Wide Open Agriculture (WOA:AU) has announced Chinese Market Approval for WOA’s Lupin Protein Isolate
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Craig Hemke of TFMetalsReport.com weighs in on key questions in the gold market, including:
- Why gold is flowing from London to New York.
- What US gold monetization could look like.
- What an audit of Fort Knox might uncover.
Watch the interview above for more from Hemke on those topics and more.
Securities Disclosure: I, Charlotte McLeod, hold no direct investment interest in any company mentioned in this article.
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Equinox Gold (TSX:EQX,NYSEAMERICAN:EQX) and Calibre Mining (TSX:CXB,OTCQX:CXBMF) have entered into a definitive arrangement agreement to merge, creating a major diversified gold producer in the Americas.
The deal will see Equinox acquire all the outstanding common shares of Calibre in an all-stock transaction, forming a new entity that will continue operating under the Equinox name.
The merger will establish a gold producer with a presence across five countries, anchored by two key Canadian assets: the Greenstone gold mine in Ontario and the Valentine gold mine in Newfoundland and Labrador.
When at full capacity, these mines are expected to produce an average of 590,000 ounces of gold per year.
Overall, Equinox is anticipating production of approximately 950,000 ounces of gold in 2025, with the potential to exceed 1.2 million ounces annually as its cornerstone assets reach full capacity.
Under the terms of the agreement, Calibre shareholders will receive 0.31 Equinox shares for each Calibre share held.
Once the deal is complete, Equinox shareholders will own approximately 65 percent of the new entity, with former Calibre shareholders holding the remaining 35 percent. The new company’s expected market cap is C$7.7 billion.
Equinox CEO Greg Smith called the merger a “transformative step forward” for both companies, stating, “By combining our assets, teams, and financial strength, we are creating a leading Americas-focused gold producer with enhanced scale, resilience, and the ability to generate significant long-term value for our shareholders and stakeholders.”
The new company will also benefit from the expertise of mining industry veterans, including Ross Beaty and Featherstone Capital’s Blayne Johnson and Doug Forster, all of whom will serve on the Equinox board of directors.
The announcement follows Equinox’s record-breaking financial and operational performance in 2024. The company sold 623,579 ounces of gold, generating US$1.5 billion in revenue and US$430 million in operating cashflow.
Results were driven in part by the successful ramp up of production at Greenstone, which achieved commercial production in November 2024 and contributed more than 111,700 ounces of gold in its first partial year of operation.
Additional details on the merger and the new entity’s financial outlook will be provided in Equinox’s upcoming audited consolidated financial statements, which are expected in mid-March.
Securities Disclosure: I, Giann Liguid, hold no direct investment interest in any company mentioned in this article.
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Trigg Minerals Limited (ASX: TMG| OTCQB: TMGLF) (‘Trigg’ or the ‘Company’) has announced Unlocking a New High-Grade Antimony-Tungsten Structure Adds Potential to Wild Cattle Creek.
HIGHLIGHTS
- Trigg has confirmed high-grade antimony and tungsten mineralisation beneath the primary Wild Cattle Creek deposit, with assays of 2.14% tungsten (Hole 10WRD16) and 27.6% antimony (Hole 10WRD16W) (refer Appendix 1).
- The parallel structure is characterised by average grades of 13% antimony (Sb) and 1.03% tungsten (W).
- The 2024 MRE omitted the parallel structure, which lies 35m north of WCC and remains open along strike (west) and at depth.
- Both the WCC alteration halo and the parallel structure indicate a significant westward increase in antimony and tungsten grades, underscoring robust resource upgrade potential.
- Limited historical focus on tungsten presents a significant opportunity to unlock additional resources and value through further exploration and assessment.
- Wild Cattle Creek is Australia’s widest known antimony deposit, with an average mineralised width of 20 meters, significantly exceeding typical narrow vein-hosted Sb deposits in the region.
- Drilling results reveal an underlying gold system and robust enrichment within the stockwork alteration of the Wild Cattle Creek antimony deposit, suggesting further exploration could unlock additional value like Hillgrove and Costerfield.
The recent Chinese government suspension of tungsten exports, effective February 2025, has sent shockwaves through global markets. China is the world’s dominant supplier, responsible for over 80% of global tungsten production, making this a pivotal moment for alternative sources to emerge.
Trigg Minerals’ (ASX: TMG) Wild Cattle Creek deposit at its 100% owned Achilles Project is now in sharp focus. Previously overlooked in historical drilling, the high-grade tungsten mineralisation could be crucial in securing a domestic supply of this critical mineral.
Wild Cattle Creek has long been known for its high-grade antimony, with Trigg recently upgrading the Mineral Resource Estimate (MRE) to 1.52Mt at 1.G7% Sb, containing 2G,G02 tonnes of antimony comprising 0.G6Mt at 2.02% Sb (Indicated) and 0.56Mt at 1.88% Sb (Inferred); see ASX announcement dated 19 December 2024. However, tungsten mineralisation—strongly associated with the alteration selvage near high-grade antimony zones—has largely been overlooked.
