GoldStone Resources (GRL) provided an operational update in respect of the Homase Gold Project in south-western Ghana. On track to increase production to deliver the planned 50,000 tonnes of stacked and agglomerated ore, targeting gold-production of 1,000oz pcm within six months. Exploration activities continue to demonstrate the potential to materially expand Homase’s current JORC Code Compliant Resource of 602,000oz gold resource at an average grade of 1.77 g/t. GRL said the Company remains focused on delivering Shareholder value, and this is why the difficult decision was taken in 2023 to halt production and review the design of the processing plant. Despite the many challenges associated with the Company’s ordinary shares being suspended from trading for such a long period of time, the Board and management team have remained committed to building value for its Shareholders and are now pleased that the upgraded plant is delivering the improved heap-leaching gold recoveries it targeted.
Comment: After a rather long gestation period, it is now clear that GLR is good to go in terms of production and do this on an expanded resource at Homase. None of this upside is currently factored into the GRL share price.
Sovereign Metals (SVML) advised that it was notified today that Rio Tinto (RIO) has increased its shareholding in the Company from 15% to 19.76%. SVML also announced that its shares have commenced trading on the OTCQX® Best Market (OTCQX) under the ticker symbol SVMLF.
Comment: Although shares of SVML have risen in the wake of the RIO stakebuilding to 19.76%, they should have plenty more upside as it underlines the value opportunity at Kasiya once again. Ideally, the OTCQX® listing will add another liquidity pool to SVML shares, and they will respond accordingly.
Aptamer Group (APTA), the developer of novel Optimer® binders to enable innovation in the life sciences industry, provided an update on the partnership with Unilever to deliver Optimer binders for cosmetic applications. APTA said it was pleased to provide this update on its work with Unilever. The early success it has seen to date in evaluating its Optimers that aim to treat malodour has been promising. It is excited to support its partners at Unilever in advancing these binders to the next stage of development with on-person functionality studies.
Comment: Hands up all those who know what a novel Optimer® binder is. However, almost all of us understand what a big deal having a partnership with Unilever is for a small cap.
Metals One (MET1), which is advancing strategic metals projects in Finland and Norway, announced that Chief Executive Officer Jonathan Owen will be presenting at focusIR’s upcoming investor webinar which commences at 6.00 p.m. BST on Wednesday, 10 July 2024. The webinar will be broadcast on the London South East investor platform: www.lse.co.uk
Comment: The webinar can be regarded as a good opportunity for CEO Jonathan Owen to explain to the market the merits of the company terminating the Gunsynd farm-in, and why directors buying into the subsequent fundraise underlines the opportunity at Black Schist.
Helium One Global (HE1), the primary helium explorer, announces that Lorna Blaisse (CEO) will be presenting at the focusIR Investor Webinar on Wednesday 10th July at 6pm (UK Local time) and broadcast on the London South East investor platform: www.lse.co.uk
Comment: One would have thought that a company of the stature of HE1 would be able to arrange its own webinar. That said, the next 48 hours could be a window for a further squeeze higher for the shares as investors look forward to what our Lorna may have to say for herself.
Seeing Machines (SEE), the advanced computer vision technology company that designs AI-powered operator monitoring systems to improve transport safety, announced a strategic collaboration with Valeo, a global leader in the automotive industry, along with the acquisition of Asaphus Vision GmbH, a highly specialised development group with leading Machine Learning (ML) and Artificial Intelligence (AI) capability. SEE said with its shared culture of innovation, this collaboration will enable its team to continue to lead the interior sensing market as it complements its highly specialised skills and work with Valeo, a world leading automotive technology company, to deliver driver and occupant monitoring solutions to more automotive customers, globally.
Comment: It may be said that SEE was rather ahead of its time in terms of the telematics concept, and that now with the AI boom it has hit the zeitgeist, something that the deal with Asaphus underlines.
88 Energy (88E) announced the commencement of the 2D seismic data acquisition program for PEL 93. 88E said the program has been designed to acquire approximately 200-line km of 2D seismic data. PEL 93 covers 18,500km2 of underexplored sub-surface within the Owambo Basin in Namibia. 88 Energy, through its wholly-owned Namibian subsidiary, holds a 20% working interest in PEL 93, with an option to earn up to a 45% non-operated interest via additional staged farm-in activities.
