Interview with
Ian Harris, President & CEO of Outcrop Silver & Gold Corp.
Jorge Ramiro Monroy, CEO of Reyna Silver Corp.
Jason Weber, President & CEO of Silver North Resources Ltd.

Recording date: 13th June 2024

*Silver: Powering the Clean Energy Transition*
The silver market stands at a critical juncture, with a convergence of factors creating a compelling investment opportunity. In a recent panel discussion, the CEOs of Outcrop Silver, Raina Silver, and Silver North Resources shared insights into the silver market's dynamics and the strategies exploration companies are employing to capitalize on the metal's bright future.

The panelists pointed to silver's growing industrial demand, particularly in clean energy technologies, as a key driver of the bullish outlook. Silver's use in solar panels has become a major source of demand, with new panel technologies requiring 50-150% more silver per unit. The rapid growth of solar energy adoption is expected to create a consistent upward pressure on silver prices. Beyond solar, silver's use in emerging applications like hydrogen fuel cells further underscores its importance in the clean energy transition.

While silver demand is robust, the supply side of the equation is more constrained. The CEOs highlighted the scarcity of primary silver projects and pure-play silver producers. Many traditional silver miners are diversifying into gold as their silver reserves deplete, leaving a gap in the market for new, high-quality silver projects. This supply shortfall is creating an opportunity for exploration companies to deliver value through new discoveries.

To seize this opportunity, silver explorers are focusing on high-grade projects in proven silver districts. Companies like Silver North Resources, with projects in the historic Keno Hill district, are confident in their ability to delineate significant silver resources through targeted drilling campaigns. The positive sentiment in the silver market is allowing these companies to accelerate their exploration plans and generate a steady stream of news flow for investors.

However, the junior silver exploration space is not without its challenges. Attracting capital has historically been difficult given silver's price volatility. To combat this, companies are emphasizing the quality of their projects, the strength of their management teams, and the importance of maintaining ample liquidity to support exploration activities. Some are also considering creative strategies, such as small-scale production, to demonstrate a path to cash flow and give the market confidence in their ability to deliver value.

Looking ahead, the CEOs predicted increased consolidation among junior silver companies as a means to gain scale and attract institutional investment. Mergers and acquisitions could become more prevalent as companies seek to pool their resources and create more compelling investment propositions. Offtake agreements with end-users, like technology companies, could also become more common as a means to secure funding for project development.

For investors, the silver market offers an attractive opportunity to gain exposure to the clean energy transition. The combination of robust industrial demand, constrained supply, and the potential for high-grade discoveries creates a favorable risk-reward profile. However, selectivity is key. Investors should focus on companies with experienced management teams, quality projects in proven silver districts, and strong cash positions to support exploration activities. By carefully evaluating these factors, investors can position themselves to benefit from silver's crucial role in the clean energy future.

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