Latest issue of International Mining Project News available (October 9): Finally, Rio Tinto and Ivanhoe Mines have signed the Investment Agreement with the Government of Mongolia for the development of Oyu Tolgoi. This news clears the way for both companies to progress the project, with the goal of starting production in 2013. After a five year ramp up period, production is expected to reach 450,000 t/y of copper and 330,000 oz/y of gold. There is also a great deal of production news in this issue. Newmont Mining has poured its first gold at the Boddington gold/copper mine in Western Australia, Production has started at Highland Gold’s Novoshirokinskoye lead/zinc/gold/silver mine in east Siberia, Mirabela Nickel has started commissioning at its Santa Rita nickel mine in Brazil and North American Palladium has produced its first gold bars at the Sleeping Giant mine in Quebec, Canada. (more…)