Vientiane Capital, 29 November 2023 - Lane Xang Minerals Limited (LXML) has been awarded the 1^st Runner Up ASEAN Mineral Award in Mineral Processing – Metallic, a prestigious recognition that highlights the company's commitment to sustainable mining practices. The announcement was made by the Board of Judges Meeting of the 3^rd ASEAN Minerals Awards, held in Cambodia on 21-22-23 November 2023.

The award acknowledges LXML as a leading mineral processing company in Laos with exceptional performance in meeting the criteria of community development, contribution to the ASEAN minerals supply, human resource development, productivity, resource efficiency, and value-added benefits for sustainability. LXML's health and environmental safety performance, as well as its operations and maintenance program, were also taken into account. The company's innovative practices and system processes that have resulted in higher efficiency further enhanced its eligibility for the award.

As a responsible mining company in the Lao PDR, LXML is committed to the best practices in environmental management and sustainable socio-economic development. The ASEAN Mineral Award is a symbolic testament to the company's mining excellence, promoting environmentally and socially sustainable mineral development, disseminating best practices, and encouraging the private sector to participate in standardized environmental management while contributing to community development and stakeholder relations.

LXML's participation in the awards competition, led by Mr. Saman Aneka, Managing Director of LXML, and his delegations, Mr. Chanthone Naovalath, Vice-Managing Director, Mr. Devy Dyson, Senior Superintendent-Processing, Mr. Katia Juevaxaiki, Superintendent Communications and PR, and presentation to the Board of Judges session by Mr. Jeremy Davidson, Vice General Manager – Mining Operations & Security of LXML, showcased the company's best practices in mineral processing to the judges at ASEAN level.

This award was an excellent opportunity for LXML to bring its brand name to the international level and strengthen regional cooperation while encouraging the private sector to participate in dealing with the best safety, environment management, and sustainable community development as top priorities. This achievement is a testament to the company's management of the environment and commitment to follow sustainable mineral development at international standards.

LXML's appreciation and honor for the ASEAN Mineral Award is a significant achievement, and the company is continuing and looking forward to contributing to Lao PDR's sustainable development in the current and future. LXML will continue to strive for excellence in the mining industry while maintaining its commitment to environmental sustainability and community development.

Savannakhet Province, Lao PDR - A milestone was reached on October 17, 2023, as a handover ceremony was held to unveil an open-air shed to display several little ancient silex stone axes that date back 6,000-4,000 years ago. This Shed is a replica of a Neolithic excavation located in Nampakhen Village done by the local indigenous people who resided in the pre-historical time. The Shed was built under the Community Trust Fund which is sponsored by Lane Xang Minerals Limited to preserve the stone-aged artifacts and also serve as a reference for the story of Vilabouly District, particularly in the field of traditional culture and archaeology. It will allow tourist from all over the world to visit and learn about people and the evidenced remnants of Stone Age artefacts in this region.

A displayed shed with 4 X 4.70 m, and 4.30 m high reinforced by steel-frame, glass, alumina roof sheets, and 2 latrines cost at 244.253,280 LAK and was completed in June 10, 2023.

The handover ceremony was attended by high-profile individuals such as Mr. Valiya Sichanthongthip, Mayor of Vilabouly District, Mr. Saman Aneka, Managing Director of LXML, Dr. Thonglith Louangkhoth, Deputy Director General of Heritage Department, Mr. Mongkoutphet Vongphachanh, Deputy Head of Information, Culture and Tourism Division, Ministry of Information, Culture, and Tourism of Savannakhet province, LXML representatives, technical officers, representatives from the local contractors, public sector, Nampakhen village authorities, and the villagers also attended the ceremony.

Speaking at the ceremony, Mr. Saman expressed his confidence that LXML is maintaining good cooperation from the relevant public sector, particularly in the mining operation, to achieve its goals. He also affirmed that the company would continue to support cultural-heritage works together with the Vilabouly district, and Savannakhet province. LXML has a proper MoU in Corporate Cultural work with the Heritage Department, Ministry of Information, Culture and Tourism.

LXML is proud to support this project and contribute to the preservation of heritage. The Shed will serve as a valuable resource for the community and visitors alike, providing insights into the rich history of the area. The Shed is now open to the public, and it is expected to attract visitors from all over the world, eager to learn more about the fascinating history of the region.

Dr. Thonglith Louangkoth, Deputy Director General of the Heritage Department, extended his sincere gratitude and appreciation to LXML for their cooperation and for allowing the government team to work on-site. He recognizes LXML's efforts in preserving cultural heritage through their corporate work, which supports the true history of Vilabouly District and its significance as part of ancient Laos

Co-chair the handover ceremony Mr. Mongkoutphet Vongphachanh, Deputy Head of Information, Culture and Tourism Division (Left), Mr. Saman Aneka, Managing Director LXML (centre left), Mr. Valiya Sichanthongthip, Mayor of Vilabouly District (centre right), and Dr. Thonglith Louangkhoth, Deputy Director General of Heritage Department (right).

Vientiane Capital, 10 October 2023 – Lane Xang Minerals Limited (LXML) is thrilled to announce that LXML, a leading mineral processing company, has been shortlisted for the prestigious ASEAN Mineral Award 2023. The announcement was made by the Board of Judges (BOJ) of the ASEAN Minerals Award, who confirmed that LXML is one of the six competitive companies that have met the "Best Practices in Minerals Processing" categorization.

