Future Global Commodity Trends in the Mining and Energy Sectors – Varied Predictions, Multiple Influences

The Changing Global Supply and Demand Influences for Gold and Oil; China, India, Middle East

POINT ROBERTS, WA, Delta B.C. – December 8th, 2006 – www.Gold-MiningStocks.com and www.OilandGasStockNews.com, industry portals for the mining and energy sectors, provide research tools, news and industry perspective to investors and industry following global developments that impact these areas. Demand from China and India in both oil and gold, combined with tensions in the Middle East have some analysts predicting higher price trends for both commodities, but as always, there are others in the market with conflicting views and forecasts. Analyst Jon Nadler from Kitco provides insights to the ever-changing volatile gold commodity markets. Eden Energy Corporation (OTCBB: EDNE), a company developing large scale oil and gas projects gives comments on how a small company can evaluate the oil markets.

Recent developments including Saudi princes shifting from the stock market to purchasing Gold since early October, and China Vision Resources purchasing 17 million shares of mining company Anglo American from Oppenheimer & Sons, have put some interesting new faces on gold. Driving factors already in force include demand from China, India and Brazil, have most analysts forecasting higher prices. According to World Gold Council (http://www.gold.org ), ”The last few weeks of September saw vibrant demand for jewellery and retail investment, particularly in Asia and the Middle East, with Indian imports in September at the second highest monthly level ever.” To read the Gold supply and demand report for Q3 2006: http://www.gold.org/value/stats/statistics/gold_demand/index.html.

Jon Nadler, investment products analyst from Kitco Bullion Dealers, noted, “We are indeed pleased to see that after an almost year-long hiatus, the Asian (India in particular) gold jewelry demand has once again become robust. Evidently, buyers are becoming accustomed to an incrementally higher bullion price level and may also have come to believe that gold near $600 is sustainable - thus no further reason to postpone seasonal buying of important traditional items. India is the world's largest gold consumer - naturally it is vital that observers keep a keen eye on its buying patterns and perceptions regarding gold's values.”

As oil bounced off its seventeen month low and oil prices have stabilized and moved higher since the October announcement issued by OPEC (http://www.opec.org ), “the Conference decided to reduce production by an amount of 1.2 mb/d, from current production of about 27.5 mb/d, to 26.3 mb/d, effective 1st November 2006. This interim arrangement will be reviewed at the Extraordinary Meeting of the Conference scheduled to convene in Abuja, Federal Republic of Nigeria, on 14th December 2006.” OPEC just updated forecasts on world crude oil demand, projected to rise by 1.6 percent, or 1.3 million barrels per day (bpd) in 2007. Tension in the Middle East, potential risk to production, weather conditions and increasing world demand, set the stage for oil prices potentially rising from current levels.

When evaluating oil prices in relation to the Company’s current drilling and production plans, Eden Energy Corporation (OTCBB: EDNE) President and CEO Don Sharpe relayed, “We use the Nymex forward strip prices when evaluating the economics of a potential project. We like the strip since it’s the market's independent estimate of prices going forward, and perhaps more importantly it represents a price deck that we could lock into should the project proceed. This takes one more unknown out of the equation and lessens our risk.”
Featured Gold and Mining Portal Sponsor: (MSS, GMS are compensated by Golden Peaks as disclosed in disclaimer.)
Golden Peaks Resources Ltd. (TSX: GL) is a progressive international exploration and resource development firm that holds over 385,000 acres of prospective land holdings in four of Argentina's most established mining districts. At present, the Company is advancing five high priority gold projects (100%-owned or with the right to acquire 100%). For More Info: http://www.gold-miningstocks.com/CO/GL/Default.asp or http://www.goldenpeaks.com/
About our Mining Portals:

www.Gold-MiningStocks.com (GMS) and www.MiningSectorStocks.com (MSS) are investor and industry news portals for the gold and mining sector within the InvestorIdeas.com content umbrella. The GMS and MSS Websites do not make recommendations, but offer unique free information portals to research news, exclusive articles, interviews, investor conferences and a growing list of participating public companies in the sector.

