Gold stream probably ‘most attractive’ funding option for Turquoise Hill – Wheaton CEO

In Asia, trading was halted after prices sank 7.3%, which is the maximum a day allowed by Chinese regulators.

Australian lithium explorer Pilbara Minerals (ASX:PLS) took a big step today towards its goal of becoming a low-cost lithium producer, by completing offtake arrangements for its flagship Pilgangoora project in the Pilbara region of Western Australia.

An autonomous region of Papua New Guinea has lifted a ban on mining that has been in place since 1971 - but it will not allow the restart of the controversial Panguna copper mine which has been the source of deadly internal strife.

The Perth-based miner has agreed to purchase 45 million shares of the Canadian junior at a price of $2.45 per share, or about 15% of Arizona Mining’s outstanding shares.

The lenders’ move follow a decision by Australia’s second-largest bank Westpac to only fund new projects in existing, rather than new, coal basins as part of its new climate policy.

A bacteria that re-concentrates gold grains into nuggets is being targeted by researchers for its potential to optimise gold extraction processes from ore, old tailings or recycled electronics.

The company has officially informed workers of its plans to offload the mine, noting that while there are several interested parties, the process could take months.

Net income totalled $2.5 billion, compared with profit of $525 million in the prior three months and almost $1.8 billion a year earlier.

New World Bank outlook for commodities predict 32% price jump for zinc and 18% for copper and lead, but outlook for nickel price in 2017 is murky.