Australian exploration spending increasing

Lake Shore Gold Corp. (TSX:LSG) today released production results for the first quarter of 2011. Ore processed in the quarter amounted to 148,400 tonnes at a grade of 4.89 grams per tonne ("gpt") at a recovery rate 95.8% for recovered gold of 22,300 ounces. Gold poured related to mill production totaled 25,900 ounces. Total gold sold during the first quarter of 2011 was 34,000 ounces at an average gold price of US$1,387 per ounce. Image by Lake Shore Gold

While most fund managers seemed to stick with the status quo and remain in gold and silver last week, some notable hedgies are taking profits and looking elsewhere, reports the Wall Street Journal. Sources tell the paper those include: George Soros. His $28 billion hedge fund firm, now run by Keith Anderson, believes deflation is less of a threat. Flickr image is from the World Economic Forum.

The Zijin Mining Group , one of China's biggest gold producers, has been ordered to pay 30 million yuan ($4.62 million) by a local court in Fujian province for a toxic spill last year that caused severe environmental pollution. The local court in the city of Long Yan has also issued prison terms ranging between three years to 42 months to five of Zijin's staff who were found to be involved in the incident, Zijin said in a statement on Wednesday.

Alexco Resource Corp. (TSX:AXR)(NYSE Amex:AXU) today reported the first full quarter production results from its newly commissioned Bellekeno mine and mill in the Keno Hill Silver District, Yukon. First Quarter Highlights: * Silver Production of 447,524 ounces * Lead Production of 3,682,304 pounds * Zinc Production of 1,334,144 pounds

Kirkland Lake Gold Inc. (TSX:KGI)(AIM:KGI), an operating and exploration gold company, is pleased to announce a record drill hole intersection from one of the underground exploration programs on the company's 100% owned Macassa property. This particular drill hole, which was targeting the east `08 Break Zone from the 5300 foot level of the Macassa Mine, intersected the New South Zone within a previously defined resource area of the South Mine Complex (SMC). Image by Kirkland Lake Gold Inc.

Small B.C.-based junior Serengeti Resources (TSX-V: SIR) signed on a sizeable partner to explore territory thick in prospective copper-gold porphyries. Mining giant Freeport McMoRan Copper & Gold (NYSE: FCX) inked an exploration agreement with Serengeti Resources that could see a 51-49-percent joint venture in Freeport's favour formed on Serengeti's Choo and Tchentlo properties, not far from Thompson Creek Metals' Mt. Milligan copper-gold project.

Five drillholes plugged some wide gaps for Richfield Ventures (TSX-V: RVC) at its Blackwater deposit, showing impressive continuity of deep gold mineralization at its flagship project 100-kilometers south of Vanderhoof, B.C. New Gold (TSX: NGD) will likely be pleased, as in early April it announced an all share takeover of Richfield worth C$550 million and plans on bringing Blackwater into production if the takeover succeeds. Ongoing drilling is part of an aggressive campaign to flesh out and expand Richfield's growing resources.

Northern Tiger Resources Inc. (NTR: TSX-V) is pleased to announce a $7.2 million exploration program, including 12,500 metres of diamond drilling, is planned for its Yukon properties in 2011. The exploration programs are designed to follow up high-grade gold drill discoveries made in 2010 at both the 3Ace and Sonora Gulch projects. Drilling is expected to begin in late May at the company’s 3Ace and Sprogge projects in the southeast Yukon (10,000 metres planned) and in early August at Sonora Gulch in the central Yukon (2,500 metres planned). Click on the full press release for more details.

Detour Gold Corporation (TSX:DGC) (“Detour Gold” or the “Company”) is pleased to announce the closing of the previously announced agreement with Caterpillar […]