Gold prices near 12-month high

December gold suffered another day of steep losses, dropping $82 an ounce, or 4.7%, to $1,659.50 in New York in noon trade on Friday, as investors were forced to raise cash to cover losses suffered on global stock markets this week. Copper extended its sharp declines on the London Metal Exchange falling as much as 7.3% to $7,115.75 a metric ton. Prices declined for a sixth day in a row losing 14% this week and have now slumped 26% from the record high of $10,190 set in February. Silver was hardest hit on Friday, plummeting 11.2% to $32.48. One metals analyst summed up the day this way: “We’re in a downward spiral, and no one knows when it’s going to end."

VANCOUVER, BRITISH COLUMBIA--(Marketwire - Sept. 23, 2011) - Dorato Resources Inc. ("Dorato" or the "Company") (TSX VENTURE:DRI)(OTCQX:DRIFF)(FRANKFURT:DO5) announces receipt, from Minera Afrodita, of final drill results from the first phase of drilling at the northern-most anomaly at Cobrecon. Results indicate the presence of a large and pervasive mineralized porphyry system, drill-tested over an area of 2km x 1km (Figure 1). Grades can be considered sub-economic at 0.1% to 0.2% copper, but the presence of such a large and pervasive mineralized system is encouraging for the two remaining drill targets (Cobrecon Sur and Cobrecon Este), which are defined by larger, more intense surface geochemical anomalies. Drilling on the remainder of the targets is subject to Minera Afrodita's permitting process.

Canadian Press reported Thursday on the merger of US Gold Corp. (TSX:UXG) and Minera Andes Inc. (TSX:MAI) to form a new corporate entity called McEwen Mining.

Helia Resource Corp (TSX-V:HRC) has unearthed a one-kilometre strike zone at its SMP gold project in Tanzania. While artisinal mining has focused on narrow vein surface outcroppings, some containing assays up to 150 g/t gold, the new Chura zone appears to contain one kilometre of mineralization with a 2K-long magnetic anomaly, Helio stated in a news release.

Gold failed to capitalize on the stock market rout and December futures tumbled 4% or $74/oz to $1,734/oz by early Thursday afternoon as the Fed warned of "significant downside risks" and pessimistic economic data from China further damaged sentiment. Silver was hardest hit and platinum and palladium prices came under pressure as well. December silver slid -9.8% or almost $4 to $36.50 an ounce while October platinum lost -4.9% or $87 and palladium for December delivery traded down -8.1% to $655. One trader summed up the day this way: “The textbook ideas, the things we follow, the things we believe to be so are being shot to pieces for the moment and it’s very difficult to trade other than for a long-term view.”

TORONTO, ONTARIO--(Marketwire - Sept. 22, 2011) - Franco-Nevada Corporation (TSX:FNV)(NYSE:FNV) ("Franco-Nevada") and Lumina Royalty Corp. ("Lumina Royalty") have entered into an arrangement agreement whereby Franco-Nevada will acquire all of the common shares of Lumina Royalty by way of a court approved plan of arrangement for US$60 million in Franco-Nevada common shares and US$6 million in listed Franco-Nevada warrants ((TSX:FNV.WT.A) with a C$75.00 exercise price, expiring June 16, 2017). Under the arrangement, Lumina Royalty shareholders will receive 0.03487 Franco-Nevada common shares and 0.01917 Franco-Nevada warrants for each Lumina Royalty common share held.

World markets tumbled overnight as bad news mounts and investors turn pessimistic. The Hang Seng fell 4.95%, the S&P ASX was down 2.63% and the Shanghai composite index is down -2.78%. Even gold, the traditional fear trade, was off three percent and trading at $1,739.

BMO Financial Group is making it simple for Canadians to purchase and hold physical gold bullion. With the launch of BMO's Gold Deposit Program, clients will be able to purchase physical gold using a delivery and custody process that is simple, efficient and cost effective. Physical allocated gold deposits are not new to Canada but easy access for clients has always been a challenge. BMO is offering this unique program exclusively through BMO Nesbitt Burns Investment Advisors, or through in-branch Resident Investment Advisors.

News that the Mongolian government is rethinking a 2009 deal that gave Ivanhoe Mines and Rio Tinto a 66% stake in the massive Oyu Tolgoi gold and copper project has sent the shares of Ivanhoe down more than 9.5% in Toronto on Wednesday afternoon, while Rio's ADRs gave up over 6% in New York trade. The bad news appears to have led to a bust-up between the two companies, with Ivanhoe founder and CEO Robert Friedland saying on Wednesday Rio's senior management has been making "unauthorized and incomplete" statements about Oyu Tolgoi and that he will take the matter up with the world's number three miner. Ivanhoe is closely tied to Mongolia where it also controls SouthGobi, a producing coal mine. SouthGobi plummeted 10% on Wednesday.