Company Interviews

Interview with George Salamis, President & CEO of Integra Resources Corp.Our previous interview: https://www.cruxinvestor.com/posts/integra-resources-tsxv-itr-three-project-strategy-targets-quarter-million-ounces-of-gold-6326Recording date: 10th March 2025Integra Resources has successfully transformed from a development-stage company to a gold producer through its strategic acquisition of the Florida Canyon mine. This $63 million stock transaction has proven immediately accretive, with the company ending 2024 with over $50 million in treasury and record gold production of 72,000-75,000 ounces.The Florida Canyon acquisition addresses a critical challenge facing junior miners – the cycle of dilutive capital raises. As CEO George Salamis notes, "We were stuck in this loop as so many are... we figured the best way to break that would be to look for a producing asset that will pay the bills." This cash flow now funds development activities at the company's DeLamar and Nevada North projects without returning to capital markets.A distinctive advantage is Integra's regional focus, with all three assets located within three hours of each other in the western US. This proximity creates significant operational synergies, allowing for shared expertise, equipment, and personnel. The company's growth pathway is clearly defined, with the potential to increase production from current levels to approximately 300,000 ounces annually once all assets are operational.Valuation presents a compelling opportunity, with Integra trading at roughly 0.25x NAV compared to peer averages of 0.5x NAV. This discount reflects the market's lag in recognizing the company's producer status – a gap that should narrow as Florida Canyon demonstrates consistent cash generation.The regulatory environment has improved significantly under the current administration, creating a favorable window for permitting new projects. With DeLamar entering the federal NEPA process this year and benefiting from streamlined procedures, timing appears advantageous for Integra's development pipeline.Key catalysts include quarterly production results from Florida Canyon, the DeLamar feasibility study expected mid-2025, and exploration programs aimed at extending Florida Canyon's six-year mine life. Management is strengthening its team with key hires in operations and permitting, positioning the company for execution across its portfolio.For investors seeking exposure to gold in a stable jurisdiction with both current production and significant growth potential, Integra Resources offers a compelling risk-reward proposition at its current valuation.View Integra Resources' company profile: https://www.cruxinvestor.com/companies/integra-resourcesSign up for Crux Investor: https://cruxinvestor.com

Interview with Dan Blondal, CEO at Nano One Materials Corp.Our previous interview: https://www.cruxinvestor.com/posts/nano-one-materials-tsxnano-taking-advantage-of-disruption-to-chinese-battery-supply-chain-6524Recording date: 5th March 2025Nano One Materials, led by CEO Dan Blondal, is positioning itself as North America's leading alternative to Chinese lithium iron phosphate (LFP) battery cathode materials. The company has strategically transformed its financial structure by selling $22 million in real estate assets while retaining crucial operational capabilities, converting from property owner to tenant to strengthen its balance sheet without shareholder dilution.With approximately $60 million in non-dilutive funding secured through government grants, strategic partnerships, and asset sales, Nano One has created a strong financial foundation to execute its plans despite challenging market conditions. This funding approach has effectively turned their initial $10 million investment in the Johnson Matthey facility in Quebec into a $60 million war chest.The company's competitive advantage lies in its proprietary "one-pot" technology, which combines multiple cathode production steps into a single process. Unlike traditional Chinese manufacturing methods that generate substantial wastewater, Nano One's approach produces zero wastewater discharge while reducing capital costs and operating expenses. This technology can utilize North American iron sources rather than relying on Chinese supply chains.Nano One's Quebec facility serves dual roles as both a production platform and demonstration site for potential licensing partners, with an estimated capacity of 1,600 tons annually. The company is initially targeting defense and aerospace customers who require non-Chinese supply chains, establishing credibility before expanding to automotive and energy storage markets.Despite fluctuations in EV market growth, Nano One sees strong fundamentals across multiple applications including entry-level EVs, hybrid vehicles, and energy storage systems for renewable energy and data centers. The growing demand for energy to power AI and data centers is driving unprecedented need for battery storage, primarily using LFP technology.For 2025, Nano One is focused on expanding capacity at its Quebec facility and validating materials with customers, with the goal of progressing from initial agreements to formal sales contracts by year-end. The company has attracted strategic partners including Rio Tinto, Sumitomo Metal Mining, and Worley, prioritizing relationships with organizations that share their long-term vision.As geopolitical tensions highlight supply chain vulnerabilities, Nano One's technology addresses critical national security priorities by enabling North American battery material production independent from Chinese suppliers.View Nano One Materials' company profile: https://www.cruxinvestor.com/companies/nano-one-materialsSign up for Crux Investor: https://cruxinvestor.com

