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Copper Quest Exploration Inc. (CSE: CQX,OTC:IMIMF; FRA: 3MX) (‘ Copper Quest ‘ or the ‘ Company ‘) is pleased to announce that it has completed its positive due diligence of the arms-length Option to Purchase Agreement (the ‘ Agreement ‘) dated November 7th, 2025 and previously announced November 14, 2025 . The Agreement is with 0847114 B.C. Ltd. (‘ Privco ‘), a British Columbia Incorporated company that holds 100% ownership, title, and interest in the Alpine Gold Property (the ‘ Property ‘), located in the West Kootenay region of British Columbia (the ‘ Acquisition ‘). The Company plans to immediately begin the process to complete the Acquisition of the Property.

Highlights of the Alpine Gold Property

• 2018 NI43-101 Inferred Resource of 268,000 tonnes estimated using a cut-off grade of 5.0 g/t Au and an average grade of 16.52 g/t Au that represents an inferred resource of 142,000 oz of gold (McCuaig & Giroux, 2018).
• Substantial opportunity to grow the maiden Alpine resource to the east-west and to depth with only about 300m of the roughly 2km long vein system explored to date by underground mine workings and drilling.
• Estimated 24,000 tonnes Run of Mine mineralized stockpile on surface presenting a possible near term cash flow opportunity.
• 1,650 meters of clean and dry underground workings accessing sampled and mineable zones.
• At least 4 additional relatively unexplored vein systems on the Property (Black Prince, Cold Blow, Gold Crown & past-producing King Solomon), all hosting historic high-grade gold values.
• Road accessible 4,611.49-hectare Property including 15 Crown Grants (1 with surface rights) and 19 staked mineral claims with all-season operation potential (Figure 1).
• Additions of Mr. Allan Matovich to the Board of Directors. Mr. Ted Muraro and Mr. John Mirko as Technical Advisors on closing. They have a combined mining and exploration experience of 150+ years in the industry.

The 4,611.49-hectare Property is approximately 20 kilometers northeast of the City of Nelson (Figure 1) and hosts the former operating underground mine with a recorded production of approximately 16,810 tonnes of mineralized vein material (Table 1). This material contained 356,360 grams of gold, 222,054 grams of silver, 49,329 kilograms of lead and 17,167 kilograms of zinc. The other 4 significant vein systems on the property will also be explored including the Black Prince and Cold Blow quartz veins approximately 3km to the northeast of the Alpine mine, the Gold Crown vein system 600m southeast, and the past-producing King Solomon vein workings 1.8km to the south. Further information about the Alpine Gold property will be forthcoming in the upcoming weeks.

Brian Thurston, President & CEO of Copper Quest, commented : ‘ The Alpine Gold property presents a tremendous opportunity to create near term value for our shareholders through exposure to an all-time high gold market while we continue to also focus on our efforts of copper exploration. Our recent closing of approximately $2 million in financing ensures that our shareholders will see work put into the ground to advance our multiple properties. We look forward to welcoming Mr. Matovich, Mr. Muraro and Mr. Mirko to our team in the very near future.’

Figure 1: Location Claim Map

Appointment of Mr. Allan Matovich as Director

Copper Quest is also pleased to announce that upon closing of the acquisition, Mr. Allan Matovich will join the Company’s Board of Directors. Mr. Matovich is the principal owner of the Alpine Gold Property.

Mr. Matovich has 60+ years of mining and exploration experience in Canada and the United States. He first started with Cominco in Trail BC working in the smelter operation. Mr. Matovich then started Matovich Mining Industries where they supplied considerable tonnages of siliceous flux materials, lead and zinc concentrates to Cominco for over 20 years. Mr. Matovich then opened a mining operation in 1997 in Northern British Columbia to supply barite for drilling fluids in the oil and gas industry. This mining operation is still in production today. Mr. Matovich also opened a barite operation in Washington State that is going into production. He also worked with Halliburton, Baker Hughes, and Newmont and was very successful. In 2000, Mr. Matovich purchased the Alpine Gold Mine and since then has spent a considerable amount of time proving up the project.

