It wasn't supposed to be this way. Precious metals are supposed to increase in value when global financial paradigms careen into turmoil and collapse. Gold and silver prices are supposed to balloon with the U.S. national debt.
Of course, nothing today is behaving as it's supposed to, and silver has tested the will of safe-haven seekers everywhere by daring to dip back into single digits. Although major silver miner Pan American Silver
Until prices rebound into the profitability zone, Pan American will implement the following defensive measures:
- Total workforce reduction of 500 employees.
- 10% wage reduction for all senior executives. (BRAVO!)
- Suspension or substantial curtailing of all exploration activity.
- Cancellation of all discretionary capital spending.
- Reworking of mine plans to pursue higher-grade ores in the near term.
If these metal prices persist, I believe announcements like these will become the status quo … eventually bolstering prices by virtue of worldwide project delays and cancellations. In the meantime, Agnico-Eagle Mines
Pan American, however, carries zero debt, enjoys $167 million in working capital, and has already funded near-term growth projects. Two new mines will ramp up in 2009, including the low-cost Manantial Espejo mine in Argentina, which is slated to produce 4.1 million ounces of silver and 60,000 ounces of gold annually. For these reasons, I consider Pan American among the best-positioned silver miners to withstand these challenges, and I expect silver prices to rebound with a vengeance before long.
Further Foolishness:
- Major gold miners are also considering deferring projects.
- Pan American had a sleepy second quarter.
- Coeur d'Alene broke my Foolish heart.
