Emperor Metals Unveils Bonanza-Grade Gold Discovery: 21.7m of 35.2 g/t Au, While Expanding Ounces by Testing Previously Unsampled Historical Core

Rhea-AI Summary

Emperor Metals Inc. (CSE: AUOZ) (OTCQB: EMAUF) has announced exceptional results from reanalysis of drill hole DQ24-12 samples, revealing a bonanza-grade gold discovery of 21.7m of 35.2 g/t Au. The company used screened metallics analysis on samples containing visible gold, upgrading a 2.5m interval from 57.8 g/t Au to 301.1 g/t Au—a 5.2x increase.

The 2024 drilling program comprised 8,166 meters across 19 drill holes, alongside approximately 8,000 meters of historical core assaying. The company also reported significant results from previously unsampled historical core, adding substantial new gold zones to the project.

CEO John Florek highlighted the discovery's significance for the project's economics, noting the presence of abundant free gold with minimal sulfide content. Emperor is targeting a multi-million-ounce resource utilizing both open-pit and underground mining scenarios, with an updated Mineral Resource Estimate expected in Q1 or early Q2 of 2025. The property currently hosts a historical inferred resource of 727,000 ounces at 5.42 g/t Au.

Positive

• Discovery of bonanza-grade gold with 21.7m of 35.2 g/t Au
• Reanalysis upgraded a 2.5m interval from 57.8 g/t to 301.1 g/t Au (5.2x increase)
• Multiple new gold zones discovered in previously unsampled historical core
• Low sulfide content (1% pyrite = 2 g/t Au) ideal for low-acid-generating gold mining
• Current historical resource of 727,000 ounces at 5.42 g/t Au with potential for expansion
• Updated Mineral Resource Estimate expected in Q1/Q2 2025

Negative

• Initial assay methods underestimated gold content, requiring reanalysis

Vancouver, British Columbia--(Newsfile Corp. - February 25, 2025) - Emperor Metals Inc. (CSE: AUOZ) (OTCQB: EMAUF) (FSE: 9NH) ("Emperor") is excited to announce the reanalysis results for the previously released DQ24-12 samples (see press release, January 8, 2025), along with the final results of all prior unsampled historical core assays. Given the abundant visible gold observed in the DQ24-12 intersection and the discrepancies between the initial results and geological observations, a more representative method was used to provide a more accurate result.

CEO John Florek commented: "The discovery of high-grade gold lenses, which contain visible gold and were previously thought to be lower-grade, is a highly significant development for the economics of this deposit and strengthens the potential of the project. This opens up the opportunity to add additional high-grade zones within a large gold system. The presence of abundant free gold, not well-documented in earlier drilling, presents a unique opportunity to substantially increase both the gold grade and ounces within the conceptual open pit. This is further supported by our metallurgical results, visual observations, and high gold grades with minimal sulfide content. Notably, some intercepts show that 1% pyrite corresponds to 2 g/t Au, which is ideal for low-acid-generating gold mining. With additional infill drilling, we anticipate further improvements in both grade and ounces within this type of deposit."

The 2024 drilling program comprised 8,166 meters across 19 drill holes, alongside approximately 8,000 meters of historical core assaying. To date, 100% of both the 2024 drilling and historical sampling program, including new drilling and resampling of historical core, has been reported for the 2024 season. Figure 1, Table 1, and Table 2 highlight the significant intercepts related to this press release.

Following the high-grade sample reported in our January 8 press release for DQ24-12, which recorded 2.5 meters at 57.8 g/t Au, Emperor re-assayed the interval using a larger, more representative sample than our standard protocol, employing a screened metallics method for greater accuracy. The screened metallics fire assay is a specialized technique used to accurately determine gold concentrations in samples that may contain coarse gold particles, a phenomenon known as the "nugget effect." This method is particularly useful when traditional fire assay techniques might underestimate gold content due to the presence of large gold grains. This method is particularly beneficial in regions where coarse gold is prevalent, as it helps mitigate the risk of underreporting gold content due to the nugget effect. This result upgrades the 2.5 m interval of 57.8 g/t Au to 2.5 m of 301.1 g/t Au, representing a substantial increase of 5.2 times.

