The Telegraph: The number of Britons on jobless benefits has hit a record 6.5 million after jumping by 500,000 under Labour. The tally of people receiving some form of worklessness welfare surpassed six million for the first time after Sir Keir Starmer came to power last summer and has risen by more than half a million since then, according to official figures. The number of working-age adults on one of these welfare payments has now surged by 79pc since early 2018 and has surpassed the peak of 5.9m hit during the pandemic.
Comment: The 6.5m on jobless benefits are the most intelligent in the country. Not for them getting up at the crack of dawn, and going to a boring office in the wind, the cold and the rain. Not for them waiting till June or July every year to be breakeven after HMRC, mortgages and council tax. Not for them worrying about job security, national insurance, business rates, or balancing the books of their company. Yes, they are the intelligent ones. If only we could all join them and live off The State. In fact, why don’t we? It may very well be time for the private sector to go on strike.
Georgina Energy (GEX), a helium, hydrogen and natural resources development company in Australia, has received an additional expression of interest for offtake and wishes to provide the following update. Additional expression of interest received for a potential offtake agreement, including pre-pay financing options. Proposed structure supports sale at wellhead, with the offtaker funding downstream processing facilities. Sunk Cost Recovery of Georgina’s prior investment. High-grade helium confirmed in Amadeus Basin; historical reports indicate potential for rare, high-value Helium-3 (He). He pricing quoted in 2024 exceeded US$70M per mcf, ~140,000x the value of He.
Comment: Let’s see what the defamation squad / shorting conspiracy / crackpot commentators make of this announcement. If nothing else it will be difficult to put a negative spin on this, although one is sure they will manage by omitting anything positive, and making up negative aspects, which could be correct, but are merely said out of spite.
Gunsynd (AIM: GUN, AQSE: GUN) announced an update relating to the investment in 1911 Gold Corporation (TSXV: AUMB), a junior gold development and exploration company located in Manitoba, in the heart of the Rice Lake gold district within the West Uchi greenstone belt in Canada. The Investment in 1911 Gold was initially made on 28 December 2023 and has performed exceptionally well delivering outsized returns for Gunsynd.
Comment: It is ironic that the main battle for GUN in the recent past has not been its investments, or lack of skill in the investment area, it is the stock market’s particular aversion to giving most investment company’s the valuation they deserve. To quote a wise man and investor, on seeing today’s news, “300% return on the stock, 250% on the warrants, still holding a nice chunk of 1911 stock . Sitting on a huge cash pile relative to MC and plethora of other investments. More importantly highly prospective gold ground next to 1911gold which are being worked up.” I could not have put it better myself.
Guardian Metal Resources (GMET), a strategic development and mineral exploration company focused on tungsten in Nevada, USA, updated on the advancement of the Company’s government affairs strategy by announcing that it has become a member of the Defense Industrial Base Consortium (DIBC) and the Cornerstone Program. The Company was recently awarded $6.2M USD by the United States Department of Defense to be used for continuing work at Pilot Mountain, one of its co-flagship Nevada-based tungsten projects.
Comment: Given the arrival of Druckenmiller and his family office, GMET could just put out RNS announcements talking about the weather. Instead, one can see that the company is embedding itself in USA’s commodity security strategy more and more by the day.
Orosur Mining Inc. (OMI), announce an update on the progress of exploration activities at the Company’s flagship, 100% owned, Anzá Gold Project in Colombia, and its El Pantano Gold/Silver Project in Argentina. OMI said, “Pepas remains on track and the high bar set by the early holes continues to be cleared on a regular basis. In the meantime, we are excited to be getting close to opening a second drilling front on our El Pantano project in Argentina. Early stage, but this is elephant country, and we like what we have seen thus far”.
Comment: “Infill continues to deliver, 71.85m @ 6.13g/t Au” is the headline of the RNS, something which should be more than enough to deliver a fresh leg to the upside for OMI shares, depending on exactly how many of our trunk possessing friends it finds.
On 11 August 2025, CleanTech Lithium (CTL), an exploration and development company advancing lithium projects in Chile for the clean energy transition, announced that it had conditionally raised gross proceeds of £4.3 million at a price of 5 pence. The Company also granted a broker option to Fox-Davies Capital Limited, pursuant to which an additional £400,000 has been conditionally raised. The net proceeds from the Broker Option and the Retail Offer would be applied to fund the initial payments for the binding SPA the Company has signed for the acquisition of an additional 30 licences in the Laguna Verde project, the final PFS payments for Laguna Verde, DLE technical work and general working capital requirements.
Comment: Although the company cannot say it explicitly (companies cannot say anything of value explicitly, in case the share price goes up), with this latest raise it will be in a great position to deliver on Laguna Verde, and be one of the world’s key clean lithium producers. The icing on the cake is that those entering the fray now are getting a bargain basement entry point.
