Maple Gold Mines Appoints Alex Rodriguez and Finalizes Full Acquisition of Eagle Mine, Enhancing Joutel Gold Project

Experienced Executive Joins Maple Gold to Drive Corporate Growth and Strategy

Alex Rodriguez has officially joined Maple Gold as Senior Vice President of Corporate Development & Strategy. With over 15 years of experience spanning corporate development, strategic planning, and mergers and acquisitions across Canada, the U.S., Peru, and Chile, Rodriguez brings a wealth of expertise. His background includes business development, investor relations, and strategic positioning within the mining sector.

Previously, Rodriguez served as Vice President of Corporate Development at O3 Mining Inc., where he was instrumental in advancing the Marban gold project and facilitating O3 Mining’s C$204-million acquisition by Agnico Eagle Mines Limited. He also held leadership roles at VerAI Discoveries and Volcan Compa f1 eda Minera, managing partnerships and M&A transactions exceeding US$1 billion. Rodriguez holds a Bachelor of Arts in Economics from Universidad Nacional de Trujillo, an MBA from the University of Toronto’s Rotman School of Management, and the ICD.D designation from the Institute of Corporate Directors.

Completion of Eagle Mine Acquisition Finalizes Joutel Mining Complex Consolidation

Maple Gold has finalized the acquisition of a 100% interest in the Eagle Mine Property, a key claim within the Joutel area that hosts the historic Eagle underground mine. This transaction, based on an Option Agreement dated July 16, 2021, with Globex Mining Enterprises Inc., involved C$1.2 million in cash and share payments plus C$1.2 million in cumulative exploration expenditures. Ownership of the property, including all associated rights, permits, and reclamation bonds, is now fully transferred to Maple Gold.

Globex retains a 2.5% Gross Metal Royalty (GMR) on the property, subject to a Right of First Refusal and reducible to 1.5% GMR upon a C$1.5 million cash payment by Maple Gold. This consolidation brings the previously producing Eagle Mine under unified ownership with other components of the historic Joutel Mining Complex, which operated from 1974 to 1993 and yielded 1.1 million ounces of gold at an average grade of 6.5 g/t.

Robust Mineral Resources and Expansion Potential at Eagle Mine

The Eagle Mine Property’s mineral resource is included in Maple Gold’s updated Douay/Joutel Project Mineral Resource Estimate announced on April 27, 2026. It comprises 73,000 ounces of gold in the Indicated category (0.5 million tonnes at 5.04 g/t) and 386,000 ounces in the Inferred category (3.0 million tonnes at 4.07 g/t). This estimate was prepared by Denis Decharte, P.Eng., of SLR Consulting (Canada) Ltd., an Independent Qualified Person under NI 43-101.

Historical data combined with recent drilling indicate that high-grade gold mineralization at Eagle extends beyond past underground workings, remaining open in multiple directions. Maple Gold plans aggressive, fully funded step-out drilling programs at Eagle and Joutel during the second half of 2026 and throughout 2027 to expand resources and explore new discoveries.

Strategic Integration of District-Scale Gold Assets in Abitibi Greenstone Belt

The Eagle acquisition completes the consolidation of key historic mining sites within Maple Gold’s wholly owned Douay/Joutel Gold Project, situated along Qu e9bec’s prolific Casa Berardi-Douay Gold Trend in the Abitibi Greenstone Belt. The property package covers approximately 481 square kilometers, including the Douay and Joutel deposits with significant expansion potential, as well as the past-producing Eagle and Telbel mines at Joutel.

Maple Gold’s exploration strategy targets both advancing known deposits and testing numerous regional targets. The property hosts multiple untested exploration sites along a 55-kilometer strike of the Casa Berardi Deformation Zone, described as "ripe for new gold and VMS discoveries," offering a platform for resource growth and new mineralization across its portfolio.

Comprehensive Mineral Resource Estimates for Douay and Joutel Deposits

Following the Eagle acquisition, the combined Douay/Joutel Mineral Resource Estimate totals 905,000 ounces of gold Indicated (19.1 million tonnes at 1.48 g/t) and 4,297,000 ounces Inferred (130.2 million tonnes at 1.03 g/t). The Douay deposit alone contains 779,000 ounces Indicated (18.2 million tonnes at 1.33 g/t) and 3,305,000 ounces Inferred (122.7 million tonnes at 0.84 g/t), per a Technical Report by SLR Consulting dated June 11, 2026.

The Joutel deposit holds 126,000 ounces Indicated (0.9 million tonnes at 4.53 g/t) and 992,000 ounces Inferred (7.5 million tonnes at 4.11 g/t), as detailed in the same report. These estimates underpin Maple Gold’s publicly disclosed mineral inventory across the consolidated district-scale project.

Leadership Comments Highlight Strategic Growth and Shareholder Value

Kiran Patankar, President and CEO of Maple Gold, expressed enthusiasm about Rodriguez’s appointment and the Joutel consolidation: "We are thrilled to welcome Alex to Maple Gold as we achieve full consolidation of Joutel. His proven track record, including advancing the Marban gold project and leading O3 Mining’s successful C$204-million acquisition by Agnico Eagle, will strengthen our leadership as we scale operations and pursue growth initiatives to deliver long-term shareholder value."

Rodriguez remarked on the timing: "Joining Maple Gold at this pivotal stage presents a tremendous opportunity. Consolidating Douay/Joutel under single ownership creates a compelling platform to unlock value through exploration success, resource growth, and disciplined advancement. I look forward to contributing to the Company’s future success with our exceptional team." These statements underscore the leadership and property consolidation as catalysts for operational acceleration and value creation.

Equity Incentive Grants to Support Growth Initiatives

To support operational progress, Maple Gold’s Board approved equity incentive grants. Stock options were granted to an employee to purchase 200,000 common shares at an exercise price of C$2.55 per share. These options vest in three equal tranches over 24 months and are exercisable for five years post-vesting.

Additionally, 50,000 restricted share units (RSUs) were granted, vesting in three equal tranches over 36 months. Vested RSUs entitle holders to receive common shares or a combination of cash and shares, per Maple Gold’s Equity Incentive Plan. These grants comply with TSX Venture Exchange policies.

Qualified Person Review and Technical Verification

Ian Cunningham-Dunlop, P.Eng. (PEO/EGBC), Executive Vice President of Maple Gold, has reviewed and approved the scientific and technical information related to exploration and mineral resources in this announcement. No verification issues were identified. Cunningham-Dunlop is a Qualified Person under NI 43-101 standards.

This certification ensures compliance with regulatory standards and provides investors confidence that geological and resource data have undergone professional scrutiny.

Forward-Looking Statements and Risk Disclosure

The announcement includes forward-looking statements about resource expansion and exploration plans. Maple Gold cautions that actual results may differ materially due to risks and uncertainties. Readers are directed to Maple Gold’s filings on SEDAR+ at www.sedarplus.ca for detailed risk factors.

The TSX Venture Exchange and its Regulation Services Provider disclaim responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release. Maple Gold undertakes no obligation to update forward-looking statements except as required by law.