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Saga Metals Corp. (‘SAGA’ or the ‘Company’) (TSXV: SAGA,OTC:SAGMF) (OTCQB: SAGMF) (FSE: 20H), a North American exploration company advancing critical mineral discoveries, is strategically positioned to capitalize on the explosive growth in the uranium sector as global nuclear commitments and artificial intelligence (AI) infrastructure propel demand far beyond current supply horizons.

SAGA’s Double Mer Uranium Project: Large-Tonnage Potential in Labrador

Amid this uranium fervor, Saga Metals is well-positioned with its high potential Double Mer Uranium Project in Labrador, Canada—a drill-ready asset primed to contribute to North America’s critical minerals security. Located 90 km northeast of Happy Valley-Goose Bay near the prolific Central Mineral Belt (CMB), the 100%-owned project spans 25,600 hectares across 1,024 claims and hosts a robust, IOCG and pegmatite-style uranium system within proximity to Labrador’s most significant uranium discoveries including Paladin Energy’s Michelin and Atha Energy’s CMB holdings. With encouraging surface samples and geophysical data, SAGA believes the Double Mer Uranium Project could offer comparable large-tonnage potential to these projects.

Regional map of the Double Mer Uranium Project in Labrador, Canada

Figure 1: Regional map of the Double Mer Uranium Project in Labrador, Canada

Saga Metals recent exploration efforts at the Double Mer Uranium Project have confirmed*:

  • High-Potential Uranium Zones Identified for Drilling: Three key zones— Luivik, Nanuk, and Katjuk —have been pinpointed along an expansive east-west 18-kilometer uranium-rich trend. Each zone shows U3O8 mineralization in pegmatites and structurally enriched formations (see Figure 2 below).
  • Assays Validate Targets: Rock sampling in 2024 confirms the uranium potential across all three zones, enhancing confidence in the project’s viability with surface samples showing uranium oxide (U3O8) concentrations as high as 0.428% U 3 O 8
  • Count-per-second (CPS) radiometric peaks up to 27,000 —surpassing historical benchmarks
  • Observed uranophane staining (oxidization of uranium minerals) on the surface of pegmatites across the 18 km trend with confirmed uraninite minerals hosted within.
  • Full Winterized Camp Completed in early 2025 and ready for 10 person teams.

(* Press released results: ‘Saga Metals Reports Channel Sample Assay Results at Double Mer Uranium Project’, December 3, 2024)

Mineralization at Double Mer occurs in multiple styles, including uraninite-bearing pegmatites, sheared gneiss, and iron carbonate-rich zones with sheeted smoky quartz veins, indicating large-tonnage potential open along strike and at depth.

Map of the Double Mer Uranium Project highlight the 18km trend verified through surface sample and uranium count radiometrics

Figure 2: Map of the Double Mer Uranium Project highlight the 18km trend verified through surface sample and uranium count radiometrics

Selected samples across the 18 km strike were collected by SAGA’s exploration team during prior exploration surface programs for the purposes of petrography, mineralogical and petrochemical interpretations. The pegmatites can be subdivided into two subgroups based on radioelement and rare earth-bearing minerals in association with the mafic mineral abundance of biotite. The results of this analysis confirmed the presence of uraninite and have shown unequivocally that both pegmatite subgroups identified on the property are genetically related and belong to the same magmatic event.

Highly strained granitic pegmatite showing an East-West foliation and significant uranophane mineralization located in the Katjuk (Arrow) Zone. One of multiple pegmatite units which are interleaved between a gossanous and silicified biotite schist and granitic gneiss.

Figure 3: Highly strained granitic pegmatite showing an East-West foliation and significant uranophane mineralization located in the Katjuk (Arrow) Zone. One of multiple pegmatite units which are interleaved between a gossanous and silicified biotite schist and granitic gneiss.

Double Mer Uranium Project: Fully Permitted and Drill-Ready

The project is fully drill-ready, with permits secured for a maiden diamond drill program aimed at systematically testing the high-grade anomalies. Supporting this is SAGA’s ten-person winterized exploration camp, refurbished earlier in 2025 with upgrades to personnel cabins, kitchen, dry facilities, electrical systems, generator, and dock—ensuring year-round operations in Labrador.

SAGA

Figure 4: SAGA’s Double Mer Uranium Project Base Camp

‘This uranium bull market appears to be just getting started as Uranium futures rose past $81 per tonne in late October, testing the 15-month high of $83.5 touched last month on expectations of higher demand for nuclear power. Double Mer’s 18 km strike in the heart of Labrador’s uranium district positions SAGA to deliver high-impact results at a critical time,’ said Michael Garagan, CGO and Director of Saga Metals Corp. ‘With drill permits in hand, a fully refurbished winter camp, and assays confirming near-surface mineralization, Double Mer is ready to unlock shareholder value and potentially contribute to North America’s energy independence.’

The Uranium Market in a snapshot – Canadian firms Cameco, Brookfield sign $80 Billion deal with U.S. Government:

The uranium market is experiencing a renaissance, with major industry players ramping up involvement to meet escalating needs 1 . Leading producer Cameco Corporation recently announced a landmark $80 billion partnership with Brookfield Renewable Partners and the U.S. government to accelerate the deployment of Westinghouse AP1000 nuclear reactors across the United States, marking one of the largest nuclear energy investments in history 2 . This deal, which includes government-facilitated financing and regulatory approvals, sent Cameco’s shares soaring over 20% to record highs, underscoring investor conviction in uranium’s short-term upside 3 . Other majors, including Paladin Energy and Kazatomprom, are expanding production capacities, while tech giants like Google partner with NextEra Energy to revive shuttered nuclear plants—such as Iowa’s Duane Arnold facility by 2029—to power AI data centers with carbon-free energy 4 .

Supply constraints are intensifying the bullish outlook, with annual global reactor demand estimated at 180 million pounds U 3 O 8 consistently outpacing primary production throughout 2025, creating a structural deficit projected to widen over the next decade 5 . The World Nuclear Association forecasts a 25-28% surge in uranium demand by 2030, driven by over 60 new reactors under construction worldwide and plans for 400 more by 2040 6 . This imbalance is expected to persist for at least 10-15 years, with uranium prices forecasted to reach $90-100 per pound by year-end 2025 and potentially exceed $110 in 2026, as new mine developments lag behind consumption growth 7 .

A key driver of this demand explosion is the AI revolution, where data centers’ electricity consumption is projected to double by 2030 and reach nearly 9% of U.S. total power use by 2035 8 . Nuclear power’s reliability and low-carbon profile make it ideal for hyperscale AI operations; for instance, Microsoft’s agreement to restart Three Mile Island and Amazon’s investments in small modular reactors (SMRs) highlight how tech firms are turning to uranium-fueled energy to fuel the AI boom, with U.S. nuclear generation expected to grow 27% post-2035 to meet this surge 9 .

Compounding these market dynamics, the U.S. government has taken aggressive steps to secure domestic uranium supply and revitalize its nuclear sector. In May 2025, President Trump signed four executive orders aimed at quadrupling U.S. nuclear capacity to 400 GW by 2050, including directives to expand domestic uranium mining, processing, and enrichment while reducing reliance on foreign sources like Russia and China 10 . The Uranium for Energy Independence Act of 2025 (H.R. 1622) further bolsters this by incentivizing U.S.-sourced uranium purchases for federal agencies, while the Department of Energy launched a new consortium in August 2025 under the Defense Production Act to strengthen the nuclear fuel supply chain 11 . These policies not only de-risk North American projects but position uranium explorers like SAGA for rapid advancement 12 .

To learn more about Saga Metals Double Mer Uranium Project please visit the project page found here on the corporate website: https://sagametals.com/double-mer-uranium-project/

Option Issuances

In addition, the Company announces the issuance of an aggregate of 950,000 incentive stock options (the ‘Options’) to certain directors and officers of the Company. Each Option entitles the holder thereof to acquire one common share of the Company at a price of $0.435 per common share for a period of three years from the date of grant. The Options shall vest over a period of two years from the date of grant with 1/3 vesting immediately and 1/3 vesting on each of the first and second anniversary of the date of grant.

