Core Viewpoint - Barrick Mining Corporation emphasizes its commitment to sustainability and stakeholder engagement through its Annual Sustainability Update and the release of its 2024 Sustainability Report, highlighting key achievements and future priorities [1][6]. Sustainability Strategy - The company focuses on foundational growth projects aimed at creating long-term value through partnerships, comprehensive reporting against the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), and a commitment to workplace safety and greenhouse gas emissions management [2][3]. Summary Sustainability Report - Barrick introduced a standalone Summary Sustainability Report to provide stakeholders with an accessible overview of its sustainability performance and impact, detailing operations across various regions [3][4]. Key Achievements - Over the past six years, Barrick has made significant sustainability achievements, including transitioning to renewable energy sources, distributing over $70 billion to workers and local communities, and forming partnerships to develop critical infrastructure such as schools and health clinics [5][6]. Global Operations - Barrick operates in 18 countries and five continents, holding one of the largest portfolios of gold and copper assets, including six Tier One gold mines, and is recognized as the largest gold producer in the United States [7].

Core Insights - Barrick Mining Corporation held its Annual Sustainability Update, emphasizing its commitment to sustainability performance and stakeholder engagement [1][6] - The company published its 2024 Sustainability Report and a new Summary Sustainability Report to provide accessible information on its sustainability efforts [3][4] Sustainability Strategy - Barrick's sustainability strategy focuses on creating long-term value through partnerships, comprehensive reporting against UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), and a commitment to workplace safety and greenhouse gas emissions management [2][5] - The company aims to demonstrate that responsible mining can drive development and benefit host communities [3] Key Achievements - Over the past six years, Barrick has evolved its power profile towards renewable energy, distributed over $70 billion to stakeholders, and formed local partnerships for infrastructure development, including schools and health clinics [5] - The Summary Sustainability Report highlights measurable impacts and the company's sustainability performance since the merger that formed today's Barrick [4][5] Reporting and Transparency - The Annual Sustainability Update and the Summary Sustainability Report reinforce Barrick's commitment to transparent reporting and stakeholder engagement [6] - The new Summary Report is designed to provide a digestible account of operations across various regions, including Africa, the Americas, Papua New Guinea, and Peru [4]

Core Insights - Barrick Mining Corporation experienced a 17% year-over-year decline in gold sales volumes in Q1 2025, totaling 751,000 ounces, with a 22% decrease from the previous quarter, leading to a 14% decline in revenue and a 52% drop in net earnings [1][7]. Group 1: Sales and Production - The decline in sales volumes is attributed to the suspension of operations at the Loulo-Gounkoto mine due to a dispute with the Malian government, as well as reduced production at the Carlin and Cortez mines [1][7]. - The company anticipates gold production for 2025 to be between 3.15 million and 3.5 million ounces, excluding Loulo-Gounkoto, indicating a decrease from 3.91 million ounces in 2024 [3][7]. Group 2: Industry Comparison - Newmont Corporation reported a similar trend, with gold sales volumes declining approximately 11% year-over-year and 5% sequentially in Q2, alongside an 8% decrease in attributable gold production [4]. - Agnico Eagle Mines Limited also faced a year-over-year decline in gold sales volumes, down 3% to 846,835 ounces, yet managed to achieve higher profits during the same period [5]. Group 3: Financial Performance and Valuation - Barrick's shares have increased by 36.3% year-to-date, compared to a 53% rise in the Zacks Mining – Gold industry, primarily driven by a rally in gold prices [6]. - The forward 12-month earnings multiple for Barrick is 9.44, which is approximately 21.7% lower than the industry average of 12.06 [9].

Core Viewpoint - Investors in the Mining - Gold sector should consider Barrick Mining (B) and Triple Flag Precious Metals (TFPM) for potential value opportunities [1] Group 1: Zacks Rank and Earnings Outlook - Barrick Mining has a Zacks Rank of 1 (Strong Buy), indicating a positive earnings outlook, while Triple Flag Precious Metals has a Zacks Rank of 3 (Hold) [3] - The Zacks Rank system favors stocks with positive revisions to earnings estimates, suggesting that Barrick Mining has an improving earnings outlook [3] Group 2: Valuation Metrics - Barrick Mining has a forward P/E ratio of 10.75, significantly lower than Triple Flag Precious Metals' forward P/E of 27.51 [5] - Barrick Mining's PEG ratio is 0.32, while Triple Flag Precious Metals has a PEG ratio of 1.04, indicating Barrick Mining may be undervalued relative to its growth expectations [5] - Barrick Mining's P/B ratio is 1.08 compared to Triple Flag Precious Metals' P/B of 2.62, further supporting Barrick Mining's valuation advantage [6] Group 3: Value Grades - Barrick Mining has received a Value grade of A, while Triple Flag Precious Metals has a Value grade of D, highlighting the relative attractiveness of Barrick Mining for value investors [6] - Stronger estimate revision activity and more attractive valuation metrics position Barrick Mining as the superior option for value investors [7]

Looking more specifically, Barrick Mining belongs to the Mining - Gold industry, which includes 39 individual stocks and currently sits at #43 in the Zacks Industry Rank. Stocks in this group have gained about 53% so far this year, so B is slightly underperforming its industry this group in terms of year-to-date returns. Newmont Corporation is also part of the same industry. Going forward, investors interested in Basic Materials stocks should continue to pay close attention to Barrick Mining and Newmont Cor ...

