{"success":true,"data":{"pressRelease":{"id":"142011","rtpr_id":"nNFC7sxzMt-20260914","ticker":"MNO","exchange":"TSX","all_tickers":["MNO"],"title":"Meridian Announces Inclusion in the VanEck Junior Gold Miners ETF (GDXJ)","author":"Newsfile Corp","published_at":"2026-09-14T06:00:20.501Z","article_body":"London, United Kingdom--(Newsfile Corp. - September 14, 2026) - Meridian\nMining plc (LSE: MNO) (TSX: MNO) (FSE: N2E0) (Tradegate: N2E0) (OTCQX: MRRDF)\n(\"Meridian\" or the \"Company\") is pleased to announce its inclusion in the\nVanEck Junior Gold Miners (\"GDXJ\") Exchange Traded Fund (\"ETF\") following the\nGDXJ's quarterly review and rebalancing announced on September 11, 2026,\neffective at the close of markets on September 18, 2026.\n\nThe GDXJ is the leading global ETF providing investors exposure to precious\nmetals through junior mining equities. The ETF tracks the most liquid small\nand mid-capitalisation companies primarily involved in the mining and\ndevelopment of gold and silver assets.\n\nMr. Gilbert Clark, CEO, comments: \"Inclusion in the GDXJ, a globally\nrecognised ETF is a significant milestone, reflecting Meridian's increased\nvisibility as an investment opportunity. This is a testament to the\nprogression and de-risking of the advanced staged Cabaçal Project. We believe\ninclusion in the GDXJ index will further improve trading liquidity increasing\naccess to a wider universe of institutional and retail investors seeking\nexposure to the gold sector and that benchmark against the GDXJ.\"\n\nFor more information on the VanEck Junior Gold Miners ETF, please visit:\n\nhttps://www.vaneck.com/US/EN/INVESTMENTS/JUNIOR-GOLD-MINERS-ETF-GDXJ/overview/\n\nAbout Meridian\n\nMeridian Mining is focused on:\n*\nThe development and exploration of the advanced-stage Cabaçal VMS\ngold‐copper project;\n*\nExpanding the initial resource inventory at the Santa Helena area through\nextension of Santa Helena Central, and new discoveries;\n*\nRegional-scale exploration of the Cabaçal VMS Belt to expand the Cabaçal Hub\nstrategy; and\n*\nExploration in the Jauru & Araputanga Greenstone Belts (the above all located\nin the State of Mato Grosso, Brazil).\n\nThe Pre-feasibility Study technical report (the \"PFS Technical Report\") dated\nMarch 31, 2025, entitled: \"Cabaçal Gold-Copper Project NI 43-101 Technical\nReport and Pre-feasibility Study\" outlines a base case after-tax NPV5 of USD\n984 million and 61.2% IRR from a pre-production capital cost of USD 248\nmillion, leading to capital repayment in 17 months (assuming a metals price\nscenario of USD 2,119 per ounce of gold, USD 4.16 per pound of copper, and USD\n26.89 per ounce of silver). Cabaçal has a low All-in-Sustaining-Cost of USD\n742 per ounce gold equivalent & production profile of 141,000 ounces of gold\nequivalent life of mine, driven by high metallurgical recovery, a low\nlife-of-mine strip ratio of 2.3:1, and the low operating cost environment of\nBrazil.\n\nThe Cabaçal Mineral Reserve estimate in the PFS consists of Proven and\nProbable reserves of 41.7 million tonnes at 0.63g/t gold, 0.44% copper and\n1.64g/t silver (at a 0.25 g/t gold equivalent cut-off grade).\n\nReaders are encouraged to read the PFS Technical Report in its entirety. The\nPFS Technical Report may be found under the Company's profile on SEDAR+ at\nwww.sedarplus.ca and on the Company's website at www.meridianmining.co.