Operational Update

Arkadian Strategic Metals Plc / EPIC: AKN / Market: AIM / Sector: Mining

30 June 2026

Arkadian Strategic Metals Plc

("Arkadian" or the "Company") 

Operational Update

Arkadian Strategic Metals Plc (AIM: AKN), the strategic metals and gold focused exploration and development company, is pleased to provide an update on the ongoing workflows related to the development of the Motzfeldt Critical Metals Project in the south of Greenland and the Clogau-St David's Gold Mine in north Wales.

Motzfeldt Critical Metals

Highlights

- A combination of desktop and field work has been commissioned from leading consultants to advance the project on multiple fronts. See Figure 1 summary.

- This includes (with estimated timelines in italics):

o  A comprehensive review and plan for advancing the existing Mineral Resource Estimate (underway).

o  Onsite environmental baseline studies (August 2026) and a high-level review of engineering and infrastructure options for mine development at Aries (underway), which work will inform the writing of a Project Description (Q4 2026).

o  Remote sensing data acquisition by satellite to identify high-grade zones at Aries for bulk sampling (July 2026).

o  Advanced hyperspectral imaging work at the Merino Prospect during this summer's field programme (July-August 2026).

- A key goal of this 2026 work programme will be to provide the pathway towards a future exploitation licence application for the project.

Figure 1: Summary of Arkadian's coordinated 2026 technical and environmental work programme.

Details

Mineral Resource Estimate Review (SRK Consulting)

A review of the existing JORC Mineral Resource Estimate and historic data is currently underway by leading global mineral exploration consultancy SRK Consulting Ltd. This work synthesises historic project data (reports, drill programmes, metals valuation) and contextualises it within the modern critical minerals industry. The principals from SRK who are leading the review also worked on the original resource drilling programme and JORC Mineral Resource Estimate for Motzfeldt.

The review is expected to result in a clear pathway being defined of the drilling and technical requirements needed to upgrade and expand the resource estimate at Motzfeldt, thereby ensuring that further investment in the project has the maximum impact on project development.

Gap Analysis (NIRAS) and Environmental Baseline Studies (BioApp)

A "Gap Analysis" is presently being carried out for the Company by international, Denmark-based engineering consultancy NIRAS. Their multidisciplinary team experienced in Arctic development is presently reviewing options for mine site development, including transportation routes and the siting of mine infrastructure required for Motzfeldt to move from mineral resource to future mine.

In addition, Danish environmental consultancy BioApp will be carrying out ecological baseline studies at the key sites within the Motzfeldt Project that have been identified for future development. This work will form part of the forthcoming environmental impact assessment and development plan for the project.

Remote Sensing and Hyperspectral Imaging (Theia X)

Hyperspectral imaging experts Theia X GmbH are undertaking both satellite and field-based work in relation to Motzfeldt. Theia X is a spin-off of the Helmholtz Institute Freiberg for Resource Technology ("HIF") part of the Helmholtz-Zentrum Dresden-Rossendorf ("HZDR"), an internationally recognised German research laboratory based in Dresden, Germany. They specialise in non-invasive hyperspectral technology for raw material discovery, drone-based exploration, and drill-core scanning for the mining sector.

A remote sensing survey will be undertaken by satellite on a licence scale to map the occurrence of rare earth element ("REE") minerals detectable at surface, with hotspots identified for follow-up work. This will be particularly valuable at the Aries deposit area where bulk sampling will be carried out this summer to provide material for a second-phase processing test work programme as Arkadian builds its processing pathways from mineralised rock to downstream products.

Field work will centre upon using a triple-mounted camera system to trace the previously identified hydrothermal structures visible in the cliff faces at the Merino Prospect over 100 m both vertically and horizontally. Assays from samples collected in 2025, where these structures outcrop at surface, showed enrichment in REE, niobium (Nb) and zirconium (Zr). Instead of a standard RGB camera that only captures three colour channels, a hyperspectral sensor captures hundreds of narrow, contiguous wavelength bands for every single pixel. Because the camera operates in relatively close proximity to the subject (rather than from space or a high-altitude aircraft), it avoids atmospheric interference, providing hyper-precise, high-resolution data, allowing for exact material identification based on specific absorption and reflection features.

Through this work, the Company's aim is to assess how far the REE-Nb-Zr enrichment extends to depth, providing a possible pathway to a future drill programme.

Processing Work

In respect of the Company's first pass mineralogical and metallurgical test work programme which is being undertaken in South Africa (previously reported on in the Company's RNS dated 16 February 2026), the final phase of flotation / beneficiation work is in progress, with final results expected in the next few weeks.

Core relogging

The Company is making arrangements with the Greenlandic authorities to relog the historic Motzfeldt drill core which is located at the Government's core facility in Greenland. Given the advancements made by the Company's technical team in recent years in terms of their understanding of the mineralogy and ore genesis of the Motzfeldt project, it is anticipated that this core logging work will provide valuable data to assist in the future expansion of the existing Mineral Resource.

Clogau St David's Gold Mine

Highlights

- Ongoing repairs and overhaul of underground winches.

- Major service completed of impact crusher, including replacement of worn parts.

- Level 5 development paused pending detailed sampling exercise and mineralogical review.

- Bat surveys completed to provide data for exploration of other in-mine targets.

- Permitted development notification submitted for further trenching of historic waste tip.