This work, combined with the discovery of visible gold-bearing lenses (shown in Figure 2) and significant low-grade bulk tonnage zones, underscores the project's substantial resource growth potential. Emperor's AI capability to effectively utilize this tool to generate targets was crucial for our targeting, where information is not well understood. With the results from the 2024 drilling season now complete, we will leverage our AI technology to rebuild the models, generate new targets, and develop our strategic drilling plan for 2025.

These findings are expected to make a significant contribution to the upcoming Q1 or early Q2 mineral resource estimate.

Resample and Historical Core Highlights: (see tables 1 and 2 for complete results)

• DQ24-12: The discovery of visible gold (VG) within a 21.7m section grading 7.2 g/t Au prompted Emperor Metals to conduct screen metallics analysis on the VG sample rejects (286.9m to 289.4m / 2.5m). This analysis returned an exceptionally high grade of 301 g/t Au, revealing a substantial amount of gold not captured in the original split core analysis and updating the zone to 21.7 m of 35.2 g/t Au.

• DQ06-02 (Historical Core): Sampling results have expanded three previous zones and increased mineralization to 3.0 m of 6.17 g/t Au, 2.45 meters of 1.13 g/t Au, and 7.0 meters of 2.14 g/t Au. These results were obtained from sheared and altered mafic volcanics, as well as a zone associated with altered quartz-feldspar porphyry and ultramafic sequences.

• DO-11-21 (Historical Core): Sampling results reveal an additional 23.8 meters of 0.4 g/t Au in a completely new zone within an altered quartz-feldspar porphyry (QFP).

• DQ06-12 (Historical core): Sampling results show an additional 2.35 meters of 4.2 g/t Au within a weakly brecciated mafic flow.

• DQ95-22 (Historical core): Sampling results show an additional 6 meters of 2.28 g/t Au within the contact zone between altered QFP and a sheared mafic volcanic unit.

• DQ95-31 (Historical core): Sampling results show an additional 6.88 meters of 1.14 g/t Au and 7.92 meters of 1.59 g/t Au, associated with an altered QFP and a brecciated flow/tu

• DQ09-09 (Historical core): Sampling results show an additional 8.8 meters of 0.54 g/t Au within an altered syenite porphyry, and 2.1 meters of 3.83 g/t Au in a strongly altered QFP unit.

• DQ94-2 (Historical core): Sampling adds 4.58 meters of 1.05 g/t Au at the contact between a weakly sheared mafic volcanic unit and a strongly sheared and fractured QFP.

• DQ96-70 (Historical core): Sampling results show an additional 11.75 meters of 0.58 g/t Au within a highly altered diorite unit.

Emperor's focus in 2024 was on near-surface drilling for open-pit mining, Emperor aims to economically expand its resource base by including lower grades in the conceptual open-pit environment compared to higher grades in an underground mining scenario. This allows Emperor to add ounces more rapidly to the resource. Deposits in the region with currently active open pits have been economic at grades equal 0.30 g/t Au (see Agnico Eagles press release dated Feb 15, 2024 - Detour Lake Deposit cut-off grade, pg. 52.)

Emperor is targeting a multi-million-ounce resource, utilizing a combination of conceptual open-pit and underground mining scenarios. The Property currently hosts a historical inferred mineral resource estimate of 727,000 ounces of gold at a grade of 5.42 g/t Au. Emperor is committed to delivering an updated Mineral Resource Estimate in Q1 or Early Q2 of 2025.

Figure 1: Location of High-grade Screen metallic results from DQ24-12 and Historical drill holes with reported results from previously unsampled historical core.

To view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit:
https://images.newsfilecorp.com/files/8461/242222_4259dbf0c4b36bd1_002full.jpg

Figure 2: Visible Gold Occurrences in DQ24-12.

To view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit:
https://images.newsfilecorp.com/files/8461/242222_4259dbf0c4b36bd1_003full.jpg

Strategic Plan

The 2024 drilling campaign at Emperor's Duquesne West Gold Project in Quebec continues to identify extensive low-grade bulk tonnage zones surrounding the previously known high grade areas. These latest results further solidify the project's immense potential and underscore the company's commitment to unlocking substantial value for its shareholders.

The 2024 season leverages advanced exploration techniques to test several scenarios to add ounces and/or expand the footprint:

1. Explore Lower Grade Discoveries: Target additional discoveries within the host rock containing high-grade gold lenses, focusing on the conceptual open-pit model.

