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Blackrock Silver Receives 4.24 Million Dollars from Warrant Exercises and Upsizes Eastern Resource Expansion Drill Program at Tonopah West

Investing 6 Mins Read

Blackrock Silver Corp. (TSXV: BRC,OTC:BKRRF) (OTCQX: BKRRF) (FSE: AHZ0) (‘Blackrock’ or the ‘Company’) is pleased to announce the receipt of an aggregate total of C$ $4,244,838.89 in cash proceeds from the exercise of 9,830,880 previously issued common share purchase warrants of the Company (‘Warrants’) since July 8, 2025.

After including the common shares (‘Common Shares‘) of the Company issued as a result of such Warrant exercises, there are a total of 325,490,026 Common Shares issued and outstanding as of the date hereof.

A total of 5,733,000 Warrants issued on August 30,2022 with an exercise price of C$0.75 per share expired unexercised on September 2, 2025.

The Company is also pleased to announce the addition of 7 drillholes to its previously announced eastern expansion drill program (the ‘Eastern Expansion Program‘) at its Tonopah West mineral project located in Nye and Esmeralda Counties, Nevada, United States (‘Tonopah West‘), targeting the 1.2 kilometre Eastern Expansion zone between the DPB resource area and the eastern extent of Tonopah West (see July 21, 2025 news release). With the inclusion of the additional 7 drillholes, the Eastern Expansion Program consists of a total of 22 drillholes and up to 7,000 metres (23,000 feet) of drilling. A total of 19 drillholes have been completed to date and are pending assay results.

Andrew Pollard, Blackrock’s President and Chief Executive Officer, stated, ‘The C$4.24 million from warrant exercises has strengthened our treasury, positioning us to continue advancing Tonopah West aggressively towards development. Drilling on our Eastern Resource Expansion program is progressing rapidly, with 19 of 22 holes already completed. Our updated mineral resource estimate remains on track for early September 2025, aimed at upgrading a portion of the DPB-South inferred resources to higher confidence categories to help de-risk the early years of our conceptual mine plan. A further resource update, focused on extending mine life, is scheduled for Q1 2026. With a robust treasury, assays pending, and multiple mineral resource updates in view, we are well positioned to close out 2025 with strong momentum as we continue to de-risk and advance the Tonopah West project.’

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 use of proceeds from the exercise of Warrants; advancement toward development of Tonopah West; the Company’s aim to upgrade significant tonnage from inferred mineral resources to measured and indicated mineral resources at Tonopah West to help de-risk the early years of the conceptual mine plan; the anticipated results from the Eastern Expansion Program; the expected timing of completion of the Company’s updated mineral resource estimates on Tonopah West; the Company’s strategic plans; the enhancement of the exploration potential of Tonopah West; the Company’s focus on adding additional mine life to Tonopah West; and geological information projected from sampling results.

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/265078

News Provided by Newsfile via QuoteMedia

This post appeared first on investingnews.com

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Investing

Osisko Intersects 1117.5 Metres Averaging 0.25% Cu at Gaspé

Investing 13 Mins Read

Osisko Metals Incorporated (the ‘ Company or ‘ Osisko Metals ‘) ( TSX: OM,OTC:OMZNF ; OTCQX: OMZNF ; FRANKFURT: 0B51 ) is pleased to announce new drill results from the Gaspé Copper Project, located in the Gaspé Peninsula of Eastern Québec.

Osisko Metals Chief Executive Officer Robert Wares commented: ‘ Drill hole 30-1097 produced our longest intersection so far, returning 1117 metres of continuous mineralization from the top of Copper Mountain, located in the heart of the deposit. With 10 drills on site, we have completed over 65,000 metres of the drill program to date, and will continue the current program of infill and expansion drilling until December. The updated MRE is well on track to be released in Q1 2026. ‘

New analytical results are presented below (see Table 1), including 19 mineralized intercepts from 6 new drill holes. Infill intercepts are located inside the 2024 MRE model ( see November 14, 2024 news release ), and are focused on upgrading inferred mineral resources to measured or indicated categories, as applicable. Expansion intercepts are located outside the 2024 MRE model and may potentially lead to additional resources that will be classified appropriately within the next MRE update. Some of the reported intercepts have contiguous shallower infill as well as deeper expansion (noted on Table 1 below as ‘Both’). Maps showing hole locations are available at www.osiskometals.com .

Highlights:

  • Drill hole 30-1097
    • 1117.5 metres averaging 0.25% Cu (infill and expansion)
  • Drill hole 30-1100
    • 228.5 metres averaging 0.25% Cu (infill and expansion)
  • Drill hole 30-1101
    • 148.5 metres averaging 0.32% Cu (infill)
  • Drill hole 30-1104
    • 792.0 metres averaging 0.20% Cu (infill and expansion)
  • Drill hole 30-1105
    • 110.5 metres averaging 0.20% Cu (infill)
    • 288.0 metres averaging 0.19% Cu (expansion)

Table 1: Infill and Expansion Drilling Results

DDH No. From (m) To (m) Length (m) Cu % Ag g/t Mo % CuEq* Type**
30-1097 87.0 1204.5 1117.5 0.25 1.81 0.022 0.35 Both
(including) 87.0 778.5 691.5 0.24 2.05 0.019 0.33 Infill
(including) 778.5 1204.5 426.0 0.27 1.42 0.028 0.38 Expansion
30-1100 81.0 119.0 38.0 0.15 1.11 0.16 Infill
And 137.0 180.0 43.0 0.25 1.64 0.013 0.31 Infill
And 322.5 551.0 228.5 0.25 1.61 0.013 0.31 Both
And 677.8 805.0 127.2 0.15 0.82 0.012 0.20 Expansion
And 862.8 974.5 111.7 0.17 1.24 0.010 0.22 Expansion
30-1101 58.0 111.0 53.0 0.24 5.21 0.27 Infill
And 156.0 304.5 148.5 0.32 2.52 0.34 Infill
And 493.5 521.2 27.7 0.36 1.85 0.37 Expansion
30-1102 516.0 567.0 51.0 0.36 3.62 0.38 Expansion
And 781.5 858.0 76.5 0.03 0.19 0.077 0.32 Expansion
And 880.5 930.0 49.5 0.46 2.81 0.48 Expansion
30-1104 4.5 32.0 27.5 0.12 0.48 0.12 Infill
And 54.0 85.0 31.0 0.14 0.66 0.14 Infill
And 177.0 969.0 792.0 0.20 1.33 0.015 0.26 Both
(including) 177.0 567.5 390.5 0.18 1.49 0.013 0.23 Infill
(including) 567.5 969.0 401.5 0.22 1.17 0.017 0.29 Expansion
30-1105 16.0 79.0 63.0 0.19 1.94 0.20 Infill
And 122.0 232.5 110.5 0.20 1.30 0.21 Infill
And 261.8 355.5 93.7 0.25 1.72 0.009 0.30 Both
And 378.0 666.0 288.0 0.19 2.03 0.012 0.25 Expansion

* See explanatory notes below on copper equivalent values and Quality Assurance/Quality Controls.
** ‘Both’ indicates drill holes that have contiguous shallower infill as well as deeper expansion intercepts.

Discussion

Drill hole 30-1097, located on top of Copper Mountain near the central part of the 2024 MRE model, intersected 1117.5 metres averaging 0.25% Cu, 0.022% Mo, and 1.81 g/t Ag that included expansion at depth of 426.0 metres averaging 0.27% Cu, 0.028% Mo, and 1.42 g/t Ag. This hole extends mineralization near the centre of the deposit to a vertical depth of 1,204 metres.

