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#BRES Blencowe Resources – 600 TONNE PROCESSING GRAPHITE TO BATTERY READY SPG
Blencowe Resources Plc (LSE: BRES) announces the successful completion of the last internal stage of the graphite pre-qualification test program, being upgrading of substantial quantity of small flake concentrate into battery ready 99.95% uncoated SPG by leading SPG producer, Qingdao TaiDa Carbon (“TaiDa”).
Definitive Feasibility Study Progress
Key DFS milestones now achieved, including:
· Metallurgical testing: Completion of 600 tonne commercial scale test work on Orom-Cross concentrate.
· SPG Production: Large volume of battery-ready uncoated SPG successfully produced by TaiDa and now sent for testing by potential tier one Asian customers.
· Water Borefield Completion: Essential water borefield at Orom-Cross now completed.
· Micronisation Testing: Successfully completed at AETC in Chicago producing all five key product ranges.
· ESIA Update: Updated Environmental and Social Impact Assessment submitted for local authority approval.
· ESG Update: Successful certification of Environmental and Social Governance (“ESG”), policies and procedures.
SPG Product Samples Shipped – Final Step Toward Offtake Agreements
Blencowe has processed fine flake concentrate into commercial scale volumes of high quality uncoated SPG (99.95% spheronised, purified graphite) via graphite industry leader TaiDa, and commenced delivery of samples to potential tier one customers in South Korea and Japan for their in-house testing. This is the final step for qualification of Orom-Cross material for commercial use by these potential customers and is the pathway toward securing future offtake agreements. Samples are also being supplied to major Chinese battery manufacturers.
Senior management are currently visiting the testing firms along with various Asian OEMs to advance discussions towards offtake agreements.
Additional Value-Added Testing Completed
Blencowe has successfully concluded further testing with leading US graphite expert American Energy Technologies (“AETC”) in Chicago to further beneficiate fines concentrate into a range of high value specialised micronised products. These niche products, offering up to 10 times the value of basic fines concentrate, can add significant additional value to Orom-Cross ahead and are thus being integrated into the DFS plant design and overall production strategy. Samples will now be tested by potential offtakers as the next step towards sale agreements.
Uganda Operations Update
Blencowe has submitted an updated ESIA to reflect the revised Orom-Cross operation plan, enhancing content of environmental and social commitments to align with guidelines from potential funding parties.
A water borefield at Orom-Cross has also been completed, ensuring sustainable life-of-mine water supply for the project and local communities. The project also included refurbishing bores and establishing water supplies for the local school and clinic as part of Blencowe’s social commitment.
Blencowe has also successfully achieved ESG accreditation through well-known industry agency, Digbee ESG, for its current policies and planning on ESG. This certification is a major step towards satisfying both the investment community and industry expectations for sustainable and environmentally responsible operations at Orom-Cross.
Significant progress continues within the DFS, including plant design, power supply studies, and infrastructure development.
Cameron Pearce, Executive Chairman commented;
“We continue to make solid progress, including the completion of the 600-tonne bulk sample metallurgical test work from source material to battery-ready products. We aim to build on our initial offtake agreement already announced (for 15,000tpa large flake concentrate) and gain further endorsement from potential tier one consumers of SPG. Once we have assembled a range of customers and offtake agreements, we have effectively de-risked the project ahead of project financing and construction, therefore the next few months will be highly value accretive for the Company.
We expect this final external customer testing, including shipping product within Asia, to take approximately one month to complete, and thereafter we will be able to discuss offtake agreements with our senior management team visiting various Asian parties regularly.”
For further information please contact:
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Blencowe Resources Plc Sam Quinn |
www.blencoweresourcesplc.com Tel: +44 (0)1624 681 250
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Investor Relations Sasha Sethi |
Tel: +44 (0) 7891 677 441
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Tavira Financial Jonathan Evans |
Tel: +44 (0)20 3192 1733 |
Twitter https://twitter.com/BlencoweRes
#SCSP Seed Capital Solutions PLC – Temporary Suspension of Shares
Seed Capital Solutions plc (LON: SCSP), a Company formed for the purpose of acquiring a business or businesses operating in market sectors that can display strong ESG credentials, announces that the audited annual results of the Company made up to 30 June 2023 (“FY 23”) will be delayed and will therefore not meet the required deadline.
