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-- Posted Monday, 18 October 2010 | | Source: GoldSeek.com
The Gold Report attended the early October Colombian Mining Conference in Medellin, and had the opportunity to speak with Chris Berry, founder of the New York-based mining research firm, House Mountain Partners, LLC, and the highly respected geologist, Miller O'Prey, COO of Solvista Gold Corp. Given the strengthened investment environment in Colombia in recent years, it was the perfect moment to query these two experts about the country as a destination for foreign investment. The Gold Report: Chris, why do you think we are seeing such an increase in foreign investment in mining in Colombia, and how would you describe the current investment environment? What are the political changes in the past 10 years that have created opportunities for foreign investors?
Chris Berry: One of the things that we focus on in our research is geopolitics and its effects on juniors. We look at the political, economic and geopolitical implications that provide compelling investment opportunities.
Colombia over the last 10 years has certainly changed its tune, first with the election of President Uribe and now with President Santos, the former defense minister. They both have engendered political stability by fomenting democracy and pro-business policies. Between 2000 and 2009, the average GDP growth rate in Colombia was about 4%. So you're looking at an emerging market with a large and growing middle class, a diverse economy and relative political stability. Mining is a big part of the economy, but it's by no means the only activity driving economic growth. It seems that with the recent election of President Uribe, Colombians have voted for the status quo, which is defined by political stability. I think this is set to continue.
TGR: Do you have a comment, Miller?
Miller O'Prey: I have found it a much easier place to work in the past five years. Every year it's become easier, and more regions have become safer in the field so that you can go and visit them. Also, more companies have come in, which attracts more interest. So it's just become an easier place to work.
TGR: You definitely notice a peaceful feeling. In Medellin, there is an element of security; everything seems under control. Is that your sense, even outside the city?
MO: Yes, during the five years I've been living and working here, I've never gone into the field with a bodyguard, and I never intend to. I move about with the same freedom as I would in any major city in the world.
TGR: What is it about Colombia's geology that makes it such an interesting place for precious metals?
MO: If you go back to recent history and look at the production statistics for the whole of South America, in 1937 Colombia was a producer above and beyond any other country. It was only when exploration really developed in the '60s and '70s that countries like Chile and then Peru were able to take off and reap the rewards of modern exploration and mining. Obviously, with the political situation in Colombia during the '60s, '70s and '80s, that exploration wasn't possible. It's only been since President Uribe came to power in 2002 that the situation has improved sufficiently to allow exploration companies into the countryside to start exploring.
I don't think anyone would dispute the geological potential of Colombia, which sits on the Andes Mountain chain. There's also a great mining history. For example, 200 years ago, the English government was willing to lend money, because of the known gold reserves in Colombia, to the Colombian rebels fighting the war of independence against the Spanish. We're celebrating 200 years of Colombian independence this year. So the geological precious metal potential of Colombia has been known about for a long time. It's only in recent times that mining companies have been able to come in and apply modern mining techniques. Over the past five years we've seen the results—there have been a number of pretty big discoveries.
TGR: Chris, how do you see Colombia growing as a destination for foreign investment?
CB: I read recently that gold miners are set to invest $4.5 billion in Colombia between 2010 and 2020. The way I look at it, foreign direction investment (FDI) is a huge vote of confidence. Such a large amount of money being poured into this economy leads to more royalties for the government and increases investments in infrastructure. So Colombia today is an example of a perfect storm, where stable politics are aligning nicely with an investment climate with significant upside. The end result is the average Colombian citizen's quality of life is improving. That's number one.
Number two, just some basic statistics on FDI in the mining sector: in 2008, $2.1 billion came into the country; in 2009 that number increased to $3.24 billion, roughly a 50% increase. It is set to increase again in 2010, although I don't know what the actual number will be, but we can assume it will be higher due to metals prices' strength. The stability of Colombian politics and the business-friendly climate here support this trend. The rest of the world is just now waking up to that fact.
TGR: Miller, a lot of new companies are arriving in Colombia and we've noticed this conference has grown year after year. Obviously they're not all going to succeed and build a mine. In your view, having been here for several years, what elements do you think will create success for a junior mining company in Colombia?
MO: I think the most important thing here is the team that a company can put together because there is still a rather limited number of geologists who have experience in Colombia. Getting hold of those guys is becoming more and more difficult. So I think it's very important that a company can show a proven team in Colombia with experience over the past five to 10 years. Also, there are many projects that have a bit of work done but need to be looked at seriously. I think a combination of a strong team and a good location are what's most important.
TGR: There seems to be a lot of excitement amongst the attendees at the conference. We're looking at an emerging mining district that's basically been untouched for the last 30 years, which is a good reason for excitement.
CB: It's interesting. One of the things that we'll do in our research is focus on area plays. I did a lot of work in the Yukon earlier this year and Colombia and the Yukon are similar in a number of ways. The political climate is right, mining investment is being welcomed and deeper exploration is taking place. Both governments really understand how mining can play a very productive role in society. So when you've got these factors in place, you've got a recipe for success.
MO: I'm just happy to be in Colombia. I hope to be here for a long, long time.
Chris Berry, with a lifelong interest in geopolitics and the financial issues that emerge from these relationships, founded House Mountain Partners in 2010. House Mountain firmly believes that the emerging quality of life cycle emanating from emerging markets is a "game changer" that will affect every one of us throughout the world for decades. With that in mind, the firm focuses on the intersection of three topics: the evolving geopolitical relationship between emerging and developed economies, the commodity space and junior mining and resource stocks positioned to benefit from this phenomenon. Chris spent 13 years working across various roles in sales and brokerage on Wall Street before founding House Mountain Partners. He holds an MBA in finance with an international focus from Fordham University, and a BA in international studies from The Virginia Military Institute.
Miller O'Prey, who has worked in a variety of geological and geopolitical environments, is a professional geologist with more than 10 years' experience in precious and base metals exploration. In 2005 Miller moved to Colombia to set up the operations of AIM-listed Cambridge Mineral Resources, before moving on to Grupo de Bullet S.A. in 2008, where he oversaw initial exploration work on a number of properties, including Guadalupe. In August 2010, Miller joined Solvista Gold Corporation to manage the followup exploration at Guadalupe and Caramanta as a Qualified Person (as per National Instrument 43-101). Streetwise - The Gold Report is Copyright © 2010 by Streetwise Reports LLC. All rights are reserved. Streetwise Reports LLC hereby grants an unrestricted license to use or disseminate this copyrighted material (i) only in whole (and always including this disclaimer), but (ii) never in part. The GOLD Report does not render general or specific investment advice and does not endorse or recommend the business, products, services or securities of any industry or company mentioned in this report. From time to time, Streetwise Reports LLC and its directors, officers, employees or members of their families, as well as persons interviewed for articles on the site, may have a long or short position in securities mentioned and may make purchases and/or sales of those securities in the open market or otherwise. Streetwise Reports LLC does not guarantee the accuracy or thoroughness of the information reported. Streetwise Reports LLC receives a fee from companies that are listed on the home page in the In This Issue section. Their sponsor pages may be considered advertising for the purposes of 18 U.S.C. 1734. Participating companies provide the logos used in The Gold Report. These logos are trademarks and are the property of the individual companies.
-- Posted Monday, 18 October 2010 | Digg This Article | Source: GoldSeek.com
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