Gold-MiningStocks.com and MiningSectorStocks.com include a comprehensive and growing list of Mining Stocks: http://www.Gold-MiningStocks.com/Gold_Stocks/Stocks_List.asp

Featured Oil and Gas Portal Sponsor: (OGSN is compensated by Eden Energy as disclosed in disclaimer.)

Eden Energy Corporation (OTCBB: EDNE) has acquired 261,000 acres in Eastern Nevada. This acreage in part encompasses the Noah Oil Prospect, a giant 53 mile long, 7 mile wide linear anticline. For More Info: http://www.oilandgasstocknews.com/CO/EDNE/Default.asp

About our Energy Portals

www.OilandGasStockNews.com (OGSN), and www.NaturalGasStocks.com (NGS) are portals within the InvestorIdeas.com™ content umbrella. Our sites do not make recommendations, but offer investors research, news and links to public companies within the oil and gas sector.

For our current list of companies participating in the oil and gas industry click here: http://www.oilandgasstocknews.com/OGSN/Stock_List.asp
InvestorIdeas.com Disclaimer: www.InvestorIdeas.com/About/Disclaimer.asp

uranium stocks directory updated

on our miningsectorstocks.com portal we have broken down mining stocks into each area- Leading Gold and Mining Industry Stocks -
Gold, Copper, Molybdenum, Uranium, Silver, Diamond, Aluminium, Steel & Iron, Nonmetallic Mineral Mining, Industrial Metals & Minerals, Palladium

Our recent update of the Uranium Stocks Directory was at the request of several investors that have emailed us looking for opportunites in investing in the uranium commodity as it has seen impressive gains

for our list of mining and gold stocks - please review the directory and start your homework. If you have any suggestions for additons please feel free to email us
http://www.gold-miningstocks.com/Gold_Stocks/Stocks_List.asp#Uranium

Golden Peaks Resources Ltd. - La Fortuna Field Up-Date

Golden Peaks Resources Ltd. - La Fortuna Field Up-Date

VANCOUVER, Oct. 31 - Golden Peaks Resources Ltd. (TSX: GL) updates progress on the La Fortuna project in Patagonia, Argentina. The Company's regional drilling program on the A, CR and E Structures has identified several areas of high grade gold mineralization all of which are open along strike and to depth.

The Company has budgeted 12,000 meters of diamond drilling to complete detailed drilling of the discovery T-11 zone, the No.16 and No.14 structures (Amphitheatre zone), and the mineralized portions of the CR Structure, as well as reconnaissance drilling of as yet untested parts of the A, CR, E, CB and ML Structures. A structure map is available on the company website, http://www.goldenpeaks.com/i/maps/StructureMap-nocap.jpg

A second drill has been added to the project to accelerate the testing of targets and the new exploration camp and core storage areas are complete.

One drill is working on the CB Structure where twelve holes have been drilled along strike of and down dip of old mine workings located on the structure. The second drill has started work on the No.16 structure (Amphitheatre zone) where it is continuing the step out drilling around hole LF-16.

Core is currently being logged and sampled for assay. Assays will be released once received, checked and evaluated. Split/sawn core samples are being assayed by Alex Stewart (Assayers) Argentina S.A., a certified ISO 9002 laboratory. In accordance with the Company's QC/QA policy all high grade samples will be check assayed at a different laboratory. The drill contractor is Connors Argentina S.A.
http://www.investorideas.com/About/Disclaimer.asp

Demand for Gold from China and India Expected to Continue – Long Term Outlook for Gold Remains Positive

