Green Gold - A Gold Mining Perspective

Abstract

Gold is a long-lasting, durable and thus sustainable metal and asset. However, mining for gold often adversely affects the environment. This study proposes an alternative to mitigate these negative externalities and costs of gold mining. Instead of digging out gold for investment purposes we propose to leave it in the ground and let nature act as a natural vault and custodian legally protected by gold firms and the government. Empirically, we analyse whether portfolios of gold exploration companies with access to such "green" gold also provide exposure to the world price of gold. The results demonstrate that gold mining is not necessary to give investors access to gold.