1. Reuters: ArcelorMittal to buy London Mining Brasil
ArcelorMittal announces its agreement to buy London Mining Brasil for $810 million. The acquisition will help the world’s biggest steelmaker in its quest for raw material self-sufficiency. It is estimated that London Mining Brasil iron ore reserves top one billion tonnes. The steelmaker is considering investing another $700 million to increase production.

2. Bloomberg.com: Indonesia’s Bangka won’t back new tin-export permits
Tin export permits feel the squeeze; Indonesia’s government maintains tightened control to prevent prices from falling. Mining export permits have been required since 2007 in an attempt to limit illegal mining. The government assures more permit licenses will be granted if prices rise.

3. Forbes.com: Lithic Metals says survey discovers numerous uranium targets in Zambia
Yellowcake recipe step one: prefeasibility survey success. Lithic Metals and Energy Ltd. announced its radiometric and magnetic survey uranium results with joint venture partner Zambezi Resources Ltd. The findings identified 18 high priority targets within its Zambia Mpande license.

4. International Herald Tribune: Xstrata temporarily suspends mining in DomRep
Dominican Republic nickel operations face suspension, Xstrata blames high oil costs and nickel’s falling prices. The company is using the break to switch its power source from oil to coal, perform maintenance, and explore new land for mining.

5. Reuters: Australia clears China stake in iron ore miner
Proposed Chinese-Australian deal clears first hoop, continues jumping. China’s Hunan Valin Steel Tube & Wire Co. receives O.K. to purchase 11.4% of Australian iron ore firm Golden West Resources from the Australian foreign investment regulators. The proposal, initially announced on August 12, is still subject to approval by the Foreign Investment Review Board.

6. Bloomberg.com: China may increase copper imports by 60% from June
A copper comeback for China, whose imports are expected to increase. As the gap between domestic and international prices continues to narrow, China looks to cheaper imports for consumption needs. Analysts estimate refined copper imports could increase between 100,000-120,000 tonnes per month.

7. NWI Times: U.S. Steel profit sharing sets record
U.S. Steel’s 16,000 union workers receive record-setting profit share, $4,464 for the second-quarter. The amount trumps what ArcelorMittal’s 14,000 USW employees will receive for the same period, a maximum of $695.

8. Canadian Press: ArcelorMittal buys stake in Adriana Resources, teams on Brazilian port project
ArcelorMittal adds port deal to Brazilian based announcements. The steelmaker is teaming with a Canadian resources company Adriana Resources to develop a $250 million Brazilian port. The port will increase Brazil’s iron ore export capabilities.

9. Reuters: BHP says no change to Australian nickel operations
BHP Billiton’s nickel operations remain steady in slew of global nickel shutdowns. While the diversified miner idled portions of its nickel operations in June for repairs, there are no plans to change operations. Nickel is down 60% from its record high 15 months ago.

10. Australian Broadcasting Corporation: Iron ore train drivers threatening to strike
Train drivers are ready to roll, and the Pilbara region iron ore industry worries of potential strike’s impact. A representing union claims if the dispute between train drivers and Pilbara Rail Services, a subsidiary of Rio Tinto, boils over to a strike, the impacts could cost the industry millions of dollars. The union hopes that negotiations can be reached without resorting to strike actions.

1. Bloomberg.com: China’s iron ore import growth may ‘soften,’ Dahlman Rose says
What goes up, must come down. Chinese steelmakers struggle with decreasing margins as steel prices continue to fall. Domestic steel prices have fallen 9.7% since July with export prices down 5.3%. The price decrease is expected to curb China’s iron ore appetite as imports are expected to soften in response.

2. Reuters Africa: Transnet to boost iron ore line capacity
South Africa’s Transnet announces expansion plan for South Africa’s main iron ore export line. The company plans to boost capacity to 47 million tonnes per year by 2010 or 2011. Capacity will be further ramped to 60 million tonnes in 2012 through an agreement with Kumba Iron Ore to provide financial assistance.

