OTTAWA — Gold and silver sales have exploded past the $1-billion mark at the federal mint, with spooked global investors snapping up the precious metals as a hedge in uncertain times.The astounding 266 per cent increase in bullion and refinery revenues, to $1.04 billion from $283.9 million in 2007, is revealed in the Royal Canadian Mint's 2008 annual report, only recently tabled in Parliament after a yearlong delay caused by an investigation into $15 million in missing gold.
