Franco-Nevada forecasts revenue this year to be between US$325 million to $350 million this year, using consensus commodity price assumptions of US$1,400 gold, $1,750 platinum, $575 palladium and $80 oil. However, the company warned its expenses will be significantly higher in the first quarter of the year, as transaction costs associated with the acquisition of Gold Wheaton will be expensed under International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS).

Gold producer Newmont Mining Corp's (NMC.TO: Quote) board has approved funding for its estimated 7.2 million ounce Akyem gold reserve project, the company said in a statement on Thursday. Newmont's director for investor relations Monica Brisnehan declined to say how much funding was approved, but pointed to previous numbers released by the company in February which estimated capital expenditure for the project at between $700 million to $1 billion. Image from Newmont's Resettlement Action Plan

Canada's Inmet Mining said a letter from the Panama government confirmed that its copper-gold project will not be affected by the recent repeal of a law that allowed foreign government investment in mines within the Central American country. The law is crucial to Inmet, as the company plans to partner with Singapore's state investor Temasek and with Korea Resources Corp to finance and build its $4.3 billion copper-gold project in the country.

Diversified mining behemoth BHP Billiton is expected to pour billions of dollars into Australia in an effort to expand its iron ore and coal facilities, says a report from AFP: Mining giant BHP Billiton said Friday it would pour billions of dollars into expanding its coal and iron ore operations in Australia, key commodities that are driving the boom in Asian economies.

Avanti Mining Inc. (TSX-V:AVT) reported a net loss of $4.9 million ($0.01 per share) for the year ended December 31, 2010 compared to a net loss of $6.2 million ($0.04 per share) for the comparable period in 2009. The company deferred $13.0 million (2009 - $5.7 million) relating to the development costs of the Kitsault property in northwest British Columbia. The company had a cash balance of $18.0 million on hand at the end of 2010.

In its latest Commodity Companion publication, RBS explains why it prefers aluminium, copper, platinum and palladium to bulk commodities and silver on […]

Yellowhead Mining has raised $20 million through bought-deal financing, the B.C.-based company exploration company announced earlier this week. Under the deal, Yellowhead is selling 13.8 million shares at CDN$1.45 per unit, with each unit including a common share and one-half of a warrant. The warrants may be exercised at a price of $2.00, for two years after the deal closes.

According to Business Spectator, Australia's biggest mining companies have won a major concession over the planned new 30 per cent Mineral Resource Rent Tax (MRRT), with the government agreeing to refund any future increases in state-based royalty charges. Treasurer Wayne Swan said the government agreed with the key recommendation of a mining tax transitional policy group, headed by Resources Minister Martin Ferguson and former BHP Billiton chairman Don Argus.

The Obama Administration is making more land available for coal mining in Wyoming, says a report from CNN: Coal mining on public lands will expand in the coming months in Wyoming, as the federal government makes more coal-rich land available for lease by mining companies.