Markets brace for further impact

The combined losses across major markets pushed the Nasdaq Composite into bear market territory on Friday (April 4) after the index registered a 20 percent decline.

Concerns that S&P 500 would follow suit mounted on Monday.

CNBC’s Jim Cramer likened the market selloff to “Black Monday,” noting the similarities to the 1987 market crash.

Analysts warn that further volatility is likely if inflation data due later this week exceeds expectations.

Even safe-haven asset gold felt the pressure as it fell below US$3,000 an ounce for the first time since mid-March.

The high-pitched market uncertainty highlights the far-reaching consequences of the sweeping new tariffs and China’s swift retaliation, which together have reignited fears of a global trade war.

With a 10 percent baseline duty on all imports as well as double-digit targeted tariffs, investors are recalibrating their strategies in real time, pulling back from risk and pivoting toward safe-haven assets.

A ‘precision strike’ on US defense capabilities

Mark A. Smith, CEO of NioCorp Developments (NASDAQ:NB), a company working to create domestic supply of critical minerals in the US, called China’s actions a ‘precision strike’ against the Pentagon’s supply chains.

In a press release, he emphasized the far-reaching impact of rare earths export curbs on US defense technologies.

‘This is a precision strike by China against Pentagon supply chains that enable our most powerful weapons and defense systems,’ Smith said on Friday. ‘These aren’t just metals — they’re bottleneck elements, and without them, much of the Pentagon’s advanced hardware risks slipping from superiority to obsolescence.’

The rare earth elements targeted by China are not just vital for defense, but are integral to other industries too. From renewable energy technologies to high-end electronics, the list of affected products is extensive.

NioCorp began to explore the possibility of recycling rare earths last year, alongside the feasibility of recycling post-consumer rare earth magnets to reduce reliance on Chinese imports.

As the US military continues to modernize its technology, including hypersonic weapons and advanced satellite systems, the lack of access to these elements could have long-term supply implications.

This latest round of trade tensions comes in the wake of US President Donald Trump’s aggressive tariff policies and the imposition of a 54 percent tariff on Chinese imports. In March, Trump invoked wartime powers under the Defense Production Act to address the nation’s reliance on foreign critical minerals.

The US Department of Defense has already been involved in efforts to develop domestic rare earths production capabilities, and this move from China may serve to accelerate those initiatives.

China has increasingly wielded its dominance over critical materials as a weapon in trade war situations with the US in the past few years. Most recently, the country implemented similar curbs on minerals like gallium, germanium and graphite — all of which are key to high-tech and defense applications.

While the recent export restrictions will not result in an outright ban, they will subject shipments to greater scrutiny, with controls targeting exports of materials used in both civilian and military applications.

Growing calls for domestic production

The potential economic fallout from China’s restrictions is substantial. Its dominant role in the global rare earths market means that the US and its allies have few alternatives when it comes to sourcing these materials.

Ucore Rare Metals (TSXV:UCU,OTCQX:UURAF), a company focused on developing North American rare earths processing facilities, has stressed the need to establish a more independent and resilient supply chain.

Pat Ryan, CEO of Ucore, which is developing its proprietary RapidSX rare earths refining technology, acknowledged the urgency of addressing these vulnerabilities.

‘China’s recent announcement highlights the urgent need for a robust and independent rare earth supply chain in North America,’ Ryan maintained in a Friday press release.

‘Ucore’s RapidSX technology offers a transformative solution to this challenge, and we are committed to advancing our strategic initiatives to ensure a stable and secure supply of critical rare earth elements.’

Ucore has secured key funding for its initiatives, including a US$4.28 million deal with the Canadian government to demonstrate the commercial viability of its technology, and a US$4 million contract with the US Department of Defense.

The company is also working to develop a rare earths processing facility in Louisiana, which could significantly reduce North America’s reliance on foreign sources.

Bitcoin and Ethereum price update

At the time of this writing, Bitcoin (BTC) has continued its skid to drop to US$76,178.35, down 4.6 percent in 24 hours. The day’s range has brought a low of US$74,604.47 and a high of US$82,669.72.

