Rio Tinto to freeze pay in 2106
Mining giant Rio Tinto has put a freeze on salaries for all employees, as it hunts for savings in the face of a continuing slump in commodities prices, according to AAP.
CEO Sam Walsh this week told employees there would be no pay increases in 2016, in view of the tough year ahead.
Contractors key to Karara mine's fate
The fate of the troubled Karara mine in Western Australia hangs in the balance as the Chinese-Australian joint venture intensifies cost reduction discussions with its major contractors, according to the Australian Financial Review.
The magnetite project is a joint venture between China's second biggest steel producer Ansteel and Perth-based minority partner Gindalbie Metals.
Samarco executives face new accusations over dam disaster
Brazil's federal police have accused three companies, including BHP Billiton joint venture Samarco and Vale, and seven executives of those firms of environmental crimes in connection with a deadly tailings dam breach last November, according to the Australian Financial Review.
Vale, the world's largest iron ore exporter, co-owns Samarco in a 50:50 joint venture with BHP. However, Brazilian police have not accused the Australian mining giant of any crimes.
