Investor Insight

With a clear, execution-driven strategy, Homerun Resources is positioning itself as a vertically integrated leader in advanced materials for the global energy transition, leveraging one of the world’s highest-quality high-purity quartz (HPQ) silica districts in Bahia, Brazil, to supply premium raw materials for processed industrial silica, solar glass, advanced materials like silicon carbide, and thermal particle energy storage.

Overview

Homerun Resources (TSXV:HMR,OTC:HMRFF,FSE: 5ZE) is executing a three-phase strategic plan to become a leading global supplier and processor of high-purity silica, transforming it into high-value products for the renewable energy and advanced materials markets. Phase 1 secured the Belmonte Silica District and logistics pathway; Phase 2 is advancing construction of processing and solar glass facilities; Phase 3 will integrate downstream verticals which include energy storage, perovskite PV and AI-driven energy solutions.

The company’s competitive advantage begins with its raw material, which includes some of the world’s purest quartz silica sand, with minimal iron and other impurities, paired with its location, infrastructure access and a government partnership that expedites typical permitting timelines.

Homerun is targeting multiple industries where demand is surging, supply is constrained and pricing remains strong. Brazil currently imports all solar glass and advanced silica components. Global solar glass demand is forecasted to surge from US$13 billion in 2024 to ~US$197 billion by 2034 (31 percent CAGR), while HPQ is essential to meet efficiency and purity standards. Coupled with industrial tariffs and tax incentives in Brazil, Homerun’s full‑stack model, from silica sand to solutions, sets it up to disrupt Chinese‑dominated supply chains and fund its continued growth in downstream verticals from projected strong internal margins.

Company Highlights

• Vertically Integrated Growth Model: Multiple profit centers across HPQ silica, advanced materials, solar glass and perovskite PV on glass, energy storage and AI-driven energy management solutions.
• Flagship Resource Advantage: Exclusive 40-year leases with the government of the State of Bahia over the Santa Maria Eterna silica sand deposit in Brazil with over 63.9 Mt combined measured and inferred at >99.6 percent silicon dioxide (SiO₂) and low iron impurities, enabling direct feed into solar glass.
• Latin America’s First Solar Glass Facility: Planned 365,000 tpa plant adjacent to the resource, supported by LOIs with Brazil’s largest solar module manufacturers and a large competitive COGS and subsequent pricing advantage over Chinese imports.
• HPQ Processing Plant Near-Term: 120,000 tpa initial capacity for ultra-pure (>99.99 percent SiO₂) silica, with rapid scalability and low relative capex and projected ROI.
• Breakthrough Energy Storage Partnership: Collaborating with the US Department of Energy’s NREL on a thermal energy storage system using Homerun’s silica with ancillary revenue from purified product output.
• Government-backed Execution: MOU with Bahia State Government and Municipality of Belmonte includes a 64.5-hectare land grant, tax incentives, expedited permitting, infrastructure upgrades and workforce training.
• Strong Financing Pipeline: Advancing funding discussions with Brazil’s development bank, innovation agency, institutional investors and announced plan for a UK main board listing.

Key Projects

Santa Maria Eterna Silica Sand Lease

Site of Homerun’s industrial facilities in Belmonte, Brazil

Homerun’s cornerstone asset in Belmonte, Brazil is a 40-year lease agreement with Companhia Baiana de Pesquisa Mineral (CBPM) over the Santa Maria Eterna (SME) deposit. The NI 43-101 MRE defines 25.56 Mt measured and 38.35 Mt inferred at >99.6 percent silicon dioxide (SiO₂). This sand’s unique low-iron chemistry enables direct use in solar glass furnaces without expensive, high-energy impurity removal, capable of delivering a significant cost advantage.

The project has extraction rights already in place on its silica sand and working toward environmental permits for advanced processing, and a low minimum royalty (R$26/ton). The deposits at SME are located beside a major roadway, within trucking distance of the Port of Ilhéus, with future local port expansion potential through Veracel Celulose in the State of Belmonte.

​

HPQ Silica Processing Facility

The first commercial development priority, the HPQ silica plant will process 120,000 tpa of ultra-pure silica (>99.99 percent SiO₂), with expansion capability. Capex is estimated at approximately US$30 million, subject to final engineering by Dorfner Anzaplan, which is underway. Test work at UC Davis, NREL Labs and Anzaplan has already achieved +99.99 percent SiO₂ purity. At UC Davis, these high purities were achieved using new femtosecond laser purification technology without chemical reagents, paving the way for zero-waste, zero-emission production. The processing facility will serve global energy and high-tech markets including solar, silicon carbide, and advanced ceramics and glass.

