RNS Hotlist: AEX, Arc, Artemis, Capital, Caracal, GreenRoc, Ideagen, Kefi, NetScientific, Open Orphan, Panther, Poolbeg, Predator, Proteome, Serinus, Wishbone

Open Orphan (ORPH), a specialist contract research organisation, noted a key considerations document for developing and manufacturing challenge agents published in the Wellcome Open Research Journal co-authored by Alex Mann, Senior Director of Clinical Research of hVIVO and the project lead, a subsidiary of Open Orphan plc, titled 'Considerations on the Principles of Development and Manufacturing Qualities of Challenge Agents For Use In Human Infection Models'.

Poolbeg Pharma (POLB), a clinical stage infectious disease pharmaceutical company, has signed a contract for GMP manufacturing, ensuring ample supply of GMP grade POLB 001 for use in its upcoming LPS human challenge clinical trial, due to commence in June 2022, and for use in investigating POLB 001 as a treatment for other disease indications.

Arc Minerals (ARCM) said it has entered into an agreement with a subsidiary of Anglo American. Under the Agreement the parties intend to form a joint venture with respect to the Company's Copper-Cobalt project located in the North-Western province of Zambia and Anglo American will have the right to retain a 70% ownership in the Joint Venture for an aggregate investment by Anglo American of up to $88,500,000, including cash consideration of up to $14,500,000. It would appear that big deals with little companies can actually happen.

Capital Metals (CMET), a company developing the Eastern Minerals Project in Sri Lanka, announced the results of an independent Development Study and Preliminary Economic Assessment. The company said the study demonstrates “exceptional” economics resulting in a high margin operation, enabling a short payback period. It added that the Study does not take into account any potential resource extensions, which would enable the expansion of mine life and throughput, providing even further upside.

Predator Oil & Gas Holdings (PRD), the Jersey-based Oil and Gas Company, announced an operations update. The company said executing the Moroccan drilling programme simultaneously with the MOU-1 rigless testing remains at the forefront of its 2022 business development plans. Management has been “proactive” in taking all the necessary steps to ensure that it remains on track to deliver an exciting 2022 for its shareholders.

Ideagen (IDEA), a specialist in compliance software for regulated industries, currently in M&A heaven, updated on trading for the year ended 30 April 2022. The company reported a year of continued organic growth augmented by strategic acquisitions. It said underpinning this momentum is the growing need for assurance, compliance, and collaboration services across sectors served by Ideagen such as healthcare and financial services.

NetScientific (NSCI), the international life sciences group, announced its preliminary results for the year ended 31 December 2021. The company said this was an “excellent year of progress”. Implementation of its planned growth strategy has accelerated and delivered a “step change”, both strategically and tactically.

Caracal Gold (GCAT), the East African gold producer, announced the first assay results from its Reverse Circulation drilling programme, which confirmed the presence of high-grade mineralisation at the Kilimapesa Hill deposit at the Kilimapesa Gold and Mining Operations in Kenya. The company said it has increased confidence that it will grow and upgrade the total resource at its flagship project, with an overall target of more than 2Moz.

KEFI (KEFI), the gold and copper company, provided an update for the Company's Tulu Kapi Gold Mines Share Company ("TKGM") joint venture project in Ethiopia. It said progress in Ethiopia over the past month has remained on track, with further advancement on the multi-party project financing activities and the early development works. Signing of the umbrella financing agreement remains on course for this quarter, with full construction to commence at the end of the current wet season.

Panther Metals (PALM) the company focused on mineral exploration, updated for the Coglia Nickel/Cobalt Project in Western Australia, following the Panther Metals Ltd announcement detailing significant reverse circulation drilling sample assay results. The company said these final assay results provide the highest-grade intercepts of Nickel and Cobalt in the entire Coglia drill programme, and combined with the previously announced extensions of mineralisation, they confirm the confidence it holds in the Coglia project.

Proteome Sciences (PRM) has secured a contract from a major US academic group to evaluate changes on the proteome and phospho-proteome of tissue and blood samples taken from persons with and without a neurodegenerative disease.  The contract value is in excess of £0.5m and it is expected that the study is to be completed this year.

Wishbone Gold (WSBN) announced that a heritage survey is underway at the Company's Red Setter Gold-Copper Project located 13 km south-west of the Telfer Gold Mine, in the Patersons Range of Western Australia. The aim of this survey is to increase access to peripheral targets, beyond those already cleared, where drilling will start in the next few weeks. The heritage survey will then move down to the Cottesloe Project located 55 km south-southwest of the Telfer Gold Mine.

AEX Gold (AEX), an independent mining company, said it has acquired mineral exploration licences No. 2020-41 and 2021-11 covering areas in South Greenland from Orano group for zero upfront consideration and a royalty on future production. AEX views these licences as holding significant opportunity for the discovery of strategic minerals.

It will be interesting to see whether today’s results move the dial for the share price as Serinus Energy (SENX) announces its interim results for the three months ended 31 March 2022. Revenue for the three months ended 31 March 2022 was $13.4 million (31 March 2021 - $7.6 million). The Company generated net income of $1.0 million (31 March 2021 - $1.0 million loss). EBITDA for the three months ended 31 March 2022 was $3.1 million (31 March 2021 - $2.6 million).

GreenRoc Mining (GROC), a company focused on the development of critical mineral projects in Greenland, announced a significant increase to the Exploration Target for the Amitsoq Island graphite deposit at the Amitsoq Graphite Project in southern Greenland, one of the highest-grade graphite deposits in the world.

Artemis Resources (ARV) updated on the Osborne Nickel prospect, which is subject to a farm-in joint venture with GreenTech Metals. Greentech has received approval for the program of works at Osborne, and a Heritage Clearance Survey has been completed.  GreenTech has planned up to 6 drill holes for the RC drilling program at Osborne to test the target. This program is anticipated to commence in June following receipt of the heritage clearance report.