Blog

UK Oil & Gas PLC has changed its name to UK Energy Group PLC (LSE:UKOG) as the company shifts its focus from UK onshore oil and gas towards geological hydrogen storage and related clean power activities.

The company’s strategy is centred on hydrogen storage projects being progressed through its subsidiary, UK Energy Storage Ltd. UK Energy Group also said its strategy allows for potential expansion into international energy ventures.

The name change is being reflected on the London Stock Exchange through a new ticker and corporate website. The company’s ISIN remains unchanged.

UK Energy Group said the rebranding does not affect existing shareholder rights, while current share certificates remain valid.

The change follows the company’s exit from the UK onshore oil and gas segment and is intended to align its corporate and market identity with its current energy activities.

More about UK Energy Group PLC

UK Energy Group PLC, formerly UK Oil & Gas PLC, is an energy company focused on geological hydrogen storage and associated clean power projects.

Its hydrogen storage activities are being developed through UK Energy Storage Ltd.

Following its move away from UK onshore oil and gas, the company is concentrating on hydrogen storage infrastructure while retaining the option to pursue energy projects internationally.

International Public Partnerships (LSE:INPP) reported a 1.3% increase in net asset value per share to 153.4p for the six months ended 30 June 2026.

The infrastructure investment company reported an annualised total NAV return of 8.2%, while portfolio cash flows covered dividends 1.3 times during the period.

INPP said 99% of portfolio revenues are supported by long-term contracted or regulated arrangements. The company also reported inflation linkage across its portfolio.

The board reaffirmed its progressive dividend targets for 2026 and 2027.

Capital Recycling Exceeds £440 Million Since Mid-2023

INPP has realised more than £440 million from asset disposals at or above their respective net asset values since mid-2023.

Over the same period, the company has invested or committed approximately £480 million to assets with expected returns above 11%.

Planned deployments include investments in Sizewell C, BeNEX and the Moray West offshore transmission owner project.

The company has also extended its share buyback programme to £225 million. INPP said shares repurchased under the programme have contributed to an increase in NAV per share.

Across the existing portfolio, the company reported asset availability above its targets. Its Tideway investment also reached project milestones during the period.

INPP decided not to provide further equity funding to fibre network operator toob, citing conditions in the UK digital infrastructure market.

More about International Public Partnerships

International Public Partnerships Limited is a FTSE 250-listed infrastructure investment company.

Its portfolio includes regulated utilities, public-private partnerships and operating infrastructure businesses across sectors including energy, transport, education and digital networks.

The company invests primarily in infrastructure assets with long operating lives and contracted or regulated revenue arrangements. Its investment approach also includes capital recycling through asset disposals and subsequent deployment into existing or new infrastructure investments.

Playtech (LSE:PTEC) reported first-half 2026 revenue of €425.1 million, an increase of 10%, while adjusted EBITDA rose 77% to €162.5 million.

The company generated €101 million of free cash flow during the period and ended the first half with a net cash position of €39.2 million. Playtech also completed €25 million of share buybacks.

B2B revenue increased 14%, with the segment’s adjusted EBITDA margin reaching 32%. The company also reported increased investment income from its interests in Caliente and Hard Rock Digital.

Playtech said it remains on track to exceed €270 million of adjusted EBITDA for the full 2026 financial year.

Americas Revenue Increases

In the U.S. and Canada, revenue increased 161%, with Playtech citing its relationship with Hard Rock Bet and launches in additional U.S. states among the factors affecting the result.

The company expanded its regulated U.S. iGaming operations to six states during the period.

Latin American revenue increased 29% on an underlying basis. Playtech said trading in the region was also affected by activity associated with the FIFA World Cup.

Software-as-a-Service revenue increased 20% during the first half. Playtech Protect, the company’s safer gambling technology, was being used by 41 brands across 16 jurisdictions.

B2C revenue, which primarily includes Sun Bingo, declined during the period as Playtech continued to wind down the HAPPYBET business. B2C EBITDA, however, increased.

More about Playtech

Playtech plc provides software, content and services to the online gambling industry.

Its operations include B2B software and live casino services, Software-as-a-Service products and B2C activities including Sun Bingo.

The group also has investments in businesses including Caliente Interactive and Hard Rock Digital. Its operations are divided between B2B activities, investment income and B2C businesses.

Ariana Resources (LSE:AAU) has reported results from its 2026 metallurgical and exploration diamond drilling programmes at the Dokwe Gold Project in Zimbabwe as work continues on the project’s definitive feasibility study.

Drilling at Dokwe North and Dokwe Central intersected zones of gold mineralisation across a range of grades and widths. The company said the results provide additional information on the width and continuity of the mineralised zones.

Exploration drilling also tested areas on the eastern flank of the deposit, including locations northeast of the planned open pit, as well as areas being assessed for potential project infrastructure.

