sergaeant,
You might be partially correct, some mines are owned by end users, but gold miners have the option of hedging their production. Large uranium miners currently need around $70 u308 to break even, the price is around $30.
You also need to bear in mind that gold isn't consumed as I mentioned, it's all stashed away ready to be sold or recycled, no one actually really needs gold or silver. You can't eat it.
