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Showing posts from April, 2025

FIVE CRITICAL MINERALS AND METALS

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  FIVE CRITICAL MINERALS AND METALS: MARKET TRENDS, ROLE IN CLEAN ENERGY, AND CANADA'S POSITION IN THE GLOBAL SUPPLY CHAIN The development and implementation of new technologies are usually linked to specific materials. Currently, five minerals are driving the industry forward due to their irreplaceable role in clean energy technologies, electronics, and industrial applications on a global scale. These are Lithium, Copper, Nickel, Cobalt, and the set of Rare Earth Elements (REEs). Data from early 2025 indicates that global lithium production increased from just over 737,000 tonnes in 2022 to almost 1.2 million tonnes in 2024 (lithium carbonate equivalent, LCE). Lithium is a critical component of batteries in Electric Vehicles (EVs), smartphones, and energy storage systems. Predictions hold that by 2040, the demand might increase eightfold mainly due to the rise of EVs. Although Australia and Chile lead in lithium production, China dominates refining operations. Copper, an essenti...

POLICY CHANGES AND ECONOMIC FACTORS & THE GLOBAL ELECTRIC VEHICLE MARKET

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  In 2024, the global Electric Vehicle (EV) market experienced substantial growth, with sales estimated to exceed 17 million units—a notable increase compared to the previous year. China solidified its position as a leader, reporting approximately 11 million EVs sold, representing a significant year-on-year growth of around 35%. North America (United States and Canada) contributed 1.8 million sales, reflecting a steady 9% increase. Meanwhile, Europe (including EU, EFTA, and UK) saw EV sales stabilize at around 3 million units, marking a slight decline compared to 2023. The U.S. EV market saw impressive growth in 2024, with sales exceeding 1.3 million units. Market share for EVs averaged around 8% throughout the year, peaking at 10.5% in December due to a surge in late-year sales. Tesla retained its leadership position with a 48% market share, followed by Ford (7.5%), Chevrolet (5.2%), and Hyundai (4.7%). However, Tesla's growth faced challenges, including a decline in brand per...

DEBUNKING CLAIMS: ANALYSIS ON STATEMENT ATTRIBUTED TO CANADIAN PM BY FORMER U.S. PRESIDENT TRUMP

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The factual integrity of a recent statement by former U.S. President Donald Trump during a speech in North Carolina, (AND REFERENCED TO BY Marco Rubio) where he alleges a conversation with the Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, has spurred widespread discussion and scrutiny. According to Trump, Trudeau supposedly confessed that without unfair American trade, Canada would fail as a nation. Trump then suggested that, if this were the case, Canada should become a state. Without any concrete evidence or an accompanying transcript, the legitimacy of Trump's claims remains in question, and to date, they have not been validated or corroborated by Canadian officials. The public domain remains devoid of any official response from Trudeau or the Canadian government's endorsement that Trudeau made such a confession to Trump. Primarily, recent Canadian governmental comments highlight a profound disagreement with Trump's conjecture, openly dismissing any unfair trade practices on C...

COPPER MARKET TRENDS: A LOOK AT GLOBAL SUPPLY, DEMAND & PRICING

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Copper is a crucial economic health indicator due to its extensive use in industries ranging from construction to renewable energy and electric vehicles (EVs). In 2024, global copper mine production saw a modest increase of 0.5%, with 2025 projections suggesting further growth at a rate of 3.9%. However, several factors are hampering this supply growth. Key producers like Chile and Peru, which account for 35% of the global supply, face hurdles like declining ore grades, labor disruptions, and geopolitical risks. Notably, significant supply disruptions have occurred, such as the closure of the Cobre Panama mine in November 2023 and production cuts by industry giants like Anglo American and Teck Resources. In the first quarter of 2025, while the refined copper supply increased by 1%, a 14% drop in Chilean output limited overall gains. Contrastingly, Peru and the Democratic Republic of Congo saw increases of 7% and 6% respectively, due to expansions like Anglo American’s Quellaveco ...

FUELING BIG TECH'S NUCLEAR AMBITIONS: A PERSPECTIVE ON SUSTAINABLE ENERGY

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  As the world's big technology firms capitalize on the constant and gigantic power supply offered by nuclear energy to fuel their data centers, Canada emerges as a critical influencer in this atomic turn of events. Giants such as Google, Microsoft, Amazon, and Meta (previously Facebook), heavily engaged with Artificial Intelligence (AI), require vast amounts of electricity to support their data centers' operations. Consequently, these firms heavily invest in nuclear energy to meet their escalating demands while maintaining a commitment to net-zero carbon emissions.   Companies like Google, Microsoft, Amazon, and Meta are leaning towards Small Modular Reactors (SMRs) and Power Purchase Agreements as sustainable options for their energy-hungry applications. Their ambitious plan, backed by numerous countries and significant financial stakeholders, is to triple the global nuclear capacity by 2050. This initiative suggests a substantial growth trajectory in the use of nuclea...

