THIS ANNOUNCEMENT CONTAINS INSIDE INFORMATION FOR THE PURPOSES OF ARTICLE 7 OF THE MARKET ABUSE REGULATION (EU) 596/2014 AS IT FORMS PART OF UK DOMESTIC LAW BY VIRTUE OF THE EUROPEAN UNION (WITHDRAWAL) ACT 2018 ("MAR"), AND IS DISCLOSED IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE COMPANY'S OBLIGATIONS UNDER ARTICLE 17 OF MAR

11 August 2025

Zanaga Iron Ore Company Limited

("ZIOC" or the "Company")

Update on Improved Project Economics Driven by High-Grade DRI Pellet Feed Product

Key Economic Highlights[1]:

·      Post-tax NPV (10%) increased 37% to US$5,206 million

·      IRR increased to 26.7%, reflecting enhanced project returns

·   FOB operating costs (including Royalty) expected to remain competitive at approximately US$27/tonne

·    Proposed Life of Asset: 30 years of premium DRI grade pellet feed, with a planned production of 12 million tonnes per annum ("Mtpa") during Stage 1 and 18 Mtpa during Stage 2

·     Increased price premium expected due to higher iron content with low impurities

Zanaga Iron Ore Company Limited (AIM: ZIOC), the iron ore development Company focused on advancing its flagship Zanaga Project in the Republic of Congo, is pleased to report a material improvement in the Project's targeted economics, driven by the ability to produce a high grade Direct Reduced Iron ("DRI") pellet feed product following recent laboratory confirmation from the metallurgical test work and process flow sheet optimisation.

This positive economic impact assessment follows the announcement on 25 June 2025 regarding test results confirming the ability to produce a high-grade product suitable for DRI pellet feed. The in-house evaluation offers guidance on the project's targeted economics, while also updating the Company capital and operating cost estimates for the revised process plant configuration to achieve DRI grade pellet feed specification from the Zanaga Project. The Company's technical consultants have indicated that capital and operating costs are unlikely to differ significantly from those in the 2024 FS cost update exercise and therefore, the Company has used the capital and operating costs from the 2024 FS cost update to produce the economic evaluation above. Updated capital and operating costs for the revised process design are expected to be obtained by Q4 2025, after which the Company will announce the Project's enhanced development plan.

The high-grade DRI grade pellet feed, confirmed through detailed metallurgical testing and processing flow sheet optimisation, is expected to command a significant price premium in global markets, especially from iron and steel makers focused on enhanced efficiency, lower operating costs, and reduced emissions associated with electric arc furnace iron and steel production.

Martin Knauth, CEO of ZIOC, commented:

"Zanaga Project's ability to produce an enhanced specification to meet the growing sector of low-emission DRI, a key step in producing green steel, is a significant achievement and drives a considerable positive re-rating of the Project's valuation.

The global DRI market's supply from mine assets is expected to decline markedly in the coming years, forcing iron and steel makers to invest in downstream upgrading infrastructure; Zanaga Project's ability to support this premium market from source is viewed as a lucrative opportunity."

The Company will integrate these updated results into its ongoing projects and plans, while actively engaging with potential partners and offtake counterparts. A detailed presentation on the economic assessment is available on the Company's website:

https://www.zanagairon.com/investors/presentations/

For further information, please contact:

About ZIOC:

Zanaga Iron Ore Company Limited (AIM ticker: ZIOC) is an iron ore exploration and development company, with its flagship asset being the 100% owned Zanaga Iron Ore Project, located in the Republic of Congo. The Government Mining Licence, Environmental Permit, and Mining Convention are all in place for this project.

The Zanaga Iron Ore Project is a highly significant asset with a 6.9 billion tonne resource and 2.1 billion tonne reserve, aimed at 30Mtpa production of high-grade DRI pellet feed with very low impurity levels. A 2024 Feasibility Study confirmed its strong economic viability. When fully developed, Stage One (12Mtpa) and Stage Two (18Mtpa expansion) together could establish Zanaga as one of the largest iron ore mines worldwide. With all key permits secured, Zanaga is well positioned to benefit from increasing demand for high-quality, low-impurity iron ore, utilising low operating costs and an efficient slurry pipeline to the port.

In light of the changes in the world's economy and the increasing demand for low-carbon steel production, the Zanaga Project is well-positioned to become one of the largest producers of high-grade premium DRI pellet feed iron ore concentrate.

The Zanaga Iron Ore Company Limited LEI number is 21380085XNXEX6NL6L23.