The contract was signed through the companies’ joint venture subsidiary businesses – Underground Mining Services Burkina Faso SARL (Perenti) and SEMAFO BurkinaFaso S.A (Endeavour) – and builds on a relationship already established between this entity and Endeavour, which has involved the delivery of underground mining and support services at Mana since 2018.

This contract is set to last 60 months and will involve underground development and production, focusing on the complex’s 2 main areas, Siou and Wona.

Perenti managing director and CEO Mark Norwell said he was pleased to announce the expansion of the contract with Endeavour.

“This contract is consistent with our guidance for FY25 and will contribute strongly in FY26 and beyond,” he said.

“Our team continually delivers exceptional value for our clients, and this is clearly demonstrated by this long-term contract for expanded operations at the Mana complex.”

Perenti has been trading at $1.58.

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The global security situation is coming to a head. NATO countries are massively increasing their defense spending, while at the same time dependence on raw materials from geopolitically unstable regions such as China, Iran, North Korea, and Russia is considered a serious weakness. Around 90% of the global tungsten supply of around 100,000 tons is currently controlled directly or indirectly by Chinese companies. Given Chinese and Western sanctions, one thing is clear: defense production cannot rely on hostile supply chains forever.

The US currently requires around 10,000 tons of tungsten annually to meet its defense and high-tech needs. Almonty (TSX:AII) currently supplies around 900 tons from Portugal, but with the Sangdong mine in South Korea nearing completion, it is aiming for 4,000 tons per year in the medium term – with the option of doubling production in the short term. These figures underline Almonty’s potential to become a critical supply lifeline for the West. Dependence on the East could be reversed – with Almonty as the key player. The Company is currently relocating its headquarters from Canada to the US – a strategic move that aligns with plans for a NASDAQ listing. With the move to one of the world’s most liquid stock exchanges, the stock will likely gain significantly in visibility and trading volume.

Added to this situation is the ongoing geopolitical uncertainty. US President Donald Trump is once again talking about modernizing the US military and the need to stand firm against Russia and other powers. Even peace efforts with Putin have so far had no lasting effect. This continues to drive Western nations to invest in security, thus fueling demand for tungsten.

However, it is not just military technology that requires this metal. Tungsten is used in energy technology, aviation, medical technology, and even in smartphones such as the iPhone – for example, in vibration components. Demand is growing across many sectors. The problem: New tungsten projects often fail due to environmental regulations, permits, or lack of financing. This is where Almonty stands out: The projects have been approved, the infrastructure is in place, the demand is there, and the geopolitical momentum is on their side.

Almonty Industries is on the verge of a breakthrough. CEO and major shareholder Lewis Black leads the Company with a clear focus on investor interests. After around ten years of development work in South Korea, the Sangdong mine is about to start production – in the midst of a geopolitical environment that is causing demand for Western-controlled tungsten sources to escalate.

Analysts see enormous potential: Sphene Capital recently raised its price target from CAD 5.20 to CAD 5.40 – more than 100% price potential from the current level of CAD 2.60. However, anyone who understands the dynamics of this market knows that if the NASDAQ listing is successful and panic over supply security continues to rise, even this price target is only a stopgap. Tungsten is becoming the strategic currency of the future – and Almonty is set to be a game changer and takeover candidate.

Pursuant to §85 of the German Securities Trading Act (WpHG), we point out that Apaton Finance GmbH as well as partners, authors or employees of Apaton Finance GmbH (hereinafter referred to as “Relevant Persons”) currently hold or hold shares or other financial instruments of the aforementioned companies and speculate on their price developments. In this respect, they intend to sell or acquire shares or other financial instruments of the companies (hereinafter each referred to as a “Transaction”). Transactions may thereby influence the respective price of the shares or other financial instruments of the Company.In this respect, there is a concrete conflict of interest in the reporting on the companies.

In addition, Apaton Finance GmbH is active in the context of the preparation and publication of the reporting in paid contractual relationships.For this reason, there is also a concrete conflict of interest.The above information on existing conflicts of interest applies to all types and forms of publication used by Apaton Finance GmbH for publications on companies.

Apaton Finance GmbH offers editors, agencies and companies the opportunity to publish commentaries, interviews, summaries, news and the like on news.financial. These contents are exclusively for the information of the readers and do not represent any call to action or recommendations, neither explicitly nor implicitly they are to be understood as an assurance of possible price developments. The contents do not replace individual expert investment advice and do not constitute an offer to sell the discussed share(s) or other financial instruments, nor an invitation to buy or sell such.

The content is expressly not a financial analysis, but a journalistic or advertising text. Readers or users who make investment decisions or carry out transactions on the basis of the information provided here do so entirely at their own risk. No contractual relationship is established between Apaton Finance GmbH and its readers or the users of its offers, as our information only refers to the company and not to the investment decision of the reader or user.

The acquisition of financial instruments involves high risks, which can lead to the total loss of the invested capital. The information published by Apaton Finance GmbH and its authors is based on careful research. Nevertheless, no liability is assumed for financial losses or a content-related guarantee for the topicality, correctness, appropriateness and completeness of the content provided here. Please also note our Terms of use.

This is third-party provided content issued on behalf of Almonty Industries Inc., please see full disclaimer here.

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The company’s work has identified several subsidiary structures associated with the Yerda Shear Zone, which underlies a large calcrete gold geochemical anomaly at Tunkillia North. Sipa believes the identification of these structures within the 5km x 5km gold anomaly, located north of Barton Gold’s 1.6Moz Tunkillia Gold Deposit, confirms the prospectivity of the anomaly.

