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S&P Global: Fragmented Climate and Energy Strategies Will Define 2026

Global sustainability strategies are entering a more politically complex phase in 2026 as governments and companies balance immediate economic pressures against long-term climate risks, according to S&P Global’s latest outlook on sustainability trends.

S&P Global said sustainability decision-making in 2026 will be shaped by a growing tension between near-term priorities (energy security, affordability, geopolitical risk) and longer-term realities (climate adaptation, decarbonization, resource constraints).

The result is a world moving away from multilateral coordination toward a patchwork of national and regional responses.

Regulatory fatigue reshapes supply chains, critical minerals take center stage

Trade tensions, protectionist policies, and political fatigue around sustainability regulation are pushing climate and human rights risks in supply chains out of the spotlight.

S&P Global notes that as regulatory momentum slows in some jurisdictions, companies may increasingly need to treat climate exposure as a core risk management issue rather than a compliance exercise.

The European Union (EU) remains a key exception, though its policy direction is evolving. While the bloc has introduced far-reaching disclosure and due diligence rules, it is also simplifying parts of its regulatory framework.

Meanwhile, the EU’s carbon border adjustment mechanism (CBAM), which took full effect on January 1, is expected to add at least US$15 billion in costs to imports from carbon-intensive producers, potentially reshaping global trade flows.

Furthermore, the firm said critical minerals will sit at the center of these dynamics in 2026.

Materials such as copper, lithium, and rare earths underpin electrification, clean energy deployment, and AI infrastructure, making access to them a central feature of trade diplomacy and investment.

China is expected to retain its lead in cleantech manufacturing, reinforcing its role as both a key supplier and a strategic risk for countries pursuing energy transitions.

Energy policy diverges as fossil fuels rebound, renewables expand

Another aspect of fragmentation is most visible in energy policy, where global fossil fuel demand rebounded faster than many policymakers expected after the pandemic and is projected to continue growing modestly.

In contrast, renewable energy remains the fastest-growing segment, though from a smaller base. S&P Global Energy estimates that fossil fuel demand will rise by less than 1 percent in 2026 compared with 2025, while solar and wind generation are expected to grow by more than 17 percent.

Similarly, the divergence between the world’s two largest economies is particularly stark. The US has prioritized expanding fossil fuel exports, while China continues to invest heavily across clean energy supply chains such as solar manufacturing and electric vehicles.

The report said that this same divergence leaves many countries navigating trade-offs between supply security and dependence. China continues to maintain a dominant position in clean energy technologies and has demonstrated its willingness to use export controls on strategic materials such as rare earths.

Despite continued growth in renewables, S&P Global expects 2026 to mark the first year-over-year decline in global solar capacity additions, driven largely by a slowdown in China. While overall renewable capacity will still expand, analysts said the period of uninterrupted growth is ending.

At the same time, increasing renewable penetration is pushing wholesale power prices lower in some markets while accelerating demand for battery storage and more flexible power purchase agreements.

AI adds new strain to power systems

Artificial intelligence is adding further strain to energy systems. The rapid expansion of AI-driven data centers is driving electricity demand sharply higher, complicating sustainability targets for both governments and corporations.

S&P Global estimates that data center power consumption could exceed 2,200 terawatt-hours by 2030, roughly equivalent to India’s current electricity use. Grid constraints, rising power prices in some regions, and growing water stress are emerging as political and social flashpoints, particularly in parts of the US.

While major technology companies have made high-profile net-zero commitments, the report’s data shows that sustainability ambition across the data center sector remains uneven.

According to the firm’s 2024 Corporate Sustainability Assessment, 38 percent of assessed companies with data center operations do not have a net-zero target.

Analysts warned that rising AI-related energy demand may lead to increased fossil fuel use in the near term, with some regions delaying planned coal and gas plant retirements to maintain grid reliability.

Climate adaptation gains priority

The implications of rapid energy shifts also mean that climate adaptation and resilience are gaining prominence.

S&P Global said governments and investors increasingly recognize that the world is likely to overshoot the Paris Agreement’s 1.5-degree Celsius warming goal, making adaptation unavoidable.

Global economic losses from natural disasters reached US$320 billion in 2024, according to Munich Re, while United Nations (UN) data suggests the number of natural disasters could rise by 40 percent by 2030 without stronger mitigation.

Therefore, investment in adaptation is emerging as a major opportunity as well as a necessity. Singapore sovereign wealth fund GIC, for instance, estimates that adaptation and resilience investments could total US$9 trillion by 2050. That theme featured prominently at Climate Week NYC in 2025 and at COP30, where governments agreed to triple public adaptation finance by 2035 from 2025 levels.

Taken altogether, S&P Global’s outlook points to a sustainability landscape that is less coordinated but no less consequential.

While global consensus is weakening, pressures from various sectors are forcing governments and companies to make increasingly difficult trade-offs as they chart their paths through 2026.

Securities Disclosure: I, Giann Liguid, hold no direct investment interest in any company mentioned in this article.

This post appeared first on investingnews.com

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American Eagle Continues to Expand South Zone near Surface Mineralization: Highlights Include 140 m of 0.74% Copper Eq. and 130 m of 0.62% Copper Eq.

American Eagle Gold Corp. (TSXV: AE) (‘American Eagle’ or the ‘Company’) is pleased to announce drill results that further expand the South Zone at its NAK copper-gold project in British Columbia. Holes NAK25-55 and NAK25-62 extend shallow mineralization nearly 150 meters east-southeast, while NAK25-69 and NAK25-72 expand it 150 meters to the west-southwest. Notably, NAK25-55 and -62 highlight near-surface mineralization along the southern edge of the Babine porphyry stock shown in Figure 1. Additionally, Figure 2 highlights the South Zone growth achieved through the drill results presented in this release.

Highlights:

  • NAK25-62: Extended near-surface mineralization 150 m east of NAK25-46, intersecting 140 m of 0.74% CuEq within 189 m of 0.61% CuEq starting near surface.
  • NAK25-55: Extended near-surface mineralization 150 m south of NAK25-62, intersecting 134 m of 0.40% CuEq starting near surface.
  • NAK25-69: Extended mineralization 150 m south of NAK25-41, intersecting 130 m of 0.62% CuEq within 409 m of 0.33% CuEq starting 215 m downhole.
  • NAK25-72: Further westward extension of NAK25-69 drilled from the same location at a shallower inclination, intersecting 455 m of 0.31% CuEq starting 166 m downhole.

Strategic Importance of the South Zone:

The South Zone is characterized by strong grades, shallow mineralization, and minimal overburden, making it a logical focus for continued step-out and infill drilling. This area has the potential to support early-stage development scenarios while providing optionality for bulk mining approaches in adjacent, yet-to-be-defined zones across the NAK project.

With these latest results, the South Zones dimensions extend over 700 m in the east-west direction, 500 m in the north-south direction, and to over 800 m in depth. The holes in this release have contributed a high-confidence expansion of over 150 m in both the east-west and north-south dimensions from the previous iteration of the model, and a substantial increase over the previous seasons of drilling (see Figure 3). Strong potential for expansion remains along the southern margin of the Babine Porphyry stock, where the Company has completed additional widely spaced step-out drilling, within a 1 km trend of open, highly prospective ground, extending eastward from the currently modeled bounds of the zone (see Figure 4).

