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20 February
Tartana Minerals
Investor Insight
Tartana Minerals is a new copper producer with strong cash flow and a substantial exploration footprint in a tier 1 mining jurisdiction. Tartana Minerals is creating shareholder value through investment in increasing its existing copper, zinc and gold resources and accelerating exploration of key projects within its highly prospective exploration portfolio. Tartana Minerals presents a compelling investment against a strong macroeconomic environment for copper.
Overview
Tartana Minerals (ASX:TAT) is a copper, gold, silver and zinc, producer, explorer and developer in Far North Queensland. Its flagship project is the 100 percent owned Tartana copper and zinc project which comprises four mining leases located north of Chillagoe. The company’s business model has involved refurbishing an existing heap leach - solvent extraction – crystallisation plant which is located on the Tartana mining leases. The refurbishment and commissioning of this plant is now completed and the company is producing copper sulphate pentahydrate which is sold to offtaker, Kanins International. Copper sulphate is priced on a premium plus percentage of the LME copper price and provides investors with leverage to anticipate increasing copper prices.
The company, formerly known as R3D Resources, changed its name to Tartana Minerals in April 2024. Tartana Minerals is based in Sydney, Australia.
Tartana Minerals has reported the following resources:
- 45,000 tonnes of contained copper at 0.45 percent copper in combined inferred and indicated resources in the Tartana open pit and northern oxide zone
- 39,000 tonnes of contained zinc at 5.29 percent zinc in inferred resources in the Queen Grade project, also located on the Tartana mining leases, and
- 415,000 oz contained gold at 0.34 g/t in inferred resources at Mountain Maid – subject to a mining lease application.
These copper, zinc and gold resources remain open at depth and along strike and the company has designed drilling programs to expand these resources. In particular, the copper mineralisation and potentially the gold mineralisation have scope to be upgraded through ore sorting.
However, the refurbished heap leach – solvent extraction – crystallisation plant utilises existing copper in the ponds and the heaps and these copper sources will be replenished when we commence mining from the open pit.
Copper sulphate contains 25 percent copper metal and payment is based on the LME copper price for the preceding month plus a premium. It is one of the few forms of saleable copper where the copper content receives the full LME price.
Sprinklers operating on the lower heap. Note the presence of copper (blue).
Tartana Minerals completed the acquisition of Queensland Strategic Metals with drilling planned to commence in 2025 that includes the Daisy Bell tin-tungsten project where historical drilling and our mapping have identified a potentially tin-rich zone.
Company Highlights
- Tartana Minerals is producing copper sulphate pentahydrate from its heap leach – solvent extraction – crystallisation plant in Chillagoe with a 100 percent offtake agreement with Kanins International.
- Copper sulphate is priced at a premium plus a percentage of the LME copper price, providing exposure to the booming copper market
- With copper, zinc and gold resources in separate projects and all within granted or soon to be granted mining leases, the company is investigating processing options which can potentially utilise available infrastructure.
- Near-term catalysts include targeted drilling programs to increase the JORC resource and expand on metallurgical test work, increasing the resource grade and estimate
- With the copper sulphate plant fully commissioned and in production, the company is now accelerating its exploration activities. The company has a range of prospects from advanced brownfields projects near existing historical mines to many prospects containing ‘ore grade’ surface mineralisation which have not been tested at depth.
- The company’s exploration portfolio includes the Beefwood/Bulimba, Bellevue, Dimbulah, Cardross and Maid projects. The exploration team is focused on target generation, particularly with the addition of critical minerals within its existing tenure and elsewhere.
Exploration
The Chillagoe region of Far North Queensland is highly prospective with the discovery and development of a number of key projects over the last few decades including Red Dome (2.5 Moz gold), Mungana (1.2 Moz gold), and King Vol (250 kt zinc). These deposits occur along the Palmerville Fault in a similar location to the Tartana Mining leases.
The mining leases at Tartana contain copper, zinc and gold mineralisation but the company also has significant projects which are both east and west of the Palmerville Fault. In the west it has the Cardross and Mountain Maid copper-gold projects and further north it has the Beefwood project. Mountain Maid has gold resources mentioned above and which are open to the south and at depth while the company is finalising a maiden copper resource for the Cardross project.
The Beefwood project comprises a buried geophysical target and surface sampling has recovered samples grading up to 180 g/t gold with no apparent source. Drilling is planned to test this target in the current dry season.
In the east of the Palmerville Fault, the company has the Bellevue/Dry River project, the OK South project and the Dimbulah Porphyry project, all copper projects with historic copper mines and prospects. Like many parts of Far North Queensland, historical exploration has not been systematic and thorough despite many promising expressions of surface mineralisation.
At the Nightflower project, Tartana has upgraded its exploration target after reviewing its earlier estimation, in light of the recent increases in the antimony price. Nightflower is a high-grade silver-lead deposit with previously overlooked significant antimony credits. Nightflower exploration target includes 2.75 Mt @ 364 g/t silver equivalent for 32 Moz silver equivalent to 5.36 Mt @ 270 g/t silver equivalent for 47 Moz silver equivalent (the exploration target is conceptual in nature only and there is no guarantee that further exploration will define a resource). Drilling is now being planned to test the target and upgrade previously identified mineralisation to JORC 2012 reporting standards.
Tartana’s exploration team comprises experienced exploration geologists with supporting cash flow from their copper production, they expect to be able to drill the most promising targets in the short term.
Strong Macroeconomic Environment for Copper
Overall, the macroeconomic environment for copper remains strong. The LME three-month copper price hit US$5.24/lb on May 17, the highest since March 7, 2022, driven by a weaker US dollar, Chinese property stimulus measures, and a short squeeze on the Chicago Mercantile Exchange futures market.
In the near-to-mid term, China’s demand for refined copper is expected to grow, due to better-than-expected performances from key consumer segments, including the power grid, solar installations and electric vehicle and air conditioning appliance sales. On the supply side, the copper concentrate market is expected to remain in a significant deficit due to the estimated delay in the Cobre Panama mine restart but will be partially offset by the higher projected production from smelters in China. As a result, we see further demand growth and supply tightening for the copper market as positive for base metal equities to maintain significant leverage to increase prices.
