Mines and Money Americas: Notes from the Floor

The Mines and Money Americas conference held in downtown Toronto wrapped up Wednesday (October 17) afternoon, after three days of panels, presentations and one-on-one meetings.

The Investing News Network (INN) editorial team covered a variety of interesting panel discussions and caught up with a number of industry analysts, company CEOs and mining sector innovators.

From geopolitical issues affecting gold to the impact of technology on the supply chain, the Mines and Money conference was a great opportunity to examine some key resources in the mining space.

Below we’ve put together some highlights from the show. Scroll on to read more about what happened on the floor.

Mines and Money Americas: Day 1

Day one of the Mines and Money conference had a Latin America focus, with a number of presentations centered around investment opportunities in a number of South American countries.

The first keynote address of the conference came from Gianni Kovacevic, executive chairman at Copperbank (CSE:CBK). Kovacevic spoke about which Latin American countries will prevail as winners in the rush to resources essential in electric vehicle production.

Following his presentation, INN caught up with Kovacevic to gain a little more insight into the copper space in relation to South America.

Speaking with @GianniKov at the @MinesAndMoney conference in Toronto.
“We continue to buy [copper] projects in negative times,” Kovacevic tells Priscila, our Battery Metals reporter #mmamericas2018 pic.twitter.com/coPsKwBVCH

— Resource Investing (@INN_Resource) October 15, 2018

Next, INN headed over to the Mining Pitch Battle where three companies were given three minutes each to sway potential investors. The three contestants, Auryn Resources (TSX:AUG,NYSEAMERICAN:AUG), Ruby Graphite and Pasinex Resources (CSE:PSE) all gave compelling pitches.

The Mining Pitch Battle has begun!
First up – @AurynResources #mmamericas2018 pic.twitter.com/AVrCGhmwVV

— Resource Investing (@INN_Resource) October 15, 2018

Next up is @Pasinex, which specializes in #zinc and describes itself as a “mid term and a long term play” company. #mmamericas2018 pic.twitter.com/i4Km6YX9BC

— Resource Investing (@INN_Resource) October 15, 2018

Last up is @RubyGraphite which is a Junior “early stage” miner specializing in #graphite
The company is looking to raise money to finance exploration as it has been solely funded by a husband and wife partnership to date. #mmamericas2018 pic.twitter.com/53ytury0pl

— Resource Investing (@INN_Resource) October 15, 2018

And the winner is…@RubyGraphite #minesandmoney2018 pic.twitter.com/xIkavY0BE0

— Resource Investing (@INN_Resource) October 15, 2018

Following the intense pitch battle, attendees had a break for lunch. Many of the conference goers gathered in the foyer to network and exchange business cards.

Attendees network and chat over lunch. #minesandmoney2018 pic.twitter.com/hHXqMgculZ

— Resource Investing (@INN_Resource) October 15, 2018

After lunch, INN had a chance to speak with Igancio Celorrio, partner at Alfaro Abogados, just before his presentation on the battle for supremacy in the lithium triangle.

“But in #Argentina a lot of exploration work has been done and there is a lot of potential in the #lithium space,” says Ignacio Celorrio at #MinesandMoney2018

— Resource Investing (@INN_Resource) October 15, 2018

Final comments from Ignacio Celorrio about risk assessment in Latin America #MinesandMoney2018 pic.twitter.com/UopLsqwnfZ

— Resource Investing (@INN_Resource) October 15, 2018

Following Celorrio’s presentation, the final panel of the day began. Panelists from a variety of companies participated in a debate over how the battery metals space will evolve over the next five years.

Last panel of day 1 at #MinesandMoney2018 will discuss #batterymetals pic.twitter.com/4L4Ywkn1P0

— Resource Investing (@INN_Resource) October 15, 2018

“Despite prices in China not doing well this year, #lithium demand is increasing, in particular for hydroxide,” says Jon Hykawy of Stormcrow Capital at #MinesandMoney2018

— Resource Investing (@INN_Resource) October 15, 2018

“I lose no sleep about #copper demand, it will increase,” says @GianniKov at #minesandmoney2018

— Resource Investing (@INN_Resource) October 15, 2018

“We could potentially see two different price contracts in the #nickel market, reflecting the demand expected from the battery sector,” says Vale’s Frank Nikolic at #MinesandMoney2018

— Resource Investing (@INN_Resource) October 15, 2018

"In the electric vehicle side, #lithium-ion is the main #technology, but in the #energy storage space it's a different story, #vanadium is getting a lot of attention," says @DavidAnonychuk at #MinesandMoney2018

— Resource Investing (@INN_Resource) October 15, 2018

Mines and Money Americas: Day 2

The second day of the conference took on a Canadian focus exploring provinces and commodities that are on the rise.

