Kenorland Minerals and Auranova Resources Announce Upcoming 2026 Spring Drill Program at the South Uchi Project, Ontario

Kenorland Minerals and Auranova Resources Announce Upcoming 2026 Spring Drill Program at the South Uchi Project, Ontario

Kenorland Minerals Ltd. (TSXV: KLD,OTC:KLDCF) (OTCQX: KLDCF) (FSE: 3WQ0) ("Kenorland" or the "Company") is pleased to announce the approval of a Phase 3 diamond drill program at the South Uchi Project (the "Project"), located in the Red Lake District of Ontario and held under an option agreement with Auranova Resources Inc. ("Auranova").

2026 Spring Exploration Program

The Spring 2026 exploration program and budget have been approved by Auranova and will include up to 3,000 metres of drilling across six drill holes at the Papaonga target area. This phase of drilling follows the successful identification of a new gold-bearing structural corridor discovered during the Phase 2 Fall 2025 drill program (see press release dated January 28, 2026). The planned drill holes are designed as large step-outs towards the west and east, testing strike extensions of the mineralised structural corridor concealed beneath deep glacial cover. Kenorland remains the operator of the Project, and drilling activities are scheduled to commence by the end of March.

Cannot view this image? Visit: https://images.newsfilecorp.com/files/6489/288907_1f0bae36546f4a4d_001.jpg

Figure 1. Plan map of Papaonga target area with planned Phase 3 drill hole locations

To view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit:
https://images.newsfilecorp.com/files/6489/288907_1f0bae36546f4a4d_001full.jpg

The upcoming drill program will consist of a series of drill fences approximately one kilometre apart, stepping out along strike from drill holes 25PADD031 and 25PADD034, which intersected an approximately 200-metre-wide mineralised corridor characterised by strong deformation, pervasive sericite-albite-silica alteration and disseminated sulphide mineralisation within mafic to felsic volcanic stratigraphy and feldspar porphyry intrusions. Within this corridor, multiple 10-metre-scale intervals contain anomalous gold values, highlighting the potential for significant mineralisation.

Interpretation of regional magnetic datasets have identified the gold-bearing structure as a belt-parallel, east-west trending deformation zone, concealed beneath deep till and glaciolacustrine cover sequences. Despite limited bedrock exposure over the target area, grab samples from volcanic stratigraphy immediately north of the structural corridor returned values of up to 14.4 g/t Au, further underscoring the potential to host high-grade mineralisation.

Cannot view this image? Visit: https://images.newsfilecorp.com/files/6489/288907_1f0bae36546f4a4d_002.jpg

Figure 2. Regional geology with significant gold deposits and South Uchi Project location

To view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit:
https://images.newsfilecorp.com/files/6489/288907_1f0bae36546f4a4d_002full.jpg

About South Uchi Project

The South Uchi Project was first identified and staked by Kenorland based on the under-explored region's prospectivity to host significant gold mineralised systems. The Project covers a portion of Confederation Assemblage volcanic rocks, as well as the boundary between the Uchi geological subprovince to the north and the English River geological subprovince to the south. Multiple major east-west striking deformation zones associated with the subprovince boundary transect the Project, resulting in zones of strong shearing and folding of the supracrustal stratigraphy, which are favourable settings for orogenic gold mineralisation. Prior to Kenorland staking the Project, records indicated little to no systematic exploration had been completed, and the land package remained under-explored. The majority of gold deposits in the Red Lake District (Red Lake, Madsen, Hasaga, and others) are located on the northern margin of the Confederation Assemblage. However, recent discoveries such as the LP Fault Zone on the Dixie Project by Great Bear Resources Ltd. (acquired by Kinross Gold and renamed Great Bear Project) highlight the prospectivity of the entire Confederation Assemblage along the southern margin of the Uchi subprovince.

Kenorland announced on December 2, 2024, that it had entered into a definitive agreement with Auranova, granting Auranova the right to earn up to a 70% interest in the Project. Pursuant to the agreement, Auranova may earn an initial 51% interest in the Project by making cash payments totalling $500,000 to Kenorland, completing a diamond drilling program with at least $8,000,000 in qualifying expenditures or completing 15,000 metres of drilling within two years of receiving a drill permit, issuing Kenorland 19.9% of Auranova's common shares, and maintaining Kenorland's 19.9% share position until Auranova raises a minimum of $10,000,000 through share issuances, after which Kenorland's stake will remain at 10% on a pro-rata basis through to the completion of a Preliminary Economic Assessment (the "PEA").

Kenorland has received the $500,000 in cash payments and currently holds 9,242,267 common shares of Auranova and confirms that Auranova has now earned a 51% ownership interest in the Project (see press release dated July 2, 2025). Further, Auranova may earn an additional 19% interest, for a total of 70%, by incurring an additional $10,000,000 in qualifying expenditures on or before the third anniversary of Auranova's election to proceed with the second option. Kenorland will also retain a 30% carried interest in the Project through to the completion of the PEA, at which point a joint venture will be formed.

Kenorland also holds a 2% net smelter return royalty on the Project (see press release dated September 16, 2024).

Qualified Person

Janek Wozniewski, B.Sc., P.Geo. (EGBC #172781, APEGS #77522, EGMB #48045, PGO #3824, APEGNB #8348), Vice President of Operations at Kenorland, a "Qualified Person" under National Instrument 43-101, has reviewed and approved the scientific and technical information in this press release.

