STOCKCHASE

(A Top Pick Feb 3/11. Down 27.13%.) A copper/zinc story with a gold lining. They're going to move from 100,000 ounces of gold a year to about 250,000. There just isn't a lot of news as they develop their mine in Peru and northern Manitoba. Still likes.

2012-02-09

BUY

11.820

Hap (Robert) Sneddon FCSI

Doesn’t like it fundamentally, but it looks good technically. It has shown a buy signal recently. It will pause at the $13 level. It has many days of large daily moves so you will see a little tailing off of the buying, but $11.50 might be a buying point. If it goes down to $11 you want to exit and that might be a stop loss.

2012-01-26

BUY on WEAKNESS

11.480

Copper is at 17 week high and some of these stocks are starting to move. Chart shows a downtrend starting in late 2010 and broken in late 2011. Now we are hoping for a successive set of new lows. He expects some kind of a minor pullback. If it pulled back into the $9 range, he would load up. Good space to be in.

2012-01-19

PAST TOP PICK

10.380

(Top Pick Dec 31/10, Down 41.49%) Company is going through a massive change. Building a new mine which will be an important mine. Doing a big project in Peru (politics affected investor sentiment). Almost $5 of cash per share. Thinks it will climb back up bit will take some time to get there.

2012-01-04

DON'T BUY

9.690

Hap (Robert) Sneddon FCSI

Only base metal company he owns. Likes this one the most if there is going to be a bounce in copper. Has a half position, which he can always add to when it pulls back. Still a couple of questions. They are building mines and it is the CapX around the mine and how you finance.

2011-11-22

BUY on WEAKNESS

10.400

The downward trend has been broken but it looks like it wants to revisit the October low. We are coming to the seasonal strong time for the sector. The risk reward is really good.

2011-11-15

PAST TOP PICK

10.500

(A Top Pick Nov 11/10. Down 39.62%.) Still loves this one. Doing very well. Have a new mine coming on next year. Doesn't see any catalysts in the next 2 quarters. $800 million plus in the bank. Expect they will be back in the $20’s before too long.

2011-11-10

WAIT

11.250

Bruce Campbell

Did analysis and liked what he saw. Their production in Flinflon did not come on and he will look at it again in 2012. Well run, good assets but a little early for him.

2011-10-26

PAST TOP PICK

9.480

(A Top Pick Oct 4/10. Down 33.03%.) Fears on base metals has been misplaced on this company. Produces 100,000 ounces of gold annually. Ramping up with their new mine to 250,000 ounces. Screaming bargain.

2011-10-03

PAST TOP PICK

9.480

2011-10-03

HOLD

10.370

John Stephenson

Generally a name he likes. New CEO has done a good job of focusing the company. Increasing revenue from copper. Lots of cash. But stock has gone sideways and will continue. Good defensive name.

2011-09-28

TOP PICK

11.870

Copper. Have a couple of growth projects in Canada as well as one in Peru. Looks like they could have $1-$2 billion in gold assets that they could spin out. Price could drop below $10, which would be uncomfortable, but would give him an advantage to buy more.

2011-09-19

DON'T BUY

11.950

The metals producers are really out of favour. Severely under performed the market along with all metal producers. An area to avoid.

2011-09-13

BUY

12.290

Paul Gardner, CFA

Likes that it trades very cheap on a cash flow basis. Their copper assets and the new mines that are going into production will really add to the bottom line.

2011-09-08

TOP PICK

12.330

Has lots of cash flow stream, some great growth projects, which are all reasonable sizes and in great jurisdictions.

2011-08-17

Comment

13.150

A bit of a drawback in that it doesn't pay much of a dividend but the company has a huge amount of cash on hand. Potential takeover target. Well run.

2011-07-29

TOP PICK

13.210

$700 million in cash. Their new mine in Manitoba, which is opening in the next 12 to 18 months, will take their gold production from 100,000 ounces to 250,000 ounces. Close their copper smelter, which was a millstone to them. Thinks there copper project in Peru is a go.

2011-06-27

BUY

12.880

David Baskin

Everybody’s selling commodity stocks because of worry about Chinese growth but over a longer period of 2 to 5 years, demand for minerals and metals is going to continue to increase.

