After a year of stop‑start policy signals, the US cannabis market ended 2025 with a new wave of attention as US President Donald Trump moved to accelerate federal cannabis rescheduling efforts.

His December executive order directing the attorney general to complete the process of shifting marijuana from Schedule I to Schedule III has energized the sector. At the same time, companies are reshaping product portfolios around changing consumer behavior, with rapid growth in edibles and rising interest in cannabis‑infused beverages as smoke‑free formats gain traction.

With policy catalysts still unfolding and demand trends evolving, many investors are revisiting the space. For those looking to get exposure, starting with the key US and Canadian names held by major cannabis exchange‑traded funds (ETFs) offers a practical way to focus on the largest, most established public operators.

This list of the biggest publicly traded cannabis companies was put together based on the top-weighted cannabis stocks included in the AdvisorShares Pure US Cannabis ETF (ARCA:MSOS) and the Global X Marijuana Life Sciences Index ETF (TSX: HMMJ) as of January 2, 2026. Share price information for the companies was accurate as of that time.

Securities Disclosure: I, Meagen Seatter, hold no direct investment interest in any company mentioned in this article.

Gold marked a new price milestone on Monday (January 12), continuing its record-breaking run into 2026.

The spot price rose as high as US$4,630.01 per ounce, hitting that point at 8:14 a.m. PST.

Gold spot price chart, January 4 to 12, 2026.

The yellow metal’s latest rise adds to an ongoing historic run.

After starting 2025 around US$2,640, gold had risen to the US$3,200 level by April. It stayed within a fairly flat range until the end of August, when it launched higher once again, breaking US$4,300 in mid-October.

The price of gold took a breather following that move, even falling briefly below US$4,000; however, its retracement was neither as steep nor as long as many market watchers expected it to be.

Gold began gaining steam again in mid-November, and took off again in earnest at the end of 2025. This week it’s powering even higher along with silver, which posted its own all-time high of US$86.06 per ounce on Monday.

Both metals benefit from geopolitical tensions and economic uncertainty, which have been present on a global scale over the past the year. Interest rate cuts from the US Federal Reserve have provided support too, as have expectations of easier monetary policy after Fed Chair Jerome Powell’s term ends later this year.

This latest precious metals price surge comes as US President Donald Trump’s feud with the Fed over interest rates has taken an eyebrow-raising turn. On January 9, the US Department of Justice (DOJ) served the Fed with grand jury subpoenas targeting Powell with a criminal indictment.

The subpoenas to the central bank are related to Powell’s June 2025 testimony before the Senate Banking Committee concerning the Fed’s US$2.5 billion renovation of two Washington, DC, office buildings.

In a statement released on January 11, Powell said the DOJ investigation has nothing to do with the renovation project and everything to do with Trump’s goal to goad the Fed into lowering interest rates.

“The threat of criminal charges is a consequence of the Federal Reserve setting interest rates based on our best assessment of what will serve the public, rather than following the preferences of the President,” said Powell. “This is about whether the Fed will be able to continue to set interest rates based on evidence and economic conditions—or whether instead monetary policy will be directed by political pressure or intimidation.”

When asked about the probe by NBC News, Trump denied any involvement or knowledge of the investigation: “I don’t know anything about it, but he’s certainly not very good at the Fed, and he’s not very good at building buildings.’

When further questioned if the investigation has anything to do with the pressure his administration is placing on the Fed to lower rates, Trump replied, “No. I wouldn’t even think of doing it that way. What should pressure him is the fact that rates are far too high. That’s the only pressure he’s got.”

Ozkardeskaya explained that the economic data currently coming out of US jobs and consumer price index reports would in normal situations lead the Fed to put rate cuts on hold.

“If the Fed can’t set policy based on economic data and inflation picks up, you want assets that temper inflation risks: gold, commodities, inflation-linked bonds, dividend-paying stocks, and tech,” she added.

“In my opinion, while these concerns do not imply an imminent collapse of the dollar, they are sufficient to reduce its appeal relative to gold, particularly during periods when markets demand clarity and credibility in monetary policy.”

