Company Interviews

Interview with Philippe Cloutier, CEO, Cartier ResourcesOur previous interview: https://www.cruxinvestor.com/posts/cartier-resources-tsxvecr-market-economics-fuel-250000m-drilling-campaign-9002Recording date: 1st of March 2026Cartier Resources (TSXV: ECR) has emerged as a unique investment opportunity in Quebec's Abitibi Greenstone belt, positioned as the only remaining independent junior explorer in the 50-kilometer corridor between Val-d'Or and Malartic. The company finds itself surrounded by major producers—Agnico Eagle, Wesdome, El Dorado, and Fresnillo—whose combined market capitalization of $200 billion dwarfs Cartier's $130 million valuation.CEO Philippe Cloutier outlined a disciplined exploration strategy that prioritizes building per-share value over responding to retail investor pressure for aggressive drilling expansion. The company is systematically evaluating 10 targets representing four mineralization types along a single fault corridor, leveraging over 100,000 meters of historical drilling data from 600+ diamond drill holes spanning 15 kilometers. Rather than prospecting randomly, Cartier is developing a comprehensive camp-scale geological model by reassessing 80 years of historical discoveries around a past-producing gold mine.Cartier's 2026 program includes continuous drilling with two rigs, metallurgical testing integration, an updated resource estimate, and a refreshed preliminary economic assessment using current gold prices rather than the $1,750 assumption from the 2023 study. The company is evaluating multiple development pathways including toll milling, proprietary mill construction, bulk sampling, and direct shipping ore scenarios, with the Portal target's proximity to infrastructure offering near-term monetization potential.Significantly, senior producers are already reviewing Cartier's data room, seeking assets with 20-30 year mine lives. Recent M&A consolidation—including Fresnillo's acquisition of Probe Gold and IAMGold's purchase of Northern Superior—demonstrates the thinning pool of quality Canadian junior assets. The company has recently acquired ground enabling exploration of Canadian Malartic-type mineralization similar to discoveries that led to Agnico Eagle's Odyssey program.With 85% of budget directed to ground-based exploration and expanded marketing efforts in Europe and Asia, Cartier maintains strategic focus on controllable factors while positioning for potential acquisition by neighboring majors seeking to extend mine life in this proven tier-one jurisdiction.Learn more: https://www.cruxinvestor.com/companies/cartier-resources-incSign up for Crux Investor: https://cruxinvestor.com

Interview with George Bee, President & CEO of US Gold Corp.Our previous interview: https://www.cruxinvestor.com/posts/us-gold-corp-nasdaqusau-meet-the-team-luke-norman-9353Recording date: 1st March 2026US Gold Corp sits in a position that very few junior mining companies can claim in the current market cycle: a fully permitted, fully engineered gold-copper project in a stable North American jurisdiction, backed by $30 million in cash, with a Feasibility Study on the immediate horizon and active financing discussions already underway. For investors trying to identify companies with a credible, near-term path to cash flow, that combination of attributes is difficult to find.The flagship CK Gold Project in Wyoming is the core of the investment case. Located adjacent to the I-80 interstate corridor with a power substation just 16 miles away, the project benefits from infrastructure access that meaningfully reduces capital requirements relative to more remote peers. The operation is designed to be straightforward: a low strip-ratio open pit feeding a concentrator to produce a copper-gold concentrate, with a minor silver credit. That concentrate is currently in high demand from smelters facing feedstock shortages — a market dynamic that adds commercial relevance to the project's timing.The reserve and resource base supports a mine life of 10 to 11 years producing approximately 110,000 gold-equivalent ounces per year, with mineralization open at depth. Management has stated that a modest follow-on exploration program could potentially double the mine life, adding further value without requiring a wholesale redesign of the operation. The prefeasibility study outlined initial capital of $277 million — a figure that has moved higher due to inflation and evolving tariff conditions, but one that management believes is more than counterbalanced by the dramatic improvement in gold and copper prices over the same period.The Feasibility Study, described by CEO George Bee as imminent, is the next major catalyst. Its release will formalize the financing process, and with an 18-to-24-month construction timeline, production by end-2027 or 2028 is a realistic target. The company enters that financing process from a position of strength: $30 million in cash, a tight share structure with approximately 16 million shares outstanding, and strong management alignment through meaningful insider ownership.Jurisdictional quality is not an afterthought here — it is a structural advantage. Wyoming is a resource-friendly state with regulatory agencies that understand mining, a secure legal framework, and no history of the retroactive fiscal changes that have introduced risk premiums into projects across Africa, Latin America, and parts of Asia. At a time when supply chain security has become a policy priority for Western governments, a NASDAQ-listed, US-domiciled asset with near-term production credentials is a genuinely differentiated proposition.Looking further out, the Keystone Project in Nevada — 20 square miles of ground situated 11 miles from Nevada Gold Mines' Cortez complex — provides the kind of blue-sky exploration upside that can redefine a company's scale. AI-assisted target generation is now underway across the property. The Challis deposit in Idaho adds a third exploration asset to the portfolio. Together, these positions mean that CK Gold's cash flow, once generated, funds the pursuit of a potentially company-defining discovery rather than simply servicing debt.US Gold Corp is not a speculative exploration story. It is a pre-production company with a defined asset, a clear financing pathway, a management team with real operating credentials, and exploration upside that the market has not yet priced in. For investors seeking leveraged exposure to gold and copper with a credible near-term production timeline, it warrants serious consideration.View U.S. Gold's company profile: https://www.cruxinvestor.com/companies/us-gold-corpSign up for Crux Investor: https://cruxinvestor.com

