Mining

Xstrata plc has announced that it has approved the US$ 1.36 billion development of the Ravensworth North opencast mine in the in the Upper Hunter Valley of New South Wales, Australia.

An update on the rescue efforts at the Pike River coal mine in New Zealand.

Caterpillar Inc. and Bucyrus International have entered into an agreement by which Caterpillar will acquire Bucyrus for US $ 8.6 billion, expanding Caterpillar's leadership in the mining equipment industry.

Hancock Prospecting has opened its 100,000 t Alpha test pit. The launch represents “the historic first mining of the Galilee Basin,” in Queensland, Australia.

A new underground coal mine is to be opened in Hamilton County, Illinois, creating approximately 300 construction jobs and 350 permanent jobs.

Demand for met coal has prompted United Coal to reopen the Affinity mine in West Virginia, which has been closed since 1985.

After detecting traces of BTEX around eight coal seam gas wells in southern Queensland, Australia, Origin Energy has suspended drilling operations until it can find the source of the contamination.

According to reports, 1355 small coal mines were shutdown in the first three quarters of this year as part of efforts to restructure China’s mining industry.

The Mining Association of BC has congratulated the international rescue team, which freed the 33 miners stuck underground in Chile.

Under new regulations, China’s mine managers are now required to accompany their workers underground. Failure to do so will result in hefty fines.

Following results from the first coke tests at its Zambeze coal project, Riversdale Mining has announced that the project will produce hard coking coal. The results come from two coal seams, and the company plans to test the remaining seams in Q1 2011.

Peabody energy will expand production at its Gateway mine, Illinois, by 40% to 4.5 million tpa to meet demand. The expansion is expected to cost US$ 175 million.

In India, plans are afoot to increase coal production by introducing a bill that will mean that the mines must share a portion of their profits with the locals.

Continental Coal Ltd’s Vlakvarkfontein coal mine has exceeded its monthly production target of 100,000 t during its second full month of operation.

Hunnu Coal has announced the results of coal quality analyses performed on samples taken from the due diligence drill cores at the Tsant Uul coking coal project. Initial test results demonstrate similarities to coals at the giant Tavan Tolgoi field.