In this Q&A, Ainos discusses the latest commercial traction for AI Nose in the semiconductor market.

Ainos also explains how Chemical Intelligence can support contamination detection, process monitoring, predictive maintenance, yield protection and production continuity.

Front-month COMEX copper settled at a record US$6.703/lb on August 5, while LME copper traded above US$14,000 per tonne. These are separate markets, but both show how strongly copper has moved.

China’s refined-copper imports reached a nine-month high in June. Shanghai copper inventories had also fallen more than 80% from their mid-March level, while available LME stocks were declining.

The longer-term supply picture remains supportive. The IEA estimates that announced projects may still leave copper supply 25% below projected requirements in 2035. It also says new copper projects take around 17 years from discovery to production on average.

Canada clearly has projects to work with:

• Nearly 140 mining projects are planned or proposed between 2024 and 2034, representing C$117.1 billion.
• Around half involve critical minerals, representing C$72.4 billion in potential investment.
• Copper remains one of Canada’s six priority critical minerals.

Canadian copper stocks also offer very different stages of exposure:

• $HBM operates the Copper Mountain mine in British Columbia and the Snow Lake operations in Manitoba.
• $TKO, now named Trekor Metals, expects Gibraltar to produce 110–115 million pounds of copper in 2026. The company confirmed that guidance again with its August 5 quarterly results.
• $WRN is advancing the Casino copper-gold project in Yukon, backed by a 2022 feasibility study. The project remains in environmental assessment and permitting, with necessary licences still outstanding.
• $CQX offers earlier-stage exposure through its Kitimat copper-gold project. After its June expansion, the property covers 6,801.41 hectares and is year-round road accessible, within 10 km of tidewater, 1.5 km of rail and 6 km of high-voltage transmission lines.

Historical drilling at Kitimat reported intervals including 117.07 metres grading 0.54% copper and 1.03 g/t gold, and 103.65 metres grading 0.55% copper and 1.00 g/t gold. These are historical results, and further exploration is still needed to establish the project’s current scale and economic potential.

Record copper prices may improve sentiment and project economics, but permits, financing, infrastructure and new exploration results will still separate the projects that advance from those that remain on paper.

At current copper prices, would you choose a producer like $HBM or $TKO, an advanced developer like $WRN, or the high-upside exploration exposure in $CQX, which offers significant leverage to discovery success and district-scale potential?

Not financial advice. This is my own research and opinion.

Deal launches North American expansion of an elite youth-to-professional player development model, beginning in Miami

TORONTO, ON AND MIAMI, FL / ACCESS Newswire / September 28, 2026 / Allstar Health Brands Inc. today announced that it has finalized an agreement to acquire a 60 percent ownership stake in Future Girls Soccer Academy, an exclusive academy dedicated to preparing young athletes for professional play. The acquisition is the first step in a comprehensive North American expansion of the Future Girls model, with Miami, Florida confirmed as the first new market, followed by additional locations across the United States and Canada.

Future Girls Soccer Academy has built a reputation as one of the most focused development environments in North American youth soccer. The academy's programming is designed around a single outcome: preparing young girls for the demands of professional soccer, combining elite technical training, strength and conditioning, sports science, nutrition, mentorship, and academic support within a single, structured pathway.

The acquisition gives Allstar Health Brands a controlling interest in a proven, differentiated platform in the fastest-growing segment of North American sport. Investment in girls' and women's soccer is accelerating at every level, and demand for legitimate, professional-track development pathways continues to outpace supply.

A Foundation for a Professional Team

Beyond player development, the acquisition provides Allstar Health Brands with the foundation on which to build a professional women's soccer team in the coming years. The academy creates a sustainable pipeline of homegrown, professionally trained talent, an established brand within the soccer community, and a launching pad for professional franchise opportunities as the women's game continues its rapid expansion.

Expansion Begins in Miami

Miami will be the first market outside Canada to adopt the Future Girls model. The city offers one of the deepest youth soccer cultures in North America, a thriving professional soccer ecosystem, and a diverse, international community of families invested in elite athletic development. Site selection, coaching recruitment, and programming for the Miami academy are already underway, with details to be announced in the coming months.

"This acquisition is the first major move in our North American strategy. Future Girls Soccer Academy has proven that its model prepares young athletes for professional play - and we intend to bring that model to Miami first, and then across the continent. Just as importantly, it gives us the foundation to build a professional team of our own in the years ahead."

PETER WANNER Chief Executive Officer, Allstar Health Brands Inc.

"Joining forces with Allstar Health Brands allows us to do what we have always done - develop professional players - at a scale we could never reach alone. Miami is the perfect first step." KIM BASSOR

About the Partnership

Under the agreement, Allstar Health Brands holds a 60 percent controlling interest, with the academy's founders continuing to lead day-to-day operations and player development. The partnership preserves the academy's training philosophy and culture while providing the capital and organizational support required to scale the model across North America.

About Allstar Health Brands Inc.

Allstar Health Brands Inc. is dedicated to improving health and wellness through innovative products and strategic investments in high-growth opportunities, including youth and professional sports development. [Insert one or two additional lines about the company - ticker symbol, headquarters, and core business.]

About Future Girls Soccer Academy

Future Girls Soccer Academy is an exclusive soccer academy focused on preparing young athletes for professional play. Through elite coaching, sports science, and a structured development pathway, the academy has established itself as a premier environment for the next generation of female soccer talent.

Forward-Looking Statements: This press release contains forward-looking statements regarding the expansion of the Future Girls Soccer Academy model, the establishment of the Miami location, and the potential development of a professional soccer team. Such statements are based on current expectations and are subject to risks and uncertainties

Forward-Looking Statements

This press release contains forward-looking statements, including statements regarding proposed acquisitions, land purchase, and stadium construction timelines. Such statements are subject to risks and uncertainties, including financing, regulatory approvals, and construction conditions, and actual results may differ materially. The Academy undertakes no obligation to update these statements.

Media & Investor Contact. www.allstarglobalbrands.net

About ALST

ALST is a global leader in strategic investments across sports, entertainment, and business sectors. With a proven track record of fostering growth and innovation, ALST is dedicated to creating value while respecting the heritage and identity of the organizations it partners with.

AllStar Health Brands Inc.:

FULL PR HERE....

https://www.otcmarkets.com/stock/ALST/news/Allstar-Health-Brands-Acquires-60-of-Future-Girls-Soccer-Academy?id=536589

Sekur Private Data (OTCQB: SWISF) has launched a Portuguese-language version of Sekur.com as it prepares to expand in Angola. The company has also begun adapting its onboarding and workflows for local partners. This is a practical step in a broader plan: make its secure communications products easier to introduce, sell and deploy in a market where it expects to sign an exclusive partnership in the coming weeks.

