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Standard Uranium Ltd. (TSXV: STND,OTC:STTDF) (OTCQB: STTDF) (FSE: 9SU0) (‘Standard Uranium’ or the ‘Company’) announces the conclusion, effective December 11, 2025, of an arm’s length property option agreement (the ‘Agreement’) with Aero Energy Ltd. (‘Aero’) dated October 20, 2023, that had allowed Aero to earn up to 100% interest in the Sun Dog Project (‘Sun Dog’, or the ‘Project’). Following the conclusion of the Agreement, full and unencumbered ownership of the Project has been returned to the Company. Standard Uranium is currently working on plans to advance exploration on Sun Dog, building upon recent drilling and geophysical programs in 2024 and 2025.

Sun Dog covers an area of 48,443 acres (19,604 ha) across nine mineral claims and is located 15 km Southeast of Uranium City on the northern margin of the Athabasca Basin (Figure 1). It hosts the historical Gunnar Uranium Mine, discovered in 1952, which doubled Canada’s uranium production and became the largest uranium producer globally in 1956. The Gunnar Mine produced approximately 18M lbs of U3O8 between 1953 and 19811,2.

Jon Bey, CEO & Director of Standard Uranium, commented, ‘Sun Dog is a fantastic project that continues to garner a great deal of interest from multiple companies. We are excited to have the Sun Dog project returned to our portfolio and confident that we will have another joint venture partner funding further exploration in the next year. I would also like to wish the team at Aero Energy future success as they focus their sites on their other uranium projects in Canada and the USA. They were a great partner to work with the past two years.’

Figure 1. Overview of the Sun Dog Project highlighting drill target areas, historical high-grade* uranium occurrences3, and EM-conductors4.

To view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit:
https://images.newsfilecorp.com/files/10633/277772_82df2fcd64d3c957_001full.jpg

Sun Dog Highlights

  • History of Production: The project hosts the historical Gunnar Mine which produced 18M pounds of U3O8 between 1953 and 1981 and was formerly the world’s largest uranium producer1,2.

  • Uranium Above and Below the Unconformity: Numerous recent and historical high-grade* uranium assays from outcrop samples across the Project range from 0.01% to 17.4% U3O83,4. These showings occur in both basement rocks below the Unconformity and perched within Athabasca sandstones above the Unconformity thus confirming the presence of unconformity-related high-grade uranium on the Sun Dog Project.

  • Verified Targets: Stacked graphitic structural zones associated with uranium mineralization and prospective hydrothermal alteration have been intersected in multiple target areas during modern drill programs. The drill program results to date confirm a favorable geological environment for fluid movement and uranium deposition on the Project.

Modern Exploration

Recent exploration efforts by Standard Uranium have focused on multiple target areas across the Project, testing down-dip extensions of structures hosting uranium at surface with the aim of discovering high-grade unconformity mineralization and basement ‘roots’ of the mineralizing systems underlying the Athabasca sandstones.

Prospecting & Surface Exploration

Prospecting in 2020 led to the discovery of a new high-grade uranium showing named the Haven discovery and several zones of visible uranium mineralization at surface that returned uranium assay results of 3.58% U3O8, 1.7% U3O8, and 0.7% U3O8.5

In the summer of 2022, Standard Uranium executed a field mapping and prospecting program to expand upon the results of the 2020 prospecting program. Handheld RS-120 and RS-125 scintillometers were used to track radioactivity with more than 80 new mineralized boulder and bedrock locations discovered on Johnston and Stewart islands.

In 2024, occurrences of strong to intense radioactivity in outcropping basement rocks were identified at surface while prospecting at the Wishbone and Spring-Dome target areas, returning highly anomalous assays ranging from 0.02% to 13.0% U3O8.6

Additionally, the analytical results revealed a correlation between uranium and gold, while boron and other pathfinder elements highlighted the potential for a robust alteration footprint associated with uranium mineralization. Surficial grab samples from faults and veins cutting sandstone outcrop returned high concentrations of dravite (up to 75%), a uranium pathfinder mineral commonly associated with uranium-fertile systems.

Geophysical Surveys

In the winter of 2022, MWH Geo-Surveys Ltd. carried out a ground gravity survey and UAV-borne magnetic surveys in the areas of Johnston and Stewart islands on behalf of Standard Uranium. The gravity survey consisted of 3,388 unique gravity measurement stations with a station spacing of 50 to 100 m. The survey identified several variations in residual gravity and outlined multiple gravity low target areas on and around Stewart and Johnston islands.

An airborne VTEMTM Plus survey was completed in 2024 to pinpoint graphitic rocks (conductors) favourable for hosting significant concentrations of uranium. This modern electromagnetic (‘EM’) survey improved upon historical surveys which have identified at least 40 km of combined conductor strike length.

In 2025, MWH Geo-Surveys Ltd. completed high-resolution ground gravity surveys along known conductive exploration trends across the Wishbone, McNie, and Armbruster South target areas, filling in the gaps between the previous 2022 gravity grids (Figure 2). These surveys have identified numerous density-low bullseye anomalies representing potential zones of hydrothermal alteration or structural disruption which are commonly associated with uranium mineralization events.

Figure 2. 2025 ground gravity survey areas covering the Armbruster South, Wishbone, and McNie EM conductor trends. Density-low anomalies representing potential alteration zones are highlighted by cool colours on the inverted gravity grids.

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Drill Programs

Standard Uranium carried out two drill programs on the Project during the winters of 2022 and 2023, in addition to operating a program in 2024 funded by Aero. In total, 4,062 m of diamond drilling has been completed by the Company across 21 drill holes on the Project.

Historical exploration efforts primarily focused on the ‘Beaverlodge-style’ deposit model, targeting lower-grade, fault-hosted mineralization visible at the surface. This approach did not target, and would not have been effective for, the high-grade ‘Unconformity-related’ basement-hosted deposits associated with graphitic rocks more recently discovered near the Athabasca Basin’s edge (e.g. Arrow, Triple R).

Recent diamond drill programs have been successful in identifying key geological characteristics prospective for significant uranium mineralizing systems on the Project, which in turn will aid in planning and prioritization of additional exploration targets for follow-up drill programs.

Drilling highlights include3,8:

  • Widespread hydrothermal alteration zones containing illite-rich and dravitic clays and abundant iron-oxide minerals intersected in multiple drill holes, indicating a robust fluid system with prospective chemistry for uranium.

  • Significant structural influence evidenced to control high-grade uranium mineralization and anomalous radioactivity in drill holes.

  • Reactivated graphitic shear zones & quartz-hematite breccias intersected over 10s of metres in several drill holes indicate ideal structural regime providing the plumbing system for uranium mobilization.

  • Favorable geochemistry returned in multiple drill holes, including prospective clay spectroscopy results (dravite), elevated pathfinder elements, and anomalous uranium correlated to lead isotope ratios which may be used as an additional exploration vector.

  • Uranium mineralization confirmed by anomalous uranium assays was intersected in multiple drill holes, coinciding with prospective structure and favorable alteration.

Qualified Person Statement

The scientific and technical information contained in this news release has been reviewed, verified, and approved by Sean Hillacre, P.Geo., President and VP Exploration of the Company and a ‘qualified person’ as defined in NI 43-101 – Standards of Disclosure for Mineral Projects.

Samples collected for analysis by the Company were sent to SRC Geoanalytical Laboratories in Saskatoon, Saskatchewan for preparation, processing, and ICP-MS multi-element analysis using total and partial digestion, gold by fire assay, and boron by fusion. Basement samples were tested with ICP-MS2 uranium multi-element exploration package plus boron. All basement samples marked as radioactive upon arrival to the lab were also analyzed using the U3O8 assay (reported in wt %). Basement rock split interval samples range from 0.1 to 0.5 m. SRC is an ISO/IEC 17025:2005 and Standards Council of Canada certified analytical laboratory. Blanks, standard reference materials, and repeats were inserted into the sample stream at regular intervals in accordance with Standard Uranium’s quality assurance/quality control (QA/QC) protocols. All samples passed internal QA/QC protocols, and the results presented in this release are deemed complete, reliable, and repeatable.

