Canada Zinc Metals arranges $3-million placement CZX.v, TNR.v, BLS.to, LUN.to, QUA.to, FCX, CUU.v, DON.v, BWR.to, CS.to, BHP, RTP, RIO, IMN.to,

"CZX’s Cardiac Creek deposit (Akie property) represents one of the top 10 largest undeveloped zinc deposits on the planet. The deposit is very good grade with a very high grade section within it that could be mined first (quicker payback of capital). CZX also has a very large prospective land package – this represents a district scale opportunity in mining friendly BC, Canada. Infrastructure in the area is relatively advanced (full road access, railway, power facility, deep sea port). Neighboring property / deposits owned by big players Teck Resources and Korea Zinc. We are going to China to visit Tongling and other Chinese companies next week for further discussions on our project development"

"Tongling exercises its warrants at 20% premium to the market today (0.50CAD) - it is a very positive sign of commitment. Now Chinese company holds 17.5% in Canada Zinc Metals CZX.v, when will they bid for the whole company? Another important shareholder is Lundin Mining LUN.to With new Bailout in Europe direction is to Inflation and Commodities are the place to be. Another company we are following here is engaged in this Chinese M&A in Canada story: TNR Gold Corp. with International Lithium Corp. where CZX has a stake. Will shareholders in TNR Gold wake up one morning with new Chinese connection one day?"

With recent market meltdown Canada Zinc Metals provides another very good Entry point into this Chinese M&A play in Commodities in Canada. Markets are signaling that risk appetite could be back now and Company reports that after Chinese Tongling has exercised their warrants at 0.6CAD it was able to secure another sizable financing at that level with more than 20% premium to the market.

"Canada Zinc Metals arranges $3-million placement

2010-05-27 07:44 ET - News Release
Mr. Peeyush Varshney reports
CANADA ZINC METALS ANNOUNCES NON-BROKERED PRIVATE PLACEMENT
Canada Zinc Metals Corp. has arranged a private placement of five million units at a price of 60 cents per unit for gross proceeds of up to $3-million.
Each unit will consist of one common share and one-half share purchase warrant of the company. Each whole warrant will entitle the holder to purchase one additional common share at a price of 80 cents for a period of 18 months from closing.
A finder's fee of 7 per cent will be paid on the private placement. The private placement is subject to TSX Venture Exchange approval.
The proceeds of the private placement are anticipated to be used for further exploration of the Akie Sedex zinc-lead deposit and for working capital purposes.
About the Akie and Kechika regional properties
The Akie zinc-lead property is situated within the southernmost part (Kechika trough) of the regionally extensive Paleozoic Selwyn basin, one of the most prolific sedimentary basins in the world for the occurrence of Sedex zinc-lead-silver and stratiform barite deposits.
Drilling on the Akie property by Inmet Mining Corporation during the period 1994 to 1996 and by Canada Zinc Metals since 2005 has identified a significant body of baritic zinc-lead Sedex mineralization (Cardiac Creek deposit). The deposit is hosted by variably siliceous, fine-grained clastic rocks of the Middle to Late Devonian Gunsteel formation. The company has outlined an NI 43-101-compliant inferred resource of 23.6 million tonnes grading 7.6 per cent zinc, 1.5 per cent lead and 13.0 grams per tonne silver (at a 5-per-cent zinc cut-off grade).
Two similar deposits, Cirque and Cirque South Cirque, located approximately 20 kilometres northwest of Akie and owned under a joint venture by Teck Resources and Korea Zinc, are also hosted by Gunsteel rocks and have a combined geologic inventory in excess of 50 million tonnes (not 43-101-compliant) grading approximately 10 per cent combined zinc and lead.
In addition to the Akie property, Canada Zinc Metals controls a large contiguous group of claims which consist of the Kechika regional project. These claims are underlain by geology identical to that on the Akie property (Cardiac Creek deposit) and Cirque. This project includes the 100-per-cent-owned Mt. Alcock property, which has yielded a historic drill intercept of 8.8 metres grading 9.3 per cent zinc and lead, numerous zinc-lead-barite occurrences, and several regional base metal anomalies.
All of the company's claims (77,889 hectares), with the exception of a small isolated block (2,293 hectares), are in good standing, under the provisions of the Mineral Tenure Act of British Columbia, until Dec. 8, 2018."

Life after Oil: Copper, Energy Efficiency and Green Mobility Revolution TNR.v, MAI.to, FCX, BHP, RTP, LUN.to, CZX.v, CS.to, QUA.to, CHD.to, AUY, NEM,

"Peak Oil and Lithium: Joint Operating Environment 2010
Please pay attention, this report is written by those who knows the Real Price of Oil. If you account all military needed to protect Oil supply lines and cost of wars to get more oil, price will be well above 150 USD/barrel already. Now we all have another problem: there is simply no more oil enough for all. Will future wars for oil be the only answer?"

Electric Cars is the only commercially viable technology today to sustain mobility world wide with rising Oil prices. Lithium is at the heart of Green Mobility revolution - it is an industry adopted standard for batteries and billions of dollars are invested into battery technology and upcoming by the end of this year Electric Cars on a mass market scale. This Bull market is still very young - only a year or so from the beginning after the crash of 2008."

In our quest for the new Bulls ignited by Peak Oil and new disruptive transformational technologies we can not avoid old solid Copper play. Electricity is the most convenient form of energy available to us, it could be generated by using different sources, it could be transported and it could be transformed in another form of energy or to power different devices from A/C to iPod. Now we have means to store it, game has been changed in Energy Business with development of lithium batteries powerful enough for mobility applications. Electric cars is the new game in town and we have defined our Lithium Bull on supply side for Energy Storage applications. In a sharp contrast to Hydrogen proposition you do not have to invest first billions in the Hydrogen infrastructure - electric infrastructure is here already and it is relatively easy to extend and upgrade it for EV mass market use. Our argument here is that once we moved from high energy density fuel like Oil for mobility applications, we have really revolutionary development in batteries for energy storage and it will be always cheaper and safer to produce electricity at industrial scale plant than on board of the vehicle, when it should be safe, light, cost efficient and with high specific power. Here where Copper come into play as a "Green metal". We will need to provide the "Last Mile" - to build charging points. Copper is at the heart of every electric motor and electric motors are all around us providing necessary conversion of electricity into mechanical power. Now in this space the focus is on energy efficiency and Copper is taking the central stage.

