BHP Billiton Limited (BHP) announced that it has accepted the resignation of Dr David Morgan as a company director after Dr Morgan advised he had accepted an appointment as managing director, JC Flowers, Europe and Asia Pacific, based in London. Dr Morgan believed it necessary to relinquish all of his existing professional positions including his directorship of BHP Billiton due to the demands of his new position.

Iron Ore Holdings Limited (IOH) shares had jumped by around 20% after the junior iron ore producer said it had entered into a six month agreement with Rio Tinto Limited (RIO) to acquire ore from Phil’s Creek Project. JORC compliant resource estimate had increased by around 20% to 191 million tonnes.

Woodside Petroleum Limited (WPL) forecast its calendar year 2009 production would be within guidance of 81-86 million barrels of oil equivalent (mmboe), however would drop in 2010 due to the sale of its stake in the Otway gas project. The company said production would fall to 70-75 mmboe. Woodside forecast 2011 production to increase due to the Pluto Train 1 start-up.

Newmont Mining Corporation (NEM) announced its subsidiary, Newmont Indonesia Limited, together with Nusa Tenggara Mining Corporation, have agreed to sell an additional 14% of PT Newmont Nusa Tenggara to PT Multi Daerah Bersaing, a consortium comprised of regional and local governments near the Batu Hijau mine, and PT Multicapital, a private company. Newmont said proceeds would total approximately $494 million.