Category: Base Metals

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The “Price Stability” Myth Undermines Our Economy and Well-Being

12/02/2024•Mises Wire•Frank Shostak

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For most commentators, a “stable price level” is the key for economic stability. For instance, let us say that there is a relative increase in consumer demand for potatoes versus tomatoes. This relative increase is depicted, all things being equal, by the relative increase in the price of potatoes. To be successful, businesses must pay attention to consumer demand. Failing to do so is likely to lead to losses. Hence, by paying attention to relative changes in prices, producers are likely to increase the production of potatoes versus tomatoes.

According to many economists, if the “price level” is not “stable,” then the visibility of the relative price changes becomes blurred and, consequently, businesses cannot ascertain the relative changes in the demand for goods and services and make correct production decisions. This leads to a misallocation of resources and to the weakening of economic fundamentals. Thinking this way, unstable changes in the price level obscure a business person’s ability to ascertain changes in the relative prices of goods and services. Thus, businesses find it difficult to recognize a change in relative prices when the price level is unstable.

Given such presuppositions, it is not surprising that the mandate of the central bank is to pursue policies that will allegedly bring “price stability” (i.e., a stable price level). By means of various quantitative methods, the Fed’s economists have established that policymakers should aim at keeping the yearly growth rate of prices of goods and services at two percent. Any significant deviation from this figure supposedly constitutes deviation from stable growth.

The Assumption of Money Neutrality & “Price Stability”

At the root of price stabilization policies is a view that money is neutral, that is, changes in the money supply only have an effect on the price level while having no effect on the relative prices. For instance, if one apple exchanges for two potatoes then the price of an apple is two potatoes or the price of one potato is half an apple. Now, if one apple exchanges for one dollar, then the price of a potato is $0.50. Note that the introduction of money does not alter the fact that the relative price of potatoes versus apples is 2:1 (two-to-one). Thus, a seller of an apple will get one dollar for it, which, in turn, will enable him to purchase two potatoes.

Let us assume that the stock of money has doubled and, as a result, the purchasing power of money has halved, or the price level has doubled. This means that now one apple can be exchanged for two dollars while one potato for one dollar. Despite the doubling in prices, a seller of an apple with the obtained two dollars can still purchase two potatoes. Assuming money neutrality, an increase in the quantity of money leads to a proportionate increase in prices. Conversely, a fall in the quantity of money results in a proportionate decline in the prices. Why is this way of thinking problematic?

Money is Not Neutral

When new money is injected, there are always first recipients of the newly-injected money who benefit from this injection. The first recipients, with more money at their disposal, can now acquire a greater amount of goods while the prices of these goods are still unchanged. As money starts to move through the economy, the prices of goods begin to rise, unevenly and disproportionately. Consequently, late receivers of the inflated money realize costs from the monetary injections and may even find that most prices have risen so much that they can now afford fewer goods.

Artificial increases in money supply generate a redistribution of wealth from later recipients, or non-recipients of money, to the earlier recipients. Obviously, this shift in wealth alters individuals’ demands for goods and services and, in turn, further alters the relative prices of goods and services. Inflationary increases in money supply set in motion new dynamics that give rise to changes in demands for goods and services and to changes in their relative prices. Hence, increases in money supply cannot be neutral.

Again, a change in relative demands here is on account of wealth diversion from the latest recipients of money to the earlier recipients. This change in relative demands cannot be sustained without ongoing increases in the money supply. Once the growth rate of the money supply slows down or ceases altogether, various activities that emerged on the back of this inflationary increase in the money supply come under pressure. It follows, then, that an artificial increase in the money supply gives rise to changes in relative prices, which sets in motion an unsustainable structure of production.

Hence, the Fed’s monetary policy—which aims at stabilizing the price level—necessarily involves growth in the money supply. Since inflationary changes in the money supply are not neutral, this means that the central bank policy amounts to tampering with relative prices, which leads to the disruption of the efficient allocation of resources.

While increases in money supply are likely to be revealed in general price increases, this is not always the case. Prices are determined by real and monetary factors. Consequently, it can occur if the real factors are pulling things in an opposite direction to monetary factors. In such a case, a visible change in prices may not take place. While money growth is buoyant, prices might display moderate increases. If we were to pay attention to changes in the price level and disregard increases in the money supply, we would reach misleading conclusions regarding the state of the economy. On this, Rothbard wrote,

The fact that general prices were more or less stable during the 1920s told most economists that there was no inflationary threat, and therefore the events of the great depression caught them completely unaware.

There is No “Price Level”

The whole idea of the general purchasing power of money and, therefore, the “price level” cannot even be established conceptually. When one dollar is exchanged for the one loaf of bread, we can say that the purchasing power of the one dollar is the one loaf of bread. If one dollar is exchanged for two tomatoes, then this also means that the purchasing power of the one dollar is two tomatoes. Such information regarding the specific purchasing power of money at that moment in time does not, however, allow the establishment of the general, total purchasing power of money. It is not possible to ascertain the total purchasing power of money because we cannot meaningfully add up two tomatoes to the one loaf of bread. We can only establish the purchasing power of money with respect to a particular good in a transaction at a given point in time and at a given place. According to Rothbard,

Since the general exchange-value, or PPM (purchasing power of money), of money cannot be quantitatively defined and isolated in any historical situation, and its changes cannot be defined or measured, it is obvious that it cannot be kept stable. If we do not know what something is, we cannot very well act to keep it constant.

Conclusion

For most commentators, the key to healthy economic fundamentals is “price stability.” A “stable price level,” it is held, leads to the efficient use of the economy’s scarce resources and hence results in better economic fundamentals. It is not surprising that the mandate of the Federal Reserve is to pursue policies that will supposedly generate price stability. Through monetary policies (inflation) that aim at stabilizing the price level, the Fed actually undermines economic fundamentals. An ever-growing interference of the central bank with the working of markets moves the US economy towards the growth path of persistent economic impoverishment and drastically lower living standards.

