The mining sector, which accounts for 5% of the $1.4 trillion economy, is beset with hurdles, with declining mining activity impacting state finances.

An underground coal mine proposed for near Margaret River in Western Australia has been rejected by the state's environment minister.

The ETeCoS3 (Environemental Technologies for Contaminated Solids, Soils and Sediments) Erasmus Mundus Joint Doctorate has 12 open PhD positions in a variety of research topics relating to contaminated soil, metallurgical wastes and more. For more information about topics and the application process, visit the ETeCoS3 website.

A highly anticipated National Academy of Sciences report on uranium mining concluded Monday that Virginia must overcome "steep hurdles" before it can assure that a rich deposit of the radioactive ore can be safely extracted and processed.

A feasibility study released Wednesday for the Ajax copper-gold project estimates the capital costs at $795 million.

Imperial Oil is spending close to $9 billion to expand its 71%-owned Kearl Oil Sands Project.

The gold price rose above $1,640/oz on Wednesday after better-than-expected take up by European banks of ECB-tendered cheap loans, easing fears of a credit crunch.

Shares in the Thai steelmaker fell sharply on Wednesday after ArcelorMittal pulled out of a deal to buy a 40% stake in it.

A California company says it has discovered a new way to make liquid fuel from coal without consuming water or producing carbon dioxide.