Company Interviews

Crux Investor
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An insight into junior mining and opportunities to invest. Company Interviews, a Crux Investor show, exists to cut through the jargon, bias and bluster. Matthew Gordon, and guest host Merlin Marr-Johnson hone in on the important factors that indicate a company's strong footing for growth and success.

  1. 2 days ago

    Marimaca Copper (TSX:MARI) - 'Undervalued?' Investment Series, with Hayden Locke

    Interview with Hayden Locke, President & CEO of Marimaca Copper Corp. Our previous interview: https://www.cruxinvestor.com/posts/marimaca-copper-tsxmari-pampa-medina-shows-tier-one-potential-with-57-copper-hits-10588 Recording date: 13th July 2026 Marimaca Copper Corp. (TSX:MARI) is a Chile-focused copper developer whose flagship asset, the Marimaca Oxide Deposit (MOD), has reached Definitive Feasibility Study (DFS) completion and holds its key environmental approval (the RCA, received November 2025). Located in the Antofagasta region, the heart of the world's largest copper-producing jurisdiction, the MOD benefits from low-altitude, low-execution-risk positioning within 25 kilometres of the Port of Mejillones. The DFS outlines a 13-year mine life on 179 million tonnes of Proved and Probable reserves at 0.42% CuT, supporting roughly 50,000 tonnes per annum of copper cathode production via conventional heap leach and SX-EW processing. At a three-month average copper price of US$5.05/lb, the project delivers a post-tax NPV (8%) of US$1.1 billion and a 39% IRR with a 2.2-year payback; at the DFS's more conservative long-term price assumption of US$4.30/lb, post-tax NPV is US$709 million at a 31% IRR. Initial capital intensity of approximately US$11,700 per tonne of annual production ranks among the most capital-efficient greenfield copper developments globally. President and CEO Hayden Locke argued that Marimaca's current share price roughly reflects the standalone value of the MOD alone as the market is attaching little value to the Company's second asset, Pampa Medina. Located approximately 28 kilometres from the MOD, Pampa Medina is a sediment-hosted copper-silver system that Locke compares directly to the Kakula selective mining zone within the world-class Kamoa-Kakula complex in the Democratic Republic of Congo. Six drill rigs are currently active at Pampa Medina, running step-out and infill programmes. The company's most recent results extended the central high-grade bornite-chalcocite zone 300 metres south with hole SPRD-07 (including 6 metres at 6.11% copper and 24.0 g/t silver), while SPRD-08B intersected mineralisation in basement metasediments for the first time, reaching a total depth of 1,052 metres. Locke separately estimates that identified oxide extensions at Pampa Medina could add 20,000-25,000 tonnes a year of additional cathode production without further exploration success, complementing the existing MOD plant. Execution risk is a key focus for management. The board was recently strengthened with the addition of Chairman Giancarlo Bruno, former CEO of Mantos Copper, and non-executive director Zenon Wozniak, who spent 23 years as First Quantum Minerals' director of projects. Project Director Josh Watson leads an in-country execution team based in Santiago. Key near-term catalysts include: Sectorial Permit approvals expected in Q4 2026 following an on-schedule April 2026 submission; a project financing announcement, led by advisor Endeavour Financial, also expected by Q4 2026; continued Pampa Medina step-out drilling results; and a maiden Pampa Medina sulphide mineral resource estimate targeted for early 2027. Construction is targeted to begin in 2027, with first copper cathode guided for 2029. Investors should weigh the permitting, financing and execution risks inherent to any pre-production developer against a de-risked flagship asset and a exploration program that management believes offers substantial, currently unpriced upside. View Marimaca Copper's company profile: https://www.cruxinvestor.com/companies/marimaca-copper Sign up for Crux Investor: https://cruxinvestor.com

  2. 2 days ago

    Cartier Resources (TSXV:ECR) - New Discoveries Reshape Cadillac Gold Camp, PEA Update Underway

