Platinum catch-22 prevents miners tapping the hottest metals

TABLE: China's copper demand grew 11-fold in 15 years – the rest of the world shrunk. Sans China, the nickel market would've barely broken a million tonnes.

Down $110 in December.

CAT launched a fully mechanized longwall system for continuous mining of flat and tabular deposits.

Together with reducing Sibanye’s dependence on its aging South African assets, the deal will make the company the world's third largest palladium producer, the company said.

The African nation produces some 70% of the globe's platinum.

While the miner is not longer being pressed to include its platinum assets in the divestment plan, the issue of how to package mines and which ones to include, remains a bone of contention.

Ample above ground stocks, rising mine supply could dampen prospects for 2016 best performing precious metal.

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Completing the $264-million mine will boost the platinum reserves of Zimplats from 3 million to 9 million ounces.