Commodity boom has a dark side as cost creep erodes windfall

Fertilizer giant's potash production, sales and selling prices all tracking at upper range of forecasts.

The 2.8-million tonnes per year greenfield facility would mine the potash using the solution method.

Strong greenback is another drag.

The world's No.1 miner will continue boosting its iron ore output, adding to a global glut and keeping pressure on prices.

With the deal, Potash Corp. could regain some of its historic dominance over the fertilizer market, since the two companies combined account for 30% of the global potash production.

The deals represent two ground-breaking initiatives to make Canada’s mining industry more fuel-efficient and environmentally friendly.

With this impairment BHP will have written down its oil and gas business by more than $4 billion since 2011.

The company also said it expects final decision notices for key approvals by the end of September.

They argue Potash Corp's main objective is to seize its rival's ambitious Legacy project in southern Saskatchewan and scale it back.