Jindalee Lithium (JLL:AU) has announced Despatch of SPP Offer Documents
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Here’s a quick recap of the crypto landscape for Wednesday (October 22) as of 9:00 p.m. UTC.
Get the latest insights on Bitcoin, Ether and altcoins, along with a round-up of key cryptocurrency market news.
Bitcoin and Ether price update
Bitcoin (BTC) was priced at US$107,811, a 3.5 percent decrease in 24 hours. Its lowest valuation of the day was US$107,657, and its highest was US$108,936.
Bitcoin price performance, October 22, 2025.
Chart via TradingView.
Bitwise Chief Investment Officer Matt Hougan believes gold’s explosive price performance this year could offer a glimpse of what lies ahead for Bitcoin, arguing that the world’s top cryptocurrency may be preparing for a similar structural breakout once its remaining pool of sellers runs dry.
Gold has surged roughly 57 percent in 2025, powered largely by sustained central bank accumulation. Bitcoin, meanwhile, has traded in a relatively narrow range between US$108,000 and US$112,000. According to Hougan, the comparison between the two assets provides a potential roadmap for their trajectory going into next year.
“Don’t look at gold’s meteoric rise with envy. Look at it with anticipation. It could end up showing us where bitcoin is headed,” Hougan wrote in a client note this week.
In addition, steady accumulation by exchange-traded funds (ETFs) and corporate treasuries has provided a similar source of structural demand. Since the launch of spot Bitcoin ETFs in January 2024, institutions and corporations have purchased roughly 1.39 million BTC, far outpacing new supply generated by the network.
Market data this week supports the idea of renewed accumulation. Following a US$19 billion liquidation event earlier this month, spot Bitcoin ETFs have recorded US$477 million in positive net inflows.
Predictions about a breakdown below US$100,000 have not materialized, though ongoing long liquidations over the past four hours reveal how vulnerable bullish traders remain near current support.
Ether (ETH) was priced at US$3,796.34, a 4.9 percent decrease in 24 hours. Its lowest valuation of the day was US$3,795.42, and its highest was US$3,873.52.
Altcoin price update
- Solana (SOL) was priced at US$179.68, at its lowest valuation of the day, down by 7.5 percent over the last 24 hours. Its highest valuation of the day was US$185.98.
- XRP was trading for US$2.37, a decrease of 5.2 percent over the last 24 hours and its lowest valuation of the day. Its highest was US$2.41.
Fear and Greed Index snapshot
CMC’s Crypto Fear & Greed Index remains locked in a state of anxiety, sitting in “fear” territory (29) for seven consecutive days and marking its longest streak since April. Its stagnation reflects a growing sense of caution among investors, as Bitcoin continues to trade within a narrow band between US$103,000 and US$115,000 for nearly two weeks.
Over the past 30 days, the index has been in greed territory for just seven days — the same period when Bitcoin reached its all-time high of US$126,000 in early October. Since then, investor sentiment has reversed sharply.
CMC Crypto Fear and Greed Index, Bitcoin price and Bitcoin volume.
Chart via CoinMarketCap.
The current fear phase began on October 11, a day after the largest liquidation event in crypto history erased more than US$20 billion in leveraged positions. Historically, similar periods of heightened fear have marked turning points for Bitcoin. The last extended stretch of fear occurred in March and April during the Trump administration’s tariff standoff with China, when Bitcoin bottomed near US$76,000. Market analysts say the prevailing mood underscores uncertainty following the US Federal Reserve’s recent policy pivot and renewed US-China trade negotiations.
Crypto derivatives and market indicators
Bitcoin derivatives metrics suggest traders are taking a wait-and-see approach.
Liquidations for contracts tracking Bitcoin have totaled approximately US$6.12 million in the last four hours, with the majority being long positions, signaling continued risk aversion. Ether liquidations showed a similar pattern, with long positions making up the majority of US$9.35 million in liquidations.
Futures open interest for Bitcoin was down by 1.09 percent to US$68.51 billion over four hours, with further decreases in the final hour of trading. Ether futures open interest moved by -1.15 percent to US$43.7 billion.
The funding rate remains positive for both crytocurrencies, with Bitcoin at 0.008 and Ether at 0.002, indicating more overall bullish positioning than bearish.
Bitcoin’s relative strength index stood at 44.98, meaning its price momentum is in a neutral to slightly bearish zone.
Today’s crypto news to know
Senate Democrats tell Trump envoy to explain undivested crypto stakes
Senate Democrats have called on Steve Witkoff, US President Donald Trump’s special envoy to the Middle East, to explain why he has not divested from his crypto holdings despite federal ethics requirements.
In a letter led by Senator Adam Schiff, eight lawmakers pressed Witkoff for details on his interests in World Liberty Financial, the Trump-linked crypto firm he co-founded in 2024, and several affiliated entities.
Witkoff’s latest ethics disclosure, dated August 13, shows he still owns stakes in multiple crypto-related businesses, including WC Digital Fi and SC Financial Technologies. Lawmakers allege these investments pose potential conflicts of interest given his diplomatic role and the company’s business ties to the United Arab Emirates.
The scrutiny follows a New York Times report linking Witkoff’s crypto dealings to a US$2 billion Emirati investment in Binance funded through World Liberty Financial’s stablecoin, USD1.
Neither the White House nor World Liberty Financial has commented on the matter.
FalconX announces plans to acquire 21Shares
FalconX announced plans to acquire 21Shares, one of Europe’s leading crypto exchange-traded product issuers.
The deal, confirmed Wednesday, will integrate FalconX’s prime brokerage operations, which serves over 2,000 institutional clients, with 21Shares’ portfolio of 55 listed products across Bitcoin, Ether and other digital assets.
21Shares currently oversees more than US$11 billion in assets and will continue operating independently under CEO Russell Barlow following the deal. While the financial terms remain undisclosed, the transaction marks FalconX’s third major acquisition this year after Arbelos Markets and Monarq Asset Management.
Hong Kong approves first spot Solana ETF
Hong Kong regulators have approved the region’s first spot Solana ETF.
The Securities and Futures Commission granted authorization to China Asset Management Company to launch the Hua Xia Solana ETF on the Hong Kong Stock Exchange on October 27. The product will trade through OSL Exchange, with OSL Digital Securities as sub-custodian and BOCI-Prudential Trustee serving as the primary custodian.
Each unit will consist of 100 shares, with a minimum investment of about US$100.
The fund’s debut makes Solana the third cryptocurrency — after Bitcoin and Ethereum — to receive regulatory approval for a spot ETF in Hong Kong.
