NA Proactive news snapshot: Vuzix, ION Energy, American Resources, Fortitude Gold UPDATE …

Vuzix Corporation (NASDAQ:VUZI) announced it is going to be included in the Russell 2000 and 3000 Indexes at the end of June. The Russell Indexes collectively comprise 4,000 of the largest US stocks ranked by total market capitalization. FTSE Russell determines membership for its Russell indexes primarily by objective, market capitalization rankings and other attributes. The move will take effect after the index’s annual reconstitution, which captures the 4,000 largest US stocks as of May 7.  ION Energy Ltd (CVE:ION) (OTCQB:IONGF) (FRA 5YB) reports that exploration has commenced at its 100%-owned Baavhai Uul Lithium Salar Project in southeastern Mongolia. With 12 personnel on site, core drilling has started and truck-mounted auger drilling is expected within weeks. The company now holds licences on over 110,000 hectares.  American Resources Corporation (NASDAQ:AREC) has closed a $30.1 million registered direct offering for 8.6 million common stock shares and 4.3 million purchase warrants.  Kingswood Capital Markets, a division of Benchmark Investments, performed the task of exclusive placement agent for the offering. The warrants are exercisable upon the date of issuance and priced at $3.50 per share. The purchase option will expire five years from the date of acquisition. Fortitude Gold Corp (OTCQB:FTCO) released positive results from an exploration drill at its East Camp Douglas property.  The Nevada-focused gold producer, developer and explorer targeted a lithocap formation at the site with the maiden drill program.  The lithocap is an expansive 1.5 kilometers (km) by 1 km geologic structure housing a potentially significant near-surface gold deposit. The drill registered 17.92 meters (m) grading 1.29 grams per tonne (g/t) gold and 6.10 meters grading 1.42 g/t gold. Talon Metals Corp (TSE:TLO) (OTCMKTS:TLOFF) (FRA:TAO) has revealed more positive drill results from outside its Tamarack resource area that showed multiple thick intersections of massive nickel-copper mineralization. The resource company is drilling outside the current resource area at the CGO West target to follow up on a recently announced intercept of 13.88 metres of mixed massive nickel-copper mineralization. In a release, Talon revealed the results from seven new drill holes that all intersected nickel-copper mineralization at shallow depths. Highlights of the results include 7.31 metres of mixed massive nickel-copper mineralization in one hole and 5.44 metres in another, as well as a third hole that intercepted 9.81 metres. Esports Entertainment Group Inc (NASDAQ:GMBL) has announced a partnership with Cinema Esports Alliance Co (CEAC) to host a virtual event to open the door of communication between the cinema and esports industries. The company said the inaugural event will delve deeper into how both industries can support each other: While cinemas are eager to find new revenue streams, the esports community seeks new venues for practices and viewing parties. "We are excited to partner with the CEAC to help cinemas attract the gamer community into their facilities," said CEO Grant Johnson in a statement. "We believe we have a turnkey, fully-integrated esports solution that can support cinema exhibition of esports including tournaments and onsite infrastructure." FPX Nickel Corp (CVE:FPX) announced that expanded field tests at its Baptiste Project in the Decar Nickel District of central British Columbia have revealed the potential for significant direct air carbon capture in tailings in the area. These field tests, from Phase 2 of a two-part program conducted by researchers from the University of British Columbia (UBC) funded by FPX and the Government of Canada, continue to demonstrate that the Baptiste Project's tailings can sequester significant quantities of carbon dioxide (CO2) when exposed to air through a natural process of mineral carbonation, the company said. Alpine 4 Holdings Inc (OTCQB:ALPP) subsidiary Thermal Dynamics International Inc (TDII) has secured several new production orders, growing its backlog of orders to more than $14.6 million. Leveraging technology and innovation to accentuate business, Phoenix-based Alpine 4 acquires businesses that fit it into its disruptive business model. The group's subsidiary TDII specializes in managing complex project assets and