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Nickel may not make the same headlines as other strategic critical metals, but this silvery-white metal is an integral component in a host of diverse applications from stainless steel production to energy storage technologies.
Indonesia, currently referred to as the “OPEC of nickel,” cranks out approximately 61% of the world’s refined nickel supply. This outsized control is further complicated by China’s heavy investment in the country’s nickel mining market. All of which could lead to a serious global supply chain disruption. The United States virtually produces no nickel while President Trump is making immediate decisive actions to bring critical and strategic metal production domestic.
Thankfully, active junior explorers like Alaska Energy Metals Corporation (TSXV:AEMC)(OTCQB:AKEMF)( FRA: V7F) are seeking to secure America’s access to nickel at its flagship Nikolai Nickel Project in Alaska. AEMC just released some more incredible news on this already highly successful, rapidly progressing deposit!
The company’s latest release celebrates a substantial resource expansion in nickel, copper, and other strategic metals at Nikolai, making it now the largest nickel project in North America.
What’s in the ground?
AEMC’s updated 2025 Mineral Resource Estimate (MRE) shows a substantial bump in tonnage and metal content What’s again unique for this second MRE update, is they can drill widely spaced holes and achieved these further incredible results off just four drill holes! The company now reports:
- 5.61 billion pounds of nickel and 1.77 billion pounds of copper in the Measured & Indicated category—a 46% increase from the 2024 estimate.
- 9.38 billion pounds of nickel and 2.43 billion pounds of copper in the Inferred category—a 122% increase.
- As well newly included critical minerals such as chromium and iron are further enhancing the deposit’s value.
What’s in the air?
The current US administration just gave a major boost to AEMC’s efforts with an Executive Order entitled “Unleashing Alaska’s Extraordinary Resource Potential” (January 2025). This sweeping edict aims to seriously ramp up domestic mining and resource production in Alaska, ensuring a stable U.S. supply of critical minerals.
Key points from the Executive Order that benefit Alaskan resource development are:
- Recognition of Alaska’s vast, untapped mineral potential.
- A push to build national stockpiles of critical and strategic metals, including nickel, copper, and cobalt.
- Increased access to federal and state lands for mining projects.
- A potential supply of low-cost energy from Alaskan natural gas to support mining operations.
- Reopening of the regulatory process for the Ambler Road project, which could unlock major infrastructure for mining in northern Alaska.
This Executive Order, and the wider move of US resource “onshoring” in general, has brought a resurgence of interest in Alaska based resource projects from the investment community. Just the announcement of the Executive Order gave the share price of AEMC a significant increase.
AEMC President & CEO Gregory Beischer commented:
“A new era has dawned in Alaska. The new administration recognizes the country’s vulnerability to metal supply chain disruptions and is taking concrete steps to address it. With Nikolai already among the world’s largest nickel resources, we expect strong federal support as our project aligns perfectly with the administration’s long-term critical metals strategy.”
Why should you care?
Exposure to critical minerals
Nickel, copper, cobalt, chromium, and platinum group metals are vital for the transition to clean energy and the development of modern technology. AEMC’s highly exceptional project will put you in a perfect position to prosper from the inevitable increasing demand for these materials.
Secure and strategic location
The Nikolai Nickel Project is in friendly territory. Alaska offers a reliable domestic source of critical minerals at a time when the U.S. government is prioritizing domestic supply chains for strategic resources. Also, the project’s location near existing infrastructure derisks the project even further as an investment opportunity. The project is easily accessed, located on flat terrain providing fast relatively inexpensive drilling costs, has no environmental concerns and solid community relations and government support.
Economically viable mining potential
The Eureka deposit delivers an exceptionally low strip ratio, the mineralization begins at surface and contains a higher-grade core at surface, potentially setting up an interesting cost-effective mining scenario. Also, even though metallurgical studies are ongoing, early indications suggest the deposit will respond well to conventional processing methods, further improving its economic feasibility. All of this could make this a project well suited for government support and rapid development to provide the crucial supply of nickel essential for the US economy.
Long-term growth potential
Further, the deposit still remains open in three directions, meaning repeated successful exploration could increase its size and value even further. This potential for continued growth significantly enhances the long-term investment opportunity for AEMC.
In the end
With critical metals demand rising globally, AEMC is uniquely positioned with strong potential to become a key supplier for the U.S. and beyond. Investors looking for exposure to the mineral-rich future of Alaska should keep a close eye on Alaska Energy Metals as it continues to advance the now world class and largest nickel project in North America.
Our profiles are intended to highlight certain Companies for your further investigation; they are not stock recommendations or constitute an offer or sale of the referenced securities. We are not securities dealers or brokers, investment advisers or financial advisers, and you should not rely on the information herein as investment advice.
On July 15, 2023, Alaska Energy Metals Corporation and Omni8 Communications Inc (Omni8), the owner of financialgambits.com, entered into a 12 month marketing agreement with total consideration of $10,000 CDN per month and a marketing budget of $500,000 CDN. Omni8 has received no further compensation for this article and related materials. Omni8 is a shareholder of Alaska Energy Metals by way of open market share purchases and holds stock options in the Company. Omni8 may purchase or sell shares of AEMC without further notice to readers. Due to this you must recognize the inherent conflict of interest involved that may influence our perspective of Alaska Energy Metals. Because we are shareholders of the Company our coverage of Alaska Energy Metals may highlight many of its positive aspects, and not necessarily the potential risks to its business or to investing in its stock. All information is taken from public and Company sources and believed to be fully disclosed and accurate. Our full disclaimer can be found here: Financial Gambits Disclaimer
