According to data released by Russian Customs, Russia exported 84,400 tonnes of nickel in the first half of 2011, down by 17.3% YoY. However, the country's nickel export values in the first six months of 2011 increased slightly by 0.6%.
Bloomberg reported that Minmetals Resources Limited zinc production fell 13% in the Q2 because of lower grades at the Golden Grove mine in Western Australia.
North American Stainless has announced that it will maintain the fuel surcharge at 35% for stainless flat and long products shipping in the month of August 2011.
North American Nickel has discovered a previously undetected Quartz Diorite dyke in outcrop located in the north central portion of the Post Creek property which is approximately 2.8 kilometers north of the currently producing Quadra FNX Podolsky copper mine.
Peabody Energy and Ameren Corporation have entered into an agreement to provide 91 million tons of low sulfur coal to serve multiple electricity generating plants in Missouri through 2017. Peabody will source multiple products from its Powder River Basin.
AFP reported that Venezuela has signed a deal with Iran to build over 10,000 homes in three central states of the South American nation in a billion dollar investment package that signals the two country's increasingly close ties.
The Hindu reported that notwithstanding the turmoil in Karnataka over the iron ore issue, TATA Steel will move forward with its proposed investment in the state, which it is jointly implementing with TATA Metaliks a subsidiary.
Xstrata plc has approved two Xstrata Nickel projects totaling USD 649 million as it continues its investment in growth options within its Canadian portfolio. Xstrata Nickel?s development of the USD 530 million Raglan extension project in Northern Quebec
The board of Western Areas has announced that due to continuing high levels of production from the Forrestania Nickel Project, shipments of nickel concentrate to Jinchuan Group in China are already several months ahead of the original schedule.
Reuters reported that Australia's Albidon Limited has cut its 2011 nickel concentrate output forecast by 21% at Zambia's Munali mine due to lower than projected ore production and quality.
