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VVC – Strategic Exit of Gloria Copper Project in Mexico

Investing 6 Mins Read

VVC Exploration Corporation, dba VVC Resources (‘VVC’ or the ‘Company’) (TSX-V: VVC; OTC: VVCVF) announces that, after a project review, it is strategically restructured its mining projects in Mexico.

This project review encompassed multiple considerations, including ongoing maintenance costs, permitting authorizations, political climate, safety, upside potential and financeability of each project and probability of achieving the projects potential.

After this review, the Company has decided to:

  • Exit the Gloria Copper Project located near Samalayuca, State of Chihuahua, Mexico. This long-standing project of the Company is expensive to maintain and is in an area that has become more politically volatile with uncertain safety. The geological potential of the project is not in question, but the ability to achieve that potential is unclear.
  • Focus all mining exploration activity on the Cumeral Gold Project. Cumeral is the Company’s highly prospective gold project in north central Sonora Mexico. This project, while not as advanced as the Gloria Copper Project, has a huge upside potential. It is in an area where there is strong local support for the project and a higher likelihood of permitting and implementation success. The Cumeral Gold Project is a 1,665-hectare property in northern Sonora near Imuris which exhibits quartz-vein–hosted gold in a detachment-fault/orogenic setting with a documented NNW–SSE mineralized trend of ~4 km. Historical work reported that ~36% of 407 grab/chip samples assayed 0.1–10 g/t Au; soil surveys outlined additional anomalies (47 samples >0.020 ppm Au); and air-track drilling intersected broad, near-surface intervals of 0.21–0.44 g/t Au over 6–26 m in key target areas. The Company will continue activities on the Cumeral Gold Project.

Rationale and Next Steps
The Company’s decision reflects consideration of cost discipline, safety and risk management. The exit from the Gloria Copper Project will reduce future cash outlays for care, maintenance, and permitting at amid uncertainty over permit viability and broader political conditions in Chihuahua State. Capital and management resources will be reallocated to the Cumeral Gold Project exploration, and to development of the Company’s helium/natural gas project in the Central Kansas Uplift (CKU) Project where existing infrastructure and near-term activities offer a clearer path to execution.

« There are opportunity costs in every project, » said Jim Culver, CEO. « Exiting the Gloria Copper Project will allow the Company to concentrate resources on projects with an obvious direct and timely route to advancing development while maintaining discipline on risk and spending. »

About VVC Resources
VVC engages in the exploration, development, and management of natural resources – specializing in scarce and increasingly valuable materials needed to meet the growing, high-tech demands of industries such as manufacturing, technology, medicine, space travel, and the expanding green economy. Our portfolio includes a diverse set of multi-asset high-growth projects, comprising: Helium & industrial gas production in western U.S.; Gold & associated metals operations in northern Mexico; and Strategic investments in carbon sequestration and other green energy technologies. VVC is a Canada-based, publicly-traded company on the TSXV (TSX-V:VVC). To learn more, visit our website at: www.vvcresources.com .

On behalf of the Board of Directors
Michel J. Lafrance, Secretary-Treasurer
For further information, please contact:
Emily Bigelow – (615) 504-4621 Patrick Fernet – (514) 631-2727 (French)
E-mail: emily@vvcresources.com E-mail: pfernet@vvcexploration.com


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.

2369 Kingston Road, PO Box 28059 Terry Town, Scarborough, ON M1N 4E7 – Tel: 416-619-5304

Forward-Looking Statements

This news release contains ‘forward-looking information’ (within the meaning of applicable Canadian securities laws) and ‘forward-looking statements’ (within the meaning of the U.S. Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995). Such statements are generally identified by words such as ‘anticipate’, ‘believe’, ‘expect’, ‘plan’, ‘intend’, ‘potential’, ‘estimate’, ‘propose’, ‘project’, ‘outlook’, ‘foresee’, ‘strategy’, ‘success’ or similar words suggesting future outcomes or statements regarding an outlook. Such statements include, among others: « Exit the Gloria Copper Project … ; Focus all mining exploration activity on the Cumeral Gold Project.; The Company will continue activities on the Cumeral Gold Project.; The exit from Gloria … will reduce future cash outlay … ; … resources will be reallocated to Cumeral … ; to concentrate resources … to advancing development … ».

Such forward-looking information or statements are based on several risks, uncertainties, and assumptions which may cause actual results or other expectations to differ materially from those anticipated and which may prove to be incorrect. Assumptions have been made regarding, among other things, management’s expectations regarding future project development and growth, timing and completion of asset divestitures, market conditions for copper, gold, helium, or gas, availability of capital, and the necessity to incur capital and other expenditures. Actual results could differ materially due to a number of factors, without limitation, operational risks in completing anticipated transactions, delays or changes in plans with respect to the development or divestiture of projects, risks affecting the ability to obtain regulatory or governmental approvals, political or permitting risks in Mexico or the United States, the ability to attract key personnel, and fluctuations in commodity prices. No assurances can be given that the efforts by the Company will be successful.

Although the Company believes that the expectations reflected in the forward-looking information or statements are reasonable, prospective investors in the Company’s securities should not place undue reliance on forward-looking statements because the Company can provide no assurance that such expectations will prove to be correct. Forward-looking information and statements contained in this news release are as of the date of this news release, and the Company assumes no obligation to update or revise this forward-looking information and statements, except as required by law. Investors are cautioned that notwithstanding the expectations described herein, there can be no assurance that the plans described herein will be completed as proposed. Trading in the securities of VVC should be considered highly speculative. All forward-looking statements contained in this press release are expressly qualified in their entirety by these cautionary statements and by those made in our filings with SEDAR+ in Canada (available at www.sedarplus.ca ).

News Provided by GlobeNewswire via QuoteMedia

This post appeared first on investingnews.com

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Ganfeng Chairman’s Forecast Sparks Lithium Price Surge in China

Investing 4 Mins Read

China’s lithium market strengthened sharply on Monday (November 17) after Ganfeng Lithium (OTC Pink:GNENF,HKEX:1772) Chairman Li Liangbin said at a domestic industry conference that demand for the key battery metal could grow by as much as 40 percent in 2026.

The most-traded lithium carbonate contract on the Guangzhou Futures Exchange rose 9 percent that day and moved near its upper limit, marking its strongest close since June 2024.

Li’s comments, first reported by financial news outlet Cailian and later shared by Reuters, also included a projection that lithium carbonate prices could reach 200,000 yuan if demand accelerates as expected.

