Critical Minerals Report (09.19.2025): Congo’s Cobalt Ban Extension, Nvidia’s $5B Intel Stake, and Qatar’s $500M Bet on Ivanhoe Copper

written by Tracy Hughes | September 19, 2025

The global contest over critical minerals intensified this week, as policymakers and companies maneuvered on multiple fronts from cobalt and copper to rare earths and uranium. In the Democratic Republic of Congo, officials are poised to extend a ban on cobalt exports by at least two more months, delaying a planned quota system[1]. The ban – first imposed in February when cobalt prices hit a nine-year low around $10/lb – helped prices rebound to about $16 per pound (up ~60% since late February)[2]. Congo produces over 70% of the world’s cobalt[3], so any prolonged curb has global battery makers on alert. The quota plan faces resistance: Glencore plc (LSE: GLEN) supports quotas to prop up prices, while CMOC Group Limited (formerly China Molybdenum Co., Ltd.; HKEX: 3993 | SSE: 603993)—the world’s largest cobalt producer—has been lobbying Kinshasa to scrap the export ban altogether. The standoff underscores how African resource nationalism is colliding with foreign mining interests, and how swiftly supply-side risks can spill over into price volatility and broader strategic tensions.

Those tensions are most acute between the U.S. and China. In Washington, a senior lawmaker floated an extraordinary retaliatory threat: suspend Chinese airlines’ U.S. landing rights unless Beijing restores full access to rare earth metals [5]. Representative John Moolenaar’s proposal reflects alarm over China’s recent export controls on rare earth elements and magnets – vital for EVs, wind turbines and defense systems[6]. “Beijing cannot choke off critical supplies to our defense industries without consequences to its own strategic sectors,” he warned[7]. China had added several rare earth items to its export restriction list in April amid trade disputes[8], and European manufacturers are already suffering. The EU Chamber of Commerce in China reported this week that license approvals for rare earth exports have slowed, forcing some European car and chip factories into shutdowns despite a July EU–China pledge to expedite permits[9][10]. Less than a quarter of the 140 license applications tracked by the chamber have been approved, and companies are bracing for more disruption[11]. This supply squeeze comes even as demand for rare earth magnets is surging, prompting high-profile voices like former U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo to urge Washington to “move faster” on securing critical minerals and adopt a more “deregulatory mindset” to attract mining investment[12]. The strategic stakes are clear: critical minerals have become as geopolitical as oil, and governments are increasingly willing to play hardball – whether via export bans or flight bans – to protect their supply chains.

Against this fraught backdrop, the United States is accelerating efforts to rebuild its own critical mineral supply lines. The Pentagon’s support for domestic rare earth processing showed progress as Ucore Rare Metals Inc. (TSXV: UCU | OTCQX: UURAF) broke ground on an 80,000-square-foot rare earth refinery in Louisiana with $22 million in U.S. Defense Department funding[13][14]. Ucore’s stock has nearly tripled since early summer amid optimism that its plant – slated to produce separated oxides by 2026 – will help challenge China’s 80–90% grip on rare earth refining[15][16]. In parallel, the U.S. government is reportedly in talks with private firm Orion Resource Partners (USA) LP to create a $5 billion investment fund for mining projects in copper, cobalt, and rare earths[17]. This would be Washington’s largest foray into critical mineral deal-making, echoing China’s state-backed approach[18][19]. Under the plan, the U.S. International Development Finance Corp (DFC) would match Orion’s capital, leveraging the firm’s mining finance expertise to secure supply from abroad[20]. Such a fund – along with fast-tracked permits and offtake deals – is meant to ensure the U.S. isn’t beholden to geopolitical rivals for materials underpinning clean energy and defense. It also aligns with direct calls from officials like Pompeo and others to sprint, not crawl, toward supply chain independence.

The U.S. is also shoring up its strategic stockpiles of critical elements long taken for granted. For the first time in nearly 30 years, the Defense Logistics Agency has tendered to buy bismuth metal – over 5 million pounds across five years – after having sold off the last national stockpile of it in 1997[21][22]. Bismuth, a lead substitute used in certain ammunition and alloys, is more than 80% produced by China[22]. The DLA wants all refining and testing done domestically and will store the metal in Nevada, reflecting a push to eliminate chokepoints for defense-critical minerals[23][24]. A similar initiative is underway in uranium. U.S. Energy Secretary Chris Wright said this week that America will boost its strategic uranium reserve to wean off Russian nuclear fuel[25][26]. Russia currently supplies about a quarter of the enriched uranium for America’s 94 nuclear reactors[27]. With geopolitical rifts deepening, the U.S. aims to build buffer stocks so it can “no longer use Russian enriched uranium” in the future, Wright noted[25][26]. The prospect of Washington buying more uranium on the market sent uranium equities higher – Canada’s Cameco Corporation (TSX: CCO | NYSE: CCJ) hit a record high, climbing nearly 10% in recent days[28] on expectations of increased demand. From obscure metals like bismuth to the uranium that lights a fifth of U.S. homes, Washington is making clear it will spend generously to reinforce its mineral security.

Energy security was also in focus across the Atlantic. In London, Prime Minister Keir Starmer welcomed President Donald Trump for a state visit crowned by a landmark US–UK civil nuclear agreement. The allies announced plans to build up to 12 advanced modular reactors in northeast England with U.S. technology, part of a “golden age of nuclear” intended to create thousands of jobs and cut reliance on fossil fuels[29][30]. U.S.-based reactor designer X-energy and Britain’s Centrica (LSE: CNA) will lead the Hartlepool project, speeding up approval and construction timelines. In a notable regulatory pact, Washington and London will recognize each other’s reactor safety reviews – slashing licensing time to about two years from the current three or four[31]. The transatlantic deal also features a joint SMR-powered data center project and a fuel supply arrangement: UK-based Urenco will supply advanced low-enriched uranium fuel for the U.S. market[32][33]. By pooling their nuclear industries, the U.S. and UK aim to rejuvenate domestic reactor programs and counter the influence of Russian and Chinese nuclear suppliers. It’s an example of how “friend-shoring” strategic energy projects can serve shared economic and security goals. As Starmer put it, these commitments set the course for homegrown clean energy that “will drive down household bills in the long run” – while deepening ties with America[34][35].

Major corporate moves this week highlighted the new marriage of industrial policy and private capital in strategic sectors. In the semiconductor arena – which, like critical minerals, has become a battleground for economic security – NVIDIA Corporation (NASDAQ: NVDA) agreed to invest $5 billion in Intel (NASDAQ: INTC), throwing a lifeline to the struggling chipmaker. The deal, unveiled just weeks after the White House orchestrated a $5.7 billion federal stake in Intel[36][37], will make Nvidia one of Intel’s largest shareholders and partners. Intel’s stock soared 23% on the news[38], a reflection of investor relief that both government and industry leaders are determined to revive the company. Under a partnership blessed by the Trump administration, Intel and Nvidia will co-develop next-generation PC and data-center chips, aiming to reclaim ground from Asian rivals[39]. Notably, Intel will not (for now) produce Nvidia’s own AI chips – a carve-out to keep the alliance from straying into sensitive territory[40]. Still, analysts see Nvidia’s cash and credibility as potentially “game-changing” for Intel[41], and even speculate it could be a precursor to further consolidation in the U.S. chip industry[42]. The tie-up underscores a broader trend: whether in microchips or critical minerals, the U.S. government is encouraging alliances and equity stakes that fortify supply chains and edge out Chinese influence. Nvidia’s Huang was even photographed with President Trump in London as the deal was announced[43], underlining how closely the public and private sectors are now working to secure key technologies.

