According to the U.S. Geological Survey, China was responsible for 80% of rare earth imports in 2019. While the pandemic caused disruptions in the supply chain and exports fell short last year, China’s dominance over the rare earth market cannot be denied. After all, the country currently holds about 70% of the world’s known rare earth reserves.

The group of 17 elements is used in electric vehicles (EV), batteries, renewable energy systems and a wide range of electric appliances, ranging from smartphones, display panels, speakers, televisions and more. Cerium and neodymium are commonly used in smartphones, flat-screen TVs and LED lights as well as in F-35 fighter jets and missiles, radar and lasers by the U.S. Department of Defense. Elements like lanthanum are used in oil refining.

America is making an effort in upping its game in rare earth element production as several big trends are at play. President Joe Biden’s administration has massive investments planned in climate change technology, and rare earth elements are essential to this change. However, as the name suggests, these elements are not widely available, and extracting, processing and refining these elements entail several political and environmental issues.

Recently, Lynas Rare Earths Limited (LYSCF) received a $30-million grant from the U.S. government to open a new processing facility with Blue Line. The plant is one of the many rare earth production plants that Biden hopes to open in order to boost production and reduce reliance on China for the elements. On Jul 13, the Senate Democrats reached an agreement on a $3.5-trillion budget plan that encompasses an expansion in Medicare, fund climate change initiatives and fulfill other parts of Biden’s economic agenda. The Democrats hope to pass this budget plan on top of a bipartisan infrastructure bill, which will surely aid the rare earth mining space.

As Biden plans to boost the EV market, supply-chain vulnerabilities might pose hindrances. In February, Biden ordered a federal review analysis of supply-chain vulnerabilities to make better investments in mines abroad and boost refining. To address issues on groundwater and air pollution, as rare earth mining creates radioactive waste byproducts, the White House holds up an Initiative for Responsible Mining Assurance as a model for the mining industry. This model includes mining companies, unions and groups of advocates, and plans to create environmental and human rights principles for this industry. In fact, it emphasizes getting prior and informed consent from Indigenous communities and local residents before mineral processing operations. Additionally, mining and processing companies have to arrange for the permanent disposal of toxic waste and build waste treatment facilities.

5 Stocks to Keep an Eye on

It may take America time to lower its reliance on China for rare earth elements but the new government funding will boost production which open up investment opportunities that investors should watch out for. Per a Valuates.com report, the global rare earth elements market size is projected to reach $3757.7 million by 2026, up from $2664.5 million in 2020, at a CAGR of 5.9%.

BHP Group BHP engages in the exploration, development, and production of oil and gas properties, and also engages in mining of copper, silver, zinc, molybdenum, uranium, gold, iron ore, and metallurgical and energy coal. The company's expected earnings growth rate for the current year is more than 100% compared with the Zacks Mining – Miscellaneous industry’s projected earnings growth of 18.9%. The Zacks Consensus Estimate for the company’s current-year earnings has been revised 21.7% upward over the past 60 days. BHP Group currently sports a Zacks Rank #1 (Strong Buy). You can see the complete list of today’s Zacks #1 Rank stocks here.

Materion Corporation MTRN produces PVD rare earth elements for modern technologies and supports most major OEM thin film deposition platforms. The company's expected earnings growth rate for the ongoing year is 57.1% compared with the Zacks Mining – Miscellaneous industry’s projected earnings growth of 18.9%. The Zacks Consensus Estimate for the company’s current-year earnings has been revised nearly 1% upward over the past 60 days. Materion holds a Zacks Rank #2 (Buy), at present.

Tronox Holdings plc TROX operates titanium-bearing mineral sand mines, and beneficiation and smelting operations. The company's expected earnings growth rate for the current year is more than 100% compared with the Zacks Chemical – Diversified industry’s projected earnings growth of 27.6%. The Zacks Consensus Estimate for the company’s current-year earnings has been revised 6.7% upward over the past 60 days. Tronox presently carries a Zacks Rank #3 (Hold).

MP Materials Corp. MP engages in the ownership and operation of integrated rare-earth mining and processing facilities. This Zacks Rank #3 company's expected earnings growth rate for 2021 is 81.5% compared with the Zacks Mining – Miscellaneous industry’s projected earnings growth of 18.9%. The Zacks Consensus Estimate for the company’s current-year earnings has been revised nearly 29% upward over the past 90 days.

Freeport-McMoRan Inc. FCX engages in the mining of mineral properties. This Zacks Rank #3 company's estimated earnings growth rate for the ongoing year is more than 100% against the Zacks Mining – Non Ferrous industry’s projected earnings decline of 1.3%. The Zacks Consensus Estimate for the company’s current-year earnings has been revised 10.2% upward over the past 60 days.

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It’s never easy to pick stocks to buy for the second half of a calendar year. That’s especially true when the markets are hotter than a pistol — which they are in 2021.

As of July 14, the S&P 500 was up 18.31% year-to-date (YTD). That’s an annualized return of almost 34%. Since 1928, the index has done better on just six occasions, the last being in 1995.

Ultimately, I want to give suggestions that can make money for readers over the long haul and not just the remaining five months of this year.

InvestorPlace – Stock Market News, Stock Advice & Trading Tips

With that in mind, a strategy based on 10 momentum stocks could backfire if the markets cool off in the second half. But on the other hand, if I go with 10 tried-and-true stocks and the markets stay hot, you’re likely to underperform relative to the index.

• 
  7 of the Best Contrarian Stocks to Buy as Others Get Greedy

Therefore, I’ll try to have my cake and eat it too. These 10 stocks have high free cash flow (FCF) yields and are trading at or near the index’s YTD return:

• BHP Group (NYSE:BHP)

• ViacomCBS (NASDAQ:VIAC)

• Columbia Sportswear (NASDAQ:COLM)

• Nomad Foods (NYSE:NOMD)

• TechnipFMC (NYSE:FTI)

• Orix Corporation (NYSE:IX)

• Jazz Pharmaceuticals (NASDAQ:JAZZ)

• Masonite International (NYSE:DOOR)

• Paramount Group (NYSE:PGRE)

• Genpact (NYSE:G)

Stocks to Buy: BHP Group (BHP)

Source: Shutterstock

As with all my stock galleries, I try to provide sector diversification. I would like to load up on stocks in industries I enjoy, such as the consumer cyclical or consumer defensive sectors. But as my dad used to say — and he was generally an optimist — “Life is to be endured.” So, I endure by selecting a materials stock.

BHP Group is the world’s largest mining conglomerate. Based in Australia, it has a YTD return of 15% and an FCF yield of 5.6%. As for BHP stock’s rating, of the 15 analysts that cover it, nine rate it as either a buy or overweight. Only two rate it as underweight or an outright sell.

For the trailing 12 months (TTM) ended March 31, BHP had $46.3 billion in revenue. That’s higher than it’s been at any point in the past three years. Over the same period, the company has seen $16.6 billion in operating income.

I consider companies with FCF yields between 4% and 8% to be very attractive long-term investments.

ViacomCBS (VIAC)

Source: Jer123 / Shutterstock.com

The media conglomerate’s stock has gathered speed in the past three months. In that time, VIAC shares have risen 4% in response to rumors that the company may be the subject of a bid by Comcast (NASDAQ:CMCSA).

The main attraction for Comcast would be ViacomCBS’ Paramount+ streaming service. The telecommunications company has its own streaming unit, Peacock, as part of its NBCUniversal media conglomerate. Combining both services would put Comcast in a good position to capture the coveted number-three spot in the lucrative streaming industry.

Paramount+ is adding several items to its streaming repertoire this summer. Most notably, the service will stream hundreds of live soccer-related events like the Men’s Concacaf World Cup Qualifiers.

Tom Ryan, president and chief executive officer of ViacomCBS Streaming, said, “The breadth and depth of premium feature films and exclusive series coming to the service further strengthens our position in the market as a premium entertainment destination and, by offering this compelling content portfolio at an all-new low cost, makes us even more accessible to a wide consumer audience.”

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When you consider the boost Disney (NYSE:DIS) has gotten from Disney+, ViacomCBS executives have good reason to be excited.

Stocks to Buy: Columbia Sportswear (COLM)

Source: Ekaterina_Minaeva / Shutterstock.com

On average, the 12 analysts covering COLM stock rate it overweight with a 12-month target price of $127. That’s 28% upside at current prices.

In April, COLM stock hit its all-time high of $114.98. Up nearly 25% over the past year, CEO Timothy Boyle must be very happy with its run of late. Boyle’s shares are now worth $2.3 billion.

The board of directors could use a few more women — of the nine members, just two are female. It could also benefit from a few younger members, as the average director’s age is 68. But there’s no doubt that they are a group of very talented individuals.

Normally I’m not a fan of boards that are particularly ancient, especially when it comes to consumer-facing products such as apparel and footwear. But in Columbia’s case, the proof is in the pudding.

The company has managed to produce returns for shareholders in recent years. I see good things happening in the long term for investors in COLM stock.

Nomad Foods (NOMD)

Source: defotoberg / Shutterstock.com

If you haven’t heard of Nomad, it’s the largest frozen food company in Europe. In the U.S., the company is the third-largest of its kind, with Nestle (OTCMKTS:NSRGY) and Conagra Brands (NYSE:CAG) in the top two spots.

In March, Nomad announced that it will acquire Fortenova’s frozen food business. The company’s Ledo and Frikom brands are well-known to consumers in Central and Eastern Europe. Nomad paid 615 million Euros ($726 million) for the frozen food group. That’s less than 10 times the group’s adjusted earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization (EBITDA).

Nomad’s Green Cuisine brand is Europe’s fastest-growing frozen meat-free brand. In 2020, its retail sales grew by 299%. That’s almost five times faster than Beyond Meat (NASDAQ:BYND), which saw 65% growth in the same timeframe.

Another reason to like Nomad is that Sir Martin Franklin owns 7.4% of its stock. Franklin is a company builder with a success rate matched by few others.

As for the analysts’ perspective, 10 cover NOMD stock, with nine rating it a buy and one rating it overweight. They list a median target price of $28.66. I think we’ll see a bunch of revisions for this stock in the next few months.

• 
  7 High-Quality Stocks to Buy That Are Trading Below Fair Value

Nomad’s TTM FCF is $410.6 million. Based on a market cap of $4.9 billion, it has an FCF yield of 8.4%. I consider that to be value territory.

Stocks to Buy: TechnipFMC (FTI)

Source: abu emran / Shutterstock.com

If we were talking about weaknesses in stock coverage, the energy sector would be at the top of the list. I don’t see the point in covering businesses that probably won’t exist in a decade or two.

TechnipFMC was created during the January 2017 merger of FMC Technologies and Technip. The combination created a global leader in subsea and surface technologies. TechnipFMC also provides services to oil and gas exploration and production companies.

In the first quarter of 2021, the company’s subsea operations generated revenue of $1.39 billion, an 11% increase from last year. TechnipFMC’s subsea operations account for 85% of its overall revenue and has a backlog of $6.86 billion.

In 2021, the company expects to see revenue of at least $6.05 billion with an EBITDA margin in the low double digits.

In Q1, it had an FCF of $137 million. For the TTM ended March 31, its FCF was $620 million, implying an FCF yield of 18%.

I’m not a fan of energy stocks, but it’s hard not to notice FTI stock’s value at current prices.

Orix Corporation (IX)

Source: shutterstock.com/CC7

It’s always nice to be able to include a stock that I’ve previously recommended. In the case of Orix, I suggested investors take a look at the Japanese diversified financial services company in May 2020.

I recommended Orix partially because of its U.S. division, which has its hands in all kinds of financial pies. It manages more than $70 billion in assets.

Fast forward to today, and IX stock is up 48% over the past 14 months. Its momentum doesn’t look like it will slow in the second half of 2021.

I believe this despite the fact that fiscal 2021 wasn’t one of the company’s best years on record. On the top line, revenue grew by less than 1% to 2.293 trillion Japanese Yen ($20.7 billion). Its pre-tax income fell 30% to 287.5 billion Japanese Yen ($2.6 billion).

There are a lot of moving parts in Orix’s business. For example, Orix USA’s revenue was up 2% in 2021, but its segment profits fell 23%. The latter decline was primarily due to the sale of equity ownership in Houlihan Lokey (NYSE:HLI) in fiscal 2020.

• 
  7 Best Stocks To Buy Now if You Want To Get In at the Bottom

I suggest you visit Orix’s various sites, including its investor relations page. It’s a diamond in the rough.

Stocks to Buy: Jazz Pharmaceuticals (JAZZ)

Source: Michael Vi / Shutterstock.com

If there’s one thing I like to see from most non-financial stocks, it’s strong free cash flow.

Jazz Pharmaceuticals, a developer of medicines for neuroscience and oncology-related treatments, has excellent FCF. In the trailing 12 months, it had $750 million in FCF and an FCF yield of 6.8%.

Many cannabis investors jumped on JAZZ stock after the company acquired GW Pharmaceuticals in May for $7.6 billion in cash and stock.

GW’s cannabis-based medication Epidiolex treats children with rare types of early-onset epilepsy. In 2020, revenue from Epidiolex grew by 73% to $511 million. This growth, in addition to the company’s sleep disorder medicine Xyrem, shows that Jazz has the makings of a major player in the drug development industry.

Of the 17 analysts covering JAZZ, 15 rate it a buy, one rates it overweight, and one rates it a hold. In their eyes, it’s a clear buy with a target price of $208.82.

Masonite International (DOOR)

Source: David Papazian / Shutterstock

It wouldn’t be a proper gallery from a Canadian writer if it didn’t have a Canadian company in its midst. Masonite, a Toronto-based manufacturer of doors, fits the bill nicely.

Masonite’s history dates back to 1925, but the Canadian connection didn’t happen until 1999. That’s when Premdor Inc. entered into a strategic alliance with Masonite Corp., then owned by International Paper (NYSE:IP). A year later, Premdor acquired Masonite from IP for $523 million. Once the acquisition closed, the Premdor name was replaced with Masonite.

Masonite had sales of $301 million in 1999. In 2020, they were $2.26 billion with a TTM FCF of $230 million and an FCF yield of 8.5%.

As for Masonite’s business, it generates 73% of its sales from the North American residential market. Europe accounts for another 11% of sales, and its architectural business is responsible for the rest.

It is one of only two vertically integrated residential interior door manufacturers in North America. New residential construction accounts for 45% of its North American sales, while the renovation market accounts for the remaining 55%.

• 
  The 7 Best Tech Stocks to Buy in July

The company is continuing to grow its margins. In 2015, its adjusted EBITDA margin was 10.9%. Today, it’s over 16%. That’s how you grow free cash flow.

Stocks to Buy: Paramount Group (PGRE)

Source: ImageFlow/shutterstock.com

Paramount Group is a real estate investment trust (REIT) focused on owning the best assets in the best markets and providing top-notch service for tenants.

Founded in 1978, it owns properties in New York, San Francisco and Washington, D.C. Its 19 assets are valued at approximately $13.5 billion. These properties cover 13.9 million square feet of leasable space and generate $358 million in annualized cash net operating income.

