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#KAV Kavango Resources PLC – Ditau Core Review
Kavango Resources plc (LSE:KAV) (“Kavango”), the Southern Africa focussed metals exploration company, is pleased to announce completion of relogging of drillhole DITDD004 at the Ditau Project.
CORE REVIEW RESULTS
· Relogging of Hole DITDD004 complete, following the recent recommendations from Dr. Hamid Mumin (>>> announced 06 March 2023) who has proposed a possible Banded Iron Formation (BIF) Hosted Lode Gold system at Ditau.
· Hole DITDD004 was drilled to test the i10 Target.
· Key observations from relogging of Hole DITDD004 include:
· Localised brecciation of the BIF has enhanced permeability, allowing passage of sulphide and gold bearing fluids.
· The previously reported gold assays (>>> announced 14 October 2022) are seen to coincide with the presence of fine pyrite in the BIF.
· The association of pyrite with the gold, typical in gold deposits, is useful confirmation of some of the characteristics of the Ditau mineralisation. These characteristics will then be targeted in the next stage of exploration.
· Kavango is developing a working hypothesis that some of the sediments above the BIF may be of Proterozoic age, rather than of the much younger Karoo age sediments.
· If this is the case, then mineralising fluid flow could also have taken place through these.
· Proterozoic age BIFs, such as at Ditau, can be associated with Lode Gold systems.
Brett Grist, Chief Operations Officer of Kavango, stated,
“Dr. Hamid Mumin’s report has highlighted the gold potential at Ditau and proposed a new deposit model. Relogging of the core by Kavango has identified a number of features that could be consistent with this. We look forward to logging the additional drillholes we’ve identified over the I10 Target at the end of this month and using the results to expand our exploration program.”
NEXT STEPS
· Additional core samples have been taken and will be sent to a laboratory in Canada for additional assays.
· Up to 24 samples are also being sampled for petrological work under the supervision of Dr. Mumin, aimed at further enhancing Kavango’s understanding of the mineralisation style prior to future drilling.
· Kavango is preparing a geophysical survey program at Ditau, which is likely to include Induced Polarisation (IP) surveys targeting pyrite as a proxy for gold.
· The IP survey will initially be run over already identified mineralisation, to trace the wider extension over the i10 Target area.
· Kavango has been given permission to relog two additional diamond drill holes located over the i10 Target area, which were drilled by another company.
· The Botswana Geoscience Institute (BGI) has provided approval for Kavango to take and analyse samples from these holes.
Kavango Resources plc
Ben Turney
bturney@kavangoresources.com
+46 7697 406 06
First Equity (Broker)
+44 207 374 2212
Jason Robertson
Kavango Competent Person Statement
The technical information contained in this announcement pertaining to geology and exploration have been read and approved by Brett Grist BSc(Hons) FAusIMM (CP). Mr Grist is a Fellow of the Australasian Institute of Mining and Metallurgy with Chartered Professional status. Mr Grist has sufficient experience that is relevant to the exploration programmes and geology of the main styles of mineralisation and deposit types under consideration to act as a Qualified Person as defined in the 2012 Edition of the ‘Australasian Code for Reporting of Exploration Results, Mineral Resources and Ore Reserves’.
#FCM First Class Metals PLC – Zigzag Lithium Property Earn-In & Issue of Equity
First Class Metals PLC (“First Class Metals” “FCM” or the “Company”) the UK metals exploration company seeking large scale metal discoveries across its extensive Canadian Schreiber-Hemlo & Sunbeam land holding is pleased to announce that it has signed an agreement with Nuinsco Resources Limited in respect to the Zigzag lithium project in Ontario.
Highlights:
· Historic grades at surface up to 1.68% lithium (Li20) over 7.9m and 0.168% tantalum (Ta205) over 2.54m. The claim group covers the historic Tebishogeshik occurrence as well as other mineralised occurrences.
· The pegmatite hosting the deposit is reported to be more than 800m in length and 20m thick at surface.