infrastructure, including support services for the thermal engineering and design of Embassies and Consulates outside the United States. Clients include the US Department of Defense and the Department of State. Neo Lithium Corp (CVE:NLC) (OTCQX:NTTHF) (FRA:NE2) has hailed an updated resource estimate for its flagship 3Q project in Argentina, which confirmed the asset's scale, high-grade, and potential to grow, as the company continues to work towards finalizing the feasibility study in the third quarter this year. The higher confidence measured and indicated (M&I) resource, at 1.682 million tonnes of lithium carbonate equivalent, has increased by 125% at the 800 miligram per litre (mg/l) lithium cut-off grade, compared to the previous 2018 estimate. It has also lifted by 33%, to stand at 5.304 million tonnes, at the 400 mg/l lithium cut-off, compared to three years ago, the firm noted. Marble Financial Inc (CSE:MRBL) (OTCMKTS:MRBLF) (FRA:2V0) said its subsidiary Inverite Verification Inc has entered into a data verification agreement with one of Canada's largest alternative PowerSports financing companies. PowerSports is engaged in financing ATV’s, snowmobiles, motorcycles, boats and personal watercrafts, recreational vehicles and travel trailers. Marble’s Inverite is a Canadian open banking and consumer-directed financial data provider for the financial services industry. Aequus Pharmaceuticals Inc (CVE:AQS) (OTCQB:AQSZF) (FRA:AEQ) will maintain its current commercial relationship pertaining to the Vistitan glaucoma drug, with Sandoz into 2022.  As a specialty pharmaceutical company, Aequus Pharmaceuticals is focused on developing, advancing and promoting differentiated products. The product line includes several medications for eye health as well as an anti-rejection drug (Tacrolimus IR) for transplant recipients.  There is potential to extend the current partnership beyond February 2022 and could expand to include additional products beyond Vistitan and Tacrolimus IR. BlueRush Inc (CVE:BTV) said it has entered into an agreement with a key North American financial services lender worth as much as US$200,000 to transform the lender’s digital client experience by leveraging its IndiVideo platform. The lender has more than 500 locations in Canada and the US, and BlueRush plans to optimize the lender's digital presence by improving its North American web properties, application flow and app design. The initial contract is focused on digital transformation efforts and includes an initial subscription for IndiVideo.  Heritage Cannabis Holdings Corp (CSE:CANN) (OTCQX:HERTF) (FRA:2UE) announced the introduction of RADsicles, the company’s new cannabis edible ‘freezie’ just in time for summer. The company said the blue raspberry, cherry, cream soda, and grape-flavoured RADsicles will soon be available for purchase at provincial boards and retailers, as it has already shipped the first products to the Ontario Cannabis Store. “Heritage is proving itself to be a leader in product innovation which is keeping our consumers returning for multiple repeat purchases,” Heritage Cannabis President of Recreational David Schwede said in a statement.   NEO Battery Materials Ltd (CVE:NBM) (OTCMKTS:NBMFF) recently announced that its's silicon (Si) nanocoating technology successfully achieved an ultra-fast charging/discharging capability in a half-cell coin test. Following a new test conducted by the laboratory of Dr Jong Hyeok Park, who is also Neo's chief scientific advisor, the company said the “breakthrough results” showed the potency of NEO's nanocoating technology through “superior charging/discharging performance on small battery cells.” Significantly, NEO's nanocoated silicon anode allows for “a safe full charge within 5 minutes,” which demonstrates potential for scaling and implementation in larger cells such as those used in high power EV batteries, noted the company. Organic Garage Ltd (CVE:OG) (OTCQX:OGGFF) (FRA:9CW1), one of Canada’s leading independent organic grocers, has released a business update on its potential expansions, its recent Instacart deal and the Future of Cheese’s progress since its acquisition. The company said it is continuing to evaluate expansion opportunities, both domestically and internationally. The COVID-19 pandemic has resulted in a renewed focus on grocery as an essential service, and landlords and developers are actively