Seabed mining approved in New Zealand despite environmentalists’ concerns

Brazilian mining giant Vale (VALE5.SA: Quote) said on Thursday the government is overcharging it for mineral royalties and will seek a legal review of some the requested payments amid a dispute over debts to the government that could reach $2.4 billion. Vale, the world's largest iron ore miner, insisted it had made payments according to the law and said it disagreed with the government over criteria for calculating what it owed.

Anglesey Mining's 41%-owned Labrador Iron Mines Holdings Limited (TSX: LIM) has entered into a life of mine transportation contract with Quebec North Shore and Labrador Railway for transporting iron ore from LIM's DSO iron ore projects near Schefferville. The contract provides that QNS&L will carry LIM's iron ore from Emeril Junction, Newfoundland and Labrador, to Sept-
les Junction, Quebec, on the QNS& L Railway. The railway already carries iron ore for Iron Ore Company of Canada, Wabush Mines and Consolidated Thompson's (now Cliffs Resources) Bloom Lake Mine.

The Wall Street Journal writes that Tata Steel Ltd. expects its raw material costs to increase around 15% in the next fiscal […]

Further to its earlier news release of February 17, 2011, Canadian Orebodies Inc. (TSX VENTURE:CO) (“Orebodies” or the “Company”) is pleased to […]

The Alice Springs-based Lhere Artepe Group has acquired 51% of the CDE Group, taking indigenous ownership of the Australian mining and civil works contracting group to 84%. CDE’s current activities include providing services to Fortescue Metals Group’s Christmas Creek iron ore mine in Western Australia through the Downer EDI contracting group, and to Xstrata for the McArthur River zinc mine in the Northern Territory.

Closely following the CAD$4.9 billion Cliffs-Consolidated Thompson deal earlier this year, Canadian iron ore company New Millenium Capital Corp. has teamed up with Tata Steel Ltd. for a huge iron ore project, The Financial Post reported: With a giant Indian steelmaker providing the cash, New Millennium Capital Corp. is preparing to develop what it thinks will be the largest mine in Canadian history. Following months of due diligence, Montreal-based New Millennium unveiled a joint venture with Tata Steel Ltd. on Monday that will guide financing and construction of its mammoth Taconite iron ore project in Labrador and Quebec.

Ridgemont Iron Ore Corp. (TSX-V:RDG) has concluded a Memorandum of Understanding ("MOU") with the Toquaht Nation whereby the parties have agreed to an ongoing business relationship with respect to the exploration and development of Ridgemont's Redford iron ore property located on Vancouver Island, outside of Ucluelet, British Columbia. The MOU establishes that Ridgemont and the Toquaht Nation will work together to establish a long term, mutually beneficial and cooperative business relationship.

Bellzone Mining announced on Tuesday that it had completed a US$133 million placement of 102 million ordinary shares. Canaccord Genuity Limited was the lead manager. Bellzone, an AIM-listed company, is developing two iron ore and nickel/copper assets in Guinea, West Africa. The Kalia iron deposit, a 50mtpa iron ore operation, is the company's flagship project.

Consolidated Thompson's shares dropped two cents to close at $17.11 on Friday after the company announced its shareholders have approved the friendly takeover by Cliffs Natural Resources Inc. Under the deal, made public in mid-January, Cliffs Natural Resources acquired Consolidated Thompson for CDN$4.9 billion (US$4.6 billion) or C$17.27 in cash per common share. The transaction is expected to close in the second quarter.