· Sampling by Nuinsco returned strongly anomalous lithium, tantalum, and rubidium, peaking at 3.55% Li20 with significant tantalum, and rubidium results at 836 ppm Ta₂O5, and 4,003 ppm Rubidium Rb₂2O.
· Exploration Permit already in place, allowing for exploration activities which may include stripping, trenching, and drilling.
· Property located 10.5km from the Green Technology Metals Limited (ASX: GT1) Seymour Project and several other hard rock lithium properties. Close to nearby current and future planned key infrastructure.
· Signing completes the process outlined in the ‘Exclusivity Agreement’ announced on the 112th of December 2022 for the ‘Lithium property Earn In’. The project funding was also announced in the same news release, James Goozee a High Net Worth Individual (“HNWI”) lithium/battery metals focussed investor took the full £300,000 private subscription at 16p per share.
1https://polaris.brighterir.com/public/first_class_metals/news/rns/story/r790kzx
Figure 1–ZigZag Lake pegmatite (grey) with very coarse gained lithium bearing spodumene crystals (pale green), for scale the business card 3″x2″.
The project is less than 100km from Armstrong in northwest Ontario in the Seymour Lake area, a district already proved to be prospective for hard rock, pegmatite hosted lithium. Existing infrastructure currently in place in the local area is expected to be further bolstered in the future by the planned Jackfish Hydro project and a Spodumene Process Plant at the Green Technology Metals, Seymour site which is just over 10km away.
The six unit claim group includes a mapped structure of 800m which (Tebishogeshik occurrence) and is wholly contained within the claim block, the lithium-tantalum mineralization is pegmatite-hosted with significant rubidium and cesium mineralization also reported. See figure 2. All of which are ‘critical minerals’ as identified by the 2Canadian and United Kingdom Governments.
Previous workers of the Tebishogeshik occurrence have identified Li2O and Ta2O5 mineralization along the entire length of the showing from sampling at surface, grading up to 1.68% Li2O over 7.9m and 0.168% Ta2O5 over 2.54m in separate channels samples. Several shallow historic drill holes along the occurrence have returned significant intersections, including, (in separate drill holes) an intersection grading 1.08% Li2O over 6.1m and a separate intersection of 399.8ppm Ta2O5 over 2.92m. Both intersections were less than 20m down hole. The structure is open along strike and to depth and remains to be fully evaluated.
Lithium-ion battery production capacity pipeline globally to 2030 increases up to 8.1 TWh and North American EV battery production is forecast to reach 1 TWh annually by 2030. Even if production from known current assets were to double against planned capacities, expected North American demand alone would exceed supply by 40%.
Figure 2-Zigzag Claim Block geology with main known Lithium Pegmatite’s mapped.
Terms of the deal:
The deals is structured so that FCM has an option to earn-in up to an 80% interest over the exclusive option held by Nuinsco Resources over the Zigzag mining claims. The payments for the exercise of this option include a cash component of $CAD500,000 and a share component of $CAD250,000 in FCM Ordinary Shares spread across approximately 3.5 years. Additionally, FCM has committed to undertake exploration related expenses on the property over the same period to a value of $CAD550,000.
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Table 1 Zigzag Option Schedule |
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Cash (CAD$) |
Ordinary FCM Shares (CAD$) |
Annual Work Commitment (CAD$) |
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On Signing |
50,000 |
25,000 |
0.00 |
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June 01, 2023 |
75,000 |
30,000 |
50,000 |
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June 01, 2024 |
100,000 |
50,000 |
100,000 |
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June 01, 2025 |
125,000 |
60,000 |
150,000 |
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June 01, 2026 |
150,000 |
85,000 |
250,000 |
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Total |
500,000 |
250,000 |
550,000 |
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These payments and work commitments maybe accelerated at FCM’s option. Upon completion, the Zigzag mining claims will be owned by FCM and Nuinsco on an 80:20 basis and the parties will have deemed to enter a joint venture for the development of these mining claims. Should either party not wish to contribute to this joint venture a standard industry dilution clause shall apply. If either party dilutes to a 10% ownership interest or lower, their entire interest will automatically convert into a NSR royalty payment, and the other party shall be the 100% owner of the Zigzag mining claims. Additionally, half of such NSR royalty payment may be purchased by the other party by paying a sum of $CAD 750,000.