New York City accounts for 70% of the REIT’s gross asset value and 62% of its leasable square feet.

While the REIT’s office real estate accounts for a concerning 96% of its revenue, the quality of its properties enables it to charge top dollar rents compared to its peers. Further, none of its largest tenants accounts for more than 4.5% of its annual rent. Most importantly, 32% of its leases will not expire until 2031 or thereafter.

Despite Covid-19 affecting its business, Q1 2021 saw the REIT deliver $50.6 million in core funds from operations. That was down from $61.5 million a year ago, but still very positive. As re-openings accelerate, its earnings will too.

Genpact (G)

Source: Shutterstock

Genpact helps Global Fortune 500 companies transform their digital operations to deliver a world that works better for people.

In the first quarter, all Genpact’s financial metrics exceeded expectations. Revenues grew 1%, excluding currency, to $946 million while adjusted earnings per share rose 11% to 59 cents.

For all of 2021, Genpact expects revenue of at least $3.93 billion, 5% higher than last year, with an adjusted EPS of $2.27.

A real-world example of Genpact’s work is its partnership with Envision Virgin Racing, a Formula E racing team. The partnership aims to make the team’s electric vehicles as efficient as possible during Formula E races.

“Genpact’s technology helps Envision Virgin Racing do this with data analytics and augmented intelligence — the combination of machine-generated insights and human know-how, context, and experience — that engineers, drivers, and pit crew rely on during races to make quick decisions and shift strategies,” Fast Company reported on July 12.

Now, multiply this by hundreds of companies across many different industries, and you have the makings of a successful business services provider.

Genpact currently has an FCF yield of 6.7%, which can provide investors with an excellent entry point.

On the date of publication, Will Ashworth did not have (either directly or indirectly) any positions in the securities mentioned in this article. The opinions expressed in this article are those of the writer, subject to the InvestorPlace.com Publishing Guidelines.

Will Ashworth has written about investments full-time since 2008. Publications where he’s appeared include InvestorPlace, The Motley Fool Canada, Investopedia, Kiplinger, and several others in both the U.S. and Canada. He particularly enjoys creating model portfolios that stand the test of time. He lives in Halifax, Nova Scotia.

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Rio Tinto plc’s (RIO) iron ore shipments in the second quarter of 2021 declined 12% year over year to 76.3 million tons (Mt) as storms affected its West Australian operations. This takes total iron ore shipped by the company to 154.1 Mt for the first half of 2021, which reflects a 3% drop year over year. Iron production in the first half of 2021 came in 5% lower than the prior year, due to weather and labor constraints. Both shipments and production reported by the company in the first half of 2021 marks its weakest performance since 2015.

Iron ore production in the second quarter was down 9% year over year to 75.9 Mt. The company stated that the shortfall was due to above average rainfall in the West Pilbara, shutdowns to enable replacement mines to be tied in, processing plant availability and cultural heritage management. In the first quarter, the company’s iron production dipped 2% to 76.4 Mt on account of above average wet weather in the mines through February, and fixed plant reliability and labor resource availability. Ongoing travel restrictions due to COVID-19 and a tight labor market in Western Australia have been impacting the company’s ability to access experienced contractors and particular skill sets. Overall, in the first half of 2021, the company has produced 152.3 Mt of iron ore, which is 5% lower than the prior year comparable period.

Rio Tinto raised its iron ore production cost guidance for 2021 citing higher input costs (diesel and labor), costs related to mine heritage management as well as COVID-19 related expenses. The company has so far incurred around $100 million of COVID-19 related costs.

Due to this underperformance, Rio Tinto now expects to ship near the lower end of its range of its previous guidance of 325 Mt to 340 Mt in 2021. The company stated that the guidance remains subject to weather conditions, tie-in and ramp up of brownfield replacement mines, and ongoing cultural heritage management. The labor constraints also persist and will continue to impact operations. Brazilian miner Vale S.A VALE had reported a 14.2% year-over-year increase in its first quarter 2021 iron ore production to 68 Mt courtesy of the company’s ongoing operational stabilization and resumption plan. It is set to release its second-quarter production report on Jul 19, 2021. The company’s iron ore production guidance for 2021 is in the range of 315 Mt to 335 Mt. Meanwhile, BHP Group BHP anticipates producing between 245 Mt and 255 Mt of iron ore in fiscal 2021.

These companies will benefit from higher iron ore prices this year. Iron ore prices have gained around 40% so far this year and are currently trending above $220 per ton. Prices had hit a record high of $232 on May 12 on declining stockpiles and concerns over supply. Meanwhile, iron ore demand from China is benefiting from rise in infrastructure spending and renewed vigor in manufacturing activity. Despite the China government’s efforts to curb steel output to reduce carbon emissions, demand for iron ore showed resilience as mills that were not subject to output curbs continued to ramp up production. Healthy profit margins buoyed by higher demand and a rally in steel prices have led to a rise in production.

The World Steel Association projects steel demand to grow 5.8% in 2021 and reach 1,874 Mt. China's steel demand is expected to improve 3% this year. Further, the ongoing recovery in automotive and constructions sectors across the world will drive demand for steel and thereby for iron ore. In the United States, massive government spending to rebuild infrastructure including railroads, highways and bridges will significantly boost steel demand, thus fueling the requirement of more iron ore.

Image Source: Zacks Investment Research

In the past year, shares of Rio Tinto have gained 38.8%, compared with the industry’s rally of 31.2%.

Rio Tinto currently sports a Zacks Rank #1 (Strong Buy). You can see the complete list of today’s Zacks #1 Rank stocks here.

Another top-ranked stock in the basic materials space is Nucor Corporation NUE which flaunts a Zacks Rank #1.

Nucor has a projected earnings growth rate of 259.9% for the current year. The company’s shares have soared around 131% over the past year.

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Zacks Investment Research

(Adds BHP, Vale comments, photo)

By Carolina Mandl

SAO PAULO, July 16 (Reuters) – Creditors of bankrupt miner Samarco Mineracao SA, a joint venture between Vale SA and BHP Group Plc, objected to the company's restructuring plan on Thursday, according to a court document.

Creditors said the plan's main goal is to protect Samarco's giant shareholders, Vale and BHP, and reduce future payments to creditors.

They also rejected Samarco's offer to apply an 85% haircut to all creditors, including shareholders Vale and BHP, which extended 24 billion reais in loans to the company. Debt payments to creditors would occur in 2041.

Creditors said both Vale and BHP, as shareholders, should be paid only after all other creditors fully recover their money. They also questioned if both giant companies should recover any value as creditors consider that both miners are co-debtors.

They also refused Samarco's offer to swap their debt for shares in the company.

"It is unacceptable that a restructuring plan of a company controlled by the world's biggest miners outlines an outright (and illegal) debt forgiveness to create value for its multimillionaire shareholders, which are also responsible for Brazil's biggest environmental disaster," creditors said in the court document.

They referred to the collapse of a dam at the Samarco mine complex in 2015 that killed 19 people, severely polluted the Doce River with mining waste and led the company into financial trouble.

Creditors have proposed Samarco, Vale and BHP pay in three equal parts for all damage caused by the rupture of the dam, creditors lawyers Paulo Padis and Marcos Pitanga said in an interview. That contrasts with Samarco's restructuring plan, which proposes the company pay for the damage entirely.

Creditors and Samarco have recently signed confidentiality agreements to start negotiations.

Samarco and Vale said in separate statements that the proposed restructuring plan takes into consideration the company's financials and aims at keeping payments to repair damage caused by the disaster.

BHP said loans extended to Samarco to allow its continuity in the last five years were at terms similar to credit lines taken by the miner before the disaster.

Samarco added creditors have not presented any alternative plan so far.

(Reporting by Carolina Mandl; Editing by Nick Macfie and Steve Orlofsky)

The worst result, after buying shares in a company (assuming no leverage), would be if you lose all the money you put in. But on the bright side, you can make far more than 100% on a really good stock. For instance, the price of BHP Group (ASX:BHP) stock is up an impressive 169% over the last five years. We note the stock price is up 4.8% in the last seven days.

See our latest analysis for BHP Group

There is no denying that markets are sometimes efficient, but prices do not always reflect underlying business performance. One imperfect but simple way to consider how the market perception of a company has shifted is to compare the change in the earnings per share (EPS) with the share price movement.

During the last half decade, BHP Group became profitable. Sometimes, the start of profitability is a major inflection point that can signal fast earnings growth to come, which in turn justifies very strong share price gains. Since the company was unprofitable five years ago, but not three years ago, it's worth taking a look at the returns in the last three years, too. We can see that the BHP Group share price is up 58% in the last three years. During the same period, EPS grew by 14% each year. This EPS growth is reasonably close to the 16% average annual increase in the share price (over three years, again). So one might argue that investor sentiment towards the stock hss not changed much over time. Rather, the share price has approximately tracked EPS growth.

You can see how EPS has changed over time in the image below (click on the chart to see the exact values).

This free interactive report on BHP Group's earnings, revenue and cash flow is a great place to start, if you want to investigate the stock further.

What About Dividends?

As well as measuring the share price return, investors should also consider the total shareholder return (TSR). The TSR is a return calculation that accounts for the value of cash dividends (assuming that any dividend received was reinvested) and the calculated value of any discounted capital raisings and spin-offs. Arguably, the TSR gives a more comprehensive picture of the return generated by a stock. In the case of BHP Group, it has a TSR of 253% for the last 5 years. That exceeds its share price return that we previously mentioned. This is largely a result of its dividend payments!

A Different Perspective

We're pleased to report that BHP Group shareholders have received a total shareholder return of 43% over one year. That's including the dividend. That's better than the annualised return of 29% over half a decade, implying that the company is doing better recently. Someone with an optimistic perspective could view the recent improvement in TSR as indicating that the business itself is getting better with time. I find it very interesting to look at share price over the long term as a proxy for business performance. But to truly gain insight, we need to consider other information, too. Case in point: We've spotted 2 warning signs for BHP Group you should be aware of, and 1 of them is a bit unpleasant.

If you would prefer to check out another company — one with potentially superior financials — then do not miss this free list of companies that have proven they can grow earnings.

Please note, the market returns quoted in this article reflect the market weighted average returns of stocks that currently trade on AU exchanges.

This article by Simply Wall St is general in nature. It does not constitute a recommendation to buy or sell any stock, and does not take account of your objectives, or your financial situation. We aim to bring you long-term focused analysis driven by fundamental data. Note that our analysis may not factor in the latest price-sensitive company announcements or qualitative material. Simply Wall St has no position in any stocks mentioned.

Have feedback on this article? Concerned about the content? Get in touch with us directly. Alternatively, email editorial-team (at) simplywallst.com.

/NOT FOR DISTRIBUTION TO UNITED STATES NEWS WIRE SERVICES OR FOR DISSEMINATION IN THE UNITED STATES/

Symbol: AZM.TSX Venture

LONGUEUIL, QC, July 16, 2021 /CNW Telbec/ – Azimut Exploration Inc. ("Azimut" or the "Company") (TSXV: AZM) is pleased to announce that it has closed its previously announced bought deal private placement financing (the "Offering") for total gross proceeds of approximately $28.75 million, consisting of 3,463,900 common shares of the Company that qualify as "flow-through shares" (within the meaning of subsection 66(15) of the Income Tax Act (Canada) and section 359.1 of the Taxation Act (Québec)) (the "FT Shares") at a price of $3.32 per FT Share and 9,078,472 common shares of the Company on a non-flow-through basis (the "Shares" and, together with the FT Shares, the "Offered Shares") at a price of $1.90 per Share, which includes the exercise of the underwriters' option to purchase 1,973,172 additional Shares.

Paradigm Capital Inc. acted as lead underwriter (the "Lead Underwriter") in connection with the Offering with a syndicate including Laurentian Bank Securities Inc. and Sprott Capital Partners LP (together with the Lead Underwriter, the "Underwriters"). As consideration for the services provided by the Underwriters in connection with the Offering, the Underwriters received: (a) a cash commission representing 6.0% of the aggregate gross proceeds from sales of the Offered Shares under the Offering (reduced to 3% for certain subscribers on the president's list of the Company); and (b) non-transferable compensation options, representing 4% of the total number of Offered Shares sold under the Offering, each exercisable for one common share of the Company at a price of $1.90 per share until January 16, 2023.

The Company will use an amount equal to the gross proceeds received by the Company from the sale of the FT Shares, pursuant to the provisions in the Income Tax Act (Canada) and the Taxation Act (Québec), to incur eligible "Canadian exploration expenses" that qualify as "flow-through mining expenditures" as both terms are defined in the Income Tax Act (Canada) (the "Qualifying Expenditures") on or before December 31, 2022, and to renounce all the Qualifying Expenditures in favour of the subscribers of the FT Shares effective December 31, 2021. In addition, with respect to Québec resident subscribers of the FT Shares who are eligible individuals under the Taxation Act (Québec), the Canadian exploration expenses will also qualify for inclusion in the "exploration base relating to certain Québec exploration expenses" within the meaning of section 726.4.10 of the Taxation Act (Québec) and for inclusion in the "exploration base relating to certain Québec surface mining expenses or oil and gas exploration expenses" within the meaning of section 726.4.17.2 of the Taxation Act (Québec). The net proceeds from the sale of the Shares will be used for exploration and for general corporate purposes.

The strategic investor, who participated in the February 2020 private placement, also participated in the Offering and following the Offering will have pro-forma ownership of approximately 9.79%.

All securities issued in connection with the Offering are subject to a statutory hold period in Canada expiring on November 17, 2021. The Offering remains subject to final acceptance of the TSX Venture Exchange.

The securities have not been, and will not be, registered under the Unites States Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the "U.S. Securities Act"), or any U.S. state securities laws, and may not be offered or sold in the Unites States without registration under the U.S. Securities Act and all applicable state securities laws or compliance with requirements of an applicable exemption therefrom. This press release shall not constitute an offer to sell or the solicitation of an offer to buy securities in the Unites States, nor shall there be any sale of these securities in any jurisdiction in which such offer, solicitation or sale would be unlawful.

About Azimut

Azimut is a mineral exploration company whose core business centres on target generation and partnership development. The Company is actively advancing the Patwon gold discovery on its 100%-owned flagship Elmer Property in the James Bay region.

The Company uses a pioneering approach to big data analytics (the proprietary AZtechMine^TM expert system), enhanced by extensive exploration know-how. Azimut maintains rigorous financial discipline and has 81.7 million shares outstanding. Azimut's competitive edge against exploration risk is founded on systematic regional-scale data analysis and multiple concurrently active projects.

Cautionary Statement

Neither the TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this news release.