Meanwhile, global investors are staking claims in the raw materials powering the clean energy boom. Qatar’s sovereign wealth fund (QIA) struck a deal to buy a $500 million stake in Ivanhoe Mines (TSX: IVN), which operates one of the world’s richest copper mines in the Democratic Republic of Congo[44][45]. QIA will pay C$12 per share for a 4% holding in Ivanhoe – a vote of confidence in copper’s long-term value, even at a slight discount to market price[46][45]. The cash injection will help Ivanhoe expand its projects in Africa, including the Kamoa-Kakula mine that’s slated to become the second-largest copper complex globally. The move mirrors other Gulf investors’ forays into critical minerals (QIA previously backed Glencore and TechMet[47]), as resource-hungry nations seek stable returns and supply access. Copper in particular is seen as a cornerstone of the energy transition – essential for electric vehicles, power grids, and renewables – and demand is forecast to outstrip supply in coming years. North of the border, Canada doesn’t want to be left behind. This week Ottawa put copper at the center of its “nation-building” agenda, fast-tracking approvals for two new copper mine projects[48][49]. Prime Minister Mark Carney stressed that critical mineral projects must bolster “Canada’s autonomy, resilience and security”[50]. The government recommended permitting Saskatchewan’s McIlvenna Bay copper-zinc mine (wholly owned by Foran Mining Corporation (TSX: FOM; OTCQX: FMCXF) and an expansion of the Red Chris copper-gold mine [operated through the Red Chris Joint Venture: 70% interest, Newmont Corporation(TSX: FOM; OTCQX: FMCXF) and 30% interest Imperial Metals Corporation (TSX: III)] – in British Columbia, hoping to boost domestic output of a metal Canada views as strategic. It’s a catch-up play – Canada has significant copper reserves but has lagged rivals in development – and a response to the U.S. and others pouring money into critical minerals. As one of the world’s top three industrial metals, copper is now being treated not just as a commodity but as core infrastructure.

Even mining giants are innovating to wring more from existing assets. In Chile, Anglo American (LSE: AAL) and state-owned Codelco finalized a $5 billion plan to jointly operate their adjacent Los Bronces and Andina copper mines[51]. By treating the two mines as one integrated complex, the partnership will add an estimated 120,000 tonnes of copper output per year and cut production costs ~15%[51][52]. That’s equivalent to an 8% boost over the mines’ combined output of 350,000 tonnes last year[53] – a significant gain with minimal new investment or new footprint. The deal, decades in the making, lets Anglo’s modern processing plant at Los Bronces handle more ore from Codelco’s Andina deposit, unlocking synergies that neither could achieve alone[54]. The additional 2.7 million tonnes of copper expected over 21 years will be split evenly between the partners’ subsidiaries[55][52]. Executives hailed the joint venture as a “paradigm shift” of collaborative mining, and Chile’s government – grappling with Codelco’s production struggles – welcomed the efficiency boost[56]. The pact still needs regulatory and environmental approvals, as the Andean operations face scrutiny over water and glaciers[57]. Notably, it comes on the heels of Anglo American’s proposed merger with Teck Resources, which would fold Los Bronces into a new company[58]. Whether or not that merger proceeds, Anglo and Codelco’s coordination signals that even fierce competitors are willing to partner in order to unlock buried value and meet surging copper demand.

Finally, the rare earth sector saw a telling M&A outcome in Australia. Peak Rare Earths (ASX: PEK) announced it will be acquired by Chinese producer Shenghe Resources in a A$195 million deal[59], even though a U.S. investor offered roughly 25% more. Peak’s board cited the certainty of Shenghe’s cash offer – the Chinese firm already owns 19.7% of Peak – and rejected the higher, but non-binding, bid from General Innovation Capital Partners[60][61]. Shenghe, partly state-backed, will gain full control of Peak’s Ngualla project in Tanzania, one of the world’s largest neodymium-praseodymium deposits used in magnet manufacturing[62]. The outcome highlights China’s continued leverage in critical minerals: by securing upstream assets and providing patient capital, Chinese companies often outmaneuver Western rivals. Australia’s government has been promoting itself as an alternative source of rare earths – even weighing price floors or subsidies for critical mineral projects[63] – but in this case its domestic player chose the Chinese partner it knew over a richer but uncertain overture from the West. Peak’s stock jumped to a two-year high on the takeover news[64], reflecting shareholder approval of the immediate premium. Yet the deal may draw scrutiny in Canberra, which like Washington is keen to diversify supply chains away from China. It’s a reminder that on the ground, market logic and geopolitics can collide in complicated ways. Chinese firms remain deeply embedded in global critical mineral supply, and unwinding that dominance – through new mines, alliances or government intervention – will not happen overnight.

In summary, the past week’s developments underscore both the urgency and complexity of securing critical minerals. Prices for key materials like cobalt are rebounding on supply squeezes[2], and companies and countries alike are racing to invest. Western governments are deploying an array of tools – from Pentagon-funded refineries and strategic stockpiles to international partnerships and even threats of sanctions – to counter China’s longstanding head start. China, for its part, is selectively tightening exports while still boldly buying up assets abroad, sustaining its edge. Meanwhile, industry players are forging creative joint ventures and big-ticket deals to increase output and capture financing. The stakes go beyond commodity markets: these minerals underpin the technologies of the 21st century, from electric vehicles and smartphones to fighter jets and power grids. As this week showed, ensuring steady access to them has become a defining economic security challenge. The result is a highly dynamic landscape where geopolitics, national industrial strategies, and private enterprise are intersecting like never before. For investors and policymakers with an MBA’s eye on the bottom line, one thing is clear – in critical minerals, the only certainty is intensifying competition, and the race is on to turn today’s bold plans into tomorrow’s reliable supply[65][19].

The Critical Minerals Report (CMR) is the Critical Minerals Institute Board of Directors’ hand-picked digest of the week’s most consequential developments. Receive each edition straight to your inbox by becoming a Critical Minerals Institute member—click here. And don’t miss the new CMI Store—click here.

InvestorNews.com Media Updates:

September 18, 2025 – Ucore Rare Metals Advances as Pentagon-Backed Refinery Reshapes U.S. Rare Earth Strategy https://bit.ly/3Vot0nm
September 17, 2025 – Notes from Beaver Creek and Denver Gold: the bulls are back in town! https://bit.ly/4mnxuFU
September 16, 2025 – CEMI and the Critical Minerals Institute Sign Partnership to Strengthen Canada’s Role in the Global Critical Minerals Economy https://bit.ly/4pyx6an

InvestorChannel.com (YouTube) Interview Updates:

September 19, 2025 – Pat Ryan of Ucore on Building America’s Rare Earth Refinery with Pentagon and State Backing https://youtu.be/gue72tk2Qok
September 19, 2025 – Canuc Resources’ Christopher Berlet on Major IOCG Discovery Potential and Building Cash Flow in Sudbury https://youtu.be/voVuY9N6bio
September 18, 2025 – Coniagas Drills Into Quebec’s ‘Graal,’ Hunting a Battery Metal Bonanza https://youtu.be/4_4cY1jfJsA
September 16, 2025 – The Icarus Sun Mill Spins Sunshine into Power, Clean Water and Heat https://youtu.be/lK94EM0_O_s
September 16, 2025 – Resouro CEO Christopher Eager on Brazil’s Bid for Titanium and Rare Earth Supremacy https://youtu.be/RbjuQ8T5SNA

InvestorNews.com News Release Updates:

September 19, 2025 – Neo Extends Strategic Partnership for High-Performance Magnets with Bosch https://bit.ly/4gsN1Ti
September 17, 2025 – Appointment of Mr. Jean Lafleur to the Board of Directors of Scandium Canada https://bit.ly/4nBGesU
September 17, 2025 – Romios Expands Size of Trek South Porphyry Copper-Gold Prospect in BC’s Golden Triangle and Prepares for First-Ever Drilling in 2026 https://bit.ly/4ppJ6L0
September 17, 2025 – Nano One and Sumitomo Metal Mining Advance Collaboration on LFP Commercialization https://bit.ly/469mO91
September 16, 2025 – CEMI and the Critical Minerals Institute Sign Partnership to Strengthen Canada’s Role in the Global Critical Minerals Economy https://bit.ly/3Vlzrra
September 16, 2025 – Ucore Enters into Strategic Partnership with Metallium Limited https://bit.ly/4n6R4HC
September 16, 2025 – Homerun Resources Inc. Announces Updated Offtake Agreement with Brasil Fotovoltaico for the Supply of High-Quality Solar Glass https://bit.ly/4nfZ4Gb
September 15, 2025 – Nord Precious Metals Announces Non-Brokered LIFE Financing https://bit.ly/4n8UJoj
September 15, 2025 – Appia Initiates High-Resolution Ground Gravity Survey at Alces Lake to Refine High-Priority Drill Targets https://bit.ly/4gqYrH9
September 15, 2025 – Antimony Resources Corp. (ATMY) (K8J0) Closes Flow Thru Financing https://bit.ly/4640CNp

Pat Ryan of Ucore on Building America’s Rare Earth Refinery with Pentagon and State Backing

written by InvestorNews | September 19, 2025

September 19, 2025 — Pat Ryan doesn’t mince words when he draws a parallel between China’s near-total dominance of rare earth refining and Rockefeller’s 19th-century oil empire. “If I said to you today that China controls 95% of oil refining in the world, you’d be shocked. Of course, they don’t. But they do control 95% of rare earth critical mineral processing. People should be shocked. We’ve got to change that.” His company, Ucore Rare Metals Inc. (TSXV: UCU | OTCQX: UURAF), is positioning itself to be that change, armed with Pentagon grants, state-level incentives, and a refinery set to begin commissioning by mid-2026.

