The global coal industry remains active and Micron Enviro Systems (MENV) announced it has been approved for 12 coal permits, with more expected to come before the end of the year.

Africa increasingly is right in the middle of the global quest for natural resources. It has the highest ratio of light and sweet crude in the world – the best-quality stuff you can find. And most of its oil – some 83% – comes from large fields that produce at least 100 million barrels per day.