Group 1 - American Tungsten & Antimony is set to list on NASDAQ in Q2 2026, with Deutsche Bank facilitating the process, amid renewed interest in critical minerals due to Trump's initiatives [2] - West Wits Mining, an African-based gold explorer, is experiencing increased market interest and liquidity as gold prices approach US$5,000 per ounce due to geopolitical factors [3] - Nyrada Inc, a US-based biotech listed on ASX, has seen a remarkable 1280% increase over the past year, with a recent quarterly report contributing to a further 10% jump in share price [4] Group 2 - PLS Group is back in focus as lithium carbonate benchmarks rise to levels not seen since 2023, potentially leading to dividend payments [4] - Australian Strategic Materials is facing mixed reactions as Energy Fuels, a US-based uranium and critical minerals player, seeks to acquire the company at a premium, with board agreement [5] - Lumos Diagnostics has posted a significant 450% gain over the past year, making it a topic of ongoing discussion among investors [5]

Core Viewpoint - North American Niobium and Critical Minerals Corp. is initiating a Phase 2 exploration program to validate and refine target areas across its properties in Québec, utilizing a soil-gas radon survey and a low-impact backpack drilling method [1][3][10]. Planned Phase 2 Work Program - The exploration program will focus on the Blanchette and Bardy properties, employing a soil-gas radon survey alongside backpack drilling to validate radon anomalies linked to mineralization and refine target geometry [3][10]. - Following the work at Blanchette and Bardy, an additional approximately 10-day program is planned for the Seigneurie property, which will include soil-gas radon surveying, backpack drilling, and a high-resolution magnetic survey to further define and prioritize target areas [5][10]. Backpack Drilling Method - The backpack drilling method is a portable, low-impact, gas-powered technique designed for rapid follow-up sampling, minimizing surface disturbance while allowing for targeted sampling of overburden and bedrock [4][7]. - This method aligns with Québec's regulatory framework for exploration activities, ensuring compliance with the ATI permitting regime [4]. Company Overview - North American Niobium and Critical Minerals Corp. is focused on the acquisition and development of precious, base, and critical mineral assets, with properties that include exposure to rare earth elements, niobium, and nickel-copper occurrences [8].

Core Insights - Peabody's CEO Jim Grech has been appointed Chair of the National Coal Council, emphasizing the importance of coal in U.S. energy security and affordability [1][2] - U.S. coal-fueled generation increased by an estimated 13% in 2025, driven by extended coal plant lifespans and rising electricity demand from AI and data centers [2] - The National Coal Council advises the Secretary of Energy on coal-related policies, highlighting coal's affordability, reliability, and its role in steelmaking and critical minerals [3][4] Company Overview - Peabody is the largest coal producer in the U.S., operating eight thermal coal mines and one metallurgical coal mine domestically, along with five metallurgical coal mines and two seaborne thermal coal mines in Australia [6] - The North Antelope Rochelle Mine in Wyoming is the largest surface coal mine in the Western Hemisphere, producing 12% of U.S. coal [6] - Jim Grech, with over 35 years of experience in the coal and natural resources industry, has been with Peabody since 2021 and holds various board memberships [5]

Core Viewpoint - Atlas Critical Minerals Corporation has successfully closed an upsized public offering of 1,380,000 shares at a price of $8.00 per share, raising approximately $11.0 million in gross proceeds, which will be used to advance its critical minerals projects in Brazil and for general corporate purposes [1][2]. Group 1: Offering Details - The public offering included 180,000 shares from the full exercise of the underwriters' over-allotment option [1]. - The offering was underwritten by A.G.P./Alliance Global Partners and Bradesco BBI, who acted as book-running managers [2]. - The registration statement for the offering was declared effective on January 8, 2026, allowing the company to proceed with the offering [3]. Group 2: Company Background - Atlas Critical Minerals controls over 218,000 hectares of critical mineral rights in Brazil, focusing on rare earths, titanium, graphite, and uranium, which are essential for advanced technology, energy transition, and defense applications [5]. - The company commenced operations on its first iron ore project in November 2025, further diversifying its portfolio [5]. Group 3: Nasdaq Listing - The company received approval to list its common stock on the Nasdaq Capital Market, with trading commencing on January 9, 2026, under the ticker symbol "ATCX" [1]. - The Nasdaq uplisting is viewed as a significant milestone, enhancing the company's financial position and increasing liquidity and accessibility for a broader investor base [2].

