Kitco MINING

Silver can move quickly in a short period of time, noted Michael Konnert, president and CEO of Vizsla Silver. 

On Thursday Konnert spoke to Kitco Mining. 

Vizsla Silver (NYSE: VZLA) is advancing its Pacuno project in Mexico. The company received its preliminary economic assessment in July. Highlights were an estimated after-tax NPV (5%) of more than US$1.1 billion, an after-tax IRR of 85.7% and a payback over a period of about nine months. Annually, the mine is projected to produce an average of 15.2 million silver equivalent ounces. 

The company is working towards a feasibility study to be released in the second half of 2025. 

With gold hitting all-time highs, Konnert said silver should follow. Konnert said a higher gold price is followed by a silver lag between six to nine months behind. 

“We haven't seen that yet. We've seen things similar to that happen in the past,” said Konnert. 

Konnert described the last move by silver early in the decade as “parabolic.”

“If you weren't invested, you totally missed out on that move.” 

Disclaimer: The views expressed in this podcast are those of the author and may not reflect those of Kitco Metals Inc. The author has made every effort to ensure accuracy of information provided; however, neither Kitco Metals Inc. nor the author can guarantee such accuracy. This article is strictly for informational purposes only. It is not a solicitation to make any exchange in commodities, securities or other financial instruments. Kitco Metals Inc. and the author of this podcast do not accept culpability for losses and/ or damages arising from the use of this publication.

Silver prices should spike higher with gold hitting a new all-time high above $2,500 an ounce, said John Ciampaglia, CEO of Sprott Asset Management. 

Last week, Ciampaglia spoke to Kitco Mining. 

Western investors are finally starting to show an interest in gold, noted Ciampaglia, driven by concerns about market disruptions and geopolitical risks. However, gold miners haven't seen the same level of interest, which Ciampaglia attributed to the lack of institutional investment. He also noted the recent pause in China's gold buying, interpreting it as a strategic move to influence the market.

While gold has hit successive record highs this year, Ciampaglia said  he believes silver is undervalued. The metal is supported by industrial applications, as well as being precious. Silver usually rallies after gold. 

“It's mind-boggling to us that silver is still below $30. It is obviously way off its 2010 highs, and we would love to see it get back to the $50 level,” said Ciampaglia. “We think it has the ability to do that over time.”

Regarding contrarian metal bets, Ciampaglia expressed concerns about the overcapacity in copper, lithium, and nickel markets. He suggested uranium as a contrarian play, expecting a better market in the second half of the year.

Sprott Asset Management is focused on precious metals and critical materials investments. Sprott runs a physical uranium trust, a physical copper trust and mining equity ETFs. Sprott was founded in 1981 by Eric Sprott. 

Disclaimer: The views expressed in this podcast are those of the author and may not reflect those of Kitco Metals Inc. The author has made every effort to ensure accuracy of information provided; however, neither Kitco Metals Inc. nor the author can guarantee such accuracy. This article is strictly for informational purposes only. It is not a solicitation to make any exchange in commodities, securities or other financial instruments. Kitco Metals Inc. and the author of this podcast do not accept culpability for losses and/ or damages arising from the use of this publication.

Silver usually out-performs gold, but silver starts slower, said Jeff Clark, founder of the TheGoldAdvisor.com.

Last week Kitco Mining spoke to Clark. 

Clark noted that the gold miners, represented by GDX, haven't outperformed gold. As of August 8, both gold prices and the GDX were showing similar returns. Clark expected the gold miners to start to turn around when the miners start showing higher free cash flow in Q2. 

Mergers and acquisitions are expected to pick up as producers gain more cash, driven by the need for majors to acquire ounces.

Silver prices will likely start moving after gold, and silver should outperform the yellow metal, noted Clark. However, gold is seen as a better performer during negative economic events.

"Silver outperforms gold," said Clark. "It tends to start slower. Gold tends to be a little stronger, so the better value might be in silver right now."

