Company Interviews

Interview with Alberto Orozco, CEO, Capitan SilverOur previous interview: https://www.cruxinvestor.com/posts/capitan-silver-tsxvcapt-triples-exploration-target-at-historical-cruz-de-plata-silver-district-8232Recording date: 20th January 2026Capitan Silver is entering 2026 with significant momentum following a transformative year that repositioned its Cruz de Plata silver project in Durango, Mexico. CEO Alberto Rosco outlined an ambitious exploration program backed by a recent $29 million financing that will fund 60,000 meters of drilling across what the company now recognizes as a complete mineral system rather than a simple silver trend.The strategic shift came through property consolidation that expanded the project from 7 kilometers to 20 kilometers of vein targets. Through systematic mapping and sampling, the geological team identified that high-grade silver mineralization sits near the contact between an intrusive body and sedimentary rocks, with this controlling structure extending westward and northward in a circular pattern. The company also eliminated a significant royalty and increased gold resources at the adjacent Capitan Hill deposit by 115% to 525,000 ounces.Rosco emphasized that Cruz de Plata's outcropping nature provides substantial cost advantages throughout exploration and potential development. Most previous drilling remained in the top 150 meters, with the 2026 program designed to extend testing to 150-300 meters depth on the advanced Jesus Maria trend while using reverse circulation rigs for rapid, cost-effective testing of new targets to the west, north, and within the intrusive itself.Management remains focused on building an operating mine rather than pursuing early monetization, drawing on the team's experience developing and operating projects in Mexico through their previous work at Argonaut Gold. "We're developing this for the long haul. We see a very big system here and we're very excited about it," Rosco stated, comparing Cruz de Plata to successful intermediate sulfidation deposits like Penasquito and MAG Silver's Juanicipio.With approximately 50 unreleased drill holes from the previous program and multiple rigs operating simultaneously in 2026, investors can expect consistent news flow as Capitan Silver works to demonstrate the scale of its expanded mineral system.Learn more: https://www.cruxinvestor.com/companies/capitan-silverSign up for Crux Investor: https://cruxinvestor.com

Interview with Scott Caithness, Managing Director of Hawk Resources Ltd.Our previous interview: https://www.cruxinvestor.com/posts/hawk-resources-asxhwk-december-drilling-targets-five-prospects-in-historic-copper-district-8487Recording date: 20th January 2026Hawk Resources has successfully raised A$5 million to fund an aggressive exploration campaign across two high-potential critical minerals projects, with the capital raise closing within an hour of opening due to strong investor demand. The oversubscribed raise demonstrates market confidence in the company's dual-pronged strategy targeting near-term copper-gold catalysts in Utah alongside a potentially transformational scandium opportunity in Western Australia.Managing Director Scott Caithness confirmed drilling has commenced at the company's flagship Cactus copper-gold project in Utah, with a 4,000-meter program testing six previously undrilled targets. The project carries significant historical pedigree, having been mined between 1905 and 1920 at grades of 2% copper with meaningful gold credits. Recent verification drilling by Hawk intersected 30 meters at 1.8% copper from surface, confirming the presence of high-grade mineralisation that remains accessible for modern exploration techniques.The company has allocated approximately A$3 million toward the Cactus drilling campaign, with results expected to flow from March 2026 onwards. Hawk's systematic approach integrates geophysical data, historical drilling records, and the first-ever project-wide soil sampling program to identify high-priority targets. The Copperopolis target exemplifies this methodology—a large chargeability anomaly with encouraging surface geochemistry that has never been drill-tested, despite a 1974 hole nearby intersecting 30 meters at 2% copper.Complementing the Utah copper focus, Hawk has reserved A$1-1.5 million to advance its recently acquired scandium project in Western Australia. The asset features a 4 kilometer by 7 kilometer soil anomaly with scandium grades exceeding 500 parts per million, reaching peaks of 1,200 ppm in a commodity currently worth $3,400 per kilogram. Historical shallow drilling intersected significant scandium mineralisation, though verification through laboratory assays remains the immediate priority.Caithness positions Hawk as a critical metals company with copper focus, offering investors exposure to supply-constrained commodities essential for electrification and advanced manufacturing while maintaining strategic optionality through its diversified project portfolio.View Hawk Resources' company profile: https://www.cruxinvestor.com/companies/alderan-resourcesSign up for Crux Investor: https://cruxinvestor.com

Interview with Alex Dorsch, MD & CEO of Chalice MiningRecording date: 20th January 2026Chalice Mining is developing the Western world's leading palladium-nickel-copper project at Gonneville, discovered in 2020 near Perth, Australia. The project has advanced from discovery to prefeasibility study (PFS) stage, with Final Investment Decision (FID) and construction planned for 2028-29.The project's exceptional economics stem from open-pit mining starting at surface level, delivering all-in sustaining costs of $370/oz compared to $900-1,800/oz for South African competitors operating deep underground mines. This positions Gonneville in the second quartile of the global cost curve. The PFS demonstrates a 23-year mine life with NPV8 of A$3.3 billion at current prices and 40% IRR, producing 170,000 oz/year initially and scaling to 250,000 oz/year in stage two.Palladium prices have surged 105% from $880/oz to $1,800/oz over seven months, driven by supply constraints with over 90% production concentrated in Russia and South Africa. Demand remains resilient as electric vehicle adoption progresses slower than anticipated, supporting hybrid vehicles that require palladium catalytic converters.Chalice's two-stage development strategy balances ambition with capital discipline. Stage one requires A$820 million capex, fundable through 50-70% debt financing given strong project margins and abundant critical minerals financing from sovereign wealth providers. The company has invested A$325 million in technical work, including A$15 million on metallurgical testing—significantly more than typical junior miners at this stage.A simplified flowsheet redesign produces three standard products processable by conventional smelters, eliminating downstream technology risk. The project's Perth location provides infrastructure advantages and residential workforce access, reducing capital requirements to A$200-250 million versus multi-billion dollar bills for remote projects.With regulatory approvals expected in early 2028, Chalice offers rare exposure to palladium development outside Russian and South African dominance in a structurally constrained supply market.View Chalice Mining's company profile: https://www.cruxinvestor.com/companies/chalice-miningSign up for Crux Investor: https://cruxinvestor.com

