China's exports of rare earth metals burst through the $100,000-per-tonne mark for the first time in February, up almost ninefold from a year before, while the volume of trade stayed far below historical averages. China's squeeze on rare earths, which are used in a wide range of hardware including precision-guided weapons, hybrid car batteries and iPads, has forced prices up dramatically since July last year, when each tonne fetched a mere $14,405 on average.

KGHM (KGHM.WA: Quote), Europe's second biggest copper producer, has launched the sale of its telecoms arm Dialog as part of its plans to shed some non-core assets, sources close to the deal told Reuters late on Monday. "Teasers have been sent," one of the sources said, referring to a document presenting the company to potential buyers.

Canadian base metals miner HudBay Minerals Inc raised its stake in Augusta Resource Corp to 14.3 percent by buying 5.4 million more shares in the company for C$21.3 million. HudBay now holds 20.2 million shares of Augusta Resource, up from about 14.8 million earlier, the company said on Monday.

Cameco Corp (CCO.TSX) remains confident that the long-term outlook for uranium is solid despite global anxiety over radiation from an earthquake-crippled nuclear plant in Japan, Chief Executive Jerry Grandey said on Monday. Speaking to Reuters in an exclusive interview at the Mining and Steel Summit, Grandey said that while the so-called nuclear renaissance will be slowed by the crisis in Japan, more uranium will be needed in the next few years to fuel reactors already online and under construction.

Aurion Resources Ltd. (TSX-V:AU) has acquired two new gold properties in Nevada, both of which are prospective for Carlin-type gold deposits, the Newfoundland-based precious metals explorer announced on Monday.

Canada's AuRo Resources agreed to buy two mines and a majority stake in a third mine in Colombia from Minerales Del Puerto for up to $1.3 million and not exceeding 6.5 million shares.

Gem Diamonds says it is in very early stage talks with Canadian-listed Lucara Diamond Corp over a possible merger. "These discussions are at a very early stage and there can be no certainty the contemplated merger will occur or of the timing or terms of any such transaction," Gem Diamonds said in a statement on Monday.

Eurasian Minerals Inc. has completed the final tranche of its CAD$17.875 million private placement by the sale of 3,039,000 units for proceeds […]

Newstrike Capital Inc. (TSX-V:NES) said drilling continues to intercept and expand on the gold discovery at the company's 100%-owned Ana Paula Project, Guerrero Gold Belt (GGB), Mexico. Step-out drilling continues to intercept multiple mineralized intervals in all drill holes completed to date, and has expanded the area of mineralization to 700 by 1100 meters.