Soda ash is perhaps better known as sodium bicarbonate, and it is a substance with a very large number of applications and uses. Far from being just an antacid that one can take to counteract dyspepsia after a night out, it can be used as a regular food additive, giving sherbet its fizz and noodles their texture. It is also used in baking, photography, as a degreaser, a water softener or a fixative for dyes.

The Turkish economy grew in a highly protectionist mould for more than half a century following the foundation of the modern republic after World War 1. However, in 1983 Prime Minister Turgut Özal initiated a series of reforms designed to shift the economy toward a more private sector, market-based model and since then many former state-owned enterprises have been privatised. One of Turkey’s largest integrated mining and beneficiation company’s is Eti, which has a number of subsidiary units responsible for several mining activities throughout Turkey.

Boasting a proven track record for producing quality products that meet the needs of the market, Turkey is recognised throughout the world as a major player in steel production and exportation. Over the last several decades the country has experienced consistent growth within its steel sector, expanding exponentially to the point where, in 2012, it was ranked as Europe’s second largest crude steel producer and eight in the world ranking of steel-producing countries.

Against a backdrop of low, weathered mountains and the scorched desert of north Western Australia lies the Pilbara, the closest sizeable reserve of iron ore to the rapidly expanding Chinese and Indian markets. It is here amidst some of the oldest rocks found on Earth that Rio Tinto is mining some of the planet’s largest iron ore deposits.

Over recent years, Cortez Hills has yielded well over a million ounces of gold annually, in the first quarter of last year at a cash cost of $308 an ounce, well below industry averages of between $400 and $500. The key to the success of this operation lies in the nature of the deposit, says George Fennemore, Barrick’s Manager of Corporate Social Responsibility and regional permitting specialist for the company.

Methane hydrates, or clathrates, are a type of frozen "cage" of molecules of methane and water, and if Japan’s claims are accurate their achievement would go down as a world first.

Pilot experiments in recent years, using methane hydrates found under land ice, have shown that methane can be extracted from the deposits. Japan says its engineers used a depressurisation method that turns methane hydrate into methane gas. Production tests are expected to continue for about two weeks.

Devised as a way of alleviating Pakistan’s chronic energy shortages, the pipeline has almost been completed on the Iranian side with construction set to begin imminently in Pakistan.

A nationwide power cut last month was blamed on a technical fault in a plant in south-western Balochistan province, but it highlighted the energy challenges the country faces.

A total of 780 kilometres of pipeline is due to be built in the country over the next two years.

The award makes AirAsia the first foreign company to attempt to capture the rising demand for services in India’s aviation sector.

AirAsia India will be a joint venture with the well-known Tata Group, based in Chennai in South India. AirAsia, which itself is Asia's largest low-cost carrier, will make an initial investment of 800m rupees and will own 49 percent of the new airline, while Tata Sons will have a 30 percent stake. Arun Bhatia, the owner of investment firm Telestra Tradeplace, will have the remaining share.

Prime Minister David Cameron unveiled the three-year funding programme to support the Afghan Ministry of Mines at an event at Downing Street attended by a host of UK investors and mining contractors.

Estimates of what lies underground in Afghanistan range from $1-3 trillion worth of gold, gems, iron ore, and oil and gas.

The Afghan Minister of Mines, Wahidullah Shahrani, welcomed the new support, saying what Afghanistan needed was "sustainable development for its people in the long term."