looking for grocery tenants, particularly in the health and wellness space, to anchor new real estate properties or vacancies, the company said. Organic Garage has been sought out for these types of developments, which could lead to potential future brand expansion opportunities in existing or new territories. Unigold Inc (CVE:UGD) (OTCQX:UGDIF) (FRA:UGB1) has released more exploration drill results from its Candelones project at the Neita concession in the Dominican Republic, which underline the property's potential. The results hail from 17 holes, with assays for 12 more still pending, and were focused on testing prospective anomalies at six areas around the already defined Candelones resource. These are the Connector zone, Extension West, East and North, the Montazo zone and the so-called Eastern Oxides area. Notably, at Extension East, eight holes were sunk along a 200 meter (m) strike length to the east of the Candelones Extension, and expanded the surface sulphide mineralization. Braxia Scientific Corp (CSE:BRAX) (OTCMKTS:BRAXF) (FRA:496) CEO Roger McIntyre saw his research into the clinical uses of ketamine and esketamine published in the prestigious American Journal of Psychiatry. McIntyre and Braxia’s medical director Joshua Rosenblat led a team of 26 experts to develop the International Expert Opinion and Implementation Guidance (Guidelines) for the clinical use of rapid-acting Ketamine and Esketamine for treatment-resistant depression, according to Braxia. The guidelines were published in the May 2021 edition under the title "Synthesizing the Evidence for Ketamine and Esketamine for Treatment-Resistant Depression.”  Starton Therapeutics Inc said it has developed several formulations to successfully deliver lenalidomide across the skin. With this milestone, the company said it has advanced multiple formulation candidates in its transdermal lenalidomide (STAR-LLD) program into nonclinical studies. STAR-LLD is a proprietary, medicated, adhesive patch placed on the skin to deliver lenalidomide continuously at the optimal dose using up to 90% less drug when compared to approved oral formulations. First Mining Gold Corp (TSE:FF) (OTCQX:FFMGF) (FRA:FMG) has reported that its partner Auteco Minerals Ltd (ASX:AUT) has fulfilled the first stage of an earn-in agreement for the Pickle Crow Gold project in northwestern Ontario. The definitive earn-in agreement penned in March 2020, gives Auteco the opportunity to earn up to an 80% interest in First Mining’s wholly-owned subsidiary PC Gold Inc, the company in control of Pickle Crow. As part of the stage one process Auteco has issued 100 million shares of Auteco to First Mining. Auteco now holds a 51% interest in PC Gold. TechX Technologies Inc (CSE:TECX) (OTC:TECXF) (FRA:C0B1) has told investors that it considers its investment in CatalX CTS Ltd (Catalyx) to be an early success after the company officially listed its Canadian cryptocurrency CADX on the Bittrex Global Exchange. CADX is a multi-chain Canadian Dollar pegged stablecoin, meaning every CADX token is fully backed and redeemable for C$1. Bittrex, its newest home, is one of the world's top 15 cryptocurrency exchanges in terms of liquidity. Catalyx.io, a cryptocurrency exchange with more than 40 altcoins, first launched CADX in 2020 through a partnership with Seattle-based fintech company Stably. American Manganese Inc (CVE:AMY) (OTCMKTS:AMYZF) (FRA:2AM) is applauding a new White House report on building resilient supply chains in response to President Joe Biden's executive order directing a 100-day battery supply chain review, including the recycling of critical and strategic minerals. The company noted that the White House report sees the growing volume of spent lithium-ion batteries as a resource too often lost to landfills or shipped abroad for recoveries.  "When the White House says that Domestic economical recycling could reduce exports of valuable resources and increase the quantity available to the U.S. battery supply chain, we could not agree more," said CEO Larry Reaugh in a statement.  Renforth Resources Inc (CSE:RFR) (OTCPINK:RFHRF) (FRA:9RR) told investors it was poised to start drilling at its 215 square kilometres (sq km) Surimeau District battery metals project in Quebec this month as it released more drill assays form its Parbec gold project. Having shifted focus from the Malartic West copper and silver, where a drill permit has been delayed, Renforth said at Surimeau, it will use previously permitted setups to drill steeper undercuts of prior holes and, if accessible, use two western cut pads, which were not drilled in the program this spring.  