Frik Els, Author at MINING.COM

BHP, Vale disaster turned into mining’s Deepwater Horizon

Shares in mining giants tumble after civil suit in Brazil claims $43 billion in damages based on clean-up costs associated with BP's oil spill in the Gulf.

Frik Els | May 4, 2016 | 1:54 pm

Diamonds add sparkle to Anglo’s improving outlook

Moody's praises higher than expected valuation for the sale of the niobium, phosphate businesses and improving prospects for the global diamond market.

Frik Els | May 3, 2016 | 3:16 pm

BHP, Vale hit with $44 billion Brazil lawsuit

BHP, Vale hit with $44 billion lawsuit over deadly spill

Civil suit demands over $2 billion upfront and also targets Brazil's federal, state governments over deadly dam burst at jointly-owned Samarco iron ore mine.

Frik Els | May 3, 2016 | 2:27 pm

China scare drops mining stocks

Factory conditions in China unexpectedly worsen for the 14th straight month raising fears that the rally on commodity markets in 2016 was losing steam.

Frik Els | May 3, 2016 | 12:22 pm

Friday frenzy for Freeport

After leaping 11% on Friday with 74m shares traded, copper giant is now worth $17.5 billion – up 274% from January lows.

Frik Els | April 29, 2016 | 5:14 pm

More iron ore price madness as China’s mom-and-pops pile in

As iron ore rallies again – up 6% on Friday – report shows just how bonkers Chinese speculation in ore futures are compared to anything on Wall Street.

Frik Els | April 29, 2016 | 1:52 pm

Forget the gold price, copper was most profitable covid-19 trade

Chile’s cheerless outlook for copper price

Top global producer sees surplus this year and next as mines pump out more metal and predicts decline in copper price from today's levels through 2017.

Frik Els | April 28, 2016 | 4:40 pm

Iron Ore Rises as China’s Construction Stimulus Pays Off

This chart shows actual China GDP growth highest since 2014

Few trust official Chinese growth numbers, but new research shows activity across a wide section of the economy accelerated sharply in the first quarter.

Frik Els | April 28, 2016 | 10:10 am

Big boost for world’s top diamond miner

Moody's upgrades Alrosa credit, praising Russian firm's low-cost reserve base, technical mining expertise, solid liquidity and conservative financial policy.

Frik Els | April 27, 2016 | 4:11 pm