A mysterious and vague framework

What has followed has been a series of clarifications about what the deal does not include.

Danish Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen said Denmark is open to negotiations on security and cooperation but stressed that “we cannot negotiate on our sovereignty.”

Greenland’s Prime Minister Jens-Frederik Nielsen echoed that position, calling sovereignty a ‘red line’ and saying he was unaware of the substance of any framework being discussed.

NATO officials have likewise emphasized that the alliance has no mandate to negotiate territorial arrangements and that any talks would have to involve Denmark, Greenland, and the US directly.

Despite the lack of specifics, Trump’s comments have revived debate over why Greenland matters so much to Washington. Security considerations have dominated official statements, yet Greenland’s natural resources remain a central but unresolved part of the picture.

A resource-centric agenda

Despite the lack of specifics, Trump’s comments have revived debate over why Greenland matters so much to Washington. Security considerations have dominated official statements, yet Greenland’s natural resources remain a central but unresolved part of the picture.

Greenland is believed to sit on top of large reserves of oil and natural gas, though commercial extraction has yet to take off. The island is thought to host substantial deposits of minerals considered critical for modern economies and military technologies.

According to the 2023 Geological Survey of Denmark and Greenland, 25 of the 34 minerals classified as “critical raw materials” by the European Commission are found in Greenland, including graphite, niobium and titanium. These materials are essential for electronics, Trump himself has frequently linked Greenland to minerals and security in the same breath, arguing that US control would put the country in “a really good position, especially as it pertains to security and to minerals.”

At times, however, Trump has appeared to downplay the economic case, instead emphasizing geopolitical threats.

“I want Greenland for security – I don’t want it for anything else,” he told reporters at Davos. “You have to go 25ft down through ice to get it. It’s not, it’s not something that a lot of people are going to do or want to do.”

Even so, access to Greenland’s resources has loomed large in the background of the administration’s agenda. Trump has made countering China’s dominance in rare earths and strategic minerals a core economic and national security priority, placing supply chains at the center of US geopolitical strategy.

The US has been moving in that direction for years. In 2020, during Trump’s first term, Washington reopened its consulate in Nuuk, Greenland’s capital, as part of a broader effort to deepen ties amid expanding Russian and Chinese activity in the Arctic.

Since Trump returned to office, his allies have increasingly framed Greenland as a commercial opportunity as well as a strategic one, citing climate change-driven shifts that are opening new shipping routes and access to fisheries, energy, and mineral resources.

Shades of an existing agreement

For now, none of those ambitions have been reflected in concrete terms tied to Trump’s announced framework. NATO said only that future negotiations would aim to ensure Russia and China “never gain a foothold — economically or militarily — in Greenland.”

While that language could encompass mining and investment restrictions, it stops short of any commitment on mineral access or ownership.

According to a New York Times report, officials familiar with parallel discussions said one idea floated informally involved granting the US sovereignty or near-sovereign control over small areas of Greenland for military bases, modeled on Britain’s sovereign base areas in Cyprus.

Such an arrangement would address defense concerns but would do little to resolve questions about mineral rights, which are governed by Greenlandic law and subject to strong local political sensitivities.”

Trump’s shifting tone has also prompted scrutiny in Washington. When asked whether the framework met his earlier demand to “own” Greenland, Trump avoided the question, calling the arrangement “a long-term deal” that was “infinite” and “forever.”

Critics have noted that similar language already applies to the 1951 US-Denmark defense agreement, which allows an open-ended American military presence at what is now Pituffik Space Base.

Updated in 2004, the same agreement gives the US wide authority within its defense areas, including control over personnel, equipment, and movement. Some analysts argue that most of what Trump appears to be seeking could be achieved by revising or expanding that framework rather than pursuing ownership or sovereignty.

Whether the new framework goes further remains unclear. US, Danish, and Greenlandic officials are expected to continue talks in the coming weeks, and a working group could meet as early as next week to flesh out details.

Until then, the absence of explicit language on critical minerals stands out, given how often they have been invoked as a justification for Trump’s aggressive rhetoric.

Investor Insight

Coelacanth Energy presents strong growth potential in the Canadian light oil and natural gas sector, supported by rapidly increasing production, robust pad performance at Two Rivers, and continued infrastructure buildout. Encouraging well test results and a management team with a track record of repeated success position Coelacanth as a compelling long-term growth story.