On the contrary, what is required is not a policy of dubious “price stability,” but rather allowing free price fluctuations and maintaining sound money. Only in an environment free of central bank tampering can free and voluntary fluctuations in relative prices can take place. This, in turn, permits businesses to abide by consumer instructions.

Source: https://mises.org/mises-wire/price-stability-myth-undermines-our-economy-and-well-being

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An Austrian Perspective on Tariffs

11/30/2024•Mises Wire•Allen Gindler

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Tariffs have been a key instrument in government trade policies for centuries. For instance, one of the wealthiest ancient countries, Khazaria (7th-10th centuries CE), did not tax its citizens directly but instead imposed tariffs on all passing caravans due to its strategic location along major trade routes. In the United States, before introducing the federal income tax (1913), the government generated revenue primarily through tariffs. The role of tariffs is widely debated today, especially during election periods.

What Are Tariffs?

A tariff is, in essence, a tax imposed by a government on goods and services imported from other countries. The main purpose of tariffs is to make imported goods more expensive, thereby protecting domestic industries from foreign competition, to raise government revenue, and/or to influence trade policies. Tariffs can be broken down into two main types:

Specific tariffs: a fixed fee imposed per unit of imported goods (e.g., $100 per ton of imported steel)

Ad valorem tariffs: a percentage of the value of the imported goods (e.g., 10 percent on imported electronics).

Historically, tariffs were one of the primary sources of revenue for governments. Today, although their revenue-generating role has diminished, they are still used to protect domestic industries, control trade balances, and as leverage in international negotiations.

How Tariffs Work

When a company imports goods subject to tariffs, it must pay the tariff at the border, typically to customs authorities, before the goods are cleared. This means companies often pay the tariff upfront before selling the goods in the domestic market. When a tariff is imposed, it raises the cost of imported goods at the point of entry, which has several effects on the economy:

Raising Prices for Consumers

The most direct effect of tariffs is that they often make imported goods more expensive. Importers—facing higher costs because of tariffs—typically attempt to pass these costs on to consumers in the form of higher prices. For instance, if a 10 percent tariff is placed on imported cars, the price of those cars may rise by a similar amount. However, this increase is not always guaranteed, as market dynamics often prevent the transfer of the additional costs to consumers.

Protecting Domestic Producers

By making foreign goods and factors more expensive, tariffs create a protective barrier for domestic industries. Domestic producers can try to increase their prices, as the cost of imported alternatives rises. For instance, if tariffs are imposed on imported steel, domestic steel manufacturers benefit because the higher price of imported steel makes their products more attractive, even if they are more expensive than they would be in a fully open market.

Retaliatory Tariffs and Trade Wars

Tariffs can also spark retaliatory measures from trading partners, leading to trade wars. When one country imposes tariffs, affected nations may respond by placing tariffs on goods exported by the initial country, which escalates the situation. Trade wars can disrupt international supply chains, raise costs for businesses and consumers, and reduce economic growth.

Market Dynamics and Tariffs: Passing on Costs

Often, however, the costs of tariffs cannot be truly passed on to consumers. The extent to which the burden of tariffs is transferred depends on market dynamics, such as competition and consumer demand. In highly-competitive industries, companies may absorb the costs of tariffs to maintain their market share, sacrificing profit margins rather than risking losing customers to competitors. This pushes up production costs, hampers market dynamics, and may even push firms out of business.

The Austrian Approach to Tariffs and Comparative Advantage

The Austrian School of economics advocates for minimal government intervention in markets, promotes free trade, and supports individual liberty. Austrian economists view tariffs as detrimental to the natural efficiency of the market, because they distort price signals and lead to the misallocation of resources. Murray Rothbard explained that “Tariffs injure the consumer with the ‘protected’ area, who are prevented from purchasing from more efficient competitors at a lower price.”

The Austrian critique of tariffs is heavily rooted in the concept of comparative advantage, which argues that countries should specialize in producing goods where they are relatively more efficient. Even if a country is more efficient at producing all goods than another country, both can still benefit from trade if each specializes in goods for which it has a comparative advantage. This principle—originally developed by David Ricardo—emphasizes that trade allows for a more efficient allocation of global resources, lowering production costs and increasing prosperity for all participants.

In the context of comparative advantage, consider two countries—Country A and Country B—both of which produce electronics and textiles. Suppose Country A requires 8 hours to produce 1 unit of electronics and 4 hours for 1 unit of textiles. Country B, however, requires 10 hours to produce 1 unit of electronics and 8 hours for 1 unit of textiles.

Even though Country A is more efficient in producing both electronics and textiles, the principle of comparative advantage suggests that each country should specialize based on where they have a relative advantage. For Country A, the opportunity cost of producing 1 unit of electronics is 2 units of textiles (8/4). For Country B, the opportunity cost of producing 1 unit of electronics is 1.25 units of textiles (10/8). Thus, even though Country A is absolutely better at producing both goods, it is relatively better at producing textiles, while Country B is relatively better at producing electronics. If both countries specialize accordingly—Country A in textiles and Country B in electronics—and then trade, they can both enjoy more of each good than if they tried to produce both themselves.

However, if Country A imposes a 20 percent tariff on imported electronics from Country B, the cost of those imported electronics increases, making them less competitive in Country A’s market. This could cause Country A to shift resources inefficiently back into electronics production, even though it is less cost-effective than focusing on textiles. This illustrates how tariffs can disrupt the natural efficiency of trade and specialization, leading to suboptimal outcomes for both countries.

In general, from an Austrian perspective, tariffs distort price signals, which are essential for the efficient allocation of resources in a market economy. Prices in a free market reflect the underlying scarcity of goods, consumer preferences, and production costs. Tariffs, by artificially inflating the price of imported goods, disrupt these signals and lead consumers and producers to make inefficient choices.

