SKRR Exploration, Barrick Gold, Northern Data: The values are raised here

SKRR Exploration: micro-cap with several hot irons in the fire

To ensure that the search for raw materials does not depend on luck, companies like SKRR Exploration do essential preliminary work. Drillings penetrate rock layers, the drill cores are analyzed at the end and all data is summarized in models. Ultimately, it is possible to assess whether a property is promising for mining or not. In addition to the specific geological conditions, other factors also play a role, such as the local infrastructure and commodity prices development. SKRR Exploration continues to develop its Olson property in the Canadian province of Saskatchewan and is exploring for gold there. Highlights from the past drill program include 39.8 meters grading 1.09 g/t gold and 1.53 meters grading 13.8 g/t gold. Results from an additional 13 drill holes are pending.

Despite the expected newsflow, SKRR is already refocusing on its next targets and has also set up a 1,600-meter drill program for 2021 at its Irving/Leland property. With Manson Bay, the Company also has a third project that has shone in the past with 10.03 meters grading 15.39 g/t gold. Here, too, SKRR plans to continue drilling in 2021. The Company's other projects include the Cathro and Ithingo properties, but these are at an earlier stage. SKRR is a flawless early-stage explorer that has several irons in the fire. Because of the parallel exploration work, steady newsflow is to be expected. The Company is speculative, but at around EUR 6.5 million, it is also anything but expensive. Also, the Company currently still has around EUR 1.6 million in cash.

Barrick Gold: A giant does not get off the ground

Barrick Gold is of a completely different caliber than SKRR. The gold producer has mining projects worldwide and is considered one of the primary beneficiaries of last year's gold boom. Quarter after quarter, Barrick shone with rich cash flows. In 2021, the gold price weakened a little at first but has recently picked up again. Barrick Gold, however, has not been able to benefit much from this - the price cannot get going. Most recently, the Company announced that it was looking for salvation in acquisitions. The gold producer could jump on the moving copper train to become more attractive on the market again. Barrick is also not opposed to new, promising gold deposits.

Candidates here are exploration companies that have developed properties with a clear perspective towards production. For SKRR, the search for takeover targets of Barrick Gold is still too early. Still, it is not uncommon for larger companies to get a foot in the door of smaller companies through participation or to take advantage of other financing options. Barrick's stock is currently of little interest. The Company is too cumbersome to excite investors. Perhaps takeovers can change this.

Northern Data: The mining of the 21st century

A stock that is anything but cumbersome is Northern Data. It, too, is about mining in a figurative sense - namely bitcoin mining which involves complex arithmetic operations to validate transactions and maintain the blockchain. The Bitcoin algorithm awards miners shares in the cryptocurrency as a reward, which is where Northern Data comes in. The data center provider has enormous amounts of computing power. While many years ago, it was enough to leave the computer running overnight in the home study, Bitcoin mining has long since become a business that professionals handle. Northern Data is therefore benefiting from the Bitcoin hype.

The rendering of videos, for example, for streaming services, is also done in Northern Data's data centers. The share is currently in a downward spiral, which is not surprising after some spectacular months. Those interested in Northern Data's business model can wait for the situation to calm down and cautiously look for an entry.