Solar Glass Manufacturing Facility

Planned as Latin America’s first dedicated high-efficiency solar glass plant, this facility will produce up to 365,000 tpa. Brazil’s solar market is the largest outside China, with over 113 GW of capacity in pre-construction. Recent government tariffs (25 percent on imported solar components) and tax incentives for domestic supply create a strong market backdrop. Homerun has signed LOIs totaling 120,000 tpa at US$750/t with major module producers Sengi Solar and Balfar Solar, plus an LOI with a German development group for the full 365,000 tpa. German engineering firms Horn Glass and SORG have provided approximate +/- €150 million budgetary CAPEX estimates.

Enduring Energy Storage System – Partnership with US DOE’s NREL

Through a cooperative research and development agreement with the US Department of Energy’s National Renewable Energy Laboratory and Babcock & Wilcox, this first-of-its-kind thermal energy storage (TES) system uses Homerun’s silica to store renewable heat for long-duration power release. The design enables an ancillary revenue stream by purifying the silica during use, producing high-purity products for sale. TES offers a 30-year lifespan, lower CAPEX/OPEX than batteries, and scalability from MWh to GWh applications. The first pilot is under construction in Colorado.

Solar Glass and AI Energy Management Solutions

Through the creation of Homerun Energy (acquisition of Halocell (Europe) and planned capitalization of SeisSolar (Spain), Homerun has secured 15 years of perovskite R&D expertise and access to over 2,800 active alternative energy hardware customers. Perovskite solar cells promise higher efficiency and lighter, flexible panels, with full integration into Homerun’s planned solar glass development. The company is also commercializing its AI-driven energy management platform to optimize generation, storage and consumption, adding high-margin SaaS revenue streams to alternative hardware solutions.

Additional Silica and Quartz Assets in Brazil

Beyond Santa Maria Eterna, Homerun holds:

• Belmonte Concessions (Brazil): 7,930 ha, drilled to an average 99.23 percent SiO₂, targeting more than 200 Mt resource.
• Canide Quartz (Brazil): 29,241 ha, 47 samples grading >99 percent SiO₂; targeting 500 Mt.

Management Team

Brian Leeners – CEO and Director

Brian Leeners has more than 30 years’ experience in venture company management. He is the founder of Nexvu Capital, directly responsible for raising over US$125 million in the materials and tech sectors. Leeners is the architect of Homerun’s vertically integrated strategy.

Antonio Vitor – Country Manager, Brazil

Antonio Vitor is a mining executive with 10+ years in project development and extensive government, banking and industry connections in Brazil. He has held roles at Transpetro, PwC and Shell.

Armando Farhate – COO

With 37 years of industry experience, including 13 in mining across Brazil, Canada, Namibia and Botswana, Armando Farhate’s expertise is in operations, engineering and mineral resource development.

Nancy Zhao – CFO

Nancy Zhao is a CPA with 9+ years in public company finance. She is the former CFO of First Hydrogen and Neo Battery Materials. She has a background in chemical engineering and procurement for Sinopec.

Dr. Mauro Cesar Terence – CTO

Dr. Mauro Cesar Terence has a PhD in nuclear technology, with 25 years in academic R&D, specializing in polymers, nanomaterials and graphene. He is a former coordinator at MackGraphe Research Center.

Tyler Muir – Investor Relations

Tyler Muir is the founder of TMM Capital Advisory, experienced in capital markets strategy, corporate communications and investor engagement.

Lahontan Gold Corp. (TSXV:LG)(OTCQB:LGCXF)(FSE:Y2F) (the ‘Company‘ or ‘Lahontan‘) is pleased to announce that the Company signed a binding term sheet (the ‘Term Sheet‘) on August 18, 2025 to acquire 27 unpatented lode mineral claims (the ‘YorkClaims’) from Emergent Metals Corp. (‘Emergent’),adding approximately 2.1 km² of strategic mineral rights to the Santa Fe Mine Project. The claims adjoin the Santa Fe Mine Project immediately south and southeast of the York open pit and gold mineral resource* (please see map below). Resource modeling completed as part of the recent Preliminary Economic Assessment (‘PEA’) of the Santa Fe Mine Project* demonstrated that gold-silver mineral resources extended in the direction of the York Claims. The acquisition of the York claims will allow the expansion of the York open pit and potentially, a substantial increase of mineral resources in the York area.

Detailed map of the eastern portion of the Santa Fe Mine Project, Mineral County, Nevada. Modeled gold and silver mineral resource blocks are shown in yellow, red and orange; the conceptual pit shells used to constrain the mineral resource estimate* are shown in red. An approximate outline of the newly acquired York Claims is shown in bold red.

Kimberly Ann, Lahontan Gold Corp CEO, Executive Chair, and Founder commented: ‘Lahontan is very excited to acquire the York Claims that are directly adjacent to the York gold mineral resource*. The newly acquired claims will allow a considerable layback of the York pit during mine planning and in mineral resource estimation. Modeling of gold and silver mineralization at York in the Santa Fe Mine Project PEA was constrained by a pit shell that must honor the property boundary*. With the addition of the York Claims, that pit can be greatly expanded, potentially adding resource ounces plus opening up compelling targets for further gold and silver mineral resource expansion. Coupled with recently completed exploration drilling, the Company continues its path of growing size and scale of the Santa Fe Mine Project and enhancing shareholder value’.

