ZACKS·2025-08-22 13:30Core Viewpoint - Barrick Mining Corporation and Kinross Gold Corporation are significant players in the gold mining sector, with favorable gold prices currently above $3,300 per ounce despite recent declines from April 2025 highs, making them attractive for investors seeking exposure to precious metals [1][2]. Barrick Mining Corporation - Barrick is advancing key growth projects, including Goldrush, Pueblo Viejo expansion, Fourmile, Lumwana Super Pit, and Reko Diq, which are expected to enhance production significantly [4][5]. - The Goldrush mine aims for 400,000 ounces of annual production by 2028, while the Fourmile project is anticipated to yield double the grades of Goldrush [5]. - The Reko Diq project in Pakistan is projected to produce 460,000 tons of copper and 520,000 ounces of gold annually by its second development phase, with first production expected by the end of 2028 [5]. - Barrick's Lumwana mine is undergoing a $2 billion expansion, transforming it into a vital copper asset [6]. - As of Q2 2025, Barrick's cash and cash equivalents were approximately $4.8 billion, with operating cash flows of around $1.3 billion, a 15% increase year-over-year [7]. - Barrick returned $1.2 billion to shareholders in 2024 and has a new share repurchase program authorized for up to $1 billion [7]. - The company offers a dividend yield of 1.6% with a payout ratio of 25% and a five-year annualized dividend growth rate of about 3% [8]. - However, Barrick faces challenges with rising costs, with cash costs per ounce increasing by 17% and all-in-sustaining costs (AISC) rising by 12% year-over-year in Q2 [8][9]. - For 2025, Barrick projects cash costs per ounce of $1,050-$1,130 and AISC of $1,460-$1,560, indicating potential year-over-year increases [10]. Kinross Gold Corporation - Kinross has a strong production profile with key development projects like Great Bear and Round Mountain Phase X, which are expected to enhance production and cash flow [11]. - The Tasiast and Paracatu mines are significant contributors to cash flow, with Tasiast being the lowest-cost asset and achieving record production in 2024 [12]. - Kinross ended Q2 2025 with robust liquidity of approximately $2.8 billion, including over $1.1 billion in cash [13]. - The company repaid $800 million of debt in 2024 and improved its net debt position to around $100 million by the end of Q2 2025 [14]. - Kinross offers a dividend yield of 0.6% with a payout ratio of 10% [14]. Price Performance and Valuation - Year-to-date, Barrick's stock has increased by 64.7%, while Kinross's stock has risen by 110.6%, compared to the Zacks Mining – Gold industry's increase of 72.7% [15]. - Barrick is trading at a forward 12-month earnings multiple of 11.31, representing a 16.7% discount to the industry average of 13.57 [17]. - Kinross is trading at a forward earnings multiple of 13.98, slightly above the industry average [19]. Growth Projections - The Zacks Consensus Estimate for Barrick's 2025 sales and EPS implies year-over-year growth of 19% and 54.8%, respectively [21]. - Kinross's 2025 sales and EPS estimates suggest year-over-year growth of 23.4% and 102.9%, respectively [22]. Investment Consideration - Both Barrick and Kinross are well-positioned to benefit from favorable gold prices, with strong development pipelines and solid financial health [23]. - Kinross's higher growth projections may present better investment prospects in the current market environment, with a Zacks Rank of 1 (Strong Buy) compared to Barrick's 3 (Hold) [24].