‘These results reinforce the South Zone as the focus of our drilling program, yet they also highlight that it sits within what is clearly an exceptionally large and continuous copper-gold system at NAK that exists far beyond what is the South Zone. The consistent near-surface mineralization and significant step-out extensions in multiple directions confirm both the scale and the potential of NAK,’ said Anthony Moreau, CEO of American Eagle Gold Corp.

View Interactive 2D Map of NAK

View Core Photos for Released Holes

Watch: Webinar with Anthony Moreau and Neil Prows Discussing Significance of January 15 Results

NAK25-62 Assay Results (Table 1) and Details*

Hole From To Length Cu % Au g/t Ag g/t Mo ppm CuEq %
NAK25-62 124 264 140 0.28 0.35 1.2 100 0.74
Within
NAK25-62 75 264 189 0.23 0.28 1.1 90 0.61
And
NAK25-62 483 701 218 0.17 0.15 0.4 49 0.37
Within
NAK25-62 32 827 795 0.13 0.12 0.5 51 0.30

View Clean Cross Section l View Combined Hole Cross Section l View Hole Location

* Copper Equivalent (CuEq) shown in Tables for drill intercepts are calculated on the basis of US$ 4.50/lb for Cu, US$ 3,375/oz for Au, US$ 60/oz for Ag and US$ 25/lb for Mo, with 80% metallurgical recoveries assumed for all metals (since it’s unclear what metals will be the principal products, assuming different recoveries is premature at this stage). The formula is: CuEq. = Cu % + (Au grade in g/t x (Au recovery / Cu recovery) x [Au price ÷ 31] / [Cu price x 2200 x 1%]) + (Ag grade in g/t x (Ag recovery / Cu recovery) x [Ag price ÷ 31] / [Cu price x 2200 x 1%] + (Mo grade in % x (Mo recovery / Cu recovery) x [Mo price] / [Cu price]). The assays have not been capped.

NAK25-62 was collared approximately 150 m to the east of NAK25-46 and drilled steeply to the west. This hole was designed to expand the known extent of South Zone mineralization to the east of the tested zone. NAK25-62 collared into interbedded siltstone, sandstone, and conglomerate, before transitioning into a well mineralized package of sandstone at a depth of 75 m. Concordant with the Company’s modelling, mineralization, consisting of disseminated and vein hosted chalcopyrite remained strong to a depth of 264 m, where the hole transitioned to a thinly bedded, less well mineralized package of fine-grained sedimentary rock. Disseminated chalcopyrite mineralization abruptly increases in abundance below this unit, at a depth of 480 m, coinciding with a transition to the well constrained mineralized conglomerate. As the hole traversed deeper, sulfide speciation gradually shifted to pyrite/pyrrhotite dominant, bottoming in concretion-bearing fine sandstone cut by narrow mafic dyking.

NAK25-55 Assay Results (Table 2) and Details*

Hole From To Length Cu % Au g/t Ag g/t Mo ppm CuEq %
NAK25-55 97 231 134 0.13 0.21 1.3 14 0.40
And
NAK25-55 503 808 305 0.12 0.07 0.5 60 0.23
Within
NAK25-55 119 884 765 0.09 0.07 0.6 40 0.21

View Cross Section l View Hole Location

NAK25-55 was collared approximately 150 m south-southeast of NAK25-62 and drilled steeply to the west-northwest. The hole was designed to test both near surface and deep mineralization beyond the southeastern extent of drilling in the South Zone. The hole collared into interbedded sandstone and siltstone with subordinate lenses of conglomerate, to a depth of 300 m, where the hole’s first instance of fine grained mafic intrusive was encountered. The mafic unit continued to a depth of 400 m, where the hole transitioned into sparsely feldspar phyric porphyry dyking followed by conglomerate. Conglomerate predominated to a depth of 600 m, where thin beds of sandstone were interspersed with numerous intervals of fine grained mafic intrusive rock, which remained the dominant lithology to end of hole. Mineralization in NAK25-55 consisted of sparse chalcopyrite disseminations and stringers, primarily confined to sandstone and conglomerate lithologies, with local punctuations of vein hosted bornite confined to narrow zones within the lower intercept of mafic dyking.

NAK25-69 Assay Results (Table 3) and Details*

Hole From To Length Cu % Au g/t Ag g/t Mo ppm CuEq %
NAK25-69 452 582 130 0.32 0.16 1.0 175 0.62
Within
NAK25-69 215 624 409 0.18 0.08 0.8 77 0.33
Within
NAK25-69 13 787 774 0.13 0.05 0.6 62 0.23

View Cross Section l View Hole Location

NAK25-69 was collared from the same location as NAK25-49, and drilled steeply to the west. This hole was designed to test the southern limits of mineralization, approximately 100 m south of the stronger than anticipated mineralization encountered in NAK25-41. The hole collared into interbedded sandstone and siltstone interspersed with thin beds of conglomerate, before entering dominantly conglomerate units at a depth of 175 m. The hole remained in conglomerate, cut by numerous instances of compositionally and texturally variable porphyry dyking, to a depth of 450 m, where interbedded fine to coarse sandstone prevailed as the dominant lithology. Mineralization in NAK25-69 was characterized by broad zones of low to moderate grade, represented by sparsely distributed chalcopyrite bearing quartz-anhydrite veins and sparse chalcopyrite disseminations, punctuated by shorter intervals of stronger grade, associated with bornite and dense chalcopyrite mineralization. The strongest zones of mineralization are commonly associated with the presence of porphyry dyking, notably between 452 and 582 m, where the dykes themselves host abundant chalcopyrite and bornite disseminations.

NAK25-72 Assay Results (Table 4) and Details*

Hole From To Length Cu ppm Au g/t Ag g/t Mo ppm CuEq %
NAK25-72 166 245 79 0.28 0.11 1.3 217 0.54
And
NAK25-72 416 570 154 0.27 0.08 1.6 72 0.42
Within
NAK25-72 166 621 455 0.18 0.06 1.0 72 0.31

View Cross Section l View Hole Location

NAK25-72 was collared from the same location as NAK25-69 and drilled shallowly to the west, designed to test westward from the encouraging mineralization encountered previously in the steeper oriented NAK25-69. The hole collared into interbedded sandstone and siltstone, transitioning to conglomerate at a depth of 75 m. Conglomerate predominated to a depth of 350 m, succeeded by fine to coarse grained sandstone for the remainder of the hole. As with NAK25-69, mineralization was characterized by broad intervals of low grade disseminated chalcopyrite, punctuated by zones of vein hosted bornite and densely disseminated chalcopyrite mineralization commonly within and enveloping porphyry dykes of variable composition. Sulfide speciation within the disseminated mineralization transitions from chalcopyrite dominant to pyrite-pyrrhotite dominant, as the hole traverses farther to the west, with local zones of chalcopyrite dominant sporadically throughout.

