Increase in 2011 exploration budgets

摘要

PRELIMINARY estimates from Metals Economics Group's (MEG) Corporate Exploration Strategies (CES) study indicate that 2011 nonferrous exploration budgets will exceed US$17 billion for expenditures related to precious and base metals, diamonds, uranium and some industrial minerals. This represents an increase of about 50% from the 2010 total and a new all time high. Collection and analysis continue, with the final exploration budget figures slated to appear in the publication of the CES study this quarter. Early analysis indicates that Latin America will continue to be the industry's favourite regional exploration destination in 2011, while Canada will remain the top overall country.