Release – Labrador Gold Announces 2.02 G-T Au Over 32 Metres at Big Vein the Longest Mineralized Intersection at Kingsway to Date

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  • Hole K-22-177 intersected 2.02 g/t Au over 32 metres including 18.08 g/t Au over 0.63 metres and 11.42 g/t Au over 1.05 metres.
  • Mineralization at Big Vein remains open along strike to the southwest and northeast.
  • Drilling also intersected high-grade mineralization at Big Vein southwest grading 12.84 g/t Au over 0.8 metres.

TORONTO, Sept. 08, 2022 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Labrador Gold Corp. (TSX.V:LAB | OTCQX:NKOSF | FNR: 2N6) (“LabGold” or the “Company”) is pleased to announce results from recent drilling targeting the prospective Appleton Fault Zone over a 12km strike length. The drilling is part of the Company’s ongoing 100,000 metre diamond drilling program at its 100% owned Kingsway Project.

Highlights of the drilling include an intersection of 2.02 g/t Au over 32 metres from 134 metres that included 18.08 g/t Au over 0.63 metres and 11.42 g/t Au over 1.05 metres in Hole K-22-177 from the north end of Big Vein. The intersection is approximately 75 metres north of the discovery outcrop. In addition, Hole K-22-187 at Big Vein southwest intersected 12.84 g/t Au over 0.8 metres from 341 metres.

The last results from initial drilling at Midway showed an intersection of 5.69 g/t Au over 1.33 metres in Hole K-22-171. Further drilling is planned at Midway to test the continuity of gabbro-hosted mineralization along strike towards Cracker.

“Drilling at Big Vein continues to deliver excellent results with the longest mineralized intersection of 32 metres grading 2.02 g/t gold drilled on the property to date. We are currently testing this intersection down dip. The intersection is approximately 30 metres north of another long intercept of 6.07 g/t Au over 19m in hole K-21-111.” said Roger Moss, President and CEO. “Big Vein has now been drilled over a strike length of approximately 520 metres and remains open both to the northeast and southwest. Two rigs continue drilling at Big Vein to test for extensions of the mineralization in both directions.”

Hole IDFrom (m)To (m)Interval (m)Au (g/t)Zone
K-22-187157.80158.251.201.08Big Vein SW
328.55328.850.303.27
341.00341.800.8012.84
K-22-184140.26140.590.332.89Big Vein SW
336.25337.891.642.69
K-22-180nsvCSAMT
K-22-17972.0072.760.761.08Golden Glove
K-22-178nsvBig Vein SW
K-22-1778.009.001.001.01Big Vein
93.7494.550.811.11
134.00166.0032.002.02
including142.77143.400.6318.08
and158.95160.001.0511.42
212.00215.003.002.63
245.00248.003.003.60
265.00266.001.001.73
K-22-176nsvGolden Glove
K-22-17563.0065.002.001.48Big Vein
230.00232.002.002.87
K-22-174296.00297.491.493.65Big Vein SW
407.00407.300.303.24
K-22-17311.0012.001.001.04Big Vein
16.0017.001.001.38
50.0051.001.002.23
K-22-172nsvCSAMT
K-22-171194.50198.003.501.44Midway
201.17202.501.335.69
K-22-17011.0012.001.001.10HTC
35.0044.009.001.42
218.00219.001.001.01
K-22-169nsvGolden Glove
K-22-168165.91166.210.301.01Midway
217.90218.400.501.82
K-22-16757.0062.005.001.90Big Vein
K-22-166nsvMidway
K-22-165243.00244.001.001.05Golden Glove

Table 1. Summary of assay results. All intersections are downhole length
as there is insufficient Information to calculate true width.

A total of 52,648 metres have been drilled to date out of the planned 100,000 metre program. Assays are pending for samples from approximately 3,343 metres of core (11% of the total submitted).

Drilling at Kingsway continues with four drill rigs, two working at Big Vein, one at Golden Glove and one at the CSAMT target. Ongoing detailed till sampling and prospecting continues to generate new drill targets along the Appleton Fault Zone and the gabbro trend north and south of Midway. Drilling will begin on these targets once initial drilling at CSAMT is complete.

The Company has $23.6 million in cash and is well funded to carry out the remaining 47,000 metres of the planned drill program as well as further target generation on the property.

Hole IDEastingNorthingElevationAzimuthDipTotal depth
K-22-187661343.8543492644.15113050374
K-22-184661343.9543496.444.48113045428
K-22-180666592.3544360546.4214045278
K-22-179660543543177645.7932045401
K-22-178661343543492644.35214050404
K-22-177661594543532745.714550826
K-22-176660541543177645.85729045401
K-22-175661598543528751.68312057.5308
K-22-174661343.3543492644.28914045476
K-22-173661599.9543528751.0011205593
K-22-172666591.7544360646.4231045278
K-22-171661254.7543792478.34914045247
K-22-170661599.9543528651.09612045299
K-22-169660627.7543187944.5528055401.44
K-22-168661255.8543793777.43231045264.75
K-22-167661599.3543528651.3213055296
K-22-166661202.7543788077.47314045260
K-22-165660626543188144.59628045398

Table 2. Drill hole collar details

Figure 1. Plan map of significant Big Vein intercepts.
https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/c8630deb-d718-4e9f-bf3d-5431d3789e05

Figure 2. Long section of Big Vein/HTC Zone.
https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/74f1199d-6502-4981-bbfd-7719fb00b48d

Figure 3. Plan map of Kingsway Gold occurrences showing latest drill intersections.
https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/ea032cde-0026-4147-b1c6-b71481e1db5c

QA/QC

True widths of the reported intersections have yet to be calculated. Assays are uncut. Samples of HQ split core are securely stored prior to shipping to Eastern Analytical Laboratory in Springdale, Newfoundland for assay. Eastern Analytical is an ISO/IEC17025 accredited laboratory. Samples are routinely analyzed for gold by standard 30g fire assay with atomic absorption finish as well as by ICP-OES for an additional 34 elements. Samples containing visible gold are assayed by metallic screen/fire assay, as are any samples with fire assay results greater than 1g/t Au. The company submits blanks and certified reference standards at a rate of approximately 5% of the total samples in each batch.