Sipa Resources Managing Director Andrew Muir stated that the integration of the high-quality magnetic data has identified a number of subsidiary structures, associated with the Yerda Shear Zone, underlying the large scale calcrete gold geochemical anomaly at Tunkillia North. “The presence of these zones within the 5km x 5km gold anomaly, just north of Barton Gold’s 1.6Moz gold deposit, confirms the prospectivity of the anomaly, which we will be testing in upcoming drill programs.”

Sipa Resources is actively reviewing historical geophysical and drilling datasets to enhance its understanding of the geology and mineralization within its newly acquired South Australian gold projects. The company is using these datasets to refine drill target selection for future drilling programs.

Sipa is also advancing the approvals process for planned gold drilling programs at Tunkillia North and Nuckulla Hill and expects to provide an update on the timing of these programs soon.

In summary, Sipa Resources’ integration of the historical helimagnetic survey data has improved the definition of structural features at Tunkillia North, enhancing the prospecting of the project and informing upcoming drilling programs. Read full release here. Join the discussion: See what’s trending right now on Australia’s largest stock forum and be part of the conversations that move the markets.

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Locksley has formally submitted the drill permit application to the Bureau of Land Management (BLM). The BLM has confirmed it will undertake the necessary Environmental Assessment requirements.  

The company believes the March 2025 Executive Order by President Trump presents a significant opportunity to expedite approvals at the Mojave Project. This order mandates measures to accelerate American mineral production, including expedited permitting, support from the National Energy Dominance Council (NEDC), access to Defense Production Act (DPA) funding, and streamlined NEPA environmental processes.  

Sampling at the Desert Antimony Mine has yielded high-grade antimony and polymetallic results. Rock chip assays show up to 46% antimony, with multiple samples exceeding 17% antimony and 18 samples exceeding 1.4% antimony. Additionally, samples contained 1,022 g/t silver, along with elevated lead, zinc, and copper. The mineralization has been mapped across a 400-meter surface strike length.  

The Mojave Project is located approximately 1.4 km from the Mountain Pass Mine, the only producing rare earth mine in the U.S. The project also has rare earth element (REE) potential, with rock chip assays at the El Campo Prospect reporting up to 12.1% TREO and 3.19% NdPr. Surface mapping identified an 860m mineralized horizon.  

Locksley highlights the strategic value of its claims, noting the federal endorsement of Dateline Resources’ Colosseum Project, located about 10 km north of Mountain Pass. The company aims to leverage the precedent set by Dateline to pursue regulatory alignment and market support.  

The next steps for the Mojave Project include securing drill permit approvals from the BLM, engaging with U.S. federal authorities, and further surface and subsurface exploration. Locksley Resources is focused on advancing the Mojave Antimony & Rare Earths Project.   Sources and related content

Read full release here.

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EBIT increased by 34% to $472.3 million compared to the prior corresponding period. The company reported increased earnings across all regions and segments, driven by strong customer demand, increased contributions from advanced technology offerings, and continued commercial discipline.  

Orica also demonstrated strong cash generation, with net operating cash flow of $244.9 million, up 29% from the prior corresponding period. Earnings per share (pre-SI) rose to 51.5 cents, a 33% increase. An interim dividend of 25 cents per share was declared, representing a payout ratio of 49%.  

The company’s leverage (excluding leases) is 1.45x, which is within the target range of 1.25x-2.00x. Return on Net Assets (RONA) stands at 12.9%. Orica announced that it will recommence its on-market share buy-back of up to $400 million post the results announcement.  

Orica’s Managing Director and CEO, Sanjeev Gandhi, emphasized the company’s commitment to safety, noting that while they achieved their lowest serious injury case rate to date, their focus remains on ensuring the safety of their employees. The company also reported significant progress towards its climate targets, including a milestone of eliminating one million tonnes of greenhouse gas emissions following the deployment of tertiary abatement technology at the Kooragang Island site.  

Orica’s core business in Blasting Solutions continues to deliver strong results. The company highlighted its competitive advantages, including its global network, technology, and comprehensive manufacturing and supply chain. Orica is positioning itself as a global leader in geotechnical and structural monitoring and specialty mining chemicals through strategic acquisitions.  

Looking ahead, Orica expects FY2025 EBIT to increase compared to the prior corresponding period, with improved earnings across all regions and segments.

About Orica:

Orica Limited is an Australia-based mining and infrastructure solutions provider. The Company is engaged in the production and supply of explosives, blasting systems, mining chemicals and geotechnical monitoring to its cutting-edge digital solutions. The Company operates through six segments: Australia Pacific and Asia (APA); North America; Latin America; Europe, Middle East, and Africa (EMEA); Global Support and Digital Solutions. Its products and services include 4D bulk systems, bulk systems, packaged explosives, initiating systems, boosters, digital solutions, blasting services, automation, training, mining chemicals, slope stability, and fertilizer. The Company serves various markets, such as surface coal, surface metal, iron ore, quarrying, underground mining, underground construction, construction, civil infrastructure, oil and gas, and agriculture.

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Drilling has successfully extended the RAS ore system to the south and at depth. Drill holes MDD418 and MDD419 both returned high-grade gold mineralization beneath the current pit designs. Key intercepts include:

Geotechnical drilling also intersected mineralized zones outside the current resource model. While these zones are not considered substantial enough for a further pit cutback, they confirm high-grade continuity beyond the modeled resource and could be accessed via short lateral development from existing ramp stages. Drill holes MDD414 and MDD422 intersected the following:

CEO Damian Spring stated, “Due to challenging terrain, RAS South has seen limited drilling to date. However, with each new hole, our understanding of the area’s potential continues to improve. A parallel zone of high-grade mineralisation, offset from the main high-grade core at RAS, is emerging, and notably, it lies outside the current Mineral Resource estimate.”