Interview with Philippe Cloutier, President & CEO of Cartier Resources Inc.Our previous interview: https://www.cruxinvestor.com/posts/cartier-resources-tsxvecr-agnico-backed-junior-targets-mining-camp-scale-gold-discovery-8319Recording date: 19th January 2026Cartier Resources represents a compelling investment opportunity in Canadian gold exploration, combining exceptional drilling economics, strategic backing from Agnico Eagle Mines, and systematic execution of a mining camp-scale discovery programme across 15 kilometres of Quebec's prolific Cadillac Fault.The investment thesis centres on resource growth from the current 3.2 million ounce baseline at the flagship Chimo Mine toward 4-5 million ounces by year-end 2026, with longer-term potential for 12-15 million ounces across multiple deposits. Independent consultants have formally identified exploration targets for an additional 1.1 million ounces achievable through disciplined drilling, validating management's systematic approach to proving up a mining camp rather than a single-asset development story.Cartier's operational advantages stem directly from location within Val-d'Or's established mining infrastructure. The company has secured all-in drilling costs of C$105-110 per metre—from site preparation through assay results to press release—representing exceptional value in the current inflationary environment. This cost structure enables an aggressive 250,000-metre programme with two rigs currently operating 24/7 and plans to deploy four to six additional rigs, matching in one year the total drilling accomplished over the previous decade.Strategic validation from Agnico Eagle, which holds a 27% stake acquired through its O3 Mining purchase, provides both financial support and technical credibility. Monthly technical committee meetings enable rapid reallocation of drilling resources based on emerging results, whilst Agnico's involvement significantly enhances Cartier's profile amongst institutional investors who view major mining company participation at the exploration stage as validation of project quality and future acquisition potential.The company has initiated critical de-risking studies that progressively enhance project economics. Independent metallurgical testwork targets 96-97% gold recovery rates versus historic 93% recoveries, whilst evaluating toll-milling opportunities at four different processing facilities within 60 kilometres. Establishing toll-milling arrangements could reduce capital expenditure by approximately C$120 million by eliminating dedicated mill construction requirements. Environmental baseline studies and a preliminary economic assessment scheduled for 2026 delivery provide the technical foundation for various development scenarios.Cartier's recent surpassing of C$100 million market capitalisation represented a critical threshold that unlocked institutional investor access previously unavailable. The company has traded over 80 million shares since July 2025, representing complete shareholder base rotation toward sophisticated investors with longer time horizons and larger position sizes. This evolution provides improved liquidity, reduced volatility, and establishes the foundation for additional institutional participation as exploration objectives are achieved.Management has demonstrated disciplined capital allocation by optioning three non-core Windfall District projects to Exploits Discovery for C$2 million cash, nearly 10 million shares, and retained royalties whilst maintaining singular focus on the Cadillac Project. Integration of AI-driven targeting methodologies has already validated discoveries like the Contact zone, accelerating exploration timelines by six to eight months compared to traditional approaches.With C$10 million in treasury supporting aggressive drilling without near-term dilution, gold prices sustained above US$4,600 per ounce dramatically improving project economics, and multiple catalysts including ongoing drill results, metallurgical studies, and year-end PEA delivery, Cartier offers substantial upside leverage at current valuations. The company trades at significant discount to peers with comparable resource bases despite superior jurisdictional advantages, strategic backing, and cost structure. For investors seeking exposure to Abitibi gold discovery potential with clearly defined catalysts and multiple value realisation pathways, Cartier Resources represents a compelling core holding within precious metals portfolios during a critical value inflection period.View Cartier Resources' company profile: https://www.cruxinvestor.com/companies/cartier-resources-incSign up for Crux Investor: https://cruxinvestor.com

Interview with Nolan Peterson, CEO of Atlas SaltOur previous interview: https://www.cruxinvestor.com/posts/atlas-salt-tsxvsalt-rare-public-salt-play-targets-10-of-north-americas-de-icing-market-8676Recording date: 16th January 2026Atlas Salt is positioning itself to address a critical infrastructure need in North America through the development of the Great Atlantic Salt project on Newfoundland's west coast. The company targets the deicing road salt market, where demand consistently outstrips domestic supply by 30-40%, forcing North American buyers to source from Egypt and Chile with significantly longer lead times and higher costs.CEO Nolan Peterson, who joined the company in June 2025, explained the market dynamics: "There is a salt shortage year-over-year when you're balancing domestic production versus domestic needs. And domestically, I'm grouping Canada and the United States as one market." The timing appears particularly opportune, with Ontario currently experiencing severe shortages despite having a full year to prepare following last year's supply crisis.The project's geographic advantage is substantial. Located in Newfoundland with direct port access, Atlas Salt can deliver product to the same markets served by foreign producers in 15 to 20% less time and cost, according to Peterson. This proximity enables rapid response to spot market opportunities and provides supply chain stability that foreign sources cannot match.The updated feasibility study demonstrates robust economics with total capital requirements of approximately $600 million CAD. The project generates an NPV of $920 million CAD with a 21.3% after-tax IRR and $188 million in annual after-tax free cash flow over a 25-year mine life. "Our contrast is that we have steady stable cash flow year after year kind of like a dividend or a bond if you will once you get over that initial hurdle," Peterson explained.Construction activities are beginning imminently following financing completed in October 2025, with the company targeting Q2 2026 for a finalized debt package covering 60-80% of capital needs from sovereign wealth funds and infrastructure banks. Atlas Salt has already signed an MOU with Scotwood Industries, the largest distributor of packaged retail deicing salt in North America, while pursuing additional commercial partnerships and potential vertical integration opportunities.View Atlas Salt's company profile: https://www.cruxinvestor.com/companies/atlas-saltSign up for Crux Investor: https://cruxinvestor.com

