Helped by an increase in the rand basket price and improved operational performance.

Workers downed tools in November after the bullion producer announced plans to cut 1,100 jobs at the mine - near a third of its workforce.

Potentially putting an end to a strike that has seen almost half of its employees down tools since mid-November.

It would make them the first listed companies to mine there in that sector for two years, Mining Minister said.

Eskom, which has implemented power cuts due to coal shortages and poor plant performance, said it wants the government to take on $7 billion of its debts.

Larco, which is 55% owned by the Greek state, owes about 280 million euros in unpaid electricity bills to state-controlled power utility Public Power Corp.

Vale has focused on sales of better quality iron ore, mostly from its S11D project in Pará state, as demand for the cleaner and less polluting product rises in China, its main market.

This will mean Geoscience Australia and the United States Geological Survey (USGS) will work closely on exploration, extraction, processing and research and development.

The company hired BNP Paribas to coordinate a $400 million sharia-compliant loan financing.

Africa's No.2 copper producer plans to introduce new mining duties, replace Value Added Tax with sales tax and increase royalties to help bring down mounting debt.

It is "absolutely critical" that Europe protect itself with measures to restrict imports of steel and remedy weaknesses in its existing system.

Copper prices on the international market have been recovering but Mowana mine, which employs 411 workers, has failed to capitalise on the gains due to equipment breakdowns.