Mining Scams is a copy of consumer information presented by the Arizona Department of Mines and Mineral Resources and is presented in the hope that it may assist visitors to Mineral Business Appraisal's site in making a more informed decision about potential mining project investments. In some areas comments or other information has been added by Mineral Business Appraisal. This information is in italics.

A time-honored method to bilk the public of millions of dollars is the ubiquitous mining swindle. Since an unusually rich ore deposit, or bonanza, has historically produced enormous profits for the developer, many of us believe that we too, like the 49er, can strike it rich. The glamour attached to "discovery" create, in the imagination of some people, a relatively easy way to attain fantastic wealth.

Dirt Pile Scams is a copy of consumer information presented by the Federal Trade Commission and is presented in the hope that it may assist visitors to Mineral Business Appraisal's site in making a more informed decision about potential mining project investments. In some areas comments or other information has been added by Mineral Business Appraisal. This information is in italics.

Among the endless number of telephone investment frauds going on around the country, one variety is called the "dirt-pile scam." With this, a caller offers you the opportunity to invest in a gold mining operation (some of these scams are for platinum group metals and for other "strategic" metals). What you would buy is a quantity of unprocessed dirt from the mine, "guaranteed" to contain enough gold or other high value mineral to more than cover your investment. In reality, the mine contains little if any gold, and your investment is nearly worthless.

Indium & 'Strategic' Metals Scams is a copy of consumer information presented by the Federal Trade Commission and is presented in the hope that it may assist visitors to Mineral Business Appraisal's site in making a more informed decision about potential mining project investments. In some areas comments or other information has been added by Mineral Business Appraisal. This information is in italics.

What is indium? You may learn the hard way if someone calls and says, "This metal is the hottest investment today. Invest immediately! "If you do invest, you may join a growing number who have lost thousands of dollars to telemarketing firms that sell "strategic metals," such as indium, germanium, selenium, or cadmium. The telemarketers have sold the metals at prices that far exceed their worth. This brochure explains the sales tactics of the fraudulent telemarketing firms and how to protect yourself from them. It also lists resources you can use for inquiries or complaints.

Leveraged Precious Metals Scams is a copy of consumer information presented by the Federal Trade Commission and is presented in the hope that it may assist visitors to Mineral Business Appraisal's site in making a more informed decision about potential mining project investments. In some areas comments or other information has been added by Mineral Business Appraisal. This information is in italics.

Every year consumers lose billions of dollars to fraudulent telemarketing investments. Under one scheme, telemarketing companies may use high-pressure sales tactics to persuade consumers to make leveraged investments in precious metals, such as silver, gold and platinum. The companies may falsely claim such investments carry low risk and can be expected to generate high profits. However, the price of precious metals is volatile and an investment in these commodities is speculative and risky. And by leveraging, borrowing money to make the investment, the degree of risk is magnified. Before you agree to make a leveraged purchase of precious metals, read this brochure.

Gold Is Where You Find It Published in the May 1997 issue of International California Mining Journal, who kindly provided permission to reprint it on the Mineral Business Appraisal web site. $30,000,000 scammed from duped investors in a phony mining promotion! Perhaps the largest case on record, but only one of many incidents of miners and investors falling victim to scams, lousy advice, and/or shoddy analytical workmanship.

Discuss your mineral property appraisal, mining business valuation, or other mineral industry related concerns with Mineral Business Appraisal:
Michael R. Cartwright  michael@minval.com
Five Claret Court, Reno, NV  89512-4744
Tel/Fax: 775-322-9028

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