Company Interviews

Interview with Paul Gow, CEO, Tribeca ResourcesOur previous interview: https://www.cruxinvestor.com/posts/tribeca-resources-trbc-why-copper-start-up-is-hitting-it-big-2978Recording date: 14th November 2025Tribeca Resources Corporation has rapidly emerged as a focused copper exploration company in northern Chile, backed by a recent C$6.5 million financing that exceeded its original C$5 million target. The raise, completed in a strengthening copper market, brought 82 investors onto the register, including 67 new shareholders, and diversified ownership while still keeping management significantly aligned through a 22% stake. This capital provides roughly 18 months of runway and positions the TSX Venture-listed junior to advance a three-project portfolio across several of Chile’s most prolific copper belts.At the core of Tribeca’s strategy is a portfolio approach to early-stage exploration, designed to manage the inherent risk of discovery. The flagship La Higuera project, located in Chile’s coastal iron oxide copper gold (IOCG) belt, is the most advanced asset, with about 10,000 meters of drilling completed. Results outline a 1.5-kilometer mineralized strike with broad copper intersections amenable to open-pit, bulk-tonnage development. Low all-in drilling costs of roughly 300 USD per meter, shallow cover, and strong infrastructure support an efficient exploration model. Planned 4,000-meter drilling will expand known zones, test additional targets, and refine the project toward eventual resource definition, while metallurgical work highlights copper, gold, magnetite, and cobalt recovery potential.Complementing La Higuera, the newly acquired Jiguata project offers high-risk, high-reward exposure to a large porphyry system in a belt hosting world-class deposits such as Chuquicamata. A back-end loaded, five-year option agreement totaling 15 million USD minimizes early cash outlay and mandates 3,000 meters of deep drilling to properly test the system. Tribeca aims to generate clear technical outcomes that can either justify a major joint venture or allow disciplined exit. A third project, Chiricuto, remains in the portfolio as an earlier-stage opportunity, underscoring the company’s willingness to follow data and recycle assets as value and results dictate.Tribeca augments traditional geological expertise with artificial intelligence, partnering with WovenAI to interrogate Chile’s SIGEX database of more than 1,200 prospects and rank the top IOCG targets for potential acquisition. Operating with a lean team and directing a high proportion of capital into the ground, the company offers investors leveraged exposure to copper discovery in a tier-one jurisdiction, balancing near-term advancement at La Higuera with the scale potential of Jiguata and future AI-driven project generation.Learn more: https://www.cruxinvestor.com/companies/tribeca-resourcesSign up for Crux Investor: https://cruxinvestor.com

Recording date: 14th November 2025The precious metals sector is experiencing a convergence of favorable conditions that veteran investors describe as one of the best commodity setups in decades. At the recent Precious Metals Summit in Zurich, industry leaders including Pierre Lassonde, Frank Giustra, and Marc Faber highlighted observable market fundamentals supporting this outlook: global liquidity at record highs, structural demand emerging from technological infrastructure, and mining companies generating unprecedented cash flows while trading at reasonable valuations.Global liquidity continues expanding despite recent volatility. The People's Bank of China maintains liquidity injections, while the New York Fed has announced plans for substantial liquidity injection into US markets during Q1 2026. The recent government shutdown ending will release capital trapped in the treasury system for over a month. This liquidity expansion creates sustained support for precious metals as fiat currency purchasing power deteriorates.A less obvious but transformative demand driver emerges from artificial intelligence infrastructure development. The US needs to build at least 350 gigawatts of power dedicated to AI infrastructure—equivalent to 50 nuclear power plants—representing a trillion-dollar investment cycle for power generation alone. This excludes electrical grids, transmission infrastructure, and computing hardware. Recent government partnerships with Brookfield, Cameco, and Westinghouse for nuclear facility development signal the beginning of infrastructure spending requiring massive copper, steel, and concrete quantities while necessitating continued government liquidity injection supportive of gold prices.Third quarter 2025 results demonstrated the financial leverage inherent in gold mining operations. AngloGold Ashanti increased quarterly operating cash flow from $300 million to $1.4 billion—more than quadrupling while gold prices doubled. Even accounting for the Centamin acquisition contributing 20% of production, cash flow expansion significantly exceeds gold price appreciation. The company now operates with zero net debt, increased dividends, and strategic flexibility for acquisitions or capital returns while trading at roughly half the valuation of Agnico Eagle Mines despite comparable cash generation.K92 Mining offers equally compelling value, posting six consecutive quarters of free cash flow while organically funding construction of a complete new mill, twin declines, and associated infrastructure. The Phase 3 expansion completing commissioning in Q4 2025 will drive significant cash flow growth as throughput increases with minimal incremental operating costs. Operating costs scale favorably—an 800 tonne per day mill requires similar oversight as a 3,000 tonne per day mill. Market valuations have not yet reflected this coming cash flow expansion, creating opportunity for investors who understand the timeline and trust management execution.The M&A cycle is accelerating as producers with pristine balance sheets deploy capital. Recent examples include B2 Gold taking a 19.9% stake in Prospector Generator (now funded with $40 million for 2026 exploration), Probe Gold's acquisition, New Gold's pending takeover, and Gold Fields committing $50 million to junior investments. The competition for quality assets remains in early stages despite this activity.Investment opportunities span the market capitalization spectrum: established producers generating record profits at reasonable valuations, funded developers approaching major cash flow inflections, and well-backed exploration companies positioned for discoveries. Current Q4 volatility represents tactical entry opportunities before typical Q1 seasonal strength, with multiple fundamental drivers supporting sustained outperformance of real assets over the coming decade.Learn more: https://cruxinvestor.comSign up for Crux Investor: https://cruxinvestor.com