"About Copper & Energy Efficiency

There's no better solution than copper when it comes to improving the energy efficiency of electrical products.
Copper is one of the most reliable and efficient media for transmitting electric power. Electricity flowing through copper wires meets far less resistance than it would in aluminum or steel wires of the same width. In fact, copper is a better electrical conductor than any other metal except silver, making it the most economical and efficient electrical conductor available. Using copper wires results in lower electrical transmission losses, thus conserving energy and reducing demand on generating capacity, which ultimately benefits us all!
As demands for electrically operated machines grow, consumers worldwide will naturally seek more energy efficient devices. Apart from saving on electricity bills, extensive use of copper in home construction will maximize safety, security and efficient energy management.
Conserve for tomorrow
Wasted energy needlessly depletes natural resources. It is expensive. It negatively impacts on the pocket books of people, companies, and national economies.
And it requires fossil-fueled power plants to work harder, thereby emitting more greenhouse gases and contributing to climate change. For all of these reasons, it is critical to find new ways to improve energy efficiency.
Switching to energy-efficient equipment, such as high- and premium-efficiency motors, high-efficiency transformers, and appliances requires only a modest additional investment. But that investment will more than pay for itself in reduced energy bills, usually within a short time.
Outstanding conductivity aside, copper possesses a number of other advantageous qualities as well. Copper is easy to work with and far more corrosion resistant than aluminum.
Sustainable Energy Efficiency Programs
ICASEA recognizes the need to continuously promote and tap Copper's limitless potential for electrical applications. We highlight the importance of the maintaining the economic efficiency of the energy systems so that society is aware that copper is an excellent conductor of electricity, and that increases the efficiency of electrical products. This in turn translates into lower operating cost, increased reliability, longer lifespan, and lower risk of brownouts, increased safety and more capital for business investments.
Our programs cover the entire chain of electrical systems - from electrical power generation to the transmission, distribution and end use of electricity. The benefits reaped include less waste and less heat generated when electrical systems are utilized for serving mankind.
We do this through sharing information and best practices in developing countries on the benefits of upsizing to the correct gauge of copper wires used throughout the construction industry to reduce heat loss and increase energy efficiency.
It is apparent in power generators, high efficiency motors, power distribution transformers, and magnetic ballasts. Copper also offers the most substantial electrical and energy efficiency benefits over other materials. We have co-organized and co-sponsored intra-Asian programs that have unlocked opportunities within the intra-ASEAN network to share knowledge and gain a position of influence in strategically important forums of the industry. Our programs have laid the foundation for future expansion of markets for the members of our centre."

Next Bull: Lithium - Crash of the Markets, Gold and price of Oil for Helicopters TNR.v, CZX.v, GRC.to, BVA.v, BVG.v, GBN.v, RM.v, LMR.v, WLC.v, CLQ.v

Small print.

Some observations below are based on pure Science and some on solid Fiction, please be careful to draw any investment conclusions from some parts of the story. As a socially responsible citizens authors of this blog could benefit from your investment decisions regarding Ben Bernanke, Helicopters, Oil, Gold and Lithium.

CS. It is time for us to sharpen our pencil and put a few lines together about socio-economic events of this week which will have far reaching implications on our way of life. We will speculate on the real events behind the scene on a day of Cyber Meltdown: spectacular Dow Crash by the magnitude of 1000 point in fifteen minutes. We will develop a very strong argument in favour of Inflation and its cost based on PhD Thesis: At what point price of Oil becomes prohibitive to use Helicopters by Ben Bernanke in his open market operations. We will draw some lines on How Lithium, Gold and price of Oil are connected and what it means to be grounded. In the end we will leave you with the question: Where to invest - In Ben Bernanke, Ink Factory, Helicopters, Oil or Gold and Lithium?

Our memories from 2008 meltdown and the last deflation strike in March of last year are still too vivid for us to stay rational amid recent market panic of this week. Was it the fat finger, Cyber Meltdown or revenge of the Government Sachs, which was striped of its Olympus glamour is not so important - the most important message is the reaction of the Market itself and actions of the people in charge to follow.

We will even speculate that the real reason for Dow to crash 1000 points in fifteen minutes was subliminal classified message in the networks that helicopter commander Ben Bernanke have sent his helicopter squad to Europe. The squad was caught over Iceland in volcanic ash cloud and was grounded on deserted island and now all those precious billions of dollar bills are used in a camp fire to keep pilots warm. Messier Trichet from ECB has refused to send eurocopters stashed with cash and support the market operations on Thursday pointing to high oil prices and high price to be paid in the end of this kind of "open market" operations. He even went to length talking about austerity measures, economic reform, budget cuts and fiscal discipline. French connection with the Crash must be investigated further: first they took our wine lists, than mortgage based securities trading, what will be next? We will point only to the obvious: ECB head Jean-Claude Trichet the President of European Central Bank with his stubborn attitude to the Quantitative Easing. Next one will be Goldman Sachs Mr Fab himself - Fabrice Touree at the heart of the recent scandal. Have you noticed that this time Goldman Sachs were par excellence on transparency issues, it has avoided any double standards allegations and immediately released all emails of Mr Fab including his love letters and proper descriptions of all those variety of products sold to the sophisticated "widows and orphans" as they call our banks, stupid enough to buy that stuff. Buy the way they called these derivatives by a lot of misleading names for the clients in public documents, but in internal emails all use the same description and must be French word - S%&T. This twitter based letter combinations is raising the same emotions as the subject itself and we will allow ourselves to use it in this context, lacking the better alternative. This time Goldman Sachs was equally distant from its clients and employees - they were sacrificed immediately. In the end if The House does not give a S%&T about its clients, why attitude to employees should be different?

Here our part based on solid Fiction ends and we will move to pure Science.