2011-06-16

TOP PICK

14.050

There are only a couple of names in North/South America that are relatively cheap. He would double his position if it goes lower from here. You aren’t paying a lot for Peru.

2011-06-09

WAIT

14.030

Bruce Campbell

Have lots of cash on balance sheet but will be spending it to bring all the growth into production. Loves the story but it is too early.

2011-06-07

BUY

14.560

Teck Resources (TCK.B-T) or Hudbay Minerals (HBM-T)? Both are growth resource stocks so dividends are not exciting. From a safety standpoint Teck is bigger and less focused in base metals and has significant coal content. A lot of their resources is driven by Chinese demand. Hudbay is very cheap and has about $5-$6 in cash and is another good choice..

2011-05-27

HOLD

14.440

Jason Donville

A quality blue chip copper, gold, zinc resource company. Going through a period of seasonal weakness. Have a big production ramp up in the next 2 to 3 years. Have a cashed up balance sheet so are not dependent on market conditions for funding.

2011-05-25

SELL

14.600

Got stopped out of virtually all his metal stocks through March and into April. At this point there is not enough to tell him that the correction is done.

2011-05-18

BUY

13.890

Recently reduced his holdings as he feels China is slowing down and the copper market is coming down. Have almost $1 billion in cash plus a dividend. Combination of copper, zinc and gold. Expanding their Laylor deposit. Cheap stock.

2011-05-16

TOP PICK

13.890

Was $30 a few years ago and is a way better company now. Have $800 million in the bank. Now have a New York listing. Closed the old copper smelter in Flin Flon Manitoba. Devoted themselves to finding more production through the Americas. Known as a copper/zinc producer but do produce 100,000 ounces of gold annually, soon to be 250,000 ounces.

2011-05-16

DON'T BUY

13.980

Don Vialoux

Technically it is currently in a downward trend. Has not been following the seasonal patterns that other base metal stocks have been following. There is support around $11. Copper and zinc prices have been trending down. Wait for support.

2011-05-13

PAST TOP PICK

15.000

(A Top Pick April 19/10. Up 14.42%.) Got out at about $17.50. Now that it has retraced closer to $15 he is taking another look to see if he wants to re-enter.

2011-04-19

Comment

15.190

Has great cash flow assets and cash ready to go. Looking at this but is giving it time. With their base and their cash, you just have to give it time.

2011-04-18

TOP PICK

15.800

Anywhere in the mid teens, he would back up the truck. Fundamentally different than it was. Has been turned into a copper/gold company with zinc. Closed their old Flin Flon smelter. Have a wonderful new mine, Lalor that they are bringing into production with high grades of both copper and gold. Did an acquisition in Peru and still have $800 million in the bank. Quadrupled their reserves. Listed in New York.

2011-04-13

TOP PICK

16.840

$900 million in the bank. New management and a New York Stock Exchange listing. Closed its Flin Flon copper smelter. Has a new copper/gold mine and produces 100,000 annually but will be going to 250,000. Also zinc prices are starting to come back.

2011-02-03

TOP PICK

17.900

Have a great copper/gold mine. 100,000 ounces of gold a year going to 200,000. Doesn’t think they get much market recognition for the gold. US listing. Dividend. $900 million in the bank.

2010-12-31

PAST TOP PICK

18.150

David Taylor, MBA, CFA

(A Top Pick April 13/10. Up 36.8%.) Still likes.

2010-12-06

PARTIAL SELL

18.170

John Zechner

Zinc, copper and gold and mostly domestic. Had a big move to the upside. Recently Sold his holdings. Great production profile. Sitting on about $6 or $7 a share in cash. If you own, consider taking some profit.

2010-12-03

TOP PICK

17.680

$900 million cash in the bank. Closed their copper smelter, which was a liability. Wonderful new copper/gold mine coming on giving them 200,000 ounces of gold a year. Started paying a dividend.

2010-11-11

PAST TOP PICK

15.810

(A Top Pick Oct 19/09. Up 23.31)

2010-10-27

DON'T BUY

16.630

David Baskin

(Market Call Minute) Looks a little pricey.