    Interview with Philippe Cloutier, President and CEO, Cartier Resources Our previous interview: https://www.cruxinvestor.com/posts/cartier-resources-tsxvecr-undervalued-investment-series-with-philippe-cloutier-9970 Recording date: 15th July 2026 Cartier Resources is reshaping its strategy at the Cadillac gold project in Quebec’s Abitibi Greenstone Belt after early 2026 drilling confirmed that mineralization extends well beyond the historic Chimo mine. New discoveries at the Contact Zone, the Portal area, and a դեռ largely untested southern target indicate the presence of multiple mineralized systems across the company’s 15–20 kilometre land package, supporting the idea of a broader “mining camp” rather than a single-deposit project. The results have prompted a redesign of Cartier’s exploration program. Instead of evenly distributed drilling across numerous targets, the company is prioritizing high-impact areas: infill drilling at Chimo, focused shallow drilling at the high-grade Contact and Portal zones, and a potentially large, multi-year campaign at the southern target. With about one-third of its 100,000-metre program completed, Cartier believes it has already demonstrated significant expansion potential. An updated Preliminary Economic Assessment (PEA), expected in September 2026, will reflect materially improved fundamentals compared with the 2023 study. The resource base has grown to 3.2 million ounces from 2.3 million, metallurgical recoveries have increased to roughly 97%, and gold prices have more than doubled, now exceeding $4,000 per ounce. The company is also evaluating toll milling at nearby facilities to reduce capital costs and accelerate permitting timelines. Strategically, Cartier is signaling a preference for partnership or acquisition rather than self-funded development, citing capital intensity and permitting complexity. Agnico Eagle, which already owns 27% of Cartier, remains a key stakeholder, though management is actively engaging a broader pool of potential partners amid rising global interest in Quebec gold assets. With over $5 million in treasury and expanded investor outreach across North America, Europe, and Asia, Cartier is positioning its updated PEA as a key catalyst in advancing the project toward a strategic transaction. Learn more: https://www.cruxinvestor.com/companies/cartier-resources-inc Sign up for Crux Investor: https://cruxinvestor.com

  3. 4 days ago

    ATHA Energy (TSXV:SASK) - Building the Next Uranium Basin

    Interview with Troy Boisjoli, CEO of ATHA Energy. Our previous interview: https://www.cruxinvestor.com/posts/atha-energy-tsxvsask-63m-funded-explorer-scales-up-2026-drill-program-10101 Recording date: 13th July 2026 ATHA Energy's 2026 exploration program at the Angilak Uranium Project in Nunavut is delivering early evidence that its uranium system extends well beyond the boundaries of its currently defined deposit. With three drill rigs active across two priority areas, the company has reported an 11.5 metre composite uranium mineralization intersection at Lac 50 West, located four kilometres from the known Lac 50 deposit, and a 37 metre composite intersection at RIB North, the widest result recorded at that target to date. Both results support CEO Troy Boisjoli's description of a district-scale opportunity spanning a 21-kilometre corridor at Lac 50 and an 18-kilometre corridor at RIB, rather than a series of isolated deposits. Management has been clear that 2026 is not a delineation year. Drilling is deliberately spaced between 150 and 500 metres apart, designed to establish continuity of mineralization across the wider system before committing to tighter, resource-defining infill drilling, which the company expects could begin in 2027 if results continue to track as planned. This sequencing is a meaningful signal for investors: near-term news flow is likely to focus on scale and continuity rather than resource ounces, and grade or thickness data should be read in that context. The program is well funded, following a $63 million raise in the first quarter of 2026 led by Queens Road Capital, giving the company a stated 24-month runway. ATHA also holds a broader Nunavut and Athabasca Basin land package that management has flagged as a source of potential future value. For investors, the key consideration is that current figures, including the conceptual 60.8 to 98.2 million pound exploration target at Lac 50, are not a defined mineral resource, and the eventual scale of the opportunity depends on whether this year's step-out drilling can be tied into continuous, economically relevant mineralized zones. — Learn more: https://cruxinvestor.com/companies/atha-energy Sign up for Crux Investor: https://cruxinvestor.com

  4. 4 days ago

    Cabral Gold (TSXV:CBR) - 85% Built, Q4 Production & District Growth Ahead

    Interview with Alan Carter, President and CEO, Cabral Gold Our previous interview: https://www.cruxinvestor.com/posts/cabral-gold-tsxvcbr-phase-one-heap-leach-on-schedule-q4-production-targeted-10682 Recording date: 14th July 2026 Cabral Gold is nearing a key milestone as it transitions from an exploration-focused company to a gold producer, with mining and ore stacking now underway at its Cuiú Cuiú gold-in-oxide project in Brazil. The activity forms part of the commissioning process for the Phase 1 heap leach operation, which is approximately 85% complete. Commercial gold production remains on track for the fourth quarter of 2026. The project is designed to process oxidized surface material using a low-cost heap leach method that avoids drilling, blasting, and complex milling. Ore from the MG deposit is currently being mined, sized, agglomerated, and stacked on leach pads, marking significant progress toward initial gold output. The remaining step before full production is commissioning the wet circuit, which will recover gold from solution. A key component of this process is the adsorption-desorption-recovery (ADR) plant, recently shipped from Australia and expected to arrive on site in late July 2026. Once installed, it will enable final commissioning stages through the third quarter. While initial gold production may begin earlier, Cabral has emphasized that commercial production will be declared only once steady-state output is achieved. Financially, the project remains aligned with the 2025 pre-feasibility study, including an estimated all-in sustaining cost of around $1,200 per ounce, offering strong margins even amid softer gold prices. The company is also evaluating a potential expansion of Phase 1, with further details expected soon. Meanwhile, exploration continues across the district, where Cabral is now modeling six deposits, double the previous estimate. With six drill rigs active and an updated resource estimate expected by year-end 2026, the company is positioning itself for both near-term cash flow and long-term growth. Learn more: https://www.cruxinvestor.com/companies/cabral-gold Sign up for Crux Investor: https://cruxinvestor.com

