MOSCOW. Sept 5 (Interfax) - The Russian Energy Ministry has retained its 1% forecast for growth in oil production in 2008%, Deputy Energy Minister Stanislav Svetlitsky told journalists on Friday. "We're mildly optimistic [about oil production]," he said.

Total world crude steel production was 696-million tonnes in the first half of 2008, a 5.7 per cent increase over the same period in 2007. In the UK the June production figure was 1.2-million tonnes, a 6.2 per cent fall on the figure for the same month last year.

July 20, 2008according to anba: Brazilian imports of thermoplastic resins grew 60.7% in the first half this year, in comparison with the same months of 2007, having totalled 521,700 tonnes, according to data disclosed by the Brazilian Chemical Industry Association (Abiquim).

Philippine mining sector undergoing booming period: official MANILA, April 20 (Xinhua) -- The Philippine government said on Sunday the country's mining sector has the potential to grow five times to 10 billion U.S. dollars from now to 2011, the official Philippines News Agency reported.

MOSCOW. April 15 (Interfax) - Russian industrial production increased 6.5% in March 2008 compared to March 2007 following growth of 7.5% in February and 4.5% in January, the Federal Statistics Service (Rosstat) reported on Tuesday. Analysts had forecast growth of 6.2% for March.