Interview with NexMetals Mining's CEO Morgan Lekstrom

Recording date: 18 November 2025

NexMetals Mining Corp has executed a comprehensive transformation that positions its two past-producing Botswana copper-nickel-cobalt assets as potential near-term development opportunities in a market characterised by acute supply constraints and major mining company acquisition activity.

The company recently closed an US$80 million equity financing led by Texas-based institutional investor Condire Capital, which acquired a 9.9% stake, whilst existing major shareholder EdgePoint increased its position despite having no obligation to participate. The financing increased institutional ownership from 30% to 75% and eliminated US$21 million in legacy debt that had created a significant market overhang. With approximately US$90 million in cash, the company is fully funded for its 2026 work programme without near-term dilution requirements.

Perhaps more significant than the financing itself is the metallurgical breakthrough that underpins the investment thesis. The original Selebi operation utilised a bulk concentrate smelter that subsequent owners dismantled. Rather than contemplate rebuilding infrastructure requiring over US$1 billion in capital, NexMetals' technical team developed concentrate-splitting technology that fundamentally alters project economics. Management now targets sub-US$500 million capital intensity per asset - a fraction of integrated smelter operations - whilst enabling cobalt recovery that previous operators could not economically achieve.

The asset base comprises two distinct opportunities. Selebi represents an underground operation that produced continuously for over 30 years, with existing workings providing several years of access without additional development. The current resource stands at approximately 30 million tonnes grading 3.35% copper equivalent (roughly 1.75% copper and 1% nickel), with cobalt grades to be incorporated following metallurgical test work. Electromagnetic surveys have identified numerous additional conductive anomalies strongly associated with mineralisation, providing systematic drill targets for resource expansion.

Selkirk presents a different profile as an open-pit deposit hosting over 200 million tonnes of mineralised horizon, though only 44 million tonnes currently feature in the resource estimate. The company completed a comprehensive 30,000-metre reassay programme of historical core and drilled 13 additional holes to support metallurgical test work, with a resource update expected in Q1 2026 and preliminary assessment-level economics targeted for Q2 2026.

Management's strategy centres on demonstrating scale through 2026 exploration programmes before committing to development scenarios, targeting 15-20 year mine lives at optimal throughput rates. This approach positions the assets for either internal development or strategic transactions at substantially higher valuations than optimising smaller, near-term production scenarios. Selkirk, with its open-pit profile and platinum-palladium credits, may attract joint venture interest or acquisition proposals, potentially providing non-dilutive funding for Selebi North advancement.

The board combines relevant experience across exploration, development, operations, and strategic transactions, including former BlackRock CIO Chris Leavy, former Gatos Silver CFO André van Niekerk (Gatos sold for US$1.2 billion), and Chairman Paul Martin (former CEO of Detour Gold). 

The team operates in Botswana's stable 59-year democracy with established mining infrastructure and government support for economic diversification away from diamonds.

With preliminary assessments expected on both assets in 2026 and a compressed two-year strategic timeline, NexMetals has positioned itself as a potential acquisition target or development candidate in a copper-nickel market characterised by supply deficits and major company appetite for quality assets.