Emergent and Lahontan contemplate completing a Definitive Agreement (the ‘Agreement‘) within 30 days of signing the Term Sheet. The transaction (the ‘Transaction‘) is subject to all necessary approvals, including regulatory approval. Terms of the Transaction include:

• On signing the Term Sheet, Lahontan will pay Emergent’s U.S. subsidiary, Golden Arrow Mining Corporation (‘GAMC‘), a sum of US$10,000.
• On signing the Agreement, Lahontan will issue GAMC a US$50,000 promissory note, with a 1% per month interest rate, and payable within six months of signing the Agreement.
• On signing the Agreement, Lahontan will issue 2,000,000 common shares of Lahontan Gold Corp. to GAMC or its designee.
• On signing of the Agreement, payment of the cash, issuance of the shares, and issuance of the promissory note outlined above, GAMC will facilitate the transfer of the York Claims to Lahontan or its designee, to be completed within 30 days.
• As part of the transfer, Lahontan will grant GAMC a 1% NSR royalty (the ‘Royalty‘) on the York Claims. At any time before the third anniversary of the Agreement, Lahontan may purchase the Royalty for US$500,000. After the third and before the seventh anniversary of the Agreement, Lahontan may purchase the Royalty for US$1,000,000. The terms and conditions of the Royalty will be defined in the Agreement.

Regarding scientific data on the York Claims by provided previous claimants, the QP has been unable to verify the information and that the information is not necessarily indicative to the mineralization on the York Claims property that is subject to the disclosure.

About Lahontan Gold Corp.

Lahontan Gold Corp. is a Canadian mine development and mineral exploration company that holds, through its US subsidiaries, four top-tier gold and silver exploration properties in the Walker Lane of mining friendly Nevada. Lahontan’s flagship property, the 26.4 km² Santa Fe Mine project, had past production of 359,202 ounces of gold and 702,067 ounces of silver between 1988 and 1995 from open pit mines utilizing heap-leach processing. The Santa Fe Mine has a Canadian National Instrument 43-101 compliant Indicated Mineral Resource of 1,539,000 oz Au Eq(48,393,000 tonnes grading 0.92 g/t Au and 7.18 g/t Ag, together grading 0.99 g/t Au Eq) and an Inferred Mineral Resource of 411,000 oz Au Eq (16,760,000 grading 0.74 g/t Au and 3.25 g/t Ag, together grading 0.76 g/t Au Eq), all pit constrained (Au Eq is inclusive of recovery, please see Santa Fe Project Technical Report and note below*). The Company plans to continue advancing the Santa Fe Mine project towards production, update the Santa Fe Preliminary Economic Assessment, and drill test its satellite West Santa Fe project during 2025. The technical content of this news release and the Company’s technical disclosure has been reviewed and approved by Michael Lindholm, CPG, Independent Consulting Geologist to Lahontan Gold Corp., who is a Qualified Person as defined in National Instrument 43-101 — Standards of Disclosure for Mineral Projects. Mr. Lindholm was not an author for the Technical Report* and does not take responsibility for the resource calculation but can confirm that the grade and ounces in this press release are the same as those given in the Technical Report. For more information, please visit our website: www.lahontangoldcorp.com

* Please see the ‘Preliminary Economic Assessment, NI 43-101 Technical Report, Santa Fe Project’, Authors: Kenji Umeno, P. Eng., Thomas Dyer, PE, Kyle Murphy, PE, Trevor Rabb, P. Geo, Darcy Baker, PhD, P. Geo., and John M. Young, SME-RM; Effective Date: December 10, 2024, Report Date: January 24, 2025. The Technical Report is available on the Company’s website and SEDAR+. Mineral resources are reported using a cut-off grade of 0.15 g/t AuEq for oxide resources and 0.60 g/t AuEq for non-oxide resources. AuEq for the purpose of cut-off grade and reporting the Mineral Resources is based on the following assumptions gold price of US$1,950/oz gold, silver price of US$23.50/oz silver, and oxide gold recoveries ranging from 28% to 79%, oxide silver recoveries ranging from 8% to 30%, and non-oxide gold and silver recoveries of 71%.

