The covid-19 hit to trading activity appears to have passed with monthly volumes growing again over the second half of the year, writes Andy Home.

It achieved considerably higher revenues from sulphuric acid sales and improved metals earnings, especially for industrial metals.

The company last month said a review of its Sukari gold mine in Egypt indicated the largest reserve growth in a decade.

The two European Union neighbours have been locked in a dispute over Poland's extension of mining at Turow, which feeds an adjacent power plant important to Polish energy supply.

The world’s biggest commodity trader surpassed its 2018 intraday peak on Tuesday, valuing the Swiss company at about $74 billion.

Aluminum and zinc producers have been hit particularly hard by soaring gas and electricity prices.

The mine has faced opposition from environmental activists and local communities over concerns of environmental damage.