Citi anticipates an eventual implementation of a 25% copper-specific tariff by the fourth quarter of 2025, following U.S. President Donald Trump’s executive order initiating an investigation into U.S. copper imports, the bank said in a note on Wednesday.
Source – Reuters
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
Spot gold held steady at $3,047.1 an ounce as of 0700 GMT, after hitting a record high of $3,057.21 earlier in the session.
U.S. gold futures gained 0.4% to $3,054.10.
“For now, gold’s appeal as a safe haven and inflation hedge has further strengthened in light of those geopolitical concerns and tariff uncertainty. We remain constructive on the outlook of gold,” said OCBC forex strategist Christopher Wong.
Spot silver was flat at $33.8 an ounce, platinum fell 0.3% to $989.85. Palladium slipped 1% to $949.50.
Source – Reuters
Spot gold fell 0.7% to $2,894.55 an ounce as of 09:44 a.m. ET (1444 GMT). Bullion, a preferred hedge against uncertainty and inflation, hit a record high of $2,956.15 on Monday amid trade war concerns emerging from tariff threats.
“Bullish trend is still in place… We are not surprised by a period of consolidation ahead of some piece of important data,” said David Meger, director of metals trading at High Ridge Futures.
Spot silver was down 0.5% to $31.57, platinum eased 0.4% to $963 and palladium dropped 0.4% to $924.01.
Source – Reuters
China’s gold consumption fell 5.96% year-on-year to 290.492 tonnes in the first quarter of 2025 as high gold prices continued to curb demand for gold jewellery, the China Gold Association said on Monday.
Source – Reuters
Augusta Gold Corp. (TSX: G) (OTCQB: AUGG) (“Augusta Gold” or the “Company”) is pleased to announce that it has entered into a definitive merger agreement (the “Agreement”) with AngloGold Ashanti plc (“AngloGold Ashanti”) and certain of its affiliates, pursuant to which AngloGold Ashanti will acquire all of the Company’s issued and outstanding shares of common stock at a price of C$1.70 per share of common stock (the “Price”) in cash (the “Transaction”).
Richard Warke, Executive Chairman of Augusta Gold, commented, “The offer from AngloGold Ashanti represents a compelling offer to stockholders, locking in a meaningful premium and immediate liquidity as compared to waiting for the Reward Project to commence construction and then produce by mid-2027. Constructing the Reward Project would require additional dilution to raise the required equity, substantial time for construction, and time to get the mine operating at capacity. Taking the foregoing factors into consideration, I believe that the offer from AngloGold Ashanti represents a clearly superior path forward for stockholders.”
Source – Cision
BHP warned Thursday that a tariff war could slow the global economy and disrupt world trade, as the world’s biggest miner reported a slight decline in quarterly iron ore production and a 10% rise in copper output due to higher volumes from the giant Escondida mine in Chile.
“Despite the limited direct impact of tariffs on BHP, the implication of slower economic growth and a fragmented trading environment could be more significant,” CEO Mike Henry said. “China’s ability to shift toward a consumption-led economy and for trade flows to adapt to the new environment will be key to sustaining the global outlook.”
Source – Seeking Alpha
