental Authorisation) for formal procedures to continue.

+ Madrid Reviews. The Andalucian Government has referred the project documents to the Instituto Geológico y Minero de España(Geological +Mining Institute of Spain) +the Centro de Estudios y Experimentación de Obras Públicas(Study +Experimentation of Public Works Centre) for review by Spain's peak central government technical review bodies.

+ Site +project preparation procedures. The Company has announced that it has prepared, for repairs +testing, most of the plant for completion of capital estimates +project finance. Other preparations, including personnel training schemes, will be triggered upon the grant of Administrative Standing so that timetables can be duly committed. ...
www.emed-mining.com/dmdocuments/12%2003%2005%20Mandate%20of%…

[Popeye82]

Excelsior Mining - Maps Out Path to ´12 Pre-Feasibility - Mar 5, 2012

proposed $7.300.000 program is aimed @completing a pre-feasibility study this year +will include:

- 5 diamond drill holes for metallurgical testing, with up to 10 column leach tests
- 5 percussion holes(wells) for base line environmental studies
- Up to 6 large diameter percussion holes for hydrological test wells
- Extensive geophysical testing for hydrology
- ~18 diamond drill holes for structural, geological +resource definition
- Engineering studies for the pre-feasibility study ...
www.marketwire.com/press-release/excelsior-maps-out-path-to-…

[Popeye82]

Greenpeace push for "scandal research" to end mining; A coalition of environmental activists lead by Greenpeace has developed a secret plan to fund "scandal research" in the hope of shutting down the coal industry - MA - Mar 6, 2012

- A. Duffy -
www.miningaustralia.com.au/news/greenpeace-push-for--scandal…

[Popeye82]

Senomyx CEO hints @PepsiCo interest in enhancer to cut HFCS; Flavour ingredients house Senomyx has hinted @PepsiCo's interest in its work on developing an enhancer to reduce high fructose corn syrup(HFCS) levels in beverages +foods by up to 33% - FN - Mar 2, 2012

- Ben Bouckley -
www.foodnavigator.com/Product-Categories/Sweeteners-intense-…

[Popeye82]

Cap-Ex Ventures - Intersects 259 Metres @28.3% Iron From Bedrock in "Greenbush Zone", from nearly surface; Francois Laurin: "These results complete +reinforce the previously published assay results from the ´11 drilling program. We believe this bodes well for the upcoming ´12 aggressive drilling program which is expected to culminate with our inferred resource estimate for Block 103 by the end of calendar ´12" - Mar 6, 2012
www.marketwire.com/press-release/cap-ex-intersects-259-metre…

[Popeye82]

US companies turn to bankruptcy again -&again - FY/Reuters, NEW YORK - Mar 6, 2012

- Caroline Humer -
http://finance.yahoo.com/news/companies-turn-bankruptcy-agai…

[Popeye82]

Trelawney Minig &Exploration - Intersects 212.00 Metres of 2.09 g/t Gold from Infill Drilling, @Cote Lake - Mar 5, 2012
http://finance.yahoo.com/news/trelawney-intersects-212-00-me…

[Popeye82]

Australian Uranium Association - Fukushima One Year On - Mar 7, 2012
www.aua.org.au/Content/FukushimaAnniversary.aspx

[Popeye82]

Ikwezi Mining - Updated Reserve &Resource Statement for Newcastle Project; mine is expected to commence opencast operations in Q2 ´12 with the commissioning of the operations wash plant which has a processing capacity of 2.000.000 t/a ROM or approx. 1.250.000 t/a saleable product - Mar 7, 2012

+ Newcastle Project JORC compliant Resource increased to 221.000.000 tons

+ Initial JORC compliant Reserve of 14.000.000 tons for Newcastle Project ...
http://stocknessmonster.com/news-item?S=IKW&E=ASX&N=581011

[Popeye82]

Orocobre - Maiden Resource -Salinas Grande - Mar 7, 2012

+ Murray Brooker, independent hydrogeologist, has estimated an inferred resource of 56.500.000 cubic metres of brine @795 mg/L lithium +9.550 mg/L potassium which is equivalent to 239.200 tonnes lithium carbonate equivalent +1.030.000 tonnes of potash(KCl) to an average depth of 13.3m.

+ Brine chemistry is attractive, with a low Mg/Li ratio, high K/Li ratio +low sulphate +calcium levels.

+ Test work undertaken since late ´10 suggests high recoveries of both potassium +lithium could be expected using a simple, low operating cost, process route. Laboratory scale testing has produced potassium +95% KCl.

+ Installation of test production wells is planned for long term pumping tests. If the results are positive the company will undertake further drilling +a preliminary economic assessment(PEA) to evaluate the project further ...
http://stocknessmonster.com/news-item?S=ORE&E=ASX&N=240294

[Popeye82]

ZYL - Mbila Project Interim Feasibility Study Results - Mar 7, 2012

+ Mbila Interim Feasibility Study confirms project’s attractive, competitive economics on owner-operated basis

+ Operational expenditure: AU $52/saleable tonne

+ Indicative sales prices: AU $112 to AU $135 @mine gate, based on Jan ´12 prices

+ PhaseI production rate: 580.000 saleable tonnes/a; Expressions of Interest in excess of 600.000t/a for Mbila product already received(refer to announcement dated 3 February ´12)

+ Capital expenditure: AU $85.000.000

+ Internal rate of return(IRR): 41%

+ Final Definitive Feasibility Study due end Q2 ´12

+ Mbila Project is located approximately 150km north west of the Richards Bay Coal Terminal. Key infrastructure required for the development of an anthracite mine, such as electricity, roads +railway sidings +lines are located in close proximity ...
http://stocknessmonster.com/news-item?S=ZYL&E=ASX&N=581002

[Popeye82]

Mining Summary - LC - Mar 7, 2012
http://minesite.com/media/pub/var/release_downloadable_file/…

[Popeye82]

Cominco "Plans To Bring The World’s 10th Biggest Phosphate Project Into Production By ´14 " - MS - Mar 7, 2012

- Alastair Ford -
http://minesite.com/news/cominco-plans-to-bring-the-worlds-t…

"“If we’re going to be friends”, says Roderick Smith, when Minesite sits down with him for a nice cup of camomile tea in the City, “we’d better make sure we know which Congo we’re talking about”. Roderick’s an old hand in the Aussie resources scene, having helped in the discovery, financing +development of five mines in the last 25 years, but time round, his latest vehicle, Cominco, has taken him into completely new territory.

Cominco is focussed on developing the Hinda phosphate project in the Congo -Republic of Congo to be precise. That’s the Congo which didn’t have the bloody civil war, the ethnic cleansing, +the conflict minerals. To avoid confusion it’s often referred to as Congo-Brazzaville, but if that sounds a bit obscure it’s worth noting that Xstrata, Severstal, Glencore, Sundance, Zanaga, Elemental, African Iron, +the Chinese company CMEC are all active there.

And it’s little wonder. The country’s primary earner is oil, but it’s also well endowed with iron ore, potash, uranium, +phosphate. And it’s that last which particularly interests Roderick. The Hinda license covers 1.211 square kilometres of ground not far from the coast +the country’s key Atlantic Ocean port @Pointe Noire. Following initial helicopter-borne radiometric work, geochem, +the application of a host of other exploration techniques, the company identified eight separate pods of phosphate mineralisation, stretching from the south-east to the north-west of the license. And they are not just scattered across Cominco’s ground haphazardly. As Roderick says, +as a quick look @the schematic shows, “they really line up”. So the thinking had to be that underneath the soil cover, the deposits all joined up in one continuous deposit several tens of kilometres long .

Such a scenario would be ideal, because phosphate gets mined like any other bulk commodity -there needs to be a lot of it, +it needs to be near good infrastructure. The infrastructure is in place –indeed the country’s main highway, the N1, runs across Cominco’s ground, through the town of Hinda. But as to the resource, the next step was clearly to drill it, which Cominco duly did in ´11. The company put down 396 holes for nearly 31.000 metres along 22.5/50 kilometre strike length.

The results were highly encouraging, showing 1st +foremost that the phosphate was indeed continuous along strike under the soil cover. The results also showed that the phosphate is hosted in a graben between 500 metres +750 metres wide, +that it stacks up against any of the world’s established phosphate deposits , many of which are in Florida. “We’ve found a broad, shallow, near-surface phosphate deposit which is open cuttable, +I think it’s the thickest in the world ”, says Roderick. In Florida, thicknesses generally run @around six to 10 metres. But, continues Roderick, “we seem to have between 40 metres +60 metres consistently ”. Multiply that by the width of the graben +the strike length, +you get an awful lot of material. So far the company can show 127.000.000 tonnes to JORC standards, grading 13.2% P2O5, with 87 parts/million(ppm) uranium, +additional aluminium oxide, iron +calcium.

But already CSA Global are looking to update the resource, +the increase on the currently total should be quite significant. How significant? “Well, we’ve crashed CSA’s computer, it’s so big”, says Roderick with a smile. CSA now say they’ve ordered a supercomputer in order to be able to handle the myriad datapoints that now exist on Hinda.

The plan now is to continue with further drilling, +to work up a scoping study by the end of April. “Our target is to get to around 800.000.000 tonnes +then list on the Aim market”, says Roderick. The company will raise around €50.000.ooo in the process, money which will be spent on a bankable study which should outline a clear path to production by ´14. The idea is to mine around 4.000.000 tonnes of phosphate rock/year, to upgrade the material to around 32% P2O5 by means of an on-site beneficiation plant, +then to transport the material 37 kilometres to the coast by means of a slurry pipeline. "On those parameters, Hinda would become the world’s 10th biggest phosphate project."

But Roderick’s ambitions don’t stop there. Longer-term he has plans for the construction of an integrated DAP/MAP fertiliser plant, +although the US$1.500.000.000 price tag for such a plant seems prohibitive, he notes that most phosphate operations do work on a vertically integrated basis. The 1st phase ought not to be too much of a struggle, though. “I reckon I can raise between US$300.000.000 ´+US$400.000.000 for a strong project in a good jurisdiction”, Roderick says. “It’s easier to finance a US$500.000.000 project than a US$50.000.000 one .” The market certainly seems open to financings @the moment. It’ll be interesting to see what the response is when the company comes to Aim later in the year. "

[Popeye82]

Sylvania Platinum - Disposal of Bushveld Magnetite Iron Ore Assets - Mar 7, 2012
http://stocknessmonster.com/news-item?S=SLP&E=ASX&N=581158

[Popeye82]

Rogue Iron Ore - Intersects 354 Meters of 40% Total Iron, @Radio Hill; S. de Jong: "These are the best intersections we've ever reported +we look forward to receiving additional results from current drilling @the central portion of the iron formation. Radio Hill's infrastructure advantages make it unlike other iron ore projects in Canada +we will continue to aggressively explore its production potential" - Mar 5, 2012

+ Longest Intersection Reported to Date was 171m of 42% Total Iron(RH-11-10, Announced Feb 13, ´12)

+ Other Highlights Include 93m of 38% Total Iron &50m of 47% Total Iron

+ 10.000m Drill Programm Underway- no Seasonal Drilling Constraints

- Metallurgical Testing Initiated February 29, ´12 -to Provide Concentration Characteristics, Energy Requirements for Benefication, Flowsheet Development ...
www.marketwire.com/press-release/rogue-iron-ore-intersects-3…
http://media3.marketwire.com/docs/rrs305_F1.pdf

[Popeye82]

Mining Summary - LC - Mar 8, 2012
http://minesite.com/media/pub/var/release_downloadable_file/…

[Popeye82]

MBAC Fertilizer - reports positive drilling results @the Araxá Rare Earth Oxide/Niobium/Phosphate Deposit, drills "up to" 65.15meters(m ) grading 3.9% TREOs, 6.72% P₂O₅ +0.83% Nb₂O₅, starting @1.60 meter; Antenor Silva: "These drill results continue to demonstrate the high grade nature of this near surface deposit for the rare earth oxides +niobium. We are also very pleased with the grades of the phosphate, which are comparable to Vale's phosphate mine currently operating in Araxá. The drilling campaign of approximately 3.300 metres is expected to be completed this month +we expect to have a preliminary economic assessment completed by April ´12" - Mar 7, 2012
http://finance.yahoo.com/news/mbac-reports-positive-drilling…

[Popeye82]

Alexander Nubia - Issues Maiden NI 43-101-Compliant Resource Estimate for its Abu Marawat Gold-Copper Project, in Egypt - Mar 1, 2012

+ The Inferred Mineral Resource is 2.900.000 tonnes @an average grade of 1.75 g/t Au, 29.3 g/t Ag, 0.77 % Cu +1.15 % Zn, containing 162.000 ounces Au, 2.700.000 ounces Ag, 49.000.000 lbs Cu +73.000.000 lbs Zn(397.000 Ounces AuEquiv).

+ The mineral resource estimate is based on 98 diamond drill holes totaling 19.573 meters.

+ Approximately 60 % of the Inferred Resource is contained within potentially economic open pits.

+ The Abu Marawat gold-copper deposit remains open along strike in the north +south directions, laterally, +@depth. ...
www.alexandernubia.com/press_pdf_files/1330611111_Alexander%…

[Popeye82]

Baobab Resources Plc - Tenge Resource returns 158.900.000t @38.4% Fe, 0.4% V2O5 &14.3% TiO2, boosts Global Resource to 482.400.000 tonnes @32.9% Fe, 0.3% V2O5 &12.2% TiO2 ; Ben James: "The Tenge resource statement is the culmination of the ´´ 11 drilling programme. Baobab started ´11 with a resource base of 48.000.000 +has increased it tenfold to 480.000.000 t, far outstripping the Company’s original 300.000.000 t target . The project has made the transition from one of exploration to one of development +is strategically located in the emerging mining hub of the Tete province, Mozambique, one of Africa’s fastest developing economies, with unique access to existing +expanding power +infrastructure as well as abundant coal reserves. The Scoping Study, announced in November last year, establishes the compelling economics of a vertically integrated mine-mouth smelting operation to produce a higher value, higher demand, pig iron product for distribution +sale in the growth regions of Asia, while leaving open the opportunity of downstream steel processing in-country in the event that any of the major steel companies, some already active in the Tete region, elect to explore this route. The Project’s expanded resource inventory makes this a real +viable possibility that may be scaled up significantly. The Company, with the support of its strategic partner the IFC, has now embarked on a Pre-Feasibility Study, engaging internationally respected independent consultants to cover off key components under the management of a highly experienced in-house technical team. Baobab looks forward to keeping investors upto-date as the PFS develops over what is promising to be a very exciting year for the Tete Project" - Mar 6, 2012

+ Tete global resource base has expanded to 482.000.000 t(JORC), >300.000.000 t of which is defined @Tenge/Ruoni, firmly establishing the prospect area as a standalone asset.

+ The Tenge 159.000.000 t Inferred Resource reports a head grade of 38.4% Fe +an average concentrate grade of 60.4% Fe, 0.8% V2O5 +12.5% TiO2 @a mass recovery of 47.6%.

+ Coffey Mining has been commissioned to complete an Exploration Target assessment of the resource potential underlying the ‘Flats’ area of Tenge/Ruoni.

+ The Tete Pre-Feasibility Study(PFS) is underway. Baobab has engaged internationally respected specialist consultants Coffey Mining(resource, mining +environmental), SNC-Lavalin(engineering +infrastructure), Dr. Clout(mineral processing) +Ferrum Consultants(market studies) under the management of an experienced in-house technical team headed by project engineer, Mr. Christian Kunze. ...
www.baobabresources.com/files/BAO_AIMRelease20120305TeteReso…
www.baobabresources.com/files/Baobab060312update.pdf
www.baobabresources.com/files/International_Resource_Journal…

[Popeye82]

BioNeutral Group - Partners with DLA Piper +Senator Tom Daschle - Mar 5, 2012
http://finance.yahoo.com/news/bioneutral-group-partners-dla-…

[Popeye82]

Aldridge Minerals - Provides Yenipazar Feasibility Update -Mine Throughput to be Increased; feasibility study is progressing on time +on budget thus far +Aldridge expects to receive the completed study during November ´12. @this time, the site survey is nearly complete +condemnation drilling is in progress. Studies on electrical power supply +the transportation of concentrates have commenced. The site layout, including location of the open pit, waste rock dump, tailings management facility, the crushing plant +the processing plant have been selected. The baseline environmental assessment began last summer +is expected to be completed in late summer ´12 - Mar 6, 2012
http://finance.yahoo.com/news/aldridge-minerals-provides-yen…

[Popeye82]

Eco Atlantic Oil &Gas - Receives Independent Leads Report On Sharon Block Offshore Namibia: Independent "Gross Prospective Report Includes(P50) Best Estimate of 7.790.000.000 Barrels of Prospective Oil " ; Gil Holzman: "The completion of the NI 51-101 Leads Report on Sharon represents another significant milestone in our exploration efforts in Namibia. We have worked closely with our Operator -Kinley Exploration LLC, our local team in Namibia, +our local licenses partner NAMCOR(National Namibian Petroleum Corporation) in completing this phase of interpretation. We have managed to better understand the significant prospectivity of our shallow water(40m -200m) Sharon Block, with its two well defined leads. The qualitative +quantitative interpretations of these leads indicate well defined sealed structures with estimated prospective resource of 7.790.000.000 barrels of oil. Establishment of the P50 leads allows us to proceed with confidence in initiating our 3D seismic program on the Block in order to better identify the drilling targets" - Mar 8, 2012
www.ecooilandgas.com/news/index.php?&content_id=44

[Popeye82]

Obtala Resources Plc - Listing of Bushveld +Greenhills on AIM; Francesco Scolaro: "I am very pleased to announce the impending admission to the market of BMN. Since announcing our partnership in early ´11, BMN, together with Obtala, has advanced the knowledge +level of understanding of both the iron ore +tin projects considerably. The BMN projects are ideally located in one of the most advanced mining regions in the world , with the iron ore project in particular having the potential to grow into a world class asset . This admission highlights what an attractive investment this has represented for Obtala's shareholders. BMN is led by an experienced management team which has a clearly defined strategy +work plan to further develop both projects +the company" - Mar 10, 2012

+ Gross proceeds raised by BMN of ~£5.600.000 @a successful placing price of 20 pence/share (the "Placing Price")

+ Obtala's interest post Admission will be 46.0 cent. of the issued share capital of BMN, valued @~£26.1 million @the Placing Price

+ >600.000.000 tonnes of iron ore independently reported by MSA in their JORC compliant report from a 4.5km strike length. 18km of strike length is to be explored.


Description of the assets

+ BMN's primary project is the Bushveld Iron Ore Project +BMN has an interest in the Mokopane Tin Project. The Bushveld Iron Ore Project comprises two licences covering 7.409 hectares where a JORC compliant open-castable resource in >600 million tonnes has been established from a 4.5 km strike length. Further drilling along the strike is expected to substantially add to the resource on the basis that there is up to 18 km of total strike length to be explored.

+ The Mokopane Tin Project consists of one licence covering 13.422 hectares of open-castable disseminated tin resource. The Company has explored one target +plans to drill @a further four targets. The Company has JORC resource >5.000 tonnes of tin +is looking to expand the resource base by undertaking a drilling programme on the three other targets in that licence area, +one target in a licence area that is under application. In the longer term, the Company intends to expand the resource base by acquiring further projects. ...
www.obtalaresources.com/rns.aspx

[Popeye82]

West Peak Iron - Iron Exploration Target, @Bomi South Project of Liberia: 180.000.000 t to 300.000.000 t grading 20% to 65% Fe +645.000.000 t to 1.075.000.000 t grading 20% to 40% Fe; David Parker: "While the exploration target is conceptual in nature the proximity to historic iron ore mines +the associated infrastructure currently being re-established provides West Peak with a unique opportunity to accelerate our iron ore business in Liberia. "With an exploration target in place our team’s objective now is to drill test the key targets in order to delineate a JORC complaint Mineral Resource in the most practicable timeframe possible" " - Mar 9, 2012

+ Geophysical modelling establishes substantial iron targets

+ Hematite itabirite target of 180.000.000 -300.000.000 t grading 20% to 65%, with the potential to provide direct shipping ore “DSO” +/or beneficiated feed ore “BFO”

+ Magnetite itabirite target of 645.000.000 -1.075.000.000 t grading 20% to 40% Fe, with the potential to provide “BFO”

+ Project areas 100% West Peak Iron owned

+ Projects located close to port, rail +road infrastructure, both existing +currently being upgraded to meet iron ore industry requirements. ...
http://westpeakiron.com.au/sites/westpeakiron.com.au/files/I…

[Popeye82]

Sparton Resources - Reports Positive Metallurgical Test Results for Jiangxi Vanadium Project, China; New Clean Extraction Techniques Developed, Patents Applied for +Accepted - Mar 5, 2012
www.spartonres.ca/pressreleases/PR2012March5.html

[Popeye82]

American Manganese - Commences "Development of Superior Lithium Ion Battery Materials"; has retained Kemetco Research Inc. of Richmond, BC to undertake research in the production of an improved lithium manganese dioxide, Manganese dioxide is produced electrolytically(EMD, Electrolytic Manganese Dioxide) or chemically(CMD, Chemical Manganese Dioxide). The addition of lithium to manganese dioxide forms material used in high tech rechargeable lithium ion batteries. There are numerous high growth potential applications for advanced lithium ion batteries, including hybrid or full electric vehicles. The challenge is to produce the material that is free from any potential impurities, While the Company's main product is electrolytic manganese metal(EMM), the hydrometallurgical process developed by Kemetco provides an opportunity for the production of ultra-high purity manganese dioxide for use in lithium ion batteries. The Kemetco process avoids traditional steps(grinding of the resource followed by roasting) that are known to introduce impurities to battery grade lithium ion battery material, Successful research will add a secondary source of revenue to the Company, which production can be integrated as an adjunct to the Kemetco hydrometallurgical process, This project will be initiated March 9, ´12. In the 1st 3 months, the project will focus on the production of high-purity EMD +CMD from American Manganese's Artillery Peak resource. Research on lithiated materials will take place in months 3 to 6. Months 6 to 12 will focus on producing test batteries +optimizing the final products - Mar 7, 2012
www.americanmanganeseinc.com/american-manganese-inc-commence…

[Popeye82]

Mining Summary - LC - Mar 9, 2012
http://minesite.com/media/pub/var/release_downloadable_file/…

[Popeye82]

AXMIN - Signs Mandate Letter With IFC for Potential US$50.000.000 Debt Financing - Mar 9, 2012
www.marketwire.com/press-release/axmin-signs-mandate-letter-…

[Popeye82]

Ferrex shows that size DOESN'T always matter in the steel feed business - PAIUK - Mar 7, 2012

- Ian Lyall -
www.proactiveinvestors.co.uk/companies/news/39913/ferrex-sho…

"The recent turmoil in the small-cap sector has thrown up some odd valuation anomalies. A prime example of this is Ferrex(LON:FRX), the steel feed specialist that listed last summer just @the start of the shake-out.

The group has four projects +two routes to early cashflow. The management, meanwhile, has a record for value creation.

And in Malelane it has uncovered a low-cost iron ore deposit, with direct shipping potential, right in the sweet spot of South Africa’s transport infrastructure.

Managing director Dave Reeves leads a team that was previously involved in Afplats, Zimplats +Chromex.

Collectively they have sold businesses worth US$1.000.000.000 in the past +taken two major projects into production +one into development.

“So we have a very good track record of building projects, adding value +(negotiating) trade sales,” said Reeves.

“And that is something we want to emulate @Ferrex.”

The company’s flagship project is Malelane, although it might be pipped into production by the Nayega, a promising manganese deposit in Togo.

It is also active in manganese in South Africa, via a 49 per cent stake in the Leinster project in Northern Cape Province +in Mozambique’s Tete Province, where it can earn 80 per cent ownership of four licences held by Baobab Resources.

However, Malelane +Nayega are likely to be the newsflow +value drivers in the next few months.

The former is what Reeves calls an “orphan deposit”.

However, being only six kilometres from the nearest working railway +170 kilometres from the port of Maputo it boasts one crucial advantage over larger iron ore projects –infrastructure.

Being able to plug Malelane into the transportation system shaves a huge amount from the capital +operating costs of operation.

Giant deposits in the Tete region, or in western Africa, often require hundreds of miles of expensive roads +railroads, the construction of new ports alongside the creation of power facilities.

It means the steel feed business can often be a big boys game , so only the mining sector’s majors +perhaps the mini-majors take on the big assets.

“This whole play (Malelane) is about infrastructure ,” said Reeves.

“It is six kilometres from an electric railway +170 kilometres to the Port of Maputo.

“We don’t know anyone with working infrastructure like this . There are a lot of people who either have no access to infrastructure or are close to infrastructure that will require substantial capital to rehabilitate.

“Infrastructure can make up to 80 per cent of the capex of an iron ore project. So already we have a significant saving.”

Malelane has the potential to produce iron ore of a sufficient quality that it can be directly shipped for export.

It is also an “unusual deposit” in that the company is hitting high grade deposits near surface +@depth , Reeves said.

“We look like we are going to have some direct shipping ore,” he added.

“We are hitting high grade down @depth as well as @surface, which is unusual . It is normally just the surface material that is high grade.

“We are also getting very big runs of just under DSO grade -: for instance 200 metres @48 per cent +180 metres @49 per cent.”

The company is faced with a dilemma of selling a slightly lower quality ore of around 55 per cent iron, or investing heavily in plant +machinery to create a “more saleable” product.

Reeves said the Ferrex team will undertake a “trade-off” study +may progress the project in phases, commencing with the lower capex option +allowing this to fund the cleaner circuit .

“A slightly lower quality product requires <capex +means the project comes into production a lot quicker .”

Expect some very quick-fire progress @Malelane, with a maiden resource statement expected sometime this quarter, followed by more drilling +an upgrade in the 3rd quarter.

Ferrex hopes to have completed the pre-feasibility study by the year-end.

“We are only targeting 120.000.000 -150.000.000 tonnes resource,” said Reeves.

This is the quick route to production -120.000.000 tonnes equates to a mine life of 20 years based on extracting 6.000.000 tonnes, +shipping 3.000.000 tonnes of iron ore.

“We could drill out 1.000.000.000 tonnes. But it takes time +money +does NOT add to the project's economics. Many competitors need to drill out such resources to justify large scale production to pay off the substantial capital associated with the infrastructure, we are in the enviable position where we do NOT need to do this .

“Cash is king @the moment +we would prefer to put that cash into building the projects rather than building resources,” said the Ferrex MD.

Elsewhere, the Togo deposit is remarkable in that it extends from surface to around four metres below ground +the manganese is found embedded in clay as “nodules +fines”.

This means it is easy +cheap to extract(the estimated capital expenditure is “<US$20.000.000) +is a potential route to early cashflow.

The plan is to produce a modest 250.000 tonnes/year.

However, EVEN THIS relatively modest amount has the ability to generate a gross profit somewhere in the order of US$25.000.000/year .

A resource statement is expected from Nayega in the 2nd quarter, +the company has started metallurgical test work.

“If it(the metallurgy) comes up the way we feel it will, we will launch into the full bankable(feasibility study), which we aim to complete by the end of the year.

“That means we would be ready to make a development decision early next year. It also means it(Nayega) could be our 1st development project to get into production.”

The group is also on the look-out for potential acquisitions.

“We want one or two iron ore projects in the pipeline,” said the Ferrex boss.

“We are looking @West Africa. But we are chasing high grade, direct shipping ore which is close to infrastructure .

“These won’t be large tonnages. We are looking @the orphans of the iron ore world which we think we can get into production early +make a decent return."


Profile

Ferrex is an AIM listed exploration +development company "foccused on advancing low capital intensive iron ore +manganese deposits in Africa through the development cycle +into production." "

[Popeye82]

Xcite Energy - Bentley Field Reserves Audit, increases proved +probable reserves -from 28.000.000 to 116.000.000 barrels of oil; Richard Smith: "The upgrade to 116.000.000b of 2P reserves for the Core Area on the Bentley Field is independent confirmation that Bentley is a major North Sea asset. Furthermore, the Bentley Field is expected to contain significant upside potential from future appraisal of the non-Core Area prospects, as well as the application of enhanced oil recovery techniques. We now look forward to a successful delivery of Phase 1A on Bentley expected later this year" Feb 20, 2012
www.xcite-energy.com/scroller/..%5Cnews%5CXEL%20PR%20Reserve…

[Popeye82]

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[Popeye82]

Baobab Resources Now Boasts Nearly 500.000.000 Tonnes Of Iron Ore @Tete, &Is Pushing On With A Pre-Feasiblity Study - MS - Mar 6, 2012

- Robert Tyerman -
http://minesite.com/news/baobab-resources-now-boasts-nearly-…

"There should be plenty of interest in Baobab Resources when the company presents @our 87th Minesite forum on 14th March. Baobab has just put out a significant resource upgrade from its iron ore project in the onetime Portuguese colony’s Tete province. Across the company's Tete ground, the total now stands @428.000.000 tonnes, of which ~300.000.000 tonnes is accounted for solely by the Tenge/Ruoni deposit. The company reckons that this total establishes Tenge/Ruoni firmly as a standalone asset. The shares moved up just over seven per cent on the news to 15.13p.


&there could be more to come -a lot more . Baobab chairman Jeremy Dowler argues that Baobab, whose Mozambique prospects also include phosphate, vanadium &titanium, is well placed to benefit from mining minister Esperanca Bias’s campaign to place Mozambique in the forefront of suppliers to the resource-hungry economies of Asia &elsewhere.

She has been telling Korea &Japan about her country’s resources , notably its coal &iron ore, &major groups, including Nippon Steel of Japan &POSCO of Korea, have been coming to see for themselves. Some pretty big iron ore players, including Vale, are already on the ground. &they will be joined by others.

Based in Australia "ed on Aim, Baobab, whose backers include the World Bank’s International Finance Corporation(IFC), hopes to have a pre-feasibility study for Tete ready by the end of this year. Dowler reckons this could cost ~US$10.000.000, &he notes that Baobab already has US$2.500.000 in cash &a US$15.000.000 equity drawdown facility with the 1st Columbus investment group. He does, though, agree that the company “might do a placing”, which would NOT be its 1st.

This possibility has helped depress Baobab’s shares, which have only a scant institutional following, from a 53.75p year’s high to the current 15.13p now. But Dowler, a genial accountant with long mining sector experience who was co-founder of the Platmin platinum group, contends circumstances are now moving in the company’s favour.

He cites in support of this view a recent scoping study by independent consultant Coffey Mining, which worked off an earlier resource of only 93.000.000 tonnes . This suggests capital expenditure of US$448.000.000 would get an iron ore operation up &running that would generate cash flow of ~US$1.700.000 over 15 years, which would offer payback in 4.1 years, &which shows a pre-tax internal rate of return of 28 per cent. On those parameters the project has a net present value of US$467.000.000, >ten times the company’s current £25.900.000 valuation on Aim.

The Coffey study also suggests that if Baobab &its partners @the IFC decided to add more value &produce pig iron rather than concentrate, capital expenditure of US$690.000.000 would generate cash flow of US$6.200.000.000 over 25 years. Payback would be in 3.2 years, the pre-tax internal rate of return would be 34 per cent, &the net present value would be a chunky US$1.400.000.000.

The 93.000.000 tonne resource used by Coffey is the inferred resource disclosed last October for only one of the Tete projects, Ruoni North, which is on eastern part of the Tete ground. Baobab has since established an estimated resource of 56.000.000 tonnes with 34% iron for nearby Ruoni South &113.000.000 tonnes with 28% iron for the South Zone. There's also 60.900.000 tonnes @somewhat lower grades @Chitongue Grande, while the new resource @Tenge adds a further 159.000.000 tonnes @38.4% iron ore.

Dowler argues Baobab’s assets in Tete, secured in ´06 by seasoned Australian explorer Jon Crowe, have several intrinsic advantages . With water generated from the massive Cabora Bassa dam &major international companies developing the region’s extensive coal deposits, the projects should not lack for electric power &should also have the advantage of access to rail routes, "existing or planned", to the coast.

What’s more, Dowler says the production process could throw off 500.000 tonnes/year of ilmenite, with titanium &vanadium slag. The company also has 60 per cent of a joint venture with North River Resources to probe phosphate prospects @Monte Muande. It expects results from this exploration soon too.

Dowler suggests the Tete pre-feasibility report later this year "will provide the opportunity to discuss "potential deals " with major mining groups ". Baobab non-executive director Jonathan Beardsworth, former boss of Metals Exploration, has now relocated to Hong Kong, where he will be well positioned to sound out Chinese &other groups about "possible future off-take agreements ". "

[Popeye82]

Broker Interview with Optiva Securities -Featuring Connemara Mining, West African Minerals, GoldStone Resources, New World Oil &Gas - MM/OS - Mar 9, 2012
www.miningmaven.com/k2/news/blog/broker-interview-with-jason…

[Popeye82]

China Nonferrous Metal to List Zambian Assets in Hong Kong; China Nonferrous Metal Mining(Group) Co Ltd, a large state-owned enterprise under the State-owned Assets Supervision +Administration Commission, plans to raise ~US$1.000.000.000 by listing its copper assets in Zambia via an initial public offering in Hong Kong, said a person familiar with the matter, The person added that the group intends to list the Chambishi copper mine, the Luanshya copper mine +two smelting plants on the Hong Kong Stock Exchange - SHDRC - Feb 7, 2012
http://newsen.steelhome.cn/2012/02/07/n583317.html

[Popeye82]

Ahmadinejad: "Iran doesn't fear bombs +warships" - Reuters, DUBAI - Mar 11, 2012

- Marcus George -
www.reuters.com/article/2012/03/11/us-iran-ahmadinejad-war-i…

"Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad has launched a fresh tirade against the West, saying the Islamic Republic does not fear military action, Iranian media reported on Sunday.


"The Iranian nation doesn't fear your bombs +warships +planes. Such weapons are worth nothing," the Fars News Agency quoted him as saying on a visit to the town of Karaj, to the west of Tehran.

"You say to Iran all options are on the table. Leave them there until they rot. The time of arrogance +colonialism has passed, +the era of your unreasonableness passes too."

On Tuesday, the P5+1 group of countries comprising the United States, the UK, France, Russia, China +Germany accepted an offer from Tehran for fresh talks on its nuclear program.

The West has imposed tough sanctions to try to force Iran to open up its nuclear activities to international scrutiny amid suspicions it is secretly trying to develop nuclear weapons. Iran has denied any military development work but has not given international inspectors access to suspicious sites.

With little diplomatic progress despite numerous rounds of talks, Washington has refused to rule out military action +senior Israeli politicians have spoken of the possibility of air strikes.

President Barack Obama played down talk of war last week, however, saying there was a diplomatic "window of opportunity" +it was in everyone's interest for a peaceful solution to be found.

His words were met with rare praise from Iran's most powerful authority, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei.

Ahmadinejad is set to appear before parliament, the Majlis, on Thursday, Fars News reported on Sunday, after being summoned last month to face questions about his handling of the economy.

He has been severely criticized for implementing reforms towards the end of ´10 that withdrew generous subsidies for food +energy.

The reforms, combined with tightening sanctions, have fuelled rampant inflation -officially ~21 percent but believed to be nearer 50 percent -+a collapse in the value of the Iranian currency, the Rial.


(Reporting By Marcus George; Editing by Andrew Osborn) "

[Popeye82]

Chinese steel output is surplus by 100.000.000 tonnes - WISCO - SG/CSIC&ID - Mar 11, 2012
www.steelguru.com/chinese_news/Chinese_steel_output_is_surpl…

"Hauled by depressive international economy and domestic economic structural adjustment, overall economy growth slows down and steel demands reduce consequently .


Mr Deng Qilin GM of Wuhan Iron & Steel Corp vice Chairman of China Iron and Steel Association revealed that “Global steel output proved 1.4 billion tonnes and China accounted for 690 million tonnes, but about 500 million tonnes is enough to meet domestic actual demands . Steel supply in China exceeds demands severely . Besides, suppressed by costs of coal and iron ore, steel mills even fail to hold meager profits .”

Mr Deng also adds that “This depression may last for three or five years, some steel mills are risky of being eliminated , while it is the inevitable outcome of structural adjustment. Steel mills should accelerate adjustments on industrial structure, product mix and technology structure to promote entire profitability .”

Source - www.steelhome.cn/en
China steel information centre and industry database "

[Popeye82]

POSCO develops a new kind of steel for electric cars - SG/KJD - Mar 11, 2012
www.steelguru.com/international_news/POSCO_develops_a_new_ki…

"POSCO announced that it has developed a new kind of steel for electric cars that is much lighter than the product currently in use in the market.


The company said that it has successfully developed a kind of steel that it calls POSCO Concept Electric Vehicle. The steel will be used to make the bodies of electric vehicles.

Mr Chung Joon yang CEO of POSCO said that "PBC EV is the outcome of our sincere efforts toward green growth and co prosperity with our clients. By combining POSCO's cutting edge steel materials and technological prowess, we are making a good contribution to the commercialization of electric cars ."

POSCO said that the newly developed PBC EV steel is composed of the company's so called ultrahigh strength steel, which is 40% more concentrated than regular steel used in car manufacturing.

To increase both the intensity and flexibility of its new product, POSCO has adopted two new methods it calls hot press forming and multi direction roll forming. It claims a car made of the PBC EV steel can help reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 50% compared to ordinary cars.

POSCO said it can develop the new product without incurring additional production costs as it uses methods very similar to those already in use. It added that "POSCO plans to make consistent efforts to develop lighter steel materials for cars and cost saving technologies to cater to the interests of our clients."

Meanwhile, POSCO also held a ground breaking ceremony for another of its green initiatives on the Songdo Campus of Seoul's Yonsei University. The company donated KRW 20 billion to construct a four story energy efficient office building and a three story residential building in cooperation with a research center at the university. The project is billed as POSCO Green Building.

