Warning on coal price hits miner

Shares in Whitehaven Coal fell almost 2% yesterday after the company said it expected metallurgical coal prices to drop in the first quarter this year, according to The Australian.

The NSW miner expects the price of coal used in steel-making to fall to about $US101 a tonne in the March quarter, due to reduced demand from Asia.

Peter Mansell quits as chairman of Hanlong

Veteran company director Peter Mansell has quit his chairmanship of Chinese investment group Hanlong Mining.

Mansell, a former chairman of West Australian Newspaper Holdings and Zinifex, was recruited to chair the Australian arm of private Chinese outfit Hanlong Group in early 2011 in what was widely seen as a move to boost the company's credibility in the eyes of Australian stakeholders.

Atlas Iron takes on rail operators over road charges

Iron ore producer Atlas Iron has rejected calls by rail operators for higher road charges for heavy vehicles, arguing any increases would hurt smaller miners’ profits, according to the Australian Financial Review.