The climate of reform
Although the news is often filled with images of violence in Nigeria, global tobacco giant British American Tobacco has found it an excellent place to do business. Alistair Hide talks to Gay Sutton about building a strong and socially responsible tobacco company.

Cleaning up
Man by nature is inquisitive and adventurous but as Alan Swaby learns, sticking with a winning formula can also be a rewarding business strategy.

Hidden talents
A strategic decision to widen its operational scope has unearthed new mining opportunities for one company, as Jeff Daniels learns.
It takes a certain type of person to leave terra firma and choose a career in the navy. And the qualities suited for roaming the oceans of the world are as different again when it comes to choosing to go below the surface and become a submariner. 

Keeping it clean
Luis Merino, managing director of the Aguablanca nickel mine in southern Spain, talks to Jayne Flannery about this flagship operation within the Lundin Mining Corporation.
The Aguablanca nickel-copper sulfide deposit is located in the province of Badajoz in southern Spain. The extensive deposits, which were not discovered until the early 1990s, lie almost exposed on an inconspicuous hill that looks very much like any of the other similar hills that break up the plains in the dry, arid lands to the east of Andalucia.

Scottish and Southern Energy (SSE) has agreed to buy the natural gas assets and infrastructure assets of the US energy firm Hess in three regions of the North Sea for $423 million (Ôé¼313 million).

Terminal velocity
A new storage terminal at the Port of Amsterdam, being built by Dutch storage facilities provider Royal Vopak, will greatly increase capacity and service to the surrounding region. Project director Hans Dilweg tells Ruari McCallion about the companyÔÇÖs state-of-the art facility.

Working with the juniors
Mining is never for the faint hearted, as many junior exploration companies have discovered, but Alan Swaby talks to a company thatÔÇÖs found a good working model to minimise risk.
ThereÔÇÖs no such thing as a junior furniture maker or a junior accountancy practice. ThereÔÇÖs just big or small; established or start-ups. But in mining, thanks to the magical prospect of making untold millions should the mother lode be discovered, junior exploration companies abound.

World capital in 20 years
The discovery of a quadrillion cubic feet of natural gas 40 miles offshore Ras Laffan in Qatar has propelled the area to declare itself energy capital of the world. John OÔÇÖ Hanlon spoke to Capt. Feisal Saad, manager of Ras Laffan Port, to find out more.
Twenty years ago, northern Qatar was a rocky desert and Ras Laffan a remote promontory jutting out into the Arabian Gulf. What happened next was that gas was discovered in what is now known as the North Field, after which a new port was constructed to ship it round the world.

Top brass
As it moves up the value chain, investment in equipment and training helps Pressure Die Castings exploit the advantages of brass for a demanding customer base, finds Alan Swaby.

A window on the world
Andrew Pelis talks to one market leading manufacturer about the importance of protecting product quality when venturing into new markets, both at home and overseas.