The two environmentally friendly buildings will be built with earthquake resistant steel supplied by POSCO and electricity will be produced from around 100 eco friendly energy sources. The buildings will scale back carbon dioxide emissions by about one million tonnes a year. "

[Popeye82]

Legacy Iron Ore - appoints Azure Capital, to advise on potential coal &iron ore acquisitions - Mar 10, 2012
http://stocknessmonster.com/news-item?S=LCY&E=ASX&N=581108

[Popeye82]

The Coal-to-Liquids Challenge; 7.800.000.000 tonnes Company seeks IPO - WF - Mar12
www.lontohcoal.com/im/media/2012/the-coal-to-liquids-challen…
www.worldfinance.com/magazine/
www.lontohcoal.com/im/files/p/coaltrans-mozambique-22Nov2011…

[Popeye82]

Kasbah Resources - Toyota Tsusho to acquire interest in Achmmach Tin Project, a Toyota Group Company +Asia’s premier tin trading house +among the largest trading companies in the world , trades ~8% of the global tin market &>50% of all tin consumed in Japan; Final Payment +signing of a joint venture agreement will secure Toyota Tsusho’s 20% interest +entitle Toyota Tsusho, on mutually agreeable commercial terms, to a minimum 20% off take of tin produced from these two exploitation permits - Mar 12, 2012
www.kasbahresources.com/cms/attachments/819_1087938.pdf

[Popeye82]

ZYL - non-binding Expressions of Interest for Kangwane +Mbila, seven fold increase from earlier offers; Bevan Tarratt: "In consideration for rights to secure offtake from the projects for an agreed period, "the additional EOIs submitted include the intent to negotiate a potential combination of": advance funding to assist the commencement of production @the projects &/or an equity investment in ZYL. ZYL has a quality product which is in high demand. Even so, the level of interest in both projects has >our expectations &demonstrates the viability of both operations. The new EOIs provide the optionality to service either the domestic or international markets, or a combination of both" - Mar 12, 2012

+ Expressions of Interest(EOIs ) received from global mining houses +commodity traders to purchase 4.000.000 t/anno of anthracite production

- Kangwane EOIs for 1.700.000 t/anno
- Mbila EOIs for 2.300.000 t/anno
- EOIs for both projects >full planned saleable production


+ Discussions commenced with parties providing EOIs for production funding for Kangwane +Mbila in exchange for securing offtake rights

+ EOIs from parties with access to port facilities +coal terminals within Southern Africa, "providing potential export markets options" ...
http://stocknessmonster.com/news-item?S=ZYL&E=ASX&N=581514

[Popeye82]

Oracle Mining - Signs Term Sheet With Credit Suisse AG, for Up to US$70.000.000; Paul Eagland: "We are pleased to initiate the relationship with Credit Suisse for a key component of the financing of Oracle Ridge. Once put in place, the loan facility is expected to expedite Oracle Mining's re-start of the Oracle Ridge Copper Mine" - Mar 13, 2012
www.marketwire.com/press-release/oracle-mining-signs-term-sh…

[Popeye82]

China records huge trade deficit in February ; China swung into a huge trade deficit of $31.480.000.000 in February, customs data showed on Saturday, as the West’s economic troubles hit the world’s 2nd-largest economy; China is normally a net exporter of goods —it recorded a surplus of $27.280.000.000 in January —but total monthly imports rose 39.6 percent year-on-year to $145.960.000.000, with exports only going up 18.4 percent to $114.470.000.000 ; Chinese firms’ efforts to sell to the country’s major trading partners in the West are suffering from the effects of the Eurozone debt crisis +weak economic recovery in the United States ; deficit was the largest for @least 12 years , according to Dow Jones Newswires — the extent of its archived data — +far in excess of the median forecast of $8.500.000.000 among 15 economists it had surveyed - TN - Mar 11, 2012
www.thenews.com.pk/TodaysPrintDetail.aspx?ID=97041&Cat=3

[Popeye82]

Pacific Arc Resources - signed an agreement to acquire Lac Canaville, located in Quebec, Canada; Harry Chew: "The Company is pleased to add a significant land position to its existing portfolio of iron ore properties. We look forward to advancing this property along with our other holdings in developing a world class iron ore company" - Mar 8, 2012
www.infomine.com/index/pr/PB166792.PDF

[Popeye82]

Caldera Resources - State Register in Armenia "Maintains Caldera Registration of Marjan"; Marjan Polymetallic Gold +Silver project contains a Soviet-Era historical resources totaling 405.147 oz of Gold +14.200.000 Oz of Silver, classified as C1 +C2, "which is equivalent to measured +indicated resource" +an additional Soviet-Era historical resource 647.152 Oz of Gold +37.100.000 Oz of Silver, classified as P1, "which is equivalent to inferred resources" - Mar 12, 2012
www.infomine.com/index/pr/PB166402.PDF

[Popeye82]

IRJ Interviews: M&A & healthy appetites in African Resource Stocks - IRJ - Mar12
www.internationalresourcejournal.com/features/march12_featur…

[Popeye82]

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

[Popeye82]

Ballack verzeiht Lahm NICHT - DPA, BERLIN - Mar 12, 2012
http://web.de/magazine/sport/fussball/nationalelf/14943268-b…

[Popeye82]

Verbot für schwule Königspaare - DPA, LEVERKUSEN - Mar 11, 2012
http://web.de/magazine/lifestyle/leben/14937414-keine-schwul…

[Popeye82]

Arian Silver - Increases Contained Silver @San Jose by 32% -to >117.000.000 Ounces in Updated Mineral Resource Estimate - Mar 12, 2012
www.ariansilver.com/s/NewsReleases.asp?ReportID=511830&_Type…

[Popeye82]

Rio Verde Minerals - Releases Positive Preliminary Economic Assessment, for its Fosfatar Phosphate Project; Stephen Keith: "We are encouraged by the results of the Fosfatar PEA, which confirm the economic potential of the project. This study represents a significant milestone in the development of the project +the Company. It brings us one step closer to making the leap from explorer to producer, "growing into a self-funded exploration +development company " "; Rio Verde plans to continue advancing the Fosfatar Project towards a final mine design +optimization, which will include detailed engineering design for plant construction. Completion of this final design is expected in Q2 ´12. Conditional upon a positive result from this final design, +approval from the Company's board of directors, project construction is expected to begin in the 2nd half of this year, with production commencing in Q4 ´12 or Q1 ´13 - Mar 1, 2012

Highlights of the Fosfatar PEA:

- After-tax Net Present Value("NPV") of C$62.900.000, @a 10% discount rate
- After-tax Internal Rate of Return("IRR") of 113%
- Annual production of 150.000 tonnes of Thermophosphate, with an average grade of 25% P2O5
- Payback period of 1 year
- Life of Mine("LOM") of 8 years
- Production start-up expected Q4 ´12


Fosfatar Project Base Case Metrics

- Resource(tonnes) 1.630.000
- % P2O5 Grade 20.3%
- Throughput('000 tonnes) 206.000 t/anno
- Strip Ratio 0.36
- Life of Mine 8 years
- Total Capital Expenditures C$10.000.000
- Annual Production(full capacity) 150.000 t/anno Thermophosphate, 25% P2O5
- Product Price C$300/tonne
- Total Operating Expenditures C$131.8/tonne
- Foreign Exchange Rate Assumption BRL$1.75 : US$1.00
- After-tax Net Present Value (NPV10%) C$62.900.000
- After-tax Internal Rate of Return (IRR) 113%
- Payback Period 1 year ...
www.rvminerals.com/cmsAssets/docs/Press%20Releases/Rio_Verde…

[Popeye82]

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

[Popeye82]

Speewah Metals - Significant Resource Update: combined total Resource of 4.700.000.000 tonnes @0.30% V2O5 +2% Ti, one of the largest JORC Resources in the world of its kind - Mar 13, 2012

+ 32% increase to the total combined Resource @Speewah;

+ 34% increase to the Measured +Indicated Resources @Speewah.

+ Measured Resource of 322.000.000t @0.32% V2O5 +2% Ti;

+ Indicated Resource of 1.054.000.000 t @0.33% V2O5 +2% Ti, and

+ Inferred Resource of 3.335.000.000 t @0.29% V2O5 +2% Ti. ...
http://speewah.com.au/media/articles/Investor---Announcement…

[Popeye82]

Pacific Wildcat Resources - Update on Progress @Mrima Hill +Increased Rare Earth Resource Target; Darren Townsend: "I am very pleased with the improved drill rig productivity @Mrima Hill as we work towards completing our inaugural Rare Earth Resource estimate. PAW +CMK continue to work together positively with the community @Mrima +we thank the community for their support +supply of a workforce assisting with drill site preparation, sampling +rehabilitation. The Company is pleased to report positive ongoing discussions continue with a number of potential financiers for providing debt/equity financing for completion of the Mrima Hill Acquisition +we will provide further updates to the market when arrangements have been finalised" - Mar 13, 2012

+ PAW has doubled the planned amount of RC drilling to be undertaken @Mrima Hill -to 10.000m

+ 1km of additional drill access tracks approved +cleared @Mrima Hill over a high grade Total Rare Earth Oxide("TREO") region.

+ RC resource drilling underway with good recoveries +intersecting prospective saprolite >100m drill depth.

+ Recent TREO diamond drilling results(NR #2012-03) together with previous TREO results have supported an upward revision of the initial Exploration Target* for the TREO mineralisation of between 30.000.000 to 40.000.000 tonnes @grades ranging from 4.0% to 5.0% TREO.

+ Community projects progressing well with the provision of school buildings +waterbores. ...
www.marketwire.com/press-release/pacific-wildcat-resources-c…
http://media3.marketwire.com/docs/pacificphoto1.pdf
http://media3.marketwire.com/docs/pacific_photo2.pdf
http://media3.marketwire.com/docs/pacific_figure1.pdf
http://media3.marketwire.com/docs/pacific_figure2.pdf
http://file.marketwire.com/release/pacific_photos.pdf
http://media3.marketwire.com/docs/pacific_table1.pdf

[Popeye82]

Ferrex Plc - Initial Malelane Resource; Dave Reeves: "To have delivered this maiden resource on schedule +within eight months of admission to AIM is a significant achievement for the Company. The resource has been calculated over 1.1/14km BIF strike length @Malelane +highlights the size +grade potential of the deposit. We believe that the current JORC Code compliant resource should be capable of supporting the bulk of an initial 20 year mine life @an estimated production rate of 3.000.000 t/anno. The considerable tonnage of potential DSO in the resource is also particularly exciting +we will target higher grade areas in the upcoming drill campaign due to commence in Q2 ´12, which is primarily aimed @upgrading the resource to the Indicated category. This resource, when combined with the positive results gained to date from the on-going metallurgical testwork, will allow a desktop scoping study to be completed in the near future. Importantly, this will provide the basis for on-going work as well as giving the Company a 1st insight into what it believes will be the project’s attractive economics, particularly because of its close proximity to working infrastructure, as we develop the project towards feasibility status with a view to production" - Mar 12, 2012

+ Inferred Resource of 139.000.000 t @40.1% calcined iron(‘CaFe’),(36.9% iron (‘Fe’))

- 4.900.000 t @56.7% CaFe(52.2% Fe) –potential direct shipping ore(‘DSO’)
- 50.900.000 t @47.7% CaFe(44.3% Fe) –potential beneficiate before shipping ore(‘bBSO’)


+ Resource calculated over 1.1km strike length of the northern banded iron formation(BIF) -total BIF strike length on the property is 14km , which highlights significant resource upside potential

+ Size of resource should be sufficient for Ferrex’s objective of developing an operation with an initial 20 year mine life @an estimated production rate of 3.000.000 t/anno

+ Further drilling to commence in Q2 ´12 predominately aimed @upgrading the resource to higher confidence categories, ahead of commencement of a prefeasibility study towards the end of the year

+ Desktop scoping study scheduled to be complete early Q2 ´12 ...
www.ferrexplc.com/documents/InitialResourceMalelane120312.pd…

[Popeye82]

Abcourt Mines - announced new drilling results for ABCOURT-BARVUE, located in Canada; drills "up to" 10.5m @3421.063g/t Ag +2.29% Zn - Mar 7, 2012
www.infomine.com/index/pr/PB166371.PDF

[Popeye82]

Cabral Resources - signs Rail +Port Infrastructure "Protocol of Intentions"; Michael Bogue: "Cabral’s business model has taken a major step forward today. Logistic solutions are a key ingredient to any successful iron ore operation +represent one of the highest barriers to entry in the global iron ore industry. Cabral "is now well advanced in respect of rail +port allocations for FIOL Rail Line +Porto Sul respectively." With the co-operation, foresight +assistance from the progressive State Government of Bahia +its representatives @SICM +SEFAZ under the POI, "Cabral is now well placed with respect to both rail +port infrastructure for the annual export of up to 15.000.000 tonnes of products from its iron ore project portfolio". The implementation of the tax +financial incentives package will also greatly assist Cabral optimise cash flows during the exploration, development +construction phases +to maximise project economics generally. Cabral looks forward "to working constructively +in partnership with the State of Bahia, SICM +SEFAZ to fast tracking its iron ore projects for the benefit of both Cabral shareholders +regional development in Bahia State". Cabral has already made a significant investment in the Brumado +Livramento de Nossa Senhora municipalities +is eager to work co-operatively with these local governments +communities as its projects develop" - Mar 12, 2012

+ Protocol of Intentions signed with the State of Bahia for critical rail +port infrastructure


+ Protocol of Intentions proposes:

- Access for up to 15.000.000 tonnes of annual capacity on publicly-funded FIOL Rail Line +the Porto Sul port development

- State of Bahia providing Cabral additional assistance with road infrastructure, water, power +potential project funding from Brazilian agencies

- Cabral receiving significant tax concessions +financial incentives for creating regional development +employment -POI proposes that the State of Bahia grant Cabral certain reductions in income tax, payment extension terms for 72 months on State Value-Added Tax on sales +services including for the deferral of taxes typically levied on imported machinery +equipment +on domestic purchases of goods produced in Bahia State. These tax concessions +financial incentives are expected to have a highly material impact on initial capital expenditure costs, economics +the overall viability of Cabral’s future iron ore projects.

- For its part, Cabral "has undertaken to use its best efforts to develop, construct +operate its project(s), including any beneficiation plant construction, in the municipalities of Brumado +Livramento de Nossa Senhora in the State of Bahia +to promote the generation of local jobs, training +modern technology in those regions". Cabral must continue meet all the requirements imposed by the environmental agencies for the commercial development of its projects +also to engage with local Bahia State entities in relation to civil construction works +other services required.


+ Maiden drill program @Morro do Gergelim to commence shortly ...
http://clients2.weblink.com.au/clients/cabral/article.asp?as…

[Popeye82]

Adira Energy - receives updated resource reports: best estimate in aggregate of 232.200.000 barrels of oil +condensate, including 110.100.000 barrels of contingent oil, +1.8 TCF of gas on the Company's Gabriella +Yitzhak License - Mar 13, 2012
http://finance.yahoo.com/news/adira-energy-receives-updated-…

[Popeye82]

US to challenge China on rare earths curbs @WTO; The US, Japan +European Union plan to bring a new trade case against China over its export restrictions on rare earth minerals used in a variety of high-tech +clean energy products, senior administration officials said on Monday. They were responding to a published report by the Associated Press which said President Barack Obama would announce on Tuesday that the United States would ask China for talks on the issue @the World Trade Organization, the 1st step in filing a trade case, +be joined by the EU +Japan - MW/Reuters, WASHINGTON - Mar 13, 2012
www.miningweekly.com/article/us-to-challenge-china-on-rare-e…

[Popeye82]

Rusal's chairman quits, cites 'deep crisis'; Russian billionaire Viktor Vekselberg quit on Tuesday as chairman of the world's largest aluminium producer, UC Rusal, saying the heavily indebted company was in deep crisis after a long battle with fellow oligarch Oleg Deripaska. The resignation tightens Deripaska's grip on Rusal but the company faces a struggle to recover because of a fall in global aluminium prices +its large debt, acquired a stake in Norilsk Nickel, the world's largest nickel +palladium miner - MW/Reuters, HONG KONG/MOSCOW - Mar 13, 2012
www.miningweekly.com/article/aluminium-giant-rusals-chairman…

[Popeye82]

Zambia to build power lines for mines, cotton trade; Zambia will start building two high voltage electric power transmission lines this year expected to feed new mining +agricultural projects, an industry official said on Tuesday. Christopher Mubemba, the director of transmission @state-run utility Zesco, told Reuters that work on the two projects, which were estimated to cost $285.000.000, would start by June; Mubemba said Zesco had already agreed the financing of the projects, which would supply the northern +eastern parts of the country, with the Industrial +Commercial Bank of China; both projects should be completed within 18 months, Zambia, Africa's top copper producer, is diversifying into other minerals +the project would enable investors venture into large-scale manganese mining +processing - MW/Reuters - Mar 13, 2012
www.miningweekly.com/article/zambia-to-build-power-lines-for…

[Popeye82]

India SAIL sees 50% jump in FY13 coking coal import - MW/Reuters, NEW DELHI - Mar 13, 2012
www.miningweekly.com/article/india-sail-sees-50-pct-jump-in-…

"State-run Steel Authority of India Ltd (SAIL), with an annual capacity of about 14-million tons, expects a 50% jump in coking coal imports to 18-19 million tons in the next fiscal year starting in April to keep up with the
expansion.


"Next year, we will start two new blasts furnaces because of which coking coal imports will go up to 18-19 million tons next (2012/13) year," said chairman C.S. Verma.

He said the company's capital expenditure will increase 16 percent to 145-billion rupees in 2012/13.

The Indian steel sector's coking coal demand is seen trebling to 90-million tons by 2020. The sector imports about 30-million tons of coking coal mostly from Australia.

SAIL is the largest steel producer in India, but lags Tata Steel's global capacity of about 28-million tons. "

[Popeye82]

Threatened ferrochrome eyeing Canada’s potash turnaround model - MW, JOHANNESBURG - Mar 13, 2012

- M. Creamer -
www.miningweekly.com/article/south-africas-stricken-ferrochr…

[Popeye82]

Spitfire Resources - Contact +Contact North Maiden Inferred JORC Resource; John Mackenzie: "This is just stage one of our manganese inventory build-out @South Woodie Woodie. Geologically the region is proven via the Woodie Woodie mining operation to be one the world’s most prospective for the production of quality manganese ore. Spitfire’s initial JORC inferred resource +highly encouraging metallurgical test results from the Contact +Contact North deposits re-affirms the enormous potential of the South Woodie Woodie project" - Mar 14, 2012

+ 11.300.000 Tonnes @15%Mn combined initial inferred resource

+ Potential to increase the resource size +grade with further drilling

+ South Woodie Woodie project exploration target range increased to 20.000.000 -30.000.000 t grading 15 -20% Mn*

+ +40% Manganese grade can be achieved by simple metallurgical processing ...
www.spitfireresources.com/home/news/news/media-coverage/spit…

[Popeye82]

State of the Climate 2012: scientific observations +trends - CSIRO - Mar 13, 2012
www.csiro.au/Outcomes/Climate/Understanding/~/media/8E59FBA4…
www.csiro.au/Outcomes/Climate/Understanding/State-of-the-Cli…
www.csiro.au/Outcomes/Climate/Understanding/~/link.aspx?_id=…

[Popeye82]

So sein wie Helmut Schmidt; Altkanzler ist nach einer Forsa-Umfrage das größte Vorbild der Deutschen - DPA, HAMBURG - Mar 14, 2012
http://web.de/magazine/lifestyle/leben/14956778-so-sein-wie-…

[Popeye82]

ESC: Russland schickt Omas ; Die Großmütter stachen beim Vorentscheid 24 Profi-Acts aus - Reuters - Mar 14, 2012
http://web.de/magazine/unterhaltung/musik/14959404-esc-russl…

[Popeye82]

India allows state firms buy back shares, invest in others - MW/Reuters, NEW DELHI - Mar 1, 2012
www.miningweekly.com/article/india-allows-state-firms-buy-ba…

"India has allowed cash-rich state companies to buy back shares and participate in the government's divestment programme, a minister said on Thursday, as New Delhi looks to narrow its widening fiscal deficit.


Two dozen of India's largest public sector companies, including Coal India, power utility NTPC, miner NMDC, Steel Authority of India and oil producer ONGC, hold cash reserves of 1.8-trillion rupees ($36.6-billion), media reports have said.

Any cash returned through share buybacks would help the government, the biggest shareholder in these companies, while investment in share sales of other state-run firms would help the faltering divestment plan.

"It seems fiscal management is right on top of the government's mind," said Jagannadham Thunuguntla, head of research at SMC Global Securities.

"They are looking at all modes possible to reach their 400 billion rupees target -- if not this year, then early next year."

On Thursday, the Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs approved the buyback proposal and allowed cash-rich state firms to bid in the divestment programme.

"It all depends on companies, it is just an enabling provision," Praful Patel, minister of heavy industries, told reporters.

New Delhi is widely expected to miss its deficit target of 4.6% of GDP for the fiscal year ending March, in part due to the government's inability to raise its target of 400-billion rupees ($8.1-billion) through state-company share sales.

So far this fiscal year, the government has only raised about $250-million. It is expected to raise another $2.5-billion by selling 5% stake in Oil and Natural Gas Corp in a share auction on Thursday.

Analysts said the government needs to cut its holding in several firms and is likely to encourage share sales in these.

Under current regulations, listed companies are required to have minimum public shareholding of 10%, but at least eight state firms, including Hindustan Copper, HMT , MMTC Ltd and State Trading Corp currently don't comply with these rules, analysts said.

Other cash-rich companies, such as Coal India or NTPC or SAIL, whose cash reserves are far beyond their expansion or acquisition plans, may consider investing in share sales in other public sector companies.

"If the companies have surplus cash they can go for this option," a government source said adding: "The final decision would be taken by the company boards." "

[Popeye82]

Mozambique has developments on several mining fronts - MW - Mar 9, 2012

- Keith Campbell -
www.miningweekly.com/article/mozambique-has-developments-on-…

"In its draft new mining law, Mozambique is proposing that business deals involving mining rights and licences for the country’s resources will have to be executed within the country’s borders.

“The total or partial transfer of social [company] shares or mineral rights in investment projects in the mining sector should be done in the national territory, and the announcement of the public offering made, equally, in the biggest circulation communications media in the national territory,” states a copy of the draft legislation, quoted last week by the O País newspaper. The draft is expected to be submitted to the Mozambique government during the first half of this year.

Mozambican Mineral Resources Minister Esperança Bias told journalists that making the public announcement of the transfer of mineral rights and licences a requirement would benefit the public purse and allow Mozambicans who had access to the necessary financing to participate in such transactions. This proposal is intended to end the current situation in which the rights to projects in Mozambique can be bought and sold outside the country by international companies, without the knowledge of the authorities in Maputo and without any benefits for the Mozambican treasury.

Meanwhile, provincial director of Mineral Resources for Cabo Delgado Ramiro Nguiraze has reported that six new deposits of gemstones have been found in the province, which is the northernmost part of the country. The stones that have been discovered are aquamarines, blue topaz, garnets, green garnets, tourmalines and green tourmalines. In addition, gold has been discovered in the province. The scale and viability of the gold find will, Nguiraze cautioned, only become clear once a detailed appraisal, now under way, has been completed. He added that a number of companies had already submitted the documentation needed to proceed with the detailed examination of these new deposits.

West-south-west of Cabo Delgado, in Tete province, and having nothing to do with precious stones or metals, lies the Minas Moatize project, owned by British junior Beacon Hill Resources. The company recently reported that the definitive feasibility study for Minas Moatize (carried out by independent consultancy TWP Australia) had found “compelling economics” for the project.

Minas Moatize is a coking and thermal coal project, with mineable reserves of 42.65-million tons and marketable reserves of 23.46-million tons, including at least 8.72-million tons of coking coal. These reserves were calculated in compliance with the Australasian Joint Ore Reserves Committee (better known as Jorc) reporting code. The mine’s first export shipment of 10 650 t of thermal coal took place in December, from Beira – the coal was trucked to the port by a local trucking contractor. The life of the mine is currently calculated at 11.5 years.

Also in Tete, Indian group Jindal Steel & Power has announced that it expects to start exporting coal from its Changara mine later this year. These first exports will, however, be small in scale. “At this moment, we are developing the mine and creating the necessary infrastructure, including a substation to supply electricity,” Jindal Mozambique director Manoj Gupta told the Mozambique Information Agency. "

[Popeye82]

Stanmore Coal - JORC Resource Upgrade for The Range Project - Mar 15, 2012

+ A 22% increase in JORC Indicated Resource to 184.000.000 t

+ A 14% increase in total JORC(Inferred +Indicated) Resource to 260.000.000 t

+ Additional Target1 of 60.000.000 -70.000.000 t remains to the west of the current planned pit ...
http://stocknessmonster.com/news-item?S=SMR&E=ASX&N=240510

[Popeye82]

Search for coal leads to Canada's high Arctic - MW, TORONTO - Mar 14, 2012

- M. Hill -
www.miningweekly.com/article/search-for-coal-leads-to-canada…

"Iron-ore mining on Baffin Island? Child's play. A newly floated company, Canada Coal, is hoping to build a coal mine on Ellesmere Island, the northernmost tip of which is just 800 km from the North Pole .


“I firmly believe we have what could be a world-class deposit up there,” commented CEO Braam Jonker, who was Western Coal CFO until Walter Energy bought the company for $3.300.000.000 in April ´11.

Canada Coal, which listed on the TSX-V @the end of February, boasts a 53.000.000.000-ton historic resource @Ellesmere. Though not yet compliant with Canada’s NI 43-101 requirements, the coal deposit could ultimately be the country's biggest .

Oil companies such as Petro-Canada +Gulf Canada Resources did some early exploration of the properties in the early ´80s, but halted work after the oil price crash in ´83.

A shortage of new metallurgical deposits globally, +the potential magnitude of Ellesmere Island’s resources caused Canada Coal to dust off the old properties.

“The sheer size of what’s there really drew my attention to it,” Jonker told Mining Weekly Online.

It is still early days for the company, though.

While the historic resources show massive coal deposits exist @Canada Coal’s Fosheim property –located 36 km east of Canada’s most northerly weather station @Eureka– the bulk of this is so-called lignite, the lowest-quality variety of the fuel.

Some of the lower seams indicate the presence of bituminous coal, with quality increasing with depth.

Bituminous coal is worth more than lignite, but not as much as the steelmaking – or coking – types that Canada Coal is hoping to uncover there.

“Even if we find a very small percentage of metallurgical coal...1% or 2%[of the total resource] would be 200.000.000 tons to 400.000.000 tons,” said Jonker.

The company plans to carry out sampling +mapping work, in preparation to start drilling in the summer of ´13. Depending on the results of this, along with a detailed logistics study, Canada Coal may move straight into the feasibility stage next year, he added in a telephone interview.


COSTS ARE KEY

One of the top factors in determining whether any mining project proceeds is whether it can produce @a competitive cost, +Canada Coal’s Ellesmere Island projects will be NO exception.

“That would be the big question,” said an analyst that covers North American coal producers.

It would be difficult to provide an answer, as Canada Coal does not know that it has metallurgical coal @its projects yet, never mind what the production costs might be.

The analyst, who asked to remain anonymous as he does not cover the company, said there was space in the market for new coking coal producers.

“A lot of the traditional coal basins are well understood +FULLY developed,” he said.

Another analyst, also asking not to be named, AGREED .

“Probably now is a pretty good time to be looking @a project like that. There’s scarcity of supply, +people are scouring the world for new deposits .”

What will have a big impact on costs is the fact that Canada Coal’s deposits are located in the high Arctic.

Although Jonker believes the company will be able to mine year-round, icy seas will constrain shipping to around nine months /year.

Other companies have proved that mining is possible in extreme cold environments.

Norway’s Store Norske, for example, has been mining coal @Svalbard since ´16 –@the same latitude as where Canada Coal hopes to build mines.

ArcelorMittal is building a giant iron-ore mine +railway line @the Mary River project on Baffin Island.

“Mining under severe weather conditions is really not that big a challenge anymore,” said Jonker.

He points to the scepticism that many investors viewed the Mary River project with, before the world’s biggest steelmaker bought it in ´11.

“When these guys started up a few years ago, some people were thinking that it will never get off the ground. Those views are changing; they’re proving these people WRONG .”

<150 people live on Ellesmere Island, twice the size of Newfoundland , making it one of the most isolated places in the world .

Jonker has already visited the local communities to start consulting them early, with additional trips planned this year.

“We’re going to do things the right way,” he said.

In addition to the minute human population, Ellesmere Island is home to polar bears, caribou, musk ox +various bird species .

How far down the road might first output come? Jonker said that would be least five years away.

Canada Coal, which has a market capitalisation of just over C$10.000.000, will likely have to partner with a larger company to develop a mine @its properties, assuming it can prove one viable.

One of the analysts Mining Weekly Online spoke to said the most likely candidates in that regard would be a steelmaker such as ArcelorMittal, seeking to diversify its supply.

It could also leverage expertise it will gain in building a giant iron-ore mine on Baffin Island. "

[Popeye82]

Australasian Resources - Raises $5.000.000 +Acquires Additional 1.000.000.000 Tonnes - Mar 15, 2012

+ International Minerals has agreed to purchase Mineralogy’s wholly owned subsidiary International Iron Ore Sales Pty Ltd, a company which presently holds the right to mine 1.000.000.000 tonnes of iron ore in the Balmoral region, by way of the issue of 228.391.541 shares in International Minerals to Mineralogy. Mineralogy has also agreed to subscribe for 100.000 shares in International Minerals @an issue price of $5.00, raising $500.000 of working capital for international Minerals. As a result, Australasian Resources +Mineralogy will hold 50% of International Minerals which will hold the right to mine 2.000.000.000 tonnes of iron ore from the Balmoral region.

+ Mineralogy will also subscribe for 30.303.030 shares in the Australasian Resources @an issue price of $0.165/share to raise $5.000.000, to be comprised of an additional $3.000.000 dollars in working capital +the conversion to equity of the existing $2.000.000 loan facility provided by Mineralogy. The issue price has been calculated on the basis of a 15% discount to the Australasian Resources volume weighted average share price for December ´11.

+ Mineralogy has also agreed to a support agreement whereby a number of Mineralogy executives have been seconded to Australasian Resources to assist in the ongoing negotiations with prospective financiers +to facilitate +execute the outcomes of the non-binding Memorandum of Understanding between the Company +Metallurgical Corporation of China Overseas HK Ltd(MCC HK). This MOU forms an integral part of the next step to finalizing financing +entering into off take agreements +EPCM contracts +the funds raised from the transaction will allow the Company to pursue the undertakings of each party under the MOU. ...
http://stocknessmonster.com/news-item?S=ARH&E=ASX&N=582304
www.austresources.com.au/images/stories/pdf/AGM_Presentation…

[Popeye82]

European Nickel Plc - Acoje Resource Upgrade: 69.900.000 tonnes @~1.04% Ni +~0.05% Co I/I - Mar 15, 2012
http://stocknessmonster.com/news-item?S=ENK&E=ASX&N=582205

[Popeye82]

Chrysalis Resources - Finalises Acquisition of Zambian Copper Project; located along strike from Equinox’s Lumwana +1st Quantum’s Kansanshi Mine +west of the Copperbelt, tenements are located within the outer Lufilian Arc which is host to a variety of Copper-Zinc(eg Kipushi DRC), Copper-Gold(eg Kansanshi +Lumwana), Cobalt(eg Nama) +Uranium(eg Lumwana) mineral deposits - Mar 15, 2012
http://stocknessmonster.com/news-item?S=CYS&E=ASX&N=582164

[Popeye82]

Latin Resources - Elevated Heavy Mineral +Gold Content Extended Considerably Along @Least 28km of Strike, @Guadalupitu Project, Northern Peru; Chris Gale: "The potential of Iron +Heavy Mineral Sands @Guadalupito continues to grow with continuing positive exploration data that not only increases our confidence in the economics of the project, but also provides us with valuable information to focus our efforts on what are shaping up to be the higher grade parts of the deposit. Our initial JORC compliant inferred resource estimate published 21 December ´11 has proved up the geological concept behind Guadalupito +I am confident that continued work will allow us to grow +upgrade the resource throughout the year guided by our extensive exploration sampling that has highlighted the areas with the most potential for high grade heavy mineral +gold mineralisation. Clearly Guadalupito is consolidating as a truly world class multi-commodity mineral sands project " - Mar 15, 2012

+ Over 28 km of strike of shoreline sediments have now been analysed with a total of 2.895 samples highlighting extensive contiguous areas with elevated Heavy Mineral Content in the 1st metre that in part comprise the central +southern areas of the Guadalupito Iron +Heavy Mineral Sand Deposit.

+ Average 8.9% Total Heavy Mineral Content in a total of 1.913 samples after applying a 3.0% low grade cut to the data.

+ Average 12.5% HM within an average “Sand” content of 70% by weight in a total of 2.234 samples after applying a 3.0% low grade cut to the Heavy Mineral Content of the “Sand” Fraction(-1mm+52μm).

+ Gold content averages 0.32 g/t in the “Undersize”(-52μm) component of these 2.234 samples,(1.5% by weight), suggesting gold will be an important by-product of any future operation.

+ Initial JORC compliant inferred resource estimate announced 21 December ´11 with 119.000.000 t @5.7% HM.

+ Drilling +sampling is continuing to enable expansion +upgrade of resources with immediate focus on high grade area to the south of initial resource estimate. ...
http://latinresources.com.au/sites/latinresources.com.au/fil…

[Popeye82]

Canada Zinc Metals - Akie Property -Cardiac Creek Zn-Pb-Ag Deposit: Updated Resource Estimate; Ken MacDonald: "We are very pleased with the progress made over the previous drill campaigns. This resource update confirms our belief that the Cardiac Creek deposit holds significant potential for expansion. We have now upgraded >half of the original inferred resource into the indicated category &drilling @closer spacing yields an improvement in tonnage +similar grades over the previous model estimate. We believe that Cardiac Creek is one of the largest independent zinc development projects in the world, &we are committed to advancing the orderly development of the project through to final feasibility. We plan to continue aggressive drilling to expand the existing resource, beginning in the spring of ´12" - Mar 14, 2012

+ Indicated resource of 12.700.000 tonnes of 8.38 % Zn, 1.68% Pb &13.7 g/t Ag @5% Zn cut-off

+ Inferred resource of 16.300.000 tonnes of 7.38% Zn, 1.34% Pb &11.6 g/t Ag @5% Zn cut-off

+ 23% increase in overall tonnage compared to the previous(´08) estimate

+ Upgrade of 44% of the total resource into the indicated category ...
www.marketsmart.ca/media/latest_news/index.php?&content_id=5…

[Popeye82]

Mining Summary - LC - Feb 14, 2012
http://minesite.com/media/pub/var/release_downloadable_file/…

[Popeye82]

Altona Energy Plc - Signing Ceremony -PRC Coal; Chris Schrape: "the current EL owner is part of a group that is already operating several successful coal mines in China +the data available to date indicates that the estimated coal resource in the two EL's is ~1.170.000.000 tonnes(non JORC) +is of marketable quality. "Subject to technical due diligence to underpin the development of an approved mine plan +other required documents under a granted ML, the resources should be capable of being brought progressively into open cut production @a competitive cost +with low risk" " - Feb 22, 2012
http://tools.euroland.com/investortools/rnsclient/LoadAnnoun…

[Popeye82]

NEXTDC - Launches Revolutionary Data Centre App - Mar 15, 2012
http://stocknessmonster.com/news-item?S=NXT&E=ASX&N=240491

[Popeye82]

Amex Resources - in Transition from Explorer to Producer - Mar 15, 2012
http://clients2.weblink.com.au/clients/amexresources/article…

[Popeye82]

Equatorial Resources - Further Drill Results Confirm DSO Potential; John Welborn: "These assay results confirm the continuity of the DSO hematite caps @Makengui with high grade intercepts now extending several kilometers along strike +open in both directions. The massive scale +robust geological model of the project continues to be demonstrated by the current drilling program. I am very pleased with the progress we have made to complete initial wide-spaced reconnaissance drilling +that we have now commenced infill resource definition drilling" - Mar 15, 2012

+ Assay results continue to confirm high grade iron up to 61.4% Fe from current drilling program @Mayoko-Moussondji.

+ Significant downhole intersections received from the current batch of assay results include:

Direct Shipping Ore(“DSO”):

- 12m @61% Fe from surface in MMKDD020;
- 13m @58% Fe from surface in MMKDD021;
- 25m @61% Fe from 31m in MMKRC023;


Enriched Hematite(“pDSO”):

- 20m @55% Fe from 2m in MMKRC001;
- 14m @54% Fe from surface in MMKRC002;
- 38m @46% Fe from 12m in MMKDD021;


Magnetite Banded Iron Formation:

- 241m @32% Fe from 128m in MMKDD012;


+ DSO has now been confirmed along 2.5km of strike @the Makengui Prospect.

+ Results continue to confirm the robust geological model for Mayoko-Moussondji where extensive zones of enriched hematite overlay magnetite Banded Iron Formation(“BIF”).

+ Infill resource definition drilling has now commenced with three drill rigs active.

+ Metallurgical testing program in progress with initial results on hematite +magnetite samples to be released in the coming weeks. ...
www.equatorialresources.com.au/media/articles/Investor---ASX…

[Popeye82]

American Manganese - Announces Publication of Advanced Process Patent; "With the trend of increasing metal prices, decreasing resource grades +environmental regulations becoming stricter, ownership of this intellectual property creates significant opportunity for American Manganese on a world scale " - Mar 15, 2012

patent application describes key details in which manganese can be recovered from a low grade resource with the following key advantages:

- Low energy requirement.
- Low water use.
- Robust process with a unique assembly of commercially available equipment.
- Suitable for production of high purity electrolytic manganese metal(EMM) without the use of selenium, a toxic concentration found in traditional Chinese EMM production.
- Suitable for production of high purity electrolytic +chemical manganese dioxide for use in high tech lithium ion batteries. ...
www.marketwire.com/press-release/american-manganese-inc-anno…
www.wipo.int/patentscope/search/en/WO2012024294

[Popeye82]

Kilo Goldmines - Announces Updated Mineral Resource Estimate; Gold Grade Increases an Average of 18% on Adumbi; A. van Hoeken: "Our latest updated Mineral Resource estimate reaffirms that the Adumbi deposit has significant gold mineralization, with significant potential to grow in size with further systematic exploration. The updated Mineral Resource estimate is based on a more robust geological model, culminating in an increase in average grade +a corresponding increase in gold ounces within higher grade categories. The grade tonnage profile >1 g/t cut-off in particular reflects this. The deposit remains open @depth +along strike +is thus believed to have significant upside potential. Considering that this year's exploration focus is on the adjacent nearby prospects, the new Adumbi Mineral Resource estimate will contribute to the overall objective of increasing +improving the Mineral Resources within the Adumbi exploitation permit" - Mar 15, 2012

+ Inferred mineral resource of 35.600.000 tonnes containing 1.870.000 Ounces(oz) of gold @an average grade of 1.63 g/t Au @a cut off grade of 0.5 g/t Au;

+ Increase in average gold grade by 18%;

+ Increase in gold ounces within the higher grade categories;

+ Significant reduction in Mineral Resource tonnes;

+ Increase in gold ounces in the oxidized portion of the Mineral Resource to 33%;

+ Mineralization remains open on strike +@depth; +

+ Further infill +step-out drilling is planned. ...
http://kilogold.net/investors/pr15mar2012.php

[Popeye82]

New Energy Technologies - &US Department of Energy’s National Renewable Energy Laboratory Develop ‘Invisible Wires’, for Transporting Electricity on SolarWindow; John A. Conklin: "It’s very exciting that we’ve not only achieved an important milestone with respect to the size of our SolarWindow™, "but we are now able to confidently tackle two of the most important factors to eventual commercialization": the structure +transparency of the wiring system which transports the electricity generated on see-through glass, +overall performance" - Mar 15, 2012
http://finance.yahoo.com/news/energy-technologies-inc-us-dep…

[Popeye82]

The Asia Miner - Apr/Mar12

FEATURES

- International Project Survey The rate of new project announcements slowed in late ´11. Is the boom in mining investment starting to fade, or is this just a momentary adjustment?

- Drilling &Blasting Cost-effective drilling +blasting comes @a price –but pays dividends. A recent conference has highlighted the information needed to plan, drill +shoot efficiently .


LEADING DEVELOPMENTS

- Asian Intelligence Increasingly, consuming nations in Asia are looking to secure supplies of natural resources by means of strategic acquisitions of either entire resources projects or stakes with linked offtake arrangements.

- Indonesia Funding of US$1.000.000 from Kopex has enabled Pan Asia Corp to complete another drilling phase @the TCM Thermal Coal Project in South Kalimantan.

- India India’s mining +construction equipment industry has a bright future with a number of mining +construction equipment manufacturers announcing big investments.

- Exploration PanAust has confirmed the discovery of the Nam San copper-gold deposit.


AROUND THE REGION

- Indonesia The Tumpangpitu porphyry resource @Tujuh Bujit has increased 70%.

- China China Shenhua Group is using technology to embrace clean coal &energy practices.

- Mongolia Prophecy Coal has received a positive feasibility for Chandgana power project

- Philippines CGA Mining is carrying out a study into an expansion of Masbate production.

- Cambodia Brighton Mining has started exploration @the Antrong Gold Project

- Vietnam Hazelwood Resources is seeking feedstock for the ATC Ferrotungsten Project.

- Australia Bandanna Energy is on track to begin significant coal production in ´14.

- Malaysia Lynas Corp has received a temporary licence to operate its rare earths plant.

- Papua New Guinea Mt Kare has an initial resource of 2.100.000 ounces of gold equivalent.

- Central Asia Central Asia Resources is commissioning the plant @its Dalabai project.

- India Deccan Gold Mines’ Ganajur Main reource has increased to 308.000 ounces.


DEPARTMENTS

- Advertisers’ Index
- Calendar of Events
- From the Editor
- Product News
- Subscription Form
- Supplier News


Indonesia "a hotspot for foreign investment"

NOT only is Indonesia’s economy South East Asia’s largest, it is also one of Asia’s most resilient +one of the hottest emerging economies in the world. Much is written about the continuing growth of China +India but Indonesia’s strengthening domestic situation, its abundance of natural resources, supportive government +strong private sector are attracting global interest.

Mining is playing an important, +growing, role in the economy, particularly coal exports, but the key to Indonesia’s economic success no +into the future is its diversity with agriculture, oil +gas, +manufacturing also playing key roles. This is also ensuring foreign investment from a range of sources. It is a big draw for global investment banks chasing fee revenue on deals +fund raisings, but which are also well aware of the inherent dangers -from corruption, poor infrastructure +a lack of transparency to market volatility.

Evidence of Indonesia’s current strong economic situation include ratings agencies upgrading Indonesia’s debt, the stock market being up by a 1/5th since last October, a well-stocked IPO pipeline +investment banking fees growing far faster than elsewhere in Asia. Thomson Reuters estimates show that fee income in the island nation is up seven-fold, rising annually since ´00 to $391.400.000 in ´11. In the same period, fee income trebled across South East Asia. It’s these type of figures that have attracted global banks to Indonesia +will continue to attract them in the future. In ´11 Indonesia’s economy grew @its fastest pace since the ´97 -´98 Asian crisis with experts saying the vast domestic market in the world’s 4th most populous nation is helping to shield it from the global economic turmoil impacting its export-oriented neighbours. Gross domestic product(GDP) grew by 6.5% in ´11 +is expected to show similar growth in ´12. GDP has grown >5% in seven out of the past eight years, +even in ´09, when many countries slumped into the global financial crisis, Indonesia’s economy managed 4.5% growth. Foreign direct investment(FDI) in Indonesia grew 20% to a record $20.000.000.000 in ´11 as companies invested in everything from coal mines to car factories to tap the vast natural resources +240.000.000 strong domestic consumer market. FDI is likely to remain robust over the medium term after Moody’s Investors Services +Fitch Ratings recently upgraded Indonesia’s credit to investment grade, a change that allows its bonds to be added to benchmark global indexes.

