BMO Metals & Mining Conference Feb 2013

Links to Presentations - HERE

Jim Rickards Interview

Excellent Interview on Gold and Currency Wars at Kitco

PMI Gold and Keegan Terminate Merger

Interesting development in M&A - another suitor?

Think Pieces on the Miners and Juniors - Brent Cook, - Quinton Hennigh - John Kaiser - Rick Rule

As the gold price dips and the mining ETFs tumble three of the industry players and writers who urged caution last year deliver some thoughts on the problems of the sector and what can turn it around. There is a clear expectation for a big clear-out of the weak companies on the venture, with no cash and no credibility to finance, but great potential for the winners to deliver the quality projects the industry desperately needs with a new focus on discovery after years of developing marginal projects which should work at higher metal prices but are seeing cost inflation catch up with them.
Opinions on the potential acquirers from Cook.

FT Gold Miners in Search of Richer Seams - Rob McEwen Interview

FT coverage (below) of the issues ailing the gold miners.
Rhymes with Brent Cook. Miners looking for better grade, perhaps smaller, deposits. Looking to new frontiers while balancing risk and cash returns to share-holders.

However it is also worth considering Cohen's call to the miners to focus on gold as their functional currency, holding above ground reserves like ETFs - HERE

Rob McEwen discusses this practice and more in a recent interview HERE

Brent Cook

Interview at CEO.ca - HERE

Many of his usual themes. Suggests Vancouver's money is made in the early placements.

FT - Martin Wolf on The Case for Helicopter Money / Gavyn Davies - Helicopters can be Dangerous

Leading columnist Martin Wolf at the FT making the case for more aggressive use of money printing through public spending projects financed by the Central Banks..
HERE

And a counterpoint article by Gavyn Davies in the FT - on the Dangers
HERE

RIU Explorers - Australia Feb - 2013

The well regarded conference for Australian listed explorers.
Presentations by companies listed below.

Mining M&A - Hudbay seeking $400m of Acquisitions

An interesting discussion by Hudbay on their outlook and approach to mergers and acquisitions. Looking to add value to projects.

“We’re looking at a lot of things and I’m hoping that we can tuck something in this year,” Garofalo, 47, said in an interview at Bloomberg’s office in Toronto, where HudBay is based. “We’ve never been busier looking at opportunities.”

“I wouldn’t be surprised if you look down at the junior producer level to see some of those junior producers trying to consolidate to create a bit of critical mass and try to fill that void,” Garofalo said. “I think that will happen.” 

HERE

OT - Blackadder

Been too long .....

Silver Wheaton - $1.9bn Gold Streaming Deal with Vale

An interesting $1.9bn deal from Silver Wheaton, with significant diversification from primarily silver streaming into gold.

3 Tests on HUI

An interesting analysis here showing 3 tests of the bottom is typical for the gold miners.

HERE

Pierre Lassonde at AME-BC and interview

Pierre Lassonde speaking recently at the AME BC Roundup, and also interviewed on KWN......