“People were basically investing in a PowerPoint presentation,” says Ed Kuczma, an emerging-markets analyst at Van Eck Associates, which holds shares in Batista’s companies. “He’s very charismatic. I’ve seen him on roadshows and he definitely lightens up a room when he walks in…” Article: Bloomberg Businessweek

Keir Reynolds posted the 4 year TSX-Venture Index chart on Twitter earlier, and we discussed it with the CEO Technician this evening. He told us, “Utter garbage…needs to base out and begin to show some signs of accumulation…no signs yet.” There you have it.

John Thornton was paid a staggering US$17-million in 2012, his first year with Barrick, according to a proxy circular filed by the company. That includes an US$11.9-million “special cash sign-on payment” for him to buy Barrick shares on the open market. Mr. Thornton, 59, is viewed as Mr. Munk’s likely successor, and is being treated… Continue Reading

Newstrike Capital (TSXV:NES), one of the better respected gold exploration names on the TSX-V, has published their maiden NI 43-101 Resource Estimate for the Ana Paul gold project in Guerrero, Mexico. NES long James Kwantes commented, “Ana Paula contains 43 million tonnes grading 1.59 g/t gold and 7 g/t silver, for a measured and indicated… Continue Reading

With this week’s strong upside move in shares of PTA.V I thought it would be a good time to update the technical outlook for the stock: Click to enlarge PTA Weekly  PTA Daily

On Feb. 26 2013, Liberal MP John McKay sponsored the first reading of Bill C-474 in parliament; also known as “The Sunshine Bill”. An Act respecting the promotion of financial transparency, improved accountability and long-term economic sustainability through the public reporting of payments made by mining, oil and gas corporations to foreign governments. In the… Continue Reading

“Japanese scientists have found vast reserves of rare earth metals on the Pacific seabed that can be mined cheaply, a discovery that may break the Chinese monopoly on a crucial raw material needed in hi-tech industries and advanced weapons systems.” Article: Ambrose Evans-Pritchard, The Telegraph

“Rio Tinto does not need cash from an IOC sale and is unlikely to entertain low bids,” BMO Capital Markets analyst Meredith Bandy said. Article: Peter Koven, Financial Post

This morning Skyharbour Resources announced they have acquired a land package in the Southwestern Athabasca region in close proximity to the Fission/Alpha Minerals discovery. Shares in the junior exploration company (TSXV:SYH) traded up 10% to six cents by press time. The company has been around for over ten years but inactive as of late save for a rollback in… Continue Reading

Some trading below market value… Unemployed IR guys and gals, quick, prepare resumes! Marketing service providers, you know what to do! Via: Vancouver Venture

Now if Encanto can complete the Indian off-take deal, they’ll really be in business… Read: Harper Government supports development of first ever on-reserve potash mine QUOTE: TSXV: EPO Disclosure: long, subject to change without notice.

William Lamb, President and CEO commented, “The recovery of these large stones is hugely significant to both Lucara and Botswana. To the best of my knowledge, the 239 carat stone is one of the largest diamonds ever to have been recovered from the highly prolific Orapa kimberlite field in over 40 years of production. The… Continue Reading

“He really has to do something to prove he isn’t having any cash problem,” Brito at Teorica said. “Maybe selling an asset, like MPX, or doing a farm-out at OGX; anything that proves that he has assets that he can sell at a good price.” Brazil Billionaire Batista Said to Face Collateral Calls | Bloomberg… Continue Reading

During the PDAC, Kitco’s Daniela Cambone and I got together At the Bar for a discussion on exploration and the junior market. The discussion included some long time friends and work associates who I consider some of the best exploration geologists in the industry: Graham Brown (Head of Exploration and Acquisitions, Anglo American); Doug Kirwin (Executive… Continue Reading

Father and son Ben and Garrett Ainsworth may have lead Alpha Minerals and JV partner Fission Energy to the radioactive mother lode on a new frontier in the Athabasca Region of Northern Saskatchewan. Not long ago, Alpha Minerals, formerly ESO Uranium, was a dog of a stock. Trading at just $.02 last October, chances of… Continue Reading