Core Viewpoint - Phenom Resources Corp. has submitted a grant application to the U.S. Department of Energy for funding critical metals projects, with a total available funding of up to $275 million [1][2]. Group 1: Grant Application Details - The project submission is titled "Integrated Pilot-Scale Validation of High-Grade Vanadium and Nickel Feedstock," with a total funding request of $19.8 million, where the DOE would cover 80% of the costs [2]. - The proposal is structured as a 48-month program consisting of four sequential Performance Periods, with a tentative award date projected for June 15, 2026 [2]. Group 2: Project Specifications - The project focuses on a High-Grade Vanadium-Nickel R&D initiative, aiming to finalize a metallurgical flowsheet and establish financial partnerships for advancement [3]. - The feedstock material for the project averages over 6% vanadium and over 1.4% nickel, indicating a strong potential for the project's success if the grant is awarded [3]. Group 3: Company Focus Areas - The company's primary focus remains on gold exploration, particularly in the Crescent Valley, with upcoming news releases regarding low sulphidation epithermal gold drilling efforts [4]. - The permitting process for the Dobbin drill is also progressing, indicating ongoing exploration activities [4].

SUDBURY, Ontario, Jan. 20, 2026 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Magna Mining Inc. (TSXV: NICU) (OTCQX: MGMNF) (FSE: 8YD) (“Magna” or the “Company”) is pleased to announce Q4 2025 production results from the McCreedy West Mine, located in the North Range of the Sudbury Basin, northeastern Ontario, Canada. Highlights: During the quarter, McCreedy West produced 84,953 tons of ore from the 700 Copper Zone at an average grade of 1.31% copper, 0.23% nickel, 1.05 g/t platinum, 1.10 g/t palladium, 0.45 g/t gold and 15.51 g/t s ...

Core Viewpoint - Meridian Mining plc has announced updated Mineral Resource Estimates for the Cabaçal and Santa Helena Central deposits, indicating significant resource potential and advancing towards a Definitive Feasibility Study (DFS) expected in Q4 2026 [2][7]. Group 1: Cabaçal Deposit - The updated Measured and Indicated (M&I) resource for Cabaçal is reported at 70.1 million tonnes (Mt) grading 0.6 g/t Au, 0.3% Cu, and 1.3 g/t Ag, totaling 1.3 million ounces (Moz) of Au, 0.5 billion pounds (Blbs) of Cu, and 3.0 Moz of Ag [3][8]. - The resource shows increases of 39.2% for Au, 14.2% for Cu, and 19.3% for Ag compared to the previous estimate [8]. - The Cabaçal deposit's M&I resources total 1.4 Moz Au, 0.6 Blbs Cu, 5.6 Moz Ag, 217.4 million pounds (Mlbs) Zn, and 49.9 Mlbs Pb [8]. Group 2: Santa Helena Central Deposit - The maiden open-pittable resource for Santa Helena Central is reported at 5.3 Mt grading 0.6 g/t Au, 0.4% Cu, 15.5 g/t Ag, 1.9% Zn, and 0.4% Pb, totaling 95.8 thousand ounces (Koz) of Au, 50.4 Mlbs of Cu, 2.6 Moz of Ag, 217.4 Mlbs of Zn, and 49.9 Mlbs of Pb [4][8]. - The resource remains open in all directions, indicating further exploration potential [4][8]. Group 3: Exploration and Development - Meridian has expanded its granted mineral rights across the Cabaçal, Jauru, and Araputanga Greenstone Belts, doubling its exploration portfolio [5]. - The company plans to initiate exploration activities across the Jauru and Araputanga Belts in 2026 while continuing to expand exploration programs along the Cabaçal Belt [5][7]. - The DFS for Cabaçal is on track, with metallurgical studies optimizing recoveries of Au, Cu, and Ag [8][51]. Group 4: Market Context and Commodity Prices - The updated resource estimates are based on CIBC Analyst Consensus Commodity prices of November 2025: Au at USD 3,103/oz, Ag at USD 35.34/oz, and Cu at USD 4.39/lb [6][44]. - The effective date of the Mineral Resource Estimates is December 31, 2025, reflecting current market conditions [32][42].

