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Newmont (TSX:NGT,NYSE:NEM,ASX:NEM) is preparing to withdraw from the Toronto Stock Exchange later this month, the latest in a string of moves to streamline operations and rein in costs following its US$15 billion takeover of Newcrest Mining in 2023.

The Denver-based miner said Wednesday it has applied for a voluntary delisting of its common shares from the TSX, effective at the close of trading on September 24.

The company cited “low trading volumes” on the Canadian exchange and said the decision is expected to “improve administrative efficiency and reduce costs for the benefit of Newmont’s shareholders.”

Newmont’s shares will continue to trade on the New York Stock Exchange, where it maintains its primary listing, as well as on the Australian Securities Exchange and the Papua New Guinea Stock Exchange under the ticker symbol NEM.

Rising costs and restructuring plans

Newmont’s all-in sustaining costs reached record levels earlier this year, eroding profits even as bullion prices hit all-time highs above US$3,500 an ounce in April and remained above US$3,300 through most of the summer.

The company has acknowledged that its cost base has outpaced peers. In the second quarter, Newmont’s costs were nearly 25 percent higher than those of Agnico Eagle Mines, a Canadian rival considered one of the industry’s leanest producers.

Costs have also risen more than 50 percent over the past five years, driven by higher energy, labor, and material prices, as well as integration expenses tied to Newcrest’s operations.

Chief Executive Officer Tom Palmer told investors in July that Newmont was pursuing additional measures to lower its expenses.

Behind the scenes, Newmont has been preparing for more aggressive measures.

People familiar with the matter told Bloomberg News that management has set an internal target to lower costs by as much as US$300 per ounce, or roughly 20 percent.

Meeting that benchmark could require thousands of layoffs across the company’s global workforce of about 22,000, excluding contractors.

While Newmont has not disclosed the scope of planned reductions, some employees have already been informed of redundancies, according to the report. Managers have also been briefed on potential curbs to long-term incentive programs as part of a broader restructuring.

A company spokesperson confirmed earlier this year that Newmont launched a cost and productivity improvement program in February.

Alongside cost cutting, Newmont has moved swiftly to divest non-core assets acquired in the Newcrest deal.

Since late 2024, the company has sold multiple Canadian operations: the Eleonore mine for about US$795 million, the Musselwhite mine in Ontario for $850 million, and its stake in the Porcupine operations for US$425 million.

The asset sales are intended not only to cut debt but also to sharpen focus on higher-margin operations, particularly in North America and Australia.

Despite higher costs, Newmont shares have surged 95 percent this year, followed by also announcing a US$3 billion share repurchase program in July.

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

This post appeared first on investingnews.com

Here’s a quick recap of the crypto landscape for Wednesday (September 10) as of 9:00 p.m. UTC.

Get the latest insights on Bitcoin, Ethereum and altcoins, along with a round-up of key cryptocurrency market news.

Bitcoin and Ethereum price update

Bitcoin (BTC) was priced at US$113,543, a 1.9 percent increase in 24 hours. Its highest valuation of the day was US$114,246, and its lowest was US$112,205.

Bitcoin price performance, September 10, 2025.

Chart via TradingView.

Bitcoin broke through US$114,000 on Wednesday after US producer price index numbers for August came in lower than expected, thanks to a decline in the cost of services.

Crypto trader Rekt Capital has identified US$113,000 as a potential resistance zone.

“Each rejection from $113k (red) has yielded shallower and shallower pullbacks,” he commented. ‘It has taken some time but it is increasingly looking like $113k is weakening as a point of rejection.’

“It’s unlikely Bitcoin has already peaked in its Bull Market because that would effectively mean that this cycle was one of the shortest of all time,” he said in another post, suggesting Bitcoin could have more room to run.

Ether (ETH) was priced at US$4,324.50, an increase of 0.7 percent over the past 24 hours. Its highest valuation on Wednesday was US$4,437.72, and its lowest was US$4,305.60.

