More than 400 jobs to go at South32 manganese mine in South Africa

The gold bears and doubters - and the silver bears in particular - have had great success in driving the prices of these two precious metals downwards but are we looking at more of the same to come, or perhaps consolidation and another take-off? The pattern of price movements we are seeing currently, with strong upwards and downwards fluctuations for both metals.

(RTTNews) - The UK market is trading higher in afternoon trading Thursday, amid some positive earnings news as well as consolidation in commodities prices.

Gold and silver fell on Thursday, as weak U.S. housing and manufacturing data and uncertainty about the end of the Federal Reserve's bond-buying program dragged down commodities across the board. Gold, which has fallen three out of the last four

TSX and Amex-listed Extorre Gold Mines took a step closer to the development of its flagship mine Cerro Moro in Argentina on Tuesday with the approval of the Environmental Impact Assessment and the purchase of the 14,000 ha that cover the project. Extorre, which was spun out of Exeter Resource Corporation last year, said the Project Pre-Feasibility Study is expected in June 2011 and start-up for the high grade gold and silver mine is scheduled for 2012. Capital costs for the mine are some $130m and cash costs are estimated at $201/ounce. Extorre is worth close to $800m on the TSX and is sitting on roughly $33m in cash. The company also owns the Don Sixto projects, and other mineral exploration properties in Argentina.

HudBay Minerals Inc. has released its first quarter 2011 financial results. Net profit attributable to shareholders increased to $16.8 million or $0.11 per share in the first quarter of 2011, compared to $10.6 million, or $0.07 per share, during the first quarter of 2010. Earnings in the first quarter of 2011 included a charge of $5.8 million, or $0.04 per share, for transaction costs associated with the successful acquisition of Norsemont Mining Inc. in March 2011. Earnings grew during the quarter mainly due to higher metal prices and reduced exploration expense, partly offset by lower sales volumes, a stronger Canadian dollar and Norsemont transaction costs.

First Majestic has experienced a new record for quarterly earnings for the first quarter of 2011 due to a 30% increase in average realized silver prices over the prior quarter and a 95% increase from the same quarter of 2010. Silver production in the first quarter remained steady at the same levels as the fourth quarter of 2010, which is up 25% over the first quarter of 2010.

Speculators in gold, silver and copper futures and options sharply cut their net long positions in the week ended May 10. Metal prices sold off during a commodities rout during the period, according to the latest report by the U.S. Commodity Futures Trading Commission.

The gold-silver ratio (GSR) measures how many ounces of silver one can purchase for an ounce of gold, on a certain date. Reference to the ratio has a long history. One of the first mentions was that upon the death of Alexander the Great, the ratio was 12.5 to 1. During the Roman Empire, the ratio was set at 12. By the late 19th century, the ratio had risen to 15. Interestingly, these historical ratios roughly reflect geologists’ estimates that silver is 17 times more abundant than gold in the earth’s crust. This gives many investors a reason to believe that 17 is the natural balance between these elements, and that eventually the GSR will return to it.

The Directors of Aurelia Resources Limited (ASX:AJU) are pleased to confirm the opening of the company’s Offer Period for an Initial Public Offering (IPO) to raise $3 million, and to undertake a listing on the Australian Securities Exchange (ASX). Listing on the ASX is expected before the end of June 2011. Fifteen million shares are being offered at 20 cents per share and the company may accept subscriptions for a further 5 million shares to raise an additional $1 million. Also, a loyalty option, priced at 1 cent will be offered to shareholders after three months on a 1 for 2 basis. The exercise price is 20 cents with an expiry date of 30 April 2014. Image by Aurelia Resources Limited