Ashram Project PEA Nears Completion
Released
Released
Announcement PDF
Level 8, 2 Bligh Street
Sydney NSW 2000
Mont Royal Resources Ltd
ACN: 625 237 658
E: info@montroyalres.com
www.montroyalres.com
ASX ANNOUNCEMENT
7th April 2026
Ashram Project PEA Nears Completion as
Mont Royal Establishes Advisory Board and
Strengthens Management
Updated PEA remains on track for April completion with optimised
development strategy
MONTRÉAL,Quebec–April 7th,2026 –MontRoyalResourcesLtd(ASX: MRZ,TSXV:MRZL)
(“MontRoyal”or“theCompany”)is pleased to provide an update on the progress of the
updated Preliminary Economic Assessment (PEA) for its 100%-owned Ashram Rare Earth
and Fluorspar Project in Nunavik, Quebec and to announce a key appointment to the
Company’s newly-established Advisory Board.
HIGHLIGHTS
• UpdatedAshram Project PEA 80%completewith completionexpected in April 2026.
• Updated PEA incorporates revised assumptions for site access, logistics, process
throughputand locationofthe downstream hydrometallurgical processing facility.
• Revised developmentstrategy expected to reduce capital and operating costs and
reduce overall project execution and operating risks.
• Strengthening Praseodymium-Neodymium (PrNd) oxide prices supports potential
upside to project economics.
• Key initial appointment to the newly established Mont Royal Advisory Board,
strengthening development and downstream expertise.
Mont Royal’s Managing Director, Nicholas Holthouse, said:
“We are very pleased with the strong progress of the Ashram Project PEA, with the study
now approximately 80% complete and on track for April completion. In a relatively short
period, the Mont Royal team and consultants have completed a comprehensive review
of previouswork andimplemented several importantimprovements which we expect will
reduce capital intensity and operating costs while lowering overall project risk and
unlocking further value.
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“We are also delighted to welcome Constantine Karayannopoulos to our Advisory Board.
His deep experience in the global rare earths industry will be invaluable as we advance
Ashram towards development, and we are pleased to have someone of his calibre join
as the first member of our Advisory Board.”
Mont Royal’s Non-Executive Chairman, Cameron Henry, said:
"On behalf of the Board, I am pleased to welcome Mr. Constantine Karayannopoulosas
the inaugural member of Mont Royal's Advisory Board. Constantine brings more than
three decades of senior leadership across the rare earths and critical minerals sectors,
and hisappointmentreflects the Board'scommitment to surroundingthe AshramProject
with world-class expertise as we advance toward development. With the PEA nearing
completion and momentum building at both the Provincial and Federal level in support
of Quebec's critical minerals industry, we believe this is the right moment to strengthen
our advisory capability, and Constantine is an outstanding first appointment. "
PEA Study
The Ashram Project hosts a consolidated Mineral Resource Estimate (MRE) of:
• 73.2Mt @ 1.89% Total Rare Earth Oxide (TREO) and 6.6% Fluorspar (CaF₂)
Indicated; and
• 131.1Mt @ 1.91% TREO & 4.0% CaF₂ Inferred.
Altris Engineering are the Project integrators for the NI 43-101 Report and responsible for
managing the associated work packages from the following consulting groups:
• BBA Consulting - Mining and Environmental
• DRA - Flotation plant design
• L3 - Hydromet plant design
• Norda Stela - Tailings and water management
• Dahrouge Consulting - Geology
• PLR - Geology
• Arcadis - Radiation management
• Model Answer – Financial modelling
The revised PEA scope reflects updates to key project parameters including:
• Development of an all-season access road between the Ashram site and
Schefferville.
• Rail logistics via the Tshiuetin Rail Transportation and Quebec North Shore and
Labrador (QNSL) railway network to Sept-Iles.
• Evaluation of road, rail or sea transportation options to the proposed Saguenay
hydrometallurgical Facility.
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• Revised mining throughput assumptions and final product to a Mixed Rare Earth
Oxide product.
The PEA is currently approximately 80% complete with mining, geology and radiation
management work packages now finalised. The remaining work streams are progressing
towards completion in line with the targeted April 2026 delivery timeline.
Figure 1: Ashram to Schefferville road study area shown in bold dark blue. Existing rail to
Sept-Îles and road/sea link to Saguenay complete the logistics route.
PrNd Pricing
Since the commencement of the PEA study, Praseodymium (Pr) and Neodymium (Nd)
prices have strengthened significantly. Over the past 12 months, prices have increased by
approximately 30–45%, reflecting a strong recovery from mid-2025 cyclical lows and
reaching three-year highs in early 2026.
Price movements have been influenced by:
• Market surplus and pricing weakness during Q2–Q3 2025.
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• Gradual recovery in Q4 2025 following geopolitical and supply side restrictions.
• A sharppriceincreasein Q1 2026 driven by policydevelopment and supplydisruptions
with spot prices briefly reaching USD $120/Kg PrNd.
