
June 02, 2024
Brightstar Resources Limited (ASX:BTR) (Company or Brightstar) refers to the bidder’s statement dated 29 April 2024 (as supplemented by Brightstar’s first supplementary bidder’s statement dated 10 May 2024) (Bidder’s Statement) and offers in relation to its off-market takeover for all the fully paid ordinary shares and options in Linden Gold Alliance Limited (Linden) (Offers).
HIGHLIGHTS
- Brightstar’s offers in relation to its off-market takeover for all the fully paid ordinary shares and options in Linden Gold Alliance Limited closed at 5:00pm (Perth time) on Thursday, 30 May 2024, with Brightstar acquiring a relevant interest in 96.75% Linden Shares and 96.81% Linden Options.
- Brightstar will issue the Share Offer Consideration and Option Offer Consideration for the Accepted Linden Shares and Accepted Linden Options by no later than Thursday, 20 June 2024.
- As part of the completion of the Offers, Brightstar has appointed Messrs Andrew Rich (Executive Director), Ashley Fraser (Non-Executive Director) and Richard Crookes (Non-Executive Chairman) to the Brightstar Board of Directors.
Capitalised terms not defined in this announcement have the meaning given to the same term in the Bidder’s Statement.
Brightstar is pleased to advise that the Offers closed at 5:00pm (Perth time) on Thursday, 30 May 2024, with Brightstar acquiring a relevant interest in 96.75% Linden Shares and 96.81% Linden Options. All of the conditions of the Offers were satisfied during the Offer Period and the contracts resulting from acceptances were declared unconditional by notice given on 22 May 2024.
In accordance with the timing set out in the Bidder’s Statement and subsection 620(2) of the Corporations Act 2001 (Cth), Brightstar will issue the Share Offer Consideration and Option Offer Consideration for the Accepted Linden Shares and Accepted Linden Options by no later than 21 days after the end of the Offer Period, being 20 June 2024.
As announced on 28 May 2024, Brightstar has commenced the compulsory acquisition process for the remaining Linden Shares and Linden Options in respect of which it has not received acceptances under the Offers.1
Click here for the full ASX Release
This article includes content from Brightstar Resources, 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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17 February
Brightstar Resources
Investor Insight
A gold-focused emerging gold producer with a clear pathway to production growth, Brightstar Resources presents a compelling investment case driven by its mining and development hubs strategy and a district-scale resource opportunity.
Overview
The price of gold stays strong. In April 2024, the yellow metal’s price passed US$2,400 per ounce for the first time. The reason is multifaceted. The world teeters on the brink of a severe recession while some markets attribute the increase to safe haven rush. Amidst ballooning interest rates, bank failures and falling bond yields, demand for gold continues to rise. At this precise moment, gold is simultaneously an excellent portfolio diversifier and a compelling hedge against ongoing inflation — particularly if one invests in the right company.
Brightstar Resources (ASX:BTR) aims to be that company. An emerging mining and development company, Brightstar occupies a strategic land position of roughly 1,200 square kilometers in the Sandstone Greenstone Belt, 300 square kilometers in the Laverton Tectonic Belt and 80 square kilometers of the Menzies Shear Zone.
The company also owns an existing processing facility that can potentially provide tremendous shareholder value in a low-capital cost restart scenario.
That plant, once fully refurbished and operational, could prove a key differentiator for the company, enabling fast gold production at a low capital cost. This is especially noteworthy given that many other gold companies trading on the ASX are largely focused on greenfield exploration and development. Even once those companies discover a promising resource, mining and processing facilities would still need to be built, undertakings which can incur significant upfront capital costs and take several years.
Brightstar's Laverton gold assets are all centered on a 100 percent-owned 300-square-kilometer tenure in the Laverton Tectonic Zone and all within 70 kilometers of the Laverton Processing Plant. Additionally, all resources within this zone are open along strike and at depth. Only minor drilling programs have been conducted in recent years, paving the way for significant exploration upside with the potential for further regional and greenfields discoveries.
Brightstar also owns 100 percent of the Menzies Gold Project, a contiguous land package of granted mining leases over a strike length of roughly 20 kilometers along the Menzies Shear Zone and adjacent to the Goldfields Highway.
In 2023 and 2024, the company announced a mineral resource upgrade to the Cork Tree Well deposit (Laverton gold project) and also delivered two maiden mineral resource estimates at the Link Zone and Aspacia deposits (Menzies gold project). This has grown the total group MRE by approximately 150 koz gold through organic exploration. Brightstar also recently announced the results from DFS-level metallurgical testwork programs at Cork Tree Well with returned recoveries over 90 percent, including a high gravity gold content, ranging from 25 percent - 60 percent.
