Is it better to invest in Gold/Silver ETFs or in Gold/Silver mining companies?

Is it better to invest in Gold/Silver ETFs or in Gold/Silver mining companies? From what I understand, if a mining company goes out of business or if they struggle then you are screwed. But they say that investing in GLD/SLV ETF shares are safer. Can anyone confirm this?

Public Comments

1. Do a little research,, how much as the price of gold /silver gone up this year? in the past 12 months? in the past 3 or 5 years? Then look at your favorite gold/silver mining companies and compare their performance vs the price of the hard asset. As far as owning gold or silver vs owning shares of the companies that mine them,, there is no way to compare that because gold and silver have a real intrinsic value and will when the U.S. dollar has gone the way of all fiat currencies. If you do your research you will find there has never been a fiat currency that has not gone to zero. If the U.S. dollar is worthless,, is the gold/silver mining company worth anything? (because our currency has not as yet gone to zero does not mean it is not headed that direction today) I am not able to submit this answer with a link included, get an error ,, 999 but look at this web site for info ,,, wikipedia
2. I can confirm for you. Some ETFs (Gold/Silver) will include companies that mine. Look for the ones that have "related" companies built into them.
3. There is higher risk with a single company. ETFS would be safer