Major commodity-producing countries are set to remain under intense finance strain in 2016, which will increase the risk of social unrest, says Verisk Maplecroft.

Lundin Mining is developing a new nickel deposit that could extend the life of its Eagle nickel and copper mine in Michigan's Upper Peninsula.

Given the rally in the gold price purchasing more than 19 tonnes may have cushioned the record $108 billion fall in China's forex reserves in December.

Copper price falls as much as 4.7% as chaos on Chinese stock markets and renminbi devaluation intensify growth fears for world's top metals buyer.

Prices fell Thursday for a second consecutive session. According to Metal Bulletin, the spot price for benchmark 62% fines dropped by 0.46%, or 20 cents, to $42.91 a tonne.

The alteration path from montmorillonite to muscovite can provide an indication of the proximity of an ore zone. In addition, it can also be hard to track, even for an experienced geologist. Mica alteration minerals including montmorillonite, phengite, sericite and muscovite can be identified using an oreXpress field spectrometer with optional EZ-ID mineral identification software.

The miner is one the very few bullion miners to have performed well during one of the most difficult markets conditions affecting gold producers in decades.

The massive gem, named the “The Star of Adam”, could sell for up to $175 million.

Only 0.6% of private capital raised in 2015 for natural resource investment is for mining projects–one wind farm fund attracted more than the entire sector.