Agoracom Blog

PyroGenesis $PYR.ca Announces that the US Navy is Moving Forward with a Two-Ship Buy; 12.5 Million Dollar Contract Imminent

Posted by AGORACOM-JC at 8:47 AM on Thursday, January 10th, 2019
  • U.S. Navy has reached an agreement with the shipbuilder, Huntington Ingalls Industries (HII), to move forward with the purchase of two Ford-class aircraft carriers.
  • “This is great news for PyroGenesis as we are the proud supplier of plasma-based waste destruction systems to the U.S. Navy.  We are in the design of the aircraft carrier, and have delivered two systems to date,” said Mr. P. Peter Pascali, President and CEO of PyroGenesis. “

MONTREAL, Jan. 10, 2019 — PyroGenesis Canada Inc. (http://pyrogenesis.com) (TSX-V: PYR) (OTCQB: PYRNF) (Frankfurt: 8PY: FRA)  a TSX Venture 50® high-tech company, (the “Company”, the “Corporation” or “PyroGenesis”) a Company that designs, develops, manufactures and commercializes plasma atomized metal powder, plasma waste-to-energy systems and plasma torch products, is pleased to announce today that, further to an earlier press release dated October 10th, 2018 on the topic (PyroGenesis Announces US Congress Support For the Purchase of Two Aircraft Carriers), the U.S. Navy has reached an agreement with the shipbuilder, Huntington Ingalls Industries (HII), to move forward with the purchase of two Ford-class aircraft carriers. This transaction will cover CVN 80 (the Enterprise) and CVN 81 (yet-to-be-named), which are the third and fourth carriers of the Gerald R. Ford-class.

“This is great news for PyroGenesis as we are the proud supplier of plasma-based waste destruction systems to the U.S. Navy.  We are in the design of the aircraft carrier, and have delivered two systems to date,” said Mr. P. Peter Pascali, President and CEO of PyroGenesis. “The original schedule envisioned ordering one aircraft carrier in 2018. Amending this schedule for a two-ship buy required various approvals causing some minor delays which, as we see from today’s press release, have all been overcome.”

According to the Daily Press, “The Navy has reached an agreement with HII for a block purchase of two aircraft carriers. James F. Geurts, the Navy’s chief weapons buyer, told Congress in November that he expected a decision on a two-carrier purchase by year’s end (2018). The deadline was made with a few hours to spare, with first word of the deal coming Monday afternoon, New Year’s Eve. That day, the Defense Department notified select members of Congress, in a letter, that it had reached an agreement.  Capt. Danny Hernandez, a spokesman for Geurts [the Navy’s chief weapons buyer], confirmed the agreement and said more details would be forthcoming after the contract award.1

HII spokesperson Beci Brenton said in a statement that a two-ship buy is “a significant step toward building these ships more affordably…it is important to note that the multi-ship purchase of aircraft carriers helps stabilize the Newport News Shipbuilding workforce, enables the purchase of material in quantity, and permits a fragile supplier base of more than 2,000 in 46 states to phase work more efficiently.”

“The U.S. Navy, and the shipbuilder, have effectively come to an agreement to build two aircraft carriers at the same time, instead of one,” said Mr. P. Peter Pascali, President and CEO of PyroGenesis. “The order is for approximately $12.5MM and will represent the largest commercial contract to date.  The Company has been put on notice that an order is imminent.  One system typically takes between 12-15 months to build so we would expect a two-order contract to take a few more months.”

About PyroGenesis Canada Inc.

PyroGenesis Canada Inc., a TSX Venture 50® high-tech company, is the world leader in the design, development, manufacture and commercialization of advanced plasma processes and products. We provide engineering and manufacturing expertise, cutting-edge contract research, as well as turnkey process equipment packages to the defense, metallurgical, mining, advanced materials (including 3D printing), oil & gas, and environmental industries. With a team of experienced engineers, scientists and technicians working out of our Montreal office and our 3,800 m2 manufacturing facility, PyroGenesis maintains its competitive advantage by remaining at the forefront of technology development and commercialization. Our core competencies allow PyroGenesis to lead the way in providing innovative plasma torches, plasma waste processes, high-temperature metallurgical processes, and engineering services to the global marketplace. Our operations are ISO 9001:2015 certified and have been since 1997. PyroGenesis is a publicly-traded Canadian Corporation on the TSX Venture Exchange (Ticker Symbol: PYR) and on the OTCQB Marketplace. For more information, please visit www.pyrogenesis.com

This press release contains certain forward-looking statements, including, without limitation, statements containing the words “may”, “plan”, “will”, “estimate”, “continue”, “anticipate”, “intend”, “expect”, “in the process” and other similar expressions which constitute “forward- looking information” within the meaning of applicable securities laws. Forward-looking statements reflect the Corporation’s current expectation and assumptions and are subject to a number of risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from those anticipated. These forward-looking statements involve risks and uncertainties including, but not limited to, our expectations regarding the acceptance of our products by the market, our strategy to develop new products and enhance the capabilities of existing products, our strategy with respect to research and development, the impact of competitive products and pricing, new product development, and uncertainties related to the regulatory approval process. Such statements reflect the current views of the Corporation with respect to future events and are subject to certain risks and uncertainties and other risks detailed from time-to-time in the Corporation’s ongoing filings with the securities regulatory authorities, which filings can be found at www.sedar.com, or at www.otcmarkets.com. Actual results, events, and performance may differ materially. Readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements. The Corporation undertakes no obligation to publicly update or revise any forward- looking statements either as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except as required by applicable securities laws.

