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October 2025

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Australia-based Predictive Discovery (ASX:PDI) and Canadian company Robex Resources (ASX:RXR,TSXV:RBX,OTC Pink:RSRBF) have agreed on a merger of equals, creating West Africa’s new mid-tier gold producer.

In a joint announcement, the companies said that Predictive Discovery will indirectly acquire all of Robex Resources’ shares.

“(We expect) to issue an aggregate of approximately 2,115 million PDI shares to Robex shareholders, based on the Robex shares outstanding as at the date of this announcement,” Predictive Discovery said.

Under the AU$2.35 billion deal, Robex shareholders will receive 8.667 PDI shares for each Robex share.

Approximately 51 percent of the combined company will be held by PDI shareholders upon completion of the transaction, with the remaining 49 percent going to Robex shareholders. Moreover, the combined company will remain listed on the ASX and an application to list PDI’s ordinary shares on the TSX Venture Exchange will be made.

Both companies highlighted that their West African gold assets, namely PDI’s Bankan project and Robex’s Kiniero project, are situated within a 30 kilometer radius in Guinea. Bankan currently holds a mineral resource of 5.5 million ounces across four deposits, while Kiniero is aiming for its first gold production in late 2025.

The projects hold a resource of approximately 9.5 million ounces gold, including ore reserves at around 4.5 million ounces gold. By 2029, the projected combined production is over 400 kilo ounces per annum.

“(These are) two of West Africa’s largest and most advanced gold development projects,” said PDI CEO and Managing Director Andrew Pardey. “By combining them and leveraging (both companies’) proven track record, we are creating a company that positions Guinea to become one of Africa’s top five gold producers.”

Robex CEO and Managing Director Matthew Wilcox will assume responsibility as CEO and managing director of the combined company. “I am excited to lead a team that brings together deep operational experience, proven development expertise and a shared commitment to responsible growth in West Africa.”

Subject to customary conditions, the transaction is expected to close towards the end of 2025 or early 2026.

Securities Disclosure: I, Gabrielle de la Cruz, hold no direct investment interest in any company mentioned in this article.

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Investor Insight

With its flagship platform, virtualplant, already in commercial use across high-value industrial assets, and a growing global footprint through strategic partnerships, RemSense offers investors a unique opportunity to back a scalable, revenue-generating business at the forefront of digital transformation in the resource and infrastructure sectors.

Overview

RemSense Technologies Limited (ASX:REM) is an Australian technology company enabling digital transformation across resource-heavy industries through advanced asset visualisation and drone services. Originally established in 2006 as a developer of drone systems for the defence and industrial sectors, the company expanded into professional drone services in 2012.

In 2019, RemSense made a strategic expansion into high-resolution 3D asset capture and visualisation, culminating in the development of its flagship product, virtualplant. This strategic shift aligns with macro trends in digital transformation, particularly in asset-heavy industries like energy, resources, infrastructure and utilities. The company was listed on the Australian Securities Exchange in 2021.

RemSense is ideally positioned to leverage the growing adoption of digital twin technologies, particularly across mining, oil & gas, manufacturing, utilities, defence, marine and aerospace industries. These sectors are increasingly embracing digital tools to improve safety, reduce costs, and manage assets more efficiently, creating strong and expanding demand for RemSense’s solutions.

In the first half of FY25, RemSense reported $3.12 million in revenue, representing a 178 percent increase over the same period in FY24. The company also recorded its first-ever net profit of $796,892 and achieved positive operational cashflow of $365,539 – a turning point that demonstrates both commercial traction and disciplined financial execution.

Strategic partnerships with Chevron, Newmont Mining and Woodside Energy highlight RemSense’s growing reputation among Tier-1 clients and its ability to scale internationally. These engagements are not pilot programs, but are real, revenue-generating contracts that reinforce RemSense’s value proposition.

Company Highlights

  • Profitable Growth: Delivered $3.12 million in revenue in H1 FY25 – a 178 percent increase year-over-year
  • Tier-1 Client Base: Trusted by major global operators including Chevron, Newmont and Woodside Energy for digital twin and drone technology services.
  • Flagship Platform – virtualplant: A scalable, cutting edge digital twin solution providing real-time operational insights for industrial facilities and infrastructure.
  • Strong legacy drone operations: RPAS Services features CASA-certified pilots and a fleet of custom-engineered drones supporting multiple industrial applications.
  • Serving Critical Industries: Solutions deployed across energy, resources, utilities and infrastructure sectors undergoing rapid digital transformation.
  • Secured Landmark Shell Energy Contract – First major deal with Shell Energy, showcasing the power of its virtualplant platform and Sentient Computing’s 3D technologies. The project marks a key milestone in RemSense’s global expansion, delivering a transformative digital solution to enhance commissioning accuracy, efficiency, safety, and asset performance.

