UNITY TOWNSHIP, Pa. — The team looking for a missing Pennsylvania woman believed to have fallen into a sinkhole has determined that an abandoned coal mine is too unstable for people to safely search underground, authorities said Wednesday while still expressing hope Elizabeth Pollard will be found alive. Rescue workers continue to search for Elizabeth Pollard, who is believed to have disappeared in a sinkhole while looking for her cat, Wednesday in Marguerite, Pa. Emergency crews and others have been trying to find Pollard, 64, for two days. Her relatives reported her missing early Tuesday and her vehicle with her unharmed 5-year-old granddaughter inside was found about two hours later, near what is thought to be a freshly opened sinkhole above the long closed, crumbling mine. Authorities said in a noon update that the roof of the mine collapsed in several places and is not stable. The sinkhole is in the village of Marguerite, about 40 miles east of Pittsburgh. “We did get, you know, where we wanted, where we thought that she was at. We’ve been to that spot," said Pleasant Unity Fire Chief John Bacha, the incident's operations officer. “What happened at that point, I don’t know, maybe the slurry of mud pushed her one direction. There were several different seams of that mine, shafts that all came together where this happened at.” Trooper Cliff Greenfield said crews were still actively searching for Pollard. “We are hopeful that she’s found alive,” Greenfield said. Searchers were using electronic devices and cameras as surface digging continued with the use of heavy equipment, Bacha said. Search dogs may also be used. Rescue workers search through the night in a sinkhole for Elizabeth Pollard, who disappeared while looking for her cat, Tuesday in Marguerite, Pa. On Wednesday afternoon, machinery was removing material from the area around the hole while police and other government vehicles blocked a clear view of the scene. Sinkholes occur in the area because of subsidence from coal mining activity. Rescuers had been using water to break down and remove clay and dirt from the mine, which has been closed since the 1950s, but that increased the risk “for potential other mine subsidence to take place," Pennsylvania State Police spokesperson Trooper Steve Limani said. Crews lowered a pole camera with a sensitive listening device into the hole, but it detected nothing. Another camera lowered into the hole showed what could be a shoe about 30 feet below the surface, Limani said. Searchers have also deployed drones and thermal imaging equipment, to no avail. Marguerite Fire Chief Scot Graham, the incident commander, said access to the immediate area surrounding the hole was being tightly controlled and monitored, with rescuers attached by harness. The top of a sinkhole is seen Tuesday in the village of Marguerite, Pa., where rescuers searched for a woman who disappeared. “We cannot judge as to what’s going on underneath us. Again, you had a small hole on top but as soon as you stuck a camera down through to look, you had this big void,” Graham said. “And it was all different depths. The process is long, is tedious. We have to make sure that we are keeping safety in the forefront as well as the rescue effort.” Bacha said they were “hoping that there’s a void that she could still be in.” Pollard's family called police at about 1 a.m. Tuesday to say she had not been seen since going out at about 5 p.m. Monday to search for Pepper, her cat. The temperature dropped well below freezing that night. Her son, Axel Hayes, said Pollard is a happy woman who likes going out to have fun. She and her husband adopted Hayes and his twin brother when they were infants. Hayes called Pollard “a great person overall, a great mother” who “never really did anybody wrong.” He said at one point Pollard had about 10 cats. “Every cat that she’s ever come in contact with, she has a close bond with them,” Hayes said. His mother worked for many years at Walmart but recently was not employed, he said. “I’m just hoping right now that she’s still with us and she’s able to come back to us,” he said. Police said they found Pollard's car parked behind Monday's Union Restaurant in Marguerite, about 20 feet from the sinkhole. Hunters and restaurant workers in the area said they had not noticed the manhole-size opening in the hours before Pollard disappeared, leading rescuers to speculate that the sinkhole was new. “It almost feels like it opened up with her standing on top of it,” Limani said. Searchers accessed the mine late Tuesday afternoon and dug a separate entrance out of concern that the ground around the sinkhole opening was not stable. “Let’s be honest, we need to get a little bit lucky, right?” Limani said Wednesday. “We need a little bit of luck