Bitcoin performance, April 7, 2025.

Chart via TradingView

Bitcoin’s downturn is largely attributed to escalating global trade tensions following President Donald Trump’s announcement of new tariffs.The resulting market uncertainty has led to a broader sell-off in risk assets, including cryptocurrencies.

Additionally, China’s retaliatory tariffs have intensified fears of a trade war, further shaking investor sentiment.

Ethereum (ETH) is priced at US$1,493.12, a 12.7 percent free fall over the past 24 hours. The cryptocurrency reached an intraday low of US$1,431.73 and a high of US$1,764.84.

Altcoin price update

• Solana (SOL) is currently valued at US$100.50, down 8.7 percent over the past 24 hours. SOL experienced a low of US$96.70 and a high of US$115.25 on Monday.

• XRP is trading at US$1.76, reflecting a 10.0 percent decrease over the past 24 hours. The cryptocurrency recorded an intraday low of US$1.65 and a high of US$2.08.

• Sui (SUI) is priced at US$1.82, showing a 5.8 percent decrease over the past 24 hours. It achieved a daily low of US$1.75 and a high of US$2.10.

• Cardano (ADA) is trading at US$0.5445, reflecting a 8.7 percent decrease over the past 24 hours. Its lowest price on Monday was US$0.5157, with a high of US$0.6279.

Crypto news to know

Bitcoin slides below US$75,000 as tariff chaos spooks markets

Bitcoin dropped over 5 percent on Monday (April 7) morning, briefly dipping below US$75,000 for the first time since Donald Trump’s re-election in November, as sweeping US tariffs and China’s retaliation triggered a market-wide selloff.

Ether plummeted over 10 percent to levels not seen since March 2023, while altcoins like XRP, Solana, and Cardano also posted heavy losses.

The total crypto market cap fell by 11 percent to US$2.5 trillion, wiping out nearly all gains made since Trump’s victory.

Traders had hoped a crypto-friendly administration would usher in tailwinds, but rising global tensions have proved overwhelming.

Analysts say the carnage could continue, with options markets flashing signs of sustained bearish pressure and over US$1.2 billion in long liquidations recorded in just 24 hours.

Strategy to log US$5.9B unrealized loss under new Bitcoin accounting rule

Michael Saylor’s Strategy (NASDAQ:MSTER) (formerly MicroStrategy) announced it will register an eye-watering US$5.9 billion unrealized loss in Q1 after adopting fair-value accounting for its Bitcoin reserves—a policy shift that reflects BTC’s steep price pullback this year.

The loss comes after a fresh buying spree in early 2025, which left the firm with roughly US$1 billion in paper losses on recent acquisitions alone.

Yet paradoxically, the company will also log a US$13 billion boost to retained earnings due to the new accounting standards, highlighting the volatile nature of being Wall Street’s leading BTC proxy.

Strategy’s stock tumbled as much as 14 percent Monday, raising new questions about whether Saylor’s “buy-and-hold forever” ethos can withstand institutional scrutiny in a more volatile macro climate.

Hong Kong greenlights staking for licensed crypto exchanges under strict new rules

In a major step toward institutionalizing crypto, Hong Kong’s Securities and Futures Commission (SFC) unveiled formal guidelines allowing licensed exchanges and funds to offer staking services, provided strict custodial and disclosure requirements are met.

Staking, crucial for securing Proof-of-Stake (PoS) networks and generating passive returns, had previously been a regulatory gray area in the city.

Under the new rules, exchanges must retain direct control of client assets, explicitly barring third-party delegation, and provide full transparency on risks, fees, and lock-up periods.

The move reflects Hong Kong’s ambition to rival other financial hubs and attract global digital asset firms amid the regulatory vacuum in jurisdictions like the US, where staking remains under scrutiny from the SEC.

South Korea’s US$890B pension fund to adopt blockchain for fund operations and oversight

South Korea’s National Pension Service (NPS), one of the world’s largest public pension funds, is moving to incorporate blockchain technology into its operational infrastructure, according to a recent Seoul Economic Daily report.

