Topics worthy of note

» Escondida copper mine in Chile is expected to return to normal output levels in a week as workers have returned after 25-day strike. Last year Escondida produced 1.27 million metric tons, around 8% of global copper production. BHP Billiton controls Escondida with a 57.5% stake and Rio Tinto holds 30%.

» Mining company Gold Fields has reaffirmed the company's interest in the platinum sector although the company's core business will remain gold. Stating that the pgm sector could make up as much as 25 per cent of the company's business in the future, Gold Fields has so far centred its pgm interests on Finland and the Bushveld region of South Africa. Despite plans to increase platinum use in the automotive and industrial sectors, sales of platinum jewellery will be the key player in supporting prices over the coming years.