The MiningNewsWire Podcast

With COVID-19 ravaging the world, medical supply companies quickly became critically important.

Different companies provide different critical elements in the sad saga unfolding in this pandemic. Trxade Group Inc. (NASDAQ: MEDS) provides a technology platform to obtain essential resources to corner pharmacies across the entire nation, delivering products and facilitating services to combat the virus’ spread locally, where it matters most. Amazon.com Inc. (NASDAQ: AMZN) has hired thousands of extra staff to ensure the swift delivery of a diverse range of products while assigning other employees to work on developing virus testing. Supply chain management solutions company McKesson Corporation (NYSE: MCK) is using its focus on locally available resources to get people the care they need. Cardinal Health Inc. (NYSE: CAH) has joined an industry and FEMA coalition to increase supplies of critical PPE, and AmerisourceBergen Corp. (NYSE: ABC) has both donated money to organizations in need and quickly delivered a creative update to an app for those dealing with chronic conditions, helping them mitigate the threat of the disease.

With COVID-19 ravaging the world, medical supply companies quickly became critically important.

Different companies provide different critical elements in the sad saga unfolding in this pandemic. Trxade Group Inc. (NASDAQ: MEDS) provides a technology platform to obtain essential resources to corner pharmacies across the entire nation, delivering products and facilitating services to combat the virus’ spread locally, where it matters most. Amazon.com Inc. (NASDAQ: AMZN) has hired thousands of extra staff to ensure the swift delivery of a diverse range of products while assigning other employees to work on developing virus testing. Supply chain management solutions company McKesson Corporation (NYSE: MCK) is using its focus on locally available resources to get people the care they need. Cardinal Health Inc. (NYSE: CAH) has joined an industry and FEMA coalition to increase supplies of critical PPE, and AmerisourceBergen Corp. (NYSE: ABC) has both donated money to organizations in need and quickly delivered a creative update to an app for those dealing with chronic conditions, helping them mitigate the threat of the disease.

Reliance on foreign and malign sources for critical materials is a national security risk.

Though the United States is by far the largest consumer of uranium in the world, the country imports nearly 100% its uranium, much from state-owned foreign sources, strangling domestic suppliers and creating a hazardous situation for the U.S. supply chain and electrical grid. Many Americans may well know of the country’s near-100% dependence on China for critical rare earth elements. However, most may not realize that America is also nearly 100% dependent on uranium imports—increasingly imported from entities owned by the governments of Russia, China and their allies. Like rare earth elements, uranium is designated by the U.S. government as critical to the nation’s security and economic prosperity, and the Department of Interior warned, “This dependency of the United States on foreign sources [of uranium] creates a strategic vulnerability for both its economy and military to adverse foreign government action, natural disaster, and other events that can disrupt supply of these key minerals.” Energy Fuels Inc. (NYSE American: UUUU) (TSX: EFR), the United States’ leading domestic producer of uranium, has led the charge in efforts to warn the U.S. government about the security threats to uranium supply chain disruption, and also recently announced that it is working to help bring rare earth processing back to the U.S. by leveraging its White Mesa Mill. If the U.S. fails to act, 20% of the nation’s electricity — and 55% of its clean, carbon-free electricity — may become hostage to malign foreign sources of uranium, and recent events show that any supply chain disruption, malicious or well-intentioned, can have a devastating impact. Major companies across all segments have recognized the importance of streamlining supply chains, including Tesla (NASDAQ: TSLA), a company that relies on rare earth elements (REEs) to power its vehicles. Reliable, low-cost sources for uranium production exist in the United States, as well as from free-market allies. Canada-based Cameco (NYSE: CCJ) (TSX: CCO) is one of the largest global providers of the uranium fuel needed to produce clean energy, and Australian BHP Group (NYSE: BHP) provides needed minerals across the globe. Headquartered in Phoenix, Arizona, leading international mining company Freeport-McMoRan (NYSE: FCX) conducts a significant mining operation in North America, specializing in copper, gold, and molybdenum. The United States and its allies have the resources and know-how to produce uranium and rare earths, and it’s time to end risky market dominance by Russian and Chinese state-owned and subsidized enterprises.

