Company Interviews

Interview with Hayden Locke, CEO and President of Marimaca Copper Corp

Our previous interview: https://www.cruxinvestor.com/posts/marimaca-copper-tsxmari-acquisition-increases-copper-resource-6061

Recording date: 31st of December, 2024

Marimaca Copper has made a significant high-grade copper discovery at its Pampa Medina project in northern Chile, marking a potential game-changer for the company's growth trajectory. The discovery hole, located 400 meters north of the historical resource, revealed impressive grades including 0.5% copper over 400 meters, with higher-grade zones of 1% copper over 100 meters, and notably, a 20-meter interval grading over 5% copper.

The Pampa Medina discovery is part of an emerging copper belt, situated just 20 kilometers from Antofagasta Minerals' major Cachorro discovery. The proximity and geological similarities to Cachorro suggest significant potential for the region. Marimaca has strategically consolidated its land position in the area, recently securing the Madrugador land package south of Pampa Medina for $12 million over five years.

The company plans to integrate Pampa Medina into its broader development strategy, with the potential to increase production by at least 50% over a minimum 10-year period. The project's shallow, leachable oxide characteristics make it particularly attractive for development alongside the company's flagship Marimaca oxide project.

Looking ahead to 2025, Marimaca will pursue a dual-track strategy: advancing the Marimaca oxide project toward production while aggressively exploring Pampa Medina. The company plans to invest in a 10,000-12,000 meter drilling program at Pampa Medina, starting January 2025, to follow up on the discovery and test extensions in all directions.

In 2024, the company achieved several key milestones, including strengthening its balance sheet with a new strategic investor, expanding its technical team with experienced professionals from Capstone Copper, and submitting the environmental permit application for the Marimaca oxide project.

CEO Hayden Locke remains optimistic about copper's long-term prospects, particularly due to growing electricity demand and the necessary global grid infrastructure upgrades. Despite near-term economic uncertainties, he sees strong fundamentals supporting copper prices, driven by electrification needs rather than just energy transition demands.

The company envisions developing a centralized processing hub at the Marimaca project, which could potentially serve multiple deposits in the region, including Pampa Medina. This hub-and-spoke approach could optimize infrastructure usage and improve the economics of developing lower-grade deposits in the area.

With an experienced management team, strengthened balance sheet, and clear development strategy, Marimaca Copper is positioning itself as a significant player in Chile's copper sector, focusing on both near-term production and long-term growth through exploration success.

Learn more: https://www.cruxinvestor.com/companies/marimaca-copper

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Interview with Terry Lynch, CEO of Power Nickel

Our previous interview: https://www.cruxinvestor.com/posts/power-nickel-tsxvpnpn-unearthing-a-high-grade-polymetallic-gem-in-quebecs-james-bay-region-5925

Recording date: 19th December 2024

Power Nickel (TSXV:PNPN) has electrified the market with a major new nickel-copper-PGM discovery at its NISK project in Quebec. The company was originally exploring NISK for its high-grade nickel potential, but a wild step-out hole 5.5 km away hit a massive sulfide zone grading 1.5% copper and nearly 1 oz/ton platinum group metals (PGMs) over 8 meters. Subsequent drilling has traced this Lion Zone over 500 meters of strike length and to 500-600 meter depth, with exceptional grades of up to 7% copper equivalent over significant widths.

CEO Terry Lynch believes they are just scratching the surface of a large mineralized system. "For every ton of copper sulfide you find, you find between 2-7 tons of nickel sulfides underneath, with an average of around five," he explained in a recent interview. "If we find 10, 15, 20 million tons of copper sulfide, ordinarily one would expect somewhere between 40 to 100 million tons of nickel sulfide. It's going to be big."

Power Nickel already has an estimated 5-7 million tons grading 5-7% copper equivalent at Lion based on about 10,000 meters of drilling. The current 30,000 meter program aims to triple that to 15-20 million tons in 2025. Three drill rigs are turning now with a steady flow of assay results expected to start in January.

The company is well funded after raising C$20 million in a financing anchored by mining magnate Robert Friedland and other billionaire backers including Rob McEwen. Power Nickel has also seen strong interest from major mining companies who are eager to secure new supplies of critical minerals like nickel and copper.

