BMO Capital Markets has expanded its research coverage of global metals and mining companies with the hiring of four equity analysts to be based in Toronto and London, England.

BMO says the appointments create one of the world’s largest mining research teams, with a total of 23 research professionals.

Senior analysts Tony Robson and David Haughton, formerly of Global Mining Research in Australia, have moved to Toronto to join BMO Capital Markets’ industry leading mining research team. Robson brings experience in covering global senior metals stocks and Haughton’s expertise has centered on covering the global gold sector.

In addition, BMO Capital Markets is adding two mining analysts in London, England, who will be joining the firm in September to cover diamonds and mining exploration companies.

All four of the new analysts will share their coverage responsibilities with BMO’s current team of mining analysts: Andrea Cheung, Heather Douglas, John Hayes, Craig Miller, Jay Turner and Nawojka Wachowiak.

“This is a major acquisition of intellectual talent,” says Yvan Bourdeau, CEO, BMO Capital Markets. “Our ability to attract individuals of this calibre is a strong testament to the reputation of BMO Capital Markets as a leader in global mining research.”

“With the addition of the new team members, BMO Capital Markets will now be working toward establishing active research coverage of more than 150 mining companies domiciled on six continents,” says Mike Miller, co-head of equity products and director of investment research, BMO Capital Markets.

Robson and Haughton are founding partners of Global Mining Research, a well respected independent provider of international mining research. Headquartered in Sydney, the frim analyzed more than 75 major Australian, North American, South African, UK, European, Asian and Russian listed precious metal and mining companies with a combined total market capitalization of US$800 billion.

Prior to establishing Global Mining Research, Robson was a senior mining analyst with BNP Paribas and Prudential Securities. He has a Master of Mineral Economics from Macquarie University in Australia and a Master of Science in Geology from the University of Sydney.

Haughton has more than 10 years of experience researching global mining companies as a senior equity analyst and a further seven years of experience as a financial analyst in the resources sector. Prior to Global Mining Research, Haughton was a global mining analyst with BNP Paribas and Prudential Securities. He has a Master of Business Administration from the University of Queensland in Australia and a Master of Applied Science in Geology from the Queensland University of Technology.