'Trusting the numbers': mineral prospecting, raising finance and the governance of knowledge. Issue 4 (25th October 2013)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Majury, Niall
• Is Part Of: Transactions. Volume 39:Issue 4(2014)
• Page Start: 545
• Page End: 558
• Publication Date: 2013-10-25
• Subjects: Geography -- Periodicals; 910.6041
• DOI: 10.1111/tran.12044
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0020-2754

Abstract

<abstract abstract-type="main" id="tran12044-abs-0001"> <title> <x xml:space="preserve">Abstract</x> </title> <p>Mineral prospecting and raising finance for 'junior' mining firms has historically been regarded as a speculative activity. For the regulators of securities markets upon which 'junior' mining companies seek to raise capital, a perennial problem has been handling not only the indeterminacy of scientific claims, but also the social basis of epistemic practices. This paper examines the production of a system of public warrant and associated knowledge practices intended to enable investors to differentiate between 'destructive' and 'productive' varieties of financial speculation. It traces the use of the notion of 'disclosure' in constructing and legitimising the 'juniors' market in Canada. It argues that though the work of 'economics' may be necessary in the construction of markets, it is by no means sufficient. Attention must also be given to the ways in which legal models of 'the free‐market' can be translated and constantly re‐worked across the sites and spaces of regulatory practice, animating the geographies of markets.</p> </abstract>