Copper prices climbed to a fresh record on Tuesday (January 6), as persistent supply disruptions and trade uncertainty capped a nearly 30 percent rally since October.

Benchmark three‑month copper on the London Metal Exchange (LME) rose as much as 3.1 percent in early trading to an all‑time high of US$13,387.50 per metric ton, before settling slightly lower but still above US$13,200.

The jump marks another milestone in a rally that first saw the price breach US$12,000 late in December last year.

Copper is widely used across the industrial economy, from construction and power infrastructure to electric vehicles and data centers that support artificial intelligence growth.

Analysts attribute the gains to a combination of production setbacks at major mines and heightened concerns that prospective US trade tariffs could further disrupt flows.

Large operations such as Freeport-McMoRan (NYSE:FCX)’s Grasberg complex in Indonesia have faced challenges since last year, while a strike at Capstone Copper (TSX:CS,OTC Pink:CSCCF,OTC:CSCCF)’s Mantoverde mine in Chile has reduced output prospects in one of the world’s top copper‑producing nations.

The prospect of new tariffs under the Trump administration has also shaped expectations. Traders have moved to ship refined copper into the US ahead of any potential levies, tightening supply elsewhere.

Furthermore, data show copper stocks in US Comex warehouses have jumped to more than 450,000 metric tons, well above last year’s levels.

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

Solvonis Therapeutics plc (LSE: SVNS), an emerging biopharmaceutical company developing novel medicines for high-burden central nervous system (‘CNS’) disorders, announces that it has received a Notice of Allowance (the ‘Allowance’) from the United States Patent and Trademark Office (‘USPTO’) for a series of compounds within its proprietary SVN-SDN-14 Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (‘PTSD’) discovery programme. One compound from this series is currently being evaluated alongside other candidates, with a lead compound expected to be selected in Q1 2026 in line with prior guidance.

The Allowance strengthens the intellectual property foundations of SVN-SDN-14 at an important stage as the programme advances toward lead-candidate selection. In addition to this IP milestone, the Company is highlighting the scientific significance of the newly protected compounds in addressing long-standing challenges in the development of next-generation PTSD therapeutics.

Scientific significance

SVN-SDN-14 is focused on developing serotonin (‘SERT’), dopamine (‘DAT’) and noradrenaline (‘NET’) modulators designed to support pro-social engagement and improve the effectiveness of psychological therapy in PTSD.

While balanced modulation of these pathways is increasingly recognised as therapeutically valuable, translating this biology into a practical medicine has historically been difficult. Key challenges have included controlling duration of action, managing variability between patients, and ensuring compatibility with scalable, real-world clinical use.

The newly allowed patent covers a novel chemical series designed to retain the core SERT, DAT and NET activity underpinning the programme, while introducing greater pharmacological control through predictable metabolic deactivation. This approach is intended to maintain therapeutic effects while improving dosing flexibility, safety margins and overall suitability for clinical use.

In allowing the claims, the USPTO examiner concluded that no existing patents or publications disclosed or suggested the claimed compounds, confirming the novelty of the approach.

Professor David Nutt, Chief Scientific Officer of Solvonis, commented: ‘These compounds are scientifically exciting because they address a long-standing challenge in this field. They are designed to preserve the monoaminergic profile that supports positive social engagement in therapy, while introducing a level of pharmacokinetic control that has historically been difficult to achieve. This increases our confidence that the core biology of SVN-SDN-14 can be translated into a medicine that is practical to develop, regulate and ultimately deploy.’

Anthony Tennyson, Chief Executive Officer of Solvonis, added: ‘This patent allowance strengthens both the scientific and commercial foundations of our PTSD programme. It reflects our strategy of combining rigorous neuroscience with disciplined medicinal chemistry to build differentiated, scalable CNS therapeutics.’

Enquiries:

About Solvonis Therapeutics plc

Solvonis Therapeutics plc (LSE: SVNS) is an emerging biopharmaceutical company developing novel small-molecule therapeutics for high-burden central nervous system (CNS) disorders. Headquartered in London and listed on the main market of the London Stock Exchange, Solvonis is advancing a differentiated pipeline of repurposed and novel compounds across addiction, psychiatry, and neurology.

The Company’s lead programmes address Alcohol Use Disorder (AUD) and Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), with additional discovery work supporting expansion into broader CNS indications. Its lead asset, SVN-001, is currently in Phase 3 for severe AUD in the UK, while SVN-002 is preparing for a Phase 2b trial in the US targeting moderate-to-severe AUD. The preclinical PTSD programme (SVN-SDN-14) leverages novel serotonin-dopamine modulators designed to enhance pro-social behaviour and long-term outcomes.

In parallel, Solvonis is advancing proprietary CNS discovery programmes built on a dedicated compound library to identify new small-molecule modulators of key neurotransmitter systems. This platform enables efficient early-stage innovation and supports the Company’s integrated approach to developing therapies across its three strategic pillars.

With a capital-efficient model, dual development strategy, and near-term partnering opportunities, Solvonis is positioned to deliver sustained value through innovation in CNS therapeutics.

solvonis.com | LinkedIn | X (Twitter)

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News Provided by ACCESS Newswire via QuoteMedia

Denison Mines (TSX:DML,NYSEAMERICAN:DNN) is ready to move forward with construction of its flagship Phoenix In-Situ Recovery (ISR) uranium project in northern Saskatchewan, pending final regulatory approvals.

The project, which is part of the Wheeler River property and expected to begin production by mid-2028, will mark Canada’s first new large-scale uranium mine since Cigar Lake.

“After another year of significant investment and progress, Denison stands ready to make a final investment decision and commence construction of the Phoenix ISR mine proposed for our flagship Wheeler River property,” said David Cates, Denison’s president and CEO.

