Posted by AGORACOM-JC
at 5:01 PM on Monday, August 31st, 2020
Kontrol continues to focus on strengthening its Balance Sheet. The Company’s cash position at the end of Q2 is approximately $1.8 Million
During the second quarter of 2020 the Company announced the commencement of a non-brokered private placement (with an exchange of units) of up to $5.8 million principal amount 8% unsecured (and non-convertible) debentures maturing on October 31, 2022
Company is developing its BioCloud technology and has a achieved a number of significant milestones, including the initial funding from the Government, positive testing of the detection mechanism, and positive testing of the BioCloud fully operational prototype.
TORONTO, ON / August 31, 2020 / Kontrol Energy Corp.(CSE:KNR)(OTCQB:KNRLF)(FSE:1K8) (“Kontrol” or “Company”) a leader in the energy efficiency sector through IoT, Cloud and SaaS technology announces its financial results for the six months ended June 30, 2020.
A complete set of Financial Statements and Management’s Discussion & Analysis will be filed on SEDAR (www.sedar.com) on August 31, 2020. A call to discuss the financial results has been scheduled for Monday, August 31, 2020 at 4:30pm (EST). See details below.
“In Q2 2020 we were able to navigate the complex business challenges presented by COVID-19 and make important strategic advances while maintaining positive EBITDA and cash flow from operations,” says Paul Ghezzi, CEO. “This environment has made it challenging to gain access to customer sites for projects; however, our recurring revenue and service platform have performed very well. In addition, we initiated the development of the Kontrol BioCloud, a new technology designed to detect and alert for the COVID-19 virus. We continue to fund all BioCloud development through internal cash generation. Kontrol does not need to raise capital to operate its business.”
Subsequent to the second quarter end, the Company completed the acquisition of New Found Air (“NFA”) – a building service and solutions company. The operations of NFA are in the process of being merged with Kontrol’s existing platform. NFA expands Kontrol’s building footprint and provides an established customer base with a potential significant cross-selling platform for Kontrol’s smart building technology.
Q2 2020 Financial Summary
Strengthened Financial Position
Kontrol continues to focus on strengthening its Balance Sheet. The Company’s cash position at the end of Q2 is approximately $1.8 Million. During the second quarter of 2020 the Company announced the commencement of a non-brokered private placement (with an exchange of units) of up to $5.8 million principal amount 8% unsecured (and non-convertible) debentures maturing on October 31, 2022. The Company intends to allocate up to $5.8 million of the units for issuance to holders of 2020 debenture units who wish to exchange their 2020 debenture units for units in the offering. The Company anticipates that the majority of unitholders will exchange their units in the months of September and October.
The Company closed the first tranche of non-brokered private placement for 2023 Convertible Debenture Proceeds in the second quarter of net $1.05 million and an additional approximate $900,000 subsequent to the second quarter. The completion of the financing was primarily allocated to the closing of the NFA acquisition
FY 2020 Outlook
The Company continues to strategically focus on the growth of its recurring revenues. With the recently completed acquisition of NFA and the existing customer base, approximately 30% of all revenues are now recurring. The Company’s goal is to drive recurring revenues towards 50% of all total revenues by the end of 2021.
While there appears to be a general improvement with site access to customer facilities there is also ongoing uncertainty presented by COVID-19 travel restrictions and self-quarantine. These conditions make it difficult to forecast project revenues and provide any guidance. Any previous guidance will be retracted, and the Company will continue to provide ongoing reporting and announce larger project revenues as they are generated.
Kontrol BioCloud
The Company is developing its BioCloud technology and has a achieved a number of significant milestones, including the initial funding from the Government, positive testing of the detection mechanism, and positive testing of the BioCloud fully operational prototype. The Company seeks to complete testing with the live COVID-19 virus during the week of August 31 and will provide those results when available. The Company’s objective is to have BioCloud commercially available to potential customers in 2020. There is no assurance that the Company can achieve this internal goal.
About Kontrol BioCloud
BioCloud is a real-time analyzer developed to detect airborne viruses. It has been designed to operate as a safe space technology by sampling the air quality over time. With a proprietary detection chamber that can be replaced as needed, viruses are detected, and an alert system is created in the Cloud or over local intranet. BioCloud has been designed for spaces where individuals gather including classrooms, retirement homes, hospitals, mass transportation and others. It can be an important technology which supports the entire system of individual testing and contact tracing.
The Company is not making any express or implied claims that its product has the ability to eliminate, cure or contain the COVID-19 (or SARS-2 Coronavirus) at this time.
* Adjusted EBITDA is a non-IRFS financial measure. The Company defines Adjusted EBITDA as net income or loss before interest, income taxes, amortization, and depreciation, share based compensation, and acquisition related expenses.
Conference Call Details:
Title:
Kontrol Energy Second Quarter 2020 Financial Results
Please connect at least 5 minutes prior to the conference call to ensure adequate time for any software download that may be required to join the webcast.
About Kontrol Energy
Kontrol Energy Corp. (CSE: KNR) (OTCQB: KNRLF) (FSE: 1K8) is a leader in the energy efficiency sector through IoT, Cloud and SaaS technology. With a disciplined mergers and acquisition strategy, combined with organic growth, Kontrol Energy Corp. provides market-based energy solutions to our customers designed to reduce their overall cost of energy while providing a corresponding reduction in greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions.
Kontrol Energy is one of Canada’s fastest growing companies in 2018 and 2019 as ranked by Canadian Business and Maclean’s.
Additional information about Kontrol Energy Corp. can be found on its website at www.kontrolenergy.com and by reviewing its profile on SEDAR at www.sedar.com.
