India had offered a range of financial incentives to attract investment, but foreign firms have shunned the auctions.

Imports, on the other hand, slowed surprisingly, due to the moderation of crude oil and coal imports.

Some of the world’s largest insurers and pension schemes are warning companies they invest in not to finance, insure, build, develop or plan new thermal coal plants or face sanctions.

The company also reported a record net loss of 60.2 billion yen ($583 million) for the first half of its financial year.

Company will end operations at its Highvale coal mine.

The country's South African Human Rights Commission (SAHRC) condemned what it described as the “cold-blooded murder” of an environmental activist.