• The credit facility provides Blue Lagoon access to C$2 million over a 12-month term and underlies Nicola’s confidence in the project’s near-term production trajectory.
• Nicola CEO praised Blue Lagoon’s disciplined execution, noting the company’s thorough permitting navigation and strong community engagement.
• This move exemplifies Nicola’s strategic model, which links its Merritt milling infrastructure and tailings facility to nearby projects.

Nicola Mining (TSX.V: NIM) (OTCQB: HUSIF) has taken a significant step in fostering industry collaboration and bolstering regional gold development with its announcement of a $2 million line of credit to strategic partner Blue Lagoon Resources Inc. The move reflects Nicola’s mission to support responsible mining initiatives in British Columbia and aligns with its vertically integrated approach that combines milling capabilities with financial facilitation.

According to the announcement, the unsecured credit facility provides Blue Lagoon access to $2 million over a 12-month term, with repayments tied to interest-only payments during the first 11 months and an option to extend for another year under revised terms (https://ibn.fm/q7HZO). The loan is linked to Secured Overnight Financing Rate (“SOFR”) and requires no collateral against Blue Lagoon’s Dome Mountain property or other assets, underlining Nicola’s confidence in the project’s near-term production trajectory. If Blue Lagoon does draw on the facility, Nicola will hold a short-term security interest over Dome Mountain’s gold and silver production pending repayment.

Blue Lagoon Resources, which recently secured one of only nine full mining permits issued in British Columbia since 2015, is preparing to begin production at its high-grade Dome Mountain gold project later this year. Leading up to the credit facility, the company has strengthened its balance sheet via equity financing, backed by major investors such as Crescat Capital and Phoenix Gold Fund. Blue Lagoon currently carries no short-term debt and holds more than US$3.6 million in in-the-money warrants.

Nicola president and CEO Peter Espig praised Blue Lagoon’s disciplined execution, noting the company’s thorough permitting navigation and strong community engagement, factors that influenced Nicola’s decision to provide the unsecured credit line. “We’ve worked closely with the Blue Lagoon team for some time and continue to be impressed by their methodical and disciplined approach,” said Espig. “Successfully navigating BC’s rigorous permitting process, while also building a strong, trust-based relationship with the Lake Babine Nation, speaks volumes about their leadership. We are pleased to provide this credit facility and look forward to supporting their transition to gold and silver production.”

This move exemplifies Nicola’s strategic model, which links its Merritt milling infrastructure and tailings facility to British Columbian projects. Merritt Mill stands as the only facility in British Columbia permitted to process third-party gold and silver mill feed from across the province. Since 2016, Nicola has entered into several profit-share agreements with mining companies, allowing its fully permitted mill to act as a critical partner, processing ore and providing liquidity for regional exploration partners (https://ibn.fm/eWE0W). Extending a $2 million credit facility further advances this integrated approach by providing Blue Lagoon a flexible financial buffer as the company accelerates its growth.

The non-dilutive nature of the deal is particularly advantageous. Blue Lagoon’s ability to access funding without issuing new equity helps preserve shareholder value ahead of the planned production ramp-up. With an expected start of gold production in Q3 2025, access to this credit line adds resilience and optionality, while minimizing financial constraints.

The timeline is aggressive but promising. Blue Lagoon closed its mine permit in February 2025 and anticipates entering the Dome Mountain gold mine later this year. The financial buffer offered through Nicola’s credit line supports this trajectory by cushioning working capital needs or allowing the company to pursue additional opportunities with speed and confidence.

This development not only bolsters Blue Lagoon’s operational momentum but also showcases Nicola Mining’s evolving role as a strategic partner. Nicola’s Merritt mill is a tangible asset that transforms ore from nearby juniors into marketable concentrate, and this commitment of capital emphasizes its position as a catalyst for regional growth. As more junior developers initiate cash flow plans, partnerships like Nicola and Blue Lagoon highlight the value of combining milling infrastructure with financial support to accelerate resource development.

For Nicola shareholders, this move reinforces the company’s broader growth strategy. Nicola is not only pursuing its own exploration and mining assets, such as its New Craigmont copper and Treasure Mountain silver projects, but also capitalizing on its milling infrastructure through partnerships with growth-stage producers such as Blue Lagoon. This diverse approach provides Nicola with multiple revenue streams and a lucrative exposure to near-term producers processing ore.

While BC’s mining landscape continues to evolve, Nicola Mining’s decision to offer an unsecured credit line to a production-stage partner underscores its innovative, asset-driven strategy. By combining technical, financial and infrastructure capabilities, Nicola is accelerating the growth of BC’s junior mining industry, setting a model for collaboration, operational efficiency and partner support.

For more information, visit www.NicolaMining.com.

NOTE TO INVESTORS: The latest news and updates relating to HUSIF are available in the company’s newsroom at https://ibn.fm/HUSIF

• Safe Pro Group offers AI-powered computer vision software for analyzing drone imagery to identify small objects as landmines and other battlefield threats.
• The company’s SPOTD technology has already processed over 1.66 million images, identifying more than 28,000 real-world explosive threats.
• Safe Pro is advancing conversations with the Department of Defense and prime contractors about deploying its tech under OBBBA funding.
• Integration with the U.S. Army’s ATAK platform positions the company for wider adoption across military units.
• Reduced procurement “red tape” and increased demand for scalable AI and drone-based solutions create a favorable environment for Safe Pro’s growth.

