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Critical Mineral Resources plc (“CMR”, “Company”) is delighted to announce the arrival of its diamond core drilling rig at Agadir Melloul, marking a major step forward that puts the project in an excellent position to accelerate drilling activity. The team is now focused on commissioning the rig as quickly as possible, with the first bore hole expected to be drilled during the first half of December.

Highlights

The Company’s fully refurbished Discovery HD track-mounted diamond core drill has arrived at Agadir Melloul. Some important features:

  • Fitted with brand new Caterpillar 308E steel tracks for rapid moves between drill pads
  • Compact, robust design with a heavy-duty telescopic mast and powerful hoisting winch capable of pulling the complete drill string from the ground and pulling in 20 ft sections
  • Drilling depth capacity of 1400m NQ (47.6mm core), 876m HQ (63.5mm core)
  • Delivered with new consumable parts such as jaws, bushings and comprehensive remote site spares kit to minimise risk of downtime

The rig is expected to be operational during the first half of December, almost immediately doubling our drilling capacity.

Charlie Long CEO commented:

“It has been quite a journey for our Discovery HD rig and its arrival represents an important milestone for the project. The rig has undergone a comprehensive refurbishment and is effectively as good as new. With proper care, we expect it to deliver consistent performance for the next decade and provide significant per metre cost savings.

Multi Power, the manufacturer, was extremely supportive, generously installing a brand new feed cylinder, instead of resealing the original, replacing key components including foot clamp, and completely stripping and professionally repainting the mast. New Cat 308E tracks were also sourced and installed to ensure maximum efficiency.

The additional refurbishment and some shipping complications meant the rig arrived later than originally planned. It is a testament to our team on the ground, and the advantages of operating in Morocco, that once we knew of the delay, we were quickly able to secure the services of a trusted drilling contractor who began work immediately, ensuring that progress continued uninterrupted.

We are now carefully unpacking and inspecting all components, and with our newly appointed drill operator already in place, the team is ready to commission and bring the rig into operation without delay. The arrival of our rig puts us in an excellent position to significantly accelerate drilling and to advance on all fronts, simultaneously drilling both the sedimentary copper deposit and the exciting new Rhyolite discovery.

We look forward to seeing the Discovery HD drill its first holes in the first half of December”.

Fig.1 Discovery HD track-mounted diamond drill at Agadir Melloul

Source: Company

Critical Mineral Resources PLC
Charles Long, Chief Executive Officer

info@cmrplc.com

AlbR Capital
Jon Belliss

+44 (0) 20 7399 9425

Notes To Editors

Critical Mineral Resources (CMR) PLC is an exploration and development company focused on developing assets that produce critical minerals for the global economy, including those essential for electrification and the clean energy revolution. Many of these commodities are widely recognised as being at the start of a supply and demand super cycle.

CMR is building a diversified portfolio of high-quality metals exploration and development projects in Morocco, focusing on copper, manganese and potentially other critical minerals and metals. CMR identified Morocco as an ideal mining-friendly jurisdiction that meets its acquisition and operational criteria. The country is perfectly located to supply raw materials to Europe and possesses excellent prospective geology, good infrastructure and attractive permitting, tax and royalty conditions. In 2023, the Company acquired an 80% stake in leading Moroccan exploration and geological services company Atlantic Research Minerals SARL.

The Company is listed on the London Stock Exchange (CMRS.L). More information regarding the Company can be found at www.cmrplc.com

Source

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Panther Metals Plc (LSE: PALM), the exploration company focused on mineral projects in Canada, is pleased to announce that Platinum Diamond Drilling Inc. (‘Platinum’) has been contracted to undertake the Mineral Resource focussed drilling programme at the Winston Tailings Project in Ontario, Canada.1, 2, 3

The appointment of Platinum follows on from the appointment of SRK Exploration Ltd (‘SRK EX’) as independent consultants to conduct the Mineral Resource estimate (‘MRE’).

The MRE will be one of a series of workstreams to quantify, evaluate and permit the contained high-grade gold (Au), gallium (Ga), silver (Ag), zinc (Zn), copper (Cu) and cobalt (Co) and other recoverable minerals located within the historic Winston Lake Mine tailings storage facility (‘TSF’).

Darren Hazelwood, Chief Executive Officer commented:

‘The appointment of a drilling contractor for the Winston Tailings Project marks a pivotal step forward for the Company. This programme is designed to validate the historic recovery production and produce a CIM compliant Mineral Resource estimate, a key milestone in taking the project through the recovery permitting process.

The historical Winston Lake mine processing data indicates that the tailings have the potential to host commodities in quantities significant enough to fundamentally transform our business.

Quantifying the grade and tonnage of recoverable minerals in the TSF will provide a clear pathway to near-term production and meaningful cash flow, supporting our strategy to rapidly advance Winston from an historic asset into a modern, cash-generating operation.

We look forward to updating shareholders as work progresses.’

The MRE programme is an integral part of the process to advance the Winston Tailing Project through permitting towards a cashflow proposition and will be based upon the resource drilling programme, mineralogical and metallurgical testwork and associated studies which will be conducted during winter 2025/26.

