Beiträge von GSP-Komet

TORONTO, ONTARIO, Jan 25, 2007 (CCNMatthews via COMTEX) -- North American Palladium Ltd. (CA:PDL: news, chart, profile) (PAL: north amern palladium ltd com) is pleased to announce the appointment of Reno Pressacco, M. Sc. to the position of Vice-President of Exploration and Development.
Mr. Pressacco has spent the last twenty years in mineral exploration and mine development, particularly in northern Ontario and Quebec, in a variety of geological environments. A graduate of McGill University with a Master of Science degree in Mineral Exploration, he has conducted exploration programs and economic evaluations for companies including Placer Dome Canada, Agnico-Eagle and Royal Oak Mines that have resulted in the identification of significant mineralization and advancement. As senior geologist for Agrium, he played a key role in profitability enhancement, ore reserve expansion and sustaining long term viability. More recently with the consulting firm Micon International, Mr. Pressacco conducted mineral reserve and resource estimations and audits, as well as technical due diligence reviews of exploration and development properties and operating mines in North and South America, Russia, Armenia and China.
Mr. Pressacco is the author of several papers on precious metal and ore deposits in northern Ontario and is a member of the Association of Professional Geoscientists of Ontario and the Prospectors and Developers Association of Canada. He will be based in the Toronto, Ontario head office.
"We look forward to welcoming Reno to our senior management team. His experience and enthusiasm are well suited to an exciting expansion agenda in Canada and Finland" Jim Excell, President and CEO of North American Palladium added.
He replaces Bruce Mackie who, after three years of notable contributions to NAP's future, has decided to pursue other interests. Mr. Mackie has been retained to assist in a smooth transition in the areas of exploration and development.
North American Palladium's Lac des Iles Mine is Canada's only primary producer of platinum group metals and is among the largest open pit, bulk mineable palladium operations in the world. The Mine also generates substantial revenue from platinum and by-product metals including nickel, gold and copper. NAP is focused on expanding its production profile through joint ventures in Canada and Finland. Palladium's catalytic qualities are expected to play an increasing role in the automotive industry in response to growing concern for global environmental solutions, in fuel cell technology for alternative energy sources and an emerging jewellery market, while continuing to have widespread application in the dental, electronics and chemical sectors.
SOURCE: North American Palladium Ltd.

JOHANNESBURG, January 25, 2007 /PRNewswire-FirstCall via COMTEX/ -- -
Gold Fields Limited (Gold Fields) (GFI) today announces a capital raising by way of a private placement to institutional investors of new shares in the Company (the "Capital Raising") to raise the ZAR-equivalent of up to US$1,200 million. The Capital Raising will be undertaken as a Vendor Consideration Placing under the JSE Listings Requirements. In addition, an over-allotment option (the "Over-allotment Option") has been granted by the Company pursuant to which it may issue up to an additional 15% (the "Over-allotment Shares") of the number of shares placed in terms of the Capital Raising in order to cover over-allotments, if any. All shares issued pursuant to the Capital Raising (including the Over-allotment Shares) will be new ordinary shares to be issued by the Company (the "New Shares"). The Capital Raising will take place at a price to be established no later than 30 January 2007 (however, the timing may be amended).
The proceeds of the Capital Raising will be used to repay debt incurred for purposes of Gold Fields' acquisition of Barrick Gold Corporation's 50 per cent interest in the South Deep asset and its rights under the joint venture agreement with Western Areas Limited.
The New Shares will, when issued, be credited as fully paid and will rank pari passu in all respects with the existing issued ordinary shares of the Company, including the right to receive future dividends and other distributions declared, made or paid after the date of their issue, including the right to participate in the interim dividend of 90 SA cents per Gold Fields share announced today. Application will be made for the New Shares to be admitted to trading on the JSE Limited.

Gold Fields: Operating Profit Maintained at R2 Billion (US$270 Million) Generating Bottom Line Earnings of R767 Million (US$104 Million)

