Many of you will be aware that the prices of metals are blasting out of orbit given the heavy demand from the fast developing BRIC nations (Brazil, Russia, India and last but not least China).

Copper is at (I believe) a 10 year high and reserves on markets are down to 3 weeks (normally 8 weeks) as a result of massive shortages, and Tin is at a 14 year high. Gold has rallied in the last few days and looks as if it will take out its recent high of approx $435/oz and Silver and Zinc, Lead, Aluminium and of course Platinum are also going ballistic. The consensus is that they all might have a long way to go. The question then is how to get stockmarket exposure to these metals.

I have Antofagusta as a copper play (tipped by Numis to hit 15 by December... currently 10.70) but annoyingly have not buy Monterrico (have I missed the boat). I have Oxus and POG as gold plays and Zox (Zinc). I have also been keeping an eye on Aquarius Platinum which had been falling, although I see it was up over 5% on Friday.

Does anybody know how to gain access to Silver, Tin, Lead and Alu plays via smaller companies (UK or US) or is it a case of having to go with majors such as Rio Tinto, Anglo American etc. All comments on metal shares welcome.
Regards

Bema Gold Corp
http://www.bemagold.com

..................................

Subject: Financings and investments
Date: Tue 30th Sep 2003 9:56:40
Country: United Kingdom
Industry: Metals & mining

Bema Gold begins trading on AIM

LONDON (AFX) - Bema Gold Corp, the Canadian mining company, said it began
trading on the Alternative Investment Market today with an opening price of
156.5 pence.
At 9.40 am, Bema shares were trading at 160-1/2 pence.
The company, which is the second-largest on AIM, is an intermediate gold
producer with operating mines and development projects in Russia, South Africa,
Chile and Canada.
It aims to increase gold production to over 1 mln ounces a year annually
through the advancement of existing development projects and to acquire other
exploration and development opportunities globally.
"Bema has a strong cash position and enjoys exceptional leverage to
increasing gold prices and excellent liquidity," it said.
Bema operates the Julietta Mine in Russia and the Petrex Mines in South
Africa and is a 50 pct owner of the Refugio Mine in Chile. In 2003 projected
production is 270,000 ounces of gold from Julietta and Petrex.
Bema expects to complete a ramp up at Petrex by the fourth quarter, bringing
its annualized rate of production to over 300,000 ounces of gold.
It also plans to recommence production at the Refugio Mine in 2004,
increasing projected annual production to 400,000 ounces.
Last year the company entered into an agreement with the government of the
Chukotka province in North East Russia to acquire up to a 75 pct interest in the
high grade Kupol property.
An extensive exploration drilling program has confirmed Kupol hosts a high
grade world class gold and silver deposit.
Based on the results to date, Bema said it intends to fast track the
exploration and development of the Kupol project.
newsdesk@afxnews.com
ak/

Jumping

Yes I like Bema but have not bought yet. Price has been a bit choppy but future looks good. I notice that the JP Morgan Fleming Natural Resources fund has a decent stake in Bema (and I rate them).

gallick

Have a look at SFU, I mentioned them in another thread somewhere. They were tipped in Shares Mag in October at 4p, up to 33p now, unfortunately I forgot all about them. Drilling reports indicate that they mabe sitting on 300,000 oz Platinum for the next 24/25 yrs, at roughly current price of $900 / oz, quite a lot of future revenue. I am still researching, but they seem to have absolutley no difficulty in raising funds, merits further attention IMHO.

Rgds

PTH

cheers for that PTH I'll have a look at them.

AFG 10.0-11.0 pence.

News Possibles very soon....

Fourth site to be disclosed with Initial estimates on resouce?
Announcement on the 90-day option on the Konongo lease?
Firming up of Akrokeri's resources/reserves?
Date for commencement of production of any of new sites?


All are in the frame.

Nice one Sue Helen

I had a quick look back at the threads. Why did the price jump from 4p to about 13p. Obviously highly speculative but looks like good management in place. Can you direct me to where you are getting some (or all) of your info from.

Regards
GK

Couldn't find any silver stocks listed in the UK so bought some Silver covered warrant call options (giving 4X leverage). Could be an interesting white knuckle ride. At least this tracks the move in the underlying. I find that sometimes the gold price is going up and my gold mining stocks are going south.

Cheers
gk