Samples containing clay alteration were sent to Rekasa Rocks Inc. in Saskatoon, Saskatchewan to be analyzed by Short Wavelength Infrared Reflectance (‘SWIR‘) via a Portable Infrared Mineral Analyzer (‘PIMA‘) to verify clay species. All depth measurements reported are down-hole measurements and true thicknesses are yet to be determined.

Historical data disclosed in this news release relating to sampling results from previous operators are historical in nature. Neither the Company nor a qualified person has yet verified this data and therefore investors should not place undue reliance on such data. The Company’s future exploration work may include verification of the data. The Company considers historical results to be relevant as an exploration guide and to assess the mineralization as well as economic potential of exploration projects. Any historical grab samples disclosed are selected samples and may not represent true underlying mineralization.

Natural gamma radiation from rocks reported in this news release was measured in counts per second (‘cps’) using a handheld RS-125 super-spectrometer and RS-120 super-scintillometer. Readers are cautioned that scintillometer readings are not uniformly or directly related to uranium grades of the rock sample measured and should be treated only as a preliminary indication of the presence of radioactive minerals. The RS-125 and RS-120 units supplied by Radiation Solutions Inc. (‘RSI‘) have been calibrated on specially designed Test Pads by RSI. Standard Uranium maintains an internal QA/QC procedure for calibration and calculation of drift in radioactivity readings through three test pads containing known concentrations of radioactive minerals. Internal test pad radioactivity readings are known and regularly compared to readings measured by the handheld scintillometers for QA/QC purposes.

References

  1. Gunnar Uranium Mine: From Cold War Darling to Ghost Town, L. Schramm, Saskatchewan Research Council, 2018.
  2. Geology and Genesis of Major World Hardrock Uranium Deposits, United States Geological Survey, Open-File Report 81-166, 1981.
  3. Technical Report on the Sun Dog Property – Northwestern Saskatchewan, Canada, Effective date June 30, 2023
  4. Information obtained from Saskatchewan Mineral Deposit Index and historical report from Uranium City Resources, 2007

*The Company considers uranium mineralization with concentrations greater than 1.0 wt% U3O8 to be ‘high-grade’.

**The Company considers radioactivity readings greater than 65,535 counts per second (cps) on a handheld RS-125 Super-Spectrometer to be ‘off-scale’.

***The Company considers radioactivity readings greater than 300 counts per second (cps) on a handheld RS-125 Super-Spectrometer to be ‘anomalous’.

About Standard Uranium (TSXV: STND,OTC:STTDF)

We find the fuel to power a clean energy future

Standard Uranium is a uranium exploration company and emerging project generator poised for discovery in the world’s richest uranium district. The Company holds interest in over 235,435 acres (95,277 hectares) in the world-class Athabasca Basin in Saskatchewan, Canada. Since its establishment, Standard Uranium has focused on the identification, acquisition, and exploration of Athabasca-style uranium targets with a view to discovery and future development.

Standard Uranium’s Davidson River Project, in the southwest part of the Athabasca Basin, Saskatchewan, comprises ten mineral claims over 30,737 hectares. Davidson River is highly prospective for basement-hosted uranium deposits due to its location along trend from recent high-grade uranium discoveries. However, owing to the large project size with multiple targets, it remains broadly under-tested by drilling. Recent intersections of wide, structurally deformed and strongly altered shear zones provide significant confidence in the exploration model and future success is expected.

Standard Uranium’s eastern Athabasca projects comprise over 43,185 hectares of prospective land holdings. The eastern basin projects are highly prospective for unconformity related and/or basement hosted uranium deposits based on historical uranium occurrences, recently identified geophysical anomalies, and location along trend from several high-grade uranium discoveries.

Standard Uranium’s Sun Dog project, in the northwest part of the Athabasca Basin, Saskatchewan, is comprised of nine mineral claims over 19,603 hectares. The Sun Dog project is highly prospective for basement and unconformity hosted uranium deposits yet remains largely untested by sufficient drilling despite its location proximal to uranium discoveries in the area.

For further information contact:

Jon Bey, Chief Executive Officer, and Chairman
Suite 3123, 595 Burrard Street
Vancouver, British Columbia, V7X 1J1

Tel: 1 (306) 850-6699
E-mail: info@standarduranium.ca

Cautionary Statement Regarding Forward-Looking Statements

This news release contains ‘forward-looking statements’ or ‘forward-looking information’ (collectively, ‘forward-looking statements’) within the meaning of applicable securities legislation. All statements, other than statements of historical fact, are forward-looking statements and are based on expectations, estimates and projections as of the date of this news release. Forward-looking statements include, but are not limited to, statements regarding: the timing and content of upcoming work programs; geological interpretations; timing of the Company’s exploration programs; and estimates of market conditions.

Forward-looking statements are subject to a variety of known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that could cause actual events or results to differ from those expressed or implied by forward-looking statements contained herein. There can be no assurance that such statements will prove to be accurate, as actual results and future events could differ materially from those anticipated in such statements. Certain important factors that could cause actual results, performance or achievements to differ materially from those in the forward-looking statements are highlighted in the ‘Risks and Uncertainties’ in the Company’s management discussion and analysis for the fiscal year ended April 30, 2025.

Forward-looking statements are based upon a number of estimates and assumptions that, while considered reasonable by the Company at this time, are inherently subject to significant business, economic and competitive uncertainties and contingencies that may cause the Company’s actual financial results, performance, or achievements to be materially different from those expressed or implied herein. Some of the material factors or assumptions used to develop forward-looking statements include, without limitation: that the transaction with the Optionee will proceed as planned; the future price of uranium; anticipated costs and the Company’s ability to raise additional capital if and when necessary; volatility in the market price of the Company’s securities; future sales of the Company’s securities; the Company’s ability to carry on exploration and development activities; the success of exploration, development and operations activities; the timing and results of drilling programs; the discovery of mineral resources on the Company’s mineral properties; the costs of operating and exploration expenditures; the presence of laws and regulations that may impose restrictions on mining; employee relations; relationships with and claims by local communities and indigenous populations; availability of increasing costs associated with mining inputs and labour; the speculative nature of mineral exploration and development (including the risks of obtaining necessary licenses, permits and approvals from government authorities); uncertainties related to title to mineral properties; assessments by taxation authorities; fluctuations in general macroeconomic conditions.

The forward-looking statements contained in this news release are expressly qualified by this cautionary statement. Any forward-looking statements and the assumptions made with respect thereto are made as of the date of this news release and, accordingly, are subject to change after such date. The Company disclaims any obligation to update any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except as may be required by applicable securities laws. There can be no assurance that forward-looking statements will prove to be accurate, as actual results and future events could differ materially from those anticipated in such statements. Accordingly, readers should not place undue reliance on forward-looking statements.

Neither the TSX-V nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX-V) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.

To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/277772

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Located in Idaho’s prolific Silver Valley, the historical Ranger-Page workings and mineralized zones are geologically continuous with the Bunker Hill system

Silver Dollar Resources Inc. (CSE: SLV,OTC:SLVDF) (OTCQX: SLVDF) (FSE: 4YW) is pleased to announce that, further to the news release of October 27, 2025, it has completed the sale of the Ranger-Page Project, whereby Bunker Hill Mining Corp. and its subsidiary (together, ‘Bunker Hill’) have acquired from Silver Dollar Resources Inc. and its subsidiary (together, ‘Silver Dollar’ or the ‘Company’), the right, title and interest in the assets related to the Ranger-Page Project located in Shoshone County, Idaho, USA, which includes Silver Dollar’s 75% interest in the Government Gulch property and its related option rights under the Government Gulch Option and Joint Venture Agreement and the Page Mine Mineral Rights Lease and Option Agreement.

Figure 1: Plan map showing the location of the Bunker Hill – Ranger-Page land package in the Silver Valley.

