Chilean miner Codelco sees higher profits in 2011

"While a large number of countries around the world continue to talk about securing raw material supply, China is actually doing something about it."

Solar capacity around the world was rolled out at a record pace, as bargain panel prices helped countries deploy cleaner energy.

Gold has hit successive records this year and is set to close 2024 more than 25% higher.

El Salvador became the first country in the world to ban all forms of metals mining in 2017.