Drill hole 30-1100, near the southwestern margin of the 2024 MRE model, intersected five separate mineralized intervals, including 228.5 metres averaging 0.25% Cu, 0.013% Mo, and 1.61 g/t Ag (infill and expansion). This was followed by 127.2 metres averaging 0.15% Cu, 0.012% Mo, and 0.82 g/t Ag and then by another 111.7 metres averaging 0.17% Cu, 0.010% Mo, and 1.24 g/t Ag (both expansion), extending mineralization to a vertical depth of 975 metres.

Drill holes 30-1101 and 30-1102, both located near the eastern margin of the 2024 MRE model, intersected several, relatively short mineralized intervals that were 27 to 76 metres long, with the exception of one 148.5 metre interval (30-1101) that averaged 0.32% Cu and 2.52 g/t Ag (infill). These holes, along with several other previously reported holes, confirm the currently defined eastern margin of the 2024 MRE model.

Drill hole 30-1104, located near the west-central portion of the 2024 MRE model, intersected two short (28 and 31 metres) intervals followed by 792.0 metres averaging 0.20% Cu, 0.015% Mo and 1.33 g/t Ag that included expansion at depth of 401.5 metres averaging 0.22% Cu, 0.017% Mo, and 1.17 g/t Ag. This hole extends mineralization in this area to a vertical depth of 969 metres.

Drill hole 30-1105, located in the southwestern portion of the 2024 MRE model, intersected 110.5 metres averaging 0.20% Cu and 1.30 g/t Ag (infill), followed by 93.7 metres averaging 0.25% Cu and 1.72 g/t Ag (infill and expansion), followed by a third intersection of 288.0 metre averaging 0.19% Cu, 0.012% Mo, and 2.03 g/t Ag (expansion), extending mineralization to a vertical depth of 666 metres.

Mineralization at Gaspé Copper is of porphyry copper/skarn type and occurs as disseminations and stockworks of chalcopyrite with pyrite or pyrrhotite and minor bornite and molybdenite. At least five retrograde vein/stockwork mineralizing events have been recognized at Copper Mountain, which overprint earlier prograde skarn and porcellanite-hosted mineralization throughout the Gaspé Copper system. Porcellanite is a historical mining term used to describe bleached, pale green to white potassic-altered hornfels. Subvertical stockwork mineralization dominates at Copper Mountain whereas prograde bedding-replacement mineralization, that is mostly stratigraphically controlled, dominates in the area of Needle Mountain, Needle East, and Copper Brook. High molybdenum grades (up to 0.5% Mo) were locally obtained in both the C Zone and E Zone skarns away from Copper Mountain.

The 2022 to 2024 Osisko Metals drill programs were focused on defining open-pit resources within the Copper Mountain stockwork mineralization ( see May 6, 2024 MRE press release ). Extending the resource model south of Copper Mountain into the poorly-drilled prograde skarn/porcellanite portion of the system subsequently led to a significantly increased resource, mostly in the Inferred category ( see November 14, 2024 MRE press release ).

The current drill program is designed to convert the November 2024 MRE to Measured and Indicated categories, as well as test the expansion of the system deeper into the stratigraphy and laterally to the south and southwest towards Needle East and Needle Mountain respectively. The November 2024 MRE was limited at depth to the base of the L1 skarn horizon (C Zone), and all mineralized intersections below this horizon represent potential depth extensions to the deposit, to be included in the next scheduled MRE update in Q1 2026.

All holes are being drilled sub-vertically into the altered calcareous stratigraphy which dips 20 to 25 degrees to the north. The L1 (C Zone) the L2 (E Zone) skarn/marble horizons were intersected in most holes, as well as intervening porcellanites that host the bulk of the disseminated copper mineralization.

Table 2: Drill hole locations

DDH No. Azimuth (°) Dip (°) Length (m) UTM E UTM N Elevation
30-1097 0.00 -90.00 1224.0 316150.0 5426416.0 742.3
30-1100 0.00 -90.00 987.0 315825.0 5426193.0 619.4
30-1101 0.00 -90.00 592.0 316612.0 5425837.0 593.3
30-1102 0.00 -90.00 930.0 316595.0 5426284.1 603.7
30-1104 0.00 -90.00 999.0 315700.0 5426358.0 592.1
30-1105 0.00 -90.00 819.0 316104.0 5425877.0 586.9


Explanatory note regarding copper-equivalent grades

Copper Equivalent grades are expressed for purposes of simplicity and are calculated taking into account: 1) metal grades; 2) estimated long-term prices of metals: US$4.25/lb copper, $20.00/lb molybdenum, and US$24/oz silver; 3) estimated recoveries of 92%, 70%, and 70% for Cu, Mo, and Ag respectively; and 4) net smelter return value of metals as percentage of the price, estimated at 86.5%, 90.7%, and 75.0% for Cu, Mo, and Ag respectively.

Qualified Person

The scientific and technical content of this news release has been reviewed and approved by Mr. Bernard-Olivier Martel, P. Geo. (OGQ 492), an independent ‘qualified person’ as defined by National Instrument 43-101 – Standards of Disclosure for Mineral Projects (‘NI 43-101’).

Quality Assurance / Quality Control

Mineralized intervals reported herein are calculated using an average 0.12% CuEq lower cut-off over contiguous 20-metre intersections (shorter intervals as the case may be at the upper and lower limits of reported intervals). Intervals of 20 metres or less are not reported unless indicating significantly higher grades .   True widths are estimated at 90 – 92% of the reported core length intervals.

Osisko Metals adheres to a strict QA/QC program for core handling, sampling, sample transportation and analyses, including insertion of blanks and standards in the sample stream. Drill core is drilled in HQ or NQ diameter and securely transported to its core processing facility on site, where it is logged, cut and sampled. Samples selected for assay are sealed and shipped to ALS Canada Ltd.’s preparation facility in Sudbury. Sample preparation details (code PREP-31DH) are available on the ALS Canada website. Pulps are analyzed at the ALS Canada Ltd. facility in North Vancouver, BC. All samples are analyzed by four acid digestion followed by both ICP-AES and ICP-MS for Cu, Mo and Ag.

About Osisko Metals

Osisko Metals Incorporated is a Canadian exploration and development company creating value in the critical metals sector, with a focus on copper and zinc. The Company acquired a 100% interest in the past-producing Gaspé Copper mine from Glencore Canada Corporation in July 2023. The Gaspé Copper mine is located near Murdochville in Québec ‘ s Gaspé Peninsula. The Company is currently focused on resource expansion of the Gaspé Copper system, with current Indicated Mineral Resources of 824 Mt averaging 0.34% CuEq and Inferred Mineral Resources of 670 Mt averaging 0.38% CuEq (in compliance with NI 43-101). For more information, see Osisko Metals’ November 14, 2024 news release entitled ‘Osisko Metals Announces Significant Increase in Mineral Resource at Gaspé Copper’. Gaspé Copper hosts the largest undeveloped copper resource in eastern North America, strategically located near existing infrastructure in the mining-friendly province of Québec.

In addition to the Gaspé Copper project, the Company is working with Appian Capital Advisory LLP through the Pine Point Mining Limited joint venture to advance one of Canada ‘ s largest past-producing zinc mining camps, the Pine Point project, located in the Northwest Territories. The current mineral resource estimate for the Pine Point project consists of Indicated Mineral Resources of 49.5 Mt averaging 5.52% ZnEq and Inferred Mineral Resources of 8.3 Mt averaging 5.64% ZnEq (in compliance with NI 43-101). For more information, see Osisko Metals ‘ June 25, 2024 news release entitled ‘Osisko Metals releases Pine Point mineral resource estimate: 49.5 million tonnes of indicated resources at 5.52% ZnEq’. The Pine Point project is located on the south shore of Great Slave Lake, NWT, close to infrastructure, with paved road access, an electrical substation and 100 kilometres of viable haul roads.

