The global mining sector raised US$6.2 billion in the December quarter, an almost three-fold increase compared to the September quarter. SNL Metals & Mining said in its latest State of the Market Report.Two thousand and thirteen was a year of significant upheaval, the report said, with mergers and acquisitions declining sharply in the March quarter ahead of lower commodity prices and a collapse in financing in the June quarter. Investor confidence returned to parts of the mining sector by the September quarter although explorers were overlooked. The report noted that there is no certainty about a continued global economic recovery, but concluded that the funds raised and resultant improvement in cash holdings amongst producing miners in the December quarter suggests that a more bullish time may lie ahead for the industry. Link in comments.