Our journey with Predictive Discovery (PDI) began in early 2022 amidst a sea of considerable challenges – a turning point that would ultimately redefine the company’s trajectory. PDI was a relatively small entity, with a market capitalisation under A$300 million, and its shareholder register was heavily retail-dominated. There had been a sudden change of management, with Andrew Pardey moving from Non-Executive Director to CEO & Managing Director. Critically, Andrew was tasked with addressing a huge ESG challenge: the Tier 1 Bankan gold orebody, PDI’s flagship asset, was located on the outer periphery zone of a critical national park in Guinea. This presented a significant hurdle at a time when the rise of ESG compliance was paramount for leading investors, including BlackRock.

Our task at Burson Buchanan was therefore a large one. We focused on repositioning the company to make it not only investable for institutional and long-only investors, but also to ensure its ESG credentials were sufficiently robust and clearly articulated. Our strategic communications were vital in demonstrating PDI’s commitment to responsible development and addressing the sensitive environmental aspects of the Bankan project.

Following this repositioning, Burson Buchanan then supported Predictive Discovery through a competitive and tumultuous transaction period which saw a number of suitors emerge as possible merger partners. We provided continuous strategic counsel, ensuring PDI’s narrative remained consistent and compelling throughout these complex discussions. This ultimately led to PDI’s initial engagement with Robex Resources in September, which resulted in the formal Merger of Equals announcement with Robex in October 2025.

However, the path to the merger was not without its external pressures. In December, Perseus Mining emerged as a rival bidder, looking to gatecrash the already-announced tie-up with an offer to acquire the Company. This intervention necessitated a period of re-negotiation, leading to PDI’s strategic re-engagement, their second “bite of the cherry” with Robex, to solidify the announced transaction against this threat. Throughout this challenging period, we supported PDI in the navigation of Perseus’s unsolicited approach, our efforts proving instrumental in defending the integrity of the planned merger and reinforcing its superior value proposition. The compelling strategic rationale, grounded in the proposed merger with Robex offering the perfect answer for future development funding for PDI’s Bankan project by significantly de-risking it through leveraging cash flows from Robex’s Kiniero Gold Mine.

Through these strategic phases and our support, the two companies combined on 17 April 2026 to create, a c.US$3.1 billion leading West African gold company. This transformative merger brought together two of the continent’s largest, lowest-cost, and most advanced projects. PDI now boasts combined Mineral Resources of approximately 9.5Moz Au, inclusive of Ore Reserves of approximately 4.5Moz Au, with significant exploration upside potential.

This journey with Predictive Discovery highlights Burson Buchanan’s capacity to partner with clients from initial challenges through to significant strategic transactions, demonstrating how expert financial communications can unlock transformational growth and deliver substantial value for all stakeholders.

Burson Buchanan’s Mining Indaba started with one of the few site visits that took place ahead of the conference, the well-attended visit to Wia Gold’s Kokoseb project in Namibia (ASX: WIA).

Kokoseb is a recent gold discovery yet is moving rapidly towards development with the DFS, the updated MRE (which will include an inaugural underground resource to compliment the c.3m ounce open pit), and the mining license award anticipated to be announced in Q3 this year. Wia Gold was one of the most talked about gold projects during Mining Indaba, with Henk Diederichs, the newly appointed CEO & MD, enjoying significant interest from a variety of global capital market stakeholders.

In the midcap market, PDI (ASX: PDI) was at Indaba with Robex, both of which are in the latter stages of merging, creating one of the largest pure gold mining groups in West Africa. The market excitement about the merger at Mining Indaba was palpable, with both companies’ share prices reaching all-time highs, as the broader market reflected on the prospects of the MergeCo being a 400,000 oz/pa producer, with an asset base of over 9.5m oz Au, with a market value currently at c.US$3.2 billion. This vision took a firm step towards reality with Robex announcing on 12th February that its Kiniero mine had reached commercial production, with ramp up to nameplate production remaining firmly on time and on budget.

Burson Buchanan also supported Kodal Minerals, London’s only quoted spodumene production company, with rapidly growing production from the Bougouni spodumene mine in Mali. Bolstered by the significant rise in the spodumene prices, along with the ongoing and successful ramp up in production, Kodal is now generating significant cash flow from its operations.

