NOT FOR DISTRIBUTION TO U.S. NEWS WIRE SERVICES OR FOR DISSEMINATION IN THE UNITED STATES TORONTO, Jan. 27, 2026 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Highlander Silver Corp. (TSX: HSLV) (“Highlander Silver” or the “Company”) is pleased to announce that Mr. Eric Sprott, an arm’s length strategic investor, has agreed to purchase an aggregate of 8,060,226 common shares in the capital of the Company (the “Offered Shares”) at a price of C$6.80 per Offered Share for aggregate gross proceeds of US$40,000,000 (the “Offering”) to th ...

Core Viewpoint - Skeena Resources Limited has received its Environmental Assessment Certificate for the Eskay Creek Gold-Silver Project, marking a significant milestone in the project's development and a historic achievement in collaboration with Indigenous rights [1][2][3]. Group 1: Environmental Assessment and Approval - The Environmental Assessment Certificate (EAC) was issued by the B.C. Minister of Mining & Critical Minerals and the B.C. Minister of Environment & Parks, with joint approval from the Tahltan Central Government [2]. - The EAC concludes a rigorous Environmental Assessment process that began in August 2024, involving over 60 engagement sessions and more than 500 meetings with the Tahltan Central Government [2]. - The process included feedback from over 4,000 community members, which was individually addressed, demonstrating a commitment to community engagement [2]. Group 2: Indigenous Collaboration - The Tahltan Nation's consent is embedded within the EAC, representing a landmark Section 7 agreement signed in 2022, which is a first in Canada [2]. - Skeena's Senior Vice President emphasized the importance of this achievement in advancing Indigenous rights alongside responsible resource development [3]. - The CEO of Skeena acknowledged the collaborative efforts with the Tahltan Nation over the past ten years, highlighting the project's potential to set a standard for responsible development in British Columbia [3]. Group 3: Project Overview - The Eskay Creek Gold-Silver Project is positioned to be one of the highest-grade and lowest-cost open-pit precious metals mines globally, with significant silver by-product production [4]. - Skeena is committed to sustainable mining practices and aims to foster positive relationships with Indigenous communities while delivering long-term value [4].

Core Viewpoint - Hecla aims to differentiate itself from silver peers and create shareholder value through strategic opportunities [1] Group 1: Company Overview - Michael Parkin serves as Vice President of Strategy and Investor Relations for Hecla [1] - The event is hybrid, allowing for questions from both in-person and online attendees [1] Group 2: Event Logistics - Attendees are reminded to silence their cell phones before the event begins [1] - A representative from the New York Stock Exchange is present to discuss safety procedures [1]

With the recent record rally in precious metals, Jim Cramer is sticking with his longstanding preference for gold while drawing a hard line on silver. Silver Rally ‘Getting Ridiculous’On Monday, in a post on X, the host of CNBC’s “Mad Money” expressed skepticism on the durability of silver’s monumental rally in recent months, saying he is a “huge gold bug,” and not a “silver bug.” Cramer also added that he would sell his family silver to take advantage of the high prevailing prices if there were no “sentime ...

Core Viewpoint - The recent surge in international precious metals markets, particularly silver and gold, is driven by a significant shift towards risk aversion among global investors due to multiple uncertainties in the market [1][3]. Group 1: Market Dynamics - Silver prices soared by 14% to $117.75 per ounce, reaching a historical high, while gold prices climbed to $5111.17 per ounce, marking a new record [1]. - The collective rally in precious metals is attributed to a large-scale influx of capital seeking safe-haven assets amid rising concerns over geopolitical tensions and economic uncertainties [1][3]. Group 2: Geopolitical Factors - Ongoing geopolitical tensions, particularly between the US and EU over Greenland's sovereignty and trade, have heightened market anxiety, contributing to the demand for safe-haven assets [3]. - The potential risks from global conflicts and the uncertain geopolitical landscape have kept market sentiment tense, further driving the demand for silver, which has a smaller market size and concentrated liquidity [3]. Group 3: Economic and Monetary Uncertainties - The weakening credit of the US dollar, which has dropped to 56% of global foreign exchange reserves by Q3 2025, alongside the growing US debt exceeding $38.5 trillion, has raised concerns about the dollar's long-term purchasing power [3]. - The acceleration of "de-dollarization" is evident, with 95% of surveyed central banks planning to increase gold holdings in the next 12 months, reinforcing the price support for precious metals [3]. Group 4: Supply and Demand Imbalance - The global silver market has faced a structural supply-demand imbalance for six consecutive years, with a projected supply gap of 203 million ounces by 2026, the highest in nearly a decade [4]. - Industrial demand for silver, particularly from sectors like photovoltaics, AI servers, and electric vehicles, accounts for over 60% of total demand and continues to grow, while supply is constrained due to the long production cycles of silver mining [4]. Group 5: Market Sentiment and Future Outlook - There is a notable divergence in market sentiment regarding the future of precious metals; optimistic views suggest that ongoing geopolitical risks and the expanding silver supply gap will sustain the bullish trend [5]. - Conversely, cautious perspectives highlight the potential for short-term corrections due to overbought conditions in silver and the possibility of industrial alternatives reducing silver demand [5]. - Key variables influencing future trends include the actual developments in geopolitical conflicts, the pace of Federal Reserve monetary policy, changes in silver supply-demand dynamics, and the flow of capital in response to dollar credit shifts [5].