Mr. Matovich commented ‘ I am very pleased to bring the Alpine Gold Property to Copper Quest and join as a director. The company has a fantastic portfolio of critical mineral projects advancing and the Alpine Gold Project gives a potential near term cash flow opportunity along with upside to grow the current resource with drilling. I look forward to working with the Copper Quest team to help create value for all stakeholders involved.’

Table 1 – Production History – Minfile (082FNW127) for Alpine Mine for gold (Au) and silver (Ag)

*ore milled not reported

Appointment of Mr. Ted Muraro as Technical Advisor to the Board

Mr. Muraro will be appointed as Technical Advisor to the board on closing of the transaction. Mr. Theodore (Ted) W. Muraro has accumulated over six decades of experience in mineral exploration, including 35 years with Cominco where he advanced through Exploration to serve as the companies Chief Geologist and Internal Consulting Geologist. Early in his career, Mr. Muraro gained underground experience at Keno Hill, HB Mine, Sullivan, and Western Mines. His tenure at Cominco was marked by direct involvement in the discovery and subsequent successful development of the Westmin Mine at Buttle Lake, the Polaris Mine on Little Cornwallis Island in the high Arctic and Snip Mine on the Iskut River.

Following his service at Cominco, Mr. Muraro assumed the role of Vice President, Exploration at Romanex and International Barytex Resources, contributing his expertise to international gold projects.

Mr. Muraro, who was awarded the Spud Huestis award in 2021 for his outstanding contributions to the industry and excellence in exploration, worked as an independent consultant (T.W. Muraro Consulting 1993-2016) on base metal and gold exploration projects around the world until his retirement in 2016. In these later years, he served on several boards as Director and/or Advisor, most recently with Imperial Metals. Mr. Muraro’s working relationship with Al Matovich started in the Rossland Mining Camp and shifted to the Alpine Property in the late 80’s.

Appointment of Mr. John Mirko as Technical Advisor to the Board.

Mr. Mirko will be appointed as Technical Advisor to the board on closing of the transaction. Mr. Mirko has over 40 years’ experience in the mining industry, past President, and Founder of Canam Alpine Ventures Ltd. (recently sold to Vizsla Resources Ltd.), currently President and Founder of Canam Mining Corp. and Rokmaster Resources Corporation.

From 1986 to 2010 Mr. Mirko the founder, President-CEO and Director of 4 public mining-exploration companies and a founder and Director of 3 others. He has been self-employed in the sector since 1972 as a prospector, contractor and consultant involved in exploration, development, and mine construction of various projects in 12 counties, and commercial production of mineral concentrates and metal products from 5 of the projects.

In 2008, Mr. Mirko was a recipient of the ‘E. A. Scholtz Medal for Excellence in Mine Development’ from the Association for Mineral Exploration of British Columbia, and in 2009, the Mining Association of British Columbia’s ‘Mining and Sustainability Award’ for the MAX Mine.

Mr. Mirko is currently a member in good standing of the Society of Economic Geologists, Inc., the Canadian Institute of Mining, Metallurgy and Petroleum, the Prospectors and Developers Association of Canada and AME BC.

Transaction Details

The Agreement provides for the purchase of all the minerals claims and crown grants held by the Privco that make up the Alpine Gold Property. At closing Copper Quest will issue 14,177,517 Copper Quest common shares to Privco at a deemed price of $0.175c per share. The Shares will have a 24-month escrow agreement from closing date.

Additionally, Copper Quest will pay $225,000 towards the 2025 expenditures of the Property that was completed earlier this year and a 2 percent NSR will be granted to Privco on closing of the Acquisition with half being able to be bought back for CAD$1-million.

Closing is subject to exchange approval and other customary closing conditions. A finder’s fee is payable in common shares in connection with the transaction.

Qualified Person

Brian Thurston, P.Geo., the Company’s President, CEO and a qualified person as defined by National Instrument 43-101 Standards of Disclosure for Mineral Projects , has reviewed and approved the technical information in this news release.

