Roskill predicts tight supply of NdFeB magnet rare earths

US and Canadian markets dipped on Wednesday as earnings season began with Alcoa (NYSE:AA), the world's leading producer of aluminum, forecasting slower demand for the metal.

Renowned investment guru Stephen Leeb says China is pushing for a stronger yuan in order to cut the cost of its commodities purchases.

China's copper consumption levels are set to fall for the first time since 2008 on the country's easing growth and the resulting tepid demand for commodities.

Rio Tinto (ASX:RIO) has announced further retrenchments and cost cutting measures due to concerns that the slowdown in China's economic growth will be more pronounced than expected.

Global production of diamonds reached 124 million carats last year and, according Bain & Company consultants, 13 new mines should be adding 23 million carats by the end of 2012. But Money Week’s analyst Tom Bulford is warning those and other figures are not sufficient to avoid a looming supply crunch.

Illegal gold mining by Chinese nationals using heavy machinery has fueled resentment and hostility amongst local communities in Ghana.

On Monday upbeat Chinese traders came back from a week-long break and chased the price of the commodity to $110.40.

Veteran finance expert Richard Russell claims China has plans to obtain leadership of the global economy by fortifying its official currency with precious metal backing.

China has unveiled ambitious plans for the conversion of coal extracted in remote mining regions into gas for usage in urban areas.