Surface coal mine planning underway

Ivanhoe Mines Ltd. (TSX:IVN)(NYSE:IVN)(NASDAQ:IVN) - Gene Wusaty, Chief Operating Officer of SouthGobi Energy Resources Ltd. (TSX VENTURE:SGQ), is pleased to announce today that the company has received an initial independent National Instrument 43-101 compliant resource estimate for its Mamahak coal project in East Kalimantan, Indonesia.

The SW and E resource blocks on the MCM concession contains measured plus indicated coal resources of 12.2 million tonnes, with an additional inferred coal resource of 5.2 million tonnes.

Lundin Mining Corporation (Toronto:LUN)(NYSE:LMC)(OMX: LUMI) ("Lundin Mining" or the "Company") reports that the previously announced sale of its subsidiary Pirites Alentejanas SA ("PA"), owner of the Aljustrel Mine in Portugal, has closed.

All requisite regulatory approvals have been received and the Company has no further responsibility for the Aljustrel Mine.

Coachmen Industries, Inc. (NYSE: COA) today announced that it and four of its RV operating subsidiaries (Coachmen) received a favorable verdict against Crane Composites, Inc. f/k/a Kemlite for breach of contract and multiple warranty claims arising from the sale of defective sidewall material to Coachmen.

All of the counts alleged in the original complaint were found in favor of Coachmen. The remaining phase of the trial will determine the amount of damages payable on this liability judgment. In its complaint, Coachmen has asserted claims for warranty-related expenses in excess of $19 million and total potential claims of over $85 million.

IAMGOLD Corporation ("IAMGOLD")(TSX: IMG)(NYSE: IAG)(BOTSWANA: IAMGOLD) is pleased to provide an update of 2008 operational performance and provide guidance for 2009 production, costs, development and exploration.

All dollar amounts in this press release are expressed in US dollars, unless otherwise indicated. This press release contains unaudited numbers for the year ended December 31, 2008.

HIGHLIGHTS - 2008: - Gold production in 2008 reached 997,000 ounces of gold, a 3% increase over 2007 and exceeding original guidance by 8%

- 2008 comparable(i) earnings per share increased 11 per cent to $1.46 versus $1.31 in 2007 - Cash flow from operations was over $1 billion for the year - Balance sheet remains strong; $1.4 billion in available liquidity - Fully commissioned the 96 megawatt (MW) Kent Hills Wind Farm on time and on budget - Announces two efficiency uprates at its Keephills facility for a total capacity addition of 46 MW

TransAlta Corporation (TransAlta) (TSX: TA) (NYSE: TAC) today reported 2008 comparable earnings of $290 million ($1.46 per share) versus $264 million ($1.31 per share) in 2007. Net earnings for the year were $235 million ($1.18 per share) compared to $309 million ($1.53 per share) in 2007.

Cott Corporation (NYSE: COT) (TSX: BCB), the world's largest retailer brand soft drink provider, announces the phase-out of its exclusive supply agreement with Wal-Mart in the United States.

Cott Corporation announced that, in connection with ongoing conversations with Wal-Mart Stores Inc. about future business development and the nature of the business relationship, it has been advised by Wal-Mart of their decision to terminate, without cause, the existing, ten-year-old, exclusive supply agreement with Cott.

MarkWest Energy Partners, L.P. (NYSE: MWE) today announced that the Board of Directors of the General Partner of MarkWest Energy Partners, L.P., declared a cash distribution of $0.64 per common unit for the fourth quarter of 2008 and approved measures to strengthen and improve the Partnership’s liquidity position by $285 million.

The fourth quarter 2008 distribution of $0.64 represents an increase of $0.07 per common unit, or 12 percent, compared to the fourth quarter 2007 distribution and is unchanged from the third quarter 2008 distribution.