on our side. We need a little bit of God’s good blessing on our side.” Pollard lives in a small neighborhood across the street from where her car and granddaughter were located, Limani said. The young girl “nodded off in the car and woke up. Grandma never came back," Limani said. The child stayed in the car until two troopers rescued her. It's not clear what happened to Pepper. In an era of rapid technological advancement and environmental change, American agriculture is undergoing a revolution that reaches far beyond the farm gate. From the food on consumer plates to the economic health of rural communities, the transformation of U.S. farming practices is reshaping the nation's landscape in ways both visible and hidden. LandTrust explores how these changes impact everyone, whether they live in the heartland or the heart of the city. The image of the small family farm, while still a reality for many, is increasingly giving way to larger, more technologically advanced operations. According to the USDA, the number of farms in the U.S. has fallen from 6.8 million in 1935 to about 2 million today, with the average farm size growing from 155 acres to 444 acres. This shift has profound implications for rural communities and the food system as a whole. Despite these changes, diversity in farming practices is on the rise. A landmark study published in Science , involving data from over 2,000 farms across 11 countries, found that diversifying farmland simultaneously delivers environmental and social benefits. This challenges the longstanding idea that practices boosting biodiversity must come at a cost to yields and food security. The adoption of precision agriculture technologies is transforming how farmers manage their land and resources. GPS-guided tractors, drone surveillance, and AI-powered crop management systems are becoming commonplace on many farms. These technologies allow farmers to apply water, fertilizers, and pesticides with pinpoint accuracy, reducing waste and environmental impact while improving yields. However, the digital divide remains a challenge. More than 22% of rural communities lack reliable broadband internet access, hindering the widespread implementation of AI and other advanced technologies in agriculture. While technology offers new opportunities, farmers are also facing significant economic challenges. The USDA's 2024 farm income forecast projects a 4.4% decline in net farm income from 2023, following a sharp 19.5% drop from 2022 to 2023. This financial pressure is compounded by rising production costs and market volatility. Climate variability adds another layer of complexity. Extreme weather events, changing precipitation patterns, and shifting growing seasons are forcing farmers to adapt quickly. These factors could reduce agricultural productivity by up to 25% over the coming decades without significant adaptation measures. But adapting requires additional financial resources, further straining farm profitability. In the face of these challenges, many farmers are turning to diversification as a strategy for resilience and profitability. The Science study mentioned earlier found that farms integrating several diversification methods supported more biodiversity while seeing simultaneous increases in human well-being and food security. Agritourism is one popular diversification strategy. In 2022, 28,600 U.S. farms reported agritourism income, averaging gross revenue of $44,000 from these activities. Activities like farm tours, pick-your-own operations, and seasonal festivals not only provide additional income but also foster a deeper connection between consumers and agriculture. The changing face of agriculture is directly impacting consumers. The rise of farm-to-table and local food movements reflects a growing interest in where our food comes from and how it's produced. If every U.S. household spent just $10 per week on locally grown food, it would generate billions of dollars for local economies. However, the larger challenges in agriculture can also lead to price fluctuations at the grocery store. The USDA's Economic Research Service projects that food-at-home prices will increase between 1.2% and 2.2% in 2024. Looking ahead, several innovations are poised to reshape agriculture: The transformation of American agriculture affects everyone, from the food we eat to the health of our environment and rural communities. Consumers have the power to support sustainable and diverse farming practices through our purchasing decisions. As citizens, they can advocate for policies that support farmers in adopting innovative and sustainable practices. The challenges facing agriculture are complex, but they also present opportunities for innovation and positive change. By understanding and engaging