Frik Els, Author at MINING.COM

Dundee Precious Metals stock in mini meltdown after told to cut smelter feed

"We have spent over $40 million on the smelter in the two years we have owned it and are aware of the challenges that continue to exist there," Chief Executive Jonathan Goodman said in a statement.

Frik Els | April 30, 2012 | 9:06 pm

Gold down as India raises import tax to 10%

Imports likely down 30% as gold hits all-time rupee high

Indian gold imports are likely to plummet this year as a crashing currency and new taxes send domestic gold prices soaring.

Frik Els | April 30, 2012 | 6:36 pm

Iron ore is having a great December as Chinese stockpiles are slashed

Vale makes most bullish iron ore comments yet. $180 a tonne anyone?

“There is a new level of prices for iron ore globally,” Tito Martins, Vale CFO tells analysts in a conference call Friday.

Frik Els | April 28, 2012 | 12:27 am

Insiders light fire under Belo Sun, shares rocket 30%

Social responsibility in mining is basic risk management, not feel-good projects

Corporate Social Responsibility initiatives by mining companies operating in emerging markets in South America, Africa and Asia have become a crucial part of doing business as “above-ground risks are quickly gaining equal footing to traditional geological and engineering considerations for mining projects.”

Frik Els | April 27, 2012 | 10:55 pm

Welcome to Canada, land of the $63 barrel of oil

Canadian crude discount cut in half in six weeks

The price oil sands producers receive for their crude improved to $30.75 a barrel below the international benchmark on Friday, a 42% gain from multi-year lows hit six weeks ago on the back of a sharply narrower gap between Canadian and US crude.

Frik Els | April 27, 2012 | 7:37 pm

Surprised it lasted this long. Soviet-era palladium stockpiles said to be depleted

Apart from Russian reserves no longer distorting the market, South Africa's dwindling supply is bound to boost prices further.

Frik Els | April 26, 2012 | 11:00 pm

We need to talk about how rare earth prices are imploding

Declines in Chinese rare earth export prices coming off 2011's record highs have been stark. But this year some light REEs have halved again and some heavies are now almost $2,500/kg cheaper.

Frik Els | April 26, 2012 | 8:26 pm

Glencore could be looking at First Quantum takeover

Investors take a $1 billion chunk out of Potashcorp after earnings drop 26%

Potash Corporation of Saskatchewan dropped 3.4% when markets opened on Thursday, after revising its earnings guidance for the year and announcing a 26% drop in earnings.

Frik Els | April 26, 2012 | 4:50 pm