REG - Rockfire Resources - Molaoi Research led by the University of Patras

Rockfire ResourcesAnnouncement

02/09/2025 07:00

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RNS Number : 5398X  Rockfire Resources PLC  02 September 2025

2 September 2025

Rockfire Resources plc

("Rockfire" or the "Company")

 

Molaoi Research led by the University of Patras, Greece

 

Rockfire Resources plc (LON: ROCK), the base metal, critical mineral and
precious metal exploration company, is pleased to inform shareholders of
promising, high-quality research being conducted by scientists at the
University of Patras at Rockfire's 100%-owned Molaoi zinc deposit in Greece.

The University of Patras has a multidisciplinary and integrative research team
conducting an advanced scientific study of the germanium (Ge) potential of the
Molaoi Zn-Pb (± Ag, Ge) ore deposit.

Some of the key findings to date from this ongoing research are:

·    Sphalerite is the primary germanium host, with peak values of
approximately 1,900 ppm Ge, particularly under high-temperature and high iron
contents.

·    Early-stage pyrite also acts as a key germanium host, showing peak
concentrations approaching 400 ppm Ge.

·    The deposit evolved from a low-sulfidation to an
intermediate-sulfidation epithermal system, hosting critical commodities, with
germanium and silver being the most significant economic by-products.

·    Boiling hydrothermal fluids played a pivotal role in germanium
precipitation during the low sulfidation stage. This is further supported by
silver enrichment in the intermediate sulfidation stage.

·    Leaching of the volcanic host rocks during early fluid evolution
contributed substantially to germanium remobilization.

One of the more important findings of this research is that Molaoi could be
classified as a medium-class silver deposit (according to the Singer (1995)
classification scheme), yet silver is merely a by-product enrichment, along
with germanium, that significantly upgrades the economic value of the deposit.

This important research being conducted by Dr. Tombros Stylianos is supported
by a vast network of leading international institutions. The collaborative
bodies working on the Molaoi ore samples includes:

·    The Laboratory of High Temperature Hydrothermal Ore Processes at
McGill University, CANADA.

·    The State Key Laboratory of Geological Processes and Mineral
Resources at China University of Geosciences, Beijing, CHINA.

·    The Chinese Academy of Geological Sciences, Beijing, CHINA,

·    The Modern Analysis Center at Nanjing University, CHINA.

·    The Maria Curie-Skłodowska University (MCSU), Lublin, POLAND.

·    The Centre for Instrument Sharing at the University of Pisa, ITALY.

These collaborating universities enable access to specialized expertise and
complementary instrumentation.

Importantly, this international network ensures scientific excellence,
supports data validation, and facilitates the cross-comparison of analytical
approaches across ore deposit systems globally, following the methodology of
the Society of Economic Geologists (SEG).

 

Dr. Tombros Stylianos, Department of Materials Science, University of Patras,
commented:

 

"I take great pleasure in informing Rockfire Resources of new, independent
scientific results from the University of Patras on the Molaoi Zn-Pb ± (Ag,
Ge) deposit in Laconia, SE Peloponnese, Greece. These findings provide refined
insights into the geological setting, deposit style, and Critical Raw and
Precious Metals potential of Molaoi and significantly complements Rockfire's
exploration achievements.

 

Key Research Highlights from the University of Patras:

 

1.         Deposit Type

 

•          Previous studies classified Molaoi as a volcanogenic
massive sulphide (VMS).

•          More recent research and ongoing investigations by the
University of Patras Economic Geology Research Team reinterpret Molaoi as a
concealed stratiform deposit, hosted in Triassic-age intermediate tuffs,
ignimbrites, and andesites.

•          The deposit most probably initiated as a small submarine
VMS system, later evolving (enriched in Ge and Ag) into an epithermal-type
system, transitioning from an early low-sulfidation (LS) to a late
intermediate-sulfidation (IS) state.

 

2.         Ore-forming Stages

 

•           Stage I: Epigenetic stratiform, massive to
semi-massive sulfides

•           Stage II: Continuation of stratiform sulfides,
semi-massive in character

•           Stage III: Late-stage vein-type mineralization

 

3.         Ore paragenesis

 

•          Stage I: Pyrite (Py-I) + Sphalerite (Sp-I) +
Chalcopyrite + Arsenopyrite ± Pyrrhotite, Magnetite, Hematite.

•           Stage II: Sphalerite (Sp-II, Sp-III) + Tetrahedrite +
Pyrite (Py-II) + Galena.

•           Stage III: Galena.

 

4.         Key observations

 

•           Sphalerite is the dominant ore mineral, occurring in
three varieties.

•           Germanium is incorporated mainly in early Sp-I
sphalerite and Py-I pyrite.