Qualified Person

Roger Moss, PhD., P.Geo., President and CEO of LabGold, a Qualified Person in accordance with Canadian regulatory requirements as set out in NI 43-101, has read and approved the scientific and technical information that forms the basis for the disclosure contained in this release.

The Company gratefully acknowledges the Newfoundland and Labrador Ministry of Natural Resources’ Junior Exploration Assistance (JEA) Program for its financial support for exploration of the Kingsway property.

About Labrador Gold
Labrador Gold is a Canadian based mineral exploration company focused on the acquisition and exploration of prospective gold projects in Eastern Canada.

Labrador Gold’s flagship property is the 100% owned Kingsway project in the Gander area of Newfoundland. The three licenses comprising the Kingsway project cover approximately 12km of the Appleton Fault Zone which is associated with gold occurrences in the region, including those of New Found Gold immediately to the south of Kingsway. Infrastructure in the area is excellent located just 18km from the town of Gander with road access to the project, nearby electricity and abundant local water. LabGold is drilling a projected 100,000 metres targeting high-grade epizonal gold mineralization along the Appleton Fault Zone with encouraging results. The Company has approximately $23.6 million in working capital and is well funded to carry out the planned program.

The Hopedale property covers much of the Florence Lake greenstone belt that stretches over 60 km. The belt is typical of greenstone belts around the world but has been underexplored by comparison. Work to date by Labrador Gold show gold anomalies in rocks, soils and lake sediments over a 3 kilometre section of the northern portion of the Florence Lake greenstone belt in the vicinity of the known Thurber Dog gold showing where grab samples assayed up to 7.8g/t gold. In addition, anomalous gold in soil and lake sediment samples occur over approximately 40 km along the southern section of the greenstone belt (see news release dated January 25 th 2018 for more details). Labrador Gold now controls approximately 40km strike length of the Florence Lake Greenstone Belt.

The Company has 169,189,979 common shares issued and outstanding and trades on the TSX Venture Exchange under the symbol LAB.

For more information please contact:

Roger Moss, President and CEO      Tel: 416-704-8291

Or visit our website at: www.labradorgold.com

Twitter: @LabGoldCorp

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

Forward-Looking Statements: This news release contains forward-looking statements that involve risks and uncertainties, which may cause actual results to differ materially from the statements made. When used in this document, the words “may”, “would”, “could”, “will”, “intend”, “plan”, “anticipate”, “believe”, “estimate”, “expect” and similar expressions are intended to identify forward-looking statements. Such statements reflect our current views with respect to future events and are subject to risks and uncertainties. Many factors could cause our actual results to differ materially from the statements made, including those factors discussed in filings made by us with the Canadian securities regulatory authorities. Should one or more of these risks and uncertainties, such as actual results of current exploration programs, the general risks associated with the mining industry, the price of gold and other metals, currency and interest rate fluctuations, increased competition and general economic and market factors, occur or should assumptions underlying the forward looking statements prove incorrect, actual results may vary materially from those described herein as intended, planned, anticipated, or expected. We do not intend and do not assume any obligation to update these forward-looking statements, except as required by law. Shareholders are cautioned not to put undue reliance on such forward-looking statements .

Release – Naval Air Systems Command Awards Kratos $14.7 Million BQM-177A Subsonic Aerial Target System Contract

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September 8, 2022 at 8:00 AM EDT

SAN DIEGO, Sept. 08, 2022 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Kratos Defense & Security Solutions, Inc. (NASDAQ: KTOS), a leading National Security Solutions provider and industry-leading provider of high-performance, jet-powered unmanned aerial systems, announced today that its Kratos Unmanned Aerial Systems unit has received a Cost-Plus-Fixed-Fee Indefinite Delivery Indefinite Quantity contract award for $14,748,648 from the U.S. Navy for five year ordering period to continue software maintenance and updates of the BQM-177A Subsonic Aerial Targets (SSAT).

Steve Fendley, President of the Kratos Unmanned Systems Division, said, “This award provides the foundation to continue our work with the Navy, maturing and evolving the SSAT aircraft on pace with the threat environment. This enables us to collectively provide the training to stress and exercise our fleet prior to their deployments to increasingly challenging theaters of operation, ultimately strengthening our nation’s defense and helping protect the warfighter. Consistent with our corporate motto, we continue our trend to be ready for what’s next.”    

About Kratos Defense & Security Solutions
Kratos Defense & Security Solutions, Inc. (NASDAQ:KTOS) develops and fields transformative, affordable technology, platforms and systems for United States National Security related customers, allies, and commercial enterprises. Kratos is changing the way breakthrough technology for these industries are rapidly brought to market through proven commercial and venture capital backed approaches, including proactive research, and streamlined development processes. At Kratos, affordability is a technology and we specialize in unmanned systems, satellite communications, cyber security/warfare, microwave electronics, missile defense, hypersonic systems, training, combat systems and next generation turbo jet and turbo fan engine development. For more information go to www.KratosDefense.com.