For further information on this news release, visit www.osiskometals.com or contact:

Don Njegovan, President
Email: info@osiskometals.com
Phone: (416) 500-4129

Cautionary Statement on Forward-Looking Information

This news release contains ‘forward-looking information’ within the meaning of applicable Canadian securities legislation based on expectations, estimates and projections as at the date of this news release. Any statement that involves predictions, expectations, interpretations, beliefs, plans, projections, objectives, assumptions, future events or performance (often, but not always, using phrases such as ‘expects’, or ‘does not expect’, ‘is expected’, ‘interpreted’, ‘management’s view’, ‘anticipates’ or ‘does not anticipate’, ‘plans’, ‘budget’, ‘scheduled’, ‘forecasts’, ‘estimates’, ‘potential’, ‘feasibility’, ‘believes’ or ‘intends’ or variations of such words and phrases or stating that certain actions, events or results ‘may’ or ‘could’, ‘would’, ‘might’ or ‘will’ be taken, occur or be achieved) are not statements of historical fact and may be forward-looking information and are intended to identify forward-looking information. This news release contains forward-looking information pertaining to, among other things: the tax treatment of the FT Units; the timing of incurring the Qualifying Expenditures and the renunciation of the Qualifying Expenditures; the ability to advance Gaspé Copper to a construction decision (if at all); the ability to increase the Company’s trading liquidity and enhance its capital markets presence; the potential re-rating of the Company; the ability for the Company to unlock the full potential of its assets and achieve success; the ability for the Company to create value for its shareholders; the advancement of the Pine Point project; the anticipated resource expansion of the Gaspé Copper system and Gaspé Copper hosting the largest undeveloped copper resource in eastern North America.

Forward-looking information is not a guarantee of future performance and is based upon a number of estimates and assumptions of management, in light of management’s experience and perception of trends, current conditions and expected developments, as well as other factors that management believes to be relevant and reasonable in the circumstances, including, without limitation, assumptions about: the ability of exploration results, including drilling, to accurately predict mineralization; errors in geological modelling; insufficient data; equity and debt capital markets; future spot prices of copper and zinc; the timing and results of exploration and drilling programs; the accuracy of mineral resource estimates; production costs; political and regulatory stability; the receipt of governmental and third party approvals; licenses and permits being received on favourable terms; sustained labour stability; stability in financial and capital markets; availability of mining equipment and positive relations with local communities and groups. Forward-looking information involves risks, uncertainties and other factors that could cause actual events, results, performance, prospects and opportunities to differ materially from those expressed or implied by such forward-looking information. Factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from such forward-looking information are set out in the Company’s public disclosure record on SEDAR+ (www.sedarplus.ca) under Osisko Metals’ issuer profile. Although the Company believes that the assumptions and factors used in preparing the forward-looking information in this news release are reasonable, undue reliance should not be placed on such information, which only applies as of the date of this news release, and no assurance can be given that such events will occur in the disclosed time frames or at all. The Company disclaims any intention or obligation to update or revise any forward- looking information, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, other than as required by law.

Neither the TSX Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX Exchange) accept responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this news release. No stock exchange, securities commission, or other regulatory authority has approved or disapproved the information contained herein.

Figures accompanying this announcement are available at
https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/d9ceeb48-c38d-45dc-a5ec-f96863709f4a
https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/2df9a7aa-2f59-4631-b9dc-e4794a30e22b

News Provided by GlobeNewswire via QuoteMedia

This post appeared first on investingnews.com

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World Cup qualifying: Thursday soccer games, times, schedule

Sport 3 Mins Read

The road to the 2026 World Cup is a long one, and no fewer than 50 nations play qualifiers on Thursday, Sept. 4 as teams across the globe vie for one of the 48 bids to next year’s tournament.

For soccer fans, there’s a possible run of 15 straight hours of play available to watch. The slate of World Cup qualifiers will kick off in Africa, with Chad hosting Ghana at 9 a.m. ET, and the latest qualifying match of the day (Guatemala vs. El Salvador) won’t kick off until 10 p.m. ET.

The most pressure-packed game might come in South America, where Colombia and Bolivia face off in Barranquilla. Neither team has clinched a berth, and with two rounds left to play, a draw would eliminate the visitors. Meanwhile, Colombia has far loftier expectations than scraping by, and one more stumble would put them into a potential must-win next week at Venezuela.

Elsewhere, some of Europe’s biggest powers will be in action. Germany will face a potentially tricky trip to Slovakia, while Spain will head to Sofia to take on Bulgaria. The Netherlands, who have 10 goals for and none conceded after two matches, will host Poland in what could be one of their more difficult matches in Group G.

Here is a full list of every 2026 World Cup qualifier for Thursday, including start times and options to catch select games:

World Cup qualifiers today: Times, schedule, how to watch

All times Eastern.

Confederation of African Football

  • Group A: Guinea-Bissau vs. Sierra Leone – 12 p.m.
  • Group D: Angola vs. Libya – 12 p.m.
  • Group D: Mauritius vs. Cape Verde – 12 p.m.
  • Group D: Cameroon vs. Eswatini – 3 p.m.
  • Group G: Algeria vs. Botswana – 3 p.m.
  • Group H: São Tomé and Príncipe vs. Equatorial Guinea – 12 p.m.
  • Group H: Tunisia vs. Liberia – 3 p.m.
  • Group I: Chad vs. Ghana – 9 a.m.
  • Group I: Madagascar vs. Central African Republic – 12 p.m.
  • Group I: Mali vs. Comoros – 3 p.m.

Watch Thursday’s CAF World Cup qualifiers on ESPN+

Concacaf (North and Central America, and the Caribbean)

  • Group A: Suriname vs. Panama – 5:30 p.m.
  • Group A: Guatemala vs. El Salvador – 10 p.m.

Watch Concacaf World Cup qualifying on Fubo (free trial)

CONMEBOL (South America)

  • Matchday 17: Uruguay vs. Peru – 7:30 p.m.
  • Matchday 17: Colombia vs. Bolivia – 7:30 p.m.
  • Matchday 17: Paraguay vs. Ecuador – 7:30 p.m.
  • Matchday 17: Argentina vs. Venezuela – 7:30 p.m.
  • Matchday 17: Brazil vs. Chile – 8:30 p.m.

UEFA (Europe)

  • Group A: Luxembourg vs. Northern Ireland – 2:45 p.m.
  • Group A: Slovakia vs. Germany – 2:45 p.m.
  • Group E: Georgia vs. Turkey – 12 p.m.
  • Group E: Bulgaria vs. Spain – 2:45 p.m.
  • Group G: Lithuania vs. Malta – 12 p.m.
  • Group G: Netherlands vs. Poland – 2:45 p.m.
  • Group J: Kazakhstan vs. Wales – 10 a.m.
  • Group J: Liechtenstein vs. Belgium – 2:45 p.m.

Watch Thursday’s UEFA World Cup qualifying games on Fubo (free trial)

This post appeared first on USA TODAY

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Sport

NFL’s rule changes for 2025

Sport 4 Mins Read

A new NFL season brings hope to fanbases across the league. All 32 teams have a fresh outlook entering this season compared to when they last took the field for games in January – or February, if you’re the Philadelphia Eagles or Kansas City Chiefs.