In a conversation with InvestorNews host Tracy Hughes, Ryan confirmed that Ucore’s Louisiana refinery is advancing in three distinct stages, beginning at 2,500 tons per year and scaling to a potential 12,000. The facility will handle both light and heavy rare earths, including critical minerals like samarium and gadolinium—materials that China has recently restricted. “We’ll be producing heavier rare earth products from that facility as well as light rare earths,” Ryan said, emphasizing the strategic breadth of the project.

The scale of government support behind Ucore sets it apart from its peers. Since 2022, the company has received approximately $22.4 million in Pentagon backing, structured as an OTA grant that Ryan described as “a very good program to be involved in… and it is grant money, which is obviously very nice to our shareholders. There’s no dilution.” Louisiana has added $15 million in tax incentives, alongside Canadian programs totaling $4.3 million. “They’re helping us with hiring the team for boots-on-the-ground production in Louisiana, which is no small feat,” Ryan noted of the Louisiana Economic Development agency.

That support has been matched by investor enthusiasm. Ucore’s oversubscribed $15.5 million private placement, executed in 48 hours, was buoyed by the Pentagon news. “We were looking to cap it at about $10 million… we ended up going higher, to $15 million, which was very advantageous. We cut it off at that point, but we could have gone further.” Ryan credits a growing recognition that refining—rather than mining alone—is the bottleneck in rare earth supply chains. “We’ve got engineers working on the process flow sheets for Louisiana… People are recognizing: refining is the bottleneck. Ucore is on the forefront, taking proven chemistry and making it better—bringing a boutique approach with 21st-century digital manufacturing techniques.”

Investors have noticed. Ryan attributes the heightened interest to both market momentum and Ucore’s concrete progress. “We’ve got an 80,000 sq. ft. building in Louisiana. A lot of civil site work is done. We’ve created engineering and environmental baselines. We’ve done 3D scans of the building so we can copy and paste what we’ve done in Kingston into Louisiana.”

Ucore’s strategy also hinges on diversifying feedstock. Its September 16, 2025, announcement of a strategic partnership with Metallium Limited (ASX: MTM | OTCQX: MTMCF) underscores this ambition. Metallium’s Flash Joule Heating process can convert unconventional inputs like e-waste, industrial waste, and magnet scrap into soluble chlorides, which Ucore’s RapidSX™ platform can then separate into high-purity oxides. “Metallium has a Flash Joule Heating process that allows that. They can process e-waste into a soluble form… This broadens the net,” Ryan explained. “We want to cast a wider net, with a focus on heavies like dysprosium and terbium. The technology agreement with Metallium allows us to do that.” Looking ahead, Ryan described a pipeline of activity that stretches beyond the first Louisiana facility. “Governments are circling… In the U.S., the DoD is active. They were in Louisiana recently for their quarterly meeting and love the ecosystem there. Apart from engineering, we’re ordering long-lead equipment under a DPAS contract. That allows us to move to the front of the line.” With White House-level engagement on critical mineral funds and customers beginning to line up, Ryan hinted at further expansion: “We’re realizing we’ll need to go beyond Plant #1 to Plant #2 very shortly.”

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About Ucore Rare Metals Inc.

Ucore is focused on rare- and critical-metal resources, extraction, beneficiation, and separation technologies with the potential for production, growth, and scalability. Ucore’s vision and plan is to become a leading advanced technology company, providing best-in-class metal separation products and services to the mining and mineral extraction industry.

Through strategic partnerships, this plan includes disrupting the People’s Republic of China’s control of the North American REE supply chain through the near-term development of a heavy and light rare-earth processing facility in the US State of Louisiana, subsequent SMCs in Canada and Alaska and the longer-term development of Ucore’s 100% controlled Bokan-Dotson Ridge Rare Heavy REE Project on Prince of Wales Island in Southeast Alaska, USA (“Bokan“).

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Disclaimer: Ucore Rare Metals Inc. is an advertorial member of InvestorNews Inc.

This interview, which was produced by InvestorNews Inc. (“InvestorNews”), does not contain, nor does it purport to contain, a summary of all material information concerning the Company, including important disclosure and risk factors associated with the Company, its business and an investment in its securities. InvestorNews offers no representations or warranties that any of the information contained in this interview is accurate or complete.

This interview and any transcriptions or reproductions thereof (collectively, this “presentation”) does not constitute, or form part of, any offer or invitation to sell or issue, or any solicitation of any offer to subscribe for or purchase any securities in the Company. The information in this presentation is provided for informational purposes only and may be subject to updating, completion or revision, and except as may be required by applicable securities laws, the Company disclaims any intent or obligation to update any information herein. This presentation may contain “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of applicable Canadian securities legislation. Forward-looking statements are based on the opinions and assumptions of the management of the Company as of the date made. They are inherently susceptible to uncertainty and other factors that could cause actual events/results to differ materially from these forward-looking statements. Additional risks and uncertainties, including those that the Company does not know about now or that it currently deems immaterial, may also adversely affect the Company’s business or any investment therein.

Any projections given are principally intended for use as objectives and are not intended, and should not be taken, as assurances that the projected results will be obtained by the Company. The assumptions used may not prove to be accurate and a potential decline in the Company’s financial condition or results of operations may negatively impact the value of its securities. This presentation should not be considered as the giving of investment advice by the Company or any of its directors, officers, agents, employees or advisors. Each person to whom this presentation is made available must make its own independent assessment of the Company after making such investigations and taking such advice as may be deemed necessary. Prospective investors are urged to review the Company’s profile on SedarPlus.ca and to carry out independent investigations in order to determine their interest in investing in the Company.

Canuc Resources’ Christopher Berlet on Major IOCG Discovery Potential and Building Cash Flow in Sudbury

written by InvestorNews | September 19, 2025

September 19, 2025 — A distressed asset, a forgotten mine, and a geological model that could reshape the future of mining east of Sudbury—this is the story that Christopher Berlet, President, CEO, and Director of Canuc Resources Corporation (TSXV: CDA | OTCQB: CNUCF), is beginning to tell publicly after years of quiet preparation. “Major discovery potential with cash flow,” is how Berlet described the company’s position. “Yes. Yes.”

The potential he refers to lies in Northern Ontario, roughly 20 kilometers east of Sudbury, where Canuc now controls the East Sudbury Project, a nearly 200-square-kilometer property acquired through its May 2025 takeover of MacDonald Mines. The project, also known as “ESP,” is a complex patchwork of historic copper and gold mines, tailings, and unexplored iron oxide-copper-gold (IOCG) systems. “There’s some fantastic, large-scale, high-impact discovery potential on this property,” Berlet explained. “And as is often the case, it’s difficult to finance these things if there’s an absence of cash flow and when the markets turn against you.”

Cash flow, however, is exactly what Canuc is engineering. At the heart of the company’s immediate plan is the Scadding Gold Mine tailings project, an overlooked legacy of mining from the 1980s. The tailings—150,000 tons grading around 1.2 grams per ton of gold—contain an estimated 5,000 recoverable ounces, or roughly $25 million at current prices. “We drilled it through to confirm, took more than 100 samples, and confirmed the grades,” Berlet said. “There’s no impurities and we can get more than 80% recoveries in 24 hours.” With a modest capex of about $1 million, Canuc expects to begin processing the material under a permit secured in late 2023. “The purpose of this is to make money so that we can afford drilling and pay for our drilling without issuing shares,” he added.

But as the company pursued the tailings project, it uncovered a broader opportunity. “The first thing that came from that is that in addition to the tailings, there are high-grade gold lenses around the old mine workings,” Berlet said. The first of these could contain between 20,000 and 25,000 ounces at grades exceeding 8 grams per ton. “We’re talking therefore about a $100 million gold inventory,” he noted, pointing to multiple shallow, minable zones already identified. The company estimates small mine workings could yield 60,000 to 80,000 tons of additional material, providing a bridge to more substantial cash flow.

The deeper prize, however, is tied to the IOCG model—a deposit type capable of producing world-class metal inventories. “One is on the McLaren Fault,” Berlet explained, “and now the Canadian government is getting involved there to do seismic.” This focus dates back to 2007, when Geological Survey of Canada geologist 1) Dr. Louise Carriveau first outlined the IOCG potential of the McLaren Fault system. Seismic work funded by Ottawa is expected to refine targets for drilling in early 2026.