Interview with Shaun Bunn, Managing Director of Empire Metals Ltd.Our previous interview: https://www.cruxinvestor.com/posts/empire-metals-loneee-titanium-market-disruptor-targets-2026-pilot-pant-7736Recording date: 12th November 2025Empire Metals is developing the Pitfield project in Western Australia, home to one of the world's largest titanium deposits with a maiden resource estimate of 2.2 billion tons grading just over 5% TiO2. This multigenerational asset positions the company as a potential disruptor in global critical minerals supply chains at a time when the industry faces unprecedented restructuring.The company's strategic advantage extends beyond scale. Pitfield's geology features high-purity titanium minerals formed through weathering processes in sandstone formations, eliminating deleterious elements that typically complicate conventional processing. Empire has already produced 99% pure TiO2 products, validating the ore's metallurgical responsiveness and demonstrating the viability of its innovative hydrometallurgical approach.Unlike traditional titanium processing that relies on energy-intensive smelting and generates substantial waste, Empire's three-stage process bypasses these costly operations entirely. The surface deposit requires no blasting, drilling, crushing, or grinding, with friable material feeding directly into flotation circuits. This technical differentiation, combined with low mining costs, positions Empire to deliver products at significantly lower cost than 90% of existing global supply.Management is pursuing dual revenue streams, targeting both pigment production and strategic metal feedstock for defense and aerospace applications. The company has engaged with Boeing, the U.S. Department of Defense, and other end-users to align product specifications with market demand before finalizing process design. This customer-driven approach preserves optionality while reducing downstream marketing risk.The timing proves strategic. Major producers including Rio Tinto, Venator, and Iluka are retreating from titanium operations amid Chinese price competition and tariff responses. Empire aims to fill emerging supply gaps with government support through Australia's $4 billion Critical Minerals Facility.With £11 million in funding secured and continuous piloting targeted for mid-2026, Empire maintains development momentum toward demonstrating cost competitiveness and securing end-user commitments that could accelerate the project's pathway to production.View Empire Metals' company profile: https://www.cruxinvestor.com/companies/empire-metalsSign up for Crux Investor: https://cruxinvestor.com

Interview with David D'Onofrio, CEO of White Gold Corp.Our previous interview: https://www.cruxinvestor.com/posts/white-gold-corp-wgo-project-generator-finding-gold-in-the-yukon-3263Recording date: 11th November 2025White Gold Corp is developing one of Canada's most compelling gold stories in Yukon's historic Klondike district, where the company controls a massive 300,000-hectare land position - 15 to 30 times larger than typical junior exploration companies. Founded in 2016 by CEO David D'Onofrio, PowerOne Capital, and renowned explorer Shawn Ryan, the company has delineated a substantial 3 million ounce gold resource at its flagship Golden Saddle deposit, representing the highest-grade open-pit resource in the Yukon at 1.4 grams per ton.The project's most significant attribute is an ultra-high-grade core containing 700,000 ounces at 5 grams per ton with exceptional 92% metallurgical recoveries. This high-grade zone, identified through recent structural reinterpretation by Dylan Langille from Great Bear Resources' discovery team, positions the company for robust starter-pit economics with rapid payback potential. A Preliminary Economic Assessment targeted for the first half of 2026 will quantify these advantages and evaluate accelerated development scenarios.White Gold recently closed a $23 million financing that represents a capital inflection point, enabling a 25,000-meter drill program—nearly ten times larger than the company's historical 3,000-meter programs. This expanded budget allows simultaneous pursuit of multiple high-probability targets: extending the ultra-high-grade zone at depth, drilling newly identified parallel footwall zones, and returning to earlier discoveries for systematic expansion. Management considers 4 to 5 million ounces a "reasonable" target, with potential pathways to 7 to 10 million ounces if deposits connect at depth.The company benefits from strategic validation through Agnico Eagle's maintained 19% shareholding and the advancement of the neighboring Coffee project to production, which establishes clear permitting pathways and infrastructure benefits. With the Yukon jurisdiction regaining favor following recent major discoveries and resolution of regional concerns, White Gold offers investors leveraged exposure to rising gold prices in an underexplored Canadian frontier with major company backing and clear development catalysts ahead.Learn more: https://www.cruxinvestor.com/companies/white-gold-corpSign 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-new-exploration-model-revitalises-historic-utah-mining-district-6860Recording date: 12th November 2025Hawk Resources (ASX:HWK) is preparing to drill its flagship Cactus copper-gold project in Utah this December, targeting five high-priority prospects in a historically productive mining district. Managing Director Scott Caithness recently outlined the company's systematic exploration approach and the multiple pathways to value creation at this advanced-stage project.The Cactus district boasts an impressive mining heritage, with the original mine operating between 1905 and 1920, producing 1.3 million tons at 2% copper with gold credits of 0.3 grams per ton and 6-7 grams per ton silver. Modern exploration has validated this potential, with Rio Tinto's previous work intersecting 42 meters at 1.9% copper and 0.6 g/t gold, while multiple historical drill holes have exceeded 1.4% copper grades.Hawk has employed a sophisticated dual-track strategy, identifying both deep geophysical targets with district-scale potential and near-surface oxide mineralization that could provide rapid development opportunities. The company's comprehensive geophysical surveys and systematic soil sampling—the first conducted over these targets - have defined five priority drill targets ranked by geological confidence.The Copperopolis target exemplifies the project's exploration potential, featuring a massive geophysical anomaly with surface soils returning up to 1,000 ppm copper. A 1974 drill hole off the anomaly's edge intersected 30 meters at 0.2% copper, yet the core remains untested with potential for substantial mineralization.With A$5 million recently raised and Utah permitting expected by end-November 2025, Hawk is fully funded for its 12-hole drilling program. Initial assay results are anticipated in Q1 2026, providing regular newsflow through the critical discovery phase.Beyond Cactus, the company has secured the Olympus scandium project in Western Australia, featuring a 4km x 7km soil anomaly grading over 500ppm scandium. This provides significant optionality in an emerging critical mineral with growing aerospace and defense applications, currently valued at approximately $3-3.5 million per ton.View Hawk Resources' company profile: https://www.cruxinvestor.com/companies/alderan-resourcesSign up for Crux Investor: https://cruxinvestor.com

