FTSE rises as stocks mine gains

The FTSE 100 index has already earned 24.7 points or 0.6% to 5,387 in early trading this morning, led by mining giants Antofagasto, BHP Billiton, Rio Tinto and Xstrata. All of the mining stocks are currently up at least 1.1% as Antofagasta has risen 22p or 1.5% to £14.86, BHP Billiton has earned 14p or 1.7% to 839.5 – having earlier in Australia gained 1.2% to A$20.72- then Rio Tinto took a similar route and rose 25p or 1.12% to 259 – again having risen 1.3% to A$57.25 in Australia – Xstrata rose 21p or 1.5% tp £14.15. Reuters has also gained 6p or 1.64% to 372p while BP – which is in...