The company has also acquired 100 percent of the shares and options of Linden Gold Alliance, a gold producer, developer and explorer with existing mineral resources of 350 koz @ 2.1 g/t gold near Brightstar in the Laverton district. Brightstar’s MRE has reached 1.1 Moz gold across the Menzies and Laverton projects, with an additional 0.35 Moz gold in resources added after the successful acquisition of Linden Gold Alliance.
In August 2024, Brightstar entered into a scheme implementation deed to acquire 100 percent of Alto Metals (ASX:AME), which owns the Sandstone gold project located in East Murchison. The project has a current mineral resource of 1.05 Moz of gold at 1.5 g/t.
Brightstar also completed the acquisition of the gold rights at the Montague East gold project (MEGP) from Gateway Mining Limited (ASX:GML). The project is located 70 km from the Sandstone gold project. The acquisition adds a further 9.6 Mt @ 1.6 g/t gold for 0.5 Moz gold to Brightstar’s JORC Mineral Resource Estimate, giving the company a total mineral endowment of 38.3 Mt @ 1.6 g/t gold for 2.0 Moz gold.
The acquisition of the MGEP from Gateway Mining and 100 percent of Alto’s shares creates a third district-scale resource base for the company called the Sandstone Hub. Upon consolidation of the Laverton, Menzies and Sandstone hubs, Brightstar’s mineral resources would reach 3 Moz at 1.5g/t gold.
Subsequent to the deal with Alto Metals, Brightstar entered into a $4 million drill-for-equity agreement with Topdrill to aggressively advance the consolidated Sandstone gold project. The deal strengthens Brightstar's financial capacity to fulfill its multi-hub exploration and development strategy, which includes the Menzies, Laverton and Sandstone hubs.
Company Highlights
- Brightstar Resources is an ASX-listed mining and development company with more than 3 million ounces of gold resources and an on-site processing infrastructure across its project locations in Laverton, Menzies and Sandstone in Western Australia.
- Brightstar's mineral assets are situated across roughly 300 square kilometers of 100-percent-owned land in the Laverton Tectonic Zone and ~80 square kilometers in the high-grade Menzies Shear Zone.
- The Laverton Gold project has a mineral resource of 9.7 Mt @ 1.6 g/t gold for 511 koz gold and the Menzies gold project has 13.8 Mt @ 1.3g/t gold for 595 koz gold.
- In 2023, the company completed a scoping study into the development of its Menzies and Laverton gold projects and the refurbishment and restart of its processing plant in Laverton.
- In 2023 and 2024, Brightstar completed a small-scale mining joint venture with BML Ventures which involved a 50/50 profit-sharing agreement to exploit the Selkirk deposit at Menzies. In April 2024, Brightstar announced that this joint venture delivered a net profit to Brightstar of $6.5 million.
- In June 2024, the company successfully acquired all of the issued ordinary shares and options in Linden Gold Alliance, a gold producer, developer and explorer with existing mineral resources of 350 koz @ 2.1 g/t gold near Brightstar in the Laverton district.
- As part of the merger with Linden Gold, Brightstar released a scoping study into Linden’s development-ready Jasper Hills gold project, which delivered key metrics including:
- 140 koz mined over 3.75 years (35 koz pa)
- Net present value of AU$99 million
- Internal rate of return of 736 percent
- Pre-production capital requirements of $12 million
- All-in sustaining costs of AU$1,972/oz
- Jasper Hills is located just 50 km SE of Brightstar’s processing plant in the Laverton gold project
- Brightstar has recently completed the acquisition of the gold rights at the Montague East gold project (MEGP) from Gateway Mining Limited (ASX:GML), and has entered into an agreement to acquire Alto Metals (ASX:AME) further creating the company’s third district-scale resource base known as the Sandstone Hub.
- Brightstar plans to continue generating shareholder value through a combination of development and strategic acquisitions along with some exploration.
Key Projects
Laverton Hub
Brightstar’s Laverton hub is comprised of the Cork Tree Well, Beta and Alpha project areas with the addition of the Second Fortune gold mine and the Jasper Hills projects.
Highlights:
- Cork Tree Well, Alpha and Beta have current total JORC mineral resource estimate of 9.7 Mt @ 1.6 g/t gold for 511 koz (52 percent measured and indicated category). All mineral resources are on granted mining leases
- Cork Tree Well (6.4 Mt at 1.4 g/t gold for 303 koz gold)
- Alpha (1.4 Mt at 2.3 g/t gold for 106 koz gold)
- Beta (1.9 Mt at 1.7 g/t gold for 102 koz gold)
- Main project area Cork Tree Well is open at depth and along strike with recent drilling results of 34.4 meters at 7.94 g/t gold from 43.5 meters (CTWMET004) and 27.6 meters at 17.8 g/t gold from 51 m (CTWMET003)
- Second Fortune has a mineral resource estimate head grade of ~11g/t gold with an average ore body width of ~0.6 meters.
