Light Metal

Jon Bergtheil is walking-talking directory of mines and mining companies around the world, who can dig up any old industry statistic that youd care for. Not surprising if you know that he has had a 20-year-long affair with the sector.

A career path which began in the diamond mines of Capetown while he was still a student of finance has now taken him to the metal market of London.

Bergtheil is now director-mining of HSBC Investment Banking. He heads a team of 35 professionals across the world who specialise in the sector. The investment bank publishes indices and also has a research wing on the sector.

 

Bergtheil also heads a large team of corporate finance professionals who are sectoral experts too. If there are matches to be made for a buyout, or price to be fixed for a public offer, customers are more comfortable with a sectoral expert, he says.

How did he become a mining specialist? It was pure chance, explains Bergtheil I started work in separation plants in diamond mines of Capetown. These companies had to pay well, for fear that diamonds would otherwise get stolen.

Bergtheil was in the Capital to attend Incal 98, the conference of aluminium professionals. According to him, aluminium is the metal of the 21st century.

There are newer applications of aluminium coming up every day, especially in the auto and construction industries, he says. Besides being light, its one major advantage is that it is completely environment friendly because it is so easily recyclable.

If Bergtheil is to be believed, Indian aluminium companies are a good investment. Both Hindalco and Nalco are among the worlds cheapest producers of aluminium, he reasons. India also has expansive bauxite reserves.

If Bergtheils professional track record is any indicator, that advice is good as gold...sorry, aluminium.