InvestorNews.com is pleased to announce an upcoming InvestorTalk scheduled for tomorrow, Wednesday, June 11^th, at 4 PM EST, featuring Marcy Kiesman, CEO, and Director of Quantum Critical Metals Corp. (TSXV: LEAP | OTCQB: ATOXF). To participate in this engaging discussion, please click here

Quantum Critical Metals Corp. is a Canadian mineral exploration company focused on advancing critical metals projects that power next-generation technologies. With a growing portfolio of promising assets—including the NMX East Gallium-Rubidium-Cesium Project in Québec, the Discovery Gallium-Rubidium-Cesium and polymetallic project in Québec, the Victory Antimony Project in British Columbia, and the newly acquired Prophecy Germanium-Gallium-Zinc Project in British Columbia, among others, the Company is strategically positioned to support the West’s transition to a secure and sustainable critical metals supply.

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In preparation for tomorrow’s InvestorTalk, here are the four most recent news releases from Quantum Critical Metals for your review, which are listed below:

• May 30, 2025 – Quantum Critical Metals Advances Mineralogy and Metallurgy for James Bay Projects — click here
• April 9, 2025 – Quantum Critical Metals Reports 150 Meters of 38gpt Gallium, 694gpt Rubidium, 72gpt Niobium, 8gpt Cesium, and 9gpt Tantalum from Diamond Drilling at Discovery Project, Quebec — click here
• April 7, 2025 – Quantum Critical Metals to Attend at Kamloops Exploration Group Conference April 7 & 8 — click here
• March 20, 2025 – Quantum Critical Metals Stakes Prophecy Germanium-Gallium-Zinc Project in Northern British Columbia — click here

Here are 5 key data points from their May 30^th news release titled, “Quantum Critical Metals Advances Mineralogy and Metallurgy for James Bay Projects”:

• Significant Critical Metals Discoveries: Drill core reassessments at Quantum’s Québec projects identified two distinct gallium-rubidium-cesium mineralized systems, confirming elevated intervals of gallium, rubidium, cesium, niobium, and tantalum.
• Early Focus on Metallurgy: Quantum is prioritizing mineralogical and metallurgical studies ahead of a formal resource estimate to fast-track economic viability assessments and accelerate project development.
• Innovative Gallium Recovery from Mica: Preliminary findings indicate gallium may be extracted from mica using floatation followed by hydrometallurgical acid leaching techniques, representing a non-traditional source for gallium extraction.
• Strategic Timing and Geopolitical Importance: Quantum’s exploration and development of gallium sources is timely, given China’s December 2024 ban on gallium exports, positioning the company to support North American critical mineral independence.
• Growing Critical Minerals Markets: The global gallium market reached approximately 320 tonnes of high-purity gallium production in 2023, with significant demand growth driven by semiconductors, renewable energy, and emerging technologies such as quantum computing and advanced radars.

For more information on Quantum Critical Metals Corp., click here 

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

The map of dependable supply just shifted—again—and, unsurprisingly, it wasn’t a government white paper that did the plotting. It was M23, an insurgent force that now stamps “Pay Up” on every sack of coltan and cassiterite leaving eastern Congo. Fifteen percent here, twenty percent there, and suddenly a rebel budget is everyone else’s cost curve. Chaos? Absolutely. But, as ever, there are ways to thrive in it. I offer three for your consideration.

1. Read the Receipt—Tariffs Aren’t the Only Tax in Town

Washington’s tariff mood is practically a lifestyle brand these days, yet the most potent levy this quarter may be the one M23 just imposed at Rubaya, the artisanal mine cluster that coughs up about one-sixth of global tantalum feedstock. Think of it as a “boots-on-ore” surcharge: 15 percent straight off the top, collected in cash or concentrate. That instantly fattens the all-in cost of every capacitor destined for a smartphone or MRI machine.

Lesson? Model rebel risk the way you model port fees or diesel surcharges. It is now part of the landed price. If you haven’t built an insurgency line into your spreadsheet, I promise your competitors have—and they’re quoting accordingly.

2. Embrace the Margin Moves—Clean Feedstock Commands a Premium

Higher prices are the obvious outcome; harder to quantify is the compliance cloud. U.S. and EU sanctions already frown on any supply that smells of Congolese conflict, and 2025 rules raise the bar from “smelter-level” to “country-of-origin” proof. Translation: a certificate that was gold last quarter could be worthless tomorrow if rebels touched the rock.

Smart operators are diversifying into Brazil, Australia, and recycled scrap—places or processes where the risk of a sanctions tripwire is a rounding error, not a headline. Yes, the material costs more, but buyers can sleep at night, and auditors stop circling like hawks. Premiums paid today are insurance against board-room embarrassment (or worse) tomorrow.

