Canadian gold producer Agnico-Eagle Mines reported a $604 million loss in the fourth quarter after writing down its Meadowbank mine in Nunavut, northern Canada.

Arizona congressman Paul Gosar (R-Flagstaff), during a hearing today on the Department of the Interior's 2013 budget, took the opportunity to question Interior Secretary Ken Salazar on his department's opposition to a bill clearing the way for the proposed Resolution Copper mine near Superior, Arizona.

Xstrata, one of the world's largest thermal coal exporters, announced today that it has completed the sale of two Mpumalanga collieries to black economic-empowered (BEE) group Imbawula, for an unrevealed sum.

Surface coal mining on Cape Breton Island, on the East Coast of Canada, has been under a moratorium for the last six years, but a report due out next month could revive a dormant industry in what was once an important coal-mining hub.

Barrick Gold Corp. (TSX:ABX), the world’s biggest gold miner, announced that profit slipped in the fourth quarter as the company booked US$153-million in various after-tax charges tied to redundant power assets and its investment portfolio.

Sundance Resources said Thursday approvals for its Mbalam project are only likely to come in 2 months, further delaying a $1.4bn bid by Hanlong.

Vale is the world's largest producer of iron ore and a top nickel miner, reported a quarterly net profit of $4.67 billion, compared to $5.9 billion in the same quarter last year.

Kinross Gold (TSX:K) lost $2.78 billion in the fourth quarter, having been forced to writedown the value of its Tasiast project in Africa.

Could one family farm stop a multi-billion-dollar pipeline project from going ahead? Probably not, but a Texas family farm will at least have its day in court.