Disclaimer: The views expressed in this podcast are those of the author and may not reflect those of Kitco Metals Inc. The author has made every effort to ensure accuracy of information provided; however, neither Kitco Metals Inc. nor the author can guarantee such accuracy. This article is strictly for informational purposes only. It is not a solicitation to make any exchange in commodities, securities or other financial instruments. Kitco Metals Inc. and the author of this podcast do not accept culpability for losses and/ or damages arising from the use of this publication.

Copper and gold work together, said Mark Bristow, CEO of Barrick Gold. 

On Thursday Bristow spoke to Kitco Mining. 

Early this week Barrick Gold filed its Q2. Analysts had been following the second quarter results of all the gold miners to see how strongly the companies might perform off record high prices for the metal. Net earnings at Barrick were up 25% and the attributable EBITDA margin was up 17% quarter on quarter to 48%.  

Gold production was 948,000 ounces in Q2, up 0.8% from the prior quarter and a 6% decrease for the same period a year ago. Barrick is forecasting a 30% increase in production by the end of the decade through organic growth. 

Bristow highlighted the company's Reko Diq project in Pakistan, 50% owned by Barrick and the rest by state-owned enterprises. Bristow said Barrick's goal is build a tier one copper business. Barrick is targeting 400kt copper and 500koz gold per annum from the project. A feasibility study is on track for completion by year-end with first production scheduled for 2028. 

"Copper is as strategic as gold is precious," said Bristow. "As you grow as a gold miner, you have to embrace copper. To keep critical mass, you've got to go to the porphyries—porphyry gold deposits—and with those porphyries come copper as well."

Disclaimer: The views expressed in this podcast are those of the author and may not reflect those of Kitco Metals Inc. The author has made every effort to ensure accuracy of information provided; however, neither Kitco Metals Inc. nor the author can guarantee such accuracy. This article is strictly for informational purposes only. It is not a solicitation to make any exchange in commodities, securities or other financial instruments. Kitco Metals Inc. and the author of this podcast do not accept culpability for losses and/ or damages arising from the use of this publication.

Junior resource companies are starved for attention and undervalued, according to institutional advisor Jayant Bhandari. 

Last week Bhandari spoke to Kitco Mining. 

Gold has hit several all-time highs in 2024. Despite roaring metal prices, upside for the resource stocks has been limited. As of August 14, the VanEck Junior Gold Miners index is up 20% year to date while physical gold is up 17%. Bhandari said the market fixates on just the large gold miners. 

"Junior mining companies are not followed by big investors," said Bhandari. "Mining companies tend to stay away from junior mining companies until the very last days, which means that junior mining companies continue to struggle with their valuation. They're just not [enough] people valuing those companies."

Bhandari said that gives him an advantage. 

"I want to operate in a market where competition is limited, where not many people are chasing the same stuff that I'm chasing." 

Regarding macroeconomic concerns and China, Bhandari is bullish. China is a vital market for all metals, but the country has posted months of disappointing economic data. Bhandari highlighted China's consistent growth and positive developments in consumer services, manufacturing, and infrastructure. 

While acknowledging the political conflict with the West, he believes China is better positioned to handle deglobalization due to its strong manufacturing base.

Disclaimer: The views expressed in this podcast are those of the author and may not reflect those of Kitco Metals Inc. The author has made every effort to ensure accuracy of information provided; however, neither Kitco Metals Inc. nor the author can guarantee such accuracy. This article is strictly for informational purposes only. It is not a solicitation to make any exchange in commodities, securities or other financial instruments. Kitco Metals Inc. and the author of this podcast do not accept culpability for losses and/ or damages arising from the use of this publication.

Copper projects still need a better incentive price, said Matt Geiger, managing partner at MJG Capital. 

On Tuesday, Geiger spoke to Kitco Mining. 

MJG Capital is a limited partnership that specializes in long-term natural resource investments. Founded in 2011, the partnership holds a concentrated, long-only portfolio of natural resource equities.

Geiger noted that copper-focused investments had increased significantly in his company's portfolio, up to 36%. Despite copper prices trading higher in 2024, the incentive price for greenlighting a copper mine needs to be higher. 

"[Copper mines] are extremely complex, technically difficult, and expensive projects to build that are fraught with risk," said Geiger. "This is far different than building a medium-sized gold mine that could go into production in a 12- to 18-month period."

