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The Guardian - UK
The Guardian - UK
Business
Michael Savage Policy Editor

Rare metal assets, 4,000 workers, a Canary Wharf HQ… but does this billion-pound firm really exist?

A mineral processing plant in Ukraine, where Gofer Mining allegedly tried to seize a goldmine
A mineral processing plant in Ukraine, where Gofer Mining allegedly tried to seize a goldmine. Illustration: Philip Lay/Observer Design

At first glance, there is nothing remarkable about Gofer Mining plc. It appears to be just another multibillion-pound corporate giant, with London headquarters in Canary Wharf and interests stretching from Tibet to Ukraine.

Its lengthy financial accounts are full of prosaic details about ­mineral weights, rare metal assets and ­exploration plans.

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