Planned is around 1,000 metres (m) of drilling and field prospecting. GoviEx Uranium Inc (CVE:GXU) (OTCQB:GVXXF) (FRA:7GU) said initial gold exploration at its Falea uranium project in Mali had shown some "very remarkable intercepts", which warranted following up. International Drilling Company sunk 142 holes for 6,354 metres (m) in an air-core program to test areas at the Madini licence at the project. The highlight intercept was 3.98 grams per ton (g/t) gold over 2m starting from a depth of 8m in one hole and there were a "number of interesting continuous lengths of lower grades". Alternus Energy Group PLC  (NOTC: ALT) said it has engaged Arctic Securities AS as Sole Global Coordinator in connection with a potential private placement and listing on Euronext Growth Oslo, expected to take place during 2021. Alternus is a fast-growing pan-European vertically integrated independent power producer, headquartered in Ireland, with a focus on the midsized utility-scale solar PV market. Ascendant Resources Inc (TSE:ASND) (OTCMKTS:ASDRF) (FRA:2D9) announced it has started the process of completing a new NI 43-101 Preliminary Economic Assessment (PEA) for its Lagoa Salgada volcanogenic massive sulfide (VMS) project in Portugal. The company said the PEA will be designed to look at a combined mining operation encompassing the mineralization contained within the North and South Zones, while incorporating the updated metallurgical test work that is currently underway. Ximen Mining Corp (CVE:XIM) (FRA:1XMA) (OTCQB:XXMMF) announced that it has started construction of a new temporary exploration camp facility adjacent to its Kenville Mine site, which lies 7 kilometres (km) west of the town of Nelson, in British Columbia. The Vancouver-based junior precious metals explorer said it is preparing for an exploration program planned for this year on its properties that extend from the Kenville mine to the areas around Ymir and Salmo. The company recently started developing a three-acre parcel of land that lies adjacent to the Kenville mine site as a temporary exploration campsite. Canada Silver Cobalt Works Inc (CVE CCW) (OTCMKTS:CCWOF) (FRA:4T9B) has filed a technical report update on SEDAR. The Castle East property is 100% owned by the company. After the last mineral resource estimate, the company initiated an intense surface drilling program at Castle East zone from May 2020 through to April 30 totaling at 29,966.53 meters. A mineral resource update should follow once the drilling campaign is completed with all assays received and interpreted. The current mineral resource estimate is still valid. American Battery Metals Corporation (OTCQB:ABML), which is in the process of changing its name to American Battery Technology Company, has announced the acquisitions and recording of two additional water rights totaling 21.635 acre feet. "The completion of this hard asset acquisition gives certainty that the water needed for operations of our planned 20,000 Metric Ton per year lithium-ion battery recycling pilot plant is ensured," said Scott Jolcover, American Battery Technology Company chief resources officer. Located in Basin 76 within the City of Fernley Water Service area, these additional water rights for the ABTC pilot plant in Fernley Nevada bring the total water rights acquired and closed to-date to 116.635 acre feet. Globex Mining Enerprises Inc. (TSX:GMX) (OTCQX:GLBXF) said it has sold the McNeely Lithium project consisting of 66 mining claims in La Corne, Landrienne and Figuery townships, Quebec to First Energy Metals Limited (CSE:FE). The claims have been sold for a single cash payment of $250,000 and 2,000,000 First Energy Metals shares (currently $0.30 a share). Globex will retain a 3% Gross Metal Royalty on all production from the claims. Globex’s McNeely claims extend westward from the Quebec Lithium Mine property intermittently in several claim blocks over a strike length of approximately 18 kilometres, and includes several spodumene showings and historical mineralized drill holes. A large number of Globex’s claims surround and are in close proximity to the Augustus Lithium occurrence where First Energy Metals recently reported