The Hole Truth: Mining Investment Podcast

Resources Rising Stars
  • 5.0 (1)
  • INVESTING
  • UPDATED WEEKLY

The Hole Truth: Mining Investment Podcast is a product of Resources Rising Stars, hosted by Paul Armstrong, a seasoned expert in the world of finance and resources. With more than 30 years of experience as a finance journalist under his belt, Paul brings a wealth of knowledge and insight to his conversations with some of the most prominent figures in the industry. Each episode of The Hole Truth: Mining Investment Podcast is a deep dive into the inner workings of those resources companies which are making things happen, quizzing those in charge about their projects, their prospects, the challenges they face and the opportunities they offer to investors. Whether you’re an investor, industry professional, or simply interested in the latest developments in mining, energy, and resources, The Hole Truth is the podcast for you. Join Paul and his guests to hear about the latest investment opportunities in the resources sector. Produced by Resource Media ———— The Hole Truth: Mining Investment Podcast is a product of Read Corporate. Please note that Read Corporate does not provide investment advice and investors should seek personalised advice before making any investment decisions.

  1. 14H AGO

    Venari Minerals: Building One of America’s Highest-Grade Lithium Projects - Matt Healy (ASX: VMS)

    Venari Minerals is advancing what could become the third highest-grade lithium resource in the United States — and the company is focused on building 20 high-margin years, not a century-scale operation. Managing Director Matt Healy joins The Hole Truth to unpack the scale and grade of the resource, including a 47.9Mt high-grade zone grading just under 2,200ppm lithium. He explains why beneficiation and 98% leach recoveries could materially reduce acid consumption — the key operating cost lever in sedimentary lithium — and how upcoming infill drilling aims to convert the current Inferred resource to higher-confidence categories. The discussion also explores the accelerating U.S. critical minerals policy backdrop, shortened permitting timeframes, and growing strategic interest from Japan and South Korea as global lithium supply chains realign. For investors, the pathway is clear: resource upgrade, metallurgy, scoping study financials — and potential re-rating catalysts along the way.   Guest: Matt Healy Company: Venari Minerals Matt Healy is Managing Director of Venari Minerals, a U.S.-focused lithium exploration and development company advancing a high-grade sedimentary lithium project. Healy has extensive experience in resource project development, capital markets, and corporate strategy, with a focus on identifying and advancing critical minerals assets with strong geological fundamentals and strategic positioning.     Produced by Resource Media   The Hole Truth: Mining Investment Podcast is a product of Read Corporate. Please note that Read Corporate does not provide investment advice and investors should seek personalised advice before making any investment decisions.   The Hole Truth LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/showcase/the-hole-truth-podcast The Hole Truth YouTube: https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLI4sZkSfEpPi_u7OrD7lQ-tZHbdy6EhCC&si=iOcGscff7kMSw8c7 The Hole Truth Website: https://resourcesrisingstars.com.au/the-hole-truth-podcast/ The Hole Truth Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/theholetruthpodcast/ Company Website: https://venariminerals.com Key Insights High-Grade Lithium Resource Positioned Among the Top in the U.S. Venari Minerals’ project ranks as the sixth highest-grade lithium resource in the United States on a headline basis. More notably, its northern high-grade zone—at 47.9Mt grading just under 2,200ppm lithium at a higher cut-off—would rank as the third highest-grade lithium resource in the country if standalone. Grade concentration at scale is a critical differentiator in sedimentary lithium economics. Targeting 20 High-Margin Years Rather Than Maximum Scale While mega-projects such as Thacker Pass host more than 60Mt of contained lithium carbonate equivalent (LCE), Venari’s strategy is capital discipline over size. The company is targeting approximately 20 high-grade, high-margin production years rather than pursuing century-scale mine life. This approach aligns capital intensity with realistic financing pathways and return optimisation. Metallurgical Results De-Risk Operating Cost Profile Scoping-level leachability testwork has achieved up to 98% lithium recovery, an exceptional outcome for sedimentary-hosted lithium. Beneficiation testwork upgraded material from ~1,000ppm to ~2,400ppm lithium while retaining 85% of contained lithium and rejecting 65% of waste. Critically, this has the potential to halve acid consumption—typically the largest operating cost line item—materially improving project economics. Clear Pathway to Resource Upgrade and Re-Rating Catalysts The current resource is entirely Inferred, presenting a clear pathway for value creation through infill drilling and conversion to Indicated and Measured categories. Resource confidence upgrades historically support market re-ratings, particularly when coupled with additional metallurgical validation. A scoping study targeted by year-end is expected to deliver the project’s first financial framework. Strategic Tailwinds from U.S. Critical Minerals Policy Recent U.S. executive actions focused on energy security and critical minerals are accelerating permitting and unlocking government-backed financing channels. Institutions such as the Development Finance Corporation and the Export-Import Bank are increasingly active in critical minerals funding, while strategic stakes in domestic producers signal policy support. Growing investment interest from Japan and South Korea—particularly amid tariff-driven supply chain realignment—further enhances the strategic optionality of high-grade U.S. lithium assets like Venari’s.

