Nutrien’s potash mine at Lanigan, Sask. The Saskatoon company said in February it expects to close some potash mines which are near their “end of life” in the year ahead. (Nutrien.com)

Nutrien steers potash recovery as BHP waits in wings

Reading Time: 3 minutes Winnipeg/London | Reuters — Canada’s Nutrien, the world’s biggest potash miner by capacity, has helped engineer a surprising price rebound for the fertilizer by idling capacity. Now the trick will be keeping prices from appreciating too much to ensure a major would-be competitor, BHP Billiton, stays on the sidelines. BHP has been weighing an entry […] Read more



(Dave Bedard photo)

Glencore looking to expand agriculture business, CEO says

Reading Time: 2 minutes Cham, Switzerland | Reuters –– Miner and trader Glencore is looking to expand its agriculture business via its partnership with two Canadian funds, the company’s CEO said on Wednesday, but has no plans to move into any commodities it does not already trade. CEO Ivan Glasenberg was speaking a day after U.S. grains trader Bunge […] Read more

Glencore, whose Sudbury Integrated Nickel Operations (INO) in Ontario are shown here, has shed assets to cut debt and now plans to maintain a lower net debt to earnings ratio. (Glencore.com)

Glencore ready for deals and dividends after profit boost

Reading Time: 2 minutes London | Reuters –– Commodities trader and miner Glencore reported an 18 per cent rise in full-year profit on Thursday, buoyed by a rebound in raw materials prices, and said it was well-placed financially for small acquisitions or a special dividend payout. Analysts said the results beat expectations, driving the share price nearly two per […] Read more


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European Parliament backs glyphosate, with conditions

Reading Time: 2 minutes Brussels | Reuters — European politicians advised on Wednesday that the herbicide glyphosate should only be approved for another seven years, rather than the 15 proposed by the EU executive, and should not be used by the general public. Environmental campaigners have demanded a ban on glyphosate, which is used in products such as Monsanto’s […] Read more

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EU defers decision on glyphosate safety

Reading Time: 2 minutes Brussels | Reuters — The European Union on Tuesday put off a decision on whether to extend approval for glyphosate, used in herbicides including Monsanto’s Roundup, after a dispute between EU and U.N. agencies over whether it causes cancer. Experts from all 28 member states attended a closed-door meeting on Monday and Tuesday in Brussels, […] Read more


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EU may defer decision on glyphosate safety

Reading Time: 2 minutes Brussels | Reuters — The European Union will defer a decision on whether to extend approval for glyphosate, used in herbicides including Monsanto’s Roundup, following a dispute between EU and U.N. agencies over whether it causes cancer, EU sources said Monday. Experts from all 28 member states attended a closed-door meeting on Monday in Brussels, […] Read more

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EU food safety watchdog hits back in glyphosate safety row

Reading Time: 2 minutes Brussels | Reuters –– The head of Europe’s food safety watchdog has written to a group of nearly 100 senior scientists strongly rejecting their criticisms in a row about the safety of glyphosate. The European Food Safety Authority (EFSA), which advises European Union policymakers, issued an opinion in November that glyphosate is unlikely to cause […] Read more


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EU scientists say glyphosate unlikely to cause cancer

Reading Time: 2 minutes Brussels | Reuters — Glyphosate is unlikely to cause cancer in humans, according to the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA), which nevertheless proposed limits on Thursday on the amount of residue of the herbicide widely used by farmers deemed safe to consume. The EFSA advises EU policymakers and its conclusion could lead the 28-member European […] Read more