Metallurgical studies are a key focus for 2025 to determine the best way to economically recover all the valuable metals in this polymetallic deposit. CEO Lynch is optimistic they can achieve good recoveries based on discussions with Friedland who has extensive experience with similar deposits in South Africa.

The blue sky potential for Power Nickel is to have a world-class discovery on its hands, in the same league as giant camps like Norilsk, Voisey's Bay or Sudbury. Even at this relatively early stage, analysts ascribe a value of roughly C$100 million to the Lion Zone discovery. Lynch sees potential for a 10-bagger or more. "All great deposits get paid and this will be a great deposit," he affirmed. "Our shareholders will get what they deserve."

With a monster discovery shaping up, a strong Quebec address, and lots of news flow on tap, Power Nickel has all the ingredients to charge up your mining portfolio. Drill results and metallurgy news in 2025 could provide the jolt to power shares significantly higher.

Interview with Andrew Thomson, President & CEO of Palamina Corp.

Recording date: 20th December 2024

Palamina Corp (TSXV:PA), a Canadian junior mining company, is focused on making significant gold discoveries in Peru's under-explored Puno Orogenic Belt. The company has recently completed a 2,300m drill program at its flagship Usicayos project, where it encountered high-grade gold intercepts of up to 24 g/t.

Led by President Andrew Thompson, an entrepreneurial geologist who has successfully sold eight companies including Soltoro Ltd. to Agnico Eagle, Palamina benefits from a highly experienced management team. The company has strategically assembled a large land package comprising seven gold and copper-silver exploration projects in the Puno Belt, an area attracting increasing interest from major mining companies.

The company's recent progress includes constructing a new access road to the Usicayos project, which is expected to help reduce drilling costs to $300/m compared to the $600/m average in Nevada. This cost advantage positions Palamina to accelerate its resource definition efforts when drilling resumes in 2025.

Beyond its gold assets, Palamina is developing a significant copper-silver portfolio. The company plans to spin these assets into a separate subsidiary to maximize shareholder value. A key asset in this portfolio is the Pluma project, acquired from Aurania Resources in September 2024, which lies along trend from copper-silver deposits being explored by Hannan Metals.

The company also holds strategic land positions in the Santa Lucia district, near Aftermath Silver's Berenguela copper-silver project. This district has attracted significant investment from major mining companies and could provide additional value through discovery or strategic partnerships.

Palamina's investment case is strengthened by its tight share structure and the backing of prominent resource investor Eric Sprott, who owns 12.3% of the company. With a market capitalization below C$11 million, the company appears undervalued relative to its asset portfolio and upcoming catalysts.

Near-term catalysts include ongoing drill results from both the Usicayos project and its 15.4%-owned Gaban project being advanced by Winshear Gold. The company is also positioned to benefit from potential copper-silver discoveries by other companies in the district.

Operating in Peru, Palamina benefits from the country's supportive stance toward mining and recently streamlined permitting processes. With no national elections until 2026, the company enjoys a stable operating environment to advance its projects. Despite the current challenging market for junior miners, Palamina's strategic position in an emerging mineral belt, combined with its experienced management and strong financial backing, presents an interesting opportunity for investors seeking exposure to both precious and base metals.

Interview with Kiran Patankar, President & CEO of Maple Gold Mines

Our previous interview: https://www.cruxinvestor.com/posts/maple-gold-mines-tsxvmgm-100-ownership-of-3moz-quebec-gold-project-with-major-producer-backing-5946

Recording date: 20th December 2024

Maple Gold Mines (MGM) has established itself as a notable player in Quebec's prolific Abitibi greenstone belt with its flagship Douay Gold Project, which hosts over 3 million ounces of pit-constrained gold resources. The company's resource base comprises 75% inferred and 25% indicated resources, supported by extensive historical drilling of over 250,000 meters.

The company recently consolidated 100% ownership of a substantial 400-square-kilometer land package along the Casa Berardi Deformation Zone. This strategic holding includes the past-producing mine that historically produced high-grade gold at 6-10 g/t over a 20-year period. The Douay deposit itself spans 6 kilometers by 2 kilometers and straddles a first-order structure known for hosting significant gold deposits.

