(Adds Rio comment)

TORONTO, July 8 (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)

MELBOURNE, July 07, 2021–(BUSINESS WIRE)–Rio Tinto has appointed Isabelle Deschamps to succeed Barbara Levi as Chief Legal Officer & External Affairs. Isabelle, who is currently General Counsel of AkzoNobel and a member of the Executive Committee, will join Rio Tinto on 25 October 2021.

Isabelle, a dual Canadian and UK citizen, has over 20 years’ experience in various senior legal roles across Europe and Canada. She joined AkzoNobel in 2018 as Group General Counsel, where she is responsible for all legal, integrity & compliance and intellectual property management, as well as company secretary. She was a driving force behind the Diversity & Inclusion programme.

Before joining AkzoNobel, Isabelle spent six years at Unilever in the UK and in The Netherlands where she had accountability for legal and compliance for its European businesses and its Food & Refreshment division worldwide. Prior to that she led the legal and compliance activities for the Personal Care business whilst also managing the global Intellectual Property group and spearheading legal support to e-commerce, digital and privacy.

Isabelle joined Unilever from Nestlé, where she held various positions in Switzerland and globally. She started her career at a Canadian law firm in Montreal and is admitted to the England and Wales Law Society and to the Quebec (Canada) Bar.

Rio Tinto chief executive Jakob Stausholm said "Isabelle brings a wealth and diversity of legal experience having worked in various senior legal roles for a number of large multinational companies. I am delighted to welcome her to Rio Tinto and look forward to having her join the executive team and lead our legal, compliance and external affairs teams."

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

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20210706005875/en/

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 7, 2021) – MAX RESOURCE CORP. (TSXV: MXR) (OTC PINK: MXROF) (FSE: M1D2) ("Max" or the "Company") is pleased to report the expansion of the newly discovered URU zone from 4 to 12-kilometres of strike, at CESAR North, within the wholly-owned CESAR copper-silver project in North Eastern Colombia (refer to Figures 1 to 5).

The URU copper-silver zone lies along the southern portion of the 80-kilometre-long CESAR North belt. URU appears to be continuous over 12-kilometres, and open in all directions. Samples from the new URU copper discovery have been shipped to ALS preparation laboratory in Medellin and to Lima for assays.

The initial URU discovery (April 8, 2021 NR) reported sixteen rock chip channel samples returning of over 1% copper extending over a 4-kilometre-long-strike with highlights of 5.7 % copper and 14 g/t silver including:

• 4.3% copper and 8 g/t silver over widths of 10-metres;

• 3.6% copper and 12 g/t silver over widths of 10-metres;

• 3.0% copper and 6 g/t silver over widths of 10-metres.

The URU copper mineralization is hosted in a stockwork within igneous host rock that crosscuts sediment-hosted stratabound mineralization. Observed minerals include chalcocite, native copper, cuprite and copper oxide. The copper mineralization is often associated with the presence of epidote.

"In less than three months the Max field team extended the URU zone to 12-kilometres of strike, which is a testament to their expert field skills. The strike extension remains open in all directions, demonstrating the major-scale potential of URU. We look forward to the new URU copper assay results due late this month," commented Max CEO, Brett Matich.

"Max's in-country team is continuing its field exploration programs through to end of year," he continued.

"CESAR provides Max shareholders significant copper exposure, the key metal for the "green revolution's move to electric vehicles, solar, wind and clean power grid infrastructure. In addition, copper's declining reserve base requires major copper discoveries to replace depleting reserves," he concluded.

Figure 1. New URU copper discovery

To view an enhanced version of Figure 1, please visit:
https://orders.newsfilecorp.com/files/3834/89623_15cc28796499a909_002full.jpg

New URU copper discovery video

Cannot view this video? Visit:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tDM06fhDu0s

Figure 2. CESAR Copper-Silver Project

To view an enhanced version of Figure 2, please visit:
https://orders.newsfilecorp.com/files/3834/89623_15cc28796499a909_003full.jpg

Figure 3. CESAR North, URU discoveries and locations

To view an enhanced version of Figure 3, please visit:
https://orders.newsfilecorp.com/files/3834/89623_15cc28796499a909_004full.jpg

Figure 4. URU Discovery cross-section

To view an enhanced version of Figure 4, please visit:
https://orders.newsfilecorp.com/files/3834/89623_15cc28796499a909_005full.jpg

Max interprets the sediment-hosted stratabound copper-silver mineralization in the Cesar Basin to be analogous to both the Central African Copper Belt (CABC) and the Polish Kupferschiefer. Almost 50 percent of the copper known to exist in sediment-hosted deposits is contained in the CACB, including Ivanhoe Mines Ltd (TSX: IVN) 95-billion-pound Kamoa-Kakula copper deposits in the Congo.

Kupferschiefer, is the world's largest silver producer and Europes largest copper source, mining an orebody 0.5 to 5.5-metres thick at depths of 500m. The silver yield is almost twice the production of the world's second largest silver mine.

Source: Central African Belt Descriptive models, grade-tonnage relations, and databases for the assessment of sediment-hosted copper deposits with emphasis on deposits in the Central Africa Copperbelt, Democratic Republic of the Congo and Zambia by USGS 2010. Kamoa-Kakula by OreWin March 2020. World Silver Survey 2020 and Kupferschiefer Deposits & Prospects in SW Poland, September 27, 2019. Max cautions investors that the presence of copper mineralization of the Central African Copper Belt and the Polish Kupferschiefer are not necessarily indicative of similar mineralization at CESAR.

CESAR COPPER-SILVER PROJECT IN COLOMBIA – OVERVIEW

CESAR, is located along the 200-kilometre-long Cesar Basin in North Eastern Colombia encompassing widespread highly prospective copper-silver mineralization.

This region enjoys major infrastructure resulting from oil & gas and mining operations, including Cerrejon, the largest coal mine in South America, now held by global miner Glencore (refer to Figure 5).

Figure 5. CESAR Project location

To view an enhanced version of Figure 5, please visit:
https://orders.newsfilecorp.com/files/3834/89623_15cc28796499a909_006full.jpg

Due to the regional-scale and prospectivity of the Cesar Basin, Max has implemented a multi-faceted exploration program for 2021:

Advanced Drill Core Analysis and Modelling: ongoing analysis of historical drill holes and seismic sections integrated into our structural modelling of the Cesar Basin, in collaboration with Ingeniería Geológica Universidad Nacional de Colombia ("IGUN") in Medellín (January 7, 2021 NR);

Geochemical and Mineralogical: geochemical and mineralogy studies by the University of Science and Technology ("AGH") of Krakow, Poland. AGH bring their extensive knowledge of KGHM's world renowned Kupferschiefer sediment-hosted copper-silver deposits in Poland to the CESAR project;

Geophysical: Fathom Geophysics is interpreting seismic data, funded by the Company in collaboration with one of the world's leading copper producer;

Proprietary Field Exploration & Techniques: Max's in-country exploration teams continue to identify new stratabound copper-silver mineralized zones;

● CESAR North 80-kilomtre-long-copper-silver zone (refer to Figure 2):

– In 2020, Max identified the AMS (previously named AM South) and AMN (previously named AM North) stratabound copper-silver zones, collectively spanning over 45-km², with values of 0.1 to 34.4% copper and 5.0 to 305.0 g/t silver over intervals ranging 0.1 to 25.0-metres;

– The CONEJO zone, discovered March 2021, spanning an area of 3.2-km by 1.6-km and open in all directions. CONEJO returned values above 5.0% copper from 23 rock panels varying from 5.0m by 5.0m to 1.0m by 1.0m, 66 rock panel samples returned values over 1.0% copper (March 24, 2021 NR). Highlight assays above 9% copper and 50 g/t silver:

– 12.5% copper + 84 g/t silver over 5.0-metre by 5.0-metre
– 10.5% copper + 50 g/t silver over 3.0-metre by 2.0-metre
– 10.4% copper + 95 g/t silver over 5.0-metre by 5.0-metre
– 10.2% copper + 62 g/t silver over 5.0-metre by 5.0-metre
– 10.0% copper + 80 g/t silver over 5.0-metre by 5.0-metre
– 8.7% copper + 89 g/t silver over 5.0-metre by 5.0-metre
– 8.4% copper + 60 g/t silver over 5.0-metre by 5.0-metre
– 7.9% copper + 21 g/t silver over 5.0-metre by 5.0-metre
– 7.7% copper + 84 g/t silver over 5.0-metre by 5.0-metre
– 7.4% copper + 47 g/t silver over 5.0-metre by 5.0-metre

– The URU zone, discovered April 2021, extends over 4-kilometres, and open in all directions, located 30-km south of CONEJO. URU demonstates major-size potential; Sixteen rock chip channel samples returned over 1% copper with assay values up to 5.7 % copper and 14.4 g/t silver including URU results include (June 10, 2021 NR):

– 4.3% copper and 8 g/t silver over widths of 10-metres;
– 3.6% copper and 12 g/t silver over widths of 10-metres;
– 3.0% copper and 6 g/t silver over widths of 10-metres;

– April 2021, Max identified the SP target, which lies along the mid portion of the CESAR North 80-km belt in line with the four previous copper discoveries URU, CONEJO, AMN and AMS;

– Exploration continues on CONEJO and the URU zone;

– In addition, Max has initiated the process of mineral claim approvals and drill permiting;

• CESAR West: Max has identified copper porphyry mineralization along a significant target zone.

QUALIFIED PERSON

The Company's disclosure of a technical or scientific nature in this news release has been reviewed and approved by Tim Henneberry, P Geo (British Columbia), a member of the Max Resource Advisory Board, who serves as a qualified person under the definition of National Instrument 43:101.

ABOUT MAX RESOURCE CORP.

Max Resource Corp. is an energy and precious metals exploration company, engaged in advancing both newly discovered global scale CESAR copper-silver project (100% owned) in Colombia and the newly acquired RT Gold project (100% earn-in) in Peru. Both projects have potential for the discovery of large-scale mineral deposits; both startbound-type copper-silver in Colombia and high-grade gold porphyry and massive sulfide in Peru.

Max Resource was awarded a Top 10 Ranked Company in the Mining Sector on the TSX Venture 50™ for 2021, achieving a market cap increase of 1,992% and a share price increase of 282% in 2020.

For more information visit: https://www.maxresource.com/
For more information visit: www.tsx.com/venture50
TSX Venture 50™ for 2021 video: MAX Resource Corp. (TSXV: MXR) – 2021 TSX Venture 50 – YouTube

For additional information contact:

Max Resource Corp.
Tim McNulty
E: info@maxresource.com
T: (604) 290-8100

*The Venture 50 ranking is provided by TSX Venture Exchange Inc. ("TSXV") for information purposes only. Neither TMX Group Limited nor any of its affiliated companies guarantees the completeness of this information and are not responsible for any errors or omissions in or any use of, or reliance on, this information. The Venture 50 program is not an invitation to purchase securities listed on TSX Venture Exchange. TSXV and its affiliates do not endorse or recommend any of the referenced securities or issuers, and this information should not be construed as providing any trading, legal, accounting, tax, investment, business, financial or other advice and should not be relied on for such purposes".

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.

Except for statements of historic fact, this news release contains certain "forward-looking information" within the meaning of applicable securities law. Forward-looking information is frequently characterized by words such as "plan", "expect", "project", "intend", "believe", "anticipate", "estimate" and other similar words, or statements that certain events or conditions "may" or "will" occur. Forward-looking statements are based on the opinions and estimates at the date the statements are made and are subject to a variety of risks and uncertainties and other factors that could cause actual events or results to differ materially from those anticipated in the forward-looking statements including, but not limited to delays or uncertainties with regulatory approvals, including that of the TSXV. There are uncertainties inherent in forward-looking information, including factors beyond the Company's control. There are no assurances that the commercialization plans for Max Resources Corp. described in this news release will come into effect on the terms or time frame described herein. The Company undertakes no obligation to update forward-looking information if circumstances or management's estimates or opinions should change except as required by law. The reader is cautioned not to place undue reliance on forward-looking statements. Additional information identifying risks and uncertainties that could affect financial results is contained in the Company's filings with Canadian securities regulators, which filings are available at www.sedar.com

To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/89623

ST. JOHN’S, Newfoundland and Labrador, July 07, 2021–(BUSINESS WIRE)–Altius Minerals Corporation (ALS:TSX) (ATUSF: OTCQX) ("Altius" or the "Corporation") is pleased to update its Project Generation ("PG") business activities and its public junior equities portfolio. The market value of equities in the portfolio at June 30, 2021 was approximately $64.5 million, compared to $54.2 million at March 31, 2021. The portfolio value includes receipt of 600,000 shares of Champion Iron Limited (CIA:TSX) that were distributed to secured debt holders as part of its acquisition of the Kami project through a receivership process, and also 7.14 million shares of TRU Precious Metals Corp. (TRU:TSXV) that were received as payment for the Golden Rose property during the quarter. The portfolio value does not include equity sales amounts of $1.9 million but does incorporate new investments made of $2.1 million during the quarter. An updated list of the public equity holdings has been posted to the Altius website at http://altiusminerals.com/projects/junior-equities.

Portfolio and Project Highlights

Altius PG equity companies have raised more than $150 million from the beginning of 2020 to the end of Q1 2021. This pace continued in Q2, with an additional $68 million closed in the quarter, mainly by Surge Copper Corp. (SURG:TSXV) ("Surge") ($14 million) and Uranium Royalty Corporation (URC:TSXV) ($37 million).

Adventus Mining Corporation (ADZN:TSXV) ("Adventus") continued to report positive high grade infill drilling results from its copper and gold rich El Domo deposit located within the Curipamba project. A feasibility study for El Domo is expected to be completed in the fourth quarter of 2021. Adventus also recently commenced exploratory drilling on targets within the broader Curipamba project. In addition to its large equity holding in Adventus, Altius holds a 2% net smelter return ("NSR") royalty covering the Curipamba project as well as royalties covering several additional exploration projects located in Ireland and Newfoundland that Adventus has either sold to or partnered with third party companies including South32 and Canstar Resources..

Orogen Royalties Inc. (OGN:TSVV) ("Orogen") reported additional exploration project sales that included retained royalties as well as providing insight into First Majestic Silver Corporation’s continued advancement of the construction-stage Ermitaño gold-silver deposit in Mexico, on which Orogen holds a 2% NSR royalty. In addition to its equity stake in Orogen, Altius also owns a direct 1.5% NSR royalty related to the Orogen-generated Silicon project in Nevada, that is being advanced by AngloGold Ashanti. Orogen also holds a 1% NSR royalty on the Silicon project.

Surge Copper Corp. During the quarter Altius acquired 3,773,585 flow-through units in Surge at a price of 53 cents per unit for a total investment of $2 million. Surge is a copper exploration company with a current focus on resource definition and exploration of its Ootsa Cu-Au porphyry project, British Columbia.