As such the Company has requested the suspension of the listing in the Company’s ordinary shares on the Standard Segment of the Official List, and trading on the London Stock Exchange’s Main Market has been suspended with effect from 7.30 am on the 1 November 2023, pending publication of the FY 23 annual results.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION, PLEASE CONTACT:
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Seed Capital Solutions plc |
Tel: +44 (0)1535 647 479 |
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Chairman Damion Greef Brand Communications |
Tel: +44 (0) 7976 431608 |
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Public & Investor Relations |
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Alan Green
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ABOUT SEED CAPITAL SOLUTIONS PLC
Seed Capital Solutions Plc (LON: SCSP) has been formed for the purpose of acquiring a business or businesses operating in market sectors that can display strong ESG credentials, thereby benefitting from the current trend of superior performance and increased investor appetite.
Seed Capital Solutions plc #SCSP – Board Changes
Seed Capital Solutions plc (LON: SCSP), a Company formed for the purpose of acquiring a business or businesses operating in market sectors that can display strong ESG credentials, is pleased to announce the appointment of John Zorbas (“John”) as Chief Executive Officer (“CEO”).
John Zorbas, aged 52 has over 15 years of experience in global equity markets in an executive role. He is CEO of AIM listed URU Metals Ltd (AIM: URU), a position he has held since 2014. Since 2021 John has been working in the ESG space as a Non-Executive Director at Zeb Nickel Corp and PowerTap Hydrogen Capital Corp. Mr Zorbas will take up his position as CEO of Seed Capital Solutions Plc with immediate effect.
Incoming CEO John Zorbas commented: “I am delighted to join the Seed Capital Solutions Board at the start of a game changing investment journey. More than ever the world needs sustainable solutions to societal problems, and this is a factor that investors have become increasingly aware of.”
“ESG solutions need support and investment more than ever before, and I look forward to seeking out innovative companies with the requisite credentials to accelerate our growth as a UK listed company.”
Chairman Damion Greef commented: “I am pleased and excited to have John Zorbas join us as CEO of Seed Capital Solutions Plc. John has a global mindset and longstanding experience of multiple financial markets and is also an experienced investor in ESG opportunities. We look forward to bringing this experience to bear as we assess acquisition targets.”
The Company also announces that Non-Executive Director Derek Ward will be stepping down. The Board would like to thank Derek for his efforts in bringing Seed Capital Solutions to market and wish him well for the future.
MARKET ABUSE REGULATIONS (EU) No. 596/2014
The information contained within this announcement is deemed by the Company to constitute inside information as stipulated under the Market Abuse Regulations (EU) No. 596/2014 (MAR). Upon the publication of this announcement via Regulatory Information Service (RIS), this inside information is now considered to be in the public domain.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION, PLEASE CONTACT:
| Seed Capital Solutions plc | Tel: +44 (0)1535 647 479 | |||
| Chairman Damion Greef
Brand Communications |
Tel: +44 (0) 7976 431608 |
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| Public & Investor Relations | ||||
| Alan Green
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ABOUT SEED CAPITAL SOLUTIONS PLC
Seed Capital Solutions Plc (LON: SCSP) has been formed for the purpose of acquiring a business or businesses operating in market sectors that can display strong ESG credentials, thereby benefitting from the current trend of superior performance and increased investor appetite.
Seed Capital Solutions Plc #SCSP – Admission of Shares to Standard List
Seed Capital Solutions plc (LON: SCSP), a Company formed for the purpose of acquiring a business or businesses operating in market sectors that can display strong ESG credentials, is pleased to announce that commencement of dealings in its Ordinary Shares is expected to take place today, 12 April 2023 (“Admission”).
The Admission Document was published on 3 April 2023 and is available on the Company’s website https://seedcapitalsolutionsplc.com/
Admission and Total Voting Rights
The Ordinary Shares are expected to be admitted to trading on the Main Market of the London Stock Exchange on 12 April 2023 under the ISIN of GB00BL6CFR81 with SEDOL number BL6CFR8 and in accordance with Chapter 14 of the Listing Rules.