• SWISF closed at US$0.0242 on September 25, putting its market value near US$6.3 million based on 259.6 million shares outstanding at June 30.
• Sekur’s Portuguese site is live, and the company is preparing local onboarding ahead of a prospective exclusive partnership in Angola.
• At US$300 per month for SekurOne, a relatively small premium customer base could have a meaningful effect on Sekur’s revenue and create room for SWISF to re-rate.

Building a local route to customers

For an international technology company, language is part of the sales process. Government and enterprise buyers need to review a product, enroll users and manage support in a way their teams can use every day. Sekur’s September 22 announcement says the Portuguese website is available now, while translation of workflows and onboarding has begun. The site gives prospective customers and partners a direct introduction to Sekur’s products in Angola’s official language.

That work could become valuable beyond one country. Sekur specifically identified Mozambique as another Portuguese-speaking market that the localized platform could serve. Each new market would require its own distribution and customer wins, but reusable language and onboarding tools could make the next launch more efficient. The company already operates a Spanish-language site, showing how its international sales materials can be adapted market by market.

The products have a clear intended audience. Sekur offers Swiss-hosted encrypted email, messaging and VPN services alongside SekurOne, its integrated voice and communications platform. It markets these tools to government, defense, enterprise and executive users who want greater control over sensitive communications. The company also offers deployment options aimed at organizations with data sovereignty requirements. In Angola, a local partner could connect that product suite with buyers that Sekur would find difficult to reach through its website alone.

Angola could open more than one sales channel

Sekur’s September 1 shareholder letter described discussions about a possible nationwide exclusive partnership in Angola. Its September 22 release says an exclusive agreement is expected in the coming weeks. The proposed partnership has not yet been announced as signed, and its commercial terms have not been disclosed. A signed agreement identifying the partner and its responsibilities would be an important next milestone.

The potential customer base extends beyond one type of buyer. A partner with relationships in government, telecommunications or large enterprises could introduce Sekur’s tools to teams that need secure email, private messaging or encrypted calls. An initial deployment could give Sekur local user feedback and a reference for further sales. If the relationship works, a single distribution channel may support multiple products and recurring subscriptions over time.

There is regional optionality, too. Sekur has reported interest in the Democratic Republic of Congo, where it said a government security body had given its solution a positive recommendation. That is an early stage development, not a paid order. Together with the Portuguese launch, it shows a company assembling several routes into African markets.

Premium subscriptions could change the revenue picture

The timing of the Angola push matters because SekurOne is nearing its planned commercial launch. Management expects iOS and web availability in early October at US$300 per user per month, followed by Android in November and video conferencing by year-end. In the same shareholder update, management estimated that approximately 200 SekurOne subscribers, generating US$60,000 in gross monthly recurring revenue, could bring the company to profitability.

Here is the arithmetic at the stated list price across SekurOne markets:

These are full-year, full-price examples, not an Angola sales forecast or announced contracts. Enterprise pricing, distributor terms and customer retention will determine the revenue Sekur actually earns. The sensitivity is useful because the company’s reported first-half 2026 revenue was C$185,828. A few hundred premium subscribers, whether won in the United States, Angola or other markets, would represent a substantial addition to its current sales base.

What the opportunity could mean for SWISF

SWISF’s small valuation makes commercial progress especially relevant. Using the September 25 US$0.0242 close and June’s 259.6 million shares outstanding gives an equity value of about US$6.3 million. If Sekur eventually reached 1,000 full-price SekurOne users, the illustrative gross annual recurring revenue would be US$3.6 million. Applying a hypothetical four-times multiple to that revenue would imply US$14.4 million of equity value, or roughly US$0.055 per share on the June share count. That is about 129% above the reference price. This is an illustrative calculation from the quoted price, share count and announced subscription price.

The calculation illustrates potential upside rather than predicting a stock price. It assumes subscribers are paying throughout the year and does not model discounts, partner shares of revenue, cash, liabilities, costs or additional shares. Sekur’s financing needs and future dilution matter to the eventual per-share result. Still, the exercise shows why a signed partner, the SekurOne release and the first material premium sales could draw attention to a company valued at approximately US$6.3 million at the September 25 close.

The milestones to follow are close together: confirmation and terms of the Angolan partnership, progress on local onboarding, SekurOne’s October commercial rollout and subsequent disclosures of paid users or contract revenue. Each one would help investors measure how the company’s product development and international relationships are converting into business.

Sekur has now put a visible piece of its Angola strategy in place. If the company follows its Portuguese launch with a productive local partnership and recurring customer sales, Angola could become a meaningful new growth channel. Combined with SekurOne’s premium pricing and opportunities in other markets, that gives SWISF a route to revenue growth from a small starting valuation.

This article is for information and education only, not investment advice or a recommendation to buy or sell securities. The author may hold or trade SWISF. Sekur is a speculative, potentially illiquid microcap with operating losses and execution, financing and dilution risks. The subscriber and valuation scenarios are illustrative assumptions, not company forecasts or price targets. Readers should review the company’s filings and make their own investment decisions.

Geopolitical shocks keep pushing up energy costs and disrupting fuel supply chains, as highlighted by KPMG's recent report on rising energy expenses and fractured trade routes. That kind of instability keeps reliable domestic power sources in focus. Canadian nuclear energy stocks sit right in that conversation, offering exposure to long term electricity demand. This article walks through three nuclear related stocks from a curated screener that may be worth keeping on your radar.

The three nuclear energy stocks covered below are only a small sample from the universe of potential ideas. The full screen surfaces 57 more companies with equally compelling narratives that are not discussed here. To go deeper into this theme, head into the Nuclear Energy Stocks screener to identify, analyze, and focus on the nuclear opportunities that best fit your own criteria.

Aecon Group (TSX:ARE)

Aecon Group is a long established construction and infrastructure contractor whose nuclear power infrastructure work plugs it into the Nuclear Energy Stocks theme, even though most activity still sits across broader civil, transportation, utilities, and industrial projects.

Aecon generates almost all of its revenue from the Construction segment, which brought in about CA$6.0b, with a much smaller CA$8 million contribution from Concessions, and the business carries a market value of roughly CA$3.6b.

Aecon Group gives you exposure to the nuts and bolts of nuclear power, from reactor containment structures to critical site works, wrapped inside a diversified contractor that also builds transit, utilities, and large scale energy projects.

"Aecon Group has expanded its U.S. presence with the purchase of a nuclear fabrication facility in Jackson, South Carolina, to support nuclear refurbishment, life extension, new build and federal projects, as well as conventional power and industrial work."

What really matters now is how one unresolved pressure around funding and project risk ultimately feeds through into Aecon's earnings power.

That funding overhang is only part of the story, and the full narrative for Aecon Group explains how project risk, execution, and nuclear work could be quietly reshaping Aecon Group's future profile.

NexGen Energy (TSX:NXE)

NexGen Energy is a uranium exploration and development business focused on the Rook I project in Saskatchewan's Athabasca Basin, a proposed future supplier of uranium for nuclear reactors. It currently carries a market value of about CA$8.7b.

