What
is the AMA?
History of the AMA and its role today
What
does the AMA do?
How can I arrange a presentation or become a member of the AMA?
The AMA committee
What is the AMA?
The Association of Mining Analysts (AMA) is a non-profit organisation representing the broad mining community in the UK with a membership of over 300. Its remit is to organise presentations and seminars on mining companies and operational issues, with the aim of promoting better understanding of the industry and its activities. Its members are drawn from:
- Specialist mining investment funds
- Investment banks and stockbrokers
- London Metal Exchange members
- Technical consultancy firms
- Academic community
- Commodity research companies
- Metals/mining associations
- Mining press and public relations
- The mining and metals industries
History of the AMA and its role today
The Association of Mining Analysts (AMA) was officially formed in the early 70s with the aim of improving the quality of mining investment research. It sprang from earlier informal get-togethers at the old Mining Club on London Wall where mining industry professionals met regularly. The need for an association of mining analysts was as a direct result of the upsurge in interest in investing in mining shares caused by the Australian mining boom of the late 60s and the gold boom that followed in the 70s.
In its early days membership of the AMA was confined to those with at least two years association with the minerals industry or mining analysis, and no press were allowed to be members. Although membership was restricted by this, the Association flourished for a number of years due to the seriousness with which the UK covered the global mining industry which meant that there were a large number of qualifying personnel working in the City both in broking and fund management. In due course membership was extended to cover any person with a working connection to the industry. This led to the extension of membership to the academic community, media and public relations, and interested active private investors amongst others.
Right from its official inception the AMA organised meetings which were addressed by leading mining industry figures. At that time the concept of analyst briefings was relatively undeveloped, and for a number of years the AMA meetings constituted one of the only forums for mining companies to communicate what they were doing to the market. The AMA’s focus then was primarily on inviting the major groups like RTZ and Consolidated Gold Fields to address the membership. In the 80s companies increased the tempo of their own public relations efforts and the bigger mining groups began to expand their investor relations departments. At the same time ‘big bang’ in London started a process of tightening regulations relating to corporate information disclosure.
In recent years the AMA has continued to host presentations by the mining industry’s leaders but has also sought to encourage smaller mining companies to present, often providing the membership with early stage insights into ‘rising stars’. The AMA has also begun to organise half day seminars on subjects such as gold, African mining, Canada and Australia. Despite mining remaining a relatively small sector in the eyes of many investors, there are, around the world, quite a number of mining/metal conferences each year. The AMA does not try and compete with these often lavish and expensive events. It, however, believes that its own events are always interesting and provide excellent value for money, with many of the company presentations being free to members and the seminars subject only to a modest attendance fee.
What does the AMA do?
The AMA aims to organise between 10 and 15 lunch presentations and a couple of half day seminars each year. Senior company and/or industry representatives address these meetings, their presentations taking around 45 minutes followed by questions. After that there is a buffet-style lunch which provides further opportunities for members to talk to the speaker. These events, which are often held at the City Club right in the centre of the City of London, are usually sponsored by the presenting company/organisation, which helps to encourage attendance. The cost of a sponsored presentation comes out at around £1800.
The AMA also occasionally holds more informal meetings where the presenting company pays for the room which comes out at around £300, and members attending pay for their lunch. These meetings are usually held at the Little Ship Club on the River by Southwark Bridge.
How can I arrange a presentation or become a member of the AMA?
If you'd like to discuss the possibility of presenting to the AMA, please contact the Chairman.
If you'd like to become a member of the AMA, please complete the online form on the membership page.
The AMA Committee for 2008
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Tony
has over thirty years experience in global resource capital
markets. He has represented resource brokers and investment
banks in Europe and the United States both as shareholder
and proprietor. Tony has specialised in funding and advising
the mining and resource companies throughout this period.
He has been and invited speaker at many industry conferences
throughout Europe and North America. Tony is currently
the Chairman of LM Associates IR Consultants. 
Elena has worked in the financial markets in London and Milan since 1995 and has held a various positions across different market's segments and industry sectors, principally in natural resources and renewable energy sectors. Elena started her career as an equity analyst with T. Hoare & Co.- Stockbrokers (present Canaccord Capital), with the responsibility for North American junior resource sector. In 1997, Elena joined ABN AMRO Bank where she was trained as an investment banker in international corporate finance department.
Michael
Michael Spriggs has over 30 years' mining sector experience.
Martin has been involved in the London banking and financial
community for a dozen years, working for N.M. Rothschild,
Standard Bank London Ltd and the Benfield Group. During this
time he worked on over $2 billion worth of transactions in the
resource sector. Martin left the City in January 2003 to row
the Atlantic solo, and is currently Managing Director of
Vicarage Capital Limited, a small, resource focused, corporate
development company.