The argument over whether it is better to hold mining shares or real assets has now been dramatized and animated.

Cameco (TSX:CCO) (NYSE:CCJ) announced today it has reached the main mine workings with the second shaft at the Cigar Lake uranium mining project in northern Saskatchewan. Miners removed the final section of rock connecting shaft 2 with the mine workings 480 metres below surface on January 3, 2012. The second shaft will provide for increased ventilation of the underground workings as well as additional means of entering and exiting the mine. SASKATOON, SASKATCHEWAN--(Marketwire - Jan. 3, 2012) -

MONTREAL, QUEBEC--(Marketwire - Jan. 3, 2012) - Osisko Mining Corporation (TSX:OSK)(FRANKFURT:EWX) ("Osisko" or the "Company") has been notified of an unsolicited "mini-tender" offer, made by TRC Capital Corporation ("TRC Capital") on December 23, 2011, to purchase up to 5,000,000, or approximately 1.297% of Osisko's common shares, at a price of CDN $9.55 per share. Osisko does not recommend or endorse this unsolicited offer.

Imperial Metals Corporation (TSX:III) reports permit amendments for Huckleberry mine have been received. The board of directors of Huckleberry Mines Ltd. (HML) has formally approved the Main Zone Optimization (MZO) plan(1) to extend the life of Huckleberry mine to 2021.

Gold started the year right climbing above $1,600, and miners were cheered seeing the S&P/TSX Composite Index gaining over two percent.

Eastern Platinum Limited (the “Company” or “Eastplats”) is pleased to report that further to its press release of February 1, 2011 announcing the receipt of letters of commitment for a debt facility

Wind turbine prices have dropped nearly one-third since 2008 according to a study by Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory.

Molycorp Inc. (MCP) reported that more than three-quarters of the Phase 1 rare-earth production at its flagship California manufacturing facility has been […]

Indian gold import data is much lower than expected, according to the Bombay Bullion Association, says Commerzbank, and this could have implications for physical prices. Commerzbank notes that the association says India imported “only” 125 tons of gold in the fourth quarter of 2011, with buyers hampered by a combination of high prices and high domestic interest rates.