4 June 2025

AIM: AAU

WESTERN TETHYAN: NEW LICENCE APPLICATIONS AND PROJECT EXPANSION

Ariana Resources plc ("Ariana" or "the Company"), the AIM-listed mineral exploration and development company with gold project interests in Africa and Europe, is pleased to announce several key developments at its 76% owned Western Tethyan Resources ("WTR") and its ongoing regional growth strategy in the Balkans. These include the application for an extension of WTR's exploration licence over the Hertica Porphyry Project, submission of a new licence application over the Slivova Gold Project in Kosovo, and continued evaluation of multiple new exploration opportunities in North Macedonia and Bulgaria. These actions further underscore WTR's commitment to unlocking the mineral potential of the Western Tethyan Belt through systematic and responsible exploration.

Highlights:

·    Three applications registered on the online system of the Independent Commission for Mines and Minerals ("ICMM") in Kosovo.

·    Licence extension application for the Hertica Porphyry Project.

·    51% of the Slivova Gold Project is now registered as having been acquired by WTR with the corresponding application for change of control.

·    New project opportunities are being evaluated in North Macedonia and Bulgaria.

Dr. Kerim Sener, Managing Director, commented:

"There have been several important recent developments for Western Tethyan and its exploration activities in south-eastern Europe. Notably, a new licence area has been applied for at the Hertica Project to constrain the exploration focus on the area we believe to be the most prospective. Likewise, a new application for the Slivova Project has been submitted following the acquisition of 51% of the project, along with a corresponding submission of a change of control to the ICMM.

"We look forward to the approval of the change of control and the corresponding re-application for the Slivova licence being processed by the ICMM in due course. In the meantime, WTR is planning for the next stage of technical work on the Hertica and Slivova projects and considering new licence acquisitions elsewhere in the Balkan region."

Mentor Demi, Managing Director of Western Tethyan Resources, added:

"Extending our tenure at Hertica is a key step in our exploration strategy, and the Hertica Project remains a high-priority target in our portfolio. This licence extension ensures we can continue building on our substantial exploration progress and begin targeting drill-ready zones within a refined project footprint."

"The Slivova project is an exciting near-term opportunity for WTR. While we await final confirmation from the ICMM, this application safeguards our interest and enables us to remain on track for exploration and potential development.

"We are leveraging our deep regional expertise and a strong technical foundation to expand our footprint. Our goal is to establish a pipeline of high-quality projects across the Western Tethyan Belt, a region we believe holds tremendous long-term value."

Hertica Licence Extension

WTR has applied for an exploration licence extension, covering 29.99km² over the Hertica Porphyry Project in eastern Kosovo. This application is in advance of the expiry of the current 59.99km² licence, under which WTR has completed significant geological mapping, geochemical sampling, geophysical surveys and drilling across a large porphyry system. The reduced area reflects a focus on the most prospective zones identified during early exploration. To date, the work on Hertica has been funded primarily through the Exploration Alliance Agreement with Newmont Mining Corporation.

Slivova Gold Project

WTR has also submitted a new exploration licence application over the Slivova Gold Project area (51% WTR, 49% Avrupa Minerals Ltd. (TSX-V: AVU)) on behalf of the project company, AVU Kosova LLC, covering 30.5km² and matching the coordinates of the previously held licence. This step follows delays in formal approval by the ICMM regarding the transfer of control, reflecting WTR's recently earned 51% interest in the project. The new application ensures continuity of tenure and provides a framework for resuming field activities once regulatory confirmation is complete. To date, the work on Slivova has been funded primarily via Ariana.

Regional Expansion

In line with its broader strategic vision, WTR is actively assessing multiple new exploration opportunities across the Western Balkans. The Company has submitted several licence applications in North Macedonia and Bulgaria, targeting underexplored districts with strong geological potential for copper-gold and polymetallic mineralisation. WTR expects that certain projects, if granted or acquired, may form part of the Exploration Alliance Agreement with Newmont Mining Corporation.

The information contained within this announcement is deemed by the Company to constitute inside information as stipulated under the Market Abuse Regulations (EU) No. 596/2014 as it forms part of UK Domestic Law by virtue of the European Union (Withdrawal) Act 2018 ("UK MAR").