Qualified Person

Peter Webster, P. Geo., of Mercator Geological Services is an Independent Qualified Person as defined under National Instrument 43-101 and has reviewed and approved the technical information disclosed in this news release.

Sources:

About Saga Metals Corp.

Saga Metals Corp. is a North American mining company focused on the exploration and discovery of a diversified suite of critical minerals that support the global transition to green energy. The Radar Titanium Project comprises 24,175 hectares and entirely encloses the Dykes River intrusive complex, mapped at 160 km² on the surface near Cartwright, Labrador. Exploration to date, including a 2,200m drill program, has confirmed a large and mineralized layered mafic intrusion hosting vanadiferous titanomagnetite (VTM) with strong grades of titanium and vanadium.

The Double Mer Uranium Project, also in Labrador, covers 25,600 hectares featuring uranium radiometrics that highlight an 18km east-west trend, with a confirmed 14km section producing samples as high as 0.428% U 3 O 8 and uranium uranophane was identified in several areas of highest radiometric response (2024 Double Mer Technical Report).

Additionally, SAGA owns the Legacy Lithium Property in Quebec’s Eeyou Istchee James Bay region. This project, developed in partnership with Rio Tinto, has been expanded through the acquisition of the Amirault Lithium Project. Together, these properties cover 65,849 hectares and share significant geological continuity with other major players in the area, including Rio Tinto, Winsome Resources, Azimut Exploration, and Loyal Metals.

With a portfolio that spans key minerals crucial to the green energy transition, SAGA is strategically positioned to play an essential role in the clean energy future.

On Behalf of the Board of Directors

Mike Stier, Chief Executive Officer

For more information, contact:

Rob Guzman, Investor Relations
Saga Metals Corp.
Tel: +1 (844) 724-2638
Email: rob@sagametals.com
www.sagametals.com

Neither the TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Service Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.

Cautionary Disclaimer

This news release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of applicable securities laws that are not historical facts. Forward-looking statements are often identified by terms such as ‘will’, ‘may’, ‘should’, ‘anticipates’, ‘expects’, ‘believes’, and similar expressions or the negative of these words or other comparable terminology. All statements other than statements of historical fact, included in this release are forward-looking statements that involve risks and uncertainties. In particular, this news release contains forward-looking information pertaining to the exploration of the Company’s Double Mer Project. There can be no assurance that such statements will prove to be accurate and actual results and future events could differ materially from those anticipated in such statements. Important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from the Company’s expectations include, but are not limited to, changes in the state of equity and debt markets, fluctuations in commodity prices, delays in obtaining required regulatory or governmental approvals, environmental risks, limitations on insurance coverage, inherent risks and uncertainties involved in the mineral exploration and development industry, particularly given the early-stage nature of the Company’s assets, and the risks detailed in the Company’s continuous disclosure filings with securities regulations from time to time, available under its SEDAR+ profile at www.sedarplus.ca. The reader is cautioned that assumptions used in the preparation of any forward-looking information may prove to be incorrect. Events or circumstances may cause actual results to differ materially from those predicted, as a result of numerous known and unknown risks, uncertainties, and other factors, many of which are beyond the control of the Company. The reader is cautioned not to place undue reliance on any forward-looking information. Such information, although considered reasonable by management at the time of preparation, may prove to be incorrect and actual results may differ materially from those anticipated. Forward-looking statements contained in this news release are expressly qualified by this cautionary statement. The forward-looking statements contained in this news release are made as of the date of this news release and the Company will update or revise publicly any of the included forward-looking statements only as expressly required by applicable law.

Photos accompanying this announcement are available at
https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/4e92faef-60df-487c-a67c-e3ad3e4d4573

https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/3c09f8e0-f1e4-42bc-b1f1-1e933292cf13

https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/b243f45c-ffa9-4476-a11c-01a1b96c3e00

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Investor Insight

NorthStar Gaming offers a differentiated, premium iGaming and sportsbook experience that sits at the intersection of media and betting technology. The company continues to demonstrate scalable growth with double-digit revenue increases, record gross margins and expanding market access across Canada’s estimated C$9.5 billion total addressable market.

Overview

NorthStar Gaming (TSXV:BET,OTCQB:NSBBF) owns and operates a casino and sportsbook gaming platform in Canada under the name NorthStar Bets. Since its listing on the TSXV in March 2023, the company has seen significant success with its uniquely differentiated offering that combines high-quality sports journalism with betting/casino games. Specifically, NorthStar utilizes targeted content to engage, attract and retain sports bettors, which leads to higher retention rates and higher player values.

Northstar Sports Insights

NorthStar’s competitors may provide insights, but they are hosted within a different platform causing inconvenience to the end-users who must swap between apps. NorthStar’s proprietary Sports Insights editorial features, offered seamlessly to customers within the NorthStar Bets website and app, continue to be a strong differentiator and driver of value.

Sports Insights (with its latest iteration Sports Insight 2.0 supports the company’s position as a premium brand and industry leader at the intersection of betting and sports media. The content includes analysis of upcoming events, betting strategies and helpful tips. Since Sports Insights is integrated directly within NorthStar’s sportsbook, users can wager directly from the content without leaving the betting environment.

Sports Insights users demonstrate enhanced performance metrics, including 13 percent higher VIP penetration, 58 percent higher average total deposits, 50 percent higher average casino turnover, and 138 percent higher average sports turnover.

Technology and Market Expansion

The company’s industry-leading technology stack is powered by long-term partnerships with Playtech and Kambi, two of the most established global providers in online gaming and sports betting. Playtech, the world’s largest online gaming software supplier, serves both as NorthStar’s technology partner and its largest shareholder, having invested more than C$22 million since launch, including a C$10 million infusion in October 2023. In 2025, Playtech deepened its support by backstopping NorthStar’s C$43.4 million credit facility with Beach Point Capital Management, further validating the company’s strong potential in Canada’s rapidly expanding iGaming sector.

Northstar Bets

NorthStar, which initially launched exclusively in Ontario through NorthStarBets.ca, expanded its national reach in 2023 through the acquisition of Slapshot Media, the managed services provider to NorthStarBets.com. This site is owned and operated by the Abenaki Council of Wolinak under a license from the Kahnawake Gaming Commission, enabling NorthStar to generate revenue outside Ontario. With Ontario representing approximately 39 percent of Canada’s population, NorthStarBets.com unlocks access to the remaining 61 percent of the national market, a major catalyst for future growth.

Financial Performance

NorthStar continues to deliver consistent, scalable growth. In Q2 2025, revenue rose 15 percent year-over-year to $8.5 million, with gross margin up 25 percent to $3.5 million (a record 40.8 percent of revenue). Profit before marketing and other expenses increased 87 percent to $0.7 million, demonstrating expanding operating leverage.

For the first half of 2025, revenue reached $16.4 million (up 23 percent year-over-year), and gross margin rose 39 percent to $6.5 million, driven by a doubling of managed services revenue and lower marketing costs. Marketing expenses decreased 16 percent year-over-year, highlighting improved acquisition efficiency and financial discipline.

Supported by its C$43.4 million long-term financing from Beach Point Capital Management, NorthStar is fully funded to profitability and well-positioned to scale across Canada’s projected C$9.5 billion iGaming and sports betting market.

Company Highlights

  • Proven Growth: NorthStar achieved 15 percent year-over-year revenue growth in Q2 2025, reaching $8.5 million, with gross margin rising 25 percent to $3.5 million, representing a record 40.8 percent of revenue.
  • Market Expansion: Through the 2023 acquisition of Slapshot Media, NorthStar derives managed services revenue from Canadian operations outside Ontario. Managed services revenue more than doubled year-over-year in Q2 2025.
  • Strategic Partnerships: Playtech remains NorthStar’s largest shareholder (over C$22 million invested) and continues to provide technology support. In 2025, Playtech further extended its strategic partnership by backstopping NorthStar’s C$43.4 million credit facility with Beach Point Capital Management, ensuring long-term growth funding.
  • Brand Strength: NorthStar continues to capitalize on its “Canadian” branding through national campaigns such as “Summer of Spoils,” which reinforced local brand loyalty and customer engagement.
  • Product Innovation: The company is completing a comprehensive casino UI/UX upgrade and added 27 percent more casino games, bringing the total to over 2,000 titles on its platform.