Reliance on foreign and malign sources for critical materials is a national security risk.

Though the United States is by far the largest consumer of uranium in the world, the country imports nearly 100% its uranium, much from state-owned foreign sources, strangling domestic suppliers and creating a hazardous situation for the U.S. supply chain and electrical grid. Many Americans may well know of the country’s near-100% dependence on China for critical rare earth elements. However, most may not realize that America is also nearly 100% dependent on uranium imports—increasingly imported from entities owned by the governments of Russia, China and their allies. Like rare earth elements, uranium is designated by the U.S. government as critical to the nation’s security and economic prosperity, and the Department of Interior warned, “This dependency of the United States on foreign sources [of uranium] creates a strategic vulnerability for both its economy and military to adverse foreign government action, natural disaster, and other events that can disrupt supply of these key minerals.” Energy Fuels Inc. (NYSE American: UUUU) (TSX: EFR), the United States’ leading domestic producer of uranium, has led the charge in efforts to warn the U.S. government about the security threats to uranium supply chain disruption, and also recently announced that it is working to help bring rare earth processing back to the U.S. by leveraging its White Mesa Mill. If the U.S. fails to act, 20% of the nation’s electricity — and 55% of its clean, carbon-free electricity — may become hostage to malign foreign sources of uranium, and recent events show that any supply chain disruption, malicious or well-intentioned, can have a devastating impact. Major companies across all segments have recognized the importance of streamlining supply chains, including Tesla (NASDAQ: TSLA), a company that relies on rare earth elements (REEs) to power its vehicles. Reliable, low-cost sources for uranium production exist in the United States, as well as from free-market allies. Canada-based Cameco (NYSE: CCJ) (TSX: CCO) is one of the largest global providers of the uranium fuel needed to produce clean energy, and Australian BHP Group (NYSE: BHP) provides needed minerals across the globe. Headquartered in Phoenix, Arizona, leading international mining company Freeport-McMoRan (NYSE: FCX) conducts a significant mining operation in North America, specializing in copper, gold, and molybdenum. The United States and its allies have the resources and know-how to produce uranium and rare earths, and it’s time to end risky market dominance by Russian and Chinese state-owned and subsidized enterprises.

Reliance on foreign and malign sources for critical materials is a national security risk.

The United States is by far the largest consumer of uranium in the world, yet the country imports nearly all of its uranium from state-owned and subsidized foreign sources, squeezing domestic suppliers and putting the U.S. supply chain in jeopardy. Uranium is designated by the U.S. government as vital to the nation’s security and economic prosperity, and the Department of Interior warned, “This dependency of the United States on foreign sources creates a strategic vulnerability for both its economy and military to adverse foreign government action, natural disaster, and other events that can disrupt supply of these key minerals.” Energy Fuels Inc. (NYSE American: UUUU) (TSX: EFR), the United States’ largest domestic producer of uranium, has led recent efforts to warn the U.S. government about the security threats to uranium supply chain disruption and the vital importance of having a sustainable domestic uranium sector. If the U.S. fails to act, 20% of the nation’s electricity — and 55% of its clean, carbon-free electricity — may become hostage to malign foreign sources of uranium, and recent events show that any supply chain disruption, benign or intentional, can have devastating impact. Business takes supply chain security seriously, and government should too. Major logistics corporations such as XPO Logistics (NYSE: XPO) are solely devoted to providing supply chain solutions to the most successful business entities in the world. Similar attention to the nation’s supply of uranium must be addressed to ensure the continuity of the United States’ clean power supply. Reliable, low-cost sources for uranium production exist in the United States, as well as from free-market allies. Canada-based Cameco (NYSE: CCJ) (TSX: CCO) is one of the largest global providers of the uranium fuel needed to produce clean energy. UK-based Rio Tinto PLC (NYSE: RIO) produces uranium in addition to a myriad of other mineral resources, and Australian BHP Group (NYSE: BHP) provides needed minerals across the globe. The United States and its allies have the resources and know-how to produce uranium, and it’s time to end dangerous market dominance by Russian and Chinese state-owned and subsidized enterprises.

