Colombia to speed approval of permits, crack down on illegal miners

Aurizon Mines (TSE:ARZ) jumped more than 10% on Wednesday despite the absence of fresh news. The cash-rich Quebec miner earlier this month announced a record year for gold production and strong growth prospects and 2012 is expected to be a busy year for gold M&A activity.

Allied Nevada Gold hit its 2011 production target despite operational delays, and is expecting to double output in 2012.

Kinross Gold was taking more punishment on Wednesday morning after its stock was downgraded and US securities litigation firm Holzer Holzer & Fistel announced it is investigating potential violations of federal securities laws by the miner over gold grades at its Tasiast property. Then at 13:30 the stock popped into positive territory after a single trade worth $72 million went through.

Labour negotiations between BHP Billiton and unions representing coal workers are at an impasse and could disrupt coal operations across Eastern Australia.

New World Resource Corp. ("New World" or the "Company") (TSX VENTURE:NW)(FRANKFURT:NWU) wishes to announce that it has entered into a letter of intent with Li3 Energy, Inc. (OTCBB:LIEG) ("Li3") relating to the sale of New World's lithium assets to Li3.

As negotiations on Greek debt continue, investors are watching what happens to physical demand for gold as Chinese retail buying slows

In his 2012 State of the Union Address, President Barak Obama called for the end of federal oil subsidies and a doubling of clean energy grants.

Standard Bank maintains that while platinum prices over the long term are bolstered by a difficult supply outlook, over the short term, its prospects aren't as good.

Kinder Morgan Energy Partners, L.P. (NYSE: KMP) today announced plans to invest approximately $140 million to further expand its coal handling facilities along the Gulf Coast.