$3,300 Gold Sparks Major Shifts in Global Mining Industry | Christopher Ecclestone

As gold tops $3,300 and geopolitical risks escalate, the global resource landscape is undergoing a seismic shift. In this powerful episode of Digging Deep, Christopher Ecclestone, Principal and Mining Strategist at Hallgarten & Company, joins Kitco’s Senior Mining Editor Paul Harris to expose the real battle brewing behind the headlines: the critical minerals war with China.

Ecclestone breaks down Barrick’s controversial copper strategy, Ghana’s crackdown on illegal Chinese mining operations, and Fortuna’s costly retreat from Burkina Faso. He also weighs in on Argentina’s bold economic reforms, Ecuador’s mining prospects, and why U.S. policy missteps could cost America dearly in the race for mineral dominance. If you care about the future of gold, copper, and the global economy, this is essential viewing.

Key points:
- Barrick’s rebrand away from gold criticized as premature and superficial
- Ghana clamps down on artisanal gold mining – targets illegal Chinese operations
- Fortuna exits Burkina Faso after major financial loss; warned against straying from Latin America
- Argentina liberalizes FX controls under Milei, opening doors for miners
- Ecclestone warns U.S. critical minerals tariffs may hurt domestic industry more than China

00:00 Introduction and Market Overview
00:25 Gold Market Dynamics and Barrick's Strategy
02:54 Ghana's Gold Sector and Chinese Influence
06:51 Fortuna Mining's Challenges in Africa
09:21 Argentina's Economic Changes and Mining Impact
13:53 Ecuador's Mining Prospects and Political Landscape
20:32 US-China Trade Tensions and Critical Minerals
26:03 US Mining Industry and Government Support
29:24 Conclusion and Closing Remarks

Follow Paul Harris on X: @PaulHarrisGold (https://x.com/paulharrisgold)
Follow Kitco Mining on X: @KitcoMining (https://x.com/kitcomining)

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