For weeks now, I have been trying to ignore the mining stocks that pop up in my “safety and value” screen. I’m just not a metals guy. My interest in commodities begins and ends with energy. But the numbers are just too good to ignore. I’m going to stick with analysis based purely on fundamentals. Note to metals traders: I’m pretty thick skinned, so feel free to criticize.

Disclosure: I have no positions in any stocks mentioned, but may initiate a long position in NEM over the next 72 hours. I wrote this article myself, and it expresses my own opinions. I am not receiving compensation for it (other than from Seeking Alpha). I have no business relationship with any company whose stock is mentioned in this article.

Phoenix, Arizona based Freeport-McMoRan Copper & Gold (FCX) and its subsidiaries comprise world’s largest producers of gold, copper and molybdenum in the world. Newmont Mining Corporation (NEM) is primarily a gold producer with headquarters in Denver, Colorado. Vale SA (VALE) is a Brazil-based metals and mining company that operates in over 38 countries. All data below sourced from company SEC filings, earnings call transcripts, and YCharts.

All three mining companies have a long history of growth. An investment in Freeport or Vale beginning ten years ago would have returned enormous sums, if you were able to stomach the volatile nature of stocks pinned to the commodities they produce. Newmont…..

…..more on Profitability, Valuation & Liquidity on all 3 HERE