Fed governor proposes skinny master accounts for crypto access to Fed payments
Fed Governor Christopher Waller signaled a major policy shift during his opening remarks at the Payments Industry Conference on Tuesday (October 21), welcoming DeFi and crypto innovators into mainstream payments dialogue and proposing a new framework for direct access to Fed payment infrastructure for eligible firms.
In his speech, Waller recognized traditional banks and crypto-native fintechs as core stakeholders and stressed the Fed’s intent to be active in technology-driven payment revolutions like distributed ledger technology, tokenized assets and artificial intelligence (AI). The proposed payment accounts, referred to as skinny master accounts, would offer eligible nonbank entities direct access to the Fed’s payments rails, bypassing third-party banks, but without interest, overdraft protection or discount window access, and potentially with balance caps.
Waller said this tailored access aims to match the needs and risks of payment firms and digital asset companies with a simpler review. He also noted that the Fed is conducting hands-on research into tokenization, smart contracts and AI/payments intersection and will seek industry input on the new account framework.
Andreessen Horowitz highlights maturing crypto industry
Andreessen Horowitz’s most recent State of Crypto 2025 report highlights a new era in the cryptocurrency industry that the firm says is defined by real utility and maturing institutional adoption.
The authors point out stablecoins’ explosion as a dominant macroeconomic force, citing nearly US$46 trillion in processed transactions over the past year, a figure that rivals traditional payment systems.
The report also emphasizes infrastructure upgrades across blockchains like Ether and Solana, which have increased transaction speeds while lowering costs, as well as improved regulatory clarity in the US through supportive legislative actions, which have been major catalysts helping revive builder confidence and establish frameworks for digital asset oversight that balance innovation with investor protection.
World app expands into prediction markets
World, the digital identity project formerly known as Worldcoin, is expanding into prediction markets by integrating Polymarket. The company, which is led by OpenAI CEO Sam Altman, announced on Tuesday that its World app, a mobile app combining a digital wallet with a decentralized identity tool, has integrated the Polymarket app.
The launch of the Polymarket mini app on World enables World app users to place Polymarket bets directly from the World app wallet using Circle’s USDC or World’s token, Worldcoin.
Securities Disclosure: I, Giann Liguid, hold no direct investment interest in any company mentioned in this article.
Securities Disclosure: I, Meagen Seatter, hold no direct investment interest in any company mentioned in this article.
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Investor Insight
Apollo Silver is advancing two high-impact silver projects in premier North American jurisdictions—California and Chihuahua—offering investors a unique combination of scale, optionality, and leverage to silver and critical mineral demand.
Overview
Apollo Silver (TSXV:APGO,OTCQB:APGOF,FSE: 6ZF0) is a silver-focused company advancing a dual-asset strategy centered on two high-impact projects in North America: the Calico silver project in California, USA and the Cinco de Mayo project in Chihuahua, Mexico. Both are located in mining-friendly jurisdictions with strong infrastructure and significant historical work.
At Calico, Apollo Silver is advancing the Waterloo deposit toward development through geological modeling, barite resource definition, and engineering studies. Calico boasts 125 Moz of silver (measured and indicated) and 58 Moz of silver (inferred), and recent test work has produced a 94.6 percent barite concentrate, supporting the asset’s potential as a US critical minerals supplier.
In Mexico, Cinco de Mayo offers rare optionality with a historical inferred resource of 154 Moz silver equivalent (385 g/t), and a potentially game-changing discovery at the Pegaso Zone. The project is under an option agreement between Apollo Silver and Pan American (previously MAG Silver), wherein Apollo Silver will complete a 20,000-meter drill program to convert the option to an acquisition of the Cinco de Mayo. Apollo Silver’s strategy is underpinned by disciplined capital allocation, high-impact exploration, and a proven ability to acquire and unlock value from high-quality assets—following a model similar to Prime Mining. With no debt, strong institutional backing, and an experienced team, Apollo Silver is well-positioned to deliver scalable, discovery-driven growth in a rising silver and critical minerals market.
Company Highlights
- Tier-1 US Silver Asset – Calico Project: Hosts 125 Moz silver (Measured and Indicated) and 58 Moz silver (inferred), making it the largest undeveloped primary silver deposit in the US.
- Barite & Zinc Critical Minerals Exposure: Calico includes an Indicated resource estimate of 2.7 Mt of barite and 354M lbs of zinc and an Inferred resource estimate of 0.65Mt of barite and 258M lbs of zinc.
- High-grade Discovery Potential – Cinco de Mayo: An option to acquire a district-scale carbonate replacement deposit with a historical inferred resource of 154 Moz silver equivalent at 385 g/t, offering further upside from the Pegaso Zone discovery target.
- Strategic Shareholder Registry: Backed by Jupiter Asset Management, Eric Sprott, Terra Capital, Commodity Capital and Ninepoint.
- Experienced Leadership Team: Proven M&A, discovery and capital markets expertise with over $5 billion in past transactions and most applicable to Apollo Silver, the success at Prime Mining.
Key Projects
Calico Project
The Calico silver project comprises three adjacent properties—Waterloo, Langtry and Mule—located in mining-friendly San Bernardino County, 15 km from Barstow, California. Resources at Calico sit primarily on private land with vested mining rights, simplifying the path to permitting. Infrastructure is excellent: paved roads, power lines within 5 km, and proximity to the expanding Barstow rail terminal.
Using a 47 g/t silver equivalent cut-off grade, the Waterloo Deposit includes 125 M oz of silver in in 55Mt at an average grade of 71 g/t silver in the Measured and Indicated categories, and 0.51 Moz silver in 0.6 Mt at an average of 26 g/t silver in the Inferred category. The Langtry Deposit now contains 57 Moz silver in 24 Mt at an average grade of 73 g/t in the Inferred category, using a 43 g/t silver cut-off grade. The deposits are approximately 2 km apart, shallow, laterally extensive, and exhibit excellent geologic continuity. The mining concept would be a potential open-pit operation, with a minimal environmental footprint and where Waterloo would have a low strip ratio of 0.8:1.
Apollo Silver recently added critical mineral resources for both barite & zinc at the Calico project. Barite has shown recoveries above 94.6 percent in earlier test work. Waterloo includes an Indicated resource estimate of 2.7 Mt of barite and 354M lbs of zinc at an average grade of 7.4 percent barite and 0.45 percent zinc at a cut-off grade of 47 g/t silver equivalent. It also contains Inferred resource estimate of 0.65Mt of barite and 258M lbs of zinc, at an average grade of 3.9 percent barite and 0.71 percent zinc at a cut-off grade of 47 g/t silver equivalent.
