Articles by Chris Thompson

Royal Gold (NASDAQ: RGLD) will acquire Sandstorm Gold (TSX: SSL | NYSE: SAND) and Horizon Copper (TSXV: HCU) in transactions valued at approximately US$3.5 billion and $196 million, respectively. The deals are expected to close in late 2025 and will significantly expand Royal Gold’s streaming and royalty portfolio to 393 assets, including 80 producing properties. The company anticipates a 26% increase in gold equivalent output and an 87% revenue mix from precious metals. The acquisitions align with a broader trend of consolidation and diversification in the mining royalty space amid rising demand for gold and copper. [more]

eResearch has initiated coverage on Turnium Technology Group (TTGI), a Canadian IT solutions company focused on delivering secure, scalable Technology-as-a-Service (TaaS) offerings to SMEs via global channel partners. TTGI operates through three integrated solution groups TNSI, Tenacious Networks (TNET), and Claratti. The report covers its evolving business model, recent financial results, and valuation framework. With multi-year SME contracts and a growing recurring revenue base, TTGI is positioned for margin expansion and international growth. Our 61-page report includes a detailed financial valuation and an investment thesis. We are initiating coverage with a Speculative Buy rating and a $0.25 target. [more]

Eagle Royalties (CSE: ER) has agreed to a reverse takeover by privately held Summit Royalty , valuing Eagle shares at C$0.18 and implying a 47 percent premium to the prior closing price. Upon completion, Summit shareholders will own approximately 80 percent of the combined entity. The transaction is expected to close in Q4/2025, subject to approvals, and will result in Eagle being renamed Summit Royalty Corp. The merged company will hold more than 40 royalty and streaming interests, primarily in precious metals, positioning it as a new publicly traded participant in the royalty sector. [more]

Ontario has begun construction on Canada’s first small modular reactor (SMR), a $20.9B project led by Ontario Power Generation at its Darlington site. The build includes four GE Hitachi BWRX-300 units, with the first scheduled to come online in 2030. The SMRs aim to meet Ontario’s rising electricity demand and provide a case study for global nuclear investment. The government projects $38.5B in long-term GDP contribution and over 18,000 jobs. Execution risks remain, but Ontario is positioning itself as a nuclear leader. [more]

The U.S.-Ukraine minerals agreement gives U.S. firms access to Ukraine’s rare earths, lithium, and hydrocarbons in exchange for ongoing aid and a revenue-sharing model. The deal establishes a reinvestment fund for infrastructure and energy development, though the governance structure remains incomplete. Ukraine’s Parliament must still ratify the agreement, and the war adds significant uncertainty. Several U.S. and European mining and defense companies are reportedly assessing opportunities. With no production timeline and limited transparency rules, the arrangement reflects geopolitical positioning as much as economic strategy. However, investors are watching for signs of stability before capital begins to flow at scale. [more]

We have written a 9-page Update Report on DATA Communications Management (DCM) after it announced preliminary fiscal 2024 financial results, with revenue expected between $478M and $480M, slightly below prior estimates. Adjusted EBITDA is projected at $62M to $64M, in line with expectations. The Company also introduced a dividend program, including a special dividend of $0.20 per share and a regular quarterly dividend of $0.025 per share. Revenue was impacted by project timing shifts, the exit from low-margin accounts, and the Canada Post strike, but cost efficiencies from the Moore Canada Corporation integration supported profitability. Final results will be released on March 12, 2025. [more]

At PDAC 2025, Fleet Space Technologies CEO Flavia Tata Nardini highlighted how AI, machine learning, and satellite technology could significantly accelerate and improve mineral exploration. Drawing parallels with space missions, she emphasized the importance of hiring data scientists and integrating cross-disciplinary datasets to stay competitive. With AI already helping reduce project timelines from months to days, she warned that mining companies risk being overtaken by tech firms if they fail to adapt. Fleet’s space-driven exploration technologies are also targeting lunar seismic mapping, further underscoring how Earth and space discoveries are increasingly interconnected. [more]

PDAC’s Technical Program on “The Next Big Moves In Commodities” spotlighted key shifts in the global commodities market. Discussions covered leadership challenges in volatile markets, the copper vs. gold investment case, the complex trajectory of lithium demand, and uranium’s strategic re-entry. Speakers emphasized how capital allocation, community engagement, and geopolitical awareness are shaping investment strategies across metals. Lithium’s volatility, copper’s infrastructure potential, gold’s financial role, and uranium’s resurgence formed the core of the debate. No clear winner emerged, but the case was made for diversification and long-term thinking in a landscape increasingly shaped by energy transition and technological disruption. [more]