Geomechanics.io

  • Free Tools
Sign UpLog In

Geomechanics.io

Geomechanics, Streamlined.

© 2026 Geomechanics.io. All rights reserved.

Geomechanics.io

CMRR-ioGEODB-ioHYDROGEO-ioQCDB-ioFree Tools & CalculatorsBlogLatest Industry News

Industries

MiningConstructionTunnelling

Company

Terms of UsePrivacy PolicyLinkedIn
    Projects

    Gold and silver price weakness: planning implications for mine project teams

    March 14, 2026|

    Reviewed by Joe Ashwell

    Gold and silver price weakness: planning implications for mine project teams

    First reported on MINING.com

    30 Second Briefing

    Gold slipped below $5,100/oz on Friday, touching about $5,020 and heading for a second straight weekly loss as the Middle East war drives up oil and gas prices and keeps interest rate cut expectations low. The metal has traded in a tight $5,000–$5,200/oz range since an early-month spike after the US-Israeli strike on Iran, and is now almost 9% off its late-January record near $5,600/oz, though still 17% higher year-to-date. Silver fell almost 5% to just above $80/oz, with only a 10% gain so far in 2026.

    Technical Brief

    • Spot gold’s intraday move was about 1%, dropping to roughly $5,020/oz before partial recovery.
    • Trading has been largely range-bound, oscillating between $5,000/oz and $5,200/oz in recent sessions.
    • Late-January peak was “close to” $5,600/oz, setting the reference high for current downside.
    • Commerzbank Research’s Barbara Lambrecht links renewed oil and gas price rises directly to higher inflation risk.
    • Latest US data show consumer spending in January “barely rose”, suggesting inflation pressures pre-dated the Iran strike.
    • US consumer sentiment has fallen to a three‑month low two weeks into the Middle East war.
    • For mine planning and hedging, the key macro takeaway is bullion’s failure to rally despite escalating geopolitical risk.

    Our Take

    With gold still showing a double‑digit year‑to‑date gain alongside a 10% move in silver, margin pressure for higher‑cost gold and silver projects in our Mining database is likely to remain manageable, but developers will be stress‑testing economics against further downside from the recent 9% pullback.

    The note that Iranian and Russian mines supply 15% of China’s feedstock needs underlines a concentration risk for Chinese gold, silver and zinc smelters; in our coverage, similar supply‑chain exposures have already prompted some Chinese operators to accelerate diversification into alternative sources in the USA and other regions.

    US consumer sentiment at a three‑month low, combined with volatile oil and gas pricing tied to Middle East tensions, suggests that gold and silver producers in our database with strong balance sheets are better positioned to ride out potential demand softness while still advancing capital‑intensive projects tagged under ‘Projects’.

    Geotechnical Software for Modern Teams

    Centralise site data, logs, and lab results with GEODB-io, CMRR-io, and HYDROGEO-io.

    No credit card required.

    • Save and export unlimited calculations
    • Advanced data visualisation
    • Generate professional PDF reports
    • Cloud storage for all your projects

    Prepared by collating external sources, AI-assisted tools, and Geomechanics.io’s proprietary mining database, then reviewed for technical accuracy & edited by our geotechnical team.

    Related Articles

    From reactive to predictive mining safety: data and sensing priorities for engineers
    Mining
    5 minutes ago

    From reactive to predictive mining safety: data and sensing priorities for engineers

    Mining safety specialist David Coghlan, head of technology and product at TURCK, argues that connected sensing and control must shift mines from reactive alarms to predictive intervention as fleets, conveyors and fixed plant become more automated. He points to integrated proximity detection, real-time location and condition monitoring on mobile equipment, tied into site-wide networks, as the basis for predicting collision and entrapment risks rather than just logging incidents. For geotechnical and operations teams, this means designing safety systems around data quality, latency and interoperability, not just compliance with existing guarding and lock-out procedures.

    Evolution becomes Carnaby’s largest shareholder: M&A and project signals for mine planners
    Mining
    5 minutes ago

    Evolution becomes Carnaby’s largest shareholder: M&A and project signals for mine planners

    Evolution Mining has become Carnaby Resources’ largest shareholder with a 13.7 per cent stake after acquiring the QIC Queensland Critical Minerals Fund’s ~37.9 million Carnaby shares as part of its proposed $213 million takeover. Evolution also issued about 2.6 million new shares to QIC, signalling continued use of scrip-based structures in Australian mid-tier M&A. For copper–gold project developers, the move points to stronger strategic interest from established producers in advanced exploration portfolios rather than greenfield assets.

    Develop’s Woodlawn drilling: 15-year mine life implications for planners and geotechs
    Mining
    5 minutes ago

    Develop’s Woodlawn drilling: 15-year mine life implications for planners and geotechs

    Develop Global’s latest underground drilling at the Woodlawn copper–zinc mine in New South Wales has returned intercepts grading up to 15.7 per cent copper equivalent (CuEq), supporting its Project DM15 plan to extend mine life from 10 to 15 years. The high-grade results, from step-out holes targeting depth extensions of existing lenses, suggest additional sulphide resources beyond the current reserve envelope. For mine planners and geotechs, this points to a longer stoping schedule, potential redesign of sequencing and backfill, and extended use of existing underground infrastructure.

    Related Industries & Products

    Mining

    Geotechnical software solutions for mining operations including CMRR analysis, hydrogeological testing, and data management.

    CMRR-io

    Streamline coal mine roof stability assessments with our cloud-based CMRR software featuring automated calculations, multi-scenario analysis, and collaborative workflows.

    HYDROGEO-io

    Comprehensive hydrogeological testing platform for managing, analysing, and reporting on packer tests, lugeon values, and hydraulic conductivity assessments.

    GEODB-io

    Centralised geotechnical data management solution for storing, accessing, and analysing all your site investigation and material testing data.

    AllGeotechnicalInfrastructureHazardsEnvironmental