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Editor’s Picks: Gold Price Breaks US$4,600, Silver Tops US$93 in Record-Setting Week

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Gold and silver are wrapping up yet another record-setting week that’s seen economic uncertainty and geopolitical tensions combine to push prices upward.

The yellow metal moved decisively through US$4,600 per ounce on Monday (January 12), trading above that level for a decent amount of the week.

For its part, silver reached what’s perhaps an even more impressive price milestone, surging past US$90 per ounce and breaking US$93 on Wednesday (January 14).

At this point, there’s a very long list of factors providing support for the precious metals, and we don’t have time to touch on all of them today. Instead let’s take a look at a few that have been making headlines over the past week or so and break them down.

First, there’s the latest news in the clash between US President Donald Trump and Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell. On Sunday (January 11), Powell said that two days earlier, the Department of Justice had served the Fed with grand jury subpoenas threatening a criminal indictment.

I had the chance to speak with Mario Innecco, who runs the @maneco64 channel on YouTube, not long after Powell’s statement — here’s how he summed it up:

‘They’ve subpoenaed documents, and it’s supposed to be related to the renovation of the Fed’s headquarters in Washington, DC. But Jay Powell came out and said it’s not, it’s basically because they want him to cut rates.

‘And he’s probably right. I think they’re using any kind of, let’s say tricks, to try to get rid of him, because I think the administration, even though they talk about how the economy is doing so great, they are desperate.’

Trump himself has said he had no knowledge of the investigation, and has also asserted that he’s not interested in firing Powell, whose term as Fed chair wraps up in May.

Nevertheless, the situation has reignited concerns about Fed independence, and has provided support for gold and silver, which tend to fare better when rates are lower. The next Fed chair, who has not yet been appointed, is widely expected to fall in line with Trump.

In addition to that, geopolitical tensions have remained high. Venezuela is still in the spotlight after its former president was removed by the US last week, and this week Trump warned that the US would intervene in Iran if its executions of anti-government protesters did not stop.

Iran responded by saying it would strike US bases if that happened.

Those events and others are boosting safe-haven demand for gold, as well as silver, but I want to hone in on a couple more points on the silver side that I think are worth looking at.

One of those is the news that the US plans to hold off on new critical minerals tariffs after receiving the results of a Section 232 investigation launched last year.

While a presidential proclamation states that imports of processed critical minerals and their derivative products do constitute a national security risk for the US, the country will first take steps such as negotiating supply agreements with other nations.

Silver was recently designated a critical mineral in the US, and some market watchers believe this news out of the US was responsible for a midweek price dip for the white metal. However, others continue to highlight silver’s deeper underlying drivers.

I heard recently from Andy Schectman of Miles Franklin, who emphasized that a key element supporting silver right now is the fact that more and more entities are standing for physical delivery.

Here’s how he explained what he’s seeing:

‘For years I’ve been saying … that the most well-informed, well-funded traders — and I’ll highlight well informed, that being the central banks — have been standing for delivery since 2020. Very unusual, because really no one ever stood for delivery. And this started to accelerate. But all along, the US was not part of this game. We were seeing it in the Global South with the BRICs. And now all of a sudden we are seeing the most well-informed traders in North America stand for delivery in massive amounts.’

Gold ended the week just below US$4,600, while silver was slightly above US$90.

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

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Harvest Gold

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Investment Insight

Harvest Gold offers investors a compelling opportunity to participate in early-stage exploration within Quebec’s prolific Abitibi Greenstone Belt – home to some of Canada’s richest gold deposits – through three strategically located and 100 percent owned properties, with a flagship asset positioned for significant discovery upside.

Overview

Harvest Gold (TSXV:HVG)is a Canadian junior exploration company advancing a portfolio of three 100 percent owned gold projects – Mosseau, Urban Barry and LaBelle – located within Quebec’s world-renowned Abitibi Greenstone Belt. With more than 200 million ounces of historical gold production, the Abitibi is one of the most productive gold regions globally. Harvest Gold’s properties are strategically positioned within and adjacent to the Urban Barry Greenstone Belt, an emerging gold camp that has attracted sustained interest from major mining companies.

Harvest Gold

The Urban Barry Belt hosts several high-grade, multi-million-ounce deposits, including the Windfall deposit, developed by Osisko Mining and now owned by Gold Fields, as well as Bonterra’s Gladiator and Barry deposits. As consolidation by major producers continues across the belt, Harvest Gold controls three of the few remaining independent, district-scale land packages. With excellent road access, nearby infrastructure and newly exposed bedrock from recent forest fires, the company’s properties offer exceptional discovery potential.

Harvest Gold’s strategy is underpinned by a highly experienced management and technical team. CEO Rick Mark brings over 30 years of leadership in public resource companies, having guided his 2000’s group of four companies to peak valuations of approximately C$200 million. The technical team includes Louis Martin, a two-time AEMQ “Discovery of the Year” award winner, and Warren Bates, former VP exploration at Pelangio Exploration and part of the Blackwater discovery team. Together, the team brings deep expertise in structural geology, Abitibi-focused exploration, and discovery-driven value creation.

The company is supported by Crescat Capital, a respected institutional investor with a strong record of backing early-stage discoveries. Crescat’s involvement reflects the endorsement of its strategic advisor, Dr. Quinton Hennigh, who has highlighted the district-scale opportunity created by Harvest Gold’s land position along the Wilson Pluton–volcanic contact.

Company Highlights

  • Flagship Mousseau Project: Large-scale, advanced-stage exploration property with multiple confirmed gold-bearing shear zones.
  • Tier-one address: All projects located in Quebec’s Urban Barry Greenstone Belt where Gold Fields recently acquired Osisko Mining’s world-class Windfall deposit and much of the rest of the Urban Barry belt.
  • Institutional Backing: Crescat Capital, with renowned exploration geologist Dr. Quinton Hennigh, owns 19+ percent of Harvest Gold.
  • Skilled Technical Team: Leadership includes seasoned geologists and executives with proven discovery and development track records.
  • Favourable Jurisdiction: Operates in Quebec, a politically stable, mining-friendly province with excellent infrastructure and low exploration costs.
  • Strategic Timing: Harvest Gold has commenced its maiden drill program at Mosseau during a period of historically strong gold prices.

Key Projects

Mousseau Gold Project

Major corridors at Harvest Gold

The Mosseau Gold Project is Harvest Gold’s flagship asset, comprising approximately 195 claims covering about 9,740 hectares in the northern Abitibi Greenstone Belt of Quebec. Located roughly 15 kilometres east of Lebel-sur-Quévillon, the project benefits from year-round road access and established regional infrastructure. The property is bordered to the north by Gold Fields and Cartier Resources and lies near a large claim block staked by noted prospector Shawn Ryan, placing Mosseau within an active and highly prospective exploration corridor.

Geologically, Mosseau straddles two major structural corridors: the Morono Shear Zone and the Kiask River Fault Zone. These structures host classic shear-related gold mineralization, characterized by multiple stacked quartz–sericite shear zones ranging from less than one metre to more than 30 metres in width, with demonstrated continuity along strike and at depth. To date, 49 significant surface gold showings have been identified, along with a historical, non–NI 43-101 compliant gold resource at the Morono Zone.

In 2024, Harvest Gold completed a high-resolution airborne magnetic survey over the entire Mosseau property. This modern dataset identified previously unrecognized structures and magnetic domains, significantly refining drill targeting. Follow-up mapping, prospecting, and soil geochemistry—greatly enhanced by new bedrock exposure from the 2023 forest fires—outlined multiple high-priority targets along both the Morono and Kiask River structural corridors.