The company has completed the current phase of infill drilling at RAS South, with assays pending for remaining holes. The focus has shifted to extension and infill drilling of the main RAS high-grade core. Regional exploration and sterilization drilling programs are also ongoing.

Full release can be read here.

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Unsurprisingly, many Australian-based mining companies have turned their attentions to the commodity, going in search of copper (and sometimes copper-gold) projects of varying mineralisation styles across the globe.

Let’s consider a handful of mid-range copper players trading (or who have recently traded) on the ASX – Celsius Resources (and its MCB project in the Philippines), Hot Chili (which is seeking the red metal at its Costa Fuego project in Chile), Xanadu Mines (and its Kharmagtai project in Mongolia), Rex Minerals (with South Australian project Hillside), and Sunstone Metals (and its Bramaderos project in Ecuador).

While all are operating in different jurisdictions, there are some commonalities between them – not least the fact that most are focused on porphyry copper mineralisation, with gold often associated with this.

Celsius Resources, for example, is progressing through the advanced Maalinao-Caigutan-Biyog (MCB) project 320 kilometres north of Manila, which has a mineral resource estimate of 338 million tonnes (Mt), with grades of 0.47% copper (Cu) and 0.12 grams per tonne (g/t) gold (Au) defined as porphyry mineralisation.

Crucially, it also boasts a high-grade sub vertical core, representing approximately 28% of the MRE. This amounts to 49 Mt at 0.85% Cu and 0.41g/t Au – all in the indicated resource category – and is the focal point for Celsius’ optimised mine plan.

One important component in development of this project – which has progressed through a scoping study, feasibility study and metallurgical work – is support from the Philippines’ government.

This was underscored in February this year, when Celsius told investors it was set to receive a bridge loan facility worth US$76.4 million from Maharlika Investment Corporation – the Philippines’ sovereign wealth fund – to progress development work on MCB.

With strong numbers coming in from metallurgical work – which showed potential for copper recoveries of 94% and gold recovery of 79% through flotation processing – together with the granting of a 25-year mining permit, and the finalisation of the mine plan, the project is moving through to the early works stage, supported by the government’s financial support.

This work will include an update to the feasibility study and front-end engineering design, plus construction of a main access road.

Celsius’ MCB Project has strong government and community support plus it’s fully permitted and shovel ready. With the Philippines Sovereign Wealth expected to fully fund the project, this project has a clear path to near term production in 2027.

In Mongolia, Xanadu Mines Ltd (ASX:XAM) has been progressing its 2.2 billion tonne Kharmagtai project through a series of development milestones, guided by its strategic partnership with Zijin Mining Group Co. Ltd, which kicked off in April 2022.

Kharmagtai is located in Mongolia’s South Gobi porphyry copper province – where the massive Oyu Tolgoi copper-gold operations are also found, 120 kilometres to the south – and it is also well into the thick of development milestones.

The most significant of these was a prefeasibility study (PFS) completed in October 2024, which confirmed the project as a globally significant, long life, low cost, low risk future copper-gold mine, with a projected mine life of 29 years and production ranges of 60-80ktpa copper and 165-170kozpa gold production during the first and second stages of expansion.

Achievement of the PFS and a maiden ore reserve – comprised of 1.6Mt copper (Cu) and 4.0Moz gold (Au) in the indicated category – also enabled Zijin to take over ownership of the project under the JV, with this company now being the main operator, set to push Kharmagtai through to the next stages, culminating in a final investment decision (FID). The ownership transition also vesting of two 6-month options at Xanadu’s sole discretion.

The next big milestone on the agenda is a bankable feasibility study, which is anticipated for completion in the second quarter of 2026.

When it comes to copper, Latin American countries have also been the focus of attention, and Hot Chili Ltd (ASX:HCH) is diving into this region with its Costa Fuego project – located in in Chile’s northern Atacam region – which holds an MRE of 927 million tonnes (at 0.379% Cu and 0.1g/t Au).

In March 2025, the company announced completion of a PFS which revealed strong production metrics over an expected mine life of 20 years, with increased yield from both metals during that time.

The company is expecting average annual production of 116,000 tonnes per annum (tpa) of copper equivalent, including 95,000 tonnes of copper and 48,000 ounces (oz) of gold during the primary production period of 14 years from Costa Fuego.

Financial metrics were also strong according to the PFS, including a life-of-mine C1 cash cost of US$1.38 per pound and an all-in-sustaining cost of US$1.85/lb (both estimated net of by-product credits).

Moving elsewhere in the South American continent, we find yet another porphyry copper-gold project – this time Sunstone Metals’ (ASX:STM) Bramaderos play, which is located in southern Ecuador.

This country is a ‘rapidly emerging mining jurisdiction’, according to Sunstone, and Bramaderos itself is a top discovery in both the red and yellow metal, providing the company with several pathways to develop a mining centre producing more than 10 million ounces of gold equivalent (AuEq).

Sunstone wants to begin through the establishment of a high-grade gold-silver mine built around the Limon epithermal system, which was first discovered through drilling in early 2023, with a discovery hole which intersected 176.7 metres at 1.1g/t AuEq (0.97g/t gold and 10.1g/t silver).

However, a second key stage will revolve around development of the advanced Brama-Alba porphyry target, which holds a resource of156Mt at 0.53g/t AuEq, producing 2.7Moz AuEq overall.

