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CoTec Holdings (TSXV:CTH,OTCQB:CTHCF) (CoTec) leverages disruptive technologies to undervalued critical mineral assets and waste materials into high-value commodities essential for a low-carbon future. The company offers a unique investment opportunity, characterized by low cost, lower capex, faster cash flow generation, and superior returns through innovation and strategic execution.

CoTec targets sectors crucial to today’s evolving economies like rare earth magnet recycling, green steel production and copper waste processing by advancing four cutting-edge technologies and three strategic assets.

CoTec Holdings project locations

CoTec’s medium-term goal of acquiring 10 technologies and 20 to 30 assets. The company’s business model is supported by partnerships, joint ventures (JVs), and a disciplined capital management strategy to unlock value across its portfolio.

CoTec is guided by a highly experienced management team and board of directors with deep expertise in mining, technology and corporate finance.

Company Highlights

  • CoTec deploys cutting-edge, low-carbon technologies to marginal assets, reclamation opportunities and recycling initiatives, transforming waste materials into strategic, high-value commodities.
  • The company holds stakes in four groundbreaking technologies — HyProMag, Binding Solutions, MagIron and Ceibo. These technologies are designed to unlock significant value across strategically chosen assets. The Lac Jeannine iron project in Quebec, with an after tax NPV of US$59.9 million, stands on its own merits but could see further economic and environmental enhancements through the application of CoTec’s technologies. Similarly, HyProMag USA is pioneering the rollout of HyProMag’s rare earth recycling technology in the United States, delivering low-cost, magnet-to-magnet low-carbon resource recovery.
  • CoTec accelerates the transition from discovery to production through proprietary technologies and strategic joint ventures, enabling significantly faster revenue generation compared to traditional mining operations.
  • Backed by a management team with extensive expertise in mining, finance and technology, CoTec is uniquely positioned to drive innovation and growth in the critical minerals sector.
  • Approximately 74 percent of the company is owned by management and insiders, demonstrating the leadership’s strong commitment to the company’s success.

This CoTec Holdings profile is part of a paid investor education campaign.*

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Heliostar Metals (TSXV:HSTR,OTCQX:HSTXF,FRA:RGG1) is an emerging mid-tier gold producer with a clear, execution-focused strategy. The company is on track to go from no gold production in 2023 to 150,000 ounces of annual gold production in just a couple of years. Aiming to unlock high-grade gold production in Mexico’s premier mining regions, Heliostar presents a compelling investment opportunity for investors looking to capitalize on a continued gold bull market.

The company holds two operating mines (San Agustin and La Colorada), two advanced development projects (Ana Paula and Cerro del Gallo), and two additional growth assets (San Antonio and Unga in Alaska). Heliostar is strategically positioned to fund growth through internal cash flow while continuing to expand its resource base.

Heliostar MetalsPro Forma Total Gold Resources

Heliostar Metals looks forward to scaling its gold production to 150,000 ounces per year in the near term by leveraging producing mines and development assets. San Agustin and La Colorada provide immediate cash flow and serve as the foundation for production growth. At La Colorada, a permitted expansion plan allows for low-cost increases in output, while the advancement of Ana Paula Phase 1 will significantly enhance production capacity.

Company Highlights

  • Heliostar Metals is rapidly advancing from a junior explorer to a mid-tier gold producer, targeting 150,000 oz per year in the near term and 500,000 oz annually by 2030.
  • Heliostar has rapidly expanded its portfolio with key acquisitions, now controlling two producing mines and four advanced-stage growth assets in Mexico. Added 3.5 million measured and indicated gold ounces for just US$15 million, reinforcing a capital-efficient growth model.
  • The company prioritizes capital discipline and low-cost acquisitions to expand its asset base and maintain a lean financial structure. Unlike many juniors who dilute shareholders to grow, Heliostar leveraged gold production cash flows to drive project development.
  • Its flagship project, Ana Paula, is one of Mexico’s highest-grade undeveloped gold projects. The Heliostar team took on the permitted open pit design and revised it to an underground operation. The current mine plan has potential to produce more than 100,000 gold ounces per year.
  • In 2024, Heliostar acquired the La Colorada and San Agustin gold projects. Production at these two mines provide immediate cash flow. That funds Heliostar’s exploration and development without significant dilution.
  • CEO Charles Funk leads a seasoned team of mine builders and exploration experts with a track record of developing world-class deposits.
  • The company also features a favorable shareholder registry: 53 percent institutional investors, 42 percent high-net-worth and retail investors, and 5 percent held by the board and management.

This Heliostar Metals profile is part of a paid investor education campaign.*

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Sona Nanotech Inc. (CSE: SONA) (OTCQB: SNANF) (the ‘Company’, ‘Sona’) is pleased to announce that its recently published findings from its ‘Targeted Intra-tumoral Hyperthermia with Uniquely Biocompatible Gold Nanorods Induces a Strong Immunogenic Cell Death in Two Immunogenically ‘Cold’ Tumors’ study will be presented at the international 19th Canadian Melanoma Conference on February 20th in Vancouver. Sona’s Chief Medical Officer, Dr. Carman Giacomantonio, a planning committee member for this conference, and Dr. Barry Kennedy, of The Giacomantonio Immuno-Oncology Research Group, will present both poster and oral presentations.

The conference is presented by OncologyEducation and is Canada’s flagship meeting on the research and treatment of melanoma, bringing together medical oncologists, surgeons, dermatologists, radiotherapists, pathologists, immunologists, molecular biologists and industry partners to review the latest research and explore new therapies.

Contact:
David Regan, CEO
+1-902-442-0653
david@sonanano.com

About Sona Nanotech Inc.
Sona Nanotech is developing Targeted Hyperthermia™, a photothermal cancer therapy, which uses therapeutic heat to treat solid cancer tumors. The heat is delivered to tumors by infrared light that is absorbed by Sona’s gold nanorods in the tumor and re-emitted as heat. Therapeutic heat (42-48°C) stimulates the immune system, shrinks tumors, inactivates cancer stem cells, and increases tumor perfusion – thus enabling drugs to reach all tumor compartments more effectively. Targeted Hyperthermia promises to be safe, effective, minimally invasive, competitive in cost, and a valuable adjunct to drug therapy and other cancer treatments.

Sona has developed multiple proprietary methods for the manufacture of gold nanoparticles which it uses for the development of both cancer therapies and diagnostic testing platforms. Sona Nanotech’s gold nanorod particles are cetyltrimethylammonium (‘CTAB’) free, eliminating the toxicity risks associated with the use of other gold nanorod technologies in medical applications.

CAUTIONARY STATEMENT REGARDING FORWARD-LOOKING INFORMATION: This press release includes certain ‘forward-looking statements’ under applicable Canadian securities legislation, including statements regarding the anticipated applications and potential opportunities of Targeted Hyperthermia Therapy, and Sona’s preclinical and clinical study plans. Forward-looking statements are necessarily based upon a number of assumptions or estimates that, while considered reasonable, are subject to known and unknown risks, uncertainties, and other factors which may cause the actual results and future events to differ materially from those expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements, including the risk that Sona may not be able to successfully obtain sufficient clinical and other data to submit regulatory submissions, raise sufficient additional capital, secure patents or develop the envisioned therapy, and the risk that THT may not prove to have the benefits currently anticipated. There can be no assurance that such statements will prove to be accurate, as actual results and future events could differ materially from those anticipated in such statements. Accordingly, readers should not place undue reliance on forward-looking statements. Sona disclaims any intention or obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except as required by law.