Core Viewpoint - Luca Mining Corp. achieved its revised full-year 2025 production guidance while significantly strengthening its balance sheet throughout the year [1][6]. Financial Performance - As of December 31, 2025, Luca's cash position increased to approximately $25.5 million, up from $15.9 million at the end of Q3 2025 and $10.2 million at the end of 2024, driven by free cash flow from operations [2]. - The company repaid $10.1 million of debt during 2025, reducing the outstanding principal to $2.5 million at year-end, with expectations to fully repay the remaining balance by mid-2026 [2]. Production Results - For the full calendar year 2025, Luca's total payable production met or exceeded revised guidance for gold, silver, zinc, copper, and lead across its two operating mines in Mexico [3]. - Detailed production results include: - Campo Morado: Gold 5,619 ounces (guidance 5,500 – 6,500), Silver 736,775 ounces (guidance 680,000 – 800,000), Zinc 29,072 tonnes (guidance 28,000 – 32,000), Copper 7,038 tonnes (guidance 7,000 – 8,000) [4]. - Tahuehueto: Gold 15,837 ounces (guidance 15,500 – 17,500), Silver 279,997 ounces (guidance 219,000 – 270,000), Lead 3,370 tonnes (guidance 3,000 – 4,000), Zinc 3,808 tonnes (guidance 3,500 – 4,200) [4]. - Consolidated results: Gold 21,456 ounces (guidance 21,000 – 24,000), Silver 1,016,772 ounces (guidance 899,000 – 1,070,000), Zinc 32,880 tonnes (guidance 31,500 - 36,200), Copper 7,038 tonnes (guidance 7,000 – 8,000) [4]. Exploration Activities - In Q4 2025, the company invested approximately $0.8 million in exploration, completing about 5,836 meters of drilling [5]. - For the full year, exploration drilling totaled approximately 22,855 meters at a total cost of around $3.8 million, focusing on near-mine and resource expansion targets [5]. Management Commentary - The CEO highlighted 2025 as a pivotal year for execution, emphasizing the achievement of production guidance and balance sheet improvement through disciplined operations and debt reduction [6].

Core Viewpoint - iShares U.S. Basic Materials ETF (IYM) offers targeted exposure to U.S. companies in chemicals, metals and mining, packaging, and forest products, allowing investors to express views on upstream industrial inputs [1] Investment Strategy - The strategy tracks a market-cap-weighted basket of basic-materials equities, focusing on liquidity and sector breadth while acknowledging concentration and cyclicality [1] - Returns are linked to commodity price trends, capital-expenditure cycles, inventory restocking, and global manufacturing activity, with profitability sensitive to energy costs and currency fluctuations [1] Market Conditions - The fund is positioned to benefit during early-to-mid economic expansions when demand for raw inputs increases, serving as a satellite for inflation beta and a thematic tilt towards infrastructure and industrial upcycles [1] - It may be suitable for allocators using sector-rotation strategies or multi-asset managers seeking real-asset sensitivity within equities [1] Challenges - The fund may face challenges during late-cycle slowdowns and disinflationary phases, with a significant risk stemming from concentrated sector exposure that can exacerbate drawdowns when commodity prices decline [1]

Core Viewpoint - ACG Metals Limited has reported strong operational performance for Q4 2025 and FY 2025, exceeding production guidance and demonstrating effective cost management, while advancing its transition to a copper producer through the Gediktepe Sulphide Expansion Project [1][3][5]. Production and Financial Performance - ACG produced 39.2 koz AuEq in Q4 2025, which is 3% above the top end of its production guidance, and sold 39.5 koz AuEq during the same period [3]. - C1 cash costs decreased by 18% to US$499/oz AuEq, while AISC increased to US$1,244/oz AuEq from US$1,139 year-on-year due to rising gold and silver prices [3][9]. - Total ore mined in FY 2025 was 351,723 tonnes, down 51% from 2024, with an average gold grade of 2.26 g/t (+4%) and silver grade of 75.4 g/t (+21%) [8][15]. Future Guidance - For 2026, ACG anticipates CuEq production of 20 – 22 ktpa, including 17.5 koz AuEq of oxide production currently under leach, with AISC expected to be approximately US$2.40 – US$2.60/lb CuEq [4]. - The Gediktepe Sulphide Expansion Project is on track for commercial production by the end of H1 2026, with significant progress made in construction and engineering [5][14]. Debt and Financial Position - As of December 31, 2025, ACG's net debt was US$65 million, with a cash balance of US$144 million, including a restricted balance of US$46 million [6][17]. - The company is in full compliance with its bond terms following the payment of the January 2026 coupon for its US$200 million Nordic bonds [17]. Safety and Sustainability - ACG reported an LTIF of 0.66 for 2025, with a focus on improving contractor workplace safety as construction activities peak in H1 2026 [10]. - The company is progressing on its ESG initiatives, with an inaugural annual Sustainability Report expected to be published in April [11]. Strategic Positioning - ACG aims to establish itself as a leading growth copper company on the London Stock Exchange, leveraging its operational capabilities and strategic projects [7][22].

