The eight tons of gold, silver and copper unearthed from mines in Mongolia and Utah and now under guard at the Tower of London is the largest ever haul used to make Olympic medals.
According to the National Bank, the pre-emptive right to purchase all gold produced within Kazakhstan enabled to purchase 5.3 tons of gold, with another 11.8 tons purchased in the H1 2012.
The South American country of Guyana said Friday it had suspended the granting of new permits to mine for gold and diamonds in rivers because of concerns over widespread pollution.