Orezone Restarts Casa Berardi Mine After Wildfire Pause, Confirms 2026 Output Forecast

Swift Resumption of Quebec Gold Mine Operations Following Safety Suspension

Orezone Gold Corporation announced the restart of its Casa Berardi mine operations on the evening of July 17, 2026, marking a prompt return after a voluntary suspension initiated on July 14. The suspension was a safety precaution responding to wildfire activity in the vicinity of the Quebec mine. This decision underscores the company’s commitment to safety and environmental stewardship, with close coordination alongside local authorities and fire protection agencies during the pause.

The operational suspension spanned roughly three days, a brief interruption strategically managed to limit long-term production impact. Throughout this period, Orezone maintained a skeleton crew onsite to uphold operational continuity and prevent equipment deterioration. The company expressed gratitude to SOPFEU (Société de protection des forêts contre le feu), employees, contractors, and local officials for their professionalism and support during the temporary closure. This collaborative effort ensured a coordinated wildfire response and facilitated the safe resumption of mining activities.

Maintenance Advancements During Suspension Cut Future Downtime

A key advantage of the temporary halt was the acceleration of planned maintenance activities initially scheduled for later in 2026. By completing these tasks during the shutdown, Orezone expects to significantly reduce planned downtime for the remainder of the year. This proactive approach turned a crisis into an operational efficiency opportunity, compressing the maintenance schedule and enhancing production continuity in upcoming months.

This strategy exemplifies prudent operational management, showcasing the company’s adaptability in maintaining long-term production goals amid unexpected events. Consolidating maintenance within the suspension window rather than scheduling additional downtime positions Orezone to operate with fewer interruptions during the critical second half of 2026. This efficiency gain helps mitigate risks from other potential operational disruptions and reinforces confidence in achieving full-year production targets.

2026 Production Guidance Reaffirmed, Reflecting Management Confidence

Orezone reaffirmed its 2026 production guidance for Casa Berardi at 62,000 to 67,000 ounces, indicating management’s confidence that the brief suspension will not materially affect annual output. Maintaining this guidance despite the wildfire disruption reflects the company’s assessment that the three-day shutdown and subsequent recovery have not altered the production outlook. The reaffirmation suggests that operational resilience and accelerated maintenance efforts offset any lost production during the suspension.

The confirmed guidance range offers investors a clear benchmark for evaluating the company’s operational performance throughout the year. Management’s choice to maintain, rather than revise, guidance signals that the wildfire pause was a manageable operational event rather than a significant threat to annual targets. This assurance is supported by the resumption of operations, completion of deferred maintenance, and Casa Berardi’s track record of producing over 3.2 million ounces of gold since inception.

Casa Berardi’s Historical Production and Strategic Role in Orezone’s Portfolio

Casa Berardi serves as a key asset within Orezone Gold’s portfolio, boasting a substantial production history exceeding 3.2 million ounces of gold. Recently acquired by Orezone, the mine adds a long-life, established operation that complements its other mining assets. Its significant ore reserves and proven production capability provide a solid foundation for Orezone’s growth as an intermediate gold producer.

The mine’s strategic value extends beyond current output, with notable growth prospects and exploration potential identified on the property. Situated in Quebec, a jurisdiction with established mining infrastructure, regulatory stability, and skilled labor, Casa Berardi benefits from favorable operational conditions. The 2026 production guidance of 62,000 to 67,000 ounces establishes a baseline for assessing potential operational improvements and mine life extensions. Additionally, the location offers access to mining services, environmental expertise, and stakeholder relationships supporting sustainable mining practices.

Bomboré Mine Expansion Enhances Geographic Diversification

In addition to Casa Berardi, Orezone operates the Bomboré gold mine in West Africa, which began production in late 2022. This second mine diversifies Orezone’s geographic footprint and strengthens its position as an intermediate gold producer. Bomboré represents a major capital investment and engineering accomplishment, evidencing management’s capability to develop and operate greenfield projects. Its commissioning marked a significant milestone, establishing Orezone as a multi-asset gold producer.

The combination of Casa Berardi, an established North American asset, and Bomboré, a greenfield West African operation, creates a diversified platform with substantial mineral resources, growth opportunities, and exploration upside. This two-continent presence exposes Orezone to varied regulatory environments, commodity price dynamics, and geopolitical risks, potentially enhancing long-term resilience and growth prospects.

Wildfire Risk Management in Quebec Mining Operations

The July 2026 wildfire event underscores operational risks associated with mining in Canada’s boreal forest regions. Although the wildfire was nearby rather than directly threatening infrastructure, Orezone’s voluntary suspension reflects a precautionary stance on environmental and safety risks. Wildfires in Quebec can impact air quality, site access, supply chains, and workforce safety. The company’s swift suspension and coordination with SOPFEU demonstrate established protocols for managing such natural hazards.

The brief suspension indicates that wildfire risks, while present, are manageable within Orezone’s operational framework. However, the company explicitly identifies wildfire and other natural hazards as risk factors potentially affecting forward-looking statements and operational results. Climate change and evolving fire seasons may increase wildfire frequency or severity in the Casa Berardi region, representing an ongoing consideration for investors assessing long-term operational stability.

Leadership and Operational Governance

Orezone is led by President and CEO Patrick Downey, with a management team focused on safe, sustainable, and responsible mining practices aimed at delivering long-term stakeholder value. This philosophy is evident in the wildfire response, where safety and environmental protection took precedence over short-term production. The rapid resumption of operations post-suspension reflects management’s confidence in operational controls and hazard mitigation.

Rob Henderson, P.Eng., Vice-President of Technical Services, serves as the Qualified Person responsible for technical information in this announcement. As a member of the Association of Professional Engineers and Geoscientists of British Columbia, Mr. Henderson brings expertise relevant to Orezone’s mineralization and deposit types. This technical governance supports the credibility of operational disclosures and production forecasts.

Forward-Looking Guidance and Associated Risks for 2026

Orezone’s reaffirmed 2026 production guidance is forward-looking and subject to risks and uncertainties, including pandemic impacts, security threats (including cyberattacks), contractual defaults, regulatory changes, social or labor unrest, commodity price volatility, infrastructure failures, accidents, equipment breakdowns, political risks, management changes, and economic conditions. Wildfire and other natural hazards are specifically noted as potential operational risks.

This comprehensive risk disclosure reflects the complex environment faced by intermediate gold producers in North America and West Africa. Investors should recognize that actual results may differ materially from projections due to unforeseen events. The company’s forward-looking statements are dated July 20, 2026, and qualified by cautionary statements in the company update. Investors are encouraged to consult Orezone’s Annual Information Form and Management’s Discussion and Analysis filed on SEDAR+ for detailed risk analyses.

Investor Outlook and Upcoming Operational Milestones

Investors tracking Orezone should monitor the company’s performance against the 2026 production guidance range of 62,000 to 67,000 ounces throughout the year. Quarterly and annual reports will provide transparency on whether Casa Berardi meets, exceeds, or falls short of guidance, offering insights into operational effectiveness and the impact of accelerated maintenance. Any future wildfire-related suspensions or operational disruptions would require market disclosure.

Beyond 2026 targets, investors may seek updates on Casa Berardi’s growth and exploration potential, as well as Bomboré’s operational progress and production ramp-up. Orezone’s demonstrated ability to execute operational plans and respond effectively to external challenges, as shown during the July 2026 wildfire event, will inform confidence in management’s capacity to meet objectives and manage ongoing risks.