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Acquisition of High-Grade Venatica Copper Project
Unlocking a high-grade Copper Porphyry within the northern extension of a Multi-Billion Tonne Belt.
Altair Minerals Limited (ASX: ALR) (‘Altair or ‘the Company’) is pleased to announce the proposed acquisition of the Venatica Copper Project which highlights a major expansion to Altair’s portfolio of Tier-1 sized discovery opportunities, stepping into South America with an exceptionally high-grade porphyry. Located ~60km from the Las Bambas Mine which produces 2% of global copper supply, Venatica shares the same host rocks, structures, geological controls with outcroppings of >6% copper.
Key Highlights:
- District Scale Opportunity | 337km2 Landholding
The Venatica Copper Project spans 337km2 over 34 claims, situated on Peru’s prolific Andahuaylas- Yauri Porphyry belt, host to 3 deposits which are >1Bt along strike of Venatica1. - Large Scale Targets | >16km2 of Porphyry Targets, open in all directions
Venatica West has two key targets amongst a regional system - (1) Irka NE: high-grade felsic copper-silver-moly porphyry >4km2 and (2) Irka SW: copper-gold porphyry-skarn >6km2, with the true lateral extent of both systems completely open. The Irka NE porphyry represents an exceptionally large target, which has shown an abundance of copper across a significant 3.4km strike which samples range 3,000ppm to >60,000ppm Cu. Majority of Venatica remains untested with potential for subsequent high-grade copper systems to be discovered. - High-Grade Surface Outcrops | 20% of samples >3,000ppm Cu
Irka NE Porphyry Target: Historic sample reported by INMET (acquired by First Quantum) reported 9.5% Copper, 471ppm Mo, 160g/t Ag and 4.59g/t Au. With subsequent outcrop sampling programs at the high-grade Irka NE Porphyry (>3km strike) returning:- 5.7% Copper and 43g/t Silver (Sample 4807)
- 4.8% Copper and 32g/t Silver (Sample 15245)
- 4.7% Copper and 40g/t Silver and 31ppm Molybdenum (Sample 646141)
- 7.0% Copper and 33g/t Silver (Sample 2254)
Irka SW Porphyry – Skarn Target: Follow-up sampling programs by INMET returned exceptional copper-gold results of 4.8% Copper & 0.40g/t Gold (Sample 4801) and 6.5% Copper & 0.52g/t Gold (Sample 4803)
- Multiple Regional Anomalous Targets | 17km of anomalous strike
Stream sampling at Venatica East has returned 4 distinct copper targets which has shown >5x background levels of copper that has an outstanding combined anomalous strike of 17km. Stream sediments at Venatica East are analogous to the stream anomalies to Haquira (Figure 6) also >5x background levels of copper, which led to 1.4Bt @ 0.46% Cu discovery along strike Venatica1,2,8. - Historic High-Grade Production | Average 6% Copper Ore
Reported historic small-scale mining at Irka NE exploited dykes at 6% Copper, whereas on Irka SW target, a pit (50m x 50m x 10m deep) exploited at 4% Copper from the base of pit (10m depth). - Proven Geological Model | Untested Northen Extension
Venatica is sitting on the large margin contact of the Andahuaylas-Yauri Batholith intrusion, the same Batholith contact which is the key structural control that has led to the discovery of 5x copper deposits with >1Bt resources on this belt (See Fig. 1)1,3. Altair holds first-mover advantage to systematically test the northern extension of the trend, with Venatica covering the key controlling and proven geological formation. - Expansion of Technical Team | 11.4Mt Cu & 26Moz Au of Discoveries
Assignment of expert geologist team in the discovery of porphyry/skarn deposits within the Andahuaylas-Yauri Batholith. The Peru exploration team has significant experience in characterization of the high-grade traps in this style of deposit, which becomes key in the initial drill program at Venatica. Altair’s strengthened Technical Team have been collectively responsible for discoveries of over 11.4Mt Copper & 26Moz Gold. - Established Social Credentials | Fast-Tracked for drilling by Q2 2025
Irka Vendor (Venatica West) has established social relations over 10-years with a supportive community. Irka has the additional benefit of small-scale exploitation and provisional permits granted, allowing ability to leverage Peru’s REINFO process to receive drilling permits within months. Ample infrastructure, power and access roads, leading to exceptionally low exploration and drill costs.
ACQUISITION OF VENATICA PROJECT
Overview
The Venatica Project is a district scale and advanced discovery opportunity, located ~7km South & Southeast of Abancay, in the Apurimac region of Peru. The project has ample nearby infrastructure, with significant recent investment into power lines, access roads, manpower and pro-mining social integration due to the on-going development of two world-class mines and construction of three world- class mines in the region. The project is connected to all main roads in South Central Peru either via asphalt or paved roads, with a supportive community whereby relationships have been built over a decade. Two wide public roads facilitate the logistics access and connect the region with the main seaports of southern Peru for shipments of minerals: the Marcona Seaport accessed via Ayacucho and Ica, and the Matarani Seaport accessed by Cusco and Arequipa.
