Decline in exploration spending continued in 2014
The following is an edited excerpt from SNL Metals & Mining’s 2015 World Exploration Trends report. For more information, please visit www.snl.com.
Financial Matters, M&A
Mick Davis’ X2poised for launch after US$5.6B raise
VANCOUVER — A dearth in the availability of traditional equity financing has led to the rise of specialist, mining-related investment funds, and another major player is taking the field. In early March, new private mining venture X2…
First Quantum slows pace at Cobre Panama
VANCOUVER — Development is continuing at First Quantum Minerals’ (TSX: FM; US-OTC: FQVLF) Cobre Panama copper-gold project in Panama, despite concerns of softer metal prices and a tightening of the company’s purse…
Chinese firm Novel to buy stake in SouthGobi
A privately held company in China called Novel Sunrise Investments will become the largest shareholder in SouthGobi Resources (TSX: SGQ; US-OTC: SGQRF; HK: 1878) after it acquires shares from Turquoise Hill Resources (TSX: TRQ; NYSE: TRQ), and…
Buyer emerges for Coalspur Mines
When The Northern Miner visited Coalspur Mines’ (TSX: CPT; ASX: CPL) Vista coal project on the eastern edge of the Rocky Mountains in late 2010, seaborne thermal coal prices were trading at US$120 per tonne.
Great Panther to snatch Cangold for $1.7M
Mexican-focused producer Great Panther Silver (TSX: GPR) is buying Cangold (TSXV: CLD; US-OTC: CGLJF) primarily to get its paws on the Guadalupe de los Reyes (GDLR) gold-silver project in Sinaloa state, in an all-share deal worth $1.7 million.
PDAC 2015: Canadian gov’t extends tax savings for exploration
The federal government is showing support for Canada’s mining industry by extending a tax credit for junior mining companies by another year.
Commentary: The pros and cons of private equity investment
In Canada, private equity (PE) firms have not traditionally played a prominent role in the mining industry. Perhaps this is due to uncertainty regarding the longer payoff periods associated with the mineral extraction industry and the fact that…
The top-10 tax issues in international mining M&A
If you’re connected to a mining company that is considering a corporate merger or acquisition in 2015, keep in mind that current and future tax consequences can sour what could otherwise be a sweet deal.
Sandstorm to scoop up Gold Royalties in $5.7M all-share deal
VANCOUVER — Streaming and royalty outfit Sandstorm Gold (TSX: SSL; NYSE-MKT: SAND) has been on a bit of a dealmaking tear to start the year. The company locked down 10 new royalty agreements in West Africa and Nevada, and on Feb. 18 it…
Barrick heads ‘back to the future,’ but writedowns persist
VANCOUVER — Much of the rhetoric in Barrick Gold’s (TSX: ABX; NYSE: ABX) recent marketing drive has involved getting back to its roots and rediscovering the “lean and nimble” business model that led to the…
Commentary: The Top 5 most common fatal flaws in due diligence
The market is ripe for acquisitions of advanced stage exploration and development projects. Uncertainty in future commodity prices appears to be driving investor interest from speculative greenfields projects to those at the preliminary…