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Why Pasofino Gold Is Investing In Developing Liberia As A Strong Contender In The Gold Market

Benzinga

By Faith Ashmore, Benzinga The historical landscape of gold investment has been marked by its status as a highly valuable and sought-after precious metal. China has emerged as the world's largest producer of gold, accounting for about 10% of global supply in 2022. Other major gold-mining countries include Australia, Russia, the United States, Canada and South Africa. These nations have rich gold reserves, advanced mining technologies and well-established mining industries. Another potentially wealthy resource, Pasofino Gold (TSX-V: VEIN) is hoping to bring Liberia into the gold mining conversation alongside other locations in West Africa. The company sees Liberia as a strong candidate for gold mining due to its many unique characteristics, the extensive exploration performed by the company to date, their completed feasibility study and the positive economics resulting from the same. Liberia, with a population of 5.3 million, stands as Africa's oldest modern republic, having completed four elections since 2003. The government of Liberia has consistently shown a pro-mining stance, creating a favorable environment for mining activities. Since 2011, Liberia has been compliant with the Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative (EITI), becoming the first African country to adhere to its regulations. The country's mining laws are designed based on Australian mining regulations, providing stability and clarity for the industry. Not to mention, mining is playing an increasingly crucial role in Liberia's economy, with its contribution to GDP rising to $ 621.80 million in 2022 from $545.30 million in 2021. Pasofino Gold considers Liberia as West Africa's last untapped gold exploration frontier. Developments In The Region Pasofino Gold recently announced significant developments in their Dugbe gold project. On the back of extensive exploration already completed and the completed feasibility study in 2022, they have recently started an exploration program in a specific target area called Bukon Jedeh and have already begun fieldwork and mobilized the drilling rig. The drilling itself is expected to begin in March 2024. Bukon Jedeh is located approximately 10 kilometers southeast of Pasofino's Dugbe Gold Project, which boasts a Measured and Indicated Mineral Resource Estimate of 3.3 million ounces. Despite the area's rich gold deposits and a long history of production, Pasofino Gold believes that the geology and potential of Bukon Jedeh have not been thoroughly understood. Back in 2012 and 2013, some initial Reverse Circulation (RC) drill holes were conducted in Bukon Jedeh. These drill holes revealed high-grade intervals, but no further follow-up was done at the time. This was largely due to the company's focus shifting to other gold deposits. However, in August 2022, Pasofino Gold revisited Bukon Jedeh and collected rock samples, which returned promising results of up to 31 grams per ton of gold. The Birimian area, where the Dugbe project is situated, represents one of the most productive gold-bearing terrains globally, with more than 20 new mines established in the past two decades. Helping Develop Liberia As A Strong Contender In The Gold Market Pasofino Gold shares that only a small percentage of Liberia’s potential has been explored/mined. The company has developed strong relationships with the people and community in the region and is excited about developing Liberia as a strong contender in the gold market. With a remarkable level of Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) compared to GDP, Liberia stands as a potentially attractive potential investment destination in West Africa. With FDI surpassing $18 billion, the country's dedication to economic growth and development is clear. The economic landscape of West Africa has also experienced growth since the early 1990s, with collective GDP soaring from $105 billion to over $659 billion in 2020. Nigeria, Ghana and Côte d'Ivoire – the region's largest economies – accounted for one-quarter of Africa's GDP in 2020. Pasofino Gold believes that with a strong gold economy, Liberia could become an even larger economic force in West Africa – making its investors wealthier in the process, as well. Featured photo by Wilhelm Gunkel on Unsplash. Benzinga is a leading financial media and data provider, known for delivering accurate, timely, and actionable financial information to empower investors and traders. This post contains sponsored content. This content is for informational purposes only and not intended to be investing advice. Contact Details Benzinga +1 877-440-9464 info@benzinga.com Company Website http://www.benzinga.com

March 19, 2024 08:30 AM Eastern Daylight Time

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NileBuilt Is Redefining Homeownership For Millennials