The country’s Finance Minister Agus Martowardojo recently told the media that he expects total investments made by private sector +the government to grow as much as 10% this year, after rising >8% in ´11. Adding to this optimism, particularly in the longer term, is the passage of a bill throughout Parliament in December that aims to expedite land purchases for infrastructure projects +which could spur significant growth in the construction sector. Lack of infrastructure +lack of legal protections has held back Indonesia’s growth but there are signs that the government is tackling the 1st issue +it has taken steps in the past few years to also take on the 2nd, with the new Mining Law providing concrete evidence of this in the mining sector. Economic experts say the country can take further steps to improve the investment climate by revising rigid labour laws.

As far as mining is concerned, coal will continue to be the major economic player. Indonesia is the world’s largest exporter of thermal coal +the 2nd largest exporter of coal overall behind Australia. A recent International Energy Agency coal report stated, “Global demand for coal will continue to expand aggressively over the next five years despite public calls in many countries for reducing reliance on the high-carbon fuel as a primary energy source...” Coal is already the single-largest source of electricity generation globally, +the report says the main reason for the projected increase in coal demand over the next five years is surging power generation in emerging economies, particularly China +India. This bodes well for Indonesia’s booming coal industry. Other mineral resources, including tin, nickel, copper, gold, silver +manganese are also major contributors to the mining industry’s input. These resources will all play their part in the future with new coal, precious metals +base metals projects set to come on line.

John Miller ...-
www.asiaminer.com/magazine/images/stories/pdf/TAM-MarApr-201…

[Popeye82]

Volta Resources - Reports More Wide High-Grade Intercepts @its Kiaka Gold Project in Burkina Faso, intersects "up to" 219.0m @1.65g/t, 154.0m @1.31g/t, 104.00m @1.12g/t +217.20m @1.07g/t Au - Mar 14, 2012
www.voltaresources.com/i/pdf/NR/140312VTRPR.pdf

[Popeye82]

Salazar Resources - Drilling Expands El Domo Mineralization +Intercepts "up to" 16.52 Meters 0.51 g/t gold, 17.10 g/t silver, 4.49 % copper +0.81 % zinc; Fredy Salazar: "We are delighted with these results which continue to open up large areas of new mineralization under the andesite sill +east of the established resource blocks. We look forward to continued exploration +development of the El Domo deposit" - Mar 14, 2012
http://finance.yahoo.com/news/salazar-drilling-expands-el-do…

[Popeye82]

Australians in Africa DON´T just Explore for Gold - RR - Mar 15, 2012
www.resourcesroadhouse.com.au/_blog/Resources_Roadhouse/post…

[Popeye82]

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

[Popeye82]

Viterra opens up for bidding war , shares jump - MW/Reuters, WINNIPEG/LONDON - Mar 16, 2012
www.miningweekly.com/article/viterra-opens-up-for-bidding-wa…

[Popeye82]

Antwort auf Beitrag Nr.: 42.918.814 von Popeye82 am 17.03.12 22:45:15

Glencore would divide Viterra in 3 parts -source; Glencore would carve up Viterra into three pieces if it wins a bidding war for Canada's largest grain handler, an industry source said on Friday, describing the Swiss trader's plan for navigating the government scrutiny that a foreign takeover would face. The source told Reuters the commodity trading giant wanted to buy all of Viterra +then sell its retail business to Agrium, a Canadian fertilizer producer - MW/Reuters - Mar 16, 2012
www.miningweekly.com/article/glencore-would-divide-viterra-i…

[Popeye82]

Vena Resources - Acquires Historical Drill Data Indicating Significant New Zinc Mineralization East of the Azulcocha Mill - Mar 15, 2012
www.marketwire.com/press-release/vena-acquires-historical-dr…
http://media3.marketwire.com/docs/VenaTable.jpg
http://file.marketwire.com/release/venamap.jpg

[Popeye82]

Edison healthcare quarterly: Evaluating risk/reward - EIR - Feb 27, 2012

- Improved investor confidence in the biotech sector is emanating from the US, driven by increased M&A activity +speculation +the ongoing necessity for large pharma to negotiate their patent cliffs. A stock picking approach where investors evaluate assets, potential +risk/reward should enable the identification of companies with an increased likelihood of solid share price performance, with or without M&A.


HCV –creating a US biotech bubble?

The impressive performance of US biotech indices since December is largely a result of M&A, particularly in the hepatitis C disease area. Improved M&A prospects +premiums have encouraged generalist interest, but also created a bubble. Bid speculation is already priced in to some stocks, +short coverage has resulted in inexplicable share price movements.


´12: A peak year for patent expiries

M&A speculation is not misplaced. Large pharma continues to evaluate opportunities to replace near-term revenues lost following blockbuster patent expiries as cost-cutting +internal pipelines have not delivered. Increasing desperation has translated into increased activity, competitiveness +generosity with respect to late-stage assets.


Keeping an eye on catalysts

Biotech investment is highly catalyst driven, +numerous risks are inherent. Technical risks(clinical data, regulatory decisions) are largely binary, although other categories, eg financial(cash, ability to secure funding) +commercial(partnering, marketing), are common to other industries. News flow is critical.


Opportunities for small- +mid-cap names

The large pharma focus on bigger later-stage M&A opportunities means mid-cap pharma/biotech may be able to access overlooked, albeit attractive, assets. This could result in consolidation, diversification +increased scale; all of which could boost company prospects by enhancing resilience to pipeline failure, enabling sustainability to be achieved, +even enhancing attractiveness to a larger acquirer.


Companies mentioned

TiGenix, BioInvent, OncoGenex Pharmaceuticals, Aastrom Biosciences, EpiCept Corporation, Circadian Technologies, AmpliPhi Biosciences, Transgene, Synta Pharmaceuticals, e-Therapeutics, Evolva, 4SC, Ablynx, Evotec, ProMetic Life Sciences, Agennix AG, Addex Pharmaceuticals, Bionomics, Astex Pharmaceuticals, TopoTarget, Epigenomics AG, Oncolytics Biotech Inc, Omega Diagnostics Group, Algeta, Pharming Group, Vernalis, Abcam, Wilex, Lifeline Scientific, Paion, Biotie Therapies Corp, Vectura, Consort Medical, Allergy Therapeutics, Deltex Medical, Oxford BioMedica, YM BioSciences, GW Pharmaceuticals, Lombard Medical Technologies, Ark Therapeutics Group, BTG, SkyePharma &ImmuPharma ...-
www.edisoninvestmentresearch.co.uk/research/sector-commentar…

[Popeye82]

Korea Resources says to invest $532.000.000 in overseas projects; Korea Resources Corp(KORES) said on Friday that it plans to invest @least 600.000.000.000 won($532.000.000) this year in overseas resources projects, +is looking to acquire stakes in bituminous coal mines in Indonesia +North America. Kim Shin-jong, president +chief executive of the state run resource developer, said KORES, which invested nearly 780.000.000.000 won in overseas acquisitions last year, aimed to shore up the country's self-sufficiency level for six major minerals to 50% by ´20 - MW/Reuters - Mar 16, 2012
www.miningweekly.com/article/korea-resources-says-to-invest-…

"Korea Resources Corp(KORES) said on Friday that it plans to invest @least 600.000.000.000 won($532.000.000) this year in overseas resources projects, +is looking to acquire stakes in bituminous coal mines in Indonesia +North America.


Kim Shin-jong, president +chief executive of the state run resource developer, said KORES, which invested nearly 780.000.000.000 won in overseas acquisitions last year, aimed to shore up the country's self-sufficiency level for six major minerals to 50% by ´20

Kim also said the company was in talks with Mongolia +Russia to take a bigger stake in Mongolia's Tavan Tolgoi coal project, noting that a deal was unlikely to be finalised before June because of a general election in Mongolia.

KORES has been leading South Korea's drive to increase self-sufficiency in key mineral resources such as iron ore, coal, copper +rare metals to feed its manufacturing-based economy, ranked Asia's 4th-largest.

"It is the right time to invest +South Korea needs such investments," Kim told reporters, noting that energy +resources prices were recovering after hitting lows in late ´08.

"We should secure @least 50% of our supply from our own production to guarantee stability," Kim said

He added that South Korea had achieved a weighted average 29% self-sufficiency rate for copper, iron ore, uranium, zinc, nickel +coal by the end of ´11, +aimed to boost that to 32% by the end of this year.

"We are looking into coal mines with output capacities of >1.000.000 tonnes/year +prefer mines that are already producing," he said.


TAVAN TOLGOI TALKS

Kim said South Korea +Japan were seeking stakes of @least 10% each in the Tavan Tolgoi project through their consortium with Russia, should the consortium win the 36% stake it has targeted from Mongolia.

The Tavan Tolgoi coal deposit, in Mongolia's south Gobi region, has estimated reserves of 6.000.000.000 tonnes of coal, including the world's largest untapped deposit of coking coal.

South Korean companies participating in the Russian-Korean-Japanese consortium also include steelmaker POSCO, utility Korea Electric Power Corp, trading firm LG International Corp +Daewoo International Corp.

Kim said KORES had no plan to support the action brought by the United States, Europe +Japan @the World Trade Organisation against China's rare earths production restrictions as KORES was running rare earths projects with China +also had supply channels in South Africa. "

[Popeye82]

WAFM buys rest of Cameroon iron-ore explorer - MW, JOHANNESBURG - Mar 16, 2012

- Natasha Odendaal -
www.miningweekly.com/article/wafm-buys-rest-of-cameroon-iron…

"Aim-listed West African Minerals (WAFM) acquired the remaining 34.51% interest in CMC Guernsey, CEO and executive cochairperson Stephen Dattels announced on Friday.

CMC Guernsey, which owns six exploration permits for iron-ore and associated minerals over a 6 000 km2 area in Cameroon, would become an indirect wholly owned subsidiary of WAFM.

The iron-ore exploration company, which was previously called Emerging Metals, issued about £18-million worth of consideration shares to minority shareholders of CMC.

CMC’s operator is Plinian, which is headed by former Lonmin CEO Brad Mills.

Mills, who is also the current CEO of TSX-listed Mandalay Resources, was appointed executive vice chairperson of WAFM.

The company appointed Anton Mauve, who also previously held senior executive roles at Lonmin, as its MD.

Current COO Serge Ngandu stepped down, effective March 13, following the acquisition.

CMC Guernsey's assets and net assets totalled $12 915 781 and $12 807 077 respectively at September 30, 2011.

WAFM was targeting potentially high-tonnage, 60% to 65% iron containing, hematite-rich mineralisation in Cameroon, as well as hematite schist with a 40% to 50% iron content in Sierra Leone.

A detailed, high resolution, aeromagnetic survey over the group's six exploration permits in Cameroon has been completed and interpretation and prioritisation of targets by a geophysist was under way. "

[Popeye82]

Ferrum iron-ore study delayed pending Waterberg infrastructure solution - MW, JOHANNESBURG - Mar 16, 2012

- H. Lazenby -
www.miningweekly.com/article/ferrum-delays-iron-ore-study-pe…

"ASX- and JSE-listed Ferrum Crescent on Friday said it had deferred completion of the definitive feasibility study (DFS) for its Moonlight project to the fourth quarter, pending a potentially “more optimal” infrastructure solution for the Waterberg iron-ore project.


In its interim results statement for the period ended December 31, the company said it was engaged in discussions with resources companies with similar infrastructure needs within the Waterberg region, where the anticipated Moonlight project is located.

“These companies, particularly those within the coal mining sector, have similar infrastructure requirements to Ferrum, and initial discussions have led to a potentially more optimal outcome than is being contemplated in the ongoing DFS,” the company said in a statement.

The resource-rich Waterberg region is a burgeoning mining district in South Africa, with large resources of coal and iron-ore. However, there is not enough rail capacity to transport the resources along already crowded corridors to ports for export.

“Positive discussions at high level relating to rail, power, ports and water between the company, Transnet and other South African infrastructure suppliers have taken place during the period,” Ferrum said.

The Moonlight project, located on the farms Moonlight, Julietta and Gouda Fontein, has a Joint Ore Reserves Committee- (Jorc-) compliant resource of 74-million tons of iron-ore in the indicated resource category, and 225-million tons delineated in the inferred resource category.

The resource is expected to be upgraded, after the company appointed South African geological advisory firm Mineral Corporation Consultancy in December, to undertake an updated Jorc resource estimate.

“Ferrum has continued in the past six months to work towards progressing the DFS for the Moonlight iron-ore project. We are confident that an updated Moonlight resource will be announced by the end of April, while planning for a drilling programme to establish a total resource estimate for the deposit of all three farms is well advanced,” chairperson Ed Nealon said.

Meanwhile, Ferrum has applied for a mining licence for its Moonlight project, and expected it to be granted in the first quarter of the year.

Subsidiary company Turquoise Moon Trading 157 has been the holder of Ferrum's interests in both its Moonlight deposit and the De Loskop prospects, and previously, these were held under a single prospecting right and mining right application.

However, Ferrum said the Mineral Resources Department allowed the submission of an amended mining right application, with De Loskop excluded from the mining right application, allowing Turquoise Moon to concentrate on developing Moonlight as a mining project, while allowing De Loskop to be treated as a prospecting area.

The company, which listed on the JSE on November 11, said it appointed Bob Hair as MD during the six-month period. "

[Popeye82]

Beneficiation technology to enable recovery of low-grade uranium - MW - Mar 9, 2012
www.miningweekly.com/article/beneficiation-technology-to-ena…

"A recent German-developed physical beneficiation technology will enable the economical recovery of what has been tradi- tionally considered an uneco-nomical grade of uranium , being developed @a cost of $135.000.000 @a project in Namibia.


Australian mine development company Deep Yellow’s TRS project is a mainly carnotite-containing red sand deposit of around 150 parts/million(ppm) which, despite being a limit generally regarded as uneconomical, has attracted sector interest as a result of the recent beneficiation innovation.

The technology has proved successful through pilot testwork, which has shown that low-grade mineralisation could be made economical through the produc-tion of a high-grade, uranium-rich concentrate paste amenable to acid or alkali leaching.

The company’s objective is to apply the recent physical bene-ficiation process to produce a maximum amount of uranium +, thus, deliver on overall enhanced project economics.

“TRS continues to emerge as a standalone project despite its size +low grade, +we should now be in a position to make a development decision by sometime next year,” said Deep Yellow MD Greg Cochran.

The testwork has delivered uranium recovery rates in excess of 80% +a uranium upgrade factor of nearly eight times.

“This has allowed the TRS deposit’s resource to be upgraded to 87.000.000 tons @148 ppm, which is sufficient critical mass to enable it to emerge as a standalone project,” says Cochran.

Meanwhile, the project has been granted the key environ-mental endorsement required for approval of its mining licence application for the project.

Addressing the Paydirt ´12 Uranium Conference, in Australia, earlier this year, Cochran said the award of the environmental clearance from the Namibian government would enable the implementation of the project within a tight timeline.

Deep Yellow will now focus on developing a midsized project, in the region of 500 t/y, with the resin-in-leach circuit on site set to produce high-value, loaded resin for one of the two existing Namibian uranium producers.

The project’s prefeasibility study is due for completion by the end of the year, with definitive feasibility study +financing agreements locked in by the open-ing half of ´13. "

[Popeye82]

La Mancha Resources - VMS Resource Increases to 81.000.000 tonnes @1.26g/t Au +1.12% Cu Indicated +37.000.000 tonnes @1.17g/t Au +1.09% Cu Inferred, for 10.376.878 Ounces GoldEquivalent; Dominique Delorme: "This significant resource expansion is a milestone of greatest importance for La Mancha since it confirms that our Hassaï property is a world-class asset . Moreover, this new resource, most of which is from two pits out of a potential 12 , already ranks amongst the largest +richest VMS deposits in the world , while its potential remains largely untested. Having already outlined an Indicated resource of >80.000.000 t, we have achieved the critical mass needed to launch a pre-feasibility study. This new resource estimate confirms yet again La Mancha's potential to grow into an intermediate gold producer within the next few years", Jean-Jacques Kachrillo: "It is important to highlight the low geological risk associated with outlining the inferred VMS resource +then converting it to Indicated status. This low risk is reflected in the low cost of outlining an Indicated ounce of gold, which now stands @an average of $2.00/ounce. Furthermore, the quality of our Inferred resource estimate +the continuity of our deposits allow for a high Inferred-to-Indicated resource conversion rate with very similar grades", Nigel Tamlyn: "The pre-feasibility using this new increased resource could benefit from several factors that could significantly improve the economics of the project over the PEA tabled in ´10. The increased metal content is an obvious one, but equally important is the higher proportion of resources now classified as Indicated +therefore potentially convertible to reserves. The size of the deposits is now pointing to mining by large open pits that would allow a high resource-to-reserve conversion rate. This could in turn result in a significantly higher mining rate +therefore a larger plant than envisaged in the ´10 PEA" - Feb 22, 2012

+ Indicated resource of 80.700.000t for ~7.200.000 ounces of gold equivalent

+ Inferred resource of 37.000.000 t for ~3.200.000 ounces of gold equivalent

+ Preliminary drilling reveals a 1st Inferred resource below the Hadayamet pit

+ Critical mass necessary to launch a pre-feasibility study is achieved

+ The Hassaï property contains 12 pits where the mining of the upper gold-rich cap rock has allowed us to visually identify VMS structures on the floor of the open pits. The recently completed drilling campaign mainly focused on expanding the ´09 initial VMS resource, exclusively composed of the VMS structures below the Hassaï South +Hadal Awatib East pits, +converting it to the Indicated category. Preliminary drilling from the floor of the Hadaymet pit, the 3rd target, confirmed its VMS potential +outlined a 1st Inferred resource. A summary of the VMS resource estimate, on a pit by pit basis, is presented in TableI in the appendix.

+ On the heels of the initial ´09 resource estimate, a positive NI 43-101 compliant Preliminary Economic Assessment(“PEA”) was published in October ´10. One of the objectives of the ´11 drilling campaign was to grow the VMS resource, +consequently its mine inventory, to a size that would result in a better utilization of the 5.000.000 t/anno processing plant investment recommended by the PEA. Management believes that the upgraded ´11 VMS resource could extend the period during which the plant is used @its full design capacity >10 years or increase the mill size required. ...
www.lamancha.ca/assets/3100adea961640ab8e78623aa2b3990f_02-2…

[Popeye82]

Longreach Oil &Gas: Tapping into the huge potential of Morocco - PAIUK - Feb 3, 2012

- Ian Lyall -
www.proactiveinvestors.co.uk/companies/news/38548/longreach-…

"One of the earliest entrants to Morocco, Longreach Oil &Gas(CVE:LOI) has spent the past five years building an impressive landholding in what chief operating officer Andrew Benitz describes as the “last under-explored basin in North Africa”.


It has a gross 13.000.000 acres under licence, exposure to some of the most exciting exploration projects in the country +the potential for cashflow in the near term.

As an oil +gas jurisdiction, Morocco is as good as they come. The government take is minimal when compared with hydrocarbon-rich neighbours, Algeria or Libya.

+there is a ready source of domestic demand from a country which last year imported $10.700.000.000-worth of foreign oil +gas.

The fiscal terms are amongst the most attractive worldwide with the state receives 25 per cent of any project +a 5 per cent royalty if gas is produced, which rises to 10 per cent for oil. An unprecedented ten-year corporate tax holiday is offered upon discovery.

This means the government take is never >35 per cent. Contrast this with Algeria, where the authorities take 92 per cent +you can see why foreign investment is flooding into Morocco.

Total, Repsol +Anadarko are just three of the larger operators in country.

+under this regime, the economics of the smaller projects look very attractive.

Longreach has stakes in five licences in Morocco, operating its flagship project –Sidi Moktar, which is prospective for gas +promises the company’s 1st production +cashflow.

It has a 50 per cent working interest in the acreage in return for carrying out new seismic +the drilling of two wells.

Sidi Moktar is interesting in that it is bisected by the already producing Meskala field, which pipes gas to phosphate mines to the north.

With a pipeline infrastructure running through the Sidi Moktar licence, any discovery made by Longreach will be straightforward to tie in to begin cashflow production.

Two wells are planned for Sidi Moktar, with work scheduled to begin in the 4th quarter.

The 1st portion of ´12 will be spent interpreting existing seismic, before shooting more to high grade prospects to identify a drill location, Benitz said.

The wells will target the Triassic sandstones, from which the neighbouring Meskala field is currently producing, though historic production on the Sidi Moktar licence has come from the shallower Jurassic zones.

AJM Petroleum has a “best estimate” of 292 billion cubic feet of natural gas +a high estimate of 776bcf based on five identified fields within the licence.

“The figures are only for Triassic targets,” Benitz said. “Lasmo used to operate in the area in the late ´90s +did a regional unrisked resource estimate for Sidi Moktar of 9 trillion cubic feet. So there is huge upside.”

The cost of drilling each well @Sidi Moktar is expected to be in the order of “$7.000.000 -8.000.000” each, the Longreach chief operating officer revealed.

+while it is well funded with around $8.500.000 in the treasury, the company will have to raise more cash if it is to develop @the rate it intends, Benitz confirmed.

With gas prices in Morocco @around $8/Mcf, the payback is likely to be in the order of a year +1/2 based on historic flow rates. Similar wells drilled in vicinity during the ´80s are still going to this day.

Benitz said: “Payback is in the order of 18 months, giving around 20 years of profit potential.”

The company also has a 22.5 per cent interest in the onshore Tarfaya exploration block, which is prospective for gas. London-listed San Leon Energy is the operator.

The offshore extension is owned by Tangiers Petroleum, +underpins the Australian firm’s $52.000.000 market capitalisation.

Longreach, by contrast, is valued @around $14.000.000(giving an enterprise value of $5.000.000) despite having similar potential.

A total 1.450 kilometres of 2D seismic from Tarfaya has been reprocessed, which has identified 15 leads that independent reserve auditors, Netherland, Sewell +Associates, said have unrisked prospective resources of 711.000.000 barrels of oil.

An additional 600 kilometres of infill 2D seismic was shot last year with processing expected to identify some drillable targets.

Longreach also holds a 22.5 per cent in the Zag exploration licence, which is also operated by San Leon Energy.

Covering >5.000.000 acres, the block butts up against Sonatrach’s 812Bcf discovery in the Tindouf basin +is a near neighbour of Repsol’s major gas discovery in the Reggane basin.

A 1.700km 2D seismic survey began in the final quarter of last year +was completed in January.

Processing of the seismic is underway +once completed, a comprehensive review of the Paleozoic basin will be undertaken to assess the potential of a variety of plays.

The company’s smallest holding is in the offshore Sidi Moussa +Foum Draa prospects, where it has a 7.5 per cent interest.

The two areas have an extensive data set of 3D seismic shot by Enterprise Oil in ´01/´02 with management indicating a “best estimate” of oil in place of 2.900.000.000 barrels.

Benitz describes the licence as having “huge potential”.

“Morocco offshore is now in hot demand with Kosmos +, more recently, Total taking up large acreage positions,” he said.

“Our licences are without question the best explored with extensive 3D coverage, which has allowed us to identify a set of large prospects, which are now drill ready."


Profile

Longreach Oil &Gas(TSX-V: LOI) is an independent oil +gas exploration company, with significant exploration acreage, managed by a team with excellent technical, commercial +financial skills. Our strategy includes a regional focus within North Africa. In Morocco we enjoy fiscal conditions that are recognised to be amongst the most favourable worldwide. Longreach is incorporated in Jersey, Channel Islands. "

[Popeye82]

IGas Energy Plc - finds ‘very significant’ shale gas in Cheshire; A shale section of @least 1.000 feet was found in the well. @target depth the well was still in the shale section, it said, Gas indications were observed across the interval +it has identified a number of potentially prospective zones, According to IGas, this area is part of the Bowland shale. IGas said that previous independent analysis of the Ince Marshes site suggested gas in place volumes of up to 4.6 trillion cubic feet - Jan 26, 2012
www.igasplc.com/uploads/120126operationalupdatejanuary2011fi…

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Legend Mining - PhaseI Melombo East Drilling Complete; Mark Wilson: "The new track mounted rig is being prepared in South Africa for delivery to Cameroon. With previous results +upgraded equipment we will be able to more quickly evaluate the magnetite mineralisation @Melombo East. It is particularly pleasing to see significant magnetite thickness from surface/near surface +the number of holes that have ended in mineralisation from the PhaseI programme" - Mar 12, 2012

+ 21 hole PhaseI diamond drill programme completed

+ PhaseII to commence shortly

+ Significant thicknesses of magnetite in seven new holes from surface to 100m

+ New track mounted diamond rig mobilising to site for PhaseII drilling ...
www.legendmining.com.au/reports/ASX20120312_MelomboEastPhase…

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Kasbah Resources - Resource Upgrade Delivers 150% Increase in Contained Tin; Wayne Bramwell: "This is an outstanding achievement +a credit to the efforts of the Kasbah Exploration +Resource Development team. The latest drilling has effectively bridged the Gap Zone +has linked the resource across 1.5 km of the Meknes Trend" - Mar 20, 2012

+ New Mineral Resource estimate for the Achmmach Tin Project delivers Indicated +Inferred resources of 14.600.000 tonnes @0.9% tin for 135.000 tonnes of contained tin

+ Significant increase in all key resource metrics from the ´10 estimate including:

- 150% increase in contained tin
- 141% increase in indicated resource tonnage
- 109% increase in total resource tonnage
- 94% increase in inferred tonnage
- 12% increase in resource grade


+ Meknes Trend defined over a strike length in excess of 1.5 km +remains open to west, east +@depth

+ Significant potential to further enhance project economics by further drilling of Meknes Trend +parallel tin lodes

+ The pre-feasibility study(PFS) will be completed in April +the 5 diamond rigs @Achmmach will continue with in-fill and extensional drilling of the Meknes Trend as Kasbah advances towards the delivery of a 2nd resource upgrade mid-year. ...
http://stocknessmonster.com/news-item?S=KAS&E=ASX&N=582593

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Imx Resources - Mt Woods Approaching 1.000.000.000 Tonnes Combined Iron Resources +Targets; N. Meadows: "IMX is now approaching a potential one billion tonnes combined iron resources +targets for the Mt Woods Iron Project based on exploration target tonnages +the recently announced iron resource of >1/2 a billion tonnes @Snaefell. Our South Australian magnetite
strategy is on track with the Mt Woods Iron project continuing to develop into a major iron ore asset with enormous upside growth potential" - Mar 19, 2012

+ New Tomahawk Iron Exploration Target1 of 150.000.000 t to 230.000.000 t

+ Global Iron Exploration Target range currently 200.000.000 t to 380.000.000 t

+ Additional Tomahawk targets to be drilled over next 9 months ...
www.imxresources.com.au/_content/documents/1160.pdf

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Intra Energy - Executes a Memorandum of Understanding(“MOU”) with the Tanzania Electric Supply Company Limited (“TANESCO”) for the Development and Operation of a 120 MW Coal Fired Power Station @Mbinga District, Ruvuma Region in Tanzania; MOU sets the parameters for IETL/NDC +TANESCO to proceed with the early completion of a Power Purchase Agreement(“PPA”) +subsequent financial closing for a targeted ´15 completion - Mar 19, 2012
www.intraenergycorp.com.au/IRM/Company/ShowPage.aspx/PDFs/14…

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Forge Resources - Secures JV Partner for Balla Balla Project, as Part of a $50.000.000 Funding Transaction - Mar 19, 2012

+ Forge Resources has signed definitive documentation with Todd Capital in respect of a proposed investment in Forge Resources +entry into an unincorporated Joint Venture for the development of the Balla Balla Magnetite – Vanadium – Titanium Project in Western Australia.

+ Todd Capital has agreed to provide $45.500.000 million towards the purchase of Balla Balla from Atlas Iron Ltd +the funding of ongoing exploration +development costs, by way of a combination of:

I. An $8.000.000 share subscription in Forge Resources @$0.50/share;

II. Provision of secured project-level debt of $27.500.000; +

III. Acquisition of a 25% direct interest in the Balla Balla project for $10.000.000.


+ Forge has received commitments from sophisticated/institutional investors totalling a further $4.500.000 @$0.50/share.

+ Todd Capital is part of the Todd Corporation, a private New Zealand based company with a diversified portfolio of business interests.

+ The parties have agreed that Forge Resources will market the magnetite concentrate +titanium concentrate products from the Balla Balla Joint Venture through an exclusive marketing agreement.

+ Implementation of the proposed transactions is subject to satisfaction of conditions precedent, including FIRB approval +Forge Resources shareholder approval. ...
http://stocknessmonster.com/news-item?S=FRG&E=ASX&N=671794

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Mining Summary - LC - Mar 19, 2012
http://minesite.com/media/pub/var/release_downloadable_file/…

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Beacon Hill Resources Plc - Marketing Partnership with Vitol Coal; part of the Vitol Group, the world’s largest energy trading company ; Justin Lewis: "This strategic marketing partnership with Vitol provides Beacon Hill with direct access to one of the largest coal marketing +trading networks globally which is an important development for the Group. Importantly, this milestone relationship provides Beacon Hill with an optimum route to market for our coal products, as well as enabling us to meet our existing commitments under our off-take agreement with Global Coke. In addition to benefitting from Vitol’s global coal marketing expertise, we also have the advantage of an injection of funding which will assist the Company with current +future funding requirements as we increase our presence in the globally significant coking coal region of Tete", Bob Finch: "We are delighted to have entered into this partnership with Beacon Hill, which has allowed us to have a presence in the Moatize Basin of Mozambique, which we consider to be one of the world’s most significant undeveloped coking coal regions . Coal trading has become an increasingly important part of the Vitol Group’s trading portfolio +this partnership makes an important contribution to our growth" - Mar 19, 2012

+ The parties have entered into a Coal Marketing Agreement whereby Vitol will act as agent to market export coal produced by Beacon Hill’s Minas Moatize Mine

+ Beacon Hill will utilise Vitol’s global coal marketing network –the Vitol Group trades worldwide in excess of 25.000.000 tonnes of coking +thermal coal +had turnover of US$297.000.000.000 in ´11

+ Beacon Hill will continue to market +sell export coal to Global Coke, which will continue to be offered up to 600.000 tonnes/annum of coking coal for the life of the Minas Moatize Mine

+ Vitol will advance to Beacon Hill a secured debt facility of up to US$20.000.000. Beacon Hill will be able to utilise the funds for capital expenditure, general corporate +working capital purposes ...
www.bhrplc.com/News.aspx?ArticleId=19964029

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Haranga Resources - Initial JORC Resource @Selenge Iron Ore Project; Company’s flagship Selenge iron ore project is located in the heart of Mongolia’s premier iron ore development region with excellent access to the main trans-Mongolian rail line +nearby rail spurs - Mar 19, 2012

+ Maiden Resource +Exploration Target "represent major milestones for Haranga Resources Limited".

+ An initial JORC Code compliant resource has been defined @Bayantsogt, 1/4 primary iron ore targets within the Company’s Selenge project area in Mongolia.

+ The total inferred resource is 32.800.000 t of iron ore @an average grade of 24.4% Fe based on a 15% Fe cutoff grade.

+ This initial resource is based only on the 1st pass 35 hole drill program @Bayantsogt in ´11.

+ Mineralisation remains open in all directions +@depth +the recently discovered high grade zone remains to be properly tested.

+ It is expected that further drilling will expand the resource +upgrade the resource classification.

+ An Exploration Target* of 120.000.000 to 250.000.000 t of iron ore has been estimated for Dund Bulag, another of the Selenge targets.

+ Skarn related iron mineralisation has so far been identified @four primary exploration targets @Selenge, all lying within 10km of each other. All four targets are associated with large magnetic hills +lie within a well defined structural corridor that contains the major iron ore deposits in the region, including nearby Eruu Gol, Mongolia’s largest iron ore export mine. In ´09, the China Investment Corporation(CIC) invested US$700.000.000 to secure a 1/3rd stake in Eruu Gol. This mine currently produces around 3.000.000 tonnes of magnetite concentrate/anno +ships the product via a newly constructed 75km rail spur to the main trans-Mongolian rail line. The ´11 drill program was concentrated @the Bayantsogt Prospect, the northernmost of the targets @Selenge.

+ A metallurgical test program is underway, feeding into a Preliminary Scoping Study due mid ´12.

+ Mining Licence application process to commence shortly. ...
http://haranga.com/pdfs/InitialJORCResourceAtSelengeIronOreP…

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Cabral Resources - Exploration Progress Update - Mar 19, 2012

+ Morro do Gergelim drill targets defined, lead up to our maiden drill campaign @Morro do Gergelim +other high priority target areas

+ Serra do Tigre exploration program underway, tenement area lies in close proximity to Morro do Gergelim +is also strategically close to the FIOL Rail Line ~19 km away.

+ Fazenda da Mata potential hematite target, This area has a high priority for exploration due to its prospectivity +with the pending decision to be made by the Company to exercise the option by 17 August ´12.

+ On-site laboratory, core logging +sampling facility being finalised

+ Drill hole database +contractor appointment; A comprehensive review of commercially available database systems with strong and competent support in Brazil has been undertaken +it has been decided that the CAE Mining(formerly Datamine) GDMS system will be employed for Cabral’s purposes. A proposal from CAE Mining located in Belo Horizonte, Minas Gerais, has been accepted following meetings there in February between Cabral +CAE Mining. The database system encompasses the data collection, database management, data organisation +storage, data review including QA/QC +data reporting together with DownHole Explorer which is a basic geological data viewing package(topography, drill hole data, sections, block model input, etc). Thiws Technologia led by Thiago Lima da Costa has been contracted to provide database services including the development of a simple field(exploration) sample database +to assist CAE Mining with the development +implementation of a comprehensive drill hole +sample database. Thiago Lima da Costa has extensive experience in this area.

+ Exploration team growing with experienced new hires

+ Final settlement update under original tenement option agreement; Cabral has had 100% of the requisite tenements transferred to it under the original option agreement with the vendor. As advised on 30 August ´11, under the revised payment terms Cabral was required to pay the last 75% of the Final Payment(being ~R$4.700.000) within 6 months provided the vendor had met certain other contractual obligations. This Final Payment was due on 16 March ´12 but Cabral has withheld payment @this time until the vendor +its representatives provide a satisfactory guarantee in favour of Cabral. The intention is for the vendor to provide Cabral an ongoing safeguard to any potential future 3rd party claims in respect of the original terms of the option agreement. Notwithstanding that the vendor has transferred 100% of the required tenements, the vendor yet to meet this final guarantee obligation. Both parties are working co-operatively to finalise this matter. Only upon the provision of the requisite guarantee in a manner satisfactory to Cabral will the vendor be entitled to the R$4.700.000 remaining Final Payment.

+ Positive response to Protocol of Intentions for rail +port; Cabral has received a positive response in Brazil from last Monday’s announcement relating to the Protocol of Intentions signed with the State Government of Bahia, represented by SICM +SEFAZ in respect of up to 15.000.000 tonnes/anno of Cabral’s future production on the FIOL Rail Line +@Porto Sul. The support +assistance from local +Bahia State Governments has been overwhelming . With Cabral now well advanced in respect of critical infrastructure the focus is firmly on our exploration efforts as noted above. Proving up economic volumes of iron ore resources within Cabral’s tenement portfolio is our priority. This begins with Cabral’s debut diamond drill campaign @Morro do Gergelim estimated to commence in mid to late April following the receipt of the requisite environmental approval. ...
http://clients2.weblink.com.au/clients/cabral/article.asp?as…

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Goldsource Mines - Updates Resources for the Border Coal Project; 47.8% Increase in Indicated Coal Resources -to 117.017.000 tonnes, solely based on the addition of the coal sub-basin, Niska 105; J. Scott Drever: "We are pleased by the fact that the limited ´11 drill program successfully added >37.000.000 tonnes of Indicated Resources to our total resource base. This success supports our belief that there is still more coal to be identified within our property boundaries. "Having reached what we believe to be a resource threshold, we will continue to examine available options on how best to monetize the value of our coal assets as a future energy source. This will be a major capital project that will require a combination of favorable investment climate, timing, commodity pricing +technology changes to demonstrate rates of return commensurate with the capital @risk. We recognize that the project will require a special expertise +financial capacity to bring it to fruition +will continue to actively seek out participants with these capabilities" " - Mar 19, 2012
www.goldsourcemines.com/_resources/news/nr_2012_03_19.pdf

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Columbus Gold - Infill Drilling Intersects 110m of 1.56 g/t +42m of 2.33 g/t Gold; +, 29 m of 2.02 g/t Gold 50 m Along Strike of Existing 1.900.000 Oz. Deposit, @Columbus Gold's Paul Isnard Gold Project; R. Giustra: "These latest drill results confirm continuity of gold mineralization between widely spaced historical holes which are up to 200 meters apart, +compliment the results announced on March 2nd, by reaffirming that gold mineralization extends to 200 meters vertical depth from surface not only in historically drilled areas but also in areas with wide undrilled gaps AND 50 meters to the west of the exiting 1.900.000 Oz. deposit envelope. Given the positive outcome of the drilling results to date, we have resolved to secure a 2nd drill rig as soon as possible to accelerate the program" - Mar 19, 2012
www.columbusgoldcorp.com/s/NewsReleases.asp?ReportID=513246&…
www.columbusgoldcorp.com/i/nr/2012-03-19-drillplan.pdf

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World Exploration Trends -budgets surge to new all-time high ; In ´11, exploration budgets increased by $6.100.000.000, up 50% from ´10 to set a new all-time high. Latin America remained the most popular destination, attracting 25% of global exploration spending, followed by Canada, which continues to take advantage of its large pool of junior explorers +exploration-focused tax incentives to attract 18% of the global total - EE/MEG - Mar 9, 2012
www.metalseconomics.com/sites/default/files/uploads/PDFs/wet…

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Expertise: Repeat mineral discoverers share their secrets; B. Schafer: "Mineral exploration is like trying to put together a jigsaw puzzle with 60% of the pieces missing " - EE - Mar 15, 2012

- Virginia Heffernan -
www.earthexplorer.com/2012/Repeat_discoverers_share_their_se…

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Technology: Deep exploration drilling technologies that are revolutionizing the drill site - EE - Mar 15, 2012

- Virginia Heffernan -
www.earthexplorer.com/2012/Revolutionizing_the_drill_site.as…

"Once upon a time, an uptick in mineral exploration spending promised a similar bump in new discoveries. But that’s no longer true. Even though annual exploration spending is at an all-time high of $18 billion – double what it was two years ago – green fields discoveries remain elusive and reserves are not being replaced.


For anecdotal evidence of this decoupling, one just needed to attend the New Discoveries and Developments session at PDAC 2012. Many of the “new” finds featured are actually historical discoveries that have been dusted off and revived in response to higher metal prices.

Richard Hillis of the Deep Exploration Technologies Cooperative Research Centre in Australia (DET CRC) blames surface cover for the dwindling discovery rates and says if the industry doesn’t figure out better ways to explore for buried deposits, it is doomed to decline.

"We can make money out of reserves under cover, but we're not terribly good at finding them," he told delegates at PDAC 2012's keynote session on dealing with uncertainty. Fortunately, he and his colleagues at DET CRC are taking on the challenge with a $115 million, 8-year project designed to devise innovative means to make exploration under cover more efficient and less expensive. Here are some of the projects that could revolutionize the way companies look for buried mineralization:

+ wireline logging systems that can replace or significantly reduce the need for drill core

+ coiled tubing drill rigs that speed up drilling though cover and eliminate the need for manual handling of drill rods

+ carbon fibre drill rods that can be embedded with sensors for real time transfer of information (e.g. mineralogy, geochemistry and even structural information) to the surface

+ a “lab-on-the-rig” that can analyze data as soon as it reaches the surface to allow decisions on the fly rather than having to wait days or weeks for results.


Many of these initiatives are already at the pilot stage and DET CRC will leverage agreements with service companies such as Boart Longyear to commercialize them. The group will use the giant mineralized province around the Olympic Damn mine as a test case for the new technologies, drilling the area off on a 5 km by 5 km grid.

It’s an exciting initiative that has the potential to improve discovery rates, not just in Australia where cover has always been a challenge, but worldwide. "

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Venture Minerals - Doubles DSO Resource Base; Hamish Halliday: "The Venture team has delivered an excellent result which has the potential to generate substantial revenue in the very near future. I have been impressed with the speed with which we have delivered this exciting new opportunity, particularly considering we only had the tenement granted in June ´11. Additionally, shareholders need to bear in mind that the run of successes the Company has experienced with its DSO projects is over +above Ventures flagship Tin/Tungsten Deposit, where the Company is nearing completion of a Bankable Feasibility Study on one of the world’s largest undeveloped tin projects " - Mar 20, 2012

+ DSO resource base doubled to 4.400.000 t @57% Fe

+ Resource occurs @surface in the form of pisolitic laterite(ref photo)

+ The Company anticipates very low strip ratio +excellent conversion from resource to reserve

+ Deposit located <2km from a sealed road which accesses existing rail +port facilities(ref map).

