Our Top Pick for speculative investors in 2017 is a repeat of our Top Pick from last year –- a gold mining stock that rose more than 63% in 2016, notes Stephen Leeb, editor of The Complete Investor.

Pretium Resources (PVG) remains on target with its development of what will be a world-class gold mine in British Columbia. The Brucejack property is slated to begin commercial production in mid-2017.

After the company received important provincial and federal government approvals in 2015, last year proven and probable mineral reserves to 8.7 million ounces of gold, up from 6.9 million ounces at this time in 2016.

Additionally, the company has substantial proven and probable silver reserves.

On January 1, the company appointed Joseph Ovsenek as President and CEO and former CEO Robert Quartermain assumed the role of Executive Chair.

Assuming a base case of $1,100/ounce gold, the project carries a pre-tax net present value of $2.36 billion with an expected annual production of 504,000 ounces in the first eight years of production.

It has attracted the attention of China’s state-owned Zijin Mining Group, one of China’s largest gold producers, who now owns about 10% of Pretium’s common stock.

The exploration-stage Pretium went public in late 2010. Besides the aforementioned Brucejack, the company owns the Snowfield project — which lies next to Brucejack in northern British Columbia.

This represents representing one of the world’s largest undeveloped goldfields. Pretium doesn’t expect to exploit Snowfield’s sizeable assets until the Brucejack project goes fully operational.

Its projects are located in very rugged terrain with no infrastructure to speak of in place. But once on line, the mine is anticipated to have a long, 18-year life.

Even with its strong management team, and relatively near-term production schedule, investors should continue to consider Pretium a speculative investment.

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