The programmes are being used to provide additional geological information for resource-to-reserve conversion, mine planning and sterilisation work associated with potential infrastructure locations.

Metallurgical Samples Sent for DFS Testwork

Ariana has dispatched approximately eight tonnes of metallurgical samples to China for feasibility-level testing by Hongkong Xinhai Mining Services.

Results from the metallurgical programme are expected to contribute to the technical work being undertaken as part of the definitive feasibility study for Dokwe.

The company said it is funded to complete the definitive feasibility study technical programmes currently scheduled through early 2027.

More about Ariana Resources

Ariana Resources is a mineral exploration and development company with gold project interests in Africa and Europe.

Its portfolio includes the 100%-owned Dokwe Gold Project in Zimbabwe, which has a reported gold resource of 1.6 million ounces.

Current work at Dokwe includes exploration and metallurgical drilling, feasibility-level testwork and studies aimed at converting resources to reserves and developing mine and infrastructure plans.

The company is also undertaking exploration around the existing mineralised zones as it evaluates the extent of the Dokwe deposit.

Guardian Metal Resources (LSE:GMET) has entered into a collaboration with Oritain Global to develop a scientific database of origin fingerprints for tungsten from its Tempiute and Pilot Mountain projects in Nevada.

Oritain specialises in forensic origin verification. The planned database is intended to provide provenance information that can be used to verify the origin of tungsten produced from Guardian Metal’s U.S. projects.

According to the company, the initiative is aimed at governments, industrial customers and end users seeking traceability across the tungsten supply chain.

The collaboration comes ahead of U.S. defence procurement requirements under the FY2024 National Defense Authorization Act and a recent executive order covering sourcing and traceability requirements for certain materials. The measures include restrictions relating to materials sourced from covered countries and limitations on waivers.

Guardian Metal expects the database to provide a method for verifying U.S.-origin tungsten from Tempiute and Pilot Mountain against applicable sourcing requirements.

More about Guardian Metal Resources

Guardian Metal Resources PLC is a mineral exploration company focused on tungsten projects in Nevada.

Its portfolio includes Pilot Mountain, an undeveloped tungsten project, and Tempiute, a former tungsten-producing operation.

The company is listed in the U.S. and London and also trades on the OTCQB market.

Guardian Metal has received a US$6.2 million investment from the U.S. Department of War under the Defense Production Act to support a pre-feasibility study at Pilot Mountain.

The company is advancing its Nevada projects with a focus on potential domestic U.S. tungsten production for markets including defence, technology, energy and industrial applications.

Corcel PLC (LSE:CRCL) has increased its net interest in Block KON-16 in Angola’s onshore Kwanza Basin to 71.5% following government approval for the consolidation of an additional interest and an agreement with Sintana Energy.

The Angolan government approved the consolidation of a 30% interest in KON-16 held by Intank into Corcel’s APEX subsidiary.

Corcel also entered into a US$2.5 million agreement with Sintana Energy covering an indirect 5% interest in the block. Following the transactions, Corcel’s net interest increased from 49.5% to 71.5%, while APEX’s operated position stands at 85%.

The Sintana transaction includes a structured net profit interest. Corcel described the agreement as providing additional non-dilutive funding.

The company is also issuing new shares to settle transaction-related fees and has updated its total voting rights following the issuance.

Corcel Advances KON-16 Drilling Preparations

Alongside the ownership changes, Corcel has continued technical work ahead of a planned exploration drilling campaign at KON-16 in 2027.

The company has received final pre-stack time migration, or PSTM, seismic data and completed a geomechanical programme for the block.

Corcel has also appointed NRG Well Management to undertake detailed well engineering and drilling design. Road access scouting is under way, while the company continues efforts to secure farm-down arrangements.

The work is focused on prospects including Sirius and Canopus as Corcel progresses from subsurface evaluation towards planning for exploration drilling.

The company is targeting a drilling campaign during 2027, subject to approvals, funding and rig availability.

More about Corcel

Corcel PLC is an AIM-listed energy exploration company focused on assets in Africa and Latin America.

Its current portfolio includes Block KON-16 in Angola’s onshore Kwanza Basin, where the company is undertaking seismic analysis, geomechanical studies and well engineering in preparation for potential exploration drilling.

Corcel uses transactions, partnerships and share issuances as part of its approach to funding and progressing its exploration portfolio.

Griffin Mining (LSE:GFM) reported unaudited first-half revenue of $77.3 million, up 21% year on year, while operating profit more than doubled to $28.2 million.

The results were recorded while the Caijiaying Mine in China operated at approximately 50% of its annual capacity of 1.5 million tonnes, with throughput currently restricted to 750,000 tonnes per year.

The company reported higher realised prices for zinc, gold, silver and lead, improved grades for most metals and lower smelter treatment charges. Cost of sales declined during the period, while basic earnings per share increased to 11.89 cents.

Griffin also bought back and cancelled more than 3.3 million shares during the first half.