2. Increase the Thickness of the High-Grade Lenses: Incorporate previously unaccounted lower-grade gold from the margins of high-grade lenses to enhance their overall thickness.

3. Expand Mineralized Zones: Extend the lateral footprint of mineralized zones along strike and dip.

4. Discover New Zones: Explore potential new zones not yet included in the conceptual open-pit model, with a particular focus on eastward expansion.

These latest results continue to build on the strong momentum generated by last year's drilling program and confirm the presences of extensive low grade bulk tonnage zones surrounding the known high-grade regions.

Table 1 - Intercept Highlights- Host Structures are interpreted to be steeply dipping and true widths are generally estimated to 90%.

Hole No.	From (m)	To (m)	Interval (m)	Au (g/t Au)
DQ24-121	258.8	261.3	2.5	0.39
	261.3	263.8	2.5	0.13
	263.8	266.3	2.5	0.02
Note1	266.3	268.8	2.5	0.005
	268.8	271.3	2.5	0.01
Note1	271.3	273.8	2.5	0.005
	273.8	275.4	1.6	0.02
	275.4	276.4	1	6.77
	276.4	277.4	1	1.65
	277.4	278.4	1	0.09
	278.4	279.4	1	0.06
	279.4	280.4	1	0.02
	280.4	281.7	1.3	0.02
	281.7	283.05	1.35	1.47
	283.05	284.4	1.35	0.07
	284.4	286.9	2.5	0.01
Note3	286.9	289.4	2.5	301.00
	289.4	291.9	2.5	0.005
	291.9	294.1	2.2	0.13
	294.1	295.1	1	0.13
	295.1	296.1	1	0.09
	296.1	297.1	1	0.21
		Wt. Avg.	38.3	20.0
		Including (275.4 to 297.1 m)	21.7	35.2
		Including (275.4 to 289.4 m)	14	54.5

 

¹Host Structures are interpreted to be steeply dipping and true widths are generally estimated to 90%.
³Sample re-assayed. Screened Metallics performed at SGS.

Table 2 - Historical core sampling Highlights- Host Structures are interpreted to be steeply dipping and true widths are generally estimated to 90%. Yellow highlighted tags represent 2024 historical core sampling previously not sampled.