Not for distribution to United States newswire services or for dissemination in the United States.

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Silver47 Exploration Corp. (TSXV: AGA) (‘Silver47’ or the ‘Company), has identified anomalous concentrations of several elements listed by both the United States and Canada as ‘critical metals.’ Following the 2024 drill program, a full review of historic and recent drill assays was undertaken with a focus on critical mineral potential. In addition to the high-grade zinc-silver-gold-lead-copper defined in the inferred resource, elevated amounts antimony (Sb), gallium (Ga), niobium (Nb), and vanadium (V) were found to occur within the Dry Creek (DC) and West Tundra Flats (WTF) resource zones.

Highlights

  • The highest grades of antimony, gallium and vanadium occurs at the Dry Creek zone with up to 6,230 parts per million (‘ppm’) (0.623%) antimony and 116.4 ppm gallium and 1110 ppm vanadium

  • The most significant interval drilled at the Dry Creek zone was from hole DC18-77, which returned 6.8 metres of 2,928.4 ppm antimony, 81.7 ppm gallium, 938.7 g/t silver, 1.5 g/t gold, 3.5% zinc, 1.7% lead, 0.4% copper including;

    • 4.3 metres of 4,432.2 ppm antimony, 96.7 ppm gallium, 1434.8 g/t silver, 2.2 g/t gold 4.8% zinc, 2.3% lead and 0.5% copper

CEO Gary R. Thompson, stated: ‘The identification of gallium and antimony, among other critical minerals, within the resource zones has the potential to add significant value to our Red Mountain project. While we are focused on growing the silver-gold and base metals resource at Red Mountain, further assessment of these critical minerals, which are used in a myriad of high-tech applications, is planned to better understand the potential contribution that they may have on the project.’

High antimony and gallium assay values consistently occur within previously reported intervals of high-grade silver-zinc-gold-lead-copper massive sulfides and are distributed throughout the resources. Niobium and vanadium highs occur primarily in the western portion of Dry Creek.

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Figure 1. Red Mountain Project Location.

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Table 1. Select drilled intervals containing high antimony and gallium at the Dry Creek Zone.

Drill Hole  Interval Antimony Gallium Silver Gold Zinc Lead Copper
ID (m) (ppm) (ppm) (g/t) (g/t) (%) (%) %
DC24-105 14.3 725.8 57.8 222.0 1.2 8.4 3.7 0.2
DC24-106 24.5 114.0 35.8 55.5 2.0 4.1 1.3 0.1
including 2.5 334.0 22.1 249.5 15.0 22.0 7.0 0.4
DC18-76 23.6 547.5 77.4 106.9 0.6 2.7 1.1 0.1
including 4.1 993.2 84.1 84.6 0.4 4.7 2.3 0.2
DC18-77 6.8 2,928.4 81.7 938.7 1.5 3.5 1.7 0.4
including 4.3 4,432.2 96.7 1434.8 2.2 4.8 2.3 0.5
DC18-79 4.6 1,074.0 55.9 233.3 1.8 6.4 3.4 0.2
and 6.1 743.4 35.0 384.6 5.5 15.9 6.3 1.2
including 4.7 868.4 29.8 466.0 6.9 19.5 7.8 1.5

 

Table 2. Select drilled intervals of high antimony and gallium at the West Tundra Flats Zone.

Drill Hole  Interval Antimony Gallium Silver Gold Zinc Lead Copper
ID (m) (ppm) (ppm) (g/t) (g/t) (%) (%) %
WT24-33 2.90 919.6 14.5 417.4 0.7 9.1 4.8 0.1
WTF83-17 1.90 954.5 9.8 620.7 3.6 16.5 6.7 0.4
WT18-28 3.50 991.2 9.8 517.5 2.1 15.1 6.7 0.2

 

Notes: Reported intervals in Table 1 and 2 are drilled intervals not true widths.

Alex Walls, P.Geo., Vice President of Exploration, stated: ‘The high antimony and gallium content within both existing resource zones shows that there is more value to unlock at Red Mountain as we continue drilling to grow the already impressive polymetallic resource.’

China is the world’s largest producer of many critical minerals and has recently imposed a ban on the export of gallium, antimony, and other essential materials, further straining global supply chains. Critical minerals are vital to the economies of Canada and the U.S. and have now become a matter of national security, shedding light on the vulnerabilities within our supply chains. According to consultancy Project Blue, China controls 98.8% of the global supply of refined gallium, while China and Russia together dominate 70% of the world’s supply of antimony.

Gallium is used in a variety of high-tech and energy-efficient applications, including AI technologies, data centers, light-emitting diodes (LEDs), magnet manufacturing, semiconductors, microchips, clean energy solutions, consumer electronics, communications, and thin-film solar technologies.

Antimony plays a critical role in several military and industrial applications, such as fire-retardant materials, ammunition, night vision goggles, nuclear weapons, anti-tank missiles, and armor-piercing bullets. It is also essential in the production of infrared sensors, precision optics, laser sighting, explosive formulations, hardened lead for bullets and shrapnel, ammunition primers, tracer ammunition, tritium production, flares, military clothing, and communication equipment. Additionally, antimony is crucial in the creation of tungsten steel and the hardening of lead bullets.

About the Red Mountain VMS-SEDEX Project – Alaska, USA

Silver47’s flagship Red Mountain property covers 633 square kilometres of Alaska State-managed land 100 kilometres south of Fairbanks, Alaska. The project is well situated for infrastructure, 30 kilometres east of the community of Healy which has power, rail and state highway access to Alaska Route 3, providing a valuable connection to the port of Anchorage and tide water. The Company has an approved permit to conduct advanced exploration across the project.

Red Mountain hosts a NI 43-101 inferred mineral resource estimate of 15.6 Mt at 7% zinc equivalent (‘ZnEq’) for 1Mt of ZnEq or 335.7 g/t silver equivalent (‘AgEq’) for 168.6 Moz AgEq at the Dry Creek (DC) and West Tundra Flats (WTF) resource areas as combined open pit and underground. DC and WTF are the two most advanced mineralized zones at Red Mountain, with at least 20 additional mineralized prospects discovered on the property to date over the 60 kilometres of highly prospective geology.

For more information, see the Red Mountain NI 43-101 technical report titled ‘Technical Report on the Red Mountain VMS Property, Bonnifield Mining District, Alaska, USA’ dated January 12, 2024, prepared by Apex Geoscience Ltd., can be found on the Company’s website https://silver47.ca/ and SEDAR+.

