Sector survey: metals and mining

It's the world's oldest profession – except, perhaps, for the sex trade, though metals and mining have not been without their own romantic adventure: gold rushes, conquistadors and glittering diamonds. Today, and for the last few years, metals and mining have shown their gloomier side – tarnished, you might say, by sinking prices and demand. If the prime directive of investor relations is to persevere in bad times as well as good, few sectors have put the axiom to the test like