The Times: More than $200 billion was added to the value of cryptocurrencies in the space of a few minutes yesterday after President Trump named the first five digital tokens that will make up what he has called the United States “crypto reserve”. The president said XRP, cardano and solana would be included in a strategic crypto reserve set up by the US government, causing prices to rise sharply on Sunday.
Comment: While PM Keir Starmer has been spending the weekend wafting around on the world stage, trying to look like a strong leader whose economy is not collapsing, President Trump delivers $200bn of crypto value after bullying President Zelensky in the White House.
Georgina Energy (GEX), a helium, hydrogen and natural resources development company in Australia, provides an operational update on EP513 Hussar and EPA155 Mt Winter. GEX said “Despite the weather causing some adjustments to our timeline, the expanded structural closure at Hussar represents a larger opportunity than initially expected which is within our existing Exploration Permit area. Additionally, the successful acquisition of a 100% working interest in Mt Winter, subject to completion, adds significant value to the Company. I’d like to assure all of our shareholders that we remain committed to systematically advancing both projects and unlocking their full potential.”
Comment: It has been stated here many times that the way forward for GEX is to ignore mudslinging of the company from those who will say anything to help their friends who are short of the stock, and deliver decent, significant newsflow. Adding value to the company via proving up its assets is the way forward.
Blencowe Resources (BRES) announced it has received a formal Expression of Interest from the African Finance Corporation, a leading multilateral finance institution, regarding potential participation in both debt and project level equity funding for the Orom-Cross graphite project in Uganda. BRES said “Securing this Expression of Interest from the African Finance Corporation is a material milestone for Blencowe. AFC is one of Africa’s most respected financial institutions and its interest in Phase 1 funding, alongside future development phases, reinforces Orom-Cross’s long-term strategic importance.”
Comment: While the market has been somewhat slow in appreciating the value of BRES, it can be seen that those in the business / sector are aware of the strengths of the company, and will no doubt take the company forward.
Eco Buildings Group (ECOB), the UK-listed modular housing company, announced that it has delivered and constructed it’s first show house in Valpairaso, Chile. A further two show houses are currently being constructed in the Melipilla district. The construction of these houses is the last step in the due diligence process being undertaken by the Chilean government ahead of confirmation of its commitment to enter into a long-term manufacturing and supply contract for modular housing, as part of its broader social housing programme.
Comment: While the house pictured in the RNS is not quite in the Buckingham Palace league, it is something to assure the market that the modular housing dream can be a profitable reality.
Symphony Environmental Technologies (SYM), the global specialists in technologies that make plastic and rubber products smarter, safer, and more sustainable, is pleased to announce a historic decision by the Supreme Federal Court of Brazil, which upheld Complementary Law 233/2008. This landmark ruling mandates the use of reusable or biodegradable plastic bags in commercial establishments in the City of Piracicaba, marking a significant victory for environmental sustainability and municipal legislative autonomy.
Comment: Given the plastic pollution crisis shows no sign of improving, and the only answer so far appears to be pay to pollute, for SYM it is regulatory intervention such as today’s which will support the company.
Finseta (FIN), a foreign exchange and payments solutions company offering multi-currency accounts to businesses and individuals through its proprietary technology platform, is pleased to announce the commercial availability of the Finseta Corporate Card, a payment card scheme for corporate customers. Finseta said it anticipates that the corporate card scheme, which carries a higher gross margin than its existing service offering, will begin to contribute to operating profits from 2026.
Comment: Those who are perhaps not as close to the company as they should be will be pleased at the latest corporate card move, and the way it will boost the group from next year.
Sovereign Metals (SVML) announced that a new Corporate Presentation titled “Graphite By-Product Strategy Update” has been published on ASX and the Company’s website.
https://sovereignmetals.com.au/presentations/
Landore Resources (LND) announced the results of its 2024 infill drill core sampling programme on selected historic drill holes on its flagship BAM Gold Deposit and Lamaune Gold Exploration Target, at the Junior Lake property, Ontario, Canada. LND said “I am most encouraged by these latest sampling results from BAM Gold, which, once again, clearly demonstrate the enormous potential of our flagship asset at Junior Lake.”