Quality Assurance and Quality Control

Quality assurance and quality control (QAQC) protocols for drill core sampling at Red Mountain project followed industry standard practices. Core samples were typically taken at 1.0 metre intervals in mineralized zones, and 3.0 metre intervals outside of mineralized zones. Sample lengths were adjusted as necessary so as not to cross lithologic and mineralogic boundaries. QAQC check samples were inserted into the sample stream with one blank, one duplicate (coarse), and one certified reference material (CRM) occurring within every 20 samples. Drill core was cut in half, bagged, sealed and delivered directly to ALS Minerals Fairbanks, Alaska for transport to the ALS Minerals Laboratories labs in North Vancouver, British Columbia. ALS Minerals Laboratories are registered to ISO 9001:2008 and ISO 17025 accreditations for laboratory procedures. Core samples were analyzed at ALS Laboratory facilities in North Vancouver using four-acid digestion with an ICP-MS finish. Gold analysis was by fire assay with atomic absorption finish, or gravimetric finish for over-limit samples. Over-limits for silver, zinc, copper, and lead were analyzed using Ore Grade four-acid digestion. The standards, certified reference materials, were acquired from CDN Resource Laboratories Ltd. of Langley, British Columbia and selected to represent expected mineralization.

Qualified Person

Mr. Alex S. Wallis, P.Geo., is Vice President of Exploration for the Company who is a ‘qualified person’ as defined by National Instrument 43-101. Mr. Wallis has verified the data disclosed in this press release, including the sampling, analytical and test data underlying the technical information and has approved the technical information in this press release.

About Silver47 Exploration Corp.

Silver47 wholly-owns three silver and critical metals (polymetallic) exploration projects in Canada ‎and the US: the Flagship Red Mountain silver-gold-zinc-copper-lead VMS-SEDEX project in ‎southcentral Alaska; the Adams Plateau silver-zinc-copper-gold-lead SEDEX-VMS project in ‎southern British Columbia, and the Michelle silver-lead-zinc-gallium-antimony MVT-SEDEX ‎Project in Yukon Territory.‎ Silver47 Exploration Corporation shares trade on the TSX-V under the ticker symbol AGA. For ‎more information about Silver47, please visit our website at www.silver47.ca.‎

On Behalf of the Board of Directors

Mr. Gary R. Thompson
Director and CEO
gthompson@silver47.ca

For investor relations
Meredith Eades
info@silver47.ca
778.835.2547

No securities regulatory authority has either approved or disapproved of the contents of this release. Neither the TSXV nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSXV) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.

FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS

Information set forth in this news release may involve forward-looking statements under applicable ‎‎securities laws. Forward-looking statements are statements that relate to future, not past, events. In this ‎‎context, forward-looking statements often address expected future business and financial performance, ‎and ‎often contain words such as ‘anticipate’, ‘believe’, ‘plan’, ‘estimate’, ‘expect’, and ‘intend’, ‎statements that ‎an action or event ‘may’, ‘might’, ‘could’, ‘should’, or ‘will’ be taken or occur, including ‎statements relating ‎to the trading of the Company’s common shares on the TSXV, the prospective ‎geology and composition of its properties, anticipated results of further exploration on its properties, ‎statements relating to the YESAB litigation, or other similar expressions and all statements, other than ‎statements of historical fact included ‎herein. By their nature, forward-‎looking statements involve known ‎and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors which may cause our ‎actual results, performance or ‎achievements, or other future events, to be materially different from any ‎future results, performance or ‎achievements expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. ‎Such factors include, among ‎others, the following risks: the need for additional financing; the satisfaction of ‎the conditions imposed ‎by the TSXV on the Listing; operational risks associated with mineral exploration; ‎regulatory risks; ‎fluctuations in commodity prices; title matters; litigation risks; and the additional risks identified in the ‎‎Company’s long form prospectus dated October 25, 2024 filed under its issuer profile on SEDAR+ and ‎other reports and filings with the TSXV and ‎applicable Canadian securities regulators. Forward-looking ‎statements are made based on management’s ‎beliefs, estimates and opinions on the date that ‎statements are made and the Company undertakes no ‎obligation to update forward-looking statements if ‎these beliefs, estimates and opinions or other ‎circumstances should change, except as required by ‎applicable securities laws. Investors are cautioned ‎against attributing undue certainty to forward-looking ‎statements.‎

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(TheNewswire)

Charbone Hydrogen Corporation

Brossard, Québec, February 12, 2025 TheNewswire – Charbone Hydrogen Corporation (TSXV: CH; OTCQB: CHHYF; FSE: K47) (the ‘Company’ or ‘CHARBONE’), North America’s only publicly traded pure-play green hydrogen company, is pleased to announce the nomination of Mr. Jean-Claude Gonneau as a new Board member of Charbone, who will be elected at the Annual General and Extraordinary Meeting of Shareholders on March 28, 2025 .

Mr. Jean-Claude Gonneau is a seasoned executive and senior advisor with over 40 years of relevant experience. He has held key management and investment banking roles as the Founder and General Manager of Camden Associates, an award-winning investment banking boutique. Mr. Gonneau is a high-performing leader and a proven executive, specializing in developing and executing corporate and business development strategies in banking and investment banking, particularly in technology, Greentech, and biotech, as well as non-conventional energy and mining. He possesses extensive international experience, having worked at Duet Asset Management, SG Cowen, Donaldson Lufkin & Jenrette, First Boston Corporation, and BNP Paribas. Additionally, Mr. Gonneau is an excellent communicator with strong interpersonal and leadership skills. He has a successful track record in new business development, market development, strategic planning, fundraising, and executive marketing roles, and he has experience with start-ups, turnaround situations, and corporate strategy development.

Mr. Gonneau has also served as a board member for several publicly traded and private companies in Canada, the United States, and France.

As a seasoned senior executive and board member, Mr. Gonneau will provide exceptional complementary experience to the Board of CHARBONE.

Shares for Debts Issuance

CHARBONE is pleased to announce shares for debt settlements totaling $310,000 in management remuneration debts, including that of the Chief Executive Officer, through the issuance of 4,133,334 common shares at a deemed value of $0.075 per share .

To conserve its capital, the Corporation entered into debt settlement agreements with certain management members, including its Chief Executive Officer, to address remuneration debts. Any debt settlement will be formalized through an agreement and in accordance with Policy 4.4 – Security Based Compensation of the Exchange Corporate Finance Manual . The Shares for Debt are subject to acceptance by the Exchange and require disinterested shareholder approval, as the deemed value of the Common Shares to be issued exceeds $10,000 in aggregate per month. Any securities issued as part of a debt settlement will be subject to a statutory four-month hold period in Canada.

Update on the Amendment to Terms of Convertible Debentures

Following its news release dated June 10, 2024, announcing the agreement of principles to amend certain terms of the secured convertible debentures of the Company (each, a ‘Debenture’ ) originally issued in connection with a private placement totaling CA$1.2 million of 14% secured convertible debentures, and its release dated December 4, 2024, confirming that all requirements have been met, the Company is now pleased to announce receipt of the final approval from the TSX Venture Exchange. It has amended and issued new Debentures as of January 29, 2024, for an aggregate amount of $1,346,366, which will expire on October 31, 2025, featuring an annual interest rate of 12% and a conversion price of $0.10 per Debenture Share. Before the amendment, the expiry date was on October 7, 2024, the annual interest rate at 14% and the conversion price at $0.40 per Debenture Share.

