Ecuador has a terrible reputation as a mining jurisdiction, ever since the government there passed a 70% windfall profits tax on metals mined, highlighted by the fact that major miner Kinross abandoned the Fruta Del Norte gold project there last year, which they paid over $1.2 billion for in 2009. So I have no idea… Continue Reading

The chatter this week has been gold. The precious metal flew up $45 an ounce on Thursday, surprising investors, the media and markets alike. If we look back just six months ago, gold was sitting at record lows, signaling that it was in extremely oversold territory. This was the time that many investors let fear… Continue Reading

The junior oil company drilling for a big prize in Albania and partnered with energy super major Royal Dutch Shell, Petromanas Energy, put out a news release this morning claiming encouraging logging-while-drilling results at its Molisht-1 well in Southern Albania. The well is located on blocks 2-3, in which Petromanas holds a 25-per-cent working interest and is… Continue Reading

As of today, the non-believers of Robert Quartermain’s Brucejack project have been proven wrong. Pretium Resources (PVG:TSX), which is developing the Brucejack project, released an updated feasibility study on the project late yesterday which showed strong economics and viability even at low gold prices.  Since their last feasibility study in mid-2013, the company drilled underground in greater… Continue Reading

After being halted for all of yesterday, junior Colombian oil producer Petroamerica Oil Corp, and its current friendly takeover target, Suroco Energy, have come up with a stronger bid for Suroco to trump a hostile bid announced by Vetra Holding the previous day. Petroamerica’s offer is now worth $0.80 per share and provides Suroco shareholders with… Continue Reading

When it comes to the junior exploration sector, not much over the past 2 years has peaked investor interest.  One large (and high-grade) caveat to this is the Patterson Lake South (PLS) uranium discovery made by Alpha Minerals and Fission Uranium in the fall of 2012. With a ten metre step-out drill hole late in a fall… Continue Reading

While the FIFA World Cup remains the highlight of Brazil today with a couple a good matches (the Netherlands continued their winning streak with a 3-2 victory over Australia this morning); another story in Brazil is receiving attention.  This time it is Stan Bharti’s Belo Sun Mining (BSX:TSX) which is developing the Volta Grande gold project… Continue Reading

The fully-funded developer, Asanko Gold (AKG:TSX) has provided an update on its early works program and front-end engineering ahead of their Board’s final investment decision as well as groundbreaking ceremony at their Asanko Gold Project in August. The project early works remain on time and on budget.  Asanko also provided an update on the resettlement action plan… Continue Reading

The battle continues for junior Colombian oil producer, Suroco Energy, which produces roughly 2500 bopd currently and has a prospective land position in Colombia’s Putomayo Basin in the south of that country. Privately held producer, Vetra Holding, and its special acquisition subsidiary, Vetra Acquisition, have increased their offer for all of the outstanding shares of Suroco Energy… Continue Reading

The competition to acquire Suroco Energy between Petroamerica Oil and VETRA Holding is heating up this morning, with Suroco re-affirming their support for a deal with Petroamerica and calling out VETRA’s questionable tactics to gain support for their bid. According to today’s Suroco release, Vetra is paying a proxy solicitation fee to Investment Advisors who solicit Suroco… Continue Reading

As reported earlier this morning, Lumina Copper, was halted pending news and most people familiar with the story anticipated that it would announce a take over.  We suspected a Chinese bidder, but also cited First Quantum as a potential buyer and that’s exactly who has stepped up to acquire Ross Beaty’s Argentine copper developer for $470 million in cash… Continue Reading

With most of the focus in the uranium exploration business currently focused on the west side of the Athabasca basin, specifically in the Patterson Lake South area, Denison Mines (DML:TSX) and others have been developing their high-grade projects on the eastern part of the basin. This morning, the Lundin Group company, Denison, announced an updated… Continue Reading

Ross Beaty’s Lumina Copper (LCC:TSXV) which is developing the world-class Taca Taca copper deposit in Argentina has see renewed interest over the past month from investors as rumors spread that a buyer may be close to pulling the trigger on the multi-billion project.  This morning, the company’s stock is halted pending an announcement. Shares of… Continue Reading

RAB Capital co-founder and Special Situations Fund manager Phillip Richards was interviewed by JT Long of the Gold Report. RAB became well known natural resources investors during the past decade’s commodities super bull market period (2004-2007). Mr. Philips discusses the gold, silver, nickel, vanadium, zinc and oil and gas companies that he owns, including a shared position, Endeavour Mining.… Continue Reading