Regulatory and planning milestones have brought the project to a construction-ready state. Last month, the Canadian Nuclear Safety Commission (CNSC) concluded its public hearings on the project’s environmental assessment and licensing, while the Province of Saskatchewan granted initial approval for early earthworks.

Procurement planning is nearly complete, with long-lead items such as electrical infrastructure already on schedule for shipment.

Denison has also updated its initial capital cost estimate for the Phoenix project to approximately US$437 million, which includes inflation, procurement progress, and engineering refinements.

This figure represents a 20 percent increase relative to the 2023 feasibility study. Despite this, the company emphasized that no further adjustments are expected prior to construction.

The Phoenix ISR project is expected to be completed within a two-year construction timeline, supporting both the current fleet of Canadian nuclear reactors and future advanced reactor designs.

In-situ recovery, the method planned for Phoenix, involves dissolving uranium underground and pumping it to the surface, a technique used in over half of global uranium production but not yet implemented in Canada.

Phoenix hosts the high-grade Phoenix and Gryphon deposits, discovered in 2008 and 2014 respectively, and is a joint venture between Denison and JCU Exploration Company Limited, with Denison acting as operator.

If approvals are received in the first quarter of 2026, Denison expects to commence construction promptly, keeping the project on track for first uranium output in mid-2028.

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

Here’s a quick recap of the crypto landscape for Wednesday (January 7) as of 9:00 a.m. UTC.

Get the latest insights on Bitcoin, Ether and altcoins, along with a round-up of key cryptocurrency market news.

Bitcoin price performance, January 7, 2025.

Chart via TradingView

Ether (ETH) was priced at US$3,253.52, down by 1.2 percent over the last 24 hours.

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

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

Critical Mineral Resources plc (“CMR”, “Company”) is pleased to report that its newly commissioned diamond drill rig has successfully produced its first core from Zone 1 North, marking an important operational milestone and supporting the next phase of exploration and project advancement.

The hole was drilled to a depth of 30m and includes core with observable copper mineralisation. The rig has now moved to the next pad where drilling has already commenced. The next set of assay results are expected in early February.

The rig’s commissioning was completed efficiently and included the integration of a Moroccan-sourced water recycling system.

Key Highlights

• First core has been recovered at Zone 1 North from the Company’s recently commissioned diamond rig
• Visible copper mineralisation observed in the core, consistent with the Company’s expectations and many of the previous holes
• Company-owned drill rig expected to underpin lower drilling costs and improved drilling flexibility
• The drilling team has provided very positive feedback about the Multi-Power Discovery HD rig
• Rig’s capability provides optionality to test deeper targets, including the potential source of mineralised rhyolite
• Strong, experienced Morocco-based team positioned to support an accelerated programme through 2026

Fig.1 First drill core from recently commissioned diamond drilling rig with observable copper mineralisation

Source: Company

Charlie Long CEO commented:

“The commissioning of our company owned drill rig is a genuine step-forward for the project. Having this capability in-house gives us far greater control over the drill programme and paves the way for reduced drilling costs.

Our drilling team is reporting that the Multi-Power Discovery HD is powerful, productive and straightforward to operate, making rapid progress through carbonate and igneous rocks. Importantly it also provides us with the capability to explore deeper targets as required, including as we continue hunting for the source of the mineralised rhyolite.

Credit goes to our Moroccan drilling team, expertly led by our COO Noureddine, and our dedicated JV partner, who commissioned the rig smoothly and installed a locally sourced water recycling system without issue. Morrocco continues to stand out as highly capable mining jurisdiction, not only for its regulatory environment but the depth of practical expertise available on the ground.

That expertise will be increasingly important through 2026, as we progress Agadir Melloul towards production, supported by Moroccan experts with direct experience of developing and building multiple mines, including copper floatation operations”

Competent Person Statement

The technical exploration and mining information contained in this announcement has been reviewed and approved by Mr. Robert Nigel Chapman. Mr. Chapman has sufficient experience which is relevant to the style of mineralisation and type of deposit under consideration and to the activity to which he is undertaking to qualify as a Competent Person as defined in the 2004 Edition of the ‘Australasian Code for Reporting of Exploration Results, Mineral Resources and Ore Reserves and as a qualified person under the AIM Note for Mining, Oil and Gas Companies. Mr. Chapman is an employee of Luna Recursos Naturales SAC, an independent geological consultancy established in 2014 and is a Member of the Australasian Institute of Geoscientists (A.I.G.) Mr. Chapman has visited Agadir Melloul and consents to the inclusion in this Announcement of such information in the form and context in which it appears.

The information contained within this announcement is deemed by the Company to constitute inside information as stipulated under the Market Abuse Regulation (EU) No. 596/2014 as it forms part of United Kingdom domestic law by virtue of the European Union (Withdrawal) Act 2018, as amended by virtue of the Market Abuse (Amendment) (EU Exit) Regulations 2019.

Notes To Editors

Critical Mineral Resources (CMR) PLC is an exploration and development company focused on developing assets that produce critical minerals for the global economy, including those essential for electrification and the clean energy revolution. Many of these commodities are widely recognised as being at the start of a supply and demand super cycle.

CMR is building a diversified portfolio of high-quality metals exploration and development projects in Morocco, focusing on copper, silver and potentially other critical minerals and metals. CMR identified Morocco as an ideal mining-friendly jurisdiction that meets its acquisition and operational criteria. The country is perfectly located to supply raw materials to Europe and possesses excellent prospective geology, good infrastructure and attractive permitting, tax and royalty conditions. In 2023, the Company acquired an 80% stake in leading Moroccan exploration and geological services company Atlantic Research Minerals SARL.

The Company is listed on the London Stock Exchange (CMRS.L). More information regarding the Company can be found at www.cmrplc.com

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