Novo Resources (OTCPK:NSRP.F) 2026 Conference February 18, 2026 01:00 AM ET Company ParticipantsKas De Luca - General Manager of ExplorationModeratorKas, hello. Now, we had to drag this person literally back from her happy places out in the, in the field, in the Pilbara, New South Wales, all over the place. But she's back to tell us about Novo Resources. So Novo Resources, if you've been following them, you know that they are exploration-focused, they are certainly discovery driven, and there's some really ...

Group 1 - Lundin Mining Corporation is primarily a copper producer with a history of growth through production [1] - The company is compared favorably to McEwen Mining, indicating a stronger position in the market [1] - The investment strategy focuses on long-term compounders and value realization of mispriced assets, aiming to outperform broad market indices over time [1] Group 2 - The analyst has a beneficial long position in Lundin Mining shares, indicating confidence in the company's future performance [2] - The article expresses personal opinions and does not involve compensation from the company mentioned [2]

Core Insights - Ecora Royalties PLC reported a significant increase in its base metals portfolio contribution for FY 2025, rising by 150% to $28.5 million compared to $11.4 million in FY 2024 [1] Financial Performance - The base metals portfolio contribution for the fourth quarter of FY 2025 was a key highlight, reflecting strong performance and growth in this segment [1]

Summary of Key Points from the Conference Call Industry Overview - **Industry Focus**: Mining and commodities, particularly in relation to China's economic performance and demand for various materials including iron ore, base metals, coal, and battery raw materials [2][3][4][5][6][9]. Core Insights and Arguments Economic Performance in China - **GDP Growth**: China achieved a 5.0% GDP growth target primarily driven by export strength, but domestic consumption remains weak, indicating potential downside risks for commodity demand [2][9]. - **Retail Sales**: Retail sales growth was reported at +0.9% year-on-year, below the previous +1.3% and consensus of +1.0%, highlighting weak consumer demand [4][9]. - **Property Sector**: The downturn in the property sector is worsening, with construction starts and sales down -20% and -10% year-on-year respectively, contributing to overall economic fragility [3][4]. Commodity-Specific Insights - **Iron Ore**: - Crude steel output decreased by -10% year-on-year in December, with iron ore port inventories rising by +7% month-on-month, indicating potential oversupply [3]. - Forecast for iron ore prices to decline to US$102/ton in Q1 2026 from a current spot price of approximately US$104/ton [3]. - **Base Metals**: - Weak consumption signals significant downside risks for industrial metals like copper and aluminum, with industrial production growth at +5.2% year-on-year, slightly above expectations [4]. - The ongoing property market weakness is reducing consumer wealth and confidence, further impacting demand for base metals [4][9]. - **Coal**: - China's coal output dropped -2% month-on-month, while imports surged +33% month-on-month, driven by higher domestic prices [5]. - Seaborne coal prices increased by +17% to approximately US$235/ton since early December 2025, supported by strong demand from China and India [5]. - **Battery Raw Materials**: - Electric vehicle (EV) output remained stable with an increase of +18% year-on-year, indicating strong demand for battery raw materials [6]. Future Outlook - **Stimulus Expectations**: Anticipation of policy changes aimed at stimulating domestic consumption as the 15th Five-Year Plan is finalized in March 2026, which could provide upside risks for commodities [2][9]. - **Market Risks**: The mining sector faces inherent risks including volatile commodity prices, political, financial, and operational challenges that could significantly impact performance [54]. Additional Important Content - **Economic Indicators**: Key economic indicators such as manufacturing PMI, retail sales, and industrial production growth are critical for assessing the health of the Chinese economy and its impact on commodity demand [10]. - **Inventory Levels**: Rising inventory levels in various commodities, particularly iron ore, suggest potential oversupply and price pressures in the near term [3][9]. This summary encapsulates the critical insights from the conference call, focusing on the current state and future outlook of the mining industry in relation to China's economic performance and commodity demand.

