In its annual ranking of countries in terms of political risks for mining investment, the mineral industry advisory firm Behre Dolbear, has ranked Australia, Canada, Chile, Brazil and Mexico as the top five nations in which to locate mining projects.

Australian miners are setting up in remote outback areas in a land enjoying a resources boom - Chile.

Chinese investors are turning their focus to emerging economies as they look to expand their demand for commodities and switching away from Australia and Canada, which are getting too expensive.

India is hoping to bury the hatchet with its historical rival Pakistan, at least enough for both sides to benefit from a massive iron ore deposit in Afghanistan.

A clash over infrastructure assets is shaping up in northern Quebec, pitting the interests of two corporate titans against a group of junior miners.

“Sentiment towards gold is as low as it has been for many years, possibly since the rally started. ... For virtually the first time this cycle, buying gold is a contrarian trade.”

"Wu's death penalty is a setback for the cause of reform in China. Judging from this case, how far are we from the market economy? At least 300 years."

Silver Wheaton Corp. (SLW.TO) announced its audited results for the fourth quarter and year ended December 31, 2011. It also announced that its Board of Directors has declared its first quarterly cash dividend payment for 2012 of US$0.09 per common share.

Coal Rush, a documentary running next week at the Atlanta Film Festival, tells the story of a 7-year crusade by US attorney Kevin Thompson, along with other attorneys, advocates and affected residents, to halt the injection of coal slurry into the Appalachian mountains by now-defunct coal miner Massey Energy.