Diversification, Flexibility and Scale Position New Company for Success in Dynamic Global Health Care Environment Establishes Leadership in Human, Animal, and Consumer Health, including Primary and Specialty Care; in Vaccines, Biologics and Small Molecules; and Across Developed and Emerging Markets Unique and Flexible Business Model Features Focus and Agility of Smaller Enterprises Backed by Resources and Scale of Global Company Combination Strengthens Platform for Improved, Consistent, and Stable Earnings Growth and Sustainable Shareholder Value New Company Will Promote Health and Wellness and Respond More Effectively to Unmet Needs of Patients, Physicians, and Customers Around the World

Inflation will be further stoked by growing oil supply crunch

CIBC (CM: TSX; NYSE) - To pay for its multi-trillion dollar bailout and stimulus packages, the Obama administration will print money at an unprecedented rate, a course that will drive up inflation and drive down the greenback while shifting a large part of the financial burden onto foreign investors, finds a new report from CIBC World Markets.

The report predicts that like Argentina in the late 1980s and Zimbabwe today, the U.S. government will simply create more money to fund its plans. "If the central bank prints it, someone will spend it," says Jeff Rubin, chief economist and chief strategist at CIBC World Markets.

Potash Corporation of Saskatchewan Inc. (PotashCorp) today announced record fourth-quarter earnings of $2.56 per share(1) ($788.0 million), more than double the $1.16 per share ($376.8 million) earned in the same period last year. This represented our third-best quarter ever and pushed our 2008 earnings to $11.01 per share ($3.5 billion), more than triple the $3.40 per share ($1.1 billion) earned in 2007. This was PotashCorp's fifth consecutive year of record earnings, reflecting the global need for fertilizer and, specifically, the increasing value of potash, our core nutrient.

Although the global economic crisis led to slower demand for all three nutrients and lower prices for phosphate and nitrogen, our potash operations drove fourth-quarter gross margin to $873.1 million, 63 percent above the $535.0 million generated in the same period last year.

Brinker International, Inc. (NYSE: EAT) announced a second quarter fiscal 2009 loss per diluted share of $0.21 compared to earnings per diluted share of $0.52 in the prior year. Before special items and excluding Macaroni Grill, earnings per diluted share decreased to $0.27 from $0.31 in the prior year (reconciliation included in Table 2).

On Dec. 18, 2008, the company completed the sale of Romano's Macaroni Grill to Mac Acquisition LLC, an affiliate of San Francisco-based Golden Gate Capital, for $88 million while retaining a 19.9 percent continuing ownership interest.

Terra Industries Inc. (NYSE: TRA) today confirmed receipt of an unsolicited proposal from CF Industries Holdings, Inc. (NYSE: CF) to acquire Terra for a fixed exchange ratio of 0.4235 CF Industries shares for each Terra common share.

Terra’s Board of Directors, consistent with its fiduciary duties and in consultation with its independent financial and legal advisors, will consider and evaluate the proposal and will pursue the course of action that is in the best interests of Terra and its shareholders. Terra shareholders are advised to take no action at this time pending the review by Terra’s Board of Directors.

- Company to Utilize CCAA and Chapter 11 Processes - Operations Expected to Continue Without Interruption - Sufficient Cash on Hand to Fund Ongoing Operations - Affiliates in Asia, including LG Nortel, and in the Caribbean and Latin America, and Nortel Government Solutions (NGS) to Continue in Ordinary Course of Business and Are Not Subject to These Proceedings

Nortel(1) Networks Corporation (TSX: NT)(NYSE: NT) announced today that it, Nortel Networks Limited ("NNL") and certain of its other Canadian subsidiaries will seek creditor protection under the Companies' Creditors Arrangement Act ("CCAA") in Canada. As well, certain of the Company's U.S. subsidiaries, including Nortel Networks Inc. and Nortel Networks Capital Corporation, have filed voluntary petitions in the United States under Chapter 11 of the U.S. Bankruptcy Code, and certain of the Company's EMEA(2) subsidiaries are expected to make consequential filings in Europe.

CAE (NYSE:CGT)(TSX:CAE) has won contracts to design and manufacture five full-flight simulators (FFSs) and associated training devices valued at approximately C$60 million at list prices. The contracts are with Continental Airlines, Air China, and Shandong Airlines, and now bring the total FFS sales announced so far in fiscal year 2009 to 31.

