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But Beck and the Hurricanes decided they weren’t done, and the sixth-year senior delivered. Beck capped off a 15-play, 75-yard drive ending in a 3-yard touchdown run with 18 seconds left after making huge throws to set up the scramble.

The Georgia transfer completed 23-of-37 passes for 268 yards with two touchdowns to an interception, also rushing for a score. Beck never started in a CFP game at Georgia but is now leading the Hurricanes into the national championship game.

Now, Miami gets to return home, with the Jan. 19 national title game being held at Hard Rock Stadium in Miami Gardens, Florida. It has been a storybook run for the Hurricanes, who have gone from CFP bubble team to the national championship, where it’ll face the winner of Indiana and Oregon.

Here are the highlights from Miami’s 31-27 win over Ole Miss in the Fiesta Bowl.

Fiesta Bowl: Ole Miss vs Miami score

Fiesta Bowl: Ole Miss vs Miami highlights

This section will be updated.

Miami heading to national championship

Chambliss’ throw for the end zone is too long, and Miami comes back to win 31-27. The Hurricanes make a statement and are heading to the national championship game despite barely reaching the CFP.

Ole Miss not done yet

Chambliss hits on gains of 23 and 17 yards to put Ole Miss on Miami’s 35-yard line with five seconds left. The Rebels going to have a shot at the end zone here.

Miami goes on top

Carson Beck takes it himself for a 3-yard touchdown scramble to give Miami a 31-27 lead with 18 seconds left. What a drive for Beck, who leads the Hurricanes on a 15-play, 75-yard scoring drive where he made numerous big throws.

The sixth-year senior quarterback has delivered tonight.

Ole Miss takes lead

Ole Miss and Miami keep trading punches, and the Rebels deliver the latest jab. Trinidad Chambliss finds Dae’Quan Wright for a 24-yard touchdown, then hits Caleb Odom for the 2-point conversion.

The Rebels lead 27-24 with 3:13 left in the fourth quarter after the huge drive by Chambliss.

Miami responds

Carson Beck fires a quick pass to Malachi Toney, who does the rest as he runs 36 yards for the touchdown to give Miami a 24-19 lead with 5:04 remaining in the fourth quarter. It’s a huge response for the Hurricanes, who need only four plays and 1:56 of game clock on the scoring drive.

Ole Miss has to go find the end zone now.

Ole Miss takes lead

Miami holds Ole Miss out of the end zone, although the Rebels take a 19-17 lead on a 21-yard field goal by Lucas Carneiro. Ole Miss caps off its 13-play, 86-yard drive inside Miami’s 5-yard line without a touchdown.

Xavier Lucas disqualified for targeting

Xavier Lucas is called for targeting on Cayden Lee on a third-and-9 catch for a first down. The play results in a 15-yard penalty and Lucas being disqualified for the remainder of the game and likely the first half of the national championship game, should Miami win.

Kewan Lacy re-enters

Kewan Lacy takes his first carry of the second half. He’s now wearing a sleeve on his right leg as he battles a hamstring injury.

Ole Miss forces punt after back-to-back sacks

Ole Miss gets to Carson Beck on second and third down sacks by Suntarine Perkins and Will Echoles, respectively. The Rebels are up to four sacks on the night and have a chance to take the lead with 12:19 left in the fourth quarter.

This one is shaping up to have a fun finish.

Ole Miss makes field goal

Lucas Carneiro hits the upright again, however this time it doinks in for a 54-yard field goal make. Ole Miss trails 17-16 with 22 seconds left in the third quarter.

Carneiro is 3-of-4 on field goal attempts tonight.

Ole Miss intercepts Carson Beck

Ole Miss gets a huge turnover, as Carson Beck’s pass is tipped into the air at the line of scrimmage and intercepted by Kapena Gushiken in the red zone.

The Rebels take over at their own 24-yard line after the huge play, which keeps Miami from potentially taking a two-score lead late in the third quarter. Ole Miss still trails 17-13.

Ole Miss misses field goal

Multiple Miami defenders bobble a would-be interception on third-and-10, but it doesn’t matter as Lucas Carneiro misses a 51-yard field goal off the left upright. The miss is Carneiro’s first of his eight field goal attempts in the College Football Playoff.

Miami misses field goal

Carter Davis misses a 51-yard field goal to end the opening drive of the second half. Miami was set behind the chains on an intentional grounding penalty from Carson Beck, which came after Ole Miss dialed up some pressure.

Kewan Lacy injury update

Ole Miss star running back Kewan Lacy is dealing with a hamstring injury, and coach Pete Golding told ESPN’s Holly Rowe at halftime that the team would go over his issue in the locker room. Losing Lacy, who led the SEC in rushing touchdowns this season, would be a huge blow for the Rebels.

Lacy appeared to suffer the injury on his touchdown run in the second quarter and hasn’t appeared since.

Read more on Lacy’s status here.

Lucas Carneiro hits deep field goal

Wow, Lucas Carneiro sinks a 58-yard field goal to reduce Ole Miss deficit to 17-13 with 11 seconds before halftime. That kick would’ve been good from much deeper than 58 yards, as it had plenty of distance.

Ole Miss punts

Ole Miss hasn’t found much success offensively outside of Kewan Lacy’s long touchdown run. The Rebels have gained 43 yards on 17 plays outside of the 73-yard touchdown early in the second quarter.

Trinidad Chambliss is 6-of-8 passing for 42 yards.

Miami scores again

Keelan Marion is wide open downfield, and Carson Beck hits him easily for a 52-yard touchdown. Looks like a busted coverage by Ole Miss.

Beck is off to a fabulous start, as he has completed 14-of-18 passes for 156 yards with a touchdown. His yardage is already more than he had against Texas A&M and Ohio State in Miami’s other CFP wins.

Ole Miss ties it

Lucas Carneiro, the hero of Ole Miss’ win over Georgia in the Sugar Bowl, hits from 42 yards out to even the score at 10-10 with 4:38 left before halftime.

Miami might have been bailed out there, as it avoids being flagged for a late hit on Chambliss on third-and-7 from the 24-yard line.

Miami responds with long scoring drive

Miami responds with a huge drive ending in a 4-yard touchdown run by CharMar Brown to regain the lead. The Hurricanes take a whopping 7:41 of game clock after the 15-play, 75-yard drive.

