Columnist

Clyde Russell

A Flint Hills Resources oil refinery stands in Corpus Christi, Texas, U.S., on Thursday, Jan. 7, 2016. Crude oil slid Thursday to the lowest level since December 2003 as turbulence in China, the worlds biggest energy consumer, prompted concerns about the strength of demand. Photographer: Eddie Seal/Bloomberg

Opinion

China’s record fuel exports show changing economic dynamics

18 Jan 2016 - 8:16am

Cranes unload imported iron ore from a ship at a port in Rizhao, Shandong province, China, in this December 6, 2015 file photo. China said on December 9, 2015 it would cut some import and export taxes next year to boost its ailing trade sector, raising concerns that cheaper Chinese products could exacerbate a global oversupply of basic materials such as steel and chemicals. REUTERS/Stringer/Files CHINA OUT. NO COMMERCIAL OR EDITORIAL SALES IN CHINA

Opinion

The 2016 commodity story: hoping your rivals will die

21 Dec 2015 - 12:14pm

Bucket-wheel reclaimers move iron ore at a loading terminal in the town of Port Hedland, located in the Pilbara region of Western Australia in this December 3, 2013 file photo. Australia is expected to release GDP data this week. REUTERS/David Gray/Files GLOBAL BUSINESS WEEK AHEAD PACKAGE - SEARCH 'BUSINESS WEEK AHEAD NOVEMBER 30' FOR ALL IMAGES

Opinion

Now that big miners accept reality of low commodity prices, will dividend cuts, asset sales and closures follow?

7 Dec 2015 - 2:22pm

A reclaimer places coal in stockpiles at the coal port in Newcastle in this June 6, 2012 file photo. As debate swirls around the future of coal, Australian miners are counting on the higher energy content of the coal they dig and proximity to growing Asian markets to give them an edge over rivals and defy a global push towards cleaner energy. With around $35 billion in projects in the pipeline, the world's No.2 exporter of thermal coal is relying on Asian markets using the cheapest source of power even as they try to contain soaring emissions and choking pollution. To match AUSTRALIA-COAL/ REUTERS/Daniel Munoz/Files

Opinion

From worst polluter to climate leader, Australia's Greens have plausible plan

30 Nov 2015 - 2:48pm

New vehicles are seen at a parking area of an automobile factory in Wuhan, Hubei province, August 1, 2015. Automakers in China may be forced to come up with more drastic mitigation measures when July sales results released from this week likely reveal a fourth month of contraction after a stock market crash sapped consumer sentiment. Picture taken August 1, 2015. REUTERS/China Daily CHINA OUT. NO COMMERCIAL OR EDITORIAL SALES IN CHINA

Opinion

What’s the best bet: commodities or miners?

16 Nov 2015 - 4:50pm

Workers direct a crane lifting newly-made steel bars at a factory of Dongbei Special Steel Group Co., Ltd., in Dalian, Liaoning province, China, October 13, 2015. China's economic growth is expected to fall below 7 percent for the first time since the global financial crisis in the third quarter, putting pressure on policymakers to roll out more support measures as fears of a sharper slowdown spook investors. Picture taken October 13, 2015. REUTERS/China Daily CHINA OUT. NO COMMERCIAL OR EDITORIAL SALES IN CHINA.

Opinion

China's economic data is dodgy, but it doesn't matter for commodities

26 Oct 2015 - 5:22pm 2

Iron ore is being transported in China as it seems unlikely there will be a country which can stop the commodity rout of 2015. Photo: AP

Opinion

No China around to rescue commodities from rout of 2015

25 Aug 2015 - 1:10pm

Trucks haul mountains of coal in China as imports of the material surged in July although most in the trade doubt it can be sustained. Photo: Reuters

Opinion

No break for coal miners from China, India imports

11 Aug 2015 - 9:08am

Iron ore is transported in Shandong province in China, the world's biggest consumer of the product. Photo: AP

Opinion

Iron ore’s ‘bull market’ shows rise of financial trading

5 Aug 2015 - 12:20am

Coal is loaded on a ship in Australia as the country tries to cope with a 'new normal' in its commodity exports of low prices and strong volume. Photo: Reuters

Opinion

‘New normal’ in Australia commodities – low prices and strong volumes

2 Jul 2015 - 5:08pm