Frik Els, Author at MINING.COM

BHP’s already eye-watering Olympic Dam expansion bulked up again

World number one miner BHP Billiton on Wednesday bought additional exploration plots near its Olympic Dam mine and $30 billion expansion project.

Frik Els | June 13, 2012 | 2:01 pm

Rising chorus for stimulus takes gold to 5-week high

The Fed's new near-zero interest rate policy and purchases under QE1 kicked off on 16 December 2008. On 15 December 2008 an ounce of gold cost $837.50.

Frik Els | June 12, 2012 | 6:50 pm

Great Barrier Reef coal mine turning into Australia’s Keystone XL

Greenpeace takes out ads saying investing in the mega-mine is "risky business" and calls into question the ability of India's GVK to pull off the project as the group "has never built a mine in Australia." State and federals officials call the campaign "deplorable and obnoxious." And that's just this week.

Frik Els | June 12, 2012 | 5:41 pm

Dr Kloppers took home $15 million last year. How is the sypercycle turning out for you?

The 49-year-old boss of the world's largest stage.mining.company took home £9.8 million ($15.2 million) last year including bonuses, pension contributions and stock options.

Frik Els | June 12, 2012 | 2:30 pm

Spanic and Grexit put copper back on defensive

The Spanish bailout is now being called 'voodoo economics' while EU finance officials are at the point of discussing limiting ATM withdrawals and doing border checks if and when Athens drops the euro.

Frik Els | June 12, 2012 | 1:46 pm

These 6 metals, minerals back to greenfield pricing by 2020

Black hole: US coal stocks now down over 60% in 2012 as thermal price hits 2-year low

Coal executives believe that as much as 10% of the production serving the seaborne market could be losing money at current prices.

Frik Els | June 11, 2012 | 6:38 pm

Rio says Oyu Tolgoi could start shipping this month

Singapore state fund builds up stake in Ivanhoe, does nothing for share price

Singapore's sovereign wealth fund Temasek Holdings has taken up a 5.5% stake in Canada's Ivanhoe Mines valued at roughly $420 million ahead of a $1.8 billion rights offer at the miner. Early Monday Ivanhoe, already down 43% this year shed another 3.8% in value.

Frik Els | June 11, 2012 | 2:33 pm

Kinross says Tasiast producing again

Canada’s number 3 gold miner by output said about 600 workers had returned after the four-day strike at its Tasiast mine in Mauritania.

Frik Els | June 11, 2012 | 1:42 pm

You too can help build Oyu Tolgoi: Rio Tinto offers Ivanhoe rights at 32% discount

Rio could end up with a much bigger chunk of Ivanhoe come July 19 – 260 million new shares are expected to be issued representing some 35% of Ivanhoe's current outstanding shares.

Frik Els | June 8, 2012 | 9:47 pm

The shareholders are revolting! Alberta Oilsands jumps after proxy battle is triggered

Alberta Oilsands (TSX-V:AOS) added 9% on Wednesday, after a group of "concerned shareholders" said they are filing a dissident circular and are in the process of mailing to shareholders of the tiny bitumen explorer a letter demanding the resignation of the board.

Frik Els | June 8, 2012 | 6:36 pm