Key Brands

NorthStarBets.ca

Only available to players in Ontario, the main game offerings on Northstarbets.ca include a sportsbook with pre-live and live markets with monthly sports betting markets, and slot/live and jackpot casino games. Northstarbets.ca offers more than 2,000 casino titles, live dealer games, slots, roulette, blackjack and jackpot options.

NorthStarBets.com

Available to players outside Ontario, NorthStarBets.com is a rebrand of Spreads.ca, an iGaming site owned and operated by the Abenaki Council of Wolinak, and is offered through NorthStar Gaming’s wholly owned subsidiary, Slapshot Media, a Canadian iGaming marketing and managed services provider.

Management Team

Michael Moskowitz – CEO and Chairman

Michael Moskowitz is a veteran technology executive and transformative leader who has more than 25 years of leadership experience in the consumer, communications, gaming and technology industries. Moskowitz was the previous CEO and chairman at Panasonic North America, where he led the company’s successful business and growth strategy in delivering integrated technology solutions for businesses, government agencies and consumers across North America. He also served as president and CEO of XM Canada and president of Palm in the Americas International. He sits on the executive board of the Consumer Technology Association, representing the largest and most innovative technology companies in North America.

Corey Goodman – Chief Development Officer, Counsel and Corporate Secretary

Corey Goodman has held a variety of senior executive roles in both legal and business development capacities for nearly 20 years, and most recently served as chief corporate development officer to Torstar Corporation. His focus is on mergers and acquisitions and partnerships in media, energy and regulated industries. He was also general counsel to three public issuers.

Chin Dhushenthen – Chief Financial Officer

Chin Dhushenthen has held numerous executive positions across a wide variety of functions including finance, compliance, risk management and technology. His prior experience includes The Hunter Group, Azerty United Canada, Hydrogenics, and most recently at CAPREIT. Dhushenthen is a chartered professional accountant, with more than 25 years of proven experience impacting business growth and maximizing profits through contributions in financial management and productivity improvements.

Barry Shafran – Lead Director

Barry Shafran has extensive public and private company leadership and board experience in multiple industries, including financial services, online gaming and the service industry. He was the founder and CEO of Chesswood Group, a financial services business, and he helped it scale from $10 million to $1 billion in revenues. Prior to Chesswood, he founded cars4U.com which was Canada’s first online auto retailer. On the iGaming front, he has worked with Cryptologic, an online gaming software provider. He was involved in the sale of Don Best (Las Vegas), a well-known odds-maker.

Vic Bertrand – Director

Vic Bertrand has more than 35 years of global business experience. From 1986 to 2014, he co-led MEGA Brands, transforming his family’s small local business into a vertically integrated, global toy leader with sales in over 100 countries. Bertrand is currently president of Stratinn, a real estate and investment firm. From 2019, he was CEO of ToysRUs CDA, where he restored profitability leading to an exit in 2021. In addition, he is an active advisor and director currently serving on the boards of CardioMech (Norway), Soundbite (Canada), and Spinal Stabilization Technologies (USA/Ireland).

Brian Cooper – Director

Brian Cooper has more than 30 years of experience in athlete representation, activation management, broadcast programming, executive-level property leadership, and sports marketing. He has been recognized for his imprint on the Canadian sports and entertainment landscape and was twice named one of the Globe and Mail’s Top 25 Power Players in Canadian Sports, Yahoo’s Top 25 most influential people in Canadian Sport, and was the first inductee to the Sponsorship Marketing Council of Canada’s Hall of Fame.

Sylvia Prentice – Director

Sylvia Prentice is the president and owner of Mackinnon Calderwood Advertising. a full-service Canadian agency providing media and creative services and promotional support across a number of industries. She and her team have been involved in a number of early iGaming businesses, including Playground Poker Club, CanPlay and Party Poker.net.

Dean MacDonald – Director

Dean MacDonald has had a long and successful career in executive roles at many companies. Previously, he served as executive chairman and president and chief executive officer of ClearStream Energy and its predecessor Tuckamore Capital, as president and managing partner of Cable Atlantic, chief operating officer of Rogers Cable, and as the chief executive officer of Persona, a TSX-listed cable and internet services company. He has management and investment experience in several industries, including energy, commercial real estate, marketing and communications. He has served on numerous public and private boards over the past three decades.

Chris McGinnis – Director

Chris McGinnis has over 20 years of experience in finance, accounting, investor relations, corporate strategy, M&A, and equity research. He is currently chief financial officer at Playtech, the leading online gambling technology company. Prior to joining Playtech, McGinnis was head of corporate strategy at software company Temenos. He started his career at Deloitte in Canada where he qualified as a chartered professional accountant. He has also worked in Equity Research for UBS in Canada and Bank of America Merrill Lynch in the UK. He is also a chartered financial analyst.

Alex Latner – Director, General Counsel, Playtech

Alex Latner joined Playtech as general counsel in January 2017. Prior to that, Latner spent his entire career in the London office of international law firm Berwin Leighton Paisner LLP, now Bryan Cave Leighton Paisner LLP, where he was a partner in the corporate finance team from 2008 until he left the firm in 2017. Latner has extensive experience in the UK public markets, and acted for a number of listed UK and international companies and various investment banks and other corporate finance intermediaries across a broad range of industries, such as technology (including betting and gaming), real estate and the wider built environment.

Mike Cormack – Head of Content & Integrations

Mike Cormack has two decades of experience in Canadian sports media, and has held a variety of editorial leadership roles. His strengths are developing and leading successful multiplatform content teams and strategies. Previously, he was managing editor of The Athletic, Toronto and managing editor of sportsnet.ca

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Investor Insight

As FPX Nickel strengthens its position in the critical minerals space, it offers investors a compelling opportunity in the low-carbon energy transition, with the potential to be a low-cost, environmentally responsible nickel producer in a stable jurisdiction.

Overview

FPX Nickel (TSXV:FPX,OTCQB:FPOCF) is a Canadian developer of large-scale, low-carbon nickel projects designed to anchor a North American, fully integrated supply chain for stainless steel and electric vehicle batteries.

The company’s core asset, the Baptiste nickel project in British Columbia’s Decar Nickel District, is one of the largest undeveloped nickel resources in the world and features a unique form of naturally occurring awaruite (Ni₃Fe) mineralization. This sulphur-free, magnetic nickel-iron alloy enables a simple, low-cost and low-emission flowsheet that produces approximately 60 percent nickel concentrate capable of bypassing smelters and feeding directly into downstream markets.

FPX Nickel project location

FPX’s 2023 preliminary feasibility study confirms Baptiste’s Tier-1 scale and robust economics, positioning it among the most competitive greenfield nickel developments globally. With its lowest-decile carbon intensity and access to clean BC hydro power, Baptiste offers the dual appeal of strong financial returns and ESG leadership in the nickel sector.

The company is also advancing a growing Canadian exploration pipeline through its strategic alliance with the Japan Organization for Metals and Energy Security (JOGMEC). In 2025, FPX and JOGMEC selected the Advocate nickel property in Newfoundland, as the first “designated project” under their Generative Alliance, and expanded the partnership at the Klow property in British Columbia, where FPX has signed an exploration agreement with the Takla Nation. These initiatives demonstrate FPX’s leadership in building a multi-jurisdictional, low-carbon nickel platform within stable, Tier-1 mining regions.

Backed by global strategic investors Sumitomo Metal Mining and Outokumpu, and supported by funding from Natural Resources Canada, FPX Nickel provides investors with exposure to a rare combination of scale, sustainability, and strategic relevance in the global shift toward cleaner industrial metals.

