Gold mining stocks on a tear

TSX-listed San Gold is increasing its footprint in Ontario after it signed an agreement on Tuesday to buy three mineral properties from exploration junior Opawica Explorations for about ten million shares.

Zimbabwe’s Deputy Mines Minister, Gift Chimanikire, confirmed an army-owned company owns 40% of Anjin, one of the most lucrative diamond concessions in the country.

N-SolvCorp, a small Canadian company based in Calgary, claims it has developed a unique technology that will make Alberta's oil sands more profitable and environmentally sound.

The agreement over the Quebec Tres-Or gold project, which covers 6,356 hectares, outlines that Aurizon can earn an initial 50% interest by incurring exploration expenditures totaling $10 million.

Ocean Mar has been granted exclusive salvage rights to the steamship SS Islander carrying gold from the Klondike that sank near Juneau, Alaska, over 100 years ago.

Canada-based Nautilus Minerals Inc. (TSX:NUS)(OTCQX:NUSMF)(AIM:NUS) said Monday that despite several meetings with Papua New Guinea's government representatives in the last two weeks, the company is still battling authorities in regards to its obligation to complete the agreement reached in March last year for Nautilus Solwara 1 copper project.

Canadian Yamana Gold Inc. (TSX:YRI) (NYSE:AUY)(LSE:YAU) announced a $400 million acquisition Monday of Argentina-focused junior miner Extorre Gold Mines (AMEX:XG) (TSX:XG), which has an appealing gold-silver project in the South American country, while also saying it plans to boost its dividend by 18%.

First Nickel has updated and optimized its mine plan, result in a new $86.9 million net present value.

De Beers considered a bid for BHP Billiton's 80% stake in Canadian diamond mine Ekati, but has now become the latest interested party not to submit an offer, perhaps leaving the door open for jewellery retailer Harry Winston to pick up the massive producer for a bargain price.