Rua Gold Inc. has completed 19,600 metres of resource drilling at the Auld Creek gold-antimony project in Reefton, New Zealand, surpassing its initial 19,000-metre target.

The diamond drilling program, driven by four active rigs, targeted the deposit's mineralized shoots, which remain open in all directions. Highlighted assays from the campaign include drill hole ACDDH119, which returned 0.6 metres at 136.2 g/t gold equivalent from 237.6 metres depth, comprising 82.9 g/t gold and 24.8% antimony. Additional notable intercepts include hole ACDDH112, which intersected 2.9 metres at 38.8 g/t gold equivalent from 226 metres, and hole ACDDH086, returning 2.7 metres at 23.2 g/t gold equivalent from 249 metres.

Ultra-detailed geological and structural analysis of the Fraternal Fault zone has helped refine the targeting of high-grade shoots. The work has also yielded the first observations of visible gold at the project, alongside localized mineralized zones exceeding 20 metres in width.

The resource drilling incorporates necessary geotechnical, hydrological, and metallurgical studies to support an upcoming pre-feasibility study. Rua Gold remains on track to publish that pre-feasibility study in December 2026, alongside submitting its substantive application under New Zealand's Fast-Track Approvals regime in October 2026.

“These exceptional exploration results are informing the mine plan and reinforcing the significant development potential of the Auld Creek Project. The deposit continues to exceed our expectations and remains open in all directions. Our improved understanding of the orientation of the high-grade mineralized shoots will be crucial as we advance the next phase of drilling. The occurrence of visible gold is particularly encouraging and suggests that grades may improve with depth.”

— Robert Eckford, Chief Executive Officer of RUA GOLD

The Auld Creek deposit hosts an inferred resource contained within the Bonanza and Fraternal mineralized shoots, both of which outcrop at surface, as the company advances its evaluation work across the Reefton district.

Read the full announcement: RUA GOLD Reports Highest-Grade Drill Results to Date at the Auld Creek Gold-Antimony Project