Notice Regarding Forward-Looking Statements
Certain statements in this press release may constitute “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. These forward-looking statements are made on the basis of the current beliefs, expectations, and assumptions of the management of Kratos and are subject to significant risks and uncertainty. Investors are cautioned not to place undue reliance on any such forward-looking statements. All such forward-looking statements speak only as of the date they are made, and Kratos undertakes no obligation to update or revise these statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise. Although Kratos believes that the expectations reflected in these forward-looking statements are reasonable, these statements involve many risks and uncertainties that may cause actual results to differ materially from what may be expressed or implied in these forward-looking statements. For a further discussion of risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ from those expressed in these forward-looking statements, as well as risks relating to the business of Kratos in general, see the risk disclosures in the Annual Report on Form 10-K of Kratos for the year ended December 26, 2021, and in subsequent reports on Forms 10-Q and 8-K and other filings made with the SEC by Kratos.

Press Contact:
Yolanda White
858-812-7302 Direct

Investor Information:
877-934-4687
investor@kratosdefense.com

Source: Kratos Defense & Security Solutions, Inc.

Release – Ocugen CSO to Participate in 3rd Annual Gene Therapy for Ophthalmic Disorders Conference

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MALVERN, Pa., Sept. 08, 2022 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Ocugen, Inc. (“Ocugen” or the “Company”) (NASDAQ: OCGN), a biotechnology company focused on discovering, developing, and commercializing novel gene and cell therapies and vaccines, today announced that the Company’s Chief Scientific Officer, Arun Upadhyay, PhD, will be among the featured speakers at the 3rd Annual Gene Therapy for Ophthalmic Disorders conference, which is being held Sept. 13-16 in Danvers, Massachusetts.

Details regarding Dr. Upadhyay’s presentation are as follows:

Event:3rd Annual Gene Therapy for Ophthalmic Disorders Conference
Topic:Highlighting the Modifier Gene Therapy Approach for the Treatment of Retinitis Pigmentosa
Date:September 14, 2022
Time:9:15 a.m. ET
Location:DoubleTree by Hilton Boston North Shore, Danvers, Mass.

About Ocugen, Inc.
Ocugen, Inc. is a biotechnology company focused on discovering, developing, and commercializing novel gene and cell therapies and vaccines that improve health and offer hope for patients across the globe. We are making an impact on patient’s lives through courageous innovation—forging new scientific paths that harness our unique intellectual and human capital. Our breakthrough modifier gene therapy platform has the potential to treat multiple retinal diseases with a single product, and we are advancing research in infectious diseases to support public health and orthopedic diseases to address unmet medical needs. Discover more at www.ocugen.com and follow us on Twitter and LinkedIn.

Cautionary Note on Forward-Looking Statements
This press release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of The Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, which are subject to risks and uncertainties. We may, in some cases, use terms such as “predicts,” “believes,” “potential,” “proposed,” “continue,” “estimates,” “anticipates,” “expects,” “plans,” “intends,” “may,” “could,” “might,” “will,” “should,” or other words that convey uncertainty of future events or outcomes to identify these forward-looking statements. Such statements are subject to numerous important factors, risks, and uncertainties that may cause actual events or results to differ materially from our current expectations. These and other risks and uncertainties are more fully described in our periodic filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), including the risk factors described in the section entitled “Risk Factors” in the quarterly and annual reports that we file with the SEC. Any forward-looking statements that we make in this press release speak only as of the date of this press release. Except as required by law, we assume no obligation to update forward-looking statements contained in this press release whether as a result of new information, future events, or otherwise, after the date of this press release.

Contact:
Tiffany Hamilton
Head of Communications
IR@ocugen.com

Release – QuoteMedia’s Dave Shworan Discusses Disrupting the Financial Data Market, and the Company’s Direction Forward in New Video Interview on Planet MicroCap

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PHOENIX, Sept. 08, 2022 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Planet MicroCap today published a new Video Interview with Dave Shworan, CEO of QuoteMedia Ltd. (OTCQB: QMCI), discussing how the company is disrupting the financial data markets and competing with established industry giants, and also offers insights into the directions the company is taking moving forward.

About QuoteMedia
QuoteMedia is a leading software developer and cloud-based syndicator of financial market information and streaming financial data solutions to media, corporations, online brokerages, and financial services companies. The Company licenses interactive stock research tools such as streaming real-time quotes, market research, news, charting, option chains, filings, corporate financials, insider reports, market indices, portfolio management systems, and data feeds. QuoteMedia provides industry leading market data solutions and financial services for companies such as the Nasdaq Stock Exchange, TMX Group (TSX Stock Exchange), Canadian Securities Exchange (CSE), London Stock Exchange Group, FIS, U.S. Bank, Broadridge Financial Systems, JPMorgan Chase, CI Financial, Canaccord Genuity Corp., Hilltop Securities, HD Vest, Stockhouse, TheStreet.com, Zacks Investment Research, The Motley Fool, General Electric, Boeing, Bombardier, Telus International, Business Wire, PR Newswire, FolioFN, Regal Securities, ChoiceTrade, Cetera Financial Group, Dynamic Trend, Inc., Qtrade Financial, CNW Group, IA Private Wealth, Ally Invest, Inc., Suncor, Virtual Brokers, Leede Jones Gable, Firstrade Securities, Charles Schwab, First Financial, Cirano, Equisolve, Stock-Trak, Mergent, Cision, Day Trade Dash and others. Quotestream®, QMod™ and Quotestream Connect™ are trademarks of QuoteMedia. For more information, please visit www.quotemedia.com.

