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Frequently Asked Questions

• Where did you get your experience in this field?
• How does Balfour Holdings get information?
• Do you use the Internet for finding current information?
• With the large amount of information available today, how can it be cost effective to maintain your databases?
• What kind of acquisition skills does your company offer?

Where did you get your experience in this field?
After graduating from the University of Arizona with a Master's Degree in Economic Geology, I was trained in exploration and acquisition techniques while working at the Anaconda Minerals Company. I then joined Alan Bond's private company to help him create Bond International Gold. We successfully listed this company on the NYSE and raised US$300 million. These experiences provided me with a first rate network of contacts ranging from prospectors to investment bankers. My University training gave me strong research skills.

How does Balfour Holdings get information?
More than fifteen years ago, we began collecting annual reports, press releases and any other published information on mining companies and mineral deposits. Today, our corporate library contains files on more than 6,000 companies and 10,000 mineral deposits. This allows us to research issues and acquisition opportunities in detail without even contacting the targeted company.

Do you use the Internet for finding current information?
Yes. We spend about two hours each morning searching news services, visiting websites and sending and receiving E-mail from around the world. This data is then processed into our files.

With the large amount of information available today, how can it be cost effective to maintain your databases?
The key to tracking information is to know what to monitor. Unlike other research firms which try to track everything, we focus on only a handful of key topics. In addition, our corporate library allows us to conduct historical research without maintaining enormous and nonpaying databases.

What kind of acquisition skills does your company offer?
Having spent 15 years conducting due diligence, we have considerable experience in "kicking the tires." We have learned that due diligence has to be a team effort so we custom design teams of experts for our clients. Our company also maintains the foremost database on transactions involving base or precious metals deposits and companies. We actively monitor all global acquisition activities and analyze their terms and conditions. This database has a rigorous protocol which forces us to be disciplined when collecting acquisition data. In turn, the database is routinely used for comparable transaction analysis in our valuation work. It also gives us insights into changing market conditions.