Company Interviews

Interview with Rebecca Hunter, CEO of Geiger EnergyRecording date: 26th September 2025Geiger Energy represents a significant consolidation in Canada's uranium exploration sector, formed through the merger of Baslode Energy and Forum Energy Metals in 2025. The combined entity positions itself across two premier uranium districts: Nunavut's Thelon Basin and Saskatchewan's Athabasca Basin analog, creating a year-round exploration platform under experienced leadership.Rebecca Hunter, the company's President and CEO, brings 11 years of Cameco Corporation experience to the role, including direct involvement with the Thelon project during the pre-Fukushima uranium cycle. Her institutional knowledge proves critical as Geiger advances its flagship Aberdeen project, which encompasses 50+ targets adjacent to Orano's 133 million pound uranium deposit.The recent Loki discovery marks a watershed moment for Thelon Basin exploration. "What's exciting about the Loki deposit is that it has sandstone. This year we drilled it and found even more elevated uranium in the sandstone and mineralization at the unconformity," Hunter explains. This represents the first evidence of unconformity-style mineralization in a region historically dominated by basement-hosted deposits, potentially validating the basin's capacity to host world-class uranium systems similar to Saskatchewan's MacArthur River and Cigar Lake mines.Geiger's dual-basin strategy leverages complementary seasonal operating windows. Aberdeen operations run during Nunavut's four-month summer season, while the Hook-ACKIO project in Saskatchewan enables winter drilling programs. This approach maximizes capital efficiency and maintains continuous news flow for investors.The company emerges with robust financial backing, maintaining approximately $6 million in working capital following Baslode's $10 million contribution and an additional $6 million raise. This positions Geiger to execute sustained exploration programs across both flagship assets while maintaining operational flexibility in volatile uranium markets.Hunter emphasizes the strategic focus: "You want to pick one or two really good projects that have that capability. For us, the Aberdeen project is that. We've got a whole district basically to ourselves with really good ground where we think that we could find one of these high-tonnage, high-grade discoveries."View Geiger Energy's company profile: https://www.cruxinvestor.com/companies/geiger-energySign up for Crux Investor: https://cruxinvestor.com

Interview with Gerald Panneton, Executive Chairman of Gold Terra Resource Corp.Our previous interview: https://www.cruxinvestor.com/posts/gold-terra-resource-tsxvygt-leveraging-rising-gold-prices-with-high-grade-yellowknife-project-6315Recording date: 25th September 2025Gold Terra Resources Corporation (TSXV:YGT) is advancing its Yellowknife gold project in Canada's Northwest Territories, capitalizing on dramatically improved economics driven by gold's rise to $3,750 per ounce. Executive Chairman Gerald Panneton sees significant opportunity to revitalize the historically productive mining district, which was shuttered in 2003 when gold traded at just $340 per ounce.The company has outlined 1.8 million ounces of combined indicated and inferred resources, with a strategic focus on 540,000 near-surface ounces in the Yellorex zone that can be accessed via ramp development within 3-4 years. This approach prioritizes cash flow generation over the more capital-intensive deep underground mining that characterized the original operation.Gold Terra's competitive advantage centers on the Con Mine, a cornerstone asset featuring existing mining lease and surface rights that could reduce permitting timelines from the typical 10-15 years for greenfield projects to approximately one year. "The biggest advantage Gold Terra has with the Con mine as a cornerstone property is that [they have] the mining lease and the surface rights," Panneton explained.Third-party validation came through OR Royalties' $2 million investment to increase their NSR royalty from 1% to 2%, with an option for additional investment to reach 3%. The endorsement followed an in-depth technical review, providing external confirmation of the project's potential.Current gold prices have transformed project economics, enabling potential cutoff grade reductions that could expand the Yellorex zone from 540,000 to 700,000 ounces. Management targets completing a resource update and preliminary economic assessment within 6-12 months, aiming to finalize the Newmont acquisition by 2026.With $3 million in treasury and improved market conditions, Gold Terra enters a critical development phase positioned to leverage both existing infrastructure advantages and gold's structural bull market through disciplined, phased development focused on near-term production potential.View Gold Terra's company profile: https://www.cruxinvestor.com/companies/gold-terra-resource-corpSign up for Crux Investor: https://cruxinvestor.com