Management Team
Jihad Malaeb – Chairman
Jihad Malaeb is an experienced entrepreneur across a number of industries, including hospitality and construction, as well as having significant experience in mineral exploration and mining operations – both as an active investor and company director. He currently owns and operates a portfolio of hospitality businesses and real estate across Australia, which have been established over the past 30 years. Malaeb was previously a non-executive director of Critical Resources (ASX:CRR), where he helped steer CRR as one of its largest shareholders and as a board member.
Dr. Stephen Bartrop - Managing Director
Steve Bartrop’s professional experience spans more than 30 years covering periods in both the mining industry and financial sector. With a geology background, Bartrop has worked in exploration, feasibility and evaluation studies and mining in a range of commodities and in different parts of the world. In the financial sector, he has been involved in research, corporate transactions and IPOs spanning more than 20 years, including senior roles at JPMorgan, Bankers Trust and Macquarie Equities.
Bruce Hills – Non-executive Director
Bruce Hills is an accountant and is currently an executive director of Breakaway Investment Group, which operates the Breakaway Private Equity Emerging Resources Fund. Hills is a director of a number of unlisted companies in the mining and financial services sectors including The Risk Board and Stibium Australia. Hills has 35 years’ experience in the financial sector including 20 years in the banking industry primarily in the areas of strategy, finance and risk.
Dr. Alistair Lewis – Non-executive Director
Dr. Alistair Lewis is a successful entrepreneur and highly experienced medical doctor with over 40 years’ experience. For the past 10 years, Lewis has been involved in the management of mining and exploration companies. In 2017, Lewis established Oosen Lewis Mining in North Queensland. He financed the aggregation of a substantial portfolio of gold, tin, tungsten and antimony assets and instigated subsequent extensive exploration programs. These assets now form part of the QSM portfolio.
Michael Thirnbeck – Independent Non-executive Director
Michael Thirnbeck is an experienced geologist with over 25 years in managing numerous mineral development projects in Papua New Guinea, Indonesia and Australia. He has been a member of the Australasian Institute of Mining and Metallurgy since 1989 and holds B.Sc (Hons.) degree from the University of Queensland.
Shuyi (Kiara) Wang – Non-executive Director
Shuyi (Kiara) Wang was appointed a director of Tartana Minerals on July 17, 2024. Wang is an accomplished, emerging leader with a strong academic and professional background. She holds a Bachelor of Arts majoring in Philosophy from The University of Melbourne and is currently pursuing a Juris Doctor at the prestigious Melbourne Law School.
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Copper, gold, silver and zinc, producer, explorer and developer in Far North Queensland, Australia
31 July
Quarterly Activities/Appendix 5B Cash Flow Report
13 May
Director led financing and change of Chairman
30 April
Quarterly Activities/Appendix 5B Cash Flow Report
24 April
Beefwood Project Clarification and Drilling Update
15 April
Retraction re Mungana Processing Plant Capacity
4h
Brunswick Exploration
Investor Insight
With multiple significant lithium discoveries under its belt and a proven exploration strategy that yields results, Brunswick Exploration makes a compelling investment proposition in the ever-expanding lithium space.
Overview
Brunswick Exploration (TSXV:BRW,OTCQB:BRWXF,1XQ:FF) is one of North America's few publicly traded companies aggressively pursuing grassroots lithium exploration across Canada and Greenland. The company is leveraging cutting-edge exploration technologies and systematic geological fieldwork to uncover new spodumene-bearing pegmatite discoveries in underexplored districts.
Brunswick has staked and is actively exploring large-scale pegmatite fields in Quebec and both western and eastern Greenland. Its multi-regional strategy is designed to fast-track discoveries of high-grade lithium deposits to meet rising global demand driven by the energy transition.
Brunswick’s exploration process begins with comprehensive data compilation and geological analysis to pinpoint promising target areas. Its experienced field teams then deploy traditional prospecting techniques—including bedrock mapping, sampling, and geophysical surveys—to validate targets on the ground. This hands-on approach has led to multiple new lithium discoveries and remains central to the company’s value creation strategy.
The company has launched an aggressive, regional-scale prospecting and mapping campaign across its extensive Greenland portfolio which will run for six weeks, supported by four field crews and two helicopters. The initial phase will see one team conducting detailed mapping and sampling around the Ivisaartoq spodumene discovery and surrounding areas. A second team will cover the expanded Nuuk and Paamiut licenses, including follow-up at the historical spodumene showing at Paamiut.
Starting in July 2025, fieldwork will pivot based on June results, with one crew continuing follow-up at Nuuk and Paamiut, and another moving to Disko Bay and Uummannaq. Findings will guide advanced exploration in August–September, including first-pass work at the newly acquired Hinksland project.
In Quebec, Brunswick Exploration has prioritized three key lithium projects in the Eeyou Istchee–James Bay region: Mirage, Anatacau, and PLEX with active drilling underway at Mirage following 2023 grassroots discoveries.
In 2024, the company made Greenland’s first lithium-bearing spodumene pegmatite discovery at the Ivisaartoq field under its Nuuk license—an area characterized by ancient Mesoarchean geology. Brunswick is now expanding its land position in both western and eastern Greenland to build on this breakthrough. In 2025, the company reported it had submitted license applications covering 20,785 hectares at Paamiut that include multiple metavolcanic amphibolite belts and nine mapped pegmatites 500–900 m in strike length, with approval pending. Brunswick had also applied for a 17,800-hectare Hinksland license in eastern Greenland containing over 50 mapped and interpreted pegmatite outcrops, including nine that are between 500 m and roughly 10,000 m in strike length, likewise awaiting government sign-off.
