Special Article from ABCC Member

Gold Anomaly Limited
Sao Chico Gold Project

The Sao Chico gold project of Gold Aura Do Brasil Mineracao Ltda (GOAB), a 100% owned subsidiary of Gold Anomaly Limited, is located along the NW-SE Tocantinzinho trend which is the main mineralised zone within the Tapajos Mineral Field in Brazil. The Tapajos field was the site of the biggest gold rush in Brazilian history mainly in the late 1970’s and 1980s when approximately 500,000 garimpeiros [alluvial miners] rushed to the area to exploit extensive areas of newly discovered alluvial gold. Approximately 20-30 million ounces of gold were produced [unofficial figures] from these operations before the easily won alluvial gold deposits were largely depleted. The Garimpeiros have little expertise in underground mining and environmental considerations and were thus urged by the government to consolidate their small claims and form joint ventures with established mining companies. The area has had little exploration by modern exploration methods compared to any other equivalent gold fields in the world.

The Sao Chico project site is located adjacent to the Trans Garimpeiro Highway [unsealed] and is also serviced by light aircraft from a nearby dirt airstrip. It was the site of an alluvial gold rush and some underground mining of veins within the weathered horizon as well as limited mining in the underlying unweathered sulphide zones. Sampling of the sulphide zone vein material by GOAB has returned an average of 15 g/t gold. While gold grades and production from the uppermost weathered (supergene) zones of the veins are reported to be erratic, GOAB is targeting a grade of 20g/t from these zones. While a grade of 20g/t gold is being targeted and test work to determine if this is achievable will be undertaken, it should be noted that this grade is conceptual in nature and that there has been insufficient work undertaken to date to define a Mineral Resource and it is uncertain if further exploration will result in the determination of a Mineral Resource.

GOAB’s investigations have revealed that the veins are weathered to depths of up to 10m below the alluvial cover and that the weathered veins are amenable to free digging by excavator. Metallurgical test work has indicated that recoveries in excess of 70% can be achieved by gravity concentration. The Company plans to mine the weathered vein material by open cut methods to generate a quick cash flow and to provide a better understanding of the mineralisation as part of a feasibility study for mining the underlying sulphide zone mineralisation. Work to be undertaken under the feasibility study is expected to include drilling, soil sampling, mapping, rock sampling and geophysics (Induced Polarisation).

The initial mining operation will be undertaken under an extraction permit (guia de utilização or “GUIA”) which provides for mining and processing of up to 50,000 tonnes of gold mineralised rock per year for up to two years. Over the expected strike length of the originally identified five veins (a combined length of at least 5km) it is anticipated that there is sufficient tonnage of oxide material available to sustain the operation commencing at a rate of 50 tonnes per day and increasing to 100 tonnes per day after two months. Two new veins have been discovered recently and the company considers there is excellent potential for the discovery of further gold mineralised veins.

Tailings dam capacity is available with only minimal repair works required and can be readily expanded. Repair work has been completed on the first dam in readiness for the commencement of development. There is an ample water supply available from an on-site dam and there is abundant water available from the numerous shafts developed in the area. Access is excellent as the property lies within a cleared farm area and lies along the main arterial road in the region.

Production will commence at 50 tonnes per day (“tpd”) as an open pit operation on the weathered veins at the targeted gold grade of 20g/t. Expansion to 100tpd is planned within 2 months of commencement (resulting in an expected production of some 2,000 ounces per month). Recovery will be via gravity concentration and an integrated state of the art pressure jig system was ordered from Gekko Systems of Ballarat in Australia. This plant was shipped from Melbourne on 1st June and is expected to arrive in Brazil 15th July 2010. After customs clearance, the plant will be transported to site and installed. Site preparation for the plant arrival has been commenced. After commissioning of the plant, it is expected that gold production will be commenced in the second half of august.



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Economy

Brazil lifts rate to 10.25%, meeting expectations
LOS ANGELES (MarketWatch)

Brazilian monetary policy makers late Wednesday voted unanimously to raise the country's key interest rate to 10.25% from 9.5%. The decision met widely held expectations. The bank said in an accompanying statement that it will continue the process of adjusting monetary conditions to ensure the convergence of inflation to its target. The bank started its latest rate-tightening campaign in April by lifting the Selic rate from the historic low of 8.75%. Earlier Wednesday, the country's Census Bureau reported a 0.43% rise in May consumer prices from April, below the Dow Jones Newswires estimate for a rise of 0.46%. Annual inflation now stands at 5.22%, above the central bank's target of 4.5%.