Interview with Keith Boyle, CEO, New Found GoldOur previous interview: https://www.cruxinvestor.com/posts/new-found-gold-tsxvnfg-permitted-infrastructure-accelerates-path-to-gold-production-9383Recording date: 2nd of March 2026New Found Gold is executing a calculated transformation from exploration company to near-term producer under CEO Keith Boyle, who joined the company one year ago with a clear mandate: convert five years of exploration work into cash flow generation.The cornerstone of this strategy was the acquisition of Maritime Resources, which delivered two critical assets—the producing Hammerdown mine and the permitted Pine Cove Mill. Hammerdown achieved first pour in November 2025 and is ramping to steady-state production, generating immediate cash flow at current gold prices. Meanwhile, the Pine Cove Mill, which restarted in March 2025, will be expanded from 700 to 1,400 tons per day capacity to process material from both Hammerdown and the flagship Queensway project.This acquisition-driven approach solves a fundamental challenge: accelerating Queensway production by 2-3 years. Building an on-site mill would require in-pit tailings deposition, significantly extending permitting timelines and forcing continuous dilutive financing. Instead, New Found Gold plans to ship Queensway material 270 kilometers along the Trans-Canada Highway to Pine Cove by the end of 2027.The economics prove compelling. Queensway's Phase 1 targets 700 tons per day at grades of 9-10 grams per ton gold, with all-in sustaining costs of $1,300 per ounce. Combined trucking and processing costs approximately one gram per ton, leaving substantial margins at current gold prices above $5,000 per ounce. The company projects over $250 million in free cash flow during the first four years, which will fund construction of an on-site mill for Phase 2 expansion.Recent grade control drilling on 5x5 meter centers addresses previous concerns about "nuggety" mineralization, revealing instead consistent gold distribution as fine flakes throughout high-grade shoots. This systematic de-risking, combined with visible gold at surface in the Iceberg zone, positions Queensway for low-capital-intensity production start-up while the company continues district-scale exploration with 100,000 meters of drilling planned for 2026.Learn more: https://www.cruxinvestor.com/companies/new-found-goldSign up for Crux Investor: https://cruxinvestor.com

Interview with Philip Williams, CEO, IsoEnergy Ltd.Our previous interview: https://www.cruxinvestor.com/posts/isoenergy-tsxiso-production-advancement-with-exploration-upside-commencing-winter-drill-program-8967Recording date: 1st of March 2026IsoEnergy is a diversified uranium developer and near-term producer operating across Canada, the United States, and Australia — three jurisdictions deliberately chosen for their strong regulatory and mining track records. The company is gaining significant attention from institutional investors as the uranium sector enters what many believe is a sustained structural bull market.Earlier in 2026, IsoEnergy raised $50 million in a capital round that attracted over $300 million in demand — more than six times oversubscribed — from 45 global institutional investors, roughly half of whom were new to the company. CEO Philip Williams, speaking at PDAC 2026, described it as a signal of a meaningful shift: where uranium investing was once the domain of a handful of specialists, generalist funds and large institutions are now actively deploying capital into quality names. IsoEnergy's scale and track record position it to capture that wave.IsoEnergy's flagship asset, the Hurricane deposit in Saskatchewan's Athabasca Basin, holds 48.6 million pounds of U₃O₈ at an average grade of 34.5% — the highest-grade uranium resource on earth. The deposit sits adjacent to Cameco and Orano's Dawn Lake project, whose operators have publicly confirmed high-grade mineralisation comparable to Cigar Lake and McArthur River, the two largest uranium mines in the world. IsoEnergy is currently running an expanded winter drill program and believes significant additional pounds remain to be discovered.The Tony M Mine in Utah is the company's most advanced production asset. A bulk sample program is currently underway underground, generating the data needed for a final restart decision. With approximately $150 million in cash, the company is fully funded for that decision without needing new equity or debt.IsoEnergy stages its portfolio deliberately — advancing Tony M first, then Daneros and Rim in Utah, then its Australian assets — allowing a core technical team to transfer expertise sequentially rather than spreading it thin. This matters because experienced uranium mine builders are globally scarce. The company is also well-positioned to access US government capital, with agencies including the Department of Energy and the Export-Import Bank actively advertising critical minerals funding at industry events.With multiple catalysts converging in 2026 — Hurricane drill results, a Tony M production decision, and broad institutional tailwinds — IsoEnergy is structurally positioned as one of the uranium sector's most compelling development stories.Learn more: https://www.cruxinvestor.com/companies/isoenergySign up for Crux Investor: https://cruxinvestor.com

Interview with Wesley Whymark, Director & CEO of Inventus MiningRecording date: 1st March 2026Inventus Mining is doing something most junior gold companies cannot: generating cash from its asset before it has a formal resource estimate, and using that cash to fund its own growth. At its Pardo Paleoplacer project in Ontario, Canada, the company extracts gold-bearing conglomerate from surface, crushes it on-site, and trucks it to McEwen Mining's nearby mill under a pre-sale arrangement. The first bulk sample returned approximately two dollars for every dollar invested. That single data point separates Inventus from the majority of its peers, who depend entirely on shareholder capital to advance their projects.The geology underpinning this model is straightforward and well-understood. The Pardo Paleoplacer project targets a conglomerate reef averaging 2 metres thick and grading 2.5 to 3.5 grams per tonne gold, sitting at or near surface. Drilling costs are low — a single rig can complete two to three holes per day at the current target depths of 0 to 50 metres. Gold recoveries at McEwen's mill are running in the mid-90% range, with 70% of gold captured in the gravity concentrate alone. The metallurgy is not a question mark here. It has been tested at scale through the bulk sampling program itself.The company has now completed 30,000 of its permitted 50,000 tonnes of bulk sample. With 20,000 tonnes remaining, management is prioritising grid drilling to define a maiden mineral resource estimate, targeted for Q3 2026. That resource estimate is the most important near-term event for investors. It will be the first time the market has a formal, independently verified number to attach to the asset, and it will form the basis of the subsequent production permit application targeting 200,000 tonnes of material. Ontario's permitting framework is efficient — once a third-party environmental report is submitted, Ministry approval can come within 45 days. A permit submission is targeted for late 2026, with production potentially commencing in early 2027.The shareholder base adds a further layer of conviction. Eric Sprott holds 16%. McEwen's founder personally holds 17%. McEwen Inc. holds approximately 10%. Together, these three positions account for roughly 43% of the company. These are not passive holders — McEwen's mill is the processing partner, and Sprott has been involved since approximately 2013. Their continued presence signals that those closest to the asset continue to believe in its scale and economic potential.Ore sorting represents the most significant unpriced optionality in the story. A 2018 scoping study showed XRF particle sorting could recover 93% of the gold from just 40% of the mined material — a 160% uplift in mill feed grade and a meaningful reduction in trucking and processing costs. Modern XRF sorters can now process 40 to 120 tonnes per hour, making commercial-scale deployment viable in a way it was not when the study was first conducted. Bulk-scale testing is planned, and the results will be a key secondary catalyst.The risks are real but manageable. McEwen's mill pace has been slower than hoped. The resource remains undefined. Modest additional capital may be needed. But for investors looking for gold exposure through a near-production junior that funds itself, operates in a top-ranked jurisdiction, and carries endorsement from two of the resource sector's most credible names, Inventus Mining presents a case worth examining closely.View Inventus Mining's company profile: https://www.cruxinvestor.com/companies/inventus-mining-corpSign up for Crux Investor: https://cruxinvestor.com