The company has recently acquired 2,215 hectares of highly prospective claims contiguous to its Waterloo property at the Calico silver project referred to as the Mule claims comprising 418 lode mining claims. The Mule claims expand the Calico Project land package by over 285 percent, from 1,194 ha to 3,409 ha of contiguous claims.
Having recently announced its mineral resource estimate, ongoing 2025-26 programs are contemplated to include exploration for additional gold mineralization, with a subsequent targeted drill program contingent on positive early results, and metallurgical and geotechnical work program on Waterloo.
Cinco de Mayo Project
Cinco de Mayo is a district-scale carbonate replacement deposit (CRD) system located in Chihuahua, Mexico along the same NW-SE structural trend that hosts some of the country’s largest silver and base metal deposits. The project was historically MAG Silver’s flagship asset, hosting a 2012 historical mineral resource estimate prepared by RPA. At an NSR cut-off of US$100/t, the Inferred resources were estimated to total 12.45 Mt at 132 g/t silver, 0.24 g/t gold, 2.86 percent lead, and 6.47 percent zinc. The total contained metals in the resource were 52.7 Moz of silver, 785 Mlbs of lead, 1,777 Mlbs of zinc, and 96,000 ounces of gold. Notably, a significant mineralized intercept—including 61 meters of massive sulphides—was drilled by MAG Silver in the Pegaso Zone beneath the known resource but never followed up due to social access issues.
The site also includes the Pozo Seco deposit, which hosts an additional historical resource consisting of 29.1 Mt grading 0.147 percent molybdenum and 0.25 g/t gold, containing 94.0 Mlbs of molybdenum and 230,000 oz of gold, in the Indicated resource category. An Inferred Mineral Resources were estimated at 23.4 Mt grading 0.103 percent molybdenum and 0.17 g/t gold, containing 53.2 Mlbs of molybdenum and 129,000 oz of gold. Cut-off grade used in the 2010 technical report was 0.022 percent molybdenum.
Apollo Silver has secured an option to acquire the Cinco de Mayo property from Pan American (previously Mag Silver) and is re-engaging with the local community to secure surface access. A new, development-friendly ejido administration, elected in December 2024, has created an opportunity to negotiate a mutually beneficial agreement for access rights. Once secured, Apollo plans to launch a 20,000-meter drill campaign, with priority targets at Pegaso and expansion zones at Jose Manto.
Under the option agreement with Pan American, Apollo must secure surface access, complete the 20,000 meters of drilling, and issue 19.99 percent of its common shares to finalize the acquisition. The company is also evaluating metallurgical studies and engineering reviews to support a future resource update.
Management Team
Andrew Bowering – Chairman of the Board
A venture capitalist with over 30 years of operational experience, Andrew Bowering has raised over $500 million in value and capital for companies within the natural resources industry. He is the founder of Millennial Lithium and American Lithium, and he is a director and executive advisor to Prime Mining.
Ross McElroy – President and CEO
Ross McElroy is a professional geologist with over 38 years of experience in the mining industry, spanning operational and corporate roles with major, mid-tier, and junior companies worldwide. He played a pivotal role in the discoveries of several world-class uranium and gold deposits, many of which have advanced through development into mining operations. Most recently he was the CEO of Fission Uranium Corp, where he oversaw the sale of Fission for more than $1.14B to Paladin Energy.
Chris Cairns – Chief Financial Officer
Chris Cairns is a CPA, CA and brings more than 13 years of experience working in the finance and mining industries. He obtained his designation while at PwC, working with numerous Canadian and US-listed mining and exploration companies operating in North America, South America and Mongolia, before leaving to serve in roles as controller and CFO of two publicly listed mining exploration companies listed in Canada and the United States.
Rona Sellers – VP Commercial and Compliance and Corporate Secretary
Rona Sellers is an experienced governance professional with more than 13 years of experience in corporate and securities law. Previously, she was VP compliance and corporate secretary at Maple Gold Mines, and previous to that she held corporate secretarial roles at publicly traded companies listed in Canada and the United States.
Isabelle Lépine – Director, Mineral Resources
With over 25 years experience leading resource focused technical programs and teams, Isabelle Lépine brings extensive knowledge in mineral resource management to Apollo. Her significant experience ranges across the advanced stages of the resource development cycle through to mining. Most recently, she was director of mineral resources at Stornoway Diamonds.
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These Programs Support the Advancement of Tonopah West Towards the Permitting of an Exploration Decline to Enable Test Mining and the Extraction of a Bulk Sample
HIGHLIGHTS:
- The Phase 2 hydrology program will consist of placing 5 additional piezometers, a dewatering well and a groundwater monitoring well;
- Geotechnical evaluation is progressing on 22 drillholes along the proposed decline alignment; and
- A seismic program consisting of 18 kilometres in seven lines is planned over the Tonopah West deposit and to the northwest to identify extensions and structural controls.
Blackrock Silver Corp. (TSXV: BRC,OTC:BKRRF) (OTCQX: BKRRF) (FSE: AHZ0) (‘Blackrock’ or the ‘Company’) is pleased to announce certain advancement programs (the ‘Programs’) at the Company’s 100% owned Tonopah West (‘Tonopah West’) project located in Nye and Esmeralda Counties, Nevada, USA. The Programs will consist of a Phase 2 hydrology program, geotechnical evaluation of the proposed decline alignment and a seismic survey intended to understand the structural controls and advance Tonopah West toward completing an exploration decline that will allow for test mining and the extraction of a bulk sample for metallurgical processing.
Andrew Pollard, the Company’s President and Chief Executive Officer, stated: ‘Tonopah West is moving forward on multiple fronts as we work to grow, optimize and de-risk the project toward underground development. The integration of hydrologic, geotechnical and seismic data from these Programs represents key de-risking initiatives, helping us refine engineering models, optimize decline design and establish a strong technical foundation for permitting our initial test mine and bulk sample area. These Programs are running in parallel as we await pending assay results and the delivery of an updated preliminary economic assessment on Tonopah West, currently slated for Q1 2026.’
Hydrology Programs
Montgomery and Associates was contracted to complete the hydrology programs on Tonopah West. In the Phase-1 hydrology program, the Company set four piezometers along the proposed alignment of the decline that have been collecting data that reports where water is present (see May 15, 2025 news release). Based on the information collected from the Phase-1 hydrology program, a Phase-2 hydrology program at Tonopah West has been approved. The Phase-2 program will be entirely within DPB South area of Tonopah West where the Company is planning its exploration decline, test mining and bulk sampling programs. The Phase-2 hydrology program will set five additional piezometers, a dewatering well and a groundwater monitoring well. Data from this infrastructure will help with engineering design of the decline, water pumping requirements and site disposal strategies.
