Investor Insight

Westport’ innovative technologies and pioneered alternative fuel delivery systems offer a compelling case for investors looking to participate in the opportunities of a low-carbon economy.

Overview

Westport (NASDAQ:WPRT,TSX:WPRT) specializes in delivering advanced fuel technologies, with a focus on heavy-duty vehicles, aimed at reducing carbon emissions without compromising engine performance. As a key player in the clean transportation space, Westport offers innovative solutions that enable internal combustion engines to operate on alternative low-carbon fuels, including natural gas, renewable natural gas (RNG), propane and hydrogen.

Westport is focused on the following transportation market opportunities:

1. High-pressure Controls and Systems: Focuses on high-pressure fuel management solutions for hydrogen and other alternative fuel engines. Westport is embracing early-stage hydrogen infrastructure development and offers key components such as pressure regulators, injectors and fuel rails for both internal combustion engines and fuel cell applications. While hydrogen is key to the future decarbonization of transport, Westport’s components and solutions are already powering innovation today across a range of gaseous fuels.

In 2025, Westport completed the sale of its Light-Duty Segment to Heliaca Investments, allowing the company to strengthen its balance sheet and focus on high-growth opportunities in heavy-duty and industrial markets.

Market Position and Competitive Advantage

Westport operates in a rapidly growing and changing clean transportation market driven by stringent emission regulations, increasing fuel costs, and rising demand for sustainable mobility solutions. The company’s competitive edge lies in its proprietary HPDI technology, which uniquely delivers diesel-equivalent performance while significantly reducing carbon emissions. Westport’s joint venture with Volvo Group, under the Cespira name, enhances its ability to scale HPDI solutions globally.

Fleet operators and logistics companies are increasingly turning to alternative fuel vehicles to reduce operational costs and meet stringent ESG goals. In response, Westport continues to invest in innovation, particularly in hydrogen and renewable natural gas solutions.

Company Highlights

• Westport is a pioneer in the development and commercialization of alternative fuel delivery systems for natural gas, renewable natural gas (RNG), propane, and hydrogen-powered internal combustion engines (ICEs).
• The company is rooted in heavy-duty vehicle market, leveraging Westport’s proprietary fuel technologies to deliver reductions in carbon emissions for both commercial and passenger vehicles.
• Westport’s High-Pressure Controls and Systems segment focuses on fuel management solutions for hydrogen and other pressurized alternative fuels.
• The flagship HPDI technology, now part of the company’s Cespira joint venture with Volvo Group, enables heavy-duty trucks to operate on natural gas or hydrogen, thereby substantially lowering CO₂ emissions while delivering diesel-equivalent or better performance.
• Westport’s growth trajectory is enhanced by key collaborations, most notably via the formation of Cespira, a joint venture with Volvo Group aimed at accelerating the global adoption of the HPDI technology.

Key Technologies

HPDI Fuel System (transferred into the Cespira JV with Volvo Group)

The HPDI fuel system is engineered for heavy-duty trucks and industrial applications. By injecting high-pressure natural gas or hydrogen directly into the combustion chamber, HPDI delivers diesel-like torque and power with up to 98 percent lower CO₂ emissions when using hydrogen. This technology is critical for long-haul trucking and other high-load applications, where maintaining performance and range is essential. This technology is now owned under the Cespira JV, which generated a revenue of $16.2 million in Q3 2024.

The HPDI system features a revolutionary, patented injector with a dual concentric needle design that delivers small quantities of diesel fuel and large quantities of natural gas, at high pressure, to the combustion chamber.

High-pressure Controls and Components

Westport’s high-pressure gaseous controls segment is at the forefront of the clean energy revolution, designing, developing and producing high-demand components for transportation and industrial applications. The company partners with the world’s leading fuel cell manufacturers and companies committed to decarbonizing transport, offering versatile solutions that serve a variety of fuel types. While hydrogen is key to the future decarbonization of transport, Westport components and solutions are already powering innovation today across a range of gaseous fuels. With decades of experience, market-leading brands, and unmatched engineering expertise, the company is a leader in the market. While still small, its strategic position and innovative capabilities put Westport on the cusp of significant growth, ensuring it is the go-to choice for those shaping the future of clean energy, today and tomorrow.

Management

Westport is helmed by an accomplished executive team with extensive experience in automotive technology, alternative fuels and corporate strategy.