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

SOURCE PyroGenesis Canada Inc.

For further information please contact: Clémence Bertrand-Bourlaud, Marketing Manager/Investor Relations, Phone: (514) 937-0002, E-mail: [email protected]  

RELATED LINKS: http://www.pyrogenesis.com/

[1] According to Daily Press’ article “Huntington Ingalls, Navy reach deal on two-carrier purchase” January 3rd, 2019 https://www.dailypress.com/news/military/dp-nws-two-carrier-purchase-20190102-story.html

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The Lung Association – Ontario and Tetra Bio-Pharma $TBP.ca partner to help fill the gaps in #cannabis research

Posted by AGORACOM-JC at 8:24 AM on Thursday, January 10th, 2019
  • Lung Association – Ontario and Tetra Bio-Pharma are excited to be partnering to fill that gap by funding a research program that will investigate various health impacts of cannabis use
  • The goal of this program will be to better support patients and healthcare providers with evidence-based information.

TORONTO, Jan. 10, 2019 /- With the recent legalization of recreational cannabis in Canada, a major gap has been revealed, and that is a lack of scientific research on the health effects of its use – both on the recreational and medical side.

The Lung Association – Ontario and Tetra Bio-Pharma are excited to be partnering to fill that gap by funding a research program that will investigate various health impacts of cannabis use. The goal of this program will be to better support patients and healthcare providers with evidence-based information.

“It has become very clear that more research is needed to fully understand both the effects of smoking cannabis on your lungs, and the utility of medical cannabis as a viable option for chronic disease pain management and treatment,” says George Habib, President and CEO of The Lung Association – Ontario. “The Lung Association is thrilled to be taking the lead in filling these gaps in knowledge.”

The results of these important research projects will ensure there is a larger evidence-base to pull from when educating the public and healthcare providers about the impact of cannabis use on lung health. It will offer healthcare providers more resources to better inform the decisions they make on behalf of their patients around the use of cannabis.

“Tetra Bio-Pharma is excited to join forces with The Lung Association – Ontario to expand knowledge on the impact of smoking a cannabinoid-derived product through several pioneering research projects,” said Dr. Guy Chamberland, CEO and CSO of Tetra Bio-Pharma. “Access to cannabinoid-derived medical therapies is severely limited because of an absence of rigorous safety and efficacy data. We are committed to supporting research excellence to enable innovation but also to establish the evidence that regulators, physicians and insurance companies are waiting for.”

The research funded as a result of this collaboration will be driven by The Lung Association – Ontario. It will be fully peer reviewed and administered in a completely arms-length manner from the Funder. Funding recipients will be announced on March 28, 2019.

About The Lung Association – Ontario                                                      
The Lung Association â€“ Ontario is a not-for-profit organization dedicated to helping all Ontarians breathe. Our community of donors, patients, researchers, volunteers and professional staff work to ensure Ontarians have healthy lungs, bodies and clean air necessary to breathe. We achieve this by promoting healthy breathing, supporting those living with lung disease and finding future solutions. All of this is done with the goal of delivering a future of better breathing for all.

About Tetra Bio-Pharma Inc.
Tetra Bio-Pharma (TSX-V: TBP) (OTCQB: TBPMF) is a biopharmaceutical leader in cannabinoid-based drug discovery and development with a Health Canada approved, and FDA reviewed, clinical program aimed at bringing novel prescription drugs and treatments to patients and their healthcare providers. The Company has several subsidiaries engaged in the development of an advanced and growing pipeline of Bio Pharmaceuticals, Natural Health and Veterinary Products containing cannabinoid-derived molecules and other medicinal plant-based elements. With patients at the core of what we do, Tetra Bio-Pharma is focused on providing rigorous scientific validation and safety data required for inclusion into the existing bio pharma industry by regulators, physicians and insurance companies. For more information visit: www.tetrabiopharma.com.

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Clone Production at Marijuana Company of America’s $MCOA Scio Oregon Hemp Project Underway – Hemp Growers License Renewed for 2019 $AERO $CBDS $CGRW $APH.ca $GBLX $ACG $ACB $WEED.ca $HIP.ca

Posted by AGORACOM-JC at 8:22 AM on Thursday, January 10th, 2019
  • Clone production for the 2019 season at their Scio, Oregon High Yielding CBD Hemp project is now in high gear, in preparation for an “as early as possible” planting this year
  • Unlike 2018, which had a late start to planting due to delays in finalizing the acquisition of the project’s 109 acre farm, preparations are underway so that planting of this year’s crop can begin in late May to early June.

ESCONDIDO, Calif., Jan. 10, 2019 – via NetworkWire – MARIJUANA COMPANY OF AMERICA INC. (“MCOA” or the “Company”) (OTC: MCOA), an innovative hemp and cannabis corporation, and its Joint Venture partner Global Hemp Group Inc. (CSE: GHG/ OTC: GBHPF/ FRA: GHG) are pleased to announce that clone production for the 2019 season at their Scio, Oregon High Yielding CBD Hemp project is now in high gear, in preparation for an “as early as possible” planting this year. Unlike 2018, which had a late start to planting due to delays in finalizing the acquisition of the project’s 109 acre farm, preparations are underway so that planting of this year’s crop can begin in late May to early June. This will provide an additional 45 to 60 days of growing time compared to last year, allowing time for the hemp plants to get considerably larger, which will generate a greater quantity of biomass.

