Core Insights - NioCorp Developments Ltd. is currently considered one of the best metal stocks to invest in, particularly following the approval of the Mine Portal Project, which is crucial for the Elk Creek Critical Minerals Project [1][2] Group 1: Project Developments - The board of NioCorp approved the Mine Portal Project, which will establish the main entrances to the Elk Creek underground mine, serving as access for personnel, equipment, and materials [1][2] - The capital cost for the Mine Portal Project is estimated to be approximately $44.6 million, with work expected to commence in the first quarter [2] Group 2: Strategic Acquisitions - NioCorp completed an $8.4 million acquisition of FEA Materials LLC, enhancing its capability to produce aluminum-scandium master alloy in the U.S. [3][4] - The acquisition positions NioCorp to establish the first fully integrated scandium supply chain in the U.S., covering mining, oxide production, and alloy manufacturing for both defense and commercial markets [4] Group 3: Market Position and Future Outlook - NioCorp is focused on the Elk Creek Project in Nebraska, which aims to mine essential materials such as Niobium, Scandium, and Titanium, along with potential Rare Earth Elements [5] - The CEO of NioCorp emphasized the importance of the Portal Project as a critical milestone and expressed gratitude for the support from local stakeholders [3]

Core Insights - The year 2025 marked significant advancements for NioCorp, particularly in financing, federal support, technical development, and pre-construction efforts, laying a strong foundation for the Elk Creek Critical Minerals Project [3][4][19] - The company aims to secure full project financing and advance towards formal construction approval in 2026, which is seen as a pivotal year for the project [4][19] Financing Progress - NioCorp raised over $370 million in 2025, including $360.8 million in equity capital and $10 million from the Pentagon, marking one of the most successful fundraising years in its history [7][9] - The Export-Import Bank of the United States (EXIM) advanced the Elk Creek Project to Independent Technical Review, indicating serious consideration for a potential binding debt agreement [5][6] Federal Support - The company received up to $10 million from the Department of War under the Defense Production Act to support various technical programs, including reserve-upgrade drilling and development of scandium alloy technology [11][12] - Federal support is viewed as a strategic move to strengthen U.S. defense and aerospace supply chains [11] Technical Development - NioCorp completed a Department of War-funded in-fill drilling program, analyzing over 7,000 drill core samples to enhance the geological model and support resource conversion [13][15] - An updated Feasibility Study is expected to incorporate rare earth elements alongside niobium, scandium, and titanium, aiding in project financing efforts [15] Pre-Construction Efforts - The company has acquired all necessary land parcels for construction and received Board approval for the mine portal project, which is a significant step towards reducing execution risk [16][20] - Community support was evident with nearly 600 attendees at Town Hall events, highlighting the project's importance to Nebraska's economy [17][18] 2026 Priorities - The primary focus for 2026 is to finalize and secure full project financing, advance the EXIM due diligence process, and complete remaining equity financing [19] - Additional goals include publishing an updated Feasibility Study and establishing a domestic U.S. scandium supply chain [19]

Core Viewpoint - Doubleview Gold Corp. has successfully finalized key metallurgical recovery data for its Hat Polymetallic Deposit, which supports the upcoming updated Mineral Resource Estimate (MRE) and Preliminary Economic Assessment (PEA) [1][4]. Metallurgical Recovery Data - The two-year metallurgical testing program has confirmed viable recoveries for multiple metals, with the following overall recoveries: - Copper (Cu): 85% - Gold (Au): 89% - Silver (Ag): 68% - Cobalt (Co): 78% - Scandium (Sc): 75% [2][3] - Notable breakthroughs include the recovery of high-grade scandium oxide (Sc₂O₃) from copper porphyry flotation tailings, indicating strong technical viability [3]. MRE and PEA Updates - The updated MRE and PEA will incorporate new metallurgical data and expanded drilling results from the 2025 field season, which included over 13,000 meters of drilling [4]. - Preparations for the 2026 field season are underway, with plans for continued exploration and resource enhancement at the Hat Project [4]. Leadership and Expertise - Farshad Shirvani, President and CEO, emphasized the significance of the metallurgical recoveries for the Hat Project and the potential for critical metals like scandium [5]. - Andrew Carter, the metallurgical program leader, has over 45 years of experience in extractive metallurgy and is recognized as a Qualified Person under National Instrument 43-101 [5][7]. Company Commitment - Doubleview is dedicated to the responsible development of its strategic asset, contributing to North America's supply of critical and electrification-enabling metals [6]. Company Overview - Doubleview Gold Corp. is a mineral resource exploration and development company based in Vancouver, focusing on precious and base metal projects across North America, particularly in British Columbia [9]. - The company aims to enhance shareholder value through the acquisition and exploration of high-quality projects involving gold, copper, cobalt, scandium, and silver [9]. Hat Polymetallic Deposit Details - The Hat Deposit is a significant polymetallic porphyry project with major resources of copper, gold, cobalt, and potential for scandium [11]. - The resource estimate includes: - Indicated: 150 million tonnes at 0.408% CuEq - Inferred: 477 million tonnes at 0.344% CuEq - Scandium potential is estimated at 300 to 500 million tonnes with an average grade of 40 ppm (0.004%) Sc₂O₃ [11].

