National Business

VANCOUVER — Taseko Mines Ltd. says it has signed a deal to increase its stake in its Gibraltar copper mine in B.C. in an agreement worth at least $60 million. Under the terms of the deal, Taseko will acquire Sojitz Corp.

VANCOUVER — Ritchie Bros. Auctioneers Inc. reported its fourth-quarter profit and sales were up compared with a year earlier. The company, which keeps its books in U.S. dollars, reported a profit of $45.

MONTREAL — Airbus says it is creating 500 new jobs in Canada this year as it looks to increase A220 aircraft production.

BEIJING (AP) — An open pit mine collapsed in China's northern Inner Mongolia region on Wednesday, killing at least two people and leaving more than 50 missing, state media reported.

TORONTO — Canadian bank stocks have been riding a wave of investor optimism so far this year, but analysts say the first-quarter results that start arriving later this week will be a reminder of the mixed economic picture ahead.

TOKYO (AP) — Asian shares declined Wednesday after stocks tumbled on Wall Street as worries persist about higher interest rates and their tightening squeeze on the global economy. Tokyo's benchmark Nikkei 225 dipped 1.4% in morning trading to 27,100.

TORONTO — Some of the most active companies traded Tuesday on the Toronto Stock Exchange: Toronto Stock Exchange (20,252.64, down 262.60): Suncor Energy Inc. (TSX:SU). Energy. Up 85 cents, or 1.91 per cent, to $45.44 on 14.9 million shares.

TORONTO — Canada's main stock index was down almost 1.3 per cent Tuesday with broad-based losses led by technology, healthcare and financials, while U.S. stock markets slid more than two per cent. The S&P/TSX composite index was down 262.

TORONTO — As overall inflation slows, the cost of food continues to climb for Canadians — but experts say there should be some relief by the end of the year. Food prices grew by 10.

CALGARY — Suncor Energy Inc. has given the all-clear after responding to a vapor leak at its Commerce City refinery in Colorado.