Hello fellow Gumshoers! In keeping with the Gumshoe process of performing due diligence for investing, I would like to share my results of a visit to Junior mining Home offices I recently visited. I work for Chevron Oil, and had the good fortune to visit beautiful Vancouver, British Columbia. Staying in downtown Vancouver afforded me the ability to visit the LISTED address of a majority of the Junior Mining Companies in my portfolio. I used the same MO when arriving at all the offices. I stated that I was visiting the area, and I am a stockholder of the company, and I wanted to insure there was a company behind the door. I had no expectation, other than to satisfy my own curiosity.
I did not get to visit all the companies in my portfolio, but I did get to visit some. I would like to share my results;
Western Pacific Resources (WRPSF); 902-555 Burrard St.
The Company was listed at the door, but when I went into the office,they were not in the building. A nice lady in a nearby office said ”she works from home” This could very well be a cost cutting measure, which I would think is pretty smart, as I am sure it cost a bunch of money to have an office in downtown Vancouver.
Millrock Resources (MLRKF); 800-789 West Pender St.
Not on the registry or in the building.
Kaminak Gold Corp. (KMKGF) 1020 800 West Pender St.
Very nice lady welcomed us (my wife joined me on this venture) and gave us a tour of the office. My timing was off, as it was lunchtime, and no one else was in the office. She gave me some pamphlets, and said if I had any questions to come back. I noticed that there was a brochure from another company in the lobby (Redstar Gold Corp. RGCTF), but she said they haven’t been in the office for a while.
Kiska Metals Corp. (KSKTF) 575 510 Burrard St. I lost the gentlemen’ s business card, and therefore cannot give him credit, but he was very accommodating, and gave us a tour of the office, showed us core samples, and gave me some literature. Very professional and pleasant. Well versed in the companies endeavors and finances.
Callinan Royalties (CCNMF) 770 475 West Georgia St. Here I had the good fortune to talk to Mr. Jonathan Rosset, Financial Analyst. He admitted that he had never heard of a stockholder visiting the company, and thought it was pretty smart of me. (I will always take a compliment!) He explained the companies positions and philosophies, and gave me some valuable ideas as to where to learn of some up and coming juniors, as well as recommending learning all I could about the Sprott Natural Resources convention. Excellent visit.
I saved the best for last, and hope everyone reads all the way through my dissertation, because I really appreciate what happened at Almaden Minerals.
Almaden Minerals (AAU) 1103 750 West Pender St.
I arrived at the office and was greeted by a very nice lady, who listened to my story. She asked that my wife and I take a seat, and she would see if she could find someone to answer my questions. It was obvious this was a working office, core samples were present, people bustling about, lots going on. She soon returned with a distinguished gentlemen that I immediately recognized as Mr. Duane Poliquin. He said he was on his way out, but he always had time for a shareholder. He invited my wife and I into the boardroom, offered us a refreshment, and proceed to listen to my questions, talked about Almadens history, projects and public relations efforts in Mexico. He and I discussed big oil, investing strategies and some ( but very little) politics. When he noticed his son Morgan walking by, he introduced him, and Morgan joined in the conversation.
I was amazed, as these men, who did not know if I had 5 or 5,000 shares, spent all this time with my wife and I. They were gracious, informative and polite. I do not want to be considered a ”Tout”, but I am sold on the quality of this Company, and it’s management. They obviously have done their homework and I will continue to add shares of this Company. It was a definite pleasure to make their acquaintance, and I hope my brief visit did not distract from the business they had to tend to.
Well, there ya’ have it, one man’s results. Learning as much as I can about where I am going to put my money will prove to be well worth the effort. Meeting people like Duane and Morgan Poliquin is an added bonus, and I want to publicly thank them for their time and information.
Timothy Colmerauer
This is a discussion topic or guest posting submitted by a Stock Gumshoe reader. The content has not been edited or reviewed by Stock Gumshoe, and any opinions expressed are those of the author alone.
Hello Mr. Colmerauer,
Even-though, I do not hold the stocks of these companies nor heard about them before, I really appreciate for sharing the info. you gathered about this companies.
Thank you very much for the job well-done. I am a novice in this investment business and any information is always helpful.