Figure 3 the Zigzag property is in a very prospective exploration proven lithium rich belt.
Issue of Equity
350,000 new ordinary shares are being issued to cover elements of the Nuinsco Share Payments and professional fees incurred, they will rank pari passu with the Company’s existing issued ordinary shares. The Company intends to allot and issue these new ordinary shares under its existing authorities on a non-pre-emptive basis.
The Company will be making its application to admit the new ordinary shares to the Official List of the FCA and to trading on the Main Market (Standard List) of the LSE. Admission is expected to occur on the 16th of March 2023.
Conditional on Admission, the Company’s issued ordinary share capital will be 70,794,589 ordinary shares, which may be used by shareholders 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 FCA’s Disclosure Guidance and Transparency Rules.
Marc Sale CEO commented:
“FCM is very enthused with the opportunity to have executed the agreement on this very prospective lithium prospect. FCM has now significantly augmented their portfolio of critical minerals within our exploration focus. Given the worldwide shift toward greener and cleaner economies, the acquisition of additional property assets such as Zigzag Lake is a strategic progression for FCM.“
For further information, please contact:
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James Knowles, Executive Chairman |
07488 362641 |
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Marc J Sale, CEO |
07711 093532 |
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Ayub Bodi, Executive Director |
07860 598086 |
First Equity Limited
(Financial Adviser & Broker)
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Jonathan Brown |
0207 3742212 |
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Jason Robertson |
0207 3742212 |
#POW Power Metal Resources plc – Drill Contract – Issue of Equity at 2.25p
Power Metal Resources PLC (LON:POW) the London listed exploration company seeking large-scale metal discoveries across its global project portfolio announces an issue of equity relating to payment for drill costs in relation to the recently completed Molopo Farms Complex diamond drill programme in Botswana.
The original announcement in respect of the drill contract with Mindea Exploration & Drilling Services (Pty) Ltd (“Mindea”) was released on 30 August 2022 and may be viewed through the link below:
https://www.londonstockexchange.com/news-article/POW/molopo-farms-drill-contract-signed/15604332
The final total payable under the equity component of the drill programme has been agreed at 4,094,254.96 Pula, or £257,824.62, to paid in full through the issue of Power Metal new ordinary shares of 0.1p (“Ordinary Shares”) at an agreed issue price of 2.25p. This equates to 11,458,872 Ordinary Shares to be issued to Mindea (“Drilling Shares”).
ADMISSION AND TOTAL VOTING RIGHTS
Application will be made for the 11,458,872 Drilling Shares to be admitted to trading on AIM which is expected to occur on or around 10 March 2023 (“Admission”). The Drilling Shares will rank pari passu in all respects with the ordinary shares of the Company currently traded on AIM.
Following Admission, the Company’s issued share capital will comprise 1,739,033,678 ordinary shares of 0.1p each. This number will represent the total voting rights in the Company and may be used by shareholders as the denominator for the calculation by which they can determine if they are required to notify their interest in, or a change to their interest in, the Company under the Financial Conduct Authority’s Disclosure and Transparency Rules.
This announcement contains inside information for the purposes of Article 7 of the Market Abuse Regulation (EU) 596/2014 as it forms part of UK domestic law by virtue of the European Union (Withdrawal) Act 2018 (“MAR”), and is disclosed in accordance with the Company’s obligations under Article 17 of MAR.
