Natural Resources >> Sector Roundtables >> December 21, 1998

Roundtable Forum: Investing In Gold Companies

PETER F. PALMEDO is President at Sun Valley Gold Company, an investment advisory firm dedicated to the management of investments in the asset class of gold, which he founded in 1992. Previously, he was associated with Morgan Stanley & Co. Mr. Palmedo received his Bachelor's degree in business and finance from Hampshire College. Mr. Palmedo is married, has three children, and includes skiing, mountain biking, and family activities among his personal interests. Profile
GIL ATZMON is a Gold Stock Analyst and leads the US Global Investors portfolio team responsible for the management of the World Gold and Gold Shares Funds. Mr. Atzmon, a former portfolio manager at US Global, rejoined the Company after spending several years as a mining executive. He also has extensive experience in the financing of junior mining companies and mining projects. Mr. Atzmon received his Bachelor's degree in geology and geography from Columbia University and his Master's degree in energy and mineral resources from the University of Texas at Austin. VICTOR FLORES is a Senior Analyst-Precious Metals at HSBC Securities, Inc. Previously, he was associated with Marleau, Lemire Securities, Inc. and U.S. Global Investors. He earned both his Bachelor's degree in geological sciences and his M.A. in energy and mineral resources management from the University of Texas at Austin. A Chartered Financial Analyst, Mr. Flores is a member of the AIMR and the Society of Mining Engineers. Profile
FELIX FREEMAN is a Senior Precious Metals Analyst at Scotia Capital Markets. He earned his Bachelor's degree from the University of Leeds and his Master's degree from Camborne School of Mines. Profile
BORDEN R. PUTNAM III is a Chief Geologist and Principal of Robertson Stephens Investment Management. Previously, he was associated with Mineral Resources Development, Inc., as a vice president of Geology and Modeling and with Geochemical Services, Inc., as a vice president and director of Property Evaluations. Mr. Putnam was also senior geologist- district manager at Newmont Exploration, Ltd., and project geologist, field geologist at AMAX Exploration, Inc. He earned his Bachelor's degree in Geology-Geochemistry from the New Mexico School of Mining and Technology and his M.S. degree in Geology-Geochemistry from the New Mexico School of Mines. He is a Registered Professional Geologist in both California and Wyoming, a Fellow of the Society of Economics Geologists, a member of the SEG International Exchange Lectureship Committee and a member of the American Association of Petroleum Geologist. He was also president of the Geologist Society of Nevada-Elko Chapter in 1990 and editor-Great Basin of the Society of Economic Geologists Newsletter from 1990-1993. Mr. Putnam is married, has four children and describes himself as a quasi-professional musician. Profile
TWST: Victor, to what do you attribute the fact that the price of gold

has failed to rise above $300, or sustain a rise anywhere above $300 in

1998?

Mr. Flores: I'll try not to rehash things