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Future Metals NL Capital/Financing Update 2023

Feb 12, 2023

10485_rns_2023-02-12_08adbab4-0104-40d5-8fc7-7892f29a9f4c.pdf

Capital/Financing Update

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ASX:AIM | FME

ASX:AIM Announcement

Mining and Processing Breakthrough at Panton

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13 February 2023

Highlights

  • Flotation repeatability established with consistent metallurgical PGM recoveries averaging 78% at concentrate grades averaging 286g/t PGM3E from the high-grade PGM chromitite ore which makes up 2.9Moz of the 5.0Moz PGM3E contained in the JORC Resource at Panton

  • Achieved through conventional crushing, grinding and flotation processing techniques

  • Results from bulk ore sorting test work demonstrate 97% recovery of high-grade PGM bearing ore and rejection of low-grade material and waste, improving mill feed grade by 11% and reducing mass by 13%

  • Amenability to ore sorting and consistency of flotation performance significantly de-risk Panton’s future development

  • Scoping Study well advanced and to be expanded to incorporate the positive impacts of the ore sorting results which include:

  • Mitigation of the impact of mining dilution

  • Increases in the processed head grade, reducing capital and operating costs

  • Improves consistency of processed ore, enhancing flotation performance

  • Expanded Scoping Study to include concentrate production along with potential value add through downstream processing as an option, to produce high payability, low emission upgraded metal products, with test work demonstrating +99% metal recoveries

  • Panton contains the highest grade PGM resource in Australia allowing for a low-capital, high margin operation to be progressed, with expansion potential

  • Recent drilling and analysis have shown the potential for multiple mineralisation styles within the high-grade reef and improved the geological understanding of the deposit

  • Targeting completion of Scoping Study in H2 2023 to enable all recent positive developments to be incorporated

Future Metals NL (“ Future Metals ” or the “ Company ”, ASX | AIM: FME), is pleased to announce the results of its bulk ore sorting and flotation optimisation and repeatability test work for its Panton Project (“ Panton ” or the “ Project ”). The results demonstrate a significant de-risking for the future mining and processing of the Company’s 6.9Moz PdEq JORC Resource and provide a credible path towards developing a low capital, high margin PGM-Ni operation.

The Company has also commenced scoping study and test work evaluation with PGM downstream processing technology providers. Previous test work on Panton concentrate has demonstrated recoveries of 99%+ for a majority of metals contained in the concentrate. These processes produce upgraded metals products for direct sale to refineries, or refining on site, improving payabilities, reducing logistics costs and reducing emissions relative to the smelting process route. Initial assessment of the Lifezone Metals Ltd (“Lifezone”) hydrometallurgy (“hydromet”) technology suggests that this would be a low capital flow sheet addition with significant operating and economic benefits.

BOARD & MANAGEMENT

Mr Justin Tremain Non-Executive Director

Mr Jardee Kininmonth Managing Director & CEO

Mr Allan Mulligan Non-Executive Director Mr Tom O’Rourke Company Secretary & CFO

Ms Elizabeth Henson Non-Executive Director Mr Andrew Shepherd GM – Project Development

Mr Robert Mosig Non-Executive Director Dr Jon Hronsky Senior Exploration Advisor

Ms Barbara Duggan Principal Geologist Shane Hibbird Exploration Manager

CAPITAL STRUCTURE

Market Cap

Share Price

$30.0m 7.4c 10 Feb 2023

  • Enterprise Value $24.2m

Cash

$5.8 31 Dec 2023

Future Metals NL ABN: 99 124 734 961 Level 1, 33 Richardson Street, West Perth, WA, 6005 [email protected] | future-metals.com.au

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Future Metals NL ABN: 99 124 734 961 Level 1, 33 Richardson Street, West Perth, WA, 6005 [email protected] | future-metals.com.au

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Mr Jardee Kininmonth, Managing Director of Future Metals, commented:

“We have now demonstrated a credible metallurgical solution which places Panton firmly on the development pathway. Panton is the highest grade PGM deposit in Australia, enabling us to progress a low capital and high margin operation with significant growth upside.

Optimisation and variability flotation test work has demonstrated highly repeatable results with strong recoveries at high concentrate grades. The ore sorting results are significant, as it is the key to increasing mineable tonnes while ensuring the ore reporting to the mill is high grade. This allows for increased economies of scale within the mine, utilising conventional underground mining methods, while decreasing processing plant capital costs by increasing the grade of the mill feed, with negligible losses of high-grade ore.

Additionally, we have been progressing discussions with potential technology partners to assess a lowcapital downstream integration option at Panton. Downstream integration enables the production of high margin metals products while also significantly decreasing the emissions profile associated with those products, thereby differentiating Panton from the majority of South African and Russia producers which use coal-fired power and generate other emissions such as sulphur dioxide. Downstream processing also closely aligns Panton with the Australian Government’s critical minerals strategy which incentivises onshore upgrading and development of strategically important deposits such as Panton.”