Altcoin price update

  • Solana (SOL) was priced at US$221.78, an increase of 2.4 percent over the last 24 hours. Its highest valuation on Wednesday was US$224.95, and its lowest level was US$219.27.
  • XRP was trading for US$2.98, up by 0.4 percent in the past 24 hours. Its highest valuation of the day was US$3.02, and its lowest valuation was US$2.96.
  • SUI (Sui) was valued at US$3.55, up by 2.3 percent in the past 24 hours. Its highest price on Wednesday was US$3.62 and its lowest was US$.351.
  • Cardano (ADA) was priced at US$0.8757, up by 1.5 percent over 24 hours. Its highest valuation on Wednesday was US$0.8933, and its lowest was US$0.8726.

Today’s crypto news to know

Klarna secures US$1.37 billion in New York IPO

Klarna (NYSE:KLAR) raised US$1.37 billion in its US initial public offering (IPO) this week, marking one of the largest fintech listings of the year and a potential catalyst for other high-growth firms eyeing Wall Street.

The Swedish buy-now-pay-later company sold 34.3 million shares at US$40 each, topping its expected price range and valuing the firm at roughly US$15 billion. Investor appetite was strong, with the deal oversubscribed 25 times. The figure, however, is still far below the US$45 billion valuation it commanded at the peak of its pandemic surge.

Klarna, backed by Sequoia Capital, has been unprofitable since expanding aggressively in the US, where costs have climbed faster than revenues. The company’s losses widened to US$52 million in the second quarter, but overall sales still grew nearly 21 percent year-on-year.

SEC unveils ‘bold blueprint’ for crypto regulation

At an Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development roundtable in Paris, France, on Wednesday, US Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) Chair Paul Atkins outlined a “bold blueprint” to accommodate blockchain-based financial markets with modern securities regulations under the Project Crypto initiative.

“It is a new day at the SEC,” Atkins said. “Policy will no longer be set by ad hoc enforcement actions. We will provide clear, predictable rules of the road so that innovators can thrive in the United States.

Under the SEC’s new regulatory approach, most crypto tokens will not be classified as securities. The initiative also aims to modernize securities rules to enable crypto platforms to operate as so-called super apps that offer trading, lending and staking services under one unified regulatory framework. Additionally, the SEC is preparing for the expanding role of artificial intelligence (AI) in finance by creating an AI task force and encouraging innovation in agentic finance.

Paxos teams up with PayPal and Venmo for USDH stablecoin

Stablecoin issuer Paxos has updated its proposal to issue USDH, the planned stablecoin of decentralized exchange Hyperliquid, adding support from PayPal Holdings (NASDAQ:PYPL) and Venmo.

According to the announcement, PayPal will support both the HYPE token and USDH at its checkout, as well as provide US$20 million in incentives committed to the HYPE ecosystem.

The company will also integrate USDH into its payment app, Venmo and its money remittance service, Xoom.

Paxos indicated that USDH could achieve global circulation due to its regulatory status within the EU. “Paxos is the only issuer in the world today that can ensure that USDH can scale globally in a fully compliant manner,” it said.

The company reiterated that its commitment to Hyperliquid is structured so that “Paxos only wins if Hyperliquid wins,” meaning its revenue share from the USDH stablecoin only begins after reaching significant growth milestones, and all revenue from USDH will be reinvested into growing Hyperliquid and its ecosystem until it reaches a TVL of US$1 billion. Beyond a TVL of US$5 billion, Paxos will cap its revenue share at 5 percent.

Cboe to launch long-term BTC and ETH futures

Cboe Global Markets announced on Wednesday that it plans to launch 10 year continuous futures contracts for Bitcoin and Ether from November 10, 2025, pending regulatory approval.

Traditional futures contracts have short durations and expire regularly, requiring traders to roll their positions into new contracts, which can be complex and costly. Cboe’s proposed product means investors will be able to hold a position in Bitcoin or Ether futures for up to 10 years, offering a new way for investors to gain or manage long-term exposure.

These contracts are cash settled and priced in alignment with the real-time spot prices of Bitcoin and Ethereum, and will use a daily funding rate adjustment to keep the futures price closely tied to the underlying crypto price, functioning similarly to popular perpetual futures in decentralized finance markets.

This launch marks Cboe’s expansion into offering perpetual-style crypto futures under US regulation.