Interview with Luke Norman, Executive Chairman of US Gold Corp.Our previous interview: https://www.cruxinvestor.com/posts/us-gold-corp-nasdaqusau-feasibility-study-imminent-with-major-20262028-catalysts-8678Recording date: 16th January 2026US Gold Corp has distinguished itself within the junior gold sector by securing full mining permits for its CK Gold project in Wyoming whilst maintaining an exceptionally tight share structure of just 16.5 million shares outstanding. The company completed a $31.2 million financing in December 2025 with participation from major institutional investors including VanEck, Goehring & Rozencwajg, and Libra Capital, marking a validation milestone that complements its established retail shareholder base.The CK Gold project represents one of the few fully permitted, shovel-ready gold-copper developments in North America. Having received final non-conditional mining permits in December 2024, US Gold Corp has eliminated a significant source of timeline uncertainty that affects competing projects. This permitting achievement, combined with the project's location just 20 miles from Cheyenne, Wyoming, provides practical advantages in accessing established infrastructure, skilled labour, and contractor services that should translate into lower capital and operating costs.The company expects to release its Definitive Feasibility Study (DFS) in late January or early February 2026, establishing the pathway to project finance. Executive Chairman Luke Norman outlined an 18-month timeline from financing to production, with first-year output forecast at 130,000 ounces gold and 24 million pounds copper. With gold prices exceeding $4,600 per ounce, project economics benefit materially compared to earlier technical assessments conducted at lower metal price assumptions.Management has identified multiple financing pathways reflecting strong global demand for gold-copper concentrates. The preference for debt financing aims to preserve the company's tight share structure, which provides significant operating leverage with a $330 million market capitalisation against a 1.7 million ounce reserve base. Potential financing structures include forward sales arrangements, concentrate offtake agreements, and traditional project debt, creating optionality in capital structure.Beyond the permitted reserve, US Gold Corp plans to commence drilling targeting an additional one million ounces below the current resource. With 80% of historical drilling bottoming in mineralisation, management estimates this exploration programme could add approximately one billion dollars in net present value. This drilling represents a strategic shift toward value optimisation now that economic viability and permitting have been established.The investment proposition centres on scarcity value within North American gold development opportunities. As major producers face declining reserve grades and extended permitting timelines, fully permitted projects in tier-one jurisdictions command premium valuations. US Gold Corp's combination of permits, institutional validation, infrastructure advantages, and tight share structure positions the company for potential multiple reratings throughout 2026 as it advances through definitive feasibility release, project financing, and construction commencement.The straightforward metallurgical flowsheet—crush, grind, flotation, and tri-stack processing—reduces technical execution risk, whilst the Wyoming location provides jurisdictional certainty and operational advantages. With institutional capital flowing into the gold sector and concentrate demand characterised as "insatiable," US Gold Corp offers investors exposure to near-term North American gold production with significant exploration upside and multiple catalysts ahead.View U.S. Gold's company profile: https://www.cruxinvestor.com/companies/us-gold-corpSign up for Crux Investor: https://cruxinvestor.com

Interview with Richard Young, CEO, i-80 GoldOur previous interview: https://www.cruxinvestor.com/posts/i-80-gold-tsxiau-production-path-to-200000-ounces-8586Recording date: 16th January 2026Nevada-based i-80 Gold is executing an ambitious three-phase development plan to transform from a small producer into a mid-tier gold company, targeting production growth from under 50,000 ounces annually to over 600,000 ounces within six years. All five projects are brownfield developments at historic Nevada mines, offering reduced execution risk through existing permits and infrastructure.The company delivered five preliminary economic assessments in Q1 2025 and has raised approximately $300 million toward a targeted $900 million to $1 billion recapitalisation. Management expects to complete balance sheet restructuring by end of Q1 2026, which will enable full construction approval for the critical Lone Tree autoclave refurbishment project.The Lone Tree facility refurbishment represents a cornerstone investment, with total capital costs of approximately $430 million and completion scheduled for end of 2027. Once operational, the facility is projected to produce 200,000 ounces annually and generate $200-400 million in EBITDA at current gold prices. i-80 Gold will be one of only two companies operating an autoclave in Nevada.Project economics have improved substantially with higher gold prices. At $3,000 gold, the net asset value of the five projects was approximately $5 billion versus the company's current market capitalization of $1.3 billion fully diluted. At current gold prices above $4,600, NAV is estimated between $8-10 billion, with all-in sustaining costs averaging approximately $1,400 per ounce.The company has significantly strengthened its technical team and is advancing feasibility studies for multiple underground mines including Archimedes and Granite Creek. Management is also accelerating work on Mineral Point, the flagship asset capable of producing 300,000 ounces over a 17-year mine life, pulling development forward by approximately two years.Operating exclusively in Nevada provides advantages including world-class geology, skilled workforce, supportive regulatory environment, and the current macro environment featuring high gold prices without corresponding input cost inflation.Learn more: https://www.cruxinvestor.com/companies/i-80-goldSign up for Crux Investor: https://cruxinvestor.com

