Why Hire Ellis?

  • World leader in accurate appraisal of the market value of gold and other mineral properties.
  • Many years of experience conducting mineral appraisals as an expert for litigations.
  • Our clients are often foreign companies, with mineral properties in U.S. or foreign locations.
  • Up-to-date credentials for appraisal of charitable donation value for income tax filings.
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Testimonials

I have known Trevor Ellis and his firm, Ellis International Services, Inc., for 30 years and have had the pleasure of working with him regarding many projects involving mine property appraisal and valuation. Trevor has always exemplified the highest ethical standards while completing even the most challenging projects within demanding deadlines and at a fair and reasonable cost to his clients.

- Jack M. Merritts

Trevor, I want to thank you for your competence and integrity — a beacon for your industry…. There is no greater legacy for any of us than to be thought of as a person of strong character and integrity. You are the gold standard — and I know you know a little something about both gold and standards.

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    - Robert Parker

Your work ethic was exemplary and your honesty and integrity in your work product beyond reproach. Because of your help we were able to obtain the largest eminent domain verdict in the history of the state of Connecticut. If it was not for your assistance in this case, I do not believe we would have achieved the tremendous result we obtained for our client.

- James J. Skelton

My clients and I are extremely pleased at the result, as we achieved a result that could not have been surpassed had we concluded this matter in court…Your work in this case and deposition testimony certainly aided our ability to achieve such a favorable outcome…. I am sure that your testimony was instrumental in our efforts to convince CSSI to settle on our original terms.

- Richard I. Brown

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    Rock Acquisition v. State of Connecticut; Market Value Appraisal of the Complete Taking of the Brookfield Quarry Property

    In July 2004, the State of Connecticut, under eminent domain (condemnation) powers, made a complete taking of Rock Acquisition LP’s operating hard rock quarry property in Fairfield County, CT, for the path of a 4-lane highway. In 2006, the CEO of Rock Acquisition LP signed a consulting retainer agreement with EIS, to have Mr. Ellis available to advise occasionally over the phone pertaining to discount rates and other technical matters of mineral property appraisal. The company had already retained the person generally considered to be the most prominent appraiser in the USA of construction material quarry properties to appraise the value of the takings. By the time the case went to trial in 2008, Mr. Ellis was the company’s primary minerals appraiser expert.

    Initially Mr. Ellis provided technical expert appraisal advice to the plaintiff, Rock Acquisition. He later developed a market value appraisal for compensation claim for the taking of the operating quarry property. The appraisal included market valuation of backfilling reclamation of the quarry with clean fill disposal from the greater New York City region.

    In court, the primary appraiser expert for the State argued that the value of the taking was $2.4 million. Mr. Ellis testified in court for 2.5 days. The court awarded Rock Acquisition $27 million plus interest, the largest eminent domain verdict in the history of the State of Connecticut. The State paid the award without appealing the decision.

    A detailed discussion of the Sales Comparison Approach analysis developed by Mr. Ellis for this appraisal is contained in his peer reviewed paper:

    Ellis, Trevor R., “Sales Comparison Valuation of Development and Operating Stage Mineral Properties”, Mining Engineering, Vol. 63, No. 4, April 2011, pages 89-104. Available at OneMine.org. To view the Abstract or a slide presentation of the paper, click here.