Interview with Richard Osmond, CEO of Element 29 Resources

Our previous interview: https://www.cruxinvestor.com/posts/element-29-resources-tsxvecu-developing-the-next-major-copper-mine-in-peru-6293

Recording date: 5th October 2025

Element 29 Resources is advancing its Elida porphyry copper-molybdenum-silver project in Peru with about 14,000 meters of drilling completed and a maiden resource estimate published in 2022. The company aims to grow the initial 300 million tons resource to over 500 million tons through ongoing exploration. Recent magnetotelluric (MT) geophysical surveys have identified a hydrothermal alteration footprint exceeding six kilometers in strike length, which includes low resistivity anomalies at depth. These anomalies suggest the presence of a high-grade copper core that remains untested at around 1.5 kilometers below the surface.

Element 29 has secured approximately $10 million in treasury, raised through $6.1 million in financing and $4 million from warrant exercises, to fund a 7,000-meter drill program. Drilling costs average $450-500 USD per meter. The project benefits from a five-year community access agreement and is expanding drill permits from 20 to 40 platforms ahead of Peru’s 2026 election cycle. Peru’s government has shown increased support for mining development after losing its position as the world’s second-largest copper producer to the Democratic Republic of Congo.

The Elida project displays favorable characteristics including a 4:1 strip ratio, an absence of a water table which reduces environmental liability, expectations of clean concentrate with no arsenic, and potential for transitioning from an open pit to underground mining. This transition could extend the mine life beyond the initial 15-year production timeline at 100,000 tons per day. The geological setting is defined by multiple mineralization phases within a porphyry intrusive complex, with late-stage sulfidation overprints upgrading the system and increasing grades at depth.

The company’s CEO, Richard Osmond, emphasizes the rarity of such discoveries today and the project’s potential as a tier-one asset. The strategy focuses on resource expansion through systematic drilling and geophysical targeting, supported by Peru’s improving regulatory environment and strong investment protections. Element 29 is positioning itself to deliver a de-risked copper asset that could satisfy major mining companies’ requirements for large-scale, economically viable resources in world-class jurisdictions.

Learn more: https://www.cruxinvestor.com/companies/element-29-resources

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Interview with Blaine Monaghan, President & CEO of Pacific Ridge Exploration Ltd.

Our previous interview: https://www.cruxinvestor.com/posts/pacific-ridge-exploration-tsxvpex-fiore-group-backing-fuels-250m-ton-copper-resource-push-7283

Recording date: 3rd October 2025

Pacific Ridge Exploration Limited (TSXV: PEX) is positioning itself to become British Columbia's leading copper exploration company at what management believes represents a significant valuation discount to peers. Trading at a $14 million market capitalization, the company recently reported its maiden resource estimate for the Kliyul project showing 334 million tons at 0.33% copper equivalent, containing 2.42 billion pounds copper equivalent. This includes 1.2 billion pounds of copper, 2.74 million ounces of gold, and 10 million ounces of silver.

The company's trajectory shifted dramatically following a $3 million financing led by the Fiore Group in June 2025, which increased the market cap from $3 million to its current $14 million valuation. President and CEO Blaine Monaghan emphasized that this partnership provides critical validation from one of the strongest mining houses around, backed by billionaire capital and a strong technical team. The financing enabled Pacific Ridge to complete its resource estimate and execute drilling programs at both Kliyul and the RDP project.

The Kliyul deposit offers several distinguishing characteristics. The mineralization is hosted in a single contiguous zone that remains open in multiple directions, representing just one target along a 6-kilometer mineralized trend with five additional poorly-tested targets. Monaghan articulated a strategy favoring new discoveries over incremental resource expansion, believing capital is better deployed testing untested targets that could dramatically increase overall project value.

The RDP project, located 40 kilometers west of Kliyul, returned a standout intercept of 107 meters grading 1.4% copper equivalent in 2022 when under option to Antofagasta. With the project now back under company control, Pacific Ridge completed five drill holes totaling 2,100 meters in 2025, with copper sulfides intersected in all holes. Results remain pending and represent a significant near-term catalyst that management believes could drive substantial revaluation in the current favorable market environment for copper exploration.