Panther is aiming for a seamless transition from MRE to Ore Reserves in as short a time as possible, and it is envisaged that successful outcomes to the tailing MRE, will in turn support the declaration of Ore Reserves following further technical studies. The MRE work will also provide inputs into the Application for Recovery of Minerals Permit (the ‘Recovery Permit’) process as announced 1 September 2025.3, 4

The MRE will be reported in compliance with the standards and best practices set out by the Canadian Institute of Mining, Metallurgy and Petroleum’s (‘CIM’) for reporting Mineral Resources, Ore Reserves, and related exploration information. This will also facilitate future NI 43-101 reporting, as required.

Background

The Winston Tailings Project entails a series of workstreams to quantify, evaluate and permit the contained high-grade gold (Au), gallium (Ga), silver (Ag), zinc (Zn), copper (Cu) and cobalt (Co) and other recoverable minerals located within the historic Winston Lake Mine tailings storage facility. Reprocessing the mine tailings, potentially offers Panther the opportunity to unlock residual metal value and contribute to the long-term environmental rehabilitation of the Winston Project site.1, 2

The Winston Lake Mine was operational from 1988 to 1998, producing approximately 3.3 million tonnes of ore and yielding zinc, copper, silver, and gold. Based on historic recoveries from mining activities in the 1980s and 1990s, it is believed that a significant quantity of valuable material remains in the tailing storage facility.

Source: NI 43-101 Technical Report Feasibility Study for the Superior Zinc and Copper Project, 2021. Site is connected to high-voltage grid power.

Figure 1: Existing Infrastructure at Winston Tailings Storage Facility

References

1. Panther Metals PLC, announcement, Winston Tailings Assays Confirm Gold, Gallium, Silver, Zinc, Copper & Cobalt, Tailings Sample Assay Results Exceed Expectations, dated 31 July 2025 ( https://polaris.brighterir.com/public/panther_metals/news/rns/story/w00eo6w )

2. Panther Metals PLC, announcement, Tailings Sampling Programme Underway at Winston Project, dated 15 July 2025 (https://polaris.brighterir.com/public/panther_metals/news/rns/story/w606ngw )

3. Panther Metals PLC, announcement, Winston Tailings: Gold & Critical Mineral Reprocessing, Evaluation and Permitting Workstreams Commencing, dated 8 August 2025
( https://polaris.brighterir.com/public/panther_metals/news/rns/story/rm7movr )

4. Panther Metals PLC, announcement, Winston Tailings Project Update and Warrant Expiry, Permitting Process Commenced. Warrant Expiry Notice , dated 1 September 2025
( https://polaris.brighterir.com/public/panther_metals/news/rns/story/x20od6r )

5. Recovery of Minerals Permitting process details available at https://www.ontario.ca/page/recovery-minerals

For further information, please contact:

Panther Metals PLC:

Darren Hazelwood, Chief Executive Officer:

+44 (0)1462 429 743 +44 (0)7971 957 685

Brokers:

Hybridan LLP

Claire Louise Noyce

+44 (0)20 3764 2341

SI Capital Limited

Nick Emerson

+44 (0)1438 416 500

Obonga Project – Expanding Canada’s Next VMS and Critical Minerals District

Panther Metals’ Obonga Project in Ontario continues to demonstrate significant potential as a leading exploration initiative targeting both base and critical minerals. Since acquiring the Obonga Greenstone Belt in July 2021, the Company has rapidly advanced five high-priority targets: Wishbone, Awkward, Survey, Ottertooth, and Silver Rim.

In June 2024, Panther secured a key Exploration Permit for the Wishbone Prospect, valid through 2027, authorizing extensive drilling and geophysical surveys. Previous campaigns confirmed compelling volcanogenic massive sulphide (VMS)-style mineralisation, highlighted by intercepts such as 27.3m of massive sulphide and 51m of sulphide-dominated mineralisation with multiple mineralised lenses. High-grade copper anomalies in lake sediment further enhance the prospectivity of this landmark target.

July 2024 saw Panther awarded an Exploration Permit for Awkward West, supporting an aggressive exploration program including up to 31 drill holes. Historic drilling here revealed notable graphite mineralisation-27.2m at 2.25% Total Graphitic Carbon (TGC) with zones exceeding 5% TGC-alongside promising signs of nickel, copper, and platinum group elements, aligning with Panther’s strategic focus on critical minerals.

Additional exploration efforts include high-resolution magnetic geophysical surveys across key prospects, optimizing drill targeting and advancing the geological model. Survey and Ottertooth remain highly prospective, with multiple magnetic and electromagnetic anomalies and historic intercepts of massive sulphides, many targets still largely untested.

Obonga’s combination of VMS-style base metals and critical mineral potential, situated in a stable and mining-friendly jurisdiction with strong infrastructure, positions Panther Metals to unlock a district-scale mineral system with significant commercial upside.

Dotted Lake Project – Hemlo-Adjacent Gold Opportunity with Growing Momentum

Panther Metals’ Dotted Lake Project, acquired in July 2020, lies just 16km from Barrick Gold’s renowned Hemlo Mine, in one of Canada’s premier gold-producing regions. The project offers a strategically located and scalable gold exploration play.