Comment: Shareholders of 88E have waited for a long time to see its company get a project over the line. They may be waiting even longer for a driver to turn the share price around, PEL 93 notwithstanding.
hVIVO (HVO) a rapidly growing specialist contract research organisation (CRO) and world leader in testing infectious and respiratory disease products using human challenge clinical trials, announced that Octopus Investments has raised its stake in the company from 2.9% to 3.1%.
Comment: We are reminded in the Octopus stakebuilding that there is plenty of value at current share price levels in HVO. Indeed, the validation of Octopus, alongside existing shareholder JP Morgan is a very good look for the company.
Deltic Energy (DELT), the AIM quoted natural resources investing company with a high impact exploration and appraisal portfolio focused on the Southern and Central North Sea, is pleased to announce that it has accepted one of the two licences that were provisionally awarded by the North Sea Transition Authority in Tranche 3 of the UK’s 33rd Offshore Licensing Round.
Comment: Given that the new Starmerocracy is likely to block all home grown sources of energy security for the UK, it is hats off to DELT in getting these North Sea licenses. One wonders if in coming days and weeks it will be allowed to keep them.
Pathfinder Minerals (PFP), an AIM Rule 15 cash shell, announced that it has today published a new admission document in connection with the Company’s proposed acquisition of the entire issued and to be issued share capital of Rome Resources Ltd, a Company targeting tin along the continuation of the Bisie Ridge – DRC’s newest high-grade tin province.
Comment: Given the recent success of listings such as Helix Exploration (HEX), many in the market are looking to Rome Resources being the next big small cap winner after the RTO with PFP.
Zinc Media Group (ZIN), the award-winning television and content production group, today announces a trading update for the six months ended 30 June 2024. ZIN said at the halfway point in our financial year, the Group has good visibility on £37m of revenue to be recognised in FY24, which puts us on track for another strong year. ZIN said it was conscious that some clients have delayed projects into FY25, and others are being slower to commit to start dates and this is evident in the amount of secured work. This reflects the continued short-term nature of the UK television market and instability in the Middle East.
Comment: Small cap companies citing macro reason for their woes can smack of “the dog ate my homework” excuse for a lack of progress, and should be avoided. That said, this may have been the cold water contribution of the Nomad. Overall, the revenue of £37m is what should be focused on for a company in an area where content is king, in a content hungry market.
Thor Energy Plc (THR) announced announce drilling has commenced at Alford West Copper ISR Project, in South Australia. This copper project is held by EnviroCopper Limited, in which Thor holds 26.3% interest. THR said this work on the Alford West Project further strengthens both EnviroCopper’s strategy to develop ISR copper projects for the state of South Australia and its relationship with key partners including Alligator Energy.
Comment: Like many of London’s myriad explorers, THR has yet to prove to the market that it is a company with an asset of scale that can be exploited without unduly denting shareholders’ bank balances.
Cykel (CYK), a UK-based technology company specialising in AI products that can interact with any UI, website, or API using natural language commands, announce a successful placing by Clear Capital Markets at an issue price of 6p raising gross proceeds of £350,000. The Placing arises from market demand for the Ordinary Shares following completion of the Company’s reverse takeover and re-listing on the London Stock Exchange. CYK said that following completion of the reverse takeover and re-listing on the London Stock Exchange, it was delighted to raise fresh capital. The last few years have seen massive growth in the AI technology market. A senior London stock market listing will provide it with the profile, credibility, and access to global capital to drive our growth.
Comment: Hats off to Clear Capital for doing the honours at Cykel, and in coping with the demand for the placing. That said, one wonders why any company would want to leave Aquis and go to the London Stock Exchange.
Tap Global Group (AQUIS: TAP), the FinTech company bridging the gap between traditional finance and blockchain technology, announces that Arsen Torosian, Chief Executive Officer and a director of the Company, acquired 12,246,185 ordinary shares of 0.1 pence each in the Company on 4 July 2024 for a total sum of £61,231. As a result of the share purchase, Mr Torosian’s total beneficial interest in the Company is now 439,981,185 Ordinary Shares, representing 63.5% of the Company’s issued share capital.
Comment: Full marks to Mr Torosian for leading from the front and buying more shares in TAP when he is already largest shareholder. One wonders how many shares he would need to purchase in order to get TAP shares to actually start going up – giving the recent US service launch and the XTP cashback programme launch.
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