Molaoi Research led by the University of Patras

Source: RNS
RNS Number : 5398X
Rockfire Resources PLC
02 September 2025
 

2 September 2025

Rockfire Resources plc

("Rockfire" or the "Company")

 

Molaoi Research led by the University of Patras, Greece

 

Rockfire Resources plc (LON: ROCK), the base metal, critical mineral and precious metal exploration company, is pleased to inform shareholders of promising, high-quality research being conducted by scientists at the University of Patras at Rockfire's 100%-owned Molaoi zinc deposit in Greece.

The University of Patras has a multidisciplinary and integrative research team conducting an advanced scientific study of the germanium (Ge) potential of the Molaoi Zn-Pb (± Ag, Ge) ore deposit.

Some of the key findings to date from this ongoing research are:

·    Sphalerite is the primary germanium host, with peak values of approximately 1,900 ppm Ge, particularly under high-temperature and high iron contents.

·    Early-stage pyrite also acts as a key germanium host, showing peak concentrations approaching 400 ppm Ge.

·    The deposit evolved from a low-sulfidation to an intermediate-sulfidation epithermal system, hosting critical commodities, with germanium and silver being the most significant economic by-products.

·    Boiling hydrothermal fluids played a pivotal role in germanium precipitation during the low sulfidation stage. This is further supported by silver enrichment in the intermediate sulfidation stage.

·    Leaching of the volcanic host rocks during early fluid evolution contributed substantially to germanium remobilization.

One of the more important findings of this research is that Molaoi could be classified as a medium-class silver deposit (according to the Singer (1995) classification scheme), yet silver is merely a by-product enrichment, along with germanium, that significantly upgrades the economic value of the deposit.

This important research being conducted by Dr. Tombros Stylianos is supported by a vast network of leading international institutions. The collaborative bodies working on the Molaoi ore samples includes:

·    The Laboratory of High Temperature Hydrothermal Ore Processes at McGill University, CANADA.

·    The State Key Laboratory of Geological Processes and Mineral Resources at China University of Geosciences, Beijing, CHINA.

·    The Chinese Academy of Geological Sciences, Beijing, CHINA,

·    The Modern Analysis Center at Nanjing University, CHINA.

·    The Maria Curie-Skłodowska University (MCSU), Lublin, POLAND.

·    The Centre for Instrument Sharing at the University of Pisa, ITALY.

These collaborating universities enable access to specialized expertise and complementary instrumentation.

Importantly, this international network ensures scientific excellence, supports data validation, and facilitates the cross-comparison of analytical approaches across ore deposit systems globally, following the methodology of the Society of Economic Geologists (SEG).

 

Dr. Tombros Stylianos, Department of Materials Science, University of Patras, commented:

 

"I take great pleasure in informing Rockfire Resources of new, independent scientific results from the University of Patras on the Molaoi Zn-Pb ± (Ag, Ge) deposit in Laconia, SE Peloponnese, Greece. These findings provide refined insights into the geological setting, deposit style, and Critical Raw and Precious Metals potential of Molaoi and significantly complements Rockfire's exploration achievements.

 

Key Research Highlights from the University of Patras:

 

1.         Deposit Type

 

•          Previous studies classified Molaoi as a volcanogenic massive sulphide (VMS).

•          More recent research and ongoing investigations by the University of Patras Economic Geology Research Team reinterpret Molaoi as a concealed stratiform deposit, hosted in Triassic-age intermediate tuffs, ignimbrites, and andesites.

•          The deposit most probably initiated as a small submarine VMS system, later evolving (enriched in Ge and Ag) into an epithermal-type system, transitioning from an early low-sulfidation (LS) to a late intermediate-sulfidation (IS) state.

 

2.         Ore-forming Stages

 

•           Stage I: Epigenetic stratiform, massive to semi-massive sulfides

•           Stage II: Continuation of stratiform sulfides, semi-massive in character

•           Stage III: Late-stage vein-type mineralization

 

3.         Ore paragenesis

 

•          Stage I: Pyrite (Py-I) + Sphalerite (Sp-I) + Chalcopyrite + Arsenopyrite ± Pyrrhotite, Magnetite, Hematite.

•           Stage II: Sphalerite (Sp-II, Sp-III) + Tetrahedrite + Pyrite (Py-II) + Galena.

•           Stage III: Galena.

 

4.         Key observations

 

•           Sphalerite is the dominant ore mineral, occurring in three varieties.

•           Germanium is incorporated mainly in early Sp-I sphalerite and Py-I pyrite.

