Murchison now owns 100% of the HPM project in Québec

VANCOUVER, BRITISH COLUMBIA--(Marketwire - Sept. 7, 2011) - NovaGold Resources Inc. (TSX:NG)(NYSE Amex:NG) The feasibility study completed on the Donlin Gold Project (formerly Donlin Creek) in 2009 is being updated to include power generation utilizing natural gas delivered to site via aproposed 500-kilometer natural gas pipeline from the Cook Inlet to the mine site. Utilizing natural gas is expected to lower costs to generate power and reduce operating risk. In connection with this update, Donlin Gold LLC, owned equally by wholly owned subsidiaries of NovaGold Resources Inc. ("NovaGold") and Barrick Gold Corporation ("Barrick"), has provided its owners with preliminary capital cost estimates of approximately US$6billion for the Project with an additional approximately US$1 billion for the natural gas pipeline.

The deal-making frenzy in the global mining sector during the first half of the year was followed by a dramatic drop in activity in July and August, according to a new report by consultants PricewaterhouseCoopers. Figures from the report titled Riders on the Storm show that in July and August the value of global mining deals fell by 49% and deal volumes declined by 25%. The sharp reversal came after a record first half when 1,379 deals worth $71bn were announced even though Chinese entities, firmly focused on value, retreated from iconic western takeovers. Buyers were also willing to pay over the odds for large publicly listed targets – for $500 million+ acquisitions, the average premium was 37%. For sub-$500 million deals, premiums averaged a mere 8%.

EthicalOil.org, which stated goal is countering inaccurate and unfair criticisms of the oil sands, this week launched their first television ad as debate about the Keystone pipeline intended to carry Canadian crude to refineries on the US Gulf coast intensifies. The treatment of women in Saudi Arabia is the focus of the new ad running exclusively on the Oprah Winfrey Network in Canada and comes on the heels of demonstrations in front of the White House where celebrities had themselves arrested to persuade President Barack Obama, who has the final say, of oil sands' dangers and influential environmental voice Al Gore calling oil sands the "dirtiest fuel on the planet."

Zimbabwe said on Tuesday it could prosecute or cancel the mining licence of Zimplats, the local unit of Impala Platinum, for failing to agree to transfer majority ownership to local blacks, piling pressure on the firm to strike a deal. However, Indigenisation and Economic Empowerment Minister Saviour Kasukuwere, who is leading the drive to increase Zimbabweans' control of the economy, said Harare had reached an agreement with Rio Tinto's Murowa mine and a deal was "imminent" for Aquarius' Mimosa mine. The deals with Rio and Acquarius put the squeeze on Zimplats' parent, the world's number two platinum producer, which risks losing its concessions to others, especially the Chinese, who are favoured by President Robert Mugabe.

With the spot price for uranium falling below $50 – levels last seen immediately after the nuclear accident at Fukushima – U3O8 producers and explorers dropped across the board on Tuesday. Not even Hathor Exploration, the subject of a hostile takeover by industry bellwether Cameco, managed to get into in positive territory and the sector as a whole has lost more than 40% its value since the 11 March earthquake off the coast of Japan. And the near term outlook for the sector is not rosy either with a new study by Resource Capital Research indicating market price expectations looking out 3 to 6 months points to further downside, with a spot price expectation of $45.95/lb.

VANCOUVER, BRITISH COLUMBIA--(Marketwire - Sept. 6, 2011) - Selwyn Resources Ltd. ("Selwyn") (TSX VENTURE:SWN) is pleased to announce the first drill results from the recent drilling of the XY West deposit at the Selwyn Project, Yukon. The drill results are part of the exploration and definition drilling program of the XY West deposit conducted by Selwyn Chihong Mining Ltd. ("SCML"), the joint venture company equally owned by Selwyn and Chihong Mining Canada Ltd. Chihong Mining Canada Ltd. is a wholly owned subsidiary of Yunnan Chihong Zinc and Germanium Co. Ltd

THUNDER BAY, ONTARIO--(Marketwire - Sept. 6, 2011) - Rare Earth Metals Inc. ("Rare Earth Metals", "RA" or the "Company") (TSX VENTURE:RA)(OTCQX:RAREF)(PINK SHEETS:RAREF) is pleased to report preliminary Rare Earth Element results from drilling on the Dory Pond project area of the Red Wine property. The second hole of this drill program (DDH-B3N-03) was successful in testing an area defined by a number of Heavy Rare Earth anomalous prospect samples and resulted in an intersection of 1.55% TREO (HREO/TREO of 42.1%) over 21.0 meters within a wider intersection of 1.11% TREO (HREO/TREO of 41%) over 42.9 meters. Of particular importance are the high values in Dysprosium, Yttrium and Neodymium which compare favourably with other more advanced Heavy Rare Earth Deposits.

The Royal Canadian Mounted Police are investigating a Calgary-based company over allegations of bribery in Mexico. The Mounties are checking whether Blackfire Exploration Ltd. made monthly payments to a local mayor to prevent protesters from interrupting the mine's operation, says the CBC:

Canada led the world in the number of mining mergers and acquisitions (M&A) for the first half of the year, says Ernst & Young. And while the number of deals fell in comparison to the highly acquisitive first half of 2010, the value of the transactions that took place this year more than doubled compared to the same period last year. The country was the leading buyer in H1 with 196 deals, and also the leading target destination with 129 deals. Australia came second as a buyer and target destination, with 83 and 72 deals respectively.