The United States is by far the largest consumer of uranium in the world, yet the country imports nearly all of its uranium from state-owned and subsidized foreign sources, squeezing domestic suppliers and putting the U.S. supply chain in jeopardy. Uranium is designated by the U.S. government as vital to the nation’s security and economic prosperity, and the Department of Interior warned, “This dependency of the United States on foreign sources creates a strategic vulnerability for both its economy and military to adverse foreign government action, natural disaster, and other events that can disrupt supply of these key minerals.” Energy Fuels Inc. (NYSE American: UUUU) (TSX: EFR) (UUUU Profile), the United States’ largest domestic producer of uranium, has led recent efforts to warn the U.S. government about the security threats to uranium supply chain disruption and the vital importance of having a sustainable domestic uranium sector. If the U.S. fails to act, 20% of the nation’s electricity — and 55% of its clean, carbon-free electricity — may become hostage to malign foreign sources of uranium, and recent events show that any supply chain disruption, benign or intentional, can have devastating impact. Business takes supply chain security seriously, and government should too. Major logistics corporations such as XPO Logistics (NYSE: XPO) are solely devoted to providing supply chain solutions to the most successful business entities in the world. Similar attention to the nation’s supply of uranium must be addressed to ensure the continuity of the United States’ clean power supply. Reliable, low-cost sources for uranium production exist in the United States, as well as from free-market allies. Canada-based Cameco (NYSE: CCJ) (TSX: CCO) is one of the largest global providers of the uranium fuel needed to produce clean energy. UK-based Rio Tinto PLC (NYSE: RIO) produces uranium in addition to a myriad of other mineral resources, and Australian BHP Group (NYSE: BHP) provides needed minerals across the globe. The United States and its allies have the resources and know-how to produce uranium, and it’s time to end dangerous market dominance by Russian and Chinese state-owned and subsidized enterprises.

The search for ways to improve mental health is driving expansion for a variety of companies looking to offer effective solutions, including treatments that are tapping into the power of psychedelic mushrooms.

Champignon Brands Inc. (CSE: SHRM) (OTC: SHRMF) (FWB: 496) is one of the innovators in this field, expanding through acquisitions and outside funding to support R&D and a growing product line focused on artisanal medical mushroom formulations and mushroom-infused functional beverage CPGs. It’s a range of products set to appeal to markets similar to Herbalife Nutrition Ltd. (NYSE: HLF), which provides nature-based products for physical and mental health. Biopharmaceutical company Axsome Therapeutics Inc. (NASDAQ: AXSM) is also tackling serious depression, with a new drug currently undergoing trials. Allergan (NYSE: AGN) has recently announced a new drug to tackle bipolar disorder, with a single treatment for both manic and depressive phases. Meanwhile Johnson & Johnson (NYSE: JNJ) is showing the power of previously scorned drugs with a ketamine-based depression treatment.

With China’s population now numbering 1.4 billion and internet use increasing at a tremendous rate, the future of SaaS Enterprise Solutions and online marketing has never looked brighter.

Despite causing a global economic turmoil and negatively affecting some sectors, such as hospitality and travel, the COVID-19 pandemic has led to a sharp increase in demand for certain industries, like online gaming and ecommerce. Quarantines and lockdowns are driving huge spikes in online traffic in China, and digital marketing — already on the rise — may be more effective than ever. iClick Interactive Asia Group (NASDAQ: ICLK) is among the leading providers of independent online marketing and enterprise SaaS solutions in China, supplying integrated tools for analyzing and improving advertising and marketing performance. One of the biggest players in online marketing in the region is Tencent Holdings Ltd. (OTC: TCEHY) whose multipurpose messaging, social media and payments application, WeChat, has reached a monthly active user base of over 1.1 billion. iClick has been a Platinum Service Partner of Tencent Social Ads, and has effectively captured the high growth of WeChat. Signifying tremendous market growth and opportunity, foreign companies have recently been targeting the East Asian market as well. American-based The Trade Desk Inc. (NASDAQ: TTD) is moving digital-marketing services into east Asia, starting with a partnership in Indonesia. Cloud-based software company Salesforce.com Inc. (NYSE: CRM) recently improved the partnership program it uses to provide marketing and other digital tools, and HubSpot Inc. (NYSE: HUBS) has been recognized as a leader in marketing automation, thanks to its suite of online services.

