Rome Resources has announced laboratory results from its latest drilling campaign at the Mont Agoma tin prospect in the Democratic Republic of Congo’s North Kivu province. 

The results reveal substantial widths of tin mineralisation, but shares fell with tin grades underwhelming the market. Rome Resources shares were down 17% at the time of writing.

The first two completed diamond core drill holes have unveiled three distinct mineralisation zones, with combined widths of 38.4 metres in MADD016A and 32.1 metres in MADD017.

However, the drilling programme yielded questionable tin grades, with MADD016A returning intervals of 20.5 metres at 0.18% tin from 57.5 metres depth and 14.9 metres at 0.45% tin from 99 metres. 

For context, Cornish Metals encountered grades as high as 3.24% and 4.66% at its South Crofty mine in 2023. 

Copper and zinc were encountered by Rome at Mount Agoma, including 7.2 metres at 1.32% copper and a 31-metre section grading 4.02% zinc.

MADD017 demonstrated equally encouraging results, with multiple tin-bearing zones, including 8 metres at 0.49% tin from 154 metres depth. The hole also intersected exceptional zinc mineralisation, returning 25.35 metres at 13.97% zinc from 110.1 metres.

Investors seemed to have little interest in the copper and zinc mineralisation on Tuesday. 

The company draws parallels between Mont Agoma’s mineralisation pattern and the renowned San Rafael deposit in Peru, noting similar transitions from copper to tin mineralisation at depth. The project also shares characteristics with Alphamin’s Mpama South deposit, particularly in its zinc mineralisation patterns.

Rome Resourceswill advance its exploration programme throughout 2025, supported by recent funding secured through Stanvic Mining.

The company has already completed 1,657 metres of drilling across eight holes since the programme’s commencement in August 2024, with three holes currently ongoing.​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​

“Following our successful £4.2 million fundraising with Stanvic Mining, we are in a strong position to continue drilling at the Mont Agoma and Kalayi prospects, particularly targeting deeper levels on both prospects where there are clear signposts that mineralisation increases at depth,” said Paul Barrett, Chief Executive Officer of Rome Resources.

Internal audit and business assurance specialist Adsure Services has announced its operating subsidiary TIAA Ltd has appointed Angela Ward as Director of Housing, bringing over 20 years of audit and consulting expertise to the firm.

In her new role, Ward will head TIAA’s social housing unit and spearhead the company’s expansion plans in the division. She will focus on developing innovative services for existing clients in the social housing sector and targeting new markets.

The appointment comes as part of Adsure Services’ broader growth strategy in the social housing market, which is set to benefit from the government’s support for the sector and a 1.5m homebuilding target.

“We’re delighted to welcome Angela to TIAA’s leadership team,” said Kevin Limn, CEO of Adsure Services.

“Her track record of delivering business assurance solutions to a range of clients will further strengthen our housing business unit. Angela’s appointment reflects our commitment to growth across all of TIAA’s industry groups and our focus on meeting our clients’ requirements.”

Adsure Services recently announced a 19% increase in revenue and 232% jump in EBITDA for the half-year to 30th September. Such was the strength in financial performance that Adsure hiked its interim dividend by 60% for the period.

Last week’s rally continued on Monday as with FTSE 100 on course to set a fresh all-time record closing high amid rising optimism around interest rates.

London’s leading index touched 8,533, matching Friday’s peak before easing back to trade at 8,514.

“The FTSE 100 has opened the week buoyed by positive winds and renewed investor enthusiasm. It is close to clinching a fresh intraday record,” said Susannah Streeter, head of money and markets, Hargreaves Lansdown.

“After reaching an all-time high on Friday there seems little to spark a pull-back, with US markets shut for Martin Luther King Day. However, all eyes will be on Donald Trump’s inauguration later as the 47^th President of the United States and his comments are likely to hold sway on markets.”

Reports suggest Trump has dozens of executive orders prepared for his first days of presidency. These orders will set the tone for his second term as US President and produce trading opportunities across a broad range of asset classes.

“Markets are eagerly awaiting Trump’s first batch of executive orders as this will provide clarity on the lay of the land. Immigration, energy and trade will be high up the list and, as always, the devil will be in the detail. Trump has had a lot to say on these issues but he also has a reputation of not always following what he’s promised to do to the letter,” said Russ Mould, investment director at AJ Bell.

“Markets want to know which countries and industry sectors will be targeted and the relevant tariff rates to price in any risks or opportunities to equities, currencies and bonds around the world.”

Cryptocurrency markets ushered Trump in with a fresh record high in Bitcoin. Trump has promised to bring crypto mainstream, making the asset class the biggest beneficiary of his victory to date.

In London, there was a wait-and-see feel to markets. The FTSE 100 carved out minor gains supported by banks and oil majors. UK-centric stocks enjoyed marginal gains as the good feeling around the UK after UK inflation data last week continued. Kingfisher and Rightmove rose on the hope that home purchases and DIY will pick up as 2025 develops.

Hedge fund Pershing Square was the top riser after increasing dividends by 13% for 2025.

Panther Metals plc, the Canadian-focused mineral exploration company, has successfully completed a conditional placing of 910,000 ordinary shares, raising £455,000.

The shares were placed at 50 pence each, representing a 37.5 per cent discount to the company’s mid-market closing price on 17 January 2025. The terms will be a disappointment for investors who didn’t partake in the offer.

The funds will be used to advance the company’s Dotted Lake Project in Ontario, following promising results from their autumn 2024 drilling programme.

The project has already yielded significant findings, including the confirmation of a 1.2-kilometre-long gold trend and high-grade zinc/gold volcanogenic massive sulphide mineralisation in the first drillhole.

The company is currently awaiting assay results from four additional diamond drill holes, particularly those that intersected an ultramafic intrusive body which shows potential for nickel, cobalt, gold and Platinum Group Element mineralisation. The company said the new funding will enable Panther Metals to further develop this prospective project once all remaining drill core and soil sample assays are received.

However, the low amount raised during this fundraise would suggest the company could hit the market up again before long to fund further development of their project.

“Without doubt the exploration industry continues to face headwinds in the equity markets at a time when governments and majors are increasing options for explorers: an unprecedented situation,” said Darren Hazelwood, Chief Executive Officer of Panther.

“Global supply chains will begin to suffer within a relatively short timeframe driving capital back into explorers at sensible levels.”