Following the Exchange’s approval of the transaction, CHARBONE has issued 1,346,366 warrants to the Debenture holders. Each warrant entitles the holder to purchase one additional common share of the Company at an exercise price of $ 0.10 on or before October 31, 2025.

Grant of Common Share Purchase Options

CHARBONE is pleased to announce the grant of 5,200,000 common share purchase options of CHARBONE ( Options ) to directors and executives. These options are granted in accordance with the conditions of the CHARBONE stock option plan. Each Option allows its holder to purchase one common share of the Company for $0.15 per share for a period of two (2) years starting February 12, 2025.

About Charbone Hydrogen Corporation

CHARBONE is an integrated green hydrogen company focused on creating a network of modular green hydrogen production facilities across North America. Using renewable energy, CHARBONE produces eco-friendly dihydrogen (H2) for industrial, institutional, commercial, and future mobility users. CHARBONE is currently the only publicly traded pure-play green hydrogen company, with shares listed on the TSX Venture Exchange (TSXV: CH); the OTC Markets (OTCQB: CHHYF); and the Frankfurt Stock Exchange (FSE: K47). For more information on Charbone Hydrogen and its projects, please 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 Filing Statement dated March 31, 2022, which is available on SEDAR at www.sedar.com; 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

Copyright (c) 2025 TheNewswire – All rights reserved.

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After rising 190 percent over the last five years, the uranium spot price and the broader uranium market remain poised for further growth, fueled by short supply and a slew of positive demand catalysts.

At this year’s Vancouver Resource Investment Conference (VRIC), panelists Rick Rule, Nick Hodge, Fabi Lara and Jordan Trimble offered an overview of key market catalysts, both for the near term and long term.

Moderated by Jesse Day of Commodity Culture, the discussion started with a look at the state of the sector.

“We’ve heard a lot about artificial intelligence (AI) data centers (and) small modular reactors, and obviously the main theme underlying all of this is a production shortfall,” said Day on stage at the event.

“There is not enough uranium being produced today to meet current reactor demands.”

From there, Day invited each participant to share their macro overview of the uranium landscape.

Starting the discussion, Hodge, who is publisher at Digest Publishing, pointed to recent comments made by the newly elected Trump administration as evidence of a pro-nuclear stance in America.

“Even the Treasury secretary, during his confirmation hearing, was talking about — not a clean energy race, but an energy race with China, who is building coal plants, who is building something like 29 reactors right now,’ he said.

More broadly, Hodge underscored the growing global commitment to increase nuclear energy production.

“We had a COP meeting late in 2024 where 31 countries agreed to triple nuclear capacity by 2050,’ he said.

‘That’s up from 20 countries the year before that — a 50 percent increase in the number of countries who said they want to triple nuclear capacity.”

Uranium supply challenges not going away

Offering his thoughts, Trimble who is president, CEO and director of Skyharbour Resources (TSXV:SYH,OTCQX:SYHBF) pointed to the substantial shortfall that is already materializing, noting that annual demand stands at 200 million pounds, while mine supply comes in at only 150 million to 160 million pounds.

“The age of abundant secondary supply has come to an end,” he said.

‘(We) don’t have that buffer that we’ve had for the last 50 or 60 years. So as that depletes, the upward pressure on the price not being able to tap into these secondary supplies is going to become more and more extreme.”

Adding to this pressure will be utility companies.

According to Trimble, a sluggish long-term contracting market contributed to uranium’s weak performance in 2024, with utilities securing just 106 million pounds — well below replacement levels.

However, he expects a surge in contracting in 2025, with volumes projected to exceed 180 million pounds as western utilities restock depleted inventories and secure long-term supply.

Longer term, the steady rate of new nuclear reactor builds is also a significant demand catalyst.

As noted by the World Nuclear Association, there are currently 65 reactors being built globally, with another 95 in the design stage. These new builds will join the 440 operational reactors located in 31 countries, as well as Taiwan.

Buying opportunity for uranium investors?

For Lara, who is founder of the Next Big Rush, it’s important to hone in on what may move a specific stock.

“What I look at is what retail looks at, and what retail looks at currently is the spot price,” she said. “There is a massive correlation of spot price moving and the smaller equities moving with it. So that is something that I keep watching.’

She expects financial players to re-enter the uranium market, driving prices higher after last year’s slowdown.

Lara also acknowledged that contracting volumes have remained low; however, term prices have not declined as much as the spot market. She emphasized that the long-term trend remains positive.

Commenting on the smaller crowd size at the panel and uranium sentiment on social media, she suggested that there is a potential buying opportunity as the market regains momentum.

Easy money has been made, ‘sure money’ still on the table

Rounding out the panel was Rule, proprietor at Rule Investment Media.

The veteran investor and speculator also reassured attendees that there is still money to be made in uranium.

“The basic supply, demand fundamentals for uranium are really good,” said Rule.

“I want to say that the easy money has been made. The easy money is made in the transition from hate to love. That’s over, but I think the sure money is ahead of us,’ he explained. “The sure money is ahead of us because of supply and demand imbalances; the sure money is ahead of us because the political winds have changed.”

These tailwinds, paired with utilities contracting, are the factors that signal to Rule that the “sure money” is ahead..

Unlike other commodities, uranium contracts can extend up to 20 years, providing rare top-line certainty, he explained.

This shift is expected to lower the sector’s cost of capital and enable smaller companies with strong deposits to secure financing or facilitate M&A.

Big tech’s AI pursuits need nuclear power

With the nuclear energy renaissance in full swing, supply security is becoming increasingly important. This is especially true in the US, where electricity generated from nuclear reactors supplies almost 20 percent of the nation’s needs.

Despite being the largest market for uranium, US mine supply fills only 5 percent of the country’s demand annually. This makes the US dependent on uranium imports from Canada, Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan, Russia and Australia.

US uranium imports were in sharp focus in May 2024, when then-President Joe Biden signed the Prohibiting Russian Uranium Imports Act, banning Russian-produced low-enriched uranium until 2040. The legislation took effect in August 2024, though limited waivers may be granted until 2028 to support critical US nuclear energy companies.

The US uranium supply picture was further blurred when new President Donald Trump threatened to levy 10 to 25 percent tariffs on a wide range of imports originating from Canada.

Against this backdrop, Amir Adnani, president, CEO and founder of Uranium Energy (NYSEAMERICAN:UEC), painted a picture of opportunity for the US during his VRIC talk with host Jay Martin.

Adnani praised Chris Wright, Trump’s pick for energy secretary, pointing out that he’s an oil and gas executive with ties to small modular reactors. “Because of power demand growth in the US, there is an ‘everything is needed’ mentality and approach to energy in the US,” he said. “And as a result, I think whether we call it American energy dominance or some of these terms, Trump is going to give it, ‘drill, baby drill,’ as he likes to say.”

Adnani explained that Trump’s campaign battle cry served as a signal to the energy sector.

