S.Africa: govt will ensure enough coal for Eskom, but coal still not domestic priority

"While a large number of countries around the world continue to talk about securing raw material supply, China is actually doing something about it."

Gemfields said in a statement that "groups associated with the illegal mining and trading of rubies have taken advantage of the political unrest".

Solar capacity around the world was rolled out at a record pace, as bargain panel prices helped countries deploy cleaner energy.

Nigeria has lifted a ban on mining exploration in the northwestern state after a five-year suspension.