Interview with Philip Williams, Director & CEO of IsoEnergy Ltd.Our previous interview: https://www.cruxinvestor.com/posts/isoenergy-tsxiso-multi-jurisdictional-uranium-portfolio-8580Recording date: 15th January 2026IsoEnergy Ltd. (TSX:ISO) differentiates within the uranium sector through near-term production advancement at the Tony M project in Utah while maintaining exposure to ultra-high-grade exploration upside at the Hurricane deposit in Saskatchewan's Athabasca Basin. The company has commenced bulk sampling operations at Tony M, extracting approximately 2,000 tons of material for processing at the White Mesa Mill. This program validates three critical decision criteria for full-scale production restart: current operating costs for mining, trucking, and processing; updated capital requirements; and scalability of beneficiation techniques tested on smaller samples that could substantially reduce waste material sent to mill. The strategic toll milling arrangement with Energy Fuels' White Mesa Mill—the only operational conventional uranium mill in the United States—eliminates processing infrastructure capital while providing established metallurgical pathway, as the mill historically processed ore from Tony M during previous 2007-2008 production period. Tony M's existing surface and underground infrastructure substantially reduces restart capital intensity compared to greenfield mine development, positioning the project as IsoEnergy's primary near-term production opportunity. CEO Philip Williams emphasized the competitive advantage: "In our market cap range, there's not so many of them so we want to be one of those producers and be able to deliver material into a rapidly rising uranium price environment which we think is coming in the United States." Concurrently, IsoEnergy has mobilized two drill rigs to Hurricane for a winter campaign exceeding 5,000 meters. The program tests expansion potential within and adjacent to known ultra-high-grade mineralization, extending up to 3 kilometers along structural trend. Hurricane ranks among the world's highest-grade uranium deposits, with exceptional grade concentration reflected in small physical footprint relative to contained uranium. The exploration strategy follows the Athabasca Basin geological model where high-grade deposits form as multiple lenses along structural corridors, suggesting discovery potential for additional proximate ore zones.Portfolio diversification spans multiple development stages and top-tier jurisdictions. Beyond Tony M and Hurricane, IsoEnergy maintains the Coles Hill project in Virginia—a large-scale development opportunity potentially benefiting from federal policy support for domestic production—plus a 50% joint venture with Purepoint Energy exploring additional Athabasca Basin targets. The pending acquisition of Toro Energy, expected to close April 2026, adds Western Australian exposure and development-stage assets.IsoEnergy operates within a bifurcated uranium market where large-cap producers trade at premiums to net asset value while smaller companies trade at substantial discounts, creating consolidation conditions. The company's mid-tier market capitalization provides optionality as both potential acquirer of discounted junior assets and potential target for larger producers seeking high-grade Athabasca Basin exposure. NextGen Energy's 30% ownership provides strategic shareholder stability, while IsoEnergy maintains approximately $60 million in equity positions in smaller uranium companies.Management reports accelerating institutional investor engagement as the production timeline clarifies and uranium market fundamentals strengthen. The recent addition of commercial and marketing expertise signals preparation for uranium sales as production approaches. Near-term catalysts include the Tony M production restart decision following bulk sampling results, Hurricane drilling outcomes, Toro acquisition closure, and potential uranium import policy changes under the Section 232 investigation.Williams acknowledged uranium equity performance ultimately depends on physical price movement despite strong fundamentals: "The space can get ahead of the price for some period of time, but the price has to also move." However, when utility contracting accelerates—whether driven by policy changes, supply disruptions, or other factors—price movements can occur rapidly given concentrated uranium market structure.View IsoEnergy's company profile: https://www.cruxinvestor.com/companies/isoenergySign 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-major-projects-office-fast-tracks-crawford-build-8552Recording date: 14th January 2026Canada Nickel has achieved critical milestones positioning its Crawford nickel sulfide project for a construction decision by year-end 2026, securing both federal Major Projects Office designation in November 2025 and Ontario's "one project, one process" fast-track permitting status on January 13, 2026. These designations reflect coordinated government commitment to establishing domestic critical mineral supply chains independent of Chinese influence.The company has transformed the Timmins region into the world's largest nickel sulfide district, expanding from two resources at year-end 2024 to eight separate resources totaling over 20 million tons of contained nickel. The recently announced Reid deposit demonstrates superior economics with half Crawford's strip ratio, one-third less overburden, and 15% chromium content. CEO Mark Selby indicated the company has identified three to four additional deposits potentially offering higher value than the flagship Crawford project.Strategic validation comes from a diversified investor base including Anglo American, Agnico Eagle, Samsung SDI, and Taykwa Tagamou Nation, which invested $20 million directly. This cornerstone group spans major mining operators, battery supply chain participants, and Indigenous partners, demonstrating confidence across the value chain.Canada Nickel's downstream processing strategy targets 70-90 cent per pound North American premiums by converting concentrate into products for stainless steel and battery markets. This approach aligns with government priorities around value-added manufacturing while capturing sustained regional pricing advantages. The company has completed front-end engineering design with Hatch, moving beyond standard feasibility-level work to reduce execution risk.The 2026 timeline includes federal permit approval by mid-year, initial government funding announcements in Q1, and financing package completion by Q3. Ontario Minister Stephen Lecce publicly committed to "go full tilt to unlock one of the world's largest nickel deposits," representing invested political capital that reduces regulatory uncertainty. Combined with first-quartile cost positioning from iron and chromium byproducts, existing infrastructure, and an experienced local workforce, Crawford represents Canada's tactical execution of critical mineral supply chain independence.View Canada Nickel's company profile: https://www.cruxinvestor.com/companies/canada-nickelSign up for Crux Investor: https://cruxinvestor.com