As it is difficult to believe in the reasons behind the Thursday 1000 point Dow Crash we wrote above, we will make few observations based on real time market data. Market was trading down on Thursday from the opening with traders clued to the pictures from Greece violent Austerity Market Test, but they were sliding down in orderly fashion. At 14.00 sudden spike in Yen Dollar chart happen: Yen moved up and then all hell called Carry Trade has broken lose. Somebody big enough to get busted in a spectacular fashion was caught naked on Yen funding side. With rising Yen Rise of the Machines began: algorithmically driven buy orders start to protect from Yen run away, snow ball has driven Yen above USD by total 5% percent at one point. Please keep in mind that another Carry Trade funded in USD moved up against all other currencies as well: Euro and Pound were not spared, Hung Parliament in UK helped ignite the run on pound again. After Yen move within half an hour Dow started to crash: our take is that with running up Yen and following USD margin calls kicked in and selling began in most liquid stocks in Dow. Run away in Yen was stoped by Japanese Central Bank intervention to the magnitude of 2 trillion Yen. Dow Cyber Meltdown was protected by PPT, investors lost on filled stops much below limits and somebody big got busted for sure.

We will leave the situation on how technically stock like P&G could drop 50% in fifteen minutes to be investigated by the mass media, but will confirm here one more time: it was second Deflationary Test with sudden drop in liquidity this time driven by sovereign debt crisis. Call it Run On The Bank among Big Guys. Fifteen minutes made no mistake about the state of the market and economy in deflationary environment - we have seen the future and it is ugly. Deflation spiral means death of financial market by thousand cuts - financial system is insolvent and the only way to run it is to keep liquidity high enough that nobody is testing it to deliver. QE will provide flood of money, debt will be rolled over and by destroying the value of FIAT currencies Debt will be Inflated out in the end. This time it is different - it is not only our theory, but confirmed market action. This time the most important here is that Gold was at almost all time high at the moment of test, Gold was moving up against all currencies and this time in a sharp contrast to the events of 2008 it was sharply up and over 1200 on the day of Market Crash. This new round of QE (when Europe has not even started!) will be going already from this very high base in Gold value and rising Inflation in Commodity and Growth driven economies. We will not go into the debt issue today in details and will only point out that it is a notch under 13 Trillion and in dangerously close proximity to 100% of GDP of U.S.

After pictures from Greece we do not think that anybody will go there in U.S. Corp. Deflation will be prevented by any means, it is easy and price to pay is not so obvious. Newly printed US Dollars are "free", but price to drop them is not: you need Oil to keep you helicopters flying and here will be our first conundrum: At what point price of Oil becomes prohibitive to use Helicopters by Ben Bernanke in his open market operations?

Here is time to move to practical implications of the new Inflation round to fight Deflation Scare this time created by sovereign default. How Lithium, Gold and price of Oil are connected and what it means to be grounded? We will start with Gold and will give you few observations:

1. We are in a new Bull market territory with Gold moving up against all FIAT currencies.

2. Corporate default was exchanged on sovereign one, all bailouts were not more than transferring obligations from failed banks and other Corporations to the public finance. Bonuses were left with bankers, losses were privatised with public. Now we have on outskirts of Europe with less than 4% of EU GDP fireworks which suppose to end Euro legacy in wain. Do not rush to trash the Euro yet. Sovereign default is very different from corporate one. If the debt is issued in local currency it could be always printed more in order to repay it. U.S. Corp. is living in this space for years, UK is there and Europe will have to decide and move in support of Greece to prevent the run on the bank and collapse of the following PIIGS members.

3. Expect shakeouts, but the direction in Gold market is clear: further Up - driven by run from all FIAT currencies, rising interest rates, generational Bear market in Treasuries, negative real rates and expansion in monetary base (QE) with inevitable by definition Inflation. And we have to pray for it - we do not know how to survive in Deflation Spiral should anybody made a crucial mistake.

4. First Gold will make new all time high, second will be M&A play: Majors will shop for Juniors with resources in the ground. Here is the double game - Gold is moving up and Majors' production and Reserve Base is going down. If you like more leverage you are welcome to Silver market. Place to be is in stories will strong management, growing resources and stable political situations. markets will be volatile by all means and political tensions will be driving this Gold Bull as well.

We are running Gold Bull for nearly ten years now: Gold first, than Majors and follow up on Junior side. We were always wondering about Future of Energy and have collected some great memories on Uranium Run, Solar and Water plays. Gold Bull has years to run, but we are searching constantly for new Macro trends - it is very interesting to find out what will be the next Bull which will come out of these rubbles in case we are right and Inflation will be the answer to deflation war scenario. It is time for Lithium to come into picture.

Lithium is the leveraged play on Peak Oil and rising Oil price with coming Inflation. Sector is very small and market is even more smaller - everything is ready for the parabolic move in case of supporting fundamentals.

Recent Oil Spill shows the real price for Oil and leaves no doubt for us that there will be no more cheap oil: offshore drilling is costly now, it will be even more costly later. Relatively cheap Oil is in the hands of state owned companies in not so friendly to U.S. places. Oil squeeze will come from diminishing production rates and rising Inflation. The move will be even more explosive than in the Gold market - in the end only minority of people is effected by the gold price even now, Oil is the underlining of all Western Energy Diet. It is not sustainable. Emerging markets are taking more and more share of world wide production, oil producing countries are spending more at home. If you account all cost to produce, deliver and protect Oil supply to U.S. corp the price is already above 150 USD/barrel.

"Peak Oil and Lithium: Joint Operating Environment 2010

Please pay attention, this report is written by those who knows the Real Price of Oil. If you account all military needed to protect Oil supply lines and cost of wars to get more oil, price will be well above 150 USD/barrel already. Now we all have another problem: there is simply no more oil enough for all. Will future wars for oil be the only answer?"

Another "liberation" operation like Iraq, this time against Iran will break the camel's back with no return point. Competition for Oil is heating up and aggressive move by China into Electric Cars leaves no other options for US than to follow. In order to keep power China needs gradually improve standard of living, it will bring upside pressure on labor cost. Electrification will not only provide Energy Security to China, but will significantly reduce the cost of its transportation element and provide another opportunity to stay among low cost producers. Situation is completely different to U.S. - they have capital to invest in Electric Mobility CAPEX now and rip the rewards of lower cash cost on transportation side later. We will refer you to the Economics of Electric Cars.

Recent Ash Cloud events in Europe brought a very sobering sense of the feeling to be grounded. It is amazing how many things are taking for granted. This time it is Ash Cloud - what will happen with oil above 150?