The Venatica transaction represents a non-dilutive exciting discovery opportunity, which consists of the acquisition of 100% owned Mining Process’s alongside an option to acquire 80% of the Irka Mining Concession (“Irka Permit”), Permit Code: N010184917, which sits within the Western half of Venatica. Altair has entered into an agreement with Crhistian Enrique Vargas Serna (“The Vendor”) for an exclusive 120-day due diligence period for the cost of USD $10,000. Upon satisfaction of initial due diligence, Altair has the option to either extend the due diligence period by 3 months for USD $10,000 or has the option to purchase 80% of Irka for USD $60,000 – see terms section below for full details.
Geologically, Venatica is located on the Andahuaylas-Yauri Porphyry Belt, a prolific mining corridor known for hosting numerous Tier-1 copper deposits and recently has led to the construction of multiple world-class copper mines in the last 10 years (Las Bambas, Constancia, Antapaccay) run by majors such as MMG & Glencore. This belt represents a globally significant geological trend, extending over 300km and containing some of the largest copper resources in the world.
The northern portion of the Andahuaylas-Yauri Porphyry Belt is renowned for hosting 5x copper deposits each with >1Bt resources, including one of the lowest quartile producers in Peru (Constancia), and the 3rd largest copper producer in Peru (Las Bambas) accounting for 2% of global copper production1,4, located just 60km from Venatica. The belt stands out due to its simplicity in discovering these globally significant deposits which typically occur at the margin contact of the Batholith Intrusive.
Click here for the full ASX Release
This article includes content from Altair Minerals Limited, licensed for the purpose of publishing on Investing News Australia. This article does not constitute financial product advice. It is your responsibility to perform proper due diligence before acting upon any information provided here. Please refer to our full disclaimer here.
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Altair Minerals
Investor Insight
Altair Minerals is strategically positioned to unlock the value of its Venatica and Olympic Domain projects. By leveraging cutting-edge exploration techniques and its seasoned technical team’s expertise, the company is poised for significant copper and gold discoveries, presenting a compelling investment opportunity.
Overview
Altair Minerals (ASX:ALR) is an exploration company focused on unlocking significant copper and gold deposits through a disciplined and systematic approach. The company’s strategy centers on building a portfolio of high-quality assets with the potential to become Tier-1 discoveries, while advancing exploration on early-stage projects and actively evaluating opportunities to acquire advanced deposits and exploration assets.
Focused on copper and gold - critical metals for the global transition to renewable energy - Altair prioritizes systematic exploration campaigns to validate high-priority targets and seeks strategic partnerships to fund and accelerate its exploration efforts. By targeting projects which demonstrate potential to make tier-1 and large-scale discoveries in globally significant mining jurisdictions, Altair aims to position itself as an attractive leading exploration company to deliver maximum returns to shareholders.
Company Highlights
- Altair Minerals’ two world-class projects - Venatica in Peru and Olympic Domain in Australia - are located in globally significant mining districts, targeting Tier-1 copper and gold deposits.
- Venatica Project is a 337 sq km exploration project in the world-famous Andahuaylas-Yauri Porphyry Belt, featuring extensive copper-gold porphyry and skarn mineralization with proven high-grade historical production.
- The Olympic Domain project, located in South Australia’s Gawler Craton, is an 831 sq km IOCG project adjacent to BHP’s Oak Dam deposit (1.34 Bt @ 0.66 percent copper and 0.33 g/t gold) and boasts major analogous geophysical anomalies just 5 km from the Oak Dam deposit, indicative of significant mineralization.
- Historic sampling and exploration work was conducted at Venatica by INMET prior to its subsequent take over First Quantum for C$5.1 billion. The historic work has shown two major porphyry targets of 6 sq kmand 4 sq km, respectively, which have demonstrated abundant copper mineralisation at surface.
- Historic sampling at Venatica covers a small portion of the overall target, leaving substantial scope to expand its target size which remains open in all directions, these samples include:
- 7.0 percent copper and 33 g/t silver (sample 2254)
- 5.7 percent copper and 43 g/t silver (sample 4807)
- 4.8 percent copper and 32 g/t silver (sample 15245)
- 6.5 percent copper and 0.52 g/t gold (sample 4803)
- 4.8 percent copper and 0.40 g/t gold (sample 4801)
- Advanced geophysical techniques, modernized modelling has refined drill at Olympic Domain which shows previous impressive holes have narrowly missed the true core of the IOCG body, which shows a target size larger than the adjacent Oak Dam deposit owned by BHP.
- Altair’s boasts a first class and leading technical exploration team, who have cumulatively contributed to 11.4 Mt of copper and 26 Moz of gold discoveries in the past two decades.
Key Projects
Venatica Project (Flagship) – Peru
Location of Venatica Project, sitting along the Las Bambas trend and on key contact of Andahuaylas-Yauri Intrusive Batholith which is the main structural feature facilitating Tier-1 Copper deposits on the belt.