3. Look for Policy Tailwinds—Chaos Begets Capital

Remember Washington’s newfound affection for “friend-shoring”? Nothing makes that strategy look wiser than rebel levies in the Kivus. The faster tantalum, tin, and tungsten become “unreliable” in the eyes of tech giants, the faster capital scuttles toward safer zip codes. The Development Finance Corporation, Ex-Im, and a raft of ESG funds are already sharpening pencils for non-Congo projects. If you’ve got a compliant resource in a rule-of-law jurisdiction, now is the moment to knock on every government door you can find.

The Upshot

M23’s move is messy, costly, and tragic for the five-plus million people suddenly living under a rebel taxman. For manufacturers in Phoenix or Shenzhen, it is also a reality check: security of supply is no longer a geopolitical talking point, it’s a line item—and an urgent one.

Can you thrive in this storm? Absolutely. Price rebel risk, pivot to cleaner feed, tap into policy capital. Those who do will ride the chaos; those who don’t will soon discover that the cheapest tonne is the one you can actually ship—and certify—when the auditors call.

As ever, thrive on.

TORONTO, ONTARIO – April 13, 2025 – The Critical Minerals Institute (CMI) has unveiled its “CMI Critical Minerals Watchlist 2025,” a strategic roadmap highlighting 23 minerals crucial for global technological innovation, defense capabilities, economic stability, and environmental sustainability. Derived from a rigorous evaluation of 12 global critical minerals lists—including those from the United States, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, the United Kingdom, Europe, India, Japan, South Korea, and NATO—CMI’s selection criteria identified the most frequently cited minerals across multiple jurisdictions, refining an extensive list of 55 minerals down to 23 critical minerals.

“Creating the CMI Critical Minerals Watchlist 2025 was akin to drafting a strategic battle plan for the technological backbone of our future,” stated Alastair Neill, President of Trinity Management Ltd. and Director of CMI. “We prioritized minerals whose supply disruption could incapacitate critical sectors overnight due to geographic bottlenecks, lack of alternatives, or exponential demand pressures. Minerals such as copper, beryllium, and uranium are not just resources—they constitute the bedrock of global competitiveness and security.”

CMI Critical Minerals List 2025

1. Aluminum (Al) — includes bauxite & high-purity alumina (HPA)
2. Antimony (Sb)
3. Beryllium (Be)
4. Bismuth (Bi)
5. Cobalt (Co) (Top 5)
6. Copper (Cu) (Top 5)
7. Gallium (Ga) (Top 5)
8. Germanium (Ge)
9. Graphite / Carbon (C)
10. Indium (In)
11. Lithium (Li)
12. Magnesium (Mg)
13. Manganese (Mn)
14. Nickel (Ni)
15. Niobium (Nb)
16. Platinum-Group Metals (PGMs) — Pt, Pd, Rh, Ru, Ir, Os
17. Rare Earth Elements (REEs) — La, Ce, Pr, Nd, Pm, Sm, Eu, Gd, Tb, Dy, Ho, Er, Tm, Yb, Lu, plus Y and Sc (Magnetic Metals: Nd, Pr, Dy, Tb, Y) (Top 5)
18. Silicon (Si)
19. Tantalum (Ta)
20. Titanium (Ti)
21. Tungsten (W)
22. Uranium (U) (Top 5)
23. Vanadium (V)

The Top 5 Critical Minerals on the CMI Watchlist:

1. Copper: Crucial for global electrification, renewable energy, and digital infrastructure.
2. Uranium: Vital for nuclear energy and emerging small modular reactors, central to low-carbon power.
3. Gallium: Indispensable for semiconductors and advanced electronics, facing concentrated supply risks.
4. Rare Earth Elements (REEs): Key in defense, green technology, and electronics, heavily dominated by Chinese production.
5. Cobalt: Essential for lithium-ion batteries and electric mobility, challenged by ethical sourcing concerns.

The Critical Minerals Institute (CMI): The Brain Trust of the Critical Minerals Economy.

The Critical Minerals Institute (CMI) is a global organization dedicated to addressing the challenges and opportunities in the critical minerals sector. CMI’s mission is to equip businesses, governments, and stakeholders with comprehensive resources and insights into the value, sustainability, and strategic importance of critical minerals essential for technological and industrial advancement. Serving as an international hub, the Institute links companies, capital markets, and experts through exclusive CMI Masterclasses, a weekly Critical Minerals Report (CMR), in‑depth research publications, and board‑level advisory services.