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Analyst's Disclosure:I/we have no stock, option or similar derivative position in any of the companies mentioned, and no plans to initiate any such positions within the next 72 hours. I wrote this article myself, and it expresses my own opinions. I am not receiving compensation for it (other than from Seeking Alpha). I have no business relationship with any company whose stock is mentioned in this article. Seeking Alpha's Disclosure: Past performance is no guarantee of future results. No recommendation or a ...

Core Viewpoint - Barrick Mining is seen as an attractive investment opportunity due to a significant improvement in its earnings outlook, with analysts raising their earnings estimates for the company [1][2]. Earnings Estimate Revisions - The upward trend in earnings estimate revisions reflects growing optimism among analysts regarding Barrick Mining's earnings prospects, which is expected to positively impact its stock price [2]. - The current-quarter earnings estimate is projected at $0.47 per share, indicating a year-over-year increase of +46.9% [6]. - For the full year, the earnings estimate is expected to be $1.96 per share, representing a +55.6% change from the previous year [7]. - Over the past month, the consensus estimate for the current year has increased by 5.13%, with four estimates moving higher and no negative revisions [7][8]. Zacks Rank and Performance - Barrick Mining currently holds a Zacks Rank 1 (Strong Buy), indicating strong agreement among analysts in revising earnings estimates upward [9]. - The Zacks Rank system has a proven track record, with Zacks 1 Ranked stocks generating an average annual return of +25% since 2008 [3]. - The stock has appreciated by 6.3% over the past four weeks, suggesting investor confidence in its earnings growth prospects [10].

Core Insights - Zacks Premium offers tools for investors to enhance their stock market engagement and confidence, including daily updates, research reports, and stock screens [1] - The Zacks Style Scores are designed to help investors select stocks with the highest potential to outperform the market in the short term [2] Zacks Style Scores Overview - Stocks are rated from A to F based on value, growth, and momentum, with A being the highest score indicating better chances of outperforming [3] - The Style Scores are categorized into four types: Value Score, Growth Score, Momentum Score, and VGM Score, each focusing on different investment strategies [3][4][5][6] Value Score - The Value Score identifies undervalued stocks by analyzing financial ratios such as P/E, PEG, and Price/Sales, helping value investors find attractive investment opportunities [3] Growth Score - The Growth Score assesses a company's financial health and future potential by examining earnings, sales, and cash flow, targeting stocks expected to grow sustainably [4] Momentum Score - The Momentum Score focuses on stocks with upward or downward price trends, utilizing recent price changes and earnings estimate revisions to identify favorable buying opportunities [5] VGM Score - The VGM Score combines the three Style Scores to provide a comprehensive rating, helping investors find stocks with the best value, growth prospects, and momentum [6] Zacks Rank Integration - The Zacks Rank, based on earnings estimate revisions, has shown that 1 (Strong Buy) stocks have delivered an average annual return of +23.75% since 1988, significantly outperforming the S&P 500 [7] - Investors are encouraged to select stocks with a Zacks Rank of 1 or 2 and Style Scores of A or B for optimal investment potential [9] Stock Highlight: Barrick Mining - Barrick Mining Corporation is a leading gold mining company with extensive assets across 18 countries and a Zacks Rank of 1 (Strong Buy) [11] - The company has a VGM Score of A and a Momentum Style Score of B, with shares increasing by 6.3% over the past four weeks [12] - Recent earnings estimates for fiscal 2025 have been revised upward, with the Zacks Consensus Estimate rising by $0.20 to $1.96 per share, and an average earnings surprise of +12.5% [12]

Core Viewpoint - Hercules Metals Corp. has entered into a strategic option agreement with Barrick Gold Exploration Inc. to consolidate a 73-kilometre claim belt around its Leviathan copper discovery in Idaho, significantly expanding its land position and exploration potential in the region [2][3][5]. Company Overview - Hercules Metals Corp. is focused on developing America's newest porphyry copper district, particularly the Leviathan porphyry copper system located in Idaho [19][20]. - The company aims to leverage its strategic partnership with Barrick to enhance its exploration capabilities and shareholder value [3][5]. Transaction Details - The agreement allows Hercules to earn a 100% interest in over 74,000 acres of unpatented mining claims, increasing its total land position from 26,000 acres to over 100,000 acres [4][5]. - Hercules will make staged payments totaling C$8 million over three years, either in cash or through the issuance of common shares [6][10]. - Upon exercising the option, Barrick will receive a 1% net smelter return royalty, which can be reduced to 0.25% through a one-time payment of US$7.5 million [14]. Strategic Implications - The consolidation of the Olympus copper belt represents a significant opportunity for Hercules, positioning it as a controlling claim holder in a highly prospective area for copper exploration [4][5]. - The Leviathan system is noted for its exceptional copper-silver enrichment, making it one of the most compelling new copper projects in the United States [3][4]. Market Context - The agreement comes at a time of favorable conditions for mining in the U.S., including streamlined federal permitting processes and potential tariffs on foreign copper, which could enhance the company's value proposition [3].