With over US$800 billion in assets under management, the NPS aims to use blockchain to improve tracking of transactions, client withdrawals, and investment flows, especially for foreign clients.

Though the fund is not directly investing in crypto, it has taken equity positions in firms like Coinbase and Strategy, signaling long-term confidence in the industry’s underlying technology.

The NPS initiative aligns with the nation’s growing retail enthusiasm for crypto—South Korea now boasts more than 16 million crypto investors, a surge that has accelerated since Trump’s 2024 electoral win sparked hopes of a more favorable global crypto environment.

United States focused Cleantech company Carbonxt Group Ltd (ASX:CG1) (Carbonxt or the Company) is pleased to announce that our Managing Director, Warren Murphy, will be presenting at the Ignite Investment Summit in Hong Kong on Thursday, March 27 at 12:00 PM HK time. Warren will showcase Carbonxt’s cutting-edge carbon solutions, highlighting how the Company is driving sustainability and delivering value through advanced technology and eco-friendly innovation.

Carbonxt Group Limited is excited to be part of the Ignite Summit, a premier event that brings together innovative companies, investors, and industry leaders from across the globe.

Click here for the full ASX Release

Total Bitcoin options open interest vs. the Bitcoin price, January 2 to March 31, 2025.

Chart via Coinglass.

However, low volume provided insufficient support for high prices, foreshadowing the volatility to come.

Q1 data from Coinglass shows that Bitcoin fell 11.82 percent and Ethereum dropped 45.41 percent for the period, with February seeing the largest losses at 17.39 percent for Bitcoin and 31.95 percent for Ethereum.

Bitcoin’s price at the end of the Q1 was around US$80,000, while Ethereum — which has struggled to retake US$2,000 after dipping below that threshold mid-March — closed at around US$1,800.

Proposed economic policies, an impending trade war and poor economic data have acted as major catalysts, resulting in a turn from risky assets like crypto and tech stocks toward traditional safe havens like bonds and gold.

Institutional momentum, Stablecoin growth signal crypto’s next chapter

Despite market fluctuations, some areas of the crypto sector experienced notable growth and development in Q1.

Speaking at Benzinga’s Fintech & FODA Event in December 2024, Venable partner Chris O’Brien said that Sam Bankman-Fried’s conviction marked the end of an initial highly speculative phase for cryptocurrencies.

While cryptocurrencies and blockchain technology will persist, their future hinges on moving beyond mere speculation and focusing on practical applications that address real-world problems.

A defining feature, identified early in the quarter by Bitwise’s Matthew Hougan, is the continued and increasing involvement of institutional players in the crypto market. This trend manifested in strategic investments from companies like Strategy (NASDAQ:MSTR) and BlackRock, both of which accumulated substantial portions of Bitcoin’s supply in Q1.

Major banks like BNY Mellon, which have incorporated cryptocurrency services to allow transactions between certain clients using Circle’s USDC, also began expanding their crypto services.

Earlier this year, Bank of America (NYSE:BAC) CEO Brian Moynihan told CNBC’s Andrew Ross Sorkin that the US banking industry is eager to integrate crypto into traditional banking if — or, more likely, when — regulation allows for it.

Alongside institutional interest, stablecoins saw significant growth in Q1. The total market cap for stablecoins surged past US$200 billion, outpacing Bitcoin’s price trajectory for the period.

Total stablecoin market cap vs. the Bitcoin price, Q1 2025.

Chart via Coinglass.

A key crossover occurred in February after the US announced tariffs targeting Canada and Mexico. The move resulted in a downturn in both cryptocurrencies and traditional markets.

Amid these developments, lawmakers turned their focus to passing stablecoin legislation, specifically Senator Bill Hagerty’s (R-Tenn.) GENIUS Act, which is currently awaiting a full House vote. Kristin Smith, CEO of the Blockchain Association, said during Blockworks’ 2025 Digital Asset Summit in New York that lawmakers are on pace to pass legislation establishing rules for stablecoins and cryptocurrency market structure by August.

