Soaring Safe-Haven Prices Lead to a New Gold Rush

1. Renegade Gold Inc., Torr Metals Inc., and Pasofino Gold Ltd. are billboard sponsors of Streetwise Reports and pay SWR a monthly sponsorship fee between US$3,000 and US$6,000.
2. As of the date of this article, officers and/or employees of Streetwise Reports LLC (including members of their household) own securities of Renegade Gold Inc., Torr Metals Inc., and Pasofino Gold Ltd.
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* Disclosure for the quote from the John Newell article published on October 6, 2025

1. For the quoted article (published on October 6, 2025), the Company has paid Street Smart, an affiliate of Streetwise Reports, US$3,000.
2. Author Certification and Compensation: John Newell of John Newell and Associates was retained and compensated as an independent contractor by Street Smart for writing this article. Mr. Newell holds a Chartered Investment Management (CIM) designation (2015) and a  U.S. Portfolio Manager designation (2015). The recommendations and opinions expressed in this content reflect the personal, independent, and objective views of the author regarding any and all of the companies discussed. No part of the compensation received by the author was, is, or will be directly or indirectly tied to the specific recommendations or views expressed.

John Newell Disclaimer

As always it is important to note that investing in precious metals like silver carries risks, and market conditions can change violently with shock and awe tactics, that we have seen over the past 20 years. Before making any investment decisions, it's advisable consult with a financial advisor if needed. Also the practice of conducting thorough research and to consider your investment goals and risk tolerance.

In case you haven't heard, the Gold Rush is back on in America.

People have long turned to gold in times of economic or political uncertainty since pure gold doesn't tarnish and always holds value. Unlike cash, "it's something that's yours and not the government's," said Nikaila Delorenzi, owner and manager of the historic Matelot Gulch Mining Co. in Columbia, California.

After the government shutdown, the price of gold hit its 39th high of the year. Amateur gold prospecting clubs in California's Central Valley have seen their memberships grow in recent months, according to a report by Lucy Hodgman for the San Francisco Chronicle on October 5. More people have come to pan for souvenir flakes at Matelot Gulch, Delorenzi said, or to sell their raw gold collections and heirlooms at the store she runs on the property.

Matelot Gulch is located in the Sierra foothills community of Columbia, about 80 miles from where James Marshall first discovered gold in 1848.

Gold soared to a fresh record on Tuesday, hitting US$4,000 a troy ounce for the first time and "putting an exclamation point on the headlong investor rush into alternative assets at a time of concern about the value of the U.S. dollar," noted The Wall Street Journal's David Uberti on October 7.

Prices are continuing their upward trajectory as the U.S. government shutdown continues, reported Rounak Jain for Stocktwits on October 6.

Economist Peter Schiff cautioned that the surge in gold prices indicates a looming collapse in the stock market. "But when it comes to gold, it's nothing like 1999, when gold was near the bottom of a twenty-year bear market," Schiff posted on X, according to Jain. "The gold market is telling us that the bust that’s coming will be much worse than the bursting of the dot-com bubble."

Gold prices have jumped nearly 51% this year, surpassing the US$3,000 mark for the first time in March. Since then, the price of the precious metal has increased by nearly 33%, Jain reported.

US$4,200 Per Ounce Gold by End of Year?

According to a Reuters report, Marex analyst Edward Meir attributed the current rally to the U.S. government shutdown, political unrest in France, and rising yields in Japan, Jain said in the Stocktwits report.

"The fact that we're so close to US$4,000/oz also suggests that some of the funds might be trying to push it up to get to that mark," Meir commented.

The report also noted that UBS analysts now predict gold prices will reach US$4,200 per ounce by the end of 2025.

Gold has an appeal as a safe haven for investors during economic or political turmoil such as the ongoing U.S. government shutdown and expectations of a Federal Reserve rate cut later this month, reported Scott Kanowsky for Investing.com on October 7.

Markets largely anticipate the Fed will reduce borrowing costs by 0.25% at its upcoming meeting on October 28-29, according to CME's FedWatch Tool, Kanowsky noted. The central bank had previously resumed an easing cycle in September and suggested that further reductions could occur before year-end.

This environment has enhanced the allure of non-yielding bullion, which typically performs well when interest rates are low, Kanowsky wrote.

