Data shows that two years after the worst of the raw materials slump is over, investors are still not ready to pour in fresh funds despite a price rally.
Artisanal and Small-Scale Mining (ASM) has become a major of revenue for millions of people in about 80 countries worldwide, with more than 100 million people currently depending on the activity for their livelihoods. But at what costs?
Freeport's export permit for Grasberg, the world's second-biggest copper mine, is due to expire on Friday, as is Amman's permit to ship ore concentrate from its Batu Hijau mine on the island of Sumbawa.
The firm, North America's No.1 producer of coking coal, said the boost in profit was mainly thanks to the reversal of an impairment charge related to an improvement in the outlook for steelmaking commodity.
Some members of Mongolia's parliament sought to limit the number of new resident permits granted to foreigners to 100 per year to protect domestic jobs.
