Buzz on the Bullboards: Top Talked About Stocks During Volatile Times

(Image via Tilray Inc.)

A leading global cannabis-lifestyle and consumer packaged goods company, Tilray Inc. (NASDAQ: TLRY, Forum) has operations in Canada, the United States, Europe, Australia, and Latin America.

SweetWater Brewing Company, a subsidiary of Tilray, continues its westward expansion into both Washington and Oregon. With this multi-state expansion, SweetWater continues to hit major milestones as it celebrates its 25th anniversary this year, with the opening of SweetWater Colorado Brewing, its new brewery and taproom location in Fort Collins, Colorado, and the recent acquisition of classic craft beer brands Alpine Beer Company and Green Flash Brewing Co.

“There’s no better way to celebrate our 25th anniversary than to raise some pints of 420 with our new friends on the other side of the country,” said Freddy Bensch, co-founder and CEO of SweetWater.

“West-coast styles brews are what inspired the creation of SweetWater 25 years ago, and we’re excited to bring our beers and culture into these great craft beer states with more to come,” added Bensch.



SweetWater Brewing in partnership with Columbia Distributing will bring its core line of quality craft brews throughout both states, including its flagship SweetWater 420 Extra Pale Ale, H.A.Z.Y. IPA, and 420 Imperial IPA, in addition to its rotating variety packs featuring a variety of other heady brews, into local restaurants and bars, grocery chains, liquor stores and other retail establishments.

“After months of planning, we’re thrilled to finally be launching SweetWater and its brands across our distribution footprint,” said Columbia Distributing’s CEO, Chris Steffanci.

“As they continue to expand and grow within these new markets, we are pleased to be a partner alongside them as together we bring SweetWater brews to a wide range of consumers across the Pacific Northwest,” added Steffanci.

“The SweetWater brand has managed to expand across three west coast states in the past month, which has been an exciting journey and accomplishment for us,” said Zack Koenigsberg, Business Development Manager for SweetWater Brewing Company.

The expansion into Washington and Oregon marks the 39th and 40th states respectively, where SweetWater products will now be available for purchase.

SweetWater Brewing Company is an Atlanta-based craft brewery living by the motto “Don’t Float the Mainstream!”

In 2020, SweetWater was acquired by Aphria Inc., now Tilray Brands, Inc. a global cannabis-lifestyle and consumer packaged goods company. SweetWater Brewing Company is celebrating 25 years of heady beers in 2022 and is the 11th largest craft brewery in the nation, according to Brewers Association.

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Therma Bright Inc. (TSX-V: THRM, Forum) has received a patent from the US Patent and Trademark Office.

The patent is for a device that can apply heat and antimicrobial treatment through a detachable applicator comprising copper or silver to provide heat conductivity and an antimicrobial agent.

The device also includes a light source. This US patent applies to both Therma Bright’s InterceptCS Cold Sore Prevention Device and TherOZap Insect Bite Relief Device. Specific to the InterceptCS device, this heat and antimicrobial treatment technology is combined as the solution for the prevention of cold sores.

As for the TherOZap device, the treatment technology aims to reduce the inflammatory response, relieving the symptoms of pain, itch and inflammation associated with insect bites and stings.

Furthermore, as shared in earlier press releases, the company engaged a top Virology Research Laboratory in Canada to study the TherOZap technology’s ability to inactivate live Zika virus in culture media and that the TherOZap, which utilizes specialized materials, coatings and heat, was able to limit Zika virus replication in cell cultures.

“This is exciting news for Therma Bright and our TherOZap Insect Relief Device and InterceptCS Cold Sore Prevention Device,” shared Rob Fia, CEO of Therma Bright.

“This allowed U.S. Patent Application further protects our valued intellectual property as we continue to transform innovation into wellness,” added Fia.

Therma Bright is currently undergoing design upgrades to both devices and expects to complete prototyping during Q2. In addition, it plans to continue its research with the new TherOZap design on Zika and other mosquito-borne diseases during 2022.

Therma Bright, the developer of the smart-enabled AcuVid COVID-19 Rapid Antigen Saliva Test, is a progressive medical diagnostic and device technology company focused on providing consumers and medical professionals with quality, innovative solutions that address some of today’s most important medical and healthcare challenges.

The Company’s initial breakthrough proprietary technology delivers effective, non-invasive and pain-free skincare. Therma Bright received a Class II medical device status from the FDA for its platform technology that is indicated for the relief of the pain, itch, and inflammation of a variety of insect bites or stings.

ScreenPro Security Inc. (CSE: SCRN, Forum) has been awarded seven new COVID testing contracts from major film production companies in Vancouver and Toronto.

The company now has over 45% of the market share for COVID testing in the film production industry in Vancouver.

