MINING.COM MINUTE: Biggest stories of the week

Top exporter Indonesia's ban on ore shipments largely off-set by record global stockpiles of ore and metal and rising mine output.

China increased imports of iron ore 10% last year to 820m tonnes, but a bigger jump in stockpiles and a flood of new supply have pushed prices down 3% this year.

Despite a two year campaign aimed at cleaning the sector and removing all unlawful operations, China has admitted that its rare earth industry still suffers greatly from pollution, smuggling, and illegal mining.

Last year Ghana arrested and deported almost two hundred Chinese illegally mining gold in the country.

The gold price in 2014 will be a tale of two halves.

Several countries and their central banks have officially warned people about the risks associated with Bitcoin. Some, like China, have gone a step further, introducing laws to control it.

After three years of pain, can gold stocks break their losing streak and see a gain in 2014? History says chances are good.

As the large zinc mines shut down, the juniors are stepping forward to meet growing demand for the industrial staple.

Two of the top iron ore produces, Australia and Brazil, are set to benefit from soaring exports registered by the end of 2013.