Vale outlook cut implies at least 14.7% sales drop in 2019

It also said it has reduced its net debt balance by more than $400 million.

Heavy selling across the board as commodities reach fresh multi-year lows, forecasts are slashed and weakness returns to precious metals.

The operations that may be added to the list of assets for sale are Dawson and Foxleigh, in Queensland.

The miner shed over 3.7% after two of its business divisions — Amplats and Kumba — warned they expected full-year earnings to shrink more than previously flagged.

Organization predicts a rare occurrence in 2015: a decline in all nine commodity indices with industrial metals falling another 5%; precious metals down 3%.

Geology consultants leading the project found the rare earth claim has the highest range of rare earth metals in Peru.

December is a period that sees lower levels of exploration and resource announcements, and last month was every bit as disappointing as expected, an SNL report shows.

New evidence has emerged of China's interest in digging for oil, gas a minerals in the frozen continent.

World number one miner BHP Billiton achieved record production for eight operations and five commodities over the last six months.