Market Performance - U.S. stock indexes experienced gains, with the S&P 500 rising 0.5%, the Dow Jones Industrial Average climbing 313 points (0.6%), and the Nasdaq composite adding 0.4% [1][4] - The gold market saw a significant rally, with prices increasing by 2.1% to briefly exceed $5,100 per ounce, marking a new record [5] Company Highlights - Baker Hughes reported stronger-than-expected profits, leading to a 4.4% increase in its stock, driven by high demand for liquefied natural gas [2] - CoreWeave's stock rose 5.7% following Nvidia's $2 billion investment to support the development of AI factories [2] - USA Rare Earth shares surged 7.9% after securing $277 million in federal funding and a proposed $1.3 billion loan from the Trump administration, alongside raising $1.5 billion from private investors [3] Economic Indicators - The Federal Reserve is expected to announce its interest rate decision, with most economists predicting it will hold steady due to persistent inflation above the 2% target [8][9] - The yield on the 10-year Treasury eased to 4.21% from 4.24% [10]

Core Viewpoint - Integra Resources Corp. has provided an operational update for Q4 2025, highlighting a successful year of production at Florida Canyon and ongoing capital investments to enhance operational capabilities and support future growth [1][3]. Operational Highlights - In 2025, the company achieved its annual production guidance, producing 70,927 ounces of gold, with a cash flow from Florida Canyon funding various mine-site investments and technical advancements [4][6]. - The Florida Canyon Mine's operational metrics for Q4 2025 included 3,418 kt of ore mined and a strip ratio of 0.71, indicating improved mining efficiency [5][9]. - The company completed approximately $60 million in capital investments at Florida Canyon, focusing on mining, infrastructure, and growth drilling [6][18]. Production and Financial Metrics - For Q4 2025, Florida Canyon produced 12,864 ounces of gold and sold 12,920 ounces, with a gold recovery rate of 59.2% [7][8]. - The total ore processed in 2025 was 13,226 kt, with a processed grade of 0.22 g/t Au [5][6]. - Cash and cash equivalents as of December 31, 2025, were reported at $63,086,000 [13]. Future Outlook - The company plans to release 2026 production and cost guidance in late February 2026, along with an updated reserve and resource estimate and life-of-mine plan in mid-2026 [12][5]. - Ongoing drilling programs at Florida Canyon have been expanded to 16,000 meters due to initial success, aimed at supporting future mineral resource and reserve updates [11].

Hecla Mining Company Investor Day Summary Company Overview - **Company Name**: Hecla Mining Company (NYSE: HL) - **Headquarters**: Coeur d'Alene, Idaho - **Market Capitalization**: Over $17 billion as of mid-January 2026 - **Share Ownership**: 22% retail, 78% institutional - **Operations**: Four precious metals mines located in the United States and Canada, positioning Hecla as the lowest geopolitical risk silver miner in the sector [4][5] Key Points from the Investor Day Strategic Transformation - **Leadership Change**: Rob Krcmarov appointed as CEO in November 2024, focusing on fundamental transformation and disciplined capital allocation [7][8] - **Exploration Budget**: The board approved a $55 million exploration budget for 2026, nearly double the previous year, indicating a commitment to future growth [9] - **Operational Excellence**: Emphasis on operational performance, financial frameworks, and exploration strategies to sustain growth through commodity cycles [9][10] Recent Developments - **Sale of Hecla Quebec**: Agreement to sell Hecla Quebec for nearly $600 million, redirecting focus towards silver production [11][12] - **Production Guidance**: Expected silver production for 2026 is between 15.1 million and 16.5 million ounces, with a potential pathway to 20 million ounces in the medium term [35][36] Financial Performance - **Free Cash Flow**: Generated $310 million in free cash flow in 2025, with all operations being free cash flow positive [26][43] - **Debt Reduction**: Gross leverage improved from 1.6x to 0.4x, with a target for complete deleveraging [43][44] - **Return on Invested Capital (ROIC)**: Increased from 4% in 2024 to 12% in 2025, with expectations for continued strong performance [44][46] Market Position and Silver Focus - **Silver Revenue**: Approximately 50% of revenues generated from silver, compared to 20%-30% for peers, highlighting Hecla's commitment to silver over gold [29][61] - **Supply-Demand Dynamics**: The silver market is in a structural deficit, with a cumulative supply deficit of 800 million ounces since 2021, driven by strong industrial demand and constrained supply [58][59] - **Investment in Silver**: Hecla's focus on silver is expected to yield significant returns due to its unique properties and increasing demand in various sectors, including solar energy and electrification [60][61] Operational Excellence - **Safety Improvements**: Achieved a 13% improvement in total reportable injury frequency rate in 2025, with ongoing investments in safety training and hazard reporting [64][65] - **Technology Integration**: Implementation of integrated systems for real-time monitoring and decision-making to enhance operational efficiency [66] Conclusion Hecla Mining Company is positioned for significant growth in the silver market, driven by a strategic focus on operational excellence, disciplined capital allocation, and a strong commitment to safety and sustainability. The company's transformation under new leadership aims to unlock value and capitalize on the growing demand for silver in a favorable geopolitical landscape.

