Condor Gold attracts new investment in Nicaragua

Hundreds of protesters gathered in Doima, a small town in central Colombia, about 80 km West of the capital Bogota, to oppose a proposed AngloGold Ashanti (NYSE:AU) (JSE:ANG), gold processing plant for its 100%owned La Colosa project.

The operation —a joint venture between BHP Billiton (ASX, NYSE:BHP), Anglo American (LON:AAL) and Xstrata (LON:XTA)— produced 34.6 million tons of coal last year, 4% more than the projected 33.3 million tons and exported 32.8 million tons, 2.5% over the 32 million ton target.

The global mining giant is selling its 70% stake in the Amapa iron ore operation in Brazil to Zamin Ferrous.

Nearly 25% of the mining copper and gold projects considered in the total 2012 portfolio for the country were hindered.

A second wave of raw materials demand from India and Brazil will support the global mining industry says global accountancy firm KPMG

BHP obtained 144 exploration permits in the South American country in 2012

Small-scale miners paid a 15% premium to adopt mercury-free mining techniques

The chance of start mining asteroids, workers told ‘death’ only excuse for not working on Christmas and MINING.com's very own list of top billionaires involved in minerals and metals, became some of the most-read stories of 2012.

Relatively high gold prices during 2012 compelled companies to start mining more aggressively in the challenging terrain of the Guerrero Gold Belt (GGB), an emerging gold mining district in Mexico.