- Jasper Hills is located 50 km from Brightstar’s existing processing facility along a wholly-owned private haul road, allowing unimpeded, direct access to both projects
- Permitted, previously mined and production-ready
- Last mined by current owners in 2020 with 23,000 oz gold mined
- Scoping Study outcomes include:
- Pre-production capex of $12 million required (maximum capital drawdown)
- Open pit mine at Lord Byron and underground mine at Fish
- Production of 141 koz over four years (35 koz per annum)
- LOM EBITDA of $135 million (@ AU$3,000/oz)
Menzies Hub
The Menzies Hub comprises a tenement holding of a contiguous land package of granted mining leases over a strike length of more than 20 km. The majority of deposits hosted along the Menzies Shear Zone are located adjacent to Goldfields Highway in Menzies (130km north of Kalgoorlie).
Highlights:
- Total Current Resource: 13.7 Mt at 1.3 g/t gold for 595 koz gold (36 percent measured and indicated)
- September 2023 scoping study showed the simultaneous development of open pit mining at Lady Shenton system and underground mining at Yunndaga:
- 1.9 Mt @ 1.63 g/t Au (100 koz) in open pit mining at Lady Shenton
- 650 kt @ 2.91 g/t (60 koz) in underground mining at Yunndaga
- Low capex of $22 million
- Significant opportunities to find virgin discoveries and brownfields mineral resource growth:
Sandstone Hub
The consolidated Sandstone project is over 100 km from existing third-party milling operations in the Murchison. This third processing hub boasts Alto’s Sandstone project with a mineral resource of 1.05 Moz at 1.4 g/t gold and Gateway’s Montague gold project with a mineral resource of 0.5 Moz @ 1.6 g/t gold.
Brightstar aims to fast-track the development timetable through:
- A focused, multi-rig infill drill out to take the inferred mineralisation into measured and indicated status to underpin mining studies and project advancement
- The application of Brightstar’s dedicated in-house geological and mining engineering team to retain crucial project IP and fast-tracked mining studies;
Brightstar Processing Facility
Situated close to Brightstar's existing mineral assets at Laverton, the Brightstar Processing Plant provides the company with a considerable operational head start over its peers.
Highlights:
- Extensive Infrastructure: Current facilities at the plant include two ball mills, a power station and gravity and elution circuits. Other infrastructure includes:
- A tailings storage dam
- An on-site process water pond
- A 60-person accommodation camp
- An airstrip at the Cork Tree Well Project
- Vehicles and equipment include a forklift, bobcat, two loaders, multiple light vehicles and a 30-tonne crane.
- A Leg Up Over Competitors: The presence of pre-existing processing infrastructure represents significant time savings compared to greenfields development. Brightstar had an independent valuation completed which valued the processing plant at AU$60 million in replacement value.
- Low Upfront Capital Cost: As part of the scoping study released in September 2023, GR Engineering estimated a capital cost requirement to refurbish and expand the milling capacity would cost just AU$18.5 million.
- Close to Existing Assets: Brightstar's major development projects — Cork Tree Well, Jasper Hills, Beta and Alpha — are all close to the plant.
Gold doré bars (BTR005 – BTR016) poured on 9 March 2024
Management Team
Alex Rovira - Managing Director
Alex Rovira is a qualified geologist and an experienced investment banker having focused on the metals and mining sector since 2013. Rovira has experience in ASX equity capital markets activities, including capital raisings, IPOs and merger and acquisitions.
Richard Crookes - Non-executive Chairman
Richard Crookes has over 35 years’ experience in the resources and investments industries. He is a geologist by training having previously worked as the chief geologist and mining manager of Ernest Henry Mining in Australia.
Crookes is managing partner of Lionhead Resources, a critical minerals investment fund and formerly an investment director at EMR Capital. Prior to that he was an executive director in Macquarie Bank’s Metals Energy Capital (MEC) division where he managed all aspects of the bank’s principal investments in mining and metals companies.
Andrew Rich - Executive Director
Andrew Rich is a degree qualified mining engineer from the WA School of Mines and has obtained a WA First Class Mine Managers Certificate. Rich has a strong background in underground gold mining with experience predominantly in the development of underground mines at Ramelius Resources (ASX:RMS) and Westgold Resources (ASX:WGX).
Ashley Fraser - Non-executive Director
Ashley Fraser is an accomplished mining professional with over 30 years experience across gold and bulk commodities. Fraser was a founder of Orionstone (which merged with Emeco in a $660-million consolidation) and is a founder/owner of Blue Cap Mining and Blue Cap Equities.
Jonathan Downes - Non-executive Director
Jonathan Downes has over 30 years’ experience in the minerals industry and has worked in various geological and corporate capacities. Experienced with gold and base metals, he has been intimately involved with the exploration process through to production. Downes is currently the managing director of Kaiser Reef, a high grade gold producer, and non-executive director of Cazaly Resources.