NAK25-65 Assay Results (Table 5) and Details*

Hole From To Length Cu % Au g/t Ag g/t Mo ppm CuEq %
NAK25-65 211 339 128 0.18 0.05 0.8 23 0.26
Within
NAK25-65 7 575 568 0.09 0.03 0.6 20 0.15

View Cross Section l View Hole Location

NAK25-65 was collared approximately 120 m west-southwest of NAK25072/69, designed to test the southwestern limits of known South Zone mineralization. This hole encountered a similar association of interbedded coarse to fine sedimentary rocks, transitioning to conglomerate, and finally sandstone, as described above in NAK25-72 and 69. Similarly to NAK25-72, the best mineralization was strongly associated with narrow intervals of feldspar phyric porphyry dyking, intruding weakly mineralized sedimentary host rocks. Sulfide speciation within the sedimentary units transitions from chalcopyrite-pyrite to pyrite dominant as the hole traversed farther to the west, and consistent with drilling elsewhere at NAK, the hole was terminated when pyrite was observed to be the dominant disseminated sulfide.

Collar details for holes in this release (table 6):

Hole UTM_Grid UTM_East UTM_North Azimuth Inclination TD (m)
NAK25-55 NAD83_Z9 675620 6129124 280 -75 884
NAK25-62 NAD83_Z9 675575 6129266 265 -75 827
NAK25-65 NAD83_Z9 675191 6129109 265 -50 575
NAK25-69 NAD83_Z9 675297 6129153 255 -75 787
NAK25-72 NAD83_Z9 675297 6129153 255 -55 621

QA/QC and Sampling Protocol

Sampling at NAK follows a rigorous methodology and internal QA/QC protocol. Drill core is halved on site, and samples are submitted to ALS Geochemistry in Langley, British Columbia for preparation and analysis. ALS is accredited to the ISO/IEC 17025 standard for assays. All analytical methods include quality control standards inserted at set frequencies. The entire sample interval is crushed and homogenized, and 250 g of the homogenized sample is pulped. All samples were analyzed for gold, silver, copper, molybdenum and a suite of 45 other major and trace elements. Analysis for gold is by fire assay fusion followed by Inductively Coupled Plasma Atomic Emission Spectroscopy (ICP-AES) on 30 g of pulp. Analysis for silver, copper, and molybdenum and all other major and trace elements are analyzed by four-acid digestion followed by Inductively Coupled Plasma Mass Spectroscopy (ICP-MS).

Internal QA/QC protocols dictate that individual core samples are no less than 70 cm and no greater than 3 m in length. To control standard, blank, and duplicate sample frequency, and to better constrain pass/fail re-analysis intervals, samples are submitted to the lab in 50 sample batches. Within each 50-sample batch, there is one gold-copper standard and two coarse reject duplicates, inserted at regular intervals, and two blank samples, inserted sequentially following well-mineralized samples where possible, for a total of 10% QA/QC samples. All gold and copper standard analyses from the 2024 program passed within 3 standard deviations of expected values. Where duplicate values differed significantly, the lower values from the resulting re-analyses were used.

About American Eagle’s NAK Project

The NAK Project lies within the Babine copper-gold porphyry district of central British Columbia. It has excellent infrastructure through all-season roads and is close to the towns of Smithers, Houston, and Burns Lake, B.C., which lie along a major rail line and Provincial Highway 16. Historical drilling and geophysical, geological, and geochemical work at NAK, which began in the 1960’s, tested only to shallow depths. Still, the work revealed a very large near-surface copper-gold system that measures over 1.5 km x 1.5 km. Drilling completed by American Eagle in 2022, 2023, and 2024 returned significant intervals of high-grade copper-gold mineralization that reached beyond and much deeper than the historical drilling, indicating that zones of near-surface and deeper mineralization, locally with considerably higher grades, exist within the broader NAK property mineralizing system. Drilling is currently in progress, with over 16,500 metres drilled across 26 holes out of the planned 30,000-metre drill program. Three drills are actively operating, including one helicopter-supported hole, and expected to continue into December.

For the latest videos from American Eagle, Ore Group, and all things mining, subscribe to our YouTube Channel: youtube.com/@theoregroup

About American Eagle Gold Corp.

American Eagle is dedicated to advancing its NAK copper-gold porphyry project in west-central British Columbia, Canada. The Company benefits from over $36 million in cash, bolstered by two strategic investors formed in the past two years with Teck Resources and South32. With substantial financial and technical resources, American Eagle Gold is well-positioned to drill, de-risk, and define the full potential of the NAK Copper-Gold porphyry project.

Anthony Moreau, Chief Executive Officer

416.644.1567
amoreau@oregroup.ca
www.americaneaglegold.ca

Q.P. Statement

Mark Bradley, B.Sc., M.Sc., P.Geo., a Certified Professional Geologist and independent ‘qualified person’ for the purposes of Canada’s National Instrument 43-101 Standards of Disclosure for Mineral Properties, has verified and approved the information contained in this news release.

Forward-Looking Statements

Certain information in this press release may contain forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements in this press release include, but are not limited to: including statements relating to the use of proceeds of the Offering, the tax treatment of the Charity FT Shares, the receipt of all necessary regulatory approvals in connection with the Offering, the 2025 drill program or its anticipated results at the Company’s NAK project, the ability of the Company to make the Qualifying Expenditures as anticipated by management, and other matters ancillary or incidental to the foregoing. This information is based on current expectations that are subject to significant risks and uncertainties that are difficult to predict. Therefore, actual results might differ materially from those suggested in forward-looking statements. American Eagle Gold Corp. assumes no obligation to update the forward-looking statements or to update the reasons why actual results could differ from those reflected in the forward-looking statements unless and until required by securities laws applicable to American Eagle Gold Corp. Additional information identifying risks and uncertainties is contained in filings by American Eagle Gold Corp. with Canadian securities regulators, which filings are available under American Eagle Gold Corp. profile at www.sedarplus.ca.

Neither TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the TSX Venture Exchange policies) accept responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.

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Sirios Adds $1.5 Million to the Treasury After Warrant and Option Exercises

Sirios Resources Inc. (TSXV: SOI) (OTCQB: SIREF) (‘Sirios’ or ‘the Company’) has started the year with an infusion of capital, giving the Company additional financial flexibility for enhancing its exploration and investor programs in 2026.

The exercise of 10,209,000 warrants and 1,750,000 options have added $1,516,080 to the treasury and resulted in the issuance of 11,959,000 shares. There are now 397,933,426 common shares outstanding.

‘These exercises validate our proposed combination with OVI Mining Corp. and reflect the recent performance of our stock,’ said Dominique Doucet, Founder and CEO of Sirios Resources. ‘Our strategy is gaining traction, and investors are noticing. We intend to build on this momentum by expanding our investor outreach this year. Jean-Félix Lepage, who will take over as CEO after the closing of the transaction with OVI Mining, will join me for a series of investor events in the coming weeks.’

