Christina Romer, former economic advisor to Obama, says that the gold standard was not as great as we imagine it, and it didn't provide economic sability. "As we know in the 1930s gold flows were a big part of what was causing countries to raise interest rates in the middle of a Great Depression for heaven's sakes," said Romer in an interview with the New York Times on Friday. Romer says that unanticipated gold flows that filled the U.S. treasuries at the start of World War II allowed the country to shake off the depression, and says that monetary policy is an unappreciated policy tool that helped the U.S. restart the economy.

The number of deaths caused by coal mine gas explosions in China declined sharply during the first half of this year, coal mine safety authorities said. A total of 245 people died in 62 gas explosions that occurred between January and June this year, a year-on-year reduction of 31.2 and 25.3 percent respectively, the State Administration of Coal Mine Safety said.

Ivanhoe Mines (TSX: IVN)(NYSE: IVN)(NASDAQ: IVN) today announced its results for the quarter ended June 30, 2011. All figures are in US dollars, unless otherwise stated. Ivanhoe Mines (TSX: IVN)(NYSE: IVN)(NASDAQ: IVN) today announced its results for the

The mine operated and controlled by BHP Billiton Limited said that the 15 day illegal strike at the Escondida copper mine in Chile didn't have a relevant impact. As Escondida produces roughly 1.09 million tonnes of copper a year, press reports estimated

Kenyan government will in October issue London listed Goldplat a lease to exploit the large gold deposits at Kilimapesa gold site in Narok County. An official at Kenya's ministry of mines said that Goldplat will be given a mining lease after completion

China will need large quantities of Australian raw materials as its industrialisation and urbanisation race ahead, despite concerns about weak global economic conditions, Australian Trade Minister Craig Emerson said on Friday. Emerson also hinted that a fall in the Australian dollar amid the volatility that has jolted global financial markets for the past week was good, saying its strong currency had hurt manufacturing and exporters.

The lead singer of the band Radiohead is also joining the campaign against Keystone XL. Thom Yorke posted on the band's website, calling the pipeline "one of the big red climate self destruct buttons." Picture of Thom Yorke at the Latitude Festival, Suffolk, 2009

EDMONTON - Women crowd around a kitchen table, each hoping their handful of old jewelry will fetch them a few $20 bills.When it’s Shirley Mueller’s turn, she pulls out a pair of earrings, a few rings and a watch.“Don’t laugh at these earrings;

Finning International Inc. (TSX:FTT) reported record quarterly basic earnings per share (EPS) of $0.48, up 129% over Q2 2010. Finning achieved Q2 2011 revenues of $1.5 billion, a 39% increase from Q2 2010. Earnings before interest and income taxes (EBIT) of $120 million were up by 91% from Q2 2010 and EBIT margin of 8.1% was significantly higher than 5.9% in Q2 2010. Improved EBIT margin performance reflected higher profitability in Canada and the UK & Ireland, as well as a solid performance in South America.