BHP says Escondida copper mine in Chile operating at ‘reduced rate’

China hosts less than 5% of the world's known gold reserves, while domestic mines are often readily exhausted.

The two firms weighing rival bids are said to be Chinalco Mining Corp International, a subsidiary of China's state-run aluminum group, and Hong Kong-listed MMG Ltd.

The revised production start date will bring higher capital costs, bumping the project cost estimate up as high as $8.5 billion.

Two gold and silver mines, and one copper mine owned by the world's second richest man have shuttered their doors.

Iron ore, molybdenum and nickel are the main commodities executives see as having the highest likelihood of depreciating in value over the next three years.

Company's staff faces claims of obstructing justice and ordering to shoot protestors.

Former and current presidents of Brazil appear to be working hard at resurrecting the $6 billion-plus project.

Q1 output is up 3%.

Capital expenditure in mining peaked last year, stabilized in the second half of 2012 and then plunged steeply in the March quarter, wiping almost $1.5 billion off Australia's quarterly output.