Sirios to Attend Key Industry Conferences in Q1
As part of its continued commitment to enhancing market visibility and shareholder engagement, Sirios will participate in the following investment conferences:

    In addition, Dominique Doucet and Jean-Félix Lepage will host a series of investor luncheons and one-on-one meetings in Vancouver, Calgary, Montreal and Toronto. Full details on these events will be posted to the Sirios website. To request an invitation, please send an email to info@sirios.com.

    In addition, Sirios also has engaged Resource Stock Digest (RSD) to initiate an advertising and marketing program. An initiation fee of US$8,500 has been paid and a monthly cost of US$2,450, starting this month, will be paid for the first three months and can extend to a total period of 18 months. RSD is owned and operated by Gerardo Del Real and Nick Hodge and its contact details are as follows: Gerardo Del Real, 2051 Gattis School Rd, Ste. 540 PMB 176, Round Rock, TX 78664, USA.

    About Sirios
    Sirios Resources is a mining exploration company based in Quebec, focused on developing its portfolio of high-potential gold projects in the Eeyou Istchee James Bay, Canada. Sirios announced on December 11, 2025, the details of the acquisition of OVI Mining, a landmark event in the company’s history.

    Contact
    Dominique Doucet, Eng., President and CEO
    Phone: 450-482-0603
    ddoucet@sirios.com
    www.sirios.com

    Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements
    This press release contains ‘forward-looking statements’ within the meaning of applicable Canadian securities laws based on expectations, estimates and projections as of the date of this press release. Forward-looking statements involve risks, uncertainties and other factors that could cause actual events, results, performance, expectations and opportunities to differ materially from those expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. Factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those indicated in such forward-looking statements include, but are not limited to: capital and operating costs that differ materially from estimates; the tentative nature of metallurgical test results; delays or failures in obtaining required governmental, environmental or other approvals; uncertainties related to the availability and cost of necessary financing in the future changes in financial markets; inflation; fluctuations in metal prices; delays in project development; other risks relating to the mineral exploration and development industry; and risks disclosed in public filings of the Company on SEDAR+ at www.sedarplus.ca. Although the Company believes that the assumptions and factors used in preparing the forward-looking statements contained in this news release are reasonable, readers should not place undue reliance on this information, which speaks only as of the date of this news release, and there can be no assurance that such events will occur or occur within the time periods presented. The Company disclaimed any intention or obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except as required by applicable law.

    Neither the TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.

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    Application for EU Strategic Project Designation for Black Schist Ni-Cu-Co-Zn Project, Finland

    Further to the Preliminary Economic Assessment announced on 31 January 2025, Metals One (AIM: MET1, OTCQB: MTOPF), a critical and precious metals exploration and development company, is pleased to announce it has formally applied to the EU for Strategic Project designation for the Company’s Black Schist Ni-Cu-Co-Zn Project in Finland. The application has been made pursuant to the Critical Raw Materials Act, which seeks to establish a framework for ensuring a secure and sustainable supply of critical raw materials.

    Highlights of Basis of Application

    Project Summary & Strategy Recap

    The Black Schist Project comprises the Rautavaara (‘R1’) and Paltamo (‘P5’) deposits in eastern Finland, near the regional mining centre of Sotkamo and supported by excellent transport and power infrastructure. Metals One holds 100% of the licences through its wholly owned subsidiary and acquired the project in 2023, commissioning CSA Global to prepare a Competent Persons Report, including a Mineral Resource Estimate for R1. The project is located within the economically significant Kainuu Schist Belt, which hosts Talvivaara-style black schist mineralisation – one of Europe’s lowest-cost and most environmentally attractive sources of Ni-Zn-Co-Cu battery metals.

    On listing, Metals One secured low-risk exploration licences across the belt, including an existing JORC Inferred Resource of 28.1 Mt at R1 and a JORC Exploration Target of 16-25 Mt at P5. The Company’s strategy focuses on rapidly growing resources by refining a geological and geophysical prospectivity model, expanding and upgrading R1 and P5 through drilling, and identifying new targets. In late 2023, an eight-hole, 1,548 m drill programme at the R1 Hook anomaly refined the model and highlighted potential resource extensions, with early results already guiding further target generation, including the K1 prospect at Korpimäki.

    Purpose of Designation

    For the purposes of designation under the Critical Raw Materials Act, the R1 deposit constitutes the Strategic Project core asset of the Black Schist Project.

    The designation is sought to support the advancement of R1 from Preliminary Economic Assessment (‘PEA’) to Pre-Feasibility Study (‘PFS’) and subsequent permitting, enabling near-term de-risking of EU-based extraction capacity for strategic raw materials, notably cobalt and copper, with nickel produced as a strategically relevant co-product.

    Basis for Prioritisation

    R1 has been prioritised based on the following PEA-supported factors:

    • Demonstrated positive economics at PEA level, including a post-tax NPV at both 5% and 8% discount rates as announced on 31 January 2025
    • Established JORC-compliant Inferred Mineral Resource constrained by reasonable prospects for eventual economic extraction
    • Proximity to established Finnish processing infrastructure and technical precedent
    • Manageable environmental and permitting risks that are identifiable and capable of early mitigation

    P5 is excluded from the initial Strategic Project scope and is considered a contingent, medium-term optional expansion subject to future optimisation and market conditions.

    Strategic Intent

    Strategic Project designation is intended to:

    • Support structured and coordinated permitting for the Rautavaara deposit
    • Facilitate engagement with EU institutions, Member State authorities and potential downstream counterparties
    • Enable access to EU-aligned de-risking, financing and technical assistance mechanisms
    • Preserve optionality for future expansion without diluting near-term strategic focus

    Project Relevance

    In 2023, global nickel production was reported to be over 3.3 Mt, an increase of over 10% from 2022, of which Indonesia and the Philippines account for over 60%. By contrast, negligible amounts of nickel are currently produced in Europe. Although nickel does not currently qualify as a critical raw material in the EU, the US Geological Survey added nickel (and zinc) to its critical minerals list in 2022, meaning that the metal is now considered to be essential to the economic security of the US. Despite not qualifying for the EU list, analysis still identified nickel to be of material economic importance to the EU as a Strategic Raw Material and, since the start of Q2 2022, Indonesia (the largest global producer) has banned the export of unprocessed nickel ores to ensure that ores are processed domestically as opposed to being exported and processed offshore. Given these relatively recent developments in the nickel market, producing the metal domestically within the EU becomes an ever more critical goal.

    The PEA highlights the opportunity for the Company’s Black Schist Project to make a meaningful contribution to the security of the EU’s supply of this strategic material.

    Daniel Maling, Managing Director of Metals One, commented:

    ‘Access to raw materials is essential for the EU’s economy and the functioning of the internal market. The Black Schist Project is a multi-metal extraction project potentially contributing to the Union’s security of supply for several Strategic Raw Materials.

    Strategic Project designation would provide several key advantages that could aid in the project’s development and long-term success, including but not limited to enhanced access to project financing, including eligibility for funding from EU programmes, and streamlined permitting processes.

    Given the key role of many critical raw materials in realising the green and digital transitions, and considering their use for defence and aerospace applications, demand is likely to increase exponentially in the coming decades. Further, risk of supply disruptions is increasing against the background of rising geopolitical tensions and resource competition. We believe our Black Schist Project can contribute a stable and secure resource of strategic and critical metals to the EU market.’