Benzinga

By Faith Ashmore, Benzinga The rising threat of climate change and the related surge of natural disasters are having a big impact on how we see infrastructure. While natural disasters like hurricanes and wildfires have always been part of a healthy ecosystem, climate change increases the severity, season length and size of affected areas. Half of California’s 20 deadliest wildfires have occurred in the past two decades and the total cost of wildfires in the U.S. is between $394 billion to $893 billion every year. More extreme weather patterns that result in flooding and gale-force wind destruction are also a growing concern across the country. Property damage is one of the main costs of natural disasters and these numbers are expected to continue rising, especially if infrastructure is not developed with climate-related threats in mind. The brewing climate crisis paired with economic concerns is turning millennials away from purchasing their first home. The housing crisis and high interest rates are pricing millennials out of home ownership, as the generation continues to trail behind the historical percentages of previous generations. Simply put, millennials are facing economic challenges in acquiring homes but in the instances that they can, might be weary of owning property in turbulent times. Eco-Friendly Homes As An Option To Address The Housing Crisis That’s where companies like NileBuilt, Corp. come in, by providing options to potential homeowners who are conscious of climate-related threats. NileBuilt's mission is to address the housing crisis by providing eco-friendly homes that have a positive impact on the environment. The company’s unique building process incorporates a net-zero and fire-resistant concrete system, resulting in homes that are both sustainable and carbon-neutral. The traditional reliance on lumber products for residential construction has proven to be increasingly inefficient and calls for a modern solution. While wood has been the primary framework for centuries, it is now evident that its vulnerability to elements and supply chain issues makes it outdated. In 2023, lumber prices rose 13% due to supply chain scarcity which subsequently led to increased housing prices. However, rising prices are just part of the picture; homes constructed with lumber products have a low heat of combustion temperature, leading to rapid fire spread. Lumber is also susceptible to flood damage. In contrast, NileBuilt homes are entirely non-combustible, eliminating the risk of fire ignition and subsequent spreading. These houses are also flood and wind-resistant. NileBuilt homes go beyond the requirements of the California Net-Zero Mandate, ensuring that they leave no carbon footprint. This is possible through the integration of a PV Solar System and Thermal Battery technology within their concrete building system. With thermal energy storage and release, NileBuilt homes eliminate the monthly utility bill. NileBuilt says it has found success in Southern California especially, but the company’s mission has scalability potential. NileBuilt’s affordable and sustainable model allows new infrastructure to be built without burdening existing houses. The company has been around since the 1980s and says it is confident in its ability to use its innovative infrastructure to tackle the problems of today. Its claim as being earth, wind, and fire resistant sets it apart from the current market. NileBuilt’s mission is compatible with the younger generations' desire to decrease their carbon footprint. A recent report shows that 69% of Gen Zs and 73% of millennials are actively trying to minimize their impact on the environment. Making their homes more energy efficient is one of the key ways they go about achieving these goals. Between the housing and climate crisis, NileBuilt is helping to shift the way millennials approach homeownership and is making it more feasible for millions of Americans to own sustainable homes. Featured photo by Michael Held on Unsplash Benzinga is a leading financial media and data provider, known for delivering accurate, timely, and actionable financial information to empower investors and traders. This post contains sponsored content. This content is for informational purposes only and not intended to be investing advice. Contact Details Benzinga +1 877-440-9464 info@benzinga.com Company Website http://www.benzinga.com

March 19, 2024 08:25 AM Eastern Daylight Time

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Altius Minerals (OTCQX: ATUSF) Q4 And Full Year 2023 Earnings Highlights – Two Development Royalties Catch Attention

