Ann: TNG to demerge and IPO base metal assets-TNG.AX, page-79

Some snippets from my last post..

Metals prices have started to turn up after years of declines. Zinc is up 41 percent so far this year and nickel up 21 percent, while gold is trading at near record highs in Australian dollar terms.

Machinery used to power the iron ore and coal mining booms in the last decade can now be purchased on the cheap, keeping overheads to a minimum, said Frank Lee, general manager of Ross's Auctioneers and Valuers in Kalgoorlie.

"Everything is cheaper today and that removes a lot of the cost pressures new mining projects face," said Pilbara chief executive Ken Brinsden.

"We are in the midst of what is an embryonic resource sector recovery," said Gavin Wendt, an analyst for MineLife, which specialises in small Australian mining companies. "It's still early days, of course."