Sinopec $900M buy in to US shale gas permits, some of which are Utica shales. http://dealbook.nytimes.com/2012/01/03/total-buys-2-3-billion-stake-in-chesapeake-shale-assets/?ref=business
M4M Macro Metals picks up 80% in Firebird's manganese plays; mining services operations to launch if decision to mine passed
ARU Arafura updates on total US$1B funding as export banks and lenders take notice; heading toward FID for Nolans
ITM iTech Minerals flags high-grade rockchip finds, boasting one sample at +18% copper. What lies underground remains to be seen