It was another excellent Indaba, showcasing Burson Buchanan’s competitive advantage of advising fast growth mining companies and empowering all stakeholders to fully benefit from the rare success of finding, building, and bringing leading African mines into production.

2025 was a tumultuous year for the global mining industry – defined by seismic geopolitical shifts and events, the expansion of U.S. tariffs across global markets and executive reshuffles at some of the major players in the commodities world – all topped off by a dramatic resurgence of M&A across the industry.

Against this dynamic backdrop, precious metals prices leaped to historic heights, with gold smashing through all previous records to reach an unprecedented ~$4,500/oz during the year and silver surging to ~$80/oz over the festive break. Strategic metals including copper, rare earths, as well as base metals, also reached new heights.

Strategic Assets, Scarcity, and the Revival of Large-Cap Deals

Beyond our own impactful work, the industry buzzed with transaction activity in 2025 – from the US$53bn Anglo-Teck merger to Rio Tinto’s acquisition of Arcadium Lithium, accelerating its position in the critical mineral, as well as the captivating ‘will they, won’t they’ saga of BHP’s potential bid for Anglo American.

During Burson Buchanan’s pivotal four-year partnership with ASX/LSE-listed Adriatic Metals, our strategic guidance helped transform a promising exploration company in the rich and historic (but largely untapped) Balkan region into a highly attractive acquisition target, culminating in the US$1.3bn takeover by TSX-listed DPM Metals in September, which saw shareholders quadruple their investment value since Burson Buchanan got involved.

Most recently, we continue to advise ASX-listed Predictive Discovery on its merger with Robex Resources, which received 95% of votes from Robex shareholders in December for the deal, creating a powerhouse West African-focused gold company. Our team provided unparalleled communications guidance, navigating intense competitive tension, including a bidding war with Perseus Mining. This transformative merger will create a combined entity valued at c.$3bn, with annualised production of over 400,000 oz/Au per annum, creating Guinea’s largest gold mining operation, with a strong foothold in the burgeoning African gold mining market.

2025 was an extraordinary year for the Burson Buchanan team, where we guided our clients through complex, high-value transactions across geographical borders, diverse regulatory environments, and international investor bases, consistently setting new benchmarks in a booming commodities market.

Outlook for 2026: Navigating the Next Wave

Looking ahead to 2026, the triple currents of volatile geopolitics, the US narrative of securing critical metals supply in the face of Sino/Russian tensions, and robust investor appetite for tangible assets show no signs of abating. With commodity prices poised to remain strong, driven by demand and ongoing strategic shifts, and M&A activity maintaining its dynamic pace, the stage is set for another year of significant opportunity and strategic manoeuvring. This has already kicked off with a potential Rio Tinto-Glencore merger back in the headlines. Burson Buchanan, with the foundations of access to the principal capital markets of the US, London, Europe, the Middle East and Asia, remains strategically positioned to leverage our deep expertise and proven track record to guide our clients through these evolving landscapes. Looking ahead, we remain focused on providing clients with the guidance and counsel needed to capitalise on the next wave of strategic opportunities.

Connect with Burson Buchanan at Mining Indaba 2026

The Burson Buchanan team will be at Mining Indaba in Cape Town, South Africa, this February. We look forward to engaging with our clients, industry leaders and wider networks, and discussing the opportunities ahead in 2026 and beyond. Get in touch to find out which of our clients will be in attendance and how to connect via Buchanan Mining.

We are also hosting our annual charity Diggers versus Dealers cricket match on Sunday 8 February in Camps Bay, Cape Town. Please contact Romina Fiori if you and your colleagues wish to attend.

Here’s to making 2026 another year of impactful partnerships and extraordinary success.

Join Burson Buchanan’s Partner Helen Tarbet at the upcoming LSEG IPO Readiness webinar alongside speakers HaysMac, Fladgate, and Vistra.