Source: marketwatch.com

Mining

Brazil May Cut Steel Duties to Curb Inflation, Mantega Says
By Andre Soliani
June 11 (Bloomberg)

Brazil may scrap duties on steel imports in a bid to contain inflation after wholesale prices rose the most in two years, Finance Minister Guido Mantega said.

“If an industry exaggerates when increasing prices, it knows what will happen -- we will lower the import tariff,” Mantega, 61, said in an interview at the Bloomberg office in Sao Paulo yesterday. “What concerns us the most is steel, because it has an impact on the economy as a whole.”

Inflation has been running above the government’s 4.5 percent target since January, as the fastest growth in 15 years raises concern that Latin America’s biggest economy may be overheating. Wholesale prices, as measured by the IPA index, jumped 2.06 percent last month, up from 0.68 percent in April, fueled by the cost of iron ore and steel.

Mantega didn’t provide details about the plans to cut the maximum 14 percent duty on steel imports. The final decision lies with the foreign trade chamber. Over the past year, the federal government commission has reduced tariffs on 16 products, including sardines, palm oil and beer cans, as local producers struggle to meet surging demand.

Steel mills are resisting efforts by iron-ore suppliers including Rio de Janeiro-based Vale SA to raise third-quarter contract prices after steel prices fell 10 percent from an 18-month high on April 15.

Vale, the world’s biggest supplier of iron ore, won a 90 percent price increase for April quarter contracts after it dropped a 40-year custom of setting annual prices.

Source: businessweek.com

Oil & Gas

Petrobras Gets Brazil’s Congress Approval to Swap Shares for Oil
By Maria Luiza Rabello
June 10 (Bloomberg)

Brazilian Senators approved today a bill that allows state-controlled Petroleo Brasileiro SA to issue new shares in exchange for the rights to explore government-owned oil reserves off Brazil’s coast.
Petrobras, as the company is known, plans to buy up to 5 billion barrels of oil with new stock and raise up to $25 billion from minority investors in the Western Hemisphere’s largest share sale in more than a decade. The sale will help fund as much as $220 billion of spending through 2014, the world’s biggest oil-industry investment program.
Source: businessweek.com

Agribusiness

Sugar Rises on Demand Before Festivals, Brazil Crop Speculation
By Claudia Carpenter
June 9 (Bloomberg)

Sugar rose to a two-week high in London and extended gains in New York on increased demand before festivals and speculation that supplies may slow from Brazil, the world’s biggest producer of the sweetener.
There is “heightened demand” as wholesalers build sugar stockpiles before festivals including Ramadan in August, said James Kirkup, director and head of the sugar brokerage at Fortis Bank Nederland in London. Prices rose yesterday after Switzerland-based researcher Kingsman SA reported that some traders are betting on a slowdown in supplies from Brazil.
“There is no question that Brazil got a running start” as processors this year were still working through sugar cane left over from last year, Kirkup said by phone. “The focus has to be on the ongoing crush hitting targets.”
White, or refined, sugar for August delivery climbed $8.90, or 1.8 percent, to $496.10 a metric ton at 12:16 p.m. London time on the Liffe exchange and earlier rose to $499, the highest price since May 26. Raw sugar futures for July delivery jumped 2.2 percent to 15.21 cents a pound on ICE Futures U.S. in New York.
Buyers are interested in 50,000 tons of raw sugar from Brazil, according to a Fortis report today.
Source: businessweek.com

Information Technology

HCL sets up its first unit in Brazil

NEW DELHI: India’s fifth largest IT outsourcer HCL Technologies on Wednesday anounced that it has setup its first centre in Latin American market at Rio Grande do Sul in Brazil for servicing customers in Portuguese.

The company has already hired about 150 local citizens conversant in both Portuguese and Spanish. They will provide helpdesk support for HCL customers across Latin America and Europe.

