Minerals Rally, Seabed Rare-Earth Test, and Project Advances

Pierre Lassonde, co‑founder of Franco‑Nevada, received the Northern Miner Lifetime Achievement Award and remains bullish on gold, arguing current prices are not excessive.

Precious metals hit fresh records amid safe‑haven flows and expectations of further US rate cuts, with gold topping $4,400/oz and silver also at all‑time highs.

Copper tightened further: analysts warn structural deficits may emerge in 2026 as accelerating demand outpaces supply. Thirteen Chilean projects worth $14.8 billion are expected to reach milestones in 2026, while developers worldwide advance drilling and studies - First Quantum agreed to sell Spain’s past‑producer Cobre Las Cruces for up to $190 million to free capital; Element 29, Midnight Sun, Ero Copper, Lake Victoria, XXIX Metal and Scottie Resources are ramping drilling and development programs, and Impact Minerals is accelerating deep copper work with BHP’s Xplor grant.

In a notable technology and supply‑diversification step, Japan will run a month‑long trial to continuously extract rare‑earth‑rich mud from about 6,000 m depth near Minamitorishima - a first‑of‑its‑kind deep‑seabed lift test that could inform future critical‑minerals sourcing.

Market and policy moves, including permit reforms in Ontario, are converging to push exploration, project financing and production timelines faster.