The U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA), the statistical arm of the U.S. Department of Energy, has reported that U.S. coal exports in the first quarter of this year were 26.6 million tons, representing the highest level of quarterly coal exports since 1992, when 27 million tons of coal were exported from the U.S. Coal exports were up 49% from the corresponding quarter of 2010 and were double first-quarter 2009 levels. Industrial Info is tracking more than $12.8 billion in active U.S. projects involving the mining and processing of coal. The increased demand from abroad is helping fuel not only grassroot coal mine construction, but also the expansion and restart of existing coal mines.

Solitaire Minerals Corp. (TSX VENTURE:SLT) reports that Terra Ventures Inc. (TSX VENTURE:TAS) has commenced a diamond drilling programs on the Wheeler River uranium properties, adjoining the Denison Mines property and the Phoenix Zone, in the Athabasca Basin of Saskatchewan.

Osisko Mining Corporation CA:OSK +2.75% , has declared commercial production at their flagship Canadian Malartic Mine in Malartic, Quebec. Sean Roosen, President and Chief Executive Officer, commented on reaching this major milestone: "It is our great pleasure to report that our gold milling plant has processed an average of 33,300 tonnes per day during the 30-day period ending June 17, 2011. Our operating team has been successful in ramping up production rapidly and we are seeing steady progress on a daily basis in all facets of our operations. The rapid development of the Canadian Malartic Project from exploration to commercial production is a tribute to the hard work, dedication and expertise of our employees and contractors. With great pride we present Canada's newest and largest commercial gold mine."

Larry W. Reaugh, President & C.E.O. of Goldrea Resources Corp. (TSX VENTURE:GOR)(PINK SHEETS:GORAF)(FRANKFURT:GOJ) ("Goldrea" or the "Company") is pleased to report the company has entered into an agreement to purchase 100% (subject to a 2% NSR) of the WigWam Magnetite, Iron, Titanium, Vanadium and Silver Project (1237 hectares/3056.8 Acres), located at WigWam Bay, 8 Kilometers southwest of the head of Seymour Inlet, British Columbia from John Thom Shearer of Coquitlam, B.C.

Central Iron Ore Ltd. (the "Company" or "CIO") is pleased to announce that it has, through its subsidiary Central West Resources Pty Ltd, entered into a farm in and joint venture agreement with the Australian Stock Exchange listed Pacific Ore Limited (ASX:PSF) ("Pacific") in respect of CIO's Perinvale North Iron Ore Hub ("Perinvale North Hub") for AUD$15 million ("Joint Venture"). The Perinvale North Hub consists of Exploration Licence 57/818 covering an area of 120km² and is located approximately 550km North East of Perth, Western Australia in the Yilgarn Iron Ore Province ("YIOP").

"Cost inflation has been experienced at all operations," continued Mr. Stothart. "The industry is experiencing higher costs for fuel, consumables and labour in all regions this year, as well as higher royalties commensurate with the higher gold prices. Even with these higher costs, and a conservative gold price assumption of $1,200 per ounce, we believe that the projected cash flow from our operations combined with our current cash position will fund our significant three-year $1.2 billion investment to expand production at our existing gold mines and further strengthen our balance sheet."

Tenaris S.A. (NYSE: TS) (BAE: TS) (MXSE: TS) (MILAN: TEN) announced today that, within the framework of the Venezuelan National Assembly's law declaring all of Matesi's assets to be of public and social interest and ordering the Executive Branch to take the necessary measures for the expropriation of such assets, President Chavez issued Decree 8280/2011, which orders the expropriation of Matesi's assets as may be required for the implementation of a state-owned project for the production, sale and distribution of briquettes, and further instructs to commence negotiations and take any actions required for the acquisition of such assets.

Sulliden Gold Corporation Ltd. ("Sulliden", or the "Company") (TSX:SUE)(OTCQX:SDDDF) is pleased to announce continued positive exploration results for six new drill holes from the ongoing 70,000 metre drilling program being carried out this year on its 100%-owned Shahuindo Gold and Silver Project in northern Peru

Ringbolt Ventures Ltd. (TSX VENTURE:RBV)(OTCQX:RNGTF)(FRANKFURT:3OZ) has commenced drilling on its Lisbon Valley Potash Project in Utah. The planned drilling program is to test the potash and salt horizons on one of its state leases. The state lease is located on section 36, township 29.5 south and range 25 east. The drill plan is to use reverse circulation drilling to the top of salt bed 5 at an approximate depth of 2,800 feet where there is a reported historical assay of 18.5% K2O and then core drill the potash bed. Cane Creek Mine’s Solar Evaporation Ponds. Image by Ringbolt Ventures Ltd.

Desert Gold Ventures Inc. (TSX VENTURE:DAU)(OTCQX:DAUGF) has entered into a definitive sale of shares agreement with TransAfrika Resources Cyprus Limited, a Cypriot company, pursuant to which Desert Gold has agreed to acquire all of the issued and outstanding shares of TransAfrika Belgique S.A., a Belgian company, from the vendor, an indirect subsidiary of TransAfrika Resources Limited, a widely held private company existing under the laws of Mauritius.

B2Gold Corp. reports a temporary shutdown of the underground workings at the Limon Mine in Nicaragua due to on-going rescue attempt of a missing worker during heavy rains and mine flooding.

United Silver announced today that Mr. Graham M. (Chip) Clark, Jr., currently Chairman of the Company, has accepted the appointment as interim President and Chief Executive Officer of United Silver Corp., effective June 19, 2011.