To view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit:
https://silverdollarresources.com/images/Ranger-Page/BNKR-RP_Silver-Valley.jpg

‘Finalizing this transaction represents the successful execution of our strategic vision for Ranger-Page. The closing immediately establishes Silver Dollar as a significant and supportive shareholder in a near-term producer, providing our investors with direct, leveraged exposure to the restart of the Bunker Hill Mine that is on track for first production in H1 2026,’ said Greg Lytle, President and CEO of Silver Dollar. ‘We believe this transaction delivers an accelerated path to value creation for our shareholders compared to the independent development of Ranger-Page, and we look forward to the growth of Bunker Hill in the years ahead through production and exploration.’

Figure 2: Cross-Section showing the Bunker Hill – Ranger-Page underground workings and target area.

To view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit:
https://silverdollarresources.com/images/Ranger-Page/BunkerHill_RP-X-Section-Target-Area.jpg

Strategic Highlights:

  • Consolidated Land Position: The acquisition unites the Ranger-Page and Bunker Hill properties into a contiguous land package, creating one of the largest and most prospective holdings by any single company in the Silver Valley.

  • Exploration Upside: Historical drilling and production data from the Ranger-Page indicate high-grade silver-lead-zinc mineralization along the Page vein system, which remains open at depth and along strike.

  • Infrastructure Synergies: The Ranger-Page Mines’ existing underground workings and surface access points could provide additional flexibility for future mine planning, ventilation, and exploration access to deeper levels of the Bunker Hill system.

  • Complementary to Restart Plan: The acquisition is aligned with Bunker Hill’s ongoing restart of operations at the Bunker Hill Mine, targeted for H1 2026, and enhances the Company’s upside optionality for future resource expansion and mill feed sources.

  • Community benefits: This has the potential to create more local employment opportunities within the Silver Valley and stimulate procurement from regional suppliers in ways that benefit the local communities.

Transaction Summary

Under the terms of the asset purchase agreement with Bunker Hill, Silver Dollar received 23,333,334 common shares of Bunker Hill valued at approximately $5,800,000 based on yesterday’s closing price of Bunker Hill’s shares on the TSX Venture Exchange. The Bunker Hill common shares will be subject to a statutory six-month hold period and contractual escrow, and will be released in accordance with the following schedule:

Release Date Release Schedule from Contractual Escrow
6-month anniversary of Closing Date 2,333,333 Shares
9-month anniversary of Closing Date 2,333,333 Shares
12-month anniversary of Closing Date Balance of Shares (18,666,668 Shares)

 

About the Ranger-Page Project

Located in a world-class silver district, the Ranger-Page land package covers six historic mines and adjoins the Bunker Hill Mining property. The primary target areas are up and down plunge from historic underground mining, along strike where ground-induced polarization (IP) surveys have identified anomalies, and where surface trenching has identified near-surface mineralization. Additional exploration targets have also been identified away from historic mine infrastructure, using soil geochemical data, mapping, and ground IP survey data.

About Bunker Hill Mining Corp.

Bunker Hill is an American mineral exploration and development company focused on revitalizing its historic mining asset: the renowned zinc, lead, and silver deposit in northern Idaho’s prolific Coeur d’Alene mining district. This strategic initiative aims to breathe new life into a once-productive mine, leveraging modern exploration techniques and sustainable development practices to unlock the potential of this mineral-rich region. Bunker Hill Mining Corp. aims to maximize shareholder value by responsibly harnessing the mineral wealth in the Silver Valley mining district, focusing its efforts on this single, high-potential asset. Information about the Company is available on its website, www.bunkerhillmining.com, or within the SEDAR+ and EDGAR databases.

About Silver Dollar Resources Inc.

Silver Dollar is a dynamic mineral exploration company focused on North America’s premier mining regions. Our portfolio includes the advanced-stage La Joya Silver (Cu-Au) Project, and the early-stage Nora Silver-Gold Project, both located in the prolific Durango-Zacatecas silver gold belt. The Company is fully funded for 2026 having recently closed a financing with continued support from financial backers that include renowned mining investor Eric Sprott, our largest shareholder. Silver Dollar’s management team is committed to an aggressive growth strategy and is actively reviewing potential acquisitions with a focus on drill-ready projects in mining-friendly jurisdictions.

For additional information, you can visit our website at silverdollarresources.com, download our investor presentation, and follow us on X at x.com/SilverDollarRes.

ON BEHALF OF THE BOARD,

Signed ‘Gregory Lytle’

Gregory Lytle,
President, CEO & Director
Silver Dollar Resources Inc.
Direct line: (604) 839-6946
Email: greg@silverdollarresources.com
179 – 2945 Jacklin Road, Suite 416
Victoria, BC, V9B 6J9

Forward-Looking Statements:

This news release contains forward-looking statements and forward-looking information (collectively, ‘forward-looking statements’) within the meaning of applicable Canadian securities legislation. All statements, other than statements of historical fact, included herein including, without limitation, statements regarding the closing of the transaction, the benefits of the transaction for the Company, the exploration and development potential of the Ranger-Page and Bunker Hill projects, and the Company’s strategy and future plans, are forward-looking statements. Often, but not always, forward-looking information can be identified by words such as ‘pro forma,’ ‘plans,’ ‘expects,’ ‘will,’ ‘may,’ ‘should,’ ‘budget,’ ‘scheduled,’ ‘estimates,’ ‘forecasts,’ ‘intends,’ ‘anticipates,’ ‘believes,’ ‘potential’ or variations of such words including negative variations thereof, and phrases that refer to certain actions, events or results that may, could, would, might or will occur or be taken or achieved.

In making the forward-looking statements in this news release, the Company has made certain assumptions, including without limitation, the operational restart of the Bunker Hill Mine will proceed as planned, the integration of the Ranger-Page and Bunker Hill properties will deliver the anticipated operational and exploration synergies, and that market conditions for silver, zinc, and lead will remain supportive.

Forward-looking statements involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors which may cause the actual results, performance or achievements of the Company to differ materially from any future results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by the forward-looking statements. Such risks and other factors include, among others, the operational restart of the Bunker Hill Mine may be delayed or unsuccessful, the integration of the Ranger-Page and Bunker Hill properties may not deliver the anticipated operational and exploration synergies, and market conditions for silver, zinc, and lead may deteriorate. 

Readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on forward-looking statements. The Company undertakes no obligation to update any of the forward-looking statements in this news release except as otherwise required by law.

The Canadian Securities Exchange (operated by CNSX Markets Inc.) has neither approved nor disapproved of the contents of this news release.

To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/277808

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Apex Resources Inc. (TSXV: APX,OTC:SLMLF) (OTCID: SLMLF) (‘Apex’ or the ‘Company’) announces the appointment of Michael Malana as Chief Financial Officer (‘CFO’) of the Company, effective today, following the resignation of Dennis Cojuco as the Company’s CFO.

Mr. Malana brings more than 20 years of international experience in financial management, financial reporting and general corporate governance. He has held senior financial executive roles across the natural resources, biotechnology, and manufacturing sectors. Mr. Malana holds a Bachelor of Commerce from Concordia University and is a Chartered Professional Accountant (Certified Management Accountant).

The Board, management, and extended Apex team extend their sincere thanks to Mr. Cojuco for his exemplary service and dedication and contribution to the company.

Clarification on the Amended Lithium Creek Project Option Agreement

The Company also wishes to clarify that the exploration and development expenditures due to be completed on or before August 25, 2026, in its news release dated October 27, 2025, increased from $1,000,000 (instead of $1,200,000) to $1,266,000.

About Apex Resources Inc.

Apex is a Vancouver-based exploration company with a suite of precious and critical minerals projects and historic mines located in the United States and Canada.

The Lithium Creek Project is Apex’s flagship project with placer claims covering hundreds of square miles within the aerially extensive Fernley, Humboldt, and Carson Sinks, and includes widespread naturally flowing lithium brine groundwater. The Lithium Creek Project is strategically located near the City of Reno and within 40 minutes of the principle North American battery hub, hosting the Tesla Gigafactory and other key industry players in the Lithium Ion battery supply chain.

The Jersey-Emerald Property is wholly owned by Apex and encompasses the historic Jersey Lead-Zinc Mine – British Columbia’s second largest historic zinc mine, and the Emerald Tungsten Mine – Canada’s second largest historic tungsten mine, both located in southern British Columbia.

