Sutter Gold Mining Inc. (TSXV:SGM) said Wednesday it will go ahead with mine and mill construction at the company's Lincoln gold project in California, according to a report by Canadian Press: The decision follows completion of an independent preliminary economic assessment that indicated "positive economics" for the project near Sutter Creek, Calif., using a base gold price of US$1,100 an ounce. The project will be financed through a $20 million prepaid gold facility from RMB Australia Holdings. Sutter has agreed to deliver a total of 53,027 ounces to RMB, at a price of approximately $950/oz.

Jewelry and watch demand strengthened significantly in April in the U.S. market. New data indicates that total jewelry and watch sales rose by 11.2% over the same month a year ago, the largest gain since early 2010, when the industry was beginning to recover from the recession. Further, total jewelry and watch sales for the first three months of 2011 were revised upward, and show a much more consistent, positive trend. Preliminary jewelry sales in prior months had been somewhat choppy – in line with the choppy post-recession economic growth. However, newly revised data shows a pattern of solid monthly sales gains.

One of the world’s leading manufacturers and suppliers of mining excavators and haul trucks, Liebherr has chosen to continue providing Immersive Technologies with exclusive access to both its engineering staff and also its confidential, machine technical information which is considered essential to accurately simulate Liebherr’s real machines to the highest level of fidelity for operator training.

In less than a year from now Chelopech aims to break the mould in continuous improvement of underground mining bringing world-leading underground operating practice to Bulgaria. John Chadwick will report in detail in the magazine about the attention to detail, reliable and innovative communications, some of the latest trackless mining technology, commitment and passion that are all coming together at the Chelopech copper-gold mine in Bulgaria (IM, October 2006). Read more

Lockheed Martin (NYSE: LMT) and Carroll Technologies Group have signed a distribution agreement for a new wireless, through-the-earth communications system designed specifically to help the mining industry improve post-accident emergency communications. Read more

Iron Road Limited (ASX:IRD) is pleased to announce it has successfully raised A$21.6 million to further advance the Central Eyre Iron Project following the recently completed positive prefeasibility study. "The funds raised today will allow us to continue our aggressive resource drilling campaign and deliver additional large tonnages into the project. We are currently drilling the Murphy South western extension and PIRSA have this week approved drilling over the Murphy South eastern extension. This work will further enhance our position as we continue our partnership discussions.

Bechtel has been selected by the National Development and Innovation Committee (NDIC) of the Government of Mongolia to provide master planning services for the development of the Sainshand Industrial Complex. Read more

BioteQ Environmental Technologies, a leader in the treatment of industrial waste water, has commenced its seventh season of water treatment operations at Xstrata Nickel’s Raglan site, located in the Nunavik region of northern Quebec. BioteQ’s ChemSulphide® plant treats surface water, applying ISO 14001 standards for environmental compliance that meet very strict water quality requirements to produce clean water for release to the environment. Read more

Canadian Business reports merger and acquisition activity is expected to increase in Canada's oilpatch this year, as energy executives take a brighter view of their sector's prospects, according to a study released Wednesday. But the positive outlook is dampened somewhat by cost escalation for labour and equipment, the Ernst & Young report said. In 2010 Canadian energy M&A activity was dominated by oil sands. While the $4.65bn Sinopec-Syncrude deal was the largest the total the number of oil sands transactions tripled.