NovaGold Resources said Thursday it plans to "vigorously defend " a lawsuit filed against the company by Copper Canyon Resources Ltd. The notice of claim filed by Copper Canyon "alleges that Copper Canyon's right of first refusal with respect to the Copper Canyon property has been triggered as a result of arrangements between NovaGold and the Galore Creek Partnership, and seeks specific performance of the right of first refusal. NovaGold denies that the right has been triggered or that it has breached any obligations respecting the Copper Canyon property."

China may have dominated mining news headlines over the past year, but it is a small player when it comes to mergers and acquisitions, according to a report released today from PwC. The Mining Deals report states that in 2010, just 6% of global mining involved purchases by Chinese companies, compared to 36% from companies domiciled in Canada, 16% in the US and 16% in Australia. The numbers appear to dispel the myth that China is amassing control of the world's resources by merging and acquiring firms into its orbit.

MetalBulletin is tagging stories related to unrest in the Middle East and North Africa so readers can assess possible impacts on the mining sector.

The Associated Press reports that Kate Middleton’s ancestors worked in England’s coal pits: Her great-grandfather left coal country nearly a century ago […]

Romios Gold Resources announced that a 2010 mapping project from the British Columbia Geological Survey confirmed Romios' previous claims that the Dirk property mineralization is analogous to and may be as large as the Galore Creek project. Samples collected by Romios from the Dirk property produced numerous anomalous values including a 3.0 metre chip sample of 6.21% Cu, 0.57 g/t Au, and 44.1 g/t Ag. The BCGS also reports values up to 21 ppb platinum and 64 ppb palladium from samples that they collected from the Dirk property.

Market capitalisation for miners on the TSX and TSX Venture rose from Can$325 billion in 2009 to $467 billion in 2010, according to a study released by Ernst & Young on Wednesday. The study also found that the mining sector raised $17.7 billion through IPOs and private placements, eclipsing the oil and gas industry which only managed $11.3 billion. The study also found that there were 52 mining initial public offerings on the TSX and TSX Venture that raised more than $1.3 billion.

Quebec's three-year run as the Fraser Institute's favourite mining jurisdiction ended after Alberta took the top spot. Releasing it's findings on Wednesday, the think tank lauded Alberta's tax policies and clear rules regarding mining. “Alberta’s resource-friendly government, competitive taxation regime, and superior infrastructure render the province a standout for mining investment, not only in Canada but also globally,” said Fred McMahon, coordinator of the survey and the Institute’s vice-president of international policy research.

On Tuesday the Ontario Superior Court of Justice dismissed Inspiration Mining Corporation’s court application against URSA Major Minerals. Inspiration sought to reverse […]

Argonaut Resources NL (ASX:  ARE) announced on Friday results from pre-collar assays from the Alford project (EL3969) on South Australia’s Yorke Peninsula. Highlights from the intercepts were ALDDH10: 78m at 0.62% Cu from 88m. It also included 54m at 0.86% Cu from 88m.