Under the leadership of CEO Kiran Patankar, MGM has outlined an ambitious growth strategy for 2025. The company is launching a 10,000-meter drill program in January 2025, targeting both resource expansion and new discoveries. Management aims to grow the resource beyond 4-5 million ounces while advancing technical studies to demonstrate the project's economic viability.

Notably, MGM maintains a strategic relationship with major producer Agnico Eagle, providing significant validation of the asset's potential. While the company has consolidated 100% ownership, this partnership offers valuable operational expertise and strategic alignment.

From a valuation perspective, MGM appears notably undervalued with an EV/oz of C$4 compared to recent regional transactions, such as the O3 Mining takeout at C$75/oz. The company is fully funded for the next 12-18 months of exploration and development activities, with plans for an updated resource estimate in the second half of 2025, followed by a preliminary economic assessment.

The investment thesis is strengthened by favorable macro conditions in the gold sector, driven by geopolitical tensions, inflation concerns, and strong central bank buying. The scarcity of large-scale gold assets in tier-1 jurisdictions further enhances MGM's strategic position.

With its significant resource base, district-scale exploration potential, strong strategic backing, and clear development pathway, Maple Gold Mines is positioned to capitalize on the robust gold market fundamentals while systematically advancing the Douay project toward a potential development decision or strategic transaction.

Interview with Derek Iwanaka, VP Investor Relations & Corporate Development of BeMetals Corp.

Recording date: 19th December 2024

BeMetals Corp (TSXV:BMET) is emerging as a noteworthy player in copper exploration, with its flagship Pangeni Copper Project in Zambia's Central African Copperbelt. The project, spanning 575 km2, is strategically located near major producing mines operated by First Quantum and Barrick.

The company has made significant progress at its D Prospect, where recent drilling has yielded consistent copper grades averaging between 0.35% to 0.74% copper. Their initial discovery hole, completed in late 2023, intersected approximately 17 meters of 0.7% copper. The exploration program employs a systematic approach, using airborne magnetics and aircore drilling before proceeding to core drilling.

BeMetals is backed by strong strategic partners, with B2Gold holding a 24% stake and JOGMEC funding 28% of Zambian exploration costs. The company operates on focused budgets of around $3 million per phase, allowing for targeted drilling programs of fewer than 10 holes each.

The management team brings substantial industry experience, led by CEO John Wilton, known for discovering the 2-million-ounce Otjikoto gold deposit in Namibia. The board includes notable mining figures such as B2Gold CEO Clive Johnson and Tom Garagan, discoverer of the 7-million-ounce Kupol deposit in Russia.

While copper exploration in Zambia is the primary focus, BeMetals maintains 100% ownership of five gold projects in Japan, providing additional opportunity in one of the world's most underexplored high-grade gold jurisdictions. These assets, which include a past-producing mine, have already seen several million dollars of investment and carry minimal holding costs.

Currently valued at under C$12M market capitalization, BeMetals offers investors exposure to both the growing copper market and high-grade gold potential. Near-term catalysts include assay results from recent drilling at the D Prospect expected in Q1 2025 and a planned 3,000m step-out drilling program aimed at expanding the mineralized footprint.

The company's Zambian focus is particularly timely as global copper demand increases, driven by the green energy transition. The Central African Copperbelt, with its endowment of over 5 billion tonnes of copper, represents one of the world's premier mining jurisdictions. Zambia itself offers a stable operating environment, with a long mining history and well-established infrastructure.

BeMetals presents an opportunity to gain exposure to copper exploration in a tier-one jurisdiction, backed by experienced management and strong strategic partners, with additional optionality through its Japanese gold portfolio.

View BeMetals' company profile: https://www.cruxinvestor.com/companies/bemetals-corp

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Interview with George Sakalidis, Managing Director of Magnetic Resources

Recording date: 20th December 2024

Magnetic Resources (ASX: MAU) has emerged as a significant player in Western Australia's gold sector with a major discovery in the Laverton region, approximately 300km north of Kalgoorlie. The company has delineated nearly 2 million ounces of gold since staking the ground in 2017, achieved through an extensive drilling campaign comprising 170,000 meters across 1,900 holes.

