Analysts tell AngloGold: focus on operations and debt first, diversify later
In the increasingly unpredictable world of commodity prices, mining companies with diversified portfolios may be in a more defensive position as they can ride out the low cycles of one commodity while benefiting from the up cycle of another. But those miners that rely on a single metal, such as AngloGold Ashanti, are more vulnerable when the gold price languishes. However, with the third-biggest gold producer in the world still searching for a new CEO to take over from Srinivasan "Venkat" Venkatakrishnan, the company could be considering diversification as part of its growth strategy. AngloGold Ashanti is mainly a gold producer. However, similar to other miners, the company produces silver as a by-product, although silver does not contribute significantly to its portfolio.The company also has a greenfields gold project, Quebradona in Colombia, which could produce copper as well. But even with the possibilities and merits of diversifying into copper or other commodities, analysts say...
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