Westwin Elements will invest $502 million over five years to build a commercial-scale Class 1 nickel refinery at the Belwood Industrial Site in Natchez, Mississippi, targeting 18,000 tonnes per year of output in its first phase with commissioning in 2029. The plant will scale up nickel carbonyl refining technology proven at Westwin’s 20 t/y Lawton, Oklahoma demonstration facility, with a completed Bankable Feasibility Study, a long-term site lease, and binding feedstock and offtake agreements already secured. Located adjacent to Natchez’s inland port and regional transport links, the project is expected to create 134 full-time jobs at an average salary of about $84,000.

Investors in gold and silver miners are being urged by Feneck Consulting Group CEO John Feneck to abandon broad ETFs and funds in favour of a “rifle approach”, targeting individual projects with strong management, favourable jurisdictions and proven drill results. Feneck, a 26‑year silver investor who calls it his largest position, says he will only re‑enter aggressively if silver corrects to around $50/oz, stressing strict respect for resistance levels and profit‑taking discipline. He argues current macro conditions for precious metals will only fully play out once US Federal Reserve policy, ongoing wars and US elections stabilise.

Gold’s recent price rally is being driven mainly by central banks buying on dips as they diversify away from the U.S. dollar, with retail investors still largely absent, veteran mining financier Frank Giustra told The Northern Miner at the Precious Metals Summit in Colorado. Giustra, founder and CEO of Vancouver-based Fiore Group, said a major geopolitical or financial shock could pull ordinary investors into the market, fuelling a further leg up. He also expects copper prices to spike before new mine supply arrives and flagged Copper Giant Resources (TSXV: CGNT; US-OTC: CGNRF), where he is a major shareholder.