Helix Exploration (HEX), the helium exploration and development company with near-term production assets within the ‘Montana Helium Fairway’, provided an operational update on the Company’s activities. HEX said: “We are now starting a highly active phase for the Company with the imminent production of helium at Rudyard this summer.
We will be drilling at Linda #1 next month and have agreed to acquire the Weil #1 well on favourable terms, saving the Company over a million dollars by acquiring a production ready well.”
Comment: It is all about production for HEX, and given that the company is already funded to production, we should have a decent run up to this news in the summer.
Contango Holdings (CGO), a company focused on unlocking value from the +2 billion tonne Muchesu coal project in Zimbabwe, owned by Monaf Investments (Private) Limited, has been notified that a company controlled by a director of Huo Investments (Pvt) Limited (the “Investor”) has purchased 6.502% of shares in Monaf, from a local minority shareholder. CGO said “The Investor has already made a material investment “into the ground” at Muchesu, acquired a 20.42% holding and become Contango’s largest shareholder. In addition to this, royalty payments to Contango have commenced. This further increased ownership interest in Monaf and the Muchesu Project bodes well for the Investor’s commitment towards fully developing Muchesu.”
Comment: It would appear to be a slow burn as far as market appreciation for CGO, as some clearly remain wary regarding the company really be on its way especially in terms of royalty payments.
Empyrean Energy (EME), the oil and gas development company with interests in Australia, Indonesia and the United States, is pleased to announce that Conrad Asia Energy Ltd (ASX: CRD), the operator of the Mako Gas Field in Indonesia has received a Directive from the Indonesian Ministry of Energy and Mineral Resources. EME said “With a new government in Indonesia committed to providing gas powered electricity under its New Energy Plan, directing Mako Gas for the domestic market makes strategic sense. Empyrean is encouraged that this new development will lead to further short term momentum for the Mako Gas Field and Duyung PSC.”
Comment: EME has at least one very vocal fan on X, and indeed, it does appear that things are moving in the right direction on the ground even though the share price currently appears rather loathed to move.
Cobra (COBR), the mineral exploration and development company advancing a potentially world-class ionic Rare Earth Elements discovery at its Boland Project in South Australia, announced that remaining results from Stage-1 step-out aircore drilling further increase the palaeochannel mineralisation continuity demonstrated in the first batch of results announced in February 2025. This completed first phase of a fully funded drilling programme places Cobra on track to define a significant REE Mineral Resource Estimate at Boland later this year.
Comment: Now that the world has regressed to a guns, bullets and rockets mode, it should be the case that REE groups like COBR get a decent amount of love. Nevertheless, there is still a lot of educating investors on which rare earth goes where.
Capai (CPAI) announced board appointment, a fundraise, as well as a strategy update. CPAI said “The appointment of Professor Nag to the Board represents a major coup for the Company. Ronjon has an exceptional track record of inventing, investing and creating significant value over many years and the Board is absolutely delighted that he has agreed to bring this expertise to the European marketplace through capAI.”
Comment: It would appear that the share price rise in the company of late has anticipated the arrival of a “rock star” to the board. Given that even after the announcement the market cap of the company is still only £800k, the silicon valley hero could deliver further decent upside just by being there.
GreenX Metals (GRX) announced its Half-year Report. GRX said: “GreenX’s strategy is to create long-term shareholder value through the discovery, exploration, development and acquisition of technically and economically viable mineral deposits. This also includes enforcing the Award in relation to the Claim against Poland in the short to medium term. It would continue to enforce the Award against Poland and defend its rights in relation to the Claim and set-aside motions; Use Xplor funding at Tannenberg to accelerate the geological concept build-out and exploration timeframe plus extend the exploration licence prior to its expiry; Continue with exploration activities in Greenland.”
Comment: If your company had won up to £252m against Poland it would certainly be time to crack open the champagne and watch the share price rocket. Instead, the market cap remains just under £120m, which seems harsh even by London stock market standards.
