The funds are in talks to potentially underwrite financing of $2-3 billion for competing bids from Indonesian mining contractor Buma and Australian coal producer Stanmore.

Physical sales volume rose 24%, while gold output jumped 36% to 1.45 million ounces.

The company said a competitive process to determine a successful bidder is under way.

The company wants to grow its annual mined metal output to 1.5 million tons, from around 1 million tons now.

The world's largest producer of rare earths outside China reported a net profit after tax of A$310.7 million.

Donations being made to organizations in British Columbia, the Northwest Territories, Alberta, and Washington and equipment being provided.

Deaths occurred at Anglo American's Los Bronces mine and at Minera ACF, which produces iodine and nitrate in the Tarapaca region.

The move comes as Fortescue attempts to reorient itself toward green energy and decarbonizing its mining operations.