first majestic silver

Michael Ballanger

Junior Mining & Exploration Specialist

Originally trained during the inflationary 1970s, Michael Ballanger is a graduate of Saint Louis University where he earned a Bachelor of Science in finance and a Bachelor of Art in Marketing before completing post-graduate work at the Wharton School of Finance. With more than 30 years of experience as a junior mining and exploration specialist, as well as a solid background in corporate finance, Ballanger's adherence to the concept of "Hard Assets" allows him to focus the practice on selecting opportunities in the global resource sector with emphasis on the precious metals exploration and development sector. Ballanger takes great pleasure in visiting mineral properties around the globe in the never-ending hunt for early-stage opportunities.

Michael Ballanger Articles

When I played pro hockey in Richmond, Virgina, it was during the era of "Slapshot!" and the Broad Street Bullies when gooning (fighting) was fashionable and an integral part of the sport. Stocking your team with two-or three enforcers...
In the context of relative performance, silver could easily assume the role of Terry Malloy (Marlon Brando in "On the Waterfront" [1954]) when he looks at his older brother and says: "I coulda had class. I coulda been a contender. I coulda...
The world of gold and silver in cinema… Being somewhat of an old movie buff, it is astounding how the writers of screenplays could create dialogue that remains at once both timeless and relevant, regardless of the current geopolitical or...
To start, take a look at the chart I have posted below and tell me that is not a great-looking chart. It is the chart of the TSX Venture Exchange, the exchange that has financed a great many of the world’s biggest discoveries.
This week’s appointment of former Bear Stearns’ Chief Economist Larry Kudlow as head of the National Economic Council (“NEC”) will go down in history as one of the worst appointments in U.S. economic and political history.
Dovetailing perfectly with my last missive entitled “Shenanigans”, this week's COT report covers the period of February 13- 20th and is a classic example of price capping by the bullion banks. It ended on the day after President’s Day with...
Back in January, I discussed the likelihood that global equity markets were approaching simultaneous tipping points beyond which legions upon legions of GenX-ers and Millennials would be thrown to the wolves by failing to recognize the...
As I watched Wednesday’s CPI (inflation) number reported by the Commerce Department, I was immediately reminded of that classic scene from legendary WWII flick “Casablanca” where Claude Rains, playing police Captain Renault, shuts down...
One of the things from which I occasionally enjoy a good chuckle is the insecurity displayed by bloggers or newsletter writers that are constantly in need of positive reinforcement derived by reminding readers of their “incredible market...
There are many market historians and technical analysts that like to assess the outlook for stocks based upon the “January Barometer” which, in its most rudimentary definition, says that “as January goes, so goes the market” for the rest...

Palladium, platinum and silver are the most common substitutes for gold that closely retain its desired properties.

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