Metals Exploration - Agreement with Artisanal Miners at La India

Metals Exploration

08/08/2025 10:00

RNS Number : 6029U

Metals Exploration PLC

08 August 2025

 

8 August 2025

 

METALS EXPLORATION PLC

 

Agreement with Artisanal Miners at La India

 

Metals Exploration plc (AIM: MTL) ("Metals Exploration", the "Company" or the "Group"), a gold production, exploration, and development company with assets in the Philippines and Nicaragua, is pleased to provide an update on the status of  negotiations with artisanal miners operating within the La India project area in Nicaragua.

 

Following the Group's acquisition of the Nicaraguan La India Project, which completed in January 2025,  Metals Exploration commenced direct negotiations with the artisanal miners occupying large portions of the mining area. These artisanal miners were legally mining in the area under a co-operative ("Cooperativa") that owned a small portion of land within the project's mining area. Some of the artisanal miners were also mining outside of this area by encroaching into the proposed La India open-pit profile.

 

The negotiations, based on agreeing compensation for Metals Exploration to acquire the relevant land parcel and the rights of occupation, were successfully concluded in April of this year. The Company is pleased to confirm that the Cooperativa has been in full compliance of the agreement, by vacating the relevant land during July, and the agreements with the Cooperativa were successfully enacted during this period. All mining areas within the proposed La India main open- pit are now free of artisanal miners. 

 

Negotiations in relation to other areas occupied by artisanal miners are ongoing.  Metals Exploration is working with the Nicaraguan government to find an integrated solution whereby, small and larger scale mining, can co-exist within a single tenement area for the benefit of the local community, artisanal miners and the Company. This would involve the construction of small scale facilities and the allocation of areas for artisanal miners to operate within. These areas would be uneconomic for large scale development. Under this programme the current uncontrolled environmental emissions from the small-scale gold bearing ore processing plants can be dismantled and removed thereby allowing the rehabilitation of the areas and ensuring the risks of long term environmental damages are minimised or removed completely. This programme will be carried out in accordance with international environmental standards and in conjunction with government mandates.

 

Darren Bowden, CEO of Metals Exploration, commented:

 

"We are pleased to have reached a fair and constructive agreement with the Cooperativa and appreciate their full compliance with the agreed terms. Our continued collaboration with the Nicaraguan government and local communities is aimed at establishing a sustainable framework where both artisanal and large-scale mining can operate side-by-side, delivering long-term benefits to all stakeholders while upholding the highest environmental and social standards."

 

 

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For further information, please contact or visit:

 

Metals Exploration PLC
Via BlytheRay
+44 (0) 207 138 3204
Nominated & Financial Adviser:
STRAND HANSON LIMITED
James Spinney, James Dance, Rob Patrick
+44 (0) 207 409 3494
Joint Broker:
HANNAM & PARTNERS
Matt Hasson, Franck Nganou
+44 (0) 207907 8500
Joint Broker
Scott Mathieson, Amrit Mahbubani, Zak Wadud
PANMURE LIBERUM
+44 (0) 20 3100 2000
Public Relations:
BLYTHERAY
Megan Ray, Said Izagaren
+44 (0) 207 138 3204
 metalsexploration@blytheray.com

 

Web:                      www.metalsexploration.com

X:                            @MTLexploration

LinkedIn:               Metals Exploration

 

Forward Looking Statements

Certain statements relating to the estimated or expected future production, operating results, cash flows and costs and financial condition of Metals Explorations, planned work at the Company's projects and the expected results of such work contained herein are forward-looking statementswhich are based on current expectations, estimates and projections about the potential returns of the Group, industry and markets in which the Group operates in, the Directors' beliefs and assumptions made by the Directors. Forward-looking statements are statements that are not historical facts and are generally, but not always, identified by words such as the following: "expects", "plans", "anticipates", "forecasts", "believes", "intends", "estimates", "projects", "assumes", "potential" or variations of such words and similar expressions. Forward-looking statements also include reference to events or conditions that will, would, may, could or should occur. Information concerning exploration results and mineral reserve and resource estimates may also be deemed to be forward-looking statements, as it constitutes a prediction of what might be found to be present when and if a project is actually developed.

 

These statements are not guarantees of future performance or the ability to identify and consummate investments and involve certain risks, uncertainties and assumptions that are difficult to predict, qualify or quantify. Among the factors that could cause actual results or projections to differ materially include, without limitation: uncertainties related to raising sufficient financing to fund the planned work in a timely manner and on acceptable terms; changes in planned work resulting from logistical, technical or other factors; the possibility that results of work will not fulfil projections/expectations and realize the perceived potential of the Company's projects; uncertainties involved in the interpretation of drilling results and other tests and the estimation of gold reserves and resources; risk of accidents, equipment breakdowns and labour disputes or other unanticipated difficulties or interruptions; the possibility of environmental issues at the Company's projects; the possibility of cost overruns or unanticipated expenses in work programs; the need to obtain permits and comply with environmental laws and regulations and other government requirements; fluctuations in the price of gold and other risks and uncertainties.

 

The Company expressly disclaims any obligation or undertaking to disseminate any updates or revisions to any forward looking statements contained herein to reflect any change in the Group's expectations with regard thereto or any change in events, conditions or circumstances on which any such statements are based unless required to do so by applicable law or the AIM Rules.

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