It is rare to find a shareholder register of an ASX small cap dominated by one shareholder. But base metals explorer Sipa Resources (ASX: SRI) has one of these.

According to Bloomberg and the company’s annual reports, no shareholder other than property mogul Ervin Vidor has more than one per cent. Vidor however holds over 11 per cent of the company and bought over $600,000 last quarter.

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At the start of this year he held only 9 per cent of the company. But now he will hold 17.6 per cent after he agreed to buy more shares. He will acquire 122 million more shares for $819,840 – taking his total purchases this year to over $1.4m this year.

The last time Vidor picked up shares in Sipa, he paid a 23 per cent premium.

This time though he is acquiring shares at a 4.7 per cent discount to the 15-day volume weighted average price of Sipa shares.

The purchase occurred through a company Vidor controlled called Rodiv. However he is more well known for the property group Toga which he founded back in 1963.

 

Why?

Sipa has ground in the hot-right-now Paterson province.

The region become a particularly hot topic following reports of a big copper find by mining giant Rio Tinto.

Industry watchers say the speculation has put the Paterson province on the map as an exploration hotspot and is very reminiscent of what happened with the Fraser Range after Sirius Resources made its big Nova-Bollinger discovery, when Independence Group (ASX:IGO) quickly swallowed up Sirius in a $1.8 billion deal.

Sipa’s Paterson North project in Western Australia adjoins Rio Tinto’s tenements to the east and west.

Rio Tinto is also Sipa’s partner on its nickel and copper projects in Uganda.

Vidor said previously he was committed to his investment in Sipa.

“Prior to our initial investment in 2000, we reviewed Sipa’s track record, the then current exploration sites, its management and the board of directors,” he told Stockhead earlier this year.

“We believe in the prospects of Sipa and the integrity and competence of its management and board.

“As a long-term investor, we regularly review Sipa’s on site activities and exploration methodology and remain committed to our investment at this time.”

The Vidor family has other “minimal” investments in junior explorers.

Shares jumped 14 per cent yesterday from 0.7 cents to 0.8 cents but fell back by the close of trade. This morning they’ve jumped back up again.


 

In other ASX base metals news today

While there has been little news this morning after the rush to submit quarterlies, tin miner Elementos (ASX: ELT) welcomed a new CFO — Drew Speedy. Speedy comes to the company from UIL Energy, which a few months ago was acquired by Strike Energy.

Speedy has 15 years of experience within the resources sector. Prior to joining as a C-level executive, he was a consultant to Elementos. The company has projects in Tasmania as well as in Spain and Malaysia.
 
Kasbah Resources (ASX:KAS), also a tin explorer, has appointed Phil Baker as an independent non-executive director. Baker will lead the development and construction of the big Ernest Henry copper and gold mine that is owned by Glencore and Evolution Mining (ASX:EVN). He also previously served as CFO for Rio Tinto’s Pacific Aluminium business.

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