(Alliance News) - The following is a round-up of updates by London-listed companies, issued on Monday and not separately reported by Alliance News:
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Arix Bioscience PLC - focused on investing in biotech companies - Says board approves buyback of up to GBP25 million worth of shares. "The share buyback programme is consistent with Arix's strategy of creating and delivering value for all stakeholders and follows shareholder consultation as part of the company's stated commitment to keep use of cash under review, following the trade sale of VelosBio," Arix says.
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88 Energy Ltd - Alaska-focused oil producer - Says not aware of any reason for recent share price increase. Shares closed 84% higher on Monday.
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Rainbow Rare Earths Ltd - Burundi, East Africa-focused rare earth element miner - Calls on ANSTO Minerals to advance flow sheet process work at Phalaborwa rare earths project, South Africa. "ANSTO has world-leading expertise in the processing of critical and strategic minerals, including rare earths. With over 40 years' experience in providing practical solutions and innovative technology to industry," Rainbow says.
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Power Metal Resources PLC - metal exploration and development company - To make final earn-in payment of CAD200,000, about GBP114,349, to secure 30% stake in Silver Peak silver project, Canada. Will issue 5.1 million shares. Says new company being formed to hold 100% stake in project, though Power Metal will retain 30% interest. Also updates on drilling at Molopo Farms Complex in Botswana by Kalahari Key Mineral Exploration Pty Ltd. Says third drill hole of 2,505 metre programme begins. Power Metal holds 18% stake in Kalahari Key.
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Atalaya Mining PLC - Cyprus-based copper producer - Makes deferred payment of EUR53 million to Astor Management AG in relation to arrangements the duo entered into for Proyecto Riotinto in 2008. Atalaya adds: "The Court of Appeal supported the view of the High Court in determining that the deferred consideration to be paid by the company had not yet fallen due but would only be payable out of excess cash. Despite the company believing that it has not yet generated excess cash to incur an immediate payment, the board believes that now is the appropriate time to pay the deferred consideration and remove the timing uncertainty from the balance sheet."
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Zephyr Energy PLC - oil and gas company focused on the US upstream oil and gas sector - Reports on analysis of Paradox Basin, Utah. Says initial findings show "evidence of hydrocarbon saturation across" Cane Creek reservoir at project. "Zephyr's board has therefore elected to proceed with the near-term drilling of a side track lateral off the State 16-2 well," Zephyr adds.
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Independent Oil & Gas PLC - UK gas company targeting high returns - Says "subsurface understanding" of Goddard, or P2438, and Abbeydale Area, P2442, licenses in UK southern North Sea improved by seismic data. "This enhances the potential to create two new incremental high-return gas hubs, a northern hub in P2438 and a southern hub in P2442, in line with company strategy," Independent adds. Says 2C contingent resources at Goddard upped to 132 billion cubic feet of gas from 108 bcf.
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Eco Atlantic Oil & Gas Ltd - oil and gas exploration company focused on Guyana and Namibia - Says joint-venture partners at Orinduik Block, offshore Guyana enter into first renewal period of Orinduik petroleum prospecting license. "The first renewal period sees the JV partners maintain control of the licence through to January 13, 2023 and until the second renewal period," Eco Atlantic says. Says Guyana's Department of Energy approve transfer of the Total E&P Guyana BV's 25% working interest in project to TOQAP Guyana BV. Total E&P Guyana has 60% stake in new company, while Qatar Petroleum has 40% interest. TOQAP Guyana has 25% stake in Orinduik, operator Tullow Guyana BV holds 60%, while Eco Atlantic holds 15%.
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Altus Strategies PLC - Africa-focused mining royalty company - Granted three copper and silver exploration projects in Morocco. "The projects were awarded to the company's 100% owned subsidiary, Aterian Resources Ltd, following a competitive tender process," Altus says.
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Ariana Resources PLC - exploration and development company operating in Europe - Says 2021 gold output from 24%-owned Kiziltepe asset to be around 19,000 ounces of gold, "90% above feasibility plan for this approximate stage of mine life".
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Eurasia Mining PLC - palladium, platinum, rhodium, iridium and gold producing company - Says technical project for West Kytlim project submitted to Russian regulators. Adds that final approval for West Kytlim Flanks, areas surrounding the project, is "expected soon".
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Scirocco Energy PLC - AIM-listed investment firm seeking production and development opportunities within the European energy market - Fully impairs value of holding in Ausable Reef gas assets and incurs only "nominal" hit in 2020.
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CEPS PLC - Bath, England-based investment company focussed on the industrial sector - Hickton Group Ltd, its 55%-owned subsidiary, completes buy of Millington Lord Ltd from GT Realisations Ltd for up to GBP1.1 million. Consideration includes upfront GBP700,000, further GBP299,999 deferred in two instalments and possible GBP100,000 in performance-based targets.
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Utilico Emerging Markets Trust PLC - invests in infrastructure and utility and related sectors in emerging markets - Extends USD50 million multicurrency revolving facility to March 15, 2024.
