Exploration companies tightened belts in 2001
With prices for base and precious metals sagging, funding for exploration has become scarce, a fact borne out by Halifax-based Metals Economic Group’s latest study of exploration budgets for 679 compa…
Alcan Aluminium Limited
Analysts weigh prospects of base metal producers
The first half of 2001 was no picnic for base metal producers, and most mining analysts expect prices to remain weak and vulnerable to downward pressure from funds and speculators for the rest of the …
Resource stocks mixed as broad market coasts
The Toronto Stock Exchange slipped a mild 6.81 points over the May 30-June 5 report period to end the week at 8,258.82.The yellow metal sank US$6.70 to land at a London fix of US$266.95 per oz. on the…
TSE wipes brow after recent debacle
Easing its downward spiral of late, the broad market fell less than a point over the March 21-27 report period, to finish the week at 7,751.33.Even gold has regained its composure, trading unchanged a…
Ominous signs for copper, nickel
The report period March 12-16 was a poor one for base metals as turmoil in international equities markets spilled over into sharp price falls across the whole of the complex. Aluminum was hardest-hit,…
Market unimpressed with US rate cut
In the wake of another cut in U.S. interest rates, investors north of the border knocked 3% off the Toronto broad market during the March 14-20 report period. The sell-off, which suggests that many we…
Golds make gains as TSE dives
The Toronto Stock Exchange treated investors to another wild ride over the report period March 7-13, as another blue Monday hit the telecom stocks. The TSE 300 composite index sank 205 points on March…
Golds enjoy relief from usual slump
The plunging technology stocks led the Toronto Stock Exchange downward over the report period Feb. 21-27, even as most other sectors moved higher. The TSE 300 composite index lost 170.99 points, or 2….
Golds tank again on price slide
The Toronto Stock Exchange was modestly higher over the trading period Jan. 24-30, avoiding the wild mood swings it had experienced in December, despite seeing relatively heavy trading. The TSE 300 co…
Alcan earnings slide
With net income slipping 43% in the recent quarter, Alcan Aluminium (AL-T) is warning that a weaker economy may cut into aluminum demand.For the fourth quarter ended Dec. 31, 2000, the world’s second-…
Placer sinks as gold sags
Gold saw a little price action during the Jan. 17-23 report period as the Bank of England completed another gold auction, selling 803,600 oz. at US$268 per oz., with an over-allotment of 4.8 times.Ove…
Alcan’s Bougie bushed, packs it in
Jacques Bougie, president and chief executive officer of Alcan Aluminium (AL-T) for the past seven years, has abruptly resigned, citing a desire to step off “the treadmill.”The surprise announcement c…