REG-Critical Mineral Resources Plc: Drilling update

Critical Mineral ResourcesAnnouncement

07/01/2026 07:02

7 January 2026

 

 

 

Critical Mineral Resources Plc

Company owned drill rig - first drill hole completed

 

Critical Mineral Resources plc (“CMR”, “Company”) is pleased to report
that its newly commissioned diamond drill rig has successfully produced its
first core from Zone 1 North, marking an important operational milestone and
supporting the next phase of exploration and project advancement.

The hole was drilled to a depth of 30m and includes core with observable
copper mineralisation. The rig has now moved to the next pad where drilling
has already commenced. The next set of assay results are expected in early
February.

The rig’s commissioning was completed efficiently and included the
integration of a Moroccan-sourced water recycling system.

 

Key Highlights
*            First core has been recovered at Zone 1 North from the
Company’s recently commissioned diamond rig          
*            Visible copper mineralisation observed in the core, consistent
with the Company’s expectations and many of the previous holes          
*            Company-owned drill rig expected to underpin lower drilling costs
and improved drilling flexibility          
*            The drilling team has provided very positive feedback about the
Multi-Power Discovery HD rig          
*            Rig’s capability provides optionality to test deeper targets,
including the potential source of mineralised rhyolite          
*            Strong, experienced Morocco-based team positioned to support an
accelerated programme through 2026
 

Fig.1 First drill core from recently commissioned diamond drilling rig with
observable copper mineralisation

   

Source: Company

 

Charlie Long CEO commented:

“The commissioning of our company owned drill rig is a genuine step-forward
for the project.                                                             
  Having this capability in-house gives us far greater control over the drill
programme and paves the way for reduced drilling costs.

Our drilling team is reporting that the Multi-Power Discovery HD is powerful,
productive and straightforward to operate, making rapid progress through
carbonate and igneous rocks. Importantly it also provides us with the
capability to explore deeper targets as required, including as we continue
hunting for the source of the mineralised rhyolite.

Credit goes to our Moroccan drilling team, expertly led by our COO Noureddine,
and our dedicated JV partner, who commissioned the rig smoothly and installed
a locally sourced water recycling system without issue. Morrocco continues to
stand out as highly capable mining jurisdiction, not only for its regulatory
environment but the depth of practical expertise available on the ground.

That expertise will be increasingly important through 2026, as we progress
Agadir Melloul towards production, supported by Moroccan experts with direct
experience of developing and building multiple mines, including copper
floatation operations”

 

Competent Person Statement

The technical exploration and mining information contained in this
announcement has been reviewed and approved by Mr. Robert Nigel Chapman. Mr.
Chapman has sufficient experience which is relevant to the style of
mineralisation and type of deposit under consideration and to the activity to
which he is undertaking to qualify as a Competent Person as defined in the
2004 Edition of the 'Australasian Code for Reporting of Exploration Results,
Mineral Resources and Ore Reserves and as a qualified person under the AIM
Note for Mining, Oil and Gas Companies. Mr. Chapman is an employee of Luna
Recursos Naturales SAC, an independent geological consultancy established in
2014 and is a Member of the Australasian Institute of Geoscientists (A.I.G.)
Mr. Chapman has visited Agadir Melloul and consents to the inclusion in this
Announcement of such information in the form and context in which it appears.

 

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

 

 Critical Mineral Resources PLC  Charles Long,  Chief Executive Officer  info@cmrplc.com       
 AlbR Capital  Jon Belliss                                               +44 (0) 20 7399 9425  

 

Notes To Editors

Critical Mineral Resources (CMR) PLC is an exploration and development company
focused on developing assets that produce critical minerals for the global
economy, including those essential for electrification and the clean energy
revolution. Many of these commodities are widely recognised as being at the
start of a supply and demand super cycle.

CMR is building a diversified portfolio of high-quality metals exploration and
development projects in Morocco, focusing on copper, silver and potentially
other critical minerals and metals. CMR identified Morocco as an ideal
mining-friendly jurisdiction that meets its acquisition and operational
criteria. The country is perfectly located to supply raw materials to Europe
and possesses excellent prospective geology, good infrastructure and
attractive permitting, tax and royalty conditions. In 2023, the Company
acquired an 80% stake in leading Moroccan exploration and geological services
company Atlantic Research Minerals SARL.

The Company is listed on the London Stock Exchange (CMRS.L). More information
regarding the Company can be found at                      www.cmrplc.com



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