Interview with Hayden Locke, CEO & Jose Antonio Merino, CFO of Marimaca CopperOur previous interview: https://www.cruxinvestor.com/posts/marimaca-copper-tsxmari-industry-leading-economics-meet-growth-potential-7830Recording date: 10th November 2025Marimaca Copper has secured environmental approval for its oxide copper project in northern Chile, marking a significant milestone that positions the company to break ground by the end of Q1 2026. The approval, granted through Chile's Declaration of Environmental Impact (DIA) pathway, represents years of strategic planning and proactive stakeholder engagement that distinguished the company's approach from typical mining development.The DIA approval followed submission of a comprehensive 4,800-page document that underwent rigorous review by 17 separate government agencies. Each agency examined whether the project would generate "significant environmental impact" within their specific scope, from water resources and flora to archaeology and air quality. Managing Director Jose Antonio Merino emphasized that the pathway selection was not arbitrary but rather "a result of your environmental impact assessment," with the company's design qualifying for the streamlined DIA process by demonstrating minimal environmental impact.Marimaca's strategic approach centered on designing the project around environmental sensitivities from the outset rather than retrofitting considerations after engineering completion. This methodology, while adding approximately one quarter to the submission timeline, proved instrumental in securing approval. The company also engaged proactively with local communities despite no regulatory mandate, opening dialogue about expectations and concerns that informed the final community engagement plan.The approval arrives amid favorable shifts in Chile's political environment, where Merino noted "more consensus in the Chilean political and regulatory agencies about the importance of economic growth" compared to the environmentalist wave of four to five years ago. CEO Hayden Locke views the timing as optimal, stating that "the next 5 to 10 years in copper is going to be very favorable, and we are coming to market with a new project at exactly the right time."With primary environmental approval secured and remaining sectoral permits considered low-risk, Marimaca has successfully navigated what Locke described as permitting issues that have "delayed junior companies in some cases by two decades," positioning the oxide project for near-term construction commencement.Learn more: https://www.cruxinvestor.com/companies/marimaca-copperSign up for Crux Investor: https://cruxinvestor.com

Recording date: 4th November 2025The gold mining sector demonstrated extraordinary financial performance in Q3 2025, with gold stabilizing near $4,000 per ounce and silver between $47-49 after a recent $300 pullback. Major producers generated unprecedented free cash flow despite market volatility, positioning the sector for sustained growth.Agnico Eagle Mines produced exceptional results with $3 billion in revenue and 66% gross margins, generating $1.2 billion in free cash flow at all-in sustaining costs of $1,400 per ounce. At current gold prices, this translates to approximately $17-18 million in daily free cash flow. Newmont Corporation similarly posted strong performance with $8 billion in revenue and $1.6 billion in free cash flow from 1.4 million ounces produced.Despite Federal Reserve rate cuts temporarily reducing global liquidity flows, the fundamental investment case for precious metals remains robust. Market weakness may extend through November, but recovery is anticipated approaching December's Fed meeting as monetary debasement trends continue supporting sector strength.M&A activity accelerated significantly with Fresnillo acquiring Probe Gold for $780 million cash, marking the world's largest primary silver producer's expansion into Canadian gold assets. This departure from Mexican operations may signal jurisdiction concerns given limited recent permitting activity. Coeur Mining's acquisition of New Gold demonstrated valuation arbitrage opportunities, with the U.S.-domiciled company leveraging its 50% premium to double operational scale while achieving 40% net accretion.Strategic investments are flowing downstream from major producers to developers and explorers. Gold Fields invested $50 million in Founders Metals targeting Suriname projects, while B2Gold deployed $10 million into Prospector Metals for Yukon exploration. These investments represent modest commitments relative to daily free cash flow generation Agnico's $180 million Perpetua investment equals just ten days of current free cash flow.The preference for cash transactions injects capital directly into specialist mining funds likely to redeploy within the sector, creating a multiplier effect. Development-stage assets trading at 0.4 times net asset value versus full NAV multiples for producers enable immediate accretion through strategic acquisitions.This capital migration down the market capitalization structure from major producers to mid-tier companies, developers, and explorers represents an early-stage phenomenon with substantial additional activity expected as producer profitability compounds at sustained gold prices.Sign up for Crux Investor: https://cruxinvestor.com

