Building social license

Much of Debruyne’s role over the past five years has centered on improving engagement with Indigenous communities, many of which have deep historical grievances tied to land, water and the impact of large-scale resource extraction.

“It’s really about being the best neighbor possible,” he said.

But getting there has required fundamental shifts in mindset and method. One of the clearest examples is what Debruyne called the principle of horizontality — a change born from early missteps.

A decade ago, when communities questioned the mine’s hydrological impacts, SQM responded the way many industrial operators would: it sent engineers to explain the technical data.

“You would think that’s a great thing to do,” Debruyne said. “But we learned that’s not the right way, because community members aren’t hydrologists. There’s a vertical difference.”

Instead, SQM now helps communities secure independent experts of their choosing, ensuring conversations happen “on a horizontal level.” This shift has been crucial to rebuilding trust.

Just as important, Debruyne said, is abandoning the western notion of time.

“Communities have a different concept of time. It’s about giving them the time they need — taking information back, returning, iterating. You may think you’re doing things the right way, but there’s always room for improvement.”

Why social investment reduces risk

For Oxfam policy advisor Andrew Bogrand, these types of changes are not just ethical — they’re also practical.

The expert, who also spoke on the panel, noted that since 2010, more than 800 protests or violent incidents have occurred around mine sites globally, including 300 since 2021 alone.

Each one carries real costs: slowdowns, legal expenses, rising insurance premiums — and, as Bogrand pointed out, the hidden cost of executive time diverted to crisis management.

“There is a win-win solution,” he told the Benchmark Week audience. “It’s engaging communities, making sure everyone’s on the same page. Sometimes the solutions are very simple.”

As an example, he pointed to mining projects where warning messages were sent in English to communities that do not speak the language, or where key safety information was delivered over SMS when what residents needed was a physical noticeboard in their own dialect.

Bogrand described companies that “step over a dollar to pick up a penny” — refusing modest community requests, only to face shutdowns costing tens of millions of dollars.

Transparency: A tool, not a threat

Debruyne described transparency as one of SQM’s most effective tools, even if it initially felt counterintuitive.

A few years ago, the company made all hydrological data from its government reporting publicly accessible online.

“I was bracing myself,” he said, expecting to receive dozens of questions about brine levels. But counter to his fears, transparency defused tension rather than fueling it. “I received complete silence,’ Debruyne noted.

It also created a foundation for future collaboration, including joint environmental monitoring programs with communities that had refused to speak with SQM for years.

Moving slow to move fast

The tension between rapid industry growth and slow, iterative sustainability processes often surfaces in investor discussions. For Bogrand, the answer is simple: “You have to move slow to move fast.”

Rushing early stage engagement almost always backfires, he argued, while early investment in community relationships pays dividends across the life of a mine.

Debruyne echoed this idea, noting that patience, consistency and presence — not promises — win trust. In one case, SQM organized a visit for Atacama Indigenous women leaders to electric vehicle and battery plants in Germany and Poland, allowing them to see firsthand where lithium fits in a finished product.

One participant, surprised that the metal formed only a thin coating on a cathode, admitted she had imagined an “Avatar-like” scenario where mines destroyed massive volumes of land for each battery.

“Because they don’t have visibility on the value chain, they make interpretations, which is human,” Debruyne told listeners. “Dialogue is so important.”

Both Debruyne and Bogrand agree that the lithium supply chain cannot scale without social acceptance, credible transparency and deep engagement with affected communities.

As Debruyne noted, “Ultimately, it’s about people.”

Key trends in humanoid robotics

According to Samimi, recent trends in robotics include enhanced automation in the industrial and logistics sectors.

“We’re seeing a lot of new trends on foundation models and control stacks within the robotic sector, as well as new sorts of electronic assemblies to put all of these components together,” he explained, pointing to companies like Amazon (NASDAQ:AMZN), BMW (ETR:BMW,OTC Pink:BMWKY) and Mercedes-Benz Group (ETR:MBG,OTC Pink:MBGAF) as current adopters of humanoid robots in factories and warehouses.

Additionally, Samimi highlighted that recent battery advances have improved energy density, enabling longer robot operation for industrial and logistics tasks. Meanwhile, lighter, more efficient actuators enhance precision and energy use, supporting dynamic interaction and human collaboration.

Finally, advances in robotics control systems are powered by cutting-edge AI algorithms. Platforms like RideScan, a Humanoid Global portfolio company, harness continuous, independent AI-driven monitoring, risk scoring and anomaly detection to optimize robot performance. The company recently filed a patent in the UK for its core AI technology

Samimi added that safety and reliability remain critical focal points amid these technological advances.

Advances in algorithms, machine learning and operational intelligence systems are enabling comprehensive, scalable safety and maintenance solutions for robots deployed across different facilities, supported by digital twin technologies and a closed-loop data cycle for continuous improvement.

Addressing labor shortages via robotics

Labor shortages and constrained supply chains are accelerating innovation by prompting industrial sectors to adopt robotics to augment limited labor resources.

The 2025 MHI Annual Industry Report, a document that covers emerging disruptive technologies, confirms robotics is thriving amid labor shortages and rising complexity in logistics and manufacturing.

During the US-Saudi Investment Forum, Tesla (NASDAQ:TSLA) CEO Elon Musk made a bold prediction about the long-term effects of robotics and AI: work will become optional, and money will be obsolete.

“I don’t know what long term is — maybe it’s 10, 20 years or something like that,” Musk said, adding that there is still a lot of work to be done before society gets to that point.

In the meantime, the workforce will likely see more human-robot collaboration. Samimi said he has observed that humanoid robots and collaborative robots (cobots) are increasingly taking over repetitive manual tasks.

“Human labor now shifts to more, higher-value tasks, rather than moving a warehouse box or a palette from A to B. So we’re seeing somewhat of a shift (that’s) helping make labor more scalable and more productive, and really less dependent on that shrinking labor pool,” he said.

