Podcast
Company Interviews
Hosted by Crux Investor · EN
An insight into junior mining and opportunities to invest.
Company Interviews, a Crux Investor show, exists to cut through the jargon, bias and bluster.
Matthew Gordon, and guest host Merlin Marr-Johnson hone in on the important factors that indicate a company's strong footing for growth and success.
127episodes
Episodes
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Impact Minerals (ASX:IPT) - Advancing Scoping Study With 10x Throughput Breakthrough in Hand
1w ago00:28:07Tap to summarizeInterview with Dr. Mike Jones, MD of Impact Minerals Ltd.Our previous interview: https://www.cruxinvestor.com/posts/impact-minerals-asxipt-pitch-perfect-october-2025-8328Recording date: 8th June 2026Impact Minerals Limited (ASX:IPT) is undergoing a deliberate and material transformation. What began as a junior mining explorer is becoming, under the direction of Managing Director Dr. Mike Jones, a specialty chemicals and material science company with a credible path to producing high-purity alumina which is a critical input for battery separators, artificial sapphire, advanced ceramics, and semiconductor components.The company's commercial strategy rests on two interconnected assets. The first is a 50% stake in Alluminous, which holds a patented solvent extraction process for producing HPA from widely available chemical feedstock. That intellectual property is now protected across the United States, Canada, and Southeast Asia, jurisdictions that management views as the primary commercialisation markets. The second is the Lake Hope clay project in Western Australia, where a Pre-Feasibility Study has been completed and work toward a Definitive Feasibility Study is underway.What has sharpened investor attention recently is a process engineering breakthrough at the Alluminous pilot plant. By modifying the orientation of impellers in the solvent extraction stage, the team achieved up to ten times the originally designed throughput. Dr. Jones has stated that this discovery could allow the company to reach production capacity comparable to its listed peers for under AU$10 million in capital — against the AU$200 million-plus spent by those peers to reach similar output levels. The scoping study for a 2,000-tonne-per-annum commercial plant is expected to provide independent cost validation shortly, making it one of the most significant near-term catalysts for the stock.The competitive context is instructive. Alpha HPA carries a market capitalisation of approximately AU$650–700 million. Advanced Energy Minerals trades at approximately AU$250–300 million. Both began as resource companies and have re-rated substantially as they have moved toward production. Impact Minerals currently sits at a significant discount to both, at a stage where the technology has been proven in batch mode, IP is protected, and initial customer engagement — including 3kg sapphire-grade samples dispatched to European buyers — is underway.The market entry strategy is measured. Rather than chasing premium 5N pricing immediately, management has chosen to enter the higher-volume 3N advanced ceramics segment first, building commercial credibility before moving up what Dr. Jones calls the "pyramid of purity." This approach mirrors the path taken by peers and reduces the risk of prolonged customer qualification timelines.The company's byproduct streams add further resilience to the investment case. Potash which is almost entirely imported into Western Australia and aluminium chlorohydrate have both attracted early buyer interest and are the subject of a separate scoping study. A joint venture on these streams would allow Impact to advance its HPA programme without proportional increases in capital expenditure.The principal risks are clear and should be held alongside the opportunity. Back-end engineering challenges remain unresolved, the technology has not yet been demonstrated at scale, and the company is pre-revenue. However, with patent protection secured, a breakthrough in production efficiency, a clear commercialisation roadmap, and peers trading at valuations ten to twenty times higher, the risk-reward profile at current prices warrants serious investor attention.View Impact Minerals' company profile: https://www.cruxinvestor.com/companies/impact-mineralsSign up for Crux Investor: https://cruxinvestor.com
Transcribe →Vista Gold (NYSE:VGZ) - Mt Todd's De-Risking Blueprint: Permits, People, and Engineering