Interview with Dustin Perry, CEO of Kingfisher Metals Our previous interview: https://www.cruxinvestor.com/posts/gold-navigating-the-investment-opportunities-and-understanding-the-risks-5527Recording date: 24th September 2025Kingfisher Metals has positioned itself as a dominant force in British Columbia's Golden Triangle, assembling the largest contiguous land package among junior explorers at 850 square kilometers. Under CEO Dustin Perry's leadership, the company operates in Canada's most prolific copper-gold region, home to the highest-grade gold mine at Brucejack and the world's largest undeveloped gold deposit at KSM.Recent exploration success validates the company's systematic approach. The 2025 program delivered 234 meters grading 1% copper equivalent and identified a new porphyry system at Hank target. Perry describes this discovery as having "all the early stage indications that we're on to a very large deposit." The breakthrough resulted from methodical target generation by a team with proven experience at KSM, Red Chris, and the successful GT Gold project.Strategic advantages differentiate Kingfisher from regional competitors. Properties sit just 12 kilometers from highway infrastructure with favorable topography, lower elevation, and reduced environmental complications. Perry notes the location benefits: "You don't need to find something that good to make it very economical where we are given the location." The company avoids salmon river conflicts that plague other regional projects while maintaining proximity to power infrastructure.Financial backing strengthens the exploration runway through a $11 million financing completed in May 2025. Ashwath Mehra, founding partner of Glencore and former GT Gold executive chairman, leads the advisory board while institutional investors provide patient capital for multi-year programs.The investment thesis centers on statistical probability across extensive prospective terrain surrounded by major operators Teck, Anglo American, and Newmont. Recent $750 million commitments to adjacent Galore Creek and Schaft Creek projects, located further from infrastructure, create acquisition potential for infrastructure-advantaged discoveries. Perry's long-term vision follows the GT Gold model, targeting systematic exploration leading to discovery and ultimate major company acquisition within three years.Learn more: https://www.cruxinvestor.com/companies/kingfisher-metalsSign up for Crux Investor: https://cruxinvestor.com

Interview with Jean Lafleur, Technical Adviser, Lafleur MineralsOur previous interview: https://www.cruxinvestor.com/posts/lafleur-minerals-cse-lflr-positioning-for-near-term-gold-production-7636Recording date: 24th September 2025Lafleur Minerals is emerging as a unique player in Quebec’s gold sector by combining operational infrastructure with a growing mineral base in the prolific Val-d’Or camp. At the heart of its strategy is the fully permitted Beacon Mill, a 500-750 ton per day processing facility located near Val-d’Or. Unlike competitors who must wait years for permitting and construction, Lafleur can restart operations for just $5-6 million, with expected gold recovery rates exceeding 97%. This operational advantage not only provides immediate revenue opportunities through toll milling but also underpins the company’s acquisition strategy of targeting smaller deposits within a 100-kilometer radius—resources that larger producers typically overlook.The company’s flagship Swanson gold project is undergoing an ambitious expansion under the guidance of Technical Adviser Jean Lafleur. Recent drilling has expanded the property’s size five to six times, confirming mineralization across a strike length of more than two kilometers. Geological analysis highlights an orogenic gold system with both classic quartz vein mineralization and sulfide-rich zones, offering near-surface, open-pit potential. The company is targeting a 500,000 to 1 million ounce resource, positioning Swanson as a key growth driver alongside the mill.High gold prices exceeding $3,600 per ounce create especially favorable conditions for Lafleur’s model. With infrastructure already in place, near-surface deposits, and a scalable milling capacity, the company can generate cash flow faster and at lower cost than traditional exploration-driven peers. By leveraging its mill, Lafleur can build a pipeline of deposits—historical mines, new discoveries, or neighboring properties—to secure long-term feed and multi-year production horizons.Backed by Jean Lafleur’s decades of geological experience and the established logistics of Val-d’Or, Lafleur Minerals is positioned not only as an exploration company but as a vertically integrated developer with immediate revenue potential and a clear growth trajectory in Canada’s most prolific gold camp.Learn more: https://www.cruxinvestor.com/companies/lafleur-mineralsSign up for Crux Investor: https://cruxinvestor.com