Key Products and Services

Virtual Plant

Virtualplant is RemSense’s flagship digital platform. It’s a high-resolution 3D asset visualisation solution that allows users to explore and interact with industrial facilities remotely, as if on site. By combining drone-based photogrammetry, terrestrial LiDAR, and 360-degree imaging, virtualplant creates immersive, detailed, interactive models of infrastructure such as gas plants, processing facilities and offshore vessels.

The platform supports a wide range of critical functions including remote inspection, maintenance planning, training, safety management, and compliance documentation. It reduces the need for site travel, improves asset visibility, and helps clients identify and address risks before they become costly failures.

Virtualplant is already deployed in high-value applications. In October 2023, Woodside Energy engaged RemSense to create a visual twin of one of its floating production storage and offloading (FPSO) vessels. In 2024, Chevron signed a series of global services agreement with RemSense to use the platform for photogrammetry scanning at gas plants in South Asia, Northwest Australia and USA, with a total contract value of more than AU$800,000. These projects reflect the platform’s global relevance and enterprise-grade capabilities.

Additional features enhance the platform’s utility:

  • vTag uses AI to automatically identify and tag equipment based on nameplate data, linking it to asset registers in systems like SAP and IBM Maximo.
  • vDetect automatically identifies physical defects such as corrosion, helping prioritise maintenance.
  • vConnect enables real-time integration with external monitoring and data platforms, creating a unified interface for visual and operational intelligence.

These capabilities make virtualplant more than a visualisation tool, as it becomes a central intelligence layer in clients’ asset ecosystems.

RPAS (Drone) Services

RemSense has a strong legacy in drone operations, with CASA-certified pilots and a fleet of custom-engineered drones equipped with high-end imaging and sensing tools. These drone services support asset inspections, geophysical and vegetation surveys, water sampling, environmental monitoring, traffic studies, and building condition assessments.

Drone data is often the first step in creating virtualplant models. This seamless integration of field data acquisition and platform-based analysis ensures RemSense delivers a complete, end-to-end digital solution for industrial clients.

Management Team

Ross Taylor – Non-executive Chairman

Ross Taylor chartered accountant with a global finance background having worked in London, Australia, New York and Tokyo. He has held senior roles at Deutsche Bank, Bankers Trust and Barclays Capital. His experience in international capital markets brings strong governance and financial oversight to RemSense’s board.

Warren Cook – Managing Director & CEO

With over 25 years of experience in technology development and commercialisation, Warren Cook has led projects in mining, energy and environmental sectors across more than a dozen countries, including Australia, US, Brazil, Canada, France, Indonesia, South Africa and the UK. He was the CEO of acQuire Technology Solutions, delivering information management software solutions for the resources industry.

John Clegg – Non-executive Director

John Clegg has been a chartered accountant since 1965 and has supported more than 50 companies through IPOs, restructures, and strategic growth initiatives. Following his 16-year tenure at Arthur Young & Co (now Ernst & Young), he shifted focus to startup ventures, offering directorship and consulting services. As a seasoned investor, director, consultant and mentor to senior executives, Clegg has left a significant mark on numerous ventures.

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Ethereum Phone:- The race to create the ultimate Web3 smartphone is heating up. Following the footsteps of Solana’s Seeker, Freedom Factory last week started shipping the Ethereum-powered dGEN1, a mobile device designed specifically for blockchain enthusiasts, developers, and decentralized application (dApp) users. It is interesting to note that even though Freedom Factory introduced its Ethereum-based

The post Smartphone Race in Web3: After Solana Seeker, Ethereum Phone dGEN1 Launches appeared first on CoinGape.

The Cardano price has drawn renewed attention as recent technical patterns and network updates converge to signal a potential turning point. The ADA price has displayed steady compression within a narrowing structure, suggesting that a decisive move could soon emerge. Meanwhile, the release of Hydra 1.0 has amplified bullish sentiment around Cardano’s long-term growth narrative.