Pre-concentration via Ore Sorting

Future Metals has been investigating options to de-risk and improve the Panton development economics through innovation and recent technological improvements. One such pathway is the rejection of waste early in the comminution process via ore sorting. Ore sorting technology has been used in the PGM and chromite mining industry for over ten years. The technology classifies and separates individual rocks by their physical and chemical properties. By removing gangue and low-grade ore, the size of the crushing, milling and flotation equipment can be optimised. Reducing the process plant throughput rate while increasing grade provides direct savings in capital and operating costs. Ore sorting also reduces the impact of dilution allowing for the use of conventional mining equipment, further driving down operating costs. Reductions in mining & process operating costs allows the mining cut-off grade to be optimised and the viable mining inventory to be potentially increased.

The Company has performed sighter and bulk test work with Steinert Sorting Solutions (“Steinert”). The sighter test work involved a three-stage separation process applied to a mixed feed of chromitite, magnesite and dunite. Greater than 95% chromitite recovery was achieved during the first pass, using an x-ray transmission (“XRT”) 3D-laser combination sort programme, due to the chromitite being substantially higher in atomic density. 100% of the magnesite was recovered during the second pass, using both an XRT-3D combination (due to the lower atomic density of magnesite) and laser brightness (due to the high colour contrast between magnesite and the other materials).

Following the success of the sighter test work, a bulk test was completed. The bulk test work involved compositing separate chromitite and dunite samples to replicate the expected feed mix from a mine stope. The chromitite and dunite were crushed and screened into to three size fractions; +25mm, +10mm, and -10mm. Each of these size fractions were assayed prior to preparation of two composites; -75mm to +25mm & -25mm to +10mm, which were processed using the same XRT 3D-laser combination sort program used in the sighter test work. The fine -10 mm fraction is considered to be below the capability of the ore sorting units and was not tested.

The bulk ore sort test work validated the sighter test work on multiple size fractions, demonstrating 96.7% recovery of high-grade ore and rejection of low-grade and waste, increasing the PGM grade of the potential mill feed by 10.7% and reducing the throughput volume by 12.7%. This is a very positive result early into the test work process. Further information on the bulk ore sort test work can be found in Appendix 1.

Future Metals NL Level 1, 33 Richardson Street, West Perth, WA, 6005

ABN: 99 124 734 961 [email protected] | future-metals.com.au

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The Company is currently planning follow up work which will involve further optimisation, variability, and repeatability testing.

Table 1: Bulk Ore Sorting Test Results

Ore Sorting Products Pt Pd Au Pt, Pd & Au
Weight
(%)
g/t Recovery
(%)
g/t Recovery
(%)
g/t Recovery
(%)
g/t Recovery
(%)
Calculated Head Grade
(Ore Sorter Feed)
3.49 4.00 0.38 7.87
Total Ore Sorter Accepts 87.3 3.88 96.9 4.44 96.8 0.40 92.5 8.72 96.7
Total Ore Sorter Rejects 12.7 0.85 3.09 1.00 3.18 0.22 7.5 1.86 3.4

Figure 1: Steinert KSS XT CLI Ore Sorter

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Future Metals NL Level 1, 33 Richardson Street, West Perth, WA, 6005

ABN: 99 124 734 961 [email protected] | future-metals.com.au

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Figure 2: Ore Sorting Schema

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*Dimensions and grades are for illustrative purposes only

Future Metals NL Level 1, 33 Richardson Street, West Perth, WA, 6005

ABN: 99 124 734 961 [email protected] | future-metals.com.au

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Flotation Test Work Results

As previously noted in the Company’s announcement on 7 July 2021 'Above 80% PGM Recovery to High Grade PGM Concentrate’, flotation test work carried out in 2015 on Panton chromitite ore achieved a technical breakthrough for the Panton Project. It was shown that a combination of fine grinding (P80 38μm), conditioning with sodium dithionite as a reducing agent, and use of nitrogen gas improved flotation results significantly. The best result achieved (test HL1279) was 81.4% recovery (PGM3E) at a 2.5% mass pull for a 272 g/t PGM3E concentrate grade with a rapid 14 minutes of flotation time. Whilst the 2015 test work achieved dramatic improvements in the flotation performance, repeatability of HL1279 was not established and there was minimal follow up optimisation work.

As detailed in the Company’s announcement on 21 June 2022 ‘Independent Resource Estimate of 6.9Moz PdEq’, Future Metals undertook further flotation test work in early 2022 on both low-grade composites (~2.3g/t PGM3E) and high-grade composites (~7.6g/t PGM3E), using a single stage rougherscavenger test. Results yielded PGM3E recoveries of up to 68% and 71% respectively (with higher Pd recovery relative to the Pt recovery) with concentrate grades of ~130g/t PGM3E for the high-grade composite and up to 17g/t PGM3E for the low-grade composite.