Divestitures into altcoins continued from Q4 2024, although momentum slowed comparatively, a shift exacerbated by speculative meme coin trading and the controversies surrounding projects like TRUMP, MELANIA and LIBRA.

Bitcoin retook its dominant position, but notable interest in SOL and XRP remained, as multiple firms sought to offer spot ETFs; their approval is all but guaranteed by former US Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) Chair Gary Gensler’s exit. Applications have also been filed to offer ETFs tracking SUI, AVA and DOGE.

Ethereum’s Q1 presented a complex picture, marked by both progress and setbacks.

The network increased its gas limit to enhance throughput and enable complex DeFi applications; however, competition from other blockchains — particularly Solana — caused it to underperform. Additionally, the upcoming Pectra upgrade ran into testing issues on the Holesky and Sepolia testnets, causing delays.

Declining network activity contributed to price suppression, but the tripling in total value for BlackRock’s BUIDL fund in the weeks leading up to the end of Q2 signaled continued confidence in Ethereum’s long-term potential and a broader trend toward tokenization, mirrored in the growth of the real-world asset (RWA) market.

The market cap of RWAs grew by approximately US$5 billion in Q1 to reach almost US$20 billion as tokenization was applied to diverse assets and expanded across various blockchains.

Volatility, manipulation, hacks create crypto headwinds

The first quarter of the year was marked by market volatility and corrections, with both Bitcoin and altcoins experiencing significant price swings that were not only driven by typical market data, but were also heavily influenced by current events, evolving policies and even speculative social media trends.

Another challenge for the crypto market was opposition to proposed legislation in the US; insider trading and market manipulation concerns also arose, particularly around meme coin launches.

Suspiciously timed trades occurred before Trump’s strategic crypto reserve executive order: a large deposit was made to Hyperliquid, followed by highly leveraged trades on Bitcoin and Ethereum, resulting in profits exceeding US$6.8 million. This led many, including a prominent crypto analyst, to believe it was a case of insider trading.

Analysis by Material Indicators on March 20 also identifies a manipulatory device known as spoofing by one or more whales, which it cites as a reason for Bitcoin’s failure to sustain a rally past US$87,500 in March.

Despite efforts to improve regulation and security, the crypto industry continues to grapple with hacking incidents as well. A major hack of the Bybit exchange on February 23 led to losses of US$195 million, although the firm managed to fully replenish its reserves within 72 hours thanks to a mix of loans and large deposits from other industry players.

Glassnode Insights analysts said the correction following the hack and subsequent US$5.7 billion withdrawal from user wallets pushed Bitcoin’s monthly performance down by 13.6 percent. Altcoins and meme coins suffered even steeper losses, resetting market momentum to April 2024 levels.

2025 Bitcoin price predictions

Moderate Bitcoin growth and price appreciation are expected in mid- to late 2025, tied to stablecoin and DeFi growth.

Bitcoin price performance post-halving.

Chart via IntoTheBlock.

Price targets for Bitcoin this year vary. Network economist Timothy Peterson has predicted that Bitcoin could peak around US$126,000 in the latter half of 2025. A meta-analysis of Polymarket estimates posted by X user Ashwin on March 26 identifies a bull target price of US$138,617 and a bear price of US$59,040.

The potential for a supply shock due to diminishing Bitcoin reserves on exchanges could fuel a rally. Factors like a weakening US dollar and an end quantitative tightening from the US Federal Reserve are seen as positive catalysts. Historical data shows April is often a turning point for the market.

Stablecoins and RWAs are expected to continue their role in the convergence of DeFi with traditional finance. Furthermore, initiatives like the Digital Chamber’s US Blockchain Roadmap, which proposes BitBonds (Bitcoin-backed US Treasuries), could revitalize debt markets and attract global capital.

Key industry figures like Galaxy Digital’s Mike Novogratz and 10T Holdings’ Dan Tapiero, anticipate new crypto companies listing on major exchanges like the NYSE and Nasdaq in the second quarter. This sentiment is supported by reports of initial public offering filings from companies like eToro, Circle, Gemini, Bullish and BitGo.