Trigg has confirmed that high-grade antimony and tungsten (Figure 1; Table 1) are also present in a subparallel vein lying approximately 35m beneath (i.e. north of) the primary Wild Cattle Creek system. This vein extends over 100 metres in the westernmost sections of the deposit. It remains open at depth and along strike, highlighting the strong potential for additional resources in antimony and tungsten.
Click here for the full ASX Release
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Gold royalty companies offer investors exposure to gold and silver with the benefits of diversification, lower risk and a steady income stream.
Royalty companies operating in the resource sector will typically agree to provide funding for the exploration or development of a resource in exchange for a percentage of revenue from the deposit if it begins producing. Similarly, a company with a streaming model may work out an agreement with a resource company for a share of the metal produced from a deposit in exchange for an investment.
These kinds of arrangements benefit both parties. Streamers get access to the underlying commodity at a fixed price and are shielded from cost overruns and spikes in production. Further, if there is a price decrease the metals can be warehoused until the market conditions improve. In both cases, mining companies receive considerable upfront investment during the expensive construction and expansion phases, and unlike loans these investments have longer-term payouts at a fixed amount.
Let’s take a deeper look at how royalties and streaming works, their benefits and the gold and silver royalty and streaming stocks you can invest in.
In this article
How do gold and silver royalties work?
Gold and silver royalty agreements involve royalty companies agreeing to provide funding for the exploration or development of a precious metals resource in exchange for a percentage of revenue from the deposit if it begins producing metals.
The foundation for royalties dates back a few hundred years. Originally, they were payments made to the British monarchy in exchange for miners’ rights to operate gold and silver mining operations on lands held by the crown. Today, these arrangements still exist, with mining operators paying the government a share of the revenues generated from exploiting resources on public lands.
The first royalty paid to a company in the gold sector was an agreement in 1986 in which Franco-Nevada (TSX:FNV,NYSE:FNV) made a US$2 million investment into Western States Minerals’ Goldstrike small heap-leach mine in Nevada, US, for a 4 percent share of revenues collected from the mine. Western States was sold the same year to Barrick Gold (TSX:ABX,NYSE:GOLD). Barrick discovered a far larger resource at the site and the royalty has since earned Franco-Nevada more than US$1 billion.
This early example set a precedent for the industry. It saw Franco-Nevada, which was then a gold exploration company, lock itself into what became one of the largest gold mineral resources in the world at a relatively low overhead while avoiding future costs associated with the growth and maintenance of the mine.
How do gold and silver streams work?
Gold and silver streams work in a similar manner to the royalty model but returns are in the form of physical metals rather than funds. In return for investing in an asset, a gold streaming company may work out an agreement with a resource company for a share of the metal produced from a deposit, or for the ability to purchase the metal at a lower price than market value.
This is also a popular model with base metal mining companies whose operations result in gold and/or silver by-products. In these cases, gold and silver streaming companies may work out a deal with a base metal mining operation to take delivery of a certain amount of precious metals at an agreed upon price.
The Goldstrike royalty made Franco-Nevada what it is today, but its largest contributing asset in its portfolio is a deal with Lundin Mining (TSX:LUN,OTC Pink:LUNMF) for a stream of the gold and silver resources extracted from its Candelaria copper mine in Chile.
Under the terms of the deal, which was part of Lundin’s 2014 acquisition of Freeport-McMoRan’s (NYSE:FCX) stake in Candelaria, Franco-Nevada provided a US$648 million deposit in exchange for a 68 percent stream of the asset’s silver and gold. This will lower to 40 percent once 720,000 ounces of gold and 12 million ounces of silver have been delivered, which the company currently predicts will take place in 2027.
While Franco-Nevada does have to pay for the metal, the agreed upon amount is far under the current market value. At the time, the deal was set at US$400 for each ounce of gold and US$4 per ounce of silver with a 1 percent inflationary adjustment, or market price if that was less.
Are royalty and streaming companies a good investment?
Royalty and streaming companies are largely seen as a lower-risk investment than mining companies. Lower operational costs and higher portfolio diversification means they are hedged against a mine shutdown, natural disaster, market forces or the politics that may affect the nature of an operation or project. However, that’s not to say royalty and streaming deals aren’t without their risks.
In many ways, gold royalty companies are like venture capitalists in the tech industry, working to fund many projects in the hopes that some will see big payoffs that offset the loss from the ones that don’t make it. This means they need large access to funding in order to build their portfolios.
To get funding, royalty and streaming companies have several options: using cash on hand, raising debt through loans or issuing more shares. Each of these options carries risk. Using cash to pay for investments could reduce the size of the safety net and eat into company liquidity, debt needs to be managed to ensure that payments don’t exceed income and the issuance of stock could lead to an overall devaluation of share price and impact investor sentiment.
Once companies have developed strong cash flows and good liquidity, they are able to take advantage of their own reserves, without the need to worry about loans or stock dilution. The same cannot be said for the up-and-coming companies who need to rely on external funding to make deals, making them riskier.
These companies provide a good entry point for investors with lower share price, and have more potential to return higher percentage gains in share price, they also bear more risk. With more reliance on raising external capital, there is a greater need for deals to be successful and a greater chance for a company to incur more debt load or stock dilution.
