The Japanese Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry approved the company's new prospecting rights applications.

The ban is currently due to come into force in 2022.

Indonesia is weighing whether to advance the timeline for a planned ban on exports of mineral ores.

Activity in physical gold markets in major Asian centres was quiet this week as surging prices kept consumers away.

The miner produced 42% more diamonds than expected and sold 33% more than anticipated for 4% less revenue.

In Asia, dozens of coal plants have come on line in recent years or are in the planning stages—with a normal lifetime of almost a half-century.