PERTH (miningweekly.com) – Swiss-listed diversified miner Xstrata on Tuesday reported record yearly thermal coal and refined nickel volumes for the year ended December, as well as the second consecutive quarter of record Australian zinc production.
http://www.miningweekly.com/article/record-thermal-coal-and-nickel-production-for-xstrata-2013-02-12
Russian mining giant OAO Norilsk Nickel (GMKN.RS) has approved an investment program worth 75.4 billion rubles ($2.5 billion) in 2013, the company said in a statement Monday.
BHP Billiton Ltd. (BHP), the world’s biggest mining company, said the high Australian dollar and weak prices are hurting its local alumina and nickel operations, spurring speculation of possible writedowns or asset sales.
SANTO DOMINGO, Dominican Republic – A team of experts from the U.N. on Tuesday began evaluating a proposed nickel mine expansion in the Dominican Republic that has been halted by a court over environmental concerns.
TORONTO, ONTARIO–(Marketwire – Jan. 4, 2013) – Asian Mineral Resources Limited (“AMR“) (TSX VENTURE:ASN) is pleased to announce that the Ministry of Industry and Trade of the Socialist Republic of Vietnam has issued a circular regarding the export of minerals and mineral products from Vietnam (the “Circular”). The Circular stipulates that 9.5% nickel concentrate is permitted for export by Ban Phuc Nickel Mines LLC (“BPNM”), a subsidiary of AMR, without time limit. Previously, BPNM held a licence to export nickel concentrate until 31 December 2015. This export licence is superseded by the Circular.
http://www.canadianminingjournal.com/press-releases/story.aspx?id=1001967831
Western Areas managing director Dan Lougher says the Glencore-Xstrata merger could be the catalyst for a wave of acquisition activity in the WA nickel sector this year, with the new global giant primed to gobble up a number of local assets.
Copper in London jumped by the most in almost a month on expectations that a recovering Chinese economy will boost demand from the largest user. Aluminum, zinc, lead, nickel and tin also advanced.
http://www.bloomberg.com/news/2012-12-27/copper-in-london-gains-most-in-a-month-on-china-demand.html
The former CEO of the world’s largest nickel and palladium producer Norilsk Nickel Vladimir Strzhalkovsky will receive record compensation when he gives up his seat on the board to billionaire Vladimir Potanin on Monday.
Strzhalkovsky will receive half the sum immediately with the remainder coming in two equal parts during 2013, Vedomosti daily says referring to their sources
http://rt.com/business/news/norilsk-nickel-strzhalkovsky-potanin-047/
As more analysts added their voice to the chatter about BHP Billiton divestments, it appears the Big Australian’s WA nickel assets are safe for now.
http://au.news.yahoo.com/thewest/a/-/breaking/15634923/bhp-nickel-assets-safe/
LONDON, Nov 30 (Reuters) – Nickel prices may see a short-term lift over the next several months due to a seasonal rise in demand for stainlesssteel, but next year’s outlook is burdened by another market surplus.
http://www.reuters.com/article/2012/11/30/metals-nickel-outlook-idUSL5E8MN6LA20121130
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