+ MOU already signed with TasRail for DSO transport from mine gate to ship(ASX: 24/01/12).

+ Venture anticipates only a small capital requirement to bring the DSO projects into production.

+ Immediate commencement of DSO Scoping Study update ...
www.ventureminerals.com.au/documents/VMS00281VentureDoublesD…

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Equatorial Resources - &Sundance Sign MOU to Share Iron Ore Infrastructure; J. Welborn: "The development of transport infrastructure is the key to unlocking the massive value of the iron ore projects in the Congo Basin region. Sundance’s well documented progress on the development of their Mbalam Iron Ore Project +the proposed construction of associated integrated rail +port facilities provide Equatorial, +potentially other iron projects in the region, with a valuable opportunity. Equatorial’s agreement with Sundance has mutual benefits for both companies in providing further development scenarios +potentially a broader base for the funding +operation of new transport infrastructure. It makes a lot of sense for Equatorial to work together with Sundance +we are looking forward to this agreement assisting the progress of our development plans for Badondo" - Mar 20, 2012

+ Equatorial Resources Limited has signed a Memorandum of Understanding(“MOU”) with Sundance Resources Limited concerning the provision +use of future infrastructure facilities which could service Equatorial’s 100% owned Badondo Iron Project.

+ Both companies have agreed to use all reasonable endeavors to jointly develop +/or share the expansion of Sundance’s proposed rail +port infrastructure required to service Equatorial’s Badondo Iron Project.

+ The MOU considers participation in the development of the transport infrastructure by way of direct investment or alternatively by a haulage services agreement between Equatorial +Sundance.

+ Equatorial +Sundance have also agreed to investigate the opportunity for a unified approach to environmental impact management, local training initiatives, work force development strategies +government liaison. ...
www.equatorialresources.com.au/media/articles/Investor---ASX…

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Select signs share sale agreement to acquire Tanzanian coal +uranium prospecting licences - AI - 19-Mar-2012
www.australianinvestor.com.au/news.asp?id=42530
http://stocknessmonster.com/news-item?S=SLT&E=ASX&N=582680

"Select Vaccines Limited have advise that it has executed a formal share sale agreement (Agreement) with Mauritian based explorer Indigo Metals Limited (Indigo) to acquire 100% of the issued capital of two wholly owned Mauritian entities and their subsidiaries, which own exploration licences (granted and under application) covering four highly prospective and potentially large scale coal and uranium projects in the United Republic of Tanzania, East Africa.

Under the Agreement, Select through the acquisition of the subsidiaries will acquire a 100% ownership in 40 exploration licenses in Tanzania. This has increased from the initial 32 licenses as detailed in the Heads of Agreement as announced on 19 December 2011. There is no
additional consideration for the extra 8 licenses.

On completion of the transaction the Company will acquire a 100% interest in the four Tanzanian Projects. "

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Mining Summary - LC - Mar 20, 2012
http://minesite.com/media/pub/var/release_downloadable_file/…

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World Titanium Resources - Ranobe Project Update - Mar 20, 2012
www.worldtitaniumresources.com/files/120320-WTR-ASX-Release-…

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Blackline GPS - Introduces Revolutionary Worker Safety Monitoring Device ; C. Slater: "Loner SMD's enhanced feature-set marks a significant evolution in the competitive worker safety monitoring landscape. Loner SMD is the 2nd solution, in a family of 5 new safety products, that the company intends to launch this year" - Mar 20, 2012
www.marketwire.com/press-release/blackline-introduces-revolu…

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Sintana Energy - &ColCan Energy Corp. Announce Proposed Business Combination; addition of the blocks pursuant to the Business Combination is consistent with Sintana's growth strategy which consists of acquiring blocks +/or working interests in such blocks that: I) are located in proven oil-prone basins; II) have prospects that have been previously overlooked or undervalued for specific technical reasons; III) are in close proximity to infrastructure or the local market; + IV) where possible, have both conventional +unconventional liquid hydrocarbon potential. ColCan´s participation in the three VMM blocks will establish Sintana's strategic position in the VMM basin +will provide both conventional +unconventional resource potential. ColCan's interest in LLA-18 will mark Sintana's entry into Colombia's most prolific oil +gas producing basin. The Business Combination will >double Sintana's Colombian land position, increasing its gross acreage holdings in Colombia from 331.000 acres to nearly 700.000 acres. Total gross acreage of the combined entity, including in Peru, will be close to 875.000 acres. Working interests for the eight blocks to be held by the combined entity range from 25% to 100%, In addition to Sintana's Upper Magdalena Valley exploration strategy with respect to its current blocks, the proposed Business Combination would help to further Sintana's desire for exposure in the VMM basin, which is the oldest oil +gas producing basin in Colombia, dating back to the ´18 discovery of the giant La Cira-Infantas field complex (900.000.000 Barrels). Historically, only the tertiary section(conventional reservoirs) of VMM has been systematically explored, +~2.000.000.000 barrels of oil have been produced in VMM over the last century. Sintana sees considerable, additional conventional resource potential in the tertiary plays in ColCan's three VMM blocks, Block VMM-37 was evaluated in a National Instrument 51-101 resource report by Petrotech Engineering which shows recoverable conventional resource estimates ranging from 14.000.000 to 201.000.000 Barrels; Two of ColCan's blocks, VMM-37 and VMM-4, are located in the fairway of the most important industry development in Colombia in the past two years . There is a growing recognition of what appears to be a significant hydrocarbon potential in the unconventional resource plays in this area of Colombia. Preliminary regional resource estimates for the VMM basin are considerable, ranging from several billion to almost 40.000.000.000 barrels of oil recoverable(Source: Colombian Agencia Nacional de Hidrocarburos &Universidad Nacional de Colombia, February ´12). Industry activity in the area appears to be growing, Sintana believes that Block VMM-37(100% working interest) has an excellent outlook for unconventional resources. VMM-4(25% working interest) is also in the unconventional fairway. There are also other zones within the unconventional section of the VMM basin that, with additional exploration +data, could lead to a significant increase to this resource estimate; D. Manner: "The four new assets involved in this merger provide Sintana with a significant advancement towards our strategic goals in the area. They enhance our prospect inventory +add tremendous reserve potential, both conventional +unconventional. The 25% carried interests in three of the blocks as well as the 100% working interest in VMM-37, which could be farmed out for additional capital carries, allows Sintana to significantly increase its drilling inventory with minimal additional capital required" - Mar 13, 2012
www.newswire.ca/en/story/936317/sintana-energy-inc-and-colca…

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U.S. energy future depends on rare earth metals: Obama - SH/MM - Mar 20, 2012

- Don Miller -
www.stockhouse.com/Columnists/2012/Mar/20/U-S--energy-future…

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Montero Mining &Exploration - Signs MoU With Star Earth Minerals, for the Proposed Supply of Rare Earths From Wigu Hill, Tanzania; MoU remains in effect for twelve months from now +is NOT intended to create any legally binding rights or obligations. Either Party may terminate this MoU @ANY time by mutual consent or by submitting a written notification to the other party; A high-level scoping study is underway @Wigu Hill which will lead into a Preliminary Economic Assessment which is expected to be completed during Q2 ´12 - Mar 20, 2012

cooperation between the Parties under this MoU may take the following forms:

I) Within three months of signing this MoU, Star +Montero will sign an off-take agreement for between 1.000 to 3.000 tonnes/year of mixed rare earth +cerium subject to agreement on price +product specifications.

II) Star +Montero will cooperate to share technical data +technology information developed by Star +Montero for the development of the Refinery Project; +,

III) Should Star +Montero confirm their interest in the development of a Refinery Project, they will discuss future funding options. ...
http://cnrp.marketwire.com/cnrp_files/20120319-mon0320.pdf

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Petro Viking Energy - Joins the Race for 1st Oil in Off-Shore Namibia ; agreement to acquire an 80% interest in blocks 1810, 1710 +2913B offshore the coast of Namibia, Africa +covering an area of >20.000km2; Most exploration activity in the South Atlantic has focused on the "Salt Basins" off the coast of Brazil. However recent exploration activity off the coast of Namibia confirms that the source rock extends down the entire coastal line of Namibia +contains a pre-salt equivalent petroleum system to Brazil +other offshore African plays such as Angola. In Angola, almost 16.000.000.000 barrels of hydrocarbon reserves have been found in the post-salt sequence. Petro Viking intends to focus its efforts on offshore Namibia as it feels the area remains vastly underexplored despite sharing many similar geological characteristics with Brazil , which recently yielded four large oil discoveries, being the Tupi, Carioca, Abare Oeste, +Jupiter fields encompassing >20.000.000.000 barrels of oil reserves; To date, Chariot Oil +Gas, Tower Resources, HRT, Eco +EnerGulf, among others, have disclosed >17.000.000.000 barrels of prospective resource potential off the coast of Namibia; company is attracted to the area because of its positive geological characteristics +proven working petroleum system. This transaction represents a significant opportunity for the company +its shareholders. The purchase of Grisham provides an 80% interest in blocks immediately west of blocks 1711 +1811, with potential multi-billion barrel oil +gas projects set to commence drilling in ´12 plus one offshore oil +gas concession block(2913B) in the prolific Orange Basin. With Petrobras, BP, HRT +UK junior Chariot Oil +Gas leading the charge, the area is heating up +Petro Viking has just joined the race - IP - Mar 20, 2012
www.investorpoint.com/news/BONDS001/49531666/

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Energulf Resources - Releases New Prospective Resource Estimates for Block 1711 Offshore Namibia -with a Mean Estimate of 3.166.000.000 Barrels of Oil(Gross Net 474.900.000 Barrels); also continues with plans for a mid ´12 drill program on its 500 square km Lotshi Block located in the onshore coastal salt basin of western DRC. EnerGulf recently reported the receipt of an assessment of the Prospective Resources on EnerGulf’s Lotshi Block with a mean estimate of 313.000.000 barrels for the potentially recoverable oil on seven oil prospects on the Lotshi Block; J. Greenblum: "We are pleased to publicly demonstrate the breadth +depth of the prospect portfolio as it currently stands. The report by NSAI validates the work EnerGulf has done since taking over as operator of Block 1711. Our analysis of the information obtained during the drilling of the Kunene #1 well served as a catalyst for developing several new prospects +leads, as well as a complete re-evaluation of the existing prospect portfolio. We are looking forward to planning our upcoming 3-D seismic acquisition +drill programs, a+pursuing talks with prospective qualified industry co-venturers" - Feb 21, 2012
www.energulf.com/ENG%20NR%20PRR%2051-101%20Namibia%202012022…

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Greenpeace +Greens part of CIA plot: Palmer ; The Greens +Greenpeace are tools of the CIA, acting in a United States-led plot to undermine Australia's coal exports to Asia, according to Clive Palmer ; Yesterday Palmer made the bizarre accusations after calling a press conference to deliver his response the Government's mining tax, After speaking out against the tax, Palmer turned his attention to a "foreign-orchestrated +overseas-funded campaign" to ruin Australia's coal industry in order to preserve US economic dominance - MA - Mar 21, 2012

- A. Duffy -
www.miningaustralia.com.au/news/greenpeace-and-greens-part-o…

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Victoria to boost brown coal mining; Victoria's Baillieu Government has begun a strategy to develop the state's massive brown coal reserves; Victoria is home to an abundance of brown coal occurring close to the earth’s surface, one of the largest +lowest cost energy sources in the world. The Victorian Department of Primary Industries(DPI) says there is a "proven resource potential" of 430.000.000.000 tonnes of coal located in the state, which is a significant proportion of the world’s stores of brown coal, IBISWorld figures show Victoria has 1/4 of the world’s brown coal reserves, 90 per cent of which are in the Latrobe Valley, About 1/2 of the brown coal is deemed to be “potentially economic” +the Victorian Government has not yet allocated about 13.000.000.000 tonnes of it to potential developers - MA - Mar 21, 2012

- C. Latimer -
www.miningaustralia.com.au/news/victoria-to-boost-brown-coal…

"Victoria's Baillieu Government has begun a strategy to develop the state's massive brown coal reserves.

According draft cabinet submissions it will look to "increase industry interest in participating in the proposed allocation of brown coal, The Age reports.

Victoria is home to an abundance of brown coal occurring close to the earth’s surface, one of the largest and lowest cost energy sources in the world.


The Victorian Department of Primary Industries (DPI) says there is a proven resource potential of 430 billion tonnes of coal located in the state, which is a significant proportion of the world’s stores of brown coal.

IBISWorld figures show Victoria has a quarter of the world’s brown coal reserves, 90 per cent of which are in the Latrobe Valley.

About half of the brown coal is deemed to be “potentially economic” and the Victorian Government has not yet allocated about 13 billion tonnes of it to potential developers.

Victorian resources minister Michael O'Brien confirmed that it will be "seeking new expressions of interest for new allocations of brown coal.

"The allocations will be based on a competitive tender process with the goal of delivering real benefits to the Latrobe Valley region and Victoria," he said.

"The Victorian government believes that brown coal can, and should, play a key role in our energy future. The allocation process will deliver this.

"Encouraging new investors and the right technologies could deliver a new generation of industry in the Latrobe Valley, boosting the local economy and creating new jobs."

The government will make a formal announcement on the tender process soon.

Phil Gurney, chief executive of Brown Coal Innovation Australia, told Australian Mining "for Victoria, is a low cost resource, the cost of extraction is very low, it’s very close to the surface so we can use open cast methods to access it.

"The cost of the material is quite low; we’re focused on how to use brown coal in low emission environments, to improve efficiency of energy and carbon capture and storage, finding how to capture emissions from brown coal."

Brown Coal Innovation Australia was created primarily to find practical solutions brown coal mining and usage and Gurney explains that while there are some issues, the industry remains committed to alternate uses.

"We’re looking at new gasification techniques, new ways of processing coal, longer term things are looking at how we can turn coal to liquids or to other gases, potentially hydrogen, using the fact that you have water in the brown coal and finding new ways of using it in energy generation.

"There’s a whole range of things, we’re also addressing the issue that a lot of things are practical today, but not cost effective.

"The cost issues with brown coal are that because it has a lot of water vapour in it, you have a lot higher capital equipment costs, when you use more efficient types of coal generation it means higher temperatures and you face other costs issues with the size of the boilers and the cost of some the materials."

This latest announcement by the government has drawn serious criticism from environmental groups, which point to brown coal as being the dirtiest coal.

"Given the established link between coal and climate change, green-washing coal is completely inappropriate and unacceptable. It is akin to a taxpayer-funded campaign promoting the tobacco industry,'' Environment Victoria's Mark Wakeham told the Age.

Despite opposition a number of mining companies have already voiced interest in the reserves.

Exergen and Australian Energy Corporation have already put forward their potential interest in gaining access to the region's brown coal.

In 2009, the state halted brown coal exports to India after a serious voter backlash. "

[Popeye82]

Katter strengthens anti-China mining policy; Katter's Australian Party has tightened its mining policy further +confirmed it will not allow Chinese-owned companies to operate in Queensland - MA - Mar 21, 2012

- A. Duffy -
www.miningaustralia.com.au/news/katter-strengthens-anti-chin…

[Popeye82]

Anglo American on the hunt for more coal, iron ore - MA - Mar 21, 2012

- C. Latimer -
www.miningaustralia.com.au/news/anglo-american-on-the-hunt-f…

[Popeye82]

World’s BIGGEST port; If BHP can win over locals its Outer Harbour project will make Port Hedland the world’s biggest port - MA - Mar 20, 2012

- A. Duffy -
www.miningaustralia.com.au/features/worlds-biggest-port?utm_…

[Popeye82]

Weighing up obesity; With the rate of obesity +chronic disease in mining rising @an alarming rate, companies are increasingly looking @ways to keep workers healthy - MA - Mar 19, 2012

- Andrew Duffy -
www.miningaustralia.com.au/features/weighing-up-obesity?utm_…

[Popeye82]

Blasting: Turning an art into a science ; In a world exclusive, Davey Bickford unveils its new detonation system that allows for more accurate +larger blasting than ever before ; D. Bickford: "This technology will change the way mines plan +operate , with the system we can optimise the blast; it makes the process much more scientific, +will turn the art of blasting into a science. Now that we have this ability the fun starts " - MA - Mar 19, 2012

- C. Latimer -
www.miningaustralia.com.au/features/blasting--turning-an-art…

[Popeye82]

Tintina Resources - New Inferred Copper Resource Reported @Black Butte Copper Project, Montana, USA; J. Zieg: "The scale of the Black Butte Copper project continues to grow as we surpass our corporate objective by achieving a resource estimate for the project of 553.000.000 pounds of copper in the indicated category +623.000.000 pounds of copper in the inferred resource category. Management believes that the evaluation of existing targets, together with on-going exploration efforts will result in the discovery of additional high grade copper resources on this promising property" - Mar 19, 2012

+ The Lowry Deposit Middle Zone contains an Inferred Resource of 5.140.000t grading 2.60% Cu, 0.12% Co, 0.009 g/tonne Au +14.6 g/tonne Ag @a 1.6% Cu cut-off grade.

+ Current total NI 43-101 Compliant Resources are 623.000.000 lbs of Inferred Copper Resource +553.000.000 lbs of Indicated Copper Resource. ...
www.tintinaresources.com/sites/default/files/tau_-_nr_-_lowr…

[Popeye82]

Coalspur Mines - Commences Detailed Design Engineering on Vista; Gene Wusaty: "This announcement marks another key milestone in the development timeline of Vista. CWA has been highly involved in the development of Vista +has demonstrated its ability to carry out the EPCM role. CWA was responsible for the infrastructure +materials handling components of the feasibility study on Vista +has worked closely with Coalspur’s management. In conjunction with commencing detailed engineering, we are also in the process of finalizing +submitting the necessary regulatory applications required for construction to begin on the 1st phase of Vista. We anticipate receiving all regulatory approvals of these applications +to have substantially progressed detailed engineering by the end of Q1 ´13, which will position us to begin construction on Vista" - Mar 21, 2012

+ Detailed engineering has commenced which will build on the recently completed feasibility study +provide for the final mine, infrastructure +process design for the Vista Coal Project

+ CWA Engineering Inc., which was extensively involved in the recently completed Vista feasibility study, awarded contract for EPCM

+ Commencing detailed engineering during ´12 will allow for construction to begin immediately following final regulatory approvals which are expected to be received @the end of Q1 ´13 ...
http://stocknessmonster.com/news-item?S=CPL&E=ASX&N=583018

[Popeye82]

Altus Strategies - Aluvance -Airborne Geophysical Survey @Bikoula Iron Project Underway - Mar 21, 2012

+ High resolution airborne geophysical survey to define potential DSO drill targets

+ 13.7km of mapped BIF across two prospects coincident with historic anomalies

+ DSO focussed drill programme scheduled to commence in June ´12

+ 6km north of Nkout(2.000.000.000 tonnes) +160km northwest of Mbalam(2.800.000.000 tonnes) deposits

+ Within 30km of proposed rail line running to deep water port 270km west ...
www.altus-strategies.com/s/PortfolioNews.asp?ReportID=513682

[Popeye82]

Mining Summary - LC - Mar 21, 2012
http://minesite.com/media/pub/var/release_downloadable_file/…

[Popeye82]

Rise in food prices will continue to increase investments in farmlands +technologies that improve crop yield - BB/BO - Mar 19, 2012
www.blackore.com/news-blog/news-and-views/rise-food-prices-w…

"Analyst Commentary, Miller Chu: In February ´12, the UN Food +Agriculture World Food Price Index reached 215.27, an increase of >53% comparing to five years ago. The agricultural price increase has been driven by two main factors, global population growth +emerging markets. According to the United Nations’ Food +Agriculture Organization, global food supply must increase by @least 70% to match demand if the global population increases by 2.000.000.000 from the current 7.000.000.000(which are the current World population projections for ´50). @the same time, demand from middle class in the emerging markets is expected to increase as disposable income increases +the desire for more protein based diets increases, requiring more agricultural livestock feed. Nestle’s CEO, Paul Bulcke, said the increase in agricultural price is likely to continue +will drive investment in R&D +infrastructure to increase farm yield +output.

The trend seems supportive to some Canadian exempt market products that focus on farmland investments. Improvements in yield outputs, nutritional profile +productivity of commodity crops has increased significantly since the 1st biotech commodity crop – an insect resistant variety of corn – was 1st grown +sold in ´96. From ´96 to ´09, yield gains from biotech varieties of soybeans, corn, cotton +canola has totaled 229.000.000 tons(Council for Biotech Information). With increased pressure from high agricultural commodity prices, increasing demand +limited arable lands, the incentive to improve yields is significant. We expect, with the current economic incentives +acceptance of biotech crops, yields will continue to improve through innovation. These factors could potentially benefit agriculturally focused investments. "

[Popeye82]

Volta Resources - Increases Measured &Indicated Gold Resources by 33%, @the Kiaka Gold Project in Burkina Faso -to 4.029.000 +1.000.000 ounces of gold M/I; K. Bullock: "PhaseIII drilling in the Kiaka Central Area has achieved the objective of increasing the Measured +Indicated Category resources by 33% to >4 million ounces of gold, with a further 1.000.000 ounces in the Inferred Category. The deposit is proving to be geologically +geostatistically consistent, delivering results in line with(or even exceeding) expectations. For the 3rd time in <2 1/2 years, the Volta Resources team has yet again delivered an updated resource estimate on time +on budget +I commend them on their efforts. The current resource contained within a single open pit, with favorable strip ratio, geometry +metallurgical recoveries, provides a very robust basis for the pre-feasibility study currently underway. A maiden resource, due by early Q3, from the recent high grade discovery @the Kiaka South Area(not included in this resource update), located only 750m south of the current resource, could significantly enhance the quality of Kiaka Project in the future" - Mar 21, 2012
www.voltaresources.com/i/pdf/210312VTRPRFinal.pdf

[Popeye82]

Carlisle Goldfields - Updated Resource on the MacLellan Mine Project -Triples Measured +Indicated Resources to 2.020.000 Gold Equivalent Ounces; planning to drill ~70.000 meters in ´12 to expand the existing resources @the MacLellan Project, as well as confirm +expand the significant historical resources @the Burnt Timber, Farley Lake +Last Hope Projects - Mar 13, 2012

+ Measured +Indicated In Pit Resources have increased by 438% to 1.700.000 ounces AuEq("Gold Equivalent") @an average grade of 1.76 g/t AuEq contained in 30.000.000 tonnes @grades of 1.68 g/t Gold("Au") +4.4 g/t Silver("Ag").

+ Measured +Indicated Combined In Pit +Underground Resources have increased by 207% to 2.020.000 ounces AuEq @an average grade of 1.94 g/t AuEq contained in 32.400.000 tonnes @grades of 1.86 g/t Au +4.4 g/t Ag.

+ Preliminary Feasibility Study initiated for the MacLellan Mine Project. ...
www.carlislegold.com/news_.php?url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.thepress…

[Popeye82]

Inmet Mining - Releases 1st Resource Estimate on Balboa Discovery ^@Cobre Panama +Highlights Significant Grades Down Plunge; Discovery Adds 6.000.000.000 Copper Equivalent Pounds to Indicated Resource +2.600.000.000 Copper Equivalent Pounds to Inferred; addition of the Balboa resource increases Cobre Panama's total contained copper in the Measured +Indicated categories by 19% or 4.800.000.000 pounds -to 30.600.000.000 pounds. Measured +Indicated contained gold increased by 29% or 1.900.000 ounces -to 8.400.000 ounces. In the Inferred category contained copper increases by 13% or 2.100.000.000 pounds -to 18.700.000.000 pounds. Gold Inferred resources increased by 20% or 800.000 ounces -to 4.800.000 ounces, addition Cobre Panama further establishes itself one of the world's largest undeveloped copper-gold porphyry systems - Mar 5, 2012
http://ir.inmetmining.com/getattachment/bdcc3a6f-189c-42f8-a…

[Popeye82]

Australia Mining Tax Approved By Senate - US.net/AP, CANBERRA - Mar 20, 2012
www.uranium-stocks.net/home/australia-mining-tax-approved-by…

"The Australian government pushed a new 30 percent tax on big mining companies through Parliament on Monday but faces an uphill battle to reduce the tax burden on struggling companies outside the booming commodities sector.


The Senate passed the legislation 38 votes to 32, allowing the government to take a bigger slice of profits from a mining boom driven by Chinese and Indian demand for raw materials.

The boom kept Australia out of recession during the global financial crisis while creating what the government describes as a patchwork economy. Industries outside the mining sector are struggling against a strong Australian dollar and shortages of skilled labor as big mining wages lure away workers.

The government expects the tax will raise 3.7 billion Australian dollars ($3.9 billion) in the fiscal year starting July 1 from mining giants including BHP Billiton, Rio Tinto and Xtrata. The tax will only apply to iron ore and coal mining — Australia's two most valuable exports.

The government wants to use the new revenue to reduce the Australian company tax rate from 30 percent to 29 percent.

Small businesses with revenue of less than AU$2 million a year would receive the tax cut from July 1, under legislation to be introduced to Parliament this week.

The same lower tax rate would apply to big businesses from July 1, 2013, under legislation to be introduced to Parliament in May.

But the center-left Labor Party government does not yet have the support in the Senate to deliver the tax relief to big business.

While the Greens party is willing to support the government's tax cut for small businesses in the Senate, it won't support tax relief for big businesses. The Greens would prefer that money went to health and education.

The conservative opposition coalition opposed the mining tax and has vowed to reject the related tax cuts. The opposition argues that the mining tax would drive investment overseas and cost thousands of jobs in Australia.

Prime Minister Julia Gillard on Monday declined to comment on the state of her negotiations with the Greens or opposition to deliver the company tax cuts.

"We continue to be determined to provide Australian businesses, large and small, with a tax cut," she told reporters.

Her deputy and treasurer, Wayne Swan, told Parliament that the mining boom "will mean that we must maximize the opportunities that flow from that boom and spread them to every corner of our economy."

"This important reform will provide a revenue stream to ensure that businesses in particular that are not in the fast lane of the resources boom get some tax relief," he said.

The mining tax replaces the current state-by-state royalties system in which miners are charged for the volumes of minerals that they extract without reference to the soaring market values of those minerals.

China is Australia's biggest export market and high prices paid for iron ore and coal are providing Australia with its largest monthly trade surpluses in its history.

Chinese demand has driven the price of iron ore up 23 percent a year since 2005 and coal by 8 percent a year. Australian export volumes of iron ore and coal have grown at 10 and 5 percent respectively a year as the Chinese manufacturing sector grows. "

[Popeye82]

Volkswagen of America, Amyris +Solazyme partnership to promote automotive use of renewable fuels - Mar 21, 2012
http://finance.yahoo.com/news/volkswagen-partners-amyris-sol…

[Popeye82]

Omineca Mining &Metals - Executes Option Agreement to Acquire Gravitas Metals; Sully Property comprises 1375 ha located 27km east of Kimberley, B.C. +overlies rocks of similar age +origin as those which host the world-class Sullivan Deposit, owned by Teck Corporation. Sullivan was discovered in 1892 +is known to be one of the largest sedimentary-exhalative(“sedex”) deposits in the world. Over its 100-year lifetime, Sullivan produced ~150.000.000 tonnes of ore including 3.000.000.000 ounces of silver, 8.000.000 tonnes of zinc +8.000.000 tonnes of lead , collectively worth >$45.000.000.000 @current metal prices. The parties "caution that past results or discoveries on proximate land are NOT "necessarily" indicative of the results that may be achieved on the Sully property "; In ´10 +´11, Gravitas completed an extensive surface geophysical program, outlining a prominent gravity anomaly with dimensions of ~3km x 1km, @an interpreted depth of up to ~1.000m. This geophysical feature is located 7km south of the Kootenay King Deposit, a past producer that contained mineralization of similar tenor +mode of occurrence as Sullivan; Permits for the proposed drill program are in hand, with drilling activity expected to commence immediately - Mar 21, 2012
www.ominecamining.com/12.2.29_gravitas_option.asp

[Popeye82]

Noront Resources - triples chromite resource in Ring of Fire -to 44.000.000t @~33.84% Cr2O3 +1.97% Cr:Fe M/I/I - Mar 21, 2012
www.norontresources.com/News/getDocument/notpr-2012.03.20.pd…

[Popeye82]

Argex Mining - Completes Acquisition Of Quinto’s Claims On The Lac Brûlé Property, Property covers part of the Labrieville anorthosite complex which hosts known magmatic iron oxide deposits strongly mineralized in titanium. Historical exploration work completed on the property in the 50’s +70’s outlined three massive ilmenite lenses. An internal study completed in ´05 following definition drilling completed on Lens A +Lens B reported a mineral resource estimate totalling 3.800.000 tonnes +having an average grade of 30.1% TiO2. Such tonnage is however NOT confirmed by the current NI 43-101 report dated December 23rd, ´05; R. Bonnell: "This acquisition completes our current set of properties in the Lac Brûlé area. It provides us with a strong complement to our La Blache deposits with the potential contribution of higher grade TiO2 mineralization. Processing significantly higher grade TiO2 through the hydro-metallurgical plant should strongly increase our project’s potential cash-flow without increasing capital costs" - Mar 21, 2012
www.argex.ca/documents/argexnreng03212012.pdf

[Popeye82]

Asia Increasing Investment in US Clean Energy Technologies; Investors in energy hungry Asian countries are willing to consider pilot projects +commercialization ventures earlier than Western investors, +thereby assume more risk in early venture companies. Chinese industrial conglomerate China Wanxiang Holdings, for example, has announced a $1.250.000.000 partnership with a Massachusetts-based maker of coal conversion technology, GreatPoint Energy. Together, "they will build a plant to supply 0.5 percent of China’s energy needs by ´15 " - ES - Mar 17, 2012
http://ecosociable.com/540/asia-increasing-investment-in-us-…
http://gigaom.com/cleantech/10-examples-of-chinese-investors…

"This week, Silicon Valley’s largest venture capital fund, Kleiner Perkins Caufield & Byers, announced that its soon-to-be-launched fifteenth fund will focus on clean technologies, alongside technology and life science start-ups. The estimated size of the early stage fund is $650 million. KPCB is an exception, however, in the US venture capital market, traditionally a source of tremendous private financing largesse. The traditional US venture capital route from Boston to Silicon Valley remains tight pursed for clean technology companies. To raise money, clean energy start-ups need to think differently about how they access funding. Those who have both a global and local financing strategy are more likely to succeed.


As more clean technology financing shifts towards Asia, cleantech start-ups are acquiring expertise tapping the international financial markets . More progressive young companies are approaching Asian investors, according to the Wall Street Journal, reporting from a Department of Defense conference hosting hundreds of clean technology start-ups this week in Washington. China is now the largest investor in the $200 million alternative energy technology market, but opportunities are springing up across Asia.

Investors in energy hungry Asian countries are willing to consider pilot projects and commercialization ventures earlier than Western investors, and thereby assume more risk in early venture companies. Chinese industrial conglomerate China Wanxiang Holdings, for example, has announced a $1.25 billion partnership with a Massachusetts-based maker of coal conversion technology, GreatPoint Energy. Together, they will build a plant to supply 0.5 percent of China’s energy needs by 2015. GreatPoint, which has received $150 million in funding to date, will also receive a $420 million equity investment. In Indonesia, Jindal Steel and Power has entered a joint venture agreement to commercialize New York-based Clean Coal Technologies Inc. (CCTI) plants, which convert coal into cleaner burning fuel.

Neither GreatPoint Energy nor CCTI were in the commercialization phase in the US market. CCTI is in the process of funding its first pilot project in Oklahoma. Their Asian investors see value in commercializing their technolgies in their markets today. The Chinese alone have invested over $6 billion in US companies over the last year. Gigaom.com has put together a list of 10 recent Chinese investments in cleantech.

Local funding is another growing source of financing for clean energy technology companies. Pennsylvania’s state funding vehicle Ben Franklin Technology Partners is a model for other states to follow. Comprised of two state funds, the investment vehicle is seeking alternative energy companies in the Pennsylvania region whose technology will help meet the Alternative Energy Portfolio Standards. It is looking to invest between $10,000 and $750,000 in clean energy technologies.

Speaking at the DOE conference this week in Washington sponsored by ARPA-E (Advanced Research Projects Agency-Energy), Bill Gates played the role of rabble rouser , trying to shake up more government investment in clean energy technologies. Following the failed $500 million investment in solar cell maker Solyndra, the US government is focusing on a more diversified portfolio of smaller companies creating innovative technologies.

The announcement of Kleiner’s new venture fund comes as Swiss-based Vontobel’s clean technology fund announces it is cutting back on renewable energy investments in favour of the smart grid, energy efficient motors and water sectors. Part of what we are seeing in the clean energy markets is a shakeout in a market saturated with solar and wind start-ups, and oversupply. Not unlike the technology boom’s love affair with Internet companies, the clean technology boom in recent years has had an infatuation with renewable energy technologies. Investors such as Vontobel are now spreading their investments out across more clean technology sectors. Longer term, this diversification is healthy for the clean technology markets.

In this new marketplace, funding is no longer just about schmoozing for invitations to present on the clean technology financing conference circuit in front of a bunch of deep-pocketed VCs. The clean technology sector is working harder at not only applying for local funding but also lobbying local governments to invest aggressively in local clean technology companies and a sustainable economy. Further widening their prospects, they are bringing in international investment advisers who can open doors, not only to private equity but also to corporate venture capital and joint ventures. "

[Popeye82]

Archer Exploration - Increase in Exploration Target, @Sugarloaf Graphite Project - Mar 22, 2012

+ Drilling confirming the presence of an eastern graphite limb @Sugarloaf has led to a significantly higher Exploration Target from 24.000.000 -37.000.000 t*grading 10 -12%C to 40.000.000 -70.000.000 t* @10 -12%C.

+ Recent drilling intersected widespread graphite in the eastern limb of the anticline, including:

- 20m @7.8%C
- 23m @10.6%C
- 25m @6.4%C

+ High grade amorphous graphite flotation concentrates grading 82% Total Graphitic Carbon have been achieved using conventional flotation techniques +standard reagents. ...
www.archerexploration.com.au/assets/pdfs/120322_GraphiteTarg…

[Popeye82]

Mining Summary - LC - Mar 22, 2012
http://minesite.com/media/pub/var/release_downloadable_file/…

[Popeye82]

Kaboko Mining - Offtake Agreement Executed with Sinosteel, one of China’s largest State-owned enterprises; Jason Brewer: "The signing of our first off-take agreement with such a well-known +significant end user is a key milestone for the Company and will significantly underpin our mining +development plans +our debt funding arrangements that we are progressing" - Mar 22, 2012

+ Off-take agreement executed with Sinosteel, China’s largest importer of manganese ore

+ Agreement provides for exclusive offtake of an initial 180.000 tonnes of manganese ore from the Company’s Zambian manganese projects

+ Discussions continue with debt financiers for provision of up to US$5.000.000 of debt funding to be structured against a standby letter of credit

+ Placement completed to institutional investors to raise gross proceeds of A$1.480.000 to fund mine development +exploration costs in Zambia ...
http://kab.live.irmau.com/IRM/Company/ShowPage.aspx/PDFs/131…

[Popeye82]

IBC Advanced Alloys - Supplies Beralcast® Parts for European Space Agency's("ESA") Automated Transport Vehicle("ATV"); Ultra-lightweight Beralcast® alloys used for key European space program, ESA's 3rd ATV, a transport vehicle for supplies +propellant, is scheduled for launch on March 23, ´12 +is expected to dock with the International Space Station five days later, IBC's Engineered Materials division is the world's only producer of precision aluminum beryllium investment castings known as Beralcast® alloys. The Beralcast® range of alloys +composites has a consistently high stiffness to weight ratio which allows aerospace, automotive +high tech engineers greater design flexibility +more options for significant performance gains. The Beralcast® family of alloys are ideally suited to commercial, electronic +military aerospace applications requiring complex, lightweight high modulus parts; ACAL BFI France is supplying IBC's Beralcast® parts to Astrium(a division of EADS) for the manufacturing of the ATV space transport vehicle, specifically brackets made with Beralcast® 363 being used to hold the thrusters in the front attitude control system of the ATV; Marie-Joëlle Poret: "We would like to thank IBC for its support +for providing all remaining high quality bracket castings for this key program", Ray White: "The brackets are thruster mounts for the front attitude control system, +are perfect examples of where Beralcast® 363 excels. Competitive aluminum-beryllium materials made from powdered metal would be extremely expensive with long manufacturing lead times. Beralcast® was cast to the precise shape required, which saves time +money", Anthony Dutton: "We are proud that Beralcast® products are being utilized for such an innovative aerospace application. IBC's Engineered Materials team provided a top quality product, which can also be adapted for many other market sectors including aerospace, defence, automotive +electronics. Our Company's ESA work complements our ongoing Unmanned Airborne Vehicle(UAV) project for the US Military +we are looking forward to continuing our work with both of these organizations to develop new high performance aerospace applications using the Beralcast® family of alloys" - Mar 20, 2012
www.ibcadvancedalloys.com/news/2012/03/20/company/ibc-advanc…

[Popeye82]

Magellan Minerals - Expands Coringa Resource by 108% in the Measured +Indicated Category +444% in the Inferred Category; A. Carter: "We are delighted with the updated resource estimate for Coringa which is a vindication of our efforts thus far. All of the mineralized zones remain open @depth +along strike, +the recent identification of large gold-in-soil anomalies which are untested, suggest that Coringa has the potential to expand significantly beyond the current estimate"; plans to update the preliminary economic assessment @Coringa which was released in May ´10 that returned a 34% Internal Rate of Return based on a 400t/d underground mine +a gold price of $950/oz - Mar 22, 2012

+ Total resources of 561.000 Measured +Indicated ounces of gold representing 3.170.000 t @5.50 g/t gold +534.000 Inferred ounces of gold representing 5.510.000 t @3.02 g/t gold on an undiluted basis +using a 1 g/t gold cut-off

+ An increase of 108% in the Measured +Indicated category +an increase of 444% in the Inferred category. Measured +Indicated resources for the three main zones have increased by 104% due to additional intercepts on the lower portions of the structures. Inferred resources for the three main zones have increased 273% due to additional strike length of 3.8 km from step-out drilling

+ Resources are contained within five areas which include Serra(42% of Measured +Indicated, 19% of Inferred), Valdette(2% of Measured +Indicated, 13% of Inferred), Meio -Come Quieto(42% of Measured +Indicated, 35% of Inferred), Galena -Mae de Leite(15% of Measured +Indicated, 14% of Inferred) +Demetrio(18% of Inferred)

+ Using a 2g/t gold cut-off, resources total 516.000 ounces of gold in the Measured +Indicated category representing 2.260.000 t @7.22 g/t gold +409,000 ounces of gold in the Inferred category representing 2.720.000 t @4.68 g/t gold

+ boost Total Resource to ~2.295.000 ounces ...
www.magellanminerals.com/news/news_releases/index.php?&conte…

[Popeye82]

Ridgemont Iron Ore - to Acquire IronOne Inc. +Expand into the Labrador Trough; IronOne has an option to earn a 100% interest in the Lac Virot Iron Project, subject to a 2% net smelter return royalty. The Lac Virot Iron Project is comprised of ~114 square kilometres of map staked mineral licences located in the southern Labrador Trough, Canada's foremost iron ore mining region. Four major mines(Mont-Wright, Carol, Scully +Lac Bloom) are located within 20 km of the project, IronOne has received the analytical results from a reconnaissance mapping +surface sampling program on the project. The program was conducted to ground check historically mapped iron occurrences as well as magnetic anomalies outlined by a 2.271 line-kilometre airborne magnetic survey completed by IronOne in July ´11. Analytical results from thirty-three(33) grab +chip samples collected from exposed iron formation outcrops ranged from 16.57 to 60.5% total iron("% Fe"), with an average for all samples collected of 30.59% Fe; In ´11, IronOne completed a $250.000 exploration program which confirmed the presence of outcropping iron formation along three magnetic trends @Neal Lake, Emma Lake +Sunday Lake which exhibit apparent strike lengths ranging from 1 km to >5 km. Exploration results from the ´11 program will be compiled in order to help design a ´12 diamond drill program to explore these priority magnetic anomalies; IronOne, together with an arm's length prospector, holds, or has applied for permits to hold, a 100% interest in the Maguse River Iron Project located in southern Nunavut. The Maguse River Iron Project comprises owned claims +claim applications(the "Other Nunavut Claims") covering a nearly 200 kilometre strike length of folded, magnetite-rich, metasedimentary rocks of the Archean-aged Rankin-Ennadai Greenstone Belt; Brian Penney: "The acquisition of IronOne represents an opportunity for Ridgemont to broaden its project portfolio into the Labrador Trough +Nunavut, allowing us to capitalize on the expertise +experience of our staff. Ridgemont's ability to leverage all the in-house expertise of Forbes West, already on-site in Labrador as they finalize exploration drilling for Alderon Iron Ore Corp., should allow us to rapidly advance these new properties" - Mar 21, 2012
www.ridgemontiron.com/index.php/news/news-2012/172-ridgemont…