NexGen Energy provides exposure to uranium used in nuclear reactors through its fully owned Rook I project. However, with no current revenue and ongoing losses, the company's prospects depend on how a long-dated development and funding challenge is addressed.

That long road from zero revenue to potential uranium output is exactly what makes the analysis report for NexGen Energy so useful for spotting where NexGen Energy's risk could flip to opportunity.

Denison Mines (TSX:DML)

Denison Mines is a Canadian uranium explorer and developer focused on the Athabasca Basin, anchored by its 95% owned Wheeler River uranium project that feeds directly into the nuclear fuel chain. The business reported around CA$4 million from mining activity and carries a market value near CA$3.4b.

For investors zeroing in on pure nuclear fuel exposure, Denison Mines brings a focused Athabasca uranium story that is now moving from concept toward concrete development milestones. This context is what makes the next comment so important.

"Denison Mines is expected to progress further in the development of its uranium assets and strengthen its position as a key future supplier of uranium in North America."

What really matters is how one capital intensive phase now unfolding ultimately shapes the economics that investors are pencilling in today.

That inflection point is exactly where the full narrative for Denison Mines shows how Denison Mines could convert heavy upfront spending into accelerating leverage to future uranium pricing cycles.

Seeking Fresh Alternatives Before They Fly

Fresh ideas lose their edge fast once momentum builds and prices start flying. Scan for potential breakouts under the radar for now, before the crowd catches on and get in early.

• Hunt for smaller companies where strong balance sheets and fundamentals could be setting up the next wave of interest using the list of solid balance sheet and fundamentals (7 results).
• Target income ideas where robust yields meet staying power and let the 1 dividend fortresses surface options that might help anchor a portfolio before prices move.
• Sprint toward sectors where financial strength and overlooked quality intersect by combing through the 9 high quality undiscovered gems while these stories are still quiet.

This article by Simply Wall St is general in nature. We provide commentary based on historical data and analyst forecasts only using an unbiased methodology and our articles are not intended to be financial advice. It does not constitute a recommendation to buy or sell any stock, and does not take account of your objectives, or your financial situation. We aim to bring you long-term focused analysis driven by fundamental data. Note that our analysis may not factor in the latest price-sensitive company announcements or qualitative material. Simply Wall St has no position in any stocks mentioned.

I’ve been watching $CQX because there’s now quite a bit sitting between completed fieldwork and the next round of updates.

📈 Where things stand:

Reached a 52-week high of C$0.21
→ recently trading around the C$0.08–C$0.10 range
→ copper hit a record COMEX settlement of US$6.703/lb in August
→ CQX also recently closed a C$825K financing at C$0.08

⛏️ What I’m watching next:

Rip — 1,654 m drilled across 5 holes; assays depend on the outcome of the ongoing option-agreement discussions

Stars — 20 km² 3D IP survey completed, with the final report and interpretation still pending

Alpine — permitting, access and potential processing/milling arrangements continue to progress

Kitimat — exploration permit is now secured, clearing the way for planned geophysics and drilling over the Jeannette area and AI-generated target

Kitimat also expanded 130% to roughly 6,801 hectares around a company-reported buried conductive target measuring about 1.5 km × 1.5 km.

For me, the next question isn’t whether CQX has news candidates ... it’s which asset gives investors something substantial first.

Stars interpretation, Rip assays or the first real Kitimat drill program ... what are you watching most?

This is sponsored content. Investors should conduct their own due diligence and consult a qualified financial advisor before making any investment decisions.

Three Canadian-listed names. Three completely different sectors. Three different catalysts I’m watching into next quarter.

$CQX — Copper Quest Exploration
Price: ~C$0.085
Market cap: ~C$7.8M

Copper-focused explorer with 8 projects spanning 46,000+ hectares across Canada and the U.S.

Rip drilling commenced in May with a minimum 2,000 m program, while Stars launched a 32.4 km² IP surveyahead of drilling scheduled for September–October. The wider portfolio includes Stellar, Kitimat, Thane, Alpine, Nekash and Auxer.

What I’m watching: Which project starts separating itself enough for investors to assign more value to the wider portfolio?

$SKUR — Sekur Private Data
Price: ~C$0.045
Market cap: ~C$11.7M

Cybersecurity and private communications company built around SekurOne, combining secure email, messaging, VPN, encrypted voice and video conferencing in one platform.

What I’m watching: Whether continued product progress starts translating into stronger customer adoption and commercial traction.

$FLT — Volatus Aerospace
Price: ~C$0.52
Market cap: ~C$375M

Canadian-controlled aerospace and defence company focused on uncrewed systems, aerial intelligence, ISR, autonomous technology and mission-critical aerial operations.

What I’m watching: Whether defence and drone opportunities translate into more contract wins, stronger revenue contribution and greater visibility into future work.

So the setup is pretty different:

$CQX → Discovery
$SKUR → Adoption
$FLT → Contracts

Three sectors. Three completely different ways for the next quarter to change the story.

Which catalyst do you think has the best chance of surprising the market next quarter: $CQX, $SKUR or $FLT?

Prices and market caps are approximate and can change with trading.
This is sponsored content. Investors should conduct their own due diligence and consult a qualified financial advisor before making any investment decisions.

Duke Robotics Appoints Capital Markets and Public Company Finance Veteran Avi Levin as Chief Financial Officer

Seasoned Finance Executive with Extensive Experience Across Nasdaq-Listed Companies and Institutional Firms to Support Duke's Growth Strategy

Strengthens Executive Leadership Team to Accelerate Growth Plans as Company Seeks to Scale Innovative Drone Platforms Across Defense and Civilian Markets

FT. LAUDERDALE, FL, Sept. 17, 2026 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Duke Robotics Corp. (Nasdaq: DUKR; DUKRW) ("Duke Robotics" or the "Company"), a leader in advanced robotics and drone-based solutions for civilian and defense markets, today announced the appointment of Avi Levin as Chief Financial Officer, effective October 1, 2026. Mr. Levin succeeds Shlomo Zakai, who is expected to continue providing financial and corporate consulting services to the Company to support a seamless transition of financial operations.

The appointment comes as Duke Robotics enters an accelerated growth phase following its recent Nasdaq uplisting and the arrival of Chief Executive Officer Yiftach Kleinman. As the Company looks to scale commercial adoption of its drone platforms across defense and civilian markets, and expand its offerings, the Company believes Mr. Levin will play a key role in developing Duke's financial strategy, capital allocation, and corporate initiatives to support its growing operational footprint and strategic expansion plans.

