Ivory Coast plans a windfall tax of 19 per cent on gold mine profits to share in the benefits from soaring world prices for the metal.

India’s official auditor accused the government of losing more than $33 billion in potential revenue by transferring coal mining blocks too cheaply to private companies.

From expropriations in Venezuela, Bolivia and Argentina to violent opposition in traditionally mining-friendly jurisdictions such as Peru and Chile, the rising political tensions pose a risk to a decade-long bonanza mining companies have enjoyed.

Over the last two weeks, Chinese consumers of thermal coal and iron ore have been defaulting on their contracts, sending prices sharply down.

“There is political manipulation. There is influence peddling. There are millions of dollars crossing borders masquerading as charitable donations.”

Commodity trader Glencore is tightening its grip on the global zinc market by moving material to inaccessible locations, forcing industrial users to pay high physical premiums for a metal that is in surplus.

Canada’s big gold miners are under siege in the markets, their shares tumbling even as bullion rides high, and they’re vowing to fight back.

Alberta is suing the partners of Canada's second-largest oil sands project for $100 million over a dispute tied to royalty payments.

The Tasiast gold mine in the Mauritanian desert was the biggest acquisition in Kinross Gold Corp.’s 19-year existence and one of the biggest takeovers in the history of the gold industry.

For centuries, pilgrims have thronged to the Chilean mountain town of Andacollo – to worship at the historic church and to mine the dusty hills for copper. Now a new wave of pilgrims is worshipping at the altar of Andacollo – Canadians, in the form of Teck Resources Ltd., which that has spent more than US$ 440 million expanding an open-pit copper project on the edge of town.

Alberta’s oil sands stir controversy during election season − just ask politicians trying to solidify power in Ottawa or Washington. But for leaders jostling for the premier’s seat in Alberta? Not so.

The race is on for mining companies vying to become the world's next big producers of heavy rare-earth minerals, used to manufacture components for everything from vent fans for jet engines to laser-guided systems for smart bombs.