with these issues, everyone can play a part in shaping a more resilient, sustainable, and equitable food system for the future. This story was produced by LandTrust and reviewed and distributed by Stacker. Get local news delivered to your inbox!Telehealth companies and other industry stakeholders have had a watchful eye towards the end of 2024 and the impending “telehealth cliff” as COVID-era Drug Enforcement Agency (DEA) flexibilities and Medicare expanded telehealth coverage are set to expire. Although a recent temporary joint rule from the DEA and the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) along with the 2025 Medicare Physician Fee Schedule final rule has provided some hope, questions regarding telehealth access in 2025 and under a new Administration remain unclear. Further, calls continue for increased oversight of telehealth services. Below, we breakdown recent updates for the telehealth industry. DEA Telehealth Flexibilities Providing some good news, late last month the DEA and HHS jointly issued a temporary rule (the Temporary Rule) extending the COVID-era flexibilities for prescribing controlled substances via telehealth through the end of 2025. The flexibilities, which previously were twice extended and set to expire December 31, 2024, temporarily waive the in-person requirements for prescribing under the Controlled Substances Act. The DEA and HHS issued the Temporary Rule to ensure that providers and patients who have come to rely on telehealth services are able to smoothly transition to the new requirements, which as previously covered , are likely to significantly limit providers’ ability to prescribe controlled substances without an in-person interaction. The Temporary Rule also acknowledges that the DEA and HHS continue to work with relevant stakeholders and will use the additional time to promulgate proposed and final regulations that “effectively expand access to telemedicine” in a manner that is consistent with public health and safety, while mitigating the risk of diversion. The agencies also note that the limited time period of the extension is aimed at avoiding investment in new telemedicine companies that may encourage or enable problematic prescribing practices. The Temporary Rule effectively allows all DEA-registered providers to prescribe Schedule II-V controlled substances via telehealth through the end of 2025, regardless of when the provider-patient relationship was formed. Consistent with the prior temporary rules, the following requirements continue to apply: The prescription must be issued for a legitimate medical purpose by a practitioner acting in the usual course of professional practice. The prescription must be issued pursuant to a telehealth interaction using two-way, real-time audio-visual technology, or for prescriptions to treat a mental health disorder, a two-way, real-time audio-only communication if the patient is not capable of, or does not consent to, the use of video technology. The practitioner must be authorized under their DEA registration to prescribe the basic class of controlled medication specified on the prescription or be exempt from obtaining a registration to dispense controlled substances. The prescription must meet all other requirements of the DEA regulations. Providers should also be cognizant of applicable state laws that may place additional restrictions on the ability to prescribe certain medications or otherwise provide treatment via telehealth. Medicare Coverage of Telehealth Services Unlike the DEA flexibilities, many of the COVID-era flexibilities for traditional Medicare coverage of telehealth services will end on December 31, 2024. Despite bipartisan support, congressional action is required to extend broad coverage for certain telehealth services existing since March 2020. Most notably, unless Congress acts, beginning January 1, 2025 expiring flexibilities include waiving the originating site requirements to allow beneficiaries to receive services in their homes and expanding the list of Medicare-enrolled providers who can furnish telehealth services. Further, beginning January 1, 2025, Medicare coverage of telehealth services for beneficiaries outside of rural health care settings will be limited to: Monthly End-Stage Renal Disease visits for home dialysis; Services for diagnosis, evaluation, or treatment of symptoms of an acute stroke; Treatment of substance use disorder or a co-occurring mental health disorder, or for the diagnosis, evaluation or treatment of a mental health disorder; Behavioral health services; Diabetes self-management training; and Nutrition therapy. For its part, the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) recently issued its 2025 Medicare Physician Fee Schedule Final Rule (the MPFS Final