1w ago00:22:03Tap to summarizeInterview with Frederick H. Earnest, President & CEO of Vista GoldOur previous interview: https://www.cruxinvestor.com/posts/vista-gold-nysevgz-undervalued-investment-series-with-frederick-h-earnest-9735Recording date: 4th June 2026Vista Gold is advancing its Mt Todd gold project in Australia’s Northern Territory through a disciplined three-pillar strategy focused on permitting, people, and engineering, as it moves toward a definitive investment decision. The project, one of the largest undeveloped gold assets in the country, holds 5 million ounces in reserves and 10 million ounces in total resources. Recent efforts have centered on resizing operations from 50,000 to 15,000 tons per day to improve capital efficiency, prompting modifications to existing permits rather than entirely new approvals.Permitting remains the most time-sensitive component. Key steps include updates to mining and operating permits, engagement with Aboriginal stakeholders, and preparation for federal environmental approval under the EPBC Act. The application is expected in late 2026, with a decision timeline of six to nine months.At the same time, Vista Gold is strengthening its leadership team, hiring senior executives across technical, approvals, and external relations functions. The company is also recruiting an Australia-based Managing Director to oversee local development and support financing efforts, including a potential listing on the Australian Securities Exchange.Engineering optimization is a major value driver. Metallurgical testing aims to refine processing efficiency, while a geotechnical study on the Batman Pit could significantly reduce waste movement. If successful, this adjustment may lower mining costs by up to $200 million or unlock additional gold reserves.Project economics are highly sensitive to gold prices. At $3,300 per ounce, Mt Todd carries a net present value of $2.2 billion and an internal rate of return near 45%. With gold trading above $4,500, the project’s upside is substantially greater. Despite this, Vista Gold’s market valuation remains well below its estimated asset value, positioning the project as a leveraged play on strong gold market conditions.View Vista Gold's company profile: https://www.cruxinvestor.com/companies/vista-gold-corporationSign up for Crux Investor: https://cruxinvestor.com
Transcribe →Erdene Resource Developments (TSX:ERD) - 'Undervalued?' Investment Series, with Peter Akerley
1w ago00:35:06Tap to summarizeInterview with Peter Akerley, President & CEO of Erdene Resource Development Corp.Our previous interview: https://www.cruxinvestor.com/posts/erdene-resource-development-tsxerd-first-gold-flows-as-multi-mine-district-strategy-unfolds-8931Recording date: 6th June 2026Erdene Resource Development has entered a new phase as a gold producer with the successful commissioning of its Bayan Khundii mine in southwestern Mongolia. The operation reached commercial production in early 2026 and is already generating strong financial results, including roughly C$100 million in revenue and EBITDA margins մոտ 50%. However, the company’s immediate priority is improving ore grades, which are currently around 2.5 g/t compared to the 3.8 g/t reserve target. Addressing dilution and optimizing processing are expected to significantly lower costs and boost cash flow.The mine was developed through a 50/50 joint venture with Mongolian Mining Corporation (MMC), whose local expertise and workforce enabled construction to be completed in just 22 months at a cost of $120 million. This partnership remains central to operations, while Erdene retains long-term upside through a royalty structure that increases its economic share after certain production thresholds are reached.Looking ahead, Erdene is focused on expanding production within the Khundii Minerals District. Near-term opportunities include integrating the high-grade Dark Horse satellite deposit and evaluating a heap leach facility to process lower-grade material, potentially adding up to 35,000 ounces annually. Exploration success to the west of the current pit could also extend mine life and increase output.Beyond Bayan Khundii, the company holds additional assets that are not fully reflected in its valuation. These include the Altan Nar gold-polymetallic project and the large Zuun Mod molybdenum-copper deposit, with a preliminary economic assessment expected in late 2026. Financially, Erdene is in a solid position with no corporate debt and plans to fully repay project-level debt by 2027, after which it may prioritize expansion, dividends, or share buybacks.View Erdene Resource Development's company profile: https://www.cruxinvestor.com/companies/erdene-resource-developmentSign up for Crux Investor: https://cruxinvestor.com
Transcribe →West Wits Mining (ASX:WWI) - Qala Shallows Breakthrough Drives 70,000 oz Target Gold Production
