Wednesday January 28, 2026 - Taiko Critical Minerals (TCM) has released its Initial Mineral Resource Statement for its Barrytown Critical Minerals Project. The report has been compiled by an independent ‘Competent Person’ and confirms the global significance of the deposit and project.

Highlights from the Statement:

• Initial Mineral Resource estimates at Coates South and Barrytown Farms blocks are now classified in accordance with the JORC Code (2012).

• ‘Measured’ and ‘Indicated’ mineral resources of 10.6 million tonnes (Mt) at 19.9% valuable heavy minerals (VHM) at Barrytown Farms, and 5.7 Mt at 12.4% VHM at Coates South.

• Results cover just 16% of the mining permit area available for critical minerals extraction, with work underway to complete Mineral Resource Estimates at adjacent blocks where drilling was completed last year.

The Mineral Resource Statement has been prepared from Mineral Resource Estimates (MRE) reported by geologists RSC in line with the industry JORC (Joint Ore reserve Committee) Code which ensures transparency, competency and materiality of public reporting of mineral projects by mining companies listed on the ASX and NZX.

Chief Executive Robert Brand says extensive drilling has revealed shallow, near-surface mineral sands containing ilmenite, garnet, zircon and rare earth elements, which are essential for global manufacturing sectors including paints, ceramics, abrasives, high tech and renewable energy uses.

“Almost one in four tonnes of material is made up of valuable heavy minerals. The results come from testing on land for which Taiko Critical Minerals has secured mining permits, resource consent and land access arrangements,” says Brand.

Brand says the report is an important step ahead of TCM’s planned listing on the NZX in the first quarter of 2026, to be followed by construction and commissioning in 2027 and commercial production in 2028.

The company is adopting a ‘mine to market strategy’, whereby its investment in a mineral separation plant at Rapahoe near Greymouth will refine critical minerals into products for export to manufacturers. Taiko is focused on retaining as much value as possible within New Zealand, with plans to create more than 130 local jobs and generate more than $112 million each year in export earnings.

The company’s approach to extracting minerals involves ‘regenerative mining’, with the area of impact limited to 4ha at one time. The privately owned farmland to be mined will be reinstated with improved drainage, expanding options for future use.

Taiko Critical Minerals has undertaken significant community engagement and will include all conditions in its current Resource Consent for the Coates South Block as part of its Fast Track application for the Southern Blocks, which it is set to lodge early this year.