Poland’s KGHM hits production record, expects Sierra Gorda to exceed target

Chile's Collahuasi, the world's No. 3 copper mine, said on Friday it had lifted a force majeure on copper concentrate exports imposed after an accident at its key sea terminal in December.

Brazil's government is considering creating an iron ore export tax meant to spur investment in local steel production, a leading Brazilian newspaper reported on Friday. Advisors to President Dilma Rousseff have asked the finance ministry to study a measure that would tax iron ore exports and exempt steel exports, the newspaper O Estado de S.Paulo reported on Friday, citing a source in the presidential palace.

Shareholders of New York-based Capital Gold (TSX:CGC) have approved a merger with TSX-listed Gammon Gold, BIV Business Today is reporting. The approval takes Timmins Gold Corp. out of the picture as a potential buyer of Capital Gold:

A Chilean court on Thursday suspended an order to halt world No. 1 copper producer Codelco's Ventanas smelter following an environmental incident, and the state miner said it would normalize operations as soon as possible.

Greystar Resources Ltd. (TSX:GSL)(AIM:GSL) reports that diamond drilling continues to encounter significant gold-silver-copper mineralization below and to the south of the oxide/transitional mineral resource on the multi-million ounce Angostura deposit in northeastern Colombia.

Orocobre Limited (TSX:ORL)(ASX:ORE) reports a substantially increased and upgraded resource estimate at its flagship Salar de Olaroz lithium-potash project in Jujuy province in north-west Argentina. This follows completion of a comprehensive resource definition drilling program undertaken throughout 2010.

Lago Dourado Minerals Ltd. (TSX VENTURE:LDM) (the "Company") announced today that it has signed an agreement with Geomin to acquire a 100% interest in the remaining 16 exploration licenses, previously under option, at its flagship gold project Juruena, in the Mato Grosso state of Brazil. The Company will now hold a 100% interest in the entire project which consists of 25 exploration licenses, covering approximately 70,000 hectares. There is currently one drill rig turning at Juruena with two rigs expected to be added in the coming weeks.

World No. 1 copper producer Codelco said on Wednesday it was preparing to halt its Ventanas smelter after a court ordered it to do so following an environmental complaint.

BHP Billiton today announced approval for the Escondida Ore Access project (EOA), the first of a number of development options that will underline Escondida’s status as the world’s premier copper operation. The EOA project will relocate the crushing and conveying facilities currently located inside Escondida’s main pit to improve access to higher grade ore and thereby support higher production from 2013. The project is expected to cost US$554 million (US$319 million BHP Billiton share) and will be completed by mid calendar year 2012.