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S&P 500 Breaking Out Again: What This Means for Your Portfolio

Stock 3 Mins Read

The S&P 500 ($SPX) just logged its fifth straight trading box breakout, which means that, of the five trading ranges the index has experienced since the April lows, all have been resolved to the upside.

How much longer can this last? That’s been the biggest question since the massive April 9 rally. Instead of assuming the market is due to roll over, it’s been more productive to track price action and watch for potential changes along the way. So far, drawdowns have been minimal, and breakouts keep occurring. Nothing in the price action hints at a lasting change — yet.

While some are calling this rally “historic,” we have a recent precedent. Recall that from late 2023 through early 2024, the index had a strong start and gave way to a consistent, steady trend.

From late October 2023 through March 2024, the S&P 500 logged seven consecutive trading box breakouts. That streak finally paused with a pullback from late March to early April, which, as we now know, was only a temporary hiccup. Once the bid returned, the S&P 500 went right back to carving new boxes and climbing higher.

New 52-Week Highs Finally Picking Up

If there’s been one gripe about this rally, it’s that the number of new highs within the index has lagged. As we’ve discussed before, among all the internal breadth indicators available, new highs almost always lag — that’s normal. What we really want to see is whether the number of new highs begins to exceed prior peaks as the market continues to rise, which it has, as shown by the blue line in the chart below.

As of Wednesday’s close, 100 S&P 500 stocks were either at new 52-week highs or within 3% of them. That’s a strong base. We expect this number to continue rising as the market climbs, especially if positive earnings reactions persist across sectors.

Even when we get that first day with 100+ S&P 500 stocks making new 52-week highs, though, it might not be the best time to initiate new longs.

The above chart shows that much needs to align for that many stocks to peak in unison, which has historically led to at least a short-term consolidation, if not deeper pullbacks — as highlighted in yellow. Every time is different, of course, but this is something to keep an eye on in the coming weeks.

Trend Check: GoNoGo Still “Go”

The GoNoGo Trend remains in bullish mode, with the recent countertrend signals having yet to trigger a greater pullback.

Active Bullish Patterns

We still have two live bullish upside targets of 6,555 and 6,745, which could be with us for a while going forward. For the S&P 500 to get there, it will need to form new, smaller versions of the trading boxes.

Failed Bearish Patterns

In the chart below, you can view a rising wedge pattern on the recent price action, the third since April. The prior two wedges broke down briefly and did not lead to a major downturn. The largest pullbacks in each case occurred after the S&P 500 dipped below the lower trendline of the pattern.

The deepest drawdown so far is 3.5%, which is not exactly a game-changer. Without downside follow-through, a classic bearish pattern simply can’t be formed, let alone be broken down from.

We’ll continue to monitor these formations as they develop because, at some point, that will change.

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More High-Grade Gold in Extensional Drilling Points to Growth Potential at Kamperman

Investing 5 Mins Read

Astral Resources NL (ASX: AAR) (Astral or the Company) is pleased to report assay results received from a 17-hole reverse circulation (RC) drill program for 2,954 metres completed at the Kamperman Deposit, part of its 100%-owned Feysville Gold Project (Feysville), located ~14km south of Kalgoorlie in Western Australia (Figure 1).

HIGHLIGHTS

Feysville Project

  • Assay results received for 17 RC holes (2,954m) drilled recently at Kamperman, part of the 100%-owned Feysville Gold Project in WA. The program tested a variety of targets designed both to increase the Mineral Resource and improve understanding of the deposit, with a specific focus on high-grade zones. Best results include:
    • 14m at 6.79g/t Au from 192m including 2m at 23.8g/t Au from 193m (FRC463)
    • 13m at 6.60g/t Au from 44m including 1m at 57.6g/t Au from 46m and 1m at 10.9g/t Au from 48m, 4m at 2.06g/t Au from 62m and 4m at 3.81g/t Au from 88m (FRC457)
    • 21m at 3.11g/t Au from 115m including 1m at 13.4g/t Au from 132m (FRC460)
    • 15m at 3.70g/t Au from 123m including 1m at 16.4g/t Au from 124m and 1m at 21.1g/t Au from 135m, 6m at 2.79g/t Au from 158m, 23m at 2.57g/t Au from 180m including 3m at 13.7g/t Au from 197m and 3m at 2.57g/t Au from 208m (FRC452)
    • 14m at 2.66g/t Au from 179m (FRC461)
    • 27m at 0.78g/t Au from 21m and 25m at 1.68g/t Au from 50m including 1m at 11.7g/t Au from 59m and 1m at 10.5g/t Au from 62m (FRC453)
    • 6m at 4.10g/t Au from 210m including 1m at 13.4g/t Au from 212m (FRC454)
  • The drill program has confirmed the presence of north-west striking high-grade gold mineralisation that is not currently included in the Kamperman Mineral Resource model, as well as confirming depth extensions to the southern lode and additional high-grade mineralisation in the footwall of the southern lode.
Mandilla Project
  • A 4-hole (1,641m) DD program has been completed on the eastern flank of the Theia deposit, part of the 100%-owned Mandilla Gold Project. The drill program was designed to test for a potential steeply dipping sub-parallel mineralised structure to the east of Theia. Best results include:
    • 4.15m at 33.2g/t Au from 164.3m including 0.5m at 269.6g/t Au from 165m, 12.13m at 1.29g/t Au from 173.87m including 0.3m at 23.4g/t Au from 173.87m and 1.79m at 6.21g/t Au from 253.47m including 0.58m at 17.6g/t Au from 253.82m (AMRCD140)
    • 0.3m at 30.7g/t Au from 336.26m (AMRCD139)
  • Quartz, pyrite and visible gold1 were intersected in each of the four holes, confirming the potential for Theia to host additional mineralised structures.
  • A 3-hole (775.6-m) DD program was also completed at Theia. The program was designed to target a previously intersected “230 Shear” structure. Drilling successfully intersected this distinct, narrow high-grade shear zone with best results including:
    • 1.57m at 22.8g/t Au from 168.59m including 0.6m at 59.2g/t Au from 169.56m, 7.12m at 1.42g/t Au from 175.08m including 0.3m at 25.9g/t Au from 175.51m, 8.73m at 0.95g/t Au from 222.44m and 4.90m at 1.28g/t Au from 259m including 0.3m at 13.7g/t Au from 262.07m (AMRCD137)
    • 2.27m at 4.94g/t Au from 161m including 0.47m at 22.8g/t Au from 161.93m and 5.33m at 1.08g/t Au from 202.85m (AMRCD138)

Astral Resources’ Managing Director Marc Ducler said: “The assay results from the recent RC program at Feysville have demonstrated the excellent potential for both the overall gold grade and the deposit size at Kamperman to increase.

