Golden stocks in Canada and South Africa

Public demand for gold coins was strong during 2014. Despite often negative and sometimes misleading comments on Wall Street about gold, there's a continuing public demand for gold as a time-proven, long-term investment, and the stock market reflects this view.

The long-term outlook for gold remains positive with predictions it may climb to $1,500 an ounce or more in 2015. Here are two stocks leading the mining gold sector: 

Richmont Mines Inc. (NYSE:RIC) 

Richmont Mines is engaged in activities related to the acquisition, exploration, development and operation of mineral properties. As of Dec. 31, 2011, the company operates two gold mines, two of its three material properties, (the Beaufor Mine in Quebec and the Island Gold Mine in Ontario) and is developing a third mine (the Francoeur Mine in Quebec).

The Beaufor Mine property, along with other adjacent properties such as Pascalis, Perron, Colombiere, Courvan and Perron Blocks two, three and four, are located approximately 20 kilometers to the northeast of the town of Val-d’Or, in the Abitibi-East County, in the Province of Quebec.

The Island Gold Mine is located approximately 50 kilometers northeast of Wawa, Ontario, in the Sault Ste. Marie Mining Division. Dubreuilville, Ontario, is approximately 10 kilometers northwest of the Island Gold Mine.

On Jan. 24, 2011, Richmont Mines sold its 70 percent interest in the Valentine Lake Property.

RIC shares are up 219 percent over the last 52 weeks (Jan. 2, 2014 to Dec. 31, 2014). Shares closed at $3.16 on Wednesday, up one percent for the day. RIC has a 52-week low of $0.99 and a high of $3.49.

Sibanye Gold Ltd. (NYSE:SBGL)

For a dividend play we turn our attention to SibanyeGold, formerly GFI Mining South Africa (Pty) Limited, a producer of gold in South Africa.

Sibanye Gold is primarily engaged in underground and surface gold mining and related activities, including extraction, and processing. Its principal mining operations include Kloof-Driefontein Complex and Beatrix. Exploration activities are focused on the extension of existing ore bodies and identification of new ore bodies at existing sites. As of Jan. 10, 2013, Sibanye Gold mined only gold, with silver as a by-product.

SBGL shares are up 59 percent over the last 52 weeks (Jan. 2, 2014 to Dec. 31, 2014). Shares closed at $7.57 on Wednesday, up two percent for the day. SBGL has a 52-week low of $4.58 and a high of $11.29.

The company paid a $0.24 dividend on March 12, 2014, and a $0.14 dividend on Aug. 20, 2014.

Disclaimer: This post is provided for information purposes only and should not be used as the basis for any investment decision. I am neither licensed nor qualified to provide investment advice. Keith Stein has no position in any stock mentioned in this post. DCNewsroom has no position in any stock mentioned in this post.