MINING MARKETS & INVESTMENT NEWS – INSIDER TRADING — Execs beef up holdings

Recent insider trading transactions reported by the Ontario Securities Commission include the following:

* Aber Resources (ABZ-T) — Kenneth Hanna, director, bought 10,000 shares indirectly at $12.65 to hold 20,000 shares through Tara Investments.

* Dayton Mining (DAY-T) — Elliot Associates, owner of more than 10% of the company, bought 175,000 shares indirectly at US50-57 cents to hold 2.24 million shares indirectly; Robert MacDonald, officer, bought 9,500 shares directly at 79-80 cents to hold 28,500 shares; William Myckatyn, director, bought 5,000 shares at 80 cents to hold 27,500 shares; Westgate International bought 175,000 shares indirectly at US50-58 cents to hold 2.24 million shares indirectly.

* DiamondWorks (DMW-T) — Eric Friedland let 200,000 warrants expire and now holds none.

* Gran Colombia Resources (GRM-T) — Sun Valley Gold Company, owner of more than 10%, bought 1.37 million shares indirectly at US12-16 cents and sold 38,000 shares indirectly at US13 cents to hold 3.67 million shares indirectly.

* Meridian Gold (MNG-T) — FMR Corporation, owner of more than 10%, sold 700,000 shares indirectly at US$4.08-4.25 to hold 8.45 million shares indirectly.

* NovaGold Resources (NRI-T) — Angus MacIsaac, director, bought 100,000 shares at 90 cents-$1.36 to hold 304,621 shares; Gerald McConnell, director, bought 30,000 shares at $1.35-1.50 to hold 254,747 shares; and William Young, director, sold 6,500 shares at $1.35 to hold 16,276 shares.

* Rhonda Mining (RDM-A) — Glen Alston, director, bought 30,000 shares at 38 cents and sold 145,000 shares at 30-40 cents to hold 175,250 shares.

* SouthernEra Resources (SUF-T) — Lyle Hepburn, director, exercised 50,000 options at $1.60 to hold 170,000 options and 59,505 shares.

* William Resources (TWG-T) — FMR Corp., holder of more than 10%, sold 200,000 shares indirectly at 11-12 cents to hold 7.35 million shares indirectly.