The Venatica Project, Altair Minerals' flagship asset, is strategically situated in Peru’s Andahuaylas-Yauri Porphyry Belt, a globally significant copper-producing region. The project is neighboring and sitting along strike Tier-1 mines, including Las Bambas, Antapaccay and Haquira, collectively establishing the area as one of the world’s premier porphyry copper districts. These mines contribute significantly to Peru’s copper output, underscoring the region’s importance in the global supply chain. Spanning approximately 337 sq km, Venatica’s land package is strategically positioned along the northern extension of the batholith intrusion contact zone, a geological anomaly known for hosting large-scale copper deposits with no modern exploration. Altair holds a first-mover advantage, being the first company to test the extension of this trend which has without failure made Tier-1 discoveries every ~60 km. The project’s geology is characterized by a combination of porphyry and skarn mineralization, which underpins its exceptional exploration potential.
Within Venatica West, the Irka NE target, a copper-molybdenum-gold porphyry system with a lateral footprint of 4 sq km, has yielded exceptional surface sampling results, including reported historic grades of up to 9.5 percent copper, 4.6 grams per ton (g/t) gold, and 160 g/t silver.
Additionally, a porphyry-skarn target covering a 6 sq km footprint within the contact aureole of the Andahuaylas-Yauri Batholith has historically been mined via small-scale operations, with exploited grades of 4 percent copper at the base of 10 meter pits – and remaining open at depth. These targets align with regional structural controls, consistent with the characteristics of nearby Tier-1 deposits.
Satellite perspective view of Venatica West with rock samples and total field magnetics overlay.
Historic exploration has been conducted highlighting Venatica’s tremendous potential, including geophysical surveys which have delineated two primary anomalies with strong structural controls, providing clear focus areas for future drilling. Over 140 stream sediment and rock chip samples have confirmed high-grade copper mineralization, alongside historical artisanal mining efforts, including shallow pits and shafts, that have validated the presence of high-grade copper near the surface, further supporting the project’s prospectivity.
Within Venatica East, major sets of stream anomalies have been identified over 5 times the background levels for Copper, delineating over 17km strike of anomalous zones for maiden exploration.
Plan view of Venatica Project, including Venatica West (with Irka Prospect) and Venatica East overlaid with stream sediment and rock sample anomalies.
The stream anomalies present at Venatica East are analogous to the Haquira discovery (1.4 Bt @ 0.46 percent copper, taken over by First Quantum for C$650 million in 2010) – sitting along strike Venatica sharing the same trend, host rock and structural controls. Haquira was first identified through similar stream anomalies which, like Venatica, recorded over 5 times background levels for copper.
Summary timeline of Haquira discovery, commencing from stream sediment anomaly which is analogous to Venatica East anomalies
The project benefits from excellent infrastructure and logistics. Venatica is accessible via established road networks and is in close proximity to major mining hubs, ensuring cost-effective exploration and potential future development. The region is well-connected to the electrical grid, and nearby towns offer access to a skilled mining workforce familiar with the operating conditions in the region.
Venatica’s strategic location within one of the world’s most productive porphyry belts further adds to the attractiveness of the project. Neighboring operations, such as Las Bambas (1.87 Bt @ 0.62 percent copper) and Haquira (1.39 Bt @ 0.48 percent copper), highlight the region’s capacity to host massive copper deposits. Altair’s project lies along the same structural corridor, significantly increasing the likelihood of discovering a Tier-1 deposit.
Altair has an aggressive exploration program planned to advance Venatica toward discovery. A drilling campaign is scheduled for Q2 2025, targeting the vertical extensions of the identified porphyry and skarn systems. The drill campaign will be complemented by advanced geophysical and geochemical mapping to refine structural interpretations and geological models. Resource delineation efforts will focus on defining both the lateral and vertical extent of mineralized zones, with the ultimate goal of confirming Venatica’s Tier-1 potential.
Olympic Domain Project – South Australia
Olympic Domain tenements
The Olympic Domain project, located in South Australia’s Gawler Craton, is one of the most promising IOCG (iron oxide copper gold) exploration projects globally. This region hosts renowned assets such as BHP’s Oak Dam and Carrapateena, and the world-class Olympic Dam deposit, underscoring its exceptional mineral potential. With an extensive land package spanning ~831 sq km, the project comprises three key prospects: Horse Well, Pernatty C and Lake Torrens, each with unique geological attributes indicative of Tier-1 mineral discovery potential. The key project area and most advanced target with historic drilling is Horse Well, located 2 km west of BHP’s Oak Dam (1.34 Bt @ 0.66 percent copper and 0.33 g/t gold). Strategically positioned within the Olympic Dam Lineament Corridor, a structural feature closely associated with significant IOCG systems, the project demonstrates substantial geological promise.
The Horse Well Prospect features a large ovoid conductive anomaly measuring 4.2 km in strike length and 1.9 km in width which is significantly larger than BHP’s Oak Dam deposit. Although historic drilling on its own accord is impressive, the recent maiden geophysics model shows these intercepts have narrowly missed the core of this anomaly – including 115 m @ 0.62 percent copper equivalent, 61 m @ 0.33 percent copper equivalent, and 70 m @ 0.67 percent copper equivalent, which confirm the presence of a mineralized halo, highlighting the assets tremendous potential, once intersecting the core of the IOCG.
Horse Well Total Magnetic Intensity (TMI) overlaid with TMI variable reduction to pole
(VRTP) 2nd derivative - SARIG. Shown are two of Altair’s key high-priority magnetic targets.
