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RNS Number : 8558X Altona Rare Earths PLC 24 March 2026
24 March 2026
ALTONA RARE EARTHS PLC
("Altona" or "the Company")
Final Assay Results Confirm High-Grade, Near-Surface Fluorspar and Gallium
Mineralisation at Monte Muambe
Altona (LSE: REE), a resource exploration and development company focused on
critical raw materials in Africa, is pleased to announce the receipt of all
outstanding assay results from its 2025 drilling campaign at Monte Muambe.
Highlights
· All assays received: Final results from the 2025 drilling programme
are now in hand, clearing the path for the delivery of the Mineral Resource
Estimate ("MRE").
· Record fluorspar intercept: Hole MM156 returned 30 metres at 42.5%
CaF₂ from surface, representing the highest grade × intercept length
recorded to date at the Monte Muambe project.
· Consistent, commercial-grade fluorspar: The weighted average grade of
all significant fluorspar intercepts is 30% CaF₂, aligning with industry
benchmarks for commercially viable open-pit mining operations (typically
20-40% CaF₂).
· Gallium results exceed expectations: Gallium mineralisation was
encountered over wide, consistent intercepts up to 50 metres (averaging 18
metres), with a weighted average grade of 63 g/t Ga₂O₃. These results
surpassed internal pre-drilling expectations.
· Gallium metallurgical testing underway: A gallium metallurgical
testing programme was initiated last week to assess recovery potential from
fluorspar tailings, an essential step toward evaluating commercial viability.
Received results correspond to samples from diamond drilling and reverse
circulation drilling holes at the Fluorite Zone, Southern Extension, Kudu and
Python.
It is noteworthy that the 2025 drilling campaign covered only about 40%
surface area of soil gallium and fluorspar anomalies. The remaining 60% has
not been drilled yet, leaving significant scope for new mineralized zones
identification and definition through additional drilling.
Individual sample grades reach up to 93.11% CaF(2) and up to 149 g/t
Ga(2)O(3).
Significant intercepts for fluorspar and gallium are detailed in the tables
below.
Fluorspar Results Meet Expectations
The weighted average of the fluorspar intercepts reported in this RNS which
cover 2,842 reverse circulation drilling samples is 30% CaF(2), with numerous
surface or near-surface intercepts, confirming a favourable geometry for
open-pit mining. This is consistent with the Company's pre-drill expectations
for this project as well as with grades at which fluorspar is commercially
mined, typically ranging from 20% to 40% CaF(2.)
Results include a record fluorspar intercept (in terms of grade x intercept
length) for hole MM156, with 30m at 42.5% CaF(2).
Gallium Results Exceed Expectations
Gallium results show consistent mineralisation with grades above 55 g/t
Ga(2)O(3) across wide intercepts (up to 50m, average 18m). The weighted
average grade of the gallum intercepts is 63 g/t Ga(2)O(3).
Gallium results strongly exceed the Company's pre-drilling expectations.
Gallium grades extend into the host rock of fluorspar mineralisation, meaning
that gallium may be recovered not only from fluorspar ore but also from
fluorspar waste. These results underpin the importance of specific gallium
metallurgical testing workstreams initiated by the Company as announced on 19
March 2026.
Next steps
All assay results have now been incorporated in the project database and work
towards the preparation of the MRE is on-going. The Company will provide
further updates as this work progresses, alongside results from the gallium
metallurgical testing programme.
Cedric Simonet, CEO, commented: "These final assay results give us a complete
picture of the 2025 resource drilling campaign and have confirmed the
high-grade nature of fluorspar mineralization at Monte Muambe aligned with our
expectations.
"Gallium results, however, show an exceptional consistency and exceeded our
expectations. While gallium associated to carbonatites and fluorspar is a new
type of deposit, and much work remains to be done to establish its ultimate
commercial viability, these results clearly strengthen the case for investing
further in gallium studies. The initiation of gallium metallurgical testing
announced last week is a essential part of these studies.
"With all assays now in hand, we are focused entirely on delivering the MRE.
That will be the next major milestone in building a comprehensive
understanding of Monte Muambe's value."
Significant fluorspar intercepts (over 18% CaF(2)):
Hole Number From (m) Length (m) CaF(2) %
MM127 12 8 56.6%
MM127 25 8 34.7%
MM128 29 7 19.6%
MM130 1 6 32.1%
MM130 28 15 46.7%
MM131 3 3 21.1%
MM131 27 14 27.3%
MM134 Surface 25 19.5%
Including 1 5 36.6%
Including 12 3 42.2%
MM135 9 16 34.2%
MM136 Surface 13 42.0%
MM136 24 5 19.1%
MM136 38 7 21.5%
MM138 Surface 10 23.9%
Including Surface 5 37%
MM138 31 4 21.1%
MM138 48 2* 62.6%
MM139 Surface 14 29.4%
MM139 23 10 18.1%
MM143 1 4 25.4%
MM143 17 5 26.8%
MM144 Surface 3 18.7%
MM146 3 24 30.6%
Including 15 12 40.7%
MM148 Surface 26 32.0%
MM150 1 4 30.4%
MM151 19 11 32.8%
MM152 31 8 30.3%
MM153 18 4 24.5%
MM156 Surface 30 42.5%
Including 6 12 54.7%
MM160 23 4 18.9%
MM161 8 11 18.1%
MM162 6 3 26.5%
MM162 25 4 21.4%
MM163 1 5 53.9%
MM168 58 8 23.3%
MM169 73 2* 28.8%
MM170 21 6 22.2%
MM170 34 8 20.2%
MM170 59 7 28.5%
MM173 38 12 26.8%
MM175 27 4 27.7%
MM179 8 6 23.9%
MM182 15 11 27.6%
MM182 29 5 21.5%
MM182 59 4* 19.3%
MM183 20 24 32.2%
Including 24 7 41.8%
Including 36 4 42.7%
MM183 49 9 31.6%
MM184 2 17 28.4%
* Hole ended in mineralisation, open at depth.
