Glencore

Glencore

Glencore is quite literally impenetrable, not just because of the coal dust rising from its mines in Colombia but also because it is very secretive about its business practices. Glencore (Global Energy Commodity Resources) is a little known giant of the Swiss economy. Based in Zug it has the highest turnover of all companies in Switzerland. Until a few years ago, trading commodities was its core business. Then, in the 1990s, Glencore moved into the coal and oil business and it now owns subsidiaries in 40 countries. Glencore has no scruples when it comes to mining raw materials. Colombia is the best example. Here, Glencore's coalmines are causing massive pollution that represents a serious health hazard for the local population. True to form, the commodities multinational is very anti-union and fires workers when they try to organize themselves.