Hole No.	Sample ID	From (m)	To (m)	Interval (m)	Au (g/t Au)
DQ06-02	D00289058	341.6	342.6	1	1.67
	D00289059	342.6	343.6	1	0.28
	62944	343.6	344.6	1	16.55
			Wt. Avg.	3	6.17
Hole No.	Sample ID	From (m)	To (m)	Interval (m)	Au (g/t Au)
DQ06-02	D00289103	408.4	410.85	2.45	1.13
			Wt. Avg.	2.45	1.13
Hole No.	Sample ID	From (m)	To (m)	Interval (m)	Au (g/t Au)
DQ06-02	62861	509	510	1	0.489
	62862	510	511	1	0.02
	62863	511	512	1	0.016
	62864	512	513	1	0.123
	62865	513	513.9	0.9	0.197
	D00289154	513.9	515	1.1	0.14
	D00289155	515	516	1	14.95
			Wt. Avg.	7	2.28
			Incl.	1	14.95
Hole No.	Sample ID	From (m)	To (m)	Interval (m)	Au (g/t Au)
DO-11-21	D00286397	48.2	49.2	1	0.23
	D00286398	49.2	50.2	1	0.18
	D00286399	50.2	51.2	1	0.77
	D00286401	51.2	52.3	1.1	0.03
	D00286402	52.3	53.4	1.1	0.11
	D00286403	53.4	54.5	1.1	0.03
	D00286404	54.5	55.6	1.1	0.74
	D00286405	55.6	56.7	1.1	1.78
	D00286406	56.7	57.8	1.1	0.06
	D00286407	57.8	58.9	1.1	0.31
	D00286408	58.9	60	1.1	0.33
	D00286409	60	61	1	0.26
	D00286411	61	62	1	0.24
	D00286412	62	63	1	0.27
	D00286413	63	64	1	0.21
	D00286414	64	65	1	0.37
	D00286415	65	66	1	0.36
	D00286416	66	67	1	0.28
	D00286417	67	68	1	0.28
	D00286418	68	69	1	0.53
	D00286419	69	70	1	0.13
	D00286421	70	71	1	1.46
	D00286422	71	72	1	0.17
			Wt. Avg.	23.8	0.40
Hole No.	Sample ID	From (m)	To (m)	Interval (m)	Au (g/t Au)
DQ06-12	D00296402	483.4	484.85	1.45	3.79
	83493	484.85	485.75	0.9	4.87
			Wt. Avg.	2.35	4.20
Hole No.	Sample ID	From (m)	To (m)	Interval (m)	Au (g/t Au)
DQ95-22	836	303	304.14	1.14	8.57
	837	304.14	305	0.86	0.12
	D00287984	305	306	1	0.005
	D00287985	306	307	1	0.01
	D00287986	307	308	1	0.005
	D00287987	308	309	1	3.81
			Wt. Avg.	6	2.28
Hole No.	Sample ID	From (m)	To (m)	Interval (m)	Au (g/t Au)
DQ95-31	D00289344	197.62	199.5	1.88	2.93
	6563	199.5	200	0.5	0.09
	D00289345	200	201.9	1.9	0.04
	6564	201.9	202.4	0.5	0.17
	6565	202.4	203	0.6	1.65
	6566	203	204.5	1.5	0.76
			Wt. Avg.	6.88	1.14
Hole No.	Sample ID	From (m)	To (m)	Interval (m)	Au (g/t Au)
DQ95-31	6580	228.56	229.7	1.14	7.1
	6581	229.7	230.2	0.5	0.07
	D00289347	230.2	231.5	1.3	0.07
	6582	231.5	232	0.5	0.02
	D00289349	232	233	1	0.05
	D00289351	233	234	1	3.96
	D00289352	234	235.02	1.02	0.08
	6583	235.02	236.48	1.46	0.18
			Wt. Avg.	7.92	1.59
			Incl.	5.44	2.25
Hole No.	Sample ID	From (m)	To (m)	Interval (m)	Au (g/t Au)
DQ09-09	D00296752	28	29	1	1.6
	14067	29	30	1	0.005
	14068	30	31	1	0.005
	14069	31	32	1	0.005
	D00296753	32	33.2	1.2	0.01
	D00296754	33.2	34.4	1.2	0.005
	D00296755	34.4	35.6	1.2	0.6
	D00296756	35.6	36.8	1.2	2.01
			Wt. Avg.	8.8	0.54
			Incl.	2.4	1.31
Hole No.	Sample ID	From (m)	To (m)	Interval (m)	Au (g/t Au)
DQ09-09	D00296827	120.3	121.4	1.1	0.14
	D00296828	121.4	122.4	1	7.88
			Wt. Avg.	2.1	3.83
			Incl.	1	7.88
Hole No.	Sample ID	From (m)	To (m)	Interval (m)	Au (g/t Au)
DQ94-2	D00295584	221.92	222.68	0.76	2.84
	10932	222.68	223.18	0.5	0.06
	10933	223.18	224.98	1.8	0.21
	10934	224.98	226.5	1.52	1.47
			Wt. Avg.	4.58	1.05
Hole No.	Sample ID	From (m)	To (m)	Interval (m)	Au (g/t Au)
DQ96-70	D00296375	448.5	450	1.5	1.27
	D00296376	450	451.25	1.25	1.67
	D00296377	451.25	452.5	1.25	0.52
	D00296378	452.5	453.6	1.1	0.06
	D00296379	453.6	454.58	0.98	0.24
	10721	454.58	454.88	0.3	0.282
	D00296381	454.88	456	1.12	0.14
	D00296382	456	457.25	1.25	0.46
	D00296383	457.25	458.5	1.25	0.38
	D00296384	458.5	459.75	1.25	0.3
	10722	459.75	460.25	0.5	0.411
			Wt. Avg.	11.75	0.58
			Incl.	4	1.16

 

Quality Assurance and Control

The Quality Assurance and Quality Control (QAQC) was conducted by Technominex, a geological contractor hired by Emperor Metals, which adheres to CIM Best Practices Guidelines for exploration related activities conducted at its facility in Rouyn Noranda, Quebec. The QA/QC procedures are overseen by a Qualified Person on site.