Miami’s blueprint of long, grinding drives in the CFP continues to work.

Ole Miss strikes

All it takes is one play for this Ole Miss offense. Kewan Lacy houses a handoff after outrunning Miami for a 73-yard touchdown. The Rebels lead 7-3 after the first play of the second quarter, gaining its first first down of the game in the process.

Miami punts

A holding penalty and a false start on third-and-9 result in Miami punting on its second possession. Ole Miss takes over on its own 20-yard line and can likely run a play before the first quarter ends.

Miami forces another three-and-out

This Miami defensive just keeps getting pressure, as it has all postseason. The Hurricanes force another three-and-out and are living in the backfield so far, making things quite uncomfortable for Chambliss.

Miami takes 3-0 lead

Miami caps off a 13-play, 44-yard drive with a 38-yard field goal to take a 3-0 lead in the first quarter. The Hurricanes’ drive burns 6:59 of clock as Beck attempts four passes.

Ole Miss goes three-and-out

Miami picks up right where it left off defensively, forcing Ole Miss to a three-and-out. The Hurricanes take over with good field position on their own 45-yard line.

Ole Miss starts on offense

The first of two CFP semifinal games is underway. Ole Miss starts with possession in the Fiesta Bowl, and here comes Trinidad Chambliss.

Nick Saban assistants in CFP

All four remaining head coaches in the CFP are former assistants under Nick Saban at Alabama, including Ole Miss’ Pete Golding and Miami’s Mario Cristobal. ESPN’s ‘College GameDay’ asked each coach what they learned from Saban:

Will Trinidad Chambliss play next season?

Chambliss is currently awaiting a decision from the NCAA for a retroactive redshirt for the 2022 season, which would allow him to play the 2026 season.

The fifth-year senior spent four seasons at Ferris State, although he redshirted as a true freshman in 2021 before sitting out in 2022 as he battled health issues. He has already agreed to return to Ole Miss for next season, should he receive the eligibility waiver.

Mark Fletcher stats

Miami running back Mark Fletcher has been the Hurricanes’ best offensive player in the CFP so far. Here’s a look at how he performed in Miami’s two CFP wins, along with his season stats.

  • vs. Ohio State: 19 carries for 90 yards with two receptions for 25 yards and a touchdown
  • at Texas A&M: 17 carries for 172 yards
  • 2025-26 stats: 177 carries for 943 yards with 10 touchdowns; 16 receptions for 132 yards with two touchdowns

Where is Miami vs Ole Miss game today?

  • Location: State Farm Stadium (Glendale, Arizona)

Miami and Ole Miss will face in the Fiesta Bowl at State Farm Stadium in Glendale, Arizona, where the NFL’s Arizona Cardinals play their home games.

What TV channel is Miami vs Ole Miss on today?

  • TV: ESPN
  • Streaming: ESPN app | Fubo (free trial)

The CFP Fiesta Bowl semifinal between Miami and Ole Miss will air nationally on ESPN, with Chris Fowler (play-by-play) and Kirk Herbstreit (analyst) calling the game and Holly Rowe serving as the sideline reporter.

Streaming options for the game include the ESPN app (with a cable login) and Fubo, the latter of which offers a free trial to potential subscribers.

Miami vs Ole Miss time today

  • Date: Thursday, Jan. 8
  • Time: 7:30 p.m. ET
  • Location: State Farm Stadium (Glendale, Arizona)

Miami and Ole Miss are scheduled to kick off at 7:30 p.m. ET from State Farm Stadium in Glendale, Arizona.

Miami vs Ole Miss predictions, picks, odds

Odds courtesy of BetMGM as of Sunday, Jan. 4

  • Spread: Miami (-3.5)
  • Over/under: 51.5
  • Moneyline: Miami (-180) | Ole Miss (+150)

Prediction: Ole Miss 27, Miami 20

The magical run for Ole Miss continues, while the clock strikes midnight for Cristobal and Miami’s run. While the Hurricanes’ defense has carried them, Chambliss presents a different challenge and continues to make heroic plays to help the Rebels advance to the championship game. — Ehsan Kassim, USA TODAY.

Here’s who experts within the USA TODAY Sports Network picked to win the Fiesta Bowl:

  • Ole Miss 31, Miami 24: The Hurricanes’ pass rush put Julian Sayin in a blender in the Cotton Bowl. Trinidad Chambliss’ mobility and whirling dervish style should give the Rebels’ offense a chance the Buckeyes never had. On the other side of the ball, I trust Pete Golding to scheme up a defense that forces Carson Beck to win the game. Beck hasn’t thrown for more than 150 yards in either of Miami’s CFP wins, while the Rebels have proven you’ll need to score more than 24 points to beat them – heck, you may have to score 40. — Matt Glenesk, USA TODAY
  • Ole Miss 23, Miami 7: Miami has come out and exceeded all expectations, and that should be recognized. Beating Texas A&M and Ohio State in back-to-back weeks is huge for a program that backed into the CFP at the last moment. But Pete Golding proved his mettle as a coach going toe-to-toe against an SEC behemoth in Georgia, and he should find a way to make Carson Beck’s life difficult. Combine that with how difficult it is to contain Trinidad Chambliss, despite the utterly elite pass rushers Miami has, and it’s a tough matchup for Miami. To its credit, the past two have been tough as well. But the buck stops in Glendale. — Kevin Skiver, USA TODAY
  • Miami 27, Ole Miss 23: At some point —and this may just be stubbornly holding on to a week-old opinion — the inherent instability and awkwardness of the Rebels’ situation is going to be a factor, though it obviously hasn’t through two games in the playoff. Trinidad Chambliss is mesmerizing, but he hasn’t faced a pass rush quite as ferocious as Miami’s, and the Hurricanes’ offense will do just enough to keep their run going all the way to the title game. The prospect of a turnover-filled dud for Carson Beck only makes me so confident in this pick, though. — Craig Meyer, USA TODAY
This post appeared first on USA TODAY

The Fiesta Bowl matchup between No. 6 Mississippi and No. 10 Miami turned into an instant classic, with the Hurricanes coming from behind to win 31-27 and advance to the College Football Playoff championship game.