On Behalf of the Board of Directors of

Apex Resources Inc.

Ron Lang
President and CEO
info@apxresources.com website: www.apexresources.com

Neither TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term in defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this press release.

To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/277830

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Ground radiometrics, soil geochemistry and mapping reinforce the potential for a Rossing-style system beneath shallow cover

ReeXploration Inc. (TSXV: REE) (FSE: K2I0) (‘ReeXploration’ or the ‘Company’) is pleased to announce results from its uranium field program, which provide strong support for the scale and technical validity of the previously-announced uranium target at the Eureka Project in Namibia. The Company believes the target has the potential to represent a large, under-cover Rössing-style uranium system. A drill program is planned for early 2026 to provide initial testing of the target.

HIGHLIGHTS:

  • Strong correlation between airborne and ground uranium signatures strengthens confidence in continuity of target
    • Areas of very high total gamma readings, including zones above 1,500 counts per second (‘cps’), identified above interpreted leucogranites
  • Soil geochemistry confirms the radiometric signal is uranium-bearing
    • Uranium-rich soils mapped with values up to 114 ppm U (pXRF)
  • Mapping highlights key indicators consistent with Rössing-style uranium systems
    • Favourable rock types and grab samples up to 853 ppm U (pXRF) provide encouraging indicators of a uranium-bearing system below cover
  • Evidence points to a large, cohesive uranium system
    • Geological setting and signature show strong similarity with known Namibian uranium systems (Rössing, Omaholo and Etango) when compared at equal scale
  • Drill program planned to test Rössing-style model
    • Program aims to provide initial testing of the large-scale target

Christopher Drysdale, Interim CEO for ReeXploration, added, ‘This field program has materially advanced our understanding of the uranium target at Eureka. The strong alignment between airborne radiometrics, ground radiometrics, geology and soil geochemistry provides exactly the type of multi-layered confirmation you want to see before drilling. Namibia is one of the world’s most important uranium jurisdictions, and Eureka lies in the same structural corridor that hosts Rössing, Husab, Etango, Omaholo and Norasa. The scale of this anomaly, and the quality of the early technical indicators, point to a meaningful discovery opportunity.’

Field Program Results

Four grids across the broad airborne uranium anomalies southwest of the Eureka Dome were defined for follow-up ground investigation (Figure 1). A ground spectrometer survey and soil sampling program were executed by the Company across the four grids. The objectives included obtaining a greater understanding of the nature, cause and extent of the anomalies, and identifying any highly anomalous areas.

Figure 1: Grids 1 to 4 covering the airborne uranium radiometric anomalies.

To view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit:
https://images.newsfilecorp.com/files/6102/277795_8e4d6f7a54a09b55_001full.jpg

Ground Spectrometer Survey

A total of 102-line kilometers of ground spectrometer survey was completed across the four grids, with survey lines running east-west and spaced 100 m apart. Overall, a very good correlation was achieved with the airborne radiometric uranium anomalies. The ground surveying highlighted areas of very high anomalism with values up to 2,255 cps. Low radioactivity corresponds with more massive calc-silicate exposure, covered areas, and drainage sediments, whereas high radioactivity corresponds with gypcretes/calcretes overlying leucogranite. Secondary uranium (carnotite) was found in the overburden (sand/sheetwash), as well as in in-situ leucogranite and schist. Sand cover increases to south attenuating radioactive signal (Figure 2).

Figure 2: Ground spectrometer survey completed across the four grids.

To view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit:
https://images.newsfilecorp.com/files/6102/277795_8e4d6f7a54a09b55_002full.jpg

The field spectrometer survey has confirmed the regional scale of the airborne radiometric uranium anomalies. The anomalies relate to widespread uranium mineralization occurring within thin overburden, which is best visible where drainages have incised a regionally occurring gypcrete/calcrete horizon with anomalous values ranging from 300 to 1,500 cps (Figure 3).

Figure 3: Mineralized leucogranite and gypcrete/calcrete found during reconnaissance field work and the ground spectrometer survey.

To view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit:
https://images.newsfilecorp.com/files/6102/277795_8e4d6f7a54a09b55_003full.jpg

Soil Sampling pXRF Results

A total of 1,040 soil samples were collected across the four grids at 100 x 100 m spacing and analyzed with the Company’s portable XRF. High uranium in soils are evident where secondary uranium (carnotite) was found in gypcrete / calcretes primarily along drainages (Figure 4).

Figure 4: Uranium in soil pXRF results from the soil sampling campaign.

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https://images.newsfilecorp.com/files/6102/277795_8e4d6f7a54a09b55_004full.jpg

Initial Drill Target Areas

Six initial drill target areas have been identified based on coincident; 1) airborne uranium radiometric anomalies, 2) high total gamma (>500 cps) from ground spectrometer survey, 3) uranium in soils (>10 ppm pXRF), and 4) zones of interpreted leucogranites in contact with reactive calc-silicate rocks (Figure 5). The target areas include occurrences of visible secondary uranium mineralization identified within leucogranites and gypcretes/calcretes.

Figure 5: Initial drill target areas.

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Next Steps: Diamond Drilling Expected to Commence Early 2026

ReeXploration is in the final stages of contractor selection and anticipates mobilizing in early 2026 for a 2,000-metre inaugural diamond drilling program. The program is designed to test for primary uranium mineralization within the leucogranites (Rössing-style model) beneath the weathering profile. Drilling is expected to comprise a series of heel-to-toe drill fences across priority target areas. The initial program is planned to consist of approximately ten holes averaging 200 metres in length. A detailed drilling schedule will be released once mobilization dates are confirmed, and the program remains subject to financing.

Technical Disclosure

Field analysis of rock and soil samples was carried out using a calibrated SciAps X-555 portable X-Ray Fluorescence (pXRF) analyzer. The instrument is capable of detecting uranium providing a rapid, preliminary, and semi-quantitative indication of uranium concentrations which is considered sufficiently reliable for initial reporting of initial field reconnaissance results. Select samples are expected to be verified through uranium assay at an accredited laboratory.

Counts per second (‘cps’) results were collected using an RS-125 handheld gamma-ray spectrometer. The RS-125 measures natural radioactivity from potassium (K), uranium (U), and thorium (Th), providing real-time counts-per-second (cps) readings that assist in identifying zones of elevated radioactivity and guiding geological mapping and sampling programs. The cps measurements are qualitative in nature and should not be interpreted as equivalent to uranium concentrations obtained through laboratory analysis.

Qualified Person

Tolene Kruger, BSc. (Hons), M.Sc., is a consulting geologist and has reviewed and approved the scientific and technical information in this news release. Mrs. Kruger is registered as Professional Natural Scientist (Pr.Sci.Nat.) with the South African Council for Natural Science Professions (SACNASP, Reg. No.: 148182), and a Qualified Person for the purposes of National Instrument 43-101 – Standards of Disclosure for Mineral Projects.

About ReeXploration Inc.

ReeXploration (TSXV: REE) (FSE: K2I0) is a Canadian exploration company positioned to help meet surging global demand for secure, responsible supplies of critical minerals essential to the clean energy transition, advanced technologies and national defense. The Company’s flagship Eureka Project in central Namibia pairs a technically proven rare earth foundation – supported by the production of a clean, Western-standard monazite concentrate – with a newly defined, high-priority uranium target located within one of the world’s most established uranium corridors. Together, these commodities provide multi-path discovery potential aligned with accelerating global efforts to diversify critical mineral and nuclear fuel supply. Supported by a Namibia-based technical team and guided by global critical minerals experts, ReeXploration is advancing a disciplined, discovery-led strategy, building a credible, ESG-aligned platform positioned to benefit from the global race to diversify and secure responsible supply chains.

Caution Regarding Forward-Looking Information

This press release may contain forward-looking information. This information is based on current expectations and assumptions (including assumptions relating to general economic and market conditions) that are subject to significant risks and uncertainties that are difficult to predict. Actual results may differ materially from results suggested in any forward-looking information. Exploration does not assume any obligation to update forward-looking information in this release, or to update the reasons why actual results could differ from those reflected in the forward-looking information unless and until required by securities laws applicable to ReeXploration. Additional information identifying risks and uncertainties is contained in the filings made by ReeXploration with Canadian securities regulators, which filings are available at www.sedarplus.ca.