View Pacific Ridge Exploration's company profile: https://www.cruxinvestor.com/companies/pacific-ridge-exploration

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Recording date: 2nd October 2025

Welcome back to Compass, Olive Resource Capital’s weekly markets and portfolio insights show, hosted by Derek MacPherson (Executive Chairman) and Sam Pelaez (President, CEO & CIO). Each week, we cut through the noise in mining and metals, highlighting the most important macro developments and drilling down into the companies shaping our portfolio.

In this episode, we unpack a week of pivotal news for both major gold producers and junior explorers. At the very top of the market, Newmont and Barrick—two of the world’s largest gold companies—announced leadership changes on the same day. Newmont’s move was a planned succession from COO to CEO, signaling stability and continuity as the company enters a new phase of growth. Barrick, however, surprised the market with an interim appointment following the sudden departure of Mark Bristow. This contrast highlights the broader cycle shift from defensive, balance-sheet-focused leadership to growth-oriented CEOs ready to capitalise on a bull gold market.

The coincidence of both announcements has reignited speculation about deeper industrial alignment. With Nevada Gold Mines and Pueblo Viejo already jointly operated, strategic synergies are clear. A combined or further integrated entity could also benefit from passive investment flows, with Newmont’s S&P 500 inclusion forcing index-tracking funds to increase their exposure. While no deal has been announced, the industrial and financial rationale for closer alignment between Newmont and Barrick is stronger than ever.

Beyond the majors, the week delivered extraordinary news from Olive’s portfolio companies. Sterling Metals announced a discovery hole at its Soo Copper project in Ontario - 262 metres at 1% copper equivalent—re-rating the stock by more than 200% in a single day. Years of geological groundwork positioned the company for this success, underscoring the importance of disciplined preparation.

Prospector Metals delivered another standout intercept: 44 metres at 13 g/t gold with 1.8% copper at its Mike Lake project. Shares surged nearly 280% and have held those gains. As part of the Discovery Group, Prospector demonstrated how systematic geological work and strong stewardship can unlock transformative discoveries.

By contrast, Midnight Sun Mining illustrates the risk of overextended valuations. The company reported nearly 40 metres at .5% copper from its Dumbwa target in Zambia, yet shares fell around 20% as the market had already priced in perfection. The case highlights why entry point and expectations matter as much as geological success.

The financing environment also shows renewed strength, with over C$100 million raised across juniors in the past week. With seasonal drill programs now underway, investors should expect a steady cadence of results through year-end. Majors may also lean further into M&A, project acceleration, and capital returns as gold prices remain near record highs.

Interview with CEO Darren Bowden

Our previous interview: https://www.cruxinvestor.com/posts/metals-exploration-lsemtl-self-funded-nicaragua-gold-mine-targets-140k-oz-start-in-q4-2026-7323

Recording date: 30th September 2025

Metals Exploration presents a rare combination of near-term production growth and genuine exploration upside that makes it stand out in today's gold sector. With the Nicaragua project tracking ahead of schedule toward November 2026 first gold and the Philippines operation generating $110-120 million in annual cash flow, the company is executing a self-funded growth strategy that eliminates dilution risk while maintaining aggressive exploration programs.

The Nicaragua build represents a transformational step-change for the company. All major equipment has been purchased, earthworks are complete, and the $160 million budget remains intact. More importantly, Nicaragua will produce 50% more ounces than the Philippines operation at roughly the same cost structure, bringing all-in sustaining costs down to $900-1000 per ounce. In an environment where many producers cite $1,400 as the new normal, this sub-$1,000 cost structure translates to 60%+ operating margins at current gold prices a genuine competitive advantage.
What separates Metals Exploration from typical development stories is management's proven track record. Over six years, the Philippines operation has maintained just 2% annual cost growth versus industry averages of 10-15%. This isn't theoretical cost control it's demonstrated operational excellence that provides confidence in Nicaragua's projected economics.

Beyond production growth, the exploration portfolio offers asymmetric upside. Dupax drilling begins immediately, targeting VMS mineralization that could feed existing permitted infrastructure. But the real company-maker potential lies at Abra, where copper-molybdenum and copper-gold porphyry targets sit in the Cordillera belt home to the Philippines' largest copper-gold deposits including the 40-million-ounce Far Southeast system. CEO Darren Bowden characterizes Nicaragua and Dupax as "forerunners to give us the cash" to develop Abra, the company's "white whale."

