Is Your Stock Investments Safe in This Country?
What are the best and worst companies for stock investments in the mining sector? One of the many criteria, which you might use in selecting mining stocks, is a country’s or jurisdiction’s ranking in the Frasier Institute’s Policy Potential Index. The institute turns to mining insiders – those suffering in, or enjoying, an area’s regulatory and political climate in which they work – for an on-the-ground evaluation. This doesn’t guarantee success, but it can help minimize the risky business of investing in areas where the odds are stacked against you. Basically, the Policy Potential Index is the institute’s “report card” to governments on whether their mining policies are attractive or atrocious.
Since 1997, the Frasier Institute has been ranking best and worst jurisdictions for mining. They surveyed hundreds of mining executives, exploration managers and mining consulting companies for their opinions on what it is like to do business in countries, states and provinces where mining takes place. The results of this survey help create a ranking for 64 jurisdictions on their Policy Potential Index. The institute acknowledges their survey has less to do with geologic potential, but emphasizes more the effects of each area’s government policies (including reliability of those policies), taxation, regulations (including environmental), infrastructure, political stability, labor issues, uncertainty about native land claims, security, and the geological database.
Where are the best areas in which miners find it best to do business? Nevada was the number one jurisdiction for the sixth straight year as having the best minerals policies. Others in the Best Ten included Alberta, Manitoba, Chile, Quebec, Mexico, Saskatchewan, Arizona, Ontario, and Utah.
Where to avoid? Zimbabwe set another record with the Frasier Institute as the worst country in the world in which to do business. This past year, Zimbabwe set the lowest rating in the institute’s history with a 2.4 score. The highest possible score would be 100. By comparison, Nevada rated 93.1. Other jurisdictions in the Worst Ten included Papua New Guinea, DRC Congo, Venezuela, the Philippines, Indonesia, Russia, Zambia, Bolivia, and California.
The most enlightening elements to the institute’s reports are found in the PDF, which accompanies their announcement. Commentary by various mining executives is a “must read.” We picked out samples to help you better understand what those on-the-ground professionals really think.
“China realizes the importance of basic commodities and has a very stable form of government,” said the vice president of an exploration company. “Zimbabwe is a total mess and lacks infrastructure, political stability, and can not guarantee title,” explained the president of another exploration company. “Russia has uncertainty of title; high level of corruption; low personal safety assurance,” a vice president of an exploration company pointed out. “South Africa discourages any outside investor,” complained the president of an exploration company. Everyone has an opinion, and mining insiders may provide the best insights to the working atmosphere within a country. Check out the website for The Frasier Institute.
James Finch contributes to StockInterview.com and other publications. Read the rest of this interview and sign up for your free subscription to articles by James Finch by visiting http://www.stockinterview.com/