What is palladium?

Palladium is a silver-white precious metal that is ductile, durable and resistant to corrosion. The metal also has a high melting point. Its symbol on the periodic table of elements is Pd.

Palladium is included in the platinum-group metals (PGMs) category, which also includes platinum, rhodium, iridium, ruthenium and osmium.

What is palladium used for? Palladium’s biggest use is in catalytic converters in gasoline-powered vehicles as it converts pollutants like hydrocarbons and carbon monoxide into water, carbon dioxide and more.

Palladium demand trends

Total palladium demand for 2025 is expected to come in at 9.63 million ounces, down about 4 percent from the previous year’s demand, according to the World Platinum Investment Council (WPIC), which provides quarterly market overviews.

Palladium’s four biggest demand sectors are automotive at 80.7 percent, industrial at 14.1 percent, investment at 2.9 percent and jewelry at 2.3 percent.

In the automotive industry, palladium is used in catalytic converters for vehicle exhaust systems, especially for gasoline engines. High prices for the metal in the early 2020s led to its sister metal platinum being increasingly substituted for palladium.

Demand from this sector is expected to decline by more than 4 percent year-on-year in 2025 to 7.74 million ounces as global auto sales and production are dropping during this period of economic uncertainty.

Another important factor impacting this segment of the market is the growing market for electric vehicles (EVs), which do not require catalytic converters as they don’t create polluting emissions. The transition to electric is placing downward pressure on palladium demand from the auto sector. However, the slowdown in EV adoption worldwide is lessening the impact.

Demand dynamics are shifting within the auto sector following the enactment of the Trump Administration’s One Big Beautiful Bill. Part of the legislation includes an end to EV tax credits that provided up to US$7,500 to consumers who purchased an EV.

Palladium supply trends

In top palladium country South Africa, there have been many mine disruptions in recent years, largely due to strikes, energy shortages and a lack of long-term investment in production facilities. Despite those risks, miners are still moving forward with palladium development in the region.

Russia is the source of 39 percent of global mined palladium supply. The country’s war in Ukraine has placed it at the other end of the sanctions sword as the world’s leaders try to force President Vladimir Putin to end the bloodshed. In April 2022, bourses in London and Chicago suspended two state-owned Russian refiners from their goods-delivery and sponge-accreditation lists. The US and UK took further steps in 2024 to banned trading of refined Russian metals, including palladium, from exchanges.

Despite a 4 percent decline year-over-year in palladium supply, the WPIC estimates that palladium is set to face supply deficits in 2025 and 2026. This is a continuation of an ongoing supply-demand imbalance in the palladium market. Mine supply of the metal is expected to decline by a compound annual growth rate of 1.1 percent from 2024 to 2029.

In 2025, according to WPIC estimates, palladium supply will see a shortfall of 260,000 ounces of the metal, down significantly from the 689,000 ounce deficit recorded in the previous year.

The market is expected to transition into a surplus in 2027. However, that outlook could change if the palladium recycling segment does not ramp up.

“Notably, the forecast of palladium going into surplus is entirely contingent on recycling supply growth,” states the WPIC. “If this does not materialise then palladium could remain in a deficit for the foreseeable future, which could materially alter palladium value expectations.”

How to invest in palladium

Investors who want exposure to palladium’s market dynamics and the palladium price may be interested in investing in the metal. There are several ways to invest in palladium, including palladium mining stocks, PGM ETFs, palladium bars and coins, and palladium futures.

Palladium stocks

One option investors can use to gain exposure to palladium is investing in palladium mining stocks and junior exploration stocks. Investors can buy palladium stocks through stock brokers and online stock-trading platforms.

Investing in primary palladium companies can be tricky, as most of the world’s palladium is produced as a by-product of platinum and nickel mines. However, companies with diversified exposure to metals can also provide protection during down markets for palladium with revenue from their other products.

To help you learn about palladium stocks you can buy, we profile palladium miners and junior PGM exploration companies below.

Major palladium mining stocks

Eastern Platinum (TSX:ELR,OTC Pink:ELRFF)
Eastern Platinum, or Eastplats, has a number of directly and indirectly owned PGM assets in the Bushveld Complex of South Africa. Eastplats is ramping up production of PGMs, including palladium, and chrome concentrates at Crocodile River’s new Zandfontein underground mine.

Impala Platinum Holdings (OTCQX:IMPUF,JSE:IMP)
Impala Platinum, or Implats, is one of the most prominent platinum and palladium mining companies in the world. The company has majority ownership or joint ventures in four PGM mining operations and a refining facility in South Africa’s Bushveld Complex, two PGM mining operations in Zimbabwe and the Lac des Iles PGM mine in Ontario, Canada.

