Ontario's critical minerals ambitions: Are investors ready?

U.S. and Australia sign a $3B deal to secure critical minerals, aiming to strengthen supply chains and reduce reliance on external sources. Link: https://lnkd.in/dTVXRCwp #Minerals #Supply #Security #Australia #Partnership #USA #Deal #Economy #Resources #Technology #Mining #Trade #Investment #Energy #Collaboration #Innovation #Industry #Global #Strategy #Development

🔋 Tapping into Ontario’s Critical Minerals Advantage https://lnkd.in/djPP-Gh2 In the latest issue of Energy and Mines Magazine, Peter Xavier, Chief Operating Officer, Canada Metals at Glencore, shares how the company is navigating market volatility while driving innovation in Canada’s critical minerals sector. From deploying all-electric underground mining at Sudbury INO to supporting Indigenous partnerships and leveraging Ontario’s clean energy advantage, Glencore’s approach illustrates how miners can stay competitive and responsible in a rapidly changing landscape. Read the full feature to explore: ✅ How Glencore is adapting to global volatility and supply chain challenges ✅ What Ontario’s policy framework means for the sector’s long-term competitiveness ✅ Why collaboration—with governments, Indigenous communities, and clean-energy producers—is key to building a resilient value chain 📖 Read the full article here: https://lnkd.in/djPP-Gh2 #CriticalMinerals #MiningInnovation #CleanEnergy #Decarbonization #EnergyAndMines #Glencore #OntarioMining #IndigenousPartnerships #NetZero

The federal government of Canada has just named several large mining and energy projects to receive expedited review under the MPO — highlighting that critical minerals like Copper, Zinc and clean‑energy infrastructure are now front and center of national strategy: https://bit.ly/3IkLOks For a junior explorer like Grid Battery Metals, this isn’t just policy — it’s potential: 🟢 It means governments want to see projects like ours succeed 🟢 Could mean shorter approval times, clearer regulations, faster access to funding & partnerships 🟢 Our location in B.C., near established mines and infrastructure, becomes even more strategic We’re excited about what this means for our stakeholders and timeline. Let’s move forward together. $CELL $EVKRF #CriticalMinerals #CleanEnergy #MiningPolicy #BCMining #Investment #Copper

The newly announced U.S.–Australia Critical Minerals Framework represents a landmark move to strengthen and diversify global rare earths and critical mineral supply chains. The framework will: -Mobilise over US$1 billion in financing within six months to fast-track -mining and processing projects. -Streamline permitting and regulatory approvals. -Protect market stability through standards-based trade systems. This initiative directly aligns with Ark Mines’ strategy to advance its Sandy Mitchell Rare Earths Project in Queensland — contributing to secure, sustainable, and high-quality rare earth supply for global markets. 🔗 https://lnkd.in/gXEjCiMq #ArkMines #AHK #ASX #CriticalMinerals #RareEarths #Mining #Sustainability #Australia #US #Resources #StrategicMetals

"Trump’s investments in Canadian critical minerals could push Ottawa to follow suit, industry players say" An interesting article in today's Globe and Mail  including quotes from the CEO of Canada Growth Fund Yannick Beaudoin CFA Beaudoin. We are delighted Yannick is speaking at the Ontario Critical Minerals Forum next month. Articile summary below. https://lnkd.in/dwsbqMXr U.S. moves into Canadian critical minerals — should Ottawa follow? The Trump administration has taken equity stakes in two Canadian critical-minerals companies — Lithium Americas and Trilogy Metals — part of a broader U.S. push toward state ownership in industries deemed vital to national security. This bold move puts pressure on Ottawa to decide whether Canada should also take a more interventionist approach to secure its own supply chains. Canada’s Growth Fund has already made smaller, market-based investments in Nouveau Monde Graphite and Foran Mining, but most government support for mining still comes through grants and loans, not ownership. Industry voices are divided: - Some say government stakes could strengthen domestic control and accelerate project financing. - Others warn of conflicts of interest, political interference, and investor hesitation. As one CEO noted, expanding flow-through share incentives might be a better, market-based way to support the sector without “picking winners.”