Comment: LND’s moves in Canada remind us how much junior minors on the London market have invested in this jurisdiction, and how we are all still waiting on the big win from this area.
Helium One Global (HE1), the primary helium explorer in Tanzania with a 50% working interest in the Galactica-Pegasus helium development project in Colorado, USA, updated on its southern Rukwa Helium Project in Tanzania. The Company has received an offer letter from the Mining Commission in Tanzania for the grant of a Mining Licence for the southern Rukwa Helium Project. HE1 said “This historical moment, for both the Company and for Tanzania, is the first ML to be offered for helium in Tanzania and also the first of such a significant size. I would like to express my appreciation to the Ministry of Minerals and the Mining Commission for their support of this application and project, and for entrusting the Company in paving the way for this flagship commodity sector in-country.” HE1 also announced that the Jackson-31 SENW 3054 development well at investee Blue Star’s Galactica helium project in Las Animas County, Colorado has been successfully drilled to TD.
Comment: The RNS Hotlist has patiently been waiting by the window looking for news on Tanzania, which the postman has finally delivered after a news blackout since September. Not surprisingly, the shares have jumped, as the US distraction investment was never as important.
ECR Minerals (ECR), the exploration and development company focused on gold in Australia, announced that it has entered into an exclusivity arrangement and non-binding agreement to potentially acquire the entire share of capital of Maximus Minerals Ltd. The Proposed Acquisition is subject to the satisfactory conclusion of ECR’s due diligence and completion of underlying transaction documentation by 31 May 2025.
Comment: After a lot of shuffling of the pack, and a chunky fundraise or two, ECR decides to widen its portfolio, rather than focus on what it has under its belt. Let’s see with the shares near the bottom of the range currently, whether the market appreciates this strategy.
Zanaga Iron Ore Company (ZIOC) announced an equity fundraise for gross proceeds of US$21.5 million, with potential to upsize to US$23.0 million, conducted by way of subscriptions to a group of investors with significant experience in the mining industry, project and infrastructure development, and strong relationships in Republic of Congo. The participation of highly experienced investor and advisory groups brings world-class expertise in large-scale iron ore development, financing, and project execution to ZIOC.
Comment: Not surprisingly, after the mega rally in the shares, which Zaks Traders Café seemed to be the only one that noticed, ZIOC has been able to raise a chunky amount of cash to drive itself forward.
Argo Blockchain (ARB) announce that it entered into a non-binding term sheet for up to $40 million in senior secured convertible loans (the “Financing”) on 25 February 2025. The initial tranche of the Financing would be $15 million with follow on tranches of up to $25 million advanced over the next 18 months. The proceeds of the Financing are to be used to refresh Argo’s Baie Comeau, Quebec mining fleet, to strengthen the balance sheet, and to assess a pipeline of merger and acquisition possibilities.
Comment: Those who were perhaps hoping that ARB would just roll over in terms of its financial position may be disappointed by today’s fundraise, although in order to try and rescue their short positions can always play the “death spiral” scare tactic.
Guardian Metal Resources (GMET), a strategic mineral exploration and development company focused in Nevada, USA, announce further drillhole assay results from the Company’s ongoing drilling campaign at its 100% owned Pilot Mountain tungsten Project located in Nevada, USA. Laboratory assay results from drill core samples have been received from the next batch of drillholes at the Desert Scheelite zone covering PM24-029 to PM24-039 with some further very high-grade tungsten and silver results being intersected. To date, 51 drillholes have been completed.
Comment: GMET has been one of the few companies on the London market where drilling news has been taken positively on a consistent basis, largely on the basis of the company’s ongoing strong cash position, and non-dilutive funding possibilities.
Upland Resources (UPL) announce that, further to its RNS dated 28 February 2025 and prior to closing on Friday, it received exercise notices for an additional 4,166,667 warrants, which were issued on 28 February 2023. These exercises bring the total number of warrants exercised to 51,152,777. The warrant exercises have generated gross proceeds of £613,833.
Comment: Today’s news is perhaps not the big operational one that some in the market were waiting for, but it will no doubt keep the “no smoke without fire” vibe in place surrounding the stock over the past couple of weeks.
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.