For further information, contact:
Paul Ghezzi, Chief Executive Officer [email protected] or [email protected] Kontrol Energy Corp. 180 Jardin Drive, Unit 9, Vaughan, ON L4K 1X8 Tel: 905.766.0400, Toll free: 1.844.566.8123
Neither IIROC nor any stock exchange or other securities regulatory authority accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.
Forward-Looking Information
Certain information included in this press release, including information relating to future financial or operating performance and other statements that express the expectations of management or estimates of future performance constitute “forward-looking statements”. Such forward-looking statements include, without limitation, statements regarding possible future acquisitions and/or investments in operating businesses and/or technologies, accelerated organic growth, Adjusted EBITDA, expansion of smart energy technologies into US markets, strategic partnerships to expand into North American Markets, acceleration of recurring SaaS revenues, the provision of solutions to customers and Greenhouse Gas emissions reductions, proposed financial savings and sustainable energy benefits and energy monitoring. Where the Company expresses or implies an expectation or belief as to future events or results, such expectation or belief are based on assumptions made in good faith and believed to have a reasonable basis. Such assumptions include, without limitation, that suitable businesses and technologies for acquisition and/or investment will be available, that such acquisitions and or investment transactions will be concluded, that sufficient capital will be available to the Company, that technology will be as effective as anticipated, that organic growth will occur, and others.. However, forward-looking statements are subject to risks, uncertainties, and other factors, which could cause actual results to differ materially from future results expressed, projected, or implied by such forward-looking statements. Such risks include, but are not limited to, that sufficient capital and financing cannot be obtained on reasonable terms, or at all, that technologies will not prove as effective as expected, that customers and potential customers will not be as accepting of the Company’s product and service offering as expected, and government and regulatory factors impacting the energy conservation industry. In particular, successful development and commercialization of the Kontrol BioCloud Analyzer are subject to the risk that the Kontrol BioCloud Analyzer may not prove to be successful in detecting the virus that causes COVID-19 effectively or at all, uncertainty of timing or availability of any regulatory approvals and Kontrol’s lack of track record in developing products for medical applications. Accordingly, undue reliance should not be placed on forward-looking statements and the forward-looking statements contained in this press release are expressly qualified in their entirety by this cautionary statement. The forward-looking statements contained herein are made as at the date hereof and the Company does not undertake any obligation to update publicly or revise any such forward-looking statements or any forward-looking statements contained in any other documents whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except as required under applicable securities law.
Posted by AGORACOM-JC
at 9:39 AM on Saturday, August 29th, 2020
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Posted by AGORACOM-JC
at 8:55 AM on Thursday, August 27th, 2020
NAM owns 100% of eight pegmatite hosted Lithium Projects in the Winnipeg River Pegmatite Field, located in SE Manitoba
The eight projects are strategically situated within the Winnipeg River Pegmatite Field, which hosts the world class Tanco Pegmatite that has been mined for Tantalum, Cesium and Spodumene (one of the primary Lithium bearing minerals) in varying capacities, since 1969
The summer program is being jointly funded by the Company and the new Manitoba Mineral Development Fund (MMDF) from the Manitoba Chamber of Commerce
The 2020 field work program will focus on follow up exploration of the company’s 2018 field reconnaissance efforts on the Lithium One Project, specifically at the Silverleaf and Annie pegmatites.
2018 surface exploration completed on the Lithium One project yielded field samples grading up to 4.1% Li2O and 6.11% Rb2OThe Company has an exploration agreement in place with the Sagkeeng First Nation who the Company has engaged to work collaboratively with on completing the summer 2020 program at Lithium One
NAMs flagship project is the 100% owned River Valley Palladium Project, one of North America’s largest undeveloped primary Palladium Project
August 27, 2020 – Rockport, Canada – New Age Metals Inc. (NAM) (TSXV:NAM); (OTC:NMTLF); (FSE:P7J) (“NAM” or the “Company”) is pleased to announce the approval of a fall 2020 work program at the Company’s Lithium One Project in South east Manitoba, which is slated to begin this fall. Harry Barr, Chairman & CEO stated; “Over the last few months the Company has applied for and received approval for a grant from the Manitoba Mineral Development Fund. An extra benefit will be gained from the COVID-19 relief measures offered by the Manitoba government which calls for extending Double-Assessment Credits for exploration work completed in 2020.”
Lithium One Work Program
The fall 2020 program will include rock sampling, mapping and prospecting at the Company’s Lithium One project in the Greer Lake region. The objective of the program is to surface sample areas that have not been looked at to date at the project and further outline future drill targets. NAM plans to contract both Carey Galeschuk, the Company’s consulting geologist and the Twohearts Foundation, a Sagkeeng First Nations exploration service company to complete this program.
Click Image To View Full Size
Figure 1: NAM Project Location Map – Winnipeg River Pegmatite Field. Lithium One Project is highlighted.
Manitoba Mineral Development Fund
In June 2020, the Manitoba Government opened application to the MMDF which offered $20 million in funding to jump-start mineral and economic development initiatives in the north and throughout the province. The MMDF, delivered and administered by the Manitoba Chambers of Commerce, will support new economic development opportunities that capitalize on existing assets in the north and across Manitoba. Projects funded by MMDF will benefit Manitoba’s economy and local communities alike with a partnership-based approach to help grow and diversify the provincial economy together with Indigenous communities.