Dan Sceli – CEO

Dan Sceli was appointed as CEO in January of 2024. His distinguished 37-year career in the global manufacturing sector marks him as a visionary leader, whose strategic acumen and commitment to excellence have propelled companies to new heights.

Elizabeth Owens – CFO

Elizabeth Owens is a seasoned finance executive with over 20 years of leadership experience across multinational corporations in automotive, telecommunications, aviation, and chemical manufacturing. She has spent the past decade with Westport, most recently as vice-president of finance and tax. She brings extensive expertise in tax, finance, and accounting, as well as mergers, acquisitions, and divestitures. A CPA, CA who began her career with Deloitte, Owens holds a Bachelor of Commerce in Accounting from the University of British Columbia.

Ashley Nuell – VP of Investor Relations

Ashley Nuell joined Westport in May of 2022 and currently has approximately 20 years of experience in investor relations. Her career includes roles with companies at various parts of the energy sector value chain, as well as in the investor relations and stakeholder communications practice area of a global consulting firm.

Investor Insight

With tightening cyanide regulations and rising demand for sustainable mining, Innovation Mining offers a compelling investment opportunity, poised to disrupt the market and lead in cleantech gold extraction.

Overview

Innovation Mining is a clean-tech company with an innovative technology that promises to transform the gold mining industry. The company has developed RZOLV, a breakthrough water-based hydrometallurgical formula that effectively recovers gold from ores, concentrates and tailings without the environmental and regulatory burdens associated with cyanide.

While cyanide has been the industry standard for over a century, its toxic nature has led to bans in several countries and costly permitting challenges for mining companies. RZOLV offers similar cost and performance metrics as cyanide, but with a non-toxic and sustainable profile. The company is currently focused on validating its technology through a series of 100-tonne industrial tests, after which full commercialization efforts will begin.

Company Highlights

• Clean-Tech Innovation: Innovation Mining has developed RZOLV, a proprietary, non-toxic, water-based formula that provides a sustainable, cost-effective and safe alternative to the $2.5B of sodium cyanide consumed annually for 90% of global gold extraction.
• Cost-Competitive & Scalable: RZOLV offers a competitive reagent cost and a relatively seamless transition from cyanide without complex infrastructure changes, making adoption cost-competitive and operationally efficient.
• Proven Performance: Tested at both small and large scale, including several 100-kilogram to 250-kilogram pilots, RZOLV has delivered high gold recovery rates, rapid leach kinetics, and performance comparable to cyanide while eliminating toxic waste risks.
• A 100-tonne leach test is underway, and results are expected in the coming months to validate scalability further and reinforce its economic advantages.
• Versatile Applications: RZOLV is effective across a range of ores, concentrates and tailings potentially unlocking previously untapped gold resources.
• Regulatory & ESG Benefits: By eliminating cyanide, RZOLV unlocks previously stranded resources, simplifies regulatory approvals, reduces compliance risks, improves social license to operate, and enhances ESG standing—appealing to investors and stakeholders focused on responsible mining.
• TSXV Debut: Innovation Mining is preparing to list on the TSX Venture Exchange, offering investors exposure to a clean-tech gold disruptor.

Technology Value Propositions

Innovation Mining is a clean-tech company dedicated to the research, development and commercialization of RZOLV, a revolutionary, water-based hydrometallurgical formula for gold recovery.

As a safe, non-toxic and cost-competitive alternative to cyanide, RZOLV addresses a long-standing industry challenge, enabling mining operations to transition toward sustainable and high-performance gold extraction without compromising profitability.

RZOLV has shown high gold recoveries, rapid leach kinetics, and cyanide-comparable performance in extensive lab tests. Its water-based formula enables scalable deployment without major infrastructure changes, and recent modifications have made it cost-competitive with cyanide. Further savings come from reduced insurance, elimination of cyanide circuits, and lower monitoring and remediation costs. Applicable to both vat and heap leaching, RZOLV greatly improves the economics of eco-friendly gold extraction

In the near term, Innovation Mining plans to conduct a 100-tonne leach test to validate its industrial-scale applicability. With increasing regulatory restrictions on cyanide and a growing demand for sustainable mining practices, Innovation Mining is positioned to disrupt the market and establish the company as a leader in clean-tech gold extraction.

