Sector movers: Miners on the march

Miner Vedanta is leading the FTSE 100 higher after it said zinc, copper and aluminium operations were at full capacity during the second quarter as it revealed a 16% rise in refined zinc production and a 27% surge in iron ore output.

In precious metals, South America-focused Hochschild Mining has increased the size of the bond issue announced on Wednesday as part of its fund raising plans. The company has successfully placed $115m of senior unsecured convertible bonds due 2014; initial plans were for the bond issue to raise $100m.

Meanwhile, in the world of coal, UK-focused ATH Resources is flat after it said coal sales this year fell below expectations which will result in profits being lower than budgeted.

New Britain Palm Oil, which produces the oil in Papua New Guinea, climbs after signing a five-year agreement to supply palm oil products to Ferrero, the firm that makes Ferrero Rocher chocolates. But overall the food producer sector falls, with big firms like Goodfella's pizza maker Northern Foods and chocolate maker Cadbury.

Top performing sectors so far today
Forestry & Paper 3,655.80 +3.79%
Mining 18,631.31 +3.22%
Automobiles & Parts 2,735.54 +2.72%
Fixed Line Telecommunications 1,934.72 +2.68%
Technology Hardware & Equipment 327.62 +2.60%

Bottom performing sectors so far today
Mobile Telecommunications 3,087.16 -1.63%
Food Producers & Processors 4,598.66 -0.15%
Electricity 6,478.59 -0.13%
Aerospace and Defence 2,884.81 -0.11%