Sibanye Stillwater (NYSE:SBSW,JSE:SSW)
Sibanye Stillwater is one of the world’s largest primary platinum and palladium producers, and its circular economy business model includes palladium recycling. The company has numerous PGM operations in South Africa and the US. Its US Stillwater and East Boulder operations are in Montana’s Stillwater Complex, the country’s largest source of PGMs.

Valterra Platinum (LSE:VALT,JSE:VAL,OTC Pink:ANGPY)
Valterra Platinum, formerly Amplats, is a leading primary producer of PGMs, supplying mined and recycled platinum products. The company’s operations are the Mogalakwena PGM mine, Amandelbult complex and Mototolo mine in South Africa’s Bushveld Complex. Valterra was demerged from Anglo American (LSE:AAL,OTC Pink:AAUKF) in 2025.

Junior palladium stocks

The following TSXV- and TSX-listed companies are examples of smaller-scale stocks that offer investors exposure to palladium, in addition to platinum and other metals.

Bravo Mining (TSXV:BRVO,OTCQX:BRVMF)
Bravo Mining owns the Luanga PGM-gold-nickel project in the Carajás Mineral Province of Brazil. The project’s 2025 mineral resource estimate shows measured and indicated resources of 10.4 million ounces of palladium equivalent at 2.04 grams per metric ton (g/t).

Canada Nickel Company (TSXV:CNC,OTCQX:CNIKF)
Canada Nickel Company is advancing its Crawford nickel-cobalt sulfide project in the Timmins-Cochrane mining camp of Ontario. The project also hosts significant palladium and platinum mineralized zones.

Canadian North Resources (TSXV:CNRI,OTCQX:CNRSF),
Canada North Resources owns the late-stage Ferguson Lake exploration project in the Kivalliq Region of Nunavut, Canada. The polymetallic project hosts base metals nickel, copper and cobalt as well as PGMs, including 3.53 million ounces of palladium and 630,000 ounces of platinum in the indicated category.

Chalice Mining (ASX:CHN)
Chalice Mining owns the Gonneville project in Western Australia, which holds palladium, platinum, nickel, cobalt and copper. The Western Australia government designated Gonneville a strategic project in recognition of the project’s importance for the country’s critical metals industry, and Chalice expects to complete its pre-feasibility study in November 2025.

Clean Air Metals (TSXV:AIR,OTCQB:CLRMF)
Clean Air Metals is focused on its wholly owned exploration-stage Thunder Bay North critical minerals project in the Thunder Bay region of Ontario, Canada. The project hosts platinum, palladium, copper and niobium mineralization, with an indicated resource of 1.2 million ounces of combined platinum and palladium.

GT Resources (TSXV:GT)
GT Resources is developing critical green transportation metals projects in North America and Europe. Its portfolio includes the North Rock copper-palladium-platinum project in Canada, and the Läntinen Koillismaa copper-palladium-platinum project in Finland.

Ivanhoe Mines (TSX:IVN,OTCQX:IVPAF),
Ivanhoe Mines is developing the Platreef project in South Africa. The Robert Friedland-led company is working on a phased expansion of the project, which is expected to become one of the world’s largest and lowest-cost producers of palladium, platinum, rhodium, nickel, copper and gold.

Lifezone Metals (NYSE:LZM)
Lifezone Metals has developed Hydomet, a hydrometallurgical processing technology, as a cleaner alternative to smelting for base and precious metals refining. The company has a joint venture partnership agreement with Glencore (LSE:GLEN,OTC Pink:GLCNF) in which Lifezone will use Hydromet to recycle palladium, platinum and rhodium, and Glencore will act as the offtaker and marketer.

New Age Metals (TSXV:NAM)
New Age Metals is a junior mineral exploration company developing its discrict-scale River Valley property in Ontario, considered one of North America’s largest undeveloped platinum group element projects. The company also holds a 100 percent interest in the Genesis PGE-copper-nickel project in Alaska.

Platinum Group Metals (TSX:PTM,NYSE:PLG)
Platinum Group Metals is working to bring into production its advanced-stage Waterberg PGM deposit in South Africa’s Bushveld Complex. First discovered by the company, the project is now a joint venture with key partners that include Implats at 14.86 percent. Platinum Group retains a 50.16 percent position in Waterberg and will be the majority operator.

Stillwater Critical Minerals (TSXV:PGE,OTCQB:PGEZF)
Stillwater Critical Minerals is advancing its large-scale flagship Stillwater West platinum, palladium, nickel, copper, cobalt and gold project in Montana, US.

