Mines Tighten Belts as Gold Boom Ends
Mines Tighten Belts as Gold Boom Ends BYLINE: Eddie van der Walt London THE BIGGEST gold bust in three decades is about to end a six-year expansion in mine output. From Russia to South Africa to North America, the biggest producers saw profits turn to losses as prices plunged, forcing them to cut spending on mines in half over three years. While bullion output would probably reach a record this year, the increase would be the smallest in at least six years, before production dropped 1 percent in 2016, according to Barclays. Mines supplied 3 114 tons last year, a record high valued at about $127 billion (R1.5 trillion), after companies stepped up investment to capitalise on prices that surged more than fivefold in the decade through 2011. While the appeal of gold as a financial asset means that supply does not usually influence the precious metal's value as much as economic or monetary policies - partly because every ounce ever mined still exists - demand is gr...
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