Critical Metals plc announced the commencement of copper production at the Molulu Project, an ex-producing copper cobalt mine in the Democratic Republic of Congo ("DRC") ("Molulu Project"). Production follows the completion of preparation work on site and the arrival of several vital pieces of mining equipment. This is a major landmark as the Company moves towards securing further assets.

The mine will initially run on a single-shift basis and is estimated to produce approximately 10,000 tonnes of copper oxide ore per month on a steady-state production rate. The copper ore produced in January 2023 will be stockpiled for sale into the market in February 2023. All copper material extracted from the mine will be sent to local processing plants, of which there are four in the Likasi and Lubumbashi areas expressing interest in purchasing Molulu copper ore.

In addition, the Company's engineers, geologists, and advising consultants are discussing various strategies to optimise and increase monthly copper ore production. Further information on this will be released when appropriate. As previously mentioned, the Central Cobalt Anomaly and South Cobalt Anomaly have recently had test samples taken by the Company's lead geologist; as of date of this announcement, 180 samples have been taken.

These samples will be sent to a local laboratory for independent analysis. Results will be released to the market when available. In order to increase the penetration of the Critical Metals story to the global market and investors, two London based mining analysts will accompany the Board of Critical Metals on a Molulu site visit in the middle of February.

The purpose of the visit is to provide greater understanding of the copper oxide and sulphide production, cobalt potential, and cash flow characteristics of Molulu to the global investing market. With much of the infrastructure now in place, the Company has assembled astrong team of mining professionals onsite including, a project manager, four geologists, two mine engineers, as well as the recently appointed mine manager and a compliment of local village support staff. The Company is now perfectly positioned to take advantage of the strongly recovering copper price that is well above USD 9,000 per metric tonne.

The Molulu Project, located approximately 98 kilometres north of Lubumbashi in the Katanga Copperbelt, is 30 kilometres northwest from the village of Malambwe. Copper has been mined in the Katangan Copperbelt since at least the late 19th Century. The mineralised zones are at the western end of the Katangan Copperbelt, one of the great metallogenic provinces of the world, and contains some of the world's richest copper, cobalt, and uranium deposits.

The Molulu Project was the first acquisition made by the Company since its readmission on the Main Market of the London Stock Exchange on 12 September 2022. The Company owns 100% of Madini Occidental Limited ("Madini Occidental"), which holds an indirect 70% interest in the Molulu Project.