Agnico-Eagle Mines is a Canada-based gold mining company with operations in Finland, Canada, and Mexico. Its development and exploration activities are expanding to the US. Its trading symbol is AEM on the TSX and NYSE. Main competitors are Hecla Mining, Coeur d'Alene Mines, and AngloGold Ashanti.
Agnico Mines was first created by five struggling miners in 1953 and named Cobalt Consolidated Mining. In 1957, its name changed to Agnico Mines, which was derived from the symbols of the elements Ag, Ni, and Co for the elements silver, nickel, and cobalt, respectively. It was in 1963 when Paul Penna oversaw the merger between Eagle Mines and Agnico Mines. The former was a successful gold exploration miner, and the merger enabled the development of the mining complex Joutel. The new company was named Agnico-Eagle Mines Limited.
At present, the company operates 1 mining site in Mexico, 1 in Finland, and 5 mining sites in Canada. The Flagship mine is situated in northwestern Quebec and since 1988, it has produced over 4 million gold ounces. The mining site close to LaRonde is among the lowest-cost operations underground on a per tonne basis. Lapa is a small mine nearby, with gold grades that are twice as rich compared to the average for the company. Meadowbank is the largest mining site of Agnico-Eagle Mines and an open-pit mine found in the Nunavut Territory. Pinos Altos are underground, open-pit operations exploited in northwestern Mexico. The mine has silver and gold reserves. Kittila is also a group of underground, open-pit mining operations found in northern Finland. The largest known reserves of gold in Europe are found here.
In addition, the company has growth and exploration projects, one being in LaRonde. In Kittila, a feasibility study evaluates the possibility to expand the production by at least 50 percent. Expansion drilling and conversion in Meadowbank is another priority of the company.
A competitive strength of Agnico Mines is having long-life deposits of gold in mining-friendly regions. Low-cost and effective production methods and a strong operating base are also among its competitive strengths. Finally, the company takes pride in having a solid financial position, and excellent quality gold reserves.
Barrick Gold is the largest gold and precious metals mining business in the world, with business units in North America, South America, Africa and Australia. Their global headquarter is located in Ontario, Canada and they employ over eleven thousand people worldwide. Committed to efficiently maximizing the production of raw precious metals along with enriching the communities in which it operates, Barrick Gold has been ranked as a leader in corporate social responsibility by the Dow Jones for several years and has received accolades from many industry leaders in areas of safety, health and community enrichment.
Originally an oil and gas company under the name of Barrick Resources, Barrick began its focus on the gold industry in 1983 and began in investing in mining operations world wide. After a long list of smart investments including the Renabie Mine, Camflo Mining and Lac Minerals Barrick quickly became the third largest gold mining operation in 1994. In October of 2005 Barrick acquired Placer Dome, Inc., one of the worlds largest mining operation companies in the world. After a successful acquisition Barrick was then named the largest Gold Mining Company in the world, and they haven’t stopped since. In 2008 they acquired NovaGold and Teck Cominco, further strengthening its position at the top of the precious metals industry.
In 2008 Barrick surprised the world with an innovative move by offering a $10 million prize to any private scientific group that could help them more efficiently and safely harvest silver deposits around the world, which led to several innovations in silver mining that are used by most precious metals industries today.
Barrick Gold has held strong to is commitment to maintaining its commitment to social enrichment in the areas in which it operates, providing thousands of jobs to impoverished areas and creating opportunity and growth in under developed areas.
Cameco Corp. was established with the privatization and merger of SMDC and Eldorado Nuclear Limited in 1988. In 1991, an IPO for 20 percent of Cameco Corp was conducted. The company acquired the largest US uranium producing company Power Resources Inc. in 1996. Today, among the company’s competitors are AREVA, USEC Inc., and Anglo American.
Today, it is a leading uranium producer, and its production accounts for around 16 percent of the total production of uranium globally. As part of its exploration operations, the company has leading positions in promising areas in Australia and Canada with a potential for uranium discoveries. Cameco provides processing services for the production of fuel used in nuclear power plants, generating electricity in partnership with the Ontario-based nuclear generating station.
The company has controlling ownership of low-cost operations and high-grade uranium reserves in the northern part of Saskatchewan. Cameco is also the largest producer in the US, having recovery operations in Nebraska and Wyoming. The Inkai joint venture in Kazakhstan is a limited partnership, formed by the Kazakh government and Cameco Corp for the production of uranium. The company also has an active exploration program, which managed to secure sites with development and exploration projects around the world. Cameco Corp has ownership interest in land found in the US, Kazakhstan, Australia, Canada, Peru, and Mongolia.