Core Insights - Robert Friedland, a prominent mining executive, emphasizes the urgent need to address the critical minerals shortage as global ambitions for electrification and AI clash with an inadequate mineral supply system [1][2] - The global economy is undergoing significant structural changes due to geopolitical factors, leading to a shift from globalization to a focus on supply chain resilience [2] - Friedland predicts that as economies transition to a "just-in-case" model, certain raw materials will gain immense value, impacting currency strength against essential materials [3] Company Insights - Sunrise Energy Metals, co-chaired by Friedland, controls the Syerston project in New South Wales, recognized as the largest and highest-grade scandium deposit under development [3][4] - The company experienced a remarkable 3,400% increase in market performance in 2025, driven by U.S. government interest and an agreement with Lockheed Martin [4] Industry Challenges - The copper industry faces significant challenges, with current consumption at 30 million tons per year and only 4 million tons recycled, necessitating a mining output equivalent to the last 10,000 years within the next 18 years to sustain GDP growth [5] - Declining ore grades, rising costs, and extended development times complicate the mining of copper, with energy requirements for production increasing 16-fold since 1900 [6] Proposed Solutions - Friedland advocates for the adoption of advanced exploration tools and energy-efficient processing methods to enhance mining effectiveness, reduce emissions, and improve recovery rates [7] - Without technological advancements, the energy transition and economic growth will face severe geological limitations [7]

Core Viewpoint - The recent Cooperation Agreement between the federal and provincial governments aims to streamline the regulatory process for resource development in Ontario's Ring of Fire mineral region, committing to a "One Project, One Review, One Decision" framework [1][2]. Group 1: Agreement Details - The agreement establishes a framework where the federal Impact Assessment Agency of Canada (IAAC) will align its environmental reviews with provincial assessments, specifically committing to complete reviews for the Ring of Fire road infrastructure by June 2026 [2][3]. - This initiative is seen as a significant step towards responsible resource development in Northern Ontario, highlighting the strategic importance of the Ring of Fire's untapped mineral resources [3][4]. Group 2: Strategic Implications - The Ring of Fire region contains critical minerals essential for the global energy transition, including titanium, vanadium, nickel, copper, and rare earth elements, positioning companies like Juno to benefit from improved infrastructure access [4][5]. - Juno Corp. holds extensive mineral exploration properties in the region, with 5,300 square kilometers of claims, representing over 52% of the district, which enhances its potential for economic mineral development [6]. Group 3: Company Profiles - Northfield Capital Corporation is a publicly traded investment firm with a significant ownership position in Juno, viewing the acceleration of Ring of Fire infrastructure development as a positive catalyst for its investment strategy [5][7]. - Juno Corp. is the largest mineral claim holder in the Ring of Fire, focusing on responsible exploration and collaboration with local First Nations communities to foster economic participation [6].

Core Viewpoint - NioCorp Developments Ltd. has received Board approval for the Portal Project, a significant step in advancing the Elk Creek Critical Minerals Project, with work expected to commence in Q1 2026 and an estimated capital cost of approximately $44.6 million [1][2]. Project Overview - The Portal Project will establish main entrances to the Elk Creek underground mine, serving as the primary access point for personnel, equipment, and materials [2]. - The project scope includes excavating to bedrock, drilling and blasting for twin mine ramps, constructing on-site access roads, and developing supporting infrastructure [2]. Technological Advancements - The portal will facilitate the implementation of the Railveyor system, which is expected to reduce initial capital costs and simplify underground infrastructure compared to the previously planned twin-shaft design [3]. - The Railveyor system and all underground mining equipment will operate on electricity, providing potential environmental and operational benefits over conventional diesel-powered systems [4]. Strategic Importance - Approval of the Portal Project is viewed as a critical milestone for NioCorp, allowing the company to advance key schedule items while working towards securing remaining financing for the Elk Creek Project [5]. - The excavation work marks the beginning of major pre-construction activities at the Elk Creek Project site, which is anticipated to generate excitement within the community [5]. Company Background - NioCorp is focused on developing the Elk Creek Project, which is expected to produce niobium, scandium, and titanium, with potential for additional rare earths [8]. - Niobium is utilized in specialty alloys and high-strength steel, while scandium enhances aluminum alloys, and titanium is key in various lightweight applications [8].

