The markets keep generating mixed to negative signals: on one side you have high inflation causing lowering demand, higher interest rates, the Federal Reserve shrinking its balance sheet, a record credit crunch, banking crisis, deflating bubbles like real estate, decreasing manufacturing, port activities, lowering wages (although in Europe there is a wage-price spiral going on), in short everything points towards a recession.

In an uncertain time where 3 substantial US regional banks collapsed and European system bank Credit Suisse was on the verge of a meltdown but got sold just in time to Swiss counterpart UBS for just $3B, all banks supported by substantial packages by other banks and the Swiss Central Bank, gold is doing well, and is hovering around the US$2,000/oz.

As banks are getting into trouble left and right, with central banks saving bank customers (SVB) and lending up to US$54B (Credit Suisse) at the last minute in order to avoid a financial Armageddon, gold is doing well as the fear trade is on again, Goldshore Resources (TSXV:GSHR)(OTCQB:GSHRF)(FWB:8X00) keeps on churning out solid drill results at their fully owned flagship Moss Lake project in Ontario.

During the last PDAC, CEO Greg Ferron of Platinex (PTX:CSE)(9PX:FRA) was busy working with the regulators, Fancamp and investors to close the South Timmins JV and the C$2.5M financing as soon as possible. As there were lots of moving parts at work, CEO Ferron preferred to come out with all relevant news at once, but as the first tranche (C$1.25M) of the financing closed on March 10, 2023, 2 weeks after the intended (and disclosed) closing date but before the Fancamp transaction could be closed, separate news releases had to be announced.

At a time where sentiment seems to be turning into risk-off, with the markets contemplating whether the Fed options for a 50 basis points rate hike instead of the earlier telegraphed 25p raise as the latest inflation figures came in higher than expected despite solid market fundamentals, Aztec Minerals (AZT: TSX-V, OTCQB: AZZTF) doesn’t seem to bother too much, as it raised C$1.1M, outlined drill programs for their Cervantes and Tombstone projects, and very recently commenced drilling at Tombstone in Arizona.

In a world where the Fed might be contemplating a 50 basispoint raise instead of the earlier communicated 25 points, because of persistent, higher than expected inflation, but macro economic fundamentals remain strong, the stock markets are side ranging as a result.

1. Introduction

At a time where the Western hemisphere is looking to become less dependent on China and others for critical metals and minerals and is scrambling for battery metals, Inomin Mines (MINE.V)(FRA:IMC) is focusing on exploring exactly for these commodities. The company already experienced explosive drilling success in 2022 at their Beaver-Lynx project in British Columbia, by intercepting 252m of 20.6% Magnesium and 0.16% Nickel close to surface, accompanied by 4 other impressive holes.

After adding more claims to the highly prospective and strategically located district-scale Shining Tree Gold project and W2 Copper-Nickel-PGE project, both located in mining-friendly Ontario, Platinex Inc (PTX:CSE)(9PX:FRA) decided to expand their horizon, and acquired the Muskrat Dam Critical Minerals project, also located in Ontario.

As 2022 has come to an end, it might be appropriate to not only discuss the latest, successful raise by Banyan Gold, but also reflect on their many successes in 2022 , the potential for the price of gold in 2023, something that is material to Banyan Gold of course, and macro economics and the sector as a whole.

Although markets are turbulent again after the Federal Reserve raised another 50 base points as expected but didn’t appear to be as dovish as hoped for, Vior Inc. (TSXV:VIO)(FRA:VL51)(OTCQB:VIORF) has been looking for ways to generate other exploration success besides their flagship Belleterre project in Quebec, where the first two phases of exploration have been completed and will likely continue with a Phase III drill program in Q2, 2023.