Traders said the reaction from the lithium price shows how much weight Ganfeng carries in a market that has been quick to react to any sign of stronger consumption after years of oversupply.

Chinese lithium carbonate prices are already up more than 17 percent this month on improving sentiment in the energy storage sector and expectations that demand for stationary batteries will grow through 2026.

CATL restart drives lithium volatility

China’s lithium market is also seeing support from the delayed restart of Contemporary Amperex Technology’s (CATL) (SZSE:300750,HKEX:3750) Jianxiawo mine in Yichun.

The mine normally produces about 65,000 metric tons of lithium carbonate equivalent a year, roughly 6 percent of global supply. However, it has been shut down since August after its operating permit expired.

CATL is reportedly making progress at getting the mine back online, but no exact date has been given.

The shutdown has spilled into global markets as well. In September, Australian lithium stocks fell sharply on the back of signs that CATL’s restart could be approaching.

Oversupply still weighing on lithium market

Beyond China, the broader lithium market has struggled with imbalance throughout 2025.

Prices spiked in July and August before easing again in September, with talks of potential supply cuts by Australian miners creating short-lived rallies despite strong inventories and growing production.

“The nascency of the lithium market means that it is prone to be led by sentiment,” Fastmarkets’ Claudia Cook wrote earlier this year, noting how futures activity has repeatedly drifted from fundamentals.

Oversupply remains the defining theme. Global mined output has jumped 192 percent since 2020, swelling inventories faster than even robust electric-vehicle demand can absorb.

While electric vehicle sales topped 17 million units in 2024 and are expected to exceed 20 million this year, production growth, including a 22 percent rise in mined supply in 2024, has kept the market in surplus.

Analysts have warned that the imbalance in the lithium sector could persist into the next decade unless mine delays, project cancelations or unexpectedly strong demand intervene.

Beijing’s new export controls have added another layer of uncertainty.

Export controls announced last month would mandate that Chinese companies secure export licenses for high-energy lithium-ion batteries, synthetic graphite anodes and critical production equipment. China has delayed the implementation of these controls for one year, until November 10, 2026, as part of a deal with the US.

Against that backdrop, the US is looking to boost its supply of non-Chinese lithium.

The US Department of Energy released the first US$435 million from a US$2.23 billion loan to Lithium Americas (TSX:LAC,NYSE:LAC) in October, advancing construction of the Thacker Pass project in Nevada — set to become the largest lithium source in the western hemisphere once online. The project is central to Washington’s push to reduce dependence on Chinese refining and secure domestic supplies of battery-grade material.

For now, China remains the clearest guide for price direction. Monday’s futures jump showed how quickly sentiment can move when major producers offer firmer demand signals.

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

This post appeared first on investingnews.com

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Business

Longtime Walmart CEO to step down in January

Business 4 Mins Read

Walmart announced Friday that longtime CEO Doug McMillon will retire at the end of January — which came as a surprise to some given the company’s success in a rapidly evolving retail landscape.

John Furner, Walmart’s U.S. CEO, will assume the role of overall CEO on Feb. 1, the company said. McMillon will continue to serve in an executive and advisory role through January 2027. Furner, 51, began his career at Walmart as an hourly associate.

McMillon, 59, has held the top job since 2014 and is only the fifth person to lead the storied company in its 63-year history.

McMillon has overseen a radical transformation of Walmart’s image in a little over a decade.

In 2014, Walmart had a reputation as a budget retail option and was accused of underpaying its associates. Today, it draws more well-to-do shoppers and has earned credit for adopting innovative personnel policies.

McMillon also built up Walmart’s e-commerce operation into the country’s second-largest, behind only Amazon. Over the course of McMillon’s tenure, the value of Walmart’s shares has increased some 300%.

“Serving as Walmart’s CEO has been a great honor and I’m thankful to our Board and the Walton family for the opportunity,” McMillon said in a statement. “I’ve worked with John for more than 20 years. … He’s uniquely capable of leading the company through this next AI-driven transformation.”

America’s retail landscape continues to rapidly evolve, as consumer spending habits increasingly bifurcate between wealthier households and everyone else.

However, Walmart’s quarterly results have held steady — and the company has been justly rewarded by investors. Just this year, Walmart shares have climbed around 13%. Over the course of McMillon’s tenure, the retailer’s stock price is up some 300%.

On Walmart’s most recent earnings call in August, McMillon indicated the company has been able to withstand the broader pressures facing consumers. Its shoppers’ “behavior has been generally consistent,” he said. “We aren’t seeing dramatic shifts.”

Other retailers have not been so fortunate.

Target’s shares have lost about one-third of their value this year, as the chain works to regain its footing in a more value-conscious environment. In August, longtime CEO Brian Cornell announced plans to step down.

Amazon, meanwhile, has fared slightly better as consumers continue to prioritize the convenience of online shopping. But it recently announced thousands of layoffs affecting corporate employees. Amazon’s share price has climbed about 8% this year.

McMillon has also steered Walmart through a volatile period in U.S. politics, during which elected officials have engaged directly with companies and consumers have proven willing to boycott corporate giants over social issues.

Walmart found itself in President Donald Trump’s crosshairs in May, after it signaled plans to increase some prices in response to his tariffs.

“Walmart should STOP trying to blame Tariffs as the reason for raising prices throughout the chain,” Trump wrote on his Truth Social platform. “Between Walmart and China they should, as is said, ‘EAT THE TARIFFS,’ and not charge valued customers ANYTHING. I’ll be watching, and so will your customers!!!”

While subsequent reports indicated that Walmart had indeed increased prices on some items, McMillon said in August that the changes were gradual enough that consumer habits shifted only modestly.

Six months after Trump singled Walmart out over tariffs, he did so again — but for a very different reason.

In recent weeks, the Trump White House has repeatedly touted Walmart’s 2025 Thanksgiving menu package — which costs less overall than the retailer’s similar menu did last year — as a sign that the president’s economic policies have helped drive down grocery prices for consumers.

But there is a flaw in that rationale. This year’s Walmart Thanksgiving menu contains fewer items than last year’s menu did.

This post appeared first on NBC NEWS

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Investing

Drilling results confirm new copper discovery with district scale potential

Investing 8 Mins Read

Critical Mineral Resources plc (“CMR”, “Company”) is delighted to announce extremely encouraging results from its maiden core drilling programme at Agadir Melloul, confirming a significant new, shallow copper discovery and establishing the foundations for a potential district scale sediment hosted, copper-silver play.

