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No competition challenge for LSE/TMX merger

London Stock Exchange Group and its takeover target, TMX Group, said Friday Canadian competition authorities won't challenge the proposed combination of two exchange operators. The issuance of the no action letter satisfies a condition of a Feb. 9 agreement by LSE and the company that operates the Toronto Stock Exchange to join forces in a $3 billion deal. A consortium of nine major Canadian banks and investment funds called Maple Group Acquisition Corp has made a hostile offer for TMX worth C$3.6 billion ($3.7 billion). The LSE proposal was not expected to raise any red flags from Canadian competition authorities, unlike the Maple bid.

Adroit says MMI survey finds PGMs at Red Vein VMS

Adroit Resources listed on the TSX Venture exchange on Monday announced the receipt of a Mobile Metal Ions Process Soil Geochemical Survey report on the Grassy Lake portion of the Red Vein Volcanogenic Massive Sulphide (VMS) property. President's comments: "I am very pleased with the contents of the MMI Report. The report strengthens management's belief that this property will yield a valuable commercial discovery. The detection of a geochemical signature for Platinum Group Mineralization has certainly come as an exciting surprise."

Bloomberg: Exxaro bids A$123 million for Territory in iron ore strategy

South African coal miner Exxaro Resources has agreed to pay AUD$123 million for Territory Resources with the goal of producing 10 million metric tonnes of iron ore a year, Bloomberg reported Monday: Exxaro offered A$0.46 a share for the iron-ore miner based in Perth, Western Australia, the companies said in a statement today. The bid, at a 64 percent premium to the closing price on May 20, was recommended by Territory’s board, they said.

Canadian Press: Residents blame potash mine for loss of wells

On the same day the premiers of New Brunswick and Nova Scotia toured a potash mine in Penobsquis, NB's mining commissioner began hearing from residents of a nearby town who blame the mine, operated by Potash Corp. for a loss of 60 water wells about six years ago. The mining company initially provided the residents with bottled water, but the provincial government has since installed a municipal water system.

The Advertiser: Does fast-track training to meet mining boom mean cut corners in Australia?

Australia needs every worker it can get if it intends to take advantage of its current mining boom, but Melvin Mansell of The Advertiser argues that a proposal to fast-track apprentice training could lead to cut corners and underskilled workers.
If industry has a strong, influential role in the process, a new system which delivers well-skilled employees in shorter time-frames might be achievable. It is imperative though, that quality, and most importantly safety, is not compromised.

Gwyn Morgan: Canadian universities need to train for highly skilled jobs in mining, forestry, manufacturing, etc.

Globe and Mail columnist Gwyn Morgan argues that Canadian Universities maintain an "academic independence" paradigm that keeps graduates from training for highly skilled jobs in mining, aerospace, construction, manufacturing, forestry, and more.
Canada has the world’s highest rate of university attendance, but graduates have one of the lowest rates of finding “high skill level” employment... It’s way past time for universities to abandon their ivory towers and consider the needs of employers and the future of their students.

Janet Ecker: Protect the mine financing cluster

Janet Ecker, president of the Toronto Financial Services Alliance, discusses the proposed merger of TMX Group and the London Stock Exchange and its impact on mining and metals financing.
The proposed merger of TMX Group and the London Stock Exchange has provoked uncharacteristicallystrong and diverse reactions within the financial community. Those mixed views were clearly displayed during four days of hearings on the deal before the select committee of the Ontario Legislature. How they will judge the strong arguments for and against the deal in their report later this month is anyone’s guess. Whatever their verdict, and those of the review processes yet to come, we must remember that Toronto is the global leader in mining and metals financing, with TMX playing a significant role. With or without this deal, all sides agree on the need to retain that leadership.

SAMSSA Argues for Consolidation of Ontario Mining Programs At Laurentian to Support Skills Shortages

The Sudbury Area Mining Supply and Service Association argues that Ontario must make Laurentian University into a global "Harvard of hardrock mining" in order to carry Canada through its current resource skills shortage.
Ontario’s mining industry is facing a perfect storm of skills shortages – mining engineers and geologists – at a time of severe provincial budget constraints. These fiscal problems will only diminish the mineral sector’s post-secondary education programs at a time when global economies are experiencing the most extraordinary demands for metal products in the history of mankind – a commodity super cycle
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Infographic: Who controls rare earth processing?

This graphic tracks refined output of rare earth magnets.