Lawrence Roulston: The Smart Money is Back in the Mining Space

TL;DR

Lawrence Ralston, Managing Director of West Bay Capital Advisors, discusses productivity and optimism at the PDAC conference, highlighting the return of smart money to the mining industry despite the retail crowd's distraction with blockchain and marijuana deals.

Transcript

I'm Charlotte McLeod with the investing News Network and here today with me is Lawrence Ralston managing director of West Bay Capital Advisors thanks for joining you today oh great to be here great to be here and we are at red PDAC it's the final day of the shuttle how did it go for you it was it was very very productive PDC is always a great get-t... Read More

Key Insights

• ❓ PDAC was a productive event for Lawrence Ralston to connect with industry professionals and stay informed about various companies.
• 👾 The resource space is experiencing mixed opinions, with some feeling optimistic about an impending upward turn, while others remain skeptical.
• 🤑 The smart money is back in the industry, with experienced investors making aggressive investments, while the retail crowd is currently distracted by blockchain and marijuana deals.
• ⌛ Rather than focusing solely on commodities, Ralston recommends investing in well-managed companies with decent assets that can add value over time.
• 👯 The scarcity of young people entering the industry poses a significant challenge.
• 🏃 Thunderstruck is an exciting, well-run company exploring Fiji, which Ralston was attracted to due to his past experiences in the region.
• 💦 Nutella Royalty, a royalty company, has a tremendous management group, making it an exciting company for Ralston to work with.

Questions & Answers

Q: How was your experience at PDAC and what were your goals?

PDAC was productive, allowing me to connect with industry professionals and stay informed about various companies. My goals were to keep in touch with people and learn new things.

Q: How do you perceive the current state of the resource space?

It's a mixed bag. Some are optimistic, sensing an upward turn, while others remain skeptical. I believe the smart money is back in the industry, with experienced investors making aggressive investments, while the retail crowd is distracted by blockchain and marijuana deals.

Q: Are there any specific commodities you find interesting or recommend people to consider?

Rather than focusing solely on commodities, I encourage investors to look for well-managed companies that can add value over time. While I personally believe gold prices will rise, I emphasize finding companies with decent assets and capable management teams.

Q: What is the most significant challenge in the industry right now?

The scarcity of young people entering the industry is a significant challenge. When evaluating companies, I prioritize the capability, experience, energy, and commitment of their management teams.

Summary & Key Takeaways

• Lawrence Ralston describes PDAC as productive and a great opportunity to meet industry professionals and stay updated on various companies' activities.

• He explains that the resource space is experiencing mixed opinions, with some individuals feeling optimistic and others feeling despondent.

• Ralston believes that the smart money is back in the industry, with experienced players making aggressive investments, and expects the retail crowd to return once mining industry momentum builds.