Company Highlights

  • Strong Strategic Support: Outokumpu, Sumitomo Metal Mining and an undisclosed Canadian mining company each own 9.9 percent; management and insiders 18 percent.
  • Partnerships and ESG: Exploration Agreement with Takla Nation for Klow Property; strong Indigenous engagement framework.
  • Government Support: Funding from Natural Resources Canada to advance Baptiste.

Key Project

Decar Nickel District

FPX Nickel’s 100 percent-owned Decar Nickel District is located 90 km northwest of Fort St. James in central British Columbia. It is FPX Nickel’s flagship asset and home to the Baptiste nickel project – one of the largest undeveloped nickel deposits in the world. The district also includes the nearby Van target, providing long-term growth potential within the same 100-percent-owned property.

FPX Nickel

Baptiste Nickel Project

Baptiste is the cornerstone of FPX Nickel’s strategy to produce large volumes of clean, low-carbon nickel in Canada. The deposit contains a naturally occurring nickel-iron mineral called awaruite (Ni₃Fe), which allows for a simple, energy-efficient processing that eliminates the need for traditional smelting. The result is a high-grade nickel product with one of the lowest carbon footprints in the global industry.

FPX Nickel Baptiste Project

A 2023 preliminary feasibility study (PFS) confirmed Baptiste as a Tier-1 development opportunity with robust economics and long-life production:

  • After-tax NPV (8 percent) of US $2 billion
  • After-tax IRR of 18.6 percent
  • Mine life 29 years
  • Average annual production of 59,000 tonnes nickel
  • Cash cost (C1) of approximately US$3.70 per lb nickel

The PFS outlines a conventional open-pit mine and processing facility powered by British Columbia’s clean hydroelectric grid. Using magnetic separation and flotation, the operation would produce a ~60 percent nickel concentrate that can be sold directly to stainless-steel producers or refined into battery-grade nickel sulphate for the electric-vehicle market.

Van Target

Situated six kilometres north of Baptiste, the Van target hosts the same style of awaruite mineralization near surface and offers similar potential scale. Early drilling has intersected broad zones of nickel mineralization, reinforcing the district’s capacity to support multiple large deposits over time.

Downstream Integration and Refinery Study

In March 2025, FPX Nickel published the results of its Awaruite Refinery Scoping Study, outlining plans for North America’s largest nickel sulphate refinery. The proposed facility aims to produce 32,000 tonnes per year of battery-grade nickel sulphate, along with by-products including cobalt carbonate, copper cement, and ammonium sulphate.

Highlights of the study:

  • Economics: After-tax NPV (8 percent) ~US$445 million; IRR ~20 percent; operating cost US$1,598/t Ni (US$0.06/lb on a by-product basis).
  • Carbon Profile: 0.2 t CO₂/t Ni refined; cradle-to-gate 1.4 t CO₂/t Ni.
  • Status: Standalone scoping study, not included in the 2023 PFS base case.
  • Strategic Context: FPX also signed an MOU with JOGMEC and Prime Planet Energy & Solutions (Toyota–Panasonic JV) to evaluate integration of Baptiste feed into EV battery materials supply chains.
FPX Nickel Downstream Integration and Refinery Study

Pilot-Scale Success and Government Support

In early 2024, FPX completed pilot-scale hydrometallurgical testing, producing battery-grade nickel sulphate. The program, partially funded by Natural Resources Canada’s Critical Minerals R&D program, marked a key milestone in demonstrating the project’s readiness for commercialization and alignment with Canada’s strategic critical minerals priorities.

Exploration and Pipeline

Advocate Nickel Property (Newfoundland)

  • Selected in Sept 2025 as the first “designated project” under the FPX–JOGMEC Generative Alliance.
  • 86.25 sq km holding, 45 km of serpentinized ultramafic strike on the Baie Verte Peninsula.
  • Three awaruite zones (Wolverine Pond, Birchy Lake, Birchy Lake North) with surface samples up to 0.14 percent DTR Ni.
  • 2025 budget: C$450,000 to define drill targets. Joint venture interest ratio JOGMEC 60 percent / FPX 40 percent.

Klow Property (British Columbia)

  • Exploration agreement with Takla Nation signed Oct 2025, establishing collaboration protocols for future exploration and development.
  • JOGMEC earn-in amended to March 31 2027 (Option to 60 percent with C$1 million expenditure).
  • 2025 surface program funded 100 percent by JOGMEC.
  • Historic drilling (316 m @ 0.10 percent nickel-in-alloy) and 2024 DTR re-analysis confirm strong awaruite potential.

Management Team

Martin Turenne – President, CEO and Director

Martin Turenne is a seasoned executive with over 15 years in the commodities sector, including significant leadership experience in mining. His expertise spans strategic management, capital markets, financial reporting, and regulatory compliance. He previously served as CFO of First Point Minerals and held roles at KPMG LLP and Methanex Corporation. Turenne is a Chartered Professional Accountant (CPA) and a member of the Canadian Institute of Chartered Accountants.

Dan Apai – Vice President, Projects

Dan Apai has over 20 years of mining industry experience in civil engineering and engineering management over a diverse range of projects. As principal civil engineer for Fluor Canada, he led studies and detailed engineering works for numerous large-scale mining projects for clients including Teck, Newmont, BHP, First Quantum, Glencore, Josemaria Resources, and Newcrest. Apai’s technical expertise includes site layout, earthworks, water management, linear facilities, and water supply systems – all elements that strongly influence the capital intensity, permitability, and operability of mining projects. Apai is a member of the Association of Professional Engineers of British Columbia and holds a Bachelor of Engineering from the University of Western Australia.

Tim Bekhuys – SVP, Sustainability and External Relations

Tim Bekhuys is a mining sustainability expert with 40+ years of experience in environmental permitting, community engagement, and ESG leadership. He was VP of sustainability at SSR Mining and held senior roles at New Gold, successfully advancing projects like the Blackwater gold project. He has served on the boards of AME BC, the Mining Association of BC, and the Mining Association of Canada.

Felicia de la Paz – CFO and Corporate Secretary

Felicia de la Paz is a CPA with deep expertise in corporate finance and systems implementation. She started her career at KPMG, rising to senior manager, before joining Equinox Gold as corporate controller, where she led post-acquisition financial integration. She later served as VP of finance at Vida Carbon and now advises public mining companies on financial and operational systems. She holds a Bachelor of Commerce (Honours) from UBC.

Dr. Peter M.D. Bradshaw – Chairman

Dr. Peter Bradshaw is a renowned geologist with over 45 years of global mineral exploration experience and a member of the Canadian Mining Hall of Fame. He has played key roles in several major discoveries, including the Porgera, Kidston, and Misima gold mines, and co-founded the UBC Mineral Deposit Research Unit. Bradshaw’s past roles include senior positions at Barringer Research, Placer Dome, and Orvana Minerals.

Peter Marshall – Director

Peter Marshall is a mining engineer with 30 years of experience in mine development. Formerly VP of project development at New Gold and SVP at Terrane Metals, he played key roles in major BC projects including the feasibility and early construction of the Mt. Milligan copper-gold mine and the Blackwater gold project.

Anne Currie – Director

Anne Currie is a leading expert in mining permitting and regulatory processes in Canada, with more than 30 years of private and public sector experience. She was BC’s chief gold commissioner and a senior partner at Environmental Resources Management. Currie has guided permitting for major projects including KSM, Brucejack, Kemess Underground, and Blackwater.

James S. Gilbert – Director

James Gilbert has over 30 years of experience in investment banking and corporate strategy, with two decades focused on mining and metals. He has held senior roles at Rothschild, Gerald Metals, and Minera S.A., and has deep expertise in M&A, project finance, off-take agreements, and strategic marketing. He was a director of AQM Copper, acquired by Teck in 2016.

