Vaaldiam Mining Inc. (TSX:VAA) is pleased to report that Flemish Gold Corp. has closed a private placement of $10 million through BMO Capital Markets on May 3, 2011. Vaaldiam owns 10,625,000 common shares of Flemish. The private placement consisted of 10 million units priced at C$1.00. Each unit included one common share and one warrant to buy one share at $1.20 for 24 months. Flemish expects to go public in 2011 and now has 57.3 million common shares issued. Image by Valldiam Resources Ltd.

Allana Potash Corp. (TSX VENTURE:AAA) (“Allana” or the “Company”) is pleased to announce that drill hole DK-11-17 intersected significant potash mineralization of […]

A robust gold price, new West African production, and strong performance from mining operations contributed to a 42% increase in revenue and an 81% increase in adjusted net earnings for Kinross Gold during the first quarter. Meanwhile, Kinross has increased 2011 full year-production guidance to 2.67 million - 2.7 million gold equivalent ounces as a result of increasing the company's Kupol interest to 100%.

Shear Diamonds Ltd. (TSX VENTURE:SRM) today announced the commencement of its spring drilling program at its 100% owned Jericho Diamond Project, Nunavut. The first drill hole within the Jericho open pit into the Jericho Kimberlite Complex has been completed and intersected more kimberlite than expected based on the past models.. As part of the ongoing exploration program (see news release February 28, 2011), a series of six angled delineation drill holes have been planned to test areas of the Jericho Kimberlite Complex where it is felt that additional data points are required and to determine the potential for increased tonnage.

Talmora Diamond Inc. (CNSX:TAI) is pleased to announce that it proposes to complete a part brokered and part non-brokered private placement of up to 25,000,000 Units, comprised of at least 20,000,000 Hard Dollar Units and up to 5,000,000 Flow-Through Units at $0.05 per Unit, for gross proceeds of up to $1,250,000. The private placement is expected to close not later than May 16, 2011.

Goldcorp reported Wednesday that adjusted net earnings for the first quarter of this year increased 150% to US$397 million or 50-cents per share, compared to $159 million or 22-cents per share in the first quarter of 2010. Net earnings for the first quarter of this year were reported to be $651 million or 82-cents per share, compared to $232 million or 32-cents per share reported in the first-quarter 2010.

A report handed to Australian Education and Training Minister Chris Evans warns that Australia will fail to capitalise on the mining boom unless it overhauls the national training system and improves workforce skill levels.

Under current arrangements, completion rates are appalling, training often poorly targeted, graduate skills under-used and skill shortages growing, the report says. Meanwhile, at least 1.5 million people are unemployed or under-employed and nearly half the population has poor language, literacy and numeracy skills.

South Africa's Harmony Gold (HARJ.J),the world's fifth-largest gold miner, sees the price of gold rising to $1,800 an ounce in 2012, its chief executive said on Thursday. The spot price of gold has been at record peaks, surpassing the $1,500 an ounce mark, and Chief Executive Graham Briggs said it could even go higher.

India-focused miner Vedanta Resources (VED.L) posted a 29 percent jump in full-year earnings per share, on the back of strong metal prices and a background of robust demand for commodities. Vedanta, with operations in India, Australia and Zambia, said on Thursday basic EPS came in at 283 cents.