Neither the TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.

Further details are available on the Corporation’s website at www.rareearthexploration.com or contact Christopher Drysdale, Interim CEO of ReeXploration Inc., at +1 902-334-1949, contact@rareearthexploration.com.

To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/277795

News Provided by Newsfile via QuoteMedia

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Copper prices were volatile in 2025 amid several competing narratives, including the possibility of a global recession early in the year and tariff measures in July.

By the end of the year, prices found support as supply and demand conditions came into focus and pointed to a deepening supply deficit in 2026.

Significant disruptions added to already tight market conditions, as two of the world’s largest mines, Ivanhoe Mines’ (TSX:IVN,OTCQX:IVPAF,OTC:IVPAF) Kamoa-Kakula and Freeport McMoRan’s Grasberg, were shut down following seismic events and the ingress of wet materials, respectively.

The closure of the mines comes as demand for the base metal surges, driven by artificial intelligence and the energy transition.

Against that backdrop, how have TSX-listed copper companies performed? Learn about the top five best-performing copper stocks in 2025 by year-to-date gains below. Data for this article was retrieved on December 9, 2025, using TradingView’s stock screener, and only companies with market capitalizations greater than C$50 million are included.

1. Imperial Metals (TSX:III)

Year-to-date gain: 333.7 percent
Market cap: C$1.4 billion
Share price: C$7.98

Imperial Metals is a mine development and production company with operations in British Columbia, Canada.

It holds a 30 percent interest in the Red Chris mine in BC’s Golden Triangle, with the remainder owned by Newmont (TSX:NGT,NYSE:NEM,ASX:NEM). Imperial also fully owns the Mount Polley copper-gold mine, which reopened in June 2022, and the Huckleberry copper mine, which has been under care and maintenance since 2016.

Provincial approvals for a 4 meter raise of the embankment at the Mount Polley tailings storage facility have been the subject of a lawsuit after the Xatśūll First Nation applied for an interim injunction challenging them in April.

A June 30 update reported that the BC Supreme Court had reserved judgment on the case following a four day hearing. The Supreme Court ultimately dismissed the Xatśūll First Nation’s application for the injunction and judicial review of the approvals on August 6. Imperials’ most recent update on the case came on September 3, when the Xatśūll First Nation filed a notice of appeal to overturn the dismissal of the judicial reviews. However, it did not appeal the injunction decision, meaning the company can complete the raise and continue mining at Mount Polley.

On August 29, Imperial announced that it received approval for a permit amendment allowing the company to expand Mount Polley’s operations and extend its operating life, including pit development and expansion of storage areas within the existing mine site footprint.

In the company’s Q3 production report for Red Chris, released on October 23, it indicated that total copper production at the mine increased 10 percent year-over-year to 20.9 million pounds, up from 18.98 million pounds in Q3 2024. Through the first nine months of the year, copper production increased even more, rising 20 percent to 67.51 million pounds from 56.37 million pounds during the same period of 2024.

The most recent update from Imperial came on November 27, when it released an exploration update from its Huckleberry mine, reporting it completed all nine holes of its 2025 diamond drill campaign testing an area southwest of the Main Zone. One hole returned a grade of 0.5 percent copper over 52.7 meters, including an intersection of 0.81 percent copper and 0.23 grams per metric ton (g/t) gold over 22.6 meters.

Shares of Imperial reached a year-to-date high of C$7.95 on December 10.

2. Meridian Mining (TSX:MNO)

Year-to-date gain: 313.33 percent
Market cap: C$656.72 million
Share price: C$1.55

Meridian Mining is an exploration and development company that is currently developing its flagship Cabaçal copper-gold project in Mato Grosso, Brazil. The project license covers a 50 square kilometer area and hosts an 11 kilometer volcanogenic massive sulfide corridor containing gold, copper and silver.

A prefeasibility study released March 10 demonstrates a post-tax base case net present value of US$984 million with an internal rate of return of 61 percent and a payback period of 17 months. The project has a predicted mine life of 10.6 years with total life of mine production of 169,647 metric tons of copper.

The included mineral resource estimate for Cabaçal shows a measured and indicated resource of 204,470 metric tons of contained copper from 51.43 million metric tons of ore with an average grade of 0.4 percent. It also hosts significant gold and silver resources.

Additionally, Meridian reported on May 8 that it has hired Ausenco Brazil as the lead engineer to complete a definitive feasibility study for Cabaçal, targeting the first half of 2026 for completion.

Meridian has been carrying out an extensive exploration program at the site as part of the study.

The company announced results from the final phase of the drill program on October 7, when it reported significant copper grades. It highlighted an interval of 1.4 percent copper equivalent over 27.5 meters, including an intersection of 6.1 percent copper equivalent over 6.4 meters.

The company stated that the drill program yielded robust grades of gold, copper and silver mineralization, which will contribute to the mineral resource and reserve upgrades included in the definitive feasibility study. It also reported exploration success at the Cigarra target.

On November 3, Meridian announced that the State of Mato Grosso had formally approved the preliminary license for Cabaçal, which the company stated is the first of three licenses required to commence operations. Meridian said that it would now turn its attention to its application for an installation license. If approved, the installation license would allow the company to begin construction at the site.

Shares of Meridian reached a year-to-date high of C$1.65 on December 4.

3. St. Augustine Gold and Copper (TSX:SAU)

Year-to-date gain: 300 percent
Market cap: C$331.75 million
Share price: C$0.32

St. Augustine Gold and Copper is a development company focused on its King-king copper-gold project in the Philippines’ Davao de Oro province. The project consists of 184 mining claims.

On May 30, St. Augustine entered into an agreement with the National Development Corporation (Nadecor) to acquire a 100 percent interest in Nadecor’s wholly owned subsidiary Kingking Milling, which holds the development rights to King-king. Under the terms of the deal, Nadecor will receive C$9.02 million convertible into 185 million shares.

The project’s exploration and development permits are held by Kingking Mining, which remains a 40/40/20 joint venture between St. Augustine, Nadecor and Queensberry Mining and Development. The release also includes details of new ore sales and royalty agreements between Kingking Milling and Kingking Mining.

On June 18, St. Augustine completed a debt conversion with Queensberry Mining, converting C$1.67 million in debt owed to Queensbury into 25.31 million common shares of St. Augustine at C$0.066 per share.

A follow-up announcement from Queensberry Mining stated that the shares represent a 2.5 percent stake in St. Augustine, increasing Queensberry’s holdings in the company to 52 percent of the total issued and outstanding shares.

As for Q3, on July 31, the company released an updated feasibility study for the project. Based on a copper price of US$4.30 per pound and a gold price of US$2,150 per ounce, the project’s economics included an after-tax net present value of US$4.18 billion, with an internal rate of return of 34.2 percent and a payback period of 1.9 years.

The report estimates a 31 year mine life with average annual production of 96,411 metric tons of payable copper and 185,828 ounces of gold. The six phase development plan will see higher average production in the first five years at 129,000 metric tons of copper and 330,000 ounces of gold.

On October 8, St. Augustine announced that it had engaged with Stantec Consulting and Independent Mining Consultants to produce a definitive feasibility study for Kingking. The company said the study will optimize key recommendations from the pre-feasibility study, including a chloride leach process to improve recovery from low-grade sulfide stockpiles early in the mine life, as well as increased throughput capacity.

Shares of St. Augustine Gold and Copper reached a year-to-date high of C$0.58 on July 29.

4. Trilogy Metals (TSX:TMQ)

Year-to-date gain: 269.23 percent
Market cap: C$1.07 billion
Share price: C$6.24

Trilogy Metals is a polymetallic exploration and development company working to advance its Upper Kobuk mineral projects in Northern Alaska, US, which it owns in a 50/50 joint venture with South32 (ASX:S32,OTC Pink:SHTLF).

Its most advanced asset is the Arctic copper, zinc, lead, gold and silver project, which is in the feasibility stage.