The new season brings some changes on the field beyond just the starting players, coaching staffs or front offices. New rules typically accompany the start of a new season and 2025 is no different.

Fans will notice some changes to the kickoff procedure, overtime, celebrations and instant replay. There’s also going to be some new technology in the footballs themselves during the game to help improve quality of play.

That’s a lot to get in order as the Eagles and Dallas Cowboys ring in the new season in primetime on Thursday, Sept. 4 from Lincoln Financial Field in Philadelphia.

We’re here to help you get everything in order ahead of Week 1 of the regular season.

NFL rule changes for 2025

Kickoff changes

Last season saw massive changes to NFL kickoffs that are permanent for the 2025 season. Teams will still be kicking from their 35-yard line with all players (except the kicker) lined up at the receiving team’s 40-yard line. Receiving teams will have at least nine players in the ‘set up zone’ between their own 35- and 30-yard lines.

Rule changes this year will affect touchbacks. The receiving team will now get the ball at their 35-yard line if the kickoff goes into or beyond the end zone, a change from the 30-yard line last year. If the ball bounces into the end zone, the receiving team will get the ball at their own 20-yard line.

Overtime possession changes

In 2025, the postseason and regular season overtime rules will be the same. Each team will have a chance to possess the ball in overtime. After a three-minute intermission, overtime will last 10 minutes at most.

Each team will have an opportunity to possess the ball and the team with more points after the first possession wins. If the score is still tied after the first possession for both teams, the next score wins.

If the team kicking off to start overtime scores a safety on the initial possession, the team that kicked off is the winner.

Replay rule changes

Replay officials can now assist on more plays than in 2024. Last year, replay officials at the league offices in New York could help during replay reviews and some administrative issues. This year they’ll be able to step in for more situations and help provide objective rulings.

Here are the situations in which replay officials can help in 2025:

  • Spot of the ball or foul;
  • Complete or incomplete pass;
  • Touching of the ball or a line;
  • Penalty enforcement;
  • Confirmation of down;
  • Game clock administration;
  • Possession of a loose ball;
  • Player down by contact when not ruled down on the field;
  • Late hits out of bounds.

Replay officials can also assist for ruling on the following penalties:

  • Roughing the passer (when only based on a hit to the passer’s head or neck area)
  • Intentional Grounding;
  • Unnecessary roughness based on forcibly contacting a runner when he is out of bounds or hitting a defenseless player’s head or neck area;
  • Twisting, pulling or turning the facemask or helmet;
  • Horse-collar tackle;
  • Tripping;
  • Roughing or running into the kicker.

‘Nose-wipe’ celebration penalty

The ‘nose-wipe’ gesture popularized by Dallas Cowboys wide receiver CeeDee Lamb is now added to the list of celebrations that will draw an unsportsmanlike conduct penalty for 15 yards. The league claims that this gesture is related to gang activity.

Onside kick changes

NFL teams can now declare an onside kick at any point of the game so long as they are trailing. Last season, this was only allowed in the fourth quarter. These kicks will now be booted from the 34-yard line instead of the 35-yard line.

Hawk-Eye technology

Sony and the NFL partnered for this new technology to determine if a ball is crossed the line to gain for a first down. The new system uses six high-definition cameras positioned in each NFL stadium to determine where the ball is on the field. These cameras are controlled in the instant replay booth and will be the primary spotting system instead of a chain crew.

This system was trialed behind-the-scenes in 2024 and first deployed during the 2025 Hall of Fame Game.

The idea behind this is to speed up measurements for first downs and prevent potentially inaccurate measurements.

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Why are the Eagles going unnoticed entering 2025 NFL season?

Sport 7 Mins Read

  • The Philadelphia Eagles defeated the Kansas City Chiefs 40-22 in Super Bowl 59 to cap off their 2024 season.
  • Despite the championship, the Eagles are not receiving the typical buzz of a reigning Super Bowl victor ahead of the 2025 season.
  • Philadelphia returns most of its dominant offense, including star running back Saquon Barkley and its signature ‘Tush Push’ play.

The Philadelphia Eagles capped off a dominant 2024 season with a 40-22 Super Bowl 59 thrashing of the Kansas City Chiefs. Philadelphia’s victory denied Kansas City an unprecedented three-peat and unofficially established the Eagles as the NFL’s new team to beat.

But you wouldn’t necessarily know it from the buzz – or lack thereof – surrounding the Eagles ahead of the 2025 NFL season.

Sure, the Eagles have gotten some love ahead of the upcoming campaign. Sportsbooks still favor Nick Sirianni’s squad to win the NFC, and they are among the league’s Super Bowl favorites as well.

Even so, the enthusiasm surrounding the Eagles doesn’t appear to match that of other recent Super Bowl victors.

What gives? Perhaps the Eagles are a victim of circumstance. They haven’t made many splashy changes to their team during the offseason while others in their conference – notably the Dallas Cowboys, Detroit Lions, Green Bay Packers and Minnesota Vikings – have, for better or worse.

Or maybe it’s because NFL fans and analysts remain hyper-focused on the dynastic Chiefs, who have won five of the last six AFC titles and carry a headline-making duo of Patrick Mahomes and Travis Kelce as their top players.

Whatever the case, the Eagles deserve more love than they have received ahead of the 2025 NFL season. Here’s why Philadelphia should be viewed as the Super Bowl 60 favorites.

The Eagles have impressive continuity on offense

The Eagles sported one of the NFL’s best offenses during the 2024 NFL season. The unit ranked eighth in yards per game (367.2), seventh in points per game (27.2) and sixth in offensive EPA while rivaling the Baltimore Ravens for the title of the NFL’s best rushing offense across all categories.

Some may be worried about the Eagles continuing to perform at a high clip in 2025 after offensive coordinator Kellen Moore took the New Orleans Saints coaching job during the offseason.

That said, the Eagles are returning 10 of the 11 players that started Super Bowl 59 to their offense in 2025. The lone exception is right guard Mekhi Becton, who signed with the Los Angeles Chargers in free agency.

Replacing Becton – who thrived as a run blocker in his lone season with the Eagles – won’t necessarily be easy for Philadelphia. His projected replacement, 2023 third-round pick Tyler Steen, graded 75th among 77 qualified guards last season, per Pro Football Focus.

Still, that’s just one potential hole about which the Eagles must worry on offense. And if top-tier offensive line coach Jeff Stoutland can help Steen take another step forward, Philadelphia’s offense could come out of the gates humming given the personnel’s familiarity with one another.

Saquon Barkley remains one of the best RBs in the NFL

Barkley was one of the Eagles’ shiny, new additions ahead of the 2024 campaign. There was optimism about what the free agent signee might do in his first season, but he vastly exceeded those expectations.

Barkley should continue to be a major weapon running behind an offensive line that helped him average a whopping 3.8 yards before contact last season, 0.5 yards per carry more than any other running back. The 28-year-old also still has a great top speed; he had four of the 14 fastest ball carrier speeds in the NFL last season, per NFL’s Next Gen Stats.

Does that mean Barkley will reach 2,000 yards again? Probably not, especially since he handled a whopping 480 touches last season, playoffs included.

Still, Barkley is in his prime and should be an explosive, three-down workhorse as the focal point of Philadelphia’s ground-dominant offense.

The ‘Tush Push’ is still legal

As if you needed another reason to love the Eagles offense in 2025, the NFL’s competition committee decided not to ban the team’s signature ‘Tush Push’ play during the offseason.

