Key Developments in the Junior Mining Sector
The junior mining sector witnessed a significant gathering of industry leaders in London this week, marking one of the key events of the year. Resourcing Tomorrow, previously known as Mines and Money, has traditionally attracted numerous locally listed explorers and developers. However, this year’s event had a more international flavor, reflecting a growing trend of exploring opportunities beyond traditional markets.
This shift in focus may explain why the usual surge of announcements from UK small-cap companies was notably absent. Instead, the week saw a limited number of notable movements. The most significant gainer was Anglesey Mining, which surged by 227% after announcing a comprehensive balance-sheet reset and securing a £350,000 investment from its largest shareholder and creditor, Energold Minerals.
The deal involved the transfer of Anglesey’s stakes in Grängesberg Iron and Labrador Iron Mines to Energold, effectively reducing approximately £4 million in debt. This left only around £100,000 in liabilities. Management emphasized that this overhaul strengthens the company’s financial position, allowing it to concentrate on developing its flagship Parys Mountain copper-zinc-lead-silver-gold project in North Wales.
Other Notable Market Movements
Gemfields experienced a 6% increase following a successful return from its latest emerald auction. In contrast, Metals One faced a steep decline of 41% due to a heavily discounted placing that raised £4.4 million in new investment.
On the broader market, the AIM-All Share remained relatively flat, consolidating after a busy end to November, mirroring the performance of the FTSE 100. Outside the mining sector, several other companies saw significant movements.
Hardide rose by 66% after securing £1.75 million in orders from a major new-energy customer in North America. This deal exceeded expectations, boosting revenue forecasts for 2026 and indicating potential volume increases in 2027.
GENinCode saw a 63% jump after forming a broad partnership with Thermo Fisher to develop and distribute its CARDIO inCode-Score test across the US and EMEA. The collaboration will start as a Lab Developed Test before seeking full FDA approval.
Mirriad Advertising surged by around 59%, with traders speculating that streaming platform Twitch is using its ad-tech system. Trading volumes increased sharply as investors reacted to the unconfirmed but widely discussed development.
Caspian Sunrise climbed 44% after receiving a two-year extension for its Yelemes Deep exploration licence in Kazakhstan’s BNG Contract Area. This allows the company to restart work at Deep Well 803, where oil was previously detected, and positions it for a future 25-year production licence.
Eco Atlantic gained 36% after securing a ‘transformational’ deal that provides Navitas Petroleum with paid-for options over key Guyana and South Africa blocks, along with potential stakes across Eco Atlantic’s wider Atlantic portfolio. Navitas will also carry significant portions of future work.
Polarean Imaging saw gains after Philips validated its FDA-cleared XENOVIEW 3T Chest Coil for use with the company’s latest MRI systems. This is a crucial step in expanding access to Polarean’s xenon-based lung-imaging technology.
Emerging Opportunities in Hydrogen and AI
A lesser-known development that requires further explanation involves BP stepping back from its Teesside hydrogen scheme. This move leaves the UK with fewer credible hydrogen developers at a time when the Labour government is relying on hydrogen to support its green-energy plan. This gap creates an opportunity for EnergyPathways (EP).
While BP is shifting towards what could become Europe’s largest AI data centre, EP is moving in the opposite direction. It has initiated engineering studies with KBR and Hazer for its Barrow project, aiming to produce 20,000 tonnes of hydrogen annually alongside a significant stream of synthetic graphite. This mineral is classified as critical for batteries and other net-zero technologies.
Investors may not fully appreciate that EP’s technology sits at the lower end of the cost curve, making it a viable option as traditional blue and green hydrogen routes become less justifiable. Additionally, the Secretary of State has designated the Barrow scheme as a project of national significance, providing a faster and more predictable planning route.
In summary, while many companies are retreating, EnergyPathways continues to build and expand its operations. For all the latest news on small- and mid-cap developments, visit www.proactiveinvestors.com.