Freeport pours cold water on Barrick Grasberg tie-up

Mali, Papa New Guinea, Burkina Faso, Guinea, Tanzania, DRC and Mongolia among countries where gold mining contributed the most to their locals economies, says the World Gold Council.

Mixed picture.

Kyrgyz environmental agency given another three months to evaluate Canadian firm's annual plan for massive gold mine before extending permits.

They shed $156 billion in market value last year, or about 16% of their combined worth, according to PwC.

China is approaching distressed Australian iron ore miners, hoping to pick them up on the cheap.

BHP Billiton's outspoken chief executive officer believes oversupply will keep global metals prices lower for much longer.

Signs of demand improvement as iron ore imports cover at Chinese ports fall to near two-year low.

A World Gold Council report shows the sector's contribution was greater than the GDP of over 150 different countries and larger than the total value of global overseas aid in recent years.

India's total imports reach record high in year to end-March.