QuoteMedia Investor Relations
Brendan Hopkins
Email: investors@quotemedia.com
Call: (407) 645-5295

About Planet Microcap
Planet MicroCap is a global multimedia and publishing financial news investor portal specifically focused on covering the MicroCap market by providing news, insights, education tools and expert commentary. We have cultivated an active and engaged community of folks that are interested in learning about and to stay ahead of the curve in the MicroCap space. Planet MicroCap is your go-to destination for unfettered access to the world of MicroCap stocks and investing.

Release – Endeavour Silver Continues to Intersect Positive Drill Results at the Parral Project

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VANCOUVER, British Columbia, Sept. 08, 2022 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Endeavour Silver Corp. (TSX: EDR, NYSE: EXK) is pleased to report positive drill results from its ongoing drill program at its Parral project in the State of Chihuahua, Mexico. The high-grade silver results show the potential for resource expansion at depth and along strike in the El Verde and Sierra Plata Deep areas along the Veta Colorada structure. Since April of this year, the Company has drilled over 5,300 meters in 23 holes, totaling 8,100 meters year to date, with the aim to define and extend mineralized zones.

Considerable exploration potential remains along the 35 square kilometre land package and exploration will be on-going, with additional testing for new discoveries with surface mapping and sampling underway. This program will aid the Company’s goal to define a mineral resource large enough to support a preliminary economic assessment.

Highlights from Recent Drill Results

  • 199 gpt Ag, 4.68% Pb and 2.64% Zn for 428 gpt AgEq over a 3.48 m ETW , including 501 gpt Ag, 8.08% Pb and 6.50% Zn for 971 gpt AgEq over 0.27 m (VCU-78)
     
  • 322 gpt Ag, 5.19% Pb and 1.62% Zn for 528 gpt AgEq over a 1.67 m ETW , including 605 gpt Ag, 14.8% Pb and 3.46% Zn for 1,150 gpt AgEq over 0.53 m (VCU-80)
     
  • 664 gpt Ag, 1.88% Pb and 0.80% Zn for 747 gpt AgEq over a 5.56 m ETW , including 5,600 gpt Ag, 15.35% Pb and 1.75% Zn for 6,096 gpt AgEq over 0.22 m (VCU-90)
     
  • 242 gpt Ag, 0.48% Pb and 1.66% Zn for 317 gpt AgEq over a 5.34 m ETW , including 711 gpt Ag, 0.53% Pb and 2.13% Zn for 806 gpt AgEq over 0.52 m (VCU-96)
     

Abbreviations include: gpt: grams per tonne; Ag: silver; Pb: lead; Zn: zinc; ETW: estimated true width; m: metre; HW: hanging wall. Silver equivalents are calculated using a silver price of $22 per troy ounce, lead price of $0.90 per pound and zinc price of $1.20 per pound.

“In the areas of the El Verde and Sierra Plata historically mined areas, we continue to verify extensions of the mineralized zones at depth and along strike,” stated Dan Dickson, Chief Executive Officer. “The focus for the rest of the year will be to test the northern part of the project with a surface drilling program on various north to south striking structures, such as the northern extension of Veta Colorada, San Alberto and the El Cabezón systems; as well as resuming drilling of the San Patricio vein.”

Latest Drill Results

The Parral drill results are summarized in the following tables:

Parral – Veta Colorada El Verde (view Veta Colorada (El Verde) longitudinal section

Parral – Veta Colorada Sierra Plata Deep (view Veta Colorada (Sierra Plata) longitudinal section )

Notes to Tables

  1. Silver equivalents are calculated using the formula:
    Ag (gpt) + [Pb (%) X 2204.6 X Pb Price / Ag Price X 31.1] + [Zn (%) X 2204.6 X Zn Price / Ag Price X 31.1]
  2. Price assumptions used are: Pb $0.90, Zn $1.20 and Ag $22.00
  3. Minor amounts of gold and copper are present but are not considered economical
  4. All widths are estimated true widths
  5. No capping has been applied but high-grade intervals have been highlighted

Qualified Person and QA/QC – Dale Mah, P.Geo., Vice President Corporate Development of Endeavour Silver, is the Qualified Person who reviewed and approved the technical information contained in this news release. A quality control sampling program of reference standards, blanks and duplicates has been instituted to monitor the integrity of all assay results. All samples are split at the local field office and shipped to ALS Labs, where they are dried, crushed, split and 250 gram pulp samples are prepared for analysis. Gold is determined by fire assay with an atomic absorption finish and silver by aqua regia digestion with ICP finish, over-limits by fire assay and gravimetric finish.

About Endeavour Silver – Endeavour Silver Corp. is a mid-tier precious metals mining company that operates two high-grade underground silver-gold mines in Mexico. Endeavour is currently advancing the Terronera mine project towards a development decision, pending financing and final permits and exploring its portfolio of exploration and development projects in Mexico, Chile and the United States to facilitate its goal of becoming a premier senior silver producer.  Our philosophy of corporate social integrity creates value for all stakeholders.

SOURCE Endeavour Silver Corp.