Significant gallium intercepts (over 54g/t Ga(2)O(3)):
Hole Number From (m) Length (m) Ga(2)O(3) g/t
MM125 28 11 63
MM127 10 3 68
MM128 Surface 5 62
MM128 15 13 58
MM129 28 6 64
MM131 Surface 21 63
MM131 27 19 62
Including 38 8 78
MM132 1 23 67
MM137 Surface 19 60
MM138 5 33 71
Including 27 11 84
MM139 2 38 64
Including 32 8 78
MM140 Surface 28 59
MM148 2 28 52
MM150 28 22 65
MM152 3 15 64
MM154 9 18 55
MM155 1 24 61
MM157 1 24 67
Including 19 5 111
MM158 21 8 79
MM159 23 15 73
MM160 1 22 59
MM161 1 15 52
MM162 2 37 58
MM166 Surface 21 67
MM167 2 10 69
MM168 21 22 62
MM168 54 8 56
MM168 73 9 62
MM169 20 5 58
MM169 36 19 58
Including 51 4 100
MM169 65 9 63
MM170 Surface 8 78
MM170 15 4 65
MM170 35 11 67
MM170 52 26 67
MM171 13 20 58
MM171 54 14 56
MM172 29 25 57
MM173 8 18 63
MM173 43 14 84
MM173 64 6 65
MM174 Surface 21 80
MM174 64 16 62
MM175 Surface 8 58
MM175 14 12 55
MM175 33 23 54
MM176 1 20 58
MM176 26 24 65
MM177 17 43 61
MM178 28 27 67
MM179 Surface 50 59
MM180 25 3 97
MM180 34 6 79
MM181 46 5 55
MM182 43 18 56
MM183 6 20 70
The information contained within this announcement is deemed by the Company to
constitute inside information as stipulated under the Market Abuse Regulation
(EU) No. 596/2014 as it forms part of United Kingdom domestic law by virtue of
the European Union (Withdrawal) Act 2018, as amended by virtue of the Market
Abuse (Amendment) (EU Exit) Regulations 2019.
-ends-
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Altona Rare Earths Plc
Cédric Simonet, CEO +44 (0) 7778 866 108 (cs@altonare.com)
Louise Adrian,
CFO
+44 (0) 7721 492 922 (la@altonare.com)
Strand Hanson (Financial
Adviser)
+44 (0) 20 7409 3494
Christopher Raggett
Imogen Ellis
Zeus Capital (Corporate
Broker)
+44 (0) 20 3829 5000
Simon Johnson
James Hornigold
About Altona Rare Earths Plc
Altona Rare Earths Plc (ticker: REE) is a London Main Market-listed
exploration and development company focused on unlocking the value of critical
raw materials across Africa. The Company is pursuing a diversified strategy,
targeting assets with potential for near-term monetisation alongside long-term
growth.
The multi-commodity Monte Muambe Project in northwest Mozambique is a highly
prospective tenement hosting rare earths, fluorspar, and gallium
mineralisation. Since acquiring the project in June 2021, Altona has drilled
over 7,800 metres, delivering a maiden JORC Mineral Resource Estimate of
13.6Mt at 2.42% TREO, secured a 25-year mining licence (granted December
2024), and published a Competent Person Report and scoping study for the rare
earths component of the project (October 2023). The Company has received a US$
1.875 million grant from USTDA to advance the rare earths project through the
prefeasibility stage.
In parallel, Altona is progressing plans to fast-track the development of
high-grade fluorspar veins identified along the western and southern margins
of Monte Muambe, with a targeted production of 50,000 tonnes per annum of
acid-grade fluorspar over a minimum 12-year mine life. Acid-grade fluorspar is
a key input in a wide range of applications, including hydrofluoric acid,
lithium battery electrolyte production, and nuclear fuel refining, placing
Altona in a strong position to supply this critical material.
The discovery of gallium mineralisation, with grades up to 550 g/t identified
to date, adds further value to Monte Muambe. The Company has established that
gallium will be concentrated in fluorspar production tailings and is assessing
its possible recovery as a by-product of fluorspar.
Altona's diversified portfolio also includes the Sesana Copper-Silver Project
in Botswana, strategically located just 25 km from MMG's Khoemacau Zone 5
copper-silver mine. Situated on a recognised regional contact zone for copper
deposits, Sesana represents a compelling exploration opportunity aligned with
Altona's growth strategy.
With a unique combination of critical raw materials projects, Altona is well
positioned to contribute to the global supply of highly sought commodities
essential for clean energy, high technology, defence and industrial
applications.
The Company and the Board remain actively focused on identifying and
evaluating additional projects that align with our investment profile and
strategic objectives, leveraging our extensive network and combined industry
experience to uncover compelling opportunities that can drive long-term
growth.
Competent Person Statement
The information in this RNS that relates to geology and exploration results is
based on information compiled and/or reviewed by Cédric Simonet, who is a
Member of European Geologist Federation (Eur. Geol. #739). Cédric Simonet is
the Chief Executive Officer and a Director of the Company. He has sufficient
experience which is relevant to the styles of mineralisation and type of
deposit under consideration and the activity which he is undertaking to
qualify as a Competent Person in terms of the 2012 Edition of the Australian
Code for the Reporting of Exploration Results, Mineral Resources and Ore
Reserves. Cédric Simonet consents to the inclusion in the RNS of the matters
based on his information in the form and contest in which it appears.
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