In 2025, Harvest Gold commenced its maiden diamond drill program at Mosseau, targeting priority zones in the Northern and Central areas of the property. Results from the first six drill holes confirmed the discovery of a new, previously untested mineralized horizon approximately 100 metres east of the Trench 1B showing. This newly identified horizon is associated with a moderate induced polarization anomaly that can be traced for approximately 600 metres along strike and remains open.

Recent drilling highlights include:

  • 1.90 g/t gold over 5.4 metres, including 8.67 g/t gold over 0.6 metres
  • 1.10 g/t gold over 6.0 metres, including 2.02 g/t gold over 1.5 metres
  • Higher-grade gold associated with semi-massive sulphides containing elevated silver and base metals (copper, zinc, lead)

Fourteen drill holes totaling 3,030 metres have now been completed, representing approximately 60 percent of the planned 5,000-metre program. Drilling is ongoing, with results continuing to demonstrate the scale, continuity, and polymetallic character of the Mosseau system.

With its district-scale footprint, proven gold endowment, improving geological model, and active drilling success, the Mosseau Project is well positioned to evolve into a significant discovery with strong potential to attract strategic partners or acquirers.

Urban Barry Property

Harvest Gold

Acquired from EGR Exploration, the Urban Barry property comprises 6,879 hectares located west of the Osisko/Gold Fields Windfall property. The project spans 20 km of favorable strike length and sits along the southern margin of the Urban Barry Greenstone Belt.

Key advantages:

  • Analogous geological setting to Windfall and Gladiator
  • Road-accessible with mapped deformation zones and quartz-vein hosted gold indicators
  • 2024 magnetic surveys and fieldwork completed; drilling strategy is in development

LaBelle Project

Staked in 2024, LaBelle covers 3,394 hectares and represents a 9 km southeast extension of the Kiask River Fault. It mirrors the geological setting of Mousseau, with similar NW-SE oriented shear zones and structural contacts between the Wilson Pluton and volcanic sequences.

Though early-stage, LaBelle offers:

  • District-scale exploration potential
  • Proximity to Harvest’s other assets for operational synergy
  • Favorable structural and lithological environment

Management Team

Rick Mark – President, CEO and Chair

With more than 40 years of leadership in public resource companies, Rick Mark previously helmed VMS Ventures, North American Nickel and Pancontinental Uranium, each achieving peak valuations of C$200 million.

Louis Martin – Senior Technical Advisor, Quebec Exploration

A Quebec-focused geological consultant with more than 40 years of experience, Louis Martin is the former VP of exploration at Clifton Star Mining, where he led the team developing the Duparquet deposit. He is a multiple-time recipient of the AEMQ “Discovery of the Year” award.

Pat Donnelly – Independent Director

Recently VP capital markets at Tutor Gold, Pat Donnelly is a former co-founder and president of First Mining Gold, where he executed eight M&A deals growing the company’s market cap from $30 million to $600 million.

Len Brownlie – Independent Director

Len Brownlie brings more than 30 years of executive leadership in mining exploration. He is the former president of Goldrush Resources and director of First Silver Reserve.

Christopher Cherry – CFO and Director

Christopher Cherry has more than 15 years of experience in corporate accounting and audit for public companies. He oversees Harvest Gold’s financial strategy and compliance.

Ed Zablotny – Independent Director

Ed Zablotny boasts over 35 years in venture capital markets with expertise in trading, credit and regulatory compliance.

Warren Bates – Geological Team

Warren Bates is a veteran geologist with 30+ years in gold and base metals exploration. He is the former VP of exploration at Pelangio Exploration and part of the Blackwater deposit discovery team.

Henry Awmack – Geological Team

Henry Awmack is the co-founder of Equity Exploration Consultants, with over 40 years of exploration experience. He was notably involved in early work on the Cobre Panama copper-gold deposit.

Neil Richardson – Geological Team

Neil Richardson is a geological consultant and the VP Explorations for Hudbay Minerals. He led the team behind the discovery and development of the Reed Mine while at VMS Ventures.

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SAGA Metals Announces Additional Assay Results from Drilling at Trapper North, Confirming High-Grade Mineralization at Radar Critical Minerals Project in Labrador

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Saga Metals Corp. (‘SAGA’ or the ‘Company’) (TSXV: SAGA,OTC:SAGMF) (OTCQB: SAGMF) (FSE: 20H), a North American exploration company focused on critical mineral discovery, is pleased to announce the assay results for two (2) additional diamond drill holes (R-0010 and R-0011) from the Company’s Q4 2025 Phase of the Mineral Resource Estimate (MRE) drill program in Trapper North at the Radar Ti-V-Fe Project, located near the port of Cartwright in Labrador, Canada.

Trapper North Assay Highlights

  • Analytical results have now been obtained for all four (4) diamond drill holes in Trapper North Zone and constitute four (4) of eight (8) drill holes completed during the Q4 2025 Phase of the MRE drill program.
  • Analytical results to-date include numerous oxide-rich intercepts, including:
    • R-0010: 135.50 m grading 50.03% Fe₂O₃, 7.87% TiO₂, and 0.352% V₂O₅.
    • R-0011: 95.15 m grading 39.49% Fe₂O₃, 6.49% TiO₂, and 0.220% V₂O₅.
    • R-0009: 87.20 m grading 50.67% Fe₂O₃, 10.15% TiO₂, 0.339% V₂O₅
    • R-0008: 67.60 m grading 46.15% Fe₂O₃, 9.21% TiO₂, 0.311% V₂O₅
  • TiO₂ strength:
    • 42.6% of samples > 7% TiO₂ (700 samples majority of which are 2 m)
  • V₂O₅ strength:
    • 53.7% of samples > 0.2% V₂O₅ (700 samples majority of which are 2 m)
  • Continued consistency and increase in overall oxide concentration in Trapper Vs Hawkeye.

Assay Results from R-0010 and R-0011

  • Hole R-0010 (collared at the same location as R-0009 but oriented at 0° azimuth for true width assessment): Intercepted 135.5 meters (from 1.5 m to 137 m) grading 50.028% Fe₂O₃, 7.872% TiO₂, and 0.352% V₂O₅.
  • Hole R-0011 (100-meter step-out along strike from R-0009 and R-0010): Intercepted 95.15 meters (from 58.1 m to 153 m) grading 39.49% Fe₂O₃, 6.49% TiO₂, and 0.22% V₂O₅. Additionally, this hole also encountered a 22-meter interval of rhythmically banded oxide, suggesting more persistent layering occurs away from the concentrated mass in the fold nose.

For comparison with the rest of Trapper North, the following table summarizes key intercepts from all four drill holes completed in Q4 2025.

Description DDH FROM TO Length Fe2O3 TiO2 V205
  ID m m m % % %
High V2O5 Layer R-0008 37.76 117.72 79.96 45.63 8.40 0.33
High TiO2 Layer R-0008 170 237.6 68.26 46.15 9.21 0.31
TiO2 Layer R-0008 237.6 266.57 28.98 40.45 7.02 0.29
High TiO2 Layer R-0009 2.53 66 63.47 44.26 9.02 0.25
High V2O5 Layer (A) R-0009 94 181.2 87.20 50.67 10.15 0.34
High V2O5 Layer (B) R-0009 196.11 216.4 20.29 49.12 8.67 0.37
North Fold Section R-0010 1.5 137 135.5 50.03 7.87 0.35
North Fold Section R-0011 58.1 153.3 95.15 39.49 6.49 0.22

Table 1: Assay results and composites of R-0008, -0009, -0010 and -0011 from Trapper North.

