February 28, 2012

Whose pricing power? Big 3 said to be in talks to join China’s new iron ore trading platform

Should the supermajors join the new platform it would mark the latest shift in the global iron ore business which has been completely transformed in less than a decade.

February 28, 2012

Huge global iron ore expansion needed to replace depleted mines

Vale's CEO has told the audience at a conference in Beijing that a huge expansion in global iron ore mining will be necessary to make up for depletion at current…

February 27, 2012

Guinea to see its first commercial iron-ore mine flourish by spring

London’s AIM-listed Bellzone Mining announced this morning that its Forécariah joint venture project in Guinea has received approval to complete the first blast at Yomboyeli, allowing Bellzone to kick off…

February 26, 2012

Rio Tinto, Vale discuss sharing rail system – report

Rio Tinto PLC (RIO) is talking to Vale SA (VALE) about sharing rail and port infrastructure for their respective Simandou iron ore projects in Guinea, The Australian Financial Review reported…

February 25, 2012

Vedanta consolidation to create world’s 7th largest natural resources company

London-based Vedanta Group (LON:VED) announced Saturday a merger of two of its subsidiaries, Sesa Goa and Sterlite Industries, into a new corporate entity to be named Sesa Sterlite.

February 23, 2012

Prospectors and Developers Association of Canada’s convention pumps $72 million into Toronto economy

According to a recent report generated by the Ontario Ministry of Tourism and Culture, the Prospectors and Developers Association of Canada's (PDAC) Convention contributed nearly $72 million to Toronto's economy…

February 22, 2012

Iron ore derivatives market to reach 100 million tons this year

The global market for derivates based on iron ore could expand to reach 100 million metric tons in 2012, said data provider The Steel Index (TSI).

February 20, 2012

A new kind of hyperinflation: Zimbabwe hikes mining fees by as much as 8,000%

The Zimbabwe Chamber of Mines says the government's hike of pre-exploration fees for the majority of minerals – by as much as 8,000% – together with increased royalty rates will…

February 19, 2012

Rio Tinto invests US$518 million in autonomous trains for Pilbara iron ore rail network in Western Australia

Rio Tinto will run the world's first automated long-distance heavy-haul rail network, with a US$518 million investment (Rio Tinto share US$478 million) in driverless trains.

February 19, 2012

Northern Wisconsin Chippewa tribes might use treaties to halt or slow proposed mine

Armed with its status as a sovereign nation and powerful treaties with the federal government, the Bad River Chippewa tribe has the legal muscle to do what Democratic opponents of…