2013 Events

December 3, 2013

"Zinc and Lead Pyrometallurgical Innovations (and Radical New Developments in China)"

Lenard Harris

Mr. Harris presented some important changes made in zinc and lead pyrometallurgical technologies over the years and conclude with the latest in direct lead smelting including development and installation of the NFC SLS Process in China with its bottom blown oxygen furnace.

Lenard Harris worked for a number of mining companies since the early 1950s, including, most recently, Newmont Mining, where he hold, among other, positions of VP Research and Development and VP Metallurgical Operations. Mr. Harris officially retired in 1995. At present he is Director and/or Consultant for nine publicly traded junior mining companies and six private mining or mining-related companies. Mr. Harris has written several technical papers on the subject of zinc and lead pyrometallurgical technologies and is the author of the chapter on Lead in the Encyclopedia of the Chemical Elements published by Reinhold Corp.



October 8, 2013

"The Midway Story: From Discovery and Planning to Permitting and Licensing"
Ken Brunk, Midway Gold

Midway Gold Corp. is a development-stage company engaged in the acquisition, exploration and development of gold and silver mineral properties in North America.

Kenneth A. Brunk has been President of Midway Gold Corp. since May 2010 and has been its Chairman and Chief Executive Officer since May 19, 2012.



May 13, 2013

"Some Thoughts on Improving the Poor Odds of Exploration Success and Mining Profits"
Brent Cook, Exploration Insights

The statistical odds of any one exploration property turning into an economic deposit are poor, in the order of 1 in 1,000. For the discovery of a world class deposit, the odds are maybe 1 in 10,000. These low odds are primarily a function of 1) geology and 2) the financial markets that fund exploration. Cash flow and profits from mining companies, on the whole, have also been dismal compared to the price increases of the metals. What's gone wrong and can we improve on the averages?
During his presentation Mr. Cook threw out some thoughts on why both exploration and mining have not met investor expectations and open the topic for discussion.

Brent Cook is a geologist and junior mining analyst with over 30 years of mining industry experience. For 20 years he worked as a consultant to most of the major and many junior mining companies evaluating mineral projects. He was also involved in target generation, grass-roots exploration, drill campaigns, feasibility studies and bank audits involving a variety of metals scattered across five continents and about 50 countries. In 1997 he became the mining analyst for Rick Rule’s Global Resource Investments, advising two funds in which they turned ~$14 million into well over $200 million in a five year period. In 2008 he started the junior resource investment letter Exploration Insights. Brent’s letter discusses the mining sector and focuses on what Brent is buying, selling and avoiding with his own money.
November 6, 2013

"Protecting Your Mining Projects Against Expropriations"
Helena Sprenger, Houthoff Buruma

By choosing the right investment vehicle for mining projects investors can protect themselves against expropriations and harmful regulations by foreign governments. Ms Sprenger explained the importance of being aware of Bilateral Investment Treaties (BITs), sometimes referred to as ‘free insurance''. Especially in the mining and natural resources sector protection against expropriations has proven to be necessary. In her presentation she explained what BITs are, how they can be used to your advantage and why it is important to look at the availability of protection under BITs when determining the optimum corporate structure for a mining project. Among examples in the mining industry, she briefly discussed the decision by ExxonMobil to restructure their investments in Venezuela through a Duch sub-holding company to take advantage of the Dutch - Venezuela BIT, which decision will most likely save it a few billion dollars.

Helena Sprenger is the resident partner in Houthoff Buruma's New York office and advises clients, including many large international corporations and financial institutions in the context of corporate, corporate finance and international capital market transactions. She has particular expertise in asset finance. Helena has published and spoken extensively on the subject of Bilateral Investment Treaties and their use when investing in emerging economies.
Helena was a partner of the leading global law firm Allen & Overy LLP where for 10 years she headed their Dutch and Dutch Caribbean law practice in New York. She joined Houthoff Buruma in 2012.



March 20, 2013

"The Ground Game - Mining in Latin America"
Ian Harris, Monterra Gold

Mr. Harris discussed building strength on the ground in order to advance mining projects in the shifting environment of Latin America. Topics will range on issues from politics, regulations, public relations, communities, indigenous interests, CSR, NGOs, labor, and more.

Ian Harris, CEO of Monterra SA and previously Senior Vice President and Country Manager of Corriente Resources, is a mining executive with 15 years+ of mining experience and over 10 years in South America.