FTSE makes small advances as mining stocks surge

BHP Billiton, the world's biggest mining company, has climbed 13.5p, or 1.61%, to 854.5p as copper futures in Shanghai rose for a second session on speculation China's stockpiling agency may buy more of the metal to help damp prices. Rio Tinto, the world's third-largest mining company, has also added 32p, or 1.4%, to 2,368p. Meanwhile some of the biggest losers on the FTSE are Friends Provident, which has slipped 2.5p, or 1.31%, to 188.5p, while Cable and Wireless has slipped 1.25p, or 0.99%, to 125.25p. Chrysalis Group, whose Heart 106.2 FM is London's most popular commercial radio sta...