The other IOCG horizon sits eight kilometers south, around the Scadding Gold Mine, where past production left behind pits, shafts, and underground workings. Here, Canuc has already identified three high-grade gold lenses, with the possibility of many more. “There could be as many as 10 or 15 going all the way west to the property boundary and going east towards the Orostar mine,” Berlet explained. An airborne gravity survey scheduled for early 2026 will seek to uncover these buried systems.

In parallel, Canuc is leveraging a vast accumulation of historical data—more than 30,000 meters of core, 160 drill holes, gravity and IP surveys, and even shafts dating back to 1903. “There is a tremendous accumulation of data, and that’s a material advantage,” Berlet said. “And it’s still valued below the historical exploration spend, which is an indication of how substantially underpriced the MacDonald Mines acquisition was.”

The company’s strategy hinges on maintaining discipline in its capital structure by generating its own funding rather than diluting shareholders. “We need cash flow in order to have a capital structure that can be disciplined,” Berlet stressed. “That’s the way we’ve set up the company. So that’s what we’re really making an effort to convey to the market today.”

As Canuc advances its East Sudbury Project—processing tailings, mining shallow gold lenses, and preparing for seismic and airborne surveys—the company believes it is positioning itself for a discovery with global significance. “The company has projects that have potential for discovery of very large economic deposits,” Berlet said. “We’re developing a method for being able to conduct exploration without issuing shares.”

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About Canuc Resources Corporation

Canuc Resources Corporation is a junior resource company developing its 100% interest in the East Sudbury Project (“ESP“) which spans 19,710 hectares and is centered approximately 20 kilometers northeast of the Prolific Sudbury Mining Camp and near to the extensive infrastructure of the adjacent Sudbury Mining District. ESP encompasses several centers of critical and precious metal mineralization interpreted to be related to a mineral system that can form IOCG and affiliated critical and precious mineral deposits. Included within the Project is the historical Scadding Gold Mine and associated Scadding Gold Tailings Project.

Canuc also holds a 100% interest in the San Javier Silver-Gold Project located in Sonora State, Mexico. The San Javier Silver-Gold Project spans 28 claims covering 1,052 hectares and evidences extensive silver, gold and copper mineralization interpreted to be related to a mineral system that can form silver-dominant IOCG and affiliated deposits.

Canuc generates cash flow from natural gas production at its MidTex Energy Project located in Central West Texas, USA where Canuc has an interest in eight (8) producing natural gas wells and has rights for further in field developments. The Company also receives a 4% Net Smelter Royalty from gold production at the Scadding Gold Tailings Project located on Mining Claim LEA 107735 within the ESP property group.

To learn more about Canuc Resources Corporation, click here

Disclaimer: Canuc Resources Corporation is an advertorial member of InvestorNews Inc.

Ucore Rare Metals Advances as Pentagon-Backed Refinery Reshapes U.S. Rare Earth Strategy

written by Tracy Hughes | September 19, 2025

On the site of a once-quiet Air Force base in central Louisiana, crews are remaking an 80,000-square-foot warehouse into what could become a cornerstone of America’s critical minerals supply chain. Ucore Rare Metals Inc. (TSXV: UCU | OTCQX: UURAF), a small Canadian company with big ambitions, broke ground this summer on its Strategic Metals Complex (SMC) in Alexandria. If successful, the facility will separate rare earth oxides used in electric vehicles, wind turbines, and defense systems — materials long dominated by China.

Since June, Ucore has moved from concept to execution, supported by both government funding and renewed investor interest. Its stock, which traded near C$1.20 in early summer, is now at approximately C$3.44* on the TSX Venture Exchange (TSXV: UCU) and around US$2.49* on the OTCQX (OTCQX: UURAF). That represents a threefold increase and brings the company close to a multi-year high. The momentum reflects a growing belief that Ucore is positioned to deliver on its long-stated plan to establish a North American rare earth supply chain. (*Stock prices were taken at 10:47 AM EST on September 18, 2025.)

Investor Sentiment Turns Positive

For much of the past decade, Ucore was a speculative name — its Alaska deposit at Bokan Mountain widely discussed but years from development. What changed this summer was tangible progress in Louisiana, backed by Pentagon funding and state incentives. A June financing raised C$15.5 million, earmarked for advancing the SMC and securing offtake agreements. The raise was oversubscribed, and the pricing close to market levels signaled that institutional investors were willing to support the project without deep discounts.

The market’s response has been swift. Trading volumes increased through July and August, with the stock climbing more than 150% from its June lows. Analysts covering the sector note that Ucore’s market capitalization, now approximately C$285 million, still represents anticipation rather than current earnings. But the shift in sentiment suggests that investors see a more credible pathway to commercial revenue — an uncommon level of visibility for a junior mining company.

Fast-Tracking the Louisiana Refinery

The centerpiece of Ucore’s strategy is the Louisiana SMC. The facility will employ the company’s proprietary RapidSX™ technology, an evolution of conventional solvent extraction that promises faster and more efficient separation of rare earth elements. At a demonstration plant in Kingston, Ontario, Ucore has logged thousands of hours refining mixed concentrates, de-risking the technology before commercial deployment.

The Alexandria complex is being built in stages. The first phase targets about 2,000 tons per year of separated oxides by 2026, scaling up to 5,000–7,500 tons by 2028. Company statements suggest an even more ambitious target of 12,000 tons annually by 2027 if financing and market conditions allow. For context, that would represent roughly one-third of projected U.S. demand outside of China.

Location offers strategic advantages. The SMC sits within a Foreign Trade Zone, allowing duty-free import and export of materials. Feedstock could arrive from allied nations such as Australia or Greenland, be processed in Louisiana, and shipped to customers in Japan or the U.S. without tariff penalties. As CEO Pat Ryan shared with me earlier this year, “You can bring inputs from Brazil, process the material, and send it back to Japan for magnet making with no tariff consequence coming in or going out.”

Government as Backstop

What distinguishes Ucore from many rare earth hopefuls is the extent of government backing. In June, the company secured an $18.4 million award from the U.S. Department of Defense, bringing its total Pentagon funding to $22.4 million since 2022. The money will help build and commission the first full-scale RapidSX production line in Louisiana. Unlike traditional loans or equity raises, these funds are non-dilutive, a direct subsidy to accelerate Ucore’s development.

The grant comes under the DoD’s Industrial Base Analysis and Sustainment program, which supports projects deemed essential for national security. U.S. policymakers have become increasingly explicit: China’s control of rare earth refining, estimated at 80–90% of global capacity, represents a strategic vulnerability. Earlier this year, China imposed new export controls on seven rare earth elements — samarium, gadolinium, terbium, dysprosium, lutetium, scandium, and yttrium — underscoring the fragility of existing supply chains.

Louisiana’s state government has also contributed, providing roughly $15 million in incentives including tax abatements and infrastructure upgrades. Ottawa and Ontario have supplied smaller grants to support the Kingston pilot plant. The cumulative effect is that Ucore is advancing its refinery with a meaningful portion of costs underwritten by public funds.

Securing Feedstock and Partnerships

Processing capacity is only as valuable as the material it can refine. In late August, Ucore announced a preliminary 10-year offtake agreement with Critical Metals Corp. (NASDAQ: CRML), which is developing the Tanbreez rare earth project in Greenland. The agreement would see up to 10,000 tons per year of concentrate shipped to Ucore’s Louisiana and Canadian facilities, beginning as early as 2027. Tanbreez is notable for its high proportion of heavy rare earths like dysprosium and terbium, metals with critical defense and EV applications.

“This agreement represents a shared mission to lessen China’s grip on the rare earth ecosystem in the West,” Mr. Ryan said. For Critical Metals, the deal validates the Greenland project’s commercial potential, while for Ucore it secures a non-Chinese source of critical feedstock just as its refinery is expected to scale.

Earlier this week, Ucore also partnered with Metallium Ltd. (ASX: MTM | OTCQX: MTMCF) of Australia to explore processing unconventional feedstocks — including magnet scrap, electronic waste, and fluorescent lamp phosphors. Metallium’s “Flash Joule Heating” process can break down such materials into concentrates that RapidSX can then separate into oxides. If proven at scale, this partnership could give Ucore flexibility to diversify inputs and bolster its green credentials by recycling materials already in circulation.

A Broader Geopolitical Contest

The backdrop to Ucore’s progress is a shifting geopolitical landscape. The U.S., Canada, Europe, and Australia have all declared rare earths essential to their energy and defense futures. China, meanwhile, has demonstrated a willingness to wield its dominance as a strategic tool. In this context, Ucore’s Louisiana plant is not just a commercial venture but part of a broader industrial policy.