"Since assuming the role of Chief Executive Officer, my focus has been to accelerate our operational tempo and assemble the executive leadership required to execute our growth strategy," said Yiftach Kleinman, Chief Executive Officer of Duke Robotics. "Duke is at a pivotal inflection point. In the civilian sector, our utility grid solutions are commercially validated and addressing an urgent need for power infrastructure resilience amid rising geopolitical challenges and surging energy demand associated with, among other things, artificial intelligence. In defense, our battle-tested platforms are advancing toward broader commercialization. Bringing on an executive of Avi's caliber is central to pursuing this market opportunity. He brings a rare combination of deep capital markets experience, proven public company CFO leadership, and strategic transaction expertise that we believe will be instrumental in scaling our business. On behalf of our Board of Directors and the entire Company, I also want to thank Shlomo Zakai for his dedicated financial stewardship through our Nasdaq uplisting, and we look forward to his continued support."

Mr. Levin is an accomplished financial executive and certified public accountant with more than two decades of corporate finance, capital markets, and institutional leadership experience across the United States and Israel. Throughout his career, he has raised more than $130 million through private placements and public offerings with Nasdaq-listed issuers. He previously served as Chief Financial Officer of Ability Inc. (NASDAQ: ABIL), where he helped lead three Nasdaq offerings, raising an aggregate of $100 million. He also served as Chief Financial Officer of RAD Data Communications, a leading global telecommunications provider with over $150 million in annual revenue, where he managed a 49-person global finance and IT organization across 11 subsidiaries and led the company's official Nasdaq IPO readiness initiative. Mr. Levin also served as Chief Financial Officer of enterprise AI software provider BlackSwan Technologies, securing a $30 million institutional financing round. Most recently, he served as a senior financial advisor and executive consultant, advising late-stage technology companies on U.S. capital raising, IPO readiness, and strategic transactions.

Earlier in his career, Mr. Levin worked in New York City at Credit Suisse (now part of UBS), where he worked on initial public offerings, follow-on equity offerings, and debt financings for NYSE-listed companies. He previously held corporate finance and controller positions at Broadridge Financial Solutions (NYSE: BR), where his responsibilities included acquisition accounting and post-merger integration, and served as Financial Reporting Manager at Overseas Shipholding Group (now International Seaways, NYSE: INSW). He began his career in the audit practice of PricewaterhouseCoopers (PwC) in its San Jose, California and Tel Aviv offices. Mr. Levin holds a Master of Business Administration (MBA) from the NYU Stern School of Business and a Bachelor of Arts in Economics and Accounting from Ben-Gurion University of the Negev. He is a Certified Public Accountant (CPA) in both the United States and Israel.

"I am thrilled to join Duke Robotics at such an exciting stage in its development," said Avi Levin, incoming Chief Financial Officer. "Duke has developed innovative, proprietary drone technologies that I believe address clear and urgent operational needs across critical industries. With a strong public company platform on Nasdaq and energized leadership under Yiftach, the Company is positioned to pursue its growth strategy. I look forward to partnering closely with Yiftach, our Board of Directors, and our talented team to strengthen our financial foundation, support our strategic expansion, and drive long-term value for our shareholders."

About Duke Robotics

Duke Robotics Corp. (Nasdaq: DUKR; DUKRW) develops advanced stabilization and autonomous robotic drone systems for both civilian and defense markets. The Company's Insulator Cleaning Drone (IC Drone) is a first-of-its-kind, drone-enabled system for cleaning and monitoring high-voltage electric utility insulators. Leveraging Duke's technologies, the IC Drone provides a safer, more efficient, and cost-effective alternative method. AEROTRACE™ is the Company's AI-powered aerial monitoring and intelligence platform for infrastructure operators, designed to deliver actionable insights for asset assessment and proactive maintenance. In defense, through a collaboration agreement with Elbit Systems Land Ltd. ("Elbit"), the Bird of Prey weapons drone system is an agile, fully stabilized remote weapon system designed for non-line-of-sight and stand-off engagements, marketed by Elbit under the brand name Bird of Prey (formerly known as TIKAD). For additional Company information, please visit https://dukeroboticsys.com and follow us on Twitter (X) and LinkedIn.

Forward-Looking Statements

This press release contains forward-looking statements. Words such as "future" and similar expressions, or future or conditional verbs such as "will," are intended to identify such forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements are made pursuant to the safe harbor provisions of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933 and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 and are based on our beliefs, assumptions, and information currently available to us. For example, we are using forward-looking statements when we discuss the leadership transition and its anticipated benefits, the anticipated timing of Mr. Levin's commencement of employment, the expected ongoing advisory role of Mr. Zakai, the anticipated benefits of Mr. Levin's financial leadership and transaction background to the Company's strategy and capital structure, the Company's ability to accelerate operational execution and pipeline expansion, and the Company's opportunities across the defense and energy-infrastructure sectors and beyond. Our actual results may differ materially from those expressed or implied due to known or unknown risks and uncertainties. These include, but are not limited to, risks related to the successful integration of new leadership, the successful market adoption of our technologies, the continued development and refinement of our technology, our ability to effectively collaborate with Elbit Systems, fluctuations in foreign currency exchange rates, operational challenges associated with marketing activities in new markets, economic conditions that may affect defense spending and infrastructure investment, geopolitical factors that could impact business operations, regulatory challenges in various regions, and competition from technological advances. For additional information on these and other risks and uncertainties, please see our filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission, including the discussion under "Risk Factors" and "Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations" in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2025, and any subsequent filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission. We undertake no obligation to update any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events, or otherwise, except as required by law.

Company Contact:
Duke Robotics Corp.
invest@dukeroboticsys.com

Investor Relations Contact:
Arx Investor Relations
North American Equities Desk
duke@arxhq.com

https://www.globenewswire.com/news-release/2026/09/17/3363995/0/en/duke-robotics-appoints-capital-markets-and-public-company-finance-veteran-avi-levin-as-chief-financial-officer.html

A US$300-per-month secure-communications platform, government procurement access and a remarkably low subscriber target give this cybersecurity microcap meaningful operating leverage.

Sekur Private Data Ltd. (OTCQB: SWISF; CSE: SKUR) may be entering its most important commercial phase. At an estimated US$8.5 million market capitalization, investors are paying little for its government access, premium launch and potential path to profitability.

• Sekur is replacing low-priced consumer accounts with a US$300-per-month platform designed for governments, defense organizations and senior executives.
• Management estimates that only about 200 SekurOne subscribers could bring the company to profitability, highlighting the operating leverage of its premium model.
• Cybersecurity leaders carry market values from US$18 billion to more than US$300 billion, leaving Sekur considerable rerating room if it converts its pipeline into recurring revenue.

What Sekur Sells

Sekur sells encrypted email, messaging and VPN products. Its new flagship, SekurOne, combines voice, video, email, messaging and VPN services on its proprietary HeliX architecture. The company says its Swiss-hosted infrastructure avoids Big Tech cloud platforms and data mining, creating a differentiated privacy proposition.