“We are excited that the company continues to gain a strong reputation in the film production industry and continue to be awarded contracts. We continue to forecast a strong 2022 with revenues from COVID testing and expansion into new offerings,” said Lena Kozovski, CEO of ScreenPro.

ScreenPro is a screening and medical technology company that provides turnkey screening solutions with its proprietary medical alerting software. ScreenPro’s access to multiple manufacturers of high-quality test kits and its strategic partnership with labs in British Columbia, Ontario and Québecallows ScreenPro to provide COVID testing solutions across Canada.

This company has its own medical doctor and nursing professionals with on-the-ground support staff and transportation, with access to high-quality PPEs to ensure that clients are protected in all aspects of their testing needs.



Datametrex AI Ltd. (TSX-V: DM, Forum) is a technology-focused company with exposure to Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning through its wholly-owned subsidiary, Nexalogy. The company announced the launch of a beta version of its Medi-Call telehealth app this week.

Medi-Call, a Canada-based subscription service that proactively connects patients with doctors, will begin beta testing the app today with a focused group of physicians and end-users in Ontario and Québec. The testing will allow Datametrex to make any necessary changes and ensure the best user experience for physicians and clients.

“To get the app ready for beta testing in this short period is a milestone for the company and shows our commitment and belief in the potential of the sector,” said Marshall Gunter, CEO of Datametrex AI.

“With this new application, we are looking forward to meeting the growing demand from physicians and potential patients by taking the next step to capture the full potential of Medi-Call’s services.”

The Medi-Call app will help physicians manage their appointments, while simultaneously providing faster treatment and care for patients. The launch comes at a time when digital access to healthcare is more important than ever, and current data shows more people are turning to telehealth for their basic healthcare and mental health needs, a trend amplified by the pandemic.


(Image via Datametrex AI Ltd.)

POET Technologies Inc. (TSX-V: PTK, Forum) is partnering with Liobate Technologies to incorporate advanced modulators onto POET’s optical engines for cloud and telecom applications.The thin-film lithium niobate (TFLN) modulators being implemented are a co-development project focused on delivering and commercializing a POET 400/800Gps transmit and receive optical engine. TFLN is known to capacitate high bandwidth, low insertion loss, nonlinear optical qualities, and is extremely reliable.

Dr. Suresh Venkatesan, CEO of POET Technologies, stated,
“Of all the materials currently under development for high-speed modulators, including monolithic silicon, indium phosphide and advanced polymers, we believe that TFLN offers the most promise for early commercial deployment and potential long-term success. “

The POET Optical platform is a hybrid integration technology that allows high-speed communication among all devices. The company is pursuing multiple paths for light modulation, including silicon, TFLN-based electro-optic modulators, and directly modulated lasers (DML) which do not require a separate device.

“Our goal is to match components to the superior optical and electrical performance characteristics of the POET Optical Interposer, enabling POET to introduce ground-breaking performance in optical engines and optical interposer-based photonic integrated circuits for high-speed transceivers and co-packaged optics applications,”

Lithium Niobate is known as the most reliable and low-cost substance used in modulators. However, due to its bulk and low power efficiency it has not been widely used in high-speed optical interconnects in cloud datacenters. The use of TFLN is enabling new applications in millimetre-wave data communications, telecommunications, sensing and quantum computing.

Tenet Fintech Group Inc. (CSE: PKK, Forum) is pre-registering small and medium-sized businesses for its Canadian Business Hub. This business uses analytics and AI-based services to facilitate transactions for businesses and financial institutions.

The hub will offer easy access to funding, marketing services, exclusive content, market intelligence and a network of business owners. Tenet is currently refreshing the platform with new features, including a COVID-19 resource center to help businesses prepare for a post-pandemic world.

Business owners can visit the official Cubeler website to pre-register.

“Given the challenges small businesses have gone through over the past three years in this country, I believe the launch of our Canadian Business Hub will be more relevant than ever in terms of its value proposition to Canadian entrepreneurs,” stated, Johnson Joseph, Tenet’s CEO.




Trevali Mining Corp. (TSX: TV, Forum) has reported positive financial results for the three and 12 months ended December 31st, 2021.

The company reported annual production of 316.2 million pounds of zinc at an all-in sustaining cost of $1.05 (USD) per pound. This follows a downward adjustment of 6.2 million pounds at Perkoa.

2021 revenues increased by 61% to $343.7 million (USD) compared to 2020 due to a 32% strengthening of the average annual zinc price, and a 47% decrease in treatment charges. Trevali reduced significant incidents by 30% during 2021 compared to 2020. It saw a cash cost of $0.91 (USD) per pound of zinc and AISC of $1.05 (USD) per pound, flat relative to the prior year. All in costs were above revised guidance of $0.89 (USD) to $0.97 (USD) per pound.