The risks are real. Rare earth markets are notoriously cyclical, with prices prone to sharp swings that can challenge even well-prepared producers. Execution risk also looms: Ucore must bring its refinery online on budget and on schedule, scale a new technology to commercial levels, and secure binding contracts with customers willing to pay for non-Chinese supply.

Yet the opportunity is equally stark. Global demand for rare earth magnets is forecast to grow at more than 8% annually through 2035, fueled by electric vehicles, renewable energy, and advanced defense systems. If Ucore meets its timelines, it could emerge as one of the first Western companies to provide significant heavy rare earth output at scale — a position that would attract not just investors but long-term customers and potentially further government support.

Outlook

As autumn approaches, Ucore Rare Metals finds itself in a position of rare leverage. It is well-funded, backed by the Pentagon and state incentives, and is building a refinery that could start producing within 18 months. Its shares have surged, its partnerships are broadening, and its mission aligns neatly with national security priorities.

For investors, the bet is clear: can a once-obscure junior miner translate policy momentum and pilot-plant success into commercial output at scale? If so, Ucore could become a pivotal player in reshaping how the West sources materials at the heart of the 21st-century economy.

Coniagas Drills Into Quebec’s ‘Graal,’ Hunting a Battery Metal Bonanza

written by InvestorNews | September 19, 2025

September 18, 2025 — In the boreal forests north of Saguenay, where smoldering wildfires can halt a drill rig as surely as a market crash, Frank Basa is chasing a funnel-shaped orebody he calls Graal—a potential trove of nickel, copper, cobalt and platinum-group metals that could help feed the electric-vehicle revolution. “We’re trying to do a targeted drilling program,” Basa told InvestorNews host Tracy Hughes. “It’ll be a small program, only about 9,600 meters… We finally got our drill permit.” For the President, CEO and Director of Coniagas Battery Metals Inc. (TSXV: COS), “small” is relative: the 9,600-meter winter campaign is merely the gateway to what he hopes will balloon into the 60,000- to 150,000-meter marathons that defined his earlier ventures.

Coniagas is a Canadian junior whose strategy is to develop critical-mineral projects for the battery supply chain. At its 100%-owned Graal property, geophysics and shallow scout holes have already mapped mineralization along a six-kilometer strike length, confirming an open-pit model capped by “very wide widths of copper, nickel, cobalt,” as Basa put it. The next milestone arrived on Sept. 8, when Quebec’s Ministère des Ressources naturelles et des Forêts issued an Authorization for Impact-Causing Exploration Work (ATI), clearing the way for diamond drilling. “Receiving this permit marks an important milestone in our exploration efforts,” Basa said in a statement. “We believe that the region has significant potential for battery metals, and we are eager to begin drilling to further evaluate and unlock the value of this project.”

Basa, a metallurgist by training and a veteran dealmaker, has long argued that Quebec offers a uniquely fertile backdrop for resource developers. “Of all the provinces in Canada and probably in North America, I’ve never met anybody more supportive of the resource industry than Quebec,” he told Hughes. Through its financier Investment Québec, the province “will fund anything to the tune of half a billion, a billion dollars. It’s not a problem… They already offered us a site that’s next to a port with rail service and also allocated power for us.” In an industry where megaprojects have stalled over transmission-line delays, the promise of pre-allocated hydroelectric power is no small enticement.

Graal’s shape, Basa likes to say, resembles a martini glass—a broad open-pit bowl that could transition to underground mining as grades and metals prices dictate. Two mineralized zones flank the central “stem”; if drilling shows they coalesce, Coniagas could be sitting on what miners call “elephant country.” The deposit’s geometry also informs its name. “There’s a reason for it being called Graal—it’s shaped like a funnel,” Basa said with a chuckle. “We haven’t targeted that zone yet. We’ve been on the outskirts… It’s not a small deposit. It’s massive.”

Yet the company’s share price tells a humbler story. Launched at 25 cents, Coniagas drifted as low as 2.5 cents this summer, weighed down by what Basa calls “free paper” distributed when the stock listed. “Somebody got something for nothing, and they just sold it,” he acknowledged. Roughly 24 million shares are issued, but only about 6 million trade freely; most of the rest remain escrowed or slated for future distributions to shareholders of Basa’s other companies. Marketing has been minimal. “Somewhere between now and the end of the year, we’ll get some marketing going, a drill program going, and hopefully it recovers.”

If the province provides the carrot, Mother Nature offers the stick. Coniagas plans to drill through the winter, when frozen muskeg and snowpack allow heavier equipment to move without tearing up access roads. Fire bans last summer scorched exploration timetables across northern Quebec, underscoring the strategy. “Normally we drill in the winter—it has less damage to the ground,” Basa explained. The coming campaign will chase shallow lenses first, aiming for quick core recoveries and assay results that could feed an initial NI 43-101 resource estimate. Down the road, metallurgical testing and First Nations consultations loom; both are standard steps for Canadian developers, but they take on added weight in Quebec, whose government has tied its clean-technology ambitions to responsible mining practices.

Coniagas’s timing aligns with Ottawa’s national strategy for critical minerals and with Washington’s Inflation Reduction Act, both of which dangle tax credits and supply-chain incentives for North American battery metals. But Basa’s ambitions are grounded in geology. “We might have a deposit,” he said. “It’ll more than likely be copper, nickel, cobalt, and some platinum group elements. We’ve been hitting some platinum group elements… it might be something significant.” The parallels to neighboring successes—he cites the recent rise of Power Metallic Mines Inc. (TSXV: PNPN | OTCQB: PNPNF)—feed the thesis that Graal sits on the same magmatic plumbing system responsible for Quebec’s historic nickel camps.

Basa’s confidence is laced with caution, a hallmark of his decades in exploration. “We’re very conservative in the way we do our programs and very realistic about our resource,” he said. That pragmatism extends to financing. While many juniors tap equity markets at every turn, Basa is betting that targeted meters and supportive provincial funds will stretch the treasury until assays do the talking. Should Graal’s shallow zones deliver, deeper holes will follow, and the martini glass may yet reveal the elephant.

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About Coniagas Battery Metals Inc.

Coniagas Battery Metals Inc. is a Canadian junior mining company focused on nickel, copper and cobalt and platinum group metals in Québec. Coniagas’ strategy is to create value for shareholders through the development of its mineral properties, with the intention of developing Coniagas into a critical metals supplier to the electric vehicle (EV) market.

At its 100% owned Graal project near Saguenay, Quebec, Coniagas has conducted successful exploration involving geophysics as well as shallow drilling that hit mineralization in almost every hole. It has confirmed an open-pit deposit model at Graal along a 6 km strike length of high-grade nickel and copper with cobalt, platinum and palladium byproducts. The Company plans in the near-term to conduct additional drilling leading to the production of a Ni 43-101 resource report, metallurgical testing and consultations with First Nations. The Graal project and immediate work plan are outlined in detail in the “NI 43-101 Technical Report Graal Nickel & Copper Project, Saguenay-Lac-St-Jean, Quebec, Canada” dated January 17, 2024.

To learn more about Coniagas Battery Metals Inc., click here

Disclaimer: Coniagas Battery Metals Inc. is an advertorial member of InvestorNews Inc.

Notes from Beaver Creek and Denver Gold: the bulls are back in town!

written by Anthony Milewski | September 19, 2025

I sat in the corner table at the 8100 Mountain Bar & Grill at the Beaver Creek Hyatt and watched in awe as the events of the afternoon unfold. Frank Guistra sat at the same table he takes each year. All the king’s men around him and abuzz with activity. Gold was at all time highs (again) that day, his team had just launched a new shell, and a line of suitors snaked its way off the patio looking for a chance to sneak ten minutes of time from his crew. In its own right, the scene was telling of the bullish sentiment of the conference. But while possibly the last of the Yorkton Securities generation still showing up — and long after he needed any more money — something even more exciting was happening at a table ten feet away.

No it wasn’t the uranium bankers rekindling their gold industry relationships or the faces, not seen in a decade, who left mining to chase weed dreams – no, instead, in my opinion, the most important people of the conference were two men sitting at the table just adjacent. The first, a man of mystery no doubt, flowing silver wavy hair and a large white beard sat quietly whispering to his colleagues, taking it all in. I wasn’t sure if he was a super villain or aged movie star. The second, jet black hair slicked back and the look of a politician or sharp banker.

The sharp-dressed man at the table was none other than Tether’s point man for mining investments — ushering in possibilities the industry once only fantasised about.

