It's been a tumultuous year in mining and the most read articles of 2019 show an industry grappling with technological change, market volatility and climate change, but still unafraid to take moonshots.

More than 3.6 million hectares of land in China was used and damaged by mining activities at the end of 2018.

Anglo now joins 11 other global companies, including Glencore, that have already committed to positive lobbying practices on climate change.

The World Wildlife Fund found that more miners operating in the country are starting to report their efforts to reduce their carbon footprint.

Prices for the coal used to make steel are down about 30% since May,