Wednesday 21 January 2026, 14:00 UK time 

Preparing for a Successful UK Listing: Key Considerations for Boards and Management

It is our final act of 2025 as we wrap up the year: after 15 fruitful years at 107 Cheapside, the Burson Buchanan team is delighted to announce its official relocation to Burson’s UK headquarters at Rose Court, located just on the south side of London’s Southwark Bridge.

This move marks the full culmination of our merger with Burson, solidifying our position as a specialist strategic communications agency within one of the world’s largest PR powerhouses. From our new 10th-floor offices, we now command panoramic views over the Thames, signifying our complete integration into Burson and just a short, convenient walk from the City.

Our team is energised by this new chapter, and are looking forward to collaborating even more closely with our Burson colleagues to unlock unparalleled opportunities for our clients and our shared WPP-owned brand. We can now offer a truly integrated PR service encompassing Financial PR, Design & Creative, Sustainability Consultancy, Special Situations Advisory, Public and Corporate Affairs, and Crisis Communications – all from a single, dynamic hub.

In a world continually reshaped by geopolitical shifts, evolving regulations, and rapid technological advancements like AI, clients demand comprehensive, integrated communications solutions. Our full physical assimilation with Burson directly addresses these complexities, ensuring we deliver strategic solutions for every challenge and opportunity.

Beyond London, we can now leverage Burson’s expansive global network of 39 offices across North and South America, the Middle East, Europe, and Asia, offering unparalleled access to international capital markets and expertise, wherever our clients operate.

Our new Rose Court home, which sits on the historic grounds of the Elizabethan Rose Theatre, was designed by BDG Architecture + Design, is an inspiring space for collaboration and innovation, reflecting the creative spirit that the Burson brand imbues. It features a meditation and wellbeing room, a river-view bar and restaurant, and cutting-edge meeting room technology. The building’s standout rooftop terrace offers spectacular views of London’s skyline, including St Paul’s Cathedral and The Shard.

The Circle, Rose Court

We can’t wait to welcome you to Rose Court in 2026 to see our new home and capabilities firsthand.

Wishing all our valued clients and network a very Happy Christmas and a prosperous New Year.

Overview

OEG is a leading offshore energy solutions provider, delivering infrastructure assets, technologies and specialist services across the global energy industry. With the world’s largest fleet of cargo carrying units (CCUs) serving the oil and gas sector, and an accelerating footprint in provision of services and products to the offshore renewables sector, the business has undergone significant growth over the past couple of years.

Burson Buchanan was engaged to help elevate OEG’s corporate profile as its then majority owner, Oaktree, prepared for a formal marketing process. The brief was to define and articulate a clear, credible narrative around OEG’s strategic ambition and future outlook – integrating corporate communications with sustainability advisory to ensure the business and its growth trajectory were positioned compellingly within a fast-evolving global energy landscape.

Strategic positioning and narrative development

Our engagement began with an in-depth assessment of OEG’s offshore and renewables divisions to build a comprehensive understanding of the business and identify the messaging themes and news-flow catalysts that would shape the communications programme.

From this foundation, we developed strategic messaging tailored to priority audiences and constructed a compelling investment narrative that supported both the sales process and OEG’s broader external communications to its wider stakeholder base. We established clear storylines informed by operational milestones and macro-thematic trends, and we drew out OEG’s unique value propositions to enhance media relevance. ESG insights and sustainability outputs were integrated into the messaging framework to ensure a cohesive and credible corporate narrative across all channels.

Integrated communications support

Working closely with OEG’s leadership team, Burson Buchanan’s communications specialists helped refine and modernise the company’s identity and external presentation. The focus was on creating media assets that reflected a global, integrated, safety-led business with scale, reliability and long-term relevance.

This included refreshed messaging frameworks and targeted media engagement to build visibility across key markets. We pursued consistent coverage across oil and gas, renewables and financial media, supported by a structured programme of media introductions to build relationships and encourage follow-through. News angles were tailored to generate opportunities in priority international regions—including the Middle East, the United States and Asia-Pacific – and bespoke distribution lists were created to maximise reach and relevance.

In parallel, we produced a series of news releases covering refinancing activities, brand developments, contract wins, strategic and sustainability initiatives, and product innovations. Together, these efforts significantly elevated OEG’s profile at a pivotal moment, reinforcing its capabilities and credibility with customers, partners and prospective investors.

