With the world consuming five times more oil than it is discovering, Peak Oil and Peak Gold have finally arrived. However, the world hasn’t figured this out yet, but it will. And, when it does, we will see much higher prices for precious metals in the future. Why? Peak oil equals peak gold and peak silver production.
If we look at the following chart, it doesn’t take a brain surgeon to realize, the world is consuming a great deal more oil than we are discovering. While part of the reason for the record low global oil discoveries is due to ESG and Green Energy, the oil industry had difficulty replacing reserves a decade ago when they invested lots of money. A decade ago, we were consuming 2.5 times the oil we were finding now; it’s five times.
Don’t take my word for it… look at the following chart below showing global conventional oil discoveries since 1947.
Unfortunately, there just isn’t that much good quality oil remaining in the world, which is why Russia is trying to access oil in the Frozen Arctic. Why are we going to the Arctic to get oil if there is plenty on land? There isn’t… LOL. So, while a good percentage of individuals in the world think peak oil is a grand conspiracy, the data suggests otherwise. But, who goes by facts anymore??
With Peak Oil, we get Peak Gold. Why? Because the massive increase in global oil production has allowed an enormous increase in world gold production (and silver production). The World Gold Council just released their Q2 2022 Gold Demand Trends Report, including gold mine supply for the first half of the year. Let’s first look at Global Gold Production from 1H 2010 to 1H 2022.
From 2010 to 2018, global 1H gold production increased significantly but plateaued and declined slightly in 2019. Gold production fell even more during the pandemic shutdown, but has been steadily higher in the past two years. Interestingly, we can clearly see a correlation between the rise in global oil production and world gold production.
It takes a massive amount of petroleum to extract gold from the ground and transport it to the mine for milling and processing. Furthermore, the gold mining industry continues to consume a tremendous amount of materials, supplies, and equipment to produce metal. When global oil production peaks and declines, not only will the gold mining industry have less fuel to extract gold, it will also suffer from a decrease in the amount of materials, supplies, and equipment. Thus, less oil means fewer goods and services.
Welcome to the ENERGY CLIFF…
If we look at the following chart showing South African gold production versus the Rest of the World, we can clearly see a peak and plateau over the past several years.
South African gold production peaked in 1970 at a record staggering 1,000 metric tons. Thus, there is no coincidence that the gold price really began to take off during the 1970s after South Africa peaked. With skyrocketing oil prices during the 1970s, the cost to produce gold increased dramatically. Add this to surging gold investment demand and falling global supply; this pushed the gold price from $40 in $1970 to a high of $850 in 1980.
I see the same price dynamic occurring in the future as investment demand for gold surges while global mine supply declines. However, this time around, the world will not be able to increase oil or gold production as it did from the 1980s to 2020. Folks, we are reaching the ULTIMATE PEAK in GLOBAL OIL & GOLD PRODUCTION…
Place your bets wisely… I got mine in physical gold and silver bullion.
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The gold/oil production correlation is absolutely stark. And the conventional oil discovery chart – is that correct? Conventional discoveries essentially disappear by 2016? It’s going to take a brain surgeon to fix what just snapped in my head.
Fracking, tar sands, etcetera – not conventional (of course)
Is deep sea non-conventional as well? I keep re-reading to see if I missed something.
Still blown away by this report. By the way, as much as I enjoy the video updates, the text/chart format really lets you stop, stare, and study a chart. These are great too. I think it was Heinberg that wrote Peak Everything. We’re getting there.
If conventional is scrapping the bottom of the barrel, significant discovers are that much less likely in a dearth of energy environment. We’ve definitely stretched Hubbert’s Peak into a plateau. Feels like an unfinished bridge.
“The world hasn’t figured this out yet, but they will”.
Yes, but only when it’s forced on them by harsh realities.
As you go on to state they (many) refuse to accept peak anything. That includes refusing to look at data, facts, statistics, evidence, etc.
Same basic hard-headed refusal about health/medical facts (“I don’t get hangovers from drinking” said three friends, two are deceased and the 3rd has cirrhosis of his liver), and a lot of other topics as well.
Just gives those who can connect the dots more time to make their preparations for a less plentiful future.
Sadly, I think that’s true. Normally bias? The medical example is a good one – be it nutrition or covid. Trust in authorities will get you killed. A hard rain is gonna fall.
In the next recession, there may be more destruction that can’t be rebuilt.
We will then find ourselves in a strange ball game whose rules are constantly changing.
As a result, few will be able to understand what is really going on.
Congratulations to all who have made it this far!
https://ourfiniteworld.com/
I agree; many won’t understand what has happened or what is going on.
When people get into crisis mode (one to several of the following: unemployed, unable to pay bills, hungry, in an area where fear rules, like rampant crime, transportation issues, health issues, etc.), they will be consumed by emotions.
They won’t have the time or patience for “foundational” learning. And when in crisis, one’s attention naturally is focused on that crisis.
Steve- you should do a report on data centers and the drain on the power grid in those locales. It is becoming a big problem. Check out Loudoun County, in VA. Utility company said that it won’t be able to provide enough electricity for several new and pending DC buildings there. Also in London, UK- Check that out; same scenario. There, the utility company is denying approval of new housing developments, because the DC’s there are using “too much electricity”.