Globally, the world is focused on COVID-19, but the real challenge facing the healthcare industry may be something much less obvious: accessibility and affordable. Runaway prescription costs and access to quality healthcare are the predominant underlying issues of a system that likely will be severely tested by global COVID-19 pandemic.

While COVID-19 runs rampant worldwide, experts agree that science and technology will eventually find ways to deal with the ravaging disease. However, the pandemic has only exacerbated America’s real healthcare challenge — affordable healthcare and prescription medicines. The only sensible solution may be to marshal the forces of innovation and technology to improve and expand healthcare services, streamline operating expenses, expedite deliveries and mitigate runaway costs. At the epicenter of a multibillion-dollar opportunity, Trxade Group Inc. (NASDAQ: MEDS) (MEDS Profile) is delivering on a unique business strategy that makes healthcare and prescriptions more accessible, affordable and convenient, delineating Trxade in a fractured, inefficient industry. In testament to market opportunity, Amazon.com Inc. (NASDAQ: AMZN) has entered the space with its PillPack platform to simplify the prescription process for consumers. McKesson Corporation (NYSE: MCK), one of the largest pharmaceutical providers in the United States, serves both public and private sectors. Teladoc Health Inc. (NYSE: TDOC) provides virtual health solutions to millions of patients around the world, allowing round-the-clock access to doctors. CVS Health Corporation (NYSE: CVS) goes beyond the corner drugstore and plays a role in everything from care-management to cost-management systems, allowing quick responses to changing patient needs.

Despite causing a global economic turmoil and negatively affecting some sectors, such as hospitality and travel, the COVID-19 pandemic has led to a sharp increase in demand for certain industries, like online gaming and ecommerce. Quarantines and lockdowns are driving huge spikes in online traffic in China, and digital marketing — already on the rise — may be more effective than ever. iClick Interactive Asia Group (NASDAQ: ICLK) is among the leading providers of independent online marketing and enterprise SaaS solutions in China, supplying integrated tools for analyzing and improving advertising and marketing performance. One of the biggest players in online marketing in the region is Tencent Holdings Ltd. (OTC: TCEHY) whose multipurpose messaging, social media and payments application, WeChat, has reached a monthly active user base of over 1.1 billion. iClick has been a Platinum Service Partner of Tencent Social Ads, and has effectively captured the high growth of WeChat. Signifying tremendous market growth and opportunity, foreign companies have recently been targeting the East Asian market as well. American-based The Trade Desk Inc. (NASDAQ: TTD) is moving digital-marketing services into east Asia, starting with a partnership in Indonesia. Cloud-based software company Salesforce.com Inc. (NYSE: CRM) recently improved the partnership program it uses to provide marketing and other digital tools, and HubSpot Inc. (NYSE: HUBS) has been recognized as a leader in marketing automation, thanks to its suite of online services.

While COVID-19 runs rampant worldwide, experts agree that science and technology will eventually find ways to deal with the ravaging disease. However, the pandemic has only exacerbated America’s real healthcare challenge — affordable healthcare and prescription medicines. The only sensible solution may be to marshal the forces of innovation and technology to improve and expand healthcare services, streamline operating expenses, expedite deliveries and mitigate runaway costs. At the epicenter of a multibillion-dollar opportunity, Trxade Group Inc. (NASDAQ: MEDS) is delivering on a unique business strategy that makes healthcare and prescriptions more accessible, affordable and convenient, delineating Trxade in a fractured, inefficient industry. In testament to market opportunity, Amazon.com Inc. (NASDAQ: AMZN) has entered the space with its PillPack platform to simplify the prescription process for consumers. McKesson Corporation (NYSE: MCK), one of the largest pharmaceutical providers in the United States, serves both public and private sectors. Teladoc Health Inc. (NYSE: TDOC) provides virtual health solutions to millions of patients around the world, allowing round-the-clock access to doctors. CVS Health Corporation (NYSE: CVS) goes beyond the corner drugstore and plays a role in everything from care-management to cost-management systems, allowing quick responses to changing patient needs.