Supporting a major strategic milestone

The strengthened positioning and clear articulation of OEG’s value proposition helped prepare the business for a major corporate milestone: its acquisition by Apollo for an implied valuation of approximately US$1 billion. The transaction represented a strong validation of OEG’s strategy, performance and long-term potential.

The sale marked the beginning of a new chapter for OEG, positioning the company to accelerate its global expansion, broaden its renewables offering and continue supporting offshore energy infrastructure across both established and emerging markets.

Sustainability and ESG advisory

A central element of the mandate involved enhancing OEG’s sustainability narrative, disclosures and internal frameworks. Burson Buchanan specialist sustainability team conducted a comprehensive review of the company’s sustainability programme – spanning its decarbonisation agenda, health and safety performance and human resources activities – and identified areas of excellence alongside practices requiring greater standardisation following a period of rapid, acquisition-led growth.

This work culminated in OEG’s maiden Sustainability Report, designed and written by Buchanan to meet the expectations of a diverse global stakeholder base, and was supported by the development of a Net Zero Roadmap setting out credible decarbonisation initiatives.

This strengthened sustainability platform enhanced OEG’s corporate credibility and supported its positioning as a long-term partner within the evolving offshore energy and renewables sectors.

Join Burson Buchanan’s Head of Investment Companies Henry Wilson at the upcoming LSEG Investment Companies webinar alongside speakers Deutsche Numis, Herbert Smith Freehills, KPMG.

Wednesday 26 November 2025, 14:00 UK time 

Investment Companies: How is the sector reshaping to deliver shareholder value?

Overview

Meren in recent years has transformed from being an African explorer and investment vehicle, into a leading full-cycle independent through a strategic rationalisation of its portfolio to create a proposition that is of greater scale, of higher value and lower risk. The Company sought a rebrand that would reflect this significant evolution of the business and to make a clear departure from a name that had become geographically constraining, particularly as Meren’s operational outlook has now widened.

Burson Buchanan’s experienced advisory team comprised of specialists in communications, with sector specialism in upstream oil & gas, and a creative team with significant expertise in corporate rebranding across multiple sectors.

Perception study

Burson Buchanan’s support began with a detailed perception study that gathered the views of key internal and external stakeholders on the vision and strategic outlook for the business. This covered the definition of historical perceptions of Africa Oil, and the renewed outlook and strategic vision that is focused on growth and shareholder returns.

The Creative team provided support throughout the naming process, advising on the development of a name and logo that not only reflected the new proposition but also integrated seamlessly with the wider brand. This ensured continuity with Meren’s existing brand identity, and that the new brand’s narrative and visual language would be impactful and resonate with all stakeholders.

A new corporate name and identity – Meren

This foundational work was pivotal in crafting the name ‘Meren’ – an old nautical term representing the mooring of a vessel – shaping the narrative, and the design of a brand identity that truly captures the company’s stability, anchored by its diverse portfolio of world-class assets, robust balance sheet, and proven status as a trusted partner to majors on significant offshore projects.

Client focused approach

The Meren logo, visual assets, and brand guidelines were developed in close collaboration with the client, ensuring their vision was central to every stage. The client’s specific request for the brandmark was a design featuring both an emblem and a type mark. The resulting emblem is an abstract derivation of an upper-case M, while the type mark uses a contemporary serif suggesting a confident and reassuring maturity. This combination effectively balances modern efficiency with the refined outlook that defines the new business.

The launch of the new brand in the media and across all platforms was coordinated with the announcement of a significant consolidation of the business, the Prime consolidation, which doubled Meren’s reserves and production. This represented a watershed moment for Meren, with a renewed growth strategy underpinned by a new brand designed to resonate with employees and external stakeholders.

Sustainability – committed to responsible business practices & sustainable development

In addition, for the past couple of years, Burson Buchanan’s Sustainability specialist team has supported Meren, with the implementation of its sustainability disclosure, communication strategy and reporting, helping to build its strong ESG performance and credibility. This deep experience and knowledge of the company further bolstered and supported the rebranding team with the creation of the new Meren brand identity.