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 |
#TEK Tekcapital Plc – Investee Company MicroSalt Partnership
Tekcapital Plc (AIM: TEK), (OTCQB: TEKCF) the UK intellectual property investment group focused on creating valuable products from investing in university technology that can improve people’s lives, is pleased to announce that MicroSalt announced a partnership with Presty! Foods for the development and roll-out of low-sodium solutions across Presty’s line for plate-ready meals.
“We are proud to work with Presty! Foods in their efforts to offer low-sodium solutions to their customer base. We view Presty as a thought leader in offering lower sodium as an active option in its ingredient listing. Excess sodium consumption is a leading contributor to hypertension and cardiovascular disease, and partnerships like this are the best way to make a difference in our efforts to address the sodium crisis,” said Rick Guiney, CEO of MicroSalt®.”
“Presty! Foods is looking forward to working with MicroSalt® to help with our low-sodium initiatives. Sodium is a worldwide concern in the food industry, and we believe Rick and his team are the industry leaders that can help propel Presty! Foods for future growth,” said Maxime Gervaise Presty, founder of Presty! Foods.”
This partnership is expected to have a significant impact on both companies, including:
● MicroSalt® and Presty! Foods being positioned as leaders in the low-sodium prepared foods initiative.
● Expanding their customer base around the globe with healthy, lower sodium alternatives.
This partnership marks MicroSalt’s entrance into the plate-ready meals market, a new industry segment for the Company.
Market Opportunity
The global ready meals market size was valued at US$138 billion in 2021, and is expected to reach $408 billion by 2031, with a CAGR of 11.9% during the forecast period.
About Presty! Foods
The Presty! Foods brand was founded in a blending of innovative and diverse cultures, travels, tastes, and people, and every plate-ready meal they develop should continue to embody that spirit of delicious innovation. They manufacture Presty and Private Label brands in their facility in France, where they specialize in developing innovative and delicious options to supply the booming Heat and Eat category, which grew 297% in 2018, creating differentiated recipes unique to the U.S. market. To learn more about Presty! Foods please visit https://prestyfood.com/.
About MicroSalt
MicroSalt, is the developer and manufacturer of a proprietary low-sodium salt called MicroSalt®. We are passionate about improving peoples’ lives with better-for-you seasonings and snacks by taking the lead in the industry by providing the best low-sodium salt solution, based on the mechanical transformation of the salt particle itself. This solution is the only one that delivers real salt flavor because it is salt. Our new patented technology produces salt crystals that are approximately one hundred times smaller than typical table salt, delivering a powerful saltiness as the micro-grains dissolve in the mouth, with approximately 50% less sodium consumption. Additionally, the ultra-small particle size enhances product adhesion, which reduces waste and provides improved flavor consistency. MicroSalt® and SaltMe® are registered trademarks of MicroSalt Inc.
To learn more about MicroSalt please visit https://www.microsaltinc.com
Tekcapital owns 97.2% of the share capital of MicroSalt Ltd. and 73% of MicroSalt Inc. its U.S. subsidiary.
About Tekcapital plc
Tekcapital creates value from investing in new, university-developed discoveries that can enhance people’s lives and provides a range of technology transfer services to help organisations evaluate and commercialise new technologies. Tekcapital is quoted on the AIM market of the London Stock Exchange (AIM: symbol TEK) and is headquartered in the UK. For more information, please visit www.tekcapital.com.
LEI: 213800GOJTOV19FIFZ85
For further information, please contact:
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Tekcapital Plc |
Via Flagstaff IR |
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Clifford M. Gross, Ph.D. |
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SP Angel Corporate Finance LLP (Nominated Adviser and Broker) |
+44 (0) 20 3470 0470 |
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Richard Morrison / Charlie Bouverat (Corporate Finance) Rob Rees (Corporate Broking)
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Flagstaff Strategic and Investor Communications +44 (0)207 129 1474
Tim Thompson/Andrea Seymour/Fergus Mellon
Andrew Hore Quoted Micro 16 December 2019
NEX EXCHANGE
Capital for Colleagues (CFCP) is investing in new portfolio company The Security Awareness Group Ltd (TSAG), which was established to acquire an existing business that has been trading for more than two decades. It provides training to ensure than employees are aware of cyber security and potential for human error. The £405,000 investment in loans, preference and ordinary shares, will enable the acquisition to be completed and leave Capital for Colleagues with a 34% stake. Management will own 51% and an employee ownership trust the rest.