The Eagles were tough to stop in short-yardage situations because of the Tush Push. They converted 39 of their 48 attempts of the modified QB sneak into first downs or touchdowns last season, according to CBS Sports, good for a success rate of 81.25%.

With that weapon available, the Eagles should once again be among the NFL’s best short-yardage teams. That will allow them to extend drives thanks to Jalen Hurts’ powerful legs and wear opponents out using their elite running game.

The defense has young talent and an elite veteran coordinator

While Philadelphia’s starting offense remains largely the same as the one it had last year, its defense will look a lot different. The team parted with Milton Williams, Josh Sweat, Darius Slay and CJ Gardner-Johnson during the offseason, which shook up the team’s depth along the defensive front and in the secondary.

The good news for the Eagles? The team has a wealth of young talent in each position group, which should be ready to step into larger roles. Howie Roseman has always hoarded talent along the defensive line but has increasingly spent high-end draft capital on defensive backs like Quinyon Mitchell, Cooper DeJean, Sydney Brown and Andrew Mukuba to balance the roster.

Asking these players to step into bigger roles certainly comes with some risk, but having Vic Fangio should quell concerns about the Eagles’ stop unit taking any major step back.

Fangio, 67, has spent 24 years as an NFL defensive coordinator or head coach. Since 2018, he has coached four of his six defenses to top-10 scoring finishes and four to top-10 finishes in total yards allowed. That includes last season’s Eagles defense, which ranked No. 1 in yards allowed, No. 2 in points allowed and No. 2 in defensive EPA.

The Eagles remain without a big-time challenger in the NFC

The Eagles won the NFC last season. Who is to stop them from doing so again in 2025? There are many candidates, but all come with significant question marks.

The Lions were the NFC’s No. 1 seed last season, but they lost their offensive and defensive coordinators, Ben Johnson and Aaron Glenn, to coaching jobs. Meanwhile, star center Frank Ragnow retired, which will add uncertainty to a Detroit offense that was already facing questions without Johnson available.

The Washington Commanders surprised many with a run to the NFC championship game last season, but are they ready to take another leap forward? If not, they may not yet be ready to surpass the Eagles, who went 2-1 against them last season and beat them 55-23 in the NFC championship game.

The Vikings and Rams were both playoff teams last season, but each is facing a question at quarterback. Minnesota is turning to first-year starter J.J. McCarthy to lead a loaded offense while Los Angeles is trusting 37-year-old Matthew Stafford to lead it as he battles a bad back. Both quarterbacks could pan out, but if they don’t, the Vikings and Rams could have lower floors than expected.

The Packers may be the most intriguing of the 2024 playoff teams that could challenge the Eagles. They traded for Micah Parsons on eve of the season, and he should provide a significant boost to their Super Bowl chances. Even so, Parsons is battling a back injury while quarterback Jordan Love, who was banged up often last season, missed most of the preseason because of a finger injury.

Several other NFC teams – namely the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and San Francisco 49ers – could work their way into the Super Bowl conversation, but the Eagles clearly have a leg up on their competition at present. A top challenger will eventually emerge, but at present, it’s hard to argue against the Eagles as the favorites to win their third NFC championship of the last four years.

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Messi could play last game in Argentina: How to watch Thursday’s match

Sport 4 Mins Read

Argentina will host Venezuela in a 2026 World Cup qualifying match, which is the defending World Cup champions’ last scheduled home match in the foreseeable future.

Messi, 38, acknowledged the significance of the occasion in a recent postgame interview with Inter Miami last week.

“It’s going to be a very special game for me because it’s the last one in the qualifying round I don’t know if there will be friendlies or more games after that,” Messi said during a postgame interview with Apple TV after Inter Miami’s win against Orlando City in the Leagues Cup semifinals on Aug. 27.

“It’s a very special game, which is why my family will be there with me – my wife, my children, my parents, my siblings, and everyone else that can, including my wife’s whole family. And that’s how we’re going to experience it.”

“After that, as I said, I don’t know what will happen, but that’s our intention,” Messi added.

Argentina has already qualified for the 2026 World Cup to be co-hosted by the United States, Canada and Mexico, but Messi has yet to officially declare he will play in the tournament for the sixth time in his career.

Messi is under contract with Inter Miami through the end of the 2025 MLS season, with reported ongoing negotiations to sign an extension with the club.

Argentine national team coach Lionel Scaloni acknowledged the occasion during a press conference Wednesday, while adding the club would look to plan another match for Messi in Argentina when the time is right.

‘[Thursday] will be a beautiful, exciting game. Surely, it won’t be his last game in Argentina, and I saw that from the point of view that, if he decides it will be his last, we’ll make sure he gets to play another one,’ Scaloni said regarding Messi. ‘We’ll find the right moment, because he deserves it.’

When and where is the Argentina vs. Venezuela match?

The Sept. 4 match begins at 7:30 p.m. ET (8:30 p.m. in Argentina) at Mâs Monumental in Buenos Aires.

How to watch Argentina vs. Venezuela on Sept. 4?

The match will be broadcast on Universo and can be streamed on Fubo.

Watch Argentina vs. Venezuela on Fanatiz PPV

Is Messi going to play?

For the reasons listed above, it appears very likely Messi will play with Argentina against Venezuela.

When is the next time Messi will play with Argentina after Venezuela match?

Argentina will visit Ecuador on Sept. 9 to conclude Conmebol World Cup qualifying, but it’s possible Messi will return to South Florida as Inter Miami prepares for the last stretch of the 2025 MLS season.

Will Messi play with Argentina in October or November?

Messi could potentially participate in four more Argentina friendly matches later this year.

Argentina is planning to play two friendly matches in the United States between October 6-14 with locations and opponents to be determined. These friendlies would coincide with Inter Miami’s MLS season, potentially creating a scheduling conflict for Messi.

Argentina will also play two friendly matches between Nov. 10-18 in in Luanda, Angola, and Kerala, India with opponents to be determined. These friendlies would fall under a FIFA international window.

Messi’s upcoming schedule with Inter Miami and Argentina

  • Sept. 4: Argentina vs. Venezuela (World Cup qualifying)
  • Sept. 9: Ecuador vs. Argentina (World Cup qualifying)
  • Sept. 13: Charlotte FC vs. Inter Miami, 7:30 p.m. (MLS regular season)
  • Sept. 16: Inter Miami vs. Seattle Sounders, 7:30 p.m. (MLS regular season)
  • Sept. 20: Inter Miami vs. D.C. United, 7:30 p.m. (MLS regular season)
  • Sept. 24: New York City FC vs. Inter Miami, 7:30 p.m. (MLS regular season)
  • Sept. 27: Toronto FC vs. Inter Miami, 4:30 p.m. (MLS regular season)
  • Sept. 30: Inter Miami vs. Chicago Fire, 7:30 p.m. (MLS regular season)
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How Saquon Barkley can make history even if he doesn’t get 2,000 yards

Sport 6 Mins Read

  • Saquon Barkley rushed for 2,005 yards in 2024, his first season with the Philadelphia Eagles.
  • Historically, running backs see a significant drop in production the year after rushing for 2,000 yards.
  • Barkley’s projected stats for 2025 are 308 carries, 1,694 rushing yards, and 10 touchdowns.

Saquon Barkley became the ninth 2,000-yard rusher during his first season with the Philadelphia Eagles. Can he do it again in 2025?

On the surface, Barkley would look like a candidate to become the NFL’s first two-time, 2,000-yard rusher. The 28-year-old is in his prime and plays for one of the best and most run-heavy offenses in the NFL.

