28 Nov 2010 12:25
I have no interest in this company, but have been asked to do some research for a close friend, which I have. He has some useless CMR shares, and is pondering the £750 offer, which he can ill afford right now.
I have just spent a fascinating day doing as much research as I can.
I am a retired small investor, and I am polishing up my "due dilligence" and research skills, I have no other interest.
The only piece of new info that I have found, other than what is here already, is this.....
http://www.bwagroupplc.com/Announcements/BWA%20Investment%20in%20Harrogate%2024%2008%2010.pdf
And also that Harrogate's last project was a company called Axiom Software, who they have sold back to the management. And on Yahoo I read that they are looking for their "next project".
The BWA document indicates that they want to raise £500k for a feasibility study for the Spanish Mine. My only comment is that extraction costs will be much higher in Europe than in say S America, although less corruption in Europe.
I also commented to my friend that although CMR haven't filed accounts since 07, the existing accounts filed are highly detailed, and leave me in no doubt that they are a "proper" company, involved in resource development.
But it is Oh so high risk! You either make a killing, or you lose most if not all.
I have little doubt that Harrogate/Iberian will list, as they will have no other option to raise the capital required for production. And that is the stage at which to really decide - who are the directors, how much exposed, who else has invested?
With metals and resources on a tear and set to continue as the USA destroys the economy as we know it, CMR/Harrogate will be banking on being snapped up by a proper mining company, and this will only happen if they have genuinely proven licenses and geology. You can only find this out from a third party research company, of the type that exist in the USA - like Casey Research and John Doody, who do extensive research into small cap mining operations and have a good track record of picking winners, in what is a highly competitive and technical arena. I am unsure what research outfits exist on this side of the Atlantic. Maybe worth exploring.
IMHO the CMR/Harrogate/Iberian thing is either a last ditch attempt to survive, or the start of something exciting. At least you are dealing with local companies under a decent regulatory framework.
It was also interesting to find that at one point last year, they tried to sell the Spanish Mine operation to a Nevada based direct marketing company for $19m in shares and cash. I suspect this was also a last ditch affair, the intention would have been for the Nevada company to raise money by high pressure internet sales techniques, of the sort that we all get daily in our inboxes. This is not necessarily a bad thing as this is an accepted way of raising capital in the US....anybody interested, look at a US mining company called AMOK and how their shares have jumped and pulled back with volume, against the frequency of internet marketing campaigns! (IMO AMOK is a scam.....)
For the record, I have faith in the sector, but my money is in ETF's and Funds with a proven track record in selection of small cap mining outfits, based on the track record of their people, geology and other research.
I offer this posting on the basis that having done the work for my friend, others might find it useful.
Good luck with CMR
Ron