“The program was highly successful in achieving its aims to extend interpreted high-grade gold zones beyond the existing Mineral Resource.

“The centrally located drill-hole, FRC457, returned an outstanding intercept of 13m at 6.60g/t Au, representing a very successful extension to a north-west striking high-grade ore shoot which appears to be projecting beyond the current deposit limits.

“Drill-hole FRC463 also returned a spectacular high-grade intercept. Drilled south and well beyond the current Resource testing for a south-plunging ore zone at depth, drilling successfully intersected 14m at 6.79g/t Au from 192m, to confirm one of our deepest zones of high-grade gold mineralisation so far and providing us with a hint of the greater potential still remaining at Kamperman.

“Over the Christmas period, Astral received notice from the DMPE of the grant of our Mining Licence application over areas of Feysville. This marks an important step as we progress towards submission of the Mining Proposal and execution of a JV agreement with Mineral Mining Services for the development of the Think Big Gold Mine. This would establish an early revenue opportunity for Astral against the backdrop of record gold prices to assist with securing overall development funding for the Mandilla Gold Project.

“Meanwhile at the cornerstone Theia deposit at Mandilla, we received assay results from two diamond drill programs, with further outstanding high-grade intercepts recorded.

“The first, a 3-hole program targeting the “230 Shear”, returned results such as 1.57m at 22.7g/t Au and 2.27m at 4.94g/t Au in separate holes, confirming the presence of this discrete, narrow, high-grade shear zone which strikes through the main Theia deposit.

“Importantly the shear, intersected in all three holes, remains mineralised at depth, with the potential to delineate additional sub-parallel repeats both within and extensional to Theia.

“A second 4-hole diamond drill program tested a potential steeply dipping sub-parallel structure to the east of Theia. As an initial positive sign visible gold was logged in all four holes, with a best result including a very high-grade intersection of 4.15m at 33.2g/t Au from 164.3m in hole AMDRCD137.

“Following our successful capital raise completed in December, Astral has funds on hand to maintain an aggressive exploration focus and complete the Mandilla DFS targeting a Final Investment Decision – all while maintaining a significant component of the equity requirement for development of the Mandilla Gold Project.

“Astral has ramped up exploration activities for 2026 with three drill rigs (2 RC and 1 DD rig) currently operating on site.”

Click here for the full ASX Release

This post appeared first on investingnews.com

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Walker Lane Resources Ltd. Completes an Updated Mineral Resource and Plans in 2026 to Advance Exploration Efforts and a Preliminary Economic Assessment in its Silver Hart Project, Yukon, Canada

Investing 12 Mins Read

TSX-V: WLR
Frankfurt: 6YL

Standards of Disclosure for Mineral Projects and its Companion Policy 43-101CP with an effective date of January 6, 2026.

The report was co-authored by Ronacher McKenzie Geosciences Inc. who conducted a site visit in 2025 to verify work completed since the 2021 season that has been reported by WLR which included a drill program in 2022, a minor sampling program on the Silver Hart claims in 2024, completion of a trenching program and minor reconnaissance efforts on the adjoining and acquired Blue Heaven claims in 2024, and reclamation programs on all of the claims in 2023 and 2024.

Subject to financing WLR intends to conduct drilling, socio-economic, environmental and engineering studies and initiate a Preliminary Economic Assessment of the Silver Hart Project in 2026.

The CIM Standards require that an estimated mineral resource must have reasonable prospects for eventual economic extraction. A summary of the SHP mineral resource economic and technical parameters and/or assumptions is presented in Table 1 below. A pit-shell was optimized based on silver equivalent values calculated using the economic parameters in the table.

Table 1: Summary of the Siver Hart Project Economic and Technical Parameters/Assumptions

Item

Units

Extended

Mining cost

CAD$/t all material

10.00

Processing cost

CAD$/t crude feed

25.50

G&A cost

CAD$/t crude feed

5.00

Exchange rate

CAD$ to US$

0.75

Ag price

USD$/oz

23.30

Pb price

US$/metric tonne

1,892

Zn price

US$/metric tonne

2,505

Metallurgical recovery

Percentage

80

Overall pit slope

Degrees

45

Silver Equivalent Calculation:  AgEq g/t = [(Ag ppm x %Rec. x Price/g) + (Pb ppm x %Rec. x Price/g) + (Zn ppm x %Rec. x Price/g)]/ (Ag Price/g x %Rec).
Note: Rec. = metallurgical recovery. AgEq=Silver Equivalent.

Block grade interpolation was performed using the ordinary kriging (OK) technique. The estimated pit constrained mineral resources were classified as Inferred, despite some close drill hole spacing in some zones and the continuity of mineralization as confirmed by variography, mainly because of the lack of substantiated metal recoveries and suspect collar surveys. Table 2 summarizes the update MRE fpr the Silver Hart Project effective as at January 6, 2026.

Table 2: Silver Hart Project – Pit Constrained Mineral Resources at a Cut-off Grade of AgEq>=50 g/t 

Mining Method

Domain

Mass (Tonnes)

Average Value

Material Content

AgEq g/t

Ag g/t

Pb %

Zn %

AgEq

Million oz

Ag Million oz

Pb

Million lb

Zn

Million lb

Open

Pit

TM_Zone

269,000

229.8

152.7

0.56

1.88

1.985

1.319

3.3

11.1

S_Zone

127,000

334.5

262.1

0.36

1.90

1.368

1.072

1.0

5.3

KL_Zone

1,026,000

110.9

35.7

0.11

2.17

3.659

1.178

2.5

49.0

K_Zone

265,000

79.8

14.2

0.09

1.90

0.680

0.121

0.5

11.1

M_Zone

202,000

173.6

98.1

0.58

1.82

1.128

0.637

2.6

8.1

Total

1,889,000

145.2

71.3

0.24

2.03

8.820

4.327

9.9

84.7

Notes:

1.

The effective date of this mineral resource statement is January 6, 2026.

2.

The qualified person responsible for this Mineral Resource Estimate (MRE) is Charley Murahwi, M.Sc., P.Geo., FAusIMM.

3.

The mineral resources have been estimated in accordance with the CIM Best Practice Guidelines (2019) and the CIM Definition Standards (2014)

4.

Ordinary Kriging (OK) interpolation was used with a single block size of 5m x 5m x 5m.

5.

