The increase in the demand for potash, along with higher prices, is fuelling an expansion of PotashCorp's Allan mine in Sasatchewan, The Star Phoenix reports. The $550 million expansion began in 2009 and is expected to push production at the site from two million to three million tonnes per year by 2012: “Over the last two decades the potash industry has been fairly stable, it had plateaued,” said Larry Long, general manager of the Allan mine. “Now with all the influx of orders for potash, the market has expanded quite a bit, countries all over the world are using our product at a higher rate, so we are in a position where we have to expand to meet the demand.

Jiangxi Copper, China’s top copper producer, sees copper prices rising this year as supply remains tight and demand continues to increase.

Finnish headquartered metallurgical technology specialist Outotec has been awarded a contract to supply the copper effluent treatment at Codelco’s new MinaMinistro Hales […]

China's top copper producer Jiangxi Copper (0358.HK) (600362.SS) expects domestic copper prices to rise this year, mainly due to a supply squeeze, its chairman said on Saturday.

One of the three rescue capsules built to rescue 33 Chilean miners trapped underground last year will be on public display at the Prospectors and Developers Association of Canada’s International Convention, Trade Show and Investors Exchange, to be held at the Metro Toronto Convention Centre (south building) from Sunday, March 6 to Wednesday, March 9.

Inmet Mining (TSE:IMN) was down 7.41% to Can$64 on Friday after the Government of Panama announced that it will repeal recently enacted legislation, known as Law 8, that modifies the Panamanian mineral resources code. The price drop complicates the company's proposed merger with Lundin Mining. In Jan. 2011, Inmet and Lundin Mining announced a merger that would create Canada's largest base metal producer. However, Equinox Minerals launched a hostile bid for Lundin in late February.

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.