RNS Hotlist: Alien, Artemis, Bezant, Caracal, Corcel, Gemfields, Horizonte, Longboat, PCI-PAL, Red Rock, SDX, Sovereign, THG, Trakm8, Trident, Zoo

Things appear to be accelerating at Caracal Gold (GCAT), the East African gold producer, as it announced details of its new heap leach plant. The company said the commissioning of this new facility enables it to treat the 40,000t of low-grade material stockpiled over the last few months and is another key milestone in the major expansion program currently being implemented at its Kilimapesa Gold Mining and Processing Operations.

Bezant (BZT) updated on recent field work completed at its' 100% owned high-grade Kanye manganese project in Botswana. The company said it is pleased with these initial results which have provided it with increased confidence that there is potential within the project area for a large manganese deposit. Once laboratory assay results for the trench channel samples are received it will proceed to a drilling programme to define the continuity and extent of the zone.

Trakm8 Holdings (TRAK), the telematics and data insight provider has been awarded a contract with Adiona Technologies to provide data and devices for Adiona's insurance propositions. The partnership will also see Trakm8 and Adiona working alongside Duck Creek Technologies and World Programming. No £ was mentioned.

In a trading statement Gemfields (GEM) said it is reasonably certain that its net profit after tax will be $65.0 million for the year ended 31 December 2021 (2020: $93.2 million net loss after tax; 2019: $39.1 million net profit after tax). In ZAR terms, the net profit after tax is expected to be ZAR 961 million (2020: ZAR 1,535 million net loss after tax; 2019: ZAR 565 million net profit after tax).

“Materially ahead of expectations” is one of the more pleasant things to read in a RNS. ZOO Digital Group (ZOO), the provider of end-to-end, cloud-based localisation and media services, updated on trading and the outlook for the financial year ending 31 March 2022. Revenues for the full year are now expected to be at least $65 million (FY21: $39.5 million), an acceleration of organic growth over the prior year of at least c.65% and ahead of previous management guidance of at least $57 million.

Artemis Resources (ARV) provided an update on drilling at its 100%-owned Greater Carlow Project and soon to re-commence drilling at its 100%-owned Paterson Central Gold and Copper Project in the Paterson Province region of Western Australia. The company said that it has been like a bull at a gate to get back out drilling at both of its projects as early as possible in 2022.

Alien Metals (UFO), a minerals exploration and development company, has completed the acquisition of a 100% interest in the Munni Munni Platinum Group Metals and Gold Project in the West Pilbara, Western Australia. The Munni Munni Project is currently subject to a joint venture between Artemis Resources Limited (ARV) and Platina Resources Limited (AGM).

Red Rock Resources (RRR),  a natural resource development company,  announced the results of second batch of 1,365 samples (including QAQC) from its phase 1 RC drilling exploration programme in the mid KKM prospect of the Mikei Gold Project in Kenya. The company said 15 of the 20 holes drilled in the first drill programme since restoration of the licences encountered mineralisation at or above its cut-off, with some very wide intercepts.

PCI-PAL (PCIP), the cloud provider of secure payment solutions, has received approval from the U.S. Patent Office for the grant of its patent US20210194939 which covers PCI Pal Agent Assist deployment methods used in the United States.

THG (THG), the proprietary technology platform specialising in taking brands direct to consumers, is pleased to announce that Charles Allen, Lord Allen of Kensington CBE, is joining THG as independent Non-Executive Chair with immediate effect. Hopefully he will advise those at the company on how not to put their foot in their respective mouths going forward.

Horizonte Minerals (HZM) the nickel development company focused in Brazil, has awarded the EPCM Contract for the construction of its 100% owned Araguaia ferronickel project to Pöyry Tecnologia Ltda, the Brazilian subsidiary of global engineering services firm AFRY.

Tree huggers everywhere will be happy to know that Sovereign Metals (SVML) has unveiled the results of an expanded Life Cycle Assessment Study assessing the Global Warming Potential of natural rutile produced at the Company's Kasiya Rutile Project (Kasiya) in Malawi. The Study concludes that Sovereign's natural rutile product is expected to have substantially lower GWP as compared to other titanium feedstock alternatives produced by upgrading ilmenite.

Longboat Energy (LBE), the North Sea-focused E&P business, announced its full-year results for the period ended 31 December 2021. The company said it remains well-positioned having made one material discovery and another with commercialisation potential from its first four wells.  In the next six months, it will have results from three further exploration wells, each of which could be transformational for the business.

SDX Energy (SDX), the MENA-focused energy company, announced a gas discovery at the SD-5X exploration well which targeted the Warda prospect in the South Disouq development lease. SD-5X spudded on 4 March and reached TD at 7,855ft MD on 16 March which was on time and within budget.

Trident Royalties (TRR), the diversified mining royalty and streaming company, has received its inaugural shipment under the gold offtake with i-80 Gold Corporation. Trident now holds 12 cash generating assets, in addition to its portfolio of advanced stage assets.

Corcel (CRCL), the natural resource exploration and development company, said that following recent positive structural changes in the Nickel market, it has engaged a North American based investment bank to market its Wowo Gap nickel/cobalt project for potential farm outs or other funding solutions.  The company currently holds a 100% interest in the Wowo gap project.