However, this positive outlook is set against a turbulent economic backdrop, including a possible slowdown in US growth and uncertainty around inflation and trade policies, which could influence sentiment and capital flows.

Speaking virtually at the Digital Asset Summit in New York on March 18, Cathie Wood, CEO of ARK Invest, expressed concerns about a potential recession, citing a significant slowdown in the velocity of money.

“I think what’s happening, though, is that if we do have a recession, declining GDP, that this is going to give the president and the Fed many more degrees of freedom to do what they want in terms of tax cuts and monetary policy,” she said.

However, Wood also said she believes that ‘long-term innovation wins,’ despite the recent market correction, describing crypto assets as a pillar of ARK’s investment approach.

1. Agility Robotics secures US$400 million

On Tuesday (April 1), the Information reported on a US$400 million funding round led by private equity firm WP Global for humanoid robot maker Agility Robotics.

The report cites an individual who claims to have seen the term sheet, noting that the new funding will give Agility Robotics, whose CEO is former Microsoft (NASADQ:MSFT) executive Peggy Johnson, a valuation of US$1.75 billion.

Prior to the report, the company unveiled advancements to its Digit robotic system on Monday (March 31), including extended battery, more efficient power usage, autonomous docking for charging, enhanced safety features and new, robust limbs and end effectors. The company says these structural changes will allow for a wider range of grasping angles and expanded manipulation capabilities.

Digit’s target applications include warehouse automation and last-mile delivery.

2. OpenAI finalizes US$40 billion funding in record-breaking deal

OpenAI finalized a US$40 billion funding deal on Monday, closing the largest private tech deal ever recorded.

The company received US$40 billion from SoftBank (3AG1.BE) and US$10 billion from a syndicate of additional investors that included long-time major investor Microsoft. This round increased OpenAI’s valuation to US$300 billion.

OpenAI will initially receive US$10 billion, with the remainder to be paid out by the end of the year. Anonymous sources for CNBC note that US$18 billion is reserved for the company’s US$500 billion Stargate project commitment.

The funding may also be reduced to US$30 billion if OpenAI doesn’t restructure into a for-profit entity by December 31, 2025. Restructuring would require approval by Microsoft and California’s AG.

In an announcement, OpenAI said it would deploy the funds to “push the frontiers of AI research even further, scale our compute infrastructure, and deliver increasingly powerful tools.’

Meanwhile, in a subsequently released report from Bloomberg, Japan Credit Rating Agency and S&P Global Ratings lowered their ratings for SoftBank as the company sought a bridge loan of up to US$16.5 billion to help fund its US AI investment commitments, according to sources who claim to know of early-stage discussions the company has had with lenders.

3. TikTok deal deadline extended amid negotiations

Earlier this week, the Information reported on a proposal from the Trump administration that would form a US-based TikTok subsidiary called TikTok America in an attempt to prevent a national ban of the popular social media app.

According to reports, the deal would see new US investors take a 50 percent stake in the company, licensing the algorithm from ByteDance, which would retain a 19 percent stake. Additional current investors would own about one-third.

The deal would put ByteDance in compliance with the Protecting Americans from Foreign Adversary Controlled Applications Act, which came into effect in January 2025. The law states that TikTok must be divested in a way that it is no longer considered to be controlled by a foreign adversary.

However, according to a Friday (April 4) Bloomberg report, representatives for ByteDance told the administration that the deal was off until Chinese officials could negotiate tariffs — which reached as high as 54 percent on several Chinese imports — announced by the Trump administration on Wednesday.

On Friday, Trump said he would extend the deadline to reach a deal by another 75 days.

“China has always respected and protected the legitimate rights and interests of enterprises and opposed practices that violate the basic principles of the market economy and harm the legitimate interests of enterprises,” spokesperson Liu Pengyu said. “China’s opposition to the imposition of additional tariffs has always been consistent and clear.”

4. Meta reportedly making billion-dollar data center investment

An anonymous source for Bloomberg claims that Meta Platforms (NASDAQ:META) is the unnamed company named in a previously reported US$837 million deal to develop a data center in Wisconsin.

