MINING.COM MINUTE: Biggest stories of the week

China’s state-backed Silk Road Fund is said to be considering a joint $2 billion bid with China National Gold Group for the Vasilkovskoye mine.

Analysts say the metal likely to reach $1,400 shortly and settle in the second half of this year, averaging $1,340 an ounce.

The Blair Athol mine, closed in 2012, would be the second Australian coal asset in a year to be sold for just A$1.

Product launch and acquisition are the key growth strategies adopted by the leading market players, such as Caterpillar and Komatsu, to strengthen their foothold in the market.

Australia has about 40% of the world's uranium reserves and exports nearly 7,000 tonnes of yellow cake annually.

Decision follows a company review of the asset that was triggered by the Bouganville government’s pressure to restart mining at Panguna or give it up.

With the sale, Newmont is offloading its Batu Hijau mine, Indonesia’s the second-biggest copper and gold operation.

Nickel's jumped back above $9,000 and the outlook is for steady price increases through 2019 despite possible lifting of Indonesian export ban – report.

Delhi wants to open up mining of gems and precious metals and cut reliance on imports.