Ramp Metals (TSXV:RAMP)
Ramp Metals owns the Rottenstone SW and PLD projects in Saskatchewan, Canada. Rottenstone is situated adjacent to a northeast-southwest geological formation connected to the historic Rottenstone mine, which produced nickel, PGMs and gold, although Ramp is currently focused on gold and copper at the site.

Palladium ETFs

Palladium-backed exchange-traded funds (ETFs) and products (ETPs) track the precious metal like an index fund, but trade like stocks on an exchange. These palladium and PGM ETFs allow US, Canadian and Australian investors access to the palladium price.

Sprott Physical Platinum and Palladium Trust Unit (ARCA:SPPP,TSX:SPPP)
The Sprott Physical Platinum and Palladium Trust ETF was created to invest and hold substantially all of its assets in physical palladium and platinum bullion. It currently holds over 155,000 ounces of palladium and over 235,000 ounces of platinum. The portfolio is held in custody at a federal crown corporation of the Canadian government.

Aberdeen Standard Physical Palladium Shares (ARCA:PALL)
The Aberdeen Standard Physical Palladium Shares is designed to track the performance of the palladium price, less expenses. It holds over 500,000 ounces of palladium in London at a secured vault belonging to JPMorgan Chase & Co. (NYSE:JPM).

Global X Physical Palladium Structured (ASX:ETPMPD)
Global X Physical Palladium is an ASX-listed platinum ETP that provides Australian investors access to palladium held in JP Morgan storage facilities.

Palladium bars and coins

Another option for investing in palladium is by holding physical assets directly, such as bullion. In fact, financial investors may buy palladium bullion bars, palladium bullion coins or collectible palladium coins for portfolio growth. This approach may suit multiple kinds of investors, from those looking to invest small amounts of money in the metal to those with larger quantities of cash.

Kitco’s online physical palladium market is an example of where investors can buy and sell palladium bars and palladium coins, and this option includes home delivery. Another option is BullionVault’s online palladium marketplace, which allows investors to trade palladium that is stored in vaults, although they do not get to physically hold their metals themselves.

For more information on how to invest in precious metals coins and bullion, check out our guide on buying physical gold, as much of the advice also applies to physical palladium investing.

Palladium futures

Palladium futures, a derivative instrument tied directly to the price of the actual metal, are another key option.

Palladium futures are available for trade on the New York Mercantile Exchange (NYMEX), which is part of the CME Group. For more information on precious metals futures investing, see our guides to gold futures and silver futures.

For investors unfamiliar with futures investing, futures are a financial contract between an investor and a seller, in which the investor agrees to purchase an asset from the seller at an agreed-upon price based on a date set in the future.

Rather than owning physical metals themselves, investors speculating in the futures market are instead making bets on whether the price of a particular commodity will rise or fall in the near future.

For example, if you buy a palladium futures contract believing the price of metal is set to rise, and your prediction proves correct, you could gain a return on your investment by selling the now more valuable futures contract before it expires.

However, they’re not for novice investors, so be sure to do further research if you decide to use this investment method.

Nextech3D.ai (CSE:NTAR,OTCQB:NEXCF,FSE:1SS) is a pure-play AI and blockchain company transforming the global event and ticketing industry. Its end-to-end event management platform powers every stage of live, virtual, and hybrid events—from registration and ticketing to engagement and analytics.

With the acquisitions of Eventdex and the Event Token ecosystem, Nextech3D.ai now offers a fully unified platform combining AI matchmaking, blockchain ticketing, registration, mobile apps, and badge printing in one seamless, secure system—eliminating the fragmentation of traditional event tech.

Backed by 500+ returning customers and a 95% retention rate, Nextech3D.ai generates predictable SaaS-style revenue with 88 percent gross margins. The company is now scaling rapidly, driven by the rollout of blockchain ticketing and AI-powered event automation.

Company Highlights

• AI + Blockchain Convergence: Nextech3D.ai delivers a unified, full-stack platform for event management, ticketing and conferences, combining AI automation and blockchain ticketing into a single ecosystem that powers the entire event lifecycle.
• Disrupting a Legacy Industry: Positioned to modernize a global +$85 billion event and ticketing market, Nextech’s integrated platform replaces fragmented vendor systems with one intelligent, secure and data-driven solution.
• Recurring High-margin Growth: With 88 to 95 percent gross margins, over 500 recurring customers, and a 95 percent retention rate, Nextech operates a SaaS-style business model built on predictable, repeat revenue.
• Blockchain Ticketing First Mover: Its Ethereum-based blockchain ticketing and Event Token ecosystem eliminate fraud and enable programmable resale royalties, sponsor airdrops and cross-event loyalty rewards.
• Founder-led with Strong Insider Alignment: CEO Evan Gappelberg is the company’s single largest shareholder with approximately 30 million shares, ensuring management’s interests are fully aligned with long-term investors.
• Strategic Growth Path to Profitability: With disciplined cost control, sequential quarterly growth, and new integrations via the Eventdex acquisition, Nextech3D.ai is entering a period of accelerating revenue and sustainable profitability

