Industry sector - Mining and Metals - Ernst & Young - United Kingdom

This paper covers the debt level of mining companies over the last 30 years and looks at the impact of economic cycles on the appropriate level of debt as a form of financing.  Download Mining and metals – The wall of debt  677K, October 2009

How do you manage through the recession and position your company for growth? Our mining and metals partners conducted more than 500 client meetings and identified some overarching themes. Accelerated decision-making, operational flexibility and alternative financing options could mean the difference between surviving and thriving.

The sector is renowned for risk taking, which provides both challenges and opportunities.  This paper considers the top 10 strategic business risks facing mining and metals companies, including access to capital, cost containment, climate change, infrastructure access and pipeline skrinkage.  It also looks at risks currently sitting below the radar such as exposure to distressed counterparties and price and currency volatility. For a full copy of the report, please contact  Julia Davies. Download the executive summary  397K, August 2009

This report, 2008: the year when cash was king  189K examines the challenges, issues and trends surrounding deal-making in the mining and metals sector last year.

Our latest paper examines whether things are really as bad as they seem for mining and metals companies and considers some of the potential changes that may have to take place in order for the sector to fully recover. Download Mining and metals in adversity  2Mb, May 2009

The Mining eye monitors and analyses performance of the top 20 AIM listed mining companies. Our Q2 2009 report is now available. For weekly updates of the Mining eye index, please visit the Mining eye site. 

This paper gives a brief overview of the Ernst & Young universe of AIM mining sector companies. We look at the size and scale of the companies, their products, financial health and future prospects. Download Aim miners – the bigger the better  980K, August 2008

To see further papers on issues affecting the Mining sector, please visit our publications page.

As the supply of workers continues to fall and demand continues to rise, mining and metals companies must get creative in addressing worker shortages. This paper assesses the impact of the skills shortage on both project development and production and considers how to achieve talent management best practice and maintain competitive advantage.

To request a copy of this report please contact  Julia Davies.