PRECIOUS METALS HIGHLIGHTS: Top Stories Of The Day

U.K. listed gold producer African Barrick Gold PLC (ABG.LN) Tuesday said it has received final approval from the Tanzanian Vice President's Office Responsible for Environment for the potentially acid forming, or PAF, waste rock permit at its North Mara mine, with immediate effect.

 
   STORIES OF INTEREST 
 
UPDATE: Indonesia Min: Varying Export Taxes For 14 Minerals Due May 6 

JAKARTA (Dow Jones)--Indonesia will likely announce export tax levels for 14 unprocessed minerals on May 6 as part of efforts to add revenue to state coffers and limit mining-related environmental damage, Energy and Mineral Resources Minister Jero Wacik said Tuesday.

 
Xstrata Chairman: Glencore-Xstrata Merger To Give More Value For Xstrata Holders 

MADRID (Dow Jones)--Anglo-Swiss miner Xstrata PLC (XTA.LN) has strong growth prospects if it continues to operate on its own but a merger with Glencore would generate even more value for Xstrata's shareholders, Xstrata chairman said Tuesday.

 
Norseman Gold 3Q Gold Production 6,258 Ounces, Expects Improvement 4Q 

LONDON (Dow Jones)--Norseman Gold PLC (NGL.LN), a gold producer, Tuesday recorded gold production for the quarter ended March 31, at 6,258 ounces, down 41% on the December 2011 quarter, but said it expects an improvement in the production profile for the next quarter.

 
   MARKETS 
 
PRECIOUS METALS: Gold Slips On US Manufacturing Data 

NEW YORK (Dow Jones)--Gold futures edged lower Tuesday on stronger-than-expected manufacturing data from the U.S., which helped the dollar shake off losses against other currencies.

-By Tatyana Shumsky, Dow Jones Newswires; 212-416-3095; [e-mail]