Competitive Advantages

Innovation Mining’s RZOLV formula presents several distinct advantages over traditional cyanide-based gold extraction methods:

• Non-toxic and Eco-friendly: Water-based chemistry with no hazardous byproducts, significantly reducing environmental impact and permitting challenges.
• Effective & High-Performance: Delivers high-performance gold recovery rates and fast leach kinetics, making it a reliable alternative to cyanide.
• Stability: RZOLV is a chemically stable solution, ensuring consistent performance and reliability over time.
• Seamless Integration: Requires no major infrastructure overhauls, enabling easy adoption for miners
• Scalability: Proven in lab tests and undergoing industrial-scale validation to demonstrate commercial viability.
• Cost-effective: Comparable costs to cyanide while lowering permitting, remediation, and operational expenses.
• Regulatory Benefits: Allows for easier permitting due to non-toxic nature, reducing compliance risks.
• Versatile Gold Recovery: Effectively extracts gold from low-grade ore, concentrates, and tailings, unlocking additional value.
• Commercialization: Industry interest and strategic partnerships under development to accelerate commercialization.
• Strong Executive Leadership: Backed by a highly experienced team with a track record of success in mining, metallurgy, and business development.

Management Team

Chester F. Millar – Executive Chairman, Director

An inductee of the Canadian and Mexican Mining Hall of Fame, Chester Millar has a distinguished career in building junior mining companies. He discovered and founded the Afton Mine served as Founder and Chairman of Glamis Gold and was sold to Goldcorp for $8.6B. He is the true pioneer of heap & vat leaching which now accounts for 50% of all global gold production.

Duane A. Nelson – Director, CEO

Founder of Innovation Mining, Duane Nelson brings extensive experience in clean-tech innovation and mining operations. He was a co-founder and past director of EnviroMetal Technologies, SilverMex Resources, Quotemedia.com and has a proven track record in leading successful ventures in the mining sector.

Joseph Ovsenek – Director

Joseph Ovsenek was president and CEO of Pretium Resources, where he led the advancement of the high-grade gold Brucejack Mine which has been operating profitably since commercial start-up in 2017. Ovsenek began his nine-year tenure at Pretium in 2011 as chief development officer and led the over $2 billion financing. Prior to Pretium he served for 15 years in senior management roles for Silver Standard Resources Inc., lastly as Senior Vice President, Corporate Development responsible for the sale of the Brucejack and Snowfield assets to the newly created Pretium Resources Inc.

Grant Bond – Chief Financial Officer

Grant Bond is a chartered professional accountant with more than 12 years of financial management experience in the mining industry. His expertise includes financial reporting, risk management and SOX compliance.

Hanif Jafari – CTO

Hanif Jafari holds a Master of Engineering in Mining and Mineral Processing from the University of British Columbia. He is proficient in construction, value chain analysis, and strategic growth planning across diverse domestic and international markets. Jafari has over eight years in hydrometallurgical research.

Bruce Bried – Director

Bruce Bried is a mining engineer with over 28 years’ experience in the engineering, development, operation, reclamation and management of producing mines, including Dickenson Mines (now Goldcorp) and the KamKotia Arthur White Mine in Red Lake.

Darryl J. Yea – Director

Darryl Yea has over 35 years of diverse experience in operations, investment banking, corporate finance and venture capital with public and private companies in several industries. He was president and chief executive officer of C.M. Oliver (TSX:OLV), a national financial services organization.

Michael Cowin – Director

Michael Cowin has 20 years of investment banking and investment experience. Since 2007, he has been a director of Northcape Capital, a boutique investment fund based in Australia which manages over A$8 billion.

William R. Sheriff – Advisory Board

William Sheriff is an entrepreneur and visionary with over 40 years’ experience in the minerals industry and the securities industry and has been responsible for significant capital raises along with corporate development. He is currently the executive chairman of enCore Energy, USA’s largest uranium producer.

Keith Peck – Advisory Board

Keith Peck is a consultant with Holnik Capital. He was previously chairman and chief executive officer of Lincoln Peck Financial. Peck has over 35 years of investment banking experience, including as vice-president and director of RBC Dominion Securities and Haywood Securities, and vice-chairman of Yorkton Securities.

Janet L. Sheriff – Advisory Board

Janet Sheriff brings 25 years of senior management experience in the mining industry. She previously served as chief executive officer of Golden Predator Mining and president of enCore Energy.

