Agnico, Aya and Gunnison lead MDC December rankings

Core Insights - The December Global Mining Power Rankings highlighted Agnico Eagle, Aya Gold & Silver, and Gunnison Copper as top performers, driven by investor sentiment, rising commodity prices, and effective execution strategies for 2025 [1][2]. Large-Cap Companies - Agnico Eagle led the large-cap category with 11.9% of votes, benefiting from consistent production across multiple countries and strong cost control, resulting in a 116% share price increase in Toronto and 125% in New York over the past year [3][4][5]. - The company reaffirmed its 2025 production outlook of 3.3 to 3.5 million ounces of gold and reported approximately $3.1 billion in free cash flow for the first nine months of 2025, positioning it for significant shareholder returns [5][6][7]. Small-Cap Companies - Aya Gold & Silver won the small-cap title with 6.4% of votes, driven by a 160% surge in silver prices and operational achievements, including the commercial production of its Zgounder mine [11][12][13]. - The company also released a preliminary economic assessment for its Boumadine project, indicating rapid capital payback under current metals prices [13][14]. Micro-Cap Companies - Gunnison Copper topped the micro-cap category with 7.2% of votes after producing its first pure copper cathode at the Johnson Camp Mine, transitioning from developer to operating producer ahead of schedule [18][20]. - The company received approximately $13.9 million in US Department of Energy tax credits, enhancing its funding position for expanded domestic copper production [21][22].