Data showing increased gold purchases by the People’s Bank of China also has supported gold prices, he noted. The PBOC's gold holdings reached 74.06 million fine troy ounces at the end of September, up from 74.02 million the previous month. The value of these holdings also rose significantly in September, amid a rally in gold prices. China's gold buying helps diversify its foreign reserves away from the dollar and U.S. Treasuries, as the country rapidly acquires gold amid strained relations with Washington.

Economy On a 'Sugar High'

Citadel's Ken Griffin expressed concern that investors are increasingly viewing gold as a safer asset compared to the dollar, a trend he finds "really concerning," reported Katherine Doherty and Annika Inampudi for Bloomberg on October 6.

In an interview with Bloomberg’s Francine Lacqua on Monday, Griffin noted, "We're seeing substantial asset inflation away from the dollar as people are looking for ways to effectively de-dollarize, or de-risk their portfolios vis-a-vis US sovereign risk."

The ongoing federal government shutdown and the possibility of rate cuts have driven the precious metal to record highs. This year, investors have increasingly turned to gold, silver, and Bitcoin, in what’s being referred to as the "debasement trade."

Griffin pointed out that the U.S. is experiencing fiscal and monetary stimulus similar to what typically occurs during a recession, which is energizing the markets. "We're definitely on a bit of a sugar high in the US economy right now," he remarked, according to Bloomberg.

Griffin made the comments at a Citadel Securities conference for institutional clients in downtown Manhattan. The market-making firm he founded in 2002 facilitates transactions in equities and fixed income, serving asset managers, banks, broker-dealers, hedge funds, government agencies, and public pension programs.

Advantages of Building Wealth With Gold

While some investors may seek short-term profits, gold has traditionally been viewed as a long-term asset, according to a piece by Emily Lockert for CBS News MoneyWatch on March 19. She outlined five key advantages for building long-term wealth with gold:

Gold has widespread value: Gold has long been recognized as a valuable asset, with its worth transcending borders and cultures. Throughout history, gold has been utilized in various forms, from currency in the form of coins to its use in electronics and jewelry.

Gold maintains value and hedges against inflation: In recent years, persistent inflation has eroded the value of the dollar. For instance, US$100 in February 2020 had the same purchasing power as US$123.35 in February 2025, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics CPI Inflation Calculator, reflecting a 23% cumulative increase in prices over five years. As costs rise due to inflation, people seek ways to preserve their wealth, and gold offers a solution.

Gold provides diversification: To build long-term wealth, diversifying across various asset classes is crucial. While you might already have investments in the stock market, adding gold can enhance diversification with unique benefits.

Gold is a safe-haven asset: In times of uncertainty, such as questions about Federal Reserve interest rate cuts or the impact of tariffs on the stock market, many investors turn to gold as a safe-haven asset. Gold is often seen as a way to weather economic storms and market volatility, as it retains its value.

Gold offers versatility: You don't have to purchase gold bars and coins to add gold to your portfolio. There are various gold investment options worth exploring, such as gold ETFs, gold IRAs, and more.

And yes, you can find an amateur prospecting club and pan for the metal yourself. But it may be simpler to invest in gold companies. Here are a few with recent news.

Optimal Mix of Gold in Portfolio?

Billionaire Ray Dalio stated that gold is "certainly" a more reliable safe haven than the US dollar, drawing parallels to the 1970s when gold soared amid high inflation and economic uncertainty, according to a report by Alexandra Semenova for Bloomberg on October 8.

Dalio, who founded the hedge-fund firm Bridgewater Associates, made the comments at a conference when asked if he agreed with Griffin that gold's rise signals concerns about the U.S. currency.

"Gold is a very excellent diversifier of the portfolio," Dalio said during a panel discussion with Bloomberg’s Lisa Abramowicz at the Greenwich Economic Forum in Connecticut. "So, if you were to look at just from the strategic asset allocation mix perspective, you would probably have as the optimal mix something like 15% of your portfolio in gold."

Google's AI search noted that it found experts recommending a gold allocation of 5% to 20% of your portfolio.

A paper published in January by Sprott said a 10% to 15% allocation to gold and gold-related equities is an important component of a well-diversified portfolio.

"Physical gold has the potential to provide solid returns and diversification," the paper said. "Gold's robust liquidity and historic resilience make it a valued asset during times of economic stress. Because of this, we suggest that gold is a fixed income alternative and believe it has a place in investment portfolios."

