Australian iron ore, coal and gold exports to rise further in 2011

The news of Glencore and Rio’s discussions “has turned up the temperature on an already simmering M&A environment,” RBC Capital Markets analyst says.

Gold stocks in COMEX-approved warehouses have jumped by one-third in the past six weeks.

Kazakhstan has produced about 65 tons of gold a year, according to the central bank.

Gold has been grinding sideways for the better part of several months now, weighing on sentiment.