Update on Western Critical Minerals Projects
Written by Emily J. Thompson, Senior Investment Analyst
Updated: May 13 2026
0mins
Source: PRnewswire
- KSM Project Progress: Seabridge Gold's KSM project has been designated a provincial priority in British Columbia, hosting 7.3 billion pounds of copper and 47.3 million ounces of gold, with provincial support expected to expedite regulatory processes and enhance financing appeal.
- Elk Creek Groundbreaking: NioCorp's Elk Creek project in Nebraska officially broke ground in March 2026, becoming North America's only niobium-scandium-titanium deposit with construction permits, and is set to enhance marketing capabilities through a partnership with Traxys for the next decade of operations.
- Goose Mine Commercialization: B2Gold's Goose Mine achieved commercial production in October 2025, with Q1 2026 gold output reaching 237,763 ounces, exceeding expectations, and full-year guidance of 820,000 to 970,000 ounces indicates strong operational potential in the Arctic region.
- Santa Cruz Project Planning: Ivanhoe Electric's Santa Cruz copper project is slated for first copper cathode production in 2028, aligning its multi-metal development strategy with U.S. supply chain independence goals, showcasing the company's strategic positioning in critical minerals.
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Analyst Views on SA
Wall Street analysts forecast SA stock price to rise
2 Analyst Rating
2 Buy
0 Hold
0 Sell
Moderate Buy
Current: 27.610
Low
63.00
Averages
64.00
High
65.00
Current: 27.610
Low
63.00
Averages
64.00
High
65.00
About SA
Seabridge Gold Inc. is a company engaged in acquiring, exploring, and advancing mineral properties, with an emphasis on gold resources, located in Canada and the United States of America. The Company holds a 100% interest in several North American gold projects. Its principal assets, the KSM project and its Iskut project, are located in British Columbia, Canada’s Golden Triangle. The Courageous Lake project is in Canada's Northwest Territories, the Snowstorm project in the Getchell Gold Belt of Northern Nevada and the three aces project are located in the Yukon Territory. The KSM Project is an undeveloped gold project. Iskut is a 294-square-kilometer property located approximately 20 kilometers (km) east of KSM. 3 Aces is a 314-square-kilometer property located in southeastern Yukon. The project is a district-scale, orogenic gold project. Snowstorm is a 103 square kilometer property located at the intersection of three major Nevada gold belts. Grassy Mountain is its non-core asset.
About the author
Emily J. Thompson
Emily J. Thompson, a Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA) with 12 years in investment research, graduated with honors from the Wharton School. Specializing in industrial and technology stocks, she provides in-depth analysis for Intellectia’s earnings and market brief reports.
Update on Western Critical Minerals Projects
- KSM Project Progress: Seabridge Gold's KSM project has been designated a provincial priority in British Columbia, hosting 7.3 billion pounds of copper and 47.3 million ounces of gold, with provincial support expected to expedite regulatory processes and enhance financing appeal.
- Elk Creek Groundbreaking: NioCorp's Elk Creek project in Nebraska officially broke ground in March 2026, becoming North America's only niobium-scandium-titanium deposit with construction permits, and is set to enhance marketing capabilities through a partnership with Traxys for the next decade of operations.
- Goose Mine Commercialization: B2Gold's Goose Mine achieved commercial production in October 2025, with Q1 2026 gold output reaching 237,763 ounces, exceeding expectations, and full-year guidance of 820,000 to 970,000 ounces indicates strong operational potential in the Arctic region.
- Santa Cruz Project Planning: Ivanhoe Electric's Santa Cruz copper project is slated for first copper cathode production in 2028, aligning its multi-metal development strategy with U.S. supply chain independence goals, showcasing the company's strategic positioning in critical minerals.
See More
Greenland Mines' Skaergaard Project Progress Update
- Significant Project Progress: Greenland Mines' Skaergaard Project reported by SLR Consulting on May 7, 2026, indicates 16.58 million ounces of palladium-equivalent in the Indicated category and 21.92 million ounces in the Inferred category, reflecting a 45% and 55% uplift from the 2022 model, respectively, which enhances the project's economic potential significantly.
- Funding Secured: The 2026 field, drill, and bulk-sample campaign is fully funded, ensuring that the project can proceed smoothly into future development phases, thereby enhancing the company's competitiveness in the critical minerals sector.
- Increased Industry Recognition: Greenland Mines and its 80%-owned subsidiary Major Precious Greenland A/S were admitted to the European Raw Materials Alliance on April 22, 2026, marking the project's formal inclusion in the EU's industrial framework for critical raw materials security, which strengthens its market position.
- Massive Resource Value: The 2022 NI 43-101 Mineral Resource Estimate indicates a gross in-situ resource value of approximately $68 billion for the Skaergaard Project, highlighting its significance among the world's undeveloped Pd-Au-Pt deposits and attracting increased investor interest.