Recording date: 17th October 2025Jeff Phillips has spent three decades navigating the volatile junior resource sector, developing an investment philosophy he describes as "parental supervision" rather than traditional activism. His approach involves taking substantial positions of 4-10% ownership in carefully selected companies and providing strategic guidance on capital raising, shareholder composition, and development milestones.Central to Phillips's strategy is maintaining a concentrated portfolio of just 10-14 meaningful positions across different commodities and exploration models. He argues that excessive diversification—he cites investors holding 97 or more junior resource stocks—makes portfolio management impossible and dilutes the impact of successful investments. His mathematical reasoning is straightforward: even a 10,000% return becomes insignificant if spread across too many positions.Share structure represents Phillips's primary investment criterion. He seeks companies where 50-60% of outstanding shares are held by fully reporting insiders and major shareholders whose holdings must be publicly disclosed. This concentration indicates genuine long-term commitment, contrasting sharply with companies claiming high insider ownership where only minimal percentages are actually reported. Phillips has recently taken this preference further, requesting year-long lock-ups on his investments rather than standard four-month holds to prevent warrant flipping and allow management to execute their programs.Management quality ranks equally important. Phillips invests exclusively with proven teams who have previously built companies, made significant discoveries, or successfully navigated projects to exit. He avoids "lifestyle" management teams who perpetually raise money without building substantial value, focusing instead on those pursuing tier-one discoveries through what he calls "elephant hunting."Phillips believes the sector is entering a generational bull market driven by government supply security concerns and direct state investment in critical metals projects. He favors copper, uranium, rare earths, and antimony, though he cautions investors to expect periodic corrections or "rain delays" rather than uninterrupted appreciation. His typical holding period extends five to six years, reflecting the patient capital required for junior exploration companies to advance through development stages and create meaningful shareholder value.Sign up for Crux Investor: https://cruxinvestor.com

Interview with Rudi Deysel, Board MD & CEO OF West Wits MiningOur previous interview: https://www.cruxinvestor.com/posts/west-wits-mining-asxwwi-gold-producer-doubles-npv-to-500m-with-81-irr-in-updated-dfs-7533Recording date: 30th October 2025West Wits Mining (ASX:WWI) has successfully transitioned from project developer to gold producer, achieving a significant milestone on October 14, 2025, with its first underground ore production in South Africa's renowned Witwatersrand Basin. Managing Director and CEO Rudi Deysel confirmed that following a three-month mobilization period beginning in July, the company completed its first physical blast and ore transport from the mine.The project's unique structure allows for simultaneous development and production, facilitated by previous early works that established an operational footprint. "We actually produced our first ore around the 14th of October. So that was the first physical blast and first transport of ore out of the mine," Deysel stated. Stockpiles are being transported to Sibanye Stillwater's Ezulwini processing plant under tolling arrangements, enabling the company to generate revenue while advancing development.Early results have exceeded expectations, with production tracking marginally above resource model forecasts. Ground conditions have proven excellent, with fresh rock and strong stability allowing rapid advancement of the one-east and one-west temporary declines. Drilling and blasting cycle times are completing within single shifts, with the operation progressing toward multi-blast approvals that could double production capacity at working faces.West Wits has implemented modern hydropower technology over traditional compressed air systems common in older South African mines, delivering significant power savings by eliminating compression losses and leakage issues. The company has also deployed digital infrastructure including volume scanning, electronic sampling systems, and real-time vibration monitoring.The project remains fully funded through to steady-state production of 70,000 ounces annually, with an eight-to-nine-month payback period at current gold prices. Management maintains a disciplined focus on establishing sustainable mining practices and quality standards during this critical ramp-up phase, while pursuing a longer-term growth target of 200,000 ounces per annum within three years. "Once you prove yourself as a good operator and you deliver what you promised then you really get financial partners that support you," Deysel emphasized.View West Wits Mining's company profile: https://www.cruxinvestor.com/companies/west-wits-miningSign up for Crux Investor: https://cruxinvestor.com