Interview with Mark Chalmers, President & CEO of Energy Fuels Inc.Our previous interview: https://www.cruxinvestor.com/posts/energy-fuels-nyseuuuu-completes-oversubscribed-700-million-funding-for-ree-uranium-duo-track-8223Recording date: 14th January 2026Energy Fuels CEO Mark Chalmers discusses the company's breakout 2025 performance as the best-performing uranium stock, with returns more than double its nearest competitor. This in-depth interview covers Energy Fuels' unique positioning as America's only integrated critical minerals platform, combining uranium production targeting 2+ million pounds annually with rare earth processing capabilities at the White Mesa Mill.Key discussion points include:- Uranium production ramp to 2M+ pounds and December's record 350,000-pound monthly output- White Mesa Mill's rare earth processing capabilities and recent IMREC circuit addition- Toliara project in Madagascar: world-class heavy mineral sands with $1.5B+ NPV- $700M convertible note at just 0.75% coupon—dramatically below competitor rates- Donald project and White Mesa upgrade feasibility studies expected Q1 2026- Government engagement on critical minerals security- Strong balance sheet with ~$1 billion cash providing development flexibilityView Energy Fuels' company profile: https://www.cruxinvestor.com/companies/energy-fuels

Interview with Ryan King, EVP Capital Markets of Equinox GoldOur previous interview: https://www.cruxinvestor.com/posts/equinox-gold-tsxeqx-canadian-gold-giant-forms-in-merger-of-equals-with-calibre-mining-6826Recording date: 14th January 2026Equinox Gold concluded 2025 with record-breaking production of 920,000 ounces, including a quarterly high of 247,000 ounces in Q4, driven primarily by its ramping Canadian operations. The Greenstone mine in Northern Ontario demonstrated particularly strong momentum, increasing output by 29% quarter-over-quarter as the company transitions from construction to operational excellence.In a strategic pivot prioritizing quality over quantity, Equinox announced the sale of its four Brazilian mines for over $1 billion. These assets, producing 200,000-250,000 ounces annually, will be divested to reduce the company's $1.5 billion debt load by more than $800 million and refocus operations on tier-one North American jurisdictions. Executive Vice President Ryan King emphasized that management's expertise lies in optimizing large-scale open pit operations rather than managing multiple smaller mines.Production guidance for 2026 is set at 700,000-800,000 ounces with all-in sustaining costs of $1,800-1,900 per ounce. Canadian assets alone are expected to deliver 400,000-500,000 ounces at industry-leading margins, representing two-thirds of total output from the company's highest-quality operations.The company maintains a robust organic growth pipeline without requiring acquisitions. Castle Mountain in California is advancing through federal permitting with a decision expected in Q4 2026, potentially adding 200,000-225,000 ounces annually. The Los Filos expansion in Mexico could contribute 250,000-300,000 ounces yearly once community land access issues are resolved. Combined with phase 2 expansion opportunities at Newfoundland assets, these projects could add 450,000-700,000 ounces of annual production.Management is prioritizing operational execution and deleveraging over mergers and acquisitions, with the company potentially becoming nearly debt-free by year-end 2026. This improved financial position opens possibilities for shareholder returns through buybacks or dividends while maintaining a $300 million capital expenditure budget and $75-100 million exploration program focused on expanding resources at existing operations.View Equinox Gold's company profile: https://www.cruxinvestor.com/companies/equinox-goldSign up for Crux Investor: https://cruxinvestor.com

Interview with Mike Garbutt, President & CEO of Clean Air MetalsRecording date: 13th January 2026Clean Air Metals (TSXV:AIR) is advancing one of North America's rare primary platinum assets at a pivotal moment for the metal. The company's Thunder Bay North project in Ontario holds 14.9 million tons of indicated resource with a polymetallic composition including platinum, palladium, copper, nickel, gold, and silver. With an 11-year mine life processing 2,500 tons daily, the project's economics have transformed as metal prices surged.CEO Mike Garbett, who brings 14 years of operational experience from Falconbridge and project development expertise, explained the compelling market dynamics. "Platinum is an interesting case. It is a precious metal, but it has some great industrial use. The bottom line is it's a pretty small market, 6 to 7 million ounces, and there's a growing deficit, nearing a million ounces a year," he noted.The company's Preliminary Economic Assessment showed a post-tax NPV of CAD $219 million at 39% IRR using conservative metal prices. However, with spot prices approximately doubling since the study, Garbett stated they're now "looking at $700 million NPV at 8% discount rate and 100% IRR, just astronomical numbers."Management is pursuing a dual-track strategy for 2026. The primary path involves toll milling, which ships material to existing facilities and keeps upfront capital under CAD $100 million. Simultaneously, the company is evaluating a standalone mill option that could position the site as a regional processing center for northwestern Ontario.Recent exploration success strengthens the investment case. The company intersected 50 meters of mineralization 400 meters down plunge on the Escape deposit, validating targeting methodology across 2.5 kilometers of largely untested strike length. With approximately CAD $1 million in treasury, Clean Air Metals is pursuing strategic partnerships with mid-tier producers for non-dilutive financing while advancing technical studies and exploration permitting toward near-term production.View Clean Air Metals' company profile: https://www.cruxinvestor.com/companies/clean-air-metals-incSign 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-us-gold-producer-with-400-cash-flow-growth-8884Recording date: 14th January 2026Integra Resources has achieved a significant milestone for its DeLamar gold-silver project in Idaho through acceptance into the federal FAST-41 permitting program. This designation establishes a defined 15-month review timeline with the Bureau of Land Management targeting a record of decision in Q2/Q3 2027, providing unprecedented certainty for a US mining development.According to George Salamis, President and CEO of Integra Resources, "for the first time in DeLamar's history as our project, the US federal government has put our project on a clock and it's a fast clock, far faster than certainly anybody expected." The FAST-41 framework assigns a dedicated Federal Permitting Council advisor to coordinate inter-agency reviews while maintaining rigorous environmental standards through compressed response times rather than reduced scrutiny.A key feature of the designation is quarterly congressional accountability, with the assigned coordinator required to report directly to Congress on project progress and explain any delays. This oversight mechanism creates strong incentives for maintaining momentum while a public tracking dashboard allows shareholders to monitor advancement in real-time.The company has demonstrated effective regulatory collaboration, reducing the project footprint by 25% between preliminary and final feasibility studies through consultations with the BLM. Public hearings scheduled for spring 2026 will serve as the first formal litmus test for stakeholder acceptance, though extensive pre-engagement with Idaho stakeholder groups has already occurred.Salamis emphasised the capital planning benefits, noting that "these clear timelines for us equate to better capital planning, and the reduced risk for us means lower cost of capital ultimately to finance and build this project." The designation fundamentally addresses what Salamis identified as "the single biggest risk for new mines anywhere in the world, let alone the US"—permitting uncertainty—while Integra simultaneously advances required state-level permits for air quality, water quality, and cyanidation that must synchronise with the federal timeline.View Integra Resources' company profile: https://www.cruxinvestor.com/companies/integra-resourcesSign up for Crux Investor: https://cruxinvestor.com