Increase in Financing

To accommodate increased interest in the Private Placement previously announced December 1, 2025 , of which $1,927,000 was previously closed on December 5, 2025, the Company announces that it may further issue up to 1,500,000 common shares of the Company to be issued on a flow-through basis (‘the ‘ Flow-Through Shares ‘) at a price of $0.19 per Flow-Through Share for aggregate gross proceeds of $285,000, no later than December 22, 2025. All securities to be issued thereunder will be subject to a statutory hold period under applicable Canadian securities laws of four months and one day from the date of issuance.

Each FT Share constitutes a ‘flow-through share’ within the meaning of the Income Tax Act (Canada) (the ‘ Tax Act ‘) and the gross proceeds of the Private Placement will be used by the Company for exploration and related programs, which qualify as ‘Canadian exploration expenses’ and ‘flow-through critical mineral mining expenditures’, as such terms are defined in the Tax Act, in connection with Copper Quest’s projects in British Columbia.

The securities described herein have not been registered under the United States Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the ‘ U.S. Securities Act ‘), or any state securities laws, and may not be offered or sold absent registration or compliance with an applicable exemption from the registration requirements of the U.S. Securities Act and applicable state securities laws. This news release shall not constitute an offer to sell or the solicitation of an offer to buy nor shall there be any sale of the securities in any State in which such offer, solicitation or sale would be unlawful.

About Copper

Copper is an essential industrial metal at the heart of the global energy transition and modern infrastructure. It plays a critical role in electrification, renewable energy systems, electric vehicles, data centers, and smart technologies. With global demand rising and new supply challenged by declining grades, complex permitting, and underinvestment, the copper market faces persistent deficits and growing geopolitical scrutiny. Recent U.S. policy announcements, including import tariffs and initiatives to secure domestic and allied supply chains, underscore copper’s strategic importance and the need for resilient, localized resource exploration, development, production and processing capacity.

ABOUT Copper Quest Exploration Inc.

Copper Quest (CSE: CQX,OTC:IMIMF; OTCQB: IMIMF; FRA: 3MX) is committed to building shareholder value through acquisitions, discovery-driven exploration, disciplined execution, and responsible development of its North American Critical Mineral portfolio of assets. Please visit our website at www.copper.quest .

The Company’s land package currently comprises five projects that span over 40,000+ hectares in great mining jurisdictions as well as the Kitimat Cu-Au Project and the past-producing Alpine Gold Mine that are both pending acquisition following due diligence.

Copper Quest has a 100% interest in the Stars Property, a porphyry copper-molybdenum discovery, covering 9,693 hectares in central British Columbia’s Bulkley Porphyry Belt. Contiguous to the Stars Property, Copper Quest has a 100% interest in the 5,389-hectare Stellar Property. CQX also has an earn-in option up to 80% and joint-venture agreement on the 4,700-hectare porphyry copper-molybdenum Rip Project, also in the Bulkley Porphyry Belt.

Copper Quest has a 100% interest in the Nekash Copper-Gold Project, a porphyry exploration opportunity located in Lemhi County, Idaho, along the prolific Idaho-Montana porphyry copper belt that hosts world-class systems such as Butte and CUMO. The project is fully road-accessible via maintained U.S. highways and forest service roads and currently consists of 70 unpatented federal lode claims covering 585 hectares.

Copper Quest has a 100% interest in the Thane Project located in the Quesnel Terrane of Northern BC which spans over 20,658 ha with 10 high-priority targets identified demonstrating significant copper and precious metal mineralization potential.

Copper Quest’s leadership and advisory teams are senior mining industry executives who have a wealth of technical and capital markets experience and a strong track record of discovering, financing, developing, and operating mining projects on a global scale. Copper Quest is committed to sustainable and responsible business activities in line with industry best practices, supportive of all stakeholders, including the local communities in which it operates. The Company’s common shares are principally listed on the Canadian Stock Exchange under the symbol ‘CQX’.

On behalf of the Board of Copper Quest Exploration Inc.