Michael Garagan, CGO & Director of Saga Metals, commented: ‘The successful assay results from all four drill holes at Trapper North mark a significant milestone for the Radar Project. These latest intercepts from R-0010 and R-0011 confirm the continuity of high-grade mineralization along the northern limb. This structurally related increase in thickness boosts Trapper as a standout zone with tremendous potential for titanium, vanadium, and iron mineral resources, advancing our goal of establishing a strategic North American supply of critical minerals.’

Figure 1-3 below outline all four drill holes in Trapper North with the corresponding intercepts at different viewing angles for a complete, accurate picture of the subsurface geometry:

Cross-Section N-11 looking West showing R-0008, -0009, -0010 and -0011 highlighting high-grade intercepts with the 3D Magnetic Inversion of the 2025 Trapper Zone ground magnetic survey.

Figure 1: Cross-Section BB looking West showing R-0008, -0009, and -0010 highlighting high-grade intercepts with the 3D Magnetic Inversion of the 2025 Trapper Zone ground magnetic survey. For the full set of R-0008 & R-0009 assays see Figure 3 cross-section N-11.

Cross-Section N-11 looking West showing R-0008, -0009, -0010 and -0011 highlighting high-grade intercepts with the 3D Magnetic Inversion of the 2025 Trapper Zone ground magnetic survey.

Figure 2: Cross-Section AA looking West showing R-0008, -0009, and -0011 highlighting high-grade intercepts with the 3D Magnetic Inversion of the 2025 Trapper Zone ground magnetic survey. For the full set of R-0008 & R-0009 assays see Figure 3 cross-section N-11.

Cross-Section N-11 looking Northwest showing R-0008, -0009, -0010 and -0011 highlighting high-grade intercepts with the 3D Magnetic Inversion of the 2025 Trapper Zone ground magnetic survey.

Figure 3: Cross-Section N-11 looking Northwest showing R-0008, -0009, -0010 and -0011 highlighting high-grade intercepts in holes R-0008 & -0009 with the 3D Magnetic Inversion of the 2025 Trapper Zone ground magnetic survey. For the assays of R-0010 & R-0011 see Figures 1 & 2 Sections BB & AA.

Trapper North Drill Hole Details and Geological Insights

Hole R-0010 was collared at the same location as R-0009 but re-oriented to a 0-degree azimuth (compared to the standard 38 degrees) in order to test the northern limb of the Trapper North Fold. Both holes maintained a -45-degree dip. This allowed the team to drill directly through the anomaly and oxide layering at an optimal angle, enabling precise correlation of structural data between R-0009 and R-0010 while clearly defining the northern contact and limits of the oxide layer.

Hole R-0011, drilled as a 100-meter step-out along strike from R-0009 and R-0010, successfully tracked the continuation of the semi-massive oxide layer that is particularly abundant through the nose of the fold. Notably, it also intercepted a 22-meter interval of rhythmically banded oxide. This zone provides an outstanding window into the deposit, featuring exceptionally high VTM content.

Additionally, deeper oxide layering in R-0011, appeared to shallow toward the northeast—an intriguing observation that could indicate a potential at-depth connection between the Trapper and Hawkeye zones, further supporting the theory that this section of the property is one large lopolith. While this remains theoretical at present, the team intends to test the concept with future drilling once additional data increases confidence in its likelihood.

Mineral Resource Estimate Focus

The drilling in Q4 2025 at Trapper North forms part of the Company’s broader strategy to advance toward a maiden Mineral Resource Estimate for the Radar Project. The economic target is the large, continuous sections of oxide mineralization (semi-massive to massive VTM and ilmenite layers) that demonstrate consistent and exceptional grades in titanium, vanadium, and iron—critical minerals for North American supply security needed in defense, aerospace, renewable energy, and steel production.

Drilling these extensive oxide zones provides essential data on grade, thickness, continuity, and geometry, enabling the definition of a robust resource. The exceptional results from Trapper North validate the priority of targeting these enriched structural features. The rhythmic banding seen in drill hole R-0011 and in Trapper South to-date adds to the overall consistency and exceptional mineralization across the entire Trapper Zone. These elements inform the ongoing 2026 drill campaign, designed to systematically grid and delineate these zones across the Trapper Zone for increased resource confidence.

Next Steps at the Radar Ti-V-Fe Project

Personnel are expected to arrive in Cartwright, Labrador, today, and drilling will commence shortly thereafter.

The initial focus for the 2026 Radar Project drill program will be in the southern section of the Trapper Zone, also known as ‘Trapper South.’ SAGA’s geological team and Gladiator’s drill crews will take advantage of the extensive trail network created in the summer of 2025, allowing for an easy traverse for snowmobiles and the excavator used to move the drill. Drilling will begin at the southeastern extent of Trapper South, targeting approximately 30 holes (7,500 m). The program will then advance hole by hole back toward Trapper North, positioning the team to complete the remainder of the MRE drill campaign by spring.

Trapper Zone map outlining location of the initial 2026 focus for remainder of the MRE drill program to be completed in 2026 showing the TMI of the 2025 Trapper Zone ground magnetic survey Drilling will commence in Trapper Zone and move to Trapper North.

Figure 4: Trapper Zone map outlining location of the initial 2026 focus for remainder of the MRE drill program to be completed in 2026  showing the TMI of the 2025 Trapper Zone ground magnetic survey Drilling will commence in Trapper Zone and move to Trapper North.

About Radar Property

The Radar Property spans 24,175 hectares and hosts the entire Dykes River intrusive complex (~160 km²), a unique position among Western explorers. Geological mapping, geophysics, and trenching have already confirmed oxide layering across more than 20 km of strike length, with mineralization open for expansion.

Radar Property map, depicting magnetic anomalies, oxide layering and the site of the 2025 drill programs. The Property is well serviced by road access and is conveniently located near the town of Cartwright, Labrador. A compilation of historical aeromagnetic anomalies is overlaid by ground-based geophysics, as shown.

Figure 5: Radar Property map, depicting magnetic anomalies, oxide layering and the site of the 2025 drill programs. The Property is well serviced by road access and is conveniently located near the town of Cartwright, Labrador. A compilation of historical aeromagnetic anomalies is overlaid by ground-based geophysics, as shown.

Vanadiferous titanomagnetite (‘VTM’) mineralization at Radar is comparable to global Fe–Ti–V systems such as Panzhihua (China), Bushveld (South Africa), and Tellnes (Norway), positioning the Project as a potential strategic future supplier of titanium, vanadium, and iron to North American markets.

Radar Project

Figure 6: Radar Project’s prospective oxide layering zone validated over ~16 km strike length through Fall 2025 drilling, as shown on a compilation of historical airborne geophysics as well as ground-based geophysics in the Hawkeye and Trapper zones completed by SAGA in the 2024/2025 field programs. SAGA has demonstrated the reliability of the regional airborne magnetic surveys after ground-truthing and drilling in the 2024 and 2025 field programs.

Qualified Person

Paul J. McGuigan, P. Geo., is an Independent Qualified Person as defined under National Instrument 43-101 and has reviewed and approved the technical information disclosed in this news release.

Technical Information

Samples were cut by Company personnel at SAGA’s core facility in Cartwright, Labrador. Diamond drill core was sawed and then sampled intervals. The drill hole core diameter utilized was NQ.

Core samples have been prepared and analyzed at the Impact Global Solutions (IGS) laboratory facility in Montreal, Quebec. Blanks, duplicates, and certified reference standards are inserted into the sample stream to monitor laboratory performance. Crush rejects, and pulps are kept and stored in a secure storage facility for future assay verification. The Company utilizes a rigorous, industry-standard QA/QC program.

About Saga Metals Corp.