    15 min

  2. FEB 9

    Unlocking Pickle Crow: Bellavista’s Strategy to Grow a 4Moz Canadian Gold System - Glenn Jardine (ASX: BVR)

    In this episode of The Hole Truth, Bellavista Resources Managing Director Glenn Jardine outlines the investment case for the Pickle Crow Gold Project in Ontario, Canada. With 2.8 million ounces in current resources and 1.5 million ounces historically produced, Pickle Crow is already a large-scale gold system. Glenn discusses why the next phase of value creation lies in near-mine resource extensions, underexplored regional targets, and the application of modern exploration techniques across a historically rich gold belt. The conversation also covers Bellavista’s A$35 million funding position, strong institutional backing, and how the company is positioning itself for resource growth and value accretion in one of Canada’s most prolific gold districts.   Guest Bio Glenn Jardine is a mining executive with experience across gold exploration, project acquisition, and capital markets. He is the Managing Director of Bellavista Resources, where he is leading the acquisition and advancement of the Pickle Crow Gold Project in Ontario, Canada, with a focus on resource growth, near-mine extensions, and regional exploration upside.     Produced by Resource Media The Hole Truth: Mining Investment Podcast is a product of Read Corporate. Please note that Read Corporate does not provide investment advice and investors should seek personalised advice before making any investment decisions. Links The Hole Truth LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/showcase/the-hole-truth-podcast The Hole Truth YouTube: https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLI4sZkSfEpPi_u7OrD7lQ-tZHbdy6EhCC&si=iOcGscff7kMSw8c7 The Hole Truth Website: https://resourcesrisingstars.com.au/the-hole-truth-podcast/ The Hole Truth Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/theholetruthpodcast/ Company Website: https://bellavistaresources.com.au/ Key Insights Established Gold Asset with Significant Scale The Pickle Crow Gold Project already hosts a 2.8Moz gold resource, with a further 1.5Moz historically produced between 1935 and 1966 at grades of approximately 0.5oz/t. This places the project’s combined gold endowment above 4Moz, providing a strong platform for future resource growth. Near-Mine Extensions Offer Immediate Upside Initial drilling is expected to focus on areas close to existing workings, targeting resource extensions and potential new discoveries. This strategy allows Bellavista to pursue relatively low-risk growth while building momentum early in the exploration program. Underexplored Regional Potential Large portions of the broader landholding remain lightly drilled, despite sitting within a highly mineralised gold belt. Modern aeromagnetic and LIDAR surveys completed in 2023 represent the first systematic application of contemporary exploration tools, highlighting early-stage but material discovery potential. Well-Capitalised Exploration Strategy Bellavista completed a two-stage capital raise totalling approximately A$35 million as part of the acquisition, exceeding its original funding target. Strong institutional support provides the balance sheet capacity to fund both near-mine drilling and later-stage regional exploration. Strategic Positioning in a Prolific Gold Belt The project is located within a gold belt that has produced or hosts more than 40Moz of gold, reinforcing its geological credentials. Relative to peers, the company offers leverage to exploration success and potential valuation uplift as drilling results and resource growth are delivered.

