Market Performance - NASDAQ 100 index is up approximately 22% year-to-date [3] - S&P 500 index has increased by about 18% [3] - Russell 2000 small cap index is up around 16% year-to-date [4] - Dow Jones index has risen by approximately 15% [4] - Technology sector has seen the best performance, increasing by about 25% year-to-date [4] - Communication services sector is up approximately 21% [4] - Gold has increased by 65% and silver by 139% [5] ETF Performance - iShares MSCI Global Silver Miners ETF is up about 206% [7] - Global X Gold Explorer ETF (GOEX) has increased by approximately 195% [7] - ProShares S&P Global Core Battery Metal ETF (ION) is up about 106% [9] - Sprott Critical Materials ETF has risen by approximately 96% [9] - Global X Disruptive Materials ETF (DMAT) is also up about 96% [9] - VanEck Rare Earth and Strategic Metals ETF (REMX) has increased by approximately 94% [9] - Global X Defense Tech ETF (SHLD) is up about 77% [13] - Stoxx Europe Aerospace and Defence ETF (EAD) has risen by approximately 73% [13] Key Drivers & Themes - Gains in gold are driven by persistent central bank buying [5] - Precious metals benefit from investors seeking alternatives to US dollar denominated assets [6] - Critical materials are driven by electrification, digitization, clean energy transition, and supply chain concentration [8] - Rising geopolitical tensions are fueling a boom in defense spending [13]

Vancouver, British Columbia, Dec. 23, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- North America Niobium and Critical Minerals Corp. (CSE: NIOB) (FSE: IOR) (OTCQB: NIOMF) (“North American Niobium” or the “Company”) is pleased to announce that it has initiated a soil-gas survey at its Blanchette and Bardy projects in Québec. The survey is being conducted by RadonEx, an independent contractor and specialist geochemical services provider, and commenced on December 16, 2025. The program is currently ongoing. Highlights Soil-gas su ...

Core Viewpoint - New Earth Resources Corp. has successfully closed a non-brokered private placement, raising gross proceeds of $1,089,950 through the issuance of flow-through units [1][2]. Group 1: Financial Details - The FT Offering involved the issuance of 2,422,112 FT Units at a price of $0.45 per unit, which includes 1,222,112 FT Units composed of one Class A common share and one FT Unit Warrant, and 1,200,000 FT Units composed of one share and one-half of one FT Unit Warrant [2]. - The total number of shares issued under the FT Offering is 2,422,112, along with 1,822,112 FT Unit Warrants [2]. - The company paid aggregate cash finder's fees of $76,796 and issued 170,657 finder's warrants, each exercisable for one share at a price of $0.45 until December 22, 2028 [5]. Group 2: Use of Proceeds - Proceeds from the FT Offering will be utilized to incur eligible Canadian exploration expenses (CEE) on the company's mineral exploration properties located in Canada [4]. Group 3: Future Offerings - The company is increasing its previously announced offering of units from 2,000,000 to 2,200,000 units at a price of $0.375 per unit, aiming for gross proceeds of up to $825,000 [6]. Group 4: Company Overview - New Earth Resources Corp. is a Canadian mineral exploration company focused on acquiring and developing advanced and early-stage exploration projects, including the Lucky Boy Uranium Property in Arizona and various claims in Canada [8][9].

VANCOUVER, BC, Dec. 22, 2025 /PRNewswire/ - Defense Metals Corp. ("Defense Metals" or the "Company") (TSXV: DEFN) (OTCQB: DFMTF) (FSE: 35D), a company focused on the development of the Wicheeda Rare Earth Project (Wicheeda Project), located near Prince George, British Columbia, Canada today released the following joint letter from Executive Chairman Guy de Selliers and President and Chief Executive Officer Mark Tory. Joint Letter from the Executive Chairman and CEO Dear Shareholders, 2025 has been a transfo ...

Core Insights - American Lithium Minerals (AMLM) has secured exclusive option rights to three mineral projects in Quebec, enhancing its portfolio of critical and precious metal assets [1][5] - The acquisitions position AMLM to capitalize on the growing demand for lithium, copper, nickel, gold, silver, and rare earth elements (REE) in North America [1][5] Project Highlights - The newly acquired projects include the Piscau-North polymetallic project, the QC rare earth elements project, and the Couture project [1] - Historical highlights from these projects show significant mineral grades, including copper grades reaching 65%, silver up to 420 grams per tonne (g/t), and gold at 0.95 g/t [2] - The QC rare earth elements project is noted for having some of the highest REE grades in North America, with assays of up to 59% REE [3] Strategic Positioning - Piscau-North is recognized as one of Quebec's largest polymetallic opportunities, providing diversified commodity exposure [3] - The Couture project contains a substantial copper resource, with mineralization consisting of massive sulphides along a shear zone [4] - The acquisitions are expected to enhance AMLM's competitive edge and align with the rising global demand for critical minerals [2][5] Growth Opportunities - The new assets present opportunities for growth and modern exploration, potentially leading to joint ventures and partnerships [6] - Quebec is identified as a mining-supportive jurisdiction with robust infrastructure and favorable regulations, which supports the company's expansion plans [6]

Vancouver, British Columbia, Dec. 18, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- North America Niobium and Critical Minerals Corp. (CSE: NIOB) (FSE: IOR) (OTCQB: NIOMF) (“North American Niobium” or the “Company”) is pleased to announce that it has acquired additional mineral properties in Québec. The Company has (i) extended the Seigneurie Property through the acquisition of additional claims and (ii) added a new, exploration project in the Escoumins municipality. These acquisitions strengthen the Company’s strategic footpri ...