“If you talk to executives in Midland, Texas, for example, they say, ‘Geez, we don’t want to drill anymore.’ The gas boom, the oil markets are oversupplied. But the reality is, when Trump says, ‘drill, baby drill,’ what he really means is ‘energy, energy, energy,’ and that could not be better captured in the trends we’re seeing with technology companies,” he said.

The uranium executive then went on to explain that a single ChatGPT query consumes 100 times more energy than a simple Google search. “When you look at power demand growth in the US for the last 20 years, it was basically flat,” said Adnani. “And now, when you look at power demand growth in the US just to the end of this decade, the next five years, it’s 10 percent annualized growth, and that growth is coming from the tech sector.”

To meet these rising energy needs Adnani sees nuclear as the only viable solution.

“One pound of uranium generates the same amount of energy as 3,000 barrels of oil,” he said.

“These big tech companies are thinking about what kind of power they can use. (Uranium is) going to have the energy density, it’s going to use less land, space, it’s going to need less transportation. Doesn’t need to involve geopolitically unstable regions. They’re really coming to this hard conclusion.”

Stay tuned for more event coverage, including video interviews with many of the experts who attended.

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

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(TheNewswire)

JZR Gold Inc.

NOT FOR DISTRIBUTION TO U.S. NEWSWIRE SERVICES OR FOR RELEASE, PUBLICATION, DISTRIBUTION OR DISSEMINATION, DIRECTLY OR INDIRECTLY, IN WHOLE OR IN PART, IN OR INTO THE UNITED STATES.

February 11, 2025 TheNewswire – Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada JZR Gold Inc. (the ‘ Company ‘ or ‘ JZR ‘) ( TSX-V: JZR ) announces that it has entered into a loan agreement with Eco Mining Oil & Gaz Drilling and Exploration Ltda. (‘ Eco ‘) dated September 30, 2024, pursuant to which the Company agreed to lend to Eco up to US$2,000,000 (the ‘ Loan ‘). The Loan, which bears no interest, is to be advanced to Eco in tranches upon request by Eco.  Pursuant to the terms of the Loan, the Company shall have no obligation to advance or make available any funds to Eco and any funds so advanced shall be at the sole discretion of the Company.  As of the date of the Loan Agreement, the Company had previously advanced the sum of US$1,800,000 to Eco, which amount forms part of the Loan. Eco may pay back any amount outstanding under Loan at any time without penalty.

The Company possesses a right to receive a 50% net profit interest in gold produced from the Vila Nova gold project located in the State of Amapa, Brazil (the ‘ Project ‘).  The Project is currently being developed by Eco as the operator. Eco commissioned the manufacture and installation of a gravimetric mill (the ‘ Mill ‘) for the Project, which Mill has been assembled and is being tested.  The Company has advised that Eco requested financial assistance from the Company in order to advance, acquire and assemble the Mill and to further advance the Project.  Management of the Company has determined that it is in the best interest of the Company to advance funds to Eco in order to enable Eco to acquire the Mill, bring it into operation and to further advance the Project, and has agreed to advance funds under the Loan to Eco specifically for the foregoing purposes.

As security for the Loan, Eco has pledged to the Company the Mill and certain rights of Eco pursuant to an agreement between Eco and the Cooperative dos Garimpeiros do Vila Nova.

The Company is at arm’s length with Eco and is not a ‘related party’ of the Company within the meaning of Multilateral Instrument 61-101 – Protection of Minority Security Holders in Special Transactions . The Loan is subject to acceptance of the TSX Venture Exchange.

For further information, please contact:

Robert Klenk

Chief Executive Officer

rob@jazzresources.ca

Forward-Looking Statements

This news release contains forward-looking statements, which includes any information about activities, events or developments that the Company believes, expects or anticipates will or may occur in the future. Forward-looking statements in this news release include statements with respect to respect to the details of the Loan, including the repayment terms and the anticipated use of proceeds by Eco. Forward-looking information reflects the expectations or beliefs of management of the Company based on information currently available to it. Forward-looking information is subject to known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that may cause the actual results, level of activity, performance or achievements of the Company to be materially different from those expressed or implied by such forward-looking information. These factors include, but are not limited to: risks associated with the business of the Company; business and economic conditions in the mineral exploration industry generally; the supply and demand for labour and other project inputs; changes in commodity prices; changes in interest and currency exchange rates; risks related to inaccurate geological and engineering assumptions; risks relating to unanticipated operational difficulties (including failure of equipment or processes to operate in accordance with the specifications or expectations, unavailability of materials and equipment, government action or delays in the receipt of government approvals, industrial disturbances or other job action and unanticipated events related to health, safety and environmental matters); risks related to adverse weather conditions; geopolitical risk and social unrest; changes in general economic conditions or conditions in the financial markets; and other risk factors as detailed from time to time in the Company’s continuous disclosure documents filed with the Canadian securities regulators. The forward-looking information contained in this press release is expressly qualified in its entirety by this cautionary statement. The Company does not undertake to update any forward-looking information, except as required by applicable securities laws.

Neither the TSX Venture Exchange nor its regulation services provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this press release.

Copyright (c) 2025 TheNewswire – All rights reserved.

News Provided by TheNewsWire via QuoteMedia

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Copper miners with productive assets have much to gain as supply and demand tighten.

The copper price hit a new all-time high of US$10,954 per metric ton (MT) on the London Metal Exchange and US$5.20 per pound on the COMEX on May 20 on the back of increasing demand and growing supply concerns.

While construction and electrical grids have long been major markets for copper, today the rise in demand for electric vehicles (EVs), EV charging infrastructure and energy storage applications are emerging drivers of copper consumption.

“I’m a copper bull, it’s a long-term performing asset, but ‘quality’ is what you have to add to the phrase, and I think copper is essential. As we all see the population growth, modernization, electrification, it’s going to be a key metal going forward,” said Ivan Bebek, chairman of Torq Resources (TSXV:TORQ,OTCQX:TRBMF), at a January panel.

Given those factors, investors may want to keep an eye on the world’s top copper-mining companies. According to the latest stats from global financial infrastructure and data provider LSEG, the following companies were the largest copper producers in 2023. Read on to learn more about their operations.

1. Freeport-McMoRan (NYSE:FCX)

Company Profile

Copper production: 2,058,910.28 MT

The most productive of the world’s copper mining companies, Freeport-McMoRan recorded 2,058,910.28 metric tons (MT) of copper output in 2023. One of its biggest copper assets is the Grasberg mine in Indonesia, which is the second largest copper mine in the world, as well as the world’s second largest gold mine. The company continues to make significant investments to increase its output of both copper and gold.

Long-term mine development activities are underway at Grasberg’s Kucing Liar deposit. Freeport-McMoRan believes that it could produce over 6 billion pounds of copper and 6 million ounces of gold between 2028 and the end of 2041.

In Q1, the company exceeded expectations to produce 1.1 billion pounds of copper, up from 965 million pounds in Q1 2023, with a big help from a 49 percent jump in production from its Indonesian operations.

2. BHP (ASX:BHP,NYSE:BHP,LSE:BHP)

Company Profile

Copper production: 1,389,022 MT

BHP produced 1,389,022 MT of copper in 2023, with the majority coming from two mines in Chile, one in Peru and three mines in Australia. The first Chilean mine is Escondida, the world’s largest copper mine and an important contributor to the country’s economy. The company’s other Chilean mine is the Spence copper mine, whose life BHP is working to extend by 50 years. In Peru, BHP owns the giant Antamina copper-zinc mine.