In an updated feasibility study from February 2023, the company reported annual payable production volumes of 148.68 million pounds of copper, 172.6 million pounds of zinc, 25.75 million pounds of lead, 32,538 ounces of gold and 2.77 million ounces of silver. After tax, the study pegs the project’s net present value at US$1.11 billion, with an internal rate of return of 22.8 percent and a payback period of 3.1 years.

Trilogy’s other key asset is the Bornite copper-cobalt project located 25 kilometers southwest of its Arctic project. The site hosts widespread mineralization and has seen historic exploration dating back to the 1950s.

A preliminary economic assessment for Bornite, dated January 15, established an after-tax net present value of US$393.9 million, with an internal rate of return of 20 percent and a payback period of 4.4 years.

The updated mineral resource included with the report estimates an inferred resource of 6.53 billion pounds of copper with an average grade of 1.42 percent from 208.9 million metric tons of ore.

Trilogy’s Upper Kobuk assets are among the mineral projects dependent on the approval and construction of the Ambler Access Road, a planned 211 kilometer industrial road through Alaska.

Trilogy’s share price saw substantial gains in October after the US Senate repealed a land management plan that prevented the construction of the access road due to environmental concerns.

Additionally, on October 6, Trilogy entered into a binding letter of intent that will see the US Department of Defense (DoD) invest US$17.8 million in Trilogy in exchange for 8.22 million Trilogy shares, or 10 percent of the company. The DoD will also hold warrants for an additional 7.5 percent, exercisable only after the road is constructed.

The funds are earmarked for exploration and development of the Upper Kobuk projects.

According to the release, the DoD will work to facilitate financing for the road’s construction and collaborate with Trilogy to expedite mine permitting using the FAST-41 process.

In an update on October 24, Trilogy stated that the Alaska Industrial Development and Export Authority executed the right-of-way permits for the Ambler Access Road with the US Army Corps of Engineers, the National Parks Service and the Bureau of Land Management, which re-established the necessary federal authorizations to advance the project.

Shares of Trilogy reached a year-to-date high of C$14.70 on October 14.

5. Northern Dynasty Minerals (TSX:NDM)

Year-to-date gain: 234.12 percent
Market cap: C$1.53 billion
Share price: C$2.84

Northern Dynasty Minerals is an exploration and development company focused on the Pebble project, a copper-molybdenum-gold-silver project located 200 miles southwest of Anchorage in the Bristol Bay region of Alaska.

Pebble, which the company says is “one of the greatest stores of mineral wealth ever discovered,” hosts a measured and indicated copper resource of 6.5 billion metric tons and an inferred copper resource of 4.5 billion metric tons.

The Pebble property’s measured and indicated resources for molybdenum, gold and silver total 1.26 million metric tons, 53.82 million ounces and 249.3 million ounces, respectively.

The project stalled in 2020 during the permitting phase following a US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) veto that suggested the proposed mine would damage the Bristol Bay watershed.

Early in 2024, the Supreme Court declined to hear the matter on procedural grounds, sending it back to the federal district court and the federal circuit of appeals before the Supreme Court would hear it.

Northern Dynasty spent the rest of 2024 advancing its case in Alaska’s state court. In March of that year, it announced the filing of actions to vacate the EPA’s veto.

In 2025, shares of Northern Dynasty began to surge following Trump’s March 20 executive order that called for expedited approvals for domestic mineral production and included copper as a strategically important mineral.

Since Trump became president, Northern Dynasty has been attempting to work with the EPA to vacate the veto on the project. On February 18, the company agreed to grant the EPA a requested 90 day extension to allow for review by the new leadership in the agency, and granted a further 30 day extension on May 14 and a 20 day extension on June 12.

Although the company had hoped to reach a settlement in early July, it ultimately was forced to file a motion for summary judgment on July 17 to have the EPA veto removed.

The most recent update came on October 8, when Northern Dynasty reported that it had filed a brief with the court and presented arguments as to why the veto should be removed. The company’s president and CEO stated in the release that he believes the company has a strong case.

On November 19, the company provided an updated timeline, noting delays due to the US Federal Government shutdown. It said the Department of Justice must file its opening brief by February 16, 2026, and plaintiffs must file their response by April 15. Northern Dynasty stated that, while it understands the challenges, it believes the extension of the original January 2 date is excessive and would prefer the government withdraw its veto.

The most recent update from the case came on December 1, when the company reported that the National Mining Association, the American Exploration and Mining Association, the Alaska Mining Association and the US Chamber of Commerce filed amicus briefs in support of their case.

The three associations’ summary of their argument began, “This case is exceptionally important to Amicis members, the mining industry, and the nation’s economy. The proposed mine – which the US EPA has unlawfully vetoed – will provide a crucial source of copper for construction, transportation, electrical and electronic projects, industrial machinery, and defense applications.”

Shares of Northern Dynasty reached a year-to-date high of C$3.89 on October 14.

FAQs for investing in copper

Is copper a good investment in 2025?

Many experts have a positive long-term outlook for the red metal based on supply concerns and its growing role in the energy transition. Copper’s price has climbed to new all time highs in 2025, bringing many stocks with it.

Investors who are interested in copper should make sure to perform their due diligence, as the volatility and unpredictability of markets and economies at the moment means that nothing is guaranteed.

What is copper used for?

Copper is used in many industries, from construction to electronics to medical equipment. In fact, in 2022, 32 percent of copper globally was used in equipment manufacturing and 26 percent in building construction.

Two other growing sectors for copper are the burgeoning electric vehicle and green energy industries. Electric vehicles require a significant amount of the red metal per vehicle.

Check out our article on the topic for more copper uses.

How to invest in copper?

Investors can invest in copper in a variety of ways. Holding physical copper is possible, but plenty of storage would be required to hold any significant value of the metal.

For investors looking to invest in the metal without physically holding it, there are a few options. Copper stocks such as those on the TSX, TSXV and ASX are worth looking at. Additionally, there are copper exchange-traded funds and the copper options and futures markets on the London Metal Exchange.

How to invest in a copper ETF?

Copper exchange-traded funds (ETFs) focused on mining companies can be a good way to diversify an investment portfolio, and they can be a more stable option compared to individual copper miners or explorers. There are multiple options available on the market, and they can usually be purchased in the same way one could purchase stocks through a broker or trading platform.

In May 2022, Horizons launched Canada’s first copper equities ETF, the Horizons Copper Producers Index ETF (TSX:COPP). This Canadian copper ETF is focused solely on pure-play and diversified copper-mining companies.

There are multiple ETFs available on the US ARCA exchange as well. The Global X Copper Miners ETF (ARCA:COPX) tracks the Solactive Global Copper Miners Index, which includes copper miners, as well as copper explorers and developers. The other option is the United States Copper Index Fund (ARCA:CPER), which gives investors exposure to copper futures contracts by tracking the SummerHaven Copper Index Total Return.

How is copper priced?

The copper price is tracked in two ways: COMEX copper and London Metal Exchange (LME) copper. The COMEX and LME are both options and futures metal exchanges, with the former being headquartered in New York and the latter in London. COMEX copper is priced by the pound, while LME copper is priced per metric ton.

How is copper processed?

Once copper is mined, the ore goes through multiple steps to reach a market-ready state. First, the ore is ground to roughly separate the rock from the copper, as copper typically only makes up 1 percent of the mined rock.

The resultant copper is then slurried with water and chemical reagents, after which air is used to float the copper to the top of the mixture. After the copper is removed from this, it is typically at 24 to 40 percent purity.

Where is copper mined?

Copper is mined throughout the world, with significant production found on every continent besides Antarctica. Chile was the top producer in 2024, putting out 5.3 million metric tons of the metal. Other major top copper producers are the Democratic Republic of Congo with 3.3 million metric tons, Peru with 2.6 million metric tons and China with 1.8 million metric tons. Indonesia and the US were tied in 2024 at 1.1 million metric tons of copper.

Article by Dean Belder; FAQs by Lauren Kelly.

Securities Disclosure: I, Dean Belder, own shares of Northern Dynasty Minerals.

