Frik Els , Editor

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

India’s central bank looking forward to drop in gold price after decade of ‘panic’ buying. Huh?

A new study by India's central bank asks whether gold bullion as a safe haven investment has turned into an asset bubble and crucially, if that bubble should burst, would the subcontinent's financial system experience systemic damage.

Frik Els | March 4, 2012 | 8:40 pm

Old king coal has a new crown jewel

Illinois' Prairie State power station is on the brink of production and the $5 billion coal-fired plant will supply electricity to 2.5 million households for at least the next 30 years.

Frik Els | March 4, 2012 | 1:50 am

Indians’ love affair with platinum was brief

The Business Standard reports now that platinum trades more in line with the gold price, Indian jewellery buyers are moving back into gold.

Frik Els | March 3, 2012 | 11:55 pm

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