But some of the nation's resources that are considered among the world’s largest, such as the Simandou iron ore deposit, face both financial and political challenges.
Following a meeting with BHP’s China boss, Beijing issued a statement saying it believed that “BHP and other iron ore suppliers should avoid abusing dominant market positions."
The country’s legislators approved this week a ruling that declares the region surrounding the mine a national park, affecting Glencore's ability to expand it.