(The Epoch Times)—The Bureau of Land Management has approved the Spring Valley Gold Mine project in Nevada. The project, located in Pershing County, is expected to create hundreds of jobs in the region, the agency said in a July 15 statement.
“Solidus Resources, LLC, is approved to construct, operate, and maintain an open-pit gold mine, three waste rock facilities, and a heap leach facility,” said the agency.
Solidus will carry out mining activity on approximately 6,232 acres of land, of which 4,123 acres are public land managed by the bureau, with the remaining private.
“The project will employ a contractor workforce of approximately 130 employees during the initial two-year construction and approximately 250 full-time employees for the operations period. The total life of the project will be 21 years,” the bureau said.
According to a feasibility study of the mine published by Solidus on Feb. 18, the project is a “large-scale, low-cost” gold production initiative.
The study forecasts an average of more than 300,000 ounces of gold annually from the mine, over a 10-year period.
According to the bureau, projects like the Spring Valley Gold Mine support a March 20 executive order signed by President Donald Trump, entitled Immediate Measures to Increase American Mineral Production.
The order stated that the United States possesses vast mineral resources that can fuel prosperity, create jobs, and cut down American dependence on foreign nations.
“The United States was once the world’s largest producer of lucrative minerals, but overbearing Federal regulation has eroded our Nation’s mineral production. Our national and economic security are now acutely threatened by our reliance upon hostile foreign powers’ mineral production,” the order said.
The order was aimed at streamlining and expediting reviews and advancement of mining projects, according to a March 20 White House fact sheet.
On June 30, Trump signed a memorandum aimed at fostering “interagency coordination” to strengthen critical mineral funding and permitting.
The memo ordered federal agencies to share information with the National Energy Dominance Council, which will review pending funding applications for energy and critical mineral projects to ensure these funds are “utilized appropriately” across the federal government.
On July 8, the Department of the Interior announced the approval of a project to mine coal on Bryson Mountain in Claiborne County, Tennessee.
The project is expected to “produce up to 1.8 million tons of coal over the next 10 years, helping to strengthen America’s energy independence and create local jobs,” it said.
All That Glitters
The bureau’s approval of the Spring Valley Gold Mine comes amid gold prices trading at historic highs, making mining of the bullion an attractive business opportunity.
On Friday, spot gold traded at $3,350 per ounce, which is just $150 shy of the $3,500 peak hit in April. So far this year, gold prices are up over 27 percent.
Demand for gold is reflected in investor interest in the metal. In a July 8 report, the World Gold Council (WGC) said global gold exchange-traded funds (ETFs) ended H1 (first half of the year) with the “highest semi-annual inflow since H1 2020.”
“All regions saw inflows last month, with North American and European investors leading the charge. During the first half, North America accounted for the bulk of inflows, recording the strongest H1 in five years,” it said.
“Spiking geopolitical risks amid the Israel-Iran conflict boosted investor demand for safe-haven assets and supported inflows into North American gold ETFs.”
Uncertainty regarding policies and fiscal concerns could help support demand for gold ETFs in North America over the near to medium term, WGC said.
Looking ahead, JP Morgan predicted gold prices to average $3,675/oz. by the final quarter of this year in a June 10 report. Average prices are forecast to breach $4,000 in 2026.
“Earlier this year, we examined the structural shift in gold’s demand and geopolitically-influenced pricing drivers fueling its rebasing higher, ultimately posing the question if $4,000/oz is in the cards,” said Natasha Kaneva, head of Global Commodities Strategy at JP Morgan.
“To answer the question—yes, we think it is, particularly now with recession probabilities and ongoing trade and tariff risks. We remain deeply convinced of a continued structural bull case for gold and raise our price targets accordingly.”
JP Morgan sees central banks continuing to remain strong buyers of gold in 2025. It predicts central banks will buy 900 tons of gold this year, which though lower than the 1,000-ton purchases in each of the last three years, is still substantial.
Why Bullion Beats Numismatics and Collectible for Your Safe or IRA
Precious metals continue to attract Americans seeking reliable ways to protect their wealth amid inflation, geopolitical risks, and stock market swings. Whether stored in a home safe or held inside a self-directed IRA, physical gold and silver deliver tangible value that paper or digital assets often lack. Yet investors must choose carefully between bullion—pure bars and coins valued mainly for their metal content—and numismatics or collectibles, where rarity, history, and collector demand heavily influence pricing.