The facility will specialise in helpdesk support for network monitoring, information security and data centre managment, as part of the Infrastructure Services Devision of HCL Technologies. The facility will also provide global support for telecom and mainframe customers worldwide.

Brazil is the largest domestic market in Latin America and boasts of a mature IT industry accounting for over 50% of the IT spend in the region. The Brazilian IT export market is over $3 billion.

“HCL Technologies’ growing presence in Brazil is strongly influenced by the region’s rapidly growing economy, expansion of multinational companies in the market and the increasing globalization of Brazilian corporations. This is our first individial setup, besides an Axon facility in Peurto Rico which we got as part of Axon buyout,” said R Srikrishna, Executive Vice President at HCL Technologies Infrastructure Services Division.

All large Indian IT companies like TCS, Infosys, Wipro now have large operations in Latin America. TCS Iberoamerica employs over 6,000 people in the continent across eight centres spanning Colombia, Ecuador, Brazil, Argentina, Uruguay and Chile.
Source: economictimes.indiatimes.com

Education

Scholarship Opportunities for Brazilian Students

The Australian Leadership Awards, consisting of Scholarships and Fellowships, come under the umbrella of the Australia Awards. The Australia Awards aim to promote knowledge, education links and enduring ties between Australia and our neighbors through Australia’s extensive scholarship programs.

The Australian Government’s Agency for International Development (AusAID) provides a range of study and professional development awards to promote sustainable development.

An ALA Masters Scholarship, taken over two years can be valued at up to A$150,000.

An ALA Doctorate Scholarship, taken over four years can be valued up to A$300,000.

The amounts above include the following benefits and support:

Contribution to living expenses: A$26,800 per year for 2009 and reviewed annually

Leadership Development Program with a value of A$17,000

Tuition fees

Establishment Allowance on arrival: A$5,000

Introductory Academic Program (IAP): A$2,000

An annual, cumulative Study Enrichment Allowance (SEA) to contribute towards activities such as field research, academic support, conference participation or reunion travel costs: A$2,000 per year

Return air travel to and from Australia

The cost of health checks and visa applications prior to departure to Australia

Overseas Student Health Cover (OSHC) for the duration of the award (for scholar only).

ALA Scholarships are offered to leaders or potential leaders from all sectors to undertake postgraduate study (Masters or Doctorate) at an Australian university. Study programs must relate to a priority development area such as disability, economic growth, education, environment, food security, gender, governance, health, human rights, infrastructure, regional stability, rural development or water & sanitation.

Scholars also undertake an extensive leadership development program in Australia which may include a short work placement.

Applications are considered annually on a regionally AusAID prefers applications to be submitted online via its competitive basis. Selection is based on leadership qualities, academic merit and, most importantly, potential contribution to the development of applicants’ countries or regions upon return. Australian High Commissions and Embassies consider applications and recommend short-listed candidates to a final selection committee in Canberra. AusAID prefers online applications.online application system. However, hardcopy applications are accepted and may be mailed to the appropriate Australian High Commission/Embassy or Managing Contractor.

Application forms can be downloaded from the ALA Scholarship page on the AusAID website or sought from the Australian High Commission/Embassy in each eligible country.

How to apply:

Obtain an unconditional offer of admission to a postgraduate study program from a participating institution.

Review the contents of the ALA Scholarships Handbook to ensure that you understand the scope of the Scholarship. The Handbook can be found at http://www.ausaid.gov.au/scholar/pdf/ala_handbook.pdf or obtained from your local Australian High Commission/Embassy or Managing Contractor.

Download the application form (and the paper-based application form if necessary) and other relevant documents from the ALA Scholarships webpage (see below).

Gather the required documentation and information. Note Submit or mail your application to ensure it arrives at the that it could take two months to compile the application appropriate location by 30 July.

ELIGIBLE COUNTRIES IN LATIN AMERICA

• Argentina



• Bolivia



• Brazil



• Chile



• Costa Rica

Contact email for Latin America: ivan.pena@dfat.gov.au

MORE INFORMATION

The information provided here is only part of the information that you need to consider before applying. For comprehensive information about the ALA Scholarships and application process please visit: www.ausaid.gov.au/scholar/default.cfm

Art & Culture

Exploring our links with Brazil
Kerry-Anne Cousins
Connections – Brazil and Australia
Gallery of Australia Design, 44 Parkes Place, Parkes. Until June 19.

