Sierra Gorda union agrees deal with KGHM to avert Chile copper mine strike

As the extent and depth of its low-grade gold project Cerro Maricunga grows, so follows Atacama Pacific Gold's (TSX-V: ATM) shareprice. Since the start of the year the latter has climbed from around $3 a share to just over $5 as Atacama released a slew of drill intercepts outlining three, semi-contiguous areas of gold mineralization at Cerro Maricunga, 100-km northeast of Copiapo, Chile

South African miner Metorex (MTXJ.J: Quote) said on Monday that if there were any other serious offers to acquire it aside from one launched by Brazil's Vale (VALE5.SA: Quote) it would have to consider them. "If there are other serious and 'firm' offers for Metorex, the company has a duty to consider them and will of course consider any such offers in the best interests of its shareholders," Metorex CEO Terence Goodlace said in an e-mailed response to questions submitted by Reuters.

Moly Mines Limited (TSX:MOL)(ASX:MOL) is pleased to announce it has been advised by Hanlong Mining Investment Pty Ltd ("Hanlong"), that the China Development Bank ("CDB") has approved US$500 million in project finance facilities to develop the Spinifex Ridge Molybdenum / Copper mine. CDB have agreed to expand their commitment from the US$250 million, announced on 1st February 2011, to US$465 million and make available US$35 million in further working capital facilities to meet Hanlong's US$500 million financing commitment to Moly Mines. A formal commitment letter is expected to be issued by CDB within the next two weeks.

Gunmen killed two workers on Thursday at Freeport-McMoran Copper & Gold Inc's giant gold mine in Indonesia's Papua, a province with a simmering separatist movement. A Freeport company spokesman said the shooting by unidentified gunmen, which left the car the two workers were in a blazing wreck, did not affect production at the world's largest gold mine.

Azure Minerals, a Mexico-focused precious and base metals explorer, said today it has entered into an agreement to form a joint venture with a Japanese state-owned corporation to explore the El Tecolote Project in Sonora, Mexico. According to the press release, Japan, Oil, Gas and Metals National Corporation (JOGMEC), a Japanese state-owned entity, will spend $US5 million over three years, in order to earn a 51% interest in El Tecolote. The company can earn another 19% stake by spending a further $8 million, which would take its total equity in the project to 70%.

Mongolia's massive Oyu Tolgoi copper-gold project is expected to begin production in August 2012, sooner than forecast, said Temuulen Ganzorig, Deputy Director of Erdenes MGL which partners with Ivanhoe Mines and Rio Tinto in developing the site.

The world copper market could see a supply deficit of half a million tonnes this year and the shortage may extend beyond 2013, Rio Tinto's (RIO.L: Quote) copper unit chief executive, Andrew Harding, said on Wednesday.

Tosca Mining Corp. (TSQ - TSX Venture, TQ4 - FWB), reported today it has completed the due diligence on the Red Hills Moly-Copper Project and has signed a formal agreement to purchase the 100% ownership of all mineral and surface rights of the property. The agreement calls for payments of US$10,900,000 and the issuance of 2.1 million common shares to the sellers of the property over a five year period. The sellers will retain a 2% net smelter return over the Red Hills property.

Copper will resume a rally to record highs near $11,000 per tonne in the second half of this year, driven by an ongoing production deficit and robust investment demand, an industry report said on Tuesday.