1w ago00:29:25Tap to summarizeInterview with Rudi Deysel, Managing Director & CEO of West Wits MiningOur previous interview: https://www.cruxinvestor.com/posts/west-wits-mining-asxwwi-delivers-first-gold-and-sets-course-on-expansion-pathway-9773Recording date: 5th June 2026West Wits Mining has reached a pivotal stage in the development of its Qala Shallows gold project in South Africa, marking a transition from early-stage infrastructure work to direct ore extraction. The company has successfully completed a key underground decline and broken into Level 2, enabling access to the primary ore body and setting the foundation for improved production performance.This milestone allows the operation to shift from extracting lower-grade development ore—previously diluted by surrounding waste rock—to higher-grade stoping ore sourced directly from the reef. As stoping activities expand, gold grades are expected to progressively increase toward a target of approximately 3 grams per tonne, improving recoveries, reducing unit costs, and strengthening overall project economics.Operational readiness has been supported by new mining equipment and an expanded fleet, enabling simultaneous work across multiple mining faces. This enhances flexibility, reduces downtime, and supports consistent production rates while reinforcing safety and operational discipline.West Wits is also advancing a scoping study, due by the end of July 2026, to define the optimal pathway for scaling the project to a steady-state production target of 70,000 ounces per year by 2028. The study will evaluate mining methods, processing options, and infrastructure requirements, including the potential use of third-party facilities versus a standalone plant.Financially, the company is nearing closure of a syndicated debt facility that will fund remaining capital requirements through to projected break-even, estimated within 30 months of the feasibility baseline.Beyond Qala Shallows, West Wits is progressing exploration at its Bird Reef Central project, aiming to establish a resource from a gold-uranium target. Together, these developments position the company for multi-asset growth within the historically significant Witwatersrand Basin.View West Wits Mining's company profile: https://www.cruxinvestor.com/companies/west-wits-miningSign up for Crux Investor: https://cruxinvestor.com
Transcribe →Koryx Copper (TSXV:KRY) - Namibia's Giant Copper Deposit Gets a Major Upgrade
1w ago00:29:31Tap to summarizeInterview with Heye Daun, President & CEO of Koryx CopperOur previous interview: https://www.cruxinvestor.com/posts/koryx-copper-inc-tsxvkry-institutional-capital-backs-haib-development-pfs-by-year-end-9455Recording date: 4th June 2026Koryx Copper is advancing the Haib copper-molybdenum-gold project in Namibia into what could become one of the world’s significant long-life copper operations. The company is targeting annual production of approximately 120,000 tonnes of copper, with a mine life exceeding 30 years, positioning Haib among a limited group of large-scale development-stage projects globally.A major shift in the project’s economics comes from the introduction of coarse particle flotation (CPF), a proven processing technology that enables early rejection of about 25% of low-grade material while losing only a small fraction of contained copper. This significantly increases the effective grade of processed ore, lifting copper equivalent grades to around 0.5% in the first decade—well above historical perceptions of Haib as a low-grade deposit.Koryx has also simplified the flowsheet by eliminating heap leaching and moving to a fully flotation-based system. This change not only reduces operational complexity but allows recovery of molybdenum and gold byproducts, adding roughly 15% to project value. Combined with an improved strip ratio and optimized mine plan, these enhancements are expected to increase net present value and key economic metrics by 20–30%.The project will require an estimated $1.8 billion in capital expenditure, making a strategic partnership the most likely development path. Koryx is actively engaging potential partners, including major mining companies, commodity traders, and institutional investors, with joint ventures or acquisition scenarios viewed as probable outcomes.Located in Namibia, a stable and mining-friendly jurisdiction, Haib benefits from established infrastructure, regulatory clarity, and access to power and water resources. With global copper demand rising due to electrification trends and limited new supply, Haib’s scale, improved economics, and long mine life position it as a compelling asset in the evolving copper market.View Koryx Copper's company profile: https://www.cruxinvestor.com/companies/koryx-copperSign up for Crux Investor: https://cruxinvestor.com
Transcribe →Copper Outperforms Gold While Wall Street Bets Everything on SpaceX
