Big News Roundup Resource Investing

Feb 28 Big News: QMX Intersects 38.7 g/t Gold Over 3.5 Metres and 34.9 g/t Gold Over 3.0 Metres, Renforth Drills 1.25 g/t Au over 7.5m at a Vertical Depth of 330m, IsoEnergy Intersects 8.5m of 33.9 Percent U3O8, Including 5.0m of 57.1 Percent U3O8 at the Hurricane Zone

News of the coronavirus continuing to spread in several jurisdictions around the world has caused stock markets to tumble this week, including the Dow Jones, which had its worst week since the financial crisis in 2008. The TSX Composite dropped 2.8 percent to open Friday at 16,258.29 while the TSV Venture Exchange lost 19.37 points to open Friday’s session down 3.7 percent at 501.22. Despite the market reaction, experts remain adamant that the general public need not worry about the virus. “I don’t think we’re at the level yet where the average person needs to be panicking about this,” Dr. Brian Garibaldi, medical director of Johns Hopkins Hospital’s biocontainment unit, told Yahoo Finance’s The Final Round. “But I think it’s important to remember that we’re still in the middle of this flu season. And those basic efforts can do a lot to prevent the spread of this virus.”

In equities, worries regarding the continued spread of the coronavirus continue to wreak havoc on the market, with travel and hospitality services being hit the hardest including Norwegian Cruise Line and American Airlines, the worst performers on the S&P 500 this week.

In case you missed it, here is this week’s resource big news roundup:

Precious

• QMX Continues to Intersect Strong Results From the River Target; 38.7 g/t Gold Over 3.5 Metres and 34.9 g/t Gold Over 3.0 Metres
• Japan Gold Announces Country-Wide Alliance with Barrick Gold Corporation & Acquires Six New Projects in the Southern Kyushu Epithermal Gold Province
• Amex Adds 4th Drill Rig to Perron
• Renforth Drills 1.25 g/t Au over 7.5m at a Vertical Depth of 330m in a 110m Western Step Out on the Piché Volcanic Mine Vein Sequence at New Alger
• Silver Viper Continues to Intercept High-Grade Gold and Silver at El Rubi

Base

• Silver Spruce Resources New Flagship Project, Melchett Lake, Boast Historic Sample Grades up to 28.8 g/t Gold, 560 g/t Silver, and 19 Percent Zinc
• Commander Acquires Gold Project in Pickle Lake, Ontario
• Project 81: Exploration Update Noble to Test Drill Calder Twp Gold Target

Battery

• Kemetco Lab Confirms Manganese X Achieved 99.95 Percent Purity of MnSO4
• Vanadium One Iron Reports an After Tax NPV of C$1.7 Billion and IRR of 33.8 Percent in Its Preliminary Economic Assessment for the Mont Sorcier Iron and Vanadium Project

Energy

• IsoEnergy Intersects 8.5m of 33.9 Percent U3O8, Including 5.0m of 57.1 Percent U3O8 at the Hurricane Zone and Expands Drill Program

Feb 21 Big News: Bill Gates-Led Fund Backs Lake’s Technology Partner Lilac, American Manganese Announces up to 99.72 Percent Purity from Recycling Test Results on Electric Vehicle Battery Materials from U.S. Department of Energy Critical Materials Institute Project, IsoEnergy Intersects 7.1 Percent U3O8 Over 5.5m, Including 24.0 Percent U3O8 Over 1.5m in First Drill Hole at Hurricane

The TSX Composite Index fell 67.52 points from its all-time high on Thursday to open Friday’s trading session at 17,876.53. Continued worries regarding the coronavirus have dragged down energy stocks, bringing crude oil prices down as energy companies feel the pressure. Teck Resources (TSX:TECK.A,TSX:TECK.B,NYSE:TECK) reported a 75 percent fall in its fourth-quarter adjusted profit on Thursday, warning investors the coronavirus outbreak could continue to dampen returns with shares falling 10.2 percent to $15.34 on Friday.

The TSX Venture Exchange inched forward early Friday morning, gaining 2.32 points to hit 583.50. Eight of the 12 Toronto sub-groups were down to start the day, with energy leading the retreat down 2 percent. Information technology and consumer discretionary stocks were also down on Friday, while gold, materials and real estate all experienced modest single-digit gains to open the week’s final day of trading.

In case you missed it, here is this week’s resource big news roundup:

Battery

• Bill Gates-Led Fund Backs Lake’s Technology Partner Lilac
• American Manganese Announces up to 99.72 Percent Purity from Recycling Test Results on Electric Vehicle Battery Materials from U.S. Department of Energy Critical Materials Institute Project
• Sienna Resources Significantly Expands the Marathon North Platinum-Palladium Property in Ontario

Precious

• Great Bear Defines High-Grade Gold Controls at LP Fault; Regional Drilling Identifies Six New Gold Targets Over 11 Kilometres; Provides LP Fault Drill Data
• Sienna Resources Significantly Expands the Marathon North Platinum-Palladium Property in Ontario
• Newrange Gold Stakes Additional Ground at Pamlico Project, Increases Property Size by 50 Percent

Energy

• IsoEnergy Intersects 7.1 Percent U3O8 Over 5.5m, Including 24.0 Percent U3O8 Over 1.5m in First Drill Hole at Hurricane

Feb 14 Big News Roundup: Metallurgical Test Work Confirms Premium High Grade 65.8 Percent Iron Ore Concentrate with 0.67 Percent V205 at the Mont Sorcier Iron Ore and Vanadium Project, IsoEnergy Intersects Strongest Uranium Mineralization to Date at the Hurricane Zone

US stock index futures were up on Friday morning after a solid week of gains that saw a number of positive earnings reports. Tech giant Ndivia saw shares rise more than 6 percent in the pre-market on Friday as the company’s quarterly results soared past expectations. Tech companies including Expedia and Roku also saw sharp gains on Friday, jumping 11.8 percent and 7.8 percent respectively. While concerns regarding the coronavirus have tempered gains, the S&P 500 and the Dow Jones are each up more than 1 percent for the week after Thursday’s trading session.

In Canada, poor sales in the cannabis sector have caused continual cutbacks. Cannabis giants Canopy Growth Corporation (TSX:WEED,NYSE:CGC) announced this week it would be working to reduce costs as it adjusts to projected losses in the quarter. Licensed producers Supreme Cannabis Company (TSX:FIRE,OTCQX:SPRWF) similarly announced a 15 percent cutback this week on the heels of underwhelming sales numbers. The TSX Venture exchange jumped up 2.01 points to 573.01 early Friday morning.

In case you missed it, here is this week’s resource big news roundup:

Base

• Copper Fox Announces Agreement to Purchase Eaglehead Copper Property
• Northern Lights Commences Exploration Work at Secret Pass Gold Project

Battery

• Metallurgical Test Work Confirms Premium High Grade 65.8 Percent Iron Ore Concentrate with 0.67 Percent V205 at the Mont Sorcier Iron Ore and Vanadium Project
• Ceylon Graphite Achieves 99.9997 Percent Graphite Purity, Exceeding Lithium Ion Battery Requirements

Precious

• Monterey Minerals Signs LOI to Acquire the Alicia Project in the Philippines
• Triumph Gold Releases Updated Mineral Resource Estimates for Nucleus, Revenue and Tinta Deposits on the Freegold Mountain Property
• Sirios Signs Agreement with Exploration Dios in Azimut’s Elmer Gold Discovery Area
• High Grade Gold Intersections Discovered by Seahawk Ventures Inc. 2019 Diamond Drill Program
• Emgold and Rio Tinto PLC Sign Earn-In with Option to Joint Venture Agreement for the New York Canyon Property
• Silver Viper Drills Expand The El Rubi Discovery with Additional High-Grade Gold and Silver Intercepts
• Great Bear Drills 10.58 g/t Gold Over 21.00 m and Initiates 5 Kilometre Grid Drill Program at LP Fault
• Amex Reports 29.40 g/t Au Over 8.50 Metres in Deepest Hole to Date on Eastern Gold Zone

Energy

• IsoEnergy Intersects Strongest Uranium Mineralization to Date at the Hurricane Zone
• President Trump Requests US$1.5 Billion Over 10 Years to Establish United States Uranium Reserve

Feb 7 Big News Roundup: White Gold Corp. Intercepts Significant Gold Values on Multiple New Drill Targets Across the White Gold Property, Plateau Energy Metals Announces Positive PEA for Falchani Lithium Project, IsoEnergy Intersects Strong Radioactivity at the Hurricane Uranium Zone

The TSX Composite dropped 42.37 points to open Friday’s session, pulling back from previous record highs. The descent on Friday followed a pair of unfortunate developments for Canadian cannabis provider Aurora Cannabis (NYSE:ACB,TSX:ACB), which announced it would be cutting 500 employees on Thursday. Chief Executive Officer Terry Booth has also announced he will step down. Four different analysts downgraded Aurora’s stock this week on the heels of the announcement. The company is expected to record as much as C$1 billion in goodwill writedowns and impairment charges in its fiscal second quarter.