Interview with Jason Jessup, CEO of Magna Mining Inc.Our previous interview: https://www.cruxinvestor.com/posts/magna-mining-tsxvnicu-permits-cash-and-polymetallic-grades-set-stage-for-rapid-growth-7927Recording date: 12th January 2026Magna Mining executed a remarkable transformation in 2025, evolving from a junior exploration company into a diversified base and precious metals producer focused exclusively on Ontario's Sudbury mining camp. The company's growth trajectory accelerated dramatically following its February 2025 acquisition of the McCreedy West copper mine from KGHM International, expanding its workforce from 25 to over 200 employees while establishing cash flow positive operations.McCreedy West reached a critical operational inflection point in Q4 2025, achieving three simultaneously active stopes that enable consistent production. The mine currently focuses on the high-grade 700 copper zone, though CEO Jason Jessup indicated the company is evaluating a restart of the Intermediate nickel zone if prices sustain above $7.75 per pound. This operational foundation positions the company for sustained cash generation in 2026.The company's Levack mine presents perhaps the most exciting near-term opportunity following the August 2025 R2 zone discovery. Results showed spectacular high-grade copper and precious metals intersections, with many delivering multiple ounces of precious metals alongside significant copper and silver grades. The geological team describes R2 as the upper branches of a system that could lead to much larger mineralisation at depth. A preliminary economic assessment expected in Q3 2026 will evaluate a dual-access strategy using both ramp and existing shaft infrastructure.Meanwhile, Crean Hill advances toward a prefeasibility study in 2026, with grid power connection and permanent dewatering infrastructure progressing. Unlike typical development projects, Magna has secured definitive offtake terms with Vale and favorable indications from Glencore based on bulk sample metallurgical testing, providing unusual commercial certainty.With over 500 square kilometers of prospective ground, $50 million in treasury, and proven M&A capabilities, Magna has positioned itself as the natural consolidator of non-core Sudbury assets. The company's polymetallic focus across copper, nickel, platinum, palladium, gold, and silver provides commodity diversification while capitalising on one of the world's most prolific mining districts.View Magna Mining's company profile: https://www.cruxinvestor.com/companies/magna-miningSign up for Crux Investor: https://cruxinvestor.com

Interview with Shane Williams, President & CEO, West Red Lake Gold MinesOur previous interview: https://www.cruxinvestor.com/posts/west-red-lake-gold-tsxvwrlg-cash-positive-miner-targets-100k-oz-by-2028-without-dilution-8551Recording date: 13th January 2026West Red Lake Gold Mines declared commercial production at its Madsen Gold Mine effective January 1, 2026, achieving this milestone just seven months after completing its bulk sample program. The mill averaged 689 tonnes per day in December 2025, representing 86% of permitted capacity with strong 94.6% recovery rates, producing 3,215 ounces of gold. This performance met the company's internal requirements of 30 consecutive days at 65% or greater throughput combined with operational stability.The company generated US$30 million in gold sales revenue during Q4 2025, selling 7,200 ounces at an average price of US$4,150 per ounce. For full-year 2025, Madsen poured 20,000 ounces generating US$73 million in revenue, with the company ending the year holding CAD$46 million in cash and gold receivables. Management confirms the operation is self-funding with positive monthly cash flow, eliminating future dilution risk.West Red Lake Gold is transitioning to higher-grade ore from the 4447 zone in South Austin, expecting Q1 2026 mill feed to average over 6 grams per tonne gold compared to 4.94 g/t in December. The company targets 800 tpd sustained throughput by mid-2026 while advancing multiple growth initiatives including the Fork deposit, newly identified 904 Complex, and shaft optimization studies that could significantly increase production capacity.—Learn more: https://www.cruxinvestor.com/companies/west-red-lake-gold-mines-incSign up for Crux Investor: https://cruxinvestor.com

