Proactiveinvestors reports Regency Mines announced on Wednesday that its drilling work is continuing on the Mambare nickel joint venture in Papua New Guinea, but that visa delays may impact the planned work programme. The company said that the delays, caused in part by political uncertainty surrounding the appointment of a new government, could restrict the scale of the drilling programme. Papua New Guinea last week swore in a new PM and cabinet sweeping aside the old guard ahead of general elections next year.

As has previously been reported by Lucara Diamond, in April 2010, legal proceedings were initiated against African Diamonds Plc, Lucara's wholly-owned subsidiary, by two former directors of African Diamonds claiming entitlement to a 3% royalty on production from the AK6 diamond project. The claim was heard in the Botswana High Court in early June, 2011. The High Court delivered its ruling today, dismissing the claims against African Diamonds, with costs awarded against the plaintiffs. The plaintiffs have 30 days to seek to appeal the ruling.

Radio Free Europe reports an increase in world prices for base metals has made a 60-year old German-owned mining company the largest corporate taxpayer in Armenia. Data from the positively Soviet-sound State Revenue Committee released on Tuesday show the Zangezur Copper and Molybdenum Combine paying more than 15 billion drams ($41 million) in various taxes and duties in the first half of this year, compared to just 5.5 billion drams the same period last year.

Energy-starved Bangladesh is sitting on a huge deposit of coal without any effective exploration plan for its use in generation of electricity, experts said on Wednesday.

© The Cairns Post THE $1.5 billion Rio Tinto Alcan bauxite mine expansion at Weipa has wide reaching economic, employment and export benefits which have been underestimated by the business community. A business leader has admitted that many did not

Despite a report on Wednesday showing a surge in July, China's copper imports were still down 22% in the first seven months, suggesting slowing demand in the world's top copper consumer is adding to concerns that shaky western economies will knock prices further. However, according to a new study by Canaccord the copper mining industry is operating under 'a high degree of stress' and called robust copper prices the 'new normal' thanks to supply shortages. More than 500,000 tonnes of production have been lost this year due to weather delays, poor deposit grades, worker strikes and mill problems, mostly in Chile, the world's number one producer.

Chairman of BHP Billiton Jac Nasser has called for construction of a resources centre in Australia to address the skills shortage in the resources industry, reports Adelaide Now.

Nasser said Australia could suffer a decline in living standards unless it lifts its productivity levels through initiatives such as creating a ``global resources centre of excellence''. "Without productivity improvements, it's hard to see how Australia can address the challenges that we face, including climate change, an ageing population and a high exchange rate,'' Mr Nasser told a luncheon in Sydney on Wednesday.

An Australia Ministerial media statement announces that more than 15 000 people are expected to attend the Skills West Expo in Perth August 19-21, which will promote in-demand occupations such as mining, construction, health, education, finance, entertainment and recreation.

“The expo will showcase these occupations by providing a direct link to companies and educational institutions,” [Development Minister] Mr. Collier said. “It will prove ideal for students starting their careers or people looking to make a change through training and education.” With more than $225billion worth of resource or infrastructure projects either committed to or under consideration in WA, there is a clear need for skilled workers in a wide range of industries and occupations.

The North Shore news reports shipments of potash out of North Vancouver's Neptune Terminals rose 37% in the first six months of this year, compared to a mere 1% gain for overall tonnage handled by Port Metro Vancouver over last year. The increase, which brings the terminal's total to 3.8 million tonnes, was spurred by robust potash demand in Asia. Last year's total also marked a substantial jump from the previous year, when total tonnage rose 143%.