Trevali also reports an adjusted EBITDA of $102.3 million (USD), $25.2 million (USD) of which in Q4 2021, representing a 23% and 25% increase over the prior quarter and Q4 2020. Operating cash flows before changes in working capital were $90.8 million (USD) for 2021 due to strengthened zinc, lead and silver prices and reduced zinc treatment charge rate.

Trevali experienced a net debt reduction of $27 million (USD) during the year to $78 million (USD), with $4 million (USD) of it being reduced during Q4 2021. It also successfully restarted operations at the Caribou Mine in March 2021 with a 21-month fixed-pricing arrangement at $1.25 (USD) per pound for 115 million payable pounds of zinc.

The Santander sale was finalized on December 3, 2021, with a 10:1 share consolidation. The sale resulted in a non-cash $19.2 million (USD) gain on disposal.


(Image via Ivanhoe Mines Ltd.)

Ivanhoe Mines Ltd. (TSX: IVN, Forum) is a Canadian mining company focused on advancing its three principal projects in Southern Africa: the development of major new, mechanized, underground mines at the Kamoa-Kakula copper discoveries in the Democratic Republic of Congo and at the Platreef palladium-rhodium-platinum-nickel-copper-gold discovery in South Africa, and more.

This week, IVN reported what it called “exceptional results” of an independent 2022 feasibility study for a Tier-one Platreef Palladium, Rhodium, Nickel, Platinum, Copper and Gold Project in South Africa.

Ivanhoe Mines President, Marna Cloete announced that Riaan Vermeulen has been appointed as Kamoa Copper’s new Managing Director. Effective June 1st, 2022, Vermeulen will work with Kamoa Copper’s current CEO Mark Farren to ensure a smooth transition.

Vermeulen has more than 32 years of underground and open-pit mining experience in various operational, project and technical management roles, including Acting Head of Mining: Base Metals for Anglo American. His most recent role was Head of Projects with Debswana Diamond Company in Botswana, where he was responsible for all major projects, including Jwaneng Underground, Orapa Cut 3 and Orapa 2 plant expansion projects.

Prior to joining Debswana, Vermeulen was Head of Business Planning and Investments, Head of Technical and Head of Mining with De Beers. Prior to that, he was Head of Mine Planning with Anglo Platinum. Vermeulen previously worked closely with Farren at Anglo Platinum, where they designed and built Anglo Platinum’s most efficient underground mine ─ the Middelpunt Hill Platinum Mine.

Vermeulen has experience across different commodities, including base metals (copper, zinc, lead, niobium, and phosphates), precious metals (gold and platinum) and diamonds. He has multi-geographical experience working in South Africa, Botswana, Namibia, Chile, Brazil, Ireland, and Canada.

He holds a Master’s degree in Mechanical Engineering and a Bachelor’s in Mining Engineering. He also is a registered Professional Engineer in Botswana and South Africa. Joining Vermeulen on Kamoa Copper’s executive management team is Zhang “Frank” Xingxun as Executive Director. Zhang is a long-serving senior executive with Zijin Mining and has held senior management positions at Zijin’s flagship Zijinshan Gold & Copper Mine and Smelter (Fujian), and Zijin’s Kolwezi copper operations – La Compagnie Minière de Musonoie Global.

During his career, Zhang has successfully implemented several large-scale technological projects for mine processing optimization, which has earned him numerous awards, including the Science and Technology Award issued by the China Nonferrous Metals Industry Association.

Kamoa-Kakula is the world’s fastest-growing major copper mine and began operations in May 2021 and produced approximately 106,000 tonnes of copper in concentrate in 2021. Kamoa-Kakula’s 2022 production guidance is between 290,000 to 340,000 tonnes of copper in concentrate.

Based on independent benchmarking, the project’s phased expansion scenario to 19 Mtpa would position Kamoa-Kakula as the world’s second-largest copper mining complex, with peak annual copper production of more than 800,000 tonnes.

Wallbridge Mining (TSX: WM, Forum) is engaged in the acquisition, discovery, development, and production of metals focusing on gold, copper, nickel and platinum.

Wallbridge is currently advancing the exploration and development of its Fenelon Gold property located in northwestern Québec.

This week, WM stated that it had completed a public offering for gross proceeds of $15,015,000 (CAD). The company issued an aggregate of 27,300,000 charity flow-through common shares at a price of $0.55 (CAD) per share. The proceeds will be used to support the company’s 2022 exploration program at the Detour-Fenelon Gold Property.

We end off another edition of Buzz on the Bullboards with our weekly Investor Pulse Poll survey. This time around, we want your opinion on what you think will be the strongest metals market in 2022? Click the image below to say where you are most interested in investing your mining dollars.


(Click on image to cast your vote.)

Looking at last week’s poll, it seems most of you who responded are confident that travel-related stocks will shape up to be a good play in the near future as COVID restrictions ease. Agree? Let us know your stance on the issue in the comment below.



For previous editions of Buzz on the Bullboards: click here.

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