Brian Thurston, P.Geo.
Chief Executive Officer and Director
Tel: 778-949-1829

For further information contact:

Investor Relations
info@copper.quest

Forward Looking Information

This news release contains certain ‘forward-looking information’ and ‘forward-looking statements’ (collectively, ‘ forward-looking statements ‘) within the meaning of applicable securities legislation. All statements, other than statements of historical fact included herein, including without limitation, statements regarding the terms and completion of the Flow-Through Offering, the payment of finder’s fees and issuance of Finder’s Warrants, the anticipated closing date and the planned use of proceeds of the Flow-Through Offering, and future operations and activities of Copper Quest, are forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements are frequently, but not always, identified by words such as ‘expects’, ‘anticipates’, ‘believes’, ‘intends’, ‘estimates’, ‘potential’, ‘possible’, and similar expressions, or statements that events, conditions, or results ‘will’, ‘may’, ‘could’, or ‘should’ occur or be achieved. Forward-looking statements reflect the beliefs, opinions and projections on the date the statements are made and are based upon a number of assumptions and estimates based on or related to many of these factors. Such factors include, without limitation, the ability to obtain regulatory approval of the Flow-Through Offering, risks associated with possible accidents and other risks associated with mineral exploration operations, the risk that the Company will encounter unanticipated geological factors, risks associated with the interpretation of exploration results, the possibility that the Company may not be able to secure permitting and other governmental clearances necessary to carry out the Company’s exploration plans, the risk that the Company will not be able to raise sufficient funds to carry out its business plans, and the risk of political uncertainties and regulatory or legal changes that might interfere with the Company’s business and prospects. Readers should not place undue reliance on the forward-looking statements and information contained in this news release concerning these items. The Company does not assume any obligation to update the forward-looking statements of beliefs, opinions, projections, or other factors, should they change, except as required by applicable securities laws.

The Canadian Securities Exchange has not reviewed, approved or disapproved the contents of this press release, and does not accept responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.

A photo accompanying this announcement is available at https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/4ec3985f-a43a-4cd8-b8a2-03f81860fa0f

(TheNewswire)

GRANDE PRAIRIE, ALBERTA (December 10, 2025): Angkor Resources Corp. (TSXV: ANK,OTC:ANKOF) (‘ANGKOR’ OR ‘THE COMPANY’) announces an additional gold target, named CZ Gol d on the west side of the Canada Wall prospect on the Andong Meas exploration license in Ratanakiri Province, Cambodia.

Angkor’s mineral exploration team has identified a gold target based on physical workings from a tunnel on the west side of the river running through the Andong Meas license. A quartz stockwork with an apparent thickness of 30 metres was mapped in the tunnel. The stockwork tended to have a northwest strike.   The target consists of multiple shallow trenches and one 47-metre-long tunnel excavated by artisanal miners. The tunnel is located on a steep slope and at the end of the tunnel, the artisanal miners drove a raise to surface following several veins.

Dennis Ouellette, VP Exploration, describes the CZ Gold  Prospect and historical work from over a decade  ago, ‘ In 2012, three holes were drilled with collars about 70 metres apart. The first hole was collared immediately outside the adit and was drilled in the same direction as the tunnel. None of the holes intersected the quartz stockwork zone but they did core immediately into a granite bereft of mafic minerals and containing abundant miarolytic cavities. The granite is likely an alaskite type granite. The holes also cored thick and frequent bands of ‘bucky’ quartz (a coarsely crystallized, non-laminating quartz). ‘  Dennis further clarified that although alaskite and bucky quartz do not host gold deposits per say, they are frequently found in close proximity to gold deposits.

Figure 1 Inside the CZ Gold tunnel showing vein and stockwork and adit.

The team uses the rainy season, generally from June to November, to review all prospects, samples, assays, and core from the prospects on each license.  As part of that exercise and with the spike in gold over the past year, analysis took place on all gold prospects, including those close to copper porphyry systems such as the Canada Wall prospect.   In this case, historical workings from artisanal miners were part of the annual review.

Click Image To View Full Size

Figure 2 Nugget in the palm of Mike Weeks, recovered from panning material from CZ Gold tunnel in a small stream directly below CZ Gold Prospect

The Company intends to conduct a surface trenching and sampling program in Q1 of 2026 on this gold target to determine the setting and orientation of the quartz stockwork. Once this has been established, a follow up diamond drill program can be planned.

