Stockminder
7 years ago
Canadian Government Issues Key Authorization for KSM’s Tailings Management Facility
TORONTO, June 27, 2017 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Seabridge Gold Inc. (TSX:SEA) (NYSE:SA) announced today that the Government of Canada has issued a regulatory amendment to Schedule 2 of the Metal Mining Effluent Regulations (MMER) under the Fisheries Act for Seabridge’s KSM Project located in northwestern British Columbia. The amendment authorizes certain natural water bodies frequented by fish for use in a Tailings Management Facility (TMF).
The regulatory amendment, which required a change in Canadian law, approves the construction of KSM’s TMF subject to strict bonding and fishery habit compensation requirements which were identified during the three year amendment review process. In the KSM Project design, the TMF is located in the upper tributaries of Teigen and Treaty Creeks which form part of the Nass River drainage. The TMF will store the Project’s ore-processing by-products in order to minimize environmental impacts downstream.
Seabridge Gold Chairman and CEO Rudi Fronk commented: “Receipt of this amendment represents a significant permitting milestone for KSM, equivalent in many ways to our receipt of environmental assessment approvals from the Provincial and Federal Governments in 2014. This approval further validates that KSM’s TMF is well-designed and environmentally responsible,” Fronk said.
“I am grateful to the Government of Canada for its support and I would like to express our appreciation and thanks to the Minister of Environment and Climate Change Canada and her technical team for reviewing and approving our regulatory amendment application. I would also like to acknowledge the Nisga’a and the Tahltan Nations, the Gitanyow First Nation and other government regulators whose thoughtful input further strengthened our TMF design and ultimately contributed to the successful conclusion of this significant amendment review process.”
Seabridge Gold holds a 100% interest in several North American gold resource projects. The Company’s principal assets are the KSM and Iskut properties located near Stewart, British Columbia, Canada and the Courageous Lake gold project located in Canada’s Northwest Territories. For a breakdown of Seabridge’s mineral reserves and resources by project and category please visit the Company’s website at http://www.seabridgegold.net/resources.php.
Neither the Toronto Stock Exchange, New York Stock Exchange, nor their Regulation Services Providers accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.
All reserve and resource estimates reported by the Corporation were calculated in accordance with the Canadian National Instrument 43-101 and the Canadian Institute of Mining and Metallurgy Classification system. These standards differ significantly from the requirements of the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission. Mineral resources which are not mineral reserves do not have demonstrated economic viability.
This news release includes certain forward-looking statements or information. All statements other than statements of historical fact included in this release, including, without limitation, statements regarding mineral reserves and resources of the Company and the potential economic benefits of the Project are forward-looking statements that involve various risks and uncertainties. There can be no assurance that such statements will prove to be accurate and actual results and future events could differ materially from those anticipated in such statements. Important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from the Company's plans or expectations include regulatory issues, market prices, availability of capital and financing, general economic, market or business conditions, timeliness of government or regulatory approvals and other risks detailed herein and from time to time in the filings made by the Company with securities regulators. The Company disclaims any intention or obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise except as otherwise required by applicable securities legislation.
ON BEHALF OF THE BOARD
"Rudi Fronk"
Chairman & C.E.O.
For further information, please contact:
Rudi P. Fronk, Chairman and C.E.O.
Tel: (416) 367-9292 • Fax: (416) 367-2711
Email: info@seabridgegold.net
Source: Seabridge Gold Inc.
Stockminder
7 years ago
Seabridge Gold Completes Acquisition of Snowstorm Project
TORONTO, June 07, 2017 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Seabridge Gold Inc (TSX:SEA) (NYSE:SA) announced today that it has completed the acquisition of a 100% interest in the Snowstorm Project from PFR Gold Holdings, LP (“PFR”) (formerly known as Paulson Gold Holdings, LP). The Snowstorm Project consists of 31 square miles of land holdings strategically located at the projected intersection of three of the most important gold trends in Northern Nevada: the Carlin Trend, the Getchell Trend and the Northern Nevada Rift Zone (see attached map).
Seabridge completed the acquisition by purchasing all of the outstanding shares of the private company that owns a 100% interest in the Snowstorm Project in exchange for issuing PFR 700,000 Seabridge common shares plus 500,000 common share purchase warrants exercisable for four years at $15.65 per share. In addition, Seabridge has agreed to pay PFR (i) a conditional cash payment of US$2.5 million if exploration activities at Snowstorm result in defining a minimum of five million ounces of gold resources compliant with National Instrument 43-101; and (ii) a further cash payment of US$5.0 million on the delineation of an additional five million ounces of gold resources. Canaccord Genuity Corp. acted as financial advisor to PFR on this transaction.
The Snowstorm property consists of 700 mining claims and 5,800 acres of fee lands carefully assembled in a private company over a 15 year period and explored over the past 10 years. Seabridge has staked an additional 260 claims totaling 5,200 acres that are contiguous to the claims purchased from PFR. The Snowstorm acquisition also includes an extensive package of data generated by previous operators. Although potential targets are hidden under Tertiary cover, the existing data supports the project’s outstanding exploration potential. Geological and geochemical evaluations of Snowstorm have documented hydrothermal alteration zones consistent with large Northern Nevada deposit types. Geophysical surveys have confirmed the structural settings which host large Northern Nevada deposit types. Limited drilling has demonstrated that some of the target areas are at a depth amenable to surface exploration and resource delineation.
Snowstorm is contiguous and on strike with several large, successful gold producers including the Getchell/Turquoise Ridge Joint Venture operated by Barrick Gold, Newmont Mining’s Twin Creeks and Klondex Mines’ Midas operations.
Commenting on the deal, Paulson & Co.’s President John Paulson stated: “We chose Seabridge as the best home for the Snowstorm project because they share our vision of the project’s geologic potential and their exploration team has done an outstanding job of growing the resources and reserves on their existing projects. Moreover, Seabridge’s projects, particularly KSM, provide us with significant leverage to a higher gold price.”
Seabridge Chairman and CEO Rudi Fronk said: “We are very pleased to gain Paulson & Co. as a shareholder. The Paulson team has a deep understanding of our business and the opportunities that lie ahead. We look forward to their advice and assistance as we grow the value of our Company. Seabridge has been an industry leader in finding additional gold resources over the past decade. For some time now, we have been looking for a large-scale asset in Nevada which remains one of the world’s best environments for finding large gold deposits. The Snowstorm acquisition accomplishes this objective. This project has all the earmarks of an outstanding exploration play and we appreciate the opportunity to capitalize on its exceptional potential.”
A location map accompanying this announcement is available at: http://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/ebf99500-bb65-4d36-83aa-e4f4e2081353
The common shares and warrants issued to acquire the Snowstorm Project, and any shares issued upon exercise of the warrants, are subject to a hold period in Canada which expires on October 7, 2017.