For 2019, the project will cultivate three hemp strains which will offer high CBD content, substantial biomass yield, and ultra low THC levels, along with superior pest resistance and disease tolerance. These strains also have a shorter flowering period, which will allow for an earlier harvest, before the usual Fall rainy season begins in the region.

The hardiest phenotypes were selected for mother plants that will feed the cloning process, which began back in November 2018 soon after the recent harvest and drying operation was complete. This cloning operation will produce the approximately 40,000+ clones required to plant on the farm’s lower 35 acres.

The Scio team is now upgrading the lighting and electrical in the greenhouses for continued expansion of the cloning operation.  It is expected that the cloning operations will produce an excess of clones beyond what is required for the Scio project, which will allow for the sale to other farms in the area. The team continues to talk with local farmers that are interested in partnering to cultivate hemp for the coming season. On-site clone operations will eliminate the need of capital outlay to purchase clones from other growers as was required in 2018 as the result of the late start, an expense of over US$200,000.

In addition, the project’s operating company, Covered Bridge Acres (CBA), has received its registration to cultivate hemp for 2019 from the Oregon Department of Agriculture. Also, for the 2019 season, CBA is now registered to produce or handle agricultural hemp seed, so that the company can establish a breeding program that will potentially generate additional revenue for the project.

Management is currently searching for an offsite warehouse to store biomass and complete hammer mill processing of the material produced from the 2018 harvest. Once the location has been secured, CBA will complete its Land Use Compatibility Statement (LUCS) and apply for its 2019 Industrial Hemp Handler registration that will enable CBA to further process (extract) its material. Management is in ongoing discussions with several potential off takers and processing partners in an effort to monetize the 2018 biomass and prepare for the upcoming 2019 season which will produce significantly more material.

About Marijuana Company of America, Inc.
MCOA is a corporation which participates in: (1) product research and development of legal hemp-based consumer products under the brand name “hempSMART™â€, that targets general health and well-being; (2) an affiliate marketing program to promote and sell its legal hemp-based consumer products containing CBD; (3) leasing of real property to separate business entities engaged in the growth and sale of cannabis in those states and jurisdictions where cannabis has been legalized and properly regulated for medicinal and recreations use; and, (4) the expansion of its business into ancillary areas of the legalized cannabis and hemp industry, as the legalized markets and opportunities in this segment mature and develop.

About Our hempSMART Products Containing CBD
The United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has not recognized CBD as a safe and effective drug for any indication. Our products containing CBD derived from industrial hemp are not marketed or sold based upon claims that their use is safe and effective treatment for any medical condition as drugs or dietary supplements subject to the FDA’s jurisdiction.

About Global Hemp Group Inc.
Global Hemp Group Inc. (CSE: GHG) (OTC: GBHPF) (FRANKFURT: GHG), is focused on a multi-phased strategy to build a strong presence in the industrial hemp industry in both Canada and the United States. The Company is headquartered in Vancouver, British Columbia, with hemp cultivation operations in New Brunswick and Oregon. The first phase of this strategy is to develop hemp cultivation with the objective of extracting cannabinoids (CBD, CBG, CBN & CBC) and creating a near term revenue stream that will allow the Company to expand and develop successive phases of the strategy. The second phase of the plan will focus on the development of value-added industrial hemp products utilizing the processing of the whole hemp plant, as envisioned in the Company’s Hemp Agro-Industrial Zone (HAIZ) strategy.

Forward Looking Statements
This news release contains “forward-looking statements” which are not purely historical and may include any statements regarding beliefs, plans, expectations or intentions regarding the future. Such forward-looking statements include, among other things, the development, costs and results of new business opportunities and words such as “anticipate”, “seek”, intend”, “believe”, “estimate”, “expect”, “project”, “plan”, or similar phrases may be deemed “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Actual results could differ from those projected in any forward-looking statements due to numerous factors. Such factors include, among others, the inherent uncertainties associated with new projects, the future U.S. and global economies, the impact of competition, and the Company’s reliance on existing regulations regarding the use and development of cannabis-based products. These forward-looking statements are made as of the date of this news release, and we assume no obligation to update the forward-looking statements, or to update the reasons why actual results could differ from those projected in the forward-looking statements. Although we believe that any beliefs, plans, expectations and intentions contained in this press release are reasonable, there can be no assurance that any such beliefs, plans, expectations or intentions will prove to be accurate. Investors should consult all of the information set forth herein and should also refer to the risk factors disclosure outlined in our annual report on Form 10-12G, our quarterly reports on Form 10-Q and other periodic reports filed from time-to-time with the Securities and Exchange Commission. For more information, please visit www.sec.gov.