The TSX Venture Exchange fell 0.9 points to open Friday at 577.10, with eight of the 12 TSX subgroups in the red. Utilities (up 0.5 percent), real-estate (up 0.4 percent) and gold (up 0.3 percent) lead the way with minimal gains. In the United States, stocks fell as worries regarding the coronavirus continued to dampen the market. The S&P 500 dropped 10.4 points to open Friday’s session at 3,335.38.

In case you missed it, here is this week’s resource big news roundup: 

Base

• Pistol Bay Options Out Garnet Lake and Fredart Claims in Red Lake, Ontario

Battery

• Lithium Chile Announces Completion of First Drill Hole on the Turi Property and Results from Recent Check Assays on the Laguna Blanca Property
• Plateau Energy Metals Announces Positive PEA for Falchani Lithium Project

Precious

• Beauce Gold Fields: Visible Gold Extracted From Volcanic Rock Samples Associated With the Major Geological Fault
• Talisker Enters into Option Agreement for Golden Hornet Property
• Nexus Gold Acquires Manzour-Dayere Gold Project, Burkina Faso, West Africa
• Sirios Announces an Aero Magnetic Survey to be Undertaken on its Newly Acquired Niska Property in the Area of Azimut’s Elmer Discovery
• Margaux Resources Announces Results of 2019 Exploration Program at Cassiar Gold Property
• Adamera Partners with Hochschild Mining to Test High-Grade Gold Targets
• White Gold Corp. Intercepts Significant Gold Values on Multiple New Drill Targets Across the White Gold Property
• Amex Reports Near Surface and High-Grade Gold at Grey Cat and Gratien Gold Zones

Energy

• IsoEnergy Intersects Strong Radioactivity at the Hurricane Uranium Zone
• Greenlane Renewables Signs New $7.0 Million System Supply Contract with the Renewable Natural Gas Company

Jan 31 Resource Big News Roundup: Thunderstruck Drills 13.8 Percent Zinc, 2.94 Percent Copper over 11 Metres at its Korokayiu Copper-Zinc VMS Prospect, QMX Intersects Strong Initial Results from the River Target; 39.8 g/t Gold Over 2.0 Metres and 17.71 g/t Gold Over 4.0 Metres

Concerns regarding the potential for global economic damage due to the coronavirus caused energy shares and equities to tumble early Friday morning. The TSX Composite Index fell 99.15 points to open the final session of the month at 17,391.41. According to market analysts, the economic damage of the coronavirus has the potential to be massive on a global scale, resulting in tentative speculation across the board. “The virus outbreak represents this unknown that, frankly, markets aren’t very good at handicapping,” David Lafferty, chief market strategist at Natixis Investment Managers in Boston, told Bloomberg. “It’s almost like an open-ended risk.” The World Health Organization (WHO) upgraded the coronavirus to a global health emergency on Thursday, underscoring the serious nature of the outbreak. The designation is designed to enable the United Nations health agency to activate financial and political support for countries fighting the outbreak.

The TSX Venture jumped up 2.14 points to open at 577.30 on Friday morning, with eight of the 12 TSX subgroups falling slightly. Gold majors including Detour Gold and Kirkland Lake Gold bucked the trend this week, gaining 4.7 percent and 4.3 percent respectively.

In case you missed it, here is this week’s resource big news roundup:

Base

• Pistol Bay Options Out Dixie 17-20, Red Lake, Ontario
• Thunderstruck Drills 13.8 Percent Zinc, 2.94 Percent Copper over 11 Metres at its Korokayiu Copper-Zinc VMS Prospect
• Nevada Copper Engages Leading Mining Contractor Redpath for Ramp Up to Full Commercial Production

Battery

• Piedmont Lithium Reports New Spodumene Pegmatite Discoveries and Final Phase 4 Drill Results
• A.I.S. Resources Completes Peru Manganese Trade, Zambian Ores Assay 53 Percent Mn
• Canadian Palladium Signs 10,000 M Diamond Drill Contract

Precious

• Guyana Goldstrike Signs US$9 Million Gold Forward Purchase Agreement
• Sirios Files the 43-101 Report of the Resources Estimate for the Cheechoo Gold Project in Quebec
• QMX Intersects Strong Initial Results from the River Target; 39.8 g/t Gold Over 2.0 Metres and 17.71 g/t Gold Over 4.0 Metres
• Goldspot Discoveries AI-Targeted Drilling Discovers New Zone Containing 19.0m of 92.86 g/t Gold in Newfoundland, Canada

Energy

• Greenlane Renewables Signs Agreement in Principle with SWEN Capital Partners

Jan 24 Resource Big News Roundup: Blackstone Intersects 60m @ 1.3% Nickel from 32m in King Cobra Discovery Drill Hole, Steppe Gold Announces Landmark Investment by Mongolian National Investment Fund, Azarga Uranium Files Robust PEA for Dewey Burdock Project

Canadian stocks hovered just short of all-time highs to close the week on Friday as concerns regarding the emerging coronavirus outbreak in China softened. After initial reports of quarantines and travel restrictions in China, the first US case of the disease was discovered in Washington state. According to ING senior rates strategist Antoine Bouvet, these critical public safety improvements can lead to strong reactions in the market. “Drastic steps, such as city-wide quarantine measures, can be a double-edged sword when it comes to market impact,” he wrote in a morning note via Bloomberg. “On the one hand they signal the authorities are taking the problem seriously and help containment, on the other hand, they help paint a dramatic picture to investors unfamiliar with dealing with this sort of risk.”

The TSX Composite Index opened Friday up 5.14 points at 17,626.92. On the TSX Venture Exchange, seven of the 12 Toronto subgroups made gains, with information technology leading the way, jumping 0.6 percent. The TSX Venture Exchange gained 0.77 points to hit 583.15 as of Friday morning.

In case you missed it, here is this week’s resource big news roundup:

Base

• Blackstone Intersects 60m @ 1.3% Nickel from 32m in King Cobra Discovery Drill Hole
• Comet Resources Announces Proposed Acquisition of new Copper Exploration Project in NSW, Australia
• Pistol Bay Expedites Acquisition of Garnet Lake/Arrow Zone and Fredart/Copperload Properties

Precious

• Renforth Discovers New Gold Bearing Zones in Unexplored Cadillac Break at Wholly Owned New Alger Property
• FireFox Gold Completes Recon Drill Program at Jeesiö Gold Project, Finland
• Adamera Minerals and Hochschild Mining Sign Agreement on Cooke Mountain Gold Project
• Steppe Gold Announces Landmark Investment by Mongolian National Investment Fund
• Surface Grab Samples Yield up to 6.4 g/t Gold on New Targets at Jeesiö Gold Project

Energy

• Azarga Uranium Files Robust PEA for Dewey Burdock Project
• IsoEnergy Begins Winter Drilling Program at the Hurricane Uranium Zone

Jan 17 Resource Big News Roundup: Pistol Bay Acquires Land Package in the Greenstone Belt in Quebec, First Cobalt Reports 49 Percent Upgrade in Cobalt Resource from Inferred to Indicated at Idaho Project, Silver Viper Drills Multiple High-Grade Gold and Silver Intercepts in the New El Rubi Discovery Zone of the La Virginia Project

North America’s markets continued strong performances this week based on positive economic figures and increased optimism regarding trade talks between China and the United States. The two economic powers signed Phase 1 of a trade deal on Wednesday, signaling the potential end to a lengthy dispute between the two nations. “It takes a little uncertainty off the table even though there’s still a lot of work left to be done there,” Scott Guitard, vice-president and portfolio manager at Fiduciary Trust Canada told BNN Bloomberg. “But it shows that it wasn’t fully priced in. Maybe the market still had a bit of a risk priced in that something wouldn’t happen in the near-term, but also I think it shows that investors are looking for positives in the market.”

These positive developments on the international stage helped drive the TSX Composite Index up 38.45 points to open Friday at 17,484.77. In Canadian market news, eight of the 12 TSX subgroups opened in positive territory on Friday with real-estate leading the way up 0.4 percent. The TSX Venture Exchange rose 2.05 points to hit 585.16 Friday morning.

In case you missed it, here is this week’s resource big news roundup:

Base

• Angkor Signs USD $4.6 Million Earn-In Agreement on Oyadao License
• Imperial Mining and SOQUEM Commence $1 million Geophysical and Diamond Drilling Program at the Carheil Copper-Zinc Project, Quebec
• Pistol Bay Acquires Land Package in the Greenstone Belt in the James Bay Region, Quebec

Battery

• Fresh Assays Show Massive Native Silver Grades in Second Wedge Hole at Castle East Discovery
• First Cobalt Reports 49 Percent Upgrade in Cobalt Resource from Inferred to Indicated at Idaho Project
• American Battery Metals Signs LOI to Acquire the Advanced-Stage Elk Gold Mine in BC

Precious Metals

• Silver Viper Drills Multiple High-Grade Gold and Silver Intercepts in the New El Rubi Discovery Zone of the La Virginia Project
• NV Gold Signs Binding LOI for Option to Acquire 100 Percent of the Silver District Property in Arizona, USA
• Golden Ridge Resources Outlines Additional Soil-Copper Zones with Rock Grab Samples up to 2.91 Percent Copper

Jan 10 Resource Big News Roundup: Granada Gold Mine Intersects 11.45 g/t Gold Over 33 Meters, Supports Continuity of High-Grade Structures, Battery Grade Lithium Carbonate with 99.9 Percent Purity Produced from Kachi, Puma Samples 1.87 Percent Cu and 1.06 g/t Au in the East Zone of Chester Property

Canada’s main stock exchange saw record highs this week as political tensions drove stocks upwards. The S&P/TSX Composite Index opened Friday just short of the week’s highs, pulling back 28.14 points to 17,207.43 after a week driven by conflict on the international stage. The TSX Venture Composite Index bounced back by 1.05 points on Friday to open at 578.72 with each of the 12 Toronto subgroups divided evenly.

