The Karen Refugees Committee, a leading refugee organization, recently said the reforms in Myanmar "signal a ray of hope for many refugees to be able to return to their homeland, " but laid down 10 conditions for repatriation ranging from a solid nationwide cease-fire to clearing the vast mine fields along the border.

NPR: Refugees Face Uncertain Future As Myanmar Opens

Mines belonging to AngloGold Ashanti have ceased production for almost a month, while workers at another Gold Fields mine - KDC East - have not yet returned to work but this relates to a local union dispute not wages.

BBC: South Africa Gold Fields workers 'end strike'

Some 15, 000 miners at Gold Fields' Dreifontein Gold Mine remain on strike.

BBC: South Africa's Marikana miners return to work

But South African miner Gold Fields, which owns the mine, said Barminco management made the decision after seeing the video on YouTube.

BBC: Harlem Shake miners fired over safety fears

Private equity backed 2Co wants to build a new coal plant above the Hatfield coal mine and pump the gas to North Sea oil fields where it can be used for enhanced oil recovery.

BBC: Carbon dioxide from industry could be buried offshore

Gold Fields says that some 11, 000 miners reported for duty on Friday at its KDC West mine.

BBC: South Africa Gold Fields workers 'end strike'