Articles

When De Tijd highlighted zinc’s vital role in the green transition, it might have sounded like a niche industrial story. Zinc may not appear on the European Commission’s list of “critical” materials, but its byproducts — germanium, indium, and gallium — are indispensable for semiconductors, fiber optics, batteries, and advanced defense systems. These rare metals place zinc smelters like Nyrstar at the heart of a geopolitical contest. As demand for critical minerals surges, Eu

As geopolitical tensions and fears of war escalate, the race for strategic raw materials has reached a fever pitch among the world’s major power blocs. Commodity giants such as Glencore and Trafigura are cashing in on global scarcity, posting record-breaking profits that underscore their growing dominance in the global supply chain. Traders Thrive Amid Geopolitical Turmoil A recent Bloomberg article confirms that the world’s top metal traders are among the biggest beneficiari

“Together, we can make our societies open for business but closed for crime.” The words of Belgian Prime Minister Bart De Wever at the United Nations still resonate as I work my way through the 146-page decision of the FSMA Sanctions Committee on market manipulation at Nyrstar NV. The Committee’s mandate was clear: to determine the sanctions for four violations identified by the FSMA’s auditor after years of investigation. His exhaustive reports left little doubt that Nyrstar

Minority shareholders who suffer huge losses are left waiting for years, while courts, despite their best efforts, lack the resources to...

In this short video, Bart De Smet, Chairman of the Corporate Governance Committee, reflects on the independence of board members and the...

Minister Annelies Verlinden is requesting an additional €1 billion for structural investments in her department. Her message is sobering:...

The imminent introduction of multiple voting rights is currently sparking controversy in the media over whether sufficient consideration...

Listed companies will soon be able to introduce multiple voting rights in addition to double voting rights. Without robust checks and...

Yes, a battery park in Balen provides job security and contributes to the energy transition, and we can only applaud that. And yes,...

The wheels of justice turn slowly – too slowly – and this undermines the credibility of the rule of law. In an opinion piece in De Tijd,...

“You're losing.” With these harsh words, Jamie Dimon, CEO of the world's largest bank, addressed Europe today in the Financial Times....

Minority shareholders sound the alarm about poor governance, conflicts of interest, mismanagement, and excessive spending. Nyrstar NV, a...

Another unexpected twist in the Nyrstar  case: Kris Peeters withdraws as candidate director. What could be going on? Kris Peeters - ©...

The integrity of corporate governance is under increasing scrutiny — and rightfully so. Belgium’s recent history has shown how vulnerable...

In recent posts, I warned about Europe’s eroding grip on critical industrial capabilities. Now, new evidence from Australia confirms just...

While the EU voices its ambitions for strategic defence autonomy, technological leadership, and green transition goals, it has quietly...

Last April, De Tijd warned that Europe must build 40 new mines and metal factories by 2030 to meet its own green transition targets — a...

Opinion: Recent events have cast a spotlight on the troubling role of major law firms in enabling corporate misconduct. Law professor ...

It’s official: Allen & Overy Shearman (A&O) has inked a deal with Donald Trump. A&O is one of five so-called “elite” law firms that have...

Another case of the #CuckooStrategy in action. Trafigura ’s playbook is becoming painfully familiar: leverage special situations emerging...