Watch out for black swan threats on commodities, says Barclays

Watch out for the unexpected in commodities markets in 2017, says the bank, giving a laundry list of possible threats for raw materials from energy to metals.

Iron ore prices will fall in 2017, top forecaster warns

Iron ore prices are set for a retreat this year after surging in 2016, according to RBC Capital Markets, recently the most accurate forecaster for the commodity.

Iron ore rally under threat

After surging in 2016 in a rally that caught out many investors, the commodity faces a challenge on renewed supply concerns.

Hedge funds bet on lasting commodity bounce

Gains in commodities will continue next year - at least that's what hedge funds are signaling.

Gold rises near 8.5pc on year

Gold prices eased on Friday, ending a year in which bullion gained more than 8 per cent, snapping three years of declines.

Iron ore snaps years-long losing streak

​Chinese steel and iron ore prices finished the final session of the year under pressure amid concerns about slowing demand.

China coal prices lower in volatile trade

​Chinese steel rebar prices fell more than 2pc, while coke and coking coal remained under pressure, in volatile trading.

Miners' new bonanza set to continue in 2017

The mining giants are set to haul in a combined $36 billion for the December half, and the windfall won't end there.

Copper advances amid falling inventories

Copper prices rose as falling stocks and expectations of stronger demand in China persuaded buyers to return to the market.

Thailand memo to Kingsgate: don't bother suing us over Chatree

Bangkok:  Thailand's prime minister has warned Australian miner Kingsgate it would be a waste of time suing his military government over his order to shutdown the company's goldmine by December 31.

Former Chinalco chief jailed 16 years for graft

A Chinese court has jailed Sun Zhaoxue, the former president of state-owned metals producer Chinalco for 16 years for graft

Gold extends run of weekly losses

Gold futures capped the longest run of weekly losses in 12 years as the case for higher US interest rates strengthens.

Iron ore spot rises, China steel futures dip

The spot price for seaborne iron ore rose in light trade on Friday ahead of the Christmas break.

Copper dips on Chinese demand doubts

​Copper prices slipped on Friday as investors took profits on long positions ahead of the Christmas break.

Gina Rinehart loses costs case against journalist

A company owned by Australia's richest woman, Gina Rinehart, will have to pay the costs of a journalist who the billionaire tried to force into revealing her sources for a book about the family.

Iron ore tumbles as smog spurs caution

The price of iron ore fell for a fifth day, diving 3.8 per cent overnight, amid continuing concerns about smog.

Iron ore slips amid heavy smog

Chinese steel futures edged higher but gains were tepid as mills were ordered to cut output amid a blanket of heavy smog.

China is all that for metals

• Opinion

From a year of political upheaval the metals markets can draw one all-important lesson. It's still all about China.

Coal traders see rally's end

Coal's recovery was one of the biggest surprises in commodities this year, but it's all poised to end.

Mining giants turn to trading to boost profits

Every little helps as miners seek to boost profitabilty.

Tinkler bid to escape bankruptcy fails first hurdle

Nathan Tinkler's audacious bid to escape bankruptcy has fallen at the first hurdle after he failed to post the $1 million he proposed to settle debts of more than $550 million before a creditors' meeting on Wednesday.

Samarco restart moves a step closer as Vale allows use of its pit

Brazilian iron ore miner Vale said on Tuesday it signed a non-binding agreement with BHP Billiton to allow the use of its Timbopeba pit to deposit tailings from iron miner Samarco when that company restarts operations.

Iron ore slides amid profit taking

Iron ore extends losing streak as investors lock in gains from the year's searing rally.

Clive Palmer court grilling to resume in 2017

The public grilling of Clive Palmer over the collapse of Queensland Nickel will resume in the Brisbane Federal Court in February.

Rio Tinto's Simandou rival detained in Israel on bribe suspicion

Beny Steinmetz was detained in Israel on suspicion of bribing government officials in Guinea.

China iron ore tumbles on port stocks

Iron ore futures in China slumped as stocks of it at the country's ports rose to the most in more than two years.

Fortescue, Vale JV plans could fall over

Iron ore miner Fortescue Metals says its proposed joint venture with larger Brazilian rival Vale, for blending their iron ore at key Chinese ports, could fall over.

Thai economy could be biggest loser in shelving gold mining

When Thailand's junta leader-turned-prime minister used his absolute power to suspend gold mining – prompting an Australian miner's shares to plummet 19 per cent in a single day – he complicated efforts to attract foreign investors already spooked by military rule.

World's largest iron ore project hailed as sign of Brazil recovery

Vale SA is betting on the world's biggest iron ore project as a way to become more competitive with its largest rivals. For Brazil, the $US14 billion S11D mine is a rare bright spot amid the country's longest recession on record.