The Economic & Technical parameters/assumptions are summarized in Table 1.1 above.

6.

The mineral resource results are presented in-situ within the optimized pit. Mineralized material outside the pit has not been considered as a part of the current MRE.

7.

The tonnes and metal contents are rounded to reflect that the numbers are an estimate and any discrepancies in the totals are due to the rounding effects.

8.

Mineral resources unlike mineral reserves do not have demonstrated economic viability.

The report also noted that:

  • All the deposits remain open along strike in both directions and down dip, and, in particular, the largest deposit (KL zone). The likelihood of some of the deposits merging (i.e., K to KL, TM main to H and S to M) cannot be ruled out if a program of step out and infill drilling is implemented.
  • The growth potential for the mineral resource is satisfactory as the deposits remain open for expansion in all directions (i.e., strike in both directions and down dip).
  • Prospects for growing the resource via new discoveries appear favorable based on the fact that several known mineral occurrences and anomalies within the Silver Hart and the adjacent Blue Heaven claims remain to be test drilled for resource evaluation.
  • The early initial metallurgical tests completed previously in 1986 and, in 2006, do not have substantiated documentation regarding representativity and location of the samples and, thus, the need for a fresh start is warranted. Nonetheless, the general response of lead, zinc and silver to flotation in those early tests was generally positive.

The NI-43-101 MRE report has been filed on its SEDAR+ profile and will soon be published on the Company’s website at www.walkerlaneresources.com

Kevin Brewer, President and CEO of WLR, commented ‘The MRE is a major milestone in our exploration efforts at Silver Hart. The MRE was estimated at prices much lower than current spot metal prices, which if used in the silver equivalent calculation in the MRE calculation result in an improved silver equivalent grade. You can do the math. As a result, WLR now intends to advance our evaluation of this project to consider a production decision in the short term. Mineralization in all of the zones in the Silver Hart Project start at surface and therefore are expected to be amenable to small scale open pit mining. WLR and its predecessor company CMC Metals Ltd. have been working on this project for 20 years and it is now prepped to take the project to the next stage.’

Next Steps – Highlights of Proposed 2026 Exploration Program and Preparation of a Preliminary Economic Assessment

Walker Lane Resources Ltd. also announced that it is preparing to commence planning for the next stage of its exploration program and evaluation of the Silver Hart Project which will contribute to a potential development decision for the project.

Subject to financing, WLR intends to:

  • Complete 1,500-2,000 meters of exploration drilling to (i) extend the resources on the TM Zone (ii) to conduct infill drilling in the TM Zone with the objective of converting a majority of the inferred resources to indicated resources.
  • Conduct 1,000-1,500 meters of exploratory drilling on known areas of mineralization on the Blue Heaven claims.
  • Metallurgical testing including pre-concentration (ore sorting / dense heavy media separation) assessments.
  • Conduct additional environmental and socio-economic studies to support a possible development application for the project. This is expected to include examining opportunities for partnerships with local First Nations.
  • Initiate a Preliminary Economic Assessment of the project which will include preliminary engineering and a preliminary transportation/logistics analysis.

Qualified Persons

The resource evaluation work was completed by Mr. Charley Murahwi, M.Sc. P.Geo., FAusIMM and Richard Gowans, B.Sc, P.Eng of MICON International Limited. Mr. Murahwi conducted a personal inspection of the Silver Hart Project on August 17-20, 2021. Dr. Gloria Lopez, PhD, P.Geo. of Ronacher-McKenzie Geosciences Inc. was a contributing author and conducted a personal inspection of the Silver Hart Project on September 16, 2025. This information release has also been reviewed and approved by the Qualified Persons.

About Walker Lane Resources Ltd.

Walker Lane Resources Ltd. is a growth-stage exploration company focused on the exploration of high-grade gold, silver and polymetallic deposits in the Walker Lane Gold Trend District in Nevada and the Rancheria Silver District in Yukon/B.C. and other property assets in Yukon. The Company intends to initiate an aggressive exploration program to advance the Tule Canyon (Walker Lane, Nevada) and Amy (Rancheria Silver District, B.C.) projects through drilling programs with the aim of achieving resource definition in the near future.

For more information, please consult the Company’s filings, available at www.sedarplus.ca. Also please feel free to call Kevin at the number below.

ON BEHALF OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS

Kevin Brewer
CEO and Director
Walker Lane Resources Ltd.

Cautionary and Forward Looking Statements

This press release and related figures and/or tables, contain certain forward-looking information and forward-looking statements as defined in applicable securities laws (collectively referred to as forward-looking statements). These statements relate to future events or our future performance. All statements other than statements of historical fact are forward-looking statements. The use of any of the words ‘anticipate’, ‘plans’, ‘continue’, ‘estimate’, ‘expect’, ‘may’, ‘will’, ‘project’, ‘predict’, ‘potential’, ‘should’, ‘believe’ ‘targeted’, ‘can’, ‘anticipates’, ‘intends’, ‘likely’, ‘should’, ‘could’  or grammatical variations thereof and similar expressions is intended to identify forward-looking statements. These statements involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that may cause actual results or events to differ materially from those anticipated in such forward-looking statements. These statements speak only as of the date of this presentation. These forward-looking statements include, but are not limited to, statements concerning: our strategy and priorities including certain statements included in this presentation are forward-looking statements within the meaning of Canadian securities laws, including statements regarding the Tule Canyon, Cambridge, Silver Mountain, and Shamrock Properties in Nevada (USA), and its properties including Silverknife and Amy properties in British Columbia, the  Silver Hart, Blue Heaven and Logjam properties in Yukon all of which now comprise the mineral property assets of WLR. WLR has assumed other assets of CMC Metals Ltd. including common share holdings of North Bay Resources Inc. (OTC-US: NBRI) and all conditions and agreements pertaining to the sale of the Bishop mill gold processing facility and remain subject to the condition of the option of the Silverknife property with Coeur Mining Inc. (TSX:CDE). These forward-looking statements reflect the Company’s current beliefs and are based on information currently available to the Company and assumptions the Company believes are reasonable. The Company has made various assumptions, including, among others, that: the historical information related to the Company’s properties is reliable; the Company’s operations are not disrupted or delayed by unusual geological or technical problems; the Company has the ability to explore the Company’s properties; the Company will be able to raise any necessary additional capital on reasonable terms to execute its business plan; the Company’s current corporate activities will proceed as expected; general business and economic conditions will not change in a material adverse manner; and budgeted costs and expenditures are and will continue to be accurate.

