VANCOUVER, British Columbia, Jan. 27, 2026 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Highland Copper Company Inc. (TSXV: HI; OTCQB: HDRSF) ("Highland Copper" or the "Company") is pleased to announce its 2026 work plan for the Copperwood Project in Michigan, designed to advance the project toward a near-term construction decision. The planned program focuses on completing Front-end Engineering and Design “FEED”, advancing project financing initiatives, and progressing key technical and commercial workstreams to position Copperwoo ...

Core Viewpoint - Sixty North Gold Mining Ltd. has successfully closed a $3,600,000 term loan from Vesta Wealth Partners to support the development of its Mon Gold Mine, which is expected to be the only operating gold mine in the Northwest Territories [1][3]. Financing Details - The loan will be disbursed in three scheduled payments totaling $3,600,000, repayable within 36 months of closing [3][10]. - The company will pay 12% interest per annum on any outstanding principal, with no principal payments required until December 2026 [10]. - Vesta will receive 6,650,000 share purchase warrants, exercisable at $0.14 per warrant for three years, and a 2.5% net smelter return royalty on activities at the Mon Gold Mine for a minimum of four years [10]. Project Development - The Mon Gold Mine is designed to produce 100 tonnes per day (tpd) of feed to the recently purchased mill, with funds allocated for mobilizing the mill, installation, and commissioning [2]. - The mine is located 45 km north of Yellowknife and is the first to be started in the Yellowknife Gold Belt since 1948 [1][4]. - Historical production at the site averaged 30 grams per tonne (gpt) of gold, with plans to develop stopes in various zones to feed the mill [4][5]. Strategic Importance - The financing is seen as a significant step towards revitalizing a premier gold-producing region, with Vesta expressing confidence in the high-grade potential of the Yellowknife Gold Belt [3]. - The company aims to explore additional gold, silver, and base metal targets on the property as warranted [5].

Core Viewpoint - Smackover Lithium, a joint venture between Standard Lithium and Equinor, is actively pursuing project financing for the South West Arkansas Project, with expressions of interest exceeding $1 billion from major Export Credit Agencies [1][5] Project Financing Overview - The total estimated capital expenditures for the SWA Project are $1.45 billion, with a financing package of up to $1.1 billion being sought [4][7] - The financing will consist of an ECA Financing package and an uncovered tranche of senior secured project debt from commercial banks [2][3] - A $225 million grant from the U.S. Department of Energy has been awarded to support the project [7] Market Interest and Engagement - Smackover Lithium has received multiple expressions of interest from global commercial banks, validating the project's financial assumptions and terms [3] - The interest from export credit agencies and commercial lenders indicates a strong market demand for financing in lithium production [5] Strategic Importance - The project is positioned as a low-cost and sustainable source of lithium production in the United States, highlighting its strategic importance in the energy sector [5] - The company aims to reach a Final Investment Decision as soon as practical to move the project into construction [5]

Core Viewpoint - Cabral Gold Inc. has successfully completed a gold loan agreement, securing US$45.1 million to fund the construction of its Cuiú Cuiú Heap Leach gold starter project, which is expected to commence production in Q4 2026 [1][3][10]. Financing and Agreements - The company has finalized all transaction documents for the gold loan, which includes binding finance agreements and intercreditor agreements, and has received the principal amount equivalent to 345 kilograms of gold valued at US$45,121,732 [2][8]. - The gold loan is secured by corporate guarantees and first-ranking security from Cabral Gold Inc. and its subsidiaries [2]. Project Funding and Costs - The proceeds from the gold loan will fully fund the estimated capital expenditure of US$37.7 million for the Cuiú Cuiú project, as outlined in the pre-feasibility study released on July 29, 2025 [3][9]. - The project has a mine life of 6.2 years, with an all-in-sustaining operating cost of US$1,210 per ounce of gold produced [9]. Financial Returns and Projections - The project is projected to yield an internal rate of return (IRR) of 78% and a net present value (NPV5) of US$74 million, with a payback period of 10 months at a base case gold price of US$2,500 per ounce [10]. - The financial flexibility from the gold loan allows the company to continue its exploration drilling program during the construction phase, aimed at expanding the resource base [6][11]. Shareholder Engagement - Concurrently with the loan, the company issued 10,000,000 non-transferable common share purchase warrants to the lender, with an exercise price of C$0.71 per share, representing a 50% premium on the 5-day volume-weighted average price [4]. Operational Readiness - Following the loan receipt, the company has approximately C$66 million in treasury and has accelerated its early works program to support the first gold pour planned for Q4 2026, employing 141 personnel on-site for construction and support roles [5].

