Teck Resources (NYSE:TCK), Freeport (NYSE:FCX), BHP Billiton (NYSE:BHP), Rio Tinto (NYSE:RIO) All Close Up as Commodities Jump

For the most part individual miners enjoyed a more profitable day than diversified miners, but that didn't stop Teck Resources (NYSE:TCK), Freeport-McMoran (NYSE:FCX), BHP Billiton (NYSE:BHP) and Rio Tinto (NYSE:RIO) from finishing positive Tuesday.

Most industrial and precious metals rose Tuesday, with lead being the one exception to the rule.

Gold and silver both pushed up nicely, and copper, aluminum, nickel, tin and zinc were all up for the day.

Teck Resources closed Tuesday at $63.56, gaining $0.76, or 1.21. percent. Freeport-McMorRan closed at $55.64, up $0.02, or 0.04 percent. BHP closed at $95.69, rising $0.54, or 0.57 percent. Rio Tinto surged to $76.63, gaining $2.46, or 3.32 percent.

Alexco Resource (AMEX:AXU) Doubles Over Last Year

Alexco Resource Corp. (AMEX:AXU) is worth taking a look at, as the mineral exploration and development company has doubled its share price over the last 12 months, and seems to have continual support under the current levels.

The company mines, for the most part, in the Yukon Territory of Canada, and its properties are thought to hold gold, silver, lead and zinc ores.

They also generate secondary revenue from project management services and consulting on environmental permitting.

Alexco was trading at $6.42, up by $0.11, or 1.74 percent. Trading volume is above its 3-month daily average.

Coeur D'Alene (NYSE:CDE), Other Miners, Considered Potential Takeover Targets

With the failure of giant mining companies to secure mergers and acquisitions recently, it seems miners like Coeur d'Alene Mines Corporation (NYSE:CDE) are considered as major acquisition targets in an industry that wants to grow through acquisition, as organic growth is getting more difficult because of limited resources.

RBC has taken aim at Coeur d'Alene Mines, upgrading them from "Underperform" to "Sector Perform," and we should see a number of these types of upgrades happening with the smaller miners who will help with expansion, but not at the cost of tightening and more expensive credit.

Coeur d'Alene Mines, based in Idaho, mines primarily for gold and silver, but also has secondary metal production such as zinc and lead.

The miner closed Friday at $23.48, increasing by $1.26, or 5.67 percent. RBC raised their price target on them from $22 to $27.

Goldcorp (NYSE:GG) Announces Commercial Production Hit at Penasquito

Although the first lead and zinc concentrates were produced by Goldcorp (NYSE:GG) at their Penasquito project in Mexico in 2009, the company decided to wait until the second 50 000-t/d mill and flotation line was operational before making the declaration it had officially hit commercial production, which they now have done.

Goldcorp is on track to finish construction on high-pressure grinding roll circuit in October, which will produce 30,000 tons a day, which will reach as high as 130,000 tons a day in early part of 2011.

The company's estimate of 180,000 ounces of production from the project remains in place for 2010.

COO Steve Reid said, “Peñasquito has achieved every significant operational milestone on schedule, culminating in today’s declaration of commercial production.”

The Penasquito project, which is estimated to have a 23-year lifespan, should produce 500,000 ounces of gold, 28 million ounces of silver, 450 million pounds of zinc, and 200 million pounds of lead on an annual basis.

TD Newcrest Upgrades Goldcorp (TSE:G) to 'Action List Buy'

TD Newcrest analyst Greg Barns has upgraded Goldcorp (TSE:G) (NYSE:GG) to 'Action List Buy' this week, and increased the target price to $55 a a share from $50 a share.

Barnes said the reasoning behind the upgrade was this, "We believe Goldcorp has the best growth profile among its senior peers. We use higher multiples for Goldcorp than Barrick (TSE:ABX) (NYSE:ABX) or Kinross (TSE:K) (NYSE:KGC), given our view that it has a better growth outlook, lower costs and lower political risk."

The specifics of that are related to production at Peñasquito, which has a projected increase in production for all four metals there, including gold, lead, silver and zinc.

Annual payable production, according to TD Newcrest, for each metal is estimated at 470,000 ounces of gold, 28 million ounces of silver, 450 million pounds of zinc, and 200 million pounds of lead; all on an annual basis.

gold could go far beyond that, with it reaching 800,000 ounces of annual production from 2010 - 2015, based on increased quality of grades.