The post Cardano Price Targets $2 as Hydra 1.0 Ignites New Era of Speed and Adoption appeared first on CoinGape.

Bitmine Immersion, the largest Ethereum treasury company, quietly added another 23,823 ETH to its total Ethereum holdings. This comes as ETH price dropped to $4,273 amid massive profit booking due to macro jitters, especially as Jerome Powell’s speech offered no Fed rate cut cues. Bitmine Immersion Buys $103 Million in Ethereum Tom Lee-backed Bitmine Immersion

The post Tom Lee’s Bitmine Immersion (BMNR) Adds Another $103M ETH to its Ethereum Stash appeared first on CoinGape.

Fed Governor Chris Waller has again expressed support for additional Fed rate cuts. However, he called for caution on the magnitude of the cuts due to mixed economic signals regarding inflation and the labor market. Meanwhile, the crypto market is currently pricing in an additional 25 basis points (bps) rate cuts at both the October

The post Fed’s Chris Waller Reiterates Support for Rate Cuts but Urges Caution On Pace appeared first on CoinGape.

Platinum is the third most traded precious metal in the world after gold and silver, and investment demand is growing.

It is also an industrial metal that is widely used in a variety of sectors. The four main uses of platinum are in catalytic converters for the automotive industry; as a material in jewelry; in industrial applications in various sectors including fertilizers, hard drives, electronics, and glass manufacturing; and in medical devices and pharmaceuticals.

The long-term outlook for platinum is strong, making the sector potentially compelling for investors. In September 2025, platinum prices surged above US$1,500 for the first time since July 2014, and crossed US$1,600 before the month closed.

Here’s a brief overview of platinum supply and demand dynamics, as well as a look at a few different ways to start investing in platinum, namely bullion, platinum stocks, exchange-traded funds (ETFs) and futures.

In this article

    What is platinum?

    Platinum is a silvery-white precious metal that is soft and ductile. It is highly prized for its durability and excellent catalytic properties, such as a high melting point, resistance to corrosion and simple acids, and ability to serve as a carbon monoxide oxidation catalyst. Platinum’s symbol on the periodic table of elements is Pt.

    Platinum is the most abundant and widely used of the platinum-group metals (PGMs), which also includes palladium, rhodium, iridium and other metals.

    Platinum is not typically mined on its own, but rather alongside palladium and other PGMs within nickel and copper ores or chromitite.

    Platinum demand trends

    Platinum’s diversity of applications helps to create a resilient market for this metal even in an economic downturn. The four biggest demand sectors for platinum are automotive at 39 percent, jewelry at 28 percent, industrial at 24 percent and investment at 9 percent.

    Total platinum demand for 2025 is expected to come in at 7.88 million ounces, down about 4 percent from the previous year’s demand, according to the World Platinum Investment Council (WPIC), which provides quarterly market overviews.

    ‘An upgrade to jewellery demand expectations and continued robust investment demand, driven by strength in bar and coin in China, are offset by slightly weaker automotive demand and a cyclical trough in glass demand within the industrial segment,’ the WPIC noted in its Q2 2025 report.

    Automotive

    In the automotive industry, both platinum and fellow PGM palladium are used in catalytic converters for vehicle exhaust systems. Due to their differing properties, platinum is preferred for diesel engines and palladium is the metal of choice for gasoline engines.

    In recent years, platinum has been increasingly substituted for palladium in gas-powered vehicles due to high prices for palladium seen in the early 2020s. Although the price disparity has decreased, analysts expect that the substitution trend will continue for some time.

    Demand from this sector is expected to decline by 3 percent year-on-year in 2025 to 3.03 million ounces as global auto sales and production are in decline, especially in Europe, according to the WPIC.

    Another important factor impacting this segment of the market is the growing market for electric vehicle (EVs), which do not require catalytic converters to control emissions. Although EV demand growth has been slower than anticipated, which has proven positive for platinum, EVs made up over 20 percent of global new car sales in 2024.

    The transition to electric and US tariffs affecting the industry are weighing on platinum demand from the auto sector, but the WPIC says this segment of the market is ‘proving resillient’ despite these downward forces.

    Industrial

    Demand from the industrial sector is expected to be the largest drag on overall platinum demand in 2025, with the WPIC predicting it will drop by 22 percent in 2025 to 1.49 million ounces. WPIC predicts that a cyclical slowdown in new capacity in glass manufacturing will cause a 74 percent year-over-year reduction in demand from this segment of the industrial sector, translating to a drop of 515,000 ounces.