The Trump administration’s criminal investigation into Powell adds another layer to the already-volatile economic and geopolitical environment that has investors seeking safe-haven assets.

Eugenia Mykuliak, founder and executive Director of B2PRIME Group, believes that a threat to Fed independence also poses significant risks to the US economy.

Gold also continues to benefit from strong central bank buying, while silver’s industrial side is attracting attention. Although it is valued as an investment metal, silver is key for technology such as solar panels.

Elsewhere in the precious metals space, platinum rose close to record highs on Monday, reaching US$2,360.50 per ounce. Palladium remains below its top price level, but is elevated above US$1,900 per ounce.

Securities Disclosure: I, Charlotte McLeod, hold no direct investment interest in any company mentioned in this article.

Eagle Energy Metals Corp. (“Eagle” or the “Company”), a next-generation nuclear energy company with rights to the largest open pit-constrained, measured and indicated uranium deposit in the United States and proprietary Small Modular Reactor (“SMR”) technology, is pleased to announce today that it has engaged BBA USA Inc. (“BBA”), an eminent consulting firm with more than 45 years of experience in the energy and natural resources sector, to develop and design a limited drilling campaign in support of an eventual Pre-Feasibility Study (“PFS”) at its Aurora Uranium Project (“Aurora” or the “Project”).

BBA will design and optimize the number, location, and orientation of drill holes to help achieve specific objectives that will each play a critical role in the completion of the PFS. These objectives include (1) advanced metallurgical testing and process flow sheet design, (2) hydrogeological analysis, (3) geotechnical and rock mechanics analysis, (4) mineral resource classification enhancement, and (5) mineral resource expansion. BBA previously completed Aurora’s S-K 1300 Mineral Resource Estimate and authored the related Technical Report Summary in August 2025, providing technical continuity as the Project advances.

“We’re seeing sustained demand for nuclear power translate into real demand for uranium, particularly for projects located in the U.S.,” said Mark Mukhija, CEO of Eagle Energy Metals. “Advancing Aurora with BBA is about making sure this asset is ready to meet that demand as the market continues to tighten. We believe that the continued development at Aurora paired with this significant industry demand furthers our ability to become a strategic national asset and leading domestic supplier of nuclear power.”

BBA’s engagement supports Eagle’s broader strategy as the Company continues to progress toward its planned Nasdaq listing under the ticker symbol “NUCL” in connection with its proposed business combination with Spring Valley Acquisition Corp. II (OTC: SVIIF).

Demand for nuclear power is increasing as technology companies seek reliable, long-term energy to support artificial intelligence and large-scale data centers. Recently, Meta announced agreements with nuclear energy providers including TerraPower and Oklo to help supply electricity for its planned Prometheus AI supercluster in Ohio, reinforcing the growing role of nuclear energy and the importance of a secure, domestic uranium supply.

For more information, please visit Eagleenergymetals.com.

About Eagle Energy Metals Corp.
Eagle Energy Metals Corp. is a next-generation nuclear energy company that combines domestic uranium exploration with proprietary Small Modular Reactor (SMR) technology. The Company holds the rights to the largest open pit-constrained, measured and indicated uranium deposit in the United States, located in southeastern Oregon. This includes the Aurora deposit, with 32.75Mlbs Indicated and 4.98Mlbs Inferred (SK-1300 TRS) of near-surface uranium resource, and the adjacent Cordex deposit, which offers significant potential to expand the project’s overall resource inventory. By integrating advanced SMR technology with a sizeable uranium asset, Eagle is building an integrated nuclear platform positioned to help restore American leadership in the global nuclear industry. For more information about Eagle Energy Metals Corp., visit www.eagleenergymetals.com.