With the U.S. government committing over $33 billion to artificial intelligence and drone technology through the newly enacted One Big Beautiful Bill Act (“OBBBA”), the defense landscape is poised for a rapid evolution, and Safe Pro Group (NASDAQ: SPAI), an emerging provider of AI-powered security and threat detection solutions, expects to capitalize on this growth.

Signed into law on July 4, 2025, the OBBBA allocates $13.5 billion to unmanned systems and another $16 billion toward federal AI initiatives, including defense modernization and border security. The bill marks one of the largest U.S. investments to date in next-generation battlefield technologies (https://ibn.fm/nttLF).

Safe Pro Group operates at the intersection of these priorities. Its SpotlightAI(TM) platform uses computer vision, deep learning, and artificial intelligence to rapidly analyze imagery captured by commercial drones. This platform, part of the company’s SPOTD (Safe Pro Object Threat Detection) suite, can identify over 150 types of mines and unexploded ordnance in a fraction of a second per image.

The data fueling this system comes from one of the most mine-contaminated regions in the world: Ukraine. With a growing dataset now encompassing over 1.66 million GPS-tagged drone images, Safe Pro has already identified more than 28,000 real-world threats across an area roughly the size of Manhattan.

The company’s leadership believes the timing of OBBBA is significant. “As the United States seeks to harness the power of drones and AI to support the warfighter and protect its borders, we believe that the passage of the OBBBA creates significant opportunities for our unique, battle-tested imagery analysis technology within the Department of Defense,” said Chairman and CEO Dan Erdberg. “We look forward to advancing our activities with the multiple program executive offices within the DoD and prime contractors supporting customers on fulfilling new AI capabilities with this new funding.”

Safe Pro is in active discussions with multiple DoD program executive offices and prime contractors, who will now have access to substantial new funding. Unlike in past years, the OBBBA also aims to streamline acquisition processes, removing barriers that have traditionally slowed the deployment of innovative technology in the federal space. The bill will result in reduced restrictions and procurement “red tape,” leading to a proliferation of drones, driving an exponential increased need for AI image analysis, a task Safe Pro is uniquely suited to perform.

A critical application under development is the integration of Safe Pro’s SPOTD detection capabilities into the U.S. Army’s ATAK platform (Android Tactical Assault Kit), which is already widely deployed. The aim is to allow mine detections made through SpotlightAI(TM) to be instantly shared across soldier-worn and vehicle-mounted devices in real time.

Beyond software, Safe Pro operates a diversified set of defense and public safety businesses. Its Airborne Response division provides drone-as-a-first-responder services for law enforcement and drone-based critical infrastructure inspection and monitoring services for tier-one enterprise customers. Another unit, Safe-Pro USA, manufactures U.S.-made ballistic protection products, including advanced body amor plates, EOD suits and bomb blankets that meet NATO and DoD specifications.

This multi-pronged approach gives Safe Pro exposure to both emerging tech and traditional defense supply channels. As a HUBZone-certified small business, Safe-Pro USA also qualifies for procurement set-asides, enabling access to government grants and contracts that favor domestic production.

Analysts estimate that the global defense AI and drone market could exceed $15 billion in the coming years. With the U.S. market now being supercharged by OBBBA, Safe Pro’s early investments in AI and real-world battlefield data could give it a key edge. The shift is not just strategic; it’s logistical. As drone usage increases, so too does the flood of image data requiring analysis. Safe Pro’s platform offers a scalable and automated method for turning that data into critical actionable insights.

For more information, visit the company’s website at www.SafeProGroup.com.

NOTE TO INVESTORS: The latest news and updates relating to SPAI are available in the company’s newsroom at https://ibn.fm/SPAI

• Gold prices continue to break record highs with silver also enjoying a renaissance.
• Nicola Mining has begun processing high-grade gold-silver ore from Talisker Resources Inc.
• Nicola is determined to process 60,000 tonnes (tn) of ore and produce 21,000 ounces (oz) of gold-equivalent per year at full-production rate.

Global demand for gold and silver continues to surge as investors and central banks race for protection in unstable economic terrain. As the value of precious metals surges amid rising demand, junior miner Nicola Mining (TSX.V: NIM) (OTCQB: HUSIF) began processing high-grade gold and silver ore at its Merritt Mill facility, highlighting a key step forward in its growth (https://ibn.fm/Vs8Tt).

Central banks purchased more than 1,000 tn of gold in 2024 — double the decade’s average — lifting reserves to nearly 36,000 tn, the highest since the Bretton Woods era (https://ibn.fm/Kk8mC). Gold prices continue to break record highs, with April 2025 seeing levels exceed US$3,500/oz, an all-time high reflecting investors’ growing uncertainty about the global economy.

Demand for gold-backed exchange-traded funds and physical bullion surged more than 170% year-over-year in first quarter 2025, marking the highest first-quarter investment into gold since 2016, according to World Gold Council data. Institutional and retail investment demand remains strong, as demand for bullions rose 15% above the five-year average (https://ibn.fm/pu22b). Nicola seeks to continue growing its key regional role within the precious metal economy and to welcome new mining partners.