DISINFORMATION IN CANADA: SOURCES AND IMPLICATIONS

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.. Disinformation is a threat in Canada, with substantial ramifications for its political discourse and public opinion. Various sources, domestic and foreign, contribute to the growing spread of disinformation. Social media platforms, particularly Facebook, serve as the primary conduits for false information, with 77% of Canadians interpreting the platform as a key player in disinformation. In line with social media platforms, major foreign governments like Russia and China are viewed as significant sources of falsified information, believed by 73% and 66% of Canadians, respectively. Disinformation is not solely the domain of these actors, as political activist groups and politicians join the ranks as contributors   Other internet platforms like X (Twitter) and search engines also emerge as significant contributors to the disinformation ecology. Additionally, media outlets such as Fox News and domestic non-state actors, including extremist organizations, hate groups, and ...

DEVELOPMENTS ON THE REVIVAL OF THE ENERGY EAST PIPELINE PROJECT IN CANADA

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  The conversation surrounding the reclamation of the Energy East pipeline project in Canada continues to be fraught with complex multilayered challenges. At the heart of these challenges are several stepping stones; the first cited frequently is economic viability. The abrogation of this project four years ago in 2017 was largely colored by volatile market conditions, including a slump in oil prices and dwindling investment interest in the tar sands. The recurrence of these economic tests makes a strong case for the existential struggle of justifying the sizable investment in such a project. Next on the list of challenges are regulatory hurdles. Any potential revival of Energy East would require the re-initiation of the federal regulatory process, infamously known for being time-consuming and costly. The establishment mandates this approval process, and it is impractical to sidestep or hasten it. Taking center stage along with economics and regulatory demands are environmental...

Sanu Gold Corp

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Sanu Gold Corp. is a junior gold exploration company focused on discovering multi-million-ounce gold deposits in the Siguiri Basin of Guinea, West Africa. The company is engaged in acquiring, exploring, and evaluating gold and precious metal deposits. Its primary activity is early-stage exploration, aiming to identify and delineate significant gold resources. The company currently holds three main exploration permits: -Bantabaye:  New high-grade gold discovery, 10 priority targets, 9 km strike length, with 75% ownership and the right to increase to 85%. -Daina:  Another new high-grade discovery, 3 priority targets, 15 km strike length, also with 75% ownership and potential for 85%. -Diguifara:  Drill-ready with 4 priority targets, 7 km strike length, same ownership structure as above. These projects are located in the Siguiri Basin, a region hosting major gold mines such as AngloGold Ashanti’s Siguiri mine and Nordgold’s Lefa mine, which underscores the ...

CANADA'S IMPRESSIVE CONTRIBUTION TO GLOBAL MINING

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Canada's geographical vastness has bestowed it with an immense wealth of mineral resources, establishing its position as a global behemoth in the mining industry. From the resource-rich Canadian Shield's rugged terrains to the mountainous west, Canada's geological bounty buttresses its global mining leadership. The mineral diversity interspersed across Canada's expansive landmass is truly impressive. From Ontario's productive Sudbury Basin that supplies nickel and copper integral to batteries and renewable technology, to British Columbia's Golden Triangle laden with large gold and silver deposits, Canada's mining diversity is truly remarkable. Saskatchewan's dominance in global potash production serves as a lifeline for worldwide agricultural needs, while the Northwest Territories' diamond mines yield world-class and high-quality gems. This mineral medley ensures that Canada's influence can be traced back to every global unit, from smartphone...

ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE & THE FUTURE OF THE MINING INDUSTRY

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n this modern epoch, characterized by technological leaps, one cannot deny the crucial role that Artificial Intelligence (AI) is playing in revolutionizing global industries. Among them, the mining industry has been on the receiving end of this digital transformation, infused with a new definition for efficiency, safety and productivity. The outdated methodologies stand juxtaposed with the dynamic future driven by AI, as the mining sector experiences a paradigm shift. One landmark innovation is the employment of Autonomous Vehicles in mining operations. By reducing the human involvement in hazardous tasks, AI-powered vehicles have enhanced safety measures extensively. This successful application underscores AI’s central role in the mitigation of potential risks, thereby ensuring the safety of human lives. AI commands its presence in the mining sector across various operations such as exploration and resource identification, operational efficiency, safety improvements, environmental an...