CMI’s reach is amplified by its parent, InvestorNews Inc.—an independent newsroom that produces more than 120 million impressions annually via articles, C‑suite videos, podcasts, and InvestorTalk events. This media engine syndicates CMI content to Google News, Bloomberg, Reuters, and major AI platforms, giving members immediate global visibility. Complementing that exposure is CMI’s elite Brain Trust, a multidisciplinary think tank of engineers, analysts, financiers, and policymakers who deliver rapid‑response analysis and bespoke strategic guidance. Mark your calendar for CMI Summit V—“Command Capital in Critical Minerals: Aligning Government Priorities with Private Equity”—in Toronto on May 13‑14, 2026, where the Institute’s global network meets to shape the future of the sector. By uniting unrivaled media reach with deep technical expertise and high‑impact events, CMI positions its members to lead the emerging critical minerals economy.

CMI Directors 2025:

To discuss the CMI Critical Minerals 2025 List, please contact CMI Director Alastair Neill at [email protected] +1 (416) 670 2868.

For more information, please contact Raj Shah, Assistant Editor & Publisher of the Critical Minerals Institute’s weekly Critical Minerals Report (CMR), at +1 (647) 289-7714, via email at [email protected], or visit us online at CriticalMineralsInstitute.com.

To secure a CMI Membership, click here

For decades, Western companies have flirted with prosperity in various African countries. Some have flourished for a while, others have lingered in marginal conditions, and some have lost all. But what has remained constant, both for foreign companies and African countries, is the fixed ideal of the continent as the land of possibilities. Today, however, even as the West pivots more strongly to Africa to tap the possibilities for critical minerals, Africa is suffering a variety of troubling political afflictions which once again could stymy progress and prosperity.

In West Africa, for instance, three of the poorest countries in the world, Mali, Burkina Faso, and Niger, overtaken by terrorism and military juntas, are now threatening to withdraw from the regional cooperative body, Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS). Doing so would end the open borders provisions which had made easier the transport of mining products from the land-locked areas to ports, and also would end the easy movement of human capital that had facilitated project developments. While still subject to negotiation, this withdrawal would disrupt regional trade and services flows that are worth nearly $150 billion a year and potentially export instability to other ECOWAS nations such as Nigeria, Ghana, and Ivory Coast.

Not coincidentally, Russian influence and presence in the three junta States has risen sharply and underpins decisions being made by national leaders that are fundamentally detrimental to Western mining interests. Mali’s 2023 mining law, for instance, granted the government an additional 10% free-carried interest in gold mining projects, up to a maximum stake of 35%. Recently, Mali has claimed that Barrick Gold Corporation (NYSE: GOLD | TSX: ABX) owes the government C$500 million in unpaid taxes and dividends. Barrick disputes the claim, which it says is based on a retroactive revision of the tax code. However, following the arrest of 4 senior local employees, the company did make a payment of about C$17 million, it claimed in order to avert possible export bans. Mali upped the stakes earlier this month, issuing an arrest warrant for Barrick CEO Mark Bristow on charges of “money laundering and violating financial regulations.” In neighboring Niger the government has revoked mining permits and Burkina Faso is planning to do likewise.

Meanwhile, as the legitimate economies of these large gold producing countries folded, the “gray” economies expanded. A 2022 study by Swissaid, an organization focused on development aid and advocacy, found that 435 tonnes of gold mined artisanally and worth more than $30 billion, was smuggled out of Africa, mostly to the UAE.

And then there is the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), which this month filed criminal charges against Apple subsidiaries in France and Belgium, accusing them of using “blood minerals” by sourcing tin, tantalum, and tungsten (the 3T minerals) from mines in the conflict zone in Eastern Congo. Lawyers for the DRC claim that Apple “must know” it is fueling a cycle of violence and conflict. An Apple spokesman told the BBC that the company asked its suppliers to “suspend sourcing tin, tantalum and tungsten from the DRC and Rwanda earlier this year.”

Violence, instability, and predation have characterized the economy of Eastern Congo for decades, with repeated allegations of active involvement by Rwanda, whose government is alleged to be profiting from the smuggling of critical minerals and gold from the uncontrolled region. Over twenty years ago, the violence surrounding the illegal exploitation and smuggling of coltan from the region led end-users and governments to establish a verification system for smelters, who are required to disclose the source of their raw product and use chemical identification methods to verify the origins. Apple and others have relied on this system to ensure that the materials used in their products are certified as ‘conflict-free.’

These and other critical developments have been largely overshadowed by Western concerns about Chinese market penetration and control of African resources. While not minimizing these very real concerns (Chinese companies also fuel illegal sourcing and transport of various materials) it is the underlying factors such as those mentioned above which could derail the current dreams of Western governments and companies who have been hoping to source a variety of critical minerals quickly and relatively cheaply from Africa. Particularly for the US, the reality is that building more mines more quickly within its national borders is the only really secure way to source the vital minerals needed for national security and economic development while safe-guarding human rights and environmental standards.

