Goldman Sachs projects gold prices will soar to $4,900 per ounce by late 2026. This surge is driven by massive, multi-year accumulation by central banks hedging against geopolitical risks, with China purchasing significantly more bullion than officially reported.

The global gold mining industry is undergoing massive restructuring, with H1 2026 merger and acquisition volumes reaching $28 billion. Highlighting this trend is Barrick Gold's $6.5 billion acquisition of flagship African mines from Gold Fields, signaling a fierce race among producers to secure scarce, high-quality deposits.

Guinean President Mamadi Doumbouya has announced that the country's new gold refinery is expected to be operational before the end of 2026. Alongside recent bans on heavy machinery at artisanal sites, this move signals a major push to formalize and capture more domestic value from Guinea’s mineral wealth.