This Nextech3D.ai profile is part of a paid investor education campaign.*

Click here to connect with Nextech3D.ai (CSE:NTAR,OTCQB:NEXCF, FSE:1SS) to receive an Investor Presentation

Bitcoin and Ether price update

Bitcoin (BTC) was priced at US$106,465, a 3.3 percent decrease in 24 hours. BTC’s lowest valuation today was US$105,040, and its highest was US$108,137.

Despite ending last week with promising upside momentum, the persistent presence of strong sell pressure is acting as a barrier to accessing key resistance levels, raising doubts about sustained bullish recovery.

Analysts like Ted Pillows highlighted a pattern of weekend price pumps that typically do not hold during regular trading days.

Indeed, BTC started November with a 2 percent drop. Market participants are bracing for retests of support below the psychologically important US$100,000 level. Institutional demand has also weakened sharply, with significant outflows recorded from major Bitcoin ETFs.

Ether (ETH) was priced at US$3,573.75, a 7.4 percent decrease in 24 hours, and its lowest valuation of the day. Its highest was US$3,890.47.

Meanwhile, the market capitalization of privacy-preserving cryptocurrencies has surpassed US$24 billion, an increase of about 80 percent over the past week, led by Dash (DASH) and Zcash (ZEC).

Altcoin price update

• Solana (SOL) was priced at US$164.07, down 11.1 percent over the last 24 hours and at its lowest valuation of the day. Its highest was US$176.52.
• XRP was trading for US$2.28, a decrease of 8.7 percent over the last 24 hours. Its lowest valuation of the day was US$2.27, and its highest was US$2.42.

Crypto derivatives and market indicators

The crypto derivatives market remains active with high liquidation volumes, US$16.49 million for BTC and US$32.87 million for ETH in the four hours leading up to the closing bell, indicating ongoing bullish positions.

Open interest has slightly declined: 1.10 percent for BTC to US$69.57 billion and 0.78 percent for ETH to US$44.51 billion, reflecting cautious trader sentiment.

However, funding rates of 0.006 for BTC and 0.001 for ETH suggest a bullish bias persists. Additionally, the RSI near 38 indicates the market is approaching oversold levels, hinting at potential short-term stabilization or reversal.

This mix of technical opportunity amid cautious sentiment underlines the need for close monitoring of derivative positions and market reactions ahead.

Bitcoin dominance in the crypto market now stands at 60.3 percent, roughly two percent higher compared to last week. The Fear and Greed Index dipped three points further into the fear zone from last week to 36.

Today’s crypto news to know

Canada set to unveil draft stablecoin legislation

Sources for the Globe & Mail said on Friday that Ottawa will introduce draft stablecoin legislation as soon as December. The plan will reportedly be unveiled alongside the Federal budget on Tuesday (November 4) and tabled before the holiday recess. Sources also said that lawmakers drew inspiration for the legislation from the Genius Act.

The unidentified sources, who have reportedly viewed the draft, also indicated that it is deficient in clearly defining a digital currency and specifying who would be responsible for its oversight.

Canada currently applies dual regulatory frameworks for digital currencies depending on their nature and use. Some are treated as securities, giving authority to provincial and territorial governments, while others are treated as payment instruments under federal authority.

This overlapping jurisdiction results from the absence of a clear, unified legal definition for digital currencies in the country.

IREN becomes latest Bitcoin miner to diversify into AI

Bitcoin miner IREN has signed a US$9.7 billion multi-year GPU cloud services contract with Microsoft (NASDAQ:MSFT), the company announced this morning.

Under the terms of the deal, IREN will provide Microsoft access to NVIDIA (NASDAQ:NVDA) GPUs hosted within its data centers. In addition, IREN secured a US$5.8 billion equipment deal with Dell Technologies to support this GPU infrastructure.

This highlights a broader industry pivot among Bitcoin miners diversifying into AI computing services and data infrastructure amid tightening mining margins. Other miners like Hive Digital Technologies (TSXV:HIVE,NASDAQ:HIVE), MARA Holdings (NASDAQ:MARA), Riot Platforms (NASDAQ:RIOT) and TeraWulf (NASDAQ:WULF) are also making strategic moves into AI and high-performance computing sectors.