Following this initial test work the Company embarked on a systematic programme of optimisation and variability test work with Independent Metallurgical Operations Pty Ltd (“IMO”).

New flotation results from this latest programme of optimisation and variability test work yielded positive results on the high-grade chromitite samples with PGM 3E recoveries of 75.7% to 81.4% with concentrate grades from 167 g/t to 387 g/t PGM 3E with an average of 286g/t PGM 3E. These results were achieved over six consecutive tests, demonstrating strong repeatability of the flotation regime. A key factor to these consistent results is controlling potential through the flotation cycle and ensuring a reducing environment is maintained. Other physical parameters have also been optimised such as froth collection rates, number of flotation stages and flotation retention time. Table 2 details these latest flotation results.

Table 2: Optimisation and Variability Flotation Test Programme - Concentrate Grades

Test Concentrate Concentrate Grade Grade Head Grade Head Grade
No. Mass Pt,
Pull Pt Pd Au Pt, Pd & Au Pt Pd Au Pd &
Au
% g/t Rec g/t Rec g/t Rec g/t Rec g/t
FT014 2.46 136 77.7 154 74.9 11 65.3 301 75.7 4.31 5.06 0.42 9.79
FT015 2.90 121 80.3 139 78.1 11 68.9 271 78.6 4.38 5.18 0.45 10.01
FT016 1.85 175 78.9 197 75.9 15 68.3 387 76.9 4.09 4.79 0.41 9.29
FT017 2.36 136 78.8 154 75.7 12 67.9 302 76.7 4.08 4.78 0.43 9.29
FT018 3.34 127 82.3 151 81.2 11 74.6 289 81.4 5.13 6.21 0.50 11.84
FT019 4.51 71 78.3 89 77.2 7 70.9 167 77.4 4.11 5.19 0.43 9.73
Average 2.90 128 79.4 147 77.2 11 69.3 286 77.8 4.35 5.20 0.44 9.99

The Company considers the head grade of the flotation tests to be within an acceptable range of potential mill feed grade when factoring mined grade of the Upper Reef following upgrading through ore sorting.

Future Metals NL Level 1, 33 Richardson Street, West Perth, WA, 6005

ABN: 99 124 734 961 [email protected] | future-metals.com.au

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Table 3 sets out the range of achieved recoveries, concentrate grades and head grades for by-products in the flotation tests on chromitite ore samples:

Table 3: By-product Recoveries

Panton Ni
(%)
Cu
(%)
Co
(%)*
Rh
(g/t)
Ir
(g/t)
Os
(g/t)
Head Grade 0.27 – 0.28 0.04 0.03 0.09 – 0.10 0.09 – 0.11 0.12 – 0.13
Recovery (%) 37 - 45 56 - 62 8 – 9 38 - 44 50 - 55 29 - 34
Concentrate Grade 3.8 – 5.5 0.9 – 1.3 0.06 – 0.07 1.4 – 2.0 1.9 – 2.6 1.4 – 2.1

*Only FT017 was assayed for Co

In addition, the Company has completed multiple flotation tests on a low-grade (~1 g/t PGM3E) dunite sample. The flotation regime utilised is similar to that used on the chromitite sample. The Company has been able to achieve recoveries >75%, however it has not yet been able to achieve concentrate grades which would support direct sale to the global smelter market. Additional ongoing test work and analysis is examining how to improve flotation results, as well as the potential to utilise flotation and physical separation as an intermediate step to onsite hydrometallurgical processing. The Company is additionally looking at various leaching methods to extract metals directly from both high-grade and low-grade ore, without flotation.

Ongoing Test Work

The results to date indicate that a very high grade PGM3E concentrate is achievable from Panton chromitite ore feed. Now that a consistent baseline flotation regime has been established, there is significant potential for further optimisation through the study process. This includes introducing a cleaner circuit, concentrate regrind, and further exploratory testing of reagents to improve recoveries, including the recoveries of base metals in feed. The Company will continue to test for further improvements, as well as testing the variability of flotation response from samples throughout the Panton orebody.

Panton’s concentrate will likely be marketed as a bulk Ni-PGM3E concentrate. Additional optimisation, planning and marketing work is required in relation to the chrome content of the concentrate, given it is a deleterious element. However, the very high PGM3E grade of the concentrate is expected make the Panton Ni-PGM3E concentrate attractive to smelters despite the chrome content. Mine planning and blending strategies will also be utilised to ensure a consistent, valuable Ni-PGM3E concentrate is produced.

Furthermore, test work has demonstrated that a metallurgical grade chromite concentrate can be produced from the Panton flotation tails (from chromitite ore) through Wet High Intensity Magnetic Separation (“WHIMS”). Chromite concentrate represents a potentially valuable co-product, which is sold into the ferrochrome industry, an input into stainless steel. The Company will continue optimisation and marketing work and assess the inclusion of a WHIMS circuit in the Scoping Study.