Silver is also enjoying a renaissance, with spot prices hovering around US$36 per ounce — levels unseen in more than 13 years — as industrial demand for the metal expands in green-tech and 5G applications  (https://ibn.fm/b9JaY). Back-to-back supply deficits across five years, driven by structural demand in sectors such as photovoltaics, fuel silver’s tight market. Analysts predict further upside, projecting forward 12-month silver prices reaching US$50, as industrial and investment demand converge. Treasure Mountain, an underground permitted silver mine located near Hope, is 100%-owned by Nicola.

Against these backdrops, Nicola Mining’s announcement highlights its continued growth trend. The company’s crucial third-party mill operation has begun processing high-grade gold-silver ore from Talisker Resources Inc. at its facility in Merritt, British Columbia.

Nicola expects to cumulatively process 60,000 (tn) of ore and produce 21,000 (oz) of gold-equivalent concentrate at full production capacity annual rate. The Merritt Mill provides accessible, reliable revenue to not only its British Columbian partners, but it also sustains its own copper, gold and silver projects across the province.

The Merritt Mill is strategically located within a growing community that serves as a regional logistics hub, providing efficient and reliable access to road transportation, water, power, tailings capacity and experienced operational personnel — key elements that often delay new mining developments. Nicola looks forward to minimizing per-tonne operating costs by maintaining high throughput.

“We are excited to realize that Nicola is morphing into a steady and long-term producer,” said Nicola CEO Peter Espig. “It is rare for junior miners to reach the production pinnacle and to monetize current precious metal prices with our partners.”

“We are also witnessing firsthand augmented efficiencies in British Columbia’s permitting of underground mining operations, which characteristically minimize environmental impact, as well as the strategic significance of our fully-permitted mill,” Espig continued. “In addition to production, we have boosted our geological team and are ramping up activities for what we believe to be an exciting exploration campaign, not only at the New Craigmont Project, but also our fully permitted silver mine, Treasure Mountain.”

As demand for precious metals continues to rise, underpinned by macroeconomic instability and green-energy growth, Nicola Mining is positioning itself as a nimble, capital-efficient player. The company’s decision to partner with Talisker and leverage the Merritt Mill is more than operational — it’s strategic. The ability to efficiently convert mined ore to immediate liquidity not only builds a foundation for Nicola’s financial stability but also highlights the company’s role in BC’s junior mining sector.

With gold and silver global demand unlikely to wane — supported by central bank purchases, inflation hedging and expanding industrial usage — Nicola Mining stands ready to capitalize. By prioritizing its mill facility preparation, operational efficiency and a clear path to meaningful cash flow, Nicola aims to fast-track toward its broader resource development goals, offering investors exposure to a precious metals company with a strong balance sheet.

For more information, visit www.NicolaMining.com.

NOTE TO INVESTORS: The latest news and updates relating to HUSIF are available in the company’s newsroom at https://ibn.fm/HUSIF

• Nightfood Holdings is pioneering AI-powered robotics through its SkyTech platform to solve key pain points in hotel operations
• The company’s dual strategy of acquiring hotel properties and offering Robotics-as-a-Service (“RaaS”) enables rapid deployment of automation with real revenue impact
• As labor shortages squeeze the hospitality sector, NGTF’s intelligent automation offers a compelling edge for investors focused on AI, robotics, and scalable infrastructure solutions

AI-driven robotics is no longer the stuff of sci-fi dreams or pilot programs in distant R&D labs. It’s rapidly becoming the backbone of day-to-day operations in sectors that were once considered too human-centric for automation. Nowhere is this more apparent than in hospitality, where persistent labor shortages, rising wage pressures, and demanding guest expectations are pushing operators to embrace robotics out of necessity rather than novelty.

A 2024 report by CBRE showed the combined cost of wages and employee benefits in U.S. hotels rose 4.8% year-over-year, even as total hours worked dropped by 7.4%. That means hotels are paying more for less labor, while guests still expect top-tier, personalized service. The equation isn’t sustainable, but the solution may lie in strategic AI adoption. Nightfood Holdings (OTCQB: NGTF) is stepping into that breach.

SkyTech: Where Artificial Intelligence Meets Real Hotel Efficiency

Nightfood’s hospitality innovation engine is SkyTech, a robotics-focused initiative integrating AI into core hotel functions. The company doesn’t just sell robotics solutions to hotel operators; it owns hotel assets and deploys SkyTech’s platform to solve operational challenges from within. This vertical integration gives Nightfood a rare advantage: they know exactly where the pain points are, and they build solutions from the ground up to address them.

SkyTech’s AI-driven robotic systems are being used for tasks such as:

• Autonomous delivery that brings towels, toiletries, or food directly to guest rooms
• Supporting housekeeping staff with efficient laundry handling, trash removal and transportation to ensure smooth operations

Owning the Property, Controlling the Platform

Nightfood’s strategy stands out due to its dual approach: it’s not just a tech vendor or a hotel owner, but a combination of both. By acquiring and operating hotels where its SkyTech AI systems are deployed, the company can:

• Rapidly iterate and optimize tech in real-world conditions
• Capture both operational savings and the tech platform’s recurring revenue
• Showcase a working proof-of-concept for industry partners and potential buyers

This makes Nightfood one of the few companies offering an end-to-end solution that spans property ownership, technology infrastructure, and service delivery. The potential scalability is enormous, especially considering the hotel and resort industry market size worldwide reached $1.5 trillion in 2023.