Overview

Coelacanth Energy (TSXV:CEI) is a junior oil and natural gas exploration and development company, focusing primarily on the prolific Montney region in northeastern British Columbia, Canada. With a substantial landholding of approximately 150 net sections in the Two Rivers area of Montney, Coelacanth is strategically positioned to harness the potential of one of the most resource-rich natural gas basins in North America.

Coelacanth distinguishes itself with a two-pronged strategy: near-term production growth and long-term resource development. Supported by advanced geological delineation and a robust infrastructure buildout, the company is poised to scale efficiently as it transitions from exploration to production.

Backed by a management team that has built and sold six successful oil and gas companies, Coelacanth is focused on delivering returns through disciplined capital deployment and operational execution.

The Montney Advantage

The Montney Formation spans British Columbia and Alberta and is known for its high levels of recoverable natural gas and liquids. Montney has attracted numerous large oil and gas producers, including companies like Canadian Natural Resources (CNQ), Shell, ARC Resources (ARX), Tourmaline Oil Corp (TOU), and ConocoPhillips (COP). The presence of such large players highlights the importance of this region in contributing to both the Canadian and global energy markets.

Coelacanth’s landholdings are strategically located in the Two Rivers area of Montney, giving it access to a highly productive portion of the basin. Unlike many junior exploration companies, Coelacanth is drill-ready, positioning it favorably among its peers. By securing significant infrastructure and landholdings, Coelacanth ensures its ability to tap into the natural gas and oil resources that lie beneath its properties, a key advantage in the competitive Montney region.

Company Highlights

• Over 150 net sections of contiguous land in the Two Rivers area, located in the Montney geological fairway, one of North America’s most prolific liquids-rich natural gas regions.
• Strategic proximity to major producers like ARC Resources, Tourmaline Oil Corp, Shell and ConocoPhillips.
• Two Rivers East began first production in June 2025, with systematic ramp-up ongoing through the year.
• Phase 1 facilities now operational (30 mmcf/d + associated oil); Phase 2 to add compression and double capacity by late 2025.
• Nine wells drilled and tested on the 5-19 pad with over 11,000 boe/d in aggregate flush test rates; multiple wells exceeding 1,200 boe/d with strong light-oil cuts.
• Q3 2025 production increased 296 percent to 3,280 boe/d, driven by new volumes from Two Rivers East.
• Estimated production growth: 4,000 boe/d in 2025; 11,000 boe/d in 2026; 15,000 boe/d in 2027.

Key Projects

Two Rivers East and Two Rivers West

The Two Rivers Montney development remains the foundation of Coelacanth’s long-term growth strategy. The project includes multiple Montney benches – Lower, Upper, Basal and Middle – providing significant running room for future drilling. The company has now drilled and tested nine wells on the 5-19 pad, with combined flush test rates exceeding 11,000 boe/d and strong light-oil cuts across several Lower Montney wells.

Two Rivers East began first production in June 2025, and wells are being brought on stream in stages as facility capacity becomes available. Phase 1 facilities, capable of processing 30 mmcf/d of gas and associated oil, were completed for the June startup. Phase 2, expected to be commissioned in late 2025, will add compression and approximately double throughput capacity to support ongoing pad development.

The Two Rivers West area remains in production and continues to demonstrate commercial performance, with additional upside in the Upper Montney and opportunities for further delineation across the land base. These results support the broader multi-zone development potential across Coelacanth’s 150-section Montney position.

Market Access and Takeaway Agreements

Coelacanth lands are directly connected to LNG Canada via Coastal Gaslink for potential future delivery.

Coelacanth has secured long-term gas takeaway for its growing production base. The company holds firm commitments for up to 100 mmcf/d of natural gas takeaway capacity and has secured processing capacity of up to 60 mmcf/d at a third-party facility. Oil and condensate produced from the Montney light oil window can be trucked to regional terminals or connected via infrastructure to major hubs including Fort Saskatchewan, Edmonton and Prince George.

On the gas side, Coelacanth has egress options through pipelines such as NGTL, Westcoast and Alliance, and is strategically positioned to benefit from future access to LNG Canada via the Coastal GasLink system.

