While investment-led demand could see prices reach a record above $2,000 an ounce late this year or early next, the consultancy expects this demand to decline once macro economic conditions start to improve.

Gold's pullback in Q4 last year seen as temporary weakness. Commerzbank analysts believe both gold and silver will pick up sharply in 2012 with gold seeing new record high.

Re-accelerating Chinese growth will make for better base metals markets - notably copper - say Goldman Sachs analysts

In what is likely to be upbeat year for Australian mining M&A, some large Asian and U.S. companies are ready to bet on the country's coal, iron ore and uranium assets to meet booming demand for power.

When it comes to picking gold mining names in the current market environment, John Stephenson believes that buying quality is the way to go and predicts $2500 gold this year.

While it is the private firms that made most of the acquisitions in the international coal market last year, there is no shortage of money in the war chests of India's state-owned coal firms

A thyssenkrupp source with knowledge of the process said Monday the debt-burdened steel group is close to selling its stainless steel unit, with a deal likely to come as early as February.

The company has sold its Spitzkop and Tselentis coal collieries in South Africa to the Imbawula group for an undisclosed amount, adding that there would be no job losses as a result of the deal.

Local comment scorning MSHA's shuttering of Hecla's Lucky Friday mine on safety grounds along with other gripes on what is seen as a campaign against Idaho's silver miners.

A strong gold exploration drill result at a project in the Dominican Republic propelled Unigold shares to lofty heights on Monday.

The emergence of young, entrepreneurial high networth individuals in India is leading to a more diverse investment appetite, with gold linked debentures and gold ETFs high on the list.

Gold rose back above $1,640 an ounce in Europe on Monday as it took advantage of a rising euro and a recovery in stock markets which took some downward pressure off prices.