In the Press
Inflation drives global gold production costs to their highest level since 2013 – report
According to the latest data from Metals Focus, a leading independent precious metals consultancy, in Q3 2021, the global average gold all-in sustaining cost (AISC) rose by 3.6% q/q to $1,123/oz, its highest level since mid-2013. By Vladimir Basov for Kitco News
Silver – The Forgotten Precious Metal
“The recovery in silver industrial demand from the pandemic will see this segment achieve a new high of 524 million ounces (Moz). In terms of some of the key segments, we estimate that photovoltaic demand will rise by 13% to over 110 Moz, a new high and highlighting silver’s key role in the green economy,” said analysts at Metals Focus, who conducted the latest research on behalf of the Silver Institute. By Glenn Dyer for Sharecafe.com
Artisinal mining in Africa
Adam Webb, Director of Mine Supply, speaking with the BBC. The interview comes in at 32 minutes 24 seconds. BBC Sounds.
China’s industrial silver demand to exceed all-time high in 2021; gold consumption to jump 40% – report
Metals Focus, a leading independent precious metals research consultancy, reported yesterday that it expects over a 40% increase in gold demand in China this year, while domestic industrial silver demand to exceed all-time high in 2021. Kitco News.
Gold eases as dollar strengthens; focus shifts to U.S. CPI data
“Rate hikes might not be as quick as the markets were initially expecting and inflation continues to be high, creating a supportive macro backdrop for the precious metal to rally,” Harshal Barot, a senior research consultant for South Asia at Metals Focus said. CNBC.
Top gold miners increased carbon intensity of their operations over the past seven years
According to Metals Focus, a leading independent precious metals research consultancy, gold production from 16 biggest gold miners has become more energy, carbon, water and land intensive since 2014, Kitco News
Four charts show why silver’s surge is set to fade
Still, silver’s other role as a key commodity in solar panels and electronics is likely to buoy prices over the longer term. Industrial use probably reached a record this year, according to London-based research firm Metals Focus, which forecasts even stronger demand to come and expects prices to hold around this year’s average of about $25 in 2022. Bloomberg.
India’s Pandemic Recovery Means Golden Days Ahead for Jewelers
After declining to a more than two decade-low of 446.4 tons in 2020, sales could rise by as much as 50% for all of 2021, according to Chirag Sheth, a consultant with Metals Focus Ltd. Bloomberg Wealth.
Auto industry’s chip troubles spoil platinum group metals’ party
Most of these would have contained a combustion engine. Each million such vehicles uses around 100,000-150,000 ounces of palladium, 40,000-50,000 ounces of platinum and 8,000-10,000 ounces of rhodium, said Wilma Swarts at consultants Metals Focus. ET Auto.com
Gold consolidates near one-month peak on cautious Fed
“Overall, (the) monetary policy background will remain accommodative and there are uncertainties around (the) COVID-19 Delta variant, Chinese slowdown concerns, geopolitical tensions,” said Harshal Barot, a senior research consultant for South Asia at Metals Focus. By Brijesh Patel for Reuters.
What are companies doing with their piles of cash?
While the market faces a turning point, the reality is that real interest rates will remain in negative territory for the foreseeable future. Analysts at Metals Focus recently said in a report that they still see a path for the precious metal to rise back to $1,900 an ounce. Writes Neils Christensen for Kitco News.
Gold market limited in the near-term but $1,900 still in the cards for 2020
The gold market has made some impressive gains since last week’s flash crash, which pushed the price briefly below $1,700 an ounce; however, the precious metal’s performance in the near term could be limited, according to analysts at Metals Focus. Writes Neils Christensen at Kitco.
Gold Bullion Retreats from One-Week High as Markets Monitor Geopolitical Concerns, Speculators More Than Halve Their Bullish Betting on Gold and Silver
“The sharp price move on Friday also triggered some minor profit-taking on Monday,” said Harshal Barot, a senior research consultant for South Asia at Metals Focus. Writes Atsuko Whitehouse at BullionVault.
Gold eases off one-week high as dollar ticks up
Now, the expectation is that the Fed may not aggressively taper its bond-buying programme, or alter the timeline for the first lift-off, given the persistent rise in coronavirus cases, said Harshal Barot, a senior research consultant for South Asia at Metals Focus. Writes Eileen Soreng for Reuters.
Priceless? Even Olympic Medals Can Be Had for the Right Price.
That works out to be about $800 in gold and silver in those medals, Philip Newman, a founding partner and managing director of Metals Focus, a London-based research firm, said on Sunday. Writes Neil Vigdor for The New York Times.
Gold heads for best weekly gain in over 2 months on dovish Fed
“The backdrop for gold is still positive… There is a lot of uncertainty in terms of whether the economic recovery will continue as strong and what happens in the U.S. labor market,” said Harshal Barot, a senior research consultant for South Asia at Metals Focus. Writes Eileen Soreng for Reuters.