Aluminium business unattractive for mining groups

摘要

The world's largest mining group BHP Billitonhas announced that it wants to sell off its aluminiumdivision (besides its manganese andnickel business) and concentrate in future onthe sectors of iron ore, copper, coal and oil.Potash too will be retained as the fifth wheelof the wagon. With the remaining business themanagement hopes to take a leap forward interms of profitability and cash flow. A firstsuccess of this ‘portfolio simplification', asBHP has characterised its step, appeared directly:on the London stock exchange theshare price increased immediately.