Cecilia Jamasmie , Senior Editor

An Argentine court ruled Wednesday in favour of suspending Famatina, a gold exploration project led by Canadian company Osisko (TSX:OSK), until a new ruling outlawing mining near glaciers is applied in the area.

Halifax-based Metals Economics Group (MEG) published Thursday its Pipeline Activity Index (PAI), which shows equity financing conditions continue to take their toll, as gold companies were able to raise only $445 million through equity placements in May-June—the lowest two-month total since late 2008.

Credit Suisse announced Wednesday it recruited David Hammond, the well-known mining banker from Morgan Stanley, to head up the mining and metals efforts of the Swiss bank worldwide.

Chilean state giant Codelco, the world's largest copper producer, submitted Wednesday an environmental permit request to go ahead with its $12.8 million project to maximize the benefit from ore extracted from El Teniente copper mine, the company’s most profitable division. The initiative is part of the $2.2 billion expansion for El Teniente.

The world's largest primary silver producer and Mexico's second largest gold producer, Fresnillo PLC reached record gold production levels and says it remains confident that it will meet its gold and silver production targets for 2012.

Vancouver-based First Majestic Silver had a 14% increase in total production at its La Encantada, La Parrilla and San Martin silver mines in Mexico for the second quarter ending June 30 in relation to the same quarter last year.

A UK Labour MP has moved an “early day motion” in the House of Commons seeking a debate on mining in the Indian state of Goa, calling upon the British government to urge local authorities to address the issue as a matter of urgency.

Global securities and investment banking group Jefferies downgraded Caterpillar from a “buy” to a “hold” rating, with a price target of $85.00, adding to a series of previous reports affecting the company's stock.

Russian-Canadian miner Rusoro Mining, is asking an arm of the World Bank to intercede in a legal dispute with Venezuela after the country nationalized its gold industry, and took over the junior’s investments without compensation.

Negotiations among Peruvian authorities, Newmont Mining and the local communities with the intent to end the seven-month conflict over the $5 billion Conga project in the northern region of Cajamarca, are leaving out one key piece: the workers.