According to the source, Meta will invest up to US$1 billion to build the center in Wisconsin, which offers an incentive deal to companies meeting investment thresholds across different counties.

Meta already has data centers in Iowa and Illinois and previously announced plans to build one in Louisiana.

During the company’s fourth quarter earnings call in January, CEO Mark Zuckerberg said his company intends to invest up to US$65 billion in AI infrastructure this year.

5. Microsoft announces personalized Copilot features

During an event commemorating Microsoft’s 50th anniversary, the company announced upcoming changes to its Copilot digital assistant that will allow users to tailor it to their own needs.

“You can now let Copilot live up to its name,” Mustafa Suleyman, who leads Microsoft’s consumer AI work, said during the event, which was held at its headquarters in Redmond, Washington.

Microsoft says users will have the ability to choose information Copilot can retain, such as preferences or past life events. Copilot will then be able to recall that information in future conversations. Users also have the option to opt out of personalization. The new features will roll out in the coming months.

Markets and commodities react

Global equity markets were in steep decline following the Trump administration’s tariff announcements on Wednesday.

In Canada, The S&P/TSX Composite Index (INDEXTSI:OSPTX) fell 5.67 percent during the week to close at 23,277.79 on Friday, the S&P/TSX Venture Composite Index (INDEXTSI:JX) decreased 8.31 percent to 575.91 and the CSE Composite Index (CSE:CSECOMP) dropped 9.23 percent to 108.95.

US equity markets did not fare any better, with the S&P 500 (INDEXSP:INX) losing 8.21 percent to close at 5,074.09, the Nasdaq 100 (INDEXNASDAQ:NDX) dropping 7.36 percent to 17,570.21 and the Dow Jones Industrial Average (INDEXDJX:.DJI) shedding 7.41 percent to 38,314.85.

Precious metals also closed the week in the red. Although the gold price briefly hitting a new high of US$3,167.71 per ounce on Wednesday, it plunged on Friday to close the week down 1.56 percent at US$3,038.04. The silver price declined sharply, losing 12.92 percent during the period to US$29.69.

In base metals, the COMEX copper price plunged 14.17 percent over the week to US$4.42 per pound. Meanwhile, the S&P GSCI (INDEXSP:SPGSCI) lost 6.75 percent to close at 522.69.

Top Canadian mining stocks this week

So how did mining stocks perform against this backdrop? We break down this week’s five best-performing Canadian mining stocks below.

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

1. Euro Manganese (TSXV:EMN)

Weekly gain: 81.82 percent
Market cap: C$40.27 million
Share price: C$0.50

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.

The latest project news was announced on March 25, when Euro revealed that Chvaletice had been designated a strategic project under the European Union’s Critical Raw Materials Act. According to the terms of the act, the project will gain access to both private and public funding opportunities, as well as a more streamlined permitting process.

Shares in Euro experienced significant gains this week after the company announced on March 30 that it would proceed with a share consolidation at a ratio of five to one. The consolidation occurred on Monday (March 31), reducing the number of common shares to 80.53 million from 402.67 million, and post-consolidation shares began trading on April 2.

The company also announced on April 1 that it would be upsizing a financing round up to C$11.2 million and would include a C$3 million private placement with former Sprott (TSX:SII,NYSE:SII) Chairman Eric Sprott. Proceeds generated from the financing will be used to support development at Chvaletice.

2. DLP Resources (TSXV:DLP)

Weekly gain: 60 percent
Market cap: C$61.08 million
Share price: C$0.44

DLP Resources is a mineral exploration company focused on advancing its flagship Aurora copper-molybdenum project in Peru.

The 8,500 hectare site is located in the Central Andes. Exploration work has been performed at the site since the early 2000s, with DLP conducting drill programs in 2023 and 2024.

Shares in DLP have been rising since the release of a technical report for Aurora on February 27, which included a maiden mineral resource estimate with significant copper and molybdenum spread over two zones.

The inferred resource totals 1.05 billion metric tons of ore containing 4.65 billion pounds of copper, 1.1 billion pounds of molybdenum and 80 million ounces of silver. The resource has average grades of 0.2 percent copper, 0.05 percent molybdenum and 2.4 grams per metric ton silver.

