The geology in Texas allows for a mining procedure called "in situ" recovery, cheaper than traditional seam or open-pit mining.

FORBES: Energy & Genius

But it was objections from Rio's shareholders, and a recovery in commodities prices which lifted mining firms' share prices and made the proposed deal with Chinalco look too generous, that ultimately scuppered the plan.

ECONOMIST: Face value

Ultimately, recovery and recycling will have to dominate metals supply, because mining and production cannot do so indefinitely.

FORBES: Peak Copper: Worldwatch Institute Gets It Wrong Again

The gold and silver miners such as Silver Wheaton (SLW), Barrick Gold (ABX), and Newmont Mining (NEM) followed the precious metals in the fall but managed to stage only a weak recovery in a strong contrast to the big up-move in gold.

FORBES: Gold Stages Key Bullish Technical Reversal

Raymond Chabot Grant Thornton, a firm that deals with assurance, taxation, consulting and recovery and reorganization services stated their uncertainty over the bill in part of their global study on the mining sector released last week.

FORBES: Mining Industry Keeping an Eye on Bill 14