China plans to dramatically consolidate the number of mines in its country, according to Caterpillar (NYSE:CAT) and a study by MCCM. And China also wants its mines to be a lot more productive. Caterpillar released the results of a study in August. In 2004 China had 25,000 operating mines. By the end of 2013 China wants to get that number down to 4,000 mines. A minimum production of 300,000 tonnes per annum will be required for mine approval.

Caterpillar's (NYSE:CAT) spring acquisition of Bucyrus netted the company brand new corporate headquarters for its mining division, Caterpillar Global Mining Headquarters. Last month MINING.com took a tour of the 26-acre corporate campus, located just south of Milwakee in Oak Creek.

Queensland, Australia's Minister for Women, Karen Struthers, is encouraging young women in the Upper Coomera area to try out "unconventional" careers, like mining, construction or manufacturing at Upper Coomera college, the Queensland Government website reports.

The program provides opportunities for young women to consider a career in non-traditional employment and undertake an apprenticeship or training to become plumbers, electricians or undertake tertiary study to work as engineers.

Shares in NioGold Mining (TSX-V:NOX) are up 3.28% today on brisk mid-day trading, after the company announced promising drill results from its Marban Block property, located in the Abitibi region of Quebec, Canada. Highlights from 10 new drill holes at the Marban deposit include an intersection at depth of 7.0 grams of gold per tonne (g/t Au) over 10.9 metres (MB-08-053ext) and shallow intersections obtained at the west end of the deposit of 5.9 g/t Au over 15.7 metres (MB-11-195) and 906.2 g/t Au over 2.6 metres (MB-11-198). Map by NioGold Mining Corp.

Mining investments could reach $2.8 billion in the Philippines this year if Chinese investors proceed with plans to jointly develop mining projects in the country, a senior mining official said Tuesday. There is a good chance that an initial target of $1.4 billion could be doubled if Chinese investors follow through in the last quarter on investments they have expressed interest in, Mines and Geosciences Bureau director Leo Jasareno said.

VANCOUVER, BRITISH COLUMBIA--(Marketwire - Sept. 13, 2011) - ATAC Resources Ltd. (TSX VENTURE:ATC) is pleased to announce the final 2011 drill results from its Ocelot silver-lead-zinc discovery. The Ocelot is located within the Rau Trend in the western portion of ATAC's 100% owned Rackla Gold Project in the Keno Hill Mining District, Canada's second largest primary silver producer. The 2011 diamond drilling program consisted of 19 holes totaling 3784.75 m. The first five holes returned encouraging results near surface (see news release dated June 13, 2011).

Vista Gold (AMEX:VGZ) had no comment on why its share price jumped on Monday. Shares were up from $3.70 on Friday to $4.41 by the end of Monday, a 19% gain. "Vista Gold Corp. ("Vista" or the "Company") (TSX & NYSE Amex Equities: VGZ) announced today that as a result of unusual market activity in the Company's common shares on September 12, 2011, the NYSE Amex contacted the Company in accordance with the NYSE Amex's usual practice and requested that the Company issue a public statement regarding the unusual market activity. The Company states that its policy is not to comment on unusual market activity," said the company in a news release.

COLORADO SPRINGS, CO--(Marketwire - Sep 13, 2011) - Gold Resource Corporation (NYSE Amex: GORO) extends high-grade Arista deposit mineralization outside of the deposit's previously drilled mineralized envelope including 7.6 meters of 9.92 grams per tonne (0.32 oz/tonne) gold and 129 grams per tonne (4.15 oz/tonne) silver. In addition, confirmation drill returns include 5 meters of 20.28 grams per tonne (.65 oz/tonne) gold and 559 grams per tonne (17 oz/tonne) silver. Gold Resource Corporation is a low-cost gold producer with operations in southern Mexico. The Company has returned over $24.6 million to shareholders in monthly dividends since declaring commercial production July 1, 2010.

After the market close on Monday Oilsands Quest announced it is cancelling a $60 million rights offer that only two weeks ago it extended for a second time. The embattled firm's shares spiked higher 22% to 25c, five cents above the offer price, in after-hours dealings following the news. Oilsands Quest said it was working with a third party on a deal that would "change the company's financial position and funding requirements," but has not ruled out a new rights offer. Investors in the AMEX-listed firm have been on a bumpy ride. The stock is down some 70% from its January highs of 64c and gained 63% in a single day after Saskatchewan granted the company 15-year leases, the first in the province. But recent investors can feel smug about the fact that they did not buy into the junior during the frothy 2006 market – the counter hit a peak of $7.76 in March that year.