Interview with Alberto Orozko, CEO of Capital Silver Corp.Recording date: 5th March 2025Capitan Silver (TSXV:CAPT) is advancing a dual-focus exploration project in Durango, Mexico, strategically positioned in the heart of Mexico's prolific silver belt. Led by CEO Alberto Rasco, the company is exploring property that hosts both high-grade silver veins and a separate oxide gold deposit.The company's primary silver asset features impressive mineralization with intercepts showing up to 3 kg/ton silver within broader 10-meter zones averaging 300+ g/ton silver. What distinguishes this project is that high-grade zones are contained within continuous mineralized envelopes, creating more mining-friendly geometry than typical narrow veins.The project involves an intermediate sulfidation deposit system similar to those acquired by major companies. Capitan has confirmed mineralization along 1.3 kilometers of a 2.6-kilometer surface trend, with a significant advantage being that mineralization starts right at surface – unlike many competing deposits that begin hundreds of meters underground.Recently, Capitan Silver raised $5.3 million at a premium to market price, attracting Jupiter Asset Management as a strategic investor alongside continued support from existing investors including Michael Gentile. This funding supports a 10,000-meter drill program targeting extensions of their Jesus Maria vein system, the "Gully Fault" zone featuring gold-silver mineralization, and potential parallel vein structures.The company's unique dual asset strategy includes both the high-grade silver vein system and a separate oxide gold deposit currently estimated at 300,000 ounces in the inferred category. The gold deposit resembles mines previously operated by team members during their time at Argonaut Gold and could potentially be developed as an open-pit, heap-leach operation. This could provide a low-capital starter project generating cash flow to fund the more complex underground silver development.The property includes three historical mines that operated from the late 1800s until the Mexican Revolution disrupted operations. It remained fragmented until 2022, when Capitan acquired the final piece from Fresnillo, completing their land position along the silver trend.With Mexico potentially becoming more mining-friendly under President Claudia Sheinbaum's administration, Capitan Silver appears well-positioned with necessary permits already secured. The company's management brings significant regional experience, recently strengthened by adding Fernando Alanís, former CEO of Peñoles and president of the Mexican Chamber of Mines, to their board.As global demand for silver continues to grow for both industrial applications and as a monetary metal, Capitan Silver offers exposure to a high-grade, scalable project in the world's largest silver-producing country.Learn more: https://www.cruxinvestor.com/companies/capitan-miningSign up for Crux Investor: https://cruxinvestor.com

Interview with Frederick H. Earnest, President & CEO, Vista Gold CorpOur previous interview: https://www.cruxinvestor.com/posts/vista-gold-tsxvgz-smaller-scale-strategy-to-enhance-economics-5520Recording date: 4th of March, 2025Vista Gold Corp is transforming its approach to developing the Mount Todd gold project in Australia, one of the world's largest undeveloped gold resources with over 9 million ounces. The company is shifting from an ambitious large-scale operation to a more financially viable smaller project that better aligns with current market realities.The original development plan called for a 50,000 tons per day operation with capital expenditure requirements of approximately $1 billion. The revised strategy reduces the scale to 15,000 tons per day with a targeted capital requirement of under $400 million—a 60% reduction in upfront investment costs."For years we talked about Mount Todd as this big project... but a billion dollars US is still a big check to write," explained Fred Earnest, President and CEO of Vista Gold, in a recent interview at the PDAC convention.While the smaller operation would produce 150,000-200,000 ounces of gold annually compared to the original plan's 500,000 ounces, the economics remain compelling. The all-in sustaining costs are estimated at $1,300 per ounce for the smaller operation, compared to $960 per ounce for the larger version, still offering substantial margins