Core Viewpoint - Cerrado Gold Inc. is hosting a management conference call to discuss an unfavorable opinion regarding the environmental impact assessment for the Lago Salgada Project in Portugal, scheduled for January 26, 2026 [1]. Company Overview - Cerrado Gold is a Toronto-based gold production, development, and exploration company, owning 100% of the Minera Don Nicolás and Las Calandrias mine in Argentina [3]. - The company holds an 80% interest in the Lagoa Salgada VMS project in Portugal and is developing the Mont Sorcier Iron project in Canada [3]. Operations in Argentina - In Argentina, the company is optimizing asset value at the Minera Don Nicolás operation and increasing production at the Las Calandrias heap leach project [4]. - An extensive exploration campaign is ongoing to unlock potential resources in the Deseado Massif region [4]. Operations in Portugal - The Lagoa Salgada project is a high-grade polymetallic project located on the Iberian Pyrite Belt, with mineralization including zinc, copper, lead, tin, silver, and gold [5]. - The project covers a large 7,209-hectare property concession, offering significant exploration and development opportunities due to its proximity to Lisbon and existing infrastructure [5]. Operations in Canada - The Mont Sorcier project is a high-purity, high-grade Direct Reduced Iron project, with potential for long mine life and low operating costs [6]. - The project supports the transition of steel producers from blast furnaces to electric arc furnaces, aiding in industry decarbonization and sustainable development goals [6].

Group 1: Market Performance of Precious Metals - In 2025, gold, silver, and copper all experienced significant price increases simultaneously, marking the first occurrence in 45 years [3] - Gold prices rose by 69% to $4,331.90 per ounce, while silver surged by 157% to $72.25 per ounce, reaching a record high of $83.62 on December 28 [4] - Copper prices increased by 42% to $5.52 per pound, with a peak of $5.86 earlier in the trading session [6] Group 2: Mining Stocks and ETFs - Precious metals mining stocks, particularly gold miner ETFs GDX and GDXJ, saw extraordinary gains of 163.9% and 177.3% year-to-date as of Christmas Eve [8] - The performance of these mining stocks significantly outpaced the S&P 500's 17.9% increase, reflecting improved market psychology [8] Group 3: Factors Driving Gold Prices - Gold's price surge was attributed to safe haven demand due to geopolitical tensions, a weaker US dollar, central bank buying, and robust gold-backed ETF inflows [12] - Structural supply constraints have hindered the ability to meet demand for gold, silver, and copper without recycling [13] Group 4: BRICS and Gold's Role - The BRICS countries are moving away from the US dollar for international transactions, with gold becoming integral to their new settlement mechanism [14] - A pilot program for a gold-backed settlement "Unit" was launched within the BRICS+ bloc to facilitate trade without relying on the dollar [13][14] Group 5: Silver Market Dynamics - The silver market has faced supply deficits for five consecutive years, with mine production falling to 813 million ounces [22] - Silver futures trading volume has approached that of gold, indicating a shift in market dynamics and increasing importance of silver as an investment asset [23][24] Group 6: Copper Market Insights - Copper is experiencing its largest annual price increase since the 2008 financial crisis, driven by fears of global shortages and supply chain uncertainties [33] - Demand for copper is expected to surge due to electrification and decarbonization efforts, particularly in data centers, which could increase copper demand by 30% next year [41][44] Group 7: M&A Activity in Mining Sector - The mining sector has seen significant M&A activity, with mining and metals accounting for approximately 37% of public deal activity in Canada as of September 30, 2025 [48] - High prices for gold, copper, and silver have driven a "buy vs. build" mentality among major producers, leading to increased M&A transactions [49] Group 8: Future Outlook for Mining - The demand for critical minerals is surging, with projections indicating that copper demand could double by 2035, leading to significant supply shortfalls [45] - The current wave of M&A in the mining sector is expected to continue, as companies seek to secure future resources amid rising prices and depleting reserves [55]

Core Insights - Midas Minerals has successfully completed the acquisition of the Otavi copper project in Namibia, following key conditions such as licence transfers and approval from the Namibian Competition Commission [1][4] Project Overview - The Otavi project consists of ten exclusive prospecting licences covering an area of 1,776 square kilometres, located approximately 360km northeast of Windhoek, Namibia's capital [2] - The project includes two significant deposits, T13 and Deblin, which are pending resource definition, along with several underexplored targets; modern exploration has only been conducted over 36% of the licence area [2] Drilling Activities - Midas has deployed two diamond drill rigs on the high-grade T-13 copper-silver deposit for resource drilling, with a second reverse circulation rig expected to start in early January 2026 [3] - Drilling at the Deblin copper-gold-silver deposit is also planned to commence in early 2026 [3] Company Strategy - The managing director of Midas stated that the acquisition of the Otavi project is transformational for the company, and they plan to rapidly explore and expand the resource base [4] - Midas has already initiated drilling operations with three rigs on T-13 and Spaatzu, with a fourth rig expected to arrive after the Christmas break [5] Financial Position - Midas reported approximately A$15.3 million (about $10.11 million) in cash as of September 2025, which is deemed sufficient to fund ongoing exploration at both Otavi and South Otavi into 2026 [6]

