With the roadmap out of lockdown hitting a bit of a diversion, life might not be quite the picnic we would have liked at the moment, even as today marks the pseudo-celebration of International Picnic Day.
Strategically placed in the middle of June, it would usually be perfect picnic weather as it has been over the last week but today’s does not inspire one to be outside – let alone to sit on the grass for a meal! The tradition can be attributed to post-revolutionary France, when it was possible to sit in the royal parks once more, and then its popularity grew with the English and was turned into the grand events of Jane Austen fame.
It has now become a more casual affair but no less novel, especially in England where it is an occasion in itself that it is warm enough to have one in the first place. Although we have had to face the unfortunate reality this week of moving those optimistically pencilled-in plans to a later date, one occasion on the 21st of June is certain not to be cancelled: the beginning of summer (even though it may be hard to believe today).
The summer solstice is due to occur this Sunday, making our weekend a little bit longer. Celebrated by a number of cultures, it held particular significance in the Neolithic era during the agricultural revolution and it is believed that Stonehenge was built for celebrating it. This year the longest day of the year coincides with Father’s Day – lucky dads! So whether you will be passing this weekend putting together an indoor picnic, rearranging plans, or spending it with a father figure, be sure to enjoy the long Sunday to the fullest!
Client NewsÂ
Oracle Power Plc (AIM: ORCP) announced positive results from an orientation survey at its Jundee East Gold Project in Western Australia, one of the most prolific gold producing regions globally. These geochemical soil sampling results provide evidence for gold and copper using Mobile Metal Ion geochemical techniques designed to identify mineralisation below cover. The soil sampling programme will be expanded to better inform a maiden drill programme which in turn will lay the groundwork for a JORC Resource. These latest results at Jundee East are highly exciting for the company as it progresses its gold exploration strategy.
Kibo Energy Plc (AIM: KIBO) revealed a shift in strategy centred around renewable energy opportunities and capitalising on the global clean energy revolution. This announcement came following an extensive review of the Company’s operations. Kibo Energy Plc and South Africa-based Industrial Green Solutions Ltd (AIM: IGES) have entered into an agreement and will jointly develop a portfolio of Waste to Energy projects in South Africa, which aim to address the country’s insecure energy supply environment.
Cora Gold (AIM: CORA) provided a positive update on its first drill results from the Zone A deposit that confirm good widths and grade in oxide ore, including 29m @ 3.32 g/t Au, representing the fifth set of results from its largest ever drilling campaign at its Sanankoro Gold Project. These results follow on strongly from Selin, where Phase 2 of the drilling programme at the deposit is now underway.
Empire Metals Limited (AIM: EEE) has begun the exploration campaign for the Central Menzies Gold Project as the company compiles a robust geological database by using both historical reports and the recent RC drilling programme results. Additionally, recent aeromagnetic and radiometric survey data has been purchased from the project’s immediate northern neighbour, which will be used to build a detailed geophysical map of the licence area as the proposed drilling campaign is fast-tracked.
Jangada Mines Plc (AIM: JAN) announced an updated Mineral Resource Estimate at its 100% owned Pitomberias Vanadium Project in Brazil for both the Pitombeiras North and South targets. Pitombeiras North confirmed expectations of a well-defined deposit with about 71% within the Measured and Indicated categories, whilst overall Measured and Indicated Resources increased by 221%.
Kodal Minerals (AIM: KOD) provided an update on the gold exploration programme in Côte d’Ivoire including the return of continued high-grade surface geochemical results from the Dabakala Concession in central Côte d’Ivoire. Highlights included geochemical sampling which continues to return high grade surface samples with new assay results up to 1.97g/t gold and infill sampling has confirmed continuity of high-grade gold anomalism extending for over 11km and surface width up to 3km.
Vast Resources Plc (AIM: VAST) has welcomed the appointment of Wardell Armstrong, a leading multidisciplinary environmental, engineering and mining consultancy company, to work on the verification of high-level confirmation of existing JORC report published October 2020 at Baita Plai Polymetallic Mine in Romania as well as the increased JORC Resource being targeted by upcoming exploration drilling campaign. The objective is to target the downdip extension of the Antonio skarn from 19 level to 22 level and to prove part of the significant 3.2M-5.8M tonnes Exploration Target. The Company intends to expand exploration drilling in early 2022.
Trident Royalties Plc (AIM: TRR) has published several Board changes, most significantly the appointment of Paul Smith as Non-Executive Chair with effect from 21 June. Mr Smith was previously Head of Strategy at Glencore Plc where he focused on areas such as capital markets, merges, acquisitions, and capital allocation. While at Glencore, Paul was also the CFO of Katanga Mining Limited. Other changes include James Kelly stepping down as Chair but remaining on the board as a Non-Executive Director. Additionally, Mark Potter will step down from his position as a Non-Executive Director.
Moreover, Trident Royalties Plc made a further announcement following the appointment of their new Chair Paul Smith: Collingwood Capital Partners AG, a company of which Paul Smith is the sole shareholder, has entered into a subscription agreement representing approximately 1.4% of the Company’s issued share capital.
Zinnwald Lithium PlcÂ
Secure Property Development and Investment PLC (AIM: SPDI) took a step towards creating a larger Central and South Eastern European focused investment vehicle following the signing of three agreements relating to the proposed transfer of certain assets owned by SPDI in Romania and Ukraine to Arcona Property Fund N.V. (‘Arcona’), a fund which invests in Central European commercial property and is listed on Euronext Amsterdam and the Prague Stock Exchange.  The transfer represents the second of an intended three-stage process to transfer SPDI’s property portfolio, excluding its Greek logistics properties, in exchange for shares and warrants in Arcona. Based on a net asset value of €11.87 per Arcona share as at 31 December 2020, the Stage Two transaction has a total value of €8.2 million, a level that is almost at par with SPDI’s current overall market capitalisation which, in addition to the Stage Two Assets, reflects Arcona shares held already by SPDI following the completion of Stage One of the Arcona Transaction, as well as the assets to be included in Stage Three of the Arcona Transaction.
In the news this week…Â
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Australia and United Kingdom strike free trade deal.
President Joe Biden and President Vladimir Putin agreed to return ambassadors to each other’s capitals, after a summit in Geneva.
‘Juneteenth’ (June 19th) has become a US federal holiday, commemorating the end of slavery.
Watch the live stream of sunset and sunrise at Stone Henge over the solstice.
Plans to transform Oxford Circus into a piazza by the end of 2021 are going ahead.
This week is the UK-wide celebration of Refugee Week.
Yesterday marked Clean Air Day.
