MINING.COM

The Awa, S11D, Colin Firth and flesh-eating bats: Welcome to global mining’s environment acid test

World number one iron ore producer Vale over the weekend "played down fears" that the planned $20 billion expansion of its Carajas mine would harm the local Awá people described as "Earth’s most threatened tribe."

Frik Els | July 28, 2012 | 11:53 pm

Vale says iron ore reaching a bottom, will improve within ‘2-3 weeks’

"I believe the recovery will happen soon," José Carlos Martins, the Brazilian miner's director of iron ore and strategy, said during a conference call discussing the firm's second quarter results, adding that a modest recovery in China will boost prices.

Frik Els | July 28, 2012 | 11:47 pm

Iron ore’s $120-price floor theory unravels

Below $120 a tonne most Chinese producers become unprofitable, but a sustained period below this level may indicate a fundamental shift in the industry.

Frik Els | July 27, 2012 | 11:43 pm

Not convinced Chinese trade is a disaster? Take a look at these shipping numbers

Examples: Worldwide orders for dry-bulk vessels dropped 49% to 9.8 million deadweight tons in the first half of 2012. The monthly index of new-ship prices in China is now at its lowest point since March 2004.

Frik Els | July 27, 2012 | 9:51 pm

Anglo American disappoints: profits down 40% and Minas Rio delayed another year

The global miner joined the ‘disappointing results club’ this morning as the London-listed mining group reported that its first-half operating profit dropped almost 40%.

Cecilia Jamasmie | July 27, 2012 | 2:59 pm

Australia imperils investment appeal as miners attack new tax laws

Foreign investors have raised concerns over uncertainty surrounding Australia's mining and carbon tax regimes, with mining companies attacking a government plan to obtain an additional AUD$1.9 billion in taxes via stronger regulation of cross-border profit-shifting.

Marc Howe | July 27, 2012 | 2:41 am