Kim Baird – Director

Kim Baird is a strategic advisor with deep experience in Indigenous relations, governance, and treaty implementation. As former elected Chief of the Tsawwassen First Nation, she negotiated and implemented BC’s first urban treaty, securing land and resource governance for her community. She now advises governments, businesses, and Indigenous groups across Canada.

Rob Pease – Director

Rob Pease is a geologist with more than 30 years in exploration, mine development, and corporate leadership. He was CEO of Terrane Metals and a director of Richfield Ventures—both acquired for over C$500 million. He currently serves on the boards of Pure Gold Mining and Liberty Gold.

Andrew Osterloh – Director

Andrew Osterloh is a professional engineer with 25+ years in process engineering, plant metallurgy and project development. He is currently VP project engineering & construction at Skeena Gold & Silver.

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President Donald Trump indicated that he did not direct the Justice Department to target former FBI Director James Comey, former National Security Advisor John Bolton and New York State Attorney General Letitia James.

During ’60 Minutes’ interview, CBS News’ Norah O’Donnell noted the three figures have been indicted and asked Trump whether those are cases of ‘political retribution.’

‘You know who got indicted? The man you’re looking at. I got indicted. And I was innocent,’ Trump fired back.

O’Donnell pressed Trump on the matter, asking whether he directed the Department of Justice to target those people.

‘No. You don’t have to instruct ’em because they were so dirty, they were so crooked, they were so corrupt, that the honest people we have — Pam Bondi’s doing a very good job, Kash Patel’s doing a very good job — the honest people that we have go after ’em automatically,’ he said.

The president called out Comey, James and Senate Democrat Adam Schiff in a September Truth Social post highlighted by ’60 Minutes.’

‘Pam: I have reviewed over 30 statements and posts saying that, essentially, ‘same old story as last time, all talk, no action. Nothing is being done. What about Comey, Adam ‘Shifty’ Schiff, Leticia??? They’re all guilty as hell, but nothing is going to be done,” the president declared in part of the post.

‘We can’t delay any longer, it’s killing our reputation and credibility. They impeached me twice, and indicted me (5 times!), OVER NOTHING. JUSTICE MUST BE SERVED, NOW!!!’ he asserted in another portion of the post.


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Anteros Metals Inc. (CSE: ANT) (‘Anteros’ or the ‘Company’) announces that, further to its press release dated October 7, 2025, it has closed the first tranche of its non-brokered private placement through the issuance of 7,104,309 flow-through units (each, an ‘FT Unit’) at a price of $0.065 per FT Unit, and 3,100,000 hard dollar units (each, a ‘Unit’) at a price of $0.05 per Unit, for aggregate gross proceeds of $616,780.09 (the ‘Offering’).

Each FT Unit was comprised of one common share, issued on a flow-through basis (‘FT Share‘) and one-half of one whole common share purchase warrant, issued on a non-flow-through basis (each whole warrant, a ‘Warrant‘). Each Warrant shall entitle the holder thereof to acquire one common share in the capital of the Company (each, a ‘Common Share‘) at a price of $0.10 per Common Share for a period of two (2) years from date of issuance. The FT Shares will qualify as ‘flow-through shares’ within the meaning of subsection 66(15) of the Income Tax Act (Canada), which also qualify for the Canadian government’s Critical Mineral Exploration Tax Credit. Each Unit was comprised of one Common Share and one-half of one whole Warrant.

All securities issued pursuant to the Offering are subject to a hold period of four months plus a day from the date of issuance and the resale rules of applicable securities legislation.

This press release does not constitute an offer to sell or a solicitation of an offer to buy the securities in the United States. The securities have not been and will not be registered under the United States Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the ‘U.S. Securities Act‘) or any state securities laws and may not be offered or sold within the United States or to U.S. Persons as defined under applicable United States securities laws unless registered under the U.S. Securities Act and applicable state securities laws or an exemption from such registration is available.

In connection with the Offering, the Company paid: (i) a cash commission of $11,700.00; and issued (ii) 25,000 finder’s warrants (each, a ‘Finder’s Warrant‘) to certain finders (the ‘Finders‘). Each Finder’s Warrant is exercisable to purchase one additional common share (each, a ‘Finder’s Share‘) at a price of $0.10 per Finder’s Share.

ABOUT Anteros Metals Inc.

Anteros Metals Inc. is a Canadian exploration company focused on advancing a pipeline of critical minerals projects across Newfoundland and Labrador and select Canadian jurisdictions. The Company is targeting copper, nickel, zinc, and emerging strategic commodities that support the global energy transition. Immediate plans for their flagship Knob Lake Property include bringing the historical Fe-Mn Mineral Resource Estimate into current status as well as commencing baseline environmental and feasibility studies.

For further information please contact or visit:

Email: info@anterosmetals.com | Phone: +1-709-769-1151
Web: www.anterosmetals.com | Social: @anterosmetals
Web: https://www.thunderbayexecutives.com/rift-minerals-inc

On behalf of the Board of Directors,

Chris Morrison
Director

Email: chris@anterosmetals.com | Phone: +1-709-725-6520
Web: www.anterosmetals.com/contact

16 Forest Road, Suite 200, St. John’s, NL, Canada A1X 2B9

Cautionary Statement Regarding Forward-Looking Information

This news release may contain ‘forward-looking information’ and ‘forward-looking statements’ within the meaning of applicable Canadian securities legislation. All information contained herein that is not historical in nature may constitute forward-looking information. Forward-looking statements herein include but are not limited to statements relating to the prospects for development of the Company’s mineral properties, and are necessarily based upon a number of assumptions that, while considered reasonable by management, are inherently subject to business, market and economic risks, uncertainties and contingencies that may cause actual results, performance or achievements to be materially different from those expressed or implied by forward looking statements. Except as required by law, the Company disclaims any obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements. Readers are cautioned not to put undue reliance on these forward-looking statements.

NOT FOR DISTRIBUTION IN THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA

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Locksley Resources Limited (ASX: LKY,OTC:LKYRF, OTCQX: LKYRF) announced the receipt of a Letter of Interest (LOI) from the Export-Import Bank of the United States (EXIM) outlining the intent to provide up to US$191 million in potential project financing support for the Company’s Mojave Project in California. EXIM, a wholly owned independent agency of the U.S. Government, operates under a Congressional mandate to promote American economic and national security interests through project and export financing. Its recent Supply Chain Resiliency Initiative and China and Transformational Exports Program prioritize funding for critical mineral projects that reduce foreign supply dependence and rebuild U.S. industrial capability. Additional details can be found here: https:cdn-api.markitdigital.comapiman-gatewayASXasx-research1.0file2924-03017919-6A1295024&v=undefined.

‘This LOI represents a cornerstone in Locksley’s engagement with U.S. federal agencies and paves the way for detailed due diligence and underwriting to advance a comprehensive financing package for the Mojave Project,’ said Kerrie Matthews, Managing Director and CEO of Locksley. She added that the LOI provides a foundation to progress formal financing discussions while advancing the Company’s downstream and offtake plans. ‘With our 100% American made antimony ingot now produced, we are demonstrating Locksley’s capacity to deliver the next generation of U.S. critical minerals for supply chains.’

Locksley continues to accelerate development and shorten the traditional mining project timeline via government support across parallel workstreams. Upstream the company has fast-tracked development of the Desert Antimony Mine through both conventional and non-traditional methods, enabling near-term ore supply. Downstream the company is collaborating with Rice University’s Deep Solve™ program and modular processing options to establish U.S. refining capacity at speed. And, by focusing on direct alignment with U.S. defense, energy transition and industrial partners to deliver 100% Made in America antimony, the company is establishing an integrated supply chain. This multiple track approach positions Mojave as one of the fastest moving U.S. antimony developments, directly supporting U.S. national security and clean energy priorities.

Drew Horn, a former White House Advisor on Critical Minerals and Chief Executive of GreenMet, which serves as consultants to Locksley said, ‘EXIM’s Letter of Interest represents more than just financial support. It reflects a coordinated U.S. government directive to rebuild domestic critical minerals capability. We are now entering a period where nearly all federal funding in this sector is being directed under White House led initiatives and Locksley is benefitting from this effort.’