Angkor also acknowledges a restart in the border conflict between Thailand and Cambodia in the northwest quadrant of Cambodia.   Evacuations of near-border communities and school closures have occurred as the conflict continues.   Although the oil project Block VIII is in the far south of Cambodia, and the Andong Meas mineral license is far to the east of the conflict, management is carefully monitoring the Andong Bor license and no work is being done there at this time._  Safety is imperative for staff and personnel so any activities in the northwest are on hold until further notice.

QUALIFIED PERSON:

Dennis Ouellette, B.Sc., P.Geo., is a member of The Association of Professional Engineers and Geoscientists of Alberta (APEGA #104257) and a Qualified Person as defined by National Instrument 43-101 (‘NI 43-101’). He is the Company’s VP Exploration on site and has reviewed and approved the technical disclosure in this document.

ABOUT Angkor Resources CORPORATION:

Angkor Resources Corp. is a public company, listed on the TSX-Venture Exchange, and is a leading resource optimizer in Cambodia working towards mineral and energy solutions across Canada and Cambodia.

The company’s mineral subsidiary, Angkor Gold Corp. in Cambodia holds two mineral exploration licenses in Cambodia with multiple prospects in copper and gold.  Both licenses are in their first two-year renewal term.

Its Cambodian energy subsidiary, EnerCam Resources, was granted an onshore oil and gas license of 7300 square kilometres in the southwest quadrant of Cambodia called Block VIII.   The company then removed all parks and protected areas and added 220 square kilometres, making the license area just over 4095 square kilometres.  EnerCam is actively advancing oil and gas exploration activities onshore to meet its mission to prove Cambodia as an oil and gas producing Nation.

Since 2022, Angkor’s Canadian subsidiary, EnerCam Exploration Ltd., has been involved in oil and gas production in Saskatchewan, Canada with measures of gas capture to reduce emissions.  ANGKOR’s carbon capture and gas conservation project is part of its long-term commitment to Environmental and Social projects and cleaner energy solutions across jurisdictions.

CONTACT: Delayne Weeks – CEO

Email:- info@angkorresources.com Website: angkor resources.com Telephone: +1 (780) 831-8722

Please follow @AngkorResources on , , , Instagram and .

Neither TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.

_____________________________________

Certain information set forth in this news release may contain forward-looking statements that involve substantial known and unknown risks and uncertainties. These forward-looking statements are subject to numerous risks and uncertainties, certain of which are beyond the control of the Company, including, but not limited to the potential for gold and/or other minerals at any of the Company’s properties, the prospective nature of any claims comprising the Company’s property interests, the impact of general economic conditions, industry conditions, dependence upon regulatory approvals, uncertainty of sample results, timing and results o f future exploration, and the availability of financing.

Readers are cautioned that the assumptions used in the preparation of such information, although considered reasonable at the time of preparation, may prove to be imprecise and, as such, undue reliance should not be placed on forward-looking statements.

Copyright (c) 2025 TheNewswire – All rights reserved.

This article has been disseminated on behalf of LaFleur Minerals Inc . and may include a paid advertisement.

MiningNewsWire Editorial Coverage : The period when a mining company advances from pure exploration into the early stages of production is often one of the most advantageous entry points for investors. This transition, when a company moves from discovery to the potential for meaningful cash flow, frequently marks a powerful value rerating. Companies that successfully navigate this development stage typically reduce operational risk, demonstrate tangible production capability and lay the groundwork for recurring revenue. For many investors, participating at this inflection point provides exposure before the full upside associated with initial production growth is recognized. The opportunity has the potential to be even more compelling when a company operates in a world-class jurisdiction, controls its own infrastructure and trades below the estimated replacement value of its assets. This is the case for LaFleur Minerals Inc. (CSE: LFLR,OTC:LFLRF) (OTCQB: LFLRF) (FSE: 3WK0) ( profile ), which owns a fully permitted and modernized gold mill in Québec’s Abitibi region and is positioned further along the development curve than many peers. With broad land holdings, an advancing flagship deposit and a clear path toward production, LaFleur is well exposed to the explorer-to-producer transition that has historically delivered some of the strongest returns in the mining sector. The company is working alongside other companies focused on establishing leadership roles in the mining industry including Nicola Mining (TSX.V: NIM) (OTCQB: HUSIF), ESGold Corp. (CSE: ESAU) (OTC: ESAUF), SSR Mining Inc. (NASDAQ: SSRM) and Troilus Mining Corp. (TSX: TLG) (OTC: CHXMF)