    Jewelry

    Global jewelry consumption is projected to grow by 11 percent in 2025 to reach 2.23 million ounces. Regionally, demand growth is centered in China as platinum becomes a much more affordable option compared to gold. Chinese platinum jewelry fabrication is expected to grow by 42 percent in 2025.

    Investment

    Regarding investment demand for platinum, in 2025 WPIC expects a 2 percent jump over the previous year to 718,000 ounces of the metal. Specifically looking at platinum bars and coins, the WPIC is forecasting demand in this segment to grow by 45 percent year-on-year to a two-year high of 282,000 ounces.

    Hydrogen

    In recent years, the transition to a green economy and the growth of hydrogen technologies has created another growing market for platinum. The WPIC has noted that the hydrogen market, specifically proton exchange membrane electrolyzers and hydrogen fuel-cell electric vehicles, is expected to become ‘a meaningful component of global demand by 2030 and potentially the largest segment by 2040.’

    For now, the hydrogen sector represents less than 1 percent of total platinum demand, although it is expected to increase by 19 percent this year to 49,000 ounces.

    Platinum supply trends

    The 22 percent decline year-over-year in platinum demand has not alleviated the ongoing supply-demand imbalance. The platinum market is destined to remain in a supply deficit for a third-straight year in 2025, according to WPIC estimates, with a shortfall of 850,000 ounces of the metal.

    Analysts are forecasting total platinum supply of 7.03 million ounces in 2025, a net decrease of 3 percent year-over-year.

    Recycled platinum supply is anticipated to reach 1.6 million ounces in 2025, a 6 percent jump year-over-year, as higher platinum prices incentivizing recycling of the metal.

    On the other hand, mined platinum supply is expected to fall 6 percent to 5.43 million ounces in 2025, which the WPIC attributed to lower production out of South Africa, Zimbabwe and North America.

    South Africa is by far the largest platinum country in terms of mined platinum and reserves, according to the US Geological Survey data, accounting for about 67 percent of global output. The country’s Bushveld Complex is the largest PGM resource in the world. However, ongoing electricity shortages and transport line disruptions have restrained platinum mine output from the country in recent years.

    How to invest in platinum

    Investors who believe the above market dynamics will eventually result in a higher platinum price may be interested in investing in the metal. There are several ways to invest in platinum, from platinum mining stocks and platinum ETFs to physical bars and coins and platinum futures.

    Platinum stocks

    One way to invest in platinum is to own shares of a platinum-mining company. Depending on your risk tolerance, both major platinum miners, junior exploration companies offer an easy entry point.

    Major platinum mining stocks

    Eastern Platinum (TSX:ELR,OTC Pink:ELRFF)
    Eastern Platinum, or Eastplats, has a number of directly and indirectly owned PGM assets in the Bushveld Complex of South Africa. In addition to its ongoing work recovering chrome from historical tailings at the Crocodile River mine, Eastplats is ramping up production of PGM and chrome concentrates at Crocodile River’s new Zandfontein underground mine last year.

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

    Sibanye Stillwater (NYSE:SBSW)
    Sibanye Stillwater has a diverse metals mining portfolio and is one of the world’s largest primary platinum and palladium producers. It also adopted a circular economy business model that includes platinum recycling. The company has numerous PGM operations in South Africa and the United States. Its US Stillwater and East Boulder operations are in Montana’s Stillwater Complex, the country’s largest source of PGMs.

    Tharisa (LSE:THS,JSE:THA,OTC Pink:TIHRF)
    Tharisa is a vertically integrated PGM company, and through its subsidiaries its operations span from exploration through to production, beneficiation and distribution. Tharisa’s PGM assets include the Tharisa platinum-chrome mine in South Africa’s Bushveld Complex and the Karo platinum mine in Zimbabwe, which is now under construction.

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

    Junior mining stocks

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

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

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

    Chalice Mining (ASX:CHN)
    Chalice Mining owns the Gonneville project in Western Australia. The project hosts a mix of metals, including palladium, platinum, nickel, cobalt and copper. The Western Australia government has designated Gonneville a Strategic Project in recognition of the project’s importance for the country’s critical metals industry, and Chalice expects to complete its pre-feasibility study in Q4 2025.