Investor Insight

AuKing Mining is advancing the Cloncurry Gold Project in Queensland, with near-term production potential supported by a large land package with multiple drill targets already defined and its right to acquire 50 percent of Orion Resources through a AU$5 million earn-in. Backed by diversified copper, uranium, and critical metals assets, plus strategic partnerships, the company is positioning itself as a growth-focused, emerging mid-tier producer.

Overview

AuKing Mining (ASX:AKN) is an exploration and development company with a portfolio of assets focused primarily on gold, but also uranium, copper, and critical minerals, across Australia, Tanzania, and Canada. The company aims to become a mid-tier producer through the acquisition and development of near-term production assets.

In February 2025, AuKing Mining entered into a strategic agreement with Gage Resources, an Australian subsidiary of Beijing-based Gage Capital Management. The agreement includes a $300,000 investment by Gage, resulting in a 10 percent stake in AuKing, and the sale of two non-core prospecting licenses in Tanzania to Gage for an additional $300,000. This partnership is expected to enhance AuKing’s financial position and support its ongoing exploration and development activities.

Aerial Image of Mt Freda Open Pit & Exploration Land Package

AuKing Mining further reported a major step forward for the Cloncurry Gold Project, with its partner Orion Resources signing a non-binding term sheet for US$5 million in project financing from a long-established North American lender. The facility, if completed, will support the acquisition of Cloncurry assets, feasibility and development work at the Tick Hill JV, mining at Mt Freda, and processing at the Lorena plant. This is a key milestone as it retains the right to acquire 50 percent of Orion by investing AU$5 million before June 2027, positioning the company to benefit directly from the restart of gold production and the advancement of multiple near-term development opportunities.

Company Highlights

• AuKing Mining is an exploration and development company with its primary focus being the Cloncurry Gold Project in north Queensland.
• The company also holds a diverse portfolio of exploration assets in Western Australia (Koongie Park), Tanzania (Mkuju), Canada (Myoff Creek in British Columbia and Grand Codroy in Newfoundland).
• Strategic Acquisitions and Partnerships:
  • Entered an earn-in agreement to acquire a 50 percent interest in the Cloncurry Gold project.
  • Entered a joint venture in February 2025 with ASX-listed Cobalt Blue Holdings (CBH) whereby CBH can earn up to a 75 percent interest in the Koongie Park project in Western Australia.
  • Formed a strategic partnership with a large Beijing-based resources fund, Gage Capital, in February 2025.
• AuKing is led by a highly experienced management team executing the company’s strategies to increase shareholder value.

Key Projects

Cloncurry Gold Project (Queensland, Australia)

In November 2024, AuKing Mining entered into an earn-in agreement with Orion Resources for the Cloncurry gold project in northern Queensland. This agreement allows AuKing to increase its stake in the project to 50 percent by investing AU$5 million in project funding by June 2027.

Orion’s Cloncurry Project interests, including the Mt Freda/Golden Mill mining leases. [Note the nearby Wynberg and Wallace/Wallace South gold projects are not assets being acquired by Orion]

A key component of this project is the Tick Hill Gold Joint Venture, involving AuKing, Orion Resources, and Tick Hill Mining, the current owner of the Tick Hill gold mine. The JV aims to establish a processing operation at Tick Hill, focusing initially on reprocessing the existing tailings stockpiles. A pre-feasibility study completed in 2020 outlined a processing capacity of 474,200 tonnes at 2 g/t gold over 13 months, yielding approximately 27,300 ounces of gold at an all-in sustaining cost (AISC) of AU$1,493 per ounce.

In March 2025, the JV partners signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) to assess the viability of processing Tick Hill’s tailings and other ore materials at the Lorena processing plant, located 15 km east of Cloncurry. This initiative aims to expedite the re-commencement of gold production in the region.

The JV also plans to evaluate the feasibility of reopening the historical open pit mine at Tick Hill, with the goal of extending the project’s life and enhancing gold production. An independent preliminary economic assessment has concluded that the proposed tailings retreatment plan is both technically and financially viable, recommending progression to a final feasibility study.

Through these strategic initiatives, AuKing Mining is actively advancing the Cloncurry gold project, aiming to unlock significant value and establish a sustainable gold production operation in the Cloncurry region.

The Mt Freda Complex, covering an area of no more than 6 sq kms, looking from north-west to the south-east, 30 kms south of the Lorena plant.