Dean Vallve – Chief Operating Officer
Dean Vallve holds technical qualifications in geology & mining engineering from the WA School of Mines, an MBA, and a WA First Class Mine Managers Certificate. Vallve was previously in senior mining and study roles at ASX listed mid-cap resources companies Hot Chili (ASX:HCH) and Calidus Resources (ASX:CAI).
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Emerging gold producer and district-scale resource developer in Western Australia
21 May
Canaccord Global Mining Conference Presentation
19 May
High-grade results incl 16m @ 8g/t Au in Menzies drilling
Brightstar Resources (BTR:AU) has announced High-grade results incl 16m @ 8g/t Au in Menzies drilling
18 May
Group Resource Update Underpins Future Mining
14 May
May Production Update - Processing Underway
07 May
High Grade Results Continue in Sandstone Drilling
5h
Trailbreaker Resources Announces Exchange Approval Of COHO Property Option
Trailbreaker Resources Ltd. (TBK.V) (“Trailbreaker” or “the Company”) is pleased to announce that the TSX Venture stock exchange (the “Exchange”) has approved the option agreement for Trailbreaker to acquire a 100% interest in the Coho property, central British Columbia (BC).
The 8,000-hectare Coho property covers a copper-gold (Cu-Au) porphyry target located 90 km north of Fort St. James, BC, and 30 km west of the Mount Milligan mine. Historically named the Chuchi South property, Trailbreaker renamed the project as the Coho property when the Company announced the acquisition on May 26, 2025 (see news release).
Terms of the Option Agreement
On May 15th, 2025, Trailbreaker signed an option agreement (the “Agreement”) with Ron Bilquist (“Bilquist”) of Gabriola, BC. Subject to the approval of the Exchange, Trailbreaker has the option to acquire a 100% interest in the Coho property if the following terms are met:
(a) pay to Bilquist an aggregate $380,000 as follows:
(i) $20,000 on execution of this Agreement;
(ii) an additional $25,000 on or before May 20, 2026;
(iii) an additional $35,000 on or before May 20, 2027;
(iv) an additional $50,000 on or before May 20, 2028;
(v) an additional $50,000 on or before May 20, 2029;
(vi) an additional $200,000 on or before May 20, 2030; and
(b) issue and deliver to Bilquist an aggregate 700,000 Trailbreaker common shares (“Shares”) as follows:
(i) 50,000 Shares within 10 days of the date of Regulatory Approval;
(ii) an additional 100,000 Shares on or before May 20, 2026;
(iii) an additional 150,000 Shares on or before May 20, 2027;
(iv) an additional 200,000 Shares on or before May 20, 2028;
(v) an additional 200,000 Shares on or before May 20, 2029; and
(c) complete Expenditures on the Property of $200,000 as follows:
(i) $200,000 of Expenditures on or before May 20, 2027; and
(ii) Expenditures (including the Expenditures referred to in (i) above) of $1 million or
1,500 metres of diamond drilling within 3 years of receiving a drill permit
Upon completion of the Agreement, Trailbreaker will obtain a 100% interest in the property and Bilquist will retain a total 2.0% Net Smelter Return (NSR) royalty, which may be brought down to 0.5% through a cash payment of $1,500,000 to Bilquist.
Upon completion of a bankable feasibility study, Trailbreaker shall pay to Bilquist $1,500,000.
Commencing on May 20, 2032, Trailbreaker shall pay to Bilquist annually $30,000 as an advance payment against the royalty, such payments to be credited against the royalty once the property goes into commercial production.
For more information about the Coho property see the May 26, 2025 news release or the Coho section on Trailbreaker’s webpage:
About Trailbreaker Resources
Trailbreaker Resources is a mining exploration company focused primarily on mining-friendly British Columbia and Yukon Territory, Canada. Trailbreaker is committed to continuous exploration and research, allowing maintenance of a portfolio of quality mineral properties which in turn provides value for shareholders. The company has an experienced management team with a proven track record as explorers and developers throughout the Yukon Territory, British Columbia, Alaska and Nevada.
ON BEHALF OF THE BOARD
Daithi Mac Gearailt
President and Chief Executive Officer
Carl Schulze, P. Geo., Consulting Geologist with Aurora Geosciences Ltd, is a qualified person as defined by National Instrument 43-101 for Trailbreaker's BC and Yukon exploration projects, and has reviewed and approved the technical information in this release.
Other
For new information about the Company’s projects, please visit Trailbreaker’s website at TrailbreakerResources.com and sign up to receive news. For further information, follow Trailbreaker’s tweets at Twitter.com/TrailbreakerLtd, use the ‘Contact’ section of our website, or contact us at (604) 681-1820 or at info@trailbreakerresources.com.
