Company Interviews

Interview with Keith Henderson, CEO, Latin MetalsRecording date: 11th May 2026Latin Metals is redefining the junior mining model through a pure prospect generator strategy focused on Argentina and Peru. Rather than funding costly drilling programs, the company identifies and acquires prospective mineral assets, then partners with well-capitalized operators who earn majority stakes—typically 70–75%—by completing drilling programs. This approach allows Latin Metals to operate on just $2–3 million annually while avoiding shareholder dilution, a common issue among traditional explorers.A key innovation in its model is structuring earn-in agreements based on drilling meters instead of expenditure commitments. This ensures partners deliver tangible exploration work rather than inflating budgets with overhead costs. Currently, the company has secured approximately $80 million in partner-funded exploration, with expectations to grow this to $160–180 million as additional projects are optioned.Latin Metals’ portfolio is concentrated in mining-friendly regions where it has deep local expertise, including a 500,000-hectare land position in northwest Argentina prospective for sediment-hosted gold deposits. Its partnerships include major and mid-tier players such as Moxico Resources, alongside past or ongoing relationships with Newmont, Barrick, and AngloGold Ashanti. These collaborations validate the technical quality of its assets while distributing operational risk.The company’s long-term strategy is to evolve into an organic royalty business. By retaining net smelter return (NSR) royalties and minority stakes, Latin Metals gains exposure to future production and rising commodity prices without assuming development costs. Additional value is realized through staged cash payments tied to resource estimates.With improving mining sentiment in Argentina and strong demand for advanced projects, Latin Metals is positioned to benefit from multiple near-term exploration catalysts. Its disciplined, capital-light model offers diversified upside while maintaining financial stability and minimizing risk.Sign up for Crux Investor: https://cruxinvestor.com

Interview with Colin Joudrie, CEO, Selkirk Copper MinesRecording date: 8th May 2026Selkirk Copper Mines is advancing the restart of a high-grade copper-gold-silver operation in Canada’s Yukon, targeting production by mid-2028. The project stands out for its exceptional geology, with copper grades ranging from 6% to 10% across more than 85 mineralized lenses, and recovery rates averaging 91%. These characteristics position Selkirk among the highest-grade copper producers globally, with concentrate grades of 39–40%, significantly above the industry average of 26–28%.A major advantage lies in the project’s existing infrastructure. More than $330 million has already been invested in processing facilities, roads, and power, reducing restart capital requirements to roughly one-quarter of a comparable new development. This capital efficiency allows the company to focus spending on targeted upgrades and mine development rather than large-scale construction.The project also features a groundbreaking partnership with the Selkirk First Nation, which holds approximately 20% equity in the company. This unique arrangement aligns community and corporate interests while unlocking exploration potential in a district that has seen little modern exploration for decades.Recent drilling has reinforced confidence in the asset, achieving an 87% success rate across 175 holes, with results ranking among the best in the project’s history. These findings support a projected mine life of 12 to 15 years, with annual production targeted at around 30,000 tons of copper equivalent.Following bankruptcy proceedings, the company emerged free of legacy financial burdens, including a gold-silver streaming agreement, enabling full exposure to favorable metal prices. Combined with strong market demand for high-quality copper concentrates, Selkirk is well positioned to secure flexible, non-dilutive financing through offtake agreements.Overall, the project represents a rare combination of high-grade resources, existing infrastructure, and strong stakeholder alignment, offering a lower-risk path to near-term copper production.Learn more: https://www.cruxinvestor.com/companies/selkirk-copperSign up for Crux Investor: https://cruxinvestor.com

Interview with Brian Miller, CEO, Astra ExplorationOur previous interview: https://www.cruxinvestor.com/posts/astra-exploration-tsxvastr-7500m-drilled-third-exploration-program-to-commence-9520Recording date: 6th May 2026Astra Exploration has secured $15 million in its largest financing to date, raising the funds near its all-time high share price and without issuing warrants—a strong signal of investor confidence. The financing was heavily oversubscribed, with $12.5 million coming from major institutional investors such as Schroders and Terra Capital. This backing reflects growing confidence in Astra’s geological model and disciplined exploration strategy at its flagship La Manchuria gold-silver project in southern Argentina.La Manchuria presents a dual exploration opportunity. Near the surface, the project hosts a bulk tonnage gold-silver system, currently estimated at 146,000 gold-equivalent ounces at an average grade of about 2 grams per tonne, with significant room for expansion. At depth, Astra is targeting a high-grade feeder zone, where converging veins may indicate a richer “plumbing system” feeding the mineralization above. This concept, if confirmed, could significantly enhance the project’s economic potential, similar to other major discoveries in the region.The company has launched its Phase 3 drilling program, targeting 5,000 to 7,000 meters, with the possibility of expanding to 20,000–30,000 meters over the next 12 to 18 months depending on results. Drilling focuses on both extending shallow mineralization and testing deeper convergence zones. Initial assay results are expected in July 2026 and will guide future exploration.La Manchuria also benefits from strong infrastructure advantages, including proximity to two existing processing facilities and favorable topography that supports efficient open-pit mining. Combined with Argentina’s improving mining investment climate, Astra is well positioned to advance the project. The latest financing underscores institutional belief that the company’s methodical approach could unlock a significant gold-silver discovery.Learn more: https://www.cruxinvestor.com/companies/astra-explorationSign up for Crux Investor: https://cruxinvestor.com

Recording date: 4th May 2026Olive Resource Capital reported strong performance in April 2026, delivering double-digit returns that significantly outpaced traditional mining indices, which posted flat to modest gains. The outperformance was driven primarily by stock-specific gains rather than broader commodity trends, highlighting the fund’s emphasis on targeted investment selection.The firm has simultaneously adopted a more defensive posture, increasing cash holdings to over $3 million—more than half of its liquid assets—following the monetisation of its Aurion Resources position after a takeover by Agnico Eagle, along with selective trimming of other holdings. Despite this, the portfolio remains approximately 85% invested, reflecting a balanced approach between caution and opportunity.A key concern shaping strategy is the perceived underpricing of geopolitical risks tied to the Iran-Strait of Hormuz situation. While oil prices remain elevated, management believes equity markets are overly optimistic about a quick resolution and are failing to account for potential prolonged supply disruptions, particularly affecting Asia-Pacific economies. As a result, the fund has reduced exposure to that region and shifted focus toward North American assets, which are viewed as more resilient due to stronger domestic energy infrastructure.The fund also identified a shift in market dynamics from momentum-driven gains to a more selective, catalyst-driven environment. In this new phase, meaningful stock performance depends on significant corporate developments rather than general sector tailwinds.Looking ahead, Olive Resource Capital is positioning around several anticipated catalysts, including economic assessments, resource updates, and active drilling programs across multiple portfolio companies. This strategy aims to generate returns through company-specific developments while maintaining flexibility to navigate potential volatility.Overall, the fund combines strong recent performance with prudent risk management, adapting to both changing market conditions and evolving geopolitical uncertainties.Sign up for Crux Investor: https://cruxinvestor.com