Arkadian Strategic - Clogau Gold Mine Exploration Update
Released
Released
Announcement PDF
RNS Number : 5351Z
Arkadian Strategic Metals PLC
19 October 2026
Arkadian Strategic Metals Plc / EPIC: AKN / Market: AIM / Sector: Mining
19 October 2026
Arkadian Strategic Metals Plc
("Arkadian" or the "Company")
Clogau Gold Mine Exploration Update
Arkadian Strategic Metals Plc (AIM: AKN), the strategic metals and gold-focused exploration and development
company, is pleased to provide an update on the ongoing geological investigation of the Jack Williams stope at its 100%-
owned Clogau-St David's Gold Mine in north Wales, and other related developments.
Following the completion of access works announced on 26 August 2026, pressure washing and an initial programme of
sample collection have been completed along the accessible upper Jack Williams west drive. The work has exposed the
vein for geological inspection and provided 21 samples to date for further analysis. Detailed mapping, laboratory assays
and mineralogical examination will help assess the case for further exploration in this part of the mine.
In addition, processing in the onsite pilot plant continues, currently focused on floor material taken from around one of
the historic shafts, and the protected species licence (EPSL) for the mine has been renewed until 31 March 2032.
Highlights
Jack Williams stope exploration (Upper Tyn y Cornel)
• Pressure washing completed along the upper Jack Williams west drive to the point where the drive bends south,
exposing the vein predominantly in the roof.
• Twenty-one samples collected, covering variations in vein texture, sulphide mineralisation and contacts with the
surrounding rocks.
• Laminated quartz and shale veining observed beyond the extensively mined entrance stope, in sections which do
not appear to have been extensively mined historically.
• Galena and other sulphide minerals observed in collected samples. Laboratory work is required to establish their
relationship with gold in this area.
• The vein narrows westwards and is no longer visible at the southward bend. Further washing and mapping are
proposed to investigate its position and possible continuation.
Shaft area excavation and processing
• Extensive floor material around one of the shafts is in the process of being dug and processed.
EPSL extended to March 2032
• The protected species licence (EPSL) for the mine has been renewed until 31 March 2032.
Details
Jack Williams sampling
The Jack Williams stope lies at the western end of the historically worked Main Lode, the principal quartz-vein structure
associated with most historic gold production at Clogau (Figure 1). The current work is investigating the exposed vein
and surrounding rocks to assess potential exploration targets within the existing workings and towards the west.
Figure 1: Section diagram of underground workings, showing the Jack Williams stope and other proposed target areas within
the mine.
The entrance to the upper drive contains an extensive historic stope. Sampling has been undertaken in places where the
remaining vein was accessible in the roof beyond this stoped section. The 21 upper-level samples taken, numbered NC34
to NC54, include laminated veining, surrounding white quartz, sulphide-bearing material and vein contacts (Figure 2).
These are geological samples selected to investigate variations in the exposed rocks.
Initial observations indicate at least two phases of vein formation. A laminated component, comprising alternating quartz
and shale bands and sometimes described historically as "streaky bacon" veining, is commonly surrounded by more
massive white quartz (Figure 2). The laminated component is generally approximately 5-20 cm thick in the observed
sections. These are visual estimates of the exposed component and do not establish true widths or assayed intervals.
Figure 2: (left) Vein exposed after pressure washing of upper Jack Williams; (middle) Unmined streaky veining at the end of
the stoped section; (right) Streaky section of veining along upper Jack Williams.
Moving westwards, the laminated veining becomes narrower and more massive white quartz becomes dominant in
places. Off-white to pink calcite bands are also present. Samples have been collected to test these variations. At the
southward bend, the vein is no longer visible in the washed exposure; its continuation remains to be established as part of
future exploration work.
The exposed sidewalls are predominantly shale, with local greenstone contacts. Initial observations suggest that some
greenstone exposures may represent smaller intrusive sills rather than the principal sill shown on existing geological
maps. A weathered, highly graphitic shale band containing pyrite has also been sampled beside the vein. Further mapping
is needed to clarify these relationships and compare them with laboratory results.
Mineralogical work
Preliminary examination of cut samples has identified galena, arsenopyrite, pyrite and other sulphides. Galena-bearing
material from the first accessible vein section beyond the entrance stope is intended for thin-section examination and
assay to investigate whether gold is associated with this mineral in the sampled area.
Pink surface staining has also been observed, particularly in the eastern part of the upper west drive. Preliminary portable
X-ray fluorescence (pXRF) analysis indicates cobalt and arsenic, with the staining provisionally identified as cobalt
arsenate. Apparent gold signals recorded during this screening remain unverified and could reflect measurement error or
weathering of historic exposed surfaces. They are not being reported as gold grades at this stage.
