Press Room

Clean technologies moving mainstream

Alia McMullen
Financial Post
Published: Friday, May 01, 2009
When General Electric decided to introduce its "ecomagination" business strategy four years ago by bringing 17 green products on line, the global technology and services giant felt it was taking a big bet. Now with about 70 independently certified eco products and US$70-billion worth of orders in the pipeline, that big bet appears to have paid off.
The growing environmental consciousness of individuals and corporations has opened up a window of opportunity for businesses to make money in the broad and loosely defined green sphere, particularly as the automotive sector, one of the pillars of the Canadian economy, begins to crumble.
While the exact economic contribution from green technology is unknown, growth from sectors such as wind and solar, which added a combined 0.2% to GDP in 2006, remains well below the approximate 2% contribution from the Canadian auto sector.
But with government funding, carbon emission policies and the drive toward more efficient technologies, there is ample room for the industry to grow.
"We’re very, very bullish on green technology," says Kim Warburton, a spokesperson for GE Canada. "We see that as a continued big play."
From research and development in large, energy-efficient locomotive engines, wind technology, biomass projects, water cleaning membrane technology to small household appliances, GE was well-positioned in the green technology sphere to take advantage of growth once the global recession is over, Ms. Warburton says.
Some of the company’s latest research remarkably involves lighting a room with wallpaper. Here, small organic light-emitting diodes are embedded into the paper to provide an energy-efficient source of lighting for businesses and homes.
The growing demand for workers with skills to research, develop, analyze and use green or clean technology has not gone unnoticed by Canada’s universities and colleges.
"Our approach is to incorporate green initiatives throughout all our curriculum," says Nancy Sherman, dean of the Centre for Construction and Engineering Technologies at George Brown College in Toronto. "The demand is there from both a personal and professional point of view."
Whether it is training plumbing students to install grey water systems or teaching architecture, construction or design students to develop energy-efficient buildings, skills that incorporate knowledge about environmentally sustainable practices were well sought-after, Ms. Sherman says.
She says a survey of 200 businesses and 100 students compiled by George Brown two years ago showed eight of 10 employers ideally want to hire workers who had knowledge of green practices, while nine in 10 students said they would prefer to work for an environmentally sustainable company.
The demand for green skills has increased across a broad range of industries as environmental awareness has grown. However, Ms. Sherman says the energy sector provided the biggest growth opportunity because of the recent flow of government funding for clean energy initiatives.
Economic opportunities for green technology in Canada have become more promising as a result of the promulgation of cleaner energy development by the Barack Obama administration in the United States.
Jonathan Robinson, the chairman and chief executive at Toronto-based Sandfire Securities Inc., which has research units specializing in investment opportunities in clean technology and alternative energy, says clean technology in Canada would likely benefit from the change in dynamics south of the border.
However, he says there remain significant hurdles for the sector to clear, such as old electricity grids and low tariffs paid by utilities for clean energy.
"We have problems today with the limited capacity the power grids can carry," Mr. Robinson says, adding there is great growth potential in developing efficient and accessible capacity.
But for business to overcome these hurdles, it would take continued political will and funding to develop new technologies. For now, Mr. Robinson says, the stimulus provided in the 2009 federal budget has provided good incremental drivers to develop clean energy.
Ottawa, which has committed to reducing greenhouse gas emissions by 20% by 2020, set $702-million aside in the budget for the development of a more sustainable environment between 2008-11. Of that, $400-million was designated for projects designed to transform to a "Green Energy Economy," $292-million was for nuclear energy development, and $10-million for improved environmental disclosure. The funding builds on the $375-million spent on the development of carbon capture and storage technologies since 2006. The government estimated its support for clean technology would generate investment of at least $2.5-billion over the next five years.
Mr. Robinson says some of the more promising areas for clean energy development lie not necessarily in well-known wind and solar electricity projects, but in the development of biofuels and smart-grid technology -- a digital electricity network designed to save energy, reduce costs and increase reliability.
Other promising green opportunities are in water purification technologies, such as membrane technology, a low energy and chemical-free means of cleaning water or other solutions.
Mr. Robinson says the majority of businesses operating in the clean energy and technology sphere are generally small. He says it would likely be about three years before these technologies moved to the mainstream market.
"I do see it getting there," he says.
© Copyright (c) National Post

Highly respected mining analyst Catherine Gignac joins Sandfire Securities

TORONTO, ON – April 6, 2009 – Sandfire Securities is pleased to announce that Catherine Gignac, a highly respected mining analyst in Canada, will join the firm as Managing Director**, Mining Research on April 13, 2009.

