Australian explorers have landed in New York this week for the first ever Australia Investor Day being hosted by OTC Markets and Viriathus Capital.
The over-the-counter (OTC) market is where financial products, such as corporate bonds, stocks or derivatives, are traded directly between two parties and not on a centralised exchange like the Australian Securities Exchange.
American Rare Earths (ASX:ARR), which is presenting at the Australia Investor Day, says the event is a great opportunity for the company to connect with a broader audience.
The explorer is advancing its flagship Halleck Creek Project in Wyoming which hosts a 2.63 billion tonne rare earth resource.
“This event allows us to engage with institutional and retail investors, showcase our progress at Halleck Creek, and highlight the role we play in securing a domestic rare earth supply chain,” CEO Chris Gibbs tells Mining.com.au.
“Given the increasing focus on critical minerals in the US, we see this as an important platform to build awareness and strengthen relationships within the investment community.”
American Rare Earths is listed on the OTCQX, which is the top tier of three marketplaces for the over-the-counter trading of stocks.
Gibbs says listing on the OTC market provides US investors with a more accessible way to invest in American Rare Earths without the complexity of trading on a foreign exchange.
“It allows us to tap into the growing interest in critical minerals and attract a wider pool of investors who recognise the strategic value of Halleck Creek,” he says.
“Unlike major exchanges like the NYSE, which require more extensive listing requirements, the OTC allows us to efficiently connect with investors who are specifically looking at critical minerals and emerging companies in this sector.
“Our strong engagement on the OTCQX in 2024 reflects this interest — ARR was the third most traded stock by volume on the platform.”
Vertex Minerals (ASX:VTX) is also presenting at the Australia Investor Day to “showcase an Australian gold producer that is high-grade, gravity recoverable, loaded with blue sky with 25km of strike and green to boot”.
Executive Chairman Roger Jackson believes the market for Australian gold stocks is hot.
“Vertex is looking to broaden its investor market. The board believes there is some compelling reasons for the company to establish a quotation on the OTCQB,” he tells Mining.com.au.
The OTCQB is the middle-tier of the OTC markets and lists primarily early-stage and developing companies in the US and international markets.
“Trading on OTCQB provides companies access to one of the largest investment markets in the world at nominal cost, and with fewer additional compliance requirements compared to listing on traditional major exchanges,” Jackson says.
Eligibility requires companies to maintain up-to-date financial reporting (in line with ASX listing rule obligations), meet a minimum bid price requirement, and complete an annual verification and management certification process.
OTC Markets says the Australia Investor Day, which is being held from 9am to 6pm ET time on 27 February at the OTC Markets Centre in New York, is the ideal opportunity for investors to gain insight and connect with c-suite executives of Australian growth companies from a variety of sectors.
Other resources companies presenting at the event include Trigg Minerals (ASX:TMG), MTM Critical Metals (ASX:MTM), Australian Strategic Materials (ASX:ASM) and Ark Mines (ASX:AHK).
Allison Britt, Director of Mineral Resources Advice and Promotion for Geoscience Australia, will deliver the keynote presentation.
The event also includes a panel, featuring American Rare Earths, to discuss the appeal of Australian equities for US investors.
Write to Angela East at Mining.com.au
Images: iStock