Board and Management

Rob Zakresky – President and CEO

Rob Zakresky has a significant background in the oil and gas sector, previously serving as the president and CEO of Leucrotta Exploration as well as five additional predecessor companies. He has been with Coelacanth Energy since its inception and is recognized for his strategic leadership and focus on enhancing shareholder value. His expertise in financial management and operations is reflected in his approach to driving the company’s growth.

Bret Kimpton – Vice-president of Operations and COO

Bret Kimpton joined Coelacanth Energy in 2022, bringing a wealth of experience from his previous role as vice president of production at Storm Resources, where he contributed to significant production growth. He has a strong background in construction and operations, especially in the Montney region of British Columbia, managing various fields. His role at Coelacanth focuses on overseeing operational efficiency and implementing the company’s growth strategies.

Nolan Chicoine – Vice-president of Finance and CFO

Nolan Chicoine has also been with Coelacanth Energy since its inception. His responsibilities encompass financial oversight, including financial planning, reporting, and analysis. He plays a crucial role in aligning the financial strategies with the company’s operational goals. His background includes significant experience in financial management as CFO for Leucrotta Exploration, Crocotta Energy, and Chamaelo Energy.

Jody Denis – Vice-president of Drilling & Completions

Jody Denis is the former drilling, engineering & operations engineer at Leucrotta Exploration. Prior to that, he was senior operations advisor at Black Swan Energy, drilling manager at ARC Resources, and drilling and completions manager at Birchcliff Energy.

John Fur – Vice-president, Geosciences

John Fur is the former manager, exploration of Leucrotta Exploration, and former senior geophysicist at Crocotta Energy, Chamaelo Energy, Chamaelo Exploration, Viracocha Energy, Canadian Natural Resources, Post Energy, Amber Energy and Husky Oil.

Dan Rach – Vice-president, Production

Dan Rach joined Coelacanth in Sept 2023 as senior production engineer. Prior to that, he was production engineer at Canadian Natural Resource, engineering manager at Bidell Equipment LP, supplier quality engineer at Flextronics Network Services, and manufacturing engineer at General Motors.

Target rate probabilities for January Fed meeting.

Chart via CME Group.

The Fed’s next rate announcement is set for January 28, and CME Group’s (NASDAQ:CME) FedWatch tool shows strong expectations for a hold. That’s despite core consumer price index (CPI) data showing that inflation rose by a lower-than-expected 0.2 percent for December. On an annual basis, core CPI was up 2.6 percent.

Trump has frequently criticized Powell for not lowering rates quickly enough, and Powell’s replacement, who has not yet been announced, is widely expected to be more in line with Trump’s views.

“We see increased interference with the Fed as a key bullish wildcard for the precious metals in 2026,” Carsten Menke, head of next-generation research at Julius Baer Group, told Bloomberg. He noted that because silver is a smaller market than gold, it typically reacts “more strongly to such concerns.”

Silver price chart, January 15 to 23, 2026.

Silver and its sister metal gold tend to fare better when rates are lower, meaning rate cut expectations coupled with the investigation of Powell and the Fed have helped to stoke prices for the precious metals.

While silver is known for lagging behind gold before outperforming, it’s now ahead in terms of percentage gains — silver is up about 220 percent year-on-year, while gold has risen around 78 percent.

The yellow metal also hit a new all-time high on Friday, peaking at US$4,987.28 per ounce.

In addition to rate-related factors, silver’s breakout this year has been driven by various other elements.

As a precious metal, it’s influenced by many of the same factors as gold, but its October price jump, which took it past the US$50 level, was also driven by a lack of liquidity in the London market.

While that issue appears to have resolved, silver remains in a multi-year supply deficit. Tariff concerns and silver’s new status as a critical mineral in the US have also provided support.

In addition to its appeal as a precious metal, silver’s industrial side shouldn’t be forgotten — according to the Silver Institute, the white metal’s ‘global silver industrial demand is poised to grow further as demand from vital technology sectors accelerates over the next five years. Sectors such as solar energy, automotive electric vehicles and their infrastructure, and data centers and artificial intelligence will drive industrial demand higher through 2030.’

Markets and commodities react

Canadian equity markets were mixed this week.

The S&P/TSX Composite Index (INDEXTSI:OSPTX) gained 0.34 percent over the week to close Friday at 33,144.98, while the S&P/TSX Venture Composite Index (INDEXTSI:JX) fared better, rising 5.53 percent to 1,154.15. The CSE Composite Index (CSE:CSECOMP) went the other way, losing 0.39 percent to close at 187.36.