Locksley Resources (https://www.locksleyresources.com.au) is focused on critical minerals in the U.S. The company is actively advancing the Mojave Project in California, targeting rare earth elements (REEs) and antimony. Locksley is executing a mine-to-market strategy for antimony, aimed at reestablishing domestic supply chains for critical materials, underpinned by strategic downstream technology partnerships with leading U.S. research institutions and industry partners. This integrated approach combined resource development with innovative processing and separation technologies, positions Locksley to play a key role in advancing U.S. critical minerals independence.

Contact: Beverly Jedynak, beverly.jedynak@viriathus.com, 312-943-1123; 773-350-5793

Cision View original content:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/locksley-receives-up-to-us191-million-potential-support-from-exim-for-us-critical-minerals-push-302602203.html

SOURCE Locksley Resources

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(TheNewswire)

Spartan Metals Corp.

Vancouver, Canada TheNewswire – November 3, 2025 Spartan Metals Corp. (‘ Spartan ‘ or the ‘ Company ‘) (TSX-V: W) is pleased to announce that it has identified a silver-rich Carbonate Replacement Deposit (‘ CRD ‘) target on trend with the past producing Tungstonia Mine vein system at its 100% owned Eagle Tungsten-Silver-Rubidium Project (‘ Eagle ‘ or ‘ Project ‘) in eastern Nevada.

Brett Marsh, Spartan’s President and CEO, states ‘When hydrothermal fluids moving along the structural corridors interact with thick, carbonate-rich sedimentary packages at the contact with the Tungstonia Granite intrusion, we have the potential to develop an enriched depositional zone along preferred limestone and dolostone beds, at structural intersections, and where we see veining in our host rocks. The rock chip samples from 2024 returned several high-grade results that carry several of the primary metals commonly associated with carbonate replacement deposit mineralization including silver, lead, copper, and zinc. This strongly suggests the potential for a larger carbonate replacement deposit that could potentially contain significant critical metal concentrations at the Tungstonia Claim Block.’

Mr. Marsh continues, ‘We are equally enthusiastic about the discovery of an extensive vein system with significant silver-copper-antimony that is continuing to develop at our Rees Claim block. The initial mapping and surface sampling of the claim block appears to connect the former Antelope Mine to a series of veins, breccias, and CRD mineralization located approximately 1.0 kilometer to the east of the mine itself. The potential to discover bonanza grade silver at over 1,500 grams per tonne along with other critical metals such as antimony, arsenic, and copper over an approximate 1-kilometer strike length makes the Eagle Project a significant U.S. critical metal asset.’

Recent surface exploration and detailed review of previous surface rock chip sampling have identified high-grade silver and base metal replacement mineralization that extends approximately 2.5 kilometers (‘km’) along the contact between the Tungstonia Granite intrusion and the limestone and dolostone host rocks exposed to the south and south-west of the Tungstonia vein system. This mineralization occurs in association with previously unidentified quartz veins in the Tungstonia Claim block with similar strike and periodicity as veins observed in and around the past-producing Tungstonia Mine area (Figure 1).

Additionally, mapping and rock chip sampling at the Rees Claim block suggests a second potential CRD system (Figure 2) where mineralization at the silver (‘Ag’)-copper (‘Cu’)-antimony (‘Sb’) Antelope Mine appears to be concentrated within a limestone-dolostone hosted vein system with tetrahedrite that is orthogonal to an interpreted northeast structural corridor that extends approximately 1.0 kms.


Click Image To View Full Size

Figure 1 View of southwest portion of Tungstonia Claim block with rock chip samples showing significant Ag, Pb, Zn, and Cu mineralization. Samples shown were previously reported in July 31, 2025, NI 43-101 Technical Report on the Eagle Project


Click Image To View Full Size

Figure 2 View of southeast portion of Rees Claim block with rock chip samples showing high-grade Ag, Cu, and Sb. Samples shown (except An-25001) were previously reported in July 31, 2025, NI 43-101 Technical Report on the Eagle Project.

QA/QC Procedures

Sample An-25001 was taken as grab sample from waste dump piles by hand to obtain an approximate 2-kilogram sample. The sample was submitted to ALS Labs of Reno, Nevada, which is a certified and accredited laboratory, independent of the Company. Samples are prepared using industry standard-prep methods and analyzed using method ME-MS61 (61 element suite: 0.25g 4-acid digestion ICP-MS with Ag-OG62, Ag-GRA21, and CU-OG62 ore grade for overlimit Ag and Cu, respectively). ALS inserted blank material with An-25001 and performed its own internal QAQC analysis to ensure proper sample preparation and equipment calibration. Spartan’s QAQC includes regular insertion of CRM standards, duplicates, and blanks with a stringent review of results completed by the Company’s Qualified Person, Brett R. Marsh, President and CEO of Spartan Metals.

About The Eagle Project

The Eagle Project presents a unique opportunity to delineate one of the largest and highest-grade Tungsten (‘W’) and Rubidium (‘Rb’) districts in the United States. The Project consists of the past- producing high-grade Tungstonia and Rees/Antelope tungsten (W-Cu-Ag) mines. Operations at these mines were from 1915 to 1942 with intermittent small-scale production occurring until 1956. Tungsten production from these two mines totaled 8,379 units at grades between 0.6%-0.9% WO 3 (1).

The Project is ~20 km² in size and located approximately 120 kilometers northeast of the town of Ely, in the Kern Mountains of White Pine County, Nevada. The Project covers 4,936 acres consisting of 244 Bureau of Land Management (BLM) unpatented lode mining claims.

Three deposit types are present at Eagle; Porphyry, Skarn, and Carbonate Replacement (CRD) that contain significant or anomalous grades of Tungsten (W), Silver (Ag), and Rubidium (Rb) plus Cu-Sb±Au-Pb-Zn-Bi-As across three project focus areas that also includes the potential to recover W-Rb-Ag from the legacy Tungstonia Mill Tailings.

  1. (1) Nevada Bureau of Mines and Geology (1988), Bulletin 105 p213-217

The technical information contained in this news release has been prepared under the supervision of, and approved by Brett R. Marsh, CPG. Mr. Marsh is President and CEO of Spartan Metals Corp. and a ‘qualified person’ as defined under National Instrument 43-101 Standards of Disclosure for Mineral Projects .

About Spartan Metals Corp.

Spartan Metals is focused on developing critical minerals projects in top-tier mining jurisdictions in the Western United States, with an emphasis on building a portfolio of diverse strategic defense minerals such as Tungsten, Rubidium, Antimony, Bismuth, and Arsenic.

Spartan’s flagship project is the Eagle Project in eastern Nevada that consists of the highest-grade historic tungsten resource in the USA (the past-producing Tungstonia Mine) along with significant under-defined resources consisting of: high-grade rubidium; antimony; bismuth; indium; as well as precious and base metals. More information about Spartan Metals can be found at www.SpartanMetals.com

On behalf of the Board of Spartan

‘Brett Marsh’

President, CEO & Director

Further Information:

Brett Marsh, M.Sc., MBA, CPG

President, CEO & Director

1-888-535-0325

info@spartanmetals.com

Neither the TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Service Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this press release

Forward Looking Statements

This news release contains statements that constitute ‘forward-looking statements.’ Such forward looking statements involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that may cause the Company’s actual results, performance or achievements, or developments in the industry to differ materially from the anticipated results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements are statements that are not historical facts and are generally, but not always, identified by the words ‘expects,’ ‘plans,’ ‘anticipates,’ ‘believes,’ ‘intends,’ ‘estimates,’ ‘projects,’ ‘potential’ and similar expressions, or that events or conditions ‘will,’ ‘would,’ ‘may,’ ‘could’ or ‘should’ occur. Forward-Looking Information in this news release, Spartan has applied several material assumptions, including, but not limited to, assumptions that: the current objectives concerning the Company’s projects can be achieved and that its other corporate activities will proceed as expected; that general business and economic conditions will not change in a materially adverse manner; and that all requisite information will be available in a timely manner.