2010-10-18

BUY

15.830

Has an opportunity to go higher. Has about $6 in cash and is a potential takeover. Copper and zinc and have expanded their resource base significantly.

2010-10-13

HOLD

15.280

Barry Schwartz

Always had lots of cash on its balance sheet. Talking of starting a dividend. Prefers companies in copper coal and moly. If you own it, hold it. Don’t buy.

2010-10-05

TOP PICK

14.850

New CEO is solid. Will be listing on NYSE and will be paying a dividend. Producing 100,000 ounces of gold a year and when the new Lalor mine (copper/gold) comes on you go up to 200,000 ounces. $900 million cash.

2010-10-04

TOP PICK

14.620

About $6 a share in cash. Cash and asset rich. Price to cash flow is reasonable. Great potential for reorganization.

2010-09-29

BUY on WEAKNESS

15.750

Robert Lauzon

He is positive on base metals and this is one that he would own. Probably $1 or $2 upside in the short term but could pull back to $14.

2010-09-13

BUY

14.960

Robert McWhirter

Both base and precious metals and it’s the gold that has analysts interested. Earnings and sales have improved dramatically and outlook is good. Listing on the NYSE in October which will increase visibility to US investors but probably won’t change overall valuation.

2010-09-10

PAST TOP PICK

14.460

(A Top Pick July 20/09. Up 74.88%.) Has some good room ahead of it.

2010-08-26

PAST TOP PICK

13.730

(A Top Pick July 20/09. Up 70.77%.) Still has room to the upside. Developing the Lalor mine, a terrific gold/copper mine. Try to Buy in the $11-$13 range.

2010-08-16

Comment

12.730

Of all base metals, zinc is the one he is most positive on because China has increased zinc consumption but is cautious about a double dip in the economy. Great base metal company with lots of cash. Likes the new CEO. Would like to see the company broken up which would give it a lot more upside.

2010-07-29

PAST TOP PICK

11.590

(A Top Pick July 20/09. Up 46.64%.) Still huge value here. They are sitting on $900 million in cash and have a great new mine, Laura copper/gold mine. If it got up to $16-$17 he might sell.

2010-07-19

HOLD

12.170

New CEO, which is something the company has lacked. Continuing to expand its high-grade asset in Manitoba. Tremendous land spread.

2010-06-28

HOLD

12.550

Jim Huang

New CEO. Good reputation in industry. Give him some time to see what he can do. They have lots of cash and some undeveloped assets. Medium and long-term outlook for zinc, copper and nickel are good. Acquisition is always in the cards for this company.

2010-06-22

SELL

12.650

New CEO. As a group, mining stocks, excluding precious metals, are not behaving the right way. Could just be the seasonal weakness that you get in the summertime.

2010-06-21

DON'T BUY

10.990

There is a pretty sharp gap where the stock went up last Sept. From there there is support at that level but it fell below that level recently and is having trouble getting back. It could easily go down to the level it was at before the sharp gap.

2010-06-09

DON'T BUY

12.150

Don Vialoux

Seasonal strength is from end of November until end of April. It did not follow the trend this year. Has not been acting well at all. It broke a key support level recently (down) and will have difficulty moving above that range.

2010-05-31

DON'T BUY

11.280

On any of these metal companies, you have to wait for demand and commodity pricing to pick up. If you want, you could establish partial positions on dips and then wait for it to turn and do better.

2010-05-14

BUY

10.770

Have about $5-$6 in cash and are in a good commodity section. Have come up with some big fines and have lots of ore to dig out of the ground. Prime takeover candidate.

2010-05-07

WEAK BUY

12.030

Derek Webb, CFA

It’s a chicken’s way to play the recovery on commodities (base metals). The stock basically has gone nowhere. Has a great balance sheet and lots of cash but not a lot of sex appeal. You’ll be fine with this one.

2010-05-04

TOP PICK

13.320

Management/board problems seem to be behind them now. Has a real host of quality assets. Excellent balance sheet with almost $5-$6 per share in cash.

2010-04-27

TOP PICK

13.300

David Taylor, MBA, CFA

Zinc/copper producer. Very low-cost reserves. Strong takeover candidate. Has about $6-$7 a share in cash. Trades around 4X cash flow.

