High commodity prices helped keep the window open for mining equity financings in 2010, especially for junior exploration and development companies that had more difficulty raising money while commodities were at lower prices.

The TSX and TSX Venture maintained their status as the global leader in mining equity finance, raising over 60% of the world’s mining equity capital. The TSX raised $12.5 billion in 303 financings, and the TSX Venture raised $5.3 billion in 2110 financings. The next largest exchange in terms of equity finance is the AIM exchange, raising $2.2 billion in 143 financings and the LSE, raising $2.1 billion in four financings.

The TSX and LSE recently announced that they would merge as equals, creating the world’s largest stock exchange, including the vast majority of the world’s publicly traded energy and resources companies. If the deal closes, Canadian companies can expect access to one of the world’s largest pools of capital, while European investors will have a gateway into North American markets. This would be very advantageous for mining companies looking to finance.