22 September 2026
URU Metals Limited
(“URU” or the “Company”)
Zeb Nickel Project – Preferred Drilling Contractor Selected
URU Metals Limited (“URU” or the “Company”) is pleased to announce that its subsidiary, Lesego Platinum Uitloop (Pty) Ltd (“LPU”), the project company for the Zeb Nickel Project (“Project”) in Limpopo, South Africa, has completed the tender process for the Zone 2 resource drilling programme and has selected Zaaiman Exploration Drilling (“Zaaiman”) as its preferred drilling contractor. Contract terms are now being finalised.
The tender was issued on 8 September 2026 and closed on 18 September 2026. Bids were evaluated on demonstrated drilling capability, health and safety record and compliance history, total cost, rig availability and earliest achievable drill-ready date, credibility of the submitted schedule, and Broad-Based Black Economic Empowerment credentials.
Highlights
- Zaaiman Exploration Drilling selected as preferred drilling contractor for the Zone 2 resource drilling programme, with contract terms being finalised.
- Zaaiman has previously carried out diamond drilling at the Zeb Nickel Project and is familiar with the ground conditions, access arrangements and site operating requirements.
- Zaaiman has recorded no fatal accident since the company’s inception in 1992 and has maintained that record on the Zeb Nickel Project.
- The drilling programme is designed to support a maiden Mineral Resource estimate for the Zone 2 Ni-Cu-PGE mineralisation.
- Mobilisation will follow finalisation of contract terms. The Company will update the market on the commencement of drilling.
Prior Experience on the Project
The Company expects Zaaiman’s previous experience, and consequently its knowledge of the ground conditions and access arrangements, at the Project to shorten the establishment period normally associated with mobilising a new contractor, and it provides a known basis for productivity and core quality on a programme where the quality of the core recovered will determine whether the data is suitable for Mineral Resource estimation.
Safety Record
Safety performance and compliance history were material criteria in the evaluation. Zaaiman has recorded no fatal accident since the company’s inception in 1992, both across its operations generally and in its previous work on the Zeb Nickel Project.
The Project is held under an executed Mining Right, and the site is a mine for the purposes of the Mine Health and Safety Act, 1996. Before mobilisation Zaaiman will enter into a written contractor health and safety agreement with LPU, make the statutory appointments required for its work, and ensure that all personnel hold valid medical certificates of fitness.
Next Steps
Contract terms are being finalised with Zaaiman, following which the contractor will mobilise to site. The Company will update the market on the commencement of drilling.
John Zorbas, Chief Executive Officer of URU Metals, commented:
“Zaaiman knows Zeb from its previous drilling on the Project. Their understanding of the ground conditions, site access and how we work gives us confidence as we prepare to start this programme. Our focus is on recovering high-quality core to support a Mineral Resource estimate.
Safety was also a key factor in our decision. Zaaiman reports no fatal accidents since the company was established in 1992, and we expect that commitment to safety to continue at Zeb. We will confirm the drilling start date once the contract terms are agreed.”
About the Company
URU Metals is a mineral exploration and development company focused on advancing high-potential critical metals projects in South Africa. The Company is committed to creating sustainable value through responsible mining practices, regulatory compliance, and active stakeholder engagement. For more information, visit www.urumetals.com
ENDS
For further information, please contact:
URU Metals Limited
John Zorbas
Chief Executive Officer
+1 416 504 3978
SP Angel Corporate Finance LLP
Nominated Adviser and Broker
Ewan Leggat / Caroline Rowe
+44 (0) 203 470 0470
Axis Capital Markets Limited
Joint Broker
Richard Hutchison
+44 (0) 203 026 0320
Market Abuse Regulation (MAR) Disclosure
This announcement contains inside information for the purposes of Article 7 of 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 (“UK MAR”). Upon the publication of this announcement via a Regulatory Information Service, this inside information is now considered to be in the public domain.
