Agnico Eagle Mines Suspends Barnat Pit Operations Amid Rock Movement Incident
Written by Emily J. Thompson, Senior Investment Analyst
Updated: 6 days ago
0mins
Source: seekingalpha
Agnico Eagle Mines Ltd (AEM) has seen its stock price decline by 3.05% as it hits a 20-day low following the suspension of operations at the Barnat pit due to a rock mass movement incident.
On July 1, 2026, a rock mass movement occurred along the north wall of the Barnat open pit at the Canadian Malartic complex, prompting Agnico Eagle to temporarily suspend mining operations in the area to ensure safety, despite no injuries or equipment damage. The company anticipates a reduction of 60,000 to 80,000 ounces in gold production for the second half of 2026, leading to an expected full-year output near the lower end of its guidance range of 3.3 to 3.5 million ounces, indicating a significant impact on production plans.
While the Barnat pit operations are affected, Agnico Eagle's technical teams are conducting a detailed geotechnical assessment to confirm the stability of the affected area and plan for a safe resumption of mining operations, emphasizing the company's commitment to safety and operational continuity.
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Analyst Views on AEM
Wall Street analysts forecast AEM stock price to rise
13 Analyst Rating
7 Buy
5 Hold
1 Sell
Moderate Buy
Current: 150.330
Low
1.60
Averages
231.12
High
337.00
Current: 150.330
Low
1.60
Averages
231.12
High
337.00
About AEM
Agnico Eagle Mines Limited is a Canadian-based and led senior gold mining company. The Company has operating mines in Canada, Australia, Finland and Mexico. It has over 70% interest in Fingold Ventures Ltd. Its operations and development projects include LaRonde Complex, Canadian Malartic Complex, Goldex Complex, Detour Lake, Macassa, Meliadine, Meadowbank Complex, Fosterville, Pinos Altos, and Kittila. Its exploration projects include Hammond Reef, Hope Bay, Upper Beaver, San Nicolas, Wasamac. Its Canadian Malartic Complex is in northwestern Quebec which consists of the Canadian Malartic mines and the Odyssey mine. The Fosterville mine is a high-grade, low-cost underground gold mine, located approximately 20 kilometers (km) from the city of Bendigo. Its Kittila mine is located in the Lapland region of northern Finland, over 150 km north of the Arctic circle. It also focuses on advancing the Ikkari project in the Central Lapland Greenstone Belt of Northern Finland.
About the author
Emily J. Thompson
Emily J. Thompson, a Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA) with 12 years in investment research, graduated with honors from the Wharton School. Specializing in industrial and technology stocks, she provides in-depth analysis for Intellectia’s earnings and market brief reports.
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- Rating Upgrade: Jefferies upgraded Agnico Eagle Mines (AEM) from Hold to Buy with a price target increase from C$187 to C$200, indicating that recent share price weakness has created an attractive opportunity among high-quality gold producers.
- Gold Price Forecast Adjustment: Jefferies lowered its Q4 gold price forecast to $4,600/oz from $5,400 and FY 2027 forecast to $5,000/oz from $5,200, yet analysts believe that as gold prices moderate, investors will increasingly prioritize asset quality.
- Significant Cost Advantage: Agnico Eagle boasts an all-in sustaining cost of $1,456/oz, significantly lower than peers at $1,800/oz, resulting in peer-leading margins of approximately $3,140/oz compared to $2,800/oz for other producers, enhancing the company's profitability.
- Improved Risk-Reward: Despite AEM underperforming the broader gold mining sector year-to-date and the recent Barnat-related update weighing on sentiment, analysts believe that Agnico Eagle's risk-reward profile has become increasingly favorable, especially since Barnat represents only about 5% of net asset value.
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- Mining Suspension: Agnico Eagle Mines has temporarily suspended operations at the Barnat pit in its Canadian Malartic complex due to a rock mass movement along the north wall, resulting in a 1.4% drop in early trading.
- Geological Monitoring: The area had previously been identified as having weaker geological structures and was under enhanced geotechnical monitoring, with technical teams conducting a detailed assessment to determine next steps.
- Production Downgrade: The company expects the incident to reduce gold production at Canadian Malartic by 60,000 to 80,000 ounces in H2 2023, potentially pushing full-year output toward the lower end of its previously disclosed guidance range of 3.3 million to 3.5 million ounces.
- Long-term Impact: The Barnat pit was expected to be mined out by early 2029, and this incident could reduce production by as much as 150,000 ounces per year in both 2027 and 2028, pending the outcome of the geotechnical assessment.
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- Rating Upgrade: Jefferies upgraded Agnico Eagle Mines (AEM) from Hold to Buy with a price target increase from C$187 to C$200, indicating that recent share price weakness has created an attractive opportunity among high-quality gold producers.
- Gold Price Forecast Adjustment: Jefferies lowered its Q4 gold price forecast to $4,600/oz from $5,400 and FY 2027 forecast to $5,000/oz from $5,200, yet analysts believe that as gold prices moderate, investors will increasingly prioritize asset quality.
