Mining – Industrial Minerals

At PDAC 2026, Glenn Mullan of Val D’Or Mining discussed the company’s exploration strategy and partnership model. Val D’Or Mining focuses on grassroots exploration in Quebec and Ontario and then options projects to partners who fund drilling. Eldorado Gold is the company’s main partner and is advancing multiple properties across the Abitibi region. Mullan also pointed to additional drilling activity from Kirkland Lake Discoveries and Juno Corp. The goal is to generate discoveries while building a portfolio of royalties from early-stage projects. This approach has roots in Mullan’s earlier companies, including Golden Valley Mines and Abitibi Royalties. [more]

PDAC 2026 will feature two technical sessions examining brownfield and greenfield exploration strategies. The brownfield session focuses on expanding resources around existing or past-producing mines, highlighting lower geological risk, faster timelines, and capital efficiency. Case studies include copper, gold, and IOCG systems in established districts. The greenfield session reviews recent discoveries and emerging districts, including gold, potash, copper-gold, and uranium projects. These presentations illustrate differing risk-return profiles, infrastructure requirements, and exploration economics. Together, the sessions demonstrate how brownfield extensions and greenfield discoveries both contribute to long-term mineral supply and reserve replacement across global jurisdictions. [more]

Part of the PDAC 2026 technical program will examine supply security challenges across critical minerals, uranium, and potash, highlighting their strategic importance to energy, food production, and national security. Sessions will address by-product recovery from existing operations, uranium’s evolving role in the energy transition, and potash’s exposure to trade and geopolitical risks. Industry leaders, analysts, and technical specialists will discuss processing innovations, market fundamentals, and policy considerations shaping future supply. The program reflects how governments and companies are responding to resource constraints, geopolitical pressures, and shifting demand across these strategically significant commodity markets. [more]

The Canadian Mining Hall of Fame inducted four industry leaders in 2026 for their long-standing contributions to mineral exploration, mining finance, and industry standards. Honoured at the annual induction ceremony in Toronto, the recipients were David Harquail, Don Lindsay, Catherine McLeod-Seltzer, and Gordon Garfield Morrison; executives, entrepreneurs, and exploration leaders whose work has influenced capital markets, governance frameworks, and major mineral discoveries. The event highlighted careers spanning royalty companies, diversified miners, exploration success, and industry leadership. Collectively, the inductees have helped shape modern mining practices, advanced responsible development, and contributed to the long-term growth and credibility of Canada’s mining sector. [more]

PDAC 2026 Technical Sessions outline how artificial intelligence and advanced geophysics are being applied in mineral exploration. The program includes an AI session covering computer vision, machine learning for structural modeling, and implementation considerations for large language models. Two geophysics sessions focus on integrated exploration case histories and newer methods, including magnetotellurics, inversion workflows, airborne geophysics analytics, and muon tomography. Regional technical sessions add examples from Latin America and brownfield exploration. Across the agenda, presentations emphasize multi-dataset interpretation, risk reduction, and operational constraints. The sessions collectively frame technology adoption as workflow-driven and incremental. This article summarizes sessions and key themes. [more]

Hercules Metals is progressing exploration at its 100%-owned Hercules Project in Idaho, where drilling has defined a copper porphyry system known as Leviathan beneath an upper silver zone. Backed by strategic investor Barrick Mining, Hercules Mining plans a 12,000m program in 2025 targeting deeper porphyry zones and potential new targets across the property. Newly permitted areas and additional land agreements strengthen the company’s position. Historic and recent drilling suggest multi-metal potential, and planned activity across the Eastern Block, Southern Flats, and Grade Creek zones may provide key catalysts for shareholders in the coming months. [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]

Canadian North Resources Inc (TSXV: CNRI) continues to advance its 100%-owned Ferguson Lake Project in Nunavut, Canada. The polymetallic resource includes copper, nickel, cobalt, palladium, and platinum, all key metals for the clean energy transition. A 2024 mineral resource estimate outlines 66.1 Mt Indicated and 25.9 Mt Inferred, including 1.093 billion pounds of copper and 678 million pounds of nickel in the Indicated category, with most of the resource mineable by open pit. Ongoing metallurgical and geophysical work supports further resource expansion. With over C$190 million in historical investment, the project is positioned as a potential joint venture or acquisition target as CNRI works toward future technical studies and project de-risking. [more]