Glencore shares soar on faster than expected debt reduction

Allana Potash said on Wednesday it has appointed Mark Stauffer, previously president of the Potash and Phosphate Institute of Canada, as chairman and is applying to move its listing to the Toronto main board. Up 80% since the start of the year stock in Allana, advancing a project in Ethiopia was trading steady on Wednesday amid the market turmoil. The company has announced a string of discoveries at its 160 square km Dallol project in Ethopia in recent months.

The North Shore news reports shipments of potash out of North Vancouver's Neptune Terminals rose 37% in the first six months of this year, compared to a mere 1% gain for overall tonnage handled by Port Metro Vancouver over last year. The increase, which brings the terminal's total to 3.8 million tonnes, was spurred by robust potash demand in Asia. Last year's total also marked a substantial jump from the previous year, when total tonnage rose 143%.

Platts reported that Israel Chemicals (TLV:ICL) will supply potash to an Indian company for eight months.

Reuters reports Canada's IPO market could roar back to life in the final months of 2011 after a dismal first half – but only if a fresh bout of global market turbulence doesn't overwhelm any revival. Investment bankers say commodity producers could get the market sailing again once the summer doldrums are over. In contrast to new listings mergers and acquisitions in the mining sector have stayed robust in 2011 and Canadian companies – both as acquirers and as the targets of buyers – dominated corporate finance activity in the first half shaking on 325 deals and accounting for almost two-thirds of all the metals and minerals transactions carried out around the world.

Russia's Uralkali, who together with Belaruskali and North-American producers represented by Canpotex, control almost 60% of world production, said on Thursday its trading company raised prices for India by 32%. Uralkali's export arm will supply 1.2 million tonnes to India at $490/tonne (up from $370/tonne) through the end of March 2012. On Wednesday arduous negotiations between Canpotex and India ended in a two-step deal that increases the export price to $470/tonne for the fourth quarter and adding another $60/tonne next year. India has some 55 million small farmers and is the world's number one importer at over 6 million tonnes per year.

Up 103% since the start of the year stock in Allana Potash Corp, advancing a project in Ethiopia was trading steady on Thursday after the company announced it had intersected strong potash mineralization in an area not previously drilled at its 160 square km Dallol project in Ethopia. Listed on the TSX-Venture exchange Allana's East Africa project has the backing of the World Bank and most the latest announcement comes on the heels of a string of discoveries at its land position in Dalol, part of the Danakil Depression (pictured).

Vancouver's Mesa Exploration said on Tuesday that Utah state officials granted the company a 640-acre potash lease, sending its stock up 6.5% by the close of trade. Mesa announced the lease will be incorporated into its Whipsaw potash project in Grand County that now totals 18,608 acres or 29 square miles and where thick potash beds have been intersected in gas wells at depths between 3,300 and 4,200 feet.

Iron ore miner Vale announced plans to invest more than USD 6 billion in expanding its port, railway and potash production capacity to keep up with booming demand for raw materials in Brazil such as fertilizer, sugar and grains.

Potash Corporation of Saskatchewan reported record second-quarter earnings of $0.96 per share or $840 million—the second-highest total for any quarter in the company's history and 81 percent above the $0.53 per share ($480 million) earned in the same period last year. Despite volatility in commodity markets, Potash Corporation of Saskatchewan said that crop economics remained attractive throughout the second quarter, giving farmers the incentive to improve nutrient applications, which resulted in rising fertilizer demand and pricing.