Did you know that Captain Arthur Phillip brought the prickly pear to Australia from Brazil? The plant provided a habitat for the insect which, when crushed produce cochineal which was used to dye the red coats of the English soldiers.
This is just one snippet of fascinating information brought to light by the exhibition at the Gallery of Australian Design that investigates the connections between Brazil and Australia. The project is a joint partnership between the Embassy of Brazil and the University of Canberra with input from other institutions, companies and academics.
The exhibition offers tantalising glimpses of the wealth of material available to the curators. It has been cleverly divided into digestible sections.
Brazil and Australia were part of the same supercontinent 167 million years ago and thus, as the exhibition points out, share similar fauna and flora. The movement of the tectonic plates that caused the continents to drift apart over millions of years is reduced to a series of graphics and to a display video that splendidly produces this effect in a matter of seconds. One highlight of this section on Gondwanaland is the beautiful photograph by Jim Frazier of a fossilised fruiting cone from a species of plants common to both South America and Australia.
Rio de Janeiro was important during the very early days of the settlement of the east coast of Australia. Ships called in there for fresh supplies of food on their way across the Atlantic ocean. Arthur Phillip received a warm welcome when he sailed into Rio with the First Fleet in 1787. He had spent some time seconded to the Portuguese navy and had visited Brazil a few years earlier when he was befriended by the Governor of Brazil, the Marques do Lavradio.
Early European artists who sailed into Rio de Janeiro were captivated by its exoticism. They included the well travelled August Earle (1793-1838).
In a watercolour painting of c.1822, Earle depicts himself in a romantic pose high on Corcovado Mountain overlooking Rio, exclaiming at the wondrous view of the harbour laid out before him.
Commerce and environmental sustainability is also an important link between our countries – eucalyptus trees from Australia now provide timber for a big forestry program. An Australian delegation attended the United Nations conference on the environment and development which Brazil hosted in 1992 and which was the first world environment summit.
However, what may have special appeal to Canberra visitors is the link between our capital city and the Brazilian capital Brasilia. Both cities of vision, planned by architects to incorporate modernist principles of architecture and urban planning. Both cities are “cities of the automobile” with wide avenues and generous expanses of space surrounding public buildings.
In Brasilia, “Super Quadra” apartment building were designed to be an architectural symbol of equality for all residents. Super Quadras all followed a generic floor plan and each formed the side of a square with and inner open public space.
In the 1970s, my husband and I lived in Supra Quadra South (SQS) 114 on the southern wing or “asa” of the city and, despite the concept of an egalitarian ethos, we were envied because our Super Quadra had grass and trees.
As with many planned cities, Brasilia, in its early days, was not a city many people loved. It was too vast, too different from the human scale of architecture found in Rio and other Brazilian cities.
Living there in the 1970s, I was alienated by the sweep that seemed cold and overpowering. I felt imprisoned in its formulaic Super Quadras, which were bounded by and uncrossable super highway.
Only in the beautiful cathedral of Nossa Senhora Aparecida, with its flying angel suspended from its glass roof, did I feel in harmony with the architecture.
There is, however, a delightful photograph in the exhibition of young street sellers plying their wares near one of these monumental buildings. It illustrates that the passage of time, the exuberance and warmth of the Brazilian people and the growth of nature in tropical Brazil have humanised and appropriated this architectural landscape.
This successful exhibition brings Brazil a little closer to us and makes us think again about the links that join us to this vast and complex nation that played no small part in the early days of colonial Australia.
There is also a series of seminar in connection with this exhibition. Visit gad.org.au for deails.

Special News from Queensland

Premier appoints new trade commissioner to the Americas

Premier and Minister for the Arts
The Honourable Anna Bligh
16/06/2010

Premier Anna Bligh has announced the appointment of a new Trade Commissioner to the Americas and outlined a new push into Latin American for the position.

Ms Bligh said Chris Rodwell had accepted the position having worked as Queensland Director at peak industry representative organisation, the Australian Industry Group (Ai Group), since early 2007.

