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Here’s a look at some of the top-read articles from Resource Investing News for 2014.
From Tesla Motors’ (NASDAQ:TSLA) gigafactory announcement to a bout of excitement surrounding medical marijuana, it was certainly an interesting year for resources. Here’s a look at some of the top-read articles from Resource Investing News for 2014.
1. PDAC: Is China Buying Gold to Eliminate US Dollar as World Reserve Currency?
At the 2014 Prospectors and Developers Association of Canada (PDAC) conference in March, Canadian financier Ned Goodman suggested that China’s aggressive buying of physical gold in recent years could signal a move to “eliminate the United States dollar as the reserve currency.” While Goodman said that such a development could bankrupt the United States, he added that China’s activity in the gold market could be positive for the resource sector. Click here to read the full article.
2. Short-term Investors Killed the Silver Price: CPM Group
At the end of April, CPM Group released its Silver Yearbook 2014, calling for silver to average $20.37 per ounce in 2014, over 20 percent lower than its 2013 average. In fact, silver ended up even lower, averaging about $19.09 for 2014 and ending the year at just $15.57. While there are no doubt a variety of factors pressuring the white metal, CPM suggested that a lack of confidence from short-term investors was a big one. Click here to read the full article.
3. Potash Market Showing Signs of Recovery
Industrial Alliance analyst Kiril Mugerman gave an excellent overview of the potash market earlier this year. In addition to giving some insight into companies in the space, such as Western Potash (TSX:WPX), Allana Potash (TSX:AAA) EPM Mining Ventures (TSXV:EPK) and IC Potash (TSX:ICP), he suggested that things could be looking up for potash in the wake of 2013’s dissolution of Belarusian Potash Company.
Fast forward to the end of the year and the outlook for potash in 2015 isn’t looking too bad — 2014 was relatively quiet, and despite a need to closely watch for downward movement tied to the weak oil price, Spencer Churchill, an analyst with Paradigm Capital, sees prices climbing slightly higher depending on the extent of shutdowns at Uralkali’s (MCX:URKA) operations. Click here to read the full interview with Kiril Mugerman.
4. Thompson Creek to Suspend Endako Mine on Moly Price Weakness
After announcing earlier in the year plans to put its Thompson Creek moly mine on care and maintenance, Thompson Creek Metals (TSX:TCM,NYSE:TC) said in December that operations at the Endako moly mine will also be put on hold. Thompson Creek holds a 75-percent interest in that mine. The company’s Mt. Milligan copper-gold mine is still running.
In the wake of the news, some remained optimistic regarding a turnaround for the company, while others were more skeptical. Interestingly, shares of the company have actually gained about 10 percent since the December 10 announcement. Click here to read the full article.
5. Powering the Future: 5 Lithium Juniors on Tesla’s Gigafactory Plans
When Tesla Motors started making headlines in February with its plans to build a massive lithium-ion battery gigafactory, it was good news on the horizon for the lithium, graphite and cobalt sectors. Those are just some of the materials needed to make lithium-ion batteries. Tesla has since announced that it will build its plant in Nevada, but has not yet made any formal announcements regarding supply partners.
However, the eventual need for additional lithium supply for the factory has certainly been a boon for lithium juniors. Ultra Lithium (TSXV:ULI), Li3 Energy (OTCBB:LIEG), Nemaska Lithium (TSXV:NMX), Orocobre (TSX:ORL,ASX:ORE) and Pure Energy Minerals (TSXV:PE) each responded to a survey from Lithium Investing News about how the announcement affected their companies. Click here to read the full article.
6. Three Rare Earths Companies Up Over 40 Percent Year to Date
Despite a not-so-exciting year for the rare earths market, at least three companies fared fairly well. GéoMégA Resources (TSXV:GMA), Namibia Rare Earths (TSX:NRE) and Mkango Resources (TSXV:MKA) all saw their share prices gain over 40 percent in 2014 as of November 13. As of the end of the year, Namibia and Mkango are up over 50 percent, while GeoMegA has now gained 140 percent. Click here to read the full article.
7. Rick Rule on Making the Best of the Bear Market
At the Sprott Vancouver Natural Resource Symposium 2014, Rick Rule spoke to investors about how to best approach a lackluster commodities market. He reminded listeners that the market is cyclical and volatile, and likened the current market to a profitable shopping opportunity. Overall, Rule advised keeping an eye out for companies with good balance sheets. Click here to read the full article.
8. Argex Titanium CEO Roy Bonnell Talks Disruptive Technologies
Chris Berry, president of House Mountain Partners and co-editor of the Disruptive Discoveries Journal, is known for favoring disruptive technologies. After he mentioned Argex Titanium (FWB:ASV) in a talk at June’s Canadian Investor Conference in Vancouver, Resource Investing News spoke to company CEO Roy Bonnell to find out a bit more about the company. Click here to read the full article.
9. Making the Switch: 3 Junior Mining CEOs Explain the Pull of Medical Marijuana
Investors will no doubt remember the activity surrounding medical marijuana earlier this year and the number of mining juniors that began to diversify into the space. For the most part, that excitement has since died down, but it’s interesting to take a look back at why some companies decided to branch out into the space. Chlormet Technologies (TSXV:CMT), Enertopia (CSE:TOP) and Lexaria (CSE:LXX) each responded to a survey from Resource Investing News about their forays into marijuana. Click here to read the full article.
10. Uranium: The Short Term is Bad, but the Long Term Looks Great
Earlier this year, it might have been difficult for uranium investors to stay positive given low prices in the sector. Things started to look up at the end of the year as prices rose significantly on the back of news of reactor restarts in Japan, but it still turned out to be a tough year overall. However, David Sadowski of Raymond James gave investors some hope midway through 2014 with his suggestion that the long-term story for uranium still looks good. Click here to read the full article.
Palisade Radio Interview: Marc Faber: Gold and Silver Stocks are Absolutely Undervalued
In addition to articles published on Resource Investing News, this Palisade Radio interview with Marc Faber regarding gold and silver stocks was the most popular piece of audio on the site this year. Click here for the full recording.
Securities Disclosure: I, Teresa Matich, hold no investment interest in any of the companies mentioned.