Fuel emulsifier technology developer SulNOx is joining NEX on 17 December and it will be valued at £42.3m at 50p a share. SulNOx originally said it planned to join NEX during the spring when it raised £550,000 in pre-IPO funds. It has developed a process that can emulsify hydrocarbon fuels, such as diesel and heavy oils. The products can reduce Nitrous Oxide, Carbon Dioxide and Sulphur Oxide gases and particulates, as well as making combustion more efficient. The emulsifier can be used in existing engines.
Health property developer Ashley House (ASH) is exploring opportunities for modular affordable housing. Overheads have been reduced but the company says that it retains its core team and has appointed Paul Williamson as head of the modular activities. Adrian Wright, who is the largest shareholder with a 13.4% stake, has been appointed to the board.
Primorus Investments (PRIM) has met with the management of AIM-quoted investee company Greatland Gold (GGP) and it says that it believes that the Havieron gold/copper deposit may host more than 20 million ounces. Further share acquisitions are possible. Primorus currently owns 37 million shares at an average cost of 1.71p each, which is slightly higher than the market price. Newcrest Mining is farming-in to Havieron. Six rigs will be working on the project over the coming months.
Gunsynd (GUN) had cash of £568,000 out of total net assets of £2.36m at the end of July 2019. Gunsynd did raise £498,000 from a share issue during the period. There was an unrealised loss on investments of £224,000 partly offset by a realised profit of £35,000. There was a £400,000 cash outflow from operations. The stake in Oyster Oil and Gas was valued at £350,000 and Gunsynd has subsequently agreed to sell the shares for a total of £260,000. Production sharing contracts for four blocks in Djibouti are not included in the transaction.
NQ Minerals (NQMI) is expanding the capacity of the Hellyer gold mine in Tasmania. A 100 tonne per hour mining dredge should be operational by the end of the year.
Hydro Hotel, Eastbourne (HYDP) is increasing its interim dividend from 7p a share to 9p a share and this goes ex-dividend on 19 December. The final dividend will be maintained at 14p a share.
Tectonic Gold (TTAU) has sold its stake in Tirupati Graphite for £86,844. The initial investment in 2016 was £40,000.
EPE Special Opportunities Ltd (ESO) had a net asset value of 261.97p a share at the end of November 2019.
The acquisition of Netalogue Technologies (NTLP) has been completed and trading on NEX will end on 10 January.
Jersey-based Zandra Holdings has increased its stake in Formation Group (FRM) from 74.62% to 89.99%.
AIM
Lawyer Gately (GTLY) is acquiring T-three Group, which offers human resources services for £3.4m. Pro forma sales from continuing operations were £4.2m and EBITDA was £700,000 and the deal should be immediately earnings enhancing. This business fits with Kiddy which was acquired last year.
Feed, fuel and food distributor NWF (NWF) has leased another warehouse on the back of a five-year contract with a food customer. This will add 37,000 pallet spaces in Crewe, which will be predominantly used up by this contract. There is a five-year break clause on the lease. There will be £500,000 of start-up costs this year. Two fuel distributors have been acquired for £5m in recent weeks. The contributions from these will offset the additional cost in the year to May 2020. The feed business has grown its volumes and market share. Interim profit should be better than the weak comparisons.
Pelatro (PTRO) has won another contract. This is for providing additional campaign management services to an existing telecoms client. The deal involves monthly revenues with a share of gains. It is worth $1m over three years.