• LaFleur’s strategy centers on a vertically integrated approach anchored by both its 100%-owned Beacon Gold Mill and its nearby Swanson Gold Project.
• To continue advancing Swanson toward production and strengthen the data required for future engineering studies, LaFleur launched a 7,500-meter diamond drilling campaign this year across more than 50 regional prospects.
• To further validate Swanson’s development potential, LaFleur has begun permitting a 100,000-tonne bulk sample.
• One of LaFleur’s most significant assets is the Beacon Gold Mill, a fully permitted and recently upgraded processing facility in Val-d’Or’s established mining district.
• LaFleur has outlined a restart plan for the Beacon Mill requiring C$5–6 million to execute over a six-to-eight-month period.

Click here to view the custom infographic of the LaFleur Minerals editorial.

Development Model Supports Streamlined Path to Production

LaFleur’s strategy centers on a vertically integrated approach anchored by both its 100%-owned Beacon Gold Mill and its nearby Swanson Gold Project. By planning to supply its mill with mineralized material from its own deposit, the company minimizes dependence on third-party processors and establishes one of the region’s most cost-effective routes to production.

This structure differentiates LaFleur from many junior miners that must rely on toll-milling agreements or shared facilities, arrangements that often introduce delays and reduce margins. In contrast, LaFleur’s ownership of both the mining asset and the processing infrastructure provides a more direct avenue for monetizing ore, accelerating cash flow and enabling a self-reliant operational model.

At the center of this strategy is the Swanson Gold Project , an advanced exploration asset supported by more than 36,000 meters of historic drilling across 242 drill holes. This extensive work underpins the current resource estimate: 123.4 thousand ounces of gold in the Indicated category and 64.5 thousand ounces in the Inferred category . The scale of the existing dataset provides a strong platform for mine planning.

Situated in the world-renowned Abitibi Greenstone Belt, which has produced more than 200 million ounces of gold, Swanson benefits from a region known for hosting long-lived, commercially successful mining operations. The combination of geologic strength, large land position and room for new discoveries makes Swanson a key asset in LaFleur’s journey toward production.

Recent land consolidation increased Swanson’s footprint to more than 18,300 hectares , covering 445 claims and a mining lease . This expanded ownership enhances control over mineralized systems and gives the company access to new targets for drilling. The project lies approximately 60 kilometers from LaFleur’s Beacon Gold Mill, making future haulage direct and cost-effective.

Together, Swanson and Beacon form a distinctive pairing: a promising near-production deposit and a fully permitted, scalable processing facility under single ownership—an uncommon advantage for a junior gold company preparing to enter production.

Robust Drilling Program Aims to Grow Resources, Build Confidence

To continue advancing Swanson toward production and strengthen the data required for future engineering studies, LaFleur launched a 7,500-meter diamond drilling campaign this year across more than 50 regional prospects. These include targets at Swanson as well as nearby zones such as Bartec, Jolin and Marimac, each exhibiting favorable geology and encouraging early indications.

The program is designed to follow high-grade structures, test continuity and expand mineralization along strike. Early sampling from the Jolin area returned assays up to 11.7 g/t gold , demonstrating compelling potential for additional near-surface zones within the broader property position. Several drill holes are also intended to evaluate shallow mineralization that could support future open-pit scenarios. Confirming near-surface continuity is particularly valuable given the proximity to the Beacon Gold Mill, which enables rapid monetization of shallow material once production begins.

