Our gold issue: is gold still a haven for investors?

Earlier this year, the geopolitical uncertainty induced by Russia’s invasion of Ukraine pushed the gold market to the US$2,000/oz. level for the first time since August 2020. Then, gold prices retreated to around US$1,740/oz. (at the time of drafting this article) when central banks began raising interest rates aggressively to tackle inflation. The World Bank forecast gold price to fall to US$1,663/oz. in 2023, then dropping to US$1,623/oz. and US$1,584/oz. in 2024 and 2025, respectively. It expects gold prices to average US$1,394/oz. and US$1,350/oz. in 2030 and 2035, respectively. Gold becomes less attractive when interest rates rise. How do you keep profiting from mining gold? Consider the low-cost mining model represented by B2Gold.

In our annual gold issue, we interview the founder and CEO of B2Gold, Clive Johnson, who tells us his story as a lifelong gold miner and explains how B2Gold can exploit its low-cost model in mining gold internationally. We also get insights into the story of KSM project from Brent Murphy, senior vice-president of environmental affairs at Seabridge Gold. Finally, we explore the Island Gold mine success story and the details of the recent expansion announced by Alamos Gold.

Our Law column investigates the recent agreement between B.C. and the Tahltan First Nation, and we continue the discussion on rebranding mining on pages 4 and 21. Why do reclamation bonds make sense? Andrew Cartwright answers this question on page 19 of this issue, we also discuss more screen maintenance issues, and more to read in our annual gold issue.