Human activity creates 208 new mineral species

Yet remains upbeat about iron ore and green shoots in China's economy

Mining and metals companies saw expenditures reach over $140 billion in 2012, but a study published Wednesday by consultants at Accenture (NYSE: ACN) indicates the sum could have been considerably lower.

Move will diminish dependency upon external iron ore sources

Compared to the steelmakers, miners enjoyed a soft landing with profits down only 5.5%.

While the world concerns itself with the Syrian civil war and the dangers it poses for the already disturbed Middle East, little notice is taken of the conflicts affecting Africa, probably the single most complex region of the world and arguably its most troubled, warned Tuesday the Centre for Research on Globalization (CRG).

Forrest expects China's growth to be in the high single digits.

A number of iron ore, copper and gold mines are being built and expanded over the next five years.

The giant miner says Australia might miss the “Asian century” boat unless its tackles serious shortcomings, such as competitiveness, productivity, infrastructure investments and foreign capital attraction.

Crusader expands into both iron ore and gold in Brazil