Actual results and developments may differ materially from results and developments discussed in the forward-looking statements as they are subject to a number of significant risks and uncertainties, including: public health threats; fluctuations in metals prices, price of consumed commodities and currency markets; future profitability of mining operations; access to personnel; results of exploration and development activities, accuracy of technical information; risks related to ownership of properties; risks related to mining operations; risks related to mineral resource figures being estimates based on interpretations and assumptions which may result in less mineral production under actual conditions than is currently anticipated; the interpretation of drilling results and other geological data; receipt, maintenance and security of permits and mineral property titles; environmental and other regulatory risks; changes in operating expenses; changes in general market and industry conditions; changes in legal or regulatory requirements; other risk factors set out in this presentation; and other risk factors set out in the Company’s public disclosure documents. Although the Company has attempted to identify significant risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially, there may be other risks that cause results not to be as anticipated, estimated or intended. Certain of these risks and uncertainties are beyond the Company’s control. Consequently, all of the forward-looking statements are qualified by these cautionary statements, and there can be no assurances that the actual results or developments will be realized or, even if substantially realized, that they will have the expected consequences or benefits to, or effect on, the Company.

The information contained in this presentation is derived from management of the Company and otherwise from publicly available information and does not purport to contain all of the information that an investor may desire to have in evaluating the Company. The information has not been independently verified, may prove to be imprecise, and is subject to material updating, revision and further amendment. While management is not aware of any misstatements regarding any industry data presented herein, no representation or warranty, express or implied, is made or given by or on behalf of the Company as to the accuracy, completeness or fairness of the information or opinions contained in this presentation and no responsibility or liability is accepted by any person for such information or opinions. The forward-looking statements and information in this presentation speak only as of the date of this presentation and the Company assumes no obligation to update or revise such information to reflect new events or circumstances, except as may be required by applicable law. Although the Company believes that the expectations reflected in the forward-looking statements and information are reasonable, there can be no assurance that such expectations will prove to be correct. Because of the risks, uncertainties and assumptions contained herein, prospective investors should not read forward-looking information as guarantees of future performance or results and should not place undue reliance on forward-looking information. Nothing in this presentation is, or should be relied upon as, a promise or representation as to the future. To the extent any forward-looking statement in this presentation constitutes ‘future-oriented financial information’ or ‘financial outlooks’ within the meaning of applicable Canadian securities laws, such information is being provided to demonstrate the anticipated market penetration and the reader is cautioned that this information may not be appropriate for any other purpose and the reader should not place undue reliance on such future-oriented financial information and financial outlooks. Future-oriented financial information and financial outlooks, as with forward-looking statements generally, are, without limitation, based on the assumptions and subject to the risks set out above. The Company’s actual financial position and results of operations may differ materially from management’s current expectations and, as a result, the Company’s revenue and expenses. The Company’s financial projections were not prepared with a view toward compliance with published guidelines of International Financial Reporting Standards and have not been examined, reviewed or compiled by the Company’s accountants or auditors. The Company’s financial projections represent management’s estimates as of the dates indicated thereon.

SOURCE Walker Lane Resources Ltd

View original content to download multimedia: http://www.newswire.ca/en/releases/archive/January2026/21/c0060.html

News Provided by Canada Newswire via QuoteMedia

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Cyprium Metals Limited (ASX: CYM) – Trading Halt

Investing 1 Min Read

Trading in the securities of Cyprium Metals Limited (‘CYM’) will be halted at the request of CYM, pending the release of an announcement by CYM.

Unless ASX decides otherwise, the securities will remain in trading halt until the earlier of:

  • the commencement of normal trading on Friday, 23 January 2026; or
  • the release of the announcement to the market.

CYM’s request for a trading halt is attached below for the information of the market.

Issued by
ASX Compliance

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Excellent Results from 2025 Core Drilling Program at McDermitt

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Jindalee Lithium Limited (Jindalee, or the Company; ASX: JLL, OTCQX: JNDAF) is pleased to report assay results from the drilling program at the McDermitt Lithium Project completed late 2025.

  • All holes returned strong lithium and magnesium intercepts from shallow depths, including:
    • R92: 36.5m @ 1951 ppm Li & 5.23% Mg from 24.5m
    • R93: 15.5m @ 1456 ppm Li & 5.45% Mg from 3.6m
    • R94: 66.0m @ 1599 ppm Li & 4.12% Mg from 0.4m
    • R95: 110.6m @ 1519 ppm Li & 4.80% Mg from 23.0m
    • R96: 20.1m @ 1514 ppm Li & 5.29% Mg from 0.4m
  • Three holes twinning earlier RC holes confirmed good correlation with RC results
  • High-quality core samples retained for metallurgical testwork (lithium and magnesium)

Background

On 3 December 2025 Jindalee announced the completion of a large diameter core drilling program at the Company’s 100% owned McDermitt Lithium Project1 (McDermitt, Project), one of the largest lithium deposits in the United States (US) and of global significance2 (Figure 1).

The program comprised five PQ3 (8.5cm diameter) core holes designed to obtain samples for metallurgical testwork to further optimise lithium recoveries, as well as unlock value from the significant magnesium endowment at McDermitt, via the value optimisation program announced late October 20253. The drilling also provided valuable geological and geotechnical data on the deposit, with three of the holes collared to twin reverse circulation (RC) holes drilled in 2021 and 20224.

Discussion

All five holes returned strong lithium and magnesium intercepts from shallow depths as summarised above and in Annexure A. Three holes (R94, R95 and R96) were collared to twin RC holes drilled previously by Jindalee (MDRC-24, MDRC-21 and MDRC-22 respectively), with assays from the recent core holes showing good correlation with the RC results (refer Table 1). Jindalee will now undertake detailed geostatistical analysis to further evaluate the relationship between the results from RC and core drilling to help determine the optimal drilling methods for future programs.

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LAURION Strengthens its Technical Leadership at Ishkoday with Appointment of Pierre-Jean Lafleur, P.Eng., as Qualified Person

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(TheNewswire)

Toronto, Ontario January 21, 2026 TheNewswire – Laurion Mineral Exploration Inc. (TSX-V: LME | OTCQB: LMEFF | FSE: 5YD) (‘LAURION’ or the ‘Company’) announces the appointment of Pierre-Jean Lafleur, P.Eng., as the Company’s new Qualified Person, effective immediately.

Pierre-Jean is a highly experienced geological engineer and consultant who has authored numerous National Instrument 43-101 – Standards of Disclosure for Mineral Projects (‘NI 43-101’) technical reports for gold and mineral resource projects, including Duparquet (Québec), Balabag (Philippines) and Lac Lamêlée (iron ore, Québec), demonstrating deep expertise in gold, base metals, and international resource evaluation. He specializes in property evaluation, mineral resource estimation and various aspects of exploration and mining project management.