About Kenorland Minerals

Kenorland Minerals Ltd. (TSXV: KLD,OTC:KLDCF) is a well-financed mineral exploration company focused on project generation and early-stage exploration in North America. Kenorland's exploration strategy is to advance greenfields projects through systematic, property-wide, phased exploration surveys financed primarily through exploration partnerships including option to joint venture agreements. Kenorland holds a 4% net smelter return royalty on the Frotet Project in Quebec, which is owned by Sumitomo Metal Mining Canada Ltd. The Frotet Project hosts the Regnault gold system, a greenfields discovery made by Kenorland and Sumitomo Metal Mining Canada Ltd. in 2020, which contains an Inferred Mineral Resource of 14.5 Mt at 5.47 g/t Au for 2.55 Moz of gold. Kenorland is based in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada.

Further information can be found on the Company's website www.kenorlandminerals.com.

On behalf of the Board of Directors,

Zach Flood
President, CEO & Director

For further information, please contact:

Alex Muir, CFA
Corporate Development and Investor Relations Manager
Tel +1 604 568 6005
info@kenorlandminerals.com

Cautionary Statement Regarding Forward Looking Statements

This news release contains forward-looking statements and forward-looking information (together, "forward-looking statements") within the meaning of applicable securities laws. All statements, other than statements of historical facts, are forward-looking statements. Generally, forward-looking statements can be identified by the use of terminology such as "plans", "expects", "estimates", "intends", "anticipates", "believes" or variations of such words, or statements that certain actions, events or results "may", "could", "would", "might", "will be taken", "occur" or "be achieved". Forward looking statements involve risks, uncertainties and other factors disclosed under the heading "Risk Factors" and elsewhere in the Company's filings with Canadian securities regulators, that could cause actual results, performance, prospects and opportunities to differ materially from those expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. Although the Company believes that the assumptions and factors used in preparing these forward-looking statements are reasonable based upon the information currently available to management as of the date hereof, actual results and developments may differ materially from those contemplated by these statements. Readers are therefore cautioned not to place undue reliance on these statements, which only apply as of the date of this news release, and no assurance can be given that such events will occur in the disclosed times frames or at all. Except where required by applicable law, the Company disclaims any intention or obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statement, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.

Neither the 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.

To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/288907

News Provided by TMX Newsfile via QuoteMedia

KLD:CC
The Conversation (0)
Kenorland Minerals

Kenorland Minerals

Large-scale Exploration, Significant Discovery Potential in Quebec and Alaska

Large-scale Exploration, Significant Discovery Potential in Quebec and Alaska Keep Reading...
Keep reading...Show less
Adam Rozencwajg, gold bars.

Adam Rozencwajg: Gold, Silver vs. Energy — Where I'm Focusing Now

Adam Rozencwajg, managing partner at Goehring & Rozencwajg, weighs in on how ongoing tensions in the Middle East are impacting the oil market, noting that on a barrels-per-day basis the Iran war is the largest shock the sector has ever dealt with. However, in his view, there's still time for... Keep Reading...
Panther Metals Plc

Winston Tailings Project: Batch 1 Assay Results

Panther Metals Plc (LSE: PALM), the exploration company focused on mineral projects in Canada, is very pleased to report the first batch of Vibracore sample assay results for the Winston Tailings Project near Schrieber, Ontario, Canada.The Vibracore tailings sampling is in support of the Mineral... Keep Reading...
RUA GOLD Reports Extensions Along Strike and at Depth at the Auld Creek Gold-Antimony Project, Reefton Goldfield

RUA GOLD Reports Extensions Along Strike and at Depth at the Auld Creek Gold-Antimony Project, Reefton Goldfield

Rua Gold Inc. (TSX: RUA,OTC:NZAUF) (NZX: RGI) (OTCQX: NZAUF) (WKN: A40QYC) ("Rua Gold" or the "Company") is pleased to provide an exploration update on its Auld Creek gold-antimony Project located in the Reefton Goldfield on the South Island of New Zealand. Highlights: Recent drilling provides... Keep Reading...
Don Hansen, gold bars.

Don Hansen: New Gold Price Tailwind, Plus Trade and Tariffs Explained

Private investor Don Hansen returns to share his latest thoughts on gold, this time shedding light on how international trade and tariffs work, and why past systems backed by the yellow metal could better serve the world today. He also shares another tailwind that could be building for the gold... Keep Reading...
Gold bars stacked on top of each other with one in focus in the middle.

Why Do Central Banks Buy Gold?

Central banks are a key component of gold demand, and in recent years their gold purchases have become a major driver of the gold price's gains. Global central banks held more than 36,535.4 metric tons (MT) of gold in their reserves as of year-end 2025. Most of that supply has been amassed since... Keep Reading...
Panther Metals Plc (LSE:PALM)

Winston Tailings Project: Sample Collection Complete

Panther Metals Plc (LSE: PALM), the exploration company focused on mineral projects in Canada, is pleased to report the vibracore sample collection work phase at the Winston Tailings Project has successfully completed.The completed ice-barge mounted vibracore sampling is the first of a series of... Keep Reading...

Interactive Chart

Latest Press Releases

Related News