Proactiveinvestors Australia

We look at some interesting research out today from the City boutique Bernstein, which looks at the ramifications for the coal market of the recent floods in Australia. The impact it seems goes far beyond the thermal and coking coal markets.

The fall in BHP's share price may be a reaction partly to general market weakness but also the result of the audacious bid for PotashCorp. 

The latest numbers show BHP Billiton is continuing to widen its hefty lead on its global diversified mining peers.

BHP Billiton's bombproof balance sheet forms a blockbuster to rival bidders for PotashCorp.

With the US$38 billion offer BHP is attempting to gain in one swoop a global leading position in a commodity business that has significant growth prospects.

The $5.1 million received is part of a planned $10 million investment by Owen Hegarty's EMR Capital in Highfield Resources to develop its advanced potash projects in Spain.

Having made inroads to access the eastern area of the high grade silver Bonanza Zone at the New Departure project in Montana, Black Mountain is on the cusp of first cash generative silver production.  

Cougar Energy has started the Phase 1 drilling program at its Mackenzie PCI grade coal tenement that will unlock the value of the asset by helping define a maiden JORC Resource.

Besides securing offtake for iron ore produced at Nelson Bay River Iron Ore DSO Project, the agreement with Singapore’s Frost Global also provides Shree Minerals with a US$4 million advance to progress development of the project, which has low forecast OPEX of $58 per tonne for DSO product FOB Port Burnie.

With a capital raising under the belt, Vantage Goldfields is taking rapid strides in expanding its Lily and Taylors gold mines in South Africa. Its combined operations are expected to produce 30,000 ounces in 2013, and expanding to 45,000 ounces next year.