The exploration team is led by Executive Chairman Robert Wares, a renowned geologist and co-founder of Osisko Mining. Wares played a pivotal role in discovering the Canadian Malartic gold deposit, which became one of Canada’s largest gold producers. His leadership and exploration success provide strong technical guidance for Brunswick’s operations.
Company Highlights
- Brunswick Exploration (BRW) is a Montreal-based mineral exploration company listed on the TSXV under symbol BRW. The company is focused on grassroots exploration for lithium in Canada and Greenland, a critical metal necessary to global decarbonization and energy transition.
- This has generated one of the largest grassroots lithium portfolios globally.
- BRW's board includes Robert Wares, one of the founders of Osisko Mining.
- BRW was recognized as one of the Top 50 TSX Venture listed companies in 2023.
- The company has staked hundreds of untested prospective pegmatites measuring a minimum strike length of 500 meters and within 50 kms of infrastructure.
- In 2023, three discoveries were made in the Eeyou Istchee-James Bay region of Quebec at the Mirage, Anatacau Main and Elrond projects.
- In 2024, BRW announced a newly discovered pegmatite outcrop from its Nuuk License, making it the first confirmed lithium discovery in Greenland.
- In 2025 BRW bolstered its first-mover position in Greenland by staking about 38,500 ha across two new licenses — 20,785 ha at Paamiut (SW Greenland) hosting nine 500-900 m pegmatite trends and 17,800 ha at Hinksland (E Greenland) with over 50 mapped pegmatites, including nine 500-10,000 m trends — making BRW one of the country’s largest mineral-license holders and giving it hundreds of untested targets for lithium exploration.
Key Projects
Mirage Project
The Mirage Project consists of 427 claims covering 21,230 hectares (including both staked and optioned claims), situated approximately 40 km south of the Trans-Taiga Highway in Quebec’s James Bay region. The project was initially staked following insights from a geologist who explored the area for gold over two decades ago and documented numerous angular pegmatitic glacial boulders containing large, well-defined spodumene crystals, including one boulder measuring 8 x 4 x 3 meters.
In fall 2023, Brunswick Exploration uncovered multiple high-grade spodumene outcrops along a 2.5-km trend, alongside a distinct 3 km boulder train with different mineralogical characteristics, suggesting the presence of multiple lithium-bearing sources within the project area.
The company intersected 37 m at 1.14 percent Li₂O in hole MR-24-87 at the MR-3 dyke; 36 m at 1.51 percent Li₂O in hole MR-24-102 within the Stacked Dyke area where the same hole also cut thirteen additional spodumene-bearing dykes and 28 m at 1.32 percent Li₂O in hole MR-24-101 at the MR-6 dyke, together extending the combined MR-3–MR-6–Stacked Dyke swarm to more than 1 km by 450 m. In the past drillings, Brunswick intercepted 1.55 percent and 1.64 percent Li₂O at 93.45 m and 69.3 m respectively at the MR-6 dyke The project continues to show excellent continuity and scale, with stacked dykes and new zones being delineated through ongoing drilling.
The winter 2025 drill program covering over 5,000 meters is designed to test new extensions to MR-3, MR-4, and MR-6 dykes, as well as additional targets within the broader Central Zone. Mirage is quickly emerging as a potential high-grade, large-tonnage lithium system.
Spodumene crystals at Mirage are massive and white to pale grey, both at the surface and in the core.
In 2025, BRW has continued to advance Mirage through additional drilling and metallurgical testing. The winter drill program intersected 36 meters at 1.51percent Li2O in the Stacked Dyke area and 28 meters at 1.32 percent Li2O at the MR-6 dyke, significantly extending these pegmatites along strike. This drilling confirms that the MR-3, MR-6 and Stacked Dyke systems form a major spodumene-bearing pegmatite swarm now traced over ~1,000 by 450 meters and open in multiple directions. Phase 1 metallurgical results indicate the potential for a dense media separation (DMS)-only flowsheet (no flotation required), capable of producing a clean spodumene concentrate grading ~5.5–5.7 percent Li2O with up to 76 percent recovery and low impurities.
PLEX Project
The company is also advancing the early-stage Poste Lemoyne Extension (PLEX) project, located along the La Grande shear zone approximately 75 km west of Patriot Battery Metals’ Corvette project. PLEX consists of 375 claims covering 19,175 hectares and remains a target for future prospecting campaigns.
Anatacau
Comprising the Anatacau Main and Anatacau West projects, these assets are under an option agreement with Osisko GP, a subsidiary of Osisko Development, under which Brunswick Exploration can earn a 90 percent interest in the projects. The Anatacau property is located just east of Rio Tinto (NYSE:RIO) recently acquired James Bay Lithium deposit (previously known as the Cyr deposit), previously owned by Arcadium (NYSE:ALTM) which has a total mineral resource of 110.2 million tons (Mt) at 1.30 percent lithium oxide and a total ore reserve of 37.3 Mt at 1.27 percent lithium oxide.
BRW completed a maiden drill program at the Anatacau West property totalling 3,712 meters. 17 of the 18 drilled holes intersected spodumene mineralization that generated up to 26.5 metres at 1.51 percent Li2O.
In the summer of 2023, Brunswick discovered a significant lithium pegmatite outcrop, measuring at least 100 meters long by 15 meters wide known as the Anais showing in Anatacau Main. The outcrop is within a larger cluster of pegmatite dykes all of which contain high-grade lithium mineralization.
This discovery is located 22 km east of Anatacau West and Rio’s James Bay project along a large-scale E-W deformation corridor which is host to the known lithium-bearing pegmatite dykes in the region.
Greenland
Brunswick Exploration is now one of Greenland’s largest mineral license holders and the only company actively exploring for lithium in the country, capitalizing on a clear first-mover advantage. With supportive regulations, highly prospective geology, and excellent outcrop exposure, 2025 is set to be a breakthrough year as the company launches a major lithium exploration campaign.