Contact Information
Galina Meleger, VP, Investor Relations
Email: gmeleger@edrsilver.com
Website: www.edrsilver.com

Follow Endeavour Silver on Facebook , Twitter , Instagram and LinkedIn

Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements

This news release contains “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of the United States private securities litigation reform act of 1995 and “forward-looking information” within the meaning of applicable Canadian securities legislation. Such forward-looking statements and information herein include but are not limited to statements regarding future prospects of the Company’s mines and projects. The Company does not intend to and does not assume any obligation to update such forward-looking statements or information, other than as required by applicable law.

Forward-looking statements or information involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that may cause the actual results, level of activity, production levels, performance or achievements to be materially different from those expressed or implied by such statements. Such factors include but are not limited to the ultimate impact of the COVID 19 pandemic on operations and results, changes in production and costs guidance, national and local governments, legislation, taxation, controls, regulations and political or economic developments in Canada and Mexico; financial risks due to precious metals prices, operating or technical difficulties in mineral exploration, development and mining activities; risks and hazards of mineral exploration, development and mining; the speculative nature of mineral exploration and development and risks in obtaining necessary licenses and permits, and challenges to the Company’s title to properties; as well as those factors described in the section “risk factors” contained in the Company’s most recent form 40F/Annual Information Form filed with the S.E.C. and Canadian securities regulatory authorities. Forward-looking statements are based on assumptions management believes to be reasonable, including but not limited to: the continued exploration and mining operations, no material adverse change in the market price of commodities, mining operations will operate and the mining products will be completed in accordance with management’s expectations and achieve their stated production outcomes, and such other assumptions and factors as set out herein. Although the Company has attempted to identify important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those contained in forward-looking statements or information, there may be other factors that cause results to be materially different from those anticipated, described, estimated, assessed or intended. There can be no assurance that any forward-looking statements or information will prove to be accurate as actual results and future events could differ materially from those anticipated in such statements or information. Accordingly, readers should not place undue reliance on forward-looking statements or information.

Could Cryptocurrency Become a Catalyst for Renewable Energy Projects?

Image Credit: Kecko (Flickr)

Crypto Mining can Retire Fossil Fuels for Good. Here’s How

To many, cryptocurrency may be considered the antithesis to ESG. Bitcoin, for instance, it consumes more energy per year than countries such as Finland and Belgium. However, new regulations and approaches to cryptocurrency and cryptocurrency mining could reduce carbon emissions as the industry turns to renewable energy and innovative solutions. Karen Jones, a Space Economist at The Center for Space Policy and Strategy, examines how ESG concerns from investors, the financial sector and governments are changing cryptocurrency and how, in turn, cryptocurrency could become a catalyst for renewable energy projects.

The future of blockchain is bright, but first we need to bring our expectations back to earth. To realize its full potential, the decentralized finance (DeFi) market must operate within regulatory guard rails — to protect both investors and the planet.

  • Cryptocurrency mining using proof of work calculations is very energy-intensive, but it isn’t the only option.
  • New regulations and new approaches to mining cryptocurrencies could also see reduced carbon emissions as the crypto industry turns to renewable energy and innovative solutions.
  • And looking long term, could space-based solar power one day fuel a space-based blockchain revolution?

Since the great cryptocurrency meltdown of May 2022, DeFi has been in the spotlight. Regulators are considering new ways to protect investors and discourage fraudulent activities after hundreds of billions of dollars in value were wiped out and entire currencies became essentially worthless, nearly overnight.

The Cost to the Planet

Now the market faces another challenge. Regulators and Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) motivated investors are applying pressure to reduce carbon footprints across many industries — especially the relatively new cryptocurrency market.

Even after this year’s major hit to the market, the global market capitalization for cryptocurrency is still approximately $1.04 trillion. And these companies — this technology, as it stands — is built on the mass consumption of energy.

Senior US politicians have warned that the seven largest crypto companies expect to increase their computing capacity to 2.4 gigawatts. That is a 230 percent increase from current levels, and enough energy to power 1.9 million homes. They called the miners’ energy consumption “disturbing.”

In early May this year, researchers at Columbia University estimated that global mining for Bitcoin alone, just the most popular among hundreds of cryptocurrencies, consumed more energy than the entirety of Argentina and emitted roughly 65 megatons of carbon dioxide into the atmosphere every year.

Cryptocurrency Legislation is Ramping Up

Blockchain-based currency is still in its wild west days, but policymakers are taking notice.

United States legislators have proposed a bill that aims to establish a framework for regulating cryptocurrency, including provisions directing the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission to study the energy impact of the cryptocurrency industry.

The crypto market currently involves energy-intensive mining to solve cryptographic problems, a key component of the blockchain for proof of work, the calculation computers complete to create a new Bitcoin. To reduce power needs, many blockchain applications are shifting from the energy-intensive proof of work consensus to proof of stake, which still validates entries onto the shared ledger, but emits far fewer greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions in doing so.

Despite the huge emissions caused by parts of the industry, not all crypto mining efforts have such large carbon footprints, even when they use proof of work. Mining can rely upon solar, wind, hydroelectric and geothermal renewable energy systems. To discourage carbon-intensive crypto mining operations, New York legislators have proposed a moratorium to partially limit cryptocurrency mining operations that use proof of work authentication methods to validate blockchain transactions. The moratorium would not apply to mining operations that utilize renewable energy.

