Khemisset Multi-mineral Process Patent

Emmerson PLC is pleased to provide an update on the status of the patent application process for the Khemisset Multi-mineral Process (KMP).

The KMP was primarily developed by Emmerson Plc for use in the Khemisset Potash Project in Morocco but it also has significant potential for application across a wider number of potash deposits globally. Through its advisors (Gill Jennings & Every LLP) Emmerson Plc has filed an extensive portfolio of patent applications intended to protect its valuable intellectual property (IP) in those regions of greatest commercial interest.

The United Kingdom Intellectual Property Office (UKIPO) has recently confirmed that Emmerson Plc's patent application titled Processing of Evaporite Minerals (Application No. 2315003.0) has been granted patent status (Patent No. 2634094). This patent provides IP protection for the core KMP process and its optimised derivative products.

Background:

The Company previously announced a breakthrough processing route for the Khemisset Potash Project the Khemisset Multi-mineral Process (KMP).

The introduction of the KMP reduced the project's water requirements by 50%, increased the recovery rate of Muriate of Potash (MOP) (KCl) from 85% to approximately 91% and created two new high value, slow-release multi-nutrient fertilisers, namely struvite and vivianite. These innovative fertiliser products, in addition to their commercial value, have significant environmental and sustainability benefits by virtue of their slow-release characteristic which reduces phosphate run-off to watercourses and enable less frequent application by farmers.

On 30 April 2025, the Company's direct and indirect subsidiaries Khemisset UK Ltd. and Potasse de Khemisset S.A. (the "Claimants") filed a Request for Arbitration ("RFA") with the International Centre for Settlement of Investment Disputes ("ICSID"). The ICSID Secretary-General registered the RFA on 23 May 2025. The Claimants filed their Memorial in the arbitration, together with documentary, witness and expert evidence, on 27 March 2026.

The Claimants seek compensation (US$1.215bn net of local taxes and including interest) for the loss and damage they sustained as a result of Morocco's breaches of its obligations under the Agreement between the Government of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland and the Government of the Kingdom of Morocco for the Promotion and Protection of Investments (the "BIT"), including (i) Morocco's expropriation of the Project in violation of Article 6(1) of the BIT, and (ii) Morocco's breach of its obligations to accord the Claimants fair and equitable treatment, to provide full protection and security to the Claimants and their investments, and to refrain from impairing the Claimants' investments by discriminatory measures under Article 2(2) of the BIT.

There can be no certainty as to the outcome of the Company's treaty claims.