By - Team Kalkine Media
Source:iQoncept, Shutterstock
Summary
- The US mining industry is a significant job creator accounting for the livelihood of ~1.2 million people last year.
- The industry plays a substantial role in the economy, contributing significantly to the GDP.
- The unprecedented price rise of gold contributed to the 3% increase in the value of metal production to US$27.7 billion.
- The recent price-rise of silver by “Reddit traders” have brought the metal stocks into the limelight.
The mining industry in the US is a major livelihood provider, employing nearly 1.2 million people in 2020. Besides, the industry is a vital contributor to the overall growth in the economy.
In 2020, the production of metals in the US was estimated at ~US$27.7 billion, according to a USGS report dated 29 January 2021. The value added to the GDP by key industries consuming processed mineral materials stood at US$3.03 trillion, approximately 14.5% of the US GDP.
Source: © Tomas1111 | Megapixl.com
Most prominent mining companies have an international presence with their assets and operations spread across the globe. Let us flick through three mid-cap mining companies listed on the US stock exchange.
Albermarle is a chemical manufacturing and processing company engaged in lithium, bromine, catalysts, and fine chemistry services. Lithium business contributes the maximum to the revenue of the Company.
Albemarle sources lithium from several locations around the world. The Company produces lithium hydroxide, lithium carbonate, lithium chloride and lithium specialties compounds. Nearly 60% of the lithium segment’s revenue comes from the lithium used in energy storage systems.
The Company is also involved in recycling the lithium-containing by-products.
The bromine segment of the Company contributes the second-highest share in the revenue (nearly 31%). Most bromine is used in manufacturing fire safety solutions. It is also used for enhancing the flame and heat resistance of materials.
The Company sources bromine from Arkansas and the Dead Sea. The supply from the Dead Sea is ensured through a JV with Jordan Bromine Company Limited. It has a vast resource base that can continue supplying over a considerable period.
The catalyst segment has broadly three product lines- Clean Fuel Technologies (CFT), Fluidized Catalytic Cracking (FCC) and Performance Catalyst Solutions (PCS). These products are used by refineries and other specialty chemical producers.
The net sales for FY20 are estimated to be US$3.1 billion. The EBIDTA is forecasted in a range of US$780-810 million. The guidance for FY21 will be announced along with Q4 2020 results.
Stock Information: On 12 February, ALB shares closed the day’s trade at US$164.64, up 3%. The Company had a market cap of US$19.202 billion.
Royal Gold is engaged in the mining of precious metals and has assets all around the world. The Company has interests in more than 41 producing assets in different countries; most of them are gold. During the December quarter, the Company generated record revenue of US$158.4 million, and profit stood at US$59.9 million.
The Company paid US$18.4 million as dividends or US1.2 per share.
Royal Gold has finished funding the Khoemacau Silver Project in Botswana. The construction of the project is nearly 85% complete. The Company has made a total contribution of US$212 million till now to earn the full base silver stream.
Royal Gold has a business model in which it owns Royalty Interests and Stream Interests. Royalty interest allows the Company to have a right to a certain percentage in revenue or metal production on a mining project.
Stream interests is a kind of an agreement or a contract in which the Company buys metal production from a mining project at a predetermined price. Royal Gold provides funds to finance the project in lieu of the agreement.
Both the investment methods provide a hedge over risks associated with mining exploration activities and many capital costs related to the mining activities.
Stock Information: The shares of RGLD closed at US$111.03 on 12 February with a minor gain of 0.49%. The Company had a market cap of US$7.284 billion.
Hecla is the largest silver producer in the US, producing nearly one-third of all the silver in the country. The Company operates two of the top five largest silver mines globally - Greens Creek and Lucky Friday.
Hecla’s major contribution in revenue comes from gold. Gold sales contributed nearly 45% in total revenue, while silver’s contribution was 37%. The rest was contributed by lead and zinc.
The Company produced 3.5 Moz of silver with an All-in Sustaining Cost (AISC) of US$11.53/oz during the September quarter. Hecla realized a price of US$25.32/oz for silver.
Gold production for the reporting quarter stood at 41.2 Koz with an AISC of 1,855 per ounces. The average price realized by the Company was US$1,929 per ounces.
Stock Information: On 12 February, The HL shares closed the day trade at US$6.17, up 1.82%. The Company’s market cap stood at US$3.276 billion.