Resource-heavy and industrial sectors present strong opportunities for robotics, especially amid a limited labor pool. Areas like agriculture, mining, pharmaceuticals and lumber stand to benefit from automation and upskilling via robotics.

Robotics investment thesis and portfolio evaluation

Humanoid Global views its role not only as an investor, but also as an ecosystem builder, actively fostering collaboration and knowledge sharing across its portfolio companies.

By strategically connecting early stage innovators with mature industry players, Humanoid Global seeks to accelerate the global deployment and scale of humanoid robotics technologies.

The firm emphasizes balancing risk across a portfolio that includes both disruptive technology developers and companies closer to full commercial deployment, allowing for diversified exposure while driving integrated growth.

Companies are evaluated with a strong prioritization for teams with proven execution capabilities and sustainable technological moats, such as proprietary IP or unique data networks. Scalability and clear go-to-market strategies are equally important, as is a strong safety architecture embedded in the technology.

This approach highlights the importance of strategic relationships, market education and risk-managed growth in realizing the transformative potential of humanoid robotics.

Bitcoin and Ether price update

Bitcoin (BTC) was priced at US$91,192.19, down by 0.2 percent over 24 hours.

Bitcoin price performance, November 28, 2025.

Chart via TradingView.

However, the expert added that whale selling is keeping upside momentum fragile, preventing Bitcoin’s recovery from becoming a sustained trend. Hasn also noted that while derivatives market indicators show some stabilization, the rebound lacks the aggressive leverage buildup that typically supports strong rallies.

Friday’s derivatives data reinforces this view. Open interest fell 0.13 percent over four hours as traders trimmed positions. Liquidations hit US$23.74 million, mostly in longs, clearing excess bets without sparking fresh buying.

The slightly negative funding rate of -0.001 percent shows shorts paying longs with no bullish premium, while Bitcoin’s relative strength index of 58 signals neutral momentum, not the overextension needed for a strong rally.

As Hasn explained:

“Bitcoin’s resilience this week is therefore being shaped by a supportive macro environment rather than internal strength. The mixed whale distribution pattern and the lack of sustained accumulation still underline that the market remains vulnerable. The next phase will likely depend on whether improving sentiment in equities can translate into more durable inflows across the crypto market.”

Meanwhile, Ether (ETH) was at US$3,057.17, up by 0.7 percent over 24 hours. Ether derivatives showed balanced consolidation: US$8.83 million in mixed long/short liquidations cleared positions evenly, while a 0.06 percent rise in open interest signals modest new bets. However, neutral funding at 0.001 percent lacks a bullish premium.

Altcoin price update

• XRP (XRP) was priced at US$2.19, down by 1.8 percent over 24 hours.

• Solana (SOL) was trading at US$137.88, down by 3.3 percent over 24 hours.

Fear and Greed Index snapshot

CMC’s Crypto Fear & Greed Index continued to climb steadily after plunging into ‘extreme fear’ territory in the last two weeks. It has currently settled at 20 and is inching closer to ‘fear.’

Bitcoin’s rebound from the mid-US$80,000 zone has triggered a swift shift in market sentiment. After the price briefly cooled near US$80,000, many expected a sluggish recovery phase. Instead, optimism snapped back, with the sentiment index rising 10 points over the week and marking one of its sharpest moves in recent months.

The increase corresponds with heavier buying activity and reduced caution among traders who had previously stayed on the sidelines during the cryptocurrency’s pullback.

CMC Crypto Fear and Greed Index, Bitcoin price and Bitcoin volume.

Chart via CoinMarketCap.

Today’s crypto news to know

Major CME Group outage halts futures trading

CME Group (NASDAQ:CME) experienced a major outage on Friday due to a chiller plant malfunction at the CyrusOne CHI1 facility, halting trading in futures and options across equities, currencies, commodities, treasuries and FOREX.

The disruption started late on Thursday (November 27) and affected the Globex platform, which handles 90 percent of CME Group’s volume. The outage halted trading in Bitcoin and Ether futures for about nine to 11 hours, disrupting access to quotes and positions, but leaving spot crypto markets largely unaffected.

Visa expands stablecoin settlement push with Aquanow partnership

Visa (NYSE:V) has deepened its stablecoin strategy by teaming up with Aquanow to support faster settlement across Central and Eastern Europe, the Middle East and Africa.

The deal plugs Aquanow’s infrastructure directly into Visa’s payment rails, allowing banks and payment firms in the region to settle transactions in approved stablecoins such as USDC.

Visa says the upgrade is aimed at institutions seeking cheaper and quicker cross-border settlement options as demand for digital asset rails grows. The company also aims to modernize the “back-end plumbing” of payments by reducing reliance on traditional networks with multiple intermediaries. Aquanow, which processes billions in crypto transactions each month, will provide liquidity and technical support for the integrations.

The collaboration follows Visa’s recent stablecoin payout pilot, Visa Direct, which lets businesses fund transactions in fiat while recipients opt to receive stablecoins directly in their wallets.

UK backs “no gain, no loss” tax model for DeFi activity

The UK government has endorsed a major shift in how DeFi transactions are taxed, moving to eliminate capital gains charges when users deposit tokens into lending protocols or liquidity pools.

Under the current rules, deposits can be treated as disposals, often generating tax liabilities even when investors haven’t realized any economic gain. HM Revenue & Customs’ updated guidance supports a “no gain, no loss” approach that would tax users only when they withdraw assets and eventually sell them.

The proposal comes after two years of industry feedback from firms, many of which argued that the existing system distorts reality and burdens ordinary users with excessive record keeping. The new model would apply to both simple lending and automated market makers, ensuring that only genuine gains or losses are captured for tax purposes.