Seabridge Gold holds a 100% interest in several North American gold resource projects. The Company’s principal assets are the KSM and Snip Gold properties located near Stewart, British Columbia, Canada and the Courageous Lake gold project located in Canada’s Northwest Territories. For a breakdown of Seabridge’s mineral reserves and resources by project and category please visit the Company’s website at http://www.seabridgegold.net/resources.php.
All reserve and resource estimates reported by the Corporation were calculated in accordance with the Canadian National Instrument 43-101 and the Canadian Institute of Mining and Metallurgy Classification system. These standards differ significantly from the requirements of the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission. Mineral resources which are not mineral reserves do not have demonstrated economic viability.
This news release includes certain forward-looking statements or information. All statements other than statements of historical fact included in this release, including, without limitation, statements regarding the location of the projected intersection of the Carlin Trend, the Getchell Trend and the Northern Nevada Rift Zone lying on the Snowstorm Project and the exploration potential of the Project, including the conclusions of the geological, geochemical and geophysical evaluations and past drilling, are forward-looking statements that involve various risks and uncertainties. There can be no assurance that such statements will prove to be accurate and actual results and future events could differ materially from those anticipated in such statements. Important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from the Company's plans or expectations include regulatory issues, market prices, availability of capital and financing, general economic, market or business conditions, timeliness of government or regulatory approvals and other risks detailed herein and from time to time in the filings made by the Company with securities regulators. The Company disclaims any intention or obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise except as otherwise required by applicable securities legislation.
ON BEHALF OF THE BOARD"Rudi Fronk"
Chairman and C.E.O.
For further information, please contact:
Rudi P. Fronk, Chairman and C.E.O.
Tel: (416) 367-9292 · Fax: (416) 367-2711
Email: info@seabridgegold.net
Source: Seabridge Gold Inc.
Stockminder
7 years ago
Seabridge Gold to Acquire Snowstorm Project
Tuesday, 14th February 2017
Seabridge Gold Inc. (TSX: SEA) (NYSE:SA) announced today that it has entered into a letter of intent setting forth the terms under which it has agreed to purchase a 100% interest in the Snowstorm Project from Paulson Gold Holdings, LP ("Paulson"). The Snowstorm Project consists of 31 square miles of land holdings strategically located at the projected intersection of three of the most important gold trends in Northern Nevada: the Carlin Trend, the Getchell Trend and the Northern Nevada Rift Zone (see map below).
The Letter of Intent contemplates that Seabridge will acquire all of the outstanding shares of the private company that owns a 100% interest in the Snowstorm Project. Consideration agreed to be paid to Paulson is: (i) 700,000 Seabridge common shares; (ii) 500,000 common share purchase warrants exercisable for four years at $15.65 per share; (iii) a conditional cash payment of US$2.5 million if exploration activities at Snowstorm result in defining a minimum of five million ounces of gold resources compliant with National Instrument 43-101; and (iv) a further cash payment of US$5.0 million on the delineation of an additional five million ounces of gold resources. The letter of intent is non-binding and closing of the transaction is subject to completion of further review of the private company's affairs and a definitive agreement and receipt of stock exchange approvals. Paulson has agreed to a 60-day exclusivity and non-solicitation period to allow the parties to complete further review and settle a definitive agreement. Canaccord Genuity Corp. acted as financial advisor to Paulson on this transaction.
The Snowstorm property consists of 700 mining claims and 5,800 acres of fee lands carefully assembled in a private company over a 15 year period and explored over the past 10 years. The Snowstorm acquisition also includes an extensive package of data generated by previous operators. Although potential targets are hidden under Tertiary cover, the existing data supports the project's outstanding exploration potential. Geological and geochemical evaluations of Snowstorm have documented hydrothermal alteration zones consistent with large Northern Nevada deposit types. Geophysical surveys have confirmed the structural settings which host large Northern Nevada deposit types. Limited drilling has demonstrated that some of the target areas are at a depth amenable to surface exploration and resource delineation.
Snowstorm is contiguous and on strike with several large, successful gold producers including the Getchell/Turquoise Ridge Joint Venture operated by Barrick Gold, Newmont Mining's Twin Creeks and Klondex Mines' Midas operations.
Commenting on the deal, Paulson & Co.'s President John Paulson stated: "We chose Seabridge as the best home for the Snowstorm project because they share our vision of the project's geologic potential and their exploration team has done an outstanding job of growing the resources and reserves on their existing projects. Moreover, Seabridge's projects, particularly KSM, will provide us with significant leverage to a higher gold price."
Seabridge Chairman and CEO Rudi Fronk said: "We are very pleased to gain Paulson & Co. as a shareholder. The Paulson team has a deep understanding of our business and the opportunities that lie ahead. We look forward to their advice and assistance as we grow the value of our Company. The Snowstorm Project has all the earmarks of an outstanding exploration play in one of the world's best environments for finding large gold deposits. We appreciate the opportunity to capitalize on its outstanding potential."
Seabridge Gold holds a 100% interest in several North American gold resource projects. The Company's principal assets are the KSM and Snip Gold properties located near Stewart, British Columbia, Canada and the Courageous Lake gold project located in Canada's Northwest Territories. For a breakdown of Seabridge's mineral reserves and resources by project and category please visit the Company's website at http://www.seabridgegold.net/resources.php.
All reserve and resource estimates reported by the Corporation were calculated in accordance with the Canadian National Instrument 43-101 and the Canadian Institute of Mining and Metallurgy Classification system. These standards differ significantly from the requirements of the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission. Mineral resources which are not mineral reserves do not have demonstrated economic viability.
This news release includes certain forward-looking statements or information. All statements other than statements of historical fact included in this release, including, without limitation, statements regarding the completion of the acquisition of the Snowstorm Project, the location of the projected intersection of the Carlin Trend, the Getchell Trend and the Northern Nevada Rift Zone lying on the Snowstorm Project and the exploration potential of the Projectare forward-looking statements that involve various risks and uncertainties. There can be no assurance that such statements will prove to be accurate and actual results and future events could differ materially from those anticipated in such statements. Important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from the Company's plans or expectations include regulatory issues, market prices, availability of capital and financing, general economic, market or business conditions, timeliness of government or regulatory approvals and other risks detailed herein and from time to time in the filings made by the Company with securities regulators. The Company disclaims any intention or obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise except as otherwise required by applicable securities legislation.
ON BEHALF OF THE BOARD
"Rudi Fronk"
Chairman and CEO
Rudi P. Fronk, Chairman and CEO
Tel: (416) 367-9292 · Fax: (416) 367-2711
Email: info@seabridgegold.net
tootalljones
8 years ago
TGR: Even though KSM is the world's largest undeveloped gold-copper project, Seabridge continues to explore aggressively. Why?
