US coal demand slipping, but some basins faring better than others

The East African reports that the Russian state-owned nuclear energy firm JSC Atomredmetzoloto (ARMZ) is shelving a plan to acquire the $1.16 billion Mkuju Uranium assets in Southern Tanzania over the recent Japanese nuclear plant crisis. The move comes a month after the Russian firm obtained a take-over approval from the government of Tanzania under the Fair Competition Act 2003. The Tanzanian government had said that it would start higher grade uranium mining in early 2012 at Mkuju River following the completion of the feasibility study and the approval of environmental impact assessment of the area.

Reuters reported that Russian potash miners Uralkali (URKA.MM) and Silvinit (SILV.MM) expect to produce a combined 10.6 million tonnes of potash this year, up from 10.3 million tonnes in 2010.

LONDON – Uneasy markets mean Glencore is likely to put off a decision on whether to push ahead with its flotation until […]

Lundin Mining Corp. (TSX:LUN) says an assessment of its Aguablanca mine suggests full operations will likely restart in 2012 after a shutdown in December due to heavy rains, according to a report in The Brandon Sun: The base metals miner says it plans to spend the year preparing the mine to guarantee the operation's viability and safety after an assessment at the nickel mine in Spain.

Selwyn Resources has mobilized the mining equipment and supplies integral to the Selwyn Project Joint Venture's proposed underground advanced exploration program.

Canadian gold miner White Tiger Gold Inc. has offered 0.40 of its share for each Century Mining share. The offer values Century at about C$1.82 a share -- more than three times the stock's Friday closing, according to Reuters: White Tiger's operations are mainly in Russia, including the Savkino and the Nasedkino project, while Century Mining's primary asset is the Lamaque gold mine in Quebec. The boards of both companies support the deal and White Tiger shareholders will own about 39 percent of the company.

India, ranked among the top five global players in production of several major minerals, is poised for rapid growth in its mining industry - about five percent of the GDP. However, lack of skilled workers is set to hit the industry, creating a demand-supply gap of over 2,200 people by 2025, according to a study on mapping of human resources and skills for the mining industry in India by Confederation of Indian Industry (CII).

Russian firms produced 7.53 tonnes of gold in January, 12.4 percent more than in January of 2010, the Gold Industrialists' Union industry lobby said on Saturday. The union expects gold production by Russia -- the world's No. 5 producer -- to rebound to 205-207 tonnes this year after it fell 1.4 percent last year to 201.3 tonnes.

Astur Gold, based in Vancouver, is exploring for gold in northern Spain. The company’s Salave property is located a few kilometres from the village of Tapia on the Spanish coast. The company has released its preliminary economic assessment. Astur Gold CEO Cary Pinkowski talks about the study: