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15 Oct 2025 07:00
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15 October 2025
AIM: AAU
ASX: AA2
Rig Mobilisation for Drilling Programme at Dokwe
Ariana Resources plc (AIM: AAU, ASX: AA2, "Ariana" or the "Company"), the mineral exploration, development and production company with gold project interests in Africa and Europe, is pleased to announce a drilling programme update for the 100% owned, 1.1Moz Dokwe Gold Project ("Dokwe" or "the Project") in Zimbabwe.
Highlights:
o First phase of a c.11,000m drilling programme to commence across Dokwe North and Dokwe Central and their extensions, with the Reverse Circulation ("RC") rig mobilising from South Africa.
o Appointment of Torque Africa, specialised in RC drilling services for the initial phase.
o Four initial targets to be tested, through a 26-hole programme, including extensions to the Dokwe North and Central deposits, among others; site preparations are completed.
o Significant gold-in-soil anomaly identified to the NE of Dokwe North will be drill-tested as a priority.
o Follow-up will be undertaken on several historical intercepts identified in the vicinity of Dokwe Central.
o Drilling is expected to yield initial assay results before the year end.
Dr. Kerim Sener, Managing Director of Ariana Resources, commented:
"We are pleased to have appointed Torque Africa as drilling contractors for the initiation of our exploration programme at Dokwe. We will be utilising an RC drilling rig capable of drilling to depths in excess of 300m to test several targets identified in our recent work programmes in the Dokwe North and Central areas. In addition, the team have identified many other targets across the Dokwe Project area which are expected to be drill-tested as part of the current programme. Following the results of this initial phase of drilling, we anticipate either extending the RC programme or commencing a programme of diamond drilling as a prelude to JORC Resource upgrade, targeted for 2026.
"The Company is excited to be starting this drilling programme following its successful ASX listing and looks forward to continuing to update the market as the programme progresses."
Drilling Programme Update
Ariana has engaged Torque Africa Group to undertake an RC drilling programme at its 100% owned Dokwe Gold Project. Four high-priority exploration targets have been prioritised, including extensions to the Dokwe North and Dokwe Central deposits, which host combined Resources of 1.1Moz @ 1.52g/t Au at a cut-off grade of 0.6g/t (Table 1).
An initial 26-hole programme has been planned as the first c.4,000m phase of a c.11,000m drilling programme. This initial programme follows an extensive and comprehensive review of soil, drill hole, and geophysics datasets, which have resulted in improved geological models for the deposits and across the wider project area. Further details on the target areas and the programme will follow in the coming days.
Torque's Thor 5000 drilling rig has the proven capability to achieve the depths and angles required to test the targets identified, and Ariana has already cleared site access roads and drill pads in readiness to commence the programme imminently.
Dokwe Mineral Resource Estimate
Table 1: In-pit Mineral Resource Estimate for the Dokwe Gold Project.
PROJECT | CLASSIFICATION (REPORTING CUT-OFF GRADE 0.3g/t Au) | TONNAGE(t) | GRADE(g/t Au) | CONTAINED GOLD (oz) |
Dokwe North | Measured | 17,309,000 | 1.06 | 592,000 |
Indicated | 18,562,000 | 0.90 | 537,000 | |
Inferred | 7,095,000 | 0.82 | 187,000 | |
Total | 42,966,000 | 0.95 | 1,316,000 | |
Dokwe Central | Indicated | 1,811,000 | 1.60 | 93,000 |
Inferred | 120,000 | 1.69 | 7,000 | |
Total | 1,931,000 | 1.61 | 100,000 | |
Total | Measured | 17,309,000 | 1.06 | 592,000 |
Indicated | 20,373,000 | 0.96 | 631,000 | |
Inferred | 7,214,000 | 0.83 | 193,000 | |
TOTAL | 44,896,000 | 0.98 | 1,416,000 | |
PROJECT | CLASSIFICATION (REPORTING CUT-OFF GRADE 0.6g/t Au) | TONNAGE(t) | GRADE(g/t Au) | CONTAINED GOLD (oz) |
Dokwe North | Measured | 10,220,000 | 1.50 | 493,000 |
Indicated | 8,260,000 | 1.50 | 399,000 | |
Inferred | 3,123,000 | 1.33 | 134,000 | |
Total | 21,604,000 | 1.48 | 1,025,000 | |
Dokwe Central | Indicated | 1,207,000 | 2.19 | 85,000 |
Inferred | 98,000 | 1.98 | 6,000 | |
Total | 1,306,000 | 2.18 | 91,000 | |
Total | Measured | 10,220,000 | 1.50 | 493,000 |
Indicated | 9,468,000 | 1.59 | 484,000 | |
Inferred | 3,222,000 | 1.35 | 140,000 | |
TOTAL | 22,909,000 | 1.52 | 1,116,000 | |
Notes:
1. The Dokwe Mineral Resource Estimate is reported in accordance with the JORC Code. Reported using cut-offs grades of 0.3g/t Au and 0.6g/t Au As at 4 March 2025.
2. Refer to sections 4.8.5 and 4.8.6 of the IGR for further information regarding the Dokwe Mineral Resource Estimate including information required by ASX Listing Rule 5.8.
