Vast Admitted to DIBC & Cornerstone Consortium

Vast Resources PLC

24 August 2026

 

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THE COMMUNICATION OF THIS ANNOUNCEMENT AND ANY OTHER DOCUMENTS OR MATERIALS RELATING TO THE RETAIL OFFER AS A FINANCIAL PROMOTION IS ONLY BEING MADE TO, AND MAY ONLY BE ACTED UPON BY, THOSE PERSONS IN THE UNITED KINGDOM FALLING WITHIN ARTICLE 43 OF THE FINANCIAL SERVICES AND MARKETS ACT 2000 (FINANCIAL PROMOTION) ORDER 2005, AS AMENDED (WHICH INCLUDES AN EXISTING MEMBER OF VAST RESOURCES PLC). ANY INVESTMENT OR INVESTMENT ACTIVITY TO WHICH THIS ANNOUNCEMENT RELATES IS AVAILABLE ONLY TO SUCH PERSONS AND WILL BE ENGAGED IN ONLY BY SUCH PERSONS. THIS ANNOUNCEMENT IS FOR INFORMATIONAL PURPOSES ONLY, AND DOES NOT CONSTITUTE OR FORM PART OF ANY OFFER OR INVITATION TO SELL OR ISSUE, OR ANY SOLICITATION OF AN OFFER TO PURCHASE OR SUBSCRIBE FOR, ANY SECURITIES OF VAST RESOURCES PLC.

Defined terms in this announcement shall have the same meaning as defined in the Company's Admission Document published 31 July 2026, and the announcement of 27 July 2026 (RNS: 9659N) unless otherwise defined herein.

24 August 2026

Vast Resources plc
("Vast" or the "Company")

Vast Admitted to the Defense Industrial Base Consortium (DIBC) and Cornerstone Consortium to Support Critical Mineral Supply Chain Security in North America

Vast Resources plc (AIM: VAST), the AIM-quoted mining and resource development company with a portfolio of producing and development-stage precious and polymetallic projects in Tajikistan and Romania, is pleased to announce that it has been admitted as a member of the Defense Industrial Base Consortium ("DIBC") and the Cornerstone Consortium ("Cornerstone").  The DIBC is a U.S. Department of Defense-supported initiative managed by Advanced Technology International ("ATI"). Cornerstone is the only US Government-managed Other Transaction Agreement consortium within the Department of Defense which was established in 2018 under the Office of the Secretary of Defense: the Industrial Base Analysis and Sustainment (IBAS) Program to strengthen the U.S.  manufacturing and defense industrial base.

Membership in the DIBC and Cornerstone strengthens Vast's position within the growing network of companies, research institutions, and government partners working to enhance the resilience and security of North American and allied critical mineral supply chains that support defense, aerospace, advanced manufacturing, and national security priorities.

Andrew Prelea, Chief Executive Officer of Vast, commented:

"Being admitted to the Defense Industrial Base Consortium is a significant milestone for Vast. It reflects the strategic importance of our critical minerals portfolio, particularly in the context of our expansion into Tajikistan as well as the Company's existing portfolio of assets in Romania and aligns directly with the urgent need for secure sources of materials essential to defense and industrial applications.

"Membership provides Vast with valuable access to a collaborative network of U.S. defense stakeholders, industry partners, and potential funding and prototyping opportunities under the Other Transaction Authority framework.  As we continue advancing our projects and development, this membership enhances our ability to engage with the broader ecosystem focused on strengthening North American supply chain security."

What Membership Means for Vast

As a DIBC and Cornerstone member, Vast will gain access to a collaborative platform connecting traditional and non-traditional defense contractors, research organizations, federal agencies, and innovative companies. Membership provides opportunities to:

·      Engage with U.S. Department of Defense and related stakeholders on critical materials initiatives;

·      Participate in solicitations, industry events, and capability-matching activities;

·      Explore research, prototyping, and industrial base strengthening opportunities under the flexible Other Transaction Authority (OTA) framework;

·      Collaborate with partners focused on securing domestic and allied supplies of critical minerals, rare earth elements, and other strategic minerals; and

·      Increase visibility of Vast's projects within the defense industrial ecosystem.

While membership does not guarantee contracts or funding, it positions the Company to more effectively demonstrate the strategic relevance of its assets and participate in initiatives aimed at reducing reliance on non-allied controlled sources of critical minerals.

About DIBC

The Defense Industrial Base Consortium is a U.S. Department of Defense-supported consortium established to strengthen, expand, and modernize the U.S. defense industrial base. Managed by ATI, the DIBC fosters collaboration among government agencies, industry (both traditional and non-traditional defense contractors), academia, and emerging suppliers.

