The M&E Dispatch // 083

Hello Everyone,

Canada just passed the One Canadian Economy Act, a sweeping new law that gives the federal government the power to fast-track infrastructure and energy projects deemed “in the national interest.” (I wonder if PM Carney reads The Dispatch 😆)

Pipelines, ports, mines, power grids, they're all on the table. The goal? Strengthen Canada’s economic independence, especially in light of Trump’s latest tariffs. The promise? Faster approvals, fewer internal trade barriers, and a new era of nation-building.

But here’s the question that came to mind when I read the news: Are we finally ready to build the future, or are we just doubling down on the past?

A longtime reader, Lewis Bonder from Mining Publications, sent me this after the last Dispatch:

He’s not wrong.

If you’re unfamiliar, Syntroleum developed tech that could turn coal or natural gas into ultra-clean synthetic fuels like diesel and jet fuel using a process called Fischer–Tropsch synthesis. It breaks down coal into syngas (carbon monoxide + hydrogen), then rebuilds it into new fuel molecules. I think that means it’s kinda like LEGO, but for fuel.

It was clean. It was scalable. And it got shelved.

Poor timing it seems as oil was cheap and this tech was expensive. Syntroleum got swallowed up, and the patents were buried under layers of corporate pivoting. Canada sort of watched it all happening and let that opportunity pass.

That’s the part Lewis is frustrated about, as we all should be.

This new law is meant to clear the way for big, fast development. But maybe what we need just as badly is a Skunk Works-style approach to innovation. Something that builds fast on what we know now, and learns faster about what we don’t.

Let the ports and pipelines roll forward if they must. But alongside that, we should be backing small-scale pilot projects, experimental refineries, alternate fuel programs, and mining innovation tech that won’t make it through traditional funding channels. If there was ever a time to pair bold construction with bold ideas, it’s now.

We missed the boat with Syntroleum. Let’s not keep missing the fleet.

// The Dirt

FPX Nickel Completes Strategic Investment by Sumitomo Metal Mining
A C$12M private placement gives Sumitomo an initial 9.9% stake in FPX Nickel, further cementing Japan’s interest in Canadian critical minerals.
https://www.juniorminingnetwork.com/junior-miner-news/press-releases/1324-tsx-venture/fpx/154174-fpx-nickel-completes-strategic-investment-by-sumitomo-metal-mining.html

Patriot Battery Metals Drills 96.5m of 1.56% Li₂O at CV5
The latest holes at Corvette confirm high-grade lithium continuity over long intercepts—relevant as the company ramps toward a maiden reserve.
https://www.juniorminingnetwork.com/junior-miner-news/press-releases/2818-tsx-venture/pmet/154167-patriot-battery-metals-intersects-96-5-m-of-1-56-li2o-including-22-5-m-of-3-04-li2o-at-cv5.html

NGEx Expands Bonanza Copper-Gold at Lunahuasi
NGEx reports 60m at 5.56% CuEq, highlighting the scale and grade of its South American copper-gold discovery—another big hit following previous intercepts.
https://www.juniorminingnetwork.com/junior-miner-news/press-releases/1247-tsx/ngex/154176-ngex-intercepts-60-0-m-at-5-56-copper-equivalent-including-10-0-m-at-8-50-copper-equivalent-at-lunahuasi.html

Foran Mining Receives Federal Environmental Approval for McIlvenna Bay
A major milestone for Saskatchewan’s first permitted VMS mine in decades. The approval paves the way for infrastructure work to commence.
https://www.juniorminingnetwork.com/junior-miner-news/press-releases/1237-tsxv/fom/154180-foran-receives-federal-environmental-assessment-approval-for-the-mcilvenna-bay-project.html

Sigma Lithium Produces Over 39,000 Tonnes of Battery-Grade Lithium in Q2
Q2 numbers are in—solid output from Sigma’s Grota do Cirilo operation in Brazil continues to backstop the global lithium supply chain.
https://www.juniorminingnetwork.com/junior-miner-news/press-releases/2671-tsx-v/sigm/154172-sigma-lithium-announces-second-quarter-2024-production-and-sales-results.html

American Eagle Expands Copper-Gold Footprint at NAK Project
Drilling returns 302m of 0.51% CuEq including high-grade zones. The project, near Smithers, BC, is starting to show real scale potential.
https://www.juniorminingnetwork.com/junior-miner-news/press-releases/3135-tsx-venture/ae/154163-american-eagle-gold-intersects-302-3-m-of-0-51-copper-equivalent-including-117-0-m-of-0-66-copper-equivalent-at-nak.html

Giyani Intersects 24.1% Manganese at K.Hill Project
Drilling confirms ultra-high-grade mineralization as Giyani looks to feed the EV battery supply chain from Botswana.
https://www.juniorminingnetwork.com/junior-miner-news/press-releases/780-tsx-venture/emm/154157-giyani-metals-intersects-24-1-manganese-at-the-k-hill-extension.html

i-80 Gold Produces 6,300 oz AuEq in June
The company’s Ruby Hill and Granite Creek operations continue to yield gold and polymetallic ore as part of a broader Nevada growth strategy.
https://www.juniorminingnetwork.com/junior-miner-news/press-releases/2735-tsx/iau/154170-i-80-gold-corp-reports-preliminary-production-results-for-june-2024.html

Canada Nickel Delivers 0.26% Ni Over 486m at Texmont
A key expansion drillhole continues to demonstrate the large-scale potential of this near-surface nickel project in Ontario.
https://www.juniorminingnetwork.com/junior-miner-news/press-releases/2788-tsxv/cnc/154178-canada-nickel-drills-0-26-nickel-over-486-metres-at-texmont.html

Taseko Receives Final Permit for Florence Copper Commercial Production
A decade in the making, this in-situ copper project in Arizona gets the green light to begin construction, with potential to supply 85M lbs Cu annually.
https://www.juniorminingnetwork.com/junior-miner-news/press-releases/1262-tsx/tko/154161-taseko-receives-final-groundwater-permit-for-florence-copper.html

I’m digging through some boxes yesterday, sorting what to keep and what to get rid of (everything, I plan on moving with a backpack and a duffle bag) and I found my wife’s OG Ipod, from 2001. Back then I was working the rigs and had a young man’s worth of disposable income. For Christmas that year I bought her an iPod, it was around $500 - I don’t recall the exact amount. Trying to decide what to do with it now I quickly looked on eBay and the 1st Gen units fetch a sweet amount.

Then… I made the mistake of seeing what stock in Apple would be worth if I had bought that instead. $400 (usd), 24 years ago…

That’s a $267,405 ipod.

Pair that with the 49 Bitcoin I have but cannot access and I can assuredly state that the tech boom has not always errored in my favour 😂

Timing is everything and if I had given her some Apple stock for Christmas that year things may very well have turned out differently for me. The iPod was the smart choice at that time.

Hindsight always beats the market, but only when it's too late to invest.

Have a good weekend all, I’m back to sorting boxes and house work. T-34 days.

- Lee

P:S: If you haven’t subscribed to CoalJobs.ca yet, please give it a click. There’s a sweet set of prizes being announced in a few days, just crossing some t’s and dotting some i’s on the brand partnership.