VIDEO - Thom Calandra: Be as Skeptical as You Can About Resource Companies

It’s a new year, but for Thom Calandra of the Calandra Report the key tenets of investing remain as relevant as ever.

“Be as skeptical as you can about resource companies. I mean, let’s face it — anybody can get into this business,” he said on the sidelines of last week’s Vancouver Resource Investment Conference.

“Don’t believe that just because Johnny or Josephine geologist or investment banker comes along and starts a mining company that it’s going to be successful,” he continued, pointing out that the odds are stacked against companies in the space, which face obstacles such as jurisdiction, environmental restrictions and simple bad luck.

“I keep my fingers crossed, I try to do my due diligence. I don’t invest in anything anymore unless I know the investors and the executives and the geologists,” he said.

Calandra is optimistic about a number of metals in 2019, including tin, zinc, platinum and copper — and of course gold. “I’m still that kind of guy who believes in $10,000 gold,” he said. “[But] obviously I don’t know when that’s going to happen.”

One thing he thinks could spark movement in the sector is continued M&A activity. “We have to see so many more Newmont Mining (NYSE:NEM)/Goldcorp (TSX:G,NYSE:GG) mergers before they become meaningful, because this industry is so fragmented that it hurts,” he said.

Watch the interview above for more insight from Calandra, including further thoughts on the commodities he likes. You can also click here to view our full playlist from the conference on YouTube.

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

Editorial Disclosure: The Investing News Network does not guarantee the accuracy or thoroughness of the information reported in the interviews it conducts. The opinions expressed in these interviews do not reflect the opinions of the Investing News Network and do not constitute investment advice. All readers are encouraged to perform their own due diligence.