Calling an end to the commodity boom is problematic because the definition of what constitutes the boom depends on who you are.

Australia’s resources minister has declared the end of the country’s mining boom, after the world’s biggest miner BHP Billiton shelved two expansion plans worth $40bn (€31.7bn).

The London market started the month on a positive note today as stocks in mining and oil companies helped it close above the 6000 threshold.

Mining stocks were in demand in London today after China agreed a deal to import Australian uranium for its nuclear power stations.