Saga Metals Corp. is a North American mining company focused on the exploration and discovery of a diversified suite of critical minerals that support the North American transition to supply security. The Radar Ti-V-Fe Project comprises 24,175 hectares and entirely encloses the Dykes River intrusive complex, mapped at 160 km² on the surface near Cartwright, Labrador. Exploration to date, including 4,250 m of drilling, has confirmed a large, mineralized layered mafic intrusion hosting vanadiferous titanomagnetite (VTM) and ilmenite mineralization with strong grades of titanium and vanadium.

The Double Mer Uranium Project, also in Labrador, covers 25,600 hectares and features uranium radiometrics that highlight an 18km east-west trend, with a confirmed 14km section producing samples as high as 0.428% U3O8. Uranium uranophane was identified in several areas of highest radiometric response (2024 Double Mer Technical Report).

Additionally, SAGA owns the Legacy Lithium Property in Quebec’s Eeyou Istchee James Bay region. This project, developed in partnership with Rio Tinto, has been expanded through the acquisition of the Amirault Lithium Project. Together, these properties cover 65,849 hectares and share significant geological continuity with other major players in the area, including Rio Tinto, Winsome Resources, Azimut Exploration, and Loyal Metals.

With a portfolio spanning key commodities critical to the clean energy future, SAGA is strategically positioned to play an essential role in critical mineral security.

On Behalf of the Board of Directors

Mike Stier, Chief Executive Officer

For more information, contact:

Rob Guzman, Investor Relations
Saga Metals Corp.
Tel: +1 (844) 724-2638
Email: rob@sagametals.com
www.sagametals.com

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

Cautionary Disclaimer
This news release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of applicable securities laws that are not historical facts. Forward-looking statements are often identified by terms such as ‘will’, ‘may’, ‘should’, ‘anticipates’, ‘expects’, ‘believes’, and similar expressions or the negative of these words or other comparable terminology. All statements other than statements of historical fact, included in this release are forward-looking statements that involve risks and uncertainties. In particular, this news release contains forward-looking information pertaining to the Company’s Radar Project. There can be no assurance that such statements will prove to be accurate and actual results and future events could differ materially from those anticipated in such statements. Important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from the Company’s expectations include, but are not limited to, changes in the state of equity and debt markets, fluctuations in commodity prices, delays in obtaining required regulatory or governmental approvals, environmental risks, limitations on insurance coverage, inherent risks and uncertainties involved in the mineral exploration and development industry, particularly given the early-stage nature of the Company’s assets, and the risks detailed in the Company’s continuous disclosure filings with securities regulations from time to time, available under its SEDAR+ profile at www.sedarplus.ca. The reader is cautioned that assumptions used in the preparation of any forward-looking information may prove to be incorrect. Events or circumstances may cause actual results to differ materially from those predicted, as a result of numerous known and unknown risks, uncertainties, and other factors, many of which are beyond the control of the Company. The reader is cautioned not to place undue reliance on any forward-looking information. Such information, although considered reasonable by management at the time of preparation, may prove to be incorrect and actual results may differ materially from those anticipated. Forward-looking statements contained in this news release are expressly qualified by this cautionary statement. The forward-looking statements contained in this news release are made as of the date of this news release and the Company will update or revise publicly any of the included forward-looking statements only as expressly required by applicable law.

A photo accompanying this announcement is available at:
https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/9fbcc9ec-44a3-43f1-a7d7-7dbec24f1040
https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/00fad501-cc58-48c0-b7aa-a89459811cc2
https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/ae31ec17-733a-47f6-a9fd-6a2248f91f77
https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/0c36b8a7-5fc7-4ec2-9c73-d8ca9e544560
https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/fa283bb3-a0d0-44b9-a334-319bd3d1fcc5
https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/7ee3ee38-298e-44ac-b8db-1fda53783226

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Tech Weekly: Chip Stocks Soar on Taiwan Semiconductor Earnings

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We also break down next week’s catalysts to watch to help you prepare for the week ahead.

In this article:

    This week’s tech sector performance

    Tech stocks experienced sharp swings this week, starting on relatively firm footing before a broad selloff midway through the period gave way to a late rebound in semiconductor companies.

    A Sunday (January 11) statement from US Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell put pressure on US stocks ahead of Monday’s (January 12) open, with ‘sell America’ sentiment prevalent among investors. Powell’s comments centered on a Department of Justice criminal probe into his testimony about Fed building renovations.

    Financial and payment companies, including major credit card issuers, also sold off at that time following political pressure for a cap on credit card interest rates. However, the overall reaction was muted during Monday’s trading session, with some early dips recovering fully, and indexes closing at record highs.

    Rotation continued to be a major theme this week, with money moving out of some mega-cap tech names and into chip stocks, small-cap companies and resource plays. Intel (NASDAQ:INTC) and Advanced Micro Devices (AMD) (NASDAQ:AMD) rallied early on after being upgraded to “overweight” by KeyBanc Capital Markets on Tuesday (January 13). Citigroup (NYSE:C) also lifted its Intel rating to “neutral” from “sell.”

    Wednesday (January 14) brought heavy selling in tech stocks, with high-flying growth names seeing losses; however, Google’s (NASDAQ:GOOGL) and Apple’s (NASDAQ:AAPL) losses were comparatively mild.

    Chipmakers were the bright spot, with the real catalyst coming on Thursday (January 15) after Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company’s (NYSE:TSM) blowout quarterly results triggered a rally across chipmakers and chip equipment stocks, including Micron Technology (NASDAQ:MU), Broadcom (NASDAQ:AVGO), Qualcomm (NASDAQ:QCOM), AMD and ASML Holding (NASDAQ:ASML), which hit a US$500 billion market cap on Thursday.

    This performance helped stabilize the broader tech space, although caution lingered.

    3 tech stocks moving markets this week

    1. Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company (NYSE:TSM)

    As mentioned, Taiwan Semiconductor reported blowout Q4 results and upbeat guidance on Thursday, fueled by relentless artificial intelligence (AI) demand. Revenue jumped 36 percent year-on-year, with management projecting 20 to 25 percent growth in 2026. Shares climbed 5.8 percent on the week.

    2. Applied Materials (NASDAQ:AMAT)

    Applied Materials gained 8.56 percent amid the broader semiconductor equipment surge.

    The company’s high-bandwidth memory revenues hit US$1.5 billion in its 2025 fiscal year. This new growth engine is tied directly to NVIDIA’s (NASDAQ:NVDA) GPU roadmap.

    3. KLA (NASDAQ:KLAC)

    KLA, a key supplier of process control equipment to chip fabricators, rode the Taiwan Semiconductor tailwind, rising 11.99 percent for the week as investors bet on sustained CAPEX from foundries.

    Taiwan Semiconductor, Applied Materials and KLA performance, January 12 to 16, 2025.

    Taiwan Semiconductor, Applied Materials and KLA performance, January 12 to 16, 2025.

    Chart via Google Finance.

    Top tech news of the week

                Tech ETF performance

                Tech exchange-traded funds (ETFs) track baskets of major tech stocks, meaning their performance helps investors gauge the overall performance of the niches they cover.

                This week, the iShares Semiconductor ETF (NASDAQ:SOXX) advanced by 5.04 percent, while the Invesco PHLX Semiconductor ETF (NASDAQ:SOXQ) saw a gain of 4.89 percent.

                The VanEck Semiconductor ETF (NASDAQ:SMH) also increased by 3.76 percent.

                Tech news to watch next week

                Next week brings a packed slate of catalysts that could shape tech sentiment.

                Intel is set to report its Q4 earnings on January 22. Recent upgrades have the stock at 52 week highs, but investors will probe foundry progress and AI revenue traction for proof of a sustained turnaround.