The Pernatty C Prospect hosts untested conductive anomalies with geological characteristics akin to a high-grade polymetallic deposit, with structural mapping identifying cross-cutting faults acting as conduits for mineralizing fluids.
At Lake Torrens, gravity anomalies two to three times the size of Oak Dam’s suggest the presence of large-scale, untapped IOCG mineralization. Furthermore, Lake Torrens sits on a key annular mantle disruption, similar to the positioning of Olympic Dam and Oak Dam West and is located on the rare PD1 Lineament Corridor, famously used to target the Olympic Dam discovery.
Substantial exploration work has advanced the Olympic Domain project, refined its geological models and identified high-priority targets. Advanced AMT and magnetic surveys have delineated major conductive zones coinciding with structural and magnetic anomalies, located just 5 km northwest of BHP’s Oak Dam deposit, providing a clear focus for exploration. Structural mapping has revealed extensive faulting and brecciation, serving as pathways for IOCG fluid systems.
The project is bolstered by exceptional infrastructure that enhances its development and exploration potential. Proximity to major regional highways ensures efficient logistics for exploration and future operations. The site is also well-positioned near smelters, industrial hubs, and export ports, ensuring access to critical resources and services. South Australia’s mining-friendly jurisdiction provides a supportive regulatory environment and a skilled workforce, further strengthening the project’s viability.
Altair has developed an aggressive exploration strategy to fully unlock the project’s potential. A focused drilling campaign, planned for 2025, will target the untested cores of major geophysical anomalies, including the high-priority ovoid conductor at Horse Well. The company is undergoing negotiations with potential JV partners which will provide a non-dilutive pathway to unlocking full value for the asset and allow Altair to proceed with its endeavours in making a globally significant discovery within its wholly owned Olympic Domain project. Enhancements to AMT and an imminent follow-up TEM will refine anomaly resolution and allow for precise drill targeting. Efforts will focus on validating Tier-1 IOCG targets, with the potential for discoveries comparable to neighboring world-class deposits like Oak Dam.
Management Team
Faheem Ahmed – Chief Executive Officer
Appointed as CEO on March 21, 2024, Faheem Ahmed holds a Bachelor of Engineering and a Bachelor of Project Management. With over seven years of experience, he has a robust background in project evaluation, asset management, data analysis, lifecycle cost analysis, and risk modeling across sectors including infrastructure, mining, health and transport. Prior to joining Altair, Ahmed played a pivotal role in transitioning Viridis Mining & Minerals into the rare earths sector, contributing to its successful exploration and development strategy.
Mordechai Benedikt – Non-executive Chairman
Mordechai Benedikt brings over 12 years of experience in the food import industry and has been actively involved in export trade from Australia to Asia, establishing a vast international network. More recently, he has engaged in commercial property ventures and substantial investments in the public sector. His diverse business background provides valuable insights into strategic decision-making and corporate governance.
Nochum Labkowski – Non-executive Director
As the CEO and principal investor of Halevi Enterprises, a private equity firm, Nochum Labkowski oversees equity holdings in over 30 private companies with global real estate investments. His unique investment approach has yielded significant returns, and his leadership experience contributes to Altair Minerals' strategic growth initiatives.
Jamie Larmont – Non-executive Director
Jamie Larmont is a seasoned mining professional and corporate strategy expert. With a Bachelor of Engineering and over a decade of hands-on experience working with industry leaders, such as BHP and Rio Tinto, he has extensive expertise in operational and project management. Larmont's consultative work further enhances his understanding of operational strategy, project value analysis and corporate communication, making him a valuable asset to the board.
Justin Mouchacca – Company Secretary
Justin Mouchacca is a qualified chartered accountant and fellow of the Governance Institute of Australia, with over 15 years of experience in public company responsibilities, including statutory, corporate governance, and financial reporting requirements. He graduated from RMIT University in 2008 with a Bachelor of Business majoring in accounting and completed the Chartered Accountants Program in 2011. Mouchacca has been appointed company secretary and financial officer for several entities listed on the ASX and unlisted public companies, bringing a wealth of experience in corporate compliance and governance to Altair Minerals.
Chris Anderson – Technical Advisor, Australia
Chris Andersen has extensive expertise in geophysical modelling and targeted drill planning led to the Carrapateena IOCG discovery holes, subsequently sold to Oz Minerals. Carrapateena became Oz Minerals’ flagship asset prior to its AU$9.6B takeover by BHP.
Ken Cross – Technical Advisor, Australia
Ken Cross is a senior geologist at WMC Resources and following a role as senior research geologist at Olympic Dam. He has made significant contributions to IOCG geological modelling and exploration concepts.
Jim Hanneson – Technical Advisor, Australia
Jim Hanneson is a leading geophysicist known for his cutting-edge proprietary techniques and advanced 3D modelling. His expertise has been critical to the success of major discoveries, including Havieron and Carrapateena.
Steven Cooper – Exploration Manager, Australia
Steven Cooper has 35 years of hands-on experience in managing and evaluating mineral exploration programs. Cooper is poised to lead a dynamic new phase of exploration at Altair Minerals.
