The world's second-largest copper miner by production also said talks with Indonesia re Grasberg were advancing.

DRC's proposed mining code, which industry has warned will stifle investment in the copper and cobalt-rich nation, sailed through Senate without opposition.

The field of prospective bidders for ScotiaMocatta, the metals trading arm of Canada's Bank of Nova Scotia, has narrowed to two.

The Russian gold and silver producer said its fourth-quarter revenue rose 12 percent on a year earlier to $586 million due to higher gold sales.

Copper producer Cradle Arc embarked on a new London listing on Wednesday to fund production in Botswana.

Small, opportunistic deals will dominate the global gold mining sector again this year, analysts said on Tuesday.

French uranium mining group Areva closing the book on a years-long restructuring but still facing an uncertain future, with uranium prices at decade lows.

Big mining companies, restored to health following the 2015-16 price crash, are seeking to rationalize their portfolios and acquire assets in line with heightened focus on the best quality minerals and anticipated demand for battery materials.

The parties have agreed not to release the transaction price.

The Commerce Department confirmed it submitted results of national security investigation into aluminum imports that could lead to broad import restrictions.

Aluminum Corp of China, the country's biggest state-run aluminium firm, says 2017 profits rise more than tenfold, without providing a profit figure.

Lonmin announced $1.1bn impairment charge due to weaker platinum prices and a firmer rand, plunging it deeper into operating losses.