Freight rates hit a record low Wednesday on weak demand for iron ore, poor weather conditions in mining regions and a glut of shipping capacity.

WSJ: Global Shipping Faces More Choppy Waters

In a further twist, as part of the investigation into Rio, Chinese authorities are said to have seized information which may provide insight into the mining firm's production costs and capacity.

ECONOMIST: Rio Tinto and China

It involves, notably, enforcing the law (in particular laws concerning nature conservation and the mining code), making sites secure, reinforcing the operational capacity of the Congolese Wildlife Authority, reducing commercial poaching, stopping the illicit exploitation of natural resources and strengthening the efforts of peaceful evacuation of illegal occupants of protected areas.

UNESCO: MEDIA SERVICES

This is due to lower throughput capacity at Goldstrike in Nevada as autoclaves are modified, along with mining in lower-grade ore zones at several mines.

FORBES: Barrick Gold Reports 4Q Net Loss; CEO Pledges Disciplined Spending

During the 1980s and 1990s, when commodity prices were low, mining and oil firms invested too little in new mines and wells, leaving them with little or no spare capacity.

ECONOMIST: Commodities