Champignon Brands Inc. (CSE: SHRM) (OTC: SHRMF) (FWB: 496) is one of the innovators in this field, expanding through acquisitions and outside funding to support R&D and a growing product line focused on artisanal medical mushroom formulations and mushroom-infused functional beverage CPGs. It’s a range of products set to appeal to markets similar to Herbalife Nutrition Ltd. (NYSE: HLF), which provides nature-based products for physical and mental health. Biopharmaceutical company Axsome Therapeutics Inc. (NASDAQ: AXSM) is also tackling serious depression, with a new drug currently undergoing trials. Allergan (NYSE: AGN) has recently announced a new drug to tackle bipolar disorder, with a single treatment for both manic and depressive phases. Meanwhile Johnson & Johnson (NYSE: JNJ) is showing the power of previously scorned drugs with a ketamine-based depression treatment.

The successful rise of fintech has inspired a similar wave of technological innovation in the insurance sector, as more companies are looking for ways to serve their customers.

InsuraGuest Technologies (TSX.V: ISGI) is one of the companies in this arena, providing software that eases the provision of insurance for specialist sectors. W.R. Berkley Corporation (NYSE: WRB) is adapting through the reorganization of its business, combining divisions and creating new ones as insurance necessitates change. Berkshire Hathaway Inc. (NYSE: BRK.A), like many other insurers, relies on data and analytics to constantly improve its understanding of the market and of insurance customers’ needs. Fairfax Financial Holdings Ltd. (OTC: FRFHF) is invested in a range of insurance companies around the world, providing the financial support for insurtech innovations. And AON plc (NYSE: AON) is experimenting with disruptive technology, such as blockchain in its insurance products, and has gained industry recognition for its work on cyber insurance.

InsuraGuest Technologies (TSX.V: ISGI) is one of the companies in this arena, providing software that eases the provision of insurance for specialist sectors. W.R. Berkley Corporation (NYSE: WRB) is adapting through the reorganization of its business, combining divisions and creating new ones as insurance necessitates change. Berkshire Hathaway Inc. (NYSE: BRK.A), like many other insurers, relies on data and analytics to constantly improve its understanding of the market and of insurance customers’ needs. Fairfax Financial Holdings Ltd. (OTC: FRFHF) is invested in a range of insurance companies around the world, providing the financial support for insurtech innovations. And AON plc (NYSE: AON) is experimenting with disruptive technology, such as blockchain in its insurance products, and has gained industry recognition for its work on cyber insurance.

The full promise of 3D metal printing is imminent as long-sought quality-control systems provide newfound ability to scale additive metal manufacturing.

From its inception by scientists at Los Alamos, Sigma Labs Inc. (NASDAQ: SGLB) has led the world in developing software that addresses serious quality-assurance issues in 3D metal printing. Now the company has moved from beta development and third-party validation to commercialization in an untapped $2 billion market as the only known provider of in-process, quality-assurance software to the commercial, 3D-metal-printing industry able to work across the majority of printers. Sigma Labs’ commercial launch was recently announced in a joint sales agreement with Materialise NV (NASDAQ: MTLS), a giant in the 3D printing industry. Materialise has built a 30-year reputation in 3D printing on an open system that integrates with hardware and software vendors to provide needed tools in the additive-manufacturing space. 3D printing is an integral part of business at software behemoth Autodesk Inc. (NASDAQ: ADSK), which makes 3D software tools for almost every industry, encompassing rapid prototyping, industrial manufacturing, architecture and more. ANSYS Inc. (NASDAQ: ANSS), a leader in engineering software, offers a complete simulation workflow for additive manufacturing that allows the transition of R&D efforts for metal additive manufacturing into a successful manufacturing operation. HP Inc. (NYSE: HPQ), a recognized leader in the printing industry, now provides both 3D-metal-printing hardware and software with the introduction of its HP Metal Jet technology.

As global tourism soars, integrated support services are increasingly important for both travelers and providers.