In the cannabis industry, this week a number of experts cautioned investors against Aurora Cannabis (NYSE:ACB, TSX:ACB), a Canadian licensed producer with a $360 million loan due in August 2021. According to Bank Of America analyst Christopher Carey, the company’s financial commitments remain a significant concern for shareholders. “With balance sheet risks to remain a core investment thesis in 2020 in our view, and lingering uncertainty especially on financial covenants, we struggle to envision a scenario where shares have sustainable support.”

In case you missed it, here is this week’s resource big news roundup:

Base

• Puma Samples 1.87 Percent Cu and 1.06 g/t Au in the East Zone of Chester Property
• Pistol Bay Mining Releases Exploration Plans for Multiple Gold-VMS Drill Permitted Targets in Red Lake District

Battery

• Surge Successfully Sells its Trapper Lake Land Positions to Brixton Metals
• American Battery Metals Corporation Announces Launch of Leading-Edge Battery Recycling Project; “Perfect Complement” to the Company’s Extraction and Mining Production Divisions
• Battery Grade Lithium Carbonate with 99.9 Percent Purity Produced from Kachi
• Canada Cobalt and Polymet Enter Into Definitive Purchase Agreement

Precious

• Golden Ridge Resources Discovers New Copper Zone Near Schaft Creek with Grab Samples up to 5.29 Percent Copper
• Newrange Gold Confirms Additional Continuity of Gold Mineralization and Provides Summary of Results at Good Hope Mine
• White Gold Corp. Intercepts High-Grade Gold on 5 New Drill Targets on JP Ross Property Further Validating and Extending Regional Scale Mineralized Footprint
• Granada Gold Mine Intersects 11.45 g/t Gold Over 33 Meters, Supports Continuity of High-Grade Structures
• Rio Silver Inc. Acquires the Palta Dorada Gold-Silver-Copper Project in Northern Peru and Signs Memorandum of Understanding for Joint Development
• Velocity Announces Initial Drill Results from the Sedefche Gold Project, Southeast Bulgaria

December 20th Big News Roundup: Nevada Copper Commences Production at Pumpkin Hollow, Aurex Energy Corp. Signs Natural Gas Agreement, Great Bear Drills New “Gap” Zone: 16.80 g/t Gold Over 4.15 m and 1.25 g/t Gold Over 45.50 m

The markets remained positive to close the week following the impeachment of US President Donald Trump on Thursday. While the third impeachment of a sitting US President itself is massive news, the investor focus appears to be on the looming end to the trade war between the United States and China. “It appears to be having zero effect,” Michael Currie, vice president and investment adviser at TD Wealth told BNN Bloomberg. “You would have expected maybe a little uncertainty, a little confusion, a little up and down, but just business as usual. It’s like it didn’t even happen.” Both investors and political analysts appear convinced that Donald Trump’s impeachment will not ultimately result in his removal from office.

The S&P/TSX Composite Index (INDEXTSI:OSPTX) continued to rise this week on the heels of trade talk optimism, closing Thursday’s session at 17,064.00, 64 points short of a record high. 

On Bay Street, the TSX Venture Exchange dropped 0.06 points to 544.58 on Friday. The relatively quiet week was driven by 12 subsectors that saw small rises over the week including technology (up 0.7 percent), financial (up 0.5 percent), and consumer staples (up 0.4 percent).

In case you missed it, here is this week’s resource big news roundup: 

Base

• Nevada Copper Commences Production at Pumpkin Hollow
• Aurex Energy Corp. Signs Natural Gas Agreement
• Noble Completes Royalty Reduction Agreements
• Western Announces Significant Northern Extension of Casino

Battery

• A.I.S. Resources Signs LOI to Exploit Manganese Deposit in Panama

Precious

• Great Bear Drills New “Gap” Zone: 16.80 g/t Gold Over 4.15 m and 1.25 g/t Gold Over 45.50 m
• White Gold Corp. Drills 4.31 g/t Au over 11.6m from 31.0m Depth, Extends High-Grade Mineralized Structures Within Large Mineralized Zone at Vertigo Discovery, JP Ross Property

Dec 13th Big News Roundup: Nevada Copper Commences Production at Pumpkin Hollow, Aurex Energy Corp. Signs Natural Gas Agreement, Great Bear Drills New “Gap” Zone: 16.80 g/t Gold Over 4.15 m and 1.25 g/t Gold Over 45.50 m

The markets remained positive to close the week following the impeachment of US President Donald Trump on Thursday. While the third impeachment of a sitting US President itself is massive news, the investor focus appears to be on the looming end to the trade war between the United States and China. “It appears to be having zero effect,” Michael Currie, vice president and investment adviser at TD Wealth told BNN Bloomberg. “You would have expected maybe a little uncertainty, a little confusion, a little up and down, but just business as usual. It’s like it didn’t even happen.” Both investors and political analysts appear convinced that Donald Trump’s impeachment will not ultimately result in his removal from office.

The S&P/TSX Composite Index (INDEXTSI:OSPTX) continued to rise this week on the heels of trade talk optimism, closing Thursday’s session at 17,064.00, 64 points short of a record high. 

On Bay Street, the TSX Venture Exchange dropped 0.06 points to 544.58 on Friday. The relatively quiet week was driven by 12 subsectors that saw small rises over the week including technology (up 0.7 percent), financial (up 0.5 percent), and consumer staples (up 0.4 percent).

In case you missed it, here is this week’s resource big news roundup: 

Base

• Nevada Copper Commences Production at Pumpkin Hollow
• Aurex Energy Corp. Signs Natural Gas Agreement
• Noble Completes Royalty Reduction Agreements
• Western Announces Significant Northern Extension of Casino

Battery

• A.I.S. Resources Signs LOI to Exploit Manganese Deposit in Panama

Precious

• Great Bear Drills New “Gap” Zone: 16.80 g/t Gold Over 4.15 m and 1.25 g/t Gold Over 45.50 m
• White Gold Corp. Drills 4.31 g/t Au over 11.6m from 31.0m Depth, Extends High-Grade Mineralized Structures Within Large Mineralized Zone at Vertigo Discovery, JP Ross Property

Dec 6 Big News Roundup: Azarga Reports Robust PEA Results for Dewey Burdock; Steppe Gold’s ATO Mine Fully Permitted and Commencing Production; Canada Cobalt PolyMet Acquisition Moves Forward

US stocks dropped this week on Tuesday after US President Donald Trump said that he was in no hurry to make a trade deal with China, according to Reuters. Insiders have stated that the “two countries have made progress in their talks but are still wrangling over whether the existing US tariffs will be removed or not.” On Friday, the S&P/TSX Composite Index (INDEXTSI:OSPTX) rocketed upward on gains in the energy sector with Trump improving investing sentiments by assuring investors that talks with Beijing were “moving right along.”

As for the S&P/TSX Venture Composite Index (INDEXTSI:JX), it was on the rise this week. On Friday, the index fell 2.6 points to 537.10 but received a significant boost later in the day after the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) agreed to extend output cuts by 500,000 barrels per day in early 2020. The resulting cuts led to a three percent boost in the energy sector. Real estate, gold and communications were also up for the day.

In case you missed it, here is this week’s resource big news roundup:

Base:

• Noble Announces Completion of Crawford Nickel Project Property Transfer and Increase in Canada Nickel Private Placement to $6.5 million
• Silver Spruce Staking Builds 20km Strike of Melchett Lake VMS-Au Targets

Battery:

• Standard Lithium Entering Commissioning Phase of Its Lithium Extraction Demonstration Plant at the Arkansas Project Site
• Canada Cobalt PolyMet Acquisition Moves Forward

Energy:

• Greenlane Renewables and Other Biogas Industry Leaders Announce Innovative Global Partnership to Provide Integrated Biogas Solutions
• Azarga Reports Robust PEA Results for Dewey Burdock Project

Precious: 

• Steppe Gold’s ATO Mine Fully Permitted and Commencing Gold Production
• Newrange Gold Closes Sale of Yarumalito Project in Colombia
• Nexus Gold Options Interest in Rakounga Gold Project for $2.25 Million in Cash and Work Commitments
• White Gold Corp. Stakes Strategic Claims in White Gold District, Yukon & Management to Provide Corporate Update Webinar Focusing on Titan Discovery Today at 4 PM EST

This article is updated each week. Please scroll up for the most recent information.

