Alrosa’s biggest diamond mine goes underground

SYDNEY, Aug. 31, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- Vice President of Litigation BHP Billiton, Mr Damian Lovellhas today welcomed the introduction of the new ACICA Arbitration Rules designed to speed up the resolution of cross border and international commercial disputes. Mr Lovell, who is responsible for the dispute resolution strategy for the world's largest diversified mining company, said it is standard practice for BHP Billiton to include arbitration clauses in its cross border contracts:

Strike action involving 4000 BHP employees has nothing to do with money, a union boss says. Workers employed at seven BHP mines in Queensland will walk off the job this week after enterprise bargaining negotiations stalled.

The capital city will cap its annual coal consumption at 20 million tons by 2015, as part of its plan to release less carbon and further reduce air pollution, the municipal commission of development and reform said on Monday.

Universal Coal (ASX: UNV) has secured the Donkin licence area, adjacent to the Somerville coking coal project in the Limpopo Province of South Africa, on a farm-in basis. Based on historical drilling data, the farm Donkin 72MS property has a Inferred JORC Resource of 42.4 million tonnes, covering the northern extent of a farm area of 1,178 hectares, with the potential for coking coal and open pit access.

Crosshair Exploration & Mining Corp. (TSX:CXX) has launched a US$12.85 million hostile bid for US uranium assets owned by Australian American Mining Corporation Limited (ASX:AIW). Crosshair has written directly to AusAm shareholders to outline their proposal and call on shareholders to support Crosshair's efforts to "unlock the value in AusAm." Under the proposal, AusAm would receive consideration of US$12.85 million in Crosshair shares, in return for AusAm's uranium assets in Nevada, Texas and New Mexico.

According to a new MarketResearch.com report coal accounts for over 40% of total global electrical generation – more than 1,700TWh in 2010 – and the installed generating capacity in 2010 was around 1,500GW out of a world total of 4,500GW. Global coal consumption advanced 7.6% last year and at a faster pace than crude oil, natural gas and nuclear, according to statistics published by oil giant BP.

China said on Wednesday that it would appeal against a World Trade Organisation ruling that it illegally restricted exports of certain rare and speciality metals and minerals including bauxite, coking coal, fluorspar, magnesium, manganese, silicon metal, silicon carbide, yellow phosphorus and zinc. The United States, European Union and Mexico argued that the minerals are key inputs for numerous industries and any cut in supplies could lead to sharp spikes in world prices. The complainants fear a similar situation to rare earths where the price of certain elements have tripled thanks to export cuts and China's virtual monopoly on production.

As one of Australia’s largest independent coal producers, Westfarmers Curragh has made further investments into site safety, training and operational efficiency in the way it inducts, trains and up-skills new and existing operators for its Curragh North expansion.

VANCOUVER, BRITISH COLUMBIA--(Marketwire - Aug. 30, 2011) - Cooper Minerals Inc. (TSX VENTURE:CQ)(FRANKFURT:JM6) (the "Company" or "Cooper") would like to provide its shareholders with an update on its thermal coal project in Pakistan. Pursuant to the terms of the Option Agreement dated September 3, 2010 between Cooper and Mr. Gul Khan ("Gul"), Cooper and Gul have jointly formed a newly incorporated company, AJK Coal Mining Company (Private) Ltd. ("AJK"), in Pakistan for the exploration and production of coal.