Iron ore miners and consumers in Karnataka, including NMDC, the country's largest iron ore producer, and JSW, India's largest private sector steelmaker, will have to grapple with higher costs and lower production if the Supreme Court accepts the recommendations of a panel set up to probe illegal mining in the state.

Reuters reported that production of all main metals fell in Peru in 2011 from the previous year as depleted reserves and lower ore grades hit the major global producer.

Bloomberg reported that Mitsubishi Corporation of Japan plans to almost double its copper output in 2012 after spending USD 5.39 billion to buy a minority stake in Anglo American Plc's Chilean unit.

Interfax-China reported that China's gold bullion output grew by 5.89% in 2011 to reach a record high of 360.96 tonnes up by 20.08 tonnes from the previous year making the country the world's largest producer for the fifth year running. The China Gold Association said that South Africa, the world's largest gold producer from 1896 to 2006, has seen output dwindle in recent years. It reported total production of 192 tonnes in 2010.

Gold miner Newmont Mining is putting a final polish to the sale of its Queensland coal assets, with two overseas suitors vying for a resource estimated at more than 1.2 billion tonnes of thermal coal.

Bloomberg reported that Daiichi Chuo Kisen Kaisha, a Tokyo-based shipping line, is targeting a boom in coal exports from the US as the development of shale gas reserves in the world's biggest economy frees up the fuel for sales overseas.

The Victoria Times Colonist reported that Compliance Energy Corp of Vancouver is hoping to build the Raven Underground Coal Project, a 3,100 hectare mine near Fanny Bay.

The federal Mine Safety and Health Administration has cited three Kentucky coal mines for safety violations. They were among 13 nationwide with a history of compliance problems targeted in MSHA's special impact inspections.

Miningaustralia.com.au reported that close to 300 miners at the West Cliff coal mine are likely to strike next week over ongoing pay disputes.

Brazilian miner Vale SA is granted an operation license to mine a high grade iron ore pit at Carajas in north Brazil.

Efforts are being made to explore new coal reserves in the country.

Focused coal mining investment and production company Continental Coal Limited provide an update to shareholders on the continued strong performance of export focused thermal coal mining operations in South African that are managed by the Company’s South African subsidiary Continental Coal Limited and an update on the status of key corporate transactions that it is currently in the process of finalizing.