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Jim O'Rourke, a Casey Research Explorers' League honoree, will be inducted
into the Canadian Mining Hall of Fame on January 10, 2013. Alongside Jim,
Pierre Lassonde (Franco-Nevada Mining Corp.) and
Chuck Fipke (Dia Met
Minerals) will also be inducted. I highly recommend that everyone go through
the Explorers' League honoree list annually, as well as the Casey Research NexTen to see
how much of your resource portfolio is handled by the best in the resource
business.
I've been lucky to have so many great mentors who have
taught me the ins and outs of the junior-resource investing world, such as
Rick Rule and Doug Casey – but none were harder to get an initial
meeting with than Jim O'Rourke. Getting him to take a meeting with me back in
2006 was a feat of endurance. I literally called every day for two months.
After getting bounced emails because his inbox was full, I stopped leaving
messages until it was cleared out – and then the process was repeated.
Let this be a lesson: never give up.
Finally, one day Jimmy answered the phone. As it turned
out, he was out of town for most of those two months, and his assistant took
down his messages. He figured that I'd call again, so that was how we met.
Back then I didn't call him "Jimmy" –
he was "Mr. O'Rourke." That was the beginning of a great
relationship with one of the true legends in mining. Over the last seven
years, I've been on the board of Copper Mountain; I've watched Jimmy put
together a great team and build the third-largest producing copper mine in
Canada. He did all this during one of the most difficult markets in the last
fifty years. Jimmy's passion, drive, and energy motivates
everyone around him to give more than their best.
Jimmy is shy to take any recognition for his current
and past achievements, and is always the first to pass around the recognition
to the mine site workers, geologists, engineers, the office admin, the
suppliers and yes, even the bankers (that's how nice Jimmy is – he is
even nice to the investment bankers).
His work ethic is incredible and sets a standard that I
try to emulate. Together we've spent countless weekends in the office going
through financing options and corporate strategies. He would always make time
to listen to all my ideas and questions. He was always patient and always
willing to educate, for which I'm extremely thankful. It was a complete blast
for me, as I became close to someone who was willing to share his 50 years of
knowledge in the business.
Jimmy, you've been a great mentor and friend, and
congratulations on being inducted into the Canadian Mining Hall of Fame. I
look forward to being at your induction ceremony in January.
Investing in the resource sector would be easy if there
were more Jim O'Rourkes around. That is exactly
what the point of the Casey NexTen is all about.
Who is going to be the next Jim O'Rourke? Who will be the next the Lukas Lundin or Ross Beaty?
I'm a big believer that there are characteristics the
Casey Explorers' League Honoree's all share. They
are the foundation for success, which creates the metrics upon which the
Casey NexTen list is based. If you're investing in
the junior resource sector or want to learn "who's who in the zoo,"
you need to know who the NexTen are, and why they
are on the list. Don't you want to be invested in a company whose president
will be inducted into the relevant Hall of Fame? You should, because it would
most likely mean you've invested in a winner, which means big profits for
yourself.
In January, we will be announcing our newest Casey NexTen honorees. Until then, familiarize yourself with
current NexTen group. Do your portfolio a favor and follow these rising stars.
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