Allana Potash Corp. (TSX VENTURE:AAA) ("Allana" or the "Company") is pleased to announce that drill hole DK-11-13 intersected significant potash mineralization including one metre of 47.81% KCl. Hole DK-11-13 intersected two robust potash zones which appear to correlate with the Sylvinite Zone and Kainitite Zone. The Sylvinite Zone returned 2.8 metres of sylvinite which graded 45.86 % KCl and includes a one metre interval that returned 47.81% KCl. Further down the hole, 8.7 metres of kainitite was intersected which returned 22.91% KCl.

Exploration Orbite (TSX VENTURE:ORT.A) is pleased to announce the presence of high-value by-products such as scandium, gallium and other important rare earth elements in its Grande-Vallée deposit, all of which offer strong economic potential for the company and for Canada. The Company is also pleased to announce its filing of a provisional U.S. patent application that extends protection for its existing patented technology to the extraction of scandium, gallium and other rare earth elements from aluminous clay.

As the extent and depth of its low-grade gold project Cerro Maricunga grows, so follows Atacama Pacific Gold's (TSX-V: ATM) shareprice. Since the start of the year the latter has climbed from around $3 a share to just over $5 as Atacama released a slew of drill intercepts outlining three, semi-contiguous areas of gold mineralization at Cerro Maricunga, 100-km northeast of Copiapo, Chile

South African miner Metorex (MTXJ.J: Quote) said on Monday that if there were any other serious offers to acquire it aside from one launched by Brazil's Vale (VALE5.SA: Quote) it would have to consider them. "If there are other serious and 'firm' offers for Metorex, the company has a duty to consider them and will of course consider any such offers in the best interests of its shareholders," Metorex CEO Terence Goodlace said in an e-mailed response to questions submitted by Reuters.

Indian infrastructure major Punj Lloyd on Monday announced that its Singapore-based subsidiary, Sembawang Engineers and Constructors, has entered into an agreement to acquire 50% stake in a thermal coal mine company in Indonesia. The Indonesian company is based in Central Kalimantan, Indonesia and the acquisition is to be done through Sembawang Development Pte Ltd, a unit of Sembawang Engineers, the company has informed the Bombay Stock Exchange.

Moly Mines Limited (TSX:MOL)(ASX:MOL) is pleased to announce it has been advised by Hanlong Mining Investment Pty Ltd ("Hanlong"), that the China Development Bank ("CDB") has approved US$500 million in project finance facilities to develop the Spinifex Ridge Molybdenum / Copper mine. CDB have agreed to expand their commitment from the US$250 million, announced on 1st February 2011, to US$465 million and make available US$35 million in further working capital facilities to meet Hanlong's US$500 million financing commitment to Moly Mines. A formal commitment letter is expected to be issued by CDB within the next two weeks.

BHP Billiton played down speculation it was in talks to acquire a cornerstone stake that could be worth $10.3 billion (A$9.8 billion) in Australia's largest oil and gas firm, Woodside Petroleum , from Royal Dutch Shell (RDSa.L: Quote). BHP Billiton, widely rumoured to be considering a takeover of Woodside, said in a short statement that there was no basis for the market talk, which has centred on BHP acquiring Shell's 24.3 percent stake as a step toward a full takeover.

Low literacy may be keeping hundreds of applicants in Washington and Greene County (U.S.A.) from taking up the new wealth of entry-level mining jobs to be created in the next several years, Observer-Reporter reports.

...hundreds of applicants from Washington and Greene counties can't be considered for employment as so-called "white-cap" entry-level miners, earning more than $22 per hour and full benefits, because they're coming up short on basic reading and math skills.

Northern College is helping to address the shortage of skilled miners with its Hard Rock Miner Training program at Kirkland Lake campus, developed through a partnership with Kirkland Lake Gold Inc.

Created through a partnership between the school and the mid-tier gold miner, the program has provided an opportunity for those returning to the North in search of permanent full-time employment. “It is so gratifying to see those who are highly motivated and never had a chance of getting in...this is their big break,” said Rose-Lyne D'Aoust-Messier, training consultant of apprenticeship, workforce development and training at Northern College's Kirkland Lake campus.