In this episode, we (Howard, Matt & Rodney) sit down with former Canaccord metals & mining analyst turned operator Eric Zaunscherb - now Chair of Critical Elements Lithium and Executive Chair at GR Silver Mining (GRSL) - to assess where we are in the cycle for TSX/TSXV juniors, gold, silver, and lithium, and what that means for retail investors.
What we cover (for investors) 🔍:
Cycle context: Eric’s slide deck tracks seven prior junior-mining recoveries over 43 years. The average up-cycle ran ~38 months with...
In this episode, we (Howard, Matt & Rodney) sit down with former Canaccord metals & mining analyst turned operator Eric Zaunscherb - now Chair of Critical Elements Lithium and Executive Chair at GR Silver Mining (GRSL) - to assess where we are in the cycle for TSX/TSXV juniors, gold, silver, and lithium, and what that means for retail investors.
What we cover (for investors) 🔍:
Cycle context: Eric’s slide deck tracks seven prior junior-mining recoveries over 43 years. The average up-cycle ran ~38 months with ~+180% magnitude; by his math, today’s move (which started in Q4-2023) still screens mid-cycle on both duration and magnitude.
Gold & silver dynamics: Why precious metals typically lead; how currency debasement and cleared inventories intersect with silver’s dual role (precious + industrial). We discuss silver’s by-product supply, recent volatility, and why it tends to outperform late in the move - and underperform on reversals.
Valuations you rarely see: EV per P&P reserves, M&I, and global resources across silver developers vs. gold peers - why silver reserves aren’t getting a premium yet (capital scarcity for build-outs), while gold developers have started to be rewarded.
Lithium reality check: Identified resources have doubled since 2022 (mostly DLE/clays), but commercial output remains anchored in hard-rock and salar brine. Developer multiples haven’t re-rated alongside gold/silver - creating scarcity value for conventional, financeable assets.
Quebec focus: Critical Elements’ Rose project optionality, the Nisk/Lion area (optioned to Power Metallic), and why Quebec’s clean grid + jurisdiction matter to Japan/Korea offtakers.
Energy storage (BESS) is the swing factor: Matt explains why most forecasts underestimate solar + storage, how grid constraints and fast-build lead times pull storage demand forward, and what that implies for lithium incentive pricing.
Policy & capital flows: AUS-US cooperation, potential shared infrastructure, and growing private/DFI capital for critical minerals.
Mini-segment: Alicia Mil(lne) - Q2 Metals update (Korea/Japan roadshow, assays pending incl. Hole 44: 457 m pegmatite intercept). Guidance: Q1 inferred resource, PEA work to follow; four rigs currently turning.
Why this matters (our take) 🤝:
- Know where we are in the cycle to size risk across producers vs. developers.
- See how capital availability is shaping valuation spreads (especially silver).
- Distinguish conventional, buildable lithium from higher-tech-risk stories.
- Treat BESS as a second demand engine (alongside EVs) with policy and grid tailwinds.
đź”” If you find this useful, subscribe for our weekly(ish) Rock Stock Recaps and interviews.
✉️ Join the list for Matt’s blogs/Lithium-ion Bull: https://rkequity.com/
Sponsors
- Lithium Royalty Corp (TSX: LIRC) - diversified lithium royalty portfolio.
(Website: https://www.lithiumroyaltycorp.com/ | X: https://x.com/Lithium_Royalty)
- USCF Investments - commodity-focused ETFs (e.g., CPER copper, ZSB battery metals, USG gold, SDCI diversified commodities).
(Website: https://www.uscfinvestments.com/Â | X: https://x.com/USCFInvestments)
ChaptersÂ
(00:00) Intro
(04:25) About Guest
(05:34) TSXV Recovery Cycles
(07:57) Cycle Drivers
(09:30) Silver's Dual Role
(11:05) Inventories & Volatility
(13:10) Silver Supply Constraints
(15:07) Silver's Bigger Swings
(15:46) Valuing Silver Developers
(18:36) Gold vs. Silver Valuations
(19:33) Gold Macro Setup
(22:45) Lithium Valuation Reset
(24:55) Resources vs. Supply
(26:52) Quebec Lithium Snapshot
(30:56) Strategics: Korea & Japan
(34:29) Trump/Australia Agreement
(37:42) ESS Demand Drivers
(43:58) Distributed Energy Resources
(48:28) Transmission Bottlenecks
(51:37) Wrap-Up
(51:57) Q2 Metals Update
(54:13) Drilling Highlights (Hole 44)
(54:55) Upcoming Milestones
(56:28) Financing Snapshot
Links
- Read Matt's research blog: https://blog.rkequity.com/
- Sign up for the Lithium-Ion Bull newsletter/Matt's Blogs: https://rkequity.com/
Have a question? Drop us an email: rockstockchannel@rkequity.com
Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/rockstockchannel
Podcast:
 Apple Podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/lithium-ion-rocks/id1457969172
 Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/0KiMIZOPaDg8ENfPJMSINq
X (Twitter):
 Howard: https://x.com/LithiumIonBull
 Rodney: https://x.com/RodneyHooper13
 Matt: https://x.com/matt_fernley
_________________________________________________
DISCLAIMER
Â
NOT INVESTMENT ADVICE. DO YOUR OWN RESEARCH
Howard, Matt and Rodney are not financial advisors nor broker-dealers, this video is for information purposes only and should not be considered investment or financial advice. Please do your own independent research and read the disclaimer at the end of the video or on RK Equity’s website https://www.rkequity.com
Intro and outro audio credit: Jamie Klein
#TSX #TSXV #Gold #Silver #Lithium #CriticalElements #GRSilverMining #Quebec #BESS #EnergyStorage #Solar #Pilbara #POSCO #Q2Metals #QTWO
