Our new "Question of the Month" contest is now officially open - and waiting for "entries" from our members.

We have always done our best to reply to the queries of our members, and now we're even going to PAY some of you for asking those questions...a pretty tough deal to beat.

I guess I'll be the one to break the ice with the first question: which one of our members will be the first to enter our newest contest?

P.S. Just so that there is no confusion: this new contest is a REPLACEMENT for our previous monthly draws - since we didn't want to simply let that concept start to get stale.

As a suggestion: please ask each question as a new thread - unless it is closely connected with another question, and (for simplicity) if you could title these posts "contest question", that will make it easier for everyone to keep track of these.

Thanks!

Question: To ensure mining companies don't just keep issuing new shares and diluting my small shareholder equity, what would be the best existing shareholder mix I should look for and the best executive experience profile I should look for in a new mining investment?

Jeff , question ..can we ask ..more than (1) question ?

HA65MPH, no one is limited to one question - you all just have to make sure you don't "kill the goose that lays the silver eggs"...(lol)

SWS, you found our forum!

I'm not entirely sure I understand your question, I'm afraid. I don't think there is a great deal of importance in shareholder composition with respect to the issue of dilution. I think that where shareholder composition is more relevant is with respect to potential take-overs.

Similarly, with regard to executive profiles, these companies are simply too diverse to generalize to any degree. We suggest to people to hold a basket, and to spread that out among companies of various sizes and stages of development - except to avoid the seniors.

This is a very fluid industry, and people in the industry are continually teaming-up in new ways and new partnerships. Companies (especially the juniors) don't need a comprehensive skill-set in management - as they can always do a joint venture to bring in any outside expertise required as projects advance.

It's also often difficult for investors to make definitive judgments. Even management "teams" which have had previous success may have relied upon one or two individuals who are no longer part of the organization. In the case of explorers, a company that has had past success may have been very good, or simply very lucky.

I would tend to focus on the land, the cash position, and the drill results. And only once you've narrowed your focus based upon those factors should you spend much time in picking and choosing among management.

K.