RF: Not because we are simply adding more of the same material we have already as reserves. Adding mine life at the same grade as our existing resource beyond our projected 55-year operating horizon would make no difference to our economic projections.
What our recent exploration has achieved is the addition of nearly 1 Bt at Deep Kerr and Lower Iron Cap containing over 11 Moz gold and 10 Blb copper at grades 50–100% higher than our existing reserves. This new material will allow us to modify the KSM mine plan by bringing forward higher-grade material, improving the economics and making KSM that much more attractive to a suitable partner.
TGR: How much working capital does Seabridge have and how much debt, if any?
RF: We have no debt. Seabridge is debt adverse. We recently announced a $14.6M non-brokered financing, which was taken up by two of our largest shareholders. That will increase our working capital to over $20M, enough to carry us well into 2017.
Many juniors worry about their ability to finance. Because we've stayed on message and on course with our shareholders over such a long period of time, we've always been able to raise money when needed to fund operations and exploration.
TGR: What are your plans for Courageous Lake? How far is that project from a feasibility study?
RF: We completed a prefeasibility on Courageous Lake in 2012 showing a robust project at higher gold prices. The gold price since then has fallen dramatically, so we recognized that KSM was the better project to advance first. That said, Courageous Lake holds 6.5 Moz P&P on only 2 kilometers within a 52-kilometer greenstone belt. There are known gold showings up and down its entirety, and there are two historic mines on the property that produced at better than one ounce per ton.
We will begin to advance Courageous Lake after it becomes clear that the gold market is again moving into a bull market.
TGR: You mentioned a potential joint venture (JV) partner to help with KSM's $5.3 billion capex. How is this search progressing?
RF: Slowly. We have been upfront about the fact that KSM is too large for Seabridge alone from both the technical and financial aspects, especially considering that since 2011, the market environment has not been kind to large projects, both on the precious metals and base metal sides.
KSM, however, has now received its environmental approvals and has added a significant higher-grade resource. These advances have strengthened our position considerably. About 10 of the world's largest gold and base metal miners are now conducting due diligence on KSM under confidentiality agreements. If we can achieve the objectives we seek in a JV, we'll do a deal. If that proves impossible in the current depressed environment, we will continue to derisk and await improved market conditions. We have no doubt, however, that KSM will be developed as the largest mining project ever built in Canada.
TGR: You already have an option agreement with Royal Gold Inc. (RGLD:NASDAQ; RGL:TSX).
RF: Yes. Royal Gold invested $48M in Seabridge with the purchase of 2M shares at an average price of about $24 per share, a 15% premium to the then market price. We then invested that cash to advance KSM. Royal now holds an option to buy a 2% royalty on KSM's gold and silver, not its copper or molybdenum. To exercise that option, Royal would have to pay Seabridge $160M in cash.
TGR: Are you considering any streaming arrangements?
RF: Not at this time. Should we sign a JV with a gold miner, we could use the copper under an offtake agreement or perhaps even a stream to help fund a good portion of the upfront capex to build the mine. Under such an arrangement, Seabridge and its JV partner would keep the entire gold exposure. Alternatively, should we sign a JV with a base metals miner, it might be realistic for Seabridge's retained interest in KSM to be in the form of a stream on the gold produced there. That would allow us to put up no capital going forward and buy physical gold from KSM at a meaningful discount to the prevailing spot gold price.
TGR: At a time when so many gold juniors are hitting 52-week lows, Seabridge hit a 52-week high Oct. 28. How much growth remains in Seabridge shares?
RF: As someone who has more than 90% of his net worth tied up in Seabridge shares, I believe a great upside still exists. I also believe we will continue to see insider purchases. During the last two upcycles in gold, Seabridge common shares reached nearly $40, significantly outperforming most other gold equities.
tootalljones
8 years ago
with Seabridge, a shareholder gets an ounce of gold, currently selling at 1220, for less than a dollar, albeit in the ground, but remember, the KSM property is fully permitted. IMHO, and more importantly the opinion of others, the value here dwarfs what you get with Novagold, as a for instance.
All it needs is feasible money to build it, calculated at around 5 billion dollars, to get who knows how much future production: far over 100 billion dollars for sure.
Some say just sell it to a major and take back a gold stream, which would push this stock up to the heavens, ....
and as the POG ascends, push the share price to the moon.
I would be very worried, if I were SA, about a takeover. A giant miner simply comes in, buys them out for 25 bucks, and keeps all production for themselves. 25 bucks is a lousy 1 billion dollars.
These considerations, in my view, will become increasingly critical over the course of this year, as...
1. the gold bull swings into gear in earnest.
2. the company releases its new assessment next month incorporating the 2015 drill results.
3. the company issues its revised new feasibility report due in September, which is not very far away.
right now insiders are buying a lot more shares.
tootalljones
8 years ago
In reviewing slide 8, where actually, at the height of the gold bull SA hit a share price of 43 bucks a share, the question is now whether SA is a better company than it was during the last (or first segment) of the Gull Bull market?
In a word, it is light years ahead of where it was back then. If this second half of the bull does what I think it will, and follows the path of prior gold bull markets, we are in for one helluva ride. We are looking at gold POG 3000, give or take.
As an option on gold, the price of SA will be well on its way to 3 figures, before it is definitely bought out.
In any case, it’s clear a light-year is a vast expanse. Over a year, light travels 5.87849981 x 1012 miles (roughly 9.4605284 x 1012 kilometers.) Written out, that’s 5,878,499,810,000 miles or 9,460,528,400,000 kilometers.
tootalljones
8 years ago
FCMI continues large insider buying
TORONTO , Feb. 25, 2016 /CNW/ - FCMI Parent Co. ("FCMI Parent") announced today that it has acquired an additional 89,300 common shares of Seabridge Gold Inc. ("Seabridge") representing 0.17% of the outstanding common shares. The common shares were acquired at an average price of US$8.96 per share through the facilities of the New York Stock Exchange. Since the date of its last filing, FCMI Parent together with its affiliates, have now acquired an aggregate of 1,052,035 common shares of Seabridge at an average price of US$7.70 per common share, representing 2.02% of the outstanding shares.
As a result of these acquisitions, FCMI Parent now beneficially owns 2,932,682 common shares representing 5.63% of the outstanding common shares. FCMI Financial Corporation and Pan Atlantic Bank and Trust Limited, affiliates of FCMI Parent, own 694,042 common shares and 6,254,432 common shares, respectively, representing 1.33% and 12.01% of the outstanding common shares. In addition, principals of the Friedberg Mercantile Group Ltd., including Albert D. Friedberg and Nancy Friedberg , and their foundations own in the aggregate 322,525 common shares representing 0.62% of the outstanding common shares. FCMI Parent is ultimately beneficially owned and controlled by Albert D. Friedberg and members of his immediate family. Together, FCMI Parent and its affiliates beneficially own 10,203,681 common shares of Seabridge representing 19.59% of the outstanding common shares.