Australia introduces digital assets bill

Australia has tabled a new digital assets bill aimed at ending years of regulatory uncertainty and preventing a repeat of past offshore failures such as FTX and Celsius.

The proposed Corporations Amendment (Digital Assets Framework) Bill 2025 would require platforms holding customer crypto to meet the same licensing and conduct standards applied across the financial sector.

Officials said the legislation is designed to bring crypto businesses fully into the regulated economy, ensuring transparency, custody safeguards and clear accountability.

The bill includes exemptions for smaller operators that process under US$10 million annually and hold less than US$5,000 per customer, mirroring existing thresholds for low-risk financial products. The government argues that modernizing the rules could unlock as much as US$24 billion a year in productivity and efficiency gains.

All CME Group markets are open and trading.

— CME Group (@CMEGroup) November 28, 2025

According to Reuters, the outage is one of the longest in years for CME Group.

Some traders are taking the disruption as a reminder of the market’s strong reliance on systems that don’t always run perfectly. However, others have pointed out that thinner activity in the US due to Thursday’s (November 27) Thanksgiving holiday likely helped minimize the impact of the stoppage.

‘If there was to be a glitch day, today’s probably a good day to have it,’ Joe Saluzzi, co-manager of trading at Themis Trading in Chatham, New Jersey, told the news outlet.

Silver price chart, November 27 to 28, 2025.

While silver is known for lagging behind gold before outperforming, it’s now ahead of its sister metal in terms of percentage gains — silver is up about 84 percent year-to-date, while gold has risen around 58 percent.

Gold was also on the move on Friday, breaking back above US$4,200 per ounce for the first time since mid-November, but it remains below its all-time high of nearly US$4,400, set in October.

Silver’s breakout this year has been driven by various factors.

As a precious metal, it’s influenced by many of the same factors as gold, but its October price jump, which took it past the US$50 level, was also driven by a lack of liquidity in the London market.

While that issue appears to have resolved, a new situation has recently emerged — Bloomberg reported on Tuesday (November 25) that Chinese silver stockpiles are now at their lowest level in a decade after huge shipments to London.

Tariff concerns and silver’s new status as a critical mineral in the US have also provided support in 2025.

The white metal’s industrial side also shouldn’t be forgotten — according to the Silver Institute, industrial demand for silver reached a record 680.5 million ounces in 2024, driven by usage in grid infrastructure, vehicle electrification and photovoltaics. Total silver demand was down 3 percent year-on-year in 2024, but still exceeded supply for the fourth year in a row, resulting in a deficit of 148.9 million ounces for the year.

Watch five experts share their thoughts on the outlook for silver.

Time will tell what’s next for silver, but some experts see it continuing to outperform gold in 2026.

‘The sure money is made in the gold sector, but the big money is made in the silver sector — that’s proven true over the last couple of precious metals cycles. I believe it will be true in this one as well,’ said Jay Martin of VRIC Media.

Markets and commodities react

Canadian equity markets surged this week.

The S&P/TSX Composite Index (INDEXTSI:OSPTX) gained 4.84 percent over the week to close Friday (November 21) at 31,382.78.

Meanwhile, the S&P/TSX Venture Composite Index (INDEXTSI:JX) soared 10.57 percent to 937.34. The CSE Composite Index (CSE:CSECOMP) also improved this week, rising 2.22 percent to close at 149.37.

The gold price rose 3.5 percent to US$4,218.77 by 4:00 p.m. EST Friday. The silver price fared even better, surging 11.39 percent to a new record high of US$56.37.

Meanwhile, in base metals, the COMEX copper price ended the week up 3.74 percent at US$5.27 per pound.

The S&P Goldman Sachs Commodities Index (INDEXSP:SPGSCI) gained 0.71 percent to end Friday at 555.16.

Top Canadian mining stocks this week

How did mining stocks perform against this backdrop?

Take a look at this week’s five best-performing Canadian mining stocks below.

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

1. Mountain Province Diamonds (TSX:MPVD)

Weekly gain: 114.29 percent
Market cap: C$19.11 million
Share price: C$0.075

Mountain Province Diamonds is a mining company with a 49 percent ownership stake in the Gahcho Kué diamond mine in the Northwest Territories, Canada.

The mine, a joint venture with Anglo American (LSE:AAL,OTC Pink:NGLOY) subsidiary De Beers, which owns the other 51 percent, consists of five mining leases covering a total area of 5,216 hectares.

According to a September 2024 technical report, the mine hosts a total indicated resource of 36.4 million carats with an average grade of 1.7 carats per metric ton (c/t) from 21.4 million metric tons of ore, with an additional inferred resource of 23.7 million carats with a grade of 1.79 c/t from 13.3 million metric ton.

In the company’s Q3 report released on November 11, Mountain Province stated that it sold 409,081 carats and raised total proceeds of C$29.2 million at an average price of C$71 per carat.

The company noted that production at the mine was 12 percent lower than the same period last year due to lower than expected stockpile grades; however, grades are expected to improve in Q4 as mining operations began in the higher-grade 5034-NEX orebody.

The most recent news from the company came on November 18, when it amended the terms of its working capital facility with Dunebridge Worldwide. Under the new terms, the company will be able to access additional funds, and it extends the period it can make advances to March 31, 2026.

2. SPC Nickel (TSXV:SPC)

Weekly gain: 100 percent
Market cap: C$23.92 million
Share price: C$0.07

SPC Nickel is an exploration company advancing a pair of projects in Nunavut and Ontario, Canada.

Its Muskox property is a copper, nickel and platinum group metals (PGM) exploration project in Nunavut, consisting of 26 mining claims and two prospector permits covering a total land area of 49,600 hectares. Mineralization at the site was first identified in the 1950s.

The company is also working on its advanced-stage Lockerby East project near Sudbury, Ontario.

