BHP insists global climate deal will not harm future mining profits

World's biggest mining company confident of doubling profits by 2030 even with the introduction of stringent emission controls

The world's biggest mining company has spent 37m a year on climate change since 2007, and is confident of doubling its profits by 2030 despite the possibility of stringent new controls on greenhouse gas emissions.

BHP Billiton said on Tuesday that efforts to forge a new global agreement on climate change, at UN talks scheduled for Paris this December, would not harm its future profits, and anticipated continuing to mine for coal for decades to come.