  5. 5 days ago

    Gold Lags but Mining Equities Outperform on Stock-Specific Catalysts

    Recording date: 11th July 2026 Olive Resource Capital delivered an approximate 15% return in the first half of 2026, outperforming many peers in a more moderate market environment compared to the strong gains of 2025. Returns were further supported by three portfolio company acquisitions, two of which closed the period, highlighting the role of opportunistic corporate activity in performance. The firm emphasized that such events are beneficial but not a reliable foundation for long-term strategy. The commodity landscape in H1 2026 was marked by a clear rotation. Lithium and oil emerged as the strongest performers, with oil remaining resilient despite price volatility and lithium rebounding after years of underinvestment. In contrast, gold, silver, and platinum group metals lagged after leading the previous year, undergoing what management described as a necessary consolidation phase. Despite weak underlying commodity prices, Olive’s strongest gains came from precious metals equities. This divergence reflects the firm’s focus on company-specific catalysts—such as mergers and acquisitions, resource updates, and technical studies—rather than direct exposure to commodity price movements. Holdings like K92 Mining exemplify this strategy, with growth-driven revaluation potential independent of gold price trends. Macroeconomic conditions remained broadly supportive, with strong global manufacturing activity and continued monetary stimulus, although reduced liquidity support from China is being monitored. Geopolitical tensions, including those involving Iran, influenced energy markets but were viewed as temporary disruptions with longer-term implications for supply chains and energy demand. Heading into the second half of 2026, the firm is cautiously deploying elevated cash reserves into energy and uranium, driven by themes such as AI-related power demand, electrification, and favorable seasonal trends. It continues to avoid West African development projects due to rising jurisdictional risks, instead favoring opportunities in North and South America where regulatory conditions are more stable and investment visibility is stronger. Sign up for Crux Investor: https://cruxinvestor.com

  6. 5 days ago

    Fox Tungsten (TSXV:FOXT) - High-Grade BC Project Targets 3Mt Resource in 20,000m Drill Push

    Interview with Stephen Gray, President & CEO of Fox Tungsten Recording date: 11th July 2026 Fox Tungsten is advancing its high-grade Fox project in southern British Columbia, aiming to position it as a rare North American source of tungsten amid tightening global supply. The deposit averages roughly 1% tungsten, which management equates to about 20 grams per tonne gold or 25% copper at current prices, placing it among the higher-grade tungsten projects globally. However, its current resource of just over 1 million tonnes is considered too small to support economic development, prompting an aggressive 20,000-metre drilling campaign in 2026. The ongoing program, supported by two active rigs, focuses primarily on infill drilling between three known zones to expand the resource toward a target of approximately 3 million tonnes—seen as the minimum scale required for a Preliminary Economic Assessment (PEA). A smaller portion of drilling will test deeper extensions of the deposit for potential underground development, marking the first step toward longer-term growth. Metallurgical testing indicates a relatively simple processing route, with gravity separation achieving about 75% recovery into a high-grade tungsten concentrate exceeding 60%. The ore is also considered environmentally favorable, lacking harmful elements and unlikely to generate acid. Additional flotation testing is planned to potentially improve recovery further. Infrastructure advantages strengthen the project’s outlook, including road access, proximity to regional services, and an existing power line. The company is well-funded, with approximately C$15 million in working capital following a recent financing, sufficient to complete drilling and advance toward a PEA expected in 2027. Fox Tungsten’s strategy is supported by strong market dynamics. Tungsten prices have risen sharply due to both geopolitical pressures—particularly Chinese export constraints—and a broader structural supply deficit. With no active tungsten mines in North America, the Fox project could play a key role in diversifying supply if development progresses as planned. Sign up for Crux Investor: https://cruxinvestor.com

