Rimfire Mining (ASX: RIM, Share Price: $0.02, Market Cap: $19m) is a NSW gold exploration play that’s managed to sustain measured but active exploration activity on its flagship Fifield gold exploration project in NSW with encouraging results. The negotiation in 2016 of a major farm-out JV deal with Canada’s New Gold underlines the region’s potential and is a vote of confidence in RIM’s work so far.

Given recent headlines and speculation with respect to commodity prices, I thought it worthwhile to outline my views on the near-term picture. Overall, I remain very optimistic with respect to metals prices.

Commodity prices have defied pessimism and rallied solidly over recent weeks on the back of improved Chinese economic prospects, stability on the European political front, some degree of acclimatisation to Trump-related government volatility in the USA and a weaker US dollar.

Let’s talk once again about the staggering level of international debt. I don’t want to depress you, but financial crises are invariably caused by debt. The Bank of International Settlement (BIS) has recently warned that a new financial crisis is looming. Part of this is simply its job and it’s routinely warning against this. But it does have a point.

Walkabout Resources (ASX: WKT, Share Price: $0.069, Market Cap: $15m) is an emerging graphite play that has implemented measured exploration, project appraisal and growth strategies. It aims to fast-track production at its Lindi jumbo graphite project in Tanzania, whilst also filing applications for Prospecting Licences in Tanzania and Namibia. It has also expanded its commodity exposure into lithium.

Kibaran Resources (ASX: KNL) is one of our preferred graphite sector exposures, due to the highly measured and strategic approach being employed in order to achieve production status. Kibaran maintains aggressive exploration and appraisal activity with respect to all its various Tanzanian graphite projects, although its flagship Epanko project remains the current focus.

I’ve provided assistance to independent research house, Independent Investment Research (IIR), with respect to the preparation of their latest ‘Blue Book’ – which provides investors with analysis of more than 50 small and mid-cap resources sector companies for consideration within their investment portfolios.

The gold price reaction in the wake of the Trump presidential victory has been bewildering. The so-called expert consensus that predicted a price surge to $1500 in a post-Trump world has evaporated and now been replaced with dire price predictions of a fall to $1,050.

It’s amazing that markets were so unprepared for the outcome, given the closeness of the polling right the way through the campaign, especially in the closing stages. Whilst the result might be considered a shock to some, it was hardly a surprise.

Oklo Resources (ASX: OKU, Share Price: $0.145, Market Cap: $32m) has enjoyed immediate success with respect to its gold exploration activities in western and southern Mali. The company has assembled a portfolio of seven strategically-located projects that encompass a total of 1,389 sq km. Results from initial air-core, RC and diamond drilling programs have returned spectacularly high-grade mineralisation.

JORC 2012 Resources at Lake Carey – Portfolio Stock (coverage initiated @ $0.16 in Aug 2015)

Financial markets are in turmoil (and will likely be for weeks and even months) following the Brexit vote. It’s amazing that markets were so unprepared for the outcome, given the closeness of the polling right the way through the campaign. Whilst the result might be a shock to some, it was hardly a surprise.