Despite gold's price slump, strong copper and iron ore prices lifted MINING.COM's ranking of the world's 50 most valuable miners to a new record high of $1.35 trillion.

A tumultuous year for the global mining industry: collapse of lithium prices, furious M&A activity, gold’s new record and state intervention in mining on a scale not seen in decades.

Analysts say Anglo's current low valuation and diversified portfolio makes it an attractive target for potential buyers.

Lower court decision does not cancel the permits already granted to the Canadian miner, but it prevents it from moving forward.