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Pires Investments PLC - invests in companies that have the potential for major transformation and exponential growth - Invests GBP250,000 in Polience Ltd, a provider of data intelligence used to fight crime and terrorism. Says Sure Valley Ventures, in which Pires has a 20% stake, invested GBP750,000.
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Alternative Credit Investments PLC - investor in credit assets and formerly known as Pollen Street Secured Lending PLC - Says GBP639.2 million takeover by US-based Waterfall Asset Management becomes effective. Shares were suspended on Monday.
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Yellow Cake PLC - Jersey-based uranium investor - Informs NAC Kazatomprom JSC it plans to exercise full USD100 million uranium purchase option under agreement. Expects delivery or triuranium octoxide between April and August. Also agrees to purchase further 440,000 pounds of triuranium octoxide for USD12 million.
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FastForward Innovations Ltd - investor in life sciences and technology businesses particularly within the medical cannabis field - Says investee Fralis LLC, or Leap Gaming, extends partnership with Kaizen Gaming for rollout of EuroLeague Instant Legends on Kaizen's platforms. FastForward adds: "As announced on February 2, 2021, EuroLeague Instant Legends is a unique new betting product created by Leap Gaming and launched by IMG Arena in partnership with EuroLeague Basketball."
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Schroder UK Public Private Trust PLC - formerly Woodford Patient Capital Trust, invests in both listed and private UK companies - Completes sale of seven assets to Rosetta Capital VI LP. "The company received initial proceeds of approximately GBP52.9 million, out of which GBP1.0 million results from a positive adjustment to the acquisition price due to changes in the values of the listed portfolio companies Mereo BioPharma and ReNeuron on an aggregated basis," Schroder says. May also receive GBP5.0 million in contingent payments.
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RTW Venture Fund Ltd - investment company focused on the life sciences sector - Says portfolio company Prometheus Biosciences Inc raises USD190 million in "significantly upsized" initial public offering at USD19.00 per share. "On the first day of trading, Prometheus' share price increased by 33% to close at USD25.29 per share," RTW adds.
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Blackrock Smaller Companies Trust PLC - investment trust focused on smaller UK quoted companies - Mulling removing requirement that value of AIM-listed holdings must not exceed 50% of portfolio. Says some AIM holdings have "performed well" and company would rather not "be required to dispose of these AIM stocks solely as a result of circumstances where the performance of these stocks has brought the Company’s total AIM holdings close to the current 50% limit".
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Paragon Banking Group PLC - Solihull, West Midlands-based mortgage, savings and business finance provider - Launches tender offer to repurchase GBP150.0 million fixed rate reset callable subordinated tier 2 notes due 2026
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Henry Boot PLC - Sheffield-based construction and property development - Begins work on a major GBP42.5 million urban development scheme in the city centre of Sheffield. Henry Boot Construction selected on two developments within the Heart of the City scheme, to build a new low-carbon office building, covering 70,000 square foot over 7 floors, a food hall and live entertainment venue.
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Ince Group PLC - London-based legal and professional services company - Launches a "know-your-customer" solution alongside technology providers eLegal, Yoti and Arachnys in a bid to stem money laundering. Solution will be geared towards customers in real estate sector. "The launch of the new digital KYC solution comes at a time when the real estate sector is facing significant regulatory pressure to strengthen its approach to money laundering. With over GBP4 billion of property in London estimated to be owned by individuals or companies with a high money laundering risk," Ince says.
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Destiny Pharma PLC - clinical stage biotechnology company based in Brighton, England - Teams with US government's National Institute of Allergy & Infectious Diseases to probe Destiny's XF-73 as means of preventing infection in open wounds and broken skin. "Destiny Pharma will utilize NIAID's preclinical services programme to complete the preclinical safety studies that will support the planned clinical development in serious wound infections. Destiny Pharma will provide the XF-73 formulation to be tested in these preclinical studies and the project is planned to complete in 2022," Destiny adds.
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Omega Diagnostics Group PLC - sells wide range of specialist products, primarily in the immunoassay, in-vitro diagnostics market - Cautions that a contract with the UK government stated to be worth GBP374 million is just its maximum value, so should not be used "as an estimate or forecast of the actual likely value of purchase orders". "The value of future purchase orders may be substantially less than stated in yesterday's public government disclosure," Omega says. Later adds that it was one of two companies picked to supply UK government with rapid lateral flow tests for Covid-19.
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Renalytix AI PLC - Cardiff, Wales-based clinical diagnostics company - Says the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services in US will delay implementation of new Medicare Coverage of Innovative Technology rules by 60 days, to allow for 30 days of additional public feedback. "RenalytixAI expects the MCIT rule, as is or amended, will become effective within the expected 2021 FDA [US Food & Drug Administration] review and clearance period for KidneyIntelX and will have no material effect on the RenalytixAI business plan," company says.
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Actual Experience PLC - AIM-listed analytics-as-a-service company - Gets new Human Experience Management, or HXM, order from channel partner. "This purchase order evidences further endorsement from our channel partner in deploying our technology to its global blue chip customer base," Actual Experience Chief Executive Officer Dave Page says.
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By Eric Cunha; ericcunha@alliancenews.com
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