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move, the Ontario Ministry of Northern Development and Mines released a statement on Sunday saying that it has withdrawn all lands near the Kitchenuhmaykoosib Inninuwug (KI) community from prospecting and mineral staking.

If 2011 was a near-record year for mining mergers and acquisitions (M&A), with over 2,600 deals worth $149 billion announced in the global mining sector, 2012 will be remembered as the year of the “African Renaissance,” concludes the latest PricewaterhouseCoopers’ report released this morning.

Rio Tinto plans to invest $2 billion in an iron ore project in the eastern Indian state of Orissa to supply Indian and overseas clients, Sam Walsh, head of the miner's Australia-based iron ore division, told reporters.

Catalyst Resource Group (OTCQB:CATA) (PINKSHEETS:CATA), a company engaged in innovative processing technologies to extract gold and platinum group metals, today announced that Company has signed a Definitive Agreement to acquire an 80% equity interest of Laos Minerals Mining, Inc.'s ownership in a 68-km2 gold concession known as the San 8 and San 60 areas of the Somsanouk Village, Sanakham District, Vientiane Province, Lao People's Democratic Republic, in exchange for cash and monetary commitments to further explore and develop this project in the near future.

Ivan Glasenberg, CEO of  Glencore International stands to receive dividends worth roughly $110 million on Monday when the commodities giant announces its maiden full-year payment to shareholders.