The MiningNewsWire Podcast

The world is hearing a growing chorus of urgency to change the curve of carbon emissions. Calling it a “climate emergency, “Scientific American” recently said, “the adverse effects of climate change are much more severe than expected. . . . Every effort must be made to reduce emissions and increase removal of atmospheric carbon.” It will take a concerted global effort to turn the tide, and nuclear energy is an integral part of the solution. Nuclear energy has been safely and quietly powering America with clean, carbon-free electricity for more than 60 years. The most reliable energy source in the country, nuclear power provides electricity to about one in five American homes and delivers more than half of the nation’s carbon-free electricity. Clean, safe and carbon free, nuclear power has all the attributes needed to help bend the curve on carbon — except that the United States is at the mercy of foreign sources for uranium. U.S. production has fallen to only a fraction of the uranium needed to fuel even one of the U.S. commercial reactors. The U.S. has become overdependent on foreign supplies, with about half of annual requirements now being imported from countries such as Russia, Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan. These state-supported uranium mining companies from the former Soviet Union have been flooding the market with cheap uranium. Unable to compete, American companies have been forced to idle their plants, and the country is dangerously close to losing its uranium fuel industrial base. Recently, however, nuclear has gained government support and is included as  one of the power sources eligible for a national clean-energy mandate sought by the White House as part of its Clean Energy Standard. The infrastructure plan could be a boon for uranium companies. A leading pure-play, production-ready American uranium company, Uranium Energy Corp. (NYSE American: UEC) (Profile) has been investing  in the next generation of low-cost and environmentally friendly in-situ recovery (“ISR”) mining uranium projects. UEC properties are primarily located within the United States, and the company controls one of the largest historical uranium exploration and development databases in the country. Others that may benefit from the government’s clean-energy push could be the iShares S&P Global Clean Energy Index Fund (NASDAQ: ICLN) or perhaps an alternative energy company such as First Solar Inc. (NASDAQ: FSLR), or the electric vehicle maker Tesla Inc. (NASDAQ: TSLA) or even a miner like Freeport-McMoRan Inc. (NYSE: FCX), which supplies raw metals critical to solar and EV manufacturers.

For those on the connected side of the digital divide, the internet has created a borderless society where everything is within reach of a mouse click. For the approximately 44 million American homes still without broadband, President Joe Biden has tasked Congress with approving a budget that helps bridge that divide. From a business standpoint, that’s an opportunity for a bevy of companies, including streaming services, advertisers, e-commerce brands and more to reach large pockets of the country currently unattended. That means more opportunity for Friendable Inc. (OTC: FDBL) (Profile) and its Fan Pass live-streaming mobile and web-based platform to further accelerate its growth trajectory by providing unprecedented access to artists ranging from up-and-comers to some of the world’s biggest music artists and celebrity talent. Those connected can hardly fathom a non-streaming world anymore where, with just a tap on a device, live concerts, podcasts, movies and music are instantly available from an array of providers, including Spotify Technology S.A (NYSE: SPOT), Apple Inc. (NASDAQ: AAPL), Disney (NYSE: DIS), Amazon (NASDAQ: AMZN) and more.

For those on the connected side of the digital divide, the internet has created a borderless society where everything is within reach of a mouse click. For the approximately 44 million American homes still without broadband, President Joe Biden has tasked Congress with approving a budget that helps bridge that divide. From a business standpoint, that’s an opportunity for a bevy of companies, including streaming services, advertisers, e-commerce brands and more to reach large pockets of the country currently unattended. That means more opportunity for Friendable Inc. (OTC: FDBL) (Profile) and its Fan Pass live-streaming mobile and web-based platform to further accelerate its growth trajectory by providing unprecedented access to artists ranging from up-and-comers to some of the world’s biggest music artists and celebrity talent. Those connected can hardly fathom a non-streaming world anymore where, with just a tap on a device, live concerts, podcasts, movies and music are instantly available from an array of providers, including Spotify Technology S.A (NYSE: SPOT), Apple Inc. (NASDAQ: AAPL), Disney (NYSE: DIS), Amazon (NASDAQ: AMZN) and more.

The innovation from artificial intelligence has high-growth software companies taking on multi-billion digital media giants such as Google and Facebook. New digital media and martech technologies continue to see accelerated growth with a global pandemic and soaring media consumption and ecommerce activity trends.

The sector has seen parabolic increases in the large technology markets, with the Nasdaq composite also reflecting a massive spike in new-technology Special Purpose Acquisition Funds (SPACs). In 2020, 250 SPACs raised more than $83 billion — with SaaS (software as a service) as a leading category. A rising tide carries all ships, as seen in a boom of AI software small caps.

