Yesterday, Capital Metals (CMET), a mineral sands company approaching mine development stage at the high-grade Taprobane Minerals Project in Sri Lanka announced the appointment of Strand Hanson Limited as its Nominated Adviser with immediate effect.
Greg Martyr, Executive Chairman of Capital Metals, commented: “We’re looking forward to working with Strand Hanson as Nomad alongside Hannam & Partners, our recently appointed Broker and Financial Adviser. Both advisers have recently visited the Project in Sri Lanka and have been impressed with our growing in-country team. We believe they are well placed to support Capital Metals as we look towards a Final Investment Decision and beyond.”
Comment: The market is clearly inspired by recent results and the prospect of much more at its Taprobane project, something which should ensure the shares continue their recent recovery.
Arkle Resources (ARK) announced that it has raised £500,000 in a private placing at 0.3p per share. Each Placing Share has one warrant attached with the right to subscribe for one new ordinary share at 0.3p for a period of two years. The Placing Price represents a premium of 28% on the closing price the day prior to this announcement. The funds will be used to help develop Arkle’s two areas of activity, base metals, particularly zinc in Ireland and lithium / magnesium in Botswana.
Comment: Everyone loves a premium fundraise that remains at a premium, something which given ARK’s dynamic area of focus, especially in Botswana, could be the case.
Goodwin (GDWN) reported a record level of profits for the Group for the twelve month period ended 30th April, 2025. The “Trading” pre-tax profit was £35.5 million (2024: £24.1 million) an increase of 47% from the previous financial year’s trading profits on revenue of £220 million, which is up 15% on the revenue reported for last financial year. The Group’s increased performance was in line with expectations, with the growing momentum within the Mechanical Division being the primary driver of the improved result.
Comment: Hopefully from now on the market will take notice of this hitherto practically invisible company. It is refreshing that the company is involved in a real world sector, as opposed to the rather frothy areas of focus so many listed vehicles have these days.
Panther Metals (PALM), the exploration company focused on mineral projects in Canada, updated on the Bitcoin strategy as the Company refines the treasury model and aligns to target the world’s highest per-capita ownership cryptocurrency market. This strategy complements and enhances the Company’s exciting ongoing exploration related critical mineral developments in Ontario, Canada. Based on recent developments Panther no longer plans to proceed with a traditional £4 million capital raise via the public markets. The Company’s Bitcoin Treasury funding model is to be built around a Bitcoin-backed equity issuance strategy, designed to preserve shareholder value and drive strategic asset growth. New Panther shares are to issued in exchange for Bitcoin, giving individuals or entities the opportunity to exit their Bitcoin positions, giving them access to critical mineral asset-backed listed equity on the London Main Market.
Cornish Metals Inc. (CUSN), a mineral exploration and development company focused on advancing its wholly owned and permitted South Crofty tin project in Cornwall, United Kingdom, announce that on 29 July 2025, the Company hosted The RT Hon Rachel Reeves MP, Chancellor of the Exchequer, at South Crofty.
Comment: Although one suspects that Rachel Reeves does not know one end of a tin mine from the other, at least she can check out how much tax CUSN may be paying when finally in production.
Ascent Resources (AST), the onshore US focused oil & gas company, is pleased to announce the appointment of Mr Jean-Michel Doublet as Independent Non-Executive Chairman and Mr David Patterson as an Executive Director with immediate effect. Jean-Michel was initially appointed to the Board on 21 November 2023 as an independent Non-Executive Director and since 22 May 2025 has held the position of Interim-Chairman. The Company is also announced that, further to the announcements on 22 May 2025 and 9 July 2025, David Patterson, CEO of the Company, has been appointed as an Executive Director to the Board with immediate effect, following the completion of standard regulatory checks.
Comment: AST continues to beef up the board, something which when added to the experience of the recently appointed CEO, is giving the company a serious look. We look forward to this being reflected in the current modest share price.
Eco (Atlantic) Oil & Gas Ltd. (ECO), the oil and gas exploration company focused on the offshore Atlantic Margins, announce its audited results for the year ended 31 March 2025. The Company had cash and cash equivalents of US$4.7 million and no debt as at 31 March 2025. The Company had total assets of US$21.6 million, total liabilities of US$1.2 million and total equity of US$20.4 million as at 31 March 2025.
Comment: ECO continues to be a rather underappreciated play, a state of affairs which remains unsatisfactory, but does at least offer those looking for a value play a decent entry point.
Fulcrum Metals (FMET), the AIM-quoted company pioneering the use of innovative technology to recover precious metals from mine waste, announced that, further to the announcement released by the Company on 22 July 2025, the Company has raised a further £245,010. The Further Subscription has been undertaken at the Issue Price of 3 pence per share and on the same terms as the Fundraise announced by the Company on 22 July 2025. In total the Fundraise has raised gross proceeds of approximately £1.29 million.
Comment: FMET adds to its recent fundraise with a follow on one, albeit of a bite sized nature. This, along with the involvement of Metals One (MET1) suggests that the company is well chased up to deliver its strategy.
Zenith Energy (ZEN), the listed international energy production and development company, announced that it has acquired a Ready-to-Build solar energy production project located in the region of Puglia in Italy, by way of its Italian subsidiary created for the purpose of managing its new solar energy portfolio, WESOLAR S.R.L. The Acquisition will have a power output of approximately 3 MWp.
Comment: ZEN dusts itself down in the wake of its recent arbitration road bump, by continuing the momentum it has gathered in the renewable energy space. This can be regarded as something of a hedge against the result of its legal journey.
Foxtons Group (FOXT) delivered strong revenue and adjusted operating profit growth in the first half of the year, marking a fifth consecutive year of financial progress, and demonstrating continued execution against the Group’s growth plan. The Group is trading in line with management’s expectations.
Comment: While there may be a lag in terms of the stagnation in the housing market and the performance of FOXT, it may be the case that this company is so far immune to the effects of any downturn.
Hamak Gold (HAMA) announced the acquisition of 20 Bitcoin as part of its broader capital allocation and treasury management strategy. This move marks the Company’s first foray into digital asset investment and reflects a proactive approach to value creation and balance sheet optimisation. To facilitate this strategy, Hamak Gold has partnered with Archax, the first FCA-regulated digital asset exchange, broker, and custodian, which will also support the Company’s Bitcoin Treasury Strategy.
Comment: HAMA continues its recent impressive transformation by loading up with £1.7m worth of BTC. The relationship with Archax underpins that differentiation HAMA has from others who have joined the BTC Treasury Strategy brigade in a positive way.
Disclaimer & Declaration of Interest:
The information, investment views, and recommendations in this Zaks Traders Cafe interview are provided for general information purposes only. Nothing in this interview should be construed as a promotion or solicitation to buy or sell any financial product relating to any companies under discussion or referred to or to engage in or refrain from doing so or engage in any other transaction. Any opinions or comments are made to the best of the knowledge and belief of the commentator but no responsibility is accepted for actions based on such opinions or comments. The commentators may or may not hold investments in the companies under discussion.
