Ivanhoe in talks over Congo and South Africa projects

If the miner buys any assets this year, it would be Rio's first acquisition in about three years.

Minerals are the bedrock of the manufacturing industry.

Torrential rain in Chile's desert region and environmental protests dented first-quarter output, forcing the miner cut its annual production forecast.

As much as three quarters of investors voted in favour of a non-binding motion to change the way the gold giant compensates its executives.

It revoked a 2013 ruling blocking the miner's plans to build a key processing plant at is Skouries gold-copper mine in the country's north.

The company, dealing with aging mines, has been leaning on a wide range of new technologies to reduce operating costs and increase efficiencies.

Chinese companies, private equity firms including Mick Davis’s X2 Resources, and even Teck Resources are rumoured to be among the potential buyers.

Look at the people.

CRU principal consultant Christine Meilton predicts a rising trend topping $3.60 a pound by 2019, but thereafter China-induced weakness returns.