A six-week regional program begins in June, with four field crews and two helicopters deployed across Brunswick’s vast land package. One team will focus on the Ivisaartoq spodumene discovery, while another targets the Nuuk and Paamiut licenses. In July, follow-up work will continue at Nuuk and Paamiut, while a second team begins prospecting at the Disko Bay and Uummannaq properties.
Initial results will guide advanced exploration phases in August and September across high-priority targets.
2025 Paamiut license area
Brunswick Exploration has applied for new licenses covering 20,785 hectares, approximately 90 to 130 km northeast of Paamiut, a coastal town about 260 km south of Nuuk. The area lies within the Bjornesund tectonic block of the North Atlantic Craton, a geologically favorable region comprising tonalitic and granodioritic orthogneiss and Mesoarchean metavolcanic amphibolite belts.The newly staked ground includes multiple amphibolite belts up to 1.5 km wide and 15 km long, along with nine mapped and interpreted pegmatite targets ranging from 500 to 900 meters in strike length. License applications have been submitted and are currently pending final government approval
Nuuk Expansion
Brunswick Exploration’s Nuuk holdings include the Ivisaartoq spodumene discovery within the Ivisaartoq belt. The company has applied to stake the adjacent Ujarassuit amphibolite belt, which is up to 1 km wide and 40 km long. Additional claims have been secured within the Fiskefjord Complex, located 95 km north of Nuuk and 75 km southeast of Maniitsoq, covering amphibolite belts up to 4.5 km wide and 20 km long. The newly acquired and applied-for claims span 33,138 hectares and host hundreds of mapped and interpreted pegmatite outcrops, including six targets with strike lengths between 500 and 2,000 m.
Disko Bay
The Disko Bay licenses are located roughly 30 to 80 kms from the coastal city of Ilulissat, which is the third largest city in Greenland. The licenses are near multiple seaports and container terminals, including Ilulissat. The area is situated within the Aasiaat domain, part of the Paleoproterozoic Nagssugtoqidian Orogen, sandwiched to the south by the Archean North Atlantic Craton and to the north by the Archean Rae Craton. The Orogen extends west into the Trans-Hudson orogeny of Canada that continues to the lithium deposits near Snow Lake Manitoba and the Black Hills of South Dakota.
Multiple amphibolite and metasedimentary belts were acquired with some belts being over 20 km in strike length. The new claims have hundreds of mapped and interpreted pegmatite targets with a total license area of 49,639 hectares.
Uummannaq
The licenses are located roughly 70 km from the coastal city of Uummannaq, about 80 km north of Ilulissat. Uummannaq has a population of about 1,660, an airport and a ferry terminal as well as a nearby container terminal. The area is located within the Archean Rae Craton that is intermixed with the Paleoproterozoic Rinkian fold-thrust belt, both of which are in contact with the Paleoproterozoic Nagssugtoqidian Orogen to the south.
The new license contains multiple amphibolite and metasedimentary belts with dozens of mapped and interpreted pegmatites with a total license area of 9,770 hectares.
Management Team
Robert Wares - Executive Chairman
Robert Wares is a professional geologist with more than 35 years of experience in mineral exploration and development. He was responsible for discovering the Canadian Malartic bulk tonnage gold mine, which was subsequently developed by Osisko Mining into one of Canada's largest gold producers. Wares was a co-winner of the Prospectors and Developers Association of Canada's "Prospector of the Year Award" for 2007. He was also named one of the "Mining
Men of the Year" for 2009 by the Northern Miner. He has a Bachelor of Science and an honorary doctorate in earth sciences from McGill University.
Killian Charles - President and CEO
From 2017 to 2021, Killian Charles worked as VP of corporate development for Osisko Metals. Charles was previously the manager of corporate development at Integra Gold Corp, which was an advanced-stage gold development company until it was acquired by Eldorado Gold in July 2017. He worked as a mining analyst at Industrial Alliance Securities and Laurentian Bank Securities. Charles covered small and mid-cap exploration and production companies as a mining analyst. Charles holds a Bachelor of Science with a major in Earth and planetary sciences from McGill University.
Anthony Glavac - CFO
Anthony Glavac has more than 17 years of experience in financial reporting, including over 12 years in the mining industry. Since August 2017, Glavac has served as vice-president, and corporate controller for Falco Resources, and previously served as director, financial reporting and internal controls at Dynacor Gold Mines. Glavac spent 10 years at KPMG, working with both public and private companies, providing audit, taxation, strategic advisory and public offering services. Glavac is also involved with other public companies in the mining industry.
Simon Hébert - Vice-president, Development
Simon Hébert is a professional geologist with over 13 years of experience in mineral exploration, having begun his career with Virginia Mines and Osisko Mining. He has worked on numerous metallogenic projects across Baie-James, Nunavik, and the Northwest Territories. In 2019, he helped form NQ Mining Investment, becoming its general manager in 2023. A member of the Ordre des Géologues du Québec since 2012, Hébert also serves as vice president of the AEMQ and is chair of the Table Jamésienne de concertation minière. He holds a BSc in Geology from Université Laval.
François Goulet - Exploration Manager, Quebec
François Goulet holds a master’s degree in structural geology from UQÀM and has extensive exploration experience in James Bay and internationally. He was recently president and CEO of Harfang Exploration, a gold project generator in Quebec. Goulet has worked with companies including Virginia Mines, Unigold, Maya Gold & Silver, the Canadian Malartic Partnership, and Glencore Canada. He is a board member of the AEMQ and a registered geologist with the Ordre des géologues du Québec since 2011.
Charles Kodors - Exploration Manager, Atlantic Canada
Charles Kodors is the Manager, Atlantic Canada at Brunswick Exploration Inc. and has been with the company since January 2021. Having 15 years of experience in the mining and exploration industry, he most recently served as an exploration manager for Osisko Metals and a senior exploration geologist for Kirkland Lake Gold. Kodors received his B.Sc. from Brock University and is a registered professional geologist within the provinces of New Brunswick, Newfoundland, Nova Scotia, Ontario, Quebec, Manitoba and Saskatchewan.
