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

Changes to oil sands royalty rates boost Alberta coffers by $1 billion without scaring investors

In a study released Thursday by Calgary University's School of Public Policy, Professor Ken McKenzie using economic data found incremental revenue for the government of Alberta over the last two…

September 15, 2011

Alexco posts 9-fold increase in profit from Bellekeno silver mine

Alexco Resource Corp. (TSX:AXR) posted a banner year in silver production and sales, as the Vancouver-based company made the successful transition from mine developer to producer. With production starting on…

September 15, 2011

De Beers, Botswana deal agreed

Nine months overdue, the diamond marketing contract between the Government of Botswana and De Beers will finally be signed tomorrow in Gaborone, Mmegi reported on Thursday.

September 15, 2011

Australia’s first potash miner wants to break Canadian grip on market

Encouraged by test work that revealed extraction potential using its own technology at one of the world’s largest known glauconite deposits, Perth-based Potash West on Wednesday expanded it exploration tenure…

September 15, 2011

Zimbabwe softens tone on foreign mining companies

A Zimbabwe government official says a law forcing foreign companies to surrender 51 percent stakes to local people was "an aspiration," not a hard target, Reuters is reporting: "This is…

September 15, 2011

Northwest Transmission Line begins service in 2013

The Northwest Transmission Line, which will bring power to number of potential mines in British Columbia, will be in service by the end of 2013. Rohan Soulby, Director, Export Transmission…

September 15, 2011

400 firms apply for diamond licences as Zimbabwe softens ownership blow

Zimbabwe's mines minister on Thursday told delegates at a conference in the capital Harare that the government has received 400 applications from companies interested in mining diamonds, despite an international…

September 15, 2011

Company on track to reopen two Ontario nickel mines

Canadian Arrow Mines could soon be mining nickel again at its Kelex and Alexo mines near Timmins, Ontario. The Toronto-listed company (TSX-V:CRO) has received regulatory approvals to resume production with…

September 15, 2011

Falling oil prices: Worrying trend or saving grace?

When oil prices start to decline, investors and economists get worried.