Fortune advances Nico cobalt-gold project as cash hurdle looms

• •Seems like it's always the challenge.
• •But it's good to see they're expecting full land and water authorizations in the NWT within 2-3 months.
• •That's a pretty big step forward for getting this thing off the ground.

Hey everyone, just read this interesting piece on Fortune Minerals and their NICO cobalt-gold project: https://www.mining.com/fortune-advances-nico-cobalt-gold-as-cash-hurdle-looms/

My first thought after seeing "cash hurdle looms" was, tell me something new in the junior mining space, right? Seems like it's always the challenge. But it's good to see they're expecting full land and water authorizations in the NWT within 2-3 months. That's a pretty big step forward for getting this thing off the ground. I've been watching the cobalt market with interest for a while now, especially with how crucial it is for EVs, and NICO has always seemed like a promising domestic source. I've got a small position in a couple of battery metal exploration companies in my retirement portfolio, mostly earlier stage, but I'm always on the lookout for projects that are getting closer to production. This one feels like it's inching there, despite the financing dance.

I'm curious what you all think about this. Are any of you holding FTM or tracking NICO closely? The article mentions the ongoing challenge of securing funding in the current market, which is something I've seen impact a few of my other speculative plays. Is this a buy-the-dip opportunity if the financing news comes through, or is the "cash hurdle" just too high given the broader economic uncertainty? Also, any thoughts on the NWT regulatory environment? From my experience, getting approvals in Canada's north can be a long, drawn-out process, so that 2-3 month timeline feels ambitious but positive if they pull it off.