Shayaan Belluzzo – Corporate Secretary
Ms. Shayaan Belluzzo is a seasoned Corporate Secretary with over 8 years of experience of board governance and compliance, corporate restructuring matters for various global entities and investment vehicles, focusing on corporate regulatory and corporate governance best practices, and providing strategic legal support. Recently, Belluzzo also held key roles as Corporate Secretary of Windfall Mining Group and Assistant Corporate Secretary of Osisko Mining, supporting both companies during a $2.16 billion acquisition. Ms. Belluzzo’s diverse industry experience stems from her work in global investment, asset management, and law firms, including McCarthy Tétrault LLP.
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Top 5 Canadian Mining Stocks This Week: Kirkland Lake Discovery Gains 88 Percent
Welcome to the Investing News Network's weekly look at the best-performing Canadian mining stocks on the TSX, TSXV and CSE, starting with a round-up of Canadian and US news impacting the resource sector.
Statistics Canada released July’s labor force survey on Friday (August 8). The data shows that the Canadian economy shed 41,000 workers during the month and registered a 0.2 percent decline in the employment rate to 60.7 percent.
However, the unemployment rate was unchanged at 6.9 percent.
The most significant segment for the decline was among youth aged 15 to 24, with a drop of 34,000. That pushed the youth unemployment rate up to 14.6 percent, its highest rate since September 2010 apart from the pandemic.
In terms of industry, construction saw the steepest decline as it lost 22,000 workers during the month.
South of the border, the US imposed a 39 percent tariff on imports of 1 kilogram and 100 ounce gold bars from Switzerland.
In a ruling posted to US Customs and Border Protection’s (CBP) Customs Rulings Online Search System on Friday, the CBP states that reciprocal tariffs will be applied to these bars. Switzerland is the world’s biggest refining and transit hub, and imports of the 1 kilogram and 100 ounce bars are typically used to back transactions on the COMEX.
The ruling caused some uncertainty among gold traders, who paused imports of the precious metal to the US and pushed the price for December contracts on the COMEX to a high of US$3,534 per ounce in morning trading.
While the price has since retreated, it’s still up more than 1 percent on the day at US$3,491.
The gold spot price is also up significantly this week, gaining 3.26 percent by 4:00 p.m. EDT on Friday to US$3,398.42. Silver was up even more; it rose 4.58 percent to US$38.38 and is closing in on its recent highs.
Markets and commodities react
In Canada, equity markets were in positive territory this week.
The S&P/TSX Composite Index (INDEXTSI:OSPTX) posted steady gains through the week, moving up 2.16 percent to close at 27,758.68 on Friday. The S&P/TSX Venture Composite Index (INDEXTSI:JX) registered a 2.71 percent rise to 787.22. Meanwhile, the CSE Composite Index (CSE:CSECOMP) soared, gaining 8.99 percent to 142.78.
US equity markets were broadly down on Friday on new US tariffs and poor jobs data. The S&P 500 (INDEXSP:INX) rose 1.62 percent to 6,389.44, the Nasdaq 100 (INDEXNASDAQ:NDX) jumped 2.86 percent to 23,603.05 and the Dow Jones Industrial Average (INDEXDJX:.DJI) gained 0.90 percent to 44,175.60.
In base metals, copper prices fell as low as US$4.41 per pound on Tuesday (August 5), but recovered to finish the week with a 0.67 percent gain to US$4.52.
Top Canadian mining stocks this week
How did mining stocks perform against this backdrop?
Take a look at this week’s five best-performing Canadian mining stocks below.
Stock data for this article was retrieved at 4:00 p.m. EDT on Friday using TradingView's stock screener. Only companies trading on the TSX, TSXV and CSE with market capitalizations greater than C$10 million are included. Mineral companies within the non-energy minerals, energy minerals, process industry and producer manufacturing sectors were considered.
1. Kirkland Lake Discoveries (TSXV:KLDC)
Weekly gain: 88.24 percent
Market cap: C$15.2 million
Share price: C$0.16
Kirkland Lake Discoveries is a gold-copper explorer focused on projects in its district-scale land package located in the Kirkland Lake area of Ontario, Canada. Its holdings span approximately 38,000 hectares in the Abitibi greenstone belt, an area that holds past-producing gold and copper mines. Its land is broadly divided into KL West and KL East, which contain the Goodfish-Kirana and Lucky Strike gold projects, respectively, among others.
On April 29, the company entered a mining option agreement with Val-d’Or Mining (TSXV:VZZ) to acquire the Winnie Lake and Amikougami properties, as well as mining claim purchase agreements with two vendors to acquire further claims around the Winnie Lake Pluton. The properties expand KL West's southern portion.
On Wednesday (August 6), the company initiated an inaugural diamond drill program at KL West and Winnie Lake. The program is designed to follow up on historic drill results as well as recent surface exploration.
About 2,000 meters of drilling are planned, and the company expects it to be completed by the end of August. Kirkland stated that assays will be released as they are received and interpreted.
2. Avanti Helium (TSXV:AVN)
Weekly gain: 78.95 percent
Market cap: C$15.2 million
Share price: C$0.17
Avanti Helium is an explorer and developer focused on advancing helium assets in Canada and the US toward production. Its Greater Knappen projects are composed of several areas in Southern Alberta, Canada, and Northern Montana, US. The combined land packages cover approximately 74,000 acres with multiple targets.
According to its project page, Avanti has drilled three exploration wells in Montana, with two testing for a combined 18.5 million cubic feet per day gas rate with 1.1 percent helium concentration.
The company’s Leader project consists of a combined land package of 91,000 acres in Southern Saskatchewan. The surrounding region has seen 84 wells drilled by other companies since 2016, and as of September 2023, it hosted approximately 25 wells producing 450,000 cubic feet of helium per day.
Avanti gained this week after it announced on Thursday (August 7) that it has signed a multi-year offtake agreement with a global industrial gas supplier. The buyer has committed to a minimum monthly volume from Avanti's Sweetgrass helium recovery unit in Montana, for 33 percent of the initial plant output and 25 percent following a planned expansion.