Benzinga

By Faith Ashmore, Benzinga Altius Minerals Corporation (OTCQX: ATUSF) (TSX: ALS) (“Altius”) has released its financial report for the full year of 2023. The company had cash and cash equivalents of $130.4 million at the end of 2023, compared to $82.4 million at the end of 2022. In both years, cash includes cash held by ARR, which was $117.6 million at the end of 2023. Revenue was $69.0 million compared to $102.0 million in 2022. For the fourth quarter of 2023, Altius recorded $13.8 million in revenue, compared to $21.7 million in the same period in 2022. Brian Dalton, CEO of Altius commented, “The decline in revenue for the year primarily reflects lower realized potash prices relative to the record levels recorded last year, the scheduled closure of the 777 mine in 2022 and fading thermal coal royalties as the Genesee power plant continued its conversion to natural gas based fueling. Our potash operators have both reported a return to higher volumes in 2024 that, if realized, will approximate requirements predicted by historic demand growth trends and is reflective of price moderation-based affordability for farmers as well as soil nutrient depletion factors. While prices now appear to have stabilized, we continue to believe that prices remain below what is required to incentivize growth investment and to offset projected medium and longer-term market supply deficits as demand growth continues to compound.” In January 2024, Champion Iron Limited (OTCQX: CIAFF) shared the findings of an updated project study for the Kami project. Altius Minerals has a 3% gross sales revenue royalty in the Kami Project, or a 2.6% gross sales revenue royalty after deducting the amount that goes to the province. Altius reports that the Kami Project stands out as a promising DR-grade iron ore project situated strategically in the Labrador Trough geological belt. Positioned just a short distance from the company's operating Bloom Lake mine, the project benefits from existing infrastructure and a high-purity iron resource that has been significantly de-risked by its previous owners. Dalton also shared, “The most significant highlights for our royalty portfolio came after year end, with release of the Kami project study and the announcement of increased resources and expected production levels at Silicon Merlin. These two development stage royalties each hold the potential to meaningfully drive our growth profile for decades to come.” Silicon-Merlin is part of the AngloGold Ashanti (AGA) gold discovery in Nevada which Altius Minerals reports is shaping up to be one of the largest gold discoveries. A gold resource of over 13 million ounces has been published by AGA on Silicon and Merlin alone in early 2024, in addition to the other deposits that AGA intends to develop in the Beatty, Nevada district. Depending on the potential starting production rate, this could become one of Altius’s large revenue contributors, as Altius holds a 1.5% NSR royalty. Altius Minerals Corporation also received its first royalty revenue from the Grota do Cirilo lithium asset in 2023. Two other lithium assets, Tres Quebradas and Mariana, are expected to start production in 2024. Altius is a minority shareholder in Lithium Royalty Corporation, which successfully completed an initial public offering (IPO) during the year. This IPO provided significant liquidity to the company, allowing it to invest in new royalties as the market conditions for lithium deployment became more favorable. The company has strategically invested in royalties that will be instrumental in the 21st century like green steel, potash, copper and lithium, to name a few. Altius seems well-positioned to expand its portfolio and prospects as it enters 2024. Featured photo by Shane McLendon on Unsplash. Benzinga is a leading financial media and data provider, known for delivering accurate, timely, and actionable financial information to empower investors and traders. This post contains sponsored content. This content is for informational purposes only and is not intended to be investing advice. Contact Details Benzinga +1 877-440-9464 info@benzinga.com Company Website http://www.benzinga.com

March 19, 2024 08:20 AM Eastern Daylight Time

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Knightscope (NASDAQ: KSCP) Unveils Future Plans During Innovation Week

Benzinga

By Faith Ashmore, Benzinga Robots are making headlines globally, but few companies have been leading the charge like Knightscope (NASDAQ: KSCP). The technology company is ushering in the dawn of Autonomous Security Robots (ASRs) and has spent the last decade demonstrating the potential of robots in security to the country through a large-scale proof of concept. Knightscope currently has a suite of products ranging from stationary Blue Light emergency systems to self-driving ASRs. The CEO of Knightscope, William Santana Li, has shared that the long-term goal is to build a wide range of technologies encompassing incognito small devices to robots that can patrol cities, highways and everything in between. The company boasts $30 million in lifetime revenue, as well as contracts across the country. Last week, the company shared its hard-earned lessons and expanded its base during Knightscope's Innovation Week. This event provided insight into the company's mission and achievements. It kicked off on Monday, March 11th, with a warm welcome, offering attendees an overview of the company's goals and a look back on their journey so far, including bloopers and lessons learned during their innovation process. This set the stage for a week full of thought-provoking discussions and presentations. One of the key points during the week focused on the Market Opportunity. It defined the problem that Knightscope is addressing and highlighted the potential of the market they are operating in. The company shared it has seen 60% profit margins for clients engaged for 5 years or more, and argued it simply needed to scale up operations. The robotics market was valued at $31.38 billion in 2021 and is expected to reach $110.39 billion by 2030, with a CAGR of 15% from 2022-2030. Attendees got an inside look into how Knightscope is generating recurring revenue and the strategies they employ to capitalize on the market. Tuesday's panel on Artificial Intelligence explored the implementation of AI technology thus far and its potential for the future. This panel not only discussed the current state of affairs but also shed light on the opportunities that artificial intelligence presents across different parts of the organization The discussion also touched on cyber security and showcased how Knightscope addresses this concern in its AI solutions. The Machines-in-Network panel took attendees behind the scenes of the deployment of Knightscope's machines and how they support clients. This panel took a deep dive into the intricate network and infrastructure required to ensure Knightscope's machines efficiently carry out their tasks. The session provided attendees with an understanding of how the company manages connectivity, maintenance and troubleshooting for its robotic platforms. Another panel, Manufacturing Machines, provided attendees with a behind-the-scenes discussion at Knightscope Headquarters in Silicon Valley. Attendees gained a comprehensive understanding of the steps involved in creating these state-of-the-art robotic security solutions. Wednesday's panel on New Product Development offered an exciting preview of what's to come from Knightscope in the near future. The Future Concepts panel on Thursday offered a look at Knightscope’s long-term strategy and unveiled potential future products. This session provided insight into the company's vision for the future and how it aims to stay at the forefront of the security technology industry. The company unveiled its all-new investor presentation providing a comprehensive view of the future of public safety ( download here ). The week culminated with a Town Hall session, where the CEO answered questions in an "Ask Me Anything" format. This interactive session provided opportunities for attendees to engage directly with the CEO. Knightscope's Innovation Week was a unique opportunity to immerse yourself in the cutting-edge world of security technology. From exploring the potential of AI and machines-in-network to unveiling future concepts and engaging in direct dialogue with company leadership, Innovation Week was an exciting experience for attendees. Click here to watch highlights of Innovation Week. Featured photo courtesy of Knightscope. Benzinga is a leading financial media and data provider, known for delivering accurate, timely, and actionable financial information to empower investors and traders. This post contains sponsored content. This content is for informational purposes only and not intended to be investing advice. Contact Details Benzinga +1 877-440-9464 info@benzinga.com Company Website http://www.benzinga.com