About Spring Valley Acquisition Corp. II
Spring Valley Acquisition Corp. II (“SVII”) (SVIIF, SVIRF, SVIUF, and SVIWF) is a part of a family of investment vehicles formed for the purpose of acquiring or merging with a business focused on the energy and decarbonization industries. Over the past 5 years, Spring Valley has raised $690 million in three IPOs. SVII is led by Christopher D. Sorrells, Chief Executive Officer and Chairman, and Robert Kaplan, Chief Financial Officer and Head of Business Development. SVII’s board of directors includes Christopher D. Sorrells (Chairman), Sharon Youngblood, Rich Thompson, David Buzby, David Levinson, and Kevin Pohler. Its Sponsor group includes Pearl Energy; a $3.0 billion Texas-based firm focused on the North American energy sector. Spring Valley I successfully completed its business combination with NuScale Power, a leading U.S. small modular reactor (“SMR”) technology company in May 2022. SVII maintains a corporate website at https://sv-ac.com.

Additional Information and Where to Find It

In connection with the transactions (the “Proposed Business Combination”) contemplated by the Merger Agreement between Spring Valley Acquisition Corp. II (“SVII”), Eagle Energy Metals Corp. (“Eagle”), and Eagle Nuclear Energy Corp. (“New Eagle”), New Eagle filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”) a registration statement on Form S-4 (File No. 333-290631) (as amended, the “Registration Statement”), which includes a preliminary prospectus with respect to New Eagle’s securities to be issued in connection with the Proposed Business Combination and a preliminary proxy statement to be distributed to holders of SVII’s Class A Ordinary Shares in connection with SVII’s solicitation of proxies for the vote by SVII’s shareholders with respect to the Proposed Business Combination and other matters described in the Registration Statement (collectively, the “Proxy Statement”). After the SEC declares the Registration Statement effective, SVII plans to file the definitive Proxy Statement with the SEC and to mail copies to shareholders of SVII as of a record date to be established for voting on the Proposed Business Combination and other matters described in the Registration Statement. This document does not contain all of the information that should be considered concerning the Proposed Business Combination and is not a substitute for the Registration Statement, Proxy Statement or for any other document that SVII, New Eagle or Eagle may file with the SEC. Before making any investment or voting decision, investors and security holders of SVII, New Eagle and Eagle are urged to read the Registration Statement and the Proxy Statement, and any amendments or supplements thereto, as well as all other relevant materials filed or that will be filed with the SEC in connection with the Proposed Business Combination as they become available because they will contain important information about New Eagle, Eagle, SVII and the Proposed Business Combination. Investors and security holders will be able to obtain free copies of the Registration Statement, the Proxy Statement and all other relevant documents filed or that will be filed with the SEC by SVII, New Eagle or Eagle through the website maintained by the SEC at www.sec.gov. The information contained on, or that may be accessed through, the websites referenced in this document is not incorporated by reference into, and is not a part of, this document.

Participants in the Solicitation

New Eagle, Eagle, SVII and their respective directors, executive officers and other members of management and employees may, under the rules of the SEC, be deemed to be participants in the solicitations of proxies from SVII’s shareholders in connection with the Proposed Business Combination. For more information about the names, affiliations and interests of SVII’s directors and executive officers, please refer to SVII’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2024, which was filed with the SEC on April 11, 2025 (the “2024 Form 10-K”) and the Registration Statement, Proxy Statement and other relevant materials filed or to be filed with the SEC in connection with the Proposed Business Combination when they become available. Additional information regarding the participants in the proxy solicitation and a description of their direct and indirect interests, which may, in some cases, be different than those of SVII’s shareholders generally, will be included in the Registration Statement and the Proxy Statement. Shareholders, potential investors and other interested persons should read the Registration Statement and the Proxy Statement, and any amendments or supplements thereto, carefully, before making any voting or investment decisions. You may obtain free copies of these documents from the sources indicated above.

No Offer or Solicitation

This document shall not constitute a “solicitation” as defined in Section 14 of the Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. This document shall not constitute an offer to sell or exchange, the solicitation of an offer to buy or a recommendation to purchase, any securities, or a solicitation of any vote, consent or approval, nor shall there be any sale, issuance or transfer of securities in any jurisdiction in which such offer, solicitation or sale may be unlawful under the laws of such jurisdiction. No offering of securities in the Proposed Business Combination shall be made except by means of a prospectus meeting the requirements of the Securities Act or an exemption therefrom.

Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements

Certain statements included in this document are not historical facts but are forward-looking statements. All statements other than statements of historical facts contained in this document are forward-looking statements. The forward-looking statements are based on current expectations and are inherently subject to uncertainties and changes in circumstance and their potential effects. There can be no assurance that future developments will be those that have been anticipated. These forward-looking statements involve a number of risks, uncertainties or other assumptions that may cause actual results or performance to be materially different from those expressed or implied by these forward-looking statements. You should carefully consider the factors discussed in this document and the other risks and uncertainties described in the “Risk Factors” section of the 2024 Form 10-K, the risks described or to be described in the Registration Statement, the Proxy Statement, and any amendments or supplements thereto, and those discussed and identified in filings made with the SEC by SVII, New Eagle or Eagle from time to time. Eagle, New Eagle, and SVII caution you against placing undue reliance on forward-looking statements, which reflect current beliefs and are based on information currently available as of the date a forward-looking statement is made. Forward-looking statements set forth in this document speak only as of the date of this document. Neither Eagle, SVII, nor New Eagle undertakes any obligation to revise forward-looking statements to reflect future events, changes in circumstances, or changes in beliefs. In the event that any forward-looking statement is updated, no inference should be made that additional updates will be made with respect to that statement, related matters, or any other forward-looking statements. Any corrections or revisions and other important assumptions and factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from forward-looking statements, including discussions of significant risk factors, may appear, up to the consummation of the Proposed Business Combination, in SVII’s public filings with the SEC, which are or will be (as appropriate) accessible at www.sec.gov, and which you are advised to review carefully.

Investor Relations Contact:

775-335-2029
info@eagleenergymetals.com

Media Relations Contact:

Gateway Group
Zach Kadletz, Brenlyn Motlagh
949-574-3860
EAGLE@Gateway-grp.com

Source

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The Trump administration is considering a direct equity stake in a Louisiana-based refinery to establish what officials say would become the US’ only large-scale producer of gallium.

The Department of Defense (DoD) is set to invest US$150 million in preferred equity in Atlantic Alumina, known as ATALCO, as part of a strategic partnership with an affiliate of Pinnacle Asset Management, according to a Bloomberg report.

The unannounced deal will fund an expansion of ATALCO’s alumina output and the construction of a new circuit to recover gallium, a critical metal used in military systems and advanced semiconductors.

Under the agreement, ATALCO will pair the Pentagon’s investment with an additional US$300 million from Pinnacle. The US government is also expected to provide additional funding within 30 days of the transaction’s closing.

“This strategic partnership is an essential step in reducing reliance on foreign nations for critical minerals,” ATALCO said in its statement.

Once fully built out, the facility is expected to produce more than 1 million metric tons of alumina annually and up to 50 metric tons of gallium per year.

Gallium is typically recovered as a byproduct of alumina refining, and China currently dominates both global alumina processing and gallium supply.

ATALCO has operated continuously since the late 1950s at its refinery in Gramercy, Louisiana, where it processes Jamaican bauxite into alumina, a fine white powder used in aluminum production.

After the closure of a neighboring refinery in 2020, the facility became the last alumina refinery of its kind in the country. The company says it currently supplies roughly 40 percent of domestic alumina demand.

The investment is a continuation of the Trump administration’s shift toward taking direct financial stakes in companies it views as strategically important in its effort to rebuild a domestic supply chain for rare earths and critical minerals.

Last November, the government backed a US$1.4 billion public-private partnership involving Vulcan Elements and ReElement Technologies (a subsidiary of American Resources Corporation (NASDAQ:AREC)) to expand domestic rare earth magnet production.

In October, officials also explored taking an equity stake in a US-listed company developing Greenland’s Tanbreez rare earths deposit.

Securities Disclosure: I, Giann Liguid, hold no direct investment interest in any company mentioned in this article.

(TheNewswire)

Brossard, Quebec TheNewswire – January 12, 2026 Charbone CORPORATION (TSXV: CH,OTC:CHHYF; OTCQB: CHHYF; FSE: K47) (‘Charbone’ or the ‘Company’), a North American producer and distributor specializing in clean Ultra High Purity (‘UHP’) hydrogen and strategic industrial gases, is pleased to announce the closing of a non-brokered private placement (the ‘Equity Offering’) for gross proceeds of $3.1 million.