Core Insights - Troilus Gold Corp. has increased its debt financing mandate from US$700 million to up to US$1 billion, reflecting strong market conditions and enhanced project economics [1][2][3] - The financing will support the development and construction of the Troilus Project, a significant copper-gold mining operation in Québec, Canada [1][7] - The increase in financing underscores the confidence of lending partners and Troilus' strategic importance in North America's mining sector [2][4] Financing Details - The financing is led by a syndicate of global financial institutions, including Societe Generale, KfW IPEX-Bank, and Export Development Canada [1] - The expanded mandate is part of a structured financing process initiated in 2024, indicating growing alignment among Troilus' lenders and export credit agency partners [3][5] - Finalization of technical, financial, and environmental due diligence is expected in Q1 2026, subject to credit approvals and definitive financing agreements [5] Project Overview - Troilus Gold Corp. is focused on advancing the former Troilus Mine towards production, with a large land position of 435 km² in the Frôtet-Evans Greenstone Belt [7] - A Feasibility Study completed in May 2024 supports a large-scale 22-year, 50,000 tons per day open-pit mining operation [7] - The increase in financing positions the company to deliver a funded construction package for Troilus in 2026, reflecting a disciplined approach to value creation [4]

Core Insights - Ivanhoe Electric has secured credit approval for a $200 million senior secured multi-draw bridge facility to finance the Santa Cruz copper project in Arizona, enhancing liquidity for early construction and working capital needs [1][2] - The banking syndicate includes National Bank Capital Markets, Société Générale, and BMO Capital Markets as joint lead arrangers, with the facility expected to close in December 2025 [2] - The company is in advanced negotiations with potential minority interest partners and project debt providers, including the US Export-Import Bank, aiming for initial copper cathode production by late 2028 [3][6] Financing Strategy - The bridge facility is a crucial part of Ivanhoe Electric's comprehensive financing strategy, which may involve project-level minority investments and long-term project debt [2][5] - Financing options under consideration include project-level minority investments and project debt, with a letter of interest from EXIM for $825 million in project debt received in April 2025 [6] Project Development - The Santa Cruz project is positioned to be one of the first new copper mines in the US in nearly two decades, with a mining process designed to produce 99.99% pure copper without a smelter [4][5] - The company aims to complete project financing in the first half of 2026, following detailed discussions since the preliminary feasibility study completion in June 2025 [5][6] Company Overview - Ivanhoe Electric is a US-domiciled minerals exploration company focused on developing mines from mineral deposits primarily located in the US [7]

Financial Data and Key Metrics Changes - For the third quarter ended September 30, 2025, the company reported a net loss of $6.1 million, compared to a loss of $4.8 million during the same quarter in 2024 [12] - General and administrative expenses increased by $0.3 million, primarily due to higher employee-related expenses as the company expands its team [12] - Share-based compensation expense rose by $0.9 million, reflecting a focus on aligning employee compensation with share performance [13] - The company ended the quarter with cash and working capital positions of $32.1 million and $29 million, respectively [14] Business Line Data and Key Metrics Changes - The South West Arkansas (SWA) Project is expected to have an initial production capacity of 22,500 tons per annum of battery-quality lithium carbonate, with proven reserves of 447,000 LCE tons over a 20-year operating life [3] - The DFS for the SWA project indicates a 20.2% unlevered pre-tax IRR and competitive average operating costs of about $4,500 per ton [4] - The Franklin Project in East Texas has an inferred resource report highlighting 2.2 million tons LCE of lithium at an average grade of 668 mg/L [5] Market Data and Key Metrics Changes - The company closed an underwritten public offering of 29.9 million common shares at a price of $4.35 per share, generating gross proceeds of approximately $130 million [6] - The company received strong support from institutional investors, underscoring confidence in its strategy and asset quality [6] Company Strategy and Development Direction - The company aims to reach production of over 100,000 tons of lithium chemicals per year in Texas through multiple projects [5] - The company is focused on advancing towards a final investment decision (FID) for the SWA project, with construction expected to commence in 2026 and first production targeted in 2028 [4][11] - The company is also working on expanding its leasehold footprint in East Texas and moving towards a preliminary feasibility study for the Franklin Project [8] Management's Comments on Operating Environment and Future Outlook - Management expressed optimism about the critical milestones achieved in the third quarter and the strong positioning of the company in the domestic lithium supply chain [17] - The company is actively working on project financing and customer offtake processes, with a goal to finalize these before year-end [18] Other Important Information - The company appointed Michael Lutgring as General Counsel to strengthen its leadership team [6] - The company is in the final stages of selecting contractors for the construction of its central processing facility and well field [10] Q&A Session Summary Question: How does the $40 million FID payment structure work? - The payment is triggered as soon as the JV board decides to take FID and move forward with the SWA or East Texas projects, with Equinor owing Standard Lithium $40 million upon FID approval [22] Question: If the FID is made and later changes, does Standard Lithium still receive the $40 million? - Yes, the payment is secured upon taking FID, and it is unlikely that the company would back out after making the decision [23]

