COVID-19 was NOT the news headline of the year

When asked what factor will have the most significant impact upon mining and metals over the next decade, social license and electric vehicle material demand were common choices amongst a panel of news editors and special guests.Correspondent Paul Harris, editor Neil Christensen and Mining Audiences Manager Michael McCrae recorded Kitco Roundtable Christmas Special last week.The panelists looked back at the year that was and also looked forward to the next ten years. There were appearances by Sprott's CEO, Peter Grosskopf, and Wheaton Precious Metals CEO, Randy Smallwood.Other topics the panel weighed in on were deciding what will be the top-performing metal over the next decade and what were the top news headlines of 2020. COVID-19 was not selected. The editors felt that COVID-19's effects were limited to just 2020. There are other stories that will have a more profound and lasting impact.McCrae chose Vale's difficulties in New Caledonia, which tie together themes of EV materials, social license and China's strategic tie-up of resources outside its borders. Harris chose the tightening of emission standards at mines, and Christensen liked Warren Buffett's decision to invest in Barrick Gold, resulting in the mainstreaming of precious metal investing.