On behalf of the Board of Directors

Kimberly Ann
Founder, CEO, President, and Executive Chair

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION, PLEASE CONTACT:

Lahontan Gold Corp.
Kimberly Ann
Founder, Chief Executive Officer, President, and Executive Chair

Phone: 1-530-414-4400
Email: Kimberly.ann@lahontangoldcorp.com
Website: www.lahontangoldcorp.com

Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements:

Neither TSX Venture Exchange(‘TSXV’) nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release. Except for statements of historical fact, this news release contains certain ‘forward-looking information’ within the meaning of applicable securities law. Forward-looking information is frequently characterized by words such as ‘plan’, ‘expect’, ‘project’, ‘intend’, ‘believe’, ‘anticipate’, ‘estimate’ and other similar words, or statements that certain events or conditions ‘may’ or ‘will’ occur. Forward-looking statements are based on the opinions and estimates at the date the statements are made and are subject to a variety of risks and uncertainties and other factors that could cause actual events or results to differ materially from those anticipated in the forward-looking statements including, but not limited to delays or uncertainties with regulatory approvals, including that of the TSXV. There are uncertainties inherent in forward-looking information, including factors beyond the Company’s control. The Company undertakes no obligation to update forward-looking information if circumstances or management’s estimates or opinions should change except as required by law. The reader is cautioned not to place undue reliance on forward-looking statements. Additional information identifying risks and uncertainties that could affect financial results is contained in the Company’s filings with Canadian securities regulators, which filings are available at www.sedarplus.com

Click here to connect with Lahontan Gold (TSXV:LG,OTCQB:LGCXF) to receive an Investor Presentation

Source

Pan American Silver delivers record earnings

Pan American Silver (TSX:PAAS,NYSE:PAAS) posted record net earnings of US$189.6 million for the second quarter, or US$0.52 per share, supported by record mine operating earnings of US$273.3 million.

Revenue came in at US$811.9 million, while silver output reached 5.1 million ounces and gold production was 178,700 ounces.

Furthermore, the MAG Silver acquisition, approved by shareholders in July, is expected to close in the second half of the year. Pan American said Juanicipio should lift its silver production by roughly 35 percent on an annualized basis and meaningfully lower all-in sustaining costs.

Meanwhile, the company also confirmed that it remains engaged in consultations with the local Xinka Parliament at the Escobal mine in Guatemala under ILO Convention 169 amid pushback regarding the project’s planned restart.

First Majestic reports record revenue

First Majestic Silver (TSX:AG,NYSE:AG) recorded its strongest quarter to date, with silver equivalent production rising 48 percent year-over-year to 7.9 million ounces, including 3.7 million ounces of silver.

The company also posted a record quarterly revenue of US$264.2 million, nearly double the US$136.2 million posted a year earlier. Average realized silver prices rose to US$34.62 per silver equivalent ounce, while payable sales volumes climbed 42 percent.

The company ended the quarter with 424,272 ounces of silver in inventory, valued at US$15.3 million but not recognized in quarterly revenue. The board also declared a dividend of US$0.0048 per share for the period.

Production gains were driven by stronger performance at the San Dimas mine in Mexico , where output rose 9 percent, and contributions from the Los Gatos joint venture also in Mexico, which added 1.5 million attributable ounces of silver.

Endeavour Silver expands through Kolpa acquisition

Endeavour Silver (TSX:EDR,NYSE:EXK) reported silver production of 1.48 million ounces and gold output of 7,755 ounces, for total silver equivalent production of 2.5 million ounces, up 13 percent year-on-year.

Overall revenue also rose 46 percent to US$85.3 million, supported by higher realized prices of US$32.95 per ounce of silver and US$3,320 per ounce of gold.

Furthermore, the company completed its acquisition of Minera Kolpa on May 1, funded in part by a US$50 million equity financing.

Endeavour also said that it has advanced commissioning at its Mexico-based Terronera project, which is nearing commercial production. Milling rates reached up to 2,000 metric tons per day by late July, with silver recoveries averaging 71 percent and gold recoveries at 67 percent.

Hecla Mining hits records across the board

US and Canada-focused Hecla Mining (NYSE:HL) reported record quarterly revenue of US$304 million, a 16 percent increase from the prior quarter.

Net income came in at US$57.6 million, or US$0.09 per share, while adjusted EBITDA reached US$132.5 million. The company said free cash flow also reached record levels.

Silver costs remained low, with cash cost per ounce after by-product credits at negative US$5.46 and all-in sustaining costs at US$5.19 per ounce.

On the production side, milestones were set at key operations: the Lucky Friday mine (Idaho) established a new milling record of 114,475 tons, while Greens Creek (Alaska) delivered positive gold output owing to higher grades.

Silvercorp maintains consistency

Silvercorp Metals (TSX:SVM,NYSEAMERICAN:SVM) produced 1.8 million ounces of silver in its fiscal first quarter, along with 2,050 ounces of gold, 15.7 million pounds of lead, and 5.2 million pounds of zinc from its Ying Mining District in China’s Henan Province.

The Vancouver-based firm also posted revenue of US$81.3 million, with income from mine operations standing at US$35.8 million.

Silvercorp said that the margins are slightly lower than the prior year as higher processing volumes increased costs and royalties in China.

Nevertheless, the company stated that despite higher royalties and processing expenses offsetting some of the benefit of stronger realized prices, it remains profitable and cash-flow positive.