During the quarter several precious metal projects organically generated and vended by Altius in Newfoundland for equity stakes and underlying project royalties in the past year saw the commencement of summer field programs and drilling campaigns that included:

– Sterling Metals Corp. (SAG:TSXV) at the Sail Pond project

– Canstar Resources Inc. (ROX:TSXV) at its Golden Baie project

– Canterra Minerals Corporation (CTM:TSXV) at its Wilding Lake project

– TRU Precious Metals Corp. on its Newfoundland projects including the Golden Rose project

During the quarter Altius executed an agreement to vend its Adeline copper project in Labrador to Chesterfield Resources (CHF:LSE) for 9.9% of the Company (10,089,199 shares) and 11,100,000 3-year warrants priced at 20p, as well as a 1.6% gross sales royalty covering the project. Altius anticipates receipt of the payment shares by the end of July. The value of these shares has not been included in the quarter end portfolio value.

Altius also executed a binding Letter of Intent with Churchill Resources Inc. (CRI:TSXV) on the sale of the Florence Lake nickel project for the staged issuance of approximately 8.3 million total shares of CRI and retention of a 1.6% gross sales royalty covering the project. Altius anticipates receipt of the payment shares in the third quarter, the value of which has also not been included in the quarter end portfolio value.

Qualified Person

Lawrence Winter, Ph.D., P.Geo., Vice‐President of Exploration for Altius, a Qualified Person as defined by National Instrument 43-101 – Standards of Disclosure for Mineral Projects, is responsible for the scientific and technical data presented herein and has reviewed, prepared and approved this release.

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 macro-trends 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. In addition, Altius runs a successful Project Generation business that originates mineral projects for sale to developers in exchange for equity positions and royalties. 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.

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20210707005332/en/

Contacts

Chad Wells
Email: Cwells@altiusminerals.com
Tel: 1.877.576.2209

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

SASKATOON, Saskatchewan, July 07, 2021 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) —

Cameco (TSX: CCO; NYSE: CCJ), GE Hitachi Nuclear Energy (GEH) and Global Nuclear Fuel-Americas (GNF-A) have entered into a Memorandum of Understanding to explore several areas of cooperation to advance the commercialization and deployment of BWRX-300 small modular reactors (SMRs) in Canada and around the world.

“Nuclear power will play a massive role in the global shift to zero-carbon energy, generating a lot of momentum for emerging SMR and advanced reactor technologies,” said Cameco president and CEO Tim Gitzel. “Cameco intends to be a go-to fuel supplier for these innovative reactors. We’re looking forward to working with GEH and GNF to see what opportunities might exist around their novel SMR design.”

Cameco supplies uranium, uranium refining and conversion services to the nuclear industry worldwide and is a leading manufacturer of fuel assemblies and reactor components for CANDU reactors.

“We are excited to explore opportunities with Cameco to advance the commercialization of the BWRX-300,” said Jay Wileman, President & CEO, GEH. “As we work to bring the world’s first grid-scale SMR to Canada we will continue to identify strategic partners whose capabilities will support the deployment of this game-changing technology in Canada and worldwide.”

“BWR and CANDU fuel types are closely related as both use similar cladding materials as well as ceramic, uranium dioxide fuel pellets so this type of collaboration offers the potential to extract significant synergies between the two fuel designs and manufacturing processes, enabling the expansion of Canada’s local fuel supply chain capabilities,” said Lisa McBride, Canada SMR Country Leader for GEH.

The BWRX-300 is a 300 MWe water-cooled, natural circulation SMR with passive safety systems that leverages the design and licensing basis of GEH’s U.S. NRC-certified ESBWR. Through dramatic and innovative design simplification, GEH projects the BWRX-300 will require significantly less capital cost per MW when compared to other SMR designs.

By leveraging the existing ESBWR design certification, utilizing the licensed and proven GNF2 fuel design, and incorporating proven components and supply chain expertise, GEH believes the BWRX-300 can become the lowest-risk, most cost-competitive and quickest to market SMR.

An independent report by PwC Canada, commissioned by GEH, estimates that the construction and operation of the first BWRX-300 in Ontario is expected to generate approximately $2.3 billion in Gross Domestic Product (GDP), $1.9 billion in labour income and more than $750 million in federal, provincial and municipal tax revenue over its lifespan. The report estimates that each subsequent BWRX-300 deployed in Ontario and other provinces is expected to further generate more than $1.1 billion in GDP and more than $300 million in tax revenue.

This MOU is not exclusive and does not preclude GEH or Cameco from pursuing similar arrangements with other companies in the nuclear energy sector.

About Cameco

Cameco is one of the largest global providers of the uranium fuel needed to energize a clean-air world. Our competitive position is based on our controlling ownership of the world’s largest high-grade reserves and low-cost operations. Utilities around the world rely on our nuclear fuel products to generate power in safe, reliable, carbon-free nuclear reactors. Our shares trade on the Toronto and New York stock exchanges. Our head office is in Saskatoon, Saskatchewan.

About GE Hitachi Nuclear Energy

GE Hitachi Nuclear Energy (GEH) is a world-leading provider of advanced reactors and nuclear services. Established in 2007, GEH is a global nuclear alliance created by GE and Hitachi to serve the global nuclear industry. The nuclear alliance executes a single, strategic vision to create a broader portfolio of solutions, expanding its capabilities for new reactor and service opportunities. The alliance offers customers around the world the technological leadership required to effectively enhance reactor performance, power output and safety. Follow GEH on LinkedIn and Twitter.

About GNF

Global Nuclear Fuel (GNF) is a world-leading supplier of boiling water reactor fuel and fuel-related engineering services. GNF is a GE-led joint venture with Hitachi, Ltd. and operates primarily through Global Nuclear Fuel-Americas, LLC in Wilmington, N.C., and Global Nuclear Fuel-Japan Co., Ltd. in Kurihama, Japan.

Caution Regarding Forward-Looking Information and Statements

This news release includes statements considered to be forward-looking information or forward-looking statements under Canadian and U.S. securities laws (which we refer to as forward-looking information), including: the intention of GEH, GNF-A and Cameco to explore areas of cooperation to advance the commercialization and deployment of SMRs in Canada and around the world; the intention of GEH to continue to identify strategic partners to support the deployment of this technology; the expectation of a global shift to zero-carbon energy, the role that nuclear power will play, the implications for emerging SMR and advanced reactor technologies, and Cameco’s intentions regarding acting as a fuel supplier for those reactors; the expectation that this collaboration may lead to the realization of synergies between the BWR and CANDU fuel types and manufacturing processes, which would expand fuel supply chain capabilities; GEH’s expectation that the BWRX-300 will require significantly less capital cost per MW when compared to other SMR designs, and its belief that the BWRX-300 can become the lowest-risk and quickest to market SMR; and the estimate that the construction and operation of the first BWRX-300 in Ontario would generate approximately $2.3 billion in Gross Domestic Product (GDP), $1.9 billion in labour income and more than $750 million in federal, provincial and municipal tax revenue over its lifespan, and that each subsequent BWRX-300 would further generate more than $1.1 billion in GDP and more than $300 million in tax revenue. This forward-looking information is based on a number of assumptions, including assumptions regarding: the assumption that GEH, GNF-A, Cameco and other potential strategic partners of GEH will be able to collaborate successfully to advance the commercialization and deployment of SMRs in Canada and around the world; the assumption that a global shift to zero-carbon energy will occur, that nuclear power will play a role in that shift, including SMR and advanced reactor technologies; the assumption that Cameco will be successful in acting as a fuel supplier for those reactors; assumptions about potential synergies between the BWR and CANDU fuel types which would be helpful in expanding fuel supply chain capabilities; assumptions regarding capital costs and time to market for the BWRX-300; and assumptions regarding the impact of the construction of the first and subsequent BWRX-300 reactors in Ontario in terms of GDP, labour income and tax revenue. This information is subject to a number of risks, including: the risk that GEH, GNF-A and Cameco will not be successful in advancing the commercialization and deployment of SMRs through their mutual collaboration, or otherwise; the risk that a global shift to zero-carbon energy does not occur, or does not occur as quickly as expected; the risk that nuclear power, and in particular SMR and advanced reactor technologies, does not play as significant a role as expected in a shift to zero-carbon; the risk that Cameco will not be successful in acting as a fuel supplier, either because the expected demand does not develop, or because Cameco is unable to compete successfully against other suppliers; the risk that expected synergies between BWR and CANDU fuel types cannot be identified or successfully exploited to expand fuel supply chain capabilities; the risk that capital costs will be higher than expected, and that it will take longer than expected, to bring the BWRX-300 to market; and the risk that construction of BWRX-300 reactors will not yield the expected increases in GDP, labour income or tax revenue. The forward-looking information in this news release represents our current views, and actual results may differ significantly. Forward-looking information is designed to help you understand our current views, and may not be appropriate for other purposes. We will not necessarily update this information unless we are required to by securities laws.

Investor inquiries:
Rachelle Girard
306-956-6403
rachelle_girard@cameco.com

Media inquiries:
Jeff Hryhoriw
306-385-5221
jeff_hryhoriw@cameco.com

VANCOUVER, British Columbia, July 07, 2021 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Aben Resources Ltd. (TSX-V: ABN) (OTCQB: ABNAF) (Frankfurt: E2L2) (“Aben” or “the Company”) is pleased to announce that it has formalized an Option Agreement with an arms-length third party whereby the Company will hold the exclusive right to earn a 100% interest in the Pringle North Gold Project located north of the town of Red Lake in the Red Lake Mining District of Northwestern Ontario.

Pringle North Gold Project

The Property consists of 5 contiguous mining claims covering approximately 1,881 hectares. The property is 60km north of the town of Red Lake and is located 15km east of the all-weather Nungesser Road. This area has been recently identified by the “Ministry of Energy, Northern Development and Mines Recommendations for Exploration 2020-2021” for its deep-seated structural similarities that are associated with the Red Lake Gold Camp and Great Bear Resource’s Dixie Gold Project. This deep-seated structure (named the “E-1 Extensional Fault”) that occurs along this trend was delineated by seismic surveys and is considered a third deep-tapping structure that may have provided fluid pathways for gold mineralization to the mines and recent discoveries in the region. Age determination (by Sanborn et al, 2004) dates this sedimentary belt and assigns it to the Balmer Assemblage which is host to the gold mines in the Red Lake Camp.

Figure 1. Regional Location
https://abenresources.com/site/assets/files/4218/regional_location.png

Figure 2. Metal Occurrences
https://abenresources.com/site/assets/files/4218/metal_occurrences.png

Figure 3. Local Claim Fabric
https://abenresources.com/site/assets/files/4218/local_claim_fabric.png

Under the terms of the Agreement, the Company may acquire 100% right, title, and interest in and to the Property by paying to the Optionors a total of $97,000 and issuing to the Optionors a total of 320,000 common shares as follows:
(i) $18,000 upon signing;
(ii) 120,000 Shares upon TSX Venture Exchange (“TSXV”) approval;
(iii) $24,000 and 100,000 Shares on the first anniversary of TSXV approval; and
(iv) $55,000 and 100,000 Shares on the second anniversary of TSXV approval.
The Optionors shall retain a 1.5% Net Smelter Returns Royalty, of which the Company may purchase 0.5% at any time for $600,000.

Forrest Kerr Gold Project

Aben Resources would like to provide a corporate update on the Company’s exploration plans for 2021 and going forward. First, the Company would like to thank the shareholders for their understanding and patience as we start the process of identifying new gold projects with great exploration upside and potential. It is the Company’s desire to expand the project base to facilitate exploration on a year-round basis. This does not mean that Aben is abandoning the Forrest Kerr Gold Project. Given the Forrest Kerr Project’s size, there remains significant exploration potential that the Company will consider for the future.

Currently, final planning is underway for a 30-day surface exploration program to be initiated in early August on Aben’s fully permitted Forrest Kerr Project, located in the Golden Triangle region of British Columbia. 2021 fieldwork will consist of soil geochemical sampling, prospecting and geological mapping in specific areas of the property which have seen limited follow-up from earlier work.

The Forrest Kerr Property consists of 4 separate claim blocks comprised of 56 mineral claims (23,397 ha) owned 100% by Aben. Numerous areas of interest have been identified since Aben began systematic exploration in 2016, with a total of 72 drill holes (22,958m/75,302’) completed. The Boundary Valley (3.5 km x 1.0 km) hosts significant surface gold mineralization and complex structural intersections, both of which are important indicators of the potential for discovery of more sub-surface high-grade gold mineralization. In 2018, Aben reported grades ranging from trace values to a high of 38.7 g/t Au over 10.0m from 114.0-124.0m including 331.0 g/t Au over 1.0m from in Hole FK18-10.

Forrest Kerr Gold Project, Golden Triangle, BC claims map:
https://abenresources.com/site/assets/files/4087/abn_forrest_kerr_project_map.pdf

Cornell McDowell, P.Geo., V.P. of Exploration for Aben Resources, has reviewed and approved the technical aspects of this news release and is the Qualified Person as defined by National Instrument 43-101.

About Aben Resources:

Aben Resources is a well-funded, gold-focused Canadian junior exploration company developing quality gold-focused projects in British Columbia, Saskatchewan, Ontario, and the Yukon Territory.

For further information on Aben Resources Ltd. (TSX-V: ABN), visit our Company’s web site at www.abenresources.com.

ABEN RESOURCES LTD.

“Jim Pettit”
______________________
JAMES G. PETTIT
President & CEO

For further information contact:
Aben Resources Ltd.
Telephone: 604-416-2978
Toll Free: 800-567-8181
Facsimile: 604-687-3119
Email: info@abenresources.com

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.

This release includes certain statements that may be deemed to be "forward-looking statements". All statements in this release, other than statements of historical facts, that address events or developments that management of the Company expects, are forward-looking statements. Although management 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 in the forward-looking statements. The Company undertakes no obligation to update these forward-looking statements if management's beliefs, estimates or opinions, or other factors, should change. Factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those in forward-looking statements, include market prices, exploration and development successes, continued availability of capital and financing, and general economic, market or business conditions. Please see the public filings of the Company at www.sedar.com for further information.

HEIDELBERG, Germany, July 06, 2021 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — DELPHI Unternehmensberatung Aktiengesellschaft (“DELPHI”) has acquired of 55,500 Common Shares of Rokmaster Resources Corp. (“Company”) (TSX-V: RKR) at C$ 0.50 per Common Share in the public market (“Transaction”) for a total consideration of C$27,750.

