RIO TINTO LIMITED

Bonds, shares buck trend and rise together

22 May 2012 | Philip Baker

There’s a growing disconnect between shares and government bonds. Usually when bond prices rise, share prices fall. This time around however, both bond prices and share prices are rising in concert.

Spot iron down 10pc in month

22 May 2012 | Jamie Freed

PRINT: 22 May 2012 | PAGE 3 | Spot iron down 10pc in month

The iron ore market has become increasingly fragile as weakening market sentiment hits Chinese steel producers.

Abbot Pt coal terminal expansion scrapped

19 May 2012 | Mark Ludlow

PRINT: 19 May 2012 | PAGE 1 | $9bn coal port plan

The Newman government has pulled the plug on the $9 billion privately-funded expansion of Abbot Point coal terminal in North Queensland, a project that would have created one of the largest coal ports in the world.

Land of the rising sum

18 May 2012 | Stephen Wyatt

PRINT: 18 May 2012 | PAGE 1 |

There may well be a new pillar of support for Australian resources and the Australian economy – Japan, which is seeing growth at last.

Listings suffer in a capsizing market

18 May 2012 | Tony Featherstone

PRINT: 18 May 2012 | PAGE 3 | Listings suffer in a capsizing market

The latest sharemarket rout is battering the initial public offerings market. More companies have withdrawn their listing applications and some prominent floats have been crunched.

Rio’s Pacific Aluminium in $6m Brisbane lease deal

17 May 2012 | Matthew Cranston

PRINT: 17 May 2012 | PAGE 2 | Rio’s Pacific Aluminium in $6m deal

Mining giant Rio Tinto’s Pacific Aluminium business has agreed to take 2400 square metres of office space in Brisbane city in a deal valued at about $6.6 million.

Language studies a vexed business

17 May 2012 | Geoff Winestock

PRINT: 17 May 2012 | PAGE 5 | Language skills a vexed business in the Asian century

The hard lesson of cuts in funding and declining student numbers is that not everyone accepts the business case for a greater focus on teaching Asian languages.

BHP fires salvo on industrial relations, tax

16 May 2012 | Andrew White

PRINT: 17 May 2012 | PAGE 1 | BHP salvo on IR, tax

BHP Billiton chairman Jac Nasser has launched a broadside at the Gillard government, calling for a halt to tax changes that have unsettled investors, and for an industrial relations system that balances the needs of ­companies and employees to stem a fall in competitiveness.

Iron ore demand to drop: Kloppers

16 May 2012 |

PRINT: 17 May 2012 | PAGE 1 | Iron ore demand to fall: BHP chief

BHP Billiton chief executive Marius Kloppers has warned that commodity prices are set to fall as demand growth slows, forcing the company to scrutinise investment decisions more closely.

Minerals Resources cashes in

15 May 2012 | Dan Hall

PRINT: 15 May 2012 | PAGE 2 | Minerals Resources cashes in

The directors of Mineral Resources, backed by billionaire Gina Rinehart, have made well-timed moves to cash in a large portion of their shares.

UWA calls on miners to fund innovation

14 May 2012 | Natalie Gerritsen

PRINT: 14 May 2012 | PAGE 3 | UWA calls on miners to fund R&D

The head of Western Australia’s most prestigious university wants the state’s minerals and energy companies to commit 1 per cent of their pre-tax profits to an education endowment fund.

Tough rules spur demand for forensics

14 May 2012 | Agnes King

PRINT: 14 May 2012 | PAGE 1 | Tough rules drive need for forensics

Forensic specialist McGrathNicol is using Matthew Fehon, who it recruited from KMPG, to develop direct relationships with the country’s 10 largest listed companies, as “active regulators” expose company directors to more risks and drive demand for forensic services.

Resources hubris put on hold

12 May 2012 | Tony Boyd

PRINT: 12 May 2012 | PAGE 1 | Resources hubris put on hold

Senior executives at mining giant BHP Billiton were shaken out of their complacency about the resources super cycle in November last year when all projects were put under review.

Death of the super cycle

12 May 2012 | Ayesha de Kretser

PRINT: 12 May 2012 | PAGE 1 | Super cycle plateaus as speculation drives prices

Perhaps the biggest worry for anyone pondering how much gusto is left in the mining “super cycle” is the downward shift in confidence at the big end of town.

Downside of gas surprises BHP

12 May 2012 | Matthew Stevens

PRINT: 14 May 2012 | PAGE 1 | Downside of shale gas surprises BHP

Stevens | Stepped-up production has hit the price of shale gas, which may push BHP into embarrassing write-downs.

The great haul of China

11 May 2012 | Stephen Wyatt

If Chinese data hits forecasts it will cushion the negative trade story, but any shocks will send commodities crashing.

Global Mining plots an unlisted future

11 May 2012 | Ruth Liew

PRINT: 11 May 2012 | PAGE 27 | Global Mining plots an unlisted future

The $180 million listed investment company Global Mining Investments is looking to de-list from the Australian Securities Exchange after failing to narrow the discount between its share price and asset value.

Albanese warns of a shift offshore

11 May 2012 | Ayesha de Kretser

PRINT: 11 May 2012 | PAGE 24 | Albanese warns of a shift offshore

Rio Tinto chief executive Tom Albanese has likened the aluminium industry to steel 50 years ago, saying bauxite will increasingly be sent offshore like iron ore as developed world costs spiral.

Rio rids itself of Friedland ties

11 May 2012 | Matthew Stevens

PRINT: 11 May 2012 | PAGE 1 | Rio rids itself of Friedland ties

Having stumped up $US20m to help ease Robert Friedland out of Ivanhoe, Rio Tinto is moving to exorcise his corporate ghost.

