Unlikely, according to Eric Lemieux, equity analyst with Laurentian Bank Securities. In this exclusive interview with The Gold Report, Lemieux says that even if the PQ tweaks current policy, it will take time.
At the same time the 50-year-old boss of the world's number one miner also pocketed 300,000 BHP shares worth more than $10 million thanks to the company's employee share incentive scheme.
Anglo American Platinum, the world's largest platinum producer, has fired 12,000 workers taking part in a three-week illegal strike after following through on tough talk over wildcat stoppages in South African mines.
IBM is ramping up its provision of services and equipment to the Australian resources sector as rising costs compel miners to seek to cheaper and more efficient operating methods.
Australia faces the parlous challenge of juggling trade relations with the three key East Asian economies, all of whom covet free trade agreements with the antipodean continent in order to shore up their access to resources.