This is augmented by an exploration target of between 3.3Moz and 8.6Moz AuEq within 255Mt to 360Mt at a grade between 0.40 and 0.74g/t AuEq.

Sunstone is engaging in discussions with various entities to consider partnership options for development of Bramaderos, although timeframes are as yet unknown.

Finally, closer to home is the Hillside project in South Australia’s Gawler Craton, defined as one of the country’s largest undeveloped copper projects with a MRE of 1.9Mt Cu and 1.5Moz Au, developed around Iron Oxide Copper Gold (IOCG) mineralisation.

This was being developed by Rex Minerals, which delisted in October 2024 after the company was acquired in July by Indonesian outfit MACH Metals Australia, in a deal worth $393 million.

Hillside is often described as ‘shovel-ready’, with the state government approving a program for environment protection and rehabilitation (PEPR) for Stage One of the project in July 2020.

The project is expected to develop around the processing and shipping of ore from an open pit mine, with the latter expected to last for 11 years.

The first phase of drilling at Surprise intersected mineralised intervals, including 11m @ 1.8% Cu and 1.3 g/t Au from 68m, with a subset of 4m @ 3.8% Cu from 71m. Field activities that followed identified rock samples from artisanal workings, which will be tested in this second drilling phase, and these samples showed results of up to 26% Cu from Portable XRF analysis.  

In addition to the Surprise Copper Project, the Company plans to explore other Copper-Gold targets, including Conglomerate Creek, during this exploration season.  

The second phase of drilling at the Surprise Copper Project is designed as an extensional drilling program. It will include approximately 1,500m of RC drilling across three main target zones located north of the Surprise Copper mine. The drilling program will test anomalous magnetic, chargeable, and conductive targets identified by the Company’s 2024 geophysical surveys, as well as areas with outcropping copper mineralisation. The drilling will also investigate the extension of mineralisation to the north and west of the historic Surprise pit.  

The Company notes that the magnetic survey highlighted similarities between the magnetic signature in the mineralised zone beneath the Surprise Mine and a larger feature offset to the west. The targets for this drilling phase have not been previously explored through drilling, presenting an opportunity to discover additional mineralisation potential. Upon completion, this drilling phase will have tested targets up to 1.2 km north of the Surprise Copper Mine. Antares Metals also intends to conduct a third phase of drilling later in the season to test additional targets north and south of the mine.  

The announcement includes a statement from Chief Executive Officer, Johan Lambrechts: “We are excited to head to the field and man the rig for this important second phase of drilling on Surprise. We aim to expand the project’s current known mineralised footprint by testing geophysical targets and beneath outcropping copper mineralisation. We look forward to updating our investors with activities and results as we progress.”

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The findings from this drilling program have been significant. They’ve not only confirmed the presence of high-grade gold mineralization but also successfully extended the known mineralized trends. Furthermore, a new mineralized system was discovered to the west of Olive Queen. These results collectively emphasize the substantial exploration potential that exists across the broader Yalgoo Project area.  

Jason Froud, the Managing Director of Premier1 Lithium Limited, expressed his satisfaction with the outcomes of the maiden drilling program at Wadgingarra, noting it was the first drilling effort in over 40 years. He highlighted that the drilling had yielded some of the highest-grade intercepts ever recorded at the project.

The results confirmed high-grade gold at Carlisle, with one intercept showing 10m at 3.1 g/t Au from 19m including 7m at 4.3 g/t Au. At Crescent South, drilling revealed exceptional gold intercepts, including 3m at 31.5 g/t Au from 97m with 1m at 91.9 g/t gold, and another intercept of 1m at 27.2 g/t Au from 83m.  

A new mineralized system was also identified west of Olive Queen, with the first drilling in the area intersecting 1m at 1.5 g/t Au from 96m within 5m at 0.4 g/t Au.  

This new area, along with associated pathfinder element anomalism, presents a new exploration front for the company. Froud noted the strong structural and geochemical support for further discovery in this zone.  

Froud stated, “We are very pleased with the results from our maiden drilling program at Wadgingarra and the first in over 40 years. The drilling has delivered some of the highest-grade intercepts recorded on the project to date…These results underscore the effectiveness of our integrated exploration approach and support our belief that Wadgingarra has significant potential to host multiple gold-bearing structures. We look forward to building on this momentum with follow-up drilling and continued refinement of our geological models as we work towards defining a robust pipeline of targets for future resource development.”

Full announcement results can be seen here.

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Leo Hathaway, P.Geo., member of Giant Mining’s Advisory Board, stated the latest results are very encouraging, highlighting both near-surface leachable copper and deeper targets. He emphasized the project’s strong potential in a top-tier jurisdiction in The Watchlist video above.

With growing global demand for copper and other strategic metals—driven by electrification, renewable energy, and clean tech—Australian investors are increasingly looking beyond local borders for exposure to high-impact projects. Majuba Hill is positioned in a world-class mining jurisdiction with strong infrastructure, secured 2025 funding, and open-ended growth potential—making it a compelling opportunity no matter your location.

MHB-34 is the third of five planned holes in the 2025 Core Program, which aims to expand known copper mineralization and support a future Mineral Resource Estimate. Infrastructure at Majuba Hill includes established roads, power access, and processing-suitable areas, reducing future development costs.

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The ‘merger of equals’ transaction has been declared through a ‘definitive arrangement agreement’ which will see Alkane acquire all the shares of Mandalay. The name and ASX-listing Alkane Resources will stay and the merged company will seek a new listing on the TSX.

Under the arrangement, Mandalay shareholders will receive 7.875 shares of Alkane for each Mandalay share held.