On Admission, the Company will have a total of 185,406,000 shares of nominal value £0.0025 each with voting rights in issue. There are no Ordinary Shares held in treasury. The figure of 185,406,000 may be used by shareholders, following Admission, as the denominator for the calculations by which they will determine if they are required to notify their interest in, or a change to their interest in, the share capital of the Company under the Financial Conduct Authority’s Disclosure Guidance and Transparency Rules.
Chairman Damion Greef commented: “As one of the last businesses to list on the standard market under the old LSE rules, our team are excited to finally bring Seed Capital to market to invest into businesses operating in market sectors that can display strong ESG credentials.”
“The importance of sustainable ESG operating practices are now front and centre in the operating manuals for every business and industry sector. The market opportunities are huge; with a projected compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 12.9%, ESG-focused institutional investment is expected to grow by 84% to US$33.9tn by 2026, making up 21.5% of all assets under management*.”
“Seed Capital fully intends to participate in this growth opportunity by investing into businesses operating in market sectors that can display strong ESG credentials. I look forward to reporting back to you as our investment programme develops.”
*Source: PWC ESG Market Report October 2022:
https://www.pwc.com/gx/en/news-room/press-releases/2022/awm-revolution-2022-report.html
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION, PLEASE CONTACT:
| Seed Capital Solutions plc | Tel: +44 (0)1535 647 479 | |||
| Chairman Damion Greef
Brand Communications |
Tel: +44 (0) 7976 431608 |
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| Public & Investor Relations | ||||
| Alan Green
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ABOUT SEED CAPITAL SOLUTIONS PLC
Seed Capital Solutions Plc (LON: SCSP) has been formed for the purpose of acquiring a business or businesses operating in market sectors that can display strong ESG credentials, thereby benefitting from the current trend of superior performance aligned with increased investor appetite.
#POW Power Metal Resources – UK Government Critical Minerals Strategy Paper
Power Metal Resources plc (LON:POW) the London listed exploration company seeking large-scale metal discoveries across its global project portfolio notes the publication today by the United Kingdom’s Department for Business, Energy & Industrial Strategy (the “Government”) released a policy paper entitled “Resilience for the future: The UK’s critical minerals strategy” (“Policy Paper”) which may be viewed below through the following link:
The Policy Paper sets out the Government’s strategy and outlines a number of objectives (pages 4-5) as well as a new approach towards critical minerals supply chains of which the following are particularly notable from the Company’s perspective:
– Champion London as the world’s capital of responsible finance for critical minerals (further information page 30 of the Policy Paper).
– Support UK companies to participate overseas in diversified responsible and transparent supply chains (page 22).
– Boost global environmental, social and governance performance (“ESG”), reducing vulnerability to disruption and levelling the playing field for responsible businesses (page 26).
– A cohort of minerals with high criticality for the UK is outlined which includes cobalt, lithium, rare-earth elements and tungsten as well as the Critical Minerals Expert Committee’s first watchlist which includes Nickel. Power Metal is currently exploring for all of these critical metals within safe, mining-friendly jurisdictions (page 8).
Paul Johnson, Chief Executive Officer of Power Metal Resources plc commented:
“We are encouraged by the Government’s public recognition of the need for a more thought- provoking strategy towards the development of secure critical minerals supply chains.
As a UK listed resource exploration and development company, Power Metal is working across multiple exploration and development projects in North America, Africa and Australia seeking large scale metal discoveries, with a particular focus on district scale opportunities.
We note the inclusion of tungsten within the cohort of minerals with high criticality for the UK (page 8). This aligns with the United States Geological Survey’s inclusion of tungsten on their critical minerals list published in February 20221 and further demonstrates the importance of our 83.13% owned subsidiary Golden Metal Resources plc, with its flagship Pilot Mountain Project – focused on the tungsten commodity in mining friendly Nevada, USA.
Golden Metal is in the final preparatory stage of a planned listing on the London capital markets, and we agree that London has the potential to be a major global centre for international resource exploration and development finance. For this reason, Power Metal is planning to list its various resource project packages in London.
