Onerous procurement requirements of S. Africa’s 2017 Mining Charter to hit suppliers

NEW YORK, NY -- (Marketwire) -- 09/06/11 -- For several decades, Ron Paul has warned of the collapse of the US Dollar. As reported in Barron's, the Republican Candidate "puts his money where his mouth is." Dr. Paul continues to invest heavily in gold-mining stocks as hedge against what the congressman calls "The Great Inflation."

India's benchmark gold futures extended the previous session's gains on Tuesday morning to hit a fresh record of 28,583 rupees, tailing gains in the world market and buoyed by a weak rupee at home.

Steel Guru reports that Liberia is poised to reap the rewards of its mineral riches once again, with the first shipment of iron ore produced since the end of its decades long civil war expected later this year, and gold production due to resume in as soon as six months.

A Deloitte Access Economics analysis, commissioned by the Minerals Council of Australia and to be released today, estimates the industry's tax burden was about 50 per cent higher than Treasury estimates made during last year's bruising battle over the Rudd government's resource super-profits tax.

Commodity markets were hit this week by shock news that the United States created no jobs in August, sparking speculation that the world's biggest economy could be heading for a double-dip recession. Analysts said the data bolstered expectations that the US Federal Reserve could soon decide to implement another round of quantitative easing -- dubbed QE3 by traders -- to help breathe new life into the struggling economy.

Gold for December delivery rose $50.10, or 2.7%, to $1,879.30 an ounce in midday trade in New York — within striking distance of the metal's $1,891.90 settlement record set a week and a half ago. The jump comes after data showed the US added no jobs in August sparking renewed fears that the world's biggest economy is heading back into recession. Gold benefited because the weak numbers could lead to new policy-easing initiatives by the US Federal Reserve – a previous round of stimulus injected $600 billion into markets. Not even talk of gold sales by European central banks to ease their massive debt burden could dampen the enthusiasm for bullion. Between them Portugal, Ireland, Italy, Greece and Spain hold some 3,233 tonnes of gold, worth around €130bn.

The Quebec Mineral Exploration Association asked the Quebec government for rules that will simplify mineral development and exploration. A mining bill, which the association has criticized, is working its way through the provincial legislature. The association says that sections of the bill could lead to industry losses of $1 billion in mineral exploration investments. The association is mainly concerned with some jurisdiction for mining and exploration remaining at the local level. Instead, the association would like to see clear rules across the province for assessing development.

Beating already rosy expectations new Australian Bureau of Statistics figures show mining companies intend to invest $82.1 billion this financial year on new and expansion projects, representing 55% of total capital expenditure in the country's economy. The spending spree by the resources sector – mostly in Western Australia and Queensland – represents a whopping 70% increase over last year. Mining firms spent 14.4% more last quarter, led by a 22% jump in plant and machinery purchases, and projections show further increases in the future. The positive capex news, accompanied by robust retail spending numbers saw the Australian dollar rise above 107 US cents.

Global markets have become increasingly volatile due to the deepening financial crisis, while gold bugs are gripping their seats.