[Popeye82]

Northern Iron -Intersection of 474 metres of magnetite mineralization open @depth on Northern Iron's Karas property, Intersection of 474.11m of 23.28% Fe2O3, including 158m of 31.44% Fe2O3 +a true thickness of the magnetite mineralized zone of >1/2 a kilometre; Basil Botha: "These are excellent results +the Karas property continues to demonstrate continuity. After releasing the initial Davis Tube test results on 22nd of February, management believes that together with the past producing Griffith mine property we should be able to demonstrate, following the resource calculation by Roscoe Postle +Associates, two sizable properties. 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" - Mar 5, 2012
www.northernironcorp.com/news/1330966285

[Popeye82]

Tasman Metals - Pea Study of Norra Karr Heavy Rare Earth +Zirconium Project Demonstrates Robust Economics +Long Mine Life; M. Saxon: "The PEA clearly demonstrates the strong economics of this highly strategic project, with the majority of the projected cash flow sourced from the production of the critical heavy rare earth elements, dysprosium, terbium +yttrium. Norra Karr is one of the largest +most economically robust projects amongst its peers, due to the high contribution of the high value critical rare earth elements, the substantial capital +operating cost benefits provided by existing infrastructure, +the simple mineralogy that allows ambient temperature +pressure processing. When in production, the project will make a very significant contribution to the availability of heavy rare earth elements outside of China, +provide long term security of these metals for Europe. With this encouraging independent assessment in hand, Tasman shall accelerate progress during ´12, with additional drilling, further refinement of our metallurgical process, extensive work on permitting +initiation of a full Pre-Feasibility Study(PFS)" - Mar 22, 2012

"PEA Financial Highlights" Include:

+ $1.464.000.000 before-tax value(NPV @10% discount rate);

+ 49.6% before-tax Internal Rate of Return(IRR);

+ Before-tax payback period of 2.6 years;

+ $5.300.000.000 in revenue over the 1st 20 years +$10.900.000.000 over the 40 year life of mine;

+ Initial capital expenditures of $290.000.000(including contingency of $66.820.000 or 30%);

+ Average annual operating expenses of $74.300.000 or $10.93/kg of mixed TREO concentrate;

+ Conservative basket price of US$51/kg versus current China FOB basket price of US$184.85; ...
www.tasmanmetals.com/i/pdf/TSM120321.pdf

[Popeye82]

Centaurus Metals - Lodgement of Key Environmental Approval Documentation; Company is targeting approval of the EIA +grant of a Preliminary Licence for the Project during October ´12, in line with its development timetable of producing 1st iron ore @Jambreiro by the end of ´13, The application has been made for an operation that can deliver up to 3.000.000 t/anno of high grade iron ore, although the Project is initially planned to commence production @a rate of 2.000.000 t/anno. Under the Brazilian environmental regulations, this key approval document is locally known as an “EIA/RIMA”. On approval of this environmental application, the Company will be granted a Preliminary Licence or “LP”. Once the LP is granted, the Company will apply for an Installation Licence(“LI”) which will allow construction of the plant +equipment to commence on site. From the grant of the LP, the Company would expect to have the Installation Licence in place by April ´13 +be in a position to commence site erection of the plant. Once construction is completed in accordance with the LI, the Company anticipates a fairly fast grant of the final licence-to-operate instrument, being an Operating Licence(“LO”); Centaurus has collected a large amount of data over the last 12 months, including data from two wet seasons, in order to complete an extensive EIA. During the course of this data collection, the Company has not identified any issues which would be an impediment to the grant of the Preliminary Licence or to development of the Project; Jambreiro Project is located in an area of eucalypt plantation owned by one of Brazil’s largest pulp companies, Cenibra. As a result, Centaurus predominantly deals with this one land-owner in an area that has already been industrial-use land +disturbed from an environmental perspective. Cenibra has recently harvested the eucalypt trees from a large portion of the Jambreiro Project site, providing an excellent platform to commence development; Darren Gordon: "The lodgement of the EIA/RIMA marked another key step along the development pathway, with the Company planning to work closely with SUPRAM over the coming months to achieve the grant of the Preliminary Licence. We have spent a significant amount of time working with communities in the region +with key stakeholders to inform them on the benefits of the Jambreiro Project, which should assist us in achieving our key environmental approvals in a timely fashion. The Jambreiro Project will create significant value for the local community +will deliver new job opportunities for the region that were not previously available. With an average workforce of 800 people required during the construction stage +300 people required for the operational phase, Centaurus is set to become a significant employer in the region" - Mar 22, 2012
www.centaurus.com.au/index.php?option=com_investorcentre&vie…
http://stocknessmonster.com/news-item?S=CTM&E=ASX&N=582854

[Popeye82]

Advanced Explorations - Re-Scoping Development Plans to Accommodate a 20.000.000 t/anno Production Target; Company has decided to expand the scope of its development scenario to support a possible potential start-up of ~8.000.000 tonnes/annum with a longer term regional production target of up to 20.000.000 t/annum. In particular core infrastructure would become immediately strained if additional production from Tuktu or the A -B Zone were to occur. A major portion of the technical evaluations have been completed through the ongoing feasibility study(FS) +technical studies completed by XinXing Ductile Iron Pipes Co. Ltd.(XDIP). The proposed re-scoping will include adjustments to the ongoing study to accommodate the targeted higher production rate. It does not necessarily impact the C-Zone initial mine plan with production currently to supply 5.000.000 t/annum. This move should allow the Company to further benefit from lower operating costs through better capital/infrastructure leverage, given the number of development options associated with the Roche Bay +Tuktu projects; J. Gingerich: "The exciting expansion of development scenarios places AEI as one of the foremost iron ore projects in Canada. As the Roche Bay project is located adjacent to a natural deep water harbour, our partners do not face uncertainty in respect to future port +railroad developments as to securing supply requirements. In the last few months we have worked to address the exciting development scenarios while securing fundamental collaborative opportunities +additional funding in respect to a much larger development. Our challenge in the near term is to align all the expressed interests into a collaborative development strategy that may be 4 to 5 times greater than the base plan initiated one year ago. The Company also believes the new structure will facilitate an earlier implementation of the funding for a fast track early works program"; restructuring of AEI's iron ore assets, also announced February 28th, ´12, was developed in response to inquiries from 3rd parties interested in participating in the Tuktu Project that is not part of the XDIP Joint Venture option, as well as a potentially much larger development scenario in East Melville. While there is no guarantee an agreement will be reached, the Company has confirmation that XDIP "is willing to consider" a three-party arrangement to better allow for a larger regional development vision +which would contemplate the added value of production from A -B Zone +Tuktu. AEI is currently in discussions with its Feasibility Study Team as to the impact of re-defining the feasibility specifications. Upon further review, all delivery milestones will be updated. The change in scope +shift to a 2nd quarter delivery schedule will also be discussed with XDIP in the context of a potential revised development partnership; J. Gingerich: "The Company has had discussions with a number of interested parties in respect to acquiring an interest in the Tuktu project, with particular interest in pursuing the DSO potential. While these options remain available to the Company, pursuing a larger scale integrated development solution is believed to provide better shareholder value. Further details will be released as the Company concludes the current discussions/negotiations"; On February 28, ´12 XDIP announced the completion of a Pre-Feasibility Study on the Roche Bay project +the role AEI may play in meeting Chinese domestic iron ore concentrate demand. Moreover, with broadened development scope, AEI is capable of becoming a key supplier to China, which is strategically seeking to secure up to 300.000.000 t/anno of seaborne supply +guaranteed long term access of feedstock for its domestic steel industry. By expanding its regional production objectives, AEI will be better able to play a role in meeting XDIP's +China's supply requirements. Due to its location near shore, Roche Bay does not face the potential bottlenecks in product delivery other land-based projects may face. AEI's ocean location provides natural deep water shipping lane access that can expand as market requirements demand - Mar 22, 2012
www.marketwire.com/press-release/advanced-explorations-inc-r…

[Popeye82]

FAO: Major foot-and-mouth outbreak in Egypt threatens region; Urgent action is required to control a major outbreak of foot-+-mouth disease(FMD)
+prevent its spread throughout North Africa +the Middle East, which could have serious implications for food security in the region, the Food +Agriculture Organization(FAO) said Thursday - AEL/FAO, CAIRO - Mar 21, 2012
www.afriquejet.com/foot-and-mouth-disease-2012032235472.html

[Popeye82]

White Energy Company - Lake Phillipson Deposit -Additional Resource - Mar 23, 2012

+ Overall coal exploration target at SAC’s Lake Phillipson deposit estimated to be in the range of 4.000.000.000 to 4.500.000.000 tonnes

+ JORC coal resource estimate increased to >1.100.000.000 tonnes @a 10:1 cut-off strip ratio

+ Additional 446.000.000 tonnes of JORC coal resources identified for the conversion of ´11 Performance Shares into White Energy ordinary shares

+ Conceptual mine plans for EL4534 in the process of being developed

+ Currently analysing options for the commercialisation of the coal resource, including mining for domestic power markets, coal to gas opportunities +coal upgrading ...
www.whiteenergyco.com/documents/additional_coal_jorc_resourc…

[Popeye82]

Resource Generation - Development consent received; has received approval under the National Environmental Management Act(NEMA) for construction activities @its Boikarabelo mine. The approval enables the company to construct the mine, all the required mine infrastructure +the associated 36 kilometre rail link to the existing rail network; P. Jury: "We are very pleased to receive our development consent, which is the culmination of 15 months’ close liaison +work with LEDET. As a life of mine approval, it clears a major milestone to ensure the long term value that the Boikarabelo mine can provide to all stakeholders +the local community. Once we have received our Integrated Water Use Licence +signed a contract with Transnet Freight Rail, we will then be able to proceed to finalise funding for project construction to commence" - Mar 23, 2012
http://resgen.com.au/investors/asx-announcements

[Popeye82]

Cash-gushing Silver Wheaton ogles bigger deals; Silver Wheaton, which announced a $550.000.000 profit for ´11, will be looking to do streaming deals as big a $1.000.000.000, CEO Randy Smallwood said on Friday. Companies, which sell future silver production @a set price to Silver Wheaton to fund their projects, had less lofty hopes, as precious metals prices slipped +other sources of financing became harder to come by, he said; “There’s no doubt that we’ve had a bit of a decrease in expectations in terms of long-term value, +we’re more prepared to step up than in times past,” Smallwood commented on a conference call. Silver Wheaton, which he has described as a “synthetic mining company ”, buys silver for around $3.90/oz , usually as a by-product from miners digging for other metals; Despite silver prices having climbed to the current $32.11/oz level from below $20/oz <two years ago, Smallwood said he was still “comfortable” with buying production @$3.90/oz - MW, TORONTO - Mar 24, 2012

- Matthew Hill -
www.miningweekly.com/article/cash-gushing-silver-wheaton-ogl…

[Popeye82]

Trafford Resources - Iron Ore Agreement with Independence Group - Mar 26, 2012

+ Tenements Cover 20km of Highly Prospective Iron Formation. These BIF units throughout the Mid-West contain iron ore deposits such as Jack Hills, Weld Range +Tallering Peaks(FigureI)

+ Close to Proposed Infrastructure.

+ Trafford Can Earn up to 80% of Iron Ore Rights.

+ Reconnaissance Sampling Returned 67.7% Iron(Fe) from massive hematite outcrop. ...
www.traffordresources.com/images/stories/Trafford_Enters_int…

[Popeye82]

Quickstep Holdings - Completes 1st Production Parts for JSF; P. Odouard: "This represents the start of Quickstep’s 1st major production contract for the international defence industry –a core part of the Company’s growth strategy. With serial production now underway we will be making regular shipments of GroupI JSF parts to Northrop Grumman +receiving regular cash flow, with the intention of ramping up production over the next 12 months. Quickstep recently received its 2nd Purchase Order for GroupI parts covering manufacturing +delivery throughout ´13. While details of Purchase Orders will continue to remain confidential, the ´13 Purchase Order represents a 3 fold increase in JSF part deliveries compared to ´12 quantities +Quickstep’s production ramp up will be completed to meet this timetable. To date, Quickstep has met, +in many cases outperformed, all JSF delivery deadlines agreed with Northrop Grumman –a record of which we can be justifiably proud. While recent developments in the US may result in some changes to the JSF program, we do not anticipate any immediate impact on the ramp-up of our operations in Australia. However we will continue to communicate with Northrop Grumman +Lockheed Martin with regards to future purchase programs" - Mar 26, 2012

+ Serial production of “flying” F-35 parts now underway @Quickstep’s facilities, with 1st parts completed +presented to Northrop Grumman for acceptance

+ Second Purchase Order for GroupI parts received, covering production throughout ´13

+ Parts to be fitted to production series aircraft have been completed 2 months ahead of schedule

+ Regular cash flow now expected from shipment of Group 1 JSF parts –ramping up during ´12 ...
http://stocknessmonster.com/news-item?S=QHL&E=ASX&N=583449

[Popeye82]

Mining Summary - LC - Mar 26, 2012
http://minesite.com/media/pub/var/release_downloadable_file/…

[Popeye82]

"The US Is Sitting On A 200-Year Supply Of Oil" - BI/IER - Mar 19, 2012

- Rob Wile
www.businessinsider.com/us-200-year-supply-oil-2012-3
http://energyforamerica.org/wp-content/uploads/2012/01/Energ…

"President Obama has said the U.S. possesses just 3 percent of the world's oil reserves, or about 22.300.000.000 barrels, writes Investor's Business Daily's John Merline.


However, this figure represents just proven reserves.

But one analyst believes he could be off by almost a trillion.

According to the Institute for Energy Research's calculations, the U.S. actually sits on 1.442.000.000.000 barrels of recoverable deposits.

That's >60 times the amount we usually hear about.

Merline writes that this larger number would be enough to meet all U.S. oil needs for about the next 200 years.

Most of that — an estimated 1.400.000.000.000 barrels — is locked into shale deposits in the Green River Formation in Wyoming. The U.S. recently began holding public hearings about issuing permits to drill there.

One caveat is that refining capacity is nearly full-up; no new refineries have been built in the U.S. in 35 years, although that could soon change. "

[Popeye82]

India’s iron-ore reserves insufficient for projected steel production - MW/IBM, KOLKATA - Jan 24, 2012

- Ajoy K Das -
www.miningweekly.com/article/indias-iron-ore-reserves-insuff…
http://ibm.nic.in/ch1.pdf
http://ibm.nic.in/vision2020.html

[Popeye82]

Riverstone Resources - Intersects 110 Metres Averaging 1.73 g/t Au, @the GoulagouI Deposit; Since the data cut-off for the resource estimation, the Company has completed in excess of an additional 52.000 metres of drilling on the Karma Project, +it is expected that the results of this drilling will add to the overall resource of the five Karma Project deposits - Mar 26, 2012
www.marketwire.com/press-release/riverstone-intersects-110-m…
www.riverstoneresources.com/i/pdf/120320DDH-100504_GGI_Plan.…

[Popeye82]

Africa Oil - Oil Discovery, @Ngamia-1 Well in Kenya - Mar 26, 2012
www.marketwire.com/press-release/africa-oil-corp-oil-discove…

[Popeye82]

American Fiber Green Products - Signs Master Service Agreements, With Two Fortune 500 Companies - Mar 26, 2012
http://finance.yahoo.com/news/american-fiber-green-products-…

[Popeye82]

Bernanke says "U.S. needs faster growth" - FY/Reuters, WASHINGTON - Mar 26, 2012

- P. da Costa +J. Lange -
http://finance.yahoo.com/news/bernanke-says-faster-growth-de…

[Popeye82]

Altius Minerals - Provides Update on Selected Iron Ore Projects in Labrador West - Mar 27, 2012
www.altiusminerals.com/files/PR1203-%20JVs.pdf

[Popeye82]

Entrée Gold - Upgrades +Expands Resources, @Ann Mason; Indicated Resource Contains 5.400.000.000 Pounds of Copper +Inferred Resource Contains 3.500.000.000 Pounds of Copper; upgraded resources will form the basis for a Preliminary Economic Assessment("PEA") planned for completion in the 2nd half of ´12; Greg Crowe: "Our belief in the potential of Ann Mason has been strengthened with this updated +upgraded resource estimate, which converts a substantial amount of previous inferred resources to indicated resources. With >5.000.000.000 pounds of copper estimated @the indicated level +another 3.500.000.000 pounds estimated @the inferred level, Ann Mason should now be recognized as a significant deposit in one of the best mining jurisdictions in the world. The Yerington district is a well-mineralized porphyry copper camp serviced by excellent infrastructure, which contains five known major deposits including the nearby historic Yerington Mine, which produced >1.800.000.000 pounds of copper. Recent exploration by several companies in the district, including Entrée, has defined total resources +reserves in excess of 20.000.000.000 pounds of copper" - Mar 27, 2012

+ Upgraded +expanded resources:

0.3% Copper Cut-off:

- Indicated Resources -640.000.000 tonnes averaging 0.41% copper equivalent("CuEq"), containing ~5.400.000.000 pounds of copper +100.000.000 pounds of molybdenum

- Inferred Resources -444.000.000 tonnes averaging 0.38% CuEq, containing ~3.500.000.000 pounds of copper +40.000.000 pounds of molybdenum


0.2% Copper Cut-off:

- Indicated Resources -1.115.000.000 tonnes grading 0.35% CuEq containing ~8.040.000.000 pounds of copper +160.000.000 pounds of molybdenum

- Inferred Resources -1.131.000.000 tonnes grading 0.31% CuEq containing ~7.310.000.000 pounds of copper +110.000.000 pounds of molybdenum


+ The boundaries of the deposit have been expanded to the north, west, southwest +to depth. Mineralization remains open +current drilling is seeking to further extend the deposit.

+ The updated resource estimate converts ~75% of the previous inferred mineral resources to the indicated category. ...
www.entreegold.com/news/index.php?&content_id=364

[Popeye82]

Canada to slim environmental tests for big projects - MW/Reuters - Mar 27, 2012
www.miningweekly.com/article/canada-to-slim-environmental-te…

"In a move set to help the oil industry, Canada's Conservative government will unveil new rules this week designed to cut the time it takes for environmental assessments of major energy +industrial projects.


The government says the current complex system of regulations means it can take far too long to approve pipelines +mines, thereby putting @risk up to C$500.000.000.000 in new investment over the next 10 years.

Beneficiaries could well be Enbridge Inc +Kinder Morgan Energy Partners, which are both seeking to build pipelines from the oil-rich tar sands of northern Alberta to the Pacific Coast, where tankers would take crude to booming Asian markets.

Critics charge the government's approach will relax standards +could help trigger an environmental calamity.

The federal government's budget this Thursday will outline moves to simplify what Natural Resources Minister Joe Oliver calls "a needlessly complex, duplicative regulatory system".

Ottawa shares responsibility for regulation with the country's 10 provinces, which means some major projects are examined twice. Often lengthy public hearings into proposed mines +pipelines can drag out the approval process for years.

"The system should not take years +years to review a project. It's possible to make regulatory decisions in a reasonable amount of time without compromising the rigor or the standards of the process," Oliver said on Tuesday.

"Our ultimate goal is simple but not necessarily easy to achieve: one project, one review, in a clearly defined time frame," he told the House of Commons natural resources committee.

Ottawa is particularly keen to speed up development of the Alberta tar sands, which contain 170.000.000.000 barrels of crude +are the world's 3rd-largest oil resource .

Oliver says the sands could contribute C$3.300.000.000.000 to Canada's gross domestic product over the next 25 years +describes the current regulatory regime as "a huge disincentive to investment in a highly competitive market for capital".

Green activists, who oppose all-out tar sands development on the grounds that extracting oil from the clay-like bitumen is very energy-intensive, say streamlining the rules is a bad idea.

Stephen Hazell, an environmental lawyer who specializes in the regulatory process, said he was concerned by indications Ottawa would cut the number of projects that must be automatically assessed +instead give ministers more of a say.

"Bad things happen if you just let the engineers +the politicians do their little thing together ," he told Reuters.

The government has two targets: rules that require many projects to be assessed for their possible impact on fish habitat, +a public hearing process that allows thousands of people to make comments.

This month retired federal fisheries biologist Otto Langer said he had been leaked a confidential copy of the proposed changes +that they would remove all references to fish habitat from the federal act used to assess environmental risks.

Given the sheer number of lakes, rivers +streams in Canada, a major project such as a pipeline is bound to have some effect on fish habitat.

"This proposed move ... is a travesty for our fishery resources +the health of the entire ecosystem +it ignores the needs of our future generations," Langer said. The government said no decision had yet been taken on possible changes.

Oliver is also unhappy about the time it takes Canada's federal energy regulator to study projects. Thousands of people - some encouraged by environmental organizations - are scheduled to comment on Enbridge's proposed Northern Gateway pipeline from Alberta to the Pacific Coast.

"We have got to make sure the actual review ... is pragmatic +doesn't risk getting hijacked by people who are just interested in extending the delay with the ultimate objective of seeing the projects economically undermined," Oliver told Reuters late on Monday.

He points to the seven years it took to approve Imperial Oil Ltd's Mackenzie Valley Arctic gas pipeline project as an example of what he wants to avoid.

By the time the final permits arrived, costs had soared +other cheaper sources of gas had been discovered. Work on the pipeline never started.

"We agree with the minister that the regulatory framework +the approach needs to be revised for major energy projects," Imperial chief executive Bruce March told Reuters. "

[Popeye82]

Rio Verde Minerals - Announces ´11 Annual Report Results +Provides Update on Company Milestones; S. Keith: "I am pleased with our Company's accomplishments in ´11. Since our TSX listing in August ´11, we have been able to substantially advance our two main projects, the Sergipe Potash Project +Fosfatar Phosphate Project, while continuing to explore other targets within our phosphate portfolio. We "remain focused on our strategy of building a self-funded exploration company , +the year ´12 will be critical to our objectives". I would like to thank our shareholders, employees +professional advisors, +the communities +states in which we operate, without whom our success would not be possible"; Company's goal is to complete its 1st potash NI 43-101 mineral resource in Q4 2012 - Mar 27, 2012

+ @the Sergipe Potash Project, the Company completed the 1st drill hole(SED-001-11) @the Sergi Target. On November 16, ´11, the Company announced completion of the 1st drill hole, +assay results were subsequently released in Q1 ´12. The sylvinite assay results, released February 7, ´12, showed evaporites characterized by high potash content +low anhydrite content distributed in two significant sylvinite-bearing zones, with a weighted average grade of 25.05% KCl over 16.73m.

+ @the Fosfatar Phosphate Project, the Company announced the results of an independent National Instrument 43-101("NI 43-101") Technical Report, which concluded the mineral resource estimate("Resource Estimate" ) for the Sapucaia +Boa Vista Targets to be ~1.930.000 tonnes, with an average grade of ~19% P2O5(using a 3% P2O5 cut-off). Subsequently, on March 1, ´12, Rio Verde announced completion of a Preliminary Economic Assessment("PEA") on the Fosfatar Phosphate Project. Highlights of the PEA include: after-tax Net Present Value("NPV") of C$62.900.000, @a 10% discount rate; after-tax Internal Rate of Return("IRR") of 113%; annual production of 150.000 tonnes of Thermophosphate, with an average grade of 25% P2O5; a payback period of 1 year; +an 8-year mine life.


Upcoming Milestones

+ In ´12, the drilling program @the Sergipe Potash Project is continuing. The drilling program consists of an initial 4.050m, split into 3 holes of 1.350m each, with each hole taking ~90 days to be completed +analyzed. Drilling of the 2nd drill hole(SED-002-12) has commenced, with assay results expected in Q2 ´12. Drilling of the 3rd drill hole will begin immediately following completion of SED-002-12. The Company's goal is to complete its 1st potash NI 43-101 mineral resource in Q4 2012, provided that the Company is successful in its exploration program.

+ Rio Verde also plans to continue advancing the Fosfatar Project towards a final mine design +optimization, which will include detailed engineering design for plant construction. Completion of this final design is expected in Q3 ´12. Conditional upon a positive result from this final design, +approval from the Company's board of directors, project construction is expected to begin in the 2nd half of this year, with production commencing in Q4 ´12 or Q1 ´13.

+ Furthermore, the Company continues to explore opportunities @its suite of @-surface Phosphate Projects, in areas with known mineralization +strong infrastructure. ...
www.marketwire.com/press-release/rio-verde-minerals-announce…

[Popeye82]

Petmin mulling TSX listing for low cost pig iron venture; JSE +Aim-listed steel-feed mining company Petmin "is targeting the production of the lowest cost pig iron “on the planet” @its jointly controlled North Atlantic Iron Corporation(NAIC) iron sands project in Canada's Labrador province" - MW, JOHANNESBURG - Mar 27, 2012
www.miningweekly.com/article/petmin-mulling-tsx-jse-london-l…

[Popeye82]

China mine hunt turns to Africa, S America, Asia; Chinese firms are on the prowl for mining investments in Africa, South America +central Asia as they look to feed ever expanding domestic demand for key commodities, but are switching away from Australia +Canada , which are getting too expensive . Iron-ore +copper have been the hot targets over the past few years, but more recently, China Guangdong Nuclear Power Corp has gone after uranium in Africa, +firms are now seeking gold, nickel, tin +coking coal, too - MW/Reuters, HONG KONG - Mar 27, 2012
www.miningweekly.com/article/china-mine-hunt-turns-to-africa…

"Chinese firms are on the prowl for mining investments in Africa, South America and central Asia as they look to feed ever expanding domestic demand for key commodities, but are switching away from Australia and Canada, which are getting too expensive.

Iron-ore and copper have been the hot targets over the past few years, but more recently, China Guangdong Nuclear Power Corp has gone after uranium in Africa, and firms are now seeking gold, nickel, tin and coking coal, too.

They used to prefer Australia and Canada for their political stability, but State-owned and private Chinese investors say assets in those countries are becoming too expensive.

"Those traditional markets that are developed, while being more stable - the likes of Australia and Canada - the competition to gain good resources is actually very, very intense," said Leong Eng Kiat, MD of CCB International Capital.

"Because of that, the prices tend to be bid up. So Chinese investors are looking outside of these countries and going into emerging markets - the likes of Africa, Latin America, central Asia."

Long project approval processes have also put off some Chinese investors, spurring the search for assets in emerging markets instead.

"It's easier to get approvals in African countries. There are no big headaches, like with Canada and Australia," Liliang Teng, chief marketing officer at the China-Africa Development Fund, told Reuters.

The fund has invested $1-billion in a range of projects, including iron-ore, in Africa and has a further $4-billion to invest.


AFFLUENT POPULATION

All the commodities being targeted are needed to satisfy an increasingly affluent population that is buying more cars, televisions, fridges, and apartments, using more and more electricity, and buying more jewellery.

Gold is in demand not just for jewellery but also as a hedge against inflation, making the country a huge consumer of gold.

"So the private sector, state-owned enterprises, even companies like us, try to look for gold resources, because the demand is strong, while supply in China is getting more and more difficult," said CITIC Dameng Holdings CE Charlie Tian told a conference in Hong Kong.

Uranium is needed to fuel 26 nuclear plants under construction in China, with more on the way, but only three or four companies are mandated to buy uranium assets.

"It's too politically sensitive," Tian said.

China Guangdong Nuclear Power Corp (CGNPC) is about to snare control of Namibia's Husab uranium project, potentially the world's second-largest uranium mine, with the takeover of Kalahari Minerals and Extract Resources for about $2.3-billion.

Private investors who bought stakes in junior miners in places like Canada are now keen to reap profits by selling to State-owned companies, a senior executive at a Canadian-listed Chinese company said, declining to be named due to the sensitivity of the issue.

He said large, State-owned Chinese companies were interested in lead, zinc and iron-ore projects.

The chase for iron-ore continues, despite setbacks on multibillion dollar iron-ore investments in Australia, such as Sinosteel's Midwest project and CITIC Pacific's Sino Iron project in Western Australia, hit by slow government approvals, soaring construction costs and lack of rail and port space.

Chinese firms held off on deals in the second half of last year as they anticipated iron ore prices would come off and weaken valuations on potential targets, advisers say, but interest is starting to perk up again.

One adviser to Chinese companies said investors were looking more closely at political risk and ensuring projects make returns, and are not just focusing on the quality of assets.

"Chinese investors are being smart," Jamon Alexander Rahn, VP of Emerging Asia Capital, told Reuters on the sidelines of the conference.

In all cases the key criteria are whether projects have enough scale, whether the products can be shipped back to China to meet demand and at a reasonable cost, said Leong.

"It's always about managing the resource security of China," he said. "

[Popeye82]

Mining Summary - LC - Mar 27, 2012
http://minesite.com/media/pub/var/release_downloadable_file/…

[Popeye82]

Fertiliser Sector Review - LC - Mar12


- - Roger Bade, Neil Pidgeon +Matthew Greene -


Contents

Introduction

´11 Market Conditions


NPK Fertilisers

- NPK Fertilisers Versus Organic Fertilisers
- Biofuels


NPK Fertiliser Components


Nitrogen

- Nitrogen Outlook


Phosphate

- Phosphate Mining Techniques +Benefication
- Phosphate Benefication
- Types of Ammoniated Phosphate Fertilisers
- DAP(Diammonium Phosphate)
- MAP(Monoammonium Phosphate)
- Phosphate Supply
- Phosphate Demand
- Phosphate Outlook
- Phosphate Prices +Pricing Forecast


Phosphate Sector Transactions

Potash

- Potassium Magnesium Sulphate(SOPM)
- Potash Mining Techniques
- Potash Specefications
- Potash Demand(Major Potash Markets)
- Global Potash Demand +Supply
- Demand/Supply Drivers for Potash
- Global Potash Supply
- Recent Notable Potash Sector Transactions
- Potash Outlook
- Potash Price Forecasts


Exploration, Developing +Producing Mining Companies

Nitrogen Producers

- Acron (AKRN)


Phosphate Producing Companies

- Office Cherifien des Phosphates (OCP)
- CF Industries (CF-NYSE)
- Compagnie des Phosphates de Gafsa (CPG)
- Copebrás/Anglo American (AAL)
- Egyptian Phosphate Producers
- Ferphos
- General Company of Phosphates +Mines (Gecopham)
- Ma’aden Phosphate Company
- Incitec Pivot Ltd (IPL-ASX)
- Foskor
- Vale (VALE5-BZ)


Phosphate Exploration Companies

Australia

- Copper Range Limited (CRJ-ASX)
- Korab Resources (KOR-ASX)
- Krucible Metals (KRB-ASX)
- Legend International Holdings (LGDI-OTCBB)
- Phosphate Australia (POZ-ASX)
- Strata Minerals (SMP-TSX-V)


Canada

- Phoscan Chemical Group (FOS-TSX)


USA

- Stonegate Agricom (ST-TSX)


Brazil

- Aguia Resources (AGR-ASX)
- MBAC Fertiliser Corp (MBC-TSX)
- Redstone Resources (RDS-ASX)


Africa

- African Consolidated Resources (AFCR)
- Celamin Holdings (CNL-ASX)
- Galileo Resources (GLR)
- Great Quest Metals Ltd (GQ-TSX-V)
- Gulf Industrials (GLF-ASX)
- Minbos Resources (MNB-ASX)
- Minemakers (MAK-ASX/TSX)
- Montero Mining &Exploration (MON-TSX-V)
- Oklo Resources (OKU-ASX)
- Peak Resources (PEK-ASX)
- Plains Creek Phosphate (PCP-TSX-V)
- Union Resources (UCL-ASX)


Potash Producers

- Potash Corp of Saskatchewan (POT-TSX)
- Agrium (AGU-TSX/NYSE)
- Belaruskali
- Uralkali (URKA)
- SQM (NYSE:SQM)
- Icl Israel Chemicals (ICL-TASE)
- Arab Potash Company (APC)
- Sinofert Holdings China
- Vale (VALE5-BZ)
- BHP Billiton (BLT)
- Rio Tinto (RIO) 52
- Kali &Salz (SDF-EURONEXT)
- Intrepid Potash (IPI-NYSE)
- Migao (MGO-TSX)


Potash Explorers

Canada-Saskatchewan +Alberta

- Encanto Potash (EPO-TSX-V)
- Pacific Potash (PP-TSX-V)
- Karnalyte Resource (KRN-TSX)
- First Lithium Resources (MCI-TSX-V)
- Channel Resources (CHU-TSX-V)


Other Regions in Canada

- Atlantic Potash
- Grizzly Discoveries (GZD-TSX-V)
- Potash America (PTAM-NASDAQ)
- Vulcan Minerals (VUL-TSX-V)


USA

- IC Potash (ICP-TSX)
- Mesa Exploration (MSA-TSX-V)
- North American Potash Developments (NPD-TSX-V)
- Passport Potash (PPI-TSX-V)
- Potash Minerals Ltd (POK-ASX)
- Prospect Global Resources (PGRX-OTC BULLETIN BOARD)
- Universal Potash (UPCO-PINK SHEETS)


Brazil

- Cowley Mining Plc
- Rio Verde (RVD-TSX)
- Verde Potash (NPK-TSX-V)


Argentina +Chile(Dominated by Lithium Producers with By-Product Potash )

- Dajin Resources Corp (DJI-TSX-V)
- International Lithium Corp (ILC-TSX-V)
- Lithium Americas (TSX: LAC)
- Lithium One (LI-TSX-V)
- Orocobre (ORE-ASX, ORL-TSX)
- Pan American Lithium Corp (PL-TSX)
- Rincon Lithium (Managed by Sentient Group)
- Rodinia Lithium (RM-TSX-V)


Peru

- Americas Petrogas (BOE-TSX)


United Kingdom

- Sirius Minerals (SXX)


Eritrea

- NGex Resources (NGQ-TSX)
- South Boulder Mines Ltd (STB-ASX)


Ethiopia

- Allana Potash (AAA-TSX)
- Ethiopian Potash (FED-TSX-V)
- Nova Potash
- Sainik Coal Mining Plc
- Stratex International (STI)


Republic of Congo(Brazzaville)

- African Potash (AFPO)
- Elemental Minerals Ltd (ELM-ASX/TSX)
- MAG Industries (MAA-TSX)


Australia

- Potash West (PWM-ASX)
- Reward Minerals Ltd (RWD-ASX)
- Rum Jungle Resources (RUM-ASX)


Kazakhstan

Fortis Mining Ltd (FMJ-ASX)


Mongolia

General Mining Corp Ltd (GMM-ASX)



Companies mentioned in this report

- Acron (AKRN)
- African Consolidated Resources (AFCR)
- African Potash (AFPO)
- Agrium (AGU-TSX/NYSE)
- Aguia Resources (AGR-ASX)
- Allana Potash (AAA-TSX)
- Americas Petrogas (BOE-TSX)
- APC (Arab Potash Company)
- Atlantic Potash
- Belaruskali
- BHP Billiton (BLT)
- Celamin Holdings (CNL-ASX)
- CF Industries (CF-NYSE)
- Channel Resources (CHU-TSX-V)
- Compagnie des Phosphates de Gafsa (CPG)
- Copebrás/Anglo American (AAL)
- Copper Range Limited (CRJ-ASX)
- Cowley Mining Plc
- Dajin Recourses Corp (DJI-TSX-V)
- Elemental Minerals Ltd (ELM-ASX/TSX)
- Encanto Potash (EPO-TSX-V)
- Ethiopian Potash (FED-TSX-V)
- Ferphos
- First Lithium Resources (MCI-TSX-V)
- Fortis Mining Ltd (FMJ-ASX)
- Foskor
- Galileo Resources (GLR)
- General Company of Phosphates and Mines
- General Mining Corp Ltd (GMM-ASX)
- Great Quest Metals Ltd (GQ-TSX-V)
- Grizzly Discoveries (GZD-TSX-V)
- Gulf Industrials (GLF-ASX)
- IC Potash (ICP-TSX)
- ICL Israel Chemicals (ICL-TASE)
- Incitec Pivot Ltd (IPL-ASX)
- International Lithium Corp (ILC-TSX-V)
- Intrepid Potash (IPI-NYSE)
- Kali & Salz
- Karnalyte Resource (KRN-TSX)
- Korab Resources (KOR-ASX)
- Krucible Metals (KRB-ASX)
- Legend International Holdings (LGDIOTC)
- Lithium Americas (TSX: LAC)
- Lithium One (LI-TSX-V)
- Lithium One (LI-TSX-V)
- Ma’aden Phosphate Company
- MAG Industries (MAA-TSX)
- MBAC Fertiliser Corp (MBC-TSX)
- Mesa Exploration (MSA-TSX-V)
- Migao (MGO-TSX)
- Minbos Resources (MNB-ASX)
- Minemakers (MAK-ASX/TSX)
- Montero Mining & Exploration (MONTSX-V)
- Mosaic (MOS-NYSE)
- NGEx Resources (NGQ-TSX)
- North American Potash Developments
- Nova Potash
- Office Cherifien Des Phosphates (OCP)
- Oklo Resources (OKU-ASX)
- Orocobre (ORE-ASX, ORL-TSX)
- Pacific Potash (PP-TSX-V)
- Pan American Lithium Corp (PL-TSX)
- Passport Potash (PPI-TSX-V)
- Peak Resources (PEK-ASX)
- PhosCan Chemical Group (FOS-TSX)
- Phosphate Australia (POZ-ASX)
- Plains Creek Phosphate (PCP-TSX-V)
- Potash America (PTAM-NASDAQ)
- Potash Corp of Saskatchewan (POTTSX)
- Potash Minerals Ltd (POK-ASX)
- Potash West (PWM-ASX)
- Prospect Global Resources (PGRX-OTC Bulletin Board)
- Redstone Resources (RDS-ASX)
- Reward Minerals Ltd (RWD-ASX)
- Rincon Lithium (managed by Sentient Group)
- Rio Tinto (RIO)
- Rio Verde (RVD-TSX)
- Rodinia Lithium (RM-TSX-V)
- Rum Jungle Resources (RUM-ASX)
- Sainik Coal Mining plc
- Sinofert Holdings China
- Sirius Minerals (SXX)
- South Boulder Mines Ltd (STB-ASX)
- SQM (NYSE:SQM)
- Stonegate Agricom (ST-TSX)
- Strata Minerals (SMP-TSX-V)
- Stratex International (STI)
- Union Resources (UCL-ASX)
- Universal Potash (UPCO-Pink Sheets)
- Uralkali (URKA)
- Vale (VALE5-BZ)
- Verde Potash (NPK-TSX-V)
- Vulcan Minerals (VUL-TSX-V) ...-
www.libertaspartnersllp.com/LibertasFertiliserSectorReview.p…

[Popeye82]

AgriMarine Holdings - Announces 1st Salmon Harvest From Canadian Demonstration Site; R. Buchanan: "We are extremely proud of our team +how they managed the facilities +harvest procedures during the windstorm. Although final harvest numbers are not complete, we have so far harvested +sold >95% of the original stocking numbers. We have taken the lessons learned into our new tank deliveries +continuing farm research @the site" - Mar 27, 2012

Company has made "the following early findings":

+ The fish reached a harvestable size in 13 months, thus demonstrating excellent growth rates achievable in the AgriMarine System

+ It appears that there was no loss of inventory, although final harvest numbers are not complete

+ The harvested salmon were delivered under contract to our U.S. customer

+ Only 3 sea lice were found in the entire crop of salmon, proving that the AgriMarine System effectively controls sea lice infestations

+ No antibiotics or chemicals were used +overall fish health was excellent

+ The processing yield was 91%

+ The mooring system functioned as designed to help stabilize the floating tank in an extremely high-energy situation ...
http://agrimarine.com/news/agrimarine-announces-first-salmon…

[Popeye82]

Centaurus Metals - Jambreiro Preliminary Pilot Plant Trial - High Grade Results; "results indicate that the two-stage magnetic separation process is a robust, simple +low-cost production circuit providing the ability to select a range of product qualities to suit different customer needs +, most importantly, the ability to deliver a high-grade, low impurity product that fits within the sinter feed blend specification window for traditional steel mills". Domestic steel mills within Brazil’s Iron Quadrangle region represent the primary target market for ore produced by the Jambreiro Project; Full Pilot Plant Testwork Set to Commence in April to Verify Commercial Benefiviation Process Flowsheet for Bankable Feasibility Study - Mar 27, 2012
http://stocknessmonster.com/news-item?S=CTM&E=ASX&N=583578

[Popeye82]

Brazilian Metals Group - Agreement to Acquire Carrapato Project Iron Quadrilateral, near Belo Horizonte, Minas Gerais, Brazil - Mar 28, 2012

+ The advanced Carrapato Project adjoins +is an extension of the Sarzedo mine currently operated by Itaminas. The Sarzedo mine has a reported resource of 1.300.000.000 tonnes +was recently sold to Chinese state-backed East China Mineral Exploration +Development Bureau(ECE), for $1.200.000.000

+ The Carrapato Project is immediately adjacent to Vale’s Corrego do Feijao Mine which produced direct ship iron ore @a grade of 66.6% Fe