Altair Minerals Limited (ASX: ALR) – Reinstatement to Quotation
Description
The suspension of trading in the securities of Altair Minerals Limited (‘ALR’) will be lifted immediately following the release by ALR of an announcement regarding> a proposed project acquisition.
Issued by
ASX Compliance
Click here for the full ASX Release
This article includes content from Altair Minerals Limited, licensed for the purpose of publishing on Investing News Australia. This article does not constitute financial product advice. It is your responsibility to perform proper due diligence before acting upon any information provided here. Please refer to our full disclaimer here.
Maria Smirnova: Gold, Silver Price Drivers Still in Place, My Focus in 2025
Maria Smirnova, senior portfolio manager and chief investment officer at Sprott Asset Management, shared her thoughts on the outlook for gold and silver in 2025.
"Looking forward to this year and beyond, the drivers that we see for both gold and silver that were in place last year are still there — things haven't changed from this year to last year," she said.
"So even if we don't see such a strong price performance, for example in gold — 27 percent, that's pretty hard to beat — I would say that we should still have a good year this year."
Acknowledging that many investors are still waiting for gold and silver stocks to perform more strongly, Smirnova said she sees opportunity in the small- to mid-cap space.
"Hang in there — I know it can be frustrating sometimes. Certainly small companies have underperformed the larger companies, but there's a lot of value out there that I see. Just don't give up, stick with it," she told the Investing News Network.
Watch the interview above for more from Smirnova on gold and silver. You can also click here to view our Vancouver Resource Investment Conference playlist on YouTube.
Don't forget to follow us @INN_Resource for real-time updates!
Securities Disclosure: I, Charlotte McLeod, hold no direct investment interest in any company mentioned in this article.
Editorial Disclosure: The Investing News Network does not guarantee the accuracy or thoroughness of the information reported in the interviews it conducts. The opinions expressed in these interviews do not reflect the opinions of the Investing News Network and do not constitute investment advice. All readers are encouraged to perform their own due diligence.
What is De-Dollarization and is it Good or Bad? (Updated 2024)
There's been a de-dollarization storm brewing lately in the international finance arena. What is it?
De-dollarization is the process of reducing the dominance of the US dollar in global trade and financing activities. Recent data shows that other currencies are gaining ground, and the US dollar is no longer the alpha currency it once was.
You might be wondering, "What's causing this?" Well, the rise of non-US economic blocs and increasing political tensions have caused countries to rethink their dependency on the US dollar. For some nations, this has led to strategies to promote regional integration and bilateral relations in an effort to protect against geopolitical risks.
Take Russia, for example. In June 2021, the country announced it was eliminating the US dollar from its National Wealth Fund — in doing so, it has reduced its vulnerability to western sanctions. More recently, the BRICS nations, a group made up of Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa, have made headlines for their efforts to set up their own currency.
What does this all mean? Well, stick with us as we delve into the details of de-dollarization.
In this article
How did the dollar become the world's reserve currency?
The US dollar has a storied history, originating in the early days of the United States. The US Mint was founded by the Coinage Act of 1792, establishing the dollar as the primary currency unit.
The dollar's value was initially set relative to gold and silver, and it has since undergone several changes, including adopting the gold standard in 1900. The gold standard was a monetary system in which currencies were tied to an established quantity of gold, facilitating price stability and reducing transaction costs in commerce across borders.
The US adopted the system with the Coinage Act of 1873, which continued until the Great Depression in the 1930s. The Bretton Woods Agreement of 1944 was a pivotal moment in the US dollar's history, as delegates from 44 countries agreed to peg their currencies to the dollar, which was, in turn, linked to gold. This solidified the US dollar's position as the primary trading currency.
The US dollar's rise to prominence as the world's reserve currency can be attributed to other factors as well. The Federal Reserve Bank was established by the Federal Reserve Act of 1913, which helped maintain price stability in the US dollar.
Additionally, during World War I, the US became the primary lender for many countries looking to buy dollar-denominated US bonds. By the end of World War II, the US had amassed most of the world's gold reserves, and the Bretton Woods Agreement had solidified the dollar's position as the international monetary standard.
Despite the eventual end of the Bretton Woods system in the early 1970s, the US dollar has retained its status as the world's reserve currency. Factors contributing to its dominance include:
- the stability of its value
- the size of the US economy
- the US' geopolitical influence
- the unparalleled market for US debt
Today, the US dollar remains the currency of choice for international trade and reserves, with major commodities like oil primarily bought and sold in US dollars, called petrodollars. However, with the recent de-dollarization trend and the emergence of digital currencies, the dollar's long-term future as the global reserve currency is uncertain.
What is de facto dollarization?
There are some countries that don't officially use the US dollar, but still experience unofficial de facto dollarization, a phenomenon in which residents of a country use a foreign currency, often the US dollar, for day-to-day transactions and for saving in hard currency. According to the International Monetary Fund, most developing countries have a limited form of dollarization. Countries with high levels of de facto dollarization are Argentina, Bolivia, Cambodia, Lebanon, Peru, Uruguay and Zimbabwe.
De facto dollarization is a concern in many developing economies, because it can limit the effectiveness of monetary policy, expose the financial sector to currency risk and increase the country's vulnerability to external shocks.
