"Goldcorp (GG) recently posted very solid results; but even more important, is the powerful pipeline of major projects," notes resource expert Adrian Day.

The editor of The Global Analyst continues, "Indeed, a major expansion at a planned mine development will benefit not only Goldcorp, but another one of our recommended holdings, Canada's Virginia Mines (VGQ).

"At Goldcorp, the expansion of its major projects will, in aggregate, boost the company's output about 70% by 2015. In addition to the successful ramp-up at Penasquito, and ongoing construction at Pueblo Viejo in the Dominican Republican, the company announced significant improvements at a major project.

This post is part of a special report, Top Picks for 2010, the 27th annual survey in which TheStockAdvisors.com asks the nation's leading advisors for their single favorite stock for the new year. See all 80 stocks listed here.

"Virginia Mines (VGQ), a Toronto exchange-listed company, remains my favorite gold exploration play," says resource expert Adrian Day.

In choosing the stock as his top pick for 2010, the editor of The Global Analyst explains, "The company has a successful track record, top management and a super-strong balance."

Last December, over 100 stocks were featured in our Top Picks for 2007 report. Now, at mid-year, we turn to the 20 advisors whose picks showed the strongest gains to get an update on their previous picks, as well as a new favorite stock for the second half of the year.

Adrian Day, editor of the Global Analyst, chose Virginia Mines Inc. (TSE: VGQ) as his favorite stock for 2007. It rose 31% as of 6/1/07. Here is Adrian's original recommendation for Virginia Mines and his current favorite stock for the second half of the year.

He now says, "Virginia Mines, is a Canadian resource exploration company, but one with a difference. Although small (with a market cap of less than $150 million), it has about 14 active projects with four current drill programs underway, a lot for a junior company.

"It does this by bringing in partners of its Quebec exploration projects, partners who spend the money. Virginia gives up some upside on any particular project in return for spreading its risk and having a piece of multiple projects. This strategy enables the company to maintain a strong balance sheet, currently about C$45 million.

"The company's active projects include an exploration program adjacent to its recent gold discovery at Eleonore, a property sold last year to Goldcorp. There are early signs that Virginia could find more deposits on this ground. Other prospective projects include a zinc discovery, joint ventured with Breakwater.

"The stock has moved this year from C$4 to the current C$5.70, but it remains inexpensive. The business model is very low risk, while any exploration success will see the stock price higher."

Last December, over 100 stocks were featured in our Top Picks for 2007 report. Now, at mid-year, we turn to the 20 advisors whose picks showed the strongest gains to get an update on their previous picks, as well as a new favorite stock for the second half of the year.

Adrian Day, editor of the Global Analyst, chose Virginia Mines Inc. (TSE: VGQ) as his favorite stock for 2007, which rose 31% as of 6/1/07. Here's Adrian's original recommendation on Virginia Mines and his current opinion on the stock.

His new favorite for the rest of 2007 is -- like Virginia -- a "gold company with a difference." His new pick is Vista Gold Corp. (ASE: VGZ). He explains, "During the early 2000s, when the price of gold was weak, Vista acquired known gold resources, but ones that were uneconomic at the time.

"This enabled it to build reserves inexpensively, and rather than mining them when the price was low, it held on to the gold in the ground, building value as the price of bullion appreciated.

"Now Vista has 12 properties around the world in various stages of development, some economic at today's higher price. Together, it has over 13 million ounces of resource (proven, probable, and indicated), valued at just over $20 per ounce in the ground -- very cheap.

"In addition to the considerable exploration potential at many of its properties, it also has $20 million in cash. With strong leverage to rising gold prices, we would buy Vista as an option on gold, but one without an expiration date."