    15 min

  3. FEB 3

    Trekking Their Way to Riches in the Kimberley - Trek Metals | Derek Marshall (ASX: TKM)

    Trek Metals could be on the cusp of a world-class manganese discovery in WA's Kimberley region. Extremely high-grade manganese has already been outlined over 750 metres, and geophysics suggests it could be much, much bigger than that. The company is working through an exploration program that will culminate in a drilling program in the next three months. Produced by Resource Media The Hole Truth: Mining Investment Podcast is a product of Read Corporate. Please note that Read Corporate does not provide investment advice and investors should seek personalised advice before making any investment decisions. Links The Hole Truth LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/showcase/the-hole-truth-podcast The Hole Truth YouTube: https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLI4sZkSfEpPi_u7OrD7lQ-tZHbdy6EhCC&si=iOcGscff7kMSw8c7 The Hole Truth Website: https://resourcesrisingstars.com.au/the-hole-truth-podcast/ The Hole Truth Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/theholetruthpodcast/ Company Website: https://trekmetals.com.au

    20 min

  4. JAN 27

    Peninsula Energy on the Uranium Rebound - George Bauk (ASX: PEN)

    Peninsula Energy has overcome its challenges at the Lance Uranium Project in the US and is now generating solid results, as shown by the share price. MD George Bauk has been in the job for a year and has delivered some excellent results, with more to come. Guest Bio George Bauk is the Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of Peninsula Energy. He is an experienced resources executive with a background in mine development, operations, and corporate leadership across the energy and mining sectors. Since taking the helm at Peninsula Energy, George has overseen a strategic and operational turnaround at the Lance Uranium Project, focusing on execution discipline, cost control, and alignment with improving uranium market fundamentals. Produced by Resource Media The Hole Truth: Mining Investment Podcast is a product of Read Corporate. Please note that Read Corporate does not provide investment advice and investors should seek personalised advice before making any investment decisions. Links The Hole Truth LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/showcase/the-hole-truth-podcast The Hole Truth YouTube: https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLI4sZkSfEpPi_u7OrD7lQ-tZHbdy6EhCC&si=iOcGscff7kMSw8c7 The Hole Truth Website: https://resourcesrisingstars.com.au/the-hole-truth-podcast/ The Hole Truth Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/theholetruthpodcast/ Company Website: https://www.pel.net.au/ Key Insights Operational Reset at Lance Delivers Results Peninsula Energy has worked through technical and operational challenges at the Lance Uranium Project, enabling more consistent performance. The reset has restored confidence in the asset’s ability to contribute meaningfully as market conditions improve. Leadership Stability Driving Execution George Bauk’s first year as Managing Director has focused on execution discipline and accountability. This leadership stability has been critical in rebuilding market confidence and delivering measurable progress. Uranium Market Tailwinds Strengthen the Investment Case Rising uranium prices and renewed long-term contracting activity are improving project economics across the sector. Peninsula Energy is leveraged to these tailwinds as utilities seek secure supply from established jurisdictions. US-Based Production Offers Strategic Advantage The Lance project’s location in the United States provides geopolitical and supply-chain advantages. This positioning is increasingly relevant as Western utilities prioritise domestic and allied sources of uranium. Share Price Reflects Improving Fundamentals Recent share price performance signals growing investor recognition of Peninsula Energy’s turnaround. As operational delivery continues and uranium demand strengthens, further re-rating potential remains.

    20 min

  5. 12/23/2025

    Chalice is Riding The Return to Hybrids and Petrol Engines - Alex Dorsch (ASX: CHN)

    Chalice's fortunes are strongly linked to the palladium price, and the palladium price is running as the world realises that hybrids and petrol engines are a big part of the future of the car industry. Guest Bio Alex Dorsch is the Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of Chalice Mining. He is a geologist with more than 15 years’ experience across exploration, project development and capital markets, having worked in senior technical and corporate roles within the Australian resources sector. Since joining Chalice, Alex has led the discovery, advancement and strategic repositioning of the Julimar–Gonneville PGM–Nickel–Copper project in Western Australia.   Produced by Resource Media   The Hole Truth: Mining Investment Podcast is a product of Read Corporate.   Please note that Read Corporate does not provide investment advice and investors should seek personalised advice before making any investment decisions. Links The Hole Truth LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/showcase/the-hole-truth-podcast The Hole Truth YouTube: https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLI4sZkSfEpPi_u7OrD7lQ-tZHbdy6EhCC&si=iOcGscff7kMSw8c7 The Hole Truth Website: https://resourcesrisingstars.com.au/the-hole-truth-podcast/ The Hole Truth Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/theholetruthpodcast/ Company Website: https://chalice.com.au/ Key Insights Hybrid Vehicles Are Reshaping Palladium Demand The global pivot away from an all-EV future has re-established hybrids as a long-term transition technology. Hybrids require higher palladium loadings in catalytic converters, keeping demand resilient despite slower EV uptake. Supply Constraints Create Strong Price Leverage Palladium supply remains highly constrained, with minimal new investment in Russia and South Africa. In a relatively small market, even modest demand shifts can drive sharp price increases. Gonneville Is Highly Leveraged to Palladium Upside Chalice’s Gonneville project offers rare scale exposure to palladium in a Tier-1 jurisdiction. Each US$100/oz increase in the palladium price adds substantial value to project NPV, highlighting strong upside leverage. Simplified Processing Has Transformed Project Economics A major metallurgical breakthrough allowed Chalice to remove a capital-intensive downstream processing stage. This materially reduced capex, simplified the flowsheet and improved robustness across commodity cycles. Conservative Assumptions De-Risk the Investment Case The project’s pre-feasibility study uses palladium price assumptions well below spot levels. This conservative approach demonstrates economic viability at the bottom of the cycle, while preserving significant upside in a rising price environment

