Alliance News: The UK economy fell at a faster pace than expected in April, numbers showed, as services output slumped. According to the Office for National Statistics, the UK economy fell 0.3% in April from March. It had expanded 0.2% in March from February.
Comment: The government must have been concerned when the economy grew in March, but fortunately things were back on track with a contraction in April. The worse things get, the more likely people will vote Labour.
Phoenix Copper (PXC), the AIM quoted, USA focused base and precious metals emerging producer and exploration company, confirmed that, further to its announcement on 14 November 2024, it has signed a LOI with an accredited US based investor to subscribe for $75 million of the Company’s listed, secured floating rate minimum 8.5% corporate copper bonds due 2029-2033.
Comment: Was there ever any doubt that the copper bond would be placed? No. Did the market behave as if it would never happen? Yes. Why at the shares still under 5p?
First Class Metals (FCM) the UK listed company focused on the discovery of economic metal deposits across its strategic exploration footprint in Ontario, Canada announced an investor webinar on Tuesday, 17 June 2025 at 2:30pm BST. “Hear from James Knowles (Executive Chairman) and Marc Sale (CEO), who will share an update on the Company’s current position and provide a forward-looking exploration overview across its priority projects, North Hemlo and Sunbeam.” https://firstclassmetalsplc.com/webinars/lej6ne-next-steps-in-exploration-insights-into-north-hemlo-sunbeam
Comment: FCM has shown its mettle since the recent funding debacle and associated crackpot / shorting related defamatory comments. It should now be the case that the shares travel to a decent level, ideally north of 4p – last year’s highs.
Karelian Diamond Resources (KDR), the diamond and natural resources exploration company focused on Finland and Ireland, announced that, further to the announcement released by the Company on 10 June 2025, the Finnish Safety and Chemical Agency (TUKES) has registered the mining rights for Lahtojoki, with registration number K7363.
Comment: Although diamonds are perhaps not the hottest property as far as the stock market is concerned, after plunging to the depths of late, it would appear that with an initial 30% rise, the market is pleased with the latest from the company.
Helix Exploration (HEX), the helium exploration and development company with near-term production assets within the ‘Montana Helium Fairway’, announced the mobilisation of rig and equipment to Inez #1 drill location, the fourth Production well at the Rudyard Project, Montana has commenced. HEX “Mobilisation of drilling equipment to Inez #1 marks the rapid acceleration of the development of the Rudyard Project. The fourth production well is strategically positioned to extend proven helium reserves and prepare increased helium flow ahead of first production. Expanded production increases near-term cash flow, reduces the timeline to full-field production and delivers stronger project economics and long-term value creation.”
Comment: Interestingly enough, a private investor suggested this week that while it is relatively easy to identify helium, and there is plenty of it around, it is notoriously difficult to get it out of the ground. One hopes this observation is wrong.
Bluebird Mining Ventures (BMV), a pan Asian gold project development company, announce that further to the announcement on 9 June 2025 that a non-binding Heads of Terms regarding the acquisition of 756 ASIC units, comprising a mix of Bitmain and Canaan models. If successfully concluded, the Company would pay a consideration of £200,000 in equity to be issued at a future date. The total hashrate (TH) of the machines is 63,686. Hashrate is a measure of the total computational power of all the nodes expressed in units of hash calculations per second.
Comment: BMV is certainly going for it as far as getting on the BTC bandwagon. The question is whether it can do so at scale as far as the mining is concerned?
Altona Rare Earths (REE), a resource exploration and development company focused on critical raw materials in Africa, is pleased to provide an update on potential strategic investment for the Monte Muambe rare earths, gallium and fluorspar projects. REE said “Our technical milestones – combined with a supportive geopolitical backdrop – are opening up compelling opportunities to partner with experienced players in the rare earths and fluorspar sectors. We are encouraged by the level of engagement from potential strategic investors and look forward to updating shareholders as these discussions evolve.”
Comment: The tide has certainly turned for REE over recent months, both in terms of the macro change in the appreciation of rare earths, as well as the discoveries the company itself has made.