Fresnillo Navigates Lower Silver Output

Fresnillo (LSE:FRES,OTC Pink:FNLPF), one of Mexico’s largest gold and silver producers, reported revenues of US$1.94 billion for the first half of 2025, up 30 percent from the same period in 2024.

On production, the company reported that attributable silver production was 24.9 million ounces in the first half, down 11.7 percent from the year prior due to the closure of San Julián DOB and lower grades at Ciénega and Juanicipio.

By contrast, attributable gold production rose 15.9 percent to 313,800 ounces, supported by higher ore grades at Herradura.

Fresnillo also confirmed that parent company Industrias Peñoles agreed to buy back the longstanding Silverstream contract for US$40 million. Since 2007, Peñoles has paid Fresnillo US$882 million for approximately 52 million ounces of silver delivered from the Sabinas mine under the arrangement.

MAG Silver navigates takeover, advances exploration

MAG Silver (TSX:MAG,NYSEAMERICAN:MAG) entered Q2 under the spotlight as it moved forward with its pending acquisition by Pan American Silver.

The transaction, approved by MAG shareholders in July, offers shareholders the option of receiving either cash or Pan American shares, with closing expected in the second half of 2025 subject to regulatory approvals in Mexico.

Operationally, exploration remained active across the company’s portfolio. At Juanicipio in Mexico, MAG drilled nearly 9,500 metres underground with results pending, while surface work added over 6,000 metres targeting the Cañada Honda and Magdalena structures.

In the US, geophysical surveys advanced at the Deer Trail project in Utah, and drilling commenced at Ontario’s Larder project, where over 5,200 metres were completed at the Italian Zone.

Avino delivers revenue growth, index inclusion

Avino Silver & Gold Mines (TSX:ASM,NYSEAMERICAN:ASM) posted strong second quarter financials with revenues rising 47 percent year-on-year to US$21.8 million.

Net income more than doubled to US$2.9 million, while mine operating income surged 118 percent to US$10.2 million, supported by economies of scale and record mill throughput.

Production from the company’s portfolio of Mexican projects reached 645,602 silver-equivalent ounces, a 5 percent increase despite lower feed grades, as throughput gains offset grade variability.

Beyond operations, Avino also secured inclusions in both the S&P/TSX Global Mining Index and the Solactive Global Silver Miners Index during the quarter.

Coeur achieves record quarter on silver and gold strength

Coeur Mining (NYSE:CDE) reported record Q2 results with revenues of US$481 million and net income from continuing operations of US$71 million, marking its fifth consecutive profitable quarter.

Adjusted EBITDA rose 64 percent from the prior quarter to US$244 million, while free cash flow soared eightfold to US$146 million.

The company produced 4.7 million ounces of silver and 108,487 ounces of gold, up 79 and 38 percent year-on-year respectively, with strong contributions from all five operations.

Meanwhile, crushed ore rates and production volumes climbed sharply from the company’s expanded Rochester mine in Nevada. Coeur also reaffirmed its full-year guidance of 380,000–440,000 ounces of gold and 16.7–20.3 million ounces of silver.

Silver Outlook

Silver’s breakout above US$35 has injected new momentum into the precious metals complex, putting the metal back into focus after more than a decade of underperformance relative to gold.

Traders are already eyeing the psychologically important US$40 level and ultimately the 2011 peak near US$50, with market strategists noting that previous moves through the mid-30s have often triggered rapid runs higher.

The renewed excitement comes as gold itself sits at record levels, providing a strong comparative benchmark that has many investors looking to silver as a value trade.

Behind the price action, silver’s fundamentals remain compelling. Industrial demand tied to green energy applications, paired with persistent multi-year supply deficits, continues to erode above-ground stocks.

Whether or not silver makes a sustained run in the near term, the alignment of macroeconomic factors and strong tailwinds proves that silver’s resurgence in 2025 is being built on more than just speculation.

Graphite prices hit multi-year lows

Caught in the cross hairs of tariff troubles between US and China, graphite prices fell to their lowest levels since 2018, according to Fastmarkets.

In January, The US Department of Commerce officially launched anti-dumping (AD) and countervailing duty (CVD) investigations into imports of active anode material from China, following petitions filed by the American Active Anode Material Producers (AAMP) in mid-December 2024.

These probes stem from concerns that Chinese producers are unfairly undercutting domestic manufacturers through subsidized or dumped pricing.

“The new antidumping and countervailing duty investigation on active anode imports from China demonstrates that the anode production is the most challenging part of the battery supply chain for the US to compete with China,” wrote Fastmarkets Georgi Georgiev in a February report.

He added: “The existing 25 percent tariff has had limited impact on anode imports from China, demonstrating that currently Chinese anode makers remain the cornerstone of global anode supply chains.”

In May, the Department of Commerce issued an affirmative preliminary finding in its countervailing duty probe, identifying subsidy rates as high as 721 percent for some producers, while others faced rates near 6.55 percent.

In the related anti-dumping investigation, a July 17 preliminary determination confirmed dumping, and a provisional 93.5 percent duty was imposed.