    20 min

  6. 12/17/2025

    Black Bear Running Flat Out at New Texas Silver Project - Dennis Lindgren (ASX: BKB)

    Black Bear Minerals (ASX: BKB) has just acquired a silver project in Texas. It's the highest-grade silver resource on the ASX. The company has an aggressive drilling program already underway, with assays set to come in the new year. The exploration program will take place in conjunction with the ongoing work at the company's gold project in Nevada.     Produced by Resource Media     The Hole Truth: Mining Investment Podcast is a product of Read Corporate. Please note that Read Corporate does not provide investment advice and investors should seek personalised advice before making any investment decisions.  RESOURCES LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/showcase/the-hole-truth-podcast YouTube: https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLI4sZkSfEpPi_u7OrD7lQ-tZHbdy6EhCC&si=iOcGscff7kMSw8c7 Website: https://resourcesrisingstars.com.au/the-hole-truth-podcast/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/theholetruthpodcast/  Company Website: https://blackbearminerals.com.au/

    17 min

  7. 12/01/2025

    E-79 Joins The Cue Gold Rush – Ned Summerhayes (ASX: E79)

    E-79 has just acquired the Cue Gold Project. This is becoming a very hot region in WA — a project known to host mineralisation and sharing geological features with other big deposits nearby. Guest Bio Ned Summerhayes – Chief Executive Officer, E79 Gold Mines Ned Summerhayes is the CEO of E79 Gold Mines, an Australian exploration company focused on high-potential gold and critical-metal projects. Ned is a geologist with extensive experience across Western Australia and the Northern Territory, specialising in structurally hosted gold systems and early-stage project development. He is leading E79’s exploration strategy across its Cue Gold Project in WA and its bismuth-copper-gold project in the Northern Territory. Produced by Resource Media The Hole Truth: Mining Investment Podcast is a product of Read Corporate. Please note that Read Corporate does not provide investment advice and investors should seek personalised advice before making any investment decisions. Links The Hole Truth LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/showcase/the-hole-truth-podcast/ The Hole Truth YouTube: https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLI4sZkSfEpPi_u7OrD7lQ-tZHbdy6EhCC&si=iOcGscff7kMSw8c7 The Hole Truth Website: https://resourcesrisingstars.com.au/the-hole-truth-podcast/ The Hole Truth Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/theholetruthpodcast/ Company Website: https://www.e79gold.com.au Key Insights 1. Cue Acquisition Positions E79 in One of WA’s Hottest Gold Districts The newly acquired Cue Gold Project sits between major operators Westgold and Ramelius, providing E79 with a prime address in a region experiencing renewed exploration success. The area is already known to host gold, reducing geological risk and offering potential access to existing processing infrastructure. 2. Significant Upside from Under-Explored Depth Potential Historic drilling averaged only 42m in depth, with just 2% of holes drilled deeper than 100m — despite nearby deposits demonstrating high-grade mineralisation at depth. Intercepts such as 13m at 2.2g/t ending in mineralisation highlight the possibility of deeper, higher-grade systems yet to be tested. 3. Geological Setting Aligns with Proven High-Grade Deposits E79 controls the southern extension of the Great Fingall Dolerite and titanium-rich basalts analogous to Break of Day — both highly fertile gold hosts. Gravity surveys will help identify cross-cutting structures now understood to control mineralisation in the district, sharpening the drill-targeting strategy. 4. Strong Cash Position Enables a Full Exploration Program With approximately $4.5 million in cash and an enterprise value of roughly $1 million, E79 is well funded to execute its exploration plans. Upcoming work includes detailed gravity surveying, broad aircore drilling, and targeted RC drilling across multiple prospects. 5. NT Bismuth Project Provides Seasonal Optionality and Critical-Metal Exposure E79’s Northern Territory project adds diversification, with rock chips returning up to 9% bismuth alongside copper and gold. Seasonal constraints mean drilling will resume after the wet season, allowing the company to focus on Cue in the interim while maintaining exposure to emerging critical-metal markets.

