In the fourth quarter, Freeport McMoRan Copper & Gold (NYSE: FCX) spent $1.57 to produce each pound of copper. That was nearly triple its costs from the year-ago period, and more than 50 percent above the average for the year. Management also forecast that copper production would cost $1.38 per pound for… Read More

Shares of Xstrata (London: XTA, OTC: XSRAY) have performed well as of late, surging 62 percent after hitting a low in early October.  Source: Bloomberg But do the shares still present a… Read More

Today, MLPs are still in the sweet spot: Not only does the nation face a critical shortage of midstream infrastructure to support growing output from prolific shale oil and gas plays, but most MLPs also have easy access to relatively inexpensive debt and capital. Read More

A possible deal between a miner and a metals trader could create a company with sufficient scale to survive and prosper in a difficult industry. Read More

Mining’s unique operating challenges are driving industry consolidation. But even as successful mining companies continually expand their scale to meet demand, they assume more operating, financial and political risk along the way. Read More

BHP Billiton Ltd (ASX: BHP, NYSE: BHP) reported fiscal 2012 first-half earnings that disappointed some. Nonetheless, its stock has still returned 12 percent this year, largely on the continued strength and growth of its iron ore and metallurgical coal operations. Both of these are crucial elements in manufacturing steel, which remains… Read More