Gold and the Inflation Reduction Act
Posted on — 2 CommentsBiden’s Inflation Reduction Act aims to promote clean energy solutions in the coming years. While the package is considerably smaller than the original $2.2 trillion Build Back Better Act it does represent the largest ever U.S. financial commitment to slowing global warming.
The bill calls for a $400 billion investment over a period of 10 years. The spending consists of tax credits that incentivize consumers to purchase electric vehicles while encouraging electric utility companies to adopt renewable energy sources. This aggressive plan seeks to cut emissions in half by 2030. The bill also aims to accelerate the production of solar panels, and wind turbines.
This step, while not enough to prevent dangerously high global temperatures, does break the inertia that has characterized previous actions meant to address global warming.
These moves have prompted the gold mining industry to reevaluate its future. In doing so, many have discovered ways in which gold extraction can in fact contribute to de-carbonisation.
Research from The World Gold Council concluded that the current plans of the gold mining industry suggest that we could see a 35% drop in the emission intensity of power used in gold production. This reduction is possible due to an increasingly de-carbonised electrical grid.
The research also estimates that gold mining power emissions could fall an additional 9% by 2030 if lower carbon power sources see wider adoption as more mining companies see the value of transitioning.
These findings have major implications for the global climate because mining is estimated to use up to 11% total energy consumption. Moreover, the resources needed to satisfy consumers are growing rapidly as seen by the 50% increase in demand for gold over the last 22 years. It’s not surprising that the volume of gold mine production has increased by 33% over that same period. Serving this demand means that the mining industry will need to move fast in its adoption of green technology.
Reducing the emissions from mining depends heavily on the changing composition of sources involved in the grid power mix. Consider, for example, that as of 2019 coal represented 25% of grid power in gold producing countries. Global research firm Wood Mackenzie estimates that this figure will drop to 18% by 2030.
The same body of research forecasts that solar will grow from 4% to 11% in 2030, and that wind will grow to 8% from today’s figure of about 1%. Put simply, as the power grid begins to draw from greener sources the gold industry contributes far less to the global warming problem.
This research and Biden’s latest bill illustrate an important truth about overcoming the threat of global warming: making meaningful progress will require a combination of legislative acts and market forces.
Fortunately, as of this year it appears that both are in play.
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2 thoughts on “Gold and the Inflation Reduction Act”
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Lets take a look at the first part of this bill. who actually benefits from buying EV ? the average family income in the US is about 56-58,000 a year.
can they really afford a EV ? Only the 1% can. Again moving money into their hands. This by design. The second part of this bill is forcing not moving companies into green energy deals. Is there a EV equipment that can move earth ? How are certain companies able to do business if not? I believe that
mining for metals will be curtailed considerably. It is costing more per ounce to mine, as well as, quality of substance. Sri Lanka should be an eye opener for all of us to consider this form of action. We must find ways to reduce energy expenditure without curtailing fossil fuels too fast. Global warming can be debated . That is a whole other discussion for another time.
The name of the bill will do exactly the reversal of the name. Inflation is a monetary problem created by printing currency and placing into circulation.
How will this reduce inflation when it is directly causing it? Gold will become harder to find and harder to mine. with form of worldly thinking i would own alot of the yellow stuff.
With the “Great Reset” in full swing, Blanchard and other precious metal brokers need to asses whether the selling and buying of precious metals is even possible. The goal of the GR is the absolute banning of private property in ANY form by 2030. This is more than chilling on its face. The one world gov’t forecast in Revelation seems to be knocking on our door. Especially with the technology to implant microchips in our hands, which is already being done in some European countries rendering credit cards obsolete. The phony climate emergency is the vehicle, along with the vaccine mandates, to bring about this “one world gov’t” and Great Reset scenario. Add to all of that, the digitizing of our currency and ID’s (scheduled for the end of the year) makes it even more possible to bring about these draconian changes to the world economy. The question is does the World Economic Forum have the clout to make member nations knuckle under to these socialist/one world gov’t demands.