Australia’s Newcrest: Cadia mine to return to full production by mid-2018

Production of gold Down Under was at its highest levels since 2003 as miners cashed in on record prices, the Daily Telegraph was reporting on Sunday: Gold output from domestic mines in 2010 lifted by about 17 per cent or 38 tonnes to 266 tonnes or 8.5 million ounces (oz), Melbourne-based industry consultants Surbiton Associates Pty Ltd said in its latest survey of the Australian gold mining industry. "Gold produced from Australian mines in 2010 was worth some AUS$12 billion at the current spot price," Surbiton director Sandra Close said. "Gold remains one of Australia's top export earners."

Fortescue Metals Group has discovered more than one billion tonnes of iron ore in Western Australia's Pilbara and aims to develop it rapidly. Sydney Morning Herald reports: The new project, named Nyidinghu, is about 35 kilometers south of Fortescue's first mine, Cloudbreak, and contained an inferred resource of 1.032 billion tonnes of ore at a grade of 58 per cent iron, the company said.

Major global mineral sands producer, Iluka Resources returned to profit in 2010, primed by a dynamic transformation in the December half year. Iluka Ltd (ASX: ILU) reported a profit for the year of A$36.1 million (US$36.53 million) aided by higher zircon

The two mines, Blair Athol and Kestrel have been under force majeure since late December, after severe flooding in Queensland.

Pro and anti-uranium mining unions are marshalling forces in Queensland, Australian Mining is reporting. On the pro-side, the article says that the Australian Worker Union (AWU) will lobby governments to expand mining and overturn bans. On the other side, the Electrical Trades Union (ETU), which mostly represents electrical, communications and power industry workers, says it will oppose the expansion of uranium mining in Australia, citing safety concerns around exposure to radiation.

Andrew "Twiggy" Forrest may face directorship ban following the overturning of an earlier court case by the Australian Federal Court Today proved to be a day of champagne followed by flat beer for the chief executive of Fortescue Metals Group Ltd (ASX:

The Australian miner said annual sales could fall by around a fifth as a result of the heavy flooding that in the country that affected some of its collieries Australian miner Macarthur Coal's annual sales could fall by around a fifth

“Worldwide, Canada, Australia, Brazil, and Chile will likely remain the best jurisdictions in which to invest in and develop mining projects. Each of these nations will likely continue to see economic growth and mining investment.” This comment comes from a report, 2011 Ranking of Countries for Mining Investment Where ‘Not to Invest’. Most of us will agree with the company’s statement “the mining industry is vital to the creation of wealth and prosperity in any country. Countries that stifle it with detrimental political, economic, financial, and regulatory policies should be challenged to make changes that are more accommodative to its success.”

Temporary suspension of Laverton (WA) mining operations due to cyclone-related rains Crescent Gold Limited (ASX: CRE, TSX: CRA) advises that as a safety precaution, it has temporarily suspended operations at the Company's wholly-owned Laverton Gold.