See More
Seabridge Gold Reports FY GAAP EPS of -$0.53
- Financial Loss: Seabridge Gold's released financial report indicates a FY GAAP EPS of -$0.53, reflecting ongoing challenges in financial performance that may undermine investor confidence.
- Historical Comparison: Compared to historical earnings data, the current loss per share has widened, highlighting the difficulties the company faces in restoring profitability, which could pressure stock prices.
- Market Reaction: Investors have reacted lukewarmly to this report, potentially leading to increased stock price volatility in the short term, affecting the company's ability to raise capital in the market.
- Uncertain Future Outlook: Due to the ongoing losses, Seabridge Gold's future profitability outlook remains unclear, necessitating more aggressive strategies to improve financial health and regain market trust.
See More
Seabridge Gold Files 2025 Annual Financial Statements
- Financial Overview: Seabridge Gold reported a net loss of $53.2 million ($0.53 per share) for 2025, a significant increase from a $31.2 million loss ($0.35 per share) in 2024, indicating challenges in cost control and profitability.
- Investment Growth: The company invested $137 million in mineral interests, property, and equipment in 2025, a 25.7% increase from $106.3 million in 2024, demonstrating ongoing commitment to future projects despite short-term financial pressures.
- Asset and Liability Status: As of December 31, 2025, Seabridge's net working capital rose to $109.8 million from $44.8 million in 2024, indicating improved liquidity management and providing a stronger foundation for future project financing.
- Strategic Development Plans: The company plans to spin out 100% of the Courageous Lake project into a new entity, Valor Gold Corp., to advance the project more effectively while focusing on securing partnerships for the KSM project, aiming to enhance shareholder value through strategic restructuring.
See More
LaFleur Minerals Releases Positive Economic Assessment for Swanson Gold Project
- Economic Assessment Highlights: LaFleur Minerals' March 2026 Preliminary Economic Assessment (PEA) reveals a net present value of C$101 million and an internal rate of return of 65% for the Swanson Gold Project, indicating strong economic potential that is likely to attract increased investor interest in the current gold price environment.
- Resource Estimate Increase: The latest mineral resource estimate shows a 30% increase in indicated resources at the Swanson project, totaling 2.96 million tonnes at 1.69 grams per tonne gold, equating to approximately 160,300 ounces of gold, which enhances the project's feasibility and attractiveness.
- Production Restart Progress: LaFleur is advancing the restart of its Beacon Gold Mill, with production expected to resume in Q2 2026, having already spent about 30% of the total restart budget, indicating proactive management of costs while pushing forward with production plans.
- Improved Financing Position: The company successfully closed C$7.8 million in funding at the end of last year, providing financial backing for the restart of production, which strengthens LaFleur's position in the competitive gold mining market and enhances its project financing capabilities.
See More
Van Den Berg Management Increases MarketAxess Holdings
- Share Acquisition: According to a SEC filing dated February 17, 2026, Van Den Berg Management I, Inc acquired an additional 16,382 shares of MarketAxess during Q4 2025, bringing its total position to $5.51 million, a $3.07 million increase, indicating strong confidence in the company.
- Asset Allocation: MarketAxess represents 1.26% of Van Den Berg's 13F reportable AUM, highlighting its significant role in the fund's portfolio and reflecting its strategic importance in the fixed income market.
- Market Performance: As of February 13, 2026, MarketAxess shares were priced at $179.36, down 4.8% over the past year, underperforming the S&P 500 by 16.6 percentage points, suggesting market caution regarding its future growth prospects.
- Industry Competition: As electronic trading expands, MarketAxess has become a leading platform in the U.S. corporate credit market; however, its future growth will depend on maintaining market share against competitors like Tradeweb and Bloomberg in the electronic credit trading space.
See More
Update on Western Critical Minerals Projects
- KSM Project Progress: Seabridge Gold's KSM project has been designated a provincial priority in British Columbia, hosting 7.3 billion pounds of copper and 47.3 million ounces of gold, with provincial support expected to expedite regulatory processes and enhance financing appeal.
- Elk Creek Groundbreaking: NioCorp's Elk Creek project in Nebraska officially broke ground in March 2026, becoming North America's only niobium-scandium-titanium deposit with construction permits, and is set to enhance marketing capabilities through a partnership with Traxys for the next decade of operations.
- Goose Mine Commercialization: B2Gold's Goose Mine achieved commercial production in October 2025, with Q1 2026 gold output reaching 237,763 ounces, exceeding expectations, and full-year guidance of 820,000 to 970,000 ounces indicates strong operational potential in the Arctic region.
- Santa Cruz Project Planning: Ivanhoe Electric's Santa Cruz copper project is slated for first copper cathode production in 2028, aligning its multi-metal development strategy with U.S. supply chain independence goals, showcasing the company's strategic positioning in critical minerals.