Renegade Gold Inc.

Renegade Gold Inc. (RAGE; TSX: TGLDF; OTC: 070:FSE) is a growth-oriented company focused on acquiring, exploring, and developing mineral properties in the Red Lake Mining District of Northern Ontario. As part of its regional consolidation strategy, the company has assembled one of the largest prospective land packages in and around the Red Lake district.

On October 3, the company announced that it entered into a purchase agreement acquire the BobJo Property in Ontario's Red Lake Mining District. BobJo encompasses 65 hectares of nine patented claims.

Additionally, the company said it signed an option agreement to acquire the Keystone Property, covering 4,320 hectares of 212 unpatented single-cell claims in the district. With these acquisitions, Renegade’s consolidated land holdings in Red Lake now total approximately 94,000 hectares, making it one of the largest exploration portfolios in the district, the company said.

The BobJo Property will be developed as part of the Renegade's Confederation Project, while the Keystone Property enhances Renegade’s contiguous holdings between the Red Lake Main, Gullrock, and Confederation properties, further bolstering the company's presence across both the Red Lake and Confederation greenstone belts.

"The Keystone Property represents a strategic extension of the Confederation unit that links our core Red Lake land with our extensive Confederation Belt holdings," Renegade Chief Executive Officer Devin Pickell said. "This 15-kilometer corridor starts near Red Lake at the Balmer-Confederation contact and stretches eastward along highly favorable structural targets and mafic-felsic contacts, which are crucial to recent Red Lake discoveries."

The Keystone Property serves as an excellent connection between Red Lake and the Birch-Uchi Confederation belt while also enabling more efficient claim management, he said.

"The addition of BobJo comes at an exciting time as we renew our focus on developing a robust pipeline of exploration targets within the Confederation Project," the CEO said. "This property is entirely within our existing land position, and the historical presence of high-grade gold mineralization is extremely promising. We look forward to refining our exploration models and advancing new drill targets in this area."

According to Refinitiv, about 18% of Renegade Gold is held by management and insiders. Of them, R Dale Ginn owns 2.87%, and Navjit Dhaliwal owns 2.86%. 

Institutions hold about 1%, including U.S. Global Investors.

Renegade Gold has 52.62 million outstanding shares, 42.82 million free float shares, and a market capitalization of CA$6.57 million. Renegade's 52-week range is CA$0.10 - CA$0.23.

Torr Metals Inc.

Torr Metals Inc. (TMET:TSX.V), based in Edmonton, said it is dedicated to uncovering new copper and gold discovery opportunities within well-established, easily accessible mining districts across Canada. These areas boast both existing infrastructure and an increasing demand for near-term resources.

Torr's wholly owned, district-scale properties are strategically positioned for cost-effective, year-round exploration and development. The 275 km² Kolos Copper-Gold Project and the strategically optioned 57 km² Bertha Property are located in southern British Columbia's renowned Quesnel Terrane, just 30 kilometers southeast of the Highland Valley Copper Mine, Canada's largest open-pit copper operation, and 40 kilometers south of Kamloops along Highway 5.

In northern Ontario, the 261 km² Filion Gold Project encompasses a largely unexplored greenstone belt with significant high-grade orogenic gold potential. It is situated just off Trans-Canada Highway 11, approximately 42 kilometers from Kapuskasing and 202 kilometers by road from the Timmins mining camp, home to world-class gold mines such as Hollinger, McIntyre, and Dome.

In September, the company announced results from the analysis of historical soil and rock grab samples covering the Sonic copper-gold porphyry target on its wholly owned 275 km² Kolos Copper-Gold Project in south-central British Columbia.

The historical data reveals a 4.5 km² copper-gold soil anomaly extending north of the Sonic Zone within Torr’s 100%-owned land, showing up to 4,510 parts per million (ppm) copper (Cu) and 590 parts per billion (ppb) gold (Au).