                Davos starts on January 19, with AI and energy infrastructure front and center. Global leaders and tech executives will tackle data center power crunches and supply chain frictions, with potential hints on tariff policies.

                The US Supreme Court is due to deliver rulings on the morning of January 21, including challenges to Trump’s global tariffs, while the House Financial Services Committee will hold a markup on the Financial Innovation and Technology for the 21st Century Act (FIT21), with a floor vote possible soon.

                Key economic releases include retail sales on January 20, flash purchasing managers’ indexes and jobless claims on January 22 and existing home sales on January 23. These will test the soft landing narrative.

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

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                Top 5 Canadian Mining Stocks This Week: Homeland Nickel Gains 132 Percent

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                The Government of Ontario, Canada, announced on Tuesday (January 13) that it was accelerating permitting and development on Canada Nickel Company’s (TSXV:CNC,OTCQX:CNIKF) Crawford nickel project near Timmins, as part of its “One Project, One Process” framework.

                The designation will help the project attract C$5 billion in investment funding to develop the mine and a nickel processing plant that will provide materials for the stainless steel and electric vehicle markets.

                Once complete, the mine will create 1,300 jobs and support an additional 3,000 workers throughout the community and supply chain.

                On the international stage, Canadian representatives, including Prime Minister Mark Carney, travelled to China this week for a four-day visit in hopes of improving relations between the two countries.

                Among the results of the visit was a softening of tariffs on Chinese electric vehicles entering Canada. Under the new terms, Chinese companies will be allowed to sell up to 49,000 automobiles per year in Canada at a 6.1 percent tariff. In exchange, China has loosened its tariffs on Canadian canola to 15 percent, and removed all tariffs on canola meal, lobsters, crab and peas.

                Additionally, the Canadian government announced on Friday (January 16) that it had reaffirmed a memorandum of understanding with China’s National Energy Administration. The MoU sees both countries strengthen cooperation over energy initiatives and advance dialogue over the energy transition; conventional, clean and nuclear energy; and uranium resources.

                South of the border, on Sunday (January 11) US Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell issued a rare statement on his relationship with the Trump administration when he revealed that he had received subpoenas from the Department of Justice.

                According to his remarks, US Attorney and Trump appointee Jeanine Pirro had opened an investigation into Powell’s oversight of the Federal Reserve’s building renovation project.

                Although no charges have been laid, the investigation illustrates a deepening rift between the Fed Chairman and the Trump administration. Powell said he believes the investigation is related to the administration’s frustration over what it claims is a slow pace of interest rate cuts.

                The president has previously stated his desire to replace Powell as the Fed’s chair, but because the Fed is independent, he can only do so with the support of Congress. While Powell’s term as chairman ends in May, his term as a Fed governor doesn’t end until January 2028, which may stymie Trump’s plan to gain greater control over the agency and its policy direction.

                For more on what’s moving markets this week, check out our top market news round-up.

                Markets and commodities react

                Canadian equity markets were on the rise this week.

                The S&P/TSX Composite Index (INDEXTSI:OSPTX) gained 1.8 percent over the week to close Friday at 33,040.55, while the S&P/TSX Venture Composite Index (INDEXTSI:JX) fared even better, rising 4.28 percent to 1,091.13. The CSE Composite Index (CSE:CSECOMP) also gained ground, rising 2.61 percent to close at 188.29.

                The gold price continued to trade at all-time highs this week, reaching US$4,639 per ounce amid heightened tensions in the Middle East over protests in Iran and as the US contemplated military involvement. Overall, it gained 2.32 percent during the week, closing the week at US$4,582.81 per ounce on Friday at 4:00 p.m. EST.

                The silver price performed even stronger, trading above US$93 per ounce on Wednesday at new highs. Although the price pulled back slightly by the end of the week, it still posted a weekly gain of 16.08 percent, closing Friday at US$89.36.

                In base metals, the Comex copper price recorded a 2 percent drop this week to US$5.88.

                The S&P Goldman Sachs Commodities Index (INDEXSP:SPGSCI) rose 1.45 percent to end Friday at 562.91.

                Top Canadian mining stocks this week

                How did mining stocks perform against this backdrop?

                Take a look at this week’s five best-performing Canadian mining stocks below.

                Stocks data for this article was retrieved at 4:00 p.m. EST on Friday using TradingView’s stock screener. Only companies trading on the TSX, TSXV and CSE with market caps greater than C$10 million are included. Mineral companies within the non-energy minerals, energy minerals, process industry and producer manufacturing sectors were considered.

                1. Homeland Nickel (TSXV:SHL)

                Weekly gain: 135.71 percent
                Market cap: C$65.57 million
                Share price: C$0.33

                Homeland Nickel has a portfolio of nickel projects in Oregon, US: Red Flat, Cleopatra, Eight Dollar Mountain and Shamrock.

                In addition, the company holds investments in mining companies with nickel projects, including Benton Resources (TSXV:BEX,OTCPL:BNTRF), Canada Nickel Company and Noble Mineral Exploration (TSXV:NOB,OTCQB:NLPXF).

                Shares in Homeland surged this week following news on Tuesday that Canada Nickel’s Crawford project in Ontario was selected for the province’s “One Project, One Process” review framework, which will allow for an accelerated timetable for permitting and development of the asset.

                Canada Nickel is Homeland’s top investment, holding 742,095 shares valued at C$1.08 million.

                Homeland did not release news of its own this week, but its share price has also been supported by rising nickel prices, which climbed from a low of US$14,255 per metric ton in the middle of December to as high as US$18,785 on Wednesday.

                2. Eskay Mining (TSXV:ESK)

                Weekly gain: 89.66 percent
                Market cap: C$108.21 million
                Share price: C$0.55

                Eskay Mining is an exploration company advancing its namesake project in the Golden Triangle region of British Columbia, Canada.

                The property located in the province’s northwest sits on a land package of 130,000 acres, and hosts several gold and silver volcanogenic massive sulfide and magmatic nickel, copper and platinum group metals targets.

                Final assay results from its summer 2025 sampling program at the site were released on November 7. The company said the batch consisted of 121 rock chip and channel samples, with 11 returning grades over 20 g/t gold and 31 with grades over 1 g/t.

                At the time, the company said mineralization bears similarities to discoveries at Goliath Resources’ (TSXV:GOT,OTCQB:GOTRF) Surebet and Juggernaut Exploration’s (TSXV:JUGR,OTCPL:JUGRF) Big One projects. Eskay added that it can see a path to a maiden drill program in 2026.

                The most recent news from Eskay came on Monday when it announced that Clinton Smyth had been hired as the company’s chief geologist for its 2026 exploration program. Smyth has spent 25 years in the industry working for Anglo American (LSE:AAL,OTCQX:NGLOY) and Minorco.

                3. Batero Gold (TSXV:BAT)

                Weekly gain: 86.36 percent
                Market cap: C$23.61 million
                Share price: C$0.205

                Batero Gold is an exploration company focused on advancing its Quinchia project in the Department of Risaralda, Colombia.

                The property is composed of one tenement covering 1,407 hectares, with an additional 155 hectare concession under application. A September 2022 mineral resource estimate was included in its management discussion and analysis for the year ending August 2025.

                Across three zones, the project’s La Cumbre deposit hosts a contained measured and indicated resource of 2.2 million ounces of gold and 6.43 million ounces of silver from 51.73 million metric tons of ore with average grades of 0.5 g/t gold and 1.47 g/t silver.

                The company has not released news in the past week, but its share price has surged amid significant gains in precious metals prices since the start of 2026.

                4. Auric Minerals (CSE:AUMC)

                Weekly gain: 82.14 percent
                Market cap: C$11.22 million
                Share price: C$0.51

                Auric Minerals is a uranium exploration company focused on its Route 500 and Bub properties in Newfoundland and Labrador, Canada.

