Metals One showcases critical minerals opportunities in Scandinavian portfolio, appoints Moulton chairman

Metals One () has published an updated investor presentation on its website at https://metals-one.com/investors/#financial-reports-&-presentation. The updated presentation highlights the critical minerals opportunity at the heart of the company's strategy, as the western world faces an urgent need for reliably and responsibly sourced critical metals such as copper, nickel, cobalt, and zinc - all of which are vital to the clean energy transition.

Metals One is developing a portfolio of critical minerals projects in low-risk northern European jurisdictions.

These are ideally positioned to supply battery and energy storage manufacturers within the continent and to reduce dependence on China and other countries. 

In Finland, Metals One is focussing near-term efforts to review historical data associated with the Hammaslahti copper-zinc project and Outokumpu copper project, which the company has agreed to acquire. This analysis is being undertaken in preparation for summer 2025 fieldwork which is expected to include a drilling campaign at Hammaslahti.

Hammaslahti is highly prospective for volcanogenic massive sulphide (VMS) mineralisation and contains the historical Hammaslahti copper mine.

The Outokumpu copper project covers most of the northeast-southwest trending Outokumpu copper belt which has produced numerous high-grade mines. Six drill-ready targets have been identified which have good potential for high-grade copper along strike from former operating mines.

The company also holds the Black Schist nickel project in Finland. This project already has a 57.1 million tonne inferred resource.

In Norway, on the Råna project, recent exploration undertaken by the project operator, Kingsrose Mining has demonstrated that nickel-copper-cobalt sulphide mineralising processes have occurred in multiple 'stacked' zones throughout the 10 kilometre diameter intrusion, indicating a large search-space for future discovery. 

Metals One also intends to undertake project acquisitions, and is currently reviewing projects within Europe, North America and Australasia with a particular focus on copper, uranium and defence minerals. 

Separately, Craig Moulton has moved into the role of independent non-executive chairman. Moulton is a highly accomplished geologist and mineral economist with over 30 years' global experience across the mining value chain, including at Rio Tinto and Cleveland Cliffs. Moulton replaces Alastair Clayton. 

In addition, Thomas Levin has stepped down as non-executive Director, representing the vendors of the company's Finland nickel and copper projects. It is anticipated that Levin will shortly be replaced by a new director representative, Olga Solovieva, BSc (Geoscience), subject to satisfactory completion of customary due diligence and nominated adviser checks, at which time a further announcement will be made. Solovieva is an experienced geologist with significant project analysis experience and direct knowledge of the Finland copper assets given her role as Senior Geologist with the vendor of the projects.

"Recent global events show in no uncertain terms that the Western World can no longer be complacent about the sourcing of strategic and critical minerals that are essential for everyday life and electrification,” said. Jonathan Owen, chief executive of Metals One. 

“The race for reliable and responsibly sourced minerals is on. With our funding, LSE listing, networks and exploration expertise, Metals One has a strong platform from which to aggressively pursue high-impact exploration projects in top tier jurisdictions. We have begun developing our exploration programmes for both the Hammaslahti and Outokumpu copper projects in Finland. We intend to drill Hammaslahti this year, following up on previous work which showed significant potential for new mineralisation, and to advance geophysics work at Outokumpu in preparation for drilling.”

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After a difficult 2024, Metals One has managed to get back on the front foot, and is now stepping up the pace. Moulton is a familiar name in mining and mining finance and should help the company steer a steady course from here on in. With cash in the bank, an attractive portfolio of assets and an aggressive attitude, it won’t be surprising now to see Metals One making waves in a market where other companies are still dead in the water.