The company's flagship Lady Julie North 4 deposit currently hosts 1.5 million ounces, with a resource upgrade expected in January. Recent drilling results have been particularly impressive, featuring high-grade intercepts including 76m @ 2.5 g/t and 24m @ 5 g/t gold. The deposit has demonstrated considerable depth potential, extending up to a kilometer down dip, supporting plans for both open pit and underground operations.

A feasibility study, due in March, will examine development scenarios targeting initial production of 150,000 ounces per year. The project's economics appear robust, with preliminary studies based on a A$3,200/oz gold price showing an NPV of A$925 million, EBITDA of A$1.4 billion, and an impressive 135% Internal Rate of Return with a 12-month payback period.

The project's strategic location presents significant advantages, sitting just 10-15km from two major processing plants operated by Gold Fields and Genesis. Both facilities are currently operating below capacity, opening potential opportunities for toll treatment arrangements or corporate transactions. The site also benefits from existing infrastructure, including access to a gas pipeline and proximity to established mining roads.

Magnetic Resources, led by Managing Director George Sakalidis, has achieved these results at a remarkably low discovery cost of $9 per ounce. The company is well-funded with A$12 million in the bank, sufficient to complete its feasibility study, and is engaged in discussions with banks regarding project financing.

The project's development path appears to have two potential routes: either advancing to production independently or pursuing a corporate transaction with neighboring producers seeking additional feed for their processing facilities. The company has established a data room and is entertaining potential M&A interest, though management emphasizes they are equally prepared to proceed with development independently.

With its combination of scale, grade, strategic location, and robust economics, Magnetic Resources represents a significant new development in Western Australia's gold sector. The upcoming resource upgrade and feasibility study in early 2025 will be crucial catalysts in determining the project's ultimate development path.

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Interview with Gwen Preston, VP Investor Relations of West Red Lake Gold Mines Ltd.

Our previous interview: https://www.cruxinvestor.com/posts/west-red-lake-gold-mines-tsxvwrlg-near-term-gold-production-6264

Recording date: 19th December 2024

West Red Lake Gold Mines (WRLG) is on the cusp of reviving the historic Madsen gold mine in the renowned Red Lake district of Ontario, Canada. The company acquired the previously producing high-grade asset out of bankruptcy and has spent the last 18 months aggressively de-risking and advancing it back towards production.

The flagship Madsen project boasts a robust indicated resource of 1.7 million ounces grading 7.4 g/t gold, with the potential for further growth. WRLG's phased restart plan centers on initially mining the easily-accessible high-grade Upper 8 Zone deposit. A new Pre-Feasibility Study (PFS), due out in early 2025, is expected to showcase an operation producing 60-65,000 ounces of gold annually. At current gold prices, this should generate significant free cash flow.

Over the past year, WRLG has checked off several key de-risking milestones at Madsen. This includes completing over 80,000 meters of infill drilling to better define resources, developing additional underground access to support future mining, and finishing key surface infrastructure projects. The company also constructed a new Connector Drift which will allow for ore and waste haulage from the larger West Portal, greatly enhancing operational efficiency.

Looking ahead, major upcoming catalysts for WRLGM include the PFS in early 2025, processing of an 8,000 tonne bulk sample to confirm grade continuity, and a construction decision underpinned by a recently secured $35M project debt facility. Madsen benefits from extensive existing infrastructure and a relatively modest go-forward capex profile.

From a macro perspective, gold looks poised for a strong run in 2025 as the U.S. dollar weakens, real rates remain in negative territory, and safe haven demand picks up steam. This should provide a favorable backdrop for advancing assets like Madsen. Many analysts see the yellow metal retesting its all-time high above $2,000 per ounce in the coming year.

Despite its advanced stage and near-term path to production, WRLG still trades at a discount to peer gold developers. However, this valuation gap is expected to close as Madsen hits key de-risking milestones in 2025 and the market gains confidence in the company's ability to execute. With a market capitalization of over C$150 million, WRLG looks to have ample room to re-rate higher as it transitions into the producer ranks.