A March 2024 resource estimate demonstrates an indicated in-pit resource of 179.1 million pounds of nickel from 19.23 million metric tons with an average grade of 0.42 percent nickel and an out-of-pit resource of 45.7 million pounds of nickel from 3.24 million metric tons grading 0.64 percent from the West Graham target. At the LKE deposit, the estimate shows an additional 17.2 million pounds of nickel from 665,000 metric tons grading 1.17 percent at the LKE deposit.

On Monday (November 24), SPC released assay results from its 2025 exploration program at Muskox. The company stated that the site demonstrated high-grade copper, nickel and PGM mineralization across multiple targets at the 125 kilometer Muskox intrusion.

The company collected 77 grab samples, with 39 returning grades greater than 2 percent nickel and copper, including 19 with grades greater than 5 percent nickel and copper. Additionally, 21 returned PGM grades higher than 5 grams per metric ton.

3. AJN Resources (CSE:AJN)

Weekly gain: 80.95 percent
Market cap: C$12 million
Share price: C$0.19

AJN Resources is an exploration company advancing work at the Otoke gold project in Southern Ethiopia. It also holds option agreements for several lithium projects in the Democratic Republic of Congo and Nevada, US.

The company is currently carrying out due diligence work at the 42.8 square kilometer Otoke gold property as part of a May 2025 conditional heads of agreement that could see AJN earn a 70 percent interest from Godu General Trading.

AJN has 90 days from the start of the due diligence period to drill 1,500 meters. After completing its due diligence, AJN is required to commit to several terms, including an initial US$2 million exploration program and the delivery of a mineral reserve estimate to earn the first 60 percent.

AJN can then acquire an additional 10 percent by meeting certain conditions including payments totalling US$10 million and the completion of a definitive feasibility study.

The most recent update from fieldwork at Otoke came on October 14, when AJN announced that mapping and sampling identified several mineralized zones. Additionally, artisanal workings within the project area have bolstered confidence in the property’s shallow, high-grade potential.

The company said that it collected more than 600 samples, which it submitted to a lab in Ireland, and that it was preparing to mobilize a drill rig within the next two to three weeks.

On November 19, the company announced that it had closed a non-brokered private placement for C$3 million, which will be used for due diligence activities.

4. Bear Creek Mining (TSXV:BCM)

Weekly gain: 65.38 percent
Market cap: C$93.5 million
Share price: C$0.43

Bear Creek Mining is a production company that operates the Mercedes gold and silver mine in Sonora, Mexico.

The mine sites comprise 43 mineral concessions covering 69,284 hectares in a region along the US–Mexico border.

The property hosts potential for both brownfield and greenfield exploration, and according to a September 2024 technical report, it hosts proven and probable reserves of 428,000 metric tons of ore containing 54,000 ounces of gold and 312,000 ounces of silver with grades of 3.95 g/t gold and 22.71 g/t silver.

On November 11, Bear Creek released its Q3 financial and operational results, which highlighted production of 6,219 ounces of gold and 18,866 ounces of silver during the quarter.

The company’s share price gains come alongside large increases in gold and silver prices during the week.

5. Karnalyte Resources (TSX:KRN)

Weekly gain: 65.38 percent
Market cap: C$93.5 million
Share price: C$0.43

Karnalyte Resources is an exploration and development company advancing its Wynyard potash project in Central Saskatchewan, Canada.

The property consists of three primary mineral leases covering 367 square kilometers east of Saskatoon.

Shares in Karnalyte climbed this week after the company released an updated feasibility study for the project on Wednesday (November 26). The study demonstrated economic viability, according to Karnalyte, with an after-tax net present value of C$2.04 billion, an internal rate of return of 12.5 percent, a payback period of 8.8 years, and a mine life of 70 years.

The company also stated that development would benefit from a secured offtake agreement under which India-based GFSC would purchase 350,000 metric tons per year during Phase 1, with additional commitments for 250,000 metric tons per year after Phase 2 is complete.

FAQs for Canadian mining stocks

How much does it cost to list on the TSXV?

There are a variety of different fees that companies must pay to list on the TSXV, and according to the exchange, they can vary based on the transaction’s nature and complexity. The listing fee alone will most likely cost between C$10,000 to C$70,000. Accounting and auditing fees could rack up between C$25,000 and C$100,000, while legal fees are expected to be over C$75,000 and an underwriters’ commission may hit up to 12 percent.

The exchange lists a handful of other fees and expenses companies can expect, including but not limited to security commission and transfer agency fees, investor relations costs and director and officer liability insurance.

These are all just for the initial listing, of course. There are ongoing expenses once companies are trading, such as sustaining fees and additional listing fees, plus the costs associated with filing regular reports.

How do you trade on the TSXV?

Investors can trade on the TSXV the way they would trade stocks on any exchange. This means they can use a stock broker or an individual investment account to buy and sell shares of TSXV-listed companies during the exchange’s trading hours.

Nevada Sunrise Metals (TSXV:NEV,OTCP:NVSGF) is a Nevada-focused exploration company with a portfolio spanning gold, copper and lithium projects. Nevada ranked as the world’s second most attractive exploration jurisdiction in 2024, providing a strong foundation for the company’s growth strategy.

The Griffon Gold Mine project, a past-producing gold asset located within the prolific Battle Mountain–Eureka Trend. Griffon hosts Carlin-type mineralization, produced 62,661 ounces of oxide gold from 1998 to 1999, and benefits from extensive historical drilling, favorable host stratigraphy and new target zones identified by VRIFY’s DORA A.I. predictive modeling. Ongoing geophysics and geochemical programs in 2025 will refine drill targets ahead of a drilling program planned for 2026.

Nevada Sunrise integrates historical data with advanced geophysics, modern geochemical methods, and AI-driven exploration tools. This technology-enhanced approach, combined with experienced leadership and a strong technical team, is central to the Company’s strategy for building shareholder value.