March 19, 2024 08:15 AM Eastern Daylight Time

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Monogram Orthopaedics (NASDAQ: MGRM) Aims To Overcome Robot Shortcomings With Its Advanced Solution

Benzinga

By Meg Flippin, Benzinga When it comes to robots in the operating room, they are falling short. Robots should save hospitals time and money and give patients better outcomes, but those benefits have yet to be seen. As it stands, the current robots decrease surgical throughput, add costs, and cannot achieve parity with manual procedures. Take total knee replacement surgeries as one example. The average time for a manual total knee arthroplasty (TKA) is 88.7 minutes. With a robot, it is 105.5 minutes. What’s more, robotic-assisted TKA is 10% more expensive than manual TKA. The robotic systems currently on the market also have a steep learning curve. Nevertheless, the demand for robots in the operating room is growing as more hospitals and surgeons adopt this approach to treatment and care. That’s particularly true in orthopedics, with some estimates predicting that 50% of all knee procedures will be robotic by 2027, up from 12% today. With almost 88% of knee surgeries still performed manually today, the long-term growth trajectory for robotics in orthopedic medicine could be impressive. It’s also growing from a large base. The addressable market for companies that can change the current economics of robotic surgery is significant. According to Fortune Business Insights, the orthopedic device market alone is forecast to grow by a CAGR of 4.5% through 2030, reaching $80.28 billion. Driving the growth is a rising prevalence of osteoporosis and musculoskeletal diseases, an aging population, and an increase in sports-related injuries. Mako Seems To Have A Lock On The Market … For Now Currently, the dominant player in robotic knee replacements is Mako, the unit of Stryker Corp. (NYSE: SYK) that makes robotic arm-assisted surgical equipment. It accounts for over 50% of Stryker’s surgical knee volume and 70% of the press-fit (also cementless) knees. Mako is unique in that it combines patient-specific CT-based planning with robot enabled saw cutting. This combination of personalized planning and efficient bone cutting has driven Mako’s popularity with doctors. But Mako has opportunities for improvement. The arm has only four joints, which appears to limit the workspace and potentially the ease of use for future applications. While Mako’s haptic constraints enhance safety over manual cutting, the virtual boundaries still require care and caution. Mako’s navigation also requires arrays rigidly fixed to bone with pins and manual point sampling. Navigation pins have been shown to introduce a risk of fracture and infection in some instances. New Player On The Scene Aiming For Dominance Monogram Orthopaedics Inc. (NASDAQ: MGRM) is taking a page from Mako, aiming to revolutionize orthopedic joint replacement surgery with its mBôs robotic technology that will aim to link 3D printing and robotics with advanced pre-operative imaging. Monogram’s mBôs is designed to enable precise virtual intraoperative assessment of patient specific laxity in order to plan where to make cuts for proper implant placement. These tools can dramatically simplify the complexity of joint reconstruction. With mVision, Monogram’s recently announced navigation solution, the goal is to increase the number of daily surgeries hospitals can perform, lower surgery costs, and minimize clinical risk. The robot is also designed for ease of use, aiming to minimize the learning curve and level of expertise needed. The company hopes that enhancements like these could help advance the standard of care in orthopedic robotics and hopefully make robots ubiquitous in the operating room. Monogram CEO Ben Sexson says the company’s ultimate vision is to combine a surgical robot that addresses economic and clinical pain points with more personalized implants. The company believes that the current generic, “one size fits none,” model is too costly and is not likely optimal for patients. Robotics could enable increased personalization of the implants. Monogram wants to get to a point where surgeons use 3D-printed implants that are designed based on the patient’s unique characteristics. The custom implants could enhance implant performance with, for example, improved coverage and minimized bone removal. The company believes custom implants could improve the initial stability of implants to facilitate