Meridian Mining Included in VanEck Junior Gold Miners ETF

Meridian Mining plc, a company focused on the development and exploration of the Cabaçal VMS gold-copper project in Brazil, has been included in the VanEck Junior Gold Miners ETF (GDXJ). This inclusion, effective at the close of markets on September 18, 2026, marks a significant milestone for the company.

The VanEck Junior Gold Miners ETF is a leading global ETF that provides investors with exposure to precious metals through junior mining equities. The ETF tracks the performance of small and mid-cap companies primarily involved in the mining and development of gold and silver assets. Meridian's inclusion in this ETF reflects its increased visibility as an investment opportunity and the progress made in the de-risking of the Cabaçal Project.

Gilbert Clark, CEO of Meridian Mining plc, commented on the inclusion, stating, "Inclusion in the GDXJ, a globally recognized ETF, is a significant milestone. This is a testament to the progression and de-risking of the advanced-stage Cabaçal Project. We believe this inclusion will further improve trading liquidity, increasing access to a wider universe of institutional and retail investors seeking exposure to the gold sector and that benchmark against the GDXJ."

The Cabaçal Project, an advanced-stage VMS gold-copper project located in the State of Mato Grosso, Brazil, has been the focus of Meridian's development efforts. The project's pre-feasibility study, completed in March 2025, outlines a base case after-tax NPV5 of USD 984 million and an internal rate of return (IRR) of 61.2%. The pre-production capital cost is estimated at USD 248 million, leading to a capital repayment period of 17 months, assuming a metals price scenario of USD 2,119 per ounce of gold, USD 4.16 per pound of copper, and USD 26.89 per ounce of silver.

The Cabaçal Mineral Reserve estimate, as per the pre-feasibility study, consists of Proven and Probable reserves of 41.7 million tonnes at 0.63g/t gold, 0.44% copper, and 1.64g/t silver (at a 0.25 g/t gold equivalent cut-off grade). The project is expected to produce 141,000 ounces of gold equivalent over its life, driven by high metallurgical recovery, a low life-of-mine strip ratio of 2.3:1, and the low operating cost environment of Brazil.

Meridian Mining plc continues to focus on expanding the initial resource inventory at the Santa Helena area through the extension of Santa Helena Central and new discoveries. The company is also engaged in regional-scale exploration of the Cabaçal VMS Belt to expand the Cabaçal Hub strategy and exploration in the Jauru & Araputanga Greenstone Belts.

The inclusion in the VanEck Junior Gold Miners ETF is expected to enhance Meridian's profile and attract a broader investor base. The company remains committed to advancing the Cabaçal Project and delivering value to its shareholders.