
May 15, 2023
Nevada Zinc Corporation (“Nevada Zinc" or the "Company") (TSXV: NZN)) is pleased to announce that further testing of sample material from the Company’s pilot plant project, using a third party proprietary production process, has resulted in the successful production of high-grade zinc oxide. Zinc oxide can be sold as a stand-alone product or alternatively it can be converted into zinc sulfate for sale as a micro nutrient fertilizer or animal feed product. The conversion of zinc oxide to zinc sulfate results in a substantial reduction in the amount of sulfuric acid and other reagents otherwise required by the Company’s current pilot plant process designed to produce zinc sulfate. The benefits of using this alternative production process are twofold; the conversion of zinc oxide to zinc sulfate can materially reduce the operating costs associated with the production of zinc sulfate by eliminating a number of costly inputs and zinc oxide itself would represent a very attractive alternative product offering for the Company.
Mike Wilson, Nevada Zinc’s CEO, commented, “This proprietary production process, using our ore, makes an environmentally desirable zinc oxide product suitable for use by zinc smelters in North America and Europe to help reduce their harmful emissions. As well, this process significantly reduces the amount of sulfuric acid required to process Nevada Zinc’s ore to produce either zinc oxide or zinc sulfate thereby leading to a material reduction in input costs. The introduction of zinc oxide would expand our future product offerings thereby increasing the markets into which we could sell our products to include both agricultural and industrial customers and eliminate economic dependence on a single product.”
Processing Nevada Zinc’s ore into zinc oxide would allow Nevada Zinc to sell zinc oxide into a market that is considerably larger than the zinc sulfate fertilizer and animal feed markets. Further testing on additional ore from Nevada Zinc’s Lone Mountain site is underway in order to confirm scalability, further refine the process flowsheet and optimize the process economics. Key results from this current test work will be available in July. Additionally, it is the Company’s intention at that time to enter into joint venture talks with the owners of this proprietary zinc oxide production process.
About Nevada Zinc
Nevada Zinc is a development stage company focused on the production of zinc-based products including fertilizers, animal feed and zinc oxide. In April 2022 the Company commenced its pilot plant study designed to produce commercial grade zinc sulfate. By March 2023 the pilot plant was successful in achieving continuous production of high-grade zinc sulfate. In April 2023 successful bench-scale testing employing a proprietary third party production process resulted in the production of high-grade zinc oxide, a potential precursor material for the production of zinc sulfate resulting in significantly lower operating costs. The Company has recently shipped additional ore samples from its Lone Mountain site to continue the zinc oxide production process testing.
For further information please contact:
Mike Wilson, President & CEO
T: (416) 574-9075
Email: wilson.h.mike@gmail.com
Don Christie, CFO
T: (416) 409-8441
Email: don@nevadazinc.com
Cautionary Statement
Neither the TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX enture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.
Forward-Looking Statements
This news release may contain forward-looking statements including but not limited to comments regarding the timing and content of upcoming work programs, geological interpretations, receipt of property titles, potential mineral recovery processes, etc. Forward-looking statements address future events and conditions and therefore, involve inherent risks and uncertainties. Actual results relating to, among other things, results of exploration, project development, reclamation and capital costs of the Company's mineral properties, and the Company's financial condition and prospects, could differ materially from those currently anticipated in such statements. These and other factors should be considered carefully and readers should not place undue reliance on the Company's forward-looking statements. The Company will be required to complete a PEA and pre-feasibility study to confirm the project’s zinc oxide production flowsheet and project economics. The Company does not undertake to update any forward-looking statement that may be made from time to time by the Company or on its behalf, except in accordance with applicable securities laws.
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28 February
Top 5 Canadian Mining Stocks This Week: GPM Metals Leads With 37 Percent Gain
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 its preliminary estimates for the 2024 annual mineral production survey on Wednesday (February 26).
The report showed that the US was the top trading partner for metal ores and non-metallic minerals over the last year. Canada’s resource sector shipped C$6.4 billion worth of commodities to the US in 2024. Meanwhile, imports into Canada totaled C$4.3 billion.
The top three export destinations for the Canadian mining sector were the US, which represented 23.9 percent of exports in 2024, followed closely by China with 20.3 percent and Japan with 8.9 percent.
At a value of C$4.2 billion, potash was the top mineral Canada exported to the US, representing 65.2 percent of metal and mineral exports. Diamonds and other non-metallic minerals were Canada’s next highest export to the US in this category, accounting for 13.1 percent of exports and having a trade value of C$844 million.
Overall, Canada shipped a total of C$54 billion worth of metals, non-metals and aggregates in 2024. The most valuable subcategory was gold, with Canada shipping 198,899 kilograms during 2024 worth an estimated C$16.89 billion. The second most valuable was potash, which saw 25.47 million metric tons shipped, adding C$8.68 billion to the Canadian economy.
