Rift Helium (RIFT) admitted to AIM on 22 Apr 2026 after raising ~£8.1m from a placing of 80.855m new shares at 10p, leaving 134,142,041 shares outstanding and a market capitalisation of ~£13.4m at the issue price. The company owns 99% of the 283 km² Upepo Project in Tanzania’s Rukwa Basin with an independent CPR showing unrisked prospective helium of P50 ~19 Bcf (mean ~41 Bcf); near‑term catalysts are EIA approval, 3D seismic in summer 2026 and drilling planned H1 2027, backed by an experienced team and a third‑mover, capital‑efficient strategy targeting Asian export routes amid constrained global supply and projected 5–7% CAGR demand to 2030, but material risks include early‑stage exploration status, unrisked resource estimates, permitting, execution and market/price volatility.
Comment: After nearly 40 years in and around the stock market, I really appreciate only finding out about a new listing on the day it happens from people I follow on X, and no one else. I get the message. Now let me see: helium, Tanzania, Rukwa, we are talking Helium One (HE1). Well no, this is Rift Helium, headed up by Charles FitzRoy of Bradda Head (BHL) fame. It is to be hoped that RIFT finds more helium than Helium None, I mean Helium One.
CleanTech Lithium (CTL), an exploration and development company advancing sustainable lithium projects in Chile, provides an update in relation to a legal claim involving its wholly owned subsidiary CleanTech Laguna Verde SpA. As previously reported on 1 December 2025, a civil legal claim was lodged by the vendors of 23 mining concessions at Laguna Verde against CLV in relation to the non-payment of the second instalment as part of the sales and purchase agreement, details of which were announced on 22 April 2024. While there has been no further developments of that civil claim, the Company understands that a related criminal complaint has now been filed by the LV Vendors to a local court in the Atacama Region against CLV, CleanTech Lithium Ltd and Atacama Salt Lakes SPA, both subsidiaries of the Company, and certain Directors and Officers of the group, covering substantially the same matters. These allegations are denied by the parties concerned and the Company views these in the context of the previously announced contractual dispute. The Company does not believe that this new legal action has any impact on its operations and strategic plans but will provide further updates to the market as appropriate.
Comment: CTL has certainly been through the mill in order to get where it is today, arguably in the best position it has ever been. Today’s news regarding a legal claim may be an irritant rather than anything else, and certainly should not distract focus from the excellent prospects for Laguna Verde.
Wishbone Gold (WSBN) announced it has raised gross proceeds of £1,100,000 in an institutional placing facilitated and arranged by Marex Financial at a placing price of 26.35 pence. WSBN said “We were approached by an institutional investor through Marex who expressed a serious interest in our Western Australia projects. Red Setter is located only 20km from Greatland Resources’ Telfer gold mine which is drilling more meters in 2026 than in Telfer’s history. We have further tenement packages in that region which we have yet to explore. In addition, the analysis of the Silver Lake project which we recently announced we had signed an option to acquire is looking extremely promising. This fundraise will also cover the initial development of this prospect. Overall we are very excited for the coming year given our expanded drill programme at Red Setter and the prospects at Silver Lake.”
Comment: What a surprise, could not have seen this coming. Next we will have news that the Prime Minister has resigned. On a more serious note, it is not a surprise that WSBN has been approached given the strength of ongoing exploration, and of course how helpful our friends at Marex are.
Solvonis Therapeutics plc (SVNS), an emerging biopharmaceutical company developing novel small-molecule therapeutics for high-burden central nervous system (CNS) disorders, is pleased to announce the appointment of Water Tower Research LLC to support the Company in three areas of increasing importance: deepening its understanding of the evolving U.S. market environment, refining its corporate profile in that market, and broadening intuitional investor reach. Water Tower Research (WTR) is a U.S.-based research and investor engagement firm. Under the engagement, WTR is expected to provide research coverage, supporting content and broader market-facing support.
Comment: It is clear that SVNS is aiming to deliver a decent blockbuster or two in the CNS space, and the message is already clear to most UK small cap investors. But of course, the big opportunity is Stateside, and therefore it is timely that Water Tower Research has been called in to deliver the push for SVNS.
hVIVO plc (HVO), a purpose-built, full-service international clinical development partner and the world leader in human challenge trials, announces that it has signed a contract to conduct a pivotal Phase III human challenge trial for ILiAD Biotechnologies, Inc. (“ILiAD”) to test its Bordetella pertussis (“B pertussis”) vaccine candidate, BPZE1. The study will be the first ever pivotal B pertussis Phase III human challenge trial assessing BPZE1’s efficacy in preventing infection (colonization) by B pertussis, a respiratory bacterium which causes whooping cough. The trial is anticipated to include over 500 healthy volunteers recruited through the Company’s participant recruitment arm, FluCamp. This represents hVIVO’s largest HCT to date, with BPZE1’s efficacy being measured against the current standard of care Tdap combination vaccine. HVIVO is expected to recognise revenue from H1 2026.
Comment: It feels as if 2026 is the year in which HVO returns to form and returns to its golden years, which in this case was obviously the pandemic. It certainly helps the share price today that the latest deal will be recognised in H1 2026.