DELPHI now has ownership and control of 14,720,500 Common Shares representing approximately 14.0% of the issued and outstanding Common Shares of the Company (calculated on a non-diluted basis immediately after the Transaction) and assuming the exercise of 7,839,427 Warrants of the Company entitling DELPHI to purchase up to an additional 7,839,427 Common Shares, DELPHI has ownership and control of 22,559,927 Common Shares, representing approximately 19.9% of the issued and outstanding Common Shares of the Company (calculated on a partially diluted basis immediately after the Transaction).

Prior to the Transaction, DELPHI had ownership and control of 14,665,000 Common Shares, representing approximately 14.0% of the issued and outstanding Common Shares of the Company (calculated on a non-diluted basis immediately before the Transaction), and assuming the exercise of 7,908,802 Warrants of the Company entitling DELPHI to purchase up to an additional 7,908,802 Common Shares, DELPHI had ownership and control of 22,573,802 Common Shares, representing approximately 19.9% of the issued and outstanding Common Shares of the Company (calculated on a partially diluted basis immediately before the Transaction).

The acquisition was made solely for investment purposes. In accordance with applicable securities laws, DELPHI may, from time to time and at any time, acquire additional Common Shares and/or other equity, debt or other securities or instruments (collectively, “Securities”) of the Company in the open market or otherwise, and DELPHI reserves the right to dispose of any or all of its Securities in the open market or otherwise at any time and from time to time, and to engage in similar transactions with respect to the Securities, the whole depending on market conditions, the business and prospects of the Company and other relevant factors.

DELPHI was incorporated in Germany. DELPHI’s principal business is to invest its own funds.

For further details relating to the acquisition please see the amended Report, which was filed in accordance with applicable securities laws, a copy of which is available under the Company’s profile on the SEDAR website at www.sedar.com, or may be obtained from DELPHI Unternehmensberatung Aktiengesellschaft, Wilhelm K. T. Zours (CEO / Member of the Board), +49 6221 649240, info@deutsche-balaton.de.

By Melanie Burton

MELBOURNE, July 6 (Reuters) – Buoyed by a rebound in the price of coal, Australian miners of the resource are dusting off expansion plans and raising capital for new projects and acquisitions.

New Hope Corporation, a major thermal coal producer, raised about A$200 million ($152 million) late last month whose use it said "may include further growth expansion and opportunistic M&A activity."

And Stanmore Resources said last week its majority owner, Singapore-listed Golden Energy and Resources (GEAR), will increase a loan facility to $70 million, partly to help the Australian coal miner advance its Isaac Plains project.

New Hope and Golden Energy are seen by analysts and bankers as potential suitors for some of BHP Group's Australian coal assets, including the Mt. Arthur thermal coal mine and its stake in a steelmaking coal project with Japan's Mitsui . Final bids are due for the assets in coming weeks, which BHP could sell separately or together.

BHP's divestment process is expected to be a good barometer of demand for so-called polluting assets such as coal amid rising pressure from financiers and environmental activists to switch to cleaner energy sources.

But with thermal coal prices rising to record highs and steelmaking coal increasing to two-year peaks, the financing pressure on Australian miners for projects has relaxed a little.

The price rally will allow New Hope to pay down its $440 million debt and restore its balance sheet faster than expected to a net cash position, possibly as soon as this year, analysts said. New Hope made a loss of A$111.6 million in 2020.

"We expect NHC would likely be looking at BHP's assets which the latter is looking to exit including the nearby Mt. Arthur thermal coal mine in the Hunter (Valley)," Citi said in a research note last month.

New Hope's organic growth options have been constrained by fierce local opposition on environmental grounds to its New Acland coal mine expansion, which is awaiting a November court hearing.

Its strong operational skills, low ash Bengalla coal that could improve economics for Mt. Arthur through blending, and improved financial standing would make it a good fit for the BHP asset, bankers and analysts told Reuters.

New Hope and BHP declined to comment.

New Hope has, however, said that any new M&A opportunities must be at the lower end of the cost curve, value-creating from day one and have long term approvals in place. Mt. Arthur's operating licence is set to expire in 2026 although BHP has applied to extend it.

Analysts and bankers value Mt. Arthur anywhere from a negative level to as much as $400 million, due to its $1 billion cost to restore the mine's environment. RBC values the assets jointly at $2.5 billion.

Another prospective bidder for the asset is a coalition of activist investor Elliott and coal miner Peabody, a source familiar with the matter told Reuters.

Elliott did not respond to a Reuters request for comment. Peabody declined to comment.

Golden Energy is a likely bidder for the steelmaking coal asset, a source familiar with the matter said, as it opts to diversify away from its thermal coal mines in Indonesia into metallurgical coal. Golden Energy did not respond to a request for comment.

The Australian newspaper previously reported that Indonesia's BUMA was also in the running. BUMA did not respond to a request for comment. ($1 = 1.3177 Australian dollars) (Reporting by Melanie Burton; Editing by Muralikumar Anantharaman)

(Bloomberg) —

AngloGold Ashanti Ltd. appointed former BHP Group executive Alberto Calderon to its top job, ending a nearly year-long head hunt that’s weighed on the shares of the No. 3 gold producer.

Calderon, a 61-year-old Colombian who once served as a junior minister in a government that fought drug lord Pablo Escobar, will join AngloGold on Sept. 1. The Ivy League economist, who was in the running to become chief executive officer at BHP before the position went to Andrew Mackenzie, served as CEO of Melbourne-based explosives maker Orica Ltd. until February.

AngloGold hasn’t had a permanent CEO since Kelvin Dushnisky’s abrupt departure last September after holding the position for just two years. The Johannesburg-based miner’s shares have underperformed peers in the past year as the CEO hunt dragged on and the company had to suspend operations at a mine in Ghana. While Calderon’s experience lies in industrial metals, coal and oil, his background may help AngloGold to advance its key expansion projects in Colombia.

Read more: CEO Vacuum at AngloGold Turns It Into Worst Mining Stock

“It’s not going to be easy, but I hope I can explain what a world class mining company like AngloGold can do,” Calderon said in a video interview, commenting on his task of getting the Colombian authorities to approve the miner’s Quebradona and Gramalote projects. “I think I have a good chance of persuading them.”

AngloGold’s shares climbed as much as 5.8% in Johannesburg, the most in seven weeks. That pared the stock’s losses over the past 12 months to 42%.

While AngloGold emerged from a mining empire created by Ernest Oppenheimer a century ago, it sold its remaining South African operations last year to focus on more profitable mines elsewhere in Africa, Australia and the Americas. The new CEO may face questions about whether the company could finally move its primary listing from Johannesburg — an idea that’s been bandied about for years.

“It’s not the immediate priority for me but it’s something that in due time the board and myself will consider again and give our views to the market,” Calderon said.

A potential London listing is among the options that Calderon will consider as he tries to close the discount at which AngloGold trades to larger rivals Newmont Corp. and Barrick Gold Corp.

“If we can bring credibility back to our projects, be more predictable in our production and cost focus, if we are seen as the excellent operators that we are, I think we can bring a lot of that discount value back into this company and that’s my plan,” he said.

Calderon will take over from interim CEO Christine Ramon, who will return to her previous position as AngloGold’s chief financial officer. During her time at the helm, Ramon sketched out a plan to expand output at key operations in Tanzania, Ghana and Guinea, while potentially investing more than $2 billion in two new mines in Colombia from 2022.

Leadership Experience

Calderon, who gained experience of South Africa during his time as head of BHP’s aluminum business, was CEO of both Cerrejon Coal Co. and Ecopetrol in his home country of Colombia. Prior to that, he held leadership positions at the International Monetary Fund.

“It’s an excellent appointment, and it removes uncertainties about the leadership crisis,” said Rene Hochreiter, an analyst at Noah Capital Ltd. In Colombia, “he can probably get things done better than say an American or South African,” he said.

Calderon’s six years at Orica coincided with a difficult period for the company. The explosives maker had to contend with a steep rise in the price of natural gas, it’s main input cost, and more recently Orica’s profits hit by the Covid-19 economic slowdown and China’s ban on Australian coal imports. Orica shares fell by more than a third during Calderon’s tenure.

AngloGold joined rivals in increasing its dividend after record gold prices boosted earnings last year, but producers have had to work hard to retain investor interest this year as bullion’s rally sputtered.

The new CEO must also get the company’s key Ghana mine back on track after underground operations at Obuasi were suspended in May following the death of a worker. That setback will curb output this year, just as the mine was ramping up following a $545 million redevelopment.

“We have the right person to lead this company forward and realize its outstanding potential, drawing on his huge leadership experience in the resources sector across a variety of geographies,” said AngloGold Chairman Maria Ramos said in the statement.

What Bloomberg Intelligence Says

“AngloGold’s appointment of experienced mining executive Alberto Calderon as CEO is a good starting point for the company to narrow the valuation gap with many of its gold-mining peers. While the market may take a “wait and see” approach given Calderon’s lack of specific gold-mining background, the combination of his recent Australian-based role and his Colombian heritage fits in well with the geographical spread of AngloGold’s assets and the company’s growth ambitions.”

— Grant Sporre, BI commodities and metals analyst

Click here to read the full research note

(Updates with Bloomberg Intelligence analyst comments in final paragraph)

More stories like this are available on bloomberg.com

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©2021 Bloomberg L.P.

The latest 13F reporting period has come and gone, and Insider Monkey is again at the forefront when it comes to making use of this gold mine of data. We at Insider Monkey have plowed through 866 13F filings that hedge funds and well-known value investors are required to file by the SEC. The 13F filings show the funds' and investors' portfolio positions as of March 31st. In this article we look at what those investors think of Cameco Corporation (NYSE:CCJ).

Cameco Corporation (NYSE:CCJ) has experienced an increase in support from the world's most elite money managers of late. Cameco Corporation (NYSE:CCJ) was in 30 hedge funds' portfolios at the end of March. The all time high for this statistic was previously 28. This means the bullish number of hedge fund positions in this stock currently sits at its all time high. Our calculations also showed that CCJ isn't among the 30 most popular stocks among hedge funds (click for Q1 rankings).

Today there are tons of signals market participants use to evaluate stocks. Two of the most useful signals are hedge fund and insider trading indicators. Our experts have shown that, historically, those who follow the best picks of the elite fund managers can trounce their index-focused peers by a solid margin (see the details here). Also, our monthly newsletter's portfolio of long stock picks returned 206.8% since March 2017 (through May 2021) and beat the S&P 500 Index by more than 115 percentage points. You can download a sample issue of this newsletter on our website .

Louis Bacon Moore of Moore Capital

At Insider Monkey, we scour multiple sources to uncover the next great investment idea. For example, lithium mining is one of the fastest growing industries right now, so we are checking out stock pitches like this emerging lithium stock. We go through lists like the 10 best EV 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 we're going to take a look at the fresh hedge fund action surrounding Cameco Corporation (NYSE:CCJ).

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

At Q1's end, a total of 30 of the hedge funds tracked by Insider Monkey were long this stock, a change of 20% from one quarter earlier. By comparison, 24 hedge funds held shares or bullish call options in CCJ a year ago. With the smart money's capital changing hands, there exists a select group of key hedge fund managers who were upping their holdings considerably (or already accumulated large positions).

When looking at the institutional investors followed by Insider Monkey, David Iben's Kopernik Global Investors has the most valuable position in Cameco Corporation (NYSE:CCJ), worth close to $163 million, corresponding to 18.3% of its total 13F portfolio. The second most bullish fund manager is MFN Partners, led by Farhad Nanji and Michael DeMichele, holding a $100.5 million position; 7.5% of its 13F portfolio is allocated to the stock. Some other professional money managers with similar optimism encompass Louis Bacon's Moore Global Investments, Phill Gross and Robert Atchinson's Adage Capital Management and Ken Griffin's Citadel Investment Group. In terms of the portfolio weights assigned to each position Kopernik Global Investors allocated the biggest weight to Cameco Corporation (NYSE:CCJ), around 18.35% of its 13F portfolio. Moerus Capital Management is also relatively very bullish on the stock, setting aside 9.42 percent of its 13F equity portfolio to CCJ.

As one would reasonably expect, key money managers have jumped into Cameco Corporation (NYSE:CCJ) headfirst. MFN Partners, managed by Farhad Nanji and Michael DeMichele, created the most outsized position in Cameco Corporation (NYSE:CCJ). MFN Partners had $100.5 million invested in the company at the end of the quarter. Louis Bacon's Moore Global Investments also made a $46.1 million investment in the stock during the quarter. The other funds with new positions in the stock are Mike Masters's Masters Capital Management, Richard Driehaus's Driehaus Capital, and Dmitry Balyasny's Balyasny Asset Management.

Let's also examine hedge fund activity in other stocks similar to Cameco Corporation (NYSE:CCJ). These stocks are CDK Global Inc (NASDAQ:CDK), Skechers USA Inc (NYSE:SKX), Plains All American Pipeline, L.P. (NYSE:PAA), Vir Biotechnology, Inc. (NASDAQ:VIR), SLM Corp (NASDAQ:SLM), Envista Holdings Corporation (NYSE:NVST), and Woori Financial Group Inc. (NYSE:WF). This group of stocks' market valuations match CCJ's market valuation.

[table] Ticker, No of HFs with positions, Total Value of HF Positions (x1000), Change in HF Position CDK,18,298124,-9 SKX,29,531729,-2 PAA,7,57037,-3 VIR,9,17685,4 SLM,27,996426,8 NVST,34,889306,1 WF,2,3273,1 Average,18,399083,0 [/table]

View table here if you experience formatting issues.

As you can see these stocks had an average of 18 hedge funds with bullish positions and the average amount invested in these stocks was $399 million. That figure was $493 million in CCJ's case. Envista Holdings Corporation (NYSE:NVST) is the most popular stock in this table. On the other hand Woori Financial Group Inc. (NYSE:WF) is the least popular one with only 2 bullish hedge fund positions. Cameco Corporation (NYSE:CCJ) is not the most popular stock in this group but hedge fund interest is still above average. Our overall hedge fund sentiment score for CCJ is 83.8. 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 22.8% in 2021 through July 2nd and still beat the market by 6 percentage points. Hedge funds were also right about betting on CCJ, though not to the same extent, as the stock returned 15.3% since Q1 (through July 2nd) and outperformed the market as well.

Get real-time email alerts: Follow Cameco Corp (NYSE:CCJ)

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

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In this article, we will be looking at the 11 best materials stocks for 2021. To skip our detailed analysis of these stocks, you can go directly to see the 5 Best Materials Stocks for 2021.

In a time of financial volatility induced by a global pandemic and inflation all but knocking on our doors, as per comments made by the Federal Reserve, one industry has managed to weather the storm and retain its relevance within investor circles: basic materials. According to the Wall Street Journal, in light of inflation concerns, investors have begun racking up their shares in energy and materials stocks as of May 2021, on the expectation that the incoming inflation would accompany financial growth for these stocks. These two groups of stocks were leading the S&P 500's sectors in May, with a 6.9% gain for the materials sector, performing much better than other sectors like technology and other growth stocks which contributed to the 0.4% fall in the US stock index.