The Mt Freda Mining Complex is a key element in the proposed restart of mining operations at the Cloncurry Gold Project in northern Queensland. A comprehensive drilling program, consisting of an estimated 10,000 meters of combined diamond and reverse circulation (RC) drilling, is planned at Mt Freda to support the project’s development.

Myoff Creek

The Myoff Creek project, located in southeastern British Columbia, is a 100 percent-owned niobium and REE exploration asset held by AuKing Mining. It covers approximately 800 hectares across eight mineral claims. Historical work identified significant near-surface carbonatite mineralization spanning about 1.4 km by 0.4 km, with impressive intercepts of 0.93 percent niobium (Nb) and 2.06 percent total rare earth oxides (TREO). The zone remains open both at depth and laterally, and elevated niobium and cerium have been detected in rock chips nearly 2 km from the known mineralization, hinting at substantial upside. Positioned within a well-known mining region and easily accessible via established roads, the project is now primed for modern exploration, starting with a helicopter-borne aeromagnetic and radiometric survey to pinpoint new targets for drilling.

Project Highlights

• Full Ownership: AuKing holds a 100 percent stake in the Myoff Creek project—covering ~800 hectares across eight contiguous claims.
• Strong Historical Mineralization: Near-surface carbonatite zone (~1.4 km × 0.4 km) with high-grade intercepts: 0.93 percent Nb and 2.06 percent TREO.
• Open Mineralization: Zones remain open at depth and along strike; rock chips ~2 km from drilled area show elevated Nb and Ce.
• Strategic Location: Situated in a mining-friendly region, close to major operations like Highland Valley and Copper Mountain Mines
• Good Access: The site benefits from well-maintained infrastructure and road networks
• High Potential Upside: Thick, low-impurity carbonatites (up to 200 m thick) in a critical mineral belt provide a compelling foundation for resource expansion

Halls Creek Project (Koongie Park Copper-Zinc Project – Western Australia)

The Halls Creek project, also known as the Koongie Park Project, is located 25 km southwest of Halls Creek in Western Australia’s highly mineralized Halls Creek Mobile Belt. It hosts three significant deposits—Onedin, Sandiego, and Emull—with established resources in copper, zinc, gold, silver, and lead. Backed by a 2025 earn-in agreement with Cobalt Blue (ASX:COB), which can acquire up to 75 percent of the project, Halls Creek offers strong development economics, value-engineering upside, and exploration growth potential in one of Australia’s most prospective mining regions.

Project Highlights

• Strategic location in WA’s Halls Creek Mobile Belt, near Savannah, Copernicus and Nicolsons operations.
• Key Deposits:
  • Onedin – 4.8 Mt Cu-Zn-Au-Ag-Pb resource; silver credits identified as potential economic enhancer.
  • Sandiego – 4.1 Mt Cu-Zn-Au-Ag-Pb resource; scoping study (2023) shows 11-year mine life, 750 ktpa throughput, $135 million capex, $177 million pre-tax NPV, and 40 percent IRR.
  • Emull – 12.2 Mt Cu-Zn-Pb-Ag maiden resource with significant expansion potential.
• Exploration Growth: New targets such as Sandiego North show strong copper anomalies and early drill success, offering resource growth potential.
• Earn-in Partnership: Agreement with Cobalt Blue allows it to earn up to 75 percent interest, bringing technical and financial capability to fast-track development.

Mkuju Uranium Project (Tanzania)

Mkuju is situated immediately to the southeast of the world class Nyota uranium project that was the primary focus of exploration and development feasibility studies by then ASX-listed Mantra Resources (ASX:MRU). Not long after completion of feasibility studies for Nyota in early 2011, MRU announced a AU$1.16 billion takeover offer from the Russian group ARMZ. The takeover was finalised in mid-2011.

During the latter part of 2023, AuKing Mining completed a Stage 1 exploration program at Mkuju which comprised a combination of rock chip, soil geochemistry sampling, shallow auger drilling and initial diamond drilling. Some very encouraging results were obtained from this program which have formed the basis for a 11,000 m drilling program.