The resilience of critical mineral supply chains is becoming an important consideration for many governments around the world. However, as acknowledged in the Policy Paper, there is a need to act responsibly and strongly embedded ESG policies need to be at the forefront of this fundamental shift. Power Metal recognises this and will soon be publishing its ESG Policy which will be applied to all our operations. The ESG Policy will codify what we are commonly doing in practice today as a responsible organisation and will make further enhancements to our internal ESG mindset, with real qualitative and quantitative ESG targets.”
Note
1 https://www.usgs.gov/news/national-news-release/us-geological-survey-releases-2022-list-critical-minerals
For further information please visit https://www.powermetalresources.com/ or contact:
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Power Metal Resources plc |
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Paul Johnson (Chief Executive Officer) |
+44 (0) 7766 465 617 |
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SP Angel Corporate Finance (Nomad and Joint Broker) |
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Ewan Leggat/Charlie Bouverat |
+44 (0) 20 3470 0470 |
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SI Capital Limited (Joint Broker) |
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Nick Emerson |
+44 (0) 1483 413 500 |
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First Equity Limited (Joint Broker) |
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David Cockbill/Jason Robertson |
+44 (0) 20 7330 1883 |
#SVML Sovereign Metals – ESG Framework Advances Initiatives in Malawi
SOVEREIGN ESG FRAMEWORK ADVANCES SOCIAL INITIATIVES IN MALAWI
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Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) framework established to advance Sovereign’s Corporate Social Responsibility in Malawi |
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Sovereign continues to undertake several initiatives to assist in the development of Malawi and its local communities |
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Promoting education in Malawi through a Schools Upgrade Program and creation of a Scholarship Program for high school learners |
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Advancing local community infrastructure including construction of a new Community Centre at Malingunde and commissioning of water bores across the Company’s licence area to provide local communities with drinking water |
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Establishing international standard mining industry facilities with the construction of an extensive rutile sample laboratory in Lilongwe |
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Employment of a diverse workforce and developing key exploration and mining-applicable skills through training programs |
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Continuing engagement with key stakeholders from local communities through to Government level |
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Sovereign aims to become an industry leader in social responsibility having successfully worked with communities in Malawi over the last decade who remain highly supportive and are well positioned to benefit from the development of new mining projects |
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Updated Scoping Study incorporating the upgraded resource is due for completion in the coming weeks |
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Sovereign Metals Limited (ASX:SVM; AIM:SVML) (the Company or Sovereign) continues its development of the Kasiya rutile project (Kasiya), the largest rutile deposit in the world, the Company is pleased to announce that it has taken proactive steps to establish ESG frameworks to become an industry leader in its corporate social responsibility in Malawi.
Sovereign remains committed to making informed choices in line with our strong corporate governance, financial capabilities, operational efficiency, environmental stewardship, stakeholder engagement and resource management.
Sovereign’s Managing Director Dr Julian Stephens commented: “Over the last decade Sovereign has worked very hard to establish and maintain a strong and positive social licence to operate in Malawi. The future development of the Kasiya Rutile Project will bring substantial benefits to Malawi in terms of GDP, royalties, taxes, employment and training, local business opportunities and community development. In advancing Kasiya, Sovereign will strive to become a leading socially responsible corporate”
ENQUIRIES
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Dr Julian Stephens (Perth) +61(8) 9322 6322 |
Sam Cordin (Perth) |
Sapan Ghai (London)
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Nominated Adviser on AIM |
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RFC Ambrian |
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Bhavesh Patel / Andrew Thomson |
+44 20 3440 6800 |
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Joint Brokers |
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Berenberg |
+44 20 3207 7800 |
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Matthew Armitt |
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Jennifer Lee |
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Varun Talwar |
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Optiva Securities |
+44 20 3137 1902 |
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Daniel Ingrams |
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Mariela Jaho |
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Christian Dennis |
Andrew Hore – Quoted Micro 17 December 2018
NEX EXCHANGE
Ecommerce software provider Netalogue Technologies (NTLP) moved into profit in the first half and had £648,000 in the bank at the end of September 2018. Revenues increased by £168,000 to £647,000, even though subscription-based pricing is reducing the initial revenues from B2B clients. A loss of £60,000 became a pre-tax profit of £142,000, helped by lower operating expenses.