Geotechnical Evaluations
Call & Nicholas, Inc. have been retained to complete geotechnical evaluations on Tonopah West. Detailed geotechnical evaluation on the Phase-1 piezometer holes has been completed. This evaluation is critical for the engineering and design of the proposed exploration decline. An additional 17 drillholes are being geotechnically logged and 36 samples have been collected for geotechnical unconfined compression strength testing. Approximately 59,000 metres (193,570 feet) of core drilling from the project has been evaluated for recovery and Rock Quality Designation (RQD). Additional geotechnical study is being planned.
Seismic Survey
The Company has contracted Bird Seismic Services, Inc. to complete 18 kilometres of 2D seismic data. The seismic data will be collected on seven lines cris-crossing the Tonopah West project area (See Figure 1.). Several lines have been located on the northwestern portion of Tonopah West to identify the extension of the Fraction caldera margin under cover. The goal of the seismic survey program is to better understand the structural controls of the deposit and identify extensions of silver and gold for drill targeting.
Figure 1: Location map showing proposed seismic lines
To view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit:
https://images.newsfilecorp.com/files/676/271537_218a3ad764832945_001full.jpg
Qualified Persons
Blackrock’s exploration activities at Tonopah West are conducted and supervised by Mr. William Howald, Executive Chairman of Blackrock. Mr. William Howald, AIPG Certified Professional Geologist #11041, is a Qualified Person as defined under National Instrument 43-101 – Standards of Disclosure for Mineral Projects. He has reviewed and approved the contents of this news release.
About Blackrock Silver Corp.
Backed by gold and silver ounces in the ground, Blackrock is a junior precious metal focused exploration and development company driven to add shareholder value. Anchored by a seasoned Board of Directors, the Company is focused on its 100% controlled Nevada portfolio of properties consisting of low-sulphidation, epithermal gold and silver mineralization located along the established Northern Nevada Rift in north-central Nevada and the Walker Lane trend in western Nevada.
Additional information on Blackrock Silver Corp. can be found on its website at www.blackrocksilver.com and by reviewing its profile on SEDAR+ at www.sedarplus.ca.
Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements and Information
This news release contains ‘forward-looking statements’ and ‘forward-looking information’ (collectively, ‘forward-looking statements‘) within the meaning of Canadian and United States securities legislation, including the United States Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. All statements, other than statements of historical fact, are forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements in this news release relate to, among other things: the Company’s strategic plans; the contents and completion of the Company’s Programs at Tonopah West and the anticipated objectives and results therefrom; the permitting of an exploration decline to enable test mining and the extraction of a bulk sample at Tonopah West; the timing of completion of an updated preliminary economic assessment on Tonopah West; the Company’s de-risking initiatives at Tonopah West; estimates of mineral resource quantities and qualities; estimates of mineralization from drilling; geological information projected from sampling results; and the potential quantities and grades of the target zones.
These forward-looking statements reflect the Company’s current views with respect to future events and are necessarily based upon a number of assumptions that, while considered reasonable by the Company, are inherently subject to significant operational, business, economic and regulatory uncertainties and contingencies. These assumptions include, among other things: conditions in general economic and financial markets; accuracy of assay results; geological interpretations from drilling results; timing and amount of capital expenditures; performance of available laboratory and other related services; future operating costs; the historical basis for current estimates of potential quantities and grades of target zones; the availability of skilled labour and no labour related disruptions at any of the Company’s operations; no unplanned delays or interruptions in scheduled activities; all necessary permits, licenses and regulatory approvals for operations are received in a timely manner; the ability to secure and maintain title and ownership to properties and the surface rights necessary for operations; and the Company’s ability to comply with environmental, health and safety laws. The foregoing list of assumptions is not exhaustive.
The Company cautions the reader that forward-looking statements involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that may cause actual results and developments to differ materially from those expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements contained in this news release and the Company has made assumptions and estimates based on or related to many of these factors. Such factors include, without limitation: the timing and content of work programs; results of exploration activities and development of mineral properties; the interpretation and uncertainties of drilling results and other geological data; receipt, maintenance and security of permits and mineral property titles; environmental and other regulatory risks; project costs overruns or unanticipated costs and expenses; availability of funds; failure to delineate potential quantities and grades of the target zones based on historical data; general market and industry conditions; and those factors identified under the caption ‘Risks Factors’ in the Company’s most recent Annual Information Form.
Forward-looking statements are based on the expectations and opinions of the Company’s management on the date the statements are made. The assumptions used in the preparation of such statements, although considered reasonable at the time of preparation, may prove to be imprecise and, as such, readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date the statements were made. The Company undertakes no obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements included in this news release if these beliefs, estimates and opinions or other circumstances should change, except as otherwise required by applicable law.
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.
For Further Information, Contact:
Andrew Pollard
President and Chief Executive Officer
(604) 817-6044
info@blackrocksilver.com
To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/271537
News Provided by Newsfile via QuoteMedia
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It wasn’t the time he tossed a pass to some fan in the first row because he thought one of his Dallas Mavericks teammates would be waiting.
It wasn’t even when he took a handoff and eventually laced his first career shot, a jumper from the top of the key.
It came early in the second quarter, when he held the ball on the left wing. Flagg was being guarded by last year’s Rookie of the Year, Spurs guard Stephon Castle, a hyper-athletic and active defender.
Flagg attempted a lazy pass that Castle deflected, and scooped, racing down the court for a transition layup. Flagg, rather than letting the mistake go, compounded it by committing a foul for an and-1 opportunity.
It was proof that the standards here would be different.
The highly-anticipated debut of the No. 1 overall selection was uneven — Flagg didn’t score his first points until the first possession of the second half — but, just like he did at Duke and just like he did in the preseason, he did the small things that can contribute to winning.
The Mavericks fell to the San Antonio Spurs, 125-92, but Flagg’s performance should nonetheless give Dallas plenty of optimism.
Though he started the game just 1-for-9 from the field, Flagg caught fire at the end of the third quarter, making three consecutive shots. He finished with 10 points.
He also hustled on defense and hauled in 10 rebounds for his first career double-double. He tried to push tempo up the floor. These are all traits the Mavericks will encourage Flagg to hone.
And for Dallas, which will be without star point guard Kyrie Irving for, at least, the majority of the regular season as he recovers from a torn ACL, it makes total sense to be patient.
The early portion of the season allows Flagg to get acclimated while the Mavericks face relatively low external expectations. It will allow Flagg to make mistakes, just like that second quarter turnover.
