Skip to Main Content
HBS Home
  • About
  • Academic Programs
  • Alumni
  • Faculty & Research
  • Baker Library
  • Giving
  • Harvard Business Review
  • Initiatives
  • News
  • Recruit
  • Map / Directions
Faculty & Research
  • Faculty
  • Research
  • Featured Topics
  • Academic Units
  • …→
  • Harvard Business School→
  • Faculty & Research→
Publications
Publications
  • October 1997 (Revised May 1998)
  • Case
  • HBS Case Collection

Busang (A): River of Gold

By: Debora L. Spar
  • Format:Print
  • | Pages:24
ShareBar

Abstract

In 1995, Bre-X Minerals, a tiny Canadian mining firm, struck gold. Deep in the heart of the Borneo jungle, it discovered what appeared to be one of the world's largest and most cost-effective gold deposits. Almost immediately, the firm's stock price shot upwards and its managers were besieged by eager investors and would-be partners. They also became mired in the relationship-based politics of Indonesia. To mine the gold, and reap the benefits, Bre-X management must establish several critical relationships with financial partners outside Indonesia and with political and business partners inside the country. Yet figuring out with whom to ally itself is no easy task. The case describes how Bre-X's management reviews its options and evaluates the strategic advantages and risks of key relationships.

Keywords

Business or Company Management; Partners and Partnerships; Cross-Cultural and Cross-Border Issues; Mining; Mining Industry; Canada; Indonesia

Citation

Spar, Debora L., Jeffrey Bell, Christine Dinh-Tan, and Phillip Purnama. "Busang (A): River of Gold." Harvard Business School Case 798-002, October 1997. (Revised May 1998.)
  • Educators
  • Purchase

About The Author

Debora L. Spar

General Management
→More Publications

More from the Author

    • February 2022
    • Faculty Research

    Linda Oubré at Whittier College

    By: Debora L. Spar and Julia Comeau
    • November 2021
    • Faculty Research

    Hitting Home: Amazon and Mary's Place

    By: Paul M. Healy, Debora L. Spar and Amy Klopfenstein
    • June 2021
    • Faculty Research

    Linda Oubré at Whittier College (C)

    By: Debora L. Spar and Haley P. Brown
More from the Author
  • Linda Oubré at Whittier College By: Debora L. Spar and Julia Comeau
  • Hitting Home: Amazon and Mary's Place By: Paul M. Healy, Debora L. Spar and Amy Klopfenstein
  • Linda Oubré at Whittier College (C) By: Debora L. Spar and Haley P. Brown
ǁ
Campus Map
Harvard Business School
Soldiers Field
Boston, MA 02163
→Map & Directions
→More Contact Information
  • Make a Gift
  • Site Map
  • Jobs
  • Harvard University
  • Trademarks
  • Policies
  • Digital Accessibility
Copyright © President & Fellows of Harvard College