Copper

Scorpio Mining achieved record mine operating earnings of $12.5 million in Q1 2011, an increase of 823% over mine operating earnings in Q1 2010 and 123% over mine operating earnings in Q4 2010. Net earnings were $6.6 million or $0.03 per share (basic) for Q1 2011 compared to $18.6 million or $0.17 per share (basic) for Q1 2010. The Q1 2010 net earnings included a $19.8 million gain on dilution and deconsolidation of Scorpio Gold Corporation ("Scorpio Gold"). Basic earnings per share of $0.09 in Q4 2010 was due to the inclusion of $12.4 million of non-cash corporate tax recoveries.

Commodities trader Glencore's bumper public offering has increased interest in Hong Kong listings from across the mining sector and will prove a welcome boost to the bourse, a senior executive at the exchange said. The world's largest diversified commodities trader is set to make its market debut in London and Hong Kong next week, in what could be a record listing, with Glencore [GLEN.UL] hoping to raise $11 billion.

Click here to read the whole story or read an excerpt below. By Matt Day COPPER futures ended above $US4 a pound today for the first time in more than a week on indications that steep price declines have boosted demand for the industrial metal. The

Xstrata Mount Isa Mines has announced plans to sustain the future of its Mount Isa operations through expanded mining and concentrate production, while phasing out copper smelting at Mount Isa and refining operations in Townsville by the end of 2016. 

California-based Casablanca Mining reported first quarter results that consolidated the gains made by the exploration and intellectual property rights company in 2010. Total assets increased to $3.8m and net loss declined to $0.01/share. Construction of Sulfatos Chile Copper Sulfate plant using the company’s patented electrolysis extraction process was continued. Casablanca also said it is in negotiation to acquire further gold mining properties in Chile and has some 43-101 technical reports in progress.

Noront Resources has completed a brokered placement worth $17.4 million, the Toronto-listed junior explorer announced yesterday. The deal will give Baosteel the right to increase its stake in Noront to 19.9%. It will also give Baosteel, a large steel producer owned by the Chinese government, a seat on Noront's board of directors. Proceeds from the placement will be used for feasibility studies on Noront's Eagle's Nest nickle-copper-palladium property and the Blackbird chromite deposit in the Ring of Fire poly-metallic mining district in northern Ontario, Canada.

Barrick Gold announced today that it has received confirmation that the Investment Canada Act does not apply to Barrick's proposed acquisition of all of the issued and outstanding common shares of Equinox Minerals Limited. This confirmation has been obtained in connection with the previously-announced offer by Barrick's wholly-owned subsidiary, Barrick Canada Inc., to acquire, subject to the terms and conditions of the Offer, all of the Equinox Shares at a price of C$8.15 per Equinox Share.

Red Crescent Resources (RCB.TO: Quote) said on Monday that South African miner Petmin (PEMJ.J: Quote) has agreed to acquire a 10.1 percent stake in the Canadian exploration company for C$4.64 million ($4.78 million). Separately, Red Crescent said it had signed a new definitive agreement with privately held Gensay to acquire a 75 percent interest in the Sivas copper project in central Turkey.

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.