Electric Cars is the only commercially viable technology today to sustain mobility world wide with rising Oil prices. Lithium is at the heart of Green Mobility revolution - it is an industry adopted standard for batteries and billions of dollars are invested into battery technology and upcoming by the end of this year Electric Cars on a mass market scale. This Bull market is still very young - only a year or so from the beginning after the crash of 2008.

We will provide you with few links to study the subject further:

1. Peak Oil.

2. Lithium ABCs.

3. Lithium the Next Big Thing for China Investments

4. The Future of the Lithium Market.

5. Lithium iPod moment.

6. Lithium and REE: How to invest in the Next Big Thing - Electric Cars and Green Mobility revolution.

7. God protect America and give us Electric Car - Obama on Clean energy, Batteries and Competition.

8. Lithium and REE Investment Manifesto and Next Big Thing in action: San Francisco notes.

Copper in Argentina: TNR Gold Provides Update on Los Azules Copper Project TNR.v, CZX.v, MAI.to, AUY, BVN, ABX, LUN.to, RTP, BHP, RIO, CUU.v, FCX, FXI

Value of the prise in the ground at Los Azules is rising with every drill hole. It is very important to see that the best grade was in a step out hole 300m to the North - we have a very big chances of increasing size of the deposit at Los Azules. The step out hole 51 and majority of the High Grade Core of the deposit are located on Xstrata's part of the property, back in right into which is now the subject of legal dispute between TNR Gold, Xstrata and Minera Andes.

"The very important issue for development of Los Azules - ownership for Escorpio IV stays with TNR Gold until court decision in the Fall. Escorpio IV will accommodate part of the mining facilities according to Minera Andes Preliminary Economic Assessment of the Los Azules."

"TNR Gold has announced today (23rd of April, 2010) a very important milestone in the development of the company: management and, what is very important, investors behind this financing are not discouraged by any legal rhetoric from Xstrata and Minera Andes and methodically advancing their legal case in Los Azules back-in right case. Company reports that as part of its legal strategy TNR Gold secured the credit facility and have notified Minera Andes about an early back-in right into the Los Azules project.It looks like money will be used only in case of successful litigation progress and this bridge loan allows company to finance the back-in right without dilution of TNR Gold and International Lithium Corp. at these price levels, which do not reflect the possible success in litigation.You can review Los Azules project details in Minera Andes presentation. Recent news on developments at Los Azules can be found here and for further reference we will address you to the latest TNR Gold presentation. Every legal case brings uncertainty and you should address it in a legal statement below."

We are not legal experts, but legal tactic of TNR Gold with announced early back in waiving the condition of feasibility study looks very interesting in conjunction with Law and Equity Act:

"Conditions precedent

54 If the performance of a contract is suspended until the fulfillment of a condition precedent, a party to the contract may waive the fulfillment of the condition precedent, even if the fulfillment of the condition precedent is dependent on the will or actions of a person who is not a party to the contract if

(a) the condition precedent benefits only that party to the contract,

(b) the contract is capable of being performed without fulfillment of the condition precedent, and

(c) where a time is stipulated for fulfillment of the condition precedent, the waiver is made before the time stipulated, and where a time is not stipulated for fulfillment of the condition precedent, the waiver is made within a reasonable time."

Feasibility study -- a detailed investigation and analysis of a proposed development project to determine whether it is viable technically and economically. It looks like that it will be clearly to the benefit of TNR Gold to know, whether Los Azules can be economically viable or not before back in and if they have decided to take the risk, put the money and step in before it - how it could be denied? We will monitor the situation.

We have a position in this company, please, do not consider anything as an investment advise, as usual, on this blog.

TNR Provides Update on Los Azules Copper Project

Press Release Source: TNR Gold Corp. On Friday May 7, 2010, 3:21 pm EDT
VANCOUVER, BRITISH COLUMBIA--(Marketwire - May 7, 2010) - TNR Gold Corp. (TSX VENTURE: TNR - News; "TNR" or the "Company") is pleased to provide the following update on the status of its Los Azules project located in the San Juan province of Western Argentina.
Minera Andes Inc. ("MAI"), announced yesterday that they have received further positive results from their diamond drill program of approximately 10,007 metres at the Los Azules project. For further details on the exploration program, please refer to MAI's news on May 6th, 2010.
The Los Azules project is an advanced exploration project currently reporting a National Instrument 43-101 compliant Inferred Resource. TNR's wholly owned subsidiary, Solitario Argentina S.A., has served notice of exercising its 25 per-cent back-in right to certain of the properties. Solitario's right to back into the properties is the subject of a lawsuit filed by Minera Andes, and the terms of the back in right are the subject of litigation between Solitario and Xstrata. A court date is set for the fall of 2010.
In the legal dispute with Xstrata, TNR is also seeking confirmation of its ownership of the Escorpio IV property, which is located adjacent to the Project, and a declaration that the Escorpio IV property is excluded from the Exploration and Option Agreement.
ABOUT TNR GOLD / INTERNATIONAL LITHIUM CORP.
TNR and International Lithium Corp. ("ILC") are diversified metals exploration companies focused on exploring existing properties and identifying new prospective projects globally. TNR has a portfolio of 18 active projects, of which 9 will be included in the proposed spin-off of International Lithium Corp. For further details of the spin-off please refer to TNR's April 27, 2009 news release or visit http://www.internationallithium.com/.
The recent acquisition of lithium, other rare metals and rare-earth elements projects in Argentina, Canada, USA and Ireland confirms the companies' commitments to generating projects, diversifying its markets, and building shareholder value.
On behalf of the board,
Gary Schellenberg, President
Cautionary Language and Forward-Looking Statements
This press release includes certain statements that may be deemed "forward-looking statements". All statements in this discussion, other than statements of historical facts, that address future exploration drilling, exploration activities and events or developments that the Company expects, are forward looking statements. Although the Company believes the expectations expressed in such forward looking statements are based on reasonable assumptions, such statements are not guarantees of future performance and actual results or developments may differ materially from those in forward-looking statements. Factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those in forward-looking statements include metal prices, exploration successes, continued availability of capital and financing, and general economic, market or business conditions. Accordingly, readers should not place undue reliance on forward-looking statements. In particular, there are no assurances that any transaction will result from the strategic review, or that if any transaction arises, that it will be completed. Nor are there any assurances that the Company will be successful in the current litigation with respect to the Project. This news release and the information contained herein does not constitute an offer of securities for sale in the United States and securities may not be offered or sold in the United States absent registration or exemption from registration."

