CleanTech Lithium (CTL), an innovative sustainable lithium developer in Chile, is collaborating with DuPont Water Solutions, a business unit of DuPont, to test lithium processing technology. DuPont has developed a new nanofiltration (NF) membrane technology for high lithium recovery.
This will be tested in CleanTech Lithium’s direct lithium extraction (DLE) downstream process. The role of the NF is to remove impurities and maximise lithium recovery. DuPont’s new NF membrane element (named FilmTec™ LiNE-XD nanofiltration elements) is specifically designed for the lithium sector and will be tested in CTL´s next scheduled phase of post-DLE pilot plant testing.
Comment: While CTL has made decent operational progress, and now has its new CEO in place, it is perhaps the kind of heavyweight counterpart announced today in DuPont that could finally move the share price dial.
Metals One (MET1), which is advancing critical minerals projects, provided corporate and strategic updates. Metals One said it intends to leverage its platform to undertake other project acquisitions and is currently reviewing projects within Europe, North America and Australasia with a particular focus on copper, uranium and defence minerals. The Board is also considering opportunities, in light of record high prices, to acquire gold exploration assets which are currently underfunded.
Comment: The best funding move in the small cap area so far this year, and now all cash up MET1 has the optionality to seek out the best assets and commodities around at the moment.
Beowulf (BEM), the European mineral exploration and development company, is announced that its CEO, Ed Bowie, will provide a live presentation and Q&A at 10:00 BST on 28 April 2025.
Comment: The possibility that BEM could do a MET1, once its funding is sorted, is very much on the cards, perhaps something which could be hinted at the Q&A. Insight into potential targets could be a decent driver.
Eurasia Mining (EUA), the palladium, platinum, rhodium, iridium and gold mining company provided a general corporate update ahead of the Investor Webinar the Company’s leadership team will host later today. EUA said “The Directors are looking forward to the planned dual listing on AIX, which aims to expand the marketability, visibility and liquidity of the Company.”
Comment: One would have thought that the cash runway now up to H2 2026 should be a draw for the market, and the prospect of more cash to be delivered via the Kazakh listing. The company still remains a play on an eventual Ukraine resolution, although the dual listing on the AIX angle means that the company can sidestep the fate of the conflict.
Good Life Plus Plc (AQSE: GDLF), an innovator in the luxury prize draw and rewards sector, is pleased to announce that it has raised gross proceeds of £860,000 at a price of 2.15 pence per share, by Winforton Investments Limited. Winforton is a private investment vehicle associated with Mark Blandford, the founder of Sportingbet Plc.
Comment: If GDLF had entered the Omaze draw it could have won a house, sold it, and not needed a fundraise. That said, it is to be commended that major shareholder Mark Blandford is still stepping up to the plate.
Lexington Gold (LEX), the gold exploration and development company with projects in South Africa and the USA, announced that the Company has raised, in aggregate, gross proceeds of £530,000 at a price of 3.4 pence.
Comment: A cheeky fundraise from LEX, as the gold price rises, the equivalent of making hay while the sun shines. Indeed, it is probably the case that the company could have got away with raising more than half a bar.
Tern (TERN), the company focused on value creation from Internet of Things technology businesses, announces an underwritten Open Offer to raise approximately £340,140 at an Issue Price of 1.00p per Open Offer Share.
Comment: There are some things you can rely on in life apart from death and taxes, and that is a fundraise from TERN. Presumably, they will continue even into the reign of King George VII.
Sainsbury’s (SBRY) announced FY sales (excluding fuel) £26.6bn, up 4.2%, Argos FY sales £4.9bn, down (2.7)%, Fuel FY sales £4.7bn, down (8.9)%. Statutory profit after tax £242m, up 77%. SBRY said “Reflecting the strength of our balance sheet, we will buy back at least £200m of shares in 2025/26 and we expect to return bank disposal proceeds of £250m via special dividend in the second half of the year.”
Comment: It would appear that the market thus far has overly factored in the influence of the cost of living crisis, and SBRY’s skill in positioning itself in the market. The special dividend is a great carrot for the shares, especially as they are still in the lower end of the range.
Thor Explorations (THX) provided its first quarter 2025 interim operational update for the Segilola Gold mine, located in Nigeria, and for the Company’s mineral exploration properties located in Nigeria, Senegal and Côte d’Ivoire, for the three months to March 31, 2025. Gold sales in Q1 2025 of 22,750 oz at an average realized price of US$2,720 resulting in revenue of $61.9 million. In the period, we unwound the entirety of our hedged gold positions and poured 22,790 ounces of gold. This continues to strengthen our balance sheet and provides an excellent platform from which to implement our strategy and ambitions for the year.
Comment: As we found out from the company’s recent Zakstraderscafe interview, THX is going great guns in the current environment, with the profit per ounce approaching the magic $2,000 an ounce level. Future production sources are set to turn the company into a genuine mid-tier play.
Deliveroo (ROO) announced a Q1 2025 trading update. Adjusted EBITDA expected to be in the range of £170-190 million, as we make targeted investments to capture future growth opportunities. ROO said “I am really pleased with our strong start to the year, marked by a 9% year-on-year increase in GTV and 7% growth in orders.”
Comment: Given that shares of ROO are still in the low end of the range, the main issue here is whether a £2bn market cap already fairly values the performance and outlook?
Power Metal Resources (POW), the London listed exploration company with a global project portfolio, and its majority held subsidiary Power Arabia Ltd, is pleased to provide an update on the gravimetry geophysical survey results and ongoing fieldwork at the Block 8 exploration concession in Oman. POW said “I am delighted to provide this exciting update from Power Arabia’s flagship project. These highly encouraging gravimetric survey results further demonstrate the potential for Block 8 to deliver value to stakeholders and shareholders.”
Comment: POW has been and remains one of the most genuinely undervalued small caps around – with a notional value even without today’s news, being twice the share price in the wake of the chunky disposal and cash contribution from in its star spin-off Guardian Metal (GMET). Power Arabia’s value is currently in the share price for free.
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.
