Lotus Resources Secures Environmental Clearance for Kayelekera Uranium Mine Restart

• Malawi Environment Protection Authority (MEPA) approved the Environmental and Social Impact Assessment Report for the Kayelekera Uranium Mine in May 2025
• ESIA Certificate will be ready for collection within seven days following correspondence dated 14 July 2025
• Uranium production at Kayelekera is scheduled to commence this quarter, marking the mine's return to operation
• The mine previously produced approximately 11 million pounds of uranium between 2009 and 2014 before temporary closure
• Lotus Resources (ASX: LOT) maintains an 85% interest in the project through its subsidiary Lotus (Africa) Limited

Lotus Resources Limited (ASX: LOT, OTCQX: LTSRF) is a leading Africa-focused uranium development company with significant scale and mineral resources across two key projects. The company operates with a focus on creating value for shareholders, customers, and the communities where it operates, working closely with local stakeholders to provide meaningful and lasting impact.

Under the leadership of Managing Director Greg Bittar, Lotus has positioned itself as an advanced uranium player with a diversified portfolio. The company holds an 85% interest in the Kayelekera Uranium Project in Malawi and 100% ownership of the Letlhakane Uranium Project in Botswana, providing strategic geographic diversification within the African uranium sector.

Environmental Approval Milestone

The ESIA Certificate represents a significant regulatory milestone, demonstrating compliance with Malawi's environmental standards and social impact requirements. The collaborative approach between Lotus and MEPA reflects strong government support for the project's restart, which will contribute to the local economy and provide regional employment opportunities.

The comprehensive assessment process involved evaluating potential environmental and social impacts, with mitigation measures and monitoring programmes developed to ensure responsible mining operations. The approval confirms that Kayelekera meets necessary environmental standards for uranium mining activities in Malawi.

Completing the certification process ahead of planned production commencement provides regulatory certainty for the operational phase. This timing enables the company to proceed confidently as production activities ramp up over the coming months.

Project Fundamentals & Production Outlook

Kayelekera represents a proven uranium asset with strong operational history, having produced approximately 11 million pounds of uranium from 2009 to 2014 before being placed into care and maintenance due to market conditions. The project's restart is supported by improved uranium market dynamics and comprehensive restart studies.

The project benefits from existing infrastructure, including processing facilities and established mining areas, which reduces capital requirements compared to greenfield developments. Current mineral resources total 46.3 million pounds of uranium, with ore reserves of 23.0 million pounds supporting long-term viability.

Production will ramp up gradually over the following months through phased implementation of operational plans and expanded mining activities. This measured approach ensures operational stability while building production capacity to meet long-term targets.

The ESIA Certificate confirmation represents a crucial regulatory milestone as Lotus Resources prepares to restart uranium production at Kayelekera. With environmental approval secured and production scheduled to commence this quarter, the company is well-positioned to return to uranium production after an 11-year hiatus. The collaborative relationship with Malawi's regulatory authorities and existing project infrastructure provide a solid foundation for the restart. Key upcoming milestones include collecting the ESIA Certificate within seven days and commencing uranium production this quarter, followed by gradual production ramp-up as the company works towards full operational capacity.