Diggers and Dealers conference>>>"Iron ore has been a hot topic for some time, but there is a new sense of urgency among the junior developers clambering to establish the next West Australian mine, reports Australian Associated Press. As another Diggers and Dealers mining forum closes, iron ore hopefuls are leaving Kalgoorlie with thoughts turning to consolidation. Where uranium sparked excitement at the last forum it was iron ore which took the limelight this year, with Australia's richest woman Gina Rinehart taking out the Dealer of the Year award for her $US1 billion deal with Rio Tinto last year. Iron ore has seen spectacular price increases with the 19 per cent gain secured with Asian steel mills this year a sweetener to last year's historic 72.5 per cent increase."<<<