Can you give an overview of Mi3 and the services the company provides to the mining industry?

Mi3 is a Montréal-based new-age financial communications company specializing in investor relations, public relations, market-making, and market intelligence services. In terms of investor relations, we do press releases, roadshows, proactive phone campaigns, online distribution, and insight reports to get our client’s good news out to shareholders, potential investors, and the financial community. We have an extensive database that is constantly updated which we can leverage for online distribution of information. With regard to our public relations activities, we have developed an extensive network across 18 cities in Canada, including Montréal, Québec City, Toronto, and Vancouver for companies to showcase themselves at an event and interact with possible new investors. Mi3 is specialized in building networks and communication to connect the mining industry with the financial community. To do so, we offer a unique tour across 15 cities in Canada: Brossard, Montréal, Boisbriand, St-Sauveur, Laval, Ottawa, Gatineau, Val d’Or, Amos, Rouyn-Noranda, Québec, Chicoutimi, Beauce, Magog, Sherbrooke, which gather around 30 high net worth individuals per show.

What value can Mi3 bring to explorers in the critical minerals space?

It can be of great value for an explorer to tour with Mi3, present their company and projects, and meet possible investors. Many mining companies do private placement, and we have a network of investors that would possibly like to participate. We have a significantly experienced team and have built up a great reputation for creating unique, customized services and programs for companies that want to get their communications out to the public. The value Mi3 offers is that we build bridges and create connections and we continue to expand our network across Canada.

What are your clients’ main concerns today?

Mining companies want to attract investment to advance their projects, whether it is in terms of permitting, ESG, or resource growth. Fortunately, the permitting process in Québec is fast. ESG is continuing to increase in importance for both mining companies and investors and we often advise clients in terms of their community engagement, social license to operate, and responsible mining practices.

Are you seeing an effort by the Québec government to incentivize more sustainable mining?

The government has the agenda to increase green areas and we have seen some claims that have not been renewed, being converted into these green areas. This is not necessarily a disadvantage to the mining industry as we need balance and we have enough land area in Québec to have both green areas and mining areas. However, we cannot decide where the deposits are and where a project would need to be generated and we have to keep in mind that mining contributes significantly to the economy and growth of communities. Québec’s regulations are friendly towards responsible mining, and we need to continue to focus on striking a balance between respect for the environment and the economic growth that can come from mining.

What is your outlook for M&A and deal-making in 2023?

Today, a significant number of junior explorers are fighting for limited funding, and due to this difficult environment, I believe we will see increasingly more M&A. As demands are also increasing, majors want to secure reserves and are thus looking for consolidation opportunities and viable projects they can add to their portfolios.

What are Mi3’s key strategic objectives for 2023 and moving into 2024?

Mi3’s strategy is to continue creating connections between the mining industry and the financial community. We aim to grow our network and expand into more cities across Canada to support the Canadian mining industry which is creating jobs and economic growth for the country. We are focused on creating valuable communications and interactions between individuals, industry players, and investors in this lucrative market space.