Interview with Tara Christie, President & CEO of Banyan Gold Corp.Our previous interview: https://www.cruxinvestor.com/posts/banyan-gold-tsxvbyn-76moz-gold-project-advances-toward-2026-pea-8866Recording date: 1st March 2026Banyan Gold Corp. (TSXV:BYN) enters 2026 as one of the more substantive junior gold development stories in Canada's Yukon Territory. With a 7.7-million-ounce gold resource at its AurMac project, a fully funded 40,000-metre drill program underway, and a maiden Preliminary Economic Assessment scheduled for the second half of the year, the company has a clear and near-term catalyst pipeline.The 2025 drill program of approximately 43,000 metres targeted two high-grade zones—Airstrip and Powerline—which are expected to anchor the starter pit economics in the upcoming PEA. Intercepts of 16 metres at 9 g/t and 40 metres at 4 g/t at Airstrip, and multiple 2–3 metre intervals at 16 g/t at Powerline, represent above-average grades relative to the broader deposit. Assay results from the full 2025 campaign remain pending, with a resource update to follow. Step-out drilling has extended the deposit's surface expression by approximately one kilometre in both directions along Airstrip, reinforcing management's view that AurMac is a substantially larger system than legacy models indicated.A separate high-grade silver discovery—18 drill hits across six shallow veins, with grades exceeding 13,000 g/t at depths as shallow as 65 metres—adds a layer of optionality not yet captured in any economic study. The most significant external data point for valuing AurMac is Franco-Nevada's February 2026 acquisition of the project royalty for $52.2 million. The royalty carries a buydown provision reducing it to 1% for $10 million—meaning Franco-Nevada effectively paid approximately $42 million for a 1% net smelter royalty. At Banyan's current market capitalisation, this implies the equity market is ascribing a fraction of the value to the full project that a leading royalty company paid for just one percent of it. That gap is the central valuation argument for the stock.Despite a share price increase of approximately 350% in 2025, Banyan trades at under US$50 per ounce of resource. Yukon development peers trade at US$60 to US$300 per ounce. Christie noted that comparable companies were achieving the US$50/oz valuation at US$1,800 gold—implying the current per-ounce value has not kept pace with the commodity. Three investor misconceptions resolved in October 2025—heap leach versus mill, legacy shareholding overhang, and partial property ownership—had suppressed the stock relative to peers and have now been corrected.Execution risk is reduced by full funding secured in October 2025, an early season start with five drills operating by mid-March, and contracts with senior field personnel signed ahead of competitors. The company is not seeking additional capital and is focused on delivering value from existing resources.The PEA in H2 2026 is the defining event. It will establish the first public economic framework for AurMac and provide the foundation for any subsequent corporate transaction, partnership, or development financing discussion. For investors positioned ahead of that catalyst, the combination of resource scale, jurisdictional quality, external royalty validation, and a measurable per-ounce discount to peers represents a specific and trackable investment case.View Banyan Gold's company profile: https://www.cruxinvestor.com/companies/banyan-gold-incSign up for Crux Investor: https://cruxinvestor.com

Interview with Joseph Ovsenek, President & CEO of P2 Gold Inc.Our previous interview: https://www.cruxinvestor.com/posts/p2-gold-tsxvpgld-all-known-questions-answered-february-2026-9351Recording date: 1st March 2026P2 Gold Inc. is entering a milestone-driven phase as it advances its Gabbs Project in Nevada through drilling, feasibility work, and permitting. The company’s stated objective is to complete a feasibility study by the end of 2026 and position the project for potential construction in 2027.Gabbs is located in Nevada, one of the most established gold-producing jurisdictions globally. The state offers regulatory predictability, developed infrastructure, and a long history of mine development. For investors, jurisdictional stability remains a central consideration, particularly at a time when permitting delays and regulatory changes have affected projects in other regions.Operationally, 2026 is expected to deliver several key catalysts. The company has expanded its drill program to approximately 25,000–30,000 metres, supporting both infill and step-out objectives. Results to date have been reported as consistent with expectations, and the data will feed into an updated mineral resource estimate anticipated by the end of summer 2026. This updated resource will underpin the feasibility study.The 2025 Preliminary Economic Assessment outlined a 9 million tonne per year operation producing roughly 110,000 ounces of gold and 33 million pounds of copper annually over a 14-year mine life. Management is currently evaluating increasing throughput to 12 million tonnes per year. If supported by resource growth and economic analysis, this could lift annual gold production toward 150,000 ounces, with copper output potentially rising to 45–50 million pounds per year.Permitting is recognized as the project’s critical path. The company has filed its Mining Plan of Operations with the U.S. Bureau of Land Management and has initiated baseline environmental studies in advance of final requirements. This proactive approach is intended to reduce schedule risk and align permitting timelines with feasibility completion.From a valuation perspective, P2 Gold’s market capitalization of approximately C$225–250 million reflects its status as a mid-stage developer. Successful delivery of a feasibility study, continued de-risking, and measurable permitting progress may support valuation reassessment, particularly given the limited number of advanced-stage development projects of comparable scale in Nevada.Investors evaluating P2 Gold should monitor the delivery of the updated resource estimate, feasibility cost assumptions relative to prevailing gold and copper prices, and permitting progress. As the project transitions from development toward construction readiness, execution against stated milestones will be central to investment performance.Overall, P2 Gold’s investment case rests on advancing a scalable Nevada gold-copper project through defined technical and regulatory milestones within a supportive commodity environment.View P2 Gold's company profile: https://www.cruxinvestor.com/companies/p2-goldSign up for Crux Investor: https://cruxinvestor.com