India leans away from sweeping crypto regulation

India is signaling it will avoid a full-scale regulatory framework for cryptocurrencies, according to a government paper reviewed by Reuters. The document reiterates the Reserve Bank of India’s view that regulating digital assets could unintentionally confer legitimacy and increase risks to the broader financial system.

Instead, officials are leaning toward limited oversight, wary of speculative trading and systemic contagion.

This stance comes as other major economies, including Japan and Australia, advance regulatory regimes while China keeps its outright ban in place. US developments, including federal recognition of stablecoins, have added pressure on India to clarify its position, but policymakers remain cautious. Attempts to ban private cryptocurrencies in 2021 stalled, and a planned 2024 discussion paper was shelved pending international consensus.

For now, India is prioritizing containment over expansion, even as Bitcoin prices and global adoption hit record highs.

Rapyd launches stablecoin payment suite

Fintech platform Rapyd has introduced its Stablecoin Payment Solutions, giving businesses the ability to accept, settle and pay out using stablecoins through one integrated system. The offering is pitched as an answer to fragmented global money movement, consolidating what has often required multiple providers into a single platform.

Rapyd aims to tap over US$27 trillion in stablecoin transaction volume recorded across blockchains this year.

The platform enables real-time payouts, treasury management and currency conversion, potentially easing reliance on traditional rails like SWIFT. Executives at the company say the new service is aimed at industries ranging from gaming to global e-commerce, where speed and liquidity are critical.

As both US and European regulators formalize rules under the GENIUS Act and MiCA, Rapyd is betting that its unified approach can help enterprises cut costs and streamline cross-border operations.

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

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

This post appeared first on investingnews.com

Vancouver, British Columbia September 11, 2025 Rio Silver Inc. (‘Rio Silver’ or the ‘Company’) (TSX.V: RYO,OTC:RYOOD) (OTC: RYOOF) announces private placement of units. Rio Silver Inc. has arranged a non-brokered private placement financing of up to 13 million units at $0.10 per unit for gross proceeds of up to $1.3-million.

Each unit consists of one common share and one transferable warrant. Each whole warrant is exercisable into one common share at 15 cents per share for three years from closing. If, following the final closing date of the private placement, the company’s common shares close at or above 25 cents on the TSX Venture Exchange (or such other exchange on which the shares may trade) for 15 consecutive trading days, the company may accelerate the warrant expiry date by issuing a news release. The warrants would then expire 30 days from the date of that notice.

The private placements may be closed in one or more tranches subject to conditional approval from the TSX-V.

Subject to compliance with applicable laws and TSX-V approval, the company may pay a finder’s fee or commission of up to 8 per cent and issue 8% brokers warrants to persons who assist in the introduction of investors to the company, which without limiting the foregoing may include cash, common shares and warrants, or a combination thereof.

The gross proceeds from the issue and sale of the units, excluding warrant proceeds, will be used for exploration and development of the company’s projects in Peru and for general working capital purposes.

About Rio Silver

Rio Silver is a resource development company that has been selectively identifying and acquiring precious metal assets that are anticipated to produce near term cashflow to best assist the Company’s exploration / development plans, in a non-dilutive, shareholder-friendly way. We remain ever impressed and optimistic by the resilience and ingenuity of our host country as Peru continues to endorse supportive mining policies and continued growth, as evident by the continuing investment being witnessed throughout Peru.

ON BEHALF OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS OF Rio Silver INC.

Chris Verrico

Director, President and Chief Executive Officer

Neither the TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.

For further information,

Christopher Verrico, President, CEO

Tel: (604) 762-4448

Email: chris.verrico@riosilverinc.com

Website: www.riosilverinc.com

This news release includes forward-looking statements that are subject to risks and uncertainties. All statements within, other than statements of historical fact, are to be considered forward looking. Although the Company believes the expectations expressed in such forward-looking statements are based on reasonable assumptions, such statements are not guarantees of future performance and actual results or developments may differ materially from those in forward-looking statements. Factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those in forward-looking statements include market prices, exploitation and exploration successes, continued availability of capital and financing, and general economic, market or business conditions. There can be no assurances that such statements will prove accurate and, therefore, readers are advised to rely on their own evaluation of such uncertainties. We do not assume any obligation to update any forward-looking statements except as required by applicable laws.

