Australians find extremely rare mineral in meteorite impact crater

Nickel major Norilsk is preparing to start its Honeymoon Well project, in Western Australia, following positive studies completed in 2011, director of overseas operations Roman Panov said this week.

Former British politician and newspaper editor Lord Christopher Monckton — a prominent climate change skeptic and the UK Independence party's head of research — caused a ruckus this week in the media and the blogosphere for suggesting that Australia could use a version of the right-wing Fox News television network.

Gindalbie Metals has announced the award of the magnetite ore mining contract for the Karara iron ore project in Western Australia to Downer EDI Mining. With a total estimated value of approximately A$570 million over a duration of six years, the contract is one of the largest single operational contracts for the Karara project.

A BAEconomics report, commissioned by Rio Tinto to look into the benefits and costs of autonomous technology, has concluded that investment in mining technology and innovation should sustain long-term competitiveness while also providing the broader economic benefits likely to flow from a strong mining industry. The report, titled Autonomous and remote operation technologies in the mining industry: benefits and costs examines the advances in new technology, showing that while the costs and challenges of automation in the mining sector are substantial, they are potentially far outweighed by the benefits they can deliver.

ASX and TSX-listed Magma Metals (MMW) announced today the appointment of advisers in respect of the unsolicited proposed $40 million takeover offer for Magma by nickel miner Panoramic Resources Limited.

Downer EDI Limited (Downer) today announced it has been awarded a six year magnetite mining contract with Karara Mining Limited (KML) for the provision of services at the Karara Iron Ore Project in Western Australia.

Shares in ASX and TSX-listed Magma Metals rocketed 68% after Panoramic Resources, a nickel miner, launched a $40 million takeout bid.

Glencore International is in talks with Xstrata to merge in a deal that would create a $80 billion rival to BHP Billiton, Vale, Rio Tinto and China's Shenhua. Here's a wrap-up of what people are saying about the birth of the globe's first vertically integrated resource giant.

New Gold Inc. (TSX and NYSE AMEX:NGD) today announces fourth quarter 2011 gold production of 100,671 ounces which resulted in record annual production of 387,155 ounces during 2011. The company, once again, met its gold production guidance range of 380,000 to 400,000 ounces during the year. Quarterly and annual total cash cost per ounce sold, net of by-product sales, were $561 and $448 per ounce, respectively.