Rule) extending and making permanent certain telehealth flexibilities within its authority. In particular, through December 31, 2025, practitioners may continue to utilize live video to meet certain Medicare direct supervision requirements and reference their currently enrolled practice when providing telehealth services from their home. The MPFS Final Rule continues to remove frequency limitations for certain hospital inpatient/observation care, skilled nursing facility visits, and critical care consultation services furnished via telehealth. Additionally, the MPFS Final Rule makes permanent the utilization of audio-only telehealth for any Medicare-covered telehealth service. Increased Telehealth Oversight Recent months also have seen renewed calls for increased oversight of telehealth services. In September, the HHS Office for Inspector General (OIG) issued a report (the OIG Report) recommending increased oversight of Medicare coverage of remote patient monitoring. As a basis for its findings, the OIG Report cites the dramatic increased utilization of and payments for remote patient monitoring from 2019 to 2022, the fact that over 40% of Medicare beneficiaries receiving remote patient monitoring did not receive all three components of the service (i.e., education and setup, device supply, and treatment management), and the observation that Medicare lacks key information regarding the data being collected and the types of monitoring devices utilized. Notably, OIG conducted its review in part because of the potential for significant expansion of remote patient monitoring in the Medicare population. Given these factors, the OIG Report recommends that CMS: Separately, concerns also have been raised regarding the recent emergence of direct-to-consumer telehealth platforms sponsored by pharmaceutical companies. In this model, patients seeking specific medications are linked to a health care provider who can virtually prescribe the requested medication. In October, U.S. Senate Majority Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL), joined by Senators Bernie Sanders (I-VT), Peter Welch (D-VT), and Elizabeth Warren (D-MA) sent letters to several pharmaceutical companies requesting written response to questions regarding these platforms including the cost of direct-to-consumer advertising, the arrangements between the telehealth providers and the pharmaceutical companies, and whether the virtual consultation comply with the standard of care. Conclusion Despite attempts to preserve and expand telehealth access and affordability, effective January 1, 2025, many Medicare beneficiaries will be cut off from certain telehealth services unless one of the bills currently pending in Congress is passed. Crucially, bipartisan support for increased access to telehealth services is likely to continue in both chambers of Congress. Although the incoming Administration has not detailed its plans regarding telehealth access on a permanent, or even temporary basis, telehealth will continue to play an important role in the United States health care system through 2025 and beyond. As telehealth continues to play an important role in increasing access to care, increased oversight and enforcement is almost certain, even if future oversight priorities are unclear. As always, we will continue to monitor and report on important telehealth developments.
How major US stock indexes fared Friday, 12/27/2024
CDC chief urges focus on health threats as agency confronts political changesKate Martin is among the bigger names on the Golden State Valkyries' first roster. The Las Vegas Aces fan favorite was among the selections in Friday's 2025 WNBA expansion draft, joined by a group of 10 other players their teams chose not to protect. The full list of the Valkyries' selections, as announced by golfer Michelle Wie West, rapper E-40 and NBA veteran Baron Davis: Iliana Rupert, Atlanta Dream María Conde, Chicago Sky Veronica Burton, Connecticut Sun Carla Leite, Dallas Wings Temi Fagbenle, Indiana Fever Kate Martin, Las Vegas Aces Stephanie Talbot, Los Angeles Sparks Cecilia Zandalasini, Minnesota Lynx Kayla Thornton, New York Liberty Monique Billings, Phoenix Mercury Julie Vanloo, Washington Mystics The Valkyries did not select a player from the Seattle Storm. They also hold the fifth overall pick in the 2025 WNBA Draft. The allowed each of the league's 12 teams to protect up to six players on their roster as of the final day of the 2024 regular season. Athletes with previous core player designations, such as DeWanna Bonner and Brittney Griner, were also ineligible to be selected. The Valkyries were then allowed to choose one unprotected player from each team. Martin being selected means the Aces opted to not protect her, which isn't much of a surprise given how they used her toward the end of last season. The 18th overall pick of the 2024 WNBA Draft out of Iowa was a pleasant surprise early in the season when Vegas was struggling with injuries, but her playing time plummeted as the team got healthy. After seeing double-digit minutes in 16 of the Aces' first 21 games, Martin cracked that threshold only twice in her final 13, also missing a chunk of time in July and August with . The collegiate teammate of star Caitlin Clark saw a grand total of three minutes in the postseason.Time to be cautious: Unveiling dark patterns and impact on customers
