Discovery Financing Is Coming Back: This Nevada Explorer Is Positioned to Catch It
John Newell of John Newell & Associates explains why he thinks Ridgeline Minerals Corp. (RDG:TSX.V; RDGMF:OTCQB; 0GC0:FRS) is a Speculative Buy.
After years of stagnation, early-stage exploration is getting its groove back. Capital is quietly rotating back into juniors with tight structures, real technical ground, and near-term discovery potential.
Ridgeline Minerals Corp. (RDG:TSX.V; RDGMF:OTCQB; 0GC0:FRS) is one of the juniors positioned to benefit from this shift. The company is a discovery-focused precious and base metal explorer with a seasoned technical team and a 200 km? exploration portfolio spanning seven projects in Nevada, U.S.A.
Ridgeline combines 100%-owned assets (Big Blue, Atlas, Bell Creek, and Coyote) with three strategic earn-in agreements totaling up to US$60M in expenditures, two with Nevada Gold Mines (Swift and Black Ridge) and one with South32 (Selena). This is not a company chasing its next financing; it's positioned to chase its next discovery.
A Proven Nevada-Focused Team
Ridgeline's leadership is one of its core advantages. CEO and founder Chad Peters is a veteran exploration geologist with deep Nevada roots, having held senior technical roles at Premier Gold Mines (now I-80 Gold), where their team discovered over 10 Moz of gold.
Since founding Ridgeline in 2018, he has instilled a culture of disciplined, systematic exploration, prioritizing geology over hype and long-term value over short-term optics. His team includes professionals with track records of discovery and project advancement in Nevada, and their work has already drawn the attention of top-tier partners. Backed by smart money and driven by technical conviction, this is a team built to make discoveries and advance them responsibly.
The Chart: Coiled Between Support and Resistance
Ridgeline's chart continues to show a constructive technical setup that appears to be coiling for a move. After a powerful advance earlier this year, the stock has pulled back to a key technical juncture: the confluence of the rising long-term support line, the 200-day moving average, and the 0.618 Fibonacci retracement level.
This zone, roughly between CA$0.16 and CA$0.17, has already shown signs of providing support. The volume has tapered into this level, and the stock is now pressing against a declining downtrend line that has defined the corrective phase since the February highs.
A decisive breakout above this downtrend line, especially on volume, would likely trigger the next leg higher.
Technical targets remain intact:
CA$0.30, the former pivot and psychological levelCA$0.43, the upper boundary of the 2023 consolidation zoneBig Picture Target: CA$0.50, if a full re-rating unfoldsMomentum indicators are starting to turn. MACD is curling higher from deeply oversold levels, and RSI has reset into neutral territory. This is often the zone where trend reversals form especially when aligned with strong fundamental drivers.
This chart is no longer about "hope." It's about structure.
Ridgeline is basing on meaningful support, and a technical breakout above the trendline would likely draw renewed interest from both technical traders and sector-focused speculators.
The Investment Case for Ridgeline Minerals
Five Active Projects (seven in total) with a US$11M 2025 Exploration BudgetRidgeline has five projects being drilled this year, with US$9.5M of the US$11M exploration budget being funded by partners. The company retains 75-80% non-dilutive ownership in its JV projects, giving shareholders massive upside potential without capital risk.
At its 100%-owned Big Blue project, Ridgeline reported a standout intercept of 0.6m grading 3,194 g/t Ag, 0.7% Cu, and 2.6% W. This came from a high-grade feeder zone 500m beneath the historic Delker Mine. While the market reaction was muted, the result validates the system and has opened the door to a potential JV partnership.Selena CRD Program Underway with South32
Selena is now being drilled under a US$3.5M budget from South32, targeting a high-grade CRD system analogous to Arizona Mining's Taylor deposit (bought for US$1.8B in 2018). Assays are expected from:Hole #1 in September, Hole #2 in October, Hole #3 in NovemberAny one of these could prove transformational.Swift and Black Ridge Backed by Nevada Gold Mines
Nevada Gold Mines (Barrick + Newmont) is spending US$5M at Swift and US$1M at Black Ridge in 2025. Swift is targeting extensions of last year's 10.4 g/t Au hit over 1.1m, a potential grass-roots gold discovery in the making that's directly on trend of the 50+ Moz. Cortez district. Both programs begin drilling in July, with assays expected from October through Q1 2026.