The consortium focuses on accelerating innovation and addressing supply chain vulnerabilities across priority areas, including critical chemicals and minerals, rare earth elements (REEs), energy storage and batteries, microelectronics, castings and forgings, small unmanned aerial systems, and other technologies vital to national security. Membership is open to U.S. companies and certain allied entities (including those based in Australia, Canada, and the United Kingdom) that can contribute to these objectives. The DIBC currently includes more than 1,500 member organizations.

About Cornerstone

Cornerstone is a prototype Other Transaction Agreement (OTA) vehicle and consortium supporting a broad spectrum of Department of Defense technology areas. It was created in February 2018 through collaboration between the Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defense for Industrial Policy, IBAS Program Manager, and Army Contracting Command - Rock Island - and was originally scoped to support Executive Order 13806 on assessing and strengthening the manufacturing and defense industrial base and supply chain resiliency of the U.S. Cornerstone is operated by the U.S. Army Combat Capabilities Development Command Chemical Biological Centre (DEVCOM CBC) and Army Contracting Command in Rock Island, Illinois, under the oversight of the IBAS Program Manager. It is the only Government-managed OTA consortium within the Department of Defense, which distinguishes it from the industry-managed consortia that make up the majority of the OTA landscape.

The consortium spans 18 industrial base sectors and brings together traditional and non-traditional defense contractors, small businesses, private capital, academic institutions and federally funded research and development centers. Its stated purpose is to accelerate the research, development, prototyping, demonstration, qualification and integration of manufacturing capabilities and capacities into the U.S. industrial base and its supply chains.

Critical Minerals and Supply Chain Security

Copper, lead, zinc, silver, antimony, molybdenum, calcium fluoride, rare earth elements, and related critical minerals are increasingly recognized for their importance in aerospace, defense systems, advanced manufacturing, and energy technologies. North American governments have prioritized the development of secure, resilient domestic and allied supply chains to reduce dependence on concentrated foreign sources.

Vast's portfolio is directly aligned with these priorities and membership in the DIBC provides a structured pathway for Vast to engage with stakeholders focused on these same goals, supporting the Company's broader strategy of advancing high-quality critical mineral projects in Tajikistan and Romania that can help meet long-term demand from defense, industrial, and clean-energy sectors.

**ENDS**

For further information, please visit the Company's website at www.vastplc.com or contact:

Vast Resources plc Andrew Prelea (CEO)	[phone]
Strand Hanson Limited - Nominated & Financial Adviser James Spinney / James Bellman / Imogen Ellis	[phone]
Shore Capital Stockbrokers Limited - Joint Broker Toby Gibbs / James Thomas	[phone]
Axis Capital Markets Limited - Joint Broker Richard Hutchinson	[phone]
St Brides Partners Limited Susie Geliher	http://www.stbridespartners.co.uk/ [phone]

 

The information contained within this announcement is deemed by the Company to constitute inside information as stipulated under the Market Abuse Regulation (EU) No. 596/2014 as it forms part of United Kingdom domestic law by virtue of the European Union (Withdrawal) Act 2018, as amended by virtue of the Market Abuse (Amendment) (EU Exit) Regulations 2019.

 

This announcement is not for publication or distribution in or into the United States of America.  This announcement is not an offer of securities for sale into the United States. The securities referred to herein have not been and will not be registered under the U.S. Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and may not be offered or sold in the United States, except pursuant to an applicable exemption from registration. No public offering of securities is being made in the United States.

 

ABOUT VAST RESOURCES

Vast Resources plc is an AIM-quoted mining and resource development company with a portfolio of producing and development-stage precious and polymetallic projects in Tajikistan and Romania.

In Tajikistan, the Company holds a 49% beneficial interest in the Aprelevka Joint Venture, which provides exposure and management control of a portfolio of producing, and near-term production gold and silver assets. The Aprelevka JV operates four active mining licenses along the Tien Shan Gold Belt, delivering production of approximately 11,000 ounces of gold and approximately 130,000 ounces of silver per annum. The remaining 51% interest in the JV is held by the Government of Tajikistan.

In Romania, the Company holds 100% ownership of the Baita Plai Polymetallic Mine in Bihor County and the Manaila-Carlibaba Polymetallic Mine, both currently on care and maintenance prior to operational restart. The Romanian portfolio also includes the Blueberry Gold Project, the Former Hanes Mine Project, and the Zagra Licenses.

 

END