Core Viewpoint - International Lithium Corp. will change its name to ILC Critical Minerals Ltd. effective January 12, 2026, to better reflect its focus on critical minerals beyond lithium [1][4]. Group 1: Name Change and Trading Information - The company's common shares will continue to trade under the symbol "ILC" on the TSX Venture Exchange, with a new CUSIP number of 44967J107 and ISIN CA44967J1075 [1]. - The share capital remains unchanged, with 272,403,254 common shares issued and outstanding, and shareholders are not required to exchange existing share certificates [2]. Group 2: Business Operations and Future Focus - All corporate information, including business operations and ongoing exploration activities, will remain unchanged, although some subsidiary names will be updated to align with the new company name [3]. - The chairman highlighted the significant recovery in lithium carbonate prices by over 110% since June 30, 2025, and noted the rise in spodumene prices by over 160% from June 2025 lows, indicating a strong market for lithium and other critical minerals [4].

Core Viewpoint - Critical One Energy Inc. has successfully closed a non-brokered private placement offering of 300,000 flow-through common shares at a price of CDN$1.00 per share, raising gross proceeds of CDN$300,000 [1][3]. Group 1: Offering Details - The company paid CDN$18,000 in finder's fees and issued 18,000 common share purchase warrants, each exercisable at CDN$1.50 for a period of 18 months [2]. - The gross proceeds from the sale of the flow-through shares will be used for exploration expenses that qualify as "Canadian exploration expenses" under the Income Tax Act (Canada) [3]. Group 2: Company Overview - Critical One Energy Inc. focuses on critical minerals and upstream energy, particularly in antimony and gold, with significant projects like the Howells Lake Antimony-Gold Project [4]. - The company is strategically positioned to meet the rising global demand for critical minerals and metals, leveraging its technical, managerial, and financial expertise to drive growth and deliver shareholder value [4].

Core Viewpoint - Focus Graphite Inc. has successfully completed a "bought deal" offering, raising approximately $3.89 million through the issuance of units, which include common shares and warrants [1][2]. Group 1: Offering Details - The company issued 9,273,410 units at a price of $0.42 per unit, resulting in aggregate gross proceeds of $3,894,832.20, which includes a partial exercise of an over-allotment option [2]. - Each unit consists of one common share and one warrant, with each warrant allowing the purchase of one common share at an exercise price of $0.60 until June 8, 2028 [2]. - The net proceeds from the offering will be allocated for temporary working capital, payments related to the Government of Canada's Global Partnership Initiative, and general corporate purposes [3]. Group 2: Underwriting and Commissions - The underwriting agreement with Research Capital Corporation included a cash commission of $272,638.25 and the issuance of 649,139 non-transferable broker warrants [5]. - Each broker warrant allows the purchase of one unit at an exercise price of $0.60 until June 8, 2028, with a hold period of 4 months and one day from the date of issue [5]. Group 3: Company Overview - Focus Graphite Advanced Materials Inc. is focused on critical minerals, owning two world-class graphite projects, including the Lac Knife project, which is recognized as one of the most advanced high-purity graphite deposits in North America [7]. - The Lac Tetepisca project is positioned to be one of the largest and highest-purity graphite deposits in North America, enhancing the company's portfolio [8]. - The company emphasizes environmentally sustainable processing solutions and innovative battery technologies, including a patent-pending silicon-enhanced spheroidized graphite [8][9].

Core Insights - TETRA Technologies, Inc. has signed a term sheet to form a joint venture with Magrathea Metals, Inc. to enhance the domestic magnesium metal supply chain in the U.S. [1][4] - Magnesium is recognized as a critical mineral essential for the defense industrial base and broader economy [2][6] Group 1: Joint Venture and Strategic Goals - The joint venture aims to rebuild America's magnesium metal defense industrial base at TETRA's Evergreen Project in Southwest Arkansas [1][4] - TETRA's ONE TETRA 2030 strategy focuses on clean and secure domestic manufacturing of critical minerals, including magnesium [4] - Magrathea has received Defense Production Act Title III funding to support its initial commercial phase at TETRA's Evergreen Plant [4] Group 2: Project Details - TETRA is constructing a bromine production facility projected to produce 75 million lbs. of bromine annually, with operations expected to start by the end of 2027 [3] - The Evergreen Project will also focus on producing lithium and magnesium from brine, leveraging Magrathea's innovative electrolytic magnesium technology [3][4] Group 3: Industry Context - The partnership is positioned to enhance the U.S. supply chain for magnesium, which is critical for national security and economic stability [2][6] - The collaboration is seen as a significant step towards ensuring that the U.S. can compete globally in the defense industry [4]

The failure of one Western company to build a China-free rare-earths supply is a glimpse at how Beijing has come to dominate the supply of critical minerals. https://t.co/1jMiDyebsz ...

Core Insights - The U.S. and China are working towards resolving their trade differences, particularly concerning tariffs and critical minerals [1] Group 1: Trade Relations - Both superpowers appear to have reached an agreement that could enhance the trade of critical minerals [1]