Kistos (KIST), an independent energy company focused on unlocking value within its existing portfolio and through value-accretive M&A, provides an operational and unaudited financial update for the Q1 period ended 31 March 2026. The Company also provided an update on the acquisition of interests of Blocks 3&4 and Block 9 in Oman, as announced on 9 December 2025. KIST said “Kistos’ entry into the Middle East is set to double the Company’s current production and 2P reserves, adding immediate scale and geographic diversity. The oil and gas produced from these assets is exported directly via the Arabian Sea, bypassing traffic in the Strait of Hormuz.”
Comment: Rather obviously, one can say if KIST cannot shine in current market conditions, helped along by President Trump’s spring vacation in Iran, one wonders when it ever would. In fact, being an oil and gas producer that will bypass the Strait of Hormuz is the real sizzle of the moment.
MTI Wireless Edge Ltd (MWE), the technology group focused on comprehensive communication and radio frequency solutions across multiple sectors, announced that its antenna division has received two orders, totaling approximately US$1m, to supply military antennas. One of the orders, totaling approximately US$0.7m, is from an existing client, a European defence company, for delivery within five months and the other is from a local defence company for delivery within two years. MWE said “April is continuing to be a strong month for us having secured a series of significant defence-related orders with a combined value of just above US$9m. This increased level of order intake is encouraging and we continue to see opportunities for securing further orders primarily for our range of defence related products but also from across the entire business.”
Comment: As one might say in colloquial terms, at the moment MWE is making out like a bandit, and in the current war torn environment this state of affairs is likely to continue. It is perhaps pleasing that after many years, the market is finally catching up with the story here, reflected in the share price being up at 3 year highs.
Richmond Hill Resources Plc (RHR) said it has completed the acquisition of the Bartlett Mining Claims located in Ontario, Canada. Pursuant to the Agreement, the Company has paid CAD$125,000 in cash and issued 16,983,827 new ordinary shares of 0.1 pence each at a price of 1.75 pence per share, in satisfaction of the CAD$550,000 consideration due under the Agreement. The Consideration Shares will be subject to a lock-in agreement whereby the shares will be restricted from sale, transfer or disposal, other than in accordance with the lock-in terms. The Consideration Shares will be released in four equal instalments on 15 October 2026, 15 April 2027, 15 June 2027 and 15 October 2027.
Comment: Shares of RHR are now back to half of what they were at their February peak, and have bounced off their 200 day moving average. One would consider that for this expansive company, current levels represent a potential rebound zone.
Pulsar Helium Inc. (PLSR), a primary helium company, announced that its wholly owned subsidiary, Pulsar Helium (MI) Inc., has entered into an exclusive Option to Lease Non-Hydrocarbon Gas Agreement with Keweenaw Land Association, Ltd. covering approximately 488,090 gross acres of mineral rights in Michigan’s Upper Peninsula. The Agreement, together with the 5,742 gross acres previously acquired through the Company’s acquisition of Pulsar Michigan (formerly Hybrid Hydrogen Inc.) as announced January 5, 2026, establishes the Company’s potential footprint in Michigan. These areas in Michigan are now known as the Falcon Project.
Comment: The land grab continues at PLSR, and it has certainly been a winning strategy for the company, with the share price shooting higher in the wake of the helium supply threatening Iran conflict. That said, it would be nice if someone, somewhere could boost helium supply.
Physiomics (PYC), a leading mathematical modelling, data science and biostatistics company supporting the development of new therapeutics and personalised medicine solutions, announced the launch of a dedicated website aimed at providing key information to shareholders considering their vote in relation to the Company’s forthcoming Requisitioned General Meeting to be held at 10.00 a.m. on 29 April 2026. The website is available at www.pycrequisition.co.uk and has been created to ensure that all shareholders have access to transparent, accurate, and relevant information as they prepare for the upcoming shareholder vote. Physiomics is committed to maintaining open and constructive engagement with its shareholders and the launch of this dedicated website forms part of the Company’s broader efforts to ensure shareholders can make informed decisions.
Comment: Unlike some other companies one could care to mention regarding an EGM we see PYC actually admitting there has been one, and being helpful to all shareholders in terms of providing information in order for them to make the best decision for their company.
Alien Metals Limited (UFO), a minerals exploration and development company, advises that its joint venture partner, West Coast Silver Limited (ASX: WCE), has today released an inaugural Mineral Resource Estimate (“MRE”) for the Elizabeth Hill Silver Project in the West Pilbara, Western Australia. West Coast Silver has reported a JORC (2012) compliant MRE of 2.79 Moz silver at 617 g/t Ag, comprising 0.37 Moz Indicated and 2.42 Moz Inferred, reported above a 20 g/t Ag cut-off, confirming Elizabeth Hill as one of Australia’s highest-grade silver deposits and establishing a strong foundation for near-term growth and potential development.
Comment: It might be said that today’s negative initial share price reaction means that for the market it was better to travel than arrive for UFO. Or perhaps it is just that one or two people feel that the good news of 2.79 Moz silver could be the harbinger of a fundraise? However, there are no excuses here, the MRE has blown the lights out and is a company maker.