News Provided by GlobeNewswire via QuoteMedia

This post appeared first on investingnews.com

Perth, Australia (ABN Newswire) – Altech Batteries Limited (ASX:ATC,OTC:ALTHF) (FRA:A3Y) (OTCMKTS:ALTHF) is pleased to announce the latest performance results of the CERENERGY(R) cell and battery pack prototypes. These results confirm the technological maturity and robustness of the CERENERGY(R) technology and mark another decisive step towards industrialisation.

Highlights

– 650+ cycles with no capacity loss, proving exceptional material stability and long operational lifespan compared to conventional batteries

– Near 100% Coulombic efficiency, confirming minimal side reactions and strong intrinsic safety of sodium nickel chloride chemistry

– High energy efficiency of up to 92%, surpassing typical 70-80% levels of competing battery technologies

– Proven safety under extreme conditions – cells remained stable during overcharge, deep discharge, and thermal cycling up to 300 degC with no gassing, leakage, or rupture

– Robust and reliable chemistry – sodium nickel chloride avoids flammable electrolytes and runaway risks, confirming suitability for safe, large-scale grid and renewable energy storage

– ABS60 prototype validated under real-world conditions -tested across diverse load profiles, high-current pulses up to 50 A, and thermal variations

– Stable, efficient performance – achieved ~88% round-trip efficiency with no observable capacity fade over 110+ cycles

CELL PERFORMANCE

The CERENERGY(R) prototype cells have successfully completed over 650 charge-discharge cycles without any detectable capacity loss. Cycle life is a critical measure of battery durability, as most conventional batteries experience gradual degradation with every cycle. Achieving such performance highlights the outstanding stability of the materials and points to the potential for a long operational lifespan.

For stationary energy storage systems (ESS), this translates into fewer battery replacements, lower lifetime operating costs, and greater reliability for end users.

The cells also delivered nearly 100% Coulombic efficiency alongside an energy efficiency of up to 92% across 650 cycles. Coulombic efficiency reflects the proportion of charge recovered during discharge relative to what was supplied during charging. A value approaching 100% indicates minimal side reactions or parasitic losses, confirming the intrinsic stability and safety of sodium nickel chloride chemistry. This high efficiency demonstrates that the cells are not expending energy on unwanted processes such as electrode degradation. Such performance is vital for scalability, ensuring reliable, longterm operation in commercial energy storage applications.

Energy efficiency represents the proportion of energy delivered relative to the energy supplied. Competing technologies, including conventional high-temperature batteries and many flow batteries, typically achieve only around 70-80%. By reaching 92%, CERENERGY(R) positions itself in a highly competitive class, offering more cost-effective energy storage, stronger economics for grid operators, and seamless compatibility with the requirements of renewable energy integration.

The cells achieved a nominal capacity of 100 Ah and 250 Wh, with reliable performance even at higher discharge rates. A key feature is their ability to support multiple daily charge-discharge cycles within the 20-80% state of charge (SoC) range at 25 A. This capability positions CERENERGY(R) as a highly flexible solution for grid operators and energy storage providers, enabling cost-efficient, long-life performance in applications that demand frequent cycling such as renewable integration, peak shaving, and backup power.

CERENERGY(R) prototype cells underwent rigorous abuse testing, including overcharge to 4 V, deep discharge to 0.2 V, and thermal cycling between room temperature and 300 degC. In all cases, the cells remained stable with no gassing, leakage, or rupture -clear proof of their outstanding safety. These results highlight the intrinsic stability of sodium nickel chloride chemistry, which avoids the flammable electrolytes and runaway risks common in lithium-ion batteries. The ability to withstand extreme electrical and thermal stress demonstrates CERENERGY(R)’s robustness and confirms its suitability for safe, largescale deployment in grid, renewable, and industrial energy storage applications. This was achieved over 3 cycles with 1.8 Full Charge Equivalent (FCE) into 22 hours.