Core Viewpoint - Kingsmen Resources Ltd. has successfully increased its private placement offering from gross proceeds of C$10,000,001.25 to C$11,000,000.25 due to strong investor demand [1] Group 1: Offering Details - The underwritten offering will consist of 4,888,889 units priced at C$2.25 per unit, each unit comprising one common share and one-half of a common share purchase warrant [1][2] - Each warrant allows the holder to purchase one common share at an exercise price of C$3.00 for 36 months from the closing date [2] - An option is granted to the underwriter to purchase an additional 888,889 units for up to approximately C$2,000,000.25, increasing the total potential gross proceeds [3] Group 2: Use of Proceeds - The net proceeds from the offering will be allocated towards exploration and advancement of the Las Coloradas and Almoloya projects in Chihuahua, Mexico, as well as for working capital and general corporate purposes [4] Group 3: Regulatory Compliance - The offering will comply with National Instrument 45-106 and will be available to purchasers in specific Canadian provinces, with securities expected to be freely tradable under applicable Canadian laws [5] - The offering will also be available in the United States and other jurisdictions through private placements, adhering to relevant laws [5] Group 4: Company Overview - Kingsmen Resources is focused on exploring its 100%-owned precious-metal districts, Las Coloradas and Almoloya, located in a historically productive silver belt in Mexico [9] - Recent drilling at Las Coloradas has confirmed new zones of high-grade mineralization, indicating strong potential for further discoveries [9] - The Almoloya project shows promise for both vein-hosted and carbonate-replacement style mineralization based on historical drilling and underground workings [9]

Core Viewpoint - Goldgroup Mining Inc. has entered into a definitive arrangement agreement to acquire Gold Resource Corporation, positioning itself as a leading Mexico-focused junior precious metals producer [1][5]. Transaction Details - GRC's stockholders will receive 1.4476 common shares of Goldgroup for each share of GRC's common stock, adjusted to 0.3619 shares due to a four-for-one share consolidation [2]. - The transaction values GRC's common stock at approximately US$372 million, reflecting a 39% premium based on the closing prices on January 23, 2026 [2][3]. Merger Structure - The transaction will occur through a reverse triangular merger, with GRC merging into a wholly owned subsidiary of Goldgroup, resulting in GRC becoming a wholly owned subsidiary of Goldgroup [3]. - GRC stockholders are expected to own approximately 40% of the combined company, while Goldgroup's current shareholders will hold about 60% [3]. Approval and Governance - The transaction has been unanimously approved by the boards of directors of both companies and is expected to close in the second quarter of 2026, pending customary closing conditions [4]. - The board of directors of the combined company will consist of three directors from Goldgroup and two from GRC [4]. Strategic Benefits - The merger is expected to enhance the asset portfolio, combining GRC's Don David Gold Mine and Back Forty Project with Goldgroup's Cerro Prieto and San Francisco mines, creating a robust portfolio with significant exploration potential [5]. - The combined entity aims to reduce reliance on any single mine, enhancing cash generation through increased production [5]. - The transaction is anticipated to create a leading, diversified mining company focused on Mexico, a region with significant mineral potential [5]. Financial Position - The merger is expected to strengthen the financial position of the combined entity, providing increased flexibility to fund growth projects and exploration initiatives [13]. - The larger scale and enhanced profile are expected to attract a broader institutional investor base, driving long-term value for shareholders [13]. Management and Support - The CEO of Goldgroup emphasized that the acquisition represents a significant step in the company's growth strategy, enhancing scale, diversification, and cash-flow profile [6]. - A special committee of independent directors received a fairness opinion confirming the financial fairness of the transaction for Goldgroup shareholders [7].