This news release includes certain "forward-looking statements" which are not comprised of historical facts. Forward-looking statements include estimates and statements that describe the Company's future plans, objectives or goals, including words to the effect that the Company or management expects a stated condition or result to occur. Forward-looking statements may be identified by such terms as "believes", "anticipates", "expects", "estimates", "may", "could", "would", "will", or "plan". Since forward-looking statements are based on assumptions and address future events and conditions, by their very nature they involve inherent risks and uncertainties. Although these statements are based on information currently available to the Company, the Company provides no assurance that actual results will meet management's expectations. Risks, uncertainties and other factors involved with forward-looking information could cause actual events, results, performance, prospects and opportunities to differ materially from those expressed or implied by such forward-looking information. Forward looking information in this news release includes, but is not limited to, the Company's objectives, goals or future plans, use of proceeds of the Offering, renunciation and tax treatment of the FT Shares and receipt of final acceptance of the TSX Venture Exchange for the Offering. Factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from such forward-looking information include, but are not limited to changes in equity markets, changes in exchange rates, fluctuations in commodity prices, capital, operating and reclamation costs varying significantly from estimates and the other risks involved in the mineral exploration and development industry, and those risks set out in the Company's public documents filed on SEDAR. Although the Company believes that the assumptions and factors used in preparing the forward-looking information in this news release are reasonable, undue reliance should not be placed on such information, which only applies as of the date of this news release, and no assurance can be given that such events will occur in the disclosed time frames or at all. The Company disclaims any intention or obligation to update or revise any forward-looking information, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, other than as required by law.

SOURCE Azimut Exploration Inc.

View original content: http://www.newswire.ca/en/releases/archive/July2021/16/c9228.html

MELBOURNE (Reuters) -Rio Tinto reported a 12% fall in quarterly iron ore shipments on Friday after storms affected its West Australian operations, but is expected to report bumper results this month on soaring prices for the steel raw material.

Rio said it now expects to ship near the lower end of its range of 325 million tonnes (mt) and 340 mt in calendar 2021, meaning it may hand back its crown as the world's biggest producer to Brazilian rival Vale S.A..

Vale, which reports output later this month, is on track to meet the upper end of its 2021 guidance of 315-335 mt, according to UBS.

Rio shipped 76.3 million tonnes (mt) of the steel-making commodity for the three months ended June 30, down from 86.7 mt a year ago, just ahead of a UBS estimate of 76 mt.

"We would have liked to have seen higher production to capitalise on these iron ore prices. Still, they are going to be swimming in cash at results time," said analyst David Lennox at Fat Prophets in Sydney.

"Hopefully we will get a good dividend and we are looking for a share buyback as well."

Iron ore prices surged to records above $230 a tonne in May thanks to a post-COVID infrastructure drive by China.

Rio is expected to post half-year underlying earnings of $10.9 billion on July 28 according to a Vuma consensus of 14 analysts, more than double the $4.75 billion it reported for the same period last year.

Rio on Friday also raised its full-year iron ore production cost guidance due to increased labour and input costs.

The miner expects unit costs of $18.00-$18.50 per tonne for the year, up from its previous estimate of $16.70-$17.70 per tonne, even as prices it received for iron ore doubled to $168.40 a dry metric tonne free on board for the first half.

Miners have been facing labour shortages as Australia has shut international borders and snap closed state borders.

Rio also said it delayed commissioning at its new Gudai-Darri iron ore hub to later this year and first production from its Winu copper find in Australia to 2025 from original estimates of 2023, partly due to COVID restrictions.

It lowered 2021 production by 2 Mt due to new strategies to protect Aboriginal areas of high cultural significance as it seeks to repair relations with Aboriginal groups following its destruction of rock shelters at Juukan Gorge last year.

(Reporting by Melanie Burton in Melbourne and Sameer Manekar and Anushka Trivedi in Bengaluru; Editing by Krishna Chandra Eluri and Richard Pullin)

ST. JOHN'S, Newfoundland and Labrador, July 15, 2021–(BUSINESS WIRE)–Altius Minerals Corporation (ALS:TSX) (ATUSF: OTCQX) ("Altius" or the "Corporation") expects to report attributable quarterly royalty revenue^† of approximately $21.8 million ($0.53 per share) for the second quarter ended June 30, 2021. This compares to quarterly revenues of $17.8 million ($0.43 per share) in Q1 2021.

Base metal (primarily copper) revenue of $9.4 million is up 24% from Q1 2021 base metal revenue of $7.6 million, and represented 43% of total royalty revenue. Performance in the quarter was positively impacted by stronger metal prices, but was offset by lower copper production from both 777 and Chapada.

During the quarter, Vale commenced production from its new underground mine at Voisey’s Bay and Lundin Mining continued to aggressively drill near mine targets at Chapada in support of ongoing project expansion studies.

Potash revenue of $4.5 million is up 11% from Q1 2021 potash revenue of $4.1 million and represented 21% of total royalty revenue. Steady price improvements over the past year continued to be reflected while overall portfolio based production was down slightly from Q1 but similar to Q2 2020 production. Average realized prices for royalty calculation purposes continued to reflect timing of sales recognition lags with realized prices in Q2 generally aligned with Q1 2021 market prices. Market prices based on US Midwest and Brazil delivery increased by 50-60% during Q2 and these are expected to result in higher realized prices to Altius in the coming quarters.

During the quarter, Mosaic closed its Esterhazy K1 and K2 mining shafts while it continues to ramp up production from the new K3 mining shaft which is expected to reach full capacity early in 2022. Nutrien announced two 500,000 tonne increases to its annual potash production guidance during the quarter in response to increased demand.

Iron ore revenue in the form of dividends received from Labrador Iron Ore Royalty Corporation ("LIORC") was $5.0 million, or 23% of total royalty revenue, which compares to $2.9 million in Q1 2021. The 72% increase reflected strong royalty revenue and a significant equity dividend paid by the Iron Ore Company of Canada ("IOC") as it continued to benefit from strong demand and pricing for its high-purity iron ore products that result in lower emission steel making. The Corporation is a significant shareholder of LIORC which serves as a pass-through vehicle for royalty income and equity dividends related to the operations of IOC.

On April 1, 2021, the Corporation received 600,000 Champion Iron Limited ("Champion") shares as consideration for the sale of its portion of secured debt of Alderon after Champion acquired the assets of Alderon through a court appointed and competitive bidding process. Interest income of $636,000 on this loan recovery is included in the table below under "other royalties and interest". Champion continued work to update the prior positive feasibility study and revise the project scope for its recently acquired Kami Iron Ore project. Kami is located nearby to the south of IOC’s operations and a few kilometres southeast of Champion’s Bloom Lake operations and is subject to a 3% gross sales royalty in favour of Altius. The Kami project hosts extensive resources of iron ore that are expected to be capable of producing high-purity, premium priced concentrate products.

Thermal coal revenue of $2.1 million, or just under 10% of total royalty revenue, compares to $2.9 million in Q1 largely due to slightly lower seasonal electricity demand at the integrated Genesee mine and power plant and only nominal revenue from the Sheerness operation.

Altius Renewable Royalties (ARR: TSX) ("ARR"), of which the Corporation is a controlling shareholder, reported the creation of five new royalty interests on US based development stage wind and solar projects. These royalties arise from project sales by investee partner Tri Global Energy LLC that collectively represent more than 1,100 MW of new renewable energy generation capacity. More information can be found at arr.energy. ARR, through subsidiary Great Bay Renewables which is jointly controlled with certain funds managed by affiliates of Apollo Global Management, Inc., also continued to advance several new royalty-based investment opportunities during the quarter that it believes will lead to additional capital deployment throughout the remainder of the year.

Second Quarter 2021 Financial Results Conference Call and Webcast Details

Additional details relating to individual royalty performances and asset level developments will be provided with the release of full financial results, which will occur on August 9, 2021 after the close of market, with a conference call to follow on August 10, 2021.

Date: August 10, 2021
Time: 9:00 AM ET
Toll Free Dial-In Number: +1(866) 521-4909
International Dial-In Number: +1(647) 427-2311
Conference Call Title and ID: Altius Q2 2021 Results, ID 9379845
Webcast Link: https://onlinexperiences.com/scripts/Server.nxp?LASCmd=AI:4;F:QS!10100&ShowUUID=A7CADED0-3E8D-44EF-AF03-8F7FBFFF082E

^†Attributable royalty revenue is a non‐IFRS measure and does not have any standardized meaning prescribed under IFRS. For a detailed description and examples of the reconciliation of this measure, please see the Corporation’s MD&A disclosures for prior quarterly and annual reporting periods, which are available at https://www.altiusminerals.com

About Altius

Altius’s strategy is to create per share growth through a diversified portfolio of royalty assets that relate to long life, high margin operations. This strategy further provides shareholders with exposures that are well aligned with sustainability-related global growth trends including the electricity generation transition from fossil fuel to renewables, transportation electrification, reduced emissions from steelmaking and increasing agricultural yield requirements. These each hold the potential to cause increased demand for many of Altius’s commodity exposures including copper, renewable based electricity, several key battery metals (lithium, nickel and cobalt), clean iron ore, and potash. Altius has 41,504,597 common shares issued and outstanding that are listed on Canada’s Toronto Stock Exchange. It is a member of both the S&P/TSX Small Cap and S&P/TSX Global Mining Indices.

Forward-Looking Information

This news release contains forward‐looking information. The statements are based on reasonable assumptions and expectations of management and Altius provides no assurance that actual events will meet management's expectations. In certain cases, forward‐looking information may be identified by such terms as "anticipates", "believes", "could", "estimates", "expects", "may", "shall", "will", or "would". Although Altius believes the expectations expressed in such forward‐looking statements are based on reasonable assumptions, such statements are not guarantees of future performance and actual results or developments may differ materially from those projected. Readers should not place undue reliance on forward-looking information. Altius does not undertake to update any forward-looking information contained herein except in accordance with securities regulation.

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20210715005512/en/

Contacts

Flora Wood
Email: Fwood@altiusminerals.com
Tel: 1.877.576.2209
Direct: +1(416)346.9020

Ben Lewis
Email: Blewis@altiusminerals.com
Tel: 1.877.576.2209

MELBOURNE, Australia, July 15, 2021–(BUSINESS WIRE)–Rio Tinto Chief Executive Jakob Stausholm, said: "The global economy, in particular China, recovered strongly and we are intensely focused on servicing our customers with as much product as we can. However, we faced some challenges in the first half notably at our Pilbara operations, which were impacted by replacement mine tie-ins and materially higher rainfall. Heightened COVID-19 constraints, which resulted in numerous travel restrictions, added further pressure on the business and limited our ability to access additional people, particularly in Western Australia and Mongolia, in order to deliver operational improvements or maintenance initiatives and accelerate projects.

"Safety is our first priority and our performance in this area remains robust in challenging conditions. However, as identified shortly after my appointment, operationally we are not where we want to be. Our first half performance has reaffirmed my belief that we have identified the right priorities to strengthen the business: to become the best operator, strive for impeccable ESG credentials, excel in development and secure a strong social licence. We have made initial progress against our priorities, but a large volume of work remains to make Rio Tinto even stronger, so we can continue to deliver superior returns to shareholders, invest in sustaining and growing our portfolio, and make a broader contribution to society."

Q2 Operational update

• Our colleague Nico Swart was tragically killed in a shooting incident whilst driving to work at Richards Bay Minerals (RBM) in South Africa on 24 May. Our sympathies are with Nico's family and we are offering ongoing support to his family, friends and colleagues.

• We continue to prioritise the safety of our people and communities as some regions experience a resurgence of COVID-19. We have exceeded 30 months without a fatality on site but our all injury frequency rate (AIFR) of 0.39 has seen a slight increase versus the second quarter of 2020 (0.37), and prior quarter (0.35), which underlines that there is no room for complacency.

• We expect iron ore shipments to be at the low end of the guidance range which remains subject to COVID-19 disruptions, tie-in and ramp up of brownfield replacement mines and management of cultural heritage. Mined copper and bauxite production is expected to be at the low end of the guidance range. Full year titanium dioxide slag production guidance has been removed as a result of risks around the timing of resumption of operations at RBM in South Africa, due to an escalation in the security situation. We are working with the local and federal governments and police to ensure we can safely resume operations.

• Pilbara iron ore production of 75.9 million tonnes (100% basis) was 9% lower than the second quarter of 2020 due to above average rainfall in the West Pilbara, shutdowns to enable replacement mines to be tied in, processing plant availability, and cultural heritage management. Shipments of 76.3 million tonnes (100% basis) were 12% lower than the second quarter of 2020 with some additional drawdown of inventories. Ongoing COVID-19 restrictions and a tight labour market have further impacted our ability to access experienced contractors and particular skill sets.

• Bauxite production of 13.7 million tonnes was 6% lower than the second quarter of 2020 due to ongoing system instability following severe wet weather in Eastern Australia in the first quarter.

• Aluminium production of 0.8 million tonnes was 4% higher than the second quarter of 2020, underpinned by the ISAL smelter in Iceland and the Becancour smelter in Quebec operating at full capacity, and the Kitimat smelter in British Columbia nearing completion of its pot relining cycle.

• Mined copper production of 115.5 thousand tonnes was 13% lower than the second quarter of 2020, with lower recoveries and throughput at Escondida as a result of the prolonged impact of COVID-19, and a planned relocation of the in-pit crusher at Kennecott in April. On 31 May, an anticipated slope failure occurred in the south east wall of the Bingham Canyon pit at Kennecott. There were no injuries or damage to equipment as the slide was accurately predicted by our geotechnical experts. Mining in the affected area restarted progressively in June. No ore has been sterilised and we expect to recover the material from the slide which is largely copper bearing ore. Mining rates will however be slower due to the size distribution of the material, and therefore some high-grade production scheduled for late 2021 will be deferred to 2022.

• Titanium dioxide slag production of 298 thousand tonnes was 14% higher than the second quarter of 2020 due to consistent production at the Fer et Titane (RTFT) metallurgical complex in Quebec. Following weeks of violent disruptions, our RBM operations have been significantly hampered. As a result, we have declared force majeure, with all operations curtailed.

• Production of pellets and concentrate at Iron Ore Company of Canada (IOC) was 2% lower than the second quarter of 2020 due to labour and equipment availability issues impacting product feed. Force majeure declared in April following the fire at the port has been lifted.

• On 17 June, Peter Cunningham was appointed as Chief Financial Officer with immediate effect. Peter also joined the Rio Tinto Board as an executive director at the same time. On 7 July, we announced the appointment of Isabelle Deschamps who will join on 25 October as Chief Legal Officer & External Affairs, succeeding Barbara Levi.

• On 4 June, we announced the appointment of Ben Wyatt as a non-executive director of the Rio Tinto Board. Mr Wyatt, an Australian citizen, and former Treasurer and Aboriginal Affairs Minister in the Western Australian Government, will join the Board on 1 September 2021.

• In the second quarter, we entered into four partnerships to progress our work to decarbonise our value chain. These include one with the Australian Renewable Energy Agency (ARENA) to study whether hydrogen can replace natural gas in alumina refineries to reduce emissions, and one with POSCO to jointly explore, develop and demonstrate technologies to transition to a low-carbon emission steel value chain.

The full second quarter production results are available here.

This announcement is authorised for release to the market by Steve Allen, Rio Tinto’s Group Company Secretary.