Manitoba COVID-19 Relief
The Company is taking advantage of relief measures put in place by the Manitoba government for mineral/mining claim holders in 2020. A one-year extension of time on all mining claims and mineral exploration licenses has been granted for claims and licences expiring prior to April 30, 2021. All of New Age Metals claims are eligible for this extension. Furthermore, the Manitoba Agriculture and Resource Development Department has extended double-assessment credits for exploration work completed in 2020. Both of these relief measures will assist the company in maintaining its land position in the Winnipeg River Pegmatite Field and the work completed at Lithium One will provide extended work credits for the Company on that project.
Lithium One Project
The project is geologically situated in the southern extension of the Bird River Greenstone Belt. The pegmatites are associated with the Greer Lake and Shatford Lake Pegmatite Group of the Cat Lake – Winnipeg River Pegmatite Field. The Winnipeg River Pegmatite Field hosts the World-Class Tanco Pegmatite which has been mined since 1969 at the Tanco Mine Site, in various capacities and for various commodities. This pegmatite field is hosted in the Archean age Bird River Greenstone Belt and into the surrounding granites.
The Silverleaf Pegmatite was historically mined in the late 1920’s for spodumene and probably represents one of the first spodumene operations in North America. The central, most economic, portion of the pegmatite is composed of lepidolite surrounded by an envelope of spodumene and quartz. The lepidolite zone outcrops as three large masses with lengths and maximum widths as follows: 23 m x 6 m (75 x 20 ft); 12 m x 4 m (40 x 12 ft); 5.5 m x 3 m (18 x 11 ft); it is also found in a westerly cut over a width of 2 m (6.5 ft). Spodumene is known to outcrop over a 334 m2 (3600 sq ft. A quartz-spodumene crystal measuring 91 cm x 17 cm (3 ft x 7 inch) was reported near the core zone back in 1933.
Historic drilling of the Silverleaf Pegmatite from the 1950’s indicated a tabular pegmatite body dipping 30? S and extending 168 m (550 ft), while ranging in thickness from 5 to 11 m over a drilled length of 245 m.
The Company’s Phase One Exploration Program in 2018, sampled several of the known lithium-bearing pegmatites. The purpose of the exploration program was to obtain modern-day assay analyses of the Pegmatites and to ground proof some of the historic Pegmatite locations. Numerous Pegmatites and Pegmatite swarms were not sampled in the 2018 program and will be explored during the 2020 fall program.
Click Image To View Full Size
Figure 2: Annie Pegmatite showing an outcrop with abundant SQUI (Spodumene Quartz Intergrowths) mineralization – The pen in the photo is 8 cm in length.
About NAM
New Age Metals is a junior mineral exploration and development company focused on the discovery, exploration and development of green metal projects in North America. The Company has two divisions; a Platinum Group Metals division and a Lithium/Rare Element division. The PGM division includes the 100% owned River Valley Project, one of North America’s largest undeveloped Platinum Group Metals Projects, situated 100 km from Sudbury, Ontario as well as the Genesis PGM Project in Alaska. The Lithium division is the largest mineral claim holder in the Winnipeg River Pegmatite Field, where the Company is exploring for hard rock lithium and various rare elements such as tantalum and rubidium. Our philosophy is to be a project generator with the objective of optioning our projects with major and junior mining companies through to production. The Company is actively seeking an option/ joint venture partner for its road-accessible Genesis PGM project in Alaska and for our Lithium division in Manitoba.
Click Image To View Full Size
Figure 4: White spodumene blades in a matrix of lepidolite (Lithium Mica) from the Silverleaf showing.
New Age Metals is a junior resource company on the TSX Venture Exchange, trading symbol NAM, OTCQB: NMTLF; FSE: P7J with 138,854,511 shares issued to date. Investors are invited to visit the New Age Metals website at www.newagemetals.com where they can review the company and its corporate activities. Any questions or comments can be directed to [email protected] or Harry Barr at [email protected] or Cody Hunt at [email protected] or call 613 659 2773.
About the River Valley Palladium Project
The details of the updated Mineral Resource Estimate (MRE) and Preliminary Economic Assessment (PEA) were announced in the press release dated August 9, 2019 and are described on NAM’s website. The pit constrained Updated Mineral Resource Estimate formed the basis of the PEA. At a cut-off grade of 0.35 g/t PdEq, the Updated Mineral Resource Estimate contains 2.867 Moz PdEq in the Measured plus Indicated classifications and 1.059 Moz PdEq in the Inferred classification. The PEA is a preliminary report, but it demonstrates that there are potentially positive economics for a large-scale mining open pit operation, with 14 years of Palladium production. Refer to the NAM website (www.newagemetals.com) for details.
Global Mining Symposium
New Age Metals is pleased to announce that the Company will be participating in next week’s Global Mining Symposium. Harry Barr will be presenting at 2:10 PM EST on Tuesday, September 1. To view details of the event, click here.
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Qualified Person
The contents contained herein that relate to Exploration Results or Mineral Resources is based on information compiled, reviewed or prepared by Carey Galeschuk, a consulting geoscientist for New Age Metals. Mr. Galeschuk is the Qualified Person as defined by National Instrument 43-101 and has reviewed and approved the technical content of this news release with regard to technical aspects of the Lithium Division.
On behalf of the Board of Directors
“Harry Barr”
Harry G. Barr
Chairman and CEO
Neither the TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.
