Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte said on Friday the country's mining industry pays too little in tax and not enough in compensation for any environmental damage.
Early reports claimed that Tanzania had asked foreign workers of the gold miner to leave the country, but a spokesperson for the company denied that story.
South Africa intends to suspend the granting of applications for prospecting and mining rights as well as any renewals pending a court case to review new mining laws, the Mineral Resources Minister Mosebenzi Zwane said on Thursday.
As steel production reaches all-time high Chinese miners pump out most iron ore since 2015 while refined copper output jumps 12% to highest in 18 months.
The smelter, one of the largest in the Southern Hemisphere, has been hampered by insufficient power supplies and maintenance work since a major power outage last year shut operations for two weeks.
JP Morgan: "We think the second-half 2017 fundamental outlook for zinc looks less supportive, easing supply constraints and questionable demand strength."