Articles

The global commodity markets are no stranger to controversy. But when a firm as large as Trafigura finds itself facing several major legal battles simultaneously, the industry must take note. One concerns an alleged fraud involving nickel shipments worth about $600 million; another involves a landmark bribery conviction. A third centres on the long-running dispute related to Nyrstar, in which Trafigura has faced allegations over its role in the company’s financial collapse. T

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

The Nyrstar saga continues to make headlines. La Libre follows up on articles published by L'Echo and De Tijd and highlights a striking...

Our years of appealing for transparency in the sour Nyrstar file finally seems to have been heard. In this article by Bert Broens in De...

From Jakarta to Geneva, Trafigura’s Troubles Multiply. Fresh off a Swiss court conviction tied to operations in Angola, commodity giant...

Is Nyrstar’s board of directors truly caught between a rock and a hard place? That metaphor positions the board as a victim. In reality,...

The financial newspaper De Tijd published an opinion by Kris Vansanten in which he argues that Nyrstar should finally act in line with...

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....

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

Summary : In April 2025, Trafigura agreed to a $75.8 million settlement with Brazilian authorities, resolving civil cases stemming from...

Public Eye’s latest podcast investigates the Angolan corruption scandal involving Trafigura. It sheds light on how the company allegedly...

"Trafigura Group will pay $126 million and plead guilty to US charges related to bribery in Brazil, in the latest case involving...

'Critical infrastructure and smelting capacity are a national security issue and therefore they need some kind of government ownership or...

illustration Summary : Trafigura CEO addressed the firm’s $1.1 billion fraud loss in Mongolia, calling it a “humbling experience” and a...

'The biggest robbery in Belgian industrial history' is how Le Vif magazine describes Trafigura's role in the takeover of Nyrstar's...

“The greatest hold-up in Belgian industrial history” — that is how the magazine Le Vif describes Trafigura’s role in the acquisition of...

Mike Wainwright Summary : In a landmark ruling, Switzerland’s Federal Criminal Court convicted Trafigura and its former COO, Mike...

The conviction of  Trafigura  and one of its key executives is a watershed for the commodity trading industry, and is by all means...