Frik Els, Author at MINING.COM

MUST READ: Gold – the race for the world’s most seductive metal

Matthew Hart's gripping Gold chronicling the fever that has captivated the human race for more than 6,000 years at times reads more like a thriller.

Frik Els | December 10, 2013 | 12:40 am

Column: China's loss of import appetite damps copper's bull fires

One of Goldman Sachs top trades for 2014: Go short copper

Bank says you can make a 25% return if you go long on Chinese equities and short copper next year.

Frik Els | December 5, 2013 | 11:17 pm

New Barrick chief uses the h-word

Incoming chief at world's number one producer John Thornton will not rule out dusting off the hedge book.

Frik Els | December 5, 2013 | 9:44 pm

Another big bank pulls out of commodities

Deutsche, Europe's number two bank, has joined the US exodus and is getting out commodities trading, although it is keeping precious metals in its portfolio.

Frik Els | December 5, 2013 | 8:38 pm

Gold price: Hedge funds ready to dump 430 tonnes

SHORT SQUEEZE: Gold price spikes $40

A $40 swing in the gold price, wiping out an early morning jobs number sell-off shows short positions at four-month highs could be facing a big squeeze.

Frik Els | December 4, 2013 | 7:07 pm

Oyu Tolgoi copper, gold output forecasts slashed

Turquoise Hill sinks 26%

The owner of the massive Oyu Tolgoi copper-gold mine in Mongolia is doubling its shares outstanding with a $2.4 billion rights offer.

Frik Els | December 4, 2013 | 5:35 pm

Molycorp CEO says world needs max three more rare earth mines

Molycorp, Lynas and perhaps one other small player are sufficient to meet light REE demand, while there's room for one or maybe two heavy producers outside China, says outgoing CEO Constantine Karayannopoulos.

Frik Els | December 3, 2013 | 10:58 pm

Sliding Chinese currency could be behind gold price weakness

China flexes monetary muscle

China’s yuan has overtaken the euro to become the second-most used currency in trade finance.

Frik Els | December 3, 2013 | 8:14 pm

Iron ore price blasts to 3-month high

Chinese steel mills are humming and rapidly depleting domestic iron ore mines face tough new environment rules from Beijing translating into surging demand for imports.

Frik Els | December 3, 2013 | 7:11 pm