                The projects are both located in Labrador’s Central Mineral Belt, with Route 500 consisting of 441 mineral claims across 11,025 hectares and Bub consisting of 318 claims across 7,949 hectares.

                The more advanced Route 500 project hosts surface showings with high-grade uranium mineralization, while Bub includes strong radiometric anomalies covering 30 square kilometers and 20 square kilometers.

                Auric announced on December 31 that it had acquired a 100 percent interest in the English Lake, Otter Lake and Kan projects, all located in Labrador, in exchange for 22 million common shares at C$0.315 per share, 8 million warrants, cash payments of C$32,000 and a 2.5 percent net smelter return.

                According to the same release, the company also amended its option agreements for the Route 500, Bub and Portage properties deal to waive its additional obligations, including future cash payments, share issuances, and exploration expenditures, in exchange for 500,000 shares to each of the optioners for a total of 1.5 million shares.

                On January 8, Auric officially acquired 100 percent of the three properties after issuing the shares.

                5. Patagonia Gold (TSXV:PGDC)

                Weekly gain: 80.22 percent
                Market cap: C$432.5 million
                Share price: C$0.82

                Patagonia Gold is a precious metals production and development company primarily focused on advancing its Cap-Oeste and Calcatreu underground projects in Argentina.

                Located in Santa Cruz province, Cap-Oeste hosted open-pit mining operations until 2018. While Patagonia is working on the exploration and development of the underground resource at the site, it has been able to recover gold and silver from residual leaching on site.

                According to the company’s website, a 2018 mineral resource estimate for Cap-Oeste reported measured and indicated values of 704,300 ounces of gold and 21.43 million ounces of silver from 10.56 million metric tons of ore with average grades of 2.07 grams per metric ton (g/t) gold and 63.2 g/t silver.

                Its Calcatreu project, located in the Rio Negro province, is currently under construction. Calcatreu hosts a measured and indicated resource of 669,000 ounces of gold and 6.28 million ounces of silver from 9.84 million metric tons of ore, with average grades of 2.11 g/t gold and 19.8 g/t silver.

                The most recent news from the company came on Thursday when it provided an update on construction activities at Calcatreu, which it has resumed following a holiday break.

                In the announcement, Patagonia said it has extracted and stockpiled 40,000 metric tons of mineralized material from the Veta 49 pit. Of the material, the company said that 5,200 metric tons are expected to be stacked on the leach pad following electric leak detection tests later in January.

                Additionally, Patagonia expects the carbon-in-column circuit construction will also be completed in January. After stockpiled material begins being leached and processed, the metal doré product will be sent to Canada to be refined in Ontario.

                Patagonia expects to release an updated technical report for the project during the second quarter of the year.

                FAQs for Canadian mining stocks

                What is the difference between the TSX and TSXV?

                The TSX, or Toronto Stock Exchange, is used by senior companies with larger market caps, and the TSXV, or TSX Venture Exchange, is used by smaller-cap companies. Companies listed on the TSXV can graduate to the senior exchange.

                How many mining companies are listed on the TSX and TSXV?

                As of May 2025, there were 1,565 companies listed on the TSXV, 910 of which were mining companies. Comparatively, the TSX was home to 1,899 companies, with 181 of those being mining companies.

                Together, the TSX and TSXV host around 40 percent of the world’s public mining companies.

                How much does it cost to list on the TSXV?

                There are a variety of different fees that companies must pay to list on the TSXV, and according to the exchange, they can vary based on the transaction’s nature and complexity. The listing fee alone will most likely cost between C$10,000 to C$70,000. Accounting and auditing fees could rack up between C$25,000 and C$100,000, while legal fees are expected to be over C$75,000 and an underwriters’ commission may hit up to 12 percent.

                The exchange lists a handful of other fees and expenses companies can expect, including but not limited to security commission and transfer agency fees, investor relations costs and director and officer liability insurance.

                These are all just for the initial listing, of course. There are ongoing expenses once companies are trading, such as sustaining fees and additional listing fees, plus the costs associated with filing regular reports.

                How do you trade on the TSXV?

                Investors can trade on the TSXV the way they would trade stocks on any exchange. This means they can use a stock broker or an individual investment account to buy and sell shares of TSXV-listed companies during the exchange’s trading hours.

                Article by Dean Belder; FAQs by Lauren Kelly.

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

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

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                US, Taiwan to Invest US$250 Billion in American Semiconductor Manufacturing

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                The US and Taiwan have signed a trade and investment agreement aimed at reshoring semiconductor manufacturing and reinforcing US control over one of the world’s most strategic industries.

                According to a Thursday (January 15) White House fact sheet, Taiwanese semiconductor and technology companies have committed to at least US$250 billion in new direct investment in the US, with an additional US$250 billion in credit guarantees to support expansion across the semiconductor ecosystem.

                Both also plan to develop large industrial clusters and technology parks on US soil to anchor next-generation semiconductor manufacturing and advanced research.

                Taiwan, for its part, will facilitate greater US investment into its own semiconductor, artificial intelligence, defense technology, telecommunications and biotechnology sectors to expand market access for American firms.

                The trade framework also introduces a more structured tariff regime.

                Reciprocal tariffs on Taiwanese goods will be capped at 15 percent, while certain products such as generic pharmaceuticals, aircraft components and unavailable natural resources will face zero-percent reciprocal tariffs.

                Existing Section 232 duties on Taiwanese auto parts, timber and related products will likewise be capped at 15 percent.

                Semiconductors occupy a special place in the agreement. Taiwanese chipmakers that invest in new US production capacity will be granted significant flexibility to import chips during construction without incurring Section 232 duties.

                In addition, companies building new facilities may import up to 2.5 times their planned US capacity duty-free during construction, and up to 1.5 times their new domestic output after projects are completed.

                US officials framed the agreement as a decisive step toward reversing decades of offshoring that hollowed out domestic chipmaking capacity. The country’s share of global wafer fabrication has fallen from 37 percent in 1990 to less than 10 percent in 2024, leaving American manufacturers heavily dependent on East Asian supply chains.

                The deal comes just days after Trump formally imposed a 25 percent tariff on “certain advanced computing chips,” including NVIDIA’s (NASDAQ:NVDA) H200 and Advanced Micro Devices’ (NASDAQ:AMD) MI325X processors, citing national security concerns under Section 232 of the Trade Expansion Act of 1962.

                Chips imported to support the buildout of US technology supply chains, however, will be exempt.

                The White House has also warned that broader semiconductor tariffs could follow. Trump has previously said companies that commit to domestic production would avoid harsher levies, including a floated 100 percent tariff discussed last year.

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

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                7 Mining Companies Make Top 10 on 2026 OTCQX Best 50 List

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                Mining and energy companies feature prominently in the recently released OTCQX Best 50 2026 list, with seven resource-focused firms among the top 10 performers for this year’s edition.

                The rankings evaluate companies based on a combination of one year total return and average daily dollar volume growth, offering investors insight into companies delivering strong performance across diverse sectors.

                Below is a closer look at the seven mining companies that secured top 20 positions on the OTCQX Best 50 list for 2026, starting with the highest-ranked name on this year’s list.

                1. Ucore Rare Metals (TSXV:UCU,OTCQX:UURAF)

                Ucore Rare Metals claimed the top overall position on this year’s OTCQX Best 50 list.

                Ucore is focused on developing downstream rare earths separation and refining infrastructure, with a particular emphasis on heavy rare earths used in permanent magnets for defense, clean energy and advanced manufacturing.

                Central to that strategy is the company’s planned Strategic Metals Complex in Louisiana, US, which is being developed with backing from the Department of Defense and the state of Louisiana.

