Fate of Black Swan nickel project to be decided before year-end

Billionaire Andrew Forrest, who made his fortune as the driving force behind Fortescue, says high cost competitors will exit the market shortly.

Operator to keep prospecting, may re-evaluate mine's future.

"Wet mess" closure comes as Argyle shifts to underground mining.

The appeal follows a confusing ruling in March this year that revoked the penalty, the largest ever imposed in the country, only to force the country's environmental watchdog to rewrite it.

Production ramp-up comes despite price plunge earlier this year.

Firm struggled to increase output due to problems at Malaysian plant.

In an email to staff the company's coal chief executive, Peter Freyberg, revealed details of tax payments.

They are now being traded on auction websites for a 100% profit.

Firm says no connection with iron-ore price.