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

    Lifezone Metals (NYSE:LZM)
    Lifezone Metals has developed a hydrometallurgical processing technology, which it calls Hydromet Technology, as a cleaner alternative to smelting for base and precious metals refining. The company has a joint venture partnership agreement with Glencore (LSE:GLEN); Lifezone will use its Hydromet Technology to recycle platinum, palladium and rhodium in the Un, and Glencore will act as the offtaker and marketer. Lifezone also owns the Kabanga nickel-copper-cobalt project in Tanzania.

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

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

    Platinum bars and coins

    Another investment option is the direct purchase of physical platinum bars or platinum coins through a bullion dealer.

    One example is BullionVault’s online physical platinum market, which is supported by the WPIC, and gives private individuals access to vaulted platinum for the same prices currently paid by institutional investors. The market is open 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

    Investors in the United States can also now buy 1 ounce platinum bars and coins at Costco, an option you can learn more about here.

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

    Platinum ETFs

    Those interested in platinum can also gain exposure via platinum ETFs and platinum exchange-traded notes (ETNs). Here are a few to get you started.

    iShares MSCI Global Metals & Mining Producers ETF (NYSE:PICK)
    The iShares MSCI Global Metals & Mining Producers ETF provides investors with access to the global mining industry through an international basket of companies engaged in the extraction and production of metals, including platinum. Its holdings include platinum mining companies Valterra Platinum, Implats and Sibanye Stillwater. It has the lowest expense ratio on this list at 0.39 percent.

    Aberdeen Physical Platinum Shares ETF Trust (ARCA:PPLT)
    The Aberdeen Physical Platinum Shares ETF is designed to reflect the performance of the price of physical platinum less the trust’s expenses and holds platinum bars in a secure vault. It has an expense ratio of 0.6 percent.

    Sprott Physical Platinum and Palladium Trust Unit (ARCA:SPPP)
    The Sprott Physical Platinum and Palladium Trust is another option that provides access to the physical platinum bullion market while allowing the flexibility of an exchange-traded security. It has the highest expense ratio on this list at 0.98 percent.

    GraniteShares Platinum Shares (ARCA:PLTM)
    The GraniteShares Platinum Trust tracks the spot price of platinum less trust expenses, and holds a physical portfolio of platinum ingots kept in a vault in London, UK. It has an expense ratio of 0.5 percent.

    Global X Physical Platinum Structured (ASX:ETPMPT)
    Global X Physical Platinum is an ASX-listed platinum ETF that provides Australian investors access to platinum held in JP Morgan storage facilities. It has a management fee of 0.49 percent.

    Platinum futures

    Another option for those looking to invest in platinum is platinum futures, a derivative instrument tied directly to the price of the actual metal. Futures are a financial contract between an investor and a seller. The investor agrees to purchase an asset from the seller at an agreed-upon price based on a date set in the future.

    Rather than intending to take possession of the material asset, investors speculating in the futures market are instead making bets on whether the price of a particular commodity will rise or fall in the near future.

    For example, if you buy a platinum futures contract believing the price of metal is set to rise, and your prediction proves correct, you could gain a return on your investment by selling the now more valuable futures contract before it expires. However, be advised that trading futures contracts is not for the novice investor.

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

    Securities Disclosure: I, Melissa Pistilli, hold no direct investment interest in any company mentioned in this article.

    This post appeared first on investingnews.com

    Gold marked a new price milestone on Wednesday (October 8), breaking US$4,000 per ounce.

    The spot price hit a fresh record, rising as high as US$4,056.14 in midday trading. Future prices for gold breached US$4,000 for the first time on Tuesday (October 7) and have continued to climb higher.

    The yellow metal’s rise follows a summer of consolidation. After several months of relatively flat trading, the price began pushing higher toward the end of August, quickly reaching US$3,500 and continuing on up.

    Gold futures are up about 12 percent in the last month, and just over 54 percent year-to-date.

    Gold price, October 1 to October 8, 2025.

    Gold’s latest rise began last week, after US Congress failed to reach an agreement on a spending bill ahead of the new fiscal year, triggering a government shutdown. The closure has now lasted a week, with a key sticking point between Democrats and Republicans being an extension to billions of dollars in subsidies for Obamacare.

    US President Donald Trump said Monday (October 6) that negotiations were taking place with Democrats and ‘could lead to very good things’ in terms of healthcare. However, Senator Chuck Schumer and Representative Hakeem Jeffries, Congress’ two Democrat leaders, said no talks were happening and that the White House ‘has gone radio silent.’