Veni Vidi Vici Ltd (VVV) is acquiring a 51% stake in a licence in the Shangri La gold, silver and copper project in Western Australia for A$220,000, which is payable to Goldfields Consolidated in the form of 190,000 shares and A$20,000 in cash. The shares cannot be sold for three months. VVV will spend an initial A$300,000 over three years and Goldfields will receive a 10% management fee.
Coinsilium Group Ltd (COIN) has raised £367,000 at 4p a share and each new share comes with a two-year warrant exercisable at 7.5p a share. If the share price averages more than 15p for five consecutive days, then the company can require the warrants to be exercised.
Gastropubs operator Barkby Group (BARK) has signed heads of terms to acquire Northamptonshire-based upmarket car dealer Centurian Automotive Ltd. The most recent accounts were for a dormant company and shows £200 in the bank.
Quetzal Securities Ltd sold 6.75 million shares in Pelican House Mining (PHM) for 0.5p each and Eight Capital Partners (ECP) acquired 8.25 million shares at 0.491p each. Quetzal subsequently sold a further 6.75 million shares in Pelican shares, leaving a 13.2% stake, to Eight Capital at 0.5p a share, taking its stake to 15.3%.
Hydro Hotel, Eastbourne (HYDP) has declared an unchanged total dividend of 21p a share for the year to October 2018. An interim of 7p a share will be paid in January (ex-dividend 20 December) and a final dividend of 14p a share paid in May (ex-dividend 18 April).
Ace Liberty and Stone (ALSP) has appointed Northland as broker.
EPE Special Opportunities Ltd (EL.P) had a NAV of 200.95p a share at the end of November 2018. The shares are trading at 160p.
Construction consultancy Driver Group (DRV) reported a 2017-18 pre-tax profit of £3.8m, up from £2.5m, and it is returning to paying dividends with a 0.5p a share payment. Net cash is £6.9m, helped by a property disposal, and this could reach more than £10m by September 2019 even after dividend payments. The Diales expert witness business is becoming an increasingly important revenue generator and overall utilisation levels have improved. There has also been a focus on better margin work in the Middle East.
SigmaRoc (SRC) is in the process of acquiring precast concrete products supplier CPP Building Products for £15.2m, although the deal requires shareholder approval for share issues, so it will not happen until early January. CPP is based in north west England and fits well with the existing precast concrete business. In the year to August 2018, revenues were £20.9m and EBITDA was £2.6m. This year’s trading is in line with expectations. There are plans to refinance the convertible loan notes.
Nexus Infrastructure (NEXS) had already warned about delays to its utility connection contracts with housebuilders and the 2017-18 figures were slightly better than expected with flat pre-tax profit of £9.2m. Nexus has a strong order book and could increase its 2018-19 pre-tax profit to £10.4m. The new electric vehicle charging points division will take time to build up.
Advanced coatings provider Hardide (HDD) has benefited from an upturn in demand from the oil and gas sector. It is also getting nearer to obtaining its first aerospace orders. Hardide remains loss-making and this will still be the case next year as it continues to invest in increasing capacity in the UK and US as demand grows.
Curtis Banks (CBP) has purchased around 600 SIPPS with assets of £180m from Hargreaves Hale, which will continue to manage the assets. Curtis Banks will launch a new SIPP product in January.
Clinical trials manager Venn Life Sciences (VENN) is collaborating with Open Orphan DAC. The two firms will share resources in the orphan drugs market. Venn is raising £1m from a two-year loan note issue.
WH Ireland has upgraded its forecast for banknote authentication and brand protection technology business Spectra Systems (SPSY) for the second time. The underlying pre-tax profit forecast has been raised by 10% to $4.5m. The 2019 forecast, which had previously been upgrade by 16%, is maintained for the time being.