Directors call for tax reform

11 May 2012 | RevenueKatie Walsh

PRINT: 11 May 2012 | PAGE 4 | Directors sharpen words for battle on tax reform

The surge of company directors and executives calling for substantial tax reform grew on Thursday in reaction to the federal government reneging on its promise to cut company tax.

Red tape strangling resources, says BCA

11 May 2012 | Louise Dodson

PRINT: 11 May 2012 | PAGE 1 | Red tape strangling resources, says BCA

The Business Council of Australia is ramping up pressure on the federal and state governments to slash overlapping regulations, in a bid to bolster the case for investing here.

Rio battens down for tough season

10 May 2012 | Dan Hall

PRINT: 11 May 2012 | PAGE 1 | Rio battens down

Rio Tinto has warned that the outlook for local miners remains tough, arguing that rising costs have made Australia an “expensive country” when commodities prices are falling.

Rio move could push Ivanhoe out

09 May 2012 | Sarah Thompson and Anthony Macdonald

Emmerson could end up with full ownership of its Tennant Creek joint venture with Ivanhoe Australia now Rio Tinto has taken control.

Port Hedland outer harbour plan founders

09 May 2012 |

PRINT: 09 May 2012 | PAGE 1 | Expansion plan founders as BHP ponders dredge cost

Jostling for space in the congested inner harbour at Port Hedland becomes even more important for the companies dependent on public user access as the threat that BHP Billiton won’t cough up the billions of dollars needed to dredge the outer harbour looms large.

Swan’s Stimulus: Part II – Rated PG

08 May 2012 | Tony Boyd

Retailers and gambling venues look like being the early business winners from the federal budget.

China eyes pricing upper hand with iron ore platform

08 May 2012 |

PRINT: 08 May 2012 | PAGE 1 | RPT-China eyes upper hand in pricing with iron ore platform

China's first physical iron ore trading platform began trading on Tuesday, helping the world's biggest buyer of the commodity boost its price-setting influence.

Austerity? Non, merci

08 May 2012 | Stephen Wyatt

PRINT: 08 May 2012 | PAGE 1 |

Risk assets, including commodities, showed extraordinary resilience as the euro-debt crisis exploded back to life.

True believers raise coal stakes

08 May 2012 | Matthew Stevens

PRINT: 08 May 2012 | PAGE 42 | True believers raise coal stakes

Having swapped his former Aston for Whitehaven, Nathan Tinkler has moved into the hitherto substantially unknown Blackwood Corporation.

Wealth firms in impact zone

08 May 2012 | Bianca Hartge-Hazelman

PRINT: 08 May 2012 | PAGE 2 | Wealth firms in impact zone

A number of companies are expected to come under pressure as a result of the federal government’s commitment to fiscal tightening in the budget.

Board changes come at Ivanhoe Australia

07 May 2012 | Perry Williams

PRINT: 07 May 2012 | PAGE 1 |

Ivanhoe Australia has appointed former Rio Tinto executive Peter McMahon as chairman of its board as part of a shake-up following Rio Tinto taking control of the company’s Canadian parent company and majority shareholder Ivanhoe Mines.

Rio risks losing lease on prize iron ore project

07 May 2012 | Ayesha de Kretser

PRINT: 07 May 2012 | PAGE 3 | Rio risks losing lease on prize iron ore project

Rio Tinto chief executive Tom Albanese has moved to assure Australian investors that the miner will not over-commit its expansion spending to iron ore but news from London highlights the difficulty the company may face responding to various pressures.

Big stick is out to beat bribery

07 May 2012 | Jenny Wiggins

PRINT: 07 May 2012 | PAGE 1 | Big stick is out to beat bribery

Leading contracting companies with foreign operations have stepped up efforts to eliminate facilitation payments following warnings from crime authorities.

United on threat of high costs

07 May 2012 | Perry Williams

PRINT: 07 May 2012 | PAGE 3 | United on threat of high costs to investments

Williams | Tom Albanese and Frank Chapman are chalk and cheese in the resources industry, but they are united on one thing.

Weatherill aligns with miners on diesel rebate

07 May 2012 | Ayesha de Kretser

PRINT: 07 May 2012 | PAGE 2 | Weatherill aligns with miners

South Australian Premier Jay Weatherill has joined the throng of miners petitioning federal Treasurer Wayne Swan not to scrap the 32¢ a litre diesel fuel rebate ahead of Tuesday’s budget.

Coalmining costs mean it’s no cash cow

05 May 2012 | Perry Williams and Matthew Cranston

PRINT: 05 May 2012 | PAGE 1 | Costs of coalmining mean it’s no cash cow

Rio Tinto boss Tom Albanese thinks it’s time to lift the lid on some misconceptions. Rio is increasingly finding that on Australia’s east coast, coal projects are failing to stack up with rival developments around the globe.

Fording Wild Rivers to Pisolite Hills

05 May 2012 | Edited by

PRINT: 05 May 2012 | PAGE 1 | Fording Wild Rivers to Pisolite Hills

Few Queensland companies would have welcomed the change in state government more than Cape Alumina, which plans to mine bauxite on the Cape York peninsula.

RBA warns on rising costs

04 May 2012 | Jacob Greber and Gemma Daley

PRINT: 05 May 2012 | PAGE 1 | RBA warns on rising costs

The Reserve Bank has provided support to Labor’s budget tightening next week but warned that stubborn growth in labour costs and poor productivity threaten to weaken the economy despite its oversized cut in official interest rates this week.

