Metals One PLC (AIM:MET1, FRA:HT7, OTCQB:MTOPF) this week outlined progress across its gold and uranium project portfolio as chief executive Daniel Maling discussed the company’s near-term operational plans and financing strategy in an interview with Proactive.

Maling said Metals One continues to position itself as a project identifier, financier and developer focused on gold, uranium and AI-critical metals opportunities. He noted that the company has strengthened its market presence following its OTC Markets listing, while continuing to pursue assets with near-term development potential.

A major focus for the company is its involvement with Lions Bay Resources, which has secured a South African gold mining asset containing approximately two million ounces. Maling said the transaction is currently progressing through regulatory approvals, with the company awaiting a Section 11 notice from the South African Minerals Department.

He suggested the project could move into production later this year, initially targeting cash flow opportunities from tailings operations before transitioning underground at the Barbrook project in 2027.

Here, we take a closer look at what Mailing said when he joined the Proactive studio.

Proactive: Daniel, good to see you.

Daniel Maling: Yeah great, thank you.

Proactive: For viewers not familiar with the company, tell us a bit about Metals One.

Daniel Maling: Metals One is a project identifier, financier and developer with a focus around gold, uranium and AI-critical metals projects. The company has been listed for a few years and recently picked up an OTC Markets listing as well last year.

Proactive: Tell us about what you’re working on right now and the key priorities.

Daniel Maling: Core to us is consolidating our focus around gold and uranium as two key thematics. Our core gold project is through Lions Bay Resources, which has successfully acquired a mining asset in South Africa containing around two million ounces. We’re in the process of closing that deal and waiting on the Section 11 notice from the Minerals Department. Hopefully we can bring that into production later this year.

Proactive: Do you want to operate these projects directly or mainly provide financing and support?

Daniel Maling: There’s some nuance to that. We’re doing a bit of both at the moment. We’re teaming up with operating teams that know how to get the job done, while we leverage our capital markets and financing strength to support the projects. Ultimately, we may operate one or two projects ourselves, but for now we’re focused on financing and investor support.

Proactive: You also released news today regarding NovaCore Uranium. Tell us about that.

Daniel Maling: The NovaCore team has been progressing the project in the Red Basin in New Mexico. The group has strong uranium expertise, including people involved with UraMin. We’re hoping to begin drilling later this year. Importantly, we’ve demonstrated an uplift in value since entering the project. With an IPO planned later this year in the UK, we expect to have a carried interest through a drilling program next year.

Proactive: What are the key milestones over the next three to six months?

Daniel Maling: We’re focused on supporting Lions Bay Resources in South Africa, completing the Section 11 notice and moving toward operations. There’s potential for early cash flow from the tailings facility before moving underground at Barbrook next year.

We also have wholly owned operations, including the Swales Mountain exploration program, which we hope to announce further updates on later this year as we consolidate additional claims. In uranium, we’re working with DISA, which is using slurry waste recovery technology to potentially recover uranium from waste mine dumps in Colorado.

Proactive: Lastly, how important is the US market for Metals One?

Daniel Maling: It’s very important. We have projects based in the US, which resonates with investors. The stock has also traded well over the last year and into this year. The thematics are right, we’re well funded and there will be strong project news flow to keep investors interested.