+ Continuity of the mineralisation from the Sarzedo +Corrego do Feijao Mines into the Carrapato Project is confirmed +a significant iron ore deposit delineated

+ Proximity to domestic steel mills +rail infrastructure will give future domestic or export options for early development of a significant iron ore operation

+ Project drilled with diamond coring in 28 holes for a total of 2.393.5 metres on 100 metre sections

+ Exploration Target of 53.000.000 to 62.000.000 tonnes @35.2% to 41.1% Fe including a high grade zone @surface of 3.700.000 to 4.300.000 tonnes @51.1% to 59.7% Fe

+ Following due diligence the Company plans immediate pre-feasibility studies leading to an application for a Special Mining Permit +early production ...
http://stocknessmonster.com/news-item?S=BMG&E=ASX&N=583712

[Popeye82]

Brumby Resources - Maiden Mineral Resource, @Brumby`s Oakover Mn Project - Mar 28, 2012

Maiden Mineral Resource

+ Maiden Inferred Mineral Resource @the Sixty Sixer prospect of 27.000.000 tonnes grading 10.2% Mn based on a cut-off grade of 8% Mn

+ Previous metallurgical tests @the Sixty Sixer prospect show that head grade of >10% Mn beneficiates to a marketable product containing 36% Mn


Future potential

+ 3.500m 2nd-phase RC drilling is currently in progress @the Sixty Sixer Oakover Mn Project

+ Pattern drilling designed to test footprint area ~three times the size of that already tested

+ Potential for significant increase to the current Mineral Resource, with 2nd stage results expected late Q2 ´12

+ Recently announced Mn results in surface rock chips from the nearby Taya prospect indicate promising, untested regional targets are present on Brumby’s tenement holdings. ...
http://stocknessmonster.com/news-item?S=BMY&E=ASX&N=583735

[Popeye82]

Mining Summary - LC - Mar 28, 2012
http://minesite.com/media/pub/var/release_downloadable_file/…

[Popeye82]

Riverstone Resources - Extends GoulagouI Deposit Strike Length, With 74 Metres Averaging 1.27 g/t Au Intersection - Mar 28, 2012
www.riverstoneresources.com/s/NewsReleases.asp?ReportID=5149…
www.riverstoneresources.com/i/pdf/120320RC-100504_GGI_Plan.p…

[Popeye82]

Pebble Creek hikes Indian resource -to 1.200.000 Tonnes @2.6% copper, 5.7% zinc, 3.7% lead, 0.5 g/t gold +37 g/t silver - MW - Mar 28, 2012

- Ajoy K Das -
www.miningweekly.com/article/pebble-creek-hikes-indian-resou…

[Popeye82]

Genesis Resources - Plavica Project -1.860.000 Oz gold JORC Inferred Resource defined; Eddie Pang: "Genesis is very pleased with the new resources estimate which has improved both the size +grade of the gold resource +which has also improved the level of confidence. The results "highlight the scale +potential of this deposit as a world class gold-copper-silver system ". During the coming year, the Company looks forward to undertaking further resource definition drilling +a scoping study to examine the mining potential of the deposit" - Mar 28, 2012

+ Inferred Gold Resource estimate of 1.860.000 ounces @an average grade of 1.0 g/t Au

+ Grades of copper +silver increase substantially as a result of undertaking resource estimation in copper +silver specific domains

+ Inferred Copper Resource estimate of 33.900.000 kilograms @an average grade of 0.43% Cu

+ Inferred Silver Resource of 28.200.000 ounces @an average grade of 25 g/t Ag

+ Oxide resource potential is highlighted @the Plavica Ridge

+ Potential remains to define further oxide sources along the Northern Ridge +Maricanski Ridge. ...
www.genesisresourcesltd.com.au/attachments/investor-informat…

[Popeye82]

Orbite Aluminae - &UC RUSAL, world's largest aluminium producer, Sign Memorandum of Understanding; R. Boudreault: "This is an exciting moment for our team as the involvement of the world's largest aluminium producer constitutes a further validation of our alumina extraction business plan, as we will have access to the wealth of experience, know-how +technologies of RUSAL which has built +operates 40 plants worldwide, including 12 alumina refineries. RUSAL's raw material has been successfully tested in our facility +we expect that the combination of Orbite's +RUSAL's know-how +technologies will be for the mutual benefit of our respective shareholders", V. Soloviev: "The alternative technology is important for alumina production in Russia +its development will allow the strengthening of RUSAL's vertical integration. Our technical team visited the Orbite pilot plant in Cap-Chat +we have high regards with respect to the potential of this new technology, which we, as one of the world's largest alumina producers, have all opportunities to realize" - Mar 28, 2012

I. The 1st SGA Plant is expected to be deployed into 3 distinct incremental phases of production capacity +RUSAL's possible investment into the 1st phase of the project will be 25.000.000 Canadian dollars over time with the right to participate in the following phases;

II. To supplement Orbite's personnel +local workforce, RUSAL will provide specialists +know-how in connection with the design, construction +operation of the JV SGA Plant;

III. Both Orbite +RUSAL will license their pre-existing technologies to the JV;

IV. Orbite +RUSAL will cross-license their pre-existing technologies on non-exclusive basis such that they will be entitled to use the other party's pre-existing alumina extraction technologies in Canada(in the case of Orbite) +in Russia(in the case of RUSAL) free of charge, +both Orbite +RUSAL will be granted certain licensing rights in connection with the technology that will be developed jointly in the course of the joint-venture;

V. RUSAL +Orbite will discuss licensing rare earth elements +rare metals extraction technologies @a later time;

VI. Orbite will supply the raw material to the SGA Plant. The JV will also undertake necessary tests of RUSAL raw materials @the SGA plant +the required adaptation of technology to said raw materials. ...
www.orbitealuminae.com/en/news/press-releases/uc-rusal-and-o…

[Popeye82]

In Search of a Chain Reaction; New issue of Insights Magazine features article on pro-poor value chains - IFPRI - Mar12
www.ifpri.org/sites/default/files/publications/insights2-1.p…

[Popeye82]

Creating a Commodity Exchange; Essay describes the evolution of the Ethiopia Commodity Exchange - IFPRI/CGIAR - Mar12
www.ifpri.org/sites/default/files/publications/oc70.pdf

[Popeye82]

More Chinese companies to delist in ´12 ; Valuation expectations +fraud allegations will fuel the ongoing trend of taking listed Chinese companies private, advisers say - FA - Mar 28, 2012

- By Lillian Liu -
www.financeasia.com/News/295165,more-chinese-companies-to-de…

"Overseas listings have seemingly lost their appeal to many Chinese companies. Some are now taking their publicly traded shares private after realising that it takes more than just a glossy annual report to stay listed.

Some Chinese companies, especially those tarred by allegations of fraud and misconduct, apparently feel that they are stuck in a vicious circle — they release the least information possible for fear of spooking investors further, while investors, lacking sufficient knowledge, respond to any negative news by selling their holdings.

The most likely companies to go private include family-run businesses or those with a relatively small number of controlling shareholders. Stock exchanges in the US will see the most delistings, according to Kroll, a risk consultancy.

Indeed, there are incentives for firms to quit US exchanges and relist in other markets like Hong Kong. “Hong Kong-listed stocks are trading at a 40% to 50% premium to those listed in the US, although the spread has narrowed from a 70% premium a year ago,” said Mark Tobin, a California-based analyst at Roth Capital Partners, an advisory firm.

“We continue to view privatisations as an ongoing trend and expect additional transactions during 2012, driven by a number of catalysts, including a loosening of China’s credit markets and increased interest from companies,” he said.

Privatisation creates growing opportunities for due diligence firms. According to Colum Bancroft, managing director of Kroll’s Greater China financial investigations practice, there are a lot more clients, including private equity firms and auditing committees of listed companies, asking for a financial health check for target companies.

“Their main concerns are the asset quality of the target companies and how reliable the numbers [in the financial statements] are. Since footnoting [supplementary financial and non-financial disclosure] requirements are not very specific in China, it creates lots of potential loopholes,” said Bancroft.

China has the second-highest proportion of companies affected by fraud, exceeded only by Africa in 2011. Chinese companies traditionally have high staff turnover, Kroll said in its global fraud report, which can make it harder to catch and prevent fraud. At the other end of the payscale, China also has a very high rate of fraud perpetrated by senior executives, which are even harder to prevent.

Once an alleged fraud is detected it is hard for institutional investors without an on-the-ground presence in China to find out what exactly is going on. “Investors often respond to negative news with selling, selling and selling, which may not be the appropriate action in some cases,” said Violet Ho, senior managing director of Kroll's Greater China business intelligence practice.

While the accuracy of financial statements may have been questioned by many, the lack of disclosure of non-financial information is also a big issue. Chinese executives often believe the less information they disclose, the fewer mistakes will be found .

To make the situation worse, many Chinese companies don’t see any incentive to engage with investors to repair their damaged reputation, noted Ho. “In some cases, key principals of listed Chinese companies have this kind of sentiment: It’s a business that I founded, I built and in which I still own a big chunk. Why should I let anyone else interfere with how I run the business.”

Indeed, some Chinese companies have decided to delist simply because they prefer to operate in the entrepreneurial way they did before becoming listed.

Jack Ma, chairman of Alibaba, said the motivation for delisting its business-to-business unit is to “be free from the pressure of market expectations, earnings visibility and share price fluctuations”.

That gives a heads-up for Chinese companies planning for an IPO — it is worth questioning whether they are capable of managing the pressure of market expectations. "

[Popeye82]

Carbon Energy - keyseam® Technology Proven - Mar 29, 2012
www.carbonenergy.com.au/irm/Company/ShowPage.aspx/PDFs/1528-…

[Popeye82]

Lithium One - Announces Merger With Galaxy Resources Limited -Valued @~C$112.000.000; M. Rowley: "This offer represents an excellent opportunity for Lithium One shareholders to realize immediate +substantial value by exchanging their Lithium One Shares for Galaxy Shares +yet retain the opportunity to continue to share in the success of the Sal de Vida +James Bay projects. The Lithium One Board +management have done an outstanding job in adding value to its lithium assets within a short period of time, which has been reflected in the attractive offer received from Galaxy. Combining the assets of both Lithium One +Galaxy will result in a fully integrated company that will be a major player in the lithium sector ", Iggy Tan, said, "A merger with Lithium One represents an excellent opportunity for Galaxy to boost its global lithium resource base +become a major lithium company. Galaxy has spent the last 18 months searching the world for a high quality, undeveloped lithium brine deposit +we believe Lithium One's Sal de Vida lithium-potash project in Argentina fits that criterion. The Sal de Vida brine chemistry is highly favourable, with high levels of lithium +potash and low levels of magnesium +sulphate impurities. Galaxy will require more lithium resources over the next few years +the Sal de Vida project, along with the James Bay project, will significantly add to our existing Australian resource base @Mt Cattlin +give us sufficient resources to continue to grow the lithium business +drive the long-term value of the company. The merger is not only a good strategic fit for Galaxy, it also represents an opportunity for Lithium One shareholders to become part of a lithium producing company with hard rock +brine assets around the world plus downstream lithium carbonate production facilities @Jiangsu in China, one of the principal markets for our product. With Galaxy's expertise across project development +lithium mining, processing +marketing, we will aim to fast track development of Sal de Vida as we did @Mt Cattlin +the Jiangsu Lithium Carbonate Plant. Galaxy plans to retain Lithium One's current management team +incorporate it into Galaxy's successful business" - Mar 30, 2012

Lithium One's security holders will have the opportunity to become part of a vertically integrated lithium company of global significance . Galaxy, upon completion of the Arrangement, will have a portfolio of production +development assets located on four continents, comprising hard rock +brine resource projects +processing facilities, including:

+ The Mt Cattlin project, an operating spodumene mine which contains the 3rd largest JORC-compliant(or similar) hard rock lithium Ore Reserve globally ;

+ The Jiangsu Plant, which will be the largest +most modern hard rock lithium carbonate plant in the world ;

+ The Sal de Vida project, a large, high quality brine development project located adjacent to one of the world's largest existing lithium producers ;

+ The James Bay project, a longer term development project which presents a future opportunity to supply the North American market; +

+ The Jiangsu Lithium Battery project, a value adding downstream project to supply lithium-ion batteries to the rapidly growing electric bicycle +electric vehicle market. ...
www.galaxylithium.com/documents/DocGXY210-GalaxyLithiumOneMe…

[Popeye82]

African Minerals - &SISG complete $1.500.000.000 investment in Tonkolili, one of the largest Iron Ore Resources in the World ; F. Timis: "We are pleased to welcome SISG, one of the world’s largest steel producers , as a strategic investor in the Tonkolili project. The completion of their detailed due diligence, prior to successful closing of this transaction, validates the scale +scope of the project +secures the funding which will enable us to accelerate the development of PhaseII of our growth plans. This partnership confirms the potential for Sierra Leone to become one of the world’s major iron ore producing nations thereby creating lasting benefits for its people", Zou Zhongchen: "SISG is delighted to have completed this long term partnership with AML which provides our steel mills with a sustainable long term supply of iron ore for generations to come" - Mar 30, 2012

+ Following receipt of all PRC approvals, SISG has now completed its $1.500.000.000 acquisition of a 25% shareholding in the Tonkolili project companies(“the Investment”) +funds have been transferred to be received on Monday 2 April ´12.

+ SISG will also purchase iron ore under an off-take arrangement, with an additional equity ore option +dividend ore option, providing the Company +the project with a significant level of guaranteed off-take for the Life of Mine -under which SISG will purchase 2.000.000 t/anno of PhaseI production, increasing to 10.000.000 t/anno, with discounts ranging from 0% to 15%.

+ African Minerals will use the funds received to accelerate development of Tonkolili’s PhaseII expansion.

+ Additionally, the existing $417.700.000 secured loan facility will be repaid from the proceeds.

+ Mr Cui Jurong, Vice President of SISG, has been nominated to the Board of Directors of AML. ...
www.african-minerals.com/am/en/investors/announcements?id=73

[Popeye82]

Painted Pony Petroleum - increases total proved plus probable reserves by 321% -from 32.500.000 to 136.900.000 boe - Mar 29, 2012
http://paintedpony.ca/assets/PPY-Press-Release-March-30-2012…

[Popeye82]

Medicago - Strategic Alliance Between Medicago Inc. &Mitsubishi Tanabe Pharma Corporation, a Top 50 global pharmaceutical company, Highlighted by Canadian Government in Japan; Medicago +MTPC are pleased to now disclose that MTPC was the lead investor for Medicago's C$25.000.000 PP in September ´11; objectives of the March ´12 strategic alliance with MTPC are to develop +commercialize @least three new vaccines. MTPC will provide funding for all research +development costs. In exchange for granting licensing rights, Medicago is entitled to receive upfront +milestone payments as well as royalties for each product to be developed under this master agreement. Under this 1st agreement to develop a Rotavirus Like Particle(RLP) vaccine target, MTPC will have the option to license the RLP vaccine target +assume global development, regulatory +commercialization responsibilities, while Medicago is eligible to receive up to a total of C$33.000.000 in upfront +milestone payments as well as royalties on future sales of the RLP product - Mar 27, 2012
www.medicago.com/English/news/News-Releases/News-ReleaseDeta…

[Popeye82]

Canaco Resources - Provides Update on Timing of the Magambazi Mineral Resource Estimate; initial Magambazi mineral resource estimate now anticipated by May 15, ´12, completion of a preliminary economic assessment expected by the end of ´12 - Mar 30, 2012
http://news.canaco.ca/press-releases/canaco-provides-update-…

[Popeye82]

Champion Minerals - Announces Resource Estimate of High-Grade Specular Hematite/Magnetite-Rich Iron Zones @Moire Lake Project: 164.000.000 Tonnes Grading 30.5% Total Iron +417.127.000 Tonnes Grading 29.4% Total Iron I/I, boosts Global Resource to ~2.800.000.000 tonnes; T. Larsen: "The highly successful ´11 Moire Lake drilling program has delineated Mineral Resources for the Project >5 times >historical estimates +potentially sufficient to support a stand-alone operation . The results warrant a Preliminary Economic Assessment anticipated to be commissioned in the near future. Moire Lake's close proximity to existing rail +other infrastructure may offer a unique opportunity to fast-track development of this Project. Current Mineral Resource Estimates on 4/17 Projects in the Fermont Holdings now total 2.800.000.000 Tonnes. The initial Mineral Resource Estimate for the Oil Can Project is expected in Q2-´12 +will potentially increase the total resource base significantly. Clearly this underscores the future growth potential for the Company. We continue to focus our efforts in ´12 on completing the Feasibility Study @our flagship Fire Lake North development project" - Mar 29, 2012
www.championminerals.com/vns-site/pressdetail-champion_miner…

[Popeye82]

IC Potash - announces strategic investment +off-take agreement -Yara International ASA("Yara") has agreed to make a strategic investment of ~C$40.000.000 in ICP @a price of $1.32/common share +has entered into a committed off-take agreement for the purchase of 30% of all products produced by ICP's Ochoa project in New Mexico for a period of 15 years +will automatically extend every five years thereafter unless either party elects not to extend. All products will be sold to Yara based on market prices. ICP +Yara have also agreed to discuss the possibility of establishing a jointly held entity for the purpose of marketing products produced by the Ochoa project; Sidney Himmel: "Yara +ICP share a strategic focus on premium products +adding value in the fertilizer supply chain. As one of the world's largest distributors of plant nutrients , Yara is the ideal partner for ICP's project development +product marketing strategies. This partnership is transformational for ICP +provides the Company with a significant injection of capital +a buyer for 30% of the annual production by the Ochoa project. We look forward to working with Yara in further developing the distribution channels for our premium potash products", Jørgen Ole Haslestad: "This investment fits well with our strategy. Through the ownership in ICP, Yara gets an upstream exposure on potash which reduces +mitigates the financial impact of being structurally short on the nutrient. Furthermore, the partnership with ICP aligns our respective strategies to develop +distribute premium fertilizer products, where Yara already has a leading position globally with its nitrates +nitrate-based NPK portfolio" - Mar 30, 2012
www.icpotash.com/news/index.php?&content_id=323

[Popeye82]

Goldminex; ONE OFF THE WOOD: Goldminex is something of a curiosity in that it is an ASX-listed gold exploration play with an international focus that ISN’T actually exploring in Africa - RR - Mar 30, 2012

- Sandy Moyle -
www.resourcesroadhouse.com.au/_blog/Resources_Roadhouse/post…

[Popeye82]

New Millennium Iron - engages Outotec to design pelletizing plant for the Taconite Project; D. Journeaux: "The engagement of Outotec is a welcome addition to our engineering team. Outotec is currently involved in the development of the world’s largest pelletizing plant for a Brazilian company, but also because they have a very long history in providing pelletizing technology. He added that NML’s goal is to be a low cost producer of quality pellets to meet the requirements of potential customers. In addition to supplying Tata Steel Europe’s plants, NML +Tata Steel are in discussions with interested steelmakers regarding their off-take requirements. By employing state of the art equipment design, NML is expected to be placed amongst the most competitive suppliers of pellets in the seaborne market" - Mar 29, 2012
www.nmliron.com/data/attribute/upload/NR1209.pdf

[Popeye82]

Excelsior Mining - Commences Its ´12 Drilling Program, @Gunnison; program has begun with the utilization of both a diamond drill rig +a reverse circulation drill rig. The 1st series of drill holes are being completed in order to acquire additional metallurgical data. Subsequent drilling will focus on additional hydrological +geological data acquisition, with the goal of the entire ´12 program being the completion of a pre-feasibility study by year's end; Stephen Twyerould: "We are excited to be back drilling on Gunnison again. We have set an ambitious program for ´12 +, now that it is underway, we are looking forward to making significant progress in advancing the Gunnison project as quickly as possible"; program is designed to advance the project geologically, hydrologically +metallurgically. The resultant data will be used to optimize well field design, leaching solution composition, as well as provide critical information for groundwater quality control +ultimately, project reclamation - Mar 29, 2012
www.excelsiormining.com/index.php/news/news-201226/356-excel…

[Popeye82]

United States still favors nuclear power; According to the results of Gallup's annual Environment survey, conducted earlier this month, the majority of Americans continue to favor nuclear energy as a source of electricity for the United States. The survey indicated that 57 percent of participants were in favor of nuclear power this year, the same amount as in ´94, the 1st year for the survey. This year's results also demonstrate an equal level of support among participants as last year, just prior to the Japanese earthquake +tsunami. Support for the nuclear industry as measured by the survey has ranged from a low of 46 percent in ´01 to a high of 62 percent in ´10; B. Gates offers positive future perspective for nuclear industry -Bill G. talked about the future of energy use in a Wall Street Journal interview @the ´12 ECO:nomics conference, commenting, "the thing I'm investing in is a 4th-generation design [of a nuclear power reactor]." Sharing insight on the underlying technology, he noted that "the concept of this TerraPower reactor is that in the same reactor you both burn +breed. Instead of making plutonium +extracting it, we take uranium +convert that +burn it" - U3O8.biz - Mar 28, 2012

- D. Brown -
www.u3o8.biz/s/MarketCommentary.asp?ReportID=515221&_Type=Ma…

[Popeye82]

A massive coal pitfall for India's industrial ambitions ; Ten years after announcing the project, Jindal Power +Steel is still waiting to start digging for coal to fuel its $3.100.000.000 steel +power complex in India's eastern Orissa state. The project is one of several industrial ventures mired in a bureaucratic morass that contributes to the massive power shortages plaguing India, dulling its investment appeal +slowing the growth of Asia's 3rd largest economy - MW/Reuters - Mar 30, 2012
www.miningweekly.com/article/a-massive-coal-pitfall-for-indi…

"Ten years after announcing the project, Jindal Power and Steel is still waiting to start digging for coal to fuel its $3.100.000.000 steel +power complex in India's eastern Orissa state.

The project is one of several industrial ventures mired in a bureaucratic morass that contributes to the massive power shortages plaguing India, dulling its investment appeal +slowing the growth of Asia's 3rd largest economy.


The obstacles include tardy environmental clearances +complex land acquisitions, as well as populist policies that often mean hefty losses for power utilities.

The Jindal project also now risks being held up by what may become another corruption scandal for Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, after a report by the federal auditor accused the coalition government of giving up $211.000.000.000 in potential revenues by selling coal assets too cheaply .

India sits on the world's 5th-largest coal reserves, +produces the most after China +the United States .

BUUUT it also imported about 80.000.000 tonnes of coal for power last year +that figure could rise to 400.000.000 tonnes in ´30 , research consultants Wood Mackenzie said.

"The problem is the entire process takes time, every approval -be it forest clearance, be it land acquisition, be it rehabilitation," Rajesh Jha, executive director of Jindal Steel +Power's Orissa plant, told Reuters.

The government, however, can ill-afford to take its time if it wants to maintain economic growth.


NO Power for the People

Coal accounts for >1/2 of India's power generation +will be required for 85 percent of the 76.000 megawatts additional capacity targeted in the next five years.

But domestic supply has fallen short of targets largely due to regulatory hurdles, +poor infrastructure hinders the transport of imported coal.

The country has a power shortfall which @its peak can hit 11% with frequent power cuts, especially outside cities.

Power shortages are one of the greatest obstacles to developing the Indian economy, the World Bank says , dimming the nation's hopes of competing with China , the world's largest consumer goods manufacturer +its biggest producer of coal.

Industrialists say the answer lies in attracting more private investment into the coal sector , which is dominated by state-owned supplier Coal India.

Singh's government tried to jumpstart that process during its 1st term in office, when, between ´04 +´09, it sold 155 coal blocks @a nominal price to industrial projects as captive supplies. These are now being questioned by the federal auditor .

"When companies are struggling for coal +NOT able to explore coal blocks allotted to them , a report like this will further worsen the situation ," said a Jindal executive who declined to be named because he was NOOOT authorised to speak on behalf of his company .

Allegations of misspent funds are particularly emotive in a country where about 1/2 a billion are poor +rely on state subsidies for food +power .

Singh's office has denied any wrongdoing in the coal row , BUUUT the charges of corruption have further weakened a government which in February was ordered by a court to cancel >100 telecoms licences after the auditor said they were sold too cheaply .

The government has awarded a net total of 195 blocks with reserves of 44.230.000.000 tonnes to industrial projects, BUUUT only 28 of these are operating , with current output just 38.000.000 tonnes/year, a coal ministry source said.

Jindal's Utkal B-1 coal block highlights much of what is wrong with India's coal sector .

Assigned in ´03 +due to start production two years ago, the site has 140.000.000 tonnes of coal reserves. But not EEEVEN a boundary fence marks the area because the company is locked in a dispute with farmers who once owned the land but who now refuse to leave it, saying the price initially agreed was too low.

As a result the project's 810 megawatt power plant operates @about 1/3rd of its capacity using coal bought from state-run Coal India @an average price of 3.000 rupees/tonne currently -costing $142.000.000/year, according to Jindal's Jha. The costs of the captive coal should be 1/3rd of that, Jha said.

He says Jindal now believes it can get the mine producing by September.

The same problems plaguing private miners have also led Coal India - which produces ~80% of the country's coal - to cut output targets to 440.000.000 tonnes in ´11/´12 from initial hopes of 520.000.000 tonnes.

Coal mining in India is such hard work , said a senior executive @a private power firm, that the auditors' estimate of $211.000.000.000 in lost mining revenue was simply unrealistic .

"Tell me, if there is so much money to be made from mining coal in India , if it is so easy , why then is Coal India struggling to produce enough to supply the country ," said the executive, who declined to be named as he did not want to be seen criticising the government . "

[Popeye82]

Canada's Nunavut "awaits its day in the sun"; The prospects of a mining boom in Canada's Arctic territory of Nunavut - once as bright as the Northern Lights - are fading fast as costs in the inhospitable region spiral higher, forcing writedowns on two major gold projects there. The sparsely populated territory has gained a reputation as one of the most promising regions in Canada for exploration, with prospectors promoting discoveries ranging from gold to uranium. But getting the ore out of the ground is a different story entirely - MW/Reuters - Mar 31, 2012
www.miningweekly.com/article/canadas-nunavut-awaits-its-day-…

[Popeye82]

Rio joins new Chinese iron-ore trading network; Global miner Rio Tinto has become a member of the new China Beijing Metals Exchange(CBMX), using the electronic trading platform to trade its iron-ore in the Chinese market. Rio Tinto Iron Ore Asia president Alan Smith said the company welcomed the development of CBMX, as it gave Rio a new option for selling any available tons to China, over +above those already contracted; World No.I iron-ore exporter, Vale, also reportedly expressed an interest in the platform - MW, PERTH - Mar 30, 2012
www.miningweekly.com/article/rio-joins-new-chinese-iron-ore-…

[Popeye82]

Chameleon Mining NL - "Acquisition of Major Stake in Significant Manganese Project"; B. Elias: "It is the intention of the Kupang Resources Joint Venture to immediately commence an extensive exploration program over the area, while simultaneously working towards bringing the project to production. Due to the close proximity to port, adequate road infrastructure +the high-grade product the project has a low start-up cost. Due to the grade of the manganese it is not anticipated that the product will require beneficiation +therefore the Company believes the production plant will be inexpensive to operate" - Mar 30, 2012

+ Chameleon enters an agreement to acquire a 55% interest in a significant manganese project in Indonesia with potential for early production

+ Initial 30% interest to be acquired for A$3.500.000 to increase to 55% through funding a further A$6.500.000 of expenditure

+ Intention to immediately commence extensive exploration program +concurrently proceed with plans to commence production activities

+ Five samples collected by a Perth based geological firm were recently submitted to Intertek laboratory in Jakarta for validation of manganese +other element chemistry -ranges from 55.03 -57.08% Mn

+ "Proximity to existing infrastructure +high-grade mineralisation "enhances prospects of commencement of production with minimal financial outlay +low operating costs" " -Kupang Project is located 6km by road from a processing area +only 16km by road from the port facilities of Kupang, where it is proposed ore from the Kupang Project will be shipped(refer to FigureI). The Kupang Resources Joint Venture has secured the available land for the production area +is finalising negotiations with the relevant parties for the lay down area @Kupang port

+ Once the processing facility is established there are further opportunities for Kupang Resources Joint Venture to further expand its tenement holdings in the area. Company is currently in negotiations for a further 10.000 ha tenement package in the immediately adjoining area of Soe, an area also known for its high-grade manganese deposits.

+ Well-credentialed local, Mr Refafi Gah a joint venture local partner. The Kupang Resources Joint Venture has established excellent working relationships with the local communities, businesses +Government in Indonesia. As a sign of its commitment +willingness to engage with the local stakeholders, the Kupang Resources Joint Venture will appoint prominent local, Mr Refafi Gah, to its Management Committee. Mr Refafi Gah is the current Secretary General of the Association of Mine/DPD East Nusa Tenggara Province ´11 -´13 +a former professor @the Kupang University. He also is the chairperson of the Council Regional Unity Party(PPD) East Nusa Tenggara. He brings to the project a wealth of local experience +expertise. Chameleon(via its interest in NTT) is entitled to appoint a member to the Management Committee

+ Company to be renamed Kupang Resources Ltd ...
http://stocknessmonster.com/news-item?S=CHM&E=ASX&N=584111
www.miningweekly.com/article/chameleon-takes-stake-in-indone…

[muenchenguru]

abonniert !!
Popeye, Du bist ein Nachrichtenjunkie :-).
Schönen Sonntag (übertreib´s nicht),
m.

[Popeye82]

Rekord bei Teilchenkollision ; SOOO schnell trafen Partikel noch nie im Versuch aufeinander ; In dem Beschleuniger werden Elementarteilchen(Protonen) mit möglichst hoher Energie aufeinandergeschossen. Diese wird in Tera-Elektronenvolt angegeben: Ausgelegt ist der LHC auf 14 TeV, bisher wurden 7 TeV erreicht. Bei den Kollisionen entstehen zahlreiche Folgeteilchen. Die Physiker möchten unter anderem herausfinden, ob sich darunter das seit langer Zeit vorhergesagte Higgs-Teilchen befindet -"Müsste die Existenz des nach dem britischen Physiker Peter Higgs benannten Teilchens ausgeschlossen werden, stünde das theoretische Standardmodell vom Grundaufbau der Materie auf der Kippe " - DPA, GENF/HAMBURG - Mar 31, 2012
http://web.de/magazine/wissen/mensch/15080260-neuer-geschwin…

[Popeye82]

WELTREKORD-JACKPOT geknackt , Gewinner ist um sage +schreibe 640.000.000 Dollar schwerer , In den ganzen USA hatte es in den letzten Tagen einen beispiellosen Ansturm auf die Lottostellen gegeben. Für die Ziehung mit dem Rekord-Jackpot sind >1.000.000.000 Lose verkauft worden - DPA, WASHINGTON - Mar 31, 2012
http://web.de/magazine/lifestyle/leben/15079348-weltrekord-j…

[Popeye82]

Impose $100/t raw chrome duty soonest, Ruukki urges; South African chrome aspirant Ruukki has urged the South African government to impose a $100/t duty on the export of raw chrome from South Africa with the utmost urgency . Speaking @an industry conference in Hong Kong, Ruukki enterprise director Dr Danko Konchar called for industry consolidation to protect jobs +maximise South Africa’s chrome resource endowment - MW, JOHANNESBURG - Mar 30, 2012

- M. Creamer -
www.miningweekly.com/article/impose-100t-raw-chrome-duty-soo…

[Popeye82]

Firestone Energy - Firestone/Sekoko JV sign Eskom MOU; said it had signed a memorandum of understanding(MoU) with State-owned power utility Eskom for a 30-year, 10.000.000-ton/year thermal coal supply agreement. Firestone +its black-empowered joint venture(JV) partner, Sekoko Coal, said the 60:40 partnership will supply coal to two Mpumalanga power stations from ´14, when the JV’s Waterberg coal project is expected to start producing coal; MoU stipulated that when the JV has achieved all the enabling criteria to produce +supply coal, the parties would enter into a coal supply agreement. The thermal coal would be supplied on a free-on-rail basis once production has started, +supply would ramp up over five years to the 10.000.000-ton/year target; The coal project comprises 7.979 ha over eight farms in the Waterberg coalfield, containing a proven Joint Ore Reserves Committee-compliant resource of 1.800.000.000 tons of coal; project entails the construction of an opencast coal mine on the Smitspan farm, together with infrastructure linking the mine to State-owned rail operator Transnet Freight Rail’s system, which is about 7 km from the proposed mine site - Mar 26, 2012
http://stocknessmonster.com/news-item?S=FSE&E=ASX&N=583411

[Popeye82]

Zimbabwe should focus on existing coal resources; The mining industry should focus on developing the current known coal resources in Zimbabwe rather than starting new exploration activities, consultant John Hollaway said on Friday. He believed that further exploration was unlikely to yield more coal resources, as Zimbabwe was a well-explored country +most of the coal reserves were located - MW, JOHANNESBURG - Mar 30, 2012

- Natasha Odendaal -
www.miningweekly.com/article/zimbabwe-should-focus-on-existi…

[Popeye82]

African Barrick Gold "sees deal options in ´12"; African Barrick Gold(ABG) sees increased opportunities for deals in Africa as asset prices ease +potential sellers begin to consider their options in the face of a still-uncertain economic outlook, the mining company said on Tuesday. ABG, a unit of the world's largest gold producer, Barrick Gold, is keen to diversify its asset base beyond its current Tanzanian focus, most likely through acquisition; CEO Greg Hawkins, speaking @the Reuters Mining +Metals Summit, said the miner had looked @some 25 projects across Africa +signed @least 10 confidentiality agreements in the last 18 months -+was finally seeing the prospects for a deal improve; "When we were looking a year ago, we thought the valuations were too steep... Now most of (the assets) we looked @a year ago are about 1/2 the price from where they were. That's brought a lot more things that we like much more into range... I think that landscape has improved dramatically in the last year with the pricing change" - MW, LONDON - Mar 30, 2012
www.miningweekly.com/article/african-barrick-gold-sees-deal-…

[Popeye82]

Aquila Resources - Avontuur Manganese Resource Increases -to 147.800.000 t - Mar 30, 2012

+ Drilling @the newly discovered Haakdoorn +Gravenhage South Manganese Prospects has defined maiden Inferred Resources totalling 28.200.000 t @37.5%Mn

+ Four manganese resources have now been identified on the broader Avontuur Prospecting Right totalling 147.800.000 t @38.2% Mn, making it one of the largest manganese provinces in the world

+ Definitive Feasibility Study completed for the Gravenhage Deposit confirms the technical +financial viability of an initial 1.500.000 t/anno operation

+ Five target areas have been identified for further exploration within the 10km long Avontuur Basin, which is wholly contained within the 370km2 Avontuur Prospecting Right ...
www.aquilaresources.com.au/files/Avontuur%20Manganese%20Reso…

[Popeye82]

Antwort auf Beitrag Nr.: 42.964.242 von Popeye82 am 27.03.12 23:49:44

Petmin - Commercially significant maiden resource statement for Petmin's iron sands to pig iron project in Canada: 594.000.000 tonnes of iron sands @9.35 weight percent(wt %) heavy minerals of which 38.02% is Fe2O3 equivalent(@a cut off grade of 5% heavy minerals) -based on just 3% of NAIC's 450km² claim which has been drilled to a depth of 15 metres. Aeromagnetic +Lidar surveys show potential for the resource to be extended @least to 45 metres; Petmin will now accelerate its investment in NAIC based on the project's technical +economic viability; Exploration/drilling plans for the next six months include step out drilling as well as larger diameter drilling on the current resource to a depth of 45 metres. This deeper drilling has the potential to triple the size of the resource on the 3% of the claim currently explored; iron sands resource provides an abundant low-cost feedstock for production of a concentrate with in excess of 50% Fe /ton @a cost of <US$30/ton for conversion into high-purity pig iron, with a 25 to 30 years life of mine for PhaseI production of 500.000 tonnes of pig iron/anno; Cash costs for PhaseI are estimated @around US$210/tonne with an all in cost(including interest, depreciation +amortisation) of ~US$260/tonne. Average pricing over the last 12 months has been >US$500/t free on board(FOB) Ponta da Madeira -Brazil. @these levels, based on current capital expenditure +operational expenditure estimates, PhaseI of the NAIC project has a net present value of >US$450.000.000; Bradley Doig: "We now have independent verification of a very substantial resource suitable for production of a quality concentrate which becomes a low-cost feedstock for high-purity pig iron. Our exploration of just a small part of the extensive NAIC claim demonstrates the potential for NAIC to become a major low cost producer of pig iron" - Mar 12, 2012
www.petmin.co.za/ir/press/2012/12mar_2012.asp

[Popeye82]

Antwort auf Beitrag Nr.: 42.964.242 von Popeye82 am 27.03.12 23:49:44

Passport Potash - Announces New NI 43-101 Compliant Mineral Resource -of 713.400.000 Tonnes @~13.60% KCI, Which Includes an Indicated Mineral Resource of 125.600.000 Tonnes @14.29% KCI; estimated resources cover ~40% of the Company's current holdings; Company anticipates that it will commence a preliminary economic assessment of the Holbrook Basin Project as soon as the current definition phase is completed. The preliminary economic assessment will aim to conceptualize the viability of a potash mining operation within the Holbrook Basin. The assessment will place particular focus on quantifying the expected benefits of the shallow depth of the deposit as well as the extensive pre-existing infrastructure; J. Bleak: "We are very happy with the initial resource calculation that we have received from ERCOSPLAN. The initial resource is based on only 40% of our total land holdings, so there is great optimism in the future expansion of our resource. We are currently following the recommendations from ERCOSPLAN +drilling the targets that were identified in the report. We look to include that data in a future NI 43-101 resource update. We look to begin our preliminary economic assessment shortly as our next step" - Apr 2, 2012
www.marketwire.com/press-release/passport-potash-announces-n…
http://passportpotash.com/pdf/report.pdf

[Popeye82]

Antwort auf Beitrag Nr.: 42.964.242 von Popeye82 am 27.03.12 23:49:44

Ord River Resources - SARCO JORC Resource Upgrade; Project’s total resource is now 226.000.000 t @26.7% available Al2O3, an increase of 73.8% from the previously reported 130.000.000 t, of which 69.000.000t is in the Measured category. This is an important milestone toward preparation for the potential IPO to develop a 600.000t alumina refinery. The 69.000.000 t of Measured Resource is enough to sustain a mining operation for 34.5 years @the proposed 600.000kt alumina refinery1. Further, the upgraded resource will form the basis for the commencement of a Bankable Feasibility Study(“BFS”); Peter Shou: "We are encouraged by this significant upgrade. The successful drilling program +the new JORC Statements provide further empirical evidence for our high level of confidence in the Project’s potential. The combined JORC resource of the two tenements rose by 73.8%. They have a low average Silica content of 2.62% which should require a lower level of energy consumption when in production. The 69.000.000t of Measured Resource is an important milestone in the Project’s development. The Project is a key value driver for ORD as it moves from exploration to development +as SARCO continues to prepare for the potential IPO to raise the equity to build a 600.000t alumina refinery in Laos" - Apr 2, 2012

Key results of the SRK Report on the Yuqida tenement include:

+ JORC Resource increased by 35% to 149.000.000t @27.2% available Al2O3 from a previously reported 110.000.000t;

+ Low Silica content of 2.79% SiO2;

+ 40.000.000t @28.62% Al2O3 in the Measured category.


Combined with the LSI Tenement which on 24 October ´11 reported a 300% increase in JORC Resource, SARCO has:

+ A total resource of 226.000.000t @26.7% available Al2O3

+ A total Measured resource of 69.000.000t @28.1% available Al2O3

+ Low Reactive Silica(SiO2) of2.62%


Alumina is used in the smelting process for aluminium. China remains the most important market for alumina. SARCO has already secured the following:

+ A letter of proposal from China Minsheng Banking Corporation to project finance 70% of the total capital required to build the 600.000t alumina refinery .(Announced on 26 May ´11)

+ SARCO signed MoU with NFC-China for a fixed price +fixed term EPC contract.(Announced on 2 June ´11).

+ SARCO signed MoU with NFC-China for a 20 year alumina off-take agreement . (Announced on 08 August ´11).


