MINING.COM MINUTE: Biggest stories of the week

Zhongjin Gold Corp., Shandong Gold Mining Co. and Zijin Mining Group Co. said to be among potential bidders.

Canada slipped in the Fraser Institute’s global ranking, while Chile remains the most attractive jurisdiction in Latin America.

For private capital mining and metals is the riskiest natural resources sector – but only energy beats the returns.

The country lost at least $27.5 million in revenue from lapis lazuli between 2014 and 2015. In contrast, armed groups earned about $20 million just in 2014.

World Bank revises down growth rate for commodity exporting countries to just 0.4%, predicts 15% decline in metal prices this year.

Capital spending by the world's largest miners since 2010 amounted to $632 billion – 32% of which has now been written off says new report.

An official endorsement of such mission would pave the way for several other for-profit space ventures currently in the works.

Most analysts believe the commodities market has turned a corner and that prices are unlikely to return to lows seen in the past year.

This year, global production is expected to level out as project development budgets were slashed during the three-year gold bear market. But with gold prices rebounding, miners are in a good position to be much more profitable.