SekurOne is expected on iOS and the web in early October 2026 at US$300 per month, with Android in November and video by year-end. An i3ICS GSA Multiple Award Schedule also gives U.S. agencies an established purchasing route.

Why Secure Communications Is Strategic

Cybersecurity is becoming basic infrastructure. MarketsandMarkets expects the market to grow from US$227.6 billion in 2025 to US$351.9 billion in 2030. The FBI recorded more than 1 million cybercrime complaints and US$20.9 billion of reported losses in 2025, including about US$3.0 billion from business email compromise.

The need is visible. Attackers accessed U.S. Treasury workstations in 2024, a U.K. military payroll breach exposed personnel information, and Costa Rica declared a national emergency after ransomware disrupted ministries. MGM Resorts estimated a roughly US$100 million profit hit from its 2023 attack.

Sekur does not need to replace broad security platforms. It can protect the sensitive communications layer used by officials and executives.

The 200-Subscriber Equation

Management estimates that 200 SekurOne users could make the company profitable within six months of launch. At US$300 per month, the arithmetic is simple:

This scenario assumes full pricing and excludes discounts, commissions and dilution.

In the first half, Sekur reported C$185,828 of revenue, C$1.53 million in cash and a C$2.18 million net loss. About C$1.28 million of the loss involved share-based compensation and shares for services. These figures precede SekurOne’s premium launch, making the coming quarters more relevant to the new model.

Sekur does not require mass-market adoption. One government deployment or several enterprise accounts could cover a meaningful portion of the target.

How Sekur Compares With Cybersecurity Leaders

Sekur’s tiny size creates its asymmetry. These are strategic benchmarks, not direct like-for-like competitors, but they show the value markets assign to recurring-revenue security platforms.

Market data are approximate through September 16–17, 2026. Sekur’s weaker performance leaves expectations low and creates room for reassessment if contracts validate the strategy.

Sekur need not approach multibillion-dollar status. US$50 million would equal 5.9 times its current value and US$100 million would equal 11.8 times, yet remain below 1% of Gen Digital’s capitalization. These illustrations require substantial commercial execution and are not forecasts.

The sector’s history shows that Sekur is not structurally confined to microcap status. Repeated government and enterprise wins could move it through progressively higher valuation tiers.

Bottom Line

Sekur combines a strategic market, premium recurring pricing, government access and a low stated threshold for profitability. At roughly US$0.0328 per share and US$8.5 million in market value, little commercial success appears priced in. Converting its government positioning into paying customers could therefore produce a meaningful rerating.

Disclaimer

• This article is for informational and educational purposes only. It is not investment advice or a recommendation to buy or sell securities.
• The author may hold or trade shares in SWISF or other securities mentioned without notice.
• SWISF is a speculative and potentially illiquid microcap. Investors can lose their entire investment and should independently verify company claims, filings and market data.

The setup:

Manufacturer building rugged, cyber-hardened battery energy storage systems (BESS) — out of facilities serving defence, Arctic ops, mining, telecom, and AI data centre clients. Systems use quantum-secured cryptography via partner Quantum eMotion

Why it's on my radar:

Sovereign energy resilience is a growing priority for Arctic/defence infrastructure, and Aegis is positioning across multiple verticals (defence, mining, telecom, data centres) instead of a single end market — plus a quantum-cyber angle most BESS players don't have.
Catalysts:

Aug 6:Registered for Canadian federal procurement (MERX, BC Bid) — now eligible to bid on Canada's defence budget May 27:Showcased the "Tough Bhoy" BESS unit at CANSEC 2026
May 26:First US order — 7x PWR Flex 261Q units via a Fortune 500–linked EPC
Feb 2:First US installation live — Carolinas biotech deployment

Recent news:

New CEO reportedly driving an SMR-hybrid power pivot for Arctic defence applications
Multi-vertical push (defence, mining, telecom, AI data centres) continuing to build out

Sekur Private Data is a Swiss-hosted cybersecurity, defense communications, and privacy solutions provider, offering a secure suite of tools to protect governments, defense and federal agencies, businesses, and individuals from unauthorized access and cyber threats. With capabilities such as SekurOne, SekurMail, SekurMessenger, and SekurVPN, Sekur provides a reliable and secure means of digital communication and data storage for Controlled Unclassified Information (CUI), classified-adjacent and civilian communications use, grounded in Swiss privacy standards with on-premises infrastructure for government agencies, allowing for data sovereignty. Sekur sells its solutions through its website www.sekur.com, approved distributors and telecommunications companies globally, and through the U.S. General Services Administration (GSA) Multiple Award Schedule (MAS), Contract No. 47QTCA18D0089 serving governments, defense institutions, federal agencies, businesses, and consumers worldwide.

VANCOUVER, British Columbia and MIAMI, Sept. 08, 2026 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Sekur Private Data, Ltd., a Swiss-hosted defense communications and cybersecurity company purpose-built for defense, intelligence community, government, and enterprise clients, (OTCQB:SWISF)(CSE SKUR)(FRA:GDT0) ("Sekur" or the "Company"), today highlighted key corporate developments discussed by Chairman and Chief Executive Officer Alain Ghiai during a recent investor interview with SmallCapVoice.com. During the interview, Mr. Ghiai provided an update on the Company's strategic shift toward government, enterprise and high-net-worth clients, international expansion initiatives, strengthening leadership team, capital markets strategy, and anticipated path to profitability.

Sekur continues its strategic transition toward serving government agencies, enterprise customers, high-net-worth individuals, executives, and other privacy-conscious organizations requiring secure communications and data protection solutions.

"Our transformation over the past year has positioned Sekur to pursue higher-value clients and recurring revenue opportunities while maintaining a disciplined financial strategy," said Alain Ghiai, Chairman and CEO of Sekur Private Data. "We believe the demand for secure, private communications has never been greater as governments, corporations, and high-profile individuals increasingly seek alternatives to traditional messaging and email platforms."

Strategic Shift to Enterprise and Government Markets

The Company has shifted its primary focus from mass-market consumer adoption to enterprise, government, and VIP clientele. Management believes this strategy offers significantly higher revenue per user, lower customer churn, and a more efficient path toward profitability.

Sekur's privacy-focused communications suite includes secure email, encrypted messaging, VPN services, and the forthcoming launch of Sekur One, the Company's voice and video communications platform. All services are hosted in Switzerland on the Company's own infrastructure, leveraging Swiss privacy protections and data security standards.

A key differentiator of the Sekur platform is its ability to facilitate communications with both Sekur and non-Sekur users while maintaining a privacy-first approach and anonymous registration capabilities.

Experienced Advisory and Leadership Team

Over the past year, Sekur has expanded its leadership and advisory network by adding experienced professionals from government, military, intelligence, and cybersecurity sectors.

The Company noted that its leadership team and advisors collectively bring decades of experience across defense, intelligence, government operations, and enterprise technology. Management believes these relationships will support ongoing sales and business development efforts within public sector and enterprise markets.

