STOCK WATCH

SHARES sank as BMR announced a pre-tax loss of £702,000 in the six months to December 31 – a significant increase from £550,000 in the same period the previous year.

The zinc miner, which has operations in Zambia, said it expects to expand its team as its Kabwe project moves closer to being operational.

Production is expected to begin before the end of the year. But BMR pledged to keep a tight control on overheads.

Shares plunged 15.5pc, or 1.12p, to 6.12p.