2010-04-13

VAGUE

13.300

Seems like it will be treading water for a while.

2010-04-13

DON'T BUY

13.210

Stan Wong

Materials space looks interesting. A lot of talk lately as to whether it would be acquired so the stock has been relatively flat in the last little while. (See Top Picks.)

2010-04-08

BUY on WEAKNESS

12.960

Brian Acker, CA

He has a model price of $22.55 giving it a 77% upside. He would like it at $11.80. Too small for his portfolios. Can be volatile.

2010-04-01

WAIT

12.910

Christine Poole

(Market Call Minute.) Wait until the new CEO is announced and find out what his strategy for growth is.

2010-03-30

BUY

13.310

Philip Doyle

Been lukewarm on this partly because of the not overly friendly actions at the time of its proposed takeover by Lundin. Operationally it has done well. Reasonably valued.

2010-03-26

BUY

13.520

Derek Webb, CFA

Very bullish on mining stocks because of their great earnings momentum. This one is a lot less volatile than other stocks. Doesn't think you can go wrong with this one. Very cheap.

2010-02-11

DON'T BUY

12.160

Philip Doyle

A play on copper and zinc that really didn't shine last year. Attempted a merger with Lundin Mining (LUN-T), which didn't go through. It showed in the course of this that maybe focus on shareholders and governance was not the strongest.

2010-02-05

BUY

12.160

Andrew McCreath

Zinc is a little ahead of itself but he is mildly positive on it. In about 18 months several large mines are going to close down and there will be a much better supply/demand situation. This company is probably among the most defensive base metals stocks because of the large amount of cash they have. Reasonably safe way to play metals and you are currently not paying anything for their gold assets.

2010-02-05

BUY

12.690

Stock got ahead of itself. He tends not to invest in this kind of thing, but with strong base metal prices, it should do very well.

2010-02-02

BUY on WEAKNESS

12.530

(Market Call Minute.) Would buy if it pulled back a bit.

2010-01-27

BUY

13.090

Value stock with over $5 a share in cash as well as a new copper/gold mine.

2010-01-25

BUY

13.980

Andrew Cook

(Market Call Minute.) Metals and mining sector should do reasonably well.

2010-01-20

BUY

14.680

Likes the diversified metals space. This one has not been the best performing name but certainly performing well. Good diversified asset base.

2010-01-07

Comment

13.490

Has been a pullback in commodities and the US$ has had a nice run. Expects this is why the stock has pulled back. Emerging markets will be the engine of growth.

2009-12-30

BUY

13.230

Managers coming and going upsets shareholders. The mining operations appear to be quote good and stable, good cost-wise and good growth profile.

2009-12-22

BUY on WEAKNESS

12.560

The recent drop-off could be attributed to tax loss selling and it could take a nice jump. Came up with some new drill results in Manitoba and looks like they have a mineable deposit. Have a lot of cash. He would consider buying more if there is more tax loss selling.

2009-12-21

DON'T BUY

13.880

Lost their CEO. Good balance sheet with lots of cash. If you want to be in this space, this is one that you could look at but would look at others first because of the leadership void they are in right now.

2009-12-10

BUY on WEAKNESS

14.180

Robert Lauzon

Seems to have a revolving door of management. Had some good drill results on the gold side. Could potentially be a diversified mining company. Has cash on the balance sheet.

2009-12-04

BUY

14.920

Has now got a deposit in Manitoba, which looks very interesting. CEO has just stepped down but a good company full of great assets and lots of cash.

2009-12-01

HOLD

15.520

Dennis Da Silva

Gold/copper. Just lost their CEO and CCO but in good hands with the VP of operations. Likes the gold aspect to it.

2009-11-18

BUY on WEAKNESS

16.030

Peter Grandich

Primarily base metals so is sensitive to economics. Most projects are in North or Central America. Probably in the top 3rd of all significant producers that if you had to have in your portfolio you would choose from.

2009-11-05

Comment

13.620

Peter Brieger

Could be very attractive in the base metals space.

2009-11-02

BUY

13.620

Craig MacAdam

(Market Call Minute.) Recently announced a great gold resource that has given a new life.