Of course, it wouldn’t be a true CFP game without at least a little controversy — and the Hurricanes and Rebels delivered on the game’s final play.

After giving up a 3-yard go-ahead touchdown to Carson Beck with 18 seconds left, Ole Miss advanced to the Miami 35-yard line as Trinidad Chambliss completed passes of 23 and 17 yards, respectively, to set up one final shot at the end zone. Ultimately, his pass to De’Zhaun Stribling fell incomplete, with Miami defensive back Ethan O’Connor in defense.

However, Chambliss and the Ole Miss sideline were quick to call for a flag in the immediate aftermath of the incompletion, believing O’Connor had committed pass interference, which — had officials thrown a flag — would have set up another shot at the end zone, this time from the 20-yard line. Officials swallowed their whistles, ending the game.

Here’s a look at the play:

Here’s another vantage of the play, which shows O’Connor grabbing onto Stribling’s jersey as they both ran to the back of the end zone. O’Connor also appears to impede Stribling’s chances at making a play on the ball.

Ultimately, officials elected not to call pass interference, and Ole Miss fans and neutral observers alike weren’t happy officials did not call what they believed to be a game-changing penalty:

Did Miami commit pass interference? Social media reacts

This post appeared first on USA TODAY

  • Figure skater Maxim Naumov honored his late parents with his short program at the U.S. championships.
  • Naumov’s parents, both former Olympic skaters, were killed in a plane crash in January 2025.
  • He held a photo of his parents while awaiting his score, which temporarily put him in first place.
  • Naumov finished the short program in fourth place and is a contender for a spot on the 2026 U.S. Olympic team.

ST. LOUIS — Maxim Naumov wasn’t going to find out his score alone.

As the 24-year-old figure skater awaited the results of his short program at the U.S. championships on Thursday, he pulled out a photo. It was a picture of him, about 3 years old, holding hands with his mom and dad. It was the first time on the ice with white skates.

Naumov’s parents, Russian Olympic pair skaters Vadim Naumov and Evgenia Shishkova, were two of the 67 people killed in the January 2025 plane crash near Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport in Arlington, Virginia, that devastated the figure skating community. Vadim and Evgenia were two of the 28 coaches, young skaters and parents who were returning from a development camp in Wichita, Kansas, held in conjunction with last year’s 2025 U.S. nationals.

Naumov gave the photo a kiss. All he could think about were their smiles and what they would say to him.

The score was revealed. An 85.72. It put Naumov in first place for the moment. He burst into tears, holding that photo to his face as the crowd erupted in ovation.

It was his parents who got him on the ice, and in one of the biggest moments of his career, they were there to hold him one more time. 

“This program is very meaningful to me, and I spent so much time in practice connecting with it and evolving it and developing it to be as good as I can possibly make it,” Naumov told USA TODAY Sports. “To go out there and really share that emotion with everybody has been unreal.”

It’s been an emotional 12 months for Naumov. He didn’t know if he was going to continue competing after he lost his parents. But he decided to return to the ice, and it led to the beautiful moment inside Enterprise Center.

Anticipation had been building. The crowd gave him one of the loudest cheers of the night when he was announced for the warmups, and it only got louder when it was his time to take the ice. He told the NBC broadcast his family has a mantra: We have to fight. He was repeating it in his head as he walked the hallway before his performance.

He admitted it wasn’t a perfect skate, adding his dad probably would’ve told him to be “a little bit more confident.” However, he landed his jumps and avoided any major tumbles. He conveyed the emotions of the skate, the crowd taking the journey alongside him.

“I felt like I learned something new about myself every single competition that I did. Something new to work on after each one, something to focus on, something to drill in training, all leading up to this exact thing right here,” Naumov said. “It wasn’t perfect, but we still did so many of the things that we worked on, and I continue to do so.”

When he finished and he sat on the ice, the audience gave him a standing ovation. He soaked up all of it as he looked around the arena to see all the people applauding him.

“Sharing the vulnerability with the audience and me feeling their energy back has been something I remember for the rest of my life,” he said.

By the end of everyone’s short program, Naumov was in fourth place, less than three points behind third-place Jason Brown. He finished fourth at each of the last three nationals, but there is a chance for him to finish this year on the podium – and possibly achieve more by the end of the weekend.

Naumov is in the conversation to claim one of the three men’s spots the U.S. has for the 2026 Winter Olympics. Ilia Malinin is a shoe-in and Jason Brown will likely get the second selection, but the third spot is completely up for grabs. It could go to Naumov, Tomoki Hiwatashi, Andrew Torgashev or another skater.

Naumov has his eyes set on achieving “the ultimate goal” of his first Winter Olympics. He said one of the last conversations he had with his parents was about making it to Milano Cortina.

If he does get the nod, it won’t just be a major accomplishment, but also one of the biggest stories at the Games. But if he doesn’t, he has shown he is one of the most resilient skaters in the world, becoming someone you can’t help but root for.

“Even at a time like this, having the opportunity to be here again was just another example of how capable I am in really difficult times,” Naumov said. 

And he’s done it with mom and dad by his side.

Get our Chasing Gold Olympics newsletter in your inbox for coverage of your favorite Team USA athletes

This post appeared first on USA TODAY

Thursday night’s Miami Heat-Chicago Bulls game has been postponed ‘due to moisture on the floor rendering the court unplayable,’ the NBA said in a statement.

The announcement that the game at Chicago’s United Center was off came nearly two hours after the contest was supposed to tip off.

Per the NBA, ‘the date for the rescheduled game will be announced at a later time.’

The Jan. 8 game was scheduled to start a little after 8 p.m. ET (7 p.m. local). CHSN’s K.C. Johnson had reported at 8:49 p.m. ET that players had returned to the locker room and at 9:46 p.m. ET, Johnson reported that players had come back out to ‘mingle/talk and now are headed back to locker room.’

The Bulls said tickets for Thursday’s game ‘will be valid for the rescheduled game.’

‘We apologize for any inconvenience,’ the Bulls said.

Johnson reported the decision to postpone ‘was reached by the NBA in consultation with the officiating crew and both head coaches.’

‘We always want to try to go. But players were complaining about it on both sides,’ Heat coach Erik Spoelstra said, per Johnson. ‘Staff went out there and pretty much immediately we felt that it wasn’t playable.’