The Paris Climate Agreement’s goal of Net Zero 2050 is ushering in an era of self-scrutiny, as industries examine their own industrial processes and carbon footprints. One way to do this is to evaluate the cradle to grave lifecycle assessment of a crypto transaction. Sometimes referred to as an environmental lifecycle analysis (E-LCA), this framework provides a structure for conducting an inventory and assessment of a product’s environmental footprint.

Moving towards a lifecycle assessment will also help companies produce data driven ESG statements. As ESG standards guide investors to green products and services, more industries, including crypto companies, will conduct a self-analysis of their own carbon footprints and environmental lifecycles. And good actors will be motivated to assess and broadcast their virtuous carbon-free lifecycles.

Although most environmental lifecycle-related disclosures are currently voluntary, this could change. The United States Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) has proposed rules for registrant companies to conduct Scope 1, 2, and 3 emissions inventories. If these proposed rules become law, publicly traded cryptocurrencies would need to understand their life cycle emissions intensity, from direct operations (Scope 1), electricity purchases (Scope 2), and indirect upstream and downstream activities (Scope 3) emissions.

Crypto Mining as a Catalyst for Renewable Energy Projects

While there is always a fear that conducting an environmental assessment might reveal “inconvenient details,” it also represents a unique opportunity.

Crypto mining companies are often located near power sources to feed their power-hungry computers. As a result, crypto mining can be a catalyst or market driver for new renewable energy projects. For instance, Digital Power Optimization, in New York, now runs 400 mining computers from spare electricity produced by a hydroelectric dam in Hatfield, Wisconsin. There are many remote geographic areas where the energy demand market is not large enough to support a utility scale renewable energy site.

It is this symbiosis of crypto computer farms and remote green energy projects which offers the potential for mutual benefits — and it may not stop with rural projects.

Many cryptocurrency stakeholders and enthusiasts expect the DeFi market to expand its reach into near space, the moon and beyond — and this idea is not far from being realized. A range of distributed ledger technologies are already being considered for the space domain.

A multi-signature Bitcoin transaction has been demonstrated on the International Space Station. Other companies are moving forward with various space applications, including fundraising, smart contracts, autonomous satellite communications and blockchain applications for managing a range of satellite assets in a decentralized and accountable way.

Perhaps one day in the future an orbiting space-based solar power plant could generate several gigawatts of clean energy and power a range of blockchain applications in space.

Opportunities for consensus-based protocols across the space value chain
Image: The Center for Space Policy and Strategy

Several countries, including China, India and the UK are seriously considering space based solar power. As the world seeks decentralized, accountable and carbon free technical solutions, it is this type of cooperative partnership between clean energy providers and blockchain applications that can answer the call.

About the Author:

Karen L. Jones is a Space Economist at The Center for Space Policy and Strategy.

This article first appeared on the World Economic Forum website in August 2022.

What Powell is Doing About this Vexing Inflation Contributor

Image Credit: IMF (Flickr)

Fed Chairman Powell Shows His Steady Hand and Firm Conviction at Monetary Conference

In what is his last scheduled public appearance before the post-FOMC statement expected on Sept. 21, Fed Chairman Powell did not say anything that would change expectations of another 75bp Fed Funds rate hike. He instead emphasized the Fed’s commitment to reduce inflation and believes it can be done and at the same time avoid “very high social costs.” 

“It is very much our view, and my view, that we need to act now forthrightly, strongly, as we have been doing, and we need to keep at it until the job is done,”  Powell said Thursday (Sept. 8) at the 40th annual Monetary Conference held virtually by the Cato Institute.

The discussion was held after it was known that the Eurozone Central Bank had just raised rates by 75bp. Powell’s talk and the interest rate hike overseas didn’t upset U.S. markets as U.S. Jobless claims had been reported earlier and showed a very strong labor market which helped demonstrate that the Fed’s actions to return inflation to a more acceptable level are not severely hurting business.

The Federal Reserve Chairman continued to reiterate what he has been saying, that the U.S. central bank is focused on bringing down high inflation to prevent it from becoming entrenched as it did in the 1970s. The core theme, most recently heard at the Jackson Hole Economic Symposium, is that he is resolved to return inflation to the Fed’s 2% target.

Mr. Powell said it is critical to prevent households and businesses from ongoing expectations that inflation will rise. He said this is a key lesson taken from the persistent inflation of the 1970s. “The public had really come to think of higher inflation as the norm and to expect it to continue, and that’s what made it so hard to get inflation down in that case,” Powell said. The takeaway for policymakers, he added, is that “the longer inflation remains well above target, the greater the risk the public does begin to see higher inflation as the norm, and that has the capacity to really raise the costs of getting inflation down.”

Speaking the day before at the Economic Outlook and Monetary Policy at The Clearing House and Bank Policy Institute Annual Conference, Fed Vice Chairwoman Lael Brainard, didn’t express a preference on the size of the next increase but underscored the need for rates to rise and stay at levels that would slow economic activity. “We are in this for as long as it takes to get inflation down,” she said.

Fed officials have raised rates this year at the most rapid pace since the early 1980s. The federal funds rate, the percentage banks charge each other for overnight borrowing, rose from near zero in March to a range between 2.25% and 2.5% in July, which is where it sits today.

Take Away

The Fed’s two mandates are to keep inflation at bay and to make sure there are adequate jobs in the U.S. The lessons of the past indicate that expectations of inflation are inflationary themselves. The Fed Chairman and Fed Vice Chairwoman would undermine their goals if they did not talk tough on inflation. With the economy not having sunk into a deep recession, and joblessness at acceptable levels, their actions are likely to match their tough talk.