Core Insights - Talon Metals Corp. has signed a Share Purchase Agreement with Lundin Mining Corporation to acquire 100% of the Eagle Mine and Humboldt Mill, integrating these assets with Talon's Tamarack Nickel-Copper-Cobalt Project and a significant exploration land package in Michigan [1][11] Group 1: Transaction Overview - The transaction will create a unified nickel platform in the U.S., combining cash-flow-generating operations with Talon's exploration capabilities [3] - Talon will issue 275,152,232 common shares to Lundin Mining, resulting in Lundin owning 19.99% of Talon post-transaction [8][11] - A concurrent Private Placement with the Lundin Family Trust will raise approximately US$5.6 million to support transition and integration costs [16][19] Group 2: Strategic Priorities - The integration aims to extend the life of the Eagle Mine, accelerate exploration in Michigan and Minnesota, and advance permitting for the Tamarack Nickel-Copper Project and Beulah Minerals Processing Facility [3][6] - Talon's exploration team plans to execute its most ambitious program in 2026, focusing on discoveries like Boulderdash, located 8 miles from the Eagle Mine [5] Group 3: Environmental and Engineering Focus - The Eagle Mine and Humboldt Mill are designed with modern mining practices emphasizing safety and environmental responsibility, with ongoing improvements to extend the mine's life [4] - Talon aims to advance the Tamarack Nickel-Copper Project through environmental review and permitting, leveraging the operational experience of the Eagle team [6][9] Group 4: Governance and Management Changes - The Talon Board will be restructured to include members from Lundin Mining, with Darby Stacey appointed as CEO of Talon [14] - The transaction will also involve a lock-up agreement limiting Lundin Mining's ability to sell shares for two years [12]

Core Insights - The focus is on identifying high-quality gold junior mining companies for investment, particularly in a market where prices have recently surged [1] Group 1: Investment Strategy - The investment approach emphasizes long-term compounding and value realization of mispriced assets, aiming to outperform broad market indices over time [1] - The analyst prefers to invest in sectors where they possess relative competence, specifically in mining and base metals, while also considering companies that can be understood independently of external analysis [1] - The investment timeline is typically between 1 to 5 years, with a preference for high-reward opportunities rather than broad market ETFs [1]

Core Viewpoint - Almadex Minerals Ltd. presents a diversified portfolio of royalties on precious and base metal projects across North America, leveraging a prospect generator model to provide shareholders with exposure to potential discoveries while minimizing capital and operational risks [1][13]. Royalty Portfolio Overview - Almadex holds numerous net smelter return (NSR) royalties ranging from 0.5% to 2.0%, covering assets in Canada, the United States, and Mexico, reflecting over two decades of exploration success [2]. Key Royalty Interests Canada - Dillard (British Columbia) – 2.0% NSR, covering the Dillard Zone, part of Kodiak Copper Corp.'s initial resource estimate [6]. United States - Willow (Nevada) – 2.0% NSR, a copper-gold porphyry target with strong porphyry indicators [4]. Mexico - La Bufa (Chihuahua) – 2.0% NSR, covering gold-silver mineralization in a prolific silver belt [5]. - Caballo Blanco (Veracruz) – 1.5% NSR, a significant undeveloped precious-metal system [7]. - El Cobre (Veracruz) – 1.75% NSR, a large copper-gold porphyry alteration system [8]. - Cerro Colorado (Oaxaca) – 2.0% NSR, near producing operations with strong infrastructure [9]. - El Encuentro (Sinaloa) – 2.0% NSR, located in a productive gold-silver belt with an annual advance royalty payment of $33,332 [10]. - El Fuego (Oaxaca) – 2.0% NSR, prospective ground within a structural trend of producing mines [11]. - Los Venados (Sonora) – 2.0% NSR, prospective for epithermal and porphyry-style mineralization [12]. Strategic Value and Outlook - The royalty portfolio provides leverage to various projects at different exploration and development stages, offering exposure to gold, silver, copper, zinc, and lead, showcasing Almadex's technical expertise and broad generative footprint [13][14]. Company Overview - Almadex Minerals Ltd. is a North American prospect generator and exploration company with a portfolio of projects, royalties, and in-house drilling capacity, applying a data-driven targeting model for exploration [15].