Although prices moderated in March, they remain well above 2025 averages. Recent
policyinitiatives fromthe US Government,includingpricefloor mechanismsandstrategic
stockpiling strategies, highlight the growing focus of Western Governments on critical
mineral supply security, alongside Canadian Federal government alignment programs
with EU countries. Canada is strengthening its position as a supplier of refined products
into the global market.Theseshouldall bodewell for theeconomics oftheAshramProject.
Advisory Board
Mont Royal is pleased to announce the appointment of highly experienced global rare
earths executive Mr. Constantine Karayannopoulos to its newly established Advisory
Board.
Mr. Karayannopoulos, BASc, MASc, P.Eng., is an experienced executive and professional
engineer with more than 30 years of senior leadership roles in the rare earth elements,
critical minerals,andadvancedmaterialssectors.Hehasheldsenior executiveandboard
roles across mining, processing and downstream materials businesses globally. He most
recently served as President and Chief Executive Officer of Neo Performance Materials Inc.
(NEO) until his retirement in July 2023. During his tenure with NEO and its predecessors
from 2000, he held several senior leadership roles including COO, CEO, Chairman, and
again CEO from 2020 to 2023. As CEOof Neo, he oversaw the company’s global expansion
and ultimately led the company through its US$1.3 billion acquisition by Molycorp Inc. in
2012.Followingthetransaction,heservedas Vice-Chairman,later becominginterimChief
Executive Officer and Chairman of Molycorp. Mr. Karayannopoulosis also the co-founder
and former non-executive Chairman of Neo Lithium Corp., which developed a major
lithiumbrineprojectin Argentinabeforebeingacquiredin 2022 for approximatelyUS$960
million. In addition to his corporate roles, Mr. Karayannopoulos serves as a strategic
advisor and board member to several companies in the critical minerals and battery
materials sectors. He has previously served as a director of the Canada China Business
Council and sits on the advisory board of the University of Toronto Department of
Chemical Engineering and Applied Chemistry. He holds Bachelor and Master of Applied
Science degrees in Chemical Engineering from the University of Toronto and is a
registered Professional Engineer. The Company believes that Mr. Karayannopoulos’
experience and industry network will provide valuable strategic insight and guidance to
the Board and management team as we progress beyond the PEA and into further study
phases and industry engagement. The Company intends to appoint further members to
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the Advisory Board in the near term that will complement Mr.Karayannopoulos’ skill sets
and, importantly, have a material presence in the province of Quebec.
About Mont Royal
Mont Royal Resources Limited (ASX: MRZ, TSXV: MRZL) is a critical minerals development
and exploration company with projects located in Quebec, Canada. The Company is
dedicated to advancing its 100%-owned Ashram Rare Earth and Fluorspar Deposit in
Nunavik, Québec, Canada – one of the largest monazite-dominant carbonatite-hosted
Rare Earth Elements deposits in North America. In addition, the Company owns 75% of
Northern Lights Minerals 536km2
tenement package located in the Upper Eastmain
Greenstonebelt.Theprojectsare locatedin the emergingJames Bay area, a Tier-1mining
jurisdiction of Quebec, and are prospective for lithium, precious (Gold, Silver) and base
metals mineralisation (Copper, Nickel).
For further information regarding Mont Royal Resources Limited, please visit the ASX
platform (ASX: MRZ) or Mont Royal’s website www.montroyalres.com
Figure 2: Location of the Ashram REE & Fluorspar Project, the Northern Lights Project and
the Port of Saguenay
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For and on behalf of the Board
ENDS
Joel Ives | Company Secretary
For further information please contact:
Nicholas Holthouse
Managing Director
info@montroyalres.com
Peter Ruse
Corporate Development
info@montroyalres.com
Nicholas Read
Investor and Media Relations
nicholas@readcorporate.com.au
Neither TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is
defined in policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the
adequacy or accuracy of this release.
No new information
The Mineral Resource Estimate for the Ashram Rare Earth Elements and Fluorspar Deposit,
Nunavik, Quebec, Canada (Ashram Project) was first reported in in the Company’s
replacementprospectusdated30 September 2025andreleasedto ASX on 1October 2025
(Prospectus). The Company confirms that it is not aware of any new information or data
that materially affects the information relating to the estimate included in the Prospectus
and that all material assumptions and technical parameters underpinning the estimate
in the Prospectus continue to apply and have not materially changed.
Important Notices & Disclaimers
Forward Looking Statements
This announcement contains certain “forward looking statements” within the meaning of
Australian securities laws and “forward looking information” within the meaning of
Canadian securities laws (collectively referred to as “forward looking statements”). All
statements, other than statements of historical fact, that address circumstances, events,
activitiesor developmentsthat could,or mayor will occur areforwardlookingstatements.
