Congo govenor tells of Rautenbach ordeal

MOISE Katumbi, the governor of the mineral-rich Katanga province in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) said he personally took Camec shareholder Billy Rautenbach to the airport after he was declared persona non grata by the DRC government.

A statement from Rautenbach described reports of his arrest, interrogation and the confiscation of his passport as “totally unfounded.” There was no mention in the statement of his deportation.

The DRC government issued a second statement in as many weeks backed up by comments from Katumbi, leaving no doubt Rautenbach, an old mining hand in central Africa, was no longer permitted to enter the country.

“I myself took him to the airport and his passport was stamped to keep him out of the Congo. The order came from the central government in Kinshasa and he signed for it himself,” Katumbi told Miningmx.

Asked why Rautenbach had been thrown out of the DRC and for more details, the normally talkative Katumbi referred all such queries to the central government.

“The central government sent me a request from the minister of the interior to chase him from Katanga. They did not want him in our country. He was deported. He is persona non grata,” Katumbi said.

Rautenbach is the former head of DRC's state-owned mining company Gecamines.

The UK’s Sunday Times newspaper said he had been accused of fraud, theft, corruption and violating commercial law. The accusations are related to charges Rautenbach faces in South Africa.

An armed escort had seen him to the airport and aboard his private aircraft, which flew him home to Zimbabwe, the Sunday Times reported.

Asked if Rautenbach’s deportation would affect Camec’s Luita operation in Katanga province or its $1.9bn bid for TSX-listed Katanga Mining, Katumbi again referred all questions to the central government.

“I’m the governor. I don’t know anything about the operations of the mine. You’ll have to ask the minister of mines,” he said.

Central African Mining and Exploration Company (Camec) has said in a statement it disputes the authenticity of the document expelling Rautenbach, who is thought to own 18% of the London-based company.

“Even if it were authentic, it would not affect any of Camec’s operations in the Congo; Mr Rautenbach is not involved in the operational management of the company’s projects.”

Camec has the Luita project in the DRC. Luita is planned to produce 40,000 tonnes of copper and 6,000 tonnes of cobalt a year by the end of March 2008. Camec has plans to grow this to 100,000 tonnes of copper and 12,000 tonnes of cobalt by the end of next year, making the company the single largest producer of cobalt.

A tie up with Luita and Katanga’s Kamoto operation would account for a fifth of global cobalt supply. It might also be the precursor to a bid for Nikanor, which shares the same ore body Katanga is mining, said Mark Smith, an analyst at Renaissance Capital.

Gecamines, an owner of 25% of Katanga’s Kamoto mine and facilities, has taken legal advice on the potential transaction, said Smith.

Camec has a 22% stake in Katanga and said it has locked up a further 32% of shares, including the 24% held by George Forrest, who has given his support for Camec’s bid, the Sunday Times reported.

Source : www.miningmx.com

Gemini Explorations, Inc. (GXPI) A Growing Gold Mining Company Reports On Upcoming Drill Program

Gemini Explorations Inc, ("Gemini") (OTC BB:GXPI.OB - News) is pleased to report that Minera Primecap Geological Services (MPGS) has confirmed the phase two broad-based channel sampling is well underway and the first batch of deep channel samples have been shipped to the labs of INSPECTORATE AMERICA CORPORATION (Inspectorate), Nevada, USA for assaying. As reported on June 11, 2007, Gemini had completed the topographical survey and mechanical excavation of trenches was to begin allowing for complete and broad-based channel sampling and identification of optimum drill targets for the La Planada Gold project. Gemini will release the assay results as soon as they become available. MPGS Chief Geologist Carlos Alberto Vera has personally directed his geological team as they continue the sampling and preparation of drill targets at the La Planada Gold Camp.

President Michael Hill stated, "We are extremely pleased with the sample results we have seen so far, which have met and in certain instances exceeded our expectations. Our goal is to have the drilling program well underway in 2007 and prove up the La Planada Gold Project to be the multi-million ounce gold deposit that we believe it is." As reported on February 23, 2007, Carlos Alberto Vera of MPGS estimated the La Planada Gold project to contain over 3 million ounces of gold representing a potential 2 billion dollar deposit with gold trading at $650 per ounce.

Notice Regarding Forward Looking Statements

This news release contains "forward-looking statements," as that term is defined in Section 27A of the United States Securities Act of 1933 and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934. Statements in this press release which are not purely historical are forward-looking statements and include any statements regarding beliefs, plans, expectations or intentions regarding the future. Such forward-looking statements include, among other things, that although Gemini Explorations, Inc believes the La Planada Gold Project has promising potential, the property is in the early stages of exploration. The project has yet to be shown to contain proven or probable mineral reserves. There can be no assurance that such reserves will be identified on the property, or that, if identified, mineralization may be economically extracted. Minera Primecap Geological Services does not accept responsibility for the use of project data or in the adequacy or accuracy of this release.