The upcoming CMI Summit IV, themed The War for Critical Minerals and Capital Resources, is scheduled to take place in Toronto, Ontario, on May 13-14, 2025. The CMI Summit aims to foster strategic partnerships and develop actionable solutions that support the growing demand for critical minerals, crucial for the advancement of clean energy, technology, and national security.

To secure a CMI Membership, click here or to secure a CMI Summit IV 2-day Delegates Pass, click here

June 12, 2024 — The Critical Minerals Institute (CMI) is pleased to announce the official unveiling of its first-ever CMI Critical Minerals List for June 2024, highlighting 18 minerals essential for sustaining Western economic growth. This update reflects their strategic importance and the challenges of global supply chains. The list includes Antimony, Cobalt, Copper, Fluorspar, Gallium, Graphite, Lithium, Nickel, Niobium, Magnesium, Platinum Group Metals (PGMs), Rare Earth Elements (REEs), Silicon, Tantalum, Tellurium, Tungsten, Uranium, and Vanadium.

A key criterion for inclusion on the CMI list is the mineral’s critical role in economic growth and technological advancement. For instance, Cobalt, primarily sourced from the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) with a 74% share, is essential for battery production in electric vehicles and portable electronics. Similarly, the list underscores the dominance of specific countries in the supply chain. China, for example, controls significant portions of the global supply for Gallium (98%), Graphite (77%), and Rare Earth Elements (69%). Fluorspar, critical for numerous industrial applications, is another example, with China dominating 65% of its global production.

The dependence on single-source suppliers poses risks to the stability and security of supply chains. The concentration of supply sources in geopolitically sensitive regions amplifies these risks. For example, the significant production of PGMs in South Africa (49%) and Russia (30%) makes the market vulnerable to regional instabilities. Similarly, China’s control over Tungsten (81%) and Magnesium (88%) highlights the critical need for diversification and the development of alternative supply sources to mitigate potential disruptions.

The CMI’s rigorous selection process also considered the presence of these minerals on various global critical mineral lists and the availability of sufficient knowledge to prioritize their development and supply chain security. This comprehensive approach ensures that the listed minerals are not only essential for economic growth but also recognized globally for their critical importance. The new CMI Critical Minerals List aims to guide policymakers, industry leaders, and investors in addressing supply chain vulnerabilities and fostering sustainable economic development.

Among these critical minerals, CMI will place particular focus on five: Copper, Lithium, PGMs, Rare Earth Elements (REEs), and Uranium. These minerals are paramount due to their extensive applications in technology, energy, and industrial sectors, making their stable supply crucial for future economic growth and technological advancements.

The CMI has been monitoring critical minerals in 8 countries since 2022, tracking 10 lists and over 50 minerals and/or materials from the following lists: USA DOE Critical Minerals List – 2023, USA USGS Critical Minerals List – 2022, Canadian Critical Minerals List – 2024, Australia’s Critical Minerals List – 2023, Australia’s Strategic Materials List – 2023, UK Critical Minerals List – 2022, European Critical Minerals List – 2023, Japan Critical Minerals List – 2020, South Korea Critical Minerals List – 2023, and Indian Critical Minerals List – 2023.

The two principles in establishing this list are world-renowned critical minerals experts Jack Lifton and Alastair Neill.

Alastair Neill, Director for the Critical Minerals Institute (CMI), stated, “Silicon is indispensable for every piece of electronics. With China producing 70% of the global supply, it is undeniably critical. This makes it essential for us to prioritize it in our new CMI Critical Minerals List to ensure sustainable economic growth and technological advancement.”

Jack Lifton, Director for the Critical Minerals Institute (CMI), added, “The Critical Minerals Institute’s list reflects the real markets of demand and supply, unlike academic lists produced by bureaucrats. For example, copper is indispensable because without it, we cannot produce, distribute, or use electricity, making it essential for sustaining our modern electro-centric age.”

About Critical Minerals Institute (CMI):

The Critical Minerals Institute (CMI) is a global entity established to cultivate collaboration and specialized knowledge within the critical minerals market. It acts as a central hub for businesses, capital markets, and professionals seeking vital business-to-business resources, government contracts, and networking opportunities with experts and services in the sector. CMI is dedicated to navigating the challenges and seizing the opportunities in this field through a mix of expert consultation, strategic alliances, and focused services and products. Integral to its offerings is the CMI brain trust, a collective of leading minds and specialists that provides in-depth analysis, strategic insights, and innovative solutions to advance the critical minerals industry. The Critical Minerals Institute (CMI) membership package offers access to exclusive resources, including a monthly Masterclass and a weekly Critical Minerals Report (CMR), along with preferential rates for industry events. Join the CMI, click here