•          Silver is enriched in late stages, primarily within tetrahedrite, galena (Ga-II), and subordinate Sp-III sphalerite.

•           Tetrahedrite is confirmed as the principal Ag carrier.

 

5.         Formation Mechanisms:

 

The Molaoi system displays hybrid features between bimodal felsic massive sulfides and subaerial epithermal deposits, including:

•           Shallow depth of formation.

•           Hydraulic breccias are associated with phase separation (boiling).

•           Channelized fluid flow resulted ore deposition along high-angle faults.

•           Relatively low ore-forming temperatures (T<250 °C).

•          Evidence for mixing of hydrothermal fluids with meteoric water during late stage II-an important feature not recognized in earlier proposed models.

 

6.         Strategic Implications

 

These findings confirm that, beyond zinc, lead, and silver, germanium constitutes a critical by-product of the Molaoi deposit. The recognition of elevated Ge concentrations in early-stage sulfides highlights Molaoi's potential to contribute strategically to Europe's supply of critical raw materials, aligning with EU priorities on resource security."

 

 

David Price, Chief Executive Officer of Rockfire, commented:

"On behalf of Rockfire, I would like to thank Dr. Tombros and his team at the University of Patras on the outstanding research being conducted on the Molaoi ore. This very important work is not only building our understanding of the deposit generally, but more specifically, it is improving our understanding of the source, distribution and economic potential of the germanium."

 "It is only through these efforts of quality research, professional analysis and dedicated scientific investigation that we will unlock the geological and geochemical aspects of Molaoi and Rockfire is grateful for the high standard of work being conducted by Dr. Tombros and his team."

"I would also like to acknowledge and express my appreciation to the collaborative work being done by multiple universities around the world to assist Dr. Tombros and the research team at the University of Patras. This collaborative effort will benefit not only the Molaoi project, but Europe as a whole, as Molaoi matures into a critical raw material supplier for a strong European future."

 

 

 

 



 

 

For further information on the Company, please visit www.rockfireresources.com or contact the following: 

 

Rockfire Resources plc:

info@rockfire.co.uk

David Price, Chief Executive Officer


 

 


Allenby Capital Limited (Nominated Adviser & Broker):

Tel: +44 (0) 20 3328 5656

John Depasquale / Dan Dearden-Williams (Corporate Finance)


Matt Butlin (Sales and Corporate Broking)

 

 


CMC Markets UK Plc (Joint Broker)

+44 (0)20 3003 8632

Douglas Crippen


 

 

Glossary

Item

Definition

"3D"

three dimensional

'' Ag''

silver

"Cu"

copper

'' Ge''

germanium

'' g/t''

grams per tonne

''JORC''

Joint Ore Resource Committee

"km"

kilometre

"m"

metre

'' Pb''

lead

"ppm"

parts per million

"pXRF"

portable X-Ray Florescence

"VMS"

volcanogenic massive sulphide

''' Zn''

zinc

"ZnEq''

zinc equivalent

 

 

Qualified Person Statement

The technical information in this announcement is based on information compiled by Mr David Price, the Chief Executive Officer of Rockfire Resources plc, who is a Fellow of the Australasian Institute of Mining and Metallurgy (F.AusIMM). Mr Price has sufficient experience relevant to the style of mineralisation and type of deposit under consideration and to the activity which has been undertaken to qualify as a "Qualified Person" in accordance with the AIM Rules Guidance Note for Mining and Oil & Gas Companies. Mr Price consents to the inclusion in the announcement of the matters based on their information in the form and context in which it appears.

 

Notes to Editors

Rockfire Resources plc (LON: ROCK) is a gold, base metal and critical mineral exploration company, with a high-grade zinc/lead/silver/germanium deposit in Greece and a portfolio of gold/copper/silver projects in Queensland Australia.

 

·    The Molaoi deposit in Greece has a JORC Inferred Mineral Resource of 15.0 million tonnes @ 7.26% Zn, 1.75% Pb and 39.50g/t Ag, for 1.5 million tonnes of ZnEq. metal. This resource uses a 4% low-grade cut, and equates to 1.09 million tonnes of zinc, 260,000 tonnes of lead and 19.1 million ounces of silver.

 

·    The Plateau deposit in Queensland has a JORC resource of 131,000 ounces of gold and 800,000 ounces of silver, using a 0.5g/t Au cut off. 53,000 of these ounces lie within the top 100m from surface. Plateau is subject to a farm-in by ASX-listed Sunshine Metals Ltd (ASX:SHN).

 

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