According to a new report by GIA the global market for heavy-duty diesel (HDD) catalysts is forecast to reach $2.6 billion by the year 2017, spurred by rigorous emission control regulations for heavy-duty on-road and off-road vehicles across the world. Catalysts with a high palladium content are fast replacing platinum catalysts in gasoline exhaust systems, while demand for platinum increased due to its increasing usage in catalysts for diesel exhaust systems.

VANCOUVER, BRITISH COLUMBIA--(Marketwire - Aug. 29, 2011) - Hathor Exploration Limited (TSX:HAT) is aware that Cameco Corporation intends to proceed with a hostile and unsolicited all cash take-over bid for Hathor at a price per Hathor common share of Cdn.$3.75. The announcement stated that the bid will be open for at least 60 days from the time it is made. Hathor has not yet been provided with a formal offer and so is not in a position to respond. Hathor will issue a strong and detailed response to the offer after it has received and reviewed the bid materials, and received guidance and input from its financial and legal advisors.

Silvercorp Metals has achieved record silver production and record sales from its Chinese operations for the first quarter of the 2012 financial year. The company recorded 1.6 million ounces of silver production, up 15% from the same period a year ago. Revenue was US$69.7 million which was 90% more than the same quarter last year. The silver figures were achieved from the four mines at the Ying Mining Camp in Henan Province. The company is well on track for the fiscal year 2012 production guidance of 5.6 million ounces.

UC Rusal, the world's largest aluminum producer, said on Monday that it had net profit of US$1.085 million for the first half of 2011, a decrease of 20.5% compared to net profit of US$1.365 million for the first half of 2010, due to certain non-cash items, mainly increase in the effective interest charges on restructured debt and decrease in net share in results of Norilsk Nickel. Revenue increased by 18.8% to US$6.323 million in the first half of 2011, as compared to US$5.321 million for the first half of 2010, mainly due to increased prices and improved product mix.

The U.S. Department of Energy announced today the selection of 16 projects aimed at developing advanced post-combustion technologies for capturing carbon dioxide (CO2) from coal–fired power plants. The projects, valued at $41 million over three years, are focused on reducing the energy and cost penalties associated with applying currently available carbon capture technologies to existing and new power plants. The selections announced today will focus on developing carbon capture technologies that can achieve at least 90 percent CO2 removal and reduce the added costs at power plants with carbon capture systems to no more than a 35 percent increase in the cost of electricity produced at the plant. The Obama Administration has made a goal of developing cost-effective deployment of carbon capture, utilization and storage technologies within 10 years, with an objective of bringing 5 to 10 commercial demonstration projects online by 2016.

DRDGOLD Limited, the fourth-largest gold producer in South Africa, announced today that its operating profit increased by 76% increased to R477.0 million for the year ended 30 June 2011. The company announced a dividend of 7.5 South African cents. "A 15% increase in the average Rand gold price received during FY 2011 to R308 221/kg – together with higher gold production – contributed to a 29% rise in revenue to R 2 565.3 million, and to increased operating profit."

CALGARY, Aug. 29, 2011 /CNW/ - Climbing labour, service and commodity costs are driving early signs of cost inflation in the oilsands sector while environmental issues dominate the risks list, according to Ernst & Young's recent report, Exploring the top 10 opportunities and risks in Canada's oilsands. An uncertain global economy, conflict in North Africa and the Middle East, supply and demand imbalances, crude price volatility and currency fluctuations are making it difficult for oilsands companies to plan and forecast accurately.

South Africa's Optimum Coal said on Monday that a unit of Glencore, the world's largest commodity trader, had bought a 14.1 percent stake in it. The announcement comes after Optimum, South Africa's sixth-largest coal producer, confirmed on Friday that it had received takeover approaches.

Canadian stocks were poised to open higher on Monday, taking their cue from Wall Street, as commodity prices rose after Federal Reserve Chairman Ben Bernanke on Friday left the door open for further action to stimulate the U.S. economy.