Joe Oliver named Natural Resources Minister in new Canadian Cabinet

Canadian Prime Minister has named Joe Oliver as the new Minister of Natural Resources, replacing Christian Paradis, who moves to the Industry Department. Oliver, a newly elected MP, is a former investment banker and has worked as executive...

Cliffs gets green light from Canada for iron acquisition

NYSE-listed miner Cliffs Natural Resources said on Tuesday the Canadian government had given its buyout of Consolidated Thompson the go-ahead. Cliffs still needs approval from China’s Ministry of Commerce for the C$4,9-billion deal to close,...

Mining companies pressed to boost production amid record prices, rising demand

The Canadian mining sector in the first quarter of 2011 looks and feels starkly different compared with the industry that rang in the New Year just two years earlier

Canadian miners see 'only benefits' from TSX-LSE tie-up

The Canadian mining sector was generally positive on Wednesday about the news that the holding company of the Toronto Stock Exchange has agreed to a 'merger of equals' with the London Stock Exchange group. “I think there are quite a lot of...

BHP revives $4,2bn share buyback after scrapping Potash Corp offer

Mining giant BHP Billiton on Monday called off its $40-billion bid for Saskatchewan-based fertiliser company Potash Corp, and reactivated a $4,2-billion share buy-back programme. BHP said in a statement that it had determined that the condition...

Regulatory woes, rival bids 'unlikely' as ArcelorMittal offers to buy Baffinland

The world's biggest steelmaker, ArcelorMittal, had been in exclusive talks to become a strategic partner in Baffinland Iron's Mary River project before another company made a buyout offer for the TSX-listed company. "Those negotiations were in...

Commentary: Kloppers likely to fight for Potash

I would have given a lot to witness the reaction from BHP Billiton's CEO on hearing that Canadian Industry Minister Tony Clement was blocking his bid for Potash Corp of Saskatchewan. South African Marius Kloppers is invariably as cool as a...

Saskatchewan regulator delays poison pill hearing

The Saskatchewan Financial Services Commission has indefinitely postponed a hearing on an application by BHP Billiton to have Potash Corp of Saskatchewan's shareholder rights plan suspended. BHP Billiton asked for the adjournment and Potash Corp...

BHP to consider options as Canada gives it 30-day appeal window

It will be back to the drawing board for BHP Billiton if the diversified miner fails to convince Canada that its offer for Potash Corp would be beneficial to the country. Canada blocked the $40-billion bid for the Saskatchewan-based fertilizer...

Sask Premier Wall throws 'branch office' comments back at BHP

Brad Wall, the Premier of Saskatchewan, ramped up his campaign against BHP Billiton's hostile takeover of Potash Corp of Saskatchewan on Monday, repeating calls for the federal government to block the deal. Wall also put out a news release citing...

Canada extends deadline for decision on BHP-Potash deal

Canadian Industry Minister Tony Clement has extended the deadline for a decision on whether BHP Billiton can acquire Potash Corporation of Saskatchewan by 30 days. “I have extended the timeline for making my determination of BHP Billiton’s...

Canada to closely monitor potential Potash Corp takeover

The Canadian government is keeping a close eye on a potential foreign takeover of Potash Corporation of Saskatchewan, Industry Canada said on Tuesday. BHP Billiton has proposed a $130 a share offer for Potash Corp, which would value the company...