(Every week, Business Edge columnist Gyle Konotopetz profiles the top stock picks of one of Canada’s top investment pros.)

FEATURED PRO: John Ing is president of Maison Placements, a Toronto investment firm focused on Canadian resource stocks. Ing has gone out on a limb with a projected 2003 gold price of $510 US per ounce (recent price, $375.90 US) and two of his top picks are gold producers with strong leverage to a rising gold price.

His third pick is a speculative oil and gas play.

Ing’s Perspective: “I believe the dominant theme for the next little while is going to be the drop in the U.S. dollar and, because of that, gold stocks should do very well and be one of the best performing groups.”



FIRST STAR
* Bema Gold (BGO-TSX)
* Recent Price: $3.55.
* 52-Week Range: $1.39-$3.80.
* Snapshot: Bema is a world beater on the gold scene with key properties spanning Canada, Russia, South Africa and Chile. Its projected 2003 production is 270,000 ounces.
* CEO: Clive Johnson.
* Head Office: Vancouver (315 employees).
* Vital Stats: Revenue (last 12 mos), $84 million; 5-Yr Revenue Growth, 4.9%; Earnings/Loss (last 12 mos), $16.2 million Loss; Market Cap, $1.14 billion; Shares Outstanding, 320.62 million.
* Ing’s View: “Bema will be likely bringing on a couple of new mines in the next 12 months and I like what I
consider to be a very healthy exploration program in Russia called Kupol. I expect big things from this company based on that.”
* Ing’s Risk Rating: High.
* Web watch: www.bema.com



SECOND STAR
* Agnico-Eagle (AGE-TSX)
* Recent Price: $16.85.
* 52-Week Range: $14.14-$24.94.
* Snapshot: Agnico is one of Canada’s largest gold
production and exploration companies with its primary focus on northwestern Quebec and its LaRonde mine. Agnico recently bolstered its exploration prospects by acquiring land near LaRonde.
* CEO: Sean Boyd.
* Head Office: Toronto (457 employees).
* Vital Stats: Revenue (last 12 mos), $166.7 million; 5-Yr Revenue Growth, 28.6%; Earnings/Loss (last 12 mos), $11.4 million Loss; Market Cap, $1.41 billion; Shares Outstanding, 83.85 million.
* Ing’s View: “Agnico just bought the Bousquet property (mine) from Barrick Gold near their No. 1 mine (LaRonde) to enhance their exploration prospects. Among the gold producers, they have one of the healthiest grassroots exploration programs.”
* Ing’s Risk Rating: Medium.
* Web watch: www.agnico-eagle.com



THIRD STAR
* Canadian Superior Energy (SNG-TSX)
* Recent Price: $2.25.
* 52-Week Range: $0.97-$2.41.
* Snapshot: Canadian Superior boasts potential high-impact oil and gas properties in Alberta, offshore Nova Scotia and Trinidad.
* CEO: Greg Noval.
* Head Office: Calgary (48 employees).
* Vital Stats: Revenue (last 12 mos), $18.8 million; 5-Yr Revenue Growth, 90.3%; Earnings/Loss (last 12 mos), $27.3 million Loss; Market Cap, $87.71 million; Shares Outstanding, 197.35 million.
* Ing’s View: “There’s a lot going on with this company right now. They’ll be drilling off the east coast within 60 days, they’ll be drilling at East Ladyfern (Alberta) in January and they’ll be drilling offshore Trinidad probably in March. So that gives Greg Noval three swings at the ball, so to speak.”
* Ing’s Risk Rating: High.
* Website: www.cansup.com
Ing’s Edge Record (since March, ’02): +48.5%. Best Pick: Eldorado Gold (ELD-TSX) +437.9%. Worst Pick: Meridian Gold (MNG-TSX) -36.4%.
Disclosure: Maison Placements has acted in financing for Canadian Superior Energy. Ing says he does not personally hold positions in the featured stocks.