Heavy rains put pressure on Brazilian iron ore shipments

Company became the latest top miner to report soaring profits, hefty dividends and lighter debt burden.

That's considering the combined rankings of all its provinces and territories, but Finland is the most attractive jurisdiction this year.

The mining industry is awash with cash, and so far it’s got two main uses — pay down debt and reward investors.

Fortescue Metals was hit by weak prices for its lower quality iron ore, and said it remains focused on cutting costs, including lining up cheaper debt.

The New-York based fund argues an overhaul could add more than $22 billion in value for shareholders and wants BHP to conduct an independent study.

New report says "deals in lithium, copper and cobalt are expected to feature high on the agenda of management teams across the industry."

Base metals should continue to do well in 2018 along with the US steel industry, though American coal will continue to lose ground to natural gas. 

Data shows that two years after the worst of the raw materials slump is over, investors are still not ready to pour in fresh funds despite a price rally.

Output of the steelmaking material reached 366.5 million tonnes last year, boosted by record high productionat Vale's northern system, which composed of its Carajás, Serra Leste and the massive S11D mine.