Paragon Diamonds interest in Lemphane increased to 100%

Black Iron reported initial assay results from its ongoing confirmation ("twin hole") and metallurgical diamond drill program at the Company's Shymanivske Iron Ore Project in Ukraine. The Company is encouraged by the results of the initial two holes highlighted by 20342-T that intersected 164 meters grading 32.1% iron, including 83 meters grading 33.8% iron. Matt Simpson, President and Chief Executive Officer of Black Iron, commented, "As anticipated, the assay results from the first two twin holes align well with the historical drilling logs for the Project."

Iberian Minerals Corp. (TSX VENTURE:IZN) today announced that it has determined to exercise its right to purchase from Trafigura Beheer B.V. its 45.96% net profit interest in Compania Minera Condestable S.A. ("Condestable"), which is the subsidiary through which Iberian holds its approximately 98.73% interest in the Condestable Mine. In accordance with the terms of the CMC Purchase Agreement, Iberian retained the option to purchase the NPI from Trafigura at any time until June 30, 2011 in consideration of the payment of US$60,000,000 (the "NPI Buy-out").

Azumah Resources Ltd (ASX: AZM) said today it has secured an 11% stake in Castle Minerals Ltd (ASX: CDT) through a holding of 11.081 million shares. Azumah's managing director Stephen Stone said the company viewed the holding as a strategic investment that would increase Azumah's options should any of the growing market-based speculation about consolidation in the West African gold sector unfold.

Reuters reports on Tuesday Russian diamond monopoly Alrosa may use the spoils of high diamond prices to develop an asset in northwest Russia rather than let a foreign miner such as Rio Tinto onto its territory, a source close to the company said. The source said on Tuesday high diamond prices meant Alrosa had enough cash to finance development of the Sevalmaz project by itself. Russian business daily Vedomosti reported in December that it could sell a 49% stake to the global miner for almost $400 million.

According to The Globe & Mail, Christophe de Margerie, the CEO of French energy giant Total on a tour of Canada’s oil sands with members of the company’s international advisory board this week, believes the resource is playing an increasingly important role in setting the global price of crude. Through a string of deals, kicked off by the $1.67bn acquisition of Deer Creek in 2005 and topped by the $1.7bn partnership with Suncor announced late last year, Total has become one of the largest oil sands players. The company plans to spend $20bn in the oil sands by 2020, but no further acquisition are planned reports the Calgary Herald.

The U.K. has committed to halving its carbon emissions before 2027 following the publication of its ambitious fourth carbon budget. The rollout and development of renewable energy technologies, as well as the construction of new nuclear power plants, will play a key part in reducing the country's carbon emissions 50% when compared to 1990 levels. This will mean that net emissions for 2023-27 should not exceed 1.95 billion tonnes of carbon dioxide equivalent.

Forbes reported that demand for Appalachian coal should drive up profits for US producers. The market news is quoted as saying: India and Europe will likely to import more of the plentiful, dirtier-burning coal used by electric plants, Brean Murray Carret & Co. analyst Jeremy Sussman said in a research note Friday.

TATA Steel's European unit Corus said on Friday it will cut around 1,500 jobs in northern England as part of a restructuring of its long products unit, which supplies clients including builders and miners. Like others in the industry, Tata Steel has faced a margin squeeze since last year, as the price of raw materials increases but demand from sectors like construction remains muted.

Israel-headquartered diamond firm Dalumi opened an office in Mumbai, saying it wants to be closer to the fastest growing diamond center in the world.