Initial soil sampling in 2021 identified numerous gold and base metal targets, and subsequent access improvements facilitated an initial drilling program that confirmed gold mineralisation with anomalous values extending along strike.

In early 2025, Panther completed a follow-up campaign featuring detailed geological mapping, trenching, and targeted diamond drilling. These efforts extended mineralisation both laterally and at depth, identified new structural controls, and reinforced the potential for a broader, high-grade gold system. Multiple zones have been prioritised for expanded drilling, underscoring Dotted Lake’s significant upside.

The project’s proximity to established infrastructure and Hemlo’s extensive mining operations, combined with robust recent results, makes Dotted Lake a key asset in Panther’s growth portfolio.

Commercial Strategy – Discovery-Driven Value Creation

Panther Metals is committed to creating substantial shareholder value through focused exploration and disciplined capital management. The Company combines deep geological expertise with an understanding of market and financing dynamics to advance high-potential projects efficiently.

With access to a global network of industry leaders and a rigorous operational focus on drilling, Panther prioritises activities that directly contribute to discovery and resource growth. The drill hole remains the ultimate validation in mineral exploration, and Panther’s strategy is to fast-track world-class targets into drill-ready assets – delivering tangible results that underpin long-term value creation for shareholders.

Source

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Rep. Nancy Mace, R-S.C., is planning to force a vote on censuring a fellow House Republican on Wednesday night.

Two sources told Fox News Digital that Mace will introduce a censure resolution against Rep. Cory Mills, R-Fla., after accusing him of stolen valor on X on Tuesday night.

Mace is planning to introduce the censure as a privileged resolution, Fox News Digital is told, meaning House GOP leaders will have two legislative days — by the end of session on Friday — to hold a chamber-wide vote on the measure.

Her resolution is likely to come up during the House’s only vote series of the day on Wednesday, which is scheduled for the 8 p.m. hour.

House Democrats had threatened to pursue a retaliatory censure against Mills Tuesday evening in response to Republicans trying to censure Del. Stacey Plaskett, D-V.I., the Virgin Islands’ nonvoting representative in the House, over her ties to Jeffrey Epstein.

The Plaskett censure failed after three House Republicans voted ‘no’ and three more voted ‘present,’ however, along with every Democrat rejecting the measure. Democrats did not appear to pursue the censure against Mills after that.

Mace had accused Mills of participating in a ‘backroom deal’ at the time to avoid a censure, adding, ‘I have the General who ‘recommended’ him for the Bronze Star on record saying he never wrote it, never read it and never personally signed it.’

Mills’ office told Fox News Digital there was never a deal, however, and had expected his censure to move forward on Tuesday night. He also voted in favor of censuring Plaskett.

The main motivation behind Mace’s censure resolution is not yet clear. But Mace sent a letter to Speaker Mike Johnson, R-La., on Wednesday accusing Mills of ‘credible accusations he misrepresented his military service’ and ‘credible accusations of having committed crimes against women.’

Mills has previously denied wrongdoing in reports of both sets of allegations.

Fox News Digital reached out to Mills’ spokesperson for comment on Mace’s plans.

This post appeared first on FOX NEWS

A prominent global research center has released a comprehensive report on what it says is a multi-generational campaign by the Muslim Brotherhood to ‘transform Western society from within’ and covertly infiltrate the United States. 

The 200-page report, released by the Institute for the Study of Global Antisemitism and Policy on Wednesday, draws from internal Brotherhood documents, such as the ‘1982 Project’ and ‘1991 Explanatory Memorandum’ and makes the case that Western freedoms have been systematically leveraged to advance Islamist ideological goals as the group continues its five-decade plan to embed itself in the United States.

The Muslim Brotherhood, an Islamist organization founded in Egypt, has gained access to government agencies, been involved in advising American civil rights policy, infiltrated educational institutions, and created a vast social media footprint, the report states.

According to the report, The Muslim Brotherhood allegedly targeted U.S. government agencies for infiltration, including the State Department, Department of Homeland Security, and Department of Justice, through career appointments and advisory roles.

The report dives deep into alleged terror ties within the group along with various funding sources from places like Qatar while making the case that both al-Qaeda and the Brotherhood ‘share the strategic aim’ of establishing an Islamic state government by sharia and differing only in tactics where the Brotherhood’s ‘gradualism allows it to maintain ideological continuity with militant jihad while avoiding direct confrontation.’

The report calls on the United States to designate the Muslim Brotherhood as a terrorist organization.

‘We are now fifty years into the Brotherhood’s 100-year plan to entrench themselves into key institutions in the United States and other western societies to undermine and destroy our democracy,’ Dr. Charles Asher Small, founding director of ISGAP and co-author of the report, told Fox News Digital. 

‘This is not simply a political movement but a transnational ideological project that adapts itself to Western systems while working to undermine them. The Brotherhood has learned to use the very freedoms of democracy as tools to erode it from within, exploiting the tolerance and openness of liberal societies as strategic vulnerabilities. This report lays out how, and what must now be done to defend our democracy. Designation as a terror organization is essential to safeguard our freedom and way of life and we must deal with the entryist damage that has already been done.’