Interview with Ben Pullinger, President & CEO of ATEX Resources Inc.Our previous interview: https://www.cruxinvestor.com/posts/atex-resources-tsxvatx-resource-update-coming-after-exceptional-phase-five-drill-results-6808Recording date: 25th September 2025ATEX Resources (TSXV: ATX) has positioned itself as a leading copper development story following the successful completion of its resource update and a strategic $21 million land acquisition. The company's Valeriano project in Chile has achieved management's guidance target of 2 billion tons at 0.78% copper equivalent grade, with 24% of the resource now classified in the higher-confidence indicated category.The resource achievement represents significant progress from the company's initial geological understanding. Through systematic drilling that expanded from 22,000 meters in 2023 to 51,000 meters currently, ATEX has evolved its geological model from a conceptual three-finger framework to a comprehensive understanding of a continuous granodioritic porphyry core representing nearly one billion tons, complemented by substantial wall rock mineralization.Central to ATEX's development strategy is the B2B zone, which delivered 30 million tons at 1.36% copper equivalent grade within just one year of drilling. This higher-grade zone forms the foundation for a potential starter operation that could provide early cash flow and achieve payback periods of 2-3 years, addressing the capital intensity challenges typical of large-scale copper projects.The company's $21 million acquisition of 14,500 hectares of surface rights eliminates critical development risks by providing complete control over surface access and water rights. This strategic investment removes permitting uncertainties and reduces operational costs, particularly for water procurement and trucking expenses.ATEX has distinguished itself through exceptional exploration efficiency, achieving a discovery cost of half a penny per pound of copper in the ground—efficiency levels not observed since the early 1990s. This performance reflects both the deployment of advanced directional drilling techniques and the inherently well-behaved geological characteristics of the Valeriano deposit.With over $20 million in cash and $52 million in callable warrants, ATEX maintains a strong financial position to execute its Phase 6 drilling program while benefiting from favorable copper market dynamics driven by global supply constraints and increasing electrification demand.View ATEX Resources' company profile: https://www.cruxinvestor.com/companies/atex-resources-incSign up for Crux Investor: https://cruxinvestor.com

Interview with Maura Kolb,  President of Dryden Gold Our previous interview: https://www.cruxinvestor.com/posts/dryden-gold-tsxvdry-58m-drill-campaign-funded-by-strategic-investment-6644Recording date: 23rd September 2025Dryden Gold Corporation has emerged as a compelling exploration opportunity in northwestern Ontario's proven mining district, combining institutional validation with operational excellence to develop what appears to be a significant district-scale gold system. The company's methodical approach has attracted strategic investment from Centerra Gold, which maintains a 9.9% ownership position and provides crucial third-party validation of the exploration thesis.Under President Maura Kolb's leadership, Dryden Gold has achieved remarkable operational efficiency with industry-leading drilling costs at $200 CAD all-in, significantly below peer averages. This cost advantage stems from strategic partnerships with Winnipeg-based contractors and local expertise development, supporting the company's growth to 10 employees with dedicated core facilities across their 70,000-hectare land package.The flagship Gold Rock target exemplifies the company's systematic geological approach, evolving from three initial structures to dozens of high-grade intersection targets within a concentrated 1km x 1km footprint. This evolution has fundamentally changed mining scenarios from underground-only to potential open-pit development through the identification of stacked structures and multiple deformation events.Regional exploration has revealed an 8km strike length pattern comparable to Red Lake's 28 million ounce endowment, with newly identified targets at Mud Lake showing similar mineralization to Gold Rock. Recent drilling at these regional targets suggests the emergence of a true district-scale opportunity rather than isolated deposits.Financially, Dryden Gold maintains strong liquidity with a recent $7.8 million raise funding 20-25,000 meters of additional drilling, while $11.5 million in warrants at $0.30 now in-the-money provide potential non-dilutive financing. Approximately two-thirds of results from recent drilling campaigns remain unreported, creating multiple near-term catalysts.The company explicitly targets eventual merger and acquisition activity, with Kolb stating: "The endgame is M&A. So we're shopping for our future buyout really with these major companies." This strategic positioning, combined with institutional backing and expanding resource potential, creates compelling risk-adjusted exposure to both organic growth and consolidation opportunities in the strengthening gold sector.Learn more: https://www.cruxinvestor.com/companies/dryden-goldSign up for Crux Investor: https://cruxinvestor.com