See More
Greenland Mines' Skaergaard Project Progress Update
- Significant Project Progress: Greenland Mines' Skaergaard Project reported by SLR Consulting on May 7, 2026, indicates 16.58 million ounces of palladium-equivalent in the Indicated category and 21.92 million ounces in the Inferred category, reflecting a 45% and 55% uplift from the 2022 model, respectively, which enhances the project's economic potential significantly.
- Funding Secured: The 2026 field, drill, and bulk-sample campaign is fully funded, ensuring that the project can proceed smoothly into future development phases, thereby enhancing the company's competitiveness in the critical minerals sector.
- Increased Industry Recognition: Greenland Mines and its 80%-owned subsidiary Major Precious Greenland A/S were admitted to the European Raw Materials Alliance on April 22, 2026, marking the project's formal inclusion in the EU's industrial framework for critical raw materials security, which strengthens its market position.
- Massive Resource Value: The 2022 NI 43-101 Mineral Resource Estimate indicates a gross in-situ resource value of approximately $68 billion for the Skaergaard Project, highlighting its significance among the world's undeveloped Pd-Au-Pt deposits and attracting increased investor interest.
See More
Seabridge Gold Reports FY GAAP EPS of -$0.53
- Financial Loss: Seabridge Gold's released financial report indicates a FY GAAP EPS of -$0.53, reflecting ongoing challenges in financial performance that may undermine investor confidence.
- Historical Comparison: Compared to historical earnings data, the current loss per share has widened, highlighting the difficulties the company faces in restoring profitability, which could pressure stock prices.
- Market Reaction: Investors have reacted lukewarmly to this report, potentially leading to increased stock price volatility in the short term, affecting the company's ability to raise capital in the market.
- Uncertain Future Outlook: Due to the ongoing losses, Seabridge Gold's future profitability outlook remains unclear, necessitating more aggressive strategies to improve financial health and regain market trust.
See More
Seabridge Gold Files 2025 Annual Financial Statements
- Financial Overview: Seabridge Gold reported a net loss of $53.2 million ($0.53 per share) for 2025, a significant increase from a $31.2 million loss ($0.35 per share) in 2024, indicating challenges in cost control and profitability.
- Investment Growth: The company invested $137 million in mineral interests, property, and equipment in 2025, a 25.7% increase from $106.3 million in 2024, demonstrating ongoing commitment to future projects despite short-term financial pressures.
- Asset and Liability Status: As of December 31, 2025, Seabridge's net working capital rose to $109.8 million from $44.8 million in 2024, indicating improved liquidity management and providing a stronger foundation for future project financing.
- Strategic Development Plans: The company plans to spin out 100% of the Courageous Lake project into a new entity, Valor Gold Corp., to advance the project more effectively while focusing on securing partnerships for the KSM project, aiming to enhance shareholder value through strategic restructuring.
See More
LaFleur Minerals Releases Positive Economic Assessment for Swanson Gold Project
- Economic Assessment Highlights: LaFleur Minerals' March 2026 Preliminary Economic Assessment (PEA) reveals a net present value of C$101 million and an internal rate of return of 65% for the Swanson Gold Project, indicating strong economic potential that is likely to attract increased investor interest in the current gold price environment.
- Resource Estimate Increase: The latest mineral resource estimate shows a 30% increase in indicated resources at the Swanson project, totaling 2.96 million tonnes at 1.69 grams per tonne gold, equating to approximately 160,300 ounces of gold, which enhances the project's feasibility and attractiveness.
- Production Restart Progress: LaFleur is advancing the restart of its Beacon Gold Mill, with production expected to resume in Q2 2026, having already spent about 30% of the total restart budget, indicating proactive management of costs while pushing forward with production plans.
- Improved Financing Position: The company successfully closed C$7.8 million in funding at the end of last year, providing financial backing for the restart of production, which strengthens LaFleur's position in the competitive gold mining market and enhances its project financing capabilities.
See More
Van Den Berg Management Increases MarketAxess Holdings
- Share Acquisition: According to a SEC filing dated February 17, 2026, Van Den Berg Management I, Inc acquired an additional 16,382 shares of MarketAxess during Q4 2025, bringing its total position to $5.51 million, a $3.07 million increase, indicating strong confidence in the company.
- Asset Allocation: MarketAxess represents 1.26% of Van Den Berg's 13F reportable AUM, highlighting its significant role in the fund's portfolio and reflecting its strategic importance in the fixed income market.
- Market Performance: As of February 13, 2026, MarketAxess shares were priced at $179.36, down 4.8% over the past year, underperforming the S&P 500 by 16.6 percentage points, suggesting market caution regarding its future growth prospects.
- Industry Competition: As electronic trading expands, MarketAxess has become a leading platform in the U.S. corporate credit market; however, its future growth will depend on maintaining market share against competitors like Tradeweb and Bloomberg in the electronic credit trading space.
See More