Management Team

Peter Tighe – Non-executive Chairman

Peter Tighe started his career in the family-owned JH Leavy & Co business, which is one of the longest established fruit and vegetable wholesaling businesses in the Brisbane Markets at Rocklea. As the owner and managing director of JH Leavy & Co, Tighe expanded the company along with highly respected farms and packhouses that have been pleased to supply the company with top quality fruit and vegetables for wholesale/export for over 40 years. Tighe has been a director of Brisbane Markets Limited (BML) since 1999 and is currently the deputy chairman. BML is the owner of the Brisbane Markets site and is responsible for the ongoing management and development of its $400 million asset portfolio. As the proprietor of the site, BML has over 250 leases in place including selling floors, industrial warehousing, retail stores and commercial offices. BML acknowledges its role as an economic hub of Queensland, facilitating the trade of $1.5 billion worth of fresh produce annually, and supporting local and regional businesses of the horticulture industry.

Paul Williams – Managing Director

Paul Williams holds both Bachelor of Arts and Law Degrees from the University of Queensland and practised as a corporate and commercial lawyer with Brisbane legal firm HopgoodGanim Lawyers for 17 years. He ultimately became an equity partner of HopgoodGanim Lawyers before joining Eastern Corporation as their chief executive officer in August 2004. In mid-2006, Williams joined Mitsui Coal Holdings as general counsel, participating in the supervision of the coal mining interests and business development activities within the multinational Mitsui & Co group. Williams is well-known in the Brisbane investment community as well as in Sydney and Melbourne and brings to the AKN board a broad range of commercial and legal expertise – especially in the context of mining and exploration activities. He also has a strong focus on corporate governance and the importance of clear and open communication of corporate activity to the investment markets.

Mark Fisher – Non-executive Director

Mark Fisher is a seasoned resources executive with more than 35 years of global experience in the mining industry. His expertise spans strategic business planning, feasibility, project management, mine engineering, and operational leadership. Fisher has a proven record of delivering profitable and sustainable outcomes that enhance shareholder value, even in complex operating environments. He held senior leadership roles with Placer Dome and Barrick Gold Corporation, including president of Barrick’s Global Copper division. In that role, he led the development strategy for a portfolio of major copper assets across South America, Africa, the Middle East, and Asia.

Dr Kylie Prendergast – Non-executive Director

Dr Kylie Prendergast is a geologist and technical leader with over 25 years’ international experience in exploration, project evaluation, and commercial management across multiple jurisdictions. She is currently a non-executive director of Helix Resources and has held senior leadership roles including managing director of Felix Gold and Mining Associates, GM exploration and business development at Mawarid Mining (Oman), and senior positions with Batu Mining (Mongolia), Gold Fields, BHP Billiton, Ivanhoe Mines, and North Limited. She brings a strong track record of advancing exploration assets and creating value through both technical expertise and strategic leadership.

Nick Harding – Non-Executive Director

Nick Harding is an FCPA with over 35 years’ experience in finance, corporate governance, and company administration across the resources and agribusiness sectors. For the past 16 years, he has acted as executive director, CFO, and company secretary for multiple ASX-listed junior explorers, guiding several from early-stage exploration through to development and production. Earlier in his career, Nick held senior finance roles with WMC Resources, Normandy Mining/Newmont Australia, and Beach Energy, gaining broad exposure across gold, copper, nickel, uranium, industrial minerals, and oil and gas.

Lincoln Ho – Non-executive Director

Lincoln Ho brings over eight years of ASX-listed directorship experience, with a strong background in corporate strategy, mining exploration, and administration across both Australian and international jurisdictions. He has played a key role in guiding companies through transactions in local and overseas markets, working closely with corporate financiers in the emerging companies space. He is currently a non-executive director of Askari Metals and has previously served on the boards of Aldoro Resources, Redcastle Resources, and Red Mountain Mining.

Chris Bittar – Exploration Manager

Chris Bittar is an experienced geologist with a strong background in advancing projects from greenfield exploration through to mine-ready feasibility studies. He most recently served as senior project geologist at Pantoro Limited’s Norseman Project, overseeing near-mine exploration and resource development programs as part of the Definitive Feasibility Study. Prior to that, he held senior geology roles with Millennium Minerals (Nullagine Gold Project) and Pilbara Minerals (Pilgangoora Lithium Project), as well as exploration roles with Sumitomo Metal Mining Oceania and Northern Minerals (Browns Range rare earths project). His expertise includes managing drilling campaigns, geological interpretation, data management, and project reporting. Throughout his career, Bittar has maintained a strong commitment to workplace safety and best practice standards.