For more information, please visit the Company’s websites at:

MarijuanaCompanyofAmerica.com
hempSMART.com
NetworkNewsWire/MCOA

Corporate Communications Contact:
NetworkNewsWire (NNW)
New York, New York
www.NetworkNewsWire.com
212.418.1217 Office
[email protected]

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ThreeD Capital Inc. $IDK.ca – US Department of Energy to Fund #Blockchain Research Projects $HIVE.ca $BLOC.ca $CODE.ca

Posted by AGORACOM-JC at 5:08 PM on Wednesday, January 9th, 2019

SPONSOR: ThreeD Capital Inc. (IDK:CSE) Led by legendary financier, Sheldon Inwentash, ThreeD is a Canadian-based venture capital firm that only invests in best of breed small-cap companies which are both defensible and mass scalable. More than just lip service, Inwentash has financed many of Canada’s biggest small-cap exits. Click Here For More Information.

Idk large
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  • The U.S. Department of Energy has announced federal funding of up to $4.8 million for universities working on R&D projects, including those related to blockchain.

Yogita Khatri

The U.S. Department of Energy has announced federal funding of up to $4.8 million for universities working on R&D projects, including those related to blockchain.

Announced Monday, the funding is being made available through the department’s Office of Fossil Energy as a part of the “University Training and Research” initiative aimed to develop fossil energy applications.

Projects under the initiative are aimed at achieving various objectives, including the development of early-stage technologies for more affordable domestic energy resources and improved electric grids, the department said.

One of the areas being targeted for funding is blockchain technology that would “secure process signal data and other information flows within distributed sensor networks for fossil-based power generation systems.”

Other potential projects not necessarily including blockchain include those that would explore advanced computing resources for coal plants to generate analytical results, improve water reuse processes, and investigate physical and biological sciences to measure chemical elements within coal fly ash.

The department said it funds research and development projects to reduce the “risk and cost” of advanced fossil fuel-based energy technologies and make more sustainable use of fossil resources in the U.S.

This is not the first time that the department has looked to explore blockchain for technological improvements. Last January, it partnered with BlockCypher to develop solutions allowing energy transactions to be settled across multiple blockchains.

And, in July 2018, the department awarded a grant of nearly $1 million to a Colorado-based blockchain startup Grid7 in a move aimed to advance the development of a decentralized energy grid.

Source: https://www.coindesk.com/us-department-of-energy-to-fund-blockchain-research-projects

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$APPB Applied Biosciences Acquires Majority Stake in Cannabis Testing Firm $BOG.ca $NBUD.ca $MCOA $APPB$AERO $CBDS $CGRW $APH.ca $GBLX $ACG $ACB $WEED.ca $HIP.ca

Posted by AGORACOM at 10:27 AM on Wednesday, January 9th, 2019
  • Acquired a majority stake in Trace Analytics, Inc., a leading testing and analytics company
  • Estimates of the Global cannabis testing market is projected to grow 13.2% year-over-year through 2026
  •  Applied BioSciences continues to be at the forefront of the evolving consumer market, using organically grown plants, without pesticides or herbicides as our main ingredient

(January 9, 2018) Los Angeles, CA – Applied Biosciences Corp. (OTCQB: APPB), a diversified cannabinoid therapeutics company focused on the medical, bioceutical and pet health industries, announced that it has acquired a majority stake in Trace Analytics, Inc., a leading testing and analytics company. The team has over 65 years of experience in the testing and analytics space and a full-time staff of nine employees including, two Ph.D. analytical chemists and five other scientists. 

A recent report from Coherent Market Insights1 estimates that the global cannabis testing market is projected to grow 13.2% year-over-year through 2026, when it is expected to surpass $1.5 billion USD.

Although the health benefits of Cannabis and CBD are becoming well known, one of the challenges is the safety and testing of these products which are ingested, vaped and applied topically.  Many products in the market are cheaply-made, with multiple toxins, chemicals and synthetics.   Some of the products include high levels of THC, harmful substances, illegally processed synthetic cannabinoids, and even some that have no CBD at all. Applied Biosciences intends to position Trace as the leading provider of testing solutions for both compliance requirements and consumer safety.

 â€œApplied BioSciences continues to be at the forefront of the evolving consumer market, using organically grown plants, without pesticides or herbicides as our main ingredient.  As the company, continues to expand our product lines it is important to know that our products have been thoroughly tested by trusted labs in the industry for chemicals, pesticides and any harmful materials.  All our products are tested to ensure high-caliber and quality as well as overall safety.  We will now be able to test our products in an expedited fashion as well as from third-party labs and continue to provide the highest standard of testing results and safety protocols on all our products.” commented Chris Bridges, President of Applied BioSciences Corp.

“Applied BioSciences will allow our company and team to expand. We are excited to embark on this new partnership.  Both organizations have a focus on quality and providing the end user the safest possible products.   The leadership teams of both companies have decided to expand the testing offerings to include advanced pesticide testing by purchasing a gas chromatography tandem mass spectrometer (GC/MS/MS) to complement the liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometer (LC/MS/MS), as well as purchasing an ion coupled plasma mass spectrometer (ICP/MS) for heavy metals testing. These new platforms, once certified, will allow Trace Analytics to certify Washington State’s medical grade cannabis as well as offering advanced analytical testing to the CBD producers / processors from around the world.”  commented Jason Zitzer, COO of Trace Analytics Inc.

Applied BioSciences products use base ingredients that are USDA Organic and non-GMO. Offering Vegan, sugar-free, 99% Pure CBD Isolate infused. The products are formulated with CBD extracted from pesticide-free, organically grown, domestically produced, High-CBD Industrial Hemp. Lab-tested and guaranteed Pesticide and Chemical-free.  Our proprietary blends also contain USDA certified organic botanicals, herbals and essential oils to provide synergy with other healing elements found in nature.