If both Commerce and the US International Trade Commission deliver final affirmative decisions, steep duties could be imposed as soon as fall 2025 and remain in place for at least five years.

Supply and demand woes intensify

Despite natural graphite mined supply growing year over year from 2020’s 966,000 metric tons to 1,600,000 metric tons in 2024, concerns abound about future supply.

“Rare earth elements appear to be sufficiently supplied in 2035 based on the project pipeline. However, supply concentration for rare earths and graphite remains a key vulnerability,” a recent IEA report read.

The energy oversight agency expects graphite demand to double between now and 2040, driven by an uptick in eclectic vehicle demand.

To ensure ample supply is available, the IEA recommends broad growth outside of China up and down the supply chain.

“Diversification is the watchword for energy security, but the critical minerals world has moved in the opposite direction in recent years, particularly in refining and processing. Between 2020 and 2024, growth in refined material production was heavily concentrated among the leading suppliers,” it read.

Refining capacity for critical minerals has become increasingly concentrated, with graphite among the most affected. By 2024, the top three refining nations controlled an average of 86 percent of global output for key energy minerals, up from about 82 percent in 2020.

In graphite’s case, China dominates the sector, accounting for nearly all recent supply growth, a trend mirrored by Indonesia in nickel and China again in cobalt and rare earths.Despite China’s stronghold of the market, the IEA sees that weakening over the next decade.

“There is some diversification emerging in the mining of lithium, graphite and rare earth elements. The share of mined lithium supply from the top three producers is set to fall below 70 percent by 2035, down from over 75 percent in 2024,” the IEA states. “ Graphite and rare earth elements also see some improvement as new mining suppliers emerge over the next decade – Madagascar and Mozambique for graphite and Australia for rare earths.”

While mine supply diversification is a positive first step, growth in refinement and processing capacity is unlikely to see the same ex-China growth trends.

The IEA expects refining capacity for critical minerals to remain heavily concentrated well into the next decade, with graphite among the most tightly controlled.

Although some diversification is emerging for lithium and select minerals, China’s dominance shows little sign of waning. By 2035, the country is projected to supply roughly 80 percent of the world’s battery-grade graphite, alongside similar market shares in rare earths, and more than 60 percent of refined lithium and cobalt.

Tariff battle shakes anode supply chain

To counter China’s control the US is moving aggressively to curb reliance on Chinese graphite anodes, which account for more than 95 percent of global anode output.

Since June 2024, tariffs on Chinese synthetic graphite anodes have risen from zero to 160 percent — including the existing 25 percent Section 301 tariff and additional levies. North American producers have petitioned for duties as high as 920 percent.

Chinese producers initially absorbed much of the cost of early tariffs, but analysts expect they will pass more of the recent increases on to buyers.

US automakers and battery makers are bracing for higher costs, with trade data showing that all US graphite anode imports for the EV sector came from China in 2024.

China has responded with its own 84 percent import tariff on US petroleum coke and needle coke. While China has reduced reliance on US supply, it still sources about 30 percent of each from American producers, meaning higher costs for Chinese synthetic graphite and downstream anode products.

“US electric vehicle and battery producers have battled in recent years to keep US imports of graphite anodes from China tariff-free, but their efforts have proved futile over the past nine months and the trade status of graphite anodes has shifted dramatically,” Amy Bennett, principal consultant of metals and mining at Fastmarkets wrote in a May market report.

Fragility of supply

Global demand for battery-grade graphite is projected to surge by 600 percent over the next decade as the energy transition and electric vehicle (EV) adoption accelerate.

Yet, at today’s depressed prices, developing new supply outside China remains economically unviable — a challenge that’s fueling a looming supply crunch.

The US, which mines no natural graphite, was entirely dependent on imports to meet domestic demand in 2024, according to the US Geological Survey, leaving it and other non-China markets in a vulnerable position.

History offers a cautionary precedent: in 2010, rare earth prices spiked tenfold after China restricted exports.

Should a similar disruption hit lithium, nickel or graphite, prices could surge five to ten times, pushing average global battery pack costs up by 20 to 50 percent, the IEA warns.

Such a jump would erode EV affordability, slow adoption and threaten the pace of the clean energy transition.

1. Australia

Usable iron ore: 930 million metric tons
Iron content: 580 million metric tons

Australia is the largest iron producing country by far, with usable iron ore production of 930 million metric tons in 2024. Australia’s leading iron ore producer is BHP Group (ASX:BHP,LSE:BHP,NYSE:BHP), and Rio Tinto (ASX:RIO,NYSE:RIO,LSE:RIO) and Fortescue (ASX:FMG,OTCQX:FSUMF) are also large iron producers.