The materials sector has been on a steady rise since the end of 2020, with the sector having gained 16% near the end of last year, performing better than all the other sectors in the S&P 500 index. This trend has continued, as mentioned above, well into 2021, with analysts and investors anticipating that it will continue on this path as the economy gets more revved up. Bloomberg has reported that raw materials account for over half of the 20 best performing exchange-traded products in 2021, while investors allocated about $2.6 billion in May to tracking materials stocks in light of consumer activity and construction surges. Moves by major firms like Aberdeen Standard Investments and Tidal ETF Trust indicating interest in the materials sector is proof that investor circles are fixating on the sector. Aberdeen Standard Investments has filed for two broad commodities ETFs and an industrial metals fund, for instance, while Tidal ETF Trust filed for the SonicShares Global Shipping ETF, as per Bloomberg reports.

Jason Bloom, the head of fixed income and alternatives ETF strategy at Invesco, has commented that higher inflation can be expected in the next 5-10 years, and hence, investors making moves into the materials sector to model their portfolio along safer lines is reasonable. For Bloom, the materials sector serves as a "potent" hedge against inflation. As such, materials sector companies like LyondellBasell Industries N.V. (NYSE: LYB), Freeport-McMoRan Inc. (NYSE: FCX), and Rio Tinto Group (NYSE: RIO) are gaining an edge in the stock market. Hence, we have compiled a list of the best materials stocks for 2021.

Because of the pandemic, the entire hedge fund industry is feeling the reverberations of the changing financial landscape. Its reputation has been tarnished in the last decade, during which its hedged returns couldn’t keep up with the unhedged returns of the market indices. On the other hand, Insider Monkey’s research was able to identify in advance a select group of hedge fund holdings that outperformed the S&P 500 ETFs by more than 124 percentage points since March 2017. Between March 2017 and May 28th, 2021, our monthly newsletter’s stock picks returned 206.8%, vs. 91.0% for the SPY. Our stock picks outperformed the market by more than 115 percentage points (see the details here). We were also able to identify in advance a select group of hedge fund holdings that significantly underperformed the market. We have been tracking and sharing the list of these stocks since February 2017, and they lost 13% through November 16th. That’s why we believe hedge fund sentiment is an extremely useful indicator that investors should pay attention to. You can subscribe to our free newsletter on our homepage to receive our stories in your inbox.

Copyright: vyacheslavsvetlichnyy / 123RF Stock Photo

Without further ado, let's look at the 11 best materials stocks for 2021. We chose these stocks based on hedge fund sentiment, fundamentals, future growth catalysts and analysts' ratings.

Best Materials Stocks for 2021

11. Ternium S.A. (NYSE: TX)

Number of Hedge Fund Holders: 14

Ternium S.A. (NYSE: TX) is a manufacturer and processor of steel products in Mexico, Argentina, Paraguay, Chile, Bolivia, Uruguay, Brazil, the US, Colombia, Guatemala, Costa Rica, Honduras, El Salvador, and Nicaragua. The company has two segments: Steel and Mining. It ranks 11th on our list of the best materials stocks for 2021.

This April, Ternium S.A. (NYSE: TX) announced its dividend of $2.1, with a forward yield of 5.17%. In the first quarter of 2021, Ternium S.A. (NYSE: TX) had an EPS of $3.07, beating estimates by $0.4. The company's revenue was $3.25 billion, up 43.05% year over year and beating estimates by $54 million, and its gross profit margin is 24.62%. The stock has a forward PE ratio of 4.01 and has gained 32.09% in the past 6 months and year to date.

By the end of the first quarter of 2021, 14 hedge funds held stakes in Ternium S.A. (NYSE: TX) worth roughly $203 million. This is compared to 13 hedge funds in the previous quarter with a total stake value of roughly $104 million. Like LyondellBasell Industries N.V. (NYSE: LYB), Freeport-McMoRan Inc. (NYSE: FCX), and Rio Tinto Group (NYSE: RIO), Ternium S.A. (NYSE: TX) is a good materials stocks to invest in.

10. BHP Group (NYSE: BHP)

Number of Hedge Fund Holders: 23

BHP Group (NYSE: BHP) is a natural resources business operating in Australia, Europe, China, Japan, India, South Korea, North America, South America, and internationally. The company has four segments: petroleum, copper, iron ore, and coal. It ranks 10th on our list of the best materials stocks for 2021.

This June, BHP Group (NYSE: BHP) announced plans to double its spending on exploration for base metals in the next 5 years, as per Laura Tyler, the Chief Technical Officer for the company in a report by Reuters. Continuing the report, BHP Group (NYSE: BHP) was said to be expected to bring in stronger profits this quarter because of the rise in iron ore prices. Reuters has also reported that BHP Group (NYSE: BHP) is one of two companies offering Samarco a $238 million debtor-in-possession loan to bail the miner out of bankruptcy. In the fiscal second quarter of 2021, BHP Group (NYSE: BHP) had an EPS of $0.38, and its revenue was $7.25 billion, up 7.56% year over year. The company has a gross profit margin of 78.75% and the stock has gained 7.51% in the past 6 months and year to date.

By the end of the first quarter of 2021, 23 hedge funds held stakes in BHP Group (NYSE: BHP) worth roughly $1.35 billion. This is compared to 18 hedge funds in the previous quarter with a total stake value of roughly $1.21 billion. Like LyondellBasell Industries N.V. (NYSE: LYB), Freeport-McMoRan Inc. (NYSE: FCX), and Rio Tinto Group (NYSE: RIO), BHP Group (NYSE: BHP) is a good materials stocks to invest in.

Harding Loevner, an investment management firm, mentioned BHP Group (NYSE: BHP) in its first-quarter 2021 investor letter. Here's what they said:

9. CEMEX, S.A.B. de C.V. (NYSE: CX)

Number of Hedge Fund Holders: 24

CEMEX, S.A.B. de C.V. (NYSE: CX) is a producer and distributor of cement, ready-mix concrete, aggregates, clinker, and other construction materials across the globe. The company ranks 9th on our list of the best materials stocks for 2021.

This June, CEMEX, S.A.B. de C.V. (NYSE: CX) raised its FY 2021 EBITDA guidance to $3.1 billion, crossing expectations and in light of rising demand for its products. The company also mentioned that it would be reducing net debt by $2 billion in 2021, through free cash flow generation and other means. It also expects growth investments to add approximately $400 million to its EBITDA by 2023. This May, CEMEX, S.A.B. de C.V. (NYSE: CX) also announced its partnership with BP to work on net-zero emissions in their production processes and transportation. In the first quarter of 2021, CEMEX, S.A.B. de C.V. (NYSE: CX) had an EPS of $0.38, beating estimates by $0.34. The company's revenue was $3.41 billion, up 10.56% year over year and beating estimates by $159 million. The company's gross profit margin is 32.5% and its stock has gained 61.82% in the past 6 months and year to date.

By the end of the first quarter of 2021, 24 hedge funds held stakes in CEMEX, S.A.B. de C.V. (NYSE: CX) worth roughly $471 million. This is compared to 22 hedge funds in the previous quarter with a total stake value of roughly $455 million. Like LyondellBasell Industries N.V. (NYSE: LYB), Freeport-McMoRan Inc. (NYSE: FCX), and Rio Tinto Group (NYSE: RIO), CEMEX, S.A.B. de C.V. (NYSE: CX) is a good materials stocks to invest in.

8. Rio Tinto Group (NYSE: RIO)

Number of Hedge Fund Holders: 25

Rio Tinto Group (NYSE: RIO) is a company operating in the mining, exploration, and processing of mineral resources worldwide. It offers aluminum, copper, diamonds, gold, borates, and other minerals, and ranks 8th on our list of the best materials stocks for 2021.

Rio Tinto Group (NYSE: RIO) has announced its partnership with Schneider Electric (OTC: SBGSY) to work on a sustainable market ecosystem for both companies. The two are working on reducing their carbon footprint through the deal, and will also be evaluating new opportunities like the efficient production of other materials for renewable technologies. The company has a gross profit margin of 41.92%. The stock has a trailing PE ratio of 13.61 and has gained 6.89% in the past 6 months and year to date.

By the end of the first quarter of 2021, 25 hedge funds held stakes in Rio Tinto Group (NYSE: RIO) worth roughly $1.59 billion. This is compared to 26 hedge funds in the previous quarter with a total stake value of roughly $1.71 billion.

7. MP Materials Corp. (NYSE: MP)

Number of Hedge Fund Holders: 29

MP Materials Corp. (NYSE: MP) is a company operating in the integrated rare earth mining and processing business. The company owns the Mountain Pass facility in the Western Hemisphere, and it ranks 7th on our list of the best materials stocks for 2021.

On June 30th, Baird initiated its coverage of MP Materials Corp. (NYSE: MP) with an Outperform rating and a $45 price target. The firm referred to the company as a "rare magnetic opportunity," with analyst Ben Kallo commenting that the company's Mountain Pass is a unique asset and MP Materials Corp. (NYSE: MP) deserves a premium valuation. Earlier this June, the Russell 3000 index added MP Materials Corp. (NYSE: MP) while deleting some other basic materials companies. In the first quarter of 2021, MP Materials Corp. (NYSE: MP) had an EPS of $0.13, beating estimates by $0.05. Its revenue was $59.97 million, beating estimates by $15.57 million, and it has a gross profit margin of 59.1%. MP Materials Corp. (NYSE: MP) has gained 29.38% in the past 6 months and year to date.

By the end of the first quarter of 2021, 29 hedge funds held stakes in MP Materials Corp. (NYSE: MP) worth roughly $2.62 billion. This is compared to 32 hedge funds in the previous quarter with a total stake value of roughly $2.74 billion. Like LyondellBasell Industries N.V. (NYSE: LYB), Freeport-McMoRan Inc. (NYSE: FCX), and Rio Tinto Group (NYSE: RIO), MP Materials Corp. (NYSE: MP) is a good materials stocks to invest in.

6. Teck Resources Limited (NYSE: TECK)

Number of Hedge Fund Holders: 30

Teck Resources Limited (NYSE: TECK) explores, acquires, develops, and produces natural resources in Asia, Europe, and North America. The company's segments include Steelmaking Coal, Copper, Zinc, and Energy. It ranks 6th on our list of the best materials stocks for 2021.

This May, Deutsche Bank upgraded Teck Resources Limited (NYSE: TECK) shares to Buy with a $30 price target. Analyst Abhinandan Agarwal commented that the stock's delivery of the QB2 copper project will transform the portfolio and open the path for free cash flow, returns, and lower emissions in production. The analyst has estimated a 45% increase in Teck Resources Limited's (NYSE: TECK) copper equivalent volumes, a development that would make the company's balance sheet more robust. In the first quarter of 2021, Teck Resources Limited (NYSE: TECK) had an EPS of $0.5, missing estimates by -$0.02. The company's revenue was $2.07 billion, up 23.43% year over year but missing estimates by $56.46 million, and its gross profit margin is 17.43%. Teck Resources Limited (NYSE: TECK) has gained 20.14% in the past 6 months and year to date.

By the end of the first quarter of 2021, 30 hedge funds held stakes in Teck Resources Limited (NYSE: TECK) worth roughly $1.07 billion. This is compared to 31 hedge funds in the previous quarter with a total stake value of roughly $798 million. Like LyondellBasell Industries N.V. (NYSE: LYB), Freeport-McMoRan Inc. (NYSE: FCX), and Rio Tinto Group (NYSE: RIO), Teck Resources Limited (NYSE: TECK) is a good materials stocks to invest in.

Click to continue reading and see the 5 Best Materials Stocks for 2021.

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Disclosure: None. 11 Best Materials Stocks for 2021 is originally published on Insider Monkey.

SASKATOON, Saskatchewan, July 04, 2021 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) —

Cameco (TSX: CCO; NYSE: CCJ) is returning its regular workforce to the Cigar Lake uranium mine in northern Saskatchewan today and planning to restart production later this week.

About 230 workers were evacuated from the site on July 1 as a precaution due to the proximity of a wildfire burning in the vicinity of the operation. In consultation with provincial wildfire management officials from the Saskatchewan Public Safety Agency, we believe the risk to Cigar Lake posed by the fire has now subsided.

With improved weather and smoke conditions, minimal likelihood of further road closures in the area, and all infrastructure at Cigar Lake remaining intact, Cameco believes the full complement of personnel can be safely remobilized and regular operations resumed.

Cameco is now in the process of transporting employees and contractors back to site. Final inspections and preparation of equipment will occur over the days ahead to ready the operation for a return to production.

Profile

Cameco is one of the largest global providers of the uranium fuel needed to energize a clean-air world. Our competitive position is based on our controlling ownership of the world’s largest high-grade reserves and low-cost operations. Utilities around the world rely on our nuclear fuel products to generate power in safe, reliable, carbon-free nuclear reactors. Our shares trade on the Toronto and New York stock exchanges. Our head office is in Saskatoon, Saskatchewan.

Caution Regarding Forward-Looking Information and Statements

This news release includes statements and information about our expectations for the future, which we refer to as forward-looking information. Forward-looking information is based on our current views, which can change significantly, and actual results and events may be significantly different from what we currently expect. Examples of forward-looking information in this news release include the statements regarding our plans to restart production and resume regular operations, the fire risk, weather conditions, and remobilizing personnel. Material risks that could lead to different results include: the risk that our plans to restart production and resume regular operations may be delayed or may not succeed for any reason; the risk of delays in remobilizing our personnel back to site; the risk that weather or fire conditions become adverse; the risk that damage has occurred to Cigar Lake infrastructure; an operating risk occurs disrupting our plans; and the risk we may be unable to comply with applicable regulatory requirements. In presenting this forward-looking information, we have made assumptions which may prove incorrect, including assumptions regarding the availability of our personnel, weather and fire conditions, and other factors which may affect the timing of and our ability to restart production at Cigar Lake and return to regular operations as planned. Forward-looking information is designed to help you understand management’s current views of our near-term and longer-term prospects, and it may not be appropriate for other purposes. We will not necessarily update this information unless we are required to by securities laws.

Investor inquiries:
Rachelle Girard
306-956-6403
rachelle_girard@cameco.com

Media inquiries:
Jeff Hryhoriw
306-385-5221
jeff_hryhoriw@cameco.com

VANCOUVER, BC, July 2, 2021 /CNW/ – Trading resumes in:

Company: Sparton Resources Inc.

TSX-Venture Symbol: SRI

All Issues: Yes

Resumption (ET): 3:30 PM

IIROC can make a decision to impose a temporary suspension (halt) of trading in a security of a publicly-listed company. Trading halts are implemented to ensure a fair and orderly market. IIROC is the national self-regulatory organization which oversees all investment dealers and trading activity on debt and equity marketplaces in Canada.