    Enquiries:

    Metals One Plc

    Daniel Maling, Managing Director

    Craig Moulton, Chairman

    info@metals-one.com

    +44 (0)20 7981 2576

    Beaumont Cornish Limited (Nominated Adviser)

    James Biddle / Roland Cornish

    +44 (0)20 7628 3396

    Oak Securities (Joint Broker)

    Jerry Keen / Calvin Man

    +44 (0)20 3973 3678

    Capital Plus Partners Limited (Joint Broker)

    Jonathan Critchley

    +44 (0)207 432 0501

    Vigo Consulting (UK Investor Relations)

    Ben Simons / Fiona Hetherington

    IR.MetalsOne@vigoconsulting.com +44 (0)20 7390 0230

    About Metals One

    Metals One is pursuing a strategic portfolio of critical and precious metals projects and investments underpinned by the Western World’s urgent need for reliably and responsibly sourced raw materials – and record high gold prices. Metals One’s shares are listed on the London Stock Exchange’s AIM Market (MET1) and on the OTCQB Venture Market in the United States (MTOPF).

    Map of Metals One projects/investments

    Follow us on social media:

    LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/metals-one-plc/

    X: https://x.com/metals_one_PLC

    Subscribe to our news alert service on the Investors page of our website at: https://metals-one.com

    Market Abuse Regulation (MAR) Disclosure

    The information set out below is provided in accordance with the requirements of Article 19(3) of the Market Abuse Regulations (EU) No. 596/2014 which forms part of UK domestic law by virtue of the European Union (Withdrawal) Act 2018 (‘MAR’).

    Nominated Adviser

    Beaumont Cornish Limited (‘Beaumont Cornish’) is the Company’s Nominated Adviser and is authorised and regulated by the FCA. Beaumont Cornish’s responsibilities as the Company’s Nominated Adviser, including a responsibility to advise and guide the Company on its responsibilities under the AIM Rules for Companies and AIM Rules for Nominated Advisers, are owed solely to the London Stock Exchange. Beaumont Cornish is not acting for and will not be responsible to any other persons for providing protections afforded to customers of Beaumont Cornish nor for advising them in relation to the proposed arrangements described in this announcement or any matter referred to in it.

    Source

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    Syntholene Energy

    Investor Insight

    Syntholene offers investors exposure to a first‑of‑its‑kind, publicly traded pure‑play synthetic fuel company positioned to disrupt a multi‑trillion‑dollar liquid fuels market with a scalable pathway to cost‑competitive, carbon‑negative aviation fuel.

    Overview

    Syntholene Energy (TSXV:ESAF,FSE:3DD0) is a next-generation clean energy company focused on producing high-performance, carbon-negative, low-cost synthetic liquid fuels, with aviation as its initial target market. Syntholene is actively commercializing its novel Hybrid Thermal Production System for low-cost clean fuel synthesis. The target output is ultrapure synthetic jet fuel (eSAF), manufactured at 70 percent lower cost than the nearest competing technology today. The company’s mission is to deliver the world’s first truly high-performance, low-cost, and carbon-neutral eFuel at an industrial scale, unlocking the potential to produce clean synthetic fuel at lower cost than fossil fuels, for the first time.

    Synthetic fuels offer a drop-in solution for the aviation industry seeking to reduce emissions without modifying aircraft or infrastructure, addressing one of the most pressing challenges in global decarbonization.

    The company is operating against the backdrop of a large and rapidly expanding aviation fuel market. The global aviation fuel market was valued at approximately US$391 billion in 2023 and is projected to grow to nearly US$820 billion by 2032, while the sustainable aviation fuel segment is expected to expand from just over US$2 billion in 2025 to more than US$25 billion by 2030. This growth is being driven by regulatory mandates, airline decarbonization commitments, and limited near-term alternatives for long-haul flight, making aviation one of the most attractive early markets for synthetic fuels.

    Beyond aviation, the global eFuel market is projected to grow rapidly over the coming decade, from US$8.89 billion in 2024 to more than US$215 billion by 2032, supported by increasing demand for low-emissions liquid fuels across shipping, industrial energy, and other hard-to-electrify applications that rely on existing combustion infrastructure. While aviation is Syntholene’s initial commercial focus, the company’s synthetic fuel platform is designed for application across a wide range of liquid fuel markets, allowing it to leverage a substantially larger total addressable market over time. These dynamics create a multi-layered growth opportunity, with aviation serving as a high-value entry point into a much broader global eFuel market.

    Syntholene is progressing its Hybrid Thermal Production System from laboratory-scale validation toward a real-world demonstration facility in Iceland, leveraging abundant geothermal resources and long-term expansion potential.

    The company’s leadership team brings experience across advanced energy, large-scale industrial deployment, and climate-tech commercialization, positioning the company to scale modular production facilities globally as regulatory and market demand intensifies.

    Key Solution

    Syntholene’s core offering is synthetic fuel (eFuel) produced through a proprietary, integrated production pathway designed to deliver high performance at materially lower cost than conventional power-to-liquid approaches. Synthetic aviation fuels are produced from renewable electricity, green hydrogen and captured carbon, and can deliver up to 90 percent lower lifecycle emissions while remaining fully compatible with existing aircraft and fueling infrastructure.

    Syntholene’s Thermal Hybrid Production System integrates high-temperature solid oxide electrolysis with industrially proven fuel synthesis reactors. By introducing low-cost thermal energy at critical stages of the process, the system significantly reduces electricity consumption, which is the primary cost driver for most eFuel producers. This approach underpins the company’s targeted 70 percent cost advantage versus competing technologies and supports a credible pathway toward cost parity — and potentially superiority — relative to fossil fuels at scale.

    From a market perspective, the company is targeting a sector supported by strong regulatory tailwinds. In Europe, the ReFuelEU Aviation Regulation mandates rising sustainable aviation fuel blending requirements beginning in 2025 and increasing through 2050, while complementary subsidies of up to €6 per liter further incentivize adoption.

    Syntholene’s development plans are centered on delivering a demonstration facility by the end of 2026, followed by commercial facilities capable of scaling from tens to hundreds of megawatts as demand accelerates. Over time, Syntholene aims to evolve from carbon‑neutral fuel production to carbon‑negative fuels, actively removing more CO₂ from the atmosphere than is emitted when the fuel is consumed.

    Management Team

    Dan Sutton – Chief Executive Officer

    Dan Sutton has spent the last 15 years as a founder and executive leader in sustainable infrastructure deployment and operations. He was the founder and CEO of Tantalus Labs, where he and his team designed, built and operated its first-of-a-kind production facility SUNLAB, reducing energy demand by 90 percent per square foot relative to historic incumbents. He scaled his team to 150 employees, grew revenue from 0 to $20 million annually, and delivered leading revenue-per-employee sector-wide. Sutton has a strong track record in executive leadership, government relations, public relations and project management. He prides himself on building cultures that foster intellect, drive and relentless resourcefulness.