SOURCE FCMI Parent Co.
Belek
9 years ago
here was one of his buy recommendations July 30, 2015
today its worth,$19,950.00, I'l try and post some more later.
========================================================================
Today we entered and executed an order to buy to open (50) call options
covering 5,000 shares of Seabridge Gold (SA) with a strike price
of $5.00, an expiration of January 20, 2017 and a limit price of
$0.90/share. We paid a total premium of $4,545.45 or
$0.90909/share. Buying these option contracts give us the right, but not the obligation, to purchase up to 5,000 shares of Seabridge Gold stock in 100 share lots for
$5.00/share at any time between now and January 20, 2017.
Including the premium paid for these options with the $5.00 strike price gives us a
break-even point of $5.91/share on the trade. Any amount Seabridge’s share price rises
above $5.91 will represent a profit on the trade of approximately 1.1% for every $0.01
above $5.91 the stock rises.
If Seabridge Gold simply returns to equal its previous 52-week high price of $11.64, our
options will be worth at least $6.64 and we will have a minimum profit of $5.73/share,
or 529% on our $0.91 purchase price. This outcome would turn our $4,545.45
investment into $28,650.00.
If by some chance, the stock were to reach the lower end of my current fair value
estimate of $45/share for the stock, our profit would be 39.09/share or 4,295% on our
$0.91/share investment used to purchase these options. This highly unlikely outcome
would turn our $4,545.45 investment into $195,450.00!
These kinds of numbers are the reason that so many people are willing to gamble buying
options. Our downside risk here is that SA stock will continue to languish over the next
18 months and we will lose our capital. However, I am willing to make this very
speculative investment because of the knowledge I have of Seabridge Gold and their
management and properties. Also, my firm belief that the price of gold is artificially low
at this time, reinforces my confidence in higher prices for shares of SA in the near,
intermediate and long-term.
This sort of position should only be opened with money you can easily afford to lose. It
is not the type of position I will take very often as I do not normally enter positions
where I know there is a real possibility of 100% loss. Having said that, I don’t often
come across opportunities where I believe I have a legitimate shot at a 1,000% return
either and a share price of $14.91 would produce that return in this case and deliver it in
18 months.
Best regards and better profits,
Ken
Stockminder
9 years ago
Seabridge Gold Expects This Year's Deep Kerr Drill Results to Add Resources
All five holes find excellent gold and copper grades over sizeablewidths
TORONTO, Nov. 3, 2015 /CNW/ - Seabridge Gold today announced that results from the final two core holes drilled into Deep Kerr at its 100% owned KSM Project in northwestern British Columbia continue to expand the size of a potential low cost, underground block cave mining operation at the Deep Kerr deposit. These holes generated in-fill intersections around holes K-15-49 and K-15-50 (previously reported) and down dip from the current resource limits.
The most recent holes reported here are daughter holes that re-entered K-15-49 and K-15-50 before being wedged into new intercepts of the target zone. These new holes are shallower intersections of the high-grade west limb of Deep Kerr and confirm the continuity of that zone between the existing resource and deeper intersections in holes drilled earlier this year. K-15-49B was designed to penetrate the zone about 200 meters north of K-15-49 and roughly 200 meters above that hole. K-15-50A was drilled on the same section as K-15-50 and encountered the target zone about 250 meters higher than the earlier hole. (See http://seabridgegold.net/pdf/NNov3-15-maps.pdf.)
The five drill holes completed into the west part of the Deep Kerr deposit this year were designed to establish dip continuity of the high-grade west limb of Deep Kerr. Results show that the mineralized envelope of the west limb extends more than 450 meters along strike. Down dip, the zone shows continuity of more than 400 meters with grades and widths improving at depth. The shape of this zone continues to be highly favorable to underground bulk mining as it grows in size. The zone remains open along strike and at depth and future drill tests are expected to extend it further. However, the current focus is to better understand the evident improvement of grade at depth so as to direct future drilling into the highest grade material.
In the past three years, Seabridge has successfully targeted higher grade zones beneath KSM's near-surface porphyry deposits, resulting in the discovery of Deep Kerr and the Iron Cap Lower Zone, two copper-rich deposits that to date have added nearly one billion tonnes of inferred resources to the project at a higher average grade. Furthermore, the expansion potential of the east limb of Deep Kerr has not been evaluated but remains a high value target. Exceptionally high grade intercepts found on the east limb have not been followed to depth.
Seabridge Chairman and CEO Rudi Fronk commented that "every time we drill Deep Kerr, we increase both the mineralized material in hand and the potential upside. This year, we achieved our aim of increasing the size and confirming the continuity of mineralization at our proposed block cave operation at Deep Kerr. We are confident that the results will substantially increase resources. At the same time, we also learned that grade increases at depth, especially for gold, and that we still have not found the limits of the deposit. We are also becoming more intrigued with the high grade potential of the less-explored east limb. Our focus at the moment is on enhancing the near-term value of KSM but the big picture continues to unfold in a most exciting way. The more we learn about KSM, the less we know about its limits."
3.1
Drill holes were designed to intercept the mineralized target at right angles to the strike of the zone and oriented using current and historical information. The true thickness of the mineralized zones may be refined with additional drilling but current information indicates that the intervals reported above approximate true thickness.
Exploration activities by Seabridge at the KSM Project are conducted under the supervision of William E. Threlkeld, Registered Professional Geologist, Senior Vice President of the Company and a Qualified Person as defined by National Instrument 43-101. Mr. Threlkeld has reviewed and approved this news release. An ongoing and rigorous quality control/quality assurance protocol is employed in all Seabridge drilling campaigns. This program includes blank and reference standards, and in addition all copper assays that exceed 0.25% Cu are re-analyzed using ore grade analytical techniques. Cross-check analyses are conducted at a second external laboratory on at least 10% of the drill samples. Samples are assayed at ALS Chemex Laboratory, Vancouver, B.C., using fire assay atomic adsorption methods for gold and ICP methods for other elements.
Seabridge holds a 100% interest in several North American gold projects. The Company's principal assets are the KSM Project located near Stewart, British Columbia, Canada and the Courageous Lake gold project located in Canada's Northwest Territories. For a full breakdown of Seabridge's mineral reserves and mineral resources by category please visit the Company's website at http://www.seabridgegold.net/resources.php.
All reserve and resource estimates reported by the Corporation were calculated in accordance with the Canadian National Instrument 43-101 and the Canadian Institute of Mining and Metallurgy Classification system. These standards differ significantly from the requirements of the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission. Mineral resources which are not mineral reserves do not have demonstrated economic viability.
