Thanks for this suggestions, FCX in particular seems a very interesting stock.
But speaking of dividend-paying, why you suggest AG and TRX that never paid one?
My mistake - I should've noted that First Majestic (AG) doesn't pay a dividend. The rationale was that it's the only purely silver mining operation on the list and it seemed excessive to stand it alone. Also, I don't see anything preventing the company from paying a dividend in the near future, especially with outfit being solid and the stock having gone from about $2 in 2009 to $23 today.
Freeport-McMoRan (FCX) was one of the companies that
received investment from Soros after he sold his bullion.
James Turk recommends selling FCX because of its large copper component.
For a long-term position, FCX has its major gold aspect. The copper side is interesting as well - the world isn't going to disappear just because there's a financial catastrophe occurring. Should war break out, copper will be in extreme demand for military purposes. If not, developing nations show no sign of ceasing their growth and will continue to require construction and manufacturing materials, including copper. The end result being ratchet-like growth in the stock as the gold side kicks higher, followed by the copper side.
The royalty-based companies were specifically separated, irrespective of dividend payout. Tanzanian Royalty (TRX) is working closely with Barrick (ABX), which closed its hedged positions and is now poised to benefit fully from further gold price appreciation; Barrick is also a solid dividend-payer, as is Newmont (NEM). Both Royal Gold (RGLD) and Silver Wheaton (SLW) have performed admirably as well.
It would also be good to note that Rogers, Soros and other
investment giants have been buying farmland. Ag isn't my focus, but the trend is completely sensible and should complement precious metals in a solid long-term portfolio. I'd buy such land in rural South America for my own personal use more as an emergency location. If I never have to go there because of a crisis, so be it - at least the option is there.