BHP Billiton not chasing coal bargains despite fire sale

The man in charge of BHP Billiton's mining operations in Australia has effectively ruled the miner out of the hunt for bargain assets that have been thrown up by the local coal sector's great fire sale, according to the Sydney Morning Herald.

And Mike Henry, the newly minted president of BHP's minerals operations in Australia, has warned that the coal industry's downturn could last longer than in previous cycles.

Downtrodden mining explorers turn to super-charged lithium

A flood of junior explorers has joined the hunt for lithium, picking up prospective ground and knocking on the doors of other miners in an attempt to join the exuberant market, according to the Sydney Morning Herald.

As many as 35 ASX-listed companies have lithium exploration or development plans, with at least a third moving into lithium in the past five months.

Global coal protestors head for Newcastle Port

Plans to blockade Newcastle harbour with an armada of kayaks piloted by people opposed to the use of fossil fuels loom as the first big test of new laws in NSW that aim to better contain and more appropriately punish illegality performed in the name of public protest, according to the Australian Financial Review.

NSW Police refused last week to confirm whether they are planning for more than 400 people to sail in to the port on Sunday, May 8, nor whether they are planning for mass civil disobedience that could once again involve protesters attaching themselves to equipment at the port.