    Steve Oldham – Director

    Steve Oldham is a globally recognized leader in carbon management and climate‑tech commercialization. He is the former CEO of Carbon Engineering, where he helped establish direct air capture as a viable industry and led the company through its sale to Occidental Petroleum at a $1.6 billion valuation. He is also CEO of Captura and brings decades of experience scaling complex, capital‑intensive clean energy technologies.

    Canon Bryan – Director

    Canon Bryan is a founder and company builder with more than 25 years of experience in advanced energy and resource companies. He co-founded Terrestrial Energy (developer of Generation IV nuclear power), Uranium Energy (NYSE:UEC), and NioCorp (NASDAQ:NB), and has contracted with public and private companies across finance, accounting, planning and corporate development. Bryan’s background spans full-cycle accounting, economic modelling and strategic leadership in complex industrial sectors.

    John Kutsch – Chief Engineer

    As Syntholene’s chief engineer, John Kutsch leads the integration of multiple discrete systems into a unified, optimized and scalable infrastructure for economic and rapid construction and operation. He brings over 30 years of experience in systems design and implementation across large industrial companies, including work on energy, chemical processing and advanced reactor designs.

    Jack Williams – Head Engineer

    Jack Williams is head engineer at Syntholene. He has seven years of experience in high-temperature and pressure reactors, pilot-scale rig design and execution. As a research fellow at the University of Cambridge and IChemE, his work focused on reactor design for synthetic fuel production and CO₂ capture, including developing groundbreaking electrolysis and catalytic reactor technologies.

    Grant Tanaka – Chief Financial Officer

    Grant Tanaka is Syntholene’s CFO with more than 15 years of senior financial leadership experience across the global natural resources sector. His experience includes directing finance operations for major mining companies and holding senior finance roles at Teck Resources, New Gold and Copper Mountain Mining. Tanaka combines financial discipline with operational performance management and holds a Bachelor of Business Administration. He is also a chartered professional accountant.

    Anna Pagliaro – Director

    Anna Pagliaro is a senior commercial and risk management executive with extensive experience in the energy and mining sectors. She currently serves as director, commercial and risk at Vizsla Silver, leading strategic negotiations, risk mitigation and governance for complex international projects. Pagliaro’s prior roles include leadership positions at Ausenco, NexGen Energy and Integra Gold, and she holds legal and business credentials that support strategic value creation and operational excellence.

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    Syntholene Energy: High-performance, Carbon-negative, Low-cost – the promise of Syntholene eFuel

    Syntholene Energy (TSXV:ESAF,FSE:3DD0) is a next-generation clean energy company developing high-performance, carbon-negative synthetic liquid fuels, with aviation as its initial target market. The company is commercializing its proprietary Hybrid Thermal Production System, a breakthrough technology designed to enable low-cost, large-scale production of ultrapure synthetic jet fuel (eSAF).

    Syntholene targets production costs up to 70 percent lower than the nearest competing technologies, positioning its fuel to be cost-competitive with — and ultimately cheaper than — conventional fossil fuels. With a mission to deliver the world’s first truly high-performance, low-cost, and carbon-neutral eFuel at industrial scale, Syntholene aims to unlock a new era of affordable, sustainable aviation and clean energy solutions

    Syntholene is progressing its Hybrid Thermal Production System from laboratory-scale validation toward a real-world demonstration facility in Iceland, leveraging abundant geothermal resources and long-term expansion potential.

    Company Highlights

    • Proprietary Production Technology – Synthetic fuel (eFuel) produced through a fully integrated, proprietary pathway designed for superior performance and materially lower cost than conventional power-to-liquid methods
    • Low-Cost, High-Performance Fuel – Engineered to deliver high energy efficiency while significantly reducing production costs
    • Sustainable Feedstocks – Manufactured using renewable electricity, green hydrogen, and captured carbon
    • Ultra-Low Emissions – Delivers up to 90 percent lower lifecycle emissions compared to conventional jet fuel
    • Drop-In Compatibility – Fully compatible with existing aircraft engines and global fueling infrastructure
    • Scalable Clean Energy Solution – Designed for industrial-scale deployment to accelerate the transition to sustainable aviation fuel

    This Syntholene Energy profile is part of a paid investor education campaign.*

    Click here to connect with Syntholene Energy (TSXV:ESAF) to receive an Investor Presentation

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    Will Rhind: Gold, Silver at Record Highs, Mania Phase Still to Come

    Will Rhind, CEO of GraniteShares, outlines his thoughts on gold and silver heading into 2026, noting that historical precedents point to higher prices.

    ‘Clearly when you look back on some of those other periods for gold — and silver particularly — where they went to all-time highs, then we could be talking about a lot higher prices,’ he said.

    Securities Disclosure: I, Charlotte McLeod, hold no direct investment interest in any company mentioned in this article.

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    Prismo Metals Closes Acquisition of Increased Interest in Hot Breccia

    (TheNewswire)

     

    Prismo’s Interest Currently Stands at 95% With Option for Full Control

    Vancouver, British Columbia, January 16th, 2025 TheNewswire – Prismo Metals Inc. (‘Prismo’ or the ‘Company’) (CSE: PRIZ,OTC:PMOMF) (OTCQB: PMOMF) is pleased to announce that it has completed its previously announced transaction with Infinitum Copper Corp. (TSXV: INFI) (‘Infinitum’) whereby Prismo has increased its interest in the Hot Breccia copper project, located in the heart of Arizona’s prolific copper belt, from 75% to 95%. In addition, Prismo has obtained an irrevocable option to acquire Infinitum’s remaining 5% interest, providing a clear path to 100% interest in the project.

    Alain Lambert, CEO of Prismo commented: ‘This transaction marks a significant milestone for Prismo and provides a clear mechanism to securing full ownership of Hot Breccia. It materially improves the strategic flexibility of the project.’

    He added: ‘Prismo remains firmly committed to advancing Hot Breccia. The recent extension of certain milestone obligations under the option agreement with Walnut Mines LLC, the owner of the Hot Breccia claims, together with the completion of the transaction with Infinitum, provides the Company with additional flexibility as we evaluate a range of strategic alternatives. Each of these pathways’ goal is to drill what we consider to be one of the most compelling copper exploration opportunities in Arizona and the broader United States.‘

    Dr. Linus Keating, manager of Walnut Mines LLC, enthusiastically commented: ‘Walnut Mines is solidly in favor of any action that moves Hot Breccia closer to a serious drill program. We are hopeful that this transaction will accomplish that goal in 2026. In our opinion, this property remains one of the best copper exploration opportunities in North America.’

    Under the terms of the transaction, Prismo paid Infinitum CA $185,000 to acquire a 20% additional interest in the Hot Breccia project and assumed all of Infinitum’s remaining obligations under the existing option agreement with Walnut to issue shares to Walnut, which has been satisfied by the issuance to Walnut of 450,630 common shares at a deemed issue price of $0.11 per share. Prismo has also agreed to pay Infinitum 5% of any consideration received in connection with a transaction in which Prismo assigns its interest in Hot Breccia to a third party to acquire the 5% interest held by Infinitum.

