Value of top 50 mining companies surge by $357 billion after monster August rally

Between August 16 and August 25, the value of the top 50 mining companies increased by $357 billion. This surge propelled them back above the $2.5 trillion mark for the first time since February, thanks to gold stocks shining with prices near $1,000 per ounce. Gold started the month at $4,043 an ounce and climbed to almost $4,660 by August 25, its highest since mid-May.

However, a hawkish Jackson Hole speech from Federal Reserve chair Kevin Warsh and fresh US strikes on Iran caused a retreat, but even then, bullion still ended up almost 10% higher, its best month since January. Silver also performed well, with a 20% increase at one point, reaching $70 an ounce. The gold, silver, and royalty companies together contributed $183 billion to the month's gain, with the gold miners adding $138 billion, representing a 31% rise in four weeks.

Twelve of the thirteen gold miners in the ranking finished higher, with AngloGold Ashanti leading at a 41.6% advance worth almost $17 billion, following a 58% profit rise and a $2 billion buyback. Evolution Mining and Gold Fields also showed strong performances, up 41.4% and 40.6% respectively. Newmont and Agnico Eagle, two of the largest companies, added $34 billion and $29 billion respectively, both now surpassing the $100 billion mark.

While precious metals stocks are still trading 19% below their end-February peak, the August rally helped them recover half of the value lost since then. Southern Copper briefly overtook Rio Tinto, the industry's number one and two, due to record quarterly results and a copper price above $14,000 per tonne. However, copper prices began to pull back in the last week of the month, restoring the old order with Southern Copper closing at $176.4 billion, just $600 million behind Rio Tinto.