In a precious metals bull market, single-asset developers in premium jurisdictions with near-term growth tend to command premium valuations. WRLG has positioned itself to join this club in 2025 through the disciplined advancement of the Madsen gold project. With a clear path to first production, a robust high-grade resource base, and multiple exploration targets, WRLG offers a compelling opportunity for investors seeking gold exposure via an emerging Canadian producer.

View West Red Lake Gold Mines' company profile: https://www.cruxinvestor.com/companies/west-red-lake-gold-mines-inc

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Interview with Chris Showalter, Director & CEO of Lifezone Metals Ltd.

Our previous interview: https://www.cruxinvestor.com/posts/lifezone-metals-nyselzm-powering-the-ev-revolution-with-clean-nickel-technology-in-tanzania-6232

Recording date: 20th December 2024

Lifezone Metals has strengthened its position in the nickel market with a significant resource upgrade at its Kabanga project in Tanzania. The company recently announced a 20% increase in contained nickel in measured and indicated resources, reaching 46.8 million tons at 2.09% nickel grade, including over 3 million tons grading above 3% nickel.

The Kabanga project, which has seen over $200 million invested in drilling to date, has emerged as one of the highest-grade undeveloped nickel deposits globally. The project's resource base is notably well-defined, with more than 80% classified in the measured and indicated categories – an uncommon achievement for a development-stage project.

Lifezone has made substantial progress in securing financial backing for Kabanga's development. Mining giant BHP has joined as a strategic partner, while discussions are advancing with the U.S. International Development Finance Corporation (DFC) for political risk insurance. The company has also signed an MOU with Japan's JOGMEC to facilitate nickel marketing to Japanese end-users, potentially opening doors for additional strategic partnerships.

On the technical front, Lifezone has successfully demonstrated its processing capabilities, producing high-purity battery-grade nickel and cobalt products from Kabanga ore samples. This achievement marks the first time Kabanga's nickel has been processed to a final refined end-product, validating the company's hydromet processing technology.

Beyond Kabanga, Lifezone is diversifying through its recycling business. The company has formed a 50/50 joint venture with Glencore to recover valuable metals, including PGMs, nickel, cobalt, and copper, from recycled batteries and end-of-life vehicles in North America. This venture aims to streamline the currently fragmented battery recycling supply chain through vertical integration.

CEO Chris Showalter emphasizes the strategic importance of Kabanga's high-grade resource in an increasingly competitive market, particularly given Indonesia's dominant position in global nickel supply. The project's superior grade is expected to enable lower-cost production and reduced environmental impact compared to peers.

The investment case for Lifezone Metals centers on its exposure to growing nickel demand from the electric vehicle sector, anchored by a high-grade resource and clear financing strategy. With both the Kabanga project and recycling business advancing, near-term catalysts include the completion of Kabanga's definitive feasibility study, financing milestones, and recycling business developments.

View Lifezone Metals' company profile: https://www.cruxinvestor.com/companies/lifezone-metals

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Interview with Ben Turney, CEO of Kavango Resource PLC

Our previous interview: https://www.cruxinvestor.com/posts/kavango-resources-lsekav-unlocking-southern-africas-gold-copper-potential-through-exploration-5078

Recording date: 19th December 2024

Kavango Resources (LSE:KAV) is advancing a two-pronged strategy in southern Africa, combining near-term gold production in Zimbabwe with copper exploration potential in Botswana. The company has recently secured £6.5 million in funding to accelerate its transition to becoming a cash-generating producer in 2025.

In Zimbabwe, Kavango is fast-tracking two gold projects toward production. Prospect 4, their high-grade underground project, has shown promising initial results with drilling intersecting 2.5m at 29 g/t gold. The company plans to implement a spiral decline mining method with an initial target of 200 tonnes per day at 3 g/t gold, projected to generate $500,000 in monthly free cash flow. Within three years, the company believes this single 90-hectare block could generate between $2.5-3 million in monthly free cash flow.

Their second project, Prospect 3, is being developed as an open-pit heap leach operation. The company aims to process 30,000 tonnes monthly, targeting 15 kg of gold production per month for approximately $1.2 million in monthly revenue, with estimated free cash flow of $200,000 per month by mid-2025.

