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Restructuring confirms 50% ownership of Mbe

In brief · summary, not quotable

Oriole Resources PLC has confirmed its 50% ownership of the Mbe gold project in Cameroon following a corporate restructuring, having acquired an additional 10% interest from local partners for US$100,000. This brings Oriole's stake to 50%, matching BCM International Limited's interest, which was previously confirmed. The Mbe project currently holds a JORC Inferred Mineral Resource Estimate of 1.23 million ounces of contained gold across its MB01-S and MB01-N deposits. Local partners retain rights to a 1% Net Smelter Return Royalty and 5% of future resource payments, capped at US$150,000. Joint venture agreements with BCM for Mbe and the Bibemi project are nearing completion.

Full announcement

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Oriole Resources PLC (AIM: ORR), the AIM quoted gold exploration and development company focused on Central and West Africa, is pleased to provide an update on the corporate restructuring announced on 17 October 2024 in respect of the Mbe orogenic gold project ("Mbe" or the "Project") in Cameroon, where a total JORC Inferred Mineral Resource Estimate ("MRE") of 1.23 million oz contained gold ("Au") has recently been reported across the MB01-S and MB01-N deposits (see announcement dated 13 April 2026).

Highlights

  • As announced on 20 May 2026, the transfer of the Mbe exploration permit from Oriole Cameroon SARL ("Oriole Cameroon") to Oriole Mbe SARL ("Oriole Mbe") has been confirmed by the Ministry of Mines in Cameroon.
  • Oriole has now completed the acquisition of a 10% interest in Oriole Mbe from its local partners, BEIG3 SARL and Roxane Minerals Limited (together the "Local Partners") for a cash consideration of US$100,000.
  • The Local Partners are also entitled to 5% of any amounts received as additional Resource Payments under the Earn-in Agreement with BCM International Limited ("BCM"), up to a maximum of US$150,000, and a total 1% Net Smelter Return Royalty ("NSR Royalty") on future mining revenues from the Mbe project.
  • The transaction formalises Oriole's interest in the Mbe project at 50%, equal to that earned by BCM whose 50% interest was confirmed earlier in the year (see announcement dated 20 February 2026).
  • Formalisation of the joint venture agreements with BCM in respect of Mbe, and the more advanced Bibemi project, is nearing completion.

Chief Executive Officer of Oriole Resources, Martin Rosser, said: "The formalisation of the acquisition by Oriole of an additional 10% interest in Oriole Mbe from its Local Partners, increasing our ownership to 50% in our flagship project licence, is a welcome step. I was delighted to be warmly received at the premises of our valued partner BEIG3 in the Cameroon capital Yaoundé to effect the acquisition. We look forward to continuing to work closely with our Local Partners and benefitting from their technical knowledge and Cameroon experience as we progress the exciting Mbe Project."

In 2021, Oriole successfully expanded its licence area in Cameroon with eight contiguous licences in central Cameroon (the "Central Licence Package" or "CLP"; announcement dated 3 February 2021). Five of these licences (Tenekou, Niambaram, Pokor, Ndom (together the "Eastern CLP") and Mbe) were held by Oriole Cameroon, a 90% owned subsidiary of Oriole. The Local Parters hold between them a 10% interest (the "Local Interests") in Oriole Cameroon and these Local Interests were to be free carried until the definition of a 50,000oz contained gold JORC Indicated Resource at any and all of the Eastern CLP licences and Mbe, at which point contribute or dilute provisions would apply. Dilution below a 5% interest collectively would see the Local Interests convert to a 1% NSR Royalty per licence.

As announced on 20 February 2026, BCM has completed an earn-in to Mbe, by making a signature payment of US1 million, spending US$4 million on exploration and committing to future potential resource milestone payments ("Resources Payment", see announcement dated 20 November 2023). BCM's 50% beneficial ownership has been confirmed by Oriole and work is underway to formalise its interest at Mbe, and also at Bibemi, where it has completed a similar earn-in (see announcement dated 27 November 2025), with the drafting of joint venture partnership agreements nearing completion.

As part of its corporate restructuring process and following the Ministry of Mine's approval to transfer the Mbe licence from Oriole Cameroon to Oriole Mbe (see announcement dated 20 May 2026), the Company has acquired a 10% interest in Oriole Mbe from its Local Partners for consideration of US$100,000. Accordingly, the Company has now formalised its 50% interest in the Project.

The Local Partners retain the right to a 1% NSR Royalty and also have a 5% interest in the potential future Resource Payments at Mbe (up to cap of US$150,000).

Further information on Mbe can be found on the following page of the Company's website: https://orioleresources.com/projects/mbe/

Background on Mbe

After highly encouraging results from infill soil sampling, rock-chip sampling, and trench sampling, a fully funded maiden drilling programme at the MB01-S target was completed in September 2025 for 6,828.40m in 24 holes. Best drilling results included 86.50m at 1.36g/t Au from 22.00m, including 39.40m at 2.00g/t Au (hole MBDD008), 21.30m at 1.61g/t Au from 2.40m (MBDD012) and 6.15m at 19.67g/t Au from 113.50m, including 1.00m at 119.10g/t Au (MBDD019). In October 2025, a maiden MRE was published for the MB01-S deposit of 870,000oz at 1.09g/t, using a US$3,200/oz gold price and a cut-off grade of 0.40g/t Au. Mineralisation at MB01-S remains open in all directions and at depth and is in part being targeted by the ongoing, fully funded, MB01-S step out drilling programme which commenced in March 2026.

At the MB01-N target, 700m to the northeast of MB01-S, a 2,982.80m drilling programme in 15 holes was completed in February 2026. Best drilling results included 21.70m at 3.13g/t Au including 7.20m at 8.19g/t Au (from hole MBDD026), 56.20m at 0.99g/t Au, including 14.60m at 2.03g/t Au and 24.00m at 0.37g/t Au, including 2.00m at 2.21g/t Au (from hole MBDD039), and 16.10m at 2.49g/t Au including 1.00m at 28.60g/t Au, 2.00m at 6.57g/t Au and 14.80m at 0.73g/t Au (from hole MBDD027). The maiden MRE was published in April 2026 and stands at 360,000oz at 1.05g/t, using a US$3,200/oz gold price and a lower cut-off grade of 0.40g/t Au. This increased the total resource at Mbe which currently stands at 1.23Moz contained Au.

Following completion of the MB01-N drilling programme, and the meeting of various financial commitments, BCM has acquired 50% interest in the project.

Cleaned text: letterheads, contacts and legal notices removed. View the original announcement ↗ · Company filings. Not investment advice.

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