BATTERY PACK ABS60 (60 kWh) PROTOTYPE

The first ABS60 battery pack prototype has been successfully validated under real-world operating conditions, marking a major step forward in product readiness. Testing included diverse load profiles,

continuous discharges at 25 A (equivalent to C-rate of C/4 (discharges in 4 hours), or one-quarter of the pack’s rated capacity per hour) at 80% depth of discharge (DoD), short-duration high-current pulses up to 50 A, and carefully controlled thermal variations.

The pack consistently demonstrated stable performance, achieving ~88% round-trip efficiency while maintaining reliable thermal management. Efficiency refers to the proportion of input energy that can be retrieved during operation-a critical measure of economic viability for large-scale storage. Over more than 110 cycles, results showed no observable capacity fading and only a slight increase in internal resistance. Capacity fading refers to the gradual decline in usable energy over repeated cycles, while internal resistance influences power delivery and heat generation.

The absence of meaningful degradation confirms the durability and electrochemical stability of the ABS60 design. These outcomes are highly significant as they demonstrate that the pack can withstand real-world duty cycles while retaining performance and efficiency, translating into longer service life, fewer replacements, and lower total cost of ownership.

For grid operators and renewable integration projects, this combination of robust cycling capability, efficiency, and thermal stability underscores the ABS60’s commercial readiness and competitive advantage in the stationary energy storage market.

These results are a strong confirmation of CERENERGY(R)’s technological leadership and a clear signal of the technology’s competitiveness and robustness for future applications in energy storage and industrial markets.

Group Managing Director, Iggy Tan said ‘These results confirm CERENERGY(R)’s robustness and readiness for market adoption. Demonstrating long cycle life, high efficiency, and unmatched safety, we are now strongly positioned to deliver a competitive and sustainable alternative for grid and industrial energy storage.’

*To view photographs, tables and figures, please visit:
https://abnnewswire.net/lnk/17QS44T3

About Altech Batteries Ltd:

Altech Batteries Limited (ASX:ATC,OTC:ALTHF) (FRA:A3Y) is a specialty battery technology company that has a joint venture agreement with world leading German battery institute Fraunhofer IKTS (‘Fraunhofer’) to commercialise the revolutionary CERENERGY(R) Sodium Alumina Solid State (SAS) Battery. CERENERGY(R) batteries are the game-changing alternative to lithium-ion batteries. CERENERGY(R) batteries are fire and explosion-proof; have a life span of more than 15 years and operate in extreme cold and desert climates. The battery technology uses table salt and is lithium-free; cobalt-free; graphite-free; and copper-free, eliminating exposure to critical metal price rises and supply chain concerns.

The joint venture is commercialising its CERENERGY(R) battery, with plans to construct a 100MWh production facility on Altech’s land in Saxony, Germany. The facility intends to produce CERENERGY(R) battery modules to provide grid storage solutions to the market.

Source:
Altech Batteries Ltd

Contact:
Corporate
Iggy Tan
Managing Director
Altech Batteries Limited
Tel: +61-8-6168-1555
Email: info@altechgroup.com

Martin Stein
Chief Financial Officer
Altech Batteries Limited
Tel: +61-8-6168-1555
Email: info@altechgroup.com

News Provided by ABN Newswire via QuoteMedia

This post appeared first on investingnews.com

Platinum is heading for a third consecutive annual deficit in 2025, with the World Platinum Investment Council (WPIC) projecting an 850,000 ounce shortfall as demand continues to outpace weak mine supply.

In its latest Platinum Quarterly, the WPIC states that despite a 22 percent year-on-year decline in demand, a lack of metal is expected to create a supply shortfall that’s only 13 percent lower than 2024’s 968,000 ounce shortfall.

Its call comes amid a price breakout for platinum, which pushed past US$1,450 per ounce in July.

Why is the platinum market in deficit?

The biggest challenge for platinum has been weak refined production, which slipped to 1.45 million ounces during the quarter from 1.54 million ounces produced during the same time last year.

This has led the WPIC to predict a 6 percent decrease in primary supply to 5.43 million ounces, down from the 5.76 million ounces produced in 2024. Output declines in top producer South Africa have had outsized effects on supply, as Q1 output came in at just 713,000 ounces, as heavy rainfalls negatively impacted production.

Although output grew to 1.05 million ounces in the second quarter, it was still 8 percent lower than in Q2 2024.