Canada’s largest trading partner for minerals, the US, is causing considerable uncertainty in 2025 as the Trump administration continues to threaten sweeping 25 percent tariffs on all exports from Canada excluding energy, which would receive 10 percent tariffs.
The tariffs were originally set to go into effect in early February before being pushed back to the beginning of March, although US President Donald Trump did enact 25 percent tariffs on steel and aluminum imports in mid-February.
This past Wednesday, Trump indicated that the date for the sweeping tariffs had been pushed back to April 2, but walked it back in social media posts on Thursday (February 27), saying the tariffs would still go forward on March 4.
Since he assumed office on January 20, Trump’s foreign and domestic policies have sparked fears of a global trade war. Markets have struggled in recent weeks while the price of gold has soared to record highs as investors seek haven assets.
His economic moves towards Canada alongside comments calling Canada the 51st state and questioning its legitimacy as a nation have caused significant concern among Canadians, many of whom have begun boycotting US travel and products in favor of supporting Canadian companies.
Markets and commodities react
US equity markets were broadly down this week through the close of trading on Thursday, with CNN reporting markets are currently being driven by “Extreme Fear.” The S&P 500 (INDEXSP:INX) lost 4.13 percent over the four day period to end at 5,861.56, and the Nasdaq-100 (INDEXNASDAQ:NDX) fell 7.05 percent to 20,550.95 by Thursday. The Dow Jones Industrial Average (INDEXDJX:.DJI) saw the smallest drop, losing just 1.33 percent to 43.239.51.
In Canada, markets were also in decline. The S&P/TSX Venture Composite Index (INDEXTSI:JX) fell 4.79 percent to close at 615.84 on Thursday, the S&P/TSX Composite Index (INDEXTSI:OSPTX) posted a 1.61 percent loss to 25,128.24 and the CSE Composite Index (CSE:CSECOMP) dropped 3.73 percent to 127.53.
After hitting new all-time highs last week, the gold price slipped over the past four trading days losing 2.08 percent to US$2,876.00 per ounce at 5:00 p.m. EST Thursday. The silver price saw steeper declines, losing 5.04 percent during the period to US$31.25.
In base metals, the copper price spiked to almost US$4.75 late Tuesday (February 25) as Trump floated copper tariffs, but ended Thursday down on the week overall, closing the day at US$4.59 per pound on the COMEX. Meanwhile, the S&P GSCI (INDEXSP:SPGSCI) shed 3.16 percent to close at 560.29.
Top Canadian mining stocks this week
So how did mining stocks perform against this backdrop?
We break down this week’s five best-performing Canadian mining stocks below.
Data for this article was retrieved at 3:00 p.m. EST on Thursday using TradingView's stock screener. Only companies trading on the TSX, TSXV and CSE with market capitalizations greater than C$10 million are included. Companies within the non-energy minerals and energy minerals sectors were considered.
1. GPM Metals (TSXV:GPM)
Weekly gain: 36.84 percent
Market cap: C$14.43 million
Share price: C$0.13
GPM Metals is a mineral exploration company working to advance its Walker Gossan zinc-lead project in the Northern Territory of Australia.
In June 2024, GPM announced that it concluded a sale and purchase agreement with a Rio Tinto (ASX:RIO,NYSE:RIO,LSE:RIO) subsidiary to wholly acquire the Walker Gossan project in Australia as well as two nearby exploration license applications. The terms of the deal replaced a previous farm-in agreement.
Rio Tinto’s subsidiary has the option to earn up to 49 percent interest back in the future on certain milestones. Additionally, it retains the right to be paid a further contingent amount equivalent to the future value of 1,000 metric tons of zinc and lead if GPM discovers a mineral resource greater than 20 million metric tons with combined zinc and lead grades above 8 percent.
In July 2024, GPM announced that it had finalized plans for an exploration program to be conducted in 2024 and 2025 that will follow up on previous work at the property, which identified a 2 kilometer by 1 kilometer gravity anomaly. Due to unexpected damage to the access route from storms, the program was delayed until the end of the wet season, April 2025, and will be overseen by new CEO John Timmons.
Shares in GPM Metals were up this week, although the company has not released any news in 2025.
2. DLP Resources (TSXV:DLP)
Weekly gain: 33.33 percent
Market cap: C$34.99 million
Share price: C$0.30
DLP Resources is a mineral exploration company focused on advancing its flagship Aurora copper-molybdenum project in Peru.
The 8,500 hectare site is located in the Central Andes. Exploration work has been performed at the site since the early 2000s, with DLP conducting drill programs in 2023 and 2024.
Shares in DLP saw gains this week following the release of a technical report for Aurora on Thursday that included a maiden mineral resource estimate with significant copper and molybdenum spread over two zones.