Company Highlights

• Flagship past-producing gold project in a Tier-1 jurisdiction: The Griffon Gold Mine project lies within Nevada’s prolific Battle Mountain–Eureka Trend, near producing mines and major gold developers.
• AI-powered exploration strategy: Nevada Sunrise is using VRIFY’s predictive modeling to identify high-priority drill targets, an emerging technology rarely applied in Nevada.
• Clear path to 2026 drilling: Soil, magnetic, IP/resistivity and CSAMT surveys in fall 2025 will feed into an updated AI model, enabling optimized drill targeting planned for 2026.
• Highly experienced management and geological team: Leadership includes executives and advisors with decades of exploration success across Nevada and globally.
• Diversified asset portfolio: Gold, copper and lithium assets create optionality across multiple mineral markets.
• Flagship past-producing gold project in a Tier-1 jurisdiction: The Griffon Gold Mine project lies within Nevada’s prolific Battle Mountain–Eureka Trend, near producing mines and major gold developers.
• AI-powered exploration strategy: Nevada Sunrise is using VRIFY’s predictive modeling to identify high-priority drill targets, an emerging technology rarely applied in Nevada.
• Clear path to 2026 drilling: Soil, magnetic, IP/resistivity and CSAMT surveys in fall 2025 will feed into an updated AI model, enabling optimized drill targeting planned for 2026.
• Highly experienced management and geological team: Leadership includes executives and advisors with decades of exploration success across Nevada and globally.
• Diversified asset portfolio: Gold, copper and lithium assets create optionality across multiple mineral markets.

This Nevada Sunrise Metals profile is part of a paid investor education campaign.*

Click here to connect with Nevada Sunrise Metals (TSXV:NEV) to receive an Investor Presentation

Investor Insight

Heliostar offers a rare combination of immediate cash flow from two producing mines and a significant growth story driven by the high-grade Ana Paula development project. This blend of near-term production, strong margins and a robust pipeline positions the company as a compelling emerging mid-tier gold producer.

Overview

Heliostar Metals (TSXV:HSTR,OTCQX:HSTXF,FRA:RGG1) is an emerging mid-tier gold producer focused on unlocking high-grade gold production in Mexico’s premier mining regions.

The company rapidly expanded its asset base by acquiring a diverse portfolio of producing and development-stage assets. This positions it for long-term, scalable production growth supported by both high-grade underground and large open-pit heap-leach operations.

Heliostar now holds two producing mines – La Colorada and San Agustin, with combined production of 30,000 to 40,000 oz of gold – and is advancing the development of its flagship Ana Paula project. Two additional development assets in Mexico, Cerro del Gallo and San Antonio, in addition to exploration projects in North Sonora and Unga in Alaska complete Heliostar’s portfolio. This diversified platform enables the company to fund development through operating cash flow while continuing to expand its resource base.

Heliostar prioritizes capital discipline and low-cost acquisitions, significantly expanding its asset base while maintaining a lean financial structure. With a growing operating cash flow, the company is reducing reliance on equity financing for development.

The company is positioned for strong year-over-year production growth as San Agustin restarts in Q4 2025, La Colorada executes its updated 2025 mine plan, and Ana Paula advances toward construction and expected first production in 2028, following a positive underground PEA in November 2025 and an ongoing feasibility study. These milestones support the company’s strategy of building a multi-asset production base with increasing scale and margins.

Looking ahead, the company has a long-term vision of achieving 500,000 ounces of gold production annually by 2030. This growth will be driven by the development of Ana Paula, followed by Cerro del Gallo and San Antonio, with continued exploration success and strategic acquisitions supplementing organic growth.

Company Highlights

• Heliostar Metals is rapidly advancing from a junior explorer to a mid-tier gold producer, targeting 150,000 oz per year in the near term and 500,000 oz annually by 2030.
• Heliostar has rapidly expanded its portfolio with key acquisitions, now controlling two producing mines and three advanced-stage growth assets in Mexico. Added 3.5 million measured and indicated gold ounces for just US$15 million, reinforcing a capital-efficient growth model.
• The company prioritizes capital discipline and low-cost acquisitions to expand its asset base and maintain a lean financial structure. Unlike many juniors that rely on dilution to grow, Heliostar leverages gold production cash flows to drive project development.
• Annual gold production at La Colorada and San Agustin mines as of 2025 is between 30,000 to 40,000 oz, with mine operations earning $14.2 million in Q3 2025. Cash flow from these two mines funds Heliostar’s exploration and development without significant dilution.
• CEO Charles Funk leads a seasoned team of mine builders and exploration experts with a track record of developing world-class deposits.
• The company also features a favorable shareholder registry: 53 percent institutional investors, 42 percent high-net-worth and retail investors, and 5 percent held by the board and management.

Key Projects

Ana Paula (Flagship Development Project)

Ana Paula is Heliostar’s flagship high-grade underground gold project located in the Guerrero Gold Belt, one of Mexico’s most prolific precious metals regions.

The November 2025 underground PEA confirms Ana Paula as a low-cost, high-margin development opportunity with a nine-year mine life producing approximately 875,000 ounces of gold, averaging roughly 101,000 ounces per year after ramp-up. The project benefits from a wide, high-grade panel that continues to demonstrate strong continuity and exceptional grades, supported by a mineral resource of 710,920 ounces of measured and indicated gold at 6.6 grams per ton (g/t) and 447,500 ounces of inferred gold at 4.24 g/t.

Heliostar has transitioned the project to an underground-only development plan to enhance economics, minimize surface disturbance and reduce capital intensity. The company is advancing engineering and permitting programs, including a permit amendment to convert the existing open-pit approval into an underground operation. A recently expanded 20,000-metre drill program is underway to upgrade inferred resources, expand the mineral envelope and support the ongoing feasibility study. Recent results included 83.2m grading 17.35 g/t gold from 76.0 m and 70.7 m grading 9.38 g/t gold from 49.65 m.