‘Pierre-Jean brings exactly the combination of geological insight, Qualified Person leadership, and technical discipline that aligns with our execution priorities,‘ said Cynthia Le Sueur-Aquin, President and CEO of LAURION. ‘His experience strengthens our ability to advance Ishkōday through disciplined interpretation, integrated modelling, and technically grounded decision-making as the project continues to evolve.’

The Company also extends its sincerest thanks to Jean-Philippe Paiement, P.Geo., for his contributions and efforts during his tenure as the Company’s Qualified Person. LAURION wishes him continued success in his future endeavours.

Strengthened Technical Team to Advance Ishkōday

LAURION has strategically strengthened its technical leadership to support disciplined advancement at the Ishkōday Gold-Polymetallic Project. Pierre-Jean Lafleur and Ali Ben Ayad (Structural-Geophysicist) will lead the integration and synthesis of LAURION’s geological, geophysical, and drilling datasets to refine the A-Zone geological envelope, develop robust 3D wireframes, and establish the technical foundation required for future resource-definition work under NI 43-101.

In parallel, Rogerio Monteiro of Vektore will contribute advanced structural interpretation and grade-vectoring analysis to support the prioritization of step-out targets with potential to extend known mineralization, with initial emphasis on the Sturgeon River Mine area and broader Ishkōday corridor. Vektore’s proprietary spatial-analytic framework transforms grade information into directionally weighted vector fields, supporting early-stage identification of structural trends and high-probability concentration zones.

 

This work will be closely coordinated with Ronacher McKenzie Geoscience (RMG) and LAURION’s internal exploration team to ensure disciplined execution, continuity of interpretation, and alignment across technical workstreams.

Guidance on Timing of NI 43-101 Technical Reports

 

While LAURION is working toward the technical foundation required to support an eventual NI 43-101 compliant technical report expressing a mineral resource estimate (‘MRE’), potentially followed by a subsequent technical report disclosing a preliminary economic assessment (‘PEA’), the Company is not providing guidance on timing of either of these technical objectives. Progress toward an MRE and PEA will depend on multiple factors, including ongoing refinement of geological and structural models, the definition of mineralized continuity through further work and drilling where required, and access to financing to execute the necessary programs. Accordingly, references to NI 43-101 technical reports should be regarded as an ongoing technical objective of the Company, not an indication that the completion dates for an MRE and PEA can be accurately predicted at this stage.

 

LAURION believes the appointment of Pierre-Jean as its new Qualified Person further strengthens the Company’s technical leadership as it continues developing Ishkōday.

 

Qualified Person

The technical contents of this release were reviewed and approved by Pierre-Jean Lafleur, P.Eng, a consultant to LAURION and a Qualified Person as defined by NI 43-101.

 

About LAURION Mineral Exploration Inc.

 

Laurion Mineral Exploration Inc. is a mid-stage junior mineral exploration company listed on the TSX Venture Exchange under the symbol LME and on the OTC Pink market under the symbol LMEFF. The Company currently has 278,716,413 common shares outstanding, with approximately 73.6% held by insiders and long-term ‘Friends and Family’ investors, reflecting strong alignment between management, the Board, and shareholders.

 

LAURION’s primary focus is the 100%-owned, district-scale Ishkōday Project, a 57 km² land package hosting gold-rich polymetallic mineralization. The Company is advancing Ishkōday through a disciplined, milestone-driven exploration strategy focused on strengthening geological confidence, defining structural continuity.

 

LAURION’s strategy is centered on deliberate value creation. The Company is prioritizing systematic technical advancement, integrated geological and structural modeling, and the evaluation of optional, non-dilutive pathways, including historical surface stockpile processing, that may support flexibility in LAURION’s exploration plans without diverting the Company’s focus from its core exploration objectives.

 

The Company’s overarching objective is to build project value before monetization, ensuring that any future strategic outcomes are supported by technical clarity, reduced execution risk, and demonstrated scale. While the Board remains attentive to strategic interest that may arise, LAURION is not driven by transaction timing. Instead, the Company is focused on advancing the Ishkōday Project in a manner that strengthens long-term shareholder value.

 

LAURION will continue to communicate updates through timely disclosure and will issue press releases in accordance with applicable securities laws should any material information arise.

 

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION, CONTACT:

 

Laurion Mineral Exploration Inc.

Cynthia Le Sueur-Aquin – President and CEO

Tel: 1-705-788-9186 Fax: 1-705-805-9256

 

Douglas Vass – Investor Relations Consultant

Email: info@laurion.ca

Website: http://www.LAURION.ca

Follow us on: X (@LAURION_LME), Instagram (laurionmineral) and LinkedIn ()

 

Caution Regarding Forward-Looking Information

This press release contains forward-looking statements, which reflect the Company’s current expectations regarding future events including with respect to LAURION’s business, operations and condition, management’s objectives, strategies, beliefs and intentions, the Company’s ability to advance the Ishkōday Project, the nature, focus, timing and potential results of the Company’s exploration, drilling and prospecting activities in 2026 and beyond, the timing of, and the Company’s ability to complete, any technical reports or milestones regarding the Ishkōday Project, and the statements regarding the Company’s exploration or consideration of any possible strategic alternatives and transactional opportunities, as well as the potential outcome(s) of this process, the possible impact of any potential transactions referenced herein on the Company or any of its stakeholders, and the ability of the Company to identify and complete any potential acquisitions, mergers, financings or other transactions referenced herein, and the timing of any such transactions. The forward-looking statements involve risks and uncertainties. Actual events and future results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements could differ materially from those projected herein including as a result of a change in the trading price of the common shares of LAURION, the TSX Venture Exchange or any other applicable regulator not providing its approval for any strategic alternatives or transactional opportunities, the interpretation and actual results of current exploration activities, changes in project parameters as plans continue to be refined, future prices of gold and/or other metals, possible variations in grade or recovery rates, failure of equipment or processes to operate as anticipated, the failure of contracted parties to perform, labor disputes and other risks of the mining industry, delays in obtaining governmental approvals or financing or in the completion of exploration, as well as those factors disclosed in the Company’s publicly filed documents. Investors should consult the Company’s ongoing quarterly and annual filings, as well as any other additional documentation comprising the Company’s public disclosure record, for additional information on risks and uncertainties relating to these forward-looking statements. The reader is cautioned not to rely on these forward-looking statements. Subject to applicable law, the Company disclaims any obligation to update these forward-looking statements. All sample values are from grab samples and channel samples, which by their nature, are not necessarily representative of overall grades of mineralized areas. Readers are cautioned to not place undue reliance on the assay values reported in this press release.