1w ago00:35:25Tap to summarizeRecording date: 5th June 2026Global financial markets are exhibiting a striking disconnect between geopolitical risk and investor behavior, as major U.S. equity indices simultaneously reached record highs despite escalating tensions in the Strait of Hormuz. Ongoing missile exchanges and a fragile ceasefire between the United States and Iran have done little to unsettle equities, creating what market observers describe as a “Goldilocks” environment where negative macro risks are largely ignored. At the same time, attention has narrowed sharply toward the anticipated $75 billion SpaceX initial public offering, which is drawing liquidity away from bonds, Bitcoin, and commodities.The scale of the SpaceX IPO is expected to have meaningful mechanical effects on markets. With rapid inclusion into major indices, institutional investors are likely to position ahead of forced index buying, potentially diluting existing index constituents. This dynamic has contributed to strong performance in select equity sectors, particularly technology, while other asset classes lag.In contrast to declining gold and oil prices, copper has emerged as a standout performer. Supply-side constraints - including reduced production guidance from major miners such as Freeport-McMoRan, Ivanhoe Mines, and Codelco - have tightened the market. Additional risks stem from the Strait of Hormuz, a critical transit route for sulfuric acid used in copper processing. Stronger-than-expected industrial data from both the United States and China has further reinforced demand for the metal.Meanwhile, developments in the mining sector highlight emerging friction in global dealmaking. Chinese regulators have raised concerns that Zijin Mining’s proposed acquisition of Allied Gold is overpriced, signalling potential constraints on future outbound mergers and acquisitions.Against this backdrop, investors are adopting a cautious stance. Elevated cash positions and expectations of summer volatility - driven by geopolitical uncertainty, IPO-related liquidity shifts, and seasonal commodity weakness - suggest that while markets appear calm, underlying risks remain significant.Sign up for Crux Investor: https://cruxinvestor.com
Transcribe →Manhattan Metals - A New Angle on Nevada's Overlooked Gold & Silver Deposits
1w ago00:12:16Tap to summarizeInterview with William Sheriff of Manhattan MetalsRecording date: 22nd May 2026Manhattan Metals Corp is a pre-IPO gold and silver company with a business model that is straightforward in concept but rare in practice: acquire small, high-grade gold deposits in Nevada that major mining companies overlook, and process them through a centrally owned mill to generate near-term cash flow. The company was founded by Bill Sheriff, a veteran geologist with decades of exploration experience in Nevada and a track record of executing this exact model in the Yukon.The core insight behind Manhattan Metals is that Nevada, one of the most gold-rich states in the US, with more than 300 identified gold districts, contains hundreds of viable deposits that sit idle because they do not meet the scale requirements of major producers. A deposit of 250,000 ounces of gold is worth over one billion dollars at current prices. Yet without a mill and without institutional-scale tonnage, it generates nothing. Manhattan Metals is positioning itself as the entity that provides the missing infrastructure.The company has already acquired a 400-ton-per-day gravity flotation mill which is a tangible hard asset that distinguishes it from the majority of junior mining companies whose primary asset is a future promise. The mill needs to be relocated and repermitted, a process expected to take approximately two years, and site selection is the near-term priority before a public listing proceeds. A smaller 20-to-25-ton-per-day circuit is also planned for exceptionally high-grade, low-tonnage material.Manhattan Metals currently controls seven Nevada properties, including one with a historic resource of several hundred thousand ounces and an underexplored high-grade vein system with only three drill holes completed. Beyond its owned assets, the company has identified more than 50 additional candidate deposits and owns an in-house reverse circulation drilling rig to validate them cost-effectively. The technical team includes a senior metallurgist with international milling and heap-leach experience which Sheriff acknowledges is in short supply across the industry.The investment case rests on several distinct pillars. First, the strategy addresses a segment of the market with no meaningful competition, as both major miners and conventional juniors are oriented toward different scale targets. Second, the model is designed to generate revenue relatively quickly compared to traditional junior mining timelines, reducing the dilution risk that characterizes most early-stage resource companies. Third, management has signaled a long-term intention to pay dividends, an unusual and investor-friendly commitment in this sector.The primary risks are permitting timeline uncertainty, the pre-revenue nature of the company, and the operational complexity of moving and reestablishing a milling facility. These are real and material considerations. However, the combination of a proven operator, owned infrastructure, an in-house drilling capability, and a clearly defined pipeline of assets positions Manhattan Metals as one of the more substantively prepared pre-IPO mining companies currently approaching public markets.For investors seeking gold exposure grounded in operational execution rather than speculative exploration, Manhattan Metals represents a proposition worth evaluating closely as it moves toward its public listing.Learn more: https://cruxinvestor.comSign up for Crux Investor: https://cruxinvestor.com
