Drilling Commences at Verkhuba Copper Deposit

East Star Resources Plc (LSE:EST), which is exploring for copper in Kazakhstan, is pleased to announce the commencement of the next phase of drilling at the Verkhuba copper deposit in the East Region of Kazakhstan.

The programme is expected to comprise at least 4,000 metres of diamond core drilling with the aim of increasing the Company's confidence in the resource model and providing further material for metallurgical test work. The Company expects the programme to assist in the completion of a scoping study, to determine the economics of a mining operation, in 2025.

It is expected at least 1,000 metres will be drilled this year, with the remainder of the programme to be completed as early as possible in 2025, subject to weather.

Alex Walker, CEO of East Star, commented:

"We're very happy to be drilling again at the Verkhuba copper deposit. Preparations for drilling began several months ago, including building heated sea containers to allow logging, cutting and sample preparation by the East Star geological team during winter.

After a detailed review of the ore bodies, extensive modelling and early-stage mine planning, the Company has a greater understanding of the deposit and the requirements to upgrade the quality and potentially the tonnage of the resource. The drill programme has been designed to increase certainty of the ore lenses within existing modelled open pits, and target gaps between lenses where the potential to increase tonnage exists. We very much look forward to updating the market on the results."

East Star Resources Plc

Alex Walker, Chief Executive Officer

SI Capital (Corporate Broker)

Nick Emerson

Peterhouse Capital Limited (Corporate Broker)

Vigo Consulting (Investor Relations)

Ben Simons / Peter Jacob

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The person who arranged for the release of this announcement was Alex Walker, CEO of the Company.