                In August, Ucore moved to strengthen its future feedstock supply by signing a non-binding letter of intent with Critical Metals (NASDAQ:CRML) for a proposed 10 year offtake arrangement tied to the Tanbreez rare earths project in Southern Greenland. Deliveries will start in in 2027 or upon commercial production — whichever is later.

                The company has also advanced the technical and financial foundations of its US refining plans. In mid-2025, Ucore and representatives of the defense department completed the formal project kickoff for an US$18.4 million Phase 2 award to support construction of the company’s first commercial-scale RapidSX separation system at the Louisiana site.

                The Phase 2 funding focuses on demonstrating the effectiveness of Ucore’s proprietary technology in separating key rare earth elements, including dysprosium, a critical input for high-performance permanent magnets.

                2. Discovery Silver (TSX:DSV,OTCQX:DSVSF)

                Discovery Silver ranked third overall on this year’s OTCQX Best 50 list, capping a year marked by a major acquisition that repositioned the company as a Canada-based gold producer.

                In early 2025, Discovery reached an agreement with Newmont (NYSE:NEM,ASX:NEM) to acquire the Porcupine operation in Ontario for total consideration of US$425 million. The deal represented the final phase of Newmont’s divestiture program as it streamlined its portfolio to focus on tier-one assets.

                Located in Ontario’s Timmins Mining Camp, the Porcupine Complex is one of Canada’s most prolific gold-producing districts, with approximately 70 million ounces of gold produced since 1910.

                The assets acquired by Discovery include the Hoyle Pond underground mine, one of North America’s highest-grade gold mines with more than 4 million ounces produced since the late 1980s.

                Following completion of the acquisition, Discovery said it intends to continue both production and exploration activities across the Porcupine Complex as part of its broader growth strategy.

                3. Andean Precious Metals (TSX:APM,OTCQX:ANPMF)

                Andean Precious Metals placed fourth on this year’s list.

                In November 2025, Andean secured a new US$40 million revolving credit facility with National Bank of Canada, enhancing its financial flexibility as it advances its strategic and operational priorities. Andean said the facility improves liquidity and provides a more efficient cost of capital compared with its previous arrangements.

                Earlier in the year, the company entered into a long-term agreement with Corporación Minera de Bolivia (COMIBOL) to purchase up to 7 million tonnes of oxide ore from mining concessions located within a 250 kilometer radius of Andean’s San Bartolomé processing facility. The 10 year agreement provides Andean with a potential long-term source of feedstock, subject to economic viability under prevailing market conditions.

                4. Lundin Mining (TSX:LUN,OTCPL:LUNMF)

                In seventh place is Lundin Mining. In late 2025, Lundin agreed to sell its Eagle nickel-copper mine and the associated Humboldt mill in Michigan to Talon Metals (TSX:TLO,OTCID:TLOFF), consolidating its US nickel-copper assets under a single operator, while sharpeing its focus on larger-scale copper operations in Brazil and Chile.

                The Eagle mine, which Lundin acquired in 2013, had been a long-running contributor to the company’s base metals portfolio. As of the third quarter of 2025, the operation had produced more than 194,000 metric tons of nickel and 185,000 metric tons of copper, generating over US$3.2 billion in revenue.

                Aside from that, Lundin is advancing what it has described as a “generational” discovery at the Filo del Sol deposit in Argentina. Last May, the company released an initial mineral resource estimate for the Filo del Sol sulfide deposit, as well as updated resource estimates for the oxide portion of Filo del Sol and the nearby Josemaria deposit.

                Held in a 50/50 joint venture with BHP (ASX:BHP,NYSE:BHP,LSE:BHP), the combined assets — collectively referred to as the Vicuña resource — rank among the world’s largest copper, gold and silver resources and are considered to be within the top 10 copper resources globally by size.

                5. Graphite One (TSXV:GPH,OTCQX:GPHOF)

                Claiming the eight spot on the OTCQX Best 50 list is Graphite One, which in November of last year confirmed the presence of rare earths at its Graphite Creek deposit, located north of Nome, Alaska. Geochemical analysis of drill core samples identified elevated levels of heavy rare earths, as well as all five principal permanent magnet rare earths.

                Graphite One is currently advancing a fully integrated, US-based graphite supply chain, encompassing mining at Graphite Creek, transport through the port of Nome, and downstream processing at a planned advanced graphite and battery materials facility in Warren, Ohio. The Ohio complex is also designed to include a co-located recycling facility intended to reclaim graphite and other battery-related materials. The project has received significant federal backing, including a US$37.5 million Defense Production Act Title III grant.

                6. G Mining Ventures (TSX:GMIN,OTCQX:GMINF)

                G Mining Ventures placed ninth on this year’s OTCQX Best 50 list.

                In 2025, shares of G Mining were added to several major equities indexes, including the NYSE Arca Gold Miners Index (INDEXNYSEGIS:GDM), the MVIS Global Junior Gold Miners Index, the S&P/TSX Composite Index (INDEXTSI:OSPTX) and the iShares MSCI Canada ETF (ARCA:EWC).

                The company is anchored by the Tocantinzinho gold mine in Brazil and the Oko West gold project in Guyana. A key development came this past December, when the Guyana Geology and Mines Commission granted G Mining a 20 year mining license for its 100 percent owned Oko West project.

                The mining license followed the issuance of a final environmental permit in September and the company’s formal construction decision in October. Early works that began under an interim environmental permit have continued under the final approval, allowing construction activities to progress without interruption.

                7. Heliostar Metals (TSXV:HSTR,OTCQX:HSTXF)

                Gold producer Heliostar Metals comes in at number 10 on the OTCQX Best 50 list.

                Heliostar’s growth strategy is centered on its portfolio of Mexican assets, including two producing mines and four development-stage projects, which have become the foundation of its expansion plan. Ana Paula is its flagship development project, with a feasibility study scheduled for completion in H1 2027.

                Alongside Ana Paula, Heliostar is focused on increasing production and extending mine life at its La Colorada and San Agustin operations in Mexico.

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

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                US, Taiwan to Invest US$250 Billion Into American Semiconductor Manufacturing

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                The US and Taiwan have signed a trade and investment agreement aimed at reshoring semiconductor manufacturing and reinforcing US control over one of the world’s most strategic industries.

                According to a new White House fact sheet, Taiwanese semiconductor and technology companies have committed to at least US$250 billion in new direct investment in the US, with an additional US$250 billion in credit guarantees to support expansion across the semiconductor ecosystem.

                Both also plan to develop large industrial clusters and technology parks on US soil to anchor next-generation semiconductor manufacturing and advanced research.

                Taiwan, for its part, will facilitate greater US investment into its own semiconductor, AI, defense technology, telecommunications, and biotechnology sectors to expand market access for American firms.

                The trade framework also introduces a more structured tariff regime. Reciprocal tariffs on Taiwanese goods will be capped at 15 percent, while certain products such as generic pharmaceuticals, aircraft components, and unavailable natural resources will face zero-percent reciprocal tariffs.

                Existing Section 232 duties on Taiwanese auto parts, timber, and related products will likewise be capped at 15 percent.

                Semiconductors occupy a special place in the agreement. Taiwanese chipmakers that invest in new US production capacity will be granted significant flexibility to import chips during construction without incurring Section 232 duties.

                In addition, companies building new facilities may import up to 2.5 times their planned US capacity duty-free during construction, and up to 1.5 times their new domestic output after projects are completed.

                US officials framed the agreement as a decisive step toward reversing decades of offshoring that hollowed out domestic chipmaking capacity.