Kibo Energy (KIBO) says that its 60%-owned subsidiary MAST Energy Developments has an exclusive option to undertake due diligence and acquire three peaking power sites totalling 31.3MW. This would provide initial revenues for Kibo later next year. Kibo has renewed its memorandum of understanding with Mozambique-based electric utility Electricidade de Mocambique for the financing and operation of the Benga independent power project.
eServGlobal Ltd (ESG) says that 2018 revenues will be lower than expected due to weak trading at the PayMobile business and the failure to close orders. The PayMobile business may be sold and the focus will be the HomeSend remittances business.
NWF (NWF) says feeds demand was strong in the summer because of a lack of natural grazing. In contrast, the hot weather held back demand for fuels. A Solihull-based fuel distributor has been acquired. The food distribution business continues to trade at around capacity because of contract wins. The interims will be published on 29 January.
ReNeuron (RENE) has important clinical trial results coming up in the next 18 months. A retinitis pigmentosa treatment is in phase I/II trials and there should be data in mid-2019. A phase IIb trial for a CTX cell therapy-based treatment for chronic stroke is due to report by early 2020. There was £30.7m in the bank at the end of September 2018. Management is seeking partners to help it to make the most of its technology.
PhotonStar LED Group (PSL) has raised £100,000 at 0.02p a share and this will enable the board to assess new business opportunities.
Property adviser Fletcher King (FLK) is maintaining its interim dividend at 1p a share even though pre-tax profit has dipped from £148,000 to £132,000. Ratings appeals revenues were lower. There is £2.28m of cash in the balance sheet.
Kromek (KMK) has secured an initial contract with the US Department of Defense worth $2m over 12 months. The plan is to develop a proof-of-concept device for a vehicle-mounted biological threat identifier.
Crossword Cybersecurity (CCS) started trading on AIM on Friday and the share price ended the day at 272.5p. Crossword raised £2m at 290p a share.
Volex (VLX) is buying cable assemblies and connectors manufacturer GTK for £14.3m in cash and shares. in the year to July 2018, GTK generated a pre-exceptional operating profit of £1.7m. There was £1.3m in the bank. The deal is earnings enhancing.
African Battery Metals (ABM) has found it difficult to raise the cash it requires and trading in the shares has been suspended. The company wants to come to a settlement with creditors so that it could continue to trade.
Smaller company mergers and acquisitions business K3 Capital Group (K3C) is cautiously optimistic but the full year outcome will depend on the timing of deals. There could be a small dip in pre-tax profit to £7m this year and there could be a corresponding dip in dividend from 11.2p a share to 10.8p a share.
Telit Communications (TCM) says that it will not complete the sale of its automotive business until next year. Telit is expected to make a 2018 loss. Further cost savings are being made in the Internet of Things operations.
More bad news from Filtronic (FTC) with sales of Massive MIMO antennas lower than expected. The main customer has reduced its forecast demand. The capitalised development costs of £500,000 will be written off and options are being reviewed. The rest of the business is trading in line with expectations. Filtronic will be loss-making this year. Net cash was £2.3m at the end of November 2018.
Science Group (SAG) has ended its formal sale process because of stockmarket and exchange rate uncertainty. The strategic review continues. Trading is in line with expectations and the company will recommence the share buy back programme. Net cash was £6.4m at the end of November 2018.
Like-for-like sales growth has been slowing at DP Poland (DPP) and this means that progress in 2019 is unlikely to be as good as expected. This means that it will take longer to reach profitability. Rivals have been spending money on marketing and warm weather has also held DP Poland back. A full year trading update will be published on 29 January.
Taptica International Ltd (TAP) plans to spend up to $10m on buying back shares and it has already spent nearly £110,000. There was net cash of $42.1m at the end of June 2018.
Tristel (TSTL) says that the US regulatory process for its disinfection products is on track and interim pre-tax profit should be £2.2m.
TomCo Energy (TOM) has managed to secure £550,000 at 2p a share. The previous £532,000 placing at 8.5p a share was pulled. Laurence Read has become a non-executive director.
RA International (RAI) has won a five year contract worth up to $5.6m from a US corporate client in Central Africa.
MAIN MARKET
Circassia Pharmaceuticals (CIR) is moving to AIM and it has decided to exercise its option to acquire US rights to COPD treatment Tudorza from AstraZeneca. This deal should complete by the end of the year and it will trigger a payment of $5m. A further $20m is payable upon approval of Duaklir and then there is further deferred consideration of $100m.