Interview with Niël Pretorius, CEO of DRDGOLD Ltd.Our previous interview: https://www.cruxinvestor.com/posts/gold-strategic-vision-vs-market-hype-how-mining-leaders-navigate-cycles-7468Recording date: 29th October 2025DRDGOLD represents an unusual opportunity in the gold sector—a company that has paid dividends for 18 consecutive years without interruption, maintained a debt-free balance sheet through multiple commodity cycles, and is currently funding a transformative expansion entirely from operating cash flows. For investors seeking gold exposure through operational discipline rather than exploration speculation, DRDGOLD's business model warrants serious attention.The Johannesburg-based company, listed on both the JSE and NYSE with a market capitalization exceeding $2 billion, operates a distinctive business extracting gold from mine tailings—the waste material from historical mining operations. Current production runs between 100,000-155,000 ounces annually from two main operations: Ergo and Far West Gold. Success in this business depends entirely on processing massive volumes at the lowest possible cost, requiring relentless operational efficiency.CEO Niël Pretorius emphasizes a critical operational philosophy: "We don't gauge our efficiency on the basis of dollar per ounce. We gauge our efficiency on the basis of rand per ton." This focus on unit costs per ton processed rather than per ounce produced enables profitable operations across wider gold price ranges. As head grades inevitably decline when mining tailings, controlling costs per ton processed becomes the only sustainable path forward. Strategic investments in renewable energy—including a solar farm and battery storage at Ergo—have reduced power costs by 9-15 rand per ton, demonstrating management's commitment to continuous efficiency gains.DRDGOLD is currently executing Vision 2028, its most significant capital investment program. The initiative includes three major projects: extending Ergo operations with new infrastructure including the Withok tailings facility, expanding the DP2 plant to double processing capacity to 1.2 million tons monthly, and constructing an 800-hectare Regional Tailings Storage Facility—one of the largest in South Africa—capable of holding more than 800 million tons of mine residue. These projects will establish infrastructure for processing 3 million tons monthly and increase production to approximately 200,000 ounces annually by 2028-2029.The financial execution is particularly impressive. Vision 2028 requires $100-120 million in annual capital expenditure, dramatically higher than the company's typical sustaining capital of approximately 5% of cash operating costs. When designed, management anticipated requiring debt financing during peak capital periods. However, the gold price rally enabled funding the entire program from cash flows while maintaining the debt-free balance sheet and even doubling recent dividend payments. Upon completion, sustaining capital requirements will return to historical levels, substantially improving free cash flow generation.Beyond current operations, DRDGOLD is positioning for two growth opportunities: regional consolidation of nearby tailings operations leveraging existing infrastructure, and environmental restoration services for global mining companies. The restoration concept involves reprocessing mine tailings and depositing material into exhausted open pits, addressing the industry's escalating mine closure challenge while potentially generating economic returns. Management is actively engaging with operators of mature open-pit projects worldwide.Pretorius articulated the company's value proposition candidly: "Our value proposition is one of asset optimization. So we have a very large asset base. We can process at a particular rate, and our efforts are towards putting in the infrastructure to do that for as long as we possibly can and not leaving any value behind." This embedded resilience—prioritizing stability and longevity over speculative growth—has enabled uninterrupted dividend payments through commodity cycles and positions DRDGOLD as a disciplined, operationally focused investment in the gold sector.For investors seeking gold exposure through proven management, operational excellence, production growth, and financial discipline without exploration risk or acquisition-driven volatility, DRDGOLD presents a compelling case built on 18 years of demonstrated resilience.View DRDGOLD's company profile: https://www.cruxinvestor.com/companies/drdgold-limitedSign up for Crux Investor: https://cruxinvestor.com

Interview with Gord Glenn, President & CEO of Minnova Corp.Our previous interview: https://www.cruxinvestor.com/posts/minnova-mci-planning-price-pace-potential-partners-1103Recording date: 28th October 2025Minnova Corp (TSXV:MCI) presents a distinctive investment opportunity in the junior gold development space, combining near-term production potential with substantial infrastructure advantages and exceptional leverage to elevated gold prices. The company is advancing the past-producing PL Gold Mine in northern Manitoba toward production by late 2027 or early 2028, following a strategic pivot from underground to open-pit mining that transforms the project's risk-return profile.The company's most significant competitive advantage lies in its existing infrastructure. An on-site 1,000-ton-per-day mill remains in serviceable condition, requiring only $15-20 million in refurbishment versus the $100+ million that peer companies must invest to build new processing facilities. Combined with owned power lines connected to Manitoba's hydroelectric grid and major permits still in place from the 1980s operation, Minnova effectively enjoys a $50-75 million head start over grassroots developments. The mill's location just 200-300 meters from the planned open pit eliminates the substantial haulage costs and logistical complexity that burden many competing projects.The transformation in gold prices has fundamentally altered project economics. Minnova's 2017 feasibility study, prepared when gold traded at $1,250 per ounce, contemplated an 800-ton-per-day underground operation producing 46,000 ounces annually. While technically viable, the project struggled to attract financing. With gold now above $4,000 per ounce, the company has shifted to an open-pit strategy that can utilize the mill's full 1,000-ton-per-day capacity from day one. The 2017 underground scenario showed a 300% after-tax internal rate of return at $2,500 gold; the lower-cost open-pit approach should deliver even stronger metrics.The technical program supporting this strategy has progressed rapidly. Minnova engaged A&B Global Mining, a South African engineering firm with extensive open-pit and narrow-vein experience, to develop preliminary pit designs and engineering studies. Current drilling, initiated in September 2025, has intersected visible gold in mineralized structures outside the existing resource estimate, while infill drilling aims to upgrade resource confidence levels. The company targets Q1 2026 for its preliminary economic assessment and updated mineral resource estimate, followed by an updated feasibility study in Q3 2026.The financing environment has shown early signs of validation. In summer 2025, Minnova attracted its first Australian institutional shareholder, along with new interest from European and US investors—a geographic diversification that signals the investment thesis is resonating beyond traditional Canadian junior mining circles. Open-pit development specifically appeals to project financiers, offering lower operating costs, reduced technical risk, and shorter development timelines compared to underground operations.For investors, Minnova occupies an interesting position on the risk spectrum—beyond grassroots exploration but before established production. The 24-30 month timeline to cash flow generation, existing infrastructure, and advanced permitting status reduce several categories of development risk that plague many junior mining projects. The company expects annual production of 40,000-50,000 ounces at full throughput, with significant resource expansion potential demonstrated through recent drilling results.Key near-term catalysts include assay results from the current drill program, the Q1 2026 PEA release, and the Q3 2026 feasibility study—each representing inflection points where investors can evaluate whether preliminary economic expectations are validated by detailed engineering and costing. The combination of infrastructure advantages, gold price leverage, and near-term production timeline creates a differentiated opportunity for investors seeking exposure to elevated gold prices through an advanced development project with reduced capital intensity.View Minnova's company profile: https://www.cruxinvestor.com/companies/minnova-corpSign up for Crux Investor: https://cruxinvestor.com