Regarding refining and conversion, Cameco Corp is among the main suppliers of uranium processing services for the production of fuel required to generate clean electricity. The Port Hope conversion facility of the company is among the few production plants for uranium hexafluoride in the West. Uranium hexafluoride is exported to international clients and used in nuclear water reactors after being enriched. The Port Hope facility offers conversion services required for the production of fuel used in Candu nuclear reactors. It is the only facility for uranium dioxide conversion in the world. The Port Hope facility is a fuel manufacturing plant while the Cobourg facility is a metal fabrication facility. The fuel bundles manufactured by the company are sold and used in reactors to serve Canadian nuclear utilities. Cameco Corp also produces reactor components and offers consulting and nuclear fuel services to Candu operators globally.
Eldorado Gold is a Canada-based international producer of gold with development projects and six operating mines. It was established by Gary D. Nordin in 1991 and acquired the Tanjianshan gold mine in 2005, situated in the Chinese Qinghai Province. Commercial production at the Jinfeng mine started in 2007.
The company operates in Brazil, Turkey, Greece, and China and takes pride in being among the lowest cost gold producers, with a strong balance sheet, robust margins, and new mines. Eldorado Gold pays a semi-annual dividend, which is based on gold ounces sold as well as the realized prices. The company pursues further growth by exploring and creating new opportunities for exploiting gold and other mineral resources. It is listed on TSX under the ticker symbol ELD and on NYSE under EGO. Among its competitors are Zijin Mining Group Co., Ltd., Mediterranean Resources Ltd., Alacer Gold Corp., and others.
Eldorado Gold has 6 operating mines, two of which are found in Turkey. The Kişladağ gold mining operation is situated in the Uşak Province and was a greenfield discovery of the company. It is the largest gold mine on the territory of Turkey. Another mine in Turkey is the Efemçukuru gold mine, which is situated in the Izmir Province. Deposits here are suited for exploitation through underground mechanized mining. The ore in the mine is processed via flotation concentrate circuit and milling. The Jinfeng gold mine is found in Guizhou Province and is an underground, open pit mine in China. The Vila Nova mine and White Mountain mine are two other mines operated by Eldorado Gold. The first is an underground gold mine found in the Chinese Jilin Province. The mine is exploited through a cut-and-fill stopping mining technique. Commercial production started in 2009. Vila Nova is a mining operation found in the Brazilian Amapa State. It is an iron ore, open pit mine, and its processing facility produces sinter fines and lump ore. Trial mining began in 2010. This is the only iron mine of the company, and the other five are gold mines.
First Quantum Minerals is a mining company engaged in development, exploration, and mining operations. Based in British Columbia, the company is listed on TSX under the symbol FM and on the London Stock Exchange under FQM.
First Quantum Minerals was established in 1983 and acquired Adastra Minerals in 2006 for $245 million in stock and cash. The company acquired Scandinavian Minerals Ltd in 2008, which was developing the Kevitsa project, found in Finland. The Ravensthorpe Nickel Mine was acquired from BHP Billiton in 2009 for $340 million USD. The company sold its share in the mining and exploration company Equinox Minerals in 2010.
First Quantum Minerals operates two mining sites, the Kansanshi mine and the Guelb Moghrein mine. The Kansanshi mine is a copper-gold mine found in Zambia and Guelb Moghrein is a copper-gold mining operation in Mauritania. Mining in Kansanshi is carried out in the Northwest and Main pits, using hydraulic excavators, conventional open pit methods, and haul trucks. The chosen method of treatment is based on variations in the type of ore. Sulphide ore is processed through floatation, milling, and crushing to produce copper. Oxide ore is processed through milling, crushing, floatation, the SX/EW process, and leaching to produce electro-won cathode copper and gold bearing and sulphidic concentrate.
Mining operations in the Guelb Moghrein mine started in 2006. The copper floatation plant was commissioned in 2006, and production started the same year. Mining takes place in an open pit, and haul trucks and hydraulic excavators are used. Gold-copper concentrate is produced from sulphide ore at the processing plant. The estimated life of the mining site is about 6.5 years.
The primary product of the company is copper. It is used to produce copper alloy products, copper products, and copper wire. Cable and wire copper is formed into or used for creating utility power cable, industrial cable, telecommunications cable, winding wire, and insulated wire. Copper and wire cable are used in brass, roofing, and plumbing fittings and air conditioning systems.
The main competitors of the company are BHP Billiton Limited, Corporación Nacional del Cobre de Chile, and Caledonia Mining Corporation, based in Toronto.
Goldcorp, Inc. is one of Canada's leading precious metals exploration, development and acquisition companies. It currently ranks in the top three mining companies in the world based on property (mine) investments and is in the top ten for total output of gold and silver to commercial markets. They currently run mining operations in Canada, Mexico, South America and the United States.