SOURCE Investment Industry Regulatory Organization of Canada (IIROC) – Halts/Resumptions

View original content: http://www.newswire.ca/en/releases/archive/July2021/02/c4175.html

TORONTO, July 02, 2021 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Sparton Resources Inc. (TSXV: SRI) ("Sparton" or the "Company") reported today on a major financing for its minority held subsidiary VRB Energy Inc. (“VRB Energy’). The Company currently owns, through its subsidiary VanSpar Mining Inc., a 9.8% equity interest in VRB Energy”, a leading manufacturer of vanadium flow batteries for large scale energy storage related to clean renewable electricity generation. (See Sparton News Release dated June 30, 2021).

On July 2, 2021 VRB Energy announced an investment of US$24 Million by BCPG PLC (“BCPG”) – a Thailand-based public company and developer and owner of renewable energy projects in the Asia-Pacific region, with 900 megawatts (MW) in operation and a pipeline of over 2,200MW, across Southeast Asia, Japan and Australia.

Investment

The investment will support rollout of VRB Energy’s Gen3 VRB-ESS^® product (“Gen3”), expanded manufacturing capacity, and vertical integration of vanadium processing to meet growing global demand. Gen3 development is nearly complete and will be the system for new future VRB Energy sales both domestically in China and internationally.

About BCPG PLC

BCPG Public Company Limited (BCPG), is among Asia-Pacific’s leading companies in renewable energy with solar power, hydropower, wind power and geothermal power businesses in Thailand, Japan, Laos, Vietnam, the Philippines and Indonesia.

While committed to investing in and operating green power plants, it strives to enhance its business to fulfill consumers’ needs by diversifying into more types of renewable energy and seeking innovative products and services for more sustainable use of energy.

Robert Friedland, Chairman of VRB Energy commented in the VRB Energy news release:

"BCPG is a leader in Asia’s green energy revolution, and this investment reinforces our belief that VRB Energy’s game-changing technology will be a catalyst for integration of massive amounts of renewable energy around the region”.

"Countries around the world are now committed to net-zero carbon solutions, which will require vast capital investment over the next 25 years in energy storage. We're extremely proud to be bringing forward vanadium-based batteries as a key solution for this global transformation,” added Mr. Friedland.

Dr. Mianyan Huang VRB Energy President, further commented: ““In addition to welcoming BCPG as an investor, we are also working with them to add storage to their existing and planned projects to optimize system performance and enhance revenues, as well as to explore other business development opportunities with them in Thailand including localization of manufacturing,”

Mr. Bundit Sapianchai, BCPG CEO, commented: “We have been determined to strengthen our position as a leader in the green energy sector through investment in smart energy solutions, and VRB Energy’s long-duration batteries are a perfect fit to meet increasing demand for renewable energy, grid stability, and microgrid development.”

About VRB Energy

VRB Energy is a fast-growing, privately-held clean technology innovator. The company has developed the most reliable, longest-lasting vanadium flow battery in the world, with more than 40 megawatt-hours installed and in construction worldwide, and more than 800,000 hours of demonstrated performance. The combination of VRB Energy’s proprietary low-cost ion-exchange membrane, long-life electrolyte formulation and innovative flow cell design sets it apart from other providers in the energy storage system (“ESS”) field.

VRB Energy’s vanadium redox battery (VRB^®) systems store energy in liquid electrolyte in a patented process based on the reduction and oxidation of ionic forms of the element vanadium. This is a nearly infinitely repeatable process that is safe, reliable, and non-toxic. Components can be nearly 100% recycled at end-of-life, dramatically improving lifecycle economics and environmental benefits compared to lithium-ion and other battery types.

VRB Energy is majority-owned by Ivanhoe Electric (formerly High Powered Exploration), a North American, minerals exploration and development company that also invests in minerals-dependent, high-growth emerging technologies. Ivanhoe Electric is a subsidiary of I-Pulse, a global leader in developing innovative commercial applications for pulsed power technologies that convert small amounts of electrical energy into limitless power to address a broad and growing suite of applications across multiple industrial markets. I-Pulse is a private company with offices in Toulouse, London, Tokyo and Vancouver. For more information on VRB Energy, Ivanhoe Electric and I-Pulse, please visit their websites at www.vrbenergy.com, www.hpxploration.com, and www.ipulse-group.com.

Discussion

This announcement is a major milestone for VRB Energy. “Clearly the recognition of VRB Energy’s superior technology and future capabilities in energy storage by a major player in the renewable energy project field is a significant endorsement and development in its energy storage business”, stated Mr. Lee Barker, Company CEO. “With adequate funding to complete Gen3 development, become vertically integrated regarding vanadium supply, and having a major financial partner requiring its products VRB has made a breakthrough in its business development”.

“Sparton recognizes the efforts and thanks all VRB staff and management in this achievement. Going forward the transaction will allow VRB to focus on the global use of renewable energy systems and the company is expected to be a key player in the ESS business internationally”. “This transaction confirms the Company 9.8% stake in VRB Energy as a valuable core asset”, stated Mr. Barker.

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 Harbour.

VANCOUVER, BC, July 2, 2021 /CNW/ – The following issues have been halted by IIROC:

Company: Sparton Resources Inc.

TSX-Venture Symbol: SRI

All Issues: Yes

Reason: At the Request of the Company Pending News

Halt Time (ET): 2:18 PM

IIROC can make a decision to impose a temporary suspension (halt) of trading in a security of a publicly-listed company. Trading halts are implemented to ensure a fair and orderly market. IIROC is the national self-regulatory organization which oversees all investment dealers and trading activity on debt and equity marketplaces in Canada.

SOURCE Investment Industry Regulatory Organization of Canada (IIROC) – Halts/Resumptions

View original content: http://www.newswire.ca/en/releases/archive/July2021/02/c0052.html

SASKATOON, Saskatchewan, July 02, 2021 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) —

Cameco (TSX: CCO; NYSE: CCJ) provided an update today regarding the wildfire situation near the Cigar Lake uranium mine in northern Saskatchewan.

All of the roughly 80 essential workers who remain at Cigar Lake are safe. The wildfire has moved past the main camp area without serious impact to the site itself. While our inspections continue, we believe no structural damage has occurred to any buildings and all assets appear intact.

However, the situation remains active. Forest fires are dynamic and circumstances can change rapidly. We therefore continue to monitor the situation very closely and work alongside provincial wildfire management officials from the Saskatchewan Public Safety Agency (SPSA) who remain on-site. Crews extinguished a few hot spots overnight and some roads in the area remain closed.

Weather conditions are forecast to remain hot and dry in the north today before temperatures ease through the following days. Variable and shifting wind and smoke patterns can also pose a challenge.

There is currently no timeline for the return to site of the roughly 230 workers who were evacuated from Cigar Lake or for the resumption of production. However, planning for the remobilization process and the associated logistics is underway. A restart decision will be contingent on a variety of factors, including the status of wildfire activity in the area, the impact of ongoing smoke conditions, and safe road and air access to site.

Cameco is grateful for the tremendous support and assistance we continue to receive from SPSA officials, along with our own personnel who remain at Cigar Lake to secure the site and conduct essential duties, as well as those from other sites aiding in the effort.

Profile

Cameco is one of the largest global providers of the uranium fuel needed to energize a clean-air world. Our competitive position is based on our controlling ownership of the world’s largest high-grade reserves and low-cost operations. Utilities around the world rely on our nuclear fuel products to generate power in safe, reliable, carbon-free nuclear reactors. Our shares trade on the Toronto and New York stock exchanges. Our head office is in Saskatoon, Saskatchewan.

Caution Regarding Forward-Looking Information and Statements

This news release includes statements and information about our expectations for the future, which we refer to as forward-looking information. Forward-looking information is based on our current views, which can change significantly, and actual results and events may be significantly different from what we currently expect. Examples of forward-looking information in this news release include the statements regarding our continuing inspections of the buildings and assets, our continued monitoring of the situation, our ongoing work alongside provincial wildfire management officials, future weather conditions, our plans for the remobilization process and the factors on which a restart decision will be contingent. Material risks that could lead to different results include the risk that structural or other damage has in fact occurred to our buildings or other assets; the risk that weather conditions will continue to be adverse for longer than expected, or worsen; and the risk that all of the necessary factors for us to be able to implement a restart decision may not occur for an extended period of time. In presenting this forward-looking information, we have made assumptions which may prove incorrect, including assumptions regarding our ability to monitor the situation closely with provincial officials, weather conditions and the factors that will affect our ability to restart operations. Forward-looking information is designed to help you understand management’s current views of our near-term and longer-term prospects, and it may not be appropriate for other purposes. We will not necessarily update this information unless we are required to by securities laws.

Investor inquiries:
Rachelle Girard
306-956-6403
rachelle_girard@cameco.com

Media inquiries:
Jeff Hryhoriw
306-385-5221
jeff_hryhoriw@cameco.com

SASKATOON, Saskatchewan, July 01, 2021 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Cameco (TSX: CCO; NYSE: CCJ) has made the decision to evacuate all non-essential personnel from the Cigar Lake uranium mine in northern Saskatchewan.

The action is being taken as a precaution due to the proximity of a northern wildfire that is currently burning in the vicinity of the operation. The situation is complicated by extremely warm, dry weather, resulting from the heat dome that has settled over western Canada in recent days, along with variable wind and smoke conditions.

Production at Cigar Lake has been temporarily suspended. Approximately 230 workers are being transported off site. Roughly 80 essential personnel will remain on site to maintain the facility in a safe state. Should the wildfire threat grow considerably at site, a plan is in place to ensure their safety.

A number of precautions have been implemented at Cigar Lake to limit the risk posed by the wildfire. Cameco is working closely with provincial wildfire management personnel from the Saskatchewan Public Safety Agency, who are on-site assessing the situation on an ongoing basis. The decision to evacuate the operation was made in conjunction with these officials.

Profile

Cameco is one of the largest global providers of the uranium fuel needed to energize a clean-air world. Our competitive position is based on our controlling ownership of the world’s largest high-grade reserves and low-cost operations. Utilities around the world rely on our nuclear fuel products to generate power in safe, reliable, carbon-free nuclear reactors. Our shares trade on the Toronto and New York stock exchanges. Our head office is in Saskatoon, Saskatchewan.

Caution Regarding Forward-Looking Information and Statements

This news release includes statements and information about our expectations for the future, which we refer to as forward-looking information. Forward-looking information is based on our current views, which can change significantly, and actual results and events may be significantly different from what we currently expect. Examples of forward-looking information in this news release include the statements regarding our expectations that the suspension will be temporary, that essential personnel will remain on site to maintain the facility in a safe state and that we will be able to ensure their safety. Material risks that could lead to different results include the risks that the suspension may extend for longer than we expect, and that we may not be able to maintain a safe state or ensure the safety of the personnel remaining on site. In presenting this forward-looking information, we have made assumptions which may prove incorrect, including assumptions regarding the duration of the suspension, our ability to maintain the facility in a safe state, and our ability to ensure the safety of personnel. Forward-looking information is designed to help you understand management’s current views of our near-term and longer-term prospects, and it may not be appropriate for other purposes. We will not necessarily update this information unless we are required to by securities laws.

Investor inquiries:
Rachelle Girard
306-956-6403
rachelle_girard@cameco.com

Media inquiries:
Jeff Hryhoriw
306-385-5221
jeff_hryhoriw@cameco.com

Halifax, Nova Scotia–(Newsfile Corp. – June 30, 2021) – Ucore Rare Metals Inc. (TSXV: UCU) (OTCQX: UURAF) ("Ucore" or the "Company") is very pleased to announce that the Company's wholly owned subsidiary, Innovation Metals Corp. ("IMC" or the "company"), has successfully completed initial extraction-rate testing of its proprietary RapidSX™ separation technology and to provide an update on the company's RapidSX commercialization demonstration program and related timelines. Being a key technical milestone in the commercialization of RapidSX, the extraction-rate testing quantitatively confirmed the ability of the technology to rapidly extract rare-earth elements ("REEs") from an initial REE feedstock using a standard extractant, at rates at least ten times faster than conventional solvent extraction ("SX") technology.

Highlights

1. Successful initial extraction-rate testing demonstrated and re-confirmed that the RapidSX technology is highly effective at extracting REEs from solutions, within a range of flow rates;

2. RapidSX column design for commercial deployment is now in the finalization/optimization stage; and

3. IMC continues to advance the commercialization of the RapidSX technology via proprietary commercial hardware and software capabilities. This innovative, dual-channel approach will underpin the successful commercialization of RapidSX for REE separation, while also advancing non-REE RapidSX applications.

"The IMC team continues to make great strides in the RapidSX technology commercial deployment effort," commented Pat Ryan, P.Eng., Ucore Chairman and CEO. "This latest round of extraction-rate testing foreshadows the expected results as we embark on an Independent Evaluation of the RapidSX technology at the Kingston facility which will take place over the summer months of 2021. This Independent Evaluation will be conducted by the scientific team at Kingston Process Metallurgy ("KPM") under the supervision and direction of an independent third party who will report on the findings."

Image 1:
KPM technicians operating the RapidSX™ test platform during REE extraction-rate testing. The test was conducted on June 28, 2021, at IMC's RapidSX Commercialization Development Facility in Kingston, Ontario.
Photo: Innovation Metals Corp.

To view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit:
https://orders.newsfilecorp.com/files/1119/89131_53684637e4a459f7_001full.jpg

RapidSX Extraction-Rate Testing

The rate of extraction is an important contributor to the final design of the individual columns that will be used in RapidSX-based SX circuits, influencing their overall size when deploying the technology for particular applications. The recent testing looked at the effects of flow rate and residence time on the rate of extraction from a mixed REE solution.

The initial quantitative test results using a standard, commercial extractant for REEs indicate that the rate of mass transfer during operation of the RapidSX columns is at least one order-of-magnitude higher than that which occurs with the use of mixer-settler units for conventional SX extraction of REEs from solutions, i.e., at least ten times faster.

IMC Chairman, CEO and Co-founder, Dr. Gareth Hatch, stated, "The results of the initial extraction-rate testing for the current RapidSX columns are highly encouraging. Additional extraction-rate testing to validate and optimize platform parameters will be undertaken in the coming weeks, as IMC finalizes the design of the physical RapidSX hardware for deployment in IMC's forthcoming RapidSX Demonstration Plant. Additional extraction-rate testing will also be utilized to look at the influence of alternative extractants, currently being evaluated via equilibrium isotherm work."

Finalization of RapidSX Column Design

In addition to the initial extraction-rate testing, IMC has been working to finalize the individual physical RapidSX column assembly design so that it will be suitable for commercial deployment. Computational fluid dynamics ("CFD") software has been used to model fluid flows to subsequently fine-tune the design of certain components that will be utilized in the physical column assemblies.