Heliostar intends to advance the existing decline in 2026 to access underground drilling platforms and complete bulk sampling, enabling a construction decision shortly thereafter and positioning the project for first production in 2028. Ana Paula is expected to become the cornerstone asset underpinning Heliostar’s long-term production growth.

La Colorada Mine

La Colorada, located in Sonora, Mexico, is a fully operating open-pit heap-leach mine that underwent a major turnaround in early 2025. Mining was restarted in January 2025, and an updated October 2025 technical report outlines a significantly strengthened operation with a 6.1-year mine life and total production of 286,000 ounces of gold. The mine is expected to produce between 17,500 and 23,800 gold-equivalent ounces in 2025 at competitive cash costs and all-in sustaining costs, benefiting from strong gold prices and improved operational performance.

La Colorada has meaningful opportunities for growth through drilling of the Veta Madre Plus area, which could add up to 28,000 ounces of additional near-surface resource, and the evaluation of the underground potential at El Creston, where deeper drilling has returned high-grade gold and silver intercepts. Further optimization of low-grade stockpiles also offers a route to additional production with minimal capital requirements. With its expanded reserves, improving margins and active exploration pipeline, La Colorada remains a key cash-flow generator and a vital contributor to Heliostar’s self-funded growth strategy.

San Agustin Mine

San Agustin is a heap-leach gold mine in Durango, Mexico, that produced approximately 14,700 ounces of gold in 2024 and continues to generate cash flow through stockpile processing in 2025. The mine is scheduled to restart active mining in the fourth quarter of 2025 following approval of the Corner Permit Area, with the restart plan outlining roughly 44,500 ounces of total gold production over a 1.2-year mine life. The restart requires just US$4.2 million in initial capital, funded entirely from Heliostar’s balance sheet, and delivers strong economics with significant leverage to higher gold prices. Beyond the restart, San Agustin provides meaningful growth potential through near-surface oxide expansion and deeper sulfide and breccia targets, where drilling has identified encouraging mineralization.

Cerro del Gallo Project

Cerro del Gallo is a large-scale, gold-silver development project in the Guanajuato district with 2.86 Moz of measured and indicated gold resources and an additional 1 Moz inferred. The project is advancing through permitting and a pre-feasibility study expected in Q4 2025, which is evaluating a long-life heap-leach operation targeting 80,000 to 100,000 ounces of annual gold production. With its scale, simple metallurgy and strong development profile, Cerro del Gallo represents a cornerstone growth asset supporting Heliostar’s strategy to expand production later this decade

San Antonio Project

San Antonio is an open-pit heap-leach development project in Baja California Sur hosting 1.74 million ounces of measured and indicated gold resources. A January 2025 PEA outlines robust economics, including 1.1 Moz of total production over 13 years, low AISC and an after-tax NPV5 of US$715 million at US$2,600 gold. The project is progressing through additional studies and environmental permitting and provides significant medium-term growth potential within Heliostar’s pipeline.

Unga Project

The Unga project in Alaska is a high-grade gold exploration asset, with an inferred resource of 384,000 oz gold (13.8 g/t). While not a primary focus, the project remains a long-term high-grade growth opportunity.

Management Team

Charles Funk – President & CEO

Charles Funk brings over 18 years of experience in business development and exploration. Before joining Heliostar, he held senior roles at Newcrest Mining and OZ Minerals, two of the world’s most prominent mining companies. Funk led the Panuco discovery for Vizsla Silver in 2020, demonstrating his strong expertise in identifying and advancing high-potential gold and silver deposits. Under his leadership, Heliostar has pursued transformational acquisitions that have rapidly expanded the company’s asset base while maintaining capital efficiency.

Gregg Bush – Chief Operating Officer

A highly regarded mine builder, Gregg Bush has a strong track record in mine development, project integration, and operations management. He previously served as COO of Capstone Mining for nine years and as SVP of Mexico for Equinox Gold. With deep experience in Latin American mining operations, Bush plays a pivotal role in advancing Heliostar’s production assets, optimizing operations and ensuring efficient project execution.

Sam Anderson – VP Projects

Sam Anderson brings 20 years of experience in mine geology and project management, including 17 years at Newmont, where he served as mine geology superintendent and senior manager of exploration business development. He played a significant role in the development of Newmont’s Merian Mine in Suriname, from resource stage to steady-state operation. His expertise in mineral resource expansion and project evaluation is crucial to advancing Ana Paula and Cerro del Gallo toward production.

Mike Gingles – VP of Corporate Development

With over 35 years of corporate and entrepreneurial experience in the mining industry, Mike Gingles has been a key player in major mining deals. He led the Pueblo Viejo and Turquoise Ridge transactions for Placer Dome, two of the largest gold assets in North America. His expertise in strategic partnerships, corporate finance, and project acquisitions has positioned Heliostar for transformational growth.

Hernan Dorado – VP Sustainability & Special Projects

As a fifth-generation miner, Hernan Dorado has more than 20 years of experience in the mining sector, including a founding role at Guanajuato Silver, where he served as COO. He has extensive experience in Mexican mining operations, permitting and sustainability practices, ensuring that Heliostar’s projects meet the highest environmental and social responsibility standards.

Vitalina Lyssoun – Chief Financial Officer

Vitalina Lyssoun is a chartered professional accountant (CPA, CA) with over 16 years of financial expertise with a focus on the resource sector. She has strengths in Canadian and US public company reporting, regulatory and tax compliance, and internal controls. She is fluent in Spanish and has experience in operations based in Mexico, Central America and West Africa. Most recently, Lyssoun built and led the corporate accounting team at Gatos Silver, including through their recent merger with First Majestic Silver.

