Greetings Contrarian,

This is The Next Big Rush, your daily drop of mining/energy investing news. Where we come together on Saturday to read up and get equipped for Monday.

Here are the most important points :

🙅🏻‍♀️ First Nations Lay Claim To All Critical Minerals in SK, Canada

🐙 Countries Start Fighting Over Deep Sea Mining 

🫠 First Nations Lay Claim To All Critical Minerals in SK, Canada

In an expected unexpected move, First Nations in Saskatchewan, Canada are claiming all critical minerals and rare earth elements in the province after the government announced a new critical mineral strategy aimed at doubling production by 2030 and cheques have been written (conveniently). 

The Federation of Sovereign Indigenous Nations (FSIN) argues that the plan infringes on inherent and treaty rights. 

An unresolved dispute over whether land below the depth of a plough was shared through Treaties 4 and 6 has created legal uncertainty over mineral ownership. 

The FSIN is seeking a resource revenue-sharing agreement similar to those established in other provinces with First Nations communities. 

The Twittersphere is having quite a field day with this:

 🚨  Big Wigs Fight Over Ocean Floor Mining

Michael Lodge, the head of the International Seabed Authority (ISA), has been accused of abandoning neutrality as the body races to finalise regulations for deep-sea mining ahead of the expected application for commercial mining later this year. 

Diplomats claim that Lodge has overstepped his role in pushing for a faster start to deep-sea mining and opposing measures from some council members that could slow down mining proposals. 

Germany, Costa Rica and France are among countries that have recently called for a “precautionary pause” or a ban on mining in the high seas. 

The debate has heightened in recent months because Canadian mining start-up, The Metals Company (NASDAQ: TMC) - formerly DeepGreen Metals, has said it intends to request approval this year to start mining as soon as 2024.

We’d love to know about the economics of this - I mean, how’s this possibly ever going to make a profit?

Happy Speculating!

The Editor

DISCLAIMER: None of this is financial advice. This newsletter is strictly educational and is not investment advice or a solicitation to buy or sell any assets or to make any financial decisions. Please be careful and do your own research.