Albanese: People worry about Rio’s exposure to Oz

04 May 2012 | Matthew Cranston

Updated | Rio Tinto chief executive Tom Albanese has given a frank assessment of investors’ perceptions on mining in Australia, specifically Queensland.

Goose running out of feathers

04 May 2012 | Matthew Stevens

PRINT: 04 May 2012 | PAGE 1 | Goose running out of feathers

The miners keep telling our leaders that phase one of the boom is over. The only way forward then is a big step up in volume.

Will the mighty dollar ever fall?

04 May 2012 | Jacob Greber

PRINT: 04 May 2012 | PAGE 37 | Rising dollar spreads pain to resources sector

Now even the world’s second-biggest mining company is complaining about the high Australian dollar.

Miners say there’s plenty of fish in the sea

04 May 2012 | Ayesha de

PRINT: 04 May 2012 | PAGE 2 | Plenty of fish in the mining sea

As regulations and labour prices rise in Australia, miners say costs are starting to outweigh the sovereign risk posed by competing nations.

Rio ponders future of Mt Pleasant coal

04 May 2012 | Perry Williams

PRINT: 04 May 2012 | PAGE 20 | Rio ponders future of Mt Pleasant coal

Global miner Rio Tinto has confirmed it is weighing up the future of its $2 billion Mount Pleasant coal mine in NSW’s Hunter Valley as it reassesses its capital investment plans.

It’s all gone a little nasty at Mt Pleasant

04 May 2012 | Claire Stewart

PRINT: 04 May 2012 | PAGE 11 | It’s all gone a little nasty at Mt Pleasant

Green lobbies have labelled the mooted closure of Rio Tinto’s Mount Pleasant mine in NSW’s Hunter Valley a political stunt to pressure a rethink of plans to dismantle the diesel fuel rebate next year.

PM: mining tax not in talks

04 May 2012 | Gemma Daley

PRINT: 04 May 2012 | PAGE 2 | PM: mining tax not in talks

Rio Tinto chief executive Tom Albanese discussed rising costs, rather than concerns about the Minerals Resource Rent Tax, when he met the Prime Minister Julia Gillard.

Soaring costs trigger Rio coal retreat

03 May 2012 | Michael Smith

PRINT: 03 May 2012 | PAGE 1 | Soaring costs

Rio Tinto is reviewing its coal expansion plans as soaring capital costs and investor pressure to return more cash force global miners to make more profitable iron ore projects a priority.

Coalminers fear a black budget

03 May 2012 | Tony Boyd

PRINT: 03 May 2012 | PAGE 72 | Coalminers fear a black budget

Coalminers have a sense of foreboding about next week’s federal budget amid expectations they‘ll be soft targets to help turn a $40 billion deficit into a small surplus.

Origin agrees major gas sales with GLNG

02 May 2012 | Perry Williams

PRINT: 03 May 2012 | PAGE 2 | Origin seals major gas sales with GLNG

Origin Energy has inked a major gas sales agreement with GLNG partners, a joint venture between some of the world’s biggest energy companies.

Palmer gilds Lilley

01 May 2012 | Jennifer Hewett

PRINT: 01 May 2012 | PAGE 2 | Clive gilds Lilley

Hewett | Whenever Wayne Swan needs a cardboard cut-out to play the bombastic and greedy mining billionaire, he can always rely on Clive Palmer.

Swapping cufflinks for hardhats

27 April 2012 | MICHAEL SMITH

The numbers speak for themselves: Macquarie Group cut more than 1300 jobs in the past 12 months while Rio Tinto is on a drive to find 6000 additional workers.

Spain downgrade knocks Aussie dollar

27 April 2012 | Brendon Lau

Before the Bell | A downgrade of Spain’s sovereign debt by Standard & Poor’s sent the $A and US index futures lower on Friday morning ■ S&P 500 up 0.7pc ■ SPI up 18pts ■ S&P 500 futures down 0.4pc.

QR National confirms interest in east Pilbara

27 April 2012 | Jenny Wiggins

PRINT: 27 April 2012 | PAGE 1 | QR confirms its interest in east Pilbara

QR National has signalled its interest in supporting the development of Western Australia’s ports after striking a deal with Atlas Iron to try to establish a rail network in the Pilbara.

Rail push bypasses legal debate

27 April 2012 | Matthew Stevens

PRINT: 27 April 2012 | PAGE 2 | Rail push bypasses legal debate

Confirmation of a plan to build a new open access rail system in the Pilbara confirms the flawed logic that launched an eight-year legal debate.

Vale takes a hammering

27 April 2012 | Ayesha de Kretser

PRINT: 27 April 2012 | PAGE 2 | Vale takes a hammering

The world’s biggest iron ore miner, Vale, has reported a sharp decline in first-quarter earnings as Chinese steel makers baulked at paying a premium for its higher quality products.

Rio gets cracking to add 6000 recruits

27 April 2012 | Ayesha de Kretser

PRINT: 27 April 2012 | PAGE 15 | Rio gets cracking to add 6000 recruits

Rio Tinto is embarking on one of the biggest recruitment drives in Australia’s history as a looming skills shortage in the resources sector prompts action from federal Treasurer Wayne Swan on immigration.

Vale profit drops 44pc for quarter

26 April 2012 | Kevin Chinnery

Brazil’s Vale, the chief mining rival to BHP Billiton and Rio Tinto, has reported a 44 per cent drop in first quarter profit after iron ore prices declined and heavy rain hit its mine production.