bone ingrowth (which would reduce the need for bone cement to hold them in place). The vision is for the mBôs system to precisely cut the bone and put the custom implant in place. Sexson said the company is tracking to commercialize a robot that solves clinical and economic problems, while also enabling the next generation of 3D printed patient optimized implants. Promising Progress In preclinical trials that simulated cadaver surgeries with an mBôs prototype, Monogram reports that the robot was able to prepare the bone for implantation in approximately 40 minutes, which is significantly faster than the time it takes today. The company’s goal is to cut that down to 20 minutes. “The mBôs robot aims to combine safety, ease of use, streamlined cost, novel implant design, broad clinical functionality, and speed to help drive the next wave of robotic adoption in orthopedics,” Monogram says on its website. But it’s not only performing in trials. The company recently announced it delivered its first surgical robot to one of the world’s largest global robotics distributors. It marks the first sale for Monogram. “Delivering our first robot and realizing our first commercial revenues validates our technology and represents a pivotal milestone for our strategic roadmap,” Sexson said when announcing the milestone. “Our system is performing at an extremely high level. We now look forward to seeing how our robot competes and scales in the real world. We hope to see the mBôs robot contribute to advancing the standard of care for orthopedic patients worldwide.” The company has stated that its goal is to obtain FDA clearance as quickly and economically as possible. Further, they may have a strategy to exceed regulatory timeline expectations. "We have been exploring the technical feasibility of a semi-active system, and the results are promising," said Sexson. "A semi-active system could mitigate the possibility of a clinical trial and have distinct performance advantages over a fully autonomous system, such as cutting efficiency. We believe surgeons would be receptive to a robot with autonomous and semi-active modalities or a combination of both because of the distinct advantages of each system. This approach could theoretically be extremely favorable to our submission timeline." The company recently shared that it's on track with plans to submit its mBôs 510(k) for FDA clearance in the second half of 2024. The critical question is how long the company needs to obtain FDA clearance for its mBôs system. In its recently reported 10-K, it wrote, “Regulatory strategy can be dynamic as new facts and opportunities emerge. Our goal is to obtain FDA clearance as quickly and economically as possible. It is management’s interpretation of the FDA’s main cited technical differences of the “active” embodiment of our mBôs system with the predicate that could justify a clinical study to establish substantial equivalence, related primarily to foot pedal control of the system, i.e., hands-free active cutting. The company has been exploring the technical feasibility of a semi-active system (an embodiment that would not allow for remote operation) that we anticipate could minimize cited technical differences with our predicate and potentially obviate the need for clinical data with our 510(k) submission. Our preliminary market research suggests surgeons could be receptive to a robot with active and semi-active modalities. The company is exploring submitting a semi-active modality 510(k) first without clinical data and then submitting for the active modality after obtaining OUS clinical data. This approach is still under investigation but could theoretically be favorable to our commercialization timeline.” This interesting recent addition to the filing could be something to keep a very close eye on. Hospitals and surgeons are incentivized to find ways to more efficiently treat patients and ensure better outcomes. Robots are supposed to achieve that, but many on the market fall short. Monogram is focused on changing that with its mBôs robot. Featured photo courtesy of Monogram Orthopaedics. Benzinga is a leading financial media and data provider, known for delivering accurate, timely, and actionable financial information to empower investors and traders. This post contains sponsored content. This content is for informational purposes only and not intended to be investing advice. Contact Details Benzinga +1 877-440-9464 info@benzinga.com Company Website http://www.benzinga.com