Downstream Processing - Hydrometallurgy

In addition to the flotation test work, the Company is also exploring the potential to further process the high-grade concentrate utilising a hydrometallurgical process to produce upgraded metal products. The potential benefits from hydrometallurgical processing including improved payabilities, reduced logistics costs, and significantly less sensitivity to many elements deleterious to smelters, such as chrome. These benefits have resultant benefits in mine planning and mine inventory.

Future Metals NL Level 1, 33 Richardson Street, West Perth, WA, 6005

ABN: 99 124 734 961 [email protected] | future-metals.com.au

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Future Metals has engaged with Lifezone as a technology partner to further explore the amenability of utilising their hydrometallurgical technology for further upgrading of Panton concentrate. The Lifezone hydromet process replaces the smelting process, extracting contained metals in concentrate through hydrometallurgical processes to produce a suite of metals products suitable for direct sale to refiners. Hydrometallurgical processing has a range of benefits relative to smelting including[1] :

  • 65-80% lower capital costs

  • 35-50% lower operating costs

  • 50-85% lower electricity consumption

  • Up to 80% lower CO2 emissions and no SO2 emissions

  • Fewer constraints on concentrate quality than smelting

The upgrading of concentrate to metals products also materially increases revenue per tonne as payabilities for these products is much higher relative to smelters payment terms for metals in concentrate.

The Company’s view is that a low emission upgraded PGM product from Australia will be highly sought after by potential customers in the hydrogen and automotive industry, who are sensitive to accumulated emissions through the supply chain, as well as other ESG considerations.

Lifezone’s hydromet technology is at various stages of development globally.

Panton’s very high grade PGM3E concentrate would allow for a small, low-capital process plant employing Lifezone’s hydromet technology, which would potentially significantly enhance the economics of the Panton project.

Test work has previously been undertaken on the Panton concentrate utilising Lifezone’s hydromet process with concentrate specifications and metal recoveries shown below.

Table 4: Panton Concentrate Head Assays and Metal Recoveries

Sample Pt
**(g/t) **
Pd
(g/t)
Au
(g/t)
Ni
(%)
Cu
(%)
Co
(g/t)
Fe
(%)
S
(%)
Concentrate Grade 55.6 65.9 5.6 3.3 0.9 916.0 12.9 4.4
Recovery 99.3 99.3 92.2 99.0 99.4 93.2 60.7 96.6

The Company is also undertaking test work with SGS Canada Inc., utilising their Platsol process.

Scoping Study Update

The Company is pleased with the progress made to date, with ore sorting and flotation test work significantly de-risking the development of Panton. The ore sorting results have a material impact on mine design and enable a reduction in the size of milling and flotation equipment, tailings storage, electricity requirements and water consumption which will therefore reduce estimated capital and operating costs. These have positive flow-on effects to cut-off grades used for mine design, improving mineable inventory. Following positive pre-scoping assessment and prior test work of the Lifezone’s hydromet process, the Company is also assessing the potential of downstream integration as part of its scoping study. Additionally, Company has an improved geological model for Panton which will be used to inform an updated JORC Mineral Resource estimate to be incorporated into the Scoping Study. Lastly, the Company continues to progress potential processing pathways for its significant low-grade Resource and will incorporate this into study activities once a metallurgical solution is in place.

Consequently, the Company expects an updated Scoping Study, incorporating these improvements, to be completed in H2 2023.

1 Kell hydrometallurgical extraction of precious and base metals from flotation concentrates – Piloting, engineering and implementation advances. June 2019. K Liddell, M Adams, L Smith

Future Metals NL Level 1, 33 Richardson Street, West Perth, WA, 6005

ABN: 99 124 734 961 [email protected] | future-metals.com.au

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For further information, please contact:

Enquiries:

Future Metals NL

+61 8 9480 0414 Jardee Kininmonth [email protected] Strand Hanson Limited (Nominated Adviser) +44 (0) 207 409 3494 James Harris/James Bellman Panmure Gordon (UK) Limited (UK Broker) +44 (0)207 886 2500 John Prior/Hugh Rich/Soman Thakran White Noise Communications ( Australian IR/PR) +61 400 512 109 Fiona Marshall FlowComms (UK IR/PR) +44 (0) 789 167 7441 Sasha Sethi

Competent Person’s Statement

The information in this announcement that relates to metallurgical test work managed by Independent Metallurgical Operations Pty Ltd (“IMO”) is based on, and fairly represents, information and supporting documentation reviewed by Mr Peter Adamini, BSc (Mineral Science and Chemistry), who is a Member of The Australasian Institute of Mining and Metallurgy (AusIMM). Mr Adamini is a full-time employee of IMO, who has been engaged by Future Metals NL to provide metallurgical consulting services. Mr Adamini has approved and consented to the inclusion in this announcement of the matters based on his information in the form and context in which it appears.

