| Updated:
BHP stops manganese operation
BHP Billiton, the world’s biggest mining firm, announced this morning that it will suspend production at its manganese alloy production facility in Tasmania by early to mid-March, citing stiff international competition and rising operating costs. “Recently, there has been further erosion of its international competitiveness due to the strong Australian dollar and steady increases in input costs, including in reductants and electricity,” the company said in a statement.