5 Best Gold Mining Stocks to Buy as Central Banks Buy Bullion

2. AngloGold Ashanti plc (NYSE:AU)

Short % of Shares Outstanding: 0.73%

AngloGold Ashanti plc (NYSE:AU) received a notable analyst upgrade on May 11 when Roth Capital analyst Joe Reagor raised the firm’s price target to $121 from $103 while maintaining a Buy rating on the shares. The analyst stated that although first-quarter results were somewhat mixed relative to expectations, the impact on valuation was limited, and the higher target primarily reflected the recent rebound in gold prices, which continues to strengthen profitability prospects across the gold mining industry.

Earlier, on April 22, Reuters reported that Ghana’s mining regulator had given AngloGold Ashanti plc (NYSE:AU), Newmont, and Zijin until December 2026 to transition mining operations to local contractors or potentially face sanctions. According to the report, the companies are among the few operators still directly managing mining activities following Ghana’s updated local ownership rules implemented in early 2025. The regulatory shift could require operational adjustments across affected mining assets while increasing local participation in the country’s mining sector.

One of the best gold mining stocks to buy, AngloGold Ashanti plc (NYSE:AU), is a global independent gold mining company with a diversified portfolio of operations and development projects across multiple continents. Founded in 2004 and headquartered in Denver, the company focuses on gold exploration, mine development, and production while maintaining exposure to several key mining jurisdictions worldwide.

Rising gold prices and continued analyst optimism may support future earnings growth despite regulatory developments in certain operating regions.