LEI: 213800YOEO5OQ72G2R82

Classification: 3.1 Additional regulated information required to be disclosed under the laws of a Member State

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20210715006088/en/

Contacts

Contacts
Please direct all enquiries to media.enquiries@riotinto.com

Media Relations, UK
Illtud Harri
M +44 7920 503 600

David Outhwaite
M +44 7787 597 493

Media Relations, Americas
Matthew Klar
T +1 514 608 4429

Media Relations, Australia
Jonathan Rose
M +61 447 028 913

Matt Chambers
M +61 433 525 739

Jesse Riseborough
M +61 436 653 412

Investor Relations, UK
Menno Sanderse
M: +44 7825 195 178

David Ovington
M +44 7920 010 978

Clare Peever
M +44 7788 967 877

Investor Relations, Australia
Natalie Worley
M +61 409 210 462

Amar Jambaa
M +61 472 865 948

Rio Tinto plc
6 St James’s Square
London SW1Y 4AD
United Kingdom
T +44 20 7781 2000
Registered in England
No. 719885

Rio Tinto Limited
Level 7, 360 Collins Street
Melbourne 3000
Australia
T +61 3 9283 3333
Registered in Australia
ABN 96 004 458 404
riotinto.com

Category: General

Vancouver, British Columbia–(Newsfile Corp. – July 15, 2021) – Pacific Ridge Exploration Ltd. (TSXV: PEX) (OTC Pink: PEXZF) ("Pacific Ridge" or the "Company") is pleased to announce that it has submitted its application to trade its common shares on the OTC Venture Market ("OTCQB").

"The OTCQB listing will help Pacific Ridge grow its U.S. shareholder base as the Company advances the Kliyul copper-gold project," said Blaine Monaghan, President and CEO of Pacific Ridge. "The fully funded drill program at Kliyul is expected to start in the next several weeks."

The OTCQB offers early stage and developing international companies the benefits of being publicly traded in the U.S. without the complexity and cost of a U.S. exchange listing. As a verified market with efficient access to U.S. investors, the OTCQB helps companies build shareholder value with a goal of enhancing liquidity and achieving a fair valuation.

Pacific Ridge will notify investors when its common shares begin trading on the OTCQB.

European marketing consultant

The Company has entered into a consulting agreement with Westlake Capital ("Westlake") to increase Pacific Ridge's profile within the European investment community. Westlake, based in Switzerland, has been retained for a term of six months at a fee of CAD$6,000 per month. Westlake does not presently have any interest, direct or indirect, in Pacific Ridge or its securities, nor any right or intent to acquire such an interest, other than the stock options to be granted pursuant to the consulting agreement (see below). The consulting agreement with Westlake is subject to acceptance for filing by the TSX Venture Exchange.

Stock options

Pacific Ridge has granted incentive stock options to various directors, officers, and consultants to purchase 1.1 million common shares at an exercise price of CAD$0.25 per share, exercisable for a period of five years. The options granted to various directors, officers and consultants vest immediately. The 200,000 stock options granted to Westlake will vest 25% each quarter over a 12-month period. The stock options are subject to the terms and conditions of the Company's stock option plan and the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange.

About Pacific Ridge

Our goal is to become one of the leading copper-gold exploration companies in British Columbia. Pacific Ridge's flagship project is the advanced-stage Kliyul copper-gold project, located in the Quesnel Trough, approximately 50 km southeast of Centerra Gold's Kemess project. Historic drilling at Kliyul encountered significant copper-gold porphyry mineralization, drill hole KLI-15-34 returned 245 metres of 0.75% CuEQ¹ (see Pacific Ridge press release dated December 2, 2020). The Company plans to launch a drill program at Kliyul later this month.

On behalf of the Board of Directors,

"Blaine Monaghan"

Blaine Monaghan
President & CEO
Pacific Ridge Exploration Ltd.

Corporate Contact:
Blaine Monaghan
President & CEO
Tel: (604) 687-4951
www.pacificridgeexploration.com
https://www.linkedin.com/company/pacific-ridge-exploration-ltd-pex-
https://twitter.com/PacRidge_PEX

Investor Contact:
G2 Consultants Corp.
Telephone: +1 778-678-9050
Email: ir@pacificridgeexploration.com

¹ Copper equivalent (CuEQ) is equal to ((Cu (per cent) multiplied by $2.25 multiplied by 22.0642) plus (Au (g/t) multiplied by $1,650 multiplied by 0.032151)) divided by ($2.25 multiplied by 22.0642).

Neither the TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.

The technical information contained within this News Release has been reviewed and approved by Gerald G. Carlson, Ph.D., P.Eng., Executive Chairman of Pacific Ridge and Qualified Person as defined by National Instrument 43-101 policy.

Forward-Looking Information: This release includes certain statements that may be deemed "forward-looking statements". All statements in this release, other than statements of historical facts, that address exploration drilling and other activities and events or developments that Pacific Ridge Exploration Ltd. ("Pacific Ridge") expects to occur, are forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements in this news release include statements regarding the OTCQB listing helping Pacific Ridge to grow its U.S. shareholder base, the start of drilling at Kliyul in the next several weeks and Pacific Ridge's application to trade its common shares on the OTCQB. Although Pacific Ridge believes the expectations expressed in such forward-looking statements are based on reasonable assumptions, such statements are not guarantees of future performance and actual results or developments may differ materially from those forward-looking statements. Factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those in forward-looking statements include market prices, exploration successes, and continued availability of capital and financing and general economic, market or business conditions. These statements are based on a number of assumptions including, among other things, assumptions regarding general business and economic conditions, that one of the options will be exercised, the ability of Pacific Ridge and other parties to satisfy stock exchange and other regulatory requirements in a timely manner, the availability of financing for Pacific Ridge's proposed programs on reasonable terms, and the ability of third party service providers to deliver services in a timely manner. Investors are cautioned that any such statements are not guarantees of future performance and actual results or developments may differ materially from those projected in the forward-looking statements. Pacific Ridge does not assume any obligation to update or revise its forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except as required by applicable law.

To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/90284

SAO PAULO, July 15 (Reuters) – Creditors in bankrupt miner Samarco Mineracao SA, a joint venture between Vale SA and BHP Group PLC, made on Thursday an objection to the company's restructuring plan, according to a court document.

Creditors said the plan's main goal is to protect Samarco's giant shareholders, Vale and BHP, and reduce future payments to creditors.

They also rejected Samarco's offer to apply an 85% haircut to all creditors, including shareholders Vale and BHP, which extended 24 billion reais in loans to the company. Payments would occur in 2041.

Creditors said both Vale and BHP, as shareholders, should be paid only after all other creditors fully recover their money. They also questioned if both giant companies should recover any value as creditors consider that both miners are co-debtors.

They also refused Samarco's offer to swap their debt into shares in the company.

"It is unacceptable that a restructuring plan of a company controlled by the world's biggest miners outline a outright (and illegal) debt forgiveness to create value for its multimillionaire shareholders, which are also responsible for Brazil's biggest environmental disaster," creditors said in the court document.

The collapse of a dam at the Samarco mine complex in 2015 killed 19 people, severely polluted the Doce River with mining waste and led the company to financial trouble.

Creditors have proposed Samarco, Vale and BHP pay in three equal parts for all damages caused by the rupture of the dam, creditors lawyers Paulo Padis and Marcos Pitanga said in an interview. That contrasts with Samarco's restructuring plan, which proposes the company pay for damages entirely.

(Reporting by Carolina Mandl; Editing by Sam Holmes)

TORONTO, July 15, 2021 /PRNewswire/ – Purepoint Uranium Group Inc. (TSXV: PTU) ("Purepoint" or the "Company") announced today the completion of its drill program at the 100%-owned Umfreville uranium project and the staking of additional ground to increase Umfreville's footprint to a total of 26,139 hectares. The Company also provided an introduction to its four new projects that make up the 100% owned Tabbernor Block, all of which lie on the eastern edge of the Athabasca Basin, Saskatchewan Canada.

"The Tabbernor Block represents the early stages of our examination into north-south structural controls on uranium mineralization we have interpreted on the eastern side of the Athabasca Basin. The presence of the north-south trending Tabbernor fault system, coupled with the knowledge that high-grade deposits can be found outside the Basin, has led us to acquire this sizable land package." said Scott Frostad, Purepoint's VP Exploration. "Our first step has been an in-depth review and examination of all of the historic work performed in the area and reconciling it with our current knowledge base. The results of our data review will allow us to refine, plan and prioritize our initial field work."

Highlights

• The Tabbernor Fault System runs north-south for approximately 1500 km and is associated with gold and uranium discoveries that includes North America's largest gold mine;

• The 100% owned Tabbernor Block is made up of four individual projects covering over 66,000 hectares that lie just outside the Athabasca Basin and are due south of some of the Basin's largest uranium deposits;

• A video tour of the Tabbernor Block can be viewed at https://youtu.be/ooEmygchez4;

• The Company has now completed the diamond drill program at its 100%-owned Umfreville project;

• Based on initial results, additional property has been staked to the south and east enlarging the project to 26,139 hectares. Assays are pending and a full discussion of the results will be provided once reviewed;

• A video tour of the Umfreville project can be viewed at https://youtu.be/Af6mNL5sQZg

• Purepoint also announced today their application for a US listing on the OTCQB.

Tabbernor Fault System

The Tabbernor Fault System (TFS) is a wide, >1500 km geophysical, topographic and geological structural zone that trends approximately northward along Saskatchewan's eastern boundary. Purepoint's research has shown that although none of the province's currently known uranium deposits have been directly linked to the north-south trending TFS, localized shear zones hosting uranium mineralization may have an associated north-south structural component.

Reactivation of the TFS may have coincided with the age of formation of large uranium deposits in the Athabasca Basin (Davies, 1998). Davies also concluded that structural similarities between the TFS and mineralized areas suggest that the fault system may have had a control on the location of mineralization. More specifically, he considered that several deposits, such as the Sue, Midwest, Dawn Lake and Rabbit Lake all demonstrate a north-south control and strong Tabbernor-like characteristics.

Purepoint has now staked claims to the south of the Athabasca Basin based on interpreted north-south lineaments linking the Key Lake and Millennium deposits, the Midwest and West Bear deposits, the Jeb and Raven deposits, and the Collins Bay and Eagle Point deposits.

Reference:
Davies, J.R. (1998): The origin, structural style, and reactivation history of the Tabbernor fault zone, Saskatchewan, Canada; Masters thesis, McGill University, Montreal, Quebec, 105p.

Umfreville Project

The 100%-owned Umfreville project has recently been enlarged to now consist of 12 claims totaling 26,139 hectares on the northeastern edge of Canada's Athabasca Basin. Exploration conducted by Purepoint on the Umfreville project has included an airborne Megatem electromagnetic (EM) and magnetics survey, an airborne Very Low Frequency (VLF) EM survey, an airborne gravity gradiometry survey, and soil geochemical sampling.

The Company has recently completed its first exploratory diamond drill hole designed to gain a better understanding of the underlying geology and to further evaluate and prioritize the project's potential for discovery.

The airborne gravity survey provided a response considered to reflect basement geology. The results also indicated the presence of fault systems not previously seen and supported fault systems that were interpreted from magnetic features. Our primary exploration target is a strong elongate gravity low response within the central portion of the survey area that is coincident with a magnetic low and the interpreted source area of a Geological Survey of Canada (1979) lake bottom sediment sample that returned anomalous uranium.

Soil geochemical surveys that collected a total of 383 organic A1 soil horizon samples covered the prospective gravity low / magnetic low response of the primary target zone. Assay results for uranium, vanadium, and to a lesser degree boron, showed anomalous trends coincident with the primary target. The results for nickel, molybdenum and cobalt appear to have anomalous north-south trends that may be influenced by an underlying crosscutting structure as suggested by the airborne magnetic results.

OTC Markets Group

In order to allow added liquidity and ease of trading for their US investors, Purepoint has now made formal application for listing on the OTCQB in the United States.

The OTCQB marketplace is run through OTC Link, an inter-dealer quotation and trading system developed by OTC Markets Group. OTC Link is registered with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) as a broker-dealer and also as an alternative trading system (ATS).

All broker-dealers that trade OTCQB have to be FINRA members and registered with the SEC; they are also subject to state securities regulations. As with exchange-traded securities, investors trading OTC securities are protected from an unethical broker-dealer's illegal practices by the same SEC/FINRA rules such as best execution, limit order protection, firm quotes, and short position disclosure.

About Purepoint

Purepoint Uranium Group Inc. (TSXV: PTU) actively operates an exploration pipeline of 12 advanced projects in Canada's Athabasca Basin, the world's richest uranium region. Purepoint's flagship project is the Hook Lake Project, a joint venture with two of the largest uranium suppliers in the world, Cameco Corporation and Orano Canada Inc. The Hook Lake JV Project is on trend with recent high-grade uranium discoveries including Fission Uranium's Triple R Deposit and NexGen's Arrow Deposit and encompasses its own Spitfire discovery (53.3% U3O8 over 1.3m including 10m interval of 10.3% U3O8). Together with its flagship project, the Company's projects stretch across approximately 185,000 hectares of claims throughout the Athabasca Basin. These claims host over 20 distinct and well-defined drill target areas with advanced geophysical surveys completed, and in some cases, have had first pass drilling performed.

Scott Frostad BSc, MASc, PGeo, Purepoint's Vice President, Exploration, is the Qualified Person responsible for technical content of this release.

Neither the Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this Press release.

Disclosure regarding forward-looking statements

This press release contains projections and forward-looking information that involve various risks and uncertainties regarding future events. Such forward-looking information can include without limitation statements based on current expectations involving a number of risks and uncertainties and are not guarantees of future performance of the Company. These risks and uncertainties could cause actual results and the Company's plans and objectives to differ materially from those expressed in the forward-looking information. Actual results and future events could differ materially from those anticipated in such information. These and all subsequent written and oral forward-looking information are based on estimates and opinions of management on the dates they are made and expressly qualified in their entirety by this notice.

View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/purepoint-uranium-completes-drilling-at-umfreville-and-provides-an-update-on-tabbernor-projects-301334395.html

SOURCE Purepoint Uranium Group Inc.

NOT FOR DISTRIBUTION TO UNITED STATES NEWSWIRE SERVICES OR FOR DISSEMINATION IN THE UNITED STATES

VANCOUVER, British Columbia, July 14, 2021 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Lupaka Gold Corp. ("Lupaka Gold" or the “Company") (TSX-V: LPK, FRA: LQP) announces that the Company has closed the non-brokered private placement previously announced on June 23, 2021 (the “Placement”).

The Company issued 4,000,000 units at a price of $0.05 per unit for gross proceeds of $200,000. Each unit consists of one common share of the Company (“Share”) and one transferable common share purchase warrant (“Warrant Share”) entitling the holder to purchase an additional common share of the Company at a price of $0.10 for a period of three years from the closing (the “Placement”). All Shares issued and Warrants Shares (if exercised prior to November 15, 2021) are subject to a hold period expiring four months and one day from the closing date of the Placement in accordance with applicable securities laws. Closing of the Placement is subject to final acceptance by the TSX Venture Exchange.

In connection with the subscriptions received the Company expects to pay finders’ fees in the amount of $10,000 in cash. No insiders participated in this Placement.

The proceeds of the Placement will be used to pay ongoing operating costs as the Company continues to pursue its litigation against the Republic of Peru and to support review of potential new properties.