                The country’s share of global wafer fabrication has fallen from 37 percent in 1990 to less than 10 percent in 2024, leaving American manufacturers heavily dependent on East Asian supply chains.

                The deal comes just days after Trump formally imposed a 25 percent tariff on “certain advanced computing chips,” including NVIDIA’s (NASDAQ:NVDA) H200 and AMD’s (NASDAQ:AMD) MI325X processors, citing national security concerns under Section 232 of the Trade Expansion Act of 1962.

                Chips imported to support the buildout of US technology supply chains, however, will be exempt.

                The White House has also warned that broader semiconductor tariffs could follow. Trump has previously said companies that commit to domestic production would avoid harsher levies, including a floated 100 percent tariff discussed last year.

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

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                S&P Global: Fragmented Climate and Energy Strategies to Define 2026

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                Global sustainability strategies are entering a more politically complex phase in 2026 as governments and companies balance immediate economic pressures against long-term climate risks.

                In a report published on Wednesday (January 14), S&P Global says that sustainability decision making in 2026 will be shaped by a growing tension between near-term priorities (energy security, affordability, geopolitical risk) and longer-term realities (climate adaptation, decarbonization, resource constraints).

                The result is a move away from multilateral coordination toward a patchwork of national and regional responses.

                Regulatory fatigue reshapes supply chains, critical minerals take center stage

                Trade tensions, protectionist policies and political fatigue around sustainability regulation are pushing climate and human rights risks in supply chains out of the spotlight.

                S&P Global notes that as regulatory momentum slows in some jurisdictions, companies may increasingly need to treat climate exposure as a core risk management issue rather than a compliance exercise.

                The EU remains a key exception, though its policy direction is evolving. While the bloc has introduced far-reaching disclosure and due diligence rules, it is also simplifying parts of its regulatory framework.

                Meanwhile, the EU’s carbon border adjustment mechanism, which took full effect on January 1, is expected to add at least US$15 billion in costs to imports from carbon-intensive producers, potentially reshaping global trade flows.

                Furthermore, the firm said critical minerals will sit at the center of these dynamics in 2026.

                Materials such as copper, lithium and rare earths underpin electrification, clean energy deployment and AI infrastructure, making access to them a central feature of trade diplomacy and investment.

                China is expected to retain its lead in cleantech manufacturing, reinforcing its role as both a key supplier and a strategic risk for countries pursuing energy transitions.

                Energy policy diverges as fossil fuels rebound, renewables expand

                Another aspect of fragmentation is most visible in energy policy, where global fossil fuel demand rebounded faster than many policymakers expected after the pandemic and is projected to continue growing modestly.

                In contrast, renewable energy remains the fastest-growing segment, though from a smaller base. S&P Global Energy estimates that fossil fuel demand will rise by less than 1 percent in 2026 compared with 2025, while solar and wind generation are expected to grow by more than 17 percent.

                Similarly, the divergence between the world’s two largest economies is particularly stark.

                The US has prioritized expanding fossil fuel exports, while China continues to invest heavily across clean energy supply chains such as solar manufacturing and electric vehicles.

                The report said that this same divergence leaves many countries navigating trade offs between supply security and dependence. China continues to maintain a dominant position in clean energy technologies and has demonstrated its willingness to use export controls on strategic materials such as rare earths.

                Despite continued growth in renewables, S&P Global expects 2026 to mark the first year-on-year decline in global solar capacity additions, driven largely by a slowdown in China.

                While overall renewable capacity will still expand, analysts said the period of uninterrupted growth is ending.

                At the same time, increasing renewable penetration is pushing wholesale power prices lower in some markets while accelerating demand for battery storage and more flexible power purchase agreements.

                AI adds new strain to power systems

                Artificial intelligence (AI) is adding further strain to energy systems.

                The rapid expansion of AI-driven data centers is driving electricity demand sharply higher, complicating sustainability targets for both governments and corporations.

                S&P Global estimates that data center power consumption could exceed 2,200 terawatt-hours by 2030, roughly equivalent to India’s current electricity use. Grid constraints, rising power prices in some regions and growing water stress are emerging as political and social flashpoints, particularly in parts of the US.

                While major technology companies have made high-profile net-zero commitments, the report’s data shows that sustainability ambition across the data center sector remains uneven.

                According to the firm’s 2024 Corporate Sustainability Assessment, 38 percent of assessed companies with data center operations do not have a net-zero target.

                Analysts warned that rising AI-related energy demand may lead to increased fossil fuel use in the near term, with some regions delaying planned coal and gas plant retirements to maintain grid reliability.

                Climate adaptation gains priority

                The implications of rapid energy shifts also mean that climate adaptation and resilience are gaining prominence.

                S&P Global said governments and investors increasingly recognize that the world is likely to overshoot the Paris Agreement’s 1.5 degree Celsius warming goal, making adaptation unavoidable.

                Global economic losses from natural disasters reached US$320 billion in 2024, according to Munich Re, while UN data suggests the number of natural disasters could rise by 40 percent by 2030 without stronger mitigation.

                Therefore, investment in adaptation is emerging as a major opportunity as well as a necessity. Singapore sovereign wealth fund GIC, for instance, estimates that adaptation and resilience investments could total US$9 trillion by 2050.

                That theme featured prominently at Climate Week NYC in 2025 and at COP30, where governments agreed to triple public adaptation finance by 2035 from 2025 levels.

                Taken altogether, S&P Global’s outlook points to a sustainability landscape that is less coordinated but no less consequential. While global consensus is weakening, pressures from various sectors are forcing governments and companies to make increasingly difficult trade offs as they chart their paths through 2026.

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

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                Ontario Accelerates C$5 Billion Crawford Nickel Project Under New One-Process Framework

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                Ontario moved this week to fast track Canada Nickel Company’s (TSXV:CNC,OTCQX:CNIKF) Crawford nickel project, positioning what’s being billed as the western world’s largest nickel development as a cornerstone of the province’s push to secure domestic critical minerals supply chains.

                Crawford is expected to attract roughly C$5 billion in investment and unlock what Ontario describes as the world’s second largest nickel reserves, located within the Timmins Nickel District.

                The project includes plans for a large open-pit mine, two ore processing plants, associated mining infrastructure and downstream facilities to produce nickel for the stainless steel and electric vehicle markets.

                “As President Trump takes aim at our economy, Ontario is moving at lightning speed to open this 100 per cent Canadian owned mine to create 4,000 jobs for Canadian workers,” said Stephen Lecce, Ontario’s minister of energy and mines.

                “In 2026, our government is going full tilt to unlock one of the world’s largest nickel deposits that will supercharge our economy and help end China’s critical mineral dominance,’ he added.

                Canada Nickel estimates the project will generate up to 2,000 jobs during construction and support about 1,300 direct jobs and 3,000 indirect jobs once in operation. The company also projects the development could contribute more than C$70 billion to Canada’s gross domestic product over its lifetime, with C$67 billion attributed to Ontario.

                The Ontario government said Crawford will advance under its newly launched “One Project, One Process” framework, making it only the second mining development to receive the designation since the program was introduced in October.

                The streamlined approach is designed to consolidate permitting, reduce regulatory timelines and provide greater certainty for large-scale projects deemed strategically important.

                The provincial government said the new framework aims to cut mine permitting timelines by up to 50 percent, addressing a system that has historically taken more than a decade to approve major developments. Now the Ministry of Energy and Mines will serve as a single one-stop-shop for provincial approvals and Indigenous consultation.

                Local officials have welcomed the move.

                “Fast-tracking the Crawford Nickel Project through the ‘One Project, One Process’ framework sends a strong message that Northern Ontario is open for business,” said George Pirie, the member of provincial parliament for Timmins.

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

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