The inferred resource totals 1.05 billion metric tons of ore containing 4.65 billion pounds of copper, 1.1 billion pounds of molybdenum and 80 million ounces of silver. The resource has average grades of 0.2 percent copper, 0.05 percent molybdenum and 2.4 grams per metric ton silver.
The company said it is pleased with the size and results of the report and will continue drilling the site to upgrade the resource ahead of a preliminary economic assessment.
3. TriStar Gold (TSXV:TSG)
Weekly gain: 29.63 percent
Market cap: C$51.79 million
Share price: C$0.175
Tristar Gold is a gold exploration and development company focused on advancing its Castelo de Sonhos project in Pará State, Brazil.
According to a 2021 pre-feasibility study, the property consists of six concessions and has hosted historic small-scale artisanal mining over the past several decades. Between 2010 and 2021, Tristar drilled more than 67,000 meters in 611 holes.
The economics included in the study demonstrate that, at an annual 5 percent discount rate, the project has an after-tax net present value of US$321 million and internal rate of return of 28 percent with a payback period of 2.8 years. The base case was calculated using a gold price of US$1,550 per ounce.
The project was issued a preliminary license in August 2024 from the Para Secretariat for the Environment and Sustainability (SEMAS), a crucial environmental hurdle and the first of a three-stage process to allow project development.
The project experienced some delays in October as federal prosecutors recommended that the license be suspended pending the completion of additional archaeological studies and Indigenous Component Studies. In a follow-up announcement in December, Tristar indicated that the permit for the site would remain valid, with SEMAS providing a strong technical defense of the permitting process.
The company has not released further information on the proceedings and has spent early 2025 raising funds. The most recent news came on February 21, when it announced it had closed the final tranche of a non-brokered private placement for gross proceeds of C$1.08 million.
4. Star Diamond (TSX:DIAM)
Weekly gain: 28.57 percent
Market cap: C$27.79 million
Share price: C$0.045
Star Diamond is an exploration and development company working to advance its flagship Fort à la Corne diamond district in Saskatchewan, Canada.
The property is located 60 kilometers east of Prince Albert, Saskatchewan. Previously a joint venture with Rio Tinto, Star Diamond acquired Rio Tinto’s stake in the project in March 2024 in exchange for 119.32 million shares in Star Diamond, resulting in Rio Tinto holding a 19.9 percent ownership position in the diamond junior.
Fort à la Corne has seen extensive exploration of kimberlite deposits, including geophysical surveys, large-diameter drilling and micro- and macro-diamond analyses.
The Star-Orion South diamond project, the most advanced project area in Star Diamonds' portfolio, is located within the district.
In 2018, the company released a PEA for Star-Orion South, which reported a resource of 27.15 million carats of diamonds from 200.16 million metric tons with an average grade of 14 carats per 100 metric tons. The inferred resource is 5.18 million carats from 72.08 million metric tons, with an average grade of 7 carats per 100 metric tons.
At the time, the company estimated a post-tax NPV of C$2 billion, an IRR of 19 percent and a payback period of 3 years and 5 months.
On January 9, Star Diamond announced that a 70.7 million share block held by a former project partner had been sold, with 61.12 million shares purchased by an international investor interested in diamonds.
The company’s most recent news came on February 27, when it announced that it had closed the second tranche of its private placement for gross proceeds of C$230,000, adding to the C$335,000 from the first tranche it closed on February 18. The funds will be used as working capital. According to the announcement, Star Diamond is discussing funding for a pre-feasibility study with potential investors.
5. Canuc Resources (TSXV:CDA)
Weekly gain: 21.43 percent
Market cap: C$13.60 million
Share price: C$0.085
Canuc Resources is an exploration and development company focused on its flagship San Javier silver and gold project in Sonora, Mexico.
As part of its strategy, Canuc also owns the MidTex natural gas project, which consists of eight producing natural gas wells it uses to provide steady, long-term cash flow.
Its San Javier project consists of 28 contiguous claims covering 1,052.9 hectares, with the most recent set of claims acquired in July 2024. The company has completed limited exploration work at the site, the most recent being a mapping and sampling program in January 2024.
The most recent news from Canuc came on February 13 when it announced it had entered into a definitive arrangement agreement to acquire Macdonald Mines Exploration (TSXV:BMK,OTC Pink:MCDMF). Multiple conditions must be met before it is finalized, including several approvals and Canuc completing a C$500,000 private placement.
If completed, the deal will see Canuc acquire Macdonald and its flagship SPJ project located 40 kilometers northeast of the Sudbury mining camp in Ontario, Canada. The site covers 19,710 hectares and hosts mineralization of copper, gold, cobalt, nickel and rare earth elements.
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.
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05 February
Nuvau Minerals: Revitalizing Critical Mineral Production in Quebec’s Premier Matagami Mining District
Nuvau Minerals (TSXV:NMC) revitalizes critical mineral production in Quebec with its flagship project, the Matagami Mining Camp, which represents a premier opportunity in the Abitibi Greenstone Belt.
