Investors in the mining space are always on the lookout for a “perfect 10.” Christopher Welch, a mining analyst with Ocean Equities in London, ranks jurisdictions and companies in this interview with The Gold Report, focusing on little known names in Africa.
Interview by Brian Sylvester
The Gold Report
The Gold Report: Chris, the lifeblood of your business is financing. What’s your read on the appetite for junior financings compared to earlier this year?
Christopher Welch: The appetite for high-quality projects in the mining space is basically the same as it was in early 2012. However, in the current environment, where share prices are a bit depressed, it’s getting harder to match investors with companies at share prices that are acceptable to both parties.
Aureus Mining Inc. (AUE:TSX; AUE:LSE) is conducting a big fundraising for its New Liberty mine in Liberia, which is positive news demonstrating there are green shoots in the equity space for West African gold, which is encouraging. We’re optimistic that there will be more deals done in the near term.