Interviews with government officials across Africa reveal smuggling operations that span at least nine countries and involve tonnes of gold spirited over borders.

Still, the outlook for gold in the first quarter of 2022 is upbeat, an analyst says.

Total consideration for the three royalties was $4.9 million.

Like most of 2021, gold has been rubbing against $1,800 this week but did not have the strength to permanently rise above this level.

A spike in presumptive covid-19 cases at its operations in Nunavut has prompted Agnico Eagle Mines to send home its Nunavut-based workforce and temporarily ramp down operations for the remainder of the year.

Watch Pure Gold Mining CEO Darin Labrenz discuss the year in review and make the case for why 2022 is pivotal for the namesake flagship gold mine.

In October, Calibre announced that it would acquire all outstanding common shares of Fiore at an implied price of C$1.80 per share.