November 29 Big News Roundup: Flower One Partners with Kiva Confections, Leading California Edible Producer, High Tide Selected to Manage Cannabis Retail Store in West Edmonton Mall, Heritage Announces Health Canada Approval for Additional Extraction Rooms at Fort Erie

U.S. Stock index futures closed strongly this week during a shortened trading session, finalizing an impressive month for the stock market. On Wall Street, the S&P/TSX Composite Index (INDEXTSI:OSPTX) fell 5.62 points to 3,148.01. Despite the slight dip on Friday, the S&P500 remains up more than six percent since June. November is on pace to be the best month for the S&P500 since June’s major gains. Analysts remain focused on Black Friday sales across the United States as retail giants compete for sales on the busiest shopping day of the year in the country. Major retailers like Best Buy, Walmart and Macy’s are expected to lead the way this year.

In Canada, the recent release of the country’s gross domestic product data sent the market trading down slightly with the S&P/TSX Venture Composite Index (INDEXTSI:JX) opening Friday at 532.80. Seven of the Toronto subgroups gained ground this week, including consumer staples which rose 0.4 percent while communications and consumer discretionaries each rose 0.3 percent.

The price of gold rose slightly this week, gaining two dollars to hit US$1,462.80 per ounce.

In case you missed it, here is this week’s resource big news roundup:

Base

• Angkor Reports Results From Banlung Drill Program
• 96 Percent CU Recovery in Column Bioleach Amenability Tests
• Silver Spruce Executes Definitive Agreement for Melchett Lake VMS-Au Project
• Noble Signs Implementation Agreement for Consolidation and Spin-out of Crawford Nickel Project to Canada Nickel Company Inc. and Agreements to Complete Royalty Reduction

Battery

• Piedmont Lithium Receives Federal Permit to Develop Mine
• American Manganese Begins Negotiations with Kemetco Research on the Preliminary Engineering Design and Economic Analysis of a Commercial Demonstration Recycling Plant for Lithium-ion Battery Material

Precious

• White Gold Corp. Makes New High-Grade Gold Discovery
• Aben Reports Final Drill Results from 2019 Exploration Program and Completes Earn-in for the Forrest Kerr Gold Project in BC’s Golden Triangle

To see our previous Resource Investing Big News Roundups, please click here.

Nov 22 Big News Roundup: A.I.S. Resources Arranges Supply of 30,000 Tonnes a Month of Manganese Ore, ALX Uranium Corp. Receives Additional Results up to 3.17 Percent Nickel at Falcon Nickel Project, Golden Ridge Drills 291 Meters of 0.66 g/t AuEq in the Ball Creek Main Zone

Tensions surrounding trade talks between the United States and China kept stocks trading within a tight 1 percent range of a record high this week on the S&P/TSX Composite Index (INDEXTSI:OSPTX). There is a gentle optimism over reports Chinese Vice Premier Liu He has invited Robert Lighthizer to Beijing for talks later this month according to sources close to the matter. The United States is also expected to postpone new tariffs that were previously scheduled for December if no deal can be reached by then. 

The S&P/TSX Venture Composite Index (INDEXTSI:JX) remained steady on Friday morning as continued losses in the cannabis sector worked against the generally positive sentiment generated by trade talks between China and the United States. HEXO (NYSE:HEXO,TSX:HEXO) was one of the most noteworthy stocks in the red this week after the company came forward with the revelation that it had been illegally growing cannabis in an unlicensed section of its production facilities in Niagara, Ontario. HEXO came to own the facility through its C$263 acquisition of Newstrike Brands.

Gold prices remained steady to close the wee, opening on Friday at US$1,464.90 per ounce.

In case you missed it, here is this week’s resource big news roundup:

Base

• Fireweed Zinc Receives Upgraded Permit for Macmillan Pass

Battery

• American Manganese Inc. Reports 99.977 Percent Purity from Recycled Lithium-ion Battery Material
• Fortune Minerals Signs Access Agreement With the Tlicho Government for the NICO Project Access Road
• American Battery Metals Corporation Expands its Operations with a Chemistry and Research Lab
• A.I.S. Resources Arranges Supply of 30,000 Tonnes a Month of Manganese Ore and Commences Sale Negotiations with Erdos Group

Energy

• ALX Uranium Corp. Receives Additional Results up to 3.17 Percent Nickel at Falcon Nickel Project

Precious

• Northern Lights Confirms Assay Results from Secret Pass Gold Project
• Newrange Gold identifies new area of high grade gold mineralization at Good Hope Mine in Nevada
• Golden Ridge Drills 291 Meters of 0.66 g/t AuEq in the Ball Creek Main Zone
• Talisker Announces Agreement to Acquire Bralorne Gold Project in British Columbia and Financing
• Red Pine Intersects Unexpected Gold Zones at the Wawa Gold Project

To see our previous Resource Investing Big News Roundups, please click here.

Nov 15 Big News Roundup: Puma Adds Claims at Chester VMS Deposit, American Manganese Reports 99.98 Percent Purity from Recycled Battery Material, Silver Spruce Verifies High-Grade Polymetallic Results

The S&P/TSX Composite Index (INDEXTSI:OSPTX) hit a new all-time high on Friday, reflecting positive movement on Wall Street as trade optimism regarding the ongoing talks between China and the United States carried the market. According to Reuters, White House economic advisor Larry Kudlow said on Thursday that the two major world powers were close to an agreement based on positive trade talks during the week. “We are definitely headed in the right direction with regard to trade,” said Keith Buchanan, portfolio manager at GlobAlt in Atlanta. “Although there was some skittishness … the equity market hasn’t shown much of a pull back and we are still making those highs.”

The S&P/TSX Venture Composite Index (INDEXTSI:JX) dropped 0.53 points to open Friday at 526.62, with all but three Toronto subgroups in positive territory. Most notably, energy jumped 1.1 percent while consumer staples moved forward 0.4 percent and information technology gained 0.1 percent. The Canadian cannabis sector took a significant hit on Thursday after major licensed producer Canopy Growth (NYSE:CGC,TSX:WEED) announced C$374.6 million in losses, causing the company’s stock to hit an intra-day low of $20.15 on the TSX. According to interim CEO Mark Zekulin, it is “increasingly unlikely,’ that the company hits its fourth-quarter revenue projections ending in March.

In case you missed it, here is this week’s resource big news roundup:

Base

• Puma Adds More Claims at Chester VMS Deposit

Battery

• American Manganese Inc. Reports 99.98 Percent Purity from Recycled Lithium-Ion Battery Material
• E3 Metals to Scale Up Testing with Large Lithium-Enriched Brine Sample

Energy

• ALX Uranium Corp. Samples up to 3.13 Percent Nickel at Falcon Nickel Project, Saskatchewan
• Azarga Sells Non-Core Kyzyl Ompul Project

Industrial

• Black Iron And Ukrainian Government Agree On Terms For Essential Land Transfer

Precious

• Golden Predator Announces Successful Environmentally Friendly Gold Recovery Leach Tests
• Silver Spruce Verifies High Grade Polymetallic Zinc-Copper-Silver at Melchett Lake

Nov 8 Big News Roundup: Newrange Gold Sells Yarumalito Project in Colombia; Surge Acquires Additional Claims Near the Caledonia Project; Deep-South Resources Achieves 90 Percent Cu Recovery in Column Bioleach Amenability Tests

Stocks were on the rise Thursday only to come to a halt as US-China trade woes sparked caution in the hearts of investors. According to a Reuters article, a meeting between US President Donald Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping to sign the long-awaited trade deal could be delayed until December as deal terms and venues are discussed. Those concerns were laid to rest the next day when China announced that it had agreed with the US to remove existing tariffs in stages as part of a working deal.  

Building on the momentum from earlier in the week, the S&P/TSX Composite Index (INDEXTSI:OSPTX) extended its gains to its sixth straight session on Friday. A rally in the technology and healthcare sectors led the upswing, but a lower oil price, weak Canadian jobs and an update to housing permits data eventually slowed gains. According to Statistics Canada, the economy lost 1,800 jobs in October, surprising economists who were calling for an increase of 38,000 jobs last month. 

As for the S&P/TSX Venture Composite Index (INDEXTSI:JX), it steadily fell for most of the week. On Friday, half of the 12 Toronto subgroups were up on the day. Leading the way for gains was information technology, which was up by 1.2 percent, followed by healthcare and industrials, gaining one percent and 0.5 percent, respectively. Gold and materials were dragging the index down, each losing 0.6 percent, followed by energy stocks which were lagging by 0.5 percent.