InsuraGuest Technologies Inc. (TSX.V: ISGI) is a SaaS (Software-as-a-Service) company leading the way on insurtech integration, with a software platform that covers both insurance and the technology mechanisms to book that insurance in the hospitality industry. Expedia Group Inc. (NASDAQ: EXPE) makes bookings easier through platforms covering accommodation, transport and other aspects of travel. Booking Holdings Inc. (NASDAQ: BKNG) also supports bookings, providing diverse and innovative services to draw customers’ attention. Many of the users of these sites end up at hotels run by Marriott International (NASDAQ: MAR), the world’s third-largest hotel chain, or Hyatt Hotels Corporation (NYSE: H), both of which have been expanding their portfolios of large mainstream hotels and more unusual properties.

InsuraGuest Technologies Inc. (TSX.V: ISGI) is a SaaS (Software-as-a-Service) company leading the way on insurtech integration, with a software platform that covers both insurance and the technology mechanisms to book that insurance in the hospitality industry. Expedia Group Inc. (NASDAQ: EXPE) makes bookings easier through platforms covering accommodation, transport and other aspects of travel. Booking Holdings Inc. (NASDAQ: BKNG) also supports bookings, providing diverse and innovative services to draw customers’ attention. Many of the users of these sites end up at hotels run by Marriott International (NASDAQ: MAR), the world’s third-largest hotel chain, or Hyatt Hotels Corporation (NYSE: H), both of which have been expanding their portfolios of large mainstream hotels and more unusual properties.

From its inception by scientists at Los Alamos, Sigma Labs Inc. (NASDAQ: SGLB) has led the world in developing software that addresses serious quality-assurance issues in 3D metal printing. Now the company has moved from beta development and third-party validation to commercialization in an untapped $2 billion market as the only known provider of in-process, quality-assurance software to the commercial, 3D-metal-printing industry able to work across the majority of printers. Sigma Labs’ commercial launch was recently announced in a joint sales agreement with Materialise NV (NASDAQ: MTLS), a giant in the 3D printing industry. Materialise has built a 30-year reputation in 3D printing on an open system that integrates with hardware and software vendors to provide needed tools in the additive-manufacturing space. 3D printing is an integral part of business at software behemoth Autodesk Inc. (NASDAQ: ADSK), which makes 3D software tools for almost every industry, encompassing rapid prototyping, industrial manufacturing, architecture and more. ANSYS Inc. (NASDAQ: ANSS), a leader in engineering software, offers a complete simulation workflow for additive manufacturing that allows the transition of R&D efforts for metal additive manufacturing into a successful manufacturing operation. HP Inc. (NYSE: HPQ), a recognized leader in the printing industry, now provides both 3D-metal-printing hardware and software with the introduction of its HP Metal Jet technology.

Demand for electric vehicle batteries is pushing up production of nickel, especially in Indonesia, where the government is moving to benefit from its natural resources.

One of the companies on the leading edge of this upward momentum is Pacific Rim Cobalt Corp. (CSE: BOLT) (OTCQB: PCRCF) (XFRA: NXFE), which is setting out a bold expansion plan following a successful exploration and development season in Indonesia last year. Other companies with interest in nickel production include Honda Motor Company Ltd. (NYSE: HMC) (OTC: HNDAF), which will be looking for more nickel as it increases its EV range. Tesla Inc. (NASDAQ: TSLA) also continues to push the boundary for EV and has seen its stock rise as the market grows. Toyota Motor Corporation (NYSE: TM) (OTC: TOYOF) is moving into EV, with millions of alternative fuel vehicles sold in the United States. Panasonic Corp ADR (OTC: PCRFY) is working with several of these companies to keep up the EV battery supply.

One of the companies on the leading edge of this upward momentum is Bolt Metals Corp. (CSE: BOLT) (OTCQB: PCRCF) (XFRA: NXFE), which is setting out a bold expansion plan following a successful exploration and development season in Indonesia last year. Other companies with interest in nickel production include Honda Motor Company Ltd. (NYSE: HMC) (OTC: HNDAF), which will be looking for more nickel as it increases its EV range. Tesla Inc. (NASDAQ: TSLA) also continues to push the boundary for EV and has seen its stock rise as the market grows. Toyota Motor Corporation (NYSE: TM) (OTC: TOYOF) is moving into EV, with millions of alternative fuel vehicles sold in the United States. Panasonic Corp ADR (OTC: PCRFY) is working with several of these companies to keep up the EV battery supply.