Copper Exploration Joint Venture

GETECH Group plc

29 February 2024

 

Getech Group plc

("Getech" or the "Company")

Copper Exploration JV in Kazakhstan

with Asset Participation Rights

Getech, a world-leading locator of subsurface resources, is pleased to announce it has entered into a joint venture agreement with East Star Resources plc ("East Star"), a London listed Kazakhstan focused copper exploration company, to pursue copper exploration in Kazakhstan. The joint venture will be conducted through a subsidiary established specifically for this purpose (the "JV Company").

Utilising its proprietary data, enhanced by in-house Artificial Intelligence (AI) capabilities, Getech will conduct a mineral systems analysis and structural interpretation for sedimentary-hosted copper to pinpoint prospective areas in mineral rich, yet underexplored basins in Kazakhstan. East Star will lead the application process for the tenements / licenses and spearhead operational activities.

In return for its services, Getech will have a call option to obtain shares at nil cost in the JV Company, equivalent to 5% of its issued capital, once exploration licenses are secured within the project areas. Getech's 5% share is protected against dilution until a decision to mine has been made at one or more of the mining licenses.

The transaction is the first example of Getech implementing its equity participation strategy. The new agreement demonstrates a change from generating fee income from subsurface searches to asset participation with the potential to generate substantially more value from its unique data.

Copper is crucial for the energy transition as it is a key component in renewable energy systems, including wind turbines, solar panels and electric vehicles. Its superior conductivity and durability make it indispensable in efficiently transmitting and storing renewable energy. The forecasted significant shortfall in copper supply starting from 2027 underscores the critical importance of copper exploration.

Richard Bennett, CEO at Getech, commented:

"This collaboration presents us with significant upside potential and minimal risks. In the event of a successful exploration campaign, we obtain a 5% stake in one or more mining assets. The option has transformative value creation potential, which we can monetise at various stages. This is therefore an exciting opportunity for Getech, and we are progressing other similar transactions where we are looking to leverage our data and expertise to secure asset participation in promising locations."

Alex Walker, CEO, East Star commented:

"Sediment-hosted copper deposits account for around 20% of global copper production and have the potential for Tier 1 deposits being sought by the global major mining companies. At no upfront cost to East Star, this play-type adds a potential third strand to East Star's copper strategy, which includes a VMS deposit and a BHP-backed porphyry exploration programme. We look forward to working with Getech to apply their unparallelled database and modern geoscientific expertise to underexplored basins in Kazakhstan."

For further information, please contact:

Getech Group plc Richard Bennett, CEO	Tel:  [phone]
Cavendish Capital Markets Limited Neil McDonald / Pete Lynch (Corporate Finance) Michael Johnson / Dale Bellis (Sales)	Tel:  [phone]
Novella Communications	Tel: [phone]
Tim Robertson / Safia Colebrook
[e-mail]

Notes to editors:

About Getech

Getech is a leading locator of the energy and mineral resources essential for the world's energy transition. Getech's unique data encompassing the most recent 400 million years of Earth's evolution, coupled with its geoscience expertise, AI-driven analytics and extensive GIS capabilities, enables the company to provide valuable and actionable insights to support resource discovery and development.

The company's client portfolio is wide-ranging, from governments, municipalities, natural resources and energy companies to consumer goods and computing services companies, all striving to become energy and minerals self-sufficient and drive towards net zero.

Founded in 1994 Getech is listed on the Alternative Investment Market of the London Stock Exchange ("AIM"), with ticker symbol GTC.

For further information, please visit www.getech.com.

About East Star

East Star Resources is focused on the discovery and development of copper resources in Kazakhstan. With eight licences covering 1,190.3 km² in three mineral rich districts of Kazakhstan, East Star is undertaking exploration programmes, applying modern geophysics to discover minerals in levels that were not previously explored. East Star's most advanced project is a copper deposit on the world-class Rudny Altai VMS Belt where the Company is working towards the delivery of a JORC compliant open pit copper resource close to infrastructure, within trucking distance of third-party mills with excess capacity. East Star's management are based permanently on the ground, supported by local expertise, a joint venture with the state mining company on certain projects, and grant funding from BHP through the BHP Xplor programme for copper porphyry exploration.

 

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