Over $21bn worth of mining projects delayed in Peru due to social conflict

Following a series of recent protests and other problems affecting mining companies with operations in Colombia, coal workers for the local unit of Glencore International went on strike late Thursday, causing the immediate halt of the company's operations in the country.

Profit for De Beers, the world's number two diamond producer after Russia's Alrosa, is down 53% for the first half of 2012 affected by worries over consumer demand and shortage of financing for cutters and polishers.

Barrick Gold Corp. reports second quarter earnings on July 26th, and it has to be one of the most anticipated set of results in the company’s history. New chief executive Jamie Sokalsky will address the broader market for the first time since the shocking ouster of Aaron Regent in June. He is expected to provide more detail on Barrick’s strategic direction.

Rio Tinto (LON:RIO) is looking to reduce costs at its Australia’s Clermont Coal Mine, in central Queensland's Bowen Basin, driven by falling coal prices.

An Argentine court ruled Wednesday in favour of suspending Famatina, a gold exploration project led by Canadian company Osisko (TSX:OSK), until a new ruling outlawing mining near glaciers is applied in the area.

Halifax-based Metals Economics Group (MEG) published Thursday its Pipeline Activity Index (PAI), which shows equity financing conditions continue to take their toll, as gold companies were able to raise only $445 million through equity placements in May-June—the lowest two-month total since late 2008.

Credit Suisse announced Wednesday it recruited David Hammond, the well-known mining banker from Morgan Stanley, to head up the mining and metals efforts of the Swiss bank worldwide.

Chilean state giant Codelco, the world's largest copper producer, submitted Wednesday an environmental permit request to go ahead with its $12.8 million project to maximize the benefit from ore extracted from El Teniente copper mine, the company’s most profitable division. The initiative is part of the $2.2 billion expansion for El Teniente.

The world's largest primary silver producer and Mexico's second largest gold producer, Fresnillo PLC reached record gold production levels and says it remains confident that it will meet its gold and silver production targets for 2012.