The Globe and Mail reports in its Thursday edition that Stifel analyst Ralph Profiti began coverage on Western Copper and Gold with a "buy" recommendation and $5.50 share target. The Globe's David Leeder writes in the Eye On Equities column that Mr. Profiti says large-scale undeveloped copper-gold projects, like the one owned by Western Copper & Gold in west-central Yukon, should be recognized for strategic importance to Canada's nation-building plan. The Casino project, which is located in the Whitehorse mining district, has one of the world's largest undeveloped copper-gold deposits. The mine is also expected to produce large quantities of molybdenum and silver. The project's permitting stages are on track for some time this year, with construction potentially getting under way by mid-2028. Mr. Profiti says, "Over time, we see an increased probability of consolidation of the Casino project into a larger mining entity once permitting and development progresses and key infrastructure advancements allow for a potentially greater scale of operations." The Globe reported on Oct. 2 that National Bank Financial analyst Rabi Nizami rated Western Copper and Gold "outperform" in new coverage. It was then worth $1.67.