Highlights

  • Exceptional near surface copper intercepts including:
    • 5.8m at 1.12% Cu / 19g/t Ag,
    • 6.5m at 1.03% Cu,
    • 4.7m at 1.48% Cu, in addition to
    • 6.0m at 1.4% Cu / 31g/t Ag from the newly identified Rhyolite Target, all exceeding our expectations.
  • These results allow for a significant growth runway with less than 1% of the project area drilled. Ongoing mapping confirms a district wide mineralised envelope, consistent with our 25 million tonne Initial Exploration Target.
  • Shallow, near surface tabular copper deposit supports low capex and rapid development pathway, with a geometry amenable to open-pit operations.
  • The new Rhyolite Target copper-silver discovery adds a second, potentially large scale, mineral system, materially expanding the projects already significant upside potential.
  • On track to break ground on the Initial Mine Development in 2027, with a maiden resource expected as early as H1 2026.

Drill results

Sediment hosted mineralisation:

  • BH01 – 5.8m at 1.12% copper and 19g/t silver from 2.2m
  • BH04 – 2.5m at 0.85% copper and 4g/t silver from 1.5m
  • BH06 – 2.0m at 1.3% copper from 16m
  • BH07 – 1.3m at 0.98% copper from 16.7m
  • BH09 – 3.0m at 0.75% copper from 10m
  • BH12 – 4.0m at 1.04% copper from 2.0m
  • BH 35 – 7.5m at 0.97% copper inc. 6.5m at 1.03% copper
  • BH 36 – 4.7m at 1.48% copper from 17m
  • BH 38 – 4.7m at 1.03% copper from 27m
  • BH 43 – 3.0m at 1.1% copper from 6.0m
  • BH 45 – 1.60m at 1.1% copper from 6.0m, 4.0m at 0.77% copper and 2.0m at 1.05% copper from 16.4m

Also, the new Rhyolite Target copper-silver discovery confirmed in late October, with the first drill hole returning very encouraging results:

  • BHR01 – 6.0m at 1.4% copper and 31g/t silver from surface

Fig.1 Zone 1 North, long section showing shallow undulating mineralisation

Source: Company

Fig.2 Zone 1 North cross section

Source: Company

Charlie Long CEO commented:

“These excellent results have surpassed our expectations. We are seeing broad zones of consistent, high quality copper mineralisation in a very shallow setting, with multiple intercepts over 4m. This is a brilliant outcome, and the Initial Mine and Strategic Resource strategies are both on track.

It is particularly exciting that we have drilled less than 1% of our 50km2 sedimentary target, and geological evidence points to a large, mineralised copper system that extends across the project area. This positions the project as a scalable, district level opportunity, and we expect continued drilling to deliver a steady flow of excellent assay results as we build towards an extensive resource.

Agadir Melloul is different from most copper development stories in the market. It combines true scale potential, shallow geometry with near surface setting, creating economically and operationally favourable mining conditions in an excellent jurisdiction. This gives us a pathway to delivering a fast tracked, near surface operation.

And now we also have the unexpected bonus of a rhyolite hosted mineralisation target. This is an exciting discovery, which our team believes represents a second standalone mineral system with strong copper and silver grades. If our working model holds, this could transform Agadir Melloul into a multi-deposit copper district, dramatically enhancing its long-term strategic value.

Our shareholders have been patient, and we are now entering a period where we believe that patience will be rewarded. We are planning to accelerate our drilling program with an additional rig, to drill multiple targets, and ultimately add equity value from different parts of the project. The momentum is gathering, and we can look forward to much more good news in the future.”

Sedimentary copper – depth, grade and thickness

CMR’s Initial Exploration Target of 150,000 to 200,000 tonnes of contained copper is based on a shallow, semi-continuous tabular resource with a 2.0m average thickness and an average grade of 1.2% copper equivalent. While we are retaining the 2.0m target for now, today’s assay results indicate clear potential for the average thickness to exceed our current assumptions, proving tangible resource growth potential as drilling progresses.

The geometry of our exploration target is comparable to several well-known sediment hosted copper orebodies in the Zechstein Basin, such as KGHM’s Lubin Mine in Poland, which has an average thickness of 2.8m (ranging from 1.5m to 5.0m) and an average reserve grade of 0.95% copper and 48g/t silver. Lubin operates at depths of 368m to more than 1,000m.Its longevity and scale is supported by the exceptional consistency of the Kupferschiefer orebody.

Agadir Melloul has similar geometry to Lubin but benefits enormously from very shallow, near surface mineralisation. Shallow mines typically benefit from lower capital intensity, lower sustaining and reserve development costs, and favourable mining economics, all of which support a fast-track development profile.

Strategic Resource Strategy

Concurrently with the Initial Mine development, CMR is moving aggressively to advance its parallel strategy of delineating a large-scale strategic resource at Agadir-Melloul. With our own, new core drill rig arriving imminently, drilling will accelerate sharply, enabling rapid expansion of the known mineralised footprint.

Our primary target is a laterally semi-continuous 1.5m to 3.5m thick extensive zone of mineralised sediments, comprising limestones, dolomites and microconglomerates. Mineralisation within this sequence demonstrates strong lateral continuity, with higher grade zones developing where host rocks exhibit elevated permeability and porosity, a model that supports the potential for a large-scale discovery.

Summary and rhyolite assessment

CMR remains firmly on track to deliver a shallow, open pittable, maiden resource by late Q2 to early Q3 2026, sufficient in scale to underpin the Initial Mine development.The initial resource’s grade and geometry is expected to be in line with our target of a near surface, 2.0m thick and 1.2% copper equivalent deposit, with potential for thickness to increase based on current intercepts.

The Rhyolite Target discovery has created a major new growth vector. There are various scenarios, all of which are very positive. The base case is that drilling delineates a near surface rhyolite hosted mineralisation through secondary enrichment. Even this would represent a highly valuable addition to the project.

However, our working hypothesis, is that the rhyolite was mineralised with primary copper and silver, which would constitute an entirely new igneous hosted copper system within the project. This scenario would significantly elevate Agadir Melloul’s long term and large-scale potential.

CMR will shortly be selecting representative core samples from both styles of mineralisation for thin-section and associated detailed petrology and mineralogy studies.

Fig.3 Current portfolio map

Source: Company

Fig.4 Drilled area in dark grey represents <1% of project’s 50km2 target limestone

Source: Company

Fig.5 Geological model showing mineralised envelope and targeted higher-grade zones

Source: Company

Fig.6 Rhyolite Target core

Source: Company

Outlook

Following publication of the resource estimate in H1 2026, CMR will immediately commence the Agadir-Melloul feasibility study and Environmental Impact Assessment for the processing plant, as it targets construction of the Initial Mine during 2027. With the Company’s own, new rig arriving imminently to accelerate exploration, we expect drilling density, mineralised footprint, and resource to grow rapidly.

