Jeff Killeen, mining analyst with CIBC World Markets, has spent much of 2014 on the road vetting junior mining projects. He says that the cash-and-catalyst mindset should remain prevalent for investors looking at explorer and developer equities.

Michael Fowler, senior mining analyst with Toronto-based Loewen, Ondaatje & McCutcheon, predicts when gold breaks out, mining M&A will take off. He expects the major producers to lead the next rush of M&A.