For the uninitiated, Tether is a stablecoin valued at over US$170 billion and has over 8 billion in gold bullion in Swiss vaults alone. Tether recently made investments into Elemental Altus, a gold royalty company. Tether’s CEO, Paolo Ardoino compared gold to “natural bitcoin”. The presence of a representative from the Tether universe at Beaver Creek, arguably the most important and influential mining conference of the year, marks crypto’s coming out party in mining. And, in my view, hastens a new wave of liquidity and interest into the space that hasn’t been seen in more than a decade.

While guarded to be sure, why was he at the conference? Why did Tether invest in the Elemental Altus? Diversification into RWAs? Access to gold mining without the operating risk? Rerating potential relative to large royalty companies? I suspect, Tether’s real interest is that they are seeking to get yield on their billions of dollars of gold. Their strategy reminds me of using gold loans to get yield. But, whatever their true ambitions, their presence marks a potential turning point for gold and, by extension, silver as it may invite a generation of punters back into the space.

The gold industry awaits crypto wealth in all forms to invest.

Upon reflection, I for one don’t really understand the appeal of buying a junior gold royalty company if you are seeking access to the underlying physical commodity. In fact, you should be buying “streams”, which by their nature allow for physical delivery of the commodity. Whereas royalties offer only financial leverage. Plenty of people in the industry don’t full appreciate the nuance between streams and royalties, and so one wonders if Tether’s decision to buy royalties resulted from a sales pitch on rerating or a failure to understand that the streams would provide the physical gold they are looking for.

Whatever the case maybe about Tether’s true motivation for their investment, whispers of 10,000 gold abound, and physical gold demand is going to impact the price of gold.

Bottom line, the dream of crypto’s liquidity flowing into gold and gold equities is now a reality. It matters.

It took 3600 gold, but we are in a bull market — and Canada and other top jurisdictions have first mover advantage. As to be expected, buyers have first started with larger cap names and are moving down cap quickly. The most expensive names are located in tier one jurisdictions.

My favorite trade is the tier two and three jurisdiction catch up trades. Africa still looks cheap. We are in the early innings of this market and there is still huge torque in jurisdictions perceived to be less favorable.

Other take-aways from Beaver Creek:

And silver is going to get hotter. Sooner than later!

Generalist are taking note. A generation of generalists is being brought back to gold via their views on cryptocurrencies. It was interesting to speak with the representatives from some of the world’s largest asset allocators. Young portfolio managers who are familiar with their crypto allocations are coming around to the idea that they need to own gold. On the one hand the circle is hilarious, on the other hand it speaks to what a poor job gold companies and the industry more generally has done to advertise itself to the broader investment community.

“Coming to America”

The volume and valuation of the US capital markets is calling. I am not sure I spoke to a single company that isn’t “exploring a US listing”. The dream of every CEO in attendance is a US listing with an ATM!

Critical Minerals

Critical minerals remain important, but gold is going to take the air out of the room for many projects. Remember when you have a gold or copper project you spend no time educating investors on what is “copper”. In contract, if you are pushing a tungsten or antimony deal a significant amount of time is spent telling people what said minerals is used for and why they should care. On the one hand I see minor metal prices continue to rip and news flow based on US-China relations to push the narrative, on the other I am not sure it is going to be easy to raise money for these projects, or get the investor interest. The strange downside to a bullish gold and silver market.

Copper

Robert was not in attendance with his telescope looking for the copper price. But it feels like the gold tape is so strong that other metals, even if interesting, are going to suffer for interest due to the gold.

Private Equity, Not Present

For years these conferences have been dominated by private equity style investment firms. No doubt fortunes have been made charging two percent. But, unlike years past, the conference was not overrun by these pools of capital. The equity capital markets are starting to provide a cheaper cost of capital and the PE firms have gotten so large that the minimum check size for many now dwarfs the market capitalization of most companies in attendance.

The Green and the Greying of Mining

It was interesting to walk around the events. So many new faces, and so many others have left. A major issue the industry is going to face is finding qualified individuals to build mines. There are almost no truly experienced mine builders left. A MASSIVE risk for medium size projects is going to be capital overruns due to people building projects with not enough experience. An experienced mine building team is going to command massive salaries and interest this cycle.

InvestorTalk Alert: Peter Clausi from Silver Bullet Mines Corp. to host on Thursday, September 18, 2025

written by InvestorNews | September 19, 2025

InvestorNews.com is pleased to announce an upcoming InvestorTalk scheduled for tomorrow, Thursday, September 18^th, at 9 AM EST, featuring Peter Clausi, Director and VP of Capital Markets, Silver Bullet Mines Corp. (TSXV: SBMI | OTCQB: SBMCF). To participate in this engaging discussion, please click here

Silver Bullet Mines Corp. (SBMI) is a silver and copper exploration company with projects in the western United States. Its flagship Black Diamond Project, nearly 5,000 acres in the Miami-Globe copper camp, is centered on the historic Richmond Basin. The basin was the site of the 1870s native silver discoveries that helped establish the Globe camp. Historic high-grade silver-copper mines in the district include McMorris, La Plata, Helena, Silver Sevens, and Buckeye. Activity largely ceased in the early 20th century as attention shifted to major copper mines along the Arizona Silver Belt, yet high-grade silver remains prospective. Black Diamond also shows copper potential, with grades exceeding 7% at the Black Copper prospect and widespread anomalous soil results. SBMI also owns the past-producing Washington Mine near Idaho City, Idaho, where recent assays returned silver over 140 oz/ton. In Nevada, the company holds two early-stage projects in the Tonopah silver-gold camp, further strengthening its exploration pipeline.

In preparation for tomorrow’s InvestorTalk, here are some recent news releases from Silver Bullet Mines for your review, which are listed below:

August 21, 2025 – Silver Bullet Mines Updates on Washington Mine in Idaho and Updates Financing — click here
August 15, 2025 – Silver Bullet Mines Commences Daily Processing of Super Champ High Grade Silver/Gold in Arizona — click here
July 23, 2025 – Silver Bullet Mines Acquires King Tut Gold Mine in Arizona — click here

We found the August 15^th news release titled, “Silver Bullet Mines Commences Daily Processing of Super Champ High Grade Silver/Gold in Arizona” particularly noteworthy, and here are 5 key data points from it:

Daily Processing Initiated: SBMI has begun daily processing of high-grade silver and gold mineralized material from the Super Champ Mine at its wholly owned Globe, Arizona mill, running over six tons per hour for eight hours a day, five days a week.
High Grades and Recoveries: Previously reported head grade was over 28 oz/ton silver with 89% recovery. Concentrate assays reached 530 oz/ton silver and 0.52 oz/ton gold (16.16 g/t), with the Company expecting to maintain these grades.
Firm Offtake Agreement: All immediate production from Super Champ is committed to a third-party buyer under a Firm Offer (July 9, 2025), with 90% payment within five days of pickup and the balance after verification. First shipment is expected soon.
Mine Development Completed: SBMI timbered the full 125-foot lower adit and cleared over 10,000 tons of material from the upper adit, enabling safe ongoing mining from both adits.
Planned Expansion of Production: The Company intends to increase mill operating hours by adding another shift, which would expand daily throughput beyond current levels and accelerate concentrate output.

For more information on Silver Bullet Mines Corp., click here

For more information on the InvestorTalk pre-market series, go to InvestorTalk.com.

CEMI and the Critical Minerals Institute Sign Partnership to Strengthen Canada’s Role in the Global Critical Minerals Economy

written by Tracy Hughes | September 19, 2025

September 16, 2025 — The Centre for Excellence in Mining Innovation (CEMI), which manages the Mining Innovation Commercialization Accelerator (MICA) Network, has signed an Associate Partnership Agreement with the Critical Minerals Institute (CMI), a global hub for critical minerals, to strengthen Canada’s leadership in mining innovation and the global critical minerals economy.

The agreement, signed on September 11, 2025, formalizes collaboration between the two organizations in areas including innovation support, project development, conferences, ecosystem engagement, and knowledge sharing. CMI has extended complimentary memberships to both CEMI and MICA, and invited participation in its flagship events, such as the Critical Minerals Institute Summit, InvestorNews panels, and global outreach campaigns.

“This partnership brings together two organizations that share a common goal—ensuring that Canadian innovation plays a leading role in the secure and sustainable development of critical minerals,” said Chamirai Charles Nyabeze, Executive Vice President of Business Development at CEMI and Network Director of MICA. “By combining our innovation ecosystem with CMI’s global platform, we can accelerate the commercialization of technologies that will strengthen supply chains and raise quality of life for communities in Canada and beyond.”