Although the Company believes the forward-looking information contained in this news release is reasonable based on information available on the date hereof, by their nature forward-looking statements involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors which may cause our actual results, performance or achievements, or other future events, to be materially different from any future results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements.  By their nature, these statements involve a variety of assumptions, known and unknown risks and uncertainties and other factors, which may cause actual results, levels of activity and achievements to differ materially from those expressed or implied by such statements.

Examples of such assumptions, risks and uncertainties include, without limitation, assumptions, risks and uncertainties associated with general economic conditions; adverse industry events; future legislative and regulatory developments; the Company’s ability to access sufficient capital from internal and external sources, and/or inability to access sufficient capital on favorable terms; the ability of the Company to implement its business strategies; competition; the ability of the Company to obtain and retain all applicable regulatory and other approvals and other assumptions, risks and uncertainties.

THE FORWARD-LOOKING INFORMATION CONTAINED IN THIS NEWS RELEASE REPRESENTS THE EXPECTATIONS OF THE COMPANY AS OF THE DATE OF THIS NEWS RELEASE AND, ACCORDINGLY, IS SUBJECT TO CHANGE AFTER SUCH DATE. READERS SHOULD NOT PLACE UNDUE IMPORTANCE ON FORWARD-LOOKING INFORMATION AND SHOULD NOT RELY UPON THIS INFORMATION AS OF ANY OTHER DATE. WHILE THE COMPANY MAY ELECT TO, IT DOES NOT UNDERTAKE TO UPDATE THIS INFORMATION AT ANY PARTICULAR TIME EXCEPT AS REQUIRED IN ACCORDANCE WITH APPLICABLE LAWS.

Copyright (c) 2025 TheNewswire – All rights reserved.

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“The welfare state as we know it today can no longer be financed by our economy.”

With that single sentence, Chancellor Friedrich Merz broke one of Germany’s and Western Europe’s greatest political taboos, daring to question the welfare state’s sacred status at a time when its economic costs can no longer be ignored.

For decades, Germany was celebrated as Europe’s economic success story. Its postwar Soziale Marktwirtschaft — the social market economy — combined free-market dynamism with a limited welfare for those truly in need, powering West Germany’s rise from postwar devastation into one of the world’s most prosperous nations. 

Today, however, that model is faltering. Germany faces stagnating growth, declining competitiveness, and the heaviest welfare burden in its history — signs that Europe’s economic engine is seizing up under the weight of its own system.

From Economic Miracle to Welfare Trap

Germany’s rise from postwar ruin was built on Ludwig Erhard’s economic vision — a system that balanced free enterprise with a modest social safety net within a competitive framework. By liberalizing prices and trade, stabilizing the currency, and cutting taxes, Erhard unleashed competition, ended inflation, and sparked the so-called Wirtschaftswunder — the “economic miracle” that brought rapid growth, full employment, and rising living standards.

Yet Erhard’s vision of a modest safety net gradually gave way to extensive welfare expansion — proving why the state should never be trusted with the power to engineer social balance through taxpayers’ money. Once governments gain legitimacy to intervene in the economy “for fairness,” intervention rarely stops; it only grows. 

Starting with the 1957 pension reform and continuing through the 1960s and 1970s, successive governments expanded health insurance, education support, family benefits, housing subsidies, and unemployment protection — laying the foundations of one of Europe’s most generous welfare systems. Today, Germany spends 31 percent of its GDP — roughly €1.3 trillion — on social programs, one of the highest levels among OECD countries.

The pension system is the clearest example of this excess, consuming 12 percent of GDP — over twice the share spent in the UK (5.1 percent). As the population ages and the workforce shrinks, the strain on public finances has become unavoidable. In 1962, six workers supported each retiree; today, barely two do, and that number is expected to continue falling in the years ahead. A system built on such demographics cannot last — it can survive only through higher taxes, mounting debt, and growing deficits.

To sustain this model, German employers are paying the price. Under German law, they must cover half of their workers’ insurance contributions, so every welfare expansion directly raises labor costs. Since the pandemic, non-wage labor costs have risen faster than total wages, eating into profits and leaving little room for pay increases. Social security contributions — long stable below 40 percent of salaries — have now climbed to 42.5 percent and are projected to reach 50 percent within a decade. The result is predictable: squeezed employers, fewer hires, smaller raises, and declining competitiveness.

How Welfare Expansion Undermined Germany’s Prosperity 

The economic toll of Germany’s overgrown welfare state is now unmistakable. Once Europe’s growth engine, Germany has become one of its laggards. Since 2017, GDP has grown by just 1.6 percent, compared to 9.5 percent in the rest of the eurozone. By 2023, it had ranked as the world’s worst-performing major economy, shrinking by 0.3 percent and 0.2 percent in two consecutive years — the first contraction since the early 2000s — and continued to slide under the new current government, with GDP falling by 0.3 percent in Q2 2025. 

Nowhere is this decline more apparent than in the automotive sector — the backbone of Germany’s postwar prosperity. Once global pioneers, Volkswagen, Mercedes-Benz, and BMW now lag behind leaner Chinese and American rivals. Soaring labor costs (€62 per hour, compared to €29 in Spain and €20 in Portugal), combined with heavy regulation and rigid labor rules, have eroded competitiveness. A slow transition from combustion engines to EVs has enabled BYD and Tesla, with faster innovation cycles, advanced technology, and competitive pricing, to seize the lead in the industry.

The energy crisis has deepened their woes: the sudden loss of cheap Russian gas, combined with the government’s arguably short-sighted decision to phase out nuclear power, has left German industries paying up to five times more for electricity than their American or Chinese competitors. Weighed down by high costs and slow adaptation to new technologies, automakers have been forced into painful cost-cutting measures, from plant closures to mass layoffs. Since 2019, the industry has already lost 46,000 jobs, and another 186,000 could follow by 2035.

Meanwhile, welfare and debt continue to grow. Germany’s famed fiscal discipline — once anchored in its constitutional “debt brake” — has all but collapsed. Repeatedly suspended since the pandemic, the rule has been bypassed through off-budget funds and “emergency” spending to finance welfare spending and energy subsidies. Now, Berlin plans to borrow €174 billion in 2026, three times the level of two years ago and the second-highest in postwar history — threatening not only its own stability but also the credibility of Europe’s fiscal rules.

At the root of Germany’s malaise lies a dangerous illusion: that generous welfare can coexist with high productivity. When redistribution outpaces wealth creation, prosperity tends to fade. Left unchecked, welfare states expand faster than the economies that fund them, eroding productivity and burdening future generations. Yet reform remains untouchable — aging voters resist cuts, politicians fear backlash, and the young bear the cost of a system that may not survive.Europe is watching closely. If Germany — the continent’s anchor of fiscal discipline and industrial strength — exposes the limits of its oversized welfare state, the European faith in expansive welfare systems could finally collapse. The first step is to end the denial; the next is to rediscover the realism that once fueled the Wirtschaftswunder. Germany once taught Europe how to rebuild prosperity from ruins. Now it must teach Europe how to confront the truth about welfare states — before they collapse under their own weight.

Rua Gold Inc. (TSXV: RUA,OTC:NZAUF) (OTCQB: NZAUF) (WKN: A40QYC) (‘Rua Gold’ or the ‘Company’) is pleased to announce that it has engaged ICP Securities Inc. (‘ICP’) to provide automated market making services, including use of its proprietary algorithm, ICP Premium™, in compliance with the policies and guidelines of the TSX Venture Exchange and other applicable legislation.

The Company will pay ICP a monthly fee of C$7,500 plus applicable taxes. The agreement between the Company and ICP commenced on November 1, 2025, and has an intial term of four (4) months (the ‘Initial Term’). It will automatically renew for subsequent one (1) month terms (each an ‘Additional Term’), unless either party provides at least 30 days written notice prior to the end of the Initial Term or any Additional Term. There are no performance-based factors in the agreement and no stock options or other forms of compensation are being issued in connection with the engagement. ICP and its clients may, from time to time, acquire or hold securities of the Company.

