Canada’s $8 billion precious metals-focused fund manager is bargain-hunting for stakes of mining firms that have seen valuations tumble.
Gold miners may become attractive targets as the supply pipelines of their bigger rivals start running dry. Reserves still buried in mines owned by the largest producers have fallen by more than half from a 2011 peak, according to data from Bloomberg Intelligence.
Detour Gold shares have climbed 72% this year after Paulson & Co. convinced shareholders of the mining company to overhaul its board of directors, including its interim CEO, ending a nasty six-month proxy battle. The stock fell 22% last year.
Torex Gold Resources Inc. is another attractive asset that could be a potential target, according to Sprott.
While the next wave of consolidation involving smaller gold producers may take at least five years, Sprott and Tocqueville were confident of the strength in the gold rally.
Gold prices have climbed this year as signs of weakening global growth bolstered the case for the Federal Reserve to keep cutting U.S. borrowing costs, boosting the appeal of the non-interest bearing metal. Earlier this month, Fed Chairman Jerome Powell said the central bank will resume purchases of Treasury securities in an effort to avoid a repeat of recent turmoil in money markets.
Spot gold rose 0.5% to $1,488.88 an ounce at 1:27 p.m. in New York. The metal is up 16% this year.
It will be interesting to see their targets , Sprott always seem to be on the money, will be following up on this.