Geiger noted that the miners are still lagging the metal prices. While gold is up 16% year-to-date and copper is up 20% over the same period, he said that mining equities are not showing leverage to the metals. While other parts of the market have been on a tear, resources may soon have its turn. 

Interest rate cuts, strong earnings, and big M&A deals are all potential jump starts for resources.

"There's a number of potential catalysts to start revenge of the miners," said Geiger.  

Geiger argued that the stark disparity between tech and commodities valuations could herald a significant shift. He pointed out that the last time such a gap existed, it was followed by a decade-long commodities bull market, noted Geiger in his July investor note. While this might offer little solace to mining-focused investors who missed the recent tech boom, he suggested it could indicate future opportunities.

Geiger emphasized the intrinsic link between the mining and tech industries, despite this connection being largely overlooked in Silicon Valley. He highlighted that AI data centers, consumer technology, electric vehicles, national defense applications, and clean tech are fundamentally dependent on a wide array of metals extracted globally.

Geiger cautioned that if history were to repeat itself, substantial increases in metal prices could be on the horizon. He warned that such rises, and their impact on the cost and adoption rates of new technologies, might come as a stark revelation to many, said Geiger.

Disclaimer: The views expressed in this podcast are those of the author and may not reflect those of Kitco Metals Inc. The author has made every effort to ensure accuracy of information provided; however, neither Kitco Metals Inc. nor the author can guarantee such accuracy. This article is strictly for informational purposes only. It is not a solicitation to make any exchange in commodities, securities or other financial instruments. Kitco Metals Inc. and the author of this podcast do not accept culpability for losses and/ or damages arising from the use of this publication.

Diversified supply chains are necessary, said Jigar Shah, director of the Loan Programs Office, U.S. Department of Energy. 

On Tuesday, Shah spoke to Kitco Mining. 

After the Biden administration passed the Inflation Reduction Act nearly two years ago, Shah's office has been behind notable mine financings, such as $102.1 million to Syrah Technologies LLC to process graphite, and $2.26 billion to Lithium Americas for Thacker Pass. The goal of the IRA is to invest in America's domestic energy production while spurring development in clean energy. As of June, the cumulative dollar amount from the loads office tops $285 billion. 

In July, Shah's office announced a conditional commitment of up to $1.2 billion for a direct loan to ENTEK lithium separators. If finalized, the loan will substantially finance a new facility in Terre Haute, Indiana, to manufacture lithium-ion battery separators. 

China has built a tremendous lead in a number of key sectors, such as renewable energy and electric vehicles. Shah compared the sector to oil and gas. Diversified supply chains are key, he said.  

"We want to make sure we have a diversified supply chain so that you're not subject to the whims of any one country withholding access, to those technologies," said Shah. "[We] do need to get China to recognize that it is not in their best interest to be promoting an unstable supply chain."

Disclaimer: The views expressed in this podcast are those of the author and may not reflect those of Kitco Metals Inc. The author has made every effort to ensure accuracy of information provided; however, neither Kitco Metals Inc. nor the author can guarantee such accuracy. This article is strictly for informational purposes only. It is not a solicitation to make any exchange in commodities, securities or other financial instruments. Kitco Metals Inc. and the author of this podcast do not accept culpability for losses and/ or damages arising from the use of this publication.

Nations Royalty (CVE: NRC) has a first mover advantage, said Kody Penner, VP, corporate development at Nations Royalty. 

Last week Kitco Mining spoke to Penner and Derrick Pattenden, chief investment officer at Nations Royalty.  

Nations Royalty is a newly-formed royalty company under-pinned by five Nisga’a Benefits Agreement Royalties with a net asset value of $214 million. According to the company's news release, the company’s vision is to "...unite First Nations and Indigenous groups across Canada, welcoming external investors to join the company as shareholders."