In case you missed it, here is this week’s resource big news roundup:

Base:

• Fireweed Drills 100 m of 7.94 Percent Zinc from Surface at Boundary including 6.4 m of 42.49 Percent Zinc Within 230 m of 4.14 Percent Zinc
• Deep-South Resources Achieves 90 Percent Cu Recovery in Column Bioleach Amenability Tests Performed on Haib Copper Mineralized Material from Namibia

Battery:

• Surge Acquires Additional Claims Nearby the Recently Optioned Caledonia Project in British Columbia, Canada
• Primary Energy Metals Enters into Definitive Agreement to Acquire Colombian Licensed Producer
• Pancon Intersects 1.3 Percent Nickel, 0.47 Percent Copper and 5.6 Percent Sulphur over 4.2 Metres, Demonstrating Ni-Cu Sulphide Potential at the St. Laurent Project
• VanadiumCorp Forms Subsidiary and Acquires Facility for VRFB Production in Germany

Precious:

• 21C Metals and Grid Metals Form Exploration Information Alliance to Optimize Exploration of Palladium Mineralization in East Bull Intrusion
• Northern Lights Completes Cash Payments for 100 Percent Acquisition of the Secret Pass Gold Project
• Golden Predator Intercepts 6.1 m of 9.33 g/t Gold at Brewery Creek’s Lucky Deposit
• Newrange Gold Sells Yarumalito Project in Colombia

Nov 1 Big News Roundup: Silver Spruce Signs MOU with China University of Mining and Technology; Definitive Agreement Signed For VanadiumCorp’s Iron-T Vanadium Project; Mineralized Breccia Grading 1.03% Co and 0.36 g/t Au Discovered at Puma’s Portage Lake

The S&P/TSX Composite Index (INDEXTSI:OSPTX) remained mostly flat this week. The index did gain traction late in the day on Thursday following the announcement that the US Federal Reserve will cut interest rates for the third time this year. Stocks slid in the US yesterday as Chinese officials doubted whether a trade deal would be signed. According to Bloomberg, Chinese officials have reportedly suggested that they are unwilling to make concessions on some of the significant economic reforms the Trump administration has called for. Gains from yesterday spilled over to Friday as energy stocks pushed the TSX to a one-month high. Sentiment around global growth is also up on the back of upbeat US job numbers and robust manufacturing data out of China. 

As for the S&P/TSX Venture Composite Index (INDEXTSI:JX), it slid on Monday and remained flat for the rest of the week. On Friday, 10 out of the 12 Toronto subgroups were up within the first hour. Energy led the charge with a 1.9 percent gain, followed by information technology up 1.4 percent and industrials up 0.9 percent. Gold and materials dragged the index down, losing 0.6 percent and 0.2 percent, respectively.

In case you missed it, here is this week’s resource big news roundup:

Base:

• Field Reconnaissance at Puma’s Portage Lake (Cu-Ni-Co) Lead to the Discovery of a Mineralized Breccia Grading 1.03 Percent Co and 0.63 g/t Au

Battery:

• American Battery Metals Corporation Wins Coveted Greentown Labs/BASF Circularity Challenge for Battery Recycling
• Definitive Agreement Signed For Acquisition & Secured Off-take For VanadiumCorp’s Iron-T Vanadium Project
• A.I.S. Resources Arranges a Monthly Manganese Supply of 1,500 Tonnes and Sells Initial Shipment of 454 Wet Metric Tonnes Manganese

Precious:

• Silver Spruce Announces MOU with China University of Mining and Technology for Joint Geological Research
• GoldSpot Signs 4-year Deal with MERC, Collaborating on a $104 Million MERC-led R&D Program

Oct 25 Big News Roundup: Major US Multinational EV Maker Tests Graphite One Material; ALX Uranium Acquires Draco VMS Project in Norway; GoldSpot and Vale to Use Artificial Intelligence at Coleman Mine

Following Canada’s Federal election on Monday, the S&P/TSX Composite Index (INDEXTSI:OSPTX) rose slightly before falling for the next two days. The index received a small lift on Thursday as investors moved from utilities and real estate to more cyclical sectors of the market like technology, consumer discretionary and industrials. On Friday, the index was treading water as losses in technology and energy outweighed gold price gains in the precious metals sector. 

As for the S&P/TSX Venture Composite Index (INDEXTSI:JX), it stayed relatively flat for most of the week. On Friday, seven of the 12 Toronto subgroups were down in the first hour. The index was dragged down by the information technology sector, which was down 0.9 percent and industrials and energy both lost 0.5 percent. Gold and materials led the way for the gainers, each up 1.8 percent, followed by healthcare, which is up 1.2 percent.

In case you missed it, here is this week’s resource big news roundup:

Battery:

• Azincourt Energy Amends Terms of Option to Acquire Uranium-Lithium Projects in Southern Peru
• NextSource Materials Secures Registered Trademark for Molo SuperFlake® Graphite in Canada
• Major U.S. Multinational Electric Vehicle Maker Tests Graphite One Material

Energy:

• ALX Uranium Corp. Acquires Draco VMS Project in Norway

Precious: 

• Sixty North Gold Enters into Amending Agreement with New Discovery Mines Ltd.
• Bullfrog Gold Achieves High Leach Recoveries at its Nevada Project
• White Gold Corp. Encounters High-Grade Surface Results on Recently Discovered Titan Target Including Grab Samples of 605 g/t Gold, 497 g/t Gold and 113 g/t Gold, GT Probe Samples up to 17.35 g/t Gold
• Noble Agrees to Acquire 5 Percent NSR
• GoldSpot Discoveries and Vale to Use Artificial Intelligence at Coleman Mine
• AIS Resources Options Gold Mine In Peru Producing 5kg Gold Per Week

Oct 18 Big News Roundup: MustGrow Finalizes ‘Liquid Formulation’ Mustard-Derived Bio-Pesticide; IsoEnergy Acquires Collins Bay Extension Uranium Property; EnviroLeach and Golden Predator Announce Cyanide-Free Bulk Testing Agreement

Stocks rose on Tuesday as corporations started to announce their third-quarter results. Investors also continued to look for signs that Trump’s phase one trade deal with China would materialize. The market had another boost on Thursday as Canada celebrated its first anniversary of cannabis legalization as well as welcomed new cannabis products to the market. On Friday, the S&P/TSX Composite Index (INDEXTSI:OSPTX) rose slightly. The index was bumped higher by energy stocks, but China’s slowest growth in nearly three decades renewed concerns about global growth, capping any gains. 

As for the S&P/TSX Venture Composite Index (INDEXTSI:JX), it spiked on Tuesday and Thursday for the same reasons that the TSX index did. On Friday, Seven of the 12 Toronto subgroups experienced losses midday. Leading the way in losses were consumer discretionary and healthcare stocks, which each tumbled 2.3 percent, and information technology stocks were down by 1.1 percent. The five gainers were led by industrials and financials, each up 0.4 percent, followed by communications which gained 0.2 percent. 

In case you missed it, here is this week’s resource big news roundup:

Agriculture: 

• MustGrow Finalizes ‘Liquid Formulation’ Mustard-Derived Bio-Pesticide

Base:

• Thunderstruck Samples 41.6 g/t Au and 1,205 g/t Ag at Liwa Creek; Announces Results from Academic Studies
• Puma Acquires the Jonpol Gold Project in Northern New Brunswick, Canada
• Fireweed Drills 250 m True Width of 3.44 Percent Zinc from Surface at Boundary Including Intersections of 23.31m of 16.35 Percent Zinc and 11.85m of 13.63 Percent Zinc+Lead

Battery:

• Surge Acquires an Option to Purchase a 100 Percent Interest in a Polymetallic Silver, Copper, Lead, Zinc Deposit in British Columbia, Canada
• VanadiumCorp & Electrochem Expand the Intellectual Property Portfolio into the European Union
• PLAN Announces Exchange Approval of 2nd Zeolite Property in BC and Announces First Toll Processing Contract Completed

Energy:

• IsoEnergy Acquires Collins Bay Extension Uranium Property

Precious:

• Canada Cobalt Pours First Silver Bars
• EnviroLeach and Golden Predator Announce Cyanide-Free Bulk Testing Agreement
• White Gold Corp. Trenches 83.13 g/t Gold over 2.2m, 30.86 g/t Gold over 7m and 24.86 g/t Gold over 7m on Vertigo and Encounters High-Grade Trench Results on Multiple New Targets
• Pancon Further Expands Its Jefferson Gold Project Surrounding the Former Brewer Gold Mine, Outlines Upcoming Exploration Program
• Sixty North Gold Trenches 203 g/t Silver, 1.0 g/t Gold over 0.45 m in VMS Zone

Oct 11 Big News Roundup: First Cobalt Restores Power at the Refinery; Canada Cobalt Signs Binding LOI to Acquire Strategic Assets; Aurex Energy Signs LOI For Natural Gas Joint Venture

All of the indices fell by more than one percent on Tuesday this week as investors continued to monitor the trade tensions between the US and China. Stocks immediately fell on Tuesday after the Trump administration placed bans on numerous Chinese government officials and companies that are tied to alleged human rights abuses. Despite a rocky start to the week, the S&P/TSX Composite Index (INDEXTSI:OSPTX) steadily rose for the remainder of the week. The Dow Jones industrial average and the S&P500 both rose 1.6 percent on Thursday thanks to rumors regarding a possible end to the US-China trade war, and reports of an Iranian tanker attack lifted oil prices. 

As for the S&P/TSX Venture Composite Index (INDEXTSI:JX), it steadily declined all week. Seven of the 12 Toronto subgroups were lower with gold leading the way in losses at 2.3 percent, followed by materials slipping one percent and utilities dipping 0.9 percent. Leading the way in gains is energy up 1.4 percent, healthcare rising 0.7 percent and financials edging up at 0.6 percent.

