gold mining stocks

Gold was out when the seventies ended, but the loss of confidence in paper money has sent it soaring once more. Investors who missed the metal's recent rise should not despair: There's still plenty time to get in on the action. Here's how.

Gold bugs shrug off Tuesday's drop and note that so far, shares of gold miners haven't skyrocketed along with the price of physical gold. So, one pro offers his top-three gold-mining stock picks for investors who are still on the outside looking to get in.

With gold prices going gangbusters, there's no shortage of ways to play the precious metal. But if you're really looking for some action (as well as some potential downside protection), individual gold-mining picks have the best shot to outperform.

Thanks to the Greek debt crisis and other economic shocks, investors have been rushing into gold all year. Is this just a herd mentality at work, or is it a wise assessment of the economic road that lies ahead?

Kinross Gold will buy the 91% of shares in Red Back Mining that it doesn't already own. The price represents a value of C$30.50 ($29.77) per Red Back share.