Gold miners seek safety as political risks rise

The World Gold Council release a video this summer introducing a study it commissioned on how well gold performed within someone's portfolio to protect against inflation and deflation. The findings showed that gold performed well under both scenarios, and works well as a hedge against extreme events.

First Majestic (TSE:FR) announced that its Q3 silver production was 4% lower from the prior quarter and 6% lower from the same quarter in 2010. The company produced 1,708,865 silver ounces in Q3 compared to 1,780,379 in Q2. In early morning trading, the company's stock was up 20 cents to $17.69 a share. The company believes that silver production should increase due to operational improvements at La Parrilla, its Mexican mine. First Majestic completed a new 1,000 tpd flotation circuit, which will replace an old 425 tpd flotation circuit and will allow silver production to ramp up in the fourth quarter.

Eldorado Gold (TSE:ELD) announced that it hit record production in the third quarter. Its three mines, Kisladag, Jinfeng, Tanjianshan and White Mountain, produced 179,195 oz in Q3 at a cash cost of $397/oz. The company also said that iron ore sales in the quarter totalled 170,781 tonnes at a realized price of US$122/tonne. "We are extremely pleased that all operating mines continue to perform in accordance with plan in terms of production levels and cash operating costs, which resulted in record quarterly production for the corporation," commented Paul Wright, President and Chief Executive Officer.

TORONTO, ONTARIO--(Marketwire - Oct. 11, 2011) - IAMGOLD Corporation ("IAMGOLD" or the "Company") (TSX:IMG)(NYSE:IAG) today announced the following for the third quarter of 2011:

• gold production of 222,000 ounces from continuing operations and represents:
  • an increase of 18.1% from the 188,000 ounces produced in the second quarter of 2011;
  • a 13.8% increase from the 195,000 ounces produced in the third quarter of 2010, when Essakane was in the early stages of its production ramp-up; and
• niobium production of 1.2 million kilograms as compared with 1.1 million kilograms produced in the second quarter of 2011 and the third quarter of 2010.

Vancouver, B.C. Monument Mining Limited (TSX-V: MMY and FSE: D7Q1) ("Monument" or the "Company") announces its intention to carry out a non-brokered private placement of up to 156,250,000 units at a price of $0.45 per unit for gross proceeds to the Company of up to $70,000,000 (the "Offering"). Each unit will consist of one common share and one common share purchase warrant. Each warrant will entitle the holder to acquire one additional common share of the Company at a price of $0.67 per share for a period of 36 months from the closing of the Offering.

Endeavour Silver Corp. (TSX:EDR)(NYSE:EXK)(FRANKFURT:EJD)announced today that silver and gold production from the Company's two operating silver mines in Mexico, the Guanacevi Mine in Durango State and the Guanajuato Mine in Guanajuato State, continued to rise year-on-year in the Third Quarter, 2011. Silver production was up 8% to 858,738 ounces (oz) and gold production was up 7% to 4,926 oz compared to the Third Quarter, 2010. Revenues jumped 93% for the quarter to US$38.8 million thanks to both higher silver and gold production and higher realized metal prices.

Agnico Eagle's production (NYSE:AEM) totaled 265,978 ounces, an increase of approximately 11% over the second quarter 2011 level of 239,328 ounces due to improved performance at Kittila Mine and Meadowbank Mine. "For the first nine months of 2011, the Company produced a record 757,668 ounces of gold. This compares with the previous nine month record set in the first nine months of 2010 when gold production was 731,138 ounces," said the company in a news release. Last month Agnico Eagle acquired Grayd Resources for $275 million.

A mining contractor at Aquarius Platinum's Everest Mine is on strike. The strike has been called by the Association of Mining and Construction Unions, which is demanding full organizational rights under the South African Labour Relations Act. The contractors on strike are employees of Murray & Roberts Cementation. "This is a technical dispute between AMCU and MRC, and no demands are being made by AMCU of Aquarius or its subsidiaries," said Aquarius Platinum (ASX:AQP) in a dispute.

Crystallex International Corporation (TSX:KRY)(OTCQB:CRYXF) ("Crystallex" or the "Company") is pleased to announce that a wholly-owned subsidiary (the "Issuer") proposes to complete a best efforts private placement offering (the "Offering") of up to 120,000 units (the "Units") at a price of US$1,000 per Unit for aggregate proceeds of up to US$120 million. Each Unit will consist of one face value US$1,000 principal amount senior secured note (the "Notes") bearing simple interest at a rate per annum to be determined payable on maturity or redemption and one contingent value right (the "CVRs").