The stock market typically behaves well when confident that the Fed is fighting inflation and has a steady grasp of what too far is. Overly tight money would dampen business growth.

Paul Hoffman

Managing Editor, Channelchek

Sources

https://www.federalreserve.gov/newsevents/calendar.htm

https://www.cato.org/events/40th-annual-monetary-conference

https://www.nytimes.com/live/2022/09/08/business/ecb-meeting-inflation-interest-rates

https://www.reuters.com/markets/us/us-weekly-jobless-claims-fall-three-month-low-2022-09-08/

The GEO Group (GEO) – Reducing Debt Further


Thursday, September 08, 2022

The GEO Group, Inc. (NYSE: GEO) is a leading diversified government service provider, specializing in design, financing, development, and support services for secure facilities, processing centers, and community reentry centers in the United States, Australia, South Africa, and the United Kingdom. GEO’s diversified services include enhanced in-custody rehabilitation and post-release support through the award-winning GEO Continuum of Care®, secure transportation, electronic monitoring, community-based programs, and correctional health and mental health care. GEO’s worldwide operations include the ownership and/or delivery of support services for 103 facilities totaling approximately 83,000 beds, including idle facilities and projects under development, with a workforce of up to approximately 18,000 employees.

Joe Gomes, Senior Research Analyst, Noble Capital Markets, Inc.

Joshua Zoepfel, Research Associate, Noble Capital Markets, Inc.

Refer to the full report for the price target, fundamental analysis, and rating.

Redemption of 5.125% 2023 Notes. The GEO Group has delivered a notice of redemption for all of the remaining $125.7 million in outstanding aggregate principal amount of its 5.125% Senior Notes due April 1, 2023. The redemption will occur on October 6, 2022 with the price equal to $1,000 per $1,000 original principal amount plus accrued interest. The Company should save roughly $6 million of annual interest expense.

Reduction in pre-2026 Debt. The redemption of the 2023 Notes reduces outstanding debt due prior to 2026 to approximately $170 million. With a goal of reducing net recourse debt by $200-$250 million annually, the Company should easily handle the $170 million of debt due prior to 2026.


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This Company Sponsored Research is provided by Noble Capital Markets, Inc., a FINRA and S.E.C. registered broker-dealer (B/D).

*Analyst certification and important disclosures included in the full report. NOTE: investment decisions should not be based upon the content of this research summary. Proper due diligence is required before making any investment decision. 

Salem Media Group (SALM) – Fast Forward To The Fourth


Thursday, September 08, 2022

Salem Media Group is America’s leading multimedia company specializing in Christian and conservative content, with media properties comprising radio, digital media and book and newsletter publishing. Each day Salem serves a loyal and dedicated audience of listeners and readers numbering in the millions nationally. With its unique programming focus, Salem provides compelling content, fresh commentary and relevant information from some of the most respected figures across the Christian and conservative media landscape.

Michael Kupinski, Director of Research, Noble Capital Markets, Inc.

Patrick McCann, Research Associate, Noble Capital Markets, Inc.

Refer to the full report for the price target, fundamental analysis, and rating.

Updates Q3 guidance. Management lowered Q3 revenue guidance from a range of 6% to 8% growth to a range of flat to a positive 2%. The company indicated that the lower revenue outlook was due to a shift in revenue related to the Dinesh D’Souza book slipping into Q4 and softer expectations in its SalemNow segment. 

SalemNow likely disappointing. We believe that the softer revenue expectations in SalemNow is likely related to a poor performance for Uncle Tom II. We like the company’s expansion into content, which can be very lucrative, but the success of the content is hard to predict.


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This Company Sponsored Research is provided by Noble Capital Markets, Inc., a FINRA and S.E.C. registered broker-dealer (B/D).

*Analyst certification and important disclosures included in the full report. NOTE: investment decisions should not be based upon the content of this research summary. Proper due diligence is required before making any investment decision. 

Ortho Regenerative Technologies Inc. (ORTIF) – Ortho Regenerative Technologies Inc. Is Now ChitogenX Inc.


Thursday, September 08, 2022

Gregory Aurand, Senior Research Analyst, Healthcare Services & Medical Devices, Noble Capital Markets, Inc.

Refer to the full report for the price target, fundamental analysis, and rating.

What’s in a name?  The rebranding identifies the Company’s CHITOSAN based regenerative medicine technology while expanding the scope of the technology beyone orthopedics. While the near term pipeline is focused on the repair of orthopedic soft tissue (rotator cuff and meniscus) as initial markets with great need, the Company’s proprietary platform has much broader potential regenerative applications, including in cardiovascular, dermatology, wound healing, oncology and neurology.

Tickers will change.  The corporate rebranding was approved at the last Annual General and Special Meeting of Shareholders held July 21, 2022, following the passing of a special resolution authorizing a name change. Effective on or around September 12th, shares will begin trading on the CSE as CHGX.  Subject to change, it is expected that the OTCQB ticker will also be updated to CHGX.


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This Company Sponsored Research is provided by Noble Capital Markets, Inc., a FINRA and S.E.C. registered broker-dealer (B/D).

*Analyst certification and important disclosures included in the full report. NOTE: investment decisions should not be based upon the content of this research summary. Proper due diligence is required before making any investment decision. 