3. Reuters Africa: Demand, dollar sap copper market confidence
Dark shadows continue to loom over copper market. While copper prices have risen slightly, confidence is still shaky. Weaker Chinese demand has set off alarms questioning the pace of global growth, especially as the dollar strength regains.

4. Australian Broadcasting Corporation: Uranium mining, nuclear power, and ‘ethical’ investment
Citing the possible role of nuclear power as a solution to climate change, managers of so-called ethical investment funds are rationalizing investment in uranium mining. A Corporate Watch Australia report revealed many ethical investment funds include uranium miners. Uranium inclusion is a growing trend after BHP Billiton acquired the Olympic Dam uranium mine in 2005.

5. The Australian: BHP diversity offsets a slump in aluminum and nickel
BHP Billiton aces diversification test. Copper, iron ore, and manganese sustain the miner while aluminum and nickel stumble. BHP chief Marius Klopper touts the company’s ability to smooth volatility through diversification, gives itself a gold star.

6. Reuters India: JSW Steel urges higher iron ore export tax
Indian steelmakers look to Chinese playbook and propose raising the iron ore export to stabilize domestic prices. Last week China announced an export tax raise for coking coal. China’s decision will cause steel’s input costs to rise.

7. Reuters: Russia to demand Mechel cut coal prices 15%
Russia hands down punishment; Mechel to lower coal prices 15% on September 1 and is fined 5% of last year’s coking coal revenue. The new prices will likely affect other Russian coal producers as the government attempts to reign in inflation and have better control over the mining industry. The punishment is less than some expected.

8. The Australian: BlueScope Steel soars despite China fears
Australia’s BlueScope Steel forges through rising input costs and speculative talks of a weakening Chinese demand for steel. The producer posted a 27% increase in full-year earnings. The company predicts similar success for 2009.

9. AFP: BHP Billiton posts record $15.4 billion profit
BHP Billiton announced annual report earnings yesterday. The miner came in with a whopping $15.39 billion net profits, beating last year’s $13.42 billion profit by 14.7%. With a population of around 21 million, BHP’s profits would provide about $733 (AU $840) to every man, woman, and joey in the company’s homeland of Australia.

10. Belleville News-Democrat: U.S. Steel, union reach tentative contract
Steelworkers celebrate new contract proposal with U.S. Steel. While the details of the contract were not released, many workers are saying it is the best proposal they’ve seen in a long time. The contract would affect 16,000 U.S. Steel employees at its 12 plants.

1. The Times of India: China raises duty on coke, to hit Indian steel
Indian steelmakers feel a cold wind whip through their furnaces after Chinese duty announcement. The Chinese government announced Sunday that metrological coke duty had risen by 40%. One-third of Indian steelmakers import coal from China. The Chinese claim the duty rise is meant to help curtail global pollution and energy consumption.

2. Herald Sun: Bumper profit likely for mining giant
BHP clears its throat for a big announcement, record profit expected in annual report. The mining giant plans to unveil its 2007-2008 results, which are anticipated to be more than US$15 billion profit. The miner has benefited from record commodity prices such as iron ore and coal, and also the spike in oil prices.

3. Bloomberg.com: Venezuela to limit gold mining in Bolivar state, Nacional says
Trees trump gold: in an effort to limit the environmental impacts of gold mining the Venezuela government enacts a land boundary. Mining is sequestered to a 4 million hectare area in the mineral-rich jungle region along the Cuyuni river bed.

4. The West: BHP iron ore port expansion plans face investor scrutiny
Analysts watch BHP port expansion with eagle eyes and sharp tongues. The mining giant plans to build an outer harbor at Port Hedland to bypass the congested inner harbor; this is a key feature to increase output in their Pilbara iron ore expansion plans. Any delay in progress is likely to attract investor attention, especially from Rio Tinto, which is still defending itself from a BHP takeover attempt.

5. The Sydney Morning Herald: No end in sight to Xstrata’s coal hunt
Xstrata’s shopping spree continues at full force with no signs of a slowdown. The coal miner burned through $2 billion in last year’s coal acquisitions. Xstrata is reconsidering Felix Resources after a failed attempt, with mining operations in close proximity to its other projects.

