While mining remains white-dominated and prefers to offload peripheral businesses than to see change at its core, consumer-oriented companies, such as retailers and brewers, have long had a lot of black managers in senior positions.

ECONOMIST: Black empowerment in South Africa

Though it employs fewer Australians, and despite the boom appearing to have peaked, Australia's mining industry remains the headline act.

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Peru didn't have an environment ministry until 2008 and the mining and energy ministry remains in charge of approving environmental impact statement for the extractive industries.

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He says the main reason why India remains under-explored is that mining leases and exploration licenses have not been given for large areas, even when there are indicative gold reserves.

BBC: Golden opportunity for old Indian mines

The future of the Daw Mill colliery in Warwickshire remains under threat despite major changes at mining company UK Coal.

BBC: Daw Mill mine in Warwickshire remains 'under threat'

President Ollanta Humala's Cabinet chief, Oscar Valdes, said Thursday that the government remains firm on its intention to regulate the informal mining sector.

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All other things equal, the mining of that tonne might raise the value of the coal that remains in the ground, leaving the value of coal assets unchanged.

ECONOMIST: An invaluable environment