In parallel, LaFleur is also conducting a 10-hole twin-hole program at Swanson. This initiative aims to verify historic drilling, refine grade distribution models and generate fresh core for metallurgical and ore-sorting evaluations. The results will feed into an updated mineral resource estimate and support the company’s Preliminary Economic Assessment (‘PEA’), prepared by Environmental Resources Management (‘ERM’). The PEA will evaluate geology, mine design, processing parameters and cost structures to frame the initial development scenario.

Together, these technical programs are enhancing the geological understanding of LaFleur’s district-scale holdings and moving the company toward its longer-term objective of defining a resource exceeding one million ounces of gold. As the work progresses, it reinforces Swanson’s potential as a scalable production asset supported by a recently upgraded mill.

Bulk Sample Permitting Supports Near-Term Production Readiness

To further validate Swanson’s development potential, LaFleur has begun permitting a 100,000-tonne bulk sample. The sample indicates an estimated average grade of 1.89 g/t gold, containing roughly 6,350 ounces, around 3% of the current mineral resource.

Bulk samples play a crucial role in transitioning to production by confirming geological interpretations, validating metallurgy and generating initial processing revenue. In LaFleur’s case, ownership of the Beacon Mill allows the company to process bulk sample material on-site, reducing costs and accelerating early cash flow.

The company is progressing closure and permitting requirements with Québec’s well-established regulatory system , which is recognized for its clarity and efficiency. Because the Beacon Mill is already fully permitted, LaFleur’s focus is primarily on mine-site conditions rather than large-scale infrastructure, reducing the overall time needed to begin extraction.

ERM’s Technical Mining Services Group is completing the PEA for Swanson, which will include mine design, resource modeling, metallurgical work, flow sheets and cost estimates. The study will also incorporate prevailing gold-price assumptions, which remain historically strong.

The bulk sample will provide critical operational insights, including dilution, mining conditions and mill throughput, which will guide both the PEA and future feasibility work. These milestones collectively support LaFleur’s advancing timeline toward near-term production.

Strategic Asset with Significant Replacement Value

One of LaFleur’s most significant assets is the Beacon Gold Mill , a fully permitted and recently upgraded processing facility in Val-d’Or’s established mining district. Acquired through Monarch Mining’s restructuring in 2024, the mill received approximately C$20 million in upgrades in 2022 and is capable of processing more than 750 tonnes per day.

The facility is supported by year-round road access, skilled labor, dependable power infrastructure and proximity to prospective deposits. Beyond serving LaFleur’s own production plans, Beacon could later generate toll-milling revenue from other explorers in the region.

An independent assessment by Montréal engineering group Bumigeme estimated the replacement value of the mill and tailings facility at C$71.5 million, with only C$4.1 million in required rehabilitation. The mill is free of royalties and backed by a C$2.4 million reclamation bond, emphasizing its strong condition and low restart cost. Relative to LaFleur’s current market valuation, Beacon represents an unusually valuable core asset.

Having a fully permitted mill in place significantly shortens the otherwise lengthy, multiyear process required to build new processing infrastructure. In regions like the Abitibi, where environmental standards are rigorous and permitting is comprehensive, access to an existing facility provides a substantial strategic edge. The Beacon Mill positions LaFleur ahead of local competitors that still face the challenges of designing, funding and securing approvals for new milling capacity. When combined with the resource strength at Swanson and the company’s broad land position, the Beacon facility creates a direct and achievable route to production, reinforcing LaFleur’s goal of becoming one of Québec’s emerging gold producers.

Restart Plan, Momentum and Catalysts

LaFleur has outlined a restart plan for the Beacon Mill requiring C$5–6 million to execute over a six-to-eight-month period. Production ramp-up is expected to begin early next year, with full capacity targeted by year-end. Planned expenditures include approximately C$3.8 million in equipment upgrades and C$1.8 million for tailings facility improvements, ensuring safe and efficient operation in line with Québec regulations.

The restart occurs amid heightened regional consolidation across Abitibi. Recent deals, including Fresnillo’s acquisition of Probe Gold, highlight growing interest in companies with both resources and infrastructure. Probe’s implied valuation of $70–$80 per ounce of gold in the ground provides a local benchmark. Against that backdrop, LaFleur’s combined Swanson resource and Beacon Mill appear undervalued.