This news release does not constitute an offer to sell or a solicitation of an offer to buy any of the securities in the United States. The Securities have not been and will not be registered under the United States Securities Act of 1933, as amended, or any state securities laws and may not be offered or sold within the United States or to U.S. Persons unless an exemption from such registration is available.

Neither the TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Service Provider (as the term is defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy of this news release.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION PLEASE CONTACT:

Gordon Ellis, C.E.O.
gellis@lupakagold.com
Tel: (604) 985-3147

or visit the Company’s profile at www.sedar.com or its website at www.lupakagold.com

(Bloomberg) — South African stocks rose, led by companies that derive much of their income abroad and benefit from weakness in the local currency, as authorities grappled with a wave of unrest in two key provinces that has left more than 70 people dead.

The FTSE/JSE Africa All Share Index was 1.1% higher as of 10:09 a.m. in Johannesburg, with rand-hedge giants BHP Group Plc, Richemont, Anglo American Plc and Naspers Ltd. prominent in the advance after the currency slipped to its lowest level against the dollar since April.

South Africans are expected to face major food shortages, as rioters upend supply chains by looting supermarkets and torching goods trucks.

Food Shortage Set to Grip South Africa After Rioters Rampage

South Africa’s Biggest Refinery Shuts Down Due to Unrest

Negative foreign sentiment toward South African stocks was evident in the large outflows recorded Tuesday, with non-residents selling 4 billion rand ($271 million) of local equities, the most since November last year.

Globally, investors are evaluating a surprise U.S. inflation jump that stirred the debate on how long Federal Reserve policy can stay ultra-loose. The June U.S. inflation print topped all forecasts and pointed to higher costs associated with the reopening from the pandemic.

In Johannesburg Wednesday, an index of industrial miners surged 1.7% to provide the biggest boost to the overall market.

BHP +1.1% after RBC Capital Markets said the company has the potential to pay out 100% of 2021 earnings in dividends and still come in below its net debt target amid surging iron ore prices.NOTE: BHP Could Pay Out 100% of Earnings on Iron Ore Surge, RBC SaysAnglo American +1.2%, Glencore Plc +1.6%, Kumba Iron Ore Ltd. +0.7%, African Rainbow Minerals Ltd. +0.5%

Luxury goods retailer and popular rand-hedge Richemont advanced 1.2% to a record.

Global tech investor Naspers advanced 1.7% to contribute the most to the rising benchmark.

An index of banks steadied after plunging the most since December on Tuesday. The gauge was 0.7% higher, with Standard Bank Group Ltd. up 1.1%.

NOTE: Rand Hovers Near Weakest Level Since April: Inside South Africa

Real Estate Investment Trusts dropped to the lowest in two weeks, as investors avoided some sectors exposed to the unrest.

GrowthPoint Properties Ltd. -1.1%, Redefine Properties Ltd. -1.2%, Vukile Property Fund Ltd. -2.5%, Attacq Ltd. -3.7%, EPP NV -1.7%, Irongate Group -1.2%, Hyprop Investments Ltd. -0.8%, Hammerson Plc -1.3%, Resilient Reit Ltd 1.1%

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Investors with an interest in Mining – Miscellaneous stocks have likely encountered both Billiton (BBL) and Wheaton Precious Metals Corp. (WPM). But which of these two stocks is more attractive to value investors? We'll need to take a closer look to find out.

There are plenty of strategies for discovering value stocks, but we have found that pairing a strong Zacks Rank with an impressive grade in the Value category of our Style Scores system produces the best returns. The Zacks Rank is a proven strategy that targets companies with positive earnings estimate revision trends, while our Style Scores work to grade companies based on specific traits.

Currently, Billiton has a Zacks Rank of #1 (Strong Buy), while Wheaton Precious Metals Corp. has a Zacks Rank of #3 (Hold). The Zacks Rank favors stocks that have recently seen positive revisions to their earnings estimates, so investors should rest assured that BBL has an improving earnings outlook. However, value investors will care about much more than just this.

Value investors also try to analyze a wide range of traditional figures and metrics to help determine whether a company is undervalued at its current share price levels.

The Value category of the Style Scores system identifies undervalued companies by looking at a number of key metrics. These include the long-favored P/E ratio, P/S ratio, earnings yield, cash flow per share, and a variety of other fundamentals that help us determine a company's fair value.

BBL currently has a forward P/E ratio of 5.96, while WPM has a forward P/E of 29.82. We also note that BBL has a PEG ratio of 1.44. This popular metric is similar to the widely-known P/E ratio, with the difference being that the PEG ratio also takes into account the company's expected earnings growth rate. WPM currently has a PEG ratio of 5.96.

Another notable valuation metric for BBL is its P/B ratio of 1.23. Investors use the P/B ratio to look at a stock's market value versus its book value, which is defined as total assets minus total liabilities. By comparison, WPM has a P/B of 3.46.

Based on these metrics and many more, BBL holds a Value grade of A, while WPM has a Value grade of D.

BBL has seen stronger estimate revision activity and sports more attractive valuation metrics than WPM, so it seems like value investors will conclude that BBL is the superior option right now.

Want the latest recommendations from Zacks Investment Research? Today, you can download 7 Best Stocks for the Next 30 Days. Click to get this free report
 
BHP Billiton PLC (BBL) : Free Stock Analysis Report
 
Wheaton Precious Metals Corp. (WPM) : Free Stock Analysis Report
 
To read this article on Zacks.com click here.

TORONTO, July 14, 2021 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Sparton Resources Inc. (TSXV: SRI) ("Sparton" or the "Company") reported today that VRB Energy Inc. (“VRB Energy”) recently announced that it has been selected by the China State Power Corporation to install a 500KWh vanadium flow battery at the National Photovoltaic and Energy Demonstration Experimental Center (“the Center”) in Daqing, north-eastern China.

The Center has agreed to purchase a 125KW/500KWh all vanadium redox flow battery energy storage system from VRB Energy. The unit will be installed at the Center and used as an evaluation and demonstration unit to assist in developing the Peoples Republic of China’s (“PRC”) industrial energy storage policies and technical standards as part of the nation’s commitment to carbon neutrality.

The Center is PRC’s first integrated photovoltaic and energy storage evaluation site approved by the National Energy Administration. Its mandate is to produce systematic scientific research data on the practical operation of integrated photovoltaic energy generation and energy storage technology. The operating performance of the system will be fully evaluated and assist in setting technical standards and industry policies for future installations in the PRC.

The Center and the battery system are scheduled to be completed and fully functional by September 26^th, 2021. Once operational, the Center will evaluate performance and promote technological innovation, and the application of scientific protocols within the entire energy storage industry chain. This work will include evaluation of the integration of photovoltaic/vanadium battery storage systems into diversified industries according to their power needs and provide guidance for new and larger scale photovoltaic and energy storage projects. Locally it will promote urban transformation and development, and the revitalization of the Daqing Area and all of north-eastern China.

VRB Energy has been selected for the project amongst several competitors and is being recognized as the supplier of choice in China for this evaluation of vanadium redox battery energy storage systems. It has advanced technology and the ability to deliver reliable, efficient, and safe installations.

“Sparton is delighted with this news,” stated Lee Barker, Sparton CEO. “This is a clear recognition that VRB Energy is the leading vanadium flow battery manufacturer in China and bodes well for new future sales. The new Gen3 system nearing completion in development will be another milestone in VRB Energy’s technical development journey.”

The Company owns a minority interest in VRB Energy through its subsidiary, VanSpar Mining Inc.

Information regarding the Company’s interest held in VRB Energy is as Follows:

Sparton’s 89.8% owned subsidiary, VanSpar Mining Inc., registered in the British Virgin Islands, owns 9.8% of VRB Energy which is registered in the Cayman Islands, which in turn owns 100% of VRB Energy Systems, registered in China, and is the vanadium flow battery manufacturer. Full information regarding the history of the VRB Energy investment interest held by Sparton is in its various news releases and available at www.sedar.com in its corporate filings.

For more information contact:

A. Lee Barker, M.A Sc., P. Eng.
President and CEO
Tel./Fax: 647-344-7734 or Mobile: 416-716-5762
Email: info@spartonres.ca Website: www.spartonres.ca

Neither TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.

Forward Looking Statements

Information set forth in this news release involves forward-looking statements under applicable securities laws. The forward-looking statements contained herein include, but are not limited to, financings and transactions being pursued, and all such forward-looking statements are expressly qualified in their entirety by this cautionary statement. The forward-looking statements included in this news release are made as of the date hereof and the Company disclaims any intention or obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except as expressly required by applicable securities legislation. Although the Company believes that the expectations represented in such forward-looking statements are reasonable, there can be no assurance that such expectations will prove to be correct and, accordingly, undue reliance should not be put on such forward-looking statements. This news release does not constitute an offer to sell or solicitation of an offer to buy any of the securities described herein.

We Seek Safe Harbor

• Signs Impact Benefit Agreement with Buffalo River Dene Nation,

• Signs Mutual Benefit Agreement with Birch Narrows Dene Nation,

• Appoints Community Based Project Liaison Manager, and

• The Court of Queen's Bench for Saskatchewan Dismisses MN-S Application,

VANCOUVER, BC, July 14, 2021 /CNW/ – NexGen Energy Ltd. ("NexGen" or the "Company") (TSX: NXE) (NYSE MKT: NXE) is pleased to announce the signing of an Impact Benefit Agreement ("IBA") with the Buffalo River Dene Nation ("BRDN"), and the signing of a Mutual Benefit Agreement ("MBA") with the Birch Narrows Dene Nation ("BNDN"), covering all phases of the Rook I Project ("Rook I" or the "Project"), which hosts the 100% owned Arrow uranium deposit.

The Rook I Project is located within the traditional territory of BRDN and BNDN. Both the IBA and MBA define the environmental, cultural, economic, employment and other benefits to be provided to the BRDN and BNDN by NexGen in respect of the Project and confirm the consent and support of both BRDN and BNDN for the Project throughout its complete lifecycle, including reclamation. The Agreements were negotiated and developed out of the Study Agreements signed in 2019. The Study Agreements formalized engagement with the communities to identify potential impacts to Aboriginal and treaty rights and socio-economic interests, and identify potential avoidance and accommodation measures in relation to the Project whilst acknowledging the duty to consult remains with the Crown. Note, the Agreements do not abrogate, extinguish, or constitute the abandonment of any existing Aboriginal, inherent, or treaty rights of the BRDN and BNDN recognized and affirmed pursuant to Section 35 of the Constitution Act, 1982. Importantly, the Agreements are entered into in recognition of the Aboriginal and Treaty Rights of the BRDN and the BNDN.

Chief Elmer Campbell of Buffalo River Dene Nation, commented: "The jobs and business opportunities that our members will be able to obtain with the Project incorporating elite environmental and cultural practices is very exciting. Our community and NexGen have built a meaningful relationship over the past six years based on trust, respect and confidence. The Agreement reflects those key principles. We look forward to the advancement of the Project throughout all phases of its lifecycle."

Chief Jonathan Sylvester of Birch Narrows Dene Nation commented: "I am pleased to announce that we have signed an MBA with NexGen. The Project is still going through the regulatory process to determine its safety and we are participating in that process. On meeting the regulatory requirements, our community stands to benefit with environmental monitoring, jobs, business opportunities, and payments to support community priorities. NexGen has been working with us in a respectful way."

Furthermore, Chief Jonathan Sylvester released a video with his message to BNDN regarding the MBA. The video is available here: BNDN MBA Video

Eric Sylvestre, Birch Narrows Dene Nation Economic Development Officer, commented: "We are pleased to be involved in a project that creates opportunities for our community while still protecting the environment. Past projects from industry passed us by. This represents a major opportunity for us."

Leigh Curyer, Chief Executive Officer of NexGen, commented: "The signing of the Agreements reflects the meaningful respect, trust and commitment developed over the past six years between NexGen and the communities of BRDN and BNDN. The Agreements formalize NexGen's commitment to work in partnership with all local communities, with the mutual objective to responsibly develop the Rook I Project. The genuine commitment to their communities displayed by Chief Campbell and Chief Sylvester, along with their respective Councils and teams, and NexGen's approach to sustainable development of the Rook I project, is reflected in the signing of these industry leading Agreements. We look forward to immediately advancing the exciting elements of these Agreements and our genuine approach to all communities in the Local Project Area."

Appointment of Robert St. Pierre to Project Liaison Manager

Further, NexGen is pleased to announce that in support of NexGen's commitment to local communities, Robert St. Pierre will be joining the team as Project Liaison Manager based out of the Company's office in La Loche. Robert brings a wealth of experience as past President, Local Métis 39, and having served as the mayor of La Loche from 2016 to 2020. NexGen has had the privilege of working closely with Robert since 2016, and his deep commitment to the advancement of local communities will support bringing prosperity and meaningful benefits to the communities where we operate.

The Court of Queen's Bench for Saskatchewan Dismisses MN-S Application

On July 12, 2021, the Court of Queen's Bench for Saskatchewan dismissed an Application filed by the Métis Nation-Saskatchewan ("MN-S") in which the MN-S sought an interlocutory injunction against NexGen to prevent the Project from proceeding with the environmental assessment process through the planned submission of the Environmental Impact Statement.

NexGen continues to progress the development of a sustainable and responsible Project, that in turn has the power to create sustainable long-term benefit and opportunity for all local communities in the Project Area over multiple generations.

Troy Boisjoli, Vice-President, Exploration and Community, commented: "Since 2013, we have been working with all of the communities local to the Project, as evidenced by the successful development and implementation of meaningful community programs focused on education, health and wellness, and economic capacity building. NexGen has and always will be committed to providing significant sustainable benefits and opportunities in a respectful and responsible manner. Effective partnerships developed with local communities is a key aspect of that commitment, and we continue to welcome constructive negotiations with the MN-S to deliver substantial benefits to the members of the Métis Nation-Saskatchewan-Northern Region II across all phases of the Project."

About NexGen

NexGen is a British Columbia corporation with a focus on developing the Rook I Project located in the southwestern Athabasca Basin, Saskatchewan, Canada into production. Rook I hosts the Arrow Deposit with a Measured Mineral Resources of 209.6 M lbs of U3O8 contained in 2.18 M tonnes grading 4.35% U3O8, Indicated Mineral Resources of 47.1 M lbs of U3O8 contained in 1.57 M tonnes grading 1.36% U3O8, and Inferred Mineral Resources of 80.7 M lbs of U3O8 contained in 4.40 M tonnes grading 0.83% U3O8. Arrow's development is supported by a NI 43-101 compliant Feasibility Study which outlines industry leading environmental performance and economics.

NexGen has a highly experienced team of uranium industry professionals with a successful track record in the discovery of uranium deposits and in developing projects through discovery to production. The Company is the recipient of the 2018 PDAC Bill Dennis Award for Canadian mineral discovery and the 2019 PDAC Environmental and Social Responsibility Award.