    17 min

  8. 11/24/2025

    AusQuest in Search of Mining’s Holy Grail – Graeme Drew (ASX: AQD)

    AusQuest (ASX: AQD) believes it has a major porphyry discovery on its hands in Peru. It’s already returned some fascinating drilling results with mineralisation intersected over huge widths. Managing Director Graeme Drew believes it’s yet to find the “eye” of the porphyry system and that’s what the current drilling programme is about. If he’s correct, the company’s market cap of A$56 million could do just about anything. Guest Bio Graeme Drew is the Managing Director of AusQuest Limited. Mr Drew has over 40 years’ experience in the exploration industry in Australia and overseas. Prior to co-founding Ausquest Limited, he was an Exploration Manager for CRAE and Rio Tinto Exploration Pty Ltd in Western Australia and Eastern Australia. He has extensive experience in the search for, and evaluation of, base and precious metals including nickel, copper, gold, uranium, zinc and diamonds. Credits Produced by Resource Media The Hole Truth: Mining Investment Podcast is a product of Read Corporate. Please note that Read Corporate does not provide investment advice and investors should seek personalised advice before making any investment decisions. Links The Hole Truth LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/showcase/the-hole-truth-podcast The Hole Truth YouTube: https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLI4sZkSfEpPi_u7OrD7lQ-tZHbdy6EhCC&si=iOcGscff7kMSw8c7 The Hole Truth Website: https://resourcesrisingstars.com.au/the-hole-truth-podcast/ The Hole Truth Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/theholetruthpodcast/ Company Website: https://www.ausquest.com.au/ Key Insights Scale Emerging at Cangallo – AusQuest’s early drilling has defined a large footprint of near-surface copper-gold mineralisation, with broad intercepts extending hundreds of metres from surface. This supports the interpretation of a significant porphyry system still in its early stages of delineation. Location Provides Material Cost Advantages – Unlike many Andean porphyry deposits situated in remote high-altitude terrain, Cangallo sits near the Peruvian coast at relatively low elevation. This improves logistics, reduces potential infrastructure hurdles and enhances long-term development optionality. Eye of the System Still to Be Found – Geological indicators suggest current drilling is positioned on the edge or upper levels of the porphyry system. The ongoing RC and diamond programs are designed to vector toward the higher-grade core, which could materially change the project’s scale and economics. Early-Stage Drilling Indicates Consistent Mineralisation – Intercepts to date show consistent copper grades across large widths, with oxide mineralisation from surface and sulphides appearing at depth. The presence of tonalite dykes carrying higher grades provides encouragement that the main intrusive centre is nearby. Significant Re-Rating Potential – With a current market capitalisation of A$56 million, AusQuest remains lightly valued relative to the potential scale of a major porphyry discovery. As drilling advances and assays confirm grade trends toward the interpreted core, the company could enter a transformational phase.

    18 min
See All (100)

About

The Hole Truth: Mining Investment Podcast is a product of Resources Rising Stars, hosted by Paul Armstrong, a seasoned expert in the world of finance and resources. With more than 30 years of experience as a finance journalist under his belt, Paul brings a wealth of knowledge and insight to his conversations with some of the most prominent figures in the industry. Each episode of The Hole Truth: Mining Investment Podcast is a deep dive into the inner workings of those resources companies which are making things happen, quizzing those in charge about their projects, their prospects, the challenges they face and the opportunities they offer to investors. Whether you’re an investor, industry professional, or simply interested in the latest developments in mining, energy, and resources, The Hole Truth is the podcast for you. Join Paul and his guests to hear about the latest investment opportunities in the resources sector. Produced by Resource Media ———— The Hole Truth: Mining Investment Podcast is a product of Read Corporate. Please note that Read Corporate does not provide investment advice and investors should seek personalised advice before making any investment decisions.

Information

You Might Also Like