Diamond trade must reform in face of threat from synthetic stones -U.S.

It is a sad but indisputable fact that in today's mining industry there are countries that still allow labour practices that belong in Dickensian England rather than a modern economy.

Gold Fields Ltd., the fourth-biggest producer of the metal, said Ghana’s plan to raise tariffs on mines and introduce a windfall tax could force it to halt expansion projects worth $1 billion in the country.

Speaking in an interview with MiningWeekly, CEO Mark Bristow said he expected deal making in the junior gold space to continue, as funding sources dry up.

BusinessLive reports Gold Fields, the world's fourth largest gold producer, is not averse to merger and acquisition activity but will not rely on it, said CEO Nick Holland on Monday. The company, which continues to target five million ounces in development or production by 2015, has spent the last two years aggressively growing its production.

The human rights organization – co-nominated for the 2003 Nobel Peace Prize for its work on conflict diamonds – said the decision to allow diamonds from Zimbabwe's rich Marange fields means the money that flows from there ends up in the pockets of the Robert Mugabe-aligned military's top brass who could use it to organize support to intimidate the opposition in the run-up to elections. Hundreds were killed and thousands of local miners were driven off claims when the Zimbabwe army seized control of the Marange area in 2008.

Lonmin joined AngloPlat and Implats, this week signing a far-reaching two year wage pact ensuring a steady supply from Southern Africa where 75% of platinum is produced. The price of platinum has crashed from $1,915/oz in August as PGMs come under pressure due to sagging demand from the automobile sector which is slashing use of the precious metals to cut costs. And miners reducing supply to up prices is unlikely say analysts.

As workers in South America and Indonesia strike for better wages and to receive more of a share of mineral wealth wrought by rising copper prices, a mine in South Africa is handing over cash to its employees. The Financial Post reports on Kumba Iron Ore's employee share ownership scheme, whereby workers who have been at the mine more than five years can earn a lump sum of 345,000 rand (about US$43,000).

U.K.-listed London Mining PLC said Friday it has started production of high grade iron ore from its Sierra Leone Marampa project and expects to ship its first iron ore later this month.

Kenya is set to join the league of gold-producing nations following the granting of the first mining lease to UK company Goldplat.