Nations with both official and unofficial dollarization are seeing the risks associated with it, and some are looking for alternatives, or at least ways to cushion that risk.
What does de-dollarization mean?
De-dollarization involves reducing the US dollar's dominance in global markets by substituting it as the primary currency for financial transactions, such as trading oil or other commodities, foreign exchange reserves and bilateral trade.
The US dollar's leading role in the global economy grants the US significant influence over other nations, and the country often uses sanctions as a foreign policy tool. As a result, some countries want to reduce their dependence on the dollar and challenge its dominance to insulate their central banks from geopolitical risks:
As mentioned, one of the groups leading this movement is the BRICS. The five emerging economies in the bloc have been working together on various issues, such as trade, finance and development. The BRICS countries have also been looking for ways to create a new reserve currency that could compete with the dollar.
One example of de-dollarization is the emergence of the petroyuan in response to the longstanding petrodollar system. China, now the world's top oil importer, has introduced a yuan-denominated oil futures benchmark to stimulate demand for its goods, services and securities, signaling a potential decline for the petrodollar.
Another indication of de-dollarization is the rise in central bank gold buying. Countries like China, Russia and India have been purchasing gold as a means to reduce their dollar holdings. Central banks have purchased more gold in recent years than they have since records began being kept in 1950. This trend highlights a shift in trust from the US dollar to gold as a safer haven, driven in part by the US and its allies' increasing use of financial sanctions.
Andy Schectman, president of Miles Franklin, discussed this weaponization of the US dollar and its role in the continuing de-dollarization trend with the Investing News Network (INN) at the Rule Symposium in July 2024.
"The rallying cry that's pulling all of this together is the weaponization of the dollar, and I would also argue the fact that we signed an executive order to go green ... we have in essence told the Saudi kingdom and OPEC, who gives us the dollar hegemony by pricing oil in dollars, that we're going to go green pretty soon, and if you're on the wrong side of us we're going to sanction your funds," he said.
Watch the full interview with Schectman here.
Schectman also had lots of insight to share on de-dollarization during a panel entitled "Will the BRICS survive a Trump Presidency" at the 2025 Vancouver Resource Investment Conference (VRIC) in January. Whether US President Donald Trump uses a carrot or a stick approach with BRICS members, the path toward de-dollarization will be hard to block. Schectman told VRIC attendees that he views Trump's tariffs as sanctions in another form, and the tariffs are likely to continue to give countries such as China a good reason to make further moves to dethrone the dollar.
He pointed to China and Saudi Arabia beefing up their gold reserves on the sly and China selling US bonds in Saudi Arabia as evidence of the aggressive posture toward de-dollarization.
"A lot of the things they're doing are going to be under the radar. For example, we've seen China say that they stopped buying gold for six months, yet the import/export numbers out of London and Switzerland betrayed that rhetoric," he said. "And in fact, there's a feeling that they've been buying 10 times as much gold as they said. Saudi Arabia, same thing. Oh, sorry, we forgot to report it to the IMF, but the import/export numbers caught it. So, I think this de-dollarization trend is going to continue."
China is also striking at the heart of the petrodollar system with the sale of US$2 billion in dollar-denominated bonds in Saudi Arabia in direct competition with US treasuries.
“That money then doesn't go back to the US,” Schectman said. "And I think what (China is) doing with this is saying, look, we can do this with all of our Belt Road Initiative countries. We can help them with their dollar denominated debt. It's a way for them to say, we can challenge you right now in the treasury market, don't mess with us.”
If US President Donald Trump continues to use tariffs as a proxy for economic sanctions on China, Schectman believes the Asian nation will continue to issue bonds in US dollars in order to compete on a parallel system with the United States.
It's worth noting that de-dollarization efforts, while offering advantages such as risk diversification, stronger national currencies and reduced vulnerability to US sanctions, also present challenges like transition difficulties, short-term instability and limited global acceptance of alternative currencies.
So while de-dollarization presents both opportunities and challenges for the global economy, businesses, investors and policymakers must understand these implications and adapt to the evolving nature of international trade and finance.
Will the dollar lose its reserve currency status?
Frank Giustra, a well-known Canadian businessman who is co-chair of the International Crisis Group, believes some form of de-dollarization appears inevitable, as in the wake of sanctions against Russia, countries are increasingly considering non-dollar trade agreements and central banks are reducing their dollar reserves.
If the US dollar was to lose its reserve currency status, what could take its place? There are 180 currencies recognized as legal tender in different countries and territories worldwide, and there are other reserve currencies like the euro, Japan's yen, Britain's pound and China's yuan. There are also growing digital currency options.
However, for now the US dollar's dominance remains clear — International Monetary Fund data shows that it makes up 57 percent of foreign exchange reserves worldwide. And even those who are of the opinion that a shift away from the US dollar is inevitable don't see it happening without major turmoil at a global scale.
"I don't think an orderly move from a dollar-based system to another currency or a (system based on a basket of currencies) can be an orderly one," explained Alfonso Peccatiello, founder of the Macro Compass, in an interview with INN.
