Shares in Anglo-Australian mining giant BHP Billiton plunged by a tenth to a seven-year low this week. The Samarco project, a tailings dam at a Brazilian mine, which it owns in a joint venture with local iron ore giant Vale, collapsed late last week, causing a mudslide that has left four dead and 22 missing. According to the Sydney Morning Herald, a 2013 report had raised concern over design flaws in the dam. It is unclear whether BHP were aware of this.
What the commentators said
Subscribe to MoneyWeek
Subscribe to MoneyWeek today and get your first six magazine issues absolutely FREE
Sign up to Money Morning
Don't miss the latest investment and personal finances news, market analysis, plus money-saving tips with our free twice-daily newsletter
Don't miss the latest investment and personal finances news, market analysis, plus money-saving tips with our free twice-daily newsletter
-
Napoleon’s bicorne headgear, the original MAGA hat, could fetch €800,000Collectables Napoleon would not be out of place in Trump’s America, says Chris Carter
-
'We face a £6m inheritance tax bill under Reeves's changes – it's sheer terror'Thousands of families fear they’ll have no option but to look at selling their firms in a fire sale to pay inheritance tax bills, due to Rachel Reeves’s changes to business property relief
-
These 2 stocks are set to soarTips The returns from these two aluminium and tin stocks could be spectacular when the commodity cycle turns says David J Stevenson.
-
A lesson for investors from a ill-fated silver mineAnalysis Mining methods may have changed since the industry’s early days, but the business hasn’t – digging ore from the ground and selling it at a profit. The trouble is, says Dominic Frisby, the scams haven't changed either.
-
The natural resources industry is in a tight spot – which is bad news for the rest of usOpinion The natural resources industry is in a bind. We need it to produce more energy and metals, but it has been starved of investment, plagued by supply chain issues, and hobbled by red tape. That’s bad news for everyone, says Dominic Frisby.
-
Why investors should consider adding Glencore to their portfoliosTips Commodities giant Glencore is well placed to capitalise on rising commodity prices and supply chain disruption, says Rupert Hargreaves. Here’s why you should consider buying Glencore shares.
-
Avoid China’s stockmarket – here’s what to invest in insteadOpinion China’s stockmarket is not a good place for investors to be. But you can't just ignore the world's second-largest economy, says Dominic Frisby. Here, he picks an alternative China play.
-
Don’t write off Ukrainian iron ore miner Ferrexpo just yetAnalysis UK-listed Ukrainian iron-ore miner Ferrexpo has had its operations severely disrupted by Russia’s invasion. But, says Rupert Hargreaves, it’s brilliant business that’s worth keeping an eye on.
-
The big dividends on offer from mining stocksAnalysis Miners have gone from bust to boom and are now paying out some of the biggest dividends in the FTSE 100
-
Is this the end of the road for Russian gold miner Petropavlovsk?Analysis Shares in Russian gold miner Petropavlovsk have collapsed 90% this year as sanctions have gutted its business model. Rupert Hargreaves asks if the company has a future.