Mr Rodwell will replace former Premier Peter Beattie in the Trade Commissioner role after the former Premier announced his retirement in May following a record year for the LA office.

The Premier said Mr Rodwell will initially be based in Los Angeles before moving to Latin America for the remainder of his three year term.

"Trade and Investment Commissioners play a vital role in advocating for our State overseas and I can think of no better representative than Chris Rodwell," she said.

"In his role at Ai Group Chris has represented Queensland industry to the Queensland Government.

"He was also a member of our 'Jobs Squad' during the Global Financial Crisis. He is our top pick to represent Queensland in the vital markets of the Americas."

Mr Rodwell said the Americas represented a rich opportunity for Queensland companies.

"There are significant growth opportunities for our State in the region and I'm looking forward to the significant challenge of building on those opportunities," he said.

"In Latin America in particular we have major opportunities to extend the presence of Queensland's mining services and agribusiness sectors. Across the region our prospects in clean energy, urban planning and design, tourism and biotech, to name a few, are also significant.

"Over the past few years I've spent plenty of time supporting the interests of Queensland businesses and have strong relationships with a number of the CEOs of our best performing export businesses. It will be a privilege to support their interests in such a vibrant region whilst also coaxing and coaching new entrants into the market.

"As the most innovative state in Australia, the brand of Queensland is all about seizing the opportunity and applying smarter ways of doing business. I'm looking forward to communicating that message across the Americas and especially furthering the important work of the current team in extending our presence in Latin America."

Queensland recently announced trade representation in the emerging economic powerhouses of Brazil and Chile and signed new agreements with Colombia and Peru during recent trade missions by the Premier and Treasurer Andrew Fraser.

Events – Australia

BRACCA's Festa Junina

The time is here again!!!!
Typical Festa Junina square dancing, Brazilian Culinary delicacies and
much more!!!
The Festa Junina is a traditional country party held in Brazil in June. Here in Sydney, the Brazilian Community Council of Australia has been putting on this great cultural day on for many years.
Come along and enjoy a family fun day out!

BRACCA's Festa Junina
Sunday 20 Jun 2010
From 11am

Fraser Park - 100 Marrickville Road, Marrickville (2 minutes walk from
Sydenham Train Station)
ONLY $5 at the door (free for children 12 and under)

Brazilian band, Trio Faiscada will be playing our typical Festa Junina music, the kiddies can enjoy the KindiFarm and we're planning on having a jumping castle too! Lots of food and happy faces.

Hope to see you all there!

BRACCA is a volunteer run non-for-profit association.

Primex

Date: 17-JUN-10 to 19-JUN-10

Primex is the largest commercial exhibition in northern New South Wales, covering almost every aspect of primary industry in Australia. Primex is located centrally to all major business districts providing easy access to all the visitors, specially from New South Wales and Queensland. The diversity of industry coverage makes Primex unique. It features a range of equipment, services and technology.
Venue: Casino Exhibition Centre, Casino, New South Wales, Australia

FoodService & Bakery Australia

Date: 21-JUN-10 to 23-JUN-10

FoodService & Bakery Australia is the only national trade show dedicated to the foodservice industry. It provides you with the perfect opportunity to connect with a diverse group of buyers. This is an ideal environment to generate new sales, maintain and service existing clients and use the show to introduce new products, services or special promotions.
Venue: Sydney Convention & Exhibition Centre, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia

Events – Brazil

FEICORTE

Date: 15-JUN-10 to 19-JUN-10

International Meat Production Chain, the largest chain of indoor beef cattle industry in the world, stands out as the main showcase of the industry, reference quality, research, technology, equipment, products and services.
Venue: Centro de Exposicoes Imigrantes, Sao Paulo, Brazil

Quimica & Petroquimica

Date: 21-JUN-10 to 24-JUN-10

Quimica & Petroquimica is an international trade fair of the Chemical and Petrochemical Industry Suppliers. The show is an unique opportunity, in South America, which will gather the products/services for the chemical industry specific public: food, cosmetics, agricultural defensive, pharmaceuticals, personal care, petrochemical, inks, and enamels, among others.
Venue: Anhembi Palacio das Convencoes, Sao Paulo, Brazil