Saga Metals Corp. (‘SAGA’ or the ‘Company’) (TSXV: SAGA) (OTCQB: SAGMF) (FSE: 20H) a North American exploration company focused on critical mineral discovery, announces the final batch of core from the Company’s maiden drill program at the Radar Titanium-Vanadium (Ti-V) project has been shipped for analysis to Activation Laboratories in Ancaster, Ontario. The 2,200m of core was cut, sampled and separated into three batches and sent to the lab in approximately two-week intervals. SAGA anticipates receiving the assay results throughout the month of May providing a steady stream of information that can be analyzed and interpreted by the geological team with modeling of the mineralization and geochemistry.

Local Support Strengthens Following Maiden Drill Program Completion:

Following the successful completion of Saga Metals’ maiden drill program in Cartwright, Labrador, the Town of Cartwright issued an official letter of support for the Radar Project. Robyn Holwell, Mayor of Cartwright, expressed the community’s optimism and alignment with the project’s future:

‘The town of Cartwright fully supports Saga Metals in their exploration efforts and analysis aiming to identify an ore deposit near Cartwright and in Labrador in general. The town will help in whatever way it can to support Saga Metals in its efforts.’ – Robyn Holwell, Mayor of Cartwright, Labrador

Q1 2025 Radar Project Maiden Drill Program Summary:

SAGA’s 2025 maiden drill program aimed to test the core of the magnetic anomaly identified through geophysics at the Hawkeye Zone. Initially planned for 1,500 meters, the program was confidently expanded to 2,200 meters after early drilling revealed strong intercepts through the primary layering sequences.

This program confirmed a large mineralized layered mafic intrusion with early indications suggesting it is moderately undeformed and contains its original primary magmatic textures from over 1 billion years ago. The Dykes River intrusion (Gower 2017), which hosts the entirety of the Radar Ti-V project, has been historically mapped over an area of 160km ² , which is similar, but larger in size to Greenland’s Skargaard intrusion. This size underscores the immense untapped potential of the region for hosting critical metals, including vanadium and titanium, essential to the global green energy transition.

Key findings from the maiden drill program include:

• 130–200 meters of intermittent magnetite layering across strike
• Consistent correlation between geophysical anomalies and mineralized zones
• Layered Fe-Ti-V mineralization   open at depth

Figure 1: Geophysical map of the Hawkeye zone showing drilled oxide layers and inferred oxide layering open in both directions along strike

Drill holes R25-HEZ-01 and R25-HEZ-04 were prioritized for the first shipment to Activation Laboratories due to their location on the drill fence which placed them in a position to fully intercept the main oxide layering sequence as seen in the above map. Both holes logged magnetite layering sequences between 130-200m across strike.

Figure 2: Layering sequence of magnetite ranging from 2-10 inches per band over an almost 30m run of drill hole R25-HEZ-01

Magnetic and Electromagnetic (EM) Survey begins at ‘Trapper Zone’

Given the success of the maiden drill program’s ability to uncover magnetite rich zones following the targeted geophysics completed back in Q4 2024, SAGA has commenced an additional targeted and highly detailed magnetic and EM survey over the northern anomaly in the Trapper zone located to the west of the Hawkeye zone. The objective is to develop a magnetic inversion model, like Hawkeye’s, that delineates follow-up drill targets along the inferred 20km oxide layer zone.

The survey uses a tight spacing of 25-meters between linear stations over lines separated by 50-meter width to achieve high-resolution magnetic and conductivity mapping, essential for pinpointing mineralization correlated with magnetite. Tight spacing will give a very high-resolution image of the magnetic and conductivity of the known target to further support and enhance confidence for a drill program in this westerly zone.

Figure 3: Map of the Radar Ti-V project oxide layer trend and locations of the Hawkeye and Trapper zones

Michael Garagan, CGO & Director of SAGA comments: ‘The geophysical work—surveyed by Cartwright local Cameron Martin and expertly interpreted by David and Chris Mark of Geotronics Consulting—was undeniably SAGA’s guiding force during our maiden drill program this past winter. The success of this proof-of-concept initiative has elevated the next phases of geophysics to a top priority, particularly over our additional anomalous zones, as we aim to confirm the true extent of the oxide layer running through the project with further drilling. Based on the regional data, the Trapper Zone exhibits one of the strongest anomalies, and we are highly motivated to model it against the results from Hawkeye and ultimately advance to drilling at the Trapper Zone.’

About Saga Metals Corp.

