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.

Brazilian mining giant Vale said on Tuesday it rerouted 391,000 tonnes of iron ore, its first cargo aboard a new class of giant bulk carriers, to Italy from its original destination of China. The cargo is being shipped aboard the Vale Brasil, the world's largest dry-bulk vessel, a ship designed to reduce the cost of shipping the main steel ingredient to China. Despite the rerouting Vale said the so-called Valemax carriers will be able to enter three Chinese ports.

Data out this week show the likes of Goldman Sachs and JP Morgan raking in record revenues of almost $1bn/month in commodity and other trading revenue. A recent study of mining mergers and acquisitions shows the proportion of financial firms – as opposed to other miners – taking over resource companies had increased fourfold. And perhaps the most significant indication that US banking practices honed in the property markets have arrived in minerals is news that star metals traders now command pay as high as $3 million/year.

The Financial Times reports Greek citizens are emptying savings accounts and buying gold as they brace themselves for the possibility of a sovereign default and a run on the banks. Pledges by socialist prime minister George Papandreou that his government would “save the country” have been widely discounted by the public.