"Generally in history such transitions between global reserve currencies have been with big geopolitical tensions — or in other words, with wars. So nobody wants that, but it is historically speaking the prerequisite to move from one currency-based system — the dollar — to another currency-based system."
Watch the full interview with Peccatiello above.
Giustra has expressed a similar opinion, saying that moves away from the US dollar could provoke inflation in the US, potentially leading to social and economic instability. For that reason, he believes the de-dollarization trend should be viewed by the administration as a matter of national security. He thinks the US should consider being open to dialogue regarding forming a new monetary system, which could potentially be backed by gold or other commodities.
Investor takeaway
De-dollarization is an ongoing trend that marks a shift away from the previously unrivaled US dollar in global trade and finance. Political tensions, the rise of non-US economic blocs and a desire for decreased reliance on the dollar are the driving forces behind this trend. De-dollarization is also playing a key role in prompting countries to pursue regional integration and bilateral relations while protecting against geopolitical risks.
Investors can prepare for a future in which the US dollar's dominance is less certain by diversifying their portfolios across various currencies and assets, such as gold or cryptocurrencies.
Additionally, learning about alternative payment systems or platforms that bypass the US dollar can open up new markets and services. Remaining open minded about different perspectives and scenarios emerging from de-dollarization will allow greater flexibility and adaptability in a changing financial landscape. By staying informed and flexible, investors can navigate the evolving financial landscape and capitalize on emerging opportunities.
This is an updated version of an article first published by the Investing News Network in 2024.
Don't forget to follow us @INN_Resource for real-time news updates!
Securities Disclosure: I, Melissa Pistilli, hold no direct investment interest in any company mentioned in this article.
Panelists: Hard Assets Key as Geopolitical Shifts Reshape Global Markets
As the Trump administration begins its four year mandate and war continues to rage in Ukraine, the precarious geopolitical landscape remains the primary focus for many resource sector watchers and participants.
Day one of the Vancouver Resource Investment Conference began with a panel on the global geopolitical outlook. Moderated by event host Jay Martin, the participants explored major trends poised to impact the resource sector.
Starting the 30 minute discussion, Dr. Pippa Malmgren, an economist, noted that the current geopolitical landscape is characterized by "hot wars in cold places" — meaning that the major conflicts are taking place in areas like space, the Arctic and the Baltic, rather than the traditional "boots on the ground" battles often associated with war.
While Malmgren sees the war in Ukraine ending, she warned of another larger-scale conflict.
“I think that we're going to end up with a deal between the new White House and China and Russia, and what will happen is the visible war will subside, but the war for the technological frontier will accelerate — and that is where the fight is,” she told the audience. “It's for quantum computing, it's for nanotechnology, it's for space.”
This technological front also extends to the deep sea, according to Malmgren. She explained that on January 6, 2022, the fastest internet cable in the world, which connects satellites to earthly networks, was cut.
Located near Svalbard, Norway the undersea cable has been “unexpectedly severed” several times.
“Luckily, we had so much redundancy built in that that event did not become visible to the public, but the militaries understood this is effectively an act of war,” said Malmgren.
Framing the narrative on conflict
For Dr. Pascal Lottaz, it’s important to frame conflict in the right way.
The associate professor at Kyoto University’s Graduate School of Law explained that while the world is experiencing different phases of cold wars, he hesitates to frame everything as a "war" since it dilutes the meaning of the term. A better way to describe the current global landscape is through the lens of a "security competition."
Lottaz added that competition is particularly intense among the US, Russia and China, and is playing out across various domains, including technology. The critical question is whether these rivalries will remain at a level where actions like cutting undersea cables are the worst consequences — serious, but far from catastrophic.
The danger is that tensions could escalate into open conflict. In fact, the world is in one of the most perilous periods of modern history, arguably the most dangerous since the Cuban Missile Crisis, said Lottaz.
He said these concerns keep him up at night, because some factions no longer view nuclear war as an unthinkable scenario. The doctrine of mutually assured destruction only works if all parties believe in deterrence; if one side starts to think nuclear weapons are a viable option, the entire balance is at risk.
Hard assets key amid geopolitical uncertainty
Adding to the discussion, Col. Douglas Macgregor, former senior advisor to the US secretary of defense, underscored that the world is undergoing profound shifts, while Washington remains trapped in outdated perspectives, still viewing itself as the global center — a mindset that blinds it to the resurgence of major nations like China, India and Iran.
Macgregor went on to note that the US has lost its technological monopoly, a fact that was highlighted when China's DeepSeek disrupted the tech sector and sent shares of US rivals plummeting.
The colonel also criticized the exorbitant spending on defense in the US.
“We have a trillion-dollar defense budget. It's unaffordable," he said.
"And people are saying, well, we have a new administration. I read the headlines yesterday — the House and the Senate want to add US$200 billion to the defense budget. It's insane. This is not sustainable."
Amid this uncertainty, Macgregor warned that the “grossly inflated bubble” of the US economy is set to collapse in the next year. He went on to urge conference attendees to pursue hard assets.
“The only assets that are worth having in the future are hard assets,” he said. “Keep that in mind — if it comes out of the ground, whether you grow it or you dig it out, it's valuable.”