Ms. Gignac has almost twenty years’ experience covering the mining sector, including working at UBS Warburg, Dundee Securities, RBC Capital Markets, Merrill Lynch Canada and Wellington West.

“Catherine’s depth of knowledge of the mining sector is exceptional. She will be a valuable addition to our team providing intelligent, insightful ideas to help our clients make sound investment decisions,” said Jonathan Robinson, Chairman and CEO of Sandfire.

“I’m thrilled to be joining Sandfire. The firm has a strong group of experienced and dynamic industry professionals, and I’m looking forward to contributing to Sandfire’s continuing growth,” said Ms. Gignac.

Ms. Gignac’s research focuses on the precious metal and diamond sectors in North America. Her work on the Canadian Diamond Industry was published in the Handbook of Canadian Security Analysis Volume II. Upon graduation with an Honours B.Sc., Geology degree from McMaster University, she worked as a geologist in exploration for Barrick Gold Corporation. Ms. Gignac is past President of the Mineral Resources Analyst Group, and a member of the Toronto CFA Society, CFA Institute, Canadian Institute of Mining and Metallurgy and the Prospectors and Developers Association of Canada.

About Sandfire Securities

Sandfire Securities is an independent, full-service investment dealer dedicated to institutional grade, private and small-to-mid-cap public companies in growth sectors such as: mining, energy, cleantech, infrastructure and technology.

** Subject to regulatory approval

A Sunny Outlook for Clean Tech

Royal Nickel Corporation Announces Closing of $620,000 Financing

Dow Jones Newswires

By Ben Dummett

TORONTO (Dow Jones)--With no sign of a let-up in the sell-off of equities as worries of a global recession mount, Sandfire Securities won't quickly forget its launch into the Canadian brokerage industry when it opens the Toronto Stock Exchange Monday.

Only time will tell whether the firm can successfully navigate the current climate to establish itself as a mainstay among the brokerage community. Sandfire is scheduled to open the exchange Monday, according to a spokesman for TMX Group Inc. (X.T). Last week, the new Toronto-based dealer became a participating organization of the Toronto Stock Exchange, as well as a member of the TSX Venture Exchange. The firm trades under broker number 52, according to a notice issued by TMX.

The dealer is headed by Jonathan Robinson, a veteran of the Canadian securities industry. According to market talk, some of the firm's other partners, who haven't been previously identified, include: institutional saleswoman Mary Ann Roberts, previously managing director of institutional sales at DundeeWealth Inc.'s (DW.T) Dundee Securities unit; institutional equity trader Anne Brooks, formerly head trader at Northern Securities, and Fiona Childe, previously vice-president of corporate development at Anaconda Mining Inc. (ANX.T). She will provide stock-research coverage of resource stocks.

Investment banking will be headed by Harold Wolkin, according to the talk. Wolkin was a managing director in the diversified industries group of BMO Capital Markets, a unit of Bank of Montreal (BMO). Other investment bankers include Richard Goodman, previously a senior banker at Octagon Capital, and Yaron Conforti, who founded investment-banking and advisory boutique Emmarentia Capital Corp. Thierry Noreau Nguyen will be an analyst in the investment-banking division.

-Ben Dummett, Dow Jones Newswires; 416-306-2024;

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Grandview Gold inc. announces closing of private placement

