Precious Metals

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Silver prices rise, how high will it go?

“Silver is showing signs of relatively higher momentum with the price trying to breach the crucial US$ 33 level,” Emkay said

Given silver’s diverse industrial applications, its price is projected to rise from its current level, reaching $36.60, $38.70, and $39.30 on COMEX, it said.

“Investing in silver funds with a 12 to 18 months’ time horizon is likely to be a worthy proposition.”

The gold-silver ratio is currently around 90, which suggests that silver is currently undervalued.

Source – invezz

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Reserve Bank of India becomes more strict on gold loans

India’s central bank plans to ask lenders to follow stricter underwriting processes for gold loans and monitor the end-use of funds as it tries to cool growth in the fast-growing segment, seven people, including industry sources and those aware of the regulator’s thinking, said.

“The RBI wants to ensure that the entities are following a standard protocol and any growth in the gold loan sector is not out of bounds,” one of the sources aware of the central bank’s thinking, said.

Source – Reuters

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Mali suspends artisanal gold mining

Mali said on Wednesday it was suspending licenses for foreign artisanal gold mining companies after a series of fatal accidents in the West African country, one of Africa’s top three gold producers.

Gen. Assimi Goita, president of Mali’s transitional government, ordered “the suspension of artisanal mining permits granted to foreigners,” according to a statement issued following a Council of Ministers meeting.

“These measures are designed to further strengthen the state authorities and protect our fellow citizens. These measures give us the power to seize materials (mining equipment), which will be confiscated and placed in the domain of national heritage,” Gen. Daoud Ali Mohammedine, the minister of security and civil protection, said on ORTM.

Source – The Associated Press – Business News

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Gold prices and gold futures drop

Spot gold, which dipped 0.5% to $2,904.51 an ounce as of 1211 GMT, has gained over 10% year-to-date. It hit a record high of $2,956.15 on February 24.

U.S. gold futures also dropped 0.5% to $2,912.10.

“Gold seems to be experiencing profit-taking as investors closely watch tariff developments with prices trading toward $2,900 ahead of the non-farm payrolls report,” Lukman Otunuga, senior research analyst at FXTM, said.

Platinum prices were flat at $964.68 per ounce.

Spot silver dipped 0.7% to $32.39 an ounce and palladium shed 0.5% to $937.74.

Source – Reuters