This document contains "forward-looking information" within the meaning of Canadian securities legislation and "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of the United States Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. This information and these statements, referred to herein as "forward-looking statements" are made as of the date of this document. Forward-looking statements relate to future events or future performance and reflect current estimates, predictions, expectations or beliefs regarding future events and include, but are not limited to, statements with respect to: (i) the results at Deep Kerr being expected to add resources; (ii) the shape of Deep Kerr continuing to be highly favorable to underground bulk mining as it grows in size; (iii) future drill tests at the west limb of Deep Kerr being expected to extend it further; (iv) the east limb of the Deep Kerr deposit being a high grade potential target; (v) current information indicating that the intervals reported approximate true thickness; (iv) the estimated amount and grade of mineral reserves at a deposit; (v) the estimated amount and grade of mineral resources at the core zone deposits. Any statements that express or involve discussions with respect to predictions, expectations, beliefs, plans, projections, objectives or future events or performance (often, but not always, using words or phrases such as "expects", "anticipates", "plans", "projects", "estimates", "envisages", "assumes", "intends", "strategy", "potential", "appears", "goals", "objectives" or variations thereof or stating that certain actions, events or results "may", "could", "would", "might" or "will" be taken, occur or be achieved, or the negative of any of these terms and similar expressions) are not statements of historical fact and may be forward-looking statements.
All forward-looking statements are based on Seabridge's or its consultants' current beliefs as well as various assumptions made by them and information currently available to them. The principle assumptions are listed above, but others include: (i) the presence of and continuity of metals at the Project at modeled grades; (ii) the capacities of various machinery and equipment and the geotechnical characteristics of the resource material and its continuity; (iii) the availability of personnel, machinery and equipment at estimated prices; (iv) exchange rates; (v) metals sales prices; (vi) appropriate discount rates; (vii) tax rates and royalty rates applicable to the proposed mining operation; (viii) financing structure and costs; (ix) anticipated mining losses and dilution; * metallurgical performance; (xi) reasonable contingency requirements; (xii) success in realizing proposed operations; (xiii) receipt of regulatory approvals on acceptable terms; and (xiv) the negotiation of satisfactory terms with impacted First Nations groups. Although management considers these assumptions to be reasonable based on information currently available to it, they may prove to be incorrect. Many forward-looking statements are made assuming the correctness of other forward looking statements, such as statements of net present value and internal rates of return, which are based on most of the other forward-looking statements and assumptions herein. The cost information is also prepared using current values, but the time for incurring the costs will be in the future and it is assumed costs will remain stable over the relevant period.
By their very nature, forward-looking statements involve inherent risks and uncertainties, both general and specific, and risks exist that estimates, forecasts, projections and other forward-looking statements will not be achieved or that assumptions do not reflect future experience. We caution readers not to place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements as a number of important factors could cause the actual outcomes to differ materially from the beliefs, plans, objectives, expectations, anticipations, estimates assumptions and intentions expressed in such forward-looking statements. These risk factors may be generally stated as the risk that the assumptions and estimates expressed above do not occur, but specifically include, without limitation: risks relating to variations in the mineral content or geotechnical characteristics within the material identified as mineral reserves or mineral resources from that predicted; variations in rates of recovery and extraction; developments in world metals markets; risks relating to fluctuations in the Canadian dollar relative to the US dollar; increases in the estimated capital and operating costs or unanticipated costs; difficulties attracting the necessary work force; increases in financing costs or adverse changes to the terms of available financing, if any; tax rates or royalties being greater than assumed; changes in development or mining plans due to changes in logistical, technical or other factors; changes in project parameters as plans continue to be refined; risks relating to receipt of regulatory approvals or settlement of an agreement with impacted First Nations groups; the effects of competition in the markets in which Seabridge operates; operational and infrastructure risks and the additional risks described in Seabridge's Annual Information Form filed with SEDAR in Canada (available at www.sedar.com) for the year ended December 31, 2014 and in the Corporation's Annual Report Form 40-F filed with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission on EDGAR (available at www.sec.gov/edgar.shtml). Seabridge cautions that the foregoing list of factors that may affect future results is not exhaustive.
When relying on our forward-looking statements to make decisions with respect to Seabridge, investors and others should carefully consider the foregoing factors and other uncertainties and potential events. Seabridge does not undertake to update any forward-looking statement, whether written or oral, that may be made from time to time by Seabridge or on our behalf, except as required by law.
ON BEHALF OF THE BOARD
"Rudi Fronk"
Chairman & C.E.O.
SOURCE Seabridge Gold Inc.
Stockminder
9 years ago
Seabridge Gold Closes $14.6 Million Non-Brokered Private Placement
Seabridge Gold Inc. (the "Company") announced today that it has closed its previously announced non-brokered private placement with two of its largest shareholders who have purchased 1.8 million common shares of the Company at a price of $8.10 per share for gross proceeds of $14,580,000. Funds from the private placement will be used for general working capital requirements. FCMI Parent Co. (“FCMI”), an entity controlled by Albert D. Friedberg and members of his immediate family, purchased 1.5 million shares of the private placement.
Seabridge Chairman and CEO Rudi Fronk noted that “FCMI has been a shareholder of Seabridge since 2001 and we are grateful for their ongoing support. The proceeds from this financing are sufficient to cover Seabridge’s ongoing property holding costs and corporate G&A into 2017. Our plan is to fund exploration separately through flow-through offerings at a premium to market, if and when our board determines that further programs are warranted.”
“The 2015 exploration program at our 100%-owned KSM project successfully expanded higher grade core zones that have the potential to enhance projected economics. As in previous years, we expect this year’s program to generate additional gold resources which more than offset the share dilution required to finance the Company’s operations. Growing gold ownership per share remains a key objective for Seabridge," Mr. Fronk said.
The shares issued under this private placement are subject to a four-month hold period expiring on March 1, 2016.
Seabridge holds a 100% interest in several North American gold projects. The Company's principal assets are the KSM Project located near Stewart, British Columbia, Canada and the Courageous Lake gold project located in Canada's Northwest Territories. For a full breakdown of Seabridge's mineral reserves and mineral resources by category please visit the Company's website at http://www.seabridgegold.net/resources.php
This news release does not constitute an offer to sell or a solicitation of an offer to buy any of the securities in the United States. The securities have not been and will not be registered under the United States Securities Act of 1933, as amended, or any state securities laws and may not be offered or sold within the United States absent registration or unless an exemption from such registration is available.
Neither the Toronto Stock Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.