Forward-Looking Information

The information contained herein contains "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of the United States Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 and "forward-looking information" within the meaning of applicable Canadian securities legislation. "Forward-looking information" includes, but is not limited to, statements with respect to the activities, events or developments that the Company expects or anticipates will or may occur in the future. Generally, but not always, forward-looking information and statements can be identified by the use of words such as "plans", "expects", "is expected", "budget", "scheduled", "estimates", "forecasts", "intends", "anticipates", or "believes" or the negative connotation thereof or variations of such words and phrases or state that certain actions, events or results "may", "could", "would", "might" or "will be taken", "occur" or "be achieved" or the negative connotation thereof. Forward looking information in this press release includes, but is not limited to, statements regarding use of proceeds.

Forward-looking information and statements are based on the then current expectations, beliefs, assumptions, estimates and forecasts about NexGen's business and the industry and markets in which it operates. Forward-looking information and statements are made based upon numerous assumptions, including among others, that the proposed financing transaction will be completed, the results of planned exploration activities are as anticipated, the price of uranium, the cost of planned exploration activities, that financing will be available if and when needed and on reasonable terms, that third party contractors, equipment, supplies and governmental and other approvals required to conduct NexGen's planned exploration activities will be available on reasonable terms and in a timely manner and that general business and economic conditions will not change in a material adverse manner. Although the assumptions made by the Company in providing forward looking information or making forward looking statements are considered reasonable by management at the time, there can be no assurance that such assumptions will prove to be accurate.

Forward-looking information and statements also involve known and unknown risks and uncertainties and other factors, which may cause actual results, performances and achievements of NexGen to differ materially from any projections of results, performances and achievements of NexGen expressed or implied by such forward-looking information or statements, including, among others, negative operating cash flow and dependence on third party financing, uncertainty of the availability of additional financing, impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, including related to the length, severity and spread of the pandemic and measures taken by governmental authorities and public health officials in respect of the pandemic, the risk that pending assay results will not confirm previously announced preliminary results, imprecision of mineral resource estimates, the appeal of alternate sources of energy and sustained low uranium prices, aboriginal title and consultation issues, exploration risks, reliance upon key management and other personnel, deficiencies in the Company's title to its properties, uninsurable risks, failure to manage conflicts of interest, failure to obtain or maintain required permits and licenses, changes in laws, regulations and policy, competition for resources and financing, and other factors discussed or referred to in the Company's Annual Information Form dated March 19, 2021 under "Risk Factors".

Although the Company has attempted to identify important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those contained in the forward-looking information or implied by forward-looking information, there may be other factors that cause results not to be as anticipated, estimated or intended.

There can be no assurance that forward-looking information and statements will prove to be accurate, as actual results and future events could differ materially from those anticipated, estimated or intended. Accordingly, readers should not place undue reliance on forward-looking statements or information. The Company undertakes no obligation to update or reissue forward-looking information as a result of new information or events except as required by applicable securities laws.

View original content:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/nexgen-community-update-301333388.html

SOURCE NexGen Energy Ltd.

View original content: http://www.newswire.ca/en/releases/archive/July2021/14/c1482.html

Figure 1

Off Channel Reservoir Mining

Figure 2

New Nobsin River Bridge Crossing

Figure 3

Fuel Storage Area under construction

Figure 4

Surface Water Management Pond under construction

Figure 5

Orezone hosts the Burkina Faso Minister of Energy and Mines, and Coris Bank at Bomboré, June 2021

VANCOUVER, British Columbia, July 14, 2021 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Orezone Gold Corporation (TSX.V: ORE, OTCQX: ORZCF) (the “Company” or “Orezone”) is pleased to provide an update on construction progress at its Bomboré Gold Project in Burkina Faso.

Patrick Downey, President and CEO stated, “Significant progress has been achieved during the first half of 2021 and I am very pleased to report that the project capital cost remains consistent with the estimate in the 2019 Feasibility Study (“2019 FS”) and the project is on schedule and fully funded to pour first gold in Q3-2022. Over the past several months, raw material costs such as steel, copper, and plastics have trended higher along with logistics and transportation costs. The ability to maintain our capital budget during this period of increasing global inflationary pressures is a testament to the work and preparedness of the Orezone team and our consulting engineers. It is also a reflection of the high quality of the 2019 FS as our bulk material quantities such as earthworks, steel, piping, and platework are all trending favourably to those estimated in the 2019 FS. We will be posting monthly video updates of progress to keep our shareholders and stakeholders fully informed of all ongoing construction activities over the next year.”

Highlights

• Bulk quantities tracking 2019 feasibility study: Engineering is now over 60% complete and progressing on schedule. All bulk quantities for the project remain at or within the estimates in the 2019 FS.

• Major orders made prior to global materials cost inflation: The Company, together with its engineering consultants, completed detailed reviews and optimization studies during 2020 to ensure a smooth start to detailed engineering and procurement at the award of the EPCM contract. This facilitated rapid tendering and procurement of the major process plant equipment. Firm orders have now been placed for most mechanical and electrical equipment including the ball mill, CIL agitators, CIL inter-tank screens, mineral sizer, apron feeder, vibrating screens, slurry pumps, all gold recovery circuit equipment, and high voltage switchgear and transformers. Orders for major bulk items such as HDPE membranes and geotextiles, HDPE piping, concrete rebar, tank platework, and all major structural steel have also been placed.

• Major construction contracts awarded: Contracts have been awarded for the Plant Concrete, CIL Tank Erection, and Overland and Tailing Pipeline Installation. Tenders for the plant Structural/Mechanical/Piping (“SMP”) are under evaluation and will be awarded in the coming weeks. This leaves only the Electrical & Instrumentation installation contract which will be the final major site installation package and will follow the award of the SMP but is generally the lowest cost of these 4 major contracts. To date, all contracts are trending on budget.

• Site earthworks and site infrastructure: Early civil works to provide year-round access to all construction areas including additional camp upgrades to meet peak occupancy, the construction of the Nobsin River haul road bridge, clearing and grubbing of the tailings storage facility (“TSF”), the process plant footprint, and the mine access roads are now complete. Construction of the TSF will commence in August.

• Plant Power: The power purchase agreement (“PPA”) signed providing life of mine LNG and solar generated power for the Phase I oxide plant (see news release dated June 2, 2021).

• Mining of the Off-Channel Reservoir (“OCR”): This contract was awarded to a local mining contractor and mobilization commenced in February 2021 with the first bench mined in March 2021. The OCR is the first ore pit to be mined and will also function as the main water storage for the project during operations and be available to the surrounding communities after mine closure. The OCR is expected to be completed before the onset of the 2022 rainy season in June. Mining is progressing very well with costs and material movement tracking to plan.

Mining and Resource Reconciliation

Prior to commencing mining of the OCR, a detailed 20,000 metre grade control drilling program was undertaken. Results have been incorporated into the block model and reconciliation on both tonnes and grade compared to the 2019 FS for the OCR has been positive. Overall, the reserve tonnes and ounces are approximately 30% above those estimated in the 2019 FS. Grade control drilling will now focus on the Maga and Maga Hill pit areas which will be the source of the planned higher-grade ore feed to the process plant in the first 1 to 2 years of gold production.

Development Update Pictures and Video:

Orezone’s first monthly Bomboré construction video for May 2021 can be viewed at https://bit.ly/May21Construction.

Figure 1: Off Channel Reservoir Mining

https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/d2ac02d5-ad9f-4cc3-81a3-0665349c3b36

Figure 2: New Nobsin River Bridge Crossing

https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/95b8a77f-e3da-4149-b2e5-e87c52274f06

Figure 3: Fuel Storage Area under construction

https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/941009b4-7485-4e4c-80ea-ab8cdf72fbaa

Figure 4: Surface Water Management Pond under construction

https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/8d743341-9003-4103-86c0-d3d991aaad80

Figure 5: Orezone hosts the Burkina Faso Minister of Energy and Mines, and Coris Bank at Bomboré, June 2021

https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/ec508c94-2916-467a-8625-5e45178897a5

About Orezone Gold Corporation

Orezone Gold Corporation (TSX.V: ORE OTCQX: ORZCF) is a Canadian development company which owns a 90% interest in Bomboré, one of the largest undeveloped gold deposits in Burkina Faso.

The 2019 feasibility study highlights Bomboré as an attractive shovel-ready gold project with forecasted annual gold production of 118,000 ounces over a 13+ year mine life at an All-In Sustaining Cost of US$730/ounce with an after-tax payback period of 2.5 years at an assumed gold price of US$1,300/ounce. Bomboré is underpinned by a mineral resource base in excess of 5 million gold ounces and possesses significant expansion potential. Orezone is fully funded to bring Bomboré into production with the first gold pour scheduled for Q3-2022.

Patrick Downey
President and Chief Executive Officer

Vanessa Pickering
Manager, Investor Relations

Tel: 1 778 945 8977 / Toll Free: 1 888 673 0663
info@orezone.com / www.orezone.com

Qualified Person

Ian Chang, P. Eng., VP Projects, is the Qualified Person who has approved the technical information in this news release.

For further information please contact Orezone at +1 (778) 945-8977 or visit the Company’s website at www.orezone.com.

Neither TSX Venture Exchange 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.

Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements

This press release contains certain information that may constitute “forward-looking information” within the meaning of applicable Canadian Securities laws and “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of applicable U.S. securities laws (together, “forward-looking statements”). Forward-looking statements are frequently characterized by words such as "plan", "expect", "project", "intend", "believe", "anticipate", "estimate", "potential", "possible" and other similar words, or statements that certain events or conditions "may", "will", "could", or "should" occur. Forward-looking statements in this press release include, but are not limited to, statements with respect to the Bomboré project being fully funded to production and projected first gold by Q3-2022.

All such forward-looking statements are based on certain assumptions and analyses made by management in light of their experience and perception of historical trends, current conditions and expected future developments, as well as other factors management and the qualified persons believe are appropriate in the circumstances.

All forward-looking statements are subject to a variety of risks and uncertainties and other factors that could cause actual events or results to differ materially from those projected in the forward-looking statements including, but not limited to, delays caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, terrorist or other violent attacks, the failure of parties to contracts to honour contractual commitments, unexpected changes in laws, rules or regulations, or their enforcement by applicable authorities; the failure of parties to contracts to perform as agreed; social or labour unrest; changes in commodity prices; unexpected failure or inadequacy of infrastructure, the possibility of project cost overruns or unanticipated costs and expenses, accidents and equipment breakdowns, political risk, unanticipated changes in key management personnel and general economic, market or business conditions, the failure of exploration programs, including drilling programs, to deliver anticipated results and the failure of ongoing and uncertainties relating to the availability and costs of financing needed in the future, and other factors described in the Company's most recent annual information form and management discussion and analysis filed on SEDAR on www.sedar.com. Readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on forward-looking statements.

Although the forward-looking statements contained in this press release are based upon what management of the Company believes are reasonable assumptions, the Company cannot assure investors that actual results will be consistent with these forward-looking statements. These forward-looking statements are made as of the date of this press release and are expressly qualified in their entirety by this cautionary statement. Subject to applicable securities laws, the Company does not assume any obligation to update or revise the forward-looking statements contained herein to reflect events or circumstances occurring after the date of this press release.

Many prominent investors, including Warren Buffett, David Tepper and Stan Druckenmiller, have been cautious regarding the current bull market and missed out as the stock market reached another high in recent weeks. On the other hand, technology hedge funds weren't timid and registered double digit market beating gains. Financials, energy and industrial stocks initially suffered the most but many of these stocks delivered strong returns since November and hedge funds actually increased their positions in these stocks. In this article we will find out how hedge fund sentiment towards Rio Tinto Group (NYSE:RIO) changed recently.

Rio Tinto Group (NYSE:RIO) was in 25 hedge funds' portfolios at the end of March. The all time high for this statistic is 26. RIO has seen a decrease in hedge fund interest in recent months. There were 26 hedge funds in our database with RIO holdings at the end of December. Our calculations also showed that RIO isn't among the 30 most popular stocks among hedge funds (click for Q1 rankings).

Hedge funds' reputation as shrewd investors has been tarnished in the last decade as their hedged returns couldn't keep up with the unhedged returns of the market indices. Hedge funds have more than $3.5 trillion in assets under management, so you can't expect their entire portfolios to beat the market by large margins. Our research was able to identify in advance a select group of hedge fund holdings that outperformed the S&P 500 ETFs by more than 115 percentage points since March 2017 (see the details here). So you can still find a lot of gems by following hedge funds' moves today.

Ken Fisher of Fisher Asset Management

At Insider Monkey, we scour multiple sources to uncover the next great investment idea. For example, economists warn of inflation flare up. So, we are checking out this backdoor gold play that has hit peak gains of 718% in a little over a year. We go through lists like the 10 best battery stocks to pick the next Tesla that will deliver a 10x return. Even though we recommend positions in only a tiny fraction of the companies we analyze, we check out as many stocks as we can. We read hedge fund investor letters and listen to stock pitches at hedge fund conferences. You can subscribe to our free daily newsletter on our homepage. Now let's take a peek at the key hedge fund action surrounding Rio Tinto Group (NYSE:RIO).

Do Hedge Funds Think RIO Is A Good Stock To Buy Now?

At Q1's end, a total of 25 of the hedge funds tracked by Insider Monkey were bullish on this stock, a change of -4% from the fourth quarter of 2020. The graph below displays the number of hedge funds with bullish position in RIO over the last 23 quarters. With hedgies' positions undergoing their usual ebb and flow, there exists an "upper tier" of notable hedge fund managers who were increasing their holdings significantly (or already accumulated large positions).

More specifically, Fisher Asset Management was the largest shareholder of Rio Tinto Group (NYSE:RIO), with a stake worth $971.9 million reported as of the end of March. Trailing Fisher Asset Management was Arrowstreet Capital, which amassed a stake valued at $285.7 million. Impala Asset Management, Masters Capital Management, and Impala Asset Management were also very fond of the stock, becoming one of the largest hedge fund holders of the company. In terms of the portfolio weights assigned to each position Impala Asset Management allocated the biggest weight to Rio Tinto Group (NYSE:RIO), around 5.92% of its 13F portfolio. Impala Asset Management is also relatively very bullish on the stock, dishing out 4.68 percent of its 13F equity portfolio to RIO.

Judging by the fact that Rio Tinto Group (NYSE:RIO) has witnessed falling interest from the smart money, logic holds that there was a specific group of funds that slashed their full holdings heading into Q2. Intriguingly, Josh Donfeld and David Rogers's Castle Hook Partners sold off the biggest investment of all the hedgies monitored by Insider Monkey, totaling about $16.6 million in stock. Andrew Sandler's fund, Sandler Capital Management, also dropped its stock, about $16.5 million worth. These transactions are intriguing to say the least, as total hedge fund interest fell by 1 funds heading into Q2.

Let's now review hedge fund activity in other stocks similar to Rio Tinto Group (NYSE:RIO). We will take a look at Sanofi (NASDAQ:SNY), The Charles Schwab Corporation (NYSE:SCHW), Applied Materials, Inc. (NASDAQ:AMAT), TOTAL S.A. (NYSE:TOT), International Business Machines Corp. (NYSE:IBM), HSBC Holdings plc (NYSE:HSBC), and The Toronto-Dominion Bank (NYSE:TD). This group of stocks' market valuations match RIO's market valuation.