March 19, 2024 08:10 AM Eastern Daylight Time

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Aqua Metals And 6K Energy Are Building The First Sustainable Circular Supply Chain In North America To Fuel The Growing Demand For Lithium Batteries

Benzinga

By Faith Ashmore, Benzinga The global expansion of the clean energy economy, particularly the rapid growth of lithium batteries, presents economic potential and opportunities, as well as challenges. The United States finds itself trailing behind countries like China and Korea, which have taken the lead in capturing and expanding these industries to meet the surging demand for electrified products. While the U.S. is making strides in building 'gigafactories' over the next decade, with a manufacturing capacity of nearly 1 terawatt hour anticipated by 2030, industry leaders wonder if these alone will be enough to close the gap. There is also the question of the scarcity of the critical minerals needed for batteries. Establishing a new mine for battery-grade minerals can be lengthy, often taking seven to ten years to come online and start production. Without a sound supply chain of the critical metals needed for lithium batteries – like nickel, cobalt, copper, lithium and manganese – electric vehicle production can have sustained delays, which major car dealers witnessed in 2022 and 2023. One of the most sustainable ways to negate these complications is by building and commissioning recycling facilities, which can ramp up in as quickly as a year. Companies like Aqua Metals Inc. (NASDAQ: AQMS) are at the forefront of this transition, redefining the recycling landscape with innovative technologies that are helping deliver a path to net-zero battery recycling. This efficient recycling process aims to position the U.S. to become a competitive player in the expanding clean energy economy. Aqua Metals reports that it has multiple collaborations working toward building a circular supply chain for critical minerals, and it has partnered with 6K Energy, a leader in producing sustainable materials for lithium-ion batteries, to establish the first truly sustainable circular supply chain in the U.S. for critical minerals crucial to domestic lithium battery manufacturing. The partnership will yield an expansion of Aqua Metal facilities in Reno, NV, and a co-located facility at 6K Energy's PlusCAM site in Jackson, TN. These facilities will serve as hubs for producing low-carbon cathode active materials (CAM) for new batteries. Aqua Metals is known for its AquaRefining process, a sophisticated system that transforms lithium battery ‘ black mass ’ – the industry term for the composite of shredded battery metals and manufacturing scraps ready to be recycled – into high-purity, reclaimed materials ready to be delivered back into the supply chain. The company reports that the upcoming PlusCAM facility is set to make history as the world's first UniMelt plasma cathode manufacturing plant. To support the construction and expansion of PlusCAM facilities, 6K Energy has successfully raised over $350 million in funding. The Department of Energy has also provided a significant grant of $50 million towards this ambitious endeavor. “As the world grapples for control over the critical minerals essential for lithium batteries, together with 6K Energy we are building a resilient domestic supply chain for the valuable metals that will power an electrified future,” shared Steve Cotton, President and CEO of Aqua Metals. “Through our partnership, we will be able to make the best use of these scarce resources, recycling them back into the value chain by creating cathode battery material from recycled content – strengthening U.S. manufacturing capabilities and bolstering resilience to supply chain disruptions as we accelerate the clean energy economy.” This collaboration has the potential to pave the way for significant advancements in decarbonization and electrification efforts in the country. By repurposing end-of-life batteries and scrap materials, Aqua Metals and 6K Energy are proactively addressing the challenges associated with the supply chain of critical minerals. With the mounting dependency on battery technology and the need to recycle millions of tons of lithium-ion batteries in the coming years, adopting environmentally sound recycling methods is essential to support the deployment of clean energy technologies and combat climate change. Featured photo by Federico Beccari on Unsplash Benzinga is a leading financial media and data provider, known for delivering accurate, timely, and actionable financial information to empower investors and traders. This post contains sponsored content. This content is for informational purposes only and not intended to be investing advice. Contact Details Benzinga +1 877-440-9464 info@benzinga.com Company Website http://www.benzinga.com

