Exploration Risks Loom as Middle Island Expands into Ecologically Sensitive Serbian Terrain

Expanding the Footprint of Polymetallic Mineralisation

Middle Island Resources Limited (ASX, MDI) has announced compelling results from an expanded soil sampling program at the Tisovik area within its Bobija Project in Serbia. The program has delineated large, coherent zones of silver, lead, zinc, and antimony anomalies stretching approximately 5 kilometres east to west. These findings significantly extend the known mineralised footprint beyond the historic Tisovik Mine, reinforcing the potential for a robust polymetallic system.

The soil assays returned peak values of 7.1 grams per tonne (g/t) silver, 4,685 parts per million (ppm) lead, 969 ppm zinc, and 1,049 ppm antimony. Such multi-element anomalism is indicative of a sizeable and continuous mineral system, which remains open-ended, particularly to the north where prospective limestone units have yet to be tested by modern exploration techniques.

Strategic Location in a World-Class Mineral Province

The Bobija Project sits within the Western Tethyan Mineral Province, a globally recognised geological setting known for hosting giant copper, gold, and silver deposits. Middle Island’s portfolio in Serbia includes 14 licences covering approximately 620 square kilometres, with Bobija as a flagship asset. The region boasts a rich mining history, including high-grade lead production at Tisovik, where historic channel sampling reported grades up to 62.4% lead over 4 metres.

Middle Island’s CEO, Peter Spiers, highlighted the significance of the soil sampling results, noting the scale and consistency of the mineral system. He emphasised that the multi-element nature and continuity of the anomalies support the prospect of discovering significant polymetallic mineralisation in this under-explored area.

Next Steps, Systematic Exploration Ramp-Up

Building on these encouraging results, Middle Island plans to commence a new phase of exploration in March 2026. This will include extending soil sampling northwards into an untested 10 square kilometre area, alongside geophysical surveys aimed at detecting dense sulphide bodies, trenching, and drilling. The company is also expanding its local exploration team to support increased field activities across Bobija and other project areas.

Importantly, Middle Island is preparing to resume drilling at Bobija to follow up on earlier promising intersections of gold, silver, lead, and zinc mineralisation. These efforts aim to refine target areas and advance the project towards resource definition.

Balancing Opportunity with Operational Challenges

While the exploration outlook is positive, Middle Island faces certain operational considerations. Approximately 44% of the Bobija Project area lies within ecological and cultural protection zones, which impose restrictions on exploration activities. Additionally, some mining licences accessed under agreement are currently not in good standing, with remediation efforts underway in collaboration with local authorities.

Nevertheless, the company maintains strong tenure security for its exploration licences and is actively managing access and regulatory compliance to ensure smooth progression of its programs.