Goldcorp was originally known as Goldcorp Investments limited and originated in 1954. During the last 60 years it has made wise business acquisitions that have enabled them to compete with the largest precious metals manufacturers in the world. In 1991 Goldcorp Investments limited rebranded to the well-known Goldcorp. name.
Goldcorp is focused on much more than mining for the sake of profit. They fully understand the implications of the mining industry and controversies that have surrounded the industry since the 1800's. Goldcorp, Inc. has developed safety and corporate responsibility procedures that have not only awarded them accolades from industry leaders, but from environment watchdog organizations all over the world. They understand that sustainability and environmental responsibility is the key to not only keeping their investments and the environment safe, but is the only way to allow their business to continue to grow.
Goldcorp, Inc. also recognizes that without the support of the communities in which they operate their business would simply cease to function. This is why out of nearly every precious metals producer in the world, Goldcorp, Inc. donates more time and resources to the communities in which it serves than any other. Goldcorp, Inc. is also highly involved in several domestic charitable organizations such as the Big Brother/Big Sister program, Capital for Aboriginal Prosperity, Dress for Success Vancouver, Forum for Women Entrepreneurs, Junior Achievement of BC and the Pacific Salmon Foundation.
With the perfect blend of tenacity and responsibility, Goldcorp, Inc. has positioned itself to continue to exponentially grow in their industry for many years to come.
Ivanhoe Mines is a Canada-based mineral development and exploration company with headquarters in Vancouver. Its main competitors are Centerra Gold Inc. and Caledon Resources PLC, among others.
In 2000, Ivanhoe Mines merged with ABM Mining, which was a privately held company, established in 1997. ABM Mining bought the outstanding obligations associated with the Tasmanian Savage River project.
Rio Tinto and Ivanhoe Mines signed a comprehensive, long-term investment agreement with the Mongolian government for the building and exploitation of the copper-gold Oyu Tolgoi site. According to this agreement, Ivanhoe Mines has the controlling 66 percent interest, and the Government of Mongolia acquires 34 percent in the project. Rio Tinto, which is a strategic partner of Ivanhoe Mines and a global miner, currently holds 49 percent in the company. As of March, 2011, 15 percent of the construction works were completed.
The company focuses on operations in the Pacific Rim, developing large mining sites. The main mine is the Oyu Tolgoi Project, situated in Southern Mongolia. This copper-gold operation is the largest underdeveloped mining site in the world, found south of the Mongolian capital Ulaanbaatar.
The company operates through two subsidiaries. One is SouthGobi Resources, based in Mongolia, and the other is Ivanhoe Australia Limited, operating in Australia. The largest shareholder in Ivanhoe Australia is Ivanhoe Mines, owning about 59 percent of the outstanding and issued shares. Ivanhoe Australia engages in the development and exploration of historic mining sites located at Tennant Creek and Mount Isa-Cloncurry. The mining complex at Mount Isa contains a molybdenum-rhenium deposit, which is the highest grade in the world and is found in the Merlin mine.
SouthGobi Resources focuses on the development and exploration of Permian-age thermal coal and metallurgical deposits found in the South Gobi Region of Mongolia. The Ovoot Tolgoi mine is the main mining site of the company, which produces and sells coal to clients in China. The largest shareholder in the company is Ivanhoe Mines, which owns about 58 percent of the outstanding and issued shares. The Osborne asset is another asset, acquired from Barrick Gold. It has an ore processing facility and is located close to the Merlin mine.
Kinross Gold is a Canada-based gold miner which operates mining sites and projects in the US, Canada, Russia, Chile, and Ecuador. Other mines of the company are found in Mauritania and Ghana.
Kinross Gold was established in 1993 and together with Placer Dome Inc., it established the Porcupine Joint Venture, combining the Bell Creek Mill, Pamour Nighthawk Mines, Hoyle Pond, and Dome mine. Completing its merger with TVX Gold in 2007, Kinross Gold acquired ownership in La Coipa, found in Chile. In 2007, Kinross Gold acquired the Bema Gold Corporation and ownership in different mining operations. In 2011, the company’s ownership in the Kupol mine increased from 75 percent to 100 percent.
The company has interest in the Julietta Mine and Kupol mine found in the Russian Federation and in the Chilean Maricunga Mine. The Kupol mine is a world-class mine with a strong cash flow, low costs, significant production, and location in a key region. The mining site consists of both an open pit and underground operation and is jointly owned by the regional government and Kinross Gold. The La Coipa mine comprises of 3 open pit mines and is found in the Atacama Desert. Maricunga is a cold weather, high altitude heap leach operation situated in the northern part of Chile. In total, the miner has operations in eight mining-friendly states, with 5 development projects and 10 operating mines. Its development projects are found in Chile (Fruta del Norte and Lobo-Marte) and in Ecuador. Cerro Casale is among the largest undeveloped copper and gold deposits in the world.
