PARIS, Oct 12 (Reuters) - Areva is considering partnerships with industrial groups to allow those to buy stakes in the mining business of the state-controlled nuclear group, Areva's chief executive told a parliamentary hearing.

Reuters reports Sudan said on Sunday it expects its mining industry to produce around 7 tonnes of gold in 2011 and it plans to launch a gold refinery next year to improve the quality of its much extensive larger small-entrepreneur output. Sudan is trying to boost output of gold and other minerals to compensate for the loss of much of its oil production of 500,000 barrels a day when South Sudan became independent in July.

Reuters reports a former senior executive at China's No. 3 state-owned coal producer has been sentenced to life imprisonment for accepting bribes, state media Xinhua said on Sunday.

South Africa's Shanduka Group said on Friday it wants to increase its stake in a coal venture it operates with global trader Glencore, although it would not confirm what that stake would be.

n"Oct 7 (Reuters) - Avion Gold Corp said third-quarter production at its mines in Mali, West Africa was below expectations, as technical difficulties and heavy rains led to lower grade ore recovery. The West Africa-focused company, which holds 80 ...

The most active U.S. gold futures contract jumped 1 percent to an intraday high of $1,635 an ounce on Wednesday as the euro rebounded against the dollar despite lingering fears about the debt crisis in Europe.

Australian iron ore producer Fortescue Metals Group and its founder Andrew Forrest on Thursday won the right to appeal against a conviction for misleading investors in 2004, the company said in a statement.

QINGDAO, Sept 28 (Reuters) - Brazilian mining giant Vale said China's crude steel production was expected to remain strong despite risks of a recession in developed economies, a trend that would...

Canadian miner First Nickel Inc said it restarted production at its Lockerby nickel-copper mine in Ontario and made its first ore delivery to diversified miner Xstrata Plc's nickel business.