The information contained within this announcement is deemed by the Company to constitute inside information as stipulated under the Market Abuse Regulation (EU) No. 596/2014 as it forms part of United Kingdom domestic law pursuant to the European Union (Withdrawal) Act 2018, as amended by virtue of the Market Abuse (Amendment) (EU Exit) Regulations 2019.

Future Metals NL Level 1, 33 Richardson Street, West Perth, WA, 6005

ABN: 99 124 734 961 [email protected] | future-metals.com.au

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Notes to Editors:

About the Panton PGM-Ni Project

The 100% owned Panton PGM-Ni Project is located 60kms north of the town of Halls Creek in the eastern Kimberly region of Western Australia, a tier one mining jurisdiction. The project is located on three granted mining licences and situated just 1km off the Great North Highway which accesses the Port of Wyndham (refer to Figure Three).

The Project hosts an independent JORC Code (2012) MRE had increased to 129Mt @ 1.20g/t PGM3E1, 0.19% Ni, 0.04% Cu and 154ppm Co (1.66g/t PdEq2) at a cut-off grade of 0.90g/t PdEq2 for contained metal of 5.0Moz PGM3E1, 239kt Ni, 48kt Cu and 20kt Co (6.9Moz PdEq2). The MRE includes a highgrade reef of 25Mt @ 3.57g/t PGM3E1, 0.24% Ni, 0.07% Cu and 192ppm Co (3.86g/t PdEq2) for contained metal of 2.9Moz PGM3E1, 60kt Ni, 18kt Cu and 5kt Co (3.2Moz PdEq2).

PGM-Ni mineralisation occurs within a layered, differentiated mafic-ultramafic intrusion referred to as the Panton intrusive which is a 12km long and 3km wide, south-west plunging synclinal intrusion. PGM mineralisation is hosted within a series of stratiform chromitite reefs as well as a surrounding zone of mineralised dunite within the ultramafic package.

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Figure Three | Panton PGM Project Location

About Platinum Group Metals (PGMs)

PGMs are a group of six precious metals being Platinum (Pt), palladium (Pd), iridium (Ir), osmium (Os), rhodium (Rh), and ruthenium (Ru). Exceptionally rare, they have similar physical and chemical properties and tend to occur, in varying proportions, together in the same geological deposit. The usefulness of PGMs is determined by their unique and specific shared chemical and physical properties.

PGMs have many desirable properties and as such have a wide variety of applications. Most notably, they are used as auto-catalysts (pollution control devices for ICE vehicles), but are also used in jewellery, electronics, hydrogen production / purification and in hydrogen fuel cells. The unique properties of PGMs help convert harmful exhaust pollutant emissions to harmless compounds, improving air quality and thereby enhancing health and wellbeing.

Future Metals NL Level 1, 33 Richardson Street, West Perth, WA, 6005

ABN: 99 124 734 961 [email protected] | future-metals.com.au

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JORC Code (2012) Edition Table 1

Section 1 Sampling Techniques and Data

Criteria JORC Code explanation JORC Code explanation Commentary Commentary
Sampling Nature and quality of sampling (eg cut channels, random
Sampling methods used for samples used in the
techniques chips,
or
specific
specialised
industry
standard
metallurgical test work in this announcement were
measurement tools appropriate to the minerals under sourced from both PQ3 Diamond drill core and
investigation, such as down hole gamma sondes, or Chromitite reef mineralisation mined from the
handheld XRF instruments, etc). These examples should underground decline in 2007. PQ3 Diamond Core
not be taken as limiting the broad meaning of sampling. which was cut in half, and one half further cut into a

Include reference to measures taken to ensure sample
representivity and the appropriate calibration of any
measurement tools or systems used.
Aspects of the determination of mineralisation that are
Material to the Public Report. In cases where ‘industry
standard’ work has been done this would be relatively




quarter. One quarter is sent for assay, one quarter is
retained for reference and the remaining half is used
as a metallurgical test sample. Sample intervals were
generally 1m in length but modified to honor
geological changes such as lithology contacts.
Minimum sample length was 30cm.
simple (eg ‘reverse circulation drilling was used to obtain
1 m samples from which 3 kg was pulverised to produce
a 30 g charge for fire assay’). In other cases more
explanation may be required, such as where there is
coarse gold that has inherent sampling problems.
Unusual commodities or mineralisation types (eg
submarine nodules) may warrant disclosure of detailed
information.