Interview with Petek Akerley, President & CEO of Erdene Resources DevelopmentOur previous interview: https://www.cruxinvestor.com/posts/erdene-resource-development-tsxerd-mongolia-gold-mine-98-complete-first-pour-september-2025-7357Recording date: 23rd September 2025Erdene Resource Development represents a compelling transition story within the gold mining sector, having successfully achieved first production while maintaining substantial growth optionality across a district-scale asset base in Mongolia. The company's September 2025 first gold pour from Bayan Khundii marks the culmination of systematic development efforts and positions the operation for sustained cash flow generation through favorable metallurgical characteristics and operational efficiency.The technical foundation supporting Erdene's investment proposition centers on exceptional deposit characteristics that translate directly to operational advantages. Bayan Khundii's 93-95% gold recovery rates using conventional processing technology, combined with low cyanide consumption and minimal sulfide content, position the operation favorably within industry cost curves. This operational efficiency becomes particularly valuable during periods of input cost inflation, providing margin protection and cash flow stability that supports both debt service and growth investment.The company's financial trajectory offers clear value creation milestones for investors. Current debt levels of $110 million are projected for retirement by mid-2026 through operational cash flows, eliminating the 13.8% financing costs and providing increased flexibility for expansion capital allocation. The 50-50 joint venture structure with Mongolian Mining Corporation provides operational stability and local expertise while maintaining strategic control through unanimous decision-making processes.Near-term growth catalysts focus on high-probability, infrastructure-leveraged expansion opportunities. The Bayan Khundii pit extension program targets an additional 150,000 ounces through westward and southward drilling, potentially increasing total reserves by 30% with minimal additional permitting requirements. The Dark Horse deposit, located 2.5 kilometers from existing operations, contains 50,000 ounces of high-grade surface mineralization amenable to alternative processing routes, including potential heap leach operations that could complement existing capacity.District-scale development potential extends the investment timeline beyond immediate expansion scenarios. The Altan Nar polymetallic project, containing 500,000 gold equivalent ounces across a 5-kilometer trend, represents a second development phase that could double production profiles to 200,000-250,000 ounces annually. The $7 million exploration budget allocated for 2026 targets systematic resource definition across this portfolio, focusing on near-surface opportunities that minimize development risks and capital requirements.Strategic diversification through the Zuun Mod molybdenum project provides exposure to industrial metals markets experiencing supply deficits, particularly within Chinese demand centers. This asset optionality offers portfolio balance and potential value realization through alternative development scenarios or strategic partnerships.The company's recent 6-for-1 share consolidation reflects management recognition of evolving institutional investor requirements as the company transitions from developer to producer status. This corporate action, combined with improving operational metrics and cash flow generation, positions Erdene for potential producer re-rating as institutional recognition expands.Erdene's positioning within current gold market dynamics appears particularly advantageous given the combination of immediate production cash flows and substantial expansion potential. The operational excellence demonstrated through successful startup, coupled with systematic approach to resource expansion across multiple deposits, suggests sustained value creation potential within Mongolia's established mining jurisdiction. The clear debt reduction timeline and aggressive exploration programs targeting near-surface extensions provide investors with both current income exposure and future growth optionality within a single investment vehicle.View Erdene Resource Development's company profile: https://www.cruxinvestor.com/companies/erdene-resource-developmentSign up for Crux Investor: https://cruxinvestor.com

