Company Interviews

Interview withNick Earner, MD of Alkane ResourcesFrazer Bourchier, President & CEO of Mandalay ResourcesRecording date: 19th May 2025Alkane Resources (ASX:ALK) and Mandalay Resources (TSX:MND) have announced a strategic "merger of equals" that will create a significant mid-tier gold producer. The all-share transaction values Mandalay at A$559.1 million ($357.8 million), with Mandalay shareholders receiving 55% ownership of the combined entity and Alkane shareholders retaining 45%.The merged company will operate under the Alkane Resources name, trading on both the ASX and TSX exchanges. It will maintain a diversified portfolio of three producing mines - Tomingley (Australia), Costerfield (Australia), and Björkdal (Sweden) - with an anticipated annual production of 160,000-180,000 gold equivalent ounces.Financial projections for the combined entity are robust, including over $100 million USD in cash, zero debt, and approximately $200 million USD in annual free cash flow. This represents a cash flow multiple of approximately 3:1, compared to the industry standard of 4-5x EBITDA."This company will have over $100 million US in net cash positive with no debt," noted Frazer Bourchier, President and CEO of Mandalay Resources, highlighting the strong financial foundation of the merger.A key strategic rationale for the combination is achieving "capital relevance" through a pro-forma market capitalization of approximately $650 million USD. This scale should qualify the company for inclusion in both the ASX 300 index and the GDXJ (VanEck Junior Gold Miners ETF), potentially attracting institutional investors previously unable to invest due to size limitations.The merger has received unanimous board approval from both companies and secured voting support agreements from key shareholders. Shareholder votes are expected in June 2025, with transaction closing anticipated by August 2025.The combined entity will pursue a disciplined capital allocation strategy focused on organic exploration, M&A opportunities, and potential shareholder returns, operating with a philosophy of empowered site-level leadership and minimal corporate oversight.Sign up for Crux Investor: https://cruxinvestor.com

Interview with Simon Marcotte, President & CEO of Northern Superior Resources Inc.Our previous interview: https://www.cruxinvestor.com/posts/northern-superior-resources-tsxvsup-consolidating-next-big-gold-camp-6910Recording date: 15th May 2025Northern Superior Resources (SUP) presents a compelling investment opportunity through its strategic consolidation of the Chibougamou Gold Camp in Quebec. The company has successfully transformed what was once five separate companies into a two-player district alongside major partner IAMGold, creating critical mass around a combined 12.4 million ounce resource base.The investment thesis centers on Northern Superior's superior asset quality at Filibert, which offers 15-18% higher grades (1.1 g/t) compared to IAMGold's flagship Nelligan deposit (0.95 g/t). More importantly, optimization analysis demonstrates that minor cut-off adjustments could improve Filibert's grade by 40% while retaining 90% of the ounces. This grade advantage becomes crucial for bulk tonnage operations where early cash flow determines project viability and payback periods.Recent exploration success reinforces the value proposition. Northern Superior's latest discovery of 18 meters grading 2.5 g/t gold, including 5 meters at 7 g/t, opens significant underground potential beneath existing open pit resources. This follows the successful model at Detour Lake, where underground expansion has delivered exceptional profitability through higher-grade material.The timing is optimal. IAMGold is approaching "cruise control" at their Côte Lake operation and management has indicated their focus will shift to Chibougamou development, targeting 15+ million ounces across the camp. With all assets within trucking distance and designed to feed a central processing facility, the camp's proximity economics create substantial synergies.Multiple value creation paths exist: organic development, optimization partnerships with IAMGold, or potential takeout as the camp advances toward development. Given junior gold stocks trading at historic lows relative to gold prices and the structural advantages Northern Superior has built within this emerging district, the company offers leveraged exposure to both the macro gold thesis and micro execution excellence.—View Nothern Superior Resources' company profile: https://www.cruxinvestor.com/companies/northern-superior-resources-incSign up for Crux Investor: https://cruxinvestor.com