Coarsely crushed (>100mm) chromitite reef and
dunite material from the underground workings was
collected by Panoramic Resources in 2007 and stored
in sealed drums. This material was utilized in the bulk
ore sorting test work program. Approximately 540kg
of ‘chromite reef’ and 290kg of ‘dunite’ was utilized.
This material was categorized by an experienced
geologist based on visual inspection. This material
was crushed and screened into three size fractions; -
10mm, +10mm / -25mm and +25mm / -75mm. Each
size fraction of both chromite reef and dunite was
sampled for assay and subsequently blended. The
first pass of the ore sorting was calibrated based on
previous sighter test work which utilized chromite
and dunite material with significantly different
densities. It was discovered in the bulk ore sort that a
significant amount of the material being rejected had
much higher densities than other material being
rejected. A decision was made to do a second pass
through the ore sorter with the rejects from the first
pass. The ore sorter products were subsequently
assayed, and it was found that a significant amount
of material that had initially been classified as lower
density still contained significantly higher grade PGM
material. Thus further optimisation testwork at
different density cut-offs should confirm that only a
single pass will be required to achieve the same
results as the two pass recovery.
All sampling was either supervised by, or undertaken
by, qualified geologists.
1/4 core samples were sent to Bureau Veritas,
Canning Vale, Western Australia.
To ensure representative sampling, for each hole, the
same quarter of the original core was sent for assay,
for example when looking at the core down hole, the
right-hand side was retained in the core tray as the
metallurgical sample, and the upper left-hand side of
the core was always sent for assay with the lower left
hand side always retained as the reference material.
At the laboratory the entire 1/4 core sample was
crushed, a 300g split was pulverised to provide
material for fire assay and ICP-MS.
Drilling Drill type (eg core, reverse circulation, open-hole
All drill holes in this release were drilled PQ3 (83.0mm
techniques hammer, rotary air blast, auger, Bangka, sonic, etc) and diameter)..
details (eg core diameter, triple or standard tube, depth
Core is orientated using a BLY TruCore UPIX
Orientation Tool.

Future Metals NL Level 1, 33 Richardson Street, West Perth, WA, 6005

ABN: 99 124 734 961 [email protected] | future-metals.com.au

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Criteria JORC Code explanation JORC Code explanation Commentary Commentary
of diamond tails, face-sampling bit or other type, whether The drilling contractor was Terra Drilling. Triple tubes
core is oriented and if so, by what method, etc.). are utilised in the weathered horizon (less than 10m)
and standard tubes for the remainder of the drill hole.
Drill sample Method of recording and assessing core and chip sample Each core run is measured and checked against the
recovery recoveries and results assessed. drillers core blocks. Any core loss is noted. To date
Measures taken to maximise sample recovery and ensure core recoveries have been excellent with very little
representative nature of the samples. core loss reported.
Whether a relationship exists between sample recovery
and grade and whether sample bias may have occurred
The drilled widths of mineralisation in these drill
holes are larger than the true widths.
due to preferential loss/gain of fine/coarse material. No relationship between recovery and grade has
been identified.
Logging Whether core and chip samples have been geologically All drill core has been logged onsite by geologists to
and geotechnically logged to a level of detail to support a level of detail to support appropriate Mineral
appropriate Mineral Resource estimation, mining studies Resource
estimation,
mining
studies
and
and metallurgical studies. metallurgical studies.
Whether logging is qualitative or quantitative in nature. Logging is qualitative and records lithology, grain
Core (or costean, channel, etc.) photography. size, texture, weathering, structure, alteration, veining
The total length and percentage of the relevant and sulphides. Core is digitally photographed.
intersections logged. All holes are logged in full.
Sub-sampling
If core, whether cut or sawn and whether quarter, half or All core that is sampled is cut using a diamond saw.
techniques all core taken. PQ3 core is cut in half, and then one half cut again
and sample If non-core, whether riffled, tube sampled, rotary split, etc into quarters. One quarter core is sent to the
preparation and whether sampled wet or dry. laboratory for assay, and the remaining core is kept
as a reference..