Interview with Alan Carter, President & CEO of Cabral Gold Inc.Our previous interview: https://www.cruxinvestor.com/posts/cabral-gold-tsxvcbr-meet-the-team-john-sestan-7696Recording date: 23rd September 2025Cabral Gold Corporation is positioning itself to capitalize on record gold prices with its Cuiú Cuiú gold project in northern Brazil, featuring 1.2 million ounces of inferred and indicated resources across an entire mining district. The company has completed a pre-feasibility study for a starter operation requiring less than $40 million in capital expenditure with an impressive 12-month construction timeline.The project's economics have become exceptionally attractive in the current gold market environment. With all-in sustaining costs projected at $1,200 per ounce and gold trading above $2,600, the operation generates approximately $2,500 profit per ounce pre-tax. This translates to a remarkable five-month payback period on the initial capital investment, making it one of the most attractive development opportunities in the gold sector.Cabral has structured its development around proven heap leaching technology using a rotating pad system that prioritizes operational flexibility over cost optimization. The company will operate four heaps on a 120-day cycle, allowing for process adjustments between cycles to ensure production consistency and reduce technical risks.Three drill rigs are actively exploring across the district, targeting a doubling of current resources within 12-18 months. Recent high-grade results include 11 meters at 33 grams per tonne and 39 meters at 5.1 grams per tonne, demonstrating the district's continued potential. The project encompasses four new discoveries plus approximately 50 additional targets that have shown encouraging gold values.The project benefits significantly from its location adjacent to Brazil's third-largest gold mine, Tocantinzinho, which produces 200,000 ounces annually. Historical data indicates the Cuiú Cuiú area produced ten times more placer gold than the Tocantinzinho area, suggesting superior geological endowment across the district.Construction financing discussions are at advanced stages, with management expecting news within weeks regarding debt financing arrangements that will fund the majority of the capital requirements.View Cabral Gold's company profile: https://www.cruxinvestor.com/companies/cabral-goldSign up for Crux Investor: https://cruxinvestor.com

Interview with Garrett Ainsworth, President & CEO, District Metals CorpOur previous interview: https://www.cruxinvestor.com/posts/district-metals-tsxvdmx-betting-on-swedens-uranium-future-5726Recording date: 23rd September 2025District Metals Corp has strategically positioned itself at the forefront of Sweden's anticipated uranium mining revival, controlling 100% of the Viken deposit—described as the world's largest undeveloped uranium resource. The company's timing appears exceptional, as Sweden's center-right government plans to lift the country's uranium mining moratorium in Q4 2025, with new legislation expected to take effect January 1, 2026.The company executed a capital-efficient acquisition strategy between 2020 and 2025, securing complete ownership of the Viken deposit for approximately 5 million shares and minimal cash outlay. This approach demonstrates remarkable foresight, as the acquisition occurred during a period when Sweden's uranium mining prohibition remained in place, allowing District Metals to secure the asset at attractive valuations.The Viken deposit offers compelling operational characteristics that differentiate it from complex high-grade uranium projects. Located within Sweden's alum shale sequence, the deposit spans 4 kilometers wide by 6 kilometers long in a shallow, flat-lying formation suitable for conventional open-pit mining. This geological simplicity contrasts sharply with sophisticated underground operations like those in Canada's Athabasca Basin, which require advanced extraction techniques and significant capital investment.Beyond uranium, the deposit contains valuable commodities including vanadium, potash, phosphate, nickel, copper, zinc, and potential rare earth elements. This polymetallic nature provides natural commodity price hedging and multiple revenue streams, reducing dependence on uranium pricing alone. The inclusion of vanadium—particularly valuable for energy storage applications—and rare earth elements aligns with Europe's strategic objectives of reducing critical mineral import dependence.District Metals completed an updated mineral resource estimate in April 2025, addressing deficiencies in previous