North Arrow Minerals: Unexplored Gold in Botswana on a Silver Platter
From a macroeconomic and political perspective, Botswana has for years been one of the most remarkable success stories in Africa. This southern African country stands out for its political stability, legal certainty, and a comparatively transparent administration. While many African nations continue to grapple with regulatory uncertainties, Botswana enjoys an excellent reputation in the mining industry and was recently even ranked among the world’s most attractive mining regions. The Kraaipan Greenstone Belt, in particular, is considered one of the last large-scale, under-explored gold regions in southern Africa, whose potential has so far remained hidden beneath the Kalahari sand cover. However, modern exploration methods now make it possible to identify and systematically test promising targets even beneath this natural cover. As a result, Botswana could play a significantly more important role in the coming years—both in the supply of critical metals and in new gold discoveries—and develop into one of Africa’s most exciting mineral exploration destinations.
Canadian mineral explorers are regarded as dynamic gold prospectors, and North Arrow Minerals is no exception. The company sees itself as a technology-driven explorer focused on discovering new gold deposits in Botswana’s Kraaipan Greenstone Belt, a geological system approximately three billion years old located on the border with South Africa. The company now focuses almost entirely on its Kraaipan project, with its earlier activities in the diamond and lithium sectors taking a back seat. With a project area of 724 km², North Arrow effectively controls the entire northern extension of the Kraaipan Belt, which, on the South African side, already hosts the Kalgold Mine, which has been in production for decades. It is interesting to note that more than 80% of the Botswana project area is covered by Kalahari sands and has therefore historically been only limitedly explored. Management sees an opportunity here to identify previously overlooked gold systems using modern geophysical methods, drone-based magnetic surveys, and cost-efficient RC drilling. The latest drill results provide initial indications that this approach could bear fruit. At Target A, gold mineralization was confirmed along a trend approximately 700 m long, with several intervals yielding grades of up to 1.99 g/t gold (Au) over 7 m and 1.23 g/t Au over 9 m. In total, 12 out of 20 drill holes returned economically significant gold anomalies, underscoring the existence of a large-scale mineralized system.
Investors are presented with a large land package featuring low exploration costs. With a well-funded growth strategy, there is an opportunity to secure up to an 80% stake in the project. This is extremely exciting in the current environment. Should North Arrow succeed in converting the gold zones identified so far into contiguous and larger mineralized structures, this explorer—which has received little attention to date—could develop into one of the most interesting discovery stories in the African gold sector. All of this is available at a still-low market capitalization of around CAD 11 million. Do not miss out!
BYD: The Rise to A European Technology Leader
China has been active as an investor on the African continent for decades. Here, infrastructure services are provided, and in return, governments grant access to critical metals, which are in high demand—particularly in the fields of high-tech, energy infrastructure, and e-mobility. One of the most expansive corporations in the Asian hemisphere is BYD (Build Your Dreams). The automaker is pushing vigorously into the EU market; by 2025, its market share had already surpassed 1.5%. China’s serious intentions are evident in its latest foray into the luxury segment. Under the Denza brand, a sports car called the “Shooting Brake Z9GT” is now being offered at a six-figure price. Seven additional models are set to hit the German market by the end of the year, including the luxury D9 minivan. BYD is focusing on technical innovation and features, which in Germany are primarily aimed at the loyal premium clientele of Mercedes, BMW, Porsche, and Audi.
BYD is also setting new standards with its new “Flash” chargers. Charging a battery from 10% to 97% takes just 9 minutes. Europeans have long awaited this kind of battery technology. The vehicles have been intelligently adapted to European driving habits and design requirements. As of May 2026, 20,000 BYD vehicles had already been registered in Germany, and the market share for new vehicles now stands between 2 and 3%. The key advantage: with a production facility in Hungary, the import tariffs imposed by the EU no longer apply. BYD’s stock has been consolidating since mid-2025, when it reached a high of around EUR 17. At prices around EUR 9.10, analysts calculate a moderate P/E ratio of 11.2 based on expected 2026 earnings. Consolidated revenue is growing steadily by 7-10% per year, making BYD more affordable than it has been in years.
VW: No Good News from Management
Pressure in Europe is high, as recent statements from VW’s top management clearly indicate. According to a survey by Manager Magazin, some Volkswagen executives believe the Wolfsburg-based group’s very existence is at risk. “Critical”—that is the overall assessment from senior management. The fact that foreign manufacturers like BYD are putting intense pressure on VW’s main sales markets is nothing new, but the fact that the world’s second-largest automaker apparently cannot hold its ground is shocking. According to the report, there is broad consensus among executives regarding the company’s future direction, with a fundamental realignment being called for. This also includes a radical shift in strategy in Europe, China, and North America.
A price war is raging in the EU; in China, demand is weak and competitive pressure is high; and in North America, it is the Trump administration’s import tariffs. In addition to high operating costs in Germany, complex corporate structures, ongoing restructuring costs, and high investments in software and batteries continue to weigh on the company. Sales margins are falling, and internal productivity lags behind the competition. The problem: everything is hitting the table at once! Ongoing geopolitical risks, pressure to cut costs, and high raw material and energy prices. In this complex situation, VW will likely need to rethink its plant and workforce strategies further to restore competitiveness in the medium term. No easy feat! After a temporary recovery to just over EUR 100 in January, the share price, at EUR 87.50, remains only slightly above its 5-year low, despite a 2026 P/E ratio of 4.5. Continue to wait and see!
While BYD and VW are currently unable to deliver strong price performance for various reasons, the gold-related stocks Barrick Mining and North Arrow Minerals are performing more dynamically. A diversified mix across multiple sectors, currency regions, and jurisdictions can significantly reduce overall portfolio risk.
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