Investment in connected devices technology is starting to pay off for Vianet (VNET) with the revenues and profit of the smart machines division growing strongly. Additional contracts have been won that provide additional business over the next five years. These contracts alone cover 20,000 units. Technology upgrades are helping the smart zones division to retain and generate more revenues from pub clients. The US smart zones business made its maiden profit in the period. The interim dividend is maintained at 1.7p a share.
Versarien (VRS) has enough cash for its current requirements. The graphene products developer had £2.64m in cash at the end of September 2019. There is an invoice discounting facility available to provide additional liquidity. There is £898,000 of borrowings which are being paid back at around £30,000/month. At the current rate of cash outflow, the cash should last around one year, although a company is not going to wait until it runs out to raise more cash. The hard wear components business is generating cash, but the plastics business has been a drain. There are still plenty of opportunities for Versarien, including in China.
Open Orphan (ORPH) is merging with hVIVO (HVO) via an offer for 2.47 shares for each hVIVO share. Both companies are clinical research organisations. There is limited overlap in the services offered.
Integumen (SKIN) has raised £1.37m at 1.5p a share. The company needs additional funds because a potential client is doing due diligence. Revenues are expected to quadruple to £4m in 2020. Capacity at the Labskin laboratory is being increased.
Audio equipment supplier Focusrite (TUNE) is holding a general meeting to increase the amount it is allowed to borrow from up to £15m to up to £60m. Net cash was £14.9m at the end of August 2019, but the company is keen to make acquisitions.
Digital chemistry analysis company Deepmatter (DMTR) says that AstraZeneca has agreed to use its DigitalGlassware technology in Sweden alongside its own automated compound synthesis platform. This is an initial trial to assess how the technologies can work together. Data capture by DigitalGlassware could reduce cost and time, as well as providing improved analysis.
Spitfire Oil Ltd (SRO) had cash of $2.1m at the end of June 2019. Spitfire has relinquished the Salmon Gums lignite licences. It is a shell and has to make an acquisition by 29 February or trading in the shares will be suspended. This seems likely. The there is six months to make an acquisition or lose the AIM quotation.
Coral Products (CRU) has gained approval to offset production from its plastics recycling plant against the plastic packaging waste levy. Production hours have been doubled and the equipment should be run 24 hours a day by the end of April.
FireAngel Safety Technology (FA.) expects to report a loss nearly double its previous expectations at between £2.6m and £2.9m. that is partly down to lower sales from higher margin products. The fire and smoke alarms company could still be profitable in 2020.
Packaging supplier Robinson (RBN) says that 2019 revenues are slightly lower than forecast but pre-tax profit will be better than expected at £2.2m.
Digital services provider The Panoply Holdings (TPX) reported a one-third increase in interim revenues to £13.4m and the public sector is becoming a greater percentage of revenues. The company is on course to move into profit this year. A pre-tax profit of £3m is forecast.
Wind sensor technology developer Windar Photonics (WPHO) is raising £1.41m at 27.5p a share. This follows the trading statement admitting that sales are disappointing.
India-focused online retailer Koov (KOOV) has been placed in administration because a funder failed to come up with the cash it promised.
MAIN MARKET
ASX-listed Adriatic Metals (ADT1) has joined the standard list. Adriatic has projects in Bosnia Herzegovina. The main focus is the Vares project, north of Sarajevo. There is lead, zinc, copper, silver, gold and barite.
Shefa Gems Ltd (SEFA) has announced a maiden resource for the Kishon Mid-Reach project. The contained revenues are $41/tonne, predominantly due to the Carmel Sapphire. The mining cost is estimated at $26/tonne and it could be reduced.
Zenith Energy (ZEN) has decided not to acquire Nordic Petroleum because of high costs. Work on the C-37 well in Azerbaijan should enable production of more than 250 barrels of oil a day.
Hadrian’s Wall Secured Investments Ltd (HWSL) says it should not continue in its current form due to the large discount to NAV. A review could end up with a decision to run down the company. Brett Miller has been appointed to the board. A new NAV figure has been delayed.