The company’s RaaS model means that even non-owned properties can benefit from SkyTech systems. Early pilot installations reportedly show improvements in guest satisfaction scores and double-digit operating margin gains. As automation in hospitality goes from experimental to expected, Nightfood could be positioned at the center of a multibillion-dollar transformation.

Growth Catalysts and Investor Angle

For investors focused on artificial intelligence and robotics, NGTF offers exposure to both, with a real-world use case already being monetized. Unlike some AI companies selling future potential, Nightfood is deploying today, collecting revenue and data from actual guests using real systems.

With plans to expand SkyTech across a broader portfolio of properties and partner hotels, the company is targeting a slice of the $107 billion global service robotics market projected by Fortune Business Insights by 2030. Their approach of solving a clear business problem (labor costs, service quality) with a scalable AI-backed solution aligns with exactly what institutional and retail tech investors are looking for.

For now, Nightfood may fly under the radar compared to headline AI names, but the groundwork is being laid for a significant re-rating as investors begin to recognize the potential of automation in physical service environments like hotels. From check-in to check-out, robotics is no longer a luxury; it’s a necessity. And NGTF is showing how it’s done.

For more information, visit the company’s website at NightfoodHoldings.com

NOTE TO INVESTORS: The latest news and updates relating to NGTF are available in the company’s newsroom at ibn.fm/NGTF

• In a Forbes article, ONAR CEO speaks about the seismic shift from traditional Google search toward AI-enhanced platforms
• A technology-first network of companies built to deliver business performance through disruptive marketing and technology, ONAR Holding is prepared for this new approach
• ONAR agencies leverage AI and data analytics to optimize campaign performance, enhance customer targeting and improve operational efficiencies

ONAR Holding Corp. (OTCQB: ONAR), led by CEO Claude Zdanow, is leveraging its AI-powered marketing technologies to help mid-market companies grow revenue in the evolving era of AI-driven search and advertising. In a recent Forbes interview, Zdanow spoke about the seismic shift from traditional Google search toward AI-enhanced platforms. He explained that users are increasingly interacting with generative AI and chat interfaces instead of typing queries into search engines, and this transformation reshapes how companies must approach marketing.

“We’re shifting from gaming Google’s algorithm to engaging in real-time AI searches that respond directly to what we ask,” said Zdanow. “That’s the fundamental transformation unfolding right now.”

This transition, noted Forbes, leads people to expect immediate, conversational engagement. Zdanow explained that this evolution requires marketers to transition from SEO-centric strategies to AI-compatible content and integrations, ensuring brands appear within the AI-generated responses that consumers have come to rely on. “Traditional SEO often involved manipulating search rankings through keyword stuffing or an over-reliance on backlinks,” the article pointed out. “There was definite utility behind such practices for companies wishing to be found, especially over their competitors.”

These “stacked entries” weren’t always helpful for end users, however. Something that is proving more useful is language model optimization (“LMO”), which is “poised to disrupt this search model by operating as a kind of online oracle,” Forbes reported.

“Language model optimization is about creating content that’s actually relevant and useful so that AI, not just a search engine, can interpret it, trust it, and serve it up as the best answer,” said Zdanow. “It’s no longer about finessing the system. It’s about genuinely solving a user’s problem. . . .

“This shift isn’t just about changing tactics,” Zdanow continued. “It’s about changing intent. We must stop thinking in terms of algorithms and start thinking in terms of audiences. Moving forward, the question won’t be ‘How do I get ranked?’ but rather: ‘How do I help someone?’”

A technology-first network of agencies built to deliver business performance through disruptive marketing and proprietary technology, ONAR is prepped for this new approach. The company’s vision is to redefine marketing services by leading with technological advancement, and its strategic growth model focuses on growing and acquiring proven agencies under one umbrella to deliver superior service offerings across industries. Currently the company’s operations are organized across a network of specialized agencies that serve more than 45 clients across a wide range of industries, including the following:

• Storia, a premier performance marketing agency specializing in brand growth and with a focus on data-driven excellence.
• Of Kos, a full-service healthcare marketing agency committed to redefining the patient’s experience.
• ONAR Labs, the company’s pioneering technology incubator that brings together data scientists, engineers and industry experts to develop proprietary marketing technologies.

Looking ahead, “we continue to leverage AI and data analytics to optimize campaign performance, enhance customer targeting and improve operational efficiencies,” said Zdanow in a recent shareholder update (https://nnw.fm/uQFIS). “Our ongoing commitment to technological innovation ensures that ONAR remains at the forefront of the consistently progressing marketing landscape, driving client and shareholder value.

ONAR plans continued investment in tech, acquisitions and global expansion. “This is only the beginning—we’re just getting started,” Zdanow said. As AI upends SEO and advertising, ONAR positions itself at the forefront, empowering mid-market brands to thrive in the age of conversational AI search.

For more information, visit the company’s website at www.ONAR.com.