Core Viewpoint - Troilus Gold Corp. has announced a bought deal offering of 116,280,000 common shares at a price of $1.29 per share, aiming to raise approximately $150 million to fund pre-development activities, debt repayment, and general corporate purposes [1][2] Project Financing - The net proceeds from the offering will be allocated to ongoing pre-development activities at the Troilus Copper-Gold project, debt repayment, and working capital [2] - The company has secured letters of interest totaling US$1.3 billion from global Export Credit Agencies and established a US$700 million debt financing led by a syndicate of international lenders [6] Permitting - The Environmental and Social Impact Assessment was filed in June 2025, marking the end of over five years of environmental studies and consultations with local and Indigenous communities [3] Engineering - Basic engineering is over 85% complete, with plans to transition to detailed execution in preparation for a construction decision in 2026 [4] - The company is exploring potential streaming options and additional vendor-backed financing packages, with final due diligence for previously announced debt financing ongoing [4] Offering Details - The offering is expected to close on or about November 14, 2025, subject to customary closing conditions and necessary approvals [8] - The offering will be completed via a prospectus supplement to the short form base shelf prospectus dated April 30, 2025, which will be filed with regulatory authorities [5]

Core Viewpoint - Cabral Gold Inc. has secured a US$45 million gold loan to fully fund the construction of its Cuiú Cuiú Heap Leach gold starter project, with the Board of Directors approving the construction decision, aiming for the first gold pour by the end of 2026 [1][2][3]. Financing Details - The gold loan agreement has a principal amount of US$45 million, with a term of 39 months, and is expected to be drawn down within weeks [1][5]. - The capital expenditure (capex) for the project is estimated at US$37.7 million, as per the Pre-feasibility study released on July 29, 2025 [1][8]. - The loan will be used to fund the initial capital costs, with approximately C$70 million available in treasury upon drawdown [2][8]. Project Metrics - The project has a projected internal rate of return (IRR) of 78% and a net present value (NPV5) of US$74 million, with a payback period of just 10 months at a base case gold price of US$2,500 per ounce [3][9]. - The heap leach plant is designed with a capacity of 1 million tons per annum (Mtpa) and a mine life of 6.2 years, producing gold at an all-in-sustaining operating cost of US$1,210 per ounce [8]. Construction and Exploration Plans - The construction of the project is expected to take 12 months, transitioning from early works to full construction mode starting November 1, 2025 [5][11]. - The exploration drilling program will continue during the construction phase, aimed at expanding the underlying hard rock resource base at Cuiú Cuiú [4][10]. Loan Terms and Conditions - The loan includes an annual interest rate of 10%, with 100% of interest costs capitalized to principal until December 2026 [5][6]. - The principal and interest are forecasted to account for under 14% of the gold produced during the project's life and 32% during the loan's life [6]. Shareholder Information - The lender, Precious Metals Yield Fund, is an affiliate of the Phoenix Gold Fund, which is Cabral's largest institutional shareholder [7].

Group 1 - Pasofino Gold will present at the Centurion One Capital 2nd Annual Bahamas Summit on October 22-23, 2024, at the Rosewood Baha Mar Hotel in Nassau, Bahamas [1][3] - CEO Brett Richards will present on October 28, 2024, and will address investor questions during the summit [2] - The company is updating the 2022 feasibility study for the Dugbe gold project in Liberia, aiming to improve gold recovery rates from 83% to 90% and align the study with current higher gold prices [2] Group 2 - The Bahamas Summit will feature presentations from various public and private companies, attracting venture capitalists, family offices, private equity firms, high net worth individuals, and institutional investors [3][4] - The event will include presentations, Q&A sessions, panel discussions, and one-on-one investor meetings [4] - Centurion One Capital is an independent investment banking firm focused on supporting growth companies in North America [4] Group 3 - Pasofino Gold is a Canadian mineral exploration company listed on the TSX Venture Exchange, owning 100% of the Dugbe Gold Project [6]