JOHANNESBURG, South Africa, January 25, 2007 /PRNewswire-FirstCall via COMTEX/ -- Gold Fields Limited (NYSE & JSE: GFI) today announced net earnings for the December 2006 quarter of R767 million compared with R698 million in the September 2006 quarter and R284 million for the December quarter of 2005. In US dollar terms net earnings for the December 2006 quarter were US$104 million compared with US$98 million in the September 2006 quarter and US$44 million for the December quarter of 2005. Net earnings excluding gains and losses on financial instruments and foreign debt net of cash and exceptional items were R564 million (US$76 million) for the December 2006 quarter compared with R702 million (US$99 million) for the September 2006 quarter.
December 2006 quarter highlights:
- Attributable gold production increased by 10,000 ounces to 1,015,000 ounces;
- Acquisition of Barrick Gold Corporation's 50 per cent interest in South Deep completed - effective date 1 December 2006. Financed by bridging finance of R8.6 billion (US$1.2 billion) and the issue of 18,701,944 Gold Fields shares worth R2.3 billion (US$325 million);
- As at 18 January 2007, Gold Fields had received acceptances in respect of approximately 95.6 per cent of the issued share capital of Western Areas. This was financed by the issue of 43,920,023 Gold Fields shares to shareholders of Western Areas. Step is being taken to increase this to 100 per cent with the "squeeze out provisions" of the Companies Act;
- South African Government formally approved the conversion of Driefontein, Kloof and Beatrix old order mining licenses into new order mining licenses;
- Tarkwa announced US$175 million (R1.25 billion) mill and heap leach expansion projects;
- Interim dividend declared of 90 SA cents per share payable on 19 February 2007.
Ian Cockerill, Chief Executive Officer of Gold Fields, said: "Overall the Group's performance for the December quarter was steady with production being largely as expected with the exception of Kloof which had a disappointing quarter. Given the cost escalations being experienced in the mining industry, our efforts in controlling costs in this challenging environment are satisfying.
The two significant achievements during the quarter under review have been the conversion of the mining rights for all three of our South African operations and our acquisition of the South Deep Gold Mine. While both of these achievements are cornerstones for the future of our company in South Africa, much work remains to be done. While our new order mining rights have now been approved, transformation is an ongoing imperative and Gold Fields is committed to achieving the targets which it has set itself in this regard.
The integration of South Deep into Gold Fields is of the highest priority. We are analyzing the existing South Deep mine plan and feasibility study, and will be ramping up the production profile of this mine, to achieve its very significant potential."
The full results are available on the Gold Fields website: http://www.goldfields.co.za
SOURCE Gold Fields Limited

OHANNESBURG, January 25, 2007 /PRNewswire-FirstCall via COMTEX/ -- Gold Fields Limited (Gold Fields) (GFI: gold fields ltd new sponsored adr) is pleased to announce that the Western Areas hedge book has been terminated.
The hedge book was terminated at an average spot gold price of US$622.14/oz and a total cost of US$528 million.
Gold Fields inherited the Western Areas hedge book when it took control of Western Areas in December 2006. The hedge book had a maturity profile from December 2006 to December 2014 and consisted of options, with a delta of 1,005,000 gold ounces, and deferred premiums. At the end of the last quarter, on 29 December 2006, the marked to market value of the hedge book was US$383 million, with a deferred premium of US$ 157 million, for a total of US$540 million. This compares to the total cost of termination of US$528 referred to above.
Ian Cockerill, Chief Executive Officer of Gold Fields said:
"We terminated the Western Areas hedge book because we believe in gold. "
"The hedge book was significantly under water and was a crippling liability to the South Deep mine. Now we can bring the asset to account in a transparent manner."
"Gold Fields is of the view that the price of gold remains firmly in a long-term upward trend and, with that outlook, it does not make any sense whatsoever to be hedged."
"It also ensures that Gold Fields remains fully transparent to investors, and that its balance sheet remains simple to understand."
SOURCE Gold Fields Limited

TORONTO, ONTARIO, Jan 26, 2007 (CCNMatthews via COMTEX) -- IAMGOLD Corporation ("IAMGOLD" or "the Company")(TSX:IMG) (IAG: iamgold corp com) (ASX:IGD)(BSE:IAMGOLD) has announced that late in the evening on Thursday, January 25, 2007, a number of unionized employees of Rosebel Gold Mines N.V. ("Rosebel"), a subsidiary of IAMGOLD based in Suriname, commenced an illegal work stoppage and as a result, production at the facility has been temporarily suspended.
Rosebel is taking steps to seek an injunction to cease the illegal activity and will seek damages from the Union for all losses suffered. In the meantime, Rosebel management has requested that employees voluntarily end this illegal work stoppage and return to work.
Further details will be released and communicated as they become available.

Favoring deals and narrowing focus in gold
Fidelity Select Gold shows a liking for both acquirer and targets in the gold mining space.

IAMGold (IAG: iamgold corp) , which acquired Cambior, gets a top 10 berth.