The Pilbara region is the most notable iron ore jurisdiction in Australia, if not the world. In fact, Rio Tinto calls its Pilbara Blend ‘the world’s most recognised brand of iron ore.’ One of the company’s iron producing operations in the region is Hope Downs iron ore complex, a 50/50 joint venture with Gina Rinehart’s Hancock Prospecting. The complex hosts four open-pit mines with an annual production capacity of 47 million metric tons.

In June 2025, the partners announced a combined investment of US$1.6 billion to develop the Hope Downs 2 iron ore project, a part of the main JV. The project hosts the Hope Downs 2 and Bedded Hilltop deposits, which together will have a total annual production capacity of 31 million metric tons.

As for BHP, the major iron miner’s Western Australia Iron Operations joint venture comprise five mining hubs and four processing hubs. One such hub is Area C, which hosts eight open-cut mining areas alone. The company also has an operating 85 percent interest in the Newman iron operations.

2. Brazil

Usable iron ore: 440 million metric tons
Iron content: 280 million metric tons

In Brazil, iron production totaled 440 million metric tons of usable iron ore in 2024.

The largest iron ore districts in the country are the states of Pará and Minas Gerais, which together account for 98 percent of Brazil’s annual iron ore output. Pará is home to the largest iron ore mine in the world, Vale’s (NYSE:VALE) Carajas mine. Headquartered in Rio de Janeiro, Vale is the world’s biggest producer of iron ore pellets.

Vale announced plans in February 2025 to make significant investments in increasing its production at Carajas by 13 percent through 2030.

3. China

Usable iron ore: 270 million metric tons
Iron content: 170 million metric tons

China’s iron production amounted to 270 million metric tons of usable iron ore in 2024. The Asian nation is the world’s largest consumer of iron ore, despite being the third largest iron-producing country.

China’s top producing iron ore mine is the Dataigou iron mine in Laioning province, with production of 9.07 million metric tons in 2023. The underground mine is owned by Glory Harvest Group Holdings.

With China being the world’s largest producer of stainless steel, its domestic supply is not enough to meet demand. The country imports over 75 percent of global seaborne iron ore as of mid-2025.

3. India

Usable iron ore: 270 million metric tons
Iron content: 170 million metric tons

India’s iron production for 2024 totaled 270 million metric tons of usable iron ore, tying for third place with China.

India’s largest iron ore miner, NMDC (NSE:NMDC), operates the Bailadila mining complexes in Chhattisgarh state and the Donimalai and Kumaraswamy mines in Karnataka state. NMDC hit a production milestone in 2021 of 40 million metric tons per year, the first such company to do so in the country. NMDC is targeting an annual production rate of 100 million metric tons by 2030.

5. Russia

Usable iron ore: 91 million metric tons
Iron content: 53 million metric tons

Russia’s iron ore production came in at 91 million metric tons in 2024, making it the fifth largest iron-producing country in the world.

The region of Belgorod Oblast is home to two of the country’s biggest iron ore producing mines: Metalloinvest’s Lebedinsky GOK, which in 2023 produced an estimated 22.05 million metric tons of iron ore; and Novolipetsk Steel’s Stoilensky GOK, which that same year produced an estimated 19.56 million metric tons of iron ore.

In response to serious economic sanctions on the country over its aggressive war against Ukraine, Russia’s iron ore exports fell dramatically in 2022 to 84.2 million metric tons from 96 million metric tons in the previous year. Together, these two countries previously accounted for 36 percent of global iron or non-alloy steel exports. The European Union has restricted imports of Russian iron ore.

Last year, imports of iron ore from Russia to the EU seemingly fell off a cliff, dropping from 332,300 tons to 9,360 tons.

6. Iran

Usable iron ore: 90 million metric tons
Iron content: 59 million metric tons

Iran surpassed 90 million metric tons in iron production in the form of usable iron ore in 2024. The country’s iron output has been on the rise in recent years — now in sixth place, it was the eighth highest iron producer in 2022 and the 10th in 2021.

One of Iran’s most important iron ore mines is Gol-e-Gohar in Kerman province, which is also the country’s top producer. During the March 2024 to January 2025 period, the country’s major mining companies’ combined iron pellet production reportedly increased by 7 percent year-over-year.

The country’s iron mines are supplying its steel industry, which produced 31 million MT of steel in 2024. In its 20 year roadmap released in 2005, the Iranian government set an annual steel production target of 55 million MT by 2025. To better meet the requirements of domestic steel producers, Iran began levying a 25 percent duty on iron ore exports in September 2019. The exact rate has changed multiple times since, and in February 2024 the country cut duties on these products significantly.

7. South Africa

Usable iron ore: 66 million metric tons
Iron content: 42 million metric tons

South Africa’s iron production was 66 million metric tons of usable iron ore in 2024. The country’s output has declined significantly in the past few years, down from 73.1 million MT three years earlier. South Africa’s mining industry is grappling with transport and logistics issues, most notably due to railway maintenance challenges.