a drill hole grading 1.17% Li2O over a core length of 19 metres. Globex said it is "pleased to vend the McNeely property to First Energy Metals Limited an active exploration neighbor and looks forward to future drill results from their ongoing exploration program". Endeavour Mining (TSX:EDV) (OTCQX:EDVMF) has announced the appointment of its sponsor and joint corporate brokers ahead of admission of its ordinary shares to the premium listing segment of the Official List, and to trading on the main market of the London Stock Exchange (LSE), The company has appointed Barclays Bank to act as its sponsor for the Admission, and, in conjunction with Morgan Stanley, to act as Endeavour’s joint corporate brokers thereafter, Berenberg and Stifel Nicolaus Europe have also been appointed tp act as European broking advisers to further assist in raising its capital markets profile. The appointed corporate brokers and UK & European broking advisers will seek to facilitate market making on the LSE as Endeavour is not intending to raise capital in conjunction with its listing. It is expected that admission will occur at 8.00am BST on June, 14, 2021. Shares will trade on both the TSX and LSE under the ticker symbol 'EDV'. Fobi AI Inc. - formerly Loop Insights Inc. - (CVE:MTRX:) (OTCQB:RACMF) said the TSX Venture Exchange and the OTCQB Exchange have approved the change of the company's trading symbol change from RACMF to FOBIF.  Trading in the common shares of the company under the new symbol will commence at market opening on June 10, 2021, on the OTCQB. Rob Anson, FOBI CEO commented: “We are excited to begin trading under our new ‘FOBIF’ symbol on the OTCQB and we believe that the new ticker symbol matches our goal of continuing to strategically reposition Fobi as an enterprise player and grow the business. The symbol change aligns directly with our new corporate & product brand and will strengthen our visibility in the market, making it easier for current shareholders and prospective investors to find and follow Fobi.” Telson Mining Corporation (CVE:TSN) (OTCPINK:SOHFF) (FRA:TSGN) has announced that it will complete its name change to Altaley Mining Corporation on June 11, 2021, as previously announced. The company said it has received final acceptance from the TSX Venture Exchange for the name change, and effective June 11, 2021, the company's common shares will continue trading on the exchange under the new symbol ATLY. The company noted that its management believes that the name change complements the recent board restructuring and accelerated pace of development. Metalla Royalty and Streaming Ltd (CVE:MTA) said the TSX Venture Exchange has accepted for filing documentation with respect to its non-brokered private placement announced March 17, 2021, which will see the issue of a $5 million debenture, convertible into common shares at the conversion price of $14.30 per share of principal outstanding until the maturity date of April 22, 2023, with an Interest rate of 8% per annum and a standby interest rate of 1.5% per annum on the remainder of the loan facility, with one placee. Zynerba Pharmaceuticals Inc (NASDAQ:ZYNE) has announced that it has adjourned its 2021 Annual Meeting of Stockholders due to a lack of quorum. Only 46.4% of shares were voted, just below the 50% required for a quorum. The adjourned meeting will be reconvened at 9 am ET on June 29. The reconvened annual meeting will also be a "virtual" meeting of stockholders. A stockholder may use one of the following simple methods to vote. They can vote at www.proxyvote.com until 11:59 pm ET on June 28 using the control number appearing on the proxy card. Vote by telephone by calling the toll-free telephone number 1-800-776-9437 until 11:59 pm ET on June 28 using their control number appearing on the proxy card. Vote by mail by marking, dating and signing the proxy card, and returning it in the postage-paid envelope provided to American Stock Transfer Inc. Also vote at the virtual Annual Meeting by joining the meeting at https://web.lumiagm.com/236626312 (password: zyne2021) using the control number included on the proxy card. Proxies previously submitted in respect of the annual meeting will be voted at the reconvened annual meeting unless properly revoked; stockholders who have previously submitted their proxy or otherwise voted and who do not want to change their vote need not take any action.