FRANCE

Rio Tinto hopes to finalise alumina plant sale by September

The transnational miner said Tuesday it hopes to complete the sale of four alumina plants in France and Germany by the end of September

Powerscreen honours dealer network

Powerscreen, provider of mobile crushing, screening and washing equipment, presented top awards to dealers at World Dealer Conference in Cape Town, South Africa.

Areva in talks to sell Eramet nickel mining stake

French nuclear giant Areva says it is in talks to sell its 26% stake in major nickel miner, Eramet (formerly Soc. Le Nickel) with major operations in New Caledoinia.

S and P downgrades nuclear giant Areva on weak profits, credit metrics

The 2007 acquisition of UraMin by Areva proved financially costly, and is now compounded by a criminal complaint filed by Areva's former CEO concerning a private investigation into the purchase.

French miner Eramet to invest $450m in Halmahera Nickel project

10-SEP-2011 Intellasia | Jakarta Globe Free newsletter – click here In a move expected to give eastern Indonesia an economic boost, a French mining group plans to invest in a nickel mining project in North Malaku. "Eramet will have spent around $450

Niger wants better price for Uranium supplies

Niger, a major supplier of uranium to the French nuclear sector, wants a better price for its supplies, President Mahamadou Issoufou told state TV.

Issoufou, who came to power after March elections that ended just over a year of military rule, said the poor desert state was determined to make the most of its resources.

Diemme Filtration makes foray into India

After setting its base in Chile, Australia, Russia and France, Diemme Filtration is now ready for the Asian market. Read the full press release here: http://www.diemme-spa.com/filtration/_vti_g2_newsArt_aspx_idA_76-rpstry_14_.sphtml

Niger, Africa’s second largest uranium producer, should see great growth

Niger, which became independent from France in 1960 and has a democratic government, is the world's sixth largest uranium producer. Output in 2008 was 3,032 t, representing 7% of total world uranium production. Areva's Arlette and Akoula mines, responsible for 100% of Niger's uranium production, have produced, together, 100,000 t of output in the last 40 [...]

Michelin to 'specialize' plants in France

Groupe Michelin plans to develop its Moncteau, France, plant into a "high performance facility" for earthmover tires and make its Tours, France, factory "a benchmark for high-tech truck tires in Europe," according to Michelin officials….more at MTD

Michelin to Invest £887 Million in India

It is cutting back in France, yet planning big in India – Michelin is reportedly planning to invest some Rs 70 billion (£887 million) there over the next decade….more at Tire Review Online

Report: Michelin to Cut 1,500 Jobs in France

(Reuters) Michelin is to cut 1,500 jobs in France as part of measures the French tyre group will announce on June 24 to weather a collapse in global demand for tyres, newspaper Le Monde said on Tuesday.

MINE SAFETY: Better mine safety begins with better mine design

(Editor's note: We like good ideas, and sometimes they drop into our lap. The following was submitted by the Parker Group on behalf of its client Dassault Systèmes.)   FRANCE — In a step change beyond traditional processes, Abaqus finite …