RESOURCES CORNER

Resources profits and purchases
27 Feb 2012 - Mining profit results dominated the headlines this past week as did Newcrest Mining receiving conditional approval to list on the Toronto Stock Exchange and AGL committing to buy the Loy Yang power station.

Mining profits and losses
20 Feb 2012 - Resources and mining companies dominating the headlines this past week include Fortescue Metals posting a record result, Santos’ full-year profit jumps 51 per but OZ Minerals’ profit slumps 53 per cent.

Aluminium performing poorly
13 Feb 2012 - Prime Minister Julia Gillard has rejected calls for a bailout of the aluminium industry. Rio Tinto made the headlines when the company’s chiefs gave up their bonuses in response to a $US 8.9 billion earnings hit to the miner’s aluminium assets.

Mining investment surges
06 Feb 2012 - Deloitte Access Economics reports the Australian investment pipeline has grown to more than $900 billion in the December quarter despite global uncertainty. Resources and mining companies dominating the headlines this past week include Lynas securing a temporary operating licence for its rare earths refinery in Malaysia and Arc Exploration’s Indonesian joint venture partner‘s licence is revoked.

Chinese growth forecasts for 2012
20 Jan 2012 - Q4 Growth data from China adds fuel to The World Bank and Westpac's forecasts that Chinese growth will slow in 2012. Quarterly mining and energy production reports reveal record results ahead of earnings reporting season.

Cyclone Heidi strikes WA miners
13 Jan 2012 - WA miners struck with cyclone forcing the suspension of ore loading operations. Takeover action with Extract Resources Limited (ASX:EXT) and African Iron Limited (ASX:AKI). BHP Billiton Limited (ASX:BHP) and Rio Tinto Limited (ASX:RIO) award contracts in WA and IronClad Mining Limited (ASX:IFE) advances its iron ore project.

Commodity prices end year lower
06 Jan 2012 - Commodity prices ended 2011 mostly lower, falling on fears of a global economic slowdown. Resources and mining companies dominating the headlines this past week include Murchison’s plans to divide the proceeds from the sale of its stakes in the Oakajee port and rail project and Jack Hills iron ore projects, Rio Tinto declares a force majeure in Canada, Lynas says it has completed all requirements for a temporary licence in Malaysia, Alcoa is set to cut production and BlueScope Steel’s emissions reach record highs.

Mining delays and downgrades
23 Dec 2011 - Resources and mining companies dominating the headlines this past week include Newcrest Mining downgrading its gold production guidance. We speak exclusively with American investor and author, Jim Rogers about why he chooses to invest in commodities.

2012: A record year for mining
16 Dec 2011 - The federal government's Bureau of Resources and Energy Economics (BREE) reports energy and mineral exports are on track to grow 15 per cent next year to a record $206 billion. Resources and mining companies dominating the headlines this past week include BlueScope seeking to sell shares not taken up from its recent capital raising, and Origin Energy sets out to prove mining and agriculture can happily co-exist by producing a farm that is 'drought free'.

Mining keeps Australia ticking
The Australian economy grew 1 per cent in the September quarter thanks to the approval of major mining and energy projects. Resources and mining companies dominating the headlines this past week include the WA Supreme Court ruling against the state government's acquisition of land for Woodside's $30 billion Browse liquefied natural gas project.