Neither the TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.
Forward-Looking Statements
Statements contained in this news release that are not historical facts are "forward-looking information" or "forward-looking statements" (collectively, "Forward-Looking Information") within the meaning of applicable Canadian securities legislation and the United States Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Forward-Looking Information includes, but is not limited to, disclosure regarding possible events, conditions or financial performance that is based on assumptions about future economic conditions and courses of action; expectations regarding future exploration and drilling programs and receipt of related permitting. In certain cases, Forward-Looking Information can be identified by the use of words and phrases such as "anticipates", "expects", "understanding", "has agreed to" or variations of such words and phrases or statements that certain actions, events or results "would", "occur" or "be achieved". Although Trailbreaker has attempted to identify important factors that could affect Trailbreaker and may cause actual actions, events or results to differ materially from those described in Forward-Looking Information, there may be other factors that cause actions, events or results not to be as anticipated, estimated or intended. In making the forward-looking statements in this news release, if any, Trailbreaker has applied several material assumptions, including the assumption that general business and economic conditions will not change in a materially adverse manner. There can be no assurance that Forward-Looking Information will prove to be accurate, as actual results and future events could differ materially from those anticipated in such statements. Accordingly, readers should not place undue reliance on Forward-Looking Information. Except as required by law, Trailbreaker does not assume any obligation to release publicly any revisions to Forward-Looking Information contained in this news release to reflect events or circumstances after the date hereof or to reflect the occurrence of unanticipated events.
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19h
Magmatic Closing In on Potential New Copper-Gold Porphyry Discovery at Calais
Myall FJVA Project (Farm-in and Joint Venture with Fortescue)
Magmatic Resources Limited (‘Magmatic’ or ‘the Company’) is pleased to provide an update on ongoing activities at our Myall Project with FMG Resources Pty Ltd (‘Fortescue’), a wholly-owned subsidiary of Fortescue Ltd (ASX:FMG) near Narromine in New South Wales.
HIGHLIGHTS
- Magmatic Resources Limited (‘Magmatic’ or ‘the Company’) is pleased to provide an update on ongoing activities at our Myall Project with FMG Resources Pty Ltd (‘Fortescue’), a wholly-owned subsidiary of Fortescue Ltd (ASX:FMG) near Narromine in New South Wales. This drilling program1, organised pursuant to the Farm-in and Joint Venture Agreement signed between the Company and Fortescue in March 2024 (ASX MAG 8 March 2024), was designed to test multiple regional conceptual targets (Calais, Barina, SLR, Monaro, Sandman) based on geophysical and geochemical modelling conducted by Fortescue, as well as test and extend Magmatic’s geological model at the Corvette – Kingswood copper-gold maiden Inferred Mineral Resource Estimate2.
- A second diamond drill hole (FMD0508, 393.8 m; Table 2; Figures 1-5) was completed at the Calais prospect, following up on previously released results from FMD0504: 10.8 m at 0.39% Cu, 0.07 g/t Au (from 197 m to 207.8 m, at end of hole) within 42.8 m at 0.19% Cu, 0.03 g/t Au (from 165 m to eoh). Best assay results include;
- 11.7m at 0.59 g/t Au, 0.38% Zn, 2.9 g/t Ag, 1.8 ppm Mo, 0.05% Cu (from 138 m)
- 8 m at 0.23% Cu, 0.04 g/t Au (255m) within 26 m at 0.14 % Cu, 0.08 g/t Au (from 241m)
- 26m at 0.10 % Cu, 0.01 g/t Au (from 329m)
- The above results are within a broad magnetite-pyrite-chalcopyrite zone of 271.2m at 660ppm Cu (122.6 to 393.8m end of hole) in intensely magnetite-epidote altered diorite.
- Magmatic interpret these results to indicate that the copper and gold intercepts in FMD0504 and FMD0508 at Calais are within the wallrock of a mineralised porphyry system and the anomalous gold result in FMD0508 is potentially related to an epithermal overprint at the upper levels of a porphyry system. Further work, including drilling, is required to vector to the centre of the system. Magmatic staff and consultants are working closely with Fortescue to further understand the system and refine the geological framework of the Narromine Igneous Complex.
- FMD0508 is only the second deep hole at Calais and the controls on mineralisation are not well understood. The high-grade copper intercept in FMD0504 was not intersected in FMD0508, and so significant search space remains to be tested.
- For this drilling program, including results for FMD0501 to FMD0507 reported in March (ASX MAG 25 March 2025), 12 holes for 2,988 m were completed (FMD0501 to FMD0512, Table 1). Assay results have been received for FMD0508 (Calais) and FMD0509 (Monaro). Results for the remaining holes (FMD0510- 512 Monaro and Sandman) are pending and will be reported once results are received.