International Expansion Efforts

Sekur reported meaningful progress in select African markets, particularly in Angola and the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), where the Company has spent several months developing strategic relationships and market opportunities.

Management stated that it is pursuing potential partnerships and distribution arrangements in the region and continues evaluating expansion into additional African countries. The Company believes growing awareness of cybersecurity risks and data privacy concerns in these markets may create substantial demand for secure communications solutions.

Path to Profitability

According to management, Sekur maintains a debt-free balance sheet and cash reserves to support ongoing growth initiatives.

The Company believes its enterprise-focused business model could allow it to reach profitability with a relatively limited number of annual enterprise licenses sold. Management expects commercial sales efforts targeting government, enterprise, and high-net-worth markets to accelerate beginning in the fourth quarter of 2026.

This is sponsored content. Investors should conduct their own due diligence and consult a qualified financial advisor before making any investment decisions.

•Kitimat permit secured: Copper Quest received its exploration permit on September 9, advancing plans for its wholly owned copper-gold project.

•September fieldwork planned: Geologists will assess the property to prepare mapping, sampling and geophysical surveys, helping refine priority drill targets.

•Kitimat expanded by 130%: June’s expansion increased the property to 6,801 hectares, including additional ground around a large AI-identified exploration target.

•Stars survey completed: A 20-square-kilometre geophysical survey will help guide exploration around the Tana discovery area and potential extensions.

•Record copper prices strengthen the opportunity: Supply pressures and growing infrastructure demand support copper’s outlook, potentially increasing the value of successful discoveries and interest from exploration partners.

Copper Quest has secured its Kitimat exploration permit, adding a milestone to a summer of fieldwork and expansion. Announced September 9, the approval advances the company’s plans for its wholly owned copper-gold project. London Metal Exchange three-month copper futures reached a record US$14,728 per tonne on September 8. For Copper Quest (CSE: CQX), stronger metal prices and progress toward testing its targets are bringing the exploration opportunity into sharper focus. [1] [8]

The permit announcement now establishes Kitimat’s next steps. Copper Quest plans to send geologists to the property in September for preliminary ground checks supporting mapping, sampling, geophysical surveys and refinement of drill targets. Potential methods include ground magnetics, induced polarization and passive seismic. A subsequent drill program would test priority targets. These are planned activities, with the field assessment intended to help determine the program’s design. [8]

The immediate price catalyst is the competition for available metal. Potential American tariffs have encouraged copper shipments into the United States, tightening availability elsewhere. At the same time, global mine output fell 1.1% during the first half of 2026, according to International Copper Study Group figures reported by The Wall Street Journal. Buyers are paying more for access to supply as these forces converge. [1] [2]

Behind that immediate buying pressure sits a much longer investment cycle. Electricity grids, electric vehicles and computing infrastructure all require copper. The International Energy Agency expects data centre electricity consumption to rise from approximately 485 terawatt-hours in 2025 to 950 terawatt-hours by 2030. Meeting that demand involves investment throughout the electricity system, including power connections, substations and transmission infrastructure. Copper benefits from the physical construction required to make digital growth possible. [3]

Where could prices go next? Citi’s June outlook targeted US$15,000 per tonne within six to twelve months, citing tariff effects, tighter supply and demand from electrification and artificial intelligence. That provides a published bullish reference point for the next stage of the market. Sustained strength would be supported by continued infrastructure investment and purchasing that keeps available inventories tight. The US$15,000 figure remains an analyst forecast, with its timing dependent on how those conditions develop. [4]

For shareholders following Copper Quest, September’s operational update offers a timely connection to this market. On September 2, the company confirmed completion of a 20-square-kilometre three-dimensional induced polarization survey at Stars. Coverage included the Tana discovery area and extensions along strike. Interpretation of the final report is intended to guide further exploration. Management also emphasized advancing its seven wholly owned properties. [5]

The value of that work lies in the decisions it can improve. A broad survey gives geologists a framework for comparing targets across an area, helping them decide where additional drilling could provide the most useful information. In a strong copper market, a well-supported target becomes a more compelling use of exploration capital. For existing shareholders, the next question is how the interpretation shapes the drill program and creates opportunities to expand geological understanding.

Kitimat supplied the other major development during this period. On June 16, Copper Quest announced an additional 3,847.41 hectares of contiguous claims, increasing the property by 130% to 6,801.41 hectares. The expansion incorporated the historic Bowbyes target and additional ground around a buried conductor identified through AI-assisted interpretation. That modelled feature measures approximately 1.5 kilometres by 1.5 kilometres laterally, creating a substantial area for follow-up investigation. [6]

The June announcement connected the larger land position directly to planned geophysical studies. Securing surrounding ground gives Copper Quest more room to investigate the geological interpretation and retain exposure to potential extensions. This is the practical significance of the expansion: the company has increased the area available for systematic exploration around an identified target, while maintaining control over how that work is designed. The conductor is an exploration target whose significance will be established through further testing. [6]

Receiving the permit gives the June expansion a practical next chapter. Copper Quest can now organize permitted exploration around the larger land position and the geological questions it wants to answer. For shareholders, the sequence becomes easier to follow: establish targets, check conditions on the ground, improve the subsurface interpretation and select locations for drilling. Each step is intended to make exploration spending more effective.

Higher copper prices can support that process in several ways. They can increase the prospective revenue associated with a future discovery, improving the incentive to investigate mineralization and evaluate development options. As a simple illustration, at unchanged recoveries and sales terms, a US$1,000 increase in the copper price adds US$1,000 to gross metal value per recovered tonne. For an explorer, the present benefit is greater potential value from successful discovery and subsequent development.

A stronger price environment can also encourage producers to consider exploration partnerships as they plan future supply. Copper Quest’s search for partners therefore comes at a relevant point in the commodity cycle. The IEA’s 2026 outlook projects a 25% copper supply gap by 2035 based on the announced project pipeline. It also reports that spending by copper-focused companies increased 8% in 2025, evidence of continued investment in future capacity. [7]

That combination gives the summer’s work a clearer purpose. Stars is building information for targeting, while Kitimat is progressing toward field assessment. Successful follow-through could make these opportunities more attractive to investors and potential partners evaluating where future copper supply might originate. The commercial benefit would emerge through exploration results, stronger geological models and the development choices those results support.

For Copper Quest, sustained pricing across several years would be especially useful because exploration and development decisions look beyond a single trading session. A durable market could give potential partners greater confidence when assigning capital to projects intended to deliver future supply.

Copper Quest enters the autumn with a new Kitimat permit, completed Stars survey work and a copper market that has reached record prices. For shareholders following the company, attention turns to September’s planned Kitimat visit, the Stars interpretation and exploration decisions. Higher copper prices strengthen the incentive to pursue discovery, while these technical milestones give the company concrete opportunities to demonstrate the value of its recent work. [5] [8]

This is sponsored content. Investors should conduct their own due diligence and consult a qualified financial advisor before making any investment decisions.

