Heritage Mining Ltd. has expanded its footprint at the Melba Project in Northeastern Ontario through three separate agreements, adding unpatented claims and an interest in a local mining lease while revamping its executive team.

Under an option agreement dated August 11, 2026, the company secured a 100% interest in 42 unpatented mining claims in the Melba North area for $6,000 in cash and 2,000,000 common shares. The optionors retain a 1.5% net smelter returns royalty, half of which Heritage can repurchase for $600,000.

In two concurrent purchase agreements, the company acquired three additional mining claims from William Dean Clifford and Jerry U Damiani for 600,000 common shares, and 32 claims alongside a 75% interest in Mining Lease 109680 from Patrick Culhane and Melba Mining Company Limited for 500,000 common shares. These transactions carry net smelter returns royalties of 1.5% and 2.0% respectively, with partial repurchase options.

Alongside the land consolidation, Heritage issued 3,015,645 common shares at $0.029 per share to Advanced Gold Exploration Inc. to settle share consideration remaining from its initial September 2025 acquisition of a 75% interest in the past-producing Melba Mine.

The company also settled $272,104.46 in outstanding indebtedness through the issuance of 12,368,380 common shares at a deemed price of $0.022 per share, preserving cash for exploration and working capital.

In executive changes, Rachel Chae resigned as Chief Financial Officer, with Tara Gilfillan stepping into the role effective August 14, 2026. Gilfillan brings experience leading mining-focused engineering and advisory firms and serves as a director of Heliostar Metals Ltd.

“We are pleased to further solidify our position at Melba and welcome Tara to Heritage Mining. Her experience and capabilities add valuable depth to our team as we manage our drilling activities and other key corporate initiatives.” — Peter Schloo, President, CEO and Director of Heritage

The land additions build upon operational strides earlier in the year, including the July 2026 upgrade of approximately 5.5 kilometres of historical winter trail to establish the project's first year-round access for drilling rigs and crews. Diamond drilling has since resumed at the property, with assay results for drill hole ML3800-003 anticipated in late August 2026.

Activity across the wider Kirkland Lake district has also seen active exploration progress, with STLLR Gold intersecting 12.46 g/t gold over 16.17 metres at the Jonpol Deposit within its Tower Gold Project in August 2026.

Read the full announcement: Heritage Expands Land Position at the Melba Project and Appointments Tara Gilfillan as New CFO