3. The Dokwe Mineral Resource Estimate is inclusive of Reserves.
Compliance Statements
The information in this announcement relating to Mineral Resources and Ore Reserves has been reported by the Company in accordance with the 2012 Edition of the 'Australasian Code for Reporting of Exploration results, Mineral Resources and Ore Reserves' (JORC Code) previously (refer to the Company's replacement prospectus, which was released to the ASX market platform on 8 September 2025 (Prospectus) and is available on the Company website (Previous Market Announcement). The Company confirms that it is not aware of any new information or data that materially affects the information included in the Previous Market Announcement and, in the case of estimates of Mineral Resources and Ore Reserves, that all material assumptions and technical parameters underpinning the estimates in the Previous Market Announcement continue to apply and have not materially changed.
The information in this announcement that relates to the Dokwe PFS production target, or the forecast financial information derived from that production target was first reported on the ASX in the Previous Market Announcement. The Company confirms that all the material assumptions underpinning the production target, and the forecast financial information derived from the production target, in the Previous Market Announcement continue to apply and have not materially changed.
Competent Persons Statement
The information in the Investment Overview Section of the prospectus (included at Section 3), the Company and Projects Overview (included at Section 5), and the Independent Geologist's Report (included at Annexure A of the prospectus), which relate to exploration targets, exploration results, mineral resources, Ore Reserves and forward looking financial information is based on, and fairly represents, information and supporting documentation prepared by Alfred Gillman, Ruth Woodcock, Izak van Coller, Hovhannes Hovhannisyan (together, the JORC Competent People), and Richard John Siddle, Andrew Bamber and Daniel Van Heerdan (together, the Qualified People). Refer to the Independent Geologist's Report for further information in relation to the information compiled by each of the JORC Competent People and the Qualified People, their professional memberships, their relevant qualifications and experience and their relationship with the Company.
The Company confirms that the form and context in which the Competent Persons' findings are presented have not been materially modified from the Previous Market Announcement.
Forward-looking statements and disclaimer
This announcement contains certain "forward-looking statements". Forward-looking statements can generally be identified by the use of forward looking words such as "forecast", "likely", "believe", "future", "project", "opinion", "guidance", "should", "could", "target", "propose", "to be", "foresee", "aim", "may", "will", "expect", "intend", "plan", "estimate", "anticipate", "continue", "indicative" and "guidance", and other similar words and expressions, which may include, without limitation, statements regarding plans, strategies and objectives of management, anticipated production dates, expected costs or production outputs for the Company, based on (among other things) its estimates of future production of the Projects.
To the extent that this document contains forward-looking information (including forward-looking statements, opinions or estimates), the forward-looking information is subject to a number of risk factors, including those generally associated with the gold exploration, mining and production businesses. Any such forward-looking statement also inherently involves known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that may cause actual results, performance and achievements to be materially greater or less than estimated. These factors may include, but are not limited to, changes in commodity prices, foreign exchange fluctuations, general economic and share market conditions, increased costs and demand for production inputs, the speculative nature of exploration and project development (including the risks of obtaining necessary licenses and permits and diminishing quantities or grades of reserves), changes to the regulatory framework within which the Company operates or may in the future operate, environmental conditions including extreme weather conditions, geological and geotechnical events, and environmental issues, and the recruitment and retention of key personnel.
The Board of Ariana has approved this announcement and authorised its release.
The information contained within this announcement is deemed by the Company to constitute inside information as stipulated under the Market Abuse Regulations (EU) No. 596/2014 as it forms part of UK Domestic Law by virtue of the European Union (Withdrawal) Act 2018 ("UK MAR").
Contacts:
Ariana Resources plc Michael de Villiers, Chairman Dr. Kerim Sener, Managing Director | Tel: +44 (0) 20 3476 2080 | |
Beaumont Cornish Limited (Nominated Adviser) Roland Cornish / Felicity Geidt | Tel: +44 (0) 20 7628 3396 | |
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Zeus Capital (Joint Broker) Harry Ansell / Katy Mitchell
Fortified Securities (Joint Broker) Guy Wheatley
Yellow Jersey PR Limited (Financial PR) Dom Barretto / Shivantha Thambirajah / Bessie Elliot
Shaw and Partners Limited (Lead Manager - ASX) Damien Gullone
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| Tel: +44 (0) 203 829 5000
Tel: +44 (0) 203 411 7773
Tel: +44 (0) 7983 521 488 arianaresources@yellowjerseypr.com
Tel: +61 (0)2 9238 1268
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Beaumont Cornish Limited ("Beaumont Cornish") is the Company's Nominated Adviser and is authorised and regulated by the FCA. Beaumont Cornish's responsibilities as the Company's Nominated Adviser, including a responsibility to advise and guide the Company on its responsibilities under the AIM Rules for Companies and AIM Rules for Nominated Advisers, are owed solely to the London Stock Exchange. Beaumont Cornish is not acting for and will not be responsible to any other persons for providing protections afforded to customers of Beaumont Cornish nor for advising them in relation to the proposed arrangements described in this announcement or any matter referred to in it.
About Ariana Resources plc:
Ariana is a mineral exploration, development and production company dual listed on AIM (AIM: AAU) and ASX (ASX: AA2), with an exceptional track record of creating value for its shareholders through its interests in active mining projects and investments in exploration companies. Its current interests include a major gold development project in Zimbabwe, gold-silver production in Türkiye and copper-gold-silver exploration and development projects in Kosovo and Cyprus.
For further information on the vested interests Ariana has, please visit the Company's website at www.arianaresources.com.
Zeus Capital Limited, Fortified Securities and Shaw and Partners Limited are the brokers to the Company and Beaumont Cornish Limited is the Company's Nominated Adviser.
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