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Gold's pullback is a reset, not the end of the metals bull market - American Pacific CEO

By Kitco February 17, 2026 Bullish
Gold's pullback is a reset, not the end of the metals bull market - American Pacific CEO
Neils Christensen has a diploma in journalism from Lethbridge College and has more than a decade of reporting experience working for news organizations throughout Canada. His experiences include covering territorial and federal politics in Nunavut, Canada.

AI Analysis

The current metals market pullback represents a healthy recalibration, not a fundamental breakdown. Investors should focus on long-term supply constraints and geopolitical risks driving precious metals demand.

Tickers: AAAUBARDBPDGLGLDGLDMIAUOUNZSGOLUGL

The precious metals market is experiencing a critical reset that savvy investors should view as an opportunity, not a crisis. American Pacific Mining CEO Warwick Smith's recent commentary provides crucial insight into why the current gold pullback represents a strategic pause rather than a fundamental market breakdown.

Despite the sharp correction in recent weeks, Smith emphasizes that the underlying global economic tensions continue to support precious metals' long-term value proposition. The metals market has demonstrated remarkable resilience, with gold still trading near historically high levels after its explosive rally through late 2025.

The mining sector's recent volatility is particularly noteworthy. Over the past 12 months, the VanEck Gold Miners ETF has surged an impressive 140%, compared to gold's still-impressive 64% gain. This performance underscores the sector's potential, even amid short-term market fluctuations.

Smith is especially bullish on copper, describing it as "absolutely the metal to watch". He argues that global supply constraints and increasing demand—particularly from green energy and technological sectors—make copper an incredibly compelling long-term investment. The broader commodities market appears primed for sustained growth.

Critically, Smith sees the current pullback as a market reset rather than a fundamental shift. Global fragmentation, geopolitical tensions, and ongoing economic uncertainties continue to underpin demand for monetary metals. The January selloff, in his view, was more about market positioning than any substantial change in underlying economic dynamics.

For precious metals investors, the message is clear: maintain a long-term perspective. While short-term volatility can be unnerving, the macro trends supporting gold and copper remain robust. Strategic investors should view the current market correction as a potential entry point rather than a reason for panic.

Key Takeaways

Topics: gold marketprecious metalscopper investmentmining stockscommodity trends