Ripple launches digital asset spot prime brokerage service

Ripple announced the official launch of its digital asset spot prime brokerage service, a new offering aimed at enabling streamlined access to spot digital asset trading for institutional clients.

The move underscores Ripple’s efforts to expand its suite of services in the growing digital asset market and follows its US$1.25 billion acquisition of Hidden Road, a multi-asset prime brokerage firm. This acquisition positioned Ripple as the first cryptocurrency company to own and operate a global multi-asset prime broker.

“The launch of OTC spot execution capabilities complements our existing suite of OTC and cleared derivatives services in digital assets and positions us to provide U.S. institutions with a comprehensive offering to suit their trading strategies and needs,” said Michael Higgins, International CEO, Ripple Prime.

Investor Insight

A cycle-aware gold developer-explorer focused on value creation at the steepest part of the Lassonde Curve – pairing a de-risked Canadian gold project with transformational discovery potential in Mexico, and overlaying partner-funded uranium exposure.

Advancing community partnerships in both jurisdictions underpin the strategy, ensuring responsible advancement and alignment with stakeholders.

With a tight share structure and disciplined approach, Fortune Bay is positioned for multiple near-term catalysts as capital flows back into quality juniors.

Overview

Fortune Bay (TSXV:FOR,FWB:5QN,OTCQB:FTBYF) is a technically driven gold exploration and development company whose strategy is to create value at the steepest part of the Lassonde Curve. The company advances assets through discovery, resource expansion and early-stage development, then seeks monetization routes (sales, JV buyouts, M&A, royalties or equity) before the project enters capital-intensive build phases. This cycle-aware approach aims to maximize per-share value while minimizing dilution.

The current portfolio spans two 100-percent-owned gold projects – Goldfields in Saskatchewan, Canada, and Poma Rosa (formerly Ixhuatán) in Chiapas, Mexico. These projects are complemented by three uranium assets in Saskatchewan – Murmac, Strike and The Woods – that are being advanced under partner funding.

In 2025, Fortune Bay entered into an agreement with Cormark Securities Inc., as lead underwriter and sole bookrunner, for a “bought deal” private placement totaling C$8,000,071. Proceeds of the placement will help accelerate permitting and pre-feasibility work at the Goldfields Gold Project, launch exploration at Poma Rosa, and support ongoing growth and operations.

Overall, Fortune Bay’s business strategy blends a de-risked development asset (Goldfields) with transformational discovery potential (Poma Rosa), and non-dilutive uranium exposure, positioning the company for multiple catalysts and potential re-rating as market capital flows into quality juniors.

Company Highlights

• Cycle-smart model: Advancing projects through discovery, resource expansion and early-stage development, then monetizing before the capital-intensive build phase.
• Poma Rosa Project (Mexico): Historical gold resource at Campamento (1.04 Moz measured and indicated; 0.70 Moz inferred) sitting atop an untested porphyry system – offering both near-term ounces and discovery blue-sky; community re-engagement progressing to enable exploration restart. Historical estimate, not treated as current under NI 43-101.
• Uranium optionality, non-dilutive: Advancing Murmac & Strike (optioned to Aero Energy) and The Woods (optioned to Neu Horizon) under partner capital while Fortune Bay remains operator, leveraging uranium expertise, offsetting overhead and preserving discovery upside and exposure to uranium market tailwinds.
• Strong leadership: Led by discovery-driven geologists and capital-markets veterans with a track record of building and monetizing companies.
• Fully Funded: Fortune Bay raises C$8.0 million in a bought deal with Cormark Securities.

Key Projects

Goldfields Project

Located in Saskatchewan, Canada, Goldfields sits in one of the world’s top mining jurisdictions with road access, nearby hydropower, historical mining infrastructure and well-advanced permitting groundwork. The project’s 2022 preliminary economic assessment (PEA) outlined 101 koz/yr average production over 8.3 years with C$234 million initial capex and life-of-mine all-in sustaining cost of US$889/oz (base case US$1,650/oz), with strong sensitivity to higher gold prices.

In 2025, Fortune Bay released an updated preliminary economic assessment (PEA) for the Goldfields project in Saskatchewan, outlining a sub-5,000 tpd open-pit mine designed to leverage existing infrastructure and permits. At a base gold price of US$2,600/oz, the project delivers an after-tax NPV5 percent of C$610 million and a 44 percent IRR, rising to C$1,253 million NPV and 74 percent IRR at spot gold (~US$3,650/oz). The plan includes a 13.9-year mine life with 896,000 ounces of payable gold, cash costs of US$1,207/oz and AISC of US$1,330/oz, supported by an initial capex of C$301 million. With 97 percent of ounces in the mine plan classified as indicated and additional upside from expansion drilling, the project demonstrates both low risk and strong growth potential.

