mineral exploration project – commodity prices – mining stock- trade and market

Gold held above $1 230/oz an ounce in Europe on Friday as concern over the outlook for the global economy supported interest in the metal as a haven from risk, but gains were capped by fresh strength in the dollar.

Spot gold was bid at $1 230,45/oz at 09:26 GMT, against $1 230,10 late in New York on Thursday. US gold futures for December delivery eased $2.80 to $1,232.60.

The precious metal rose to a peak of $1 237,15/oz on Thursday after weak US jobless and manufacturing data knocked the dollar and boosted interest in assets seen as lower risk. It later pared those gains as the...

Stocks and the dollar dropped and Treasuries rallied, sending the yield on the two-year note below 0.5 percent for the first time, as lower-than-estimated growth in company payrolls added to evidence the economic recovery is slowing. Gold extended the longest advance since November.

The Standard & Poor’s 500 Index lost 0.4 percent to 1,121.64 at 4 p.m. in New York, trimming a drop of as much as 1.7 percent. The Stoxx Europe 600 Index decreased 1.1 percent, reversing earlier gains. Two-year Treasury yields fell to as low as 0.4977 percent. The dollar slumped to an eight-month low...

Gold declined in New York as signs that the global economic recovery is taking root curbed investor demand for the metal as a means of protecting wealth and as yesterday’s gain dampened physical purchases.

Gold yesterday rose 1.2 percent, the most in more than three weeks. Singapore’s government today raised the forecast for full-year economic growth to as much as 15 percent, while Intel Corp. reported record second-quarter sales and topped analysts’ estimates with its forecast for the coming period. Asian shares gained and U.S. index futures rose. European stocks were down 0.5...

Gold prices, little changed in New York today, may decline for a fourth day after China’s inflation and industrial output accelerated, adding pressure on the government to pare stimulus measures.

China’s inflation reached a 16-month high and production increased the most in more than five years. Bullion climbed 24 percent last year as central banks maintained low interest rates and spent trillions to stimulate economies. Gold prices dropped the most in a month yesterday on speculation demand for the metal will slow as the Greek financial crisis eases.

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Official Xinhua news agency reported China’s domestic gold production increased year reached 313.98 tons increased 11.34 percent. China’s domestic gold production from the mine site located in the province of Shandong, Henan, Jiangxi, Fujian and Yunnan. Gold production from the five provinces to reach a total 59.48 percent of China’s domestic gold production.

Strategic Mining Corporation plans to expand gold mining exploration areas in the U.S. and Vietnam. This mining company has completed negotiations to get some gold mining resources in the area of Nevada and Utah. Increased investment to get a new gold mine site aims to increase gold production in 2010.

Mining company Mwana Africa has sold its 70% stake in the Konongo gold exploration project in Ghana under its option agreement with Australian-quoted Signature Metals.

Under the deal, 50m Signature shares...