Impact Minerals Limited (ASX:IPT) has announced that Kuniko Limited (ASX:KNI) secures the right to earn up to 70% of the Commonwealth Project in NSW Lachlan Fold Belt. ⛏️ Following successful due diligence, Kuniko has now formally entered into the Earn-In and Joint Venture Agreement over Impact’s Commonwealth Project in the prolific Lachlan copper gold-gold province of NSW ⚒️ The joint venture is part of Impact’s strategy to monetise its non-core portfolio and follows the sale of the Blackridge project earlier this year. “Kuniko have moved quickly to get up to speed with the Commonwealth project and are now preparing for their first stage of work to further refine some of Impact’s targets, as well as new ones already identified, ready for drilling. Given the recent record gold and silver prices, it is an ideal time to explore increasing the gold and silver resources at Commonwealth, considering it is the only project in Australia similar to the world-class Eskay Creek gold-silver mine in the renowned Golden Triangle of British Columbia.” Dr Mike Jones, Impact Minerals’ Managing Director ASX announcement ⚡ https://lnkd.in/ggtwZMqm

Australia and the U.S. deepen cooperation on critical minerals. Prime Minister Anthony Albanese and U.S. President Donald Trump have signed a landmark US$8.5 billion Critical Minerals Agreement, strengthening supply chain security and collaboration across the sector. While full details of the deal are yet to be released, previous U.S. policy definitions of “rare earths” include the 17 lanthanide elements — plus scandium and yttrium. Sunrise Energy Metals welcomes this renewed commitment to building resilient, transparent supply chains for critical minerals. Our Syerston Scandium Project in New  South Wales hosts the world’s largest and highest-grade scandium deposit, positioning Sunrise to play a key role in supporting this shared vision. The Company is in the final stages of completing its Feasibility Study update for the Syerston Scandium Project.  Read more here: https://lnkd.in/gMJeAybm #CriticalMinerals #RareEarths #Scandium #Australia #USAlliance #EnergyTransition #SunriseEnergyMetals  

Leadership Talks with James Bay Minerals (ASX: JBY) Executive Director Matthew Hayes In this exclusive interview, we speak with Matthew Hayes, Executive Director and Co-Founder of James Bay Minerals (ASX: JBY), about the company’s rapid rise as a U.S.-focused precious metals developer, advancing two high-grade assets—the Independence Gold Project in Nevada and the Shafter Silver Project in Texas. James Bay Minerals has been featured in the Australian Financial Review for its bold U.S. expansion and continues to deliver strong momentum through smart M&A, disciplined exploration, and a clean balance sheet. Key highlights covered by Matthew: ✔ Shafter Silver Project (Texas) – One of the highest-grade silver projects on the ASX at 289g/t Ag, with 17.5Moz high-grade silver and over $150M in existing infrastructure, offering a fast-track pathway to restart. ✔ Independence Gold Project (Nevada) – Advanced asset neighbouring Nevada Gold Mines’ Phoenix operation, hosting 1.4Moz Au, including nearly 1Moz at 6.7g/t gold, with a resource upgrade and scoping study imminent. ✔ Strategic U.S. Positioning – Both assets are located in Tier-1 mining jurisdictions with access to infrastructure, low operating costs, and government-backed critical minerals initiatives. ✔ Clean Capital Structure – No debt, no options, and ~$15M cash post-raise, fully funding work programs across both projects. ✔ Experienced & Proven Leadership – The same team behind the Maverick Springs (Sun Silver) success, which re-rated 10× in value, is now driving growth at James Bay. ✔ Silver Market Outlook – Matthew outlines a structural global silver deficit, U.S. critical mineral recognition, and strong tailwinds from solar, EV, and data-centre demand—positioning JBY at the forefront of the next silver cycle. With strong projects, a clear growth pathway, and an ambitious leadership team, James Bay Minerals (ASX: JBY) offers investors leveraged exposure to both gold and silver in the world’s largest precious-metals consumer market. ▶️ WATCH FULL INTERVIEW: https://lnkd.in/gaPurvCs #JamesBayMinerals #ASXStocks #SilverAndGold #MiningASX