1 Coherent Market Insights – https://www.coherentmarketinsights.com/market-insight/cannabis-testing-market-170

About Applied BioSciences Corp.

Applied BioSciences Corp. (www.appliedbiocorp.com), is a diversified company focused on multiple areas of the medical, bioceutical and pet health industry. As a leading company in the CBD and Pet health space, the company is currently shipping to the majority of US states as well as to 5 International countries.  The company is focused on select investment, consumer brands, and partnership opportunities in the recreational, health and wellness, nutraceutical, and media industries.

The company has several strategic partnerships and investments currently in place and is actively pursuing additional partnerships and strategic growth opportunities.

About Trace Analytics Inc.

Trace Analytics Inc. is a leading cannabis science and technology company with significant footprints in lab testing, research and development and licensing. Trace Analytics was started by a group of scientists who specialized in analytical chemistry, genetics and molecular biology.  The focus of the team is to ensure compliance with public safety standards and end user safety. Trace Analytics is in the process of expanding throughout the United States, and globally. With the goal of helping the rest of the world adopt “best practices” in cannabis and hemp testing, the company also provides expert consulting services to legislators and regulators in many countries, states and municipalities around the world. For more information, please visit: http://traceanalytics.com

Contact

Email: [email protected]  or [email protected]

To be added to the Applied BioSciences email distribution list, please email [email protected] with APPB in the subject line.

Official Website: www.appliedbiocorp.com / www.traceanalytics.com

Brands:

www.remedishop.com

www.herbalpet.com

www.canagel.com

Follow us:

Facebook @remedicbd & @HerbalPetMeds

Instagram @remedishop & @herbal_pet

Twitter @remedishop & @herbal_pet

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New Age Metals Inc. $NAM.ca – The Palladium Play – Part 1 $WG.ca $XTM.ca $WM.ca $PDL.ca

Posted by AGORACOM-JC at 9:41 AM on Wednesday, January 9th, 2019

SPONSOR: New Age Metals Inc. (TSX-V: NAM) The company’s new Lithium Division has already made significant acquisitions in Canada and the USA. The company also owns one of North America’s largest primary platinum group metals deposit in Sudbury, Canada. Learn More.

NAM: TSX-V

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The Palladium Play – Part 1

Palladium: The White-Hot Metal Climbed 18% in 2018 and Doubled in Three Years

BY John Ciampaglia

Part 1 in our palladium series provides a primer; Part 2 will explore the unique supply/demand fundamentals that support our bullish outlook.

Palladium has been on a multi-year run that shows few signs of abating. For the tumultuous market year 2018, spot palladium gained 18.6% and is up 124% since the beginning of 2016. In comparison, spot gold, platinum and silver all declined last year (1.6%, 14.5%, and 8.5%, respectively), while U.S. equities lost 4.4% in 2018, as measured by the S&P 500 Total Return Index.1

Palladium is close to becoming the most “precious” of precious metals. Palladium passed the $1,000 per ounce mark in late 2017 for the first time since 2001. Palladium’s momentum accelerated in 2018, with its $1,262 price-per-ounce edging close to gold’s $1,282 price by year-end.Palladium was named by its discoverer William Wollaston in 1803, after the asteroid Pallas.

While the escalating U.S.-China trade war hurt many commodities in 2018, it couldn’t dent palladium’s rise. The white metal is primarily used in catalytic converters that reduce pollution from gasoline internal combustion engines (ICEs). Demand for palladium was especially robust last year, as environmental concerns have prompted a global shift from diesel to gasoline and hybrid vehicles. Not even the 2018 slowdown in China’s auto market, the world’s largest, dampened demand.

Palladium’s Stellar Rise

Figure 1. The Hat Trick 

Source: Bloomberg. XPT represents platinum; XAU represents gold; XPD represents palladium, XAG represents silver; SPXT represents S&P 500 Total Return Index.

Figure 2. Annual Performance 2016 – 2018

DatePalladium Price% Annual Change
12/31/2015$ 562.98–
12/31/2016$ 680.9620.96%
12/31/2017$ 1,063.5256.18%
12/31/2018$ 1,261.7818.64%
Cumulative Change124.13%

Source: Bloomberg.

Figure 3. The Long View: Palladium Price vs. Gold, Platinum, Silver 2000-2018

Source: Bloomberg. XPT represents platinum; XAU represents gold; XPD represents palladium, XAG represents silver.

Palladium is Very “Precious”

Palladium (chemical symbol “Pd”) is primarily used as an industrial metal and is considered a “precious” metal along with platinum, gold and silver. Both palladium and platinum are far rarer than gold and represent smaller markets. Recent world production of palladium and platinum has averaged about 200 and 175 tonnes per year, respectively, while gold production tallies approximately 3,000 tonnes per year (Read more about Platinum).

Also known as “white gold” or the “bright white metals,” palladium and platinum are members of the Platinum Group Metals (also known as “PGMs,” which also include ruthenium, rhodium, osmium and iridium) and typically co-occur in ore deposits. Their shared chemical origins give palladium and platinum similar characteristics, such as being relatively inert and having high melting points – part of their appeal as catalysts in industrial and automotive applications.

