[SMM Express] Recent developments across South Africa's Bushveld Complex indicate that operational optimization, rather than new mine development, is becoming an increasingly important driver of chrome production growth. As producers seek to maximize value from existing UG2 ore bodies, investments are increasingly focused on improving mining efficiencies, processing performance and chromite recovery to increase chrome output while strengthening overall project economics. Northam Platinum recently achieved a record 1.69 million mt of chrome concentrate production in FY2026, supported by higher UG2 throughput, expanded mining crews and processing improvements at its Eland mine. Similarly, Sibanye-Stillwater has outlined plans to increase chrome production to approximately 2.3 million mt/y by 2033 through optimization of its existing operations, while Southern Palladium's Bengwenyama Definitive Feasibility Study increased projected chrome concentrate output to more than 1.05 million mt/y after improving chromite recovery from 30% to 85.6%. SMM believes these developments highlight a broader industry trend in which producers are unlocking additional chrome supply through operational and metallurgical improvements, positioning chrome as an increasingly important contributor to earnings and long-term project value amid continued pressure on PGM markets.

[SMM Titanium Spot Flash: Titanium Concentrates Oversupply Pattern Unchanged, Weak Market Continues] SMM August 4: The mainstream 46% titanium concentrate was quoted at 1,250 yuan/mt today. Low-priced imported ore continued to impact, Panxi associated supply passively increased, while real estate chain demand remained sluggish, and downstream buyers were on the sidelines, delaying purchases. Short-term prices continued to be under pressure.

On August 4th, Andrada Mining Limited said it has extended the identified lithium mineralized trend at its Lithium Ridge Project in Namibia's Erongo Region by 50%, from six kilometers to nine kilometers, following completion of a license wide surface sampling programme. The sampling forms part of the first stage of an earn-in agreement with Chilean lithium producer Sociedad Química y Minera de Chile SA (SQM), conducted through its subsidiary SQM Australia. Andrada is listed on the London Stock Exchange's AIM market and the Namibian Stock Exchange (NSX). Several surface samples returned lithium grades exceeding 3.5% Li₂O, with additional mineralized pegmatites identified outside the main Lithium Ridge trend. Grab samples also returned tin grades of up to 7.38% and tantalum levels of up to 3,192 parts per million. Andrada CEO Anthony Viljoen said the results confirm high-grade lithium mineralization across multiple new pegmatites, together with significant associated tin and tantalum mineralization, and complement earlier drilling that confirmed lithium mineralisation from surface to depth. Lithium Ridge is part of Andrada's broader Namibian critical minerals portfolio, alongside its established tin production operations.

To all relevant organizations: As the new round of global technological revolution and industrial transformation advances in depth, the non-ferrous metal processing industry is embracing critical opportunities for high-quality development. As a vital basic industry for the national economy, innovation in non-ferrous metal processing technologies and equipment upgrades hold great significance for driving the high-end, intelligent, and green development of the manufacturing sector. With its abundant mineral resources, solid industrial foundation, and unique regional advantages, West China has become a key cluster for the country’s non-ferrous metal processing industry, and the pace of technological innovation and industrial upgrading continues to accelerate. Against this backdrop, the "2026 China Mid-West Non-Ferrous Metal Industry Equipment and Technology Expo" will be grandly held at the Gansu International Convention and Exhibition Center from October 30 to November 1, 2026. Themed "Innovation-driven, Smart Future, Green Empowerment," this expo will focus on cutting-edge technologies, advanced equipment, and industry trends in the non-ferrous metal processing sector, aiming to create a high-level platform integrating technical exchanges, achievement displays, and business cooperation. The event will comprehensively showcase the latest achievements in non-ferrous metal smelting, intensive processing, intelligent manufacturing, energy conservation, and environmental protection, bringing together industry experts, enterprise leaders, and research institution representatives to jointly explore new paths and opportunities for industrial development. As a major industrial base in north-west China and a key period along the Belt and Road, Gansu is actively promoting the high-end, clustered, and