Final column designs for the RapidSX Demonstration Plant ("Demo Plant") are in the process of completion, and will be tested in a demo-scale module ahead of construction of the Demo Plant, to empirically confirm effectiveness, at IMC's RapidSX Commercialization Development Facility ("CDF") in Kingston, Ontario, Canada.

Commercialization of the RapidSX Technology

IMC's ongoing commercialization work for the processing of REE feedstocks using RapidSX has now converged to simultaneous commercial hardware and software development. Together, these two initiatives will underpin the deployment of the RapidSX technology at commercial scale.

RapidSX Commercial Hardware Platform Development

The hardware platform development focuses on all of the physical hardware that is required for utilization of the RapidSX technology. This includes the proprietary RapidSX columns, as well as the supporting instrumentation, controls, sensors, piping, pumps, and all other physical equipment required.

Wherever possible, IMC will utilize the same hardware components in the forthcoming Demo Plant, as those that will be deployed at commercial scale. This will allow the Company to operate a Demo Plant at the CDF – scheduled for construction and commissioning later this year – that will very much look and feel like a full-scale, commercial facility.

Image 2:
Left-side elevation of a commercial-scale RapidSX™️ multi-stage circuit for REE separation, under development for the forthcoming RapidSX Demonstration Plant.
Source: Innovation Metals Corp.

To view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit:
https://orders.newsfilecorp.com/files/1119/89131_53684637e4a459f7_002full.jpg

RapidSX Commercial Software Tool Development

In parallel to the RapidSX hardware development work, IMC's technical team is focused on the development of a proprietary RapidSX software tool to instruct and control the hardware platform during operation. At the heart of this software tool will be the mathematical model previously disclosed by IMC, which will utilize the empirical REE extraction and separation data generated by IMC over the past several months, from a number of REE feedstocks. Once complete, the integrated software tool will work in concert with the hardware platform to provide near real-time adjustments to variations in feed and flow parameters, as appropriate. The same tool will also be responsible for determining the optimal metallurgical flowsheet for specific mixed REE concentrate feedstocks (input) and the specific REE oxides to be produced (output). This dictates the configuration and staging of the RapidSX hardware and controls the hardware platform. The software tool will allow IMC to analyze numerous flowsheet scenarios to achieve cost optimization, without the need for onerous and time-consuming "wet chemistry" development work.

For more information on IMC's RapidSX commercialization development, please refer to the following IMC video: 'Dr. Hatch discusses the commercialization-development program for the RapidSX™ separation technology'.

RapidSX Commercialization Timeline

As announced on January 29, 2021, and May 4, 2021, the commissioning of IMC's RapidSX Demo Plant is scheduled to commence in late Q3 / early Q4 2021, with a comprehensive, independent techno-economic study and the design of a commercial-scale REE separation facility, both planned for completion by Q1 2022. With the anticipated ability to demonstrate the effectiveness of the Demo Plant on currently available REE feedstocks, IMC expects the RapidSX technology to be ready for commercial adoption and implementation in less than 12 months (in Q2/Q3 2022), via revenue-producing licensing agreements with strategically selected IMC customers.

# # #

About Ucore Rare Metals Inc.

Ucore is focused on rare and critical metals resources, extraction, beneficiation and separation technologies with potential for production, growth, and scalability. Ucore has a 100% ownership stake in the Bokan-Dotson Ridge Rare Earth Element Project in Southeast Alaska. Ucore's vision and plan is to transition to become a leading advanced technology company that provides metal separation products and services to the mining and mineral extraction industry. Innovation Metals Corp. is a wholly owned subsidiary of Ucore.

Through strategic partnerships, this vision includes disrupting the People's Republic of China's dominance of the US REE supply chain through the development of a heavy rare earth processing facility – the Alaska Strategic Metals Complex ("Alaska SMC") in Southeast Alaska and the long-term development of Ucore's heavy rare earth element mineral resource property located at Bokan Mountain on Prince of Wales Island, Alaska.

Ucore is listed on the TSXV under the trading symbol "UCU" and in the United States on the OTC Markets' OTCQX® Best Market under the ticker symbol "UURAF".

For further information, please visit www.ucore.com.

About Innovation Metals Corp.

IMC has developed the proprietary RapidSX™ process, for the low-cost separation and purification of rare-earth elements, Ni, Co, Li and other technology metals, via an accelerated form of solvent extraction. IMC is commercializing this approach for a number of metals, to help enable mining and metal-recycling companies to compete in today's global marketplace.

For more information, please visit www.innovationmetals.com.

About the RapidSX™ Technology

IMC developed the RapidSX separation technology with the assistance of US$1.8 million in funding from the United States Department of Defense ("US DoD"), resulting in the production of commercial-grade, separated REOs at the pilot scale. RapidSX combines the time-proven chemistry of conventional SX with a new column-based platform, which significantly reduces time to completion and plant footprint, as well as potentially lowering capital and operating costs. SX is the international REE industry's standard commercial separation technology and is currently used by 100% of all REE producers worldwide for bulk commercial separation of both heavy and light REEs. Utilizing similar chemistry to conventional SX, RapidSX is not a "new" technology, but represents a significant improvement on the well-established, well-understood, proven conventional SX separation technology preferred by REE producers.

Forward-Looking Statements

The "About Ucore" section of this press release includes certain statements that may be considered "forward-looking statements" regarding, among other things, the development of the Alaska SMC, the use of Innovation Metals Corp.'s RapidSX technology, and the long-term development of Ucore's heavy rare earth element mineral resource property located at Bokan Mountain in Alaska, USA. All statements in this release (other than statements of historical facts) that address future business development, technological development and/or acquisition activities (including any related required financings), timelines, events, or developments that the Company expects, are forward-looking statements. Although the Company believes the expectations expressed in such forward-looking statements are based on reasonable assumptions, such statements are not guarantees of future performance or results and actual results or developments may differ materially from those in forward-looking statements. In regard to the disclosure in the "About Ucore" section above, the Company has assumed that it will be able to procure or retain additional partners and/or suppliers, in addition to Innovation Metals Corp., as suppliers for Ucore's expected future Alaska SMC. Ucore has also assumed that sufficient external funding will be found to prepare a new National Instrument 43-101 ("NI 43-101") technical report that demonstrates that the Bokan Mountain Rare Earth Elements project ("Bokan") is feasible and economically viable for the production of both REE and co-product mineral materials and metals and the then prevailing market prices based upon assumed customer off-take agreements. Ucore has also assumed that sufficient external funding will be secured to develop the specific engineering plans for the Alaska SMC and its construction. Factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those in forward-looking statements include, without limitation: Innovation Metals Corp. failing to protect its intellectual property rights in RapidSX; RapidSX failing to demonstrate commercial viability in large commercial-scale applications; Ucore not being able to procure additional key partners or suppliers for the Alaska SMC; Ucore not being able to raise sufficient funds to fund the specific design and construction of the Alaska SMC and/or the continued development of RapidSX; adverse capital-market conditions; unexpected due-diligence findings; the emergence of alternative superior metallurgy and metal-separation technologies; the inability of Ucore and/or Innovation Metals Corp. to retain its key staff members; a change in the legislation in Alaska and/or in the support expressed by the Alaska Industrial Development and Export Authority ("AIDEA") regarding the development of Bokan and/or the Alaska SMC; the availability and procurement of any required interim and/or long-term financing that may be required; and general economic, market or business conditions.

Neither the TSXV nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined by the TSXV) accept responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.

CONTACT

Mark MacDonald
Vice President, Investor Relations
Ucore Rare Metals Inc.
+1 902 482 5214
mark@ucore.com

To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/89131

Dixons Carphone has reinstated its dividend after posting a 34 per cent rise in annual profit, with the electronics retailer helped by a boom in online demand. For the year to May 1 Dixons reported an adjusted pre-tax profit of £156m on revenue of £10.3bn. Online sales more than doubled year on year to £4.7bn.

Media Reports Highlight Energy Storage Market

TORONTO and ONTARIO, June 30, 2021 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Sparton Resources Inc. (TSXV: SRI) ("Sparton" or the "Company") reported today on recent media articles related to large scale energy storage systems (“ESS”) and energy storage technology.

The Company currently owns, through its subsidiary VanSpar Mining Inc., a 9.8% equity interest in VRB Energy Inc. (“VRB”) a leading manufacturer of vanadium flow batteries for large scale energy storage related to clean renewable electricity generation. (See Sparton News Release dated March 16, 2021).

Possible Ban on Lithium Based Large Scale ESS in China

As reported on June 25, 2021, by the Chinese Media Group “Caixing” and UK based “Energy Storage Publishing”, “China is on the verge of banning the use of second-life lithium-ion batteries in large-scale energy storage systems (ESS) amid a spate of fires this year”.

In January, an explosion at a China recycling plant owned by lithium-ion battery giant Contemporary Amperex Technology (CATL) killed one person and injured 19 more.

In April, two firefighters died when they were putting out a fire in an energy storage power station in Fengtai District of Beijing, according to the China Daily news outlet.

The halt is expected to continue until a “breakthrough in battery consistency management technology and a sound power battery performance testing and evaluation system” is developed” according to Caixing,

The ceasing of lithium secondary battery use follows the National Energy Administration issuance of a draft report entitled ‘Regulations for the Management of New Energy Storage Projects’ on June 22, 2021.

Vanadium flow batteries produced by VRB which are an alternative ESS technology to lithium, are not explosive or a fire hazard, and are fully recyclable.

Please see the link below for his information.

https://www.bestmag.co.uk/content/china-verge-banning-large-scale-esss-using-second-life-lithium-ion-batteries#.YNmRazpx9Pk.twitter

Recent ESS Research Report

On June 21,2021, Fortune Business Insights™ Pvt. Ltd., an Asian based research group, released a comprehensive report (“Battery Energy Storage Market, 2020-2027 by Fortune Business Insight”) mentioning key players in the ESS space and projecting that these companies could generate up to US$19.7 billion of energy storage business by the year 2027. The report also mentions VRB as one of the leading players and comments on the slowdown in the industry due to the Covid 19 pandemic situation which is now easing. The report provides a detailed analysis of several factors such as the key drivers and restraints that will impact ESS growth. Additionally, the report provides insights into the regional analysis that covers different geographic regions, contributing to the growth of the market. It includes the competitive landscape that involves the leading companies and the adoption of strategies to introduce new products, announce partnerships and collaborations that will further contribute to the market growth.

The full report is available at the following link:

https://www.fortunebusinessinsights.com/enquiry/customization/battery-energy-storage-market-100489

Discussion

“These announcements are expected to be very beneficial to VRB’s energy storage business”, stated Lee Barker, Company CEO. “Clearly the safety concerns associated with large scale, lithium-based energy storage installations are now a major concern to the Chinese authorities and are being addressed by the halt in approval of new Li type installations, and the orders to implement new safety regulations for their use”. “The market for large scale ESS is expected to grow rapidly as countries and industrial enterprises begin to focus on the global use of renewable energy systems and VRB is expected to be a key player in the ESS business in China as well internationally going forward”.

There are a growing number of 100MW renewable energy and flow battery projects under development in many provinces in China. Many of these provinces are mandating minimums of 5-20% storage capacity to be integrated with new solar and wind power projects. Vanadium flow batteries have been recommended by the China Central Government as the technology of choice for large scale integrated battery installations.

VRB Energy is now the leading contender for multiple 100 MW-class projects scheduled under China’s infrastructure investment program, which is being accelerated as part of post-COVID economic stimulus. On the international front VRB is in discussions with a number of developers and utilities in the U.S., Australia, and South Africa for large 100 MW-class systems. The energy storage industry and VRB are clearly supporting the ongoing worldwide green energy revolution.

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

VRB is majority owned by High Power Exploration (“HPX”) which is a subsidiary of I-Pulse, a private innovative technology development company.
Sparton’s 89.8% owned subsidiary, VanSpar Mining Inc., registered in the British Virgin Islands, owns 9.8% of VRB 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 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 Harbour.

(Bloomberg) —

China’s biggest bank dumped a plan to finance a $3 billion coal-fired power plant in Zimbabwe, dealing a blow to coal developers in Africa that see the Asian country as the last potential funder of their projects.

Industrial and Commercial Bank of China Ltd. told Go Clean ICBC, an ad-hoc body representing 32 environmental groups, that it won’t fund the 2,800-megawatt Sengwa coal project in northern Zimbabwe, according to a June 18 email seen by Bloomberg that was sent to 350.org, one of the Go Clean groups. ICBC didn’t immediately respond to a request for comment.

Western and South African banks have come under increasing pressure from their shareholders not to fund developments that could contribute to climate change, leaving Chinese lenders as one of the last avenues to secure finance. That door may now be closing, should China plan to improve its own environment credentials.

“This is highly significant, obviously for Zimbabwe but also for Chinese overseas energy financing,” said Lauri Myllyvirta, lead analyst for the Centre for Research on Energy and Clean Air. “It is the first time, to my knowledge, that a Chinese bank has pro-actively walked away from a coal-power project.”

The Sengwa project was being developed by RioEnergy Ltd., a unit of RioZim Ltd. RioEnergy Chairman Caleb Dengu said last year that ICBC had signed a formal notice of interest in funding the plant, to be constructed by China Gezhouba Group, while associated transmission lines would be built by Power Construction Corp. of China Ltd.

ICBC’s withdrawal marks the second time the bank’s coal-funding plans have been scrapped. A permit to build a coal-fired plant in Lamu in Kenya was canceled by the government last year.

ICBC described Sengwa as a “bad plan due to environmental problems,” 350.Org said in the email.

The Chinese lender has been under scrutiny over the environmental impact of funding coal projects and is in discussion with the coalition to “chart a clear road map to stop funding coal,” Go Clean ICBC said in the email. Nathalia Clark, the associate director of Global Communications at 350.org, declined to give further details.

The coalition had planned to roll out a global campaign last week against the lender’s coal activity, which it suspended after ICBC said it would halt engagement if it did so.

Over the past two decades, China Development Bank and the Export-Import Bank of China have funded more than $50 billion of coal projects across Asia, Europe, Africa and South America, according to research from Boston University’s Global Development Policy Center. A plan proposed last year would make it tougher for the so-called Belt and Road Initiative to finance environmentally damaging projects like coal power plants and metal smelters.

While President Xi Jinping in September put the country on a path to zero out carbon emissions by 2060, he plans to let coal consumption increase through 2026 and the fuel is expected to remain an important part of the country’s energy mix for a decade beyond that.

RioEnergy is seeking alternative financiers, a person with direct knowledge of the matter said, asking not to be identified because ICBC’s withdrawal hasn’t been formally announced. Simba Mhuriro, the general manager at RioEnergy, said he wasn’t privy to the matter and couldn’t comment. Wilson Gwatiringa, a spokesman for RioZim also declined to comment. Winston Chitando, Zimbabwe’s mines minister, said he wasn’t aware of ICBC’s decision.

