Over 5,000 informal miners started an indefinite protest in the gold-rich Peru's Madre de Dios region on Monday, demanding the government to revoke a new decree that regularizes small-scale and artisanal operations.

The big three – BHP, Vale and Rio Tinto – control nearly 70% of the 1 billion tonne annual iron ore seaborne trade and even the combined mining and trading capabilities of a Glenstrata may not be enough of an advantage over the incumbents.

Major Drilling posted quarterly revenue of $182.2 million, up nearly 70% from the $107.7 million recorded for the same quarter last year. This represents the highest level of third quarter revenue in the Company's history.

Shares of some top gold companies are down at 1 p.m.: Barrick Gold CorpBarrick Gold Corp. fell $.99 or 2.1 percent, to $46.44. Gold Fields fell $.40 or 2.6 percent, to $14.95. GoldCorp. fell $1.30 or 2.6 percent, to $47.83. Newmont Mining CorpNewmont...

The mining sector's bellwether companies were all beaten down on Monday after China's premier Wen Jiabao delivered a downbeat outlook for the world's second largest economy adding that there were "new problems" to deal with.

Latin America remained the most popular exploration destination, attracting 25% of global explorations spending in 2011, said to the Halifax-based Metals Economics Group's World Exploration Trends report released on Sunday.

Investment in mineral exploration in Ontario, Canada, exceeded $1 billion for the first time last year, said today the Minister of Northern Development and Mines, Rick Bartolucci.

Glencore on Monday expressed surprise over health and environment officials in Zambia's decision to immediately close a Mopani copper operation over complaints from residents of a nearby town. The London-listed commodities giant is also set to appear before a British inquiry over tax avoidance in the developing world.

In what was clearly a strategic move, the Ontario Ministry of Northern Development and Mines released a statement on Sunday saying that it has withdrawn all lands near the Kitchenuhmaykoosib Inninuwug (KI) community from prospecting and mineral staking.