American investors interested in gold and mining stocks, especially small “junior” mining stocks, meet Steve Todoruk, Investment Executive with Sprott Global, from Carlsbad, California. Steve and I spent 36 hours together last week visiting Skeena Resources' Spectrum property in Northern BC, and got to know each other over cheap wine and good hospitality at the Bear Paw Lodge in Iskut, population 700.
Experienced mining investment advisor
Having known of Steve by reputation, I wanted to learn about his nearly 40 years experience in the mining business. Anything but a self-promoter, Steve described his years working in underground mines, and even being CEO of several junior companies, where he was constantly prospecting for properties and investors, and learned how tough the industry is. In 2002, Steve became a stockbroker with Rick Rule’s Global Resource Investments (now Sprott Global), a firm that specializes in natural resources investing. Steve helps USA-based investors profit from the discovery curve and provides wealth management services.
As a geologist focused on exploration news and mining finance, Steve is able to quickly recognize when a drill hole somewhere in the world, likely arranged by a fledgling penny-stock few people have ever heard of, drills some core that exceeds expectations (seconds count in these situations). These scenarios are rare, and sometimes Steve sits on his hands for months at a time, buying more blue-chip stocks for his clients, but when he finds that discovery sweet spot, the returns can be amazing.
Steve’s clients were able to benefit from Aurelian Resources’ Fruta del Norte discovery in Ecuador in 2007, which sent shares in the explorer from $2 to $40 in a year. His clients bought a private placement in Alpha Minerals in December 2012, just a few days after the initial Patterson Lake South discovery. The financing was priced at $1.50 per share with a half warrant at $1.80. Within a year Alpha shares soared past $7 and the company was taken over.
Proprietary junior resource stock research
Of course, Steve’s not always right, and sometimes new discoveries don’t end up having adequate geology, or any number of other issues. The good thing about mining venture capital, at least for Steve and his clients, is there’s trading every weekday in the shares of these companies. Steve is often able to sell and get out of discovery stocks turning south faster than non-specialized investors. And the team that surrounds him at Sprott are always there to bounce ideas off, and sit on a treasure trove of internal research, not available to the public or other brokers.
Mining stocks and gold investment opportunities
Steve was born in Kamloops, BC in 1959 and he has kept the small-town charm over the years. He graduated from the University of British Columbia with a Bachelor of Science majoring in Geology and is still a Professional Geoscientist in good standing in BC. Living in Carlsbad for the past 13 years, Steve still works down the hall from the tireless Rick Rule, Chairman of Sprott Inc,. Like Rick, Steve is in Vancouver and Toronto several times per year to stay up to date with companies, visit projects and attend industry conferences. He has clients all over the world including many in the New York City area.
Steve will not recommend a discovery stock to his clients until he sees evidence in drill core that upside surprises are coming. He doesn’t get caught up in hype and stories (I’ve never heard a mining story that didn’t sound amazing!). Importantly, Steve is USA licensed and a pretty great guy. American investors who read CEO.CA and are interested in natural resources investing, email Steve for a free portfolio review and conversation. And oh yeah, ask him about October 8, 2015 CEO.CA Summit sponsor Skeena Resources $SKE.V!
Contact: stodoruk@sprottglobal.com 760-444-5266
Articles by Steve Todoruk:
The Prospect Generator Model - June 2014
Insights on Exploration Investing - May 2014
Investing in Junior Resource Discovery Plays - March 2014
Can mines stay open without an increase in the gold price?
Steve Todoruk on Staying the Course with Explorers - May 15, 2013
Steve Todoruk on Discovery Speculation - May 2, 2013
Steve Todoruk on Junior Mineral Companies - May 3, 2013