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Showing posts from March, 2025

GLOBAL DRINKING WATER CRISIS: THE STATE OF WATER RESOURCES, SCARCITY, AND POLICY IMPLICATIONS

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 Water: a vital life conduit, is facing a global crisis. Approximately 26% of the global population, or 2 billion people, lack access to safe drinking water, and 3.6 billion, around 46%, do not have access to safely managed sanitation services. These alarming statistics reveal an immense asymmetry in access and quality to this indispensable resource. The rippling impacts of climate change, urbanization, pollution, and demographic surges enhance this water scarcity. Amplifying the crisis are extreme weather phenomena and obsolete infrastructure endangering water availability and quality. In 2025, water scarcity impacts 1.8 billion people, with two-thirds of the global population living under water stress. Nearly half of the world's population faces water scarcity for at least part of the year, and the demand for freshwater continues to rise In contrast, Canada boasts considerable freshwater resources, placing it third worldwide in renewable freshwater supply, and second only to ...

CANADA'S TRADE POTENTIAL: INDO-PACIFIC REGION

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  The scale of U.S. economic ties, combined with retaliatory tariff threats, means Canada must pursue a mixed strategy:  defending its U.S. trade interests  while accelerating domestic reforms and knowledge-economy growth, while substantially increasing trade with other Countries to reduce long-term dependency. A key part of this endeavor is the successful implementation of  various trade agreements, successful implementation and beneficial outcomes . The Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP) includes 11 original members (Australia, Brunei, Canada, Chile, Japan, Malaysia, Mexico, New Zealand, Peru, Singapore, and Vietnam), with the United Kingdom joining as of December 15, 2024   In 2024, the total merchandise trade between Canada and all CPTPP partners ( without finalized 2024 statistics) is estimated to have been in the area of$150 billion. Canadian exports to CPTPP partners in 2024 were valued at $55.9 billion, repres...

ADVANCEMENTS IN JUNIOR MINING- BELO SUN MINING CORP: IN BRAZIL'S MINING SECTOR

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Headquartered in Toronto, Canada, Belo Sun Mining Corp., through its subsidiaries, operates as a gold exploration and development company in Brazil. The company’s primary project is the 100% owned Volta Grande Gold project consisting of 4 mining concession applications, 7 exploration permits, 62 exploration permits extension submitted, and 4 ratification submitted covering a total area of 155.032.61 hectares located in the northern region of Pará State, Brazil. It also holds 100% interest in the Rainbow Alexandrite Project located in the north of the city of Brasilia.   Belo Sun is focused on developing its Volta Grande Project in Brazil, the country's largest undeveloped gold deposit.  The company's operations also include extensive gold exploration and development activities, the construction of significant mining infrastructure, and thorough geological investigations encompassing surveys, prospecting, and drilling.   The Volta Grande Project boasts considerabl...

CANADA: UNTAPPED RESOURCES –POTENTIAL IN PRECIOUS METALS AND MINERALS

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The realm of precious metals and minerals acts as the backbone of many global economies. Presently, Canada is boasting an astounding percentage of precious metals and minerals yet to be mined. This sets a contrast to other nations when it comes to the unexplored potential residing just beneath their surface. Canada, with its expansive landmass, is home to a diverse range of geological terrains, each teeming with numerous, untapped reserves of precious metals and minerals. From gold, silver, copper, graphite, platinum to potash, cobalt, uranium, REEs (Rare Earth Elements) the Canadian earth has significant quantities to offer. While exact statistics vary with the ever-evolving mining and exploration data, consensus maintains that a substantial amount of Canada's mineral wealth, possibly over 50%, remains unmined. This percentage is remarkably higher when compared to other developed and developing countries heavily invested in the mining industry. It signifies an underexploited w...