\n\nThe PFS Technical Report was prepared for the Company by Tommaso Roberto\nRaponi (P. Eng), Principal Metallurgist with Ausenco Engineering Canada ULC;\nScott Elfen (P. E.), Global Lead Geotechnical and Civil Services with Ausenco\nEngineering Canada ULC; John Anthony McCartney, C.Geol., Ausenco Chile Ltda.;\nPorfirio Cabaleiro Rodriguez (Engineer Geologist FAIG), of GE21 Consultoria\nMineral; Leonardo Soares (BSc Geo, MAIG), Senior Geological Consultant of GE21\nConsultoria Mineral; Norman Lotter (Mineral Processing Engineer; P.Eng.), of\nFlowsheets Metallurgical Consulting Inc.; and, Juliano Felix de Lima (Engineer\nGeologist MAIG), of GE21 Consultoria Mineral.\n\nOn behalf of the Board of Directors of Meridian Mining plc\n\nMr. Gilbert Clark - CEO and Director\n\nMeridian Mining plc\n8th Floor, 4 More London Riverside\nLondon SE1 2AU\nUnited Kingdom\n\nEmail: info@meridianmining.co\nPh: +44 (0) 203 930 3145 (GMT)\n\nMedia Enquiries:\nGareth Tredway / Saskia Sizen\nTel: +44 (0) 207 920 3150\nEmail: meridianmining@tavistock.co.uk\n\nStay up to date by subscribing for news alerts here:\nhttps://meridianmining.co/contact/\nFollow Meridian on X: https://X.com/MeridianMining\nFurther information can be found at: www.meridianmining.co\n\nCautionary Statement on Forward-Looking Information\n\nSome statements in this news release contain forward-looking information or\nforward-looking statements for the purposes of applicable securities laws.\nThese statements address future events and conditions and so involve inherent\nrisks and uncertainties, as disclosed under the heading \"Risk Factors\" in\nMeridian's most recent Annual Information Form filed on www.sedarplus.ca.\nWhile these factors and assumptions are considered reasonable by Meridian, in\nlight of management's experience and perception of current conditions and\nexpected developments, Meridian can give no assurance that such expectations\nwill prove to be correct. Any forward-looking statement speaks only as of the\ndate on which it is made and, except as may be required by applicable\nsecurities laws, Meridian disclaims any intent or obligation to update any\nforward-looking statement, whether as a result of new information, future\nevents, or results or otherwise.\n\n\nTo view the source version of this press release, please visit\nhttps://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/314114","article_body_html":"","raw_payload":{"data":{"id":"nNFC7sxzMt-20260914","title":"Meridian Announces Inclusion in the VanEck Junior Gold Miners ETF (GDXJ)","author":"Newsfile Corp","ticker":"MNO","created":"2026-09-14T06:00:20.501Z","tickers":["MNO"],"exchange":"TSX","article_body":"London, United Kingdom--(Newsfile Corp. - September 14, 2026) - Meridian\nMining plc (LSE: MNO) (TSX: MNO) (FSE: N2E0) (Tradegate: N2E0) (OTCQX: MRRDF)\n(\"Meridian\" or the \"Company\") is pleased to announce its inclusion in the\nVanEck Junior Gold Miners (\"GDXJ\") Exchange Traded Fund (\"ETF\") following the\nGDXJ's quarterly review and rebalancing announced on September 11, 2026,\neffective at the close of markets on September 18, 2026.\n\nThe GDXJ is the leading global ETF providing investors exposure to precious\nmetals through junior mining equities. The ETF tracks the most liquid small\nand mid-capitalisation companies primarily involved in the mining and\ndevelopment of gold and silver assets.\n\nMr. Gilbert Clark, CEO, comments: \"Inclusion in the GDXJ, a globally\nrecognised ETF is a significant milestone, reflecting Meridian's increased\nvisibility as an investment opportunity. This is a testament to the\nprogression and de-risking of the advanced staged Cabaçal Project. We believe\ninclusion in the GDXJ index will further improve trading liquidity increasing\naccess to a wider universe of institutional and retail investors seeking\nexposure to the gold sector and that benchmark against the GDXJ.