The Globe and Mail reports in its Thursday, Feb. 22, edition that the latest edition of the TSX Venture 50 list says Canadian mining companies that are investing in the global energy transition saw a surge of investor interest in 2023. A Canadian Press dispatch to The Globe reports that the Toronto Stock Exchange released its annual ranking of top performers on Canada's main venture exchange, showing that 2023 was a successful year for the mining sector. Mining dominates this year's list, with companies in that sector posting an average 734-per-cent market cap appreciation for the year and a 245-per-cent average share price increase. This year's companies delivered an average return of 121 per cent and saw an average market capitalization increase of 248 per cent, a boost from last year's performance. One of this year's top performers, Vancouver-based Surge Battery Metals, is looking to develop a lithium deposit in northern Nevada. Lithium is a key component in electric vehicle batteries. While lithium prices were volatile in 2023, Surge chief executive officer Greg Reimer said he is optimistic they will rebound as he believes the transition from internal combustion engines to electric vehicles is inevitable.