Emperor Metals QA/QC protocols are maintained through the insertion of certified reference material (standards), blanks and lab duplicates within the sample stream totaling approximately one QA/QC sample per 7 samples. Drill core is cut in-half with a diamond saw, with one-half placed in sealed bags with appropriate tags and shipped to the SGS Sudbury laboratory and the other half retained on site in the original core box. A dispatch list consists of 88 or 176 samples along with their corresponding QA/QC samples for a single batch. This allows complete batches (88 samples) for fire assay. A file for sample tracking records tags used and weights of sample bags shipped to the SGS Lakefield. Shipment is done by Manitoulin Transport and coordination by Technominex staff in Rouyn-Noranda.

The third-party laboratory, SGS prep laboratory in Sudbury Ontario, processes the shipment of samples using standard sample preparation (code PRP91) and produces pulps from the specified samples. The pulps are then sent off to SGS Burnaby for analysis. Chain of custody is maintained from the drill to the submittal into the laboratory preparation facility all the way to analysis at the SGS Burnaby B.C. laboratory.

Analytical testing is performed by SGS laboratories in Burnaby, British Columbia. The entire sample is crushed to 75% passing 2mm, with a split of 500g pulverized to 85% passing 75 microns. Samples are then analyzed using Au - ore grade 50g Fire Assay, ICP-AES with reporting limits of 0.01 -100 part per million (ppm).

High-grade gold analysis, based on the presence of visible gold or exceptional fire assay results exceeding 100 ppm, is conducted using the screened metallics method by Fire Assay, AAS/ICP/Grav. In this process, a 1000 g sample is pulverized and then screened to a 106-micron size. The entire plus fraction is analyzed to extinction, while two 50 g samples from the minus fraction are also analyzed. The weighted average of these results is reported.

About the Duquesne West Gold Project

The Duquesne West Gold Property is located 32 km northwest of the city of Rouyn-Noranda and 10 km east of the town of Duparquet, Quebec, Canada. The property lies within the historic Duparquet gold mining camp in the southern portion of the Abitibi Greenstone Belt in the Superior Province.

Under an Option Agreement, Emperor agreed to acquire a 100% interest in a mineral claim package comprising 38 claims covering approximately 1,389 ha, located in the Duparquet Township of Quebec (the "Duquesne West Property") from Duparquet Assets Ltd., a 50% owned subsidiary of Globex Mining Enterprises Inc. (GMX-TSX). For further information on the Duquesne West Property and Option Agreement, see Emperor's press release dated Oct. 12, 2022, available on SEDAR.The Property hosts a historical inferred mineral resource estimate of 727,000 ounces of gold at a grade of 5.42 g/t Au.^[1][2] The mineral resource estimate predates modern Canadian Institute of Mining and Metallurgy (CIM) guidelines and a Qualified Person on behalf of Emperor has not reviewed or verified the mineral resource estimate, therefore it is considered historical in nature and is reported solely to provide an indication of the magnitude of mineralization that could be present on the property. The gold system remains open for resource identification and expansion.

A reinterpretation of the existing geological model was created using AI and Machine Learning. This model shows the opportunity for additional discovery of ounces by revealing gold trends unknown to previous workers and the potential to expand the resource along significant gold- endowed structural zones.

Multiple scenarios exist to expand additional resources which include:

1. Underground High-Grade Gold.
2. Open Pit Bulk Tonnage Gold.
3. Underground Bulk Tonnage Gold.

QP Disclosure

The technical content for the Duquesne West Project in this news release has been reviewed and approved by John Florek, M.Sc., P.Geol., a Qualified Person pursuant to CIM guidelines.

About Emperor Metals Inc.

Emperor Metals Inc. is a high-grade gold exploration and development junior mining company focused on Quebec's Southern Abitibi Greenstone Belt, leveraging AI-driven exploration techniques. The company is dedicated to unlocking the substantial resource potential of the Duquesne West Gold Project and the Lac Pelletier Project (currently under purchase agreement) both situated in this Tier 1 mining district.

The company is led by a dynamic group of resource sector professionals who have a strong record of success in evaluating and advancing mining projects from exploration through to production, attracting capital and overcoming adversity to deliver exceptional shareholder value. For more information, please refer to SEDAR+ (www.sedarplus.ca), under the Company's profile.