To prove that point, all Dallas needs to do is look to its opponent Wednesday night. San Antonio was deliberate with phenom Victor Wembanyama, putting him on a minutes restriction during his rookie season in 2023-24. The Spurs encouraged Wembanyama to bulk up and work on his body, to learn the speed of the NBA game.
Wembanyama dropped 40 points on 15-of-21 shooting (71.4%) Wednesday night and scooped up 15 rebounds. He might blossom into an MVP candidate as soon as this season and is already the odds-on favorite for Defensive Player of the Year.
Wembanyama and Flagg are very different players, so the progression won’t be exactly the same.
But Flagg won’t turn 19 until late December. He will likely learn something new every single game he plays early on.
That alone should have the Mavericks excited plenty.
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Sean Payton had a limited response after ‘Mr. Unlimited’ unloaded on social media.
One day after Russell Wilson, Payton’s quarterback once upon a time, evidently called his former boss ‘classless’ on X, the Denver Broncos head coach weighed in. Previously, Payton intimated that he’d hoped to avoid facing New York Giants rookie quarterback Jaxson Dart, who recently replaced Wilson as that team’s starter.
“Look, the euphoria, the way that game unfolded, that was strictly about Dart,’ Payton said Wednsday, three days after Denver needed a record-setting fourth quarter to defeat the Giants, 33-32.
‘That was in no way shape or form anything that was directed at Russ. I might be able to see how he might have perceived that. But coming off that win and watching how (Dart) played, that wasn’t any intention at all.”
Dart passed for 283 yards and three touchdowns Sunday and ran for another score against Denver’s strong defense as the Giants built a 19-0 lead after three quarters. They led 26-8 with roughly five minutes to go before the Broncos stormed back, becoming the first team since the 1970 AFL-NFL merger to overcome a deficit of at least 18 points with six minutes remaining in the fourth quarter before prevailing in regulation.
Payton, the Giants’ offensive coordinator when they reached Super Bowl 35 following the 2000 season, expressed his admiration for the franchise and Dart immediately following the game.
‘I have a ton of respect for that organization. I spent four of my early years there coordinating. Super Bowl. First game in this stadium before 9/11. Close with the Mara and Tisch family,’ he said.
‘They found a little spark with that quarterback (Dart). I was talking to (Giants owner) John Mara not too long ago and I said, ‘We were hoping that change would’ve happened long after our game.’”
Wilson − and many others − interpreted that as a slight directed at him.
‘Classless… but not surprised,’ Wilson wrote in an uncharacteristically acerbic tone on his official X account. ‘Didn’t realize you’re still bounty hunting 15+ years later through the media.’
The latter part of the tweet was a shot at Payton and the ‘Bountygate’ episode with the New Orleans Saints, whom he coached from 2006 to ’21, minus the 2012 campaign − when Payton was suspended by the league in the aftermath of the scandal.
Wilson played two seasons for the Broncos, including 2023, Payton’s first in the Mile High City. They had a tense relationship throughout what was effectively an arranged marriage, Wilson benched at the end of that season. He was cut shortly thereafter, a move that forced Denver to eat a record $85 million dead cap charge.
Bo Nix was drafted last year to replace Wilson and led the Broncos to the playoffs, something Wilson didn’t manage to do during the two seasons after he was obtained from the Seattle Seahawks in a costly 2022 trade.
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- A bankruptcy trustee has accused Shilo Sanders of making unauthorized transfers of about $250,000.
- Sanders filed for bankruptcy in 2023 to address an $11.89 million judgment from a lawsuit.
- The trustee claims Sanders violated the automatic stay by controlling funds that should belong to the bankruptcy estate.
The trustee in the bankruptcy case of Shilo Sanders has filed a complaint against the former Colorado football star, claiming Sanders violated bankruptcy law by making unauthorized transfers of approximately $250,000.
Sanders, son of Colorado coach Deion Sanders, filed for Chapter 7 bankruptcy in October 2023 in an effort to free himself of more than $11 million in debt.
The trustee in the case, David Wadsworth, filed the complaint against Shilo Sanders on Wednesday, Oct. 22 and is seeking to recover that money and more, which included college income for Sanders from his name, image and likeness (NIL).
The trustee asserted that Sanders violated the automatic stay in the case, which is supposed to prevent him from taking possession of certain assets that become property of the bankruptcy estate after filing a petition for bankruptcy. Before filing for bankruptcy, Sanders entered into NIL contracts through his company called Big 21, LLC.
“The Trustee also asserts a claim for violation of the automatic stay based upon the Debtor’s (Sanders’) exercise of control over Defendant Big 21 including its bank account,” says the complaint, obtained by USA TODAY Sports. “After the Petition Date, only the Trustee as the sole member of Defendant Big 21 had the authority to authorize transfers out of Defendant Big 21’s bank account. Nevertheless… the Trustee did not authorize transfers that totaled approximately $250,000.00 out of Defendant Big 21’s bank account after the Petition Date for the benefit of the Debtor.”
An attorney for Sanders didn’t return a message seeking comment. Sanders was waived by the Tampa Bay Buccaneers before the NFL season and was pursuing other career options after that.
What is going on in Shilo Sanders’ bankruptcy case?
Sanders, 25, did not file for bankruptcy because of unpaid loans or overspending with credit cards. He instead was hit with a default judgement of $11.89 million after he was sued by the former security guard at his previous school in Dallas. The lawsuit in Texas civil court alleged Sanders attacked the security guard, John Darjean, at school in 2015, when Sanders was 15 years old. Darjean alleged he suffered permanent and severe injury from Sanders’ elbow and fist after he tried to confiscate his phone at school.
Sanders has claimed it was in self-defense. But he didn’t show up for the trial in 2022, leading to the default judgment owed to Darjean.
Sanders then filed for bankruptcy after Darjean moved to collect on that judgment. But one of the prices of trying to get out of debt in bankruptcy court is that a trustee is put in charge of rounding up the debtor’s non-exempt assets to be sold and divided among the creditors. This generally includes assets a debtor earned before filing for bankruptcy, not after.
“Upon the Petition Date (in October 2023), the Debtor’s right to manage Defendant Big 21 and withdraw funds from the Big 21 Bank Account became property of the bankruptcy estate subject to the exclusive control of the Trustee,” the complaint states.
By making unauthorized transfers from this account, Sanders “willfully violated the automatic stay” under the bankruptcy code, the complaint alleges.
What else did the complaint state?
The complaint lists Shilo Sanders and two of his companies as defendants: Big 21 LLC and Headache Gang LLC. The complaint says that Sanders entered into an NIL contract through Headache Gang after he filed for bankruptcy.
