Champion Bear Resources Strengthens Leadership with Two New Directors and Returning CFO to Propel Ontario Exploration Plans

Champion Bear Announces Three Strategic Leadership Appointments

On July 15, 2026, Champion Bear Resources Ltd. confirmed the appointments of Andrew Tims and Cole Fouillard to its board of directors and the return of Jason Hastie as Chief Financial Officer. These appointments are effective immediately, pending TSX Venture Exchange acceptance, marking a strategic move to reinforce governance and technical expertise.

Richard D. Kantor continues to hold his dual roles as Chair and CEO. The company emphasized that the updated leadership structure aims to support its "next phase of growth," spotlighting the Plomp Farm Project in northwestern Ontario as the central near-term focus. Financial details related to these appointments were not disclosed.

Andrew Tims Brings Over 40 Years of Ontario Gold Exploration Expertise

Andrew Tims’ appointment is significant due to his extensive technical background. He is a veteran exploration geologist with more than four decades of experience in both greenfield and brownfield mineral exploration across Ontario’s major gold camps, including Geraldton, Kirkland Lake-Timmins, Red Lake, and broader northwestern Ontario. His eight-year tenure with Rainy River Resources, known for its Rainy River gold project acquired by New Gold Inc., adds to his credentials.

Tims’ expertise extends beyond gold to platinum group metals, kimberlite diamond, and volcanogenic massive sulphide (VMS) exploration, aligning well with Champion Bear’s multi-commodity portfolio. His affiliations with the Ontario Geological Survey and the Porcupine Prospectors and Developers Association highlight his deep roots in Ontario’s mineral exploration community, providing valuable operational insight for the junior explorer.

Cole Fouillard Enhances Board with Strategic Operations and Governance Experience

Cole Fouillard brings a complementary skill set as an entrepreneur, corporate leader, and Canadian military veteran with over 20 years of experience in strategic operations, logistics, emergency management, secure infrastructure, technology development, and stakeholder coordination. As Founder and CEO of VEXSL Global Inc., he has led corporate structuring, capital strategy, partnerships, and commercialization initiatives domestically and internationally.

Fouillard’s governance expertise emphasizes execution, accountability, risk management, and Indigenous and community engagement—critical factors for mineral exploration success in northern Ontario. His military and logistics background equips him to manage complex projects under resource and time constraints, beneficial for junior mining project execution.

Jason Hastie Returns as Chief Financial Officer

Champion Bear also announced the return of Jason Hastie as CFO. Although the announcement does not detail his previous tenure or terms of reappointment, Hastie’s prior experience with the company offers continuity in financial management during this strategic renewal. No compensation or specific mandates were disclosed.

In junior exploration firms, a CFO familiar with the company’s financial and regulatory framework can provide stability and discipline, which investors often view positively during periods of corporate transition.

Plomp Farm Project: The Company’s Core Exploration Asset

The Plomp Farm Project, located west of Dryden, Ontario, is highlighted as Champion Bear’s flagship asset. It is considered an Archean lode gold and gold-rich volcanogenic massive sulphide target within the Thunder Lake assemblage, a favorable geological setting for the company’s targeted mineralization types.

Historical drilling at the Plomp Farm Main Zone has identified a broad gold-enriched corridor associated with pyrite, silver, and base metals. While specific resource estimates, drill grades, or exploration budgets were not disclosed, the project remains the primary focus for near-term advancement under the new leadership.

Diverse Ontario Portfolio Includes Precious Metals, PGMs, and Rare Earth Elements

Beyond Plomp Farm, Champion Bear’s portfolio spans multiple commodities including gold, platinum group metals (PGMs), copper, polymetallic mineralization, tantalum, and rare earth elements (REEs). This diversified exposure aligns with growing global investor interest amid critical mineral supply chain discussions in Canada and allied countries.

The company intends to continue evaluating its broader portfolio alongside advancing Plomp Farm, with no current plans to divest or narrow its asset base. Champion Bear remains focused on historically prospective Ontario regions, aiming to create shareholder value through discovery, joint ventures, and acquisitions. No specific joint venture or acquisition plans were disclosed.

Board Composition Reflects Strengthened Governance and Execution Capability

The appointments bring together a blend of capital markets, corporate development, project execution, governance, and mineral exploration expertise. For junior exploration companies, board composition often signals the capacity to execute strategy, attract institutional interest, and manage regulatory and community engagement challenges.

Champion Bear’s choice to add a technical geologist, a strategic operations and governance expert, and a returning CFO demonstrates a multidisciplinary approach to advancing its Ontario exploration portfolio. The total number of directors post-appointments and any resignations were not disclosed. Immediate share price effects were not evident at the time of this report.

Qualified Person Review Under NI 43-101 Confirmed

The technical content of the announcement was reviewed by Mr. Todd McCracken, P.Geo, Manager-Mining at BBA Consultants, serving as the qualified person (QP) under National Instrument 43-101. This regulatory compliance ensures the geological information meets Canadian securities standards for mineral project disclosure.

Having an independent QP from a reputable consulting firm adds credibility to the company’s technical statements regarding Plomp Farm and its broader portfolio, an important aspect for investors familiar with NI 43-101 requirements.

CEO Richard D. Kantor Highlights Renewed Focus and Growth Potential

Richard D. Kantor, Chair and CEO, stated: "The appointment of Andrew Tims, Cole Fouillard and Jason Hastie represents an important step forward for Champion Bear. We believe the Company has a compelling foundation of mineral assets, technical work, and historical exploration results. With renewed leadership, Champion Bear is positioned to move forward with greater focus, discipline, and energy as we work to unlock the potential of Plomp Farm and the Company's broader Ontario property portfolio."

Kantor’s remarks emphasize building on existing assets and historical data rather than shifting strategy. The focus on "focus, discipline, and energy" signals operational momentum without providing specific timelines or financial targets.

TSX Venture Exchange Approval Pending for Appointments

Although the appointments are effective immediately, they remain subject to TSX Venture Exchange acceptance, a standard regulatory step for director and officer changes in TSXV-listed companies. The exchange’s review is routine and no issues are anticipated. The release includes the customary disclaimer that the TSX Venture Exchange and its Regulation Services Provider do not endorse the release’s accuracy.

Champion Bear trades under the ticker CBA on the TSX Venture Exchange, and investors will monitor the exchange’s approval as a formality in confirming the new leadership team.