Top copper miner almost sold out on strong China demand

Japan's imports of rare earths from China rose 40 percent in March from the previous month, Ministry of Finance data showed, with some observers saying demand is so far unaffected by last month's devastating quake though the outlook remains murky.

TNG Ltd (ASX: TNG), which recently released a positive scoping study review of Mt Peake said today it had a memorandum of understanding (MOU) with a major Chinese engineering and development company. It was also now in discussions with other potential funding/development partners.

China has called on central and provincial authorities to stop approving the construction of new aluminium smelting capacity as over-capacity in the industry is expanding. Nine ministries and departments jointly issued an urgent circular reinforcing Beijing's policy to restrict aluminium capacity expansion. The circular was published on the website of the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology on Wednesday. (www.miit.gov.cn). Picture, a German aluminium coin from the time of the hyperinflation, is from Images of Elements.

Platts reports the Chinese government is planning to categorize coking coal as a strategic resource that will be “protected” via incentives to […]

A coal project in northeastern B.C. that is being developed by a Chinese consortium could produce up to 2 million tonnes of met coal annually for the next 30 years, the Globe and Mail reports: A Chinese group is making a $1-billion bet on coal in British Columbia to secure a key raw material for its steel making industry, the latest in a series of moves this year by international companies to stake a claim on Canadian resources.

Consolidated Thompson Iron Mines announced that Cliffs Natural Resources has received approval under the Investment Canada Act for completion of the plan of arrangement pursuant to which Cliffs will acquire all the outstanding common shares of CLM. The closing of the Arrangement remains subject to certain other customary conditions, including obtaining approval of the MOFCOM filing with the Anti-Monopoly Bureau of the Ministry of Commerce of the People's Republic of China.

At least four capesize cargoes of South African coal have been sold back to the original sellers by Chinese buyers during the past month and all are coming to Europe, said sources familiar with the deals. The South African coal is being stockpiled in Amsterdam-Rotterdam-Antwerp and at power plants either for sale into Europe or to be burned at the main buyer's own power plants.

Moly Mines Limited (TSX:MOL)(ASX:MOL) is pleased to announce it has been advised by Hanlong Mining Investment Pty Ltd ("Hanlong"), that the China Development Bank ("CDB") has approved US$500 million in project finance facilities to develop the Spinifex Ridge Molybdenum / Copper mine. CDB have agreed to expand their commitment from the US$250 million, announced on 1st February 2011, to US$465 million and make available US$35 million in further working capital facilities to meet Hanlong's US$500 million financing commitment to Moly Mines. A formal commitment letter is expected to be issued by CDB within the next two weeks.

Hong Kong-based Regent Pacific Group Ltd said it would consider reinstating debt funding for its original bid for Australian iron ore producer BC Iron Ltd. This move follows a decision by Australia's Takeovers Panel declaring a case of "unacceptable circumstances" for Regent's "purported termination" of its takeover scheme with BC Iron.