Ghebrel
Nice to have a fellow shareholder of Almaden pay a visit to the company’s offices, receive such a warm, informative welcome and share the experience with others — thank you very much.
WHAT HAPPENED TO MYRON MARTIN ??????????????????????????????
Myron is just taking a little break. He’s planning on coming back. We’re not sure when yet, but we’ll happy to have him when he does return!
For Myron or Travis; Two persons have been buying PGLC steadily for 2 or 3 months & have accumulated over 9 million shares. Do you have any knowledge of why? Buy out coming?
I have a small holding and do not see much movement and am curious
I would also like to add that I sent an email to the companies I could not find, asking them to explain, and I await thier reply. Mr. dimartino, I do not know what happened to Mr. Martin, but I in know way profess to have his knowledge or experience. I would welcom his thoughts on the subject. Thank you all for the comments.
how cool was this….what great information……no kidding….I was so impressed….I am going to look at aau just because of this report….although i have never visited a holding…..I have often wondered about penny stocks and their headquarters….frankly…like western pacific…running it out of her house……not real companies evidently
thanks much….great great piece
Hey Tim,
While working with you at Chevron I’ve come to respect your competency and honesty. But now you’ve taken that relationship to a new level. A stock invester? Should have known, LOL. Great job doing the leg work on these junior companies to find the diamond in the rough. The research and information you share allows those who do not have the means to make better decisions on their precious investment dollars. Happened to come across your commentary while doing what I love most, sipping my morning coffee and research surfing the web.. Researching new emerging technologies is a enjoyable pastime which intend to engage in a big way after retirement. I can ensure to all individuals that read Tim’s comments, he thoughtful, honest, factual and technically based. I can vouch for Tim’s character being rooted in integrity. A straight shooter. Thanks again Tim and let’s keep in touch. Greg Doakes.
Mr Doakes,
It is my good fortune to gain your friendship. We will indeed keep in touch. I will be in Richmond next week, will look you up.
Tim, I applaud your straightforward personal inquiries into the companies you visited or attempted to visit. I have a question that is somewhat related.
During the period between 2008 and early 2011 while the price of gold almost doubled, the price of mining stocks uncharacteristically trailed the price of gold. I suspect this happened because gold company executives buried the profits, and deprived shareholders of profits they should have received in dividends. What is your opinion about that?
Sorry,I forgot to mention why my earlier question is related to your observations. Do you see your trip to the offices in Vancouver as indicative of shareholders in general becoming more personally involved in investigating possible stock investments? That would be good, but most people are quite busy with other matters.
Mr. Martens; I believe the major gold miners got too rich, too fast, and did not have the foresight to put some of this new found wealth in the bank or their stockholders pockets. Instead they went on buying sprees, ramping up the price of marginal investments, and now that reality has set in, they are losing money in big numbers. Unfortunately, the junior miners also suffered from these extremes. The companies I have visited (and some more I hold in my portfolio) have weathered the storm, and are using the money they have to get the most bang for the buck.
Being a novice myself, I have lost money to Pump and Dumps, and other fly by night schemes. However, it was a valuable education I will soon not forget. If someone can benefit from my experience, excellent. I am willing to share because I believe others would do the same. The Stock Gumshoe website is a case in point. The amount spent to become an “Irregular” is some of the best money spent toward an education in the investing realm.
Hi Mr. Colmerauer,
excellent work, great idea! Wish I would have thought of it. Alas a bit difficult for me to travel from Germany for this definite worthwhile adventure. Being kind of a novice investor myself, I feel the same as you about the entire Gumshoe-experience. Discovered Travis about 2011, became an irregular a year later and I haven’t made a better investment since.
Anyway, you wetted my appetite for AAU and I will do some research in terms of it being a good investment for myself. Grateful for your ideas and for the sharing!
Herbert
Mr. Colmerauer,
Thank you for the terrific piece here, offering subtle yet valuable insights to these companies. I’m particularly pleased to hear of your experience at Almaden Minerals since they are a significant portion of my junior gold holdings. Your account of the visit underscores my enthusiasm for AAU. Again, thank you!
-Will (long AAU)