The company said it is pleased with the size and results of the report and will continue drilling the site to upgrade the resource ahead of a preliminary economic assessment.

DLP shares also got a boost this week after it released its Management’s Discussion and Analysis for the nine months ending January 31 on Tuesday. In the release, the company discussed its activity for the three-quarter period highlighting its recent mineral resource estimate as well as the completion of a non-brokered private placement in January for proceeds of C$1.36 million.

3. Noram Lithium (TSXV:NRM)

Weekly gain: 35 percent
Market cap: C$12.08 million
Share price: C$0.135

Noram Lithium is a lithium exploration and development company focused on the advancement of its Zeus lithium project in Nevada, US. The property, located near Clayton Valley, comprises 146 placer and 136 lode claims covering 1,133 hectares in a region with existing lithium brine operations since 1967. Noram has been exploring the site since 2016.

Its most recent update came on June 11, when the company released an updated mineral resource estimate, reporting an indicated resource of 564 million metric tons (MT) at a concentration of 956 parts per million (ppm), resulting in 2.9 million MT of contained lithium carbonate equivalent. Zeus’ inferred resource stands at 1.3 million MT of contained lithium carbonate equivalent from 287 million MT grading 861 ppm lithium.

Shares in Noram rose this week, but the company did not publish any news.

4. Maple Gold Mines (TSXV:MGM)

Weekly gain: 31.82 percent
Market cap: C$34.11 million
Share price: C$0.07

Maple Gold Mines is a gold exploration company focused on the advancement of its Douay and Joutel projects located in the Abitibi Greenstone Belt in Québec, Canada.

The Douay project covers an area of 357 square kilometers. In a 2022 technical report, the company said the site hosts an indicated resource of 511,000 ounces of gold from 10 million metric tons with an average grade of 1.59 grams per metric ton (g/t) gold, with an additional inferred resource of 2.53 million ounces from 76.7 million metric tons at 1.02 g/t.

The Joutel project covers an area of 39 square kilometers and is located directly south of Douay. The site hosts Agnico Eagle’s (TSX:AEM,NYSE:AEM) past-producing Eagle-Telbel gold mine, which operated from 1974 to 1993. To date, the company has used 250,000 meters of historic drill results to create 3D models to aid in current exploration efforts.

The most recent news from the project came on Thursday when Maple announced recent exploration at Douay’s Nika zone produced a broad mineralized interval of 2.05 g/t gold over 108.6 meters, which included an intersection of 4.93 g/t over 17 meters, from a vertical depth of 490 meters.

The company said the results build on previously identified mineralization from shallower depths and defines a new high-grade, bulk-tonnage target that remains open in multiple directions.

5. Stillwater Critical Minerals (TSXV:PGE)

Weekly gain: 25 percent
Market cap: C$38.43 million
Share price: C$0.15

Stillwater Critical Minerals is an exploration company focused on advancing its flagship Stillwater West project in Montana, United States.

The brownfield project hosts several multi-kilometer exploration targets with known mineralization deposits of nickel, copper, cobalt, platinum group metals and gold.

A mineral resource estimate included in a January 2023 technical report demonstrated an inferred estimate of 1.05 million pounds of nickel, 499 million pounds of copper, 91 million pounds of cobalt, and a combined 3.811 million ounces of platinum group metals and gold from 254.8 million metric tons of ore with a nickel equivalent cut-off grade of 0.2 percent.

The most recent news from the project came on March 26 when Stillwater reported it had identified multiple large-scale targets from its 2024 geophysical survey. The company said the survey improved the resolution of known targets while identifying unknown targets occurring near surface to a depth of 1.5 kilometers.

Shares have also been bolstered by the recent executive order from President Trump that will help to speed up project permitting for critical mineral projects.

In an announcement on March 24, Stillwater President and CEO Michael Rowley commented, “The order also makes a point of listing copper and gold. This is very relevant to Stillwater because we have a very large polymetallic resource that positions us with a substantial copper inventory and the largest nickel project in an active US mining district.”

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.