In today’s competitive global landscape, few minerals are as essential as nickel. Its unique properties make it indispensable to the energy storage market, where it powers lithium-ion batteries with greater durability, enhanced safety, and improved performance under a range of conditions. Additionally, more than 70% of global nickel is used in stainless steel, highlighting its broad industrial importance.
As a result, S&P projects that U.S. demand for nickel, cobalt, and lithium could grow by a staggering 23 times by 2035. What’s more, there’s five times more nickel than lithium in a typical lithium-ion battery, and it’s far more difficult to find.
The challenge? The U.S. contributes only a fraction of the world’s nickel production and imports 100% of what it consumes. Meanwhile, Indonesia and China are on track to dominate the nickel market, which is projected to control 71% of global production by 2030.
This makes the need for a domestic nickel supply not just critical—but fundamental to North America’s future energy independence.
Enter Alaska Energy Metals (TSXV: AEMC) (OTC: AKEMF). For some time, we’ve been closely tracking its exploration initiatives, which have uncovered significant deposits of nickel and other strategic energy metals at its Nikolai Project. The numbers are impressive: the property has nearly 3.9 billion pounds of indicated nickel (813 Mt @ 0.22% nickel) and more than 4 billion pounds of inferred nickel (896 Mt @ 0.21% nickel).
This resource size places Nikolai in the upper echelon of domestic nickel exploration projects. Yet, it continues to trade at a valuation well below its peers, creating a rare and compelling investment opportunity. With this project, investors gain exposure to a crucial domestic supply of nickel and other valuable minerals—and they’re doing so on the ground floor.
Add to that a proven management team with a track record of success and a secondary project with major upside potential, and you have one of the most exciting energy metal plays on the market today.
With that said, let’s dive in.
What is Alaska Energy Metals and its Nikolai Project?
Alaska Energy Metals is positioning itself as a critical player in the future of clean energy, offering a dependable and sustainable supply of high-quality nickel—a mineral the U.S. cannot afford to fall short on. Without AEMC’s contributions, the nation’s ambitious clean energy initiatives could face serious setbacks due to a mineral supply gap.
But beyond simply supplying nickel, AEMC’s research and exploration efforts provide invaluable insights into the scale and quality of its deposits, helping mining institutions and battery manufacturers optimize their operations. The company’s flagship Nikolai Project, located in Alaska, is proving to be a game-changer.
In March 2024, AEMC unveiled its updated NI 43-101 Mineral Resource Estimate (MRE) for the Nikolai Project, following a 2023 drilling program that consisted of eight diamond drill holes totaling 4,138 meters in the Eureka Zone. The company also acquired a comprehensive database of historical drill data from 1995 to 2012, offering a wealth of information. The results were striking:
Indicated MRE:
- 813 million tonnes grading 0.29% NiEq, containing:
- 3.871 billion pounds of nickel
- 1.276 billion pounds of copper
- 303 million pounds of cobalt
- 4.0 million ounces of platinum, palladium, and gold
Inferred MRE:
- 896 million tonnes grading 0.27% NiEq, containing:
- 4.225 billion pounds of nickel
- 1.040 billion pounds of copper
- 327 million pounds of cobalt
- 3.4 million ounces of platinum, palladium, and gold
These updates weren’t just about adding numbers. AEMC introduced 813 million tonnes of indicated resources, increased its inferred resource by 180%, and significantly improved project economics by reducing the strip ratio from 3.7:1 to 1.5:1 (visit this Mineral Resource Estimate for full disclosure). Even more compelling, they identified a high-grade core zone with a NiEq grade of 0.34%. This kind of efficiency not only boosts the project’s profitability but also lowers its carbon footprint—a win for both investors and the environment.
As a bonus, AEMC has partnered with the Colorado School of Mines and Virginia Polytechnic Institute to research the carbon sequestration potential of ultramafic rocks and tailings at Eureka. In other words, the partners are exploring how well they can absorb carbon dioxide using finely ground ultramafic rock. This has exciting ramifications as it could reduce the CO2 in the atmosphere, helping improve the environment, using a natural, carbon-negative technology.
And they aren’t stopping there. AEMC has doubled down on its efforts with further metallurgical testing at the Eureka Zone including bond ball mill grindability, flotation, and magnetic separation tests. The company also completed three drill holes for a total of 1,048 meters at its Canwell prospect, located east of the Eureka Zone–results are expected later this quarter.
Combined, the Eureka Zone and Canwell cover 10,683 hectares of land in Alaska’s tier-1, pro-resource jurisdiction. This continuous investment in these properties showcases the immense strategic value the project holds placing it in similar territory to Canada Nickel’s Crawford deposit (second largest nickel deposit globally).
With more than $8.68 million raised in its two recent offerings, the company has the capital and momentum to keep discovering more high-quality deposits at the Nikolai Project and beyond.
AEMC’s Angliers-Belleterre Nickel-Copper Project in Quebec
While Alaska Energy Metals has made waves with its flagship Nikolai Project, the company’s 100%-owned Angliers-Belleterre nickel-copper project in Quebec presents a compelling secondary opportunity that could significantly boost its total resource potential. Known for its high-grade Kambalda-style nickel-copper mineralization, Angliers-Belleterre has become a critical focus for further exploration.
To unlock its potential, AEMC recently conducted a machine-learning Mineral Potential Index (MPI), which synthesized both historical and current data to highlight four key areas of interest for exploration. This advanced analysis set the stage for the company’s next phase of evaluation in Fall 2024.
