A study of about 40 explorers budgeting at least US$50 million total shows the larger players allocated a total of US$4.33 billion and accounted for 40% of the US$10.74 billion worldwide exploration total.

It was not at the end of any rainbow, but two Canadian firms did find their own pot of gold and are turning Northern Ireland in a new mining frontier.

News feeds long-standing hopes of a mine reopening and job generation in the impoverished area.

Ontario and Alberta agree the controversial $12bn Energy East pipeline is a “nation-building” exercise and said they'd work together on the issue.

The least corrupt country was Denmark.

Miner may try replicate partnership with other of its stalled projects, such as Pascua Lama in South America.

Miner is dropping coal operations to focus on iron ore.

The nation first cut export tariffs to zero in September 2013 and won't reverse measure next year.