Diverse portfolios can help reduce the risk associated with a royalty company, and companies like Franco-Nevada have the industry knowledge and financial capital to take some risks. As of February 2025, the company has 432 assets on their books; 117 are producing, 38 are in the advanced stages of development. It’s the 277 more that are in the exploration phase that represents the greatest risk, many of which will never provide returns.
Of course, unforeseen events can affect both mining and royalty companies alike, particularly when assets that take up a larger percentage or a portfolio are affected. Franco-Nevada had more than US$1 billion invested in First Quantum’s (TSX:FM,OTC Pink:FQVLF) Cobre Panama mine before it was shuttered by the Panamanian government following protests at the end of 2023. The mine brought in US$223.3 million for Franco-Nevada in 2022 and represented nearly a quarter of its precious metal income. While it fared better than First Quantum, the royalty company’s share price took a significant hit.
Gold and silver royalty companies
The biggest companies in the precious metals royalty and streaming space have long histories and have built positive reputations on the backs of strong investments. They offer a means for investors to de-risk an entry into the gold sector by maintaining an arms-length attachment to it.
The five gold and silver royalty and streaming companies on this list had market caps above $1 billion in their respective currencies as of February 19, 2025.
1. Wheaton Precious Metals (TSX:WPM,NYSE:WPM)
Company Profile
Market cap: C$44.46 billion
Wheaton Precious Metals was established in 2004 as Silver Wheaton with a focus on silver streaming. Goldcorp held a majority interest, but began to reduce it in 2006 and by 2008 had completely divested itself. By that time, Silver Wheaton had begun to diversify into other precious metals. The following year, Silver Wheaton acquired rival silver streaming stock Silverstone Resources in a C$190 million deal.
Silver Wheaton changed its name in 2017 to Wheaton Precious Metals and has since built itself into one of the largest players in the gold and silver royalty and streaming space, with investments in 13 operating mines and 26 development projects across four continents.
2. Franco-Nevada (TSX:FNV,NYSE:FNV)
Company Profile
Market cap: C$38.23 billion
A trailblazer in the gold royalty business, Franco-Nevada has set a high bar. The current iteration of the company was spun out of Newmont (TSX:NGT,NYSE:NEM) in what became a C$1.1 billion initial public offering, one of the biggest IPOs of 2007.
Franco-Nevada now has a portfolio of more than 100 producing assets around the world with investments in gold, silver, base metal and oil and gas operations, which generate more than US$1.2 billion for the company annually. See the sections above for more information on Franco-Nevada’s royalty and streaming deals.
3. Royal Gold (NASDAQ:RGLD)
Company Profile
Market cap: US$9.82 billion
Royal Gold got its start in 1981 as oil and gas exploration and production company Royal Resources Corporation. Responding to shifts in the overall resource market, by 1987, Royal Gold was born with a focus on building a portfolio of minority positions in significant gold properties operated by major mining firms.
Today, Royal Gold is a leading precious metals streaming and royalty company with interest in 175 properties, of which 42 are producing assets, across 17 countries. One of the most significant principal assets for this gold royalty stock is the Cortez gold mine in Nevada owned by Barrick and Newmont.
4. Osisko Gold Royalties (TSX:OR,NYSE:OR)
Company Profile
Market cap: C$5.1 billion
Osisko Gold Royalties was created in 2014 as a spinoff deal between Osisko Mining (TSX:OSK), Yamana Gold and Agnico Eagle Mines (TSX:AEM,NYSE:AEM). The deal was made in an attempt to prevent a hostile takeover of Osisko Mining and its Canadian Malartic gold complex by Goldcorp.
In the deal, Osisko Gold Royalties carried with it a 5 percent net smelter return royalty from the Canadian Malartic mine. Now owned by Agnico Eagle, the complex in Québec remains a cornerstone of Osisko’s business today.
The gold and silver royalty and streaming company has gone on to acquire 185 assets, 23 of which are producing, across 6 continents with a majority in North America.
5. Sandstorm Gold (TSX:SSL,NYSE:SAND)
Company Profile
Market cap: C$2.5 billion
Sandstorm Gold Royalties was founded in 2008 as a small-startup and has since become a multi-billion dollar gold and silver royalty and streaming company. Its producing assets include Pan American Silver’s (NYSE:PAAS,TSX:PAAS) Ceo Moro gold-silver mine, and Cerrado Gold’s (TSX:CERT,OTCQX:CRDOF) Las Calandrias gold-silver mine, both in Argentina.
Sandstorm’s royalty portfolio boasts more than 230 assets, of which 41 are producing assets, located across more than a dozen countries.
Small-cap gold and silver royalty companies
There are also small-cap gold and silver royalty and streaming companies you can invest in and offer a lower-cost option for investors who are comfortable with a little more risk. Like their larger counterparts, small-cap gold royalty stocks offer a lower-risk investment than getting into a small-cap mining company but still provide access to the underlying precious metals market.
The five small-cap gold and silver royalty companies on this list had market caps above $10 million in their respective currencies as of February 19, 2025.
1. Metalla Royalty & Streaming (TSXV:MTA)
Company Profile
Market cap: C$408.08 million
Metalla Royalty & Streaming focuses on gold, silver and copper projects. The company’s royalty model involves acquiring royalties and streams by offering resource companies Metalla shares and cash.