The first speaker of the day, Martin Murenbeeld, president of Murenbeeld and Co, a leading gold analyst, offered insight into the current and future state of the gold market.

Martin Murenbleed, president of Murenbeeld talks about the effect of the American dollar on #Gold #minesandmoneytoronto pic.twitter.com/V4C38CEusc

— Resource Investing (@INN_Resource) October 16, 2018

Martin Murenbeeld’s gold price scenario outlook #minesandmoneytoronto pic.twitter.com/2191C4XVmR

— Resource Investing (@INN_Resource) October 16, 2018

Next up, INN interviewed Ani Markova, VP and portfolio manager, AGF Investments (TSX:AGF.B) regarding the yellow metal’s poor performance in Q3.

Our precious metals reporter Nicole Rashotte, speaking with Ani Markova, VP and portfolio manager, AGF Investments. #minesandmoney pic.twitter.com/ELJ52FYqZa

— Resource Investing (@INN_Resource) October 16, 2018

After a brief break, INN spoke with David Anonychuk, managing director, M.Plan International.

Our battery metals reporter discussing the mining space with David Annonychuck, managing director, M.Plan International. Video interview to come. #minesandmoney pic.twitter.com/rtPYS2TCvQ

— Resource Investing (@INN_Resource) October 16, 2018

After that, INN caught up with Brian Leni, founder of Junior Stock Review, to discuss nickel investment in Canada.

Our precious metals reporter Nicole switches it up a bit and talks nickel with Juniour Stock Review’s Brian Leni. #minesandmoney pic.twitter.com/K6sztXhP5Y

— Resource Investing (@INN_Resource) October 16, 2018

INN then headed over to the panel discussion on mining deal-flow and finding the next opportunity.

First afternoon panel discusses mining deals #minesandmoney2018 pic.twitter.com/LnbUsRGk1b

— Resource Investing (@INN_Resource) October 16, 2018

Then, INN had a chance to speak with Kiril Mugerman, president and CEO of GeoMega Resources (TSXV:GMA), a Quebec-based rare earths developer.

Our energy reporter Georgia Williams speaking with Kiril Mugerman, president & CEO of @kintavar at Day 2 of the @MinesAndMoney conference in Toronto.#MinesandMoneyToronto pic.twitter.com/ZJ2CSc3zFN

— Resource Investing (@INN_Resource) October 16, 2018

Day two of Mines and Money wrapped up with a panel talk around the effect of cryptocurrencies and cannabis on the mining sector.

Last panel of day 2: Are #cryptocurrencies and #cannabis killing mining? #minesandmoney2018 pic.twitter.com/mN30GNrpFF

— Resource Investing (@INN_Resource) October 16, 2018

Mines and Money Americas: Day 3

The last day of the conference featured an early morning presentation from Alain Corbani, head of commodities at Finance SA. Corbani touched an array of interesting topics impacting gold, including the Trump-effect, dubbed Trumponomics.

Final day of the @MinesAndMoney conference with @corbani presenting on #Trumponomics and its effect on gold.#MinesandMoneyToronto pic.twitter.com/7ST4jjUPMS

— Resource Investing (@INN_Resource) October 17, 2018

“We have reached the breakeven point” – @corbani #MinesandMoneyToronto pic.twitter.com/Rl6M1weY3D

— Resource Investing (@INN_Resource) October 17, 2018

Key factors effecting the yellow metal? @corbani says it is real interest rates and the US currency.#MinesandMoneyToronto pic.twitter.com/ItOxk91rZG

— Resource Investing (@INN_Resource) October 17, 2018

“Interest rates will stay low for a very long time and that will effect the [US] dollar to the downside” – @corbani
This is because of #Trump‘s aggressive fiscal policy.#MinesandMoneyToronto pic.twitter.com/6ww6KZiUF3

— Resource Investing (@INN_Resource) October 17, 2018

INN then attended a uranium investment presentation by Gao Shangxiong, deputy chief engineer of CNNC, China’s leading uranium producer.

A supply shortage is inevitable in the global uranium sector. #minesandmoney pic.twitter.com/oe7MI5So7f

— Resource Investing (@INN_Resource) October 17, 2018

Following the presentation INN had the last interview of the day with Peter Grosskopf, CEO of Sprott, (TSX:SII).

Our last interview of the day at #minesandmoneytoronto pic.twitter.com/dUGkPKpeUy

— Resource Investing (@INN_Resource) October 17, 2018

Don’t forget to follow us @INN_Resource for real-time updates!

Securities Disclosure: I, Georgia Williams, hold no direct investment interest in any company mentioned in this article.

Editorial Disclosure: Pasinex Resources is a client of the Investing News Network. This article is not paid-for content.