Cautionary Note Regarding Forward Looking Statements: This release contains forward-looking statements that involve risks and uncertainties. These statements may differ materially from actual future events or results and are based on current expectations or beliefs. For this purpose, statements of historical fact may be deemed to be forward-looking statements. In addition, forward-looking statements include statements in which the Company uses words such as “continue”, “efforts”, “expect”, “believe”, “anticipate”, “confident”, “intend”, “strategy”, “plan”, “will”, “estimate”, “project”, “goal”, “target”, “prospects”, “optimistic” or similar expressions. These statements by their nature involve risks and uncertainties, and actual results may differ materially depending on a variety of important factors, including, among others, the Company’s ability and continuation of efforts to timely and completely make available adequate current public information, additional or different regulatory and legal requirements and restrictions that may be imposed, and other factors as may be discussed in the documents filed by the Company on SEDAR (www.sedar.com), including the most recent reports that identify important risk factors that could cause actual results to differ from those contained in the forward-looking statements. The Company does not undertake any obligation to review or confirm analysts’ expectations or estimates or to release publicly any revisions to any forward-looking statements to reflect events or circumstances after the date hereof or to reflect the occurrence of unanticipated events. Investors should not place undue reliance on forward-looking statements.
Posted by AGORACOM-JC
at 7:16 AM on Thursday, August 27th, 2020
Announced the launch of it’s first phase of the marketing campaign behind the North American Launch of its Plant-based Complete Nutrition product for Toddlers
Else has engaged with nearly 50 key influencers (covering social channels: Instagram, Facebook, and blogs), with a combined social media following of over 3.5 million followers / fans
The influencers have been handpicked for their enthusiastic following in the mommy/parenting, vegan, healthy-eating, and baby food communities
Company has recently signed Ms. Hilaria Baldwin (@hilariabladwin) to a 6-month branded content partnership, which includes high profile media appearances
VANCOUVER, BC / August 27, 2020 / ELSE NUTRITION HOLDINGS INC. (TSXV:BABY)(OTCQX:BABYF)(FSE:0YL) (“Else” or the “Company“), a developer of plant-based alternatives to dairy-based baby nutrition, is pleased to announce the launch of it’s first phase of the marketing campaign behind the North American Launch of its Plant-based Complete Nutrition product for Toddlers.
Else has engaged with nearly 50 key influencers (covering social channels: Instagram, Facebook, and blogs), with a combined social media following of over 3.5 million followers / fans. The influencers have been handpicked for their enthusiastic following in the mommy/parenting, vegan, healthy-eating, and baby food communities. The influencers will engage with their respective audience by posting branded partner content videos and photography of their children using Else Toddler Nutrition throughout the duration of the influencer campaign. Additionally, the Company has recently signed Ms. Hilaria Baldwin (@hilariabladwin) to a 6-month branded content partnership, which includes high profile media appearances.
Furthermore, Else has partnered with 2 significant online communities, to further amplify awareness and reach to encourage trial size orders of its new, Plant-based Complete Nutrition for Toddlers. The Company has partnered with mindbodygreen (MBG), the leading U.S. health and wellness community, which has an aggregate audience of over 27 million people. Else will be featured on paid podcast spots, as well as on MBG’s website and newsletter, as a branded partner throughout September. Else Nutrition is also ramping up sampling efforts of the Toddler Nutrition product to over 6,000 moms in key cities across the U.S., via a partnership with the Moms Meet network of mothers.
In addition to the influencers and online community engagement Else has signed Dr. Jennifer Trachtenberg M.D. “Dr. Jen” as she is known to her patients, is a Board Certified Pediatrician, nationally-renowned parenting expert, author, and mother of 3. She is also Assistant Clinical Professor of Pediatrics at Thelcahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, and is hailed as “Dr. Mom” by Dr. Mehmet Oz. Dr. Trachtenberg will create branded partner content for Else for distribution on digital platforms, and will provide professional consultation services spanning consumer and medical marketing. She is a regular contributor on child development and nutrition issues to Parents Magazine, the New York Times, and Today.com.
“I’m excited to be partnering with Else Nutrition. It’s a revolutionary change in toddler formula, or as I like to call it – non-dairy milk alternative for kids – that’s a smart, healthy choice and that tastes good too! The word needs to be spread to moms, dads, pediatricians, nutritionists about this new option for kids’ growth and development,” said Dr. Trachtenberg.
Else Nutrition’s Plant-Based Complete Nutrition for Toddlers & Babies (12+ mo.) is now available for sale on Else’s e-store at elsenutrition.com, and will soon be available on Amazon.com. Consumers can order single 22 oz cans and 4-packs.
About Else Nutrition Holdings Inc.
Else Nutrition GH Ltd. is an Israel-based food and nutrition company focused on developing innovative, clean and plant-based food and nutrition products for infants, toddlers, children, and adults. Its revolutionary, plant-based, non-soy, formula is a clean-ingredient alternative to dairy-based formula. Else Nutrition (formerly INDI) won the “2017 Best Health and Diet Solutions” award at the Global Food Innovation Summit in Milan. The holding company, Else Nutrition Holdings Inc., is a publicly traded company, listed as TSX Venture Exchange under the trading symbol BABY and is quoted on the US OTC Markets QX board under the trading symbol BABYF and on the Frankfurt Exchange under the symbol 0YL. Else’s Executives includes leaders hailing from leading infant nutrition companies. Many of Else advisory board members had past executive roles in companies such as Mead Johnson, Abbott Nutrition, Plum Organics and leading infant nutrition Societies, and some of them currently serve in different roles in leading medical centers and academic institutes such as Boston Children’s Hospital, Pediatrics at Harvard Medical School, USA, Tel Aviv University, Schneider Children’s Medical Center of Israel, Rambam Medical Center and Technion, Israel and University Hospital Brussels, Belgium.
For more information, visit: elsenutrition.com or @elsenutrition on Facebook and Instagram.