Quebec's Abitibi Greenstone Belt is renowned for its high-grade deposits and significant production history and is recognized as a Tier 1 jurisdiction with exceptional mining infrastructure and skilled labor. Nuvau Minerals has an agreement to acquire the Matagami Mining Camp from Glencore. The camp has a rich mining history with 60 years of production and nearly 60 million tons mined across 12 past mines.
The Matagami Mining Camp covers over 1,300 square kilometers, comprising more than 2,500 claims. The property offers exceptional exploration potential for critical minerals, particularly zinc and copper. The Matagami Mining Camp has produced nearly 60 million tons of ore over 60 years of continuous operation.
The property features a 3,000-ton-per-day concentrator, last operated by Glencore in 2022. This infrastructure not only reduces the capital requirements for reactivation but also accelerates the timeline for potential production. Extensive geological and operational data inherited from Glencore provides a strong foundation for efficient exploration and development.
Company Highlights
- Nuvau Minerals has an agreement to acquire the Matagami Mining Camp from Glencore, a historic mining camp with 60 years of production history and nearly 60 million tons mined across 12 past mines.
- The flagship Matagami Mining Camp spans more than 1,300 square kilometers with more than 2,500 claims in Quebec’s Abitibi Greenstone Belt. The project includes a 3,000-ton-per-day concentrator operated by Glencore until June 2022.
- Nuvau has invested nearly $30 million since early 2022 in a three-year exploration program to discover critical minerals, primarily zinc and copper, leveraging highly prospective targets across the property.
- The companyaims to re-establish the Matagami Mining Camp as a leading critical minerals producer by leveraging historical data, robust infrastructure, and modern exploration techniques.
- Quebec's Abitibi Greenstone Belt is globally recognized as a Tier 1 jurisdiction with exceptional mining infrastructure and skilled labor.
- Approximately $25 million has already been invested in the property, with the earn-in phase with Glencore expected to be completed by 2025.
This Nuvau Minerals profile is part of a paid investor education campaign.*
Click here to connect with Nuvau Minerals (TSXV:NMC) to receive an Investor Presentation
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04 February
Nuvau Minerals Targets Matagami Mine Restart in Québec
Following its successful initial public offering on the TSX Venture Exchange and its acquisition of the Matagami property from Glencore (LSE:GLEN,OTC Pink:GLCNF), Nuvau Minerals (TSXV:NMC) is embarking on an aggressive exploration strategy in 2025, including an intensified drilling campaign to expand known resources at Matagami.
In an interview at the Vancouver Resource Investment Conference, Nuvau’s president and CEO, Peter van Alphen, highlighted the strategic importance of the acquisition, describing the project’s “incredible exploration opportunities.”
“(Matagami) is a very large land package with multiple targets already identified — we've made two discoveries so far … We've got the infrastructure from the past-producing mine processing facility, it’s a permitted mine," he said.
"And we've got over 10 years of resources available to us as well on the property. So we've got all the pieces there required to, at some point, get the property back into production," added van Alphen.
Work at the project in 2025 will include geological assessments to de-risk the property, an aggressive drilling program to expand the resource, obtaining permits for a new tailings facility and work toward restarting production.
In addition to pursuing a clear path to near-term production, van Alphen also emphasized the property’s exploration potential.
“It also has incredible exploration potential in the northern part of the Abitibi greenstone belt. So we're in the right location. It's in Québec. So we've got incredible support from the Québec government through various sources, including funding,” he said.
Watch the full interview with Nuvau President and CEO Peter van Alphen above.
Disclaimer: This interview is sponsored by Nuvau Minerals (TSXV:NMC). This interview provides information which was sourced by the Investing News Network (INN) and approved by Nuvau Minerals in order to help investors learn more about the company. Nuvau Mineralsis a client of INN. The company’s campaign fees pay for INN to create and update this interview.
INN does not provide investment advice and the information on this profile should not be considered a recommendation to buy or sell any security. INN does not endorse or recommend the business, products, services or securities of any company profiled.
The information contained here is for information purposes only and is not to be construed as an offer or solicitation for the sale or purchase of securities. Readers should conduct their own research for all information publicly available concerning the company. Prior to making any investment decision, it is recommended that readers consult directly with Nuvau Minerals and seek advice from a qualified investment advisor.
This interview may contain forward-looking statements including but not limited to comments regarding the timing and content of upcoming work programs, receipt of property titles, etc. Forward-looking statements address future events and conditions and therefore involve inherent risks and uncertainties. Actual results may differ materially from those currently anticipated in such statements. The issuer relies upon litigation protection for forward-looking statements. Investing in companies comes with uncertainties as market values can fluctuate.