studies and incorporating multiple commodities that were previously excluded. The company invested in comprehensive MobileMT geophysical surveys to optimize mine planning and expects to complete a preliminary economic assessment within 6-12 months, depending on selected mining locations and metallurgical testing results.The investment thesis extends beyond commodity fundamentals to encompass European energy security and critical mineral independence. As geopolitical tensions highlight supply chain vulnerabilities, Sweden's domestic uranium production capability represents strategic value for EU energy policy objectives. The timing coincides with Europe's commitment to nuclear energy as essential baseload power for achieving net-zero emissions while maintaining industrial competitiveness.District Metals represents a pure-play opportunity on Sweden's uranium mining liberalization, combining operational simplicity, polymetallic diversification, and alignment with European strategic priorities in a capital-efficient package positioned for near-term regulatory catalysts.Learn more: https://www.cruxinvestor.com/companies/district-metals-corpSign up for Crux Investor: https://cruxinvestor.com

Recording date: 23rd September 2025The Denver Gold Forum Americas marked a pivotal moment for the gold mining sector, with buy-side attendance surging over 30% as institutional investors demonstrate renewed interest in precious metals equities. This dramatic shift from the sparse attendance witnessed two years prior signals broader market recognition of the sector's improved fundamentals and investment potential.Major gold miners have fundamentally transformed their financial profiles, moving from debt-heavy structures to robust cash positions. AngloGold Ashanti exemplifies this transformation, transitioning from net debt to net cash even after completing major acquisitions like Centamin. This financial strength has created unprecedented flexibility for capital allocation strategies previously unavailable during weaker commodity environments.Share buyback programs have emerged as a key theme among major producers, creating consistent market liquidity and generating positive feedback effects through passive fund flows. Industry observers expect buyback announcements from larger mid-cap companies over the next twelve months, representing a new marginal buyer category that provides ongoing support for gold mining equities.The gold mining sector has undergone a philosophical transformation regarding growth strategies. Previously, companies emphasized organic growth while treating acquisitions as taboo investments that attracted negative analyst and investor sentiment. The current environment shows marked openness to inorganic growth opportunities, with management teams no longer viewing expansion as inherently problematic.B2Gold's explicit targeting of 2026 acquisitions represents the most candid expression of this strategic shift, while other companies express cautious optimism about appropriate opportunities. Even companies with substantial organic growth potential, including Agnico Eagle, indicate receptiveness to suitable acquisition targets when they emerge.Investment managers Derek Macpherson and Samuel Pelaez identified Bellevue Gold as their primary new portfolio addition, representing a classic single-asset turnaround story. The Western Australian underground producer operates one of the world's highest-grade gold deposits, containing approximately 3.5 million ounces at nearly 10 grams per tonne.The company experienced multiple operational challenges during 2024 production startup, including delayed mine development, balance sheet strain, and unusual flooding events. These difficulties triggered lender covenant violations and forced balance sheet restructuring, creating attractive entry valuations for patient investors.Current operational metrics indicate successful turnaround execution, with mine development catching up to planned schedules and access to higher-grade ore blocks improving production flexibility. Management projects 170,000 ounces of annual production, though operational capacity suggests potential for 200,000 ounces annually.The combination of strong gold prices, improved sector sentiment, and increased institutional participation creates favorable conditions for both operational turnarounds and sector re-rating opportunities. With Bellevue's market capitalization under $1 billion USD, the company trades at significant discounts to comparable Western Australian producers, suggesting fair value potential in the $2-3 billion range.This institutional interest surge, coupled with miners' enhanced financial flexibility and strategic openness, positions the gold sector for continued evolution as both a defensive precious metals play and growth-oriented investment opportunity.Sign up for Crux Investor: https://cruxinvestor.com