This story has been updated with new information.

This post appeared first on USA TODAY

The Philadelphia Phillies, frustrated in their negotiations to bring back free-agent catcher J.T. Realmuto, are looking into the possibility of shaking up their roster and finding a creative way to add free-agent infielder Bo Bichette, a high-ranking Phillies executive told USA TODAY Sports.

The official spoke on the condition of anonymity due to the sensitivity of ongoing talks, but confirmed a report by The Athletic that the Phillies scheduled a virtual meeting with Bichette on Monday, Jan. 12 to discuss the possibility of joining the Phillies.

Two Phillies executives cautioned that signing Bichette remains a long-shot, insisting it would be complicated and involve significant roster changes, but that it’s certainly possible.

The Phillies would have to cut off negotiations with Realmuto, trade third baseman Alec Bohm and his $10.2 million salary, find a team who would take right fielder Nick Castellanos and pay at least a small portion of his $20 million salary, and perhaps move others as well.

The Phillies’ interest in potentially signing Bichette came about after the holidays when Bichette expressed a desire in playing for them, particularly after the hiring last week of Don Mattingly as their bench coach. Mattingly was the Toronto Blue Jays’ bench coach the past three years and became close to Bichette.

Bichette, 27, who has played shortstop throughout his career, also said he would be willing to move to second base, where he appeared during the World Series, or even third base.

Certainly, there is competition for Bichette, who is seeking a long-term deal likely worth at least $250 million. If the Boston Red Sox can’t re-sign shortstop Alex Bregman, they’ll turn to Bichette. The Chicago Cubs have expressed interest in both infielders. The Los Angeles Dodgers would gladly sign Bichette if he was interested on a short-term contract. And the door isn’t shut on a return to Toronto, where he has spent his entire career.

Still, with a projected luxury payroll of about $300 million, according to Spotrac, the Phillies say they would need to clear salary for Bichette. They would also need to find a catcher to replace Realmuto, 35, their three-time All-Star and two-time Gold Glove winner, who has been instrumental in their four-year playoff run.

The Phillies say they’re serious, and perhaps by next week we’ll find out just how realistic this could actually become, with Bichette being the latest high-priced star to join the Phillies.

Follow Bob Nightengale on X @Bnightengale.

This post appeared first on USA TODAY

Blackrock Silver Corp. (TSXV: BRC,OTC:BKRRF) (OTCQX: BKRRF) (FSE: AHZ0) (‘Blackrock’ or the ‘Company’) is pleased to announce the completion of its non-brokered private placement (the ‘Offering’) previously announced on December 24, 2025. 2176423 Ontario Ltd., a company beneficially owned by Eric Sprott, purchased an aggregate of C$6,999,960 of the Offering. The Offering consisted of a total of 13,636,300 units of the Company (the ‘Units’) at a price of C$1.10 per Unit for gross proceeds of C$14,999,930. Each Unit consisted of one common share of the Company (each, a ‘Common Share’) and one-half of one Common Share purchase warrant (each whole warrant, a ‘Warrant’). Each Warrant entitles the holder thereof to acquire one Common Share at an exercise price of C$1.50 per Common Share until January 8, 2028.

Andrew Pollard, Blackrock’s President and Chief Executive Officer, commented: ‘Supported by Eric Sprott and a new cornerstone investor, this $15 million financing meaningfully strengthens our balance sheet as we advance Tonopah West toward development. As an emerging American silver developer, we are accelerating permitting and de-risking initiatives in 2026 to support the advancement of a secure, high-quality domestic source of silver for the U.S. market.’

The net proceeds of the Offering are intended to be used by the Company to fund exploration, permitting and pre-development activities on the Company’s Tonopah West project and for general working capital.

In connection with the closing of the Offering, the Company paid Research Capital Corporation (the ‘Finder‘) finder’s fees in cash totalling C$689,997 and issued to the Finder a total of 627,270 non-transferable finder’s warrants (‘Finder’s Warrants‘) in connection with the Units placed by the Finder. Each Finder’s Warrant entitles the holder thereof to acquire one Common Share at an exercise price of C$1.50 until January 8, 2028.

The participation of Eric Sprott in the Offering constituted a ‘related party transaction’, within the meaning of TSX Venture Exchange Policy 5.9 and Multilateral Instrument 61-101 (‘MI 61-101‘). The Company has relied on the exemptions from the formal valuation and minority shareholder approval requirements of MI 61-101 contained in sections 5.5(a) and 5.7(1)(a) of MI 61-101 in respect of the related party participation in the Offering as neither the fair market value (as determined under MI 61-101) of the subject matter of, nor the fair market value of the consideration for, the transaction, insofar as it involved the interested parties, exceeded 25% of the Company’s market capitalization (as determined under MI 61-101).

The Common Shares, Warrants and Finder’s Warrants issued in connection with the Private Placement and the Common Shares issuable upon exercise of the Warrants and Finder’s Warrants are subject to a hold period expiring on May 9, 2026.

The securities offered have not been, and will not be, registered under the U.S. Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the ‘U.S. Securities Act‘) or any U.S. state securities laws, and may not be offered or sold in the United States or to, or for the account or benefit of, United States persons absent registration or any applicable exemption from the registration requirements of the U.S. Securities Act and applicable U.S. state securities laws. This news release shall not constitute an offer to sell or the solicitation of an offer to buy securities in the United States, nor shall there be any sale of these securities in any jurisdiction in which such offer, solicitation or sale would be unlawful.

About Blackrock Silver Corp.

Backed by gold and silver ounces in the ground, Blackrock is a junior precious metal focused exploration and development company driven to add shareholder value. Anchored by a seasoned Board of Directors, the Company is focused on its 100% controlled Nevada portfolio of properties consisting of low-sulphidation, epithermal gold and silver mineralization located along the established Northern Nevada Rift in north-central Nevada and the Walker Lane trend in western Nevada.

Additional information on Blackrock Silver Corp. can be found on its website at www.blackrocksilver.com and by reviewing its profile on SEDAR at www.sedarplus.ca.

Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements and Information

This news release contains ‘forward-looking statements’ and ‘forward-looking information’ (collectively, ‘forward-looking statements‘) within the meaning of Canadian and United States securities legislation, including the United States Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. All statements, other than statements of historical fact, are forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements in this news release relate to, among other things: the net proceeds from the Offering and the intended use of proceeds therefrom; the advancement of the Tonopah West project towards development, including the acceleration of permitting and de-risking initiatives at the Tonopah West project; and the intention for the Tonopah West project to function as a future secure, high-quality domestic source of silver for the U.S. market.

These forward-looking statements reflect the Company’s current views with respect to future events and are necessarily based upon a number of assumptions that, while considered reasonable by the Company, are inherently subject to significant operational, business, economic and regulatory uncertainties and contingencies. These assumptions include, among other things: conditions in general economic and financial markets; accuracy of assay results; geological interpretations from drilling results, timing and amount of capital expenditures; performance of available laboratory and other related services; future operating costs; the historical basis for current estimates of potential quantities and grades of target zones; the availability of skilled labour and no labour related disruptions at any of the Company’s operations; no unplanned delays or interruptions in scheduled activities; all necessary permits, licenses and regulatory approvals for operations are received in a timely manner; the ability to secure and maintain title and ownership to properties and the surface rights necessary for operations; and the Company’s ability to comply with environmental, health and safety laws. The foregoing list of assumptions is not exhaustive.

The Company cautions the reader that forward-looking statements involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that may cause actual results and developments to differ materially from those expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements contained in this news release and the Company has made assumptions and estimates based on or related to many of these factors. Such factors include, without limitation: the timing and content of work programs; results of exploration activities and development of mineral properties; the interpretation and uncertainties of drilling results and other geological data; receipt, maintenance and security of permits and mineral property titles; environmental and other regulatory risks; project costs overruns or unanticipated costs and expenses; availability of funds; failure to delineate potential quantities and grades of the target zones based on historical data; general market, political, economic and industry conditions; and those factors identified under the caption ‘Risks Factors’ in the Company’s most recent Annual Information Form.

Forward-looking statements are based on the expectations and opinions of the Company’s management on the date the statements are made. The assumptions used in the preparation of such statements, although considered reasonable at the time of preparation, may prove to be imprecise and, as such, readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date the statements were made. The Company undertakes no obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements included in this news release if these beliefs, estimates and opinions or other circumstances should change, except as otherwise required by applicable law.

Neither the TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.

For Further Information, Contact:

Andrew Pollard
President and Chief Executive Officer
(604) 817-6044
info@blackrocksilver.com

NOT FOR DISTRIBUTION TO UNITED STATES NEWSWIRE SERVICES OR FOR DISSEMINATION IN THE UNITED STATES

To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/279846

News Provided by Newsfile via QuoteMedia

This post appeared first on investingnews.com

Investor Insight

Brightstar is a cash-flowing gold producer with a 4.0Moz Mineral Resource base and two major development hubs advancing toward investment decisions. Mining from two high-grade underground mines in Laverton, continuous high-grade drilling success and near-term production expansion positions the company for significant value creation in a record gold price environment.

Overview

Gold continues to demonstrate its strength as a store of value, reaching record highs above US$4,000 per ounce in 2025 amid persistent global uncertainty, inflationary pressures and heightened geopolitical risk. In this environment, investors are increasingly turning to high-quality Australian gold producers with scale, growth visibility and near-term catalysts.

Brightstar Resources (ASX:BTR) is strategically positioned to benefit from this macro setting as a cash-flowing, multi-asset gold producer and developer with operations and growth projects across the Goldfields (Laverton–Menzies) and Sandstone regions of Western Australia. The company now controls 3.9 Moz of mineral resources across these assets, providing a diversified and scalable platform for sustained growth.

Brightstar’s unique value proposition is centered on its existing production from two underground mines, which Brightstar operates directly rather than relying on external mining contractors. The Second Fortune and Fish underground mines are delivering consistent production under an ore purchase agreement with Genesis Minerals, generating cashflow that supports ongoing drilling and development studies.

The company’s growth is anchored by a dual-hub development strategy. In the Goldfields region, the company has completed a definitive feasibility study outlining ~70,000 ounces per annum of production over an initial five-year period, with a final investment decision targeted for early 2026. Ongoing underground and near-mine drilling continues to confirm mine life extensions and additional high-grade potential.

At Sandstone, Brightstar has consolidated a 2.4 Moz district-scale gold system following the Alto and Aurumin transactions and is now progressing a major PFS evaluating a new 4 to 5 Mtpa processing facility. More than 70,000 metres of drilling has already been completed toward a material mineral resource upgrade planned for mid-2026.

Together, these hubs underpin a pipeline of near-term and long-term catalysts supported by extensive infrastructure, a strengthened technical team, and a well-funded balance sheet. As Brightstar advances feasibility work, executes its multi-rig drilling programs, and expands its production profile, the company is well placed to deliver meaningful shareholder value in a rising gold price environment.

Company Highlights

  • ASX-listed gold producer and developer with a consolidated 3.9 Moz mineral resource base at 1.5 g/t gold, spanning the Goldfields portfolio (Laverton + Menzies projects) and the Sandstone Hub in Western Australia.
  • Established Goldfields production base, with Brightstar operating two underground mines – Second Fortune and Fish – within the Laverton area, supplying continuous gold production under an ore purchase agreement with Genesis Minerals.
  • Goldfields feasibility study (June 2025) completed, outlining ~70,000 oz of annual gold production over the first five years, with a final investment decision targeted for March 2026.
  • High-grade mine life growth targeted from the Goldfields underground mines, including depth and strike extensions at Fish and strong regional hits near Second Fortune.
  • Menzies Hub is positioned for future production, with Yunndaga advancing toward underground development following significant 2025 drill results, informing upcoming mineral resource and development updates.
  • Sandstone Hub expanded to 2.4 Moz at 1.5 g/t gold, with a major pre-feasibility study (PFS) underway for a 4 to 5 Mtpa processing facility and more than 70,000 m of drilling completed toward a material mineral resource upgrade in mid-2026.
  • Strong exploration momentum, with active drilling programs at Laverton and Sandstone and exceptional 2025 results, including 10 m @ 43.8 g/t gold at the Musketeer prospect.
  • Well-funded balance sheet, with ~$41 million in cash and liquidity (as of September 2025) and a revolving stockpile finance facility supporting continuous drilling and development activities.