SARCO continues to progress the preparation for the equity raising. We are now reviewing proposals for a Bankable Feasibility Study. We look forward to updating the market as soon as the successful bidder is chosen. ...
www.ord.com.au/ASX%20Announcements/2012/2012_04_02_SARCO_JOR…

[Popeye82]

Antwort auf Beitrag Nr.: 42.964.242 von Popeye82 am 27.03.12 23:49:44

Kibo Mining Plc - acquires interest in Coal Assets; Rukwa Coal owns two prospecting licenses in the Mbeya region of the United Republic of Tanzania on which it has established a JORC compliant inferred +indicated resource, of @least 129.000.000 tons of thermal coal. Mbeya Uranium, through its subsidiaries, is either the owner or the applicant in respect of the prospecting licenses in respect of mineral properties which it has contributed to an unincorporated joint venture with Mayborn; L. Coetzee: "Through these acquisitions the Company increases its foothold in Tanzania, a region that is on the radar of a substantial number of investors +major industrial groups in Asia +North America. The acquisitions provide our shareholders with exposure to a large portfolio of energy assets. This is part of a broader strategic decision by the Company to combine aggressive exploration within Kibo's current portfolio with the active pursuit of suitable acquisitions to build +develop a multi-commodity exploration portfolio of more advanced exploration project opportunities in addition to our current gold +base metal work programs. We expect to benefit from a number of synergies across the expanded portfolio +to increase the potential for Kibo to make commercial discoveries in this highly prospective region. We look forward to keeping shareholders updated on both our exploration +acquisition activities" - Apr 2, 2012
http://kibomining.com/uf/RNS%20Announcement%20-%20Kibo%20MEL…

[Popeye82]

Antwort auf Beitrag Nr.: 42.964.242 von Popeye82 am 27.03.12 23:49:44

Mining Summary - LC - Apr 2, 2012
http://minesite.com/media/pub/var/release_downloadable_file/…

[Popeye82]

Taseko Mines - Announces a 170% Resource Increase +Upgrade, @Aley; makes Aley the largest undeveloped niobium project in the world ; @a 0.2% Nb2O5 cutoff, the Measured +Indicated Resource is 286.000.000 tonnes with an average grade of 0.37% Nb2O5 plus 144.000.000 tonnes of Inferred Resource with an average grade of 0.32% Nb2O5. This represents a total resource tonnage increase of 170% from the NI43-101 compliant Inferred Resource released in the September ´11 technical report; combined Measured +Indicated Resource contains 739.000.000 kilograms of Niobium. An additional 323.000.000 kilograms of Niobium are contained in the Inferred Resource; Russell Hallbauer: "Confirming a Measured +Indicated Resource provides additional confidence that the deposit will support a long life, low cost mine. The contained kilograms of niobium make Aley the largest undeveloped niobium project in the world, +we anticipate completing our metallurgical work +finalizing the feasibility study to allow for an early ´13 investment decision" - Mar 28, 2012
www.tasekomines.com/news-and-events/taseko-announces-a-170-r…

[Popeye82]

Quantum Rare Earth Developments - Reports Significant Update to Resource Estimate, @the Elk Creek Niobium Deposit, Nebraska; P. Dickie: "The addition of a substantially higher-grade indicated Mineral Resource "gives us confidence in our continued development efforts of this very large AND high grade niobium deposit" "; "Potentially one of the "largest global resources of niobium +rare-earth elements", according to USGS " - Apr 2, 2012

+ Addition of higher grade indicated status tonnage of 19.300.000 t grading 0.67% Nb2O5,

+ An increase in inferred status tonnage +grade from the previous resource estimate(News Release dated April 28, ´11); from 80.100.000 t grading 0.62% Nb2O5 to 83.300.000 t grading 0.63% Nb2O5. ...
www.marketwire.com/press-release/quantum-rare-earth-developm…

[Popeye82]

Mag Copper - Announces Completion of Mineral Resource Estimate, on Magusi River Deposit: 1.309.000 tonnes @1.99% copper, 4.12% zinc, 42.8g/t Ag &1.27g/t Au &355.000 tonnes @3.41% copper, 0.39% zinc, 24.2g/t Ag &0.26g/t I/I Au - Mar 30, 2012
http://magcopper.com/news/Mar%2030-12-Magusi%20Resource%20Es…

[Popeye82]

Royal Resources - Razorback Iron Project Update; Marcus Flis: "This drilling campaign is likely to be the last resource definition drilling campaign in support of the Pre-Feasibility Study. Sufficient resources will have been outlined to support a development on the Red Dragon Project @Razorback. Royal is currently seeking a partner for this development. The Ironback Hill Prospect on the Pualco Project will be kept as a 2nd, independent development. While bad weather has delayed our drilling by up to eight weeks, that additional time has been used very effectively in undertaking additional metallurgical testwork in support of the PFS" - Apr 2, 2012

+ ~21.000 metres of RC +diamond drilling now completed @Ironback Hill a+azorback Ridge Prospects from PhaseIII drilling

+ Current drilling program of both Prospects has an exploration target of a combined 1.200.000.000 to 2.000.000.000 tonnes @20% -45% Fe1

+ Re-interpretation of Razorback Ridge has defined a new potential ore horizon below the currently defined Resource

+ Major upgrade to the Razorback Ridge resource will be finalised this Quarter

+ Maiden Resource for Ironback Hill will be calculated this Quarter also

+ Geotechnical +metallurgical drilling underway @Razorback Ridge

+ Successful metallurgical testing has proven recoverability of haematite ...
www.royalresources.com.au/documents/120402%20Razorback%20Iro…

[Popeye82]

Jacka Resources - farms in to Somaliland block - Apr 2, 2012

+ Jacka to acquire initial 50% interest and be Operator

+ The Block encloses some 22.000km2 with natural oil seeps within the block

+ A working petroleum system demonstrated by nine independently verified oil seeps

+ On trend with the prolific producing basins of Yemen estimated to contain up to 9.800.000.000 barrels of oil equivalent

+ JV partner in the block, Petrosoma, has an established in-country office +team which will provide immediate operational capability to the Joint Venture. An aggressive work program is scheduled, starting with acquisition of a comprehensive gravity +magnetics dataset in the 2nd quarter of ´12.

+ The entire East African region is the subject of an increasingly strong +competitive industry focus with companies such as BG, Ophir, ENI, Africa Oil, Anadarko, Total, CNOOC +others taking positions, along with wells being drilled or planned in the neighbouring basins of the Dharoor +Nugaal

+ Jacka increases East African oil footprint ...
http://stocknessmonster.com/news-item?S=JKA&E=ASX&N=584241

[Popeye82]

Probe Mines - Announces Significant Improvement +Expansion of the Borden Lake Gold Zone: 44% Increase in Global Resource Estimate +New Pit-Constrained +High-Grade Resource Estimates: 5.847.000 Ounces @0.69g/t I/I - Apr 2, 2012

+ Borden Lake gold zone estimated to contain a Global Indicated Resource of 4.051.000 ounces of gold averaging 0.71 g/t gold +an additional Inferred Resource of 1.796.000 ounces of gold averaging 0.62 g/t gold, @a 0.3 g/t cut-off grade;

+ Borden Lake gold zone estimated to contain a Pit Constrained Indicated Resource of 2.735.000 ounces of gold averaging 1.04 g/t gold +an additional Inferred Resource of 683.000 ounces of gold averaging 0.93 g/t gold, @a 0.6 g/t cut-off grade;

+ Borden Lake gold zone estimated to contain a distinct, higher-grade zone with an Indicated Resource of 1.498.000 ounces of gold averaging 1.46 g/t gold +an additional Inferred Resource of 407.000 ounces of gold averaging 1.30 g/t gold, @a 1.0 g/t cut-off grade;

+ Increase of 1228% in the Indicated category from the Initial Global Resource Estimate, from 305.000 ounces to 4.051.000 ounces of gold, @a 0.3 g/t cut-off grade. Indicated average grades consistently higher as compared to Inferred average grades;

+ Overall increase of 44% in total contained ounces of gold from the Initial Global Resource Estimate, @a 0.3 g/t cut-off grade;

+ The Borden Lake zone also contains a resource of 3.820.000 ounces of silver in the Indicated category, +1.960.000 ounces of silver in the inferred category, @a 0.3 g/t gold cut-off grade. ...
www.probemines.com/s/News_Releases.asp?ReportID=516213&_Type…

[Popeye82]

New Millennium Iron - Drilling Results for Lac Ritchie Property Increase Resource Estimate by 3.300.000.000 Tonnes, +1.437.000.000 tonnes of Inferred Mineral Resources; Dean Journeaux: "We are very pleased +excited by these results as they provide even more compelling evidence that our Lac Ritchie site holds tremendous potential that rivals our KéMag and LabMag deposits. While our priority is to work diligently with Tata Steel to bring our DSO project to production by the end of the year +to complete the Taconite Project feasibility study, "these findings confirm that more opportunities also lie ahead . The continued growth of our resource base +exploration work further strengthens our longer term plans" " - Apr 2, 2012
www.nmliron.com/data/attribute/upload/NR1211.pdf

[Popeye82]

Rogue Iron Ore - Intersects 318 Meters of 40% Total Iron +308 Meters of 40% Total Iron; S. d. Jong: "These are exciting results as they give further credibility to our historical model as well as its potential @depth. Our primary focus continues to be to define a resource using historical work to help guide exploration. Rogue is unlike any other iron exploration/development company in Canada, in that it is not burdened with infrastructure constraints. Along with power, water +the advantage of a highly skilled labor force an hour's drive away, Radio Hill has direct rail access to both the North American steel market +a deep sea port " - Apr 3, 2012

+ Hole 22 Includes High Grade Zone of 183 Meters of 45% Total Iron +39% DTWR

+ Hole 24 Shows Mineralisation Open @Depth -NOT Tested in Historical Drilling

+ 31 Holes; 7.828 Meters Completed of 10.000 Meter Drill Program -Results Pending on 2.859 Meters

+ On-Site Infrastructure Includes CN Railway Mainline, Provincial Highway, Power +Water

+ Key Company milestones expected in the near term are:

- Ongoing results from drilling at Radio Hill Iron Project[/u]
- Completion of Radio Hill resource estimate
- Announcement of JVs or other partnerships on non-core assets
- Appointment of key personnel to technical and management teams ...
www.rogueiron.com/s/news.asp?ReportID=516528
http://media3.marketwire.com/docs/RH_Plan.pdf
http://media3.marketwire.com/docs/RH_Cross.pdf
http://file.marketwire.com/release/rrs403_NR.pdf

[Popeye82]

NEVADO Resources - Prospecting Results "Confirm the Strong Iron Potential of its Properties Near Fermont "; M. Curtis: "This 1st phase of our program was a real success as it allowed us to confirm the strong iron potential of our properties +identify multiple targets worth exploring. Winter weather conditions however prevented our exploration crew from assessing the potential of all our properties, including the Lac Witch +Lac Carheil sectors in the Fermont claim block. The Company plans to assess these properties this summer, along with a more thorough investigation of the Mont-Merry, Lac Crocodile, Lac Pack +Lac Chaleur sectors in the Fire Lake North block. "We believe that these properties constitute a highly prospective addition to our flagship La Blache project" "; claims comprise three major blocks contiguous to, or proximal to iron producers ArcelorMittal Mines +Cliffs Natural Resources, as well as Champion Minerals' Fire Lake North project - Apr 3, 2012
www.marketwire.com/press-release/nevado-prospecting-results-…

[Popeye82]

"Mining Stocks to Watch in ´12", P I/II - MF - Apr 2, 2012
www.miningfeeds.com/2012/04/02/5-mining-stocks-to-watch-in-2…
www.miningfeeds.com/2012/04/02/5-mining-stocks-to-watch-in-2…

[Popeye82]

Mining Summary - LC - Apr 3, 2012
http://minesite.com/media/pub/var/release_downloadable_file/…

[Popeye82]

Segue Resources - Maiden Resource, @Emang Manganese Project; S. Michael: "Segue commenced drilling @the Emang Manganese Project in September ´11 +to achieve a maiden JORC resource within six months is a fantastic result for the team involved. The inferred resource of 14.000.000 t @25% Mn +12% Fe is @the top end of our expectations +covers only 20% of the prospecting right area. More importantly, the high grade resource could produce direct shipping ore @500.000 tonnes/anno for over seven(7) years" - Apr 3, 2012

+ Maiden JORC-compliant inferred resource @Emang of 13.900.000 tonnes @24.6% Mn +11.5% Fe

+ High grade inferred resource of 3.700.000 tonnes @33.9% Mn +11.3% Fe

+ Majority of the resource is within 50m of surface +outcrop extends for 1km

+ While <20% of the prospecting right area has been explored, the maiden inferred resource @the Emang Manganese Project is already larger +higher grade than many other manganese deposits in Africa +Australia. In addition, "the Project’s close proximity to rail, water +electricity should enable a rapid +low capital mine development "

+ Metallurgical testwork confirms potential to significantly upgrade manganese mineralisation

+ The next stage of exploration +evaluation @the Project will include:

- A detailed geophysical programme to identify high priority targets for the next phase of drilling;
- Extensional drilling between the resource areas to increase the overall resource size +in-fill drilling of the existing resource to establish a maiden measured +/or indicated resource;
- Commence a scoping study to better define the project parameters, including mining rate, plant size, processing method +infrastructure requirements; +
- Assessing the product quality requirements of various manganese ore customers. ...
http://stocknessmonster.com/news-item?S=SEG&E=ASX&N=584441

[Popeye82]

Tangiers Petroleum - unveils 218.000.000 barrel resource estimate, for Australian oil play - Apr 3, 2012

+ Competent Persons Report completed on Tangiers’ Milligans Fan oil play in the Bonaparte Basin Permit Areas WA-442-P +NT/P81 by ISIS Petroleum Consultants.

+ Significant oil potential confirmed in 14 identified leads, 8 of which are structural traps with 6 being a combination structural/stratigraphic in nature.

+ The Milligans Formation has been intersected in previous offshore wells which confirmed the presence of an active petroleum system including oil recovery in Turtle-2 +oil +gas recovery in Barnett-2.

+ Portfolio contains a combined gross mean unrisked oil in place(STOIIP) of 683.000.000 barrels of oil with a high case of 1.489.000.000 barrels of oil in place.

+ Gross mean unrisked Prospective Resources are estimated to be 218.000.000 barrels of oil with the high side case of 505.000.000 barrels of oil. ...
http://clients2.weblink.com.au/clients/tangierspetroleum/arc…

[Popeye82]

Oceanic Iron Ore - Hopes Advance Project "In-Pit" Measured +Indicated Iron Resource Increases by 250% -to 1.268.000.000 Tonnes; S. Dean: "The updated in - pit resource estimate increases both the size +quality of the resource base @Hopes Advance +supports the case that the Company could produce the "optimal" case production of 20.000.000 tonnes/anno over a mine life of almost 25 years as described in the Company's Preliminary Economic Assessment from November ´11*. With an updated measured +indicated in pit resource that has increased over 250% since the date of our original resource estimate, Hopes Advance would be ranked as one of the largest producers globally , not including both the potential to further extend the resource base in key deposits @Hopes Advance + further additional tonnage suggested through the historic resource work done in the Roberts Lake +Morgan Lake project areas" - Apr 2, 2012

In-Pit Mineral Resources:

+ 1.268.000.000 tonnes of measured +indicated in-pit resource @32.3 % total iron with a 38.7 % crude to concentrate weight recovery @a total iron cut-off of 25% increasing the resource by 250% above the November ´11 published resource

+ 720.700.000 tonnes of measured in-pit resource @32.4 % total iron with a 38.8 % crude to concentrate weight recovery @a total iron cut-off of 25%

+ 547.500.000 tonnes of indicated in-pit resource @32.3 % total iron with a 38.6 % crude to concentrate weight recovery @a total iron cut-off of 25%

+ 193.400.000 tonnes of inferred in-pit resource @32.9 % total iron with a 38.8 % crude to concentrate weight recovery @a total iron cut-off of 25%

+ Updated resource is based on 67 twinned +43 exploration step - out holes drilled between March +October ´11

+ Results from step-out holes suggest that mineralization extends in a number of deposit areas, in particular Castle Mountain, Iron Valley +Bay Zone.

+ Represents a substantial increase in volume +confidence in quality of Hopes Advance resource when compared to initial resource estimate published in November ´11 ...
http://oceanicironore.com/_resources/news/nr_2012_04_02.pdf

[Popeye82]

Argex Mining - &PPG, the world’s leading coatings +specialty products company , Announce Agreement For Titanium Dioxide Collaboration, to develop +optimize PPG’s technology for Titanium Dioxide(TiO2) pigment for paints +coatings applications to be produced by Argex, intended to make Argex’s TiO2 pigment compatible with various end-use applications for PPG. Terms were not disclosed; Agreement provides for the negotiation of a purchase +supply agreement between Argex +PPG based on the successful development of the treatment technologies. Both companies have agreed to certain terms of mutual exclusivity during the negotiation period; Charles F. Kahle II: "PPG +Argex plan to combine efforts with the goal of developing a titanium dioxide product that can meet conventional standards for interior +exterior paint applications. This strategic initiative offers PPG the opportunity to leverage our expertise +secure an enhanced supply of this critical raw material. Volatile pricing for titanium dioxide continues to be an important issue for the company", R. Bonnell: "PPG’s decision to collaborate closely with Argex as both a technical +commercial partner is a further validation of our process +the suitability of the Argex TiO2 pigment for commercial use. PPG’s involvement will assist Argex greatly in our stated goal to advance rapidly to production" - Apr 3, 2012
www.argex.ca/documents/ARGEXnewsreleaserePPG%20Eng%20Final%2…

[Popeye82]

Potash West NL - Drilling Identifies Targets Over 140km within Dandaragan, Company "has a major land holding over one of the world’s largest known glauconite deposits " ; P. McManus: "These results confirm the widespread nature of the potassium mineralisation throughout the Dandaragan Trough. With several target areas to drill out, the Company is on track to achieve its target of proving up a 50.000.000 to 75.000.000 tonne JORC compliant resource by September ´12" - Apr 3, 2012

+ 153 drill holes for 8.300m

+ Ten highly prospective target zones identified over 140km of tenement holdings

+ Selected intersections include

- PWAC133, 34m @4.21% K2O from 2m
inc 24m @4.83% K2O from 4m

- PWAC100, 18m @4.39% K2O from 32m

- PWAC142, 14m @3.99% K2O from 8m

- PWAC030, 38m @3.05% K2O from 4m


+ Target areas generated over almost the entire extent of company’s tenements(2.900km2 )

+ Grid drilling within target zones planned for next quarter

+ JORC Resource targeted for September ´12 ...
www.potashwest.com.au/UserFiles/03042012.pdf

[Popeye82]

El Nino Ventures - Announces Additional High Grade Zinc, Lead +Silver Over Broad Intervals, @the Murray Brook Deposit, Bathurst Mining Camp; objective is to search for covered giant VMS deposits that might occur @depths of up to 150 metres. The area is located between the Murray Brook massive sulfide deposit, which with historic(NOT NI43‐101 compliant) resources @25.000.000 tonnes, was the 5th largest in the Bathurst Mining Camp(BMC), +the nearby Caribou deposit with total historic resources estimated @65.000.000 tonnes which is considered to be the 2nd largest in the BMC - Jan 23, 2012

+ Significant drill results; including:

- 7.23% zinc, 2.77% lead, 0.61 gpt gold +103.3 gpt silver over 87.7 metres in MB‐2011‐57

- 5.61% zinc, 2.33% lead, 0.71 gpt gold +77.7 gpt silver over 72.2 metres in MB‐2011‐52

- 4.98% zinc, 1.89% lead, 0.91 gpt gold +79.9 gpt silver over 71.6 metres in MB‐2011‐63


+ The Murray Brook deposit remains open to the northwest +there is excellent potential to add additional resources with continued drilling.

+ An NI43‐101 mineral resource estimate is slated for completion in the 1st quarter of ´12

+ $ 3.000.000 budgeted in ´12 for drilling +exploration ...
www.elninoventures.com/i/pdf/012312ELN.pdf

[Popeye82]

Antwort auf Beitrag Nr.: 42.998.268 von Popeye82 am 03.04.12 23:29:23

El Niño Ventures Inc. Announces an Initial NI 43-101 Mineral Resource Estimate for the Murray Brook Zn-Cu-Pb-Ag-Au Deposit, Bathurst Mining Camp, NB - Feb 28, 2012

+ Measured +Indicated Resources

- 18.684.000 tonnes grading 2.61% zinc, 0.95% lead, 0.42% copper, 39.3 gpt silver +0.51 gpt gold @a $20 per tonne NSR*cut‐off


+ Inferred Resources

- 3.021.000 tonnes grading 1.83% zinc, 0.75 % lead, 0.62% copper , 35.0 gpt silver +0.75 gpt gold @a $20 per tonne NSR cut‐off


+ The Murray Brook deposit remains open to the northwest +there is potential to increase the size of the resource with continued drilling

+ $3.000.000 budgeted in ´12 for infill drilling +exploration ...
www.elninoventures.com/i/pdf/022812ELN.pdf

[Popeye82]

International Coal - Maiden JORC resource of ICX’s South Blackall Project –EPC2197 - Apr 4, 2012

+ ICX confirm a JORC compliant Inferred Thermal Coal Resource @EPC2197 of 728.000.000 tonnes <1 year after listing on ASX

+ Average cumulative seams of 13.93metres achieved –Moultrie’s Independent Exploration Target(8.000.000.000 -9.000.000.000 Tonnes) had previously predicted that the average cumulative seam would be 10metres

+ <15% of EPC2197 has been drilled to date to achieve this substantial inferred resource

+ Planning for another drill programme is underway in order to significantly increase this inferred resource number

+ ICX holds an additional 8.000 km2 of tenements under application adjacent to EPC2197 –drilling to date has covered <1.2% of our potential landholding in the Eromanga Basin

+ ICX is well placed to be a leading developer of coal resources in the emerging +exciting Eromanga Basin region

+ ICX is leading discussions in relation to infrastructure opportunities for the region

+ Core obtained from diamond hole drilling is currently being analysed ...
http://clients2.weblink.com.au/clients/intercoal/article.asp…

[Popeye82]

Redstone Resources - Significant Copper Exploration Target, @Tollu Project - Apr 4, 2012

+ Assay results from drill hole TC80 have extended the depth from surface of known Cu mineralisation in Central Zone from 200 -220 metres to 379 metres.

+ TC80 has returned 11.25m @3.1% Cu from 367.75m to 379m, including 5.2m @5.4%.

+ The mineralisation remains open @depth.

+ This represents an ~70% increase in mineralisation.

+ The Exploration Target1 for the Central Zone(SubzoneI), is estimated to be between 5.800.000 +6.200.000 tonnes of copper mineralisation @an expected grade of between 2.6 -2.8% Cu, for between 150.000 and 170.000 tonnes of contained copper. ...
http://stocknessmonster.com/news-item?S=RDS&E=ASX&N=584630

[Popeye82]

Phosphagenics - Signs Agreement with Japanese Pharmaceutical Company - Mar 5, 2012
www.phosphagenics.com/site/DefaultSite/filesystem/documents/…


Korean Distribution Agreement for BioElixia - Mar 15, 2012
www.phosphagenics.com/site/DefaultSite/filesystem/documents/…


Phosphagenics Signs License Agreement with Intas Pharmaceuticals, 12th largest pharmaceutical company in the Indian market - Apr 4, 2012
www.phosphagenics.com/site/DefaultSite/filesystem/documents/…

[Popeye82]

Encanto Potash - Quadruples Its Land Package In Saskatchewan, With The Help Of The Local 1st Nations - Feb 2, 2012
www.encantopotash.com/english/news/default.aspx?item=69



Encanto announces significantly increased potash resource; James Walchuck: "By increasing the Measured +Indicated resources to 130.700.000 tonnes(+64%) +the Inferred resources to 234.700.000 tonnes(+290%) we have clearly established a substantial deposit on the Muskowekwan property. With our partner, Muskowekwan 1st Nation, we look forward to progressing this project into the 1st potash mine on 1st Nations' land. Clearly this is another significant milestone achievement for Encanto" - Mar 26, 2012

+ Measured Resource: 272.600.000 t in place sylvinite grading 29.6% KCl or 18.7% K2O(26.900.000 t of recoverable KCl, or 17.000.000 t of recoverable K2O) +

+ Indicated Resource: 1.049.300.000 t in place sylvinite grading 29.7% KCl or 18.8% K2O(103.800.000 t of recoverable KCl, or 65.600.000 t recoverable K2O) +

+ Inferred Resource: 2.496.400.000 t in place sylvinite grading 28.3% KCl or 17.9% K2O(234.700.000 t of recoverable KCl, or 148.300.000 t of recoverable K2O). ...
www.encantopotash.com/english/news/default.aspx?item=72

[Popeye82]

Mining Summary - LC - Apr 4, 2012
http://minesite.com/media/pub/var/release_downloadable_file/…

[Popeye82]

Energizer Resources - Adds Molo Zone to Green Giant Project -Intersects 108m of Graphite in Drill Core Grading 8.80%C, Including 49m of 10.09%C; Based on these results, in conjunction with the previously released assay results from the Fotsy +Fondrana zones, +the metallurgical confirmation of jumbo flake graphite with over 90% purity, the Company is beginning to define a new graphite camp in southern Madagascar -The identification of 17 graphite trends, with a cumulative strike length in excess of 320 km , on the 100% owned Green Giant property +75% owned Joint Venture properties, have validated the Company's belief that the Green Giant Project has the potential to host a potential graphite camp, with multiple zones - Apr 4, 2012
www.energizerresources.com/component/content/article/150-201…

[Popeye82]

Advanced Explorations - Collaborates with Government of Nunavut on Alternative Power Solutions; Company continues to study energy sources for use @its Roche Bay +Tuktu iron ore projects located on the east coast of the Melville Peninsula, in Nunavut, Canada. The Company believes the application of alternative energy sources can supply power +reduce its operating costs for the future mine +allow potential production expansions; Throughout the Arctic, communities +the economy rely exclusively on electricity generated from diesel fuel. With development of the Roche Bay project the use of more alternative power generation options is becoming increasingly attractive. The near shore location of the mine, coupled with access to a deep water port provides strategic partnership opportunities to fully leverage these advantages into a regionally based, alternative energy program. This approach would provide substantial benefits to the Roche Bay project +its surrounding communities. It could also have the potential to serve as a regional hub for Nunavut in producing cleaner, <expensive + >commercially sustainable power generation over the longer term; Company engaged Tetra Tech Wardrop("Tetra Tech"), to prepare a PhaseI report that assesses the technical and economic merits of alternative energy systems when compared to arctic diesel. The development of alternative power sources is of real interest to the Government of Nunavut, +as such the parties have agreed to collaborate +share any intellectual property generated from this work; J. Gingerich: "The implementation of a sustainable, reliable +cost-effective power source for Canada's North is the KEY to unlocking its "true value" +to facilitate economic +social development @a broader scale. We are very pleased to work together with the Government of Nunavut in moving forward with this vision. Our team has successfully worked on implementing a plan for an alternative power solution, +we believe that the potential savings in capital +operating cost or our mining projects will play a key part on our way to becoming a cost-competitive producer in the iron ore space" - Apr 3, 2012
www.advanced-exploration.com/newsroom/press/April0312.html

[Popeye82]

Kivalliq Energy - Commences 35.000 Metre Drill Program, @Angilak Property; aggressive plans for ´12 will investigate multiple uranium targets discovered or advanced by the Company's ´10 +´11 prospecting +geophysical surveying programs, +build on the recently announced Lac Cinquante inferred resource of 27.130.000 pounds @0.69% U3O8; J. Ward: "After nearly doubling the Lac Cinquante mineral resource in ´11, we are excited to return to Angilak to execute our ´12 exploration goals. Drilling is intended to expand Lac Cinquante along strike +to depth; test targets on parallel conductors; +demonstrate potential for multiple uranium deposits elsewhere on the Angilak Property" - Apr 4, 2012
www.kivalliqenergy.com/news/index.php?&content_id=180

[Popeye82]

International cooperation in nuclear security; A recent nuclear security summit in Seoul focused on the need for countries to work together to strengthen nuclear security, reduce the threat of nuclear terrorism, +prevent the acquisition of nuclear materials by "terrorists, criminals, or other unauthorized actors"; Addressing an audience @Hankuk University, US President Barack Obama commented positively on civil nuclear power, stating, "let's never forget the astonishing benefits that nuclear technology has brought to our lives." Explaining that improvements in nuclear security will enhance the practical utility of nuclear energy, he said, "in the United States, we've restarted our nuclear industry as part of a comprehensive strategy to develop every energy source. We supported the 1st new nuclear power plant in three decades. We're investing in innovative technologies so we can build the next generation of safe, clean nuclear power plants. And we're training the next generation of scientists +engineers who are going to unlock new technologies to carry us forward", Paul Ingram, Executive Director of the British American Security Information Council, told Uranium Investing News that advancements were made @the conference, commenting, "real progress was made in Seoul in the specific announcements around locking down materials +activities that present security vulnerabilities, with a particular focus on highly-enriched uranium, but more importantly in giving political priority to a cooperative global approach to the problem" - U3O8.biz - Apr 4, 2012

- D. Brown -
www.u3o8.biz/s/MarketCommentary.asp?ReportID=517105&_Type=Ma…

[Popeye82]

North Country Gold - Announces Significant Increase In Three Bluffs Resource; 240% increase in inferred ounces, 34% increase in indicated ounces -to 4.300.000 tonnes grading 4.90 g/t for 678.000 ounces +4.530.000 tonnes grading 5.69 g/t for 829.000 ounces I/I; J. Williamson: "The updated resource model marks a major milestone for the Three Bluffs Project with the new resource essentially doubling since the last estimate completed in early ´09. This new estimate "continues to underpin our belief that we are delineating a significant gold deposit with multi-million ounce potential @high grades." North Country's phaseI 12.000 metre expansion program has commenced, specifically targeting high grade zones to depth on the main Three Bluffs trend" - Apr 4, 2012
http://northcountrygold.com/_resources/news/20120404.pdf

[Popeye82]

"Ahead Of The Herd With Sernova" - AotH - Apr12

- R. Mills -
http://aheadoftheherd.com/Newsletter/2012/Ahead-Of-The-Herd-…

[Popeye82]

Exoma Energy - Extensive ´12 Exploration Program - Mar 29, 2012

+ Up to 22 wells in ´12

+ Drilling program expected to begin in April targeting:

- Coal Seam Gas 31 TCF in 7 Prospects;

- Conventional Oil in Place 80.000.000 -280.000.000 Barrels @Katherine Prospects;

- Shale Oil &Gas Prospects to be tested >20.000km2 ...
www.exoma.net/media/pdf/120329_EXE_ASX_Ops_Update1.pdf

[Popeye82]

Twiggy +Palmer buy up juniors ; Mining magnates Clive Palmer +Andrew Forrest have made small investments in two junior resources companies - MA - Apr 4, 2012

- A. Duffy -
www.miningaustralia.com.au/news/twiggy-and-palmer-buy-up-jun…

[Popeye82]

Mining Summary - LC - Apr 4, 2012
http://minesite.com/media/pub/var/release_downloadable_file/…

[Popeye82]

Beaufield Resources - Reports ´12 Plans, for Schefferville +Troilus-Tortigny Properties - Apr 4, 2012
www.beaufield.com/investors/press-releases/details.aspx?id=7…

[Popeye82]

"Graphite –time to sharpen your pencils" - CC, JMW - Apr 4, 2012

- Wendell Zerb, Nicholas Campbell, Gabriel Gonzalez, Chris Lerch +Iris Varga -
http://graphitestocksblog.agoracom.com/wp-content/uploads/20…

[Popeye82]

MagIndustries - Announces Signing of Engineering Design Contract for Mengo Project +Exploration Well Drilling - Apr 4, 2012
www.magindustries.com/news.aspx?newsid=89&pageid=3

[Popeye82]

New process opens way for full-spectrum platinum beneficiation; The Kell Process, which slashes electricity consumption by eliminating the power-guzzling smelting step in the processing of platinum-group metals(PGMs), also opens the way for full-spectrum platinum beneficiation, including the facilitation of fuel cell +autocatalytic converter manufacture. Liddell Associates Keith Liddell tells Mining Weekly Online in a video interview(see attached) that Kell’s hydrometallurgical process leaches the PGMs out of the concentrate - MW, JOHANNESBURG - Apr 5, 2012

- M. Creamer -
www.miningweekly.com/article/new-process-opens-way-for-full-…

[Popeye82]

Curis secures $40.000.000 loan - MW, TORONTO - Apr 6, 2012

- M. Hill -
www.miningweekly.com/article/curis-secures-40m-loan-2012-04-…
www.curisresources.com/s/NewsReleases.asp?ReportID=517286&_T…

"Canadian copper junior Curis Resources has struck a deal with Red Kite to borrow $40.000.000 to fund the 1st phase of its in-situ leaching project in Arizona, the TSX-listed company said on Thursday.


Curis also agreed to provide Red Kite with up to 30% of the Florence project’s production under an off take agreement structured @market prices.

“This strategic investment in the future of Florence Copper with Red Kite represents a key milestone towards delivering on our objective of financing this world class next generation copper project with minimal dilution to shareholders,” CEO Michael McPhie said in a statement.

The loan will be convertible into Curis shares, +will have an interest rate of the London interbank rate plus 8%, +matures in two years from closing, the company said.

The Vancouver-based firm aims to start building the 1st phase of the Florence project in the 3rd quarter, with the wells+a solvent-extraction electro-winning plant expected to cost ~$238.000.000.

Curis plans on extracting the copper using in-situ leaching, a process whereby it pumps a weak acid into the orebody through wells, which dissolves the metal, to be pumped back up to surface where Curis will treat the solution @the plant to produce copper cathode. "

[Popeye82]

Schmerzhaftes Oster-Ritual -Philippinische Dorfbewohner lassen sich ans Kreuz nageln - W - Apr 8, 2012
http://web.de/magazine/lifestyle/leben/15130790-schmerzhafte…

[Popeye82]

Gold Resource - 1st Quarter Production sets Record, with 53% Increase - Apr 9, 2012
www.goldresourcecorp.com/releases/GRC-2012-04-09-1.pdf

[Popeye82]

Exalt to enter Indonesian Coal Industry - AI - 5-Apr-2012
www.australianinvestor.com.au/news.asp?id=42593
http://stocknessmonster.com/news-item?S=ERD&E=ASX&N=674133

"Exalt Resources Limited have said on Thursday that it has signed a Term Sheet which gives Exalt exclusive rights to investigate +negotiate the acquisition of 100% of the issued capital of Odni Holdings(Pte.) Ltd(“ODNI”) a Singapore incorporated coal investment company(“Proposed Transaction”).

ODNI has secured the rights to acquire an interest in a number of prospective coal mining projects in the Kalimantan, Sumatra +West Papua regions of Indonesia. ODNI’s aim is to build a substantial diverse portfolio of Indonesian coal assets encompassing the following key parameters:

+ Projects in an early stage exploration phase through to producing coal assets;

+ A range of coal types including low to high grade thermal coal +coking coal suitable for both domestic +export markets;

+ Concession areas spread across multiple Indonesian geographies, which are close to key infrastructure; +

+ Projects supported by strong local partners.


"With well-established export +domestic markets, +competitive transport costs, "the Company is confident of the opportunities to be found in Indonesia". The rights acquired offer the ability for Exalt to apply International/Australian capital to further delineate +develop the coal mining opportunities identified by ODNI, +attract 1st class international management expertise to maximise their potential." "

[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 12, 2012
http://news.tigray.ca/press-releases/tigray-drills-73-8-metr…
http://media3.marketwire.com/docs/TIG_drill_collar_location_…


Tigray Drills 21 Metres of 5.7% Copper, 1.5 g/t Gold +18 g/t Silver @the Harvest Project in Ethiopia -Extends Mineralization @Depth - Jan 16, 2012
http://news.tigray.ca/press-releases/tigray-drills-21-metres…
http://media3.marketwire.com/docs/TIG16_F1-2.pdf


Tigray Commences Drilling on the Mayshehagne VMS Prospect - Jan 25, 2012
http://news.tigray.ca/press-releases/tigray-commences-drilli…


Tigray Drills 40.5 Metres of 3.24% Copper, 1.2 g/t Gold, 25 g/t Silver +1.19% Zinc, @the Harvest Project in Ethiopia - Feb 6, 2012
http://news.tigray.ca/press-releases/tigray-drills-40-5-metr…
http://media3.marketwire.com/docs/tig206_F1-2.pdf


Tigray Drills 28.95 Metres of 2.99% Copper, 0.83 g/t Gold, 23 g/t Silver +3.56% Zinc in the Primary Zone; 8.8 Metres of 9.19 g/t Gold +78 g/t Silver in the Oxide Zone, @Harvest Project - Feb 27, 2012
http://news.tigray.ca/press-releases/tigray-drills-28-95-met…
http://media3.marketwire.com/docs/tig227.pdf


Tigray Intersects 20.7 Metres @4.97% Copper, 1.1 g/t Gold, 31 g/t Silver +8.24% Zinc, @Mayshehagne, 3.3 Kilometres South of Terakimti, @the Harvest Project; discovery of this high-grade zone of massive sulfide has increased the prospectivity of several other regional targets defined by airborne EM along strike ~7 +12 kilometres to the east-northeast of Mayshehagne - Mar 12, 2012
http://news.tigray.ca/press-releases/tigray-intersects-20-7-…
http://media3.marketwire.com/docs/TIG_MAPS.pdf


Tigray Drills 31.75 Metres of 1.84% Copper, 0.83 Grams/Tonne Gold, 17 Grams/Tonne Silver +7.03% Zinc, @Terakimti Prospect, Harvest Project, Ethiopia; Planned PhaseII drilling will test the down dip extensions of the system, with 7.500 metres of drilling to depths of up to 500 metres. A helicopter VTEM(electromagnetic, magnetic +radiometric) survey will be completed to test 15 kilometres along strike of Terakimti, +the more recent Mayshehagne discovery, in order to expedite regional targeting along these two trends; Numerous targets in the area remain to be tested, including a gravity-resistivity target on the northern strike extension of the system, the down-plunge extensions of all lenses, +the northern copper-lead anomaly located 500 metres north of the Terakimti VMS discovery - Apr 2, 2012
http://news.tigray.ca/press-releases/tigray-drills-31-75-met…
http://media3.marketwire.com/docs/tig402_F1-2.pdf

[Popeye82]

Ferrex primed for an exciting 12 months - PAIUK - Mar 26, 2012

- by Ian Lyall -
www.proactiveinvestors.co.uk/companies/news/40720/ferrex-pri…

"The maiden JORC resource on Ferrex’s(LON:FRX) Malelane iron ore deposit in South Africa kicks off a high impact 12 months for the explorer as it sails full steam ahead towards becoming a producing, cash generating miner next year.


Malelane, although the most important asset in the portfolio, probably won’t be the 1st into production.

That honour will likely go to Nayega, a low cost manganese project in Togo.

Funds from Nayega will then be used to mitigate the costs of developing Malelane, which is NOT your traditional mine development.

Ferrex has only drilled out 139.000.000 tonnes of JORC inferred resource of the 800.000.000 tonne exploration target, which may NOOOT appear @1st to be substantial enough to support an operation.

However, the advantage it has over its larger +more illustrious peers is infrastructure, being only six kilometres from a rail line +then a further 170 kilometres from the port of Maputo.

This significantly lowers the capital costs of exploiting Malelane, rendering the economics far more attractive.

The current resource makes for a mine life of 20 years @3.000.000 tonnes/year, which could generate a gross profit of US$100.000.000 -US$150.000.000/year, analysts calculate.

Almost 5.000.000 tonnes has direct shipping potential, while a further 50.900.000 is what is known as bBSO , or beneficiate before shipping ore.

This is higher grade than typical run of mine ore, +may only require some crushing +concentration before being sent for export.

Even with this additional expense, the start-up costs of Malelane are going to be a fraction of those associated with the huge stranded deposits of in other parts of Africa.

Ferrex will publish a desk-top scoping study early in the 2nd quarter that will give some hint to the project’s economics with a preliminary feasibility study pencilled in for the end of ´12.

The plan is the begin production in ´14. However, the immediate target is to move the resource into a higher confidence category. This will be done via a 3.500 metre infill drilling programme.

So far the group has only drilled 1.1/14 kilometre strike. This is because managing director Dave Reeves +his team want to get Malelane into production as quickly as possible.

“We are resistant to a certain extent to drilling out more,” he said.

“We believe if we put that money into a bankable feasibility study it will be a lot more beneficial +far less dilutive[than drilling].

“If we kept drilling we would be raising more +more[cash]. +while we would see an incremental increase in value, we don’t think it would be nearly as much as delivering a bankable[feasibility study] leading to production.”

The track record of Reeves +his team @Afplats, Zimplats +Chromex shows this Ferrex team is skilled @bringing projects into production(+selling them).

By the end of the year we should have a bankable feasibility study for Nayega. Here the manganese is found as “nodules +fines” embedded in clay, which extends from surface to ~four metres.

This makes it incredibly cheap to extract +develop. Capex might be in the order of ~US$15.000.000 -20.000.000 million, Reeves said.

Production is expected to be in the order of 250.000 tonnes/year, which would generate cash flows of ~US$12.000.000/year @the current depressed price for the metal "+possibly double that figure if manganese prices revert back to more normal levels."

Peer group analysis reveals that Nayega on its own more than justifies company’s current valuation.

As for Malelane, Toronto-listed Northland Resources provides a good proxy for what the Ferrex management might be aiming @.

Alright Northland’s project in northern Sweden is a little larger than that of its AIM-listed rival with 165.000.000 tonnes +is closer to production.

However, Ferrex has a better overall grade +is much closer to the existing rail +port facilities.