\"\n\nFor more information on the VanEck Junior Gold Miners ETF, please visit:\n\nhttps://www.vaneck.com/US/EN/INVESTMENTS/JUNIOR-GOLD-MINERS-ETF-GDXJ/overview/\n\nAbout Meridian\n\nMeridian Mining is focused on:\n*\nThe development and exploration of the advanced-stage Cabaçal VMS\ngold‐copper project;\n*\nExpanding the initial resource inventory at the Santa Helena area through\nextension of Santa Helena Central, and new discoveries;\n*\nRegional-scale exploration of the Cabaçal VMS Belt to expand the Cabaçal Hub\nstrategy; and\n*\nExploration in the Jauru & Araputanga Greenstone Belts (the above all located\nin the State of Mato Grosso, Brazil).\n\nThe Pre-feasibility Study technical report (the \"PFS Technical Report\") dated\nMarch 31, 2025, entitled: \"Cabaçal Gold-Copper Project NI 43-101 Technical\nReport and Pre-feasibility Study\" outlines a base case after-tax NPV5 of USD\n984 million and 61.2% IRR from a pre-production capital cost of USD 248\nmillion, leading to capital repayment in 17 months (assuming a metals price\nscenario of USD 2,119 per ounce of gold, USD 4.16 per pound of copper, and USD\n26.89 per ounce of silver). Cabaçal has a low All-in-Sustaining-Cost of USD\n742 per ounce gold equivalent & production profile of 141,000 ounces of gold\nequivalent life of mine, driven by high metallurgical recovery, a low\nlife-of-mine strip ratio of 2.3:1, and the low operating cost environment of\nBrazil.\n\nThe Cabaçal Mineral Reserve estimate in the PFS consists of Proven and\nProbable reserves of 41.7 million tonnes at 0.63g/t gold, 0.44% copper and\n1.64g/t silver (at a 0.25 g/t gold equivalent cut-off grade).\n\nReaders are encouraged to read the PFS Technical Report in its entirety. The\nPFS Technical Report may be found under the Company's profile on SEDAR+ at\nwww.sedarplus.ca and on the Company's website at www.meridianmining.co.\n\nThe PFS Technical Report was prepared for the Company by Tommaso Roberto\nRaponi (P. Eng), Principal Metallurgist with Ausenco Engineering Canada ULC;\nScott Elfen (P. E.), Global Lead Geotechnical and Civil Services with Ausenco\nEngineering Canada ULC; John Anthony McCartney, C.Geol., Ausenco Chile Ltda.;\nPorfirio Cabaleiro Rodriguez (Engineer Geologist FAIG), of GE21 Consultoria\nMineral; Leonardo Soares (BSc Geo, MAIG), Senior Geological Consultant of GE21\nConsultoria Mineral; Norman Lotter (Mineral Processing Engineer; P.Eng.), of\nFlowsheets Metallurgical Consulting Inc.; and, Juliano Felix de Lima (Engineer\nGeologist MAIG), of GE21 Consultoria Mineral.\n\nOn behalf of the Board of Directors of Meridian Mining plc\n\nMr. Gilbert Clark - CEO and Director\n\nMeridian Mining plc\n8th Floor, 4 More London Riverside\nLondon SE1 2AU\nUnited Kingdom\n\nEmail: info@meridianmining.co\nPh: +44 (0) 203 930 3145 (GMT)\n\nMedia Enquiries:\nGareth Tredway / Saskia Sizen\nTel: +44 (0) 207 920 3150\nEmail: meridianmining@tavistock.co.uk\n\nStay up to date by subscribing for news alerts here:\nhttps://meridianmining.co/contact/\nFollow Meridian on X: https://X.com/MeridianMining\nFurther information can be found at: www.meridianmining.co\n\nCautionary Statement on Forward-Looking Information\n\nSome statements in this news release contain forward-looking information or\nforward-looking statements for the purposes of applicable securities laws.\nThese statements address future events and conditions and so involve inherent\nrisks and uncertainties, as disclosed under the heading \"Risk Factors\" in\nMeridian's most recent Annual Information Form filed on www.sedarplus.ca.