south32 ltd extended its share buy back and raised its dividend as it reported a jump in firsthalf profit underpinned by a broad recovery in commodity prices the metals and coal producer thursday said it made a net profit of 103 billion in its julydecember first half up from 53 million a year earlier directors of the company declared an interim dividend of 87 us cents a share up from 14 cents a year earlier the board also decided to add 110 million to an ongoing share buyback program south32 said the miner said it now has 302 million under that program yet to be spent looking ahead we are well positioned to capitalize on current market conditions as countries continue their economic recovery from covid19 and into the future as they invest in new infrastructure that is expected to see continued growth in demand for the metals critical for a low carbon future said chief executive graham kerr