The US coal industry just had the worst week in years

Malaysian News Agency Bernama.com reports that a huge iron ore mine in Bolivia may be doomed as a result of conflicts between the proponent and the Bolivian government.

"It's not just resources versus the rest of the economy, it's iron ore versus the rest of resources versus the rest of the economy."

The oil and natural gas rich nation's stake in the coal giant is now 8% with a target of over 10%, providing crucial back for Glencore CEO Ivan Glasenberg to push through the $90 billion merger with Xstrata.

Mining and construction equipment auction house Ritchie Bros. has acquired AssetNation Inc., an online provider of surplus and salvage assets, for US$64 million.

Despair not, gold investors. Goldman Sachs hasn't given up on bullion. Despite a significant selloff in the yellow metal in recent days, bottoming out at four-month lows, Goldman Sachs is still forecasting a rally in gold this year.

Lake Shore Gold added 8.2% on Thursday after announcing positive financial and operating results for the first quarter as it accelerates a $160 million capex programme for the year.

Confused about the political machinations surrounding the Keystone XL pipeline, or baffled by talk of crude oil discount rates, Oklahoma bottlenecks and Texas Gulf refining capacities?

Colt Resources (TSX-V:GTP) added 5.9% on Thursday on higher than usual trading volumes, after announcing positive drill results from its Boa Fé gold project in southern Portugal.

Shares of Avion Gold failed to recover on Thursday after taking a 28% pummeling the day before, despite announcing vastly improved mineral resources at its Tabakoto Project in Mali, West Africa.