March 19, 2024 08:05 AM Eastern Daylight Time

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News Release

Canadian politician urged to confront growing threat of Eco-terrorism

Troy Media

WINNIPEG, March 19, 2024 – A new study has issued a compelling call to Canadian politicians and policymakers to address the escalating danger posed by eco-terrorism within the country. The report, titled Confronting Eco-Terrorism: A Wake-Up Call for Canada, highlights the urgent need for action in response to a rising tide of extremism fueled by exaggerated beliefs about climate change. The study by Joseph Quesnel, research associate with the Frontier Centre for Public Policy underscores the disquieting trend of individuals being radicalized by alarmist narratives surrounding climate change, leading to increasingly extreme tactics that threaten public safety. Drawing parallels with international incidents, such as the tragic deaths of Lisa Webber and Dr. Habiba Hajallie in London i, the report warns of the potential for similar tragedies to occur within Canada if decisive measures are not taken. According to Quesnel, eco-extremism in Canada is particularly directed at oil and natural gas pipelines and is often led by anarchists under the guise of "anarcho-Indigenism." These extremists, motivated by so-called "anti-colonial" views and climate change alarmism, pose a significant threat to infrastructure and public safety. Furthermore, the study sheds light on the connections between eco-extremist groups and other movements, such as pro-Palestinian extremism, emphasizing the need for a comprehensive approach to addressing radicalization and extremism in all its forms. Quesnel stresses the importance of recognizing and confronting the ideological biases that contribute to the underestimation of eco-terrorism within Canadian institutions and society at large. "It is imperative that we acknowledge the real and present danger posed by eco-terrorism and take decisive action to prevent further escalation," he writes. The report calls for a co-ordinated effort involving federal government agencies, law enforcement, academia, and the media to counter the spread of extremist ideologies and mitigate the risk of eco-terrorism in Canada. Additionally, it emphasizes the importance of addressing the root causes of radicalization, including the role of alarmist climate change rhetoric in driving individuals towards extreme viewpoints. As Canada grapples with the complex challenges posed by climate change and extremism, the findings of this study serve as a stark reminder of the need for proactive measures to safeguard our communities and uphold the principles of safety and security for all Canadians. For media inquiries or to request a copy of the full report, please contact: For more information: Author Joseph Quesnel Research associate joseph.quesnel@fcpp.org David Leis VP Development and Engagement david.leis@fcpp.org 604-864-1275 About the Frontier Centre for Public Policy The Frontier Centre for Public Policy is an independent, non-partisan think tank that conducts research and analysis on a wide range of public policy issues. Committed to promoting economic freedom, individual liberty, and responsible governance, the Centre aims to contribute to informed public debates and shape effective policies that benefit Canadians. Just Stop Oil 'have blood on their hands' as two women die after Dartford Bridge protest – Daily Express

March 19, 2024 08:00 AM Eastern Daylight Time

Novidea’s New Product Release Offers New Features for its Insurance Management Platform for Customers in all Markets

Novidea

Novidea, creator of the cloud-based, data-driven enterprise insurance management platform for brokers, agents, MGAs/MGUs, wholesalers, and carriers, today announced its latest product release with key enhancements for customers across all markets served by Novidea. The most recent iteration of the Novidea insurance management platform brings forth advancements in policy management, claims administration, billing, accounting, document and file management, and other key areas. Novidea delivers on its commitment to continually invest in innovation and maintain its competitive edge for its global customer base. Some highlights of these new features include: Policy Management – The release brings forward key enhancements to features, including vertical placement allowing to record policies with differing premiums per carrier without splitting the placement into separate policies. Additionally, bordereau file ingestion is now supported, providing automation of policy creation and management for binder/lineslips where a 3rd party (e.g. coverholder) is providing risk or premium information through a bordereau. Enhanced functionality also includes upgrades to the deductions and taxes functionality and much more. Claims Management – Brokers can now experience a streamlined approach to linking claims that were raised for the same incident or share common attributes, to a group or a Lloyd’s catastrophe. Furthermore, CLASS (Claims Loss Advice and Settlement System) messaging is now available, enabling brokers to load claim data and supporting information so that insurers can agree, query and reject claims 'online'. Insurance Business Accounting (IBA) – New functionality includes a ledger view, allowing users to change parameters dynamically and perform advanced actions. Additionally, support for the diffe rent brokerage movement types deliver better transparency and reporting of brokerage movements between booked, earned and realized brokerage. Line-of-Business (LOB) Management – The release introduces several LOB enhancements including the incorporation of state-specific sections following the ACORD standard. Additionally, the submission workflow has been improved to provide efficient creation and management of the submission process, an improved visibility into open quotes, related lines of business, and packages, as well as seamless advanced editing capabilities. Documents and Filing Management – The platform’s core file management module now allows advanced auto-filing functionality. Additionally, filed content can now be associated with a specific Legal Entity (LE) as defined and selected by the user. “Our recent release demonstrates our commitment to continuously innovate and provide improved customer experience,” said Erez Nissim, CTO of Novidea. "We are confident that our data-driven insurance management platform will continue to provide insurance organizations the technology and tools they need to manage complex transactions, drive efficiencies and fuel business growth.” Novidea is sponsoring Insurtech Insights Europe at the InterContinental London – The O2 – on March 20-21 in the panel discussion: “Breaking Down Silos: How digital transformation can unify your company under one vision,” and experts will be available in Stand A4. About Novidea Novidea is the leading Insurtech provider of a cloud-native, data-driven insurance management system. Using an open API architecture, Novidea’s software platform enables brokers, agents, MGAs, and carriers to modernize and manage the customer insurance journey, end-to-end, and drive growth across the entire insurance distribution lifecycle. The Novidea platform, built to leverage the power of Salesforce’s Big Technology, provides a complete ecosystem spanning every aspect of an insurance business, including a 360-degree view of the customer and all stakeholders, enabling full integration between customer-facing policy transactions and the middle and back offices. Brokers, agencies, and MGAs extract more value from their customer and policy data with actionable intelligence from any device, anywhere. Novidea supports more than 100 customers across 22 countries. Contact Details Michelle Barry +1 603-809-2748 Michelle.barry@chameleon.co Simon Hayes +44 7771 516544 simon@nextgencomms.com Company Website https://novidea.com/

