The two storylines for gold: how it can head higher or drop lower

The competing theories for gold heading higher or trending lower were explored on Kitco Roundtable on Friday.  

Andrew Cheatle, recently-appointed director of Tanzanian Gold (TSE:TNX), joined correspondent Paul Harris, editor Neils Christensen and Mining Audiences Manager Michael McCrae to record Kitco Roundtable podcast.

Christensen said there are many reasons that gold will head higher.  

"Pretty much everybody's saying the same thing, which is unprecedented central bank and government stimulus policies across the globe," said Christensen. "Central banks and governments are pumping trillions and trillions of dollars into financial markets, and this is going to create inflation.  

"On the downside is obviously equity markets, and we're hitting record valuations. It just feels like this is the bubble that can go on forever, especially as we get a vaccine roll out."

The panel also discussed a series of social license stumbles in the mining industry: the troubles Vale is facing in New Caledonia due to the sale of the company's nickel complex and Rio Tinto's new CEO appointment, Jakob Stausholm, who is replacing outgoing Jean-Sébastien Jacques after the miner blew up sacred Aboriginal rock shelters in the spring.  

"I think we've got a lot of work to do in terms of overturning public perceptions, which often to me seem to be stuck in the 1970s," said Cheatle. "It's our job to, to build the trust, uh, with society at large and with the governments that we work with."