For
all
sample
types,
the
nature,
quality
and
appropriateness of the sample preparation technique.
Quality control procedures adopted for all sub-sampling
stages to maximise representivity of samples.
Generally, core samples are 1 metre in length, with a
minimum sample length of 30 centimetres. Sample
lengths are altered from the usual 1 metre due to
geological
contacts,
particularly
around
the
Measures taken to ensure that the sampling is chromitite reefs.
representative of the in-situ material collected, including
for instance results for field duplicate/second-half
sampling.
The sample size is considered appropriate for the
material being sampled.
Whether sample sizes are appropriate to the grain size of
the material being sampled.
Quality of The nature, quality and appropriateness of the assaying For Future Metals NL drill holes ½ core samples were
assay data and laboratory procedures used and whether the sent, Bureau Veritas, Canning Vale, Western Australia.
and
laboratory
technique is considered partial or total.
For geophysical tools, spectrometers, handheld XRF
Future Metal NL analysis of samples had Pt, Pd and
Au determined by lead collection fire assay with a 40
tests instruments, etc, the parameters used in determining the gram charge with ICP-MS finish providing a lower
analysis including instrument make and model, reading detection limit of 1ppb. Determination of As, Co, Cr,
times, calibrations factors applied and their derivation, Cu, Ni and S was by Inductively Coupled Plasma
etc. following a mixed acid digest. Both ICP and fire assay
Nature of quality control procedures adopted (e.g. analytical methods are total.
standards, blanks, duplicates, external laboratory checks) No geophysical tools were used.
and whether acceptable levels of accuracy (ie lack of bias) Laboratory repeat analysis is completed on 10% of
and precision have been established. the samples submitted for assay.
Verification The verification of significant intersections by either Intersections are not reported in this release.
of sampling independent or alternative company personnel. No adjustments were made to the data other than
and assaying The use of twinned holes. converting ppm to % by dividing by 10,000.
Documentation of primary data, data entry procedures,
data verification, data storage (physical and electronic)
protocols.
Discuss any adjustment to assay data.
Location of Accuracy and quality of surveys used to locate drill holes Drill hole collars are located using a hand-held GPS.
data points (collar and down-hole surveys), trenches, mine workings Down hole surveys are taken with a north seeking
and other locations used in Mineral Resource estimation. gyroscope at regular intervals of 30m down hole.
Specification of the grid system used.

Future Metals NL Level 1, 33 Richardson Street, West Perth, WA, 6005

ABN: 99 124 734 961 [email protected] | future-metals.com.au

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Criteria JORC Code explanation JORC Code explanation Commentary Commentary
Quality and adequacy of topographic control. Grid system used is Map Grid of Australia 1994, Zone
52.
The topographic control is considered better than
<3m and is considered adequate.
Data spacing Data spacing for reporting of Exploration Results. Data spacing down hole is considered appropriate at
and Whether the data spacing and distribution is sufficient to between 0.3 and 1m intervals.
distribution establish the degree of geological and grade continuity Samples have not been composited.
appropriate for the Mineral Resource and Ore Reserve
estimation procedure(s) and classifications applied.
Whether sample compositing has been applied.
Orientation of
Whether the orientation of sampling achieves unbiased The orientation of the drill hole relative to the
data in sampling of possible structures and the extent to which geological target is as orthogonal as practicable
relation to this is known, considering the deposit type. however drilled intersections will be larger than true
geological If the relationship between the drilling orientation and widths.
structure the orientation of key mineralised structures is
considered to have introduced a sampling bias, this
should be assessed and reported if material.
Sample The measures taken to ensure sample security. All core sample intervals are labelled in the core
security boxes, recoded digitally and captured with the core
photography. Cut core samples are collected in bags
labelled with the sample number. Samples are
delivered to the Company’s transport contractor in
Halls Creek directly by Company personnel. Samples
are then delivered to the laboratory by the transport
contractor.
Audits or The results of any audits or reviews of sampling The
Company
employed
industry-standard
reviews techniques and data. protocols. No independent audit has been
conducted.

Section 2 Reporting of Exploration Results

Criteria JORC Code explanation JORC Code explanation JORC Code explanation Commentary Commentary
Mineral tenement
Type, reference name/number, location and ownership
The Panton PGM Project is located on three
and land tenure including agreements or material issues with third granted mining licenses M80/103, M80/104 and
status parties such as joint ventures, partnerships, overriding M80/105 (‘MLs’). The MLs are held 100% by Panton
royalties,
native
title
interests,
historical sites, Sill Pty Ltd which is a 100% owned subsidiary of
wilderness or national park and environmental settings. Future Metals NL.
The security of the tenure held at the time of reporting
The MLs were granted on 17 March 1986 and are
along with any known impediments to obtaining a currently valid until 16 March 2028.
licence to operate in the area. A 0.5% net smelter return royalty is payable to
Elemental Royalties Australia Pty Ltd in respect of
any future production of chrome, cobalt, copper,
gold, iridium, palladium, platinum, nickel, rhodium
and ruthenium.
A 2.0% net smelter return royalty is payable to
Maverix Metals (Australia) Pty Ltd on any PGMs
produced from the MLs.
There are no impediments to working in the area.
Exploration done Acknowledgment and appraisal of exploration by other
The Panton deposit was discovered by the
by other parties parties. Geological Survey of Western Australia from
surface mapping conducted in the early 1960s.
Pickland Mather and Co. drilled the first hole to test
the mafic-ultramafic complex in 1970, followed by
Minsaco Resources which drilled 30 diamond holes
between 1976 and 1987.

