Appointment of Bonas Group as Sales Partner

URA Holdings PLC

12 June 2024

 

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URA Holdings plc

("URA" or the "Company")

Appointment of Bonas Group as Sales Partner and qualifying as a client of DelGatto Diamond Finance Fund

URA (LSE: URAH), the gemstone mining company is pleased to announce the appointment of Bonas Group as its sales partner for marketing and selling rough emeralds produced from the Company's Gravelotte Emerald Mine (GEM). This strategic partnership will leverage Bonas Group's extensive expertise in the diamond and gemstone industry to ensure the highest standards of security, transparency, and compliance throughout the sales process.

 Highlights

•       Bonas Group, the world's largest independent diamond and gemstone tender house, will manage the end-to-end sales process, including planning, sorting, valuation, and marketing of the emeralds through their established tender platform.

·     Bonas currently plans for the inaugural sale to be conducted in the second half of 2024.

·     Viewings of URA's emeralds will take place at Bonas Group's facilities in Bangkok, Thailand.

·     URA has also successfully qualified as a client of DelGatto Diamond Finance Fund (DDFF), a leading global finance company. This relationship not only provides financial flexibility for the sales process, but also opens future possibilities for financing from DDFF to support URA's strategic objectives.

Following URA's successful commencement of emerald production, the appointment of Bonas Group as its exclusive sales partner is a significant milestone. The partnership with Bonas Group is the essential next step in bringing GEM's historically well-known "Cobra" emeralds back to market. The relationship with DDFF will further facilitate the auction and sales process and potentially support longer-term strategic objectives, enhancing URA's operational and financial capabilities.

Bernard Olivier, CEO of URA, commented, "We are excited to partner with Bonas Group and DelGatto Diamond Finance Fund. This collaboration enhances our capability to bring our ethically mined emeralds to market while ensuring transparency and maximizing value for our stakeholders. After a long period of hard groundwork, we are now entering an exciting period for URA and our shareholders.

Charles Bonas, CEO of Bonas Group, stated, "Bonas Group is delighted to be providing a secure and transparent route to market for the emeralds from URA's renowned Gravelotte Emerald Mine (GEM) producing the famous Cobra Emeralds, in South Africa. This partnership also strengthens our relationship with DelGatto Diamond Finance Fund, creating a comprehensive solution for URA."

Chris Del Gatto, Founder and CEO of DelGatto Diamond Finance Fund, added, "We are excited to continue to expand our activities with a best-in-class firm like Bonas. We are also very pleased to welcome URA Holdings to our growing client base. We believe that this partnership exemplifies our commitment to providing new and innovative financial solutions to the diamond, gemstone & jewellery industry."

Bonas Group is the world's largest independent diamond and gemstone tender house, representing 11 mines across 3 continents. The company offers a full-cycle service to mining partners, while upholding paramount values of security, transparency and compliance. The firm is also the oldest diamond brokerage and consultancy firm in the world. Bonas Group, a fifth-generation family-owned firm, uniquely combines industry stability with expertise and adaptability, showcasing a heritage of navigating change in the diamond and gemstone sector. More info on www.bonasgroup.com.

DelGatto Diamond Finance Fund is an institutional alternative lender that focuses solely on the diamond, gemstone & jewellery industry. As the largest non bank lender to the trade globally, DDFF's clients include both listed & privately held diamond miners, international polished traders, as well as luxury retailers. More info on www.delgattodff.com

Enquiries:

URA Holdings plc Chief Executive Officer Bernard Olivier Director Peter Redmond Chief Operating Officer Jeremy Sturgess-Smith	[phone] [e-mail]
Peterhouse Capital Limited Joint Corporate Broker Lucy Williams Duncan Vasey Capital Plus Partners Joint Corporate Broker Keith Swann Jon Critchley	[phone] [phone] [phone]
CMC Markets Joint Corporate Broker Douglas Crippen	[phone]

About URA Holdings plc

URA Holdings plc is a pioneering mining company dedicated to restart and rebuild the Gravelotte Emerald Mine (GEM), a historic emerald mine located in South Africa. With a legacy of being one of the world's largest emerald producers, GEM has reawakened under our stewardship, marking the beginning of a new chapter in its storied history.

At URA Holdings Plc, we are committed to sustainable and responsible mining practices that prioritize environmental conservation, community development, and ethical sourcing. Our modern mining techniques and advanced technologies ensure efficient operations while minimizing ecological impact and upholding the highest standards of workplace safety.

We are proud to announce the commencement of emerald production at GEM, a significant milestone in our journey towards revitalizing this iconic mine. Our ethically mined emeralds are extracted and processed with integrity and transparency, adhering to strict ethical standards and fair labor practices. By prioritizing ethical mining practices, we strive to foster a positive impact on the local communities and environment surrounding our operations.

For more information about URA Holdings plc, including updates on emerald production, corporate news, and our commitment to ethical mining, please visit our website at www.uraholdingsplc.co.uk or connect with us through our social media channels:

•   X (formally known as Twitter): @ura_plc

Join us as we lead the way in sustainable mining practices and ethically sourced gemstones, paving the path for a brighter and more responsible future in the gemstone mining industry.

 

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