Saga Metals Corp. is a North American mining company focused on the exploration and discovery of critical minerals that support the global transition to green energy. The company’s flagship asset, the Double Mer Uranium Project, is located in Labrador, Canada, covering 25,600 hectares. This project features 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).

In addition to its uranium focus, 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 Lithium.

SAGA also holds secondary exploration assets in Labrador, where the company is focused on the discovery of titanium, vanadium, and iron ore. 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:
Saga Metals Corp.
Investor Relations
Tel: +1 (778) 930-1321
Email: info@sagametals.com
www.sagametals.com

The TSX Venture Exchange has not reviewed and does not accept responsibility for the accuracy or adequacy of this release. 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.

Qualified Person

Peter Webster P.Geo. CEO of Mercator Geological Services Limited is an Independent Qualified Person as defined under National Instrument 43-101 and has reviewed and approved the technical information related to the Radar Ti-V Project disclosed in this news 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 Company’s plans and objectives in respect of drill program. 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, risks and uncertainties involved in the mineral exploration and development industry, and the risks detailed in the Company’s final prospectus in Manitoba and amended and restated final prospectus for British Columbia, Alberta and Ontario dated August 30, 2024, filed under its SEDAR+ profile at www.sedarplus.ca, and in the continuous disclosure filings made by the Company with securities regulations from time to time. 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.

Rua Gold Inc. (TSXV: RUA) (OTCQB: NZAUF) (WKN: A40QYC) (‘Rua Gold’ or the ‘Company’) is pleased to provide an update on its gold-antimony exploration at the Auld Creek project in the Reefton Goldfield on the South Island of New Zealand, reporting improved gold grades from current drilling in diamond drillholes ACDDH026, ACDDH027, ACDDH028.

Highlights:

• Following up on the last high grade results from the Company, the next holes intersected broader zones of gold in hole ACDDH027 and narrow but strong gold-stibnite (antimony sulphide) mineralization in ACDDH028. 

• Assay results show: 

  • ACDDH026: 2.1m @ 1.25g/t Au from 175m depth 

  • ACDDH027: 9m @ 5.9g/t AuEq¹ (5.2g/t Au & 0.16% Sb) from 159m depth 

  • ACDDH028: 1.25m @ 48.3g/t AuEq¹ (13.3g/t Au & 8.1% Sb) from 210m depth 

• ACDD024,025 confirmed higher grade antimony mineralisation on the Fraternal shoot, the recent drilling ACDDH27,28 indicates an improvement in gold grade with depth. 

• The gold grades on the Fraternal shoot plunge to the south, current drilling is testing 80-100m below the current resource envelope, before pivoting to testing the northerly extensions of the Fraternal ore body. 

• Auld Creek has an inferred resource hosted by two ore shoots, Bonanza and Fraternal. This resource outcrops at surface and is continuous to 160m vertically and open at depth. 

• Surface soil geochemistry strongly endorses extensions to the Fraternal north prospect and Bonanza northeast prospect, confirming the system is traceable over a 2.5km length.

Robert Eckford, CEO of Rua Gold commented: ‘It is encouraging to see an improvement in gold grades with depth on the Fraternal lode, and the continuation of high-grade antimony accompanying the gold in narrow plunging shoots.

Drilling to date on Auld Creek antimony-gold prospect has increased confidence in the existing gold-antimony resource and highlighted higher-grade plunging shoots that remain open to the south. We are focused on expanding the Auld Creek resource both north and south, with intensified surface exploration showing early promise in identifying additional mineralization over its 2.5km length.’

Figure 1: Overview of the Reefton Goldfield.

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Figure 2: Fraternal and Bonanza ore shoots at Auld Creek.

Note that AuEq amounts have been calculated using recent spot prices of gold and antimony and applying a ~30% discount. The gold equivalent formula is based on AuEq = Au g/t + 4.3 x Sb% using a Au price of US$2065/oz, Sb price of US$34,300 per tonne and 85% recovery.

To view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit:
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GLOBAL SUPPLY AND VALUE OF ANTIMONY

Antimony is a critical metalloid primarily sourced from the mineral, stibnite. It is highly valuable and increasing in demand due to its versatility and has essential applications across renewable energy, liquid battery metals, defence and technological sectors.

Due to its limited supply, predominantly controlled by China, Russia & Tajikistan, antimony is considered a strategic material essential for supply chain security, particularly during periods of geopolitical instability. This was heightened in August 2024, when China announced export controls on processed antimony products. In response to these controls, nations have accelerated their efforts to secure alternative sources of antimony to mitigate the risk of significant supply chain vulnerabilities.

