Inmet Mining Corporation (TSX:IMN) announced today that the government of Panama intends to repeal recently enacted legislation, known as Law 8, that modified the Panamanian mineral resources code. The intent to repeal Law 8 recognizes concerns from indigenous communities residing within areas known as Comarcas that are recognized under Panamanian law. Inmet's Cobre Panama project is neither situated on nor adjacent to any Comarcas, and has had government and local community support.

The head of China's largest metals trader has called for government efforts to consolidate the rare earth industry and nurture competitive domestic firms in the sector. Zhou Zhongshu, president of China Minmetals, said that the difficulties facing China's rare earth industry mainly come from the fact that local authorities, owners of rare earth mines, tend to issue mining licenses to local firms.

New Gold had their best year in 2010, with increased production and declining costs resulting in record earnings and cash flow, the B.C.-based company said on Friday. Consolidated revenue for the year was $530 million compared to $324 million in 2009, which the company attributed to higher production rates and elevated gold prices. Earnings from mine operations jumped 129% to USD$203 million, compared to $89 million in the previous year.

Lake Shore Gold Corp. (TSX:LSG) announced results from six drill holes (3,035 metres) from the 730 Level at the Thunder Creek Project with four holes (1,060 metres) being collared underground and two holes (1,975 metres) on surface. The holes are part of a continuing drill program to define the overall geometry and grade of the Porphyry and Rusk Zones near the 730 elevation in order to complete an initial National Instrument 43-101 compliant resource estimate. The Thunder Creek project is within the company's Timmins West Gold Complex near Timmins, Ontario.

Teck Resources Limited ("Teck", TCK.A and TCK.B, NYSE: TCK) announced today that it has reached agreement with Westshore Terminals Limited Partnership ("Westshore") on terms for the shipment of steelmaking coal from Teck's mines in British Columbia and Alberta for a four year term from April 1, 2012 to March 31, 2016. The new agreement envisions Teck shipping 16 million tonnes of coal in the initial contract year, and larger amounts in subsequent years when Teck's production is scheduled to increase, all at fixed rates through Westshore.

Peregrine Diamonds completed a non-brokered private placement of 3,000,000 common shares at a price of $2.80 per share for proceeds of $8.4 million. Proceeds will be used for mineral exploration projects in Canada.

Start-up of the mill is now planned following completion of service repairs that were initiated in last fall. Underground development material has been stockpiled at the surface for mill feed. By the end of February, a total of 11,866 tonnes (13,080 tons) of material was stockpiled at an estimated average grade of 12.5 grams per tonne (0.365 oz/ton) gold. The total to date of the stockpile plus the underground broken inventory currently stands at 20,500 tonnes (22,678 tons) at an estimated average grade of 12.4 grams per tonne (0.363 oz/ton) gold.

Astur Gold, based in Vancouver, is exploring for gold in northern Spain. The company’s Salave property is located a few kilometres from the village of Tapia on the Spanish coast. The company has released its preliminary economic assessment. Astur Gold CEO Cary Pinkowski talks about the study:

Students, teachers and training providers who excel in vocational education and training are being given a chance to be recognised as part of the Queensland Training Awards. Employment, Skills and Mining Minister Stirling Hinchliffe today said nominations were open in 11 categories recognising outstanding achievements of teachers, trainers and students. “The awards set the bar high and Queenslanders are rising to the challenge,” Mr Hinchliffe said.