Imposing tariffs for the sake of addressing a trade imbalance will not resolve the underlying cause, which is typically a loss of competitiveness in the entire industry or in specific goods. Tariffs make these industries even less competitive than they were before tariff imposition. Moreover, creating a “protective area” will force other companies to flock into protected industries, essentially depriving established firms of their initial monopolist benefits while leaving the overall misallocation of production and harm to consumers intact. Rothbard explained, “In the long run, therefore, a tariff per se does not establish a lasting benefit even for the immediate beneficiaries.”

Austrian Approach and National Security Concerns

While Austrian economists emphasize the efficiency of free markets and the advantages of comparative advantage, the case for free trade becomes more nuanced when national security concerns arise. Unfortunately, when national security is supposedly at stake, economic priorities often yield to political and strategic imperatives. Throughout history, political instability and conflicts have led governments to emphasize self-sufficiency over market efficiency, particularly in industries claimed to be vital to defense. During such times, the state uses “national defense” as a pretext for profound and widespread interference in the economy.

With modern states, war spending is determined by central planning and is not determined by consumer demand or guided by private markets. Thus, any approach to “national defense” will inevitably diverge from the Austrian preference for minimal intervention. However, it is hard to imagine that war preparation would go unnoticed, and if a nation depends completely on a particular resource from an unfriendly country, the market price of that product would skyrocket. This, in turn, would signal entrepreneurs to either stockpile large quantities of the resource at current prices, seek alternative suppliers that were previously ignored because of prohibitive costs, or seize the opportunity to revive domestic production.

The reliance on administrative measures often stems from a belief that market forces cannot respond quickly or effectively to crises, leading to policies that distort incentives and stifle innovation. By undermining price signals, governments often create monopolies or grant undue privileges to certain industries, consolidating power in ways that harm overall economic efficiency. This skepticism of market mechanisms reflects a fundamental misunderstanding of their adaptability and the profound role they play in dynamically coordinating resources, even under the pressures of wartime.

Source: https://mises.org/mises-wire/austrian-perspective-tariffs

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Metallic Minerals Announces Warrant Extension

VANCOUVER, BC / ACCESSWIRE / November 28, 2024 / Metallic Minerals Corp. (TSXV:MMG)(OTCQB:MMNGF) (“Metallic Minerals” or the “Company”) announces that the Company has applied for TSX Venture Exchange approval to extend the expiry date on certain share purchase warrants (the “Warrants”).

Per the application, 4,800,000 Warrants that were originally issued as part of a private placement transaction on June 8, 2022 (see June 9, 2022 news release) exercisable at $0.50 per warrant and expiring December 8, 2024 will now be extended to an expiry date of June 8, 2025.

In addition, the Company proposes to extend the expiry date for 735,500 warrants issued pursuant to a private placement transaction on June 30, 2022 (see June 17, 2022 news release) exercisable at $0.50 per warrant and expiring on December 30, 2024 will now be extended to June 30, 2025.

All other terms and conditions of the Warrants remain unchanged.

About Metallic Minerals
Metallic Minerals Corp. is a resource-stage mineral exploration company, focused on copper, silver, gold, and platinum group elements in top North American jurisdictions. Our objective is to create shareholder value through a systematic, entrepreneurial approach to making exploration discoveries, growing resources, and advancing projects toward development.

At the Company’s La Plata project in southwestern Colorado, the expanded NI 43-101 mineral resource estimate highlights a significant porphyry copper-silver resource containing 1.2 Blbs copper and 17.6 Moz of silver1, with numerous additional targets showing potential for a district-scale porphyry system. The Company announced a 9.5% strategic investment focused on La Plata by Newmont Corporation in May 2023 with two subsequent top up investments in 2024. The U.S. Geological Survey has identified the La Plata mining district as a critical minerals resource area under the Earth Mapping Resources Initiative program and has completed significant geologic and geophysical studies to enhance understanding of the critical mineral potential in the district. The La Plata project is located between the communities of Mancos and Durango, Colorado, north of Highway 160.

In Canada’s Yukon Territory, Metallic Minerals has the second-largest land position in the historic high-grade Keno Hill silver district, directly adjacent to Hecla’s operations, with more than 300 Moz of high-grade silver in past production and current M&I resources. The inaugural Resource Estimate at the Company’s Keno Silver project added 18.2 Moz silver equivalent2 to the Company’s total resources in 2024. Hecla is the largest primary silver producer in the USA and soon to be Canada’s largest with full production at its Keno Hill operations in 2024.

The Company is also one of the largest holders of alluvial gold claims in the Yukon and is building a production royalty business by partnering with experienced mining operators.

Metallic Minerals is led by a team with a track record of discovery and exploration success on several major precious and base metal deposits in North America, as well as having large-scale development, permitting and project financing expertise. The Metallic Minerals team is committed to responsible and sustainable resource development and has worked closely with Canadian First Nation groups, US Tribal/Native Corporations, and local communities to support successful project development.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION, PLEASE CONTACT:
Website: www.mmgsilver.com, Phone: 604-629-7800
Email: cackerman@mmgsilver.com, Toll Free: 1-888-570-4420

Footnotes

1.) As documented by www.juniormininghub.com; 2.) see news release dated July 23, 2023; 3.) see news release dated February 26, 2024