Figure 4. The Automotive Industry is the Largest Pd Consumer – Catalytic Converters

Automakers, who have little flexibility to produce cars without palladium, are being forced to push the price higher to secure their critical supply.

Source: Johnson Matthey. 

Palladium’s primary application is within the auto sector. Though historically more expensive than palladium, platinum was long the primary metal used in catalytic converters, partly because of its stability at the high temperatures required to achieve the conversion. However, in the past decade, automakers have developed technology to achieve nearly the same results with palladium, at a significantly lower cost, causing the automotive industry to transition to palladium.

While palladium is also used in jewelry, electronics, chemical and dental applications, the automotive industry’s need for catalytic converters is the primary factor driving palladium demand. If palladium’s price continues to outpace platinum’s, automakers may return to using platinum. However, analysts predict that any move back to platinum would take at least 18 to 24 months.

Palladium’s Supply Constraints

Supply shortages continue to support palladium’s performance, with strong multi-year growth in palladium demand now straining a fixed supply. Palladium is especially scarce and its supply is inelastic since it is usually a by-product of ores that are being mined for other metals, like platinum and rhodium. It is rarely mined on its own. Russia is the world’s largest palladium-producing country, followed by South Africa, Canada, the U.S. and Zimbabwe.

The official level of palladium reserves in Russia is a state secret and many industry participants believe that Russia’s stockpiles of palladium have been largely sold, constraining supply. Supply concerns were further heightened in April 2018 when the U.S. levied more sanctions against Russia.

Figure 5. Palladium Mine Production by Country (Metric Tonnes) 2012-2017

Source: U.S. Geological Survey.

Global demand for palladium, net of the supply provided through recycling, was expected to reach 7.1 million oz. in 2018, exceeding a total supply of 6.9 million oz. This shortfall extends a seven-year trend leading to a current total deficit in the market of 801,000 oz., according to the chemical company, Johnson Matthey.2

Shifting Automotive Demand but Positive Outlook

While no country has outlawed new combustion engines, Norway, China and Germany, among many countries, have implemented frameworks to discontinue long-term ICE production and encourage demand for electric vehicles (EVs) and hybrid-electric vehicles.

The growth of EVs3 could pose a risk to the palladium sector since EVs do not require catalytic converters. On the other hand, the rise of hybrid-electric vehicles could drive palladium demand, since they too require palladium to control pollution. The mining company Norilsk Nickel forecasts that combined palladium use in hybrid and plug-in hybrid — or rechargeable — vehicles in 2019 will be nearly triple that of 2016.

Today, catalytic converter demand accounts for 70% of the palladium demand worldwide. While any threat to palladium’s role within catalytic converters could impact its long-term price outlook, our view is that palladium’s fundamentals should remain strong for at least the next 24 months.

Source: http://sprott.com/insights/the-palladium-play-part-1/

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GGX Gold Intersects 28 g/t Gold and 424 g/t Silver over 1.17 Meters Diamond Drilling Program at COD Vein on the Gold Drop Property Southern British Columbia $GGX.ca, $Tusk.ca, $GZD.ca $K.ca

Posted by AGORACOM at 9:23 AM on Wednesday, January 9th, 2019
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  • Results for holes COD18-61 to COD18-64 completed during the 2018 November diamond drilling program at its Gold Drop Property
  • COD18-45: 50.1 g/t gold and 375 g/t silver over 2.05 meters.
  • COD18-46: 54.9 g/t gold and 379 g/t silver over 1.47 meters.

VANCOUVER, BC / ACCESSWIRE / January 9, 2019 / GGX Gold Corp. (TSX-V: GGX), (OTCQB: GGXXF), (FRA: 3SR2) (the “Company” or “GGX“) is pleased to announce it has received drill core analytical results for drill holes COD18-61 to COD18-64 completed during the 2018 November diamond drilling program at its Gold Drop Property near Greenwood, southern British Columbia. The drilling program that was completed at the end of November last year consisted of 11 drill holes (COD18-61 to COD18-71) targeting the gold bearing COD vein, the focus being an area of previous high grade gold drill intercepts. Highlights from 2018 drilling at the COD vein and the Gold Drop Property include:

  • COD18-45: 50.1 g/t gold and 375 g/t silver over 2.05 meters.
  • COD18-46: 54.9 g/t gold and 379 g/t silver over 1.47 meters.
  • COD18-63: 28.0 g/t gold and 424 g/t silver over 1.17 meter core length.
  • Gold and silver bearing quartz veins in multiple regions of the property with high grade gold reported (samples exceeding 1 oz. / ton gold reported).
  • Historic gold and silver production at the Gold Drop, North Star, Amandy and Roderick Dhu vein systems.

The 2018 Fall diamond drilling program tested the COD vein, located in the Gold Drop Southwest Zone. The program followed up on results from earlier 2018 diamond drilling at the southern extension of the COD vein. Two earlier 2018 holes at the southern extension, COD18-45 and COD18-46 (which were drilled at 45 and 50 degree dips to the west from the same site), intersected high grade gold and silver plus significant amounts of tellurium. COD18-45 intersected of 50.1 grams per tonne (g/t) gold and 375 g/t silver over 2.05 meter core length including 167.5 g/t gold, 1,370 g/t silver and >500 g/t tellurium over 0.46 meter core length (News Release of August 15, 2018). COD18-46 intersected 54.9 g/t gold and 379 g/t silver over a 1.47 meter core length, including 223 g/t gold, 1,535 g/t silver and greater than 500 g/t tellurium over a 0.30 meter core length (News Release of August 22, 2018).