at current gold prices.A key advantage of Mount Todd is its advanced permitting status, with all necessary environmental licenses and operating permits already secured. "Literally, I think we could write a letter and we could be in construction in two or three months' time," Earnest noted.The company is well-positioned financially to advance the project, ending 2024 with approximately $17 million in cash—providing a two-year runway without additional funding. This financial stability allows Vista Gold to complete the feasibility study for the smaller-scale approach, which is expected by mid-2025.For eventual project development, Vista Gold is exploring multiple funding avenues, including Australian debt sources like the Northern Australia Infrastructure Fund and equity financing through its North American listings.The strategic pivot comes at a time when the gold mining sector faces challenges in developing new large-scale projects in safe jurisdictions. By focusing on a more manageable development approach, Vista Gold aims to position Mount Todd as an attractive opportunity for mid-tier producers seeking growth through acquisition or partnership.Learn more: https://www.cruxinvestor.com/companies/vista-gold-corporationSign up for Crux Investor: https://cruxinvestor.com

Interview with Luis Azevedo, Chairman & CEO of Bravo Mining Corp.Our previous interview: https://www.cruxinvestor.com/posts/bravo-mining-tsxvbrvo-copper-gold-discovery-in-tier-1-pgm-project-in-brazil-5938Recording date: 4th March 2025Bravo Mining Corp represents an exciting opportunity for investors to gain exposure to the clean energy transition through a world-class platinum group metals (PGM), copper, and gold asset in the heart of Brazil's mining industry. The company's 100%-owned Luanga project, located in the renowned Carajás Mineral Province, has rapidly emerged as one of the largest and highest-grade palladium-platinum deposits globally, with a resource that has tripled to over 15 million ounces in just two years. Even more tantalizing is Luanga's copper-gold potential, with Bravo recently discovering bonanza-grade mineralization reminiscent of the IOCG deposits that built mining giants like Vale and Anglo American.The Luanga project boasts a number of key attributes that enhance its economic and development potential. First and foremost is the sheer scale and grade of the PGM resource. At 15 million ounces and growing, Luanga already ranks among the largest PGM deposits in South America. Importantly, the resource starts right at surface, with 86% of the ounces sitting in the first 250 meters depth. This suggests a low-cost, open-pit operation could be in the offing. Furthermore, with less than 10% of this massive land package systematically explored, Luanga likely has much more to give.While the PGM story alone would merit serious investor attention, the recent copper-gold discovery at Luanga makes Bravo impossible to ignore. Drill results like 11 meters of 14.5% copper and 3 g/t gold would be the envy of any major miner. The exploration model of choice for such mineralization are IOCG deposits, which are responsible for the bulk of Brazil's copper and gold production. These deposits are prized for their large size and polymetallic nature, often hosting economic quantities of copper, gold, silver, PGMs, and rare earths. With a land package of nearly 9,000 hectares, Bravo has an opportunity to consolidate a new copper-gold district in the heart of the Carajás.To advance these exceptional assets, Bravo has assembled a topnotch technical team with an unparalleled track record of discovery and development in Brazil. CEO Luis Azevedo and his colleagues were involved in several major discoveries in the country, giving them keen insights into the local geology and what it takes to operate there. Bravo also enjoys strong support from both the government and local community, a social license that is absolutely critical in today's mining industry. The Brazilian government has thrown its weight behind Luanga, placing it in an accelerated permitting program to bring the critical metals to market as quickly as possible.Lastly, Bravo has the financial strength to deliver on its ambitious plans. With $25 million in the bank, the company is fully funded to expand the PGM resource, advance engineering studies, and aggressively explore the copper-gold discovery. Major shareholders like Blackrock, Tembo, Franklin, and RCF have thrown their support behind management, recognizing the immense value creation potential at Luanga. As the company hits key milestones and proves out the polymetallic nature of the project, investors can look forward to a steady stream of catalysts.As the world electrifies and decarbonizes, metals like palladium, platinum, and copper will become ever more critical. Already, the Brazilian government is taking steps to secure its own supply of these vital elements. For investors, Bravo Mining offers a unique opportunity to participate in this generational megatrend, through an exceptional asset with a world-class team behind it. With drills turning, permits in hand, and a historic bull market for green metals ahead, Bravo has all the ingredients to become a major player in the industry.View Bravo Mining's company profile: https://www.cruxinvestor.com/companies/bravo-miningSign up for Crux Investor: https://cruxinvestor.com

