Receipt of Awards

Metals Exploration, a gold producer in the Philippines, is delighted to announce that its 100% owned subsidiary, FCF Minerals, has received the following mining industry and Philippine government awards.

ASEAN Mineral awards:

In conjunction with the 9th ASEAN Ministerial Meeting on Minerals recently held in Phnom Penh, Cambodia, at the third ASEAN Mineral Awards, FCF Minerals was awarded:

• 1st Runner-up in recognition of outstanding best practices in Sustainable Mineral Development (Mineral Mining - Metallic)
• 2nd Runner-up in recognition of outstanding best practices in Sustainable Mineral Development (Mineral Processing - Metallic)

Philippine Government awards:

In addition, FCF Minerals received the following Philippine government awards:

• Presidential Mineral Industry Environmental Award (PMIEA) in the Surface Mining Operation Category 2023, awarded for the second year in a row.
• 3rd Runner-up, Best Mining Forest Contest - Metallic Category 2023.
• Ronald Wayan, Safety Officer, was the winner on the Best Safety Inspector (Surface Award).

These awards are given to mining companies in recognition of outstanding levels of dedication, initiatives and innovations in the pursuit of excellence in environmental protection, health & safety management and social/community development.

Darren Bowden, Chief Executive Officer of Metals Exploration, commented:

"These awards are a testament to our continued focus on safety and the environment, which are at the forefront of our operating values, and we are delighted to receive these awards on behalf of the FCF Minerals team and its contractors.

"Winning the Presidential award is the highest government mining award attainable in the Philippines and is a very significant accomplishment. FCF Minerals' team should be very proud of achieving these awards, even more so for the second year in a row.

"This award resulted in FCF Minerals representing the Philippines at the third ASEAN Mineral Awards conference where our two runner-up awards were meritorious.

"We would like to congratulate everyone at FCF Minerals and thank them for their continued contribution and high standards that we are continuing to attain at Runruno."