Meridian Drills Multiple, Stacked Layers of Gold-Copper-Silver and Zinc-Lead VMS Mineralisation Below Santa Helena

Meridian Mining plc (LSE: MNO) (TSX: MNO) (FSE: N2E0) (Tradegate: N2E0) (OTCQX: MRRDF) ("Meridian" or the "Company") is pleased to report that it has drilled multiple stacked layers of Au-Cu-Ag & Zn-Pb VMS mineralisation below Santa Helena, further extending the limits of mineralisation. Santa Helena is located 10km south-east of the advanced Cabaçal gold-copper-silver project located in Mato Grosso, Brazil. CD-878 returned 11.3m @ 0.8g/t Au, 0.2% Cu, 17.6g/t Ag, 3.4% Zn & 0.6% Pb from 199.8m, including an interval containing visible gold. CD-878 then intercepted a lower layer of copper-dominant VMS mineralisation returning 1.7m @ 0.9% Cu , 0.1g/t Au and 8.3g/t Ag. CD-878's upper zone is interpreted as a 90m down-dip "widening extension" to the previously reported CD-869 intersection of 7.2m @ 1.4g/t Au, 0.1% Cu, 24.3g/t Ag, 2.3% Zn & 0.9% Pb. Drilling across the greater Santa Helena system continues. In addition, the first reconnaissance programmes across the Jauru and Araputanga portfolio of highly prospective exploration licences have commenced. Mr. Gilbert Clark, CEO, comments: "The quickest way to build further resource tonnes at Santa Helena is by drilling thick layers of mineralisation. CD-878, drilled below Santa Helena's existing resource, intercepted multiple stacked layers of Au-Cu-Ag & Zn-Pb VMS mineralisation that remain open in all directions. CD-878's upper layer hosts robust grades of gold and silver including a zone with visible gold. It shows a thickening to the up-dip mineralisation of CD-869, that also returned strong grades of gold and silver, and zones of visible gold, in a thinner 7.2m intercept. Excitingly, CD-878's second lower layer is copper-rich, grading up to 1.6% Cu. "As Meridian continues its well-funded Cabaçal exploration programmes, we have now opened a second and a third frontier for exploration. We have recently initiated the first reconnaissance programmes across the Jauru and Araputanga portfolio of highly prospective exploration licences. With Cabaçal's DFS publication approaching, we look forward to reporting future results from our expanding exploration programmes. Meridian's combination of being a near-term mine builder while exploring South America's most underexplored VMS provinces presents an attractive investment opportunity." Santa Helena Near-Mine Exploration Drill hole CD-878 has returned multiple stacked layers of gold-copper-silver and lead-zinc mineralisation together totalling 13.0m, below and separate from the Santa Helena Central resource area ("Figure 1"). CD-878 was drilled to test the down-dip projection of this VMS mineralisation first intercepted by CD-869. This new zone of mineralisation remains open in all directions and a borehole electromagnetic programme is being planned. Ongoing exploratory drilling ("Figure 2") continues to enhance the potential for defining further stacked VMS horizons within the larger Santa Helena system. CD-878 int...