ICP is an arm’s-length party to the Company. ICP’s market making activity will be conducted primarily to correct temporary imbalances in the supply and demand of the Company’s shares. ICP will be responsible for all costs associated with buying and selling the Company’s shares, and no third party will provide funds or securities for the market making services.

OPTION GRANT

The Company granted 200,000 options (each, an ‘Option‘) to Mr. Simon Delander of the Company in accordance with the Company’s stock option plan dated July 24, 2024. Each Option is exercisable into one Common Share at an exercise price of $1.02 per Common Share for five years following the date of grant. The Options are subject to a 2-year vesting period with 100,000 Options vesting on October 20, 2026 and 100,000 Options vesting on October 20, 2027.

ABOUT ICP SECURITIES INC.

ICP Securities Inc. is a Toronto based CIRO dealer-member that specializes in automated market making and liquidity provision, as well as having a proprietary market making algorithm, ICP Premium™, that enhances liquidity and quote health. Established in 2023, with a focus on market structure, execution, and trading, ICP has leveraged its own proprietary technology to deliver high quality liquidity provision and execution services to a broad array of public issuers and institutional investors.

ABOUT Rua Gold

Rua Gold is an exploration company, strategically focused on New Zealand. With decades of expertise, our team has successfully taken major discoveries into producing world-class mines across multiple continents. The team is now focused on maximizing the asset potential of Rua Gold’s two highly prospective high-grade gold projects.

The Company controls the Reefton Gold District as the dominant landholder in the Reefton Goldfield on New Zealand’s South Island with over 120,000 hectares of tenements, in a district that historically produced over 2Moz of gold grading between 9 and 50g/t.

The Company’s Glamorgan Project solidifies Rua Gold’s position as a leading high-grade gold explorer on New Zealand’s North Island. This highly prospective project is located within the North Islands’ Hauraki district, a region that has produced an impressive 15Moz of gold and 60Moz of silver. Glamorgan is adjacent to OceanaGold Corporation’s biggest gold mining project, Wharekirauponga.

For further information, please refer to the Company’s disclosure record on SEDAR+ at www.sedarplus.ca.

CONNECT AND SHARE

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/rua-gold
X: https://x.com/RuaGold
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@RUA_GOLD/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ruagold.inc
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ruagold.inc/

Rua Gold CONTACT

Robert Eckford
Chief Executive Officer
Phone: +1 604 655 7354
Email: reckford@RUAGOLD.com
Website: www.RUAGOLD.com

Neither TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.

This news release includes certain statements that may be deemed ‘forward-looking statements’. All statements in this new release, other than statements of historical facts, that address events or developments that the Company expects to occur, are forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements are statements that are not historical facts and are generally, but not always, identified by the words ‘expects’, ‘plans’, ‘anticipates’, ‘believes’, ‘intends’, ‘estimates’, ‘projects’, ‘potential’ and similar expressions, or that events or conditions ‘will’, ‘would’, ‘may’, ‘could’ or ‘should’ occur and specifically include statements regarding: the Company’s strategies, expectations, planned operations or future actions, including but not limited to exploration programs at its Reefton and Glamorgan projects and the results thereof. Although the Company believes the expectations expressed in such forward-looking statements are based on reasonable assumptions, such statements are not guarantees of future performance and actual results may differ materially from those in the forward-looking statements.

Investors are cautioned that any such forward-looking statements are not guarantees of future performance and actual results or developments may differ materially from those projected in the forward-looking statements. A variety of inherent risks, uncertainties and factors, many of which are beyond the Company’s control, affect the operations, performance and results of the Company and its business, and could cause actual events or results to differ materially from estimated or anticipated events or results expressed or implied by forward-looking statements. Some of these risks, uncertainties and factors include: general business, economic, competitive, political and social uncertainties; risks related to the effects of the Russia-Ukraine war; risks related to climate change; operational risks in exploration, delays or changes in plans with respect to exploration projects or capital expenditures; the actual results of current exploration activities; conclusions of economic evaluations; changes in project parameters as plans continue to be refined; changes in labour costs and other costs and expenses or equipment or processes to operate as anticipated, accidents, labour disputes and other risks of the mining industry, including but not limited to environmental hazards, flooding or unfavorable operating conditions and losses, insurrection or war, delays in obtaining governmental approvals or financing, and commodity prices. This list is not exhaustive of the factors that may affect any of the Company’s forward-looking statements and reference should also be made to the Company’s short form base shelf prospectus dated July 11, 2024, and the documents incorporated by reference therein, filed under its SEDAR+ profile at www.sedarplus.ca for a description of additional risk factors.

Forward-looking statements are based on the beliefs, estimates and opinions of the Company’s management on the date the statements are made. Except as required by applicable securities laws, the Company undertakes no obligation to update these forward-looking statements in the event that management’s beliefs, estimates or opinions, or other factors, should change.

To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/272929

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During my final overseas CIA assignment as a station chief in a South Asian war zone, our team was ruthlessly focused on detecting and preempting terrorist threats long before they could inflict harm on the U.S. homeland. We conducted plenty of clandestine operations unilaterally, but we also worked in close partnership with the host government’s intelligence service. We did not always agree on everything, but we enjoyed a robust exchange of intelligence on our mutual adversaries, shared analytical judgments and collaborated on a number of joint tactical counterterrorism operations.

On one occasion, our CIA team successfully found and fixed the location of a senior al Qaeda terrorist on the FBI Most Wanted list for having planned terrorist attacks. We shared our sensitive intelligence with the host government, whose military launched a well-planned raid and killed the al Qaeda terrorist during a firefight.

If there was one thing I learned at CIA, especially when it came to counterterrorism operations, it’s that our allies can be a tremendous force multiplier for our sacred mission of keeping our country safe from those who seek to do us harm.

Today, the Trump administration is applying a similar strategy for ensuring secure critical minerals supply chains and de-risking from Communist China, which is the world’s leading miner and processor of rare earths. China has made it a practice of extorting its commercial adversaries by restricting its exports of critical minerals.

Rare earth minerals are essential for making semiconductors, motors and fighter jets, all critical for our national security. The last thing we would want is to have to rely on Communist China for the supply.

China’s brazenly unfair trade practices involve dumping on the global market its massive, excess production of rare earths deliberately to drive prices down and force competitor mining companies out of business, thereby eliminating any long-term competition.

But the Trump administration has deployed a counter playbook to reduce China’s influence over rare earth markets. Rightly concerned that China is seeking to control the global economy by imposing its will on the high technology supply chain, Trump recently signed an $8-billion rare-earth mineral deal with Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese. And during his recent trip to Asia, Trump signed rare earth deals with Thailand and Malaysia.

The Trump administration also deftly applies the same principle of de-risking to critical materials and minerals including polysilicon, a pure form of silicon essential for the production of microchips and integrated circuits. Seeking to minimize the risk of China’s dominant global market share of polysilicon, the Trump administration smartly relies on NATO member Germany for the bulk of our polysilicon imports.

Trump signs deal with Australia over rare earth mining ahead of anticipated Xi meeting

Further, the Trump administration is investigating national security threats posed by imports from other countries, including, but not exclusively, those linked to China. China dominates global polysilicon through state subsidies, deliberate overproduction and other nefarious trade practices — a familiar Chinese Communist Party playbook used on strategic materials.

‘If an enemy has alliances,’ Chinese philosopher Sun Tzu wrote, ‘the problem is grave and the enemy’s position strong.’

The U.S. is leading the way by building a global network for key technology components, which are vital to protecting our national security from Communist Chinese mercantilist aggression.

Dictators like Chinese President Xi Jinping want their enemies to be weak and divided. That’s because together the U.S. and our commercial partners are stronger and more able to protect internationally recognized borders, freedom of navigation and free trade on which the U.S. and global economy rely.


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