Quebec Snapshot: Eight companies to watch

Rail to fill the "void" to the West Coast

Weak markets in 2013 have stalled the previously robust economic growth of Canada's territories; long-term outlook still positive.

Copper output also rising, cost-cutting measures exceeding expectations.

Rio Tinto has tried to get approval from Mongolia for its financing proposal since last winter, but the government has not yet offered a direct reply.

Whether there is more pain in store for the main gold players will be known next week, when third-quarter results start rolling out.

It is not clear whether Moscow does intend to press charges against Baumgertner, or whether it is a means to get him back to Russia, say analysts.

In other words, he hopes to create a “Platinum Valley.”

Says diversification helped cushion the fall when molybdenum prices tanked.

The gold price is now down more than 23% this year and the metal appears to be firmly in the grip of bears causing mayhem among gold mining stocks.