Cecilia Jamasmie , Senior Editor

The team of three international environmental consultants hired by Peru’s government has recommended significant changes to Newmont’s hindered $4.8 billion copper-gold project, the Conga mine. But the government is saying its final decision won’t be determined solely by this or any study.

Australian analysts from Foster Stockbroking say confidence in rare earths miner Lynas Corporation (ASX:LYC) is returning after the Malaysian High Court dismissed an appeal against the company's Advanced Materials Plant (LAMP).

The long-awaited and twice-postponed report from international experts on the environmental impact study (EIS) for Newmont and Buenaventura’s US$4.8 billion copper-gold project, the Conga mine, is finally in the Peruvian government’s hands.

Canadian rare earth explorer Pele Mountain Resources Inc. (TSX-V:GEM)(OTCQX:GOLDF) announced today that it has entered into a binding agreement to sell its Highland Gold projects to a wholly owned subsidiary of Prodigy Gold Inc. (TSX-V:PDG) for US$1.8 million.

Canadian junior Rockwell Diamonds (TSX & JSE: RDI) reported today a 77% year-on-year increase in diamond production for the fourth quarter ended February 2012.

BHP Billiton will begin working on its ambitious Port Hedland outer harbour project this Friday, the first step of Western Australia’s biggest dredging plan, which it will cost the miner at least $10 billion.

Luxury jeweler and watchmaker Harry Winston Diamond Corp said today that production at its Diavik mine in Canada's Northwest Territories was up about 19% in the first quarter on improved grades.

Canadian Prime Minister Stephen Harper and Chilean President Sebastian Piñera signed yesterday an agreement to upgrade the free trade deal between their two nations, which will benefit several miners with presence or planning to explore in the South American country.

Peru’s long-running Conga mine dispute is about to reach a turning point as international consultants appointed by the government in February are expected to deliver their report on the viability of proposed water for Newmont Mining (NYSE:NEM) and Buenaventura’s US$4.8 billion copper-gold project tomorrow.

A team of researchers from the Geological Survey of Spain and the Complutense de Madrid University has discovered a new mineral, the zaccagnaita-3R, in a cave known as “The Soplao,” located in the historical northern region of Cantabria.