The complaint states that Headache Gang received a payment for $202,500 in late December 2023, after Sanders filed for bankruptcy.
“To the extent the Headache Gang Revenue is based on the Debtor’s prepetition NIL contracts, the Headache Gang Revenue is property of the bankruptcy estate,” the complaint states.
The trustee is seeking “turnover all revenue and proceeds of any prepetition NIL contracts entered into by the Debtor and the other Defendants whether that revenue was entered into prior to or after the Petition Date.”
Shilo Sanders turned over $210,000 to the bankruptcy estate
The complaint says the trustee authorized Shilo Sanders to write a check payable to the Trustee for $210,171 and agreed that $65,000 was a reasonable salary for Sanders in tax year 2023.
The issue in the complaint is that the trustee believes the bankruptcy estate is entitled to much more, including at least a portion of his 2023 tax refund of $4,902.
“The Trustee has demanded an accounting from the Debtor,” says the complaint filed by attorney Peter Cal.
Besides the complaint from the trustee, Sanders also is fighting two complaints filed against him by Darjean, the creditor. Darjean is fighting Sanders’ attempts to get out of the debt owed to him, arguing by law the debt is not dischargeable because it came from a willful and malicious injury. Those complaints are pending.
If the court favors Sanders and rules that the Texas judgment against him is dischargeable, Darjean would only collect pennies on the dollar of what he is owed through what is rounded up by the trustee in the bankruptcy estate.
Follow reporter Brent Schrotenboer @Schrotenboer. Email: bschrotenb@usatoday.com
This post appeared first on USA TODAY
After a thrilling come-from-behind victory in Game 7 of the American League Championship Series, the Toronto Blue Jays are heading to the World Series for the first time since 1993. However, winning the World Series is a whole different monster. The defending champion Los Angeles Dodgers are waiting in the wings, well-rested after their sweep of the Milwaukee Brewers in the National League Championship Series.
Both teams boast tremendous lineups. In fact, the Blue Jays and Dodgers ranked in the top five in MLB in runs scored during the regular season. Offense will be on full display in this contest, but who has the edge?
At times like these, it might be best to look at each player on a case-to-case basis. Who has the best individual hitters? When these teams go bar-for-bar, band-for-band, who has the edge? That’s what we’re here to figure out today.
Here are the 15 best hitters in this year’s World Series:
Best hitters in 2025 World Series
15) Addison Barger, 3B, Blue Jays
2025 stats: .253/.301/.454, 21 HR, 74 RBI
Barger broke out in 2025, tallying 21 homers on the season en route to a 105 OPS+. While he does have a problem with strikeouts (led Toronto with 121 on the season), he makes up for it with timely hitting. The Blue Jays’ third baseman hit .283 during the season with two outs and runners in scoring position, a 40-point jump from his full season mark.
14) Miguel Rojas, IF, Dodgers
2025 stats: .262/.318/.397, 7 HR, 27 RBI
Rojas isn’t an everyday player for the Dodgers, and that just shows how strong this team’s lineup truly is. Rojas is a solid baserunner with a good eye at the plate. His 24 walks were a little more than half of his strikeouts (46), which is something not a lot of other Dodgers can boast heading into this World Series.
13) Andy Pages, OF, Dodgers
2025 stats: .272/.313/.461, 27 HR, 86 RBI
After hitting just 13 homers in 2024, Pages exploded in the power department, hammering 27 in 2025. While he lacks discipline at the plate – 29 walks to 135 strikeouts – he more than makes up for it with his ability to get extra bases.
12) Alejandro Kirk, C, Blue Jays
2025 stats: .282/.348/.421, 15 HR, 76 RBI
After a dreadful two-year stretch between 2023 and 2024, Kirk found his offensive groove once again this year, earning an All-Star nod in the process. In 2025, Kirk posted career highs in home runs and RBI. He also posted his best slugging percentage in a full season with Toronto.
11) Davis Schneider, OF, Blue Jays
2025 stats: .234/.361/.436, 11 HR, 31 RBI
Although he played in only 82 games this year, Schneider showed immense promise at the plate, recording a stellar .361 on-base percentage. While he doesn’t possess the same power potential as some others on this list, Schneider’s value comes from his plate discipline.
10) Daulton Varsho, OF, Blue Jays
2025 stats: .238/.284/.548, 20 HR, 55 RBI
Sort of the opposite of Schneider, Varsho couldn’t draw a walk if he started every AB with three balls. But he has tremendous pop, hammering 20 home runs in just 71 games this year. His .833 OPS was within 15 points of Vladimir Guerrero Jr., who we’ll talk more about later.
9) Teoscar Hernandez, OF, Dodgers
2025 stats: .247/.284/.454, 25 HR, 89 RBI
2025 was a down year for Hernandez. He recorded his lowest batting average since 2019 and lowest OPS since 2016. However, we can’t forget that this is someone who finished top 20 in MVP voting just a season ago. He has a career 119 OPS+ and has a .585 slugging percentage thus far in the playoffs. He’s earned some grace.
8) Mookie Betts, SS, Dodgers
2025 stats: .258/.326/.406, 20 HR, 82 RBI
Betts had arguably the worst season of his career in 2025. Lowest OPS, lowest batting average, lowest OPS+, fewest stolen bases. Despite all that, though, Betts still managed to put up 4.8 WAR. That figure is largely due to his defense, but he still has some juice in his bat as well – 45 extra-base hits is nothing to scoff at.
7) Bo Bichette, SS, Blue Jays
2025 stats: .311/.357/.483, 18 HR, 94 RBI
Bichette is a doubles machine. He cranked out 44 two-baggers, the most of anyone in the World Series this year. Bichette certainly lacks in the walks department, but with runners on base, you could make an argument that Bichette is one of the top guys Toronto will want up. He hit .381 with a 1.053 OPS with men in scoring position this year. The only question – and it’s a big one – is whether his bulky knee will hold up. Bichette hasn’t played in a game since Sept. 6 while nursing a PCL sprain.
6) Max Muncy, 3B, Dodgers
2025 stats: .243/.376/.470, 19 HR, 67 RBI
If you looked up raw power in the dictionary, you’d find a picture of Kyle Schwarber. But if you looked up Kyle Schwarber in a thesaurus, you’d find a picture of Max Muncy. This man hits dingers, but he also draws walks. In 2025, he nearly drew as many walks (64) as strikeouts (83), a huge difference from what he’s accomplished in the past. Muncy’s .376 OBP is the highest of his career since 2018, perhaps a result of adding eyeglasses after the first month of the season. And he might have only played 100 games this season, but he still managed to drive in nearly 70 runs.