During Phase 2, AEMC performed a helicopter-borne VTEM Max electromagnetic geophysical survey. This survey covered 1,568 line kilometers to identify zones of conductive anomalies, which could indicate the presence of metallic sulfide mineralization. At the same time, the team collected 4,971 soil samples to detect metal ions that might signal valuable mineral deposits beneath the surface.
Once the results from these surveys are available in Q4 2024, AEMC will have a clearer view of the most promising drill targets. The combination of electromagnetic and soil anomalies often presents a compelling case for successful drilling, bringing the project closer to realizing its full potential.
But there’s more. In mid-October, the company announced an exciting possibility for Angliers-Belleterre—natural hydrogen (aka white hydrogen) accumulations. Following a discovery by neighboring claim owner Quebec Innovative Materials Corporation, AEMC was alerted to the potential for gas migration pathways and reservoir rocks on its property that could trap hydrogen gas.
If confirmed, this could open an entirely new capital stream for AEMC through the ownership of a low-cost, low-emission, and renewable energy source. As an initial step, the company plans to carry out soil gas sampling to evaluate the white hydrogen potential of its claims.
In all, Angliers-Belleterre is shaping up to be an exciting secondary project, with the potential to significantly expand AEMC’s resource base. Between its nickel-copper mineralization and the possibility of a clean hydrogen play, this project adds another layer of value to the company’s already impressive portfolio.
The Alaska Energy Metals Team
By now, you’re likely familiar with Gregory Beischer, the President and CEO of Alaska Energy Metals. With over 30 years of experience as a geologist and mining engineer technologist, Greg brings a wealth of expertise to the company.
His deep-rooted connection to Alaska’s mining industry dates back to 1995 when he first explored the Nikolai Project’s deposits with INCO—the very property AEMC owns today. During this time, he honed his understanding of magmatic nickel-copper-platinum deposits, a foundation that now drives AEMC’s exploration success.
Greg’s leadership is backed by a remarkable track record in Alaska’s mining sector. He served as President of the Alaska Miner’s Association, holds a board position at Alaska’s Resource Development Corporation, and serves on the Alaska Minerals Commission. As the founder of Millrock Resources, a successful project generator that raised over US$50 million, Greg’s ability to raise capital and forge key relationships is well established.
In addition to Greg’s leadership, AEMC has recently revamped its board of directors and advisory team, bringing in heavyweights from the mining and financial sectors.
The board now includes:
- Mario Vetro, an industry vet who has raised hundreds of millions of dollars for resource development projects, with experience in transactions ranging from $100 million to $1.5 billion.
- Tyron Breytenbach, a seasoned geologist with expertise in magmatic nickel deposits and capital markets; Tyron previously served on AEMC’s advisory team.
- Ian Stalker, the Executive Chairman of Bradda Head Lithium, and a key player in raising more than US$750 million for successful mining ventures.
On the advisory side, AEMC has built a formidable team of experts in capital markets, finance, U.S. government policy, law, and magmatic nickel geology. As Greg noted, “The Committee is a strong resource for the company’s management team to draw upon,” further strengthening AEMC’s strategic vision.
Rounding out the team is the newly appointed CFO, Kevin Ma, a Chartered Professional Accountant with extensive experience in the mining sector. Kevin is also the principal of Calibre Capital Partners and has served in key financial roles, like CFO, for several exploration and mining companies.
With a revitalized leadership team and an advisory board packed with industry experts, Alaska Energy Metals is poised to achieve its goal of becoming a major domestic supplier of critical and strategic energy metals for North America. As the company moves forward with its ambitious plans, the foundation has been set for substantial growth and success in a rapidly evolving market.
Final Thoughts
Alaska Energy Metals (TSXV: AEMC)(OTC: AKEMF) is rapidly positioning itself as a standout player in North America’s exploration mining sector, with the capital, projects, and leadership to back it up.
The company’s Nikolai Project has already unlocked significant economic value with nearly 3.9 billion pounds of indicated nickel and more than 4 billion pounds of inferred nickel on the property, and its Angliers-Belleterre Nickel-Copper Project holds immense potential as well.
Moreover, AEMC’s strong financial standing has been bolstered by recent funding initiatives, providing the necessary capital to advance its exploration programs. With new exploration efforts set to kick off soon, the company is primed to further increase its valuation and solidify its position in the market.
That, as well as a revitalized board and advisory team, provide it with critical expertise and a fresh perspective on how best to achieve its mission of becoming a leading domestic supplier of critical energy-related metals for North America.
This shaping up to be a highly attractive opportunity in the energy metals sector, and we will be following it closely.
To learn more about AEMC, visit alaskaenergymetals.com.
Disclosure/Disclaimer: We are not brokers, investment, or financial advisers; you should not rely on the information herein as investment advice. If you are seeking personalized investment advice, please contact a qualified and registered broker, investment adviser, or financial adviser. You should not make any investment decisions based on our communications. Our stock profiles are intended to highlight certain companies for YOUR further investigation; they are NOT recommendations. The securities issued by the companies we profile should be considered high risk and, if you do invest, you may lose your entire investment. Apollo Shareholder Relations and its owners currently hold shares in Alaska Energy Metals Corporation and have been compensated for content creation, amounting to forty-seven thousand dollars for a seven-month term. All content is being sent on behalf of Alaska Energy Metals Corporation by Apollo Shareholder Relations. Apollo Shareholder Relations and its owners reserve the right to buy and sell shares in Alaska Energy Metals Corporation without further notice, which may impact the share price. Please do your own research before investing, including reading the companies’ public filings, press releases, and risk disclosures. The company provided information in this profile, extracted from public filings, company websites, and other publicly available sources. We believe the sources and information are accurate and reliable but we cannot guarantee it. The commentary and opinions in this article are our own, so please do your own research.