The Gym Group (GYM), announced its full year results for the year ended 31 December 2024. Strong revenue growth for the year, up 11%, with average members up 4% and average revenue per member per month up 7%; like-for-like revenue grew 7%. 24% increase in Group Adjusted EBITDA Less Normalised Rent at £47.7m (2023: £38.5m), driven by revenue growth and strong operational leverage. GYM said “We believe there is still more benefit to come from the Next Chapter growth plan, giving us the confidence to increase guidance again to the top end of the recently revised analyst forecast range for FY25. We also remain on track to deliver our target of opening c.50 new high quality gyms over three years, funded from free cash flow.”
Comment: Presumably now that we are in mid March those fatties whose New Year resolution was to get fit have already fallen by the wayside, adding to GYM’s bottom line instead. Although naming your growth plan Next Chapter sounds somewhat naff, it appears to be working well.
Aterian (ATN), the critical metal-focused exploration and development company, announced that it has successfully agreed to the terms of a new trade finance facility with a leading international trading house, marking a significant milestone in its ongoing growth and expansion strategy. The facility is subject to the completion of due diligence and legal documentation. ATN said: “I am delighted to share a pivotal moment in Aterian Plc’s journey with our shareholders and stakeholders. The successful arrangement of this significantly larger trade finance facility with an international house marks a transformational step forward in our growth trajectory, significantly accelerating our ability to generate revenues to cover operational costs and drive long-term value creation.”
Comment: The premium placement last month was a good idea in theory, but current stock market conditions ensure that such usually smart strategies get smashed down like a weak lob to Novak Djokovic. One supposes that with a PR company named “Bald Voodoo” ATN will get there in the end.
Quantum Blockchain Technologies (QBT), the AIM-listed investment company focused principally on a research, development and investment programme within blockchain technology is provided a general business update. QBT said: “After nearly four years of R&D, we have managed to prove that our technology can predict and to some extent, control, SHA-256 in its version for Bitcoin mining. The outcome of this work is the production of three disruptive Bitcoin products, namely the three AI Methods.”
Comment: QBT continues to be a situation where the tech leaves even Nobel Laureates scratching their heads, and as the company reminds us, it has been a 4 year journey to get where it has: the three AI Methods.
Celsius (CLA) announced the Company’s half-year financial report for the half year ended 31 December 2024.
Comment: All the real action here has happened after the reporting period, including CLA’s Philippine affiliate Makilala Mining Co Inc securing up to $76.4 million to fund its flagship project last month, and this week’s commitments for AU$3.3 million through a strongly supported Placement from new and existing shareholders, as well institutional investors in Australia, Asia and the UK. Demand for the Placement was in excess of the funds Celsius sought to raise. It is therefore rather unfair that the share price is currently marooned at year lows.
SolGold (SOLG) announced that its wholly-owned subsidiary, SolGold Canada Inc., has entered into a share purchase agreement pursuant to which it has agreed to sell 157,141,000 ordinary shares of SolGold at a price of US$0.115 per Owned Share, raising gross proceeds of approximately US$18 million, to Jiangxi Copper (Hong Kong) Investment Company Limited, a wholly-owned subsidiary of Jiangxi Copper Company Limited.
Comment: It is interesting that even though we have gold near $3,000, we have not seen that kind of gung-ho deals in the space that SOLG has been on the receiving end today. Indeed, this is also a reminder that share prices in the sector still generally lag the price of the commodity.
Hochschild (HOC) announced its Preliminary Results for the year ended 31 December 2024. Revenue up 37% at $947.7 million (2023: $693.7 million). Adjusted EBITDA up 54% at $421.4 million (2023: $274.4 million). HOC said “We are pleased to announce our best financial performance for 13 years, a testament to our exceptional team and high-quality assets. Our growth strategy continues to deliver, with the addition of a record 2.8 million gold-equivalent ounces of mineable resources, extending the life of all our current operations and two major growth projects are now being developed that could boost annual production by over 200,000 ounces.”
Comment: A knocking the ball out of the park result, and one that underlines how strong the lay of the land is in HOC’s sector. The question is whether even at current highs, the market has fully factored in the fundamentals.
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.