But Barkley also handled a major workload in 2024. He handled 482 touches, including the playoffs, and it isn’t clear whether that high volume of usage will impact him as he enters the 2025 NFL season.

Add in that no running back has even topped 1,500 rushing yards in the year following a 2,000-yard campaign and it’s hard to guarantee Barkley will be able to reach historic heights again in 2025.

How well will Barkley do in his second season with the Eagles? Here’s a look at a stat projection for his season and why he could still make history even if he doesn’t reach 2,000 yards rushing in 2025.

NFL 2,000-yard rushers

The NFL has seen nine players record 2,000 rushing yards in a single season during its history. They are as follows:

  • 1973: O.J. Simpson, Bills – 2,003
  • 1984: Eric Dickerson, Rams – 2,105
  • 1997: Barry Sanders, Lions – 2,053
  • 1998: Terrell Davis, Broncos – 2,008
  • 2003: Jamal Lewis, Ravens – 2,056
  • 2009: Chris Johnson, Titans – 2,006
  • 2012: Adrian Peterson, Vikings – 2,097
  • 2020: Derrick Henry, Titans – 2,027
  • 2025: Saquon Barkley, Eagles – 2,005

How do NFL running backs fare after 2,000-yard seasons?

Typically, running backs see a noticeable decline in production in the season following their 2,000-yard campaigns. It isn’t necessarily because they lack opportunities.

The NFL’s previous eight 2,000-yard rushers averaged just 2.5 fewer carries per game in the season following their 2,000-yard campaign. However, they experienced an average decline of 41.2 rushing yards per game despite the relatively similar opportunities.

The reason for the precipitous step-back? No NFL running back has averaged more than 4.5 yards per carry in the season following their 2,000-yard campaign. As a group, they have averaged 4.3 yards per carry; by comparison, the eight averaged a collective 5.6 yards per carry during their 2,000-yard seasons, with Davis’ 5.1 yards per carry in 1998 serving as the lowest average.

Below is a look at the average, per-game stats of running backs during their 2,000-yard seasons:

  • Carries: 23.1
  • Rushing yards: 129.9
  • Rushing TDs: 0.9
  • Yards per carry: 5.6

And here is a look at the per-game stats in the season following:

  • Carries: 20.6
  • Rushing yards: 88.7
  • Rushing TDs: 0.6
  • Yards per carry: 4.5

Even so, only two of the eight running backs have failed to eclipse 1,000 rushing yards in the campaign following their 2,000-yard season. Both players, Davis and Henry, were impacted by injuries that limited them to four and eight games respectively.

So, while 2,000-yard rushers typically see a drop-off, they still usually remain high-caliber starting running backs.

Who has the most rushing yards after a 2,000-yard season?

Barry Sanders owns the record for the most single-season rushing yards recorded immediately following a 2,000-yard season. Sanders ran for 1,491 yards during the 1999 season, which turned out to be his final NFL season.

Sanders was also the lone running back to record an increase in carries in the year following his 2,000-yard season. He ran the ball 335 times in 1998 before seeing that number increase to 343 in his final season.

Saquon Barkley stat projection 2025

  • Carries: 308
  • Rushing yards: 1,694
  • Rushing TDs: 10
  • Yards per carry: 5.5

Could Barkley become the first back to record multiple 2,000-yard seasons? That may prove difficult. That said, a path exists for Barkley to surpass Sanders’ record for a 2,000-yard season follow-up.

Barkley averaged a career-high 5.8 yards per carry last season, and much of that was buoyed by his elite offensive line. His blockers helped him to rack up an average of 3.8 yards before contact per run; Jahmyr Gibbs (3.3) and Derrick Henry (3.1) were the only other running backs league-wide to average better than 3 yards before contact per carry.

Philadelphia is returning four of its five starting offensive linemen from last season, with the lone exception being right guard Mekhi Becton, who signed with the Los Angeles Chargers. So long as 2023 third-round pick Tyler Steen proves to be a capable replacement, the blocking in front of Barkley should remain strong.

If that’s the case, Barkley will have more big-play potential than most backs around the NFL thanks to his blazing speed. Barkley led the league in runs of 40-plus yards (7) and recorded four of the 14 fastest speeds by a ball-carrier during the 2024 NFL season. His top speed of 21.93 mph was good for fourth-best in the league behind only Dallas Cowboys receiver KaVontae Turpin (22.36), Jacksonville Jaguars receiver Brian Thomas Jr. (22.15) and Gibbs (22.03).

If Barkley can continue to generate explosive plays, that will significantly boost his chances of once again topping the league’s rushing leaderboard.

Finally, it’s worth noting Barkley sat out the Eagles’ Week 18 game because the team had already clinched the NFC East and wasn’t in the running for the conference’s No. 1 seed. If he plays all 17 games in 2025, that would give him an extra contest to rack up yardage, which could give him a boost as he looks to repeat his 2,000-yard feat.

Still, while there are many reasons to be bullish on Barkley’s potential, it’s also worth noting he handled 482 total touches last season, including the playoffs. The Eagles may want to slightly limit his touches to avoid any significant fatigue or wear-and-tear, so he shouldn’t be expected to exceed his career-high carry total (345) from the previous season.

That slight regression should keep Barkley from going over 2,000 yards again, but Eagles fans can still expect him to be among the best running backs in the NFL.

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Empire Metals

Investing 8 Mins Read

Investor Insight

Empire Metals (OTCQB:EPMLF, AIM:EEE) is unlocking one of the world’s largest and purest titanium deposits at its flagship Pitfield project in Western Australia. With growing global demand, a looming supply deficit, and near-term development milestones, Empire offers a compelling investment opportunity in the critical minerals space.

Overview

Empire Metals (OTCQB:EPMLF, AIM:EEE) is an Australian focused exploration and resource development company rapidly gaining international attention for its discovery and rapid development of what is believed to be the world’s largest titanium deposit.

The company is focused on advancing its flagship asset, the Pitfield project, located in Western Australia, a tier 1 mining jurisdiction. With a dominant landholding of more than 1,000 sq km, and a titanium mineral system that spans 40 km in strike length, Pitfield is emerging as a district-scale “giant” discovery with the potential to reshape the global titanium supply landscape.

Empire’s strategic focus on titanium comes at a pivotal time. Titanium is officially recognized as a critical mineral by both the European Union and the United States, owing to its essential role in aerospace, defense, medical technologies, clean energy and high-performance industrial applications. Global demand for titanium dioxide — the most widely used form of titanium — is surging due to its unmatched properties as a pigment and as a feedstock for titanium metal. Titanium supply chains are also increasingly being constrained by geopolitical risks, mine depletion and environmental challenges associated with traditional production. More than 60 percent of the global supply chain is currently concentrated in a handful of countries, notably China and Russia, creating significant vulnerabilities for Western markets.

Titanium has been designated as a critical mineral in both the EU and the US.

Against this backdrop, Empire Metals offers investors a compelling opportunity to gain exposure to a strategically vital metal through a large-scale, high-grade and clean titanium discovery. Unlike many traditional titanium sources, Pitfield’s mineralization is exceptionally pure — free from detrimental amounts of uranium, thorium, chromium and other contaminants — making it ideally suited for premium, high-purity end markets. Furthermore, the mineralized zone is near-surface and laterally extensive, allowing for low-strip and scalable bulk mining with conventional processing technologies.

With more than 22,000 meters of drilling already completed and only a fraction of the mineral system tested, Empire is aggressively advancing Pitfield towards a maiden JORC-compliant mineral resource estimate, targeted for H2-2025. Alongside this work, the company is also undertaking bulk sampling and metallurgical processing to advance flowsheet design and optimize product specifications. It is also engaging with industry players to assess product suitability for premium pigment and titanium sponge markets. Empire is planning to finalize, during the current calendar year, a mining study to evaluate the potential for a low-cost strip mining approach, utilizing continuous mining techniques.