Gold-MiningStocks.com -- Interviews With Kitco's Jon Nadler on Global Market Outlook and Golden Peaks Resources on Gold Mineralization Opportunities in ArgentinaPOINT ROBERTS, WA, Delta B.C. – October 10, 2006 – www.Gold-MiningStocks.com (GMS), an investor and industry portal for the gold and mining sector presents online audio interviews with Kitco’s Jon Nadler, Investment Products Analyst and Golden Peaks Resources (TSX: GL.TO) President and CEO Kieran Downes to discuss opportunities within the gold industry. While many factors such as geopolitical uncertainty, fluctuations in the dollar and the volatility surrounding the cost of oil still continue to impact the price of gold, growing global demand from regions such as China and India is expected to drive gold upwards over the long term. Working to take advantage of the long term prospects of the gold market, Golden Peaks has identified Argentina as holding significant potential as they pursue five high priority gold projects within this region.“We have recognized 5 major geological structures through trenching, sampling, prospecting and mapping all with significant gold mineralization. We have identified multiple zones on these structures and in the next stage of drilling we hope to focus on outlining the resources on one or all of these zones,” explains Mr. Downes.The Company's flagship La Fortuna Gold Project is closely situated to two nearby world-class discoveries in southern Argentina, the Esquel and Navidad deposits. Downes states, “The significance of these deposits is that it demonstrates the geological setting we are exploring in has the potential of hosting very large gold and silver deposits. The fact that these exist in the same type of terrain we are currently exploring in gives us a lot of hope and expectation that we too will be successful in finding something quite large and significant in the La Fortuna project.”In looking at global market factors that have an ongoing impact on gold’s future, the growing demand from China and India will potentially remain a significant force driving the price upwards over the long term. As Jon Nadler describes, “There remains no doubt that the demand for gold coming from India, China and Japan will continue to have a very important effect on the consumption of gold. We do believe that the regional demand out of South East Asia will continue to be a very important factor moving forward.”full story: http://www.investorideas.com/Companies/ViewDocument.asp?

Insiders Go for Ghanese Gold Play Called Golden Star

Insiders Go for Ghanese Gold Play Called Golden Star; Plus Updates on Three Energy Stocks


By Michael BrushExclusively for InvestorIdeas.comOctober 05, 2006
If you are a gold bug why should you be praying for rain in Ghana? Because water reservoirs are low in this West African country, and that’s cut electrical power which has forced gold mining companies to reduce production.
advertisement That’s one reason investors who hold Golden Star Resources (GSS) have been in pain of late. Tiny Golden Star holds large chunks of land it what’s known as the Ashanti Trend in Ghana, a region long known for its abundant gold resources. From recent highs above $3.75 in May, Golden Star has tanked to below $2.50 – a 33% decline.

full article - http://www.investorideas.com/insiderscorner/Articles/100506.asp

Is gold ready for another run?

Investorideas always turns to the experts and analysts to find out- great article published yesterday on :
http://www.kitco.com/ind/swanson/jul312006.html
" Gold is poised once again to breakout and go higher. On Thursday, the XAU gapped up to its upper resistance trendline and resistance 144-145 zone. It fell hard on Thursday and then reversed to the upside on Friday.
I responded to the Thursday drop by writing the following about gold stocks on Friday morning:
"If they firm up today or Monday then they will set themselves up for a possible breakout next week. If you notice the resistance and support trendlines are coming together and lining gold stocks up for another big move - which should happen in 5-10 trading days. The most bullish action would be to see the gold stocks go back up and then just sit there for a few days."
This is exactly what appears to be happening. And if it continues, then gold stocks will break out this week or early next week. Frankly, I don't see any reason for them not to break out and rally ahead of this coming Federal Reserve meeting. A close above 144 and the XAU will begin a rally to its 52-week high."

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Gold Price Moves from Low of $567 in June to Current Highs as Investors Look for Safe Investment over North Korea’s Missile Testing

