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Posts by Michael Allan McCrae:

Rent must be paid in silver coins

A husband and wife in the U.S. face 20 years of prison time for tax evasion due on the many properties they hold. Before they were tripped up by the authorities, the colourful couple required that renters pay them in silver coins. The couple, who called themselves sovereign citizens while living in Alabama, also buried $350,000 worth of gold coins in their backyard.
Michael Allan McCrae | November 7, 2011 | 12:46 pm

Natural resources sector add jobs in October: Statistics Canada

In the midst of Canada's bleak October job report, Statistics Canada reported one bright spot: that the resource sector added 12,000 jobs. Canada, overall, lost 54,000 jobs in October pushing the unemployment rate up .2% to 7.3%. Statistics Canada says that the bulk of the decline in occurred in manufacturing, followed by construction. However, natural resources employment has grown by 5.0% over the past 12 months. The service sector remained unchanged.
Michael Allan McCrae | November 4, 2011 | 4:47 pm

Anglo American pays Oppenheimer family US$5.1 billion for 40% of De Beers

Anglo American (LON:AAL) increased its interested in De Beers from 45% to 85% by buying out the Oppenheimer family for US$5.1 billion. De Beers is looking to Anglo American for better operational management. "Anglo American is well positioned to enhance the value of De Beers through its expertise and scale in such areas as technical, supply chain and financial management functions as part of a simplified and more integrated ownership structure," said the company in a statement.
Michael Allan McCrae | November 4, 2011 | 2:49 pm

Denison Mines announces $15 million profit, holds off on uranium sales

Uranium miner Denison Mines (TSE:DML) announced a $15 million profit or four cents a share for the three months ended September 30. During the same period last year the company had a net loss of $5.5 million. The company's stock was unchanged at $1.55 a share. The company is deferring uranium sales. "As a result of the events in Japan in March 2011, the uranium spot market demand has declined and the price has been trading in a range of $50.00 to $55.00 per pound. In response to these weaker market conditions, Denison has deferred uranium sales to later in the year," said the company in a statement.
Michael Allan McCrae | November 4, 2011 | 2:04 pm
US met coal is being priced out of the market

Coal of Africa raises US$106 million

Coal of Africa raised US$106 million after placing 130 million ordinary shares representing 24.4% of CoAL's issued share capital prior to the placing. Coal of Africa operates coalfields in the Mpumalanga Province in South Africa. It runs two collieries and is advancing other projects. John Wallington, chief excecutive officer of the company was pleased with the placement.
Michael Allan McCrae | November 3, 2011 | 4:08 pm

Suncor announces record third quarter; operations continue in Syria despite troubles

Suncor Energy Inc. (NYSE:SU), Canada's largest energy company, announced third quarter record earnings of $1.287 billion or 82 cents per share. Operating earnings almost tripled to a record $1.789 billion or $1.14 per common share. On the news, which was announced on Thursday, the company's shares were up 1.8% to $31.88. Production from oil sands was a bright spot for the company with an increase from 306,600 to 326,600 barrels a day; however cash costs increased $3.30 a barrel.
Michael Allan McCrae | November 3, 2011 | 2:25 pm

West African gold explorer completes Can$81.25 million equity offering

Perseus Mining (TSE:PRU), a West African gold explorer and miner, completed a Can$81.25 million equity offering. The offering, 25 million ordinary shares at Can$3.25 each, was underwritten by a syndicate of underwriters co-led by Clarus Securities Inc., Dundee Securities Ltd. and CIBC World Markets Inc. Funds will be used to develop the Sissingue gold deposit at the Tengréla Gold project, as well as for general corporate purposes.
Michael Allan McCrae | November 2, 2011 | 11:03 pm

Royal Nickel planning to build $1.1 billion nickel mine

Royal Nickel (TSE:RNX) plans to advance its Dumont Nickel project, which is estimated to generate $1.1 billion after tax NPV, after receiving a prositive pre-feasibility study. The company, which made the announcement on Tuesday, expects production to start in 2015. On Wednesday afternoon Royal Nickel's stock was down 1.27% to 78 cents a share. The company says there will be a staged development so it can lower cost and risk. Initial capital expenditure of $1.1 billion for 50 ktpd operation is planned.
Michael Allan McCrae | November 2, 2011 | 6:30 pm

Tenke Fungurume gets green light for $850 million expansion

Freeport-McMoRan Copper & Gold Inc. has approved a US$850 million expansion to the Tenke Fungurume mining operations in the Democratic Republic of Congo. Lundin Mining, a partner at the mine with FCX, made the announcement in a press release on Tuesday night. The phase two expansion, targeted for completion in 2013, will increase copper production by 50% to about 195,000 tonnes of copper cathode and 15,000 tonnes of cobalt in hydroxide. Funding will be split 70:30 between the mines two partners, FCX and Lundin Mining. The companies expect that capital costs will be funded by surplus cash from Tenke Fungurume operations.
Michael Allan McCrae | November 2, 2011 | 3:31 pm