MMG swings to loss and books $784 million write down

Canadian miner Yamana Gold Inc. (TSX:YRI) (NYSE: AUY) is refusing to give up on its plans to re-open the old “Agua de la Falda” gold mine in Chile’s northern Atacama region, a particularly sensitive area in terms of energy costs.

Bulgarian archaeologists have unearthed bracelets with snake heads, a tiara with animal motifs and 100 buttons in a hoard of ancient golden artefacts uncovered during excavations.

Oil, gas and mining companies' request to have transparency rules put on hold under 2010 financial reform act has been rejected.

The Archduke Joseph diamond, one of the world's most famous and rarest gems from Europe's aristocracy, is expected to reach up to $25 million when it goes under Christie’s hammer on Tuesday.

Accusations of Chinese miners being dubiously brought into the Canadian province of British Columbia to work in coal mines has prompted the federal government not only to investigate the issue, but to review its entire temporary foreign worker program.

Peruvian precious metals miner Hochschild (LON:HOC) is acquiring Canadian Andina Minerals (TSX-V:ASM), after the junior gold miner agreed late Thursday to a friendly takeover.

While Calgary-based TransCanada (TSX, NYSE:TRP) remains optimistic about its Keystone XL pipeline’s prospects, given Obama administration’s focus on moving the U.S. away from its dependence on foreign oil, uncertainties around the project remain.

Shares of nickel producer Talvivaara (LON:TALV) dropped down over 10% on Friday over reports the firm had failed to solve a waste water leak at a nickel and zinc mine in eastern Finland, where nuclear safety officials confirmed to have radioactive uranium levels 50 times higher or more than normal volumes.

Despite market rumours indicating otherwise, South Africa’s platinum producer Lonmin (LON:LMI) rejected Friday a reverse takeover bid by Xstrata (LON:XTA), its unhappy largest shareholder, as it announced a loss before tax of $698 million in the financial year ending in September.