Figure 3: (left) Galena within a sample from upper Jack Williams; (right) Pink cobalt arsenate.
The findings will be incorporated into the wider mineralogical review at Clogau and used to assess priorities for further
sampling and exploration development. The Company will provide a further update once material results have been
received and technically reviewed.
Shaft area excavation and processing
Sampling and hand-panning of extensive floor material around one of the shafts from previous periods of mining has
identified what are believed to be particles of visible gold in the material, which will be independently verified in due
course by third-party assaying and/or refining. The floor is in the process of being dug from east to west in 1m² sections
down to the bedrock, with all material then being transported to the Company’s pilot processing plant for concentrating.
Concentrates will then be sent to the Company’s usual third-party assay laboratory for assaying and extraction of any
gold content.
EPSL renewal
One of the key regulatory approvals for the mine, the European Protected Species Licence (EPSL), has been renewed by
Natural Resources Wales (NRW), following the Company’s formal application. The period of renewal is for a much
longer period than previous renewals, permitting work activities in the Lower Llechfraith mine system up until 31 March
2032.
Company comment
George Frangeskides, Executive Chairman, commented:
“The work we have advanced at Clogau on several fronts demonstrates our confidence about the mine’s exploration
potential. At Jack Williams, we have exposed and sampled sections of the Main Lode beyond the extensively mined
entrance stope, giving us the opportunity to examine vein material that appears to have seen limited mining in the past.
“Alongside this work, the identification of what we believe to be visible gold in historic floor material around one of the
shafts provides an encouraging focus for excavation and processing through our pilot plant.
“The renewal of our protected species licence through to March 2032 provides a longer planning horizon for future work
in the Lower Llechfraith mine system. Our focus is two-pronged, both assessing the mineralogy of these different areas in
order to prioritise gold exploration targets while at the same time pursuing opportunities to recover gold from historic
mine material.”
This announcement contains inside information for the purposes of the UK Market Abuse Regulation and the
Directors of the Company are responsible for the release of this announcement.
Forward Looking Statements
This announcement contains forward-looking statements relating to expected or anticipated future events and anticipated
results that are forward-looking in nature and, as a result, are subject to certain risks and uncertainties, such as general
economic, market, financial and business conditions, competition for and availability of qualified staff and contractors,
regulatory processes and actions, technical issues, new legislation, uncertainties resulting from potential delays or
changes in plans, uncertainties resulting from working in a new political jurisdiction, uncertainties regarding the results
of exploration, uncertainties regarding the timing and granting of prospecting rights, uncertainties regarding the timing
and granting of regulatory and other third party consents and approvals, uncertainties regarding the Company's or any
third party’s ability to finance, execute and implement future plans and programmes, and the occurrence of unexpected
events. Actual results achieved may vary from the information provided herein as a result of numerous known and
unknown risks and uncertainties and other factors.
*ENDS**
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Key Contacts
Arkadian Strategic Metals Plc
George Frangeskides, Executive Chairman
+44 20 3950 0725
SPARK Advisory Partners Limited (Nomad)
Andrew Emmott
+44 20 3368 3555
CMC Markets plc (Broker)
Thomas Smith / Douglas Crippen
+44 20 3003 8632
Arkadian’s Key Projects at a Glance
Motzfeldt Critical Metals Project, Greenland
Arkadian holds a majority interest in the Motzfeldt Critical Metals Project in southern Greenland, a large-scale mineralised
system containing rare earth elements, niobium, tantalum and zirconium. Its Aries deposit hosts a JORC-compliant
Inferred Mineral Resource of 340 million tonnes, with additional exploration potential across the wider project area,
including the Merino and Voskop targets.
The Company’s strategy has sought to advance Motzfeldt through resource evaluation, mineral processing studies and
environmental and engineering work, while assessing opportunities to expand and upgrade the existing resource. The
longer-term objective is to develop the project’s potential to supply critical metals needed by advanced technologies and
industry.
Clogau-St David’s Gold Mine, Wales
Arkadian owns the exclusive exploration rights to the Clogau-St David’s Gold Mine in north Wales, Britain’s largest
historic gold producer, with recorded production of at least 80,000 ounces. Situated within the Dolgellau Gold Belt, the
mine combines a distinguished gold-mining heritage with opportunities to investigate extensions to historically productive
veins and previously unworked targets.
The Company’s strategy has combined geological investigation and targeted underground exploration with evaluation of
gold recovery from historic mine material. Alongside this technical work, Arkadian has been developing commercial
opportunities for Welsh gold, whose scarcity and provenance can support premium pricing through limited-edition coins,
jewellery and other products.
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