Interview with Colin Healey, CEO of Premier American Uranium Inc.Our previous interview: https://www.cruxinvestor.com/posts/premier-american-uranium-tsxvpur-advances-towards-pea-studies-for-235-mlbs-uranium-resource-7900Recording date: 1st March 2026Premier American Uranium enters 2026 in a structurally improved position relative to the prior year, with financing secured, ETF-driven selling pressure resolved, and a clearly articulated operational roadmap. For investors evaluating junior uranium developers, the company now presents a more defined catalyst calendar and capital structure than it did through most of 2025.The company’s flagship Cebolleta project in New Mexico anchors the investment case. A 2025 preliminary economic assessment outlined a single-source uranium operation producing approximately 1.4 million pounds per year over a 13-year mine life. The base-case after-tax net present value (NPV) was estimated at $84 million, based on an 80% uranium recovery assumption. That recovery rate now represents the central lever for potential value creation in 2026.Management has initiated a metallurgical test work program designed to determine whether recovery can be increased to 90%. The projected economic impact is significant: at 90% recovery, after-tax NPV is estimated at $159 million, implying a $75 million increase relative to the base case. The cost of this metallurgical program is approximately $1 million, including drilling and laboratory analysis. If results confirm the higher recovery rate, a revised PEA is expected in late 2026 or early 2027.From a capital markets perspective, the resolution of the URNM ETF rebalancing is equally important. In 2025, a change in minimum free float requirements triggered forced selling across several uranium equities, including Premier American Uranium. That selling was completed by December 2025. The company subsequently closed an upsized $15 million bought deal financing, providing sufficient capital to execute its planned 2026 programs without near-term dilution risk.In addition to Cebolleta, the Kaycee project in Wyoming provides an in-situ recovery (ISR) exploration pipeline. A substantial drill program was conducted in 2025, and further drilling is expected in 2026. While earlier results were not optimally disseminated due to concurrent corporate transactions, management anticipates more consistent news flow this year.Strategically, the company remains focused exclusively on U.S.-based assets. This geographic concentration aligns with broader federal efforts to reduce reliance on imported uranium, as the United States currently produces less than 5% of the uranium required for its civil nuclear fleet. While direct upstream subsidies remain limited, regulatory reforms aimed at streamlining permitting could benefit domestic developers over time.At a market capitalization of approximately C$90 million, the company trades at a level that does not fully reflect the potential NPV uplift at Cebolleta, nor does it attribute material value to the Kaycee exploration pipeline. The central investment question for 2026 is therefore execution: whether metallurgical testing confirms improved recovery and whether operational milestones are met on schedule.For investors comfortable with commodity price volatility, permitting timelines, and development-stage technical risk, Premier American Uranium offers a clearly defined catalyst framework and a capital-efficient pathway to potential valuation expansion over the next 12 to 18 months.View Premier American Uranium's company profile: https://www.cruxinvestor.com/companies/premier-american-uraniumSign up for Crux Investor: https://cruxinvestor.com

Interview with Charles C. Downie, President & CEO of Eagle Plains ResourcesOur previous interview: https://www.cruxinvestor.com/posts/eagle-plains-resources-tsxvepl-cashed-up-explorer-jvs-on-uranium-asset-4898Recording date: 26th February 2026Eagle Plains Resources (TSXV:EPL) offers investors something relatively rare in the junior mining sector: a business model designed to generate and return value across multiple market cycles, not just in a single commodity bull run.The company has been operating for over 30 years and holds the distinction of being the oldest company on the TSX Venture Exchange never to have undergone a share consolidation. That record reflects a management philosophy centred on capital discipline, operational self-sufficiency, and long-term value compounding — qualities that stand in contrast to the dilution-heavy practices common among exploration-stage peers.Eagle Plains' five-pillar model encompasses mineral exploration, project generation, corporate incubation, geological contracting, and royalty generation. Each pillar contributes independently to the company's financial position. TerraLogic Exploration, the company's wholly owned geological contracting subsidiary, generates between $1 million and $2 million annually in third-party revenue. Option deals on Eagle Plains' 100-plus project portfolio provide ongoing cash and share payments from partners advancing exploration programmes at their own cost. Royalty interests retained across optioned and sold properties are building into a portfolio with long-term monetisation potential.The most powerful element of the model, however, is the spinout mechanism. Eagle Plains has completed four spinouts over its history, three of which have been sold to larger acquirers — generating approximately $115 million in total shareholder returns. In each case, existing shareholders received shares in the new entity while retaining their original Eagle Plains position. The most recent example, Eagle Royalties, was sold to Summit Royalties for approximately $13 million, with assets that had previously been carried on Eagle Plains' books at zero value.For 2026, the company has outlined its most ambitious exploration programme to date. Eagle Plains is targeting 29 projects with approximately $13 million in combined expenditures and seven planned drill programmes — up from 22 projects and approximately $1.3 million in expenditures in the prior year. Critically, the vast majority of that capital is being deployed by option partners rather than the company itself, giving Eagle Plains broad exploration exposure with limited treasury risk.The company's balance sheet entering 2026 includes just over $8 million in cash and approximately $2.1 million in equity holdings, with only 12 million shares issued over the last six years. Management has stated no intention to access equity markets in the near term, relying instead on contracting income, option payments, and portfolio events to sustain and grow the business.Uranium exposure adds a further dimension. Through two partner-funded programmes in Saskatchewan's Athabasca Basin, Eagle Plains holds leverage to one of the world's most significant uranium jurisdictions at a time when renewed nuclear energy interest is driving increased exploration activity in the region.Eagle Plains is not a near-term discovery story. It is a long-duration compounding vehicle with a demonstrated track record of returning capital, a self-funding operational model, and a growing pipeline of optioned projects that could generate further spinout and royalty monetisation events. In a market where junior mining capital is beginning to flow again, that combination warrants serious investor attention.View Eagle Plains Resources' company profile: https://www.cruxinvestor.com/companies/eagle-plains-resources-ltdSign up for Crux Investor: https://cruxinvestor.com