•          Silver is enriched in late stages, primarily within
tetrahedrite, galena (Ga-II), and subordinate Sp-III sphalerite.

•           Tetrahedrite is confirmed as the principal Ag carrier.

 

5.         Formation Mechanisms:

 

The Molaoi system displays hybrid features between bimodal felsic massive
sulfides and subaerial epithermal deposits, including:

•           Shallow depth of formation.

•           Hydraulic breccias are associated with phase
separation (boiling).

•           Channelized fluid flow resulted ore deposition along
high-angle faults.

•           Relatively low ore-forming temperatures (T<250
°C).

•          Evidence for mixing of hydrothermal fluids with meteoric
water during late stage II-an important feature not recognized in earlier
proposed models.

 

6.         Strategic Implications

 

These findings confirm that, beyond zinc, lead, and silver, germanium
constitutes a critical by-product of the Molaoi deposit. The recognition of
elevated Ge concentrations in early-stage sulfides highlights Molaoi's
potential to contribute strategically to Europe's supply of critical raw
materials, aligning with EU priorities on resource security."

 

 

David Price, Chief Executive Officer of Rockfire, commented:

"On behalf of Rockfire, I would like to thank Dr. Tombros and his team at the
University of Patras on the outstanding research being conducted on the Molaoi
ore. This very important work is not only building our understanding of the
deposit generally, but more specifically, it is improving our understanding of
the source, distribution and economic potential of the germanium."

 "It is only through these efforts of quality research, professional analysis
and dedicated scientific investigation that we will unlock the geological and
geochemical aspects of Molaoi and Rockfire is grateful for the high standard
of work being conducted by Dr. Tombros and his team."

"I would also like to acknowledge and express my appreciation to the
collaborative work being done by multiple universities around the world to
assist Dr. Tombros and the research team at the University of Patras. This
collaborative effort will benefit not only the Molaoi project, but Europe as a
whole, as Molaoi matures into a critical raw material supplier for a strong
European future."

 

 

 

 

 

 

For further information on the Company, please
visit www.rockfireresources.com (http://www.rockfireresources.com/)  or
contact the following:

 

 Rockfire Resources plc:                                        info@rockfire.co.uk (mailto:info@rockfire.co.uk)
 David Price, Chief Executive Officer

 Allenby Capital Limited (Nominated Adviser & Broker):          Tel: +44 (0) 20 3328 5656
 John Depasquale / Dan Dearden-Williams (Corporate Finance)
 Matt Butlin (Sales and Corporate Broking)

 CMC Markets UK Plc (Joint Broker)                              +44 (0)20 3003 8632
 Douglas Crippen

 

 

Glossary

 Item      Definition
 "3D"      three dimensional
 '' Ag''   silver
 "Cu"      copper
 '' Ge''   germanium
 '' g/t''  grams per tonne
 ''JORC''  Joint Ore Resource Committee
 "km"      kilometre
 "m"       metre
 '' Pb''   lead
 "ppm"     parts per million
 "pXRF"    portable X-Ray Florescence
 "VMS"     volcanogenic massive sulphide
 ''' Zn''  zinc
 "ZnEq''   zinc equivalent

 

 

Qualified Person Statement

The technical information in this announcement is based on information
compiled by Mr David Price, the Chief Executive Officer of Rockfire Resources
plc, who is a Fellow of the Australasian Institute of Mining and Metallurgy
(F.AusIMM). Mr Price has sufficient experience relevant to the style of
mineralisation and type of deposit under consideration and to the activity
which has been undertaken to qualify as a "Qualified Person" in accordance
with the AIM Rules Guidance Note for Mining and Oil & Gas Companies. Mr
Price consents to the inclusion in the announcement of the matters based on
their information in the form and context in which it appears.

 

Notes to Editors

Rockfire Resources plc (LON: ROCK) is a gold, base metal and critical mineral
exploration company, with a high-grade zinc/lead/silver/germanium deposit
in Greece and a portfolio of gold/copper/silver projects in Queensland
Australia.

 

·    The Molaoi deposit in Greece has a JORC Inferred Mineral Resource
of 15.0 million tonnes @ 7.26% Zn, 1.75% Pb and 39.50g/t Ag, for 1.5 million
tonnes of ZnEq. metal. This resource uses a 4% low-grade cut, and equates to
1.09 million tonnes of zinc, 260,000 tonnes of lead and 19.1 million ounces
of silver.

 

·    The Plateau deposit in Queensland has a JORC resource of 131,000
ounces of gold and 800,000 ounces of silver, using a 0.5g/t Au cut off. 53,000
of these ounces lie within the top 100m from surface. Plateau is subject to a
farm-in by ASX-listed Sunshine Metals Ltd (ASX:SHN).

 

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