- Site Operations Manager appointed.

Details

Underground winch repairs are ongoing which have delayed the extraction of much of the blast material from blast 11 from underground. 

A major service has also been completed of the impact crusher in the Company's pilot processing plant, including the replacement of worn parts. This has meant a pause in processing for a few weeks, however processing has now recommenced.

A decision has been taken to pause the underground development on Level 5 of the Llechfraith section of the mine. A detailed sampling exercise is now underway by the Company's geology team, under supervision by Dr Curtis Rooks and Peter Bolt, to assess the mineralogy of the new development area blasted in the Lower Llechfraith as well as in other parts of the mine, as part of the Company's review of its ongoing exploration strategy for Clogau.

Bat surveys, including dusk emergence surveys, were completed by the Company's licensed ecologists last week which will provide updated data to inform the future exploration and development of other in-mine targets.

A permitted development notification has been submitted to the mineral planning authority for next phase of trenching at the historic waste tip.

A dedicated site operations manager has been appointed to assist Chief Mining Engineer Peter Bolt with the Company's ongoing work activities at the mine.

George Frangeskides, Executive Chairman of Arkadian, commented:

"Over the past few months we have been focused on advancing our projects through disciplined technical work and careful planning. At Motzfeldt, we have initiated a number of complementary programmes, involving internationally recognised specialists, that are designed to strengthen our understanding of the resource, optimise future development options and establish a clear pathway towards an exploitation licence application. At the same time, we continue to advance the metallurgical work that will be fundamental to unlocking the project's value.

"Alongside this, we continue to apply the same disciplined approach at Clogau, ensuring that our exploration and development decisions are driven by robust technical evidence. Although certain operational activities have been paused while additional geological and mineralogical work is undertaken, this reflects our commitment to fully understanding the nature of the mineralisation uncovered at the new Level 5 development before determining the next phase of work. We believe that this measured approach provides the strongest foundation for creating long-term value from the project."

Corporate and Investor Relations

Funding Programmes

The Company is in discussions with relevant parties regarding a number of current or upcoming funding programmes which are relevant to Motzfeldt, in particular in relation to the processing and refining of critical minerals, especially niobium and rare earth elements.

Investor Presentation and Q&A

The Company will host an investor Q&A webinar on Friday, 3 July at 11:30am BST. Executive Chairman George Frangeskides will answer investor questions and provide further context on the Company's current workstreams and recent updates. Investors are invited to submit questions in advance via the Investor Hub. Questions may also be asked during the webinar, with responses provided as appropriate during the session. Investors can register here: https://arkadianmetals.com/webinars/rAkgjy-arkadian-investor-q-a-webinar

The Chairman will commence the webinar by giving a presentation, based on the Company's refreshed corporate presentation, which includes updated material on Motzfeldt in Greenland, Clogau Gold in Wales, and Arkadian's strategic stake in GreenRoc, alongside the Company's near-term technical and project workstreams. The presentation can be found here: https://arkadianmetals.com/activity-updates/PBBoQP-updated-corporate-presentation-june-2026

Registration for Limited-Edition Gold Pendant Sale

The Company has opened registration for the limited-edition Afon Aur (River of Gold) pendant. Only five limited-edition pendants are available in this initial release. Each pendant weighs at least 6 grams and has been handmade in 18-carat Welsh gold extracted from the Clogau-St David's Gold Mine. The pendants will be offered through a shareholder registration and allocation process. Interested shareholders may register their interest with the Company by emailing ir@arkadianmetals.com as soon as possible and by no later than 5pm UK time on Monday, 6 July 2026. The pendants will be allocated and sold in accordance with terms and conditions which have been established by the Company and which are available upon request.

This announcement contains inside information for the purposes of the UK Market Abuse Regulation and the Directors of the Company are responsible for the release of this announcement.

Forward Looking Statements

This announcement contains forward-looking statements relating to expected or anticipated future events and anticipated results that are forward-looking in nature and, as a result, are subject to certain risks and uncertainties, such as general economic, market, financial and business conditions, competition for and availability of qualified staff and contractors, regulatory processes and actions, technical issues, new legislation, uncertainties resulting from potential delays or changes in plans, uncertainties resulting from working in a new political jurisdiction, uncertainties regarding the results of exploration, uncertainties regarding the timing and granting of prospecting rights, uncertainties regarding the timing and granting of regulatory and other third party consents and approvals, uncertainties regarding the Company's or any third party's ability to finance, execute and implement future plans and programmes, and the occurrence of unexpected events. Actual results achieved may vary from the information provided herein as a result of numerous known and unknown risks and uncertainties and other factors.

Competent Person's Declaration

Michael Nott, who has over 50 years' relevant experience in the geological, mining, minerals, waste disposal, industrial minerals, oil, drilling, mineral planning and quarrying industries, has approved the technical information in this announcement. 

Mr Nott holds a BSc. degree in Geology from Queen Mary, University of London, a MSc. Degree in Mineral Production Management from the Royal School of Mines, Imperial College, University of London, The Diploma of Imperial College in Mineral Production Management and is a Chartered Engineer. He is a Fellow of the Institute of Materials, Minerals and Mining, a Fellow of the Institute of Quarrying and an Associate of the Royal School of Mines Association.

*ENDS**

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https://arkadianmetals.com/link/rDE7lP

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