An updated mineral resource estimate (MRE), effective September 11, 2025, was completed as part of the updated PEA to account for a slightly lower cut-off grade reflecting higher gold prices. The resources are constrained within a conceptual open-pit shell. Prepared by SRK Consulting (Canada) in accordance with CIM Guidelines and NI 43-101, this MRE replaces the previous estimate dated September 1, 2022. SRK used the same resource estimation procedures and also developed the supporting mineralization models, which were informed by structural and petrographic studies.

The MRE reconciles to within 1 percent of historical mine production at Box when the historically reported process plant recovery of 96 percent is applied, providing additional confidence in the estimate.

Poma Rosa Gold-Copper Project

In Chiapas, Mexico, Poma Rosa hosts the Campamento epithermal gold-silver system with a historical resource of 1.04 Moz gold, measured and indicated, and 0.70 Moz gold inferred, and sits above a large, under-evaluated copper-gold porphyry system evidenced by broad mineralized intercepts, including 601.4 m @ 0.3 percent copper, 0.7 g/t gold and 2.7 g/t silver at Cerro La Mina, and multiple target areas across the tenement.

Fortune Bay is re-establishing community relationships to enable exploration agreements and a restart of field programs, with a pathway that includes updating the historical resource to current NI 43-101 standards and testing porphyry/skarn targets. The Campamento estimate is historical and not treated as current.

Uranium Portfolio

The Murmac and Strike projects are optioned to Aero Energy, while The Woods is optioned to Neu Horizon. Together, they cover more than 60,000 hectares on and near the Athabasca Basin’s northern rim, targeting shallow, basement-hosted high-grade deposits. Drilling at Murmac/Strike has confirmed Athabasca-style mineralization with multiple shallow uranium intercepts. Meanwhile, The Woods offers district-scale potential along the Grease River Shear Zone with extreme surface/lake-sediment uranium anomalism. Fortune Bay remains the operator for these assets, while partners fund exploration, generating non-dilutive income and preserving discovery leverage.

Management Team

Wade Dawe – Executive Chairman

Wade Dawe is an accomplished entrepreneur, financier and investor . He has founded or co-founded a number of successful companies, including Keeper Resources, which was sold for $51.6 million in 2008, and Brigus Gold, which was acquired by Primero Mining in 2014 in an all-share deal valued at $351 million. Dawe is currently a director of TSX-listed Pivot Technology Solutions and of TSXV-listed kneat.com. He holds a Bachelor of Commerce degree from Memorial University (MUN), where he serves on the Advisory Board to the Faculty of Business Administration.

Dale Verran – Chief Executive Officer

Dale Verran is an exploration geologist and mining executive with over 25 years of international experience. He has a track-record of successful project generation, discovery and project advancement, in both Africa and Canada. Prior to joining Fortune Bay, Verran served as vice-president, exploration for Denison Mines, where he was involved in the discovery of over 70 million pounds of U3O8. He is a former executive technical director for a large independent exploration group operating in Africa, Remote Exploration Services, and former exploration manager for Manica Minerals, a private prospect generator company with an extensive multi-commodity portfolio of projects in Africa.

Sarah Oliver – Chief Financial Officer

Sarah Oliver has more than 10 years of experience working in the accounting and finance industries – most recently as the chief financial officer of the predecessor company to Fortune Bay. She worked with PwC Canada in their consulting and deals group and then in their assurance practice, as a senior manager where she assisted her clients through various acquisitions and mergers, public and private financings and advising on accounting policy and control implementation. Oliver has been a chartered professional accountant, chartered accountant since 2007.

Gareth Garlick – VP Technical Services

Gareth Garlick has approximately 25 years of international experience in the mining and mineral exploration industry. He is experienced in all aspects of the mining cycle, ranging from grassroots exploration to resource estimation and resource reconciliation on producing mines, and has been overseeing all of Fortune Bay’s operational and development-related work. Garlick is a registered P.Geo (EGBC) and holds a Bachelor of Science (Honours) in Geology from the University of Cape Town.

Investor Insight

Executing a well-defined project development strategy for its lithium assets and advancing Direct Lithium Extraction (DLE), CleanTech Lithium is poised to become a key player in the supply of lithium carbonate and the global battery market.