The project is emerging as one of the most compelling new copper discoveries, with size, grade, geometry, and multi system upside rarely seen at this early stage of exploration.

Competent Person Statement

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

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

Source

This post appeared first on investingnews.com

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Crypto Market Update: ETF Redemptions Hit Three-Week Streak, Bitcoin’s Struggle Continues

Investing 4 Mins Read

Here’s a quick recap of the crypto landscape for Monday (November 17) as of 9:00 a.m. UTC.

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

Bitcoin and Ether price update

Bitcoin (BTC) was priced at US$95,539.04, a 0.4 percent decrease in 24 hours. Its lowest valuation of the day was US$93,029.42, while its highest was US$95,903.57.

Bitcoin price performance, November 17, 2025.

Chart via TradingView

Bitcoin’s slide to a weekend low of $93,029 has reset market sentiment to “extreme fear,” extending a drawdown that has erased more than US$600 billion from its market value since October’s record.

The speed of the retreat has unsettled even long-time traders, especially after Bitcoin spent much of the year buoyed by Wall Street inflows, ETF demand, and renewed political support under the Trump administration.

SchiffGold founder Peter Schiff also seized on the downturn, urging investors on X to “sell Bitcoin now and buy gold before you get mauled.’

Schiff noted that that gold had climbed back above US$4,100 in early Asian trading while Bitcoin was “struggling to hold US$93,000.”

‘Bitcoin is now down 26% from its high. But in terms of gold, the bear market is far more ferocious, with Bitcoin down 39%,’ he added.

Meanwhile, Ether (ETH) was priced at US$3,187.13, a 0.6 percent decrease in the last 24 hours. Its lowest valuation of the day was US$3,023.62, while its highest was US$3,215.64.

Altcoin price update

  • Solana (SOL) was priced at US$141.18, trading flat over the last 24 hours. Its lowest valuation of the day was US$135.28, while its highest was US$142.40.
  • XRP was trading for US$2.27, up by 0.4 percent over the last 24 hours. Its lowest valuation of the day was US$2.66, while its highest was US$2.28.

Today’s crypto news to know

US Bitcoin ETFs log US$1.11 billion outflow in third straight week

US spot Bitcoin ETFs recorded a third straight week of redemptions, with investors pulling roughly US$1.11 billion from November 10 to 14.

BlackRock’s IBIT fund accounted for the largest share, shedding more than half a billion dollars in net outflows. Grayscale’s Bitcoin Mini Trust also saw heavy withdrawals as investors exercised cautious sentiment despite its large historical asset base.

The continued drawdown pushed total spot Bitcoin ETF assets to around US$125 billion, representing just under 7 percent of Bitcoin’s market capitalization.

Rising political and macro uncertainty has dampened demand, particularly after concerns surrounding a potential Trump tariff plan.

CZ floats plan to reinvest any returned portion of Binance’s US$4.3 billion fine

Changpeng Zhao signaled that if the U.S. government ever refunded any part of the US$4.3 billion settlement paid by Binance, he would direct the money back into American industries.

Zhao’s remark on X followed public discussion about whether a presidential pardon affects the status of corporate financial penalties. He clarified that he has not asked for any reimbursement and acknowledged that expecting a refund would be unrealistic.

Legal analysts note that his personal pardon does not automatically void Binance’s corporate settlement, which stemmed from anti–money laundering and sanctions failures.

The pardon has also generated accusations of impropriety, including claims of hidden crypto payments to the Trump campaign.

ICIJ report flags billions in illicit crypto flows

A new investigative report from the International Consortium of Investigative Journalists (ICIJ) claims that major exchanges continued handling funds linked to organized crime even while under heightened US scrutiny.

The review of transaction records between 2023 and 2025 found that platforms such as Binance and OKX processed large volumes of transfers tied to scam networks, drug-trafficking groups, and state-backed hacking operations.

Binance allegedly received more than US$400 million from accounts connected to Huione Group, a Cambodia-based hub widely used by Chinese criminal gangs. Meanwhile, OKX was linked to over US$200 million from the same network, including flows that continued after Huione was labeled a primary money-laundering concern by US authorities.

The report also traced stolen funds from a US$1.5 billion North Korean hacking spree, identifying surges of deposits into Binance addresses routed through THORChain.

Additional cases tied some exchanges to fentanyl traffickers, cartel-linked launderers, and entities supporting North Korea’s weapons program.

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

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

This post appeared first on investingnews.com

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Equity Metals Extends the No 3 Vein to Depth at the Silver Queen Property, BC

Investing 9 Mins Read

Equity Metals Corporation (TSXV: EQTY,OTC:EQMEF) (FSE: EGSD) (OTCQB: EQMEF) (‘Equity’) reports new precious and base metal assays from the Summer ’25 drill program on its 100% owned Silver Queen Au-Ag project, British Columbia, which continue to extend the projection of mineralization in the No. 3 Vein beyond the limits of the Company’s 2022 Resource Estimate.

Assay highlights from the latest drilling include:

  • A 1.3 metre (Est. TT) interval averaging 4.7g/t Au, 471g/t Ag, 2.5% Cu, 0.3% Pb and 1.5% Zn (1,128g/t AgEq or 15.6g/t AuEq), including a 0.7 metre (est. TT) interval grading 8.9g/t Au, 890g/t Ag, 4.8% Cu, 0.3% Pb and 0.2% Zn (2,042g/t AgEq or 28.2g/t AuEq) from SQ25-160; and

  • A 1.7 metre (Est. TT) interval averaging 0.2g/t Au, 519g/t Ag, 0.1% Cu, 2.8% Pb and 9.5% Zn (910g/t AgEq or 12.6g/t AuEq) including 0.4 metre (est. TT) interval grading 2,026g/t Ag, 0.1% Cu, 7.9% Pb and 14.5% Zn (2,687g/t AgEq or 37.1g/t AuEq) from SQ25-164.

