Rare Earths Are Becoming a Lot More Rare   August 17, 2010
Interest in rare earths is starting to heat up in a dramatic fashion and it is something you should keep on your radar. So named because they were hard to get in the 18th and 19th century, these once obscure elements have become the focus of several converging trends in the global economy, as they are the key ingredient of magnets. There are 17 in all, divided into light (cerium, Ce; lanthanum, La, and neodymium, Nd) and heavy (dysprosium, Dy; terbium, Tb, and europium, Eu).

Driving the gold price ever higher   August 17, 2010
Six key demand factors which will come together and help drive the gold price upwards over the next couple of years.

SA Mines minister launches "major overhaul" of law   August 17, 2010
Susan Shabangu, announced a major overhaul of South Africa's mining legislation, Tuesday and added ICT and Lonmin matter to be taken to the cabinet.

China Becomes Largest Global Energy Consumer   August 17, 2010
Since the early 1900’s the U.S. has been the world’s largest energy consumer and the world’s largest auto manufacturer. It took a century to accomplish, but last year China knocked the U.S. from its perch as the world's largest auto market. Last month the International Energy Agency claimed China’s total energy usage exceeded the U.S. for the first time last year – making China the world’s largest energy consumer.

Potash Rejects $39 Billion Bid From BHP Billiton   August 17, 2010
Potash Corp. of Saskatchewan Inc., the world’s largest fertilizer producer, rejected an unsolicited $39 billion takeover proposal from BHP Billiton Ltd. as too low, prompting speculation of a higher bid.

BlueScope: demand weak, even as profits jump   August 16, 2010
Australia's biggest steel maker said while it has short-term concerns about demand and a stronger Australian dollar, it is planning for significantly improved market conditions in the medium to long term.

China CB announcement boost for metals prices   August 16, 2010
News that China's Central Bank will maintain a relatively loose monetary policy suggests metals demand there will continue and support metals prices.

Explorers to face more public scrutiny in Colorado   August 16, 2010
Proposed in-situ uranium projects may find the regulatory approval process far tougher in Colorado, while all mining explorationists will face more public scrutiny.

President Obama's Nightmare U.S. Economy   August 16, 2010
Sometimes it pays to keep flogging a dead horse. In this instance the horse is Obama's destructive economic policies.

The Expendables? Beware the Sequel    August 16, 2010
China overtook Japan for the title of "world’s No. 2 economy." Following thirty years of relentless hard work and unwavering determination, the country can now boast that it is, in fact, on course to capture the top global economic spot as well – in about another two decades – and wrest it away from the United States...

Gold and Goldman Sachs   August 13, 2010
Is Goldman Sachs suggesting $1,300 gold within six months a cue for further growth in price or a contrarian indicator that the top may have been reached?

Bolivian govt trying to defuse silver mine protest   August 13, 2010
The strikes, which have been going on for more than two weeks in the mineral-rich Potosi region, have disrupted production at three mines including two of the world's biggest silver deposits.

Canada's north adds mining production, exploration   August 13, 2010
The Conference Board of Canada has found a turnaround in the U.S. and global economic growth has reignited interest in diamonds, precious metals and other hardrock mining in Canada's three territories.

Chinese spending on gold sextupled in the 00's   August 13, 2010
The annual rate of growth of gold spending in China has been 23% this decade and the nation's gold purchases could see an additional 200 tonnes of consumption in the next decade.

Gold stocks HUI bull market seasonal analysis   August 13, 2010
Precious-metals stocks really haven’t had a great summer by any means. After rallying initially in June, they started relentlessly drifting lower in July. The net result of this lackluster summer trading is a lethargic drift sideways. Naturally this listlessness has weighed on sentiment among this sector’s traders.

South African gold production down 5.3% in June   August 12, 2010
Gold output in the country fell 5.3 percent in volume terms and total mineral production fell 4.9 percent in June compared with the same month last year, data showed on Thursday.

Rain may cut Indonesian tin output 20%   August 12, 2010
The new government forecast would take output towards levels already expected by analysts because of declining reserves and a crackdown on illegal mining.

Gold miners face transitions   August 12, 2010
Numbers from seven of the world's biggest gold diggers show that Gold miners are in the money, but face headwinds in rising costs, and scarce "pure gold" opportunities.

Fear of not flying   August 12, 2010
For the first time in six years, Japanese authorities drew one step closer to halting the seemingly endless gains in the yen via Finance Minister Noda’s cryptic message that his government will take "appropriate" action with regard to the currency. Japanese exports have come under threat from the gains the yen achieved following the Fed’s steps to boost US economic recovery on Tuesday. The currency rose beyond 85 against the US dollar; a fifteen-year high.

Rio Tinto eyeing stake in Russia's Uralkali   August 12, 2010
Global majors Rio Tinto and Potash Corp may buy into Russian potash miner Uralkali, sources said on Thursday, as the government seeks a full overhaul of the fertilisers industry.