To support the restart, the company engaged FMI Securities to initiate a Gold-Linked Convertible Note offering for up to C$7 million. This follows the completion of a C$2.88 million LIFE Offering and C$1.66 million flow-through financing, demonstrating strong investor commitment to LaFleur’s development plans.

With advancing permits, upcoming bulk sample work, continued drilling success and an approaching PEA, LaFleur is strategically positioned within one of Canada’s most productive gold regions. The company’s integrated model, infrastructure ownership and near-term production pathway align squarely with a stage of development long recognized for generating substantial investor upside.

Major Developments Reshaping Today’s Mining Landscape

The mining sector continues to show steady momentum as operators advance projects, secure key partnerships and report strong technical results across multiple jurisdictions. These developments underscore the ongoing expansion and resilience of the global mining ecosystem as companies work to meet rising demand for essential minerals.

Nicola Mining Inc. (TSX.V: NIM) (OTCQB: HUSIF) reported that Blue Lagoon Resources has started transporting high-grade gold and silver millfeed to BC-based Nicola’s mill. The company had previously announced that the two parties had entered into a long-term partnership and that Nicola, which is also a major Blue Lagoon shareholder, had committed to providing a non-dilutive $2.0 million line of credit to augment the latter’s balance sheet. Nicola Mining officials noted that they are pleased to see Blue Lagoon achieve this significant milestone as it morphs Dome Mountain Gold Mine from a project to a producing mine.

ESGold Corp . (CSE: ESAU) (OTC: ESAUF) has announced the completion of the main mill building at its fully permitted Montauban Gold-Silver Project in Quebec. This marks a key step on the company’s path toward production. With structural work finalized, ESGold is now advancing to equipment procurement and installation, moving the project into its commissioning phase. According to the company, the Montauban mill building structure, concrete flooring and interior divisions have been fully completed. The on-site gold room and laboratory are also complete, providing facilities for metallurgical testing and exploration analysis, while securely housing gold and silver doré prior to shipment to off takers and refineries.

SSR Mining Inc. (NASDAQ: SSRM) is reporting the results of a Technical Report Summary for the Cripple Creek & Victor Gold Mine, located in Colorado. Highlights of the report include after-tax NPV of $824 million at consensus gold prices averaging $3,240 per ounce over the life of the mine, with after-tax NPVs increasing to approximately $1.5 million at a gold price of $4,000 per ounce; a 12-year mine life, 26 years of total production based on 2.8 million ounces of gold Mineral Reserves; an average annual production of 141,000 ounces of gold over the three-year period from 2026 to 2028; and Measured and Indicated Mineral Resources, exclusive of Mineral Reserves, totaling 4.8 million ounces of gold with an additional 2 million ounces of Inferred Mineral Resources, highlighting the potential for future growth.

Troilus Mining Corp. (TSX: TLG) (OTC: CHXMF), formerly Troilus Gold Corp., was awarded the Entrepreneur of the Year distinction by the Québec Mineral Exploration Association. The award was announced at the association’s annual Xplor 2025 convention and Recognition Gala. The award celebrates companies that have demonstrated exceptional progress, vision and leadership in advancing a Quebec mineral project. Troilus was recognized for the disciplined advancement of the Troilus copper-gold project, marking a transformational year defined by major milestones in engineering, permitting, and financing as the Company continues to move towards construction.

Across the industry, progress in project buildout, resource validation and strategic collaboration reflects a broader shift toward disciplined growth and long-term value creation. As mining organizations push forward with investments in infrastructure, exploration and operational excellence, they collectively demonstrate how innovative planning and strong execution continue to propel the sector.

For more information, visit LaFleur Minerals Profile .

Qualified Person Statement – All scientific and technical information contained in the LaFleur Minerals Market Awareness Profile (‘MAP’) has been reviewed and approved by Louis Martin, P.Geo. (OGQ), Exploration Manager and Technical Advisor of the company and considered a Qualified Person for the purposes of NI 43-101 .

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