2009-11-02

BUY

14.010

Came up with some significant new discoveries in Manitoba. Could be a takeout. Well run and has a lot of money in the bank.

2009-10-30

HOLD

14.600

Derek Webb, CFA

Copper broke through $3 today. Commodities are priced in US$, which is going down. The rest of the world is recovering and commodity prices are going up. Very strong balance sheet.

2009-10-29

BUY

14.400

Ross Healy

Commodity prices have been moving up and Fair Market Value on mining stocks have been shooting up and pulling the stock prices up behind them. His FMV is calculated at $28 and he could see the stock getting to $16-$17 very easily.

2009-10-26

TOP PICK

14.820

Offers exposure to the leading part of the market in the basic material space: copper and zinc. Near term catalyst is the possibility of 3 Million oz of Gold. Great balance sheet, infrastructure and they are good operators.

2009-10-19

BUY on WEAKNESS

15.090

Christine Poole

Mainly zinc/copper mines in Manitoba. Also have a copper/zinc smelter. Very strong balance sheet. No debt. Facing a declining production profile with 2 of their 3 mines shutting down next year. New discovery in Manitoba looks very promising and if this materializes it will improve their production profile.

2009-10-15

Comment

15.300

Has had a great run because of a potential discovery in Manitoba. Could be a takeover eventually.

2009-10-09

BUY

11.340

Hasn't seen the news on their new discovery. Had a little pop, which may fade out. Good company. One of the few large copper/zinc producers in Canada. Well managed and making money. Could be a takeover.

2009-09-23

BUY on WEAKNESS

11.340

David Baskin

Was drilling for zinc but hit gold in tremendous concentrations. A terrific strike in northern Manitoba. Developing a mine takes a lot of money and a lot of time. Doesn't know what gold prices will be when they eventually develop the mine. There is a potential for that to be a takeover target. We prefer to buy it at $9-$10.

2009-09-23

SELL

8.730

John Zechner

(Market Call Minute) There’s no growth there. They have some cash but are not doing anything with it.

2009-09-08

DON'T BUY

8.430

Veronika Hirsch

New management and there is a change of strategies. She is not clear what the strategy is. There are better names available. Very cheap.

2009-09-02

BUY

8.560

Colin Stewart

Copper and zinc. Even though he is not in favour of base metals because of the current economy, this is one that he would like the most. Very strong balance sheet with about $5.50 cash per share. Expected to generate $1 per share and cash flow also. Very cheap valuation. Expect it will do very well in the near term.

2009-08-20

BUY

8.400

Zinc and copper. Not a bad bet.

2009-08-07

PAST TOP PICK

7.900

(A Top Pick Aug 1/08. Down 20.2%.)

2009-07-28

TOP PICK

8.040

Has $800 million cash, which is virtually the share price. You also get a bunch of mines thrown in. Thinks the management team and the board are now strong and sensible. Have 2 new mines coming on in northern Manitoba, which look good. Closing the copper smelter so the environment overhang and $150 million to modernize it will not be a factor.

2009-07-20

DON'T BUY

7.400

Canadian zinc, copper, gold and silver. Chart shows it is starting to turn down a little bit. Upward trend but it's next high was lower than the previous one, which is not a good sign indicating a potential reversal.

2009-06-23

BUY

8.200

(Market Call Minute.) People are confused by all the political machinations. It will be resolved and 25 great minds will be created when it's over and there will be more.

2009-06-10

BUY

7.500

Robert Lauzon

(Market Call Minute.) Great cash position. Looks like there could be some M & A activity here.

2009-05-26

BUY

7.340

(Market Call Minute.) It's at a support level on an upside trend. Be prepared to exit quickly.

2009-05-13

DON'T BUY

7.690

Steve Carlin

Just sold a large part of their assets. Couple this with cash they have on the balance sheet they are very well capitalized. Thinks new management is in place to find ways to grow the business. Quite rich on a valuation basis right now.

2009-05-12

BUY

8.210

Added to his position recently. High probability of a deal occurring here. It will have to have at a much higher price. Its assets are modest on a long-term basis. He sees improvement in Zinc and Copper continuing.

2009-04-28

HOLD

7.110