The gold price continued to trade at all-time highs this week, reaching US$4,989.94 on Friday afternoon. Overall, it gained 7.96 percent on the week to trade at US$4,984.92 by Friday at 4:00 p.m. EST.

The silver price performed even better, officially hitting triple digit silver when it broke above US$100 per ounce on Friday at new highs. It posted a weekly gain of 11.19 percent, closing Friday at US$102.72. Silver has gained nearly 42 percent since the start of 2026 and 233 percent from this same time last year.

In base metals, the Comex copper price rose 1 percent this week to US$5.98.

The S&P Goldman Sachs Commodities Index (INDEXSP:SPGSCI) rose 3.61 percent to end Friday at 584.13.

Top Canadian mining stocks this week

How did mining stocks perform against this backdrop?

Take a look at this week’s five best-performing Canadian mining stocks below.

Stocks data for this article was retrieved at 4:00 p.m. EST on Friday using TradingView’s stock screener. Only companies trading on the TSX, TSXV and CSE with market caps greater than C$10 million are included. Mineral companies within the non-energy minerals, energy minerals, process industry and producer manufacturing sectors were considered.

1. Euro Manganese (TSXV:EMN)

Weekly gain: 134.29 percent
Market cap: C$23.56 million
Share price: C$0.41

Euro Manganese is a manganese development company working to advance its Chvaletice waste recycling project. The operation is focused on extracting manganese from tailings that are part of a decommissioned mine site near Prague, Czechia. As part of the project’s scope, the company says it will carry out remediation and reclamation work to bring the site into compliance with environmental regulations.

A 2022 feasibility study for the Chvaletice project indicates that it will produce 48,000 metric tons of manganese per year and is expected to have a project life of 25 years. In the study, the company reports a post-tax net present value of US$1.3 billion with an internal rate of return of 22 percent and a payback period of 4 years.

Shares in Euro Manganese were up this week, but the company has not released news since January 13, when it announced that John Webster tendered his resignation from the company’s board of directors.

Euro noted on Friday that it was unaware of any material change in its operations that could have caused the price rise.

2. Kingfisher Metals (TSXV:KFR)

Weekly gain: 106.35 percent
Market cap: C$38.24 million
Share price: C$0.65

Kingfisher Metals is an exploration company focused on its HWY 37 project located in British Columbia, Canada.

The property, located in BC’s Golden Triangle, covers 933 square kilometers and hosts several porphyry and epithermal copper and gold deposits, including Hank and Williams, which were identified during historical exploration of the site.

On January 13, the company announced additional results from its 2025 exploration and drill program at HWY 37, releasing assays for three drill holes at the Williams deposit, two of which some of Williams’ longest copper intercepts yet. Kingfisher highlighted one hole, with grades of 0.47 percent copper equivalent over 889.35 meters, starting 3.65 meters from surface, which also included an interval of 1.16 percent copper equivalent over 40 meters.

Then on Thursday (January 22), Kingfisher reported that it had received the final results from the program, this time in the form of a deep drill hole at the Hank epithermal gold-silver system. While the hole intersected Hank’s typical mineralisation in the upper half of the hole, starting at 534 meters it encountered a 425 meter interval grading 0.4 percent copper equivalent.

The company said this represented a blind discovery, with no previous porphyry copper and gold mineralization being reported at Hank.

“The final hole of the 2025 program validates our long-standing belief that the shallow Hank Au-Ag epithermal mineralization is driven by a large porphyry Cu-Au system,” said Kingfisher CEO Dustin Perry.

3. Core Critical Metals (TSXV:CCMC)

Weekly gain: 94.68 percent
Market cap: C$15.04 million
Share price: C$1.83

Core Critical Metals is an exploration company working on its Timmins nickel project in Ontario, Canada. The company was previously known as Xander Resources but announced in August that it was changing its name to Core Critical Metals.

The project holds a strategic position, with two properties totaling 393 claims located west along trend from Canada Nickel Company’s (TSXV:CNC,OTCQX:CNIKF) Crawford property and adjacent to Canada Nickel’s Reid discovery.

On Monday, Core Critical Minerals issued a release congratulating Canada Nickel on the success of Crawford’s development. It also noted Crawford’s inclusion for the second tranche of projects from the Government of Canada’s Major Project Office in November 2025, and the more recent designation under Ontario’s One Project, One Process framework on January 13.

