Mining private equity: It’s Davis or bust?

Woulfe Mining was off 8.5% to trade at 32 cents on the Canadian venture exchange today despite delivering a preliminary economic assessment for its Muguk gold project in Korea.

China's annual gold production continues to grow comfortably maintaining its position as the world's biggest gold miner assuming official statistics tell the full picture - which they may not!

Hope for the beleaguered iron ore sector has come in the form of higher prices and signs that steel demand is picking up in China, Reuters reports.

The Board of Western Areas (TSX:WSA)(ASX:WSA) is pleased to announce formal completion of the acquisition of 100% of Kagara Nickel Pty Ltd ("Kagara Nickel") for A$68 million.

While the sordid details emerging from the proceedings are humiliating enough there may be some serious financial implications for Gina Rinehart – mining's 4th richest person with a fortune pegged at around $18 billion – as well. On top of the tax loopholes in family trusts exposed by the Rinehart saga, it has also emerged that Hancock Prospecting has not submitted annual financial statements for the past two years.

After years of on-road and underground testing, PapaBravo Innovations announced the availability of their line of heavy duty 4 x 4, 1 ton electric mining trucks in 2011.

Boart Longyear, the world's largest mineral exploration drilling company, had a record year in 2011 and expects more of the same in 2012 as the mining industry majors continue to demand drill rigs to meet their exploration capital expenditure budgets.

The U.S., Japan and the European Union have filed an official complaint at the World Trade Organization this morning, urging the body to take actions against China’s restrictions on these metals. President Obama warned China that it would not be allowed to gain a competitive advantage in world trade by "skirting the rules."

Shares of Chilean miner Antofagasta PLC (LON:ANTO) were down 3.1% this morning after the company disappointed market hopes for a whopping special dividend and announced instead a cut on dividends and an increased spending on growth projects.