CoTec Holdings Corp. and Mkango Resources (MKA) announced HyProMag USA, LLC, a Delaware corporation has received a Make More in America (MMIA) domestic finance letter of interest (“LOI”) from the U.S. Export-Import (“EXIM”) Bank for its first integrated rare earth recycling and magnet making facility in Dallas-Fort Worth, Texas. In terms of the letter, EXIM may be able to consider potential financing of up to $92 million of the project’s costs with a repayment tenor of 10 years.
Comment: The magic ingredient as far as MKA and any other company in its space is getting the quantum of cash to move forward. It would appear that today’s announcement shows that the company is on its way in terms of the funding issue.
EARNZ (EARN), an energy services company whose objective is to capitalise on the drive for global decarbonisation, announced a proposed placing at a price of 7.2 pence to raise up to £1.02 million. EARNZ proposes to satisfy the £0.84 million initial cash consideration payable for A&D Carbon Solutions LTD, a company based in Wales which operates across the country, with a particular focus in Wales.
Comment: While the company may have taken its time to make its acquisitions in the space, EARNZ can be seen to be moving forward to get a foothold in its chosen field.
Tesco (TSCO) issued a Q1 Trading Statement 2025/26. TSCO said “We are pleased with our performance across the first quarter. Our continued commitment to delivering great value, quality and service for our customers has contributed to like-for-like sales growth across all parts of the Group.”
Comment: While its seems increasingly fewer items qualify for a Tesco Clubcard discount, the consumer’s loss seems to be the grocer’s gain.
Oriole Resources (ORR), the AIM quoted gold exploration company focused on West and Central Africa, updated on its 90% owned Mbe orogenic gold project (the ‘Project’) in Cameroon, including further positive drill results that reinforce Mbe’s potential to be a major new gold discovery.
Comment: Given the improved newsflow of late, the company seems to be on fire, one would expect the nascent turnaround in ORR shares to continue.
Contango Holdings (CGO), a company focused on unlocking value from the +2 billion tonne Muchesu coal project in Zimbabwe, advise since February 2025 it has received further royalty payments totalling US$500,000. This now brings the total royalty receipts to date under the previously reported Mineral Royalty Agreement (“MRA”) with Huo Investments (Pvt) Limited to US$1,000,000.
Comment: While the share price remains steadfastly stuck around the 1p level, at least those royalties are coming in, something which should eventually feed through to the market cap.
Symphony Environmental Technologies (SYM) global specialists in technologies that make plastic and rubber products “smarter, safer and sustainable”, announced its preliminary results for the year ended 31 December 2024. Group revenues increased 4% to £6.59 million (2023: £6.35 million). Gross profit increased 31% to £3.06 million (2023: £2.33 million).
Comment: Given how the company remains the strong, silent type as far as its communications with the stock market, most would probably not have clocked that there is actually a decent, significant business at SYM.
Shuka Minerals (SKA), the African-focused mining and exploration company, said that final authorisation has been approved by the Board of Commissioners of the Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (“CCPC”), for the proposed acquisition of a 100% interest in Zambian mining and exploration company, Leopard Exploration and Mining Limited, which owns the Kabwe Zinc Mine located in central Zambia. SKA said “This is a huge milestone and one which the market, shareholders and all stakeholders in Shuka have been waiting for. I must thank the entire team for their diligent efforts in getting us to this point, and we look forward to completing this acquisition and thereafter progressing the Kabwe and Rukwa projects to realise their full potential.”
Comment: A criticism of shares in the Jason Brewer stable has been that the companies do not get over the line, in whatever way that was expected. As far as SKA is concerned, the latest announcement proves that such criticism is wide of the mark, a point underlined by the recent, decent share price recovery.
Manx Financial Group (MFX), the holding company providing a range of diversified financial services to the Isle of Man and the United Kingdom, announced that it is anticipating a 41% increase in its consolidated Profit Before Taxation for the year ended 31 December 2024 to a result in the region of £9.9 million (2023: £7.0 million), subject to final auditor sign-off. The Group expects to release its full, audited financial statements no later than 25 June 2025.
Comment: MFX is clearly so on fire it could not contain itself in terms of boasting how well it is doing ahead of the official big reveal at the end of this month. In the meantime the shares look to be delivering a breakout heading back to three year highs through 28p.
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.