For investors seeking operational excellence combined with tier-one discovery potential, Metals Exploration offers a compelling risk-reward profile. The strategy is elegant: proven cash flow funds patient exploration capital toward potentially transformational discoveries, all without equity dilution. That's increasingly rare in today's gold sector.

Learn more: https://cruxinvestor.com

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Interview with George Bennett, CEO of Rainbow Rare Earths

Recording date: 26th September 2025

Rainbow Rare Earths (LSE:RBW) is pioneering a revolutionary approach to rare earth element extraction that addresses both economic efficiency and Western supply chain independence. Led by CEO George Bennett, a seasoned executive with 16 years of investment banking experience and a proven track record of scaling mining operations, the company extracts valuable rare earth materials from phosphogypsum waste rather than traditional hard rock mining.

The company's proprietary technology eliminates conventional mining costs including drilling, blasting, and crushing operations, resulting in projected EBITDA margins exceeding 75% and internal rates of return between 45-50%. "We've got no mining costs, we are extracting the RE out of phosphogypsum which is a waste residue," Bennett explains, highlighting the fundamental cost advantage over traditional rare earth projects.

Rainbow operates two strategic assets: the flagship Phalaborwa project in South Africa, where the company holds 85% ownership with 35 million tons of high-grade material, and the Uberaba project in Brazil through a 50/50 joint venture with Mosaic, a $15 billion fertilizer company. Both projects leverage existing brownfield infrastructure and provide environmental benefits through waste remediation.

The company has secured significant validation through a $50 million equity commitment from the US Development Finance Corporation, positioning the US government as a future project shareholder. This strategic backing, combined with recent floor pricing of $110/kg for neodymium and praseodymium established by MP Materials' Department of Defense contract, provides crucial market stability for Rainbow's revenue streams.

With total capital requirements of $300 million and production targeted for 2027-2028, Rainbow is positioned to capitalize on surging demand from electric vehicles, defense applications, and the emerging robotics sector. The company addresses critical Western supply chain vulnerabilities while China controls 95% of global rare earth processing capacity, making Rainbow a compelling investment in the transition toward strategic mineral independence.

View Rainbow Rare Earths' company profile: https://www.cruxinvestor.com/companies/rainbow-rare-earths

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Interview with Rebecca Hunter, CEO of Geiger Energy

Recording date: 26th September 2025

Geiger Energy represents a significant consolidation in Canada's uranium exploration sector, formed through the merger of Baslode Energy and Forum Energy Metals in 2025. The combined entity positions itself across two premier uranium districts: Nunavut's Thelon Basin and Saskatchewan's Athabasca Basin analog, creating a year-round exploration platform under experienced leadership.

Rebecca Hunter, the company's President and CEO, brings 11 years of Cameco Corporation experience to the role, including direct involvement with the Thelon project during the pre-Fukushima uranium cycle. Her institutional knowledge proves critical as Geiger advances its flagship Aberdeen project, which encompasses 50+ targets adjacent to Orano's 133 million pound uranium deposit.

The recent Loki discovery marks a watershed moment for Thelon Basin exploration. "What's exciting about the Loki deposit is that it has sandstone. This year we drilled it and found even more elevated uranium in the sandstone and mineralization at the unconformity," Hunter explains. This represents the first evidence of unconformity-style mineralization in a region historically dominated by basement-hosted deposits, potentially validating the basin's capacity to host world-class uranium systems similar to Saskatchewan's MacArthur River and Cigar Lake mines.

Geiger's dual-basin strategy leverages complementary seasonal operating windows. Aberdeen operations run during Nunavut's four-month summer season, while the Hook-ACKIO project in Saskatchewan enables winter drilling programs. This approach maximizes capital efficiency and maintains continuous news flow for investors.

The company emerges with robust financial backing, maintaining approximately $6 million in working capital following Baslode's $10 million contribution and an additional $6 million raise. This positions Geiger to execute sustained exploration programs across both flagship assets while maintaining operational flexibility in volatile uranium markets.

Hunter emphasizes the strategic focus: "You want to pick one or two really good projects that have that capability. For us, the Aberdeen project is that. We've got a whole district basically to ourselves with really good ground where we think that we could find one of these high-tonnage, high-grade discoveries."