Sengwa was initially owned by London-based miner Rio Tinto Group, the one-time parent of RioZim. It was set aside as Zimbabwe’s relations with the U.K., its former colonial ruler, deteriorated. After the project was revived in 2016, General Electric Co. and a unit of Blackstone Group LP didn’t pursue initial inquiries.

The backing of ICBC was seen by RioEnergy as a fresh start in a plan to develop the plant and end recurrent power outages in Zimbabwe. Climate activists say the company will struggle to find another funder.

“Opportunities to fund coal power are rapidly diminishing, given the climate and other impacts of coal,” said Robyn Hugo, director of climate change engagement at Just Share, a Cape Town-based shareholder activist group. “There is simply no basis to consider new coal-fired projects and all plans to do so are likely to be strongly opposed.”

(Adds analyst comment in fourth paragraph, activist in last)

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(Bloomberg) —

China’s biggest bank has dumped plans to fund a $3 billion coal-fired power plant in Zimbabwe, in a blow to a two-decade effort to develop the project, according to a coalition of 32 environmental groups.

Industrial and Commercial Bank of China Ltd. told Go Clean ICBC, which includes environmental activist group 350.org, that it wouldn’t fund the 2,800-megawatt Sengwa coal project that RioEnergy Ltd., a unit of RioZim Ltd., is seeking to develop in Northern Zimbabwe.

Last year Caleb Dengu, RioEnergy’s chairman, said that ICBC had signed a formal notice of interest in funding the plant, that would be constructed by China Gezhouba Group, while associated transmission lines would be built by Power Construction Corp. of China Ltd. A withdrawal would be a second setback to the bank’s coal funding plans after a permit to build a coal-fired plant in Lamu in Kenya was canceled by the government last year.

“ICBC also confirmed that they will not fund the Lamu coal project in Kenya as well as the Sengwa coal project in Zimbabwe,” Go Clean ICBC said in a June 18 email to 350.org given to Bloomberg by 350.org.

The decision further narrows the funding options available to developers of coal projects in Africa as western and South African banks have come under increasing pressure from their shareholders not to fund developments that could contribute to climate change. While ICBC confirmed receipt of a query from Bloomberg, it didn’t immediately respond.

The Chinese lender is under scrutiny over the environmental impact of funding coal projects and is in discussion with the coalition to “chart a clear road map to stop funding coal,” Go Clean ICBC said in the email. Nathalia Clark, the associate director of Global Communications at 350.org, declined to give further detail.

The coalition had planned to roll-out a global campaign last week against the lender’s coal activity, which it suspended due to the ongoing dialog.

RioEnergy is seeking alternative financiers, a person with direct knowledge of the matter said, asking not to be identified because ICBC’s withdrawal hasn’t been formally announced. Simba Mhuriro, the general manager at RioEnergy said he wasn’t privy to the matter and couldn’t comment. Wilson Gwatiringa, a spokesman for RioZim declined to comment.

Sengwa was initially owned by London-based miner Rio Tinto Group, the one-time parent of RioZim Ltd. It was set aside as Zimbabwe’s relations with the U.K., its former colonizer, deteriorated. After the project was revived in 2016, General Electric Co. and a unit of Blackstone Group LP didn’t pursue initial inquiries.

The backing of ICBC was seen by RioEnergy as a fresh start in a plan to develop the plant and end recurrent power outages in Zimbabwe.

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

TORONTO, ON / ACCESSWIRE / June 30, 2021 / Pinetree Capital Ltd. (TSX:PNP) ('Pinetree') today announced the results of the election of directors at its annual and special meeting of shareholders held earlier today (the 'Meeting'). At the Meeting, all matters put forward before Pinetree's shareholders for consideration and approval, as set out in Pinetree's management information circular dated May 11, 2021, were approved by the requisite number of votes cast at the Meeting.

Each of the nominees listed in Pinetree's management information circular dated May 11, 2021 were elected as directors of Pinetree. The results of the shares voted at the Meeting in respect of the election of each director are set out below:

Shareholders also authorized the previously announced amendment to Pinetree's articles to give effect to the 100 to 1 share consolidation of Pinetree's common shares (the 'Share Consolidation') followed immediately by a 1 to 50 share split of Pinetree's common shares (the 'Share Split'). The Share Consolidation and Share Split was approved by approximately 98% of the votes cast by Pinetree shareholders at the Meeting and approximately 95% of the votes cast by minority shareholders of Pinetree at the Meeting.

The complete voting results of all matters voted on at the Meeting is available on SEDAR under Pinetree's issuer profile at www.sedar.com.

Share Consolidation and Share Split

The Share Consolidation and Share Split is expected to become effective on July 12, 2021 (the 'Effective Date') for common shares held as of close of business on July 9, 2021. The common shares are expected to begin trading on a post-Share Consolidation and Share Split basis on the Toronto Stock Exchange on or about July 14, 2021 under the same trading symbol.

As previously announced, those shareholders who hold less than 100 common shares as of close of business on July 9, 2021 will be entitled to receive cash proceeds per Pinetree common share held at that time based on the average trading price of Pinetree common shares for the 20 days prior to the Effective Date, rounded down to the nearest whole cent.

Letters of transmittal were mailed to registered shareholders on or about 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 of close of business on July 9, 2021, the number of common shares they are entitled to following the Share Consolidation and Share Split, rounded down to the nearest whole common share, and (b) in the case of holders of less than 100 common shares as of close of business on July 9, 2021, cash proceeds as described above.

Registered shareholders are requested to submit their share certificates, together with their applicable completed letter of transmittal, to TSX Trust. Copies of the letters of transmittal are also available 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 Share Consolidation and Share Split and its timing.

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/653807/Pinetree-Capital-Announces-Election-of-Directors-and-Details-of-Share-Consolidation-and-Split

(Bloomberg) — Rio Tinto Group declared force majeure on customer contracts at Richards Bay Minerals after escalating violence forced it to suspend activity at the minerals sands operation in South Africa.

Managing Director Werner Duvenhage said the company is prioritizing the safety of its 5,000 workers at RBM, which exports titanium dioxide slag, used to create ingredients for products including paint, plastics, sunscreen and toothpaste. The closing of Rio’s only South African business follows the death last month of RBM manager Nico Swart, who was shot on his way to work.

“It has become impossible for us to run the business,” Duvenhage said by phone. “We won’t go back until it’s safe for our people.”

The suspension of operations at RBM is a blow to the South African government’s efforts to attract new investment. Violence around RBM forced the operation to shut temporarily in 2019, with work subsequently halted on a $463 million expansion project.

In recent weeks, mining equipment and infrastructure have been destroyed and access roads blocked. South Africa mining operations frequently are dogged by community protests, which relate to issues ranging from poor municipal services to labor conditions. Duvenhage said there have been reports that the latest violence may be connected to youth unemployment.

The violence around mining communities, including the burning of equipment and the intimidation of mine workers, hurts South Africa’s reputation as an investment destination, said Minerals Council South Africa, an industry lobby group for bigger producers.

“The closure of mining operations due to security concerns negatively impacts on production, employment and investment, and will ultimately have severe adverse economic and social consequences,” the council said in a statement.

RBM’s furnaces are currently being run on low power as they can’t be shut down completely. The company is engaging with both regional and national governments to get a better understanding of the cause of the violence, Duvenhage said.

South Africa’s mines and energy ministry didn’t respond to a request for comment.

(Updates with industry group comments starting in sixth paragraph)

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Orezone Announces Voting Results from the Annual and Special Meeting and Provides Update on Timing for Approval of the Convertible Note Facility

VANCOUVER, British Columbia, June 30, 2021 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Orezone Gold Corporation (TSX.V: ORE, OTCQX: ORZCF) (the “Company”) announces that it will host an investor webinar on July 12, 2021, the results of its annual and special meeting of shareholders held on June 30, 2021 (the “Shareholder Meeting”) and provides an update on timing for approval of the Convertible Note Facility.

Investor Webinar

Monday, July 12^th at 10:00 am (PDT) / 1:00 pm (EDT)

Orezone will host an investor webinar on Monday, July 12^th at 10:00 am PDT / 1:00 pm EDT to provide an update on the development of Bomboré, Burkina Faso’s next gold mine.

To register for the webinar, please click here.

Shareholder Meeting

At the Shareholder Meeting, all director nominees, as listed in the Management Proxy Circular dated May 27, 2021, were re-elected as directors of the Company. As a result, the directors of the Company remain as follows:

• Patrick Downey, President and CEO

• Michael Halvorson, Chair

• Ronald Batt

• Joseph Conway

• Charles Oliver

• Stephen Axcell

• Kate Harcourt

• Marco LoCascio

At the Shareholder Meeting, shareholders of the Company also approved:

• The re-appointment of Deloitte LLP as auditor and authorized the Board to fix the auditor’s remuneration for the ensuing year.

• The Company’s 10% rolling stock option plan.

Convertible Note Facility

The Company is working to finalize documentation on the Senior Debt Facility, the Convertible Note Facility, the Silver Stream Agreement and the related intercreditor agreement.

The 8.5% Convertible Note Facility included in the Bomboré Project debt package will be convertible at the option of the lenders at any time at a conversion price of US$1.08, representing a 30% premium to the offering price of the bought deal equity offering that closed on January 28, 2021.

The Company expects to call a special shareholder meeting on or about August 31, 2021 to approve the issuance of the Convertible Note Facility to Resource Capital Fund VII L.P. (“RCF VII”).

RCF VII and Beedie Investments Ltd. have agreed to subscribe for US$25 million and US$10 million, respectively.

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

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 calling of a special shareholder meeting on or about August 31, 2021, 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.

BEDFORD, NS / ACCESSWIRE / June 30, 2021 / Silver Spruce Resources, Inc. ("Silver Spruce" or the "Company") (TSXV:SSE)(FSE:S6Q1) is pleased to announce the signing of a contract with Strategic Consultants IGIS, ("SCIGIS") based in Chihuahua, Mexico to conduct a comprehensive interpretation of regional ASTER (Advanced Spaceborne Thermal Emission and Reflectance Radiometer) and LANDSAT 8 OLI (Operational Land Imager) data over three exploration properties comprising El Mezquite, Jackie and Diamante.

The 180-ha El Mezquite and 1,057-ha Diamante Concessions are drill-ready precious metal (Au-Ag) projects located 10 km and 5 km, respectively, 165 km southeast of Hermosillo, Sonora, Mexico. Diamante 1 is situated adjacent to the El Mezquite project. Diamante 2, 700 metres south of Diamante 1, is located 1.6 kilometres northwest of the 1,130-ha Jackie project. The Jackie property is located less than two kilometres south of our El Mezquite and Diamante properties and adjacent to the west of Minera Alamos' Santana project (Figures 1 and 2).

Figure 1. El Mezquite, Diamante 1 and 2, and Jackie Concession Location Map. Nicho mine development by Minera Alamos locates 12 km S.E. of Diamante (Image taken from Google Earth).

"We continue to build on the Sonoran project geotechnical data using advanced processing techniques for re-interpretation of available ASTER and LANDSAT imagery. A review of the TLALI algorithm processing results from many projects illustrated its success in anomaly identification and clarity of response," said Mr. Davison, Silver Spruce VP Exploration and Director. "We are actively exploring the El Mezquite with our maiden drill program, and another team is continuing the Phase 2 geological mapping on Jackie, and look forward to compiling the hyperspectral data from rock samples and drill chips with the broad strokes of the ASTER/LANDSAT alteration fields for enhanced target definition."

Figure 2. Broad areas of argillic and oxide alteration, including supergene replacement, (sourced from SGM) mainly on the Diamante and El Mezquite properties.

This study will comprise a spectral reconnaissance of the Properties (Diamante 1, Diamante 2, El Mezquite, and Jackie) to understand the structural and lithological controls in a regional context and provide additional detail on the mineral by mineral distribution over each of the Properties. SCIGIS will research an area of 6,500 hectares. The ASTER imagery will be processed using the proprietary TLALI algorithm, which has shown significant success in optimizing and recognizing anomalies in a wide range of geological environments from several international projects.

A second run will be carried out using LANDSAT 8 OLI imagery and focus on clay minerals, ferrous iron, and iron oxide species. The reporting will include a complete set of shapefiles, index raster and RGB images, index reclassifications, and various digital elevation rasters with shading and lineament extraction in ArcGIS format. Completion of the study will require 1-2 weeks.

Project Geology – Spectral Response
Each Property exhibits alteration features that manifest with excellent hyperspectral signatures and responses for oxide and silicate minerals. Public data available through the GEOINFOMEX web portal of the Servicio Geológico Mexicano (SGM) identified areas with potential alteration though were defined by coarse pattern recognition of grouped minerals and overall styles.

Figure 2 illustrates examples of the alteration for the Diamante and El Mezquite projects. It may be noteworthy that the Jackie property showed no responses though the evidence from the current ground exploration successfully identified significant clay and oxide minerals proximal to the Au-Ag anomaly (see Press Release – June 10, 2021). A historical study of ASTER imagery was performed principally on the Diamante and El Mezquite properties and identified hyperspectral responses with one or more minerals. However, during interpretation, the data pixels were resolved using the principal mineral or group distribution.

Of note, the hyperspectral response may be limited by the vegetative cover, resolution of the older satellite data and less advanced algorithms for the mineral refinement.

El Mezquite – The El Mezquite Phase 1 2,000 metre reverse-circulation ("RC") program is using eight drill pad locations focused around a 400m x 600m area with elevated precious metal values to 3.41 g/t Au and 387 g/t Ag. The collar locations are defined by several northeast-trending veins, structural lineaments, and oxide/sulfide transitions interpreted from geological mapping, precious metal assays, multi-element geochemistry, epithermal alteration assemblages, and coincident 3D IP chargeability anomalies (see Press Release – June 3, 2021).

A white mica-dominant assemblage with lesser jarosite, kaolinite, and iron oxides with distal zones with chlorite and intermittent areas of aluminous minerals locally linked to potential structural lineaments, identified by Hyperspectral data

Jackie – The preliminary prospecting program (see Press Release – June 10, 2021) identified a distinctive andesite ridge with intense oxidation, silicification, argillic alteration, and a notable vegetation-free zone. Geochemical analyses identified a strong Au-Ag anomaly associated with elevated Hg, Pb, Zn, Cd, As, Sb, and Cu with spatial trends similar to the multi-element data recorded for the nearby El Mezquite property. The extensive oxide and silicate alteration, verified by preliminary aiSIRIS results of hyperspectral analysis, represented bleached and oxidized argillic zones with aluminous clay minerals and muscovite and commonly low metal values. Samples collected from the northern area of the ridge displayed intense replacement by zeolite, kaolinite, alunite, montmorillonite, opaline silica, and muscovite though they contained the bulk of the anomalous gold and silver values.

