Company Interviews

Interview with Ignacio Salazar, CEO & MD of Highfield Resources (ASX: HFR)

Highfield Resources is a company focused on developing the Buga project in Spain, which aims to become a major producer of mop topotash, a type of potassium fertilizer. Led by CEO Ignacio Salazar, Highfield Resources has made significant progress in obtaining the necessary permits and licenses for construction.

The construction phase of the Buga project is a key focus for Highfield Resources. To ensure success, the company has hired experienced personnel, including former ICL President in Spain, to oversee the plant construction. They are also optimizing their engineering plans to maximize efficiency and minimize risks.

Interview with Neil Young, MD & CEO, Stephen Keleman, Non-Executive Director & Richard Cottee, Non-Executive Chairman of Elixir Energy (ASX: EXR)

Elixir Energy (EXR) is an ASX-listed energy company focused on natural gas exploration in Mongolia and Australia. Led by Managing Director Neil Young, the company aims to contribute to both traditional natural gas exploration and the energy transition. Elixir Energy recently provided an update on its gas projects, particularly highlighting the progress of their non-gone coalbed methane (CBM) pilot project in Mongolia.

The CBM pilot project is a significant endeavor as it is the first of its kind in Mongolia's history. The project began in late 2022, and since then, the company has observed early gas breakthrough and increasing gas rates. However, the project has also encountered challenges, leading to mechanical repairs and workovers to ensure optimal performance.

Big News of the Week

The sector’s big breaking news are reports that the Kazatomprom management exodus stems from a deal to allow Russian state interests to buy 49% of the Budenovskoye uranium project in Kazakhstan.  We break it down, dissect facts from imputations and discuss the potential implications.

https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2023-05-16/russia-uranium-deal-caused-manager-exodus-at-kazakh-mining-giant

Winner of the week

France – for galvanising Europe’s pro-nuclear countries into proposing a nuclear target that almost looks a little bit bold.  Its called the EU member states for nuclear energy summit and included recently open-minded Italy as an observer and even extended the hand of friendship to the UK to attend.

https://www.reuters.com/business/energy/pro-nuclear-countries-pitch-atomic-role-europes-green-transition-2023-05-16/

Bungle of the week

Belgium lawmakers for landing their country into such a big self-made mess – and STILL not doing enough to avoid power disruptions: https://www.brusselstimes.com/belgium-news/504370/belgiums-lights-will-go-out-if-nuclear-reactors-are-not-extended-says-elia-ceo

Question of the week

Why is the US so hesitant to impose sanctions on Russian nuclear fuel?  Companion bills have moved through the House and Senate, so does that mean sanctions will definitely be imposed?

Tweet of the week has to be Elon’s assertive support for nuclear energy, tweeted out to his 140 million followers.

Moonshots or Fizzers the Week

The moonshot to watch will be Zuri-Invest, which is set to close its Uranium AMC fund at the end of this month.  We discuss the drama, the conflicting opinions and whether Zuri invest is destined to be a moonshot or a fizzer!

Interview with Matthew Hornor, President & CEO of Maple Gold Mines (TSX-V: MGM)

Maple Gold Mines (MGM) is a mining company operating in the Abitibi greenstone belt in Quebec, Canada. With a vast land package spanning 400 square kilometers, MGM is focused on exploration and development of mineral deposits in this region. Their flagship projects include the Douay and Morris projects.

The Douay project is located in the heart of the Abitibi greenstone belt and serves as MGM's main project area. It has significant gold potential, and the company has conducted extensive exploration and drilling activities to identify and delineate gold mineralization in the area. MGM aims to expand the resource base through deep drilling and exploration efforts.

In addition to the Douay project, MGM has initiated work on the Morris project, which is a Volcanogenic Massive Sulfide (VMS) project situated near Douay. The company has recognized the potential for VMS-type mineralization in the region and has hired experts to bolster their technical team and focus on this deposit.

Interview with Anthony Viljoen, CEO of Andrada Mining (AIM: ATM)

Andrada Mining (ATM) is a mining company listed on London's AIM exchange that is making strides in the production of lithium and other minerals. Recently, they achieved a significant milestone by successfully producing their first bulk lithium concentrate through a pilot test program. Their focus is on personalized lithium, which offers a purer form of the mineral suitable for use in glass and ceramics, commanding a premium price in the market.