Although the red metal is only one of the resources BHP produces, the company has been increasing its foothold in the copper market through exploration and development, as well as through acquisitions. In April 2023, the mining giant finalized its US$6.4 billion acquisition of Australian copper-gold producer OZ Minerals. This gave it control of the Carrapateena and Prominent Hill mines to add to its Australian copper production out of the polymetallic Olympic Dam.

In its operational review for the nine months ending in March 31 2024, BHP CEO Mike Henry explained that the company’s ‘(c)opper volumes have increased by 10 per cent reflecting strong performance and additional tonnes from Copper South Australia, record year-to-date performance from Spence, and improved grades and production at Escondida.’

Next up, BHP is making a bid for Anglo American (LSE:AAL,OTCQX:AAUKF) and its copper assets. As of mid-May, Anglo had rejected BHP’s US$42 billion takeover offer.

3. Codelco

Copper production: 1,347,200 MT

As the world’s third largest copper producer, Chilean state-owned Codelco put out 1,347,200 MT in 2023. The company’s copper production is at the lowest levels in 25 years, according to Reuters.

Codelco is nearing completion of a US$1.4 billion project launched in 2021 aimed at extending the life of its Salvador mine through 2068 by converting the underground mine to an open-pit operation. The Rajo Inca project is set to begin production this year, and is part of the company’s larger US$40 billion plan to upgrade its many aging mines.

Codelco is also carrying out a large upgrade to its Chuquicamata operations. However, these efforts have been plagued by numerous delays, including collapses and construction challenges.

4. Anglo American (LSE:AAL,OTCQX:AAUKF)

Company Profile

Copper production: 1,147,300 MT

British miner Anglo American controls a diverse resource portfolio that includes economically important commodities such as copper, diamonds, platinum and iron ore. The company holds a 44 percent stake in Chile’s Collahuasi copper mine.

Anglo American’s Los Bronces open-pit copper-molybdenum mine is also located in Chile, as is its El Solado mine, which is reportedly running out of high-grade ore.

To strengthen its position as one of the world’s top copper producers, the company is advancing its Quellaveco copper project in Peru. Once in operation, it is expected to deliver around 300,000 MT of copper annually in the first 10 years.

As it works to stave off a takeover by BHP, Anglo American has reportedly initiated a hiring freeze and is considering spinning out or offloading some of its coal, nickel, diamond and platinum assets in order to fully focus on revamping production at its copper assets.

5. Antofagasta (LSE:ANTO)

Company Profile

Copper production: 714,972 MT

Antofagasta operates four mines in Chile and produced more than 714,972 MT of copper in 2023. Copper output was up for the year at the company’s flagship asset, Los Pelambres, mainly as a result of the completed construction of a desalination plant during the year. The company is looking to further increase production rates for 2024 at Los Pelambres.

Declining grades contributed to lower copper production in 2023 at the Centinela and Antucoya mines. Production for 2024 is expected to continue to decline at Centinela but remain stable at Antucoya. Additionally, lower ore processing rates led to lower production at its Zaldivarin mine last year.

Earlier this year, Antofagasta secured US$2.5 billion for the expansion of Centinela, which will include increasing production with a second concentrator that will have the capacity to add 144,000 MT of annual copper production.

6. Glencore (LSE:GLEN,OTC Pink:GLCNF)

Company Profile

Copper production: 695,750 MT

Glencore produced 695,750 MT of copper in 2023. In the Democratic Republic of Congo, the Swiss-based company operates the Katanga and Mutanda copper-cobalt mines. Its Australia operations are the Mount Isa mines, which produce copper anode material, silver-lead bullion and zinc concentrates, and the CSA underground copper mine. Additionally, Glencore holds interests in the Collahuasi mine (44 percent) in Chile and the Antamina mine (33.75 percent) in Peru.

In May 2023, the market heard plans that the major diversified miner was looking to invest US$1.5 billion in an expansion project at its Antapaccay copper mine in Peru. Also last year, Glencore tried to win over Teck Resources (TSX:TECK.A,TSX:TECK.B,NYSE:TECK) shareholders with a US$23.2 billion merger offer in a bid to further increase its position in the global copper market. Although that didn’t happen, Glencore agreed to acquire a 77 percent stake in Teck’s steelmaking coal business in November 2023. Glencore has also shown an interest in making its own play for Anglo American.

7. KGHM Polska Miedz (FWB:KGHA.F)

Company Profile

Copper production: 614,278.5 MT

Poland’s KGHM Polska Miedz has operations in Europe, North America and South America, and says that it holds over 40 million MT of copper ore resources worldwide. In 2023, the company produced more than 614,278.5 MT of copper.

Along with copper concentrates, KGHM’s primary products include copper cathode and copper wire rod. In February 2023, KGHM signed a copper cathode supply agreement with Nexans (EPA:NEX), a major wire and cable company.

In its Q1 2024 report, KGHM highlighted that payable copper output increased by 2 percent over the same period in the previous year, attributed to better quality ore from the mines.

8. First Quantum Minerals (TSX:FM,OTC Pink:FQVLF)

Company Profile

Copper production: 561,815 MT

Canada’s First Quantum Minerals produced more than 561,815 MT of copper in 2023. The company previously had seven copper-producing mines across six countries, with the most important being the Kansanshi copper-gold mine in Zambia and the newest one being the Cobre Panama copper mine in Panama. However, in November 2023, First Quantum was forced to shut Cobre Panama down after its contract was ruled unconstitutional in court.

In March 2023, First Quantum completed a partnership agreement with Rio Tinto (ASX:RIO,NYSE:RIO,LSE:RIO) to advance development in one of the world’s largest undeveloped copper resources, the La Granja copper project in Peru.

In its Q1 2024 results, the company reported total copper production for the quarter was down by 37 percent from Q4 2023, due in large part to the shutdown at Cobre Panama. First Quantum also shared that it had successfully strengthened its balance sheet enough to continue with the expansion project at Kansanshi, which is on track for first production in 2025.

9. Southern Copper (NYSE:SCCO)

Company Profile

Copper production: 556,026 MT

A majority-owned, indirect subsidiary of Grupo Mexico (BMV:GMEXICOB), Southern Copper recorded 556,026 MT of copper production for 2023. The company operates major copper mines in Peru and Mexico and has exploration projects in Argentina, Chile, Ecuador, Mexico and Peru. Southern Copper claims to have the largest copper reserves in the industry.

The company expects its copper production for 2024 to increase by 2.7 percent over last year’s, in part because the Pilares project has now reached full capacity and should add 44,000 MT in 2024.

10. Norilsk Nickel

Copper production: 494,346 MT

The tenth largest copper producing company in 2023 is Russia’s Norilsk Nickel. Additionally, it’s also one of the world’s largest nickel, palladium and platinum producers. Also known as Nornickel, the company has mining operations in five different countries across three continents. In 2023, Nornickel’s copper output totaled 494,346 MT of the metal. The company’s copper production guidance for 2024 is pegged at 334,000 MT to 354,000 MT.

