Value of top 50 mining companies surge $140 billion in 2017

A year ago today saw one of the largest declines in COMEX gold and silver futures in the last several decades.

Production of the steel-making material, however, increased by 16%, which means the miner is on track to meet its full-year target.

But production at massive Mongolian mine slips and shares take a beating.

The Vancouver-based miner's shares surge after its silver and gold properties in Mexico and Peru up production more than 50%.

The world's No.1 copper producer needs to invest roughly $30 billion in the next decade to counter dwindling ore grades in its massive mines.

Goldcorp's sweetened offer is straightforward, requires no formal shareholder approval and could be completed by as early as end-April.

Chinese buyers cough up $6.3 billion in cool hard cash for massive Peru copper project indicating renewed confidence in prospects for the red metal.

US copper mine production grew 5% to 1.23 million tonnes in 2013 according to the latest US Geological Survey, but silver and gold recovered slid.

Bolivian President Evo Morales and leaders of the National Federation of Mining Cooperatives have formed a commission to quickly redraft at least three controversial articles of the recently-approved ruling.