\nWhile these factors and assumptions are considered reasonable by Meridian, in\nlight of management's experience and perception of current conditions and\nexpected developments, Meridian can give no assurance that such expectations\nwill prove to be correct. Any forward-looking statement speaks only as of the\ndate on which it is made and, except as may be required by applicable\nsecurities laws, Meridian disclaims any intent or obligation to update any\nforward-looking statement, whether as a result of new information, future\nevents, or results or otherwise.\n\n\nTo view the source version of this press release, please visit\nhttps://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/314114"},"type":"article","timestamp":"2026-09-14T06:00:20.565123908Z","server_sent_at_ms":1789365620565},"received_at":"2026-09-14T06:00:20.619Z","source_url":"https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/314114"},"analysis":{"id":"130857","press_release_id":"142011","analysis_json":{"industry":{"label":"Metals & Mining","sector":"Materials"},"redFlags":[],"eventType":"operations_update","narrative":"Meridian Mining plc will join the VanEck Junior Gold Miners ETF (GDXJ) following the index's quarterly review and rebalancing, effective at the close of markets on September 18, 2026.\n\nCEO Gilbert Clark called the inclusion a significant milestone that should improve trading liquidity and broaden access to institutional and retail investors benchmarking against the GDXJ.\n\nThe investment case rests on the advanced-stage Cabaçal gold-copper project in Brazil, whose pre-feasibility study outlines a base case of USD 984 million after-tax NPV5, 61.2% IRR, and USD 742 per ounce all-in sustaining costs.","sentiment":"bullish","agentHooks":{"shouldPost":true,"suggestedAngle":"GDXJ inclusion should pull passive benchmark flows and lift liquidity in this small-cap gold developer around the September 18 effective date."},"keyFigures":{"customDimensions":{"pfs_irr":"61.2%","strip_ratio":"2.3:1","reserve_grades":"0.63 g/t gold, 0.44% copper, 1.64 g/t silver at 0.25 g/t AuEq cut-off","p_and_p_reserves_mt":41.7,"capital_payback_months":17,"pfs_after_tax_npv5_usd_m":984,"index_rebalance_announced":"September 11, 2026","price_scenario_gold_usd_oz":2119,"pre_production_capital_usd_m":248,"price_scenario_copper_usd_lb":4.16,"price_scenario_silver_usd_oz":26.89,"index_inclusion_effective_date":"September 18, 2026","aisc_usd_per_oz_gold_equivalent":742,"life_of_mine_production_oz_gold_equivalent":141000}},"quotedText":"Inclusion in the\nGDXJ, a globally\nrecognised ETF is a significant milestone, reflecting Meridian's increased\nvisibility as an investment opportunity. This is a testament to the\nprogression and de-risking of the advanced staged Cabaçal Project.","namedEntities":{"people":[{"name":"Gilbert Clark","role":"CEO and Director"}],"products":["Cabaçal Gold-Copper Project","Santa Helena","VanEck Junior Gold Miners ETF (GDXJ)"],"companies":[{"name":"Meridian Mining plc","ticker":"MNO","relationship":"filer"},{"name":"VanEck","relationship":"ETF issuer / index provider (GDXJ)"},{"name":"Ausenco Engineering Canada ULC","relationship":"QP consultant on PFS Technical Report"},{"name":"GE21 Consultoria Mineral","relationship":"QP consultant on PFS Technical Report"}],"dollarAmounts":[{"amount":"USD 984 million","context":"base case after-tax NPV5 of the Cabaçal Project (PFS)"},{"amount":"USD 248 million","context":"pre-production capital cost"},{"amount":"USD 742 per ounce gold equivalent","context":"all-in sustaining cost assumption"},{"amount":"USD 2,119 per ounce of gold","context":"metals price scenario assumption"},{"amount":"USD 4.16 per pound of copper","context":"metals price scenario assumption"},{"amount":"USD 26.89 per ounce of silver","context":"metals price scenario assumption"}]},"materialImpact":{"score":3,"reasoning":"Inclusion in GDXJ is a genuine catalyst for a junior miner: benchmark-driven passive flows and wider investor access can move a small-cap's shares around the September 18 effective date. It is not, however, a change to the underlying business or fundamentals."