Geologists believe asteroids are packed with iron ore, nickel and precious metals at much higher concentrations than those found on Earth, making up a market valued in the trillions.
Miner will pay a special dividend worth $4 billion, or $2.43 cent a share, as it recorded its highest annual underlying earnings in the last five years.
The rock, a unique transparent one with a visible yellow shade and of gem-quality, is the second major find since the launch of the Verkhne-Munskoye diamond deposit.
The International Council on Mining and Metals (ICMM), a London-based industry group representing 27 companies, is setting an independent panel of experts to develope a global standard for tailings facilities to be enforced to its members.
