This blog post is disseminated on behalf of NevGold Corp. (TSXV: NAU | OTCQX: NAUFF | Frankfurt: 5E50), BRS Resources Ltd. (CSE: BRS | FRA: B4G.F), Precore Gold Corp. (CSE: PRCG), Paramount Gold Nevada Corp. (NYSE American: PZG), Amex Gold Mining Inc. (TSXV: AMX | FSE: MX00 | OTCQX: AMXEF), and Silver Stock Investor.
At A Glance
- The panel examined how monetary conditions, industrial demand, and supply dynamics influence precious metals markets.
- Financial strength, management capabilities, and development plans are important considerations for mining companies.
- Industrial applications in solar energy, EVs, and AI infrastructure are shaping demand, while byproduct production influences supply.
- Changing commodity prices may prompt companies to reevaluate historical deposits, but grade, mining methods, and operating costs remain critical.
- Drilling programs, financing, permitting, and community engagement play important roles in advancing mining projects.
Gold and silver have seen significant price swings in 2026 amid geopolitical uncertainty and shifting monetary expectations. Despite recent corrections, strong precious metals fundamentals continue to support interest in mining projects, with higher commodity prices potentially improving project economics and bringing previously overlooked deposits back into focus.
These themes were explored during an October 8, 2026, investorTV panel titled “Gold, Silver, and the Structural Case for Precious Metals,” moderated by exploration geologist Jon Franklin.
The discussion featured Brandon Bonifacio, President, CEO, and Director of NevGold; Byron Coulthard, President and CEO of BRS Resources; Paul A. Dumas, Executive Chairman of Precore Gold; Rachel Goldman, CEO of Paramount Gold Nevada; Victor Cantore, President, CEO, and Director of Amex Gold Mining; and Peter Krauth, Editor of Silver Stock Investor.
Why Project Fundamentals Matter
Following a strong rally in gold earlier in 2026, subsequent price corrections have brought renewed attention to the precious metals sector’s investment outlook. Reuters reported on October 21 that gold prices had declined for a fourth consecutive session amid inflation concerns and shifting Federal Reserve expectations.
For mining companies, however, short-term commodity price fluctuations do not necessarily alter their longer-term development plans.
Brandon emphasized the importance of evaluating companies based on their financial position, management teams, and ability to execute.
“Pick your quality names and pick the ones that have cash in the bank that don’t need to finance and the ones that have a real plan in place.”
NevGold reported more than $45 million in its treasury in September 2026, supporting its ongoing exploration and development activities at the Limousine Butte Gold-Antimony Project in Nevada.
That emphasis on execution was echoed by Rachel, whose company, Paramount Gold, is advancing the Grassy Mountain Gold Project in Oregon and evaluating development opportunities at its Sleeper Gold Project in Nevada.
Goldman explained that Paramount remains focused on securing the remaining state permits for Grassy Mountain and reducing development risk at Sleeper. Last month, the company received federal approval of its Plan of Operations, marking another step toward a potential construction decision.
For projects evaluated using metal prices below prevailing market levels, stronger commodity prices may provide additional economic upside. However, successful development still depends on permitting, capital requirements, operating costs, and technical execution.
This distinction is particularly important across the mining development cycle. While explorers and advanced developers may both benefit from higher gold prices, the milestones that create value can differ significantly.
Silver’s Structural Outlook
While gold continues to attract attention as a monetary asset, silver’s investment case is increasingly influenced by its industrial applications, according to Peter Krauth.
Silver is used in solar energy, electric vehicles, AI-related infrastructure, and electrical systems, alongside its traditional investment applications.
While the panel discussed expectations of reduced silver use in solar manufacturing, Krauth argued that growing adoption of solar energy, electric vehicles, and AI infrastructure could drive stronger silver demand than current forecasts suggest.
He also highlighted the potential impact of expanding AI data centers on silver demand, noting that their growing energy requirements could encourage greater reliance on solar power and battery storage.