Defense Metals Corp. (DFMTF) – Another Important Milestone Achieved


Thursday, September 08, 2022

Defense Metals Corp. is a mineral exploration and development company focused on the acquisition, exploration and development of mineral deposits containing metals and elements commonly used in the electric power market, defense industry, national security sector and in the production of green energy technologies, such as, rare earths magnets used in wind turbines and in permanent magnet motors for electric vehicles. Defense Metals owns 100% of the Wicheeda Rare Earth Element Property located near Prince George, British Columbia, Canada. Defense Metals Corp. trades in Canada under the symbol “DEFN” on the TSX Venture Exchange, in the United States, under “DFMTF” on the OTCQB and in Germany on the Frankfurt Exchange under “35D”.

Mark Reichman, Senior Research Analyst, Natural Resources, Noble Capital Markets, Inc.

Refer to the full report for the price target, fundamental analysis, and rating.

First Nations agreement. Defense Metals entered into a Mineral Exploration Agreement with the McLeod Lake Indian Band that addresses the interests of both parties with respect to mineral exploration activities at the company’s Wicheeda Rare Earth Element project. The agreement provides a framework for communication and cooperation going forward which we think promotes cooperative collaboration and further de-risks the project.

Fostering a collaborative and mutually beneficial relationship. In addition to providing the McLeod Lake Indian Band with input into how exploration activities proceed, the agreement provides economic opportunities for the First Nations community and establishes a path for potential future commercial involvement.


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This Company Sponsored Research is provided by Noble Capital Markets, Inc., a FINRA and S.E.C. registered broker-dealer (B/D).

*Analyst certification and important disclosures included in the full report. NOTE: investment decisions should not be based upon the content of this research summary. Proper due diligence is required before making any investment decision. 

Bassett Furniture (BSET) – A Move into E-commerce


Thursday, September 08, 2022

Bassett Furniture Industries, Incorporated manufactures, markets, and retails home furnishings in the United States. The company operates in three segments: Wholesale, Retail, and Logistical Services. It is involved in the design, manufacture, sourcing, sale, and distribution of furniture products to a network of company-owned and licensee-owned Bassett Home Furnishings (BHF) retail stores, as well as independent furniture retailers; and wood and upholstery operations. As of September 16, 2017, the company operated a network of 91 company-and licensee-owned stores. It also provides shipping, delivery, and warehousing services to customers in the furniture industry. In addition, the company owns and leases retail store properties. It also distributes its products through other multi-line furniture stores, Bassett galleries or design centers, specialty stores, and mass merchants. Bassett Furniture Industries was founded in 1902 and is based in Bassett, Virginia.

Joe Gomes, Senior Research Analyst, Noble Capital Markets, Inc.

Joshua Zoepfel, Research Associate, Noble Capital Markets, Inc.

Refer to the full report for the price target, fundamental analysis, and rating.

Purchase of Noa Home. Basset purchased Noa Home, Inc., a a mid-priced e-commerce furniture retailer headquartered in  Montreal, Canada. We believe the purchase provides multiple benefits to Bassett, including a greater online presence, including for Bassett products, as well as allowing the Company to attract more digitally native consumers.

Transaction Details. The purchase price included cash payments of CAD$2.0 million paid to the co-founders of Noa and approximately CAD$5.7 million for the repayment of existing debt. The Noa co-founders also will have the opportunity to receive additional annual cash payments of CAD$1.33 million per year for the following three fiscal years based on established increases in net revenues and achieving certain internal EBITDA goals.


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This Company Sponsored Research is provided by Noble Capital Markets, Inc., a FINRA and S.E.C. registered broker-dealer (B/D).

*Analyst certification and important disclosures included in the full report. NOTE: investment decisions should not be based upon the content of this research summary. Proper due diligence is required before making any investment decision. 

Release – Engine Gaming & Media, Inc. to Present at Benzinga All Access Event on Friday, September 9, 2022

Research, News, and Market Data on GAME

NEW YORK, NY / ACCESSWIRE / September 7, 2022 / Engine Gaming and Media, Inc. (“Engine” or the “Company”) (NASDAQ:GAME) (TSX-V:GAME), a data-driven, gaming, media and influencer marketing platform company, today announced that management will present during Benzinga’s All Access investor event taking place Friday, September 9, 2022.

Tom Rogers, Executive Chairman of Engine, and Lou Schwartz, Chief Executive Officer of Engine, are scheduled to host a presentation and Q&A session during the event as follows.

Benzinga All Access Event

Date: Friday, September 9, 2022

Time: 9:40 a.m. Eastern time

Webcast: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=B0Akw8N1h-g

A live video webcast will be available using the link above – an archived replay will be made available after the live event on the Benzinga YouTube Channel. For more information on Benzinga All Access, please contact your Benzinga representative.

About Engine Gaming and Media, Inc.

Engine Gaming and Media, Inc. (NASDAQ:GAME) (TSX-V:GAME) provides unparalleled live streaming data and social analytics, influencer relationship management and monetization, and programmatic advertising to support the world’s largest video gaming companies, brand marketers, ecommerce companies, media publishers and agencies to drive new streams of revenue. The company’s subsidiaries include Stream Hatchet, the global leader in gaming video distribution analytics; Sideqik, a social influencer marketing discovery, analytics, and activation platform; and Frankly Media, a digital publishing platform used to create, distribute, and monetize content across all digital channels. Engine generates revenue through a combination of software-as-a-service subscription fees, managed services, and programmatic advertising. For more information, please visit www.enginegaming.com.

Investor Relations Contact:

Shannon Devine
MZ North America
Main: 203-741-8811
GAME@mzgroup.us

SOURCE: Engine Gaming & Media Inc.