"AI" IN THE METALS & MINERALS MINING INDUSTRY: A BRIEF LOOK

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AI is revolutionizing the metals and minerals mining industry in 2025, driving significant advancements in exploration, operational efficiency, safety, sustainability, and supply chain management. This transformation is crucial as the industry grapples with increasing demand for critical minerals essential for the global energy transition. It is dramatically improving mineral exploration processes. Machine learning models now integrate geospatial data, satellite imagery, and historical exploration records to identify untapped mineral deposits with unprecedented accuracy . Companies like KoBold Metals are at the forefront, using AI to locate rare earth elements crucial for renewable energy technologies 3 . This AI-driven approach has reduced exploration timelines and costs, making it particularly valuable for critical minerals such as lithium and cobalt. In mining operations, AI is optimizing processes and enhancing productivity. Predictive maintenance systems powered by AI are...

CARBON CAPTURE & STORAGE (CCS)

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 Climate change remains a defining challenge of our time, and mitigating its effects requires innovative technology and considerable effort. Carbon capture and storage appears as a promising means to reduce greenhouse gas emissions significantly. Let's look at the overall function and potential of carbon capture technology, along with introducing two landmark projects that are set as new milestones in this crucial field. Carbon Capture and Storage (CCS), as the name suggests, is a technology that seizes carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions from industrial and power generation processes. This method prevents emissions from entering the atmosphere, thus contributing to the fight against climate change. Once captured, the CO2 can either be permanently sequestered underground in geological formations such as depleted oil and gas reservoirs, saline formations and/or unmineable coal seams. Also there is the option of converting CO2 into a range of products such as methanol, which could fu...

NAVIGATING THE STORM: THE CRITICAL IMPACT OF POLITICAL DISINFORMATION AND THE CALL TO ACTION

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  The digital age, while heralding unprecedented advancements, has also unveiled a plethora of societal challenges, primarily the rise of political disinformation. This deliberate peddling of falsehoods, ranging from innocuous exaggerations to dangerous fear-inciting narratives, is rapidly becoming a societal disease. Recent research from Oasis Open, Columbia University, Foreign Affairs, and Biv underline the alarming trend of disinformation cultivating distrust and dividing societies. At the heart of disinformation's growing menace is its intent — purposely disseminating false information to deceive. This tactic has become worryingly commonplace among some political factions aiming to win or sustain power. With the advent of social media offering a broad audience, the purveyors of these false narratives can acutely influence public sentiment, often in a detrimental manner. One of the gravest impacts lies in the potential disintegration of social cohesion, the building bloc...

TRUMP’S TARIFFS/ U.S. & CANADA TRADE

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Trade relationships are rooted in strong economic collaboration and understanding, such as the connection between the United States and Canada. This robust commercial alliance is built on a foundation of shared values, geographic proximity, and complementary economic strengths, facilitating a seamless flow of goods, services, and investments across the world's longest international border. The enormity of bilateral trade is highlighted by the fact that over $2 billion worth of goods and services are traded between the two nations every day. The total estimation of this two-way trade between Canada and the United States reached $918.3 billion in 2023. Total the U.S. bought from Canada: Goods-US$412.7 billion (per USTR and BEA) plus Services estimated at US$38.5 billion for a total of US$451.2 billion. Major categories included: US$ -Mineral fuels, oils, and distillation products: $131.91 billion -Vehicles (other than railway or tramway): $55 billion -Machinery, nuclear react...

NAVIGATING THE PERILS OF SOCIAL MEDIA/ MISINFORMATION

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The omnipresence and influence of social media in our society today dwarf that of any other technological development in recent history. This worldwide network of instantaneous information exchange propels thoughts, opinions, news, and ideas across borders with unprecedented speed and reach. However, beneath this digital marvel lurks a pervasive menace: the rapid and unrestrained propagation of misinformation.  Misinformation, which refers to the deliberate or inadvertent dissemination of false or baseless content, has grown into an all-encompassing issue that fuels unnecessary social tensions, undermines political stability, and poses a seemingly insurmountable threat to the very framework of democratic society. At the heart of this issue are the deeply ingrained algorithms that underpin social media. Predicated on prioritising content that fosters user engagement—particularly those that elicit strong emotional responses—these algorithms inadvertently fuel the misinformation...

