Strategic MOU with Valereum Plc to Explore Tokenised Funding for Mineral Projects
First Class Metals PLC (“First Class Metals” or the “Company”), the UK-listed exploration company focused on the discovery of economic metal deposits across its strategic footprint in Ontario, Canada, is pleased to announce that it has entered into a non-binding Memorandum of Understanding (“MOU”) with Valereum Plc (“Valereum”), a market-leading digital asset infrastructure group listed on the Aquis Stock Exchange (AQSE: VLRM).
The MOU sets out a framework for both parties to evaluate the potential for applying regulated tokenisation to fund mineral exploration and development projects within First Class Metals’ asset portfolio.
Pioneering a Modern Approach to Project-Level Funding
This strategic collaboration combines First Class Metals’ exploration expertise and project pipeline with Valereum’s innovative, regulated digital asset infrastructure to evaluate the development of a tokenised investment model for mineral exploration projects.
The initiative aims to create a digital pathway for project-level funding that:
· Enables project-level funding through SPV participation, preserving shareholder value on a non-dilutive basis for the Company’s shareholders.
· Facilitating market access to global investors with direct participation into high-potential mineral resource projects.
· Utilises existing regulated legal structures to issue fully compliant tokens with KYC/AML fulfilment.
· Supports ESG-aligned, responsible investment structures.
· Aligns with global investment trends, including the rapid expansion of the Real-World Asset (“RWA”) tokenisation market, forecast to exceed US$16 trillion by 2030[1].
The parties believe this represents the first serious attempt by a UK-listed resource company to apply regulated tokenisation to the mineral exploration sector – a development that could fundamentally transform how early-stage mineral exploration projects are financed and advanced.
Specific project selection remains under review, with further announcements to follow once assets are formally identified. It is emphasised that the MOU is non-binding and exploratory in nature, and there is no certainty that any transaction, investment, or tokenisation event will ultimately occur.
By exploring the application of regulated tokenisation to mineral projects, First Class Metals and Valereum are evaluating how such models could enhance investor access, support non-dilutive capital formation, and align with the increasing emphasis on ESG-aligned financing in the resource sector.
It is emphasised that the Company remains committed to its fundamental identity as a mineral resource exploration company.
James Knowles, Chairman of First Class Metals, commented:
“This collaboration represents a bold, forward-thinking approach to unlocking the value of our highly prospective portfolio while preserving shareholder value at the PLC level. By partnering with Valereum, a recognised innovator in regulated digital assets, we are positioning First Class Metals at the forefront of responsible, modern exploration finance. This has the potential to reshape how mineral projects like ours are funded, developed, and ultimately delivered.”
Pete Sekhon, Valereum Business Development commented:
“I have known James for a number of years, and when this opportunity presented itself, it made so much sense on many levels. We are excited about exploring what can be done together. This collaboration represents a pivotal moment in the evolution of both mining and blockchain. Bringing together Valereum’s expertise in digital assets with FCM’s high-quality exploration portfolio in Canada opens the door to a new era of capital markets access for mining. Tokenisation offers a route to unlock the value of in-ground resources in a regulated and accessible way.”
For Further Information:
Engage with us by asking questions, watching video summaries, and seeing what other shareholders have to say. Navigate to our Interactive Investor hub here:
https://fcm-l.investorhub.com/link/MP7o0P
For further information, please contact:
James Knowles, Executive Chair & Managing Director
Email: JamesK@Firstclassmetalsplc.com
Tel: 07488 362641
Marc J Sale, CEO
Email: MarcS@Firstclassmetalsplc.com
Tel: 07711 093532
