We are living in interesting times these days. Just as the world seemed to have overcome the COVID pandemic, China confused the markets again by massive lockdowns, after 28,000 new cases were reported on November 22, 2022 alone. It is estimated that restrictions are affecting productivity up to one fifth of GDP, and in turn this has significant effect on the world economy, and most metal prices for example.

Although a recession seems to be in the cards now as expected by many experts, the Fed rate hike forecasts (25-50 base points) still imply a soft landing, as certain figures didn’t disappoint. The Fed looked at the signs of disinflation at housing and labor, and there has been a serious case of socalled fiscal contraction, contributing to the slow pace of demand growth.

Drilling at Regnault target, Frotet project, Quebec

It was good to meet up in person again after a long time with Kenorland Minerals (KLD.V)(3WQO.FSE) CEO Zach Flood at a great conference in Frankfurt last week (Deutsche Goldmesse, organized by Kai Hoffman), and discuss the latest drill results of their flagship Regnault in Quebec, and further plans of the company.

After raising C$2.3M @ C$0.06 (including a half 10c 2y warrant) in July of this year, Tectonic Metals (TECT:TSX.V; TETOF:OTCQB; T15B:FSE) recently received so much interest after CEO Tony Reda has been doing the rounds at conferences and roadshows, helped by Quinton Hennigh of Crescat Capital who has quite a bit of clout, that the company announced another financing on October 27, 2022.

CEO Elaine Ellingham (middle) at Wenot drill rig 

With the world economy slowly moving towards a recession it seems, with inflation, rate hikes, shortages and the Russia aggression far from being over, Omai Gold Mines (TSXV:OMG) decided not to back down and instead advanced their Omai gold project in Guyana, and reported a significant resource update on October 20, 2022.

Ice drilling at Regnault target, Frotet project, Quebec

Despite the turmoil going on in the world economy, causing many market commentators to forecast a recession, with the Fed desperately trying to control record inflation with more rate hikes coming up soon, and a Russian president using nuclear rhetorics and firing missiles all over Ukraine, scaring investors away from the markets, for Kenorland Minerals (KLD.V)(3WQO.FSE)

As the Yukon as a mining and exploration jurisdiction is becoming more and more attractive, it is also home to one of the, if not the, hottest gold exploration story at the moment (Snowline Gold, SGD.CSE), which certainly helps numerous other explorers in the region.

After raising C$1.25M in March this year, and acquiring several early stage copper-zinc and gold projects in Finland, Avrupa Minerals (TSXV:AVU)(OTC:AVPMF) didn’t have spectacular news to report this summer, as it had to wait on Sandfire (new owner of JV partner MATSA) scheduling/financing covenants for further exploration and upgrade of the Alvalade copper-zinc VMS project in Portugal.

At a time where Russia is annexing four provinces of Ukraine and threatening the rest of the world to use nuclear force to defend these “new territories”, shortages are everywhere from energy to food to materials and inflation isn’t under control yet, the stock markets are waiting for the Fed to pivot on their hawkish interest rate policies.

As the world is battling record inflation at the moment, and central banks across the globe are rising rates left, shortages keep increasing, consumer confidence is sinking, and in the background the Russia-Ukraine conflict seems to have entered a new phase as the Ukraine just liberated several thousands of square kilometers, Gold Terra Resource (TSXV:YGT)(OTCQX:YGTFF) (FRA:TXO) surprisingly announced a 541koz Au maiden resource estimate on their Con Mine property, more specifically on Yellorex.