green transformation of the non-ferrous metals industry. The hosting of this expo will not only inject new momentum into the high-quality development of the non-ferrous metal industry in the north-west region but also provide an important opportunity for industry peers from China and overseas to deepen cooperation and share a prosperous future. We sincerely invite experts, scholars, enterprise representatives, and industry peers from home and abroad in the non-ferrous metal processing sector to gather in Jincheng Lanzhou, jointly explore technological innovation, share development opportunities, and contribute to the transformation, upgrading, and sustainable development of China's non-ferrous metal processing industry. The Expo is scheduled for October 30 – November 1, 2026 at the Gansu International Convention and Exhibition Center. Relevant matters are hereby notified as follows: I. Expo Theme Green Smart Manufacturing · Innovation-driven · Coordinated Development II. Date and Venue Date: October 30 – November 1, 2026 Venue: Gansu International Convention and Exhibition Center III. Organizational Structure Organizers: Gansu Provincial Society for Metals Shaanxi Provincial Society for Metals Shanxi Provincial Society for Metals Henan Provincial Society for Metals Sichuan Provincial Society for Metals Gansu Provincial Mining Federation Co-organizers: Northwest Research Institute of Mining and Metallurgy Baiyin Nonferrous Group Co., Ltd. Jiuquan Iron and Steel (Group) Co., Ltd. Jinchuan Group Co., Ltd. Supporters: Lanzhou Engineering & Research Institute of Nonferrous Metallurgy Co., Ltd. Gansu Provincial Nonferrous Metals Geological Exploration Bureau Lanzhou University of Technology Chalco Lanzhou Aluminum Co., Ltd. Gansu Ferroalloy Association Jinhui Mining Co., Ltd. IV. Concurrent Events: 2026 China Mid-West Aluminum Industry Expo 2026 China Mid-West Casting & Die Casting, Forging, Heat Treatment & Industrial Furnace Expo V. Exhibition Scope: Non-ferrous metal raw materials: Nickel, vanadium, titanium, chromium, tungsten, copper, aluminum, magnesium, zinc, lead, manganese, zirconium, molybdenum, silicon, antimony, tin, tantalum, indium, and other non-ferrous metal ore products and raw materials, magnetic materials, rare and rare-earth materials, precious metal materials, and various alloy materials; Non-ferrous metal products: Copper products (tubes, sheets & plates, sheets, bars, strips, flats and their alloy products, etc.); aluminum products (aluminum alloy profiles, tubes, bars, sheets & plates, strips, foils, aluminum sheets, aluminum ingots, etc.); titanium alloy products; magnesium alloy products; powder metallurgy products, etc.; Non-ferrous metal mining technology and equipment: Non-ferrous mining exploration, extraction, and beneficiation equipment, filtration equipment, powder processing equipment, construction and transportation equipment, etc.; Non-ferrous metal smelting technology and equipment: Smelting furnaces, refining equipment, smelting pumps and valves, filtration equipment, conveying equipment, heat exchange equipment, gas-based acid production equipment, corrosion-resistant equipment, hydrometallurgy, electrolysis equipment, large power rectifier power supply, electrolytic cells, extraction equipment, etc.; Non-ferrous metal processing technology and equipment: Melting, heating, hot and cold rolling, extrusion, drawing, straightening, shearing, casting equipment, etc.; Non-ferrous metal environmental protection equipment: Recycling equipment, energy-saving and emission-reduction equipment; Non-ferrous metal automation control equipment: Instruments and meters, packaging equipment, surface treatment equipment, etc.; Auxiliary materials for non-ferrous metal production: Chemicals, solvents, refractory materials, catalysts, gases, lubricants, etc. VI. Event Arrangements (I) Opening Ceremony: Speeches by leaders and guests; exhibition tour. (II) Theme Forums: 1. Forum on the Green Transformation Pathway for the Metallurgical Industry Under the "Dual Carbon" Goals 2. Forum on Smart Factories Empowering Metal Processing Upgrades 3. Application of Digital Twin Technology in Smelting/Casting/Heat Treatment Processes 4. Building the Non-Ferrous Metal Supply Chain Along the Belt and Road 5. Frontier Forum on Green, Low-Carbon, and Intelligent Smelting 6. Focusing on Technological Innovation and Intelligent Upgrading in the Metallurgical Industry Under the "Dual Carbon" Goals (III) Expo Exhibition Setup: October 28–29, 2026 Exhibition Dates: October 30 – November 1, 2026 Venue: Gansu International Convention and Exhibition Center VII. Participants The China Mid-West Non-Ferrous Metal Industry Equipment and Technology Expo, centered on "high-end, green, and regionalized" themes, will precisely invite large smelters, equipment manufacturers and technology suppliers, experts