Interview with William Sheriff, Executive Chairman of encore Energy Corp.Our previous interview: https://www.cruxinvestor.com/posts/encore-energy-tsxveu-isr-leader-secures-115m-funding-and-tripling-production-rates-7869Recording date: 1st March 2026enCore Energy (TSXV: EU) is one of a small number of operating in-situ recovery uranium producers in the United States. That alone puts it in a select category at a time when domestic uranium supply has become a policy priority for the US federal government. But the company's investment case currently rests on three distinct elements — and investors would benefit from understanding each one separately before assessing them together.The first is the existing production business. enCore operates ISR uranium mines in Texas and Wyoming. These are producing assets generating revenue, which distinguishes enCore from the large majority of uranium-focused companies listed on North American exchanges. ISR is a low-footprint, relatively low-cost extraction method with an established regulatory track record in the US. For investors seeking uranium exposure with operational substance behind it, enCore's production base provides that foundation.The second element is Verdera Energy and the spinoff. Verdera holds approximately 80 million pounds of uranium resources across four deposits in New Mexico's Grants Mineral Belt — a region that accounts for more than half of the seventh-largest uranium district in the world. All mineral rights are private, which simplifies the permitting process relative to federal land. The assets are underworked: resource estimates are historic rather than NI 43-101 compliant, and the geological models were built using grade cutoffs of 0.06% — substantially higher than the 0.25–0.30% cutoffs applied under current industry practice. Remodelling under modern parameters is likely to expand the stated resource base. Verdera completed a $20 million capital raise to fund this work.The mechanism for investor participation requires no action. Once Verdera files its US registration statement, enCore shareholders will receive Verdera shares on record date. Investors who hold enCore today are effectively acquiring an option on the New Mexico resource package at no additional cost.The third element is the consolidation thesis. William Sheriff, who built enCore from exploration stage to producer, has been direct about what the US ISR sector needs: scale. Individual producers generating one million pounds per year cannot access the institutional capital required to trade at premium valuations. His argument is structural — larger producers carry better credit ratings, negotiate more favourable off-take terms with utilities, and qualify for investment by major funds that have minimum market capitalisation thresholds. Sheriff has indicated that unsolicited tender offers, rather than negotiated mergers, may be the mechanism through which consolidation is pursued. His M&A advisory role at enCore means this work continues under the same corporate umbrella.Taken together, the investment case for enCore is built on assets that are operating today, a resource package being unlocked at no cost to current shareholders, and a strategic agenda that could materially increase the company's scale and institutional profile over the next several years. The near-term catalysts to monitor are the Verdera registration statement filing, quarterly production updates from the Texas and Wyoming operations, and any M&A announcements involving the broader US ISR sector.View enCore Energy's company profile: https://www.cruxinvestor.com/companies/encore-energySign up for Crux Investor: https://cruxinvestor.com

Recording date: 25th February 2026The gold mining sector stands at a critical juncture as major producers generate unprecedented free cash flow while consolidation activity remains notably absent. Samuel Pelaez, President & CEO, and Derek Macpherson, Executive Chair at Olive Resource Capital, discussed this disconnect during their February 25, 2026 industry commentary.The BMO Capital Markets conference in Hollywood, Florida concluded without the major corporate announcements typically expected at such gatherings, bringing only B2 Gold's leadership transition instead of the anticipated mega mergers or strategic acquisitions. This surprised both executives given the industry's exceptionally strong financial position.Major producers are now generating extraordinary cash flow. Agnico Eagle reported approximately $11 million in daily free cash flow during Q4 2025, while AngloGold Ashanti posted similar figures. With gold prices having climbed to above $5,000 per ounce, these companies could potentially generate an additional $7-8 million daily. Pelaez characterized the industry as becoming "over capitalized," with substantial cash accumulating on producer balance sheets faster than it can be deployed through dividends and buybacks alone.The executives emphasized that M&A activity must eventually materialize, noting that producer stocks have appreciated approximately 5x since the Great Bear Resources acquisition. This suggests $10 billion takeouts are now mathematically feasible, compared to the $2 billion Great Bear precedent. However, both acknowledged being wrong about timing, with developer valuations remaining "long overdue" to catch up with producers.The key signal they're monitoring is competitive bidding situations with multiple parties pursuing single assets. Once this dynamic emerges, a "herd mentality" should drive rapid consolidation as companies move quickly to secure remaining quality targets.Looking ahead to the PDAC conference in Toronto, both executives plan to identify new opportunities, particularly in copper development assets and Argentina's emerging mining sector. The conference represents a key test of whether the industry will finally deploy its substantial cash reserves toward strategic acquisitions.Sign up for Crux Investor: https://cruxinvestor.com

Interview with Daniel Henao, President & CEO of Mineros SAOur previous interview: https://www.cruxinvestor.com/posts/mineros-sa-tsxmsa-record-earnings-fund-aggressive-expansion-across-latin-america-8048Recording date: 25th February 2026Mineros SA (TSX:MSA), a Colombian gold producer with over 100 years of operational history, is executing a fundamental transformation that positions the company as a compelling growth opportunity in the current $5,000 per ounce gold environment.The company delivered exceptional 2025 results, producing 227,000 ounces of gold equivalent and generating $800 million in revenues—a 50% increase year-over-year. With $360 million in adjusted EBITDA generated at an average realized price of $3,500 per ounce, the company now operates in a significantly more favorable pricing environment that provides immediate margin expansion.Mineros operates two producing assets with distinct characteristics. Hemco in Nicaragua produces approximately 140,000 ounces annually from the historic Bonanza mining district, while Colombia contributes 90,000 ounces through an unusual century-old alluvial operation that employs flooded-pit methodology, gravity separation without chemicals, and hydroelectric power.The company's near-term growth strategy centers on Nicaragua, where processing capacity represents the primary constraint despite abundant mineral resources. Mineros is investing in a 40% throughput expansion at Hemco, increasing capacity from 1,800 to 2,500 tons per day by year-end 2026. Simultaneously, gold recoveries have improved from 87% to 90%, representing pure margin enhancement from already-mined material.On the exploration front, Mineros is launching its largest-ever drilling program of 100 kilometers across its 450,000-hectare Nicaragua land package. The district has produced nearly 10 million ounces historically yet remains substantially underexplored by modern methods. The company is targeting both brownfield expansion near existing operations and greenfield discoveries under the leadership of Carlos Rios, who joined from Collective Mining in December 2025.Despite 1,000% stock appreciation over two years, management argues the company remains undervalued at 2x revenues and 4x EBITDA—multiples based on $3,500 gold rather than current prices. The company has returned $145 million to shareholders over five years while maintaining its ability to fund growth initiatives, dividends, and explore selective M&A opportunities from strong operating cash flow.View Mineros S.A.'s company profile: https://www.cruxinvestor.com/companies/mineros-saSign up for Crux Investor: https://cruxinvestor.com