NEITHER THE TSX VENTURE EXCHANGE NOR ITS REGULATION SERVICE PROVIDER (AS THAT TERM IS DEFINED IN THE POLICIES OF THE TSX VENTURE EXCHANGE) ACCEPTS RESPONSIBILITY FOR THE ADEQUACY OR ACCURACY OF THE CONTENT OF THIS NEWS RELEASE.

  

Copyright (c) 2026 TheNewswire – All rights reserved.

News Provided by TheNewsWire via QuoteMedia

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Valentino, founder of Italian luxury empire, dies at 93

Business 3 Mins Read

ROME — Italian fashion designer Valentino Garavani has died, his foundation said Monday.

Usually known only by his first name, Valentino was 93, and had retired in 2008.

Founder of the eponymous brand, Valentino scaled the heights of haute couture, created a business empire and introduced a new color to the fashion world, the ‘Valentino Red.’

‘Valentino Garavani passed away today at his Roman residence, surrounded by his loved ones,’ the foundation said on Instagram.

He will lie in state Wednesday and Thursday, while the funeral will take place in Rome on Friday, it added.

Ira de Fürstenberg, president of Valentino Parfums, alongside Valentino Garavani in his perfume laboratory in 1978.Alain Dejean / Getty Images file

Valentino was ranked alongside Giorgio Armani and Karl Lagerfeld as the last of the great designers from an era before fashion became a global, highly commercial industry run as much by accountants and marketing executives as the couturiers.

Lagerfeld died in 2019, while Armani died in September.

Valentino was adored by generations of royals, first ladies and movie stars, from Jackie Kennedy Onassis to Julia Roberts and Queen Rania of Jordan, who swore the designer always made them look and feel their best.

“I know what women want,” he once remarked. “They want to be beautiful.”

Italian fashion designer Valentino.Andrea Blanch / Getty Images file

Never one for edginess or statement dressing, Valentino made precious few fashion faux-pas throughout his nearly half-century-long career, which stretched from his early days in Rome in the 1960s through to his retirement in 2008.

His fail-safe designs made Valentino the king of the red carpet, the go-to man for A-listers’ awards ceremony needs.

His sumptuous gowns have graced countless Academy Awards, notably in 2001, when Roberts wore a vintage black and white column to accept her best actress statue. Cate Blanchett also wore Valentino — a one-shouldered number in butter-yellow silk — when she won the Oscar for best supporting actress in 2004.

Valentino and a group of models in his designs during a fashion show in Paris in 1993.Gamma-Rapho via Getty Images file

Valentino was also behind the long-sleeved lace dress Jacqueline Kennedy wore for her wedding to Greek shipping magnate Aristotle Onassis in 1968. Kennedy and Valentino were close friends for decades, and for a spell, the one-time U.S. first lady wore almost exclusively Valentino.

He was also close to Diana, Princess of Wales, who often donned his sumptuous gowns.

Beyond his signature orange-tinged shade of red, other Valentino trademarks included bows, ruffles, lace and embroidery; in short, feminine, flirty embellishments that added to the dresses’ beauty and hence to that of the wearers.

Perpetually tanned and always impeccably dressed, Valentino shared the lifestyle of his jet-set patrons. In addition to his 152-foot yacht and an art collection including works by Picasso and Miro, the couturier owned a 17th-century chateau near Paris with a garden said to boast more than a million roses.

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Stock

S&P 500 Breaking Out Again: What This Means for Your Portfolio

Stock 3 Mins Read

The S&P 500 ($SPX) just logged its fifth straight trading box breakout, which means that, of the five trading ranges the index has experienced since the April lows, all have been resolved to the upside.

How much longer can this last? That’s been the biggest question since the massive April 9 rally. Instead of assuming the market is due to roll over, it’s been more productive to track price action and watch for potential changes along the way. So far, drawdowns have been minimal, and breakouts keep occurring. Nothing in the price action hints at a lasting change — yet.

While some are calling this rally “historic,” we have a recent precedent. Recall that from late 2023 through early 2024, the index had a strong start and gave way to a consistent, steady trend.

From late October 2023 through March 2024, the S&P 500 logged seven consecutive trading box breakouts. That streak finally paused with a pullback from late March to early April, which, as we now know, was only a temporary hiccup. Once the bid returned, the S&P 500 went right back to carving new boxes and climbing higher.

New 52-Week Highs Finally Picking Up

If there’s been one gripe about this rally, it’s that the number of new highs within the index has lagged. As we’ve discussed before, among all the internal breadth indicators available, new highs almost always lag — that’s normal. What we really want to see is whether the number of new highs begins to exceed prior peaks as the market continues to rise, which it has, as shown by the blue line in the chart below.

As of Wednesday’s close, 100 S&P 500 stocks were either at new 52-week highs or within 3% of them. That’s a strong base. We expect this number to continue rising as the market climbs, especially if positive earnings reactions persist across sectors.

Even when we get that first day with 100+ S&P 500 stocks making new 52-week highs, though, it might not be the best time to initiate new longs.

The above chart shows that much needs to align for that many stocks to peak in unison, which has historically led to at least a short-term consolidation, if not deeper pullbacks — as highlighted in yellow. Every time is different, of course, but this is something to keep an eye on in the coming weeks.

Trend Check: GoNoGo Still “Go”

The GoNoGo Trend remains in bullish mode, with the recent countertrend signals having yet to trigger a greater pullback.

Active Bullish Patterns

We still have two live bullish upside targets of 6,555 and 6,745, which could be with us for a while going forward. For the S&P 500 to get there, it will need to form new, smaller versions of the trading boxes.

Failed Bearish Patterns

In the chart below, you can view a rising wedge pattern on the recent price action, the third since April. The prior two wedges broke down briefly and did not lead to a major downturn. The largest pullbacks in each case occurred after the S&P 500 dipped below the lower trendline of the pattern.

The deepest drawdown so far is 3.5%, which is not exactly a game-changer. Without downside follow-through, a classic bearish pattern simply can’t be formed, let alone be broken down from.

We’ll continue to monitor these formations as they develop because, at some point, that will change.

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Investing

Cobalt Market Forecast: Top Trends for Cobalt in 2026

Investing 6 Mins Read

Cobalt metal prices have trended steadily higher since September of last year, entering 2026 at US$56,414 per metric ton and touching highs unseen since July 2022.

