Publication of Sixth Runruno Sustainability Report

Metals Exploration plc (AIM: MTL) ("Metals Exploration", the "Company" or the "Group"), a gold production, development and exploration company with assets in the Philippines and Nicaragua, is pleased to announce the publication of the sixth sustainability report by FCF Minerals Corporation ("FCF Minerals" or "FCF"), the Company's 100% owned subsidiary that operates the Runruno Project. The Sustainability Report covers the Group's sustainability performance in the Philippines for the year ended 31 December 2025.

View the Sustainability Report at: https://metalsexploration.com/esg/esg-overview/

The Sustainability Report covers progress over the year, the Company's outlook for the future, and presents FCF Minerals' initiatives, targets, milestones, challenges, and impacts during the year, highlighting what matters to its stakeholders, based on a refined materiality assessment.

Highlights

• Economic value generated increased by 9% to PHP 11.98 billion (approximately US$197 million), with products and services sourced from host communities totalling PHP 229.20 million (approximately US$3.8 million).
• Safety of employees continues to be fundamental, with over 2 million hours worked without a lost time injury.
• Local community and infrastructure investments through the Company's Social Development and Management Programme ("SDMP") totalled PHP 92.63 million (approximately US$1.5 million), an increase of 7% from 2024. The SDMP encompasses education, health, livelihood and infrastructure development, human resources and socio-cultural issues.

o FCF spent PHP 27.88 million (approximately US$459,000) providing free health and dental services, as well as medications, to employees, contractors, and members of the host and neighbouring communities.

o FCF spent PHP 10.73 million (approximately US$176,000) investing in local transportation infrastructure by constructing, repairing and maintaining roads.

• FCF's habitat restoration programme continued to grow, with 16.99 hectares of land restored, representing a 135% increase from 2024. A total of 73.55 hectares of disturbed land was restored in 2025, over 12,000 trees were donated from the FCF nursery to the community, and 871 hectares of habitat areas were protected.
• FCF strives to increase environmental responsibility, and in 2025 saw total GHG emissions decrease by 7.23% from 2024.
• The Group has 878 total employees, an increase of 2.9% from 2024. Over 98% of the workforce is comprised of Filipino employees, and 26% of employees are women.
• In 2025, FCF's commitment to mining responsibly and sustainably was recognised through the receipt of prestigious awards, including the Presidential Mineral Industry Environmental Award in the Surface Mining Operation Category, the highest government mining award attainable in the Philippines, for the fourth year in a row.

Darren Bowden, CEO of Metals Exploration, commented:

"I am pleased to present this report and to acknowledge the significant environmental and community work that is undertaken by FCF Minerals. Our commitment to responsible resource management and community upliftment remains at the heart of everything we do. By prioritising local hiring, procurement, and long-term investments in infrastructure, education, training, and livelihood support, we continue to drive inclusive and sustainable growth.

"I would like to thank our local partners and stakeholders for their continued trust and collaboration. As 2026 will likely mark our final year of operations at Runruno, our focus is on delivering a closure plan that leaves a lasting, positive legacy, ensuring the community is well positioned to build on the progress achieved by the FCF team."