Brazilian lithium producer Sigma in talks with Tesla, other automakers

With a total investment of $406 million, Canadian based mining exploration company Tahoe Resources (NYSE:TAHO), through its subsidiary Minera San Rafael SA, could become one of the largest silver producers in the world thanks to its El Escobal project in southeastern Guatemala, approximately 70 kilometres from Guatemala City.

World number two gold producer, Newmont Mining Corp. (NYSE:NEM), will spend $440 million on the controversial Conga mine project in Peru over the next 18 months, about two-thirds less than the $1.5 billion initially budgeted.

After dreary drilling results last year, Canadian junior miner Endeavour Silver (TSX: EXK), announced exploration drilling at the San Sebastian property in Mexico has discovered a new high grade silver-gold mineralized zone in the Terronera vein.

The frantic legal battle between diversified miner Anglo American (LON:ALL) and its Chilean adversary Codelco, the world’s largest copper producer, was put on hold as the parties announced they were entering into talks.

AndeanGold Ltd. is engaged in the acquisition, exploration and potential development of primarily precious metals properties, principally in Peru and Ecuador.

Australian Foreign Minister, Bob Carr, called local mining companies to look at Latin America as a business destination, as the region was emerging as an important economic powerhouse, hungry for Australian investment.

Australian company Crusader Resources Ltd. will invest $400 million in a gold mining project located in the Currais Novos region in Brazil’s north-eastern state of Rio Grande do Norte. The project is expected to be one of the biggest gold mines in the country.

In what it seems a move towards exiting the aluminum wire business, diversified miner Rio Tinto (LON & NYSE:RIO) announced it is selling its U.S.-based wire and cable business Alcan Cable to American company General Cable (NYSE: BGC) for $185 million.

Stricter environmental rules on new mining projects, combined with soaring labour costs, are making Vale SA, the world's leading iron ore exporter, less competitive against Australian rivals Rio Tinto and BHP Billiton.