Speaking at the Paydirt Africa Down Under conference in Perth, the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade secretary Dennis Richardson said the number of Australian mining firms listed on the stock exchange and operating in Africa had jumped from 54 in 2003 to more than 160 this year.

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"There are lots of keepers looking for a number-one spot, " Richardson told BBC Radio Sheffield.

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Despite being based on Margaret Atwood's best-selling novel, there was little Hollywood interest in making the film and a number of leading actresses turned down the part before it was offered to Richardson.

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