Mining and Exploration

Founded under Koç Group, one of the largest and most successful industrial and trading enterprises in Turkey, Demir Export has produced iron ore since 1957. In subsequent years, Demir Export also initiated production of base and precious metals such as zinc, lead, copper and silver ore concentrates in addition to lignite and chromite ore production in lumpy form and as concentrates.

From you position within the IFC, what is your perception of the global mining sector today?

With a total of eleven branches spanning the length and breadth of Chile, Dartel Electricidad is dedicated to the distribution and marketing of some of the most famous and prestigious national and international electrical brands. These brands and solutions meet the high, medium and low voltage needs of Dartel’s customers within the industrial, fishing, construction, engineering, telecommunications and mining sectors.

Junior mining companies are feeling the chill these days, and have been under pressure for over a year, so it is heartening to find one whose neat footwork has turned the situation to its advantage. Over the past year Argex has advanced its plan to convert its focus from mining to production of Titanium Dioxide (TiO2), a commodity that is sure to grow in demand as the world emerges from recession, because its sales in any particular market shadow GDP with uncanny accuracy.

In addressing the media, Mining Minister Hernan de Solminihac revealed this projection, a figure that represents an eight percent increase since the last estimate was given in November 2012. The increased number has been driven by the incorporation of nine projects valued at $3.6 billion and another 20 initiatives that have updated their own investment amounts.

Grindex was founded in 1940 by two Swedish engineers. Among its earliest products was a rock grinding machine: this established the firm in the mining and construction markets; however when co-founder Börje Kristensson was out selling the grinding machine, he came across a new product on the market, a submersible drainage pump. The problem with submersible pumps in the early 1960s was that they were heavy and could not run dry. Kristensson set about developing a lightweight pump that could run dry, thanks to a patented air valve.

Perseus Mining Limited is a company listed on the Australian Stock Exchange and based in Perth; however despite its Australian accent it is an African specialist, specifically focused on the gold producing countries of West Africa. Over the years it has forged a reputation as one of the world's most successful gold explorers, with a quarter of a century of involvement in Ghana and its neighbours coming into fruition very recently, starting commercial production on 1 January 2012.

Career wise, how do you come to be a part of First Quantum Minerals?