Licence Renewal Pending as Alara Uncovers Copper-Zinc Zones in Oman

Exploration Milestone Achieved

Alara Resources Limited (ASX, AUQ), alongside its joint venture partners Awtad Copper LLC and Power Metal Resources plc, has announced the completion of its maiden diamond drilling program on the Block 8 concession in Oman. This initial reconnaissance drilling, comprising eight HQ diameter core holes for a total of 724.35 metres, marks a significant step in exploring this under-explored copper province within the Semail Ophiolite.

The drilling program, completed in October 2025, was designed to test geological and geophysical targets identified through extensive preliminary work including remote sensing, geochemical sampling, and geophysical surveys. The results have confirmed the presence of copper-dominant Volcanogenic Massive Sulphide (VMS) style mineralisation, a sought-after deposit type known for hosting significant base metal resources.

Encouraging Assay Results

All drill holes intersected prospective lithologies such as basalt and andesite, accompanied by alteration minerals like carbonate, chlorite, and epidote, which are typical signatures of VMS systems. Notably, hole AM25DD001 returned a highlight intercept of 1.06% copper over 1.5 metres within a broader zone averaging 0.52% copper over 3.5 metres. Other significant intersections include elevated copper, lead, and zinc over an 18-metre interval in hole AM25DD003 and a 1.1% zinc intercept over 1 metre in hole AM25DD006.

These results not only validate the geological model developed by Power Metal’s technical team but also underscore the potential for Block 8 to host economically viable copper-zinc mineralisation. The presence of brecciation, faulting, and semi-massive sulphide mineralisation further supports the interpretation of a robust mineralised system.

Strategic Partnership and Next Steps

Power Metal Resources has fulfilled its farm-in commitment of US$740,000, earning a 12.5% interest in the Block 8 project. Alara holds a 10% stake in the joint venture, with Awtad Copper as the primary concession holder. Both Alara’s Managing Director Atmavireshwar Sthapak and Power Metal’s CEO Sean Wade expressed optimism about the results and the collaborative approach moving forward.

The next phase of exploration will focus on detailed review of the drilling data, additional sampling of remaining core, and planning follow-up trenching and drilling programs. These activities aim to refine the understanding of mineralisation controls and extend the known mineralised zones. The project’s licence renewal is pending official approval, a critical administrative step for ongoing exploration.

Context Within Oman’s Copper Landscape

Block 8 lies approximately 130 kilometres west of Muscat and covers nearly 500 square kilometres of highly prospective terrain. The concession includes sections of the Semail Ophiolite, a geological formation renowned for hosting Cyprus-type VMS deposits. Previous exploration in the region has been limited, making these results particularly significant as they open new avenues for copper and zinc discoveries in Oman.

Alara’s broader portfolio in Oman includes several other exploration licences and an operating copper-gold mine, positioning the company as a growing player in the Middle East’s base and precious metals sector.