BHP Billiton contributed $7.3 billion in payments worldwide, shows first related report

Photographers were allowed to look today at some of the most famous diamonds in the world to go on public display at the end of June, as part of the Queen's Diamond Jubilee celebrations.

Carmen Bernedo, a senior civil engineer with MWH, a global leader of the wet infrastructure sector, was recently honoured with two industry awards– one for outstanding Colorado woman in engineering by the American Council of Engineering Companies (ACEC), and the other for earning a diplomate, water resources engineer certificate (D.WRE) from the American Academy of Water Resources Engineers (AAWRE). She is one of only 600 engineers worldwide who has qualified for the D.WRE credential.

BHP Billiton Ltd. (NYSE:BHP) is betting on the iron ore market as one of the forces to drive the mining industry in the next decade, especially as developing nations such as China move from investment-led economic growth to consumption-led economic growth.

Sinopec Group, China’s second biggest oil and gas producer, announced it has launched its first shale gas project, expecting to produce 300 to 500 million cubic metres a year by the end of 2012, said the conglomerate on Tuesday.

Mexico, the world’s largest silver producer, is expected to become the next source of “mega” gold projects as experts predict its bullion production will increase considerably in the next five years.

Brazilian tycoon Eike Batista just got richer. CCX, a division of the billionaire’s EBX Group energy arm MPX, announced it has completed a study of coal reserves in the San Juan underground mines in Colombia, discovering a 672 million tons reserve, the fifth largest coal deposit in the world.

Even by the not very high standards of current US political discourse, the polemic is a little thin on logic.

Hal Quinn, President and CEO of the National Mining Association, testified before Congress today on new legislation that would address America's dependence on critical metals.

Baja Mining stock was up 10% today after the embattled junior miner announced its CEO has resigned.