Midas Men

A sweeping investigation into Barrick Gold and the making of a global mining empire

At the apex of the global gold-mining industry stands Barrick Gold Corporation, a multinational once hailed as the largest, richest, and most cost-effective gold-mining company in history. Yet despite its immense influence, Barrick remains a cipher—a black box. What is clear is that its extraordinary wealth has come at a steep cost: allegations of large-scale environmental destruction, brutal labor practices, and collusion with authoritarian regimes.

At the center of Barrick’s extraordinary rise was its founder, Peter Munk, a charismatic Hungarian-born entrepreneur who transformed a run-and-gun mergers-and-acquisitions vehicle into a global gold-mining empire. But Munk’s story—and Barrick’s—is inseparable from the remarkable cast of people who enabled, profited from, and resisted that ascent: dealmakers, PR hacks, politicians, arms dealers, mercenaries, and miners, as well as the activists, whistleblowers, and local communities who stood in the path of extraction, often at enormous personal risk.

In Midas Men, groundbreaking investigative journalist Richard Poplak traces Barrick’s rise from its origins to global dominance, spanning the mining frontiers of the Americas to Tanzania and the Philippines, constructing a sweeping exposé of the modern extractive industry.

Combining deep reporting with vivid character portraits, Midas Men lays bare the machinery of the global gold-mining industry—and pays tribute to the people who risked everything to confront it.

Standard and Primary covers are widely available through general retailers. They often have higher print runs and can be cheaper, especially during sales.

In contrast, Direct Market (DM) and variant covers are primarily sold in comic shops. DM editions tend to have more limited availability and may be more valuable to collectors.

The main differences lie in artwork style, availability, price, and collector appeal. Ultimately, the choice between standard and variant covers depends on personal preference, budget, and individual collecting goals.

Comic book enthusiasts have various formats to choose from when collecting their favorite stories.
Here's a brief overview of the main types:

Omnibus

• Large, hardcover collections
• Usually contain complete runs or extensive story arcs
• Typically 800-1000+ pages
• Higher price point, often €100-€150

Oversized Hardcover (OHC)

• Similar dimensions to omnibus, but thinner
• Collect shorter runs or story arcs
• Usually 300-600 pages
• Priced between €30-€50

Hardcover (HC)

• Standard-sized hardcover books
• Collect 6-12 issues typically
• Similar dimensions to single issues, but with a hard cover
• Priced around €25-€35

Trade Paperback (TP)

• Softcover collections
• Standard comic book size
• Usually collect 4-6 issues
• Most affordable option, typically €15-€25

Other Formats

• Absolute Editions: Oversized, deluxe hardcovers (mainly DC Comics)
• Compendiums: Massive paperback collections
• Graphic Novels (OGN/GN): Original stories not previously released as single issues

The choice between these formats often depends on personal preference, budget, and collecting goals. Omnibus and OHC editions offer larger artwork and more content but at a higher price, while TPs provide a more affordable way to collect complete story arcs