The Department for Business, Enterprise and Regulatory Reform (BERR) operates two compensation schemes for former coal miners and their families for Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) and Vibration White Finger (VWF). To administer these schemes BERR and its contractors work closely with solicitors representing the miners.

These are the biggest personal injury schemes in British legal history and possibly the world, settling around 10,000 claims a month at their peak for ex-miners in the UK. Over 760,000 claims are registered and £3.9 billion in compensation has been paid to date. Read more: At The Online Coal Face With WTG

Rolling Meadows, IL, USA (20 August 2008)—To help enterprises take a comprehensive approach to IT governance and service management, the IT Governance Institute (ITGI) has released new guidance mapping COBIT 4.1 with ITIL Version 3. Titled COBIT Mapping: Mapping of ITIL v3 With COBIT 4.1, the document provides both a high-level and a detailed mapping.

In developing ITIL v3, the UK Office of Government Commerce (OGC) performed an extensive survey to identify user requirements and found that ITIL’s audience wanted a stronger linkage to COBIT. By using the best practices together, enterprises benefit from more comprehensive guidance that indicates what should be done (via COBIT) and how (via ITIL). Read more: New Guidance From IT Governance Institute Maps COBIT 4.1 With ITIL v3

August 20

Keegan Announces Appointment of Environmental Manager and Provides Project Updates

Keegan Resources Inc. (\"Keegan\") (TSX VENTURE: KGN)(AMEX: KGN) is pleased to announce that it has contracted Graham Johnson to be its Health, Safety, Environment, and Community Manager. Mr. Johnson was formerly a Principal with Coffey Natural Systems in Perth, Australia where he led environmental and community baseline studies for various mining and exploration companies throughout Australia and Africa. Prior to that position, Mr. Johnson was Environmental Manager for the Sadiola Hill and Yatela Gold Mines for Anglogold Ashanti Ltd. in Mali. Read more: Keegan Resources Inc ( KGN )

August 20

Merrex Intersects 5.52 g/t Gold Over 24.5 Metres in Siribaya Drilling

Gregory Isenor, P.Geo., President and CEO of Merrex Gold Inc. (\"Merrex\")(TSX VENTURE: MXI) announces more very positive assay results (5.52 g/t over 24.5 metres) from Phase II drilling at Siribaya\'s Area 55 of Zone 1B.

\"The drilling at Siribaya continues to yield excellent assays\" said President Gregory Isenor. \"Area 55 gold mineralization has close spaced drill-confirmed continuity of 300 metres on strike and 250 metres in depth. Area 55 is a very small portion of the 10 kilometre long Siribaya Structure. I am convinced that a significant gold deposit will be proven at Siribaya.\" Read more: Merrex Gold Inc ( MXI )