In a time where the world seems to get increasingly used to the Russia and Israel conflicts, China antics on trade and Taiwan, and a Federal Reserve preparing for rate cuts beginning in June, the gold price has broken out pretty violently, and printed a new high over US$2,400/oz, and maintains these lofty levels so far.
The Prospectors & Developers Association of Canada (PDAC) was well attended this year, with 26,926 attendees coming to Toronto from all over the world, for the best business, investment and networking opportunities in the mineral exploration and mining industry. This was a significant improvement over last year, when 23,819 participants visited the largest mining conference on the planet.
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You don’t come across explorers like Vior (TSXV:VIO)(FRA:VL51) too often, with district scale prospective projects in its portfolio, strong backing (Osisko Mining, SOQUEM, Quebec funds) and high-quality core investor base for a small free float. The stock has been side-ranging since September, and is at an attractive entry point for new investors.
With the Federal Reserve pausing their rate hikes for now, awaiting developments for the economy although being somewhat surprised by the strength of it, expecting one more hike before year end but no quick pivot to rate cuts in 2024, general sentiment remains neutral, although a recession looms behind the scenes.
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.
Although lithium juniors are in somewhat of a correction phase after the last round of conferences ignited a real lithium hype, it is good to see Vior Inc. (TSXV:VIO)(FRA:VL51)(OTCQB:VIORF) joining the lithium narrative, as I firmly believe lithium supply will not be able to match demand in the foreseeable future, and shortages and resulting high prices will be the standard.
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.
Although the dust hasn’t settled in international capital markets, as inflation still runs rampant and the Federal Reserve is testing their rate policy, Vior Inc. (TSXV:VIO)(FRA:VL51)(OTCQB:VIORF), diligently goes on with their exploration program at their flagship Belleterre Gold project in Quebec.
Amidst rising inflation to levels not seen since the seventies, a Russia-Ukraïne conflict which now focuses on the Donbass and southern port cities, but seems contained for now, although it causes disruptions for commodity markets, and a Fed not sure what to do with interest rates, Vior Inc.
An old adage in mining says that to find a new mine, look in the shadow of the headframe of an old or existing mine. This is exactly what Vior Inc. (TSXV:VIO)(FRA:VL51) has been doing at the moment, as it has been exploring their flagship Belleterre Gold project in Quebec, which contains the historic high grade Belleterre gold mine (produced 759koz @ 10.73g/t Au from 1936 to 1959).