- Significant Cost Advantage: Agnico Eagle boasts an all-in sustaining cost of $1,456/oz, significantly lower than peers at $1,800/oz, resulting in peer-leading margins of approximately $3,140/oz compared to $2,800/oz for other producers, enhancing the company's profitability.
- Improved Risk-Reward: Despite AEM underperforming the broader gold mining sector year-to-date and the recent Barnat-related update weighing on sentiment, analysts believe that Agnico Eagle's risk-reward profile has become increasingly favorable, especially since Barnat represents only about 5% of net asset value.
See More
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- Quarterly Performance Review: GDX dropped 21% in Q2 2026, falling from $96 in early April to $75 by June 30, yet it remains up 50% over the past year, indicating a potential rebound for gold miners.
- Operational Leverage Effect: When gold prices rise from $2,000 to $3,000, miners' free cash flow significantly increases, demonstrating that miners' profitability amplifies during gold price increases and declines.
- Acquisition Activity Signal: Genesis Minerals' $3.9 billion bid for Vault Minerals indicates that producers view gold resources as cheap and their cash flows as durable, reflecting confidence in the industry's future.
- Investment Strategy Recommendation: GDX should be treated as a satellite position in a portfolio, with gold exposure recommended at 5% to 10%, as miners' operational leverage offers potential upside during gold price increases but also carries high volatility risks.
See More
Key Wall Street Rating Updates on Monday
- Wise Rating Upgrade: JPMorgan upgraded Wise to overweight, expecting net revenue growth in Q1 and Q2 to exceed mid-term guidance, indicating significant positive momentum in user activity and transaction volumes, which could drive stock price appreciation.
- AMD Price Target Increase: Goldman Sachs raised AMD's price target from $450 to $640, believing strong performance in server CPUs will drive quarterly results, despite potential headwinds in the PC segment, maintaining an overall bullish outlook.
- Netflix Price Target Downgrade: Goldman lowered Netflix's price target from $120 to $110 while maintaining a buy rating, anticipating upcoming earnings to face challenges in user growth and engagement due to seasonal factors and content scheduling impacts.
- IBM Price Target Increase: Bank of America raised IBM's price target from $315 to $330, noting the company's shift towards higher-margin software and M&A activities driving strong free cash flow, indicating potential for future growth.
See More
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- Mining Suspension: Agnico Eagle Mines has temporarily suspended operations at the Barnat pit in its Canadian Malartic complex due to a rock mass movement along the north wall, resulting in a 1.4% drop in early trading.
- Geological Monitoring: The area had previously been identified as having weaker geological structures and was under enhanced geotechnical monitoring, with technical teams conducting a detailed assessment to determine next steps.
- Production Downgrade: The company expects the incident to reduce gold production at Canadian Malartic by 60,000 to 80,000 ounces in H2 2023, potentially pushing full-year output toward the lower end of its previously disclosed guidance range of 3.3 million to 3.5 million ounces.
- Long-term Impact: The Barnat pit was expected to be mined out by early 2029, and this incident could reduce production by as much as 150,000 ounces per year in both 2027 and 2028, pending the outcome of the geotechnical assessment.
See More
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- Project Approval Progress: Lake Victoria Gold received approval from the Tanzania Mining Commission on June 29, 2026, formally appointing City Engineering Company Ltd. as the primary EPCM contractor for the Imwelo Gold Project, marking a significant step toward construction.
- Localized Management Model: The EPCM structure combines Tanzanian engineering capabilities with international technical support, aiming to enhance local professional participation and promote economic development in Tanzania through a locally-led project delivery.
- Financing Activities Advancing: Lake Victoria Gold is progressing with a gold loan agreement of up to $25 million with Monetary Metals & Co., which, while still subject to conditions and regulatory approvals, provides financial backing for the project's construction.
- Strategic Significance: Against the backdrop of gold prices nearing record highs, the project's advancement has garnered investor attention, and the consolidation of engineering and development workflows is expected to enhance the company's position in a competitive market.
See More
Lake Victoria Gold Secures Approval for Tanzanian Project
- Project Approval Milestone: Lake Victoria Gold received approval from the Tanzania Mining Commission on June 29, 2026, formally appointing City Engineering Company Ltd. as the primary EPCM contractor for the Imwelo Gold Project, marking a significant step toward construction.
- Integrated Delivery Framework: The approved EPCM structure consolidates engineering and development workstreams under a single Tanzanian-led framework, enhancing project management efficiency and laying the groundwork for future construction decisions, reflecting improved operational discipline.
- Advancing Financing Activities: Lake Victoria Gold is negotiating with Monetary Metals & Co. for a gold loan facility of up to $25 million, which will provide essential funding support for the project's further development, ensuring it progresses as planned.
- Compliance with Local Content Regulations: The company adheres strictly to Tanzania's Mining (Local Content) Regulations, collaborating with local firms not only to meet regulatory requirements but also to enhance local professional participation, thereby increasing the project's sustainability and social responsibility.
See More