Apple, upbeat Fed drive Wall St higher

26 April 2012 | Brendon Lau

Before the Bell | Blockbuster profits from Apple and a slightly improved growth outlook from the Fed have boosted US stocks ■ Nasdaq jumps 2.3pc ■ S&P 500 rises 1.4pc ■ SPI up 19 pnts ■ $A higher at $US1.0355 ■ Broker Watch: NCM, SWM, OSH, WSA

Getting across the next frontier

26 April 2012 | Ayesha de Kretser

PRINT: 26 April 2012 | PAGE 38 | Getting across the next frontier

A new Mongolian equity fund is enabling Australian investors to snare a slice of this booming central Asian economy, which boasts one the world’s best performing stock exchanges.

Company briefs

26 April 2012 |

PRINT: 26 April 2012 | PAGE 28 |

Canada’s Teck Resources says its customers are asking to advance orders of steelmaking coal on fears about Australian mine supply disruptions and as sentiment in global steel markets improves.

UK reports have Rio playing in the sandpit again

26 April 2012 | Sarah Thompson and Anthony Macdonald

PRINT: 26 April 2012 | PAGE 1 | UK reports have Rio playing in the sandpit again

The speculation about a Rio Tinto takeover bid for mineral sands miner Kenmare Resources doesn’t look like dying down.

Rio in the running for mineral sands play

24 April 2012 | Sarah Thompson and Anthony Macdonald

Rio Tinto might be looking to boost its presence in the mineral sands space, with reports out of London (albeit citing “traders”) that the Anglo-Australian miner is preparing to table a bid for Mozambique-focused Kenmare Resources.

Company briefs

24 April 2012 |

PRINT: 24 April 2012 | PAGE 18 |

BHP Billiton has agreed to buy five exploration tenements near its Olympic Dam mine in South Australia from Minotaur Resources for $10 million cash following a competitive bidding process. As part of the agreement, Toro Energy has agreed to cancel its rights to uranium minerals in three of the tenements in return for a $500,000 payment from Minotaur.

Rinehart back in court – Rio this time

24 April 2012 | Hannah Low

PRINT: 24 April 2012 | PAGE 7 | Rinehart takes on Rio Tinto

Gina Rinehart’s Hancock Prospecting and Angela Bennett and Michael Wright’s Wright Prospecting are gearing up for a long royalties battle against Rio Tinto.

Coal sector to consolidate further

23 April 2012 | Dan Hall

Foster Stockbroking analyst Craig Brown has predicted further consolidation in the coal sector despite dour market conditions that have plagued coal explorers and developers in recent weeks.

Rio talks up WA expansion plans

23 April 2012 | Jamie Freed

PRINT: 23 April 2012 | PAGE 17 | Rio talks up WA expansion plans

Rio Tinto’s iron ore expansion options in Western Australia are the most attractive in the world in terms of the returns generated from the capital employed, says chairman Jan du Plessis.

Deal done, then Rudd rolled

23 April 2012 | Jennifer Hewett

PRINT: 23 April 2012 | PAGE 1 | Deal done, Rudd rolled

The top miners’ key concerns had already been resolved in talks between the miners and the Treasurer before Kevin Rudd was rolled by his deputy.

Forrest sticks to his guns on events in June 2010

21 April 2012 | Jennifer Hewett

PRINT: 21 April 2012 | PAGE 55 | Forrest sticks to his guns on events in June 2010

Andrew Forrest has lived his large life and earned his even larger fortune by challenging established institutions and practices.

Dock war averted thanks to Bill of flair

21 April 2012 | Matthew Stevens

PRINT: 21 April 2012 | PAGE 17 | All-out dock war averted thanks to Bill of flair

Stevens | Bill Shorten’s intervention in the dispute between Patrick Stevedores and the MUA dragged the port operator back from the brink.

Rio Tinto pulls out of port

21 April 2012 | Mark Ludlow

PRINT: 21 April 2012 | PAGE 7 | Rio pulls out of port

Mining giant Rio Tinto has pulled out of the $6.2 billion expansion of Abbot Point coal terminal, blaming rising costs and delays in environmental approvals.

Stocks slip despite solid Spanish auction

20 April 2012 | Brendon Lau

Before the Bell | The ASX is set to open flat after US and European stocks mostly drifted lower overnight, despite solid demand for a Spanish bond auction ■ Spanish 10-yr yield rises 10bps to 5.925pc ■ S&P 500 down 0.6pc ■ SPI futures down 3pts ■ Broker Watch: API, SBM, NUF.

Mining royalties not a tax

20 April 2012 | Vic Carroll

PRINT: 20 April 2012 | PAGE 47 | Mining royalties not a tax

One of the mining industry’s great cons is to treat royalties as taxes.

Ivanhoe resignation prompts takeover talk

20 April 2012 | Luke Forrestal

PRINT: 20 April 2012 | PAGE 1 | Takeover talk after Ivanhoe exit

Ivanhoe Mines is expected to step up efforts to sell secondary assets – including a 59 per cent stake in locally listed Ivanhoe Australia – after controlling shareholder Rio Tinto agreed to provide it with more financing and made a raft of board changes.

Global outlook has brightened: Rio

20 April 2012 | Jamie Freed

PRINT: 20 April 2012 | PAGE 1 | Global outlook brightens: Rio

Rio Tinto is “somewhat more con­fident” about the global economic outlook than it was six months ago but expects volatility to continue, chairman Jan du Plessis says.

Reluctant BHP joins CBMX

20 April 2012 | Jamie Freed

PRINT: 20 April 2012 | PAGE 22 | Reluctant BHP joins CBMX

Freed | When it comes to China, BHP Billiton has never gone to the lengths of some rival iron ore miners to stay in the good graces of its largest customer.