and scholars from universities and research institutes, professionals focused on new materials, new processes, and new technologies for non-ferrous metals, aerospace and national defense sectors, automotive and rail transit, construction and home furnishings, local government agencies, industry associations, and chambers of commerce, enterprises involved in aluminum semis import and export trade, as well as logistics, warehousing, and supply chain management companies. Covering multiple sectors such as equipment manufacturers, research institutions, end-use applications, government bodies, and trade service providers, this will form a diverse group of professional attendees and promote industry exchange and cooperation. VIII. Publicity and Promotion Before, during, and after the event, publicity and coverage will be carried out through platforms such as the official website, official account, Baidu promotion, WeChat Video, Douyin, Kuaishou, Weibo, Xiaohongshu, and Zhihu. The expo’s opening ceremony is planned to be widely promoted via a full live broadcast on the Video platform.

[SMM Rare Earth Flash] According to foreign media reports, US President Trump is expected to attend a mining roundtable hosted by the US Department of State on Friday, discussing the development of critical minerals supply chains with executives from multiple mining enterprises, and further promoting the expansion of critical minerals supply by the US and its allies to reduce dependence on China. Sources say the Trump administration has made critical minerals a strategic priority. In addition to supporting mine development and processing capacity building, it will also strengthen the cultivation of mining talent. The US Department of Energy (DOE) is expected to host a mining workforce development event during the same period, inviting 14 mining colleges across the US to participate, enhancing the reserve of mining professionals, and providing technical and human support for future critical minerals projects.

On August 4th Namibian producer Andrada Mining, formerly AfriTin, reported that drilling at its Lithium Ridge prospect has returned near surface lithium grades of up to 3.46% Li₂O, alongside notable tin and tantalum mineralization, reinforcing the company's case for a globally significant lithium project. Lithium Ridge forms part of the broader Damaraland pegmatite belt surrounding Andrada's flagship Uis operation, an area the company continues to assess as having significant scale for lithium, tin, tantalum and tungsten mineralisation. Andrada has funded continued exploration at the prospect using cash flow generated from its established Uis tin operation, which posted record quarterly output during the same period. The company has also expanded its broader processing platform, adding a tantalum recovery circuit, with ore sorting under development to improve efficiencies across its Namibian project portfolio. Namibia's political stability, transport infrastructure and established mining legislation have been cited as supportive of continued exploration investment in the country, as regional lithium developers assess the wider Damaraland belt for further discoveries.

High ore costs, tight spot availability and weak stainless demand pin China's benchmark NPI index inside a RMB 7/nickel-point range in July, before an Indonesian policy jolt lifts it to a monthly high of RMB 1,129.5.

Indonesia’s Minister of Energy and Mineral Resources (ESDM) Bahlil Lahadalia stated that the royalty contributions paid by enterprises will become one of the key considerations in the evaluation for the approval of the Mining Work Plan and Budget (RKAB). Bahlil stated on August 3: "If some companies pay higher royalties while others pay lower ones, who should be given priority? Naturally, I must prioritize those that pay higher royalties. " This policy means that mining enterprises' contribution to state revenue may become an additional evaluation factor in future RKAB quota allocation. In addition to production capacity, market conditions and domestic downstream industry demand, royalty contributions may also affect approval priorities. At present, the Indonesian government is still reviewing the RKAB applications submitted by mining enterprises, and will determine the scale of additional production quotas based on market supply and demand. The final quota allocation has not yet been announced, and relevant data is still under calculation. SMM believes that the inclusion of royalty contributions in the RKAB evaluation criteria may lead to more selective quota approvals in the future, giving priority to mining enterprises with higher contributions to state revenue. We will continue to monitor the specific implementation of this criterion and its potential impact on the allocation of Indonesia's future nickel ore supply.

