Gold

Viking Minerals commenced the review of pre-drilling and geological mapping of its South Dolly Varden gold / copper claims in Elko County, Nevada. This mapping is to facilitate a resolution of the zones of mineralization outlined by the surface geochem and rock samples and the 3,000 foot delineated coincident Induced Polarization (IP) anomaly with the intersection of the diamond drill core holes.

Bayfield Ventures announced a major gold and silver intercept on its 100% owned Burns Block property in the Rainy River District of north-western Ontario. The Burns Block is situated adjacent to the east and on strike to Rainy River Resources' multi-million ounce gold deposit.

Calibre Mining announced final assay results for the completed 9 hole, 2500 metre diamond drill program at its 100% owned Riscos de Oro gold-silver property in north east Nicaragua. The results are highlighted by hole RD11-016 that intersected 3.61g/t gold and 518.44g/t silver over 3.68 metres (14.41 g/t AuEq1,2) and hole RD11-017 that intersected 9.31 g/t gold and 336.06 g/t silver over 3.90 metres (16.31 g/t AuEq1,2). Read the full news release here. Photo is from Calibre Mining.

Oakland Resources (ASX: OKL) has commenced a 700m diamond core programme at Spion Kop Gold Prospect (EL 7412, Boorowa Project) where previously reported significant and anomalous gold mineralisation has been intersected in a number of shallow RC holes. Image from Oakland Resources.

Newmont (NEM), the U.S. mining group, is under investigation in Jakarta, where antigraft authorities said they are reviewing claims the group may have breached rules on the foreign ownership of mining assets.

Money managers raised bullish bets in COMEX gold futures and options to the highest level since the week of April 24, as bullion climbed to within $20 of its record during the period, data from the Commodity Futures Trading Commission showed Friday. Speculators in silver futures and options also upped their net long positions in the week ended June 21, as safe-haven demand for precious metals grew in response to disappointing economic data from the United States and persistent concerns surrounding Europe's debt crisis, according to the latest report from the U.S. regulator.

High prices sway buyers towards goods otherwise they would not have widely considered, according to exhibitors at the June Hong Kong Jewellery & Gem Fair. Buyers opted for Very Good makes instead of Triple Excellent and parcels instead of Dossier i...

Golden Minerals Co said it will buy Canada's ECU Silver Mining in a reverse merger for about C$302.5 million ($309.1 million) in stock and cash, to form a new silver mining company focused on Mexico and Argentina. Under the terms of the deal, ECU shareholders will get 0.05 common shares of Golden Minerals and about $0.000394 in cash for each share they hold.

Dynacor Gold Mines Inc. (TSX:DNG) is pleased to provide a second quarter operations update. In the month of May, Dynacor produced from its custom milling plant a historic best of 4,183 ounces of gold (representing more than 50,000 ounces on an annualized rate). Furthermore, during Q1-2011 the company, using cash directly generated from operations, optimized the plant's yield at the current capacity of 180 tpd (tonnes per day). The expansion program, which included installation of an additional cyanidation tank and a 90 tpd ball mill, will facilitate a capacity increase from 180 tpd to just over 200 tpd during the 2nd part of 2011.