World's largest miner more than doubles earnings

BHP, the world's largest miner, produced net income of $8.3 billion for its fiscal year that ended June 30.

That's up from $3.7 billion in the prior year. The prior year was harmed by impairment charges related to the company's sale of its U.S. shale assets, among other expenses.

The company's dividend of 78 cents represented a record return of $3.9 billion to investors, BHP officials said.

Read more from AFP.