5) Will Smith, C, Dodgers
2025 stats: .296/.404/.497, 17 HR, 61 RBI
Will Smith rakes. For a catcher, he’s just one tier below Cal Raleigh. Smith posted a .901 OPS this season. At the catcher position, that’s nearly unheard of. He also had the highest batting average of anyone on the Dodgers this year.
4) George Springer, DH/OF, Blue Jays
2025 stats: .309/.399/.560, 32 HR, 84 RBI
After pretty underwhelming campaigns in 2023 and 2024, Springer experienced a career resurgence at 35 years old, posting career highs in batting average and on-base percentage. His 161 OPS+ was also the highest of his career.
3) Vladimir Guerrero Jr., 1B, Blue Jays
2025 stats: .292/.381/.467, 23 HR, 84 RBI
It’s no shock that the ALCS MVP is the top Blue Jays hitter on our list. Vladdy has been one of the best hitters in baseball over the past five years, ever since he led MLB with 48 home runs. Guerrero is really finding a groove during these playoffs as well, hitting over .400 with six home runs to boot.
2) Freddie Freeman, 1B, Dodgers
2025 stats: .295/.367/.502, 24 HR, 90 RBI
At 35, Freddie Freeman is an ageless wonder. While Freeman’s on-base percentage dipped a bit between 2024 and 2025, he made up for that with six more extra-base hits. Freeman is as consistent as they come, and we’ve seen how he performs in World Series situations. That’s why he ranks No. 2 on our list.
1) Shohei Ohtani, DH, Dodgers
2025 stats: .282/.392/.622, 55 HR, 102 RBI
No surprise here, the best player on the planet also happens to be the best hitter in the World Series. While Ohtani didn’t manage to reach the 50-50 mark for a second consecutive season, he still hammered 55 dingers on the season and led the NL in slugging percentage, OPS, runs, and total bases.
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On paper, the 2025 World Series should be dominated by offense. The Los Angeles Dodgers and Toronto Blue Jays both ranked among MLB’s top four in runs per game during the regular season.
Their pitching, on the other hand, was right about league average.
But things can change as the playoffs roll around. The Dodgers’ starters have been spectacular as they’ve rolled into the World Series by winning nine of their 10 playoff games while putting up an overall 2.45 ERA. And the Jays have gotten strong performances from their top pitchers, including a rookie who has thrown more postseason innings for Toronto than he did during the regular season.
As we get ready for Game 1 on Friday, here is our ranking of the best pitchers in the 2025 World Series.
World Series pitcher rankings
Before we begin our countdown, let’s just take a moment to acknowledge two future first-ballot Hall of Famers who are unlikely to play a major roles in this World Series. But the contributions of the Dodgers’ Clayton Kershaw and the Blue Jays’ Max Scherzer over the course of their careers have been immense. Both three-time Cy Young award winners, they epitomize excellence on the mound. One will deservedly win another World Series ring to potentially cap off a stellar career.
12. Alex Vesia, Dodgers
- Regular season: 4-2, 3.02 ERA, 5 saves, 1.1 WAR
- Playoffs: 2-0, 3.86 ERA in 7 appearances
Vesia is the Dodgers’ top left-handed reliever and should see considerable action in the series, matching up against Nathan Lukes, Daulton Varsho, Addison Barger and ALCS hero Andres Gimenez. He held left-handed batters to a .159/.208/.290 slash line during the regular season, but was also effective (.193/.304/.378) against righties.
11. Louis Varland, Blue Jays
- Regular season: 4-3, 2.97 ERA, 1.7 WAR
- Playoffs: 0-1, 3.27 ERA in 10 appearances (1 start)
Acquired from the Minnesota Twins at the trade deadline, Varland has been the Jays’ workhorse reliever in the playoffs – appearing in 10 of their 11 postseason games. He started to show a few cracks during the ALCS, but three off days before the start of the World Series should help. He’s struck out 13 batters with only one walk in 11 postseason innings.
10. Roki Sasaki, Dodgers
- Regular season: 1-1, 4.46 ERA, 0.3 WAR
- Playoffs: 0-0, 1.13 ERA, 3 saves in 7 appearances
One of the most prized international free agents in years, Sasaki flopped spectacularly as a starter and was demoted to the minors in May – only to return with redesigned mechanics in late September as a reliever. The transformation has been nothing short of miraculous. He’s allowed just three hits in eight innings this postseason (.115 opp. average) in converting all three save chances.
9. Jeff Hoffman, Blue Jays
- Regular season: 9-7, 4.37 ERA, 0.5 WAR
- Playoffs: 0-0, 1.23 ERA, 2 saves in 6 appearances
The Jays closer has rebounded in October from his up-and-(mostly) down regular season. Home runs can be an issue for Hoffman, who allowed 15 of them in 68 innings (2.0 HR/9). That could make for some dramatic moments facing the potent Dodgers offense in the late innings.
8. Emmet Sheehan, Dodgers
- Regular season: 6-3, 2.82 ERA, 1.0 WAR
- Playoffs: 0-0, 10.80 ERA in 3 appearances
Sheehan provided some much-needed stability to the Dodgers the rotation during the season, whether that was as a starter or a multiple-inning reliever. But once the team’s star pitchers began to get healthy, Sheehan transitioned into an important relief role – one he’s continued in the playoffs. While his stats in just 3 ⅓ October innings aren’t great, he’ll likely be the first Dodger out of the bullpen in high-leverage situations.
7. Shane Bieber, Blue Jays
- Regular season: 4-2, 3.57 ERA, 0.7 WAR
- Playoffs: 1-0, 4.38 ERA in 3 starts
As he recovered from Tommy John surgery that cost him most of the 2024 and 2025 seasons, the Blue Jays gambled on Bieber being healthy for the stretch run when they acquired him from the Cleveland Guardians in July. Making his season debut on Aug. 22, the 2020 AL Cy Young winner seemed to get the zip on his pitches back and, with his elite control, has been a solid No. 3 starter in the playoffs.
6. Trey Yesavage, Blue Jays
- Regular season: 1-0, 3.21 ERA, 0.3 WAR
- Playoffs: 2-1, 4.20 ERA in 3 starts
The Jays’ top pitching prospect began the season in Low-A ball, but kept dominating hitters as he climbed the organizational ranks. By mid-September he was in Toronto’s starting rotation and striking out 10.3 batters per nine innings. In his first postseason appareance, the 22 year old struck out 11 Yankees over 5 ⅓ scoreless frames in Game 2 of the division series. Then, he helped the Jays avoid elimination in Game 6 of the ALCS with a gutty 5 ⅔ innings against the Mariners.