Overview

CleanTech Lithium (AIM:CTL,Frankfurt:T2N) is a resource exploration and development company with three lithium assets in Chile, a world-renowned mining-friendly jurisdiction. The company aims to be a leading supplier of ‘green lithium’ to the electric vehicle (EV) market and growing Energy Storage Systems (ESS) market, leveraging direct lithium extraction (DLE) – a low-impact, low-carbon and low-water method of extracting lithium from brine. DLE enables lower grade projects to be economically viable. New projects using this method will be critical to meet the forecasted demand.

Lithium demand is soaring as a result of a rapidly expanding EV market and ESS proposed pipeline of projects. As part of Chile’s National Lithium Strategy, the company’s flagship Laguna Verde has been named one of six salars prioritized for development — positioning CleanTech Lithium as a key private partner in unlocking the country’s lithium potential.

With an experienced team in natural resources, CleanTech Lithium holds itself accountable to a responsible ESG-led approach, a critical advantage for governments and major car and battery manufacturers looking to secure a cleaner supply chain.

Laguna Verde is at pre-feasibility study stage which is to be completed imminently. Based on previous drilling campaigns from 2022 to 2024, the project has a JORC resource estimate of 1.63 Mt of lithium carbonate equivalent (LCE) while Viento Andino boasts 0.92 Mt LCE, each supporting 20,000 tons per annum (tpa) production with a 30-year and 12-year mine life, respectively and based on the Scoping Studies published in 2023. The latest drilling programme at Laguna Verde finished in June 2024, results from which will be used to convert resources into reserves.

The company is carrying out the necessary environmental impact assessments in partnership with the local communities. The indigenous communities will provide valuable data that will be included in the assessments. The company has signed agreements with three of the core communities to support the project development.

DLE Pilot Plant Inauguration event held in May 2024 with local stakeholders and indigenous communities in attendance

Salar de Atacama/Arenas Blancas comprises 140 licenses covering 377 sq km in the Salar de Atacama basin, one of the leading lithium-producing regions in the world with proven mineable deposits of 9.2 Mt.

CleanTech Lithium is committed to an ESG-led approach to its strategy and supporting its downstream partners looking to secure a cleaner supply chain. In line with this, the company plans to use renewable energy and the innovative DLE process across its projects. DLE is considered an efficient option for lithium brine extraction that makes the least environmental impact, with no use of evaporation ponds, no carbon-intensive processes and reduced levels of water consumption. In recognition, Chile’s government plans to prioritize DLE for all new lithium projects in the country.

CleanTech Lithium’s pilot DLE plant in Copiapó was commissioned in the first quarter of 2024. To date, the company has completed the first stage of production from the DLE pilot plant producing an initial volume of 88 cubic metres of concentrated eluate – the lithium carbonate equivalent (LCE) of approximately one tonne over an operating period of 384 hours with 14 cycles. Results show the DLE adsorbent achieved a lithium recovery rate of approximately 95 percent from the brine, with total recovery (adsorption plus desorption) achieving approximately 88 percent. The Company’s downstream conversion process is successfully producing pilot-scale samples of lithium carbonate . As of January 2025, the Company is producing lithium carbonate from Laguna Verde concentrated eluate at the downstream pilot plant – recently proven to be high purity (99.78 percent). Click for highlights video.

CTL’s experienced management team, with expertise throughout the natural resources industry, leads the company toward its goal of producing green lithium for the EV and ESS markets. Expertise includes geology, lithium extraction engineering and corporate administration.

Company Highlights

• Proven Commitment to Chile’s Lithium Future: Over US$30 million invested and agreements with local indigenous communities reflect CleanTech Lithium’s commitment to developing sustainable, high-quality lithium assets aligned with Chile’s National Lithium Strategy.
• Clean, Fast, and Efficient Extraction: Utilizing Direct Lithium Extraction (DLE) to deliver battery-grade lithium carbonate faster, at lower cost, and with minimal environmental impact.
• Flagship Project Advancing: The Laguna Verde project is at the pre-feasibility stage, paving the way for strategic partnership discussions.
• Operational DLE Pilot Plant: An active pilot plant in Copiapó designed to produce ~1 tonne LCE, validating scalable, low-impurity lithium production.
• High-Purity Lithium Achieved: In January 2025, the company produced 99.78 percent purity lithium carbonate, confirming product quality.
• Committed to ESG Excellence: An ESG-first approach ensures responsible operations aligned with clean supply chain and focused on developing the project with net-zero goals in mind.

Key Projects

Laguna Verde Lithium Project

The 217 sq km Laguna Verde project features a sq km hypersaline lake at the low point of the basin with a large sub-surface aquifer ideal for DLE. Laguna Verde is the company’s most advanced asset.