Stephen Soock – VP Investor Relations & Development

Stephen Soock has been in the mining industry for almost 20 years in both technical and capital markets roles. He has worked in various technical roles at mine sites across Canada, including Vale’s Thompson Nickel operation, Mosaic’s Belle Plaine solution potash mine and Rio Tinto’s Diavik Diamond mine complex. Prior to joining Heliostar, Stephen spent eight years as a sell-side research analyst covering growth and development companies in the junior precious metals space. He graduated from Queen’s University with a B.Sc. in Mining Engineering, is a CFA Charterholder, and a Brendan Woods ranked analyst.

Bitcoin and Ether price update

Bitcoin’s (BTC) price climbed from around US$87K to close at US$89,903.49 on Wednesday afternoon, a three percent increase in 24 hours.

Bitcoin price performance, November 26, 2025.

Chart via TradingView.

However, a 1.55 percent increase in open interest during the same four hour window suggests fresh buying interest, while a positive funding rate of 0.002 reflects modestly bullish market sentiment. A relative strength index of 62.56 for Bitcoin indicates that the asset is in moderately bullish territory but not yet overbought.

Despite optimism of a possible temporary reset, investors warn that a decisive break below US$80,000 could expose Bitcoin to a slide toward the US$69,000 to US$62,000 support range.

As analyst Ted Pillows wrote on X, “$BTC is facing a lot of resistance around the $88,000–$90,000 zone. If BTC doesn’t break above this level soon, expect a sweep of the lows again.”

“Notably, what makes this episode different from past crypto winters is the investor base. BTC is now held by ordinary investors in their mainstream portfolios. So many are treating it like any other high-beta risk asset,’ she said.

“This behavior means that current price action is more of a classic de-risking phase. Rate-cut expectations change quickly, so investors opt for assets they perceive as core ballast. Given that, the picture suggests a complementary reading rather than a simple “either/or.” Gold acts as the insurance that central banks are still actively adding. In turn, Bitcoin is the high-risk component that investors reduce first when volatility rises,’ added Chen.

Meanwhile, Ether (ETH) closed at US$3,025.84, a 3.1 percent increase in 24 hours. ETH also showed strong bullish momentum, with a 2.7 percent rise in open interest and liquidations predominantly on the short side, signaling a short squeeze; however, a positive funding rate of 0.008 underscores traders’ optimism.

Altcoin price update

• XRP (XRP) was priced at US$2.22, up by one percent over 24 hours.

• Solana (SOL) was trading at US$142.99, up by 3.9 percent over 24 hours.

Today’s crypto news to know

Strategy insists balance sheet holds firm

Strategy (NASDAQ:MSTR) reiterated that its balance sheet can withstand a deep Bitcoin drawdown, telling investors in a recent X post that its collateral coverage would remain at 2.0x even if Bitcoin dropped to US$25,000.

The company disclosed updated calculations showing that its convertible debt remains overcollateralized despite the stock’s 49 percent slide and the risk of an MSCI index removal next year.

With 649,870 BTC — worth roughly US$57 billion — the firm remains the largest corporate holder of Bitcoin globally. Strategy maintains that this overcollateralization gives it room to manage volatility and refinance maturities that run through 2032. Despite the reassurances, the company continues to face pressure from index committees and investors reevaluating the long-term role of a Bitcoin-heavy corporate treasury.

Recently, S&P Dow Jones Indices left Strategy off its latest round of S&P 500 additions, choosing to elevate SanDisk instead despite Strategy’s market capitalization placing it within the top tier of US public companies.

Strategy’s bid for inclusion has been complicated by its reliance on Bitcoin holdings, which some index members argue behaves more like an investment vehicle than a traditional operating company.

For its part, Strategy insists that its software business, alongside its Bitcoin strategy, qualifies it as an operating firm under the index rules. Chairman Michael Saylor pushed back against the characterization, stressing on X that Strategy is “not a fund, not a trust, and not a holding company.”

Japan approves major regulatory shift for crypto under FIEA

Japan’s Financial Services Agency has finalized plans to move digital assets under the Financial Instruments and Exchange Act, marking the country’s most sweeping crypto regulatory overhaul in years.

The shift reclassifies crypto assets as investment products and subjects issuers and exchanges to disclosure and conduct standards similar to those governing securities.

The changes affect over 13 million Japanese crypto accounts that collectively hold more than ¥5 trillion, prompting concerns from local exchanges about higher compliance burdens.

The FSA’s working group outlined new obligations, including clearer disclosure of token supply, governance structures, project risk assessments, and issuer responsibilities.

In addition, exchanges will also be required to maintain reserve funds to cover potential hacking incidents. Regulators plan to crack down on unregistered offshore platforms that continue marketing to Japanese users without approval.

The legislative package is expected to be submitted during the 2026 Diet session.

Bolivia to integrate crypto and stablecoins into financial system

In a historic move, the government of Bolivia is preparing to integrate cryptocurrencies and stablecoins, according to an announcement from the country’s economic minister, Jose Gabriel Espinoza.

“You can’t control crypto globally, so you have to recognize it and use it to your advantage,” Espinoza reportedly said, according to Reuters. With stablecoins like USDT already being used for cross-border payments and as a hedge against the local currency’s depreciation, banks will soon be allowed to custody crypto, as well as offer crypto-based savings accounts, credit cards, and loans.

Spain moves to hike taxes on Bitcoin, Ether

A Spanish parliamentary bloc has introduced new tax amendments that would significantly increase the burden on Bitcoin, Ether, and other non-financial-instrument crypto assets.

The proposal would shift gains from crypto into the general personal income tax base, which carries rates of up to 47 percent — far above the current 30 percent maximum applied to savings-based income.

Lawmakers also want corporate crypto gains taxed at 30 percent and are pushing for a nationwide “traffic light” risk label that would appear on trading platforms.