Kinross Gold follows a number of guiding principles, among which prioritizing the safety of every employee, maintaining high standards of corporate governance, and promoting engagement with the communities in which it operates. The company is listed on TSX under the ticker symbol K and on NYSE under KGC. Its main competitors are Freeport-
McMoRan Copper & Gold Inc., Coeur d'Alene Mines Corporation, and AngloGold Ashanti Limited.
Jantzi Research and Maclean’s magazine have recognized Kinross God as one of the Top 50 Most Responsible Corporations in Canada.
Silver Wheaton was founded in 2004 and became one of the leading metals streaming companies globally. Goldcorp sold 108 million shares in 2004, divesting itself of Silver Wheaton. In 2009, Silver Wheaton acquired the silver mining company Silverstone Resources.
Silver Wheaton purchases a portion or all of the silver production of miners, making upfront payments at a low cost. Its main competitors are Coeur d'Alene Mines and Mitsubishi Materials, among others.
The company maintains a portfolio of world-class assets, such as the Pascua-Lama project of Barrick Gold and the Peñasquito mine of Goldcorp in Mexico. Moreover, the company has developed a unique business model aiming to create shareholder value. The goal is to provide significant leverage to increases in the price of silver, simultaneously lowering the risks traditional miners face.
Silver purchase or silver stream agreements allow the company to purchase the byproduct silver production of mining operations, which it does not operate or own. About 70 percent of the total production of silver is a byproduct of the production of other precious and base metals, and there are plenty of opportunities for business expansion following this business model. Given that silver is purchased at a fixed cost, this reduces the downside risks for shareholders. At the same time, the company benefits from the exploration and production growth of miners without contributing to exploration costs and future capital expenditures.
Silver Wheaton is a company that pursues acquisitions, which are low-risk in terms of political jurisdiction and asset quality and are accretive to the company’s shareholders. To this purpose, Silver Wheaton has metal purchase agreements and silver stream agreements with mining companies around the world. The agreements cover development stage projects and operating mines.
The company buys silver production as well as small amounts of gold by signing multi-year agreements. Silver comes from high-quality mining sites found in Peru, Argentina, Sweden, Chile, Greece, and Mexico. Other mining sites are located in the US, Canada, and Portugal. A large portion of Silver Wheaton’s revenue comes from long-life, low-cost mining operations. Then, Silver Wheaten deposits silver bullion in metals trading accounts, and it is sold at the prevailing spot price.
Teck Resources is a Canadian-based mining company, established with the amalgamation of Cominco and Tech in 2001. Cominco was formed in 1906 and named the Consolidated Mining and Smelting Company of Canada. The core mine of the Company, Sullivan Mine was found in Kimberley and exploitation started in 1909. Production continued for over 90 years, and its reserves were depleted in 2001.
Teck was originally formed in 1913 by James Hughes and Sandy McIntyre as to develop a gold discovery as Kirkland Lake. The Teck-Hughes mine was exploited until 1965, producing for some 50 years. In 1969, Tech purchased the Beaverdell Mine, where exploitation started in 1898, and silver was produced until 1991. The association between the two companies, Cominco and Teck, started in 1986, when together with two of its industry partners, Teck acquired a shareholding from the Canadian Pacific Limited.
Today, Teck Resources is the largest company in Canada, engaged in the production of zinc, steelmaking coal, copper, and energy. Its main competitors in these sectors are CONSOL Energy Inc., Boliden AB, and BHP Billiton Limited
The company exports steelmaking coal and operates six mines with a reserve life of 25 years. Active operations of the company include Coal Mountain, Cardinal River, Line Creek, and others. Teck Resources operates five mines and is a significant copper producer, exploring the potential for new discoveries. Among its active operations are Antamina, Highland Valley Copper, Carmen de Andacollo, and Quebrada Blanca. The company is also the third largest zinc producer globally, supporting market growth to enhance the value of its assets. Active operations of Tech Resources are Pend Oreille, Red Dog, and Trail. The Red Dog mining site is located in Alaska and is among the largest zinc mines in the world. The Antamina mine is found in the northern part of Peru and is a large producer of zinc concentrate. The metallurgical facility of Teck Resources is located in British Columbia and benefits from the low-cost power produced by the hydroelectric dam facility in Waneta. Lead and zinc refining and smelting operations take place here. In the energy sector, the company has two development projects Frontier and Equinox and Fort Hills.
