ECR Minerals plc (AIM: ECR) Raglan Production Plan Underway

ECR Minerals plc is commencing its production plan at the Raglan alluvial gold project this week, targeting initial gold output and near-term cashflow as it transitions into production.

The company said early work will focus on identifying priority trenching locations and re-analysing previously worked ground, with the aim of achieving high recovery rates comparable to the 91.7% achieved at its Blue Mountain Project. Management believes this approach offers the fastest route to first gold while optimising recovery.

The move comes against a supportive backdrop for precious metals, with gold trading above $5,131.71 an ounce, up 2.29%, and silver above $108.90 an ounce, up 7.47%, strengthening the economics of near-term production.

Raglan is described as a fully permitted, turnkey operation with existing infrastructure in place. ECR said operational parameters are expected to be in line with other producing alluvial gold mines in Queensland, positioning the project to generate early revenue while further optimisation work continues.

Chairman Nick Tulloch and Directors Andrew Scott and Chris Gibbs will be meeting in Queensland later this week to oversee the initial stages of mining and production activities at the Raglan Project. During the visit, the Board members will meet with the operating team, review production progress based on early grade observations and meet with a prospective off-taker for gold production from both Raglan and Blue Mountain.

Portfolio Strategy

While the Raglan Project represents ECR’s immediate production focus, the Board’s meetings will also encompass strategic planning sessions across the Company’s broader Queensland and Victoria portfolio:

· Blue Mountain – preparations to bring the Blue Mountain gold project into production are advancing, following strong alluvial drilling results, visible coarse gold and successful wash-plant trials;

· Lolworth – a significantly-sized gold-silver project where maiden drilling provided indications of a broader mineralised system, with silver emerging as a potential key value driver at current prices; and

· Other Victoria tenements – assessing targets for prospective exploration and development activity over the year ahead.

ECR Chairman Nick Tulloch commented: “This week will mark an important moment for ECR. With our operating team secured and a production plan in place, several members of the Board will be travelling to Queensland to oversee the implementation of our initial mining operations at Raglan. This represents a major step forward as the Company transitions from a pure explorer into an operating gold producer.

“Raglan is a rare, turnkey alluvial operation with plant, permits and infrastructure already in place. Its anticipated operating parameters are considered to be consistent with other producing alluvial mines in Queensland and, with gold trading at historically high levels, we believe that the project has the potential to generate meaningful cashflow in due course.

“Importantly, Raglan also provides a strong operational foundation for our wider Queensland portfolio. Alongside Blue Mountain and the significantly sized Lolworth project, we believe ECR is well positioned for the year ahead, and we are excited by what lies ahead as we enter this next phase of the Company’s development.”

Review of Announcement by Qualified Person

This announcement has been reviewed by Adam Jones, Chief Geologist at ECR Minerals Plc. Adam Jones is a professional geologist and is a Member of the Australian Institute of Geoscientists (MAIG). He is a qualified person as that term is defined by the AIM Note for Mining, Oil and Gas Companies.

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