6. The Australian: $6 million raising for Queensland terminal
Northern Energy Corp. stakes its future after a $6 million fund-raiser. The money, raised through a discounted share placement, is earmarked for thermal coal exploration and to guarantee a stake in the proposed Wiggins Island coal terminal in Queensland.

7. Gulf Daily News: Dubai’s rough diamond trade tops $3 billion
Diamond trade sparkles in Dubai’s desert oasis. The Dubai Diamond Exchange reported a first half of the year total rough diamond trade increase of 36%. Dubai is now seen as a major distribution center with growing rough diamond inventories.

8. The Sydney Morning Herald: Golden West play has a way to run
Golden West wins junior mining jackpot twice in one week: new experienced exec hops on board and a big-league sale to Hunan Valin Steel Tube & Wire. The iron ore junior has agreed to sell 4.5 million tonnes a year to Hunan. David Rose, who trained in Rio’s iron ore division, was appointed new chief executive.

9. This Day: Nigeria Set to Produce Structural Steel
Nigeria is on the cusp of structural steel production; indigenous company Westcom plans to roll out first products by December 2008. Structural steel will be a key construction material to aid in other advances for the country, including power, telecommunications, and construction industries. Imported steel products currently place a large strain on the country’s foreign exchange.

10. Business Standard: ‘Cut duty on iron ore to make NMDC’s exports viable’
India’s government plans to take necessary steps to keep iron ore exports competitive. The Commerce Ministry is likely to reduce the export duty on iron ore and also might waive the railway surcharge on iron ore. India’s largest iron ore miner NMDC needs these measures to make trade with Japanese and South Korea financially viable.

1. Reuters: Russia TNK-BP partners to meet as Dudley is banned
Court decision bans Dudley from doing business in Russia for two years. Dudley is still running–running from the Russians and running BP-TKP from an undisclosed location

2. Bloomberg.com: Vale boosts output goal, plans to double iron, alumina capacity
Vale’s iron ore and alumina output expectations rise as the company hones in on the northern Brazilian state of Para to lead expansions. The diversified mining giant plans to drop $25 billion into Para state investments.

3. The Moscow News Weekly: Novolipetsk Steel to buy John Maneely for $3.5 billion
From pipe dream to reality: Russian steel producer Novolipetsk Steel is set to acquire U.S. pipe manufacturer John Maneely Company (JMC). The deal acquires the U.S. pipe producer from a group of shareholders at a price tag of $3.53 billion. JMC operates 11 plants and will strengthen Novolipestsk’s North American presence.

4. Economic Times: Birlas’ copper mine in Australia commercially unviable
Scoping study finds dud; western Australia’s Maroochydore Copper Project found to be unlikely candidate for further production. The study’s find dampens Aditya Birla Group’s quest for raw material assets. A scoping study is the first checkpoint to determine the validity of a deposit and production capabilities.

5. AFP: Brazil’s Vale opens world’s biggest aluminum refinery
Come one, come all, and see the world’s biggest aluminum refinery. Vale adds a new prize to its mining collection. The new refinery is expected to pump out 7% of global aluminum production with an annual output of 6.26 million tonnes. The refinery is located in Para.

6. Reuters India: ThyssenKrupp, Salzgitter bask in steel boom
German steelmakers ThyssenKrupp and Salzgitter raise steins to celebrate current earnings and raised profit forecast. Both companies reported strong quarterly earnings as demand from developing economies stayed strong. However as steel’s raw materials prices continue to increase, analysts warn the celebration could be short lived.

7. Australian Broadcasting Corporation: Garrett urged to reject NT uranium mine proposal
Anti-nuclear group raising concerns over proposed uranium mine near Ti Tree in central Australia and calls upon the Federal Environmental Minister. The minister has already requested an environmental impact assessment from Arafura Resources before authorization of the mine is granted.

8. International Herald Tribune: Battling BHP and Rio to post record profits
Both BHP and Rio expect half-year profits to bolster their takeover stance arguments. The companies are expected to report record profits on the heels of an industrial commodities boom.