Alberta minister wants to see $100B in data centre infrastructure in next five years
CARSON, Calif. (AP) — The LA Galaxy and the New York Red Bulls have been Major League Soccer mainstays since the league's inaugural season in 1996, signing glamorous players and regularly competing for championships through years of success and setbacks in a league that's perpetually improving and expanding. Yet just a year ago, both of these clubs appeared to be a very long way from the stage they'll share Saturday in the MLS Cup Final . The Galaxy were one of MLS’ worst teams after a season of internal turmoil and public fan dissent, while the Red Bulls were merely a steady mediocrity seeking yet another coach to chart a new direction. A year later, these MLS founders are meeting in the league's first Cup final between teams from North America's two biggest markets. “Two original clubs being able to put themselves in this situation, I think it’s great,” Galaxy coach Greg Vanney said. “To see two clubs that have been at it as long as this league has been around be here, I think it’s a special moment. Couldn’t be two more different and contrasting styles as well, which could make for an interesting game, and I would imagine a high-intensity game.” Everything changed in 2024 after a dismal decade for the Galaxy , who are favored to cap their transformation by winning their team's record sixth MLS championship with a roster that's dramatically different from its past few groups — albeit with one massive injury absence in the final. The transformation of the Red Bulls happened only in the postseason, when a team that hadn't won a playoff game since 2017 suddenly turned into world-beaters under rookie coach Sandro Schwarz. New York struggled through the final three months of league play with only two wins before posting road playoff victories over defending champ Columbus , archrival New York City FC and conference finalist Orlando to storm into the Cup final. “We know about the history (of our club), and we know tomorrow will define what that could mean,” Schwarz said Friday. “To feel the pressure for tomorrow, it’s necessary, because it’s a final, and without pressure it’s not possible to bring the best quality on the field.” The Red Bulls have never won an MLS Cup, only reaching the championship match once before. What's more, they've somehow never won a Cup in any tournament, although they’ve collected three Supporters’ Shields for MLS' best regular-season record. The Galaxy’s trophy case is large and loaded, and those five MLS Cups are on the top shelf. But not much of that team success happened in the past decade for the club that famously brought David Beckham, Zlatan Ibrahimovic, Robbie Keane, Steven Gerrard and many other international stars to Hollywood. In fact, this season has ended a grim era for the Galaxy, who haven't lost all year at their frequently renamed home stadium — which was the site of protests and boycotts just a year ago. The club's fans were tired of LA's steady underachievement and ineptitude in the front office run by team president Chris Klein, who was fired in May 2023. One year ago Thursday, the Galaxy hired Will Kuntz, a longtime Los Angeles FC executive who engineered his new club's roster transformation, most dramatically by landing new designated players Gabriel Pec and Joseph Paintsil — two international talents that LAFC also had in its sights. “I give Will and the group up there a ton of credit,” Vanney said. “It’s one thing to have players you like, and it’s a whole other thing to get them here and get them to connect with your group.” Pec and Paintsil combined for 32 goals and 27 assists while boosting the incumbent talents of striker Dejan Joveljic and Riqui Puig, the gifted Barcelona product who runs the offense from the midfield. The Galaxy clicked in the postseason, scoring a jaw-dropping 16 goals in four matches. Puig has been the Galaxy's most important player all season, but he won't be in the MLS Cup Final after tearing a knee ligament late in last week's conference final victory over Seattle . The loss of Puig — who somehow kept playing on his injured knee, and even delivered the game-winning pass to Joveljic — makes the Galaxy even more difficult to anticipate. “He played a lot in the regular season, so it was not so easy to analyze all these games now without him,” Schwarz said. “But the main focus is to analyze what we need to do, because it’s not clear now how they’re playing without him.” The Galaxy could give some of Puig's responsibilities to Marco Reus, the longtime Dortmund standout who joined LA in August. Reus is nursing a hamstring injury, but Vanney expects him to play. AP soccer: https://apnews.com/soccer
