VanEck 2025 Outlook: AI Infrastructure, Gold Miners, and Energy Demand

• Corporate borrowers in 2025 used favorable market conditions to fund AI-related projects, particularly data center developments.
• Bitcoin miners trade at a deep discount to data centers, even as they pivot toward AI infrastructure, suggesting potential for further gains.
• Andean Precious Metals will be added to the VanEck Junior Gold Miners ETF (GDXJ), effective March 20, 2026, reflecting its growth and relevance in the precious metals sector.

In 2025, companies took advantage of lower interest rates and improved market conditions to raise capital for initiatives related to artificial intelligence. This trend highlights a broader corporate shift toward investing in AI infrastructure and capabilities, driven by growing demand and technological advancements.

Bitcoin miners are currently undervalued compared to data centers, despite their increasing role in supporting AI infrastructure. VanEck suggests that the disparity in valuations may represent an opportunity for miners, as their existing resources—such as land, power contracts, and cooling systems— position them well for the AI market.

Andean Precious Metals is set to join the VanEck Junior Gold Miners ETF, an event that underscores the company's growth and increasing prominence in the precious metals sector. The ETF serves as a key benchmark for junior mining equities and is widely followed by institutional and retail investors. Andean attributes its inclusion to operational and financial progress, including increased public float, which enhances accessibility and liquidity for institutional participation.

What role do AI infrastructure and Bitcoin miners play in the current market landscape?

Bitcoin miners are gaining attention on Wall Street for their potential in AI infrastructure. Companies like MARA Holdings and Core Scientific are already converting mining sites into hyperscale data centers, leveraging their existing infrastructure to enter the AI market. This transition is seen as a strategic move, given that new data centers may take years to secure the land, power, and cooling systems that miners already possess.

How does AI impact energy and critical minerals demand?

AI is driving a structural increase in energy and critical minerals demand. This surge is happening at a time when supply risks from the Middle East are intensifying due to rising geopolitical tensions. As a result, investors are reevaluating traditional energy resources and critical minerals to hedge against volatility. The VanEck Australian Resources ETF (MVR) offers diversified exposure to the Australian resources sector, including gold miners, oil and gas, and critical minerals.

Why is the inclusion in the VanEck Junior Gold Miners ETF significant for Andean Precious Metals?

The inclusion in the VanEck Junior Gold Miners ETF (GDXJ) is a milestone for Andean Precious Metals. This addition reflects the company's growth and strategic expansion across key mining jurisdictions. The ETF is widely followed and serves as a benchmark for junior mining equities, meaning that inclusion can enhance the company's visibility among a broader investor base. Additionally, the increased public float and liquidity of Andean's shares have made it more attractive for institutional participation, supporting its disciplined growth strategy and future opportunities.

The VanEck 2025 outlook underscores a transformative period in both the financial and energy markets. As AI infrastructure continues to gain traction, companies with existing resources and strategic capabilities are poised for growth. Meanwhile, traditional resources are being reevaluated in light of structural demand shifts and geopolitical risks.