[table] Ticker, No of HFs with positions, Total Value of HF Positions (x1000), Change in HF Position SNY,15,1142178,0 SCHW,76,4905041,15 AMAT,78,5711193,17 TOT,17,1163601,3 IBM,41,1355701,-10 HSBC,12,234093,-2 TD,19,212935,-3 Average,36.9,2103535,2.9 [/table]

View table here if you experience formatting issues.

As you can see these stocks had an average of 36.9 hedge funds with bullish positions and the average amount invested in these stocks was $2104 million. That figure was $1597 million in RIO's case. Applied Materials, Inc. (NASDAQ:AMAT) is the most popular stock in this table. On the other hand HSBC Holdings plc (NYSE:HSBC) is the least popular one with only 12 bullish hedge fund positions. Rio Tinto Group (NYSE:RIO) is not the least popular stock in this group but hedge fund interest is still below average. Our overall hedge fund sentiment score for RIO is 42.7. Stocks with higher number of hedge fund positions relative to other stocks as well as relative to their historical range receive a higher sentiment score. Our calculations showed that top 5 most popular stocks among hedge funds returned 95.8% in 2019 and 2020, and outperformed the S&P 500 ETF (SPY) by 40 percentage points. These stocks gained 24% in 2021 through July 9th and beat the market by 6.7 percentage points. A small number of hedge funds were also right about betting on RIO, though not to the same extent, as the stock returned 10.7% since the end of Q1 (through July 9th) and outperformed the market.

Get real-time email alerts: Follow Rio Tinto Plc (NYSE:RIO)

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Disclosure: None. This article was originally published at Insider Monkey.

ROUYN-NORANDA, Québec, July 12, 2021 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — GLOBEX MINING ENTERPRISES INC. (GMX – Toronto Stock Exchange, G1MN – Frankfurt, Stuttgart, Berlin, Munich, Tradegate, Lang & Schwarz, L&S Exchange, TTM Zone, Stock Exchanges and GLBXF – OTCQX International in the US) is pleased to inform shareholders that it has sold its Tarmac Gold Property (the “Property”) located in Dubuisson Township, Quebec to Wesdome Gold Mines Ltd. (WDO-TSX)(“Wesdome”) for one million dollars ($1,000,000) and a 1% Gross Metal Royalty.

The Property consists of 6 claims covering 94 hectares located entirely within Wesdome’s Kiena Mine Complex and less than 2 kilometers northeast of the Kiena underground mine, all located beneath Lac De Montigny. Previous drilling by Globex in 1996 returned numerous gold intersections such as holes TM-10 (14.22 g/t Au, 84.1 g/t Ag and 6.49% Cu over 1.2 m) and TM-24 (29.92 g/t Au and 22.4 g/t Ag over 2.24 m).

Globex has maintained the Property since the 1996 drilling program due to the evident economic potential. The Property is surrounded on all sides by Wesdome claims, thereby positioning the company to facilitate the potential exploration and advancement of these claims.

The technical content of this press release has been compiled, reviewed and approved by Jack Stoch, Geo., President and CEO of Globex, and a Qualified Person as defined in National Instrument 43-101 – Standards of Disclosure for Mineral Projects.

Forward Looking Statements: Except for historical information, this news release may contain certain “forward looking statements”. These statements may involve a number of known and unknown risks and uncertainties and other factors that may cause the actual results, level of activity and performance to be materially different from the expectations and projections of Globex Mining Enterprises Inc. (“Globex”). No assurance can be given that any events anticipated by the forward-looking information will transpire or occur, or if any of them do so, what benefits Globex will derive therefrom. A more detailed discussion of the risks is available in the “Annual Information Form” filed by Globex on SEDAR at www.sedar.com.

55,089,817 shares issued and outstanding

TORONTO, ON / ACCESSWIRE / July 12, 2021 / Pinetree Capital Ltd. ('Pinetree') (TSX:PNP) today announced the completion of its previously announced 100 to 1 share consolidation of its common shares followed immediately by a 1 to 50 share split. Shareholders who held less than 100 common shares at the close of business on July 9, 2021 are entitled to receive a cash payment in exchange for their common shares equal to C$2.02 per common share (the 'Cash Proceeds'). The Cash Proceeds are based on the average trading price of the common shares on the Toronto Stock Exchange (the 'TSX') during the 20 consecutive trading days ending on and including July 9, 2021.

The common shares are expected to commence trading on a post-consolidation and split basis on the TSX on or about July 14, 2021 under a new CUSIP number and the same trading symbol.

As previously announced, letters of transmittal were mailed to registered shareholders on May 28, 2021 providing instructions to surrender their common shares to Pinetree's transfer agent, TSX Trust Company ('TSX Trust'), for (a) in the case of holders of 100 or more common shares as at close of business on July 9, 2021, replacement certificates representing the same number of common shares they currently hold and (b) in the case of holders of less than 100 common shares as at close of business on July 9, 2021, the Cash Proceeds. Registered shareholders are requested to submit their share certificates, together with their completed applicable letter of transmittal, to TSX Trust. Copies of the letters of transmittal are available on SEDAR under Pinetree's issuer profile at www.sedar.com. Registered shareholders may also contact TSX Trust to request a copy of the letters of transmittal at (416) 342-1091 (or 1-866-600-5869), or tmxeinvestorservices@tmx.com.

Non-registered shareholders who hold their Pinetree common shares through an intermediary such as a bank, trust company, securities dealer or broker should note that these intermediaries may have their own procedures for processing the share consolidation and share split which may differ from those described above for registered shareholders. Non-registered shareholders who have questions should contact their intermediary for more information.

Forward-Looking Statements

Certain statements herein may be 'forward-looking' statements that involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that may cause the actual results, performance or achievements of Pinetree or the industry to be materially different from any future results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements involve significant risks and uncertainties, should not be read as guarantees of future performance or results, and will not necessarily be accurate indications of whether or not such results will be achieved. A number of factors could cause actual results to vary significantly from the expectations discussed in the forward-looking statements. These forward-looking statements reflect current assumptions and expectations regarding future events and are made as of the date hereof and Pinetree assumes no obligation, except as required by law, to update any forward-looking statements to reflect new events or circumstances. Accordingly, when relying on forward-looking statements to make decisions, Pinetree cautions readers not to place undue reliance on these statements, as forward-looking statements involve significant risks and uncertainties. Some of the specific forward-looking statements in this news release include, but are not limited to, statements with respect to the date Pinetree expects its common shares to begin trading on a post-consolidation and split basis.

About Pinetree Capital Ltd.

Pinetree is a value-oriented investment and merchant banking company focused on the technology sector. Pinetree's common shares are listed on the TSX under the symbol 'PNP'.

For further information:

John Bouffard
Chief Financial Officer
416-941-9600 x 200
jbouffard@pinetreecapital.com
www.pinetreecapital.com

SOURCE: Pinetree Capital Ltd.

View source version on accesswire.com:
https://www.accesswire.com/655053/Pinetree-Capital-Announces-Completion-of-Share-Consolidation-and-Split

Energy Fuels (UUUU) closed at $5.41 in the latest trading session, marking a +1.31% move from the prior day. This move outpaced the S&P 500's daily gain of 1.13%.

Heading into today, shares of the uranium and vanadium miner and developer had lost 22.72% over the past month, lagging the Basic Materials sector's loss of 4.51% and the S&P 500's gain of 2.39% in that time.

UUUU will be looking to display strength as it nears its next earnings release. In that report, analysts expect UUUU to post earnings of -$0.04 per share. This would mark year-over-year growth of 50%. Meanwhile, our latest consensus estimate is calling for revenue of $5.48 million, up 1269.75% from the prior-year quarter.

Looking at the full year, our Zacks Consensus Estimates suggest analysts are expecting earnings of -$0.17 per share and revenue of $18.41 million. These totals would mark changes of +26.09% and +1010.62%, respectively, from last year.

It is also important to note the recent changes to analyst estimates for UUUU. These revisions typically reflect the latest short-term business trends, which can change frequently. As such, positive estimate revisions reflect analyst optimism about the company's business and profitability.

Our research shows that these estimate changes are directly correlated with near-term stock prices. To benefit from this, we have developed the Zacks Rank, a proprietary model which takes these estimate changes into account and provides an actionable rating system.

The Zacks Rank system ranges from #1 (Strong Buy) to #5 (Strong Sell). It has a remarkable, outside-audited track record of success, with #1 stocks delivering an average annual return of +25% since 1988. The Zacks Consensus EPS estimate remained stagnant within the past month. UUUU is currently sporting a Zacks Rank of #3 (Hold).

The Mining – Non Ferrous industry is part of the Basic Materials sector. This industry currently has a Zacks Industry Rank of 45, which puts it in the top 18% of all 250+ industries.

The Zacks Industry Rank gauges the strength of our industry groups by measuring the average Zacks Rank of the individual stocks within the groups. Our research shows that the top 50% rated industries outperform the bottom half by a factor of 2 to 1.

You can find more information on all of these metrics, and much more, on Zacks.com.

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LONDON MARKETS Stocks in London moved higher on Friday, as investors took in stride news of a growth pullback in the country. Deal news sent FTSE 250-listed Vectura climbing. The FTSE 100 index (UK:UKX) rose 0.

(Adds prosecutor quote, company comment)

By Marta Nogueira

RIO DE JANEIRO, July 9 (Reuters) – Federal prosecutors in Brazil are seeking a definitive settlement with miner Samarco and it's shareholders, BHP Group and Vale, for damages caused by the rupture of a tailings dam in 2015, the lead prosecutor told Reuters.

Carlos Bruno Ferreira da Silva, who is leading the task force responsible for the case, said in an interview this week that prosecutors felt a previous agreement – in which the companies agreed to pay around 20 billion reais ($3.80 billion)- had not been effective enough.

He declined to put a figure on how much companies might have to pay, but cited a previous lawsuit seeking 155 billion reais as a potential benchmark.

He also said the settlement would look to learn from the agreement signed with Vale for a separate dam disaster in 2019 at Brumadinho, in which the company agreed to pay 37.69 billion reais ($7.17 billion).

The dam collapse at the Samarco iron ore mine near the town of Mariana in the Brazilian state of Minas Gerais is widely regarded as the country's largest ever environmental disaster. It released enough thick red sludge to fill about 12,000 Olympic swimming pools, flattened an entire village, killed 19 people and left hundreds homeless.

The waste flooded the Rio Doce river, choking fish and spitting them lifeless to the surface.

In 2016, the companies agreed an initial settlement with prosecutors which created a foundation through which to repair damages and a complicated chronology for payments. But the deal left open space for a final definitive agreement.

Silva said there were nearly 85,000 still-unresolved lawsuits relating to the disaster and added that authorities, the mining companies and the impacted population were all unhappy with the earlier agreement.

"Everyone thinks the situation could be better," he said.

In response to requests for comment, Samarco, Vale, BHP and the Renova Foundation – responsible for implementing reparations – said they remain committed to repairing the damage done.

The negotiations with prosecutors, they added, will not interfere with projects and compensations currently in progress. ($1 = 5.2579 reais) (Reporting by Marta Nogueira, writing by Stephen Eisenhammer, Editing by Chris Reese and Diane Craft)

EVE Investments Limited (ASX:EVE) is possibly approaching a major achievement in its business, so we would like to shine some light on the company. EVE Investments Limited is a venture capital firm specializing in seed and startup investments. With the latest financial year loss of AU$2.4m and a trailing-twelve-month loss of AU$2.1m, the AU$19m market-cap company alleviated its loss by moving closer towards its target of breakeven. Many investors are wondering about the rate at which EVE Investments will turn a profit, with the big question being “when will the company breakeven?” In this article, we will touch on the expectations for the company's growth and when analysts expect it to become profitable.

View our latest analysis for EVE Investments

Expectations from some of the Australian Food analysts is that EVE Investments is on the verge of breakeven. They anticipate the company to incur a final loss in 2021, before generating positive profits of AU$212k in 2022. So, the company is predicted to breakeven just over a year from now. In order to meet this breakeven date, we calculated the rate at which the company must grow year-on-year. It turns out an average annual growth rate of 120% is expected, which is extremely buoyant. If this rate turns out to be too aggressive, the company may become profitable much later than analysts predict.

We're not going to go through company-specific developments for EVE Investments given that this is a high-level summary, however, keep in mind that by and large a high forecast growth rate is not unusual for a company that is currently undergoing an investment period.

Before we wrap up, there’s one aspect worth mentioning. The company has managed its capital prudently, with debt making up 4.2% of equity. This means that it has predominantly funded its operations from equity capital, and its low debt obligation reduces the risk around investing in the loss-making company.

Next Steps:

There are too many aspects of EVE Investments to cover in one brief article, but the key fundamentals for the company can all be found in one place – EVE Investments' company page on Simply Wall St. We've also compiled a list of relevant aspects you should further examine:

1. Historical Track Record: What has EVE Investments' performance been like over the past? Go into more detail in the past track record analysis and take a look at the free visual representations of our analysis for more clarity.

2. Management Team: An experienced management team on the helm increases our confidence in the business – take a look at who sits on EVE Investments' board and the CEO’s background.

3. Other High-Performing Stocks: Are there other stocks that provide better prospects with proven track records? Explore our free list of these great stocks here.

This article by Simply Wall St is general in nature. It does not constitute a recommendation to buy or sell any stock, and does not take account of your objectives, or your financial situation. We aim to bring you long-term focused analysis driven by fundamental data. Note that our analysis may not factor in the latest price-sensitive company announcements or qualitative material. Simply Wall St has no position in any stocks mentioned.

Have feedback on this article? Concerned about the content? Get in touch with us directly. Alternatively, email editorial-team (at) simplywallst.com.

Growing social media attention on uranium is surely playing a role in the latest surge in its equity valuations. According to the study “Uranium Outlook” by RBC Elements, the 230% increase in monthly mentions since December 2020 concurs with the recent valuation run-up.

Source: Shutterstock

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Is this something investors should keep track of if they are interested in dabbling into the radioactive metal’s sector? This certainly is a trillion-dollar question.

Social Media Activity Bolsters Uranium Valuations

RBC Elements has been tracking the activity of uranium equities on social media over the last 10 years, and it has come to some pretty interesting conclusions.

“As uranium market fundamentals have improved only modestly in the past 6 months compared to the sharp rise in equity values, we believe increased social media attention may be contributing to higher valuations,” according to the report

• 
  7 Undervalued Stocks to Buy for July 2021

RBC analysts agree that continuing social media activity could keep uranium valuations high compared to actual fundamentals. However, since social media trends swerve at high speed, investors should be cautious as “contributors are unregulated and may present biased views that serve their own interests,” states the report.

Isn’t It Just a Coincidence?

To answer the trillion-dollar question, RBC Elements assures that given the social media activity of uranium equity, investors should definitely consider the sector. Although establishing a direct causality is no easy task, analysts have traced the connection between social media activity and uranium equity moves over the past four years.

In fact, since December 2020, some months display higher social media mentions for uranium as an investment which are consistent with higher uranium equity returns. They assert: “We think the improving uranium market trends have been amplified by social media excitement, driving uranium equities ahead of actual fundamentals.”