Interview with Peter Akerley, President and CEO, Erdene Resource DevelopmentOur previous interview: https://www.cruxinvestor.com/posts/erdene-resource-development-tsxerd-mongolia-gold-producer-with-130m-annual-cash-flow-potential-6179Recording date: 4th of March, 2025Erdene Resource Development (TSX: ERD, MSE: ERDN) is in the final stages of bringing its high-grade Bayan Khundii gold project in southwestern Mongolia into production. Construction is expected to complete in April 2025, with commercial production anticipated by September-October 2025.The open-pit Bayan Khundii project boasts an exceptional grade of 4 grams per ton gold, positioning it to produce approximately 85,000 ounces annually with a current reserve-based mine life of six years. At current gold prices, the operation is projected to generate after-tax cash flows exceeding $100 million per year, providing significant economic resilience even during the startup phase."The high-grade nature of this deposit - four grams per ton - sets ourselves far apart from most in the open pit world. It gives us a buffer on the economic side," notes Erdene's President and CEO Peter Akerley.In 2023, Erdene entered a strategic alliance with Mongolia Minerals Corporation (MMC), formalized in January 2024 as a 50/50 joint venture. Importantly, Erdene retained a 5% net smelter return royalty that begins after production of 400,000 ounces, effectively giving the company a 60/40 economic split once this threshold is reached. The partnership provided $40 million in equity and an $80 million shareholder loan repayable over five years.Recent drilling programs have shown promising results for potential grade improvements, with ongoing exploration work focused on extending the mine life. Erdene has identified opportunities to optimize the processing plant, potentially increasing production to 95,000-100,000 ounces annually with minimal capital investment.Beyond Bayan Khundii, Erdene controls the Zuun Mod molybdenum-copper project, which has gained improved prospects due to enhanced infrastructure and strengthening molybdenum markets. The company plans to allocate over $10 million annually to exploration starting in 2026-2027, focusing on expanding resources around Bayan Khundii and advancing other deposits in their Khundii Minerals District.Mongolia's strategic location adjacent to China provides advantages for resource development, allowing Erdene access to both Western capital markets and Asian consumer markets, particularly valuable in today's fragmenting global economy.Learn more: https://www.cruxinvestor.com/companies/erdene-resource-developmentSign up for Crux Investor: https://cruxinvestor.com

Interview with Thomas Lamb, CEO of Myriad Uranium Corp.Our previous interview: https://www.cruxinvestor.com/posts/myriad-uranium-csem-exceeding-expectations-at-wyomings-high-grade-copper-mountain-project-6300Recording date: 4th March 2025Myriad Uranium Corp is an emerging leader in the resurgent U.S. uranium sector, offering investors a unique opportunity to participate in the global shift towards clean, reliable nuclear energy. With two high-potential projects in the heart of America's most prolific uranium districts, Myriad is perfectly positioned to capitalize on the growing demand for domestically sourced uranium as the U.S. prioritizes energy security and carbon-free baseload power.Under CEO Thomas Lamb's direction, Myriad has assembled a world-class team of geologists and mining professionals who are united in their mission to unlock the vast potential of the company's projects. With a lean, efficient corporate structure and a disciplined approach to capital allocation, Myriad is able to rapidly advance its projects and create meaningful value for shareholders.Myriad's flagship Copper Mountain project in Wyoming hosting a large historical uranium resource of 15 to 30 million pounds with tantalizing exploration upside. Recent drilling has confirmed the presence of high-grade uranium mineralization, with some truly outstanding intercepts of more than 8,000 ppm uranium and Myriad has only scratched the surface of this expansive mineralized system. With multiple untested prospects and the potential for deeper, high-grade uranium discoveries, Copper Mountain has all the makings of a world-class uranium district.Myriad has also secured a second high-grade uranium project in New Mexico with the recent acquisition of the Red Basin project. This shrewd move added an impressive 1.5 to 6.5 million pounds of high-grade, near-surface uranium resources to Myriad's already substantial portfolio. The company's geological team is eager to sink their teeth into the wealth of historical data at Red Basin and unlock the full potential of this exciting project.As the global push towards clean energy gains momentum, the long-term