Forward-Looking Statements
This news release includes certain statements that may be deemed “forward-looking statements”. All statements in this release, other than statements of historical facts including, without limitation, statements regarding potential mineralization, historic production, estimation of mineral resources, the realization of mineral resource estimates, interpretation of prior exploration and potential exploration results, the timing and success of exploration activities generally, the timing and results of future resource estimates, permitting time lines, metal prices and currency exchange rates, availability of capital, government regulation of exploration operations, environmental risks, reclamation, title, statements about expected results of operations, royalties, cash flows, financial position and future dividends as well as financial position, prospects, and future plans and objectives of the Company are forward-looking statements that involve various risks and uncertainties. Although Metallic Minerals believes the expectations expressed in such forward-looking statements are based on reasonable assumptions, such statements are not guarantees of future performance and actual results or developments may differ materially from those in the forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements are based on a number of material factors and assumptions. Factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those in forward-looking statements include failure to obtain necessary approvals, unsuccessful exploration results, unsuccessful operations, changes in project parameters as plans continue to be refined, results of future resource estimates, future metal prices, availability of capital and financing on acceptable terms, general economic, market or business conditions, risks associated with regulatory changes, defects in title, availability of personnel, materials and equipment on a timely basis, accidents or equipment breakdowns, uninsured risks, delays in receiving government approvals, unanticipated environmental impacts on operations and costs to remedy same and other exploration or other risks detailed herein and from time to time in the filings made by the Company with securities regulators. Readers are cautioned that mineral resources that are not mineral reserves do not have demonstrated economic viability. Mineral exploration, development of mines and mining operations is an inherently risky business. Accordingly, the actual events may differ materially from those projected in the forward-looking statements. For more information on Metallic Minerals and the risks and challenges of their businesses, investors should review their annual filings that are available at www.sedar.com.

Neither the TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.

SOURCE: Metallic Minerals Corp.

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Polish central bank becomes biggest buyer of gold

The president of the National Bank of Poland, Adam Glapinski, recently revealed that the central bank would continue to buy gold, and is aiming for the precious metal to make up 20% of the bank’s reserves.

The National Bank of Poland (NBP), also known as the Narodowy Bank Polski, became the joint biggest gold buyer amongst central banks in the second quarter of 2024, tying with India, according to the World Gold Council. This was after the NBP bought approximately 19 tonnes of the precious metal. 

The president of the National Bank of Poland, Adam Glapinski, also said earlier this year that the central bank was planning to ensure that gold made up 20% of its reserves. At present, gold accounts for about 14.7% of the NBP’s reserves. 

Grzegorv Dróżdż, market analyst at Conotoxia, said: “At the end of the second quarter of this year, Poland’s gold reserves rose to 377.4 tonnes, and the pace of purchases of the bullion, held mainly at the Bank of England, since April this year has surpassed even the world’s largest economies.”

During the second quarter of the year, the price of gold also crossed the record level of $2,500 (€2,249.26) per ounce

This has led to more speculation about whether gold may be a good investment right now and why central banks have been scrambling to shore up reserves of the precious metal lately. 

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Why are central banks buying up more gold bullion?

One of the main reasons that central banks are stocking up more on gold recently is to be able to sufficiently diversify their reserves to protect against macroeconomic uncertainty and geopolitical shocks. 

This is because, in terms of economic and geopolitical volatility, when currency and other asset prices may fluctuate, gold is seen as a safe haven asset and an inflation hedge. 

As such, gold’s relatively stable performance during times of crisis, as well as its inflation hedge qualities are driving factors behind central banks picking the metal. It is also an effective way to diversify central bank portfolios and is considered to be highly liquid, with no default risk. 

It is also less affected by policy risk and can be used as a valuable collateral and policy tool. In some cases, gold can also help countries facing international sanctions, such as Russia, to avoid them. This in turn, incentivises these countries to buy more gold and use it to help maintain their liquidity, in case other means of finance are blocked off or difficult to access. 

On the other hand, the People’s Bank of China (PBoC) considerably slowed its gold-buying trend in the second quarter of the year. 

In Poland, gold demand has surged following the COVID-19 pandemic and because of the Russia-Ukraine war. Several investors also fear that the Russian invasion in Ukraine may spill over to Poland and want to prepare themselves in case of such a scenario by investing more in gold. 

In other parts of the world, stubbornly high inflation has also driven people more towards gold, with other geopolitical shocks such as the Russia-Ukraine and Israel-Hamas wars exacerbating this trend. 

has also revealed that it is investing in foreign equities and corporate bonds with the help of exchange-traded funds (ETFs), as another way to diversify its reserves. What factors impact the gold market?There are several factors impacting the gold market, namely, US dollar movements, real and expected inflation rates and gold jewellery demand, amongst others. Central bank purchases of gold can also have a significant impact on the metal’s prices. Although to a lesser extent, gold mining production can also have an impact on prices. Gold prices can spike if gold mining companies’ have to spend more on production costs, such as digging deeper mines, or face other issues such as labour strikes, environmental protests and weather phenomena, to name a few. At present, most of the world’s gold mining output comes from China, Australia, Russia, Canada and the United States.

Dróżdż also said: “The gold market, like many others, is driven by two forces: demand and supply. In the past few quarters, an increase in demand has been particularly evident.

“Moreover, the continued weakening of the dollar may indicate that gold could outperform other key assets in the near term. Conotoxia’s baseline scenario assumes that gold price momentum could slow down by the end of the year, with a possible correction, but is likely to remain above the $2,500 per ounce level.”

source: https://www.euronews.com/business/2024/08/23/polish-central-bank-becomes-largest-buyer-of-gold-in-second-quarter

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Trump Demands ‘Commitment’ From BRICS Nations on Using Dollar

(Bloomberg) — US President-elect Donald Trump warned the so-called BRICS nations that he would require commitments that they would not move to create a new currency as an alternative to using the US dollar and repeated threats to levy a 100% tariff.

Most Read from Bloomberg

“The idea that the BRICS Countries are trying to move away from the Dollar while we stand by and watch is OVER,” Trump said in a post to his Truth Social network on Saturday.

“We require a commitment from these Countries that they will neither create a new BRICS Currency, nor back any other Currency to replace the mighty U.S. Dollar or, they will face 100% Tariffs, and should expect to say goodbye to selling into the wonderful U.S. Economy,” he added.

Trump on his campaign trail pledged that he would make it costly for countries to move away from the US dollar. And he’s threatened to use tariffs to ensure they complied. Saturday’s threat took on new relevance as the president-elect prepares to retake power in January.

