Martlet

Possibly, its a big "if" at the start there. Many businesses from many countries already bought mineral rights over the past decades, US had the country relatively stable (though maybe a facade, only in the cities). From what i understand they didn't even do much in the way of prospecting on the ground. The estimates of minerals are based on aerial surveys. Once you identified a resource and put in some infrastructure to get to it, get materials out, they'll have to deal with the warlords natural corruption highlighted by @HerefordBullyun . Seems all very tenuous and not something you'd base a strategic plan around, commercial or military. If they (Chinese-Afghan collaboration) do manage it, then the rest of the world benefits from the extracted minerals and maybe that enhances security to the nation, win all round.

Maybe you could constructed a consistent argument rather than go direct to insults?

I'm certain the West, or China, or anyone would love to get into some mineral exploitation in Afghanistan. The fact is the country hasn't been stable enough to make that a serious investment proposition, and recent events have make that situation worse. Unless maybe the Taliban are going make a stable government, provide the legal, infrastructure and security to make prospecting, exploration and mining viable? The main point is the claims about resources are wildly exaggerated, there might be vast mineral wealth, but its not anywhere near commercial viability. On lithium in particular, largest currently known reserves are in Chile and Australia, we'll be exploring and digging around there a long time before venturing into the Afgan mountains.

(double post)

So the claims go, but these are estimated resources, not known economically viable reserves. Dont believe the hype, lithium is abundant across the world with large reserves in Chile and Australia. Where are you going to extract your lithium, established mines in stable countries or go prospecting with tribal warlords to deal with. Near 20 years with no mineral exploitation, why buy into the notion these events are to allow mineral exploitation, when it just got a lot harder not easier?

If weight and dimensions are OK i'd trust those over the sound it supposed to make. Does gold even have a clear ring, that's a silver thing isn't it?

No, that chart shows it at the open because its only presenting UK market. Hence a flat line overnight, despite the round the clock nature of gold market. Look for other, better charts, there's many. For example, Tradingview will give you to the minute detail, albeit on CFD exchanges. Edit: Looking at BPP directly it normally shows overnight changes, expect their source lost a feed from Asia.

Their data feed must be based on UK price, drop was overnight, over about 15mins at 01:30.

Who are the mortals that can afford a 10oz gold proof in one hit?

Indeed it is not easy. The east is a mix of authoritarian and socialist states, with less than robust rule of law or recognition of property rights. The nations may be trying to be financially independent, but at a whiff of failure they'll be seizing your property. The individual is not so independent as in the west.

The claims were pitched some time ago (10+ yrs), I reckon to boost the argument to stay in Afghanistan. I recall looking into it and many companies from many countries were involved in bidding for licences. If there were exploitable reserves, mining would have started by now. Seems there is not the legal or security frameworks there to make even exploration viable, so the claims remain as resources on a high level report, rather than as reserves and revenue in company reports.

Interesting review, skip past objections and straight to the conclusion. Would you rather be in the East or the West?

Do you have a insurance claim for that? When you sell on, who does the buyer put on the declaration form? If the authorities went ahead with this, they are not going to leave large loopholes.

Once they have the means and will to track assets, they'll make sure they track it accurately including private transactions. No good claiming you have no gold if dont have whats expected from the record, they'll tax you on assumption you disposed of it. On the other hand naff all chance they'll get something this complex to implementation.

Probably, gold reacts to events, so expect a short spike.

Not really, he makes some exaggerated interpretation, then wanders off into batland theories.

Worth noting the narrative around Basel III is invalidated as its been delayed a year.

I dont think so, there's no market open that early to take advantage of the lower price, not in that sort of quantity. By the time the Asia markets open properly, half the fall has recovered. Either way risky strategy for a 4-5% drop. Meanwhile there was bad data out of China over the weekend and the large US Infrastructure Bill going through, oil also dropped (only 2% mind). Maybe someone just wanted to exit gold.

Not likely to get lost and look like some papers or other non-descript package. Re-use the unmarked jiffy.

US CPI number was up, but lower increase than June, so mix bag there and not a lot of action for gold. UK CPI number next week might have more effect, if it affects £:$.

Tea leafs show a descending channel, the wick last night went to about the middle of that, also coinciding with the low of March and a fib level from 2020 low. All told a lower price is far more likely than an ATH. Channel could go as low as $1450 this year, though that seems too low, probably find its way down $1675, nice wedge for the end of year and make a decision for 2022.

Right, just like 2009. Then from 2010 on... growth. Yes, its supported by QE (my point), as yet without huge inflation and negative fallout we'd have expected. When expectations are not met with evidence, change expectations. Overall point is, there are many analysts that are not alarmed by the current policy, some might even say its not enough. The silver and gold prices are responding to the mixed messages with sideways/weakening as the economic outlook is relatively positive.

I'm simply observing that the expected negative effects of looser monetary policy have not occurred yet, despite being in place for over a decade. 2008 was managed with bailouts and QE with little economic fall out, instead we've had steady growth and low inflation. With a decade of evidence, longer with Japan, we need to adjust our understanding of how QE and bailouts act upon the economy.

Must be a select range of analyst. Its not as reckless as you think, propping up markets so the economies dont go in to full recession and collapse. Its been over 12 years since we embarked on QE in the west and Japan has been doing the same policy for decades without the "inevitable" fallout. Global markets and massive cross boarder flows of capital have made the old models redundant.

Brexit had an affect on £:gold price as the pound fell dramatically, dont see it would have much direct effect on gold prices. Trump was risky, gold is hedge against risk, but that came after the rise of gold in early 2016. Thought might be something middle east, nothing stands out. Just market cycle.