Ariana Resources plc (AIM: AAU / ASX: AA2) Rig Mobilisation for Drilling Programme at Dokwe

Ariana Resources plc (AIM: AAU, ASX: AA2), 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.

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.

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.

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”).

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