Drilling continues to extend mineralization along strike and to depth along the northwest extension of the No. 3 vein and has now tested down-dip of previously released high-grade intercepts from 2024 drilling (eg: SQ24-136: 7.6m est TT. averaging 431g/t AgEq; see NR-15-24, December 17, 2024) and along strike of intercepts from earlier in 2025 (eg: SQ25-148: 3.5m averaging 536g/t AgEq; see NR-07-25, August 11, 2025). Mineralization now extends to depths of 450 metres below surface. Multiple veins have been intersected in most of these holes, including veins that have historically been identified as the No. 3 and No. 2 veins. Several additional hangingwall and footwall intercepts have been identified and drilling continues to provide definition to each of the vein sets and mineralized segments.

Of note, mineralization related to the No. 3 Vein is adjacent to historical mine workings, providing potential access advantages in any future development scenarios.

VP Exploration Rob Macdonald commented, ‘The Summer ’25 drill program successfully extended mineralization in the No. 3 and No. 2 vein sets for up to 650 metres laterally and to depths of 450 metres below surface. Mineralization identified in the current drill program continues to expand and develop continuity within the vein sets and is accretive to previously modelled mineral resources on the Silver Queen Project. Work in 2025 will continue to incorporate the new drill data into a revised exploration and resource model, in anticipation of a Mineral Resource update to be prepared in Q1 ’26, and to continue exploration on the ever-expanding Silver Queen vein system in 2026.’

2025 Exploration Program Summary

Twenty-one core holes totalling 8,143 metres were drilled on the No. 3 North target. Assays have been returned from 19 holes. Assays from two holes which tested the furthest lateral projections of the No. 2 and No. 3 vein sets, are pending. A short sampling surface program consisting of reconnaissance soil and stream sediment samples was completed. The program was designed to investigate several district-scale targets outboard from the No. 3 Vein system in preparation of potential drill testing in 2026.

The No. 3 Vein system contains the single largest resource currently identified on the Silver Queen property, and along with its southern extension, the NG-3 Vein, account for 65% of the currently modelled mineral resource on a AgEq basis. Extensions to the No. 3 Vein should be highly accretive to the current mineral resource. The current NI43-101 Mineral Resource Estimate, with an effective date of December 1st, 2022, is detailed in a News Release issued on Jan 16, 2023 and can be found by clicking here. The full Technical Report can be found on SEDAR and on the Company’s website.

Figure 1: Plan of Silver Queen project area 

To view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit:
https://images.newsfilecorp.com/files/5566/274594_1ac3ab689460bbed_002full.jpg

Figure 2: No.3 North Longitudinal Section showing historical and 2024-25 drill intercepts. Historical Intercepts are semi-transparent. Drill holes with assays pending are shown in green

To view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit:
https://images.newsfilecorp.com/files/5566/274594_1ac3ab689460bbed_003full.jpg

Table 1: Select Composites from 2025 Drilling on the No. 3 North Target

Hole # From
 (m)		 To
 (m)		 Interval (m) Au
 (g/t)		 Ag
 (g/t)		 Cu
 (%)		 Pb 
(%)		 Zn
 (%)		 AgEq
 (g/t)		 AuEq
 (g/t)
ETT
(m)
SQ25-160 344.0 344.5 0.5 0.4 1.4 280 0.8 0.1 0.2 473 6.5
SQ25-160 355.0 356.5 1.5 1.3 4.7 471 2.5 0.3 1.5 1128 15.6
inc. 355.7 356.5 0.8 0.7 8.9 890 4.8 0.3 0.2 2042 28.2
SQ25-160 390.9 398.4 7.5 6.3 0.4 33 0.2 0.1 1.2 127 1.8
inc. 393.3 396.0 2.8 2.3 0.8 78 0.4 0.2 3.2 292 4.0
inc. 393.3 393.8 0.5 0.4 2.5 327 1.7 0.9 15.9 1223 16.9
SQ25-160 405.6 406.6 1.1 0.9 0.6 130 1.5 0.5 1.2 376 5.2
SQ25-161 329.5 330.2 0.6 0.4 0.2 129 0.2 1.8 1.0 239 3.3
SQ25-161 432.6 434.6 1.9 1.2 0.6 134 0.4 0.1 0.5 242 3.3
SQ25-162 457.6 458.4 0.8 0.6 7.7 804 4.7 0.2 0.1 1845 25.5
SQ25-162 465.7 466.6 0.9 0.7 1.9 60 1.2 0.0 0.2 327 4.5
SQ25-162 469.8 471.0 1.2 0.9 1.9 40 0.2 0.2 1.0 235 3.2
inc. 469.8 470.4 0.6 0.5 3.4 55 0.4 0.1 0.3 353 4.9
SQ25-162 543.9 544.5 0.5 0.4 0.1 85 0.1 5.2 3.2 319 4.4
SQ25-163 NSV NSV NSV NSV NSV NSV NSV NSV NSV NSV NSV
SQ25-164 330.0 330.4 0.4 0.3 0.3 118 2.8 0.6 1.0 477 6.6
SQ25-164 393.0 394.3 1.3 1.0 1.3 17 0.1 0.2 1.1 163 2.2
SQ25-164 450.0 452.1 2.1 1.7 0.2 519 0.1 2.8 9.5 910 12.6
inc. 450.5 450.9 0.5 0.4 0.0 2026 0.1 7.9 14.5 2687 37.1
SQ25-165 433.8 434.2 0.4 0.3 0.5 18 0.0 0.5 7.8 320 4.4
SQ25-165 507.9 508.3 0.4 0.3 2.1 65 0.6 0.7 1.6 346 4.8
SQ25-165 511.4 512.9 1.5 1.0 0.4 47 0.3 0.6 2.4 200 2.8

Notes: drill core samples were analyzed by FA/AAS for gold and 48 element ICP-MS by MS Analytical, Langley, BC. Silver (>100ppm), copper, lead and zinc (>1%) overlimits assayed by ore grade ICP-ES analysis, High silver overlimits (>1000g/t Ag) and gold overlimits (>10g/t Au) re-assayed with FA-Grav. Silver >10,000g/t re-assayed by concentrate analysis, where a FA-Grav analysis is performed in triplicate and a weighed average reported. Downhole composites calculated using a 80g/t AgEq (1g/t AuEq) cut-off and <20% internal dilution, except where noted. Accuracy of results is tested through the systematic inclusion of QA/QC standards, blanks and duplicates into the sample stream. AuEq and AgEq were calculated using prices of $2,360/oz Au, $28.50/oz Ag, $4.25/lb Cu, $0.90/lb Pb and $1.20/lb Zn. AuEq and AgEq calculations utilized relative metallurgical recoveries of Au 70%, Ag 80%, Cu 80%, Pb 81% and Zn 90%.

