Planetary Resources readies asteroid mining technology for Dec. launch

Gold for December delivery rose $50.10, or 2.7%, to $1,879.30 an ounce in midday trade in New York — within striking distance of the metal's $1,891.90 settlement record set a week and a half ago. The jump comes after data showed the US added no jobs in August sparking renewed fears that the world's biggest economy is heading back into recession. Gold benefited because the weak numbers could lead to new policy-easing initiatives by the US Federal Reserve – a previous round of stimulus injected $600 billion into markets. Not even talk of gold sales by European central banks to ease their massive debt burden could dampen the enthusiasm for bullion. Between them Portugal, Ireland, Italy, Greece and Spain hold some 3,233 tonnes of gold, worth around €130bn.

The Quebec Mineral Exploration Association asked the Quebec government for rules that will simplify mineral development and exploration. A mining bill, which the association has criticized, is working its way through the provincial legislature. The association says that sections of the bill could lead to industry losses of $1 billion in mineral exploration investments. The association is mainly concerned with some jurisdiction for mining and exploration remaining at the local level. Instead, the association would like to see clear rules across the province for assessing development.

Beating already rosy expectations new Australian Bureau of Statistics figures show mining companies intend to invest $82.1 billion this financial year on new and expansion projects, representing 55% of total capital expenditure in the country's economy. The spending spree by the resources sector – mostly in Western Australia and Queensland – represents a whopping 70% increase over last year. Mining firms spent 14.4% more last quarter, led by a 22% jump in plant and machinery purchases, and projections show further increases in the future. The positive capex news, accompanied by robust retail spending numbers saw the Australian dollar rise above 107 US cents.

Global markets have become increasingly volatile due to the deepening financial crisis, while gold bugs are gripping their seats.

Shares of Sunridge Gold rose a brisk 7% in Thursday morning trade after the junior explorer gave an update on drilling at its zinc-gold-copper deposit in the Horn of Africa only to end the day down 2.8%. Near triple the usual number of shares changed hands on the Toronto venture exchange. Investors in the the Vancouver-based company, which apart from its flagship Asmara project in Eritrea also has assets in another paragon of political instability, Madagascar, have enjoyed a wild ride over the more than ten years the company has been listed – an unlucky few snapped up shares in the company at $6.40 in 2003 and those who saw value in the company at $1.30 at the start of 2011 would have lost almost half that investment.

Papua New Guinea’s new prime minister Peter O'Neill and the country's Investment Promotion Authority have moved to quell concern about proposed changes governing ownership of resources in the country saying it needs further discussion and acknowledging genealogical problems. Among sweeping changes promised for the impoverished country, PNG's new mining minister introduced a plan to hand state ownership of mineral and energy resources to customary landowners forcing mining companies to renegotiate permits and contracts. Last week O'Neill guaranteed the support of 80% of MPs he needs to preserve his majority ahead of 2012 elections by expanding his cabinet by a third.

Shares of Canada's Gabriel Resources have climbed 16% in the week since plans by its 80%-owned Rosia Montana Gold Corp to build a massive gold mine in Transylvania received public backing from the Romanian president. Gabriel first obtained the concession in 1999 and has already spent $500 million advancing the project and has another $175 million left, but needs several more environmental approvals to establish an open-cast mine (pictured) which once in production will be Europe's largest producing 500,000oz/year.

Nautilus Minerals (TSX:NUS)(AIM:NUS) is to raise approximately US$100 million (C$98.1 million*) through a private placement of common shares to fund the development of its first project, Solwara 1, in the Bismarck Sea of Papua New Guinea. The placing will involve the issue of approximately 39 million shares to a number of investors at a price of CAD$2.52 (US$2.58) per share. Nautilus President and CEO Steve Rogers said the private placement would provide funds for the construction of the seafloor resource production system, which initially will be deployed at Solwara 1 – the company's first deepwater copper and gold project.

MONTREAL, QUEBEC--(Marketwire - Aug. 31, 2011) - Osisko Mining Corporation ("Osisko")(TSX:OSK)(FRANKFURT:EWX) is pleased to announce that it has entered into an agreement with Caterpillar Financial ("Cat Financial") to increase its equipment leasing facility by US $56.3 million. The facility will be used to acquire additional mobile mining equipment fleet to develop the Canadian Malartic Mine and the Barnat gold deposit.