A growing view that the beaten-up nickel price will bounce on lithium battery demand would be just what the doctored ordered for new Mincor boss David Southam. And frustrated investors urge WA Mines Minister Bill Johnston to demand Rio reveal what it has found at the Winu copper project.... Show More

Dacian missed the gold sector’s recent run – which means there is upside to be had as its production ramp-up gains pace. And Rio is still trying to lock-down more acreage in the red-hot Paterson Province, which may explain its ongoing refusal to shed light on its Winu copper ‘discovery’... Show More

Details of Rio’s reportedly-huge copper find in WA continue to leak. Following last week’s aerial photos showing a 56-man camp and drill rigs, this column can now reveal the project apparently has a name: Winu. Of course, Rio refuses to confirm this – presumably because that would confirm the discovery... Show More

The WA gold miner has embarked on a drilling program which it believes could “significantly transform” the inventory at its King of the Hills project. It follows spectacular intersections of up to 330m at ~2gpt from surface which have raised the potential to switch from narrow to bulk mining. Show More

Quiet speculation that Rio has a huge copper find in WA has turned rampant, fuelled by the mining giant’s application to build an airstrip and images depicting a 40-man camp. Rio refuses to confirm or reject the talk, but sources suggest it could be Rio’s best find in 25 years. Show More

Mining’s big boys are back in the chase for base metals, as this week’s deals by BHP and South32 show. A lack of big-scale exploration success in recent years is fuelling growing concerns about a longer-term supply deficit, which is in turn increasing the strategic appeal of existing resources. ... Show More

This week’s sell-off saw the likes of tech and health stocks walloped. But investors can take some comfort from the solid showing by gold stocks, which in turn suggests that hard assets like commodities could emerge as winners. If this comes to pass, emerging producers will offer significant leverage. Show More

The promise of a big reserve increase at the rich Fosterville mine has investors salivating. Little wonder, given its grade of ~20gpt and costs of around US250/oz. And now the anticipation is spilling into nearby juniors such as Chalice, which is among those set to drill for the next Fosterville.... Show More

The Alderan rollercoaster has taken shaken shareholders back to where the journey began a year ago. But a picture of drilling core in this week’s ASX release suggests they may be onto something. And is a marriage of Capricorn and Eastern Goldfields being sought by the pair’s large common shareholder? Show More

This week’s bid for gold mining hopeful Explaurum has stoked speculation about which explorers could be targeted next as producers look to capitalise on their strong cash generating capacity. Plus, analysts warm to Venturex as Northern Star lends a hand and Kairos shows nuggets are news again in the Pilbara. Show More

Backing the right gold explorer can be a rewarding strategy. Expanding inventories, such as those unveiled recently by Breaker Resources and Bellevue Gold, combined with growing evidence that a discovery will be economic and therefore become a mine, allows investors to ride a wave of strong value creation. Show More

Mineral sands prices have risen sharply this year and are tipped to continue climbing on the back of a supply deficit. This has underpinned share price gains for emerging producers such as Sheffield, Strandline and Image, which stand to benefit handsomely as their projects progress in parallel with growing demand. Show More

The Pilbara’s conglomerate gold was hot and now it’s not. But Novo Resources’ closely-watched chairman Quinton Hennigh has put it back on the radar by noting that he will have “some very, very interesting” things to say in six months. Some think he may be planning a conglomerate-hard rock-gold marriage. Show More

Once high-flying lithium stocks have tanked of late. Lower lithium prices, which are being blamed on over-supply, are said to be responsible. But those close to the action say all is not what it appears and a recovery is coming. Plus, the Chinese come knocking for Cassini’s battery metals. Show More

Gold stocks are under pressure as rising US rates take their toll on the metal’s price. For many, things may get worse as shrinking inventories conflict with investor demands for growth. But Northern Star and Dacian are bucking the trend. Plus, more evidence Rio has a big WA copper find. Show More

A usually-overlooked departmental document has lifted the lid on the size of Mark Creasy’s base metals find in WA – and it is fuelling speculation that Independence Group will be keen to gets its hands on it. And speaking of discoveries, there is growing interest in Great Boulder’s drilling campaign. Show More

Exclusive: Prospector Mark Creasy confirms he has made a big base metals find in WA. Creasy’s deposit is 25km from Independence’s Nova-Bollinger project, fuelling speculation that a deal is around the corner. And exploration is hotting up at PolarX’s Alaska Range project, causing this week’s raising to be heavily over-subscribed. Show More

With bumper margins and bloated kitties, Australia’s mid-tier gold miners are primed for M&A. But this time, it’s expected to be more bolt-on than mega-merger. Smaller companies with growing inventories are seen as potential targets. And talking of targets, Argonaut Resources is about to drill several in the Gawler Craton. Show More

Mineral sands prices are on a tear, with some up by more ~60% since their trough. And this week’s takeover of Mineral Deposits by its JV partner, combined with the tight supply outlook, means the next league of players such as Strandline and Image are coming sharply into investor focus. Show More

Independence Group’s announcement this week of a $21m exploration agreement with prospector Mark Creasy only served to fuel talk they are working on a much bigger deal. And this satellite image shows why many believe there is much more to come. Plus, knocked-down explorer Explaurum fights back with strong results. Show More