The companies reported it was about increasing scale and trading liquidity, with the implied market cap of the combined entity expected to be A$1,013 million. With that, the companies are hoping to make the ASX300.

The initial production goal for this year will be 160,000 g/t.

Prior to this announcement, Alkane had a market cap of $454 million and last closed at 75c – up from 61c since April 7, when it announced it had struck high grade gold intercepts in drilling at Tomingley Caloma and Roswell in Central West NSW.

These grades included 3.1 metres at 196.95g/t from 115m deep, including a metre at 589g/t from 116m down.

The executive team will be Perth-based, led by Alkane’s Managing Director Nic Earner.

Today’s ASX announcement said the transaction would create ‘a diversified Australian centric gold and antimony producer with a portfolio of three operating mines and a strong balance sheet’.

“Alkane’s established Tomingley gold mine (Australia), currently ramping up after a major capital expansion, will complement the well established and stable production from Mandalay’s Costerfield underground gold/antimony mine (Victoria, Australia) and the Björkdal underground gold mine (Sweden).”

Alkane’s Nic Earner said the deal would ‘take Alkane to a new level, bringing together two companies with complementary assets and a shared vision for growth’.

“Mandalay’s two high-quality mines match the attributes of Tomingley: a proven history of consistentproduction, cash generation and exploration upside,” he said.

“The combination of assets, leadership, andsupportive long-term shareholders enhances our scale and financial strength, and positions us well to continue to pursue additional growth opportunities.”

Mandalay’s CEO and President Frazer Bourchier said the company had the support of its major shareholders.

The combined entity will have a cash balance around A$188 million.

The companies are briefing investors in a call at 9.30am (AEST).

The material provided in this article is for information only and should not be treated as investment advice. Viewers are encouraged to conduct their own research and consult with a certified financial advisor before making any investment decisions. For full disclaimer information, please click here.

In a world where securing critical raw materials is increasingly becoming a geopolitical priority, one company in particular is coming into focus: Almonty Industries Inc. (ASX:AII).

With strategically located mining projects and a clear vision of becoming a leading non-Chinese supplier of tungsten and molybdenum, Almonty offers investors an opportunity for substantial price gains.

A new research report from GBC AG recommends buying the stock – with a target price of C$4.20, representing a price potential of over 100 per cent from the current level.

(A link to the full report is available in this publication.)

Tungsten is essential for high-tech industries – from semiconductors to aerospace and defence. However, the lion’s share of global production comes from China.

This is precisely where Almonty comes in: With the Sangdong mine in South Korea, one of the world’s largest tungsten deposits outside of China, the Company aims to reduce Western dependency and establish a stable, conflict-free supply chain.

With a well-structured development plan and an expected mine life of over nine decades, Sangdong is the cornerstone of Almonty’s strategy. The ore deposit boasts excellent grades and low operating costs. The planned integration of a downstream oxide processing plant and future molybdenum production will further increase value creation.

In addition to its operations in South Korea, Almonty (ASX:AII) has a strong presence in Europe. The Panasqueira mine in Portugal has reliably delivered cash flows for over 100 years. With the Los Santos (reactivation of old material) and Valtreixal (development pipeline in Spain) projects, the Company offers additional growth options – all with moderate capital requirements.

Almonty Industries is more than just a small producer – the Company is on its way to becoming a key strategic supplier for Western industries. For those looking to participate in the de-globalization of critical supply chains and the boom of industrial future technologies, this stock – with 100 per cent upside potential – deserves a closer look right now.

To the research report by GBC AG (Initial Coverage – Recommendation: Buy): Download.

Pursuant to §85 of the German Securities Trading Act (WpHG), we point out that Apaton Finance GmbH as well as partners, authors or employees of Apaton Finance GmbH (hereinafter referred to as “Relevant Persons”) currently hold or hold shares or other financial instruments of the aforementioned companies and speculate on their price developments. In this respect, they intend to sell or acquire shares or other financial instruments of the companies (hereinafter each referred to as a “Transaction”). Transactions may thereby influence the respective price of the shares or other financial instruments of the Company.In this respect, there is a concrete conflict of interest in the reporting on the companies.

In addition, Apaton Finance GmbH is active in the context of the preparation and publication of the reporting in paid contractual relationships.For this reason, there is also a concrete conflict of interest.The above information on existing conflicts of interest applies to all types and forms of publication used by Apaton Finance GmbH for publications on companies.

Apaton Finance GmbH offers editors, agencies and companies the opportunity to publish commentaries, interviews, summaries, news and the like on news. These contents are exclusively for the information of the readers and do not represent any call to action or recommendations, neither explicitly nor implicitly they are to be understood as an assurance of possible price developments. The contents do not replace individual expert investment advice and do not constitute an offer to sell the discussed share(s) or other financial instruments, nor an invitation to buy or sell such.

The content is expressly not a financial analysis, but a journalistic or advertising text. Readers or users who make investment decisions or carry out transactions on the basis of the information provided here do so entirely at their own risk. No contractual relationship is established between Apaton Finance GmbH and its readers or the users of its offers, as our information only refers to the company and not to the investment decision of the reader or user.

The acquisition of financial instruments involves high risks, which can lead to the total loss of the invested capital. The information published by Apaton Finance GmbH and its authors is based on careful research. Nevertheless, no liability is assumed for financial losses or a content-related guarantee for the topicality, correctness, appropriateness and completeness of the content provided here. Please also note our terms of use.

This is third-party-provided content issued on behalf of Almonty Industries Inc.

Please see full disclaimer here.

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A gold explorer, developer, and soon-to-be producer set up to win under this rubric is Quebec-based LaFleur Minerals (CSE:LFLR).