The company is supported by a seasoned leadership team with deep expertise in exploration, resource development, mining, metallurgy and capital markets — ensuring that strategic decisions are guided by both technical excellence and a strong track record of value creation.

Company Highlights

  • The flagship Pitfield project is the world’s largest known titanium discovery. It’s a district-scale “giant” titanium mineral system, characterised by high-grade, high-purity titanium mineralisation exhibiting exceptional continuity.
  • Titanium is in a global supply deficit and recognized as a critical mineral by the EU and US.
  • Drill intercepts at Pitfield include up to 202 meters at 6.32 percent titanium dioxide (TiO2) from surface, confirming vast scale and grade.
  • Empire Metals operates in one of the world’s most secure, mining-friendly jurisdictions: Western Australia.
  • The company is led by an experienced, agile team, with proven expertise in exploration, mine development, and value creation across multiple commodities.
  • With a number of key development catalysts planned for 2025, including a maiden resource estimate, bulk sampling for scale-up of metallurgical testwork, and product optimisation, Empire remains significantly undervalued relative to its peers.

Key Projects

Pitfield Project – A World-Class Titanium Discovery

Located in Western Australia, the Pitfield project is Empire Metals’ flagship asset and represents one of the most exciting titanium discoveries globally. Spanning an area of approximately 1,042 sq km, the project has revealed a colossal mineral system measuring 40 km in length and up to 8 km in width, with geophysical indications of mineralization extending to at least a depth of 5 km.

Pitfield’s prime location in Western Australia

Extensive drilling across the project has intercepted thick, laterally continuous zones of high-grade titanium dioxide mineralization, highlighting the system’s enormous scale and consistency.

The titanium at Pitfield occurs predominantly in the minerals anatase and rutile within a weathered, in-situ cap that begins at surface. These minerals are exceptionally pure, often exceeding 90 percent titanium dioxide. They are free from harmful amounts of contaminants like uranium, thorium, chromium and phosphorus — qualities that are likely to make the deposit uniquely suitable for premium, high-purity titanium applications in aerospace, defense and clean technologies.

Pitfield is strategically located near the town of Three Springs, approximately 150 km southeast of the port city of Geraldton. The project benefits from direct access to essential infrastructure, including sealed highways, rail lines and an available water supply. This connectivity significantly enhances development potential by reducing logistics costs and simplifying future project build-out. Moreover, the Western Australian government actively supports critical mineral development, and Empire is operating within a stable, mining-friendly jurisdiction known for streamlined permitting and investment security.

Empire has completed more than 22,000 meters of drilling, confirming standout titanium dioxide (TiO2) results such as 154 meters at 6.76 percent TiO2, 148 meters at 6.49 percent TiO2, and 150 meters at 6.44 percent TiO2. Notably, mineralization remains open at depth in all tested zones, and to date, only around 5 percent of the interpreted system has been drilled. This underscores the immense upside potential for resource expansion.

The project’s development advantages are equally compelling: the mineralization is near-surface and amenable to simple, bulk mining methods with conventional processing. Its location in a tier-one mining jurisdiction offers access to infrastructure, a skilled workforce and strong regulatory support.

The Pitfield project presents a scalable processing pathway. Photo shows a gravity flotation test in process (left) and a close-up of a flotation test (right)

Pitfield is advancing toward a maiden JORC-compliant mineral resource estimate, expected by H2-2025. The project is already being recognized as a potential cornerstone asset in the global titanium supply chain.

In August 2025, Empire Metals achieved a metallurgical breakthrough, confirming that conventional processing can deliver strong results. Testwork returned 77 percent recovery in the rougher stage, 90 percent in cleaning, and 98 percent titanium dissolution, for an overall 67 percent titanium recovery. The process produced a high-purity TiO₂ concentrate grading 99.25 percent with ~5 percent Fe₂O₃, supporting plans for a lower-cost pilot plant.

Other Projects

In addition to Pitfield, Empire Metals maintains a portfolio of early-stage exploration assets offering optionality and exposure to other strategic and precious metals. Empire holds interests in two Western Australian projects — the Walton and Eclipse gold projects — both situated in historically productive mineral belts. While these assets are not the current focus, they contribute exploration upside and optionality within the company’s broader strategy.

Management Team

Neil O’Brien – Non-executive Chairman

Neil O’Brien is the former SVP exploration and new business development at Lundin

Mining, until he retired in 2018. He has an extensive global mining career as a PhD economic geologist, exploration leader and board executive.

Shaun Bunn – Managing Director

Shaun Bunn is a metallurgist based in Perth, Western Australia, with expertise in international exploration, mining, processing and development. He has a successful track record managing mining projects through all stages of development.

Greg Kuenzel – Finance Director

Based in London, Greg Kuenzel is a chartered accountant, and corporate finance and financial management expert. He has extensive experience working with resources-focused AIM listed companies.

Peter Damouni – Non-executive Director

With more than 20 years of corporate and finance experience focused in the natural resources sector, Peter Damouni holds executive and director roles in TSXV and LSE listed companies where he has played key roles in significantly enhancing shareholder value.

Phil Brumit – Non-executive Director

Phil Brumit is a veteran mining engineer and operations expert, delivering major global operations. His previous roles include international leadership positions at Freeport-McMoRan, Lundin Mining and Newmont Corporation.

Narelle Marriott – Process Development Manager

Narelle Marriott is a former BHP senior process engineer. Most recently, she was the general manager for process development for Hastings Technology Metals.

Andrew Faragher – Exploration Manager

Andrew Faragher is a former Rio Tinto exploration manager with more than 25 years of experience working across multiple commodities.

Arabella Burwell – Corporate Development

Arabella Burwell is a former Senior Director Corporate Development at NASDAQ-listed GoDaddy and a Partner, Capital Raising and Strategic Partnerships, at Hannam & Partners in London and South Africa.

Carrie Pritchard – Environmental Manager

Carrie brings over 20 years of international experience in environmental management, project development, regulatory approvals, and impact assessment. Her expertise spans mine closure and reclamation, stakeholder engagement, and the remediation of contaminated sites. She has led projects across Australia (Western Australia and Victoria) and New Zealand and has also contributed to initiatives in Malawi and Greenland.

David Parker – Commercial Manager

David Parker brings over 20 years of experience in equity capital markets, with a strong focus on the mining, industrial, and technology sectors. He has held senior roles as director and company secretary for several ASX-listed companies, providing strategic leadership and commercial oversight across diverse corporate environments.

This post appeared first on investingnews.com

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Silver Stocks: 5 Biggest Companies in 2025

Investing 8 Mins Read

During 2025, silver has continued to build on gains made in the previous year, soaring above US$40 per ounce in early September.

The gains have been driven by several factors, most notably the tightening of supply and demand fundamentals, resulting from higher demand from industrial sectors and its use in photovoltaics.

Additionally, prices have found tailwinds from safe-haven investors who find silver’s lower entry price compared to gold appealing. The moves have been fueled by uncertainty in the global financial markets as the United States implements its new trade and tariff policies. Investors have also been unsettled by an escalating tension in the Middle East and the unresolved conflict between Russia and Ukraine.

Below is an overview of the five largest silver-mining stocks by market cap as of August 25, 2025, as per data gathered using TradingView’s stock screener. Read on to learn more about the activities and operations of these large-cap silver stocks.