Core Insights - A Utah company, Ionic Minerals Technology, has discovered a significant deposit of critical minerals, potentially one of North America's most important finds to date [1] - The Silicon Ridge project contains 16 critical minerals, including germanium and gallium, within a more easily extractable ion-adsorption clay (IAC) system [1][3] Company Overview - Ionic MT is based in Provo, Utah, and has mining permits in place for the Silicon Ridge project [3] - The company plans to utilize a 74,000-square-foot processing facility to facilitate rapid development of the mineral deposit [3] Geological Significance - The IAC geological formation in Utah supplies over 70% of the world's heavy rare earth elements and 35-40% of China's total rare earth production [2] - The deposit also includes lithium, rubidium, scandium, cesium, tungsten, vanadium, and niobium [2] Mineral Concentration - Initial assays indicate a concentration of approximately 2,700 parts per million (ppm) or 0.27% of rare earths and critical metals [4] - This concentration is favorable compared to Chinese IAC deposits, which typically range from 500 to 2,000 ppm [4] - The confirmed critical minerals grade is based on only 11% of the total resource area, suggesting significant potential for expansion [4] Industry Context - The U.S. has recently made notable discoveries in critical minerals, including a large lithium reserve in Arkansas, which could contain between 5 and 19 million tons of lithium [5] - The U.S. Geological Survey estimates that there is enough lithium in southern Arkansas to meet current U.S. consumption needs, highlighting the country's reliance on imports for over 25% of its lithium [5]

Core Insights - Doubleview Gold Corp. has reported positive assay results from drill holes H100 and H101 at its 100%-owned Hat Polymetallic Deposit, indicating significant mineralization extensions beyond the 2024 conceptual pit shell [1][2]. Drill Results - Drill hole H100 confirmed that mineralization extends eastward beyond the 2024 conceptual pit boundary, with 497.0 meters of mineralization averaging 0.27% CuEq, indicating continuity into previously under-tested areas [4][8]. - Drill hole H101 showed a continuous mineralization of 992.4 meters, with a higher gold-to-copper ratio compared to the broader average of the Hat deposit, suggesting variations in metal distribution [6][8]. Mineralization Characteristics - Elevated cobalt values in H100 at depth may indicate proximity to deeper parts of the porphyry system, which is consistent with observed metal associations at the Hat deposit [4][16]. - The results from both drill holes contribute to an expanded mineralization envelope at the Hat Deposit, supporting the interpretation of a large, vertically extended porphyry system [15][18]. Future Exploration - The deepest portions of the Hat porphyry system remain untested, and the company considers these areas a priority for future exploration programs [16][18]. - The identification of cobalt-enriched intervals and the gold-rich character of H101 provide geological vectors that may assist in defining future drill targets [16]. Company Overview - Doubleview Gold Corp. is focused on identifying, acquiring, and financing precious and base metal exploration projects across North America, with a strong emphasis on British Columbia [29]. - The Hat Deposit is recognized as a significant source of critical minerals, including copper, gold, cobalt, and potential scandium [31].

Core Insights - The article discusses the intricate workings of a machine, emphasizing the interactions between its components and the resulting outcomes [1]. Group 1 - Tim Worstall is identified as a wholesaler of rare earth metals and a global expert in scandium [1]. - Worstall is affiliated with the Adam Smith Institute in London and contributes to various media outlets, including The Times, Telegraph, and WSJ [1].

Core Insights - Metallium, through its subsidiary Flash Metals USA, has signed a binding Letter of Intent with ElementUSA to recover gallium and scandium from red mud in Louisiana, with up to US$10.1 million in non-dilutive funding allocated for the initial deployment of its Flash Joule Heating technology [1][2] - The collaboration aims to support ElementUSA's development of a demonstration facility in Gramercy, Louisiana, focusing on the separation and purification of gallium and scandium from industrial waste [1][2] Company Overview - Metallium is focused on low-carbon, high-efficiency recovery of critical and precious metals from mineral concentrates and high-grade waste streams, utilizing its patented Flash Joule Heating technology [4] - The technology allows for the extraction of high-value materials such as gallium, germanium, antimony, rare earths, and gold from various feedstocks, including refinery scrap and e-waste [4] Industry Context - ElementUSA specializes in recovering critical minerals like gallium and scandium from industrial waste streams, employing advanced process development and various separation technologies [3] - The collaboration between Metallium and ElementUSA is positioned to enhance domestic capabilities in critical minerals, which are essential for defense, semiconductors, and advanced materials [2]