Gold Price Moves from Low of $567 in June to Current Highs as Investors Look for Safe Investment over North Korea’s Missile Testing
Gold and Precious Metals Regain Investor's Favor with Recent Trends
POINT ROBERTS, WA, Delta B.C. – July 5, 2006 – http://www.gold-miningstocks.com/ (GMS), and an investor and industry portal for the gold and mining sector reports on gold’s 30 day trading range with a low of $567 on June 20th, reaching a one-month high today of $630.50 as safe-haven buying surges on fears over North Korea’s missile testing. As gold trends back towards its 30 day highs, investors are watching individual stocks that have had impressive gains over the past week.
The testing conducted by North Korea entailed the launching of seven missiles, one of which (Taepodong-2)has the long range capability of reaching the United States, unnerving investors and placing pressure on the equities market as investments into gold increased.
According to Press Secretary Tony Snow, “In doing this, the North Koreans have once again isolated themselves. They have defied their neighbors who urged them not to have a launch. White House Press Secretary Tony Snow said in a statement. The South Koreans, the Japanese and the Chinese all have asked them not to do it. The United States now will work with the other parties in the six-party talks to figure out the appropriate way to move forward.”
While the long-range missile launch failed, the geopolitical uncertainty remains a major factor driving investors towards gold.
About our Mining Portals: http://www.gold-miningstocks.com/ (GMS) and http://www.miningsectorstocks.com/ (MSS), portals within the InvestorIdeas.com content umbrella, do not make recommendations, but offer investors research, news and links to public companies within the mining sector. GMS also provides mining sector content through its Gold and Mining Blog available at Gold-MiningStocks.com.
For our comprehensive list of Gold and Mining stocks: http://www.Gold-MiningStocks.com/Gold_Stocks/Stocks_List.asp Featured Gold and Mining Portal Sponsor: (GMS and MSS are compensated by Golden Peaks as disclosed in disclaimer.) Golden Peaks Resources Ltd. (TSX Venture: GL) is a progressive international exploration and resource development firm that holds a portfolio of five advanced precious metals properties covering 385,00 acres in Argentina. The Company’s focus is on proving a significant gold resource at the La Fortuna Project, where it made a significant gold discovery in the spring of 2006. The Company has a strong management team and is well financed with over $15 million in working capital. For More Info: http://www.gold-miningstocks.com/CO/GL/Default.asp InvestorIdeas.com Disclaimer: http://www.miningsectorstocks.com/About/Disclaimer.asp. Our sites do not make recommendations, but offer information portals to research news, articles, stock lists and recent research. Nothing on our sites should be construed as an offer or solicitation to buy or sell products or securities. We attempt to research thoroughly, but we offer no guarantees as to the accuracy of information presented. All Information relating to featured companies is sourced from public documents and/ or the company and is not the opinion of our web sites. GMS is compensated by Golden Peaks Resources Ltd. (TSX Venture: GL) for five thousand dollars per month. For more information contact: Dawn Van Zant 800.665.0411 Email: dvanzant@investorideas.com Ann-Marie Fleming 866.725.2554 Email: afleming@investorideas.com
Web Site: http://www.miningsectorstocks.com/™

As Gold Prices Fluctuate, the Driving Factors for Higher Prices Remain Long Term

MiningStocks.com – Golden Peaks Resources Ltd., Goldcorp Inc. and Alamos Gold Inc. Provide Industry Perspectives on the Gold Market

POINT ROBERTS, WA, Delta B.C. – June 29, 2006 – www.Gold-MiningStocks.com (GMS), and www.MiningSectorStocks.com (MSS), investor and industry portals for the gold and mining sector are pleased to present a gold market outlook entitled, “As Gold Prices Fluctuate, the Driving Factors for Higher Prices Remain Long Term.” So far this year, gold has seen its share of sharp increases and periodic corrections, including the one currently taking place in the market. Offering perspective as we move through this correction period are Ian Telfer, President and CEO of Goldcorp Inc., Scott Emerson, Chairman and Director of Golden Peaks Resources Ltd. and Alamos Gold’s President and CEO John A. McCluskey.

According to Scott Emerson, Chairman and Director of Golden Peaks Resources Ltd. (TSX Venture: GL), an international exploration and resource development firm focused on Argentina, “We remain bullish on the yellow metal. Despite the recent price correction the price of gold (June 26, 2006) is 144.50% higher than it was one year ago. The fundamentals have not changed and Company's focus and business plan remain unchanged.”

