(Caterpillar News Release) PEORIA, Ill.— Driven by outstanding execution and stronger global demand, Caterpillar Inc. (NYSE: CAT) delivered record-breaking 2011 sales and revenues of $60.138 billion, an increase of 41 percent from $42.588 billion in 2010. Profit in 2011 was $4.928 billion, an increase of 83 percent from $2.700 billion in 2010.

Mining notices of work applications, one of the pieces of paper a miner must have before a project can proceed, have been reduced from 229 to 85, said BC Premier Christy Clark at Round Up 2012 on Wednesday.

MONTREAL, QUEBEC--(Marketwire - Jan. 26, 2012) - Dynacor Gold Mines Inc. ("Dynacor" or "the Company") (TSX:DNG) is pleased to announce that gold production for 2011 from its ore- processing plant delivered a company best 46,026 ounces, including a record month of 4,565 ounces for the month of December, 2011. This amounts to a year over year increase of 37% (2010 - 33,525 ounces) and a quarterly increase of 29% (Q4/2010 - 3,533 ounces) respectively.

Copper hit a four-month high Wednesday after the US Federal Reserve pledged to hold interest rates to near zero until the end of 2014.

Vancouver-based mining company Fortuna Silver says it has nothing to do with the shooting death of a protester in a town near the company’s mine site in Mexico.

The federal government is working to speed into place changes this year to expedite the regulatory review of new industrial projects. Ottawa plans to unveil new plans in “months, not years,” Natural Resources Minister Joe Oliver said in Calgary on Wednesday.

The US Federal Reserve on Wednesday pledged to hold interest rates at levels near zero until late 2014. The surprising announcement sent gold soaring in afternoon trade and the yellow metal scaled the $1,700 an ounce level for the first time since December 9 last year as investors – worried about cheap money flooding markets – turn to gold as a storer of wealth.

Detour Gold added $1.80 to $28.40 or 6.7% on Wednesday after announcing bought deal financing led by BMO Capital Markets and CIBC worth $241 million. The latest round is enough to complete its $1.45 billion Ontario project for which it also announced improved reserves estimates.

Aurizon Mines (TSE:ARZ) jumped more than 10% on Wednesday despite the absence of fresh news. The cash-rich Quebec miner earlier this month announced a record year for gold production and strong growth prospects and 2012 is expected to be a busy year for gold M&A activity.