This week, we look at the North American critical minerals sector, where we have seen a new, aggressive U.S. industrial policy, with the government moving beyond indirect support to become a direct equity partner in strategic projects. This is fundamentally de-risking key assets and accelerating the onshoring of vital supply chains. Here’s a snapshot of the last week: Government as a Direct Catalyst: Trilogy Metals Inc. led by Tony Giardini saw its shares surge over 200% after the White House announced a $35.6 million investment for a 10% stake and simultaneously issued an executive order to approve the Ambler Access Project road in Alaska. This dual maneuver unlocks one of the world's largest undeveloped copper-zinc belts. Lithium Americas Corp. led by Jonathan Evans with its partner General Motors, restructured its $2.26 billion DOE loan for the Thacker Pass lithium project. The deal gives the U.S. government a 5% equity stake in both the parent company and the project itself, ensuring its path forward. NioCorp Developments led by Mark A. Smith, P.E., Esq and Scott Honan. received a strategic $10 million grant from the Department of Defense for its Elk Creek Project in Nebraska. Designed to de-risk the asset and unlock a much larger, pending $800 million debt financing package from the U.S. Export-Import Bank.  There is also a pipeline of projects hitting crucial technical and economic milestones: Definitive & Bankable Feasibility Studies (DFS/BFS): U.S. Gold Corp. led by George Bee & Luke Norman is moving "full steam ahead" into the final stage of its DFS for the CK Gold Project in Wyoming, with site prep now underway. Critical Metals Corp. announced the BFS for its globally significant Tanbreez rare earth project in Greenland is now over 70% complete and on track for a Q4 2025 submission. Pre-Feasibility Studies (PFS): Ramaco Resources, Inc. led by RANDALL W. ATKINS & Mike Woloschuk retained the tier-one engineering firm Hatch to lead the PFS for its massive Brook Mine rare earth discovery. Surge Battery Metals with Graham Harris  released an update on their North Nevada Lithium Project's PFS, noting the potential for valuable rubidium and cesium in their critical mineral assays, with further evaluation planned Preliminary Economic Assessments (PEA): Nevada Lithium Resources with Stephen Rentschler & Jeff Wilson filed a technical report for its Bonnie Claire project confirming exceptional economics, including a post-tax NPV of $6.83 billion and a 2.8-year payback period. The era of passive government oversight is over. The U.S. is actively building its domestic critical minerals capacity, and for companies and investors, geopolitical alignment is now a key value driver. #CriticalMinerals #Mining #SupplyChain #Lithium #RareEarths #Copper #Geopolitics #ProjectFinance #NationalSecurity

🔄 US Government Taking Equity Stakes in Australian Critical Minerals Companies A strategic shift is underway as the US secures access to essential resources through direct investment in Australian mining companies. Why? Critical minerals form the backbone of modern technologies from clean energy to defense systems. The stakes are clear: Demand could increase 6x by 2040 (IEA estimates) and China controls 85% of global rare earth processing. Recent export restrictions have disrupted global supply chains. Australia brings significant assets to the table with 21% of the world's rare earth deposits and 29% of global lithium reserves. It also offers a stable regulatory environment. US financial toolkit includes direct equity purchases, "Equity kicker" arrangements, and warrant-based structures (like the 5% stake in Lithium Americas). Traditional debt financing and prepayment arrangements are also in play. Australian companies positioned to benefit include International Graphite (ASX:IG6), Cobalt Blue Holdings Ltd, and emerging copper producers. Projects ready by 2027 are receiving priority attention. This isn't just business; critical minerals are now considered as strategically important as oil or uranium, with direct defense applications. How is this reshaping global mineral supply chains? Are we witnessing the permanent restructuring of critical mineral markets? Click to explore the full analysis of how US equity investments are transforming Australian critical minerals projects: https://lnkd.in/gXBtfWHV #CriticalMinerals #USInvestments #AustralianMining