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03 February
Nuvau Minerals
Investor Insight
Nuvau Minerals offers a compelling investment opportunity with an aggressive strategy to revitalize a prolific, past-producing mining camp in Quebec, a globally recognized Tier 1 jurisdiction.
Overview
Nuvau Minerals (TSXV:NMC) is a Canadian metals exploration company focused on revitalizing critical mineral production in Quebec. The company’s flagship project, the Matagami Mining Camp, represents a premier opportunity in the Abitibi Greenstone Belt, which is renowned for its high-grade deposits and significant production history.
Quebec's Abitibi Greenstone Belt is globally recognized as a Tier 1 jurisdiction with exceptional mining infrastructure and skilled labor. Nuvau Minerals has an agreement to acquire the Matagami Mining Camp from Glencore. The camp has a rich mining history with 60 years of production and nearly 60 million tons mined across 12 past mines.
The Matagami Camp spans over 2,500 claims across 1,300 square kilometers. Its strategic location, combined with existing infrastructure, like a 3,000-ton-per-day concentrator, positions Nuvau for cost-efficient reactivation and exploration. The company’s exploration efforts will focus on critical minerals, mainly zinc and copper, to address the growing global demand for these essential resources.
Nuvau Minerals is led by a team of seasoned professionals with extensive experience in the mining industry.
Company Highlights
- Nuvau Minerals has an agreement to acquire the Matagami Mining Camp from Glencore, a historic mining camp with 60 years of production history and nearly 60 million tons mined across 12 past mines.
- The flagship Matagami Mining Camp spans more than 1,300 square kilometers with more than 2,500 claims in Quebec’s Abitibi Greenstone Belt. The project includes a 3,000-ton-per-day concentrator operated by Glencore until June 2022.
- Nuvau has invested nearly $30 million since early 2022 in a three-year exploration program to discover critical minerals, primarily zinc and copper, leveraging highly prospective targets across the property.
- The companyaims to re-establish the Matagami Mining Camp as a leading critical minerals producer by leveraging historical data, robust infrastructure, and modern exploration techniques.
- Quebec's Abitibi Greenstone Belt is globally recognized as a Tier 1 jurisdiction with exceptional mining infrastructure and skilled labor.
- Approximately $25 million has already been invested in the property, with the earn-in phase with Glencore expected to be completed by 2025.
Key Asset
Matagami Mining Camp (Flagship)
Aerial view of the Matagami Mining Camp
The Matagami Mining Campis Nuvau Minerals’ cornerstone asset and a critical part of the company’s strategy to revitalize mining operations in Quebec’s Abitibi Greenstone Belt. Covering over 1,300 square kilometers and encompassing more than 2,500 claims, the property offers exceptional exploration potential for critical minerals, particularly zinc and copper. Historically, the Matagami Mining Camp has produced nearly 60 million tons of ore over 60 years of continuous operation.
The property features a 3,000-ton-per-day concentrator, last operated by Glencore in 2022. This infrastructure not only reduces the capital requirements for reactivation but also accelerates the timeline for potential production. Extensive geological and operational data inherited from Glencore provides a strong foundation for efficient exploration and development.
Nuvau’s exploration efforts include leveraging advanced geophysical surveys, including MobileMT and drone magnetic surveys, to map conductive anomalies indicative of potential massive sulfide mineralization. Geological mapping, surface sampling and 3D structural modeling have been initiated to delineate priority zones. A robust drilling campaign is planned at the Caber, Caber Nord and PD1 deposits to validate historical data, upgrade resources, and identify new mineralization. Additionally, metallurgical studies and geochemical analysis will be conducted to optimize resource evaluation and processing methodologies.
MobileMT surveys have identified high conductivity anomalies, indicative of potential massive sulfide mineralization, while drone magnetic surveys have refined structural interpretations critical for drill planning. Initial results from drilling programs on some of these targets, confirm the presence of zinc-rich massive sulfides.
Nuvau Minerals has outlined an ambitious exploration and development strategy to maximize the potential of the Matagami Camp. Future work will include the expansion of the ongoing drilling program to test high-priority targets identified. The drilling campaign will incorporate advanced downhole geophysics to refine drill targeting.
Detailed metallurgical testing and ore characterization studies will be conducted to enhance processing efficiency and recoveries for zinc and copper concentrates. Environmental baseline studies will be expanded to support future permitting requirements, ensuring compliance with Quebec’s regulatory standards.
Additionally, modern data integration techniques, such as machine learning applied to geochemical and geophysical datasets, will aid in refining exploration targets across the broader property. These efforts will be supported by ongoing community engagement initiatives to secure stakeholder support and address social and environmental considerations.