For more information, contact:
Ms. Hamutal Yitzhak, CEO, Co-Founder & Director ELSE Nutrition Holdings Inc. E: [email protected] P: +972(0)3-6445095
Mr. Sokhie Puar, Director of Else Nutrition Email: [email protected] Telephone: 604-603-7787
TSX Venture Exchange
Neither the TSX Venture Exchange nor its regulation services provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.
Caution Regarding Forward-Looking Statements
This press release contains statements that may constitute “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of applicable securities legislation. Forward-looking statements are typically identified by words such as “will” or similar expressions. Forward-looking statements in this press release include statements with respect to the anticipated dates for filing the Company’s financial disclosure documents. Such forward-looking statements reflect current estimates, beliefs and assumptions, which are based on management’s perception of current conditions and expected future developments, as well as other factors management believes are appropriate in the circumstances. No assurance can be given that the foregoing will prove to be correct. Forward-looking statements made in this press release assume, among others, the expectation that there will be no interruptions or supply chain failures as a result of COVID 19 and that the manufacturing, broker and supply logistic agreement with the Company do not terminate. Actual results may differ from the estimates, beliefs and assumptions expressed or implied in the forward-looking statements. Readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on any forward-looking statements, which reflect management’s expectations only as of the date of this press release. The Company disclaims any obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except as required by law.
Posted by AGORACOM-JC
at 5:52 PM on Wednesday, August 26th, 2020
SPONSOR: New Age Metals Inc. The company owns one of North America’s largest primary platinum group metals deposits in Sudbury, Canada. The company has an updated NI 43-101 Mineral Resource Estimate of 2,867,000 PdEq Measured and Indicated Ounces, with an additional 1,059,000 PdEq Ounces Inferred. Learn More.
The gold rush for palladium is on
Gold bugs bet on palladium
Palladium’s price growth has been double the growth of the price of gold
That’s because demand continues to grow with global supply unable to keep up
This decade, production of palladium has been less than demand for eight consecutive years
We have all heard of the spectacular rise in the price of gold and have been astounded as it blasted through $2,000, setting all-time highs. But what other precious metal has left gold in its (gold) dust?
Hint – it’s one of the PGMs (that’s Platinum-Group Metals) and no, it’s not platinum. PGMs are named because of their affiliation to platinum, but except for (possibly) iridium, most investors have never really heard of them. Ruthenium? Rhodium? Osmium? Also PGMs.
OK, just give up – the mystery metal is palladium (symbol Pd, atomic number 46). And this is going to surprise you!
Palladium is primarily mined in Russia and South Africa, although it can always be found wherever other PGMs are mined, including Montana and Ontario, and may also be affiliated with nickel mining. It is a soft, slivery-white metal. It can be rolled out as thin as 1/250,000 of an inch and is used in electronics, dentistry and jewelry, and transportation.
Palladium’s price growth has been double the growth of the price of gold – 2 year chart
You can see it – palladium’s price growth has been double the growth of the price of gold. That’s because demand continues to grow with global supply unable to keep up. This decade, production of palladium has been less than demand for eight consecutive years.
Palladium is primarily a transportation metal, but not how you think. People think exotic or precious metals and they automatically think electric vehicles (EVs). Palladium is already in your car or SUV, but not for electronics. It’s in your catalytic converter.
It’s in your catalytic converter. The automotive sector currently consumes as much as 80% of global production of palladium, of which approximately 70+% comes from Russia and South Africa. As the world continues to demand cleaner air, regulations on exhaust emissions are tightening and auto manufacturers are going to have to use more of the metal.
Even with increasing EV sales, the demand for palladium is not expected to decrease. The design of current catalytic converters cannot simply replace palladium with more readily available platinum as they would have to be redesigned to accommodate the different chemistry of platinum. Diesel-powered vehicles can use platinum in the catalytic converters, but gasoline powered vehicles are currently restricted to palladium. Research indicates that a number of technological advances are required before platinum can replace palladium in the exhaust system. The growing market for hybrid cars is going to see global demand for palladium continue to outstrip supply. In addition, speculators and ETFs are also playing in the space, causing price volatility and supporting the metal’s price trending higher.
So, the bull market for palladium is expected to continue. Mineral exploration companies targeting PGMs will be able to capitalize on the current market excitement, making this a great time to invest in well managed, properly capitalized companies. And especially given the predominance of Russia (not particularly friendly to the western world) and South Africa, any PGM exploration company in friendly and PGM-rich countries is going to have a lot of market attention.
Posted by AGORACOM-JC
at 7:11 AM on Tuesday, August 25th, 2020
Announced an initial partnership agreement with KABN Systems North America Inc., a wholly-owned subsidiary of KABN System NA Holding Corp. (CSE: KABN), a Canadian Fintech company that specializes in continuous online identity verification, management and monetization in Canada and the US
As the world goes more digital and more “check-ins” are required for contact tracing purposes, KABN NA can also enhance Loop’s contact tracing check-in solution with its proprietary blockchain technology
VANCOUVER, BC and TORONTO, Aug 25, 2020 – Loop Insights Inc. (TSXV: MTRX) (the “Company” or “Loop”), a provider of contactless solutions and artificial intelligence (“AI”) to drive automated marketing, contact tracing, and contactless solutions to the brick and mortar space, is pleased to announce an initial partnership agreement with KABN Systems North America Inc., a wholly-owned subsidiary of KABN System NA Holding Corp. (CSE: KABN) (“KABN NA” or “KABN North America”), a Canadian Fintech company that specializes in continuous online identity verification, management and monetization in Canada and the US.
