STOCK WATCH

SHARES in Alba Mineral Resources were on the rise as the company announced it had struck oil in Surrey.

The miner’s test sequence was successful, as oil and gas flowed out during Alba’s short-term drills.

Tests would soon begin on further oil pools, the company said. Shares climbed 4.9pc, or 0.02p, to 0.54p.

Alba also owns and operates mining operations in Greenland, Wales and Ireland. It mines materials including graphite, gold and cobalt.