Earlier this week, Texas Gov. Greg Abbott, a Republican, designated the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR) and the Muslim Brotherhood as foreign terrorist and transnational criminal organizations Tuesday, preventing both groups from obtaining land in the Lone Star state.

Abbott said in a statement that he made the move as ‘The Muslim Brotherhood and CAIR have long made their goals clear: to forcibly impose Sharia law and establish Islam’s ‘mastership of the world.’’

‘The actions taken by the Muslim Brotherhood and CAIR to support terrorism across the globe and subvert our laws through violence, intimidation, and harassment are unacceptable. Today, I designated the Muslim Brotherhood and CAIR as foreign terrorist organizations and transnational criminal organizations,’ Abbott added. ‘These radical extremists are not welcome in our state and are now prohibited from acquiring any real property interest in Texas.’

In a statement to Fox News Digital at the time, CAIR, who is mentioned multiple times in the ISGAP report, said the group ‘consistently condemned all forms of unjust violence, including hate crimes, ethnic cleansing, genocide and terrorism.’

The ISGAP report names multiple elected politicians as potentially advancing the Muslim Brotherhood’s goals within the government.

‘The election and re-election of congresswomen such as Ilhan Omar (D-MN) and Rashida Tlaib (D-MI), who have openly defended positions aligned with Brotherhood perspectives on Israel, counterterrorism, and international relations, demonstrates the intersection of identity politics and Brotherhood narratives,’ the report states. ‘While neither congresswoman has a documented formal affiliation with the Muslim Brotherhood, both have appeared at events organized by Brotherhood-aligned organizations, have received campaign support from Brotherhood-aligned donors, and have consistently advocated positions aligned with Brotherhood objectives.’

In a press release, ISGAP warns that the ‘Brotherhood’s networks are not self-sustaining; they are nourished by a state that exports its worldview through funding, education, and media influence’ and that the United States ‘must act now, with clarity and courage, to protect both its values and its Muslim citizens from this ideological hijacking.’

In terms of next steps, ISGAP says that a terror designation is a positive step but not enough and is working on a joint declaration from dozens of scholars and policymakers calling on Congress to act on the findings of the report.

‘As someone who has studied and witnessed the Brotherhood’s operations firsthand, I can say with confidence that this is not a theoretical threat,’ Dalia Ziada, ISGAP Washington Coordinator, Research Fellow, and co-author of the report, told Fox News Digital.

 Fox News Digital’s Greg Norman contributed to this report

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U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Administrator Lee Zeldin clapped back after Rep. Jasmine Crockett, D-Texas, said he had taken money from someone named Jeffrey Epstein.

The congresswoman dropped Zeldin’s name while listing figures and entities she said had taken money from ‘somebody’ by the name of Jeffrey Epstein. Noting that she had her ‘team dig in very quickly,’ she rattled off the following list: ‘Mitt Romney, the NRCC, Lee Zeldin, George Bush, WinRed, McCain-Palin, Rick Lazio.’

Zeldin fired back in a post to X, noting that the donation to one of his former campaigns had nothing to do with the notorious late convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein.

‘Yes, Crockett, a physician named Dr. Jeffrey Epstein (who is a totally different person than the other Jeffrey Epstein) donated to a prior campaign of mine,’ Zeldin wrote, reposting another person’s post that featured footage of Crockett’s comments.

Zeldin then exclaimed in all caps, ‘NO [clap emoji] FREAKIN [clap emoji] RELATION [clap emoji] YOU [clap emoji] GENIUS!!!’

Fox News Digital reached out to Crockett’s office for comment.

Zeldin, a Republican, lost the 2022 New York gubernatorial contest to Democratic Gov. Kathy Hochul. He served in the U.S. House of Representatives from early 2015 through early 2023, and he had previously served in the New York state Senate.

President Donald Trump has previously called Crockett ‘a very low-IQ person.’

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Ro Khanna, D-Calif., is a man in a rush. On Tuesday, he was at the center of the vote to release the Epstein files, and when I saw him, on the way to his office in the Cannon building, he asked if I could walk and talk, as he had a few stops to make. 

‘Sure thing,’ I said, and we were off.

I wasn’t there for Epstein. I wanted to know about the future of his Democratic Party. So I started by asking if he and it have moved the goal of the social safety net from hand up to handout.

‘That’s not my vision,’ Khanna said. ‘My vision is an FDR-like vision where we need to have wealth generation across this country. We need production and manufacturing and making things across America.’

He pointed out that Roosevelt did not only have handouts, he also helped industrialize America.

I pressed him on his call for $10-a-day childcare for all Americans. Isn’t this, along with his Medicare for all policy, a free giant payout from the state? Again he pivoted to FDR.

‘It’s the New Deal,’ he said. ‘I believe in an economic bill of rights, in national healthcare. That’s what FDR believed in: universal childcare. Under FDR, we had war nurseries, do you know why?’