DENVER, Jan 25, 2007 /PRNewswire-FirstCall via COMTEX/ -- Newmont Mining Corporation (NEM: Newmont Mining Corporation) announced it will report 2006 fourth quarter and year-end earnings, as well as 2006 reserves, on February 22, 2007. A conference call will be held that day at 4:00 p.m. Eastern Time (2:00 p.m. Mountain Time) that will be carried on the Company's web site.

Conference Call Details
Dial-In Number 210.795.2680
Leader Randy Engel
Password Newmont
Replay Number 203.369.3413

Web Cast Details
URL http://www.newmont.com

The 2006 fourth quarter and year-end results, as well as related reserves, financial and statistical information will be available prior to the conference call in the Investor Information section of the Company's web site, http://www.newmont.com. Additionally, the conference call will be archived for a limited time on the Company's web site.
SOURCE Newmont Mining Corporation

DENVER, Jan 24, 2007 /PRNewswire-FirstCall via COMTEX/ -- Royal Gold, Inc. (RGLD: Royal Gold Inc) today announced that is has closed its transaction with Minera Kennecott S.A. De C.V. to acquire a 2.0% net smelter return ("NSR") royalty on the Penasquito project in Zacatecas, Mexico, as previously announced on December 29, 2006. The cost of the acquisition was $80 million in cash and 577,434 shares of Royal Gold common stock. Royal Gold also obtained the right to acquire additional NSR royalties ranging from 1.0% to 2.0% on a number of properties in the region.
The Penasquito project, composed of two main deposits called Penasco and Chile Colorado, is under development by Goldcorp Inc. ("Goldcorp"). The Penasquito project hosts one of the world's largest silver, gold and zinc reserves, while also containing large lead reserves.
Royal Gold is a precious metals royalty company engaging in the acquisition and management of precious metal royalty interests. Royal Gold is publicly traded on the Nasdaq Global Select Market under the symbol "RGLD," and on the Toronto Stock Exchange under the symbol "RGL." The Company's web page is located at http://www.royalgold.com.
SOURCE Royal Gold, Inc.

DENVER, Jan 22, 2007 /PRNewswire-FirstCall via COMTEX/ -- ROYAL GOLD, INC. (RGLD: Royal Gold Inc) (CA:RGL) , the leading precious metals royalty company, today announced that Bruce Kirchhoff will join the Company as General Counsel effective February 1, 2007. In this position, Mr. Kirchhoff will have primary legal responsibility for the preparation of royalty acquisition and royalty financing documents, and will work closely with the Business Development team in negotiating and structuring royalty transactions. He is replacing the Company's former Vice President and General Counsel, Randy Parcel, who will retire after practicing mining law for nearly 35 years.
Tony Jensen, President and Chief Executive Officer, said, "We are very pleased that Bruce is joining the Royal Gold team. He has comprehensive knowledge of business, commercial and corporate matters, as well as expertise in the field of mining law with an emphasis on mining transactions. As we continue to grow our portfolio of domestic and international royalties, Bruce will play a key role in shaping future royalty acquisitions and financing transactions."
He added, "We would also like to thank Randy for his service at Royal Gold and congratulate him on his 35 years of practicing natural resources law. Royal Gold and the mineral industry will miss his sage counsel and practical advice. We wish Randy the best in his retirement."
Mr. Kirchhoff most recently served as a partner with Carver, Kirchhoff, Schwarz, McNab & Bailey, LLC ("CKSMB"), a Denver-based law firm specializing in mining, oil and gas, energy development, environmental regulation, water rights, natural resource transactions, and commercial litigation. Prior to his position with CKSMB, he was a member of the Cyprus Amax Minerals Company law department for nearly ten years, where he was the senior attorney responsible for the copper and molybdenum business unit. Previous to his involvement with the copper and molybdenum business unit, he had legal responsibilities for Cyprus Amax' lithium and industrial minerals business units.
At CKSMB, Mr. Kirchhoff represented hardrock and industrial minerals clients in a broad range of business, commercial and corporate matters affecting international natural resource companies, as well as mineral exploration and development companies in all phases of mineral exploration and development.
Mr. Kirchhoff has been an Adjunct Lecturer in Law at the University of Denver Sturm College of Law, where he taught international mining law and policy in the International Natural Resources and Environmental Law Graduate Studies Program.
Mr. Kirchhoff received his undergraduate degree from Colorado College, his law degree from the University of Denver, and his Masters in Mineral Economics from the Colorado School of Mines. He is a member of the Denver, Colorado and American Bar Associations.
Royal Gold is a precious metals royalty company engaging in the acquisition and management of precious metal royalty interests. Royal Gold is publicly traded on the NASDAQ Global Select Market under the symbol "RGLD," and on the Toronto Stock Exchange under the symbol "RGL." The Company's web page is located at http://www.royalgold.com.
SOURCE Royal Gold, Inc.

