Mining and Exploration

Energy Fuels Inc. has been granted approval by the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment for a radioactive materials license for the 500 ton per day Piñon Ridge Mill facility to be constructed twelve miles west of Naturita, Colorado in western Montrose County.

Royal Dutch Shell is to begin drilling an exploration well off the New Zealand coast that could extend the life of the Maui gas field.

Drilling ship the Noble Discoverer will drill the Ruru well for Shell Todd Oil Services Ltd. Shell Todd is 50 per cent owned by Todd Energy Ltd. and 50 per cent owned by The Hague-based Shell.

The Ruru well lies approximately 40 kilometres off the Taranki coast on New Zealand’s North Island and is adjacent to the Maui gas field. Maui, which covers an area of 157 square kilometres, began production 30 years ago.

Anglo-Australian mining giant Rio Tinto has increased its offer for Riversdale Mining to £2.5 billion (A$3.9 billion), after initially offering £2.2 billion earlier this month.

Riversdale's directors said the offer provided "immediate value" and that they would recommend it to shareholders.

Dianor Resources is advancing its Leadbetter diamond project, the first step toward a long-term plan to become a global player in the diamond market, as Keith Regan learns from president and CEO John Ryder.

Having divested numerous gold and base metal assets, Dianor Resources is now squarely focused on the opportunities it sees in diamonds, opportunities it believes will make both it and Canada major players in the changing diamond market.

Rod Bridges tells Andrew Pelis about the changes he has implemented at the Curragh mine and how these have resulted in big savings.

Global demand for coal continues apace, with mining companies across Australia enjoying something of a boom period. For a business like Wesfarmers Curragh, the key has been to implement cost-effective mining processes to make the most of buoyant market prices.

Nordic Mine Technology is pushing the boundaries in customised rail haulage systems for the mining sector. Philip Brown talks to Gay Sutton about innovation and growth.

Eagle Oil Holding Company, Inc announced today that it has concluded a new drilling study to further develop the W H Siler Lease in East Texas.

The program will incorporate the new technologies that use "directional" drilling or "radial" drilling being offered as solutions for older field development in the industry. The program is being geared for use in the less developed East side of the field, with startup in mid 2011.

With two highly productive coal mining assets and a strong pipeline of projects under development, Optimum Coal looks set to become one of South Africa’s largest coal mining companies. CEO Mike Teke talks to Gay Sutton about the company’s strategy for growth.

Just two weeks after announcing an exclusivity agreement with a view to a strategic business combination, Walter Energy and Western Coal have agreed to a C$3.3 billion merger.

Walter Energy will acquire all of the outstanding common shares of Western Coal for C$11.50 per share in cash or 0.114 of a Walter Energy share, or for a combination subject to pro-ration.

Anglo-Australian miner Rio Tinto has made a A$3.5 billion bid approach for Africa-focused Riversdale Mining, in a move likely to spark a bidding war.