Interview with Keith Boyle, Director & CEO of New Found GoldOur previous interview:  https://www.cruxinvestor.com/posts/new-found-gold-tsxvnfg-meet-the-team-hashim-ahmed-9202Recording date: 26th February 2026New Found Gold Corporation (TSXV: NFG) is executing a calculated strategy to fast-track its high-grade Queensway project into production through a infrastructure-focused acquisition approach. CEO Keith Bole recently detailed how the company's acquisition of the Hammerdown gold project and Pine Cove mill facility serves as the catalyst for bringing Queensway online by the end of 2027—approximately three years ahead of traditional greenfield development timelines.The acquisition rationale centers on accessing permitted milling infrastructure rather than resource ounces. "We wanted the mill and tailings for Queensway. That's what we were shooting for," Bole explained. By leveraging the existing Pine Cove facility, New Found Gold avoids the lengthy permitting process and construction delays associated with building new processing capacity from scratch.The company is currently ramping up 700 tons-per-day production at Hammerdown while simultaneously expanding the Pine Cove mill from 700 to 1,400 tons per day. This expanded capacity will process high-grade material from Queensway—approximately 700 tons daily grading between 9 and 10 grams per ton—trucked 270 kilometers to the Pine Cove facility.Queensway Phase 1 economics are compelling: 69,000 ounces annually at all-in sustaining costs around $1,300 per ounce translates to over $200 million in annual cash generation at current gold prices. The phased development approach addresses a critical constraint that would have faced a traditional large-scale build. As Bole noted, "The capex on a large plant that we had in the PEA was somewhere close to $900 million. Our market cap at the time was only $350-400 million." Raising nearly three times market capitalization would have required massive shareholder dilution and delayed first production until at least 2031.The two-asset strategy provides additional advantages beyond timeline acceleration. Operational experience gained ramping up Hammerdown's 700-ton-per-day open pit operation transfers directly to Queensway's identical-scale mining operation, significantly de-risking execution. Current production at Hammerdown also strengthens the company's position in project financing discussions, with lenders viewing existing cash flow favorably when evaluating facility terms for the Pine Cove expansion and Queensway development.View New Found Gold's company profile: https://www.cruxinvestor.com/companies/new-found-goldSign up for Crux Investor: https://cruxinvestor.com

Interview with Janet Lee Sheriff, Director & CEO of Verdera EnergyOur previous interview: https://www.cruxinvestor.com/posts/verdera-energy-listing-high-grade-usa-focused-isr-projects-9038Recording date: 24th February 2026Verdera Energy has completed its listing on the TSX Venture Exchange under the symbol 'V', raising $20 million at $1 per subscription receipt to fund uranium development across New Mexico. The company controls 400 square miles of patented private mineral rights hosting approximately 88 million pounds of known and historic uranium resources, positioning itself at the intersection of U.S. energy security priorities and the nuclear energy renaissance.The company's asset portfolio comprises three primary in-situ recovery projects at varying development stages. Crownpoint represents the most advanced asset with a completed 43-101 technical report, while West Largo contains 16 million pounds of historic resources and is characterized as the highest-grade ISR project in the portfolio. Ambrosia Lake rounds out the primary holdings. Management plans to launch Phase 1 at Crownpoint, apply for drill permits at West Largo, and initiate baseline water sampling at Ambrosia Lake.Beyond its mineral resources, Verdera possesses a strategic differentiator in its proprietary database containing 120,000 drill hole logs from Kerr McGee and comprehensive URI data from enCore. This historical information represents millions of dollars in previous exploration work and significantly reduces the cost of modernizing technical reports while creating potential data licensing opportunities as other companies enter New Mexico's uranium sector.CEO Janet Lee Sheriff provides realistic development guidance, estimating five years from the current stage to production—a timeline reflecting the comprehensive environmental review requirements of U.S. uranium permitting. The company has initiated scoping work on a central processing plant that could serve multiple projects, generating operational efficiencies across the portfolio.With approximately two years of operational runway from its capital raise, Verdera combines advanced-stage projects, unique data assets, and a partnership-focused strategy in New Mexico's historically seventh-largest uranium-producing district. The company's approach balances near-term development catalysts with the patient capital requirements inherent in uranium sector participation.View Verdera Energy's company profile: https://www.cruxinvestor.com/companies/verdera-energySign up for Crux Investor: https://cruxinvestor.com

