The metals world is descending on London for the biggest annual bash in the industry’s calendar, but there’s not much to celebrate.

Futures in New York rose for a fourth day while US crude stockpiles fell for the first time in six weeks.

Bullion has gained about 17% this year as many central banks adopt looser monetary policy in efforts to support their economies hurt by trade wars.

Barrick bought the operation as part of a $7 billion deal two months after copper prices peaked in 2011.

Reko Diq has the potential to produce 200,000 tonnes of copper and 250,000 ounces of gold a year for more than half a century.

Almost 80% of lignite and hard coal-fired generators will be unprofitable this year, a hit the industry is unlikely to survive without government help.

Step aside Canada, Australia and South Africa: West Africa is fast becoming the hottest ticket in gold mining.

The western tip of the continent is seen as a new frontier as gold miners face a dearth of new discoveries globally.

The Argyle mine is set to close at the end of next year, now that its supply of economically viable jewels has been exhausted.

In an open letter, investors including Aberdeen Standard Investments, M&G Investments and Legal & General Investment Management said that all lobbying by third parties should be consistent with mining companies’ views and producers should exit lobby groups if this isn’t the case.

The global collapse in coal prices this year has dealt a particularly heavy blow to miners in Indonesia, the top exporter and one of the largest producers of the fuel.

After freezing out Rio Tinto for more than a decade for owning a highly polluting copper mine, one of the world’s biggest sovereign wealth funds has brought the company back into the fold.