Frik Els, Author at MINING.COM

Why a former metals trader is leaving China for good after 16 years

"The result is the biggest property bubble in history, which when it pops will sound like a thousand firework accidents."

Frik Els | September 8, 2012 | 11:59 pm

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

Copper will benefit from Chinese stimulus, but iron ore problems run deeper

Julian Zhu, analyst at investment bank Goldman Sachs, said that increased government infrastructure spending in the final quarter of the year will […]

Frik Els | September 8, 2012 | 11:44 pm

Xstrata's 'Big Mick' says no retention bonus brings 'unnecessary risks'

Xstrata scoffs at new Glencore offer as merger of equals becomes hostile takeover

The new Glencore offer is "significantly lower than would be expected in a takeover" and the intention to replace Mick Davis represented “a significant risk” says Xstrata's board.

Frik Els | September 8, 2012 | 8:19 pm

We build it! China sparks copper surge

Copper's 13c bounce on Friday comes after the Chinese government approved a raft of new building and rail projects this week.

Frik Els | September 7, 2012 | 9:57 pm

Ivan Glasenberg: 'obscure billionaire no more'

Glasenberg grabs top job from Davis in new Glenstrata deal

Even before building up Xstrata through a series of billion dollar transactions, Big Mick was a formidable dealmaker who with fellow South African Brian Gilbertson created Billiton before selling it to BHP in 2001.

Frik Els | September 7, 2012 | 6:05 pm

Meet the Israeli middleman said to have ‘stripped and flipped’ First Quantum’s DRC mine

Gertler, 38, used his relationship with DRC president Joseph Kabila and Kabila's now late adviser Augustin Katumba Mwanke to bag mining projects "by stripping from others if necessary, only to sell them on at great profit."

Frik Els | August 22, 2012 | 6:32 pm

Turquoise Hill paid $61 million to departing Friedland and co

Severance packages for management, early vesting options and cancelling contracts with Friedland-owned companies for aircraft rental and other office services quickly added up.

Frik Els | August 20, 2012 | 9:51 pm

Lonmin strikers given 24 hour reprieve

Only about a third of a 28,000-strong workforce reported for their shifts at Lonmin's Marikana platinum operations in South Africa. The London-based miner said workers who did not show up today would not face the sack – the deadline has been moved to tomorrow (Tuesday).

Frik Els | August 20, 2012 | 7:17 pm