Key Projects

Goldfields Assets (Laverton + Menzies)

Brightstar’s Goldfields portfolio combines the Laverton and Menzies hubs into a single, development-ready production centre. Together, these assets host a significant portion of Brightstar’s consolidated resource base and provide both near-term production and long-term growth opportunities.

Laverton Hub

Brightstar’s Laverton Hub comprises two operating underground mines – Second Fortune and Fish– and a series of advanced open pit deposits, including the material Cork Tree Well and Lord Byron Deposits. These deposits sit on granted mining leases and benefit from established haul roads, existing mine infrastructure, and proximity to Brightstar’s planned processing facility.

Highlights:

  • Two operating underground mines: Second Fortune and Fish continue to deliver steady production into Genesis Minerals’ Laverton mill under the ore purchase agreement. Recent underground and surface drilling has confirmed strong continuity of mineralisation at depth, particularly at Fish where multiple lodes have been intersected, including 7.0m @ 3.31 g/t gold, 9.9m @ 2.90 g/t gold, and 1.1m @ 17.6 g/t gold.
  • High-grade near-mine discoveries: At Second Fortune, drilling at nearby prospects such as Linden Giant and Alawa has returned strong results (10m @ 9.83 g/t gold; 1m @ 53.8 g/t gold), demonstrating the potential for new satellite ore sources within 3 km of existing mine workings.
  • Large-scale open pit opportunity: Cork Tree Well and Lord Byron remain central to Brightstar’s long-term development plan. The planning scenarios outlined in the June 2025 feasibility study support multi-year open pit mining with robust production profiles and strong economic potential.

Growth Drivers:

  • Ongoing underground drilling campaigns at Second Fortune and Fish targeting mine life extensions
  • DFS optimisation underway to refine the design and throughput of Brightstar’s proposed 1 Mtpa to 1.5 Mtpa processing plant
  • Continued evaluation of near-mine targets leveraging existing infrastructure and haulage routes
  • Integration of new high-grade drilling into updated open pit and underground mine plans

Menzies Hub

The Menzies Hub comprises a district-scale mineralised corridor extending more than 20 km along the Menzies Shear Zone. These deposits lie directly adjacent to the Goldfields Highway and sit on granted mining leases, supporting near-term development readiness.

Highlights

  • Substantial resource base: The Menzies Hub hosts 0.7Moz @ 1.5g/t Au of mineral resources across multiple deposits including Lady Shenton, Yunndaga, Aspacia and the Lady Harriet system.
  • Advancing underground development: Yunndaga is emerging as Brightstar’s next underground mining front, with drilling completed in 2025 returning high-grade intercepts such as 16m @ 8.03 g/t gold and 8m @ 6.67 g/t gold. These results will underpin updated mineral resource and ore reserve estimates planned for late 2025.
  • Open pit opportunities: Lady Shenton and surrounding deposits are expected to support a multi-year open pit mining schedule, forming part of the production base in the Goldfields feasibility study. Permitting and approvals work is progressing, with first production targeted post-FID.

Growth Drivers:

  • Updated mineral resource for Yunndaga to support underground mine planning
  • Feasibility study optimisation to refine timing and sequencing of Menzies open pits
  • Ongoing engagement with regional mills to evaluate toll-milling options where appropriate
  • Progression toward a mining decision following completion of study phases

Sandstone Hub

Brightstar’s Sandstone Hub has been transformed into a major district-scale opportunity following the consolidation of Alto Metals and Aurumin’s Sandstone assets. The combined project now contains 2.4 Moz at 1.5 g/t gold, spread across multiple open pit camps including Lords, Vanguard, Indomitable, Havilah and Montague.

Highlights:

  • Significant resource growth platform: The ambition at Sandstone is to convert this extensive mineralised system into a long-life standalone operation. Brightstar has already completed more than 70,000 m of drilling since acquisition, with a major mineral resource update targeted for mid-2026.
  • High-grade exploration success: Recent drilling has delivered standout results such as 10 m @ 43.8 g/t gold at the Musketeer prospect, highlighting the potential for new high-grade zones within the broader system.
  • Processing pathway defined: A PFS is underway examining a new 4 to 5 Mtpa processing hub located at the historic Sandstone mill site, aiming to establish Sandstone as a cornerstone asset in Brightstar’s future growth.

Growth Drivers:

  • 120,000 m drilling program planned through June 2026 to upgrade key deposits to indicated category
  • PFS delivery targeted for mid-2026
  • Long-term development scenario supported by strong infrastructure and granted mining tenure

Management Team

Alex Rovira – Managing Director

Alex Rovira is a qualified geologist and an experienced investment banker having focused on the metals and mining sector since 2013. Rovira has experience in ASX equity capital markets activities, including capital raisings, IPOs and merger and acquisitions.

Richard Crookes – Non-executive Chairman

Richard Crookes has over 35 years’ experience in the resources and investments industries. He is a geologist by training having previously worked as the chief geologist and mining manager of Ernest Henry Mining in Australia. Crookes is managing partner of Lionhead Resources, a critical minerals investment fund and formerly an investment director at EMR Capital. Prior to that he was an executive director in Macquarie Bank’s Metals Energy Capital (MEC) division where he managed all aspects of the bank’s principal investments in mining and metals companies.

Andrew Rich – Executive Director

Andrew Rich is a degree qualified mining engineer from the WA School of Mines and has obtained a WA First Class Mine Managers Certificate. Rich has a strong background in underground gold mining with experience predominantly in the development of underground mines at Ramelius Resources (ASX:RMS) and Westgold Resources (ASX:WGX).

Jonathan Downes – Non-executive Director

Jonathan Downes has over 30 years’ experience in the minerals industry and has worked in various geological and corporate capacities. Experienced with gold and base metals, he has been intimately involved with the exploration process through to production. Downes is currently the managing director of Kaiser Reef, a high grade gold producer, and non-executive director of Cazaly Resources.

