With Bolivian President Evo Morales forced from office in November, could government policy over the country’s massive lithium reserves at the Salar de Uyuni salt flats be about to change? We profile the Bolivian mining sector post-Morales and ask if change is on the horizon. 

We also investigate the ICA's new global standard for copper production, look at some of the potential mining hubs in Asia other than China, and examine ZImbabwe's 'use it or lose it' policy for mining assets.

We also explore mining mysteries yet to be resolved, see what lessons can be learnt from the Burkina Faso attack, discover the potential of block caving, and consider the impact of the US House's vote to ban all uranium mining near the Grand Canyon. 

At the end of October, Barrick Gold Corp president and CEO Mark Bristow made a speech in Mali to celebrate the company’s partnership with the Malian Government and to pledge further commitment to the country’s mining sector. We talk to Bristow about the development of mining in Mali, as well as the company’s history and future plans in the country.

We also look at the potential impact of the LME accepting metals from artisanal miners, and report on the state of mica mining and the ethical challenges the sector faces.

Also in this issue, we examine whether a new regime in Argentina could change a mining industry in stasis, speak to the Coal Authority about rehabilitating former mining land, and learn about the most important technologies helping to keep miners safe. 

Plus, we round up the major players leaving coal behind, and hear from Bryan Cave Leighton Paisner about securing alternative sources of funding in the mining industry. 

Callum Tyndall, editor