Additionally, the company announced on January 15 that it had issued 1.24 million common shares to settle a C$400,000 exploration debt with the vendor of a property option agreement for the CNC West property. It followed this news the next day when it announced a two-for-one stock split on January 16.

4. GoldHaven Resources (CSE:GOH)

Weekly gain: 94.44 percent
Market cap: C$10.3 million
Share price: C$0.35

GoldHaven Resource is an exploration and development company advancing projects in British Columbia and Brazil.

Its most recent focus has been on its Magno project in BC’s Cassiar mining district. The property consists of 53 mineral claims covering 36,814.16 hectares and borders mineral claims held by Cassiar Gold (TSXV:GLDC,OTCQX:CGLCF) and Coeur Mining (NYSE:CDE).

The site hosts silver, lead and gold mineralization at Magno North, with additional quantities of tin, indium and gallium. Porphyry targets at Magno West have shown mineralization with copper and molybdenum.

Since the start of the year, the company has released a trio of updates from Magno.

The first came on January 6, when it announced that preliminary assays from surface exploration confirmed the presence of silver, lead, zinc, tungsten and critical minerals across multiple zones at the property. The release highlighted grades of up to 2,370 grams per metric ton silver, 19.25 percent zinc, 6,550 parts per million (ppm) tungsten and 334 ppm indium.

The second release came on January 14, providing additional information on its tungsten results, noting that exploration confirmed anomalous tungsten mineralization at the historical Kuhn and Dead Goat showings, and found a new tungsten zone at Vines Lake.

The most recent release came on Thursday when GoldHaven reported that indium grades at the site show it is a ‘meaningful critical mineral component of the Magno system.’ These elevated grades were found to be restricted to the Magno and D Zones, as well as the Kuhn and Dead Goat showings.

5. Ascot Resources (TSX:AOT)

Weekly gain: 91.21 percent
Market cap: C$38.24 million
Share price: C$1.74

Ascot Resources is a Canadian gold exploration and development company focused on the negotiating the restart of mining operations at its Premier gold project, and on its Red Mountain gold project.

The site is located within the Golden Triangle area of Northern British Columbia, and hosts the Premier, Silver Coin and Big Missouri deposits, as well as one of only three mills in the region.

Production at the mine began in April 2024, but operations were placed on care and maintenance in September 2024. At the time, the company said it had fallen behind schedule in developing the mine and did not have enough material to feed the mill.

In an update from April 2025, the company said it was anticipating the mine would restart in early August at an initial rate of 1,250 metric tons per day. However, on June 25, Ascot announced that the mine would not restart as negotiations with mining contractor Procon Mining regarding the cost of mining services had stalled.

On October 23, the company announced that the mine would remain on care and maintenance and that it had engaged Fiore Management to assist with restructuring, refinancing and enhancing the leadership team at Ascot.

Since that time, the company has launched a fundraising effort, with the most recent news on December 31, when it announced it had closed the first tranche of a private placement raising C$809.1 million.

In that release, President and CEO Robert McLeod stated that further detailed updates on Ascot’s plans, as well a proposed rebrand, would be coming in the weeks ahead. ‘We believe the rapid development of the high-grade, underground bulk-mineable Red Mountain Project is the key to the successful commissioning and operation of a centralized mill to process material from the multiple deposits in the Golden Triangle.”

FAQs for Canadian mining stocks

How much does it cost to list on the TSXV?

There are a variety of different fees that companies must pay to list on the TSXV, and according to the exchange, they can vary based on the transaction’s nature and complexity. The listing fee alone will most likely cost between C$10,000 to C$70,000. Accounting and auditing fees could rack up between C$25,000 and C$100,000, while legal fees are expected to be over C$75,000 and an underwriters’ commission may hit up to 12 percent.

The exchange lists a handful of other fees and expenses companies can expect, including but not limited to security commission and transfer agency fees, investor relations costs and director and officer liability insurance.

These are all just for the initial listing, of course. There are ongoing expenses once companies are trading, such as sustaining fees and additional listing fees, plus the costs associated with filing regular reports.

How do you trade on the TSXV?

Investors can trade on the TSXV the way they would trade stocks on any exchange. This means they can use a stock broker or an individual investment account to buy and sell shares of TSXV-listed companies during the exchange’s trading hours.