In case you missed it, here is this week’s resource big news roundup:

Base:

• ALX Uranium Acquires Additional Claims at Falcon Nickel Project, Saskatchewan

Battery:

• A.I.S. Resources Signs Option Agreement on New Lithium Solvent Extraction Technology
• American Battery Metals Corporation’s Reservoir Size Vastly Surpasses Original Estimates According to its Geophysical Summary
• First Cobalt Restores Power at the Refinery and Commences Field Program
• E3 Metals’ Joint Development Project Commences with Initial US $1.5 M Contribution from Livent Corporation

Energy:

• Multiple Oil Seeps Documented On Angkor’s New Block VIII License
• Aurex Energy Corp. Signs Letter Of Intent For Natural Gas Joint Venture

Precious: 

• Sixty North Gold Negotiates Proposed Amendments to Earn-in Option Agreement
• Paramount Receives an Environmental Award From the State of Nevada’s Commission on Mineral Resources
• Great Bear Drills 125.00 m of 1.08 g/t Gold Between Bear-Rimini and Yuma Zones
• Canada Cobalt Signs Binding LOI to Acquire Strategic Assets

Oct 4 Big News Roundup: IsoEnergy Intersects 1.6 Percent U3O8 over 10.5m, Including 12.6 Percent U3O8 over 1.0m; Noble Mineral Creates Canada Nickel Company; Nexus Gold Enters LOI for Potential Sale of Interest in Gold Project in Burkina Faso

The S&P/TSX Composite Index (INDEXTSI:OSPTX) steadily fell this week after US economic reports showed that the country had the weakest manufacturing data in more than a decade. The contraction in the manufacturing sector suggests there will be weak non-farm employment numbers and weaker GDP numbers, according to CIBC Asset Manager Patrick Bernes. The news reawakened global recession fears for investors throughout the week. The index rallied on Friday after US data showed that there was moderate growth in September. 

As for the S&P/TSX Venture Composite Index (INDEXTSI:JX), it fell in the first half of the week and rose for the second half. Nine of the 12 Toronto subgroups were up on Friday. Information technology stocks took the lead with a 0.8 percent gain followed by healthcare up 0.7 percent and consumer discretionary rose 0.4 percent. Dragging the index down was consumer staples by 0.3 percent, energy down 0.2 percent and financial slipping 0.1 percent.

In case you missed it, here is this week’s resource big news roundup:

Energy: 

• IsoEnergy Intersects 1.6 Percent U3O8 over 10.5m in Drill Hole LE19-28, Including 12.6 Percent U3O8 over 1.0m

Precious:

• Steppe Receives an Additional US$5 Million Deposit Under Terms of Amended Gold Stream Agreement with Triple Flag and Repays Promissory Note
• Noble Mineral Exploration Inc. Announces Creation of Canada Nickel Company
• Nexus Gold Enters Letter of Intent for Potential Sale of Interest in Gold Project in Burkina Faso, West Africa
• Fidelity Minerals Arranges Sale of the Cerro Dorado Gold Plant for US$1,430,000
• Guyana Goldstrike Reports 47.6 g/t Au over 3 Metres within 9 Metres of 21.2 g/t Au at Marudi Gold Project, Guyana

Sept 27 Big News Roundup: Medallion Completes Proprietary Rare-Earth Flow Sheet; Fidelity Minerals Strengthens Project Portfolio; Lake Targets 2020 Pre-production at Kachi

On Tuesday, the S&P/TSX Composite Index (INDEXTSI:OSPTX) was on the rise in response to overnight tariff news out of China. However, news surfaced that the Democrats may take steps towards the impeachment of US President Donald Trump. The potential impeachment did not have a significant effect on the price of gold, which remained steady throughout the day. Gold prices were not able to hold their favorable position throughout the week, contributing to a sharp fall for the index on Friday. A drop in oil prices also contributed to the downturn of the index. 

As for the S&P/TSX Venture Composite Index (INDEXTSI:JX), it fell throughout the week. All but two of the 12 Toronto subgroups plunged into the red this morning. Gold experienced a 2.4 percent loss while healthcare took a 2.3 percent drop and materials shed 1.6 percent. The two gainers this morning were consumer discretionary stocks, which edged up 0.2 percent, and financial stocks, which just cleared breaking even at 0.01 percent.

In case you missed it, here is this week’s resource big news roundup:

Battery:

• Lake Targets 2020 Pre-production at Kachi With Pilot Plant Construction

Critical:

• Medallion Completes Proprietary Rare-Earth Flow Sheet

Energy:

• ALX Uranium Corp. Acquires Vixen Gold Project in Red Lake Mining District, Ontario

Precious:

• Fidelity Minerals Strengthens Project Portfolio
• NV Gold Expands Property Position by Over 50 Percent at its High-Grade Root Spring Gold-Silver Project in Nevada
• Western Copper and Gold Intercepts 55.1 g/t Gold Over 2.97 Metres at Casino
• Silver Spruce Announces Melchett Lake VMS Project Acquisition

Sept 20 Big News Roundup: Pistol Bay Acquires Additional Gold Exploration Claims in Red Lake; OG DNA Genetics and Generic Gold Announce Definitive Agreement; Livent to Contribute up to US$5.5M to Advance E3 Metals’ Direct Lithium Extraction Process

Drones launched by Yemen’s Houthi rebels attacked the world’s largest oil processing facility in Saudi Arabia and an additional oilfield on Saturday, putting the global energy supply at risk. Energy stocks have subsequently been bumping the S&P/TSX Composite Index (INDEXTSI:OSPTX) up to record highs this week in the aftermath of the attacks. Tensions in the Middle East also helped push gold prices higher, and palladium hit a record peak due to short supply. The index got another boost when the US Federal Reserve announced their second interest rate cut for the year. 

As for the S&P/TSX Venture Composite Index (INDEXTSI:JX), it was on a downward trend for most of the week. The index received a quick bump on Wednesday when the interest rates cuts in the US were announced. The index is set to finish the week on the rise. All of the 12 Toronto subgroups were up this morning except one, healthcare shares dropped 0.9 percent lower today. Leading the way for the gainers is gold at a one percent gain, followed by information and consumer discretionary stocks, which are both up by 0.9 percent.

In case you missed it, here is this week’s resource big news roundup:

Base:

• Pistol Bay Acquires Additional Gold Exploration Claims in Red Lake

Battery:

• Livent Corporation to Contribute up to US$ 5.5 Million to Advance E3 Metals’ Direct Lithium Extraction Process on the Alberta Lithium Project

Precious:

• OG DNA Genetics Inc. and Generic Gold Corp. Announce Definitive Agreement
• Silver Spruce Receives Drill Permit for Cocula Gold Project

Sept 13 Big News Roundup: Puma Closes Targets Minerals Transaction; Surge Acquires Additional Gold-Copper Mineral Claims in the Golden Triangle; Bullfrog Gold Lists on the Canadian Securities Exchange

The S&P/TSX Composite Index (INDEXTSI:OSPTX) hit a record high this morning due to a rise in gold prices and energy shares. The world is also viewing the US-China trade with a positive light this morning. China’s State Council has stated that it will exclude some agricultural products from additional tariffs on US goods. This is one of many conciliatory measures taken this week between the two countries as they prepare for mid-level talks, which could take place as early as next week. 

As for the S&P/TSX Venture Composite Index (INDEXTSI:JX), it started strong this morning. Nine of the 12 Toronto subgroups were up this morning with healthcare gaining 1.4 percent and energy and materials shares rising 1.1 percent each. Of the three laggards, technology lost 0.9 percent, communications were down 0.4 percent and utilities dropped 0.2 percent.

In case you missed it, here is this week’s resource big news roundup:

Base:

• Puma Exploration Closes the Transaction With Targets Minerals

Battery:

• Surge Acquires Additional Gold-Copper Mineral Claims in the Golden Triangle Adding to its Sizable Land Position in British Columbia

Precious: 

• Bullfrog Gold Lists on the Canadian Securities Exchange and Provides Nevada Project Updates
• Triumph Gold Intersects 400 meters of 1.2 g/t Gold Equivalent and 102 meters of 1.3 g/t Gold Equivalent in the First of Three Areas Tested for a Deep Porphyry

Sept 6 Big News Roundup: Pistol Bay Options Out Fredart-Gerry Lake Properties; Surge Acquires Additional Gold-Copper Mineral Claim in the Golden Triangle; Orsu Metals Expands the Footprint of Its Sergeevskoe Gold Project

On Wednesday, the S&P/TSX Composite Index (INDEXTSI:OSPTX) rebounded after Hong Kong leader Carrie Lam announced the withdrawal of the extradition bill. This news was bolstered by the US Federal Reserve’s Beige Book, which suggested that the US economy should grow at a modest pace despite the US-China trade war uncertainties. The index received another bump up the following day as trade talks continue between the US and China. On Friday, oil stocks dragged the index down 1.2 percent as uncertainty over renewed US-China trade talks, which are expected to resume in October. 