Interview withMichael Walshe, Managing Director & CEO of MTM Critical MetalsSteve Ragiel, President of Flash Metals USAOur previous interview: https://www.cruxinvestor.com/posts/mtm-critical-metals-asxmtm-revolutionary-tech-could-supply-us-critical-gallium-needs-by-2025-6590Recording date: 15th May 2025MTM Critical Metals (ASX:MTM) has positioned itself for near-term production with several significant developments that strengthen its investment case. The company has secured a pre-permitted brownfield site in Texas's industrial corridor that bypasses lengthy regulatory processes, enabling commercial production by the end of 2025. This 20,000-square-foot facility of 40-foot ceilings provides immediate operational capacity and room for expansion."We have a very rapidly deployable technology. We can be running here in 8 months. And that compares favorably with mines and other refineries that will take 3-5 years," noted Steve Rio, President of U.S. Operations, highlighting a key competitive advantage that has garnered strong government interest.MTM's proprietary flash heating technology combines electrical-based energy with specialized chemistry to recover high-value metals like gallium and germanium from electronic waste and production scrap. The process is approximately 90% more energy efficient than conventional smelting techniques and allows for selective recovery of specific metals with over 90% purity.The company has established a robust commercial foundation with long-term supply agreements for electronic waste that include penalties for non-supply—a crucial provision that underpins their economic model. Similar agreements for gallium and germanium processing are being finalized with minimum floor prices to protect against market manipulation.MTM's dual business model includes a build-own-operate approach for high-value materials and a warranty-based licensing system for mineral processing applications. This strategy allows them to focus capital on high-margin opportunities while generating additional revenue streams. Recent meetings in Washington DC have yielded strong support from congressional representatives, with officials requesting MTM identify additional sites across different U.S. regions to establish geographic diversity in domestic metal recovery capabilities.For investors, MTM represents an opportunity to gain exposure to critical minerals with a faster path to revenue than traditional mining operations. The company's protected supply chain, energy-efficient technology, and alignment with national security priorities create a compelling investment case in a sector of growing strategic importance. The year-end commissioning target serves as a key milestone that could validate their innovative approach and potentially catalyze significant value creation.View MTM Critical Metals' company profile: https://www.cruxinvestor.com/companies/mtm-critical-metalsSign up for Crux Investor: https://cruxinvestor.com

Compass, episode 15Our previous episode: https://www.cruxinvestor.com/posts/exploration-financing-and-consolidation-fuel-mining-sector-optimismRecording date: 14th May 2025Recent developments in the mining sector show increasing M&A activity alongside robust Q1 performance, according to Olive Resource Capital executives Samuel Pelaez and Derek Macpherson.Pan-American Silver's $2.1 billion acquisition of MAG Silver represents a modest 27% premium but trades at approximately 16-17 times earnings compared to Pan-American's 12 times multiple. The executives indicated they've increased their MAG position following the announcement, speculating that Fresnillo—MAG's joint venture partner at the Juanicipio mine—could potentially make a competing offer given their $1.3 billion cash position.In another consolidation move, Silver47 and Summa Silver are merging in what the executives describe as a "creative transaction" that will create better scale and improve access to passive fund flows, with year-round exploration capabilities.Q1 reporting from major gold producers shows strong cash generation, with gold prices increasing approximately 12% from Q1 to Q2. This price improvement could translate to 30-35% growth in free cash flow for efficient operators.The executives highlighted AngloGold Ashanti as potentially undervalued, producing 720,000 ounces in Q1 with all-in sustaining costs of $1,640 per ounce. Despite generating roughly 30-50% less free cash flow than Agnico Eagle, AngloGold has only about half the market capitalization.K92 Mining was singled out as an exceptional growth opportunity, with funded expansion plans to increase production from 180,000 to approximately 400,000 gold equivalent ounces annually. At its current $2 billion market cap, K92 could potentially generate a 35% cash flow yield once Phase 4 is complete.The executives emphasize free cash flow (CFO + CFI) as the most reliable metric for evaluating mining companies, providing investors with a framework for analyzing companies in the current environment of elevated metal prices.Sign up for Crux Investor: https://cruxinvestor.com