NOTE TO INVESTORS: The latest news and updates relating to ONAR Holding Corp. are available in the company’s newsroom at https://ibn.fm/ONAR

• Five European countries plan to withdraw from the Ottawa Convention, raising concerns over the renewed use of land mines.
• Ukraine still holds over 3 million antipersonnel mines and has signaled its intent to use them against Russian forces.
• Safe Pro Group’s SpotlightAI(TM) software analyzes drone imagery to detect over 150 types of mines and unexploded ordnance (“UXO”).
• Built on 1.6+ million images from real-world conflict zones including Ukraine, the system has already identified 28,000 explosive threats.
• Safe Pro also delivers mission-critical drone services and manufactures U.S.-made ballistic protective gear.
• The company is a singular company positioned to meet the rising need for scalable mine detection and field protection solutions.

The Cold War-era threat of land mines is resurfacing in Europe with a new layer, dropping mines from AI Drones. According to a recent New York Times report, five NATO-aligned countries – Poland, Finland, and the three Baltic States – have taken steps to withdraw from the Ottawa Convention, a landmark treaty banning antipersonnel mines (https://ibn.fm/0324y). Ukraine, under pressure from Russia’s entrenched positions and mine-heavy defenses and remote drone mining, has also announced its exit.

While these countries cite security needs following Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine, critics argue the move will mostly endanger civilians. Antipersonnel mines, which once littered Europe’s borders, indiscriminately kill long after conflicts end. The International Committee of the Red Cross estimates that 80% of mine casualties are civilians, many of them children.

Roughly 60 countries are still affected by UXO contamination. In Ukraine alone, the World Bank estimates over $30 billion will be required to clear more than 17 million hectares of mine-contaminated land. Safe Pro is already engaged in the fight to protect Ukraine’s war-ravaged forests and agricultural land and is honored to be featured in a recent investigative piece by Grist Magazine (https://ibn.fm/NDwk5).

Unlike the other countries that have announced their exit from the treaty, which mostly destroyed their stocks of anti-personnel mines, Ukraine still has a large stockpile of more than three million mines. The situation underscores the demand for AI-based solutions that can process high volumes of imagery and deliver accurate, actionable results.

Safe Pro Group (NASDAQ: SPAI), an emerging provider of AI-powered security and threat detection solutions, has a unique patented capability to provide a comprehensive solution to this issue. The company’s SpotlightAI(TM) platform uses artificial intelligence to detect mines and unexploded ordnance (“UXO”) in real time. Trained on more than 1.6 million images from conflict zones such as Ukraine, covering an area roughly the size of Manhattan, the software has already helped identify more than 28,000 threats.

The platform analyzes drone-captured imagery and can detect over 150 types of explosive threats. It offers a scalable alternative to traditional human-based detection methods, which are slower and often dangerous. SpotlightAI(TM) operates both via a cloud-based ecosystem hosted on Amazon Web Services (“AWS”) and through a local version, OnSite, for real-time field deployment.

Safe Pro Group’s business spans three key domains: software, drone services, and ballistic protection. Its Airborne Response unit delivers mission-critical drone operations to industries including telecom, utilities, and public safety. The drones can be rapidly deployed for emergency response or infrastructure inspections and feed data back into the SpotlightAI(TM) system for analysis.

Meanwhile, Safe-Pro USA, another division, manufactures ballistic gear ranging from body armor to bomb blankets and explosive ordnance disposal (“EOD”) suits. These products are made in the U.S. and meet NATO and U.S. military specifications. As a HUBZone-certified small business, Safe-Pro USA qualifies for a range of federal procurement programs and grants.

The defense and public safety sector is expected to grow substantially, particularly in AI-driven intelligence and drone integration. Safe Pro estimates the global market for such solutions is worth at least $15 billion. By combining data-driven software, drone operations and tactical hardware, the company aims to meet the needs of a rapidly evolving security landscape.

Investors looking for emerging opportunities at the intersection of defense tech utilizing AI and drones and humanitarian solutions may find Safe Pro’s model compelling. As warfighting evolves and old threats return in new forms, the demand for smart, field-tested detection tools is only likely to rise.

For more information, visit the company’s website at www.SafeProGroup.com.

NOTE TO INVESTORS: The latest news and updates relating to SPAI are available in the company’s newsroom at https://ibn.fm/SPAI

• The Hoadley Hill project has passed the CESIR process, a key step toward interconnection with the local grid.
• The 7.2 MW ground-mount solar array is expected to power the equivalent of 850 homes.
• The project is structured as a community solar initiative, enabling local residents to subscribe and receive utility bill credits.
• It will benefit from New York’s VDER compensation system, offering US$0.0971/kWh in projected year-one compensation.

Disseminated on behalf of SolarBank Corporation

SolarBank (NASDAQ: SUUN) (Cboe CA: SUNN) (FSE: GY2), a premier developer and owner of renewable and clean energy projects, specializing in distributed and community solar initiatives throughout Canada and the U.S., has announced that it has successfully completed the Coordinated Electric System Interconnection Review (“CESIR”) for its 7.2-megawatt Hoadley Hill Road solar project in upstate New York. The regulatory clearance marks a critical milestone in advancing the project toward construction (https://nnw.fm/NoW9w).

The CESIR process is an essential part of connecting new distributed energy resources to the electric grid in New York State. By completing this step, SolarBank now turns to final permitting, financing arrangements, and site preparation, according to a company statement.