Advisor Bullion serves as a dependable source for straightforward, high-quality bullion. The company specializes in physical gold, silver, platinum, and palladium, emphasizing transparent pricing and products that deliver maximum metal content for every dollar spent. This approach makes it ideal for both personal holdings and retirement accounts.
Bullion consists of refined precious metals in standard forms like one-ounce coins (American Gold Eagles, Silver Eagles, Canadian Maple Leafs) or bars. Their value tracks closely to the current spot price of the metal. A typical gold bullion coin trades near the live gold spot price plus a small premium. This structure keeps costs clear and predictable.
Numismatic coins and collectibles add substantial value from factors such as age, rarity, minting errors, or historical significance. A pre-1933 U.S. gold coin or graded proof piece can carry premiums of 30%, 50%, or even 200% above melt value. While this appeals to hobbyists, it creates complexity. Pricing depends on subjective grading, collector trends, and auction results instead of daily spot prices.
For investors focused on wealth preservation and retirement security rather than building a collection, bullion often delivers better results.
Lower Costs and Better Liquidity for Home Storage
When keeping metals in a home safe or private vault, liquidity and efficiency count. Bullion offers clear benefits:
- You acquire more actual gold or silver per dollar invested. Numismatics divert a large share of your money into rarity premiums and massive sales commission, reducing your metal exposure.
- Selling bullion involves tight bid-ask spreads, so you recover nearly full spot value with minimal fees. Collectibles require finding the right buyer and may sell at a discount if demand for that specific item weakens.
- Bullion prices remain transparent and update with global spot markets. You can track gold near current levels or silver accordingly and know exactly where your holdings stand. Numismatic values are priced by the Gold IRA companies with hefty margins applied.
- Standardized coins and bars store efficiently and divide easily for partial sales. Rare coins often need protective slabs and controlled conditions, adding hassle and expense.
- Bullion enjoys worldwide acceptance. A 1-oz Gold Maple Leaf or Silver Eagle sells quickly to dealers anywhere. Niche numismatic pieces may appeal only to limited buyers, slowing liquidation when speed matters.
In times when quick access to value becomes important, bullion’s simplicity stands out.
Stronger Fit for Precious Metals IRAs
Precious metals IRAs continue gaining traction as investors diversify retirement portfolios beyond stocks and bonds. IRS rules permit certain bullion products in self-directed IRAs if they meet purity standards (.995 fine for gold, .999 for silver) and are held by an approved custodian. Eligible items include American Gold and Silver Eagles plus many generic bars and rounds from recognized mints.
Numismatic and most collectible coins generally face heavy scrutiny from custodians due to valuation disputes and elevated markups. These higher premiums mean less actual metal ends up working inside the account.
Bullion avoids these issues. Its value links directly to verifiable spot prices, which simplifies reporting and lowers the risk of regulatory challenges. More of your IRA contribution purchases real metal instead of dealer profits or speculative upside. Over time, owning additional ounces that appreciate with the metal itself can create meaningful outperformance compared with high-premium alternatives that deliver fewer ounces.
Regulatory guidance from the CFTC and state securities offices repeatedly cautions against aggressive sales of expensive numismatics or “semi-numismatic” coins for IRAs. For retirement planning, transparent bullion from established providers reduces risk and aligns better with long-term goals.
How to Get Started with Bullion
Begin by clarifying your goals. Are you protecting savings in a safe, or moving part of a retirement account into a precious metals IRA? Focus on the number of ounces you can acquire at current prices rather than chasing marked-up collectibles.
Diversify sensibly: use gold for core preservation and silver for its blend of industrial and monetary qualities. Mix coins for easier divisibility with bars for lower per-ounce costs on larger buys. Arrange secure storage—whether at home with proper insurance or through professional facilities.
As economic uncertainties linger and faith in conventional assets erodes, bullion continues proving its worth as a dependable store of value. Its direct approach avoids the hype that sometimes surrounds collectible markets and keeps the focus on the metal itself.
For investors prepared to strengthen their portfolios, Advisor Bullion supplies the expertise and selection needed to acquire high-quality bullion efficiently. Whether building personal holdings or integrating metals into an IRA, their emphasis on transparent, investment-grade products helps secure more ounces today that support greater financial security tomorrow. In a complicated financial landscape, bullion’s clarity and reliability make it the smarter foundation for protecting what matters most.