On August 4, Global Lithium (ASX: GL1) announced that its Manna Lithium Project in Western Australia has received approval for its Mining Development and Closure Proposal (MDCP) from the Western Australian Department of Mines, Petroleum and Exploration. The approval was secured slightly ahead of the company’s internal schedule, marking another key milestone in the project’s development. The approved MDCP authorises the commencement of early works and critical site infrastructure, including the development of multiple open pits, an accommodation village, and associated mining facilities. According to the company, the approval further de-risks Manna’s accelerated development pathway and strengthens its integrated Manna–Nova development strategy. Global Lithium is targeting a Final Investment Decision (FID) in the fourth quarter of 2026, with first Direct Shipping Ore (DSO) expected in the second quarter of 2027, followed by first production of SC5.5 spodumene concentrate in mid-2027. Managing Director Dr. Dianmin Chen said the approval represents an important regulatory milestone that further accelerates the company’s path toward production and supports its ambition to become Australia’s next lithium producer.

On August 4, the stock price of JCHX fell. As of 10:38 am on August 4, JCHX dropped 0.54% to 71.17 yuan per share. In terms of news, the monthly investor relations activity summary (July 2026) announced by JCHX on August 3 shows: 1. Project Progress of the San Matias Copper-Gold-Silver Mine in Colombia The Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) for the Alacran Copper-Gold-Silver Mine has received formal approval from Colombia's National Environmental Licensing Authority (ANLA). As of now, the technical, environmental, and social impact assessment process involving local communities, authorities, and government technical agencies has been satisfactorily completed. In the subsequent development and construction of the Alacran Copper-Gold-Silver Mine, the company will fully implement the social and economic protection requirements of the environmental permit, always adhering to the core principles of human rights protection, risk prevention, and collective well-being. By establishing a long-term communication and sharing mechanism, it will ensure that project operations coexist harmoniously with local communities for mutual benefit and win-win outcomes. According to the feasibility study (FS) for the Alacran Copper-Gold-Silver deposit completed in December 2023 (adopting the NI 43-101 standard), the Alacran Copper-Gold-Silver mine project is an open-pit mining and processing project, with an estimated investment of $420.4 million and a designed ore volume of 97.9 million tons within the pit limit. The construction period is 2 years, and the mine life is expected to be 14.2 years after completion. The project is expected to cumulatively recover 797 million pounds of copper, 550,000 ounces of gold, and 5.35 million ounces of silver. 2. Technological Transformation of the Lubambe Copper Mine Project Since completing the acquisition of the Lubambe Copper Mine in Zambia in H2 2024, the company has continuously strengthened its operation and management, while advancing geological exploration, mining production, beneficiation production, and the renovation of underground auxiliary systems. As the technological transformation plan is gradually implemented, the operational efficiency of the Lubambe Copper Mine will be continuously improved. 3. Remaining Recoverable Reserves and Seasonality of the Dikulushi Mine The company currently holds two mining rights (PE606 and PE13085) in the Katanga Province of southeastern DRC through its subsidiaries Jinjing Mining and Yuanjing Mining, with a mining right area of 68.77 square kilometers. The Dikulushi Copper Mine, which commenced production in December 2021, is part of the PE606 mining right. As of the end of December 2025, the Dikulushi Copper Mine has retained ore reserves of approximately 430,000 tons, with an average copper grade of 7.58%. Since the commencement of production at the Dikulushi Copper Mine, the company has continuously extended the mine's life cycle through simultaneous production and exploration, with significant results: the 2021 annual report disclosed a remaining mining life of 3.58 years, while the 2025 annual report disclosed a remaining mining life of 2.98 years. In the future, this approach of simultaneous production and exploration will continue. The production and sales of the Dikulushi Copper Mine take into account the local rainy season from November to April, and sales are not evenly distributed throughout the year. Generally, the rainy season affects the condition of peripheral roads around the mining area, thereby impacting product transportation, so sales are relatively lower during the rainy season. 