LME launches probe on cobalt suppliers over fears of child exploitation

B2Gold reported results from its operations for the second quarter ended June 30, 2011. Highlights were adjusted net earnings of $22.0 million ($0.07 per share); record cash flow from operations of $28.8 million ($0.09 per share); and an increase of cash and cash equivalents to $78.9 million at quarter end.

Nautilus Minerals announced on Thursday that they were granted offshore exploration licences in Fiji. The Fijian Government has granted the company 14 special prospecting licences, covering a total of approximately 60,000 km2. The territory is considered highly prospective, having been the subject of marine research by Japanese, French and other scientific cruises in the late 1980s and early 1990s. The licences each have an initial term of two years.

Investors aren't the only ones rushing to profit from the booming value of gold. Refiners, who buy scrap gold from dealers and private owners, say they are also seeing an upsurge in activity. "It is great for business," says Terry Hanlon, director of the

Gold Fields, one of the world's top five gold producers, announced June quarter earnings that were up 15% to US$186 million, compared with US$158 million in the March quarter. During the same June quarter last year, Gold Fields made US$120 million. The company announced its quarterly results on Wednesday.

Gold Hedge reports that a German newspaper is telling its readers that it's time to buy gold. Bild Zeitung, is Germany’s biggest- selling newspaper, is the best-selling newspaper outside Japan and has the sixth-largest circulation worldwide. Bild encouraged German people to invest in gold as the global debt crisis continues to deteriorate and cause turmoil in global markets.

South Africa's gold output fell 5.7 percent in volume terms in June while total mineral production fell 0.7 percent compared with the same month a year earlier, data showed on Thursday.

Hecla Mining CEO Phil Baker Tuesday predicted the higher the gold price goes, the more small investor interest in silver will increase.

CNBC News reported that Indiaès demand for gold has not been stalled by rising metal prices.

Shares in Kinross Gold leapt 4.5% on Wednesday after the company published a positive second-quarter earnings report. Toronto-based Kinross said it had a record quarter for gold production due to additional product from its Kupol gold and silver mine in Russia, of which the company acquired 100% in April, and from West Africa operations that were acquired last September. Kinross poured 676,245 gold ounces of gold in Q2, a 26% increase over the same period last year.