Kumba Iron Ore is Africa’s largest iron ore producer. The company has three main iron ore production assets in the country, including its flagship mine, Sishen, which accounts for a large majority of Kumba’s total iron ore output. Anglo American (LSE:AAL,OTC Pink:AAUKF) owns a 69.7 percent share of the company.

8. Canada

Usable iron ore: 54 million metric tons
Iron content: 32 million metric tons

Canada’s iron production totaled 54 million metric tons of usable iron ore in 2024. In June of that year, the Canadian government updated the nation’s Critical Minerals List ‘to include high-purity iron, citing the necessity of that mineral’s role in decarbonization throughout the steel supply chain,’ according to the USGS.

Champion Iron (TSX:CIA) is one company producing iron ore in Canada. It owns and operates the Bloom Lake complex in Québec. Champion Iron ships iron concentrate from the Bloom Lake open pit by rail, initially on the Bloom Lake Railway, to a ship loading port in Sept-Îles, Québec. A Phase 2 expansion, which entered commercial production in December 2022, increased annual capacity from 7.4 million metric tons to 15 million metric tons of 66.2 percent iron ore concentrate.

As of 2025, Champion is investing in upgrading half of its Bloom Lake mine capacity to a direct reduction quality pellet feed iron ore with up to 69 percent iron.

9. Ukraine

Usable iron ore: 42 million metric tons
Iron content: 26 million metric tons

Ukraine’s iron production for 2024 was 42 million metric tons of usable iron ore. The metal represents a key segment of the country’s economy. Metinvest and ArcelorMittal (NYSE:MT) are the leading producers of iron ore in the nation.

Despite the ongoing war, Ukraine’s iron ore mining industry has proved as resilient as the people, even though there have been temporary shutdowns. However, 2025 looks to be turning into a particularly hard year. In the January through April period, iron ore exports decreased by 20.9 percent in value terms and by 10.2 percent in physical volumes year-over-year. GMK Center predicted in May that by the end of this year, ‘Ukraine’s iron ore exports will decline by about 20% y/y to 27 million tons from 33.6 million tons in 2024.’

10. Kazakhstan

Usable iron ore: 30 million metric tons
Iron content: 9.2 million metric tons

Kazakhstan’s iron production came in at 30 million metric tons of usable iron ore in 2024.

Kazakhstan has several iron ore mines in operation, with four of the top five owned by Eurasian Resources Group. The largest of these iron ore mines is the Sokolovsky surface and underground mine located in Kostanay. In 2023, it produced an estimated 7.52 million tonnes per annum of iron ore.

The Sokolov-Sarybai Mining Production Association (SMPA) in Northern Kazakhstan was the main supplier of iron ore to Russia’s Magnitogorsk Iron and Steelworks prior to the country’s invasion of Ukraine. Since then, the SMPA has halted iron ore shipments to Magnitogorsk.

Focused on unlocking West Africa’s untapped mineral potential, Kobo Resources (TSXV:KRI) is advancing its flagship Kossou Gold Project in Côte d’Ivoire. Strategically located next to Perseus Mining’s (TSX:PRU) producing Yaouré Gold Mine, Kossou benefits from access to infrastructure, skilled local labor, and strong logistical advantages.

Kobo’s value proposition rests on a seasoned leadership team and backing from strategic partner Luso Global Mining, part of engineering giant Mota-Engil. Beyond capital, this partnership provides access to world-class mining expertise. With a phased exploration strategy, Kobo is advancing near-term catalysts—including updated technical reports, metallurgical studies, and a 2025 drill campaign aimed at delivering a maiden resource in 2026.

The Kossou Gold Project (KGP) is Kobo Resources’ flagship asset in Côte d’Ivoire, located 40 km from Yamoussoukro and adjacent to Perseus Mining’s producing Yaouré Gold Mine. Covering 110 sq. km within the prolific Birimian greenstone belt, Kossou benefits from excellent infrastructure, logistical advantages, and strong exploration potential in one of West Africa’s fastest-growing mining jurisdictions.

Company Highlights

• Mining-friendly and Underexplored Location – Côte d’Ivoire’s gold production has grown significantly but still trails neighboring countries.
• Prime Location with Infrastructure Advantage – The Kossou Gold Project (KGP) is 40 km from Yamoussoukro and 9.5 km from a major operating gold mine.
• Proven Gold Discoveries with Strike Continuity – 24,471 m drilled at KGP with multiple mineralized zones that remain open along strike and depth.
• Promising Secondary Project – Kotobi gold project offers early-stage exploration upside in a highly prospective greenstone belt.
• Aggressive Growth and Near-term Milestones – +/- 20,000 m 2025 drill program targeting priority zones and advancing toward a potential MRE in 2026 with a strong project pipeline.
• Strong Team and Strategic Backing – Decades of exploration success combined with a strategic partnership with Luso Global Mining (Mota-Engil).

This Kobo Resources profile is part of a paid investor education campaign.*

Click here to connect with Kobo Resources (TSXV:KRI) to receive an Investor Presentation