However, there is a strong chance that the rise in social media mentions on uranium equity stems from the actual growing interest in nuclear energy as an investment. Nuclear energy mentions have also increased since December 2020 after the election of U.S. President Biden and amid a larger global attention to de-carbonization –especially in the past six months.

As reported by Trading Economics, the market for nuclear fuel has been warming up recently as governments, including the U.S. and China, are veering towards including nuclear power in their clean energy plans. “Meanwhile, supply remains limited as uranium mining has been steadily cut back in recent years.”

How do Other Commodities Perform on Social Media?

What about other commodities, also critical to a clean energy transition? RBC analysts argue that the impact of uranium equities on social media is not to be underestimated, especially seen in the light of cobalt and copper.

“On a relative basis, uranium social media activity is 3x higher than cobalt and 15x higher than copper.” Since December last year, not only have uranium mentions relatively increased over the other clean energy commodities, but the actual social media sentiment is also on a high.

As it turned neutral when uranium prices plunged in 2018, mentions have been 20% net positive as of January 2021.

When taken to specific companies, strong equity performance was consistent with increased social media activity. Cameco Corp (NYSE:CCJ) reported an increase in its share price index value as the total mention count on social media jumped by 64% between the second half of 2020 and the first half of 2021.

Seeking Alpha reported two weeks ago that Cameco stock had had “an impressive run in the past year.” However, some potential short-term trends in the global market, could “deflate it in the short term.”

Share price index value also picked up significantly for Denison Mines Corp (NYSEAMERICAN:DNN), whose social media mentions have skyrocketed by 187% during the same period. Global Atomic Corp –the Canadian resource company developing the high-grade Dasa uranium deposit in Niger – saw the sharpest increase in its share price index value with an 86% in mentions surge.

Uranium Futures Are on the Rise

According to Trading Economics, uranium continues to build its momentum with NYMEX futures trading above $32 a pound and reaching their highest peaks since July 2020 in the midst of reduced inventory levels and greater demand.

It was not long ago that, during the onset of Covid-19, the radioactive metal was up 31% in April 2020, making it the world’s highest-performing asset.

The gains were driven by the mine closures that reduced more than a third of annual global production, at a time when demand from power plants remained relatively stable. “This is a double whammy in favor of uranium,” said back then Nick Piquard, ETF portfolio manager at Horizons. “Not only is Covid-19 not likely to have affected nuclear power demand much, but it is certainly impacting supply.”

What Do Predictions Reveal?

RBC Elements study also has its own sector predictions for the 2020 decade. The uranium market might be “in a slight deficit through the mid-2020s, as idled supply comes online to meet steadily growing demand.”

For the late 2020s, the report foresees a loftier deficit as demand continues to escalate with the construction of new reactors in China and the dwindling supply due to potential mine closures.

RBC states: “We have increased our 2021-2030 demand forecast by 5%, due to keeping more current reactors online and higher growth estimates in China, but this is offset by a 6% increase in our supply forecast due to increased production from Kazatomprom and the addition of Langer Heinrich to our outlook.”

The uranium price forecasts for the 2021-2025 period are ~10% higher. This takes into account the increasing financial interest to invest in physical uranium, “which may help spot and term market prices rise to better reflect current production economics.”

“We think recent renewed financial interest to invest in physical uranium should help accelerate the recovery in uranium prices to better reflect production economics by reducing uncommitted supply in the near-term,” RBC analysts conclude.

RBC asserts that there is potential for market backwardation next year, as spot prices could top $40/lb while term prices would only increase to $35/lb, to later settle at $40-45/lb through the mid-2020s.

On the date of publication, the author did not have (either directly or indirectly) any positions in the securities mentioned in this article. The opinions expressed in this article are those of the writer, subject to the InvestorPlace.com Publishing Guidelines.

Michelle Jones is editor-in-chief for ValueWalk.com and has been with the site since 2012. Previously, she was a television news producer for eight years. She produced the morning news programs for the NBC affiliates in Evansville, Indiana and Huntsville, Alabama and spent a short time at the CBS affiliate in Huntsville. She has experience as a writer and public relations expert for a wide variety of businesses. Email her at Mjones@valuewalk.com.

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The post RBC Says Social Media Activity Is Boosting Uranium Prices appeared first on InvestorPlace.

ROUYN-NORANDA, Quebec, July 08, 2021 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — GLOBEX MINING ENTERPRISES INC. (GMX – Toronto Stock Exchange, G1MN – Frankfurt, Stuttgart, Berlin, Munich, Tradegate, Lang & Schwarz, TTM Zone, Stock Exchanges and GLBXF – OTCQX International in the US) is pleased to announce that the Toronto Stock Exchange (“TSX”) has approved Globex’s normal course issuer bid (“NCIB”). Under the NCIB, Globex will be entitled to repurchase for cancellation up to 1,000,000 common shares, representing approximately 1.82% of Globex’s issued and outstanding shares as of June 30, 2021, over a twelve-month period starting on July 12, 2021 and ending on July 11, 2022. The purchases by Globex will be effected through the facilities of the TSX and on other alternative trading systems in Canada, and will be made at the market price of the shares at the time of the purchase. Globex had 55,089,817 common shares issued and outstanding as of June 30, 2021, of which 48,708,726 shares constitute the “public float”.

During the most recently completed six months, the average daily trading volume for Globex’s common shares on the TSX was 91,628 shares. Consequently, under the policies of the TSX, Globex will have the right to repurchase during any one trading day a maximum of 22,907 common shares, representing 25% of the average daily trading volume. In addition, Globex may make, once per calendar week, a block purchase (as such term is defined in the TSX Company Manual) of common shares not directly or indirectly owned by insiders of Globex, in accordance with the policies of the TSX.

Globex intends to acquire the common shares because it believes that the repurchase of common shares at certain market prices is beneficial to Globex and its shareholders. Globex intends to make any purchases on an opportunistic basis, taking share price and other considerations into account.

Any purchases made pursuant to the NCIB will be made in accordance with the requirements of the TSX. Except for exempt offers, Globex will make no purchases of common shares other than open market purchases during the period of the NCIB.

Under its previous NCIB, which entered into effect on March 13, 2020 and which expired on March 12, 2021, Globex was authorized to purchase up to 1,000,000 shares. Under the NCIB, Globex repurchased a total of 27,035 common shares at a volume weighted average purchase price of $0.6827 per share, through the facilities of the TSX and on alternative trading systems in Canada. All of the repurchased shares were cancelled by Globex.

Under Globex’s NCIB which entered into effect on March 12, 2019 and which expired on March 11, 2020, Globex was authorized to purchase up to 1,000,000 shares. Globex repurchased a total of 583,500 common shares at a volume weighted average purchase price of $0.3310 per share, all of which shares were cancelled by Globex.

In connection with the NCIB, Globex has entered into an automatic share purchase plan with a Canadian securities dealer pursuant to which the securities dealer, acting as Globex’s agent, may acquire at its discretion shares on Globex’s behalf during “black-out” or “closed” periods under Globex’s stock trading policy, subject to certain parameters as to price and number of shares.

Forward Looking Statements

Except for historical information, this news release may contain certain “forward looking statements”. These statements may involve a number of known and unknown risks and uncertainties and other factors that may cause the actual results, level of activity and performance to be materially different from the expectations and projections of Globex Mining Enterprises Inc. (“Globex”). No assurance can be given that any events anticipated by the forward-looking information will transpire or occur, or if any of them do so, what benefits Globex will derive therefrom. A more detailed discussion of the risks is available in the “Annual Information Form” filed by Globex on SEDAR at www.sedar.com.

Forward Looking Statements: Except for historical information, this news release may contain certain “forward looking statements”. These statements may involve a number of known and unknown risks and uncertainties and other factors that may cause the actual results, level of activity and performance to be materially different from the expectations and projections of Globex Mining Enterprises Inc. (“Globex”). No assurance can be given that any events anticipated by the forward-looking information will transpire or occur, or if any of them do so, what benefits Globex will derive therefrom. A more detailed discussion of the risks is available in the “Annual Information Form” filed by Globex on SEDAR at www.sedar.com.

55,089,817 shares issued and outstanding

Shares of mining giant Rio Tinto (RIO) were down around 4% in pre-market trading on Thursday after the company signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with South Korea’s largest steelmaker POSCO. Both companies will work together on various technologies to achieve low-carbon emissions across the entire steel value chain.

The partnership is a step towards both Rio Tinto’s and POSCO’s long-term ambitions of achieving net-zero carbon emissions by 2050.

The alliance will integrate Rio’s iron ore processing capabilities with POSCO’s steelmaking expertise to evaluate possible ways to reduce carbon emissions throughout the steel value chain, from the mining of iron ore to the final production of steel.

In pursuit of its net-zero goal, Rio Tinto has signed similar partnership agreements with several other steel producers, including China’s Baowu Steel Group, and Japan’s Nippon Steel Corporation.

Rio Tinto has actively been working on the climate change issue for over twenty years and has reduced its emissions by more than 30% in the past ten years. (See RIO stock charts on TipRanks)

Furthermore, Rio Tinto plans to reduce carbon intensity by 30% and absolute emissions by an incremental 15% by 2030.

Notably, it has also created a $1 billion fund to finance projects related to climate change and the betterment of the environment.

Simon Farry, VP of Iron Ore Sales and Marketing at Rio Tinto, commented, “This partnership with POSCO, a valued and long-standing customer, demonstrates our combined commitment to working together to identify ways to reduce emissions across the steel-making process. The agreement also complements Rio Tinto‘s partnerships with other customers as the industry focuses on developing technologies that support the transition to a low-carbon economy.”

UBS analyst Myles Allsop recently downgraded Rio Tinto to Sell from Hold.

Allsop believes that iron ore has reached an inflection point and forecasts iron ore prices to fall around 50% from their current highs of around $220, based on an expected boost in the iron ore supply.

Consensus among analysts is a Moderate Buy based on 2 Buys and 1 Sell. The average Rio Tinto price target of $101.56 implies 24% upside potential to current levels.

Rio Tinto scores a 7 out of 10 on TipRanks’ Smart Score rating system, indicating that the stock is likely to perform in line with market expectations.

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TORONTO (Reuters) -Junior miner Star Diamond Corp on Thursday said it objected to Rio Tinto's "predatory and coercive" actions after the global miner called a meeting for a joint venture the Canadian company says does not yet exist.

Rio Tinto responded by saying it "disagrees with Star Diamond’s interpretations in all material respects."

The companies have been in a long-running dispute over development of Star Diamond's Star-Orion South Diamond Project in the Canadian province of Saskatchewan.

In 2017, Star Diamond entered an earn-in agreement with Rio Tinto Exploration Canada Inc that gave the Anglo-Australian miner an option to earn up to a 60% interest in the project.

Saskatoon-based Star Diamond later said Rio overspent on the project while exercising its earn-in options before completing and delivering results from its bulk sampling program. It said Rio Tinto was trying to boost its stake at below market value.

Rio has spent roughly C$168 million to complete a 10-hole bulk sample program that Rio told Star Diamond would originally cost about C$18.5 million, the Canadian company said on Thursday.

"Rio Tinto now seeks to call a management committee meeting that it has no legal right to call for a joint venture that Rio Tinto knows has not been duly formed," Star Diamond said in a release.

A Rio Tinto spokesman said the miner has a right to call a meeting of the management committee and that Star Diamond’s latest attempt to prevent it from exercising that right was denied by a court on June 24.

A preliminary study in 2018 estimated 66 million carats of diamonds could be recovered from the C$2 billion Star-Orion project over a 38-year mine life.

Rio faced similar acrimony with its junior partner Turquoise Hill Resources over expansion of the pair's Oyu Tolgoi copper-gold mine in Mongolia, although that dispute was put to bed in April.

(Reporting by Jeff Lewis; Editing by David Gregorio and Paul Simao)

Kirkland Lake, Ontario–(Newsfile Corp. – July 8, 2021) – RJK Explorations Ltd. (TSXV: RJX.A) (OTC: RJKAF) ("RJK" or "the Company") is pleased to announce that C.F. Mineral Research Ltd. has updated RJK Explorations Ltd. on its progress. The lab is currently completing samples from the Nicol, and Lightning Lake kimberlites along with check diamond drill samples from Robin's Place and Gleeson. The HSM and Gravel Pit kimberlites were pre-processed to separate concentrates and fines at the Microlithics lab in Thunder Bay which are currently being processed at CFM Mineral Research. Due to staff holidays and equipment maintenance, the report of RJK's 12,200 kilos from its seven Lorrain Township kimberlites has been delayed a month.

RJK selected CF Mineral Research's lab to process its kimberlites, knowing CFM was not designed for processing large tonnage samples, because Dr. Charles Fipke has accumulated an extensive database of diamondiferous kimberlites over his lifetime, helping to identify the chemistry needed to determine diamond probabilities. Dr. Fipke has been in communication with RJK's management on an ongoing basis to help the Company understand its unique kimberlites discovered.

Drilling

Exploration drilling on RJK's 9th kimberlite discovery has encountered a fine sand glacial outwash plain of at least 50 m. Three attempts to drill this target in different locations has resulted in drill rod and casing being seized in each hole, but the drill crew was fortunate not to lose the drill rods and casing. The kimberlite target could be associated with a conductance signature with dimensions of roughly 400 by 800 meters overlying a magnetic low target. RJK intends to use a reverse circulation drill at a future date to test the thickness of this kimberlite and determine if the magnetic low underneath its 9th discovery could represent its source.

Two more magnetic low targets are scheduled to be drill tested before RJK finishes this season's exploration program on the Kon property.

RJK has conducted a drone magnetic survey over its Longfellow Lake target where the Bishop family found on-surface kimberlite float in sampling. The Company's exploration team is currently sampling for kimberlite indicator minerals and the till samples are being processed to help determine the source of kimberlite indicator minerals relative to the magnetic anomalies. It is anticipated that drill targets will be identified in preparation for drill testing.

Mr. Peter Hubacheck, P. Geo., Project Manager for RJK and the Qualified Person as defined by National Instrument 43-101 has approved the technical disclosure in this release.

Contact Information
Glenn Kasner, President
Mobile: (705) 568-7567
info@rjkexplorations.com

Web Site: https://www.rjkexplorations.com/
Company Information: Tel: (705) 568-7445

Neither the TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.

Forward-Looking Information

This news release includes certain forward-looking statements, which may include, but are not limited to, statements concerning future mineral exploration and property option payments. Any statements contained herein that are not statements of historical facts may be deemed to be forward-looking, including those identified by the expressions "will", "anticipate", "believe", "plan", "estimate", "expect", "intend", "propose" and similar expressions. Forward-looking statements involve known and unknown risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results, performance, or achievements to differ materially from those expressed or implied in this news release. Factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those anticipated in this news release include, but are not limited to, the financial resources of the Corporation being inadequate to carry out its stated plans. RJK assumes no obligation to update the forward-looking statements or to update the reasons why actual results could differ from those reflected in the forward-looking statements except as required by applicable law.

To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/89707