"We are pleased airlines around the world continue to trust CAE's true fidelity simulation equipment to support their pilot training programs," said Marc Parent, CAE's Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer. "We have the industry's most comprehensive portfolio of simulation products and training services, and remain confident that we can offer cost-effective solutions to address the specific training needs of our customers."

But recovery hopes rest on credible fiscal stimulus packages

CIBC (CM: TSX; NYSE) - The worst period in generations for Canadian equity returns may already be over if credible fiscal stimulus packages are launched in North America in the coming weeks, notes a new report from CIBC World Markets.

"The bad news is that we are in a recession, and a fairly deep one at that. The good news is that the stock market has already discounted a depression," says Jeff Rubin, CIBC World Markets chief economist and chief strategist, in his latest Canadian Portfolio Strategy Outlook Report. "That's why no matter how severe the recent non-farm payroll losses are" or how dismal the manufacturing index numbers get, "the stock market soon shrugs it off."

GOLDCORP INC. (TSX: G)(NYSE: GG) today announced record fourth quarter gold production of 692,000 ounces. Gold production for the 2008 year exceeded 2.3 million ounces, meeting previously issued guidance.

Goldcorp's year-end unaudited financial statements are expected to be released on February 19, 2009. The calculation of operating costs for 2008 has not yet been completed, but total cash costs(1) are expected to meet previous 2008 guidance of approximately $300 per ounce of gold on a by-product basis.

CIBC (CM: TSX; NYSE) - Despite a steady stream of bad economic and financial news, 2009 could prove to be a happier new year for investors, notes a new CIBC World Markets report.

"A winter of our discontent is in store, and spring may not yet see any improvement," says Avery Shenfeld, senior economist in a note to clients today. However, financial markets "are starting to look ahead to a better, if not yet glorious, summer."

Mr. Shenfeld's optimism is based in part on the S&P 500 index which is "essentially no worse off than it was back in mid-October." He also points to a cooling U.S. dollar, and the energy-laden TSX, which has managed a sideways trend despite cheaper oil prices. "The North American equity market has become an oasis of relative calm in recent weeks," he notes.

Yesterday, Brinker International, Inc. (NYSE: EAT) and Mac Acquisition LLC, an affiliate of San Francisco-based Golden Gate Capital, closed the previously announced transaction for the sale of a majority interest in Romano's Macaroni Grill.

"We greatly appreciate the hard work, patience and tenacity our respective teams exhibited to finalize this complex transaction," said Chuck Sonsteby, Chief Financial Officer of Brinker International. "The ability to complete the transaction in the midst of the current economic environment speaks to the long-term prospects for the brand as part of the Golden Gate family."

Corriente Resources Inc. (TSX: CTQ)(NYSE-A: ETQ) announces as an update to its news release of October 21, 2008 regarding the Citi/Canaccord marketing process, that the Company has entered into a period of exclusive negotiations with a selected party. The negotiations have expanded from the original mandate to the potential sale of the Company.

Subject to earlier termination in certain circumstances, the exclusive negotiation period will extend to March 31, 2009. No assurance can be given that the negotiations will result in an agreement for the sale of the Company. Further comments or announcements will be made by the Company as developments warrant.

Exeter Resource Corporation (TSX VENTURE:XRC)(NYSE-A:XRA)(FRANKFURT:EXB) ("Exeter" or the "Company") reports results from eight drill holes at its Cerro Moro project in Santa Cruz Province, Argentina. Highlights from the results include 72.76 grams per tonne (2.11 oz/ton) gold and 6,471 grams per tonne (187.65 oz/ton) silver over a drill intercept of 3.36 meters in drill hole MD389.

All of the drill holes were designed to better define depth extensions to the high grade mineralization on the Escondida vein. The new results include:

- 3.36 meters ("m") (11.02 feet ("ft")) at a grade of 72.76 grams per tonne ("g/t") gold (2.11 ounces per ton ("oz/ton")) and 6,471 g/t silver (187.65 oz/ton), for a gold equivalent(i) of 180.61 g/t (5.24 oz/ton), from a down hole depth of 69.00 m (226.32 ft), including