TORONTO, ONTARIO, Jan 24, 2007 (MARKET WIRE via COMTEX) -- Barrick Gold Corporation (ABX: Barrick Gold Corporation) (CA:ABX) (UK:BGD)

Year-End Results Release February 22nd, 2007 Before Market
Webcast - http://www.barrick.com February 22nd, 2007 9:00 am ET

The Company will hold a webcast of its Year-End 2006 Results from 9:00-9:30 am ET. This will be accessible on Barrick's website at http://www.barrick.com.
Barrick Investor Day will follow this webcast starting at 9:30 am ET.
Contacts: Barrick Gold Corporation Vincent Borg Senior Vice President, Corporate Communications (416) 307-7477 (416) 861-1509 (FAX) Email: vborg@barrick.com
SOURCE: Barrick Gold Corporation

RBC cuts Barrick Gold price target to $36 from $43

Trading HUI Volume 2 - Adam Hamilton

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Mexico: Land of Metals Opportunity

TORONTO, ONTARIO, Jan 16, 2007 (CCNMatthews via COMTEX) -- North American Palladium Ltd. (CA:PDL) (PAL) -
Highlights for the Fourth Quarter 2006
This news release contains forward-looking statements. Reference should be made to "Forward-looking Statements" at the end of this news release
- Palladium production in the fourth quarter 2006 was 73,242 ounces, among the best quarters in recent years and virtually doubling production in Q4 2005
- Increases in head grade for all commodities were achieved with historically comparable grades recorded for platinum and palladium. The average palladium mill feed grade for the quarter was 2.52 g/t compared with 1.47 g/t in Q4 2005 and 2.17 g/t in Q4 2004
- By-product metal production for the quarter increased to 6,512 oz of platinum (+73% from Q4 2005), 5,108 oz of gold (+75%), 864,442 lbs of nickel (+63%) and 1,421,451 lbs of copper (27%)
- In total 1,179,644 tonnes of ore was processed during the quarter for an average of 12,822 tonnes per day at a palladium recovery rate of 76.9% compared with 11,962 tonnes per day in Q4 2005 at a palladium recovery rate of 70.7%
- Underground production has been a key factor producing on average 2,156 tonnes per day and averaging a palladium head grade of 6.42 g/t
- Spot palladium prices in the fourth quarter were in line with the preceding quarter of 2006 averaging US $323 per oz versus US $242 per oz in Q4 2005

10-K/A: STILLWATER MINING CO /DE/

JOHANNESBURG, January 18, 2007 /PRNewswire-FirstCall via COMTEX/ -- Gold Fields Limited (Gold Fields) (GFI) is pleased to announce that it has received acceptances for a total of 88.5 million Western Areas shares which, combined with the 66.1 million shares already owned by Gold Fields, represents an interest of 95.6% in Western Areas.
Gold Fields now intends to invoke Section 440K of the Companies Act which, if successfully implemented, will result in Gold Fields compulsorily acquiring all of the shares in Western Areas in respect of which the offer was not accepted.
A further announcement will be made in due course, providing greater detail and clarity on the invocation of Section 440K.
Ian Cockerill, Chief Executive of Gold Fields said: "We are delighted to have reached this significant milestone. Subject to completion of the 440k we can proceed with the full integration of the entire South Deep Gold Mine as an operating division of Gold Fields, which will result in a simplified management structure for that operation."
SOURCE Gold Fields Limited

JOHANNESBURG, Jan 18, 2007 (Dow Jones Commodities News via Comtex) -- Edited Press Release
Gold Fields Ltd. (GFI) Thursday said it has received valid acceptances for some 88.5 million ordinary shares in Western Areas Ltd. (WAR.JO), representing 92.5% of the offer shares.
Combined with the 66.1 million Western Areas shares already held by Gold Fields, Gold Fields has a 95.6% interest in Western Areas.
It said shareholders of Western Areas are advised that it intends to invoke Section 440K of the Companies Act.