3. Discovery Energy Metals (CSE:DEMC)
Weekly gain: 68.57 percent
Market cap: C$17.08 million
Share price: C$0.295
Discovery Energy Metals is a lithium explorer working to advance interests in Québec and BC, Canada. Most of the company’s land holdings are in Québec, where it has interests in over 225,000 hectares.
On March 20, the company released assays from a fall 2024 exploration program focused on its Eeyou Istchee James Bay properties. It reported values including 82 parts per million tantalum pentoxide and 101 parts per million cesium oxide at Cirrus East, and 0.66 g/t gold and 0.56 percent zinc at its Mantle property.
Discovery announced on June 25 that it had completed the acquisition of eight mineral claims over 5,283 hectares at the Crystal Lake property in BC. The company acquired the property in a deal with Zimtu Capital (TSXV:ZC).
Early stage exploration work at the property was carried out between 2009 and 2010, and included a magnetic survey and grab samples, which returned up to 0.7 percent copper with elevated gold and silver.
The most recent news from Discovery came on July 15, when it announced a non-brokered private placement for up to 10 million units for gross proceeds of up to C$1 million.
4. Abcourt Mines (TSXV:ABI)
Weekly gain: 66.67 percent
Market cap: C$45.53 million
Share price: C$0.075
Abcourt Mines is a gold exploration and development company focused on operations at its Sleeping Giant mine in the Abitibi region of Québec. The property consists of four mining leases covering an area of 458 hectares and 69 claims. The site hosts an underground mine along with a mill capable of processing 750 metric tons per day.
A July 2023 preliminary economic assessment demonstrates an after-tax net present value of US$77.5 million with an internal rate of return of 33.3 percent over a payback period of 2.2 years.
The company has been working on restarting mining operations at the site throughout 2025.
On Thursday, it provided an update on progress from Sleeping Giant, stating that teams had begun the rehabilitation of underground openings, as well as preparations at the mill for the first stope at the end of July. It also said it had built a surface stockpile of approximately 1,000 metric tons of ore and started work on a tailings facility. Once complete, pulp storage will be good until 2032 at the proposed mining rate of 100,000 to 125,000 metric tons per year.
5. Scorpio Gold (TSXV:SGN)
Weekly gain: 64.71 percent
Market cap: C$60.93 million
Share price: C$0.28
Scorpio Gold is an exploration and development company focused on the advancement of its Manhattan District in the Walker Lane Trend in Nevada, US. The district is composed of the 6,071 acre Manhattan project, which hosts two past-producing open-pit mines, Reliance and Manhattan, as well as the fully permitted Goldwedge underground mine.
Scorpio acquired the project from Kinross Gold (TSX:K,NYSE:KGC) in 2021.
The most recent update from the project came on June 19, when Scorpio announced it was commencing a Phase 1 diamond drill program. The focus is on targets at the Gap zone, the Zanzibar trend and Mustang Hill. Up to 3,400 meters have been planned, with results contributing to an initial mineral resource estimate, which is expected in Q3.
FAQs for Canadian mining stocks
What is the difference between the TSX and TSXV?
The TSX, or Toronto Stock Exchange, is used by senior companies with larger market caps, and the TSXV, or TSX Venture Exchange, is used by smaller-cap companies. Companies listed on the TSXV can graduate to the senior exchange.
How many mining companies are listed on the TSX and TSXV?
As of February 2025, there were 1,572 companies listed on the TSXV, 905 of which were mining companies. Comparatively, the TSX was home to 1,859 companies, with 181 of those being mining companies.
Together the TSX and TSXV host around 40 percent of the world’s public mining companies.
How much does it cost to list on the TSXV?
There are a variety of different fees that companies must pay to list on the TSXV, and according to the exchange, they can vary based on the transaction’s nature and complexity. The listing fee alone will most likely cost between C$10,000 to C$70,000. Accounting and auditing fees could rack up between C$25,000 and C$100,000, while legal fees are expected to be over C$75,000 and an underwriters’ commission may hit up to 12 percent.
The exchange lists a handful of other fees and expenses companies can expect, including but not limited to security commission and transfer agency fees, investor relations costs and director and officer liability insurance.
These are all just for the initial listing, of course. There are ongoing expenses once companies are trading, such as sustaining fees and additional listing fees, plus the costs associated with filing regular reports.
How do you trade on the TSXV?
Investors can trade on the TSXV the way they would trade stocks on any exchange. This means they can use a stock broker or an individual investment account to buy and sell shares of TSXV-listed companies during the exchange's trading hours.
Article by Dean Belder; FAQs by Lauren Kelly.
Don't forget to follow us @INN_Resource for real-time updates!
Securities Disclosure: I, Dean Belder, hold no direct investment interest in any company mentioned in this article.
Securities Disclosure: I, Lauren Kelly, hold no direct investment interest in any company mentioned in this article.
Editorial Disclosure: NextSource Materials is a client of the Investing News Network. This article is not paid-for content.
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08 August
Top 5 Australian Mining Stocks This Week: Waratah Shares Soar After Spur Project Drill Results
Welcome to the Investing News Network's weekly round-up of the top-performing mining stocks listed on the ASX, starting with news in Australia's resource sector.
August opened with the announcement that Australia is not one of the countries to be hit with higher reciprocal tariffs from the US. Tariffs on the country will remain at the 10 percent level.
In its latest Trade and Assistance Review, Australia’s Productivity Commission said the country could benefit from redirected global capital flows in the wake of US tariffs — but only if it maintains its commitment to open markets.
Various ASX-listed companies had news this week, including Australian Gold and Copper (ASX:AGC), which said on Tuesday (August 5) that it will be acquiring the silver-gold Browns Reef project from Eastern Metals (ASX:EMS).