Ferro-Alloy Resources (FAR) says that a sharp fall in the vanadium price has hit short-term profitability and cash generation. It remains confident that the operations in southern Kazakhstan are still viable.
Andrew Hore
Andrew Hore – Quoted Micro 10 June 2019
NEX EXCHANGE
Proton Partners International Ltd (PPI) has asked Woodford Investment Management to subscribe for £25m worth of shares at 176p a share. This is part of an agreement with Woodford that was outlined in the prospectus and it comes at a time when the fund manager is coming under pressure for poor performance and it has closed redemptions from one of its funds. The cash will pay off a loan and provide working capital.
NQ Minerals (NQMI) is making a £155,000 investment in Tasmania Energy Metals and the two companies will evaluate whether they should develop an integrated facility for the treatment of metal concentrate. NQ also has an exclusivity period until the end of July during which to decide whether to acquire Tasmania’s assets.
Sativa Investments (SATI) has signed an offtake agreement with a Swiss supplier of cannabis oil. This will be used to manufacture cannabidiol products.
AfriAg Global (AFRI) has invested £300,000 in Apollon Formularies for a 0.71% stake. Apollon plans to open a licenced retail medicinal cannabis dispensary and processing facility in Jamaica by the end of the month.
Newbury Racecourse (NYR) says that it is unlikely to return to paying dividends or return capital to shareholders before 2022 at the earliest. There is uncertainty about future revenue streams from fixed-odds betting terminals and how this could impact UK betting. It could reduce prize money levels. The onsite hotel has increased revenues by 15% so far this year.
Trading in shares of Equatorial Mining (EM.P) has been suspended ahead of publishing accounts. They should be published at the time of the general meeting to gain approval of the acquisition of Rwanda-based miner and explorer Eastinco. A £1.2m fundraising is also planned.
Altona Energy (ANR) has signed a memorandum of understanding with Shaanxi Qianyan Vanadium and Magnesium Mining, which owns a vanadium mine in China. The plan is to forma joint venture where Altona will be the controlling shareholder. Due diligence will take up to six months and there will be a JORC-compliant mineral resource classification report. The estimated reserve is 190,000 tonnes of vanadium.
Formation Group (FRM) has secured a £10m subscription at 7.71p a share through the acquisition of Zandra Holdings, whose asset is £10m in cash. This takes the Kennedy Private Trust stake in Formation to 89.99%. A £10m loan facility ahs also been secured.
The Little Bear mine area has been transferred to Panther Metals (PALM) and the Little Bear vein is a high priority drill target in order to see if the bonanza grade gold mineralisation still exists at depth. Panther has also applied for a licence over the Annaburroo gold project in Northern Territory, Australia.
Walls and Futures REIT (WAFR) has secured a £600,000 secured revolving credit facility and spent £465,000 on a bungalow in Didcot to be redeveloped into a home providing specialist support for four adults.
Valiant Investments (VALP) is raising £263,000 at 1.5p a share and it is changing its name to Eurocann International as an indication of the change in strategy to investment in the medicinal cannabis sector. Jeremy Rose will become chief executive and he has a number of directorships including of Speakeasy Cannabis. Burns Singh Tennent-Bhohi will become a non-executive.
EcoVista (EVTP) had £419,000 in cash at the end of February 2019 and it is seeking further investment. The interim loss declined from £238,000 to £202,000. Net assets were £1.19m at the end of February 2019.
Share trading in Wishbone Gold (WSBN) has been suspended because it has not published its 2018 accounts.
AIM
The smart machines division of Vianet (VNET) is going to be the source of profit growth for the coming years. Profit can be improved by converting the vending machines that came with the Vendman acquisition to Vianet’s contactless technology, as well as winning new business. The smart zones pub dispensing technology division should be able to maintain its contribution with lower UK profit due to pub closures being offset by an improved performance in the US. Pre-tax profit is expected to improve from £2.7m to £2.9m, although earnings per share will be hit by a higher tax charge.