Core Insights - The analyst has over a decade of experience researching various companies across different sectors, including commodities and technology, which enhances the quality of content provided to readers [1] Group 1: Company Focus - The analyst has a particular interest in covering metals and mining stocks, while also being comfortable with other industries such as consumer discretionary, consumer staples, REITs, and utilities [1] Group 2: Research Methodology - The transition from a personal blog to a value investing-focused YouTube channel indicates a shift towards a more visual and engaging format for research dissemination, having researched hundreds of companies to date [1]

Core Insights - Giant Mining Corp. has announced further results from its Breccia Study at the Majuba Hill Project, indicating the presence of multiple discrete breccia bodies [1][2] - The project has shown high-grade copper and silver values, with significant intercepts reported in core holes MHB-30 and MHB-32, which also revealed anomalous gold [2][3] - The prices of copper, silver, and gold have reached record highs, enhancing the economic viability of the Majuba Hill Project [6][10] Geological and Mineralization Insights - Tourmaline breccia pipes have been identified in drill cores and surface outcrops, correlating with high-grade copper and silver values [2][3] - The Majuba Hill Project is characterized by a potentially large Cu-Ag +/- Au mineralized body, with indications of significant expansion potential [11][16] - The project has a historical production background and has undergone approximately 89,395 feet of drilling, with a replacement value of USD 12.1 million [11] Market and Economic Context - Silver prices have increased by over 150% in the past year, positively impacting the economics of silver-rich copper projects like Majuba [6] - Current market conditions show that copper reached an all-time high of USD 6.07/lb in January 2025, while silver and gold also achieved record prices [10] - The Majuba Hill Project is located in a top-ranked mining jurisdiction in Nevada, benefiting from strong local infrastructure and a favorable regulatory environment [8][11] Company Strategy and Future Plans - Giant Mining is focused on advancing late-stage copper and copper/silver/gold projects to meet the growing global demand for critical metals [15] - The company has secured funding for the next phase of drilling at Majuba Hill, indicating a commitment to further exploration and development [11][16] - An agreement with Plutus Invest & Consulting GmbH has been established to enhance marketing and investor awareness in the European market [13]

Core Viewpoint - Elemental Royalty Corporation has entered into a definitive option and earn-in agreement with BHP Group Limited for three exploration licenses in the Bor Mining District of Serbia, allowing BHP to acquire Magma Resources doo in exchange for cash payments and work commitments while Elemental retains a 2% NSR royalty on the projects [1][3][4] Group 1: Agreement Details - The agreement allows BHP to acquire a 100% interest in Magma and the projects by making an initial payment of $200,000 after six months, followed by annual payments of $200,000 until the earn-in is complete, and completing $5,000,000 in exploration expenditures within five years [3] - Upon exercising the option, Elemental will retain a 2% NSR royalty interest on each project, with BHP having the option to buy back up to 0.5% of the royalty in increments of 0.25% for $5,000,000 each before the eighth and eleventh anniversaries of the agreement [4] Group 2: Project Overview - The Bor Mining District is a significant copper producer in Europe, with Elemental's projects strategically located along the trend of Zijin Mining's operations, including the Čukaru Peki copper-gold mine [2][5] - Elemental has acquired over 150 square kilometers of mineral rights in the Bor Mining District, targeting both traditionally prospective Upper Cretaceous andesite units and deeper host rock packages where recent discoveries have been made [6] - The Lenovac North and South licenses cover the southern extension of the mineralization trend associated with Zijin's Brestovac license, while the Durlan Istok license is located near Zijin's Majdanpek mine [7][8]

Core Viewpoint - Hudbay Minerals Inc. achieved its full year production guidance for copper and gold in 2025, demonstrating operational resilience despite temporary interruptions [3][9]. Production Results - Fourth quarter 2025 consolidated production included approximately 33,069 tonnes of copper, 84,298 ounces of gold, 1,002,985 ounces of silver, 5,703 tonnes of zinc, and 325 tonnes of molybdenum [4][10]. - For the full year 2025, Hudbay produced approximately 118,188 tonnes of copper and 267,934 ounces of gold, alongside 17,646 tonnes of zinc, 3,468,143 ounces of silver, and 1,282 tonnes of molybdenum [12][16]. Regional Performance - Peru operations had a strong fourth quarter, producing approximately 25,038 tonnes of copper and 32,865 ounces of gold, exceeding the top end of the 2025 gold production guidance [5][13]. - Manitoba operations produced approximately 47,423 ounces of gold in the fourth quarter, slightly below expectations due to unplanned downtime, but achieved record throughput at the New Britannia mill in December [6][14]. - British Columbia operations produced approximately 4,705 tonnes of copper and 4,010 ounces of gold in the fourth quarter, with production impacted by maintenance issues [7][15]. Financial Position - As of December 31, 2025, Hudbay had approximately $992 million in cash and cash equivalents following the closing of the Copper World joint venture transaction, with total pro-forma liquidity exceeding $1.4 billion [18][31].