Tax specialists argue the reforms would be difficult to implement, with some calling the package legally unworkable and likely to generate administrative chaos. Investors are likewise already expressing concern after a recent case in which a trader was taxed 9 million euros on a transaction that produced no profit, highlighting flaws in current enforcement.

If enacted, analysts further warn that the new measures could accelerate capital flight from Spain’s retail crypto market.

Grayscale files to offer Zcash ETF

Grayscale submitted a Form S-3 registration statement to the US Securities and Exchange Commission on Wednesday, signaling the firm’s intention to convert its fund tied to Zcash into a spot exchange-traded fund.

Bitcoin and Ether price update

Bitcoin (BTC) was priced at US$89,102.53, up 1.9 percent in 24 hours.

The cryptocurrency is up after last week’s rout, which saw over US$1.2 billion in spot Bitcoin exchange-traded fund (ETF) outflows, marking the third consecutive week with over US$1 billion in outflows, as per SoSoValue.

Bitcoin price performance, November 24, 2025.

Chart via TradingView.

However, market sentiment remains cautious, with the Fear and Greed Index reading 12 at market close. Increased open interest and large short liquidations suggest potential volatility and possible rebound dynamics.

“In the short term, a rebound is highly likely, but if we fall again and lose the US$80,000 level, the probability of facing a much tougher period becomes significantly higher,” CryptoQuant said in a post on X.

Bitcoin’s relative strength index at 58.52 indicates moderately bullish momentum, but is still comfortably below overbought territory. A -0.005 funding rate shows traders are still somewhat bearish, although short liquidations may start to shift momentum upward. Economic data due later this week could lift markets higher if it reinforces expectations of an interest rate cut from the US Federal Reserve. Market odds for a December rate cut have risen recently, with many sources placing the probability at around 70 to 79 percent.

Meanwhile, ETH (ETH) was US$2,973.36, up by 5.1 percent in 24 hours. Liquidations of US$39.75 million, predominantly in short positions, may have fueled upward price pressure through a short squeeze.

Open interest rose 3.07 percent to US$35.93 billion, suggesting increasing trader engagement and speculative activity in Ether derivatives. A funding rate of zero reflects a balance between bullish and bearish sentiment among traders.

Altcoin price update

• XRP (XRP) was priced at US$2.26, up by 9.2 percent over 24 hours.

• Solana (SOL) was trading at US$138.82, up by 4.7 percent over 24 hours.

Today’s crypto news to know

Cardano chain split, Etherscan API outage highlight DeFi risks

Recent events in the crypto ecosystem have underscored the vulnerabilities and institutional challenges facing DeFi investors. On November 21, Cardano experienced an accidental chain split triggered by a malformed transaction, temporarily dividing the blockchain into two competing chains.

The disruption exposed weaknesses in network resilience and stake pool operations, causing lost block rewards and transaction irregularities in DeFi protocols dependent on Cardano’s network stability.

Then, Etherscan unexpectedly cut off API access to roughly 10 percent of its blockchains and networks. This sudden outage occurred during the DevConnect conference, impairing developers’ ability to manage smart contracts effectively, further revealing how dependent DeFi investors are on the reliability of ancillary infrastructure.

These events came amid growing tensions involving JPMorgan Chase (NYSE:JPM).

The banking giant has drawn ire from the crypto community for reportedly influencing MSCI to exclude digital asset treasury companies holding more than 50 percent of their assets in cryptocurrencies.

JPMorgan’s research warns that the exclusion could trigger forced selloffs potentially totaling up to US$8.8 billion, with Strategy (NASDAQ:MSTR) alone possibly facing US$2.8 billion in outflows.

The final decision will be announced on January 15 ,with changes taking effect in February.

The bank then upgraded ratings on Monday for Bitcoin-mining companies Cipher Mining (NASDAQ:CIFR) and CleanSpark (NASDAQ:CLSK) to overweight from neutral, citing strong momentum in high-performance computing partnerships and long-term cloud and colocation deals that improve revenue visibility.

JPMorgan’s stance highlights the institutional and regulatory tensions complicating the interface between traditional finance and the fast-evolving crypto ecosystem.

Franklin Templeton, Grayscale launch XRP ETFs

The Franklin XRP ETF (ARCA:XRPZ) and the Grayscale XRP Trust ETF (ARCA:GXRP) both launched on Monday, providing new regulated investment options for XRP exposure.

Investor response was prompt, with early trading volumes indicating strong demand and positive sentiment around XRP’s future prospects as reflected in the market’s reception to both ETFs.

Market watchers see this dual launch as a major step toward integrating crypto assets like XRP into traditional finance frameworks, enhancing liquidity and investor confidence.

Ray Youssef, CEO of peer-to-peer crypto app NoOnes, said a wave of altcoin ETF launches could bring a much-needed dose of optimism back into the market if investors interpret new listings as implicit regulatory approval.

“As market sentiment has been so underwhelming in recent times, the ETF season hitting the market at its current condition may be when they can make the most significant contribution to the digital asset economy this year.”

Youssef added that the launch of altcoin ETFs is creating a steady flow of capital into the digital asset market, providing a liquidity buffer. This momentum could lead to an end-of-year rally for altcoins.

Burry debuts newsletter after Scion shutdown

Michael Burry, best known for his prescient bet against the US housing market in 2008, has launched a paid Substack newsletter not long after closing his hedge fund, Scion Asset Management.

In his introductory post, Burry emphasizes that the move does not mark a retirement, but rather a shift toward writing without the regulatory constraints that accompany professional money management.

Priced at US$39 per month, the newsletter has quickly drawn more than 21,000 subscribers.

Early essays revisit his trading history during the dot-com era and outline why he views today’s artificial intelligence boom as a supply-glutted bubble primed for correction.

With Scion now closed, Burry says the newsletter will become his primary outlet for analysis as he continues to track what he views as speculative excess building across technology markets.