Electricity review needs more power

20 April 2012 | Mark Ludlow

PRINT: 20 April 2012 | PAGE 13 | Electricity review needs more power

The Australian Energy Market Commission has, in its review of national electricity rules, underestimated the impact of rising power prices.

Kloppers pours cold water on Forrest mining tax claim

20 April 2012 | Jennifer Hewett

PRINT: 20 April 2012 | PAGE 11 | BHP boss begs to differ with Forrest

BHP Billiton and Rio Tinto have rejected Andrew Forrest’s claim that they were involved in negotiating a secret deal on a revised mining tax with Julia Gillard before she challenged for the leadership in 2010.

Plimer steps in as Friedland bows out

19 April 2012 |

Climate change sceptic Ian Plimer has stepped in as chairman of Ivanhoe Australia, replacing Canadian billionaire Robert Friedland, who quit the miner following a power tussle with Rio Tinto.

Vale’s iron ore production falls 2.2pc

19 April 2012 | Juan Pablo Spinetto

PRINT: 19 April 2012 | PAGE 30 | Vale’s iron ore production falls 2.2pc

Vale, the world’s second largest mining company, says first quarter iron ore production dropped 2.2 per cent after heavy rains curtailed operations in Brazil.

Forrest steps up attack on the PM

19 April 2012 | Katie Walsh, Laura Tingle

PRINT: 19 April 2012 | PAGE 14 | Twiggy builds attack on PM

Andrew Forrest last night deepened his revelations on mining tax deals forged before the June 2010 leadership spill, saying Julia Gillard had her own deal with the big miners under way well before the drama.

Unions go for gold, silver and bronze

19 April 2012 | Mark Skulley

PRINT: 19 April 2012 | PAGE 10 | Unions go for gold, silver, bronze

Global mining unions have backed Australia’s mining resource rent tax as a model for other nations, as they launch a campaign to dump Rio Tinto as the supplier of metal for London Olympics medals.

This tax won’t bite

19 April 2012 | Jennifer Hewett

PRINT: 19 April 2012 | PAGE 2 | This tax won’t bite

Hewett | So what if you throw a big tax and no one much turns up? That’s looking ever more likely to be the fate of the new mining tax.

Big decisions loom for BHP

18 April 2012 | Michael smith

BHP Billiton’s March-quarter numbers met expectations but they offer little comfort to investors in the global miner, which faces tough decisions on capital spending and its Queensland’s labour force.

BHP quarterly solid: brokers

18 April 2012 | Sarah Thompson and Anthony Macdonald

BHP has reported solid quarterly production given the March quarter is always impacted by the wet season, says Macquarie Equities.

Rio Tinto (RIO)

18 April 2012 | James Carlisle

Deutsche Bank, Merrill Lynch and Goldman Sachs have maintained their “buy” recommendations on Rio Tinto, despite trimming their earnings forecasts after the company reported on a tough March quarter.

Vale output hit by rain and production problems

18 April 2012 | Ayesha de Kretser

The world’s biggest iron ore miner, Brazil’s Vale, blamed heavy rains and production problems for a sharp decline in production in the first quarter of 2012 compared with the final quarter of 2011.

US write-down looms for BHP

18 April 2012 | Jamie Freed

PRINT: 19 April 2012 | PAGE 25 | US write-down looms for BHP

BHP Billiton has intensified its focus on drilling in liquids-rich regions of its new onshore US petroleum assets as it tries to combat historically low natural gas prices.

Glove money

18 April 2012 | Sally Rose

PRINT: 18 April 2012 | PAGE 43 | Glovemoney

There is a widespread double standard at play for Westerners doing business in the developing world: while it is immoral to take bribes, it is sometimes necessary pay them.

Mongolia might put a block on Chalco

18 April 2012 | Ayesha de Kretser

PRINT: 18 April 2012 | PAGE 18 | Mongolia might put a block on Chalco

Chinese aluminium giant Chalco’s plans to snare a controlling interest in a Mongolian coal deposit held by Canada’s Ivanhoe Mines appear to have hit a speed bump, raising questions whether Mongolia will allow the Chinese company to participate in the Rio Tinto-operated Oyu Tolgoi copper and gold project.

Rudd’s secret mining tax deal

18 April 2012 | Jennifer Hewett

PRINT: 18 April 2012 | PAGE 1 | Rudd’s secret mining tax deal

The night before Kevin Rudd was rolled as prime minister, he and miner Andrew Forrest had just agreed to transform the resource super profits tax into a radical proposal to revolutionise the delivery of infrastructure in Australia.

Opportunity lost to build Australia

18 April 2012 | Jennifer Hewett

PRINT: 18 April 2012 | PAGE 52 | Opportunity lost to build Australia

Andrew Forrest believes a plan to write off capital expenditure on infrastructure under the original mining tax agreement would have led to roads, schools and hospitals.

Telstra: don’t expect too much

18 April 2012 | Michael Smith

PRINT: 18 April 2012 | PAGE 56 | Telstra: don’t expect too much

Telstra shareholders holding out for a big windfall this week would do well to remember that board and management has a reputation for being conservative.

Analysts disappointed with Rio ore sales

17 April 2012 | Sarah Thompson and Anthony Macdonald

Rio Tinto’s iron ore shipments missed the mark despite strong production of the key steel-making raw material.

Rio misses iron ore expectations

17 April 2012 | Jamie Freed

PRINT: 18 April 2012 | PAGE 1 | Cyclones stop Rio hitting targets

Rio Tinto has reported lower than expected shipments of iron ore in the March quarter as cyclones in the Pilbara hampered its ability to ship as much as it produced.