Production volumes for zinc and gold declined as a result of lower throughput. However, higher grades and metal prices affected the group’s revenue mix, with lead and precious metals accounting for more than half of gross revenue before royalties.

Operating cash flow declined to $22.4 million, with the reduction occurring as the company lowered amounts owed to creditors. Griffin continued spending on mine development and equipment during the period and returned $14.2 million to shareholders through share buybacks.

Caijiaying Throughput Remains at 750,000 Tonnes

Throughput at Caijiaying remains restricted to an annualised rate of 750,000 tonnes following tighter mine safety oversight in China after a fatal coal mine explosion.

An increase in production is dependent in part on provincial approval to recommission Tailings Safety Facility 4, or TSF4.

Griffin expects reduced throughput to continue for the remainder of 2026 and into early 2027. The company said its current use of paste-fill for tailings cannot support the higher planned production volumes without TSF4, meaning production levels are expected to remain variable until additional tailings capacity and the required permits are available.

Infrastructure and mine workings for Zone II at Caijiaying have been completed. Griffin expects to receive a Safety Permit from the Environmental and Rescue Bureau during the fourth quarter of 2026.

Following receipt of the required approval, the company intends to increase production towards its previous annual rate of 1.5 million tonnes as soon as practicable.

More about Griffin Mining

Griffin Mining Limited operates the Caijiaying mine in China, which produces zinc, gold, silver and lead.

The mine comprises multiple operating zones and uses paste fill and tailings storage facilities for waste management. Its production capacity is therefore affected by the availability of tailings infrastructure and associated regulatory approvals.

Griffin operates in China through Hebei Hua Ao Mining Industry Company Limited. The company has continued investing in mine development and equipment while also returning capital to shareholders through share buybacks.

Its financial results are affected by factors including commodity prices, ore grades, production volumes and smelter treatment charges.

Kendrick Resources (LSE:KEN) has reported mineralogical and metallurgical results from the Teufelskuppe carbonatite complex, known as the TK project, in Namibia.

The company said analysis confirmed that rare earth elements at the project are hosted primarily in fluorocarbonate minerals including bastnäsite and parisite.

According to Kendrick, more than 95% of the rare earth content identified is contained within minerals that are amenable to established processing methods.

Certified assay results also showed relatively low concentrations of thorium and uranium. Kendrick said the levels rank within the lowest quartile when compared with other hard-rock rare earth projects globally.

The company expects the lower levels of radioactive elements to have implications for the design of the project’s processing flowsheet and potentially for capital expenditure, operating costs, environmental management and permitting. These remain company expectations rather than established project outcomes.

Kendrick is continuing technical and exploration work at Teufelskuppe, including diamond and reverse circulation drilling aimed at defining the depth and extent of the carbonatite mineralisation.

The company also plans to upgrade the project’s mineral resource estimate to JORC (2012) standards.

More about Kendrick Resources PLC

Kendrick Resources Plc is a mineral exploration and development company focused on acquiring and advancing mineral resource projects through exploration and technical studies.

Its strategy includes progressing projects towards production through joint ventures, other arrangements or asset sales. Its current portfolio includes the Bonya Rare Earth Project in Namibia and the Blue Fox licence in northwest Zambia.

At Teufelskuppe, the company is exploring carbonatite mineralisation containing light rare earth elements, including neodymium and praseodymium.

Ilika plc (LSE:IKA) has completed its PRIMED programme, funded through the UK Government’s DRIVE35 initiative, aimed at improving the performance of its 10Ah Goliath solid-state battery prototypes.

The company focused the programme on optimising the 10Ah format rather than immediately scaling the technology to 50Ah cells.

As part of the project, performance data for the 10Ah cells was independently verified using About:Energy’s The Voltt platform. Ilika said this is intended to make performance information more accessible to battery pack designers evaluating the technology.

The programme resulted in improvements across several technical measures, including gravimetric energy density, capacity retention at higher cycling rates, charging speed, peak power, cycle life and thermal stability.

Ilika also reported feedback from a UK defence agency following an assessment of the cells’ resilience for battlefield applications. The company did not provide further details of the agency or the assessment results in the supplied information.

Separately, Ilika has started a joint development programme with Brompton focused on the potential use of the technology in foldable electric bicycles.

The company is also working with HSSMI and using UKBIC facilities as part of its preparations for potential future industrialisation of Goliath technology at gigafactory scale.

More about Ilika plc

Ilika plc is a UK-based developer of solid-state battery technology for applications including electric vehicles, defence, medical devices and consumer products.

Its portfolio includes Stereax miniature solid-state batteries, designed for applications including medical implants, industrial sensors and Internet of Things devices, and its larger-format Goliath technology for applications including electric vehicles, defence and cordless appliances.

Ilika operates a licensing-led business model under which its intellectual property can be supplied to original equipment manufacturers and manufacturing partners in return for licence fees and potential future royalties.