Trump and his economic advisers have been discussing ways to punish allies and adversaries alike who seek to engage in bilateral trade in currencies other than the dollar. Those measures include considering options such as export controls, currency manipulation charges and levies on trade, according to people familiar with the matter.

Trump has long stressed that he wants the US dollar to remain the world’s reserve currency, saying in a March interview with CNBC that he “would not allow countries to go off the dollar” because it would be “a hit to our country.”

The BRICS nations — as Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa are collectively known — discussed the issue of de-dollarization at a summit in 2023. Backlash against the dollar’s dominance gained traction in 2022 when the US led efforts to impose economic sanctions on Russia.

Economic advisers to Trump and his campaign have spoken in particular about targeting the BRICS effort.

Earlier: Trump Aides Discuss Penalties for Nations That De-Dollarize

“There is no chance that the BRICS will replace the U.S. Dollar in International Trade, and any Country that tries should wave goodbye to America,” Trump said Saturday.

The president-elect has already rattled world markets ahead of his second term with threats to levy an additional 10% tariffs on goods from China and 25% tariffs on all products from Mexico and Canada if those countries do not do more to stem the flow of illegal drugs and undocumented migrants across US borders.

Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau met with Trump on Friday to discuss trade and border issues in a bid to tamp down tensions between the two allied nations after the tariff threat.

Source: https://finance.yahoo.com/news/trump-demands-commitment-brics-nations-182124427.html

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RIVERSIDE RESOURCES Spins Out Gold Explorer Blue Jay Resources

In this video, Dr. John Mark Staude and Georgie Mark discuss exciting developments from Riverside Resources, including the upcoming spin-out of Blue Jay Resources, a company focused on gold exploration in Ontario’s Beardmore-Geraldton gold belt. Dr. Staude highlights the strategic decision to diversify Riverside’s portfolio beyond Mexico, with Ontario offering a prime location for gold discovery. Georgie Mark, the newly appointed CEO of Blue Jay Resources, shares his vision for the company’s growth, including exploring high-grade gold deposits that have been overlooked for over 70 years. They also discuss Riverside’s strong capital structure and the opportunity for shareholders to benefit from both Riverside and Blue Jay’s future success. Find out why Rick Rule is a shareholder in Riverside Resources.

For investor questions please call or email:

Website: https://www.rivres.com/ TSX.V: RRI | OTC: RVSDF Communications Team 778-327-6671
Email info@rivres.com

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Jericho Energy Ventures’ Hydrogen Technologies Granted UK Patent as it Continues to Advance its Zero-Emission Combustion Technology

PHILADELPHIA, PA and VANCOUVER, BC / ACCESSWIRE / November 27, 2024 / Jericho Energy Ventures Inc. (TSXV:JEV)(OTC PINK:JROOF)(FRA:JLM) (“Jericho”, “JEV” or the “Company”) is pleased to announce that its wholly owned subsidiary, Hydrogen Technologies (“HT“), has been awarded a UK patent for its groundbreaking zero-emission hydrogen-oxygen (H2/O2) combustion technology.

This is a continuation of Jericho’s IP protection strategy for its cutting-edge clean energy solutions, which are aimed at transforming the commercial hydrogen energy market. In addition to the newly granted UK patent, HT has secured multiple patents from the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO), with others currently pending approval.

Brian Williamson, CEO of JEV, commented: “Securing this UK patent is a key milestone in our IP protection strategy as we move to commercialization of our groundbreaking H2/O2 combustion technology. We remain committed to an IP protection strategy that recognizes the value of Jericho’s IP portfolio with each new generation and innovation.”

HT is presently working with its manufacturing partners, Superior Boiler and Selas Heat Technology, to deploy its cutting-edge DCC™ boiler technology at a prominent Western US university to provide decarbonized district heat for its campus. This development places JEV and HT at the forefront of market ready solutions to decarbonize the estimated $198 billion global district heating market.¹

HT is actively collaborating with several multinational corporations, universities, and districts to study the use of its zero-emission hydrogen boiler technology to significantly reduce scope 1 emissions.

Hydrogen Technologies’ GHG-free hydrogen-fueled boilers offer a highly efficient and sustainable alternative to conventional fossil fuel-based boilers. DCC™ boilers eliminate greenhouse gas emissions, providing a clean and eco-friendly source of steam and hot water for various industries and applications. HT’s DCC™ system is a recipient of the Solar Impulse Foundation’s prestigious “Solar Impulse Efficient Solution” award recognizing profitable solutions to protect the environment.

JEV recently announced plans to spinout its hydrogen platform from its traditional energy assets as a separate, pure-play H2 solutions company to maximize shareholder value.

About Hydrogen Technologies

Hydrogen Technologies (HT) offers its award-winning CLEAN, ZERO-EMISSION ENERGY SOLUTION for the Commercial and Industrial Boiler Market. There are a wide range of applications for our cleanH2steam DCC™ boiler, which works much like traditional commercial heat, hot water and industrial steam boilers. Whether the application is district heating, food processing, chemical refining, pharmaceuticals, pulp and paper mills, or any other industrial process, HT has a reliable, efficient and clean solution for your GHG and ESG goals.

Website: www.hydrogentechnologiesllc.com
X: https://x.com/h2_technologies
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/hydrogen-technologies-inc/

About Jericho Energy Ventures

Jericho is an energy company positioned for the current energy transitions; owning, operating and developing both traditional hydrocarbon JV assets and advancing the low-carbon energy transition, with active investments in hydrogen. Our wholly owned subsidiary, Hydrogen Technologies, delivers breakthrough, patented, zero-emission boiler technology to the Commercial & Industrial heat and steam industry. We also hold strategic investments and board positions in California Catalysts (formerly H2U Technologies), a leading developer of advanced materials for electrolysis, and Supercritical Solutions, developing the world’s first, high pressure, ultra-efficient electrolyzer. Jericho also owns and operates long-held producing oil and gas JV assets in Oklahoma which it is currently developing from cash flows in an effort to further increase production.