Toronto, Ontario, December 4, 2008 – Grandview Gold Inc. ("Grandview" or the "Company") (TSX Symbol: GVX, OTC-BB Symbol: GVGDF) is pleased to announce that it has closed a brokered private placement (the "Offering") with Sandfire Securities Inc. ("Sandfire"). The Offering resulted in the issuance of 8,333,333 flow-through common shares (the "Common Shares") to the MineralFields Group at a purchase price of $0.05 per share for gross proceeds of $416,666.65.
In connection with the Offering, Grandview paid a cash fee of 8% of the gross proceeds raised under the Offering and also issued broker options to acquire 666,666 Common Shares at a price of $0.05 per Common Share for a period of 24 months after closing.
The proceeds from the Offering will be used primarily to fund Grandview's drilling program on its Red Lake project in Ontario, as well as working capital and general corporate purposes. All costs associated with the Offering will be paid by Grandview from its general funds.
“The Company will focus exploration funds and geological expertise on high potential properties in the Red Lake Gold District,” says Grandview President and CEO Paul Sarjeant. “We encountered considerable visible gold and numerous high-grade intercepts during drilling at our Dixie Lake Property (the “Property”) earlier this year and last season, most particularly in the promising NS Zone and we intend to test extensions of that mineralization and other targets as well. Dixie Lake drill programs delivered assays like 163.75 g/T Au over 0.47m, 61.97 g/T Au over 1m, and 22.9 g/T Au over 2.86m - typical of the kind of narrow-vein, high-grade gold environment found elsewhere in the Red Lake Gold District.”
The securities issued pursuant to Offering will all be subject to a four (4) month statutory hold commencing from the date of issuance. The Offering is subject to Toronto Stock Exchange acceptance of requisite regulatory filings.
About the Property
Grandview has an option agreement with Fronteer Development Group, and has earned a 64% interest in the 1,664 hectare Dixie Lake property located just 16 miles south of Goldcorp's Red Lake Mine, one of the richest, lowest cost production gold mines in the world. The Red Lake Mine produces approximately 600,000 ounces worth USD$460 million annually, with over 11 million ounces (USD $8.5 billion) gold to date. Since the mid 1960s’ the Red Lake Gold District has yielded over 30 million ounces of gold worth over USD $23 billion at today’s prices.
About MineralFields, Pathway and First Canadian Securities ®
MineralFields Group (a division of Pathway Asset Management) is a Toronto-based mining fund with significant assets under administration that offers its tax-advantaged super flow-through limited partnerships to investors throughout Canada during most of the calendar year, as well as hard-dollar resource limited partnerships to investors throughout the world. Pathway Asset Management also specializes in the manufacturing and distribution of structured products and mutual funds. Information about MineralFields Group is available at www.mineralfields.com. First Canadian Securities®, a division of Limited Market Dealer Inc., is active in leading resource financings (both flow-through and hard dollar PIPE financings) on competitive, effective and servicefriendly terms, with investors both within, and outside of MineralFields Group
For further information, contact Paul Sarjeant at 416.486.3444 #113 or visit www.grandviewgold.com.
This is not an offer for sale, or a solicitation of an offer to buy, in the United States or to any US Person (as defined in Regulation S under the U.S. Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the "Securities Act") of any equity shares or any other securities of Grandview Gold Inc. Securities ("securities") of Grandview Gold Inc. are traded on the Toronto Stock Exchange (TSX) and on the OTC BB. This does not constitute, and should not be construed as, "general solicitation or general advertising" as defined under Regulation D of the Securities Act, or "directed selling efforts" under Regulation S of the Securities Act.
This document may contain forward looking statements, relating to the Corporation's operations or the environment in which it operates, which are based on Grandview Gold Inc's operations, estimates, forecasts and projections. These statements are not guarantees of future performance and involve risks and uncertainties that are difficult to predict, and/or beyond Grandview Gold Inc's control. A number of important factors could cause actual outcomes and results to differ materially from those expressed in these forward-looking statements. Consequently, readers should not place undue reliance on such forward-looking statements. Grandview Gold Inc. disclaims any intention or obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.

Advanced Explorations Inc. Announces $3 Million Flow-through Financing

Wednesday, December 3, 2008
John Gingerich, President & CEO
AEI News Release

TORONTO, Dec. 3 /CNW/ - Advanced Explorations Inc. (the "Company" or "AEI") is pleased to announce that it has engaged Sandfire Securities Inc. and the MineralFields Group to assist the Company in raising capital by private placement offering to accredited investors. Subject to TSX Venture Exchange approval the Company intends to raise up to $3,000,000 worth of flow through funds through a brokered offering led by Sandfire Securities Inc. acting as lead agent. A total of up to 27,272,727 flow-through units ("Units") will be offered at $0.11 per Unit (the "Offering").

Each Unit consists of one (1) common share and one-half (1/2) of one non-transferable common share purchase warrant (the "Warrants"). The holder of Warrants shall be entitled to convert each whole Warrant to a common share of the Company at an exercise price of $0.16 for 24 months following the closing of the Offering ("Closing"). All warrants shall expire two (2) years after Closing.

The gross proceeds raised from the flow-through funds will be used for exploration expenditures in the Company's Nunavut Roche Bay Magnetite Project, which will constitute Canadian exploration expenses (as defined in the Income Tax Act) and will be renounced for the 2008 taxation year.

ABOUT Advanced Explorations Inc.
Advanced Explorations Inc., based in Toronto, Ontario, is a mining exploration company exclusively focused on developing high quality iron ore opportunities. In early 2007, AEI acquired the option to earn an interest in the Roche Bay Magnetite Project located on the Melville Peninsula in Nunavut, Canada. Led by an experienced management team with technical, exploration and mining expertise the company has the capabilities to rapidly advance the Roche Bay Project and explore other local and global opportunities. Located proximal to a natural deep water harbour the Roche Bay deposit benefits from transportation efficiencies possibly making it one of the world's premium iron ore prospects. Shares of the company trade at the TSX Venture Exchange (AXI) and at the Frankfurt Stock Exchange (AE6). For more information please visit www.advanced-exploration.com.