Future Metals NL Level 1, 33 Richardson Street, West Perth, WA, 6005

ABN: 99 124 734 961 [email protected] | future-metals.com.au

13

==> picture [71 x 59] intentionally omitted <==

Criteria JORC Code explanation JORC Code explanation Commentary Commentary
In 1989, Pancontinental Mining Limited and
Degussa Exploration drilled a further 32 drill holes
and defined a non-JORC compliant resource.
Platinum Australia Ltd acquired the project in 2000
and conducted the majority of the drilling,
comprising 166 holes for 34,410 metres, leading to
the delineation of a maiden JORC Mineral Resource
Estimate.
Panoramic Resources Ltd subsequently purchased
the Panton PGM Project from Platinum Australia
Ltd in May 2012 and conducted a wide range of
metallurgical test work programmes on the Panton
ore.
Geology Deposit type, geological setting and style of The Panton intrusive is a layered, differentiated
mineralisation. mafic to ultramafic body that has been intruded
into the sediments of the Proterozoic Lamboo
Complex in the Kimberley Region of Western
Australia. The Panton intrusion has undergone
several folding and faulting events that have
resulted in a south westerly plunging synclinal
structure some 10km long and 3km wide.
PGM mineralisation is associated with several thin
cumulate Chromitite reefs within the ultramafic
sequence. In all there are three chromite horizons,
the Upper group Chromitite (situated within the
upper gabbroic sequence), the Middle group
Chromitite (situated in the upper portion of the
ultramafic cumulate sequence) and the Lower
group Chromitite (situated toward the base of the
ultramafic cumulate sequence). The top reef
mineralised
zone
has
been
mapped
over
approximately 12km.
Drill hole A summary of all information material to the Drillhole locations and diagrams are presented
Information understanding of the exploration results including a above in this announcement and are also detailed
tabulation of the following information for all Material in the relevant previous ASX announcements
drill holes: related to the exploration results.
o
easting and northing of the drill hole collar
o
elevation or RL (Reduced Level elevation
above
sea level in metres) of the drill hole collar
o
dip and azimuth of the hole
o
down hole length and interception depth
o
hole length.
If the exclusion of this information is justified on the
basis that the information is not Material and this
exclusion does not detract from the understanding of
the report, the Competent Person should clearly
explain why this is the case.
Data aggregation
In reporting Exploration Results, weighting averaging No intercepts are being reported.
methods techniques,
maximum
and/or
minimum grade
truncations (e.g. cutting of high grades) and cut-off
grades are usually Material and should be stated.
Where aggregate intercepts incorporate short lengths
of high grade results and longer lengths of low-grade
results, the procedure used for such aggregation
should be stated and some typical examples of such
aggregations should be shown in detail.
The assumptions used for any reporting of metal
equivalent values should be clearly stated.
Relationship These relationships are particularly important in the No exploration results are being reported.
between reporting of Exploration Results.

Future Metals NL Level 1, 33 Richardson Street, West Perth, WA, 6005

ABN: 99 124 734 961 [email protected] | future-metals.com.au

14

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Criteria JORC Code explanation JORC Code explanation Commentary Commentary
mineralisation If the geometry of the mineralisation with respect to
Metallurgical drill holes have been deliberately
widths and the drill hole angle is known, its nature should be orientated at a low angle to the dip of the
intercept lengths reported. mineralised chromitite reefs to maximise the
If it is not known and only the down hole lengths are amount of material recovered for metallurgical test
reported, there should be a clear statement to this
effect (e.g. ‘down hole length, true width not known’).
work. The drilled thickness is considerably greater
than the true thickness in these drill holes as a
result.
Diagrams Appropriate maps and sections (with scales) and
Drillhole locations and diagrams are presented
tabulations of intercepts should be included for any above in this announcement and are also detailed
significant discovery being reported These should in the relevant previous ASX announcements
include, but not be limited to a plan view of drill hole related to the exploration results.
collar locations and appropriate sectional views.
Balanced Where comprehensive reporting of all Exploration
All results at hand at the time of this announcement
reporting Results is not practicable, representative reporting of have been reported.
both low and high grades and/or widths should be
practiced to avoid misleading reporting of Exploration
Results.
Other substantive
Other exploration data, if meaningful and material,
All exploration results received by the Company to
exploration data should be reported including (but not limited to): date are included in this or previous releases to the
geological observations; geophysical survey results; ASX. No exploration results are being reported in
geochemical survey results; bulk samples size and this specific announcement.
method of treatment; metallurgical test results; bulk
No other exploration data is relevant.
density,
groundwater,
geotechnical
and
rock
characteristics; potential deleterious or contaminating
substances.
Further work The nature and scale of planned further work (eg tests
Next stage of work will consist of additional
for lateral extensions or depth extensions or large-scale mineralogical and metallurgical test work. The
step-out drilling). Company plans to undertake infill drilling to
Diagrams clearly highlighting the areas of possible
extensions,
including
the
main
geological
interpretations and future drilling areas, provided this


upgrade the current chromitite hosted PGM
resource and is undertaking mining and economic
studies.
information is not commercially sensitive.

Future Metals NL Level 1, 33 Richardson Street, West Perth, WA, 6005

ABN: 99 124 734 961 [email protected] | future-metals.com.au

15