South African court blocks mine union’s plan for industry-wide strike

Already the world's biggest gold producer China is set to overtake India as the No.1 gold importer. But where is all that gold going?

The answer might be obvious to those who have been following the Silk Road saga.

Gold jewellers dismayed.

The US Federal Reserve surprised the market and announced it's throttling its quantitative easing program that has pumped $4 trillion of easy money into the US economy.

Confidence levels in the sector have improved dramatically over the last 12 months, reaching a two-year high.

Numsa will openly recruit from NUM's membership, in direct violation of federation principles. Numsa tells opponents to 'go to hell.'

Collapsing gold prices, ageing mines, labour strikes and higher operating costs have together weighed down on the sector in the world's sixth largest producer of the metal.

The virtual currency is down 46% from Monday, and 60% since the historic peak of late November.

Bets made by managed money that gold will fall sets up a potential short-covering rally if the Fed delivers a taper surprise on Wednesday.