Orocobre Limited (TSX:ORL)(ASX:ORE) is pleased to report that it has produced battery grade lithium carbonate from Salar de Olaroz brines. Orocobre's analysis shows that the lithium carbonate is of greater than 99.9% purity* and of higher purity than the specifications for battery grade material sold by existing producers. This material was produced by refining a lower purity product previously produced at the company's facilities at Olaroz with recirculated brines. As such, the Company considers the material to be representative of what could be expected in commercial production.

Azure Minerals, a Mexico-focused precious and base metals explorer, said today it has entered into an agreement to form a joint venture with a Japanese state-owned corporation to explore the El Tecolote Project in Sonora, Mexico. According to the press release, Japan, Oil, Gas and Metals National Corporation (JOGMEC), a Japanese state-owned entity, will spend $US5 million over three years, in order to earn a 51% interest in El Tecolote. The company can earn another 19% stake by spending a further $8 million, which would take its total equity in the project to 70%.

U.S. Rep. Mike Coffman's rare earth legislation may have lit a fire under Molycorp's stock price, which rose 10.3% on Thursday trading. Coffman, Republican congressman representing Colarado, introduced legislation on Wednesday calling for a variety of measures that would better ensure that the United States has secure access to rare earth metals. Molycorp stock finished Thursday at $68.45. The stock's 52-week range is $12.10 to $68.79.

IDEX Online reports on the sudden death of diamond industry icon Freddy Hager: London Diamond Bourse President Freddy Hager collapsed this morning (Thursday) at […]

Toronto-listed Premier Gold Mines has nearly tripled gold resources at its 70%-owned Hardrock Project in northwestern Ontario, Canada. An updated NI 43-101 report by Micon International Limited shows a 269% increase in measured and indicated resources to 2.5 million ounces, and a 164% increase in inferred resources to 1.1 million ounces.

Compania de Minas Buenaventura S.A.A. (“the Company” or “Buenaventura”) (NYSE: BVN; Lima Stock Exchange: BUE.LM), Peru’s largest publicly-traded precious metals mining company […]

The mid-tier gold miner Northern Star Resources (ASX: NST) confirmed today that it had achieved A$11 million (US$11.53 million) in revenue in March from the Paulsens gold mine in the Pilbara region while incurring operating costs of about A$5 million (US$5.24 million). The operation produced 8,583 ounces of gold last month and sold 7,897 oz.

GFMS Executive Chairman Philip Klapwijk isn't big on publishing prognostications for the research group's World Silver Survey 2011 report produced for Washington's Silver Institute. After some prodding by Mineweb, Klapwijk said he expect silver prices to remain in the "top $20s" this year.

Centamin Egypt (CEY.L) (CEE.TO) said it expects full-year production to come in at the lower end of its 250,000-290,000 ounce guidance after output in the first quarter was hit by supply problems. It poured 45,204 ounces in the first quarter and said its Sukari operation remained largely unaffected by Egypt's political unrest.