Tex Holdings (TXH) has warned that second half earnings will be lower than anticipated due to delayed deliveries and reorganisation costs.
Cadmium-free quantum dots developer Nanoco (NANO) is on course to complete the expansion of its Runcorn facility by the end of 2018 with commercial volume manufacturing by the middle of 2019.
Lb-shell (LBP) is being wound-up because of potential litigation relating to before it became a shell. There is unlikely to be anything left for shareholders.
Giant Saint Technologies Ltd (GST) is installing a $1m data centre in Singapore.
Andrew Hore
Quoted Micro 23 October 2017
NEX EXCHANGE
Supported housing developer Walls and Futures REIT (WAFR) has improved its net asset value by 4.4% to 94p a share in the six months to September 2017. Interim figures should be published within a fortnight.
African Potash Ltd (AFPO) has decided not to acquire investment company Onshore Energy Ltd and concentrate on its fertiliser business instead. Progress has been delayed but fertiliser trading has started in Zambia and a 21% stake was acquired in Advanced Agricultural Holdings, which is focused on South Africa. There were no revenues in the year to June 2017, although there was trading income of $9,000, and the loss was $2.27m. There was £11,000 in the bank at the end of June 2017. African Agronomix is earning a stake in the company’s potash interests. Trading will recommence in the shares on 23 October.
Black Sea Property (BSP) has €7m of debt, in the form of a mortgage, from UniCredit Bulbank. This will be used to complete the planned acquisition of the office building in Sofia. The loan lasts for three years from completion of the documentation.
Via Developments (VIA1) has completed the purchase of the development site in Latimer Road, Luton.
AIM
Belvoir Lettings (BLV) has approached The Property Franchising Group (TPFG) about a merger between the letting agents but the reaction has been negative. Belvoir believes that the market is consolidating and it makes sense for two of the major players to come together. The indicative offer is 0.715 of a Belvoir share and 52.2p a share in cash for each TPFG, although the amount of cash could be varied. This values each TPFG share at 130.5p.
eServGlobal Ltd (ESG) is raising £24m at 9p a share with existing retail investors given the chance to clawback £3.4m of the shares. Cash is required to be injected into the HomeSend joint venture so that the 35% stake can be maintained. There will also be costs to rationalising the core business in order to help move it into profit.
Overseas growth dominated the Tristel (TSTL) where full year revenues were one-fifth higher, or 7% excluding the acquisition of the Australian distributor. Tristel has already warned that regulatory approval has been delayed in the US but it can still continue to grow its infection control sales. Animal health and contamination control revenues fell but margins improved. House broker finnCap forecasts an improvement in profit from £4m to £4.4m this year.
Secure payments and contact centre technology provider Eckoh (ECK) continues to add contracts in the US while UK revenues are steady. Seven US contracts worth $5.1m have been won. Eckoh has moved into a net cash position of £1.7m. Interim figures will be reported on 22 November.
Telecoms software supplier Artilium (ARTA) has formed an alliance with NYSE-listed Pareteum Corporation, which involves the sharing of distribution, products and technology. The focus will be Latin America and Asia. A share exchange will mean that Pareteum will own 8.8% of Artilium, which will own 19.9% of Pareteum. Artilium is opening a new office in Germany.
Cloud-based communications software provider Cloudcall Group (CALL) is raising £5.7m at 143.5p a share and the cash will help to finance further growth. Cloudcall wants to take advantage of its partnerships with Microsoft Dynamics and Bullhorn and attract new partners.
Proteome Sciences (PRM) says that its deal pipeline is improving but the adoption of its proteomic services has been slower than hoped. This year the loss will be reduced but it will be higher than previously expected. Proteome has gained Good Clinical Laboratory Practice accreditation which will enable it to take on larger clinical projects.
Sula Iron and Gold (SULA) is evaluating the best way to develop the Ferensola gold asset as well as seeking to bring other assets into the group. There could be a joint venture or farm out at Ferensola and Sula intends to solicit interests from potential partners.