Website: www.jerichoenergyventures.com
X: https://x.com/JerichoEV
LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/company/jericho-energy-ventures
YouTube: www.youtube.com/c/JerichoEnergyVentures

CONTACT:
Allen Wilson, Director, or
Adam Rabiner, Dir. of Investor Relations
Jericho Energy Ventures Inc.
Tel. 604.343.4534
Email: investorrelations@jerichoenergyventures.com

This news release contains certain “forward-looking information” and “forward-looking ‎statements” (collectively, “forward-looking statements“) within the meaning of applicable ‎securities laws. Such forward-looking statements are not representative of historical facts or ‎information or current condition, but instead represent only Jericho’s beliefs regarding future ‎events, plans or objectives, many of which, by their nature, are inherently uncertain and outside of ‎Jericho’s control. Forward-looking statements are frequently characterized by words such as ‎‎”plan”, “expect”, “project”, “intend”, “believe”, “anticipate”, “estimate” and other similar words, ‎or statements that certain events or conditions “may”, “will” or “may not” occur.‎

Forward-looking statements are subject to a variety of risks and uncertainties and other factors ‎that could cause actual events or results to differ materially from those anticipated in the forward-‎looking statements, which include, but are not limited to: regulatory changes; changes to the ‎definition of, or interpretation of, foreign private issuer status; the impacts of COVID-19 and other ‎infectious diseases; general economic conditions; industry conditions; current and future ‎commodity prices and price volatility; significant and ongoing stock market volatility; currency and ‎interest rate fluctuation; governmental regulation of the energy industry, including environmental ‎regulation; geological, technical and drilling problems; unanticipated operating events; the ‎availability of capital on acceptable terms; the need to obtain required approvals from regulatory ‎authorities; liabilities and risks inherent in oil and gas exploration, development and production ‎operations; liabilities and risks inherent in early stage hydrogen technology projects, energy ‎storage, carbon capture and new energy systems; changes in government environmental ‎objectives or plans; and the other factors described in Jericho’s public filings available at ‎www.sedarplus.ca.

The forward-looking statements contained herein are based on certain key expectations and ‎‎assumptions ‎of Jericho ‎concerning anticipated financial performance, business prospects, ‎strategies, ‎regulatory regimes, the ‎‎sufficiency of budgeted capital expenditures in carrying out ‎planned activities, the ability to obtain financing on ‎acceptable terms, expansion of consumer ‎adoption of the Company’s (or its subsidiaries’) technologies and products, results of DCC™ feasibility studies and the success of ‎investments, all of which are ‎subject to change based on ‎market conditions, ‎potential timing delays ‎and other risk factors. Although Jericho believes that these assumptions and the expectations ‎are ‎reasonable based on information currently available to management, such ‎statements are not ‎guarantees of future performance and actual results or developments may differ materially from ‎‎those in the forward-looking statements. Investors should not place undue reliance on forward-‎looking ‎statements.‎

Readers are cautioned that the foregoing lists are not exhaustive. The forward-looking statements ‎contained in this news release are made as of the date of this news release, and Jericho does not ‎undertake to update any forward-looking statements that are contained or referenced herein, ‎except as required by applicable securities laws‎.

Neither the TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in ‎the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of ‎this release.

¹ Future Market Insights, “District Heating Market Outlook (2023 to 2033),”by Nikhil Kaitwade, Analyst, January 2023

SOURCE: Jericho Energy Ventures, Inc.



View the original press release on accesswire.com

Categories
Base Metals Energy Junior Mining Oil & Gas

US Coal Miner Peabody Targets World Steel Market With Anglo Deal

(Bloomberg) — With US demand for coal waning, Peabody Energy Corp. has struck a deal to shift its focus on targeting growth in the global steel market.

Peabody, the biggest US coal miner, agreed to pay as much as $3.78 billion for four mines in Australia that supply metallurgical coal — a key ingredient in steelmaking. The agreement with Anglo American Plc, announced Monday, will help Peabody almost triple its met coal output within two years, putting the St. Louis company on pace to be the world’s third-biggest exporter.

“This is a significant change,” Chief Financial Officer Mark Spurbeck said Monday during a call with analysts. “This transaction will reshape Peabody.”

Peabody shares slipped as much as 6.6% Monday, the biggest intraday decline since Aug. 5.

Peabody is a major supplier of thermal coal to fuel power plants, though the company has been seeking to shift its mix in recent years as utilities burn less of the dirtiest fossil fuel. Steel production is also a major source of planet-warming emissions, but it’s critical for most major infrastructure projects and demand is expected to climb.

The Anglo transaction means about 74% Peabody’s earnings are expected to come from international shipments of met coal, up from 50% now, according to the CFO.

It’s also notable that the mines Peabody is acquiring are in Australia, close to the rapidly growing economies of Asia. Peabody had pursued another deal for Australian assets in 2022, but no transaction was completed. The company expects this deal to close in mid-2025 and it will be accretive almost immediately.

The deal comes amid signs of a rebound in Chinese steel production, but Peabody will likely be delivering more met coal “everywhere” in Asia, according to Andy Blumenfeld, director of data analytics at McCloskey by Opis. India, Japan and emerging economies in Southeast Asia will all be clamoring for shipments.

“They need the steel,” Blumenfeld said. “It’s critical for growing any economy.”

Source: https://finance.yahoo.com/news/us-coal-miner-peabody-targets-185255567.html

Categories
Base Metals Junior Mining Precious Metals

Gold surges and euro sags as broader war risks rise

A passerby walks past an electric monitor displaying recent movements of various stock prices outside a bank in Tokyo · Reuters

Tom Westbrook

Thu, November 21, 2024 at 9:29 PM EST 3 min read

By Tom Westbrook

SINGAPORE (Reuters) – Gold was headed for its largest weekly gain in nearly eight months on Friday and the euro hovered at a 13-month low as Russia lowered its threshold for using nuclear weapons and fired a hypersonic ballistic missile at Ukraine.

