Gold

The deal-making frenzy in the global mining sector during the first half of the year was followed by a dramatic drop in activity in July and August, according to a new report by consultants PricewaterhouseCoopers. Figures from the report titled Riders on the Storm show that in July and August the value of global mining deals fell by 49% and deal volumes declined by 25%. The sharp reversal came after a record first half when 1,379 deals worth $71bn were announced even though Chinese entities, firmly focused on value, retreated from iconic western takeovers. Buyers were also willing to pay over the odds for large publicly listed targets – for $500 million+ acquisitions, the average premium was 37%. For sub-$500 million deals, premiums averaged a mere 8%.

Gold futures fell slightly to settle at $1,873 as spot gold jumped to a record high Tuesday after Switzerland pegged its currency to the euro, then the precious metal retreated 2 percent from that level as investors took profits. The spot price of gold—which tracks global trades in bullion—and U.S. gold futures set all-time highs above $1,920 an ounce after the Swiss National Bank set a minimum exchange-rate target on the soaring franc to stave off a recession. Analysts said they still expect gold to chart new peaks on worsening euro zone troubles.

Wits Gold wishes to announce that Turgis Consulting (Pty) Ltd (Turgis) has been appointed to complete a pre-feasibility study over the Company's advanced DBM Project in the southern Free State goldfield. This follows the announcement of positive scoping study results at the DBM Project on 23 June 2011. The initiation of a seven diamond borehole drilling programme for pre-feasibility purposes commenced in July 2011 and is on schedule to be completed during September 2011.

VANCOUVER, BRITISH COLUMBIA--(Marketwire - Sept. 6, 2011) - Entrée Gold Inc. (TSX:ETG)(NYSE Amex:EGI)(FRANKFURT:EKA) ("Entrée" or the "Company") has received assay results from three additional deep diamond drill holes on the 100% owned Ann Mason copper molybdenum porphyry deposit in the Yerington district of Nevada. Drilling continues to return long intercepts (448 metres to 814 metres) averaging from 0.35% to 0.43% copper equivalent ("CuEq"). Higher grade mineralization, including intervals greater than 0.60% CuEq, is present in these holes, as shown in Table 1 below. Hole locations and cross sections can be viewed at www.entreegold.com.

NEW YORK, NY -- (Marketwire) -- 09/06/11 -- For several decades, Ron Paul has warned of the collapse of the US Dollar. As reported in Barron's, the Republican Candidate "puts his money where his mouth is." Dr. Paul continues to invest heavily in gold-mining stocks as hedge against what the congressman calls "The Great Inflation."

India's benchmark gold futures extended the previous session's gains on Tuesday morning to hit a fresh record of 28,583 rupees, tailing gains in the world market and buoyed by a weak rupee at home.

Steel Guru reports that Liberia is poised to reap the rewards of its mineral riches once again, with the first shipment of iron ore produced since the end of its decades long civil war expected later this year, and gold production due to resume in as soon as six months.

A Deloitte Access Economics analysis, commissioned by the Minerals Council of Australia and to be released today, estimates the industry's tax burden was about 50 per cent higher than Treasury estimates made during last year's bruising battle over the Rudd government's resource super-profits tax.

Commodity markets were hit this week by shock news that the United States created no jobs in August, sparking speculation that the world's biggest economy could be heading for a double-dip recession. Analysts said the data bolstered expectations that the US Federal Reserve could soon decide to implement another round of quantitative easing -- dubbed QE3 by traders -- to help breathe new life into the struggling economy.