China is looking to allocate a value-added tax (VAT) permit to all rare earth companies in a desperate effort to curb resource plundering, dangerous artisanal mining and widespread pollution, as well as collecting revenue.

In my email this past week was a missive from the news-editor of Mining.com. He passed on a letter sent to him for possible publication. I repeat the entire letter below. It has the edge I like. It has the honesty of an old man about to retire: I respect that. It has the frustration of change; and we all know the feeling.

Junior miner Matamec Explorations, currently developing the Kipawa rare earths project in western Quebec, Canada, said on Monday it had started a pilot plant to enable the continuous processing of ore samples.

The main source of silver to the Spanish crown during the 1500s, the Mexican state of Zacatecas is again enjoying the attention of foreign investors.

Australia’s Queensland government has snubbed a United Nations report demanding Australia act to protect the Great Barrier Reef.

It took six months to cut into shape and now it is on display today in the Tower of London to mark Queen Elizabeth II’s Diamond Jubilee, a fancy pink-brown colour 35.60 carat diamond.

Coal and nuclear power plants rely heavily on water for cooling, but a warmer climate could reduce the availability of water and limit power output.

Is gold preparing for another shot up to $2,500/ounce heights or on the way down after being overbought?

When looking for a dominant investment theme the approach I take involves looking at global or big picture conditions.