Frik Els , Editor

Gold traders most bullish in four months as bullion fund holdings set new record

Bloomberg's weekly survey of gold traders shows they are the most bullish since November 11 with 16 out of 23 predicting that the precious metal will gain this week after investors up their holdings of bullion backed funds to a record $131 billion.

Frik Els | March 11, 2012 | 12:30 am

Euphoria over Molycorp deal may soon turn to despair. China’s grip is as strong as ever and rare earth prices are still dropping

Molycorp's mould-breaking deal with Neo Material Technologies sent its shares rocketing in New York on Friday and some industry observers say the tie-up creates a vertically integrated company that will transform the industry. Others see REE prices continuing to drop with some already down 70% and China's grip on the market undiminished – exports could double this year and domestic production continues to ramp up.

Frik Els | March 9, 2012 | 11:50 pm

South Africa’s standalone state mining company a step closer, already hunting for deals

South Africa took a step closer on Thursday to create a standalone mining company that will take charge of the government's role in the country's rich resources and with ambitions of becoming involved in the continent's mining sector.

Frik Els | March 9, 2012 | 9:50 pm

Xstrata pays top dollar for BC met coal field

Xstrata's relentless appetite for coal, particularly the metallurgical variety, was again evident on Thursday after it bought Talisman's Peace River deposit for $500 million.

Frik Els | March 9, 2012 | 4:30 am

Mongolian politics pushes stake sale of massive coal mine further out

Mongolia's plans, first mooted in 2010, to sell a stake in its Erdenes Tavan Tolgoi coal-mining company  to the public faces more delays over politics and regulatory problems while talks with companies to developed the western block of the largest coking coal deposit on the globe are also on ice.

Frik Els | March 9, 2012 | 1:29 am

Ivanhoe Australia turns into nice little earner earlier than scheduled, still on the chopping block

Ivanhoe announced on Thursday its Australian project is producing copper and gold ahead of schedule. Last week the company said Ivanhoe Australia is on the chopping block as its mega-mine in Mongolia requires all its financial resources.

Frik Els | March 8, 2012 | 11:55 pm

Iron wills may not be enough for Glasenberg and Davis to make it big in the ore business

The big three – BHP, Vale and Rio Tinto – control nearly 70% of the 1 billion tonne annual iron ore seaborne trade and even the combined mining and trading capabilities of a Glenstrata may not be enough of an advantage over the incumbents.

Frik Els | March 6, 2012 | 12:54 am

Body blow for mining heavyweights as China growth expected to slow to near decade low

The mining sector's bellwether companies were all beaten down on Monday after China's premier Wen Jiabao delivered a downbeat outlook for the world's second largest economy adding that there were "new problems" to deal with.

Frik Els | March 5, 2012 | 6:44 pm

Glencore perplexed by Zambia copper plant closure, to testify before UK parliament’s tax avoidance inquiry

Glencore on Monday expressed surprise over health and environment officials in Zambia's decision to immediately close a Mopani copper operation over complaints from residents of a nearby town. The London-listed commodities giant is also set to appear before a British inquiry over tax avoidance in the developing world.

Frik Els | March 5, 2012 | 5:31 pm

Green Monday: Glencore dividend payout gives Glasenberg a $110 million pay day

Ivan Glasenberg, CEO of  Glencore International stands to receive dividends worth roughly $110 million on Monday when the commodities giant announces its maiden full-year payment to shareholders.

Frik Els | March 4, 2012 | 10:50 pm

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