The mid-tier royalty and streaming company’s asset portfolio includes more than 100 projects across North America, South America and Australia. Its cornerstone assets include IAMGOLD (TSX:IMG,NYSE:IAG) and Sumitomo Metal Mining’s (TSE:5713) Côté gold mine in Ontario, Canada.
2. Gold Royalty (NYSEAMERICAN:GROY)
Company Profile
Market cap: US$242.12 million
Gold Royalty is building a diversified portfolio of more than 200 gold royalty and gold streaming interests based on net smelter return royalties on properties in the Americas.
The company’s revenue generating investments includes one of the most well-known gold-producing mines in the world, Agnico Eagle’s Canadian Malartic complex in Québec.
3. Sailfish Royalty (TSXV:FISH,OTCQX:SROYF)
Company Profile
Market cap: C$112.44 million
Founded in 2014, Sailfish Royalty’s asset portfolio is much smaller than the other gold royalty stocks on this list. It consists of one producing mine as well as two development-stage and two exploration-stage properties in the Americas.
In Nicaragua, Sailfish has a gold stream equivalent to a 3 percent net smelter return on Mako Mining’s (TSXV:MKO,OTCQX:MAKOF) San Albino gold mine and a 2 percent net smelter return on the area surrounding the mine. The company also holds a 13,500 ounce per month silver stream at the property, which will run until May 2025 with the option to extend.
4. Empress Royalty (TSXV:EMPR,OTCQX:EMPYF)
Company Profile
Market cap: C$41.96 million
Empress Royalty’s business model involves investing in mining companies in various stages of exploration through production who need further non-dilutive capital to fund their projects and operations.
Empress’ gold and silver royalty and streaming portfolio includes four producing assets, with two in the Americas and two in Africa: the privately owned Sierra Antapite gold mine in Peru, Luca Mining’s (TSXV:LUCA,OTCQX:LUCMF) Tahuehueto silver mine in Mexico, the privately owned Manica gold project in Mozambique and Golconda Gold’s (TSXV:GG,OTCQB:GGGOF) Galaxy gold mine in South Africa.
5. Silver Crown Royalties (NEO:SCRI,OTCQX:SLCRF)
Company Profile
Market cap: C$16.1 million
Silver Crown Royalties is a revenue-generating silver-only royalty company focusing on silver as by-product credits. The company targets royalty originations on producing or near-producing assets in tier 1 jurisdictions.
Silver Crown has two producing assets in its portfolio: Gold Mountain Mining’s (TSX:GMTN) Elk gold project in British Columbia, Canada, and private Canadian company Pilar Gold’s PGDM mine in Brazil.
Gold and silver royalty ETFs
Those who want more broad exposure to the precious metals markets may want to buy shares of an exchange-traded fund that includes gold and silver royalty and streaming stocks. Here are a few to get you started.
Betashares Global Royalties ETF (ASX:ROYL)
Betashares Global Royalties ETF is an Australian ETF that tracks the performance of an index of global companies that earn a significant amount of their revenue from royalty income, royalty-related income and intellectual property income. The fund’s top holdings include Wheaton Precious Metals, Franco-Nevada and Royal Gold.
Betashares Global Gold Miners ETF (ASX:MNRS)
Betashares Global Gold Miners ETF tracks the performance of an index of the world’s largest gold mining companies outside of Australia, hedged into Australian dollars. Wheaton Precious Metals, Franco-Nevada and Royal Gold are also among the fund’s top holdings.
VanEck Gold Miners ETF (ARCA:GDX)
VanEck Gold Miners ETF is a US gold ETF that aims to replicate the performance of the NYSE Arca Gold Miners Index by holding large-cap gold mining stocks and precious metals royalty companies. As with the other gold ETFs on this list, its top holdings include Wheaton Precious Metals, Franco-Nevada and Royal Gold.
Securities Disclosure: I, Dean Belder, hold no direct investment interest in any company mentioned in this article.
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Tungsten’s importance in a wide range of industrial categories, from smartphones to car batteries, means demand is likely to rise. At the same time, supply chain disruptions and increased production costs are weighing on global supply, making it important to learn about the top global tungsten producers.
Tungsten has many applications. It’s used in electrical wires, as well as in welding, heavy metal alloys, turbine blades and as a lead substitute in bullets. The metal can also be found in heating and electrical contacts.
Tungsten prices have traded upward in recent years, and the industry’s supply and demand dynamics are expected to push the metal higher in 2025 and beyond. Total revenue for the tungsten market is expected to grow at a compound annual growth rate of 8 percent through 2024 to 2032 to reach nearly US$9.49 billion in value.
With that in mind, it’s worth being aware of which countries produce the most tungsten. According to the US Geological Survey, global tungsten production came in at 81,000 metric tons (MT) in 2024, up slightly from 2023’s 79,500 MT. The vast majority of tungsten mining and processing occurs in China. Looking forward to 2025, increased production is seen coming from mines in South Korea and Australia.
Here’s an overview of tungsten production by country in 2024, as per data from the US Geological Survey.
1. China
Tungsten production: 67,000 metric tons
Tungsten reserves: 2.4 million metric tons
In 2024, China produced 67,000 metric tons of tungsten, up by 1,000 MT from 2023. The country is the world’s largest producer of the metal by a wide margin, accounting for more than 80 percent of total annual tungsten output worldwide.