Interview with Alex Walcott, President & CEO of Evergold Corp.Our previous interview: https://www.cruxinvestor.com/posts/evergold-ever-technical-analysis-due-diligence-2083Recording date: 24th February 2026Evergold Corp. (TSXV:EVER) is entering 2026 as a leaner, more focused company than it has been in years. Under new President and CEO Alex Walcott — a practising geophysicist who has spent his career working across northern British Columbia's most active exploration corridors — the company has narrowed its attention to a single asset: the Golden Lion gold-silver project in the Toodoggone district. It is a deliberate reset, and the setup that has emerged from it is arguably the most investable configuration Evergold has presented to the market in some time.The Toodoggone context is important. This is a district in active re-rating mode. TDG Gold's Aurora discovery anchored the district's geological credibility. Thesis Gold followed with a positive preliminary economic assessment. And most recently, Anglo American acquired a 5% stake in Thesis Gold — a development announced just days before this interview — confirming that the region has moved onto the radar of the global mining majors. Evergold's Golden Lion property sits directly adjacent to Thesis Gold's ground. That proximity is not incidental; it reflects the same Toodoggone Formation geology that is drawing institutional attention across the district.Golden Lion itself has a meaningful drill history. The 2021 campaign — the most recent work on the property — returned down-dip continuity of approximately 175 metres and demonstrated hole-to-hole consistency for the first time. Historical intercepts include 66 metres at 1.36 g/t gold equivalent, and silver hits of up to approximately 900 g/t. Under current silver prices, the gold-equivalent economics of these intercepts are considerably stronger than they appeared when the work was done. That is a straightforward recalculation that many investors have not yet made.Previous drilling work also revealed a systematic problem with prior drilling: holes had been oriented roughly parallel to the steeply dipping mineralised fault structure, meaning the drill was tracking the body rather than intersecting it cleanly. The team has now corrected this through a 3D geological model, and the 2026 programme is designed around fan-pattern drilling from consolidated pads — an approach that maximises data return per dollar spent and suits the structural geometry of the deposit.The corporate structure is tight. Approximately 13 million shares are outstanding following a consolidation completed in 2025. The market capitalisation is approximately C$8 million — a meaningful discount to comparable-stage district peers Finlay Minerals and Sun Summit Minerals, which trade at approximately C$20 million and C$25 million respectively. A C$5 million financing is expected within approximately one month, which will fund approximately 4,000 metres of drilling alongside property-wide geophysics, including magnetic and passive EM surveys conducted in-house by Walcott's team.The board has been reinforced with Alvin Jackson of EuroZinc and FreeGold Ventures, Brian Butterworth of Hy-Tech Drilling, and Charlie Greg, a respected BC geologist who holds approximately 15% of the company. Taylor Quinn, whose master's thesis focuses specifically on Golden Lion's geology, joins as exploration manager — providing an unusual depth of project-specific technical knowledge.Evergold is a speculative, pre-resource junior explorer. The risks are real and investors should size positions accordingly. But the combination of a district re-rating, a data-informed drill programme, experienced in-terrain management, underappreciated silver credits, and a compressed valuation relative to peers makes this a story worth following closely as 2026 unfolds.View Evergold's company profile: https://www.cruxinvestor.com/companies/evergold-corpSign up for Crux Investor: https://cruxinvestor.com

Interview with George Salamis, President & CEO of Integra Resources Corp.Our previous interview: https://www.cruxinvestor.com/posts/integra-resources-tsxvitr-55m-financing-explained-9184Recording date: 23rd February 2026Integra Resources Corp. (TSXV: ITR) has unveiled its 2026 guidance and three-year production outlook, signaling a transformative period for its Florida Canyon gold mine in Nevada. The company expects to produce 70,000-75,000 ounces in 2026 at elevated all-in sustaining costs of $2,750-$2,950 per ounce, representing a deliberate investment phase designed to unlock substantially higher production in subsequent years.President and CEO George Salamis positioned 2026 as a "setup year" focused on building capacity for future growth. The company is deploying $62-68 million in sustaining capital, primarily for intensive waste stripping campaigns to access the higher-grade Central Pit ore body and fleet renewal programs. This strategic investment is expected to deliver 80,000-90,000 ounces annually in both 2027 and 2028 at significantly reduced costs as stripping intensity declines.The production outlook surprised analysts who had modeled Florida Canyon at 70,000-75,000 ounces in perpetuity. Management emphasized that the capital program carries minimal execution risk, with ore-waste boundaries well-defined through extensive geological modeling. An updated feasibility study expected in coming months will extend Florida Canyon's mine life beyond the current five-year estimate to seven-plus years, incorporating approximately 50 million tons of low-grade stockpiled material being reclassified as ore.Beyond Florida Canyon, Integra is advancing its DeLamar project in Idaho through a recent $60 million equity raise that added 12 new institutional investors. The proceeds will fund early works programs and long-lead equipment purchases ahead of planned 2028 development. A strategic $12.5 million ranch acquisition provides critical water rights and environmental mitigation opportunities, de-risking the $1.8 billion NPV project.With over $110 million in treasury and strong projected cash flow generation from 2027-2028, management expects to self-fund DeLamar's equity portion without major dilution, offering investors a clear pathway to multi-asset value creation in a favorable gold price environment.View Integra Resources' company profile: https://www.cruxinvestor.com/companies/integra-resourcesSign up for Crux Investor: https://cruxinvestor.com

Interview with Charlie Greig, CEO of Metal Energy Corp.Our previous interview: https://www.cruxinvestor.com/posts/metal-energy-tsxvmerg-unlocking-ontarios-massive-lithium-potential-drilling-dec-2023-4221Recording date: 19th February 2026Metal Energy Corp (TSXV: MERG) is preparing to drill its first holes on the NIV copper-gold-molybdenum porphyry project in British Columbia's Toodoggone district, one of the province's more active mineral exploration corridors. The company is led by Charlie Greig, a veteran exploration geologist whose prior work contributed to the assembly of the GT Gold Saddle discovery — a porphyry deposit sold for approximately $450 million in 2021. Greig and his technical partner, geophysicist Alex Walcott, have been building a dataset on the NIV property since 2010, funding much of the early work themselves before bringing in outside capital.The NIV property covers roughly 5 kilometres of strike length and sits in the same volcanic and intrusive rock package that hosts established porphyry deposits elsewhere in the Toodoggone. Soil geochemistry shows elevated copper, gold, and molybdenum values running continuously along the trend, while induced polarisation surveys have identified chargeability anomalies at depth consistent with a sulphide-bearing system. Porphyry-style sheeted veining visible at surface adds further geological weight to the target. Critically, all three datasets — geochemistry, geology, and geophysics -align spatially, giving the team a well-defined set of drill targets ahead of its first program.The project has drawn strategic investment from two significant industry names. Centerra Gold, which operates a mine approximately 40 kilometres to the north, and Teck Resources have each taken a 9.9% equity stake following independent technical review. Their involvement provides both financial support and meaningful third-party validation of the project's geological merits.The 2026 drill program is expected to total between 5,000 and 6,000 metres across 10 to 12 holes. Nearby, Amarc Resources' AuRORA copper-gold discovery in the same district serves as a direct geological analogue, while an adjacent Northwest Copper drill intercept confirms porphyry-style mineralisation within 1–2 kilometres of NIV ground.View Metal Energy's company profile: https://www.cruxinvestor.com/companies/metal-energySign up for Crux Investor: https://cruxinvestor.com

