Frik Els, Author at MINING.COM

‘Coal’ TV show mine owner sued over royalties

Encoal Energy and Gopher Land Services says Canadian-owned Cobalt Coal stopped paying in May, but "was still actively mining as of this week and is now effectively trespassing because Gopher owns the land where the mine portal is located".

Frik Els | August 18, 2012 | 11:17 pm

Lonmin now seeks $1 billion rights offer backed by Xstrata

The news follows the closure of Lonmin's Marikana mine in the NorthWest province of South Africa after clashes between rival unions and police left 44 dead.

Frik Els | August 18, 2012 | 10:36 pm

Exclusive Analysis: Platinum violence could spread to South Africa’s coal, iron mines – gold safe for now

More than just rivalry between unions, the platinum mine violence in South Africa has implications for the ruling ANC alliance.

Frik Els | August 18, 2012 | 10:19 pm

Iron ore testing $110 support as Chinese steel contracts drop to record low

Iron ore has only enjoyed three up days over the last six weeks of trading.

Frik Els | August 17, 2012 | 7:04 pm

Gold price: Asian bargain hunters are back

Heard the rumour China is buying 6,000 tonnes of gold? It may not be as crazy as it sounds

“There’s a significant discrepancy between domestic gold demand in China and the level of Chinese gold imports and production."

Frik Els | August 17, 2012 | 5:27 pm

Turquoise Hill surges after Mongolia approves expansion

Oyu Tolgoi start-up, costs under threat from Mongolia–China stand-off

Rio Tinto would have to build its own power plant and delay commercial production if the two nations cannot come to a deal during long-running power negotiations.

Frik Els | August 17, 2012 | 4:04 pm

PotashCorp shuts mine and Vale delays major project as potash prices decline

The downturn in potash prices claimed more victims this week.

Frik Els | August 17, 2012 | 2:50 pm

Latest on South Africa mine clashes: 44 dead, 78 injured, 259 arrested

A standoff between hundreds of strikers wielding pangas and sticks at London-listed Lonmin's Marikana mine ended when police began firing on a surging crowds leaving many dead.

Frik Els | August 17, 2012 | 1:52 pm

China to start subsidizing rare earth miners as exports fall 18% in just one month

And you thought Molycorp had it tough: Some Chinese REE miners report 90% drop in earnings

Downstream companies are playing a wait and see game, hoping to capitalize if rare earth prices decline further.

Frik Els | August 16, 2012 | 10:49 pm

Egypt to issue tenders for foreign gold explorers

The Egyptian Mineral Resources Authority plans to issue international tenders in September to explore for gold in seven areas in Egypt's Eastern Desert and Marsa Alam regions in the south where it has identified deposits.

Frik Els | August 16, 2012 | 7:24 pm