By John Helmer in Moscow A mysterious and protracted investigation by the Toronto Stock Exchange and Ontario market regulators of De Beers-owned Archangel Diamond Corporation (ADC) is being kept secret on the apparent legal advice of Robert Shirriff. A Canadian Queen’s Counsel since 1972, and partner in the law firm of Fasken Martineau DuMoulin, Shirriff […]

by John Helmer - Monday, February 11th, 2008
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By John Helmer in Moscow The UK High Court has opened for the first time documents showing how Deripaska created his empire. It was the 19th century poet Robert Browning, who claimed: “A man’s reach should exceed his grasp, or what’s a heaven for?” If Oleg Deripaska is a romantic overreacher like that, the UK […]

by John Helmer - Thursday, February 7th, 2008
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By John Helmer in Moscow Russian environmental inspector to despatch bailiffs to halt Evraz steelmill for water pollution. Evraz, Russia’s largest steelmaker, is testing for the second time in two years the will of the Russian government to enforce environmental protection and water emission rules. At stake is the continued operation of the biggest rail […]

by John Helmer - Wednesday, February 6th, 2008
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By John Helmer in Moscow Polyus Gold’s rival owners appeal to the London market and the London High Court to resolve asset-stripping charges. It’s an entirely new version of the tale of Dick Whittington and his cat. In the 17th century story, a poor orphan boy goes to London where he dreams the streets are […]

by John Helmer - Monday, February 4th, 2008
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