Miners tumble as Chinese data disappoints

Mining stocks are dragging down the FTSE 100 index after weak trade figures in China have reignited worries about a slowdown in its economic growth.

The index has fallen 0.8% to 6,666 since markets opened this morning, after starting the day up on Friday's closing figure. The biggest faller in the index is Chile-based copper mining group Antofagasta, whose share price was down 2.5% to 575p by 11am.   It is closely followed by mining stalwarts BHP Billiton and Anglo American, down 2.3% and 2.4%, respectively. Glencore is also down 1.3%, while Rio Tinto has fallen 1.1%. Over the weekend China released figures showing a slump in its trade surplus, imports and exports, with the latter tumbling 8.3% in July. Managers warn of '...