Interview with Kevin Smith, Non-Executive Director of Iris Metals Ltd.Recording date: 15th May 2025Iris Metals (ASX:IR1) presents a distinctive investment proposition in the lithium sector, focusing on speed-to-market in the United States through brownfield restart projects in South Dakota. Unlike many peers that require years of development and massive capital expenditure, Iris is advancing a permitted portfolio of hard rock spodumene assets with potential production by the end of 2026."This isn't your traditional dynamic of what you think of in a Western Australian style spodumene project where we're going to go drill for three or four years, build a huge resource, then raise a billion dollars off an FID and go build it," explains Kevin Smith, Non-Executive Director of Iris Metals. "We have a quick path to production by leveraging the operations that are already there."The company's strategic advantages begin with location. In a US market that currently imports 100% of its lithium requirements, Iris controls previously producing mines that operated during the Cold War era. These assets are already licensed and permitted, potentially eliminating years of regulatory hurdles that typically delay new mining projects.Iris employs a "hub and spoke" model centered around three primary project areas: Beecher (which already has a resource statement), Tin Mountain, and Edison. All three sites are currently being drilled, with updated resource estimates expected by fall 2025 to support a final investment decision.The US political landscape creates additional tailwinds. Recent tariffs on lithium imports, even from traditional allies like Canada, provide market protection for domestic producers. Combined with production tax credits, these policies create a protected ecosystem for US lithium development.From a technological standpoint, Iris avoids the risks associated with novel extraction methods by focusing on conventional hard rock mining – a proven approach widely used in established lithium producing regions. "We don't have to prove up a process flowsheet like the DLE guys," notes Smith. "We're going to use technology that's tried and proven in Western Australia and other places."The company claims several advantages that could contribute to a competitive cost structure, including very low strip ratios (potentially as low as 1:1), existing infrastructure, and proximity to workforce and services. These factors lead Iris to believe it can operate in "the bottom quartile of the cost curve" globally.Beyond mining, Iris has demonstrated the ability to produce battery-grade lithium compounds domestically through partnership with Indiana-based Reelement. Initial trials have reportedly produced 99.5% pure lithium carbonate – potentially enabling a complete US supply chain without sending material overseas for processing.For investors, upcoming catalysts include results from ongoing drill programs, trial mining activities to verify cost parameters, detailed engineering studies, and a potential OTC listing to improve accessibility for North American investors. The timeline to potential production appears relatively short compared to many lithium development peers, potentially offering a faster path to cash flow in a strategic jurisdiction.View Iris Metals' company profile: https://www.cruxinvestor.com/companies/iris-metals-limitedSign up for Crux Investor: https://cruxinvestor.com

Interview with Hayden Locke, President & CEO of Marimaca CopperOur previous interview: https://www.cruxinvestor.com/posts/marimaca-copper-tsxmari-de-risked-chilean-copper-developer-on-the-fast-track-to-production-6720Recording date: 12th May 2025Marimaca Copper is making substantial progress on two fronts in northern Chile's prolific copper belt. The company is finalizing the Definitive Feasibility Study (DFS) for its flagship Marimaca oxide project while simultaneously uncovering exciting exploration results at the nearby Pampa Medina project.Recent drilling at Pampa Medina has revealed a potentially transformative discovery with two stacked manttos (horizontal ore bodies) showing different styles of mineralization. The upper zone intersected approximately 80 meters at over 1.2% copper, including a higher-grade section exceeding 20 meters at roughly 2.5%. More significantly, deeper drilling encountered substantial visual bornite and chalcopyrite mineralization in the lower 300 meters, with assays pending."We now think that Pampa Medina has the potential to nearly double in size if there's continuous mineralization between the current Pampa Medina manto horizon out to the Pampa Medina Norte extension," explained Hayden Lock, President and CEO of Marimaca Copper. This expansion could substantially increase the strike length of the deposit. The mineralization bears similarities to Antofagasta's Cachuro discovery, which boasts a resource exceeding 300 million tons at over 1% copper.Marimaca is pursuing a pragmatic hub-and-spoke development strategy, with the flagship Marimaca oxide project serving as the central processing facility for multiple satellite deposits, including Pampa Medina and Madrugador. This approach aims to maximize capital efficiency while providing a clear path to significant production scale.The exploration success could significantly enhance the company's production profile. Current development plans target approximately 50,000 tons of copper annually from the Marimaca oxide project. However, integrating the satellite deposits could increase production to 70,000-75,000 tons, which would make Marimaca Copper the sixth largest copper project on the ASX according to Lock.Internal assessments suggest Madrugador and Pampa Medina together could contribute 20,000-25,000 tons annually for 13-14 years, even without additional exploration success. The company has commissioned an integration study from Stantec to validate the economic benefits of incorporating these satellite deposits into the development plan.Initial metallurgical indications for the Pampa Medina oxide material are encouraging, with data suggesting high acid solubility and potentially better recoveries than at the flagship Marimaca project. The company is balancing aggressive exploration ambitions with pragmatic capital management, focusing immediate drilling efforts on connecting the Pampa Medina Norte extension with the main deposit while conducting select deeper holes to test sulfide potential.For investors, Marimaca offers exposure to a copper development story with multiple near-term catalysts, including the completion of the DFS for the flagship project, pending assay results from deep drilling, and the integration study results. The company's advancing development timeline coincides with a period of favorable copper market fundamentals, characterized by accelerating demand and constrained supply growth.Marimaca's progress toward production, combined with its expanding resource potential, positions it as an increasingly significant player in the copper development landscape.Learn more: https://cruxinvestor.com/companies/marimaca-copperSign up for Crux Investor: https://cruxinvestor.com

