Nickel

Just as the Bronze Age catapulted human civilization to new levels, critical metals are changing the way we live today. Rare earth elements, the group of resources used in the production of several high-tech goods from weapons to cell phones, seem to be leading the way. But why are these elements so important and what exactly are they? The folks at Visual Capitalist have put together one of their famous infographic explaining just that.

Mining companies would give their eye teeth to exploit Afghanistan’s recently discovered $1 trillion of untapped mineral wealth, but analysts warn that corruption, war and lack of infrastructure are likely to keep delaying a mining boom in the country.

The new Glencore offer is "significantly lower than would be expected in a takeover" and the intention to replace Mick Davis represented “a significant risk” says Xstrata's board.

Even before building up Xstrata through a series of billion dollar transactions, Big Mick was a formidable dealmaker who with fellow South African Brian Gilbertson created Billiton before selling it to BHP in 2001.

Disputes between China and Japan over offshore territory have proceeded a step further with both countries competing for exploratory licenses to large swathes of the Pacific Ocean floor.

Malaysia's Atomic Energy Licensing Board granted a temporary licence for an initial two-year period under strict safety requirements.

Canadian Baja Mining (TSX:BAJ) shareholders continue to be anxious about the future of the company’s flagship Boleo project in Mexico, as its South Korean partners were unable to decide on the second stage of financing for the copper-cobalt-zinc mine development, the miner said Tuesday.

India is already building a rare-earth mineral processing plant in the east coast state of Orissa and will invest $135 million in a new exploration ship and the refurbishing of another vessel to mine minerals under its oceans.

Qatar’s sovereign wealth fund has publicly said Friday it will vote against the mooted $70 billion merger between Glencore (LON:GLEN) and Xstrata (LON:XTA), which sent shares of both the Swiss commodity trader and the coal giant down the slope Thursday in London.