Transcribe →Verdera Energy (TSXV:V) - High-Grade Resource in New Mexico Positioned for US Uranium Growth
1w ago00:16:01Tap to summarizeInterview with Janet Lee Sheriff, Director & CEO of Verdera EnergyOur previous interview: https://www.cruxinvestor.com/posts/verdera-energy-tsxvv-premium-uranium-portfolio-with-20m-to-spend-9385Recording date: 22nd May 2026Verdera Energy is emerging as a uranium development company focused on unlocking the potential of New Mexico, a jurisdiction that management believes could play an increasingly important role in future US uranium supply. At a time when energy security, nuclear power expansion, and artificial intelligence-driven electricity demand are becoming major investment themes, the company is positioning itself to benefit from a growing emphasis on domestic uranium production.The foundation of the investment case is the company's substantial resource base at approximately 88 million pounds of historic and known uranium resources across multiple projects in New Mexico. The flagship West Largo project is currently undergoing modernization through an updated NI 43-101 technical report, while additional work is being completed to evaluate resource expansion opportunities and future development pathways.A key differentiator for the company is its focus on in-situ recovery (ISR) uranium projects. ISR has become one of the preferred uranium extraction methods due to its potential for lower capital requirements and reduced environmental disturbance compared to conventional mining techniques. Management believes West Largo represents one of the most attractive ISR opportunities in the United States and could become a significant asset as domestic uranium demand grows.Beyond its resource base, Verdera possesses a potentially valuable strategic asset in the form of historical geological information. According to management, the company controls more than 90% of the proprietary uranium exploration data available in New Mexico. This extensive database, accumulated from previous operators including Kerr-McGee and URI, may help reduce exploration risk, improve targeting efficiency, and accelerate project advancement.The broader opportunity extends beyond individual projects. Management believes New Mexico remains an underappreciated uranium jurisdiction despite hosting substantial uranium resources and important nuclear-related infrastructure. As the United States seeks to reduce dependence on imported uranium and strengthen domestic supply chains, jurisdictions capable of supporting large-scale uranium production may receive increasing attention from investors, industry participants, and policymakers.Another important aspect of Verdera's strategy is its emphasis on community engagement and social licence. The company recognizes that historical uranium mining activities created concerns among local communities and Indigenous groups. CEO Janet Lee Sheriff brings approximately three decades of experience working with Indigenous communities in Canada's Yukon and is applying a similar relationship-based approach in New Mexico. Through educational initiatives, stakeholder engagement, and industry conferences, management is seeking to build trust and support for future development activities.Looking ahead, investors should monitor several potential catalysts. These include updated resource estimates, technical studies, permitting milestones, drilling programs, infrastructure planning, and potential strategic partnerships. The company is also evaluating opportunities involving central processing facilities and possible joint ventures that could support future project development.As nuclear energy continues to gain support as a reliable, low-carbon power source and as electricity demand rises from emerging technologies such as artificial intelligence, domestic uranium production is becoming increasingly important. With a large resource base, significant proprietary data holdings, experienced leadership, and exposure to a strategic uranium jurisdiction, Verdera Energy offers investors a way to participate in the evolving US uranium development story.View Verdera Energy's company profile: https://www.cruxinvestor.com/companies/verdera-energySign up for Crux Investor: https://cruxinvestor.com
Transcribe →Made in America | Revival Gold (TSXV:RVG) - The Case for US-Based Gold Development