“Canada is uniquely positioned to be a global leader in critical minerals, and partnerships like this one are essential to making that vision a reality,” said Douglas Morrison, President and CEO of CEMI. “Working with CMI allows us to extend the reach of Canadian innovators into international markets while advancing our collective goals for sustainability and resilience in mining.”

“The Critical Minerals Institute is excited to welcome CEMI and MICA as partners in our global network,” said Tracy Hughes, Director of CMI. “CEMI’s leadership in mining innovation and MICA’s pan-Canadian reach make them ideal collaborators as we work to build strong, transparent, and innovative supply chains for the world’s energy transition.

As part of next steps, CEMI is preparing to bring a Canadian critical minerals enabling technologies oriented envoy to Ottawa for discussions with federal officials on advancing national and international strategies to secure critical minerals supply chains.

About CEMI

At CEMI (Centre for Excellence in Mining Innovation), we are dedicated to advancing commercially viable innovations that enhance safety, productivity, and environmental performance in the mining sector. Our mission is to help mining companies close the innovation and commercialization gap, enabling them to achieve better operational performance and faster returns on their investments.

About CMI

The Critical Minerals Institute (CMI) is a brain trust for the global critical minerals economy, offering a hub that connects companies, capital markets, and policymakers. Through masterclasses, the weekly Critical Minerals Report, bespoke research, and board-level advisory services, CMI delivers actionable intelligence spanning exploration finance to geopolitics. CMI organizes the flagship Annual Critical Minerals Institute Summit, a global gathering of government leaders, institutional investors, and industry executives.

Contacts

Giah Sumalde Marketing and Communications Manager, Centre for Excellence in Mining Innovation (CEMI) | [email protected]

Tracy Hughes, Executive Director, Critical Minerals Institute (CMI) | [email protected] | +1 647 289 7714

The Icarus Sun Mill Spins Sunshine into Power, Clean Water and Heat

written by Tracy Hughes | September 19, 2025

September 16, 2025 — Mark Thackeray wants the sun to do more than just shine – he wants it to spin, cool, and cleanse. His vision: a single device that can fuel homes and factories long after dusk by harnessing sunlight in multiple ways. Thackeray, the chairman of Icarus Groups, has been developing exactly that. The result is the Icarus Sun Mill, an off-grid power unit that promises round-the-clock electricity, potable water, and heating in one sculptural tower. “Icarus is a two-engine motor design,” Thackeray explained in a recent interview, describing how one engine starts the next. When the sun hits the primary thermal drive and sets it in motion, it kickstarts a secondary kinetic drive that continues generating energy even when direct sunlight fades. In other words, the sun doesn’t just shine on this invention – it makes it spin.

Prototype of the Icarus Sun Mill: a standalone tower that uses precision lenses to concentrate sunlight onto a kinetic generator, converting solar heat into electricity, clean water, and hot water is featured below.

How the Icarus Sun Mill Works

The Icarus Sun Mill combines advanced solar and thermal engineering in a compact unit. At its core is a lens-based solar concentrator that focuses sunlight onto a small, high-efficiency heat engine. This concentrated solar thermal drive converts heat into mechanical motion, which in turn drives a kinetic flywheel generator. Thanks to this two-stage design, the system can achieve remarkable energy output – up to four times the electricity of traditional photovoltaic panels, according to the company. In practical terms, a single unit is rated to produce around 8,000 kWh of energy per year, enough to power an average home or even support industrial sites.

Unlike standard solar panels that only produce power when the sun is out, the Icarus Sun Mill’s spinning flywheel and integrated battery system store energy, enabling continuous power delivery after sundown. The energy storage is handled by a saltwater battery at the base of the unit. This salt-based battery is non-flammable and contains no toxic heavy metals, making it a safer, more recyclable alternative to lithium-ion packs. It can hold a charge for months without significant loss, ensuring reliable off-grid operation through nights and cloudy periods.

Another distinctive aspect of the design is its water cooling and purification cycle. When the internal temperature rises from concentrated solar heat, the system automatically draws in water to cool the engine. As that water absorbs heat, it simultaneously gets filtered to remove minerals and impurities. The outcome is twofold: the cooling process produces clean drinking water and yields hot water as a byproduct, which is routed to a storage tank. Homeowners could use this hot water for showers or radiant heating, effectively capturing waste heat for practical use. By performing multiple functions at once – generating electricity, purifying water, and providing heat – the Icarus Sun Mill turns every ray of sunshine into maximum utility.

Born from Setback to Prototype

The idea for the Icarus Sun Mill was born out of adversity. Thackeray recalls a fundraising fiasco two years ago when potential backers told him and co-founder James Meulemans that their concept “didn’t work.” Rather than give up, the duo decided to build it themselves from scratch. They iterated through designs and eventually prototyped the Sun Mill as a boxy but elegant tower-like structure. The first pilot model is already up and running in an undisclosed test location, quietly validating the concept away from the public eye. According to Thackeray, the prototype results have been encouraging, and a full-sized production version is now “ready to rock and roll,” just awaiting final refinements.

This rapid development, from setback to working prototype, underscores the team’s technical prowess and determination. Scalability was a key focus from the beginning. Thackeray devised a proprietary scaling formula he calls “M Powering” – essentially multiplying the device’s physical dimensions by its power output – to configure the Sun Mill for different needs. In practice, this means the design can be scaled up or down: a smaller unit could power a single suburban bungalow, while a cluster of larger units could energize a factory or even a shipping port. “What we’re doing with Icarus is future-proofing it,” Thackeray says, emphasizing that the system’s modular architecture will allow upgrades over time. The upcoming models (nicknamed Icarus 2 and Icarus 3 in development) are being built on a plug-and-play principle – their new components will retrofit into the original chassis. Early adopters won’t need to buy an entirely new unit to benefit from improvements; they can simply swap in the upgraded parts. This kind of backward compatibility is uncommon in the solar industry and could extend the useful life of each unit dramatically.

Key Features and Benefits

Round-the-Clock Power: By pairing a solar concentrator with a kinetic flywheel and salt battery, the Icarus Sun Mill continues generating electricity even long after sunset, delivering 24/7 energy independence. A single unit can produce roughly 8,000 kWh per year, several times more output than equivalently sized solar panel setups.
Integrated Water Purification: The system doubles as a water purifier. It uses water for cooling, filters out minerals, and outputs clean drinking water as one of its end products – a valuable feature in remote areas or during droughts.
On-Demand Heat: The excess thermal energy is captured to provide hot water for heating or domestic use. This means the Sun Mill can supply hot water for showers, underfloor heating, or industrial processes, reducing the need for separate water heaters.
Modular & Scalable Design: The Icarus Sun Mill is designed to be easily scaled and customized to different sizes and power requirements. Whether for a home or a large facility, multiple units can be combined. Future upgrades will be backwards-compatible – new “Icarus 2” or “3” components can be integrated into existing units to boost performance or capacity.
Safe, Sustainable Storage: Instead of relying on lithium batteries, it uses a saltwater battery that is non-flammable and free of hazardous materials. This battery chemistry poses no fire risk, is more environmentally friendly, and can be fully recycled at end-of-life. It also holds charge for extended periods, ensuring power through nights and cloudy days.
Durability and Aesthetics: Built from robust, sustainable materials like steel, aluminum, and glass, the Sun Mill is engineered for longevity and minimal environmental footprint. Its tower design is intended to be visually appealing – a piece of functional art – avoiding the “big, ugly” look of traditional rooftop solar panels. Thackeray notes that unlike a spread of panels bolted to a roof, an Icarus unit can blend into a property as a standout feature.

Beating Traditional Solar on Multiple Fronts

Thackeray is confident that the Icarus Sun Mill can outperform conventional solar photovoltaic (PV) installations on nearly every metric. For one, it addresses the intermittency problem of solar by storing energy kinetically and thermally, thus delivering power at night without needing a huge battery bank. He also points out that solar panels degrade over time: “When a panel is around nine years old, it’s probably producing only 15–18 percent of the original power output,” he claimed, highlighting a steep drop in efficiency with age. (Typical solar panels might not lose quite that much output in nine years, but the gradual decline is a well-known issue.) In contrast, the Icarus Sun Mill’s mechanical components can be maintained or upgraded to sustain performance over decades. And where worn-out solar panels often end up in landfills due to recycling difficulties, the Icarus Sun Mill’s major components – metal, glass, and salt – are recyclable or reusable.