    Prismo‘s Hot Breccia project lies at the heart of the Arizona Copper Belt, which hosts several globally significant porphyry copper deposits.  Examples of these significant deposits are Freeport McMoRan’s Miami-Inspiration mining complex, BHP’s San Manuel mine, Rio Tinto and BHP’s Resolution deposit and others (see Figure 1).  

     

    Figure 1. Location of the Hot Breccia Project in the Arizona Copper Belt.

    The Company wishes to update its January 12th, 2026 news release to confirm that the Company issued 2,250,000 units for gross proceeds of $225,000 and issued 140,000 Finder’s Warrants and paid finder’s commissions of $14,000 to a certain qualified finder. Each Unit consisted of one common share in the capital of the Company (a ‘Share‘) and one common share purchase warrant of the Company (a ‘Warrant‘). Each Warrant entitles the holder to purchase one Share for a period of thirty-six (36) months from the date of issue at an exercise price of $0.175. Prismo intends to proceed next week a final closing of 1,500,000 Units for gross proceeds of $150,000.

    About Prismo Metals Inc.

    Prismo (CSE: PRIZ,OTC:PMOMF) is a mining exploration company focused on advancing its Hot Breccia copper project in Arizona and its Palos Verdes silver project in Mexico.

    Please follow @PrismoMetals on , , , Instagram, and

    Prismo Metals Inc.

    1100 – 1111 Melville St., Vancouver, British Columbia V6E 3V6  Phone: (416) 361-0737

    Contact:

    Alain Lambert, Chief Executive Officer alain.lambert@prismometals.com

    Gordon Aldcorn, President gordon.aldcorn@prismometals.com

    Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Information

    This release includes certain statements and information that may constitute forward-looking information within the meaning of applicable Canadian securities laws. Forward-looking statements relate to future events or future performance and reflect the expectations or beliefs of management of the Company regarding future events. Generally, forward-looking statements and information can be identified by the use of forward-looking terminology such as ‘intends‘ or ‘anticipates‘, or variations of such words and phrases or statements that certain actions, events or results ‘may’, ‘could‘, ‘should‘, ‘would‘ or ‘occur‘. This information and these statements, referred to herein as ‘forward‐looking statements’, are not historical facts, are made as of the date of this news release and include without limitation, statements regarding discussions of future plans, estimates and forecasts and statements as to management’s expectations and intentions with respect to, among other things: the timing, costs and anticipated results of drilling at Hot Breccia; the ability of Prismo to fund drilling and pursue potential third-party partnerships; the Company’s strategic flexibility with respect to the Hot Breccia project going forward; the number of shares issuable by Prismo to Walnut pursuant to the transaction described in this news release; and the Company’s expectations regarding mineralization and other qualities of the Hot Breccia project.

    These forward‐looking statements involve numerous risks and uncertainties, and actual results might differ materially from results suggested in any forward-looking statements. These risks and uncertainties include, among other things: delays in obtaining or failure to obtain appropriate funding to finance the exploration program at Hot Breccia; the risk that the Company will not enter into a third-party partnership with respect to the Hot Breccia project; the risk that mineralization will not be as anticipated at the project; the risk that the Company will not be able to take advantage of geological information to refine drill targeting; metal prices; market uncertainty; and other risks and uncertainties application to exploration activities and the Company’s business as set forth in the Company’s disclosure documents available for viewing under the Company’s profile on SEDAR+ at www.sedarplus.com.

    In making the forward-looking statements in this news release, the Company has applied several material assumptions, including without limitation, that: the ability to raise capital to fund the drilling campaign at Hot Breccia and the timing of such drilling campaign; the ability of the Company to enter into a third-party partnership on the project; that the project will have the anticipated mineralization and other qualities; and the  Company will be able to take advantage of geological information to refine drill targeting.

    Although management of the Company has attempted to identify important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those contained in forward-looking statements or forward-looking information, there may be other factors that cause results not to be as anticipated, estimated or intended. There can be no assurance that such statements will prove to be accurate, as actual results and future events could differ materially from those anticipated in such statements. Accordingly, readers should not place undue reliance on forward-looking statements and forward-looking information. Readers are cautioned that reliance on such information may not be appropriate for other purposes. The Company does not undertake to update any forward-looking statement, forward-looking information or financial out-look that are incorporated by reference herein, except in accordance with applicable securities laws. We seek safe harbor.

    Copyright (c) 2026 TheNewswire – All rights reserved.

    News Provided by TheNewsWire via QuoteMedia

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    Solar Panel Makers Look to Sub Copper for Silver as Price Hits Record Levels

    The solar industry is turning to base metals and innovation to bypass the soaring silver price.

    Silver’s exceptional electrical and thermal conductivity make it a critical material in the production of photovoltaics (PV). However, record-high prices are forcing key solar industry players to find more cost-effective alternatives.

    In a September 2025 report, BNEF analysts note that silver represents about 14 percent of the total cost of production for solar panels, up from 5 percent in 2023. At the time, silver was trading in the US$42 to US$46 per ounce range.

    Since then, the white metal’s price has exploded, hitting an all-time high of US$93.77 on Wednesday (January 14). That’s double the level it was in September, and a nearly 200 percent increase from the year before.

    In an industry already fraught with intense competition, such a large leap in the price for a major component is unsustainable. In response, top manufacturers in China such as LONGi Green Energy Technology (SHA:601012) are turning to base metals and technological innovations to help manage solar panel input costs.

    Solar panel makers bypassing silver

    China dominates the global solar PV industry, representing more than 80 percent of worldwide manufacturing capacity across the supply chain, including polysilicon, wafers, cells and modules.

    In early January, Bloomberg reported that starting in Q2, LONGi Green Energy is planning to start mass producing solar cells using base metals instead of silver in an effort to reduce costs.

    Di Giacomo believes that because LONGi Green Energy is one of the solar industry’s technological leaders, its move away from silver marks a significant turning point for the sector.

    Bloomberg notes that the company has joined the ranks of other Chinese solar manufacturers looking to sidestep silver’s price volatility. In December, JinkoSolar Holding (NYSE:JKS), which is headquartered in China, but listed in the US, said it was looking to roll out large-scale production of solar panels using base metals. Additionally, smaller firm Shanghai Aiko Solar Energy (SHA:600732) is producing 6.5 gigawatt solar cells without silver.

    “Other major manufacturers, such as JinkoSolar and AIKO Solar, are also exploring silver-free technologies or solutions that minimize the use of this metal,” said Di Giacomo. “The convergence of efforts among leading players suggests this is not an isolated trend, but rather a structural shift in how solar panels are designed and manufactured.”

    Is copper a viable alternative to silver?

    Copper is the prized favorite among the base metals for swapping out silver.

    While both metals have seen unprecedented price rallies on the back rising industrial demand from clean technologies and artificial intelligence, silver maintains an enormous premium over copper. Currency, the price of a troy ounce of silver is trading at about 22,000 percent higher than a troy ounce of copper.

    “Although its conductivity is slightly lower, copper is far more abundant, cheaper and supported by a more diversified supply chain,” stated Di Giacomo. “These characteristics make it an attractive option for an industry seeking to scale production without exposure to bottlenecks in critical raw materials.”