fundamentals for the uranium market have never looked better. With nuclear power playing a vital role in decarbonizing the world's energy supply, demand for uranium is set to soar in the coming years. At the same time, supply is tightening as years of underinvestment in the sector take their toll. This creates a perfect storm for uranium prices to rise, and Myriad is ideally situated to ride this powerful wave.For investors seeking exposure to the coming uranium boom, Myriad Uranium Corp stands out as a compelling choice. With its top-tier U.S. projects, exceptional management team, efficient business model, and attractive valuation, Myriad offers unparalleled leverage to rising uranium prices. As the company continues to advance its projects and expand its resources, the upside potential is truly extraordinary. For investors who share this vision, Myriad Uranium Corp is a rare opportunity to power their portfolios with the bright future of American nuclear energy.View Myriad Uranium's company profile: https://www.cruxinvestor.com/companies/myriad-uraniumSign 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-slated-growth-with-strategic-major-investment-on-large-copper-asset-6272Recording date: 4th March 2025ATEX Resources is making significant progress at its Valeriano Copper-Gold project in Chile, where its phase five drill program is delivering the best results to date. The company has evolved from focusing solely on a large porphyry resource to also emphasizing newly discovered high-grade breccia zones above the main deposit.These high-grade zones, which show consistent mineralization of 2% copper equivalent over 100-200 meter intervals, could contain 30-50 million tons of material representing $6-10 billion in in-situ value. Each ton of this material has an estimated gross value of $200, potentially generating around $100 per ton in margin after costs.A significant development for ATEX has been its partnership with Agnico Eagle, which brings financial stability and technical expertise. This partnership aligns with a growing industry trend toward consortium-based development of large copper projects, especially in Chile's emerging world-class copper district where companies like Teck, Newmont, Anglo Gold, and Freeport-McMoRan are active.ATEX is well-capitalized with approximately $50 million Canadian in cash and an additional $90 million in warrants, allowing for continued aggressive exploration. The company is planning a phase six drilling program to test additional targets identified through geophysical work.Geophysical surveys have identified multiple targets with signatures similar to the already-drilled high-grade zones. These signatures occur at the intersection of northeast and northwest structural features, with current interpretation suggesting there could be up to four or five high-grade breccia zones within the property.The upcoming resource update is expected to show significant growth from the 2023 estimate, which established 200 million tons at approximately 1% copper equivalent in the porphyry system. The update will likely include the newly discovered high-grade zones and additional indicated resources with higher confidence.ATEX plans to advance toward economic studies once it has fully defined the highest-value portions of the deposit. The company believes that the district has potential for 200+ years of production, representing a long-term opportunity in a market facing supply challenges.According to industry forecasts, copper demand will require adding "an Escondida every two years." Projects like Valeriano, with high-grade components that can be developed at smaller scales initially and then expanded, are becoming increasingly attractive in this environment of growing global copper demand.View ATEX Resources' company profile: https://www.cruxinvestor.com/companies/atex-resources-incSign up for Crux Investor: https://cruxinvestor.com

Interview with David Rhodes, Executive Chairman, and Alexandra Woodyer Sherron, President & CEO of Empress Royalty Corp.Our previous interview: https://www.cruxinvestor.com/posts/empress-royalty-tsxvempr-chairman-bullish-on-companys-potential-to-deliver-significant-growth-6299Recording date: 3rd March 2025Empress Royalty Corp. has reached a significant milestone in its growth trajectory, achieving positive cash flow and $8 million in revenue for 2024, more than doubling the $3.5 million generated in 2023. The company projects continued strong growth, with expectations to double revenue again to $15-16 million in 2025 based solely on their existing portfolio.This revenue is derived from four key assets: a silver stream in Mexico, a gold stream in Peru, a gold royalty in Mozambique, and a gold royalty in South Africa. The portfolio is already showing strong returns on investment, with Empress recovering nearly 90% of their $5 million investment in the Mexico project, about half of their $10 million Peru investment, and exceeding their initial $3 million Mozambique investment with $4.2 million returned to date.Empress differentiates itself in the royalty and streaming sector