January 21st, 2026 | 07:00 CET
SGS Canada confirms world-class results: Why Power Metallic Mines is becoming indispensable for Mercedes-Benz, Ford & Co. after a metallurgical breakthrough
There are events that change everything—turning points where hopes become certainty. Often, these shifts take place away from the headlines, in laboratories and testing facilities, where the feasibility of the future is decided. For Power Metallic Mines, such a moment has arrived now. The recently published metallurgical test results for the Lion Zone are far more than just technical data – they are proof that the Company holds an asset capable of sustainably securing supply chains for automotive giants such as Mercedes-Benz and Ford. At a time when the global economy is desperately searching for stable sources of copper and platinum group metals, Power Metallic Mines is now delivering the hard currency of the mining industry: validated extraction rates at world-class levels. For investors, this virtually eliminates the most significant risk faced by an explorer – the question of technical feasibility – and opens the door to a fundamental revaluation of the stock.
time to read: 3 minutes | Author: Nico Popp
ISIN: POWER METALLIC MINES INC. | CA73929R1055 , MERCEDES-BENZ GROUP AG | DE0007100000 , FORD MOTOR DL-_01 | US3453708600
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Author
Nico Popp
At home in Southern Germany, the passionate stock exchange expert has been accompanying the capital markets for about twenty years. With a soft spot for smaller companies, he is constantly on the lookout for exciting investment stories.
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The metallurgical accolade: 99% is no coincidence
The figures released by Power Metallic Mines late Monday evening read like every mining engineer's wish list. The results of the so-called "locked cycle tests" (LCT) – the gold standard of metallurgical testing prior to mine construction – show recovery rates that are likely to surprise even optimistic analysts. Power Metallic Mines reports phenomenal recovery rates of 98.9% for copper, 96.8% for platinum, 93.9% for palladium, 88.9% for silver, and 85.0% for gold. These figures are much more than just abstract percentages – they are clear indications of potential future cash flow.
The details of the announcement are impressive. The international testing and certification service provider SGS confirmed that no complex or exotic processes are necessary to extract the metals mentioned from the rock. Conventional reagents and standard flotation processes are sufficient to produce an extremely high-quality concentrate. The decisive factor for the economic viability of the NISK project: low processing costs meet maximum yield. It is particularly noteworthy that these values are exceptionally high for a polymetallic deposit. Often, when one metal is extracted, another is lost – but not in the Lion Zone.
Power Metallic Mines has proven that it is possible to extract the entire basket of critical metals with almost no loss.
A polymetallic supermarket for industry
These results have permanently transformed the perception of Power Metallic Mines from a pure nickel focus to a broadly diversified supplier of critical minerals. The high grades of platinum group metals (PGMs) such as palladium and platinum give the project a strategic dimension that extends far beyond battery chemistry. While copper is the backbone of electrification, platinum group metals are indispensable for the hydrogen economy and modern catalysts.
Published data shows that the copper concentrate has a grade of 31.3% and also contains 20 grams per ton (g/t) of platinum and nearly 54 g/t of palladium. This means that Power Metallic Mines is essentially operating a high-grade PGM mine that also delivers large quantities of copper and nickel. This product diversity protects the Company from price fluctuations of a single commodity and makes the concentrate extremely sought after by smelters worldwide. It is like offering an automobile manufacturer not only the steel for the car body, but also the precious metal for the electronics in a single delivery.
Relevance for Mercedes-Benz, Ford & Co.
Although Power Metallic Mines is at the center of this development, the significance of the news can only be understood in the context of the buyers. Corporations such as Mercedes-Benz and Ford are undergoing historic change. Studies by S&P Global show that there is a threat of a massive copper deficit from the middle of the decade onwards, while geopolitical tensions are jeopardizing the supply of platinum metals from Russia and South Africa. Ford has already shown through deals with BHP that it is prepared to dig deep into its pockets to secure nickel. Mercedes-Benz, on the other hand, is fighting for green margins in the luxury segment.
Both companies need material that is not only ESG-compliant but also easy to process metallurgically in order to keep the carbon footprint of smelting low. Power Metallic Mines' results are precisely the answer to this dilemma: a North American project that delivers premium-quality copper and PGMs without the risks of fragile overseas supply chains. Power Metallic Mines is thus transforming itself from an exploration company into a potential strategic cornerstone of the North American auto industry – even if the typical risks of companies at this stage remain. However, the latest news significantly reduces the risk surrounding the Company.
Conclusion for investors: The market has not yet fully priced in the news
For investors, the announcement is one of the last pieces of the puzzle. The geological risk (deposit) had already been minimized by drilling, and now the metallurgical risk (production) has also been virtually eliminated.
The stock market often still values Power Metallic Mines as a pure explorer, ignoring the massive value of the by-products platinum and palladium, which have now been confirmed by the SGS tests.
With recovery rates close to 99% for copper, the project is operating close to the physical limit of what is feasible. This makes the stock one of the most efficient ways to bet on the supercycle of critical metals. While Ford and Mercedes have to invest billions in their factories, Power Metallic Mines sits on the raw materials that are indispensable for these factories – and has now proven in black and white that these raw materials can be extracted cost-effectively. Power Metallic Mines has taken a big step forward – and shareholders can benefit from it.
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Pursuant to §85 of the German Securities Trading Act (WpHG), we point out that Apaton Finance GmbH as well as partners, authors or employees of Apaton Finance GmbH (hereinafter referred to as "Relevant Persons") currently hold or hold shares or other financial instruments of the aforementioned companies and speculate on their price developments. In this respect, they intend to sell or acquire shares or other financial instruments of the companies (hereinafter each referred to as a "Transaction"). Transactions may thereby influence the respective price of the shares or other financial instruments of the Company.
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