It has a market capitalization of C$15.22 million and its stock has given back 17% since acquiring its flagship Swanson Gold project in July 2024 – even though the company has positioned itself for near-term production as gold hovers near all-time-highs.

Key phases along that timeline include:

Let’s explore LaFleur’s two primary assets to better understand why they hold the potential to deliver significant long-term value.

The 15,290-hectare Swanson project resides in mining-friendly Quebec, specifically in the world-renowned Abitibi Greenstone Belt, which has been a leading contributor to Canadian gold exploration and production for over a century.

Swanson boasts 22 gold showings, as well as critical mineral showings housing silver, copper, zinc, lead, and molybdenum, all near robust infrastructure and situated along a volcanic corridor up to seven kilometres wide and 27km along strike.

Mineralization is hosted by ultramafics (fuchsite), altered mafic volcanics and syenite intrusions, which can indicate the presence of high-grade gold and visible gold.

Swanson’s substantiates its proximity to numerous gold producers (slide eight) including Agnico Eagle and Eldorado, as well as developers such as Probe Gold and O3 Mining, with a value-added 2024 mineral resource estimate that achieved an 8% increase in indicated gold ounces and a 626% increase in the number of inferred ounces compared to a 2021 historical estimate. This doesn’t account for the project’s untapped exploration upside, as highlighted by:

To continue fostering Swanson’s ounce-count and shareholder value, LaFleur recently completed a high-resolution airborne magnetics and very low frequency electromagnetic (VLF-EM) geophysics program over the Swanson gold deposit, with management interpreting the results.

Additionally, assays from soil geochemistry and prospecting programs remain pending, offering a multitude of vectors to define drill targets and clarify the full extent of the deposit’s value proposition.

To this multitude, LaFleur is adding further mapping and prospecting covering the Bartec and Jolin deposits, as well as other prospective areas of the Swanson project’s over 15,000-hectare land package, in addition to an induced polarization-resistivity ground geophysics survey over 166 line-km scheduled between January and February 2025.

Management expects to begin up to 10,000 metres of drilling by mid-2025, contingent on permitting, with the goals of increasing project resources to over one million ounces of gold and continuing ongoing work to update Agnico Eagle’s 2009 preliminary economic assessment (PEA) under an open-pit scenario.

According to Louis Martin, LaFleur’s technical advisor and exploration manager, ongoing exploration efforts position the company to exploit low-hanging fruit – beginning with the Swanson deposit’s surface-level open-pit portion – thanks to its recently acquired Beacon mill, paving the way for self-funding the development of the project’s underground prospectivity.

LaFleur’s go-to-market strategy focuses on the fully permitted Beacon mill and past-producing gold mine, located within 50 kilometres of the Swanson gold deposit and along the southeast contact of the Bourlamaque Batholith near numerous gold mines, including Wrightbar, Beaufor, and Lamaque, many of which lack in-house processing infrastructure.

The mill is equipped to process 750 tons per day (tpd) after undergoing C$20 million in refurbishments by previous owner Monarch Mining in 2021-2022, but has been under care and maintenance since early 2023.

The Beacon land package also includes a tailings management pond, underground installations, a 500-metre shaft and headframe, a ramp and a mechanical shop from the Beacon mine, saving LaFleur tens of millions of dollars compared to building a facility from scratch and enabling the company to more easily scale its way towards lower costs and higher profitability.

The Quebec Government has also authorized the company to process up to 1.8 million tons of tailings, representing about nine years of mineral processing at full capacity, expanding the facility’s revenue generation capabilities.

LaFleur recently initiated high-level pre-feasibility work to restart the Beacon mill with feed from the Swanson project, including Bartec and Jolin, and is partnering with local mining services contractor ABF Mines to refine its approach regarding staffing, ongoing maintenance and repairs, and potential production upgrades.

Initial results from this work, expected in Q1 2025, will inform the path to production, backed by C$2.8M raised in December 2024 for further drilling, advancing economic studies and upgrading resources to reserves.

According to Paul Ténière, LaFleur’s chief executive officer, LaFleur is focused on generating near-term cash flow from Beacon through third-party feed to self-fund it growth plans, including ushering the Swanson deposit towards an open-pit operation over the next 12 to 18 months, working to establish resources at Bartec and Jolin, and continuing to explore the project’s district-scale land package.

Numerous parties at the PEA and PFS level with nearby up to multi-million-ounce deposits are in discussions with the company about processing their ore and potentially funding the mill’s restart.

With its stock last trading at C$0.29, having lost almost one fifth of its value since July 2024, LaFleur’s production and resource expansion upside and gold’s recent run-up to all-time-highs have yet to be priced in.

This dynamic lays the groundwork for a potentially significant share price re-rating contingent on the gold price remaining strong in line with expectations from Goldman Sachs, UBS and Deutsche Bank, among other leading financial institutions, facilitating LaFleur’s path to validating and initiating production, unlocking cash flow and building scale to better capitalize on opportunities regardless of gold market conditions.

From Ténière’s perspective, this re-rating may come in the form of mergers or partnerships, with LaFleur engaged in numerous ongoing discussions with groups as far as Australia to optimize shareholder value creation.

This interest in LaFleur’s assets, according to Martin, is thanks to the company’s diligent development, growing Monarch Mining’s initial two mineral showings to over 25. Further strategic expansion deals are currently being ironed out to enhance exposure to the Swanson project’s mineralized envelope, in which he sees multi-million-ounce potential.

With upcoming prospecting, surveying, drilling and deal flow serving as potential catalysts towards greater market awareness, LaFleur likely won’t be trading under the radar for long.

