It is noteworthy that silver is regarded as more useful than gold for industrial purposes, as it has a 60% annual off-take relative to less than 15% for gold. Silver is a key component to many new technologies, such as RFID tags, biocides in hospital linen, and preservative treatments for timber. Furthermore, it is a crucial component of photo-voltaic cells, which are primarily used for converting solar energy into electricity.
In spite of continuous volatility in the prices of precious metals, 2012 was an extremely successful year for the company. It reported revenue of $930 million underpinned by record production of gold and silver. It is rather ironic to see that in spite of posting robust revenue and earnings, the company’s share price dropped more than 20% during its fiscal year 2012. I believe this was primarily due to the fact that investors, owing to a global economic crisis, avoided the precious-metals market.
The first quarter of 2013 witnessed a 60% fall in the company’s earnings due to general economic weakness in North America and Europe, which consequently led to low average prices for all metals. A recently published report by Thomson Reuters projects a bright picture for the industry, as demand for silver is estimated to escalate sharply and reach a record 500 million ounces during 2014.The growing demand is mainly underpinned by an expected rebound in the construction, housing and auto industries.
Pan American Silver Corp. (USA) (NASDAQ:PAAS) has been making all the right moves to secure robust growth in its top-line and a consistent increase in earnings. This is further validated through the strategic acquisition of Minefinders for $1.5 billion, which enables Pan American Silver Corp. (USA) (NASDAQ:PAAS) direct access to its mining reserves in Mexico. This will facilitate the company in achieving its goal of becoming the largest and lowest-cost primary producer of silver in the world.
As Latin American countries of Peru, Bolivia and Mexico are the largest reservoirs of silver, Pan American Silver Corp. (USA) (NASDAQ:PAAS) has succeeded in establishing itself as one of the largest miners in the region.
The mining industry has been lately affected by protests with concerns related to environmental degradation and the impact on the general health of the public in nearby areas. Moreover, political risks threaten the future of such high-value investments.
Industry scenario
A comprehensive analysis of the metals and mining industry by global advisory firm Ernst and Young, identified several crucial challenges, which could impact the industry in the long term.
At present, the primary risk faced by the industry is resource nationalism, as most countries are seeking to retain ownership of their natural assets. Such changes in ownership laws have a significant impact on the potential reward miners expect from the risk taken for paying 100% for their investments and receiving only a small percentage of future investment return.
A decline in demand of solar panels has led to a noticeable drop in demand for silver, making the near-term outlook for the industry relatively weak. However, as growth picks up on the back of robust demand through the APAC region, particularly China, resurgence in the demand for silver is in the cards.
Competitive landscape
Pan American Silver Corp. (USA) (NASDAQ:PAAS) faces intense competition from some of the largest mining companies in the world. Its primary competitor and the largest company in the mining sector is BHP Billiton Limited (ADR) (NYSE:BHP). The company is headquartered in Melbourne. It is one of the biggest names in the mining industry with a diverse range of revenue streams such as silver and gold mining, petroleum, diamond and iron ore.