Management Team
Christina McCarthy – Chair of the Board
Christina McCarthy is a geologist with over 15 years of experience in the resource capital markets. She is the former president and CEO of Paycore Minerals, which was acquired by i-80 Gold Corp for a $90 million valuation. Previously, she was vice-president of corporate development for New Oroperu Resources, acquired by Anacortes Mining in 2021. McCarthy also served as director of corporate development for McEwen Mining from 2014 to 2019. She has held various management and board roles, including positions in equity research at Euro Pacific and institutional sales at Haywood Securities. Prior to entering the resource capital markets, she managed exploration programs in Scandinavia for a junior exploration company. McCarthy holds a Bachelor of Science in geology.
Peter van Alphen – President, CEO and Director
Peter van Alphen has over 25 years of experience in leadership roles within the mining industry, encompassing all aspects from construction projects to production. Most recently, he served as the chief operating officer at Premier Gold Mines, managing the company’s mining and development endeavors. Prior roles include country manager for Canada at Pan American Silver, vice-president of operations at Tahoe Resources and Lake Shore Gold, and various management positions at FNX Mining in Sudbury, Ontario. Van Alphen holds a Bachelor of Science in mining engineering from the University of the Witwatersrand.
Steve Filipovic – Chief Financial Officer
Steve Filipovic is a chartered professional accountant with more than 23 years of financial management and oversight experience. He was a founding executive team member and chief financial officer at Premier Gold Mines, playing an integral role in transitioning the company from explorer to producer until its acquisition by Equinox Gold in 2021. Prior to that, he served as chief financial officer of Zinifex Canada and was vice-president, finance of Wolfden Resources, until its acquisition by Zinifex in 2007. Filipovic holds an Honours Bachelor of Commerce Degree from Lakehead University and is an ICD.D designated member of the Institute of Corporate Directors.
Gilles Roy – Director of Exploration
Gilles Roy is a highly skilled geologist with over 30 years of experience in mineral exploration across various countries, including Canada, Peru, Chile, Kazakhstan, Australia and Burkina Faso. Specializing in base metal deposits in volcanic host rocks, he spent much of his career at Glencore, leading exploration programs that resulted in the discovery of the McLeod deposit in 2004 and the Bracemac deposit in 2006. Roy holds a Bachelor of Science in geology from Université du Québec à Montréal and is a member of the Ordre des géologues du Québec.
Ewan Downie – Director
Ewan Downie is a successful company builder and entrepreneur with over 25 years of experience in the mining industry. He currently serves as the chief executive officer of i-80 Gold. Previously, he was the president and CEO of Premier Gold Mines, and is now serving as non-executive chairman and director of Wolfden Resources, as well as a director of Clean Air Metals. Throughout his career, Downie has been part of several gold and base metal discoveries, earning recognition for his achievements, including being awarded the 2003 Prospectors and Developers Association of Canada’s “Bill Dennis Prospector of The Year.”
Michael Vitton – Director
Michael Vitton served as the executive managing director and head of US equity at BMO Capital Markets, where he was instrumental in originating and executing over US$200 billion worth of public and secondary offerings and M&A transactions across all sectors. In the metals and mining sector, he has been involved in numerous significant deals as a seed investor, lead/co-lead underwriter, or in an M&A capacity. Vitton holds a degree from the University of Michigan Business School and has served as a seat holder on the NYSE, and president of the New York Society of Metals Analysts.
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15 January
Zinc Price Forecast: Top Trends for Zinc in 2025
The zinc price performed well in 2024, becoming a leader in the base metals sector.
Zinc is predominantly used to make galvanized steel, which is used in the construction and manufacturing sectors. The past several years have seen these industries largely depressed due to high inflation and high interest rates.
What helped the base metal over the past year is that weak demand was met with weak mine supply.
What could a new administration in the White House, or new economic stimulus measures in China mean for the zinc market? And which factors should investors consider in 2025? Here's what experts see coming.
How will Trump's return impact the zinc market?
One of the big stories of 2025 is Donald Trump’s return to the White House in the US. This event will have a broad impact across many industries, and has significant implications for the resource sector.
Trump has made an array of promises, one of which is to improve permitting times for projects costing above US$1 billion, a move that some experts believe could make the US more attractive for base metals projects.
One asset that may benefit from improved permitting under Trump is South32’s (ASX:S32,OTC Pink:SHTLF) Hermosa property, located near Tucson, Arizona. Its cost stands at over US$2 billion, and it has already seen improved permitting timelines through the US Federal Permitting Improvement Steering Council.
Trump's promise to free up federal lands for new housing could also be a boon for zinc producers, as this would mean greater demand for galvanized steel products that use the base metal.
However, Trump's platform also heavily favored imposing new tariffs, which could create inflationary pressures.
While there's still much uncertainty about how tariff plans will play out, higher costs for materials used by homebuilders could significantly weaken demand for new homes, regardless of available federal support.
In an interview with the Investing News Network (INN), Daniel Smith, head of research at Amalgamated Metal Trading (AMT), said China will be the biggest problem with imposing new tariffs.