POTASH MARKET OUTLOOK 2025/ U.S. TARIFFS

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 POTASH MARKET OUTLOOK 2025: ECONOMIC GROWTH, FOOD SECURITY, AND GLOBAL TRADE DYNAMICS Well-known as an agricultural fertilizer, Potash provides a crucial source of potassium for plants, playing a vital role in various functions such as enhancing photosynthesis, improving nitrogen fixation, aiding in the translocation of plant starch and sugars, increasing plant tolerance to disease, maintaining water balance in plant cells and activating more than 80 cellular enzymes. This mineral is instrumental in our food supply chains, driving sustainable agricultural practices and macro-economic growth. As per global production metrics in 2024, Canada led the list with 15 million metric tons, followed by Russia, China, Germany, and Jordan. Canada mainly produces Potash in Saskatchewan with a smaller operation in New Brunswick.  The top companies Nutrien Ltd, The Mosaic Company, and K+S Potash Canada operate numerous facilities in Saskatchewan, where all the 11 active mines are situated. ...

U.S. TARIFFS /CHINA'S ECONOMY/ GLOBAL COPPER MARKET

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  Extensively used across diverse sectors like Electric grids, Construction, Electronics, EVs and renewable energy, Copper's role is pivotal. With the increasing global focus on decarbonization, copper demand is predicted to see substantial growth. Global copper production has been increasing in recent years, driven by demand for electrification, renewable energy, and infrastructure. For instance, production rose from 22.6 million tonnes in 2023 to an estimated 22.9 million tonnes in 2024, a 3.2% increase, according to projections from sources like Mining Technology (Web ID: 15). This upward trend is expected to continue, with a forecasted compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 4.2% through 2030, reaching 29.3 million tonnes Global copper supply has experienced an upward trend, with countries such as Chile, Peru, and the Democratic Republic of Congo leading production. However, obstacles present in varying political and bureaucratic landscapes in South America may impede the pro...

U.S.A. & CANADA'S ALUMINUM/IMPACT OF TARIFFS

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  Canada ranks fourth globally for primary Aluminium production and is a   significant player in the global industry. Its robust industry produces approximately 3.3 million tons of Aluminum per year.. Most of Canada's Aluminum is produced in Quebec, due to the Province's abundant and cost-effective hydroelectric power. Quebec is home to eight out of Canada's nine smelters, and nearly 90% of Canada's production occurs there. Canada’s Aluminum exports to the U.S. are reported in various sources. According to the United Nations COMTRADE database cited in the web results, U.S. imports from Canada of Aluminum were valued at US$11.49 billion in 2024. In terms of value, if we use the COMTRADE figure of $11.49 billion out of $17.7 billion total imports, that’s approximately 65% of total Aluminum imports by the USA were sourced from Canada. Bauxite's role as a primary Aluminum source holds immense significance. Even though Canada does not mine bauxite, it imports a...

TUNGSTEN / US DEFENCE: ADVANCING NORTH AMERICA'S SUPPLY CHAINS

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Tungsten, due to its unique properties, holds immense importance in various industries including Defence, Electronics, Automotive, and the Aerospace sectors. It is important to note that China dominates global tungsten production, accounting for over 80% of the world's mined tungsten  This gives China significant control over global tungsten supply and pricing. The United States recognizes Tungsten's attributes: density, hardness, and heat resistance, which make it ideal for producing a range of munitions and considers it a core resource for national security. "Tungsten is used in a diverse set of DoD systems and is essential to national security."   The U.S. currently has no domestic tungsten mines in operation, relying heavily on imports and recycling to meet its tungsten needs. Canada, with substantial Tungsten reserves of about 290,000 tonnes, is a key player and the Governments of Canada and the United States recently announced a joint investment in the Yuk...