UrbanGold Minerals to survey StarGold property in Quebec

Halifax-based Metals Economics Group (MEG) published Thursday its Pipeline Activity Index (PAI), which shows equity financing conditions continue to take their toll, as gold companies were able to raise only $445 million through equity placements in May-June—the lowest two-month total since late 2008.

Canadian potash suppliers Agrium Inc (NYSE:AGU) and Potash Corp. (NYSE:POT) both closed higher on the NYSE following the release of improved second-quarter earnings forecasts by Agrium on Wednesday.

Panamanian farmers in the country's rainforest regions have teamed up with environmental activists to protest the impact of Canadian mining operations on the local environment, as well as halt the construction of what is slated to be one of the world's largest copper mines by Inmet Mining (TSX:IMN).

Vancouver-based First Majestic Silver had a 14% increase in total production at its La Encantada, La Parrilla and San Martin silver mines in Mexico for the second quarter ending June 30 in relation to the same quarter last year.

Russian-Canadian miner Rusoro Mining, is asking an arm of the World Bank to intercede in a legal dispute with Venezuela after the country nationalized its gold industry, and took over the junior’s investments without compensation.

A prolonged slump in the global economy has put pressure on the diamond industry, forcing sellers to grapple with sliding demand, rising inventories and declining prices.

A wildcat strike by construction workers at Vale SA's Long Harbour nickel processing plant in Eastern Canada dragged into its fifth day on Monday, with hundreds of union members refusing to enter the job site in protest over wages.

Swiss commodity supplier Glencore International obtained approval from the Canadian federal government on Sunday for its application to buy up Canadian agribusiness titan Viterra Inc., bringing the $6.1 billion deal that much closer to completion.

An acrimonious legal wrangle over millions in potash assets and is currently being played out in the Saskatchewan courts, involving Byzantine business intrigues and a bevy of international players.