MINING.COM Staff Writer

Rio Tinto is testing new techniques for underground drifting, mineral exploration and improved recovery of ore in its latest push to develop competitive advantage through its Mine of the FutureTMprogram.

A provincially-appointed expert panel is critical of environmental monitoring in the Canadian oilsands, according to a story today on CBC News: "Monitoring organizations suffer from inadequate funding, weak scientific direction and a general lack of resources to take on the enormous challenge of monitoring," the report states.

Dow Jones reports Argentina's Mendoza Province has lifted its suspension of the multibillion dollar Rio Colorado potash mine project being developed by Brazilian mining company Vale SA. Mendoza's Environmental Secretariat has allowed Vale to move forward with the mine after the company agreed to submit reports on its local hiring and procurement practices to the local authorities, the provincial government said in a statement.

The Yorkshire Post reports Sirius Minerals has started a concept study at its York Potash project, paving the way for mining to begin at the UK’s only seam of potash. Sirius has secured mineral rights for 631 sq km of land between Whitby and Scarborough with plans to open a new potash mine and create up to 5,000 jobs. Sirius is about to start drilling two temporary boreholes in the North York Moors National Park. Once it gets an idea of what the potash seam looks like under the ground it can plan where to site the mine.