Additional decreases to output are also expected in Zimbabwe and North America, slipping 4 percent and 26 percent, respectively. However, Russia is set to see a 1 percent rise in output, increasing to 686,000 ounces from 677,000 in 2024.

On a more positive note, recycling supply saw an increase to 423,000 ounces during Q2 from 379,000 reported in 2024. This has led the WPIC to predict a 6 percent annual increase to 1.6 million ounces from 1.52 million last year.

The majority of this increase comes from growth in automotive recycling, aided by higher platinum group basket prices. However, the WPIC notes that despite the growth, recycling will remain depressed compared to historic levels.

The WPIC predicts an overall supply decrease of 3 percent in 2025 to 7.03 million ounces, from 7.28 million ounces in 2024. With three years of deficits, the group is also expecting further drawdowns of above-ground stocks with a 22 percent decrease to 2.98 million ounces, representing four and a half months of demand coverage.

In recent years, stockpiles have fallen from 5.51 million ounces in 2022 to 4.8 million ounces in 2023 and 3.83 million ounces in 2024.

“I don’t think we’re going to see any meaningful mine supply response at these levels. It’s also worth bearing in mind that these are, for the most part, deep-level underground mines. So even if we had another 50 percent increase in the basket price, you’re still not going to see a supply response over the near to medium term,” he said.

Watch Sterck discuss the platinum market.

He went on to explain that development times for mining operations will take several years and wouldn’t be possible on time frames shorter than 18 months.

“Recycling is definitely much more price elastic than mine supply over the near to medium term,” Sterck said.

However, he added that while people tend to scrap vehicles at a consistent rate, the pace and overall supply entering the market from the auto sector is constrained.

“Yes, we’ve seen quite a big increase in the platinum price year to date, but it’s not the main driver of the economics for those scrap aggregators and recyclers. It’s really more of a palladium story, even more so than rhodium. So, you need a sustained increase in palladium prices to drive a meaningful change there,” Sterck said.

Demand to weaken in 2025, jewelry a bright spot

Despite the expected deficit, the WPIC expects demand to weaken this year.

Q2 saw automotive demand fall to 769,000 ounces, down from 788,000 ounces in the year-ago period.

The WPIC’s expectation is that the auto sector will require 3.03 million ounces of platinum in 2025, a 3 percent decrease from the 3.11 million ounces needed in 2024. Likewise, the council is expecting a decrease in industrial demand for the metal as consumption drops off by 22 percent to 1.9 million, down from 2.42 million ounces last year.

Jewelry demand, however, has been on the rise, with the expectation that it will increase by 11 percent to 2.23 million ounces in 2025. The WPIC suggests the higher growth is owed to its discount relative to gold, and notes that it is seeing the most substantial increase in China — fabrication is seen growing 42 percent in 2025 to 585,000 ounces.

“What’s driving that increase has been fabrication funded by wholesalers, and they’re promoting platinum because they’ve seen a huge drop in their gold jewelry sales,” Sterck explained.

Despite an increase in holdings of bars, coins and exchange-traded funds, overall investment demand was dragged down in Q2 by a 317,000 ounce decrease in stocks held in exchanges due to tariff-related concerns.

Sterck said ongoing uncertainty in the platinum market earlier this year caused physical metal to shift from overseas markets into the US as traders began to worry about tariffs being applied.

Although movement reversed as traders were told tariffs wouldn’t be applied, fears were later stoked when copper tariffs were announced, and an “ideological disconnect” between the White House and South Africa emerged.

“Given that the current US administration has shown that it is willing to use tariffs as a kind of stick, if you like, for enacting foreign policy, you kind of come back to this sort of whole situation where there’s a non-zero chance of platinum being subject to tariffs in the US,” Sterck commented during the conversation.

Overall, the WPIC expects total platinum demand to drop by 4 percent year-on-year in 2025 to 7.88 million ounces.

Will the platinum price rise further in 2025?

Fundamentals should remain the primary driver for platinum. Despite weakening demand through the first half of 2025, a structural deficit in the market still exists due to a lack of supply to close the gap.

However, Sterck suggested the mining supply is likely to increase before the end of the year.

