Berkshire Hathaway has bought a 5% stake in each of Japan's five biggest trading houses, marking a departure for chairman Warren Buffett as he looks beyond the US to diversify his conglomerate.

The companies’ technology uses 35 kW per kilogram of titanium compared to the standard Kroll process that uses 117 kW per kilogram of metal.

Rhodium price on track for new record, copper to extend rally, Glencore strategy to underpin cobalt prices.

Some 20 million pounds of supply has been lost this year, the company said.

Operations have been disrupted after workers have blocked access to the world's second-largest copper mine in the easternmost region of Papua since Monday.