The ASEAN Mineral Award aims to promote environmentally and socially sustainable mineral development, improve the perception of the mineral industry, disseminate best practices, and encourage private sector to participate in standardised environmental management and contributing to the community development at the standardized Corporate Social Response (CSR) mode.

LXML is a responsible mining company in Lao PDR and always commits to our best practices to deal with the best environmental management and sustainable socio-economic development. The shortlist for the ASEAN Mineral Award is a symbolic testament to the company's unwavering dedication to mining excellence.

The final presentation to the BOJ will be held in Cambodia on 21-22-23 November 2023, where LXML will showcase its best practices in mineral processing to the judges. The ASEAN Mineral Award is an excellent opportunity for LXML to bring its brand name to the international level and strengthen regional cooperation while encouraging the private sector to participate in dealing with the best safety, environment management, and sustainable community development as top priorities. The winning the award would be a significant achievement and a testament to the company’s management of the environment, and commitment to follow sustainable mineral development at international standards.

Since 2023, LXML has had a wealth of experience and expertise in minerals processing, having been in the mining industry for the past 20 years. The company has consistently demonstrated its commitment and always looking for opportunities to improve its mineral processing and make a positive impact on the environment and the host communities in which it operates.

LXML's shortlisting for the ASEAN Mineral Award is a significant achievement and a testament to its leadership in the mining industry. The company looks forward to the final presentation and hopes to emerge as the winner of the “Best Practices in Minerals Processing” Award for 2023.

Re-vegetation at an old pit in Sepon mine –part of our ongoing rehabilitation activity.

On 29 September 2023 at the Lao German Technical College (LGTC) in Vientiane Capital, Lane Xang Minerals Limited (LXML) attended the introduction of 18 new starters from Vilabouly District high school to intake the LGTC’s apprenticeship program from the year 2023 to 2027. The event was co-chaired by Mr. Saman Aneka-LXML Managing Director, and Mr. Khamsavay Gnommilavong-Director of Lao-German Technical College and with the attendance of senior technical staff from LXML and the expert-vocational teachers from LGTC college.

The year 2023–2027 apprenticeship program is under the extension of the 3-year Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) signed by both parties in mid-2022. The LGTC’s expert-vocational teachers have debriefed the progress made by the first 18 apprentice trainees during the year 2022. The key learning from the discussion will further apply to the improvement of the Group 2, as well as addressing any concerns or proposed actions from LGTC and LXML.

As of 18 August 2022, LXML has started to provide 18 scholarship packs to the high school graduated from Vilabouly District’s communities next door to Sepon mine. Pending to their choices these students will receive the training in electrical, mechanical, heavy machinery, fabrication, crane operations, automotive, and auto-electrical trades to meet the requirements of the labour market.

The program will include vocational training at LGTC sites and internship practices at LXML’s Sepon Project site. In the past between the years 2015 and 2018, there were eighteen Lao apprentices who completed a five-year graduated Australian Certificate III Trade qualification and a Lao Diploma of Technical Training. The graduates received valuable skills to contribute to their career development in the Lao PDR and Abroad.

Mr. Saman stated that "LXML is proud to sponsor the qualified vocational training for the Vilabouly District local students and build up better livelihoods for the future generations. The in-taken skills and experiences by the participants will contribute to Sepon's operations and to the Lao PDR."

Since Sepon’s Operations commenced in 2003, LXML has invested millions of dollars in training, scholarships, apprenticeships, traineeships, and internship practices. More than 105 Lao participants graduated from the provided apprenticeship programs, and 36 professionals graduated from overseas with higher educational diplomas.

Up to June 2022, LXML has provided 23,000 training hours to Lao employees through internal, external, on-the-job training, and the overseas study. In the second half of 2022, LXML has reinstated its popular Supervisor and Leadership Development programs to support the next generation of Lao mining professionals.

Since production commenced in 2003, Sepon Mine contributed over US$1.7 billion in taxes, royalties, and dividends to the Government of Laos.  There were hundreds of millions of dollars spent on employment, training, and local community business development. The mine employs approximately 5,000 local people.

Furthermore, LXML is the only mining operation in the Lao PDR consistently rated A+ by the Ministry of Energy and Mines for its commitment to social and economic development, health and safety, environmental protection, and maintaining international standards. LXML remains committed to supporting technical scholarships for local communities in the Vilabouly District and is proud to contribute to the development of Lao PDR.

For further information please contact:

Tel:         856 21 268 226

Fax:       856 21 268 001

Email:    lxml.information@lxml.la

Note to Editor:

Chifeng Jilong Gold Mining Co., Ltd (Chifeng) is a Shanghai – listed metals producer headquartered in Chifeng, Inner Mongolia. Chifeng is a leading gold producer in China and is specialised in gold acquisition and integrated resource recovery and utilization. From 30 November 2018, Chifeng assumed ownership of Lane Xang Minerals Limited’s Sepon mine after MMG completed the sale of its 90% interest in LXML. Chifeng now owns 90% and the Lao Government owns 10% share in LXML.