ALROSA’s subsidiary supplies 27 X-ray sorters for the Cullinan Mine

Proposal includes gold, tungsten, tantalum and tin, with the hope of force importers to classify those metals as coming from areas free of conflict.

Swiss Mercuria, founded in 2004, has become the front-runner to buy the physical commodities unit of JPMorgan.

If it goes through, the proposed deal will make Goldcorp the No. 1 gold producer in the Canadian province of Quebec.

Peruvian copper projects are solid, competitive and less costly in terms of energy needs, says the expert.

And there's an ever-widening rift between the country's oil consumption and production.

'Potential therefore exists that estimation of future risk to humans and wildlife because of surface mining activity in the Athabasca oil sands region has been underestimated,' researchers write.

The company has extended the productive life timeframe for both Canadian operations.

Analysts warn of increasing government pressure on miners in other jurisdictions as well.

However, the report says those funds are unlikely to be available to junior miners.