Posts by Mineweb:

Harmony Gold forecasts drop in March quarter gold production

Harmony Gold (HARJ.J: Quote) said on Wednesday that its gold production for the March 2011 quarter would likely be two percent lower than the previous quarter mainly due the impact of the Christmas break. It did not give figures in a brief guidance to investors but it said cash operating costs remained steady and capital expenditure was contained during the quarter.

Osisko Mining pours first gold at Malartic

Osisko Mining (TSX: OSK) poured its first gold at the Canadian Malartic open-pit gold mine in Quebec on Wednesday, April 13, 2011. The act ushered in not only one of Canada's newest miners, but one of its largest, with production at Malartic planned to hit 600,000 ounces gold a year, over a 12-year mine life.

Gold price scenarios for 2011 – Murenbeeld

Each year, Dr Murenbeeld chooses this event to present his views and forecasts for gold for the year ahead, and over the years he has proved to be one of the most accurate forecasters out there - but with three scenarios - cautious, middle and optimistic - he usually comes close with one or more of these - but he does give weighted likelihoods for each of his prediction scenarios.

Aquarius Platinum to pay $109.7m for 74% of Afarak Platinum

Aquarius Platinum (AQP.L: Quote), the world's fourth-largest primary platinum producer, said it would buy 74 percent of Afarak Platinum for $109.7 million to build up its reserves of the precious metal and cash in on rising prices. Spot platinum prices XPT= gained over 20 percent in 2010 and are expected to continue rising this year as risk aversion and low interest rates boost their allure.

Novel call for Jewelers to assist Japan’s earthquake and tsunami victims

An organisation operating out of Dillon in Nevada has been formed as "Jewelers for Japan" to raise funds for the thousands of victims in Japan and it is asking jewelers and consumers to donate scrap gold and silver jewellery in lieu of cash. The refiner Rio Grande in Albuquerque, New Mexico will refine the gold and silver scrap without a fee with all proceeds going directly to the American Red Cross.

Fresnillo says Q1 silver dipped but gold production at record

Fresnillo Plc (FRES.L: Quote), the world's largest primary silver producer, said silver output declined in the first quarter, although gold production rose to a record. The Mexican precious metals miner (FRES.MX: Quote) said silver production fell 2.2 percent to 10.1 million ounces, including output from the Silverstream agreement, on lower ore grades at the Fresnillo mine.

SEC delays adoption of new conflict mineral regulations

The U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) has postponed the adoption of rules governing sourcing of minerals from conflict areas around Central Africa, the SEC said on its website. The regulation, aimed at cutting the flow of money to armed rebels in the Democratic Republic of Congo and neighbouring countries, is part of the Dodd-Frank financial reform bill. The rules were expected to be adopted in April.

Whitehaven Coal says bid process nearing conclusion

Australian coal miner Whitehaven Coal said a formal process to find a bidder for the company was nearing a conclusion and interested parties have completed due diligence. Whitehaven said on Wednesday it was in was in talks with the parties to decide which proposal, if any, would be recommended by its board

TDS says gold will trade materially above $1,600/oz in 2H11

TD Securities Head of Commodity Strategy, Bart Melek Monday predicted "gold will trade materially above the $1,500/oz mark sometime in the second half of 2011." "Despite recent strength and record prices, TDS analysis points to more upside for gold into 2011," Melek advised.