Table 2: Collar Survey data

Hole # Survey Data Collar Data
UTM Coordinates_NAD83Z11 AZ DIP Depth
Easting Northing Elev (m) Deg Deg (m)
SQ25-160 648968 5995992 949 195 -46 477
SQ25-161 648968 5995993 948 204 -53 477
SQ25-162 648968 5995993 948 192 -58 558
SQ25-163 648968 5995993 948 212 -62 561
SQ25-164 648969 5995993 948 217 -47 537
SQ25-165 648969 5995993 948 228 -56 582

 

About Silver Queen Project

The Silver Queen Project is a premier gold-silver property with over 100 years of historic exploration and development and is located adjacent to power, roads and rail with significant mining infrastructure that was developed under previous operators Bradina JV (Bralorne Mines) and Houston Metals Corp. (a Hunt Brothers company). The property contains an historic decline into the No. 3 Vein and the George Lake Vein, as well as camp infrastructure and a maintained Tailings Facility.

The Silver Queen Property consists of 46 mineral claims, 17 crown grants, and two surface crown grants totalling 18,871ha with no underlying royalties. Mineralization is hosted by a series of epithermal veins distributed over a 6 sq km area. More than 20 different veins have been identified on the property, forming an extensive network of zoned Cretaceous- to Tertiary-age epithermal veins. The property remains largely under-explored.

About Equity Metals Corporation

Equity Metals Corporation is a member of the Malaspina-Manex Group. The Company owns 100% interest, with no underlying royalty, in the Silver Queen project, located along the Skeena Arch in the Omineca Mining Division, British Columbia. The property hosts high-grade, precious- and base-metal veins related to a buried porphyry system, which has been only partially delineated. The Company also has a controlling JV interest (57.49%) in the Monument Diamond project, NWT, strategically located in the Lac De Gras district within 40 km of both the Ekati and Diavik diamond mines. As well, the Company has an option to acquire a 100% interest in the Arlington Property, located within the Boundary District of south-central British Columbia where 2025 exploration work consisted of geophysics and diamond drilling designed to identify and delineate an apparent gold system.

Robert Macdonald, MSc. P.Geo, is VP Exploration of Equity Metals Corporation and a Qualified Person as defined by National Instrument 43-101. He is responsible for the supervision of the exploration on the Silver Queen project and for the preparation of the technical information in this disclosure. He has reviewed and approved this news release.

On behalf of the Board of Directors
‘Joseph Anthony Kizis, Jr.’

Joseph Anthony Kizis, Jr., P.Geo
President, Director, Equity Metals Corporation

For further information, visit the website at https://www.equitymetalscorporation.com; or contact us at 604.641.2759 or by email at corpdev@mnxltd.com.

Neither 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 release. This news release may contain forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements address future events and conditions and therefore involve inherent risks and uncertainties. Actual results may differ materially from those currently anticipated in such statements. Factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those in forward looking statements include the timing and receipt of government and regulatory approvals, and continued availability of capital and financing and general economic, market or business conditions. Equity Metals Corporation does not assume any obligation to update or revise its forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except to the extent required by applicable law.

To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/274594

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Locksley Enters into Sponsored Research Agreement with Columbia University to Develop Advanced Sustainable Processing Technologies for Rare Earth Elementsand Critical Metal Recovery

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Locksley Resources, Ltd. (ASX: LKY,OTC:LKYRF; OTCQX: LKYRF) announced the company has formalized a research collaboration with Columbia University, one of the United States’ premier institutions in sustainable mineral processing, to advance next-generation recovery and separation of REEs and other energy and technology critical metals from geologic resources in the Mountain Pass region, California.

The research program will be led by Professor Greeshma Gadikota, Director of the Lenfest Center for Sustainable Energy at Columbia University and a leading researcher in electrochemical and CO assisted mineral processing technologies.

The collaboration will work to develop an integrated technology platform for the advanced characterization, recovery and separation of REEs and transition metals from carbonatite, monazite, and silicate ores within the Clark Mountain District, the geological district that hosts both the El Campo Prospect and the adjacent Mountain Pass Mine. More information is available here: https://cdn-api.markitdigital.com/apiman-gateway/ASX/asx-research/1.0/file/2924-03023756-6A1297315&v=undefined.

‘This collaboration with Columbia University expands our U.S. research partnerships into rare earths, complementing our DeepSolv DES work with Rice University on antimony,’ said Kerrie Matthews, chief executive officer of Locksley. ‘Together, these programs significantly strengthen the technical foundation of our U.S. Mine-to-Market strategy and broaden our exposure to emerging American developed processing technologies.

‘The Columbia and Rice University programs together underpin Locksley’s advanced processing strategy in the U.S. Rice University’s work on green hydrometallurgical extraction of antimony and advanced energy storage materials directly complements Columbia’s electrochemical recovery of rare earths, creating a unified, dual-pathway platform for American-controlled critical mineral processing,’ explained Matthews.

Locksley Resources (https://www.locksleyresources.com.au) is focused on critical minerals in the U.S. The company is actively advancing the Mojave Project in California, targeting rare earth elements (REEs) and antimony. Locksley is executing a mine-to-market strategy for antimony, aimed at reestablishing domestic supply chains for critical materials, underpinned by strategic downstream technology partnerships with leading U.S. research institutions and industry partners. This integrated approach, combined with resource development with innovative processing and separation technologies, positions Locksley to play a key role in advancing U.S. critical minerals independence.

Contact: Beverly Jedynak, beverly.jedynak@viriathus.com, 312-943-1123; 773-350-5793.

View original content:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/locksley-enters-into-sponsored-research-agreement-with-columbia-university-to-develop-advanced-sustainable-processing-technologies-for-rare-earth-elements-ree-and-critical-metal-recovery-302616514.html

SOURCE Locksley Resources

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Spartan Metals Commences Trading on the OTCQB under Symbol SPRMF

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(TheNewswire)

Vancouver, Canada TheNewswire – November 17, 2025 Spartan Metals Corp. (‘ Spartan ‘ or the ‘ Company ‘) (TSX-V: W | OTCQB: SPRMF) is pleased to announce effective today, the Company’s common shares have commenced trading on the OTCQB® Venture Market (‘OTCQB’) in the United States (‘U.S.’) under the symbol ‘SPRMF’. The Company’s common shares will continue to trade on the TSX Venture Exchange under the symbol ‘W’.