The US, EU, UK, Japan, Canada and Australia all designate antimony as a critical mineral. On January 31, 2025, New Zealand also announced their Critical Mineral List which included antimony.

Reflecting heightened demand, the price of antimony has reached new highs, currently trading over US$50,000 per tonne, a significant increase from US$11,350 per tonne at the start of 2024. This market shift has intensified interest in the strategic antimony potential held by Rua Gold.

EXPLORATION POTENTIAL

Rua Gold commenced drilling at Auld Creek in December 2024. It has a targeted program to drill four mineralised shoots identified from historical surface exploration work interpreted by the Rua Gold team over the past 3 months.

Auld Creek is situated between two past producing mines, Globe Progress mine, and the Crushington Group of mines which collectively produced 933,000oz at 14.0g/t Au (Barry 1993). Auld Creek has three historic adits but no commercial production from the reefs.

Rua Gold has an inferred resource at Auld Creek indicating 700,000 tonnes at 3.1g/t Au and 1.1% Sb for 67,000oz of gold and 8,000 tonnes of antimony² (AuEq 110,000oz³). The resource is restricted to two of the four known shoots. Soil geochemistry indicates the potential for discovery of additional mineralised shoots over a strike length of 2.5km.

Four of the eight holes completed to date intersected 4-5m of strong visible stibnite (antimony sulfide) mineralization in the Fraternal-Bonanza structure.

Results from ACDDH024, ACDDH025 confirm the approximate average gold grades, but report higher antimony grades than the current resource estimate. Results from ACDDH027, ACDDH028 highlight above average gold grades with narrow but high-grade antimony in ACDDH028.

Ongoing drilling is targeting the southern plunging Fraternal gold-antimony shoot which remains open along strike and at depth.

Intensified surface exploration is showing very encouraging strong trends both north and north-west confirming additional targets on the Fraternal North and Bonanza north-west extensions.

Figure 3: Arsenic soil geochemistry over Auld Creek area.

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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.

TECHNICAL INFORMATION

Simon Henderson CP, AUSIMM, a qualified person under National Instrument 43-101 Standards of Disclosure for Mineral Projects and Chief Operating Officer and a director of Rua Gold, has reviewed and approved the technical disclosure contained herein. Mr. Henderson has participated in the geochemical sampling, and mapping programs to verify that they have been conducted in accordance with standard operating procedures. Mr. Henderson has verified the data disclosed by running checks on the location, analytical, and test data underlying the information in the technical disclosure herein.

QA/QC Drill Core

Rock samples were sent to SGS Laboratories, Westport for sample preparation. Samples were crushed and pulverized to 85% passing 75 µm. The pulverized rock-chips were split into two samples: a ~50 g sent for laboratory analysis, and the reject returned to RGL for pXRF analysis and storage. Pulverized rock-chip samples were analyzed for gold (Au) by 50-g fire assay with AAS finish at SGS Waihi (SGS Code FAA505); and for antimony (Sb) by Sodium Peroxide Fusion Analysis by ICP-MS at SGS Waihi.

QA/QC Soil Samples

Pre-planned soil sampling points on a 20 m x 100 m grid were loaded onto a handheld GPS for guidance. A spade was used to acquire a ~1.0 kg sample from the C horizon, which was put in a wet-strength paper sample bag with wire ties. Sample information was logged in a notebook in the field, including sample ID, depth, color, horizon, slope, sample description, sampler, basement, and comments. Each sample was photographed in the field alongside the GPS with coordinates visible and each sample site marked in the field with biodegradable flagging tape. Samples were taken back to Rua Gold’s Reefton facility for preparation. The sample information was entered on.csv files and uploaded to an SQL database.

Samples were dried in a customized incubator, set at 38°C, for a minimum of two days. Once the samples were fully dried, they were sieved to Rua Gold’s Reefton facility using a Olympus Vanta pXRF analyzer; and then on to ALS Brisbane, Australia, for low-level gold analysis using Au-TL43; trace level Au by aqua regia extraction with ICP-MS finish. Detection limit 1 ppb Au.

Field duplicates were collected every 20th sample and underwent the same sample collection and preparation process outlined above. Duplicates were checked and validated by Rua Gold’s Isogonal data validation system to ensure compliance.

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.