In addition to their lithium endeavors, ATM is generating substantial revenue from tin production, with an estimated annual output of around 960 to 1,000 tons. They are also preparing to venture into tantalum production, expecting to produce approximately five tons of tantalum concentrate per month. With an eye on expansion, ATM is seeking a strategic partner to enhance their technical capabilities and gain access to diverse markets. While Chinese companies have already established a presence in the downstream lithium industry, ATM notes that European and American companies are also eager to catch up and participate. The company is well-positioned to capitalize on the growing demand for lithium as they move closer to full-scale production, bolstered by strong financial backing and the ongoing pursuit of market awareness.

Interview with Brian McEwen, VP Exploration of Golden Arrow Resources (TSX-V: GRG)

Golden Arrow is a Vancouver-based explorer with a history of success in identifying, acquiring and advancing precious and base metal discoveries.

The Company is a member of the Grosso Group, a resource-focused management group that pioneered the mineral exploration industry in Argentina and has operated there since 1993. The Grosso Group, headed by Joseph Grosso, has been involved with four exceptional mineral deposit discoveries, and has a highly-regarded track record for fostering strong relationships with communities and governments wherever it works. The Grosso Group leverages its vast network of local, regional and international industry contacts to support the exploration team as they search for quality resource opportunities.

Golden Arrow advanced its Chinchillas Silver Project in Jujuy Province, Argentina, from discovery to development in just five years, and then successfully monetized the asset through a sale to SSR Mining. Golden Arrow now benefits from a significant equity interest in SSR Mining, providing upside potential and leverage to gold and silver. The Company is actively exploring in Chile and Argentina. With a pipeline of more than 180,000 hectares of high quality mineral projects at all stages of development, the Company is well positioned to define and develop exceptional new deposits.

Interview with Jason Kosec, President and CEO of Integra Resources (TSX-V:ITR)

Integra Resources Corp. is a development-stage mining company focused on the exploration and de-risking of the past-producing DeLamar gold-silver project. The DeLamar gold-silver project is located approximately 160 km from the city of Boise in Idaho. The project includes the past-producing DeLamar gold mine previously owned by Kinross Gold Corp. which in the past produced approximately 1.6 million ounces of gold and 100 million ounces of silver. The project also holds a 5,300-acre land position which consists of patented and unpatented claims. The company changed its strategy regarding the DeLamar gold-silver project in 2022, with it planning to pursue a simpler heap-leaching operation which is set to produce over 136,000 ounces of gold equivalent per year. 

Interview with David Hottman, President & CEO of Orestone Mining (TSX-V: ORS)

Orestone explores for gold and copper in British Columbia, Canada on the 105 square kilometre Captain gold/copper porphyry project. The project is 100% owned and hosts a cluster of large porphyry targets advanced through geophysics and drilling. Exploration drilling to date has advanced the project substantially. Their goal is to create shareholder wealth through successful exploration.

Interview with Chris Reed, Managing Director & CEO of Neometals Ltd. (ASX: NMT)

Neometals Ltd. is an Australian mineral development company, involved in the recovery of a large array of battery metals including lithium, titanium and vanadium. The company’s core business units consist of its lithium-ion battery recycling company, Primobius JV, which is an operating recycling facility for lithium batteries in Germany and also the recycling technology partner for Mercedes Benz, its vanadium recovery project in Finland and its Lithium chemicals unit, a joint venture (JV) with Bondalti Chemicals SA via Reed Advanced Materials (RAM) Pty Ltd. 

Interview with Hayden Locke, President & CEO of Marimaca Copper Corp. (TSX: MARI)

Marimaca is an exciting TSX-listed copper company.  The Company’s flagship asset is the Marimaca Copper Project in Chile’s Antofagasta region. It is the only copper discovery globally of the last five years and is a low risk project, with substantial exploration potential. Their vision is to create significant value for their shareholders and stakeholders alike. They hope to achieve this with a dual strategy of realizing the full potential of their flagship Marimaca Copper Project, which has the promise to become one of the most significant copper‐oxide discoveries in recent years, and explore for multiple large scale Marimaca Copper Project style targets, including a possible new IOCG district.