Investor Insight

ILC Critical Minerals, formerly known as International Lithium Corp., offers investors exposure to the growing critical metals sector through its advanced-stage Raleigh Lake lithium-rubidium project in Ontario, early-stage copper-cobalt exploration at Firesteel in Ontario, and strategic focus on Southern Africa, all supported by strong infrastructure and a seasoned leadership team.

With strategic divestments, a robust financial position, and a focused growth strategy, ILC Critical Minerals is well-positioned to meet the rising demand for lithium and other critical metals

Overview

ILC Critical Minerals, (TSXV:ILC,OTC:ILHMF,FRA:IAH,OTCQB:ILHMF) is a Canada-based mineral exploration company focused on the discovery and development of lithium and other critical metals essential for the transition to a cleaner, greener planet. With a portfolio of projects located in mining-friendly jurisdictions, the company’s primary objective is to build shareholder value by advancing its key assets towards production while expanding its presence in emerging critical metals regions.

ILC Critical Minerals’ flagship asset is the 100 percent owned Raleigh Lake lithium and rubidium project in Ontario. A preliminary economic assessment (PEA) for the Raleigh Lake project, completed in December 2023, demonstrated strong project economics and significant resource growth potential, including an annual after-tax cash flow of C$634 million, NPV of C$342.9 million and IRR of 44.3 percent, with a nine-year mine life and project duration of 11 years. This assessment did not yet include rubidium, which represents significant additional potential pending further market analysis.

Complementing its lithium focus, the company is advancing the Firesteel copper-cobalt project in northwestern Ontario, targeting high-grade base metal mineralization to further diversify its critical metals exposure.

In addition to its Canadian projects, ILC is positioning for further international growth with a strategic focus on Southern Africa. It has applied for exclusive prospecting orders (EPOs) in Zimbabwe, one of the world’s most prospective regions for hard rock lithium exploration.

Recent strategic divestments, including the sale of the Avalonia project stake, have strengthened ILC’s financial position, enabling focused investment in its core projects.

In 2025, ILC Critical Minerals acquired an option from Lepidico (Canada) Inc. to purchase 100 percent of Lepidico (Mauritius) for C$975,000. Lepidico Mauritius holds an 80 percent stake in Lepidico Chemicals Namibia (Pty) Ltd., which owns the Karibib Lithium, Rubidium and Cesium Project in Namibia.

The project comprises two areas with fully permitted mining licences, known as Rubicon and Helikon. It also hosts one of the largest disclosed rubidium resources in Africa, along with significant lithium and cesium mineralization.

Exercising the Karibib option would enable International Lithium to tap into the lithium market’s growth while solidifying its position as a leading rubidium producer. The project would also add major cesium resources outside China, strengthening the company’s role in three critical minerals vital to global supply chains.

As of October 2025, ILC Critical Minerals confirmed that Lepidico had met all loan drawdown conditions. The option, expiring after the pending Singapore arbitration between Lepidico Chemicals Namibia and Jiangxi Jinhui Lithium, remains dependent on the arbitration’s outcome and will guide International Lithium’s decision on proceeding with the acquisition.

The company is led by an experienced management team with a strong technical background in mineral exploration, project development and corporate finance. Supported by access to established infrastructure, a commitment to sustainable development practices, and a clear strategic focus, International Lithium is well-positioned to capitalize on the increasing global demand for lithium and other essential materials critical to the clean energy transition.

Company Highlights

• ILC Critical Minerals is focused on developing lithium and critical metals projects in Canada and Southern Africa, aiming to deliver shareholder value through project development, strategic partnerships and project sales.
• Raleigh Lake is ILC’s wholly owned flagship lithium-rubidium project in Ontario, Canada, with a positive PEA completed in December 2023.
• ILC holds a 90 percent interest in the Firesteel copper and cobalt project in Northwestern Ontario, with exploration permits filed and drilling programs planned.
• The company has applied for exclusive prospecting orders (EPOs) in Zimbabwe and is continuing to review further exploration opportunities in Southern Africa.
• ILC is debt-free with a robust financial position. It has monetized its non-core assets, including the sale of its stake in the Avalonia project in Ireland, resulting in a C$2.5 million payment and a 2 percent net smelter royalty.
• ILC secured an option to acquire 100 percent of Lepidico (Mauritius), which owns an 80 percent interest in Lepidico Chemicals Namibia, the owner of the Karibib Lithium, Rubidium and Cesium Project in Namibia.
• The company is led by an experienced management team with a proven track record in advancing mineral exploration projects.