through its active investment approach, focusing on junior mining companies that are either entering production or expanding operations. Unlike competitors who may passively acquire existing royalties or focus on early-stage exploration, Empress directly invests in mining companies and maintains close operational relationships, including regular reporting and site visits."Our business motto is doubling every year our cash flow and our revenue. That takes wise stewardship and that's a little different. We're not just all about making the market happy; we're about building a business," stated David Rhodes, Executive Chairman.The company has maintained disciplined capital allocation, evaluating over 10 potential deals last year but advancing none due to technical or other concerns. This selective approach has ensured their existing investments perform well while preserving capital for strategic opportunities.Having achieved positive cash flow, Empress is now positioned to reinvest incoming revenue into new opportunities without diluting existing shareholders. They also maintain access to $20 million in funding from financial partner Nebari, providing additional capacity for growth while keeping general and administrative expenses flat at approximately $2 million annually.The company is currently in advanced discussions regarding a potential new investment in the United States, while also evaluating opportunities in Africa and South America. Empress maintains a flexible approach to geographical risk, leveraging management's international experience to evaluate and structure investments in diverse locations.As Rhodes noted regarding their precious metals focus: "We believe in gold, we believe it's going to $3,000, we believe in silver, we believe that's going to $40." This outlook would dramatically enhance returns from their existing portfolio while creating opportunities for new deals as mining companies seek capital to benefit from higher metal prices.View Empress Royalty's company profile: https://www.cruxinvestor.com/companies/empress-royaltySign up for Crux Investor: https://cruxinvestor.com

Interview with Bruce Lane, Executive Director, GTI EnergyOur previous interview: https://www.cruxinvestor.com/posts/gti-energy-asxgtr-boosts-wyoming-uranium-resource-by-50-advances-development-plans-6420Recording date: 3rd of March, 2025GTI Energy is making significant progress on its uranium in-situ recovery (ISR) projects in Wyoming, with a focus on the Lo Herma project that recently reached 8.57 million pounds of uranium resources, 30% in the indicated category. This resource size strategically positions the company alongside similar economic projects in the region being developed by established players like UR Energy and enCore.Executive Director Bruce Lane reports that the company has completed all fieldwork for their feasibility study, including successful metallurgical testing showing good uranium recoveries using alkaline leach processes and permeability testing confirming the project's suitability for ISR methods. The study, conducted by BRS Engineering from Riverton, Wyoming, is expected to be delivered within the next 1-2 months.The economics appear promising, with anticipated capital expenditure of approximately $50-55 million and potential production of around 1 million pounds of uranium annually over an 8-10 year mine life. At uranium prices around $80 per pound, Lane suggests the project could generate $30-40 per pound in free cash flow, offering relatively quick payback and manageable risk.GTI is exploring multiple strategic pathways forward, including growing their resource base and pushing toward permitting, developing satellite deposits, pursuing joint ventures, or potential partnerships with industry players. Lane emphasized their focus on proving the economic case by confirming the geology, metallurgy, and permeability to demonstrate the project's viability as a standalone operation.The current uranium market presents challenges, with spot prices having declined significantly since early last year. However, Lane expressed confidence in eventual improvement, citing fundamental supply-demand dynamics, particularly as the United States aims to achieve self-sufficiency in uranium production, targeting 50 million pounds annually.Given current market conditions, GTI is considering alternative financing approaches beyond traditional equity-debt structures, potentially involving strategic investment from industry participants. Lane also noted the possibility of industry consolidation in the exploration and pre-development space over the next 3-12 months.While they won't be filing development permits this year, Lane indicated it would be feasible to reach that stage within the next 18-24 months if properly funded. As the U.S. works to secure domestic uranium supply, GTI Energy's Wyoming projects represent one piece of what Lane describes as a "game of inches" approach to rebuilding American uranium production capacity.Learn more: https://www.cruxinvestor.com/companies/gti-energySign up for Crux Investor: https://cruxinvestor.com