Interview with Rory Quinn, President & CEO of Yukon MetalsRecording date: 12th May 2025Yukon Metals Corp. (CSE: YMC) is an emerging mineral exploration company advancing a trio of high-priority projects in Canada’s Yukon Territory—Star River, AZ, and Birch. Backed by ~$17 million in cash and the support of industry veterans including the Berdahl family (founders of Snowline Gold) and Keith Neumeyer, Yukon Metals is targeting transformative discoveries in 2025.Formed in 2024 from a private portfolio of 17 properties built over two decades, Yukon Metals is led by CEO Rory Quinn, a former Wheaton Precious Metals executive. The company has strategically narrowed its focus to three core assets based on grade potential, accessibility, and geological indicators. These projects benefit from proximity to year-round infrastructure, giving the company a cost and logistics edge in a traditionally challenging region.Star River is Yukon’s flagship, offering surface samples with up to 11,000 g/t silver and 101 g/t gold, supported by overlapping geophysical anomalies suggestive of a large carbonate replacement system. AZ is a copper-gold target with a 1.2 km gossan zone and trenching results up to 10.3% Cu, while Birch hosts geochemical signatures of an intact porphyry system near the Casino district.The company plans to drill 9,000 meters across all three projects in 2025, with initial results from Star River expected to serve as the key catalyst. Supported by disciplined capital allocation, minimal holding costs on its wider property portfolio, and strong shareholder alignment, Yukon Metals is well-positioned to make a meaningful discovery in a resurgent exploration environment.In a macro climate where secure, high-grade metal sources are increasingly prized, Yukon Metals’ infrastructure-accessible, high-potential assets offer compelling exposure to gold, silver, and copper in one of Canada’s most promising jurisdictions.View Yukon Metals' company profile: https://www.cruxinvestor.com/companies/yukon-metalsSign up for Crux Investor: https://cruxinvestor.com

Interview with Mark Selby, CEO of Canada NickelOur previous interview: https://www.cruxinvestor.com/posts/canada-nickel-tsxvcnc-crawford-project-advances-with-feed-completion-eyes-2025-construction-6791Recording date: 13th May 2025Canada Nickel Corporation (TSX: CNC) presents a compelling investment opportunity as it advances North America's most promising nickel project in the face of unprecedented government support and institutional capital returning to the mining sector. CEO Mark Selby's leadership has positioned the company to capitalize on what he describes as "the world's largest nickel sulfide district" in Timmins, Ontario, with the flagship Crawford project now approaching a construction decision after completing its FEED study and progressing through permitting.The company's innovative financing strategy has set it apart during challenging capital markets, executing its fourth successful bridge financing arrangement to avoid dilutive equity raises while maintaining project momentum. Recent financing totaling $39-40 million, including a groundbreaking partnership with TTN First Nation, demonstrates management's ability to access capital through non-traditional channels. This approach recognizes the fundamental shift in mining finance, where actively managed funds have "shrunk very dramatically over the last 15 years" and become concentrated in gold, copper, and silver.Political tailwinds have never been stronger for critical mineral projects in North America. The Trump administration's supply chain security focus, combined with Canada's new government under Carney promising to accelerate critical mineral development, creates multiple funding pathways for projects like Crawford. The Canadian government has established numerous funding programs worth billions, though deployment has been slow until now. With both governments prioritizing critical mineral security and upcoming USMCA renegotiations, Canada Nickel is positioned to benefit from what Selby describes as "monster bold steps forward" in government support.Unlike many nickel companies dependent solely on the EV market, Canada Nickel has strategically designed its operations for market flexibility. The company can direct 100% of production to the stainless steel and alloy markets, which continue to show strong growth (China's 300 series stainless production up 12% year-over-year), while maintaining optionality for EV sales through its Samsung SDI offtake agreement. This diversification provides crucial revenue stability as some automotive manufacturers, including Honda, reassess their EV timelines.Perhaps most significantly for near-term share price performance, generalist institutional investors are returning to mining after a decade-long absence. Selby reports that recent conferences included multiple meetings with generalist funds, representing a fundamental shift from resource-only investors. These funds see relative value in a sector trading at "5 and 10% of NPV" compared to broader markets at high multiples. When generalist capital moves from "0.05% of assets to 0.1% to 0.25%," it creates what Selby describes as "a tidal wave of capital."The company has outlined a comprehensive $3 billion funding package with multiple committed sources including $500 million from Export Development Canada, $600 million in refundable tax credits, $100 million from Samsung, and additional potential funding from European agencies and Canadian government programs. With permitting on track for year-end completion and detailed engineering advancing, Canada Nickel is positioned to make its final investment decision and benefit from first-mover advantage in one of the world's most promising nickel districts.For investors, Canada Nickel represents exposure to critical mineral supply chain security, innovative financing structures, and the convergence of government support with returning institutional interest—all while maintaining operational flexibility that provides downside protection in volatile markets.—View Canada Nickel's company profile: https://www.cruxinvestor.com/companies/canada-nickelSign up for Crux Investor: https://cruxinvestor.com