Table 1: Location of Auld Creek drill holes from RUA 2024-2025 program

Table 2: Significant drilling intercepts at Auld Creek, full mineralized zone composites (1.5g/t Au cut-off)

1.Using recent spot prices of gold and antimony, and applying a ~30% discount, the gold equivalent formula is based on AuEq = Au g/t + 4.3 x Sb% using a Au price of US$2065/oz, Sb price of US$34,300 per tonne and 85% recovery.
2.Please see the Company’s technical report entitled, ‘Technical Report on Reefton Project, New Zealand’, dated October 30, 2024.
3.Based on gold equivalent formula of AuEq = Au g/t + 1.9 x Sb% using a Au price of US$2025/oz, Sb price of US$15,000 per tonne and 85% recovery.

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• Designed to assess the impact of CardiolRx on preventing episodes of recurrent pericarditis, the first patient has been randomized by Northwestern University in Chicago.

• Based on a successful end-of-Phase II meeting with the US FDA and subject to MAVERIC outcomes, Cardiol believes the results from MAVERIC will support a New Drug Application.

• Data from Cardiol’s Phase II MAvERIC-Pilot study presented at the American Heart Association Scientific Sessions 2024 showed that pericarditis patients treated with CardiolRx experienced marked and rapid reductions in pericarditis pain and inflammation, and a substantial reduction in the number of pericarditis recurrences per year.

• Recurrent pericarditis is a debilitating heart condition that results in chest pain, shortness of breath and fatigue, physical limitations, reduced quality of life, and hospitalizations.

• CardiolRx, which has been granted US FDA Orphan Drug Designation for this indication, is a small molecule oral drug targeting inflammasome pathway activation that is central to the development and progression of pericarditis.

Toronto, Ontario–(Newsfile Corp. – April 16, 2025) – Cardiol Therapeutics Inc. ( NASDAQ: CRDL) (TSX: CRDL) (‘Cardiol‘ or the ‘Company‘), a clinical-stage life sciences company focused on developing anti-inflammatory and anti-fibrotic therapies for the treatment of heart disease, announced today that Northwestern University has enrolled the first patient in the pivotal Phase III MAVERIC trial (‘MAVERIC’) evaluating Cardiol’s lead drug candidate CardiolRx for the prevention of recurrent pericarditis. This multi-center, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial is designed to definitively assess the impact of CardiolRx on preventing recurrent pericarditis in patients at high risk for disease relapse and to support regulatory approval.

MAVERIC is currently being initiated at pre-eminent cardiovascular clinical research sites throughout the United States under an Investigational New Drug application authorized by the United States Food and Drug Administration (‘US FDA’). The MAVERIC Program and Phase III leadership comprises an independent committee of international thought leaders in pericardial disease and clinical trial design: Allan Klein, MD, CM from Cleveland Clinic (MAVERIC Program Chair); Massimo Imazio, MD, FESC from University of Udine, Italy (MAVERIC Program Co-Chair); Paul Cremer, MD from Northwestern University (MAVERIC Trial Principal Investigator); Allen Luis, MBBS, PhD from Mayo Clinic Rochester (MAvERIC-Pilot Principal Investigator); Antonio Abbate, MD, PhD from University of Virginia; and, Stephen Nicholls, MBBS, PhD from Monash University, Melbourne, Australia.

‘Recurrent pericarditis remains a challenging condition to manage and can significantly impact patients’ quality of life. There is a pressing need for new treatment options earlier in the care pathway, before resorting to second- and third-line therapies such as corticosteroids or IL-1 blockers,’ commented Paul C. Cremer, MD, MAVERIC Trial Principal Investigator. ‘In collaboration with research centers across the United States, Canada, and Europe, we look forward to completing this important study of a new oral therapy with the potential to improve the treatment paradigm for this underserved patient population.’

‘Initiation of the MAVERIC Phase III trial is an important milestone in our Company’s efforts to provide a more accessible, non-immunosuppressive therapeutic option for thousands of pericarditis patients. We congratulate Dr. Cremer and his colleagues at Northwestern for recruiting MAVERIC’s first patient and we are grateful for the interest shown by our collaborators from other leading pericardial disease centers who will be participating in the study,’ said David Elsley, President and CEO of Cardiol Therapeutics. ‘Based on the strength and consistency of the data from our Phase II MAvERIC-Pilot study, we believe that CardiolRx can make a meaningful difference in the lives of pericarditis patients.’