As the World Gold Council currently reported declines in supply over last year’s levels, Goldcorp Inc. (TSX: G; NYSE: GG) President and CEO Ian Telfer has said he also believes that, “World gold supplies are under pressure as mine production around the world is declining.” Looking at the market, Telfer also says, “It is true, some mid-tier producers will increase production in the years ahead,” but he said he believes the company will continue to focus on expanding their own production operations first and foremost.

In the midst of declining supplies, mid-tier producers are expected to boost exploration and eventually add their share to supplies. Alamos Gold Inc. (TSX: AGI) President and CEO John A. McCluskey offers that over the summer period he expects there may be, “volatility in the short term, as the correction continues. Gold is still primarily trading in an inverse relationship to the USD.” In addition to this, he says at present, “While we are currently in a correction phase, Q1’06 was very positive for gold producers that were unhedged.”
To Read “As Gold Prices Fluctuate, the Driving Factors for Higher Prices Remain Long Term” In Full Click Here: http://www.gold-miningstocks.com/articles/062906a.asp

About our Mining Portals:
www.Gold-MiningStocks.com (GMS) and www.MiningSectorStocks.com (MSS), portals within the InvestorIdeas.com content umbrella, do not make recommendations, but offer investors research, news and links to public companies within the mining sector. GMS also provides mining sector content through its Gold and Mining Blog available at Gold-MiningStocks.com.

For our comprehensive list of Gold and Mining stocks: http://www.Gold-MiningStocks.com/Gold_Stocks/Stocks_List.asp
Featured Gold and Mining Portal Sponsor: (GMS and MSS are compensated by Golden Peaks as disclosed in disclaimer.)

Golden Peaks Resources Ltd. (TSX Venture: GL) is a progressive international exploration and resource development firm that holds over 385,000 acres of prospective land holdings in four of Argentina's most established mining districts. For More Info: http://www.gold-miningstocks.com/CO/GL/Default.asp

InvestorIdeas.com Disclaimer: www.InvestorIdeas.com/About/Disclaimer.asp. Our sites do not make recommendations, but offer information portals to research news, articles, stock lists and recent research. Nothing on our sites should be construed as an offer or solicitation to buy or sell products or securities. We attempt to research thoroughly, but we offer no guarantees as to the accuracy of information presented. All Information relating to featured companies is sourced from public documents and/ or the company and is not the opinion of our web sites. GMS is compensated by Golden Peaks Resources Ltd. (TSX Venture: GL) for five thousand dollars per month.

For more information contact:
Dawn Van Zant 800.665.0411
Email: dvanzant@investorideas.com
Ann-Marie Fleming 866.725.2554
Email: afleming@investorideas.com

Web Site: www.InvestorIdeas.com™

Source: Gold-MiningStocks.com, Golden Peaks Resources Ltd., Goldcorp Inc., Alamos Gold Inc.

Kitco Commentator David Vaughn Comments on Gold

Where to Next?

By David Vaughn June 28, 2006
www.goldletterdv.com

"Why should you be considering gold now even as we have watched a correction?

Have you noticed housing interest rates climbing this past week? The Fed continues to lose control. The word is that rates will continue to climb until “inflation” can be contained. That is a joke. As if with a flick of a switch the effects of rising energy costs, rising health care costs and every other cost rising can be made to go away with a brush of a magic wand. Maybe Greenspan accomplished magic in days of long ago, but those days are over and never to return again in our generation.

So I keep saying the same thing over and over again?

Yes, because I have to. Rising inflation equals a rising gold price. That is a fact that has proven true since the days of ancient Rome. And if you read enough you will read in every business section that inflation is becoming more of an issue. It has been ignored and kept under the table for a long time now. Yes, I admit that in the past the threat of inflation has been supposedly contained, but this is not the case any longer. "

New Streaming Video on the Correction Period, from BusinessWeek

Pause or Claws
"S&P believes we have established at least a near-term bottom in what will likely turn out to be a fairly typical correction within a continuing bull market."

