Nickel

Brazillian miner Vale SA said Tuesday it is gradually resuming mining at its underground nickel operations in Sudbury, Canada.

Augustin Katumba Mwanke, the former governor of copper-rich Katanga province and go-to guy for resource deals, was seen by many as the power behind the throne.

A $4 billion rare earths deal signed this week between Germany and Kazakhstan is being criticized by human rights groups.

Nickel major Norilsk is preparing to start its Honeymoon Well project, in Western Australia, following positive studies completed in 2011, director of overseas operations Roman Panov said this week.

BHP Billiton raked in US$18.7 billion in the half-year ended December 31, 2011 — an 8.3% increase in Underlying EBITDA from the second half of 2010.

ASX and TSX-listed Magma Metals (MMW) announced today the appointment of advisers in respect of the unsolicited proposed $40 million takeover offer for Magma by nickel miner Panoramic Resources Limited.

After months of speculations and secret negotiations, Xstrata PLC (LON:XTA) and Glencore International PLC (LON:GLEN) have formally announced an all-share merger that would create a $90bn giant named "Glencore Xstrata International PLC."

According to a new European Wind Energy Association report a record 71% of all the new power generating capacity installed in the Europe Union in 2011 came from solar panels, offshore and onshore wind turbines and other renewable energy sources. This at the same time as the world's largest clean coal power station project appears stuck in the starting blocks.

Shares in ASX and TSX-listed Magma Metals rocketed 68% after Panoramic Resources, a nickel miner, launched a $40 million takeout bid.