MAVERIC is a Phase III, multi-center, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial designed to enroll 110 patients with recurrent pericarditis at approximately 20 clinical sites across the United States, Canada, and Europe. Patients who have been treated with an interleukin-1 (‘IL-1’) blocker for at least 12 months and are scheduled to have this treatment discontinued, will be randomly assigned to receive either CardiolRx or placebo following cessation of the IL-1 blocker. Discontinuation of IL-1 blocker therapy is associated with a high risk for recurrence and has been reported to occur within 12 weeks in up to 75% of patients. The primary clinical objective of the trial will be to assess the impact of CardiolRx versus placebo on freedom from a new episode of recurrent pericarditis at 24 weeks. Other clinical endpoints include time to a new episode of pericarditis recurrence, and changes in patient-reported pericarditis chest pain score and changes to the inflammatory marker C-reactive protein.

MAVERIC, formerly referred to as MAVERIC-2, follows positive results from Cardiol’s Phase II MAvERIC-Pilot study. Data from MAvERIC-Pilot were previously reported on November 18 at the American Heart Association Scientific Sessions 2024 and showed that patients experienced marked and rapid reductions in both pericarditis pain and inflammation that were maintained throughout the study. In addition, the results demonstrated a substantial reduction in pericarditis episodes per year. Treatment with CardiolRx was shown to be safe and well tolerated in a patient population who presented with a high degree of disease burden.

About Pericarditis

Pericarditis refers to inflammation of the pericardium (the membrane or sac that surrounds the heart), which frequently results from a viral infection. Patients may have multiple recurrences following that initial episode, and the primary goal of treatment is recurrence prevention. Symptoms include debilitating chest pain, shortness of breath and fatigue, resulting in physical limitations, reduced quality of life, emergency department visits, and hospitalizations. Significant accumulation of pericardial fluid and scarring can progress to life-threatening constriction of the heart. The only FDA-approved therapy for recurrent pericarditis, launched in 2021, is costly and is primarily used as a third-line intervention. On an annual basis, the number of patients in the United States experiencing at least one recurrence is estimated at 38,000. Approximately 60% of patients with more than one recurrence suffer for more than two years, and one third remain impacted at five years. Hospitalization due to recurrent pericarditis is typically associated with a 6-8-day stay and cost per stay is estimated to range between $20,000 and $30,000 in the United States.

About Cardiol Therapeutics

Cardiol Therapeutics Inc. (NASDAQ: CRDL) (TSX: CRDL) is a clinical-stage life sciences company focused on developing anti-inflammatory and anti-fibrotic therapies for the treatment of heart disease. The Company’s lead small molecule drug candidate, CardiolRx (cannabidiol) oral solution, is pharmaceutically manufactured and in clinical development for use in the treatment of heart disease. It is recognized that cannabidiol inhibits activation of the inflammasome pathway, an intracellular process known to play an important role in the development and progression of inflammation and fibrosis associated with myocarditis, pericarditis, and heart failure.

Cardiol has received Investigational New Drug Application authorization from the United States Food and Drug Administration (‘US FDA’) to conduct clinical studies to evaluate the efficacy and safety of CardiolRx in two diseases affecting the heart: recurrent pericarditis and acute myocarditis. The MAVERIC Program in recurrent pericarditis, an inflammatory disease of the pericardium which is associated with symptoms including debilitating chest pain, shortness of breath, and fatigue, and results in physical limitations, reduced quality of life, emergency department visits, and hospitalizations, comprises the completed Phase II MAvERIC-Pilot study (NCT05494788) and the ongoing Phase III MAVERIC trial (NCT06708299). The ongoing ARCHER trial (NCT05180240) is a Phase II study in acute myocarditis, an important cause of acute and fulminant heart failure in young adults and a leading cause of sudden cardiac death in people less than 35 years of age. The US FDA has granted Orphan Drug Designation to CardiolRx for the treatment of pericarditis, which includes recurrent pericarditis.

Cardiol is also developing CRD-38, a novel subcutaneously administered drug formulation intended for use in heart failure – a leading cause of death and hospitalization in the developed world, with associated healthcare costs in the United States exceeding $30 billion annually.

For more information about Cardiol Therapeutics, please visit cardiolrx.com.