DGTL Holdings Inc. (TSX.V: DGTL) (OTCQB: DGTHF) (Profile) is an AI accelerator company that operates much like a mini technology SPAC. DGTL is building a portfolio of fully commercialized enterprise SaaS in the digital media and martech software sectors. DGTL is quickly making a name for itself with an average of 75% YoY revenue growth for the past two quarters and Tier-one global brand clients, including impressive licensing deals with companies such as Quaker Oats, Budweiser, Dunkin’ Brands, Mitsubishi Motors, DoorDash, Stella Artois, Nestle, Keurig-Dr. Pepper, Pizza Hut, Patagonia, and most recently DraftKings — all leveraging the AI-powered social media content management platform of DGTL subsidiary Hashoff.

The innovation from artificial intelligence has high-growth software companies taking on multi-billion digital media giants such as Google and Facebook. New digital media and martech technologies continue to see accelerated growth with a global pandemic and soaring media consumption and ecommerce activity trends.

The sector has seen parabolic increases in the large technology markets, with the Nasdaq composite also reflecting a massive spike in new-technology Special Purpose Acquisition Funds (SPACs). In 2020, 250 SPACs raised more than $83 billion — with SaaS (software as a service) as a leading category. A rising tide carries all ships, as seen in a boom of AI software small caps.

DGTL Holdings Inc. (TSX.V: DGTL) (OTCQB: DGTHF) (Profile) is an AI accelerator company that operates much like a mini technology SPAC. DGTL is building a portfolio of fully commercialized enterprise SaaS in the digital media and martech software sectors. DGTL is quickly making a name for itself with an average of 75% YoY revenue growth for the past two quarters and Tier-one global brand clients, including impressive licensing deals with companies such as Quaker Oats, Budweiser, Dunkin’ Brands, Mitsubishi Motors, DoorDash, Stella Artois, Nestle, Keurig-Dr. Pepper, Pizza Hut, Patagonia, and most recently DraftKings — all leveraging the AI-powered social media content management platform of DGTL subsidiary Hashoff.

Plant-based foods are proving they are re not just a passing vegan fancy. Whether its bean-based burgers or veggie pizzas, the plant-based food trend in the North America has grown from virtual obscurity to become an important segment of the North American diet. Several drivers have spurred phenomenal growth in the sector including healthier eating habits, increased concern for climate and limited natural resources, as well as new techniques that have turned boring veggies into tasty feasts. More and more, consumers are opting for simple, wholesome ingredients in products that taste good. This trend only accelerated as the pandemic took hold, evidenced by Nielsen’s report that alternative meat sales increased 454% in the third week of March 2020 compared to the same week in 2019. Nielsen’s data shows that plant-based meat and milk sales skyrocketed, far outpacing conventional meat and milk sales as Americans stocked up on food during the pandemic. This giant wave of plant-based food demand doesn’t appear temporary but likely represents a lasting shift in consumer preferences. Not counting the pandemic surge in growth, the plant-based food sector ballooned over 33-fold during the last 15 years, with no signs of slowing. As a result, plant-based online groceries are also thriving as sustainability-focused products are growing more than five times faster than other product categories, generating the highest growth in the consumer goods sector. Operating at the intersection of three high-growth sectors — plant-based products, e-commerce/technology and consumer-packaged goods — PlantX Life Inc. (CSE: VEGA) (Frankfurt: WNT1) (OTCQB: PLTXF) (Profile) is fast becoming the premier digital interface for plant-oriented consumers. As the first public company known to be fully focused on the plant-based e-commerce space, PlantX intends to leverage its first-mover status to become the global go-to place for everything plant-based. As it works to become, first and foremost, an e-commerce platform that carries multiple plant-based brands under one roof, PlantX looks to be following the model implemented by Amazon.com Inc. (NASDAQ: AMZN), which has become renowned for carrying a huge variety of products under one roof. PlantX is also following steps taken by both Amazon and Apple to succeed through both educating and serving its customers. Others in the plant-based sector, including Beyond Meat Inc. (NASDAQ: BYND) and The Very Good Food Company Inc. (OTCQB: VRYYF), have a narrower focus on the development and sale of alternative meats, while US Vegan Climate ETF (NYSE ARCA: VEGN) has made a significant commitment to sustainability by not investing in any company that hurts the environment or harms animals.

