As we move into a new month, we come ever closer to leaving winter behind with hints of spring already being felt over this last week.
And the timing couldn’t be better for spring to make an early appearance as we make it to the first pitstop on our roadmap in three days’ time, allowing socialising outdoors with one other person outside of our household. It will also mean it is back to school time after nearly two months of home-schooling. Whilst kids have been at home over this last year, parents have been encouraging reading increasingly more which has had a vital impact on young people’s wellbeing.
World Book Day earlier this week had the biggest turn out in years as more than 20 times more young people attended its online event. Designated by UNESCO as the worldwide celebration of books and reading, the international annual event promotes reading for pleasure and ensuring access to books for every child. The charity emphasises that reading for pleasure is the single biggest indicator of a child’s future success, and spending just a short 10 minutes a day reading can make a crucial difference to their future.
From the ancient oral tradition of passing stories down generations to the first novel written 1,000 years ago, to today’s list of New York Times Bestsellers, storytelling is the oldest human art form and is a vital part of our cultural history. This year’s World Book Day has been marked with post boxes across five major UK cities honouring celebrated children’s authors. Londoners can enjoy those decorated with Nathan Bryon and Dapo Adeola’s book “Look Up!”, which won Waterstones’ children’s book of the year.
Telling the story of a science-loving girl trying to convince her teenage brother to look up from his phone at a meteor shower, the heart-warming picture book gives us a (probably much needed!) nudge to take a step back from the technology our eyes are glued to all day to not miss out on what is in front of us – and maybe pick up a book instead.
Client News:
Emmerson Plc (LSE: EML) announced its intention to move over to the AIM market of the LSE. The Board believes that AIM is more suited to the current size and strategy of the company and offer more flexibility. If approved by shareholders after being consulted, the anticipated move to AIM will be 26 April 2021 ahead of the commencement of mine construction at the Khemisset Potash Project expected at the end of the year.
Oracle Power Plc (AIM: ORCP) appointed Mr David Hutchins to its Board of Directors and Non-Executive Director. David is highly experienced in the corporate mining and commodities industry and has held several executive roles in listed and private companies over his 30 year career. Mr Hutchins currently sits as Chair of the FTSE Gold Mines Index Committee as well as on the Board of Wishbone Gold Plc, and will bring valuable experience to Oracle as it continues to advance its Western Australian gold assets.
Cora Gold (AIM: CORA) began its significant drill campaign at the flagship Sanankoro Gold Project in Mali, which will be the largest single programme that Cora has ever completed. An initial contract of 22,000m has been awarded to Capital Drilling Mali with the expectation to be expanded to 35,000m, nearly doubling the drilling on Sanankoro over the last two years. The drilling will focus on targeting resource growth and infill drilling to convert existing Inferred resources to Indicated. Cora has also been awarded a new exploration permit for the area of Sanankoro II, covering the same area as the previous permit. This completes the permitting process for this key area within the flagship project. The permit is the first to be awarded under Mali’s new mining code and is a strong endorsement of Cora’s work. Additionally, Cora’s CEO and director Robert Monro purchased 150,000 ordinary shares in the company.
Jangada Mines Plc (AIM: JAN) strengthened its management team this week with the appointment of Mr José Luiz de Oliveira Martins as Vice President, Project Manager and Mr Marcos Goossens as Senior Manager, Metallurgy, both effective immediately. Both appointments bring in-depth expertise and proven track-records in mining project development, metallurgy, construction and operations, which will be instrumental in unlocking Pitombeiras’ value as highlighted in the recently published PEA. Jangada also noted an announcement from ValOre Metals Corp, in which it holds a 12.1% interest. The announcement detailed the rhodium assay results from of a follow-up investigation of the Rh values in historical drill core samples from ValOre’s wholly owned Pedra Branca PGE Project in Brazil. The first three phases of resampling for rhodium assay at Pedra Branca have been highly encouraging and the team has now commenced an expanded programme to include further historic samples.
FastForward Innovations Ltd (AIM: FFWD) has invested approximately £17,215 as part of a heavily oversubscribed £13 million placing undertaken by Cellular Goods Plc, which commenced trading on the LSE last week. Cellular Goods is a UK based provider of premium consumer products based on biosynthetic cannabinoids with a focus on two product verticals to be launched in autumn. Although the allocations were disappointing due to a significantly oversubscribed book, it is extremely promising to see another CBD wellness company IPO in London as the London Stock Exchange fast becomes a destination for both medical cannabis and over the counter cannabinoid wellness companies.
Prospex Energy Plc (AIM: PXEN) completed the acquisition of a 49.9% interest in the El Romeral gas and power operation in Spain for a net consideration of €375,000. The Project includes three producing wells which supply gas to a 100% project-owned 8.1 MW power station. The plant currently operates at 22% capacity and the forward plan is to increase this towards its nameplate capacity by drilling new wells– two development locations and a number of very-low risk prospects, which have been assigned gross contingent and prospective gas resources of 5billion cubic feet (‘Bcf’) and 90Bcf respectively, offer significant scope to increase gas supply to the plant. Management estimate increasing operations at the power plant to 100% capacity could generate annual revenues of c. €4 million, a large portion of which would flow through to the bottom line.
Kodal Minerals (AIM: KOD) provided an update on a funding agreement, its gold portfolio in Mali and Cote d’Ivoire and the preparations for a planned exploration campaign. Kodal now has a 100% interest in the Nielle,
Contango Holdings Plc (AIM: CGO) has acquired the Ntiela Gold Project in Mali, which neighbours its existing Garalo Gold Project. Exploration activities are due to begin in Q2 2021 at the 100km2 area, including following up on identified and highly prospective targets, ensuring synergies with the ongoing work at Garalo. This acquisition further strengthens Contango’s existing mineralised footprint in this significant gold producing region of Mali.
Katoro Gold Plc (AIM: KAT) announced the completion of confirmatory metallurgical testwork at the Blyvoor Gold Tailings Project and the integration of the results into the final CPR and related reports. The metallurgical optimisation process is now underway. The outcomes of the report confirm that the project is technically and financially very robust and the company is now focusing its efforts on concluding funding discussions, which are at an advanced stage.
You may have missed…
Tune in on Sunday at 9pm to watch Scotgold Resources’ (AIM: SGZ) feature on BBC’s documentary Gold Town.
Contango Holdings (AIM: CGO) was highlighted as one of Friday’s major share movers by Proactive Investors.
Read about Kodal Minerals’ (AIM: KOD) deal with Riverfort Capital for up to $2.5m in funding in Proactive Investors.
Watch CEO of Emmerson Plc (LSE: EML) Graham Clarke speak with Proactive London on raising £5.5m in a placing of shares, and read more about its plans to list on AIM in Proactive Investors.
In the news this week…
Dolly Parton received her Covid vaccination this week after helping fund Moderna’s trials – and celebrated with a reworked version of her classic song Jolene.
Britain is the second best in the world at cutting carbon emissions, with an average decline of 3.6% per year.
The street sign for Abbey Road has sold for £37,200 at an auction, amongst other classic London road signs.
‘Pandemic fatigue’ and ways to beat it.
After the devastating bush fires, Australia is set to open the world’s first platypus sanctuary to prevent the native species from going extinct.
A Dutch inventor has come up with a new way to test Covid – stepping into an airlocked cabin and screaming.
Find out more about World Book Day and have a look at the celebratory post-boxes – and find inspiration on Waterstones’ extensive list of must-read books.