  7. 5 days ago

    Flagship Minerals (ASX:FLG) - Gold Growth Meets Tier-1 Copper Opportunity

    Interview with Paul Lock, Chairman & MD of Flagship Minerals Our previous interview: https://www.cruxinvestor.com/posts/flagship-minerals-asxflg-fast-tracks-isidora-project-to-21m-oz-gold-milestone-10307 Recording date: 9th July 2026 Flagship Minerals has repositioned itself as a focused gold and copper explorer, combining advancement of its flagship Isidora Gold Project in Chile with the acquisition of the Whipsaw Copper Project in British Columbia. The strategic shift is reinforced by the divestment of its RK Lithium Project for US$4 million, providing non-dilutive funding while simplifying the company’s commodity exposure. At the core of Flagship’s portfolio is the 2.1 million ounce Isidora project, where recent metallurgical drilling and trenching have been completed. The company is now progressing infill and extension drilling aimed at upgrading and expanding the resource, with an updated estimate targeted for late 2026 or early 2027. Parallel workstreams—including metallurgical testing, environmental studies, and water solution assessments, are feeding into a prefeasibility study expected in early 2027. Management believes Isidora remains significantly undervalued compared to peers, attributing the gap primarily to investor concerns around potential equity dilution rather than asset quality. The newly acquired Whipsaw Copper Project introduces large-scale copper optionality in a Tier-1 jurisdiction. Located near an operating mine in British Columbia, Whipsaw hosts a substantial exploration target of up to 1.02 billion tonnes at 0.2–0.4% copper equivalent. Importantly, the deal is structured with deferred payments and no minimum exploration spend, allowing Flagship to manage capital efficiently. The company is evaluating whether to advance drilling or spin out the asset into a separate listed vehicle, offering flexibility in how value is realized. Flagship’s broader strategy reflects a shift among junior miners toward multi-asset, multi-commodity portfolios that reduce reliance on a single project. With near-term catalysts at Isidora and strategic options at Whipsaw, the company aims to deliver growth, diversification, and a clearer pathway toward development without excessive shareholder dilution. View Flagship Minerals' company profile: https://www.cruxinvestor.com/companies/flagship-minerals Sign up for Crux Investor: https://cruxinvestor.com

  8. 6 days ago

    Gunnison Copper (TSX:GCU) - Advances $2B Arizona Project Toward 2028 Construction Decision

    Interview with Craig Hallworth, President & CEO of Gunnison Copper Our previous interview: https://www.cruxinvestor.com/posts/gunnison-copper-tsxgcu-new-pea-with-18-24-month-pfs-timeline-9611 Recording date: 8th July 2026 Gunnison Copper is positioning itself as a rising U.S. copper producer under new CEO Craig Hallworth, who recently stepped up from CFO following a leadership transition. The company has rapidly advanced its operations, bringing the Johnson Camp mine in Arizona into production within 18 months and using that momentum to progress its much larger flagship Gunnison project, which could supply up to 10% of current U.S. refined copper demand. A major priority has been financial restructuring. Gunnison successfully eliminated legacy secured debt in early 2026 and settled convertible debentures at a significant discount, strengthening its balance sheet and improving investor confidence. Institutional ownership has grown substantially, reflecting increased market credibility. Operationally, Johnson Camp is already producing copper cathode using Rio Tinto’s Nuton leaching technology, with output sold domestically, including to Amazon Web Services. The project has also qualified for U.S. federal tax credits and may benefit from additional state-level incentives. The flagship Gunnison project presents compelling economics, with an estimated after-tax value of nearly $2 billion and a 22.5% internal rate of return. Despite this, the company trades at a steep discount to peers. Management attributes this gap to its earlier-stage development status and sees significant upside as permitting, drilling, and feasibility work advance. A key differentiator is Gunnison’s integrated acid plant strategy, designed to mitigate supply chain risks and reduce reliance on imported sulfuric acid. Combined with an already-permitted site and low litigation risk, this supports a streamlined development pathway. With a large-scale drilling program underway and ongoing metallurgical testing, Gunnison aims to expand its resource base and attract a strategic partner ahead of a targeted construction decision by mid-2028, aligning with growing U.S. demand for domestically sourced critical minerals. View Gunnison Copper's company profile: https://www.cruxinvestor.com/companies/gunnison-copper Sign up for Crux Investor: https://cruxinvestor.com

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About

An insight into junior mining and opportunities to invest. Company Interviews, a Crux Investor show, exists to cut through the jargon, bias and bluster. Matthew Gordon, and guest host Merlin Marr-Johnson hone in on the important factors that indicate a company's strong footing for growth and success.

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  • Creator
    Crux Investor
  • Years Active
    2019 - 2026
  • Episodes
    2k
  • Rating
    Clean
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    © Copyright 2021 All rights reserved.
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    Company Interviews

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