Interview with Nicholas Holthouse, MD & CEO, and Peter Ruse, Head of Corporate Development, Mont Royal ResourcesRecording date: 21st October 2025Mont Royal Resources (ASX:MRZ) is preparing to list on the Australian Securities Exchange on 5th November 2025, following its merger with Commerce Resources. The combined entity brings together North America's largest undeveloped rare earth deposit - the Ashram project in Quebec, Canada—with experienced management and a clear development strategy aimed at capitalizing on unprecedented Western government support for critical minerals.The Ashram deposit contains nearly 200 million tons of resource grading approximately 2% total rare earth oxide (TREO), supported by over 30,000 meters of drilling. What distinguishes the project is its exceptional metallurgical characteristics, with CEO Nicholas Holthouse noting the asset produces concentrates of 35-37% through strong flotation kinetics, a critical factor where many rare earth projects fail to deliver despite promising headline numbers.Holthouse, who brings eight years of rare earth sector experience including roles at Hastings Technology Metals and Meteoric Resources, will relocate to Montreal to oversee development. This on-site leadership approach mirrors the successful strategy employed by Michael O'Keefe at Champion Iron, also operating in Quebec.The company plans to scale operations to 1.2 million tons per year throughput, producing approximately 2,800-3,000 tons of NdPr annually, a "bite-sized chunk" attractive to separators while maintaining scalability for future expansion. The project also contains valuable fluorspar mineralization, contributing 10-15% of projected value and addressing North American supply shortages.The merged entity will comprise approximately 190 million shares at 20 cents per share with $10 million cash, creating an enterprise value of $25 million - compelling value for a resource of this scale. Near-term focus centers on securing government support for road infrastructure connecting the remote deposit to markets, leveraging Canada's recent commitment to allocate 1.5% of GDP specifically to critical mineral projects and associated infrastructure.View Mont Royal Resources' company profile: https://www.cruxinvestor.com/companies/mont-royal-resourcesSign up for Crux Investor: https://cruxinvestor.com

Interview with Paul Ténière, CEO, Lafleur MineralsOur previous interview: https://www.cruxinvestor.com/posts/lafleur-minerals-cselflr-swanson-expansion-targets-500k1m-oz-resource-in-quebec-gold-camp-8112Recording date: 28th October 2025Lafleur Minerals is positioning itself for gold production within 12 months through the strategic integration of its Swanson deposit with the fully-owned Beacon Gold Mill in Quebec. CEO Paul Ténière outlined the company's comprehensive development plan during a detailed discussion, emphasizing how existing infrastructure and historical data are being leveraged to accelerate the path to production.The company is targeting completion of a preliminary economic assessment by December 2025, though Ténière noted the study approaches prefeasibility-level detail despite its PEA classification for regulatory purposes. "It's kind of misleading in a way to call it a PEA. We're calling it a PEA level only because really we're moving into a PFS level," he explained. The scope includes comprehensive work by ERM consultants covering pit design, metallurgical testing, ore sorting evaluation through SRC in Saskatchewan, and a mineral resource update incorporating twin holes at Swanson.The Beacon Gold Mill, which operated until 18 months ago under previous ownership by Monarch Mining, provides Lafleur with detailed operating cost data rarely available to development-stage companies. A dedicated team of engineers is already mobilized at the site, with initial maintenance and repairs estimated at $2-6 million. The restart strategy includes processing 5,000 tons of existing stockpile to validate equipment performance before Swanson material arrives in early 2026.Swanson's location on an existing mining lease 45-50 kilometers from Beacon significantly streamlines the permitting pathway. The company needs only to submit an updated mine plan and environmental closure plan to Quebec authorities, a process Ténière indicated "can be done in a matter of months" rather than years. The initial development phase envisions an 80,000-100,000 ton bulk sample that represents the first phase of mining, serving to validate metallurgical projections while generating early cash flow.Beyond the initial open-pit scenario, Lafleur has identified multiple expansion pathways including underground resources at Swanson showing higher grades at depth, potential mill expansion to 3,000 tons per day, and custom milling opportunities for regional deposits.Learn more: https://www.cruxinvestor.com/companies/lafleur-mineralsSign up for Crux Investor: https://cruxinvestor.com

Interview with Michael Gentile, InvestorRecording date: 6th October 2025Michael Gentile, a strategic investor with 25 years of institutional money management experience, is conducting a five-city European roadshow featuring six of his largest portfolio investments. The tour through London, Paris, Geneva, Zurich, and Frankfurt comes at a pivotal moment—gold prices are reaching new highs while institutional appetite for precious metals equities returns after years of dormancy.Gentile's investment approach centers on contrarian positioning in the junior mining sector. His gold thesis, established during the 2018 downturn, was built on concerns about unsustainable government debt levels, excessive spending, and questionable monetary policy. While these fundamental concerns have intensified over seven years, market recognition has lagged dramatically as investors remained captivated by extraordinary returns in technology and artificial intelligence sectors.The investor manages a portfolio of 25-30 junior mining companies, typically entering positions at $5-20 million market capitalizations. His philosophy emphasizes three critical elements: significant insider ownership to align management with shareholders, disciplined capital allocation that avoids excessive dilution, and strategic acquisitions during downturns rather than expensive drilling programs when capital is scarce.What makes the current environment particularly compelling is the fundamental shift in gold demand. Central banks have been the primary driver of gold prices since 2019, acting as price-agnostic buyers targeting specific allocation percentages. Now, institutional investors and family offices are beginning their first meaningful allocations to precious metals—a sector representing just 0.5% of global investor capital despite its growing monetary importance.Gentile notes that mining companies are already highly profitable at current gold prices, eliminating the need for further appreciation to justify equity valuations. Despite recent strength, the sector shows none of the typical exuberance that characterizes late-cycle peaks, suggesting the rally remains in its early innings with substantial room for growth.Sign up for Crux Investor: https://cruxinvestor.com