Statements relating to the estimated or expected future production and operating results and costs and financial condition of Seabridge, planned exploration work at the Company's projects and the expected results of such work, including that the expansion of higher grade core zones have the potential to enhance projected economics and that exploration is expected to generate additional gold resources which more than offset the share dilution, are forward-looking statements within the meaning of the United States Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Forward-looking statements are statements that are not historical facts and are generally, but not always, identified by words such as the following: expects, plans, anticipates, believes, intends, estimates, projects, assumes, potential and similar expressions. Forward-looking statements also include reference to events or conditions that will, would, may, could or should occur, including in relation to the timing of closing and use of proceeds from the Offering. These forward-looking statements are necessarily based upon a number of estimates and assumptions that, while considered reasonable at the time they are made, are inherently subject to a variety of risks and uncertainties which could cause actual events or results to differ materially from those reflected in the forward-looking statements, including, without limitation: the need to satisfy regulatory and legal requirements with respect to the Offering, uncertainties related to raising sufficient financing to fund the planned work in a timely manner and on acceptable terms; changes in planned work resulting from logistical, technical or other factors; the possibility that results of work will not fulfill projections/expectations and realize the perceived potential of the Company's projects; uncertainties involved in the interpretation of drilling results and other tests and the estimation of gold reserves and resources; risk of accidents, equipment breakdowns and labour disputes or other unanticipated difficulties or interruptions; the possibility of environmental issues at the Company's projects; the possibility of cost overruns or unanticipated expenses in work programs; the need to obtain permits and comply with environmental laws and regulations and other government requirements; fluctuations in the price of gold and other risks and uncertainties, including those described in the Company's December 31, 2014 Annual Information Form filed with SEDAR in Canada (available at www.sedar.com) and the Company's Annual Report Form 40-F filed with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission on EDGAR (available at www.sec.gov/edgar.shtml).
ON BEHALF OF THE BOARD
“Rudi Fronk”
Chairman & C.E.O.
For further information please contact:
Rudi P. Fronk, Chairman and C.E.O.
Tel: (416) 367-9292 · Fax: (416) 367-2711
Email: info@seabridgegold.net
Stockminder
9 years ago
Seabridge Gold Arranges a $14.6 Million Non-Brokered Private Placement
TORONTO, Oct. 8, 2015 /CNW/ - Seabridge Gold Inc. (the "Company") announced today that it has arranged a non-brokered private placement with two of its largest shareholders who have collectively agreed to purchase 1.8 million common shares of the Company at a price of $8.10 per share for gross proceeds of $14,580,000. Funds from the private placement will be used for general working capital requirements. FCMI Parent Co. ("FCMI"), an entity controlled by Albert D. Friedberg and members of his immediate family, will purchase 1.5 million shares of the private placement.
Seabridge Chairman and CEO Rudi Fronk noted that "FCMI has been a shareholder of Seabridge since 2001 and we are grateful for their ongoing support. The proceeds from this financing are sufficient to cover Seabridge's ongoing property holding costs and corporate G&A into 2017. Our plan is to fund exploration separately through flow-through offerings at a premium to market, if and when our board determines that further programs are warranted."
"Our fully-funded 2015 exploration program continues to deliver on expanding higher grade core zones that have the potential to enhance projected economics at our 100% owned KSM project in northwestern British Columbia. As in previous years, we expect this year's exploration to generate additional gold resources which more than offset the share dilution required to finance the Company's operations. Growing gold ownership per share remains a key objective for Seabridge," Mr. Fronk said.
The private placement is expected to close on or about October 30, and is subject to customary closing conditions including, but not limited to, the listing of the Common Shares on the Toronto Stock Exchange (the "TSX") and New York Stock Exchange ("NYSE") and the receipt of all necessary approvals, including the approval of the TSX and the NYSE. The shares issued under this private placement will be subject to a four-month hold period.
This news release does not constitute an offer to sell or a solicitation of an offer to buy any of the securities in the United States. The securities have not been and will not be registered under the United States Securities Act of 1933, as amended, or any state securities laws and may not be offered or sold within the United States absent registration or unless an exemption from such registration is available.
Neither the Toronto Stock Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.
Statements relating to the estimated or expected future production and operating results and costs and financial condition of Seabridge, planned exploration work at the Company's projects and the expected results of such work, including that the expansion of higher grade core zones have the potential to enhance projected economics and that exploration is expected to generate additional gold resources which more than offset the share dilution, are forward-looking statements within the meaning of the United States Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Forward-looking statements are statements that are not historical facts and are generally, but not always, identified by words such as the following: expects, plans, anticipates, believes, intends, estimates, projects, assumes, potential and similar expressions. Forward-looking statements also include reference to events or conditions that will, would, may, could or should occur, including in relation to the timing of closing and use of proceeds from the Offering. These forward-looking statements are necessarily based upon a number of estimates and assumptions that, while considered reasonable at the time they are made, are inherently subject to a variety of risks and uncertainties which could cause actual events or results to differ materially from those reflected in the forward-looking statements, including, without limitation: the need to satisfy regulatory and legal requirements with respect to the Offering, uncertainties related to raising sufficient financing to fund the planned work in a timely manner and on acceptable terms; changes in planned work resulting from logistical, technical or other factors; the possibility that results of work will not fulfill projections/expectations and realize the perceived potential of the Company's projects; uncertainties involved in the interpretation of drilling results and other tests and the estimation of gold reserves and resources; risk of accidents, equipment breakdowns and labour disputes or other unanticipated difficulties or interruptions; the possibility of environmental issues at the Company's projects; the possibility of cost overruns or unanticipated expenses in work programs; the need to obtain permits and comply with environmental laws and regulations and other government requirements; fluctuations in the price of gold and other risks and uncertainties, including those described in the Company's December 31, 2014 Annual Information Form filed with SEDAR in Canada (available at www.sedar.com) and the Company's Annual Report Form 40-F filed with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission on EDGAR (available at www.sec.gov/edgar.shtml).
ON BEHALF OF THE BOARD
"Rudi Fronk"
Chairman and CEO
SOURCE Seabridge Gold Inc.
Stockminder
9 years ago
The 'Big Long' Gets Bigger As Goldman And HSBC Gobble Up Tons More Gold
Avery Goodman
Aug. 14, 2015 10:07 AM ET
Disclosure: I/we have no positions in any stocks mentioned, and no plans to initiate any positions within the next 72 hours.
Summary
Goldman Sachs and HSBC buy up a couple more metric tons of gold - now 9.23 tons and counting.
The Volcker rule does not, and never will, prohibit banks from engaging in proprietary trading in physical gold, silver, or platinum bullion.
The Volcker rule won't go into effect against big-bank-owned hedge funds until June 2017.
When bank-funded and -controlled hedge and private equity funds are finally subject to Volcker's rule, it should result in significant upward pressure on the price of bank metals.
What happens next is that the price of bank metals will rise considerably, even in the absence of a collapse of the worldwide bond bubble.
The Big Long was big already. It just got bigger. In the previous article, I noted that Goldman Sachs (NYSE:GS) and HSBC (NYSE:HSBC), had taken delivery of a staggering 7.1 metric tons of physical gold in August, 2015. Since then, they've gobbled up tons more.