Cautionary statement regarding forward-looking information:

This news release contains ‘forward-looking information’ within the meaning of applicable securities laws. All statements, other than statements of historical fact, that address activities, events, or developments that Cardiol believes, expects, or anticipates will, may, could, or might occur in the future are ‘forward-looking information’. Forward looking information contained herein may include, but is not limited to statements regarding the Company’s focus on developing anti-inflammatory and anti-fibrotic therapies for the treatment of heart disease, the molecular targets and mechanism of action of the Company’s product candidates, the Company’s intended clinical studies and trial activities, timelines associated with such activities, and potential success of such activities, including the Company’s plan to complete the Phase III study in recurrent pericarditis with CardiolRx, the Company’s plan to advance the development of CRD-38, a novel subcutaneous formulation of cannabidiol intended for use in heart failure, the newly published data providing additional important rationale for the development of CRD-38 as a new approach to the treatment of heart failure, and the JACBTS publication provides fascinating new data that suggest a key mode of action of CRD-38 to potentially treat heart failure is through its ability to sustain cardiomyocytes and preserve mitochondrial function. Forward-looking information contained herein reflects the current expectations or beliefs of Cardiol based on information currently available to it and is based on certain assumptions and is also subject to a variety of known and unknown risks and uncertainties and other factors that could cause the actual events or results to differ materially from any future results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by the forward looking information, and are not (and should not be considered to be) guarantees of future performance. These risks and uncertainties and other factors include the risks and uncertainties referred to in the Company’s Annual Information Form filed with the Canadian securities administrators and U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission on March 31, 2025 , available on SEDAR+ at sedarplus.ca and EDGAR at sec.gov, as well as the risks and uncertainties associated with product commercialization, regulatory approvals, clinical studies and uncertainties in predicting treatment outcomes. These assumptions, risks, uncertainties, and other factors should be considered carefully, and investors should not place undue reliance on the forward-looking information, and such information may not be appropriate for other purposes. Any forward-looking information speaks only as of the date of this press release and, except as may be required by applicable securities laws, Cardiol disclaims any intent or obligation to update or revise such forward-looking information, whether as a result of new information, future events, or results, or otherwise. Investors are cautioned not to rely on these forward-looking statements and are encouraged to read the Company’s Annual Information Form filed on March 31, 2025.

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Lode Gold Resources Inc. (TSXV: LOD) (OTCQB: LODFF) (‘Lode Gold’ or the ‘Company’) is pleased to announce that it has closed on its first tranche of its non-brokered private placement offering. The Company has raised $790,186 through the issuance of 4,389,922 Units at a price of $0.18 per Unit. The cash raised will be used for the execution of the 2025 business plan and general working capital. In Yukon, the Company will conduct field work, including geological mapping, soil sampling, and channel sampling to advance drill target development. In California, the funds will support the completion of a 2025 Preliminary Economic Assessment( PEA) focused on bulk mining, underground channel sampling to upgrade resources, and moving towards the pre-feasibility study (PFS) at the Fremont project.

Each $0.18 Unit shall consist of one common share and one common share purchase warrant. Each warrant shall entitle the holder to purchase one common share at an exercise price of $0.35 per common share for a period of three years following the date of closing. The Company may accelerate the expiry date if the shares trade at $0.65 or more for a period of 10 days, including days where no trading occurs.

Lode Gold is extending the closing date of its private placement to April 30, 2025, for the second tranche. The Company may sell additional Units in the offering in one or more subsequent closings, on or before this date. Closing of the offering is subject to certain conditions including, but not limited to, the receipt of all necessary approvals, including acceptance by the TSX-V.

The Units were offered by way of private placement pursuant to exemptions from prospectus requirements and in accordance with National Instrument 45-106, Prospectus Exemptions. All securities issued in this closing are subject to a four month hold period, in accordance with applicable securities laws and the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange.

About Lode Gold

Lode Gold (TSXV: LOD) is an exploration and development company with projects in highly prospective and safe mining jurisdictions in Canada and the United States. In Canada, its Golden Culvert and WIN Projects in Yukon, covering 99.5 km² across a 27-km strike length, are situated in a district-scale, high grade gold mineralized trend within the southern portion of the Tombstone Gold Belt. A total of four RIRGS targets have been confirmed on the property. A NI 43-101 technical report has been completed in May 2024.

In New Brunswick, Lode Gold has created one of the largest land packages with its Acadian Gold JV Co; consisting of an area that spans 445 km² and a 44 km strike. McIntyre Brook covers 111 km² and a 17-km strike in the emerging Appalachian/Iapetus Gold Belt; it is hosted by orogenic rocks of similar age and structure as New Found Gold’s Queensway Project. Riley Brook is a 335 km² package covering a 26 km strike of Wapske formation with its numerous felsic units. A NI 43-101 technical report has been completed in August 2024.

