US coal production drops to lowest level since 1981

Australian electrician turned mining magnate Nathan Tinkler is reportedly losing $4.2 million a day on his stake in Whitehaven Coal (ASX:WHC), the country’s largest independent coal producer by market value.

Higher than usual mercury levels discovered in water sources in Western Australia by Griffin Coal are prompting calls for an immediate Government investigation.

A government board is suggesting to split India’s state-owned Coal India Ltd (NSE:COALINDIA), the world’s largest coal producer, or at least allow joint venture partners to foster competition in the sector.

India’s Prime Minister Manmohan Singh said Monday the government has already initiated the process of cancelling mines to companies that failed to develop them.

BHP Billiton (LON/ASX/NYSE:BHP) took Monday another step away from resource expansion in Australia, particularly in the uranium sector. The world's number one miner announced it's selling one of the country's largest undeveloped deposits of the yellow element to Canadian Cameco (TSX:CCO) (NYSE:CCJ) for $430 million.

The Globe and Mail profiles Ned Gilbert, once a low-ranking employee in the early '50s in a remote field office in Alberta who saw great potential in the oil sands.

Environmentalists such as Greenpeace have condemned the mine's approval as claiming, it will mean an unacceptable rise in vessels passing the Great Barrier Reef, impacting air quality and native flora and fauna.

TransCanada's Keystone XL oil pipeline won a small battle Wednesday night as a Texas judge ruled in favour of the firm passing through a farm, after the owner took the Canadian company to court.

BC Opposition Leader Adrian Dix vows to leave the joint regulatory framework set up by the BC Liberals that is reviewing the Northern Gateway pipeline and set up his own review.