The maiden drill program at Atlas tested Carlin-style oxide gold in the same rocks that host Orla Mining's Dark Star deposit. Given the initial 2-hole program's scope, expectations are modest, but the 100% ownership and early-stage nature give Atlas longer-term optionality.Spartan Metals Spinout Unlocks Value at Zero Cost
Ridgeline sold its Eagle Tungsten project to Midasco Capital (soon to be Spartan Metals), keeping:A 20% equity stake (non-dilutive for one year)A 1% NSR on all metalsEagle includes two of the highest-grade past-producing tungsten mines in the U.S., with copper and rubidium credits. This is quiet embedded value that could re-rate independently of Ridgeline's gold and silver exploration.A Tight Structure with Long-Term Backers
Ridgeline has ~140 million shares outstanding, 8% insider ownership, and no messy legacy structures. Strategic backers include EMX Royalty, Merk Investments and Rick Rule. This is a team that's building for the long haul, and they're aligned with shareholders.
Final Word: A Speculative Buy Before the Crowd Wakes Up
With active drill programs across five Nevada projects, major JV partners funding most of the expenses, a chart that found support, and appears to have limited downside at these levels. Ridgeline has everything we look for in a high-leverage junior explorer.
From now through early 2026, the company will be delivering consistent news flow, results that could mark the transition from speculation to discovery.
At current levels near CA$0.17, I view Ridgeline Minerals as a Speculative Buy for investors seeking exposure to Tier-1 jurisdiction discovery with minimal dilution risk.
More details are available at the company's website here.
Ridgeline Minerals Corp. (RDG:TSX.V; RDGMF:OTCQB; 0GC0:FRS) closed for trading at CA$0.18, US$0.125 on July 22, 2025.
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Important Disclosures:
For this article, the Company has paid Street Smart, an affiliate of Streetwise Reports, US$3,000.As of the date of this article, officers and/or employees of Streetwise Reports LLC (including members of their household) own securities of Ridgeline Minerals Corp. Author Certification and Compensation: [John Newell of John Newell and Associates] was retained and compensated as an independent contractor by Street Smart for writing this article. Mr. Newell holds a Chartered Investment Management (CIM) designation (2015) and a U.S. Portfolio Manager designation (2015). The recommendations and opinions expressed in this content reflect the personal, independent, and objective views of the author regarding any and all of the companies discussed. No part of the compensation received by the author was, is, or will be directly or indirectly tied to the specific recommendations or views expressed.Statements and opinions expressed are the opinions of the author and not of Streetwise Reports, Street Smart, or their officers. The author is wholly responsible for the accuracy of the statements. Streetwise Reports requires contributing authors to disclose any shareholdings in, or economic relationships with, companies that they write about. Any disclosures from the author can be found below. Streetwise Reports relies upon the authors to accurately provide this information and Streetwise Reports has no means of verifying its accuracy.This article does not constitute investment advice and is not a solicitation for any investment. Streetwise Reports does not render general or specific investment advice and the information on Streetwise Reports should not be considered a recommendation to buy or sell any security. Each reader is encouraged to consult with his or her personal financial adviser and perform their own comprehensive investment research. By opening this page, each reader accepts and agrees to Streetwise Reports' terms of use and full legal disclaimer. Streetwise Reports does not endorse or recommend the business, products, services, or securities of any company.For additional disclosures, please click here.
John Newell Disclaimer
As always it is important to note that investing in precious metals like silver carries risks, and market conditions can change violently with shock and awe tactics, that we have seen over the past 20 years. Before making any investment decisions, it's advisable consult with a financial advisor if needed. Also the practice of conducting thorough research and to consider your investment goals and risk tolerance.