That said, China’s tungsten production has been falling in recent years — the Asian nation has limited the quantity of tungsten-mining and export licenses it awards and has imposed quotas on tungsten concentrate production. The country has also recently increased environmental inspections.
China has been the main source of tungsten imported into the US since 2017, and the country accounted for 27 percent of US tungsten imports in 2024.
In response to US President Donald Trump’s imposition of 10 percent tariffs on imports from China in February 2025, the Government of China immediately announced strict export controls on tungsten and four other key metals used in several important industries, including defense. Tighter tungsten supply out of China may lead to higher prices for the metal despite growing production from ex-China sources.
2. Vietnam
Tungsten production: 3,400 metric tons
Tungsten reserves: 140,000 metric tons
Vietnam’s tungsten production in 2024 came to 3,400 metric tons, down by 100 MT from the previous year. Privately owned Masan Resources runs the Vietnam-based Nui Phao mine, which it says is the largest tungsten-producing mine outside China. It is also one of the lowest-cost producers of tungsten in the world.
In 2024, Vietnam accounted for 8 percent of US tungsten imports.
3. Russia
Tungsten production: 2,000 metric tons
Tungsten reserves: 400,000 metric tons
Russia produced 2,000 metric tons of tungsten in 2024, on par with the last few years. The war between Russia and Ukraine has hampered Russia’s ability to trade and make deliveries of tungsten to the world market as it continues to face sanctions. The Tyrnyauz tungsten-molybdenum mine is the largest tungsten deposit in the country and one of the largest globally.
Russia is a significant supplier of the metal to Europe, but restrictions have increased the continent’s dependency on Chinese imports. At the same time, the war is fueling tungsten demand given the metal’s use in ammunitions.
4. North Korea
Tungsten production: 1,700 metric tons
Tungsten reserves: 29,000 metric tons
In 2024, North Korea produced 1,700 metric tons of tungsten production, up by 100 MT over the previous year. The Mannyŏn mine in North Hwanghae province is the country’s largest tungsten mine. Its name means 10,000 years in reference to its vast reserves.
Tungsten ore is North Korea’s third highest export by value, worth nearly US$26 million in 2023, with the majority being consumed by China. Tungsten’s high spot in North Korea’s export market may be due to the fact that it’s one of the few metals not listed under UN sanctions on the country’s trade.
5. Bolivia
Tungsten production: 1,600 metric tons
Tungsten reserves: Not available
Bolivia’s tungsten production in 2024 was 1,600 metric tons, a gain of 100 MT over the previous year. The South American country has increased its tungsten production since 2014 as a result of moves to promote its tungsten industry. Bolivia accounted for 8 percent of US tungsten imports in 2024.
The Bolivian mining industry is heavily influenced by Comibol, a state-owned mining umbrella company.
6. Rwanda
Tungsten production: 1,200 metric tons
Tungsten reserves: Not available
Rwanda produced 1,200 metric tons of tungsten in 2024, on par with 2023’s output. Tungsten is one of the most common conflict minerals in the world, meaning that at least some of it is produced in war zones and is sold to perpetuate fighting.
While Rwanda has promoted itself as a source of conflict-free minerals, concerns remain about its tungsten output. Nevertheless, it is an important exporter of tungsten, accounting for 31 percent of global tungsten trade in 2022.
One of the largest tungsten producers in Rwanda is privately owned Trilogy Metals, which owns the Nyakabingo tungsten ore mine. Trilogy’s largest shareholder is UK-based private industrial company Techmet, which is working to secure a viable technology metal supply chain.
7. Australia
Tungsten production: 1,000 metric tons
Tungsten reserves: 570,000 metric tons*
In 2024, Australia produced 1,000 metric tons of tungsten. This represents a more than 130 percent jump in output from 2023 levels, taking it from the ninth spot on the previous year’s list to rank seventh in global tungsten production for 2024.
There are several operating tungsten mines in Australia. EQ Resources (ASX:EQR) is an Australian tungsten miner producing the metal at its Mount Carbine asset in North Queensland. On the island state of Tasmania, Group 6 Metals (ASX:G6M) brought the historic Dolphin tungsten mine back into production in 2023. The island also contains private firm Tasmania Mines’ Kara tungsten mine
Tungsten projects under development in Australia include the Molyhil tungsten-molybdenum-copper project located in the Northern Territory. Molyhil is a 75/25 joint venture between Thor Energy (LSE:THR,OTC Pink:THORF) and Investigator Resources (ASX:IVR). According to Mining Database Online (MDO), Investigator is working toward completing a scoping study on Molyhil, based on an updated May 2024 mineral resource estimate, in the first half of 2025.
Another company with Australia-based tungsten projects is Tungsten Mining (ASX:TGN), whose properties include Mount Mulgine, Big Hill and Kilba in Western Australia, as well as Watershed in Northeast Queensland and Hatches Creek in the Northern Territory.
* Joint Ore Reserves Committee-compliant or equivalent reserves were 220,000 metric tons.
8. Austria
Tungsten production: 800 metric tons
Tungsten reserves: 10,000 metric tons
Austria’s tungsten production in 2024 was 800 metric tons, down 50 MT from the previous year. Much of that production can be attributed to Wolfram’s Mittersill mine, which is located in Salzburg and hosts Europe’s largest tungsten deposit.