Hornby (HRN) is ending the discounting of its stock but it will still hit the figures for this financial year. New chief executive Lyndon Davies continues to review the business strategy and more will be revealed with the interim figures. The interim chairman is leaving the board.
BP Marsh (BPM) has increased its NAV from 273p a share to 304p a share in the six months to July 2017. Disposals brought in significant amounts of cash and this is being reinvested. One of the main focuses of the investment is the North American market.
Infinity Energy S.A. (INFT) is in talks to acquire Transgas Ltd from its own chief executive and its family. Transgas owns petroleum exploration licences in south west England. Infinity will issue shares for the purchase if it is agreed and it intends to change domicile from Luxembourg to Guernsey.
Molecular diagnostics firm Genedrive (GDR) has signed a distribution agreement with Sysmex Europe for the supply of the Genedrive hepatitis C (HCV) ID kit, which is designed to be used in a decentralised environment and produce results within 90 minutes. This is the first commercial partner and Sysmex will be responsible for marketing and distribution in the EMEA region. The initial focus will be African companies.
RNA therapeutics technology developer Silence Therapeutics (SLN) is claiming money in the High Court for income it believes it is owed on products sold by Alnylam. The High Court has to determine whether Silence is entitled to supplementary protection certificates, which can give up to five years of exclusivity after a patent expires
Seeing Machines (SEE) believes that it could treble its revenues this year to between A$38m to $A43m and revenues could double again next year. However, cash is in short supply so investment has been curtailed. New investment is being sought. Interest is building in the automotive sector for the FOVIO driver monitoring technology.
Jim Meredith has become executive chairman of Augean (AUG), following the resignation of Stewart Davies as chief executive, and Christopher Mills and Roger McDowell, who stepped down in June 2015, have joined the board as non-executives. Augean continues to have problems with the HMRC regarding its landfill tax assessment and profit will be lower this year and in 2018. A further £1.7m is being cut from annual overheads.
Futura Medical (FUM) has received positive market research from fellow AIM company Cello (CLL) for its MED2002 gel for erectile dysfunction. More than three-fifths of physicians canvassed in the US thought that MED2002 was better than existing treatments. The equivalent figures in Germany and France were 60% and 54% respectively.
Concepta (CPT) has signed up two distributors in China for its MyLotus fertility product. This takes the number of distributors to three and more will be signed up in the coming months. The product is being evaluated for use after a woman has got pregnant.
Sunrise Resources (SRES) has discovered a new deposit at the CS Pozzolan-Perlite project in Nevada. There have also been positive drilling results in the existing deposit areas.
Omega Diagnostics Group (ODX) has signed a three year agreement to supply food intolerance product FoodPrint to a US laboratory testing services provider.
Thor Mining (THR) is moving to a phase of progressing the commercialisation of its exploration interests. There has been a resource upgraded at Pilot Mountain and there will soon be a resource estimate at Kapunda. The options for progressing with the development of the Pilot Mountain and Molyhil projects are being considered. A placing will raise £565,000 at 0.8p a share. There is a warrant with each share which enables the holder to subscribe for a new share at 1.2p.
Strategic Minerals (SML) has entered into a binding term sheet to acquire the owner of the Leigh Creek copper mine project, which is the northern Flinders Ranges in South Australia. It will cost A$1.8m to restart production at the mine. Strategic has to inject A$1m into the holding company, pay A$250,000 in cash and A$750,000 in shares to the current owner and agree a royalty agreement with them which will be capped at A$3.65m. The Cobre magnetite ore operation in New Mexico had a record quarter to September 2017. Revenues were $2.04m, which was more than the first six months of 2017 and for 2016 as a whole. Annual sales should exceed $5m and this provides cash flow for other projects. Strategic had $1.63m in the bank at the end of September 2017. Shareholders have agreed to a new option programme for management.
MAIN MARKET
Sportech (SPO) has put itself up for sale, although the strategic review continues. There have already been four preliminary proposals but no detailed discussions have commenced.
InnovaDerma (IDP) has been criticised by the Advertising Standards Authority for some of its online advertising for Skinny Tan. Trading is in line with expectations.
Andrew Hore