The Marange diamond fields are home to controversy and a 25% wage increase.

This week we have meetings involving the ECB and the Federal Reserve followed by the job numbers on Friday. These meetings, summits, announcements have an effect on the investment community in that investment funds tend to stay on the sidelines until the direction of the markets becomes clear.

Looking at all the costs to construct and run power plants, it will be cheaper to build a wind or solar power plant within 18 years rather than one using nuclear or fossil fuel, says a research unit within the Australian Government.

"The radical transformation of the world and current workplace diversity and mobility trends have led to an increased demand for ‘learning by doing’ training services that meet the learners’ needs for flexibility by providing direct access to information relevant to their work environment when they need it in real life situations."

It was supposed to be gone this fall, but the Canadian penny is getting a reprive due to concerns of retailers who are worried about making the transition right before the busy holiday season.

US Silver's (TSX-V:USA) board of directors has spurned an unsolicited all-cash take-over bid from Hecla Mining Company (NYSE:HL) and unanimously recommended that shareholders reject the offer by instead voting for the combination of US Silver with RX Gold (TSX-V:RXE).

Aussie-listed iron ore junior Northern Iron (ASX:NFE) is now the object of competing bids for control from rival investors in Switzerland and India.

Newcrest Mining (ASX:NCM) is the one Australian mining major exposed to the greatest level of country risk with 63% of its assets situated in nation-states categorized as 'very high-risk' by analysts.

With Botswana a top producer, diamond production rose by 26% to $14.41 billion 2011.