In the United States, the Company is advancing its Fremont Gold project. This is a brownfield project with over 43,000 m drilled and 23 km of underground workings. It was previously mined at 10.7 g/t Au in the 1930’s. Mining was halted in 1942 due the gold mining prohibition in World War Two (WWII) just as it was ramping up production. Unlike typical brownfield projects that are mined out; only 8% of the veins have been exploited. The Company is the first owner to investigate an underground high grade mine potential at Fremont. The project is located on 3,351 acres of private and patented land in Mariposa County. The asset is a 4 km strike on the prolific 190 km Mother Lode Gold Belt, California that produced over 50,000,000 oz of gold and is instrumental in creating the towns, businesses and infrastructure in the 1800s gold rush. It is 1.5 hours from Fresno, California. The property has year-round road access and is close to airports and rail. An NI 43-101 MRE has been reported on March 5, 2025. A complete technical report will be filed 45 days later on SEDAR+.

Previously, in March 2023, the company completed an NI 43-101 Preliminary Economic Assessment (‘PEA’) for the Fremont Gold project. A sensitivity to the March 31, 2023 PEA at USD $2,000/oz gold gives an after-tax NPV of USD $370M and a 31% IRR over an 11-year LOM. At $1,750 /oz gold, NPV (5%) is $217M. The project hosts an NI 43-101 resource of 1.16 Moz at 1.90 g/t Au within 19.0 MT Indicated and 2.02 Moz at 2.22 g/t Au within 28.3 MT Inferred. The MRE evaluates only 1.4 km of the 4 km strike of Fremont property. Three step-out holes at depth (up to 1200 m) hit structure and were mineralized. All NI 43-101 technical reports are available on the Company’s profile on SEDAR+ (www.sedarplus.ca) and the Company’s website (www.lode-gold.com)

ON BEHALF OF THE COMPANY

Wendy T. Chan
CEO & Director

Information Contact

This news release contains information about adjacent properties on which the Company has no right to explore or mine. Readers are cautioned that mineral deposits on adjacent properties are not indicative of mineral deposits on the Company’s properties.

Cautionary Statement Regarding Forward-Looking Information

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

This news release includes ‘forward-looking statements’ and ‘forward-looking information’ within the meaning of Canadian securities legislation. All statements included in this news release, other than statements of historical fact, are forward-looking statements including, without limitation, statements with respect to the completion of the transaction and the timing thereof, the expected benefits of the transaction to shareholders of the Company, the structure, terms and conditions of the transaction and the execution of a definitive agreement, the timing of submission to the CSE and TSXV, Gold Orogen raising an additional $1,500,000 and the anticipated use of proceeds. Forward-looking statements include predictions, projections and forecasts and are often, but not always, identified by the use of words such as ‘anticipate’, ‘believe’, ‘plan’, ‘estimate’, ‘expect’, ‘potential’, ‘target’, ‘budget’ and ‘intend’ and statements that an event or result ‘may’, ‘will’, ‘should’, ‘could’ or ‘might’ occur or be achieved and other similar expressions and includes the negatives thereof.

Forward-looking statements are based on a number of assumptions and estimates that, while considered reasonable by management based on the business and markets in which the Company operates, are inherently subject to significant operational, economic, and competitive uncertainties, risks and contingencies. These include assumptions regarding, among other things: that the Company and GRM will be able to negotiate the definitive agreement on the terms and within the time frame expected, that the Company and GRM will be able to make submissions to the CSE and TSXV within the time frame expected, that the Company and GRM will be able to obtain shareholder approval for the transaction, that the Company and GRM will be able to obtain necessary third party and regulatory approvals required for the transaction, if completed, that the transaction will provide the expected benefits to the Company and its shareholders.

There can be no assurance that forward-looking 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 adverse market conditions, general economic, market or business risks, unanticipated costs, the failure of the Company and GRM to negotiate the definitive agreement on the terms and conditions and within the timeframe expected, the failure of the Company and GRM to make submissions to the CSE and TSXV within the timeframe expected, the failure of the Company and GRM to obtain shareholder approval for the transaction, the failure of the Company and GRM to obtain all necessary approvals for the transaction, and r other risks detailed from time to time in the filings made by the Company with securities regulators, including those described under the heading ‘Risks and Uncertainties’ in the Company’s most recently filed MD&A. The Company does not undertake to update or revise any forward-looking statements, except in accordance with applicable law.