View Geiger Energy's company profile: https://www.cruxinvestor.com/companies/geiger-energy

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Interview with Gerald Panneton, Executive Chairman of Gold Terra Resource Corp.

Our previous interview: https://www.cruxinvestor.com/posts/gold-terra-resource-tsxvygt-leveraging-rising-gold-prices-with-high-grade-yellowknife-project-6315

Recording date: 25th September 2025

Gold Terra Resources Corporation (TSXV:YGT) is advancing its Yellowknife gold project in Canada's Northwest Territories, capitalizing on dramatically improved economics driven by gold's rise to $3,750 per ounce. Executive Chairman Gerald Panneton sees significant opportunity to revitalize the historically productive mining district, which was shuttered in 2003 when gold traded at just $340 per ounce.

The company has outlined 1.8 million ounces of combined indicated and inferred resources, with a strategic focus on 540,000 near-surface ounces in the Yellorex zone that can be accessed via ramp development within 3-4 years. This approach prioritizes cash flow generation over the more capital-intensive deep underground mining that characterized the original operation.

Gold Terra's competitive advantage centers on the Con Mine, a cornerstone asset featuring existing mining lease and surface rights that could reduce permitting timelines from the typical 10-15 years for greenfield projects to approximately one year. "The biggest advantage Gold Terra has with the Con mine as a cornerstone property is that [they have] the mining lease and the surface rights," Panneton explained.

Third-party validation came through OR Royalties' $2 million investment to increase their NSR royalty from 1% to 2%, with an option for additional investment to reach 3%. The endorsement followed an in-depth technical review, providing external confirmation of the project's potential.

Current gold prices have transformed project economics, enabling potential cutoff grade reductions that could expand the Yellorex zone from 540,000 to 700,000 ounces. Management targets completing a resource update and preliminary economic assessment within 6-12 months, aiming to finalize the Newmont acquisition by 2026.

With $3 million in treasury and improved market conditions, Gold Terra enters a critical development phase positioned to leverage both existing infrastructure advantages and gold's structural bull market through disciplined, phased development focused on near-term production potential.

View Gold Terra's company profile: https://www.cruxinvestor.com/companies/gold-terra-resource-corp

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Interview with Dustin Perry, CEO of Kingfisher Metals

Our previous interview: https://www.cruxinvestor.com/posts/gold-navigating-the-investment-opportunities-and-understanding-the-risks-5527

Recording date: 24th September 2025

Kingfisher Metals has positioned itself as a dominant force in British Columbia's Golden Triangle, assembling the largest contiguous land package among junior explorers at 850 square kilometers. Under CEO Dustin Perry's leadership, the company operates in Canada's most prolific copper-gold region, home to the highest-grade gold mine at Brucejack and the world's largest undeveloped gold deposit at KSM.

Recent exploration success validates the company's systematic approach. The 2025 program delivered 234 meters grading 1% copper equivalent and identified a new porphyry system at Hank target. Perry describes this discovery as having "all the early stage indications that we're on to a very large deposit." The breakthrough resulted from methodical target generation by a team with proven experience at KSM, Red Chris, and the successful GT Gold project.

Strategic advantages differentiate Kingfisher from regional competitors. Properties sit just 12 kilometers from highway infrastructure with favorable topography, lower elevation, and reduced environmental complications. Perry notes the location benefits: "You don't need to find something that good to make it very economical where we are given the location." The company avoids salmon river conflicts that plague other regional projects while maintaining proximity to power infrastructure.

Financial backing strengthens the exploration runway through a $11 million financing completed in May 2025. Ashwath Mehra, founding partner of Glencore and former GT Gold executive chairman, leads the advisory board while institutional investors provide patient capital for multi-year programs.

The investment thesis centers on statistical probability across extensive prospective terrain surrounded by major operators Teck, Anglo American, and Newmont. Recent $750 million commitments to adjacent Galore Creek and Schaft Creek projects, located further from infrastructure, create acquisition potential for infrastructure-advantaged discoveries. Perry's long-term vision follows the GT Gold model, targeting systematic exploration leading to discovery and ultimate major company acquisition within three years.

Learn more: https://www.cruxinvestor.com/companies/kingfisher-metals

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