The sample database is made up of surface diamond (DD) and reverse circulation (RC) drilling, underground diamond drilling and representative continuous chip sampling of underground development walls.

Diamond core was cut in half using a diamond saw, with the cut line determined by the core orientation line or by mineralisation angles when ori-line is absent. RC samples were split through a riffle splitter. Underground development drive & cross-cut wall samples were collected using a rock hammer with best efforts made to collect representative ~1m samples

Diamond holes were sampled after standard logging and photography. Sampling intervals were 0.5-1.5 m with 1.0 m being the most common interval. RC drilling was used to obtain 1 m samples from which 3 kg was pulverised to produce a 50 g charge for fire assay and a 20 g charge for base metal assay.

Drilling was completed using a face sampling hammer or NQ2/BQ size diamond core. All holes were surveyed upon completion of drilling using single/multi-shot electronic or mechanical survey cameras.

Core recovery is measured for diamond core by measuring the length of core for each core run. This is recorded in a table called GEOTECH. There is no recovery recorded for RC holes, but these constitute only 50 holes within the Mineral Resource and have been mainly used to provide information about the depth of overburden. There are no RC hole data for the Yuan/Fu Long high-grade gold domain work reported here.

Diamond coring is carried out using equipment in good working order to ensure no loss of core. Any core loss during drilling is noted on a core block placed into the core tray and then discussed with the geologist. Core loss is generally rare and related to fault zones away from mineralisation. RC sample recovery was maximised by using a modern rig with sufficient air to keep the hole dry.

This analysis was not carried out because core recovery has generally been high through the mineralised zones.

All RC samples were geologically logged to record weathering, regolith, rock type, colour, alteration, mineralisation, structure and texture and any other notable features that are present. All diamond core was logged for structure and geologically logged using the same system as that for RC.

The logging information was recorded into Microsoft (MS) Excel format on paper and then transferred into the company's drilling database once the log was complete. Since 2017 core logging has been directly into MS Excel sheets on laptop computers.

Logging was qualitative; however, the geologists also record visual quantitative mineral percentage ranges for the sulphide minerals present.

Diamond core was photographed wet one core tray at a time using a standardised photography jig.

Samples from RC holes were archived in standard 20 m plastic chip trays.

All holes and intersections have been logged.

Core samples were taken from half core, cut using a diamond core saw. The remainder of the core was retained in core trays tagged with a hole number and metre mark. Since 2016 small diameter (BQ) underground holes (dominantly grade control holes) have been whole core sampled, to remove the need for core cutting and to increase the sample weight.

RC samples were cone split to a nominal 2.5 kg to 3 kg sample weight. The drilling method was designed to maximise sample recovery and delivery of a clean, representative sample into the calico bag.

Where possible all RC samples were drilled dry to maximise recovery. The use of a booster and auxiliary compressor provide dry sample for depths below the water table.

Sample condition was recorded (wet, dry or damp) at the time of sampling and recorded in the database.

Samples were collected in a pre-numbered calico bag bearing a unique sample ID. Samples were crushed to 75 µm at the laboratory and riffle split (if required) to a maximum 3 kg sample weight. Gold analysis was determined by a 50 g fire assay with an inductively coupled plasma-optical emission spectrometry (ICP-OES) or atomic absorption spectroscopy (AAS) finish.

The assay laboratories' sample preparation procedures follow industry best practice, with techniques and practices that are appropriate for this style of mineralisation. Pulp duplicates were taken at the pulverising stage and selective repeats conducted at the laboratories' discretion.

Cut lines are marked on diamond drill core to ensure that the core to minimise bias when cutting.

The RC drilling was carried out several years ago, and no documentation remains on QAQC of subsampling. RC samples are not material to the Mineral Resource estimate (MRE) or to this announcement.

Hua Ao inserts approximately three standards and three blanks for every 100 samples. Field duplicates were collected from the cone splitter on the rig for RC samples at a frequency of one duplicate every 20 samples, excluding the 100^th sample as this was a standard. Diamond core field duplicates are not taken.

Regular reviews of the sampling are carried out by the supervising geologist and senior field staff, to ensure all procedures were followed and best industry practice carried out.

The sample sizes were appropriate for the type, style and consistency of mineralisation encountered during this phase of exploration.

The assay method and laboratory procedures were appropriate for this style of mineralisation. The fire assay technique was designed to measure total gold in the sample.

No geophysical tools, spectrometers were used. Handheld x-ray fluorescence (XRF) instruments are used; however, the values were only used to support geological modelling of the lithology. The values were not used for grade estimation.

The QAQC process described above was sufficient to establish acceptable levels of accuracy and precision. All results from assay standards and duplicates were scrutinised to ensure they fell within acceptable tolerances.

Twinned holes have not been drilled at Caijiaying because the MRE is predominantly based on diamond drillholes with demonstrated good recovery through the ore zones. Several years of production give confidence to the geometry and persistence of mineralisation.

All primary data is collected on paper logs, which are filed and stored. Procedures are documented for data recording and entry. Data from paper logs is transferred to MS Excel files and then imported into GeoBank drillhole database. A back up of the database is maintained in ERM's Perth office. Since 2017, logging has been directly into MS Excel tables on a laptop. These files are transferred to a server. The server has a backup system.

No adjustments were made to any current or historical data. If data could not be validated to a reasonable level of certainty it was not used in any resource estimations.

Surface RC drill collars were surveyed after completion, using a differential global positioning system (GPS) instrument. Downhole RC surveys were completed using a mechanical single-shot survey camera. Underground holes were surveyed by mine surveyors using a total station theodolite. Downhole surveys were completed using single/multi-shot electronic survey instruments or single-shot survey camera. Downhole surveys are recorded relative to magnetic north. Corrections are made, depending on the year of survey, for magnetic declination, to give azimuths in terms of the Hua Ao mine grid system.

All coordinates and bearings use the Hua Ao mine grid system.

The quality of the topographic control is considered to be sufficient. The mine is in operation and has a site-based survey department. Their work is of good quality, supported by development breakthroughs occurring as expected; being able to connect two drives being developed towards each other and so on.

The data spacing is irregular, with a clustering in the main part of the mine, but average spacings are approximately 40 m x 40 m.

Refer to December 2024 Mineral Resource estimation report.

Resource extension drilling is designed to produce data density suitable for future Mineral Resource estimation updates.

Sample composites have not been used.

Drilling was designed based on known geological models, underground mapping, verified historical data, cross-sectional and 3D interpretation.

Drillholes oriented at right angles to strike of deposit, with dip optimised for drill capabilities and the dip of the orebody.

This is not considered to be a material factor because of the style of mineralisation and the use of underground drill fans to intersect the mineralisation at various angles.