There’s also the matter of appearance and installation. Rooftop solar arrays can be bulky and visually unappealing, sometimes facing resistance from homeowners’ associations or heritage districts. “With Icarus, it generates significantly more power, it’s attractive to look at, and it’s not a big, ugly thing on your roof,” Thackeray said. The freestanding tower can be placed wherever it’s most effective or inconspicuous on a property, with the possibility of even serving as an architectural statement. Additionally, its integrated design means a single installation provides multiple utilities (electricity, heat, water) – you don’t have to install separate solar panels, battery banks, water purifiers, and solar water heaters; one Icarus unit does it all.

Market Outlook and Future Plans

Investors are taking note of the Icarus Sun Mill’s potential. Icarus Groups is currently in the process of raising capital to fund third-party certification and scale up production. Once financing is secured, the company has a 4–5 week testing program lined up for certifiers to verify the system’s safety and performance under various conditions. If all goes well, the timeline is ambitious: Thackeray is aiming to begin shipping units in the first quarter of next year. The expected price for early units is about €18,000 (roughly US $20,000) for a standard configuration. This price could vary depending on options – for instance, customers who opt for an extended battery capacity (to store even more energy) would pay a bit more. While the upfront cost is not trivial, the Sun Mill offers a lot in one package and could pay for itself over time in energy, water, and heating savings, especially in off-grid or high-utility-cost locations.

Thackeray’s ambitions don’t stop at residential backyards. “We’re creating Icarus Marine,” he revealed – a portable variant of the system designed for large yachts and even container ships. Such a unit could provide electricity and fresh water on board, reducing the need for diesel generators and water desalination equipment. The marine version would be built to withstand salt spray and constant motion, bringing the Sun Mill’s multi-purpose benefits to the maritime sector. And in perhaps the most far-reaching vision, Thackeray mentions a space-station version on the drawing board. It may sound far-fetched, but he argues that the concept makes sense for orbital or lunar outposts: a compact system that can generate power, purify water, and regulate heat could be extremely valuable in space where resupply is limited. “You may think that’s crazy… but it cleans water, heats systems to keep everyone warm, generates a lot of energy, and is easier to transport than lots of solar panels,” he said of the space concept. In environments where every pound of cargo counts, a single unit doing the work of many could indeed be a game-changer.

When it comes to market potential, Thackeray is unabashedly optimistic. Asked about the addressable market, he did not mince words: “It’s endless. It goes way beyond billions of dollars,” he said. The world is hungry for sustainable solutions, and the Sun Mill touches on several critical needs – renewable power, clean water, and efficient heating/cooling. That broad applicability means it could find customers in remote villages, disaster relief operations, military bases, commercial shipping, luxury eco-resorts, and even future space habitats. Each of these represents a sizable market on its own.

For now, the immediate goal is more down-to-earth: secure the funding and clear the safety tests. Thackeray remains confident. “Once funding is secured and in place,” he told InvestorNews, “we’re really looking at Q1 of next year for when people can actually buy these units and have them installed.” If the Icarus Sun Mill lives up to its promises, those early buyers will be getting more than just another solar gadget – they’ll have a personal power plant, water treatment system, and heater all in one. Thackeray’s innovation aims to let the sun work overtime, spinning well past sundown, to power and sustain modern life in a cleaner, self-sufficient way.

Sources: The technical details and claims about the Icarus Sun Mill are drawn from Icarus Groups’ official materials and Thackeray’s interview statements. Key specifications – such as the lens-focused kinetic generator design, 4× output vs. solar panels, integrated water and heat output, and salt battery storage – are described on the company’s website (icarusgroups.com). Additional context on the saltwater battery’s safety (non-flammability and lack of toxic metals) comes from renewable energy analyses (solarfabric.com). The Icarus Sun Mill’s projected energy output and scalability are based on company disclosures (icarusgroups.com). All quotations are from Mark Thackeray, as reported in his interview with InvestorNews.

Resouro CEO Christopher Eager on Brazil’s Bid for Titanium and Rare Earth Supremacy

written by InvestorNews | September 19, 2025

September 15, 2025 — Titanium, not gold or lithium, is the metal that Christopher Eager believes will rewrite Brazil’s mining narrative. “Our high-grade zone is 23% titanium dioxide, which is almost a concentrate as it stands,” the newly minted CEO and still-chairman of Resouro Strategic Metals Inc. (ASX: RAU | TSXV: RSM | OTCQB: RSGOF) told InvestorNews host Tracy Hughes, underscoring why the company’s colossal Tiros Project has suddenly become one of the most closely watched critical mineral plays in the Americas.

The scale is eye-catching even in a sector accustomed to superlatives. Resouro’s NI 43-101 resource stands at 1.4 billion tonnes grading 12% TiO₂ and 4,000 ppm total rare earth oxides, with a 165 million-tonne tranche already elevated to Measured and Indicated. Within that sits a 130 million-tonne high-grade zone assaying 23% TiO₂ and roughly 9,000 ppm TREO—grades that Eager notes “compare very favorably with mineral-sand projects that can be one or two percent.” Recent auger drilling in the Northern Block reinforced the story: 5 meters at 22.4% TiO₂ and 7,146 ppm TREO from just two meters depth; 3 meters at 12.3% TiO₂ and 13,074 ppm TREO at surface; and 4 meters at nearly 24% TiO₂ eight meters down. “These results provide further evidence of the remarkable continuity and size potential of the global exploration target at Tiros,” he said in the August 14 news release.

Such numbers underpin an aggressive timetable. Resouro is racing to publish a preliminary economic assessment by year-end, anchored by a 500,000-ton-per-annum demonstration plant that will “go into production quickly and demonstrate that we can produce saleable products, and then scale up over time.” Metallurgical test work is already humming at SGS Lakefield in Ontario, SGS Geosol and CIT-SENAI in Brazil, with guidance from veteran consultants Steve Williams and John Good.

Eager, a 20% shareholder who left Santiago-based project finance to step in as interim CEO, frames the financing strategy as equally disciplined. “One of our main advantages financially is that we have no royalty at the moment,” he said, revealing that Resouro is auctioning a royalty to maximize upfront value while pursuing a blended package of senior debt, offtake prepayments, and Brazilian Development Bank funding. The aim: non-dilutive capital that preserves equity upside for investors.

Location gives the project another edge. Minas Gerais, long Brazil’s mining heartland, boasts highways, rail to deep-water ports, abundant power and water, plus a roster of engineering firms within an hour’s drive. “You can go from exploration to bankable feasibility and permitting in 24 months,” Eager maintained, citing a national fast-track program. Resouro has already secured land on the main rail line for what it calls the Campos Altos Critical Minerals Park, envisioned as a hub where pigment makers, titanium metal producers and rare-earth separators can “take delivery of concentrate at the gate.”

Rare earths remain the essential co-product: about 28% of Resouro’s TREO basket is the high-value magnet suite (Nd, Pr, Dy, Tb). “Our rare earth grades are high for a clay-style deposit,” Eager said, positioning the resource as a future supplier for Brazil’s planned demonstration magnet factory in nearby Belo Horizonte.

Investors tracking catalysts will find a clear runway. The PEA, expected in the fourth quarter, should crystallize economics for the demonstration plant. In the first half of 2026, Resouro plans to unveil downstream partnerships and lock in a construction schedule. For Eager, the motivation is personal as well as professional: “I’ve been involved in three bankable feasibility studies and worked four years in mining project finance at Rothschild. I own 20% of this company. I’m close to the project, close to the market, and can get to Australia and Canada within one flight.”

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About Resouro Strategic Metals Inc.

Resouro Strategic Metals Inc. (ASX:RAU) (CVE:RSM) (OTCMKTS:RSGOF) (FRA:8TX) is a Canadian incorporated mineral exploration and development company, listed on the ASX, TSXV, OTC and FSE, focused on the discovery and advancement of economic mineral projects in Brazil, including the Tiros Titanium-Rare Earths Project and the Novo Mundo Gold Project. The Tiros project has 28 mineral concessions totalling 497 km2 located in the state of Minas Gerais, one of the best infrastructurally developed states of Brazil, 350 km from the state capital of Belo Horizonte. Resouro’s Mineral Resource Estimate for the Tiros Project contains 165 million tonne of titanium dioxide and 5.5 million tonne of total rare earths oxides within a Measured and Indicated Resource of 1.4 billion tonne at 12% titanium dioxide and 4,000 ppm of total rare earth oxides.

To learn more about Resouro Strategic Metals Inc., click here

Disclaimer: Resouro Strategic Metals Inc. is an advertorial member of InvestorNews Inc.