In terms of mining investment, while the cancellation or delay of OlympicDam mine expansion by BHP Billiton indicates that projects under consideration have probably peaked, this does not mean that the mining investment boom is over.
"As we finalised all the details of the project in the context of current market conditions, it became clear that the right decision was to continue studies to develop a less capital intensive option to replace the underground mine at OlympicDam, " said BHP chief executive Marius Kloppers.