A vertically integrated global metals business, Nornickel also produces copper concentrate, copper alloys and wire rods used in electrification and construction. Under the stress of sanctions placed on Russia stemming from its war of aggression against Ukraine, Reuters reported in April 2024 that Nornickel will close its Arctic copper plant in its home country and instead build a new plant in China via a joint venture. Construction is slated for completion by mid-2027 to produce approximately 2 million MT of copper concentrate per year.

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

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Graphite is an excellent conductor of heat and electricity and also has the highest strength of any natural material. However, it wasn’t until recently that the metal began to gain popularity.

Interest in graphite mining is increasing in large part because lithium-ion batteries are becoming more common. These batteries are used in everything from phones to electric vehicles (EVs), and graphite is one of their key raw materials. Both synthetic and natural graphite, in the form of the intermediate product spherical graphite, are products that are used in the anodes of lithium-ion batteries. As lithium-ion battery demand grows, graphite demand is also expected to rise from nations around the world.

In fact, despite discussions on changes in lithium-ion battery chemistry, many experts think graphite will remain a key raw material in EV batteries for at least the next decade. Hence, demand for graphite from the battery anode segment is set to experience significant growth as electric car sales and the energy storage trend continue.

Fortune Business Insights projects that the global graphite market will experience a compound annual growth rate of 6.9 percent between 2025 and 2032 to reach a value of US$13.35 billion. ‘Increasing demand from the refractory industry and skyrocketing demand from the battery industry are creating a supply crisis, pushing different countries worldwide to consider securing their requirements,’ the firm stated.

Where is graphite found?

Graphite is found in metamorphic and igneous rock in many regions of the world, but especially Asia and East Africa.

For any investor following the sector, it will come as no surprise that China is dominating both the mining and refining sides of the graphite market for natural and synthetic. China also hosts the world’s largest known natural graphite reserves at 81 million metric tons (MT). Brazil, Mozambique, Madagascar and Tanzania round out the top five largest graphite reserves by country, and also rank among the top 10 graphite producers.

Graphite production by country

Read on for a look at global graphite production by country in 2024 to learn more about where graphite is mined, using data from the latest US Geological Survey (USGS) Mineral Commodity Summary.

1. China

Natural graphite production: 1.27 million metric tons
Graphite reserves: 81 million metric tons

China was the world’s largest graphite producer in 2024, producing 1.27 million metric tons of the metal. According to the USGS, the country accounted for about 78 percent of world graphite mine supply last year. Around 85 percent of its 2024 production was in the form of flake graphite.

China’s stranglehold on the graphite market was strengthened by its quick graphite production recovery after COVID-19 shutdowns. The country’s government policies can have a dramatic impact on prices for the material.

‘During the first 8 months of (2024), China exported 38,200 tons of flake graphite concentrate, 25% less than the 50,700 tons exported in the same period in 2023,’ the USGS reports, ‘… (and) 25,500 tons of spherical graphite, 28% less than the 35,600 tons exported in 2023.’

China Minmetals operates the Yunshan graphite mine, one of the world’s largest graphite mines, in Heilongjiang Province. It produces 200,000 MT of graphite annually.

2. Madagascar

Natural graphite production: 89,000 metric tons
Graphite reserves: 27 million metric tons

Madagascar’s natural graphite production in 2024 totaled 89,000 metric tons, 26,000 MT more than it had in 2023. Now the second highest graphite producing country, the East African nation has risen through the ranks in recent years from its fifth-place spot in 2021. Madagascar has the third largest graphite reserves at 27 million MT.

Growth in Madagascar’s graphite mining industry is being aided by developing projects. For example, NextSource Materials’ (TSX:NEXT,OTCQB:NSRCF) Molo graphite mine began commercial production of its SuperFlake graphite concentrate in June 2023. The company is now focused on ramping up plant throughput to its nameplate capacity of 17,000 MT per annum. As of late October 2024, the company made its first commercial shipments of SuperFlake concentrate from the Molo mine to the United States and Germany.

3. Mozambique

Natural graphite production: 75,000 metric tons
Graphite reserves: 25 million metric tons

Mozambique takes the third spot on the list with graphite output of 75,000 metric tons in 2024, down 24 percent from the previous year. The country is home to two main graphite miners: Syrah Resources (ASX:SYR,OTC Pink:SYAAF) and Triton Minerals (ASX:TON).

Australia-based Syrah Resources’ Balama project is the world’s largest integrated natural graphite-mining and processing operation. ‘Syrah produces 23 natural graphite products across eight different mesh sizes at Balama,’ according to Mining Data Online (MDO). ‘Balama also supplies flake with properties outside of typical market specifications to special purpose customers.’

In May 2023, the company put the brakes on production at Balama on falling graphite prices. Operations were restarted in the third quarter of the year, although at a lower production rate, according to the USGS. Lower production rates continued into 2024 as Syrah was awaiting a time when graphite demand and prices warranted higher production rates. Ongoing political unrest in the country has further hampered production, which the company halted in the the fourth quarter of 2024.

Triton Minerals is advancing the Ancuabe project, which is in the permitting stage and garnered environmental license approval in November 2024. The company is in the process of divesting 70 percent control of its Mozambique graphite assets to Chinese firm Shandong Yulong.

4. Brazil

Natural graphite production: 68,000 metric tons
Graphite reserves: 74 million metric tons

In 2024, output from Brazil’s graphite mines totaled 68,000 metric tons, up slightly over the previous year.

Brazil’s ranking among the top graphite producing countries has slipped in recent years. The South American nation was the world’s second largest graphite producer in 2021 with output of 82,000 MT during the period. Brazil’s 2022 graphite-mining output decreased by 10,000 MT from the previous year at the same time as Madagascar and Mozambique saw much larger gains in their graphite production.

Brazil has the second highest graphite reserves by country, coming in at 74 million MT. Little information is available about the Brazilian graphite-mining industry, as the country’s top producers of the metal are private. However, the nation has become a hot spot for graphite exploration and development.

One newly operating project is South Star Battery Metals’ (TSXV:STS,OTCQB:STSBF) Santa Cruz large-flake graphite property, at which Phase 1 commercial production began ramping up in October 2024. Phase 1 has graphite production capacity of 12,000 MT per year, with planned Phase 2 and 3 potentially raising capacity as high as 50,000 MT annually.

5. India

Natural graphite production: 27,800 metric tons
Graphite reserves: 8.6 million metric tons

India’s graphite output in 2024 came to 27,800 metric tons, a jump of 2,200 MT over 2023’s amount. India’s graphite reserves total 8.6 million MT, with the state of Arunachal Pradesh holding nearly half of the country’s reserves.

India has several main graphite miners, including Tirupati Carbons & Chemicals, Chotanagpur Graphite Industries and Carbon & Graphite Products. HEG (NSE:HEG,BSE:509631) is a leading, although small-scale, graphite electrode producer.