Nicky Martin – Chief Financial Officer

Nicky Martin is an experienced finance and accounting professional holding tertiary qualifications in accounting and finance and is a qualified CPA. Martin was previously the Head of Finance at Pilbara Minerals Ltd (ASX:PLS) where she oversaw and was actively involved in a rapidly growing mining success story.

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The global lithium market enters 2026 after a punishing 2025 marked by oversupply, weaker-than-expected EV demand and sustained price pressure, although things began turning around for lithium stocks in Q4.

Lithium carbonate prices in North Asia fell to four-year lows early in the year, triggering production cuts and project delays, before rebounding sharply in the second half. By late December, prices had jumped 56 percent from their January levels, signaling the start of a potential market rebalancing.

Analysts point to tightening inventories and high-cost supply under strain as early signs of a recovery, while long-term demand from electrification, energy storage and the energy transition remains intact.

Battery energy storage systems are emerging as a major growth driver, expected to account for roughly a quarter of global battery demand in 2025. In the US, storage could make up 35 to 40 percent of battery demand in the coming years, according to Benchmark Mineral Intelligence’s Iola Hughes.

“LFP is the story right now,” Hughes said, highlighting falling costs and technological innovation as key enablers for large-scale deployment. Global storage remains concentrated in China and the US, but new markets like Saudi Arabia are scaling rapidly.

As storage expands in scale, geography and strategic importance, it is set to become a central pillar of lithium demand heading into 2026.

1. Lithium Argentina (NYSE:LAR)

Year-to-date gain: 106.39 percent
Market cap: US$891.03 million
Share price: US$5.49

Lithium Argentina produces lithium carbonate from its Caucharí-Olaroz brine project in Argentina, developed with Ganfeng Lithium (OTC Pink:GNENF,HKEX:1772). The company was spun out from Lithium Americas in October 2023 and changed its name from Lithium Americas (Argentina) in January 2025.

In mid-April, Lithium Argentina executed a letter of intent with Ganfeng Lithium to jointly advance development across the Pozuelos-Pastos Grandes basins.

In August, Lithium Argentina agreed to form a new joint venture with Ganfeng Lithium that will combine the companies’ projects in the Pozuelos and Pastos Grandes basins of Salta, Argentina.

The joint venture will bring together Ganfeng’s wholly owned Pozuelos-Pastos Grandes (PPG) project and Lithium America’s Pastos Grandes and Sal de la Puna projects, in which Ganfeng currently holds a 15 percent and 35 percent stake respectively.

Once completed, Ganfeng will hold a 67 percent stake in the consolidated PPG project, and Lithium Argentina will hold a 33 percent interest.

In Q4, Lithium Argentina released a positive scoping study for the PPG project, confirming its scale and strong economics. The consolidated project hosts a measured and indicated resource of 15.1 million metric tons of lithium carbonate equivalent (LCE) and is designed for staged production of up to 150,000 metric tons per year over a 30 year mine life.

In the same announcement, the company confirmed receipt of an environmental approval for Stage 1 from the Secretariat of Mining and Energy of the Province of Salta.

Lithium Argentina released its Q3 results in November, noting approximately 8,300 metric tons of lithium carbonate production at its Caucharí-Olaroz operation during the quarter, with 24,000 metric tons produced between January and September.

Company shares rose to a year-to-date high of US$5.58 on December 31, in line with rising lithium carbonate prices.

2. Sociedad Química y Minera (NYSE:SQM)

Year-to-date gain: 87.39 percent
Market cap: US$19.66 billion
Share price: US$68.98

SQM is a major global lithium producer, with operations centered in Chile’s Salar de Atacama. The company extracts lithium from brine and produces lithium carbonate and hydroxide for use in batteries.

SQM is expanding production and holds interests in projects in Australia and China, including a 50/50 joint venture for the Mt Holland lithium operation in Western Australia. In July, the company produced its first battery-grade lithium hydroxide production at its Kwinana refinery in the state.

In late April, Chile’s competition watchdog approved the partnership agreement between SQM and state-owned copper giant Codelco aimed at boosting output at the Atacama salt flat. The deal, first announced in 2024, reached another milestone when it secured approval for an additional lithium quota from Chile’s nuclear energy regulator CChEN.

SQM ended the year finalizing the agreement. The partnership was formalized through SQM’s subsidiary SQM Salar absorbing Codelco’s Minera Tarar and being renamed Nova Andino Litio.

SQM reported a net income of US$404.4 million for the first nine months of 2025, rebounding from a US$524.5 million loss in the same period of 2024. Revenue totaled US$3.25 billion, down 5.9 percent year-over-year, while gross profit reached US$904.1 million.

The company’s third-quarter performance highlighted the turnaround, as SQM achieved record lithium sales volumes. It reported net income of US$178.4 million, up 36 percent from Q3 2024, and revenue of US$1.17 billion, up 8.9 percent. Gross profit for the quarter climbed 23 percent to US$345.8 million.

SQM attributed the rebound to higher realized lithium prices and improved operational efficiency, signaling a strong recovery trajectory for the remainder of 2025.

Shares of SQM reached a year-to-date high of US$71.63 on December 26.

3. Albemarle (NYSE:ALB)

Year-to-date gain: 64.29 percent
Market cap: US$16.71 billion
Share price: US$142.01

North Carolina-based Albemarle is dividing into two primary business units, one of which — the Albemarle Energy Storage unit — is focused wholly on the lithium-ion battery and energy transition markets. It includes the firm’s lithium carbonate, hydroxide and metal production.

Albemarle has a broad portfolio of lithium mines and facilities, with extraction in Chile, Australia and the US. Looking first at Chile, Albemarle produces lithium carbonate at its La Negra lithium conversion plants, which process brine from the Salar de Atacama, the country’s largest salt flat. Albemarle is aiming to implement direct lithium extraction technology at the salt flat to reduce water usage.

Albemarle’s Australian assets Wodgina hard-rock lithium mine in Western Australia, which is owned and operated by the 50/50 MARBL joint venture with Mineral Resources (ASX:MIN,OTC Pink:MALRF). Albemarle wholly owns the on-site Kemerton lithium hydroxide facility. The company’s other Australian joint venture is the Greenbushes hard-rock mine, in which it holds a 49 percent interest.