The risk of escalation also sent European gas prices to a one-year high and pushed investors towards safe havens, underpinning German debt and putting the Swiss franc on course for its first weekly rise in two months.

In Asia on Friday, chipmakers led stocks a little higher after Nvidia touched a record high in U.S. trade on solid earnings, with shares in Taiwan and South Korea up more than 1% and the Nikkei gaining 0.8%.

Gold was steady at $2,677 an ounce and up more than 4.5% for the week so far while bitcoin, stood on the brink of breaking above $100,000 for the first time.

Assets linked to Adani Group companies remained under pressure, with dollar bonds nursing losses following chairman Gautam Adani’s indictment for fraud by U.S. prosecutors.

Russia on Tuesday lowered its threshold for using nuclear weapons and overnight responded to the U.S. and UK allowing Kyiv to strike Russian territory with western weapons by firing a hypersonic intermediate-range missile at Ukraine’s Dnipro.

“Those weapons typically carry nuclear warheads,” said analysts at ANZ Bank, noting the attack sent oil prices higher.

“The exchange indicates the war has entered a new phase, raising concerns around disruptions to supply.”

Brent crude futures are up nearly 4.5% on the week and edged up to touch a two-week high of $74.44 a barrel in Asia trade.

The euro has been friendless and down for seven of the past eight weeks as Europe faces U.S. tariffs, slowing growth, the collapse of Germany’s government and strains in France’s government over its 2025 budget.

“There doesn’t seem to be anything on the plus side of the euro ledger just at the moment,” said National Australia Bank’s head of FX research, Ray Attrill.

At $1.0469 the common currency is close to breaking support at last year’s low of $1.0448. European stocks are also headed for a fifth weekly drop in a row, while world stocks are up 1% this week.

The dollar index eyed a weekly gain of 0.4% and traded at 107.05. S&P 500 futures were flat. Benchmark 10-year Treasury yields held at 4.432%, more or less steady on the week.

Markets imply about a 58% chance of a Fed cut, down from 83% a week earlier.

Data in Japan showed core inflation held above the central bank’s 2% target in October, keeping pressure for a rate rise. Markets are pricing about a 57% chance of a 25 basis point Bank of Japan rate hike in December and the prospect has injected some volatility and even support for the yen.

The yen, down 4% this quarter, was trading firmer at 154.38 per dollar in morning trade.

“Together with speculation about (finance ministry) intervention, I think selling on upticks on dollar/yen is quite decent,” said Keita Matsumoto, head of financial institution sales and solutions at Citigroup Global Markets Japan in Tokyo.

“Our investor clients and corporate clients are rather sellers of dollar/yen close to 155.”

(Editing by Shri Navaratnam)

Source: https://finance.yahoo.com/news/gold-surges-euro-sags-broader-022920767.html

Categories
Base Metals Energy Junior Mining Oil & Gas

Jericho Energy Ventures’ Hydrogen Technologies Secures U.S. Department of Energy Funding for California-Based Project

PHILADELPHIA, PA and VANCOUVER, BC / ACCESSWIRE / November 19, 2024 / Jericho Energy Ventures Inc. (TSXV:JEV)(OTC:JROOF)(FRA:JLM) (“Jericho”, “JEV” or the “Company”) is pleased to announce that a California-based project co-developed by its wholly owned subsidiary, Hydrogen Technologies (“HT“), has been awarded USD$1 million in funding from the U.S. Department of Energy’s Hydrogen and Fuel Cell Technologies Office (HTFO).

The project, Hydrogen Permitting Issues and Improvements (HPII), was developed by HT and three partners: Sandia National Laboratories, GHD (a global professional services company with expertise in hydrogen infrastructure), and the University of California at Riverside. The team will identify and address challenges with the deployment of hydrogen-powered equipment (e.g., steam/hot water boilers, fuel cells and fork-lifts) at locations where hydrogen is likely to play a role but is currently an unfamiliar fuel, such as at manufacturing facilities or district heating systems.

HT will receive a share of the total funding for its part in engaging current and potential users of hydrogen-fueled boilers, their permitting authorities, community and environmental organizations.

The HPII project will identify and address technological and administrative barriers to permitting hydrogen projects. The project focuses on providing state-of-the-art safety and risk analysis for select use-cases and real-world data on at-scale issues and concerns to improve integration into existing industrial infrastructure. The project includes a strong community engagement strategy where local representatives from disadvantaged communities are engaged early in the process to identify challenges and mitigation measures to ensure success.

Brian Williamson, CEO of Jericho Energy Ventures, commented: “We are proud to be part of this important DOE-funded project with our esteemed partners. We see the independent launch of our Hydrogen Solution Platform accelerating our access to future collaborations and partnerships with groups pushing full steam ahead with lower emissions industrial and commercial solutions. Beyond delivering our patented, zero-emission hydrogen DCC boiler technology, we are increasingly being recognized as a trusted, innovative hydrogen solutions partner to industry and government.”

HT is collaborating with several multi-national corporations and universities to complete feasibility studies for the utilization of our zero-emission hydrogen boiler technology. HT is presently working with its manufacturing partner, Superior Boiler, to deploy its boiler technology at a prominent Western US university while providing decarbonized district heat for its campus.

Hydrogen Technologies’ GHG-free hydrogen-fueled boilers offer a highly efficient and sustainable alternative to conventional fossil fuel-based boilers. DCC™ boilers eliminate greenhouse gas emissions, providing a clean and eco-friendly source of steam and hot water for various industries and applications. HT’s DCC™ system is a recipient of the Solar Impulse Foundation’s prestigious “Solar Impulse Efficient Solution” award recognizing profitable solutions to protect the environment.

JEV recently announced plans to spinout its hydrogen platform from its traditional energy assets as a separate, pure-play H2 solutions company to maximize shareholder value.

