Examine fluctuations in AISC cost components and their impact on gold production

The average all-in sustaining cost, or AISC, in 2016 for primary gold mines covered by S&P Global Market Intelligence's Mine Economics data remained relatively flat from 2015. This was attributable to a drop in fuel, reagents and corporate overhead costs, partially offset by a fall in byproduct credits, increased royalties and a rise in exploration and other costs.

For 2017 as a whole, we expect AISC to again remain flat compared with 2016 due to strengthening local currencies in several major gold producing countries and escalating diesel prices, offset by increased byproduct credits, increased gold production volumes, and by some reductions in capital expenditure and corporate overhead costs.