Stock markets around the globe including the mining sector have fallen sharply as a crisis in liquidity has developed for big hedge funds, financial institutions, and banks with exposure to derivatives risk. A good portion of that risk is associated with problems in the U.S. mortgage market.

In an attempt to raise monies, big financial houses are selling stocks across the board to cover losing positions stemming from this credit derivative risk.

While it is impossible to know the extent of what may come next, I am confident that we need to hold tight and weather the storm. Since I have been a newsletter writer of mining stocks, this has been the most nervous moment I can remember but is likely the pre-cursor for much higher physical precious metals prices.

Retail investors of the junior mining stocks who are extremely worried have panicked and sold in some cases. This I believe will prove to be a mistake. Here’s why.

The FED will now inflate like there is no tomorrow which will put even further downward pressure on the U.S. Dollar. This in turn will be highly explosive for gold in the very short-term and should provide the foundation for our mining shares to recover. The general public has just received a wake up call that they’re paper financial assets are at risk and will now look for a safer haven to store a good portion of their wealth. Gold, silver and the mining shares will be big beneficiaries of this search.

Right now I advise you to do nothing except purchase physical precious metals and select precious metal mining shares on this major dip.

Don’t panic! The world is about to learn why they need to own the precious metals. I expect prices to rebound as investors come to this reality.

- Greg McCoach