INSIDER TRADING — Goldcorp ups stake in juniors

Toronto-based Goldcorp (TSE), which made its early fortunes as a publicly traded company by investing in gold stocks, increased its position in two Canadian juniors recently.

According to the Ontario Securities Commission’s OSC Bulletin, Goldcorp bought 283,000 shares of Platinova Resources (TSE) at 68-70 cents to hold 3.74 million. Goldcorp also purchased 50,000 shares of Orvana Minerals (TSE) at 29-30 cents to hold 2.3 million.

Platinova holds several gold and base metal prospects in Greenland. Orvana has a hand in exploration projects in British Columbia, Jamaica and Nevada. Goldcorp’s main investment is a controlling interest in Dickenson Mines. Other transactions completed late last year include:

Corner Bay Minerals (TSE) — Steven Brunelle, officer, bought 50,000 privately at 28 cents to hold 71,191.

Dominion Explorers (TSE) — Dan Hughes, holder of more than 10%, bought 23.6 million privately at 3 cents to hold 23.6 million.

Jordex Resources (TSE) — Brian Hinchcliffe, president, bought 40,000 at $1.20 to hold 1.07 million.

Joutel Resources (TSE) — Roderick Chisholm, officer, sold 144,500 at 13.5 cents to hold none.

North American Rare Metals (ME) — Stanley Hawkins, president, sold 280,000 at 7 cents to hold 119,798.

Peat Resources (CDN) — Gordon Bongard, director, bought 150,000 privately at 20 cents and 10,000 on the market at 22 cents to hold 160,000 directly and 125,000 indirectly. La Prairie Ltd., holder of more than 10%, sold 85,000 privately at 20 cents to hold 1.48 million.

Pure Gold Resources (TSE) — Nelson Baker, officer, exercised 234,500 options at 10 cents and sold 204,500 privately at 10 cents and 130,000 on the market at 28-38 cents to hold none. He was granted 140,000 options at 33 cents to hold 171,000 options.

Rayrock Yellowknife Resources (TSE) — David Hutton, officer, exercised 3,000 options at $6.75 and sold 3,000 shares at $10.50 to hold none. Rhonda Mining (ASE) — John Alston, chairman, bought 3,400 at $4.60-4.70 to hold 23,200, contrary to a previous report (T.N.M., Jan. 25/93). Westmin Resources (TSE) — Bruce McKnight, officer, exercised 25,000 options at $3.50 and sold 25,000 at $6 to hold 4,200 in an RRSP.