These forward-looking statements are subject to a variety of risks and uncertainties and
other factors that could cause actual events or results to differ materially from those
projected in the forward-looking information. Risks that could change or prevent these
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events, activitiesor developmentsfromcomingto fruition include:actual resultsofcurrent
and future exploration activities; that Mont Royal may not be able to fully finance any
additional exploration on the Ashram Project; that even if Mont Royal is able raise capital,
costs for exploration activitiesmay increase such that Mont Royal may not have sufficient
funds to pay for such exploration or processing activities; the timing and content of the
proposed drill program and any future work programs may not be completed as
proposedor atall;geological interpretationsbasedon drillingthatmaychangewith more
detailed information; potential process methods and mineral recoveries assumptions
based on limited test work and by comparison to what are considered analogous
deposits that, with further test work, may not be comparable; testing of our process may
not prove successful or samples derived from the Ashram Project may not yield positive
results, and even if such tests are successful or initial sample results are positive, the
economic and other outcomes may not be as expected; the anticipated market demand
for rare earth elements and other minerals may not be as expected; the availability of
labour and equipment to undertake future exploration work and testing activities;
geopolitical risks which may result in market and economic instability; and despite the
current expected viability of the Ashram Project, conditions changing such that even if
metals or minerals are discovered on the Ashram Project, the project may not be
commercially viable, or other risks detailed herein and from time to time in the public
filings made by Mont Royal. Although Mont Royal has attempted to identify important
factors that could cause actual actions, events or results to differ from those described in
forward-looking statements, there may be other factors that cause such actions, events
or results to differ materially from those anticipated. These forward-looking statements
are based on Mont Royal’s current expectations, estimates, forecasts and projections
about its business and the industry in which it operates and management's beliefs and
assumptions, including the non-occurrence of the risks and uncertainties that are
described above and in the public filings made by Mont Royal or other events occurring
outside of our normal course of business, and are not guarantees of future performance
or development and involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors
that are in some cases beyond Mont Royal’s control.
Forward looking statements in this announcement include, but are not limited to,
statements regarding; the goals, strategies, opportunities, technologies used, project
timelines and funding requirements; impact of combined management expertise and
prospective shareholding;; the plans, operations and prospects of Mont Royal and its
properties; the continued advancement of the Ashram Project to development; that
Ashram’s fluorspar component which makes it one of the largest potential sources of
fluorspar in the world and could be a long-term supplier to the met-spar and acid-spar
markets; that Mont Royal is positioning to be one of the lowest cost rare earth element
producers globally, with a focus on being a long-term global supplier of mixed rare earth
carbonate and/or NdPr oxide; and that Mont Royal may explore the potential of other
high-value commodities on the Ashram Property and the expected timetable for dual
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listing of Mont Royal’s shares; and statements about market and industry trends, which
are based on interpretation of market conditions. Forward looking statements can
generally be identified by the use of forward looking words such as “anticipate”, “expect”,
“likely”, “propose”, “will”, “intend”, “should”, “could”, “may”, “believe”, “forecast”, “estimate”,
“target”, “outlook”, “guidance” (including negative or grammatical variations) and other
similar expressions. No representation, warranty, guarantee or assurance, express or
implied, is given or made in relation to any forward looking statement. In particular no
representation, warranty or assumption, express or implied, is given in relation to any
underlyingassumption or thatanyforward-lookingstatementwill be achieved. Therecan
be no assurance that the forward-looking statements will prove to be accurate. Actual
and future events may vary materially from the forward-looking statements and the
assumptions on which the forward-looking statements were based, because events and
actual circumstances frequently do not occur as forecast and future results are subject
to known and unknown risks such as changes in market conditions and regulations.
Given these uncertainties, readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on such
forward-looking statements, and should rely on their own independent enquiries,
investigations and advice regarding information contained in this announcement. Any
reliance by a reader on the information contained in this announcement is wholly at the
reader’s own risk.
To the maximum extent permitted by law or any relevant listing rules of the ASX/TSX-V,
Mont Royal and their respective related bodies corporate and affiliates and their
respective directors, officers, employees, advisers, agents and intermediaries disclaim
any obligation or undertakingto disseminate any updates or revisions to the information
in this announcement to reflect any change in expectations in relation to any forward
looking statements or any such change in events, conditions or circumstances on which
any such statements were based. Nothing in this announcement will, under any
circumstances (includingby reason of this announcement remaining available and not
being superseded or replaced by any other announcement or publication with respect to
Mont Royal or the subject matter of this announcement), create an implication that there
has been no change in the affairs of Mont Royal since the date of this announcement.
Not Investment Advice
This announcement is not financial product, investment advice or a recommendation to
acquiresecuritiesofMontRoyal or Commerceand hasbeen preparedwithouttakinginto
account the objectives, financial situation or needs of individuals. Each recipient of this
announcement should make its own enquiries and investigations regarding all
information in this announcement, including, but not limited to, the assumption,
uncertainty and contingencies which may affect future operations of Mont Royal and the
impact that different future outcomes may have on Mont Royal. Before making an
investment decision, prospective investors should consider the appropriateness of the
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information having regard to their own objectives, financial situation and needs, and seek
legal, taxation and financial advice appropriate to their jurisdiction and circumstances.
Unless otherwise stated, all dollar values in this Announcement are reported in Australian
dollars.
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