September 16, 2011

WA mining jobs grow as manufacturing haemorrhages staff

Western Australia’s manufacturing sector is losing nearly 150 jobs per day as workers chase high wages in mining.

September 16, 2011

Iron ore shortage severely impacted production: JSW

JSW Steel today said shortage of iron ore had "severely impacted" its production this month and the company was running units at 75% capacity.

September 16, 2011

MEG calculates $17 billion spent on non-ferrous exploration in 2011

Preliminary estimates from Metals Economics Group’s (MEG) Corporate Exploration Strategies (CES) study indicate that 2011 nonferrous exploration budgets will exceed $17 billion for expenditures related to precious and base metals,…

September 15, 2011

$304 million in mining royalties in 2010-2011: Quebec has collected in a single year more than it did in the 10 previous years

Montréal, September 15, 2011 – “The new mining royalty regime enables us to attain the objectives that we set, i.e. to obtain from mining companies fair compensation for our natural…

September 15, 2011

Rio Tinto puts $833m, further expands in Pilbara

Rio Tinto is to invest US$833 million (Rio Tinto share US$706 million) in major power and fuel supply projects as part of its drive to substantially increase iron ore production…

September 15, 2011

Indian firms eye $6 billion Afghan iron ore contract

As the United States and its allies look back on a weekend of memorials and tributes to the nearly 3,000 victims of 9/11, the country that was struck in retaliation…

September 14, 2011

Rio Tinto has a problem with crabs

The Australian quotes a Rio Tinto spokesman on Wednesday saying the discovery of a species of freshwater crab and a never before recorded shrimp near its Weipa mine would not…

September 14, 2011

Antimony tops metals and minerals risk list, China controls 50% of 52 critical chemicals

The British Geological Survey (BGS) on Wednesday published the latest list of the 52 elements, minerals and metals most at risk of supply disruption because global production is concentrated in…

September 13, 2011

Vale’s borrowing costs hit record high as Brazil doubles mine royalties

The cost of borrowing for Brazil's Vale has risen to record highs relative to competitors BHP Billiton and Rio Tinto, as the Brazilian government looks to reap more in mining…

September 13, 2011

China’s plan for fewer mines and bigger mines

China plans to dramatically consolidate the number of mines in its country, according to Caterpillar (NYSE:CAT) and a study by MCCM. And China also wants its mines to be a…