9. Spain
Tungsten production: 700 metric tons
Tungsten reserves: 66,000 metric tons
Spain produced 700 metric tons of tungsten in 2024, up 50 MT over the previous year.
There are a number of companies engaged in the exploration, development and mining of tungsten assets in Spain. Australia’s EQ Resources, which acquired tungsten producer Saloro in 2023, now controls the Barruecopardo Mining and Processing operation. MDO reports that a program is underway to upgrade the plant and improve recoveries with completion expected by the end of 2025.
As for Spanish tungsten assets under development, Almonty Industries (TSX:AII,OTCQX:ALMTF) owns the permitting-phase Valtreixal tungsten-tin project.
10. Portugal
Tungsten production: 500 metric tons
Tungsten reserves: 3,400 metric tons
In 2024, Portugal produced 500 metric tons in 2024, up by 50 MT from that produced in the previous year.
The European country has the lowest-known tungsten reserves figure out of all the nations on this list, totaling just 3,400 MT. Almonty Industries’ Panasqueira mine is Portugal’s largest tungsten-producing operation. ‘The Panasqueira Mine has some of the highest tungsten recovery rates in the industry, consistently averaging 80 (percent),’ MDO states.
Securities Disclosure: I, Melissa Pistilli, hold no direct investment interest in any company mentioned in this article.
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Here’s a quick recap of the crypto landscape for Monday (February 24) as of 9:00 p.m. UTC.
Bitcoin and Ethereum price update
Bitcoin (BTC) is currently trading at US$94,006.38 reflecting a decrease of 1.9 percent over the past 24 hours. The day’s trading range has seen a high of US$95,658 and a low of US$93,775.
Ethereum (ETH) is priced at US$2,640.58, marking a decline of 5.58 percent over the same period. The cryptocurrency reached an intraday high of US$2,678 and a low of US$2,633.
Altcoin price update
- Solana (SOL) is currently valued at US$151.06, down 9.8 percent over the past 24 hours. SOL experienced a high of US$158 and a low of US$150 during Monday’s trading session.
- XRP is trading at US$2.43, reflecting a 4.8 percent decrease over the past 24 hours. The cryptocurrency recorded an intraday high of US$2.48 and a low of US$2.40.
- Sui (SUI) is priced at US$3, showing a 9.9 percent decrease over the past 24 hours. It achieved a daily high of US$3.19 and a low of US$2.98.
- Cardano (ADA) is trading at US$0.7176, reflecting a 6.4 percent decrease over the past 24 hours. Its highest price on Monday was US$0.7327, with a low of US$0.7133.
Crypto news to know
Hackers steal US$1.5 billion from Bybit in ‘biggest digital heist ever’
Cryptocurrency exchange Bybit has suffered what is believed to be the largest digital theft in history, losing US$1.5 billion worth of Ethereum to hackers this past Friday (February 21).
The Dubai-based platform reported that the attacker gained access to one of its Ethereum wallets during a routine transfer between cold and warm storage, successfully moving the funds to an unknown address.
Bybit CEO Ben Zhou has reassured users that the exchange remains solvent and has enough funds to cover losses, ensuring all customers are fully reimbursed.
However, the platform has experienced a surge in withdrawal requests, causing processing delays. In response, Bybit has offered a 10 percent reward — up to US$140 million — for assistance in recovering the stolen funds.
Some security analysts suspect the involvement of North Korean state-backed hacker group Lazarus, known for previous large-scale crypto heists.
Ethena raises US$100 million for institutional token
Bloomberg reported on Monday that Ethena, the issuer of stablecoin USDe and token ENA, has raised US$100 million in a private sale of ENA to fund a new token aimed at institutional investors.
This new token will be built on Ethena’s blockchain and will be similar to USDe, but with added features to comply with financial regulations, potentially paving the way for greater institutional adoption of Ethena’s products.
Strategy’s Bitcoin stockpile nears 500,000
Strategy (NASDAQ:MSTR), formerly MicroStrategy, completed the sale of US$2 billion worth of convertible senior notes due in 2030 in a private offering to institutional investors, the company announced on Monday.
As expected, CEO Michael Saylor also disclosed the acquisition of 20,356 additional Bitcoin for roughly US$1.99 billion, bringing the company’s total holdings to 499,096 acquired for US$33.1 billion, or US$66,357 each. Rounding the current Bitcoin price down to US$94,000, the holdings are worth about US$46.92 billion.
Nasdaq seeks to list Hedera ETF
The Nasdaq has applied to list an exchange-traded fund (ETF) designed to hold the Hedera Network’s native token, HBAR, according to a 19b-4 form filed with the US Securities and Commission Exchange on Monday.
The token is one of a very small number of cryptocurrencies starting the week in the black, up 0.3 percent in 24 hours to US$0.21 at the time of this writing. If approved, the ETF would be managed by Canary Capital, which filed to list a proposed Canary HBAR ETF in November.
Citadel Securities eyes increased crypto market involvement
Sources for Bloomberg said financial firm Citadel Securities is looking to increase its involvement in the cryptocurrency market by joining the roster of approved market makers on major exchanges like Coinbase, Binance and Crypto.com. If approved, the firm plans to set up international teams, according to people familiar with the matter.
