Christal van der Merwe

Commodities & Global Real Estate Columnist — Ground Truth

Born into a multi-generational farming family of Vans, Christal holds a BSc. in Geology and Economics from Stellenbosch. Christal bypassed the safe world of investment banking, mining & consulting to cover the brutal world of African mining and extraction. She believes paper wealth can vanish overnight, but land and resources are the only true power.

strait of hormuz oil blockade

Hormuz Blockade: Geopolitical Friction Halts Crude Movement

A US naval blockade has severely restricted shipping through the Strait of Hormuz.

Jul 21, 2026 · 04:13 UTC

venezuela oil oil infrastructure

Lionheart Capital's Venezuela Crude Deal Confronts Infrastructure

Lionheart Capital is reportedly investing $400 million in a Venezuelan oil field.

Jul 20, 2026 · 18:26 UTC

copper market china economy

China Copper Premium Soars Amid Tax Crackdown on Scrap Imports

China's copper premium surged after new taxes on scrap metal imports disrupted domestic supply.

Jul 20, 2026 · 04:49 UTC

oil prices middle east conflict

Hormuz Strait Blockade Deepens Global Oil Supply Crisis

US military strikes against Iran have slowed tanker traffic through the Strait of Hormuz.

Jul 19, 2026 · 23:38 UTC

oil prices strait of hormuz

Oil Shipping Crisis: Hormuz Chokepoint Disrupts Global Crude Flow

The Strait of Hormuz now sees only 11 ships daily, a critical bottleneck for global oil.

Jul 19, 2026 · 22:33 UTC

sustainable aviation fuel green hydrogen

India's Green Hydrogen Dream: SAF Ambitions Face Reality Check

India's ambitious sustainable aviation fuel goals face significant logistical, cost, and infrastructure hurdles.

Jul 19, 2026 · 15:39 UTC

cpc pipeline kazakhstan oil

Drone Strikes Halt Caspian Pipeline Oil Loadings at Novorossiysk

The Caspian Pipeline Consortium terminal in Novorossiysk suffered its fifth drone attack, halting all oil loadings.

Jul 19, 2026 · 13:49 UTC

home equity mortgage debt

US Home Equity Shrinks: Fed Data Shows Stagnant Mortgage Debt

The illusion of easy home equity extraction has largely ended, impacting consumer spending.

Jul 19, 2026 · 03:50 UTC

ukraine conflict military logistics

Ukraine Military Shake-Up: Logistics, Commodities Face New Risks

Reports of President Zelenskyy considering a new military leader introduce fresh uncertainty.

Jul 18, 2026 · 12:34 UTC

taiwan food safety benzoapyrene

Taiwan Oil Scandal: Carcinogen Found, Election Fallout Deepens

Central Union Oil's soybean salad oil contained high levels of benzo[a]pyrene. This potent carcinogen triggered a massive recall and political tensions.

Jul 18, 2026 · 10:38 UTC