“What’s happened (in 2024) is that China’s had very weak domestic demand for a lot of base metals, but it’s been saved by the export side, so they’ll come under threat more next year with the tariff barriers going up,” he said.
Smith also suggested that the proposed tariffs may ultimately have less impact than expected, commenting, “Trump’s bark is worse than his bite, so I don’t think it’s going to be particularly bad.”
In a January 9 article, Smith further notes that Trump has limited power to drive markets, and there may be a disconnect between his rhetoric and the policies he can implement as president.
He goes on to say that global factors are often more important as market drivers.
Nevertheless, China is already looking to expand manufacturing in places like Mexico and Vietnam. This would allow it to avoid the higher prices that may be imposed on goods produced directly in China.
At the same time, Smith pointed out that it's very hard that for base metals consumers to avoid materials from China, which has led to some concern about increasing supply in the US.
“It’s very difficult to build new smelters. So China normally produces a lot of metal, but also manufactured goods. The typical route is manufactured goods end up in the US, so there’s been some attempts to build out new capacity in the US, but it's really very slow,” Smith commented to INN.
Tom Rutland, senior analyst at CRU Group, also spoke about potential Trump tariffs.
“By far, the biggest implications of the tariffs will be on US premia and the potential knock-on impact they will have on US zinc demand. For now, we do not expect it to impact zinc supply in any way,” Rutland told INN via email.
Zinc supply and demand in 2025
Overall, experts see zinc supply and demand remaining relatively similar from 2024 to 2025.
CRU expects mine supply to grow moderately, rising by 1.9 percent year-on-year, with a slight increase in refined output of 0.3 percent. Meanwhile, the firm expects demand to grow by 0.3 percent.
Some of this increase may come from Russia as the Overnoye mine in Eastern Siberia is expected to start production in 2025. The mine was originally slated to begin ramping up output in late 2023, but stalled after a fire destroyed critical equipment. Production was reported to have started in November 2024, but Rutland is skeptical.
“Replacing the damaged equipment was complicated by the sanctions imposed on Russia, meaning the mine had to replace the equipment with domestic technology, which we believe is unlikely to have been possible to have achieved to a high standard over such a short time frame,” he commented to INN.
Rutland doesn’t see Overnoye making a substantial contribution to zinc supply in 2025 either.
However, once the Russian mine is fully operational, it will add an additional 600,000 metric tons of zinc concentrate per year, accounting for 4.5 percent of total zinc production.
Another mine that may begin to ramp up in 2025, is the Xinjiang Huoshaoyun lead-zinc mine in China. The operation has also faced significant delays due to terrain and weather.
“It’s a very large mine in Xinjiang province, which is an extremely difficult place to do mining. It’s very high and subject to extreme weather conditions like sand storms, so it’s been quite a challenge to ramp that mine up as well,” said Smith.
With reserves of over 21 million metric tons, it will be the world's sixth largest lead-zinc mine once operating.
Investor takeaway
Even though zinc performed well in 2024, both supply and demand were weak. Barring any rebound in the Chinese or European construction and manufacturing sectors, these conditions are expected to continue in 2025.
Looking forward, Rutland sees the price of zinc remaining flat in the new year, and expects the base metal to average US$2,850 per metric ton, with the concentrate and refined markets in balance.
Smith shared a similar sentiment on supply and demand in 2025, but was more optimistic, suggesting that the price of zinc could push up to the US$3,300 range this coming year.
Don’t forget to follow us @INN_Resource for real-time news updates.
Securities Disclosure: I, Dean Belder, hold no direct investment interest in any company mentioned in this article.
Editorial Disclosure: Group Eleven Resources is a client of the Investing News Network. This article is not paid-for content.
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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14 January
Zinc Stocks: 4 Biggest Canadian Companies in 2025
The price of zinc was on the rise in 2024, putting on a strong performance. While the metal's value has trended down in the first week of the new year, experts agree its long-term fundamentals are healthy.
Many base metals have been hit by weakened demand in recent years due to sticky inflation and higher interest rates, and zinc is no exception. Zinc supply has also faced pressure from higher mining and refining costs, causing some major zinc mines and smelters to suspend operations, with more possible if the current economic situation continues.
Once demand rebounds along with the economy, stunted demand may once again push zinc prices higher.
The Investing News Network has gathered the biggest TSX- and TSXV-listed zinc-mining companies by market cap. The list below includes zinc miners and explorers, as well as companies pursuing zinc as a secondary metal.
Data was gathered on January 10, 2025, using TradingView’s stock screener, and only zinc stocks with market caps greater than C$50 million at that time were considered. Read on to learn more about their operations and plans.
