(Corrects paragraph 15 to 1.8 million instead of 1.3 million)* Dollar strengthens from three-year lows* U.S. crude stocks unexpectedly fall by 907,000 barrels* Coming Up: EIA data on U.S. oil inventories on Thursday By Stephanie KellyNEW YORK, Feb 21 (Reuters) - Oil prices were little changed on Wednesday ahead of data expected to show rising crude inventories in the United States and as the dol...Read More

The cost of alcohol and drug abuse to South Africa has been estimated at R2 billion per year. This is of importance to the mining industry, where prevalence is significantly higher, impacting safety, productivity and the bottom line.The first priority for any mine is keeping workers who are under the influence of drugs and alcohol off the site. However, to manage and reduce incidents of abuse, a b...Read More

Telson Resources Inc. (TSXV - TSN) (the 'Company' or 'Telson') announces that, in connection with the recent commencement of pre-production mining at the Company's Tahuehueto and Campo Morado mines, the Company's Board of Directors have determined to change the Company's name to 'Telson Mining Corporation'. The change will become effective at the open o...Read More

(Kitco News) - While alchemy might hold the secrets to turning lead into gold or finding an elixir of immortality, a group of scientists discovered real-life magic — tiny bacteria that can convert toxic heavy metals into gold nuggets.The phenomenon was first observed in 2009 when researchers proved that the bacterium Cupriavidus metallidurans, which is found in heavy metal-filled soil, can d...Read More

Granada Gold MineInc. (TSXV:GGM) (OTCPK: GBBFF) (Frankfurt: B6D) (the 'Company' or 'Granada') announces that further to its news release dated February 9, 2018, the Company will be distributing its third annual dividend of 2,500,000 Castle Silver Resources Inc. ('Castle') units on February 27, 2018, to its shareholders on a pro rata basis with a record date of Februar...Read More

CloseGain/LossGold $1330.70-$18.00Silver$16.47-$0.21XAU80.83-2.89%HUI178.98-3.23%GDM614.69-2.70%JSE Gold1152.60-41.04USD89.71+0.56Euro123.37-0.75Yen93.37-0.63Oil$61.79+$0.2410-Year2.881%+0.010T-Bond143.9375-0.0625Dow24964.75-1.01%Nasdaq7234.31-0.07%S&P2716.26-0.58% The Metals: Gold waffled near unchanged in holiday thinned trade yesterday before it fell $13.20 to as low as $1335.50 at abou...Read More

- Nearly EUR1 trillion in non-performing loans poses risks to European banks'- Greece has highest non-performing loans as a share of total credit- Italy has the biggest pile of bad debt in absolute terms- Bad debt in Italy is still "a major problem" which has to be addressed - ECB- Level of bad loans in Italy remains above that seen before the financial crisis- Deposits in banks in Greece, Cyp...Read More

CloseGain/LossGold $1330.70-$18.00Silver$16.47-$0.21XAU80.83-2.89%HUI178.98-3.23%GDM614.69-2.70%JSE Gold1152.60-41.04USD89.71+0.56Euro123.37-0.75Yen93.37-0.63Oil$61.79+$0.2410-Year2.881%+0.010T-Bond143.9375-0.0625Dow24964.75-1.01%Nasdaq7234.31-0.07%S&P2716.26-0.58% The Metals: Gold waffled near unchanged in holiday thinned trade yesterday before it fell $13.20 to as low as $1335.50 at abou...Read More

- Nearly EUR1 trillion in non-performing loans poses risks to European banks'- Greece has highest non-performing loans as a share of total credit- Italy has the biggest pile of bad debt in absolute terms- Bad debt in Italy is still "a major problem" which has to be addressed - ECB- Level of bad loans in Italy remains above that seen before the financial crisis- Deposits in banks in Greece, Cyp...Read More

* Dollar index steadies after bounce from 3-year lows* Eyes on Fed minutes and U.S. debt auctions * Dollar/yen may consolidate after recent slide -trader By Masayuki KitanoSINGAPORE, Feb 21 (Reuters) - The dollar steadied against a basket of currencies on Wednesday, having pulled up from three-year lows set last week as traders shaved off some of the bearish bets against the U.S. currency.The doll...Read More

