The magnetic north pole is on the move and becoming more unpredictable, not unlike the global markets driving investors to lift gold-backed ETFs to their highest level since 2013. We discuss whether the plethora of junior mining companies can continue to survive a capital market with declining resources. We also review news from a couple of drill programs on copper-gold projects in Peru and Serbia, an agreement update on a copper project in Brazil, an Australian gold development project on the brink of its first gold pour, and the U.S.-electric battery market relationship and its effect on a local lithium play.

Central banks continue to add to their gold reserves at a higher pace than in 2018 while the gold price hits US$1,330 as the U.S. Fed chooses not to raise rates. In Stock Talk, we review updates from a pair of lithium projects in Argentina and the U.S., a royalty generator in Sweden, a gold explorer in Canada, and two gold producers in North America. We also make room in the Portfolio for a copper-gold explorer in Peru by divesting ourselves of a silver-gold explorer in Mexico.

Up and down: on Friday, gold price broke through the critical barrier of US$1,300 while Brazil faced another major mining-related environmental disaster. We are attending and presenting at the AME Roundup. Lots of news as companies hit the conference circuit in Vancouver: one prospect generator dealing with delayed payments on a copper project in Brazil and another two consolidating precious metal prospects in Argentina and Mexico, and three precious metal producers updating the 2018 production and guidance, tapping the debt and equity markets, and purchasing a royalty on a near term production.