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Britain is preparing to take on the ‘heavy lifting’ in Europe if President Donald Trump secures a Ukrainian ceasefire, U.K. Defense Secretary John Healey said, outlining a deployment-ready coalition that London has been quietly organizing for months.

The defense chief insisted that Trump is leading the negotiations for peace, even as leaders from Germany, Britain and France huddled with Volodymyr Zelenskyy this week to try to craft an alternative to a U.S.-brokered proposal the Ukrainian president viewed as too deferential to Russia.

‘We are ready to step in behind the president in his push for peace,’ he said during a briefing with reporters after meeting with War Secretary Pete Hegseth on AUKUS, the Australia-UK-US nuclear submarine-building deal. ‘We are ready to step in as he forces the pace of the negotiations in the way that only President Trump can. Because if he can get a ceasefire agreement, we are ready to do the heavy lifting in Europe.’

Trump has said Ukraine ‘has to be realistic’ about a peace plan that would include ceding territory to Russia — a prospect Zelenskyy has insisted is unacceptable. German Chancellor Friedrich Merz said Thursday that he, British Prime Minister Keir Starmer and French President Emmanuel Macron had proposed to Trump that they finalize the peace proposal with U.S. officials over the weekend.

Healey said the UK is prepared to send troops and equipment to enforce the peace deal once it is signed. ‘For the last six months we’ve got 200 military planners, over 30 nations working together. We’ve laid reconnaissance visits to Ukraine,’ he said. ‘We have the troops ready, we have the planes available. We have the ships on standby to be able to deploy.’

Healey offered one of the clearest signals yet that Britain expects to play a central role in enforcing any post-war security arrangement — even as Europe remains divided over how a deal should be structured.

While territorial claims appear to be the main sticking point in negotiations, questions remain over what sort of security guarantees the West would offer Ukraine. The initial proposal the U.S. brokered with Russia stipulated that Western troops and jets would remain outside Ukraine in NATO territory.

Western officials have been debating whether any agreement would require a multinational force to monitor front lines or secure key infrastructure inside Ukraine once a ceasefire takes hold. Healey suggested Britain is preparing for that possibility, saying the UK and a coalition of more than 30 nations have already positioned troops, aircraft and ships that could deploy if the terms of a deal allow for an international presence on the ground.

Healey’s meetings in Washington came just after the White House released a national security strategy that took an unusually severe tone toward Europe, warning of political decline and calling for the U.S. to ‘cultivate resistance’ within European nations. The strategy warns that Europe’s economic and social problems are ‘eclipsed by the real and more stark prospect of civilizational erasure.’

The document also calls for Europe to ‘take primary responsibility for its own defense,’ a point Healey said the UK is already prepared to meet, brushing off questions about whether the strategy had sown division inside the transatlantic alliance.

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Supreme Court Justice Clarence Thomas grilled prominent left-leaning lawyer Marc Elias this week about a campaign finance law, joining several other conservative justices in voicing skepticism about the law’s restrictions on certain types of political donations.

Thomas’ questions centered on a Federal Election Campaign Act provision that limits how much money state and national political parties can spend when coordinating with specific candidates.

Republicans who brought the lawsuit argued that the coordinated political spending is protected speech and should not be limited by Congress, while Elias, a prolific election lawyer, argued to the high court that Congress has a right to cap those expenses.

Thomas and Elias appeared at odds during oral arguments, as Thomas questioned why coordinated political spending between parties and candidates should face limits — particularly when it covers routine campaign expenses like hotels or food.

‘Just so I’m clear, is there any First Amendment interest in coordinated expenditures?’ Thomas asked.

Elias replied ‘yes,’ but said a party paying an individual campaign’s bills was ‘symbolic speech’ that is not fully protected and should be subject to standard contribution limits.

‘I still don’t understand what you’re saying,’ Thomas told Elias. ‘If the party coordinates with the candidate and pays the bill, does that have a First Amendment protection or is it simply, as you say, a bill-paying exercise?’

‘It is speech,’ Elias said, but he said court precedent says the bill payment ‘is treated as a contribution, and, therefore, though it is speech, it is subject to limit by Congress in how much can be spent on engaging in that speech.’

Congress currently limits individual donations that can be made to a political candidate, and the Supreme Court has in past cases balanced allowing First Amendment-protected political donations while also allowing caps as a safeguard against outsize influence and corruption in elections.

But the high court is now being asked to potentially allow millionaires and billionaires to make unlimited individual contributions to a state or national political party, with the expectation that the money would be redirected and spent in coordination with a particular candidate. The decision could upend the current political spending landscape ahead of the 2026 midterm elections by allowing rich donors to flood state or national political parties with more money.

Justice Brett Kavanaugh, another skeptic of Elias’ argument, pointed out that outside groups can accept limitless funds and influence elections and that state and national parties appear disadvantaged because of it.

‘I am concerned that a combination of campaign finance laws and this court’s decisions over the years have together reduced the power of political parties, as compared with outside groups, with negative effects on our constitutional democracy,’ Kavanaugh said.

‘That’s the real source of the disadvantage. You can give huge money to the outside group, but you can’t give huge money to the party, so the parties are very much weakened,’ he said.

The case was brought to the high court by the National Republican Senatorial Committee, the National Republican Congressional Committee, and two former Ohio Republican candidates: now–Vice President JD Vance and former Rep. Steve Chabot.

The liberal justices leaned toward wanting to avoid further undoing campaign spending limits, which have eroded over time under Chief Justice John Roberts.

‘Every time we interfere with the congressional design, we make matters worse… our tinkering causes more harm than good,’ said Justice Sonia Sotomayor. ‘Once we take off these coordinated expenditure limits, then what’s left? What’s left is nothing. No control whatsoever.’

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White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt said the U.S. plans to take control of the oil currently on a tanker off the coast of Venezuela that was seized by U.S. forces Wednesday. 

Trump ‘talks a lot about how he thinks the way to bring down prices for everything would be to bring down the cost of energy,’ Fox News Senior White House Correspondent Peter Doocy said Thursday. ‘Would he use this seized Venezuelan oil to try to help Americans with affordability here in the United States?’

Leavitt responded, ‘The vessel will go to a U.S. port, and the United States does intend to seize the oil. However, there is a legal process for the seizure of that oil and that legal process will be followed.’ 

President Donald Trump announced Wednesday that the U.S. had seized an oil tanker off the coast of Venezuela, sharply escalating U.S. tensions with the nation. The tanker was seized for allegedly being used to transport sanctioned oil from Venezuela and Iran, according to Attorney General Pam Bondi. 

‘The vessel is currently undergoing a forfeiture process. Right now, the United States currently has a full investigative team on the ground, on the vessel, and individuals on board the vessel are being interviewed, and any relevant evidence is being seized,’ Leavitt continued, adding that the oil on the tanker will go through a legal process before the U.S. claims the energy source. 

The tanker, called the Skipper, loaded an estimated 1.8 million barrels of oil earlier in December, before transferring an estimated 200,000 barrels just before its seizure, Reuters reported.

The oil on the tanker is likely worth $60 million to more than $100 million, based on current average oil prices. Fox News Digital reached out to the White House for any additional comment on the estimated price tag of the oil but did not immediately receive a reply. 

The U.S. military has carried out strikes on suspected drug trafficking boats near Venezuela since September as part of Trump’s mission to end the flow of drugs into the nation. There have been at least 22 strikes on suspected narcotraffickers near Venezuela, killing 87, since September. 

Doocy pressed Leavitt during the press conference on whether the U.S.’ strikes and heightened tensions with Venezuela, dubbed Operation Southern Spear, are ‘about drugs or is it about oil?’

‘The Trump administration is focused on doing many things in the Western Hemisphere,’ Leavitt responded. ‘The president has taken a new approach that has not been taken by any administration for quite some time to actually focus on what’s going on in our own backyard. And there are two things that are very important to this administration.’

The boat strikes are viewed as part of a U.S. pressure campaign on Venezuela likely aimed to not only curb the flow of drugs, but also to oust dictatorial President Nicolás Maduro as leader of the oil-rich nation. 

