International Metal Writers Conference 2017, Day 1: Notes from the Floor

The first day of the International Metal Writers Conference just wrapped up, and crowds were strong despite the sunny weather. 
Hosted by Cambridge House, the two-day show is being held in Vancouver from May 28 to 29, and features over 40 expert analysts and dozens of exhibiting companies. It’s an event that shouldn’t be missed, but if you did, don’t worry — the Investing News Network team was on the floor all day, and we’ve put together an overview of what happened.
One of the first talks of the day was “Top Picks at the Show,” a panel moderated by Rick Rule of Sprott US Holdings. It featured Brent Cook of Exploration Insights, silver guru David Morgan, Gold Stock Bull’s Jason Hamlin, the Outsider Club’s Nick Hodge and John Kaiser of Kaiser Research — all five panelists were asked to give at least two stocks picks, with one ideally being present at the show. Here are a few recommendations from the speakers:

If you like @integragoldcorp, consider @AZXMineralsCorp just across the border, says @goldstockbull #IMW17

— Resource Investing (@INN_Resource) May 28, 2017

Both @KaiserResearch and @nickchodge recommending Midas Gold at #IMW17 stock picks panel.

— Resource Investing (@INN_Resource) May 28, 2017

#IMW17 #silver stock pick from @silverguru22: #China-focused Silvercorp Metals.

— Resource Investing (@INN_Resource) May 28, 2017

The morning also brought a popular talk from David Erfle of JuniorMinerJunky:

“GDXJ is no longer a barometer for the junior sector,” David Efler talks about junior mining at #IMW17

— Resource Investing (@INN_Resource) May 28, 2017

Frank Holmes of US Global Investors participated in a number of different talks and panels throughout the day, often presenting to a packed crowd:

US Global Investment Portfolio Showcase #IMCW17 pic.x.com/svYMBqTXw3

— Resource Investing (@INN_Resource) May 28, 2017

Bitcoin and cryptocurrencies came up a number of times, with one talk coming from Jeff Berwick, chief editor and host at the Dollar Vigilante. In a talk titled “Why Cryptocurrencies Are Crushing Gold … and Why Gold and Gold Stocks Will Make a Comeback,” he discussed the relationship between precious metals and cryptocurrencies:

“The entire fiat currency system is crumbling,” says @DollarVigilante at #IMW17 – you can protect yourself with #gold, #silver and #bitcoin

— Resource Investing (@INN_Resource) May 28, 2017

Investors looking for opinions on specific commodities got their fare share of advice throughout the day. A huge array of different metals were covered, from silver to uranium to lithium:

Scotiabank, JPMorgan and two other large traders are short 131 days of wold #silver production, says Ed Steer #IMW17

— Resource Investing (@INN_Resource) May 28, 2017

Rick Rule @sprottglobal moderates uranium panel with @ALXUranium @FissionUranium #GoviEx and @Skyharbour_SYH pic.x.com/EtceyRnmyL

— Resource Investing (@INN_Resource) May 28, 2017

Key idea at the #IMW17 #lithium panel – there’s plenty of lithium, but not all companies have the right extraction/processing knowledge.

— Resource Investing (@INN_Resource) May 28, 2017

Finally, one of the day’s closing panels was moderated by Andrew Pollard, president of the Mining Recruitment Group. Pollard, whose company is a boutique executive search firm focused on the mining industry, spoke with young CEOs Dan O’Flaherty, Jordan Trimble and Steve de Jong about what younger people can bring to the space:

The best quality a CEO can have is being able to listen, says Steve de Jong of @integragoldcorp #IMW17

— Resource Investing (@INN_Resource) May 28, 2017

“We need younger people coming up through the ranks in this industry,” says President & CEO of @Skyharbour_SYH Jordan Trimble #IMW17 pic.x.com/cK2HdMB1EQ

— Resource Investing (@INN_Resource) May 28, 2017

The Investing News Network will be on site for the second day of the International Metal Writers Conference as well — stay tuned for our summary! And also keep an eye out for our video interviews with speakers like Rick Rule, Mercenary Geologist Mickey Fulp and John Kaiser.
Don’t forget to follow us @INN_Resource for real-time news updates!
Securities Disclosure: I, Charlotte McLeod, hold no direct investment interest in any company mentioned in this article.