* Results-based optimism overshadowed by U.S. caution* Materials offset gains in other sectors* BHP falls sharply after H1 results By Aaron SaldanhaFeb 21 - Australian shares slipped on Wednesday as nervousness spillingover from U.S. markets overshadowed positive earnings news from many domestic companies, while index heavyweight BHP fell hard after reporting its half-year results on Tuesday. The...Read More

By Wayne ColeSYDNEY, Feb 21 (Reuters) - Australian wages rose a fraction faster last quarter but private-sector growth stayed near historic lows as penny-pinching by business became an ever-greater deadweight on consumer spending and inflation. The local dollar edged up only a touch to $0.7892 as the report was not nearly strong enough to make a rise in interest rates any more likely this year.Wed...Read More

(Repeats with no changes. The opinions expressed here are those of the author, a columnist for Reuters)* CME Aluminium Premium Futures: * U.S. Imports of Primary Aluminium: * U.S. Imports of Semis: By Andy HomeLONDON, Feb 20 (Reuters) - The U.S. Department of Commerce has "found that the quantities and circumstances of steel and aluminum imports" threaten to "impair the national se...Read More

(Corrects location for Rob Thummel, portfolio manager at energy investment manager Tortoise Capital in Leawood, Kansas in paragraph 14.)* UAE: OPEC, allies to study long-term cooperation in June* Genscape says crude at Cushing hub falls 2.1 mln bbls- trade* OPEC research head: oil pact has cut surplus to 74 mln bbls* Dollar index hits six-day high, weighs on oil* U.S. crude stocks seen higher for...Read More

(Recasts headline. No changes to text.)By Manolo Serapio Jr and Ruby LianMANILA/SHANGHAI, Feb 21 (Reuters) - China's steel producers are eager to unleash their mills' capacity when this winter's output curbs end next month, hoping for a repeat of last year's record profits based on high margins and less competition as outdated plants were closed. China shut down up to half of its steel production...Read More

TORONTO, Feb 20 (Reuters) - Ontario's Liberals, the ruling party in Canada's most populous province, introduced legislation on Tuesday that would give officials authority to retaliate against U.S. states that institute "Buy American" procurement policies.The Fairness in Procurement Act would give Ontario's government authority "to take responsive action to address unfair government...Read More

Feb 21 (Reuters) - For other diaries, please see:Top Economic Events Polling Unit Diary Today in Washington Political and General News DATECOUNTRY AUCTION DETAILS21-FebUnited States Sale of 2-year floating rate notes21-FebUnited States Sale of 5-year notes21-FebSwedenAuction of government bonds22-FebUnited States Sale of 7-year notes22-FebJapan 3-month discount bill auction22-FebJapan Auction of 2...Read More

Feb 21 (Reuters) - For other diaries, please see:Top Economic Events Government Debt Auctions Political and General News Events Index of All Diaries Guide to Economic Indicators -----------------------------------------------------------This Diary is filed daily. ** Indicates new events ----------------------------------------------------------- THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 22 WARSAW - National Bank of Pola...Read More

Feb 21 (Reuters) -For other diaries, please see:U.S. Federal Reserve Polling Unit Diary Today in Washington Political and General News -----------------------------------------------------------This Diary is filed daily. ** Indicates new events ----------------------------------------------------------- WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 21LONDON - Bank of England Governor Mark Carney, Deputy Governor Ben Broadb...Read More

* Interim profit slides 44 pct to $681 mln* Fortescue's ore sold at 32 pct discount to benchmark price* Sticks to FY18 iron ore cost target at $11-$12/WMT* Shares fall more than 4 pct (Adds results details, CEO comment)MELBOURNE, Feb 21 (Reuters) - Australia's Fortescue Metals Group reported a 44 percent drop in first-half profit, hit by weak prices for its lower quality iron ore, and paid a weak...Read More