When the going gets tough, the tough get to buying precious metals.
Industry innovator Silver Wheaton
Alexco Resource focuses on mature or abandoned historical silver mines, combining core competencies in environmental services and remediation with an eye toward redevelopment of projects where feasible. From 1921-1988, Keno Hill produced 217 million ounces of silver, with an impressive average grade of 40.5 ounces per ton.
Development is already under way at the district's Bellekeno property, and a preliminary assessment anticipates 3.3 million ounces of silver over at least a five-year mine life. In partnership with NovaGold
As for Silver Wheaton, I believe the announcement provides Fools with a fresh opportunity to consider the valuation of the company at today's levels. Before this deal, Silver Wheaton's share of silver stream agreements with partners like Goldcorp
If silver prices begin to move higher with gold, as I believe they will, that revenue will adjust upward as well, since Silver Wheaton enjoys the unusual advantage of essentially fixed costs. I intend to offer a more detailed analysis of Silver Wheaton's valuation in the near future, but this simplified look provides some food for Foolish thought.
With the ratio of the price of gold to the price of silver approaching astronomical levels at 79-to-1, I believe it's only a matter of time before that relationship moves closer to the long-term historical average of about 20-to-1. If I am correct, this purchase agreement between Silver Wheaton and Alexco could look like a shrewd bargain indeed.
Further Foolishness:
- Bargains abound among the miners today
- This silver miner has been taken to the cleaners
- This major miner has 7 operating silver mines