ERA gains 17pc in past week

17 April 2012 | SARAH THOMPSON AND ANTHONY MACDONALD

Uranium miner Energy Resources of Australia has had a shocking few years but recent trading activity suggests the worst may be over.

Fast profits flow from short selling

17 April 2012 | Jane Searle

PRINT: 17 April 2012 | PAGE 28 | Fast profits flow from short selling

Poor housing credit growth and expensive stock valuations are themes driving the most shorted companies – those in the mining and banking sectors – by dollar value on the market this month.

Miners urged to increase dividends

17 April 2012 | Brendon Lau

PRINT: 17 April 2012 | PAGE 3 | Miners urged to raise dividends

Most fund managers would like to see a higher dividend or capital return over the shorter term from mining companies enjoying booming demand for resources.

Elusive Egorova stumps giant

17 April 2012 | Matthew Stevens

PRINT: 17 April 2012 | PAGE 46 | Elusive Egorova stumps giant

Everything identified last week as a perfect time for Flinders Mines’ Gary Sutherland to holiday with his family. Then, along came Elena Egorova.

Fast profits flow from short selling

17 April 2012 | Jane Searle

PRINT: 17 April 2012 | PAGE 19 | Fast profits flow from short selling

Poor housing credit growth and expensive stock valuations have made mining companies and banks the biggest targets of short selling this month.

Rio, BP targeted for poor environmental records

16 April 2012 | Elise Shaw

Campaigners have targeted some of the London 2012 Olympic Games’ biggest sponsors, including BP, Rio Tinto and Dow Chemicals, over their poor environmental and human rights records.

Banks have their backers

16 April 2012 | Bianca Hartge-Hazelman

PRINT: 16 April 2012 | PAGE 20 | Banks have their backers

At a time when many investors are cautious about the major banks, Goldman Sach’s Katie Hudson notes they have proved rather resilient.

The ups and downs of LNG

16 April 2012 | Perry Williams

PRINT: 16 April 2012 | PAGE 19 | The ups and downs of LNG

Companies ranging from Origin Energy through Santos, Woodside Petroleum and Oil Search have captured eye watering deals with customers in Asia on demand for liquefied natural gas.

Rio warns on gas fuel shortfall

16 April 2012 | Perry Williams

PRINT: 16 April 2012 | PAGE 1 | Rio warns on gas fuel shortfall

Rio Tinto has cast doubt on government plans to prioritise gas as a clean energy transition fuel after warning big industry is being shut out of domestic supply deals at the expense of lucrative LNG exports to Asia.

Where’s the boom gone?

14 April 2012 | Perry Williams

PRINT: 14 April 2012 | PAGE 43 | Where’s the boom gone?

ust over a month after Treasurer Wayne Swan inflamed miners with his attack on the “billionaires club”, resource chiefs are warning of issues beginning to cripple marginal production.

Foreign depository receipts may list on ASX

14 April 2012 | Brendon Lau

PRINT: 14 April 2012 | PAGE 23 | Foreign receipts may list on ASX

Plans to quote international stocks on the local exchange could lead to greater concentration of big companies such as Rio Tinto and BHP Billiton on key indices, according to Goldman Sachs.

Gunns rethink fans wider debate

14 April 2012 | Carrie LaFrenz and Lucille Keen

PRINT: 14 April 2012 | PAGE 8 | Gunns rethink fans wider debate

Jarrod Ritchie chief executive of Launceston-based poppy export company TPI Enterprises says doing business in Tasmania is great but also has some large drawbacks.

UGL wins $370m in new projects

13 April 2012 |

Engineering and property services company UGL has been awarded about $370 million of new projects across Australia, including $270 million of resources projects.

Miners dig themselves into costly hole

13 April 2012 |

Rio Tinto and other big miners preparing to meet shareholders over the coming weeks will face tough questions over ever larger and more capital intensive projects when robust commodity prices have cooled.

Estrella scrubs up well for Chile reception

12 April 2012 | Tony Featherstone

PRINT: 13 April 2012 | PAGE 26 | Estrella scrubs up well for Chile reception

As most floats struggle to raise capital, Chile-focused explorer Estrella Resources expects to close its offer early after attracting Australian and Asian fund managers.

IPO shines brightest among Rio's diamond options

12 April 2012 |

A stock market flotation is likely to top the list of options when Rio Tinto reviews the future of its diamond business, as a shortage of heavyweight buyers prompts the miner to turn to funds betting on Asia's appetite for luxury.

Business strikes deal with Gillard

12 April 2012 | Louise Dodson

PRINT: 12 April 2012 | PAGE 15 | Business strikes deal with Gillard

Prime Minister Julia Gillard has struck a historic agreement with business leaders to speed up approvals for big projects and cut regulation.

BHP shuts mine in union brawl

12 April 2012 | Dan Hall

PRINT: 12 April 2012 | PAGE 1 | BHP shuts mine in union brawl

The world’s biggest coking coal producer has shut a mine in Queensland’s Bowen Basin, putting 1400 jobs at risk, after repeatedly warning that the project might not survive the industrial action sweeping the region.

Uranium flat, but ERA hopes for better

11 April 2012 | Jamie Freed

PRINT: 11 April 2012 | PAGE 25 | ERA outlook bright

The outlook for uranium remains subdued in the near term but is positive in the longer term, Energy Resources of Australia chairman David Klingner says.

Vale backs China iron ore demand to remain strong

11 April 2012 |

Chinese demand for iron ore will remain strong, defying expectations of a slowdown in the world's second-largest economy, said the chief executive of Vale SA, the top producer of the mineral.

