Tallk of nationalizing South Africa's mining industry may have quieted down recently, but that hasn't stopped some government officials from fanning the flame.

While China's steel output is hitting a record rate of over 2 million tonnes per day stockpiles of iron ore are growing at a clip of 1 million tonnes per week at the country's ports.

The mining boom that Colombia is experiencing has driven a group of Australian firms to visit the South American country and explore what the country has to offer in terms of mining for foreign investors.

Anglo-Australian mining giant Rio Tinto tightened its grip on Ivanhoe Mines as part of a $3.3 billion financing deal announced this morning, leading to the resignation of chief executive and founder Robert Friedland.

Toronto-listed Scorpio Mining (TSX: SPM) reported quarterly silver production at its Nuestra Señora mine in Mexico fell 10%, driven by lower head grades.

Precious metals miner Fresnillo (LON:FRES), the largest silver producer, reported its first-quarter silver production was in line with expectations, while it said higher-than-expected gold output, owing to the start up of its new Noche Buena mine.

The team of three international environmental consultants hired by Peru’s government has recommended significant changes to Newmont’s hindered $4.8 billion copper-gold project, the Conga mine. But the government is saying its final decision won’t be determined solely by this or any study.

Australian analysts from Foster Stockbroking say confidence in rare earths miner Lynas Corporation (ASX:LYC) is returning after the Malaysian High Court dismissed an appeal against the company's Advanced Materials Plant (LAMP).

The cost to extract metals is going up at an alarming rate.