Intersections exceeding 1 g/t gold for drill holes COD18-61 to COD18-64 are listed in the table below. Since true widths cannot be accurately determined from the information available the core lengths (meters) are reported.

Hole ID From (m) To (m) Length (m) Au
(g/t) 		Ag
(g/t) 		Te
(g/t) 		Description
COD18-61 22.62 24.00 1.38 5.29 32.4 31.4 Quartz vein
COD18-63 23.22 24.15 0.93 2.51 19.4 12.7 Quartz veins & altered granodiorite
COD18-63 25.74 26.14 0.40 1.16 9.78 8.72 Quartz veins & altered wall rock.
COD18-63 26.14 27.31 1.17 28.0 424.7 150.4 Quartz vein with local VG & tellurides
COD18-63 incl. 26.72 27.31 0.59 49.7 787 245 Quartz vein with VG & tellurides
COD18-64 30.10 30.40 0.30 3.04 24.6 31.3 Altered granodiorite

All of the 2018 Fall drill holes were collared within 25 meters of holes COD18-45 and COD-46. Holes COD18-61 to COD18-66 were drilled to the west and slightly northwest at dips of 45 to 60 degrees to intersect the approximately northeast striking COD vein. Holes COD18-67 to COD18-71 were drilled at dips of 45 to 60 degrees slightly northeast to intersect the COD vein at a shallower angle, the purpose being to test the continuity of the quartz veining and mineralization. The high grade intercept of drill hole COD18-63 is at approximate 20 meter vertical depth (similar depth of high grade intercept of drill hole COD18-45) and approximately 5 meters north of the high grade intercept of drill hole COD18-45.

The COD vein system is open to the northeast and at depth and possible open to the southwest.

The drill core was split at a secure location in Greenwood with half core samples securely packaged and delivered to ALS Canada Ltd. in Vancouver, BC for preparation and analysis. The core samples were analyzed for gold by Fire Assay-AA and for 48 elements (including silver and tellurium) by Four Acid – ICP-MS. Samples exceeding 100 g/t silver were re-analyzed for silver by Four Acid – ICP-AES. Quality control (QC) samples were inserted at regular intervals.

David Martin, P.Geo., a Qualified Person as defined by NI 43-101, is responsible for the technical information contained in this News Release.

To view the Original News release with pictures please go to the website or contact the company.

On Behalf of the Board of Directors,
Barry Brown, Director
604-488-3900
[email protected]

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New Age Metals Inc. $NAM.ca – #Palladium Just Smashed Another Record $WG.ca $XTM.ca $WM.ca $PDL.ca

Posted by AGORACOM-JC at 4:54 PM on Tuesday, January 8th, 2019

SPONSOR: New Age Metals Inc. (TSX-V: NAM) The company’s new Lithium Division has already made significant acquisitions in Canada and the USA. The company also owns one of North America’s largest primary platinum group metals deposit in Sudbury, Canada. Learn More.

NAM: TSX-V

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Palladium Just Smashed Another Record

By Elena Mazneva and Yuliya Fedorinova

  • Best metal of 2018 now commands $500 an ounce more than rival
  • Substitution in autocatalysts still seen as unlikely: Norilsk

Palladium’s premium to platinum jumped to a record, building on its ranking as the best-performing metal of 2018.

Shortages of the metal used in autocatalysts for gasoline-fueled vehicles sent its price to yet another all-time high, widening the price difference with rival platinum to more than $500 an ounce on Tuesday. Most analysts don’t see supply relief for palladium anytime soon.

Both metals are used in catalytic converters to reduce vehicle emissions. Platinum, the more expensive of the two for most of this century, has seen usage decline from its key consumers, diesel carmakers. Demand slid as consumers turned away from diesel vehicles in the wake of Volkswagen AG’s emissions-cheating scandal.

Platinum is now trading near a 10-year low, at about $821.35 an ounce, while palladium is near its highest, $1,325.13 an ounce.

The widening price gap has spurred speculation that petrol-carmakers may switch from palladium to cheaper platinum. Anton Berlin, head of analysis and market development at Russia’s Norilsk Nickel PJSC, says this is unlikely. Palladium has some features that make it more suitable for gasoline or hybrid cars, like better resistance to higher temperatures.

Switching to platinum would take at least two years and would need additional work and costs to adjust engines and car-exhaust systems, said Berlin, whose company is the world’s biggest palladium miner and fourth in platinum. Manufacturers also need to use more of the precious metal than is needed with palladium, he said.

Berlin believes that overall demand for platinum will recover anyway. The market may even face a deficit if investment demand is sufficient, including bar and coin sales, he said. The World Platinum Investment Council predicted in November that platinum will remain in surplus in 2019, albeit a smaller one than last year.

