Company Interviews

Interview with Kiran Patankar, CEO, Maple Gold Mines
Our previous interview: https://www.cruxinvestor.com/posts/maple-gold-mines-ltd-tsxvmgm-funded-drilling-targets-douay-update-maiden-joutel-mre-9451
Recording date: 7th May 2026
Maple Gold Mines has significantly expanded its gold resource base to 5.2 million ounces across its Douay and Joutel deposits in Quebec’s Abitibi greenstone belt, marking a major step in establishing itself as a leading undeveloped gold project in the region. The updated estimate reflects strong growth, with indicated resources increasing by 77% and inferred resources by 70%. Douay accounts for approximately 4 million ounces as a large-scale, lower-grade open-pit project, while Joutel contributes over 1 million ounces at grades exceeding 4 g/t, highlighting its high-grade underground potential.
The company is well-funded, holding around $35 million in cash, which is expected to support operations through 2027. This financial position enables an aggressive exploration strategy, including up to 80,000 meters of additional drilling following a recently completed 32,000-meter program. Notably, results from recent drilling have yet to be incorporated into the current resource estimate, suggesting further upside potential.
Maple is advancing a dual-track strategy that combines resource expansion with early-stage engineering studies. These efforts aim to inform a potential preliminary economic assessment (PEA), expected in the first half of 2026. The company is evaluating multiple development scenarios, including blending higher-grade underground ore from Joutel with lower-grade open-pit material from Douay to enhance overall project economics.
Strategically, Maple benefits from strong infrastructure advantages, including existing shafts at Joutel and proximity to regional milling facilities. Its partnership with Agnico Eagle, a major player in the Abitibi region, further strengthens its development outlook.
Despite these strengths, Maple trades at a significant discount to peers, at roughly $26–27 per ounce compared to $50–60 per ounce for similar companies, with recent acquisitions valued even higher. This valuation gap underscores potential upside as the company advances toward development and demonstrates economic viability.
Learn more: https://www.cruxinvestor.com/companies/maple-gold-mines-ltd
Sign up for Crux Investor: https://cruxinvestor.com

Interview with Brian Miller, CEO, Astra Exploration
Our previous interview: https://www.cruxinvestor.com/posts/astra-exploration-tsxvastr-7500m-drilled-third-exploration-program-to-commence-9520
Recording date: 6th May 2026
Astra 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-exploration
Sign up for Crux Investor: https://cruxinvestor.com

Interview with Sean Whiteford, CEO, NexMetals Mining
Our previous interview: https://www.cruxinvestor.com/posts/nickel-enters-a-new-era-as-indonesia-tightens-supply-and-prices-surge-10057
Recording date: 8th May 2026
NexMetals Mining is advancing the redevelopment of its Selebi and Selkirk copper-nickel-PGM deposits in Botswana through a combination of metallurgical innovation and aggressive exploration. A key breakthrough has been the successful production of separate, saleable copper and nickel concentrates, eliminating the need for costly smelter construction. This shift significantly reduces capital requirements and execution risk, making the projects more feasible for a development-stage company.
The deposits currently host approximately 28 million tons grading over 3% copper equivalent, with ongoing drilling aimed at expanding the resource base. A newly identified “flexure zone” at Selebi Main, defined through modern geophysical techniques, represents a high-priority target with strong indications of extensive mineralisation. Wide-spaced drilling has already demonstrated the potential for rapid resource growth.
Metallurgical testing has delivered results well above previous assumptions, with copper recoveries improving to 88% from 70% and palladium to 78.5% from 59%. Additional payable metals, including cobalt, gold, and silver, further enhance project value. These improvements are expected to increase net smelter return values and lower cutoff grades in the upcoming resource update, strengthening overall project economics.
Backed by an $80 million financing, NexMetals is progressing toward a maiden preliminary economic assessment, which will outline capital costs, operating metrics, and returns under the new concentrate-based development plan. Analysts have set price targets ranging from $8.50 to over $12, suggesting potential upside from current levels.
Strategically, the company is evaluating options such as a joint venture or spin-out of the Selkirk asset to unlock value while focusing on Selebi. Botswana’s stable, mining-friendly environment, existing infrastructure, and streamlined permitting further support a potentially accelerated path to production compared to greenfield projects.
Learn more: https://www.cruxinvestor.com/companies/nexmetals-mining-corp
Sign up for Crux Investor: https://cruxinvestor.com

Recording date: 4th May 2026
Olive 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

Interview with Thomas Lamb, CEO, Myriad Uranium
Our previous interview: https://www.cruxinvestor.com/posts/myriad-uranium-corp-csem-radiometric-breakthrough-expands-drill-plans-9453
Recording date: 6th May 2026
Myriad Uranium is advancing a strategic shift from historical resource estimation to active development at its flagship Copper Mountain project in Wyoming, following the release of a comprehensive NI 43-101 technical report. The report confirms a 27 million pound historical uranium resource and highlights a much larger 655 million pound uranium endowment identified by U.S. Department of Energy assessments, establishing a strong foundation for future growth.
The company is launching a 4,500-meter Phase 2 drilling program aimed at validating historical data and expanding known deposits. This program will focus on seven previously identified deposits, peripheral targets with limited past drilling, and entirely new zones identified through recent geophysical surveys. A key factor underpinning potential upside is radioactive disequilibrium, which historically caused uranium grades to be underestimated. Modern assay techniques suggest grades could be 20–60% higher than previously recorded, with possible extensions in mineralized intervals.
Financially, Myriad is strengthening its position through the sale of a 90% stake in its Red Basin project in New Mexico for $2.5 million USD, while retaining a 10% carried interest. The deal, backed by technology-focused investors, reflects growing interest from the tech sector in uranium as a strategic resource for powering AI and data infrastructure. Proceeds from the transaction are expected to increase the company’s cash reserves to approximately $11–12 million CAD, funding ongoing exploration with minimal dilution.
Myriad is also progressing toward a listing on a major U.S. exchange and completing a merger to consolidate ownership of Copper Mountain. Combined with new exploration targets and strong financial backing, the company is positioning itself to capitalize on rising uranium demand and increasing geopolitical focus on domestic energy security.
Learn more: https://www.cruxinvestor.com/companies/myriad-uranium
Sign up for Crux Investor: https://cruxinvestor.com