JOHANNESBURG, Jan 18, 2007 (Dow Jones Commodities News via Comtex) -- Gold Fields Ltd. (GFI) will make a decision soon on how to fund a 3.5-billion-rand ($486 million) expansion of the South Deep gold mine using a combination of cash reserves, debt and new equity, Business Report reports Thursday.
The newspaper cites spokesman Willie Jacobsz as saying the principal source of the finding would come from the South African company's internal cash reserves.
Gold Fields is studying a plan to raise the mine's ore mined a month to 330,000 metric tons from 200,000, and is examining synergies between South Deep and its Kloof mine, the newspaper says. It adds that before expansion work can begin, the mine needs to return to full capacity after an accident knocked out the operation's twin shaft system last May.
Gold Fields bought a 50% stake in South Deep from Canada's Barrick Gold Corp. (ABX). The other half is owned by Western Areas Ltd (WAR.JO), in which Gold Fields has a 89% stake and is looking to buy out minority interests.

JOHANNESBURG, Jan 15, 2007 (Dow Jones Commodities News via Comtex) -- The twin shaft complex of South Africa's 4 billion rand ($550 million) South Deep gold mine should return to normal production by early February, Business Report reports Monday, citing Gold Fields Ltd. (GFI) spokesman Willie Jacobsz.
The skip that hoists ore to the surface was fixed last month and the shaft system is being recommissioned and working areas reopened, Jacobsz said.
The shaft complex was shut last May.
Gold Fields last month bought 50% of South Deep from Canada's Barrick Gold Corp. (ABX) for $1.525 billion. Western Areas Ltd. (WAR.JO) owns the other 50% of South Deep, and Gold Fields is looking to buy out minorities.
The newspaper cites Jacobsz as saying Gold Fields stake in Western areas has reached 89.2% from 82% last month.

TORONTO, ONTARIO, Jan 17, 2007 (MARKET WIRE via COMTEX) -- IAMGOLD Corporation ("IAMGOLD" or "the Company")(TSX: IMG) (IAG) (ASX: IGD)(BSE: IAMGOLD) is pleased to announce results of 10 holes from its Westwood-Mooshla underground exploration program. These results include an intersection of 8.0 metres averaging 34.9 grams per tonne (g/t) gold and a one meter intersection averaging 160.6 g/t gold. A surface drilling program in 2004 led to the discovery of the Westwood deposit, located two kilometres east of the Doyon Division, where IAMGOLD is currently operating its Doyon and Mouska mines, located along the prolific Cadillac belt in the Abitibi region of Quebec.
"We anticipated good results from the Westwood-Mooshla underground exploration program. I am pleased that these results have exceeded our expectations," commented Joseph Conway, President & CEO, IAMGOLD. "The initial program was planned with two drills and these results justified the addition of two more drills in November and December. We will continue to explore aggressively with the objective of extending the life of the Doyon Division."
The ongoing drilling program carried out from this drift totals approximately 28 000 meters consisting of 22 holes. In 2006, 16 970 meters of drilling were completed, 6 700 metres of which were completed after September 2006. The intersections from the recent drilling are presented in Table 1. Additional information is shown in the cross sections in Figures 2 and 3.
The Westwood-Mooshla underground exploration project was initiated in 2004 with a $25 million, five year exploration program to identify new deposits on the Doyon and Mouska properties. The Westwood portion of the underground program began with the excavation of an exploration drift starting from the 14th level of the Doyon mine, 900 meters below the surface. This drift should be completed by the end of 2007 when it reaches the Bousquet Fault, near the eastern boundary of the property.
The following three gold bearing horizons have been identified; Zone 2 Extension; North Corridor and Westwood Horizon. Testing has revealed significant gold intersections from these three mineralized horizons. Most of the intersections are related to the Zone 2 Extension (far eastern extension of the Doyon Main Zone) and to the North Corridor.
The new area tested (Zone 2 Ext. and North Corridor) is located on the west side of the Bousquet Fault about 1.2 km east of Doyon shaft (figures 2 and 3). Economic values start at about 900 meters below the surface with extensions of 350 meters laterally and more than 1 km at depth. Both horizons are parallel, about 150 meters apart, open at depth and have a western plunge. The objectives of this accelerated exploration program, utilizing the two additional drill rigs, is to establish the continuity of these two new zones (Zone 2 Extension and Corridor North) and to determine the mineral potential between 900 to 1500 meters below surface. The original two drill rigs will continue the initial exploration program at depth to the west and east of the Bousquet fault. The exploration drift is now far enough advanced to initiate a 2 km hole to test the immediate western plunge of the Westwood Horizon. This hole will begin in the first quarter of 2007.