Source: https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2019-01-08/palladium-smashes-another-record-with-premium-over-platinum

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Monarques Gold Corp. $MQR.ca – #Gold price likely buoyed by safe haven demand: HSBC

Posted by AGORACOM-JC at 12:09 PM on Tuesday, January 8th, 2019

SPONSOR: Monarques Gold Corp. produced 4,695 ounces of gold in the recent quarter with revenues of $10 million. Monarques owns close to 300 km² of gold properties, including the Wasamac deposit (measured and indicated resource of 2.6 million ounces of gold), the Beaufor Mine, the Croinor Gold, McKenzie Break and Swanson advanced projects and the Camflo and Beacon mills. Click here for more information.

MQR: TSX-V

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Gold price likely buoyed by safe haven demand: HSBC

  • Gold price gains will likely be driven by fresh safe haven demand on equity concerns, higher financial volatility and economic uncertainty, said HSBC, leading the bank to lift its 2019 average dollar price for the yellow metal to $1,314/oz Tuesday.

London — Gold price gains will likely be driven by fresh safe haven demand on equity concerns, higher financial volatility and economic uncertainty, said HSBC, leading the bank to lift its 2019 average dollar price for the yellow metal to $1,314/oz Tuesday.

The original estimate was $1,292/oz, according to HSBC’s chief precious metals analyst James Steel.

“Gold prices are recovering from heavy investor liquidation and losses throughout much of 2018. Recent equity market declines, higher financial market volatility and other risks are triggering renewed investor demand for bullion,” Steel said. “Geopolitical and trade risks, which unusually did not lift gold last year (due to the strong US dollar), also appear to be turning positive. We believe gold is set to move higher in 2019, especially if the global economic outlook remains uncertain.”

Gold has been toying with the $1,300/oz marker so far in 2019, although for now that target has alluded bullion. Gold was spot bid at $1,284/oz as of 1420 GMT Tuesday.

“Our FX view is for a stronger USD, which may present the greatest threat to gold and will at the least limit rallies. Gold is inversely related to US equities, and we believe an important price driver in 2019 will be equity direction and volatility. Recent equity weakness has buoyed gold,” Steel added.

Looking at positioning, Steel noted that COMEX was net short in 2018 for the first time since 2001, which has since been scaled back. “Further short-covering and builds in longs are likely in 2019,” the analyst said.

Industry lobby group the World Gold Council said Tuesday that gold-backed ETFs continued to rally in December against a backdrop of market volatility, marking the third consecutive month of inflows. Global ETFs increased 3%. or by $3.1 billion, driven by North American and European fund activity, WGC said.

–Ben Kilbey, [email protected]

Source: https://www.spglobal.com/platts/en/market-insights/latest-news/metals/010819-gold-price-likely-buoyed-by-safe-haven-demand-hsbc

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Good Life Networks $GOOD.ca – Goldman Sachs Backs Programmatic Outfit Innovid With $30 Million in Funding $TTD $RUBI $AT.ca $TRMR $FUEL

Posted by AGORACOM-JC at 11:18 AM on Tuesday, January 8th, 2019
SPONSOR: Good Life Networks (GOOD:TSX-V) Video advertising is the future! Company’s A.I. makes 80,000 calculations / second, targeting 750 million users to deliver higher prices and volume. Revenue was $10,000,650 for the nine months ended September 30th, 2018, a 142% increase from $4,133,231 reported for the six months ended September 30th, 2017.  Click here for more information.
GOOD: TSX-V

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Goldman Sachs Backs Programmatic Outfit Innovid With $30 Million in Funding

  • Innovid will use a $30 million investment from Goldman Sachs Private Capital Investing to further its interests in the connected TV sector by building what it claims will be the industry’s only “end-to-end CTV platform” and further its global footprint.

By Ronan Shields

Innovid will use a $30 million investment from Goldman Sachs Private Capital Investing to further its interests in the connected TV sector by building what it claims will be the industry’s only “end-to-end CTV platform” and further its global footprint.

The Series E round brings Innovid’s total funding to $95.1 million, including a $12.5 million debt financing round in 2015 and comes at a time when ad-tech financing is said to be difficult to come by, according to many industry observers, with the company describing it as “pre-IPO funding.”

Innovid was unable to provide insight on when any potential IPO might take place, or which stock exchange it could choose to list on, by the time of publication. Any such listing would buck the trend of ad-tech outfits coming off the public markets, such as when Taptica purchased the buy-side of Tremor Video and Sizmek acquired Rocket Fuel in 2017.

In a statement, Zvika Netter, Innovid CEO, said, “With this funding, Innovid will complete the development of the first end-to-end CTV platform creating a more efficient workflow, while solving industry measurement challenges and expanding its global footprint to meet the evolving needs of its international client base for brands, media and creative agencies, and publishers.”

Innovid works with advertisers including Bank of America, Campbell’s and L’Oreal to help deliver video ads across a host of different platforms including Amazon Fire, Apple TV, Roku and Samsung TV, with an emphasis on interactive ad units.

In particular, it also works with the industry to help advertisers scale how they create, deliver and measure ads across different platforms, with Innovid hoping to use the $30 million to further its footprint in the fast-emerging connected TV space.

Hillel Moerman, head of Goldman Sachs’ Private Capital Investing group, added, “Innovid has differentiated video advertising software and technology, and has the scale and the reach to succeed, with access to significant supply beyond CTV, including platforms such as Facebook, Instagram, YouTube, Snap and others.”

Source: https://www.adweek.com/programmatic/goldman-sachs-backs-programmatic-outfit-innovid-with-30-million-in-funding/

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