2w ago00:44:15Tap to summarizeInterview with Hugh Agro, President & CEO of Revival Gold Inc.Debra Struhsacker, US Permitting & Public Policy AdvisorOur previous interview: https://www.cruxinvestor.com/posts/revival-gold-tsxvrvg-funded-to-2028-decision-targets-2029-output-up-to-350m-cash-flow-10284Recording date: 27th May 2026Revival Gold, a Canadian-listed junior mining company, is advancing two gold projects in the United States—Mercur in Utah and Beartrack-Arnett in Idaho—with a combined resource of approximately 6 million ounces. Despite an estimated net asset value of around $1.3 billion, the company’s market capitalization remains near $200 million, highlighting a significant valuation gap that underpins its investment case.The Mercur project is the company’s primary near-term focus and is positioned as a potential low-cost, high-cash-flow operation. Located on private land in Utah, Mercur benefits from simplified permitting under state jurisdiction, reducing regulatory complexity and timelines. The project also has strong infrastructure advantages, including existing power, road access, and water resources. Revival Gold is targeting a preliminary feasibility study by the first quarter of 2027, followed by a full feasibility study by year-end and a construction decision in early 2028. At current gold prices, Mercur is to generate annual free cash flow of $300–$350 million.The broader regulatory environment in the United States has become increasingly supportive of domestic mining. Recent reforms to the National Environmental Policy Act, alongside federal policy shifts prioritizing mineral security, have streamlined permitting processes and improved project visibility. These changes are expected to benefit companies like Revival Gold operating in mining-friendly jurisdictions.Beartrack-Arnett, the company’s second asset in Idaho, already has a completed feasibility study and existing infrastructure. However, management believes it is largely unrecognized in the current valuation, offering additional upside potential as exploration continues to expand the resource at depth.With a clear development timeline, favorable jurisdictional dynamics, and significant leverage to rising gold prices, Revival Gold represents a leveraged play on U.S.-based gold development, with substantial re-rating potential as key milestones are achieved.View Revival Gold's company profile: https://www.cruxinvestor.com/companies/revival-gold-incSign up for Crux Investor: https://cruxinvestor.com
Transcribe →Acceleration Towards Deglobalisation Reshapes Metal Supply-Demand Security
3w ago00:27:36Tap to summarizeRecording date: 26th May 2026Olive Resource Capital views the current phase in commodity markets as a healthy, seasonal consolidation following a strong start to the year. While metals and mining equities have largely moved sideways, this reduced volatility is seen as constructive rather than concerning. According to President and CEO Samuel Pelaez and Executive Chair Derek Macpherson, calmer market conditions often create a gradual upward bias, even as broader investor attention shifts toward high-performing sectors like technology.Olive Resource adjusted its portfolio to reflect rising geopolitical risks, particularly those linked to supply disruptions in the Strait of Hormuz. As a result, exposure to Australia and Asia-Pacific mining equities has been significantly reduced, with capital redirected toward cash or regions offering stronger supply-chain reliability. This shift reflects a broader conviction that deglobalisation is accelerating, increasing the strategic importance of mining assets located in politically aligned and stable jurisdictions.Deglobalisation trends driven by pandemic-era disruptions, geopolitical conflicts, and export restrictions on critical minerals are reshaping investment priorities. Assets in Western countries, even for commodities once considered uneconomic to produce domestically, are gaining value due to their security of supply.Within this context, Olive Resource Capital is emphasizing company-specific opportunities over macro-driven bets. Recent portfolio additions, including White Gold Corp, Prospector Metals, Goldsky Resources, Valhalla Metals, and ValOre Metals, were selected for strong management teams and near-term catalysts such as drill results, resource estimates, and project advancements.Macpherson and Pelaez also highlighted a consistent seasonal strategy in junior mining equities: accumulating positions in the spring as exploration begins, and trimming exposure in the fall when results are released and financing activity increases. Overall, the firm’s approach centers on jurisdictional reliability, operational catalysts, and disciplined timing in a market where broad momentum remains limited.Sign up for Crux Investor: https://cruxinvestor.com
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