Argentina & Mining 101: Los Azules mining plan. TNR.v, CZX.v, MAI.to, ABX, FCX, RTP, BHP, LUN.to, AUY, BVN, FXI, HUI, XAU,

Jay's Watch List March 30th Show featured TNR Gold Corp.
Company update:
TNR Gold Corp. TSX: TNR

"TNR Gold Corp. has entered into a letter agreement with Cricket Capital Corp. on the Company's 100% owned Forgan Lake property located 125km northeast of Thunder Bay, OntarioIn addition, the Company has commenced drilling at the Mariana Lithium brine project in Argentina, and it has increased its land position in Nevada to 5,285 hectares through staking and has commenced a geophysical program on its Mud Lake project, Nye County, Nevada. The Company proposed to waive the production of a feasibility study and exercise its right to acquire 25% of the northern half of the properties for Minera Andes' Los Azules Project in Argentina.
TNR established June 8, 2010 as a date of the meeting date for shareholder approval of the previously announced spin-out of TNR's lithium and rare metals assets into its wholly-owned subsidiary, International Lithium Corp. TNR shareholders of record on the date of the spinout, planned for late June or early July, will receive one share and one fully tradable warrant of International Lithium Corp. for every 4 shares of TNR."

We have a position in this company, please, do not consider anything as an investment advise, as usual, on this blog.

Argentina & Mining 101:

What do you need for a succesful mine?

With a grass roots projects developing into a resource, and advancing to pre-feasibility reports and eventual production, it's a good idea to understand what's involved in a mining project.

1. The pit (ore body open pit)(see left image)Congrats, you found high grade % copper, now what?The ideal scenario involves digging a humongous hole in the ground, via a systematic earth removal process such that you create the leftover open pit as shown on the left.

2. Transport the Ore (heavy rocks)Ore, unprocessed, is worth very little. Naturally, you'd have your precious gold or copper mixed with ordinary rocks and other byproducts. The idea here is to minimize the distance you have to transport these to your processing belt or factory, so you can start crushing and filtering out the valuable bits!As you can see driving heavy duty 500 tonne trucks up these large pits can be quite costly on gas!

3. Start refining your ore Once you have the ore at your factory it's time to fire up the conveyor belt. Crushing, refining, leaching, are all typical ways to separate your high grade minerals from the low-grade rocks. Do this well enough and you should be able to retain 90%+ of your estimated resource from raw ore - that is to say you don't waste too much in the way of getting rid of minerals within the ore during the separation process! From there it goes through several steps of refinement until you reach a sellable end product for your customers - usually in forms of molly, raw mineral products, and in some cases finished pellets for melting into final products.

4. Disposal of waste and tailingsWait, you think the government and environmental agencies will let you leave a big hole with waste rocks lying around after you extract the valuable minerals? Not quite! Tailings (also known as slimes, tailings pile, tails, leach residue, or slickens[1]) are the materials left over[2] after the process of separating the valuable fraction from the worthless fraction (gangue) of an ore. To properly dispose of these tailings (often still riddled with chemicals from acid leaching and chemical separation processes), significant efforts are put in to make sure environmental impacts are minimized. Some would argue, tailings and waste process facilities are the single biggest economic barriers to a mine being successful. Further, you'd want to have a site nearby (ideally downhill) where you can, for a low cost, get rid of your tailings and pile them up for isolation processing later..."

MORE.

Jay Taylor Watch List "In Our Sights": TNR Gold corp.: TNR.v, CZX.v, MAI.to, ABX, NG.to, WLC.v, CLQ.v, RM.v, SQM, FMC, ROC, GOOG, AAPL, FCX, RIMM, F

"TNR Gold Corp. is employing the project generator model. For those of you who may not know what a project generator model is, a word of explanation is in order. “Project generators” are companies that pick up early stage exploration ground when there are historical or scientific reasons to believe a property is prospective for a given mineral. Because these properties are obtained at an early stage of development, the cost of obtaining them is very low.As a project generator, TNR then uses its intellectual capital rather than hard currency capital to add value to its shareholders. By carrying out relatively low cost early exploration work, it demonstrates with greater confidence, the potential for a given property to host an economically viable mineral deposit. At that point in time, TNR hopes to bring in other companies that are willing and able to spend considerably more money to explore and advance those prospects toward production. TNR will generally retain a carried interest in those prospects into the future or at least a Net Smelter Return on any future production from the property. The prospect generator model is in theory a less risky model because, if other companies are spending considerable amounts of money, they can reduce the number of shares issued to raise capital."

Jay's Watch List March 30th Show featured TNR Gold Corp.

Company update:

TNR Gold Corp. TSX: TNR

TNR Gold Corp. has entered into a letter agreement with Cricket Capital Corp. on the Company's 100% owned Forgan Lake property located 125km northeast of Thunder Bay, OntarioIn addition, the Company has commenced drilling at the Mariana Lithium brine project in Argentina, and it has increased its land position in Nevada to 5,285 hectares through staking and has commenced a geophysical program on its Mud Lake project, Nye County, Nevada. The Company proposed to waive the production of a feasibility study and exercise its right to acquire 25% of the northern half of the properties for Minera Andes' Los Azules Project in Argentina.

TNR established June 8, 2010 as a date of the meeting date for shareholder approval of the previously announced spin-out of TNR's lithium and rare metals assets into its wholly-owned subsidiary, International Lithium Corp. TNR shareholders of record on the date of the spinout, planned for late June or early July, will receive one share and one fully tradable warrant of International Lithium Corp. for every 4 shares of TNR."

We have a position in this company, please, do not consider anything as an investment advise, as usual, on this blog.

Copper in Argentina: TNR Provides Update on Los Azules Copper Project TNR.v, MAI.to, AUY, LUN.to, FCX, GDX, FXI, RTP, BHP, BVN, GG, ABX, CZX.v, NG.to,

There are money and there are people with these money who are ready to secure supply of raw materials and reduce their stockpiles of IOU. Have you ever heard about "State Grid Corp of China" - we all better get used to it. While the west will be burred under stockpile of debt Asian players are accumulating real assets from Copper and Gold to Lithium and REE.