The project, when operational, is expected to generate enough electricity to supply approximately 850 homes. It will feed into the local grid and participate in New York’s Value of Distributed Energy Resources (“VDER”) compensation program. Under current estimates, the Hoadley Hill installation will receive an average of US$0.0971 per kilowatt-hour in its first year of production.

“With the interconnection review now in the rearview mirror, we’re shifting into high gear,” said SolarBank CEO Dr. Richard Lu. “We’re now full speed ahead on permitting and project financing to bring this clean energy solution online.”

SolarBank is also pursuing incentives through the New York State Energy Research and Development Authority (“NYSERDA”) under its NY-Sun Program. The initiative, aimed at accelerating solar development across the state, could provide SolarBank with a one-time payment of up to US$0.395 per watt DC installed. If available and secured, this would help offset upfront capital costs and improve project economics.

The Hoadley Hill project will operate on a fully merchant basis. This allows it to sell electricity directly to the market under prevailing compensation mechanisms, offering flexibility and potential upside, while increasing exposure to market risks.

The project is structured as a community solar initiative, a model that allows residents and small businesses to subscribe to the solar farm and receive credits on their monthly electricity bills. This structure is gaining popularity as it removes the barriers of rooftop installations while expanding access to renewable power.

New York, in particular, has become a center of activity for community solar. As of 2024, the state generated nearly one-third of the U.S.’s 6.2 GW in total community solar capacity. The Hoadley Hill project contributes to New York’s goal of reaching 6 GW of installed solar capacity by the end of 2025, as outlined in the state’s Climate Leadership and Community Protection Act.

With over 100 MW of solar projects already developed and a pipeline exceeding 1 GW, SolarBank continues to build momentum. The company focuses on community-scale installations in key U.S. and Canadian markets, blending regulatory compliance with scalable execution.

For more information, visit the company’s website at SolarBankCorp.com.

This report contains forward looking information. Please refer to the press release entitled “SolarBank’s 7.2 MW Hoadley Hill Project Successfully Completes Major Interconnection Study on Path to Permit” for additional details.

NOTE TO INVESTORS: The latest news and updates relating to SUUN are available in the company’s newsroom at https://nnw.fm/SUUN

• BluSky AI is developing scalable, modular data centers purpose-built to support the explosive growth in AI and ML workloads
• Its “SkyMod” AI Factories use NVIDIA GPUs and attempt to use existing energy sources to deliver compute power where and when it’s needed
• With 90% of enterprises investing in AI but data center bottlenecks looming, BluSky AI provides the essential infrastructure to fuel the revolution

As generative AI sweeps across industries, from healthcare to marketing to national defense, one major problem threatens to stall progress: infrastructure. The computer power required to support artificial intelligence is exponentially higher than traditional internet or cloud operations, and legacy data centers simply can’t keep up. According to Goldman Sachs, the U.S. will need to substantially upgrade their current number of data centers just to support known AI use cases.

At the same time, building new hyperscale facilities can take 3–5 years, cost billions, and further stress an already overburdened energy grid. It’s a massive disconnect in a market that doesn’t have time to wait.

That’s where BluSky AI (OTC: BSAI) enters the equation with a nimble, modular solution designed to meet the AI industry’s surging needs right now.

The AI Boom’s Hidden Bottleneck: Infrastructure

Artificial intelligence might be the most transformative force of the century, but it runs on hardware, and that hardware is hitting limits. Each query to a model like ChatGPT consumes roughly 10x the compute power of a Google search. That adds up to more than 600 MWh per day, enough to overwhelm existing data center capacity. Nvidia’s CEO Jensen Huang stated in an CNBC interview that next-generation AI reasoning models will require 100 times more compute than older models. Once again, our current infrastructure isn’t built for today or the future.

BluSky AI is tackling this problem head-on. Instead of building monolithic facilities that are slow and expensive to deploy, the company offers a line of scalable, modular AI “factories” known as SkyMods. These pre-configured, GPU-powered units are delivered fully assembled and ready for plug-and-play operations on BluSky AI’s expanding site locations or on sites at universities, or enterprise locations that already have sufficient energy infrastructure.

SkyMod Units Deliver Speed, Scalability, and Sustainability

BluSky’s SkyMod units come in two sizes – SkyMod One and SkyMod XL – offering 1 MW and 1.7 MW of power capacity respectively. Each module is built using cutting-edge NVIDIA reverse-engineered DGX SuperPOD(TM) and GH200 GPUs and supports rapid deployment in 12 – 18 months.

These SkyMods can be networked together using the company’s SkyFrame(R) backbone, allowing for growth on demand. The modular design is a game-changer: rather than waiting years for a hyperscale center to come online, enterprises can scale compute power incrementally based on need. With their first location initially announced, and numerous locations under LOI, they expect their networked SkyMod solutions to scale to meet the growing needs of AI.

Equally important is BluSky’s energy-first approach. The company targets SkyMod placement on “powered land,” locations that already have access to energy sources. This reduces environmental impact while ensuring reliable uptime and power availability.

Addressing the AI Compute Crisis Before It Hits

Industry research supports BluSky AI’s proactive stance. According to McKinsey, data centers are expected to consume over 4% of global electricity by 2030, up from 1.5% today. Meanwhile, CBRE’s 2024 Global Data Center Trends report shows that vacancy rates are falling, power sourcing is a growing issue, and hyperscale operators are struggling to meet demand.