Jim says, "Don't Bet the Ranch on a Rebound"

Jim Jubak, writer for CNN Money has this to say about the current correction taking place in the market:

"Since this downturn began on May 10, the Dow Jones Industrial Average ($INDU) is down 8% as of the June 13 close, the Standard & Poor's 500 ($INX) is down 7.5%, and the Nasdaq Composite ($COMPX) is down nearly 10.7%.

So when will this correction be over? It's certainly a legitimate and important question. But at the moment, it's the wrong question.

Instead, investors should be asking this: What are the odds that what has so far been an almost classical correction could turn into something worse -- a prolonged downturn that puts an end to the long-term rally that now stretches back to March 2003?

I don't think that rally is over yet. But there is no doubt that it is getting long in the tooth, and that the world's central banks seem perversely determined to put the global economy -- and thus the rally -- at risk. The next four months or so are likely to be critical. By the fall, I think the data will show relatively clearly if the rally is intact or if central banks have managed to kill the goose of growth.

A correction is a downward move that interrupts a stock market rally to correct the speculative excesses that always build up as a rally progresses. The average bull market correction since 1970, according to Sam Stovall of Standard & Poor's, is 13%. After the correction, the rally resumes from a new and sounder foundation.

So far we've clearly got Part 1. "

The Precious Metals Daily Report, Brought to you by Standard Bank

According to Standard Bank's Daily Report, dated for June 9th, gold continues to fight its way out of the current correction. Dspite the fact that the report found gold starting "firm in Asia Thursday, on follow-thruogh strength from the prior New York session," it concluded that, "Gold is likely to face stiff pressure lower as the corrective phase continues, with Friday's U.S. International Trade Balance economic data likely to provide some hint of direction."

Accordingly, "The gold market took its cue from the strengthening U.S. dollar and the yellow metal was sold aggressively in Europe, falling from the mid- $620s to re-test recent lows around $618. Gold continued to tumble lower in New York, as U.S. Dollar sentiment remained strong, crude oil prices sank below $70 a barrel and the surprising fact that global liquidation in the equity markets failed to boost gold's safe haven allure and prop up prices."

Is it possible that gold's safe haven status could ever be knocked? You tell me.

World Gold Council's Outlook for 2006

In a press release issued by the World Gold Council in May, 2006, a statement was issued that:

"Sustained investor interest supported by favourable economic and political circumstances has characterised the first weeks of the second quarter of 2006. Price movements are expected to broadly dictate jewellery demands, supported by expectation sthat the price will continue to rise, although continued reluctance of consumers and trade to buy is to be expected if such rises remain sharp or volatile."


Further to this, a report issued by the council stated that, "markets in Asia and the Middle East, which account for nearly two thirds of global gold jewellery demand, are also those that are most sensitive to gold price volatility. In tonnage terms, demand dropped by 38% in India, 25% in the middle East and 43% in Turkey compared to the first quarter of 2005; althougth there was a small, 2% rise in China."

World Gold Council Country Reports

Consumer demand trends in individual countries:
Asia/ India
• Overall consumer demand in India in the first quarter of 2006 declined by 27% to 145 tonnes. This was largely driven by the sensitivity of the Indian market toward price volatility.

• Jewellery demand reacted sharply to price volatility, falling 38% on the previous year which was an exceptionally strong performing quarter.

• Sentiment within India, in part aided by media commentary, became increasingly attuned to the belief that gold prices would continue to rise, thereby providing some support to consumer demand in the jewellery market. Demand during the key festival of Akshaya Thrithiya, on April 30, appears to have been higher than in 2005.

• Despite an overall decline in demand, net retail investment boomed, rising 32% on the same period in 2005, itself 90% higher than that of 2004. Two factors propelled this higher: increased promotion by banks following the success of earlier WGC-assisted campaigns; and the general belief that prices will continue to rise, whereby individuals are actively purchasing gold coins and small bars with the view of turning them into jewellery at a future date.

Saudi Arabia

• Saudi Arabia witnessed a stock market crash in February 2006, affecting both consumer sentimentand the purchasing power of high-income individuals for the first quarter. Against this background, the rising price of gold proved a heavy deterrent to jewellery purchases which dropped 30% on the previous year.