As for the S&P/TSX Venture Composite Index (INDEXTSI:JX), it dropped sharply this morning but is expected to finish on the rise. Eight of the 12 Toronto subgroups went south in the first hour with energy stocks experiencing a 1.5 percent loss. Industrials were down 0.6 percent and information technology dipped by 0.4 percent. The three gainers today were health-care at two percent, consumer staples at 0.3 percent and financials 0.04 percent. Communication shares remained unchanged.

In case you missed it, here is this week’s resource big news roundup:

Base: 

• Pistol Bay Options Out Fredart-Gerry Lake Properties Red Lake, Ontario

Battery:

• Standard Lithium Announces Successful Delivery and Begins Installation of Phases 1 & 2 of Its Direct Lithium Extraction Demonstration Plant to the Arkansas Project Site
• First Cobalt Awards Contracts for Refinery Studies
• Surge Acquires Additional Gold-Copper Mineral Claim in British Columbia’s Golden Triangle

Precious:

• Sirios Obtains up to 97 percent Gold Recovery Including 88 percent by Gravity on the Cheechoo project
• Great Bear Drills Multiple Gold Discoveries Along 3.2 km of the LP Fault at Dixie: Drilling at New “Auro” Zone, a 2.6 km Step-Out from Bear-Rimini, Intersects 101.71 g/t Gold Over 1.50 m Within 42.00 m of 5.28 g/t Gold at 80 m Depth; Yuma Zone Intercepts Include 27.77 g/t Gold Over 2.00 m Within 11.08 g/t Gold Over 7.00 m
• Angkor Gold Corp. Becomes Angkor Resources Corp.
• Renforth’s Malartic West Property Sampled for 8.08 Percent Cu in Surface Discovery
• Orsu Metals Materially Extends the Footprint of Its Sergeevskoe Gold Project, Russia
• NV Gold Utilizes Internal Geological Database to Stake and Acquire Sandy Gold Project in Lyon County, Nevada
• Prime Meridian Options the Camping Lake and Bruce Lake Projects in the Red Lake District of Ontario

Aug 30 Big News Roundup: Glencore and First Cobalt Sign Definitive Agreement; Golden Predator Submits Mining Restart Notice For Brewery Creek; Puma Creates a New Active Player for Precious Metals in New Brunswick

After last week’s trade drama, US President Donald Trump stated that he was interested in resolving the trade war through continued talks with China. Chinese Vice Premier Liu He echoed these sentiments, putting recession fears to rest for the moment. Following these announcements, the S&P/TSX Composite Index (INDEXTSI:OSPTX) has been on the rise due to robust economic data. On the economic front, Statistics Canada announced that Canada’s economy grew by 3.7 percent in the second quarter, which is higher than expected.

As for the S&P/TSX Venture Composite Index (INDEXTSI:JX), it is also on the rise today. Seven of the 12 Toronto subgroups reached new highs with health-care stocks leading the pack with a 0.6 percent gain; industrials were up 0.5 percent and consumer discretionary gained 0.4 percent. Gold was hit the heaviest, down by 0.6 percent, followed by energy and consumer staples, down 0.5 percent and 0.3 percent, respectively.

In case you missed it, here is this week’s resource big news roundup:

Base:

• Puma Exploration: Creation of a New Active Player for Precious Metals in New Brunswick

Battery:

• Glencore and First Cobalt Sign Definitive Agreement
• American Manganese Inc. Reports Pilot Plant Results of 99.94 Percent Purity from Recovered NCA Cathode Material
• Go Metals Samples 22.3 Percent Cu on Monster IOCG
• Nevada Sunrise Regains 100 Percent Interest in Gemini Lithium Project in Nevada

Precious:

• Golden Predator Provides Mining Restart Notice For Brewery Creek Mine To Yukon Government; Updates on Bridge Upgrade
• Renforth Channels 20.8 g/t Au over 0.5m, Discovers New Gold-Bearing Veins at Wholly Owned New Alger Property, Cadillac Gold Camp
• Nexus Gold Samples 15.3 g/t Au at the New Pilot Gold Project
• Rio Tinto Exploration Canada Enters Option to Purchase Triumph Gold’s Andalusite Peak Copper-Gold-Silver Property in Northwestern British Columbia
• Noble Fully Repays Mining Land Taxes on Project 81
• Western Copper and Gold Completes Acquisition of Canadian Creek Property From Cariboo Rose

Aug 23 Big News Roundup: Medallion Completes Final Testwork Program Responds to US Department of Defense Request; Jade Leader Discovers New Jade Zone at DJ

This week all eyes were again focused on the trade dispute between China and the US. On Friday morning, China slapped tariffs on a variety of American goods worth a total of $75 billion, raising fears of a US recession. President Donald Trump has promised to respond to the latest tariffs this afternoon. The news, of course, affected the S&P/TSX Composite Index (INDEXTSI:OSPTX), which fell 0.2 percent today. The dip in the index can be attributed to a fall in oil prices and energy shares as the tariffs applied to crude oil prices in the US. 

As for the S&P/TSX Venture Composite Index (INDEXTSI:JX), it edged higher this week to rest at 579.61 points. The 12 Toronto subgroups were evenly divided this morning, but gold gained 1.2 percent while the materials and information technology sectors each climbed 0.6 percent. Following news of the tariffs, energy stocks experienced the heaviest losses at 1.7 percent.

In case you missed it, here is this week’s resource big news roundup:

Battery:

• MGX Minerals Announces Continuous Operations at Oilsands Wastewater Treatment Project with Engineering Partner PurLucid
• Standard Lithium Completes Fabrication of Phases 1 & 2 and Begins Mobilisation of Its “LiSTR” Direct Lithium Extraction Demonstration Plant to the Arkansas Project Site

Critical:

• Medallion Completes Final Testwork Program Responds to US Department of Defense Request

Gem:

• Jade Leader Discovers New Jade Zone at DJ and Harvests Large Rhodonite Block for Evaluation

Precious:

• Fireweed Drills New Zone at the Macmillan Pass Project Including 22.5 meters of 6.13 percent Zinc and 0.95 percent Lead
• Deer Horn Partner Cheona Metals and Leading NGO RESOLVE Support First Yukon Placer Mine Restoration Under Salmon Gold™ Label

Aug 16 Big News Roundup: Angkor Receives Approval for Cambodian Oil and Gas Concession; Progressive Planet Receives Largest Order for Rock Dust; Giyani Announces Positive PEA for its K.Hill Manganese Project in Botswana

On Wednesday, the S&P/TSX Composite Index (INDEXTSI:OSPTX) plunged as fears of a global recession rise on the backs of disappointing economic data in China, German economy contraction and in June, Europe’s factory production fell the most in three years. Adding to the angst, yields for two-year and 10-year bonds inverted for the first time since the Great Recession. On Friday, the index rose as central banks across the globe make plans for added stimulus, easing concerns of an economic slowdown. Technology stocks also did their best to offset the loss for the week. 

As for the S&P/TSX Venture Composite Index (INDEXTSI:JX), it fell for most of the week but recovered 1.91 points to 570.69 on Friday. All but two of 12 Toronto subgroups gained ground, with health-care sprouting two percent, financials up 0.8 percent and energy up 0.7 percent. The two groups that were down are gold and materials.

In case you missed it, here is this week’s resource big news roundup:

Battery:

• A.I.S. Resources Signs a Contract for 26,000 Tonnes Manganese Fines Per Year
• E3 Metals Awarded a Technology Development Project Under GreenCentre Canada’s RISE Program
• Wealth Receives Key Document from Chilean Environmental Agency Regarding Work at the Atacama Project
• Progressive Planet Receives Largest Order to Date for Rock Dust
• Giyani Announces Positive PEA Results for its K.Hill Manganese Project in Botswana with an After-Tax Net Present Value of C$379 Million (US$285 Million)

Precious:

• Angkor Receives Approval for Cambodian Oil and Gas Concession
• Latin Metals and Patagonia Gold Agree on Terms for Acquisition of Mina Angela Project, Chubut Province, Argentina
• Red Pine Samples 33.6 g/t Gold Over 1.4 Metres at the Cooper Structure at its Wawa Gold Project

Aug 9 Big News Roundup: PLAN Signs Sustainable Cannabis Waste Collection Contract; VVC Board of Directors Approves the Gloria Pilot Mine at its Northern Mexico Copper Property; Searchlight Options Flin Flon North Claims

After a turbulent week, the S&P/TSX Composite index (INDEXTSI:OSPTX) opened lower as material shares weighed down the market on Friday, but gains in the energy sector offset the losses. Recent employment data in Canada also made an impact on Friday based as the country shed 24,200 jobs in July due to losses in the wholesale and retail trade. This came as a surprise to economists as they were predicting that 15,000 jobs were going to be added to the market. At the beginning of the week, the index experienced substantial losses on Monday and Tuesday due to global trade woes and losses in the energy sector. The index rose on Wednesday as the Canadian dollar regained ground after it briefly dipped below US$0.75. It also outperformed its US counterpoints as the price of gold surpassed US$1,500 for the first time in six years. 