Interview with Craig Jones, Managing Director & CEO of Perseus MiningOur previous interview: https://www.cruxinvestor.com/posts/perseus-mining-asxpru-record-financial-results-capital-returns-7829Recording date: 27th October 2025Perseus Mining has embarked on a new leadership chapter with Craig Jones assuming the managing director and CEO role, bringing 15 years of operational and capital project expertise from Newcrest Mining to guide the African-focused gold producer through an ambitious expansion phase.Jones outlined a strategy centered on operational continuity rather than radical change. The focus remains squarely on delivering Perseus's five-year growth plan, which encompasses three key pillars: maintaining performance across existing operations, ramping up the Nyanzaga project in Tanzania by March quarter 2027, and developing CMA Underground as the company's first underground mine.The September quarter results underscored the operational foundation supporting this growth agenda. Perseus produced just under 100,000 ounces at an all-in sustaining cost of $1,463 per ounce, generating $161 million in operating cash flow while maintaining an industry-leading safety record with a 6.0 total reportable injury frequency rate. The company ended the quarter with net cash and bullion of $837 million.This robust balance sheet positions Perseus to fund more than $800 million in planned capital expenditure over five years without requiring debt financing, while simultaneously supporting a $100 million share buyback program. "We can fund all of our aspirations through the cash that we have on the balance sheet," Jones stated.All three operating mines - Yaouré and Sissingué in Côte d'Ivoire, and Edikan in Ghana are transitioning to higher-grade ore sources that should lift production in coming quarters. Meanwhile, the Nyanzaga project is tracking on schedule and budget with over 1,000 workers on site, mill fabrication ahead of schedule, and promising exploration results suggesting a potential reserve update later this year.Jones emphasized Perseus's commitment to its African focus, noting that any acquisitions outside the region would require compelling strategic rationale. "You have to stick to your knitting," he explained, highlighting the company's expertise in building and operating mines across West Africa as its core competitive advantage in creating shareholder value.View Perseus Mining's company profile: https://www.cruxinvestor.com/companies/perseus-miningSign up for Crux Investor: https://cruxinvestor.com

Interview with Kevin Bailey, Executive Chairman & CEO of Po Valley EnergyRecording date: 27th October 2025Po Valley Energy, a $60 million Australian-listed natural gas producer operating in northern Italy's Po Valley basin, represents a compelling investment case built on immediate cash generation, visible production growth, and alignment with Europe's energy security priorities. With a single well currently producing and plans to drill multiple additional wells over the next two years, the company offers exposure to premium European gas pricing in a geopolitically strategic market.The company's sole producing asset, the Podere Maiar well in the Selva Malvezzi concession, has delivered consistent performance since commencing production in 2022, flowing 79,000-80,000 standard cubic meters per day and generating approximately $10,000 AUD in daily revenue. Operating at 60% free cash flow margins with minimal overhead costs of just $2 million AUD annually, Po Valley maintains a debt-free balance sheet with $15 million AUD cash on hand.Russia's invasion of Ukraine in February 2022 fundamentally transformed Po Valley's economics and strategic positioning. Gas prices, which historically traded at €0.20 per standard cubic meter, now rarely fall below €0.30 and frequently trade at €0.50 or higher. The Italian government, having reduced domestic production from 40% to just 8% while becoming dependent on Russian imports, is now actively encouraging producers to accelerate development and restore indigenous supply.Po Valley plans to drill 4-5 additional wells over the next two to three years, targeting known anticlines that ENI identified during exploration campaigns in the 1950s-1970s but did not fully develop. The company estimates this program will cost €35-40 million, of which its 63% operated interest represents approximately €22-25 million. With current cash reserves and ongoing production expected to fund 60%+ of requirements internally, Po Valley anticipates needing only modest debt financing or a small equity raising to complete the program. Once new wells are connected, production is expected to increase 3-4x to over 300,000 scm/day.Chairman and CEO Kevin Bailey, who owns 25% of the company through open market purchases, has emphasized Po Valley's focus on shareholder returns rather than empire building. Management intends to return capital via dividends or buybacks once the drilling campaign is complete, with no interest in acquisitions or expansion beyond core assets.Beyond its producing concession, Po Valley owns the offshore Teodorico asset containing approximately 37 billion cubic feet of 2P gas reserves, valued at $40-50 million AUD in 2022 - nearly equal to the company's current market capitalization. While not planning independent development, management will derisk this asset for potential sale to larger European operators.View Po Valley Energy's company profile: https://www.cruxinvestor.com/companies/po-valley-energy-limitedSign up for Crux Investor: https://cruxinvestor.com

