Second Australian iron-ore train derailed in less than a week

Western Australia's Sandfire Resources (ASX:SFR) is on the verge of bringing its DeGrussa copper mine on line in accordance with its original schedule and budget targets.

Both Australian trade minister Craig Emerson and treasurer Wayne Swan over the weekend entered the debate over whether the country is facing a period of decline as the country's resource-led economy loses steam.

Diversified miner Xstrata (LON:XTA) and commodities trader Glencore International (LON:GLEN) have now until October 1 to decided on the $36 billion lauded merger.

China's Shandong Gold Group has agreed to purchase 51% of Australian gold miner Focus Metals (ASX:FML) as Chinese appetite for the precious metal intensifies.

Rio Tinto (ASX:RIO) continues the recent spate of mining sector retrenchments with job cuts at its Clermont thermal coal mine in Australia's north-east.

Mining towns in Western Australia's Pilbara region have been hit with stringent new liquor laws due to surging rates of disorderly conduct.

BHP Billiton has added three new names to its growing list of shelved coal mine projects as it defers its Red Hill and Saraji East coal projects.

Australia's Bureau of Resources and Energy Economics don't buy recent iron ore and coking coal rallies.

Greenland could become the next global mining frontier, as global warming uncovers precious metals from glacial surroundings, states new research by natural resources experts GlobalData, a UK-based global business intelligence provider.