As for the S&P/TSX Venture Composite Index (INDEXTSI:JX), the index fell 0.23 points to 596.10 on Friday. Eight of the 12 subgroups stumbled this morning as consumer discretionary stocks lost 1.2 percent, materials were down one percent and healthcare stocks dropped 0.8 percent. Of the four gainers, energy was up by 0.7 percent, and the real estate and communications subgroups were up 0.1 percent each.

In case you missed it, here is this week’s resource big news roundup:

Agriculture:

• PLAN Announces Sustainable Cannabis Waste Collection Contract

Base:

• Emerita and Aldesa Intersect 4.0 Meters Grading 9.02 Percent Zinc at Plaza Norte Joint Venture, Spain
• VVC Board of Directors Approves the Gloria Pilot Mine at its Northern Mexico Copper Property

Battery:

• Standard Lithium Files Preliminary Economic Assessment and Updated Mineral Resource Technical Report for Its Southern Arkansas Lithium Brine Project
• VanadiumCorp Receives Mining Tax Credits
• Manganese X: Mountain Spring Oil and Gas Limited – Elcano Project

Precious:

• Lions Bay Capital to Become Major Shareholder in Parkway Minerals and Davenport Resources
• NV Gold Assays up to 8.02 g/t Gold and 1,495 g/t Silver from Its Root Spring Gold-Silver Project in Nevada
• Searchlight Resources Options Flin Flon North Claims
• White Gold Corp. Extends High-Grade Mineralization at Golden Saddle 205m from Previous Mineralization and also within the Conceptual Pit Boundary including 3.59 g/t Gold over 68.0m and Identifies Multiple Continuous High-Grade Structures at Vertigo including 11.64 g/t Gold over 5.34m

Aug 2 Big News Roundup: Pistol Bay Acquires Gold Exploration Claims in Red Lake; E3 Metals Builds First Lab Scale Lithium Extraction Flow System; Western Copper and Gold Acquires Canadian Creek Property

The US stock market took a $25 billion a minute hit on Wednesday when Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell announced the bank’s interest rate cuts, despite his explanation as to why the cuts are not the start of a lengthy easing cycle. The S&P/TSX Composite index (INDEXTSI:OSPTX) took a hit as well from the news. On Friday, the index took a second hit following a sharp escalation in the US-China trade war, but oil prices lifted energy stocks, keeping the losses in check. As for the S&P/TSX Venture Composite Index (INDEXTSI:JX), the index climbed 0.97 points to open the market today at 592.30 points. All but three of the 12 subgroups were down to begin the session.

In case you missed it, here is this week’s resource big news roundup:

Base:

• Pistol Bay Acquires Gold Exploration Claims in Red Lake

Battery:

• Leading Edge Materials Produces Expandable Graphite In Line With Current Market Products from Woxna, Sweden
• E3 Metals Builds First Lab Scale Lithium Extraction Flow System
• American Manganese’s Lonnie Rare Earth Assessment Work Includes 0.42 Percent Niobium in Seven Rock Samples

Precious:

• Western Copper and Gold Announces Acquisition of Canadian Creek Property from Cariboo Rose
• Deer Horn Issues Q2 Review, Including Partnerships with Major US-Based NGOs

Jul 26 Big News Roundup: MGX Renewables Commences Trading; American Manganese Achieves Improved Pilot Plant Results of 99.93% Purity; Searchlight Resources Options Flin Flon North Claims

The S&P/TSX Composite index (INDEXTSI:OSPTX) got a boost on Tuesday as world stocks gained on the expectation of further central bank easing. The gain was short-lived as US and Canadian stocks opened lower on Thursday as earnings on both sides of the border provided a mixed growth picture. The European Central Bank also signaled that more stimulus could be coming in the coming months. On Friday, the index gained due to a rise in the energy sector as oil companies aspire to reach an agreement with the Alberta government to boost production. As for the S&P/TSX Venture Composite Index (INDEXTSI:JX),  it fell towards the beginning of the week but looks like it’ll finish the week on the rise. All but one of the 12 subgroups moved into the greenthis morning as gold fell by 0.3 percent. 

In case you missed it, here is this week’s resource big news roundup:

Base:

• MGX Renewables Inc. Commences Trading on the Canadian Securities Exchange

Battery:

• A.I.S. Resources Delivers 150 Tonnes High-Grade Manganese Ore in Six Containers to Dockside – for Export to China
• American Manganese Inc. Achieves Improved Pilot Plant Results of 99.93% Purity from Recovered NMC Cathode Material

Energy:

• IsoEnergy Intersects 5.4 percent U3O8 over 7.0m in Drill Hole LE19-16A, Including 15.9 percent U3O8 over 2.0m

Precious:

• Bonterra Intersects 18.5 g/t Au over 3.0 m at Gladiator and 11.6 g/t Au over 2.9 m at Barry
• Nexus Gold Enters LOI to Acquire Multi-Project West African Gold Portfolio
• Great Bear Drills Structural High-Grade Gold Control in Dixie Limb: 4.60 m of 14.32 g/t Gold Within 12.10 m of 5.87 g/t Gold
• Searchlight Resources Options Flin Flon North Claims
• Freeport-McMoRan Mineral Properties Canada Inc. to Earn-In on Commander’s Burn Copper Property, British Columbia

Jul 19 Big News Roundup: Jade Leader Acquires 100 Percent Interest in Lode Property; Pancon Expands Its Jefferson Gold Project to Surround the Former Brewer Gold Mine; First Cobalt and Glencore Conclude Term Sheet for Refinery Restart

On Thursday, the New York Federal Reserve President John Williams stated that policymakers need to add stimulus early on and cannot wait for economic disaster to hit. The announcement led the S&P/TSX Composite index (INDEXTSI:OSPTX) to rise on Friday. The index was also buoyed by a rise in crude oil prices as tensions spiked in the Middle East. The US claims they destroyed an Iranian drone in the Strait of Hormuz, pushing the energy sector higher. On the downside, Statistics Canada reported that the value of the Canadian retail trade unexpectedly dipped by 0.1 percent in May, the first decline in four months. As for the S&P/TSX Venture Composite Index (INDEXTSI:JX), it’s been on the rise all week. 

In case you missed it, here is this week’s resource big news roundup:

Battery:

• First Cobalt and Glencore Conclude Term Sheet for Refinery Restart
• Surge Acquires Strategic Land Positions Adjacent to the Thorn Project of Brixton Metals

Gem:

• Jade Leader Exercises Early Option and Acquires 100 Percent Interest in Lode Property, Wyoming

Precious:

• Pancon Expands Its 100%-Owned Jefferson Gold Project to Surround the Former Brewer Gold Mine Property in South Carolina
• Nevada Sunrise Announces Water Right Settlement Agreement with Albemarle Corporation
• Silver Spruce Announces Advanced Gold Project Acquisition
• Searchlight Resources signs Agreement to Option 100% Interest in New York Canyon Property to Emgold Mining Corp.
• Northern Lights Announces Acquisition of the Secret Pass Gold Project in Arizona
• 21C Further Expands Scale of Palladium Project

Jul 12 Big News Roundup: Progressive Planet Divests of Lithium IP; Golden Ridge Options 52,442-Hectare Ball Creek Project; Manganese X to Acquire Lac Aux Bouleaux Graphite Property

The US Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell made comments on Wednesday and Thursday about cutting interest rates in the bank’s meeting later this month, but he would not commit to when or how much they could move, which could lead to volatility in the markets. In Canada, the S&P/TSX Composite index (INDEXTSI:OSPTX) was higher on Wednesday due to strength in the energy sector as the price of oil rose. The Canadian central bank also stated that it would not be raising or lower interest rates, which helped strengthen the Canadian dollar. However, by Friday, the index broke even as gains in the materials sector offset the declines in the healthcare sector. As for the S&P/TSX Venture Composite Index (INDEXTSI:JX), it opened at 580.99 points on Friday and has steadily dropped since the market opened.

In case you missed it, here is this week’s big news roundup in the resource market:

Battery:

• Critical Elements Lithium Corporation signs impact and benefit Agreement with the Cree Nation of Eastmain, the Grand Council of the Crees (Eeyou Istchee) and the Cree Nation Government
• American Manganese Inc. Reports Initial Pilot Plant Results of 99.88% Purity from Recovered NMC Cathode Material
• Progressive Planet Divests of Lithium IP
• Primary Energy Metals to Acquire Colombian Licensed Producer
• Manganese X. Enters into Agreement to Acquire Lac Aux Bouleaux (LAB) Graphite Property in Québec, Canada

Precious:

• Golden Ridge Options 52,442-Hectare Ball Creek Project from Evrim Resources, Increasing Land Position by Over 3000%
• Great Bear Drills Major Hinge Zone Expansion to 440 m Down-Plunge: 3.90 m of 18.09 g/t Gold, Including 1.00 m of 69.97 g/t Gold
• Goldplay’s Nava Gold Discovery Continues to Grow as New Surface Continuous Channel Sampling Returns Wide Gold Intersection of 24 m at 2.1 g/t Au, Including 5 m @ 4.0 g/t Au
• VVC Exploration Receives Environmental and Land Use Change Permits For Its Northern Mexico Copper Project and Expects to Make a Decision on a Copper Pilot Mine Soon