Marula Mining PLC - Further re Derdepoort Manganese Project
Announcement provided by
Marula Mining PLC · MARU13/02/2026 07:00
Marula Mining PLC
("Marula'' or the "Company")
13 February 2026
Further re Derdepoort Manganese Project
Marula Mining PLC (AQSE: MARU A2X: MAR) an African focused mining and development company, is pleased to provide further information on the proposed acquisition of the Derdepoort Manganese Project (the "Derdepoort Project" or the "Project"), located in the North West Province,
The Project is situated on the farms Zwartkopfontein 7 KO and Secheli's Oude Stad 6KO, approximately 75 kilometres north of Zeerust in
A 2023 Competent Person's Report ("CPR"), prepared in accordance with the JORC Code (2022) confirmed a substantial, shallow, laterally continuous manganese resource and reserve base suitable for open-pit mining and scalable production.
Mineral Resources and Ore Reserves
The CPR stated proven and probable Ore Reserves of approximately 4.38 million tonnes ("Mt") of manganese ore average grade of 34.78 % Manganese Oxide ("MnO") and additional indicated and inferred resources of 7.32Mt of manganese ore at an average grade of 33.12% MnO, supporting the Company's planned long-term mining operations in excess of 10 years.
Total Mineral Resources for the Project of 11.7 Mt at an average grade of 33.91% MnO are reported
The Mineral Resource estimate is based on 107 boreholes totaling 1,682m, with 93 boreholes used for geological modelling, using Ordinary Kriging and Inverse Distance Squared estimation methods. A geological loss factor of 10% and a specific gravity of 3.2 t/m³ were applied. Ore Reserves were calculated applying modifying factors including mining method, stripping ratio (maximum 2.5:1), mining recovery (95%), and ore dilution (5%).
Geology and Exploration
Manganese mineralisation in the licenced area occurs as shallow-dipping, stratabound reefs hosted within the Polo Ground Member of the Pretoria Group of the Transvaal Supergroup. Mineralisation is laterally extensive, with nine discrete but contiguous mineralised blocks identified across the mining right area, over a prospective strike length of approximately 25 km. The mineralised horizon ranges from 1 to 8 metres ("m") in thickness and is ferruginous and siliceous in character, containing goethite, quartz, various phyllosilicates, and manganese minerals including braunite, pyrolusite, cryptomelane, nsutite, and minor partridgeite.
A Reverse Circulation ("RC") drilling programme undertaken by Kweneng Group (Pty) Ltd in 2018 targeted a total of 39 RC drill holes drilled on the Area 2 totaling 575 m with maximum depth of 30 m. Historical exploration in the region dates back to 1976 to 1977 with trenches, channel sampling, and percussion drilling completed by Rand Mines Limited.
The Project demonstrates significant exploration upside along strike and down dip. Current mining and exploration have focused on less than 20% of the 25 km prospective strike length. There is potential to extend operations down dip to 120 metres and along strike regionally into
Mining and Processing
The deposits are ideally suited for conventional open-pit mining due to their shallow dip. Mining will be conducted selectively with benches of 3m-5m, with progressive development along strike, and concurrent rehabilitation of mined-out areas. A comprehensive grade control programme will include face mapping, blast hole sampling, and ore-waste segregation.
Independent metallurgical testing by the University of Natal and Mintek indicates that the manganese ores can be upgraded to medium-to-high grade products through selective mining, manual sorting, gravity separation, controlled milling, and wet washing.
The Derdepoort Project benefits from 'operation-ready' processing infrastructure, including primary crushing, screening, wet washing, scrubbing, size classification, and product stockpiling and loadout facilities.
The Project has an approved Mining Right NW30/5/2/2/47 covering 912.97 hectares and includes an approved Social Labour Plan, Environmental Impact Assessment and Environmental Management Programme and Water Use License.
Next Steps
Upon completion of the acquisition and commencement of exploration and development activities, the Company intends to undertake a number of activities including:
i) regional exploration along the 25km prospective strike length;
ii) drilling to evaluate down dip potential;
iii) further metallurgical test work to be carried out to optimise plant processing; and
iv) completion of SAMREC/JORC compliant Definitive Feasibility Study.
The Company believes that, subject to further drilling, mine planning and processing optimisation, there is the potential to increase monthly production rates above those historically achieved.
The Company is in discussions with two parties, including a global commodity trading group and a major steel company, through which it is negotiating aggregate debt funding of
Jason Brewer, CEO of Marula Mining Plc, said:
"The acquisition of the Derdepoort Project, together with its fully operational and permitted processing plant, represents a strategically important step in consolidating our manganese operations in
"Securing both the resource base and the associated processing infrastructure significantly reduces development risk and provides an accelerated pathway to scalable production.
"We are now focused on advancing these assets through further exploration, the commencement of mining operations and the completion of additional feasibility work, leveraging the operational experience of our technical teams to deliver long-term value for Marula's shareholders."
The Directors of Marula are responsible for the contents of this announcement. This announcement contains inside information for the purposes of
About Marula Mining
Marula Mining (AQSE: MARU A2X: MAR) is an African focused battery metals investment and exploration company and has interests in several high value mining operations and mine development projects in
Marula's strategy is to identify and invest in advanced and high-value mining projects throughout East, Central and
For enquiries contact:
|
Marula Mining PLC Jason Brewer, Chief Executive Officer
Faith Kinyanjui Mumbi Investor Relations |
Email : jason@marulamining.com
Email : info@marulamining.com |
|
AQSE Corporate Adviser Cairn Financial Advisers LLP, Liam Murray / Ludovico Lazzaretti |
+44 (0)20 7213 0880 |
|
A2X Advisor AcaciaCap Advisors Proprietary Limited Michelle Krastanov |
+27 (11) 480 8500 |
Caution:
Certain statements in this announcement, are, or may be deemed to be, forward looking statements. Forward looking statements are identified by their use of terms and phrases such as ''believe'', ''could'', "should" ''envisage'', ''estimate'', ''intend'', ''may'', ''plan'', ''potentially'', "expect", ''will'' or the negative of those, variations or comparable expressions, including references to assumptions. These forward-looking statements are not based on historical facts but rather on the Directors' current expectations and assumptions regarding the Company's future growth, results of operations, performance, future capital and other expenditures (including the amount, nature and sources of funding thereof), competitive advantages, business prospects and opportunities. Such forward looking statements reflect the Directors' current beliefs and assumptions and are based on information currently available to the Directors.
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