Quadra, Chinese utility in Chile joint venture

"TORONTO, March 8 (Reuters) - Quadra Mining (QUA.TO) said on Monday it agreed to form a joint venture with China's largest utility company to develop its huge Sierra Gorda project in Chile, expected to cost over $2 billion.
The Canadian miner signed a memorandum of understanding with State Grid International Development Ltd, a wholly owned subsidiary of State Grid Corp of China. The joint venture will develop and operate Quadra's Sierra Gorda project and Franke Mine in northern Chile..."

"Now Los Azules is a Top Project for Rob McEwen according to Minera Andes presentation: Los Azules in Minera Andes presentation

More on the Canaccord valuation of Los Azules:Gold and Copper in Argentina: Rob McEwen, Los Azules and TNR Gold."

Rob McEwen CEO of Minera Andes was marketing Los Azules in San Francisco with the following:"Los Azules Copper Discovery Inferred resource containing over 11 billion pounds of copper.
Larger than 83% of the world's copper deposit.
Open at depth and to the north for over 2 miles.
High Grade Core: Approximately 105 million tons of 1% copper near-surface!
Los Azules Preliminary Assessment
NPV (USD 3.0/lb, 8% discount rate) - $4 Billion
IRR - 25%Initial Capital Expenditure - 2.7 Billion
Mine Life - 23.6 years."

"TNR Gold is pushing its case with Los Azules further and the key for us in this NR are the new people involved and: "The Company fully intends on exercising its back-in right to the properties at the appropriate time." Looks like company is taking a serious approach to finance its back in right execution. Time is to check all story.
Background on Los Azules, TNR Gold involvement, Xstrata and MInera Andes:

We have another confirmation of High Grade Core of this deposit shaping up on the Northern part of the property, which is under dispute between TNR Gold and Xstrata. This development will help economics of the project - it will allow to start operations with a high grade material and shorten the period of a Capital paid back time.

MAP

"TNR Provides Update on Los Azules Copper Project"

Tue Mar 9, 4:28 PM

VANCOUVER, BRITISH COLUMBIA--(Marketwire - March 9, 2010) - TNR Gold Corp. ("TNR" or the "Company") (TSX VENTURE: TNR.V) is pleased to provide the following update on the status of its Los Azules copper project located in the San Juan province of Western Argentina. Minera Andes Inc. ("MAI"), announced yesterday that they have received positive results from their diamond drill program of approximately 8,800 metres at the Los Azules project. For further details on the exploration program, please refer to MAI's news release of March 8, 2010.
The Los Azules project is an advanced exploration project currently reporting a National Instrument 43-101 compliant Inferred Resource. TNR retains a 25 per-cent back-in right to certain of the properties, the terms of which are currently the subject of a legal dispute with Xstrata, which assigned its interest to MAI. A court date is set for the fall of 2010. The Company fully intends on exercising its back-in right to the properties at the appropriate time. In the legal dispute with Xstrata, TNR is also seeking confirmation of its ownership of the Escorpio IV property, which is located adjacent to the Los Azules project, and a declaration that the Escorpio IV property is excluded from the Exploration and Option Agreement.
ABOUT TNR GOLD / INTERNATIONAL LITHIUM CORP.
TNR and International Lithium Corp. ("ILC") are diversified metals exploration companies focused on exploring existing properties and identifying new prospective projects globally. TNR has a portfolio of 18 active projects, of which 9 will be included in the proposed spin-off of International Lithium Corp. For further details of the spin-off please refer to TNR's April 27, 2009 news release or visit http://www.internationallithium.com/.
The recent acquisition of lithium, other rare metals and rare-earth elements projects in Argentina, Canada, USA and Ireland confirms the companies' commitments to generating projects, diversifying its markets, and building shareholder value.
On behalf of the board,
Gary Schellenberg, President"

We are holding a position in the company and, please, do not consider anything as an investment advise on this Blog, as usual."

We can not agree more with this statement:

Minera Andes Reports Excellent Mid-season Drill Results at its Los Azules Porphyry Copper Project

(from the map all four best holes are located on the Northen part of the property - S.)

Monday March 8, 11:26 am ET

TORONTO, ONTARIO--(Marketwire - 03/08/10) - Minera Andes Inc. (the "Corporation" or "Minera Andes") (TSX:MAI - News)(OTC.BB:MNEAF - News) is pleased to announce exploration results from our 100% owned copper project, Los Azules, in San Juan province (Argentina). Exploration commenced in mid-December 2009 and four diamond drills are currently operating on the project.
Highlights include:

1.08% cu over 145 meters (Hole 46); 0.92% cu over 76.8 meters (Hole 47);

1.01% cu over 216 meters (Hole 48);

and 1.05% over 236 meters (Hole 49).