Recording date: 24th October 2025Derek McPherson (Executive Chair) and Sam Pelaez (President, CEO, and CIO) of Olive Resource Capital are viewing recent weakness in gold and mining equities as a buying opportunity rather than a trend reversal, despite gold correcting from $4,300 to $4,000 per ounce and leading equities declining 15-20% from recent highs.In their October 24th podcast recorded from Zurich, the duo characterized the pullback as normal seasonal volatility within an ongoing bull market. Sam noted that gold reached an RSI reading of 92—the highest ever recorded before the correction, suggesting the rally had extended beyond sustainable levels. Historical analysis shows mining equities commonly correct 33-66% within bull markets, making current pullbacks of 10-20% modest by comparison.The team has strategically positioned for this volatility, transitioning from net sellers in August-September to net buyers in October after raising approximately 10% cash. They plan to increase deployment through November-December, particularly targeting high-conviction names like K92 Mining and Bellevue Gold that have pulled back significantly.Derek and Sam identified the upcoming Q3 earnings season as a critical catalyst for renewed momentum. With the third quarter featuring the highest gold prices on record, producers should report exceptional results. Additionally, buyback programs, typically suspended during pre-earnings blackout periods are expected to reactivate around November 15, providing technical support.The duo emphasized that the fundamental investment thesis remains intact. The "monetary debasement trade" continues with government spending growing faster than economic output, exemplified by the Department of Homeland Security spending $181 million on private jets during a government shutdown. They also noted copper presents opportunities, with the commodity holding firm at $5 per pound while equities have weakened.With most gold equities trading within 10% of 52-week highs, tax-loss selling pressure should be minimal this year, potentially allowing momentum from Q3 earnings to carry through year-end and into what is historically the strongest seasonal period for commodities in Q1 2026.Sign up for Crux Investor: https://cruxinvestor.com

Interview with Sam Spring, President and CEO, Kincora CopperOur previous interview: https://www.cruxinvestor.com/posts/kincora-copper-tsxvkcc-project-generator-strategy-transforms-growth-path-6975Recording date: 20th September 2025Kincora Copper has successfully transformed from a traditional single-project explorer into a diversified project generator, backed by prominent resource investors Rick Rule and Jeff Phillips through a C$4 million financing with a 12-month hold period. Following a 10-for-1 share consolidation, the company now operates with only 43 million shares outstanding and less than 40% free float, creating one of the tighter capital structures in the junior mining space.The strategic pivot emerged after the company invested over A$11 million and drilled 24,000 meters at its flagship Trundle project without achieving the share price movement or technical breakthrough needed to justify continued sole-funded exploration. President and CEO Sam Spring recognized that the traditional exploration approach risked exhausting capital before reaching discovery scale. The solution: partner projects while retaining meaningful equity stakes of 20-30%.Since adopting the project generator model, Kincora has completed five deals unlocking approximately $100 million in partner funding commitments. The company has already deployed $6.5 million across 13,500 meters of drilling from Q4 2024 through Q2 2025, with seven different licenses scheduled for drilling over the coming year. Critically, Kincora operates two earning joint ventures and receives management fees, creating an income stream that approaches covering all corporate costs.AngloGold Ashanti has emerged as the most active partner, planning approximately 11,000 meters of drilling across three projects in the Macquarie Arc, home to Australia's second-largest porphyry mine at Northparkes and Evolution Mining's flagship Cowal operation. The company has retained its two most advanced projects—Trundle and Fairholme—seeking optimal partnerships that preserve long-term value rather than simply accessing near-term drilling capital.Additional opportunities include the Bronze Fox project in Mongolia, which offers near-term SX-EW copper production potential at current prices, and the Condobolin project in the consolidating Cobar Basin. Spring emphasizes the portfolio approach: "Any one disappointment isn't going to be a disaster to the share price, but any one big success will give you that multiple re-rating."Learn more: https://www.cruxinvestor.com/companies/kincora-copper-limitedSign up for Crux Investor: https://cruxinvestor.com

Interview with Dan Barnholden, CEO of Luca Mining Corp.Our previous interview: https://www.cruxinvestor.com/posts/luca-mining-tsxvluca-high-grade-drilling-results-boost-mexican-mining-operations-7559Recording date: 22nd October 2025Luca Mining (TSXV:LUCA) is pursuing an ambitious transformation strategy designed to triple its market capitalization from $300 million to over $1 billion by scaling production to 200,000 ounces of gold equivalent annually. The company operates two underground mines in Mexico-Campo Morado, a polymetallic VMS deposit in Guerrero, and Tahuehueto, an epithermal gold-silver mine in Durango—both previously starved of capital for a decade.CEO Dan Barnholden, bringing two decades of investment banking experience, has spent his first year stabilizing operations and strengthening the balance sheet. With only $6 million in debt remaining, two-thirds retiring by year-end 2025 and complete elimination by June 2026 and $25 million in cash reserves, the company is pivoting decisively toward growth.The most compelling element of Luca's strategy centers on transforming Campo Morado from a zinc-focused operation into a significant gold producer. Currently recovering only 20-30% of gold content, the company has engaged Ausenco to develop metallurgical processes targeting 50-70% recovery rates. "At Campo Morado, if we can double the gold grades, if we can better than double the gold recoveries, now you're talking about a real gold mine," Barnholden explained.Simultaneously, drilling at the Reforma zone has delivered exceptional results, with intercepts of 30+ meters grading over 12 grams per ton gold equivalent. Management believes this represents a potential 8 million ton high-grade gold pod that could position Campo Morado as an 80-100,000 ounce annual producer.Tahuehueto offers a more straightforward expansion pathway, with mill capacity increasing from 1,000 to 1,500 tons per day targeting 40-50,000 ounces annually. The company has also engaged three investment banks pursuing strategic acquisitions in Mexico's consolidating mining sector, where five competitors were acquired over the past year.With operating cash flow funding exploration without dilution and debt elimination providing maximum financial flexibility, Luca Mining presents investors with a clear roadmap from mid-tier producer to potential billion-dollar enterprise.View Luca Mining's company profile: https://www.cruxinvestor.com/companies/luca-mining-corpSign up for Crux Investor: https://cruxinvestor.com