Stuhini Reports Strong Metallurgical Recoveries from Surface Mini-Bulk Sample at Silver Surprise Zone, Ruby Creek Project

On December 1, 2025, Stuhini Exploration announced highly favourable metallurgical test results from a 1,585 lb surface mini-bulk sample taken from the Silver Surprise Zone at its flagship Ruby Creek Project. The sample graded an extremely high 4,200 g/t silver. Key results include a 95% silver recovery via direct smelting and a 15% gravity recovery, which successfully produced a 445-gram silver bar. The company states the zone remains open for expansion and that follow-up work is planned for 2026.

The news is materially positive as it significantly de-risks the Silver Surprise Zone, one of the key emerging targets at the Ruby Creek Project. While previous surface grab samples had returned bonanza grades (up to 16,030 g/t Ag), this news confirms that high grades persist over a larger, more representative bulk sample and, critically, that the silver can be recovered at a very high rate (95%). This is a crucial milestone that validates the economic potential of the mineralization.

Tracing the progression, the company has executed its stated plan effectively: - October 6, 2025: Stuhini announced the completion of the mini-bulk sample collection, setting the market's expectation for metallurgical results. - November 4, 2025: In an update on a different target, the CEO reiterated that metallurgical results for Silver Surprise were "pending," keeping the catalyst in focus. - December 1, 2025: The company delivered strong results that met or exceeded expectations for high-grade confirmation and recovery potential.

Excellent metallurgical recoveries are a prerequisite for any mining project's viability. Achieving 95% recovery at this early stage provides strong support for continued exploration and potential future economic studies. While not a new discovery, this validation of extractability is a significant step in advancing the Silver Surprise target from a surface showing to a potential deposit.

From a critical perspective, it is important to remember this is a single surface bulk sample. The results may not be representative of the entire mineralized system at depth or along strike. However, as a first step, it is a clear success. Given the company's precarious financial position (see Capital Needs section), this positive technical news is vital for attracting the capital necessary for the next phase of exploration, likely at more favourable terms than would otherwise be possible.

Stuhini Exploration Ltd. is a Canadian mineral exploration company focused on its 100%-owned, road-accessible Ruby Creek Project near Atlin, British Columbia. The flagship project is a multi-target asset comprising: 1. Ruby Creek Molybdenum Deposit: A large, existing NI 43-101 compliant resource of 433 million pounds of Molybdenum in the measured and indicated category. This is the most advanced asset on the property. 2. Silver Surprise Zone: An emerging, high-grade silver target characterized by bonanza-grade surface samples. 3. Copper-Gold Porphyry Target: A new target identified in late 2025 with high-grade copper (up to 8.1%) and gold (up to 36.8 g/t) in grab samples. 4. Tungsten Potential: Several zones of tungsten mineralization, including the past-producing Black Diamond mine.

The company recently (June 2025) refocused its strategy entirely on Ruby Creek after divesting its Nevada-based projects.