The M&E Dispatch // 078

Hello Everyone,

Have you seen the NEOM project yet? It’s at the end of the line of the worlds largest construction project and many have no idea it exists.

It’s right in the middle of the richest, most abundant resource deposits of Salt Water and Sunlight (their words, not mine) in Saudi Arabia.

Satellite images released this week show a sprawling, floating port emerging from the Red Sea. It’s part of Neom’s Oxagon, a modular, AI-powered industrial hub being built faster than most Canadians can get an environmental approval processed.

They’re not just building a port. They’re reshaping global trade routes.

Here’s the thing: Canada has the land, the water, the resources, and the global demand. What we’re missing is the permission structure, the political will to say:

“Yes. Build that. Now.”

Let’s stop pretending the North is too remote to matter.

• Hudson Bay is already more navigable year-round than it was a decade ago.

• Global demand for critical minerals is surging.

• The world needs what we’ve got, we just can’t get it out fast enough.

A modular Arctic port on the western shore of Hudson Bay.

• Floating infrastructure that scales seasonally.

• Rail-to-sea logistics hubs that cut cross-country hauling in half.

• Offtake-ready loading facilities for lithium, copper, nickel, uranium.

• And maybe, just maybe, a new administrative capital to anchor it all. (Pole Star City, anyone?)

We could own the North, instead of apologizing for its complexity.

Saudi Arabia didn’t wait for 2040 planning consultations. They dug in, poured concrete, and moved. Their floating port will serve Asia–Europe–Africa trade routes before we break ground on our next northern road.

Meanwhile, we’re still trying to get shovels in for infrastructure promised in the Harper years.

If we're serious about critical minerals, food security, and northern sovereignty —
then we need to be serious about Arctic access.

• Public–Private Partnerships can fund it.

• Floating logistics can de-risk it.

• G7 geopolitics can justify it.

• And Neom just proved it can be done.

This isn’t a pipe dream. It’s a logistics problem disguised as a mindset problem.

And it’s time we stopped waiting for the world to ask for permission.

Sure would create a lot of jobs too…

// The Dirt

Northern Superior Expands Discovery with 21.6m of 4.82 g/t Gold
Drilling at the Philibert project continues to impress, with high-grade gold intercepts including 7.0m of 11.86 g/t Au and 22.2m of 2.09 g/t Au.
Read more →

Astra Drills Bonanza Grades in Argentina
Highlights from La Manchuria include 1.4m of 35.3 g/t Au and 8,356 g/t Ag—underscoring the high-grade potential of the project.
Read more →

Nicola Mining Secures Exploration Permit for Treasure Mountain
A multi-year exploration permit has been granted, paving the way for deeper work at the silver-rich BC property.
Read more →

Magna Mining Reports New Drilling Results at McCreedy West
Sudbury-based project continues to deliver, with results backed by Ontario government recognition.
Read more →

Sage Potash Upsizes Financing to $6M
Strong investor interest leads to a second financing increase—aimed at supporting domestic U.S. potash development.
Read more →

Niocorp CEO Discusses Rare Earth Supply Crisis on CNBC
Mark Smith highlights challenges and opportunities facing the U.S. rare earths sector in national spotlight.
Read more →

Star Copper Launches Drilling in BC’s Golden Triangle
The new drill campaign targets a promising copper-gold system in one of Canada's most prolific mineral belts.
Read more →

Freeman Gold Wraps Up Drilling at Lemhi Project
The Idaho-based gold project continues to build momentum, with assays pending from recent drilling.
Read more →

Abasca Identifies New Graphite Zone at KLS
Newly discovered Thor Zone adds to the company’s flake graphite potential in Saskatchewan.
Read more →

Quest Critical Metals to Begin Drilling Post $1M Raise
The company is preparing for summer drilling at its rare earth and critical metal targets after closing a non-brokered private placement.
Read more →

// The Heart

The Boy is doing well, still rough with pain, but making progress every day.

I truly want to thank every one who flooded my inbox with well wishes, it means a lot.

We got a serious chuckle out of the offer to pay for some ice time to help him get back on his feet. A truly Canadian recovery gift, no flowers, just ice time.

Have a great week all,

- Lee