1. Teck Resources (TSX:TECK.A,TSX:TECK.B)
Market cap: C$31.79 billion
Share price: C$60.87
Teck Resources is a major global polymetallic miner, as well as one of the world's top zinc producers. It produced 644,000 metric tons (MT) of zinc in concentrate in 2023, with 539,800 MT coming from its Red Dog zinc mine in Alaska. The remaining 104,200 MT came from Teck's 22.5 percent share of zinc production from the Antamina copper-zinc mine in Peru.
Teck's total 2024 production guidance for the base metal is set in a range of 565,000 MT to 630,000 MT. As of September 30, 2024, the company's zinc production for the year totaled 551,000 MT.
In addition to the sites mentioned, Teck owns the Trail operations, which it describes as "one of the world’s largest fully integrated zinc and lead smelting and refining complexes." Located in BC, Canada, the Trail operations produced 266,600 MT of refined zinc in 2023, with 240,000 to 250,000 MT of the material expected in 2024.
The Trail operations were the first standalone zinc-processing site to receive Zinc Mark verification.
"To achieve the Zinc Mark, Teck’s Trail Operations was assessed and independently verified against 32 responsible production criteria including greenhouse gas emissions, community health and safety, respect for Indigenous rights and business integrity," the company explained in a press release in 2023. In February 2024, the Red Dog mine also earned the Zinc Mark for environmentally and socially responsible production practices.
Teck pays a quarterly dividend. On December 31, 2024, it paid out a dividend of C$0.125 per share.
2. Emerita Resources (TSXV:EMO)
Market cap: C$287.97 million
Share price: C$1.14
Emerita Resources has a portfolio of high-grade, large-scale polymetallic projects covering more than 26,000 combined hectares in Spain’s Iberian Pyrite Belt. The company’s flagship asset is the Iberian Belt West project, which hosts three massive sulfide deposits: La Infanta, La Romanera and El Cura.
Emerita released a resource estimate for Iberian Belt West in May 2023. It finished environmental baseline studies the following month, and completed supporting documentation for its mining license application in December 2023.
As for 2024, the company released Phase 2 metallurgical testing results for the La Romanera and La Infanta deposits in October. The work shows commercial-grade copper, lead and zinc concentrates can be obtained from both deposits.
Drilling is underway at the El Cura deposit to establish a resource estimate, with testwork to follow. In July, the Andalusian government granted Iberian Belt West a declaration of strategic interest, which will streamline the process of moving the project through development. Results released in early December show that drilling at La Cura intersected 13.15 meters in massive sulfides grading 3.3 percent zinc, 1.1 percent copper and 1.1 percent lead.
3. Fireweed Metals (TSXV:FWZ)
Market cap: C$263.32 million
Share price: C$1.44
Fireweed Metals is a critical metals company whose flagship Macmillan Pass zinc project is located in Canada's Yukon. In 2023, the company acquired the Gayna River zinc project in the Northwest Territories and the Mactung tungsten project, which is adjacent to Macmillan Pass and straddles the border between Yukon and the Northwest Territories. According to the company's website, Mactung "hosts the world's largest high-grade tungsten deposit."
Even with these new assets, the company still has a strong focus on Macmillan Pass. In fact, in November 2023, the Fireweed team, led by Dr. Jack Milton, the firm's vice president of geology, received the Association for Mineral Exploration's H.H. “Spud” Huestis Award for its work at the Macmillan Pass property.
Fireweed's best drill intersection to date from Macmillan Pass' Boundary zone includes 143.95 meters true width at 14.45 percent zinc, including 28.71 meters at 25.52 percent zinc. In June 2024, the company launched a 14,000 meter summer drill program, billed as the largest regional exploration campaign ever at Macmillan Pass.
Subsequently, in September it released an updated resource estimate for the Tom and Jason deposits, as well as inaugural resource estimates for the Boundary Zone and End Zone deposits at the project.
4. Trilogy Metals (TSX:TMQ)
Market cap: C$246.18 million
Share price: C$1.57
Trilogy Metals is focused primarily on copper, zinc and cobalt at its Alaskan Upper Kobuk projects, which are held by Ambler Metals, a joint venture operating company owned equally by Trilogy and South32 (ASX:S32,OTC Pink:SHTLF).
Its most advanced zinc project is the Arctic copper-zinc-lead-gold-silver volcanogenic massive sulfide project, which is in the feasibility stage and has proven and probable reserves of 43.44 million MT grading 3.12 percent zinc.
In addition, early stage 2023 field work at the company's wholly owned Helpmejack project in Alaska's Ambler Schist Belt outlined two target areas prospective for volcanogenic massive sulfide and shale-hosted zinc deposits.
Trilogy had been focusing on improving access to the region with its Amber Access project, but it was rejected by the US Bureau of Land Management in June 2024 due to the impact the proposed road would have on the environment and communities in the region, which has seen little development.
Don’t forget to follow us @INN_Resource for real-time updates!
Securities Disclosure: I, Melissa Pistilli, hold no direct investment interest in any company mentioned in this article.
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