1. Pan American Silver (TSX:PAAS)

Market cap: C$16.35 billion
Share price: C$45.06

Pan American Silver is among the world’s largest primary silver producers, with silver assets located throughout the Americas and operations in Peru, Mexico, Bolivia, Argentina and Chile.

According to its Q2 report, released on August 6, overall, the company produced 5.1 million ounces of silver during the period. Its largest silver-producing asset is the La Colorada mine in Mexico, which produced 1.51 million ounces of silver during the quarter.

Other significant contributors to its silver production were its El Peñon gold-silver mine in Chile at 968,000 ounces of silver, Huaron in Peru at 844,000 ounces, San Vicente in Bolivia at 755,000 ounces, Cerro Moro in Argentina at 488,000 ounces and Dolores in Mexico at 291,000 ounces.

The company also reaffirmed its 2025 operating outlook and expects full year silver production in the 20 million to 21 million ounce range, with all in sustaining costs in the US$16.25 to US$18.25 per ounce range.

Additionally, the company announced on May 11 that it had entered into a definitive agreement to acquire all of the issued and outstanding shares of MAG Silver (TSX:MAG,OTC Pink:FNLPF). Under the terms of the US$2.1 billion deal, MAG shareholders will be paid out a mix of cash totaling US$500 million and 0.755 shares in Pan American per MAG share.

Once complete, Pan American will control 44 percent of the Juanicipio mine in Central Mexico. The mine is operated by Fresnillo (LSE:FRES), which holds the remaining 56 percent.

Pan American announced on August 25 that the Mexican Federal Economic Competition Commission approved the deal and expects the acquisition to be completed on approximately September 4.

2. First Majestic Silver (TSX:AG)

Market cap: C$6.03 billion
Share price: C$12.36

First Majestic has three wholly owned silver-producing mines in Mexico: San Dimas in Durango, Santa Elena in Sonora and La Encantada in Coahuila. The first two also produce gold.

The company holds a 70 percent stake in the Los Gatos silver mine in Chihuahua as well. First Majestic acquired the property in January 2025 through a merger with Gatos Silver. Japan’s Dowa Holdings (TSE:5714) holds the remaining 30 percent interest.

In addition to its producing assets, First Majestic commenced bullion sales from its own minting facility in Nevada, US, named First Mint, in March 2024.

According to its Q2 2025 report, the company produced 3.7 million ounces of silver during the quarter, a 76 percent increase year-over-year, and set a record quarterly revenue of US$264.2 million.

Its recently acquired Los Gatos was its largest producer, delivering more than 1.52 million ounces of attributable silver. San Dimas took second place at 1.24 million ounces, while La Encantada and Santa Elena produced 628,105 ounces and 306,224 ounces respectively.

3. MAG Silver (TSX:MAG)

Market cap: C$3.39 billion
Share price: C$32.71

MAG Silver is a silver production company that has a 44 percent stake in the Juanicipio mine in Zacatecas, Mexico. Fresnillo owns the remaining 56 percent of the operation.

In addition to Juanicipio, the company also has two exploration projects, Deer Trail and Larder. Deer Trail is a silver, gold, lead, zinc and copper property in Utah, US, that hosts a historic mine, and Larder is a gold project located in Ontario, Canada.

In the company’s Q2 2025 financial results on May 8, MAG Silver reported mining operations at Juanicipio had produced 4.3 million ounces of silver during the second quarter of the year. Additionally, ongoing optimizations at the site’s processing plant boosted silver recovery to 94.6 percent in Q2, up from 92.4 percent during the same period last year.

On May 11, MAG announced that it had entered into a definitive agreement to be acquired by Pan American Silver in a US$2.1 billion deal. According to an announcement from Pan American, it is expected to close in September 2025.

4. Endeavour Silver (TSX:EDR)

Market cap: C$2.3 billion
Share price: C$7.99

Endeavour Silver is a silver company with two operating silver-gold mines in Mexico — Guanaceví and Bolañitos — plus the commissioning-stage Terronera project and several exploration properties.

On May 1, the company announced that it had completed the acquisition of Compañia Minera Kolpa and the Huachocolpa Uno mine in Peru. The terms of the deal will see Endeavour pay total considerations of US$145 million in a combination of cash and Endeavour shares to Kopla shareholders.

Endeavour has also agreed to pay an additional US$10 million in cash in contingent payments if certain events are met, and will add US$20 million in net debt, which will remain outstanding and repayable by Minera Kolpa.

In the company’s Q2 earnings report, Endeavour reported silver production of 1.48 million ounces, 13 percent higher than during the second quarter of 2024. The company attributed the increased production to the acquisition of Kolpa.

The company also provided an update on development at Terronera, which is nearing commercial production. As of the end of July, milling rates had increased to 1,900 and 2,000 metric tons per day, with average silver recoveries of 71 percent.

5. Vizsla Silver (TSX:VZLA)

Market cap: C$1.66 billion
Share price: C$4.83

Vizsla Silver is advancing its Panuco silver-gold project in Sinaloa, Mexico, toward production with the development of the Copala test mine.

Viszla released an updated preliminary economic assessment for the Panuco project on February 20, suggesting a post tax net present value of US$1.14 billion with an internal rate of return of 85.7 percent and a pay back period of less than 1 year.

Measured and indicated silver resources at the site totaled 127.82 million ounces of contained silver from 12.96 million metric tons of ore with an average grade of 307 grams per metric ton (g/t) silver. Its inferred resource totals 73.62 million ounces of silver from 10.47 million metric tons of ore with an average grade of 219 g/t.

On June 18, Vizsla reported that it had advanced 125 meters at its Copala test mine and is progressing at a rate of 4 meters per day. Once the development reaches the main deposit, Vizsla will take a 10,000 metric ton bulk sample. The portal will also serve as the primary access for underground mining operations once a construction decision is made.

Additionally, in May, the company entered into an agreement to acquire the producing Santa Fe silver-gold mine and property located to the south of Panuco.

The property hosts operating mining infrastructure, including a processing plant and an underground mine built in 2018. Between 2020 and 2024, the mine processed 370,366 metric tons of ore, with an average head grade of 203 g/t silver and 2.17 g/t gold.

Under the terms of the agreement, Vizsla will have the option to acquire a 100 percent interest in the Santa Fe producing concessions for US$4 million in exploration expenditures, along with cash considerations of US$1.5 million and 1.37 million Vizsla shares over five years. It also entered a purchase agreement to buy the Santa Fe exploration concessions for a further US$1.43 million and 2.75 million common shares.

FAQs for silver investing

Is silver a good investment?

Silver comes with many of the same advantages as its sister metal gold. Both are considered safe-haven assets, as they can offer a hedge against market downturns, a weakening US dollar and inflation.

Additionally, many investors like being able to physically own an asset, and with its lower price point, buying silver coins and bars is an accessible option for building a precious metals portfolio. Of course, physical silver isn’t the only way to invest in the metal — there are also silver stocks and various silver exchange-traded funds.

It’s up to investors to do their due diligence and decide whether silver is the right match for their portfolio.

Does silver go up when the stock market goes down?

Historically, silver has shown some correlation with stock market moves, although it’s not consistent. When the stock market has seen its worst crashes, silver has moved down, but by a less significant amount than the stock market has, showing that it can act as a safety net to lessen losses in tough circumstances.

However, silver is also known for its volatility. What’s more, because it has industrial applications as well as a currency side, silver is less tied to the stock market than gold is.

Securities Disclosure: I, Dean Belder, hold an investment in Vizsla Silver.

This post appeared first on investingnews.com

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