Project Highlights:

• Prolific JORC-compliant Resource Estimate: The asset has a JORC-compliant resource estimate of 1.63 Mt of LCE at a grade of 200 mg/L lithium with further drilling planned.
• Environmentally Friendly Extraction: The company’s asset is amenable to DLE. Instead of sending lithium brine to evaporation ponds, DLE uses a unique process where resin extracts lithium from brine, and then re-injects the brine back into the aquifer, with minimal depletion of the resources. The DLE process reduces the impact on environment, water consumption levels and production time compared with evaporation ponds and hard-rock mining methods.
• Scoping Study: Scoping study completed in January 2023 indicated a production of 20,000 tons per annum LCE and an operational life of 30 years. Highlights of the study also includes:
  • Total revenues of US$6.3 billion
  • IRR of 45.1 percent and post-tax NPV8 of US$1.8 billion
  • Net cash flow of US$215 million

Pre-Feasibility Study and Project Development

The Pre-Feasibility Study (PFS) is nearly complete, with resource and wellfield design dependent on the finalized government polygon. This will allow CTL to expand its resources and develop wells on the newly acquired Minergy licences. Please refer to RNS dated 11th August 2025 available at www.ctlithium.com for more details.

Publication of the PFS will be deferred until CTL enters the streamlined CEOL process for confidentiality reasons. With existing infrastructure at Laguna Verde and the carbonate plant in Copiapó, project development conditions remain highly favourable.

CleanTech Lithium is advancing its Special Lithium Operating Contract (CEOL) application with the Chilean Government, which grants rights to exploit and sell lithium within a defined area.

To meet CEOL criteria, CTL recently acquired Minergy’s 30 mining licences at Laguna Verde, increasing ownership to over 97 percent of the government’s proposed project polygon. The milestone-based purchase deal strengthens CTL’s position and, together with shareholder support, is expected to enable entry into the streamlined CEOL process — a key milestone that could drive a major revaluation as the company capitalizes on the lithium market recovery.

Viento Andino Lithium Project

CleanTech Lithium’s second-most advanced asset covers 127 square kilometers and is located within 100 km of Laguna Verde, with a current resource estimate of 0.92 Mt of LCE, including an indicated resource of 0.44 Mt LCE. The company’s planned second drill campaign aims to extend known deposits further.

Project Highlights:

• 2022 Lithium Discovery: Recently completed brine samples from the initial drill campaign indicate an average lithium grade of 305 mg/L.
• Scoping Study: A scoping study was completed in September 2023 indicating a production of up to 20,000 tons per annum LCE for an operational life of more than 12 years. Other highlights include:
  • Net revenues of US$2.5 billion
  • IRR of 43.5 percent and post-tax NPV 8 of US$1.1 billion
• Additional Drilling: Once drilling at Laguna Verde is completed in 2024, CleanTech Lithium plans to commence further drilling at Viento Andino for a potential resource upgrade.

Arenas Blancas

The project comprises 140 licences covering 377 sq km in the Salar de Atacama basin, a known lithium region with proven mineable deposits of 9.2 Mt and home to two of the world’s leading battery-grade lithium producers SQM and Albermarle. Following the granting of the exploration licences in 2024, the Cleantech Lithium is designing a work programme for the project.

The Board

Steve Kesler – Independent Non-executive Chairman

Steve Kesler has 45 years of executive and board roles experience in the mining sector across all major capital markets including AIM. Direct lithium experience as CEO/director of European Lithium and Chile experience with Escondida and as the first CEO of Collahuasi, previously held senior roles at Rio Tinto and BHP.

Ignacio Mehech – CEO

Ignacio Mehech brings over a decade of senior leadership experience in the lithium and mining sectors. During his seven-year tenure at Albemarle—the world’s largest producer of battery-grade lithium—he spent the last three years as Country Manager in Chile, overseeing a workforce of 1,100 and managing critical relationships with government, indigenous communities, and other key stakeholders. Mehech brings deep expertise in lithium project development, regulatory engagement, and sustainability. He has led high-profile engagements with global investors, customers, NGOs, analysts, scientists, and international governments. He also played a key leadership role in the El Abra copper operation—a joint venture between Codelco and Freeport-McMoRan—where he led the legal strategy and contributed to corporate transformation initiatives. Mehech holds a law degree from the Universidad de Chile and a Master’s in Energy and Resources Law from the University of Melbourne.

Paul Atherton – Non-executive Director

Paul Atherton is a Chartered Accountant with extensive experience in corporate finance across professional services and resource companies in sub-Saharan Africa. He served as CFO and later CEO of Heritage Oil, a former FTSE 250 company, before pursuing his interests as an angel investor and board director across the resources, technology, and healthcare sectors. A resident of Jersey, Paul also chairs the Board’s Audit & Risk Committee.