54 min listen
Gold will benefit from gov't stimulus, but copper could run further
Gold will benefit from gov't stimulus, but copper could run further
ratings:
Length:
34 minutes
Released:
Oct 23, 2020
Format:
Podcast episode
Description
The Democrats stimulus plan will be positive for gold, but it will be extremely positive for copper, said John Steen, associate professor at the University of British Columbia's mining school. On Friday Steen joined Kitco Roundtable to discuss stimulus, renewables and the electrification of everything, and the knock-on affect on metals, chiefly copper and nickel. Steen was joined by correspondent Paul Harris; editor Neils Christensen; and mining audiences manager, Michael McCrae. Republican and Democrat leaders are negotiating a COVID-19 stimulus package in excess of $2 trillion. President Biden is ahead in the polls, which could tilt the eventual stimulus to policy goals favored by Democrats. "A Biden win is extremely positive for copper. The estimated cost of preparing the electricity grid in the U.S. ... is about a trillion dollars. That's a huge stimulus, but it's a wicked amount of copper," said Steen. Steen argues that the whole story of battery material demand seems to be driven by cars and Tesla, but that misses a larger picture. "In the mining space, we have to look beyond the cars. Cars are getting a lot of attention [due] to the magnetism and charisma of Elon Musk, but there's a much, much bigger story here. It's the electrification of everything." Steen notes that China plans to use its stimulus to decarbonize, and 4,000 tonnes of copper are needed to produce enough solar panels for 1GW of electricity. Big miners like Rio Tinto and BHP Billiton are preparing for future copper demand. In the spring the number two gold miner, Barrick Gold, said it is on the hunt for copper deals. Earlier this week Newmont's Tom Palmer told Reuters that copper would account for up to one-fifth of the metal produced by the end of the decade given its current project pipeline. Copper is currently trading at a two-year high.
Released:
Oct 23, 2020
Format:
Podcast episode
Titles in the series (100)
Why elevated gold prices are leading to consolidation: After acquiring TMAC Resources, Agnico Eagle (TSE:AEM) still intends to keep its exploration budget elevated. On Friday CEO Sean Boyd recorded Kitco Roundtable podcast with correspondent Paul Harris and mining audiences manager Michael McCrae. Agnico Eagle operates Canadian Malartic, the nation's largest gold mine. The company is a top ten gold producer, having produced 1.7 million ounces in 2019. Agnico gave the sector a huge boost of confidence with the big M&A deal announced at the start of the year, the $286 million acquisition of TMAC Resources. Boyd said the deal was closed on its ability to generate net free cash flow. by Kitco NEWS Roundtable