With some of the world’s top auto makers forced to stop vehicle production because of the nuclear crisis in the country, demand […]

CB Online says Quantum Rare Earth Developments has reported discovering a large niobium deposit in southeast Nebraska. The underground carbonatite formation has potential to become one of the world's largest sources of niobium, used in high-production steel and superalloys. Watch the interview with CEO Peter Dickie on BNN.

Mining Essentials: A Work Readiness Training Program for Aboriginal Peoples, enhances relationships and cooperation among Aboriginal communities, educators and industry by supporting training and hiring goals outlined in many formal and informal agreements (i.e. IBAs).

Mining Essentials is the only pan-Canadian work readiness program for Aboriginal peoples in mining. The program aims to ensure Aboriginal peoples have the essential skills and workreadiness training needed to enter mining and to provide industry with a local, employment-prepared workforce.

OZ Minerals is pleased to advise that the Australian Taxation Office (ATO) has issued a Class Ruling which advises that the proposed capital return by OZ Minerals is solely sourced from capital and so no part of the return will be treated as a dividend for Australian income tax purposes.

Gold miner Kirkland Lake posted a quarterly profit that trailed estimates, hurt by higher expenses and lower-than-expected production, and cut its full-year production view. The company lowered its fiscal 2011 production view to 80,000-85,000 ounces of gold from 90,000-100,000 ounces. Photo

Giant US company General Electric has announced plans for an $80 million technology and education centre at Perth's Jandakot airport.

Its global chairman and CEO Jeff Immelt made the announcement in Perth on Wednesday with federal Tertiary Education, Skills, Jobs Minister Chris Evans.

Mr Immelt said the new facility would be a multi-purpose GE training, service and technology centre able to be expanded further in future.

It would help provide skills and training to support growth in Australia's oil and gas, energy, mining, transportation and water industries.

SKILLED workers will be able to fast-track to full trade qualifications in as little as 18 months.

Skills Minister Chris Evans said the Federal Government would also provide $200 million for training projects for skills in high demand.

The Government has accepted all 31 recommendations of the Resourcing the Future report, which outlines a blueprint for lifting the number of skilled workers available to the resources sector.

"Under the adult apprenticeship project, experienced workers will have their existing skills recognised and be given the opportunity to complete the competencies required in just 18 months," Senator Evans said in a statement.

Global miner Rio Tinto warned that metals demand could fall in the near term and prices could be volatile in the medium term due to economic imbalances, but the long term growth outlook remained strong.

Sumitomo Metal Industries Ltd Japan's third-biggest steelmaker, said it had no plan to declare force majeure on input deliveries. The company has suspended operations of the two giant blast furnaces at its mainstay Kashima plant in Ibaraki prefecture after the quake and tsunami.