The Critical Minerals Institute (CMI) Summit III

Join us at the prestigious National Club in Toronto for the third iteration of the CMI Summit, a landmark 2-day gathering at the cutting edge of the critical minerals sector. Slated for August 21st and 22nd, 2024, the CMI Summit III, under the theme “Connecting Leaders, Advancing Critical Minerals,” promises to be an essential confluence for industry frontrunners, investors, and experts. Attend the CMI Summit III, click here

Companies registered for the upcoming CMI Summit III include:

American Rare Earths Limited, Appia Rare Earths & Uranium Corp., Ara Partners, Australian Strategic Materials Ltd., Critical Metals PLC, Cyclic Materials Inc., CVMR Corp., Energy Fuels Inc., First Phosphate Corp., FuelPositive Corporation, GM, Meteoric Resources NL, Nano One Materials Corp., Neo Performance Materials Inc., Panther Metals PLC, Power Nickel Inc., REEgen, Scandium Canada Ltd., Silver Bullet Mines Corp., Toyota Canada Inc., Ucore Rare Metals Inc., Utah Advanced Materials and Manufacturing Initiative, Xcite Resources Inc., and Zentek Ltd.

Contact Information:

For more information about the Critical Minerals Institute (CMI) and its initiatives, please email [email protected] or contact us at +1 416 792 8228.

In a recent InvestorNews interview with host Tracy Weslosky, Auxico Resources Canada Inc.’s (CSE: AUAG | OTCQB: AUXIF) Chairman Mark Billings shared exciting developments regarding the company’s critical minerals projects in Bolivia and Colombia.

Mark discussed the Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) signed with Empresa Minera El Benton S.R.L., which holds mining rights to the El Benton Mine in Bolivia. This past-producing mine, with all the necessary licenses in place, offers a unique opportunity for near-term cash flow. Notably, the property contains exceptionally high-grades of niobium and tantalum, in addition to lithium and rare earths, making it a strategic asset for the green revolution.

Transitioning to Colombia, Billings discussed their recent achievement of securing mining title certificate for Minastyc Project and their goal of launching small-scale production. Mark said that the Minastyc Project, rich in tin, promises a straightforward process of producing concentrates. With permits allowing them to export up to 300 metric tons of tin concentrates per month, Mark said that the company’s immediate focus is on production.

The interview also touched on Auxico’s involvement with Central America Nickel Inc. (CAN), revealing their shared interests and goals in critical minerals. Discussing Auxico’s joint venture with CAN to export rare earth concentrates from the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), Mark explains how CAN’s investments in Auxico bolster Auxico’s growth prospects.

To access the complete interview, click here

Don’t miss other InvestorNews interviews. Subscribe to the InvestorNews YouTube channel by clicking here

About Auxico Resources Canada Inc.

Auxico Resources Canada Inc. (“Auxico”) is a Canadian company that was founded in 2014 and based in Montreal, trading on the Canadian Stock Exchange (CSE) under symbol AUAG and on the OTCQB Market under symbol AUXIF. Auxico is engaged in the acquisition, exploration and development of mineral properties in Colombia, Brazil, Mexico, Bolivia and the Democratic Republic of the Congo.

To know more about Auxico Resources Canada Inc., click here

Disclaimer: Auxico Resources Canada 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.

Everybody is claiming to have “Critical Metals/Minerals” these days. Desperados in the copper space are the most shameless at touting this claim, while the most ludicrous are those in the gold space (though that goes without saying).

But how to measure what is and what isn’t critical?

Rankings

Criticality and Chinese dominance have become popular themes over the last decade with the British Geological Survey’s (BGS) first Criticality ranking in 2011 (in the midst of the Rare Earth boom) firing the starting gun on a race between countries to define what is critical to their own circumstances.

All attempts at ranking criticality are bound to run into criticism with different pundits and different economies perceiving different needs. Moreover, circumstances change, as Cesium showed when it went from being dominated by the US to being dominated by China when the US, fecklessly, let Sinomines acquire Cabot’s specialty fluids division. In our perception, Tungsten is not as critical as it was due to numerous non-Chinese developments in the pipeline.

Of all the Criticality lists the BGS one was the only one giving scoring to the metals and then producing degrees of risk to supply. Moreover, it gives the impression of being focused upon which metals are at risk (largely from China-dominance, though unstated) rather than saying (as the JOGMEC list does) that certain metals are critical for a specific (i.e. Japan’s) economy.

Criticality as Semantics

Metals rankings have now become like radio stations’ Top 40 lists of days gone by. However, it may just be a matter of international semantics as to what the word “critical” actually implies.

