Niobium

Globe takes great stride with niobium

It was standing room only last Thursday at the Africa Down Under conference in Perth when Globe Metals & Mining (ASX: GBE) managing director Mark Sumich took to the stage. Sumich had an interesting story to tell about Globe’s African ambitions. But he is big enough to admit that the big crowd was chiefly there to hear what the next speaker, Rio Tinto’s David Joyce, had to say about iron ore markets.

Pacific Wildcat Resources Corp.: initial niobium resource estimate for Mrima Hill exceeds 1.5 billion pounds

Pacific Wildcat Resources announced the initial NI 43-101 compliant independent Niobium mineral resource estimate report for the Mrima Hill Niobium and Rare Earth Project in Kenya. The Niobium mineral resource estimate is from surface down to a maximum depth of 30 metres with 83% of the mineral resource tonnes being found in the top 20 metres.

IAMGOLD reports record first quarter net earnings operating cash flow up 177% year-over-year

IAMGOLD Corporation reported its unaudited consolidated financial and operating results for the first quarter ended March 31, 2011. Net earnings were $162.3 million ($0.41 per share), an increase of $102.1 million compared to the first quarter of 2010, and operating cash flow was $205.8 million ($0.55 per share1), representing an increase of 177% from the first quarter of 2010.

“Our strong first quarter results reflect our focused strategy to maximize the value of mines that we own and operate,” said Steve Letwin, IAMGOLD’s President and CEO. “Attributable gold production was up 41% year-over-year driven chiefly by the inclusion of Essakane along with higher recoveries at Rosebel. We continue to benefit from higher gold prices and are implementing various initiatives to reduce our cash costs.”

Independent technical report confirms IAMGOLD’s niobium mine potential with a 691% increase in M&I resources and a net asset value up to $2 billion

IAMGOLD Corporation (TSX:IMG)(NYSE:IAG) today announced the results of an independently prepared NI 43-101 compliant preliminary economic assessment (“PEA”) on the company’s wholly-owned Niobec niobium mine in the province of Quebec, Canada. The PEA shows a significant increase in the measured, indicated and inferred mineral resource estimates at Niobec with the potential for a significant production expansion. The PEA examined the impact of changing the existing underground mine to an alternative bulk mining method. IAMGOLD technical personnel then compared the economics of the open pit scenario and a block caving scenario. The work done on the PEA and the study will be advanced in a 2011 pre-feasibility study to confirm the potential upside of Niobec.

The down under REE report: new in Angola, surprise in Queensland

Add Angola to your Australian REE explorer watch list.

Leap in profits for Iamgold as gold production rises

Iamgold’s Q4 profit jumps to $144.9 million as production rises 35%. Iamgold Corp said on Thursday its fourth-quarter profit rose as increased gold production and higher gold prices helped boost results.

Commerce Resources’ Upper Fir tantalum and niobium deposit confirmed as a large indicated resource, Blue River, BC

AMEC has determined a base case indicated mineral resource of 36.35 million tonnes containing 195 ppm (gpt) Ta2O5 and 1,700 ppm (gpt) Nb2O5.

WikiLeaks Document: Uncle Same Wants Domestic Niobium

Investor interest in rare earth elements (REE) has exploded as of late, and for good reason.  China controls up to 97% of the world supply of REEs, which are essential for use in modern technology.  Prices are soaring as China …