“This we hope will be reality in a three to five year period,” PolyMet’s Warren Hudelson told MPR News in 2004.
Now, 20 years later, the controversial mine in northeast Minnesota still hasn’t opened. It hasn’t even begun construction, because three key permits it needs to advance — approvals state and federal agencies granted more than five years ago — have since been revoked or suspended.
Source – MPRnews
Source – Money Metals
Freeport-McMoRan (FCX.N), opens new tab hopes U.S. President Donald Trump declares copper a critical mineral, a move that would unlock tax credits needed to boost American production of the red metal and offset global rivals, CEO Kathleen Quirk said on Monday.
“Having the incentives and clarity around those would be a big plus for the domestic copper industry,” said Quirk, who became CEO of Phoenix-based Freeport last year.
“People are understanding more what copper is used for and its importance in our economy. It’s just a matter of time before it’s classified as a critical mineral.”
“We’re not looking for handouts, but if the government is trying to incentivize domestic production, it’s important to recognize that the U.S. doesn’t have the same grades that we have internationally,” said Quirk.
Source – Reuters
GOLD
In case gold settles below the $2830 level, it will head towards the nearest support, which is located in the $2780 – $2790 range.
Silver
Silver made an attempt to settle back below the $32.00 level but lost momentum and rebounded towards the $32.20 level.
Platinum
If platinum settles above the $1015 level, it will move towards the resistance at $1025 – $1030.
Source – FXEMPIRE
Barrick Gold (NYSE:GOLD) +3.2% in Wednesday’s trading to its highest in more than two months following a Reuters report that the miner has signed a new agreement with Mali’s government, which would end the dispute over the company’s mining assets in the country.
As part of the new deal, Barrick (GOLD) reportedly will pay 275B CFA francs, or $438M, to the government in return for the release of detained employees and seized gold, allowing for the restart of operations at the Loulo-Gounkoto mine.
Source – Seeking Alpha / Reuters
They have been working flat out to do what the Bank describes as “digging out” gold bars for delivery to traders who’ve seized on a rare arbitrage opportunity thrown up by speculation that Donald Trump will impose tariffs on the precious metal, alongside a raft of other imported goods.
The Bank’s vault keepers are busier than they’ve been in years, logistics companies are working overtime, and refineries are booked out for months with orders to recast gold bars from London into a form that can be delivered into the US futures market.
“What’s happening in the London market is a short term logistical thing, but it’s having real consequences,” said John Reade, senior market strategist at the World Gold Council, the industry lobby group. “There’s not as much gold in London as normal, but again, there’s still lots there. And once it can get out from behind the Bank of England, then everything should calm down.”
Source – Bloomberg
Source – MSN