Some are saying that this means a metal is vital to an economy (which of course iron ore is to every economy) but others are interpreting it as being that the supply is in some way threatened or vulnerable. And the latter is where the China Factor is invoked. Europe meanwhile wants to fence-sit and pretends that it is not accusing the Chinese of wielding a big stick threatening EU industries (when really the Chinese are being threatening indeed).

The BGS by using the word “Risk” did not mince its words. Everyone knew what it meant. Chinese dominance meant supply could be turned off.

Rising Tide of Concern?

The financial media chattering about Chinese dominance of particular metals is one thing, but it is when the average householder gets concerned that the issue really becomes popular. Giving a speech several years ago on Erbium and 5G we noted that few, if any, of the public even knew that the jump from black & white TVs to colour TVs was made possible by Europium and behind that lay the Mountain Pass mine.

For the public, the new 5G technology seems to come out of the ether, literally, and thus it is not a good idea to ask too many questions about what metals make it happen because one would find out that (notwithstanding Huawei’s involvement) the REE component (Erbium) in 5G largely is China-sourced or China-processed. Who amongst the Great Unwashed (or experts) can tell us where other 5G inputs, like Scandium, Cesium and Tantalum, come from?

Alarm bells though have been ringing in the C-Suites (of Germany and South Korea, more than Detroit) about the vulnerability of the EV “revolution” to Chinese machinations and that has set off a furious hunt for non-Chinese supply chains.

Curiously though, the European list does not include Lithium amongst the critical metals, though this is probably predicated upon its upstream supplies being mainly from “friendly” sources such as Australia, Argentina and Chile. But with China dominating conversion of Lithium into Lithium ion batteries (and having a stranglehold on Cobalt from the DRC) it does not pay to be so simplistic in calculating where one’s sources might be.

Ergo, with China being the principal midstream processor, can one be so blithely dismissive of the criticality of Lithium?

The various surveys that followed on the heels of the original BGS Criticality rankings now reinforce the sheer number of metals at risk, though as one can see below each agency producing these lists has differing views of the criticality of different metals within their remit.

We can note from the lists above that the US regards most metals as having some degree of criticality.

Conclusion

The critical metals space is torn with rising demand for metals that have seen little, to no, development since before the Commodity Supercycle even began and is now seeing a secular decline in Chinese production due to over-production, exhaustion and environmental devastation. This makes for a rather dramatic tug of war.

It is now clear that the genie set free by Trump’s seemingly prophetic “Trade War” of the Chinese threat to supplies cannot be put back in its bottle. The “love” of the US industrial complex’s for cheap Chinese minerals has now even been called into question. We doubt that the East Asians (i.e. Japan, Korea and Taiwan) and the Germans can ever be easily lulled back into a false sense of security (of supply) by the Chinese.

The legacy of underinvestment and the lack of capital markets’ interest in specialty metals stories (beyond momentary pump-and-dumps) combined with the Chinese massive own goal in splurging its resource base in predatory pricing and, frankly, dumping over three decades has made for a secular crisis in metals supplies.

This crisis is likely to be enduring and will definitely result in the long-term higher prices (even shortages).

All the chatter does not provide money for projects. Unfortunately, it is only metal price spikes that seem to do so. The soaring price of Lithium and Cobalt in 2017 was a case in point and then the Vanadium surge of 2018. However, the REE putsch of mid-2019 waxed and waned so fast that no party got any financings done before the brief window of opportunity slammed shut.

Less sexier metals never even get their day in the sun. Tellurium or Cesium could quadruple and it would not generate more than a muffled whisper in the trade journals. The same for individual Rare Earths such as Erbium and Dysprosium.

We are of the opinion that the critical “state” of the metals world will remain as long as the West is not self-sufficient in its supply of specialty metals. The Chinese have shown themselves to be malevolent players and that was while they had the whiphand in many metals. As they start to lose their grip the frustrations will start to rise, already we are starting to see some rancour in relations with Burma over neo-colonial resources policies being imposed by China on its neighbour. Other Belt-and-Road “beneficiaries” have found that Chinese largesse comes at a hefty price. Is this mere sparring or the first shots in a monumental struggle over the world’s most crucial mineral resources?

In retrospect, Trump’s “Trade War” of 2018-20 may be seen as the “phoney war” phase of a much bigger tussle over access to the world’s scarce specialty metals resources. The criticality rankings are the playlists for the background music as this plays out.

Note from Publisher: Next week – on Wednesday, November 9th in Toronto, the inaugural Critical Minerals Summit is on! To secure a delegates pass, click here  — READ: Summit to Address the Impact of the $1.2 Trillion EV Market Demand by 2030 on the Critical Minerals Sector

In this InvestorIntel interview with host Tracy Weslosky, Auxico Resources Canada Inc.’s (CSE: AUAG) Chairman and CEO Pierre Gauthier talks about recently announced off-take agreements for tantalum and tin and successful trades of rare earths from its DRC project.