Rain permitting, ERA upgrades on deep access

10 April 2012 | Jamie Freed

PRINT: 10 April 2012 | PAGE 18 | Rain permitting, ERA upgrades on deep access

Energy Resources of Australia has narrowed its full-year uranium production guidance on expectations it can access higher grade ore from the bottom of the Ranger mine pit earlier than anticipated.

Ivanhoe release rankles Rio

10 April 2012 | Michael Smith

PRINT: 10 April 2012 | PAGE 56 | Ivanhoe release rankles Rio

Relations between Rio Tinto and Ivanhoe Mines have hit a rough patch over cost estimates for the Mongolian Oyu Tolgoi project.

Qantas taps into mother lode

10 April 2012 | Andrew Cleary

PRINT: 10 April 2012 | PAGE 19 | Qantas taps into mother lode

Qantas is on the cusp of signing more charter flying contracts with miners to add to its recent win of the Fortescue Metals Group fly in, fly out account, prompting the airline to consider growth plans beyond 12 aircraft.

Company briefs

10 April 2012 |

PRINT: 10 April 2012 | PAGE 18 | Co-briefs

PaperlinX managing director Toby Marchant has bought 900,000 ordinary company shares at 8.36¢ per share.

Calibre seeks to pull off $400m IPO

10 April 2012 | Sarah Thompson and Anthony Macdonald

PRINT: 10 April 2012 | PAGE 16 | Calibre seeks to pull off $400m IPO

Initial public offering candidate Calibre Global has appointed Goldman Sachs and UBS to prepare the company for listing.

Karratha sales create room at the inn

05 April 2012 | Natalie Gerritsen

PRINT: 05 April 2012 | PAGE 64 | Karratha sales create room at the inn

Two hotel properties in the Pilbara town of Karratha have changed hands for a bullish total price of $36 million and, if all goes to plan, will add much needed extra accommodation to the boom mining town.

Siberians ice Flinders

05 April 2012 | Matthew Stevens

PRINT: 05 April 2012 | PAGE 19 | Siberians ice Flinders

Tuesday was supposed to bring a moment of satisfying closure for Gary Sutherland. Instead, the Flinders CEO was left scratching his head.

Artist’s earthy Pilbara vision

05 April 2012 | Andrew Cornell

PRINT: 05 April 2012 | PAGE 3 | Artist’s earthy Pilbara vision

Mining was on the nose. The solution? Commission Australia’s most critically acclaimed landscape artist, Fred Williams, to paint one of CRA’s great prospects, the Pilbara.

Ivanhoe shares plunge on Oyu Tolgoi report

04 April 2012 | Jamie Freed

PRINT: 04 April 2012 | PAGE 21 | Ivanhoe slumps on Oyu Tolgoi report

A report forecasting higher mining and processing costs at Rio Tinto’s Oyu Tolgoi project in Mongolia, a delay in underground development and lower expected ore grades has hit Ivanhoe shares.

Rio mid-year decision is key

04 April 2012 | Jamie Freed

PRINT: 04 April 2012 | PAGE 16 | Rio mid-year decision is key

Investors will be closely watching the decision when Rio Tinto’s project to expand annual Pilbara production to 353 million tonnes will be taken to the miner’s board for consideration in May or June.

Executive pay reforms show basic errors

04 April 2012 | Patrick Durkin

PRINT: 04 April 2012 | PAGE 8 | Libs want quick fix on exec pay reforms

The federal opposition have upped the ante on the government to quickly fix botched changes to executive pay reforms, claiming they would facilitate an easy and speedy fix.

Classic outcrops excite at Condor

03 April 2012 | Brendon Lau

Carl Swensson felt a small pang of nostalgia when he heard the news that Rio Tinto was looking to sell the Argyle Diamond Mine.

Traders on hop to avoid being Easter bunnies

03 April 2012 | John Wasiliev

PRINT: 03 April 2012 | PAGE 37 | Traders on hop to avoid being Easter bunnies

Derivative traders switched their focus from banks and defensives like retailers to major miners and commodities ahead of today’s Reserve Bank decision on interest rates.

Exec pay blunder threatens boards

03 April 2012 | Patrick Durkin

PRINT: 03 April 2012 | PAGE 10 | Exec pay blunder threatens boards

Up to 108 listed company boards are at risk of being removed by shareholders this year after the federal ­government botched implementation of its controversial two-strikes rule on executive pay.

Chalco offer assists Ivanhoe structure

02 April 2012 | Jamie Freed

PRINT: 02 April 2012 | PAGE 21 | Chalco offer assists Ivanhoe structure

Updated | Chalco has made a $US898 million friendly offer to buy a 60 per cent stake in Hong Kong-based Mongolian miner SouthGobi Resources, which is 57.6 per cent owned by Ivanhoe Mines.

Chindia demand adds shine to Rio gems

02 April 2012 | Jamie Freed

Tighter supply and growing demand for diamonds in China and India is expected to drive the interest by potential acquirers in the package of Rio Tinto diamond assets under review for possible divestment.

Build industry and the people will come

31 March 2012 | John Stensholt

PRINT: 30 March 2012 | PAGE 3 | Build industry and the people will come

Trucking magnate Lindsay Fox says Opposition leader Tony Abbott would make a “good Prime Minister” and that all levels of government have to dramatically increase their spending on infrastructure.

Company briefs

30 March 2012 |

PRINT: 30 March 2012 | PAGE 20 |

Mineral Resources founder and executive director Chris Ellison has sold 3.4 million shares for $41.4 million, continuing a run of recent share sales by directors of the mining and mining services company.