The biggest difference is their respective valuations, with Northland worth 1/2 a billion dollars compared with Ferrex’s US$27.000.000.

A recent research note published by the City broker Collins Stewart reckons there is scope for a significant re-rating of the Ferrex share price, which sits @3.3 pence/share.

Setting a price target of 12 pence, analyst John McGloin said: “Ferrex’s approach of seeking projects with the potential for near term production that are well supported by infrastructure +are easy to process minimises capital exposure +costs both @start up +while operating.

“The implication for investors is that they gain exposure to the sector while not suffering large dilutionary events as the assets are brought into production.”

Ferrex’s Reeves added: “To me it is a pretty simple story. You show you can get into production +as you move towards production you show cashflow is going to come from the deposit. This should then be reflected in the share price.” "

[Popeye82]

Pacific Wildcat Resources - Announces Brokered Private Placement: best efforts" PP of subscription receipts(each, a "Subscription Receipt") @an issue price of $0.30/Subscription Receipt to raise gross proceeds of up to $25.000.000; Darren Townsend: "We are extremely pleased to have GMP +Byron leading this financing. This financing will give the Company the funds to complete the acquisition of a 70% indirect interest in the Mrima Hill property +to allow sufficient working capital for an important resource drilling campaign. RC resource drilling continues on site with >3.000 metres of drilling of the current program completed to date with 1st samples currently @the laboratory in Australia. It is the aim of the Company to release its maiden rare earth oxide resource in the 3rd quarter of ´12 with an initial exploration target* for the deposit of between 30.000.000 to 40.000.000 tonnes @grades ranging from 4.0% to 5.0% TREO" - Apr 9, 2012
www.pacificwildcat.com/_content/documents/448.pdf

[Popeye82]

Naturally Advanced Technologies - CRAiLAR to be Evaluated by PVH Corp, one of the largest global apparel companies - Apr 9, 2012
www.naturallyadvanced.com/s/PressReleases.asp?ReportID=51765…

[Popeye82]

XCeed Resources - Moabsvelden Bankable Feasibility Study Results; I. Culbert: "We are delighted to have reached this important milestone in the development of the Company. The study confirms the viability of the project, which when built will provide an outstanding platform for future growth. Importantly, the study shows that the cost of development is realistically achievable, the operating margins are robust +that the coal can be sold @the mine gate" - Apr 9, 2012

+ Completed bankable feasibility study for the Moabsvelden Thermal Coal Project(74% XCD) confirms the project’s attractive economic feasibility.

+ Ungeared Project NPV @12 ½ % A$92.000.000 post tax, IRR 60%.

+ Capital cost of development A$33.000.000 on the basis of owner operator of processing plant +contract mining.

+ EBITDA margin 45%.

+ 15 year mine life producing 666.000 tonnes export quality coal +890.000 tonnes domestic power station/anno.

+ Coal pricing based on expressions of interest received to take coal @the mine gate -liberating the project entirely from rail +port constraints.

+ BOOM financing option received which would reduce capital cost of development -to A$18.000.000 . ...
www.xceedresources.com.au/irm/Company/ShowPage.aspx/PDFs/113…

[Popeye82]

Baobab Resources Plc - Ruoni flats Exploration Target; Ben James: "The Exploration Target not only confirms the Tenge/Ruoni prospect as a standalone deposit, but also underlines the potential for a significantly larger production rate over a significantly longer mine life than that modelled in the ´11 Scoping Study. With the PFS already underway +on schedule, the Company is well positioned to deliver a meaningful flow of news over the coming months as various aspects of the project are systematically de-risked" - Mar 29, 2012

+ Independent consultants have estimated the Exploration Target underlying the Ruoni Flats area @120.000.000 to 260.000.000 tonnes @a head grade of up to 38% Fe.

+ This Exploration Target demonstrates the potential to expand the global resource inventory @Tete -towards ~750.000.000 tonnes(>double the original target, of 300.000.000 tonnes).

+ Pre-Feasibility Study is on schedule with beneficiation testwork well underway +preliminary environmental surveys completed.

+ Resource upgrade twin drilling has commenced @Ruoni South. ...
www.baobabresources.com/files/BAO_AIMRelease20120329TeteExpl…

[Popeye82]

Ovoca Gold - gets exploitation license for Olcha deposit from Russian authorities; The state-certified reserves equal 279.000 ounces of gold @a grade of 13.4 grams/tonne(g/t) +655.000 ounces silver @a grade of 31.6 g/t in the Russian reserve category C1 +C2; Olcha +nearby satellite deposits "have the potential to host a high grade multi-million ounce gold resource", the company said - Apr , 2012
www.ovocagold.com/upload/rns-olcha_exploitation_license.pdf

[Popeye82]

Plant Impact Plc - appoints Agrovista as its exclusive distribution partner for the UK +Ireland, a leading provider of specialist agronomy, business advice +crop protection products to UK agriculture, horticulture +amenity markets +is part of the international Marubeni Corporation; J. Brubaker: "We are delighted to be working with Agrovista to develop the market for InCa in United Kingdom +Ireland. Their experienced team of field agronomists +longstanding relationships with many of the UK’s most professional growers make Agrovista the ideal marketing partner for Plant Impact", J. Lockett: "Agrovista are pleased to be partnering Plant Impact with this novel product range +we have seen outstanding results from using InCa® on key crops. We are delighted to be the exclusive distributor to deliver this innovative technology to professional growers across the UK", A. Aspinall: "This agreement builds upon the successful working relationship that our two companies have developed over a number of seasons. Furthermore, Agrovista is highly capable partner to connect this innovative technology with practical use in the field"; InCa’s® calcium delivery system allows plants to absorb calcium +distribute it to tissues that might otherwise become deficient. It plays an important role in improving the marketable yield +produce quality of high-value crops such as potatoes, brassicas +leafy salad - Feb 3, 2012
www.plantimpact.com/en/home/news-and-insight/latest-news/12-…



Plant Impact appoints Gowan, as its exclusive distributor for InCa® in France; J. Brubaker: "We are excited to have partnered with Gowan as our route to market in France. They have the geographical coverage +technical expertise that is needed to maximise results from InCa® Prim", O. Deneufbourg: "We have been very impressed by the results of trials that we conducted using InCa® Prim on potatoes +I am delighted that we are now the exclusive distributor of this innovative technology in France", S. Garnett: "I am confident that InCa® Prim will fit well in Gowan’s portfolio to deliver yield +quality benefits for potato growers. Furthermore, Gowan is an ideal partner to connect this leading crop enhancement technology with practical use in the field" - Feb 8, 2012
www.plantimpact.com/en/home/news-and-insight/latest-news/12-…



US EPA BugOil® Registration +Trading Update - Apr 5, 2012
www.plantimpact.com/en/home/news-and-insight/latest-news/12-…

[Popeye82]

Universal Coal Plc - Secures Strategic Funding, with one of the world’s largest private financial institutions ; Dr T. Harwood: "Universal is delighted to have Susquehanna on board with us. We believe the structure of the A$12.000.000 converting bond funding negotiated is in the interest of our shareholders, in terms of the conversion schedule +the general terms we have secured. For an emerging developer of coal assets +near term producer, Universal believes "this facility is a new +innovative concept +is NOOOT typical of the terms junior companies are usually able to achieve in challenging equity capital markets " " - Apr 10, 2012

+ A$12.000.000 converting note facility secured with one of the world’s largest private financial institutions

+ Initial note facility of A$7.000.000

+ Facility structured to ensure no immediate dilution to shareholders

+ Facility to be fully converted by the maturity date(7 years)

+ Funds will be used to:

- advance phaseII drilling Berenice-Cygnus coking coal project
- finalise engineering work on the Kangala thermal project, +
- provide the Company with additional working capital ...
http://stocknessmonster.com/news-item?S=UNV&E=ASX&N=585009

[Popeye82]

Pancontinental Oil +Gas NL - Drill Ship Secured for Mbawa Prospect, Offshore Kenya - Apr 9, 2012

+ Kenya Block L8 operator Apache Kenya Limited has secured the drilling ship Deepsea MetroI for the giant Mbawa Prospect

+ Drilling is anticipated to commence in Q3 ´12

+ PCL is funded for a significant part of the well cost under a Farm-Out Agreement with Tullow(PCL retains 15%)

+ Initial drilling of Mbawa Prospect will be on the drill-ready potential 1.000.000.000 barrel- plus L8 Block; estimates that Mbawa has maximum potential to contain 4.900.000.000 Barrels of oil in place @the main Tertiary / Cretaceous level with significant additional potential also to be tested by the well @the deeper Upper Jurassic level +shallower Tertiary levels ...
www.pancon.com.au/investor-centre/asx/2012/reports/100412.pd…

[Popeye82]

ZYL - Debt-Funding Proposals for Mbila +Corporate Update; Ian Benning: "We are pleased with the level of interest received +the competitive nature of the proposals. That the proposals have been received on the back of the Mbila Interim Feasibility Study results highlights the robust economics +strategic significance of the project"; Board is evaluating each proposal "based on the merits of it in terms of ZYL’s objective of becoming a leading anthracite coal producer" - Apr 10, 2012

+ Six debt-funding proposals for Mbila Project development being evaluated

+ Proposals received from both South African +international institutions

+ Proposals for funding range from $45.000.000 to $70.000.000 ...
www.zyllimited.com.au/images/stories/Debt-Funding_Proposals_…

[Popeye82]

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

[Popeye82]

Iron Clad gets approval for Major Port infrastructure facility - AI - 10-Apr-2012
www.australianinvestor.com.au/news.asp?id=42599
www.ironcladmining.com/images/stories/asx-announcements/2012…

"A development application for port facilities designed for iron ore shipments from IronClad Mining Limited’s (ASX: “IFE”) new Wilcherry Hill mine in South Australia has been approved by the South Australian Government.

Today’s Project Development Approval concludes all the processes required for IronClad to commence construction of infrastructure at the existing Lucky Bay port, near the township of Cowell on the coast of the Spencer Gulf, and permits future iron ore exports via the new Eyre Peninsula facilities.

IronClad’s iron ore export facilities – which open up a new multi-user shipping avenue for South Australian exporters – include iron ore storage at the port.

In a “first” for South Australia, IronClad will initially use the Lucky Bay facility to transport iron ore from this port to ships anchored offshore adjacent to the port.

IronClad’s growth plans could potentially upgrade this system to incorporate the innovative concept of a floating harbour, with suitable holding warehouses for the ore, both on land and at sea. Cape-sized vessels with a carrying capacity of up to 150,000 tonnes could then be loaded with iron ore from the floating harbour, which would potentially be owned and operated by IronClad.

IronClad has an agreement with Sea Transport Development SA Pty Ltd (SEATS) for full access rights to the designated 50-hectare port site at Lucky Bay, where it will store and ship iron ore from its Wilcherry Hill and Hercules projects. The Company has a 50-year lease to this facility and the accompanying land within the 50-hectare site.

“We are most appreciative of the South Australian Government’s expeditious approval of this Development Application for another vital piece of SA mining infrastructure,” IronClad Mining Managing Director, Mr Wayne Richards, said today.

“For IronClad, development approval for the port facility finalises the Company’s requirements for an ‘end-to-end’ logistics supply chain for the ore produced from our Wilcherry Hill Project, and has the potential to be expanded to accommodate the ore from our larger Hercules Project currently under review,” he said.

“The port facility will provide an important export point not only for IronClad, but for other potential mining companies and exporters in the region.

“Further, the facility will provide an economic and viable export option (in a timely manner), for the development of our projects, and will stimulate economic growth and employment opportunities within the area.”

Mr Richards said the Company’s transhipment operations would involve the utilisation of a customised motorised feeder barge that will transport the ore from the Lucky Bay loading facilities to the awaiting ships. Future transhipment upgrades will consider the incorporation of a floating harbour facility anchored offshore, or the utilisation of a floating crane. Both designs will significantly increase the ship loading rates whilst reducing port operating charges and barge cycle times”.

“The construction of the first purpose-built barge for the transhipment of ore is well advanced, with the vessel scheduled to arrive in South Australia early in the third quarter of this calendar year,” Mr Richards said. "

[Popeye82]

Bushveld Minerals' brave play - mmx/FW - Apr 5, 2012

- David McKay -
www.miningmx.com/news/platinum_group_metals/Bushveld-Mineral…

"BUSHVELD Minerals is a little-known iron ore +tin exploration play that raised £5.400.000 on the UK’s Alternative Investment Market(AIM) last week.

The company’s CEO, Fortune Mojapelo, concedes there was scepticism expressed in a roadshow, but says there are enough funds now for 12 to 18 months in what he hopes will be prove to be a billion tonne resource. That’s pretty enormous +all this time sitting among the platinum fields of the North West province.

The resource is, in fact, a magnetite deposit, which has to be concentrated into iron ore. So far, some 600.000.000 tonnes of magnetite have been detected, but with a bit of money in the bank, there’s now ammunition for more drilling +for providing the kind of confidence investors want.

That’s how the exploration game works. For their part, UK investors said they’d look to buy Bushveld Mineral shares on its return to the market, hopefully armed with higher levels of resource confidence.

For the meantime, investors are probably right to be a little bit sceptical. Iron ore’s one of the du jour minerals; everyone wants a piece of it. Even Tito Mboweni has an iron ore resource he wants to develop, while ArcelorMittal SA is also on the lookout for the mineral. However, the best resources in SA are already tied up by Kumba Iron Ore, African Rainbow Minerals +Assmang.

Instructively, when Exxaro Resources was seeking high +low for the mineral, it eventually ended up in the Republic of Congo rather than SA.

Yet Fortune favours the brave.

Bushveld Minerals is partly the work of the Viljoen brothers(twins, Morris +Richard), both of them geologists @University of the Witwatersrand.

It was they who brought us Central Rand Gold, a disastrous attempt to breathe new life into the old Johannesburg gold workings –although perhaps it’s a little unfair to place the blame @the door of the Viljoens, since they conducted the geological mapping +scoped the project.

Rather, it was Australian investors in Central Rand Gold who implemented it badly, according to Mojapelo, who was previously consultant @McKinsey & Co.

The Viljoens also recently listed Lemur Resources in Australia, a company that’s digging for coal in Madagascar +partly created out of assets once controlled by Coal of Africa, another Australian group, but now managed in Johannesburg by CEO, John Wallington, a former Anglo American executive.

Commenting on the iron ore project, Mojapelo says that scale’s a big priority for the venture, although he won’t be drawn on specifics. Yet the iron ore project would have to be in the region of 10.000.000t/year. “Anything <than 5.000.000t/year would not do justice to a billion ton resource,” he says.

Gaining access to infrastructure is the other major requirement for bulk mineral projects of this ilk. Mojapelo thinks the iron ore can be sent north via rail through Mozambique’s Matola terminal. Transnet Freight Rail has expanded the line capacity to the port while Grindrod is expanding the terminal to 20.000.000t/year over which CoAL of Africa has exclusive rights, but is unlikely to use it all.

Bushveld Minerals does have @least one important feature, +that’s the fact the magnetite resource must be beneficiated in order for iron ore to be created. In the process, there’s also the option of producing titanium dioxide as well as pig iron +vanadium. This ticks the box Government wants to see, value-add to minerals rather than the exportation of “raw” ore.

Exxaro Resources is, however, thought to be planning a titanium dioxide beneficiation plant of its own, a development that might see Bushveld Minerals 2nd in the SA market. "

[Popeye82]

Baobab Resources Plc - Monte Muande Drilling Returns Positive Results; B. James: "it is with great pleasure that we are able to present the results of the initial drilling campaign on this exciting prospect. 69% Fe is an exceptional grade +, together with the possibility of producing a complementary high grade rock phosphate concentrate, immediately demonstrates the value of this Joint Venture in the Company’s portfolio" - Apr 10, 2012

+ Baobab has completed StageI of the Joint Venture, earning the Company a 60% interest in the Project.

+ The 10 hole diamond drilling programme(c.2.000m) completed during ´11 intersected broad packages of magnetite +phosphate mineralisation. Analytical results from nine holes have been returned.

+ Significant drill results from magnetite rich intersections report premium quality concentrate grades of 69% Fe @a mass recovery of 26%(weighted average).

+ The magnetite concentrates are generally very low in deleterious elements with additional test work underway to further improve characteristics.

+ Phosphate mineralisation is ubiquitous with bench-scale test work required to determine quality +yield of a potential concentrate product.

+ Head grades are in line with Coffey Mining’s shallow depth 200.000.000 to 250.000.000 tonnes exploration target announced in March ´11.

+ Sizing +analysis of trench samples is on-going. ...
www.baobabresources.com/files/BAO_AIMRelease_20120410_Muande…

[Popeye82]

Rio Verde Minerals - Receives Permit for Trial Mining, @its Fosfatar Phosphate Project +Files Preliminary Economic Assessment; S. Keith: "The granting of the trial mining license is a positive event in the development of the Fosfatar Phosphate Project as it keeps us on track to make the transition from developer to producer with the aim to start production by end of ´12" - Apr 10, 2012
www.rvminerals.com/cmsAssets/docs/Press%20Releases/Rio_Verde…

[Popeye82]

Sunridge Gold - Completes Final Resource Estimate for the Asmara Project, Eritrea: 76.090.000 tonnes @??,??% copper, ??,??% zinc, ??,??g/t Au +??,??g/t Ag, for 1.265.850.000 Ib Copper, 2.553.050.000 Ib Zinc, 930.000 Ounces Au +28.360.000 Ounces Ag; Prefeasibility Feasibility study expected to be complete later this month; M. Hopley: "All four deposits on Sunridge's Asmara Project now have updated NI43-101 compliant resource estimates completed as part of the current Prefeasibility Study on the Asmara North +the Feasibility Study on Debarwa. "We expect that most of these resources will be converted to reserves in the Preliminary Feasibility Study +management looks forward to a very positive study" " - Apr 10, 2012
www.sunridgegold.com/s/PressReleases.asp?ReportID=517738

[Popeye82]

Reunion Gold - Provides Additional Drilling Results, on Its Matthews Ridge Manganese Project; drills up to 39.00m @19.78% Mn; Company had completed a total of 38.331 meters of diamond drilling in 576 holes +9.688 meters of reverse circulation drilling in 161 shallow holes. There are currently four diamond drills +one RC drill working @the project; Matthews Ridge Project is located in northwest Guyana, in +around the former Matthews Ridge +Pipiani mines, 260 km northwest of Georgetown, the capital city. Manganese ore was mined from ´60 to ´68 by Union Carbide +exported via railroad +a fluvial port. Mining was done on five of a series of nine hills extending for 15 km +striking northeastern-southwestern. The manganese-bearing sequence is known to have an overall strike extent of 40 km +remains largely unexplored; Company has closed the drill hole-spacing between HillV to HillIX to 50 m centers +plans to complete the same drill hole spacing for HillsI to IV in the 2nd quarter of ´12, allowing for the completion of geological modelling +resource estimation in the 2nd half of ´12 - Apr 10, 2012
www.reuniongold.com/i/pdf/news/120410_NR_PR%20v7-FINAL.pdf

[Popeye82]

Golden Minerals - Announces Significant Increase to Indicated Silver Resources, for the El Quevar Project: combined open pit +underground mineral resource set forth in the tables below contains an indicated resource of 7.100.000 tonnes grading 141.3 grams/tonne(g/t) for a total of 32.000.000 ounces of contained silver +an inferred resource of 6.200.000 tonnes grading 152.3 g/t for a total of 30.200.000 ounces of contained silver @variable cutoff grades. The total ounces of indicated resource increased by >250% from the previous NI 43-101 resource estimate for the El Quevar project; J. Clevenger: "We are delighted with the increase in indicated silver @El Quevar as it demonstrates the potential of the district. Recent drilling supported our premise that the bulk of the deposit is in the underground western zone of the Yaxtché trend +that it is more robust than the Eastern zone where thin high grade tension fault mineralization combined with mineralized wall rock should make an attractive open pit opportunity. In combination, the Eastern +Western zones of Yaxtché demonstrate an attractive silver deposit" - Apr 10, 2012
www.goldenminerals.com/pdfs/GLDN_InvestorKit/Press-Release-A…

[Popeye82]

Northern Graphite - Announces Strategic Partnership With Panacis Inc., a global leader in intelligent, high performance Lithium Polymer battery based energy storage systems; Companies to cooperate in developing +promoting Li ion battery related products - Apr 10, 2012
www.northerngraphite.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/04/April-20…

[Popeye82]

Timberline Resources - LOI to Acquire 100-Percent Ownership of the Butte Highlands Gold Mine - Apr 10, 2012
www.timberline-resources.com/main.php?page=183&press=172

[Popeye82]

Centaurus Metals - Delivers Strong Results from Maiden Drilling, @Serra Da Lontra Iron Ore Project, Brazil; Drilling Supports Exploration Target of 30.000.000 -50.000.000 tonnes @30- 40% Fe; Maiden JORC Resource Targeted by July; D. Gordon: "The maiden drilling program @Serra da Lontra was off to a flying start, with initial results confirming significant widths +grades of continuous siliceous itabirite @the Fittipaldi Prospect, providing a high level of confidence in the previously published Exploration Target of 30.000.000 -50.000.000 tonnes. Of particular interest are the significant widths of amphibiotic itabirite mineralisation also encountered in the drilling. Whilst the beneficiation test work will be essential in assessing how this mineralisation type upgrades, the material has the potential to significantly enhance the Exploration Target +, ultimately, the overall size +potential of the Serra da Lontra Project . We are very pleased with these early results, which have given us significant confidence in the potential of this Project to underpin our export strategy in Brazil. Our focus will be to progress the drilling, in parallel with ongoing geotechnical drilling @Jambreiro, as the basis for a maiden JORC resource @Serra da Lontra which we are confident of delivering in July this year" - Apr 11, 2012
www.centaurus.com.au/images/pdf/2012.04.11%20asx%20announcem…

[Popeye82]

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

[Popeye82]

Forte Energy NL - 70% Increase in Resource Tonnes, @Mauritania A238 Prospect - Apr 11, 2012

+ A238 Inferred Resource increased to 23.400.000 lbs from 14.900.000 lbs @a cut-off grade of 100ppm U308

+ 46% of contained uranium(10.200.000 lbs) within the resources lies between surface +150m vertical depth in the main zone of A238 over a strike length of 1.75km

+ A238NW anomaly located 800m to the north west of the A238 Main zone included in the resource +has added over 1.400.000 lbs of uranium

+ A238 remains open @depth +along strike +is currently undergoing further drilling with another resource update scheduled in July

+ Forte Energy’s total resource increased to 37.000.000 lbs from 28.500.000 lbs, with Guinea resource update expected to be announced in June ...
www.forteenergy.com.au/files/files/310_A238_JORC_Resource_Up…

[Popeye82]

Copper Range - Major Oil Project Investment - Apr 11, 2012

+ Company to acquire up to an 80% interest in the Bezaha Oil Project(Concession Block 3114).

+ 10.160km2 Onshore Block highly prospective for oil +gas.

+ Located in the prolific Morondava Oil Basin in southern Madagascar.

+ Recent oil discovery by Sino Union Energy Investment Group Limited located immediately to the north of Block 3114 on Block 3113. Block 3113 has been estimated to contain ~270.000.000 tonnes(~1.800.000.000 barrels) of un-risked gross original oil in place.

+ The Company’s independent technical experts have reported "that Block 3114 has significant potential for the discovery of large light oil +gas accumulations." ...
www.copperrange.com.au/pdfs/MajorOilProjectInvestment11Apr12…

[Popeye82]

Balamara Resources - "placed on short list" for world-class Togo Phosphate Project ; area which is covered by the project is adjacent to the existing phosphate mine +it has been previously drilled with a regular drill pattern. Subsequently a large number of samples were collected +assayed. The size +grade of the project has been previously estimated giving a narrow exploration target range -The Togo Phosphate Project has an exploration target size of 2.000.000.000 to 2.100.000.000 tonnes of mineralisation @a grade ranging from 14.5 to 15.5 per cent P2O5*. There are discrete zones in the order of 80.000.000 -100.000.000 tonnes having average grades in the range of 18 -20 per cent P2O5; Balamara "believes the material can be beneficiated to a +30 per cent P2O5 +sold as Direct Shipping Ore(DSO)." The Togo Government has requested that tender documents outline plans to ramp up production to 10.000.000 tonnes of rock phosphate/year. Balamara "is confident that a DSO operation of this magnitude would have the potential to generate exceptional financial returns +operating margins. The Project’s strong economics would be underpinned by the low-costs stemming from the size +shallow depths of the ore body +its close proximity to the port +capital city of Lome. " The Togo Government plans construction of a phosphoric acid plant +Balamara "believes that most of the DSO material will be sold internally"; Balamara "has every reason to believe that its extensive knowledge of the Project +the support it has secured from Tier One international partners in the tender process mean it can play a pivotal role in helping to ensure that development of the resource generates strong returns for all stakeholders, including the people of Togo."; quality +experience of the global partners assisting Balamara in the process "would enable the Company to assemble a development consortium with extensive expertise in large-scale resource projects" - Apr12
http://stocknessmonster.com/news-item?S=BMB&E=ASX&N=585147

[Popeye82]

China sets up rare earth body -to shake up industry ; China on Sunday set up a rare earth industry association, state media reported, in a move to speed up consolidation of its sprawling industry that has drawn fire for what overseas trade partners call unfair export quotas. The association, with 155 members across the country, will report to the Ministry of Industry +Information Technology, which regulates rare earth production, the official Xinhua news agency said - MW/Reuters - Apr 9, 2012
www.miningweekly.com/article/china-sets-up-rare-earth-body-t…

[Popeye82]

Bear Lake Gold - &Gold Fields Enter Into an Option +Joint Venture Agreement to Acquire 60% of the Larder Lake Gold Project, by Spending $40.000.000 Over 5 Years; Gold Fields can earn an initial 51% interest by spending $25.000.000 on the Projects over a period of 36 months, including a firm commitment of $5.000.000 during the 1st 12 months. Gold Fields can earn an additional 9% interest by spending a further $15.000.000 over a period of 24 months following the initial term. If a development decision is made, Bear Lake will have the option to finance its share of the development costs through a loan arranged by Gold Fields with it receiving an additional 5% interest in the Projects against the payment of a nominal strike price. If the Company arranges its own financing, it will retain a 40% interest in the Projects; Gold Fields will manage all field work during the option period. A steering committee including two representatives of each of Bear Lake +Gold Fields will be formed to oversee the exploration work +review the work programs during this period. If Gold Fields exercises the option, it will be the operator of the resulting joint venture - Apr 10, 2012
www.bearlakegold.com/s/NewsReleases.asp?ReportID=517843&_Typ…

[Popeye82]

Peninsula Energy - Major Uranium Resource Upgrade, @Lance Projects - Apr 2, 2012

+ 24.3% increase in Total JORC Resource -to 51.500.000 lbs U3O8

+ 30.7% increase in Measured +Indicated Resource -to 14.700.000 lbs U3O8

+ Vanadium Resource upgrade to 4.900.000 lbs V2O5

+ Further resource drilling planned to continue converting inferred resource to indicated category ...
www.pel.net.au/images/peninsul---jeerohghae.pdf

[Popeye82]

Indian consortium seeks sovereign funding for Afghan project - MW, KOLKATA - Apr 10, 2012

- Ajoy K Daz -
www.miningweekly.com/article/indian-consortium-seeks-soverei…

"A consortium from Hindustan Copper Limited (HCL) and the Steel Authority of India Limited (SAIL), which bid for four copper and gold reserves in Afghanistan, would be seeking sovereign funding from the Indian government if it was successful in securing developmental rights for the mines.

“We have submitted expression of interest, signed nondisclosure agreements and received prequalification questionnaires. The bidding process for the reserves should commence within the next three months,” an official of the consortium said.

HCL, India’s sole integrated copper refiner and SAIL, the country’s largest integrated steel producer, would jointly bid for the development of the Badakshan copper reserves, the Zarkhashan copper and gold reserves and the Shaida copper reserves, which have been put up for competitive bidding by the Afghanistan government.

The tenders for bids were floated in December 2011 and closed on March 31.

“Since participation of Indian companies in the Afghan mineral resource sector was part of India-Afghanistan bilateral economic cooperation agreement, we will seek Indian government funding because development of reserves would also include investments in infrastructure and logistics to support mineral exploitation,” the official said.

However, the quantum and terms of government funding would be decided once the bidding process was completed, the official added.

At the same time, depending on the final contours of the Afghan copper and gold project, HCL and SAIL may rope in a third partner into the consortium. National Aluminium Company Limited, India’s largest integrated aluminium producer, has expressed interest in participating in the project.

All three companies were majority-owned by the Indian government.

In November last year, the government of Afghanistan awarded the development of the three blocks in the 1.8-billion ton Hajigak iron-ore reserves to Afghan Iron & Steel Consortium, led by India’s largest integrated steel producer, SAIL which would entail an investment of $11-billion, the largest single foreign direct investment in Afghanistan.


Edited by: Esmarie Swanepoel "

[Popeye82]

Augusta Resource - gets KEY green permit for Arizona project; Rosemont, which has reserves of ~5.200.000.000 pounds of copper +161.000.000 pounds of molybdenum, "would account for ~10% of US copper output once in production in ´14"; The project, with a mine life of >21 years, has so far received six major permits required to start construction; Rosemont's average annual production is expected to be ~220.000.000 pounds of copper +4.700.000 pounds of molybdenum +2.400.000 Ounces Silver over its mine life; Rod Pace: "Obtaining the Aquifer Protection Permit for Rosemont is a major permitting milestone that clearly shows that our project stands up to thorough +intense scrutiny. This achievement "puts us one major step closer to completing the permitting process +starting construction on this 21st Century mining project" that will create 2.900 new jobs in Arizona +have annual economic impact of >$1.000.000.000 to the U.S. economy" - Apr 10, 2012
www.augustaresource.com/Theme/Augusta/files/doc_news/04%2010…

[Popeye82]

IMX Resources - Mine Sales contract finalised - Apr 11, 2012
www.imxresources.com.au/_content/documents/1166.pdf

[Popeye82]

Blackline GPS - Introduces Revolutionary Worker Safety Monitoring Device; C. SLater: "Loner SMD's enhanced feature-set marks a significant evolution in the competitive worker safety monitoring landscape. Loner SMD is the 2nd solution, in a family of 5 new safety products, that the company intends to launch this year" - Mar 20, 2012
www.marketwire.com/press-release/blackline-introduces-revolu…



Blackline's New Products Garner US Awards; Security Products magazine has announced the winners of its ´12 "Govies" Government Security Awards honoring outstanding products in a variety of categories. Blackline GPS (TSX VENTURE:BLN) has won two Govie awards -the company's Flat Track covert tracker won in the category of Homeland Security while Blackline's 2nd generation Loner® worker safety monitor won for Fire/Life Safety. Awards will be presented @the Government Security Conference &Expo(GovSec) in Washington DC that caters to the $194.000.000.000 Homeland Security market; C. Slater: "Having won not one, but two GovSec awards is a great honour that speaks highly of Blackline's talented team of Engineers +developers. We set out to become a world leader in the surveillance +worker safety monitoring markets -winning these awards in our key markets is a testament to Blackline's progress toward reaching this goal" - Mar 29, 2012
www.marketwire.com/press-release/blacklines-new-products-gar…



Blackline Now Monitoring Air Liquide Industrial U.S. LP Field Services' Safety, member of the Air Liquide group of companies, the world leader in gases for industry, health +the environment; As a key component of safety best practices, these products are monitoring the safety of Air Liquides' U.S. field services team; C. Swanson: "Air Liquide is a leader in the supply of compressed gases who clearly demonstrates safety leadership. Air Liquide is proud of their best practices safety philosophy +Blackline is pleased that they have recognized Loner GPS as part of their safety protocol" - Apr 3, 2012
www.marketwire.com/press-release/blackline-now-monitoring-ai…



Double-Platinum Awarded to Blackline GPS; C. Slater: "To receive the highest award designation in NOT one but two separate categories @one of the leading US government security events is truly an honour" - Apr 11, 2012
www.marketwire.com/press-release/double-platinum-awarded-to-…

[Popeye82]

Black Iron - Reports on Shymanivske Project Progress - Mar 29, 2012

+ Significant Technical +Corporate Advancements have been made since IPO ~1 Year Ago

+ Favourable PEA Completed for 2 Potential Production Scenarios: Pellet Plant Feed Yielding a 42.1% IRR +Pre-Tax NPV OF US$3.000.000.000 +Pellets Yielding a 35.2% IRR +NPV of US$4.100.000.000

+ Feasibility Study Underway with Opportunities Identified to Further Reduce Capital +Operating Costs

+ Infill Drilling of Existing Resource Substantially Completed with 13.224 meters drilled; Assay Results Anticipated within Weeks

+ Exploration Drilling of North End of Property to Commence once Permissions Obtained +Land Plot Use Issue is Resolved

+ Company has ~US$23.000.000 in Cash which Management Believes is Sufficient to Complete the Feasibility Study +Reach a Production Decision -in Q4 ´12 ...
www.blackiron.com/News/Press-Release-Details/2012/Black-Iron…



Black Iron Intersects Iron Grades >30% Across 1st Three Infill Holes, @Shymanivske; G. Mover: "As anticipated, the assay results from the 1st three definition +exploration holes line up well with the previously completed drill work on the property, both the historical drilling logs +the confirmation drilling we completed last year. The 1st phase of our current drilling program is focused on infill drilling to update the classification of mineral resources, which is required for the ongoing Feasibility Study. Upon completion of the 1st phase, which is expected to convert a large portion of the current inferred resources to measured +indicated resources, we will turn our attention to the northern part of Shymanivske, which has not yet been included in any mineral resource estimates"; three drill holes(BISH-62, BISH-63 +BISH-65) are part of a 20.000 meter definition +exploration drill program initiated by the Company on October 26, ´11. The DE program is designed to increase the mineral resource categorization to allow a larger mineral resource estimate to be considered in the ongoing Feasibility Study. The DE program will also focus on exploration holes in the northern end of the property where the Company believes additional mineral resource may exist, but has not yet been explored - Apr 3, 2012

+ Assay Results from 1st Three Infill Drill Holes @Shymanivske Line Up Well With Iron Bands +Grades Encountered in the Confirmatory Drilling Campaign

+ Hole Bish-63 Intersected 150 Meters Grading 33.2% Total Iron, Including 74 Meters Grading 35.0% Total Iron

+ Focus of the Infill Drill Program is to Upgrade the Resource Classification @Shymanivske for Inclusion in the Ongoing Feasibility Study ...
www.blackiron.com/News/Press-Release-Details/2012/Black-Iron…



Black Iron Strengthens Management Team, With Addition of Igor Buchatskiy as Vice President Strategy - Apr 10, 2012

+ Mr. Igor Buchatskiy is a Former Director of Smart-Holding a Ukraine Private Investment Company, General Manager for Arcelormittal S.A. +Mckinsey &Company Consultant

+ The VP Strategy Will Focus on Finalizing the Infrastructure +Other Project Development Contracts, as Well as Increasing the Company's Profile in European +Euro-Asian Markets

+ Mr. Buchatskiy Will Be Based in Kyiv ...
www.blackiron.com/News/Press-Release-Details/2012/Black-Iron…

[Popeye82]

Great Western Exploration - Spasskaya Joint Venture; The 1st JV to be negotiated with the TKS which is the national operator of State Assets in the metals +mining industry of Kazakhstan +under current rules is the only company in KZ that can apply for sub soil rights meaning that aaany new projects or existing state projects have to be negotiated with TKS; GTE "believes this to be a unique competitive advantage to allow it to make significant investments into the world class ore districts that are situated within the country "; Spasskaya Project is located within the Spasskaya Copper Ore Zone(Spasskaya MRZ, "MRZ") which is a significant copper, silver, zinc, bismuth, tin, lead, molybdenum +gold producing district that is 13.700km2 in area. While production from the Soviet era is not known, Kazakhmhys one of the world’s largest copper companies has published resources from two mines within the Spasskaya MRZ of 1.350.000.000 tonnes @0.5% Cu, 0.16g/t Au +1.7 g/t Ag for ~6.500.000 tonnes contained copper which is just an indication of the scale that deposits in the zone can reach individually -Spasskaya LLP will own 12.500km2 of the Spasskaya MRZ(a total of 91% of the MRZ) - Apr 10, 2012


+ Spasskaya JV Agreements are signed +work has commenced on the project

+ An initial 5.000m drill programme scheduled for May

+ Key Personnel have been appointed

+ Database Compilation work has commenced

+ Exploration target revised upwards -to between 750.000 +3.000.000 tonnes of contained copper with grade range of 0.6 -1.68% copper1.
www.greatwesternexploration.com.au/pdf%27s/1097552.pdf

[Popeye82]

NEVADO Resources - Hires SGS Geostat, for NI 43-101 Resource Estimate, @the La Blache Project, NI 43-101 compliant mineral resource estimate expeted by the end of Q2 ´12; M. Curtis: " "Based on the drill results received to date, we believe that the La Blache project has the potential to become a very valuable asset for NEVADO +its shareholders." It should also be noted that we have the largest landholding in the area, +that there are a number of targets that haven't been fully tested yet, which could add substantially to the La Blache exploration potential. We expect to receive the NI 43-101 compliant mineral resource estimate by the end of the 2nd quarter ´12" - Apr 11, 2012
www.marketwire.com/press-release/nevado-hires-sgs-geostat-fo…

[Popeye82]

Sunpeaks gains 432% -after 312 newsletters tout the company , has recently been featured by 37 different promoters in 312 newsletters; "It’s hard to believe that a former Canadian energy shell with virtually no money +zero revenue could suddenly have a market cap of ~$630.000.000 " -But that is exactly what has happened - SH/SR - Apr 10, 2012

- P. Kennedy -
www.stockhouse.com/Community-News/2012/Apr/10/Stockhouse-Sho…

[Popeye82]

Abakan - MesoCoat "ranked #50 in Forbes list of America's 100 Most Promising Companies" - Dec 2, 2012
www.abakaninc.com/pr_2011_12_02.html
www.forbes.com/lists/2011/28/most-promising-companies-11_lan…
www.midasletter.com/index.php/abakans-robert-miller-and-andy…
www.abakaninc.com/media/brochures/abakan_brochure.pdf

[Popeye82]

Orex Minerals - Hits 290 Metres Grading 1.01 g/t Gold, @Barsele; plans to retain the services of the consulting firm AMEC Americas Limited("AMEC") to provide an independent technical review of the Barsele Gold Project leading to a Preliminary Economic Assessment, expected that AMEC's involvement will commence in June ´12 - Mar 14, 2012
www.orexminerals.com/s/NewsReleases.asp?ReportID=512284&_Typ…

[Popeye82]

Canada "looks to speed entry of skilled foreign workers " ; The Canadian government said on Tuesday it will ease immigration rules for skilled workers as it looks to alleviate labor shortages in the oil, mining +construction industries. Immigration Minister Jason Kenney said the government will modify its Federal Skilled Worker Program, which has been skewed towards professionals, to try to attract trades people +other skilled workers that are in short supply in Canada during the current commodities boom - MW/Reuters, CALGARY - Apr 11, 2012
www.miningweekly.com/article/canada-looks-to-speed-entry-of-…

[Popeye82]

Cadillac Ventures - Thierry Mine Updated Mineral Resource Estimate Increases Measured +Indicated by 33% +Inferred by 75% -to 22.920.000 tonnes @~1.72% Cu, ~0.17% Ni, ~5.8g/t Ag, ~0.08g/t Au, ~0.06g/t Pt +~0.17g/t Pd M/I/I - Sep 1, 2011
www.cadillacventures.com/s/NewsReleases.asp?ReportID=476701

[Popeye82]

NCondezi Coal - Coal Resource Upgraded -to 4.700.000.000 Tonnes - Mar 20, 2012

+ Total JORC coal resource on the Ncondezi Project upgraded to 4.655.000.000 tonnes1 as a result of additional coal resources being classified on the East, West +River blocks

- Maiden coal resource of 716.000.000 tonnes1 classified on the East Block, of which 65% is classified in the indicated category

- Inferred resources of 1.203.000.000 tonnes1 +898.000.000 tonnes1 classified on the West +River blocks respectively


+ Represents an increase of 157% compared to maiden 1.809.000.000 tonnes1 JORC coal resource classified in February ´10

+ Includes 1.338.000.000 tonnes of coal classified in the indicated category, a 108% increase over the measured +indicated resources classified in the ´10 maiden resource

+ 4.071.000.000 tonnes of the updated coal resource occur @depths of <250m below surface +are considered potentially mineable by open pit

+ Only the South, North, Central +East blocks will be included in the DFS, representing 2.555.000.000 tonnes1 of coal, of which 52% is classified in the indicated category

+ East Block coal zones are identified @surface +extend >340m

+ Wash yields indicate that the East Block has higher quality coals with higher yields compared to other blocks in the project ...
www.ncondezicoal.com/uploads/nccl_announcement_mar_2012_reso…