Following a considerable run of strength, the price of gold began to settle as this year unfolded. The sudden rise in the price of crude oil and associated products drove the market to free up cash to cover increased costs and buffer against any further uncertainty. As a highly tradeable asset, gold hence fell victim to broad selling.
However, as the market stabilises, an opportunity could appear for those seeking to build up their gold exposure. Gold miners provide a way to leverage bets on gold. Their profits come from the difference between gold prices and the cost of extracting gold and, as gold miners invest in expanding their network of mines, new potential revenue sources appear. Material by-products of gold mining, such as copper, are also valuable and can provide a buffer against declines in the value of gold.
Three gold mining stocks for your portfolio
Barrick Mining Corp (NYSE: B) is a mining company producing gold and copper. Its operations span South and North America, Africa and the Middle East. Barrick was the world's largest gold-mining company until 2019, and its 2026 production guidance totals 2.9 million to 3.25 million ounces of gold and 190,000 to 220,000 tonnes of copper.
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Following the broad shift in the industry to an increased focus on shareholder value, Barrick has been a leading example of the success of this move. The firm has strong policies to generate cash flow and a target dividend payout of 50% of free cash flows. A $3 billion share repurchase was authorised in May and the company is moving forward with plans to publicly list its North American gold assets, further strengthening shareholder value.
B2Gold (NYSE American: BTG) is a Canadian mining company operating across Mali, Namibia and the Philippines. It is focused solely on gold mining and produced just under 240,000 ounces in the first quarter of 2026. This smaller output means B2 cannot benefit from the scale efficiencies of larger mining operators, increasing its extraction costs and therefore the leverage of firm value relative to gold prices.
Despite this higher cost base, B2's all-in sustaining cost (AISC), a key metric for the industry, came in lower than predicted in the first quarter, which is particularly beneficial in the current environment of rising fuel costs. What's more, B2's strong financial and liquidity position means that the firm is well placed to deal with any further market shocks or uncertainty. The company's AGM in June revealed a strong commitment from B2's shareholders to leverage this strength to achieve growth and manage risk.
OceanaGold Corporation (Toronto: OGC) is a gold-mining and exploration company based operationally across Canada and Australia. Although costs exceeded expectations for the first quarter of 2026, the company reported strong operational performance. It posted record quarterly revenue and earnings, with a significant year-over-year increase. Furthermore, free cash flow surged by 271% when compared with the previous year.
Despite all this, over the same period, the stock price declined nearly 4%. The strong technical performance paired with observed price weakness suggests a potential buying opportunity. The company predicts a decline in extraction costs as production expands and access to high-grade ore improves. Its Haile mine project in South Carolina is expected to lead to a 35% rise in gold production, while reducing costs by about 25%.
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