‘We are excited to start the year 2026 with a strong improvement to our balance sheet and support shown by long term investors in this private placement,’ said Benoit Veilleux, CFO and Corporate Secretary of Charbone. ‘The completion of this financing provides Charbone with the resources for the Phase 1B at Sorel-Tracy site, increasing our clean UHP hydrogen production capacity by 4.5 times reaching almost 1 tonne per day.’

Private Placement Details

Charbone is issuing 23,614,286 Units, with each Unit priced at $0.13125 and consisting of one common share and one common share purchase warrant.

• The proceeds from the Equity Offering will be primarily allocated to the Company’s purchase and installation of the Phase 1B hydrogen equipment at the Sorel-Tracy site, and general working capital requirements. 

• At the Closing Date, the Company paid a finder’s fee of $247,950. It also issued 1,889,143 finder’s warrants to registered dealers related to the sale of specific Units to qualified subscribers introduced by such dealers. The Units were distributed pursuant to a decision under Section 12 of the Securities Act (Quebec) to qualified subscribers outside of the Province of Quebec mainly to one institutional investor located in Germany.  

• The closing of the Equity Offering remains subject to the approval of the TSX Venture Exchange and other customary closing conditions 

This news release does not constitute an offer to sell or a solicitation of an offer to buy, nor shall there be any sale of securities in any jurisdiction where such offer, solicitation, or sale would be unlawful, including in the United States. The securities have not been and will not be registered under the United States Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the ‘1933 Act‘) or any applicable state securities laws and may not be offered or sold within the United States or to, or for the account or benefit of, U.S. Persons (as defined in Regulation S under the 1933 Act) unless registered under the 1933 Act and relevant state laws, or if an exemption from registration is available.

About Charbone CORPORATION

Charbone is a developer and producer of clean Ultra High Purity (UHP) hydrogen with a growing industrial gas distribution platform. Through a modular approach, Charbone is focused on developing a network of clean hydrogen production facilities throughout North America and select markets abroad, starting with its flagship Sorel-Tracy project in Quebec. The Company’s integrated model reduces risk, enhances scalability, and enables diversified revenue streams through partnerships in helium and other specialty gases. Charbone is committed to supporting the global transition to a lower-carbon economy by providing accessible, decentralized clean hydrogen and specialty gas solutions while supporting underserved industrial gas customers and accelerating the shift to localized clean energy. Charbone is listed on the TSX Venture Exchange (TSXV: CH), the OTC Markets (OTCQB: CHHYF), and the Frankfurt Stock Exchange (FSE: K47). Visit www.Charbone.com.

Forward-Looking Statements

This news release contains statements that are ‘forward-looking information’ as defined under Canadian securities laws (‘forward-looking statements’). These forward-looking statements are often identified by words such as ‘intends’, ‘anticipates’, ‘expects’, ‘believes’, ‘plans’, ‘likely’, or similar words. The forward-looking statements reflect management’s expectations, estimates, or projections concerning future results or events, based on the opinions, assumptions and estimates considered reasonable by management at the date the statements are made. Although Charbone believes that the expectations reflected in the forward-looking statements are reasonable, forward-looking statements involve risks and uncertainties, and undue reliance should not be placed on forward-looking statements, as unknown or unpredictable factors could cause actual results to be materially different from those reflected in the forward-looking statements. The forward-looking statements may be affected by risks and uncertainties in the business of Charbone. These risks, uncertainties and assumptions include, but are not limited to, those described under ‘Risk Factors’ in the Corporation’s Management’s Discussion & Analysis for the period ended September 30, 2025, which is available on SEDAR+ at www.sedarplus.ca; they could cause actual events or results to differ materially from those projected in any forward-looking statements.

Except as required under applicable securities legislation, Charbone undertakes no obligation to publicly update or revise forward-looking information.

Neither TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.

Contact Charbone Hydrogen Corporation
Telephone: +1 450 678 7171
Email: ir@Charbone.com Benoit Veilleux CFO and Corporate Secretary

 

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