Planned uranium mine in South Dakota clears key hurdle

Mountain Province Diamonds Inc. ("Mountain Province", the "Company") (TSX: MPV, NY-AMEX: MDM) today announced the results of an updated independent valuation of the diamonds recovered from the Gahcho Kué Project. The valuation was conducted by WWW International Diamond Consultants Ltd. and took place at the London offices of the Diamond Trading Company in early April, 2011. All diamond values presented below are based on the WWW Price Book as at April 11, 2011. Importantly, for the first time, the Gahcho Kué diamonds were grouped into larger parcels, each parcel representing diamonds from the Hearne, Tuzo and the separate lobes of the 5034 kimberlite. In the opinion of WWW, grouping of the diamonds into larger parcels increased the accuracy of the diamond valuation.

Anglo-Swiss miner Xstrata (XTA.L: Quote) reported a 6 percent decline in copper output in the first quarter due to severe weather conditions at its Collahuasi mine in Chile and lower grades at its Alumbrera mine in Argentina. Overall, the miner said adverse weather conditions including flooding in Queensland and Western Australia, tropical cyclone Yasi and heavy rainfall in South Africa, Colombia and other parts of South America impacted production during the period.

Tool and machinery maker Sandvik's (SAND.ST: Quote) first-quarter operating margin was blown south of analysts' forecasts by currency headwinds, sending its shares down more than 3 percent. The maker of metalworking tools, mining equipment and specialty steels was among the hardest hit in Sweden's engineering sector during the financial crisis, but has since been buoyed by a rapid recovery in demand.

Hydro had underlying earnings before financial items and tax (EBIT) of NOK 1,448 million in the first quarter, up from NOK 588 million in the fourth quarter. Higher realized aluminium prices and premiums, higher volumes and lower operating costs lifted underlying results for the quarter.

Russia's top steelmaker Severstal (CHMF.MM: Quote) said on Thursday its crude steel output rose to 3.65 million tonnes in the first quarter 2011, up 5 percent from the same period last year. However, production was down 5 percent compared with the last quarter 2010, when output reached 3.84 million tonnes.

Russia's two main rail lines into Asia and, in particular China, are increasingly overburdened which is causing a headache for metals firms looking to increase exports.

Belgian group Umicore (UMI.BR: Quote) forecast improved earnings this year due to strong demand for its automotive catalysts and improved supply for its precious metal recycling business. The metals and speciality materials maker said on Tuesday it expected 2011 operating profit (recurring earnings before interest and tax) to rise to 400-425 million euros ($559-$594 million) from 342 million last year.

Northland Resources has contracted Metso to supply the mineral processing equipment and services for the two processing lines at Northland’s Kaunisvaara iron ore project in northern Sweden. The order is valued at $293 million and covers the complete equipment package for the processing plant, including two primary gyratory crushers, two AG mills, seven vertical grinding mills (VTM 3000), magnetic separators and seven VPA press filters.

India's Tata Steel , the world's No 7 steelmaker, will hold on to its stake in Africa-focused Riversdale Mining , its vice chairman said on Monday. "We will continue to hold on to our stake," B Muthuraman told reporters.