Revolution Beauty (REVB) announced the return of Tom Allsworth to the business as Chief Executive Officer (CEO) to lead a revised and rebalanced business plan to set a clear path back to growth and long-term value creation. Colin Henry today stood down as interim CEO with immediate effect but will remain available to management during his six-month notice period.
Comment: Although it may be unfair to suggest that with the £16.5m in total just raised, anyone could make a success of the multi-channel mass beauty brand, one has to grudgingly accept that the return of Allsworth helps, if only psychologically.
ValiRx (VAL), a life sciences company focusing on early-stage cancer therapeutics and women’s health, announced that, further to the announcement on 3 April 2025, the Company has established a new wholly owned subsidiary Blue Ribbon Bio Limited. Blue Ribbon has been incorporated to house all Prostate Cancer associated assets from ValiRx Plc which will initially consist of existing Intellectual Property for Val201, exclusively licensed to ValiRx by Cancer Research Horizons in 2010. The Company plans to file new application-based patents for Val201 which will be held by Blue Ribbon.
Comment: Given the way that despite 50 years of feminism, middle aged men still do the lion’s share of graft in industry / business, it is vital that they are kept alive as long as possible to be the workhorses of society, and do not succumb to ailments such as prostrate cancer. Indeed, this disease seems to be amongst the frontline of research and development as far as biotechs are concerned.
Galileo Resources (GLR) announced that reverse circulation (“RC”) drilling has commenced on geochemical and geological targets on 100% owned prospecting licence PL253 in the Kalahari Copperbelt. GLR said “Our drilling programme now underway on PL253 is being carried out in an area with a highly prospective address. Significant exploration commitment by BHP and others has placed the spotlight on this underexplored northwestern limb of the KCB and provides considerable encouragement for our programme. We look forward to the outcome and will keep shareholders informed as results are received.”
Comment: Given the pedigree of the KCB alone, the share price performance of GLR shares is disappointing / undeserved. Indeed, we would anticipate a better reaction as PL253’s contents are revealed.
Hamak Gold Limited (HAMA), a company combining traditional gold exploration in West Africa with a Digital Asset Treasury Management strategy, announce an update on its Liberia Nimba project joint venture with ASX Listed First Au Limited. HAMA said, “The joint venture with FAU over our Nimba project has made good progress with the onset of the 3,000m drilling campaign. The programme is being fully funded by FAU and therefore preserves cash within the Company to simultaneously continue with its digital asset treasury management strategy. The Stage-1 funds and shares received from FAU will further strengthen our balance sheet.”
Comment: No new high-profile appointment from the financial world in this RNS, one was half expecting to get the nod. Instead, we see HAMA returning to its original day job in gold, and doing so in a favourable way.
CoTec Holdings Corp. and Mkango Resources Ltd. (MKA) announced that Intelligent Lifecycle Solutions LLC has formally commenced its stockpiling of feedstock initiative pursuant to the recently announced feedstock supply and pre-processing site share agreement between HyProMag USA LLC and ILS. Pre-processing of the feedstock is expected to commence prior to December 31, 2025. MKA said “The agreement with ILS and commencement of stockpiling of NdFeB feedstock underpins the rapid deployment of Hydrogen Processing of Magnet Scrap (HPMS) and associated magnet manufacturing into the United States by HyProMag USA.”
Light Science Technologies Holdings (LST), the innovative technology and manufacturing business providing real-world solutions targeting issues including global food security and fire safety, announces that it has signed two contracts with two new clients in its Passive Fire Protection division, which together are worth c.£0.45m.
Comment: We are perhaps guessing on when the drip-drip of contract wins will get LST over the line in terms of being profitable over all. But even the wait is a pleasurable process.
Oriole Resources (ORR), the AIM quoted gold exploration company focused on West and Central Africa, report further significant results from the maiden (‘Phase 1’) drilling programme at its 90% owned Mbe orogenic gold project in Cameroon. ORR said “The latest drilling results for Mbe are significant for several reasons. Firstly, they confirm the potential for very high grades within the deposit, consistent with what we have already confirmed at surface. Secondly, they extend the known gold system boundaries, which has the potential to enhance the size of the recently published Mbe Exploration Target and the maiden MRE for MB01-S, which is earmarked for Q4-2025. Finally, with the system remaining open in all directions, the potential scale of Mbe is currently uncapped and is therefore hugely exciting.
Comment: Another great update from ORR, with perhaps the only weakness that the company did not mention the word “Bonanza” enough to focus minds.