BluSky’s business model anticipates this crunch. By providing immediate access to AI-ready computer infrastructure providing a GPU-as-a-Service and other plans, the company helps businesses, developers, and AI teams avoid the coming delays and pricing volatility.

The ability to lock in computing power now, at a predictable cost, could be a competitive advantage as GPU availability tightens and more organizations race to scale their AI operations.

Big Opportunity

Though hyperscale providers get the headlines, BluSky is also focused on enabling small and mid-sized businesses to join the AI revolution. According to Forbes, three out of five SMBs plan to deploy AI within two years, but many lack access to the infrastructure required to do so.

BluSky’s modular approach helps solve that. Whether it’s a startup training for its first large model or a university researching new applications, SkyMod units offer right-sized solutions that can grow with demand, and without the overhead of building and managing a traditional data center.

A New Frontier in AI Compute

BluSky AI’s modular data centers offer more than convenience. They represent a fundamental shift in how computing infrastructure is deployed, managed, and scaled; and they may be one of the most important building blocks in the entire AI value chain. As more AI use cases enter the mainstream, and as energy constraints continue to mount, BluSky’s forward-thinking approach is timely and vital.

The AI boom has begun. But behind the scenes, it’s infrastructure like BluSky’s that will determine just how far and how fast this revolution goes.

For more information, visit the company’s website at BluSkyAIDataCenters.com.

NOTE TO INVESTORS: The latest news and updates relating to BSAI are available in the company’s newsroom at https://ibn.fm/BSAI

• Lahontan Gold’s flagship Santa Fe Mine project sits in Nevada’s prolific Walker Lane, a geological corridor that has produced some of North America’s most significant gold discoveries
• The company’s 1.95-million-ounce Au Eq resource base, combined with previous production of 359,202 ounces gold and 702,067 ounces silver, demonstrates proven mineralization in a mining-friendly jurisdiction
• With Basel III regulations now recognizing gold as a Tier 1 asset and institutional demand surging, well-positioned junior miners like Lahontan are attracting renewed investor attention

The gold mining sector finds itself at a fascinating inflection point. While spot gold prices continue reaching new all-time highs, recently touching $3,340 per ounce, mining equities have paradoxically experienced sustained outflows. This disconnect creates a compelling opportunity for investors willing to look beyond short-term market sentiment toward the fundamental drivers reshaping the precious metals landscape.

The regulatory environment is transforming gold’s institutional appeal. Basel III banking regulations now (as of July 1, 2025) classify physical gold as a Tier 1, high-quality liquid asset, meaning U.S. banks can count it at 100% of market value toward core capital reserves. This regulatory shift, combined with central banks adding 244 metric tons to official reserves in Q1 alone, signals a structural change in how institutions view gold’s monetary role.

This backdrop makes Nevada’s Walker Lane geological corridor particularly compelling. The region has delivered some of North America’s most significant gold discoveries, and companies with proven resources in this mining-friendly jurisdiction are positioned to capitalize on the evolving gold market dynamics.

Strategic Location in a World-Class Mining District

Lahontan Gold Corp. (TSX-V: LG) (OTCQB: LGCXF) exemplifies the kind of strategic positioning that matters in today’s gold market. The company’s four exploration properties sit directly in Nevada’s Walker Lane, a geological corridor renowned for its gold and silver endowment.

The Walker Lane’s geology creates ideal conditions for precious metals mineralization. This northwest-trending structural zone has hosted numerous world-class deposits, benefiting from the same geological processes that created Nevada’s reputation as one of the world’s premier gold mining jurisdictions.

Nevada’s regulatory environment provides additional advantages. The state’s mining-friendly policies, established infrastructure, and skilled workforce create operational efficiencies that translate directly to project economics. For junior miners navigating today’s cost-conscious environment, jurisdiction selection can mean the difference between project viability and failure.

Proven Resource Base with Historical Production

Lahontan’s flagship Santa Fe Mine project demonstrates the kind of proven mineralization that institutional investors increasingly demand. The 26.4 km² property contains a National Instrument 43-101 compliant resource of 1,539,000 oz Au Eq indicated and 411,000 oz Au Eq inferred – totaling 1.95 million ounces.

This resource calculation gains credibility from historical production data. Between 1988 and 1995, the Santa Fe Mine produced 359,202 ounces of gold and 702,067 ounces of silver through open pit mining and heap-leach processing. This production history validates both geological model and the processing methodology.

The technical specifications underlying these resources reflect modern mining standards. The indicated resource averages 0.92 g/t Au and 7.18 g/t Ag, while the inferred resource grades 0.74 g/t Au and 3.25 g/t Ag. These grades, combined with the pit-constrained resource model, suggest potential for economically viable extraction using proven mining methods.

Timing Advantages in a Shifting Market

The disconnect between gold prices and mining equity performance creates near-term opportunities for quality projects. The VanEck Vectors Gold Miners ETF has experienced sustained outflows despite gold’s price appreciation, suggesting institutional capital is waiting for operational clarity before rotating back into the sector.

This timing dynamic favors companies with advanced projects and clear development pathways. Lahontan’s plans to advance the Santa Fe Mine toward production, update the Preliminary Economic Assessment, and drill test the satellite West Santa Fe project during 2025 position the company to capitalize on potential sector rotation.