TOGETHER, THE COMPANIES WILL CREATE A VERIFIED DIGITAL ID CHECK-IN SYSTEM FOR LARGE SCALE VENUES
As the world goes more digital and more “check-ins” are required for contact tracing purposes, KABN NA can also enhance Loop’s contact tracing check-in solution with its proprietary blockchain technology. The global blockchain market size is expected to grow from USD 3.0 billion in 2020 to USD 39.7 billion by 2025, at an impressive Compound Annual Growth Rate (CAGR) of 67.3% during 2020–2025 (source: www.marketsandmarkets.com).
KABN NA’s Liquid Avatar program increases the security within Loop’s services. Customer information and identities are protected by blockchain technology- the highest level of protection. This identity verification enhancement for Loop comes at a great time. It accelerates conversations with large scale business development opportunities, such as schools, stadiums, and governments that are reopening and seek fast and secure contact tracing check-in platforms.
COMBINATION OF LOOP AND KABN NA TECHNOLOGIES RESULTS IN POWERFUL AND COMPLIANT SOLUTION FOR MERCHANTS
KABN NA, in its simplest form, turns the major problem of data privacy into a profit for individuals by giving them complete control over what data is visible on sites and platforms throughout the web.
In order to deliver this level of control, KABN has created Liquid Avatar, a powerful platform that allows users to create digital icons representing their online personas. An individual can create different Liquid Avatars to share different levels of private data with different facets of their life, such as social media, professional, business, e-commerce, and banking.
Every Liquid Avatar is biometric and blockchain secured.
On the other hand, Loop Insights provides merchants with a turnkey solution, driven by artificial intelligence. This allows them to unlock their bricks and mortar data in real-time to make smarter, faster, data-driven decisions that deliver personalized promotions and targeted engagement—leading to higher conversions and transaction revenue in professional sports, entertainment, and retail industries.
As a result of the partnership that converges the powerful technologies of both Loop and KABN NA, the tremendous value will be created for retailers and e-commerce stores due to transacting with known users who have been biometrically verified identity with a blockchain-enabled digital wallet.
In turn, this will provide merchants with the ability to push, customized offers, promotions, and other incentives based on permission-based data to a known, real person. This is extremely valuable in an environment fraught by bots and fake accounts.
NEW BUSINESS MODELS AND REVENUE STREAMS FULLY COMPLIANT WITH GLOBAL DATA PRIVACY LAWS
Moreover, the combination of these powerful standalone technologies will provide Loop and KABN NA with new business models that are compliant with jurisdictional privacy laws and regulations, where the user has management and control over the data.
KABN NA CEO, Ben Kessler: “We are very excited to partner with Loop to create a more interactive and rewarding experience for consumers. We believe that combining our efforts and solutions builds both a robust data and identity verification platform as well as, a personalized, customer-first loyalty solution. We look forward to leveraging all of these enhanced capabilities to expand our retail client and brand partner opportunities.”
Loop CEO Rob Anson: “The convergence of Loop’s IoT and AI technology with KABN NA’s Blockchain and digital identity platform is compelling and will lead to many new possible global revenue opportunities. This exciting partnership unlocks potential new ways for us to monetize our services, expand our client networks, and further accelerate our pursuit on a global scale.”
PARTNERSHIP UNLOCKS NEW WAYS FOR LOOP TO FURTHER MONETIZE ITS INSIGHTS AND ENGAGEMENT PLATFORM THROUGH RETAIL CLIENTS AND BRAND PARTNERS
Under the partnership, Loop will participate in potential revenue generated from KABN NA’s Liquid Avatar program, which includes a percentage of the sign-ups, commissions, and service fees that KABN generates from brands, retailers, other businesses, and affiliates. Loop intends to leverage brand and corporate interest to gain revenue from its third-party programmatic advertising platform.
Combining Loop’s AI-powered retail analytics and engagement with KABN’s Liquid Avatar digital identity platform, KABN KASH, a cashback and loyalty engine, and the KABN Visa card program, the partnership will create new revenue-generating opportunities for Loop. In addition to Loop’s current engagement service offerings, Loop will now be able to offer KABN KASH (cashback and rewards) and the KABN Card to its growing base of retailers and in so doing, expand its monetization efforts, while also growing its base of users and user-generated data.
KABN Systems NA Holdings Corp. through its wholly owned subsidiary KABN Systems North America Inc. focuses on the verification, management and monetization of digital identity, empowering users to control and benefit from its use of their online identity.
KABN propriety technology suite includes 4 key products:
Liquid Avatar allows users to create high quality digital icons representing their online personas. These icons, in conjunction with KABN ID, allows users to manage and control their Digital Identity and to use Liquid Avatars to share public and permission based private data when they want and with whom they want. www.liquidavatar.com
KABN ID is an Always On, biometric and blockchain based digital identity validation and verification platform allowing users to continuously and confidently prove themselves throughout the online community.
KABN Card is a Visa approved prepaid card program allowing users to manage both digital and fiat currencies and earn cashback and other loyalty incentives. www.kabncard.com
KABN KASH is a cashback, loyalty and engagement program that powers the KABN revenue ecosystem.
KABN provides its products and services at no cost to consumers and generates revenues through permission-based partner programs. www.kabnkash.com
About Loop Insights: Loop Insights Inc. is a Vancouver-based Internet of Things (“IoT”) technology company that delivers transformative artificial intelligence (“AI”) automated marketing, contact tracing, and contactless solutions to the brick and mortar space. Its unique IoT device, Fobi, enables data connectivity across online and on-premise platforms to provide real-time, detailed insights and automated, personalized engagement. Its ability to integrate seamlessly into existing infrastructure, and customize campaigns according to each vertical, creates a highly scalable solution for its prospective global clients that span industries. Loop Insights operates in the telecom, casino gaming, sports and entertainment, hospitality, and retail industries, in Canada, the US, the UK, Latin America, Australia, Japan, and Indonesia.
