Battle for control of Asia Resource heats up

Times of Zambia reports that the Zambian government is planning to increase its share of mining firms from 20% to 35% but is not planning a wholesale nationalization.

Vietnam's central bank wants to "mobilize" gold from citizens which it says are hoarding 300 – 500 tonnes to free up funds for socio-economic development in the communist country.

This year could be the best for manganese producers, particularly for Asian countries, as the "Manganese: Global industry markets and outlook, 2012," released today suggests.

Originally the Bogoso/Prestea oxide plant in Ghana operated from 1990 to 2008, until it was sidelined due to a lack of an adequate oxide ore supply required to keep the plant afloat. After three years of being put on care and maintenance, Golden Star Resources (TSX:GSC) (AMEX:GSS) announced the re-commissioning of the oxide plant at Bogoso/Prestea, a move that’s expected to generate up to 70,000 ounces of gold in 2012.

Molycorp on Wednesday built on its strong gains since the start of the year after announcing a $390 million cash injection from Chile's Molymet.

BHP Billiton Ltd., the world’s largest mining company and the fourth-largest nickel producer, announced today that is decreasing mining operations at its West Australian locations by 30 percent.

BHP Billiton Limited (ASX:BHP) said Wednesday that it is selling its 37% non-operated interest in South African mineral sands venture Richards Bay Minerals to partner Rio Tinto PLC (LON:RIO). With this move, BHP is officially leaving the titanium minerals industry.

Junior miner London Mining’s stocks (LON:LOND) went up almost five per cent today as the company announced two major milestones: the first shipment of iron ore from its Marampa project in Sierra Leone and the commencement of production of coking coal in Colombia.

NASA is developing a robotic concept vehicle for bulk loading and remote exploration.