The cobalt market staged a dramatic reversal in 2025, shifting from deep oversupply to structural tightening after decisive intervention by the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC).

Prices began last year near nine year lows amid a lingering glut, but surged after the DRC, responsible for roughly three-quarters of global supply, imposed an export ban in February, later replaced by strict quotas.

By the end of the year, cobalt metal prices had more than doubled, underscoring how quickly supply-side policy reshaped market fundamentals. What emerged was not a demand-driven recovery, but a supply-led reset. Indonesian output, largely tied to nickel processing, helped cushion the shock but proved insufficient to replace lost Congolese units.

As inventories thinned and quotas capped future exports, the market exited 2025 near balance, setting the stage for a tighter and more volatile cobalt landscape heading into 2026.

Cobalt chokepoints: DRC dominance, China and the Lobito Corridor

With the concentration of cobalt output stemming from two nations, supply chain security has come into focus. An issue Roman Aubry, nickel and cobalt analyst at Benchmark Mineral Intelligence expects to last through 2026.

“2025 has demonstrated the risks associated with having a single country being

He added: “Looking ahead to 2026 it’s clear that the market has to anticipate continued uncertainty from the DRC. While they’ve announced a detailed quota system for the next two years, the DRC reserves the right to adjust it as it sees fit. Given the current ex-DRC cobalt stocks, Benchmark expects there to be significant risk of demand destruction as we approach the end of the year, therefore it is likely the DRC will need to adjust the export quota.”

Concern over China’s control of battery and critical metal supply chains is also likely to carry over through the year, as tensions between Washington and Beijing oscillate and the US looks to fortify its access to the metals.

Aubry pointed to the Lobito Corridor as a key factor in the US securing ex-China supply.

The major rail and port project linking the mineral-rich Copperbelt of the DRC and Zambia to Angola’s Atlantic coast, could reshape the global cobalt supply chain by lowering export costs, speeding transit times and diversifying routes away from China‑dominated infrastructure.

The US International Development Finance Corporation has committed hundreds of millions of dollars in funding to modernize the corridor’s rail and port facilities, potentially boosting annual transport capacity by an order of magnitude and cutting costs by as much as 30 percent compared with existing routes.

“In regards to Western-China relations, we’ve seen the US become increasingly conscious of its reliance on China refining for critical minerals, taking steps to improve ties with the DRC,” said Aubry. “This has mainly come in the form of a strategic agreement to develop the Lobito rail corridor, which would allow the DRC to export cobalt directly to the Atlantic, as well as the establishment of a coordinated Strategic Minerals Reserve within the DRC.”

Is cobalt substitution in the cards?

Before the DRC levied export controls over cobalt exports human rights and child labour concerns around artisinal cobalt extraction plagued the sector.

Paired with the supply chain challenges, battery manufacturers began shifting chemistry away from cobalt-rich formulas, like nickel-cobalt-manganese (NCM) and lithium-iron-phiosphate (LFP) began growing in market share.

In 2025, demand for nickel-cobalt-manganese (NCM) battery cells remained strong in markets focused on longer driving range and performance, particularly in North America and Europe, but lithium iron phosphate (LFP) cells continued their rapid ascent, driven by cost advantages and growing adoption in China and entry-level electric vehicles (EVs).

Industry forecasts project LFP’s share of global battery cell capacity to exceed 60 percent in 2025, reflecting broader shifts toward lower-cost chemistry amid affordability pressures, while NCM and lithium nickel cobalt aluminum oxide (NCA) cells continue to dominate premium segments where energy density remains critical.

Amid a shrinking EV market share, Aubry pointed to overall growth in the EV segment, as well as cobalt’s other end uses as factors likely to support demand.

“While battery chemistries are expected to shift towards lower-cobalt or cobalt- free chemistries, the volume of EV batteries is expected to more than offset this,” he explained.

“From all applications, cobalt demand is expected to grow almost 80 percent in the next decade,

He added: “Outside of the EV space, portables are an area of significant growth, particularly batteries for newer technologies like drones. Industrial applications also present a stable source of growth.”

Market volatility drives need for raw materials hedging

During a presentation at Benchmark Week 2025, Casper Rawles, COO at Benchmark Intelligence, highlighted the growing value of hedging for companies operating in the battery raw materials space.

According to Benchmark data, raw materials could account for 20 percent to 40 percent of battery costs by 2030, exceeding 50 percent for some chemistries.

For EV manufacturers such as BYD (OTCPL:BYDDF), annual spending on critical battery materials could exceed US$2 billion, leaving margins highly exposed to price swings.

Against that backdrop, Rawles underscored the need for more sophisticated hedging strategies, noting that shifts in sentiment, supply, demand and geopolitics can reprice these markets with little warning.

Hedging allows companies to manage commodity price volatility by offsetting exposure in the physical market with positions in the futures market.

Producers and consumers typically hedge either to lock in prices that protect margins or to secure fixed pricing tied to external contracts, buying or selling futures to counterbalance their underlying risk. In practice, firms can tailor these strategies to reduce price exposure partially or eliminate it altogether, depending on their risk tolerance.

As Rawles explained, cobalt’s 2025 price rebound emphasizes how exposed the market is to geopolitics, with the DRC’s export controls triggering a rapid reversal from oversupply to scarcity.

“Ultimately we saw an export quota being put in place. Now that quota is pretty limited,’ said Rawles.

‘When we think about the type of volumes we’re expecting to be needed by the market it’s really not going to be sufficient to fulfill market demand. That really shows how quickly the fortunes of these minerals can change,” he added, noting that the DRC’s dominance gives it outsized influence over global pricing.

Rawles stressed that cobalt volatility is no longer driven by supply and demand alone, but by sentiment and geopolitics, with major implications for battery makers and automakers, where raw materials account for a large share of costs.

“Even if you think you know the outlook at the start of the year, that can change in a heartbeat,” he said.

Securities Disclosure: I, Georgia Williams, hold no direct investment interest in any company mentioned in this article.

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Graphite Market Forecast: Top Trends for Graphite in 2026

Investing 7 Mins Read

The graphite market was dominated by oversupply, trade disputes and China’s continued grip in 2025.

Prices hit multi-year lows as a US investigation into Chinese anode imports highlighted the vulnerability of the electric vehicle (EV) supply chain, with tariffs and anti-dumping duties creating uncertainty for North American producers.

Although natural graphite output has risen from 966,000 metric tons in 2020 to 1.6 million metric tons in 2024, China accounts for nearly all recent supply growth and also dominates refining.