Offering a more optimistic outlook, Lottaz, pointed out that the shifting global landscape presents both challenges and opportunities for the resource sector. BRICS nations, often framed as adversaries in western narratives, are not anti-west, but rather are forging independent economic paths. This shift is reshaping commodities markets, as emerging economies like Indonesia, Malaysia and parts of Africa seek greater control over their resources.
Lottaz added that while Africa is an abundant source of mineral resources, there are no commodity markets on the continent. This is a fact that African countries would like to see change.
“Yes, it's going to change the game, but not necessarily to the disadvantage of us and the others," he said.
“But, you know, thriving together is something that's possible, and I think it will come. The question is (whether) we want to engage with it or not?”
Don’t forget to follow us @INN_Resource for real-time updates!
Securities Disclosure: I, Georgia Williams, hold no direct investment interest in any company mentioned in this article.
Michael Campbell: Gold, Uranium, Oil/Gas — Bullish as Government Confidence Fades
Michael Campbell, a well-known financial analyst and host of Michael Campbell's Money Talks, shared his outlook on gold and energy ahead of the World Outlook Financial Conference.
Scheduled to run from February 7 to 8 in Vancouver, BC, the event will feature speakers including Martin Armstrong, Tony Greer, Peter Grandich, Josef Schacter and Lance Roberts.
Looking at gold, Campbell said while it's already doing well, he sees an even better performance ahead.
"When confidence leaves the US dollar, (gold will) be a rocket ship. I hate using emotive terms like that — that's the move though," he said, adding that he's also bullish on uranium, oil and gas.
Overall, his biggest context for investing is declining confidence in government.
Campbell also weighed in on the situation in Canada as the country moves toward a leadership change, saying there is a clear choice for voters when it comes to natural resources.
Watch the video above for more from Campbell on those topics, as well as further details on the World Outlook Financial Conference.
Don't forget to follow us @INN_Resource for real-time updates!
Securities Disclosure: I, Charlotte McLeod, hold no direct investment interest in any company mentioned in this article.
Editorial Disclosure: The Investing News Network does not guarantee the accuracy or thoroughness of the information reported in the interviews it conducts. The opinions expressed in these interviews do not reflect the opinions of the Investing News Network and do not constitute investment advice. All readers are encouraged to perform their own due diligence.
Crown Prince Maiden Ore Reserve & Feasibility Study Results
New Murchison Gold Limited (ASX: NMG) (“NMG” or the “Company”) is pleased to announce an Ore Reserve Estimate (ORE) for the Crown Prince Deposit (Crown Prince) at the Company’s flagship Garden Gully Gold Project near Meekatharra, Western Australia.
HIGHLIGHTS
- New Murchison Gold Limited (ASX:NMG) is pleased to announce the results of a Feasibility Study into the Crown Prince Gold Deposit (Crown Prince Feasibility Study) in WA which outlines pre-tax cash flow of $226m (undiscounted) over a period of 30 months at current spot gold prices (A$4,385/oz).
- Capital expenditure required to commence production of $5.4m is very low relative to peer gold projects given the Company’s Ore Purchase Agreement (OPA) with Westgold Resources Limited (WGX or Westgold).
- NMG is also expecting to be able to utilise its substantial tax loss position (30-Sep-24: $84.4m in accumulated losses, $76.4m usable)1 to offset tax liabilities on initial pre-tax profits from Crown Prince.
- 140koz contained ounces of gold are to be mined and trucked to WGX over 30-month open pit.
- Upside in potential underground mine below the pit, which will be studied in 2025.
- NMG’s production plan is based on Ore Reserves only. Contained ounce production profiles in the study comprise only that material delineated in Ore Reserves (estimated using a A$3,250 /oz gold price assumption) for the project.
- Commencement of mining is expected in June 2025 with first ore sales scheduled in August 2025. Mining and environmental approval documentation was submitted to relevant regulators and counterparties in late 2024.
- The Crown Prince Feasibility Study (FS) was completed in January 2025 and demonstrates sound financial returns based on:
- An updated Mineral Resource Estimate (MRE) of 2.205Mt @ 3.Gg/t for 27Gkoz2
- An Ore Reserve estimate for Crown Prince Project of 0.8G million tonnes @ 4.8g/t gold (Au) containing 140,000oz Au.
- Crown Prince ore sold at the mine gate under an Ore Purchase Agreement (OPA) for haulage to Westgold’s Bluebird Mill south of Meekatharra.
- Production from the Crown Prince Open Pit only, which is covered by the granted mining leases.
- Next steps to expand the resource base are to assess Crown Prince underground potential and other deposits including Lydia and New Murchison King. These were not considered in the FS.
- The FS Life of Mine (LOM) production schedule metrics are shown on Table 1. Financial results with sensitivity to gold price, are shown in Table 2. Summary of LOM Cash Flow is shown in Figure 1.
Table 1: Production Schedule Metrics – Crown Prince Open Pit
Table 2: Financial Results (AUD)
Click here for the full ASX Release
This article includes content from New Murchison Gold Limited, licensed for the purpose of publishing on Investing News Australia. This article does not constitute financial product advice. It is your responsibility to perform proper due diligence before acting upon any information provided here. Please refer to our full disclaimer here.
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