The energy crisis that helped revive coal is easing, for now

The global share of zero-carbon electricity generation is set to increase from 38 percent last year to 63 percent by 2040.

Last week it was reported that the Chinese government published new guidelines designed to eliminate illegal mining and encourage more high-end processing.

Several new Australian lithium mines started production in the past year, with global demand expected to surge on take-up of electric vehicles.

Annual imports of unwrought copper were buoyed by China's crackdown on scrap copper in 2018, part of its efforts to combat pollution.

The fall in iron ore purchases for 2018 came as a 70 percent plunge in profit margins since late October cut the incentive for steelmakers to ramp up output and restock raw materials.

The accident is the deadliest reported so far this year in China's coal industry, known for its poor safety record.

While the general Chinese sentiment is very bullish on the gold price, in India retail buying is weak due to Khar Mass and higher prices.

Miao Wei, minister of industry and information technology, said the capacity expansion ban would also apply to the cement and flat-glass industries.

China plans to introduce policies to boost domestic spending on items such as automobiles and home appliances this year.