To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/248662

(TheNewswire)

April 15th, 2025 TheNewswire – Vancouver, B.C. Opawica Explorations Inc . (TSXV: OPW) (FSE: A2PEAD) (OTC: OPWEF) (the ‘Company’ or ‘Opawica’), a Canadian mineral exploration company focused on precious and base metals in the Abitibi Gold Belt is providing an update on its 2025 exploration campaign at the Bazooka Property (‘Bazooka’).

Opawica has intersected a broad 76-meter mineralized zone , starting at a depth of 285 meters and extending to 361 meters, at the contact with a graphitic horizon. The interval includes visible gold, with consistent occurrences of arsenopyrite, fuchsite, and quartz veining throughout.

Visible gold was observed in drill hole OP-25-33 at a depth of 348.5 metres. (see below).

The Company has completed ten diamond drill holes for a total of 2000 meters of drilling and submitted 610 core samples for assays. Of the ten drill holes completed, our team successfully intersected the Cadillac-Larder Fault multiple times, revealing promising mineralization that enhances our understanding of local mineralization patterns. The Cadillac-Larder Lake fault is a major structural element in the Abitibi Greenstone Belt, known for its rich and its historical significance in mining.

Blake Morgan, Chief Executive Officer of Opawica, stated: ‘To date, the drilling has progressed extremely well. It is encouraging to encounter visible gold at such an early stage of our program. Over 2,000 metres of core have now been sent for assays, with multiple thick intercepts up to 76 meters in length. The Opawica team anticipates providing further updates soon and looks forward to receiving the final assay results.’

The Bazooka property occurs along one of the most prolific auriferous structures in the world, the Cadillac-Larder Lake break/fault. The Cadillac-Larder Lake break/fault, in part, marks the boundary between the Archean Abitibi subprovince in the north and the predominantly metasedimentary Pontiac subprovince south of the fault.

Gold mineralization on the property is hosted within the Main Zone, a mixed sequence of strongly altered quartz-carbonate-sericite and talc-chlorite schists derived from sedimentary and ultramafic to mafic volcanic protoliths, with an estimated true width of up to 60 metres.

The break/fault zone lies at the base and is marked by a strongly graphitic fault with an estimated true width of up to two metres. The graphitic fault generally marks the contact between the sedimentary and ultramafic metavolcanic rocks.

Structures and hydrothermal pathways were interpreted using the co-occurrence of selected exploration criteria in drill hole data. Interpreted prospective panels trend generally east-west with a steep dip to the north. They are constrained within the northern and southern borders of the Cadillac shear zone, a 150-metre-wide corridor of highly carbonate-chlorite-talc altered and schistosed ultramafic units, which form a Z-shape asymmetric drag fold in the area of the Bazooka historic mine.

Mr.Yvan Bussieres, P.Eng.,Opawica’s geologist is the qualified person for Opawica Explorations and has reviewed and approved the technical content of this news release.

About Opawica Explorations Inc.

Opawica Explorations Inc. is a junior Canadian exploration company with a strong portfolio of precious and base metal properties within the Rouyn-Noranda region of the Abitibi Gold Belt in Québec. The Company’s management has a great track record in discovering and developing successful exploration projects. The Company’s objective is to increase shareholder value through the development of exploration properties using cost effective exploration practices, acquiring further exploration properties, and seeking partnerships by either joint venture or sale with industry leaders.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:

Blake Morgan

President and Chief Executive Officer

Opawica Explorations Inc.

Telephone: 236-878-4938

Fax: 604-681-3552

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

Forward-Looking Statements

This news release contains certain forward-looking statements, which relate to future events or future performance and reflect management’s current expectations and assumptions. Such forward-looking statements reflect management’s current beliefs and are based on assumptions made by and information currently available to the Company. Readers are cautioned that these forward-looking statements are neither promises nor guarantees, and are subject to risks and uncertainties that may cause future results to differ materially from those expected including, but not limited to, market conditions, availability of financing, actual results of the Company’s exploration and other activities, environmental risks, future metal prices, operating risks, accidents, labor issues, delays in obtaining governmental approvals and permits, and other risks in the mining industry. All the forward-looking statements made in this news release are qualified by these cautionary statements and those in our continuous disclosure filings available on SEDAR at www.sedar.com. These forward-looking statements are made as of the date hereof and the Company does not assume any obligation to update or revise them to reflect new events or circumstances as required by applicable law.

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