It's not hard to comprise a list of reasons to take a bearish stance towards commodity-facing businesses at the moment. The looming 'capital expenditure cliff' is one catchphrase used to describe the slowdown is the growth plans of mining companies as a result of lower commodity prices and of course the term 'resource boom' must eventually be followed by a bust. While it obviously becomes more difficult for mining companies to operate profitably at lower commodity prices, the lowest cost producers are far from 'dead'.
For many investors, BHP Billiton Limited (ASX: BHP) and Rio Tinto Limited (ASX: RIO), are still the best way to gain exposure to commodities. These two miners generally operate in the lowest quartile of the cost curve and thanks to their size and diversified portfolio of assets they make a defensive investment.
However, while risk-averse investors may prefer the major mining houses, for investors seeking higher gains commensurate with higher risks there are a number of opportunities amongst the emerging miners. Here are three stocks which could be worth a closer look:
The recent hostilities between Russia and the Ukraine have reminded investors of gold's safe haven status. Alacer Gold Corp – CDI (ASX: AQG) is a US-based gold explorer and producer that has an 80% ownership interest in the Copler Gold mine in Turkey. The mine has an all-in cash cost of between US$730 and US$780 per ounce.
Also with operations in the gold sector is Beadell Resources Ltd (BDR). Beadell is a gold producer and explorer with operations in Australia and Brazil. The company's primary asset is the low cost Tucano gold project in Brazil, where it operates with a cash cost of between US$535 and US$585 per ounce.
Resource Generation Ltd (ASX: RES) has a large defined coal reserve in South Africa. The company is still in the development stage, however with an estimated 40% of South Africa's remaining coal resources housed within its field, Resource Generation's coal assets are expected to be the main source of future coal for South Africa's energy needs.
Foolish takeaway
In many ways the 'commodity super-cycle' is far from over. Yes, the sky high prices may have gone, but volumes are still rising for many commodities and demand is likely to remain strong.