    The red metal may be a great electrical conductor, but it doesn’t match silver’s capabilities. There’s also the tendency for copper to oxidize and degrade, testing the long-term viability and reliability of copper-based solar components. For those reasons, subbing in copper presents technical challenges for PV makers.

    One area of concern for replacing silver with copper is the high temperatures needed in the fabricating process for tunnel oxide passivated contact (TOPCon) cells, the technology currently dominating the solar panel industry.

    This might not be as big an issue for LONGi Green Energy, which manufactures back-contact (BC) cells. The technical processes for adapting copper to this new type of solar cell architecture is much simpler compared to TOPCon cells.

    “New generations of copper-metallized cells are achieving efficiency levels increasingly close to those of traditional silver-based models,” said Di Giacomo. “In some cases, improvements are even being observed in mechanical strength and module durability, key factors for long-term solar installations and operation under demanding environmental conditions.”

    BC cells have also been shown to generate more power from the same amount of sunlight compared to TOPCon cells. A white paper from renewable energy advisory company Rinnovabili states that field data indicates that BC modules are capable of producing up to 11 percent more energy over their lifetime compared to TOPCon technology.

    How will substitution impact silver?

    In a November 2025 report, the Silver Institute reported that industrial silver demand is projected to drop by 2 percent in 2025 to 665 million ounces. One of the contributing factors in the decline is an approximate 5 percent decrease in silver demand from the solar industry, even though the number of global PV installations set a new record high for the year. This is “due to a sharp drop in the amount of silver used in each module,” according to the firm.

    “A sustained reduction in solar sector silver demand could alter market dynamics,” warned Di Giacomo.

    However, at this point it’s too early to tell. For one, TOPCon technology is expected to account for 70 percent of the market in 2026. The cost of manufacturing BC cells is not expected to reach parity with TOPCon cells until the end of the decade, said Molly Morgan, senior research analyst at CRU Group, as reported by pv magazine.

    “That’s why we believe we might see a coexistence of the two technologies in the 2028 to 2030 timeframe,” she said.

    Securities Disclosure: I, Melissa Pistilli, hold no direct investment interest in any company mentioned in this article.

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    Maiden Sampling Identifies District-Scale Critical Minerals System at Blue Lagoon – Greenland

    Dalaroo Metals Ltd (ASX: DAL, “Dalaroo” or “Company”) is pleased to announce the results of its 2025 exploration program completed at the Company’s 100%-owned Blue Lagoon Project in Greenland (Figure 1).

    Highlights

    • Maiden sampling program at the Blue Lagoon Project (Blue Lagoon) unlocks new Zirconium (Zr) and Rare Earth Elements (REE) potential district in Greenland.
    • First sampling program at Blue Lagoon since 1979 has successfully returned elevated Zr + REE mineralisation. All 113 samples returned anomalous values, across a ~2.7km strike – indicating a highly prospective new critical metals district in Greenland.

    Zirconium & Hafnium

    • Exceptional high-grade Zirconium Oxide (ZrO2) and Hafnium Oxide (HfO2) surface samples include:
      • 4.42% ZrO2 & 98ppm HfO2 (Sediment Sample 26818D)
      • 4.09% ZrO2 & 99ppm HfO2 (Sediment Sample 26817D)
      • 3.82% ZrO2 & 82ppm HfO2 (Sediment Sample 26808D)
      • 3.58% ZrO2 & 61ppm HfO2 (Sediment Sample 26820D)
      • 3.13% ZrO2 & 62ppm HfO2 (Sediment Sample 26803D)
      • 2.85% ZrO2 & 73ppm HfO2 (Sediment Sample 26806D)
    • >2% ZrO2 and >40ppm HfO2 encountered in auger holes and sediment samples across the entire ~2.7km strike, indicating a large-scale, broad and well mineralised target area.
    • Hafnium is a critical semiconductor metal, which has become vital for supercharging the next-generation microchips and semiconductors, due to its high-K constant (dielectric constant) allowing Hafnium to store significantly more electrical charge than traditional SiO2 based semiconductors.
    • HfO2 has a K-constant approximately ~6x higher than SiO2, with one of the highest melting points of any compound, resulting in >1000x reduction in electron leakage through transistors versus SiO2 – underpinning the next generation of high-performing semiconductors1.
    • HfO2 (High Purity) indicative sale price currently at AU $16,297/kg, reflecting its advanced chemical properties, increasing demand in high‑tech applications, and the scarcity of hafnium‑bearing minerals2.
      • Blue Lagoon sampling has confirmed a ~2.7km strike with >2% ZrO2 and >40ppm HfO2 at surface, with potential for Hafnium grades to concentrate further at depth, subject to drilling confirmation.

    Rare Earths

    • The Blue Lagoon Project has returned high-grade REE results with consistent elevated Magnet Rare Earth Oxides (MREO)13 encountered at surface, with Total Rare Earth Oxide (TREO)13,16 grades highlighted by:
      • 8,079 ppm TREO with 29% MREO (Sediment Sample 26824D)
      • 6,491 ppm TREO with 27% MREO (Sediment Sample 26801D)
      • 5,668 ppm TREO with 27% MREO (Sediment Sample 26824C)
      • 5,654 ppm TREO with 27% MREO (Sediment Sample 26823D)
      • 5,519 ppm TREO with 25% MREO (Sediment Sample 26818D)
    • Blue Lagoon has shown exceptional Heavy Rare Earth Oxides (HREO)14,15 enriched in Dysprosium (Dy2O3) and Terbium (Tb4O7) grades encountered at surface, unlocking a new completely untapped district in Greenland:
      • 886ppm HREO (Sediment Sample 26824D)
      • 752ppm HREO (Sediment Sample 26801D)
      • 742ppm HREO (Sediment Sample 26823D)
      • 682ppm HREO (Sediment Sample 26807D)
      • 654ppm HREO (Sediment Sample 26806D)
      • 628ppm HREO (Sediment Sample 26818D)
      • 615ppm HREO (Sediment Sample 26808D)
      • 597ppm HREO (Sediment Sample 26824C)
      • 596ppm HREO (Sediment Sample 26817D)
      • 589ppm HREO (Sediment Sample 26822D)
      • 559ppm HREO (Sediment Sample 26820D)
    • TREO grades and HREO grades have the strong potential to improve as Dalaroo continues to assess full district potential of the Blue Lagoon Project and drill test immediate targets to determine the scale of the mineralised system.
    • Importantly, sampling at Blue Lagoon has returned low Uranium levels, with a maximum reading of 25ppm U3O8 which has the potential to simplify processing complexities and encouragingly falls below the 100ppm uranium threshold levels for permitting in Greenland
    • Placer & Liberated REE Potential: These exceptional REE grades were encountered at surface, consistently over the entire ~2.7km strike. With the natural weathering having enriched the REE into beach-like alluvial sediments – indicating potential for a proximal placer style REE deposit, where REE grains have been freely-liberated and has the potential to produce a REE concentrate through low CAPEX, simple physical separation methods.

    Click here for the full ASX Release

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