The nation is projected to control roughly 80 percent of battery-grade graphite production through 2035.

Outside the Asian nation, analysts note that US and European producers face high costs and limited alternatives, with trade tensions and tariffs further constraining non-China supply.

While graphite projects in Madagascar and Mozambique offer some diversification of supply, graphite refining capacity remains heavily concentrated, leaving the market exposed to supply shocks.

A US-China trade agreement made late in 2025 eased volatility in the natural anode market, but oversupply and weak demand continue to pressure flake graphite prices as the year closed.

“The agreement between the US and China to roll back planned export restrictions on markets such as graphite is set to provide a stable picture for the next year,” wrote Fastmarkets’ Andrew Saucer in a November update.

“However, for graphite, it leaves many existing trade barriers in place which should solidify shifts in how China and the US are finding alternatives to each other in their natural and synthetic supply chains.’

Graphite prices under pressure

Speaking at the Benchmark Week conference in November 2025, Adam Webb, head of energy raw materials at Benchmark Mineral Intelligence, explained why flake graphite prices — as well as the majority of the battery metals suite — saw weak prices through early 2025, despite a promising demand outlook.

“Essentially, what’s happened here is demand has grown very strongly, but supply growth has actually outpaced demand growth,” Webb said. “Therefore you’ve got the markets in a surplus, and that weighs on prices.”

As graphite prices sank in 2024, a ripple effect impacted supply, hitting the production side hard.

“With flake graphite, you’ll notice it’s actually supply has increased less than demand, and that is because prices were so low that in 2024 you had significant Chinese capacity come offline,’ Webb commented.

‘Also in flake graphite you have competition with synthetic graphite.”

Graphite anodes remain the dominant choice for lithium-ion batteries, but price divergence has sharpened competition between natural and synthetic materials.

Synthetic graphite is expected to retain the largest market share in the near term, thanks to its superior fast-charging performance, durability and electrolyte compatibility. However, natural graphite is gaining attention for its lower cost, higher capacity and lower energy intensity. This competition has divided the market as prices for flake graphite remain low, further pressured by weak demand in the industrial segment.

“Flake pricing on the other hand continues to feel the impact of lower steel demand in 2025 amid declines in Asian and European production in the first seven months of the year,” a September Fastmarkets report notes.

“Expectations among market participants are that production in China will continue to decline through the end of the year and continue to weigh on overall global production.”

Energy storage surge to underpin long-term graphite demand

Despite the market challenges noted by Benchmark’s Webb, the metals consultancy and price reporting agency forecasts 9 percent growth in graphite demand between 2025 and 2035.

This uptick will be strongly supported by a rise in the EV and battery energy storage system (BESS) segments.

“Flake graphite, you’ll see that that price is going up despite the oversupplied market, and that is because to meet that rising demand, there needs to be more supply coming online, and a lot of that supply coming online is high cost. So that’s going to push up the price support, basically, gradually through time,” Webb said.

The BESS market emerged as a major growth driver in 2025, reinforcing long-term demand for battery raw materials, including graphite. As Benchmark outlines, the market for BESS is expected to register roughly 44 percent growth for 2025, almost double the rate of overall lithium-ion battery demand.

As a result, energy storage is set to account for a quarter of total battery demand in 2025.

In North America, momentum has been uneven.

While interest in large-scale storage remains strong, BESS integrators faced mounting pressure in 2025 due to limited domestic battery cell supply, project delays and shrinking margins.

Several leading system providers reported weaker financial results, highlighting the risks of heavy reliance on imported cells and fragmented supply chains.

In Europe, deployed energy storage capacity surpassed 100 gigawatts by November, with batteries accounting for the vast majority of new installations. China, by contrast, saw a renewed surge in energy storage battery shipments. Policy reforms introduced under “Document No. 136” shifted renewable power toward market-based pricing and removed mandatory storage requirements, allowing battery projects to compete on commercial returns.

Together, these regional dynamics underline the growing importance of stationary storage in the global battery market. As BESS capacity expands alongside EVs, demand for graphite anodes is expected to remain structurally strong, even as supply chains and pricing face continued adjustment.

Establishing an ex-China anode supply chain

At Benchmark Week, industry insiders agreed graphite demand will continue to rise through the decade, but the anode supply chain remains constrained by China’s dominance and the high cost of building alternatives elsewhere.

Today, more than 90 percent of battery-grade anode material is sourced from China, a concentration that has become increasingly untenable for western automakers and cell manufacturers.

“Customers are actively looking for diversification,” said Michael O’Kronley, CEO of Novonix (ASX:NVX,OTCPL:NVNXF), noting that supply security has shifted from a long-term aspiration to an immediate priority.

Yet replacing Chinese supply is proving far from straightforward.

A panel featuring graphite executives highlighted that anode qualification can take years, requiring extensive testing to ensure materials perform consistently over a battery’s full lifespan.

“Battery materials aren’t qualified overnight,” O’Kronley said. “It takes years of co-development and patient capital.”

Cost remains the central obstacle. Building an anode plant in North America can cost three to 10 times more than in China, while customers remain reluctant to pay a premium. “A new supply chain has to be paid for somewhere,” O’Kronley warned, arguing that government support is essential if diversification is to scale.

Natural graphite producers face similar pressures.

Financing has become more difficult amid weak prices, even as long-term demand expectations remain strong.

“We expect demand growth closer to 2030,” said Patrice Boulanger, vice president of sales, marketing and business at Québec-focused Nouveau Monde Graphite (NYSE:NMG), adding that government offtake agreements are increasingly critical to unlocking private financing.

Despite growing interest in silicon, lithium metal and other next-generation anodes, the panelists were unanimous that graphite will remain dominant.

“Graphite is clearly here to stay,” said Viren Hira of Syrah Resources (ASX:SYR,OTCPL:SYAAF), with both natural and synthetic materials expected to underpin battery growth through at least the next decade.

Adding context during his own presentation at Benchmark Week, Webb outlined how cost dynamics are reshaping the anode market, particularly the balance between synthetic and natural graphite.

“On the anode side, we’ve seen a move towards synthetic graphite,” he said, noting that the shift has been driven less by performance and more by economics. Producers, he explained, have increasingly turned to lower-quality, lower-cost feedstocks, enabling them to reduce production costs.

As a result, prices for synthetic anode material have fallen, making it more competitive and supporting its growing share of battery anode demand.

Securities Disclosure: I, Georgia Williams, hold no direct investment interest in any company mentioned in this article.

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