Could Indian diamonds be in Rio Tinto's future? According to Daily News and Analysis, the Australian mega-miner has received approvals-in-principle from the Ministry of Mines to begin diamond mining operations in the state of Madhya Pradesh:

NumberSleuth produced a fantastic gold infographic illustrating all the major trends: how much above-ground gold (gold that has been mined) is there in all the world, and how much gold gets mined per year worldwide?

Zone Resources Inc. (CVE:ZNR) has retained Grandich Publications LLC to conduct investor relations and communications for one year for the Vancouver-based iron ore exploration company.

Danny Williams, the colourful ex-premier of Newfoundland, will serve as special advisor to the chairman of iron ore junior Alderon Iron Ore Corp. (CSV:ADV).

CLEVELAND,Jan. 5, 2012/PRNewswire/ --Cliffs Natural Resources Inc.(NYSE: CLF) (Paris: CLF) announced today that its majority owned affiliate has reached an agreement for the asset sale of its previously discontinued renewaFUEL biomass production facility inMichigantoRNFL Acquisition LLC, an acquisition entity created by an investor group that includes renewaFUEL's minority partners.

A nuclear power plant that was built in the Philippines but was never fueled up nor run is now a key attraction at a beach resort getaway.

First Quantum Minerals, the Vancouver-based copper miner embroiled in a dispute with the Congolese government over expropriation of one of its key assets, has sold its mines in the Central African country.

Fertilizer producer Mosaic Co. (NYSE:MOS) stocks were up US$2.50 this morning, after the company reported higher-than-expected quarterly profit as better prices helped offset a plunge in phosphate sales and flat potash volumes.

LAB Chrysotile Inc., one of the two remaining Quebec’s asbestos miners, has filed for bankruptcy because of high fixed costs and sharply declining revenues.