Insight Provider, CrossASEAN Research

Nicolas Van Broekhoven

Insight Provider

CrossASEAN Research

At CrossASEAN Research we strive to produce unbiased and differentiated on the ground insights on companies across South East Asia. Our Research is produced for the most part after face to face meetings and conversations with company management to dig deep into the long term vision and strategy of the companies we cover. We seek to deliver investable and actionable themes on sectors and markets across SE Asia, often in collaboration with other Insight Providers across the region, pooling the vast experience of the analysts within the Smartkarma Ecosystem. We also offer bespoke work and tailor made trips for our clients. 

Insights across South East Asia

Equity Bottom-Up

<ul>
<li>Since the start of 2025, Arras has released two batches of drill results from its exploration activities in Kazakhstan. Early results look very promising and the stock has reacted accordingly.</li>
<li>2025 is going to be a very busy year of newsflow for Arras with a lot of optionality to drive a further re-rating.</li>
<li>Arras remains a high risk/reward junior exploration company with a market cap of only 33M USD. Arras is targeting both copper and gold.</li>
</ul>


Since the start of 2025, Arras has released two batches of drill results from its exploration activities in Kazakhstan. Early results look very promising and the stock has reacted accordingly.
2025 is going to be a very busy year of newsflow for Arras with a lot of optionality to drive a further re-rating.
Arras remains a high risk/reward junior exploration company with a market cap of only 33M USD. Arras is targeting both copper and gold.


Arras Minerals: Promising Exploration Results Drive Stock up +96% YTD

Thematic (Sector/Industry)

<ul>
<li>The 2025 vintage of "5 High Conviction Ideas" showed a positive return for all five picks.</li>
<li>Our best performer was <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/arras-minerals-corp-0103ceb3-3087-43a7-8e88-cf54392e4429" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:41542:1" rel="noopener">Arras Minerals (ARK CN)</a>, which was up +150%, closely followed by <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/solaris-resources-inc" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:40176:1" rel="noopener">Solaris Resources (SLS CN)</a>, which gained 139% for the year. </li>
<li>Our 2025 vintage was heavily copper-focused, our 2026 new favorite list is more diverse across sectors and regions.</li>
</ul>


The 2025 vintage of "5 High Conviction Ideas" showed a positive return for all five picks.
Our best performer was Arras Minerals (ARK CN), which was up +150%, closely followed by Solaris Resources (SLS CN), which gained 139% for the year. 
Our 2025 vintage was heavily copper-focused, our 2026 new favorite list is more diverse across sectors and regions.


Overview of My Winners and Losers in 2025...and 5 High Conviction Ideas Going Into 2026

<ul>
<li>In April a Chinese buyer made an offer for Ross Beaty controlled <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/lumina-gold-corp" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:43346:1" rel="noopener">Lumina Gold (LUM CN)</a>, an Ecuador gold project. </li>
<li>One of our top picks <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/solaris-resources-inc" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:40176:1" rel="noopener">Solaris Resources (SLS CN)</a> surged on the back of this news as it indicates Ecuador is open for business after the re-election of President Noboa.</li>
<li>Copper prices have remained resilient despite ongoing "USA vs the World" trade war.</li>
</ul>


In April a Chinese buyer made an offer for Ross Beaty controlled Lumina Gold (LUM CN), an Ecuador gold project. 
One of our top picks Solaris Resources (SLS CN) surged on the back of this news as it indicates Ecuador is open for business after the re-election of President Noboa.
Copper prices have remained resilient despite ongoing "USA vs the World" trade war.


Junior Copper Miners: Ecuador Sees M&A Action by China

<ul>
<li>
<a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/solaris-resources-inc" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:40176:1" rel="noopener">Solaris Resources (SLS CN)</a> announced sweeping changes to its management and ties to Canada. It will also spin-off some of its exploration targets in a new company.</li>
<li>While its listing will remain in Canada for now, its physical presence in the country will cease and operations will be run out of Switzerland, Ecuador and Peru.</li>
<li>The shake-up is an answer to the Canadian government's decision earlier this year blocking Chinese <a href="https://www.smartkarma.com/entities/zijin-mining-group-co-ltd-h" target="_blank" data-smartkarma-citation="entities:6358:1" rel="noopener">Zijin Mining Group Co Ltd H (2899 HK)</a> from making an investment in Solaris.</li>
</ul>



Solaris Resources (SLS CN) announced sweeping changes to its management and ties to Canada. It will also spin-off some of its exploration targets in a new company.
While its listing will remain in Canada for now, its physical presence in the country will cease and operations will be run out of Switzerland, Ecuador and Peru.
The shake-up is an answer to the Canadian government's decision earlier this year blocking Chinese Zijin Mining Group Co Ltd H (2899 HK) from making an investment in Solaris.


Solaris Resources: Showing Canada the Middle Finger

Canada

Arras Minerals Corp. is an exploration stage company. The Company manages portfolio of copper and gold assets in northeastern Kazakhstan.

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Arras Minerals (ARK CN)

Arras Minerals: Promising Exploration Results Drive Stock up +96% YTD

Arras sees promising early results in Kazakhstan exploration, with potential for further re-rating in 2025. High risk/reward with focus on copper...

Nicolas Van Broekhoven

Overview of My Winners and Losers in 2025...and 5 High Conviction Ideas Going Into 2026

The 2025 "5 High Conviction Ideas" vintage had positive returns, with Arras Minerals and Solaris Resources leading the way. The 2026 list is more...

Nicolas Van Broekhoven

Junior Copper Miners: Ecuador Sees M&A Action by China

Chinese buyer's offer for Lumina Gold boosts Solaris Resources, signaling Ecuador's openness for business post-re-election of President Noboa,...

Nicolas Van Broekhoven

Solaris Resources: Showing Canada the Middle Finger

Solaris Resources announces management changes and spin-off, shifting operations out of Canada in response to government restrictions on Chinese...

Nicolas Van Broekhoven

Price Gauge

52-week Range

Market Cap (USDm)

P/E

Dividend (Yield)

Arras Minerals: Promising Exploration Results Drive Stock up +96% YTD

​Arras sees promising early results in Kazakhstan exploration, with potential for further re-rating in 2025. High risk/reward with focus on copper...

Nicolas Van Broekhoven

Overview of My Winners and Losers in 2025...and 5 High Conviction Ideas Going Into 2026

​The 2025 "5 High Conviction Ideas" vintage had positive returns, with Arras Minerals and Solaris Resources leading the way. The 2026 list is more...

Nicolas Van Broekhoven

Junior Copper Miners: Ecuador Sees M&A Action by China

​Chinese buyer's offer for Lumina Gold boosts Solaris Resources, signaling Ecuador's openness for business post-re-election of President Noboa,...

Nicolas Van Broekhoven

Solaris Resources: Showing Canada the Middle Finger

​Solaris Resources announces management changes and spin-off, shifting operations out of Canada in response to government restrictions on Chinese...

Nicolas Van Broekhoven

Arras sees promising early results in Kazakhstan exploration, with potential for further re-rating in 2025. High risk/reward with focus on copper...

The 2025 "5 High Conviction Ideas" vintage had positive returns, with Arras Minerals and Solaris Resources leading the way. The 2026 list is more...

Chinese buyer's offer for Lumina Gold boosts Solaris Resources, signaling Ecuador's openness for business post-re-election of President Noboa,...

Solaris Resources announces management changes and spin-off, shifting operations out of Canada in response to government restrictions on Chinese...