Commenting on the latest diamond drilling results from the Myall FJVA Project, Magmatic Resources’ Managing Director Mr David Richardson said:
“The gold mineralisation intersected by recent drilling at Calais has continued to open up this second exploration front within the Myall FJVA Project and intersecting a gold-copper zone at this early stage is very encouraging. We are working closely with Fortescue on a follow-up program.”
Figure1.Calais conceptual geological cross section looking north with drilling over 3D modelled magnetic isosurfaces of equal field strength with interpreted magnetite-pyrite-chalcopyrite shell
Click here for the full ASX Release
This article includes content from Magmatic Resources, 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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05 June
Metals Focus: Gold to Average US$3,210 in 2025 as Central Banks Buy and Trade Tensions Grow
Leading gold analysis firm Metals Focus published its annual flagship Gold Focus report on Thursday (June 5).
The report outlines the key trends influencing the gold market and price over the past year, noting that the metal experienced a remarkable run in 2024, driven by improving investor sentiment toward the yellow metal.
Throughout the year, the gold price surged at a blistering pace, starting 2024 at around the US$1,980 per ounce mark and reaching a peak of US$2,790 at the end of October. Since then, gold has continued to climb, setting repeated record highs since the start of 2025 — the most recent occurred on May 6, when gold reached US$3,437.
Metals Focus anticipates that the underlying conditions supporting gold's record run will persist through 2025, with the price expected to reach a yearly average of US$3,210, a record high.
What’s behind the shift in investor sentiment?
Up until the start of 2025, investor sentiment remained low, particularly in western markets where exchange-traded funds (ETFs) saw outflows for much of the year. It wasn’t until October, as the price of gold approached the US$2,800 mark, that ETF inflows in the US and Europe began to gain positive momentum.
Significant purchases by central banks in Asia, the Middle East, and Eastern Europe provided essential pricing support for gold behind the price gains in 2024. Overall, central banks added a record 1,086 metric tons throughout the year.
This buying was driven by countries aiming to diversify their monetary holdings away from the US dollar, as gold serves as a non-liability-bearing reserve asset. The shift in monetary policy has gained attention over the past several years, especially after Russia’s invasion of Ukraine and growing concerns over US overreach following the country’s actions to cut Russia off from the global banking system and restrict the use of the US dollar.
Investors also noted the persistent tensions between Russia and Ukraine, along with fears that the Israel–Gaza conflict could escalate into a broader regional war, which further influenced sentiment in favour of gold as a haven asset.
Geopolitics, uncertainty provide additional price support in 2025
The underlying global drivers have persisted into early 2025, accompanied by new tailwinds for the gold market.
These include the chaos caused by US trade policy, which has created a rift between the world’s largest economy and key trading partners, notably Canada, Mexico, and China. Tariffs have heightened the expectation of a trade war that could affect supply chains and future trade agreements.
The severity, permanence, and outcomes of these measures have only just begun to be felt in the market. US market data registered a slight uptick in inflation numbers for May, and the US Federal Reserve suggested that uncertainty played a role in its decision to maintain interest rates at its last meeting on May 6-7.
Policies enacted by the Trump administration since the beginning of the year have led to a slowdown in global economic growth and have even raised the spectre of a recession as the tariffs threaten to reverse global central banks’ fight against inflation.
In addition to US foreign policy, its ballooning debt continues to erode confidence in the US dollar as the global reserve currency. The current US debt sits around US$37 trillion. The Trump administration pledged to tackle growing debt by cutting government spending through new initiatives like the Department of Government Efficiency.
However, a new spending bill that would essentially extend Donald Trump’s Tax Cuts and Jobs Act would reduce federal income by US$4.5 billion, with minimal decrease in spending to offset this loss.
The overall sustainability of the US economy has raised significant concern among investors, particularly as expectations suggest that Trump’s policies will worsen the debt crisis in the US. This has led to considerable instability in US and global equity markets since the start of the year, resulting in increased inflows into gold and gold-backed securities.
Supply and demand outlook
High prices are causing significant shifts in market demand, leading Metals Focus to predict a net decline of 9 percent in 2025, with total tonnage falling to 4,246 metric tons from the 4,669 metric tons recorded in 2024.
Leading the way is jewellery, the largest demand segment, which is projected to decrease by 16 percent in 2025, dropping from 2,011 metric tons in 2024 to 1,696 metric tons, with India and China contributing the most substantial declines.
In India, a shift towards lighter weight and lower karat pieces is expected to accelerate, while in China, high prices, weak consumer sentiment, and a sluggish economy will impact demand there.
In other countries, jewellery demand is likely to be affected by high prices, low consumer confidence, and economic uncertainty.
Gold supply and demand.
Chart via Metals Focus.
