As miners, delegates and trade insiders dispersed after the Prospectors & Builders Affiliation of Canada conference (PDAC), information circulated on X, previously Twitter, that two 10 ounce bars of silver have been lacking.
The bars have been owned by Arlen Hansen, founding father of Kin Communications and host of the Kinvestor Report. In a publish on X, Hansen defined that he bought the bars from First Majestic Silver (TSX:FR,NYSE:AG) in the course of the occasion.
The silver, with a complete estimated worth of US$647, was checked inside Hansen’s bag as he boarded his Vancouver-bound Air Canada (TSX:AC,OTCQX:ACDF) flight following the convention. From there, the white metallic was destined for a silent public sale in assist of Canadian youngsters residing with diabetes.
Nevertheless, based on Hansen’s publish, the silver by no means arrived at its closing vacation spot.
MY SILVER BARS WERE STOLEN.
I’d
to listen to from somebody at @AirCanada as to what occurred to twenty ounces of #silver in my checked-in bag, purchased from @FMSilverCorp at @the_PDAC. It actually was not there once I arrived dwelling.
Whereas I hope this went to somebody that… pic.twitter.com/0zKhQVQHHg
— Arlen Hansen (@ArlenHansen) March 5, 2025
“I do not want a refund, a free improve, or extra factors, this was stolen from the kids who want it, not me,” Hansen wrote on X, including, “A reasonably easy resolution @AirCanada.”
The silent public sale the silver was for use for is a part of the bigger Pump Couture style present, an occasion that goals to scale back the stigma round diabetes, whereas elevating consciousness in regards to the 3.8 million Canadians residing with continual illness.
Shortly after Hansen’s publish was revealed, the mining neighborhood started exhibiting its assist.
Sorry to listen to this, Arlen…however hopefully our donations will result in an excellent larger outcome.
— Brien Lundin (@Brien_Lundin) March 5, 2025
“Sorry to listen to this, Arlen…however hopefully our donations will result in an excellent larger outcome,” wrote Brien Lundin, editor of Gold E-newsletter and host of the New Orleans Funding Convention.
Silver producer and vendor First Majestic and its mint division First Mint have provided to interchange the misplaced silver, whereas others have donated to Diabetes Canada and offered encouragement to Hansen.
Arlen Hansen, we’re sorry to listen to this information. We’ll gladly donate the 20 ounces on your supposed donation to Diabetes Canada’s silent public sale.
A consultant from our workplace will attain out to coordinate.
— First Majestic (@FMSilverCorp) March 5, 2025
In an electronic mail to the Investing Information Community, Hansen expressed his gratitude for the outpouring of assist.
“There was a beautiful outreach from the mining neighborhood, not solely sharing their condolences, however serving to step up with monetary assist, taxable donations — and really thankfully, the silver was changed by First Majestic Silver after which additional matched by First Mint LLC. I didn’t ask them, they volunteered, and that to me is an instance of how the great individuals within the mining neighborhood have stepped up,” he mentioned.
Hansen has filed a report with the Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) relating to the misplaced silver bars.
“I’ve reached out to Air Canada customer support twice and have but to listen to again from them. My report was filed with the OPP yesterday, so I’m certain it’s nonetheless being processed and can hear again from them shortly,” he informed INN.
Systemic points
Through the ordeal, Hansen has been knowledgeable that many travellers have had related points with Air Canada.
“There have been over 200 responses of assist, and lots of weren’t shocked and shared tales of how they’ve had private gadgets faraway from their baggage after checking of their baggage with Air Canada and different airways,” he mentioned.
“The silver was stolen from my bag, and somebody ought to be held accountable for this, as a result of if that is taking place to me, it’s taking place nonetheless and I consider the airways ought to be investigating this critically.”
This newest incident marks the third time since 2022 that Air Canada has been on the middle of lacking valuable metals stories. Most notable is the April 2023 gold heist that noticed 400 kilograms of gold stolen from an Air Canada cargo terminal at Toronto Pearson Worldwide Airport. The delicate heist was performed by not less than 9 people and noticed US$20 million value of stolen gold melted and transported world wide.
In mid-2024, Peel Area Police introduced the arrest of 9 individuals along side the flowery theft; nevertheless, solely six pure gold bracelets with an estimated worth of C$90,000 have been recovered.
In late 2023, Brink’s (NYSE:BCO) sued Pearson Worldwide Airport and Air Canada over the theft, alleging negligence in securing the cargo. Air Canada countered, arguing that Brink’s did not insure the cargo or disclose its true worth.
Though the C$20 million heist is taken into account the biggest in Canadian historical past, it wasn’t the primary time Air Canada was accused of shedding valuable metals. Months earlier than the 2023 gold heist at Pearson Worldwide Airport, one other gold bar disappeared whereas transiting by means of Toronto, based on a lawsuit.
On December 22, 2022, a Swiss valuable metals refinery shipped 65 doré bars value US$15.7 million from Lima, Peru, by means of Toronto to Zurich, Switzerland. Nevertheless, someplace alongside the best way one gold bar disappeared.
In response to the court docket submitting, Brink’s paid a further price for the added safety of the bullion, a designation that was to make sure the cargo didn’t “comingle” with different cargo. The doré bar value over US$270,000 was by no means recovered. Additionally it is not clear if that earlier incident is expounded to the later C$20 million heist.
Air Canada has mentioned it can “vigorously” defend itself in court docket, however questions in regards to the safety of valuable metals shipments utilizing the airline stay.
Click on right here to view the Investing Information Community’s PDAC playlist on YouTube.
Do not forget to comply with us @INN_Resource for real-time updates!
Securities Disclosure: I, Georgia Williams, maintain no direct funding curiosity in any firm talked about on this article.
Editorial Disclosure: The Investing Information Community doesn’t assure the accuracy or thoroughness of the data reported within the interviews it conducts. The opinions expressed in these interviews don’t mirror the opinions of the Investing Information Community and don’t represent funding recommendation. All readers are inspired to carry out their very own due diligence.
