United States

US coal-fired power: What the gas boom started, Obama has just finished off

The closures and the dearth of new builds are as much a function of new environmental impact laws as it is of the US gas boom, which has sent natural gas prices to decade lows.

Entree Gold upgrades and expands resources at Ann Mason

"With over 5 billion pounds of copper estimated at the indicated level and another 3.5 billion pounds estimated at the inferred level, Ann Mason should now be recognized as a significant deposit in one of the best mining jurisdictions in the world."

Stornoway signs impacts and benefits agreement for the Renard Diamond Project

Stornoway Diamond Corporation (TSX:SWY) is pleased to announce that it has entered into an Impacts and Benefits Agreement for the Renard Diamond Project with the Cree Nation of Mistissini ("CNM") and the Grand Council of the Crees (Eeyou Istchee) / Cree Regional Authority ("GCC(EI)/CRA").

Riding the graphite bull

Chris Berry, founder of Mountain Partners asset management company, provided an interesting summary of the graphite space while speaking at the recent Graphite Express Conference in Vancouver.

Japan looks to Canada as new source of natural gas

Japan and Canada have formally agreed to launch negotiations on a bilateral free trade agreement (FTA) to eliminate import tariffs on most products and cooperate on developing energy resources, including natural gas and minerals, reports Platts.

Knight Piésold to open office in Colombia

Knight Piésold Consulting, an international engineering and environmental consulting company, is pleased to announce the appointment of Mr. Andrew Markle as Regional Manager of Knight Piésold Consultores S.A.S., Knight Piésold’s operations in Colombia.

Baja Mining urges shareholders: Vote the Gold Proxy

aja Mining Corp. (TSX:BAJ)(OTCQX:BAJFF) today announced that it has filed and is mailing a third and final letter to shareholders regarding the proxy contest initiated by dissident Mount Kellett Master Fund II A L.P. Baja has scheduled a vote to take place at a special meeting of shareholders on April 3, 2012 and urges shareholders to vote the GOLD proxy against Mount Kellett.

The bulls can rest their case on this one chart

Gold is being amassed largely on the fears that the global currency system is flawed, and bears also believe American and Chinese economies are headed for another fall. However, there is a deep economic imbalance that is rapidly being righted that can result in a lot of prosperity for all.

Why lawyering up for Latin American is better in Canada

Law-ranking powerhouse, Chambers and Partners, writes in an editorial that Canadian lawyers are best equipped to help companies manage projects in Latin America due to home market expertise. The network effect, having the largest capital market for miners and the …

Early-stage investing opportunities: James West and Tobias Tretter

The Midas Letter Opportunity Fund, a new niche fund, focuses on early-stage micro-cap miners in the junior resource sector.

Doug Casey: "It's a dead-man-walking economy"

In an interview with Louis James, the inimitable Doug Casey throws cold water on those celebrating the economic recovery.

Arizona’s copper mining challenges

There is no doubt that copper mining is a big business in Arizona, supporting over 62,000 jobs and contributing about $7.5 billion to the state’s GDP. But for Arizona to retain its prominent position in the industry, and indeed for the United States to remain a significant producer of the metal, the way that state legislature and national regulations move forward on land and mining rights will be critical.

Australia, Canada, Chile, Brazil and Mexico the top five mining projects’ destinations

In its annual ranking of countries in terms of political risks for mining investment, the mineral industry advisory firm Behre Dolbear, has ranked Australia, Canada, Chile, Brazil and Mexico as the top five nations in which to locate mining projects.

Caterpillar expands operations in United States; new factory near Athens, Georgia expected to employ 1,400 people

Caterpillar Inc. CAT -0.65% announced today it has selected land near Athens, Georgia, as the location for a new facility that will build small track-type tractors and mini hydraulic excavators. The state-of-the-art, one-million-square-foot-facility is expected to directly employ 1,400 people once it is fully operational.

U.S. to become world’s top oil producer: Goldman Sachs

Who do you think will be the world’s largest oil producer a few years from now? Saudi Arabia? Russia? Canada with its Oil Sands?

Gulfside acquires three iron ore projects

Robert L. Card, President of Gulfside Minerals Ltd. ("Gulfside" or the "Company"), is pleased to report that the Company has acquired, subject to TSX Venture Exchange ("TSXV") approval, an option to acquire three iron ore projects. The first project is comprised of 49 mineral claims located near Port Snettisham about 30 miles southeast of Juneau, Alaska. This project is a titaniferous magnetite deposit on the Snettisham Peninsula which has been intermittently explored since 1969.

Eriez® announces expansions in U.S., Canada, China and India

Eriez®, world authority in advanced technology for magnetic, vibratory and inspection applications, announced that the company will expand its operations in the United States, Canada, China and India to address the growing global demand for Eriez products.

Copper rises on US housing data, China demand hopes

Copper hit its highest since mid-April on Tuesday on better-than-expected U.S. housing data, a weaker dollar and hopes
Chinese demand will remain firm, helping offset investor anxiety over U.S. and European sovereign debt concerns.

Bond traders: "You're next, Italy"

The latter part of this editorial contains comments on resources stocks and metals. Notwithstanding those comments, the current situation in Europe will overwhelm everything else in the market near term so we will comment on that first.

Former commodities trader pleads guilty in threats case

Former commodities trader Vincent P. McCrudden, accused of threatening to kill financial regulators, pleaded guilty today.

Worldwide bailout coming: Protect your wealth with precious metals

The big talk these days is of the debt ceiling in the US having to be raised. The US is lucky they can do this unlike other countries such as Spain, Portugal, Greece, Ireland and others who need to be bailed out or pass huge austerity measures.

BHP Billiton buys Petrohawk for $12.1 billion

BHP Billiton Ltd. says it will buy U.S.-based oil company Petrohawk Energy for $12.1 billion in cash, giving it greater access to U.S. shale gas assets.

The world's largest miner said Friday it would pay $38.75 for each Petrohawk share in an all-cash tender offer. The total value of the deal is $15.1 billion, including Petrohawk's debt.

Gold on high on threat of US default

Gold hit a record high for the second day running yesterday on rising fears of debt default and future inflation. Spot metal touched an intraday best level of $1 594 (R10 933) an ounce and set a record fix of $1 592.50 in the morning in London before dropping back to $1 590.50 at the afternoon fix.

Protesters rally against Bridgeport coal plant

A group of climate activists led a protest at the gates of the Bridgeport Harbor Power Station Wednesday. The protesters said they were calling for a change from fossil fuels to renewable energy sources.

High Desert Gold earns 60% of Utah-Nevada Gold Springs Project

High Desert Gold Corporation announced on Tuesday the completion of its earn-in option on the Gold Springs gold project that straddles the Nevada-Utah border. The Option and Earn-in Agreement dated January 10, 2010 called for HDG to incur $US1 million in exploration expenditures and pay $US160,000 to Pilot Gold Inc.