Here's how Trump plans to install longtime ally Kash Patel as FBI directorEminent actor Feroze Khan has shared his fresh pictures with his second wife Dr Zeinab with an aim to dispel rumours that their marriage is on the rocks. Feroze Khan, known for his leading roles in popular dramas “Khani” and “Khuda Aur Mohabbat,” posted pictures on Instagram capturing happy moments with his wife. The couple appears deeply in love and immersed in joyous moments in the images. Recently, rumours about a possible separation between Feroze Khan and his wife had been circulating on social media. Both Feroze Khan and his sister, Hina Manek, had clarified and dismissed these rumours, calling them baseless. The new photos posted by Feroze Khan have garnered numerous prayers and affectionate comments from fans, although some critics have also expressed their opinions. The post has received millions of likes and hundreds of comments, reflecting the couple’s popularity.Eli Lilly is spending another $3 billion to bulk up manufacturing as the drugmaker seeks to stoke production of some blockbuster drugs and future products. Lilly said Thursday it will expand a Kenosha County, Wisconsin, factory it bought early this year, and the investment will help meet growing demand for injectable products like its diabetes and obesity drugs, Mounjaro and Zepbound. Those drugs brought in a combined $4.4 billion in sales for Lilly in this year’s third quarter. The drugmaker plans to start construction of the expansion next year. Lilly also announced other multibillion-dollar manufacturing expansion projects near its Indianapolis headquarters earlier this year. Eli Lilly and Co. said Thursday that it has slated more than $23 billion to construct, expand or acquire manufacturing sites worldwide since 2020. The Nov. 29 print edition of The Business Journal included The huge rally for U.S. stocks lost momentum on Thursday Eli Lilly is spending another $3 billion to bulk up Known across the globe as the stuck astronauts, Butch Wilmore
S&P/TSX composite, U.S. markets end the trading day lower FridayNigerian Nurses Feel “Thrown Out into the Cold” Amid Fraudulent TestingThe forgotten man of Italian tennis, Fabio Fognini, is back in the limelight, and it’s for all the right reasons. The 37-year-old defeated Lukas Neumayer, who is 15 years younger than him, to lift his first (and last) title of the year, at the ATP Challenger Montemar 2024. Out of all the words Fognini could have chosen to use after lifting the trophy, the first ones to come out of his mouth were, “I’m tired.” The interviewer smiled and continued, “You’re 37, I’m 45 and sometimes I get tired,” before the Italian interrupted, pointing at his opponent and saying, “He’s 22,” leaving both of them laughing. Jokes aside, it is understandable why he chose those words. It was a long season for Fognini, who continued to juggle between the ATP Tour and Challenger Tour. Still, it’s remarkable to see him challenging players mostly younger than him. The Italian seemed to be in good touch in the opening phase of the game before an unexpected interruption caused him to lose his “concentration.” It eventually cost his second set as well. It comes as little surprise that Fognini’s win at the ATP Challenger Montemar has come on the clay. Dubbed as a ‘clay court specialist,’ the Italian’s latest triumph only proves that he still has what it takes to succeed on his favorite surface. Fognini’s 8 out of 9 ATP Tour singles titles have come on clay Known for his fiery temperament and frequently losing his cool on the court, Fognini can beat anyone on a given day, but he performs at his best on the red clay. His first title, some 11 years ago, came on the same surface – the 2013 Stuttgart Open. Over the next five years, he won six more titles on his favorite surface. Fognini finally broke the jinx in 2018 when he won the Los Cabos Open in Mexico, which was on a hard court surface. It remains unclear how much of a boost this latest triumph in Montemar can offer him. One thing is certain, it allows Fognini, who won his last ATP Tour title at the 2019 Monte-Carlo Masters, to stay in the top 100 rankings (World No.90). This will be crucial for him at the start of the next season.
