It’s been a tough week amid the ongoing political turmoil at Westminster: the Tories are in trouble again and our government appears to be quickly deteriorating following a wave of resignations from Boris Johnson’s administration coupled with letters of no confidence submitted from disgruntled MPs Tensions in Ukraine continue to bite amid continued Russian aggravations and the spectre of higher energy prices looms large over Europe – and the UK – after Ofgem lifted its energy cap by 54%.
But, if we all got flung back into the dark ages of candlelit dinners and bed by eight o clock, would that be so bad? That is if we ignore everything else we need power for…
It wasn’t all doom and gloom in the first week of February, however. Game of Thrones tours are reopening with all the props, sets and costumes available for viewing. St Brides has already signed up and we’re going next month. . ‘Encanto’ from Disney has taken another leap in ethnic representation (and the Billboard Hot 100 Chart) and went one step further by assuring us that you don’t need to be magic to be great, with the key message from the main character: “Gift or no gift, I’m just as special as the rest of my family”. hunt for Ernest Shackleton’s ship has begun again, throwing the world’s scientists into a whirr of excitement. A mammoth has been found in a cave, an unmanned rocket may crash into the moon and a space station is set to fall to earth by 2032. Space has never been busier!
And, as always, in other news, the FTSE has begun its climb again with a 0.09% increase from last week. PayPal shares have plummeted as it closes over a million accounts and the pound dropped in value due to a potential surge in the cost of living. Google has declared a 20-for-1 stock split following yet another strong earnings report, offering more people the opportunity to invest at a more accessible price lower than its current ~$3,000/share. oil and gas prices remain stable, however.
Cora Gold Limited (AIM: CORA) provided an update on its Definitive Feasibility Study for its Sanankoro Gold Project in Southern Mali. All hydrogeological and geotechnical drilling, associated pump testing and geotechnical test pits have been completed on schedule, and the DFS remains on track to be completed by end of H1 2022.
“We continue to advance the DFS at Sanankoro at an encouraging pace and on schedule. Following the progress update in December 2021 where several key achievements were reached, the hydrogeological and geotechnical drilling programmes have since been completed in the field,” said Bert Monro, CEO of Cora.
Mila Resources Plc (LSE: MILA) will hold the Annual General Meeting of shareholders of the Company at 11 am on 02 March 2022. In light of the ongoing pandemic, the Board has decided that shareholders should not attend the AGM in person, for further details visit Mila’s website: https://www.milaresources.co.uk
Caracal Gold plc (LSE: GCAT) provided an update on the Board’s decision to accelerate the implementation of the final phase of its’ initial three-phase operational plan to further increase gold production to 24,000ktpa and improve efficiencies at its flagship Kilimapesa Gold Mining and Processing Operations in Kenya.
“We are both encouraged and excited to move very quickly to the next phase of development and operational activities at our flagship project, which once completed, will see gold production achieve the targeted levels of approx 24,000oz pa,” according to Robbie McCrae, chief executive of Caracal Gold.
Read the full update here: https://caracalgold.com/investors/regulatory-news/
Trident Royalties Plc (AIM: TRR) released an update on activities undertaken during the fourth quarter to 31 December 2021. Q4 saw the acquisition of a portfolio of immediately cash generative gold offtakes, as well as substantial asset level progress across its portfolio. For the full report click here: https://tridentroyalties.com/news
Harvest Minerals Limited (AIM: HMI) released a new corporate presentation which is available on its website www.harvestminerals.net. Additionally, Executive Chairman, Brian McMaster, will provide a live investor presentation via the Investor Meet Company platform on Tuesday 8 February at 9:30 am GMT to discuss the company’s recent robust sales update and plans for the future. Investors can sign up to Investor Meet Company for free and add to meet Harvest via: https://www.investormeetcompany.com/harvest-minerals-limited/register-investor. Investors who already follow Harvest on the Investor Meet Company platform will automatically be invited.
Vast Resources Plc (AIM: VAST) informed Botswana Diamonds Plc and Gem Diamond of its intention not to proceed with the acquisition of the Ghaghoo Diamond Mine, as announced on 23 August 2021. The parties are working closely together to ensure a mutually beneficial outcome.
In addition, Vast released an update on its producing Baita Plai Polymetallic Mine in Romania. Q4 2021 saw an increase of 88% in ore tonnes milled from the start to the end of the quarter, primarily as a result of a second sub-level that was implemented. The copper concentrate production increased by 62% over the period. Underground development remains a key focus for Vast and various work streams are underway.
Lastly, Vast released its unaudited interim report and financial results for the period of 1 May 2021 to 31 October 2021, which can be found here: https://www.vastplc.com/investor-information/document-downloads
In case you missed it…
Trident Chairman Paul Smith was interviewed by Jeremy Naylor of IGTV on the latest acquisitions
Chief Executive of Caracal Gold (LON: GCAT) Robbie McCrae, Updates on Expansion at Kilimapesa Mine on a podcast this week with Share Talk.
In the news this week…
France is relaxing the testing requirements for travel.
The doomed journey of Europe’s first Narco-Submarine.
Most homes will get a £350 energy bill discount.
