De Beers says the sub-continent has become the storied diamond firm's fastest-growing market as affluent Indians eschew gold in favor of precious gems.
The International Monetary Fund's 2013 growth forecast for Australia has been moderately reduced due to the country's significant exposure to international commodities markets.
Veteran finance expert Richard Russell claims China has plans to obtain leadership of the global economy by fortifying its official currency with precious metal backing.
NUM's diminishing influence – blamed in part on its political affiliations and its perceived closeness to big business – is most striking at Impala Platinum's Rustenberg mine where its enrollment has dropped to 13% from 70% before.
The price oil sands producers receive fell to $38 a barrel below the international benchmark oil price on Monday, leaving more than one fifth of all Alberta projects unviable.