Recording date: 16th February 2026Gold mining companies are generating unprecedented levels of free cash flow, with major producers like Agnico Eagle reporting more than $11 million per day in Q4 2024 at an average realized gold price near $4,200 per ounce. With gold prices running approximately $800 per ounce higher in the current quarter, that figure is tracking toward $15 million or more per day - a level that is fundamentally reshaping how companies think about capital allocation.Speaking on the Compass podcast, Samuel Pelaez and Derek Macpherson of Olive Resource Capital argued that this cash flow environment gives producers the rare ability to pursue multiple priorities simultaneously: debt reduction, dividend increases, share buybacks, and acquisitions. That flexibility, they noted, sets the current cycle apart from previous periods in the sector.The discussion comes as the mining industry enters its most active conference season of the year. An institutional-focused gathering in Miami is followed shortly by PDAC in Toronto - the world's largest mining conference - beginning around March 1st. Both events are expected to accelerate M&A discussions, as corporate development teams from major miners hold direct meetings with junior company management. Pelaez and Macpherson suggested that transaction announcements could coincide with or immediately follow PDAC.In the near term, Chinese New Year - which began February 17th - introduces a period of thin liquidity across commodity markets as Chinese exchanges close for the week. The hosts characterized any resulting price volatility as mechanical rather than fundamental, and suggested investors treat sell-offs in stocks they already favor as potential entry points.On the macro side, four factors continue to underpin the commodity bull market: expanding US manufacturing PMIs, resilient employment data, continued global liquidity growth, and a US fiscal deficit of approximately $800 billion - the third largest on record - reinforcing the case for hard assets even as the economy grows.Sign up for Crux Investor: https://cruxinvestor.com

Interview withShane Williams, President & CEO of West Red Lake Gold MinesAlex Black, Executive Chairman of Rio2 Ltd.Recording date: 13th February 2026Rio2 Limited and West Red Lake Gold Mines have successfully transitioned from developers to producers, achieving commercial production after years of navigating construction challenges and capital constraints. In a mid-February 2026 discussion, executives Alex Black of Rio2 and Shane Williams of West Red Lake shared the operational realities facing newly producing mining companies in a favorable commodity price environment.Both executives emphasized the importance of slow, measured ramp-ups rather than rushing to full capacity. This approach allows proper development of operational systems, procedures, safety protocols, and team training alongside physical production increases. Rio2 targets 60,000 to 70,000 ounces in 2026 at its Fenix Gold Project in Chile, with expansion potential to 300,000 ounces annually pending water infrastructure development. West Red Lake sees a pathway to 150,000 ounces annually with relatively modest capital investment for mill expansion.The discussion highlighted significant operational challenges often underappreciated by retail investors. West Red Lake battles extreme cold conditions with January temperatures reaching minus 45 degrees Celsius, where any plant stoppage results in complete mill freezing. Rio2's Fenix Gold operation faces high-altitude cold at nearly 5,000 meters elevation, space constraints in open-pit operations, and the complexity of mining an extinct volcano with three separate peaks.Labor shortages emerged as a critical industry-wide issue. Williams noted that decades of industry struggles have depleted skilled workforces in Canada, Chile, and Australia, with skill levels materially lower than 20 years ago. Both executives stressed that operational success depends primarily on building, empowering, and retaining talented teams willing to work through challenges methodically.The conversation revealed frustration with market dynamics, as development-stage companies with impressive feasibility studies often receive higher valuations than cash-flowing producers. Both executives expect re-rating as they demonstrate consistent quarterly execution. Black predicted significant M&A activity in 2026, with both companies actively pursuing strategic acquisitions while positioning themselves as potential takeover targets within three to five years.Sign up for Crux Investor: https://cruxinvestor.com

Interview with Kiran Patankar, President & CEO of Maple Gold MinesOur previous interview: https://www.cruxinvestor.com/posts/maple-gold-mines-tsxvmgm-meet-the-team-with-kiran-patankar-8973Recording date: 6th February 2026As gold prices surge past $5,000 per ounce, retail investors increasingly question whether opportunities remain in junior mining stocks or if valuations have run too hot. Kiran Patankar, President and CEO of Maple Gold Mines, makes a compelling case that his company represents a significant exception to this concern.Despite delivering 252% returns since completing its corporate reset in August 2025, outperforming peers by more than double, Maple trades at just $29 per ounce of resource. This stands well below the peer group average of $50 per ounce and recent Quebec transaction multiples of $80 per ounce. The discount translates to concrete upside potential, with fair value estimates ranging from $3.56 to $5.43 per share compared to the recent $2.29 trading price.The company's market capitalization of $153 million sits roughly where it stood four years ago, despite gold prices tripling over that period. Patankar argues this reflects value restoration rather than speculative gains, with the company having systematically addressed legacy execution issues while gold appreciation creates additional upside yet to be recognized by the market.A restructured partnership with Agnico Eagle demonstrates the company's strategic positioning. Maple reacquired 100% of its Douay project for zero cost, compared to Agnico's original $10 per ounce acquisition price, while securing $36 million in exploration funding through 2027. This capital supports 100,000 meters of drilling over two years, enabling year-round operations designed to expand the current 3 million ounce resource.Near-term catalysts include imminent drill results and an updated resource estimate expected in the first half of 2026, which management anticipates will show material expansion. Combined with advancing economic studies and strong insider participation in recent financings, Maple presents what Patankar characterizes as a rare undervalued opportunity in an otherwise fully valued sector.View Maple Gold Mines' company profile: https://www.cruxinvestor.com/companies/maple-gold-mines-ltdSign up for Crux Investor: https://cruxinvestor.com