In the interview, which can also be viewed in full on the InvestorIntel YouTube channel (click here), Pierre explains that “we’re in the rare earth business but the byproducts are as important as the earths themselves… What we’re looking at is to start off by producing a concentrate of tin with off-take agreements for tin. It’s a large market and easy market to access.” Auxico’s Massangana project in Brazil has 30 million tons of tailings with a 0.65 tin content, as well as niobium, tantalum and monazite. “It puts us on third base in terms of a project in terms of cash flow,” he tells Tracy, and “if we could be making cash flow from tin and niobium then those are tremendous credits against rare earths and reduce our cost of producing rare earths just about down to nothing.”

Don’t miss other InvestorIntel interviews. Subscribe to the InvestorIntel YouTube channel by clicking here.

About Auxico Resources Canada Inc.

Auxico Resources Canada Inc. (“Auxico” or the “Company”) is a Canadian company that was founded in 2014 and based in Montreal. Auxico is engaged in the acquisition, exploration and development of mineral properties in Colombia, Brazil, Mexico, Bolivia and the Democratic Republic of the Congo.

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Disclaimer: Auxico Resources Canada Inc. is an advertorial member of InvestorIntel Corp.

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A pleasant surprise is always a nice thing. These days it seems that any time you see the S&P 500 or the Nasdaq in positive territory on the day it’s considered a pleasant surprise. But that’s not what I’m talking about. What I’m referring to is a situation where you are a junior mining company in hot pursuit of a valuable and globally in-demand commodity, like rare earths, and you come across decent grades of gold, platinum and titanium, at surface no less. I believe that is what you call “having your cake and eating it too”, if you are at all familiar with that expression. If that phrase means nothing to you, then let’s stick with a pleasant surprise.

The company that looks like it’s blessed with an abundance of riches is Auxico Resources Canada Inc. (CSE: AUAG), a Canadian company engaged in the acquisition, exploration and development of mineral properties in Colombia, Brazil, Bolivia, Mexico, and the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). They are a combination project generator, miner, processor and marketer all rolled up into one, with a focus on the production of critical minerals and high-value metals, including niobium, tantalum, platinum group metals (such as platinum and iridium), and rare earth elements. Additionally, Auxico is the exclusive trade agent for rare earth concentrates from the DRC. The Company owns directly or through joint ventures, mineral rights in Colombia, Bolivia, and Brazil, with access to close to 4 million tonnes of critical minerals and rare earth elements – the largest deposits outside of China.

But today we are going to focus on their Minastyc Property in Vichada, Colombia, where Auxico recently announced the granting of a mining permit (specifically a Work Plan Authorization) from the National Mining Agency of Colombia. This is a very significant development for the Company because Auxico will now be able to move forward with the formal purchase of the Minastyc Property from its current owner. The approval of the Work Plan was the last condition in the purchase agreement. This leaves one step left, a site visit by representatives of Corporinoquia (the Colombian environmental agency), before the Company will be able to move equipment on site, including heavy machinery for bulk sampling and a processing facility, which will enable Auxico to move towards making a production decision for small-scale mining operations.

In the meantime, Auxico has been busy at the Minastyc Property having previously announced a NI 43-101 Technical Evaluation Report on March 28^th of this year with highlights including a 3.2 tonne bulk sample from two locations of the Area 50 pit resulting in a 7.7 kg fine concentrate returning Total Rare Earth Oxides (TREO) grading 68.32% and 65.67% respectively from the two locations. Back in October 2021 the Company reported the discovery of platinum group metals (PGM’s) in samples including Sample 1 with 42.8% titanium, 25.4% niobium, and 8.3% tantalum while Sample 2, found in a different zone on the property, originating from a rock sample containing 30.4% tantalum, 23.3% niobium and 24.5% titanium.

But the fun doesn’t end there. The latest results published by Auxico show gold, platinum, titanium, zirconium and hafnium test results on samples taken from the Area 50, TA Area and two other areas from the Minastyc property. At this point, it’s almost easier to talk about what metal or mineral they don’t have on this property. All joking aside, highlights from the latest fourteen samples, taken from pits in the first metre from surface in these areas, gave an average head grade of 9.5 g/t of gold, and 13.5 g/t of platinum from 8 of the 14 samples that returned grade. Additionally, the Company reported the discovery of 24.5% titanium, 7.8% zirconium, and 2.4 kilograms of hafnium. And if those grades aren’t enough to get your attention, then perhaps the fact that the Company suggests that based on these field observations and from the satellite interpretation, an estimated minimum of 250,000 tonnes of material is represented by this Ferricrete layer in the first metre from surface at Area 50 and the TA area.

