China issues coal buying mandate amid supply shortage, price gains

Australia exports as much as 49 million tonnes of thermal coal a year to China.

Its chairman Bob Kamandanu decided to step down only weeks ahead of a vote proposed by largest shareholder Samin Tan to replace most directors and take the reins at the company.

Chinese deflation fears pulls copper price down to $2.73 a pound, lowest since September 2009.

More than half the employees at Murray River coal mine be temporary foreign workers in 2018.

Dozens of mines closed last year but another 175 million tonnes will have to drop out to neutralize 2015 output growth, which unlike copper is de-risked.

The stars will again align for a rise in PGM prices in 2015, but all bets are off if... Putin.

Still minuscule compared to China, but the subcontinent is now a net importer compared to shipments of 120 million tonnes per year before.

The firm is also said to have of caused civil turmoil and tensions in the region after introducing armed militia to protect its illegal operation.

Strong fundamentals will lift the price, but all bets are off if the many ETF investors who bought between $20–$30 lose confidence and start liquidating en masse.