Paul Marshall – Chief Financial Officer and Company Secretary

Paul Marshall is a chartered accountant with a Bachelor of Law degree, and a post Graduate Diploma in Accounting and Finance. He has 30 years of professional experience having worked for Ernst and Young for 10 years, and subsequently twenty years spent in commercial roles as company secretary and CFO for a number of listed and unlisted companies, mainly in the resources sector. Marshall has extensive experience in all aspects of company financial reporting, corporate regulatory and governance areas, business acquisition and disposal due diligence, capital raising and company listings and company secretarial responsibilities.

Bitcoin and Ethereum price update

Bitcoin (BTC) was priced at US$111,282, a 1.5 percent increase in 24 hours. Its lowest valuation of the day was US$109,526 and its highest price as of Wednesday was US$112,279.

Bitcoin price performance, August 27, 2025.

Chart via TradingView

Bitcoin came under pressure Tuesday (August 26) and Wednesday, sliding about 2 to 3 percent and briefly dipping below US$110,000 amid a broader crypto selloff and macroeconomic uncertainty.

Trading near US$111,000 — its lowest level in seven weeks — the drop has sparked debate among investors over whether the pullback presents a buying opportunity.

Ether (ETH) was priced at US$4,605.36, down by 4.3 percent over the past 24 hours. Its lowest valuation of the day so far was US$4,411.96 and its highest level was US$4,638.61.

Altcoin price update

• Solana (SOL) was priced at US$204.44, up by 9.1 percent. Its lowest valuation for Wednesday so far was US$187.47, and its highest valuation was US$205.32.

• XRP was trading for US$3.00, up by 3.6 percent in the past 24 hours. Its lowest valuation of the day so far was US$2.89, and its highest valuation of the day was US$3.05.

• SUI (Sui) was trading for US$3.44, up by 2.4 percent in the past 24 hours. Its lowest valuation of the day so far was US$3.36, and its highest valuation of the day was US$3.50.

• Cardano (ADA) was priced at US$0.8619, up by 3.5 percent. Its lowest valuation for Wednesday so far was US$0.8327, and its highest valuation was US$0.8746.

Today’s crypto news to know

Trump Media and Crypto.com seal US$6.4 billion CRO treasury deal

Trump Media & Technology Group shares climbed 5 percent on Tuesday (August 26) after the company confirmed a US$6.42 billion partnership with Crypto.com to launch a CRO-focused treasury vehicle.

Dubbed as the Trump Media Group CRO Strategy, the new entity will be seeded with US$1 billion in CRO and its balance will be structured as an equity line for future token purchases.

As part of the agreement, the company will operate a validator node on the Cronos blockchain, staking all its tokens to earn network rewards. CRO prices soaring 30 percent in a single day after the announcement, even as most of the crypto market lagged.

Still, the deal has stirred controversy among token holders, as it required reissuing 70 billion CRO previously “burned” to reduce supply which effectively inflated circulation by more than 200 percent.

Ethereum inflows hit US$1.3 billion following Powell’s policy hints

Ethereum funds saw a massive US$1.3 billion inflow over the past week as traders responded to dovish signals from Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell.

Data from SoSoValue shows Ether-based exchange-traded products have absorbed US$3.7 billion since June, compared with US$900 million in outflows from Bitcoin funds.

The surge also coincided with Ethereum hitting a new all-time high of $4,955 on August 24.

Publicly listed companies also joined the rush, adding Ether to their corporate treasuries and pushing collective holdings to nearly 5 percent of total supply.

That accumulation rate is running at more than twice the fastest quarterly pace Bitcoin has ever seen, according to Standard Chartered’s Geoffrey Kendrick via DLNews.

Canary Capital files for first spot ETF tracking Trump meme coin

ReutersCrypto fund manager Canary Capital has submitted paperwork to launch the first-ever spot ETF tied directly to President Trump’s meme coin, TRUMP, according to a Reuters report.

Unlike earlier applications filed under the 1940 Investment Company Act, Canary’s proposal was lodged under the 1933 Securities Act, meaning the ETF would hold TRUMP tokens outright rather than use offshore subsidiaries or cash equivalents.

The application comes despite skepticism from analysts, who note the SEC typically requires a futures ETF to trade for six months before approving a spot product.

The filing follows the SEC’s February announcement that meme coins fall outside its securities jurisdiction, a decision seen as aligning with the president’s pro-crypto stance.

Meanwhile, the TRUMP token has lost more than 70 percent of its value since launching in January. Analysts expect the SEC to rule on several meme coin ETF applications later this year.