Mining tax encourages resourcefulness

30 March 2012 | Jamie Freed

PRINT: 30 March 2012 | PAGE 19 | Mining tax encourages resourceful approach

For investors in iron ore and coal miners, it would be fair to be utterly confused about how much companies will pay in MRRT.

BHP investors question its big spending

30 March 2012 | Jamie Freed

PRINT: 30 March 2012 | PAGE 19 | BHP investors question its big spending

Updated | Investors have urged BHP Billiton to examine options such as boosting dividends, buying back shares, acquiring existing projects or forming joint ventures on big projects, amid a weakening outlook for commodities.

Plans attract more scrutiny

30 March 2012 | Ayesha de Kretser

PRINT: 30 March 2012 | PAGE 19 | Plans attract more scrutiny

Updated | Big Australian resources projects are coming under increasing investor scrutiny as the outlook for commodity markets dims and the cost of growing production in Australia continues to spiral.

Rio receives offer for specialty alumina business

29 March 2012 | Jamie Freed

Rio Tinto has received a confidential binding offer for its European speciality alumina business from private equity group HIG.

Orica’s WA plans not viable, says rival Incitec

29 March 2012 | Luke Forrestal

PRINT: 29 March 2012 | PAGE 26 | Orica’s WA plans not viable: rival

Incitec Pivot has questioned the wisdom behind rival Orica’s plan to build a $700 million ammonium nitrate plant in Western Australia’s Pilbara.

Cost spikes and price falls cast a shadow on thermal coal

29 March 2012 | Perry Williams

PRINT: 29 March 2012 | PAGE 29 | Cost spikes and price falls cast a shadow

Rio Tinto has warned the outlook for thermal coal earnings is bleak as a spike in costs and regulatory burdens hit producers at a time when prices are predicted to fall.

Video | Rio’s Bill Champion

28 March 2012 |

Rio Tinto Coal Australia’s Bill Champion on the risks Australia’s coal industry faces from government regulation.

Bauxite ban could boost Alumina

28 March 2012 | Sarah Thompson and Anthony Macdonald

Indonesia’s plans to cut exports to China could improve the economics of Chinese smelters importing alumina.

Rio encourages sale of Ivanhoe assets

28 March 2012 |

Rio Tinto chief financial officer Guy Elliott said Rio had launched a review of the Oyu Tolgoi copper-gold project in Mongolia now that the group has taken control of the mine’s owner, Ivanhoe Mines.

National Energy Conference 2012

28 March 2012 | Dan Hall, Perry Williams and Angela Macdonald-Smith

Leaders in the sector discuss the future of energy and emerging trends with ideas on the national economy outlook for coal, coal seam gas, electricity and LNG.

Leighton flicks the safety switch

28 March 2012 | Michael Smith

PRINT: 28 March 2012 | PAGE 64 | Leighton flicks the safety switch

Leighton Holdings is returning to the confessional box for what seems like the umpteenth time this year.

When gems lose their sparkle

28 March 2012 | Matthew Stevens

PRINT: 28 March 2012 | PAGE 48 | When gems lose their sparkle

So diamonds are not forever, then. At least, they don’t appear to be for Anglo-Australian mining houses, BHP Billiton and Rio Tinto.

The Chinese consumer’s appetite is a mighty force

28 March 2012 | Bianca Hartge-Hazelman

PRINT: 28 March 2012 | PAGE 28 | The Chinese consumer’s appetite is a mighty force

Concerns about a cooling Chinese economy put investors in a state of flux last week, but the head of Australian equities at Colonial First State Matthew Reynolds has a different take on things.

Company briefs

28 March 2012 |

PRINT: 28 March 2012 | PAGE 22 |

Rio Tinto has completed a $US7 billion ($6.7 billion) on-market buyback of its London-listed shares a few days ahead of schedule.

Rio pulls out of Malaysian smelter

28 March 2012 |

PRINT: 28 March 2012 | PAGE 21 | Malaysian smelter plan rejected

Rio Tinto has abandoned plans to develop a $US4.5 billion aluminium hydro-powered aluminium smelter in Malaysia after failing to secure power at a price it deemed competitive.

China aluminium foils local producers’ prospects

27 March 2012 | Jamie Freed

China’s high production of alumina and aluminium is set to continue to the detriment of miners like Alcoa, Alumina Ltd, Rio Tinto and BHP Billiton, says Morgan Stanley chief metals economist Peter Richardson.

Macquarie’s hard line on Rio diamonds

27 March 2012 | Anthony Macdonald and Sarah Thompson

Rio Tinto’s diamond division, including mines in Australia, Canada and Zimbabwe and an advanced project in India is worth less than $US1 billion, according to Macquarie Equities analyst Lee Bowers.

Diamonds no longer Rio’s best friend

27 March 2012 | Jamie Freed

PRINT: 28 March 2012 | PAGE 21 | Diamonds no longer Rio’s best friend

Updated | Rio Tinto has joined fellow mining giant BHP Billiton in looking at a potential exit from the diamond industry.

Joyce and the flight fantastic

27 March 2012 | Matthew Stevens

PRINT: 27 March 2012 | PAGE 46 | Joyce and the flight fantastic

It might not be the premium option we had been conditioned to expect but Alan Joyce’s latest northern initiative look pretty impressive.

Rio managers freed up in safety review

26 March 2012 | Natalie Gerritsen

The head of Rio Tinto’s global iron ore operations says the deaths of three workers in accidents last year “shocked us to our bones”.