As of Wednesday, Goldman Sachs bought 142,100 troy ounces (4t 419.8040 kg.) worth of physical gold bars into its proprietary trading account at CME, Inc. HSBC bought a total of 154,800 troy ounces (4t 814.8181 kg.). The two banks have now scooped up approximately 9.23 tons worth of hard metal.
These physical gold bars are headed into the banks' own vault. That's what the banks say. They are being purchased as a proprietary trade. That's what the COMEX exchange says. We know this because commodities regulations require that clearing firms declare the intended ownership of such deliveries.
To better understand what I am talking about, let me explain a few things about how clearing houses work. All clearing brokers who are active at any CME, Inc. exchange, including COMEX, have both a house and a customer account registered with the exchange. The "house account" is the "clearing firm's proprietary, non segregated trading account."
You read that correctly. The words are "PROPRIETARY TRADING"! No, they are not my words, but the words of CME, Inc. At this point, I can be relatively certain that the naysayers will be climbing, one on top of the other, to participate in the "comments" section. Some will state that banks can no longer do that, because of the Volcker rule. As usual, they will be wrong.
I may as well head the nonsense off at the pass, so that serious readers will not become confused. First, Goldman Sachs, alone, has some $14 billion invested in a series of private equity and hedge funds. That is a huge amount of money, but it is made even larger by the fact that it is typically deployed with very high leverage. Goldman executives are in complete control of these funds. All big banks have such funds under their control.
The Dodd-Frank, for better or worse, has put the Federal Reserve Board in charge of enforcing the Volcker Rule. In December, 2014, the Fed granted banks a one year extension during which their funds can continue speculative proprietary trading. The reason it was only one year is because Dodd-Frank authorizes year by year extensions. So, the Board also announced that it intends to extend the time for compliance to July 21, 2017.
In short, the big banks can and are continuing to do as much proprietary trading as they wish using their hedge funds as their proxies. But, proprietary trading by the bank, itself, doesn't even need such an extension so long as it is restricted to physical bullion. The Volcker Rule prohibits proprietary trading of financial instruments. When it is in bar form, gold is not considered a financial instrument. This was explained fairly well at a recent IMF seminar.
Allocated gold bars are financial assets. Their value is deemed inherent, not dependent upon creditworthiness of a counter-party. That's why they are not financial instruments. Non-allocated (a/k/a unallocated) precious metals schemes are treated differently. They are financial instruments. The promoter "owes" you a gold bar, but you have no title to any. If the promoter goes belly-up, you end up as an unsecured creditor who ran out of luck.
A lawyer's opinion, however, isn't needed. The Volcker rule contains a very specific list of the financial instruments it covers, and gold bullion bars and coins are not on it. A bank can trade in bullion as much as it wants, so long as we are talking physical bullion, and not paper-gold. The bureaucrats wanted this to be so crystal clear that they even added a specific administrative exception for spot trading.
What, then, will be the effect of the eventual expiration of the exemption of bank controlled hedge funds on June 21, 2017? I would suggest that short side futures trading, including periodic so-called "bear raids", will be much diminished. That is not to say that they won't happen. But, they will be diminished in size, scope and frequency. We may still see it when the US Treasury or ECB decides that gold prices are trending too high. But, we are unlikely to see it on every single options maturity date, for example.
In order for readers to understand the Volcker rule, here is how it defines financial instruments:
(1) Financial instrument means:
(NYSE:I) A security, including an option on a security;
(ii) A derivative, including an option on a derivative; or
(NASDAQ:III) A contract of sale of a commodity for future delivery, or option on a contract of a commodity for future delivery.
(2) A financial instrument does not include:
A loan;
(ii) A commodity that is not:
(NYSE:A) An excluded commodity (other than foreign exchange or currency);
(NYSE:B) A derivative;
(NYSE:C) A contract of sale of a commodity for future delivery; or
(NYSE:D) An option on a contract of sale of a commodity for future delivery; or Foreign exchange or currency.
Note that section 1-iii omits "contracts of purchase" (A/K/A "long" futures positions) from Volcker-regulated activities. That means a bank can buy as many speculative long futures positions as it wants. The problem will be in closing those positions, because a bank cannot engage in the proprietary trading of naked short positions. Any bank that buys long futures, therefore, must be ready to take physical delivery of the actual commodity.
The net effect will be to stabilize commodity prices. Up till now, primary dealers could borrow at near-zero interest rates at the Federal Reserve so-called "loan windows". Window loans, technically are supposed to be "overnight" or, at most, a few days in duration. In practice, however, they are renewed a seemingly infinite number of times. This gambit, wherein primary dealers capitalize on ultra-short term Fed loans as long term loans, has been active for years.
The importance of Fed loan windows was illustrated best in the period prior to the first QE in 2009. Since year 2001, after the tech bubble's crash, the Fed balance sheet shows a continuous and growing "overnight" component of "repo" loans. By March 2009, hundreds of billions of dollars were continuously on loan from the Fed. The balance sheets show that these remained outstanding and growing, for most of the first decade of the 21st century. With the advent of QE, these ultra-low interest rate "overnight" loans (each "night" apparently lasts a decade or so at the Fed) appear to have been paid off with newly printed cash.
At any rate, this process freed up cash for the bank-owned hedge & private equity funds to use. Then, adding high leverage by purchasing futures, it was possible to bully smaller institutional and individual traders. Commodities futures markets could be moved up and down like a yo-yo, in the short to medium term, without regard to real-world supply and demand.
After June 21, 2017, this should change. Any fund that uses more than 3% of bank-derived capital will be prohibited from speculative futures trading. Banks will forced to trade physical metal for their own accounts, just as Goldman Sachs and HSBC are now doing. The paper-gold market will essentially be castrated, and prices set in the physical market are likely to dominate. Since physical gold cannot be printed the way paper-gold can, there should be strong upward pressure on prices.
Gold trusts are not physical gold bullion. Schemes like (NYSEARCA:GLD) & (NYSEARCA:IAU) are irredeemable unless you are an "authorized participant" who can cash in more than 100,000 shares. Even then, there is no claim to any particular bar. Therefore, such trust amount to paper-gold, and will not qualify, under the Volcker rule, as a financial asset. They are financial instruments. This may partially explain the sell-off of GLD in 2013/14.
Non-allocated gold schemes, such as those promoted by LBMA banks and the Bank of England, are also financial instruments, not pure assets, and therefore subject to the Volcker rule. Your best bet is to buy physical gold, though in the case of small investors, a few gold coins are obviously more appropriate than a set of bankers' bars.
