Sector movers: Miners on the march

13th Sep 2010 17:36

Mining stocks were strong as commodity prices advanced in line with strong figures from metal hungry China.Chinese industrial production jumped a better than expected 13.9% year on year in August, calming fears about the global slowdown.Aside from big-hitters such as Rio Tinto and Antofagasta, Coal of Africa was strong. It has announced that an agreement on a swap with mining giant Rio Tinto was approved by the South African government. The swap extends Coal of Africa's Makhado project.Scotgold, the Scottish gold miner, also shone. It has reiterated its disappointment at last month's vote by the Loch Lomond and The Trossachs National Parks Board to refuse its planning application for the establishment of a proposed gold and silver mine at Cononish, but said it is considering its options in order to further progress.Top performing sectors so far todayIndustrial Metals & Mining 6,299.16 +2.66%Mining 22,187.86 +2.59%Technology Hardware & Equipment 590.71 +2.11%Aerospace and Defence 3,224.84 +2.06%Banks 5,203.64 +1.98%Bottom performing sectors so far todayAlternative Energy 3,531.82 -10.08%Food Producers & Processors 4,747.29 -0.55%Electronic & Electrical Equipment 2,260.02 -0.34%Real Estate Investment & Services 1,469.74 -0.11%Beverages 8,591.46 -0.08%