Key Projects

Raleigh Lake

The Raleigh Lake project is ILC’s flagship asset, located approximately 25 kilometres west of Ignace, Ontario. The project covers a contiguous land package of 32,900 hectares and is 100 percent owned by the company. Raleigh Lake benefits from excellent infrastructure access, situated near the Trans-Canada Highway, a Canadian Pacific Railway line, and existing natural gas and hydroelectric infrastructure.

Major public infrastructure relative to the Raleigh Lake project

Raleigh Lake is notable for its dual potential to host both lithium and rubidium mineralization. The lithium is found primarily in spodumene-bearing pegmatites, while rubidium is associated with microcline-rich zones of the same lithium-cesium-tantalum pegmatite system. In 2023, International Lithium published a maiden mineral resource estimate (MRE) that delineated significant resources for both lithium and rubidium using separate cutoff criteria.

For lithium (Li₂O), the project hosts a measured and indicated resource of 5.88 Mt grading 0.79 percent Li₂O, and an inferred resource of 2.07 Mt grading 0.77 percent Li₂O, primarily within pegmatite #1. This lithium resource forms the basis of the company’s PEA, which demonstrated robust project economics with an after-tax NPV (8 percent) of C$342.9 million and an IRR of 44.3 percent.

The rubidium component, though not included in the PEA due to current market constraints, represents an additional potential value stream. The company has reported a measured and indicated resource of 133,000 tons at 6,163 ppm rubidium (0.67 percent Rb₂O) and an inferred resource of 123,000 tons at 4,224 ppm rubidium (0.46 percent Rb₂O), using a 4,000 ppm cutoff. The rubidium zones are found in association with potassic feldspar, offering a potentially recoverable byproduct pending further market and technical evaluation.

Given the project’s strong infrastructure position, mineral endowment, and defined development path, Raleigh Lake represents a compelling advanced-stage opportunity in North America’s lithium supply chain. International Lithium is continuing infill and expansion drilling, environmental baseline studies, and metallurgical testing to support project advancement toward pre-feasibility.

Firesteel Project

The Firesteel project is an early-stage copper-cobalt exploration property located in northwestern Ontario, approximately 10 km west of Upsala along Highway 17. Spanning a 16-km corridor to the Firesteel River, the property lies within a geologically favorable region characterized by Archean metavolcanic and metasedimentary rocks, which are prospective for volcanogenic massive sulphide (VMS) and sedimentary copper systems.

ILC Critical Minerals completed the acquisition of a 90 percent interest in the Firesteel project in May 2024, aiming to diversify its critical metals portfolio beyond lithium. Historical sampling on the property has returned encouraging results, including copper assays up to 2.6 percent and cobalt values reaching 309 ppm. Notably, the ‘Roadside 1’ occurrence features semi-massive sulphide mineralization comprising pyrite, pyrrhotite, chalcopyrite and bornite. These findings suggest the presence of a highly metamorphosed VMS or sedimentary copper system, potentially up to 20 meters wide and extending over a kilometer in length.

The project’s proximity to major infrastructure, including highways and railways, coupled with its strategic location near the company’s Raleigh Lake project, enhances its development potential. International Lithium plans to conduct systematic exploration, including geochemical sampling and geophysical surveys, to refine targets for future drilling campaigns.

Wolf Ridge Project

Wolf Ridge is a 5,700-hectare grassroots lithium project located 20 km southwest of Upsala and near ILC’s Firesteel copper claims. The area benefits from excellent infrastructure, including proximity to Highway 17, power, and road access.

The project was highlighted by the Ontario Geological Survey (2021–2022) for its standout lake sediment anomalies – among the highest lithium values in the region – indicating strong potential for LCT pegmatite mineralization.

Read more on page 54 of the report here.

Southern Africa Exploration Initiative

Southern Africa is recognized as a prospective region for hard rock lithium, and International Lithium’s strategic focus reflects a proactive move to establish a presence in this emerging jurisdiction.