I explained the options in taking a long position in gold in a prior article that can be found here. Much of the same concepts apply to other bank metals, like silver and platinum. Don't expect banks to tell you that. As other banks catch on, and try to build up their own Big Longs, they won't want competition from you. The type of hypocrisy, described here, is likely to spread.
seekingalpha.com/article/3440296-the-big-long-gets-bigger-as-goldman-and-hsbc-gobble-up-tons-more-gold
Stockminder
9 years ago
The 'Big Long' - Goldman Sachs And HSBC Buy 7.1 Tons Of Physical Gold
Aug. 10, 2015 3:40 AM ET
Disclosure: I/we have no positions in any stocks mentioned, and no plans to initiate any positions within the next 72 hours.
Summary
On August 6, 2015, Goldman Sachs, which has issued very bearish forecasts on long-term gold prices, took delivery of a 3.2-ton purchase of physical gold.
On August 6, 2015, HSBC which also claims to be bearish, took delivery of a 3.9-ton purchase of physical gold.
In both cases, the purchases are registered as being for the benefit of the bank's own house account, rather than the accounts of customers.
Investors should do as the banks do, not as they say.
On August 6, 2015, Goldman Sachs (NYSE:GS) and HSBC (NYSE:HSBC) took delivery of a sum total of 7.1 tons of physical gold. No, I have not made any typographical errors. And no, I am not talking about electronic paper claims. I am talking about shiny yellow metal stuff that you can touch and feel.
The gold bars were not purchased for bank clients. They were purchased for the banks themselves. How do I know this? They are designated by the exchange as being for delivery to the bank's "house" accounts at COMEX, not to client accounts.
Goldman Sachs, alone, took 3.2 tons worth of physical gold bars. Yet, even as the firm builds its stockpile, Goldman tells clients not to do it. According to Goldman's Jeffrey Currie, the long-term outlook for gold is bleak.
"In longer term, we definitely like playing this market on the short side. We think we are in a structural bear market, not only in gold, but across the commodity complex, as the individual commodity stories are reinforcing to one another, creating a negative feedback loop."
In spite of the antics in the paper-gold market, we know the physical market is on fire. Demand will exceed known supplies by at least 1,350 tons in 2015. More in 2016. But, that won't stop someone from setting up the paper market in order to buy from the physical market very cheaply. This is because the mysterious gold "supplier of last resort" will fill COMEX physical delivery demand, for the moment at least, no matter how high it rises, and no matter how low other supplies may be.
According to HSBC strategists, there has been a:
"drift towards Fed tightening and the associated USD strength, low global inflationary pressure, weak gold demand from India and China and market positioning and momentum."
This statement was made a few days before we all learned about the 61% increase in gold imports to India in the period, April to May. As one of the biggest players in the import market in India, how could have HSBC strategists not known about that? HSBC executives were certainly savvy enough to authorize this huge purchase of physical gold for the bank.
They bought 3.9 metric tons at COMEX, no doubt at rock bottom prices, and it was just delivered into the bank's house account. Note that we are NOT talking about paper-gold. Both bought physical gold bars! Apparently, top Goldman and HSBC executives are "gold bugs." They do not, apparently, believe in the promises made by the gold trust (NYSEARCA:GLD), or at least they are not willing to use the trust's shares as a substitute for hard metal bars.
Like Indian newlyweds, the banks buy gold trinkets hand over fist even as their "strategists" tell everyone it is a bad investment. Reports do indicate that the London market is caught in a historic backwardation, the likes of which have never been seen before in history. Arbitragers won't sell gold now, in exchange for a forward or futures promise of delivery. That illustrates an extreme level of market tightness.
My previous articles covered the situation in London. The use of logic, reason, common sense, and newly released transcripts, previously classified, caused me to conclude that the US government is currently the gold "supplier of last resort." You can find those articles here and here.
To summarize, COMEX is designated by the US Financial Stability Council as a "Financial Market Utility" (FMU). The Council was set up by the Dodd-Frank Act, and views any failure of this "too-big-to-fail" entity as likely to lead to widespread contagion in multiple markets. Thus, logically, the US Treasury is willing to, and is draining physical gold from the US gold reserve to bail it out.
Still, regardless of what the US government is doing, why would these two banks make such a huge long-term investment in physical gold bullion bars? Perhaps, we are seeing a "Big Long," similar to the "Big Short" Goldman Sachs is known to have taken in 2006/07. There are many who believe that we are soon going to see the collapse of a worldwide bond bubble, just as we saw a worldwide collapse of real estate values back then.
Maybe, these banks know something. Top bank executives don't appear to trust counter-party promises. For example, why not buy an equivalent amount of gold in the form of shares in a highly liquid, easily traded gold trust? HSBC is actually the custodian of the alleged gold bars inside GLD, so you would think they would view it just as good as gold? Apparently not...
Perhaps, then, the banks are filled with tinfoil-hat-wearing goldbugs? You have to wonder what they're worried about, because they're not buying paper-gold shares of (NYSEARCA:IAU) either. They are buying hard metal bars that they can fondle. Whatever is going on, it is a big deal because absolutely no one who really believes long-term gold prices will stagnant or decline would buy 7.1 tons of physical metal.
Physical gold is a long-term investment, everywhere and always. They are not particularly hard to sell, especially now, but short-term trading would be much easier with paper-gold products like GLD or gold futures. Remember, vaults cost money, as do big men with big guns and the knowledge of how to use them. The banks are choosing to accumulate and hoard physical gold bars for a reason.
Senator Carl Levin, writing in a Congressional Report, used Goldman Sachs as an example of everything that went wrong in the banking system. According to him, before the subprime crisis, Goldman Sachs secretly built up a massive short position in credit default swaps, convincing customers to take the other side of the trade. The bank ended up paying a record fine of $500 million for one instance of the trade. However, overall, they profited to the tune of tens of billions of dollars.
Are Goldman and HSBC now creating a "Big Long" in gold. If not, what are they doing? But, if so, why are they taking delivery on a regulated exchange? By using a public exchange, the banks opened their activities to advance scrutiny. Why not buy physical gold the way they bought credit default swaps? Why not use secretive two-party transactions?
The answer is simple. It is impossible. Backwardation in London shows that arbitragers are ignoring potential profits. They don't believe that a forward contract is reliable enough to return their metal. In contrast, COMEX now has an appearance of being backstopped by the US gold reserve, the "supplier of last resort" in the gold market. COMEX is designated as an FMU whose failure would lead to intermarket contagion.
The last place you want to be, when things "hit the fan," is on the opposite side of a "Big Long" trade. That's why, if you are now holding short positions, take your profits before it is too late. I discussed the details and various methods by which you can take a long-term position in gold here. To confirm the timing and size of Goldman Sachs' and HSBC's recent gold purchases, download this COMEX delivery report.
http://seekingalpha.com/article/3421396-the-big-long-goldman-sachs-and-hsbc-buy-7_1-tons-of-physical-gold