Additionally, central banks are expected to slow their pace of buying, with Metals Focus suggesting an 8 percent decline to 1,000 metric tons, down from the record 1,089 metric tons purchased the previous year.
However, these declines will be offset by increases in other sectors.
Net physical demand is predicted to rise by 2 percent to 1,218 metric tons from 1,191 metric tons in 2024 as more investors will be drawn to gold to diversify their portfolios amid economic uncertainty and geopolitical tension.
The expectation is that much of the increase will be driven by Chinese investment, followed by a recovery in European markets. Conversely, the US may experience some decline as investors there seek to take profits while gold continues to trade near record-high prices.
Gold supply is projected to see modest growth in 2025, with Metals Focus forecasting a 1 percent increase to 3,694 metric tons from the 3,661 metric tons recorded in 2024. Higher output is anticipated globally, with the exceptions of Asia, Oceania, and the Commonwealth of Independent States.
A significant contributor is a 19 percent increase in North American output as Artemis Gold’s (TSXV:ARTG,OTCQX:ARGTF) Blackwater mine, B2Gold’s (TSX:BTO,NYSE:BTG) Goose Project, and Calibre Mining’s (TSX:CXB,OTCQB:CXBMF) Valentine mine come online. Similarly, Central and South America are expected to see several new mines begin operations in 2025, resulting in a 23 percent increase in regional output.
The firm expects recycling to remain stable, despite predictions that gold prices will reach record highs for the remainder of 2025.
Metals Focus attributes this stability to weak retail destocking in China, which corresponds with low demand for jewellery. In the West, recycling is anticipated to be affected by near-market stock depletion and increased exchange rates of old for new jewellery in price-sensitive markets.
Furthermore, producer debt obligations must be addressed alongside periods of high capital expenditures for certain producers, which is anticipated to result in heightened hedging activity by year-end.
Investor takeaway
Overall, Metals Focus predicts a strong year for gold prices, driven by a global macro environment characterized by trade wars, economic uncertainty, and geopolitical tensions.
While higher prices may reduce discretionary spending on gold products, investors are turning to the gold market to diversify their portfolios, further contributing to a rise in gold prices in 2024 and 2025.
However, elevated prices will likely benefit producers who have spent recent years finding operational efficiencies and offsetting cost increases from a heightened inflationary environment. This situation has led to higher margins and a healthy balance sheet in 2024, which Metals Focus believes is likely to continue into 2025.
Although exploration activities faced a global downturn in 2024, there were notable exceptions. Metals Focus noted that mining data firm Opaxe recorded a 10 percent decrease in global exploration reports in 2024. However, Canada, Australia, and the US made up 70 percent of the total updates, indicating a preference for politically stable jurisdictions.
Investors in the gold market may benefit from paying attention to these trends, as producers aim to expand mining operations or seek new deposits to replenish depleting resources.
Don’t forget to follow us @INN_Resource for real-time news updates!
Securities Disclosure: I, Dean Belder, own shares of Calibre Mining.
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05 June
Signing of Binding Share Purchase Agreement Tabakorole and Yanfolila, Mali
Marvel Gold Limited (ASX: MVL) (Marvel or the Company) is pleased to announce that it has entered into a binding Share Purchase Agreement (Agreement) with Anchises Capital LLC (Anchises) to sell its interests in the Tabakorole and Yanfolila Gold Projects in Mali via the sale of the issued capital of Marvel’s wholly owned subsidiaries, Marvel Gold Australia Pty Ltd, Sola Mining SARL and Yanfo SARL (Subsidiaries) that hold Marvel’s interests in the Tabakorole and Yanfolila Gold Projects (Transaction).
Marvel and Anchises had previously signed a binding Term Sheet dated 3 March 2025 to proceed with the Transaction, subject to completion of a definitive full- form agreement (Refer to ASX Announcement dated 4 March 2025), and the Agreement reflects the terms of the earlier Term Sheet.
Transaction Highlights
- Anchises has agreed to proceed with the Transaction prior to the official renewal of the tenements comprising the Tabakorole and Yanfolila Gold Projects.
- Total consideration of AUD$1,650,000 comprising of:
- An up-front, non-refundable, Exclusivity Fee of AUD$150,000 which has been received by Marvel.
- AUD$1,500,000 (Final Payment) payable within 20 business days after the date of signing the Agreement.
Following Completion of the Transaction, Marvel’s sole remaining project in Mali will be the Kolondieba Gold Project which is under a Earn-in and Joint Venture agreement with Resolute Mining Limited.
Executive Director Tim Strong Commented:“We are delighted to have entered into a binding Share Purchase Agreement with Anchises, marking a significant milestone in our strategic portfolio realignment. This transaction not only reinforces our commitment to divesting the Company’s Mali assets but also strengthens our balance sheet with additional cash. Coupled with the recent acquisition of the highly prospective Hanang Gold Project in Tanzania, this marks the beginning of an exciting new chapter for Marvel as we sharpen our focus on high-impact growth opportunities.”
