Arbitration Update

Gold exploration and development company Panthera Resources Plc (AIM: PAT), with assets in West Africa and India, provides the following update in relation to the Company's Australian subsidiary, Indo Gold Pty Ltd's ("IGPL's" or the "Claimant") claim against the Republic of India ("India") over the latter's alleged breach of the 1999 Agreement between the Government of Australia and the Government of India on the Promotion and Protection of Investments (the "Treaty").

Following the initial tribunal hearing held on 16 December 2024, the Company announces that the tribunal has issued further orders covering the next phase of the proceedings extending through 2025, including an order that IGPL shall issue its Memorial, including the Statement of Claim, on or before 16 May 2025.

Furthermore, the Company advises that certain basic information regarding the case is now available on the Permanent Court of Arbitration ("PCA") website:

The Company will provide further updates as available.

IGPL's Treaty Claims

The Company made its initial investment in the Bhukia project (through IGPL) in or around 2004. IGPL provided substantial funding and managed the joint venture exploration programmes with MMI. IGPL alleged that its right to be granted a Prospecting Licence over the Bhukia project, through its joint venture holding, was denied and frustrated over an extended period by the Government of Rajasthan ("GoR"). In 2021, India passed a new act ("MMDR2021") to amend the Mines and Minerals (Development and Regulation) Act of 2015 ("MMDR2015"). Under Clause 13 of the MMDR2021, the preferential right to a Prospecting Licence and a Mining Lease was revoked.

By virtue of the measures it took resulting in the total loss of IGPL's investment, IGPL alleges that India breached the Treaty, including but not limited to, Article 3 (Promotion and Protection of Investments), Article 4 (Treatment of Investments) and Article 7 (Expropriation and Nationalisation). IGPL is now seeking damages from India.

There can be no certainty as to the outcome of IGPL's Treaty claims.

Bhukia Project Background

The Geological Survey of India ("GSI") published a report in 2014 after the completion of over 150 drill holes (Bulletin Series A (April 2014)), wherein it reported an indicated and inferred resource estimate of 6.7 Moz gold (excluding additional resources subsequently found through additional drilling by the GSI). The estimate was reportedly prepared according to the UNFC code. More recently, the GoR issued a gazette notification containing an updated resource estimate of 113.52 Mt at 1.96 g/t and 0.14% Cu, which amounts to 7.2 Moz of gold plus copper credits, and also with accessory nickel and cobalt. According to Indian law, the resource estimate was required to be prepared in accordance with the Minerals (Evidence of Mineral Contents) Rules 2015 ("MEMCR") which are based on the United Nations Framework Classification (UNFC) and Committee for Mineral Reserves International Reporting Standards (CRIRSCO), though modifications to these standards have been made by India in formulating the terms of the MEMCR.

• US$60m in upfront payments;
• US$60m in performance guarantees (vis-à-vis development work); and
• A 65.3% 'mineral share'.

The 'mineral share' to which India is entitled confers upon India fees equivalent to 65.3% of the value of all gold contained in ore extracted from the Bhukia project area during mining.

LCM Litigation Financing

On 25 August 2023, the Company announced that IGPL had secured up to US$13.6 million in litigation financing ("Facility") with LCM Funding SG Pty Ltd ("LCM Funding" or the "Funder"). LCM Funding is a subsidiary of Litigation Capital Management Limited ("LCM"), a firm quoted on the AIM Market of the London Stock Exchange. LCM is a leading global disputes funder with significant expertise in international arbitration and cross-border disputes, including bilateral investment treaty claims over mineral resource assets.

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