Steve Todoruk: Deglobalization is Creating the Next Mining Boom

Tom welcomes Steve Todoruk, a geoscientist and investment executive with Sprott Wealth Management, to discuss his extensive experience in the junior mining sector and his current focus on identifying promising investment opportunities in gold, silver, and copper. Steve’s background in running mining companies has given him a unique perspective on the industry, enabling him to appreciate the challenges and opportunities faced by mining companies and investors alike. He highlights the strong fundamentals supporting gold prices, including central banks’ increased gold holdings and the metal’s scarcity.

Steve believes that gold prices will remain robust as long as central banks continue to accumulate gold, and he sees no immediate signs of a market top. Todoruk also emphasizes the importance of cost management in mining, noting that as long as mining costs remain under $2,000 an ounce, mining companies should continue to make strong profits. The discussion touches on the impact of geopolitical tensions on gold and silver prices, with Todoruk expressing satisfaction with the metals’ performance despite recent market volatility. He also notes that higher metal prices have enabled mining companies to strengthen their balance sheets and invest in exploration, creating a positive feedback loop for the industry.

Todoruk’s investment strategy focuses on identifying companies with strong catalysts for growth, such as significant new discoveries or the acquisition of non-core assets from major mining companies. He prefers to invest in tranches, gradually building positions in promising companies as they release positive drill results and grow their deposits. Todoruk is also open to investing in mid-tier producers that have acquired non-core assets from majors, as these companies can generate strong cash flow and have multiple catalysts for growth. Throughout the discussion, Todoruk emphasizes the importance of having a knowledgeable guide in the junior mining sector, as the complexities of the industry can be challenging for individual investors to navigate.

Timestamps

00:00:00 Introduction

00:00:15 Mining Company Lessons

00:01:34 Gold Bull Cycle Position

00:03:24 Identifying Market Tops

00:05:44 Higher Prices Industry Impact

00:08:08 Exploration Funding Dynamics

00:10:15 Discovery and Catalyst Stories

00:12:33 Investment Strategy Overview

00:14:58 Lassonde Curve – Timeframes

00:17:48 Majors’ Acquisition Behavior

00:21:40 De-globalization in Mining

00:25:10 Other Commodities Focus

00:27:10 Gold Price Projections

00:31:02 Lessons from Rick Rule

00:35:29 Wrap Up

Guest

Steve Todoruk

Geologist and Investment Executive with Sprott Wealth Management

Website · E-Mail

Steve Todoruk is an Investment Executive at Sprott Wealth Management. He has been with the firm since 2003. A Professional Geoscientist in good standing in British Columbia, Mr. Todoruk brings more than four decades of experience across the mining and exploration industry. He earned a BS in Geology from the University of British Columbia in 1985. He began his career as a field geologist, working with both major and junior exploration companies across Canada and the southwestern United States. He also gained hands-on operational experience underground in a Canadian mine, operating heavy equipment to deepen his understanding of the industry. From 1993 to early 2003, Mr. Todoruk served as president of two Canadian-based junior exploration companies and was a principal in a mineral exploration consulting and engineering firm. Throughout his career, he has played a key role in financing the resource sector, participating in or arranging transactions that have raised hundreds of millions of dollars to advance exploration projects.

In recognition of his perseverance and long-standing commitment to early-stage exploration, Mr. Todoruk was awarded the 2019 Murray Pezim Award. His efforts have contributed to the development and advancement of numerous significant metal discoveries.

Investment Risks and Important Disclosure

Future stock price action is purely speculative, and any discussion of differing scenarios is purely illustrative. Given the nature of the mining business, exposure to those equities may be more volatile than an investment in more diversified issuers, potentially declining rapidly in a very short period of time.

Relative to other sectors, precious metals and natural resources investments have higher headline risk and are more sensitive to changes in economic data, political or regulatory events, and underlying commodity price fluctuations. Risks related to extraction, storage and liquidity should also be considered.

Gold and precious metals are referred to with terms of art like "store of value," "safe haven" and "safe asset." These terms should not be construed to guarantee any form of investment safety. While “safe” assets like gold, Treasuries, money market funds and cash generally do not carry a high risk of loss relative to other asset classes, any asset may lose value, which may involve the complete loss of invested principal.

Past performance is no guarantee of future results. You cannot invest directly in an index. Investments, commentary and opinions are unique and may not be reflective of any other Sprott entity or affiliate. Forward-looking language should not be construed as predictive. While third-party sources are believed to be reliable, Sprott makes no guarantee as to their accuracy or timeliness. This information does not constitute an offer or solicitation and may not be relied upon or considered to be the rendering of tax, legal, accounting or professional

advice.