“This year was particularly accentuated by flooding in South Africa during the first quarter of the year, so we do expect a bit of an increase in mining supply,” he said. However, he also noted that until there are more significant changes to the amount of supply, the price conditions aren’t likely to change much.

“Fundamentally, at the moment, it just appears that the platinum price at current levels isn’t sufficient to attract enough metal into the market to really ease those market conditions,” Sterck noted.

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

This post appeared first on investingnews.com

Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney has announced the country’s first five nation-building projects.

In March and April, the Build Canada Strong platform was a cornerstone of Carney’s election campaign, which came amid increasing trade tensions between Canada and the US. Among his promises was to create a Major Projects Office (MPO) that would review projects deemed to be in the national interest.

That office was established over the summer, with a release saying it would be headquartered in Calgary and overseen by former TransAlta (TSX:TA,NYSE:TSE) and Trans Mountain CEO Dawn Farrell.

The MPO was created as part of a shift in the regulatory framework for approving infrastructure and resource projects in Canada. Part of that will involve streamlining reviews and assessments, as well as reducing duplication between the federal and provincial governments, an issue that has hindered investment in Canada over the last 20 years.

“One of many studies has shown that the regulatory requirements in Canada have increased by more than 40 percent since 2006 and that’s been suppressing investment growth by 9 percent,” Carney said on Thursday (September 11).

In his statement, the prime minister introduced the first tranche of projects, and suggested the second will be announced before the Canadian Football League’s Grey Cup match, scheduled for November 16.

He also outlined criteria for projects to be covered by the MPO. They must be in the national interest, and must strengthen Canada’s autonomy, resilience and security; they must also have clear benefits for Canadians.

The first group of projects selected by the MPO has already seen significant development.

The prime minister noted that they have already been through extensive consultation with Indigenous communities, and have worked with provincial and territorial governments to meet necessary regulatory standards.

For these, Carney said the goal is for the MPO to get them across the finish line.

“In some cases, they are in the last stages of regulatory approvals. In most cases, there is some aspect of the financing or support packages for the projects that remain to be determined,” he said.

Mining, energy projects highlighted in first tranche

Among the first five projects featured are three involving Canada’s mining and energy sectors:

        Additionally, the MPO has committed to supporting the Darlington New Nuclear Project in Clarington, Ontario. This project aims to develop the first small modular reactor in a G7 country.

        The MPO will also help speed up the expansion of the Contrecour Terminal container project at the Port of Montreal. This expansion is expected to boost shipping volumes along the St. Lawrence Seaway.

        A project that could be included in a future announcement is the Pathways Plus carbon capture project, which the prime minister said will eventually lead to further oil sands development and the construction of a pipeline to reach markets beyond the US. Additionally, Carney said the MPO is looking at upgrades to the Port of Churchill, as well as an Arctic economic and security corridor, a high-speed rail corridor between Toronto and Québec City and Wind West Atlantic Energy, which would provide wind power to the provinces on the Atlantic coast.

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

        This post appeared first on investingnews.com

        The Labor Department has announced an inquiry into the Bureau of Labor Statistics over recent changes to its data practices.

        In a letter published Wednesday, the office of the inspector general for the Labor Department cited the BLS’ recent decision to reduce data collection activities for two key inflation reports, as well as the large downward revision in employment estimates it announced Tuesday. It said it is reviewing the ‘challenges’ the agency has faced ‘in collecting and reporting closely watched economic data.’

        The probe comes one month after President Donald Trump fired the head of the BLS as part of a broader pressure campaign that critics say has risked politicizing a part of the government that has long played a crucial role in the business world. The BLS, which is tasked with collecting data on economic indicators such as jobs and inflation, had generally been left alone by previous administrations.

        But Trump began zeroing in on the BLS as his frustrations with the Federal Reserve mounted, coinciding with economic numbers that started to warn about a broader U.S. slowdown.

        Since then, the labor market has slowed considerably. Just before the head of the BLS was fired, the department released a weaker-than-expected jobs report, citing claims of data manipulation that critics say are unfounded.

        Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell, another frequent target of Trump’s, has said Fed policymakers are ‘getting the data that we need to do our jobs’ and stressed the importance of the federal statistical agencies.

