UBS: Post PDAC Wrap-Up

The Prospectors and Developers Association of Canada [PDAC] convention is in the books, and UBS Securities analysts Tony Lesiak, Brian MacArthur and Onno Rutten, have provided some updates from the show on the companies they cover. Here they are:

Equinox Minerals Ltd. (EQMIF.PK) provided more indications that it is looking at mill expansion at its Lumwana project in Zambia.

Mirabela Nickel Ltd. (MRBAF.PK) is deep in talks for an offtake agreement for its Santa Rita project, and appears to have narrowed it down to three interested parties. The company also expects to complete a C$260-million project finance package in the next two to three months, as well as an updated resource estimate later this year.

Quadra Mining Ltd. [QUA/TSX] chief executive Derek White offered a positive outlook for the year based on strong concentrate settlements and a second-half ramp-up at Quadra's Carlota project.

Allen Palmiere, the new CEO of HudBay Minerals Inc. (HBMFF.PK), stressed the company would be more focused on mergers and acquisitions going forward. But CFO Jeff Swinoga said the near-term priority would be exploration. Draw your own conclusions.

Agnico-Eagle Mines Ltd.'s (AEM) CFO David Garofalo said the company has no intention to sell itself, and that "the best defence to a takeover is a good stock price." Agnico is not in formal talks with any buyers.

Greg Wilkins, CEO of Barrick Gold Corp. (ABX), said Barrick will wait as long as nine months to sell bonds and refinance debt in expectation of lower interest rates.