Video News/BMO Capital Markets 2026

BMO Capital Markets Managing Director and Co-Head of Global Metals and Mining Ilan Bahar said the mining sector is entering 2026 with strong capital markets momentum, broadening investor participation, and heightened policy focus on critical minerals. Speaking at the 35th BMO Global Metals, Mining & Critical Minerals Conference, Bahar noted that this year’s event hosted 650 investors and 300 companies, underscoring what he described as a “very, very healthy” environment for precious metals, equity financing, convert issuance, streaming transactions, and elevated M&A activity. Copper remains central to that outlook as demand tied to AI data centers, electrification, and the energy transition intersects with a constrained global supply pipeline. “Everybody loves copper, right?” Bahar said, pointing to structural demand drivers alongside permitting and development challenges. He added that investor composition is evolving, with increased participation from retail, hedge funds, and generalist investors reallocating toward materials as governments accelerate strategic positioning in critical minerals.