Interview with David Londoño, President & CEO of Mineros SAOur previous interview: https://www.cruxinvestor.com/posts/mineros-sa-tsxmsa-leading-gold-producer-in-colombia-with-growth-plan-towards-400000-ozyr-6250Recording date: 12th May 2025Mineros SA (TSX: MSA), a Latin America-focused gold producer, is charting a path of disciplined expansion under newly appointed CEO David Londoño, a Colombian mining engineer with over 30 years of industry experience. With operations in Colombia and Nicaragua, the company produces gold through low-cost dredging and underground mining methods, generating $160 million in annual revenue and maintaining a strong cash balance of $81 million. It also rewards shareholders with a stable 10-cent annual dividend.In Colombia, Mineros uses an environmentally friendly dredging process powered by hydroelectric energy, which allows for simultaneous gold recovery and land reclamation. In Nicaragua, operations are set to expand following the approval of a new mine at Porvenir, which could boost regional output by 50,000–60,000 ounces annually.A hallmark of Mineros’ strategy is its integration of artisanal miners into the supply chain—an initiative that supports local communities while enhancing the grade of processed ore. With this social license and local expertise, the company is evaluating acquisitions across Latin America, targeting 70,000 to 130,000-ounce-per-year assets that complement its current footprint.Londoño is focused on margin discipline and performance. “We don’t control the price, but we control the costs and our performance,” he stated. With improved market visibility and a rising share price, Mineros is positioning itself as a cost-effective, socially conscious, and dividend-paying gold producer with room to grow. The company’s strategic focus on value-driven expansion and operational excellence highlights its potential as a standout mid-tier player in the Latin American gold sector.View Mineros SA's company profile: https://www.cruxinvestor.com/companies/mineros-saSign up for Crux Investor: https://cruxinvestor.com

Interview with Ian Harris, President & CEO of Outcrop Silver & Gold Corp.Our previous interview: https://www.cruxinvestor.com/posts/outcrop-silver-tsxvocg-why-eric-sprott-holds-199-of-this-high-grade-silver-opportunity-6786Recording date: 12th May 2025Outcrop Silver & Gold (TSXV: OCG) is advancing one of the highest-grade primary silver projects globally, with CEO Ian Harris leading a disciplined approach to resource expansion and valuation growth.The company currently holds 37 million ounces of silver and aims to reach at least 60 million ounces in the near term, with ambitions to exceed 100 million ounces within the next 18-24 months. This expansion is supported by a fully-funded $12 million drill program, which has already delivered promising results including intercepts of "20 meters at 992 grams per tonne silver."Harris emphasizes a strategic approach that decouples valuation from volatile silver prices, focusing instead on creating measurable returns through resource expansion for every dollar invested. This disciplined stance aims to mitigate dilution risks while ensuring consistent growth regardless of market fluctuations.The company is pursuing a "starter-scale" development strategy, planning a smaller initial operation to reduce capital requirements and accelerate cash flow generation. This approach mirrors successful models in the gold sector, providing a more accessible pathway to production in today's challenging financial environment.The broader macroeconomic backdrop offers supporting factors for silver demand, including global debt accumulation and shifts away from the US dollar toward alternative assets. These trends potentially strengthen the fundamental case for silver investments over the medium-to-long term.In the current M&A landscape, Harris notes that acquisitions primarily reward producing assets rather than exploration-stage projects, underlining Outcrop's strategy to advance quickly toward initial production to enhance its strategic appeal.With strong exploration results underpinning near-term valuation catalysts and a clear pathway to growth, Outcrop Silver & Gold represents a disciplined approach to silver resource development in a market increasingly favorable to precious metals investments.View Outcrop Silver & Gold's company profile: https://www.cruxinvestor.com/companies/outcrop-silver-goldSign up for Crux Investor: https://cruxinvestor.com