6,700 participants from 35 countries.

The iron ore price fell again on Thursday losing nearly 6% in four days and falling to a fresh five-and-a-half year low within shouting distance of $60.

Of 35 analysts polled by the London Bullion Market Association Ross Norman of Sharps Pixley is most bullish at $1,321, but 5 others see a dip below $1,000.

The miner also said it aims to increase sales by 1% percent in 2015, taking advantage of rising production and using offtake from its stock.

Gold down nearly 3% as eurozone troubles fade from headlines and focus shifts to US fundamentals, rampant dollar and a likely June rise in interest rates.

The technique, known as biomining, is already being tested here on Earth as a sustainable treatment of ores and mine waste.

Jayant Bhandari advises funds and institutional investors on investing in India, and has commented on India’s impact on world gold demand for Sprott’s Thoughts.

The Women in Mining Canada Trailblazer Award is the first national award in Canada to recognize the achievements of women who have made a significant contribution to Canadian mining and/or the inclusion of women in the industry. The natural resource sector has the poorest representation of women in management, with women representing just 11% of board appointments, making this year’s recipient a true “Trailblazer”.

According to Michael Fowler, senior mining analyst with Loewen, Ondaatje & McCutcheon, the major gold producers have gorged on debt and sold off their seed corn.