BHP Billiton profit

The world's biggest mining group, BHP Billiton, says its second-half net profit more than doubled on strong demand for industrial raw materials, and it forecasts sustained high commodities prices.

BHP Billiton is a beneficiary of China's growing hunger for raw materials and its main commodities include copper, iron ore and coal. Net profit rose to $2.04bn in the six months to end-June from $989m in the same 2003 period equalling a full-year net profit of $3.38bn.