},"tickerRelevance":{"others":[{"ticker":"GDXJ","relevance":"ETF/index to which MNO is being added at the September 18 rebalance"},{"ticker":"MRRDF","relevance":"OTCQX ticker of the same filer (Meridian Mining)"}],"primary":"MNO"},"globalImportance":25,"audienceRelevance":22,"eventTypeSecondary":[],"importanceComponents":{"tickerTier":"small-cap junior miner","eventGravity":"index inclusion via quarterly GDXJ rebalance","issuerAuthored":true,"householdBrandBoost":"none","passiveFlowImplication":"index membership opens stock to GDXJ-benchmarked funds; flows actionable at effective date"}},"event_type":"operations_update","event_type_secondary":null,"sentiment":"bullish","material_impact_score":3,"narrative":"Meridian Mining plc will join the VanEck Junior Gold Miners ETF (GDXJ) following the index's quarterly review and rebalancing, effective at the close of markets on September 18, 2026.\n\nCEO Gilbert Clark called the inclusion a significant milestone that should improve trading liquidity and broaden access to institutional and retail investors benchmarking against the GDXJ.\n\nThe investment case rests on the advanced-stage Cabaçal gold-copper project in Brazil, whose pre-feasibility study outlines a base case of USD 984 million after-tax NPV5, 61.2% IRR, and USD 742 per ounce all-in sustaining costs.","key_figures":{"customDimensions":{"pfs_irr":"61.2%","strip_ratio":"2.3:1","reserve_grades":"0.63 g/t gold, 0.44% copper, 1.64 g/t silver at 0.25 g/t AuEq cut-off","p_and_p_reserves_mt":41.7,"capital_payback_months":17,"pfs_after_tax_npv5_usd_m":984,"index_rebalance_announced":"September 11, 2026","price_scenario_gold_usd_oz":2119,"pre_production_capital_usd_m":248,"price_scenario_copper_usd_lb":4.16,"price_scenario_silver_usd_oz":26.89,"index_inclusion_effective_date":"September 18, 2026","aisc_usd_per_oz_gold_equivalent":742,"life_of_mine_production_oz_gold_equivalent":141000}},"named_entities":{"people":[{"name":"Gilbert Clark","role":"CEO and Director"}],"products":["Cabaçal Gold-Copper Project","Santa Helena","VanEck Junior Gold Miners ETF (GDXJ)"],"companies":[{"name":"Meridian Mining plc","ticker":"MNO","relationship":"filer"},{"name":"VanEck","relationship":"ETF issuer / index provider (GDXJ)"},{"name":"Ausenco Engineering Canada ULC","relationship":"QP consultant on PFS Technical Report"},{"name":"GE21 Consultoria Mineral","relationship":"QP consultant on PFS Technical Report"}],"dollarAmounts":[{"amount":"USD 984 million","context":"base case after-tax NPV5 of the Cabaçal Project (PFS)"},{"amount":"USD 248 million","context":"pre-production capital cost"},{"amount":"USD 742 per ounce gold equivalent","context":"all-in sustaining cost assumption"},{"amount":"USD 2,119 per ounce of gold","context":"metals price scenario assumption"},{"amount":"USD 4.16 per pound of copper","context":"metals price scenario assumption"},{"amount":"USD 26.89 per ounce of silver","context":"metals price scenario assumption"}]},"model_name":"glm-5.3-flash","prompt_hash":"sha256:727b4b9429a443af","schema_hash":"sha256:05005c02d9cffac9","created_at":"2026-09-14T06:01:47.532Z","global_importance":25,"audience_relevance":22,"importance_components":{"tickerTier":"small-cap junior miner","eventGravity":"index inclusion via quarterly GDXJ rebalance","issuerAuthored":true,"householdBrandBoost":"none","passiveFlowImplication":"index membership opens stock to GDXJ-benchmarked funds; flows actionable at effective date"}},"durationMs":75577,"modelName":"glm-5.3-flash"}}