The TSXV and CSE have not reviewed and do not accept responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.
This news release does not constitute an offer to sell, or a solicitation of an offer to buy, any securities in the United States.
Forward-Looking Information and Statements This press release contains certain “forward-looking information” within the meaning of applicable Canadian securities legislation and may also contain statements that may constitute “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of the safe harbor provisions of the United States Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Such forward-looking information and forward-looking statements are not representative of historical facts or information or current condition, but instead represent only LOOP and KABN NA beliefs regarding future events, plans or objectives, many of which, by their nature, are inherently uncertain and outside of LOOP and KABN NA’s control. Generally, such forward-looking information or forward-looking statements can be identified by the use of forward-looking terminology such as “plans”, “expects” or “does not expect”, “is expected”, “budget”, “scheduled”, “estimates”, “forecasts”, “intends”, “anticipates” or “does not anticipate”, or “believes”, or variations of such words and phrases or may contain statements that certain actions, events or results “may”, “could”, “would”, “might” or “will be taken”, “will continue”, “will occur” or “will be achieved”. The forward-looking information and forward-looking statements contained herein may include, but is not limited to, information concerning the ability of LOOP and KABN NA to generate revenues, roll out new programs and to successfully achieve business objectives, and expectations for other economic, business, and/or competitive factors.
By identifying such information and statements in this manner, LOOP and KABN NA are alerting the reader that such information and statements are subject to known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that may cause the actual results, level of activity, performance or achievements of the Company to be materially different from those expressed or implied by such information and statements. In addition, in connection with the forward-looking information and forward-looking statements contained in this press release, LOOP and KABN NA have made certain assumptions. Among the key factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those projected in the forward-looking information and statements are the following: changes in general economic, business and political conditions, including changes in the financial markets; changes in applicable laws; compliance with extensive government regulation. Should one or more of these risks, uncertainties or other factors materialize, or should assumptions underlying the forward-looking information or statements prove incorrect, actual results may vary materially from those described herein as intended, planned, anticipated, believed, estimated or expected.
Although LOOP and KABN NA believe that the assumptions and factors used in preparing, and the expectations contained in, the forward-looking information and statements are reasonable, undue reliance should not be placed on such information and statements, and no assurance or guarantee can be given that such forward-looking information and statements will prove to be accurate, as actual results and future events could differ materially from those anticipated in such information and statements. The forward-looking information and forward-looking statements contained in this press release are made as of the date of this press release, and LOOP and KABN NA do not undertake to update any forward-looking information and/or forward-looking statements that are contained or referenced herein, except in accordance with applicable securities laws. All subsequent written and oral forward- looking information and statements attributable to LOOP and KABN NA or persons acting on its behalf is expressly qualified in its entirety by this notice.
Posted by AGORACOM-JC
at 10:59 AM on Sunday, August 23rd, 2020
Beyond The AGM – St-George Eco-Mining, Segment 1 – Iceland
St-Georges Eco-Mining President and CEO, Vilhjalmur T. Vilhjalmsson and Dr Helen Salmon, one of the most knowledgeable academics that has specialised in Iceland Geology, discuss the state of mineral exploration in Iceland. *Includes answers to questions posted by St-Georges shareholders on AGORACOM Q&A
St-Georges Eco-Mining President and CEO, Vilhjalmur T. Vilhjalmsson and Enrico Di Cesare, President and CEO of St-Georges Metallurgy (A subsidiary of SX specialised in R&D) discuss the Company’s Lithium Processing Technology *Includes answers to questions posted by St-Georges shareholders on AGORACOM Q&A
Beyond The AGM – St-George Eco-Mining, Segment 3 – Canadian Resource Assets
Frank Dumas, COO & Director of St-Georges Eco-Mining, discusses the status of the Company’s Canadian exploration assets, including Julie and Manicouagan. *Includes answers to questions posted by St-Georges shareholders on AGORACOM Q&A
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Beyond The AGM – St-George Eco-Mining, Segment 4 – Borealis
Frank Dumas, COO & Director of St-Georges Eco-Mining, discusses the status of Borealis, a Distributed and Decentralised Digital Derivative marketplace that is currently 100% owned by St-Georges and is located in Iceland. *Includes answers to questions posted by St-Georges shareholders on AGORACOM Q&A
St-Georges Eco-Mining President and CEO, Vilhjalmur T. Vilhjalmsson and Frank Dumas, COO & Director of St-Georges Eco-Mining, discuss the overall status of the Company, it’s recovery from August 2018 and bright future looking forward. *Includes answers to questions posted by St-Georges shareholders on AGORACOM Q&A
Posted by AGORACOM-JC
at 9:12 AM on Friday, August 21st, 2020
SPONSOR: Imagine AR Inc. (IP:CSE) (IPNFF:OTCQB) is an Augmented Reality platform that allows businesses to easily launch AR campaigns. Clients Include: NBA Sacramento Kings, Mall of America, AT&T Shape and The Basketball Hall of Fame. The company recently announced partnership with Engaged Nation, an award winning leader in digital engagement marketing for casinos in addition to a collaboration with Music Superstar Flo Rida Learn More.