Thanks to Burson Buchanan’s team, the rebrand to Meren has given us a strong new identity that clearly signals our strategic transformation and compelling growth story to investors and stakeholders alike, marking the evolution from an African focused explorer to a leading full-cycle independent E&P positioned for growth.

Shahin Amini
Head of Investor Relations and Communication
Meren

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Burson Buchanan is proud to have supported Adriatic Metals Plc on its US$1.3bn (UK£1bn / A$2bn) acquisition by Dundee Precious Metals Inc.

When we first partnered with Adriatic just four years ago, it was an unfunded explorer with a market cap under £300m, and many doubted the prospects of mining in Bosnia & Herzegovina. Through crafted communications, effective stakeholder engagement – including numerous investor and analyst site visits – we successfully enhanced the market understanding of ADT’s performance and growth potential.

Fast forward to today: Adriatic has become a standout UK success story in the global mining industry, culminating in a deal that won over 99% shareholder approval on both sides.

This milestone is a powerful example of our team’s ability to help clients unlock value – from exploration through to development, production, and ultimately, successful exit.

Site visit to Adriatic’s flagship, The Vareš Silver Operation in Bosnia and Herzegovina, May 2025

Visit Adriatic Metals Plc

Visit Dundee Precious Metals Inc.

Overview

The Rank Group plc (‘Rank’) first engaged Burson Buchanan in 2021 to support the development and communication of its sustainability strategy. Our consultants led them through a materiality assessment to support thei understanding of the sustainability-related issues most pertinent to their stakeholders, as well as to develop their ESG strategy. The team went on to produce the business’s inaugural Sustainability Report.

The mandate with the business has grown considerably since then and, in 2024, Burson Buchanan published the latest programme of stakeholder communications for the Group, which includes their Annual Report, fourth Sustainability Report, and a new Group corporate website. The team also conducted a double materiality assessment for the business, to prepare for the new international sustainability reporting regulations.

Reporting

A key part of our mandate was to consult on the content and manage the production of the Group’s regulatory reporting disclosure to shareholders, requiring a depth of capability and capacity to meeting the hard publication deadline.

Additionally, we have continued to provide best practice advisory to Rank on its sustainability reporting. In anticipation of incoming regulation on sustainability disclosure, we carried out a double materiality assessment. This not only enhances the Group’s ability to manage sustainability risks and seize opportunities but also positions Rank effectively to meet future regulatory requirements.

The in-depth assessment considered both impact materiality and financial materiality, thereby assessing the Group’s impact externally on society and the environment, as well as the financial implications of identified risk and opportunities for the business.

Burson Buchanan has also supported the Group in the development and articulation of its Net Zero Pathway, as well as continuing to deliver its mandatory reporting on climate-related governance, strategy, and risk management.

Corporate website

The team worked with Rank to develop a new concept for its corporate website that reflects the Group’s purpose, ‘to excite and to entertain’.

The homepage showcased the connected product experience of the Group’s brand portfolio that underpins the business model, whilst providing specific content for the critical investor audience.

Video interviews with key members of the Group executive helped deliver Rank’s story in a dynamic and accessible way, whilst the new design helped amplify both Rank’s corporate and portfolio brands. The Annual and Sustainability reports extended this elevated design across the entire communications suite.
This enhanced programme has provided the client with a progressive platform of consistent corporate information to engage audiences across a range of channels.

Photo & videography

Notable features within the project included the production of a new corporate movie and series of management interviews for the website.

This involved the conceptualisation, scripting, storyboarding, art-direction and editing of the communications, and full project management of the project including model selection, wardrobe management and location sourcing.

This content was then used in still and moving image formats for use across the suit of communications, including reporting and digital engagement.

We’re thrilled with the work and support Burson Buchanan has provided to Rank. This year, the team played a key role in creating a consistent look and feel across our external communications – turning our vision into reality.

Whether it’s the sustainability report, annual report and financial statements, or website, it’s unmistakably Rank, with our purpose to excite and to entertain shining through. The team has truly brought our brand to life, and the new website looks fantastic.

Serina Donkin
Head of Communications and Engagement
Rank Group

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