Nations Royalty’s highlights the following benefits agreements: the high-grade Brucejack gold mine operated by Pretium Resources Inc., a wholly-owned indirect subsidiary of Newmont, a large underground gold mine; the KSM copper-gold-silver-molybdenum deposit, currently in development by Seabridge Gold; the Premier gold project, currently being commissioned by Ascot Resources with first gold poured in April, 2024 and commercial production scheduled for Q3 2024; the Red Mountain Gold Deposit, owned by Ascot Resources; and the Kitsault Molybdenum Deposit, a large, fully permitted brownfield site owned and being actively advanced by New Moly, majority-owned by Resource Capital Fund VI. 

Penner said that Nations Royalty has a unique advantage: benefits agreements have been "untapped within the royalty space." 

 "As a first mover in the space, we have latitude to go for tier one assets that are cash producing in safe jurisdictions and in the lower cost quartiles that other small royalty companies don't have access to," said Penner. "As a first mover, we can do that."

Disclaimer: The views expressed in this podcast are those of the author and may not reflect those of Kitco Metals Inc. The author has made every effort to ensure accuracy of information provided; however, neither Kitco Metals Inc. nor the author can guarantee such accuracy. This article is strictly for informational purposes only. It is not a solicitation to make any exchange in commodities, securities or other financial instruments. Kitco Metals Inc. and the author of this podcast do not accept culpability for losses and/ or damages arising from the use of this publication.

Roaring copper prices are due to speculators, said Gianni Kovacevic, investor and author. 

On Tuesday Kovacevic spoke to Kitco Mining.

Kovacevic is the author of My Electrician Drives a Porsche?

Copper has had a great run in 2024, hitting an all-time high of $5.20 pound in May. Although he is a copper bull, Kovacevic said it is too much, too fast. He views the recent run as being driven by speculators. 

"If any commodity goes up too radically, people just stop buying it," said Kovacevic. "[The speculators] take the stairs on the way up, but they always take the elevator on the way down."

Kovacevic believes in the fundamentals of copper due to energy transition and AI. The world will need a lot more of the metal, he says. He is also a believer in lithium, but low prices for the metal mean volatility ahead until supply and demand balance. 

"The consensus is that if the lithium price stays at this level for a continued period of time, you will have no lithium," said Kovacevic. "Lithium will just cease to be produced for many projects, not all projects, but for many projects."

Uranium is challenged, said Kovacevic, due to regulatory hurdles and the long-time frame to build projects. 

"I think it's a lot of lip service," said Kovacevic. "Ultimately, that's not where the world's going to go."

Disclaimer: The views expressed in this podcast are those of the author and may not reflect those of Kitco Metals Inc. The author has made every effort to ensure accuracy of information provided; however, neither Kitco Metals Inc. nor the author can guarantee such accuracy. This article is strictly for informational purposes only. It is not a solicitation to make any exchange in commodities, securities or other financial instruments. Kitco Metals Inc. and the author of this podcast do not accept culpability for losses and/ or damages arising from the use of this publication.

The Federal Reserve got ahead of itself earlier this year thinking it had inflation whipped, said James Fishback, co-founder and chief investment officer at Azoria. Fishback spoke to Kitco on Tuesday. 

Back in December, the market was expecting more rate cuts than it will get this year. Fishback said the Fed and Chair Jerome Powell erred when it had its "mission accomplished December Fed meeting" and the markets priced in several rate cuts in 2024. Hotter-than-expected inflation data squashed lowering interest rates. 

"The Fed is thinking about undoing its latest mistake," said Fishback. "Right now, Powell is on the precipice of potentially making another mistake: does he want to pull back rates prematurely and then risk reigniting that crippling inflation that we saw in '21 and '22?"

An additional complication is the U.S. election, which gives the Fed limited maneuverability, noted Fishback. 

He also discussed the promise of AI and how it could drive economic growth and help metals. 

Disclaimer: The views expressed in this podcast are those of the author and may not reflect those of Kitco Metals Inc. The author has made every effort to ensure accuracy of information provided; however, neither Kitco Metals Inc. nor the author can guarantee such accuracy. This article is strictly for informational purposes only. It is not a solicitation to make any exchange in commodities, securities or other financial instruments. Kitco Metals Inc. and the author of this podcast do not accept culpability for losses and/ or damages arising from the use of this publication.