I could have guessed, but it was because somebody had to watch Rosie the Riveter’s kids as she built planes and tanks.

FDR and the New Deal really do seem to be at the heart of Khanna’s economic vision, and while conservatives, especially the old guard, tend to hate the New Deal, they’d likely take FDR over Karl Marx, who seems to be the inspiration for others in his party these days.

By the time I shifted my questions to immigration, we had reached an elevator, the only one the congressman took in our 25 minute traipse. ‘The stairs are faster,’ he told me.

This was a chance to bring the road, where I live, to the halls of power in D.C., where I’ll only go as a reluctant tourist.

‘People say to me all the time, ‘Democrats let 20 million illegal immigrants in with little to no process, now they say every one of them has to go through due process.’ What do you say to them?’

For emphasis, I added that if you give 20 million people each a one-hour hearing, the total time it would take is over 2,000 years.

Khanna launched into something of a filibuster, telling stories of his own immigrant parents, how his mother stressed learning English and learning our nation’s history and values. And, that he had won the lottery and, as an American, should focus on his responsibilities more than his rights.

The congressman was ducking the question, but it was notable that this pride in and gratitude to America stands in opposition to the rhetoric of his party’s ascendant socialist wing.

At this point, Khanna had to duck into a meeting. He motioned to me to join, but a polite guard informed us my Adidas Gazelles and white sweater were not proper attire. In my defense, it’s a nice sweater.

When he came out, I took another shot at the question of the 20 million illegal immigrants.

‘You’re asking about the millions already here. I believe that if you committed a crime, a violent crime, then there needs to be a deportation after due process. But for many people who are here, giving childcare and working in hospitality, or construction and paying taxes, I do believe there needs to be a path to legalization.’

And there it was. They get to stay.

As the elevator door opened to the crowded, bright white subterranean pathways we had already come through, I told Khanna, ‘Here’s exactly the people on the road will say to that: ‘If Democrats let 20 million in last time, why won’t they do it again if given power?”

It seemed to land.

‘That’s a very good point, that’s a very good question, because we don’t want to lose elections,’ Khanna said, suggesting the open border was to blame for recent GOP gains.

Two takeaways here, one is that Khanna and the Democrats think the vast majority of the 20 million Biden illegals get to stay. The other is that they may plan to run, at least nominally, in favor of Trump’s border security measures.

As we made our circuitous route back to his office, I asked the congressman about Israel. He agreed that even 10 years ago, his party was far friendlier towards the Jewish state.

‘What changed?’ I asked.

He didn’t miss a beat, ‘Netanyahu.’ Khanna had initially supported Bibi’s efforts to hit Hamas after the massacre of Oct. 7, but after several months, felt they were going too far.

If there is a silver lining for Zionists, it is that, unlike New York City Mayor-elect and Socialist wunderkind Zohran Mamdani, Khanna does support the right for Israel to exist as a Jewish State.

We both agreed that if President Donald Trump’s peace effort holds, the Israel question may soon fade to the background.

Finally, back in Khanna’s office for a few minutes, I asked him about Sen. John Fetterman, D-Pa., who has argued fervently that his party is moving too far left.

‘I like John,’ Khanna said. ‘Maybe I shouldn’t say it. We have drinks, but I’m a progressive Democrat, so we have disagreements.’

It was that moment when I realized that this was the third or fourth time Khanna had referred to himself as a ‘progressive Democrat,’ and for the very first time, this phrase I’d known for decades had a new meaning. It meant, ‘not socialist.’

This is an incredibly important distinction and will be the major skirmish line for the soul of the party. ‘Progressive Democrat,’ until about 10 minutes ago, meant those farthest to the left. It included Sen. Bernie Sanders, I-Vt., and Rep. Alexandria Ocasio Cortez, D-N.Y. and her squad. Now it is beginning to mean, ‘a bit to the right of the socialists.’

As the midterms approach, this jockeying in what was once the party of Jefferson and Jackson will grow more intense. A lean and hungry Ro Khanna is racing to be at the forefront of the fight.

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Hundreds of State Department employees will receive restitution after an internal review under Secretary Marco Rubio found they were denied promotions during the Biden administration for not meeting new diversity, equity and inclusion standards.

In addition to removing the diversity, equity, inclusion and accessibility (DEIA) precept from the State Department’s promotion process, officials said roughly 295 employees who were marked down for not showing they would ‘seek diversity in staff’ will now receive pay increases, administrative promotions and letters of commendation.

‘The Trump administration is providing restitution to State Department employees who were adversely impacted by the previous administration’s ideological agenda,’ a State Department official said.

The department conducted an internal review of 7,319 employees who competed for promotion in 2024. Those employees were judged on five precepts: communication, leadership, management, knowledge and DEIA. Under President Donald Trump, the DEIA precept was replaced with a new criterion: ‘fidelity,’ Fox News Digital previously reported.

Promotion board members were instructed to low-rank employees who exhibited a ‘lack of sensitivity to the importance of diversity, equity, inclusion, and accessibility (DEIA),’ according to a State Department official.

The DEIA promotion precept was damaging to those who displayed ‘little indication of seeking diversity in staff,’ the official claimed.

