In your local supermarket, organic growth comes at an extra price. In the gold market, however, the organic aisle offers the same compelling discounts to reserve valuations found throughout this precious sector.
Organic methods for nourishing production pipelines command no special premium in the market for precious metal miners. Since I consider organic growth a healthier alternative in this era of constrained credit and forced consolidation, let's peer into earnings results for some standout miners that are busy growing into their own enormous shoes.
My top stock pick for 2009, Agnico-Eagle Mines
Executing a steady production-growth spurt that I have long considered unrivaled in the industry, Agnico-Eagle commenced commercial production at two new mines in May. It acheived a first pour at Pinos Altos, and it remains on track for a start-up at the final mine in the growth spurt (Meadowbank) in early 2010. Fools with their eye on the organic growth prize will recall that Agnico expects to double gold production from 2009 levels in 2010.
As I scan the industrial world through my Foolish lens, I don't see any growth stories that even come close. The runner-ups all seem to come from within the same sector, including fellow organically focused miners such as Yamana Gold
Goldcorp
Goldcorp and Agnico will necessarily revert to a more acquisitive focus as their pipelines mature, rejoining the likes of Newmont Mining
Further Foolishness:
- How Rich Is Goldcorp?
- The juiciest potential acquisitions.
- Newmont reopened consolidation season.
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