If everything goes as planned, at the end of this week Chile’s Codelco and Anglo American will sign a long-awaited agreement that would end one of the biggest business disputes in recent decades.
Investors do not need to travel the world to make money in gold mining stocks. Nevada has world-class geology, infrastructure and a mine-friendly legal system without the substantial risks of international resource development.
Given Chinese officials' penchant for painting rosy economic pictures, it is something of a big deal when a state-backed institution such as the China Iron and Steel Association makes such a bearish call.
London's Sunday Times reports Anglo American is close to a deal to hand over a share in the Los Bronces copper project to Chile's Codelco at "a discount of several billion dollars" some time this week. If the report is correct it would provide further ammunition to those calling for Anglo CEO Cynthia Carroll's head.
The actual strike isn’t a deterrent to investors. But certainly the inability to get it under control will be of concern, particularly as this is now the third platinum mine that has seen conflict resulting in deaths this year.