‘The Biden administration imposed ideological litmus tests on civil servants, penalizing competent and deserving government employees in the process,’ principal deputy spokesperson Tommy Pigott said.

‘Under President Donald Trump and Secretary of State Marco Rubio, the State Department rewards excellence, which is the right thing to do for our workforce, for our country, and for the American people.’

The Trump administration’s restitution plan marks a broader rollback of DEI-based policies across federal agencies, part of Trump’s pledge to restore merit-based advancement in government service.

The State Department’s previous hiring guide for 2022–2025 required foreign service employees to ‘demonstrate impact in diversity, equity, inclusion and accessibility,’ according to the internal documents.

Entry-level applicants were expected to proactively seek to ‘improve one’s own self-awareness with respect to promoting inclusivity.’ Mid- and senior-level supervisors were told to recruit and retain diverse teams, respond immediately to noninclusive workplace behaviors and ‘consult with impacted staff before finalizing decisions.

On his first day in office in 2021, President Joe Biden signed an executive order directing federal agencies to pursue policies that advance ‘equity.’ 

‘Affirmatively advancing equity, civil rights, racial justice, and equal opportunity is the responsibility of the whole of our Government,’ he stated. 

‘It is therefore the policy of my Administration that the Federal Government should pursue a comprehensive approach to advancing equity for all, including people of color and others who have been historically underserved, marginalized, and adversely affected by persistent poverty and inequality.’ 

Fox News Digital reached out to Biden’s office for comment and has not yet received a reply. 

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Gold exchange-traded funds, or gold ETFs, have risen in popularity among investors who want precious metals exposure.

ETFs are similar to mutual funds in that they track assets such as stocks, bonds, currencies or commodities; a key difference is that ETFs can be bought and sold on exchanges, making them widely accessible. They provide considerable flexibility in implementing various investment strategies and in building investment portfolios.

Like other ETFs, gold ETFs are traded in the same manner as individual stocks, meaning that investing in the gold ETF market is similar to trading a stock on an exchange.

There are two main types of gold ETFs: those that track the gold price and those that hold investments in gold companies.

ETFs that follow the gold price give investors access to the yellow metal by holding either physical gold bullion or gold futures contracts. It is important to keep in mind that investing in the majority of gold ETFs does not allow investors to own any physical gold — in general, even a gold ETF that tracks physical gold cannot be redeemed for actual gold, although there are a few exceptions to that.

One more thing to keep in mind is that gold ETFs that hold physical gold are taxed as collectibles in the US, giving them a higher maximum capital gains rate, which is worth noting for investors in the highest tax bracket.

The other type of gold ETF invests in gold companies, providing exposure to gold mining, development and exploration stocks, as well as gold royalty stocks.

Read on to learn about the benefits of adding gold ETFs to your portfolio, the five largest gold ETFs by total assets and five top gold miner ETFs.

In this article

    What are the benefits of gold ETFs?

    Gold ETFs are fairly common today, and are a good choice for investors who want to invest in precious metals without trading gold futures or owning physical gold, such as gold coins or bars.

    But gold ETFs are often considered a lower-risk investment, as they have a number of benefits for market participants and can open up a portfolio to diversification.

    For example, physical gold is known for being a hedge against economic and political uncertainty, and owning shares of a gold ETF that offers exposure to the gold spot price provides investors with this same security without the hassle of buying and storing the yellow metal.

    Since gold tends to rise when the US dollar is weak, purchasing a gold ETF could balance out any investment that has the potential to decline when the greenback does. Conversely, selling gold ETF holdings can be beneficial when the US dollar is making gains.

    Gold ETFs that track gold companies give investors exposure to multiple companies in the space rather than having to choose specific stocks. This is an appealing option for those who want exposure to the sector without carrying the risks of investing in an individual stock.

    Gold ETFs as a whole also offer security in that they are managed by yellow metal experts, so there is a better chance of making a profit than going it alone. Of course, it is important to keep in mind that, despite their less risky nature, gold ETFs are still affected by the rise and fall of the gold price.

    Mutual funds are often compared to ETFs, but due to the fact that mutual funds can only be bought or sold at the close of the trading day, gold ETFs become more beneficial as they can be traded whenever the stock market is open, meaning movement is more liquid and not tied down by end-of-day trades.

    Top 5 spot gold ETFs

    The five gold ETFs below offer investors exposure to the spot price of gold by holding gold bullion. These options may be worth considering when it comes to getting exposure to the yellow metal’s price movements.

    According to ETFdb.com, these gold ETFs were the largest gold ETFs by total assets as of November 13, 2025. The five largest gold ETFs all track the gold price.

    1. SPDR Gold Shares (ARCA:GLD)

    Total assets under management: US$139.14 billion
    Unit price: US$380.58

    The SPDR Gold Shares tracks the spot price of gold bullion and is determined by market forces in the 24 hour, over-the-counter market for gold. This market accounts for most global gold trade, and any quoted prices available to ETF investors reflect the latest available information.