3 Stocks to Watch as China Tightens Control Over Antimony Exports (MILIF, PPTA, UAMY) 12-06-2024 12:08 AM CET | Business, Economy, Finances, Banking & Insurance Press release from: ABNewswire The U.S.-China trade conflict has reached a new level of intensity, with Beijing banning exports of critical minerals like gallium, germanium, and antimony to the United States. These materials, essential for advanced technologies and military applications, are now being leveraged as geopolitical tools in an escalating economic confrontation. Antimony in particular has drawn significant attention. This often-overlooked mineral plays a critical role in the defense sector, powering ammunition, infrared missile systems, and advanced batteries. Historically, antimony proved vital in World War II, hardening lead for bullets and enabling the production of tungsten steel. Today, it remains indispensable for national security and technological innovation. The stakes are high: China controls nearly 50% of global antimony mining and 80% of its production. With Beijing tightening exports, the United States faces a precarious reliance on foreign sources. This disruption is already rippling through supply chains, with antimony prices surging over 200% this year. For defense contractors like Lockheed Martin (NYSE: LMT), the implications are profound. As the largest defense contractor globally, Lockheed relies on stable access to advanced materials for key programs, including the F-35 fighter jet and missile defense systems. The current situation underscores the urgent need to diversify supply chains and reduce dependency on adversarial nations. Amid this crisis, several companies are stepping up efforts to secure alternative sources of antimony and other critical minerals. Let's examine a few key players addressing this challenge. Military Metals Corp. (OTCQB: MILIF) (CSE: MILI) Military Metals Corp. is emerging as a promising force in the critical minerals sector, strategically positioned to capitalize on the growing global demand for antimony, copper, and gold. Based in British Columbia, the company focuses on acquiring and developing mineral-rich properties in stable jurisdictions across Europe and North America. With recent acquisitions, a stronger leadership team, and a portfolio of high-potential projects, Military Metals is poised to make a significant impact on the critical minerals market. A notable development in late 2024 was the appointment of Mark Saxon to Military's Board of Directors. Saxon's 30 years of experience in exploration geology and leadership roles in Canadian and Australian public companies brings valuable technical and operational expertise to the team. CEO Scott Eldridge expressed enthusiasm for Saxon's addition, citing his track record with high-profile discoveries and his expertise in critical metals supply chains. Saxon's involvement with projects like the Sunday Creek antimony-gold discovery further strengthens Military's capacity to advance its asset base. The company also made a bold move in November with the acquisition of three brownfield mineral projects in Slovakia: Trojarova, Tienesgrund, and Medvedi. These properties, rich in antimony and gold, align with Military Metals' focus on critical resources essential for the defense, energy, and advanced manufacturing industries. Trojarova, the flagship project, features extensive historical exploration, including over 14,000 meters of drilling and substantial underground development. While past resource estimates were classified using the Soviet-era Russian system, they indicate strong potential for antimony and gold mineralization. Military Metals intends to modernize these estimates under NI 43-101 standards to validate the project's true value. Tienesgrund, another antimony-gold property in Slovakia, has a long history of mining activity dating back to the Middle Ages. Reports from the Soviet era document significant antimony grades alongside gold, with promising exploration upside confirmed by limited modern sampling. Military Metals is preparing to unlock the full potential of this underexplored property, which stretches over 13 square kilometers. In North America, the company has expanded its presence with the Last Chance antimony-gold property in Nevada. Located near Kinross' Round Mountain gold mine, Last Chance benefits from a mineralized system surrounded by favorable geology. Military Metals recently completed additional claim staking to secure control over this prospective area, with exploration plans set to begin in 2025. These acquisitions come at a pivotal moment for the antimony market. China's export restrictions, which escalated into a full ban on December 3, 2024, have sent antimony prices soaring by 228% this year alone. As the West grapples with supply chain disruptions for critical minerals, Military Metals' portfolio positions it as a reliable future supplier of antimony, a material vital to military applications, energy storage, and advanced manufacturing. Eldridge emphasized the company's role in addressing the West's dependency on adversarial nations for essential resources, underscoring the urgency of developing secure domestic supplies. With its seasoned leadership, well-timed acquisitions, and a focus on high-demand minerals, Military Metals Corp. is making strides toward becoming a key player in the critical minerals sector. As global tensions and supply chain pressures reshape resource markets, the company offers investors a compelling opportunity to gain exposure to a rapidly evolving and strategically vital industry. Perpetua Resources Corp. (Nasdaq: PPTA) is advancing the Stibnite Gold Project in central Idaho, a critical initiative focused on the exploration, site restoration, and redevelopment of gold-antimony-silver