MINING MARKETS & INVESTMENT NEWS — INSIDER TRADING — Low metal prices spur insider buying spree

Recent filings with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission show that executives in several companies are taking advantage of the market downturn to pick up cheap shares in their respective companies.

* Newmont Mining (NEM-N) — Robert Quenon, director

of subsidiary Newmont Gold, bought 5,000 shares indirectly at US$14.25 to hold 5,374 shares directly or indirectly.

* Homestake Mining (HM-N) — Richard Tastula, officer, bought 3,000 shares at US$10.88 to hold 3,000 shares.

* Hecla Mining (HL-N) — Roger Kauffman, officer, purchased 2,000 shares at US$3.50 to hold 3,382 shares, and George Johnson, officer, bought 500 shares at US$3.75 to hold 500 shares.

* Alta Gold (ALTA-Q) — James Goff, officer, bought 5,000 shares at US$1.31 to hold 35,000 shares.

* Nord Resources (NRD-N) — Raymond Jenner, officer, purchased 5,000 shares at US75 cents-81 cents to hold 5,000 shares.

* Hanover Gold (HVGO-Q) — Bosworth Robinson, director, bought 1,500 shares at US63 cents to hold 114,120 shares.

Meanwhile, recent reports by the Ontario Securities Commission show that five directors of Normandy Mining (NDY-T) have beefed up their holdings in that company. Robert Champion de Crespigny bought 1.49 million shares under a plan at 98 cents to hold 6.31 million shares; John Anthony bought 9,972 shares under a plan at 98 cents to hold 289,162 shares; Ian Gould bought 20,000 shares at $1.14 to hold 20,000; Michael Hamson acquired 12,205 shares as a dividend at $1.40 to hold 522,777 shares; and Ian Stanwell bought 10,000 shares at $1.01 to hold 30,000 shares.

Other transactions reported by the Commission include the following: * Dayton Mining (DAY-T) — William Myckatyn, director, was granted 1 million options at $1 to hold 1 million options.

* Rex Diamond Mining (RXD-T) — Serge Muller, director, bought 1.95 million shares privately at 90 cents and was granted 1 million options at $1 to hold 12 million shares and 1.25 million options.