Testing begins for Ethereum’s Pectra upgrade
Ethereum will initiate the testing phase of its latest upgrade, Pectra, on the Holesky testnet at epoch 115968 on Monday, marking another advancement in Ethereum’s ongoing development.
The Pectra upgrade is designed to enhance the network’s scalability, security and overall efficiency, addressing some of the current limitations of the Ethereum blockchain such as transaction fees and network congestion.
This testing phase will help developers identify potential issues before the upgrade is deployed on the Ethereum mainnet, which is scheduled for later this year.
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.
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Octava Minerals Limited (ASX:OCT) (“Octava” or the “Company”), a Western Australia focused explorer of the new energy metals antimony, REE’s, Lithium and gold, is pleased to report that laboratory assays have now been received from the two metallurgical core drillholes at the Byro REE’s / Li Project in the Gascoyne Region of Western Australia.
Highlights
- Assay results received from metallurgical drilling at the Byro REE & Li Project confirm historic REE / Li mineralisation intercepts.
- Intercepts of over 50m from surface with grades including 500ppm Total Rare Earth Oxides (TREO) with 20% magnetic REE’s, 375ppm Lithium Oxide (Li2O) and 523ppm Vanadium Pentoxide (V2O5).
- Mineralisation has been intercepted in historic drilling over 30km of strike.
- The drilling was to provide fresh samples of the Byro black shale to undergo metallurgical extraction testwork.
Octava’s Managing Director Bevan Wakelam stated;
”Octava is investigating the potential for Australia’s first, large scale, low cost sedimentary basin deposit of REE’s, lithium and base metals. Metal extraction from black shales is a proven, low- cost technology used in other operations around the world. We will commence initial metallurgical testwork to determine the viability of extracting these metals from the black shale at Byro. We look forward to providing further updates as this work proceeds.
The Byro Project is located on the Byro Plains of the Gascoyne Region, Western Australia, 220km south-east of Carnarvon and consists of two granted Exploration Licences – E 09/2673 and E 09/2674 – totalling 798 km2. The Byro Project also has Native Title agreements in place. Nearby infrastructure includes accessibility to a commercial port (Geraldton) and power from the NW gas pipeline and future potential access to Western Australian government proposed green energy sites.
Two metallurgical HQ3 coreholes were drilled for a total of 204m. The holes were drilled adjacent to previously drilled RC holes to confirm mineralisation and to provide fresh sample material for metallurgical testwork.
The Byro project lies at the centre of the Permian Byro Sub-basin of the Carnarvon Basin. The Byro Group hosts sedimentary packages of sandstones, siltstones and mudstones, including black shales and coal seams. The dominant unit in the tenure is the Bulgadoo shale, which consists of banded carbonaceous shale and arenite, containing beds of enriched pyrite, bivalves and bryozoans.
The black shales in the Byro sub basin appear to have formed a metal sink that contains large volumes of anomalous REE, Li and base metals. The source of the metals at Byro is likely the Archean basement rocks of the Yilgarn Craton located ~40km to the east. The REE host rocks at Byro have been transported to their current location, unlike typical REE clay exploration targets in Australia which are formed in situ, from weathered granitic basement rocks.
Permian Black shales are known worldwide for their potential to host enriched poly-metallic deposits. These deposits contain considerable volumes of lower concentration resources of base metals, rare earths, lithium and other strategic minerals. They offer the opportunity for large-scale, low-cost mining operations capable of supplying the metals for a number of years. Octava is examining the black shales at the Byro project for the same potential.
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Many Peaks Minerals (MPK:AU) has announced Reconnaissance AC Drilling Yield Structural Targets
Download the PDF here.
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Brunswick Exploration Inc. (TSX-V: BRW, OTCQB: BRWXF; FRANKFURT:1XQ; ‘ BRW ‘ or the ‘ Company ‘) is pleased to announce its plans for the 2025 summer exploration program in Greenland as well as a mineral license expansion of the Paamiut project.
Mr. Killian Charles, President and CEO of BRW, commented: ‘Following strong metallurgical results and the start of drilling at the Mirage Project in Quebec, we are delighted to announce assay results from the Ivisaartoq discovery near Nuuk, the capital of Greenland. The assays confirm the presence of spodumene throughout the discovery dyke and demonstrates that it is part of an evolved trend which will require significant additional work to fully realize its potential. This highly prospective trend remains underexplored with dozens of pegmatites yet to be visited.
We are also very pleased and thankful for the Greenlandic Government’s efforts in locating the original document that identifies the location of an unconfirmed historical spodumene showing, first identified in 1972 and wholly located within our Paamiut Project. In light of this new showing, we have significantly increased our licenses in the Paamiut region.
Brunswick Exploration is now one of the largest mineral license holders in Greenland and is the only company exploring for lithium, leveraging its first mover advantage in the country. With a strong mining regime alongside prospective geology and excellent outcrop exposure, we believe 2025 will be a key year for lithium in Greenland as we launch one of the largest regional exploration initiatives in the country.’
