An Insider's Guide to the Mining Sector: An in-depth study of gold and mining shares

In this fully revised, updated and expanded second edition, Michael Coulson gives a masterly overview of the mining sector. He explains both the rewards and the pitfalls of investing in mining shares, provides a study of the history of mining - focusing particularly on the significant booms and busts - looks at the latest, biggest importers such as China and India, and argues convincingly that mining should form a core sector for all investors.

The prospect of instant riches gives the mining sector an obvious glamour. And when the mining sector begins to run it can be an awesome sight. But due to the counter-cyclical nature of many mining stocks, they can also offer a valuable refuge when stock markets turn down. An Insider's Guide to the Mining Sector is aimed at anyone interested in the sector, particularly at those looking at mining as an investment. It covers all of the subjects fundamental to acquiring sufficient knowledge about the mining sector, allowing the reader to invest with confidence.

The book provides a comprehensive and in-depth study of the sector delivering valuable information to industry professionals and potential investors alike.

Michael Coulson has been associated with the mining sector for over thirty years first working on the mining desk at James Capel in 1970, for many years the leading mining stockbroker in the City. In 1973 he joined Fielding Newson-Smith (later to become NatWest Markets) as a gold mining analyst where he began a long association with the South African gold mining industry. Two years later he became senior mining analyst at L Messel (latterly Lehman Bros) where he started to produce an annual gold review which he produced every year until 1991.

At Messel and later at Phillips & Drew and Kitcat & Aitken he was regularly in the top 3 gold analysts in the Extel Analysts Survey. After spells at County NatWest, Credit Lyonnais Laing and Nedcor Securities he joined Paribas to head its Global Mining Team. He left Paribas in 2000 following the completion of the merger with BNP. Between 2002 and 2004 he was Chairman of the Association of Mining Analysts and is a non executive director of City Natural Resources High Yield Trust. He is also the author of the 'Insider's Guide to the Mining Sector'.