BHP taps oil, gas for growth after shale exit

There’s a death match among iron ore producers, with the big Australian miners and Brazil's Vale increasing pressure on their high-cost Chinese rivals.

Spot falls to $88.90 a tonne as iron ore price suffers weakest quarter since 2009.

In a letter to China's ambassador to Australia, Clive Palmer expressed regret for "any insult to the Chinese people caused by any of the language" he used.

Capital raising for exploration up more than 32%.

And that's only during the construction phase.

The new repurchase program will remain active until Dec. 31, 2015.

Economists say the mining boom increased Australian living standards substantially.

Anxiety rising in the region.

The open pit mine would produce 7 million tonnes of coal a year and contribute $33 million in annual royalties.