Apple quietly acquired Israel’s Camerai, formerly Tipit, a specialist in AR and camera tech
Apple is well known for picking up smaller startups on the hush-hush to augment its business, and today news leaked out about the latest of these… nearly two years after the fact
Sometime between 2018 and 2019, the iPhone giant reportedly acquired and shut down Camerai, an augmented reality and computer vision company based out of Israel, which used to be called Tipit.
Calcalist said that the startup sold for several tens of millions of dollars.
From being founded in 2015, Camerai had raised around $5 million — including a $2.5 million round in 2017 and another unreported $2.5 million in 2018 — with investors including the Atooro Fund and another called the SKO Fund.
Apple is well known for picking up smaller startups on the hush-hush to augment its business, and today news leaked out about the latest of these… nearly two years after the fact. Sometime between 2018 and 2019, the iPhone giant reportedly acquired and shut down Camerai, an augmented reality and computer vision company based out of Israel, which used to be called Tipit.
The news was first reported earlier today by Israeli newspaper Calcalist, and we have reached out to ask Apple directly about it. In the meantime, Jonathan (Yehonatan) Rimon, who had been Camerai’s CEO and co-founded the company with Moty Kosharovsky, Erez Tal and Aaron Wetzler, declined to comment one way or the other on the report when we contacted him directly about it. A separate source confirmed the story to us. We’ll update as we learn more.
Calcalist said that the startup sold for several tens of millions of dollars. From being founded in 2015, Camerai had raised around $5 million — including a $2.5 million round in 2017 and another unreported $2.5 million in 2018 — with investors including the Atooro Fund and another called the SKO Fund.
It seems that the acquisition came on the heels of multiple approaches from a number of companies at a time when AR was arguably at a peak of hype and many big tech companies wanted a piece of the action. (Recall that 2018 was the year when Magic Leap raised nearly $1 billion in a single round of funding.) Back in 2018, we heard rumors that those approaching and looking at the startup included Apple, Samsung and Alibaba.
The Calcalist report said that Camerai employees joined Apple’s computer vision team, and that the company’s technology has been incorporated into Apple products already. It’s not clear specifically where and when, but recall that both iOS 13 and iOS 14 have featured big software updates to the camera.
Camerai had built an SDK and specifically a range of software-based AR tools to help edit and use camera-made images in more sophisticated ways,
Its tech included the ability to detect different objects in the picture, and outline them with precision to alter them cosmetically; the ability to outline and apply filters across the whole image; a “skeleton tracking” neural network API that could detect and draw body joints in real time overlaid on a picture of a human; and its own version of selective focus for enhanced portrait modes (remember this was 2018 and this was not standard on phones at the time). Camerai’s site is shut down, but here are some screenshots of how it all looked, pulled from the Internet Archive:
Camerai’s acquisition underscores a couple of interesting, and ongoing, trends.
The first of these is in the development of smartphone technology, particularly around cameras. Some of the more interesting innovations in smartphone camera technology have come not out of improvements in hardware, but software, where the application of breakthroughs in artificial intelligence can mean that an existing combination of sensor, lens and on-phone and cloud processors produce a better and more technically dynamic picture than before.
At a time when smartphone replacement cycles have really slowed down and we are seeing also slower innovation on hardware, bolting on talent and tech created outside the phone companies is one way to gain a competitive edge.
(Separately, I wonder if making cutting-edge technology software-based also means that there could be scope in the future for paid updates to older phone models, which could mean more incremental revenues from consumers that don’t want to invest incompletely new devices.)
The second trend that this deal underscores is how Israel remains fertile ground for bigger companies on the hunt to pick up and bolt on technology, and that the secretive approach is likely to remain for some time to come.
“In Israel there are over 350 global corporate companies, from 30 countries, who search for local innovation. Some of them like Apple, MS, Google, even have local R&D [operations],” said Avihai Michaeli, a Tel Aviv-based senior investment banker and startup advisor. “Those global companies look mainly for tech which could serve as its competitive edge. It is not the first time that an acquired startup is asked not to publish it was acquired, nor talk about it.”
Other acquisitions that Apple has made in Israel have included camera module maker LinX, semiconductor startup Anobit and 3D sensor company PrimeSense.
Posted by AGORACOM-JC
at 5:08 PM on Thursday, August 20th, 2020
Loop Insights (MTRX:TSXV) could very well be the best e-commerce technology company we’ve seen in the past 10 years. We thought it when we saw it for the first time … and then the thinking really took hold when we showed Loop’s technology to retailer friends of ours, who jumped out of their phones.
So what does Loop do?
As their name suggests, they close the loop between brick and mortar locations and their e-commerce stores
But how do they do that?
Well, we know that all e-commerce sites have easy access to real-time insights, which leads to personal marketing. That’s how:
Amazon recommends a product based on a real-time purchase you are making;
Spotify recommends music based on music you are listening to in real-time;
NetFlix recommends other movies based on what you just watched.
What Loop is doing is creating that same experience for you in a physical retail location, which has NEVER been done. Whether you are in a hotel, casino, store, or stadium, Loop’s disruptive capability creates a real-time increase in spend, loyalty, foot traffic and wallet share. But don’t just take our word for it, here is what the largest brick & mortar CBD retailer in America had to say:
“There’s no greater time to utilize top-tier artificial intelligence technology to gain an edge in this industry. Our customer base is huge, and it’s important to understand their needs and preferences to maximize basket size, loyalty and wallet share. We look forward to working with Loop and building unparalleled experiences for our customers.”
If that wasn’t enough, here is what MTRX announced last month:
Now you know why we’re calling Loop Insights the best e-commerce technology company we’ve seen in 10 years.
Grab your favourite summer beverage, get comfortable and watch this powerful video with CEO, Rob Anson.