THE TSX VENTURE EXCHANGE HAS NEITHER APPROVED OR DISAPPROVED OF THE CONTENTS HEREIN.

This news release also includes forward-looking statements that involve a number of risks and uncertainties. The information reflects numerous assumptions as to industry performance, general business and economic conditions, regulatory and legal requirements, taxes and other matters, many of which are beyond the control of the company. Similarly, this information assumes certain future business decisions that are subject to change. There can be no assurance that the results predicted here will be realized. Actual results may vary from those represented, and those variations may be material.

This news release does not constitute an offer to sell or a solicitation of an offer to sell any securities in the United States. The securities have not been and will not be registered under the United States Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the "U.S. Securities Act") or any state securities laws and may not be offered or sold within the United States or to U.S. Persons unless registered under the U.S. Securities Act and applicable state securities laws or an exemption from such registration is available.

For further information: (416) 203-0057 x226

Market Buzz growing about Sandfire’s brave new approach

Monday, September 29, 2008
Ben Dummett
DOW JONES NEWSWIRES

TORONTO (Dow Jones)--Starting a new investment dealer amid a severe market downturn might seem incongruous. But according to market talk, a group led by Jonathan Robinson is doing just that.

Robinson, who has more than 20 years of experience in the securities industry, and his partners are hoping to form a new dealer to be known as Sandfire Securities, according to the talk. Sandfire, which still needs regulatory approval to go ahead, aims to provide sales, trading and research for institutional investors and investment-banking services to corporate clients, according to the talk.

Though Canada's investment-banking sector hasn't suffered the same upheaval as its U.S. counterpart, many dealers here have experienced a dramatic drop in activity in their investment-banking and trading operations. The impact of this environment is evident in the stock performances of Canada's two publicly traded dealers - GMP Capital Trust (GMP.UN.T) and Canaccord Capital Corp. (CCI.T).

In Toronto Monday, GMP is trading at C$9.98, down 61% from its 52-week high of C$25.43. Canaccord is at C$7.87, down 62% from its 52-week high of C$20.58.

Even in good times, many institutional investors have lamented that the Canadian marketplace is over brokered, indicating that one of Sandfire's greatest challenges will be to find ways to differentiate itself.

Genuity Capital Markets is a recent institutional brokerage firm to enter the market, starting up in early 2005. By all accounts, the firm has quickly established itself as force, largely reflecting the high profile of its founding partners - a number of former investment bankers, traders and analysts from CIBC World Markets, the dealer arm of Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce (CM).

In contrast, MGI Securities, a small dealer and unit of financial-services company Jovian Capital Corp. (JOV.T), has struggled at times since its launch in 2000. For instance, MGI doesn't have any instititional salesmen, traders or stock-research analysts, following a number of departures from the firm this year. In a recent interview, Mark Arthur, the dealer's vice-chairman, said MGI isn't exiting its institutional business. In fact, the broker plans to hire some traders to focus on a particular sector of the market. He declined to be specific.

Some observers suggest the Sandfire group is picking a good time to try to attract the necessary talent to meet the challenge it faces. For one, bonuses as a whole within the brokerage community are under pressure because of current market conditions, making it easier for people to consider new opportunities. Second, many on the sell and buy sides and in the corporate world have either lost their jobs or quit because their firms are retrenching.

According to market talk, about 15 people have joined Sandfire, with Robinson heading the firm as chief executive. Robinson was recently head of equities for Westwind Partners, a investment boutique started in 2002 that was acquired in January by Thomas Weisel Partners Group Inc. (TWPG) for US$146.7 million. The U.S. broker was attracted to Westwind's focus on energy and mining, two sectors that have since come under pressure because of concerns over global economic growth. Robinson also has experience as a stock-research analyst at Scotia Capital, a division of Bank of Nova Scotia (BNS), and National Bank Financial, a unit of National Bank of Canada (NA.T), among others.

Also joining the firm are Colinda Parent, former colleague of Robinson on Westwind's sales desk, Michael Sproule, former managing director of corporate finance at Octagon Capital, and Lisa Brown, a former research associate for GMP diversified industries analyst Marko Pencak.

Brian Vyner, who helped build First Marathon into an established brokerage firm that was acquired in 2000 by National Bank Financial, is also rumored to be an adviser to Sandfire, according to market talk.

New Face Coming to Bay Street

Press Room

New face coming to Bay St.