Investors applaud Yamana Gold’s Q4 results

Panama holds presidential elections in May, and the future of Cobre Panama mine has emerged as a flash point among opponents and supporters of the mine.

Ecuador will invest $100 million in the Condor project and $157 million in the La Plata project.

The miner also expects to secure authorization to sell more than 120,000 metric tons of copper concentrate stored near a port.

The falling charges have threatened to cut output in the world's top producer of refined copper.

Iron ore magnate Andrew Forrest said recently the LME should classify its nickel contracts into "clean" and "dirty" to give customers more choice.

CEO Neal Froneman said Sibanye may consider a capital raise if the lower metal prices persist for longer.

Cheap Indonesian nickel, controlled by China and dumped on the market, has collapsed nickel prices and forced global mine closures.

The company has been under pressure to strengthen its balance sheet and raise cash after its flagship copper mine in Panama was shuttered.

Several hundred million euros of debt will be removed from its loss-making nickel subsidiary SLN.