RE: Askari / Surrounding Licences23 Jul 2025 07:44
Confirmed that there currently is, no other overlapping Explorations License given by the Ministry of
Mines, over the same geographical area and for the same mineral types.
The Company notes that mining licence (MOM\LSML\81\2015) covering the proposed Tulu Kapi Mine is
excised from the southern-most Exploration Licence (MOM\EL\00005\2022). There are also three
separate exploration licences that are excised from the northern-most Exploration Licence
(MOM\EL\00004\2022). This information is publicly available from the Ethiopian Cadastre (refer to:
Ethiopia Mining Cadastre eGov Portal – Trimble Landfolio - Cadastre Map).
The Article includes certain claims and positions advanced by the Oromia Mineral Development
Authority that reflect regional priorities and initiatives, rather than matters directly related to the Nejo
Project. In line with the Company’s ongoing commitment to cultivating constructive and mutually
beneficial relationships within Ethiopia, engagement with the Oromia Regional Government, its state-
owned enterprise group, community representatives, and other relevant stakeholders will remain an
active and continuous process.
In support of the Company’s adherence to strict ESG principles, the Company will continue to build a
strong in-country technical team and capitalise on its excellent relationships with industry, government
and other stakeholders in Ethiopia to support this plan, including Oromia and other relevant Zonal and
Woreda offices.
The Company submits that it has signed a binding agreement with Xingxu Mining which enables the
Company to acquire complete and unencumbered ownership of the Nejo Project through the Company’s
100% acquisition of Xingxu Mining under what is considered a share-swap transaction, in which Askari
issues shares to the shareholders of Xingxu Mining, as set out in the announcement dated 8 July 2025,
in return for the complete and unencumbered shareholding in Xingxu Mining being transferred to the
Company.
This transaction does not constitute a sale under Ethiopian laws as the owner of the Exploration
Licences remains unchanged, being Xingxu Mining. It is only the legal owner of Xingxu Mining that
changes as a result of the proposed transaction, being that Askari will own 100% of Xingxu Mining upon
completion and the shareholder of Xingxu Mining will become significant shareholder of the Company.
However, pursuant to the agreement, Askari will assume all operator rights of the Nejo Project, including
through providing funds to explore and further develop the Nejo Project alongside technological,
technical, geological, strategic oversight and general day-to-day project management.
The structure of the transaction also provides the shareholder of Xingxu Mining to benefit from the
Company’s advancements at the Uis Project, in Namibia on the basis that the shareholder of Xingxu
Mining will be a significant shareholder of Askari Metals. This