BHP Billiton Ltd, the world’s biggest miner, is heading towards another record-shattering annual profit, after posting full-year production records in copper, iron ore, nickel and a host of other commodities. With commodity prices still at lofty heights, propelled by continuing buoyant demand in China, the mining giant is preparing to break its annual net profit record when it reports in late August, with earnings forecast to top $14.74 billion, up from more than $11.33 billion in 2006.