In late October, Albemarle signed an agreement to sell its 51 percent stake in its refining catalyst business, Ketjen, leaving it with 49 percent ownership, part of a broader portfolio reshaping that also includes the sale of Ketjen’s 50 percent stake in the Eurecat joint venture to partner Axens.

The combined deals are expected to generate approximately US$660 million in pre-tax cash proceeds and strengthen Albemarle’s financial flexibility. Both transactions are anticipated to close in the first half of 2026, subject to regulatory approvals.

In November, Albemarle reported third‑quarter results that reflected improved operations amid continued lithium market headwinds. The company logged net sales of roughly US$1.31 billion, a slight year‑over‑year decline driven by lower energy storage pricing.

Albemarle generated US$356 million in quarterly cash from operations, noting the company remained on track to reduce full‑year capital expenditures to around US$600 million while targeting positive free cash flow of US$300 million to US$400 million in 2025.

Shares of Albemarle marked a year-to-date high of US$150.01 on December 26, amid strengthening lithium prices.

4. Lithium Americas (NYSE:LAC)

Year-to-date gain: 47 percent
Market cap: US$1.24 billion
Share price: US$4.41

US-focused Lithium Americas is developing its flagship Thacker lithium Pass project located in Humboldt County in northern Nevada. The project is a joint venture between Lithium Americas at 62 percent and General Motors (NYSE:GM) at 38 percent.

According to the company, Thacker Pass holds the “largest measured lithium reserve and resource in the world.”

In March, Lithium Americas secured a US$250 million investment from Orion Resource Partners to advance Phase 1 construction of the project, which is expected to fully cover development costs through the construction phase. On April 1, the joint venture partners made a final investment decision for the project, with completion targeted for late 2027.

Shares of Lithium Americas surged in late September, rising from US$3.07 to US$7.37 in three days. Its share price reached a 2025 high of US$10.05 on October 13.

Lithium Americas’ share price rose on news of renegotiation talks over its US$2.26 billion Department of Energy loan tied to the Thacker Pass project. According to media reports, the Trump administration was seeking up to a 10 percent equity stake as part of amendments to the loan’s repayment structure.

In response, Lithium Americas offered no-cost warrants for 5 to 10 percent of its shares and agreed to cover related administrative costs, while requesting changes to the amortization schedule without altering the loan’s term or interest.

An agreement was reached on October 1 and Lithium Americas received the first US$435 million installment of the loan on October 20.

The company ended the year by announcing it was being added to the S&P/TSX Composite Index (INDEXTSI:OSPTX).

5. Sigma Lithium (NASDAQ:SGML)

Year-to-date gain: 20.23 percent
Market cap: US$1.5 billion
Share price: US$13.49

Sigma Lithium is a Brazil-focused lithium producer supplying chemical-grade lithium concentrate to the global battery market. The company operates the Grota do Cirilo project in Minas Gerais, one of the world’s largest hard-rock lithium operations.

Sigma’s Greentech industrial lithium plant currently produces about 270,000 metric tons per year of lithium concentrate, equivalent to roughly 38,000 to 40,000 metric tons of LCE. The company is building a second processing plant that is expected to lift total capacity to approximately 520,000 metric tons of concentrate annually.

In September, Sigma Lithium’s flagship Grota do Cirilo operation in Brazil faced both regulatory scrutiny and operational disruption.

That month, Brazilian prosecutors requested a pause in operations after a technical review flagged shortcomings in the project’s Environmental Impact Assessment, citing potential water-management risks to the Piauí stream from planned open pits, a key water source for nearby communities, particularly during droughts.

While it denied issues with its EIA, Sigma paused mining to upgrade equipment and improve efficiency. The company phased down operations in September and shut the mine throughout October, leading to a sharp drop in output.

In mid-November, Sigma reported a strong Q3 2025, with net revenue rising 69 percent quarter-over-quarter and 36 percent year-over-year. The company generated US$24 million from final price settlements on sales completed by the end of Q3, with a further US$4 million in cash expected from additional settlements.

Sigma also expects to receive approximately US$33 million from the sale of 950,000 metric tons of lithium-bearing material that can be reprocessed by its customers, providing an additional near-term cash inflow.

Operationally, it said mining activities would restart by the end of November, with full ramp-up targeted for the first quarter of 2026. Because the company took over mining operations from its equipment contractor earlier in 2025, the restart is supported by upgraded equipment leased directly from manufacturers and operated in-house.

Sigma Lithium shares rose to a year-to-date high of US$14.50 on December 26.

Securities Disclosure: I, Georgia Williams, currently hold no direct investment interest in any company mentioned in this article.

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Commodities giants Rio Tinto (ASX:RIO,NYSE:RIO,LSE:RIO) and Glencore (LSE:GLEN,OTCPL:GLCNF) said on Thursday (January 8) that they have restarted talks about a potential business combination.

The two major miners spoke previously back in 2024, but failed to reach an agreement.

This time around, they say their preliminary discussions are centered around a combination of some or all of their businesses; this could include the acquisition of Glencore by Rio Tinto.

The news was first reported by the Financial Times, with both companies confirming the story via press release shortly thereafter. According to the news outlet, the combination of Rio Tinto and Glencore would create a massive mining company with an enterprise value north of US$260 billion.

The two firms have said there’s no guarantee that any transaction will go through.

However, it’s worth noting that Rio Tinto has changed leadership since the 2024 talks ended, with Simon Trott now at the helm. For its part, Glencore has reorganized its coal assets.

The Financial Times also notes that Glencore CEO Gary Nagle spoke last month about the importance of size in the mining industry, saying that bigger companies have various advantages.

“It makes sense to create bigger companies,” the executive explained to reporters. “Not just for the sake of size, but also to create material synergies, to create relevance, to attract talent, to attract capital.”

Regulations require Rio Tinto to announce its intentions either way by February 5 of this year.

Securities Disclosure: I, Charlotte McLeod, hold no direct investment interest in any company mentioned in this article.

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Yvonne Blaszczyk, president and CEO of BMG Group, sees the gold price hitting US$5,000 per ounce in Q1 on the back of a complex geopolitical landscape.

‘In terms of the geopolitical configuration of the world, we are witnessing history right now,’ she said.

Securities Disclosure: I, Charlotte McLeod, hold no direct investment interest in any company mentioned in this article.

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