March 19, 2024 08:00 AM Eastern Daylight Time

Builders Capital Appoints New Chief Sales Officer Expanding Nationwide Reach to Homebuilders

Builders Capital

Builders Capital proudly announces the appointment of Mark Woodbridge as the Chief Sales Officer, ushering in a new era of strategic growth and nationwide expansion for the company’s homebuilder outreach. With an impressive 28-year career in private finance and mortgage banking, Mark brings a wealth of expertise to his new role. Having been an integral part of the Builders Capital Management Team for the past nine years, Mark has excelled in various leadership positions, including Vice President of Strategic Accounts, National Wholesale Director, and National Sales Director. “Mark’s appointment as Chief Sales Officer signifies our commitment to continued growth and excellence,” affirms Rob Trent, CEO. Beth Glein, COO at Builders Capital praises Mark’s exceptional leadership style, emphasizing his hands-on approach, profound industry knowledge, and innovative finance strategies as pivotal factors in his appointment. “Mark’s instrumental contributions have propelled Builders Capital to become the top private construction lender nationwide,” remarks Glein. She expresses delight in partnering with him as they enter a new phase of organizational effectiveness. In his new capacity, Mark has restructured the sales organization, appointing: Alissa McCord as Director of Sales Support Rich D’Agostino as National Sales Leader Bryan Ruff as Director of Sales Operations This dynamic leadership team is tasked with providing comprehensive training and guidance to the sales force, ensuring alignment with company objectives, and optimizing opportunities within the residential homebuilder market nationwide. Expressing his enthusiasm for the role, Mark Woodbridge said, " I am honored and excited to lead our sales initiatives as Chief Sales Officer. Together, we will drive innovation, refine our strategies, and elevate Builders Capital to the next level of success. I am committed to fostering a culture of collaboration, customer satisfaction, and continuous improvement within our organization. " Under Mark's leadership, Builders Capital embarks on a transformative journey, poised to redefine industry benchmarks and consolidate its position as a pioneering force in residential construction lending. To learn more about Builders Capital and the construction loans they offer to builders and developers, visit builderscapital.com About Builders Capital Builders Capital is the nation's largest private construction lender, offering innovative financing solutions to a wide spectrum of developers and homebuilders. Loan products include options for Acquisition, Development, Construction, and Bridge financing, in the form of single-asset loans, portfolio loans, and revolving credit facilities. In addition to financing opportunities, Builders Capital borrowers can leverage national accounts for material purchase discounts, and access cutting-edge technology for project management, accounting, and BIM technology tools. Builders Capital is headquartered in Puyallup, Washington, with regional sales offices across the country. The management team at Builders Capital brings over 100 years of expertise in residential construction lending, home building, real estate development, and loan servicing. Learn more at: Builderscapital.com Contact Details Joann Whetstine joann.whetstine@builderscapital.com Company Website https://builderscapital.com/

March 19, 2024 07:03 AM Eastern Daylight Time

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