London (Bloomberg) — Mining companies will raise record amounts of capital from initial public offerings on stock exchanges around the world in 2010, accounting firm Grant Thornton LLP said.

The number of mining IPOs will also increase, Gerry Beaney, head of capital markets for the firm in the U.K., said in an e- mailed statement.

Mining companies are taking advantage of a revival in equity markets to sell shares and reduce debt. Moscow-based iron ore miner OAO Metalloinvest said Jan. 26 it’s considering an IPO. Russian diamond producer ZAO Alrosa said last month it may hold offerings for at least two mining divisions.

There were no mining IPOs on the London Stock Exchange’s main market last year. The bourse’s Alternative Investment Market’s two IPOs raised 1 million pounds ($1.6 million).

Still, U.K.-listed miners raised about 12 billion pounds in secondary offerings in 2009, Grant Thornton said.

“The fact that investors snapped up vast amounts of new equity by listed mining companies demonstrates their keen interest in the sector,” Beaney said. “This interest should translate to an increase in IPOs in the coming months.”

Mining companies listed on the London’s alternative market raised 958 million pounds in secondary offerings in 2009, more than any year except 2007, Grant Thornton said. Such companies raised 240 million pounds in December, it said.

Mining and metal companies raised $250 million in 10 IPOs and $18 billion through secondary offerings in Australia, Grant Thornton said. On Toronto’s stock exchange, C$22 billion was raised via equity financing, it said.