    Various issues are emerging as the shutdown progresses, with one of the most recent being the Trump administration’s suggestion that furloughed federal workers may not receive backpay.

    Beyond current events, gold’s rise is underpinned by factors like strong central bank buying, global geopolitical uncertainty, concerns about the US dollar and other fiat currencies and expectations of lower interest rates.

    Those elements have many experts predicting a rise well beyond US$4,000 for the precious metal, likely before the end of the year, although a correction is widely expected beforehand.

    Gold’s sister metal silver is also surging higher this week, despite a pullback in the the price on Tuesday.

    Silver price, October 1 to October 8, 2025.

    The white metal rose as high as US$48.74 per ounce on Monday, but retreated on Tuesday to the US$47.80 level. On Wednesday, silver followed gold higher to US$49.42 by midday.

    Silver was last at these price points in 2011, and is close to its 1980 all-time high.

    As with gold, experts see a silver correction as natural given its rapid ascent, but think the rally is far from over.

    ‘The idea that this bull market is over is a fallacy. I would exercise caution, because I believe we’re due a correction. But I’m very happy with silver’s performance so far year-to-date,’ said analyst Ted Butler.

    Securities Disclosure: I, Melissa Pistilli, hold no direct investment interest in any company mentioned in this article.

    This post appeared first on investingnews.com

    Major miner BHP (ASX:BHP,NYSE:BHP,LSE:BHP) welcomed October with the news that it will invest over AU$840 million in its Olympic Dam copper operation in South Australia.

    In an October 1 release, the commodities giant said that the funding is for a series of “growth-enabling projects” at the site, focused on strengthening underground mining productivity.

    The company outlines several priority projects it intends to pursue at Olympic Dam, namely the construction of an underground access tunnel, a new backfill system, expansion of ore pass capacity and the installation of a new oxygen plant to improve smelter performance and support increased copper-processing capability.

    “We expect to grow our copper base from 1.7 million tonnes to around 2.5 million tonnes per annum,” shared BHP COO Edgar Baston. “Achieving that scale requires significant copper growth, and we are fortunate to have a world-class copper province right here in South Australia to do just that.” According to Baston, BHP’s South Australian copper province has been delivering over 300,000 tonnes a year for the past three years.

    Copper demand set to rise

    In a global trade update shared in May, UN Trade & Development notes that global demand for copper is expected to grow by over 40 percent by 2040. This projected demand increase will drive supply requirements, with the organisation citing the need for around 80 new mines and US$250 billion in investment by 2030 to keep up.

    For its part, BHP notes that global copper demand is projected to grow 70 percent by 2050 due to population growth, rising living standards and the energy transition. It adds that this poses a general opportunity for South Australia, underlining that it holds about two-thirds of Australia’s copper resources.

    History of Olympic Dam

    Olympic Dam was acquired by BHP in 2005 through its acquisition of Western Mining. It has become a cornerstone of BHP’s copper portfolio, with copper accounting for around 70 percent of the asset’s total revenue.

    In its 2025 fiscal year, BHP reported a production of over 2 million tonnes of copper for the first time.

    Don Farrell, Australian minister for trade and tourism, commented on the company’s investment in Olympic Dam, noting, ‘Australia is at the forefront of the energy transition in which copper is a vital resource and by securing the continued flow of copper from Olympic Dam, BHP is ensuring South Australia’s position as a key global supplier.”

    BHP October updates

    Also in early October, BHP iron ore cargoes were banned by Chinese iron ore buyer China Mineral Resources Group. The move reportedly stems from pricing disputes and has raised concerns for Australia.

    Australia remains China’s top provider of iron ore, and BHP continues to be among the country’s major iron ore exporters, alongside Rio Tinto (ASX:RIO,NYSE:RIO,LSE:RIO) and Fortescue (ASX:FMG,OTCQX:FSUMF).

    BHP has not commented on the matter as of writing.

    On a positive note, BHP launched the fourth edition of its Xplor Critical Minerals Accelerator Program.

    As in previous cohorts, Xplor 2026 participants can receive up to US$500,000 in equity-free funding, mentorship and access to BHP’s global network of suppliers and service providers.

    Submissions close on October 15 at 11:59 p.m. AEST.

    Securities Disclosure: I, Gabrielle de la Cruz, hold no direct investment interest in any company mentioned in this article.

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