Brett Marsh, Spartan’s President and CEO, comments, ‘Spartan’s mission is to unlock America’s critical mineral resources through its flagship Eagle tungsten-silver-rubidium project in Nevada. Therefore, it makes sense that our common shares are listed on the OTCQB so U.S. based investors can participate in the Company’s growth. Our OTC listing will amplify our marketing efforts and support our strategy of introducing the Company to a broader audience of potential investors. The OTCQB is an efficient way for Spartan to gain access to the largest pool of equity capital in the world, while offering potential investors in the U.S. enhanced trading liquidity.’

In addition to being upgraded to the OTCQB, the Company is eligible with the Depository Trust Company (‘DTC’) for its common shares.  DTC is a subsidiary of the Depository Trust & Clearing Corporation, a US company that manages the electronic clearing and settlement of publicly traded companies.  DTC eligibility permits shares of Spartan to be distributed, settled and served through DTC’s automated processes, leveraging the efficiencies created through the electronic clearing and settlement of securities for investors and brokers trading Canadian securities in the US.

Information relating to Spartan as well as real-rime price quotes will be available on www.otcmarkets.com . The OTCQB, operated by the OTC Markets Group Inc., is the premier marketplace for entrepreneurial and development stage companies that are committed to providing a high-quality trading and information experience for their US investors. To be eligible, companies must be current in their financial reporting and undergo an annual company verification and management certification process. The OTCQB quality standards provide a strong baseline of transparency, as well as the technology and regulation to improve the information and trading experience for investors.

Investor Relations Agreement

Effective November 20, 2025, subject to regulatory approval, the Company has engaged ValPal Management Consultancy (‘ValPal’), a private company headquartered in Dubai, UAE, to provide investor-focused media and distribution services to increase awareness of the Company. The cost of the 12-month campaign is US$8,000 payable on November 20, 2025. ValPal is arm’s length to the Spartan and currently holds no securities in the Company. Jasper Wijk is the co-founder of ValPal and will be responsible for all activities related to the Company.

About Spartan Metals Corp.

Spartan Metals is focused on developing critical minerals projects in top-tier mining jurisdictions in the Western United States, with an emphasis on building a portfolio of diverse strategic defense minerals such as Tungsten, Rubidium, Antimony, Bismuth, and Arsenic.

Spartan’s flagship project is the Eagle Project in eastern Nevada that consists of the highest-grade historic tungsten resource in the USA (the past-producing Tungstonia Mine) along with significant under-defined resources consisting of: high-grade rubidium; antimony; bismuth; indium; as well as precious and base metals. More information about Spartan Metals can be found at www.SpartanMetals.com

On behalf of the Board of Spartan

‘Brett Marsh’

President, CEO & Director

Further Information:

Brett Marsh, M.Sc., MBA, CPG

President, CEO & Director

1-888-535-0325

info@spartanmetals.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 press release

Forward Looking Statements

This news release contains statements that constitute ‘forward-looking statements.’ Such forward looking statements involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that may cause the Company’s actual results, performance or achievements, or developments in the industry to differ materially from the anticipated results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements are statements that are not historical facts and are generally, but not always, identified by the words ‘expects,’ ‘plans,’ ‘anticipates,’ ‘believes,’ ‘intends,’ ‘estimates,’ ‘projects,’ ‘potential’ and similar expressions, or that events or conditions ‘will,’ ‘would,’ ‘may,’ ‘could’ or ‘should’ occur. Forward-Looking Information in this news release, Spartan has applied several material assumptions, including, but not limited to, assumptions that: the current objectives concerning the Company’s projects can be achieved and that its other corporate activities will proceed as expected; that general business and economic conditions will not change in a materially adverse manner; and that all requisite information will be available in a timely manner.

Although the Company believes the forward-looking information contained in this news release is reasonable based on information available on the date hereof, 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.  By their nature, these statements involve a variety of assumptions, known and unknown risks and uncertainties and other factors, which may cause actual results, levels of activity and achievements to differ materially from those expressed or implied by such statements.

Examples of such assumptions, risks and uncertainties include, without limitation, assumptions, risks and uncertainties associated with general economic conditions; adverse industry events; future legislative and regulatory developments; the Company’s ability to access sufficient capital from internal and external sources, and/or inability to access sufficient capital on favorable terms; the ability of the Company to implement its business strategies; competition; the ability of the Company to obtain and retain all applicable regulatory and other approvals and other assumptions, risks and uncertainties.

THE FORWARD-LOOKING INFORMATION CONTAINED IN THIS NEWS RELEASE REPRESENTS THE EXPECTATIONS OF THE COMPANY AS OF THE DATE OF THIS NEWS RELEASE AND, ACCORDINGLY, IS SUBJECT TO CHANGE AFTER SUCH DATE. READERS SHOULD NOT PLACE UNDUE IMPORTANCE ON FORWARD-LOOKING INFORMATION AND SHOULD NOT RELY UPON THIS INFORMATION AS OF ANY OTHER DATE. WHILE THE COMPANY MAY ELECT TO, IT DOES NOT UNDERTAKE TO UPDATE THIS INFORMATION AT ANY PARTICULAR TIME EXCEPT AS REQUIRED IN ACCORDANCE WITH APPLICABLE LAWS.

Copyright (c) 2025 TheNewswire – All rights reserved.

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Mike Maloney: Gold, Silver Bull Run in Final Phase, I Expect “Spectacular” Prices

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Mike Maloney, founder of GoldSilver.com, explains why this time really is different for gold and silver, pointing to factors including growing mainstream adoption.

‘This to me signals the beginning of the third and final phase of the bull market — and that is where you have the greatest amount of gains in the shortest period of time,’ he said.

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

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Gold’s Long Game: New Orleans Panelists See More Upside Ahead

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During the Mining Share panel at the New Orleans Investment Conference, participants underscored that the gold bull market will continue — however, just where we are in that bull run was up for debate.

For conference host and Gold Newsletter editor Brien Lundin, there is still some way to go.

“The gold bull market is still in place. We don’t know how long it’s going to last. That’s the hard part. I think gold’s going to US$6,000 to US$8,000 (per ounce) in the cycle, maybe more. (The) mining share bull market, I would say we’re probably in the fourth inning, fifth inning, maybe. But you know, we could go to extra innings,” he said.

Strategic investor Jeff Phillips also believes the gold bull market is at an early stage.

‘I would say that we are in the third or fourth inning,” he said. “This is early on in the bull market, but I do think there’ll be a rain delay, since we’re talking about baseball terminology. I think this is an epic bull market that we’re in.”

Phillips went on to compare today’s setup to past cycles, noting the strong run gold saw between 2003 and 2007, before the financial crisis briefly derailed momentum. Although he anticipates another correction at some point, he remains confident in the broader bull market and said he is continuing to buy and stay patient.

