Iron hydroxide forms more easily on mineral surfaces than previously thought

The Anglo American's unit logged earnings of $607 million for 2016, basically double the $304 million it recorded in 2015.

Prices for the steelmaking commodity have more than doubled in value over the past year following near-decade lows of $38 a tonne in December 2015.

Chinese import volumes rise to second highest on record in January.

Coal has washed up very close to the UNESCO World Heritage Site, Australian authorities said, following an investigation into complaints of black dust on nearby beaches.

Until 2014 Thabazimbi was a captive mine owned and run by SIOC, but supplying ore exclusively to and funded by AMSA.

While iron ore prices have climbed 90% in the last year to over $80 a tonne, the sale of Kumba would prove prudent for Anglo's long-term outlook, given its high debt load, BMI analysts say.

Expansion has the potential to increase production to 140,000 barrels of oil per day from the about 80,000 barrels it currently generates.

Shareholders will be the main beneficiaries of the company's cautious approach to capital expenditure in the last three years as it will pay bigger-than-expected divvy of $1.70 per share.

Should the government go ahead with all the recommended shutdowns and suspensions, global supply of nickel will drop by about 8%.