Plant-based foods are proving they are re not just a passing vegan fancy. Whether its bean-based burgers or veggie pizzas, the plant-based food trend in the North America has grown from virtual obscurity to become an important segment of the North American diet. Several drivers have spurred phenomenal growth in the sector including healthier eating habits, increased concern for climate and limited natural resources, as well as new techniques that have turned boring veggies into tasty feasts. More and more, consumers are opting for simple, wholesome ingredients in products that taste good. This trend only accelerated as the pandemic took hold, evidenced by Nielsen’s report that alternative meat sales increased 454% in the third week of March 2020 compared to the same week in 2019. Nielsen’s data shows that plant-based meat and milk sales skyrocketed, far outpacing conventional meat and milk sales as Americans stocked up on food during the pandemic. This giant wave of plant-based food demand doesn’t appear temporary but likely represents a lasting shift in consumer preferences. Not counting the pandemic surge in growth, the plant-based food sector ballooned over 33-fold during the last 15 years, with no signs of slowing. As a result, plant-based online groceries are also thriving as sustainability-focused products are growing more than five times faster than other product categories, generating the highest growth in the consumer goods sector. Operating at the intersection of three high-growth sectors — plant-based products, e-commerce/technology and consumer-packaged goods — PlantX Life Inc. (CSE: VEGA) (Frankfurt: WNT1) (OTCQB: PLTXF) (Profile) is fast becoming the premier digital interface for plant-oriented consumers. As the first public company known to be fully focused on the plant-based e-commerce space, PlantX intends to leverage its first-mover status to become the global go-to place for everything plant-based. As it works to become, first and foremost, an e-commerce platform that carries multiple plant-based brands under one roof, PlantX looks to be following the model implemented by Amazon.com Inc. (NASDAQ: AMZN), which has become renowned for carrying a huge variety of products under one roof. PlantX is also following steps taken by both Amazon and Apple to succeed through both educating and serving its customers. Others in the plant-based sector, including Beyond Meat Inc. (NASDAQ: BYND) and The Very Good Food Company Inc. (OTCQB: VRYYF), have a narrower focus on the development and sale of alternative meats, while US Vegan Climate ETF (NYSE ARCA: VEGN) has made a significant commitment to sustainability by not investing in any company that hurts the environment or harms animals.

With a worldwide pandemic raging, industries that were already moving toward digital applications have accelerated the process. People now grab their mobile device for everything from ordering groceries to buying cars — and the trend isn’t likely to end any time soon. The founders of Lottery.com (Profile) recognized the shifting trends years ago and were first movers to address the untapped global lottery market. The company uniquely combines blockchain with other cutting-edge technology to offer at-home lottery participation and aims to capture a lion’s share of huge lottery and sports betting markets. Now the company is timing its entry into the public markets with another hot trend: investor appetite for special purpose acquisition companies, or SPACs. The entire gambling and gaming industry is likely to explode as the pandemic subsides and the economy gets its legs back. DraftKings Inc. (NASDAQ: DKNG) used the SPAC path to go public last April, and traditional casinos are expecting revenue resurgence post-pandemic, with companies such as Bally’s Corporation (NYSE: BALY), MGM Resorts International (NYSE: MGM) and Penn National Gaming Inc. (NASDAQ: PENN) all eager for a return to normalcy.

With a worldwide pandemic raging, industries that were already moving toward digital applications have accelerated the process. People now grab their mobile device for everything from ordering groceries to buying cars — and the trend isn’t likely to end any time soon. The founders of Lottery.com (Profile) recognized the shifting trends years ago and were first movers to address the untapped global lottery market. The company uniquely combines blockchain with other cutting-edge technology to offer at-home lottery participation and aims to capture a lion’s share of huge lottery and sports betting markets. Now the company is timing its entry into the public markets with another hot trend: investor appetite for special purpose acquisition companies, or SPACs. The entire gambling and gaming industry is likely to explode as the pandemic subsides and the economy gets its legs back. DraftKings Inc. (NASDAQ: DKNG) used the SPAC path to go public last April, and traditional casinos are expecting revenue resurgence post-pandemic, with companies such as Bally’s Corporation (NYSE: BALY), MGM Resorts International (NYSE: MGM) and Penn National Gaming Inc. (NASDAQ: PENN) all eager for a return to normalcy.

Despite COVID-19’s impact on galleries, auction houses and retailers, the global art market circulated more than $50 billion in art, while other collectibles such as coins and trading cards saw record sales. Amazingly, an estimated 10% of art is stolen annually, and an estimated 50% of all sports memorabilia is estimated to be fake per the FBI. To get a flavor of just how difficult it is to know if something is stolen and replaced with a near-perfect forgery, Interpol’s stolen artwork database has more than 50,000 items across 134 countries listed in it. Experts note that scams and hacks are already hitting the exploding market of digital collectables known as NFT’s (non-fungible tokens). Taking the collectables world by storm, a non-fungible token is a unit of data on a blockchain ledger that represents a unique underlying asset. As with most other things, crooks flock to where the money is, and right now NFT’s provide plenty of money and new vulnerabilities. That’s exactly why FACT Inc. (OTC: FCTI) (Profile), a recognized global leader of fine art and collectible authentication technology, has recently expanded into the burgeoning NFT market. Shares of companies with interest in or association with NFT’s have enjoyed a nice advance lately, including CurrencyWorks Inc. (OTC: CWRK), Takung Art Co. Ltd. (NYSE American: TKAT), Oriental Culture Holding LTD (NASDAQ: OCG) and Jiayin Group Inc. (NASDAQ: JFIN), as investors seek exposure to the popular technology in the collectables market.