        ‘The government data is really the gold standard in data,’ he added. ‘We need it to be good and to be able to rely on it.’

        Trump then nominated E.J. Antoni, an economist with the far-right Heritage Foundation, as the new head of the BLS, a move many economists have criticized.

        Trump and other BLS critics have focused on the department’s revisions to its reports, a practice that dates back decades and has been generally seen as a necessary part of the challenge of collecting near-term economic data. It has also faced other challenges in data collection, including budget challenges and low response rates to its collection efforts.

        The BLS previously said the decision to reduce inflation data surveys was necessary given existing budget constraints. Meanwhile, mainstream economists say the latest downward revisions — while large — are part of a routine annual process known as benchmarking.

        While response rates to the bureau’s surveys have been declining, researchers recently found that revisions and falling response rates did not reduce the reliability of the jobs and inflation reports.

        This post appeared first on NBC NEWS

        Blencowe Resources Plc (LSE: BRES), advancing the large-scale, high-quality Orom-Cross graphite project in Uganda, is pleased to release its latest corporate presentation, offering a detailed update on the Project’s development and upcoming milestones.

        Presentation Highlights:

        · Definitive Feasibility Study (DFS) near completion, targeted for Q4 2025

        · PFS delivered post-tax NPV8 of US$482M and 49% IRR8 with economics expected to be materially upgraded in the upcoming DFS

        · Strategic partnership with the US Development Finance Corporation (DFC), which has provided US$5M non-dilutive grant funding for the DFS

        · Offtake agreements signed that cover the full Phase One production.

        · Downstream value-add strategy to purify graphite to battery grade within Uganda underway

        · Targeting first production by end-2026, with plans to scale up from 10,000 tonnes to 175,000 tonnes production of concentrate

        · Strong ESG credentials, including 100% hydropower, net-zero mine strategy, and EU-linked offtake via Project SAFELOOP

        The full presentation is available on the Company’s website:

        https://blencoweresourcesplc.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/Blencowe-Presentation-Sept-2025.pdf

        Blencowe’s CEO Mike Ralston commented:

        ‘Orom-Cross is building strong momentum as we approach DFS completion. Ahead of the study’s conclusion, we expect the first in a series of assay results from our recent successful infill drilling campaign, which will underpin a material resource upgrade and considerably enhance project economics.’

        ‘Together with our strategic partnerships, our established infrastructure at site and our strong ESG credentials, we are positioning Orom-Cross to enter the financing phase as a significantly de-risked and globally competitive graphite project.’

        For further information please contact:

        Blencowe Resources Plc

        Sam Quinn (London Director)

        www.blencoweresourcesplc.com

        info@blencoweresourcesplc.com

        +44 (0)1624 681 250

        Investor Enquiries

        Sasha Sethi

        Tel: +44 (0) 7891 677 441

        sasha@flowcomms.com

        Tavira Securities

        Jonathan Evans

        Tel: +44 (0)20 3192 1733 jonathan.evans@tavirasecurities.com

        Twitter https://twitter.com/BlencoweRes

        LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/company/72382491/admin/

        Background

        Orom-Cross Graphite Project

        Orom-Cross is a potential world class graphite project both by size and end-product quality, with a high component of more valuable larger coarse flakes within the deposit.

        A 21-year Mining Licence for the project was issued by the Ugandan Government in 2019 following extensive historical work on the deposit. Blencowe has already completed a successful Pre-Feasibility Study on the Project and is now within the final stage of the Definitive Feasibility Study phase as it drives towards first production.

        Orom-Cross presents as a large, shallow open-pitable deposit, with an initial JORC Indicated & Inferred Mineral Resource of 24.5Mt @ 6.0% TGC (Total Graphite Content). This Resource has been defined from only ~2% of the total tenement area which presents considerable upside potential ahead.

        Development of the resource is expected to benefit from a low strip ratio and free dig operations together with abundant inexpensive hydro-electric power off the national grid, thereby ensuring low operating costs. With all major infrastructure available at or near to site the capital costs will also be relatively low in comparison to most graphite peers.

        Click here for the full Press Release

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