Ali Maqsood

Yamana has coped with the discouraging gold market by controlling its operational costs and keeping interest expenses low. Now gold prices should get some stability around $1,300 due to the turmoil in Iraq, Gaza, and Eastern Europe.

Kinross has shown some bottom-line improvement, but reserve levels continue to go down. Investors should also keep a close eye on relations between the U.S. and Russia.

Statoil is close to a deal with Lithuania to replace the Russian energy giant Gazprom as the country's primary gas supplier. This deal could enable Statoil, and other players, to benefit from any sanctions imposed on Russia.

Cliffs Natural Resources has been fighting an uphill battle for the last few years. The company is trying to make a comeback in a market that isn't supporting the price levels of iron ore and met coal.