TSX mining stocks are on the aggressive end of the investing spectrum—here’s how to cut their risk.

We think most investors should consider investing at least part of their portfolios in TSX mining stocks. Examples of TSX mining stocks include Hudbay Minerals (TSX symbol HBM) and Alamos Gold (TSX symbol AGI). For many investors, TSX mining stocks can be a worthwhile addition to the resources portion of a diversified portfolio.

TSX mining stocks are investments in companies that produce or explore for minerals and resources such as uranium, coal, molybdenum (which is used in steelmaking), copper, silver and gold.

Mining stocks can generally be broken up into two categories, majors and juniors. Majors are typically mining companies that have been in the mining business for many years and more often than not they operate producing mines. Majors have proven methods for exploration and mining, and have consistent output year after year.

Junior mining stocks are usually smaller companies and take on risky mining exploration. If a junior mining stock is successful at finding a mineable mineral deposit, it can mean huge returns for investors.

While junior mining stocks may offer some speculative appeal, we continue to recommend that you cut your risk in the volatile resource sector by investing primarily in well-established TSX mining stocks with high-quality reserves. However, at the same time, resource stocks (and this includes oil and gas, of course) should make up only a limited portion of your portfolio—say less than 20% for a conservative investor or perhaps 30% for an aggressive investor.

20 tips for investing in TSX mining stocks

1. Focus on stable political regions: TSX mining stocks that drill in Canada are generally safe. As for mining companies drilling in other countries, we stay away from those operating in insecure and politically unstable regions like the Congo and Venezuela, or in countries with little respect for property rights and the rule of law, like Russia or Mongolia. Mining is inherently a politically vulnerable business; you can’t move the mine to another country, and local citizens sometimes believe that a foreign mining company will rob them of their birthright, even though they need the foreign company’s capital and expertise to get any value out of the ground.
2. Invest in TSX mining stocks as a hedge against inflation: Many investors buy mining stocks, including gold stocks, as a hedge against inflation, and some mining stocks pay dividends. But most mining stocks also offer an inflation hedge—they rise along with commodity prices and inflation.
3. Aim for a dividend yield: Copper stocks generally have higher dividend yields than gold stocks because they have steadier demand and more stable prices. As well, they’re usually much cheaper than gold stocks in relation to their earnings and cash flow. That means they potentially have less room to fall if markets fall. That’s also another way of saying that they can be less risky than gold.
4. Consider investing in mining ETFs—especially for gold and silver: Gold and silver could well regain their highs and move up even further over the longer term, although they will likely remain volatile. Higher prices would arise from investor fears that inflation or global political and economic instability will hurt key currencies such as the euro or the U.S. dollar. If you want to hold a number of gold or silver stocks, many exchange traded funds offer top-quality global miners and low fees
5. Look for longevity in reserves: When you invest in any resource stock, gold included, you need to look at how long the company’s reserves are likely to last. Those with low reserves need to have consistent success in their exploration programs to maximize the production of the mine and the surrounding area. That success is far from guaranteed.
6. Invest in TSX mining stocks with a broad base of operations: Even if the company has strong reserves, the best mining stocks with the least risk also have a diversified reserve base. That way they are not dependent on a single mine’s production or political stability in any one country. Mining companies can also increase their reserves by making acquisitions; with mineral prices still below their record highs, you may see more mining company acquisitions at bargain prices.
7. Look into steady production: Some of the most highly promoted TSX mining stocks, including gold mining stocks, are penny stocks that have yet to produce an ounce of gold or other minerals. Many must still add to their reserves, invest in mine-feasibility studies, and raise a lot of money before they go into production. The prospects for most of these penny-mine properties, even though they may be in areas with production from existing mines nearby, are far from certain.
8. Seek strong reserves, low production costs and mines that are already producing: Good mining stocks have a range of development projects, but their strong base of production cuts the risk of relying on new developments alone.
9. Focus on established areas: When we recommend mining stocks, we prefer those that operate in an area with geology that is similar to that of nearby producing mines.
10. Think like an environmentalist: We look at environmental constraints where juniors are looking for minerals. In Europe and certain parts of the U.S, they need a particularly rich find to justify the costs of overcoming environmentalists’ objections.
11. Invest in well-financed mines: We look for well-financed mining stocks that have no immediate need to sell shares at low prices, since that would dilute existing investors’ interests. The best junior miners have a major partner who has agreed to pay for the drilling or other exploration or development, in exchange for an interest in the property.
12. Look for strong balance sheets: The best TSX mining stocks all have strong balance sheets and low debt.
13. Pick the right location: We want to see favourable factors, like strong mineral showings from extensive drill programs, before we recommend investing in mining stocks that operate in hostile or harsh environments, like the high Arctic.
14. Avoid hype: We avoid investing in TSX mining stocks that trade at unsustainably high prices due to broker hype or investor mania about the underlying commodity (such as gold). Instead, we focus on reasonably priced mining stocks with favourable geology.
15. Look at the market cap: We always look at the market cap of gold mining stocks versus the estimated value of the mineral resource they have in the ground. Sometimes, a company’s marketing efforts are so successful that they drive the stock up too high in relation to the size of its ore body. For example, we like a gold stock’s market cap to be no more than half the value of the gold. We assume that the company will be able to expand its ore reserves after the mine opens, but if the mineral reserves are double the gold mining stock’s market cap, it provides a margin of safety.
16. Seek high average daily trading volume: This is one positive factor to look for when picking junior mining stocks. The more actively traded junior mines are, the more liquid they are, which makes them easier to dispose of when it’s time to take profits.
17. Avoid mining stocks that trade at unsustainably high prices: This is usually due to broker hype or investor mania about the underlying commodity (such as gold). Instead, we focus on reasonably priced mining stocks with favourable geology.
18. Identify a partner: The best junior mines have a major partner who has agreed to pay for the drilling or other exploration or development, in exchange for an interest in the property.
19. Think twice about gold bullion: Gold bullion investments have hidden costs that dramatically eat into your earnings potential over time. Gold bullion and gold coins require insurance and special storage plans which will incur costs for as long as you keep them.
20. Invest in gold stocks instead of bullion: Invest in gold through gold-mining stocks. Unlike bullion, these stocks at least have the potential to generate income. High-quality gold stocks can pay off nicely by establishing new mines and raising their production, even if gold goes sideways for a lengthy period. But keep in mind that no matter how appealing they look, you should limit gold stocks to a modest part of your portfolio.

Although investing in TSX mining stocks can be highly volatile, they often make good long-term investments. They may be well-known stars or quiet gems, but they do share one common attribute—they have grown at higher-than-average rates within the mining industry, or within the market as a whole, for years or decades.

Do you have any tips for finding mining stocks you’d like to share? What would you add to this list?

Which mining stock has done the most for your portfolio?