    Physical bullion comprises 100 percent of the ETF’s holdings, and its expense ratio is 0.4 percent. It offers investors a way to invest in gold that is much less costly than purchasing, storing and insuring bars or coins.

    2. iShares Gold Trust (ARCA:IAU)

    Total assets under management: US$64.22 billion
    Unit price: US$79.04

    Like the SPDR Gold Trust, the iShares Gold Trust ETF aims to track the spot price of gold bullion. Its expense ratio is 0.25 percent, and its holdings are allocated entirely to physical gold bullion. The aim is for the trust’s value to reflect the performance of the price of gold.

    The physical gold the trust holds is in vaults in locations including New York, US; Toronto, Canada; and London, UK. Investors can purchase and sell shares through a traditional brokerage account throughout the trading day.

    3. SPDR Gold MiniShares Trust (ARCA:GLDM)

    Total assets under management: US$23.33 billion
    Unit price: US$81.89

    The SPDR Gold MiniShares Trust offers investors one of the lowest available expense ratios for a US-listed ETF backed by physical gold at 0.1 percent. This ETF represents fractional, undivided beneficial ownership interests in the trust, which holds only physical gold bullion and, from time to time, cash.

    4. Abrdn Physical Gold Shares ETF (ARCA:SGOL)

    Total assets under management: US$6.95 billion
    Unit price: US$39.43

    The abrdn Physical Gold Shares ETF aims to have its shares reflect the performance of the gold bullion price, minus the trust’s operating expenses, by holding 100 percent physical gold bars. This gold ETF has an expense ratio of 0.17 percent.

    The gold backing the fund comes only in the form of London Good Delivery gold bullion bars refined on or after January 1, 2012, and held in secure vaults in London.

    5. iShares Gold Trust Micro (ARCA:IAUM)

    Total assets under management: US$5.52 billion
    Unit price: US$41.84

    The iShares Gold Trust Micro ETP is the lowest-cost physically backed gold ETP on the market with an expense ratio of just 0.09 percent. The fund is designed to provide exposure to the day-to-day movement of the price of gold bullion. The underlying gold bars are held in vaults.

    Top 5 gold mining ETFs

    These five gold stock ETFs are designed for investors looking to gain exposure to gold miners without the risk of holding individual gold stocks.

    1. VanEck Gold Miners ETF (ARCA:GDX)

    Total assets under management: US$23.89 billion
    Unit price: US$79.18

    The VanEck Gold Miners ETF provides investors with exposure to the largest global gold producers and royalty companies involved in the precious metals space and has an expense ratio of 0.51 percent. Nearly 90 percent of its holdings have market caps above US$5 billion.

    This ETF’s top holdings include Agnico Eagle Mines (TSX:AEM,NYSE:AEM) with a weight of 7.9 percent, Newmont (NYSE:NEM,ASX:NEM) with 7.15 percent and AngloGold Ashanti (NYSE:AU,JSE:ANG) with 5.71 percent.

    Holdings are rebalanced quarterly with qualified companies having a market cap greater than US$150 million, US$1 million in average daily trading volume and a minimum of 250,000 shares traded per month.

    2. VanEck Junior Gold Miners ETF (ARCA:GDXJ)

    Total assets under management: US$8.66 billion
    Unit price: US$101.24

    Similar to the GDX above, the VanEck Junior Gold Miners ETF provides investors with exposure to gold equities; however, it has a stronger focus on smaller gold mining companies and junior stocks, which carry higher risk, but also offer greater potential returns.

    Its top holdings include Pan American Silver (TSX:PAAS) with a weight of 6.45 percent, Equinox Gold (TSX:EQX,NYSEAMERICAN:EQX) with 6.39 percent and Alamos Gold (TSX:AGI,NYSE:AGI) with 5.75 percent.

    Holdings are reviewed in March and September, and rebalanced quarterly, with qualifications matching those for the VanEck Gold Miners ETF. Like the GDX, the GDXJ has an expense ratio of 0.51 percent.

    3. iShares MSCI Global Gold Miners ETF (Nasdaq:RING)

    Total assets under management: US$2.63 billion
    Unit price: US$67.87

    BlackRock’s (NYSE:BLK) iShares MSCI Global Gold Miners ETF provides investors with exposure to a diverse portfolio of global gold mining companies within the Morgan Stanley Capital International (MSCI) index and charges an expense ratio of 0.39 percent.

    Top holdings in the fund include Newmont with a weight of 15.85 percent, Agnico Eagle with 13.33 percent and Barrick Mining (TSX:ABX,NYSE:B) with 8.92 percent.

    4. Sprott Gold Miners ETF (ARCA:SGDM)

    Total assets under management: US$611.45 million
    Unit price: US$64.64

    The Sprott (TSX:SII,NYSE:SII) Gold Miners ETF is an investment product designed to deliver returns that track the Solactive Gold Miners Custom Factors Index, which follows major gold equities listed on Canadian and US exchanges. The ETF is rebalanced quarterly and has a total operating expense of 0.5 percent.

    Top holdings in the fund include Agnico Eagle with a weight of 12.41 percent, Newmont with 8.92 percent and Wheaton Precious Metals (TSX:WPM,NYSE:WPM) with 7.83 percent.