The intercepts are from in-fill drilling that is confirming the presence of an important high-grade secondary enrichment zone.
To date, eight holes have been completed and four are in progress. A total of 5,032 meters (of a current program of 8800 meters) has been drilled to date, with all holes reaching minimum targets depths of 400 meters. Hole 45 is a step- out hole drilled approximately 200 meters west of any previous drilling, and it contains 0.35% Cu over 194.9 meters from 456 meters to the bottom of the hole at 650.9 meters. It is the deepest hole that has been drilled on the project.
The objective of this field season's drilling program is to expand the known limits of mineralization, delineate the high- grade secondary enrichment zone and to increase the confidence level of the existing Los Azules resource of 922 million tonnes grading 0.55 percent copper and containing 11.2 billion pounds of copper.
Rob McEwen, Executive Chairman and CEO of Minera Andes commented:
"The initial drilling is progressing as planned, and, in contrast to previous drilling campaigns, we have successfully completed all of the drill holes so far this season to their target depths and beyond. We are excited by the excellent results obtained so far, especially in the high grades and good thickness of the secondary enrichment zone. In addition, the drilling this season is proving that the mineralization extends to greater depths than had been previously drilled, and results to date of the step-out drilling are also very positive."
A summary of the available assay results and a drill hole location map are attached.
Suspected extensions of the mineralization will be targeted for the next field season's drilling by detailed geological mapping in progress and a geophysical survey planned for the latter part of this field season. Engineering work and environmental base line studies to support a preliminary feasibility study are also underway.
About Los Azules
Los Azules is a large copper porphyry system located in western San Juan province in a belt of porphyry copper deposits that straddles the border between Chile and Argentina. This belt contains some of the world's largest copper deposits, including Codelco's El Teniente and Andina mines, Anglo American's Los Bronces mine, Antofagasta PLC's Los Pelambres mine and Xstrata's El Pachon project, among others. The San Juan province is one of the most mining- friendly regions in Argentina.
Los Azules has an inferred mineral resource of 922 million tonnes grading 0.55 percent copper and containing 11.2 billion pounds of copper at a cut off grade of 0.35 percent copper. There is high-grade, near-surface core of 161 million tonnes grading 0.87 percent copper and containing 3.1 billion pounds of copper at a cut off grade of 0.70 percent copper. The known resource covers an area approximately 3.7 kilometers by 1 kilometer in size and is open at depth and laterally.
About Minera Andes
Minera Andes is an exploration company exploring for gold, silver and copper in Argentina with three significant assets: A 49% interest in Minera Santa Cruz SA who owns the San Jose Mine which is a large primary silver producer, which produced 4,998,000 million oz silver and 77,070 oz gold in 2009; 100% ownership of the Los Azules copper deposit; and, a portfolio of exploration properties in the highly prospective Deseado Massif region of Santa Cruz Province in southern Argentina. Minera Andes continues to be well funded and have no bank debt. The Corporation had $20.9 Million USD in cash as at September 30, 2009.
This news release has been submitted by Jim Duff, Chief Operating Officer of the Corporation.
Scientific and Technical Information:
This news release has been reviewed and approved by Nivaldo Rojas, a geologist and independent consultant to the Corporation, who is a Qualified Person as defined by National Instrument 43-101 and is responsible for program design and quality control of exploration undertaken by the Corporation at its Los Azules Project. All samples were collected in accordance with industry standards. Splits from the drill core samples were submitted to the ACME sample preparation laboratory in Mendoza, Argentina, and then transferred to ACME's laboratory in Santiago, Chile for fire assay and ICP analysis. Accuracy of results is tested through the systematic inclusion of standards, blanks and check assays.
For further information in respect of the Los Azules project please refer to the technical report entitled "Canadian National Instrument 43-101 Technical Report in Support of the Preliminary Assessment on the Development of the Los Azules Project, San Juan Province, Argentina" dated March 19, 2009, the "Los Azules Report" prepared by Randolph P. Schneider, Robert Sim, Bruce Davis, William L. Rose, and Scott Elfen, each of whom is "independent" of the Corporation and a "qualified person" for the purposes of National Instrument 43-101 - "Standards of Disclosure for Mineral Projects . This report is available on SEDAR (http://www.sedar.com/). The results of the foregoing preliminary assessment contained in this news release is preliminary in nature and includes inferred mineral resources that are considered too speculative geologically to have the economic considerations applied to them that would enable them to be categorized as mineral reserves, and there is no certainty that the project as described in the preliminary assessment will be realized. The basis for the preliminary assessment and the qualifications and assumptions made are set out in the Los Azules Report."

Copper and Gold in Argentina: TNR Gold Engages Financial Advisor for Its Los Azules Copper Project TNR.v. CZX.v, LUN.to, MAI.to, ABX, AUY, NGQ.to, GG,

TNR Gold is pushing its case with Los Azules further and the key for us in this NR are the new people involved and: "The Company fully intends on exercising its back-in right to the properties at the appropriate time." Looks like company is taking a serious approach to finance its back in right execution. Time is to check all story.

Background on Los Azules, TNR Gold involvement, Xstrata and MInera Andes:

"Minera Andes sees 2011 Los Azules prefeasibility study

Chinese are circling the globe in their hunt for resources, Rob McEwen drills Los Azules like a Swiss cheese - we like this combination. Resources of this impressive copper and gold deposit in Argentina will be bigger, question is how much bigger. Small junior TNR Gold squeezed in between all these players on the chess board and reminds about its rights to the part of the property, famous litigators, Xstrata, Lundin family and Chinese Togling - are all in the picture. The outcome is highly leveraged to Copper prices, success in litigation and totally uncertain at the moment, hopefully next move will bring more clarity to all involved parties. Will Rob McEwen be ready to talk to the junior or he will be sided with Xstrata? In any case aggressive exploration program brings project into the spotlight and Rob McEwen is ready to draw a number in prefeasibility as early as next year now.

We are holding a position in the company and, please, do not consider anything as an investment advise on this Blog, as usual."

What is at stake:

"Now Los Azules is a Top Project for Rob McEwen according to Minera Andes presentation:
Los Azules in Minera Andes presentation
More on the Canaccord valuation of Los Azules:
Gold and Copper in Argentina: Rob McEwen, Los Azules and TNR Gold.
"Rob McEwen CEO of Minera Andes was marketing Los Azules in San Francisco with the following:"Los Azules Copper DiscoveryInferred resource containing over 11 billion pounds of copper.

Larger than 83% of the world's copper deposit.

Open at depth and to the north for over 2 miles.

High Grade Core: Approximately 105 million tons of 1% copper near-surface!

Los Azules Preliminary Assessment

NPV (USD 3.0/lb, 8% discount rate) - $4 Billion

IRR - 25%Initial Capital Expenditure - 2.7 Billion

Mine Life - 23.6 years."

Who is involved:

"TNR has George K. Macintosh, Q.C.- one of the best lawyers in Canada working on the case. It will be interesting to see how law suit with Xstrata will go on and weather Rob McEwen will be open to a deal with a junior in order to clear the title of Los Azules and be able to market Los Azules project on the market. Canada Zinc Metals CZX.v stays as a wild card in the game with Chinese Tongling owning 13%. With recent activity in share price of CZX.v, we will not be surprised that Canaccord is right and company will be taken out at one stage. In this case Chinese Tongling as a shareholders in TNR Gold will add spice to the game around this huge Copper and gold mine in Argentina."

Who is coming into the picture now from TNR Gold side:

"British Swiss Investment Corp.