Zephyr Energy (ZPHR) announced the completion of its US$7.3 million acquisition of working interests in accretive, mature proved developed producing (“PDP”) assets in core Rocky Mountain basins, U.S. The Acquisition has an effective date of 1 June 2025, with cash flow accruing to Zephyr from that date. In addition to the PDP assets, the Acquisition includes attractive, near-term proven undeveloped upside and additional acreage with potential for future development.
Comment: Siren voices may have suggested in the past that ZPHR is a company which over-expanded, had too much on its plate, and had to raise over-sized amounts of cash in order to finance itself, damaging the share price. Actually, not a bad argument. Let’s see if the company can now enjoy the fruits of its shareholders’ labours, and allow the share price to rise to a decent level, without more fiddling with the portfolio.
Reabold Resources (RBD), the investing company focussed on developing strategic gas projects for European energy security, announce that LNEnergy Limited (“LNE”)’s Small Scale -LNG development plan in Colle Santo, Italy, was granted a positive opinion by the Independent Environmental Impact Assessment (“EIA”) Commission of the Italian Ministry for the Environment and Energy Security. This is a significant milestone towards the final EIA Ministerial Decree and the award of the Natural Gas Production Concession.
Comment: It would appear that RBD is finally getting somewhere in Italy. This is just as well given the total lack of appreciation of what is going on in the UK / West Newton. Ideally, the market now latches onto the importance of RBD within European energy security planning, and this finally boosts the long languishing share price.
Cloudbreak Discovery (CDL), a London Stock Exchange Main Market listed company, announced the expansion of the Darlot West Gold Project by five times the initial land package, increasing Cloudbreak’s exposure to a total of 60.6km2. Darlot West is located only 10km southwest of the iconic Darlot Gold Mine in Western Australia with production of 2.8 million ounces of gold produced to date. The increased ground position includes ~7km of additional strike of greenstone belt, the host to where Cloudbreak recently discovered up to 28.62g/t Au from surface rock chip sampling.
Comment: You cannot argue with a 5x uplift, and this together with the ongoing rehabilitation / phoenix from the ashes status of CDL, should deliver a meaningful re-rate for the shares when all the great and the good come back from their holidays.
Filtronic (FTC), the designer and manufacturer of advanced RF solutions for the space, aerospace and defence, and telecoms infrastructure markets, announced that it has secured its largest single order to date of £47.3m ($62.5m) from SpaceX, for the Company’s next generation, proprietary gallium nitride (“GaN”) E-band product. The first production units from this contract will ship in FY2027 and are expected to deliver material revenues in FY2027 and FY2028. In recognition of SpaceX agreeing to this substantial order of new technology, the warrants relating to the original Strategic Partnership agreement for next technologies (Tranche 2) have been extended to include E Band GaN alongside other bands in development.
Comment: Given how hand in glove FTC is with SpaceX, and how pathetically the London market is rating this association, one wonders why SpaceX does not just buy FTC? Indeed, if one had Elon Musk’s email address, one might just make the suggestion to him.
EKF Diagnostics Holdings (EKF), the AIM-quoted global diagnostics business, announces that it has signed three new contracts in the key organic growth area of Hematology point-of-care testing, worth approximately €4.65m (c. £4.03m), to be delivered over the next 12 to 24 months.
Comment: Apart from the way that hardly anyone has heard of EKF, knows what it does, or how well it is doing, it can be said that EKF is currently on fire. The latest contract could very well take the shares to 2 year highs at 35p, perhaps with a little help from the odd inclusion here and in the Bulletin Board Heroes charting video.
Solvonis (SVNS): Yesterday AbbVie announced it is to buy Gilgamesh’s psychedelic drug for up to $1.2 billion
acquisition. This US deal is seen as a sign pharma industry is further embracing psychedelics. It is also a decent read across to UK listed SVNS, with its current alcohol abuse and PTSD treatment development.
Mosman Oil and Gas Limited (MSMN), advancing helium, hydrogen and hydrocarbon projects in the USA, provided an operational update on its Colorado helium portfolio, comprising the Sagebrush and Coyote Wash projects. MSMN said, “Across Sagebrush and Coyote Wash we are executing at pace. At Sagebrush, seismic acquisition planning is well-advanced and we are targeting an early-October start, while Sproule’s independent verification is moving toward economics and final reporting. At Coyote Wash, the IMDA package has been updated and resubmitted, with our BIA meeting set for early September. In parallel, our facilities workstream is progressing with credible vendors. These steps build on the recent Tribal approval for Sagebrush 3D seismic and position Mosman for a material period of newsflow and value-driving activity.”
Comment: Although there is a palpable power vacuum since Andy Carroll departed, it can be seen that MSMN is pushing ahead, with helium still a decent buzzword and driver for the share price.
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.