Diamante – The Diamante 1 and 2 concessions include more than ten known occurrences at La Prieta-El Aguaje, El Chon-El Pillado, La Olla, La Cruz and El Caso, Mezquite Raizudo, El Puerto, El Cumbro, Calton and the Southern Anomaly. The target location maps and sampling highlights were provided previously (see Press Releases – April 12 and April 26, 2021). Precious metal mineralization occurs as disseminated, stockwork and vein styles accompanied by silicification (with quartz veining), and phyllic, argillic, advanced argillic (quartz-alunite-pyrite) and propylitic (chlorite) zones, with near-surface overprinting by weathering, iron oxide, and oxyhydroxide (hematite, goethite, and limonite) staining, jarosite, and vuggy silica.

Project Background
The Properties are well situated in logistics for exploration, located adjacent to each other, and six to fifteen kilometers west and northwest of the Nicho deposit currently in mine development by Minera Alamos (Figure 1).

The El Mezquite, Jackie, and Diamante projects are currently subject to option agreements with Colibri, wherein SSE can earn 50% of the gold and silver projects by meeting specific criteria over periods of two to four years. El Mezquite and Jackie concessions currently have hyperspectral assays pending interpretation from Phase 1 mapping and prospecting, while the Company recently received our SEMARNAT approval and initiated El Mezquite's maiden drilling program in June.

Figure 3. Location Map of Sonoran Properties and Mines of the Sierra Madre Occidental

The Properties are easily accessible from Mexican Highway #16, which transects Diamante 1 and El Mezquite, ranch trails and dry river beds to Diamante 2, and dry river bed access from the pueblo of La Quema, west of Highway #117 to Jackie. High voltage power lines positioned along with Highway #16.

The Properties are located within the west-central portion of the Sierra Madre Occidental Volcanic Complex within the prominent northwest-trending "Sonora Gold Belt" of northern Mexico and parallel to the well-known, precious metals-rich Mojave-Sonora Megashear (Figure 3).

Several nearby large operating mines include Alamos Gold's Los Mulatos gold mine and Agnico Eagle's La India gold mine located 50 and 58 km to the northeast, respectively, Agnico's Pinos Altos Mine, 100 km southeast and Argonaut's La Colorada Mine, 100 km west. Exploration in the surrounding area is very active, with adjacent and nearby properties held by Evrim, Newmont, Garibaldi, Kootenay Silver, and Penoles.

Qualified Person
Greg Davison, PGeo, Silver Spruce VP Exploration and Director, is the Company's internal Qualified Person for the El Mezquite, Jackie and Diamante Projects and is responsible for approval of the technical content of this press release within the meaning of National Instrument 43-101 Standards of Disclosure for Mineral Projects ("N.I. 43-101"), under TSX guidelines.

About Strategic Consultants IGIS
Based in Chihuahua, Mexico, Strategic Consultants have been in mineral exploration for over 30 years, having GIS and Remote Sensing as powerful tools to search for mineral deposits. Strategic Consultants developed an innovative cloud-based algorithm capable of processing an ASTER image anywhere in the world, in a matter of minutes, yielding up to twenty-five spectral signatures representing the same amount of minerals, each in a separate ArcGIS shapefile. This procedure allows to establish types of alteration, a rock-mineral relationship or geological-mineral characteristic, and helps to select specific areas of interest and objectives. Major mining companies, such as Agnico-Eagle México and Redline Minerals Inc. have used the algorithm for exploration in brownfields and greenfields properties in México and the United States.

About Silver Spruce Resources Inc.
Silver Spruce Resources Inc. is a Canadian junior exploration company which has signed Definitive Agreements to acquire 100% of the Melchett Lake Zn-Au-Ag project in northern Ontario, and with Colibri Resource Corp. in Sonora, Mexico, to acquire 50% interest in Yaque Minerales S.A de C.V. holding the El Mezquite Au project, a drill-ready precious metal project, and up to 50% interest in each of Colibri's early stage Jackie Au and Diamante Au-Ag projects, with the three properties located from 5 kilometres to 15 kilometres northwest from Minera Alamos's Nicho deposit, respectively. The Company also is acquiring 100% interest in the drill-ready and fully permitted Pino de Plata Ag project, located 15 kilometers west of Coeur Mining's Palmarejo Mine, in western Chihuahua, Mexico. Silver Spruce Resources Inc. continues to investigate opportunities that Management has identified or that have been presented to the Company for consideration.

Contact:
Silver Spruce Resources Inc.
Greg Davison, PGeo, Vice-President Exploration and Director
(250) 521-0444
gdavison@silverspruceresources.com

Michael Kinley, CEO
(902) 826-1579
mkinley@silverspruceresources.com
info@silverspruceresources.com
www.silverspruceresources.com

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.

Notice Regarding Forward-Looking Statements
This news release contains "forward-looking statements," Statements in this press release which are not purely historical are forward-looking statements and include any statements regarding beliefs, plans, expectations or intentions regarding the future, including but not limited to, statements regarding the private placement.

Actual results could differ from those projected in any forward-looking statements due to numerous factors. Such factors include, among others, the inherent uncertainties associated with mineral exploration and difficulties associated with obtaining financing on acceptable terms. We are not in control of metals prices and these could vary to make development uneconomic. These forward-looking statements are made as of the date of this news release, and we assume no obligation to update the forward-looking statements, or to update the reasons why actual results could differ from those projected in the forward-looking statements. Although we believe that the beliefs, plans, expectations and intentions contained in this press release are reasonable, there can be no assurance that such beliefs, plans, expectations or intentions will prove to be accurate.

SOURCE: Silver Spruce Resources, Inc.

View source version on accesswire.com:
https://www.accesswire.com/653792/Silver-Spruce-Contracts-ASTER-and-LANDSAT-Spectral-Analysis-on-El-Mezquite-Jackie-and-Diamante-Au-Ag-Concessions-Sonora-Mexico

Iron ore prices are currently trending around $220.50 per ton — more than double the last year’s levels. In fact, in June last year, iron ore prices had breached $100 per ton mark for the first time since August 2019 driven by China’s massive infrastructure stimulus amid supply concerns from coronavirus-impacted Brazil. The situation this year has not changed much, with demand-supply imbalance favoring the prices of the steel making ingredient this year as well, leading to a year-to-date gain of 39%.

As of now, prices are being supported by a decline in portside stockpiles in China.. Imported iron ore stocked at Chinese ports declined for four consecutive weeks to 123.95 Mt (million tons) as of Jun 25, 2021 — the lowest level in eight months. On top of this, weekly Australian iron ore shipments have been disappointing through June. Iron ore prices are gaining further thanks to increasing concerns over Brazil’s supply. Brazilian miner, Vale S.A VALE recently announced that it has halted production at its Timbopeba mine and part of its Alegria mine following a warning from an authority about tailings dam risks. The closures will reduce its iron ore output by around 40,000 tons a day.

Meanwhile iron ore demand from China is gaining 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. Per the World Steel Association, global crude steel production was up 16.5% year over year to 174.4 Mt in May. This was primarily driven by record high production from China on the back of firm domestic demand and healthy margins at mills. Steel production in China, which accounts for more than half of the global steel output, went up 6.6% year over year to 99.5 Mt in May.

Among the other major Asian producers, India witnessed a 46.9% surge in production to 9.2 Mt in May as steel demand is picking up in the country following the resumption of industrial activities with the lifting of lockdowns and restrictions. In North America, crude steel production climbed 47.7% to 10.1 Mt in May with the resumption of operations across major steel-consuming sectors, leading to a recovery in capacity utilization and domestic steel production.

The World Steel Association projects steel demand to grow 5.8% in 2021 and reach 1,874.0 million. China's steel demand is expected to improve 3.0% 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 raising the requirement of more iron ore.

Industry Outperforms S&P 500 & Broader Sector

Image Source: Zacks Investment Research

In tandem with iron ore prices, the Zacks Mining – Iron industry has gained 119.9% in a year’s time, outperforming the S&P 500 and the Basic Materials sector’s rally of 40.4% and 46.7%, respectively.

The industry currently carries a Zacks Industry Rank #4, which places it in the top 2% of more than 250 Zacks industries. The group’s Zacks Industry Rank, which is basically the average of the Zacks Rank of all the member stocks, indicates bullish near-term prospects. Our research shows that the top 50% of the Zacks-ranked industries outperforms the bottom 50% by a factor of more than 2 to 1.

3 Iron Ore Stocks to Scoop Up

We have handpicked three iron mining stocks that are well-poised to ride on the rally in iron ore prices. These stocks have a Zacks Rank #1 (Strong Buy) or 2 (Buy) and have outperformed the S&P 500’s growth in the past year. These also have solid earnings growth projections.

Image Source: Zacks Investment Research

BHP Group BHP: Headquartered in Melbourne, Australia, BHP engages in exploration, development, and production of oil and gas properties; and mining of copper, silver, zinc, molybdenum, uranium, gold, iron ore, and metallurgical and energy coal. The company produced 248 Mt of iron ore in fiscal 2020. BHP anticipates producing between 245 Mt and 255 Mt of iron ore in fiscal 2021. Efforts to make operations more efficient through smart technology adoption across the entire value chain will aid in reducing costs, thereby bolstering the company’s margins. Its focus on lowering debt is also commendable. The company has four major projects under development in petroleum, iron ore and potash, which will drive growth in the long run.

The company has a long-term estimated earnings growth rate of 4%. The Zacks Consensus Estimate for fiscal 2021 earnings indicates year-over-year improvement of 86.5%. The consensus estimate has moved up 3.8% over the past 30 days. The stock has appreciated 49.5% in the past year. It flaunts a Zacks Rank #1. You can see the complete list of today’s Zacks #1 Rank stocks here.

Rio Tinto plc RIO: Headquartered in London, the U.K., Rio Tinto engages in mining of aluminum, silver, molybdenum, copper, diamonds, gold, borates, titanium dioxide, salt, iron ore, and uranium. The company produced 333.4 Mt of iron ore in 2020. Rio Tinto expects to produce 325 Mt to 340 Mt of iron ore in fiscal 2021. The company boasts a world-class portfolio of high-quality assets and continues to strengthen it by increasing investment in high-value projects to ensure long-term growth. It also remains committed to making its operations as efficient as possible through the use of technology and innovation, including automation. A strong balance sheet and a disciplined capital allocation support its ability to sustain production, increase investment in development projects (in high-return iron ore and copper), while delivering superior returns to shareholders.

The Zacks Consensus Estimate for fiscal 2021 earnings indicates year-over-year improvement of around 104%. The consensus estimate has been revised upward by 16% over the past 60 days. The Zacks Ranked #1 stock has gained 53% in a year.

Vale: Rio de Janeiro, Brazil-based Vale produces and sells iron ore and iron ore pellets for use as raw materials in steelmaking in Brazil and internationally. The company produced 300 Mt of iron ore in 2020. Backed by the start-up of new iron ore assets, the company expects to achieve 350 Mt capacity by 2021-end and 400 Mt per year by the end of 2022. It remains committed to introducing more high-quality ore in the market. Vale’s efforts to improve productivity and cut costs will aid margins. Further, investment in growth projects and efforts to lower debt will benefit it.

The company has a long-term estimated earnings growth rate of 32.4%. The Zacks Consensus Estimate for fiscal 2021 earnings suggests year-over-year growth of around 154%. The consensus estimate has moved north by 27% over the past 60 days. The company delivered a trailing four-quarter earnings surprise of 4.1%, on average. In a year’s time, the stock has gained 122%. It currently sports a Zacks Rank #1.

+1,500% Growth: One of 2021’s Most Exciting Investment Opportunities

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LONDON, June 29, 2021–(BUSINESS WIRE)–Rio Tinto has declared force majeure on customer contracts at Richards Bay Minerals (RBM) in South Africa due to an escalation in the security situation at the operations. This has led to the decision to cease operations until the safety and security position improves.

Rio Tinto chief executive Minerals, Sinead Kaufman, said: "The safety of our people is our top priority.

We continue to offer our full support to the investigating authorities and I would like to acknowledge the ongoing support of the regional and national governments and South African Police Service as we work together to ensure that we can safely resume operations."

All mining and smelting operations at RBM have been halted until further notice. The Zulti South project has remained on full suspension since the security and community issues in 2019.

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

riotinto.com

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20210629006102/en/

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

Category: RBM

VANCOUVER, British Columbia, June 28, 2021 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Melior Resources Inc. (TSXV: “MLR”) (“Melior” or the “Company”) refers to its press release of April 28, 2021 regarding the Default Notice received from Pala Investments Ltd (“Pala”) and the subsequent Standstill Agreement entered into with Pala.

The Company announces that it has today entered into a further standstill amending agreement with Pala pursuant to which Pala has agreed to extend the standstill period until September 30, 2021.

Furthermore, Melior has also today entered into a further amended demand promissory note (the “Amended Promissory Note”) with Pala extending the maturity of the loan from June 30, 2021 to September 30, 2021. All other terms of the Amended Promissory Note remain unchanged.

MELIOR RESOURCES INC.
Martyn Buttenshaw
Interim Chief Executive Officer
+41 41 560 9070
info@meliorresources.com

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 proven Zacks Rank system focuses on earnings estimates and estimate revisions to find winning stocks. Nevertheless, we know that our readers all have their own perspectives, so we are always looking at the latest trends in value, growth, and momentum to find strong picks.

Of these, value investing is easily one of the most popular ways to find great stocks in any market environment. Value investors use tried-and-true metrics and fundamental analysis to find companies that they believe are undervalued at their current share price levels.

Zacks has developed the innovative Style Scores system to highlight stocks with specific traits. For example, value investors will be interested in stocks with great grades in the "Value" category. When paired with a high Zacks Rank, "A" grades in the Value category are among the strongest value stocks on the market today.

One company to watch right now is ANGLO AMER ADR (NGLOY). NGLOY is currently sporting a Zacks Rank of #2 (Buy), as well as a Value grade of A. The stock holds a P/E ratio of 6.24, while its industry has an average P/E of 7.48. Over the past year, NGLOY's Forward P/E has been as high as 12.90 and as low as 5.75, with a median of 8.42.

We should also highlight that NGLOY has a P/B ratio of 1.70. 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. This stock's P/B looks solid versus its industry's average P/B of 3.22. Over the past 12 months, NGLOY's P/B has been as high as 2.04 and as low as 1.03, with a median of 1.49.

These figures are just a handful of the metrics value investors tend to look at, but they help show that ANGLO AMER ADR is likely being undervalued right now. Considering this, as well as the strength of its earnings outlook, NGLOY feels like a great value stock at the moment.

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