UK regulator drops big companies from responsible-payment list

The court said Vale had failed to convince him to dismiss the case in which it is accused of conspiring to steal Rio's rights for part of iron ore reserve potentially worth billions.

In a first phase the miner plans to target high-grade diamond ore bodies, meeting a target of 14,000 bank cubic metres (bcm) per month.

The Canadian giant had earlier said it would consider such a move in the event the new tax regime was approbed.

The vote of the full plenary was prompted earlier this month when the EU's environment committee rejected a deal worked out after more than two years of lobbying by Canada.

The transaction is now expected to be completed in the first quarter of 2015.

The potential buyer — community-owned firm Baroka Tribal Mining— will also acquire Amplats' 22.5% percent indirect stake in its joint venture partner, Atlatsa Resources.

As part of the agreement, Paramount will spin off its non-Mexican assets into a standalone publicly listed company— Paramount Nevada Gold Corp.

Coal, a major B.C. export, has been suffering from a global oversupply and falling prices. How is that for a reason to fill up your stockings with it? Hmm...

Zebra mussels reproduce quickly and can disrupt the food chain, clog water pipes and create algae.