Join the discussion: Find out what everybody’s saying about this Canadian gold mining stock on the LaFleur Minerals Inc. Bullboard today.

The material provided in this article is for information only and should not be treated as investment advice. Viewers are encouraged to conduct their own research and consult with a certified financial advisor before making any investment decisions. For full disclaimer information, please click here.

Listen to the HotCopper podcast for in-depth discussions and insights on all the biggest headlines from throughout the week. On Spotify, Apple, and more.

Through works at Murchison and Southern Goldfields gold mines in the most recent quarter to December, Westgold produced 80,886oz; a lift on the quarter before.

This bump-up was helped somewhat by Q2 being Westgold’s first full quarter of Southern Goldfields stewardship. That region specifically chipped in as much as 34,435 ounces.

Also adding to the docket was Westgold’s Karora Resources acquisition; that deal was wrapped up several months into the period reported. Karora’s merger made Westgold “one of Australia’s top five gold miners,” the company explained.

The heavier dig hauls then combined well with one of the key factors Westgold pointed out in its half-year report: The rising gold price. As recently as today, the safe haven metal has continued to reset its high watermarks, all of which led to the Western Australian gold explorer raking in $345 million in revenue.

In the coffers, Westgold still carries $152M in cash, bullion, and liquid investments.

And – good news for investors, because the $1.4B company saw this period as a preamble.

“This half-year was a period of consolidation and strategic investment,” Westgold managing director and CEO Wayne Brambell said after the release today.

“[The company now has] a focus on critical mine infrastructure and resource drilling, paving the way for long-term success.” He then heralded future plans, saying, “The next half is where this capital begins to generate a return.”

That, Mr Brambell explained, will include more growth in production across its Murchison and Southern Goldfields spearheads as well as increased cash generation.

All this comes as good news for the explorer considering its turbulent recent months.

More market news

Good sting – Scorpion jumps after JV gives it foothold in WA gold territory

“Wish them good luck” – Olympio sells out of Halls Creek gold play

Of the biggest note was the company’s lower production forecasts in early February, mainly due to “engineering ramp-up issues” at the Beta Hunt and Bluebird-South Junction underground mines in the Archaean belt.

Earlier, the WA explorer had faced issues with its Karora takeover when rival Ramelius Resources (ASX:RMS) called the move “hypothetical and misleading.”

It’s not clear skies for Westgold just yet either, strong half-year report or no, with the cost of sales rising dramatically as 2025 gets underway properly.

For now, though, the company is spruiking “long-term sustainability and profitability.”

Westgold traded 2.4% higher through Friday to sell at $2.53 a share.

For anyone who wants to jot it down too, gold bullion is at US$2,935 today.

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Alphamin Resources (TSXV:AFM) reported a solid performance for fiscal year 2024 via a January media update, with significant increases in tin production and financial metrics. The company achieved a 38% increase in tin production, reaching 17,324 tonnes for FY2024.

Building on its success from Q3 2024, this growth is attributed to the successful expansion of the Mpama South project, which was completed in Q2 2024. For Q4 2024, Alphamin produced 5,237 tonnes of tin; a 7% increase from the previous quarter.

The processing facilities also performed well, with plant recoveries averaging 75%, surpassing the target of 73%. Despite high rainfall impacting outbound road conditions and transit times, the company managed to maintain robust production levels. However, tin sales volumes for Q4 decreased by 11% to 4,942 tonnes due to the clearing of a sales backlog in the previous quarter.

Financially, Alphamin’s EBITDA for FY2024 is estimated to increase by 102% to US$274 million, driven by higher tin production and sales volumes, as well as a 17% increase in the average tin price to US$30,345/t. The Q4 earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation, and amortization (EBITDA) guidance of US$76 million is 17% below the previous quarter due to lower sales volumes and a 4% decrease in tin prices.

Looking ahead, Alphamin has set production guidance of approximately 20,000 tonnes of contained tin for FY2025, benefiting from the full-year impact of the Mpama South expansion. This ambitious target reflects the company’s confidence in its operational capabilities and market conditions.

Alphamin’s exploration strategy is focused on three key objectives:

Exploration drilling at Mpama North and Mpama South recommenced in Q4 2024.

At Mpama South, a surface drilling campaign targeting down-dip, up-dip, and strike extensions is underway. Initial results have shown potential extensions of the mineralized system.

At Mpama North, geological fan drilling from underground has intersected zones of chlorite alteration and minor cassiterite veins and drillhole MNUD008A intersected a thick chlorite altered zone of visual tin cassiterite approximately 20m north of the previously most northerly Resource drillhole and some 200m below the bottom of the current mining echelon.

The tin concentrate market, particularly in Africa and the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), remains a critical area of focus.

Alphamin is one of the world’s largest producers of high-grade tin concentrate which positions it strategically to capitalize on market dynamics.

The global demand for tin, driven by its applications in electronics and technology, continues to rise, providing a favorable backdrop for Alphamin’s growth.

Alphamin Resources Corp presents a compelling investment opportunity. The company’s significant increase in tin production, robust financial performance, and strategic exploration initiatives point to its potential for sustained growth.

The successful expansion of the Mpama South project and the promising exploration results at Mpama North and South further enhance its value proposition. With a strong foothold in the DRC, Alphamin is well-positioned to benefit from the rising global demand for tin.

The company’s stock has grown an impressive 35% compared to this time, last year.

Investors seeking exposure to the tin market should consider Alphamin as a key player with substantial upside potential.

This is sponsored content issued on behalf of Alphamin Resources Corp.