The supply side adds another dimension. According to Krauth, approximately 75% of global silver mine production in 2025 came as a byproduct of mining other metals, including gold, copper, lead, and zinc.
This means silver supply does not necessarily respond directly to higher silver prices, as production decisions are often driven by the economics of other commodities.
For investors, the interaction between industrial demand, monetary demand, and supply constraints creates a more complex picture than silver’s price movements alone.
Reevaluating Historical Deposits Under Changing Market Conditions
One of the most important themes emerging from the discussion was how higher commodity prices can change the economic potential of mineral deposits.
Projects that were previously considered marginal may warrant renewed evaluation when the value of their underlying metals increases.
This is particularly relevant for historical deposits that were explored under significantly different market conditions.
At Precore Gold, Paul discussed plans to advance the Arikepay Gold-Copper Project in southern Peru. The project has a history of exploration, with 13,738 meters drilled across 32 holes, including previously reported mineralized intercepts that the company plans to follow up on through its upcoming drilling program.
Dumas explained that historical drilling results considered potentially uneconomic under previous commodity prices may warrant renewed evaluation in today’s market environment.
The Importance of Project Economics
Higher metal prices could improve project economics, but the panel emphasized that grade and resource size alone do not determine a project’s viability.
Victor Cantore highlighted the importance of evaluating overall project economics, particularly as development and operating costs continue to influence potential profitability.
Infrastructure access, metallurgy, mining methods, capital requirements, and community support can also determine whether a deposit can be developed economically.
As Cantore explained:
“You really have to look at the economics in the end.”
Amex Gold Mining is advancing its Perron Gold Project in Quebec through a phased development approach, beginning with the Champagne Zone.
Brandon added that grade must be evaluated alongside the mining method, as high-grade underground deposits and lower-grade open-pit oxide deposits suitable for heap leaching can have significantly different cost structures.
At NevGold, the company is advancing its Limousine Butte Project in Nevada, where its maiden mineral resource estimate outlined 181,400 ounces of oxide gold in Measured and Indicated resources and approximately 1.2 million ounces in Inferred resources, alongside 31,800 tonnes of antimony in Measured and Indicated resources and 75,700 tonnes in Inferred resources.
These examples highlight why investors need to look beyond headline resource figures and consider the practical requirements of bringing a deposit into production.
The Role of Exploration and Permitting in Mining Development
For earlier-stage companies, exploration remains one of the most important potential drivers of valuation.
At BRS Resources, Byron discussed plans to conduct shallow drilling at the SilverGold Mountain Project in Sonora, Mexico.
The company has deployed a portable diamond drill capable of testing targets to depths of approximately 20 meters. The program aims to investigate mineralization beneath previously identified surface targets, with drill locations informed by surface sampling and UAV LiDAR surveys.
During the discussion, Coulthard reported that BRS had more than $10 million in cash, providing financial resources for its planned exploration activities.
Similarly, Precore Gold completed a C$6 million financing to support mineral exploration at Arikepay.
For these companies, successful drilling could build confidence in the geological potential of their assets.
The panel also emphasized that permitting and community relationships cannot be assessed solely based on the state or country in which a project is located.
Local conditions, stakeholder engagement, regulatory requirements, and management’s approach to community relations can all influence the development timeline.
Looking Ahead
The panel examined several factors influencing the precious metals sector beyond short-term fluctuations in gold and silver prices.
Discussions covered gold’s role as a monetary asset, silver’s industrial applications, and how changing commodity prices can influence mining project economics and the evaluation of historical mineral deposits.
At the company level, panelists highlighted the importance of exploration results, metallurgy, permitting, financing, infrastructure, and community engagement in advancing mining projects. They also discussed how development priorities and potential risks differ depending on a project’s stage.
Overall, the discussion underscored the importance of evaluating both broader precious metals market conditions and company-specific fundamentals when assessing mining investment opportunities.
Check out the full investorTV panel for further insights into precious metals markets, mining economics, project development, and upcoming company milestones.