Is the U.S. setting itself up for failure in the critical minerals war with China? Gold has soared above $3,300, but geopolitical risks and shifting mining policies are reshaping the global resource landscape. Christopher Ecclestone, Principal and Mining Strategist at Hallgarten & Company, returns to Digging Deep to break down Barrick’s controversial copper pivot, Ghana’s crackdown on illegal Chinese artisanal miners, and Fortuna’s costly exit from Burkina Faso. In a conversation with Kitco’s Senior Mining Editor and Anchor Paul Harris, Ecclestone also weighs in on Argentina’s economic liberalization, Ecuador’s mining future, and why the U.S. may be shooting itself in the foot in the critical minerals war with China. This is a must-watch for investors tracking the future of gold, copper, and geopolitical risk.

Key points:
- Barrick’s rebrand away from gold criticized as premature and superficial
- Ghana clamps down on artisanal gold mining – targets illegal Chinese operations
- Fortuna exits Burkina Faso after major financial loss; warned against straying from Latin America
- Argentina liberalizes FX controls under Milei, opening doors for miners
- Ecclestone warns U.S. critical minerals tariffs may hurt domestic industry more than China

Disclaimer: The views expressed in this podcast are those of the author and may not reflect those of Kitco Metals Inc. The author has made every effort to ensure accuracy of information provided; however, neither Kitco Metals Inc. nor the author can guarantee such accuracy. This article is strictly for informational purposes only. It is not a solicitation to make any exchange in commodities, securities or other financial instruments. Kitco Metals Inc. and the author of this podcast do not accept culpability for losses and/ or damages arising from the use of this publication.

What does China’s shift from Treasuries to gold mean for the U.S. dollar? Gold surged past $3,200 as geopolitical tensions, tariffs, and market volatility shook investor confidence. In this latest Digging Deep episode, Kitco’s Senior Mining Editor and Anchor Paul Harris interviews David Erfle, founder of JuniorMinerJunky.com, who breaks down why gold and mining stocks are outperforming. Erfle also weighs in on how Trump’s economic moves are reshaping global markets and what the rise in copper and fall in Treasuries signal. He also shares his top positioning strategy for 2025 and why China may be shifting away from U.S. Treasuries to gold. From Barrick’s rebrand to Newmont’s breakout, Erfle dives deep into the mining sector’s pivotal moment.

Key points:
- Gold surges on geopolitical instability and tariff chaos
- China selling Treasuries to buy gold amid rising tensions with the U.S.
- Newmont, Agnico outperform while Barrick pivots to copper
- Junior miners and gold stocks begin long-awaited reversion
- Copper’s price crash and the outlook for stagflation

Disclaimer: The views expressed in this podcast are those of the author and may not reflect those of Kitco Metals Inc. The author has made every effort to ensure accuracy of information provided; however, neither Kitco Metals Inc. nor the author can guarantee such accuracy. This article is strictly for informational purposes only. It is not a solicitation to make any exchange in commodities, securities or other financial instruments. Kitco Metals Inc. and the author of this podcast do not accept culpability for losses and/ or damages arising from the use of this publication.

Can the U.S. mining sector survive without China’s rare earth processing power? In the latest episode of Digging Deep, Nicole Adshead-Bell, Director at Cupel Advisory, joins Kitco’s Senior Mining Editor and Anchor Paul Harris to break down the latest developments in the mining sector amid rising geopolitical tensions and trade wars. From Trump’s sweeping tariffs and China’s dominance in mineral processing to Barrick’s high-risk Reko Diq project and growing M&A activity, Adshead-Bell offers sharp insights on global supply chains, resource nationalism, and the bull case for gold equities. Plus, she discusses the strategic importance of rare earth elements and the critical need for smelting and refining capacity in North America.

Key points:
- Trump’s tariffs risk escalating trade wars and disrupting global supply chains.
- China’s dominance in mineral processing is a major vulnerability for the West.
- Gold equities still undervalued despite strong gold prices; M&A is heating up.
- Barrick’s Reko Diq project carries major security risks despite huge upside.
- Revival Gold, Hot Chili, and others show strategic moves amid shifting investor focus.

Disclaimer: The views expressed in this podcast are those of the author and may not reflect those of Kitco Metals Inc. The author has made every effort to ensure accuracy of information provided; however, neither Kitco Metals Inc. nor the author can guarantee such accuracy. This article is strictly for informational purposes only. It is not a solicitation to make any exchange in commodities, securities or other financial instruments. Kitco Metals Inc. and the author of this podcast do not accept culpability for losses and/ or damages arising from the use of this publication.