Actual results could differ from those projected in any forward-looking statements due to numerous factors. Such factors include, among others, the inherent uncertainties associated with mineral exploration. These forward-looking statements are made as of the date of this news release, and we assume no obligation to update the forward-looking statements, or to update the reasons why actual results could differ from those projected in the forward-looking statements. Although we believe that the beliefs, plans, expectations and intentions contained in this press release are reasonable, there can be no assurance that such beliefs, plans, expectations or intentions will prove to be accurate. Investors should consult all of the information set forth herein and should also refer to the risk factors disclosure outlined in our annual report on Form 10-KSB for the 2005 fiscal year, our quarterly reports on Form 10-QSB and other periodic reports filed from time-to-time with the Securities and Exchange Commission.

Promoter blames TD for ‘fuss’ over mining lease

Anantapur, July 23: One of the directors of Obulapuram Mining Company, the firm which was given controversial mining lease in Obulapuram village of D.Hirehal mandal in the district, and one of the promoters of the proposed Brahmani Steel Company in Kadapa district, G. Janardhana Reddy, has criticised the TDP and condemned its attitude alleging that the party was making an issue out of nothing on the mining lease given to his firm.

Talking to newspersons in the Obulapuram Mining Company guest house near the mines late on Sunday evening, returning after cutting short his foreign visit, he took strong exception to TDP president N. Chandrababu Naidu’s reported remarks against him that he was a criminal and was earning illegally.

He stated that people of Andhra Pradesh knew very well who was criminal and who had usurped power with the help of a coup against his own mentor.

He alleged that the TDP was making a fuss over the mining lease given to his company by the AP Government only as part of its political vendetta.
Entry illegal

The OMC had taken the lease of Obulapuram mines legally and nobody could enter the mines area without the company’s permission as once the land is taken on lease it would be out of bounds for general public or even the legislators, without proper permission.

International Coal Group Announces Second Quarter 2007 Earnings Release and Conference Call

International Coal Group, Inc. will release its second-quarter results for 2007 after the market closes on Thursday, July 19, 2007. The Company will hold its quarterly conference call and Internet webcast on Friday, July 20, 2007 at 11:00 a.m. Eastern Time.

The audio can be accessed by going to the Company's Web site at www.intlcoal.com. Listeners should go to the Web site at least fifteen minutes before this event to register, download, and install any necessary audio software. There is no charge for access to this event. For those unable to attend the live broadcast, the call will be archived on the Company's Web site.

ICG is a leading producer of coal in Northern and Central Appalachia and the Illinois Basin. The Company has 11 active mining complexes, of which ten are located in Northern and Central Appalachia, and one in Central Illinois. ICG's mining operations and reserves are strategically located to serve utility, metallurgical and industrial customers throughout the eastern United States.

Source : money.cnn.com/news

UPDATE 1-S.Africa unions declare dispute in coal wage talks

Two South African trade unions declared a dispute on Thursday against coal producers after wage talks hit deadlock, a union official said.

A dispute, the first legal step towards going on strike, was declared after producer group the Chamber of Mines declined to raise its offer of a 7.25 percent wage hike, Solidarity union spokesman Reint Dykema told Reuters.

South Africa's largest mining union, the National Union of Mineworkers, also joined in the dispute, he added. Unions are demanding a wage hike of 15 percent.

Chamber negotiator Eric Nwedo confirmed a dispute had been declared, saying wages were not the only stumbling block, but there were also differences on housing benefits, pension contributions and upgrading job categories.

"These are costly demands, so if we are to make progess on the wages we need to get some clarity on where they are going with these," Nwedo said. "We are still committed to engaging with the unions.

Following the declaration of a dispute, further talks are required, including with government mediators, before any strike can be approved.

South Africa is the world's fifth-largest producer of coal, which is the primary fuel produced and consumed in the country. Around 20,000 workers are covered in the wage talks.

The Chamber represents seven companies, including BHP Billiton Energy Coal South Africa (BHP.AX: Quote, Profile , Research), the coal unit of Anglo American Plc (AAL.L: Quote, Profile , Research) and Xstrata Coal South Africa (XTA.L: Quote, Profile , Research).

The chamber also represents those activities of Exxaro Resources Ltd (EXXJ.J: Quote, Profile , Research) previously owned by Eyesizwe Coal, which merged to form Exxaro.

Source : investing.reuters.co.uk/news