As part of its strategy to expand its critical metals footprint, International Lithium has applied for Exclusive Prospecting Orders (EPOs) over several prospective areas in Zimbabwe. The targeted regions are known for hosting spodumene, lepidolite and petalite-bearing pegmatites, indicating potential for significant lithium resources.

Although the EPO applications are still pending approval, the company has already conducted initial due diligence, including geological reviews and desktop studies, to prioritize exploration targets once access is granted. Zimbabwe’s growing importance as a global lithium supplier, combined with favorable mining policies, offers a compelling backdrop for the company’s expansion efforts. International Lithium intends to leverage its technical expertise and exploration experience to quickly evaluate and develop these opportunities upon receiving the necessary permits

Management Team

John Wisbey – Chairman and CEO

John Wisbey joined International Lithium in 2017, initially serving as deputy chairman before being appointed chairman and CEO in March 2018. Under his leadership, the company has undergone a significant transformation, including achieving 100 percent ownership of the Raleigh Lake project, divesting non-core assets, and expanding into new jurisdictions such as Zimbabwe. He founded two London AIM-listed companies: IDOX, which provides software for the UK local government; and Lombard Risk Management, which specializes in software for bank risk management and regulation. He also established CONVENDIA, a private company that specializes in software for cash flow forecasting, project valuation and M&A financial analysis. With a background in banking and financial technology entrepreneurship, Wisbey brings extensive experience in corporate leadership and strategic development. He is also the company’s largest shareholder.

Maurice Brooks – Director and CFO

Maurice Brooks joined the board of ILC in 2017. He is a licensed senior statutory auditor in the UK. Since 2000, he has been a senior partner at Johnson Smith & Co. in Staines, Surrey. Before that, Brooks was a senior partner in Johnsons Chartered Accountants in the London Borough of Ealing. His commercial and investment experience includes executive directorships in manufacturing and an investment accountant role in the superannuation fund of the Western Australian state government. His early professional employment includes Ball Baker Leake LLP and LLC and Price Waterhouse Coopers-UK.

Anthony Kovacs – Director and COO

Anthony Kovacs joined the board of ILC in 2018 and has worked with the company since 2012. He has over 25 years of experience in mineral exploration and development. Before joining ILC, he held senior management roles in which he sourced and advanced iron ore and industrial minerals projects. Kovacs was involved in early-stage work at the Lac Otelnuk Iron Ore project in Quebec, Canada and the Mustavaara Vanadium Mine in Finland. Before that, Kovacs worked for Anglo American where he focused on Ni-Cu-PGE and IOCG projects. At Anglo-American, Kovacs was directly involved in several discoveries internationally. Kovacs has significant experience with industrial minerals, ferrous metals, non-ferrous metals and precious metals projects throughout the Americas, Europe and Africa.

Ross Thompson – Non-executive Director

Ross Thompson joined the board of ILC in 2017 and is the chair of the audit and remuneration committees. He is a speaker and expert in marketing behavioral science. In 1995, he founded Giftpoint Ltd. which is now one of the largest specialist promotional merchandise businesses in the UK. with offices in London and Shanghai. Giftpoint Ltd.’s clients include L’Oreal, Oracle, Ocado and Pernod Ricard among others. Thompson was president of IGC Global Promotions, one of the world’s oldest and largest global networks of premium resellers, for seven years. He is an active investor with a special interest and understanding of natural resources businesses.

Geoffrey Baker – Non-executive Director

Geoff Baker joined the board of ILC at the end of 2022 and is a member of the audit committee. He has a career in the natural resource and finance industries. He is a director of Tim Trading, a company offering consultancy services in the oil and gas industry. During his tenure as manager of Insch Black Gold Funds, Baker received the Investors’ Choice Swiss Fund Manager of the Year Award. He is a co-founder of a digital collectible non fungible token CryptoChronic and of Cannastore, a pilot e-commerce website. Baker holds a bachelor’s degree from the University of Windsor in Ontario.

Muhammad Memon – Corporate Secretary and Financial Controller

Muhammad Memon became corporate secretary of ILC in 2021. He has over 10 years of experience in managing finance and compliance functions of public companies in various sectors including mining exploration, investment management, real estate and technology. He assists companies with debt and equity financings, cash flow management and forecasting, legal and regulatory compliance, investor communications, stakeholder engagement and risk management. He is a member of the Chartered Professional Accountants of Canada and a fellow of the Association of Chartered Certified Accountants, United Kingdom.