Strong demand buoys miner Anglo

Anglo thanked the recent metal market boom for its rising profits

Mining group Anglo American has posted a rise in profits, saying that further industrial-nation growth and steady Chinese demand would fuel more rises.

Headline profits before one-offs rose 43% to $1.8bn (£1bn) in the six months to June from $1.25bn the year before.

The firm said its metals division had experienced the strongest growth - as copper prices rose and China snapped up a fifth of the metal produced.

"The outlook for most of the group's commodities remains sound," Anglo said.

"If Chinese demand continues at current levels and prospects for OECD growth improve in the second six months, the group's earnings should remain strong for the remainder of the year," its statement added.

The world's third largest miner said that it had taken a charge of $55m for the closure of some mines while the sale of other assets had boosted its coffers by $67m.