Aurcana improves operations at La Negra
VANCOUVER — It’s all about boosting near-term liquidity for silver producer Aurcana (TSXV: AUN; US-OTC: AUNFF) as it grapples with a high debt load and falling metal prices. On Dec. 1 the company released its…
2014
Miners struggle to adapt to lower coal prices
Thermal coal prices recently touched a five-and-a-half-year low of US$62.25 per tonne, and the market has seen several mining companies announce plans to sell coal assets or take on partners to weather the downturn.
TSX continues decline, Dec. 8-12
Canada’s benchmark index fell during the trading week as investors fretted over plunging oil prices and weaker-than-expected economic data from China. The S&P/TSX Composite Index lost 742.65 points, or 5%, to end at 13,731.05. The…
Asian Mineral capitalizes on first-mover status in Vietnam
VANCOUVER — It’s been a long journey for Asian Mineral Resources (TSXV: ASN; US-OTC: AIERF) at its Ban Phuc nickel-sulphide project, 160 km west of Hanoi in Vietnam’s Son La province, but the company’s patience is about…
Editorial: More Tsilhqot’in fallout in BC
One recent resource development story in B.C. shows how the ground rules for project developers are changing forever in the province after the Supreme Court of Canada’s precedent-setting Tsilhqot’in decision in June and Imperial…
Dundee: Gold miners continue to wrestle with costs
VANCOUVER — Cost optimization has been an underlying theme for gold miners over the past few years. Falling metal prices and frugal capital markets have made it hard to balance sustainable production growth and strong profit margins. In…
Cash preservation is the name of the game at Alderon
With iron ore prices off 49% year-on-year at US$71 per tonne, Alderon Iron Ore (TSX: ADV; NYSE-MKT: AXX) says it has no choice but to start a “comprehensive” cash preservation program.
Despite exceptional stone tenders, Lucara takes conservative stance at Karowe
VANCOUVER — It’s been a two-year run for producer Lucara Diamond (TSX: LUC; US-OTC: LUCRF) at its Karowe mine in Botswana, and the company isn’t showing any signs of slowing down. On Dec. 9 Lucara released its operating…
Editorial: Dick Pearce (1921-2014)
We bid a sad farewell this week to Dick Pearce, former owner of The Northern Miner, who died on Dec. 7 at age 93 (see his obituary as an attached pdf document, as it appears on Page 3 of our Dec. 15 issue). In this age…
Freeport-McMoRan rejigs property portfolio as oil prices sink
VANCOUVER — It’s been a year of change for miner Freeport-McMoRan (NYSE: FCX) that has included a portfolio shuffle and renewed focus on a strong balance sheet and dividends. The company remains a big player in the…
Vale may sell part of its base metals division
After paying almost US$20 billion for Inco in 2006, Vale (NYSE: VALE) says it may sell part of its base metals division to unlock value.
Editorial: Friendly Manitoba, slow Manitoba
One of the hottest topics on the sidelines of the recent Manitoba Mining and Minerals Convention in Winnipeg was the provincial lawsuit launched by two prospectors against the Manitoba government for allegedly failing in its “duty to consult”…