Meanwhile, Alkane Resources (ASX:ALK) and Mandalay Resources (TSX:MND,OTCQB:MNDJF) completed their merger, which is expected to create a dual ASX- and TSX-listed gold and antimony producer.
Market and commodity price round-up
The S&P/ASX 200 (INDEXASX:XJO) saw a 1.88 percent gain this week, opening at 8,662 on Monday (August 4) and closing at 8,823.9 on Friday (August 8).
As for precious metals, gold demonstrated a 0.92 percent increase in US dollars, going from US$3,362.94 per ounce on Monday to US$3,393.75 by the close of Australian trading on Friday.
The metal was fairly steady in Australian dollars, moving from AU$5,194.69 to AU$5,201.70 over the same period.
Silver largely remained flat in US dollars, starting the week at US$38.17 per ounce and closing at US$38.33 with a 0.41 percent increase. In Australian dollars, the metal went from AU$57.12 to AU$58.76.
Top ASX mining stocks this week
How did ASX mining stocks perform against this backdrop?
Take a look at this week’s five best-performing Australian mining stocks below as the Investing News Network breaks down their operations and why these mining stocks are up this week.
Stocks data for this article was retrieved at 4:00 p.m. AEST on August 7 using TradingView's stock screener and reflects price movements between August 4 and 7. Only companies trading on the ASX with market capitalisations greater than AU$10 million are included. Mineral companies within the non-energy minerals, energy minerals, process industry and producer manufacturing sectors were considered.
1. Waratah Minerals (ASX:WTM)
Weekly gain: 120.34 percent
Market cap: AU$107.42 million
Share price: AU$0.65
Waratah Minerals is an exploration company based in Orange, New South Wales.
It is currently focused on advancing its flagship Spur gold-copper project, located in the East Lachlan region of New South Wales, a district known for tier one gold-copper porphyry deposits. The Spur project is situated 5 kilometres west of Newmont's (TSX:NGT,NYSE:NEM) world-class Cadia Valley operations.
On Monday, Waratah shared drill results that extend the Spur gold corridor, with a return of 208.7 metres at 1.17 grams per tonne (g/t) gold from 514 metres, including 89 meters at 1.96 g/t gold from 614 metres.
“We have always believed that the epithermal gold mineralisation of the Spur Gold Corridor crossed the Essex Fault and should extend to the northeast, despite historical drilling having been unable to locate extensions,” Managing Director Peter Duerden said in the company's announcement.
In its August investor presentation for the Diggers & Dealers Mining Forum, the company underlined that the corridor is “well-positioned for continued expansion,” as only around 20 percent of the target area has been tested.
Shares of Waratah reached a weekly high of AU$0.65 on Thursday (August 7).
2. GBM Resources (ASX:GBZ)
Weekly gain: 73.68 percent
Market cap: AU$32.56 million
Share price: AU$0.033
GBM Resources is an explorer and developer focused on the discovery of world-class gold and copper deposits in Queensland. Its flagship asset is a fully owned group of projects — Yandan, Twin Hills and Mt. Coolon — located in the Drummond Basin, among Australia’s major gold provinces with a production history of over 4.5 million ounces.
Combined, the three projects host 1.84 million ounces of gold with a total area of 4,667 square kilometres.
Mt. Coolon is subject to a farm-in partnership between GBM and leading gold producer Newmont. In late April, Newmont released final assays from a Phase 1 drill program at Mt Coolon.
Shares of GBM soared to AU$0.014 following the June 24 announcement that it had received firm commitments to raise AU$13 million, which it will use in part to repay and cancel all of its existing convertible notes with Collins St Asset Management; the notes are worth AU$6.2 million. Following the placement, the company said that it will be free of debt and well positioned to pursue its 12 month exploration program.
“With a strong debt-free balance sheet, GBM now has a great opportunity to deliver value to shareholders through an accelerated exploration programme across Twin Hills and Yandan,” said Executive Director Andrew Krelle.
On July 31, GBM released its June quarterly report, highlighting updates including the firm commitments.
This week, shares of GBM were the highest on Thursday, peaking at AU$0.033.
3. Leeuwin Metals (ASX:LM1)
Weekly gain: 71.72 percent
Market cap: AU$16.13 million
Share price: AU$0.17
Gold explorer Leeuwin Metals' flagship asset is the Marda gold project in the Goldfields region of Western Australia, which spans over 500 square kilometres with eight historical open pits.
Drill results released by the company on July 29 confirm thick, high-grade gold mineralisation at depth and below the current pit of Marda’s Python prospect. One hole intercepted 5 metres at a grade of 5 g/t gold from 229 metres to the end of the hole, including 1 metre at 10 g/t from 231 metres.
Leeuwin said it has identified 11 new target areas through field mapping and rock chip sampling, with over 120 assays still pending. A reverse-circulation drill program is planned to begin in mid-August at the Evanston target, alongside structural mapping and 3D geological modelling to support a maiden resource estimate later this quarter.
On Monday, Leeuwin responded to an ASX price query regarding a sharp rise in its share price — it jumped from a close of AU$0.099 on the previous trading day to an intraday high of AU$0.155 on Monday.
The company attributed the spike to three factors: a strong gold price, the release of a third-party research report covering the company and a rebound following a brief period of low liquidity and softer trading conditions.
Shares of Leeuwin were the highest this week on Thursday at AU$0.17.
4. Altair Minerals (ASX:ALR)
Weekly gain: 60 percent
Market cap: AU$30.08 million
Share price: AU$0.008
Altair Minerals is an explorer with projects in Australia and Canada, and is focused on the discovery of gypsum, lithium, cobalt and copper. It holds 80 percent ownership of the Olympic Domain assets in South Australia, namely Horse Well, Pernatti C and Lake Torrens, all of which are currently being explored, with drilling underway at Horse Well.
Company shares have been trending upward since June. Altair requested a trading halt on August 1 pending the release of an announcement on a proposed project acquisition and capital raising.