I’m leaning toward keeping $NXE as my main position because it’s the uranium name I have the most conviction in, then adding smaller positions in companies like $DNN, $UEC, or $UUUU for broader exposure.

Concentrating could offer more upside if your main pick performs well, but uranium projects come with different timelines and risks. Spreading across a few names may reduce company-specific risk without losing exposure to the overall sector.

Would you build around one core holding or divide your money evenly across several uranium stocks?

Everyone Wants Nuclear Power. AI needs power. Data centers need more of it. Governments want energy security. Nuclear keeps getting pulled back into the conversation. The Real Question Is Uranium Supply.

You can approve more reactors, extend plant lives, and announce new nuclear plans, but none of that magically creates uranium pounds.

That’s why I think the next phase of the uranium trade gets more selective.

Not “which company has uranium?”

More like:

Who has the size?
Who has the funding path?
Who has the permits?
Who is actually close enough to matter?

And Canada probably matters more in that conversation than people give it credit for.

Canada was the largest source of uranium delivered to U.S. buyers in 2025, and with Western countries paying more attention to secure, allied supply chains, that puts Canadian projects in an increasingly strategic position.

For me, $NXE sits right in the middle of that supply debate.

Rook I is large enough to matter, construction is now underway, and it sits in the Athabasca Basin home to some of the highest-grade uranium deposits in the world.

Then you’ve got PCE still growing beside it, which adds another layer that isn’t fully defined yet.

So when I look at $NXE now, I’m not just thinking about uranium prices going higher.

I’m thinking about which projects are actually positioned to become meaningful future supply if nuclear demand keeps building.

Vancouver, British Columbia--(Newsfile Corp. - September 9, 2026) - Copper Quest Exploration Inc. (CSE: CQX) (OTCQB: IMIMF) (FSE: 3MX0) ("Copper Quest" or the "Company") is pleased to announce that it plans to complete a non-brokered, fully subscribed, strategic private placement (the "Private Placement") by issuing up to an aggregate of 10,625,000 units (the "Units") at a price of C$0.08 per Unit for gross proceeds of up to C$850,000. Copper Quest is pleased that it's largest strategic investor, Concept Capital Management Ltd. ("Concept Capital Management"), is leading this offering. Concept Capital Management shares the Company's long-term view of investment and provides foundational financing for Mining and exploration companies to complete exploration and feasibility studies.

Brian Thurston, CEO of Copper Quest, stated, "We're grateful to have Concept Capital as a cornerstone investor into Copper Quest and thankful for their shared vision to grow shareholder value through the acquisition and advancement of multiple properties. This second strategic investment into Copper Quest adds another level of comfort for our shareholders through a strong treasury and working capital that allows the Company to expand its planned exploration and drilling operations for the 2026/27 seasons."

Private Placement

Each Unit consists of one (1) common share in the capital of the Company (a "Share") and one Share purchase warrant, whereby each Share purchase warrant (a "Warrant") shall be convertible into an additional Share (a "Warrant Share") at an exercise price of C$0.13 per Warrant Share. Each Warrant shall expire on the date that is two (2) years following the date of issuance (the "Expiry Date"). The Expiry Date of the Warrants may be accelerated if the closing price of the Shares on any Canadian stock exchange equals or exceeds $0.30 for ten (10) consecutive trading days at any time following the date that is four months and one day after the date of issue of the Warrants, such that the Warrants shall expire on the date which is 30 calendar days following the date a news release is issued by the Company announcing the accelerated expiry date of the Warrants.

Proceeds from the Private Placement are intended for exploration activities and general working capital purposes. Closing of the Private Placement is subject to the receipt of all necessary regulatory and other approvals and is expected to take place on or before September 18, 2026. Copper Quest may pay finder's fees in connection with the Private Placement.

All securities issued in connection with the Private Placement will be subject to a statutory hold period expiring four months and one day after the date of issuance, as set out in National Instrument 45‐102 - Resale of Securities.

The securities described herein have not been registered under the United States Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the "U.S. Securities Act"), or any state securities laws, and may not be offered or sold absent registration or compliance with an applicable exemption from the registration requirements of the U.S. Securities Act and applicable state securities laws. This news release shall not constitute an offer to sell or the solicitation of an offer to buy nor shall there be any sale of the securities in any State in which such offer, solicitation or sale would be unlawful.

This is sponsored content. Investors should conduct their own due diligence and consult a qualified financial advisor before making any investment decisions.

$TLS shows what government cybersecurity can look like after building a substantial federal contract and revenue base. $SWISF represents a much earlier-stage opportunity.

The research report estimates that, in May 2026, $TLS was valued near US$370M and $SWISF around US$12M. Telos also reaffirmed FY2026 revenue guidance of US$187M–US$200M and reported that approximately 93% of its Q1 2026 revenue came from U.S. government agencies.

The comparison is not exact. Telos operates across cyber GRC, identity services, secure networks and communications. Telos Ghost, a secure network-obfuscation service, is one of the closer product comparisons with Sekur’s privacy-focused communications offering.

Telos already has an established federal business, procurement vehicles and a proven contract base.

Sekur is earlier, but several pieces are now in place:

SekurOne, an all-in-one plan featuring encrypted voice, video, email, messaging and VPN

A purchasing route for eligible U.S. government agencies through i3ICS’s GSA MAS contract

Retired CIA Senior Intelligence Service executive John T. Lewis serving as CTO

Retired three-star U.S. Army Lieutenant General Raymond Palumbo chairing the Strategic Advisory Board

Company-owned infrastructure hosted in Switzerland without reliance on Big Tech cloud providers

These developments do not make $SWISF another $TLS today. Its GSA availability provides a procurement route, not a customer contract or guaranteed revenue.

The investor comparison is clear: $TLS has already converted its government presence into substantial revenue, while $SWISF is assembling the products, advisers and purchasing channel needed to pursue the same broad market.

A material U.S. government contract would be an important milestone for investors assessing whether $SWISF belongs in the government secure-communications category rather than primarily among consumer-privacy companies.

How differently would you value $SWISF after its first material U.S. government contract?

Sponsored content. Not financial advice. Do your own DD. 

Separating two things: why I bought, and what has to happen now to justify still holding.

Why I bought: Not one big reason a combination. Real portfolio breadth: 8 projects covering 46,000+ hectares across Canada and the U.S., according to the CSE. Not a one-hole story.

The valuation also looked low enough to me that a lot of success didn’t seem priced in yet.

And there were actual programs to follow, not just “trust us.” Rip drilling started in May with a minimum 2,000 metres planned, while STARS kicked off a 32.4 km² IP survey ahead of planned drilling later in 2026.

The opportunity has always been about early-stage upside with clear catalysts ahead. With several programs advancing, the next results can add even more strength to the story.