Click here for the full ASX Release
This article includes content from Marvel 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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05 June
Asra Strengthens Leadership & Technical Team to Drive Leonora Gold Strategy
Asra Minerals Limited (ASX: ASR; “Asra” or “the Company”) is pleased to announce key updates to its leadership and technical team. Effectively immediately, Mr Paul Stephen has been appointed Managing Director, and Mr Ziggy Lubieniecki has been engaged as a Geological Consultant to assist Asra Minerals’ exploration programs.
Highlights
- Mr Paul Stephen appointed Managing Director, transitioning from his current role as Chief Executive Officer.
- Highly experienced geologist, Mr Ziggy Lubieniecki, appointed as Geological Consultant to support Asra’s exploration programs.
- Appointments significantly enhance Asra’s capabilities to execute its strategic objectives for its flagship Leonora gold Project.
These appointments underscore Asra’s commitment to building a high-calibre team to advance its portfolio of projects. The Company is confident that these leadership and technical enhancements will strengthen its capabilities to deliver on its exploration objectives and create shareholder value.
The Company also wishes to advise that Mr Paul Summers will be stepping down from his executive role and will remain as a Non-Executive Chairman, effective immediately. The Board thanks Mr Summers for his contributions as an executive and is pleased to retain his services as a Non-Executive Chairman.
Appointment of Managing Director
Mr Stephen has served as the Company’s Chief Executive Officer since December 2024. During this time, he has been instrumental in driving Asra’s refined strategic focus on its Leonora Gold Project. His transition to Managing Director reflects his significant contributions to date and the Board’s confidence in his leadership to execute Asra’s strategic objectives and deliver shareholder value.
Asra Minerals Non-Executive Chairman, Paul Summers:“We are delighted to appoint Paul as Managing Director. His deep understanding of our projects, coupled with his extensive experience in the resources sector, makes him the ideal leader to steer Asra through its next exciting chapter. The appointment provides continuity and strong director as we focus on unlocking the value of our assets.”
Appointment of Highly Experienced Geological Consultant
The Company is also pleased to announce the appointment of Mr Lubieniecki as a Geological Consultant to provide valuable direction to support Asra’s ongoing exploration programs.
Mr Lubieniecki is a highly respected geologist with over 39 years’ experience in mineral exploration, discovery and project development across gold and a range of key commodities. Mr Lubieniecki has previously held senior geological positions where he played pivotal roles in major discoveries, including the discovery and advancement of Gold Road Resources Ltd (ASX:GOR) 6.2 million ounce Gruyere Gold Project.
His expertise will be invaluable in guiding Asra’s exploration strategies, including unlocking newly identified targets and extensions to current resources at both the Leonora South and Leonora North Gold Projects.
Asra Minerals incoming Managing Director, Paul Stephen:“We are thrilled to welcome Ziggy to an active role supporting Asra’s broader geological team. His extensive geological knowledge and proven track record in exploration and discovery will be an important asset as we accelerate activities across our project portfolio. I look forward to working closely with him to enhance our geological understanding and drive discovery success”
Click here for the full ASX Release
This article includes content from Asra 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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04 June
Harvest Gold CEO Outlines Strategic Play in Québec’s Gold-rich Abitibi Region
Harvest Gold (TSXV:HVG) President and CEO Rick Mark believes the company has a strong position in Québec's Abitibi greenstone belt, emphasizing the highly prospective Urban-Barry belt, "a very well-known mine-producing belt."
In an interview with the Investing News Network, Mark also honed in on Québec's supportive mining environment and accessible properties, which keep exploration costs "relatively very inexpensive."
“The exciting thing about the Urban-Barry belt is it contains a (gold) deposit called Windfall, which Gold Fields (NYSE:GFI) just bought from Osisko Mining,” Mark noted. “Now, the interesting thing about that as well is that the belt itself is basically owned by Gold Fields, except for the three large properties that Harvest Gold has in the belt.”
The company's flagship Mosseau project is a priority, with historic drilling in the north showing "some very nice results," while the central area, previously unworked, is now yielding positive prospecting and geochemistry results. Harvest Gold plans to secure financing in June and begin drilling in July, with results expected in September or October.
"You want to be holding the stock before these results (are released)," Mark told investors.
Although today's high gold price has not fully translated to junior financings due to shifts in investor interest, Mark stressed the "dramatic" returns possible from discoveries in the junior space, drawing parallels to past successes. He affirmed Harvest Gold is de-risking the project as much as possible, with huge potential for discovery.
Watch the full interview with Rick Mark, president and CEO of Harvest Gold, above.
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