5. Tyler Glasnow, Dodgers
- Regular season: 4-3, 3.19 ERA, 1.9 WAR
- Playoffs: 0-0, 0.68 ERA in 3 appearances (2 starts)
The oft-injured Glasnow was sidelined for more than two months due to shoulder inflammation, but returned to the Dodgers rotation just before the All-Star break. During his final 13 starts, he looked like his dominant self, with a 2.86 ERA and 1.05 WHIP over 72 ⅓ innings. He appeared once in relief in the NLDS opener against the Philadelphia Phillies before tossing six scoreless frames in the Game 4 clincher. He allowed one run in 5 ⅔ innings in the NLCS and is in line to start World Series Game 3 at home against the Jays.
4. Kevin Gausman, Blue Jays
- Regular season: 10-11, 3.59 ERA, 3.8 WAR
- Playoffs: 2-1, 2.00 ERA in 4 appearances (3 starts)
Toronto’s unquestioned ace, Gausman pitched a career-high 193 innings with a 3.59 ERA during the regular season but somehow ended up with a losing record. He was the winning pitcher in Game 1 of the division series vs. the Yankees and the losing pitcher of the ALCS opener against the Mariners. He also started Game 5 in Seattle (getting a no-decision) and ended up being the winning pitcher in the decisive Game 7 with a scoreless inning of relief. Gausman’s reverse splits (.586 OPS vs. left-handed batters, .664 vs. right-handers) could be an important weapon for the Jays against the dangerous lefty bats of Shohei Ohtani, Freddie Freeman and Max Muncy.
3. Shohei Ohtani, Dodgers
- Regular season: 1-1, 2.87 ERA, 1.1 WAR (pitching only)
- Playoffs: 2-0, 2.25 ERA in 2 starts
Ohtani didn’t pitch at all during his first season with the Dodgers in 2024, as he was coming off elbow surgery in September 2023. Ramping things up extremely slowly, he made his debut on the mound this season on June 16, and only in the last of his 14 starts did he throw more than five innings. However, he’s gone six innings in both of his playoff starts – winning the NLDS opener against the Phillies and shutting out the Brewers on two hits while striking out 10 (and, oh yeah, also hitting three home runs) in an epic NLCS Game 4 performance. Look for him to take the hill for Game 4 at Dodger Stadium.
2. Blake Snell, Dodgers
- Regular season: 5-4, 2.35 ERA, 1.3 WAR
- Playoffs: 3-0, 0.86 ERA in 3 starts
The two-time Cy Young award winner missed four months and was limited to just 11 starts in the regular season because of shoulder inflammation. Yet he continued his history of late-season dominance, allowing a total of one earned run over 19 innings (0.47 ERA) and striking out 28 in his last three September starts. He’s kept the momentum going in the playoffs, looking almost unhittable in his three outings – especially the eight innings of scoreless, one-hit ball in the NLCS opener in Milwaukee. He’ll start the 2025 World Series opener Friday.
1. Yoshinobu Yamamoto, Dodgers
- Regular season: 12-8, 2.49 ERA, 5.0 WAR
- Playoffs: 2-1, 1.83 ERA in 3 starts
The toughest call of all on this list is Snell vs. Yamamoto for the top spot. We’ll go with the guy who’s been the most durable and the most consistent over the course of the entire season. Yamamoto allowed the fewest hits per nine innings (5.86) and the lowest opponents’ batting average (.183) of any qualified starting pitcher in the majors during the regular season. He came within one out of a no-hitter in September and, in Game 2 of the NLCS, tossed the first postseason complete game in eight years when he baffled the Brewers on just three hits. He’ll be in line to face the Jays in Game 2 and Game 6, if necessary.
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IAMGOLD (TSX:IMG,NYSE:IAG) is tightening its grip on one of Québec’s most promising gold districts with back-to-back acquisitions aimed at consolidating control over a vast stretch of the Chibougamau region.
In the span of two days, the mid-tier gold producer announced definitive agreements to acquire Northern Superior Resources (TSXV:SUP,OTCQB:NSUPF) and Mines d’Or Orbec (TSXV:BLUE).
Collectively the deals will expand its landholding to more than 100,000 hectares.
The larger of the two transactions will see IAMGOLD acquire all issued and outstanding shares of Northern Superior Resources in a cash-and-stock deal valued at approximately C$267.4 million.
The acquisition will fold Northern Superior’s Philibert, Chevrier and Croteau projects into IAMGOLD’s existing Nelligan and Monster Lake holdings, creating what the company has branded the Nelligan Mining Complex.
Together, these properties host estimated measured and indicated mineral resources of 3.75 million ounces of gold and inferred resources of 8.65 million ounces, positioning the district as Canada’s fourth largest pre-production gold camp.
“The addition of Northern Superior’s assets to IAMGOLD’s Nelligan Mining Complex in the Chibougamau region of Québec is extremely exciting for IAMGOLD, the region and our mutual shareholders,” said Renaud Adams, IAMGOLD’s president and CEO. “This acquisition aligns with our strategy to become a leading Canadian-focused mid-tier gold producer, bolstering our organic pipeline in Québec where we have maintained a longstanding presence.”
A day earlier, IAMGOLD struck a deal to acquire Mines d’Or Orbec, a junior explorer advancing the Muus project southwest of Chibougamau. IAMGOLD already holds a 6.7 percent equity interest in Orbec and expects to issue roughly 369,000 new shares to complete the purchase. The transaction will bring Muus under IAMGOLD’s control.
Located at the intersection of the Fancamp and Guercheville deformation zones, which are two major mineralized corridors that also host IAMGOLD’s Monster Lake and Nelligan deposits, the 24,979 hectare Muus project has been viewed as a geological link between the company’s existing holdings.
“Over the past several years, we have advanced the Muus project into one of Québec’s most promising gold exploration plays,” Orbec CEO John Tait said.
With the addition of both Northern Superior and Orbec, IAMGOLD is set to more than double its regional footprint.
The company has signaled its intent to pursue a “hub-and-spoke” development strategy in the region, envisioning a central processing facility fed by multiple ore sources within a 17 kilometre radius.
Pending regulatory and shareholder approvals, both acquisitions are expected to close in late 2025 or early 2026.
The price of gold has surged to unprecedented levels this month, reaching an all-time high of around US$4,370 per ounce amid heightened safe-haven demand and expectations of US interest-rate cuts.
However, on Tuesday (October 21), a correction began to set in as the yellow metal pulled back sharply. It fell as much as 5.5 percent to about US$4,115 as profit taking kicked in and the US dollar strengthened.
Securities Disclosure: I, Giann Liguid, hold no direct investment interest in any company mentioned in this article.
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