Gold

In its annual ranking of countries in terms of political risks for mining investment, the mineral industry advisory firm Behre Dolbear, has ranked Australia, Canada, Chile, Brazil and Mexico as the top five nations in which to locate mining projects.

India is hoping to bury the hatchet with its historical rival Pakistan, at least enough for both sides to benefit from a massive iron ore deposit in Afghanistan.

“Sentiment towards gold is as low as it has been for many years, possibly since the rally started. ... For virtually the first time this cycle, buying gold is a contrarian trade.”

Silver Wheaton Corp. (SLW.TO) announced its audited results for the fourth quarter and year ended December 31, 2011. It also announced that its Board of Directors has declared its first quarterly cash dividend payment for 2012 of US$0.09 per common share.

Beijing launched the new spot price platform in January in a bid to shift the balance of power in price negotiations away from the big three.

Randgold Resources (LON:RRS, NASDAQ:GOLD) shares fell close to 13% this morning after a military coup in Mali, where the company has three gold mines that account for most of its bullion production.

The Canadian federal budget due to be released next week will please miners and the oil patch and is likely to make environmental groups see red, not green.

Gordon Brown's sale of 400 tons of gold in 1999 has cost the United Kingdom GBP11 billion, said the Chancellor of the Exchequer, George Osborne, in his 2012 budget speech.

Rubicon Minerals Corporation (RMX:TSX | RBY:NYSE-AMEX) ("Rubicon") is pleased to announce that the amendments to the Permit to Take Water, the Industrial Sewage Certificate of Approval and the Air Certificate of Approval, pertaining to its 100% owned Phoenix Gold Project located in the heart of the prolific Red Lake Gold district, have been accepted and approved by the Ontario Ministry of Environment.