deposits. The Stibnite Gold Project is one of the highest-grade open-pit gold deposits in the U.S., and uniquely, it's the only domestic source of mined antimony capable of meeting U.S. defense requirements for small arms, munitions, and missile systems. Perpetua is committed to a modern, sustainable mining approach, with plans to restore an abandoned mine site and produce both gold and antimony, vital for national security. To further this mission, the company has secured a $59.2 million Technology Investment Agreement under the Defense Production Act. This funding is intended to support the construction readiness and permitting of the project, which is expected to play a key role in strengthening U.S. defense and energy infrastructure. The project will be powered by one of the lowest carbon emissions grids in the U.S., aligning with Perpetua's environmental, social, and governance (ESG) commitments. Additionally, a portion of the antimony produced will be supplied to Ambri, a U.S.-based company developing liquid metal batteries essential for the low-carbon energy transition. In terms of regulatory progress, Perpetua Resources reached a significant milestone in 2024 with the U.S. Forest Service publishing the Final Environmental Impact Statement (FEIS) and issuing a Draft Record of Decision (DROD) for the Stibnite Gold Project. These approvals have moved the project closer to its final Record of Decision (ROD), which is expected by the end of 2024, subject to a 45-day resolution period. The company is also advancing engineering work and securing ancillary permits to ensure smooth progress toward construction. Financially, Perpetua recently raised $35 million through a public offering of 3.4 million common shares. The proceeds will be used for long-lead time materials, detailed engineering, and general corporate purposes, further positioning the Stibnite Gold Project for future success. With its focus on responsible mining, environmental stewardship, and community engagement, Perpetua Resources aims to contribute to both U.S. national security and the clean energy transition while revitalizing a historic mining site. United States Antimony Corporation (NYSE: UAMY) is a key player in processing critical minerals in North America, specializing in antimony products vital for defense, technology, and industrial applications. The company's operations span the U.S. and Mexico, producing antimony oxide, metal, and trisulfide. These materials are used in flame retardants, ammunition primers, batteries, and other high-demand sectors. In addition to antimony, USAC processes zeolite in Idaho and recovers precious metals at its Montana facilities, diversifying its product portfolio to support environmental, agricultural, and industrial needs. USAC recently expanded its presence in Alaska's Tok region, securing 24 additional mining claims covering 3,840 acres. This brings its total holdings in the state to 14,880 acres, positioning the company in an area known for rich antimony and multi-metal deposits. The expansion aligns with USAC's strategy to develop domestic sources of critical minerals, reducing reliance on imports and ensuring a steady supply for U.S. industries. The Tok claims offer not only stibnite-an essential antimony ore-but also access to historically significant gold, silver, and copper deposits. In its third-quarter results for 2024, USAC highlighted substantial operational improvements. The company achieved greater efficiency at its Bear River Zeolite facility and invested in key growth initiatives, including enhanced mining capabilities and expanded mineral processing operations. As the only North American antimony smelter, USAC is actively working to increase its production capacity while continuing its focus on integrating upstream and downstream operations. This strategic approach underlines USAC's commitment to securing critical mineral supplies for military and civilian industries, solidifying its role as a cornerstone in U.S. efforts to strengthen supply chain resilience. The company's integrated business model and expansion initiatives position it to address growing demand effectively while supporting national priorities. Disclaimers: RazorPitch Inc. "RazorPitch" is not operated by a licensed broker, a dealer, or a registered investment adviser. This content is for informational purposes only and is not intended to be investment advice. The Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 provides investors a safe harbor in regard to forward-looking statements. Any statements that express or involve discussions with respect to predictions, expectations, beliefs, plans, projections, objectives, goals, assumptions, or future events or performances are not statements of historical fact and may be forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements are based on expectations, estimates, and projections at the time the statements are made that involve a number of risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results or events to differ materially from those presently anticipated. Forward-looking statements in this action may be identified through the use of words such as projects, foresee, expects, will, anticipates, estimates, believes, understands, or that by statements indicating certain actions & quote; may, could, or might occur. 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Media Contact Company Name: RazorPitch Contact Person: Mark McKelvie Email:Send Email [ https://www.abnewswire.com/email_contact_us.php?pr=3-stocks-to-watch-as-china-tightens-control-over-antimony-exports-milif-ppta-uamy ] City: NAPLES State: Florida Country: United States Website: https://razorpitch.com/ This release was published on openPR.How major US stock indexes fared Friday, 12/27/2024
