BHP Billiton is moving forward with the Misery open pit project at its Ekati diamond mine in Canada, expecting to start producing […]

Lundin Mining Corporation (TSX:LUN)(OMX:LUMI) today reported net income of $71.2 million ($0.12 per share) for the first quarter of 2011, an increase of $19.3 million from the $51.9 million ($0.09 per share) for the first quarter of 2010. "Production for the quarter was in-line with guidance and our production outlook for the year is unchanged. It should be noted however, that the production has come at a higher cost owing to lower than expected average head-grade at Neves-Corvo and milling difficulties caused by wet weather in January," said Phil Wright, President and CEO. "Caution also needs to be exercised on cost outlook given the on-going weakness of the US dollar."

Dow Jones Newswires reports: Rare-earth mining company Molycorp Inc.'s (MCP) first-quarter loss narrowed due to higher sales volume and a jump in rare-earth prices, although the company's adjusted profit and sales growth missed analysts' expectations. Shares fell 5% to $63.13 in after-hours trading, after closing the regular session down 7.2%. The stock is up 33% this year through Tuesday's close.

Mountain Province Diamonds Inc. (TSX: MPV, NY-AMEX: MDM) today announced the results of an updated independent valuation of the diamonds recovered from the Gahcho Kué Project. The valuation was conducted by WWW International Diamond Consultants Ltd. and took place at the London offices of the Diamond Trading Company in early April, 2011. All diamond values presented below are based on the WWW Price Book as at April 11, 2011. Importantly, for the first time, the Gahcho Kué diamonds were grouped into larger parcels, each parcel representing diamonds from the Hearne, Tuzo and the separate lobes of the 5034 kimberlite. In the opinion of WWW, grouping of the diamonds into larger parcels increased the accuracy of the diamond valuation. Image by Mountain Province Diamonds

Canada's Globe and Mail newspaper reports that BHP Billiton, 80%-owner of the Ekati mine in the Northwest Territories, will make a $400 million investment to expand the mine. The Australian mega-miner says its decision was based on higher diamond prices buoyed by healthy demand. Mining at the Misery deposit would start in late 2015 and last for two years.

Hudson Resources commenced its 2011 drill program at the company's Sarfartoq Rare Earth Element (REE) Project in Greenland. The objective of the program is threefold: (i) upgrade the resource at the ST1 Zone from the "inferred" category to the "indicated" category; (ii) expand the size of the ST1 deposit; and (iii) test several additional REE targets within the Sarfartoq Carbonatite Project.

OZ Minerals has reached an agreement to settle the two class actions brought against it by Maurice Blackburn and Slater & Gordon on behalf of certain shareholders who acquired shares in 2008. The total settlement payment in respect of the class actions is $55.1 million plus costs of $4.9 million with those totals to be allocated between the Maurice Blackburn and the Slater & Gordon classes.

Goldcorp (G.TO: Quote), Canada's second-largest gold producer, said on Tuesday the gold market bull run was not over XAU. "I certainly think we're in much more the middle than near the end of this long bull run," Chief Executive Chuck Jeannes said in an interview.

Adamus Resources Limited (ASX: ADU) is pleased to announce the Nzema Gold Project in Ghana, West Africa has achieved commercial production effective 1 April 2011.