Core Viewpoint - Primary Hydrogen Corp. is advancing its permitting activities for the Wicheeda North REE project in British Columbia and has announced a corporate change regarding its Vice President of Exploration [1][3]. Permitting Update - The Company submitted its Notice of Work application for Wicheeda North on August 1, 2025, which is currently in the consultation process with First Nations as per British Columbia regulations. The completion of this process is anticipated in early Q1 2026 [2]. - Following the necessary approvals, the Company plans to engage drilling contractors to execute a maiden drill program at the project [2]. Project Significance - Wicheeda North is viewed as a significant opportunity for the Company to engage in the growing rare earth element sector, particularly due to its proximity to Defense Metals' advanced Wicheeda deposit, which has a NI 43-101 compliant Measured and Indicated Resource of 29.3 million tonnes grading 2.27% Total Rare Earth Oxide (TREO) [3][5]. - Historical exploration has identified multiple geophysical and geochemical targets at Wicheeda North, which supports the exploration strategy based on the latest interpretations of REE mineralization [6]. Corporate Change - The Company announced the departure of Peter Lauder, P.Geo., from his role as Vice President, Exploration, acknowledging his contributions to the Company's exploration initiatives [3]. - The Company will utilize internal resources and qualified third-party contractors for the upcoming drill program at Wicheeda North [3]. Project Overview - The Wicheeda North Project consists of nine contiguous mineral claims covering 2,138 hectares (21.1 km²) located in the northern Cariboo Mining Division, British Columbia, within a region known for REE mineralization [4]. - The project is situated approximately 5 km northwest of the Wicheeda Rare Earth Element Deposit, which has significant resources [5].

Core Viewpoint - Volta Metals Ltd. is advancing its Springer Rare Earth Project in Ontario, with significant engagement from government and Indigenous leaders, highlighting the project's strategic importance in North America's critical minerals supply chain [1][6]. Project Development - The site visit by Minister Greg Rickford and NFN Chief Cathy Stevens focused on permitting pathways, Indigenous economic participation, and the project's role in the critical minerals supply chain [2]. - Minister Rickford examined the project's geological advantages and infrastructure, emphasizing the potential of Ontario's "One Project, One Process" initiative to streamline permitting while ensuring environmental standards and Indigenous rights are respected [3]. Indigenous Participation - The Nipissing First Nation (NFN) offers a network of First Nation-owned businesses that can support the project's advancement, providing access to a skilled workforce and local services [4]. - The engagement represents progress in economic reconciliation, moving towards specific pathways for NFN participation in the project's economics [5]. Strategic Importance - The ministerial engagement underscores the provincial recognition of the Springer's strategic potential within Canada's domestic rare earth supply chain, addressing vulnerabilities due to reliance on foreign sources [6]. - Volta's President and CEO highlighted the importance of strong Indigenous partnerships and established infrastructure in de-risking the project through exploration and permitting [7]. Community Engagement - The ongoing collaboration with the Nipissing First Nation is seen as essential for ensuring that the perspectives of the community guide the project's development stages [9].

Core Points - TomaGold Corporation has successfully closed the second and final tranche of its non-brokered private placement, raising total proceeds of $1,007,000, bringing the aggregate proceeds to $2,112,000 [1][2] Group 1: Private Placement Details - The Final Tranche involved the issuance of 11,690,000 oversubscribed common shares at $0.05 per share and 10,562,500 units at $0.04 per unit, with each unit consisting of one common share and one-half of a share purchase warrant [2] - Each warrant allows the holder to purchase an additional share at $0.08 for a period of 24 months from issuance [2] - TomaGold paid cash finder's fees of $25,305 and issued 520,130 finder's compensation warrants, each entitling the holder to purchase one share at $0.08 for 24 months [3] Group 2: Use of Proceeds - The net proceeds from the sale of the units will be used for general and corporate working capital purposes, with no specific use exceeding 10% of the gross proceeds [4] - The gross proceeds from the sale of the flow-through shares will be allocated to eligible Canadian exploration expenses related to critical mineral mining [4] Group 3: Company Overview - TomaGold Corp. is a Canadian junior mining company focused on acquiring, exploring, and developing precious and base metal projects, primarily in Quebec and Ontario [6] - The company's core assets include the Obalski gold-copper-silver project and options to acquire 12 additional properties, including the Berrigan Mine and others [6] - TomaGold also holds a 24.5% joint venture interest in the Baird gold property and has lithium and rare earth element projects in the James Bay region [6]

A Utah company has unearthed a massive deposit of critical minerals, describing it as potentially “one of North America’s most significant” finds to date. According to Ionic Minerals Technology, assays from its Silicon Ridge project in Utah have confirmed the presence of 16 critical minerals, including germanium and gallium, in the halloysite-hosted ion-adsorption clay (IAC) system, a geological system that’s easier to extract minerals from compared to the conventional hard-rock. Located in Provo, less t ...