Interview with Peter Akerley, President & CEO of Erdene Resource Development Corp.Our previous interview: https://www.cruxinvestor.com/posts/erdene-resource-development-tsxerd-fulfills-first-gold-pour-in-mongolias-bayan-khundii-8096Recording date: 12th January 2026Erdene Resource Development achieved first gold production at its Bayan Khundii mine in southwestern Mongolia during Q3 2025, marking a significant milestone for the junior miner. The company completed the $115 million construction in 22 months, meeting both timeline and budget targets despite operating in what was previously considered a challenging infrastructure environment.The plant has reached nameplate capacity of 1,950 tons per day, currently processing material at approximately 2 g/t. Erdene is systematically increasing feed grades toward the 3.8 g/t reserve grade, targeting commercial production declaration by April 2026. The company transitioned from bulk mining during commissioning to selective high-grade operations, though technical refinements continue around blasting optimization and material handling.The operating subsidiary carries $123 million in debt, comprising a $50 million commercial loan and approximately $60 million in shareholder loans from partner Mongolian Mining Corporation. Despite debt service obligations, partners approved a $10 million exploration budget for 2026, reflecting confidence that operations have achieved self-sustaining status.Erdene's growth pipeline includes the Dark Horse satellite deposit containing 48,000 ounces at 7 g/t, scheduled for year-three production. The company is evaluating plant expansion options including gravity circuit additions and heap leach processing for oxide material. Major development projects include the Altan Nar gold-copper project advancing toward feasibility over three years and the Zuun Mod molybdenum-copper system delivering a preliminary economic assessment by mid-2026.The strategic context has improved significantly since project conception. Infrastructure constraints that historically challenged southwestern Mongolia are being resolved through Chinese border power connectivity and road construction. Gold prices above $2,600 versus the $1,860 reserve base definition create substantial margin expansion potential, while lower cutoff grades expand the economic envelope across multiple deposits. CEO Peter Akerley describes the strategy as building "a new minerals district in southwestern Mongolia that ultimately will be a multi-mine producer of multiple commodities."View Erdene Resource Development's company profile: https://www.cruxinvestor.com/companies/erdene-resource-developmentSign up for Crux Investor: https://cruxinvestor.com

Recording date: 17th December 2025Olive Resource Capital's leadership team has delivered a nuanced precious metals outlook for 2026 that challenges conventional wisdom whilst identifying specific opportunities backed by fundamental analysis. In this latest Compass podcast, President and CEO Sam Pelaez alongside Executive Chairman Derek Macpherson presented a framework emphasizing selectivity over broad-based precious metals enthusiasm.The firm's highest-conviction call centres on platinum, which Macpherson identified as his top commodity pick for 2026. The case rests on three pillars: persistent market deficits, tight physical supply, and anticipated policy shifts. "The market's in deficit. It's a small market and it's tight," Macpherson explained, before highlighting a critical catalyst: "I think we're going to see some of these EV mandates are going to get rolled off. More ICE engines by 2030 or 2035 are going to evaporate." This reassessment of aggressive electric vehicle timelines supports continued internal combustion engine production, sustaining autocatalyst demand for platinum and palladium. Olive maintains significant positioning in the PGM complex to capture this opportunity.The macroeconomic foundation underpinning precious metals remains robust despite consensus recession fears. Pelaez articulated the firm's contrarian economic view: "I think the global economy surprises to the upside. The general consensus is bearish. The GDP now for the Atlanta Fed is over 3%. The Treasury and the Fed are injecting liquidity right now. China is on an expansionary fiscal policy." Macpherson reinforced this perspective, noting unprecedented global deficit spending: "China's got a trillion dollars worth of stimulus, the US is spending money like it's going out of style. The Europeans all went into deficit spending to fund their defense efforts."This liquidity-driven environment creates favourable conditions for hard assets, though Olive's leadership expects commodity market leadership to potentially rotate from precious towards industrial metals. Gold maintains its portfolio role despite moderated return expectations following 2025's exceptional 60% advance, with Pelaez noting that reduced speculation in precious metals need not preclude continued gold strength supported by central bank buying and monetary accommodation.Perhaps most controversially, both executives expect silver to disappoint investors in 2026 despite positive fundamentals. Pelaez explained: "Every person on the planet seems to be uber-ultra-mega bullish silver. I'm not saying I think silver is going to go down necessarily, but it's going to be the most disappointing because the expectations for it are so high." Technical analysis suggests silver "has already corrected up to the average" based on 25 years of volume-weighted data against gold, with "the biggest move in silver" having "already occurred literally over the past eight weeks."Macpherson acknowledged tactical opportunities, expecting a "blowoff top in silver at a higher price than where we are right now," but anticipates year-end underperformance following silver's characteristic pattern of spiking then rolling off. Olive maintains silver exposure to capture near-term momentum whilst preparing to reduce positions.The firm's strategy emphasises diversified mining equities as preferred investment vehicles, highlighting Ivanhoe Mines with its PGM production "coming online at a perfect time when the market is moving higher." This approach provides leveraged precious metals exposure whilst managing single-commodity risk through companies with multiple revenue streams and operational catalysts.Learn more: https://cruxinvestor.comSign up for Crux Investor: https://cruxinvestor.com