Kavango's strategy differs from traditional mining development approaches. Rather than building up a large resource before seeking project finance, the company is pursuing a staged development approach, starting small and using cash flow to fund expansion. This strategy is designed to avoid the pitfalls that have led to failures among larger London-listed mining companies.

The company sees significant potential in Zimbabwe's underexplored greenstone belts, comparing the opportunity to Western Australia 50 years ago but with the advantage of modern technology and mining methods. Their ultimate goal is to prove up a 10-million-ounce gold resource in this virgin terrain.

In Botswana, Kavango holds what it describes as the last large remaining land package in the Kalahari Copper Belt, neighboring projects operated by major mining companies including Rio Tinto, BHP, and Sandfire. While still at the grassroots stage, the company's exploration results are showing promise, with drilling vectoring in on several prospective targets.

The company has brought in an experienced Australian mining engineer to oversee the implementation of modern mining methods, particularly the mechanized spiral decline approach, which they believe will provide significant advantages over traditional shaft mining in Zimbabwe.

This strategy is to have both near-term production potential in gold and longer-term exploration upside in copper, with management focused on creating value through an aggressive but staged development approach.

View Kavango Resources' company profile: https://www.cruxinvestor.com/companies/kavango-resources

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Revival Gold (TSXV:RVG) is strategically assembling a sizable gold portfolio across two historically productive U.S. projects, with a phased development approach designed to maximize value creation and mitigate risk for investors.

The company's 2024 acquisition of the 1.6Moz Mercur project in Utah was transformative, complementing Revival's existing 4.6Moz mineral resourced flagship Beartrack-Arnett project in Idaho. The deal boosted Revival's total resource base to an impressive 6.2Moz, with both assets located in attractive brownfield jurisdictions.

Revival's disciplined strategy focuses on leveraging existing infrastructure to fast-track development timelines and reduce execution risk and capex. CEO Hugh Agro emphasized, "We've got infrastructure, power line, road, water access, lots of technical data which saves us money but importantly it also saves us time."

Agro, a 35-year industry veteran, is taking a page from the Australian mining playbook in carefully staging Revival's development plans. Initial capex is estimated at a relatively modest $200M or less for Mercur, with the project now advancing through a PEA. "We can grow sequentially into the next and subsequent phases for lower capital through self-generated cash flow and for lower risk," he explained.

This measured approach stands in contrast to many single-asset developers struggling to finance mega-projects relative to their market caps. Agro put it bluntly: "A billion dollar project on a $60 million market cap is an awful tough thing to deliver." Revival is targeting initial production within approximately three years.

Importantly, Revival has maintained significant exploration upside across its portfolio. The company bolstered its exploration team in 2024 with the addition of proven mine-finder Dan Pace as Chief Geologist. "Scale matters because scale is what attracts larger institutions and corporates to companies like ours," Agro noted, adding that this expanded technical capability will be going to vault Revival's exploration story and business case into a new paradigm.

Institutional investors have taken notice, with top resource funds accumulating a combined 40% ownership stake in Revival. Agro credits the company's compelling portfolio and disciplined strategy for attracting sophisticated long-term backers who understand the opportunity.

Looking ahead, Agro believes Revival is well-positioned for a rising gold market with a number of bullish fundamental drivers emerging. He sees substantial value in Revival's growing, developable resource base in secure U.S. jurisdictions. "Our asset just goes up in value with time. The value of the gold in the ground only goes up. We're not producing something that will depreciate in value. Time is really on our side."

While acknowledging the challenges of raising capital in the current market, Agro is confident that Revival's unique attributes will continue to attract investors. "If we mind our knitting, do good work with putting these projects together, we will be rewarded. I feel very excited about 2025, not just because of the steps we've taken in 2024 to adapt to market conditions, but really from the foundational steps when we first got Revival Gold started - this phased approach, staying in good geography, focusing on scale."

Overall, Revival Gold appears to be systematically executing a focused strategy to build a sizable U.S. gold company anchored by a 6.2Moz resource base across two historically productive projects. With a veteran CEO, growing institutional backing, and a disciplined phased development approach, Revival is positioning itself to generate significant returns for investors in a rising gold market.