Four Nines Gold Initiates First Modern Drilling Program at Hayden Hill in Nearly 30 Years with LSG Drilling Contract

Drilling Contract Signed: Hayden Hill Advances from Planning to Active Exploration

Four Nines Gold Inc. confirmed on July 14, 2026, the execution of a drilling services agreement with LSG Drilling LLC, a California-licensed contractor. This agreement marks the operational start of the company's maiden drill program at the Hayden Hill Gold Project, representing the first modern drilling campaign at the site in nearly 30 years. Drill rig mobilisation is expected to begin immediately, with drilling anticipated to start on or around July 17, 2026.

The contractor engagement signifies more than logistics; it confirms that environmental and permitting requirements have been met, enabling field operations to proceed without delay. Drill permits for the initial program have been granted by Lassen County, underscoring the readiness for execution.

Phase 1 Drill Program: Details, Scope, and Permitting

The initial phase at Hayden Hill includes up to 5,000 feet of core drilling distributed across 10 fully permitted drill stations. Targets were developed using advanced 3D geological modelling and structural reinterpretation of historical data, refined over several years by the technical team. The program is fully funded, eliminating the need for additional capital to complete this phase.

Management retains the option to extend drilling beyond 5,000 feet if results and geological data justify further work. Specific criteria for expansion and cost estimates were not disclosed. Any program extension will depend on outcomes yet to be determined.

Hayden Hill’s Historical Production and Exploration Gap

Located on private land in Lassen County, northern California, Hayden Hill is a former producing gold mine that yielded 480,000 ounces of gold and 1.3 million ounces of silver during its operational life. Amax Gold Inc. conducted extensive exploration with 99,862 metres drilled over 742 holes before the mine’s closure in 1997. Kinross Gold U.S.A., Inc. acquired Amax Gold in 1998, and Four Nines Gold currently holds the right to acquire 100% of the project from a Kinross subsidiary.

No systematic exploration has occurred at Hayden Hill since 1997. Historical operators focused on shallow disseminated mineralisation, leaving deeper, structurally controlled high-grade zones untested. Four Nines Gold’s modern 3D geological model has identified multiple untested high-grade feeder zones beneath and adjacent to historic workings, overlooked due to shallow drilling and interpretive limitations of the past.

Advanced 3D Geological Modelling Drives Target Selection

Four Nines Gold’s exploration approach centers on applying modern 3D geological modelling to extensive historical drill data. The company reinterpreted legacy data structurally, identifying deeper, structurally controlled high-grade mineralisation not targeted previously. A July 2026 Investor Presentation provides additional context on the exploration rationale beyond this announcement.

The technical work has been reviewed and approved by David Flint, MSc, AIPG-CPG, Vice President of Exploration at Four Nines Gold, serving as the Qualified Person under National Instrument 43-101. Flint and the technical team have strong experience in epithermal gold systems, characteristic of Hayden Hill. However, identification of targets through modelling does not guarantee economic mineralisation; confirmation awaits drill results.

CEO Charles Ross Highlights Strategic Importance of Drill Program

Charles Ross, President and CEO of Four Nines Gold, described the contractor engagement as the culmination of years of geological and strategic preparation. "We've spent years compiling data, refining our geological model, and developing a disciplined exploration strategy," Ross stated. "With our drill contractor engaged and a fully funded program ready, we are poised to test our thesis. This marks an exciting new chapter for Hayden Hill."

The company did not provide detailed forward guidance, specific drill targets, or timelines for results beyond the planned start date. The announcement emphasizes the transition from planning to active exploration, a significant shift in the company’s narrative. Investors will likely monitor management’s expectations as drilling progresses.

Strong Funding Position Supports Drilling and Potential Expansion

Four Nines Gold confirms it is fully funded for the maiden drill program, a point reiterated throughout the release. Specific treasury figures and budget details were not disclosed, and immediate share price impact was unclear.

Being fully funded provides operational flexibility, including the possibility to expand the program if initial results are positive. In junior exploration, securing funding before drilling is a material positive, reducing the risk of dilutive financing during active operations. However, investors should review the company’s latest financial statements for a comprehensive assessment.

Lassen County Permitting and California Regulatory Compliance

The Hayden Hill project is situated on private land in Lassen County, California. Drill permits for the initial program have been granted by Lassen County, a prerequisite for LSG Drilling LLC’s mobilisation. The contractor’s California licensure complies with state drilling regulations.

California’s regulatory environment for mineral exploration is notably complex, making county-level permitting on private land a significant achievement. All 10 Phase 1 drill stations are fully permitted, allowing drilling to proceed without further approvals. The company did not detail the permitting timeline.

Project Ownership and Kinross Acquisition Rights

Four Nines Gold holds the right to acquire 100% of the Hayden Hill Gold Project from a Kinross Gold U.S.A., Inc. subsidiary. The announcement does not specify terms or conditions of this acquisition right. Kinross’s involvement stems from its 1998 acquisition of Amax Gold, the primary historical operator responsible for extensive drilling at Hayden Hill.

This ownership history provides context for the geological database, as Four Nines Gold’s technical team has reprocessed and reinterpreted Amax’s legacy drilling data to define current targets. No updated NI 43-101 resource estimate was disclosed, and investors should not assume one based on historical production figures.

Multi-Exchange Listing Enhances Investor Access

Four Nines Gold trades on the Canadian Securities Exchange (FNAU), OTCQB Venture Market (FNAUF), and Frankfurt Stock Exchange (F8NA), providing exposure to Canadian, U.S., and European investors. This multi-exchange presence is advantageous as the company enters an active drilling phase.

The company continues to evaluate additional exploration opportunities in stable jurisdictions and emphasizes responsible exploration, transparent communication, and long-term shareholder value. No specific new assets or transactions were mentioned. Four Nines Gold maintains a social media presence on LinkedIn, YouTube, Facebook, Instagram, and X (formerly Twitter), with project updates available at www.fourninesgold.ca.

Exploration Risks and Outlook for Hayden Hill

The announcement includes standard forward-looking statements cautioning that mineral exploration is speculative and involves risks such as fluctuating gold prices, capital market conditions, and uncertain outcomes. Despite experience and careful evaluation, risks remain inherent in junior exploration.

The start of drilling at Hayden Hill transforms a geological hypothesis into a testable exploration program. Phase 1 results will guide future decisions. The company has not disclosed timelines for assay results, specific drill depths, or the laboratory processing samples. Investors may look for updates on rig mobilisation, core logging, and assay results to assess the validity of Four Nines Gold’s geological model.