The Company also announces that it has arranged a shares for debt transaction to settle an aggregate of $376,071 in interest accrued on convertible debentures outstanding up to November 12, 2024 and disclosed in the Company’s financial statements and in the Company’s news releases dated January 7, 2022 and April 5, 2024. The shares for debt settlement is subject to approval from the TSX Venture Exchange (“TSXV“), pursuant to TSXV Policy 4.3 – Shares for Debt, which will be followed by the Company issuing an aggregate of 2,892,846 common shares (the “Settlement Shares“) at a deemed price of $0.13 to 14 of the holders of the debentures of which two are non-arm’s length parties to the Company. The Settlement Shares will be issued subject to prospectus exemptions available pursuant to Canadian securities laws and will be subject to a four month and one day hold period.

The shares for debt transaction was approved by the Company’s board of directors and did not require a formal valuation nor minority shareholder approval pursuant to Multilateral Instrument 61-101.

About Hydrogen Technologies

Hydrogen Technologies (HT) offers its award-winning CLEAN, ZERO-EMISSION ENERGY SOLUTION for the Commercial and Industrial Boiler Market. There are a wide range of applications for our cleanH2steam DCC™ boiler, which works much like traditional commercial heat, hot water and industrial steam boilers. Whether the application is district heating, food processing, chemical refining, pharmaceuticals, pulp and paper mills, or any other industrial process, HT has a reliable, efficient and clean solution for your GHG and ESG goals.

Website: www.hydrogentechnologiesllc.com
X: https://x.com/h2_technologies
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/hydrogen-technologies-inc/

HT CONTACT:
Dean Moretton, Chief Commercial Officer
Hydrogen Technologies
Email: sales@hydrogentechnologiesllc.com

About Jericho Energy Ventures

Jericho is an energy company positioned for the current energy transitions; owning, operating and developing both traditional hydrocarbon JV assets and advancing the low-carbon energy transition, with active investments in hydrogen. Our wholly owned subsidiary, Hydrogen Technologies, delivers breakthrough, patented, zero-emission boiler technology to the Commercial & Industrial heat and steam industry. We also hold strategic investments and board positions in California Catalysts (formerly H2U Technologies), a leading developer of advanced materials for electrolysis, and Supercritical Solutions, developing the world’s first, high pressure, ultra-efficient electrolyzer. Jericho also owns and operates long-held producing oil and gas JV assets in Oklahoma which it is currently developing from cash flows in an effort to further increase production.

Website: www.jerichoenergyventures.com
X: https://x.com/JerichoEV
LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/company/jericho-energy-ventures
YouTube: www.youtube.com/c/JerichoEnergyVentures

JEV CONTACT:
Allen Wilson, Director, or
Adam Rabiner, Dir. of Investor Relations
Jericho Energy Ventures Inc.
Tel. 604.343.4534
Email: investorrelations@jerichoenergyventures.com

This news release contains certain “forward-looking information” and “forward-looking ‎statements” (collectively, “forward-looking statements“) within the meaning of applicable ‎securities laws. Such forward-looking statements are not representative of historical facts or ‎information or current condition, but instead represent only Jericho’s beliefs regarding future ‎events, plans or objectives, many of which, by their nature, are inherently uncertain and outside of ‎Jericho’s control. Forward-looking statements are frequently characterized by words such as ‎‎”plan”, “expect”, “project”, “intend”, “believe”, “anticipate”, “estimate” and other similar words, ‎or statements that certain events or conditions “may”, “will” or “may not” occur.‎ Specifically, this ‎news release contains forward-looking statements relating to, among others, the successful specific grant funding application and approvals by the DOE. Selection for award negotiations is not a commitment by DOE to issue an award or provide funding.

Forward-looking statements are subject to a variety of risks and uncertainties and other factors ‎that could cause actual events or results to differ materially from those anticipated in the forward-‎looking statements, which include, but are not limited to: regulatory changes; changes to the ‎definition of, or interpretation of, foreign private issuer status; the impacts of COVID-19 and other ‎infectious diseases; general economic conditions; industry conditions; current and future ‎commodity prices and price volatility; significant and ongoing stock market volatility; currency and ‎interest rate fluctuation; governmental regulation of the energy industry, including environmental ‎regulation; geological, technical and drilling problems; unanticipated operating events; the ‎availability of capital on acceptable terms; the need to obtain required approvals from regulatory ‎authorities; liabilities and risks inherent in oil and gas exploration, development and production ‎operations; liabilities and risks inherent in early stage hydrogen technology projects, energy ‎storage, carbon capture and new energy systems; changes in government environmental ‎objectives or plans; and the other factors described in Jericho’s public filings available at ‎www.sedarplus.ca.

The forward-looking statements contained herein are based on certain key expectations and ‎‎assumptions ‎of Jericho ‎concerning anticipated financial performance, business prospects, ‎strategies, ‎regulatory regimes, the ‎‎sufficiency of budgeted capital expenditures in carrying out ‎planned activities, the ability to obtain financing on ‎acceptable terms, expansion of consumer ‎adoption of the Company’s (or its subsidiaries’) technologies and products, results of DCC™ feasibility studies and the success of ‎investments, all of which are ‎subject to change based on ‎market conditions, ‎potential timing delays ‎and other risk factors. Although Jericho believes that these assumptions and the expectations ‎are ‎reasonable based on information currently available to management, such ‎statements are not ‎guarantees of future performance and actual results or developments may differ materially from ‎‎those in the forward-looking statements. Investors should not place undue reliance on forward-‎looking ‎statements.‎

Readers are cautioned that the foregoing lists are not exhaustive. The forward-looking statements ‎contained in this news release are made as of the date of this news release, and Jericho does not ‎undertake to update any forward-looking statements that are contained or referenced herein, ‎except as required by applicable securities laws‎.

Neither the TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in ‎the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of ‎this release.

SOURCE: Jericho Energy Ventures, Inc.