For Jordan Roy-Byrne, understanding the difference between a secular and cyclical bull market is imperative.

“Secular — that’s the major long-term trend that usually lasts a decade or longer. Cyclically, it can be anywhere from two to five years or so,’ explained the editor and publisher of the Daily Gold.

“I think the cyclical bull has three or four more years left. The risk when that gets long in the tooth is then you have what happened at 1975 to 1976, and also 2008 — that’s when you have your 65 or 60 percent decline in the shares.”

Although Roy-Byrne believes that type of correction is “far off into the future,” he was adamant that something like that will happen before the current secular bull market comes to an end.

Jennifer Shaigec, principal at Sandpiper Trading, said central bank buying shows the bull market is in its infancy.

“I think we’re still actually in fairly early innings,” she said. “The underlying fundamentals for why central banks have been buying gold have not changed. In fact, I can see it accelerating.”

Shaigec went on to acknowledge that gold often experiences a seasonal dip at this time of year, and that some investors may be waiting for a pullback. But she emphasized that the broader fundamentals remain strong.

Drawing a parallel to 2008, when gold fell about 22 percent before rebounding above previous highs within six months, she urged investors to keep a long-term perspective and be mentally prepared for short-term volatility. Shaigec also pointed out that gold has historically been among the first assets to recover after market downturns.

Rounding out the panel, Nick Hodge, publisher at Digest Publishing, told attendees that the gold correction has found short-term support at the US$4000 level, but longer-term support is around US$3,600.

“All the fundamental drivers, ie. the debt, central bank buying, etc., are still in place and haven’t abated,” he said. “Silver hasn’t had its move yet, so that tells me we still have some time to go. And GDX, GDXJ just started outperforming the gold price in August, so it’s still early to the middle days in the precious metal bull market.”

What’s next for the gold price?

From there, panel moderator and well-known investor Rick Rule, proprietor at Rule Investment Media, emphasized that the recent pullback in gold is minor in the context of a much larger, long-running bull market.

Rule agreed with Roy-Byrne’s distinction between cyclical dips and broader secular trends, noting that many investors seem rattled by what is essentially a normal fluctuation.

He pointed out that gold is still up dramatically over the past year, and that past cycles have seen far sharper drops — including a 50 percent decline in 1975 — that ultimately didn’t break the long-term trend.

Noting that precious metals cycles tend to follow a familiar pattern, beginning with strength in gold and moving outward into other segments, Rule asked the panel participants which companies in the gold sector — explorers, developers or potential M&A targets — are now best positioned as the market progresses.

For Hodge, exploration and brownfields development are a strong choice as the precious metals cycle evolves.

He noted that the VanEck Gold Miners ETF (ARCA:GDX) outperformed gold over the summer, prompting some investors to take profits and rotate capital into earlier-stage opportunities — momentum he expects to continue.

Hodge added that market cycles now move faster due to the speed of information, accelerating the shift from producers to companies further down the value chain as miners look to replace reserves.

Additionally, he pointed to a growing influx of risk-tolerant investors who cut their teeth in crypto and are increasingly drawn to gold and mining equities as they learn about fiat currency and counterparty risk. Their appetite for speculation, he said, is likely to push more capital into smaller, higher-risk exploration names over the next year.

Shaigec echoed Hodge’s sentiment.

“I agree there’s a lot of speculative money that has yet to rotate over to precious metals,” she said.

“I’m seeing a lot of oversubscribed private placements. I just think that juniors are still the place to be. There’s some grassroots exploration, which actually hit an all-time low in 2023, and we’ve still had decades of lack of investment in exploration. We have a lot of room yet to run there,’ Shaigec added.

Roy-Byrne advised watching silver, underscoring the value that gold’s sister metal has yet to gain.

“Silver, after this correction, has a chance to make a historic move,” he told the audience. “We’re probably going to see a lot of money jump in next year when that happens.”

Referring to an analogy he once heard, Phillips compared a precious metals bull market to the crack of a whip: producers move first, followed by mid-tier and single-asset developers, with exploration companies snapping into action at the very end. In his view, the market is only just reaching that final stage, and explorers have yet to see real upside.

Phillips also echoed other panelists’ comments that younger crypto investors are becoming more aware of inflation, money printing and the value of hard assets.

That shift, he said, is already showing up in unconventional moves, from stablecoin companies buying gold royalties to major tech firms and even governments directing capital into mining-related assets.

All of that suggests the speculative end of the sector is only beginning to come alive, he said.

Expert stock picks — Gold, silver, copper, nickel and uranium

Toward the end of the discussion, Rule asked each panelist to provide stock picks for the attentive audience.

First was Lundin, who praised the list of more than 100 exhibitors at the 51st New Orleans Investment Conference.

He recommended Delta Resources (TSXV:DLTA,OTCQB:DTARF), highlighting its “large, still undefined, gold resource in the Thunder Bay region.” He also likes Getchell Gold (CSE:GTCH,OTCQB:GGLDF), a company focused on gold in Nevada, and Seabridge Gold (TSX:SEA,NYSE:SA), which he dubbed a “permanent optionality play.”

For Phillips, Empress Royalty’s (TSXV:EMPR,OTCQB:EMPYF) management team, cashflow-positive status and focus on gold and silver puts the company at the top of his list.

Almadex Minerals (TSXV:DEX,OTCQX:AAMMF), where management has a history of finding multimillion-ounce deposits, and prospect generator Headwater Gold (CSE:HWG,OTCQB:HWAUF), were also among his stock selections.

Shaigec veered away from precious metals in recommending SPC Nickel (TSXV:SPC,OTCQX:SPCNF), a company with good geology and a management team that owns 36 percent of the firm’s shares.

She also mentioned Pacifica Silver (CSE:PSIL,OTCQB:PAGFF) citing the company’s recent private placement, which included First Majestic Silver (TSX:AG,NYSE:AG). Her last stock pick and “absolute favorite” is Camino Minerals (TSXV:COR,OTCID:CAMZF), a Peru-focused copper company with good management.

Rounding out the list were Hodge’s selections, starting with Northshore Uranium (TSXV:NSU) due to its US deposit. He also chose Kincora Copper (TSXV:KCC,OTCQB:BZDLF), citing its small market cap, strong investor interest and robust portfolio, and Kingsmen Resources (TSXV:KNG,OTCQX:KNGRF), a company that has seen its share price grow from C$0.25 to C$0.75 in the last year.

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

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