Is the great gold rush over? The price of the precious metal has soared over the last decade, jumping from below $300 (£189) in 2001 to peak at $1,920 (£1,211) in September 2011. But, since then, it has fallen to around $1,660 (£1,047) defying predictions – and the hopes of speculators – that it would continue to hit new peaks during the ongoing financial turmoil.

The Peruvian government confirmed it will end Monday a state of emergency imposed in early July in the country’s northern region, where violent protests against Newmont Mining's (NYSE:NEM) controversial $4.8 billion Conga project left five dead and dozens injured.

South African prosecutors have temporarily withdrawn murder charges against the 270 miners accused Thursday of killing 34 striking colleagues shot dead by police at the platinum miner Lonmin's (LON:JSE) Marikana mine, but warned they could be recharged when inquiries were complete.

Colombia’s energy and mining minister Federico Renjifo, who assumed the position on Thursday, said he is aware he’ll face difficult times as analysts are predicting a slowdown in demand for the country’s commodities in coming years, but he said he’ll make sure the sector remains competitive and attractive to foreign investors.

A gas company in Minnesota has implemented an innovative scheme which permits paying members to enjoy major savings on their fuel costs via futures transactions.

Renowned investor Peter Schiff has told King World News that the US could return to the gold standard in as little as two years.

Political controversy surrounding suspect allocations of coal mining concessions in India threaten to topple Prime Minister Manmohan Singh with chief opposition party the BJP issuing calls for his resignation.

The chairman of Perth's Summit Resources (ASX:SMM) has said Queensland could miss out on millions in uranium investment due to the Newman government's failure to establish a more welcoming policy environment for developers.

A school in Western Australia has adopted the innovative pedagogic technique of using Lego robotics to teach students about mining processes, with the long-term goal of providing skilled tech-savvy workers to the region's flourishing resources sector.