6. Tanzania

Natural graphite production: 25,000 metric tons
Graphite reserves: 18 million metric tons

Tanzania produced 25,000 metric tons of the material in 2024, up more than 89 percent over the previous year’s output. The East African country is also home to the world’s fifth largest graphite reserves at 18 million MT.

Tanzania has become a hot spot for new graphite projects, so the country’s mine production capacity is expected to increase in the coming years. In July 2024, Walkabout Resources (ASX:WKT) began shipping graphite concentrate from its newly operating Lindi Jumbo graphite mine to the European market. The USGS states that Lindi Jumbo mine’s capacity was 40,000 metric tons per year of graphite concentrate in 2024.

Volt Resources (ASX:VRC) recently got the green light from regulators to begin the work necessary to bring its large-scale Bunyu graphite project into production.

7. Canada

Natural graphite production: 20,000 metric tons
Graphite reserves: 5.9 million metric tons

New to this list of top graphite producing countries, Canada is tied for seventh place with Russia. Canada’s graphite output increased by more than 265 percent in 2024 to total 20,000 metric tons.

The country’s sole graphite producer, and in fact the only graphite producer in North America, is Northern Graphite (TSXV:NGC,OTCQB). The company’s Lac des Iles Mine in Québec has been producing graphite for more than 30 years. Northern Graphite has plans to ramp up output to 25,000 MT per year, focusing on supplying the battery supply chain with its graphite products. The company also owns the large-scale Bissett Creek project in Ontario.

7. Russia

Natural graphite production: 20,000 metric tons
Graphite reserves: 14 million metric tons

In 2024, Russia produced 20,000 metric tons of graphite, 5,000 MT above its output level from 2023. However, this wasn’t enough to retained its title of sixth largest graphite producer and instead the nation tied with Canada for seventh place. Prior to its war with Ukraine, the country was expected to significantly increase its production at operations owned by Dalgraphite and Uralgraphite.

While it’s not always easy to obtain detailed information on Russian resource companies, the USGS does report that a Russian company was expected to bring a new graphite mine into production in late 2024 with an estimated capacity of 40,000 metric tons per year of flake graphite concentrate.

9. South Korea

Natural graphite production: 9,600 metric tons
Graphite reserves: 1.8 million metric tons

South Korea, officially the Republic of Korea, produced 9,600 metric tons of graphite in 2024, nearly unchanged from the 9,620 MT produced in the previous year.

The South Korean government has a stated goal of becoming a leader in the global EV battery market and transitioning away from reliance on China for its graphite requirements. South Korea’s Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy is dedicating US$7 billion to this goal.

10. North Korea

Natural graphite production: 8,100 metric tons
Graphite reserves: 2 million metric tons

North Korea’s total graphite output last year came to 8,100 metric tons, on par with its production over the last few years. As for its graphite reserves, North Korea hosts 2 million MT of the battery metal. Little further information is available on graphite mining in North Korea.

11. Norway

Natural graphite production: 7,000 metric tons
Graphite reserves: 600,000 metric tons

Rounding out this list of top graphite producing countries is Norway with 7,000 metric tons in 2024. The country’s graphite output rose from 6,480 MT in 2023.

All graphite deposits in the country contain flake graphite and are generally low tonnage. That said, many are in favorable locations — for example, close to the sea or to the electrical grid. The Skaland graphite mine in the northern region of the country is the only such mine in Scandinavia and the largest crystalline graphite producer in Europe. Norge Mining announced plans to acquire the mine from Australia’s Mineral Commodities (ASX:MRC) in December 2024.

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

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The global potash market is dominated by Canada, the world’s leading potash producing country, with Canadian potash companies producing an impressive 15 million metric tons (MT) of the material in 2024.

The potash industry has faced difficulties in the past few years, including challenges related to the COVID-19 pandemic and Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, and most recently with the threat of US tariffs on Canadian goods and services. However, potash producers continue to push ahead despite headwinds. Meanwhile, potash exploration and development companies are working hard at projects that can take advantage of rising demand for agricultural products.

For those interested in the market, here’s a list of Canadian potash stocks listed on the TSX and TSXV; companies are listed from largest to smallest, and all had market caps of at least C$10 million as of January 30, 2025.

1. Nutrien (TSX:NTR,NYSE:NTR)

Company Profile

Market cap: C$37.81 billion

Formed on January 1, 2018, after Potash Corporation of Saskatchewan and Agrium completed a merger of equals, today Nutrien is Canada’s biggest potash company by far. Nutrien bills itself as the world’s largest provider of crop inputs and services, with an agricultural retail network that services more than 500,000 grower accounts. The firm states that it is ‘committed to providing products and services that help growers optimize crop yields and their returns.’

The potash-mining company produces a variety of different materials, but in terms of potash production it has over 27 million metric tons of capacity at its six potash mines in Saskatchewan.

2. Verde AgriTech (TSX:NPK)

Company Profile

Market cap: C$44.77 million

Verde AgriTech is an agri-tech company focused on making innovative products that promote sustainable agriculture. Its main asset is Cerrado Verde, which holds Brazil’s largest identified potash deposit, with an NI 43-101 resource of 3.32 billion metric tons.

Production began at Cerrado Verde in May 2017, and the company later exported its first shipment of Super Greensand, a fertilizer and soil conditioner, to US cannabis and organic markets. As a fertilizer it provides potassium, magnesium, silicon, iron and manganese, and as a soil conditioner it increases the capacity of soil to retain water and nutrients.

3. Gensource Potash (TSXV:GSP)

Company Profile

Market cap: C$33.73 million

Gensource Potash’s Vanguard area and Lazlo area are located in Saskatchewan.

The company’s main asset, the Tugaske potash project in the Vanguard area, is its central focus. Once in operation, it will create no salt tailings and will require no brine ponds. The completed feasibility study shows the operation will be one of the lowest cost potash producers.

According to the company, the environmentally friendly asset is expected to produce a minimum of 250,000 metric tons of muriate of potash (MOP) per year. Gensource has a 10-year offtake agreement for Tugaske with agricultural chemical company HELM.

4. Western Resources (TSX:WRX)

Company Profile

Market cap: C$16.36 million

Western Resources and the company’s wholly owned subsidiary Western Potash are working to build an environmentally friendly and capital-efficient potash solution mine at the Milestone project in Saskatchewan.

Milestone is close to Mosaic’s (NYSE:MOS) Belle Plaine mine, which is one of the largest-producing potash solution mines in the world. In May 2023, Western Potash gained approval for its restart project to extend Milestone’s mine life from 12 years to 40 years. Phase 1 of the project was 93 percent complete as of May 2024 before being placed on hold as the company looks to secure further funding.

5. Sage Potash (TSXV:SAGE)

Company Profile

Market cap: C$14.02 million

Sage Potash is developing its flagship project the Sage Plain potash property in the Paradox Basin of the US state of Utah. Rather than underground or strip mining, the company will use in-situ solution extraction of potash-rich brine to the surface for solar or mechanical evaporation and granulation. Once in operation, the project is estimated to produce 150,000 metric tons of potash annually, with plans to expand.

The project is transitioning into the construction phase and commissioning of its Muriate of Potash pilot plant with the purchase of equipment, and strengthening its management team. Construction is expected to begin in Q2 2025.

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

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