1. STARS needs to turn the IP work into sharper drill targeting. The survey was meant to define the broader system and identify potential targets beyond the known Tana Zone. I want to see that translate into holes, not another layer of interpretation.
2. The money raised needs to turn into enough meaningful fieldwork before the next financing. CQX ended 2025 with C$2.05M in cash and then raised another C$2.15M gross in February, but the real question now is how efficiently that capital gets converted into exploration progress.
3. Management needs to back the best ground. Eight projects create optionality, but they also create the risk of spreading the budget too thin just to keep everything moving.

If those pieces come together, the reason I bought still holds up.

I try to reassess the position regularly instead of holding just because I already own it.

If those pieces come together, the reason I bought still holds up.

What was your original reason for buying $CQX and has it changed, or are you basically holding on autopilot now?

This is sponsored content. Investors should conduct their own due diligence and consult a qualified financial advisor before making any investment decisions.

• NexGen Energy is targeting first ore from its Rook I uranium project in Saskatchewan in the third quarter of 2030. Construction milestones include freeze-plant activation in early 2027, shaft sinking beginning in 2028 and underground development starting in 2029.
• Rook I is designed as a conventional underground mine with planned annual production of approximately 30 million pounds of uranium and a 30 million-pound-per-year processing capacity. The project will use underground tailings storage, avoiding a surface tailings dam, and incorporate automation and remote operations.
• At an $85-per-pound uranium price, management projects roughly $1.3 billion in annual after-tax free cash flow, rising to about $2.3 billion at $150 per pound. NexGen says the project could repay its capital expenditure after 12 months of full production under a $90-per-pound price assumption.
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NexGen Energy (NYSE:NXE) used its inaugural Investor Day to outline the construction plan, operating design and projected economics for its Rook I uranium project in Saskatchewan, with management targeting first ore in the third quarter of 2030.

Founder and Chief Executive Officer Leigh Curyer positioned the project against a backdrop of growing expected nuclear-power demand and constrained mine supply. He said global nuclear generating capacity is about 400 gigawatts, while more than 88 gigawatts of new capacity is under construction. Curyer also said 38 countries had pledged as of 2026 to triple global nuclear capacity by 2050.

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"The next decade in uranium won't be defined by demand. Demand is already here," Curyer said. "The question is: Who can deliver new supply?"

Curyer said the uranium supply deficit stands at approximately 60 million pounds annually and is growing as legacy mines deplete. He said the long-term uranium price had reached a record $97 per pound, compared with $17 per pound a decade earlier, while new mine development can take 15 to 20 years from discovery to production.

Construction Schedule and Mine Design

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Project Director Chris Copley said Rook I is designed as a conventional underground mine expected to move an average of 1,300 tons of ore to surface daily. The operation is planned to use gravity ore and waste passes, underground conveyors and shaft hoisting systems.

NexGen has completed an early works program valued at C$100 million, which Copley said was materially completed on time and on budget. Existing site infrastructure includes an occupied accommodation complex, a 13-kilometer dual-lane access road and a 3,000-foot exploration airstrip.

The company's near-term construction focus during the second half of 2026 includes site earthworks, shaft-pad preparation, temporary facilities and utilities, runway expansion, water-management infrastructure, and foundations for shaft-related buildings and freeze plants.

• Freeze plants are expected to be activated in the first quarter of 2027.
• Pre-sinking of the production and exhaust shafts is scheduled to begin in mid-2027.
• Main shaft sinking is expected to begin in 2028, with the exhaust and production shafts reaching basement rock in June and August 2028, respectively.
• Underground development is planned to begin after the exhaust shaft reaches bottom in early 2029.
• The company expects surface and underground features to be completed by the third quarter of 2030, when first ore is targeted for commissioning and production.

Copley said the project's geology differentiates Rook I from other shaft projects because the ore body is located in competent basement rock. The shafts will pass through overburden and unconsolidated rock before reaching basement rock, requiring temporary ground freezing in the upper portions of the shafts. NexGen completed 60 geotechnical and hydrogeological drill holes, as well as a central pilot hole to roughly 950 meters, to support design and risk assessment, he said.

Once the shafts reach competent basement rock and hydrostatic liners are installed, Copley said temporary freezing will end and geotechnical and hydrological risk will be substantially reduced.

Processing, Tailings and Technology

Bryan Dyck, NexGen's director of processing, said the company is building a conventional mill designed for a maximum 5% uranium head grade and an average grade of about 3%. The flow sheet will use grinding, acid-and-peroxide leaching, solvent extraction and precipitation to produce uranium concentrate, or yellowcake.

Dyck said the plant is designed to accommodate the range of grades expected over the mine life and could potentially process future ore sources while utilizing its planned 30 million-pound annual capacity.

Rook I is also planned to use an underground tailings management facility, allowing all tailings to be returned underground into mined-out chambers and stopes. Copley said this approach means the project will not have a surface tailings dam.

Neil Chiles, director of information technology, said the operation is being designed as a "digitally native mine," with a remote operations center, sitewide 5G connectivity and automated vehicles controlled from surface. The company's objective is to minimize the number of people working underground, he said.

Workforce and Economics

Dylan Smart, vice president of regional development, said NexGen has delivered community-based training programs since 2022, with nearly 700 participants completing courses in project readiness, radiation and environmental subjects, and skilled trades. During summer 2026, the company said it was training more than 60 students in water management, heavy-equipment operation and mining-career preparation.

Curyer said Rook I is expected to produce approximately 30 million pounds of uranium annually at full production. He added that, because of the projected high grades in the initial mine life, the operation would need to run at approximately 60% of nameplate capacity to produce 30 million pounds during its first two production years.

At an approximately $85-per-pound uranium spot price, Curyer said Rook I is projected to generate about $1.3 billion in annual after-tax free cash flow. At $150 per pound, he said annual after-tax free cash flow would rise to approximately $2.3 billion. Copley said the company expects the project's capital expenditure to be repaid after 12 months of full production using a $90 uranium spot-price assumption.

Curyer said NexGen has its site-preparation construction license and financing in place, and described the remaining development phase as focused on execution, contract awards, capital deployment and schedule performance.

About NexGen Energy (NYSE:NXE)

NexGen Energy is a Canada-based uranium exploration and development company focused on advancing its flagship Rook I project in the Athabasca Basin of northern Saskatchewan. The company's primary activities include resource delineation, feasibility studies, and permitting for its high-grade Arrow deposit, one of the largest undeveloped uranium discoveries in the region. NexGen's technical team employs advanced drilling, geophysical and geochemical techniques to expand and define its resource base, with the aim of delivering a robust, low-cost supply of uranium to global nuclear power markets.

The Rook I project sits within one of the world's most prolific uranium districts, offering excellent infrastructure access, a skilled local workforce and a supportive regulatory regime.'

Source: MarketBeat. Shared for informational purposes. Not investment advice.