2025 Greenland Summer Program
BRW will launch an aggressive regional-scale prospecting and mapping initiative on its extensive Greenland portfolio beginning in mid-June, using 4 crews and 2 helicopters for six weeks. In June, one team will focus on detailed mapping and sampling around the Ivisaartoq discovery and surrounding areas while the other will focus on the expanded Nuuk and Paamiut licenses. Starting in July, one team will focus on follow-up prosecting at the Nuuk and Paamiut projects based on results from June while the other team will focus on the recently acquired Disko Bay and Uummannaq projects (see news release of November 7, 2024). Results from the first six weeks will be used to plan advanced exploration programs in August and September 2025, across the entire portfolio.
Ivisaartoq Discovery Results
The company has received grab sample assays from its discovery dyke producing up to 2.40 % Li 2 O (Figure 1). The lithium-bearing dyke is within an evolved trend measuring roughly 3 kilometers by 1.5 kilometers and remains open in all directions with low Mg/Li and K/Rb ratios. To reiterate, the 2024 first pass prospecting focused on rapidly producing portable XRF K/Rb analysis on potassium feldspar crystals while the 2025 second pass will focus on detailed mapping and further sampling in the anomalous area. As these pegmatites are kilometric in scale, they will require systematic sampling and detailed mapping.
For whole rock analysis, the Mg/Li ratio is much more indicative of a favorable Li bearing outcrop or trend than field-generated feldspar K/Rb ratios. Mg/Li ratios in whole rock samples of
Figure 1: Ivissartoq Discovery Area – Lab Results
Historical Paamiut Lithium Reference Uncovered
As referenced in the press release dated October 30 th , 2024, a 10-kilometer greenstone belt hosted an unconfirmed and geographically uncertain historical database spodumene showing with a reported assay of 1.23% Li 2 O from the early 1970s. After numerous discussions with the Geological Survey of Denmark and Greenland (GEUS), an accurate location for the showing was ascertained to be roughly 4 kilometers from the previous incorrect location in the database. The area contains several dozen pegmatites which have been never been prospected. During the 2024 first pass, the Company sampled an evolved pegmatite (based on K/Rb) roughly 1 kilometer from the revised location of the historical lithium assay (Figure 2). The company is eager to visit this area in 2025 and has expanded its Paamiut land holdings accordingly.
Figure 2: Paamiut pXRF Data and Historical Lithium Showing
Paamiut Staking
The new licenses are located roughly 90 to 130 km from the coastal town of Paamiut, which is approximately 260 km south of the capital Nuuk (Figure 3). Paamiut is home to roughly 1,300 people. The new license area lies within the North Atlantic Craton specifically within the Bjornesund tectonic block. This block is composed of tonalitic and granodioritic orthogneiss as well as favourable Mesoarchean metavolcanic amphibolite belts. The North Atlantic Craton extends westwards into northern Labrador, Canada and eastwards into eastern Greenland.
Multiple metavolcanic amphibolite belts were acquired that are up to roughly 1.5 kilometers in width and 15 kilometers in strike length. The new claims have numerous mapped and interpreted pegmatite targets including nine that are between 500 and 900 meters in strike length for a total new license area of 20,785 hectares. Licences applications have been submitted and are awaiting government final approval.
Figure 3: 2025 Paamiut License Area
Qualified Person
The scientific and technical information related to this press release has been reviewed and approved by Mr. Charles Kodors, Manager, Atlantic Canada. He is a Professional Geologist registered in New Brunswick, Newfoundland and Quebec.
About Brunswick Exploration
Brunswick Exploration is a Montreal-based mineral exploration company listed on the TSX-V under symbol BRW. The Company is focused on grassroots exploration for lithium, a critical metal necessary to global decarbonization and energy transition. The company is rapidly advancing one of the extensive grassroots lithium property portfolios in Canada and Greenland including the Mirage Project.
Investor Relations/information
Mr. Killian Charles, President and CEO ( info@BRWexplo.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
Cautionary Statement on Forward-Looking Information
This news release contains ‘forward-looking information’ within the meaning of applicable Canadian securities legislation based on expectations, estimates and projections as at the date of this news release. Forward-looking information involves risks, uncertainties and other factors that could cause actual events, results, performance, prospects and opportunities to differ materially from those expressed or implied by such forward-looking information. Factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from such forward-looking information include, but are not limited to, delays in obtaining or failures to obtain required governmental, environmental or other project approvals; uncertainties relating to the availability and costs of financing needed in the future; changes in equity markets; inflation; fluctuations in commodity prices; delays in the development of projects; the other risks involved in the mineral exploration and development industry; and those risks set out in the Corporation’s public documents filed on SEDAR at www.sedar.com. Although the Corporation believes that the assumptions and factors used in preparing the forward-looking information in this news release are reasonable, undue reliance should not be placed on such information, which only applies as of the date of this news release, and no assurance can be given that such events will occur in the disclosed time frames or at all. The Corporation disclaims any intention or obligation to update or revise any forward-looking information, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, other than as required by law. 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 news release.
All figures accompanying this announcement are available at:
https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/3d03331a-41f6-4519-b51f-e296544fddc8
https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/9e0dadac-f236-423c-bfc4-30200301dfa8
https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/306a6938-c621-45c7-8bc8-2e32a3cbf378
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