Most gold companies have ample flexibility to weather a slump in gold prices. Debt has been reduced to levels that are manageable at lower gold prices and many companies have no net debt. The average all-in mining cost for the majors and mid-tiers is around $835 per ounce. Mining costs exclude exploration, capital projects, and other administrative costs.

All-in Mine Costs for Seniors & Mid-Tiers (Estimates for Industry)

Source: VanEck; Company Reports. Data as of May 2018.

At the $1,100 level we would expect companies to trim discretionary expenses and postpone new mine development. Approximately 10% of global production has all-in mining costs above $1,100 per ounce; therefore, there could be a few high-cost mines that consider curtailed production or closure.

About the Author:

Joe Foster has been Portfolio Manager for the VanEck International Investors Gold Fund since 1998 and the VanEck – Global Gold UCITS Fund since 2012. Mr. Foster, an acknowledged authority on gold, has over 10 years of dedicated experience in geology and mining including as a gold geologist in Nevada. He has appeared in The Wall Street Journal, Barron's, and on Reuters, CNBC and Bloomberg TV. Mr. Foster has also published articles in a number of mining journals, including Mining Engineering and Geological Society of Nevada.


The article above is an opinion of the author and does not necessarily reflect the opinion of MV Index Solutions or its affiliates.