Ex-Whitehaven Coal (ASX: WHC) major shareholder and one-time billionaire Nathan Tinkler has suffered a dramatic fall from the top of the BRW Young Rich List. Having topped the list in 2011 with an estimated net worth of $1.13 billion, Mr Tinkler has sensationally fallen completely off the list in 2013, failing to meet this year's cutoff of $18 million.
Mr Tinkler sprung into the list in 2008 after having made an estimated $440 million in the transaction of a mine lease, which was purchased using a large loan and subsequently sold to Macarthur Coal (ASX: MCC). In 2009 he secured loans to purchase the Maules Creek mine through his company Aston Resources, which subsequently floated on the ASX and merged with Whitehaven Coal. Mr Tinkler's highly leveraged 19% stake in Whitehaven ultimately brought his downfall as the slowing of the mining boom punished the company's share price and forced creditors to re-coup some of their losses.
In recent months Mr Tinkler had one of his last remaining assets seized, speculative miner Aston Metals. In addition, he has been forced to sell his private properties and his numerous boats and planes purchased in previous years. Amazingly, averaged out over the two years, his worth has declined by an average of $10 million per week.
The Rich List, which features 100 of the wealthiest self-made Australians under 40 years of age, is this year dominated by people in the IT and sports industries, making up 46 places. The list included 25 debutants and retired MotoGP rider Casey Stoner is the youngest person on the list at age 27, with an estimated worth of $20 million.
Foolish takeaway
If you end up with a net worth of $1.13 billion after a couple of years' work, it might be worth giving Mr Tinkler a call to see if there were any key lessons learnt. Aside from that, Mr Tinkler was largely brought down by an overexposure to the mining, and specifically coal, sector and was highly leveraged. Investors should take note that diversification among sectors and asset classes is important for growing long term wealth and that leverage should only be used in moderation.
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Motley Fool contributor Andrew Mudie does not own shares in any of the companies mentioned.