The acquisition was announced on Tuesday, with Altair revealing it intends to buy up to a 70 percent interest in the Greater Oko gold project in Guyana. It has received binding commitments to raise AU$3.2 million at AU$0.004 per share. According to CEO Faheem Ahmed, Greater Oko has the potential to be a "company maker."
“Due to the scattered and small nature of permits held by private citizens within the country, it virtually makes it impossible for any party to come in (and) put together a contiguous block to the scale we have, let alone with advanced exploration targets and arguably sitting in the hottest gold district in South America and West Africa," he said.
"It’s a deal which simply can’t be replicated.”
Shares of the company rose as high as AU$0.008 on Wednesday (August 6), a day after the announcement and the recommencement of trading for Altair.
5. Globe Metals & Mining (ASX:GBE)
Weekly gain: 41.82 percent
Market cap: AU$50.71 million
Share price: AU$0.078
Globe Metals & Mining is focused on the development of strategic metals, primarily niobium and tantalum. Its flagship asset is the Kanyika niobium project in Malawi, which has a 20 year projected mine life.
The project is designed to produce high-purity niobium and tantalum pentoxide powders, metals that are critical inputs for high-strength alloys essential in aerospace, automotive and electronics.
According to its latest project update, published on July 6, the company will delay the release of a bankable feasibility study to ensure that the final design and budget include improvements identified from early contractor involvement and to align with current market conditions. In its activities report for the June quarter, released on July 30, the company said that its Kanyika niobium project aligns with global demand trends and supply chain expectations, positioning it as a credible, ethical and strategically critical source of niobium and tantalum.
“Our leadership team, combined with ongoing government engagement, positions us well for our Final Investment Decision,” commented Interim CEO Charles Altshuler.
On July 31, GBM also shared a corporate update, appointing Dr. Joseph C.N. Mkandawire as a non-executive director of its wholly owned subsidiary, Globe Metals & Mining Africa, in Lilongwe, Malawi. Altshuler said the appointment underscores GBM’s commitment to establishing Globe as a trusted development partner in Malawi.
“His leadership and insights are instrumental as we advance the Kanyika niobium project into development.”
This week, shares of Globe peaked at AU$0.08 on Thursday.
Don’t forget to follow us @INN_Australia for real-time news updates!
Securities Disclosure: I, Gabrielle de la Cruz, hold no direct investment interest in any company mentioned in this article.
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08 August
Editor's Picks: Gold Price Gains on Tariff Turmoil, Rate Cut Expectations
The gold price edged higher this week, benefiting from increased investor uncertainty as US tariffs went into effect for dozens of countries on Thursday (August 7).
Rates start at 10 percent and rise as high as 50 percent for countries like Brazil. The US is still in talks with Canada, China and Mexico, its top three trading partners.
Commenting on the news, President Donald Trump took to his social media platform Truth Social, saying that "billions of dollars" will now start flowing into the US.
Aside from that, there are hopes the tariffs will provide a boost for domestic businesses as buyers turn inward. However, critics argue that the levies will be passed on to American consumers who are already dealing with the ongoing effects of inflation.
Going back to gold, the yellow metal has also seen support from strong expectations that the US Federal Reserve will cut interest rates when it meets in September.
This outlook comes after weaker-than-expected July jobs data released last week — only 73,000 jobs were added for the month, and in addition to that the Bureau of Labor Statistics revised down numbers for May and June, saying 258,000 fewer jobs were created.
Trump fired the bureau's commissioner of labor statistics in response, saying the numbers weren't accurate. Fed Chair Jerome Powell also found himself in the line of fire, with the president suggesting that he too should be put "out to pasture."
Bullet briefing — Gold revaluation, China buying, streaming deal
Fed publishes gold revaluation article
The Fed turned heads in the resource space this week with the release of an article on gold revaluation. In it, a principal economist looks at "rare cases when countries used proceeds from valuation gains on gold and foreign exchange reserves."
While precious metals market watchers have noted that the Fed publishing research on gold revaluation doesn't mean it's going to happen in the US, it's still seen as significant that the central bank is mentioning it at all.
China snaps up gold, platinum
The People’s Bank of China continued snapping up gold in July, adding to its reserves of the yellow metal for the ninth month in a row. According to Bloomberg, the Asian nation now holds 73.96 million ounces of gold, an increase of 60,000 ounces over the course of the month.
China is also reportedly adding to its platinum holdings, with data from Standard Chartered (LSE:STAN) showing that it brought in 1.2 million ounces in the second quarter.
A separate article from Bloomberg indicates that state-owned entity China Platinum is making most of the purchases, meaning it’s difficult to know who is really buying the metal.
The US is picking up platinum too, while London and Zurich are seeing shortfalls of the metal. With the implied one month lease rate down from over 35 percent last month, but still elevated at 10 percent, experts are calling for continued tightness in the market.
After years of rangebound trading, the platinum price began breaking out in mid-May, eventually surpassing US$1,470 per ounce and reaching highs not seen in over a decade.
First Quantum's US$1 billion gold stream
First Quantum Minerals (TSX:FM) will receive a US$1 billion upfront cash payment from Royal Gold (NASDAQ:RGLD) under a gold-streaming deal for its Kansanshi mine.
According to First Quantum, the agreement, announced on Tuesday (August 5), will allow it to retain exposure to all of the asset's copper output and most of its gold production.
Located in Zambia, Kansanshi is the company's flagship operation, as well as Africa's largest copper mine. The asset produced about 170,000 metric tons of copper and 105,000 ounces of gold in 2024, with an expansion in the final stages of commissioning.
The amount of gold First Quantum delivers to Royal Gold will be based on its copper output. In addition to the US$1 billion initial payment from Royal Gold, First Quantum will receive 20 percent of the gold spot price for each ounce delivered, with that amount rising to 35 percent in the event that specific milestones are met. The arrangement includes acceleration provisions as well.
Want more YouTube content? Check out our expert market commentary playlist, which features interviews with key figures in the resource space. If there's someone you'd like to see us interview, please send an email to cmcleod@investingnews.com.
And 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.
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