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The testing – which is expected to be completed within 10 days – will be conducted through the re-entry of a previously drilled and completed well, focusing on the upper and middle Smackover formation brine.

Samples will be immediately dispatched for lab and DLE analysis, with analytical results expected before the years’ end.

Pantera executive chairman Barnaby Egerton Warburton said the testing would provide important indicators about the quality of lithium at the project.

“Having built a relevant acreage position in the Smackover play we are now extremely pleased to be testing lithium and bromine grades in the heart of our acreage position,” he said.

“This first test not only will provide us with lithium grade but the site we are testing from provides both a supply and disposal well for a future planned pilot plant test.”

Pantera is the as the largest listed acreage holder outside of industry majors like Exxon, Albemarle, Standard Lithium and Equinor.

Pantera shares rose on the news, and at 12:34 AEDT, they were trading at 2.2 cents – a rise of 4.76% since the market opened.

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“We need to pay attention to all forms of energy, and we need to pay attention to the grid. There’s huge opportunity in that.”— Rick Rule, CEO Rule Investment Media

He also touches on his involvement with uranium and how the companies he invested in went from being vilified to being subsidized.

“I went from being a despicable scum to being a hero that now deserves $5.6 billion in subsidies.”— Rick Rule

Rule believes that a Donald Trump election victory could be good for the U.S. oil and gas industry and permitting regimes for mining in the western United States, particularly in Alaska. He adds that a Kamala Harris victory might scare the country club Republicans, “the old fat, bald, white rich guys, like me, except for guys like me who are politically inclined.”

He points out some underlying problems in the United States include excessive government spending and the U.S. bullying other countries with the extraterritorial imposition of U.S. power. Rule also notes the concerns in the United States on whether the country needs to regain its dominance of the supply chain.

Rule is a sought-after speaker at industry conferences, and a frequent contributor to numerous media outlets, including CNBC, Fox Business News and BNN Bloomberg. He is known for his straightforward style and investors shouldn’t miss his personal insights. 

Want more from Rick Rule? Check out Rick’s expectations for precious metals and his advice on investment reads. And be sure to check out Richardson Wealth’s Mathis Baumbach’s interview with The Market Online about how the U.S. elections will impact U.S. and Canadian markets.

This article originally appeared on Stockhouse and was reproduced with permission.

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During the quarter, the company had a run of mine (ROM) coal production of 17.6 million tons, representing a 26 per cent increase in ROM coal volumes and a 24 per cent increase in attributable saleable coal.

“A notable uplift at our three large opencut mines underpinned this anticipated increase inour production,” David Moult, CEO of Yancoal Australia, said in a statement. “This achievement keeps Yancoal on track to meet our operational guidance for 2024.”

Moult added an average coal price of AU$170 per ton was achieved during the quarter in addition to 10.4 million tons in sales lead to robust cash inflows. This lead to Yancoal Australia improving its financial position to $2 billion by the end of the quarter.

In terms of its 2024 production guidance, the company’s attributable saleable production fell between 35 million tons and 39 million tons, while cash operating costs fell between $89 to 97 per ton.

Meanwhile the company’s attributable capital expenditures fell between $650 million and $800 million.

Shares of Yancoal Australia last traded at $6.02.

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In a news release, the company said assay results were received for an additional 15 reverse circulation (RC) holes at the property.

Notably, high-grade gold-silver-copper-zinc and lead mineralization intersected at shallow depths in multiple holes, including:

“This round of assays has delivered high grades within the oxide zone, which opens apreviously untested and shallow search space to further explore,” Glen Diemar, managing director of Australian Gold and Copper, said in a statement. “These RCresults also returned not only the highest copper grades seen to date but alsoa brand-new copper zone away from any previously known mineralisation.”

The company also said that the remaining assays for fifteen holes totalling 2,966 metres have now been received. This program targets extensions surrounding known mineralisation and shallow high-grade zones.

Australian Gold and Copper is focused on the exploration and development of its multi-asset gold portfolio located in the Lachlan Fold Belt in New South Wales. Its projects include Moorefield Project, Gundagai Project and Cargelligo Project. 

Shares of Australian Gold and Copper are down 6.38 per cent to AU$0.22.

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The material provided in this article is for information only and should not be treated as investment advice. Viewers are encouraged to conduct their own research and consult with a certified financial advisor before making any investment decisions. For full disclaimer information, please click here.

In a news release, Altech Batteries said that it has now been able to improve on a previous 30 per cent energy increase by merging alumina-coated silicon particles with battery-grade graphite to create a composite graphite/silicon anode for the lithium-ion battery electrode.

To achieve this milestone, the company conducted a series of tests that demonstrated the lithium-ion battery anode material showed an average energy retention capacity of 500 aAh/g, which is much higher than the average 320 mAh/g for a standard lithium-battery anode.

“We are thrilled with the significant progress we have made in overcoming the critical challenges associated with using silicon in lithium-ion battery anodes,” Iggy Tan, CEO of Altech Batteries, said in a statement. “Our breakthrough technology represents a major step forward in unlocking the full potential of silicon in lithium-ion batteries.”

Tan added that the company believes its lithium-ion batters could revolutionize the battery industry and that the company is commissioning a pilot plant to scale up the technology to bring it to market.

Altech Batteries is focused on commercializing a sodium chloride battery production facility in Germany for the European grid energy market in addition to developing its battery materials for lithium-ion batteries.

Shares of Altech Batteries last traded at AU$0.042.

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The material provided in this article is for information only and should not be treated as investment advice. Viewers are encouraged to conduct their own research and consult with a certified financial advisor before making any investment decisions. For full disclaimer information, please click here.