MINING.COM

Last-ditch attempt to block start of only US nickel mine

The Columbus Republic reports opponents of a planned nickel and copper mine in Michigan's Upper Peninsula are asking a judge to put a state-issued permit for the project on hold ahead of initial blasting expected later this month. Four organizations have asked a judge to issue a stay while considering an appeal of the Department of Environmental Quality's 2007 decision to grant Kennecott Eagle Minerals, a subsidiary of Rio Tinto, a permit. Kennecott Eagle is targeting an underground ore deposit that would be the only US mine where nickel is the primary mineral generated instead of a byproduct. The mine could yield up to 300 million pounds of nickel and about 200 million pounds of copper.

Frik Els | September 2, 2011 | 1:35 am

Saskatchewan party wants to put potash royalties into fund

CanadaViews reports Saskatchewan NDP Leader Dwain Lingenfelter announced Thursday an NDP government would create the Bright Futures Fund, modelled on oil and gas revenue funds in Alaska and Norway. The fund will dedicate a portion of Saskatchewans non-renewable resource royalties to invest for the future. This fund would be independently managed, and the government would not be allowed to withdraw money to cover short-term deficits and day-to-day spending. Lingenfelter said that the Sask Party has seen over $10 billion dollars in non-renewable resource revenue flow through their hands and spent on one-time projects or to cover budget deficits.

MINING.COM Staff Writer | September 1, 2011 | 7:33 pm

Fort Mac grapples with oil sands growth as population grows 80% since 2000

Alberta Oil Magazine takes an in-depth look at infrastructure challenges that persist for Fort McMurray, the centre of Canada's oil sands industry, in the middle of a global bonanza.

MINING.COM Staff Writer | September 1, 2011 | 6:48 pm

The credibility crash

Things turned hard in the markets since the last issue, and not in a good way. A lot of bad news has been priced into the market. At this point only time will tell whether that has impacted people hard enough to tip the slow growing developed countries into recession. Whichever way things go, it’s going to be close.

David Coffin and Eric Coffin of HRA Advisories | September 1, 2011 | 4:40 pm

Next South Australia Premier Unveils STEM Training Strategy for Mining and Defence

Australian Mining reports that Jay Weatherill, the next premier of South Australia, has unveiled a new strategy to up-skill workers in science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) to fill jobs in the mining and defence industries.

According to Weatherill, there is a continuing rise in demand for people with STEM skills in the mining and defence industries. The SA government has mapped all the STEM work being done in South Australia by government, industry and the community sector so that more than 55 programs can be harnessed to deliver the greatest possible benefit for the economy.

Joanna Gaskell - Education Editor | September 1, 2011 | 4:24 pm

Al Gore calls oil sands the dirtiest fuel on the planet

Al Gore's latest blog entry reads: The leaders of the top environmental groups in the country, the Republican Governor of Nebraska, and millions of people around the country – including hundreds of people who have bravely participated in civil disobedience at the White House – all agree on one thing: President Obama should block a planned pipeline from the tar sands of Alberta to the Gulf of Mexico. The tar sands are the dirtiest source of fuel on the planet...

Frik Els | September 1, 2011 | 12:47 am

PNG’s new leaders try to assuage miners while tightening grip on power

Papua New Guinea’s new prime minister Peter O'Neill and the country's Investment Promotion Authority have moved to quell concern about proposed changes governing ownership of resources in the country saying it needs further discussion and acknowledging genealogical problems. Among sweeping changes promised for the impoverished country, PNG's new mining minister introduced a plan to hand state ownership of mineral and energy resources to customary landowners forcing mining companies to renegotiate permits and contracts. Last week O'Neill guaranteed the support of 80% of MPs he needs to preserve his majority ahead of 2012 elections by expanding his cabinet by a third.

Frik Els | August 31, 2011 | 11:31 pm

First Nation invests in potash in Saskatchewan

Upon returning from my latest site visit and video shoot detailing a partnership for potash in Saskatchewan between Encanto Potash [EPO – TSX.V] and the Muskowekwan First Nation (MFN), I was pleased to see that the relationship was healthy and the company is poised to make the gains I’d read about before the trip. Click on the headline to view the rest of the article and a video by ProspectingTV, featuring interviews with EPO President and CEO Jim Walchuck and the MFN's Chief Reginald Bellerose.

Prospecting Journal | August 31, 2011 | 11:06 pm

Rodney Cooper: Bullish on iron ore and copper

Rodney Cooper, a senior mining analyst with Dundee Capital Markets in Toronto, has some rather bullish forecasts for iron ore and copper prices. But given the worldwide economic malaise and a slowdown for China's economic powerhouse, what's his rationale? Cooper talks about his predictions in this exclusive interview with The Gold Report.

The Gold Report | August 31, 2011 | 10:00 pm

Outotec collaborates with the Mongolian government to develop mining and metallurgical processing of Mongolian mineral resources

Outotec has agreed on collaboration with the Ministry of Minerals Resources and Energy of Mongolia (MME) during the visit of Ms. Tarja Halonen, President of the Republic of Finland, to Mongolia today. According to the agreement, Outotec supports MME as a technical advisor to develop mining and metallurgical processing of Mongolian mineral resources in the most sustainable way.

MINING.com Editor | August 31, 2011 | 8:25 pm