Rock-breakers work with geologists and surveyors to make sure that only profitable grades of ore are mined.

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And tailings are produced in large quantities: on average, 991 tonnes-worth for every 1, 000 tonnes of ore that is mined.

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As for individual stocks, there are very few pure platinum plays, as the ore it is mined from also contains nickel and copper.

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Barclays believes the main reasons for these declines stem from poor ore grades being mined as well as disruptions in the form of strikes, with some pipeline cuttings, and poor weather.

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Though iron ore is no longer mined in the North East, it is shipped to the facility from around the world.

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This meets demands from Indian states that they should have the benefit of adding some value after their iron-ore deposits have been mined, while also allowing down-stream processes to be tailored to meet local requirements.

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In order to get one troy ounce of platinum, it takes ten tons of ore, which is generally mined in miserable conditions.

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Commodities currently mined in the region include nickel, cobalt, platinum group metals, zinc, iron ore, and ilmenite, as well as gold.

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