UAE and the Gulf

• Consumer demand in the UAE suffered heavily in the first quarter of 2006 as the country mourned the death of the Ruler of Dubai. The Dubai Shopping Festival, a key period for gold sales in the region, took place over this period and as a result was scaled down.

• The first quarter in Kuwait followed a broadly similar scenario whereby a mourning period for the death of the Emir in January, negatively impacted consumer demand for gold.

Turkey

• Turkish jewellery demand was 43% lower year-on-year, although again the comparison is with an exceptionally high quarter in 2005. The rise in gold price was the major cause; however its impact was exacerbated to a small extent by an 11% fall in tourist numbers.

• The rising price encouraged gold investment during the quarter, producing the second highest
quarter ever recorded for gold investment in Turkey.

Europe and United States

Europe

• In Italy, spending on luxury products, including jewellery, continues to be constrained by weak
employment growth and falling real wages.

• In the UK, purchases of all forms of jewellery remained subdued. Both in the UK and Italy it was clear that demand for higher quality, more fashionable and stylish pieces continued, while plainer mainstream items suffered.
www.gold.org

• There has been little change in the trend of European retail investment, with new buying offset by dishoarding and profit taking. Dishoarding from France, essentially younger people selling inherited gold, still dominates the overall picture.
U.S.A.

• While the US economy started the year in robust form, signs of emerging weakness resulted in
tighter consumer spending on luxury goods. Combined with the rising price of gold, this resulted in a 5% decrease in jewellery demand in tonnage terms on the same period in 2005. Nevertheless, this equates to a 23% increase in underlying gold value.

• In contrast to jewellery, buying of coins and small bars has been strong in the US, rising 41% above year-earlier levels.

Marino G. Pieterse Reports

Kitco Bullion Dealers commentator Marino G. Pieterse, made the following points, with respect to gold's current pricing and demand on May 29th:

"The World Gold Council (http://www.gold.org/) reported in its recently published update on supply and demand statistics with data for the first quarter of 2006 that sustained interest from different groups of institutional investors drove the gold price to new highs However, according to figures completed by GFMS (http://www.gfms.co.uk)/, the world's premier research institute on gold, total demand for gold at 835 tonnes was 16% lower than in the first quarter of 2005, primarily as a result a significant fall in jewellery demand particularly in Asia and the Middle East, This is according to my prediction in Goldletter's April-issue, when I pointed at the price sensitivity on demand as a result of increasing gold prices.

Gold jewellery demand, accounting for 52% of total demand, fell 22% (175 tonnes) to 531.4 tonnes from 706.8 tonnes in the first quarter of 2005, compared to 109 tonnes flowed into Exchange Traded Funds (ETF's). Although this was the largest quarterly increase in investment since the World Gold Council backed street TRACKS Gold Shares listed on the New York Stock Exchange at the end of 2004, also according to my expectations this demand was not strong enough to compensate fully for the decline in jewellery demand."

Summer Gold

The recently released figures compiled by GFMS Ltd. for the World Gold Council have revealed some interesting facts for gold's future outlook. The report released this week tied jewelry demand in Asia and the Middle East in particular, to the fall.

As far as ETFs are concerned, it said that "easy access ETFs provide investors to the asset. But the most prominent aspect of the report revealed that the "most significant finding in the report is the fact that investment demand is surging ahead and that gold is reassuring its monetary value and is reganing respect among Western investors and institutions alike," says Jon Nadler, investment products analysts for Kitco.com.

Nadler says gold is making a come back at the moment. But the question remains, after the recent sell off and correction, will that price reach the 800 mark as predicted, by the end of this year? Investors wait and watch as the summer unfolds and the upcoming months set the track for the final length.

Who Is Buying Gold?

Kitco analyst Roger Wiegand, discusses global gold markets, reflecting that, "China, India, Japan and in greater amounts the Middle Eastern oil barons, are all prolific gold buyers. Several We heard of a report last week which was not verifiable, that only about 1% of the general markets buying public is invested in gold or gold stocks. We know the number is low but cannot be certain it is that low at this time. Nevertheless, investment reports and market-chart behavior indicate most retail street investors are thinking buy and hold forever while watching their mutual funds go into the dumpster."