Interim revenues at smart home devices supplier LightwaveRF (LWRF) increased 120% to £2.5m, although there was still a pre-tax loss of £1.35m. New distribution channels are helping to accelerate growth in revenues. The company could move into profit next year
Bad weather in the US has hampered the progress of Somero Enterprises (SOM) and led to forecast downgrades. Demand for concrete levelling equipment is normally stronger in the spring. This year’s earnings have been cut by 12% and next year by 11%. This will also reduce the potential dividend. The forecast 2019 normal dividend plus payout of surplus cash has been cut from 27.8 cents a share to 19.8 cents a share.
Waste-to-energy technology developer EQTEC (EQT) is acquiring a 19.99% stake in North Fork Community Power, a biomass gasification power project in California. EQTEC will supply $2.5m worth of equipment from its Newry site in return for the stake. It also expects to generate €2.2m from selling additional equipment.
Microsaic Systems (MSYS) has signed a distribution agreement for the Microsaic 4500 MID MS detector with CM Corporation for the South Korean market.
A shareholder owning a 17.2% stake in Rurelec (RUR) intends to propose an AGM resolution for the appointment of Gordon Fisher as a director. He is a former boss of a freight forwarding and customs brokerage. The electricity generator reduced its pre-tax loss from £5.8m to £600,000 in 2018, mainly due to lower overheads, exchange gains and a disposal gain. NAV is 4.4p a share, which is more than four times the share price.
Driver (DRV) had already said that its interims would be disappointing and pre-tax profit slumped from £2.11m to £762,000. The Middle East and Asia Pacific were tough markets with lower contributions. The expert witness operations made a reduced contribution. A 0.5p a share interim dividend was announced, and the ex-dividend date is 19 September. The company is also buying back shares in order to put a floor under the share price.
Chemicals-focused shell Wilmcote Holdings (WCH) is in exclusive discussions with Arclin Inc for a potential acquisition. Trading in the shares has been suspended.
Acquisitions consultancy K3 Capital (K3C) has confirmed that trading is in line with previous guidance and EBITDA is at the upper end of the range of £4.5m to £5m. An 80% payout would mean a reduction in dividend from 11.2p a share to 7.2p a share.
Osirium Technologies (OSI) has won a contract with a European telecoms services provider. The three year contract covers cyber security software and services.
MAIN MARKET
A strong first half has continued into the second half trading for automotive information publisher Haynes Publishing (HYNS) and pre-tax profit for the year to May 2019 is expected to exceed expectations by 10%. This suggests pre-tax profit of around £2m. The results will be announced on 12 September.
Caffyns (CFYN) reported a small improvement in underlying pre-tax profit to £1.45m in the year to March 2019. New car sales were 10% lower, which is more than three times the market decline. However, there was growth in used car sales and aftersales revenues.
Positive news from Argo Blockchain (ARB) where results for May were well ahead of the company’s budgets. New cryptomining hardware has started contributing faster than expected and rising cryptocurrency prices have improved mining yields. A further £2.85m is being invested in equipment. There was £685,000 generated in May, based on a bitcoin price of $8,575, while cash operating costs were £280,000. Second quarter figures will be better than expected. If the bitcoin price is maintained, then there will be £2.85m of crypto assets at the end of the second quarter.
BigDish (DISH) has raised £2.1m at 7.2p a share and this should be enough cash for the restaurant platform until 2021. The UK rollout will be accelerated.
Pembridge Resources (PERE) is acquiring the Minto mine from Capstone Mining. Pembridge will pay up to $20m out of future cash flows. Commercial production could recommence before the end of the year. A $10m loan has been secured.
Symphony International Holdings (SIHL) has made an investment in Soothe Healthcare, which manufactures feminine hygiene products under the Paree and Pariz brands.
Andrew Hore