Ariana has always been committed to socially responsible and environmentally conscious exploration and mining. Since the commencement of work at our primary operational sites, Ariana has worked to build strong links with local communities and toestablish relationships of trust with all stakeholders. Whilst work on establishing vital stakeholder links often occurs in the background, its importance cannot be under-estimated. Without these concerted efforts and commitment to integrity, we could

not have achieved the sound relationships with government organisations, local communities and JV partners, which have underpinned Ariana’s success. In addition, the Company has in place an Anti-Corruption and Anti-Bribery Policy.

The Board of Directors actively encourages communications with shareholders and seeks to protect shareholders’ interests at all times. There are regular opportunities to engage directly with shareholders at the Annual General Meeting and at investor events and shows throughout the year. The Company also updates shareholders via regulatory news, financial reports, director Q&As and social media updates. 

Ariana has always attached great importance to employees’ professional development and the creation of employment in the localities where we operate. The Company provides fair remuneration, flexible working arrangements where practical and exposure to wider aspects of the Company’s operations. The Company gives full and fair consideration to applications for employment received irrespective of age, gender, colour, ethnicity, disability, nationality, religious beliefs or sexual orientation. More information on Ariana’s Employee policy can be found on its corporate website.

Governmental organisations Ariana has many years’ experience across south- eastern Europe and Zimbabwe and has an in-depth understanding of business within these broad regions. The Company focuses on building good relationships with government organisations and local authorities.

The Group has developed a track record of being diligent in following government guidelines in all aspects of its business. Ariana works with partners local to each project, such as Özaltin Holding A.S. and Proccea Construction Co. in Türkiye and Western Tethyan Resources in Kosovo, ensuring that financial benefits also accrue to the countries in which the Group is active.

Ariana has a strong track-record for developing young geologists in the early stages of their careers.  We know that investing in today’s graduates will lead to tomorrow’s exploration leaders.  Ariana itself has benefited from students who have gone on to take up leadership roles within the Company.  Every year, Ariana has typically invited two British and two Turkish undergraduates to take summer internships with our exploration team. This has proved to be a highly successful programme and has also reinforced our relationships with universities both in the UK and in Turkey.

Ariana has also sponsored a PhD thesis on the gold metallogenesis of western Turkey and has supported several MSc students with projects based on our operations in western Turkey. Our ability to attract and retain a talented team has enabled us to explore at half the cost of our industry peer group.

Ariana has a strong track record of commitment to working with local suppliers and employing local people and its understanding of local social and business cultures enables the Group to develop strong connections with local businesses and communities encouraging collaborative working and aiming to ensure Ariana’s values are reflected in its joint ventures and other partnerships.

Ariana has run many training programmes for the Group’s employees focusing on the mechanical, physical, technical and safety aspects of its exploration programmes. Working with the local community to promote educational standards is also a priority for Ariana and the Company actively supports both primary, secondary and tertiary educational programmes in the regions that we operate.

The Company has a prompt payment policy and seeks to ensure that all liabilities are settled within the supplier’s terms. Through fair dealings the Company aims to cultivate the goodwill of its contractors, consultants and suppliers.

From incorporation, Ariana has been committed to a sustainable and environmentally responsible approach to exploration and mining. Using cutting edge technologies and innovative working practices, the Company aims to achieve its environmental goals faster and more efficiently.

The Company has implemented operating guidelines to ensure that specific environmental standards are met by the Group’s exploration and mining teams. The Group’s operations comply with local environmental standards and it operates under the relevant certification from government departments.  Ariana is also a founder member of the Gold Miners’ Association of Turkey and a subscriber to e3 Plus: A Framework for Responsible Exploration (https://www.pdac.ca/priorities/responsible-exploration/e3-plus).  We comply with various local environmental standards in Turkey and operate under the relevant certification from government departments accordingly. 

The Company has adopted agile new technologies and working practices to help us reduce its carbon footprint, for example the early adoption of portable XRF technology greatly reducing its environmental impact, as samples can be analysed locally, avoiding excessive transportation. In addition the deployment of Geotek BoxScan technology for drill cores also ensures the Group can analyse cores locally. For many years, the Group has used remote working team technologies and video-conferencing to minimise air and road travel.

Measuring our environmental impact is an essential component of Ariana’s approach. Ariana’s carbon emissions are estimated to be 0.32 tonnes CO₂ per ounce of gold. The global average for the industry is 0.80 tonnes CO₂ per ounce of gold. The Company is proud that its carbon footprint is being offset by a reforestation programme of trees and other plants around the Kiziltepe mine site. Rehabilitation work has begun on parts of the waste rock dump, covering it with topsoil and planting sainfoin, a drought resistant plant, highly beneficial to bees and other pollinators. The topsoil storage area has also been covered in sainfoin to preserve soil quality, as it is a nitrogen fixing plant.

The Group also keep bees at the Kiziltepe mine site, as they are a bellwether for the health of ecosystems. The local university prepares a flora and fauna report which Ariana uses to ensure mining activity is not adversely impacting the local ecosystem.

The joint venture also sponsors firefighting equipment. Firefighting is a very important local issue, as much of the upland area in the vicinity of the mine is covered in protected pine forests, and therefore a fire risk.

Some environmental activities carried out within the scope of the our Projects are listed below:

TURKIYE

• As part of ongoing EIA Commitments, measurement and analysis of water, air, and soil quality as well as noise- vibration were within legislative limits.
• As part of the rehabilitation of the waste storage area 23,350 saplings planted in 2023 have been monitored and maintained.
• Beekeeping activities continued.
• In 2024, a total of three environmental audits were successfully completed by the Ministry of Environment, Urbanisation and Climate Change.
• ISO 14001-Environmental Management System studies have been put in place to develop and document the environmental management implemented at the mine.
• Carbon footprint and water footprint reporting has been completed in line with ISO 14064 and 14046 requirements.
• Environmental training aimed at increasing the environmental awareness of our employees continued through the year.
• A Flora and Fauna report has been prepared to keep track of biodiversity.

ZIMBABWE

• Rehabilitation of drill pads, roads and sumps following drilling in 2023-2024.
• Re-purposing bore holes for community well projects for livestock and irrigation water supply.
• Repair of bore hole pipes at the local primary school.
• Fumigation and repair of the damaged roof of the local clinic.
• Wet season environmental flora and fauna survey completed to allow for mitigation planning of any potential effect of mine development.

Ariana is committed to best-practice in socially and ethically responsible exploration and mining for the benefit of all stakeholders. The activities of the Company are in line with applicable laws on human rights. 

Company activities are carried out in accordance with its Health and Safety Policy, which adheres to all applicable laws. Relevant to their job roles, members of the team have received certification in occupational health and safety, advanced off-road driving, first-aid and survival.  Our team also has access to a helicopter- based medevac service in Zimbabwe.