Infrastructure and Development Advantages

Nevada’s established mining infrastructure provides operational advantages that many international jurisdictions cannot match. The state’s power grid, transportation networks, and regulatory framework reduce development risks and capital requirements compared to frontier mining regions.

The Santa Fe Mine’s previous production demonstrates infrastructure accessibility. The heap-leach processing method used historically offers potential cost advantages over more complex processing technologies, particularly important given current inflationary pressures on mining costs.

Lahontan’s approach to resource development reflects the industry’s best practices. The company’s focus on updating the PEA ensures that project economics incorporate current cost structures and regulatory requirements, providing realistic development scenarios for potential investors or partners.

Market Positioning and Growth Potential

The gold mining sector’s current dynamics create opportunities for well-positioned junior miners. While physical gold ETFs and streaming companies have attracted recent investment flows, the fundamental leverage that quality mining projects offer remains compelling for investors with appropriate risk tolerance.

Central banks’ continued gold accumulation – with 30% planning to increase holdings over the next 12 months – supports long-term demand fundamentals. This institutional demand, combined with Basel III’s recognition of gold as a monetary asset, creates a supportive environment for gold mining development.

Lahontan’s Nevada focus provides geographical diversification benefits for investors concentrated in international mining jurisdictions. The political stability and regulatory predictability of Nevada mining operations offer risk-adjusted returns that many international alternatives cannot match.

The company’s multi-property portfolio, including the Santa Fe Mine and three additional Walker Lane properties, provides exploration upside potential beyond the current resource base. This project pipeline approach offers multiple value creation opportunities as the company advances its development timeline.

For more information, visit the company’s website at www.LahontanGoldCorp.com.

NOTE TO INVESTORS: The latest news and updates relating to LGCXF are available in the company’s newsroom at http://ibn.fm/LGCXF

• Vancouver-based ESGold recently announced a leadership transition, as new CEO Gordon Robb comes aboard and former CEO Paul Mastantuono moves into COO position
• The new CEO talked about how the company’s near-term cash flow strategy, moving right to production from processing historic tailings, funding future exploration, is a more attractive opportunity to a risk-off investor market
• ESGold expects to begin mill circuit production on a tailings cleanup project later this year at an abandoned mine in Quebec
• The company holds 265 mining claims on the historic Montauban mine site and expects the tailings cleanup to both improve the environment and generate revenue for new gold exploration

Using a clean mining model that expects to deliver returns through both production and discovery, ESGold (CSE: ESAU) (OTCQB: ESAUF) is building the machinery that will drive the company toward that goal.

On July 2 ESGold announced a change in its leadership to help refine the company’s buildup to production in the first phase of its revenue-generating plan, which will entail tailings cleanup and sale of a resulting mineral concentrate at an abandoned mine in Quebec, 80 kilometers (49.7 miles) west of the province’s capital city. Former investment banker and emerging resource finance leader Gordon Robb has succeeded Paul Mastantuono as the company’s CEO, while Mastantuono transitions to COO, according to the July 2 news release.

“We’re entering a transformational phase in ESGold’s evolution, and I could not be more excited to welcome Gordon as our new CEO,” Mastantuono stated (https://ibn.fm/1xLBB). “His global capital markets background, investor acumen, and proven track record in scaling resource companies make him the ideal person to lead ESGold into production and far beyond. He has the energy, vision, and credibility to execute our bold strategy and take ESGold to the next level.”

ESGold’s toxic tailings cleanup operation at the historic Montauban mine site will begin extracting mica as well as any remaining gold and silver later this year. The mica will be used in a concentrate harder than concrete that can be sold for building materials such as bricks, cinder blocks, paving stones, patio tiles, parking columns, and highway Jersey barriers. Those sales will help to generate funding for later exploration of the mine’s untapped gold and silver potential.

The company is doubling the size of its 2,000-square-foot project building in anticipation of further gold and silver production, adding dedicated crew accommodations, including change rooms and showers, secure lab space for ongoing gold and silver concentrate testing, and expanded storage for secure handling of gold and silver doré bars.

“We’re not just exploring first and going down the same path that most exploration companies do,” Robb said during a recent interview with the Exploring Mining Podcast (https://ibn.fm/HE4Vk). “The last four years that I’ve been doing this, the consistent theme of raising money, drilling holes, hoping the market recognizes it for an increased market cap, to continue to do it again, has seemed very repetitive, so this new approach has been very exciting.”

Robb said instability around the globe that has resulted in higher prices for gold is creating a space where ESGold can thrive.

“What investors are looking for is risk-off,” he said. “That is why ESGold is so exciting to me. We are fully permitted. We are very close to production — we have a mill onsite, we have tailings piles that are ready to be processed, and we just have a few more steps to get there to start producing, be cash-flow positive and then funnel that money into exploration, where we don’t need to go to the market with our hand out.”

The company expects a Preliminary Economic Assessment (“PEA”) to update project economics to be released soon, as well as a final imaging and 3D model’s Ambient Noise Tomography (“ANT”) results.

For more information, visit the company’s website at https://esgold.com.

NOTE TO INVESTORS: The latest news and updates relating to ESAUF are available in the company’s newsroom at https://ibn.fm/ESAUF