MINING MARKETS & INVESTMENT NEWS — INSIDER TRADING — Homestake’s largest investor boosts holdings

German investor August von Finck has increased his ownership in Homestake Mining (HM-N) by purchasing 8.7 million shares at US$10.21-11.21 per share.

The acquisition boosts von Finck’s holdings to 30 million shares, or 13.9% of the company. Meanwhile, director John Neerhout bought 2,000 shares at US$10.44 each to hold 3,000 shares.

Other inside transactions reported south of the border include the following: n Battle Mountain Gold (BMG-N) — Officer Thomas Bausch bought 5,000 shares at US$4.50 to hold 6,833 shares directly and indirectly.

* Freeport-McMoRan Copper & Gold (FCX-N) — Director Bobby Lackey indirectly sold 1,006 shares of Class B stock at US$14.69 to hold 60 Class A and 861 Class B shares, and director Robert Bruce indirectly sold 90,000 shares of Class A shares at US$15.81 each to hold 500 Class A and 7,017 Class B shares.

* Newmont Mining (NEM-N) — David Baker, president of Idarado Mining, a wholly owned subsidiary, bought 2,000 shares at US$16.56 each to hold 3,922 shares; Newmont Vice-President John Dow bought 4,000 shares at US$14.38 to hold 7,896 shares; Timothy Schmitt, another vice-president, indirectly acquired 400 shares at US$18.25 to hold 6,322 shares directly and indirectly; Durand Eppler, vice-president of business development, bought 700 shares at US$17.25 each to hold 2,215 shares; and Vice-President Lawrence Kurlander bought 3,000 shares at US$18.94 each to hold 12,376 shares.

* Asarco (AR-N) — Director James Wood bought 25,000 shares at US$21.38-21.44 each to hold 28,600 shares.

* Southern Peru Copper (PCU-N) — Director Augustus Kinsolving bought 100 shares at US$8.94 each to hold, directly and indirectly, 1,163 shares.

* Phelps Dodge (PD-N) — Vice-President Gregory Stevens bought 500 shares at US$54.69 each and another 500 shares at US$45.94 to hold, directly and indirectly, 2,773 shares.

* Royal Gold (RGLD-Q) — Director James Stuckert bought 900 shares at US$4.50 each, fractionally increasing his holdings to 1.5 million shares.

* Earth Sciences (ESCI-Q) — Director Michael Durham purchased 150,000 shares at US72 cents per share to increase his holdings to 742,269 shares.

* La Teko Resources (LAORF-Q) — President Gerald Carlson bought 2,000 shares at US54 cents each to increase his holdings to 32,500 shares.

* Hanover Gold — Beneficial owner Neal Degerstrom purchased 1,500 shares at US$2 each to hold 527,766 shares.