HOT TOPIC: When will gold break the $1,000 barrier?

Hedge funds and other large speculators boosted their net-long position in gold.

Over two-thirds of today’s junior miners are essentially worthless, says resource speculator Rick Rule. 

The decision will hit artisanal miners of metals such as gold and tin hard, as they are the region's dominant producers.

The gold miners’ stocks have blasted higher to a powerful upside breakout this month.