4. Expansion and Construction of the Eastern Zone of the Lonshi Copper Mine According to the "Feasibility Study on the Eastern Zone Mining and Processing Project of the Lonshi Copper Mine in DRC" released by the company in January 2025, the eastern zone will adopt underground mining, with a designed annual mining scale of 2.5-3.5 million tons and a planned infrastructure period of 4.5 years. It will reach full production in the 4th year after commissioning, with a total service life of 12 years. To balance the service cycles of the eastern and western zones, the western zone will undergo year-by-year production cuts after the eastern zone commissions, with a combined maximum annual ore output of 4.5 million tons from underground mining in both zones. After the eastern zone reaches full production, the combined annual copper metal production of the eastern and western zones of the Lonshi Copper Mine will be approximately 100,000 tons. 5. Pricing Model of Mining Services Business The pricing model for mining services is cost-plus, based on the mine's resource endowment, technical difficulty of mining, etc., using industry-standard operational efficiency and operating costs as references for pricing. Generally, it is not linked to mineral resource product prices. 6. Listing on the Hong Kong Stock Exchange To further advance the company's global strategic layout, build an international capital operation platform, broaden diversified financing channels through international capital markets, further enhance the company's comprehensive competitiveness and continuously increase its international influence, and strengthen its core competitiveness, the company is planning to issue overseas-listed shares (H shares) and list on the Main Board of The Stock Exchange of Hong Kong Limited. The company is actively discussing the relevant work for this H-share issuance and listing. The specific details have not yet been determined. Once the specific plan is finalized, the H-share issuance and listing still need to be submitted to the company's board of directors and shareholders' meeting for deliberation, and require filing, approval, and/or clearance from relevant government and regulatory bodies such as the China Securities Regulatory Commission, the Hong Kong Stock Exchange, and the Securities and Futures Commission of Hong Kong. There is significant uncertainty as to whether the H-share issuance and listing can pass the deliberation, filing, and review procedures and ultimately be implemented. 7. Development Potential of Mining Services Business Adopting a target market strategy focused on "large markets, large owners, large projects," the company, on the one hand, consistently implements the philosophy of providing value-added services to mine owners with leading technology, gaining their recognition through high-quality mine construction services, and subsequently undertaking later mining operation and management business. On the other hand, by enhancing mine design and technology R&D, it has initially formed an integrated comprehensive business model encompassing mine construction, mining operation management, and mine design and technology R&D. This model can more effectively meet the needs of owners for mine construction and mining operations, better achieve a rapid and stable transition from infrastructure to production, shorten construction cycles, achieve rapid commissioning and full production, and save infrastructure investment for mine owners. At the same time, the development space for the company's mining services business will become broader. In the future, the growth of the mining services business will mainly come from two directions: first, newly undertaken external projects; second, incremental expansion of existing projects — large mines typically have multiple ore bodies, and their development is often carried out in stages. Specifically, when the first phase progresses to a certain stage, construction of the second phase will commence. During this process, owners will actively seek high-quality service providers. 8. Construction Progress of the Northern Mining Zone of the Phosphate Ore Mine The Liangchahe Phosphate Ore Northern Mining Zone has a production scale of 500,000 t/a and is currently under construction, aiming to be completed and put into production by the end of 2028. 9. View on the Trend of Copper Prices Looking at the current and upcoming period, the copper market faces a pronounced "tight balance" pattern. Supply side, production release is strictly limited by the dual constraints of declining average copper ore grades globally and insufficient long-term capital expenditure, and disruption risks at the mine end are intensifying. Demand side, the global energy transition (new energy sector) and infrastructure construction in emerging markets provide sustained and resilient demand support. Against this backdrop, copper prices are expected to drift higher over the medium and long term. 10. Future Development Strategy of the Company On the basis of maintaining stable development of its existing mine development business, the company relies on its accumulated advantages in technology, management, and industry to actively expand into the resource development sector, gradually exploring a development path of "mining services + resources." Driven by the dual engines of "mining services" and "resource development," it promotes the comprehensive transformation from a single mining services enterprise to a group-oriented mining company. 