All this explains why Auxico is presently coordinating the site visit with Corporinoquia and expects the visit to occur near term. With these kinds of grades literally at surface they could be generating a decent revenue stream in short order to help finance further exploration, a preliminary resource estimate or whatever they determine is the best use of funds.

With a market cap of C$55 million, this isn’t one of those undiscovered companies that provides an almost free option on their exploration. However, with almost every valuable hard rock commodity on the planet concentrated in one spot with pretty impressive grades, any expansion in size could be a boon to shareholders. And I didn’t even touch on the myriad of other interesting opportunities going on at Auxico Resources that you can explore on your own at their website.

Apparently, my “watchlist” is far too large these days. When I circle around to have a look at some of the names on the list, I’m often shocked by the progress they’ve made since the last time I looked at them. Fortunately, in some cases, I can potentially still purchase the stock at a price comparable to the last time I reviewed it, despite its success in the interim. Today is a great example of this. It’s a stock that I last wrote about in June 2021. Since that time the Company has continued to grow its revenue and be profitable, increased the cash on its balance sheet, pays a quarterly dividend and yesterday closed 6.5% lower than it was trading at the beginning of last June.

That company is Neo Performance Materials Inc. (TSX: NEO), which is currently trading at 17x trailing 12-month earnings, has a 2.5% dividend yield and over $2/share of cash sitting on the balance sheet. These may not seem like outstanding metrics for an industrial stock as compared to its peers but Neo Performance is not like its industrial peers. They are sitting squarely in the driver’s seat of the green revolution. Neo manufactures the building blocks of many modern technologies that enhance efficiency and sustainability. The Company’s advanced industrial materials – magnetic powders and magnets, specialty chemicals, metals, and alloys – are critical to the performance of many everyday products and emerging technologies. Neo’s products are used in numerous end-use applications including micro motors, traction motors, auto catalysts, water pollution controls, healthcare (such as medical imaging), aerospace, clean energy technologies (such as HEVs and EVs), consumer electronics (such as smartphones and tablets), fiber optics, HDDs and a number of other applications.

Not only is Neo involved in the manufacturing of materials integral to a sustainable future, but there’s also the old real estate adage – location, location, location. The Company’s Estonian facility is the only commercial producer of rare earths in Europe and one of only two producers of aerospace-grade tantalum and niobium in the EU. A key business focus is to meet the rapidly growing demand for magnetic rare earths in Europe, which are needed by electric vehicles and high-efficiency electric motors. Neo is partnering with industry and government leaders across Europe with an aim toward helping establish production in Europe of sintered neo magnets to help meet demand using rare earth feedstock from North America and elsewhere outside of China. If you are like me and that last sentence is a little over your head, I encourage you to go to the Company’s website and click on all the “Learn More” boxes. It’s pretty fascinating stuff, even if I still didn’t understand a lot of it.

As bullish as this sounds, coupled with a track record of success and growth over the last couple of years, I can see a couple of things that may account for the uninspired performance of the stock price of late. The first is that 37% of corporate revenue in 2021 came from Chinese customers. With China’s zero tolerance COVID policy and lockdown after lockdown making the news headlines, investors may wonder if Q1/22 financials might be impacted. They might, but that is somewhat short sighted in my opinion. Yes, I realize COVID has been annoying us for over 2 years now, but the world is adapting and starting to get on with life. It’s possible there could be an impact to Q1 numbers but if there is, I would simply view that as a buying opportunity if the stock were to sell off (assuming this was the sole reason). Secondly, investors might be concerned that Estonia is a neighbor of Russia and formerly part of the USSR, which Putin seems to want to reunify. However, Estonia is part of NATO (and the EU), and thus not likely to be in Putin’s sights anytime soon as I’m pretty sure he doesn’t want to stick his hand in that hornet’s nest, especially given how poorly things are going for him in Ukraine at present. So without trying to understate the atrocities and humanitarian crisis going on in Ukraine, I personally don’t view there to be much, if any, risk to Neo’s Estonian assets.

As the market is tending to drift towards value and industrial stocks with the specter of rising interest rates making investors second guess the multiples applied to tech stocks, assuming they even have earnings, one could question why Neo’s stock price is trading far closer to its 52 week low instead of its 52 week high. Even if it were considered a “show me” stock, I would suggest looking at the last 4 (or more) quarterly earnings and question what else investors might be looking for. Net income, positive cash flow, virtually no debt and a 2.5% dividend yield put Neo Performance on a pretty good footing. Then consider the upside of the business segment they are involved in and one can make a strong case for taking a closer look at Neo Performance Materials.