Whilst a number of Australian gold miners such as Newcrest Mining Limited (ASX: NCM) and Northern Star Resources Ltd (ASX: NST) have climbed higher in the last few days on the back of a small bounce in the gold price, one leading gold miner has rocketed higher for a very different reason.
The gold miner in question is OceanaGold Corporation (ASX: OGC). Its shares are up over 11% in the last five trading sessions as a result of positive news regarding its Didipio mine in The Philippines.
This mine was one of a number in the country that the Duterte government had threatened with closure in the last month for alleged social issues.
Its closure would be an utter disaster for OceanaGold. Year to date the Didipio operation has accounted for 40% of the OceanaGold's total gold production and 35% of its total copper production. But thankfully for shareholders management appears confident that the Didipio crisis will be averted.
Yesterday the mining company advised that it had received a letter from the Philippine Department of Environment and Natural Resources outlining the findings and recommendations from the audit of its Didipio operations.
The company has been invited to address the findings and recommendations contained in the report within seven days of receipt.
President and CEO Mick Wilkes had this to say on the matter:
"The Didipio Mine is a world class operation that operates in accordance with the highest industry standards for health, safety, environment, community and sustainability. The results of the Audit Report and discussions we've had with the audit team and with government officials including those within the DENR clearly demonstrates this. In our discussions with the DENR and government officials, we have good alignment and we look forward to our collective efforts to advance a responsible mining sector."
Because of this Mr Wilkes is very confident that the company's response will satisfy all of the findings and recommendations that have been brought up.
If and when the mine is given the all clear to continue operations I expect the share price could rally. But I wouldn't suggest making an investment purely for that reason.
Whilst its shares may have been knocked for six since the mine was threatened with closure, the volatility of the gold price is something investors need to consider as well. Personally at this point I'm bearish on gold and expect rising interest rates in the United States to put pressure on prices.
For this reason I'd stay clear of the gold miners for the time being and focus elsewhere on the market.
