South Australia’s mineral resources and energy minister, Tom Koutsantonis, said he was confident BHP Billiton will proceed with developing the uranium Olympic Dam open-pit mine, despite the project will cost billions of dollars, reports Reuters.

MONACO, March 6, 2012 /CNW/ - Endeavour Mining Corporation ("Endeavour" or the "Corporation") (TSX:EDV, ASX:EVR) is pleased to announce it has entered into a definitive agreement with Resolute Mining Limited ("Resolute") (ASX:RSG) for the sale and transfer of its 40% interest in the licenses and associated property comprising the Finkolo Joint Venture (the "Finkolo JV") in Mali for total consideration of $20 million in cash.

Chilean state giant Codelco, the world's biggest copper producer, plans to invest over US$4.3 billion this year, said the company’s president Diego Hernandez said on Tuesday

Gold prices tumbled to $36.45 or 2.1% to $1,669.21 per ounce on Tuesday morning due to worries about Greece and a flight to the American dollar.

Rio Tinto Alcan, the aluminum division of Rio Tinto PLC (RIO) announced today it will close its Lynemouth aluminum smelter in Northumberland, England at the end of March, as part of its aluminum restructure plan.

Over 5,000 informal miners started an indefinite protest in the gold-rich Peru's Madre de Dios region on Monday, demanding the government to revoke a new decree that regularizes small-scale and artisanal operations.

The big three – BHP, Vale and Rio Tinto – control nearly 70% of the 1 billion tonne annual iron ore seaborne trade and even the combined mining and trading capabilities of a Glenstrata may not be enough of an advantage over the incumbents.

Major Drilling posted quarterly revenue of $182.2 million, up nearly 70% from the $107.7 million recorded for the same quarter last year. This represents the highest level of third quarter revenue in the Company's history.

Shares of some top gold companies are down at 1 p.m.: Barrick Gold CorpBarrick Gold Corp. fell $.99 or 2.1 percent, to $46.44. Gold Fields fell $.40 or 2.6 percent, to $14.95. GoldCorp. fell $1.30 or 2.6 percent, to $47.83. Newmont Mining CorpNewmont...