Recording date: 23rd December 2025Olive Resource Capital executives are positioning against consensus views heading into 2026, predicting commodity strength driven by unprecedented fiscal stimulus rather than the widely anticipated recession that has dominated economic forecasts for three consecutive years.Sam Pelaez, President, CEO, and CIO, identified oil as his top commodity performer despite—or rather because of—overwhelming bearish sentiment. With Atlanta Fed GDP tracking above 3%, Federal Reserve liquidity injection, and Chinese expansionary fiscal policy, Pelaez argues the global economy will surprise to the upside. He characterised oil as "the most hated commodity" trading in oversold conditions, positioning it for recovery as excessive negative positioning unwinds against improving fundamental backdrop.Executive Chairman Derek Macpherson selected platinum as his best performer, citing structural market deficits and anticipated regulatory shifts. The critical catalyst involves potential rollback of electric vehicle mandates eliminating internal combustion engines by 2030-2035. Such policy reversals would extend ICE production timelines, directly supporting platinum demand through catalytic converter applications in a tight, supply-constrained market.In their most controversial prediction, both executives identified silver as likely to disappoint relative to extremely bullish expectations. Pelaez noted that 25-year volume-weighted data suggests silver has already corrected to average levels, with the biggest move occurring over the past eight weeks. He anticipates commodity leadership rotating from precious metals to industrial commodities as economic growth accelerates, reducing speculative interest in silver despite positive underlying fundamentals.The executives' no-recession call underpins their constructive commodity stance. Macpherson emphasized unprecedented government deficit spending globally—China's trillion-dollar stimulus, aggressive US spending, European defense funding—combined with Federal Reserve rate cuts creates liquidity-driven conditions favouring commodity performance. He stated this liquidity flow makes recession unlikely despite three years of predictions, instead creating stagflation environment supporting material demand.Specific equity opportunities include Ivanhoe Mines as top portfolio performer, offering exposure to one of the world's five largest copper mines with smelter entering commercial production this quarter, plus PGM phase one commissioning and premier zinc deposit. Pelaez highlighted severe scarcity of investable copper opportunities enhancing Ivanhoe's positioning.Merger and acquisition targets identified include Arizona Sonora in copper, where Rio and Hudbay involvement creates competitive tension and neighbour Ivanhoe Electric requires the asset for project viability. In gold, Aurion Resources adjacent to Rupert Resources in Finland faces increasing opportunity cost of inaction after 24 months without transaction. CANEX Metals pursuing hostile merger with Gold Basin neighbour represents classic merger arbitrage opportunity with potential dollar valuation from current 15-16 cent levels.Contrarian dark horse positions suggested in deeply depressed nickel and lithium markets, where extreme bearish sentiment and technical oversold conditions may create rebound opportunities despite uncertain fundamental timing.Geopolitical wild card involves potential Ukraine peace resolution, which executives believe would trigger reconstruction-driven commodity demand surge rather than market weakness from returning Russian supply. They note Russian oil already trades globally at discounts, suggesting peace could actually tighten markets as Russia reprices exports.The Olive Capital framework prioritises positioning against sentiment extremes—buying oversold energy whilst tempering precious metals expectations—rather than confident directional forecasts, explicitly acknowledging uncertainty whilst providing actionable investment thesis for navigating 2026 commodity markets.Learn more: https://cruxinvestor.comSign 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-high-grade-explorer-attracts-institutional-interest-with-76m-oz-resource-7940Recording date: 30th December 2025Banyan Gold (TSXV:BYN) has emerged as a compelling opportunity in North America's gold development space, hosting 7.6 million ounces across 2.2 million indicated and 5.4 million inferred resources at its road-accessible AurMac project in Canada's Yukon Territory. The company closed 2025 with nearly $40 million in treasury following strategic financings, including backing from Peruvian mining family Alpayana, positioning it to execute an aggressive 40,000-meter drill program in 2026 at efficient costs of $350 per meter.Management implemented a transformative geological model in 2025 that identifies predictable high-grade zones exceeding 1 gram per ton gold. This technical advancement enables focused drilling on areas that will drive early mine economics through starter pits, converting previously classified waste blocks to ore while expanding deposit boundaries. The company shifted its development strategy from heap leaching to conventional milling with gravity-CIL processing, delivering 93% recovery rates and reducing technical risk for future partners.A preliminary economic assessment scheduled for second half 2026 represents a critical milestone, utilizing gold price assumptions around $3,000 per ounce versus the $2,050 used in current resource estimates. This higher pricing could substantially expand pit shells and highlight project economics at a time when major producers desperately need large-scale assets in secure jurisdictions.An unexpected silver discovery adds further upside, with intercepts reaching 14 kilograms per ton within broader high-grade zones. With silver trading at multi-year highs, this mineralization could materially enhance project value.Trading at approximately 0.16 times net asset value compared to peer averages of 0.4, Banyan presents significant valuation upside. The combination of existing infrastructure including hydroelectric power, a mining-friendly Yukon government, district-scale potential, and completed metallurgical derisking positions the company as an attractive M&A candidate for majors seeking reserve replacement in Tier 1 jurisdictions.View Banyan Gold's company profile: https://www.cruxinvestor.com/companies/banyan-gold-incSign up for Crux Investor: https://cruxinvestor.com

Recording date: 28th December 2025Samuel Pelaez, President & CEO, and Derek Macpherson, Executive Chair, at Olive Resource Capital conducted a comprehensive year-end review of their investment decisions spanning July 2024 through September 2025, providing transparent insights into both successful calls and missed opportunities during a significant precious metals bull market.The portfolio's standout performer was Omai Gold Mines, delivering a 10x return from an initial $0.125 position established in July 2024. Pelaez emphasized that success stemmed not merely from stock selection but from conviction-based holding through the development phase. "We had conviction for it as well, right? We held," Macpherson explained, highlighting their philosophy of establishing positions in quality juniors before momentum develops rather than chasing running stocks.Mid-tier producers with embedded growth optionality proved highly profitable. K92 Mining, Aris Mining, and AngloGold Ashanti each delivered 220-260% returns, outperforming the GDX benchmark's 130% gain by a 2:1 ratio. These companies shared underappreciated expansion projects with capital already invested that markets had failed to recognize.Post-U.S. election investments capitalized on anticipated permitting improvements. Arizona Sonoran Copper appreciated from $1.29 to over $5.00, while AngloGold Ashanti surged from $21 to $91—a remarkable 300% return on a multi-billion dollar company.The managers candidly acknowledged execution shortfalls. They missed substantial returns on Fresnillo, which appreciated 500% after they correctly identified it as undervalued but failed to act. Position sizing emerged as a recurring issue, with inadequate allocations to highest-conviction names limiting overall portfolio impact.Olive's perpetual capital structure proved advantageous during April 2025's tariff-related volatility. Without redemption pressures, the managers deployed cash opportunistically during market dislocations, capturing the subsequent rally that traditional funds missed.Macpherson cautioned against overconfidence: "It's very easy when you get into a market like this to confuse a bull market for brains." Both managers emphasized systematic portfolio review as essential for understanding investment discipline, risk tolerance, and identifying areas for improvement in future market cycles.Sign up for Crux Investor: https://cruxinvestor.com