Once again, mining companies dominated the small caps news universe today.
Stratex International (LON:STI) has parted ways with Marcus Engelbrecht following a tumultuous general meeting. Engelbrecht was removed as CEO by a shareholder vote, and the deal he had been mooting voted down.
A subsidiary of Lionsgold Limited (LON:LION) has received a licence to make and receive electronic payments. This brings the company one step closer to launching its online trading platform for physical gold.
Horizonte Minerals Plc (LON:HZM) has submitted a formal mine plan for its Araguaia nickel project in Brazil to the relevant government agency. Nickel prices have been improving recently and Araguaia could start to gain traction pretty quickly.
Tertiary Minerals plc (LON:TYM) has won an award in USA from the Bureau of Land Management. The company was recognised for the "sustainability" of its exploration methods in the field in Nevada.
Tlou Energy Limited (LON:TLOU) has updated investors on its operations at the Lesedi coal bed methane project Botswana where a 2D seismic programme is nearing completion and a core-drilling programme has now kicked off. Both programmes aim to increase gas reserves and contingent resources, as well as support the company’s initial project development.
In the oil sector, Lekoil Ltd (LON:LEK) has extended the deadline of a loan from chief executive Lekan Akinyanmi for three years to December 9 2020.
Eland Oil & Gas PLC (LON:ELA) has confirmed the recently drilled Opuama-7 sidetrack well is now hooked into the field’s production facilities. Production testing is underway, with the well’s output going to export, and the flow rate is seen at 6,700 barrels of oil per day.
Moving on to tech stocks, Vortex BioSciences, a portfolio company of AIM-listed IP firm NetScientific PLC (LON:NSCI), has made the first direct commercial sale of its VTX-1 Liquid Biopsy System.
Shares in Nasstar Plc (LON:NASA) surged after the cloud computing specialist announced a significant contract win that is expected to be worth at least £2.1mln over three years.
Centralnic Group PLC (LON:CNIC) has sold off “a number” of its premium domain names for US$3.4mln in cash.
Specialist medical imaging technology company Feedback plc (LON:FDBK) said in its full-year results statement it is receiving significant interest in China for its TexRAD product.
In the investment world, Challenger Acquisitions Limited (LON:CHAL) is teaming up with a private UK company to launch and operate Comic Con-style conventions which will feature film stars from the latest action hero movies.
European Wealth Group (LON:EWG) has signed the agreement to buy US fund platform Newbridge with only regulatory approval needed in the US and UK needed for the deal to complete.
BB Healthcare Trust PLC (LON:BBH) said it has issued 500,000 of its ordinary shares of 1p each at a price of 114.7p, a premium to its prevailing net asset value per share. Following the issue of shares, the company’s total issued share capital will comprise of 257,319,268 ordinary shares.
RM Secured Direct Lending PLC, an investment trust specialising in secured debt investments, has arranged a revolving credit facility of £10 million with OakNorth.
Aircraft lessor Avation PLC (LON:AVAP) is preparing a new round of dollar-denominated debt.