Additionally, field reconnaissance in 2025 within the Sonic Zone Cu-Au porphyry target area uncovered a new mineralized outcrop approximately 1 kilometer northeast of Torr’s 2024 discovery, the company said. This outcrop returned 1.1% Cu in a magnetite-rich grab sample along the edges of a highly promising high magnetic anomaly. The newly discovered outcrop returned 0.42% Cu from a strongly sheared quartz-carbonate vein hosted in Nicola Group volcanics, located near a pyritized monzonite intrusion and a silica-apatite dyke. These features suggest potential vectors toward an alkalic Cu-Au porphyry center with gold enrichment, supported by structural links to nearby epithermal Au-Ag-Cu systems at the Meadow Creek and Plug targets, where historical trenching yielded 2.24 g/t Au and 400.6 g/t Ag over 4.4 meters as well as 20.8 g/t Au over 0.56 meters.

As copper exploration gains momentum in British Columbia's Quesnel Trough, Torr is positioning itself for a potential new discovery, according to analyst John Newell of John Newell & Associates on October 6.*

With several undrilled copper-gold porphyry centers, robust infrastructure, and a streamlined share structure, the company's wholly owned Kolos Copper-Gold Project is attracting interest as it prepares for its inaugural drill program set to commence in October 2025, he said.

The Quesnel Trough is "home to some of Canada's largest and longest-lived copper mines, including Highland Valley (Teck), New Afton (New Gold), and Copper Mountain (Hudbay)," Newell wrote.

The company's projects give "exposure to both copper and gold discovery opportunities across Canada, with Kolos leading the near-term news flow as the first drill program begins in Q4 2025," Newell wrote.

For investors looking to gain exposure to a new copper discovery narrative in one of Canada's safest and most productive mining areas, Newell said Torr Metals was considered a Speculative Buy at the price at the time of writing of CA$0.15. The technical price targets are set at CA$0.24, CA$0.48, and a longer-term target in the range of CA$0.60–CA$0.65, contingent upon a confirmed discovery-driven breakout, Newell said.

According to Torr, about 21% of the company is owned by management and close associates and about 9% by institutions. The rest is retail.

Top shareholders include Torr Resources Corp. (owned by CEO Malcolm Dorsey) with 7.65%, Severin Holdings Inc. with 6.38%, John Williamson with 2.27%, Sean Richard William Mager with 1.24%, and Malcolm Dorsey with 0.11%, Refinitiv reported.

Torr has a market cap of CA$8.1 million and 52.26 million shares outstanding. It trades in a 52-week range between CA$0.08 and CA$0.18 per share.

Pasofino Gold Ltd.

Pasofino Gold Ltd. (VEIN:TSX.V; EFRGF:OTCQB; N07:FSE) is a Canadian mineral exploration company that owns 100% of the Dugbe Gold Project through its wholly owned subsidiary, before accounting for the Government of Liberia’s 10% carried interest.

Dugbe, spanning 1,410 km², is located in southern Liberia within the southwestern corner of the Birimian Supergroup, which hosts many West African gold deposits.

Currently, Pasofino is focusing on updating the Dugbe Gold Project feasibility study to support its project financing efforts, aiming to begin construction in 2026, as highlighted in the MineScope Services Ltd. gap analysis announced on August 26, 2025.

In September, the company gave an update on its ongoing exploration efforts at Dugbe, where the company has identified new drilling targets at the Jadae East and DSZ prospects, both situated on the Dugbe Shear Zone near the Tuzon and Dugbe F deposits.

As of the last resource update in November 2021, the Dugbe project hosts a Measured and Indicated Mineral Resource of 3.3 million ounces (Moz) of gold with an average grade of 1.37 grams per tonne (g/t), along with an additional Inferred Resource of 0.6 Moz. These resources are concentrated around the Tuzon and Dugbe F deposits, discovered in 2011 and 2009, respectively.

According to the company’s news release, the current exploration campaign is focused on potential near-surface oxide satellite deposits within 8 kilometers of existing infrastructure.

Pasofino stated that "this early stage exploration work is necessary to prepare several of these key targets for drilling," as part of its broader regional and deposit-specific programs.

The company plans to begin drill testing at DSZ during the upcoming feasibility study drilling campaign in late 2025. The feasibility study update is being prepared to support project financing and permitting, with construction slated for 2026.

According to Refinitiv, nine strategic entities own 52% of Pasofino. Of these investors, the Top 3 are Hummingbird with 46.78%, Mansa Resources with 4.07%, and Brett Richards with 0.9%.

The rest is in retail.

Pasofino has 127.03 million outstanding shares and 61.02 million free float traded shares. Its market cap is CA$66.03 million. Its 52-week trading range is CA$0.38–CA$0.80 per share.