Wiegand furthers that, "Central banks were dumping gold with both hands at $250-$450 and now are closet buyers. Those with the opportunity to sell more under the international gold selling agreements are holding back not selling their quotas or prearranged amounts."

Profile: Mining in South America

According to an MBendi, South America Mining Report, "South America still attracts the most exploration dollars in the world – 27% of global gold exploration and 38% of base metals. Argentina has seen a constant reduction in exploration expenditure since 1997, with expenditure in 2000 totalling $110 million ($130 million in 1998).The floating of the Brazilian currency on world markets resulted in a collapse against the US dollar of up to 40%."

The president of Bolivian owned energy company Petrobas, is reported to have scheduled talks with Brazil- as bilateral agreements were discussed with Brazilian Energy Minister Silas Rondeau.

The heat is turning up in South America, as countries, but US commercial agreements with Latin American countries on an individual level, could be serving to undermine a goal of political and economic integration. Chile, Peru, Colombia and Central America are all tops on the list of countries with whom the US has signed free trade deals, while Uruguay and Paraguay could be next.

Is real integration for South America merely a pipe dream or is this idea worthy of merit?

Mining in Bolivia Faces Uncertain Times Ahead

Bolivia's mining sector could be in for a shake up as the government is reported to be placing control over mining, forestry as well as other areas in the countries economy. President Evo Morales is said to be nationalizing natural gas.

Morales is reported to have said that this movement around natural gas, "was just the beginning, because tomorrow it will be the mines, the forest resources and the land." Higher taxes and royalty payments are on the agenda for existing properties, in an attempt to spread the wealth in Bolivia's mining sector.

Bolivia, a country with a rich history of struggle over control of precious metals, has faced competing interests since the Spaniards discovered silver in 1544. According to a Country Report, "From 1557 to 1985, the mining industry dominated the Bolivian economy. By 1985, however, the production of every significant mineral in the country had failed to exceed the output registered in 1975."

According to the same report, In order to capture gold as a reserve for the Central Bank, in 1988 the government offered a 5 percent bonus over the international price of gold on local sales to the Central Bank. Gold was mined almost exclusively by over 300 cooperatives throughout the country, along with about 10,000 prospectors. "

Mining cooperatives ended up requesting additional land from the government, in order to explore prospects. It was said that, "Government policy favored augmenting gold reserves as a means of leveraging more external finance for development projects. "

However, at the moment, government policy tows a different party line as it sets a course for redistributing the wealth of a nation. This trend in post-colonial societies who have the political means of staving off outside influence, is see other places in the world such as Zimbabwe, where the government has set out to reallocate control over its land, making a point of shirking off a history of British rule. What this often means however, is that countries in the midst of implementing this kind of change, face a high price as trading partners begin to diminish and the country is left with little in the bank, in terms of foreign currency.

What's next for Bolivia? How will Spain and Brazil react to the news of the country's reforms? Only time will tell.

Gold: A Running Commentary

The situation in Iran continues to aid in speculation over what will happen in the commodities market. Gold is safe and in a time when Bloomberg reports, "Yesterday, Iran asked the United Nations to take urgent action against the U.S. for what it describes as a threat to attack its nuclear facilities. "

Since January, uncertainty has been rising along with the price of the metal, valued around the wrold for various purposes. Overall, however, gold is the old standby during moments of political unreset.

According to GlobalSecurity.org, "From the end of World War II through 1983, domestic mine production of gold did not exceed 2 million ounces annually. Since 1985, annual production has risen by 1 million to 1.5 million ounces every year. By the end of 1989, the cumulative output from deposits in the United States since 1792 reached 363 million ounces. "

The IMF has stated that their current gold holdings, "are valued on its balance sheet at SDR 5.9 billion (about $9 billion) on the basis of historical cost. As of March 31, 2006, the IMF's holdings amounted to $60 billion (at then current market prices). "