MARK KUCHER, has served as a Director of the Company and the Company's Principal Financial Officer since April 2004. From April 2004 to September 2004, he was also the Company's President, Chief Executive Officer, Secretary and Treasurer. Since January 1992, he has also served as an officer, director and shareholder of British Swiss Investment Corp., a private Swiss corporation acting on behalf of Swiss pension funds in the disposition of various resource investments in Canada, predominantly in oil and gas and gold mining.

Mr. Kucher has commercial, business development and corporate finance experience with an emphasis in the mining industry.

Mr. Kucher has also had various positions with investment banks and brokerage firms.

Mr. Kucher holds an MBA from the University of Western Ontario and a Bachelor of Commerce Degree from The University of Manitoba."

Mark Kucher has build one of the first Royalty Companies - Battle Mountain Gold Exploration Corp. and sold it to Royal Gold back in 2007. We guess he knows a thing or two about royalties, NSR and financing of the back in rights, but further action will be be the ultimate test to TNR Gold's position in this case.

"Royal Gold and Battle Mountain Gold Exploration Sign Definitive Merger Agreement

Royal Gold, Inc.
DENVER, April 18 / -- ROYAL GOLD, INC. (NASDAQ:RGLD) ("Royal Gold") and Battle Mountain Gold Exploration Corp. (BULLETIN BOARD: BMGX) ("Battle Mountain") announced today that they have signed a definitive merger agreement under which Royal Gold will acquire 100% of the fully diluted shares of Battle Mountain in an all-stock merger transaction. The merger agreement was unanimously approved by both companies' boards of directors. This transaction was initially discussed in Royal Gold's March 5, 2007, press release...

Royal Gold has obtained agreements from Mark Kucher, Chairman of Battle Mountain, and IAMGOLD Corporation providing that each will vote its respective shares in favor of the merger transaction. These agreements represent approximately 39.9% of the outstanding shares of Battle Mountain.

The closing of this transaction is subject to Battle Mountain shareholder approval, satisfactory completion of due diligence, receipt of any regulatory approvals, and satisfaction of customary conditions.

Battle Mountain is a precious metals royalty company with a portfolio consisting of royalties on 12 properties located mainly in the Americas. Their principal assets include a 3.25% net smelter return ("NSR") royalty on gold production and a 2.0% NSR royalty on silver production from the Dolores project in Mexico, which is under development by Minefinders Corporation Ltd. Battle Mountain has disclosed that their royalty properties contain approximately 4.8 million ounces of gold reserves and 136 million ounces of silver 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/."

TNR Gold Engages Financial Advisor for Its Los Azules Copper Project

Press Release Source: TNR Gold Corp. On Monday March 1, 2010, 9:30 am EST
VANCOUVER, BRITISH COLUMBIA--(Marketwire - March 1, 2010) - TNR Gold Corp. ("TNR" or the "Company") (TSX VENTURE:TNR - News) is pleased to announce that it has engaged British Swiss Investment Corp. ("BSIC") to undertake a strategic review of TNR's alternatives for its Los Azules project (the "Project") located in the San Juan Province of western central Argentina. The possible alternatives to be reviewed may include a sale of all or a portion of the Project, a joint venture or similar arrangement with respect to the Project, or an equity, debt or convertible financing, or any combination of these, to fund the development of the Project. At this point there are no assurances that any transaction will result from this strategic review.
The Los Azules project is an advanced exploration project currently reporting a National Instrument 43-101 compliant Inferred Resource. TNR has previously announced that Minera Andes Inc. ("MAI") has commenced a diamond drill program of approximately 8,800 metres at the Los Azules project. Please refer to MAI's news release dated January 12, 2010 for further details on the exploration program.
TNR retains a 25 per-cent back-in right to certain of the properties, the terms of which are currently the subject of a legal dispute with Xstrata, which assigned its interest to MAI. A court date is set for the fall of 2010. The Company fully intends on exercising its back-in right to the properties at the appropriate time. In the legal dispute with Xstrata, TNR is also seeking confirmation of its ownership of the Escorpio IV property, which is located adjacent to the Project, and a declaration that the Escorpio IV property is excluded from the Exploration and Option Agreement.
BSIC is an investment firm that provides late stage venture capital, strategic consulting and transaction advisory services to companies in the resource business. BSIC has been a lead investor in and an advisor to a number of successful junior resource companies, including Aurex Resources Ltd. (TSX:AXR - News), Battle Mountain Gold Exploration Inc. (OTC:BMGX - News), Invader Exploration Inc. (TSX:INV - News), and Princeton Mining Inc. (TSX:PMC - News). BSIC was incorporated in British Columbia in 1990. The principals of BSIC are Mark Kucher (604-696-9720) and Steven Nevard (604-696-9721).
ABOUT TNR GOLD / INTERNATIONAL LITHIUM CORP.
TNR and ILC are diversified metals exploration companies focused on exploring existing properties and identifying new prospective projects globally. TNR has a portfolio of 18 active projects, of which 9 will be included in the proposed spin-off of International Lithium Corp. For further details of the spin-off please refer to TNR's April 27, 2009 news release or visit http://www.internationallithium.com/.
The recent acquisition of lithium, other rare metals and rare-earth elements projects in Argentina, Canada, USA and Ireland confirms the companies' commitments to generating projects, diversifying its markets, and building shareholder value.
On behalf of the board,
Gary Schellenberg, President
Cautionary Language and Forward-Looking Statements
This press release includes certain statements that may be deemed "forward-looking statements". All statements in this discussion, other than statements of historical facts, that address future exploration drilling, exploration activities and events or developments that the Company expects, are forward looking statements. Although the Company believes the expectations expressed in such forward looking statements are based on reasonable assumptions, such statements are not guarantees of future performance and actual results or developments may differ materially from those in forward-looking statements. Factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those in forward-looking statements include metal prices, exploration successes, continued availability of capital and financing, and general economic, market or business conditions. Accordingly, readers should not place undue reliance on forward-looking statements.
In particular, there are no assurances that any transaction will result from the strategic review, or that if any transaction arises, that it will be completed. Nor are there any assurances that the Company will be successful in the current litigation with respect to the Project. This news release and the information contained herein does not constitute an offer of securities for sale in the United States and securities may not be offered or sold in the United States absent registration or exemption from registration.
CUSIP: #87260X 109
SEC 12g3-2(b): Exemption #82-4434
Neither the TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release."