Enquiries:

Beaumont Cornish Limited ("Beaumont Cornish") is the Company's Nominated Adviser and is authorised and regulated by the FCA. Beaumont Cornish's responsibilities as the Company's Nominated Adviser, including a responsibility to advise and guide the Company on its responsibilities under the AIM Rules for Companies and AIM Rules for Nominated Advisers, are owed solely to the London Stock Exchange. Beaumont Cornish is not acting for and will not be responsible to any other persons for providing protections afforded to customers of Beaumont Cornish nor for advising them in relation to the proposed arrangements described in this announcement or any matter referred to in it.

About Ariana Resources:

Ariana is an AIM-listed mineral exploration and development company with an exceptional track-record of creating value for its shareholders through its interests in active mining projects and investments in exploration companies. Its current interests include a major gold development project in Zimbabwe, gold production in Türkiye and copper-gold exploration and development projects in Cyprus and Kosovo.

Ariana owns 100% of the Dokwe Gold Project ("Dokwe") in Zimbabwe. Dokwe is made up of the Dokwe North and Dokwe Central gold deposits which are located in the Tsholotsho District near the city of Bulawayo. The deposits have a combined in-pit JORC Measured, Indicated and Inferred Resource of over 1.42 million ounces of gold (as at March 2025) and the project represents the largest undeveloped gold project in Zimbabwe.

The Company holds 23.5% interest in Zenit Madencilik San. ve Tic. A.S. a joint venture with Ozaltin Holding A.S. and Proccea Construction Co. in Türkiye which contains a depleted total of c. 2.2 million ounces gold equivalent (as at March 2024, using a price ratio of 90 Ag to 1 Au). The joint venture comprises the Kiziltepe Mine and the Tavsan and Salinbas projects.

The Kiziltepe Gold-Silver Mine is located in western Türkiye and contains a depleted JORC Measured, Indicated and Inferred Resource of 171,700 ounces gold and 3.3 million ounces silver (as at March 2024). The mine has been in profitable production since 2017 and has been producing at an average rate of c.22,000 ounces of gold per annum. A Net Smelter Return ("NSR") royalty of 2.5% on production is being paid to Franco-Nevada Corporation.

The Tavsan Gold Mine is located in western Türkiye and contains a JORC Measured, Indicated and Inferred Resource of 311,000 ounces gold and 1.1 million ounces silver (as at March 2024). Following the approval of its Environmental Impact Assessment and associated permitting, Tavsan is being developed as the second gold mining operation in Türkiye and is currently in construction. A NSR royalty of up to 2% on future production is payable to Sandstorm Gold.

The Salinbas Gold Project is located in north-eastern Türkiye and contains a JORC Measured, Indicated and Inferred Resource of 1.5 million ounces of gold (as at July 2020). It is located within the multi-million ounce Artvin Goldfield, which contains the "Hot Gold Corridor" comprising several significant gold- copper projects including the 4 million ounce Hot Maden project, which lies 16km to the south of Salinbas. A NSR royalty of up to 2% on future production is payable to Eldorado Gold Corporation.

Ariana owns 76% of UK-registered Western Tethyan Resources Ltd ("WTR"), which operates across south-eastern Europe and is based in Pristina, Republic of Kosovo. The company is targeting its exploration on major copper-gold deposits across the porphyry-epithermal transition. WTR is being funded through a five-year Alliance Agreement with Newmont Ventures Limited (www.newmont.com) and is separately earning-in to up to 85% of the Slivova Gold Project.

Ariana owns 61% of UK-registered Venus Minerals PLC ("Venus") which is focused on the exploration and development of copper-gold projects in Cyprus, some of which are in application, containing a combined JORC Indicated and Inferred Resource of 16.6Mt @ 0.45% to 0.80% copper (excluding additional gold, silver and zinc).

Ariana owns several investments in listed and private companies via its Australian subsidiary Asgard Metals Pty. Ltd. ("Asgard"), which also provides technical input into the various investee company exploration programmes. Investments have been made in high-value potential, discovery-stage mineral exploration companies located across the Eastern Hemisphere and within easy reach of Ariana's operational hubs in Australia, Türkiye, UK and Zimbabwe. Its most advanced interest is through a 4.1% holding of Panther Metals Limited (ASX: PNT).

Zeus Capital Limited, Fortified Securities and Shaw and Partners are the brokers to the Company and Beaumont Cornish Limited is the Company's Nominated Adviser.

For further information on Ariana, you are invited to visit the Company's website at www.arianaresources.com.

Ends.