9. Reuters: Cleveland Cliffs and Ohio: Hang on Sloopy
Ohio State Law is putting a set of speed bumps in front of Harbinger steamroller.
An Ohio state statute prohibits any party from acquiring more than 20% of a local company without shareholder approval. The statute is a natural corporate takeover buffer for iron ore company Cleveland Cliffs. Hedge fund Harbinger Capital, which currently owns 15.6% of Cliffs, looks for shareholders’ approval to acquire a larger share.

10. Reuters: Zambia revenue from mining taxes hits record high
Zambia’s budget rallies under new mining tax laws as the revenue jackpot keeps paying out. Mining tax revenue hit an all-time high last month as copper producers brought in $55.38 million. The new laws include a windfall tax of 25%, mineral royalty tax of 3%, and a corporate tax of 30%.

1. Economic Times: Olympics limit China iron ore, coal output in July
Mining falls from podium status as the Olympics temporarily trump mining as China’s priority. July’s output for key steelmaking resources was significantly lower than usual: a 22% drop for iron ore and an 8% drop in raw coal. Crude steel production also fell 4% as plants near Beijing lowered output.

2. Reuters UK: Russia antitrust body demands Mechel cut coal price
Mechel handed down “Deal or No Deal” punishment options. Russia’s antitrust body tells Mechel to significantly cut coking coal prices to receive a “less than average fine.” The agency found the miner guilty of unfair pricing practices due to its dominant market position. Beginning in 2009, Mechel is also required to conduct business through long-term contracts.

3. The Australian: Vale growth dependent on iron ore as nickel weak
An iron floor prevents a rock-bottom drop. As nickel continues to lag, Vale depends more heavily on iron ore production. The Brazilian miner experienced second-quarter earnings driven by iron ore’s strong demand and earlier price increases. Nickel, the company’s second largest revenue stream behind iron ore, considerably dropped its percentage within the company’s total revenue.

4. Hindustan Times: Tata Steel to build $5 billion Vietnam plant
Tata Steel signs new $5 billion joint venture investment agreement to build an integrated steel complex in Vietnam. The Indian steelmaker will own a 65% stake.

5. Bloomberg.com: OZ Minerals, Fortescue lead rebound in mining stocks
A rebound of Australian mining stocks was led by zinc miner OZ Minerals and Fortescue Metals Group. Australian stock exchange sees biggest commodity rally since June. Interest in the companies came as investors speculated that recent raw-materials price falls have been excessive.

6. Reuters: U.S. coal assets attracting overseas buzz
U.S. coal attracts foreign suitors. Coal’s appeal is fueled by higher prices and short supply. In particular, Russian and Indian steelmakers are looking to become active in the coal market. U.S. companies take notice; some welcome the extra attention and flirt back.

7. Daily Times: Body formed to identify iron ore
Pakistan moves forward with its goal for increased steel production. The National Steel Policy created subcommittees to focus on aspects within the steelmaking process such as the identification of iron ore and development of infrastructure. It is estimated that Pakistan has 947.5 million tonnes of iron ore reserves.

8. Bloomberg.com: Exxaro shares gain on prospect of ‘significantly’ better half
When Exxaro speaks, investors listen…perhaps it’s a new form of mind control? Recovering from a slight stock drop in late July, the coal producer’s prices increased rapidly after the company announced profits are expected to improve ‘significantly’ in the second half.

9. Reuters Africa: S. African mining firms, union clash on safety bill
A proposed Mine Health and Safety Amendment Bill divides mining companies and workers’ union. The key area of dispute regards criminal liability and penalties for mine deaths. Workers want punishments targeted at 10% of the company’s annual turnover, while mine companies argue for considerably less.

10. Bloomberg.com: Leighton to sell AU $700 million shares to expand
Australian construction giant looks to expand contract mining in India, Indonesia, and Australia. Leighton, which currently receives a quarter of sales for operating mines, expects strong international mining infrastructure demand. The company plans to raise AU $700 million through a share sale.