25 sep 25   kazera global plc - operational update: deep blue minerals kazera global plc | kzg | 1.5 0.02 1.7% | mkt cap: 14.7m    rns number : 7174a kazera global plc 25 september 2025   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 by virtue of the european union (withdrawal) act 2018, as amended by virtue of the market abuse (amendment) (eu exit) regulations 2019.   25 september 2025 kazera global plc ("kazera", the "group" or the "company")   operational update: deep blue minerals   test run confirms potential processing capacity of 20 tonnes per hour of gravel, high-yielding new block secured and diamond production cycle closed   kazera global plc (aim: kzg), the aim-quoted investment company, is pleased to provide an operational update on its subsidiary, deep blue minerals ("dbm" or "the project"), located in alexander bay, south africa. this announcement follows kazera's 2 september 2025 update which reported the successful completion of diamond plant optimisation and the commencement of initial test recoveries.   key points ·     completed first full-scale test run and confirmed the newly installed diamond final recovery plant is performing to expectations, showing processing potential of up to 20 tonnes of gravel per hour. ·    processed 150 tonnes of in-field screened material to date, including the c.100 tonnes reported on 2 september 2025. ·    recovered 133 diamonds to date weighing a total of 68 carats, including a 6.13-carat stone; average stone size of 0.51 carats. ·     the test-phase carats-per-tonne ratio  achieved was higher than the company's long-term model. at full production capacity, with higher monthly throughput and using typical average grades, dbm expects to recover c.200 carats per month from the current shore block. ·    new high-potential diamond block awarded to dbm by alexkor rmc jv ("alexkor"), the south african government-owned entity which holds the diamond rights in the area. the block  is locally recognised as containing some of the highest carats per 100 tonnes within the alexander bay mining area. dbm's specialised fleet and processing plant are ideally suited to this block. ·   the september diamond production cycle has now concluded with recovered diamonds set to be auctioned by alexkor; sales results are expected in the next three weeks.   dennis edmonds, ceo of kazera global plc, commented: "we are extremely pleased to report the results of our first full-scale test run at dbm. able to process up to 160 tonnes of diamond gravel per day, the final recovery plant has delivered exactly the performance we expected and gives us a clear pathway to recover around 200 carats per month at full operational capacity , based on gravels from the current coastal mining block.   "equally significant is obtaining a new high-yielding block, which ranks among the top blocks in the alexander bay area and is ideally suited to dbm's equipment and processing technology. because of its higher mining difficulty, dbm will benefit from a more favourable revenue split under its alexkor agreement, which enhances the economics of this block.   "alongside this, the latest diamond production cycle concluding means we are now moving into the commercial sales phase, with the first auction results expected shortly. collectively, these developments mark a step change in our diamond business and strengthen our ability to deliver sustained production and meaningful cash generation for kazera shareholders."   details operational update on 2 september 2025, the company announced the completion of plant optimisation and first test recoveries of diamonds by dbm from approximately 100 tonnes of screened material. since then, dbm has processed a further 50 tonnes during its first full-scale test run. in total, 150 tonnes of in-field screened material have now been processed, producing 133 diamonds weighing 68 carats, including a notable 6.13-carat stone.   the carats-per-tonne achieved during this initial run exceed the company's long-term model, and the results confirm the company's expected maximum processing capacity. at full operational scale, dbm expects to process up to around 160 tonnes of diamond gravel per day. applying typical average grades across this larger tonnage base, the company expects to recover approximately 200 carats per month on a sustained basis from the current coastal block.   new block secured alexkor has granted dbm a new diamond mining block within the alexander bay mining area. this block is locally recognised as containing some of the highest carats per 100 tonnes within the alexander bay mining area and was previously mined by a third party which achieved strong diamond recoveries. the block subsequently reverted to alexkor because it is classified as "high mining difficulty" and specialist equipment requirements made it uneconomic for most contractors. however, dbm's fleet and processing technology are well suited to treating these specific gravels, with dbm receiving a share of the revenue from the diamonds it recovers on terms to be agreed with alexkor.  based on historic production data and the company's preliminary assessment, management believes the block could contain thousands of carats. further evaluation and planning are underway, and the company will update the market as more information becomes available.   diamond production cycle closed the latest diamond production cycle referred to in the 2 september 2025 rns has now concluded. the 133 diamonds, weighing approximately 68 carats, recovered by dbm are now being prepared for auction by alexkor. under dbm's diamond mining contract with alexkor, alexkor owns the rights to all diamonds in the alexander bay area, with dbm receiving an agreed share of the revenue from the sale of the diamonds it recovers. the company expects to receive the results of the diamond auction within the next three weeks and will update the market accordingly.   ends   for further information, visit www.kazeraglobal.com or contact:   kazera global plc dennis edmonds, ceo kazera@stbridespartners.co.uk strand hanson limited (nominated, financial adviser and broker) christopher raggett / ritchie balmer tel: +44 (0)207 409 3494 st brides partners limited (financial pr) paul dulieu/isabel de salis kazera@stbridespartners.co.uk   about kazera global plc kazera is a global investment company focused on leveraging the skills and expertise of its board of directors to develop early-stage mineral exploration and development assets towards meaningful cashflow and production. its three principal investments are as follows:   alluvial diamond mining through deep blue minerals (pty) ltd, alexander bay, south africa kazera currently has a 100% direct interest in deep blue minerals, of which 74% is held beneficially by kazera and 26% is held on behalf of black economic empowerment partners.   heavy mineral sands mining (including ilmenite, monazite, rutile, and zircon) through whale head minerals (pty) ltd, alexander bay, south africa. kazera currently has a 70% direct beneficial interest in whale head minerals together with the benefit of a loan facility entitling it to receive approximately £38m out of dividends from the other shareholders.   tantalite mining in south-east namibia (divestment in progress) as announced on 20 december 2022, kazera agreed to dispose of african tantalum (pty) ltd ("aftan") for a cash consideration of us$13 million plus a debenture payment of 2.5% of the gross sales of produced lithium and tantalum for life-of-mine. completion of the sale was subject to receipt of full consideration proceeds. aftan was deconsolidated from the company's financial statements with effect from 4 january 2023 because, in accordance with the terms of the sale agreement, it had relinquished control of aftan in favour of the purchaser, hebei xinjian construction close corp ("hebei xinjian") with effect from that date. kazera retained the right to cancel the transaction and retain all amounts paid to date in the event of default by hebei xinjian. following default by hebei xinjian, kazera initiated legal proceedings in september 2024, which have now concluded in kazera's favour with an arbitration award exceeding us$11.9 million, including interest, plus coverage of legal costs. kazera is now assessing the most effective legal and commercially beneficial avenues to enforce the award and recover the full amount due.     the company will consider additional investment opportunities as appropriate, having regard to the group's future cash flow requirements.   this information is provided by rns, the news service of the london stock exchange. rns is approved by the financial conduct authority to act as a primary information provider in the united kingdom. terms and conditions relating to the use and distribution of this information may apply. for further information, please contact rns@lseg.com or visit www.rns.com.  rns may use your ip address to confirm compliance with the terms and conditions, to analyse how you engage with the information contained in this 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Label: Neutral