ON BEHALF OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS

s/ "John Florek"
John Florek, M.Sc., P.Geol
President, CEO and Director
Emperor Metals Inc.

Contact

John Florek President/CEO
T: (807) 228-3531
E: johnf@emperormetals.com

Alex Horsley Director
T: (778) 323-3058
E: alexh@emperormetals.com
Website: www.emperormetals.com

The Canadian Securities Exchange has not approved nor disapproved the content of this press release.

Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements

Certain statements made and information contained herein may constitute "forward-looking information" and "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of applicable Canadian and United States securities legislation. These statements and information are based on facts currently available to the company and there is no assurance that the actual results will meet management's expectations. Forward-Looking statements and information may be identified by such terms as "anticipates," "believes," "targets," "estimates," "plans," "expects," "may," "will," "could" or "would."

Forward-Looking statements and information contained herein are based on certain factors and assumptions regarding, among other things, the estimation of mineral resources and reserves, the realization of resource and reserve estimates, metal prices, taxation, the estimation, timing and amount of future exploration and development, capital and operating costs, the availability of financing, the receipt of regulatory approvals, environmental risks, title disputes and other matters. While the company considers its assumptions to be reasonable as of the date hereof, forward-looking statements and information are not guarantees of future performance and readers should not place undue importance on such statements as actual events and results may differ materially from those described herein. The company does not undertake to update any forward-looking statements or information except as may be required by applicable securities laws.

---

¹ Watts, Griffis, and McOuat Consulting Geologists and Engineers, Oct. 20, 2011, Technical Report and Mineral Resource Estimate Update for the Duquesne-Ottoman Property, Quebec, Canada, for XMet Inc.

² Power-Fardy and Breede, 2011. The Mineral Resource Estimate (MRE) constructed in 2011 is considered historical in nature as it was constructed prior to the most recent CIM standards (2014) and guidelines (2019) for mineral resources. In addition, the economic factors used to demonstrate reasonable prospects of eventual economic extraction for the MRE have changed since 2011. A qualified person has not done sufficient work to consider the MRE as a current MRE. Emperor is not treating the historical MRE as a current mineral resource. The reader is cautioned not to treat it, or any part of it, as a current mineral resource.

To view the source version of this press release, please visit https://www.newsfilecorp.com/release/242222

FAQ

What was Emperor Metals' (EMAUF) recent gold discovery grade at Duquesne West?

Emperor Metals discovered bonanza-grade gold of 21.7m of 35.2 g/t Au at the Duquesne West Gold Project, with a particularly rich 2.5m section grading 301.1 g/t Au after reanalysis using screened metallics method.

Why did Emperor Metals (EMAUF) need to reanalyze the DQ24-12 drill samples?

Emperor Metals reanalyzed the samples due to abundant visible gold observed in the intersection and discrepancies between initial results and geological observations. The screened metallics method was used to provide more accurate results for coarse gold particles.

What is the current gold resource at Emperor Metals' (EMAUF) Duquesne West project?

The Duquesne West property currently hosts a historical inferred mineral resource of 727,000 ounces of gold at a grade of 5.42 g/t Au, with Emperor targeting expansion to a multi-million-ounce resource.

When will Emperor Metals (EMAUF) release an updated mineral resource estimate?

Emperor Metals is committed to delivering an updated Mineral Resource Estimate in Q1 or early Q2 of 2025, incorporating results from the 2024 drilling program and historical core resampling.

What was the scope of Emperor Metals' (EMAUF) 2024 drilling program?

The 2024 drilling program comprised 8,166 meters across 19 drill holes, alongside approximately 8,000 meters of historical core assaying, focusing on near-surface drilling for open-pit mining potential.

How much did the screened metallics method improve the gold grade in Emperor Metals' (EMAUF) sample?

The screened metallics method dramatically improved the reported gold grade, upgrading a 2.5m interval from 57.8 g/t Au to 301.1 g/t Au, representing a substantial increase of 5.2 times the original value.

What are the metallurgical characteristics of Emperor Metals' (EMAUF) Duquesne West gold deposit?

The deposit contains abundant free gold with minimal sulfide content, where approximately 1% pyrite corresponds to 2 g/t Au, making it ideal for low-acid-generating gold mining operations.