11. Competitive Advantages of the Company in the Industry With its deep expertise accumulated in mine construction and mining operation management, the company extends along the mining industry chain into areas such as mine resource development, design and R&D, and equipment manufacturing, steadily enhancing its integrated service and control capabilities for mining services. It can feed back experiences gained during construction and problems identified through the shortest channels and at the lowest cost to the development consulting and design phases, and incorporate the company's latest scientific research achievements into its design business to optimize design plans, enabling scientific and technological innovations to rapidly transform into productive forces applied in the resource development sector. This can better shorten the construction cycle of resource development, reduce unit production costs, and increase the safety margin in market competition for mineral products. Through the advantages of integrated operations, it improves resource project development efficiency, extends project life, and maximizes the economic value of resource projects. 12. Are There Plans for Further Mine Acquisitions? From a long-term strategic perspective, the company focuses on resource projects that match its scale and have value investment potential. Currently, the company already owns five mine resource projects, and therefore prefers to achieve reserve growth through exploration work on existing projects, viewing this as a more economical way to acquire resources. At the same time, leveraging its advantages in mine construction and operation, the company will also explore expanding its business through equity participation plus operation. In terms of performance, JCHX's Q1 2026 report disclosed on April 28 showed that the company achieved total operating revenue of 3.414 billion yuan, up 21.45% YoY, and net profit attributable to shareholders of 601 million yuan, up 42.55% YoY. For the increase in Q1 operating revenue and net profit, JCHX's announcement stated that it was mainly due to increased sales of mineral resource products (copper cathode, copper concentrates, iron ore) and rising copper product prices during the period. JCHX's 2025 annual report disclosed that the company's 2025 revenue was 13.894 billion yuan, up 39.74% YoY, and net profit attributable to shareholders was 2.339 billion yuan, up 47.66% YoY. JCHX stated in its 2025 annual report that the 39.74% increase in operating revenue and the 47.66% increase in net profit attributable to shareholders year-on-year were mainly due to the ramp-up and efficiency improvement of its captive mine projects in the mine resource development business during the reporting period. A research report from China Post Securities commenting on JCHX's performance shows that the resource segment experienced volume growth, while the mining services business was a slight drag. By business segment, in 2025, the mine resource business achieved revenue/gross profit of 6.986/3.121 billion yuan, up 117.67%/130.20% YoY, and the mining services business achieved combined revenue/gross profit of 6.613/1.515 billion yuan, up 1.06%/-13.47% YoY. The mine business saw both volume and price increases, while the decline in mining services was mainly due to the Lubambe Copper Mine being converted into an internal unit after acquisition, reducing recognized revenue and gross profit, and some projects being affected by declining operational volume/production ramp-up. Volume: In 2025, copper metal sales were 92,700 tons, up 88.16% YoY, and phosphate ore sales were 357,400 tons, down 1.00% YoY. The increase in copper metal production and sales was mainly due to the Lonshi Copper Mine reaching full production and releasing output, with Dikulushi and Lonshi Copper Mines exceeding production plans, and the Lubambe Copper Mine being consolidated for the full year. In Q1 2026, copper metal production and sales were 22,400/18,100 tons respectively, mainly affected by grade decline and the rainy season. Price: In 2025, copper prices rose 7.62% YoY, and in Q1 2026, they rose 36.72% YoY. Production in 2026 is expected to grow steadily, with huge expansion potential in the long term. In 2026, the company's captive resource projects plan to produce 100,300 tons of copper metal (equivalent) and sell 99,700 tons of copper metal (equivalent), and produce and sell 300,000 tons of phosphate ore; the Istanex Mountain magnetite project plans to produce and sell 1.25 million tons of iron ore concentrates. In the long term, the northern mining zone of the Liangchahe Phosphate Ore Mine is expected to be put into use by the end of 2028, with annual capacity expanding from 300,000 tons to 800,000 tons; the eastern zone of the Lonshi Copper Mine, after commissioning, can expand annual production from 40,000 tons to 100,000 tons; the Lubambe Copper Mine is under technological transformation, and after completion, it is expected to produce 35,000 tons of copper per year; the company's equity stake in the San Matias Copper-Gold-Silver Mine has reached 97.5%, and it is in the EIA approval stage. Risk warning: price fluctuation risk; project progress falling short of expectations risk; downstream demand falling short of expectations risk; model assumptions not aligning with reality; policy exceeding expectations risk, etc.