Zanaga Iron Ore Co. Ltd.LSE: ZIOC

Zanaga Completes Bulk Sampling Programme

· Issued by Zanaga Iron Ore Co. Ltd. via RNS

Summary by 6ix AI

Zanaga Iron Ore Company Limited (ZIOC), an iron ore exploration and development company, has completed a bulk sampling programme at its Zanaga Iron Ore Project in the Republic of Congo. Ore was dug up to build a 100-tonne composite sample for metallurgical (ore processing) testing.

Key details

  • Approximately 30,000 tonnes of ore were extracted to assemble the sample from the hematite zone targeted for Stage 1, the project's first stage, planned as a 12Mtpa (12 million tonnes a year) operation.
  • The company says the programme was completed on time and within budget, with no safety, environmental or community non-compliances reported.
  • The company says representatives of Republic of Congo authorities expressed complete satisfaction with the programme, including its planning, communication and transparency.
  • The sample will support pilot-scale test work to validate Zanaga's revised Direct Reduced Iron (DRI) processing flowsheet (the planned sequence of processing steps), characterise concentrate specifications and allow product testing with steel mill customers, independent laboratories and off-takers (buyers).
  • Results of the testing are to define process equipment requirements, update mass, energy and water balances, and inform capital and operating cost estimates.

What’s still pending

  • Metallurgical testing is still to be done, followed by Front-End Engineering and Design (FEED), the detailed engineering stage.
  • The company says it remains on schedule to advance through the next stages of technical development, supporting continued progression toward a Final Investment Decision (FID) and eventual project construction.

6ix AI wrote this summary from the release below and checked it against the release.

Zanaga Iron Ore Company Ltd
03 November 2026
 

03 November 2026

Zanaga Iron Ore Company Limited

(“ZIOC” or the “Company”)

Zanaga Completes Bulk Sampling Programme

Advancing Towards Metallurgical Testing and Final Engineering

Zanaga Iron Ore Company Limited (“ZIOC” or the “Company”) is pleased to announce the successful completion of the bulk sampling programme (“Programme”) at its Zanaga Iron Ore Project (“Zanaga” or the “Project”) in the Republic of Congo (“RoC”).

Completion of the Programme marks an important milestone in the continued development of the Zanaga Project and a key step toward completing the metallurgical test work and the subsequent Front-End Engineering and Design (“FEED”) programme.

Overview

  • Programme completed on time and within budget.
  • Successful extraction of approximately 30,000 tonnes of ore to assemble a 100-tonne composite sample from the hematite zone targeted for Stage 1’s 12Mtpa operation.
  • Progress towards metallurgical testing: The composite sample will support the next phase of pilot scale metallurgical test work validation of Zanaga’s revised Direct Reduced Iron (“DRI”) processing flowsheet, allowing immediate progress to detailed engineering and design.
  • Safety, environmental and community performance: No non-compliances reported throughout the Programme.
  • Regulatory engagement: Representatives of RoC authorities expressed complete satisfaction with the Programme, including its planning, communication and transparency.

Martin Knauth, CEO of Zanaga Iron Ore Company Ltd, commented:

“The successful completion of the bulk sampling Programme represents a significant milestone for the Zanaga Project, constituting the first major equipment mobilisation at the Project site since 2014. The Programme was completed on schedule and within the allocated budget, while maintaining the highest standards of safety, environmental stewardship and community engagement.

“We are particularly pleased with the positive feedback from observers representing the RoC authorities, who commended the Programme’s planning, communication and transparency. This reflects the considerable effort invested by our team and partners to deliver the Programme responsibly and in close coordination with the relevant stakeholders.

“With this important phase complete, we aim to progress to metallurgical testing and the subsequent final engineering and design work, strengthening the technical basis for Zanaga’s DRI grade plan.”

Next Steps

With the bulk sampling programme now complete, the composite sample will support subsequent metallurgical testing, including pilot-scale test work to validate Zanaga’s revised DRI processing flowsheet, characterise concentrate specifications, and facilitate product testing with steel mill customers, independent laboratories, and off-takers.

The results of this work will define process equipment requirements (including crushing, grinding and screening configurations), update mass, energy and water balances, and inform the basis for capital and operating cost estimates

The Company remains on schedule to advance through these next stages of technical development, supporting Zanaga’s continued progression toward a Final Investment Decision (“FID”) and eventual project construction.

Please visit the website's media section for the latest photos and videos by following this link here.

Figure 1: Bulk sampling pit (top left) and stockpile and sampling area (right) at Zanaga Project
Figure 1: Bulk sampling pit (top left) and stockpile and sampling area (right) at Zanaga Project

Figure 2:  Samples being excavated at Zanaga Project

Figure 2:  Samples being excavated at Zanaga Project

Figure 3 : ITG and ITF hematite lithology

Figure 3 : ITG and ITF hematite lithology

For further information, please contact:

Zanaga Iron Ore Company Limited

Andrew Trahar

+44 20 3916 5021

Panmure Liberum Limited

Nominated Adviser, Financial Adviser and Joint Broker

Scott Mathieson / John More

+44 20 3100 2000

Tamesis Partners LLP

Joint Broker

Richard Greenfield / Charles Bendon

+44 203 882 2868

Shard Capital Partners LLP

Joint Broker

Damon Heath

+44 20 7186 9952

BlytheRay

Public Relations

Megan Ray / Will Jones

+44 20 7138 3204

[email protected]

ENDS

About ZIOC:

Zanaga Iron Ore Company Limited (AIM ticker: ZIOC) is an iron ore exploration and development company, with its flagship asset being the 100% owned Zanaga Iron Ore Project, located in the Republic of Congo. The Government Mining Licence, Environmental Permit and Mining Convention are all in place for the Project.

The Zanaga Iron Ore Project is a globally significant asset with a 6.9 billion tonne resource and a 2.1 billion tonne reserve, targeting 30Mtpa production of high-grade DRI pellet feed with very low impurity levels. When fully developed, Stage One (12Mtpa) and Stage Two (18Mtpa expansion) together could establish Zanaga as one of the world’s largest iron ore mines. With all key permits secured, Zanaga is well positioned to benefit from increasing demand for high-quality, low-impurity iron ore, supported by low operating costs and an efficient slurry pipeline to port.

In the context of the global transition towards lower-carbon steel production, the Zanaga Project is well positioned to become one of the largest producers of high-grade, premium DRI pellet feed iron ore concentrate.

The Zanaga Iron Ore Company Limited LEI number is 21380085XNXEX6NL6L23.

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