    5. Sprott Junior Gold Miners ETF (ARCA:SDGJ)

    Total assets under management: US$280.97 million
    Unit price: US$76.56

    The Sprott Junior Gold Miners ETF has also been designed to provide results tied to its underlying index, in this case, the Solactive Junior Gold Miners Custom Factors Index, which tracks companies with a market capitalization between US$200 million and US$3 billion.

    The ETF is rebalanced semi-annually in March and September and carries a total management fee of 0.5 percent.

    Top holdings in the fund include Bellevue Gold (ASX:BGL,OTC Pink:BELGF) with a weight of 5.04 percent, Novagold Resources (NYSE:NG) with 5.03 percent and Turk Altin Isletmeleri with 4.94 percent.

    Securities Disclosure: I, Dean Belder, currently hold a direct investment in Equinox Gold.

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    American Uranium Limited (ASX:AMU, OTC:AMUIF) (American Uranium, AMU or the Company) is pleased to advise that hydrogeological testing at its Lo Herma ISR uranium project in Wyoming’s Powder River Basin has commenced. Testing is being undertaken by Petrotek Corporation, a leading injection well and subsurface resources consultancy with more than 28 years of experience in hydrogeological testing and ISR resource development.

    Highlights

    • Hydrogeological testing at Lo Herma has commenced, marking a key milestone in advancing towards ISR project development
    • Testing is expected to take approx. 2 weeks with results anticipated by the end of 2026
    • Phase 1 of the resource development drilling campaign at Lo Herma is underway and progressing well with over half of the planned program completed. Initial results are expected before the end of 2026
    • These programs are designed to underpin a Mineral Resource Estimate and Scoping Study update in 2026.

    This testing is running concurrently with Phase 1 of the resource development drilling campaign which is progressing well and is now past the halfway point of the resource expansion program. Drilling results are expected by the end of 2026. The hydrogeological testing fieldwork program is expected to be complete during the week commencing November 24th, with results anticipated before the end of 2026.

    AMU CEO and Executive Director Bruce Lane commented:

    “We are very pleased to now have both the hydrogeological testing and resource development drilling programs underway at Lo Herma. These programs represent major steps toward advancing one of America’s most promising ISR uranium projects. Lo Herma is one of the few near-term, low-cost ISR projects in the U.S. The hydrogeological testing aims to validate our initial aquifer observations and confirm aquifer transmissivity.

    “The first phase of drilling is now well underway and past the halfway point with an objective to grow the current 8.57Mlb resource base and ultimately feed into an updated Mineral Resource Estimate and Scoping Study in 2026, positioning us to capitalise on significant support programs in place to support the US domestic nuclear fuel supply chain.”


    Click here for the full ASX Release

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    American Rare Earths (ASX: ARR | OTCQX: ARRNF | ADR: AMRRY) (“ARR” or the “Company”), is pleased to announce an updated Mineral Resource Estimate for the Cowboy State Mine area within its flagship Hallack Creek Rare Earths Project. The update incorporates the results from 18 additional channel samples and coincides with the acquisition of two new exploration drilling permits.

    Highlights

    • Updated Mineral Resource Estimate in the Cowboy State Mine (“CSM”) Area RECLASSIFIES INDICATED RESOURCE BY 68.4 MILLION TONNES.
      • 102 Channel Samples collected in 2025 provided data points for an updated geological resource model, resource conversion and mineral resource ESTIMATE
      • Summer exploration and mapping collected 18 additional channel samples across the CSM area
        • 18 Channel samples returned average values of 5,471 ppm Total Rare Earth Oxides (TREO)
        • Standout sample (CS25-RM111) contained a new record high assay grade for the entire Halleck Creek Resource with a Total Rare Earth Oxide (“TREO”) grade of 13,816 PPM, which is 4X higher than the resource average
    • New exploration drilling permits obtained at Halleck Creek:
      • 27 hole locations were permitted at the CSM area for the Development drilling needed for future technical studies beyond the Pre-Feasibility Study (“PFS”)
      • 29 hole locations were permitted at the Bluegrass area, a potential exploration target which would add to total Halleck Creek Mineral Resource Estimates

    Odessa Resource Ltd. (“Odessa”), of Perth Australia, were commissioned to update the geological resource model for the CSM Area using 102 channel samples collected during 2025. The locations and assays for the 102 channel samples added to the geological resource model reside in Appendix B. The updated mineral resource estimate for the Cowboy State Mine area is approximately 547.5 million tonnes using a TREO cut-off grade of 1,00ppm, see Table 1 and Figure 4. The channel sample results enabled Odessa to reclassify approximately 63.9 million tonnes to the indicated category from the inferred category from the Mineral Resource Estimate presented in the February 2025 updated CSM Scoping Study1, see Table 2. Additional mapping associated with the channel sampling expanded the resource area to increase the CSM mineral resource estimate by approximately 4.5 million tonnes. It should be noted that the overall tonnage increase and change in grade do not reflect a material change to the total resource estimates for the Cowboy State Mine area.

    Click here for the full ASX Release

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