‘Number one, stopping the flow of illegal drugs into the United States of America, which we know has killed hundreds of thousands of Americans,’ she continued, before adding that Trump is ‘fully committed to effectuating this administration’s sanction policy. And that’s what you saw, and the world saw take place yesterday.’

‘With respect to the oil and what happened yesterday, the Department of Justice requested and was approved for a warrant to seize a vessel because it’s a sanctioned shadow vessel known for carrying black market sanctioned oil to the IRGC (Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps), which, you know, is a sanctioned entity,’ she continued. Venezuela is already subject to extensive U.S. sanctions, but was historically a major crude-oil supplier for the U.S.

Leavitt added that the administration will remain committed to the ‘president’s sanction policies and the sanction policies of the United States.’

‘We’re not going to stand by and watch sanctioned vessels sail the seas with black market oil. The proceeds of which will fuel narco-terrorism of rogue and illegitimate regimes around the world,’ she said. 

Fox News Digital’s Morgan Phillips contributed to this report. 

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In an exclusive interview with Fox News Digital, Liz Truss pulls back the curtain on what really happened during her 49-day reign as prime minister of the United Kingdom in 2022.

The free speech advocate served just 49 days as British prime minister in 2022 before resigning amid market turmoil over her administration’s dramatic attempt to implement a pro-growth economic agenda. Now that the dust has settled, Truss has launched a private club for ‘pro-growth leaders,’ the Leconfield, and a YouTube show, ‘The Liz Truss Show.’

‘My new show will tell the truth about what happened in 2022,’ Truss told Fox News Digital. ‘The fact that I was sabotaged by the Bank of England, who announced the sale of gilts the day before my mini-budget and then failed to properly regulate the pension market. That was actually the cause of the crisis in 2022.’

While Truss is now recasting the narrative on the Bank of England, the financial institution has blamed Truss for the British market crash of 2022, concluding that her mini-budget triggered a sudden plunge in gilt prices, driving up the government’s borrowing costs. The spike rippled across financial markets, pushing pension funds to offload gilts and forcing the Bank of England to intervene to stabilize the market.

The Bank of England declined to comment when reached by Fox News Digital. 

‘I will be talking about that. I’ll also be talking about the conservatives in name only who undermined me while I was in power,’ Truss said of her show, eliciting President Donald Trump’s ‘RINO’ nickname for Republicans in name only who thwart his agenda. 

It’s not Truss’ only commonality with Trump.

‘I’m very frustrated by the mainstream media,’ Truss said. ‘I share President Trump’s annoyance with the BBC. He is currently suing them for propagating fake news about him, but they do fake news the whole time.’

Trump has announced plans to file a $5 billion lawsuit against the British Broadcasting Corporation over an edit of his Jan. 6, 2021, remarks that appeared in a BBC investigative series. The BBC did not immediately respond to Fox News Digital’s request for comment.

Truss said she wants her YouTube show to ‘help change the economic and political debate in Britain.’

‘I know the truth wasn’t told about my time as prime minister,’ Truss said. ‘That’s very frustrating, but I know about other issues, whether it’s free speech or migration, people are not hearing about what’s actually happening in Britain, so I want my show to tell the truth and to hear from the people that are the victims of these problems.’

Truss’ early guests included Trump-ally Steve Bannon and British political commentator Matt Goodwin. The former prime minister spoke to Fox News Digital in Washington, D.C., ahead of its inaugural episode.

‘I want America, first of all, to understand what happens when you lose things like free speech, and you lose the battle on mass migration, and you lose the battle on the economy,’ Truss said. ‘It’s a warning for America, but I also want to get inspiration from what’s happened here at fighting back against these forces, and that’s what the show is about. I want to encourage people. It’s not just doom and gloom. It is about what do we actually do? How do we get a Trump-style revolution in Britain and Europe to make our countries great again?’

At the core of the cultural battles dominating popular culture, Truss said, ‘All of these people hate Western civilization.’

‘They hate the nation state,’ Truss continued. ‘They want to undermine the family, and that is why I’m so passionate about fighting back against them, because I believe in our country. I believe in the Christian values that formed Britain and America. I believe in free speech, and I think we’re just in real danger of losing them to these forces.’

Truss has applauded Trump’s leadership on the world stage, calling him ‘very forward-leaning’ in negotiating peace in the Middle East.

Truss said she wants a solution in Ukraine, but not one that makes President Vladimir Putin appear to walk away from the conflict on his own terms. She urged Europe to ‘step up’ and ‘spend more of our own money on defense’ — reflecting many congressional Republicans’ message as the war in Ukraine has waged on. 

Congress has voted to send more than $175 billion to Ukraine since the war began, according to The Council on Foreign Relations. And while the U.S. has committed more aid to Ukraine than any other country, European countries have collectively committed more than the U.S.

‘We need to grow our economies to be in a position to be able to stand up to Putin ourselves,’ Truss said.

While Trump continues to pursue peace negotiations in the Middle East and between Russia and Ukraine, Truss applauded the president for taking action against suspected drug traffickers from Venezuela.

‘There’s definitely very, very serious issues with Venezuela, and it’s sadly a country that used to be successful and rich and has now been ruined essentially by a communist regime,’ Truss said. ‘I understand the United States needs to take action because the cartels that come out of countries like Venezuela are a direct security threat to the United States.’

The Trump administration deployed two fighter jets over the Gulf of Venezuela on Tuesday and has faced scrutiny in recent days for allegedly authorizing a second strike on suspected drug trafficking boats in Venezuela.

The White House told Fox News Digital last week that as commander in chief, Trump has ‘full authority to use every element of American power to stop drugs from flooding into our country.’

‘As President Trump has said, all options are on the table as he works to combat the scourge of narcoterrorism that has resulted in the needless deaths of thousands of innocent Americans,’ White House spokeswoman Anna Kelly said in a statement to Fox News Digital. ‘All of these decisive strikes have been in international waters against designated narcoterrorists bringing deadly poison to our shores.’

Fox News Digital’s Diana Stacy contributed to this report.

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President Donald Trump clapped back at a report that was just released about the global artificial intelligence arms race, which claimed China has more than double the electrical power-generation capacity of the United States.

Trump, in a pointed social media post on his platform Truth Social, called the report’s findings ‘WRONG,’ adding that every big artifical intelligence plant being built in the United States will have its own private power plants that will also send excess energy back to the country’s broader energy grid. 

‘The Wall Street Journal has another ridiculous story today that China is dominating us, and the World, on the production of Electricity having to do with AI,’ Trump said in his Truth Social post responding to the news report. ‘AI has far more Electricity than they will ever need because they are building the facilities that produce it, themselves.’

 

‘We are leading the World in AI, BY FAR, because of a gentleman named DONALD J. TRUMP!’ the president contended. 

The Wall Street Journal report Trump was targeting indicated that China now has 3.75 terawatts of power-generation capacity, which the outlet said is more than double what the United States holds. The Journal called China’s electrical generation capacity the country’s ‘Ace to play’ in the global artificial intelligence arms race, since the United States is still home to the most powerful artificial intelligence models and controls access to the most advanced computer chips. 

In Trump’s Truth Social post responding to the Journal’s claims, the president said that the approvals for new artificial intelligence plants and their accompanying ‘Electric Generating Facilities’ are being approved ‘quickly’ and ‘carefully,’ indicating the process has generally been taking ‘a matter of weeks.’

Trump also highlighted that any ‘excess’ electrical energy produced by these electric generation facilities would be ‘going to our Electric Grid,’ which the president said was being ‘strengthened, and expanded … like never before.’

On Thursday, U.S. Energy Secretary Chris Wright was quoted in TIME Magazine piece saying that artificial intelligence is the Trump administration’s ‘No. 1 scientific priority.’ Wright was quoted in a wide-ranging piece titled ‘The Architects of AI Are TIME’s 2025 Person of the Year.’

In its reporting on Wright, the magazine noted that the Energy Department is working ‘in tandem with other agencies like the EPA to slash regulations around the construction of data centers and power plants.’

Fox News Digital’s Alexander Hall contributed to this report.

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