Here’s what Canada needs to regain leadership in mineral exploration and mining

Potash producers remain optimistic about sales for this year.

Tensions over Vale dropping potash project with skyrocketing costs rise.

Hundreds of workers blocked the entrance to a plant belonging to ICL, the company that Potash Corp wants to acquire.

Canadian First Nations "Idle No More" may pose threat to miners.

For those with a very long time horizon, the news is good though.

"[The] economics of the project are not in line with Vale’s commitment to discipline in capital allocation."

The country is also the largest importer in the world.

"We have a crisis."

Mergers and acquisitions in the sector fell 30% last year and will continue to be low in 2013.