Banpu Public Company Limited

Australian Market Report of March 9, 2011 includes: Hunnu Coal Limited (ASX:HUN) has signed a Strategic Shareholder Agreement and Memorandum of Understanding to form a strategic partnership with Banpu Public Company Limited (BAK:BANPU); Dragon Mining Limited (ASX:DRA) announced that the gold resource inventory for its Nordic gold projects now exceeds 1 million ounces; Eagle Eye Metals Limited (ASX:EYE) has entered into a Memorandum of Understanding to acquire gold projects in Africa; Thor Mining PLC (ASX:THR) has commenced a maiden drilling program at the Dundas Gold Project in Western Australia.

The Australian share market gave up its early gains to finish 0.3 per cent lower on Monday while Asian markets were weaker. The benchmark S&P/ASX200 index was down 16.6 points, or 0.39 per cent, at 4,222.1, while the broader All Ordinaries index shed 14.3 points, or 0.34 per cent, to 4,250.6.

The Australian stocks Friday were cent higher in quiet trading. Investors remained cautious in the session, but Gold stocks jumped on higher gold prices. The benchmark S&P/ASX200 index was up 24.6 points, or 0.54 per cent, at 4551.9, while the broader All Ordinaries index rose 27.1 points, or 0.6 per cent, to 4574.1.

Centennial Coal Ltd. (ASX:CEY) said Friday that it has received a letter from Thailand's Banpu Public Company Limited (BAK:BANPU) overnight, denying speculations that Banpu has no immediate plans to increase holding in Centennial.

Centennial Coal (ASX:CEY) Thursday revealed that Thailand's Banpu Public Company Limited (BAK:BANPU) has acquired a long term strategic stake of 14.9 per cent in the Australian coal miner, amid worries that the new resources tax might cool takeover activities in mining sector.