Are coal exports to India an opportunity or lost cause?

The country now accounts for 42% of Swiss exports of both precious metals.

Smaller firms with lower overheads and more leeway to restructure operations have already picked up $912m of assets hacked off by top gold producers.

Exports for the year could reach 756,000 tonnes after US company agrees to build smelter and sell a stake in subsidiary to locals.

And the impact on gold and oil prices

800m tonnes going into Asian markets that the big four can't displace says 10m tonne per year Pilbara producer Atlas Iron.

After hitting a 3-year high on scheduled mine closures, the metal could be running away from fundamentals

The U.S. second largest coal producer blamed weak market conditions and increased government regulation for the decision.

The plunge in iron-ore prices is damping profits at the firm’s mining unit.

The Asian nation is dependent on foreign investment in the mining sector to fuel growth.