Meridian discovers second VMS layer at Santa Helena

Highlights:  Santa Helena expansion programme discovers a second Au-Ag & Zn-Pb system of VMS mineralisation; New VMS layer of Au-Ag & Zn-Pb mineralisation intercepted below and east of Santa Helena Central resource — CD-869 returns 7.2m @ 1.4g/t Au, 0.1% Cu, 24.3g/t Ag, 2.3% Zn, 0.9% Pb; — First appearance of visible gold hosted within the Santa Helena area mineralisation;  — CD-869 interpreted as the down-dip extension of Santa Helena North IP anomaly;  — Mineralisation remains open;  Exploration drill programmes for further multiple stacked horizons hosted within the Santa Helena VMS system continue;  — Programme to test for both open pit and underground extensions to CD-869. London, United Kingdom--(Newsfile Corp. - June 17, 2026) - Meridian Mining plc (LSE: MNO) (TSX: MNO) (FSE: N2E0) (Tradegate: N2E0) (OTCQX: MRRDF) ("Meridian" or the "Company") is pleased to report that its ongoing drill programme targeting the Santa Helena VMS system has intercepted a new VMS layer of strong precious and base metal mineralisation. CD-869 returned a 7m-wide zone of gold-silver and zinc-lead dominated mineralisation including an interval containing visible gold.

This new layer of Au-Ag & Zn-Pb mineralisation is located below and east of the Santa Helena Central resource. The zone is interpreted to represent the down-dip projection of the Santa Helena North chargeability anomaly. CD-869 returned 7.2m @ 1.4g/t Au, 0.1% Cu, 24.3g/t Ag, 2.3% Zn, 0.9% Pb from 177.6m, highlighting the prospectivity of the down-dip and down-plunge extensions of Santa Helena North's surface geophysical and geochemical anomalies.

The Au-Ag and Zn-Pb mineralisation remains open and follow-up drilling continues. Mr. Gilbert Clark, CEO, comments: "CD-869's discovery of a second layer of strong precious and base met