A Brazilian federal court on Friday ordered Vale to halt activity at its Onsa Puma nickel mine, in Brazil’s Amazon state of Para, until it can demonstrate what actions it has taken to compensate indigenous communities in the region.

Brazilian miner Vale said on Thursday that a nitrogen dioxide leak at its Copper Cliff smelter in Sudbury, Ontario had been contained and that the leak did not result in any injuries.

Despite beating production targets, nickel miner Mincor Resources reported a total net loss after tax of A$34.26-million for the full year ended June, compared with a profit of A$1.85-million in the previous financial year.

Re-establishing diplomatic relations between Cuba and the US after 54 years has rekindled fresh hopes that Cuba’s mining and petroleum industries will benefit from potential US investment in these sectors.

Recently, the Government of Newfoundland and Labrador approved Vale’s nickel mine project located at Voisey's Bay in Canada, and the project will be officially launched next year.

Canadian corporations that use tax havens like Switzerland and the Cayman Islands to reduce the taxes they pay at home have good reason to worry.

Nickel, copper and aluminum hit six-year lows on Wednesday after China allowed the yuan to weaken further, prompting fears that metals demand from the world’s top buyer would wither and sending nickel down 15 per cent before prices recovered.

Glencore Plc led a global slump in mining shares on concern China’s decision to devalue the yuan will sap demand for commodities.