Aluminum: the copper grid alternative
From the humble drink can to the airframe of an F-16 fighter jet, aluminum’s role in the global economy is diverse and critical. Like copper, aluminum is used in established…
Commentary
Porphyry deposits hold winning trifecta of copper, gold and silver
Copper, gold and silver have been on a tear lately. Here’s the latest year to date performance for these three commodities: It’s this broad lift across different commodity classes (precious…
Trust deficit? What trust deficit?
For decades, some critics have felt at liberty to describe the mining sector as lacking public trust, but the reality doesn’t really conform with that accusation, at least in Canada. …
Miners can reverse trust deficit — but it won’t be easy
The mining industry has a trust problem. Broad-based trust in our industry seems at an all-time low. The impact is wide-ranging: fracturing of public attitudes, community resentment and opposition, regulatory…
Why Ontario can’t afford to ignore juniors in the next budget
Without a doubt, one of the most important challenges facing the next generation is global warming and the need to decarbonize the transportation sector. This can only happen with the sustainable…
Nickel: Contrarian opportunity or portfolio suicide?
Today, I’m taking a deep dive into the ill-fated nickel market.If you’re a close follower of commodity markets, you probably know the problems afflicting this sector. Surging output from Indonesia’s…
From competitor to partner, AI joins forces with the explorers
If you’re a long-term reader of mine, you’ll know I’ve framed tech in a rather skeptical light. Perhaps unfairly. But when it comes to liquidity in the financial system, there’s…
Why your board needs real ESG expertise
Last February, Norway’s sovereign wealth fund announced it would vote against re-electing the boards of 80 major companies including Apple, Microsoft, Nestlé, and Samsung because they failed to set or…
Iron ore boom of the 2000s repeating – this time with critical metals
A headline published in The Age back in July 2003 reads: “[Andrew] Forrest has a grand $1.2bn plan for tiny Perth mining company.” That company was called Allied Mining and…
Canada’s ambitious EV targets can’t be met without more support for mine supply
The Canadian government continues to forge ahead with new regulations for curbing and eventually ending sales of gas-powered vehicles. Canada’s Electric Vehicle Availability Standard published in mid-December calls for 100%…
Mining vs tech: the battle for speculative capital
Mining and tech are two high-risk, high-reward sectors with a diverse pool of small-cap stocks vying for investor interest. No doubt, tech has won the popularity contest over the last…
Breaking down Canada’s new Modern Slavery Act: Compliance tips for miners
It’s finally here; Canada’s Modern Slavery Act officially came into effect on Jan. 1. With long-awaited additional guidance on reporting obligations only released at the end of 2023 and mandatory…