A Blog for Browsing Mining, Mineral Processing, and Metals Info

With China controlling most of valuable rare-earth mineral supplies, India has made a strategic move to back exploration off its own coast.

http://www.asianscientist.com/topnews/india-orissa-exploration-rare-earth-elements-2012/

Copper consumption in China, the world’s biggest user, is expected to expand this year at the slowest rate since 1997 as economic growth cools, according to Beijing Antaike Information Development Co.

http://www.businessweek.com/news/2012-08-29/china-copper-demand-said-to-expand-at-slowest-pace-in-15-years

When Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory (Berkeley Lab) scientist Frances Houle considers the national alarm that has sounded over the shortage of rare earth materials—critical ingredients in a wide range of clean-energy and medical technologies—she tends not to panic.

http://www.rdmag.com/News/2012/08/Materials-A-Long-Term-View-Of-Critical-Materials/

Australia would be facing tougher competition for resource project involvement in Africa, as international mining investment houses switched focus to the resource-rich continent.

http://www.miningweekly.com/article/australians-facing-tougher-competition-for-african-resources-2012-08-24?goback=%2Egde_1999014_member_151813767

SHANGHAI, Aug.28(SMM) — Daily nickel ore reference prices are as follows: Product Origin Grade Price (tax included) Unit: RMB/wmt Note of Price Laterite Nickel Ore the Philippines 0.9%-1.0% 280-290 Prices (free on rail, including tax) at Jingtang port the Philippines.

http://en.smm.cn/newscontent/36377_laterite-nickel-ore-prices-by-region-2012-8-28

Avalon Rare Metals (TSX:AVL, NYSE:AVL) has selected its site for its heavy rare earth separation plant and refinery in Ascension Parish in Louisiana.

http://rareearthinvestingnews.com/7799/avalon-rare-metals-chooses-site-in-louisiana-for-ree-separation-and-refinery-plant/

(Reuters) – Gold steadied around its highest in four months on Tuesday ahead of a meeting of central bankers at the weekend that could outline the likely course of U.S. monetary policy, while a stoppage at a major mine kept platinum near 3-1/2 month highs.

http://in.reuters.com/article/2012/08/28/us-markets-precious-idINBRE87501B20120828

Tantalum price dropped during 2012 first quarter. Coltan prices are expected to remain stable during 2012 with modest rises entering 2013 as consumer electronics units sales are expected to grow.

http://www.magmacoltan.com/coltan-price

As a lower supply of the white metal boosts prices.

Platinum may trade at a premium over gold within six months as a lower supply of the white metal boosts prices, according to Jeffrey Rhodes, global head of precious metals at INTL FCStone Inc.

http://www.moneyweb.co.za/mw/content/en/moneyweb-mining?oid=607062&sn=2009+Detail

Gold and silver prices gained some luster Thursday, after the minutes from the Federal Reserve’s last meeting revealed that the central bank is leaning toward launching a third round of bond purchases, known as quantitative easing or QE3.

http://buzz.money.cnn.com/2012/08/23/gold-silver/